The Muslim Link, January 3, 2014

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muslim martial arts expo fuses 'chi', islam >> PG 8

Nelson mandela and south african muslims: brothers-in-arms >> PG 5 Like & Follow us

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

Build It, Because They’ve Already Come Baltimore City’s First Masjid Built from the Ground Up to Serve Existing Muslim Neighborhood

By Hena Zuberi He shovels the fresh snow, and sprinkles salt on the driveway. It is the first snow of the season and Mustafa Sharif is getting ready for the Gwynn Oak Islamic Community (GIC) Masjid’s Open house.

past friendly neighbors helping each other park stalled cars on the icy roads, the cream and teal building is a magnificent sight in the snowfall.

Driving past suburban roads, past Liberty Heights Avenue, past the under construction Shoprite and serene Gwynn Oaks Park,

A welcoming community in Baltimore City; a model community with a model masjid which resonates with the call to prayer. Cen-

Muslim Link Staff Reporter

Or, just call it "yaqeen".

>> yaqeen Pg 18

Profile of the Moroccan American Community Organization | pg 5

VA Muslims Might Have Helped McAuliffe Win Gov Race | pg 12 Even ADAMS Expansion Sites Need Expanding | pg 14 trally located near the beltway, there is optimistic talk of growth in the brand new masjid, of the school district making the high school into a magnet school,

of quiet streets, historic homes, open green spaces, and convenient commute to

>> Gwynn Oak Pg 6

Around 1,800 Supports Help Raise $1.95M at Dec 15 Dinner Call this event the "December 15 miracle". Or call it the "the winter 2013 miracle".

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

MD Local Interviews Philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi | pg 7

Home of the Heart Beats Faster with Yaqeen Boost

By Muslim Link Staff

The Muslim Link

Germantown Leaders Hope To Pray In Masjid This Year | pg 15 VA Muslim Cemetery Might Be Largest In America | pg 20 Should College Applicants Discuss Their Muslim Identity? | pg 28 Egypt Closes Vital Gateways Into and Out of Gaza | pg 29 The Muslim Link

Coupons PG 38

2 | COMMUNITY NEWS

FREEZING WINTER NIGHTS

PROVIDE WARM COATS

WARM TWO HEARTS

....

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

INDEX

Mujtaba Yahya, DDS Aamir Sheikh, DDS, MS Seema Bateson, DDS

|3

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

|5

Community News South Africa’s Muslims and Mandela: Brothers In Arms Muslims Played a Central Role Alongside Nelson Mandela In the Struggle Against Apartheid

By Contributing Writers

oppression. Here in this area of Johannesburg, we witnessed resistance to the Group Areas Act, which will live in the annals of history,” President Mandela when he came out of prison, on a visit to the Muslim community in Johannesburg.

Hussain showed a black and white photo of Mandela joining with Muslim leaders in dua.

[This article is based on a lecture delivered

by Dr. Altaf Hussain at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society following the death of Nelson Mandela – TML]

In South Africa today, there are over 500 mosques, 408 educational institutes, colleges, Muslim private schools, religious instruction centers, and colleges of Islamic Sciences. Many universities offer Arabic and Islamic Studies as part of their academic curriculum. Muslims are involved in every profession and field of endeavor, and played a significant role in the anti-apartheid struggle and in the post-apartheid government of South Africa, according to Surayyah Dadoo a resercher in Pretoria, South Africa.

Getting ‘on the ground updates’ from the Muslim community in South Africa, Dr. Altaf Hussain spoke to the ADAMS community about the death of Nelson

Mandela and the history of Muslims in South Africa using words of prominent Muslims in South African tradition: Maulana Ebrahim Bham, a historian and Ebrahim Rasool, South African ambassador to U.S., as well as quotes from Nelson Mandela.

Even in his death, Mandela was held in

high esteem by the Muslim community, with whom he was so intimate. CNN coverage of Mandela’s passing showed Muslim men outside his family home paying tribute to Madiba (Mandela’s tribal name).

“During the apartheid years, Muslims rose to the call to unite in struggle against

Muslims came to South Africa as slaves from Indonesia, and indentured laborers from India. Just like in U.S. History African slaves werestripped of their affliation with Islam, in the same way South African slaves were also Dutch made it a matter of imprisonment and execution for the practice of Islam, according to Ebrahim Rasool.

The first masjid was given in a trust by a

>> mandela Pg 23

Young Moroccan Muslim Organization Works for Broad Engagement

By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter A letter arrived in the mail from Morocco seeking help from the Moroccan American Community Organization (MACO). Last year an unusually heavy winter snowfall left isolated villagers in Morocco's Atlas Mountains struggling to survive. Several children died from the cold. This year a plea for clothes, socks, and bicycles came to their brothers and sisters in Falls Church, Virginia.

MACO is raising funds to ship a 20 ft container to ‘Action Now for M'diqFnideq’ a nonprofit in Tètouan, Northern Morocco and is collecting gently used clothing, blankets (clean and folded), shoes, scarves, pajamas, to send to them.

MACO is also gathering strollers, walkers, cribs, and wheelchairs, crutches and other items for the elderly.

From welcoming to the King of Morocco on his recent visit to the capital, to

community dialogues with local Fairfax county human services, the Moroccan American Community Center is a hub of activity. MACO's musalla where salat is performed five times a day is easily accessible to people who work in the of-

fices on Leesburg Pike in Falls Church, Virginia.

Two years in the making, the center >> engagement Pg 22

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

6 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Area Youth Focus On Afterlife In 2014 EPC Contest An annual tradition in the DC Metro area, winter break would not be complete without children preparing their submissions for the annual Essay Panel Contest (EPC). Multiple workshops on essay writing were conducted by a team of experienced instructors and former participants who taught the format and structure of the EPC rules, the fundamentals of essay writing, and an in-depth review on the topics at area Islamic Centers.

The theme this year is Life in the Hereafter. The elementary category topic for the EPC essay contest is Al Akhirah: What does the Hereafter mean to me? The Middle Category Topic: Al Akhirah: How should I get ready for it through my everyday activity? And the High School Category Topic: The Life Hereafter: For a purposeful life herein.

Participants are urged to register on-

line at http://epc.mafiq.org. A fee of $15 per child is required. Essays, posters, snapshots or multimedia should be emailed to essays@mafiq. org by following the guidelines available at the EPC website: EPC Guidelines. Top contestants in the written essay contest of each level will participate in the speech contest.

January 7, 2014 is the deadline to receive all essays and media created

by participants. This year the competition will take place in the ADAMS center in Sterling, VA on January 25, 2014.

The Muslim Link wishes all participants the best for this year’s competition and look forward to the next edition of the Young Muslim Voices, the anthology of EPC essays published each year.

Build It, Because They’ve Already Come gwynn oak

>> continued from pg 1

the city without the congestion.

Of the ShopRite opening at the corner of Liberty Heights and Gwynn Oak Avenues. The grocery store will have a whole aisle of Halal meat, says the president of Howard Civic Association, Shadid Tamir Abdul-Rahim. He announces that the congregation should submit suggestions for grocery items so that they can be stocked at the store.

The community looks forward to more development in the area.

“We left the Nation of Islam,” seated on the floor of the masjid, Presley Cason III, Amir of the community tells me.

Three generations of Casons lives blocks from each other. Presley Cason’s son got married and moved back into the neighborhood. The Casons have been calling people to move here since the early 90s, but it took time for the idea to take off; to get rid of the perception people had of this area of Baltimore City. 15 to 20 families came at first, then in 1999 the majority started to move in. “I was already living here for the past thirty years,” says Cason.

“Seeing 40 houses on a 1/4 acre plots of land for $40,000 to $50,000 dollars, we targeted this area to make an Islamic community,” he conveys. 3500-4000 sq ft homes at extraordinary prices 13 years ago -now a brand new, renovated home costs $200,000.

....

$40,000 can still buy you a home, according to Cason, if you are ready to renovate.

“We have seen the community transform”; and it is transforming again. After accepting Islam, Hammett attended classes at Masjid Al Haqq with Shaykh Fatih Abdul Rahman from Sudan and Shaykh Dawud of Morocco. There he made friends who were moving here. “We saw so many Muslim families move into the area and [seeing] what they were trying to establish here, my wife and I were excited and moved into the Gwynn Oak community” in 2005.

He is the nephew of John (Yahya) Cason, the man behind much of the redevelopment activity. His father and uncle spearhead many of the civic initiatives in the area. Conservatively fifty Muslim families live in the area, he says, who are involved with the Gwynn Oak Islamic Community, but there are a lot more.

Down the street is the Maine Avenue, otherwise known as Islamic Way. "It's not completely Islamic, but there is a concentration of Muslims on this street. Wholesome is the word that you will often here to describe the lifestyle Muslims have brought to the area,” said Mercedes Eugene, a former president of the civic association in a Baltimore magazine article- copies of which were handed out to visitors at the masjid.

Former drug houses were bought and renovated. There used to be a liquor store at the corner of Gwynn Oak and Rogers Ave. When it became a hub for drug dealers, Yahya Cason purchased the building and refused to rent it to the liquor store. The builder of the new supermarket evicted another liquor store, and New York Fried Chicken stands where the third liquor store used to sit.

As a child, Moses (Musa) Hammett, Partnership Liaison at the Center for Urban Families, used to look longingly at Gwynn Oak Park- a segregated amusement park; as an African American he could not come here. Now he owns a home in the neighborhood. City records show the change from an all-white Howard Park to a community in which Blacks were in the majority. There is no record of a Black resident in Howard Park prior to August 1959.” If you walked through the neighborhood, you could get accosted by white folks, that’s how racist it used to be,” reminisces Hammett.

Welcomed by the neighbors because of the progression they saw and when they saw that Muslims shutting down bars and the liquor stores.

“When we actively led the action to shut down the liquor stores they didn't see us a foreign element, they saw us as normal people that want quality of life for their families.”

He rakes his elderly neighbors leaves, reminding of them of the Biblical teaching- Love Thy Neighbor. “You are the best neighbor I have ever had,” those words hold meaning to the Hammetts.

“They see that we don't bring drama but are being productive; it's been a really good experience.”

Attorney Melvin Bilal lives and plays >> GWynn Oak II Pg 24

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS

|7

She Would Give Me Two Coins: One for Me, and

One for the Needy

By Zainab Chaudry

Muslim Link Contributing Writer This past November, Zainab Chaudry of Maryland visited her ancestral home of Pakistan. She interviewed humanitarian and philanthropist Abdul Sattar Edhi in Karachi. Edhi is the topic of a recently released acclaimed documentary “These Birds Walk” produced by Bassem Tariq and directed by Omar Mullick. Eighty year-old Edhi found and runs a network of over 300 centers that provides social services for women, the elderly and orphans. The Bilquis Edhi Foundation has rescued 20,000 abandoned infants, 50,000 orphans and trained 40,000 nurses.

Tell us about Edhi Foundation. What is the purpose of this organization? {the]Foundation was founded to work for the cause of humanity. Our mission is to help human beings and humanity around the world, especially in Pakistan.

When was Edhi Foundation established?

We started it in 1947 around the time Pakistan was founded. I was about 20 years old and there was a lot of poverty.

People were in need of help. Today we have offices all over the country, from East to West, North to South. We also have 37 offices across the world.

What inspired you to become a humanitarian?

All credit goes to Allah. Allah wanted me to work for this cause. As a Muslim, I have a belief that Allah is helping me.

I am an ordinary person and I want to be seen as an ordinary person. My mother always told me I have to help others.

She would give me two coins and tell me: “One is for you, one you must give to help someone who is needy”. She always told me I had to help other people.

She was strict but she loved me. She loved me very much.

What has been your greatest challenge in operating Edhi Foundation?

There is no challenge. Allah has made it all easy for me. I have a simple way to accept donations. I don't mind begging.

If we are low on funds, I will stand on the street corner, and people will come from everywhere and give money. I don't mind begging so I can help others.

What was your own childhood like?

I have very little education. I have seen many people who are educated. The politicians are all educated and still Pakistan has so much corruption. My mother was not always well, and she was strict, but she took care of me and loved me.

My father was a businessman. He was not always home. I have three brothers and one sister. The Pakistani community is always cooperative and generous. My immediate family and grandsons help run Edhi Foundation, but my extended family is not involved.

What is the most rewarding aspect of doing this line of work? Of giving back to others?

It has created a very strong willpower in me. It has brought internal happiness and a strong belief in Allah. It has helped me become a stronger person. I did not think I would live this long. Allah is keeping me alive.

Do you have any regrets? If you could do one thing differently, what would it be?

I have no regrets. Allah has helped me be successful in all aspects of life. There is nothing that I would differently.

How did you meet Bilquis Bibi? What role does she play in your organization?

My wife is a part of me. She has stood by me the entire way. We cannot clap with one hand. Without her, I could not help as many people as I have. In the beginning she helped with Edhi Foundation. I saw the way she took care of babies in a cradle. She had a good heart and that appealed to me. I knew she would help me help Pakistanis. Allah has blessed me with a good wife and she is as part of

>> edhi Pg 22

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

8 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Muslim Martial Artists Show “Chi” Flows Well with Islam

By Hena Zuberi

against and incapacitate attackers.

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Since 1989 Muslim martial artists and students in the North East met and coordinated, passing their skills and experience to one another. In 2000 they formed the United Muslims Martial Arts Association, inc. (U.M.M.A.A.) “We have numerous backgrounds and disciplines, but come together under the banner of La illa illah” says Abdul-Muhsi AbdulRahman, president of the association and the organizer of the event.

Pencak Silat, Okinawan Karate, Shaolin Kung Fu, Japanese Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikido, Aji Jujitsu, and Tai-Chi were some of the martial arts demonstrated at the Ummah Association Martial Arts Expo on December 28, 2013 held at Darus-Salaam in College Park, MD. UMMAA holds a combination of expos and tournaments that rotate on a yearly basis, mostly held at Maryland-area Islamic centers.

Cries of ‘osu’ were heard as students and experts exhibited forms, sparring and self defense techniques. Practitioners with several decades of martial arts training under their belts described how to channel the body's “chi” or “energy” into fast, flowing movements to defend

"The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants," is a famous Gichin Funakoshi quote. He was the father of modern day karate. This is the reason why many Muslims feel that martial arts integrates well with their Islamic lifestyle, as an aid in the path of

dojangs from the Northeast participated from Washington D.C, Delaware, East Orange, New Jersey, Herndon, VA, Baltimore City, Baltimore, and Laurel in Maryland and other areas.

Around 100 spectators watched a 46 year old, black-belt in Tae Kwon Do, mother from Laurel, MD demonstrate along with her three children. Wanda Jones started

The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat but in the perfection of the character of its participants perfection of their bodies and characters.

Martial Arts improves reflexes and coordination, increases strength and stamina, and also teaches self-respect and respect for others, focus and discipline.

“For the time being we are in the North East, but [we] are turning every stone to connect to Muslims in Martial Arts country-wide,” says Abdul Muhsi, who practices Japanese Karate. This year 15

flexible. Jones is a sparring grand champion. “We love our teacher, parents trust him and the children trust him; he is very respectful of our beliefs,” she says. Her do jang practices a shallow torso bow (less than 45 degrees) as a cultural greeting; “it has no religious significance.”

For Muslims who have issues with bowing there are options for schools who do not include bows as part of their training.

“Aqabah Karate is [a] full time martial arts program that operates with Islamic principles in mind. Styles taught are Korean Tang Soo Do and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

There is no bowing and there are separate classes for boys and girls. I love it when at competitions my students don’t bow and later [get] a chance to explain to judges and fellow competitors that we only bow to God. Awesome Dawah in action,” say Muhib Rahman; Aqabah did not participate in the program this year.

training with Sensei Melody from Rockville, MD and completed at Master Hyun Suk Lee at the World Champions Martial Arts Center, a WTF Taekwondo dojo.

Her son Booker, 8, is about to test for his black belt dahn. Zain 5, is a super-blue belt, and little Ariana is a purple belt; she started right before she turned 3.

