The Muslim Link 02/26/10 Issue

INDEX |

OPERATION Rabi Al-Thaani 10 - Rabi Al-Thanni 23 1431 A.H. | www.MuslimLinkPaper.com

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

March 26, 2010 - April 08, 2010

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

Legislative Night Brings Muslims, Lawmakers Together | pg 4

Fairfax Urges Muslims to Complete Census | pg 5 Muslim Student Play Performed at Arena in DC | pg 5

A Volunteer Army Against the War TML Visits ANSWER Coalition Offices in Run Up To Major Protest

By Farkhunda Ali

Muslim Link Staff Writer At 7PM on Friday night before the March 20th protest, the Justice Center located on congested Florida

Avenue NW was filled with several dozens of volunteers assisting ANSWER Coalition with their last minute preparations.

session was the last of the many opportunities provided

by ANSWER for interested people to take part in antiwar demonstrations.

prep began in September 2009 and continued until the day of the protest. According to ANSWER, all of their

This three-hour volunteer

This year’s demonstration

>> VOLENTEER Pg 10

IRHSCA Pushes for a Place to Call Home

By Muslim Link Staff “Are you ready to share in this mission?” asked Talib Abdul-Samad at the close of his presentation on the current state of IRHSCA. There was only a faint yes. “Hold on. Let me back up. Are you ready to share in

this mission?” he asked with greater emphasis. “Yes!” several audience members shouted.

The exchange between one of the

>> HOME Pg 8

Some VA Delegates Skip Imam’s Prayer | pg 6 Protesters: Bring Troops, Tax Payer Money Home | pg 7 VA Gets Glimpses of the Model for Mankind | pg 11 How Shaytaan Takes Away from Your Salah | pg 15 The Muslim Link

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

INDEX | 3

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Community News Annapolis Legislative Night Brings Muslims, Lawmakers Together The governor announced the nomination of Sayed

By Arjumand Yousuf, Muslim Link Staff Writer Over 450 were in attendance including Muslims of different ethnic backgrounds, Politicians, and Government officials at the first annual Maryland Muslim Council Legislative Affairs Night held in Annapolis, Maryland on March 18, 2010 from 6-8pm. It was an impressive turnout that brought together Muslims from all corners of Maryland including Washington County in the West and Charles County in the South to partake in this historic evening.

Among the noteworthy attendees were Governor Martin O’Malley, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, seven Department Secretaries twenty-five Senators and several Delegates including Saqib Ali from district 39 the first Muslim in the Maryland State legislature.

“I think it was wonderful event” said Ali. “I was impressed by the turnout I was impressed by the presence of the Governor and the Lt. Governor and the elected officials. Anytime we can get Muslims or people of all minority religions involved in civic activity and

politics it’s a great thing … and we should get more Muslims elected in local offices.”

The program began with the recitation of the Holy Quran by a high school student from Howard County.

Lt. Governor Brown was the first to take the podium and said he couldn’t think of another place that he would rather be. He talked about the diversity both by race and faith that makes Maryland such a great place to live and work and the diverse community of small businesses that grow and strengthen Maryland’s middle class.

Anwar Hassan, a Howard County resident and president of the Maryland Muslim Council (MDMC), spoke about the accomplishments of the Muslim Community.

“The Muslim Community has achieved a plethora of milestones by being able to be part of this event “ Hassan said. The MDMC was established in 2005 to give the 250,000 Muslims residing in Maryland a unifying voice. To date there are nine county councils under the umbrella of the MDMC including Howard, Baltimore, and Harford counties. Over the years this group has been active at the local,

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state and national levels organizing food drives, community health fares, and charitable and political fundraisers.

Governor O’Malley was impressed by the number of Muslims in the audience and thanked them for their presence and leadership. He praised the MDMC’s work over the last 3 years and said through his involvement in the Commission on Middle Eastern American Affairs, Federal Homeland Security Commission and position as Vice Chair of the Governors association he is eager to address the concerns of Muslims and work with them in the future. The also governor announced the nomination of Sayed M. Naveed of Montgomery County for appointment to the Maryland State Board of Education, a great achievement for the Muslims of Maryland.

The diverse cultural background and age range of the crowd accurately depicted the Muslim population of Maryland. Kamil

Ismail, a resident of Howard County that works as an Attorney in Annapolis and is a member of the American Muslim Business and Professional Association was among the professionals in attendance.

There were also several college students including two from The University of Maryland College Park.

Neelam Sultan a marketing major and Tubah Sultan an accounting major both Anne Arundel County residents came because they are interested in policy and politics and wanted to hear what the speakers had to say.

The later part of the evening consisted of dinner and a social where attendees mingled and met delegates and other official guests to discuss the issues that were pertinent to them.

The evening ended on a positive note . “We hope for bigger and better goals for next year” Hassan said as he addressed the attendees hoping for more legislative nights in the future.

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

COMMUNITY NEWS | 5

Fairfax Urges Muslim Community to Complete Census

By Yaman Shalabi Muslim Link Staff Writer Every 10 years the United States Census Bureau mails out Census forms to every home in America. This year’s 2010 census, families started receiving their forms by March.

The Bureau is reminding people to fill out the short 10 question form and have them mailed back by April 1.

Although it is mandatory and required by law, many people living in the United States avoid filing out the blue forms out of fear from the government.

The Census has dubbed them the “hardto-count”.

To combat the fear, the Census formed a committee to help educate the community

about the importance of completing the census. The committee is comprised of 32 people including some Muslim leaders like Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society.

According to the Fairfax County webpage, filling out the census helps to fund for school, roads, and healthcare in federal dollars. Based on Census data, the government hands out more than $400 billion to local communities to help fund services and programs in the community. It will also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The more people that fill out the forms, the more money we get,” said Brian Worthy, public information officer for the Fairfax County Office of Public Affairs.

In 2008, Fairfax County received more than $359 million to help fund programs that benefit everyone, said Worthy.

Often people belonging to minority groups, worry about the Bureau disclosing personal information to other government agencies and therefore avoid the census entirely. But Worthy said there is a severe penalty for revealing information. The staff at the Bureau is either fined $250,000 or risks imprisonment of up to five years or both.

The individual’s identity- including name, address, and telephone numberwill remain confidential.

Imam Magid participated in the committee 10 years ago and was invited again to take part in 2010. He realizes the importance of educating community members that the census is only intended to count the population.

The ADAMS Center hung up educational posters on the Census, gave speeches after Friday prayers, and sent out e-mails to everyone on the ADAMS network.

“It is in the public interest that we complete the census,” said Imam Magid.

“We are part of the community and we need to help the Muslim population be represented accurately.”

The informative sessions have been very beneficial, he said. More Muslims have expressed that they will fill out the 2010 census forms.

-----------------------------For more information on the 2010 Census, visit the Fairfax county webpage at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/census/ [Source: Fairfax County]

Muslim Student Play Performed at Arena Stage in DC

By A Muslim Link Contributing Writer Jena Barzinji, an eighth grader at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Virginia enjoyed writing the ten minute play assignment that her teacher, Amanda Lenk assigned in the fall. She really didn’t give it much thought after the teacher mailed in to the Arena Stage Ten Minute Play Contest.

In January, the winners were announced and Jena was among them. Her play was chosen from over 500 entries and read on stage by real actors at the Arena Stage in Washington DC on Feb 22, 2010. The Arena Stage holds this competition each year in an effort to encourage high school students to write plays and become more involved in theater.

Correction:

Jena’s play entitled, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, is a look at how a young Muslim girl has to defend and explain her religion to two other students. Their discussion centers around lots of the misconceptions about Muslims that are held by many people; some of whom have never even met a Muslim. The play uses humor at times to demonstrate how ridiculous some of these misconceptions can be. At one point the girl who isn’t Muslim says, “I thought the reason Muslim women wore such baggy clothes was so it was easy to hide their weapons.”

To which our Muslim heroine replies, “the only thing my mom has under her scarf is a pony tail.” The tone changes to one of injustice when the Muslim character brings up the battle her school is facing in trying to get county approval to build a new school. The school’s plan

is met with the unfounded criticism and outright prejudice from the surrounding community. “Lots of the things in the play, including the whole issue about the school, I took from real life,” Jena explained. “I could have written about anything, but I thought this was an important subject that might actually help people to understand Islam and Muslims better.”

As the play goes on, the relationship between the two girls grows stronger as they begin to learn from each other.

This is clearly the “One Step Forward,” however, the conclusion of the play has a boy running into the classroom announcing that the teacher will not be coming to school because there was a shooting at the military base, by one of those “Muslim terrorists.”

Hence,

the

“Two

Steps

Back.”

“Jena’s play really hit on something that all of us deal with now, said her aunt, Huda who proudly sat in the audience.

“Most Muslims can relate because whenever there is a shooting or some kind of tragedy, we [Muslims] hold our breath, hoping that a Muslim wasn’t involved and that we will have to start explaining and re-explaining that these crimes have nothing to do with Islam.”

Jena’s play entertained but more importantly educated the audience.

Portraying uncomfortable things through the eyes of an eighth grade Muslim girl and her new found friend proved to be a step in the right direction; a deeper understanding of each other.

In our story on how a masjid in Laurel, Maryland donated a house to the local fire department for training their new recruits (“ICCL Donates House for Fire Dept Training”, March 12, 2010 issue), we incorrectly mentioned Hayder Qaadri as the masjid president. In fact, Hayder Qaadri serves as a member of the Construction Committee. The current ICCL President is Dr. Mujtaba Yahya. We regret the error.

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

6 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Some VA Delegates Skip Imam’s Opening Prayer

By Muslim Link Staff Several Virginia lawmakers did not attend an opening prayer performed

by Imam Johari Abdul-Malik at the March 11, 2010 session of Virginia’s General Assembly, with at least one delegate saying the Imam’s teachings are controversial.

His prayer was a call for tolerance and understanding, yet many delegates protested his affiliation to Dar Al-Hijrah in Falls Church. The media has connected Dar Al-Hijrah with two of the alleged September 11 hijackers, although the two attended the masjid as worshipers only and were neither involved or active in the Muslim community.

Imam Johari is the Outreach Coordinator for Dar Al-Hijrah.

Performing the prayer despite some protests was a “no brainer,” said Imam Abdul-Malik. “It was a good beta test. It

gave us a chance to go up against a giant anti-Muslim rhetoric.”

According to the Virginia General A s s e m b l y website, the Assembly dates Imam Johari. back to 1619 Photo by Antar Hanif to the House of Burgesses in Jamestown. As “the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World”, the Assembly consists of the House of Representatives and the senate.

It meets annually for 60 days during even-numbered years and for 30 days during odd-numbered years.

During this time, members of the Assembly are allowed to invite people of various faiths to provide blessings in an opening prayer as they prepare to discuss their responsibilities toward Virginian’s.

Imam Abdul-Malik has been working

“Help us to make ever y action filled with wisdom and compassion that we may build a new dominion of hope and prosperity ...let our legacy propel us to an enlightened future” – part of Imam Johari’s prayer alongside freshman Delegate Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church) to help Muslim students in Fairfax schools. She expressed wishes to invite the Imam, and on her behalf, Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) helped sponsor the invitation.