With a cindai wrapped around his hips, Abdul-Malik Ahmad demonstrated silat techniques, a fighting style from Indonesia. Training since he was 16, the 38 year old is an instructor at the Al-Azhar School of Pencak Silat in Herndon,VA. He told the audience that practitioners do

Start at a young age, she advised parents in the audience, when the bodies are very

>> "CHI" Pg 22

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

10 |COMMUNITY NEWS

Baltimore Palates Get a Taste of Lahore

By Hena Zuberi

fresh naan everyday.

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Meat is delivered from local butchers;”in the near future we hope to work with Imam Javid from Simply Natural to provide tayyib, natural, pure, as well as 100% zabihah halal meat,” shared Chef Imran.

Across the street from a masjid, Minare-Pakistan looms into view, the smell of savory Lahori dishes lure passerbys. We are outside Lahori Chaska--a brand new restaurant --not in Bhatti Gate, Lahore, but Gwynn Oak, MD, which is strung with fairy lights on this chilly December evening.

“I want to send leftover food to a homeless shelter. If I can find an association that can take the proper precautions and pick up the food, made fresh daily, we would not have to throw it away in the garbage,” hopes Chef Imran

Inside the warm restaurant is filled with the who’s who of Baltimore’s scholars, imams, and daees as they greet the restaurateurs: Chef Muhammad Imran Zia and his brother, Dr. Wasieem Wajahat, who will manage the restaurant.

“I am going to go pray Asr, can you make me 2 seekh kebabs and a naan and I will eat it when I get back,” a single brother orders and starts to leave for the masjid across the street. “Pray for me too, brother!” asks Chef Imran. A few weeks after the opening he says the response is “beyond [his] thoughts and efforts.” With half and hour to an hour waiting time, the restaurant is luring halal food connoisseurs from far and wide.

Chef Imran is already planning an 1200 sqft extension to accommodate families and cater to sisters in hijab and purdah.

“We will find halal and pure food here,” prayed Qari Zahid of Islamic Society of Baltimore. Dua was made by the father of the owners, Tariq Zia, for the success of the business. Zahid Hussain, editor of Dunya News, advised the brothers to maintain service and quality of ingredients for success in the long run.

The guests were served chicken biryani and with green raita. Pakistani handicrafts and kites adorn the walls. There is a large indo-pakistani community in the Baltimore City and Baltimore County area.

“Our main target market is not just the desi community, we want to be mainstream,” says Dr. Wajahat.

In 2003, Chef Imran started his a small business by providing samosas to local restaurants and then started catering weddings, dinners, and local food festivals. Making a name for himself, he was soon supplying halal meat to different stores. “It is my passion and hobby and I made it my profession.”

Imran is not a trained chef but he has honed his recipes and techniques through the years, experimenting and reinventing age old recipes. “He loves to cook,” shares his brother. “He can whip up something extraordinary in minutes.”

Having catered events up and down the east coast from North Carolina, West Virginia to New York and New Jersey, he makes his own masalas. Inspired by his

....

mother’s cooking, he likes experimenting. “My father is also a great cook; eating good food is my hobby, I like to try it and then to make it. Pakistani favorites like Salt and Pepper Restaurant and Ravi Restaurant in Faisal Town, Lahore and Shahbaz Tikka in Gujranwala still tingle his taste buds.

“I cater weddings and aqeeqah, that is my bread and butter,” Imran chimes in.

Imran's mobile catering services offers a mobile truck with a full line kitchen that rolls up to your event. Having served 4000-5000 people in events in New Jersey to setting up stalls on Pakistan Day in Virginia to Six Flags Muslim Day, his main business is still catering and he aims to keep serving his clientele.

The duo took a Korean restaurant Teriyaki Point and converted it. Pakistani handicrafts and kites hang on the wals.

He is training sous chefs and helpers.

“It’s all teamwork,” syas Dr. Wajahat.

The restaurant promises a taste of home in ‘pardes’. A favorite on the catering

scene for several years, Imran promises quality and authenticity. The owners hope to host an open barbecue advertised as live BBQ, so they can serve kebabs and tikka fresh off the coals outdoorsPakistani style.“We want to make a place where people can gather.”

Aside from the usual fare of biryani and tikkas, the restaurant promises some authentic Lahori dishes like full bakra (goat/lamb) roast and the whole chargha (deep fried chicken) everyday. And specialities not found anywhere else in the U.S., such as their Machli kebabs which are neither fish nor kebabs, but steamed lamb shanks made from the tenderest part of the tendon of the leg of mutton or lamb. The succulent piece of mutton are marinated, dipped in a secret coating fired and then steamed.

20 minutes from the Grand Trunk Road, the brothers are from the Shad Bagh area in the northern part of Lahore, which is known for its haleem. Haleem is a meat and grains stew- slow cooked. Lahori Chaska plans on serving haleem and

Summer is the time when he will start the live BBQ. On weekends, they serve breakfast all day: nihari (slow cooked beef stew), halwa puri (spicy chick peas, crispy fried bread and semolina pudding), paya and haleem. Kashmiri chai is on tap all day, every day.

Gajar ka halwa (sweetened carrots cooked in milk), kheer (rice pudding), gulab jamun (sweet dumplings in syrup), ras malai (balls of paneer served in clotted cream), zarda (sweet rice) are desserts served at Lahori Chaska and warmer weather will bring cold treats-kulfi and falooda. .

Repeat customers are already in line-back for more-- addicted to the Lahori Chaska – the taste of Lahore.

Lahori Chaska is located on 5808 Johnnycake Rd, Gwynn Oak, MD. Hours: 11 am to 10 pm (M-Th) (Friday 11-11) Sat & Sun (10 am - 11 p.m) Phone: (410) 788-6078

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

12 |COMMUNITY NEWS

CAIR: Virginia Muslim Voters Turn Out, Support McAuliffe in Tight Race (WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/11/13) - The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), in partnership with the Virginia American Muslim Civic Coalition (VAMCC), today released the results of an exit poll survey indicating that Muslim voters in that state turned out to vote and that the majority of Virginia Muslim voters picked Governor-elect Terry McAuliffe in Tuesday's state election.

lots to elect Democrat candidate Terry McAuliffe to Virginia State Governor.

Of those respondents, only 12 percent said they voted for Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli and 4 percent for Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis.

The poll, conducted Thursday by an independent interactive voice response survey provider on behalf of CAIR and VAMCC, indicated that 78 percent of registered Virginia Muslim voters turned out to the polls in the off-year election.

National and state Muslim organizations estimate that Virginia has some 60,000 registered Muslim voters. McAuliffe's win over Cuccinelli was a narrow victory with 54,870 votes between the two candidates.

CAIR and VAMCC's poll of more than 300 Virginia Muslim voters found with a 5.5 percent margin of error that:

"Virginia Muslim voters' large turnout in an off-year state election and their support for McAuliffe certainly had a part to play in the newly elected governor's victory," said CAIR Government Affairs Manager Robert McCaw.

78 percent of registered Muslim voters said they went to the polls on November 5.

68 percent of respondents that voted in the Virginia state election cast their bal-

17 percent of respondents declined to say who they voted for Virginia State Governor.

Rafi Ahmed, chairman of VAMCC, said: "Virginia Muslim civic organizations played a vital role in the state's election

making sure to register Muslim voters and get out the vote. VAMCC also made sure to connect Muslim voters to the candidates running for local and state office. The state's Muslim community was informed and voted for those who will best represented our interests."

estimated that the number of Muslim delegates the DNC was at more than 100, up from 43 Muslim and Arab-American delegates at the 2008 Democratic convention, and 25 at the 2004 convention.

At the RNC, a handful of Muslim delegates also attended.

During last year's nationwide general election, CAIR conducted a national survey of Muslim voters which reported that 55 percent of Muslim voters consider themselves moderate, while 26 percent consider themselves liberal, and 16 percent consider themselves conservative.

VAMCC is an independent, non-partisan group concerned with domestic issues which directly affect the Virginian Muslim American community's livelihood.

Its focus is on issues of civil rights, civil liberties, education, the economy, banking reform, environmental issues, immigration and health care reform.

The weekend prior to the election, CAIR co-hosted a GOTV phone bank at the Muslim Association of Virginia's Dar Alnoor Islamic Community Center in Manassas, Virginia. More than 50 volunteers urged Muslim and Arab Virginians throughout Prince William County to vote for the candidate of their choice.

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

[Source: CAIR]

Monitoring the 2012 Democratic and Republican national conventions, CAIR

Middle Schoolers Petition the White House for Eid Equality

By Muslim Link Staff Sumayyah McTaggart, a confident homeschooled eighth grader, from Great Falls, VA along with her friend Iman Hazer of Dunn-Loring, VA take civics classes at Compass Homeschooling Enrichment in Oakton, VA. Fatimah Dandashi of Falls Church, VA, a seventh grader also has classes with the same civics teacher, Leila Leoncavallo.

Assigned a class project, two weeks ago, to petition the government about an issue that they were passionate about, the three formed a petition on the White House website. Inspired by the Montgomery County Equality4Eid campaign and concerned about attending class on Eid day the three friends decided to address the issue of recognizing Eid day on the calendar.

....

“We knew each other from the masjid.

I used to attend the masjid that Fatima currently attends. We all ended up in the same civic class and petitioned the government to recognize our holidays in public school,” said McTaggart to the Muslim Link. Meeting at the public library, it took Hazer and McTaggart a few hours to put the petition together. Dandashi approached the paper for publicity to spread the word about their petition so they can collect the 100,000 signatures needed, before the January 16, 2013 deadline. Hazer is reaching out to interfaith coalitions.

“This year Eid Al-Adha. was on the day of science class, and I did have to go to school on eid,” says the homeschooler,”it was very upsetting, missing Eid prayer. I love hearing the khutbah and was upset

[I had to go to school].” Fatima Dandashi has also faced the same dilemmaschool on Eid day.

“We would hope that White House responds. We would all like to request Fairfax County to recognize Eid as a public holiday. We would like them to take the day off. The White House petition is an effort for publicity, to show the Fairfax county board of education how many people support the idea,” says McTaggart. Anybody who is religious would understand that struggle; they will receive our support if they have an issue, if [they] support us,” says McTaggart, wise beyond her years. The 13 year old loves to play soccer and plays for the Great Falls Soccer Club. She hopes that by the time her siblings are old enough for school they do not have to go to school on Eid day.

“The population of Muslims growing and it is not fair to have to choose between education and honoring your religious obligations,” she says.

The girls write that “our First Amendment not only forbids the favoring of one or more religions over others it also ensures that the government cannot restrict the free practice of religion. Muslims being required to attend school on Eid violates both.”

Their teacher thought it was one of the best causes that anyone had come up with and fully supports them. If you do too then show your support by signing the petition by January 16 at http:// wh.gov/l8f51.

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

14 |COMMUNITY NEWS

ADAMS Expansion Sites Expand

By Muslim Link Staff The ADAMS-Ashburn branch held an open house on Sunday, December 22, 2013 for a proposed property for expansion, located on 21740 Beaumeade Circle, Unit 120 in Ashburn, Virginia.

This location is adjacent to the current center in a flex building located in center of Ashburn Industrial Space, built in 2005. A branch of the Al Ummah Halal Bazaar chain is also located nearby. “We are leasing current location from BCRC, a Jewish reform congregation, we have established a great interfaith relationship with our friends at BCRC and CFC (one of the largest Christian Fellowship Church in Loudoun County),” says S. Akhtar Alam, Chair-ADAMS-Ashburn and a former Board Member All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS).

This location is familiar to the community and being next to the current facility

....

According to Alam, the increase in Muslim population in Ashburn area, especially in the last few years has been tremendous. The community needs a larger space and multipurpose use property to have activities for all age groups. “There are a lot of Muslims here and we need our own place in Ashburn,” says I. Khalid, a resident of the area.

The total project will cost $2.2 million for a combined 13,000 sq ft of total space. The current center which is on leased property is approx. 4000 sq. ft of finished space. According to plans this will be added to the 9,000 sq ft at the proposed location, pending fundraising, county permits and approvals.

will ease the relocation.

“During summer months we have four Friday prayers, and three during winter months, and for Taraweeh prayer we have been renting a hall, hopefully, our own large space will take care of this also, InshaAllah,” shares Alam.

The community will use the space for daily salah, multiple sessions of Jumuah to accommodate the growing population of Muslims in the area, Taraweeh as well as the weekend school and adult Quran classes. Muslims in the area would love to see daily day and evening education sessions and if permits are granted a Daycare/Pre-school on site.

The community needs to raise $1.2 million by January 30, 2013 to buy the unfinished space. By May 2014, $300,000 is needed to build out the center on the new site.

Part 2 of the project will require $700,000 to buy the current location with some >> ADAMS Pg 22

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS | 15

Finish Line In Sight for Germantown Masjid Taking advantage of the mild winter, work on the Islamic Society of Germantown masjid is progressing. As of December, the floor slab with a Wire Mesh is laid and erection of steel structure will happen soon. The elevator shafts and entrance are solid structures.

The goal to finish the construction is $900,000, ISG raised $50,000 in November and a little over $60,000 in December. $790,000 is still left to complete the goal. The board hopes to have an influx of funds as last minutes donation come in, with the year 2014 winding down. It has been a long road for the Germantown Muslims but the finishline is clear view and they need help to get to it.

The center, at 19825 Blunt Road, is approx. 10,000 square feet, in three levels, including women's and men's prayer halls, a commercial kitchen, and classrooms.

The model display of the structure can be viewed at the Iman Learning Center. “The display is to show our plan for 2014,” says board member Emrul Islam. It shows the construction stages-- step by step-- with cost for each contract and starting dates. “Transparency is our mission in order to complete the masjid by 2014 inshaAllah.

And asking the community to share with us our mission,” comments Imam Najjar, who has been overseeing the project.

The youth of ISG set up a social media page and are getting pumped up about their new center with bumper stickers and calendars.

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16 |COMMUNITY NEWS

Faith In Action: Winter Coats for Area Homeless

By Hena Zuberi

unteers and urged them to relay the message of how much was collected and how many lives were impacted to their communities.

Muslim Link Staff Reporter In an attempt to fulfill their civic

duty, DMV area masajid and Muslim organizations collaborated to collect winter apparel for the homeless in Washington D.C.- Baltimore area. Organized as part of a "Faith in Action" campaign, CAIR-MD partnered with Project Affinity and the Islamic Society of Annapolis (ISA).

An initial small effort evolved into a collaboration. With each iteration, more masajid sponsored the drive, spreading the word through their listservs and social media. Imam Safi Khan recorded a video appeal on behalf of Dar-us-Salaam and DUS offered to host the sorting. Islamic Society of Baltimore let people know where the donation boxes were located through their newsletter. Donations came in from Muslim Community Center, Islamic Society of Washington Area, Islamic Society of Western Maryland, Dar Al Taqwa, Masjid Mustafa, Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah, Islamic Society of Annapolis, Islamic Center of Laurel. A now annual effort that reached all of the major Islamic Centers in Maryland, and the result was a great use of resources, with an even greater result.

A truck owned by Noor-ud-Deen’s tree cutting business rolled up in front of Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, MD. He is a board member from ISA. On December 22, 2013, thousands of blankets, men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, socks, gloves, scarves, coats and Islamic attire-- gently used, and brand new still in shopping bags from the store-were piled up in the multi-purpose room at Dar-us-Salaam.

Imam Mikaeel Ahmed Smith sent a large group of volunteers from Annapolis to help sort the donations; many were university students-- off

....

Asfar Aziz from the Makkah Learning Center Youth Group bonded with brothers, Khuzeman and Rushain Abbasi, while making an impact.

“Amazing, help[ing] keep everyone warm.” Ahmed Gondal, 19, from Annapolis, MD agrees, “we should be doing this again and again.”

Group texts were sent out and the youth met the next day at Franklin Square in Downtown DC. Dispersing into smaller groups, they walked around buildings looking for people seeking shelter from the weather. Luweila Babiker noticed that there was a homeless man in the corner covered with a cardboard box. She was awed by her first experience working with the homeless; the humbleness and dependence on God displayed by those most in need.

for winter break. Dalia Elamawy and other sisters from the local area also joined the CAIR-Maryland team. It took several hours for the group to sort and pack 60 industrial size bags of winter clothing (50 gallons each), which lined the walls of Dar us Salaam.

The items were marked for distribution to Baltimore shelters Muslimaat Al-Nisaa (a Muslim women and children's shelter), Catholic Charities, and Helping Up Mission, Central Union Mission, D.C. Zaynab Chaudhry and Mariam Mirza of CAIR made the deliveries in Baltimore.

Project Affinity planned on distributing several bags by hand to the needy in Washington, D.C. 25 additional bags of summer clothing were taken to local Goodwill stores. Shefa Ehsun, an eleventh grader at AlHuda School and Zaynub Siddiqui, a homeschooler bundled the Islamic attire, which was taken by volunteers to masajid who could make better use of them.

“We formed some new bonds and we can find ways to work together,” stated Irfan Aziz,”we can reach out when in need of help; we have traction in all communities,” Aziz, an organizer with Project Affinity, expressed gratefulness for the vol-

“As we gathered at the end and reflected upon the experience we agreed that it’s definitely something we’d like to do more often. I feel like it purifies our hearts and more so our intentions. The sad part is that these conditions are a part of everyday life for some people, yet many of us usually just walk past them,” reflects Babiker, ”I asked myself if it weren’t for this event; would I have been one of those people who would’ve just walked past?”

"Charity is not only our duty as Muslims, but our civic duty as human beings and as Americans," said CAIR-MD Outreach Coordinator Mariam Mirza, who helped lead the effort. "Many mosques in Maryland came together for one cause, and we worked together to help the less fortunate in our communities. CAIRMD thanks everyone who helped make our drive such a success."

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

18 |COMMUNITY NEWS

Home of the Heart Beats Faster with Yaqeen Boost yaqeen

>> continued from pg 1

Despite the enormous amount of money yet to be raised by Dar-us-Salaam in its bid to purchase a 66-acre property in Howard County as its new campus, members and supporters of the College Park, Maryland community building project attended the December 15, 2013 annual fundraising dinner brimming with confidence.

Even without a surprise $1,000,000 donation announced towards the end of the fundraising portion of the program, the $957,239 raised was the highest ever for Dar-us-Salaam, the organization which is home to Al-Huda School.

The total, a ground breaking $1.95 million, gives Dar-us-Salaam much needed momentum as it enters the final stretch

in its race to raise $10 million by this coming spring 2014. Combined with the funds raised at the yaqeen event, Dar-us-Salaam has raised abotu $3 million in cash and pledges towards the $10 million needed to close on the Howard County property, a former catholic school campus.

On November 6, 2013, Dar-us-Salaam submited its application for conditional use to Howard County. The approval process involves a series of public hearings and usually takes 6 to 9 months.

After the recitation of the Qur'an by a young graduate of Dar-us-Salaam's hifz school, Minhaj Hasan opened the program by acknowledging the many masajid and communities whose leaders and members were present. Hasan has served as the master of ceremonies for the past few Dar-us-Salaam annual dinners. However, at this evening's event,

Clockwise from top right: Al-Huda School students perform a nasheed towards the end of the program which went till around 10pm; volunteers help with counting cash and pledges as they streamed in once the fundraising commenced. An inital figure displayed on the screen at the event was slightly higher than the actual amount collected and the final confirmed figure was emailed to supporters and posted on Dar-us-Salaam's websites in the days following the dinner; Aqabah Karates shows off its high flying self defense techniques and signature dive rolls; a Home of the Heart quilt made by Al-Huda students and staff was auctioned off for over $20,000, the donor's name will be added to the quilt which will hang inside the new building, in shaa Allah; and Al-Huda School principal Haroon Baqai helps arrange students for their nasheed performance. Photos by Salah E. Djimbanaou SED Media. Front page photo by Imran Azam .

....

he took leave of the audience, passing the torch to the next generation of community leaders.

"In the spirit of yaqeen, of having confidence in Allah, this year we are showing we are confident in our next generation, so we are having this most important event tonight presided over by the salutatorian of the Al-Huda High School graduating class of 2013," said Hasan, welcoming college freshman Naeem Baig to the stage.

Baig, known for his poetry and spoken word performances at the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament and on Youtube, went over the event protocols and ettiquetes in verse.

Dividing the program according to the "yaqeen" theme -- meaning confidence in Allah and His promise -- Sheikh Muhammad Syed Adly discussed "Ilm Al-

Yaqeen" (having confidence through knowledge), Brother Safi Khan discussed "'Ayn Al-Yaqeen" (having confidence through seeing), and Imam Siraj Wahaj discussed "Haq Al-Yaqeen" (having confidence when the reality becomes manifest).

Dr. Altaf Hussain, the fundraiser for the evening, said he had never attempted to raise the $1 million goal for the evening, but said he had faith and confidence something amazing would happen tonight.

It did, and now Dar-us-Salaam and its supporters continue to work to raise the remaining funds, hoping for more miracles from Allah to carry them home.

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

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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THANK YOU! To Allah for His mercy and for bringing all of us together. To every one of you who showed up from far and near and exhibited yaqeen in the "home of the heart" project. to all the hard working volunteers who worked so tirelessly. to all the generous sponsors and masajid that support the project. to everyone who could not show up but wanted to. to everyone who made sincere duaa for the success of the event.

jazakum Allahu khayran!

BE A PART OF THE EFFORT | DONATE TODAY AT WWW.HOMEOFTHEHEART.ORG/DONATE ....

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

20 |COMMUNITY NEWS

VA Muslim Cemetery Might Be Largest In America

By Hena Zuberi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter Sacred ground lies in Fredericksburg, an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia located 49 miles south of Washington, D.C. A battle was fought here over emancipation of slaves, and now slaves of Allah emancipated from the trials of the dunya rest in what maybe the largest Muslim cemetery in the United States. Established in 1986, the first grave was dug in 1996 at the All Muslim Association of America (AMAA) Cemetery. “[A] brother died and we had a hard time finding a place - thats how we started,” remarks Sikander Javed, the treasurer and member of the board of directors for AMAA. In the late eighties, Mohammad Younis, Zar Khan, and some other members of the community met at the home of Javed. “We didn't have a particular area in mind; looking for an inexpensive option we picked Stafford County, but did not limit ourselves.”

The cemetery does not charge for plots and has served more than 900 families.

Association administration believes that the current 7.5 acres of land will be used by the end of 2015

For the past 30 years the home of this former financial guru for the city government of Alexandria has been the office of the AMAA. After retirement, Sikander Javed and friends have dedicated the rest of their days to the cemetery project.

Located in Northern Virginia, the cemetery serves the DC Metro and the rest of the US; people from as far away as MIchigan come here to be buried. Javed thinks it is because the cemetery is the cost and exclusivity for Muslims; “even with added transportation costs, it is still cheaper for people to bury their relatives here.” The cemetery does not charge for plots and has served more than 900 families. “We haven’t verified this (as there is no central Islamic agency), but we do think that it is the largest Muslim only cemetry,” says Muhammad Khan of AMAA. Arranging a funeral can be difficult and is a time of great emotional distress. The fear of ‘negotiating’ the funeral price of a loved one can be an unnecessary stress.

For 5 years, the association charged 2150 dollars; paying a contractor on a need basis for services. “[Then] we hired a person, lower[ing] the cost to 1900 dol-

....

backhoes, and a lawn mower- requiring regular maintenance which costs about two thousand dollars per year.

To maintain transparency, AMAA's financial books are audited by an independent certified auditing firm. Due to increase work load, AMAA, Inc. hired two individuals from the community- a Operations Manager and Facilities Manager. This is one of the main reasons that brought the cost down to fifteen hundred dollars. Currently, it costs $1500 to bury an adult and a child’s burial fee is $650 with a stone marker and $400 without.

There is a separate section for children and adults.

The cost of burial includes a fee that covers the maintenance of the property, and salaries of two staff members. The board are all volunteers; they meet at area masajid, and this also helps keep the cost of burial low. Average funeral costs in Stafford County is $4000.

The original site was 7.5 acres, but when an adjacent 77 acre plot went into foreclosure, the association took a loan and brought the property. “We paid that land off early part of this year,” said Javed.

“The balance of $10,000 was paid off by a Dr. Hussain who recently buried a relative.” Currently AMAA receives about 12 burial requests per month.

Association administration believes that the current 7.5 acres of land will be used by the end of 2015. To be able to continue to serve the community, the organization needs to develop and level the land and have it ready for burials by 2015.

The development of this parcel of land includes surveys, county approval and construction.

The cemetery does not charge for plots and has served more than 900 families. lars,” shares Javed.

Purchasing their own equipment to open and close the graves further lowered the cost of the burial. In December 2010, a brother donated a small backhoe to the

organization. To ensure a service without any interruption, AMAA acquired a large backhoe. “Before April 2013, we had only one reliable backhoe and rented out a backhoe in case ours is not working.” The cemetery currently owns two

Plans include a permanent restroom; presently, the cemetery has a portable restroom located next to the entrance. A consulting firm in Fredericksburg hired to make the site plan aims to have the plan ready by January. “ [We need to] expand the current cemetery, built a new wudu facility and prayer area. Eventually we want to make a building to pray the janaza, as well as a full fledged washing

>> cemetery Pg 26

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

COMMUNITY NEWS | 21

Ground Work Laid, ICM Hopes to Start Construction In 2014

By Muslim Link Staff

feet facility.

As spring comes in, Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM) gardeners will be seen reseeding the green area at the back of the current building in Gaithersburg, MD readying it for summer picnic and games. All landscaping, part of this phase of the project, is in the ground.

The architect Najah Abdallah, is the design authority and Ahmad serves in a volunteer capacity as a liaison between the center and the department.

ICM completed the Land Development and Stormwater Management (SWM) work at a cost of $1.9 million, as required by county regulations. The work started in June of 2013. “County approval is pending, but the work itself has finished,” says Nadeem Ahmad, Project Manager and Trustee in charge of implementation of the master plan.

In parallel, ICM is also working on the building design, which was submitted in February 2013, and has gone through several cycle of reviews, to secure the building permit for ICM Islamic School, Youth and Community Center – a 45000 square

Electrical and mechanical components of the plan are approved by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services and architectural and structural plans have minor issues that need resolution. Ahmad hopes to have these resolves by next month.

The newly built parking lots and roads are operational and open for use; connected to the Church of the Redeemer (COR) parking lot. This interfaith parking lot will facilitate convenient and expanded parking for both ICM and COR. The next phase after obtaining the permit is getting estimates. “We still have to go through formal estimation of hired services,” shares Ahmad.

Based a general estimate the center could cost seven to nine million dollars for the 45,000 sq ft building.

“We currently need a couple million dollars to proceed with proposal of bids. A gymnasium, commercial kitchen, library, health clinic, food bank, daycare, conference hall and media room will also be included in the plan. The new building will allow ICM to accommodate the growing congregation and serve the needs of the community.

burner. “ We were waiting for building plans to mature. With a [permit] in hand we can approach sources that actually work with funding- Qarz e hasna or grants,” says Ahmad. Not limiting themselves, the center plans to approach everyone.

ICM has more than a million dollars in reserves but hopes to raise more.

Planning to break ground by the summer of 2014. “We don’t want to delay the breaking ground, we really hope to start the construction by 3rd quarter,” comments Ahmad.

ICM is also pre planning investment in human resources and services once the center is built. “There is an entire master plan that was made in 1999,” says Ahmad. The leadership wants to maintain a balance of the ICM brand while creating a facility that provides a structure for organizations who are already leaders in their services. These organizations can run their programs in the new center, as opposed to ICM duplicating services provided elsewhere.

The next fundraiser will be in the early spring- the goal being $3 Million to start construction. The fundraising committee is headed by Iqbal Yousuf. Discussion about a fundraising plan and and strategy for unconventional fundraising are on the

“We are looking for providing services in professional way which benefits the ICM community while reducing our operational costs,” Ahmad shares a hand and glove vision for the Muslims of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County.

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22 | CONTINUED engagement

>> continued from pg 5

officially opened June 2009 bringing together the larger Moroccan community to serve the Muslim community in Northern Virginia. The founders and active board members include Mohammed Abdelilah, Mohamed Abkar, Abdelali Benyahya, Hicham Ibrahimi and Azzeddine Labriny. Founding member Hassan Mendoun passed away in a car accident.

The organization rents a small building where Iqra Summer Camp, Quran, Islamic Studies, Arabic and French classes take place. Daily Halaqas, martial arts classes, computer classes and meetings of other local organizations are also held at the center. Ample parking surrounds the location, but due to space limitations the annual Taraweeh prayers are held at the Nur Center nearby. The center actively brings scholars from Morocco to educate the public.

The center can also be rented out for aqeeqah and other social activities.

MACO would like to build a large community center. A large number of Somali and Eritrean brothers are also part of MACO, so despite the Moroccan name the center caters to all ethnicities. “We are not isolated; everyone gets involved because it is relaxed and laid back.

Many sit in corner and read as we have a large library with different books that can help individuals,” says Mohammed Abdelilah, a construction contractor and Hajj agent who has been in the US since 1979. The center is located down the hall from his office. He is grateful for the ability to have a place to pray so close to where he works.

Three Friday services take place for Jumuah Salah: at 11:30am with a khutbah in English; at 12:30pm at the Nur Center for 200-300 people; and at MACO at 1:30pm.

Sister Sakeena of Maryland works in

edhi

>> continued from pg 7

Edhi Foundation as I am.

Describe a typical day.

I wake up at 4:00AM. Eat breakfast.

Meet people. I spend the entire day at the office. This work is my only obligation.

Allah has blessed me.

Is it true that Edhi Foundation does not accept monetary donations from the government?

If politicians donate money, then we return it. We do not seek donations from the government.

How are funds donated to Edhi Foundation allocated?

"CHI"

>> continued from pg 8

not hit on the face because of the hadith about respect for a human’s face. AlAzhar recently opened a new branch in Rockville at 12083 Nebel Street.

A team from Elizabeth, New Jersey trained under Sensei Zaid Muhammad from Masjid Darul Islam showed selfdefense techniques. Starting with six students the center now has 67 students.

“We are very competitive,” says Muhammad. His well-trained students win tournaments ”wherever we go.”

Musheerah Muhammad, a 10th grader who placed first in sparring contests and Nusaybah Abdul-Nafi, a student since she was 4, sparred in front of the crowd.

In black uniforms and hijabs they strike a powerful combination. “When we walk in contestants gives us looks, but when they see us compete we hear whispers of compliments,” says Abdul-Nafi.

Practice is punctuated with stories of the Prophets and other Islamic lessons, and starts with Surah Fatiha and ends with Surah.”Even the non-Muslims [students] have it memorized by now!” exclaims Abdul-Nafi. Sensei Muhammad is firm

administration and runs the office. The Imam, Shaykh Abdel-Moun Cherqaoui, is from Morocco and joined MACO two and a half years ago. Ethiopian sisters use the community center for their meetings- “we are open to other communities; are here to empower people to be active [members] in society."

as resource to be a part of American society at large.” Active in interfaith work with area churches, Abdelilah hopes the center can be a resource for all.

“This is our land and we need to make a difference,” says Abdelilah, who was the head of social services at Dar al Hijrah. “Helping unites peoples’ hearts to be generous,” he says.

For the winter drive collection bins were set up in homes in Woodbridge as well near businesses in Alexandria.

An active Facebook page keeps community members updated about different events. MACO currently has an endowment of $90,000. “There was a time we were struggling to pay the rent and now we continue to grow with a good foundation like a tree growing slowing but [strongly],” he said.