Delegate Ebbin has read about the mosque and knows of the good work Imam Johari does in the community. He enjoyed his visit to Dar Al-Hijrah during Ramadan and looks forward to going again.

“His prayer was wonderful,” said Ebbin.

“It was one of the best we’ve heard.”

The first Muslim this year to address the House, Imam Abdul-Malik received many negative comments from protesters.

He said the same thing happened to Imam Mohamed Magid of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society mosque two years ago when he delivered the prayer.

Prior to the Assembly, most responses were positive, said the Imam. He explained the negativity came after a blog posting from a Washington Post writer. The protest was led by James Lafferty, chairman of the Virginia AntiShariah Task Force.

“He’s an apologist for people who commit criminal acts,” Lafferty told the Washington Post.

Some delegates, all Republicans, refused to attend the prayer.

Delegates Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) and John Cox (R-Ashland), who were not in attendance, did not return any calls.

The Washington Post stated that around 12 delegates were absent. Ebbin, with his head bowed and eyes closed, said he was only fully alert to the prayer and didn’t notice. However, he sent 99 e-mails to his colleagues Thursday re-affirming his choice.

Dr. Esam Omeish, member of the Dar AlHijrah Board of Directors, said “it was a well worded, well-balanced projected religious message encompassing all Virginians.” He said the politicians who refused to attend were practicing “politics of hate, politics of exclusion and is not reflective of Virginia.”

There is no basis behind the comments; they try to make us feel guilty by association, said the Imam. We don’t associate Catholics with the Oklahoma Bomber, he said.

Member of the Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington, Imam AbdulMalik advocates the use of dialogue between various faiths to gain an understanding in diversity and create a sense of community. As the Imam called for “A Common Wealth with love, Love for the stranger and the way-farer,” Rev. Clark Lobenstine, executive director of Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington was sitting beside him.

“Our record is clear,” he said. “You let your allies defend you. They’re not going to believe me. I’m a terrorist. Right?”

Imam Abdul-Malik said now is the opportunity to build an understanding.

He believes it is not the time to attack the delegates who were not present.

TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

COMMUNITY NEWS | 7

Protestors Want Money for Education, and Healthcare, NOT WAR By: Farkhunda Ali Muslim Link Staff Writer Ten Thousand protestors joined ANSWER Coalition on Saturday, March 20 to show their disapproval of the seventh anniversary of the US-lead occupation of Iraq. Americans flew and drove from states across the nation to express their opposition to the war.

They asked US government to redirect its finances to recover the economy domestically.

Washington Post, Mortgage Bankers Association, and Veterans Affairs Department.

Anti-war protestors said this is their way of showing the government their criticism of the US military contractors’ profiteering of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

ANSWER Coalition confirmed eight protestors were arrested

ANSWER stands for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism and is a national umbrella group formed soon after the September 11, 2001 attacks; the member organizations were among the first to oppose then President Bush’s invasion of Afghanistan.

“We try to stand up in solidarity with oppressed people of the world,” said Eugene Puryear, Director of Youth and Students at Answer. “It was a well spirited day, and we will continue to resist the war and continue this movement until the US stops invading foreign lands for its profits.”

The protest began at Noon in front of the White house. The march began at 3PM starting at Lafayette Park. Protestors made stops at Halliburton’s office,

Representatives of Money for Peace, a support group of Americans protesting the spending of US money on wars overseas, said the war has become

too costly causing permanent stress disorders in war veterans who continue to be affected by the trauma of the war in their lifetime.

Many protestors said they were shocked at the Obama’s administration. They said they haven’t seen his words implemented in his actions. Many of the protestors voted for Obama because they believed he will make a change.

“The cultural imperialism continues in Obama’s administration” said Ralph Nader. He said Obama is not much different in his foreign policies that are fair. “Obama . . . it’s just rhetoric,” he added.

This demonstration for the protestors is a way of showing the president their expectation that he will make the right choices to improve the dismantled American economy. Sending American tax dollars overseas is not the best way of adding jobs and money to the healthcare

and the education system in the US, they added.

“People want money for job, education,” said Mahdi Bray, Executive Director of MAS Freedom Foundation. “We who believe in freedom can not rest until it comes. We can’t rest until our troops come home,” he added.

Answer works in collaboration with many civil rights and human rights organization around the world.

Attorney Mara Verheyden-Hilliard of the Partnership of Civil Justice based in Wash., DC, said they are currently defending Answer in courts because the government gave them $10,000 worth of fines in addition to the $75,000 given in 2007. Hilliard said ANSWER did not do anything against the law.

“There is nothing more important than >> PROTEST Pg 12

LEFT to RIGHT 1) Anti-war sentiments published , 2) Mahdi Bray-MAS Freedom Foundation,Executive Director, 3) Volunteers at Justice Center night before protest. About 40 volunteers showed up to help organize the for the next morning’s protest., 4) Ralph Nader addressing the crown at the rally 5) Protestors, 6) Clinton Wright, Vietnam War Veteran, drove from Connecticut to attend the protest. Photos by author.

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

8 | COMMUNITY NEWS

IRHSCA Pushes for a Place to Call Home HOME >> continued from pg 1

spends the weekends at IRHSCA. Neither the Imam nor the board of IRHSCA is paid.

founding members of the Islamic Research & Humanitarian Service Center of America (IRHSCA), a masjid and community in Capitol Heights, Maryland founded in 1999, and about 200 attendees of a fundraiser on March 13, 2010 showed the bonds built over the last decade are informal, but based on a mission.