“The Muslim community [is] very generous and we are grateful to Allah; we hope to have a larger community center Whenever there is disaster anywhere, Edhi Foundation plays a role in delivering aid and relief. Generous donations have paid for the purchase and operation of 1,800 Edhi ambulances across Pakistan. We never turn away anyone who needs help. People drop children and parents off, we take care of everyone who is brought to our centers. Money is needed to buy food, clothing, medicine, when the students are not trying but soft when he sees hard effort, say his students.

“Parents see a lot of change in the children,” says Muhammad.

There was no charge for admissions and brothers and sisters of all ages were welcomed. The event started at 10 a.m. and ended after Maghrib prayers.

A project the organization is working on is a website for newcomers to the USA to find a roommate before they arrive.

“We have been doing this for Syria- a blanket drive that we shipped to another part of Syria … We are always looking for volunteers and looking for boxes so we can sort things out - sort it out in men women and children,” says Abdelillah.

The Moroccan Community Center is located at 5613 Leesburg Pike #1, Falls Church, VA 22041 www.macous.org For more information on MACO programs, call 202 725 2746. supplies.

Your work has been an inspiration to people around the world. What would you tell them?

Humanity is the most important thing in the world. It transcends religion when we have to help those in need. Whatever you do in the world, do it to help others.

A day of worship, demonstrations of physical agility and focused on unity- it was a day in the spirit of o negai shimasu- the exchanging of good will of all the meeting parties.

To learn more about UMMAA, email call (410) 448-1611 or email sifu_abdul@yahoo.com.

Vendors had stalls of toys, herbal medicine, Muslim bean pies, baked goods by Jamilah's Sweets and Saifuddin Muhammad’s food stall selling hotdogs, egg rolls and Chinese rice to the audience.

ADAMS

>> continued from pg 14

modifications. The board hopes to complete the project by July 2014.

....

From one time donations to 5-year interest free loans, there are the many ways that those who want to help with this project can participate.

“This was a good opportunity for our community to come and visit this proposed property,” says Alam. The center is planning a big event, the ADAMSAshburn Winter Festival on Sunday,

January 11, 2013 and is inviting Muslim businesses and vendors for this event.

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

CONTINUED | 23

mandela

>> continued from pg 5

Muslim woman, named Saartjie van de Kaap. These early Muslims involved themselves in the social, educational and political life of their communities. They had the wisdom and foresight to establish centres where the focal point of their communities would be social and educational upliftment, notes Bham Ebrahim Bham has written extensively about the history of Muslim in South Africa. During the apartheid, the Muslims were known as organizers as they would tap into the congregation after Jumuah.

During the darkest days of apartheid, Muslims played a role in protest politics with an impact far greater than their numbers would suggest, writes Bham.

He writes about the sacrifices of Imam Abdullah Haroon. Robben island, was a prison before Mandela was imprisoned there. Imam Abdullah (Tuan Guru) and Nur al Iman who were already imprisoned on Robben Island in the late 1700s.

While on Robben Island, Imam Abdullah who had memorized the Quran, wrote several copies of the Glorious Quran from memory. He also authored several books on Islam. He was released after 14 years on Robben Island at the age of 82, and passed away at 94. Some Muslims like Imam Abdullah Haroon, Ahmed Timol were killed by the apartheid security police.

Robben Island holds a shrine to a Muslim named Shaykh Matura, which Mandela referred to in his speeches. [Note: shrines to dead or living human beings are not sanctioned by the teachings and example of Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam – TML] When President Mandela was struggling, he had association with Muslims; he was with Muslims in prison and when he came out he was with Muslims.

Ahmed Kathrada spent 20 years with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island.

After the release of President Mandela, Muslims organized and held a huge gathering. At the conference, 750 delegates from across South Africa representing every shade of Muslim opinion and every facet of institution, that had been hard won in the dark days of oppression,

came together in Cape Town. They were ahead of Muslims in America.

People questioned Mandela once he became the President; what you say to us, will you say to the public? Mandela when he was in prison, and when he was in power he stood by the Muslim community. “The Muslims community is an important section of our population it's leaders too numerous to be mentioned have for decades been in the forefront of the freedom struggle the combina-

tion of the spirit of patriotism and religion had made their contribution to the progress of their country almost peerless. Millions of South Africans of different backgrounds and languages hold the community in high esteem.”- Nelson Mandela.

‘Our country can proudly claim Muslims as brothers and sisters compatriots, freedom fighters and leaders revered by our nation they have written there on the roll of honor with blood sweat and tears.”

Nelson Mandela used to come to speak to Muslim congregations in their places of meetings, not from far away.

Drawing parallels, Hussain mentioned General Colin Powell's appearance on T.V. when President Obama was running for office. A man asked if Obama was a Muslim and Powell replied saying “so what?” He also talked about the sacri-

>> mandela II Pg 24

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

24 | CONTINUED gwynn oak

>> continued from pg 6

golf with his buddy, Rafeeq, on one of the oldest golf course in Baltimore, Forest Park Golf Course, a few minutes from the masjid.

Khayriyyah Garner, 18, grew up on Arlington Ave., on a city block where they cleaned their stoops and gutters, sharing a room with several siblings.

“We could never walk alone in our old neighborhood.” Eight years ago, her family moved to Gwynn Oak, and she never had to share a bathroom again.

She walked the treelined block to her best friend’s house. Next stop was the playground in front of Sr. Khadijah’s* house, a refuge for the kids in case anyone needed a band aid or had to use the toilet. Garner is now married to a young man who also grew up in the neighborhood, but went overseas to learn Quran.

They are remodeling a house that her husband’s mother bought, near her parents and the Gwynn Oaks masjid.

After 4 years, the masjid is near completion. The community has raised over 1.3 million dollars; GIC must raise $40,000 more to complete the masjid construction. A fundraiser is scheduled on the

mandela

>> continued from pg 23

fice of Salmaan Khan, the New York city first responder. President Mandela never forgot that the Muslims stayed with him while he was prison for 27 years; they went to prison with him.

first Saturday of January, 2014.

Three stories high, the masjid is American suburban, with a salute to an Islamic aesthetic with teal arches over the entrance. An elevator leads up to the third floor, which will house the gym and youth rec area. A commercial kitchen, 3 classrooms on the first floor, a musallah on the second and “a lot of attention paid to the bathroom and wudu areas.”

It’s not a huge building but it fits the immediate needs to the community. To bring Islamic life for their future generations, the community bought a house and expanded it into a masjid. After it was condemned, and to comply with current zoning laws, they decided to raze the house and build a new masjid from the ground up-- a first for Baltimore City-symbolic of the new community.

“We want to raise men who are worthy of our daughters and daughters who are worthy of being mothers of our sons,” says Presley Cason, “as we grow we could easily be the majority in the area.”

Working class and professional Muslims live and worship together.

A homeschooling co-op, a small Islamic school and Al Rahmah School are all options for children’s education. Many

When he became President, people asked Mandela what his cabinet was going to be like? Would it reflect the needs and demographics of country. Nelson Mandela was humble. He didn't go after his enemies or the ones who put him in prison. He said that Muslims would be in his cabinet, his first education minister

of the girls attend Western High School, the oldest all-girls public high school in the United States, known for its quality education and the boys go to a previously all boys school, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute.

With plates of tuna and chicken salad on their laps, two old friends, Quadriyyah Tauheed and Sabreen Sharif catch up and exchange photos of grandchildren on their smartphones. Between them, they raised 8 children in the neighborhood. Their children still have the same tight bond with each other. Excited about the masjid reopening, the friends were present at the various meetings held to gather input from the members. “They asked us questions about how we wanted the building, the arrangement,” says Sharif, ”a Muslim architect drew out the plan and explained it to community members.” Annual membership dues are $210 per person or $420 per family.

The Sharifs moved here in 2000 from the inner city. “Our children felt safe,” says Sabreen. “They felt free- free to be Muslim,” says Mustafa. “I didn’t have to worry about them, because I knew who they were with and who their parents were, she shares. All of her children except for two went overseas to learn Islam and came back.“My boys are still in

was Muslim. It was his way of saying he was perfectly fine with Muslims, said Hussain.

When Jewish immigrants arrived and were discriminated against, em the African Americans welcomed them, “you are coming from a struggle join us.” Lessons that American Muslims immigrants

the community, other kids are close by, near ISB.” A teacher at Al Rahmah School, Tauheed says her family benefited from having Sister Majida in the community. “She was the principal of Madina Academy, homeschooled and tutored the children in our community.” Tauheed’s sons, Muhammad, (an engineer who an integral part of the UMBC MSA) and Ameer travelled to Egypt while they were in elementary school to study at Al-Azhar.

She sent them with a family from the Gwynn Oak community to learn Arabic.

They oversaw the boys, like extended family. Her daughter stayed with the same family during her tenure at Spelman College in Atlanta.

Hand in hand, the Gwynn Oak Islamic Community is establishing Islam within the borders of the Gwynn Oaks area of Baltimore City, in accordance to the Quran and Sunnah, “where the character of [people of other faiths] is being influenced by our children’s upright characters.” Engaged civically and politically, these indigenous converts are raising generations of born Muslim children and asking others to join them. *Name changed to protect privacy

can learn from their struggles are when we arrived in 1965 we headed straight to the suburbs. We benefited from the civil rights movement but never took part.

The South African Muslims have been a part of the struggle all along. Hussain urged Muslims to join struggles for justice wherever they may be.

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26 | CONTINUED cemetery

>> continued from pg 20

area. Ultimately offer a complete burial in as little [cost] as possible,” says Javed.

The cemetery has strict rules: loved ones of deceased are required to meet with a representative and sign forms.

All burials have to be completed during daylight hours, as there is no arrangement for lighting at the cemetery. The cemetery does not reserve spots and the next available grave site in line is available for a burial. Enclosures, such as a fence, hedge, ditch, gravel, or shrubs are not permitted around any grave nor may mausoleums be erected on any grave.

graves lessens worldly love and reminds you of the hereafter." Muslim Over the years many improvements have been made to the site. A year ago, the parking lot pavement was filled with gravel for $35,000. In 2012, AMAA board members approved the asphalt paving of parking lot and the driveway/ pathway to gravesites. To protect equipment and tools from severe weather, a shed was built for storage.

Last July AMAA Cemetery did not have water on site, so a community member from Mustafa Center donated money for a water well.

In May 2013, a local family donated walk stones to facilitate cemetery visi-

tors. “On a rainy days, it gets really muddy and very inconvenient to walk around the cemetery.” Local youth organized a Facebook event and around 40 volunteers from Make Space and Al-Mustafa Center installed walk stones. “Every weekend 8-10 cars are parked; lots of people visit the cemetery,” explains Javed.

Due to inclement weather, AMAA postponed the December Stafford Cemetery fundraising event. The tentative date for the next fundraiser is set for April 20, 2014, aiming to raise 1.5 million dollars.

Javed says the association is happy with the support from the local community.

“We visited all masajid in VA, selling tickets; [almost all] made special an-

nouncements and raising funds. We appreciate the support that community ha[s] given, that they trusted us. Given another chance we will not disappoint them. Thankful to God we don't have any debts and they always supported us; suggestions are welcome. We need your support.”

Donations can be sent to: All Muslim Association of America Inc., 4001 Sulgrave Drive, Alexandria, VA 22309 For burial service request contact AMAA's Operations Manager - Muhammad Khan via phone at 703-717-1851.

The graveyard is located on 1112 Brooke Rd, Fredericksburg, VA 22405 A 24 hour notice is required before the announced burial time.

"Visit the graves, for surely visiting the

'Fight Club' producer Arnon Milchan: I helped Israeli spy agency

By Alan Duke, CNN, November 26, 2013 Los Angeles (CNN) -- Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan confirmed what has been rumored for decades -- that he secretly helped Israel develop its nuclear weapons program.

Milchan, who has produced dozens of major movies and worked with the biggest stars, worked for Israel's now-defunct spy unit Bureau of Scientific Relations, he told Israeli television's Uvda "Fact 14" show.

A 2011 book detailed Milchan's secret work, but until now he has not talked openly about his life of espionage.

Milchan, whose films include "Fight Club," "Pretty Woman," and "L.A. Confidential," set up and operated dozens of companies that helped Israel obtain

parts and plans for its nuclear project in the 1980s, he said.

"I did it for my country and I'm proud of it," Milchan told interviewer Ilana Dayan in a report aired this week.

His spy work was a rumor in the 1980s when Milchan was producing movies, including "The King of Comedy" and "Once Upon a Time in America" with actor Robert De Niro.

De Niro sat with Milchan for an interview with Dayan for the show. He said he suspected something about the producer's "ventures" decades ago, but "I wasn't sure."

He didn't question his producer about the rumors because "it wasn't my business," he said. "He didn't ask me certain things and I don't ask him. "

Milchan -- born in 1944 in what was then Palestine -- was a successful young businessman in the United States when his friend Shimon Peres -- who later became Israel's prime minister -- recruited him to help after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Uvda report said.

Israeli spy officials used bank accounts set up by Milchan to make weaponsrelated purchases around the world, including helicopters and missiles, the report said.

"Do you know what it was like to be a 20-something guy whose country decided to let him be James Bond? Wow! The action! That was exciting," Milchan told Dayan.

Milchan told how he convinced a German engineer to let him photograph plans for a nuclear facility.

When the FBI discovered one of his companies was used to ship nuclear triggers to Israel without proper licenses, it resulted in the 1985 indictment of an executive who was involved. Charg-

es against Milchan were dropped by the Reagan administration.

"I didn't know Israel ordered the triggers," Milchan told Dayan. "I didn't even know what triggers were."

He also acknowledged helping the government of South Africa with public relations when it was under intense international criticism and sanctions because of its apartheid system. His help was in exchange for uranium supplied to Israel from South Africa, he said.

Director Sidney Pollack, whose films included "Tootsie" and "Out of Africa," was "my partner in export in aerospace, planes, all kinds of things, with license," Milchan said. "He had to decide what he was willing and what he was not. On many things he said 'No.' Many things he said 'Yes.' " Milchan is a multi-billionaire, but he insisted that he never profited from his spy work.

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NATIONAL NEWS | 27

Arts & Entertainment One Woman Play is American Muslim History Dramatized

By Hena Zuberi

can perform it on their own.

Muslim Link Staff Reporter

A group of middle school aged girl scouts from Virginia brave the cold to watch the play. After the performance, they wait in line to get Malik’s autograph. Samia and Iman are empowered by Malik’s message of standing up for one’s beliefs.” It touched me; it was about the hijab, and how you stand up for yourself instead of holding back,” expresses Samia. Muslims bullied for 9/11 resonates with Iman, Malik’s performance of people’s reactions gave her perspective.

A one-woman play, rapping, Unveiled- it sounds borderline ‘blasphemous’, but what a wonderful production.

Showing at the Theatre Project in Baltimore, Muslim mothers, teachers, even Girl Scout troop leaders gather their girls to share the bitter after taste of vignettes from Muslim women lives post 9/11 with a diverse audience. The stories resonate, American- Muslim history is on display and tears roll down cheeks invoking emotions that many have suppressed but were brewing, deep in hearts. Like soothing chamomile tea, that calms, but is mildly sour and often fruity on the way up and bitter on the way down.

Malik’s dialogues are plucked right from the mouths in Muslim living rooms, tea parties and Islamic center multi-purpose rooms: hate crimes, inter-racial marriages, colorism, convert/revert dilemmas, civil rights and the many dramas and pressures that come with being an veiled or unveiled woman and the obsession of mainstream media with the portrayal of hijab.

A minimalist stage is set with a simple table a teapot and tea cups. A spotlight shines on the chair.

Chai, Shai, lemony cups of the magic potion is shared between the audience and Malik’s characters.

A Pakistani designer, a MoroccanAmerican lawyer, a British South Asian rapper a Southern African American grandma, and an Arab-

American restaurateur are the women in Rohina Malik’s one woman show.

In one scene, Malik is Noor, a crime survivor, serving Shai bin Naui Naui and is Mama, Baba, and Joe, too.

Switching characters and accents within a scene, every scene, provocative, rich with Muslim-isms, and laced with Islamic phrases, references and terminology, familiar to Muslims, educational for others.