Imam Yaki thanked some of the founding members of IRHSCA for taking him in “as a son” when he first came to the DC region.

“We have all these big plans for our community … what plans can we execute? First and foremost we need to get that building. We need a place to call home,” emphasized IRHSCA Imam Abdul-Rahman Yaki. “And number two, how can we protect our families? How can we be effective [callers to Islam] if our homes are not protected? If we are able to protect our families, we are saved,” said the Imam, who lives and works in New York but

IRHSCA (pronounced ‘air-haas-sa’) is one of the few Muslim communities in the region which has as part of its mission statement to “educate humanity, in particular our youth, against substance abuse and other social ills.” The masjid has juma services, daily prayer, classes, a weekend school and other Islamic activities. It was formed in the late 1990s, largely

by Ghanian immigrants and AfricanAmerican Muslims.

Keynote speaker and guest Imam Siraj Wahaj explained that although Islam is growing and more Americans are entering the fold of Islam “through the

������������� The Islamic Society of Annapolis (ISA) is looking for a full time paid Resident Imam who will oversee the religious affairs at the two centers that are affiliated with the organization (Makkah Learning Center in Gambrills & the Annapolis Center in Annapolis).

The qualified candidate will work side by side with the executive council and is expected to have a degree in Islamic Studies, be knowledgeable about Qur’an and fiqh, competent and fluent in English and Arabic, leadership qualities, able to engage in interfaith activities, capable of interacting with the youth, dedicated to build the community and be a legal resident in the US. Interested candidates are asked to email their resume and references to ISA through through Dr. Mohammed Dughly at dughly@comcast.net

Application deadline, April 4th, 2010

������������������� ��������� www.ISAMD.org

From right, Jameel Alim-Johnson, Imam Siraj Wahaj, Imam AbdulRahman Yaki, and Ahmed Lamptey at the IRHSCA event. Photo by Muslim Link front door”, many children of Muslim parents are leave Islam by “going out the back door.”

Wahaj said losing Muslim youth should be a red-alert level concern for communities. Saying Imams need to take youth under their wings, he emphasized Imams need to “talk to them, not preach to them”.

“I believe the overwhelming majority of the Muslim leadership is naive and in a state of denial [about the youth issue]… they have become irrelevant,” Wahaj told the audience.

As he often does, the tireless New York Imam started raising funds by committing money from himself, his family, and MANA for a total of $5,000. Acknowledging IRHSCA was a relatively lower income community, Imam Siraj said “I love masjids that struggle.” About $40,000 was raised during the evening out of a $50,000 goal. The first person to donate at $5,000 was a young man. The event was held at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD. Jameel Alim-Johnson of the Prince George’s Muslim Council received an

award for his service to Muslims in Prince George’s County.

Accepting his award, he joked that “now I know how [President] Obama felt when he received the Nobel Peace Prize … because I haven’t done anything [to deserve this].”

Referencing the story of Abu Dhar (Allah be pleased with him), a pious companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) who asked to be put in a position of authority and who was denied by the Prophet (peace be upon him) because people should not seek leadership, Alim-Johnson said real power is in the constituency.

“The politicians will follow the constituency with the loudest voices.

I don’t think we need to put more Muslims in [elected office] because if there isn’t a strong and active Muslim constituency, you will find the Muslim elected officials supporting the same positions as the non-Muslim elected officials,” explained Alim-Johnson, citing a Maryland state legislator and a Congressman who support gay marriage although they are Muslims.

TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

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March 26th - April 8th, 2010

10 | COMMUNITY NEWS

A Volunteer Army Against the War TML Visits ANSWER Coalition Offices in Run Up To Major Protest VOLUNTEER >> continued from pg 1 protests, press rallies, demonstrations, and behind the scene work is 100% volunteer based.

Their volunteers often leave their hometowns and take off from work and school to give their time. The volunteers said there are many entertaining things they could be doing on a Friday night.

One volunteer looked outside the window at Georgia Avenue near Howard University and said, “I could be enjoying the night life, but I’d rather contribute to this good cause.”

Nineteen year old Aurora Bonucci of Baltimore City asked for time off from her retail job so she could help with the organization and attend the protest.

She stayed with the executive officers of ANSWER Coalition who opened up their homes for volunteers overnight before the rally.

“This war is really putting a damp on people’s soul. We’re forgetting what life is really about,” said Bonucci.

Another volunteer came to DC from San Diego, California for one week. Sheila Dasher, 23, was brought up in a military family. Her boyfriend is a marine. Her father is in the military. Two of her relatives died in the Afghanistan war.

“There is a five hours difference here.

I hardly get any sleep. I took off from school. I want to speak out against the war. The Iraq war has impacted my family in great ways,” said Dasher.

several protests.

“Obama said we were going to be out of this mess. We are beginning to see the negative impact this war has on our economy,” said Tau.

In three hours, forty volunteers made 1,000 anti-war sings saying “Healthcare not Warfare,” and “Money for Education and Jobs.”

Some people made a difference without being present at the Justice Center. They forwarded ANSWER’s emails to other people and spread the word.

One young couple came with their four children all under the age of seven.

Their three year-old restlessly struggled to staple the bright yellow and black sign on the wooden stick.

“When a person kills another human being, it destroys a person’s life. It kills something inside of you,” said Clinton Wright, an ex marine from the Vietnam War.

“My wife and I avidly read about world injustices and poverty all over the world,” said Saje Maat, student in Maryland. “I have to say enough is enough. I want my children to know the truth.”

Wright left his business, wife, and children in Connecticut to oppose President Obama’s expansion of the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. He voted for Obama because he thought there was going to be a change.

These volunteers also protested. They said they believe they will be noticed by the government regardless of the many obstacles created for ANSWER not to organize this demonstration.

“When we protest in a big mass, we can’t be ignored,” said Dave Tau, 54 of Beltsville. Tau also took off two days from his employer Verizon to assist with the organization and attended the demonstration.

Tau said he was leaving his home as his wife was coming in. This is Tau’s first time volunteering. But he attended

Wright was standing under the shade of a tree on the lawn north of the White House escaping the sun during the protest. When asked why he feels so strongly against the war and Obama’s policy, he said the American government has the responsibility to tell the truth to its citizens.

“When you tell the whole country that you are going to change foreign policy, and you blow it, you better come up with some answers soon,” said Wright.

“Our lives are based on our perception of our government. The US has been in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Nicaragua, Columbia, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and now Pakistan and everything has gotten worse,” he added.

This veteran said American government has been making the same mistakes for many years. At this point, “after a person eats dirt so many times, eventually the stomach is going to start hurting.”

Likewise, he said, the government needs to stop doing the same thing and start investing its money in the American economy.

Wright said he strongly advised his children not to join the military. He said his children’s future looks better than the many “innocent” young Americans who are fleeing overseas. They will only come back with one arm, or one leg, or perhaps mentally traumatized for life, he added. “This is why there is such a high suicide rate among veterans and the government has a history of inadequate treatment of the war veterans.”

In his hometown, Wright is vocal against the war. He’s an avid supporter of ANSWER. In 2002, several peace activists were arrested in front of the White House for protesting the initial war in Afghanistan.

The protestors were later freed since the arrest was unlawful, discriminatory, and undermining free speech, said Radhika Miller, civil rights attorney in DC. In 2007, ANSWER received $75,000 worth of fines for putting up signs on traffic boxes. Attorneys from Partnership for Civil Justice took this case to the courts in defense of “free speech.” The case is still ongoing.

Eugene Puryear, director of youth and student volunteers of ANSWER said, “If the government continues to fine us, we will continue to fight the fines under the legal system.”

The continuing lawsuit on the government resulted in an emergency regulation in 2009 granting ANSWER the right to put up signs with water soluble paste. The only condition is that ANSWER takes down all of the signs within thirty days of the event.

One week before the March 20 protest, ANSWER was fined an additional $10,000 for putting up signs and rallying support of DC Metro peace activists.

The demand of the fines is for ANSWER to take down the sign.

>> VOLUNTEER II Pg 12

TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

COMMUNITY NEWS |11

VA Gets Glimpses of the Model for Mankind

By Rola Ghannam, Muslim Link Staff Writer “He was a very handsome man,” narrated Safi Khan, founder, director, and imam of Dar Us-Salaam, in College Park, MD. He then went on to describe his physical attributes: having a reddish skin tone, a wide forehead and large head, a bright and round face, dark hair up to his earlobes (that was parted in the middle, and not curly, nor straight), extreTmely white teeth, a thick beard, a thin and finely defined nose, height not too tall or too short, body not thin or fat, and a pleasant voice to listen to.

His appearance was “very elegant, radiant, and dignified,” Khan later added. Who was this man, you might be asking yourself? He was none other than the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

About 160 people gathered at the Islamic Center of Northern Virginia in Fairfax on the evening of March 13th,

seeking to gain knowledge from lectures on the life and character of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him).

The program, titled “A Model for Mankind,” featured 9 different speakers, who were each asked to speak on various aspects of the Prophet Mohammad’s life.

The walls of the lecture room were covered with blue streamers and banners advertising for Helping Hand USA, an orphan sponsorship program collecting donations at the event. Members of the audience ranged from young to old, and represented different ethnicities and races.

As Abdallah, a young homeschooled boy, took the stage to recite short Quranic verses relating to the Prophet Mohammad, flyers for helping hand were being distributed around both sides of the room, which was separated by dividers to segregate the men and women. Abdallah then translated the

Several local Imams and scholars were invited to the “Model for Mankind” event organized by Helping Hands relief agency, an ICNA affiliate. Photo by Mohammad Hoque. verses in English for the non-Arabic speakers.

One such translation was the following: “You have indeed, in the messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in Allah and

the final day, and who engages much in the praise of Allah.” (33:21). Another read: “Indeed, Allah and his angels send blessings on the Prophet: O you who

>> MANKIND Pg 12

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

12 | COMMUNITY NEWS VOLUNTEER II >> continued from pg 10 According to Miller, ANSWER is hundred percent in compliance with the law.

“This is a form of oppression. Our government can say we have free speech, but because they can’t beat people down, they harass and give fines,” added Miller.

“This is also a repression of speech in a different way.”

Miller, 29, resident of Northern Virginia, has been volunteering for ANSWER for several years. For two weeks, she visited the Justice Center every evening after her fulltime law practice to assist PROTEST >> continued from pg 7 what you are doing right now,” said Hilliard at the demonstration. “The government does not want us to mobilize.

We don’t need our sons and daughters dead while American government gives a healthcare gift to insurance companies,” she said.

A nineteen year old veteran from Iraq war said he does not know what the stripes and stars represent anymore as he reached for his lighter to burn the

with organization of the demonstration.

She said ANSWER does not have the support of corporate media organizations to advertise their events. So, they depend on their signs, leaflets, banners, word of mouth and most importantly their volunteers.

“If we didn’t have volunteers, we would not be able to do anything,” asserted Puryear. “People have taken the time off from school and work to do this. It shows their deep dedication because they are losing money to be here.”

Other people all over the world have expressed their appreciation for ANSWER’s work through the Internet, email, phone calls, and Facebook.