Drawing from her own experiences, imagination and as well as women in the many communities that formed her upbringing, Rohina Malik is a Pakistani-American playwright from Chicago, born and raised in London. Married, with four children she travels around the country to schools, universities and theatres to perform Unveiled; motivated by the rising hate crimes against Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and her personal exposure with aggression. After Sept.

11, at her best friend’s wedding, she was accosted by a man who dispar-

aged her on her appearance; her attire morphing her into the enemy, the terrorist- something we can all relate to.

The diversity of women are presented as an antidote for the stereotype.

“A hate crime never begins with violence, it has to begin with an atmosphere, degrading language and stereotypes, if we don't challenge it then the end result can be deadly,” says Malik in a post-performance discussion, setting a stage where people can come together. Many go back to their churches, masajid, synagogues and form an interfaith groups, she shares. “The main message is get to know me; that’s how we can rid of large stereotypes,”declares Malik, who is also the artistic director of Salaam Arts, a non profit she formed to aid religious tolerance and a resident playwright at Chicago Dramatists.

Premiering for the world at Chicago’s 16th Street theatre in 2009, for the first time the play is now available in written form, so performers

Others, like Tala, were impressed with Malik’s ability to “express what she thought from different points of view”. She played the abused and the abusers in the same scene and that was interesting to Nur. Sharp Shabana, the rapper with her British accent is a favorite amongst the girls.

On a personal note, I took my daughters to see the play, so they could witness what their mother and countless other sisters experienced and are still experiencing after 9/11 so they don't take their Islam and their right to practice their deen for granted.

Malik didn’t let me down as a Muslim woman; she was uplifting, mature and emphatic. This play should be shown to every Islamic school, Muslims Student Association, community center audience, sponsored

by Muslim organizations in a theatre, because it is American Muslim history dramatized.

To book Unveiled email info@salaamarts.org

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

28 | NATIONAL NEWS

Applying to College: Should You Identify Yourself as a Muslim?

By Sarah Khasawinah

Muslim Link Contributing Writer Should you include your Muslim identity on college applications? Some people fear that in our post 9-11 world, advertising Islam on an application could negatively impact the outcome.

However, individuals in the process, from those who are currently applying to those who recently applied, and even those who evaluate college applications, suggest that when presenting yourself, it is best to be yourself.

Muhammad, a freshman a Johns Hopkins University (JHU), reflected on his experiences from applying for college last year, “I felt that Islam is such an integral part of my life that it can't be excluded from presenting myself, because it is part of me--and the whole point of the app is to portray yourself to the university.” Ayesha also a first year at JHU, echoed this sentiment, “For any application in which discussing my activities was relevant, I included my Islamic activities because I consider them to be as relevant activities as volunteering or tutoring.”

Toulaye, a high school senior from Maryland who just finished applying explains “I said that I was Muslim in all of my college applications and said I was a part of the MSA. It’s important that they know.”

Calvin Wise, a Senior Associate Director of Admissions at Johns Hopkins University, also shared encouraging words, “We strongly believe in the educational benefits of a diverse classroom experience.” Wise, who has read over 4,000 application essays after working in admissions for five years at two different institutions said via email, “If I were to guess, I would say that a good majority of our applicant pool includes religious activities within their application.”

....

If including religion is normal according to admissions officers, then why do some of us think twice about listing Muslim on an application? Ayesha, remembers, “I did ask my friends and family about whether or not to include my Islamic activities in my application, but I received many mixed answers.”

Prejudice against Muslims exists. The Public Religion Institute found in 2011 that nearly half of Americans believe that Islam is at odds with American values. However, it is our responsibility to change this perception through action.

The current prejudice stems from misunderstandings, and Muhammad, the freshman at JHU viewed his application also as a teaching opportunity. When asked if he felt that his Muslim identity would influence the college admissions decision, he answered, “Yes. I was not

sure how it would affect it only that someone who is religious might pique admissions' interests, especially a Muslim. I believe that there is such a lack of understanding of what Islam truly is and preaches, so people are genuinely interested in what it actually is and therefore will want to look into the subject matter more out of curiosity.”

Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you want to reveal your Muslim identity on an application. If Islam gives your life meaning, this passion will come through, and make your application stand out. Many of us also stand out already without extra words—a name like “Muhammad” or a hijab during an interview presents a Muslim identity, and that is something to wear with pride and humility. Islam commands helping the poor, spreading peace, protecting the

environment, and seeking knowledge, not as extracurricular activities, but as tenets of faith.

So when you list volunteer experiences, school clubs, academic achievements, and sports awards, it will not hurt to share the deeper reason that drives you to success everyday. In fact, it may help. According to Wise, at Johns Hopkins, “We strive to enroll the most diverse class possible.”

May Allah guide all Muslim high school seniors into the best colleges where they will serve as messengers of Islam through action. Ameen.

Reference: http://www.cair.com/presscenter/op-eds/12148-islam-oped-thereality-of-islamophobia-in-america. html

- February 6th, 2014 January, 3rd & ARTS FILM

World Press

CIVIL RIGHTS

| 29

Once Again, Gazans Take The Hit With all that is happening in the Middle East and North Africa, let us not forget Palestine.

By Ibrahim Abusway

Muslim Link Contributing Writer The saying goes like this: "When Israelis sneeze, Gazans get the flu." Now we can add "when Egypt experiences a fever, a blockade of Gaza ensues."

Since 2006, the story has remained the same - all of Gaza is on lockdown. Very little can get in, very little can get out; be it humans, food, or supplies. Our children remain malnourished. Allow me to paint you this picture: You are a visitor in Gaza, and you meet some locals, and the mother says, “Here is my 15-year-old son Omar, and here is my 11-year-old daughter Sawsan.” And you look at Sawsan in astonishment and say to yourself, "Sawsan looks smaller than my 8-year-old back in Baltimore!" That is malnourishment.

Then you learn of their daily struggles: not enough water, 2 hours of electricity per day (or less), very little meat, very little medicine, very little of everything.

So you feel bad, and sad, and everything in between.

But when you get back to Arlington or Philadelphia you say to yourself, "I can't believe how kind those Gazans were, what generous hosts they were, and every poor child had a huge smile on his or her face the whole time I was there!" The same is true for those in the West Bank and those in the refugee camps (now towns and cities in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan). Their daily struggles are the same, and their beautiful hearts are the same.

Everything happens for a reason. Allah's wisdom (hikmah) and His actions are connected. If you are a Muslim, then we surrender and submit to Allah, that is the literal meaning of "Muslim."

And we believe in His qadar (preordainment). But a Muslim also keeps working and keeps moving forward. In any

After the ouster of the Morsi government in Egypt, General Sisi's military has enforced a blockade of important trading gateways into and out of Gaza. Sisi also ordered the demolition of tunnels like this one that often serve as the only lifeline for average Gazans to get food and medical supplies. Internet photo. situation, we make duaa' (supplicate) and then we work to fix and solve problems. The larger the catastrophe, the quicker and harder we work. And that is why the scholars say we push one qadar with another qadar.

Pray for your children in Palestine and help them as best you can. Remember and teach your children that the issue of Al Aqsa and its surroundings is not a Palestinian issue, nor is it an Arab issue, indeed it is an Islamic issue. As the Prophet Muhammad taught us in an authentic hadith (and here is the gist of it): The believers are like one body, when one part of the body aches, the rest of the body reacts.

Kinder USA (http://www.kinderusa. org/) continues to offer help to the needy in Palestine. Be it fresh food baskets, jobs or education, we are doing our part. Everything we do is legal, and we are a 501 c3 charity in good stand-

ing with the Treasury Department of the United States and registered as an AISBL in the European Union. Most of our activities fall under zakat ul maal; Muslim scholars (ulamaa') say that we can give our zakaat ul maal in advance if needed, and Muslims in America can take advantage of the tax deductions for any zakaah or sadaqah they give. Of course we accept support from Islamic centers and appreciate that support even if we cannot visit in person.

In an effort to help the needy and local economies, we have begun training female heads of household in Gaza in sheep husbandry and pigeon farming, providing them with impregnated sheep, a 9-month supply of fodder, and dairy goods production/sales training (all for $1,000). We are also providing some households with 10 pairs of pigeons, fodder, appropriate equipment, and proper training (all for $800) so they may prepare 20 pairs within 6

months for the marketplace. These great projects will provide revenue to the families on one end, and a good source of protein for those consuming it on the other end. We have also begun distributing rechargeable lamps ($25 each) to address the power shortages.

One final thought: Many non-Muslims in America and around the world have donated generously to help the needy in Palestine. The list is too long at Kinder USA, and includes Christians, Jews, and others, individuals and churches, and more.

Allow me to give you a few specific examples: the Coptic Christian from Egypt whom I met at a Connecticut gas station one night and insisted that he take Kinder USA brochures to his church. The Christian family from Indiana that gave and has been giving every month for years. And perhaps the bravest of all, Jews inside and outside the United States who are standing up for justice and for the children of Palestine. How generous and brave are they? Once upon a time, not too long ago, two Palestinian children needed immediate medical attention and had to leave Gaza. After Israeli border agents refused to let them cross the Eastern border of Gaza, two Israeli physicians stepped up and agreed to take full responsibility for these two children's entry, stay, and exit; only if you are from that region would you understand how brave and generous these Jewish physicians' "guarantee" was. Thank you, one and all.

Ibrahim Amin Abusway, Development Coordinator, Kinder USA . Donations to Kinder USA may be made at http:// www.kinderusa.org/ or 1-888-4518908 or mailed to Kinder USA, PO Box 224846, Dallas, TX 75222-9785. You may contact the writer at Ibrahim@kinderusa.org

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30 | HEALTH & FAMILY

Civil Rights

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

FOIA Documents Show FBI Illegally Collecting Intelligence Under Guise of "Community Outreach" FBI Storing Information on Activities Protected by the First Amendment, Memos Obtained by ACLU Show Source: American Civil Liberties Union, December 1, 2011

conversations and presentations.

The 2008 memo also recorded participants’ contact information and descriptions of their opinions and associations.

A 2009 San Jose, Calif.

• FBI memo describing FBI participation in a career day sponsored by an Assyrian community or-

and association,” said Nusrat Choudhury, a staff attorney with the ACLU National Security Project. “Congress passed this law to prevent records obtained by the government for one purpose from being used for another reason without a person’s consent, but that is precisely what the FBI has

NEW YORK – The FBI has been illegally using its community outreach programs to secretly collect and store information about activities protected by the First Amendment for intelligence purposes, according to FBI documents released today by the American Civil Liberties Union.

FBI memos, written in 2007 and 2008 by

agents who attended Ramadan Iftar dinners

“The trust that community outreach efforts aim to create is un- under the guise of the FBI’s mosque outreach dermined when the FBI exploits program, documenting participants’ names, these programs to gather intelli- conversations and presentations. gence on the very members of the religious and community organizations agents are meeting with,” ganization. Agents detailed con- done.” said Michael German, ACLU seversations with three community nior policy counsel and a former leaders and members about their There is no indication in the FOIA FBI agent. “The FBI should be opinions, backgrounds and chari- documents that community memhonest with community organizatable activities. bers were informed that the FBI’s tions about what information is • A 2007 San Jose, Calif. outreach activities were used for being collected during meetings FBI memo describing a mosque intelligence gathering purposes or and purge any improperly collectoutreach meeting attended by 50 could be potentially used to target ed information.” people representing 27 Muslim these people and their organizacommunity and religious organi- tions for investigations.

FOIA documents showing inzations, identifying each person stances of inappropriate intelliby name and organization and One of the organizations whose gence gathering include: analyzing their “demographics.” members were noted attending the mosque outreach meeting was the • San Francisco FBI mem“Except under certain special cir- Muslim Community Association os, written in 2007 and 2008 by cumstances, the Privacy Act bars (MCA). “Like all Americans, we agents who attended Ramadan Ifthe FBI from maintaining records want to help the FBI. Now we feel tar dinners under the guise of the like these describing how Ameri- betrayed,” said MCA Board SecFBI’s mosque outreach program, cans exercise their First Amend- retary Isa Shaw. “We support the documenting participants’ names, ment rights to freedom of speech idea of building trust through FBI

....

community outreach programs, but the government should not be taking advantage of it to violate our First Amendment rights like this.”

The ACLU is calling on the Department of Justice Inspector General to investigate Privacy Act violations in the FBI’s San Francisco and Sacramento Divisions and to initiate a broader audit of FBI practices nationwide. It is also urging the FBI to stop using community outreach for intelligence purposes, to be honest with community organizations regarding what information is collected and retained during community outreach meetings and to purge all improperly collected information.

The request for these documents was made by the ACLU of Northern California, the Asian Law Caucus and the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

A detailed description of examples (with links to FOIA documents) showing the FBI's improper collection of information at community outreach meetings is available at: http://www.aclu. org/national-security/aclu-eyefbi-alert-community-outreach-intelligence-gathering

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

ISLAM | 31

Islam

Is Being Environmentally Conscious A Muslim Trait?

Abdul Muqtader

Muslim Link Contributing Writer

As a Muslim you work towards instilling Islamic traits within yourself.

Earning halal, protecting yourself from sin, and praying all your salawat are just some of the traits that might come to mind. But has anyone ever said to another, “may Allah reward you brother for separating all your plastics and paper” or “mashaAllah, that sister brushes her teeth and never lets the water run”?

For the majority of people, being environmentally conscious in their daily lives is simply a nuisance and at worst just another rising cost when the energy bill comes. On the contrary, it should be seen as an opportunity. The simple act of flicking off a light switch when leaving the room — with the right mindset — will create people who are God-conscious and fulfilling the mighty role that Allah bestowed upon us as his khalifah (vicegerent).

Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth.

They [the angels] said: "Wilt Thou

The positive choices we make to conserve energy and the limited resources provided to us, no matter how trivial the attempt, become acts of worship.

We are all managers and have been relegated with authority and responsibility over our sphere of influence on this earth. The positive choices we make to conserve energy and the limited resources provided to us, no matter how trivial the attempt, become acts of worship.

place therein one who will make mischief and shed blood? Whilst we do celebrate Thy praise and glorify Thy holy name?" He said, "I know what ye know not." (Quran: Surah Al-Baqarah,

Verse 30) Another way to look at this dialogue (and to Allah belongs the highest examples) is that a shop owner wants to

The problem is that I do not know why I am exerting effort in worship; is it for the gain of the hereafter or for worldly benefits? If I give in charity for example, I am not sure if I am really seeking the pure reward or because I know that Allah will bless me with much more than what I gave in charity. I started doubting myself, am I hypocrite?.

right path. That is a blessing that has been bestowed upon you for which you should be thankful, because it is the aim of every believer, and this is the most important thing in this world and the Hereafter. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Allaah does not grant His love to the penitents but they become the elite of people before Him. Were it not that repentance is a word that encompasses all the laws of Islam and truths of faith, the Lord would not rejoice so greatly over the repentance of His slave. End quote. – Madaarij al-Saalikeen (1/343)

Praise be to Allaah. I congratulate you, my brother, on having been guided to repent to Allaah and come back to the

The fact that the harder you strove in worship, the more means of finding halaal provision became available to you shows that fearing and obeying Allaah

Obedience to Allaah Brings Provision I am thirty years old. I was sinning till five years ago, yet I was praying. Then I got married and travelled to France.

Many problems happened to me and I found that the only solution is to return to Allah and repent. So I repented, all praise be to Allah. I started memorising Quraan and seeking Islamic knowledge. I fast the optional fasting along the year, I do not miss any prayer in the masjid except rarely; I did not miss the first takbeera of any salah for forty days. All praise be to Allah as He should be praised. As a result of this, my circumstances improved a lot, and I felt a very big positive change in myself as well. The more I obey, the more Al-

hire you as a manager for his store, even though someone brings up the fact that you may not be able to fulfill the duties and might just burn the whole place down. Lucky for you, the owner knows better and allows you the position. As the manager of the store — a representative of the owner — you exercise some authority and are responsible for whatever happens within the store, with the expectation that you will keep the store in the perfect condition as you received it.

lah blesses me, Allah is watching, He knows I am truthful.