American flag. He returned home from the war after incurring a permanent injury in the battlefield. He will be prevented from walking without help. This will be his condition for the rest of his life.

“I’m disgusted with the fact that US has military occupation in almost every country in the world. It is absolutely dictorial, arrogant and fascist. I’m not too hopeful that average American will realize this,” said John Bjorson, 70-year old Jewish war veteran and a member of Veterans for Peace.

Bjorson took the bus early morning of the protest from Philadelphia. “I’m

ANSWER volunteers said they are not just against the war, but they want others to resist the war by acting against the war in a peaceful way.

“If we’re committed to sustain this anti-war movement with series of demonstrations, we will see an impact in the long run,” said Puryear.

ANSWER understands they need to have continuity in order to see a change.

Puryear said some people give up after participating in a few demonstrations because they feel failed if policies don’t change immediately. Not seeing instantaneous results, people lose faith in the efficacy of protests. not sure where Obama’s heart is. There is money involved that supported his campaign. I’m disenchanted with his foreign policy,” he said.

Protestors want American government to reach a peaceful solution to the war.

They are overwhelmed with warfare that is creating animosity for the US with people all over the world related to its foreign policy. Most importantly, many Americans voted for Obama because they believe he represented change.

“We have become what Eisenhower warned us about military industrial complex and that it would start driving willingness to free Zaid for no charge, although Zaid declined to being released from serving the Prophet.

MANKIND >> continued from pg 11

were full upon taking the Prophet into her care. Her old camel, which had not given milk previously, was full of milk as well.

believe, send your blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.” (33: 56).

Alavi also told the story of the angel Jibraeel (peace be on him) appearing to the Prophet as a young child and washing his heart after removing a blood clot that he claimed was the part of Satan in him. Among other signs of the Prophet’s blessings, mentioned by Alavi, include the prediction that came from a Christian monk (while traveling to Syria with his uncle Abu Talib), that the young child would grow up to be a Prophet.

Imam Mahmoud Abdel-Hady, from Dar Al-Taqwa, in Ellicott City, MD, was the second speaker to take the stage.

He spoke of the Prophet and behavior towards his kin. Beginning his lecture he stated that “the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was the best human being to ever walk on this Earth. Allah (SWT) sent him with a message: to bring people to ‘there is no God but God’- the key for the heart, and once the heart and mind understand it, everything in life will fall into place.”

His character, as described by Alavi, was “most honest in his talk, mildest in temper, and best to keep his covenant.”

He was also just and fair, as portrayed in Alavi’s narration of the Prophet’s treatment of his slave Zaid, and his

Abdel-Hady spoke of the companions and followers of the Prophet Mohammad as the “best and most civilized of mankind,” and narrated the stories of civilizations destroyed by God for incurring His wrath. He spoke

Shortly following the opening Quranic recitations, the lectures began. Dr. Yahya Alavi, a medical doctor who pursued Islamic studies in Malaysia, covered an extensive history beginning with the birth of the Prophet to his prophethood in just a little over 30 minutes.

His description of the Prophet as a child was that of an exceptional human being, unlike other children. Alavi discussed how Halima (a Bedouin and the Prophet’s wet nurse) and her husband Harith, sensed his extraordinary abilities and blessings in his infancy. Halima, whose breasts had been dry of milk,

He said historical examples of the Civil Rights Movement, and the abolitionists keep him motivated.

“Those people were pariahs, they were marginalized, ridiculed, but they won.

Slavery was defeated,” said Puryear.

After the protest ended, volunteers cleaned up and loaded their trucks with signs to take to the Justice Center.

ANSWER legally has thirty days after the protest to take down all of the water soluble posters.

“We will make sure we comply with the law,” said Pruyear.

foreign policy,” said Kathi Whalen, DC resident.

Whalen voted for Obama because she thought he would be that official to hammer out political differences. She said America has to figure out how to get out of this “mess” now that “we have created it.”

She started protesting the war seven years ago in Louisville, Kentucky. Since then, she attends anti-war demonstrations every year. Whalen said America is misusing its resources.

“Education and healthcare is not a high priority for Obama.” of how Allah saved the Muslim’s from persecution in Mecca because of their strengthened relationship with their God, due to the Prophet’s teachings, and how, as a result of these teachings, they were among the most enlightened people on Earth.

Other speakers included Sheikh Shakir Elsayeed from Dar Al-Hijrah, Imam Muhammad Abdullahi from the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD, Brother Tarif Shraim, Muslim chaplain at the University of MD at College Park, and Sheikh Diya-ud-deen Eberle.

After an evening of lectures on the Prophet’s life and character, one objective was made clear: that we should all strive to emulate the extraordinary character of the Prophet, and look at his life as an example.

v

TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

World Press

WORLD PRESS |13

Israel Must Allow Palestinians Access to Adequate Water Supplies Amnesty International 22 March 2010

issued a demolition order for a water cistern that the villagers had built.

Amnesty International has on World Water Day urged the Israeli authorities to end discriminatory practices against Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that violate their right to adequate water supplies.

Then, at the beginning of March 2010, when the residents of Tuwani again applied for a connection to the water

Many of the Palestinians living in the West Bank and featured in the October 2009 Amnesty International report Troubled Waters - Palestinians Denied Fair Access to Water - face continuing serious Israeli obstacles to accessing water.

“Almost six months after our report, the Israeli government still maintains control over water resources in Occupied Palestinian Territories. Palestinians are allowed only a fraction of the almost unlimited supplies provided to illegal Israeli settlements,” said Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East Programme.