Marketing campaigns encourage consumers to change their outdated incandescent light bulbs to high efficiency LED bulbs because it uses at least 75% less energy (energystar.gov), leading to

>> environment Pg 33

brings provision, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine” – [al-Talaaq 65:2-3] Similarly, sin brings poverty. A person may be deprived of provision because of sins that he commits. Nothing brings provision like doing acts of obedience and avoiding sins. But you have to pay attention to your intention before you start to act, so that the motive for doing >> PROVISION Pg 32

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32 |

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

ISLAM

Salaah times for January 3rd - February 6th , 2014

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

---Hadith in Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim

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

PROVISION

>> continued from pg 31

good in the first place will be to seek the pleasure of Allaah, and you should keep an eye on your intention and guard against it being corrupted during and after the action, so that you can rid it of self-admiration, showing off, and seeking praise and status in people’s hearts because of it, and avoid doing it because of what it brings you of good things in such a way that if your provision was reduced you would stop doing it. These are all things that are contrary to sincerity and spoil acts of obedience.

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: The things that spoil and

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Day Fri Sat

Date Jan 3 4

Hijri 2/3 3/3

Fajr 6:08 6:08

Sunrise 7:26 7:27

Dhuhr 12:13 12:14

Asr 2:41 2:42

Maghrib 4:59 5:00

Isha 6:18 6:19

Sun Mon

5 6

4/3 5/3

6:08 6:08

7:27 7:27

12:14 12:15

2:43 2:44

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Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

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6/3 7/3 8/3 9/3 10/3 11/3 12/3 13/3 14/3 15/3 16/3 17/3 18/3 19/3 20/3 21/3 22/3 23/3 24/3 25/3 26/3 27/3 28/3 29/3 30/3 1/4 2/4 3/4 4/4 5/4 6/4

6:08 6:08 6:08 6:08 6:08 6:08 6:08 6:07 6:07 6:07 6:07 6:06 6:06 6:06 6:05 6:05 6:04 6:04 6:03 6:03 6:03 6:01 6:01 6:00 5:59 5:58 5:58 5:57 5:56 5:55 5:54

7:26 7:26 7:26 7:26 7:26 7:26 7:25 7:25 7:25 7:24 7:24 7:23 7:23 7:22 7:22 7:21 7:21 7:20 7:19 7:19 7:19 7:17 7:16 7:16 7:15 7:14 7:13 7:12 7:11 7:10 7:09

12:15 12:15 12:16 12:16 12:17 12:17 12:17 12:18 12:18 12:18 12:19 12:19 12:19 12:20 12:20 12:20 12:20 12:21 12:21 12:21 12:21 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:22 12:23 12:23 12:23

2:44 2:45 2:46 2:47 2:48 2:48 2:50 2:51 2:52 2:53 2:54 2:55 2:56 2:57 2:58 2:59 3:00 3:01 3:02 3:02 3:02 3:04 3:05 3:06 3:07 3:08 3:09 3:10 3:11 3:12 3:13

5:03 5:04 5:05 5:06 5:07 5:07 5:09 5:10 5:11 5:12 5:13 5:14 5:15 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:20 5:21 5:22 5:22 5:23 5:25 5:26 5:28 5:29 5:30 5:31 5:32 5:33 5:35 5:36

6:22 6:22 6:23 6:24 6:25 6:25 6:27 6:28 6:29 6:30 6:31 6:32 6:33 6:34 6:35 6:36 6:37 6:38 6:39 6:39 6:40 6:42 6:43 6:44 6:45 6:46 6:47 6:48 6:49 6:50 6:51

cancel out good deeds are too many to list. What matters is not the deed; what matters is protecting the deed from that which would spoil it and cancel it out.

End quote. - Al-Waabil al-Sayyib (p.

20) It should be noted that if a person’s intention in doing acts of worship is to seek the pleasure of Allaah and His reward in the Hereafter, and he also intends to seek the immediate reward of obedience in this world, such as ample provision, a good life and so on, there is nothing wrong with that.

Allaah has encouraged us to obey Him and to avoid disobeying Him, by mentioning that reward in this world, which indicates that there is no blame on the

believer if he seeks that.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If a person intends two good things by his action: the good of this world and the good of the Hereafter, there is nothing wrong with that [i.e., no blame and no sin on him] because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine” [al-Talaaq 65:2-3] – al-Qawl al-Mufeed (2/244) Do not let the Shaytaan tell you that you are a hypocrite or insincere, because his

aim is to divert you from doing righteous deeds and to lead you astray from the path of good. Do not let your motive in doing acts of obedience be the provision that they bring, in such a way that if the benefits were to dry up you would stop doing them. Rather make your deeds sincerely for your Lord, and thank Him for the good things that He has bestowed on you: “And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allaah), I will give you more (of My Blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily, My punishment is indeed severe’” [Ibraaheem 14:7] And Allaah knows best. [Source: islamqa. com]

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014 environment

>> continued from pg 31

a lower energy bill. Muslims who sees the big picture of their actions buys the LED bulb knowing their electricity is most likely supplied from a coal or gas powered plant (eia.gov), polluting Allah’s earth with toxic chemicals, and buying this efficient bulb is one step towards reducing these harmful emissions.

While wasting something such as electricity, which has a noticeable cost financially and ecologically, is considered detestable by any laymen, what does Islam teach in the case of wasting something that is abundant and harmless?

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) passed by Sa'd when he was performing ablution, and said: 'What is this extravagance?' Sa’d replied: 'Can there be any extravagance in ablution?' The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) said: 'Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river.' (Sunan Ibn Majah: Vol1,Book 1,Hadith460) Ponder over this hadith. If wasting a utility which is abundant, free, and benign such as water flowing from a stream (or in our case a modern day faucet) is discouraged then what can we make of wasting electricity, gas, plastic, food, old electronics, chemicals, paper, heavy metals and the plethora of modern day conveniences that are tossed and forgotten yet end up causing chaos in nature?

Of the 250 million tons of trash tossed and forgotten in America in 2011 (epa. gov), 134 million tons — the equivalent weight of 20 Hoover Dams (usbr. gov) — ended up in landfills or incinerators! That trash will be a source of pollution for generations to come as it seeps noxious chemicals into our drinking water and soil, releases toxins in the air, and encapsulates or annihilates our finite resources that could have been otherwise recycled and reused. On a smaller scale how many of us or our uninformed children have thrown a plastic bottle to the curb, let

CONTINUED | 33 a wrapper blow out of our car window or left a non-biodegradable paper plate behind in a park? This trash inevitably, through storm drains and local streams, ends up in our oceans. Today a vast section of the Pacific Ocean, reported by Independent News to be twice the size of the United States, is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (noaa.gov) because it is a cesspool of deteriorating plastics that originated from litterbugs all throughout the world. These bite size pieces of plastics are destroying marine life which misidentifies it as food.

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. (Quran: Surah Ar-Rum, Verse 41) All praise is to Allah who has given every animate and inanimate object a value, and that value is not simply based on its going market rate, but because every creation of Allah is conscious and is in His remembrance.

Do you not see that Allah is exalted by whomever is within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread [in flight]? Each one knows its own [mode of] prayer and praise.

And Allah knows well all that they do.

(Quran: Surah An-Nur ,Verse 41) It was our Prophet (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) that exemplified for us how our relationship should be with not only human beings but with animals, plants, and the environment as they too are cognizant beings worshiping Allah. From looking at his (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) sunnah we see actions of mercy, concern and an idea of stewardship.

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) entered an orchid belonging to an Ansari and saw there a camel. When it saw him, it began to groan and its eyes shed tears. The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) approached it and patted it on the hump and the base of its head until it quieted down. Then he asked,

"Who is the owner of this camel? To whom does it belong?" An Ansari youth stepped forward and said: "It is mine O Messenger of Allah!" He said, "Do you not fear Allah in respect of this beast which Allah has placed in your possession? This camel is complaining to me that you starve it and put it to toil." (Riyad as-Salihin: Book 8,Hadith 967) When talking about the Mountain of Uhud, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) said “This is a mountain that loves us and is loved by us”.

(Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 64, Hadith 127) Our modern day amenities of getting water from the tap; food cut, packaged and displayed at supermarkets; electricity wired to power our homes; and trash vanishing on pickup days have made it seem like everything is a cold, priceable commodity and we are shielded from our environment such that our actions do not have repercussions. This is a great disillusion.

Let us Muslims be the frontrunners of environmental preservation by seeking guidance from Allah and then amending any harm done by our hands. Make it a point to recycle and pick up trash, beginning with the trash we see around our masajid. Become moderate in using any resource that Allah has provided. Let us instill the Islamic trait of being environmentally conscious within ourselves; let us benefit the earth though our stewardship.

Anas reported Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) as saying, “Never does a Muslim plant trees or cultivate land and that birds or a man or a beast eat out of them but that it is a charity on his behalf”.(Sahih Muslim: Book 22,Hadith 12) ---------------------------------------------References

monthly/pdf/sec7_5.pdf>. energystar.gov "Why Choose ENERGY STAR Qualified LED Lighting?."http://www.energystar.gov/. U.S. Department of Energy, 28 12 2013. Web. 28 Dec 2013. <http://www.energystar.gov/index. cfm?c=ssl.pr_why_es_com>. epa.gov U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2011. 2011. Retrieved from <http:// epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/ MSWcharacterization_508_053113_ fs.pdf>. usbr.gov "The Colorado River and Hoover Dam Facts and Figures."Reclamation: Lower Colorado Region. U.S Department of the Interior, 28 12 2013. Web. 28 Dec 2013. <http://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/pao/brochures/faq.html#weight>. noaa.gov "Great Pacific Garbage Patch." OR&R's Marine Debris Program. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminstration, 28 12 2013.

Web. 28 Dec 2013. <http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html>.

Independent News Marks, Kathy, and Daniel Howden. "The world's rubbish dump: a tip that stretches from Hawaii to Japan."Independent 05 02 2008, n. pag. Web. 28 Dec. 2013. <http:// www.independent.co.uk/environment/ green-living/the-worlds-rubbishdump-a-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html>.

Sunan Ibn Majah Vol1,Book 1,Hadith460 http://sunnah.com/urn/1254240 Sahih Muslim: Book 22,Hadith 12 http://sunnah.com/muslim/22/12 Sahih al-Bukhari: Book 64, Hadith 127 http://sunnah.com/bukhari/64/127 Riyad as-Salihin: Book 8,Hadith 967 http://sunnah.com/riyadussaliheen/8

eia.gov U.S. Energy Information Administration. Monthly Energy Review December 2013. 2013. Retrieved from <http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

34 | OBITS & EVENTS

Request For Dua’s

{ To Allah We Be l o n g , an d t o Hi m i s Ou r R e tu r n } “Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya:35)” 12-05-2013 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Sister Leatrice Seddique. The Janazah Salat for Sis Leatrice was on December 6, 2013 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) grant her Jannatul Firdous and may HE grant her family ease. (Source: PGMA) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-06-2013 My mother Bilquis Fatima has passed away. Her salat was on December 6, 2013 in Baltimore, Maryland. May Allah swt forgive her sins, and enter her into Jan'nat al firdaws, and make her from the people of yameen Ameen. (Source: A. Siddiqi).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-07-2013 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Sister Mariama Samba. The Janazah Salat for Sister Mariama was on December 7, 2013 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) grant her Jannatul Firdous and may HE grant her family ease. (Source: PGMA) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-07-2013 It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of our community member Brother Syed Asad Ali, father of DAT former Trustee Dr. Syed Wahaj Asad. The janaza was on December 7, 2013 in Ellicott City, Maryland. We ask Allah (SWT) to shower him with His mercy, compassion, and forgiveness, and to grant him the highest ranks in paradise, and give his family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: Dar Al Taqwa) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-12-2013 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Brother Ibrahim Sesay. The Janazah Salat for Brother Ibrahim was on December 13, 2013 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannatul Firdous and may HE grant his family ease. (Source: PGMA) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-13-2013 Selmeyyah Muwallif, mother of Ali and Akmal Muhammad, has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on December 14, 2014 in Silver Spring, Maryland. May Allah accept her good deeds, forgive her shortcomings and enter her into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-14-2013 Noman Sami has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on December 15, 2013 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings and enter him into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-16-2013 Sister Helen's husband, Brother Khalil Ghodrat, has passed away. His janazah was on December 16, 2013 in Manassas, Virginia. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannah, accept him in His Mercy & Love and grant Sabr to his family and friends. (Source:Dar Alnoor) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-16-2013 Tariq Khan, husband of Irum Khan and father of Annem Khan from our community has passed away. He was a loving husband and the compassionate father of three lovely daughters. May Allah grant him forgiveness, bestow him with blessings and grant him jannat ul firdaus. Ameen. May Allah provide patience and comfort to his family during this difficult time and ease the pain of his loss. Ameen sum ameen.

(Source: P. Rohatgi and S. Reza) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-17-2013 Elijah Ahmed Shaheed, son of Ronald and Benilda Shaheed, has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on December 19, 2013 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings and enter him into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-18-2013 Mrs. Mughlani Begum Khan, wife of Mr. Saeed Uddin Khan, mother of Khalid Khan, Dr. Arifa S. Khan, Anwar Khan, and Shaista Ahmed, has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on December 20, 2013 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah accept her good deeds, forgive her shortcomings and enter her into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-18-2013 The MAS DC community extends its deepest condolences to the family of Br. Ali Mckinney on the passing of his grandmother, Ms. Estelle McKinney, who has passed away. Our hearts are heavy and we mourn with the Mckinney family. We pray that your patience is met with much reward and that sadness is replaced with joy. (Source: Muslim American Society (DC) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-18-2013 Hassan Masood Afzal, son of Masood Afzal has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on December 19, 2013 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings and enter him into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-21-2013 Mounir Moustafa Mohamed, father of Ammre, Moustafa and Mona Mohamed has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on December 21, 2013 in Falls Church, Virginia. May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings and enter him into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-26-2013 It is with great sadness and a heavy heart to inform you of the passing of Moona Qureshi, great aunt of Br. Muhammad Ishaq. The Janazah was on December 27,2013. We ask Allah (SWT) to have mercy of her and her family through these difficult times. We ask Allah (SWT) to grant our dear sister in Islam JanatulFirdaus. Aameen Ya rabila'lameen. (Source: Maryum Center) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-29-2013 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing away of Sister Tahira Faridi (Brother Waseem Faridi's Wife). We ask Allah (SWT) to forgive her, have mercy on her and give her Jannat ulFirdous. We also ask Allah (SWT) to give sabr and sakinat to Br. Waseem Faridi's family during these difficult times. Ameen. (Source: ICCL) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-30-2013 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Brother Malik Littleton. The Janazah Salat for Brother Malik was on December 31, 2013 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannatul Firdous and may HE grant his family ease. (Source: PGMA) -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12-30-2013 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Brother Almami Outtara. The Janazah Salat was on January 1, 2014 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah (SWT) grant him Jannatul Firdous and may HE grant his family ease. (Source: PGMA)

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Upcoming Events In Your Area Gwynn Oak Masjid Fundraising Dinner Saturday, January 04 2014, 6:00pm - 10:00pm Do you have your tickets to the fund raising dinner yet? The cost is only $10 per person, and the dinner will be held on the second level of the new Masjid.

The Gwynn Oak Masjid is a true blessing from Allah (SWT), and a true celebration for those who gave their support, fisibilillah, financially, with their time and talents, and with their duas Alhamdulillah. Shaykh Yaseen, from Masjid Al-Rahma will be our keynote speaker. We will also reveal the new name for our Masjid. Invite your family and friends to come out and show their support too. Insha'Allah, hope to see you there! Location: 3723 Gwynn Oak Ave, Baltimore, MD 21207 ‎ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ILIA Cyber Security Workshop Saturday, January 11 2014 Islamic Leadership Institute of America (ILIA) Youth Services Division: Cyber Security Workshop - Confidentiality, Integrity, Authenticity, Availability.

Dr. Mohamed Eltoweissy, Ph.D. Two Sessions: Saturday, Jan 11th 2014 and Saturday, Jan 18th 2014 for both genders ages 12-16. Location: 3290 Pine Orchard Ln, Ellicott City, MD Contact: www.islamicleadership.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3Di Athletics 6 Week Shooting Clinic Saturday, January 11 2014, 9:00am - 1:00pm We would like to introduce our next event that will start us off for 2014. From January 11th to February 15th (every Saturday for 6 weeks), we will be holding a shooting clinic that will be led by none other than Coach Raouf Osman.

3Di Athletics' shooting clinic will consist of: Components of Great Shooting/ Perfecting technique; Shooting off the dribble and using screens, and other individual shooting skills; The Jump Shot; Skills and Drills to practice on your own/teach yourself; Overcoming pressure/Repetition; Personal attention to correct form/technique And More! Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM for ages 9-12; 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM for ages 13-17. Price: $125/6 weeks (If you register before December 15th, 2013, you will receive a $30 3Di Hoodie for Free!)

Spread the word and register quickly! There are only 20 SPOTS available for each age group. Register quickly as it will fill up quickly. Location: Francis Scott Key Middle School, 910 Schindler Dr, Silver Spring, MD Contact: info@3diathletics.com or visit our website: www.3diathletics.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tarbiyah Academy Fundraising Dinner Sunday, January 12 2014 The Tarbiyah Academy Board cordially invites you to attend our Fundraising Dinner "Piecing Together the Puzzle". Enjoy an evening of enlightenment with guest speakers, Imam Zaid Shakir of Zaytuna Institutle in Berkeley, California, and Imam Siraj Wahhaj of Masjid At-Taqwa in Brooklyn, New York. Starts at 4PM. Child care is limited so purchase your tickets today to secure your spot! Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Baltimore – BWI Airport 890 Elkridge Landing Road Linthicum, MD 21090 Contact: To buy tickets, please visit www.TarbiyahAcademy.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ADD YOUR EVENTS FOR FREE AT WWW.MUSLIMLINKPAPER.COM

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

MASJID LISTING

| 35

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------NORTHERN VIRGINIA ---------------------------------------------------------------All Muslim Brothers Association 3900 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 Tel: 703-647-0515 Jumma Prayer Only - 1:15 P.m ---------------------------------------------------------------Icna VA Center: 2913 Woodlawn Trail, Alexandria, VA 22306.

Tel: 703-660-1255 ---------------------------------------------------------------Idara Dawat-o-irshad: 4803 VAlley St, Alexandria, VA 22312 Tel: 703-256-8622 ww.irshad.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Mustafa Center: 6844 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA 22003 Tel: 703-658-7134 www.mustafacenter.org E-mail: Mustafacenter@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Baitul Mukarram: 2116 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA, 22204, Tel: 703-778-1550 ---------------------------------------------------------------Zakaria Islamic Academy: Galesbury Lane, Chantilly, VA 20151 Tel: 571-969-2123 www.ziacademy.org E-mail: Contact@ziacademy.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Badr Community Center Of Dumfries: 17794 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 Tel: 703-554-7983 www.bccd.org E-mail: Info@bccd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Ul-ghuraba (Masjid Ur Rahmah): 155 Baker St., Emporia, VA 23487 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al Hijrah: 3159 Rowe St., Falls Church, VA 22044, Tel: 703-536-1030 www.hijrah.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Moroccan American community Organization Center 5613 Lessaburg Pike,#1 Falls Church,Va 22041 Info@macous.org Www.macous.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Northern VA Trust (Icnvt): 4420 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030 Tel: 703-591-0999 www.icnvt.org E-mail: Info@icnvt.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al-noor (Muslim Assoc. Of VA): 5404 Hoadly Rd., Manassas, VA 20112, Tel: 703-580-0808 Fax: 703-221-8513 www.daralnoor.org ----------------------------------------------------------------Manassas Mosque: 12950 Center Entrance Ct, Manassas, VA Tel: 703-257-5537 ----------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Center Of Virginia: 1241 Buford Rd., Richmond, VA 23235 Tel: 804-320-7333 www.icVA1.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Greater Richmond (Isgr): 6324 Rigsby Road, Richamond, VA 23226 Tel: 804-673-4177 www.isgr.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al Rahman: 1305 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224 Tel: 804-232-7640 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjidullah Of Richmond: 211 North Ave., Richmond, VA 23222 Tel: 804-321-8864/804-647-4297 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar-ul Huda: 6666 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150, Tel: 703-922-0111 www.darulhuda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Foundation of America: 6606 Electronic Drive, Springfield, VA 22151 Tel: 703-914-4982 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Noor: 8608 Pohick Rd, Springfield, VA 22153 Tel: 703-451-7615 ----------------------------------------------------------------Adams Center: 46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling,VA 20164, Tel: 703-433-1325 www.adamscenter.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Heritage Center (Ihc): 262 A-3 Cedar Ln., Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: 703-206-9056 ---------------------------------------------------------------WASHINGTON D.C. ---------------------------------------------------------------First Hijra Muslim Comm. Center: 4324 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20011 www.firsthijrah.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Ivy City Masjid: 2001 Galludet St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202-904-9668 E-mail: masjidivycity@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-islam: 4603 Benning Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20019 E-mail: Imammusa@hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Muhammad: 1519 4th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20001 Tel: 202-483-8832 | www. masjidmuhammad.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Society Of Washington, D.c.

(MswDC): Howard Center, Room 805 (Above Hu Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236 ---------------------------------------------------------------The Islamic Center: 2551 Massachusetts Avenue

NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-332-8343 www.theislamiccenter.com ---------------------------------------------------------------MARYLAND ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Annapolis (Isa): 2635 Riva Rd. Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel: 410-266-6660 www.isamd.org Email: Info@islamannapolis.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Bait-Allah Masjid of Baltimore Inc 200 S. Calhoun Street Baltimore, MD 21223 Imam’s cell: 571-721-9938 email: baitallahmasjid@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Bilal Dawah Center, Inc: 1910 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223 Tel: 410-945-1515 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar ul Uloom: 6334 Dogwoood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207, Tel: 410-493-0785 Email: Darululoommd@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ul-haq: 514 Islamic Way (Wilson St. ), Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-728-1363 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-mumineen: 2642 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218 Tel: 410-467-8798 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Jamaat Al-Muslimeen: 4624 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212 Tel: 443-438-7986 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-rahmah/isb: 6631 Johnnycake Rd., Baltimore, MD 21244 Tel: 410-747-4869 | www.isb.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid As Saffat: 1335 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-669-0655 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Fatima Address: 1928 Powers Lane Catonsville MD, 21228 Phone: 410 800 4880 Email: info@masjidfatima.com Website: http://www.masjidfatima. com ---------------------------------------------------------------Irhsca (Islamic Research And Hum. Services Center Of America): 1 Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040 www.irhsca.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Southern Pg County (Isspgc): P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Tel: 240 603 4618 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar-us-Salaam: 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848 www.duscommunity.org

---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Easton 126 Port Street Unit # 1 Easton, MD 21601 Tel: 410-829 7924 islamicsocietyofeastonmd.yolasite.com---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Zamzam 1510 Lynch Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 Tel: 410-284-2840 www.masjidzamzam.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar al-Taqwa: 10740 Rte. 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042, Tel: 410-997-5711 www.taqwa.net ---------------------------------------------------------------Maryum Islamic Center (MIC) 3280 Pine Orchard Lane Suite A Ellicott City, MD 21042 Tel: 443-574-5188 www.maryumcenter.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Hikmah: 11064 Livingston Road Unit L (101) Ft. Washington, MD 20744, Tel: 301 292-9009 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Frederick (Isf): 1250 Key Parkway, Frederick,md 21702 Tel: 301-682-6090 www.isfmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Maryland (Icm): 19411 Woodfield Rd. Gaithersburg,md 20879 Tel:301-840-9440 www.icomd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Makkah Learning Center (Mlc): 814 Brandy Farms Ln., Gambrills, MD 21054 Tel: 410-721-5880 www.isamd.org Email: Info@mlcmd.org----------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Germantown (Isg): 19900 Brandermill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876 Tel: (240)-277-7758 www.isgtown.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah: 8000 Mlk Highway, Glenarden MD Tel: 301-322-8105 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society of Western Maryland: 2036 Day Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 Tel: 301-797-0922 ---------------------------------------------------------------Southern Maryland Islamic Center (Smic): 1046 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown, MD, 20639 Tel: 410-535-0000 ---------------------------------------------------------------Avondale Islamic Center: 4637 Eastern Ave., Hyattsville, MD, 20782 Tel: 301-779-9292 ---------------------------------------------------------------Prince Georges Muslim Assoc.(Pgma): 9150 Lanham Severn Rd., Lanham, MD, 20706,

Tel: 301-459-4942 www.pgmamd.org Imam’s Office: 301-459-1441 E-mail: Imam@pgmamd.org.

---------------------------------------------------------------Turkish American Community Center 9704 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706 Tel: 301-459-9589 www.taccenter.org ---------------------------------------------------------------La Plata Masjid: 111 Howard Street, La Plata, MD 20646 Tel: 301-609-8769 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Com. Center Of Laurel (ICCL): 7306 Contee Rd., Laurel, MD 20707 Tel: 301-317-4584 www.icclmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Ghurabaa: 8220 Washington St., South Laurel, MD 20724.

Tel: 301-604-3295 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Lexington Park 22583 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20619 Tel: 240-538-7839 or 561-414-0994 www.iclpmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Medina Center: 11600 Falls Road, Potomac MD 20854 www.medinacenter.net E-mail: Admin@medinacenter.net ---------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic Center 9019 Marcella Ave. Randallstown, MD 21133 Tel: 410-971-4018 www.ricbaltimore.org E-mail: Info@ricbaltimore.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington Area (Iswa): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930 www.iswamd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Education Society of Maryland 11504 Veirs Mills Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Tel: 301- 933-3838 ---------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Community Center (MCC): 15200 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20905 Tel: 301-384-3454 www.mccmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Imaam: (Jumuah Only) Jumuah: 12:50pm 3201 Randolph Rd, Wheaton, MD 20906 www.imaam.org Email: Fridayprayer@imaam.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid An-nur: 5418 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, MD 21162 Tel: 410-663-9637 Fax: 410-663-9817 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah: 7832 Fairbrook Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977

....

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

36 | CONTINUED

Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan Office Manager: Stephanie Benmoha Layout: Fadlullah Firman

HIJRAH April 2013 | Quarterly | Allah guides to Himself those who turn to Him. (42:13)

Staff Writers: Urooj Fatima Yaman Shalabi Fatimah Waseem Hena Zuberi Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Imam Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published once a month on Fridays and distributed throughout the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia Metropolitan Areas. TML is a non-profit publication and is based at Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, USA. Staff and contributors are not necessarily affiliated with Dar-us-Salaam.

The views expressed in The Muslim Link do not necessarily reflect those of Dar-us-Salaam or TML management or their underwriters. Dar-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 taâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ala). Please keep, recycle, or share it with others The Muslim Link PO Box 596 College Park, MD 20741 Phone : (301) 982-1020 Fax: (240) 209-0702 editor@muslimlinkpaper.com Advertising: 301-982-1020 or email us at office@muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link.

All Rights Reserved 2014

....

HIJRAH:

Your Companion On the Journey to Allah

UMMAH NEWS: NFL Players Leave Football for Hajj p5 // Latina Immigrants Spreading Islam p8 // WHOLE LIFE: Be a Glowstick p18 // Thrive, Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Just Survive In Prison p14 // Keeping In Touch

with Your Children p41 // Why Muslim Fathers Need to Man Up p49//FATAWA p55

The Nation's only news magazine dedicated to Muslim inmates needs volunteers like you.

"I've been in prison for 14 years. Where have you been all this time?" That's a real quote from one of the many letters we receive about Hijrah, a non-profit publication of the Muslim Link dedicated to serving Muslims in America's prisons. With your help and generosity, last year we shipped around 5,000 copies of Hijrah for free to prisons across the nation, to local, state and federal facilities. Chaplains and wardens are very happy with the positive, uplifting content we put in Hijrah. However, we can't continue without dedicated volunteers. We need writers, people to mail packages, people to introduce Hijrah to chaplains across the nations, and people to help raise funds for this unique and noble project. Remember, Muslims in prison are our brothers and sisters too. Many made their Hijrah inside the concrete walls of a cell. To answer their call, email editor@muslimlinkpaper.com or call 301-982-1020.

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To get the Muslim Link print edition in the mail, send $5 for shipping and handling per issue using check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Road, College Park MD 20740. To make payments over the phone using a credit card, call the Muslim Link office at 301-9821020. Subscribe to the online version of the newspaper so you get it in your email inbox FREE each issue. To subscribe for free, go to muslimlinkpaper.com.

Attention Inmates: As much as we would like to, we are unable to honor requests for free subscriptions at this time. To subscribe, follow the instructions above.

marketplace TML Advertisers Index Accounting & Finance CPA Solutions Providers | 64 Ahmed Eid, CPA | 63 Azzad Asset Management | 3

Automobiles Mercedes-Benz of Catonsville | 23

To Advertise Call 301.982.1020 Areej Fashions | 66 International Sisters Network | 68

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Dining Out Green Apple Convenience Store and Deli | 44 Planet Pizza | 40 Lahori Chaska | 47 Food Factory | 43 Pizza Roma | 40 Halal Fried Chicken | 45 Pizza 786 | 51 Mister Kabob | 48 RJ Cafe | 52 Lahori Chaska | 46 Food Factory | 42 Bengal H. Corporation - DBA Chicken Hut | 40 Pizza 786 | 50 Amina Thai Corp. dba Amina Thai Rest | 39 Silver Spoon Kabobs | 53 Lal Qila Restaurant | 41 Rockville Halal | 39 Pizza Palace Rockville | 40 Mister Kabob | 49

Education 3 Stars Driving School | 60 ILIA- Islamic Leadership Institute of America | 17 Tooba University | 25 Al-Misbah Childcare | 58

CONTINUED SALAAH TIMES | |

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Dar-us-Salaam | 9, 19 3Di Athletics | 71 Tarbiyah Academy | 13

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38 | MP - Advertisements

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For businesses not currently in the paper, coupons are just $10 each issue, paid in advance.

All coupons are one size (approximately half the size of an 1/8 page ad) and are text-only, no images.

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 39

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40 | MP - Advertisements

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 41

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

HALAL MENUS

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

Appetizers 1. Samosa 2. Samosa chat 3. Shami kabob

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Sweets 1. Rice Pudding 2. Sweets(2pieces) Sweets(Mix)

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MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 43

Salads Served with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and yogurt sauce on the side...