“In many of the cases we highlighted, there has been no tangible improvement on the ground for ordinary people.”

Troubled Waters highlighted, among other cases, the plight of the small village of Tuwani in the southern Hebron hills.

The village, like other Palestinian communities in the area, remains unconnected to the piped water network that amply supplies the nearby illegal Israeli settlements.

Palestinians in the village instead have to rely on cisterns to harvest rainwater and store the water they purchase from tankers.

In December 2009, the Israeli army

farmers who would have benefitted from the project are still unemployed or surviving on odd jobs as manual workers.

They told Amnesty International on 15

Many of the Palestinians living in the West Bank and featured in the October 2009 Amnesty International report Troubled Waters - Palestinians Denied Fair Access to Water - face continuing serious Israeli obstacles to accessing water. network that runs near the village, the Israeli military authorities in control of the area refused.

March that they would be ready to restart the project as soon as they are assured that it will not be demolished again.

Residents of the village of Beit Ula also continue to struggle to access sufficient water supplies after the Israeli army destroyed nine rainwater harvesting cisterns in 2008.

In the West Bank village of Daraj alHathaleen, Amnesty International’s report also described how the Israeli army delivered demolition orders for nine water cisterns built without

The village, like other Palestinian communities in the area, remains unconnected to the piped water network that amply supplies the nearby illegal Israeli settlements.

The cisterns were built in June 2006 as part of an EU-funded agricultural project to improve food security, and each had belonged to a family.

While local Palestinian farmers had salvaged what they could after the destruction, a year later most of the

permission from the Israeli authorities.

Israel imposes a complex system of permits which the Palestinians must obtain from the Israeli army and other authorities in order to carry out waterrelated projects in the OPT - anything from digging a well, treating sewage or simply repairing a damaged pipe.

Applications for such permits are often rejected or subject to long delays.

While the demolitions in Daraj alHathaleen have not yet been carried out, villagers told Amnesty International in March 2010 that local shepherds have been forbidden from using the cisterns and remain dependent on expensive water from mobile tankers.

Since the road leading to the area was closed by the Israeli army in 2009, water tankers have not been allowed to pass, forcing the residents of Daraj alHathaleen to travel long distances to collect water from the tankers.

More than 40 years of Israeli military occupation restrictions imposed by Israel on the Palestinians’ access to water have also prevented the development of water infrastructure and facilities in the West Bank Amnesty Internation’s report also highlighted the problems faced by Palestinians in Gaza, where 90-95 per cent of the water is unfit for human consumption. The water and sanitation situation in Gaza continues to be “perilous”, according to a report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 17 March.

The Israeli military blockade of Gaza has prevented the entry of materials that are necessary to maintain the water and sanitation infrastructure.

“Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been denied the right to live a normal life, to have adequate food, housing, or health, and to economic development,” said Malcolm Smart.

“Israel must take responsibility for ensuring that Palestinians receive a fair share of the shared water resources.”

14 | CIVIL RIGHTS

Civil Rights

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

HR 2278: A Clear and Present Danger to Our Freedom of the Press WASHINGTON, DC. (MASNET) Mar. 23, 2010 - On Monday, March 22nd, a group of distinguished national leaders, journalists, and diplomats gathered at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to speak out on what has become a major national and international challenge to the rights of free speech and Constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of the press in the United States.

The press conference was moderated by Mounzer Sleiman, a founding member of the Center for American and Arab Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. Other participants at the press event included Former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, Ambassador Hussein Hassouna of the League of Arab States, Ms. Clothilde Le Coz of Reporters Without Borders, and Imam Mahdi Bray of Muslim American Society Freedom.

The focus of this press conference was an expose of HR 2278, and the potential impact that this bill might have on the operation of predominantly Arab language and Muslim electronic media in America. But chances are that, unless you are a professional journalist, or a person who follows the minutiae

of national legislation, you’ve never heard of this nefarious bill, which was actually passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in December, 2009 by a vote of 395 to 3.

Middle East, like Al Manar television, which openly supports the Hezbollah Party in Lebanon and maintains a close relationship with the ruling party in Iran.

What exactly is this resolution? Literally, HR 2278 would require the President of the United States to submit to the Congress a report on media outlets in the Middle East that are involved in “Anti-American incitements to violence.” Further, under the provisions of the resolution, the President would be required to supply to Congress a countryby-country-list of media outlets and satellite companies that are suspected of engaging in such incitements.

But this law could also impact the availability of less “political” news outlets like Al-Jazeerah and Al-Arabiya television in the United States, which reach growing U.S. audiences with different perspectives on news from the region that are not likely to be seen on U.S. corporate television.

The bill is now under review by the United States Senate, and there is no information on when the proposed legislation will be taken up there.

But what else does HR 2278 mean? First, it signifies the growing aggressiveness on the part of “pro-American”(read, pro-Israel) constituents in the United States who fear that American minds will be contaminated by opposing views broadcast on non-US media outlets in the

While the proposed bill would target news organizations that allegedly promote anti-American “violence”, there is no clear proposed definition of what “anti-American” actually means, nor is there any reference to the violence committed by U.S. allies in the region.

The legislation, if passed, could simply shut down foreign news outlets, or disable their satellite transponder links, if they are deemed to transmit views that oppose U.S. Middle East policies-or the U.S. government’s fundamental support for the policies of Israel.

any democratic form of government.

Likewise, our personal freedoms must allow us to embrace, or reject, the views inherent in our television news consumption. Any attempt to truncate this freedom in the name of “political correctness” must be vigorously opposed and rejected, not only to save our press freedoms, but to insure that the news we receive from around the world is not subject to censorship or control.