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8. Chapli Kabob* 9. Combination Kabob 10. Bihari Kabob* ll. Fish Kabob Side Orders 1. Naan(Bread) 2. Rice 3. Salad 4. Chutney (Yogurt Sauce) 5. Vegetable Curry 6. Meat Curry 7. Grilled Tomatoes

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HALAL MENUS

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

HALAL MENUS

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46 | MP - Advertisements

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

LIVE BBQ

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MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 47

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48 | MP - Advertisements

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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HALAL MENUS

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

FRESH PIZZA DELIGHTS Hand tossed/thin crust. ultra thin crust available 12” only. choice of wheat or white Pers.8” Med. 12”

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Chicken fillet, pizza sauce, provolone cheese

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Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, ranch dressing

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Chicken Tikka Kabob Wrap

100% Real Turkey (Hot or cold) Ham & Cheese (Hot or cold) BBq Chicken Cheese Steak

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Italian Steak 9.24 14.99

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Greek Pizza 9.24 14.99

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chiken or beef, onions, green peppers

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FRESH OVERSTUFFED SUBS & Available in white and whole wheat bread choice of free fixing: 8” 6.49 12” 10.49 20” 15.99 Philadelphia Steak Philadelphia Cheesesteak Italian Cheesesteak steak, mushrooms, green peppers, onions, pizza sauce, provolone cheese

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6.24 6.24 6.24

Mixed veggies with American cheese, mayonnaise and hot peppers

spicy chicken, green peppers and onions

Steak, Pizza sauce, pizza cheese

6.24

Smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, American cheese and mayonnaise

gyro meat (Chicken or beef), feta cheese, black olives, red onions, green peppers and exta cheese

Chicken Tikka Pizza 9.24 14.99

6.24

Lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, onions, hot peppers and American cheese

16.99

6.24 6.24 6.24 6.24

6.24 6.74 6.74

FRESH WRAPS $ Lettuce, tomatoes and mayonnaise. Fresh homemade crab cake Greek Wrap 6.24 Available in white and whole wheat flour Lettuce, tomato, feta cheese, green pepper, onions, Buffalo Chicken Wrap 6.24 Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap

18.99

6.24

Chicken or Beef Shish Kabob Wrap 6.24

Italian Meatball

Beef pepperoni, ground beef, sausage, Italian salami, beef bacon, turkey ham and double cheese

16.99

6.24

Chicken or beef, gyro sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil and vinegar

Chicken, BBQ Sauce

8.24 12.49

6.24

Gyro Wrap

Roast Beef (Hot or cold) Grilled Chicken Breast Fresh Chicken Salad Beef Gyro Sub Chicken Gyro Sub Fresh Seafood Salad Chicken of Beef Shish Kabob Chicken Tikka Kabob Chicken Parmesan

Eggplant, pizza sauce, pizza cheese

Everything on white pizza plus feta cheese and red onion

Shrimp Pizza 8.24 12.49

MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 51

Turkey Wrap

6.24

(Specify hot or cold) Lettuce, tomato, onion and ranch dressing

Tuna Wrap

All platters served with french fries or mashed potatoes. We use trans fat-free cooking oil

Chicken Nugget Platter (12) Hot Roast Beef with Gravy Hot Turkey with Gravy Popcorn Shrimp Clam Strips Tilapia Fish (2) Gyro Platter Beef or chicken with mini Greek salad

Jumbo Shrimp (7) Seafood Combo

1 Crab cake, 1 tilapia fish and 4 jumbo shrimp

Tandoori Chicken Platter

6.24

Chicken Shish Kabob, Beef Shish Kabob or Chicken Tikka Kabob Platter

Lettuce, toamtoes, onions and mayonnaise

Chicken Salad

FRESH PLATTERS

6.24

Lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise

Seafood Salad Wrap

cucumber, banana pepper and black olives

6.24

Lettuce, tomatoes, onions and mayonnaise

$

8.49 8.49 8.49 8.49 8.49 9.24 9.24

11.24 11.24 8.99

Served with fresh bread and mini salad with choice of dressing

8.99

Served with fresh bread, mini salad and choice of dressing

BUFFALO OR BONELESS WINGS & Served with french fries and bleu cheese or ranch (Specify hot or cold} Ham, salami, provolone cheese, fire (very hot). Hot. Buffalo Atomic. lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise Mild. BBQ Sauce. Honey BBQ, Honey Garlic, Ham & Cheese Wrap 6.24 Honey Mustard or Old Bay Style (Specify hot or cold) Lettuce, tomato, onion, American cheese and mayonnaise 5 Pieces 4.24 Roast Beef Wrap 6.24 10 Pieces 8.24 (Specify hot or cold) Lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise and onions 15 Pieces 11.24 Chili & Cheese Wrap 6.24 20 Pieces 14.24 Fresh in house made chili and American cheese 30 Pieces 18.24 Cheeseburger Wrap 6.24 Extra Blue Cheese, Extra Ranch or Celery .50 Italian Wrap

Lettuce, tomato, onions, mayonnaise and American cheese

6.24

(We used trans fat-free cooking oil)

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HALAL MENUS

52 | MP - Advertisements

APPETIZERS Buffalo Wings (Buffalo Hot, or RJ Recipe Barbecue sauce)

8pcs 14pcs 28pcs 54pcs 100pcs Vegetable Mini Samosa (6pcs) Mozzarella Cheese Sticks Beef Mini Samosa (6pcs) Chicken Tenders (4pcs) (8pcs) Garlic Bread (4pcs) Add Cheese Cheese Fries (Small/Large)

$6.99 $12.99 $24.99 $46 99 $89.99 $4.99 $3 49 $6.99 $4.99 $8.99 $3 99 $0 99 $3 99/$5.99

SOUPS, SALADS AND SIDES Salads Add 1.99 for extra chicken

Chef Salad

$7 99

Romaine, cheese, eggs, tomato, turkey, cucumber, onion, and carrots.

Greek Salad

$7.99

$6.99

Romaine, croutons, parmesan cheese, and carrots.

Garden Salad

$6.99

Iceberg Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and carrots.

Santa-fe grilled beef Salad

$10.99

Grilled beef, lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, and diced green peppers.

SOUP Chicken Noodle Soup of the day Homemade Chilli SIDES Steak seasoned fries Small $2.59 Onion Rings Small $2.49 Baked Potato

Cup $4.99 $4.99 $5.99

Large $4.99 Large $3.49

Bowl $6.99 $6.99 $7.99

$2 99

--Add Sour Cream & Chives $0 50 --Add Turkey Bacon & Cheese $0 75

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Steamed Broccoli Sauteed w/ Butter RJ’s Boardwalk Fries Small Large $1.79 $2.99 SUBS HOT SUBS 8” Philly Steak & Cheese $6.49 Philly Chicken Steak $6.49

$6.49 8” $6.49 $6.49 $5.99 $6.99 8” $7.99 $7.99 $7.99

$11.99 12” $11 99 $11.99 $10.99 $11.99 12” $12.99 $12.99 $12.99

8” $6.49 $6.49 $6.49 $6.49 $11.99

12” $11.99 $11.99 $11.99 $6.99 $11.99

$3.49

12” $11.99 $11.99

SANDWICHES RJ’s Swiss Cheeseburger Bacon Cheeseburger Hamburger Cheeseburger Chicken Club Classic Club Reuben Hot Pastrami & Swiss BLT Grilled Cheese SEAFOOD Grilled Salmon Sandwich w/Fries Cajun Tilapia Sandwich w/Fries Signature Crab Cake w/ Fries GYROS Lamb Gyro Lamb Gyro Platter w/ Fries Chicken Gyro Chicken Gyro Platter w/ Fries VEGETARIAN Deluxe Veggie Melt Grilled Vegetables Curried Chickpeas DESSERTS Triple Chocolate Cake Cheese Cake Red Velvet Carrot Cake Homemade Apple Crumbs - w/ Vanilla Ice Cream

CHEF SPECIALS Country Chicken Fried Steak w/ Mushroom Gravy

$16.99

Served with Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Vegetables

BBQ Beef Short Ribs

$16.99

Served with Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Ve etables

Grilled Lamb Chops

$16.99

Served with Basmati Rice, Salad and Yogurt Sauce

Beef Wellington

$24 99

Served with Mashed Potatoes and Steamed Green Beans

Rib Eye

$28.99

Served with Baked Potatoes or Steamed Broccoli

Cajun Rib Eye

$2899

Served with Mashed Potatoes or Steamed Broccoli

Hawaiian Rib Eye

$28.99

Served with Mashed Potatoes or Steamed Broccoli

Lamb Chop.Masala

$18.99

Served with Vegetable Biryani, Salad, Yogurt Sauce, and Na’an

$5.99 $5.99 $5.99 $5.99 $6.99 $6 .99

Chicken Cordon Bleu

$16.99

Served with Broccoli

Stuffed Lobster w/ Crabmeat

$28 99

Served with Broccoli and Baked Potatoes

- Cajun Chicken Filet on Jamaican Coco Bread

Romaine. feta cheese, black olives, diced tomato, red onion, and cucumber

Caesar Salad

Meatball Sub COLD SUBS Roast Beef Hoagie Tuna Honey Smoked Turkey SEAFOOD SUBS Blackened Cajun Catfish Buffalo Style Catfish Fish Sub CHICKEN HOT CHICKEN SUBS Grilled Chicken Tikka Chicken Steak Sub BBQ Chicken Breast Buffalo Chicken Style Montery Jack Chicken HOT CHICKEN SANDWICHES Breaded Chicken Filet Grilled Chicken w/Honey Mustard BBQ Chicken Filet Breaded Buffalo Chicken Chicken Quesadilla Chef Sandwich

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

$5.99 $4 49 $3.49 $399 $6.49 $6 49 $649 $6.49 $499 $2.99 $10.99 $10.99 $11.99 $6.49 $7.99 $6.49 $7.99 $5.99 $5.99 $5.99 $3.99 $3.59 $3 99 $3.99 $5.99

Grilled Cajun Rockfish, Flounder, or Salmon Fried or Szechuan

$26.99

Fried or Szechuan Style, Served with Basmati Rice and Grilled Vegetables

PIZZAS Cheese Pizza Meat Eaters

14” $10.99 $17 49

16” $11.99 $20.99

Sausage, Beef Pepperoni, Turkey Ham, Turkey Bacon

Veggie Pizza

$1749

$20.55

Green Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Black Olives, Tomatoes & Pepper Rings

Deluxe Pizza

$17.49

$21.99

Pepperoni, Green Peppers, Onion & Mushrooms

Supreme

$17.99

$2199

Beef, Turkey Ham, Pepperoni, Turkey Bacon, Onions, Black Olives, Green Peppers & Mushrooms

Chicken Tikka Supreme $1749 $20.99 Pizza Toppings Pepperoni Black Olives Ground Beef Green Peppers Turkey Sausage Jalapenos Turkey Ham Tomatoes Turkey Bacon Mushrooms Anchovies’ Extra Cheese 14” $1.99 16” $2.69 Extra Topping 14” $1.79 16” $2.29 BEVERAGES Mango Shake $3.49 Mango Lassi $3.49 Yogurt Lassi $2.99 Hot Tea $2.99 Spice Chai $2.99 Coffee Small 1.99 Large $1.49

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

HALAL MENUS

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

Now Available At These Fine Stores

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Columbia Halal meat 6520 Old Waterloo Rd #J, Elkridge MD 21075

a - one GroCery & Halal meat 2919 Arlington Dr, Alexandria VA 22306

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al - makkaH Halal meat 1724 Woodlawn Dr, Baltimore MD 21207

aditi sPiCe dePot 409 Maple Ave E, Vienna VA 22180

sHri krisHna GroCery 7033 Brookefield Plaza, Springfield VA 22150

Punjab GroCeries & Halal meat 345 East 33rd St, Baltimore MD 21218

aFGHan mini market 6566 Backlick Rd, Springfield VA 22150

taj Halal GroCery 8715 West Broad St, Suite B, Richmond VA 23294

indus Foods 15513 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring MD 20905

asia Halal Food & GroCery 5143 Lee Highway, Arlington VA 22207

aditi sPiCes Vienna VA 703 938 3400 Herndon VA 703 434 1100

sanGam sPiCe 13822 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring MD 20904

best desi bazaar 14455 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Woodbridge VA 22191

bombay sPiCes Centerville VA 703 803 8445

FrederiCk bazaar 54 N Waverly Dr, Frederick MD 21702

asian bazaar 7864 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria VA 22306

ansaF Global Halal Mannassas VA 703 361 6500

dana bazaar 128-29 Wisteia Dr, Germantown MD 20874

delHi bazaar 295 South Van Dorn, Alexandria VA 22046

indian bazaar 383 Muddy Branch Rd, Gaithesburg MD

GinGer & sPiCe market 6548A Little River Turnpike, Alexandria VA 22312

Fair PriCe Alexandria VA 703 751 0786 Herndon VA 703 435 2223 Woodbridge VA 703 680 1170

indus Foods 765 Rockville Pike, Rockville MD 20852

indian sPiCes GroCery 1067 B West Broad St, Falls Church VA 22046

bismillaH Halal meat 1401 University Blvd, Langley Park MD 20783

indo - Pak GroCery stores 8121 West Broad St, Richmond VA23294

lotte Plaza Chantilly VA, Ashburn VA & Catonsville MD Global Foods Ashburn VA, Mannassas Va & Woodbridge VA india bazaar Sterling VA 703 444 8851 Gaithersburg MD 301 963 7070

Germantown MD 301 515 5113 HalalCo Falls Church VA 703 532 3202 krisHna GroCery Springfield VA 703 569 6777 suPer Halal meat Springfield VA 703 866 2024 dana bazaar Germantown MD 301 916 8086 madina Halal meat Gaithersburg MD 301 977 5700 Patel brotHers Baltimore MD 410 719 2822 indus Foods Silver Spring MD 301 989 9448 Rockville MD 301 279 2121 Laurel MD 240 280 2340 Punjab GroCery Baltimore MD 410 662 7844 al madina Baltimore VA 410 265 8300 danisH Foods Catonsville MD 410 298 0960 GanesH GroCery Catonsville MD 410 206 2525 Food CravinGs Columbia MD 410 997 2121

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

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January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

January, 3rd - February 6th, 2014

Classifieds | 71

Place a personal classified ad. Call us at 301-982-1020. Office@muslimlinkpaper.com

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

Childcare Exchange SUNSHINE CHILDCARE Family childcare has opening for infant and up to 2 years. Before/After care.

Monday-Friday 7AM to 6PM. Open when school is closed. Voucher accepted.

Implements respect, morals, and values.

Safe and loving environment. Near AlRahmah mosque. Contact: 410-281-7155 or 410-292-9274.

Employment OPENING FOR OFFICE MANAGER Open position for full time Office Manager for local Construction/Development Company in Greenbelt, MD. Must have excellent communication and organizational skills, and be proficient in Microsoft Office applications including Outlook, Word and Excel. Salary based on experience/capabilities, starting at $11-$15/Hr. Email resumes to cmclp@ mail.com

-----------------------------------------------SCHEDULING REP/SERVICE DISPATCHER We are looking for someone to take incoming calls and schedule appointments for customers, process work orders and invoices. Must be able to handle high call volume work quickly and accurately.

Looking for professional but friendly personalities to create the best experience for our customer. : Need to be comfortable keeping open communication with field staff, dispatching calls, recognize and relay pertinent information to field staff. Must have your own computer and internet service. Spanish speaking a plus.

Work is freelance part time with a potential for full time employment. manuel@ anyfurnitureservice.com -----------------------------------------------LOOKING FOR TEACHER Qur'an Hifz Program, looking for P/T or F/T teacher. Call 301-591-9741.

-----------------------------------------------HOUSEKEEPER NEEDED Housekeeping helper needed P/T for ex-

pectant mother, competitive pay. Live-in option also available. Call 301-591-9741.

For Sale LOVELY BEDROOM FURNITURE Cherrywood king size bedroom furniture, 7 pieces, original purchase $4,000- asking price is $2,500 Or best offer. Urgent sale Senior. 202-367-5421.

Matrimonial SEEKING WIFE Need a sunni Muslim wife, 50's, religious, educated, personable for similar man.

Email kanchwalla@gmail.com

Rental HOUSE FOR RENT 3 BR, Full kitchen, Full bath, $1,450 per month plus utilities. 443-831-8962.

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

BASEMENT FOR RENT 2 BR, Full bath, Full kitchen, close to Al-Huda, $1000 per month plus utilities.

443-831-8962.

Services LOVING HOME CARE Providing elder and child care you can trust and afford. Companionship, hygiene care, meal preparation, housekeeping, shopping, doctor appointments. Loving, dependable caregivers for Live-in, Full, Part time. Call: 301-490-1146 www. lovinghomecare.org.

-----------------------------------------------CAREER COUNSELING/RESUME SERVICES Career Counseling Services offered by an experienced, well educated professional with tons of Corporate and U.S. Government Agency experience. Will coach and support you during all phases of your job hunting campaign, including interviewing tips. Please review my website: http:// ccvcs.whytheywonthireyou.com

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