Please write to your Senator and demand that they reject the Senate version of HR 2278, and any attempt to impose restrictions on our news sources.

MAS Freedom agrees that violence is objectionable. But it is the public news consumer, and not the federal government, that must be free to decide which news to watch, and which source to believe, when it comes to the complex landscape of the Middle East.

[Source: MAS Freedom (masnet.org), a civic and human rights advocacy of the Muslim American Society (MAS)]

Freedom of the press is fundamental to

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

ISLAM |15

Islam

“And if you were to count Allah’s favors, you would not be able to number them…”

By Sheikh Salman al-Oadah And if you were to count Allah’s favors, you would not be able to number them; most surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

[Sūrah al-Nahl: 18] Our lives are a continuous succession of Allah’s gifts. Many people, due to their outlook on life or their circumstances, fail to see that they are receiving Allah’s bounty. Allah has made it clear that we will never be able to count all of His blessings upon us, since they are innumerable.

This statement is found elsewhere in the Qur’an, emphasizing humanity’s ungratefulness and heedlessness of Allah’s blessings: “If you were to count Allah’s favors, you would not be able to number them; most surely humanity

is very unjust, very ungrateful.” [Sūrah Ibrāhīm: 34] Consider the human body. It is made up of one hundred trillion cells. Each cell is a blessing from Allah. But this does not mean that there are only one hundred trillion blessings in the human body. There are far more, since Allah’s blessings manifest themselves within each one of those cells in innumerable ways. Moreover, each cell is exposed to an incalculable number of potential threats, from viruses to cancer to a variety of malfunctions, and Allah through His mercy protects the cells from all of these. Therefore, we can never begin to enumerate the blessings that Allah, at every moment, bestows upon us within our bodies.

We should remember that ever y blessing we enjoy will inevitably come to an end. Either we will lose the blessing some day in our lives, or we will depart this life and leave that blessing behind.

Even if we entertain the idea that the blessings Allah bestows upon any one of us is some finite number, that number would not take into account all of the misfortunes that Allah withholds from us, though He certainly tries some of His servants with those misfortunes.

Then there are all the blessings Allah has bestowed upon our predecessors, our contemporaries, and our descendants and on the incalculable aspects of creation upon which our lives depend.

Allah reminds us: “And whatever good thing you enjoy, it is from Allah. Then, when misfortune reaches you, you cry out to Him for help.” [Sūrah al-Nahl: 53] We should look at ourselves and the way

>> FAVORS Pg 16

How Shaytaan Takes Away from Your Salah Only Fools

By Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid The Shaytaan is our enemy, and one of the aspects of his enmity is his whispering insinuating thoughts (waswaas) to the worshipper at prayer so as to take away his khushoo’ (concentration, humility, and focus on Allah) and confuse him in his prayer.

Waswaas is a problem that befalls everyone who turns to Allaah with dhikr and other kinds of worship; it is inevitable, so one has to stand firm and be patient, and persist in the dhikr or salaah, and not give up. His sticking to it will ward off the Shaytaan’s plots from himself. “… Ever feeble indeed is the plot of Shaytaan.” [al-Nisaa’ 4:76 – interpretation of the meaning].

Every time the slave wants to turn his

Ever y time the slave wants to turn his thoughts towards Allaah, thoughts of other matters come sneaking into his mind. The Shaytaan is like a bandit lying in wait to launch an ambush. thoughts towards Allaah, thoughts of other matters come sneaking into his mind. The Shaytaan is like a bandit lying in wait to launch an ambush: every time the slave wants to travel towards Allaah, the Shaytaan wants to cut off his route. For this reason, it was said to one of the salaf: “The Jews and Christians say that they do not suffer from the problem of waswaas.” He said,

“They are speaking the truth, for what would the Shaytaan want with a house that is in ruins?” (Majma’ al-Fataawa, 22/608).

This is a good analogy. It is as if there are three houses: the house of a king, filled with his treasure and savings, the >> SALAH Pg 17

Think Lying on April 1 is Funny It was narrated that Mu’aawiyah ibn Haydah said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: ‘Woe to the one who talks to make the people laugh and tells lies, woe to him, woe to him.’” (narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 235. Also narrated by Abu Dawood, 4990).

‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood said: “A man may speak the truth and persist in doing so until there is in his heart not even room for evil the size of a needle. Or a man may tell lies and persist in doing so until there is in his heart not even room for truth the size of a needle.

>> LYING Pg 16

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

16| ISLAM FAVORS >> continued from pg 15 we behave towards Allah’s blessings.

Do we use them in obedience to His commands? Do we realize that Allah has a right over us in everything that He gives us? If we are blessed with wealth, the poor have a right in it. If we are blessed with health and strength, the weak and the infirm have a right in it. If we are blessed with knowledge, then those who are in want of knowledge have a right in it. For every ability that we are blessed with, those who are unable have some right in it.

We must praise Allah for empowering us

LYING >> continued from pg 15

And it was narrated that he said: “It is not correct to tell lies whether in jest or

to do that which others are incapable of doing. Part of the thanks we owe Allah is to give something of whatever we are blessed with to those who cannot do for themselves. We should remember that every blessing we enjoy will inevitably come to an end. Either we will lose the blessing some day in our lives, or we will depart this life and leave that blessing behind.

Another part of our gratitude to Allah is to serve Him with what He gives us and to use what we have in ways that are lawful and pleasing to Him. We should not be like Pharaoh. Some wise people advised him: “Do not exult. Surely Allah does not love the exultant.” [Sūrah alQasas: 76]

in seriousness,” then ‘Abd-Allaah recited the aayah (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Be afraid of Allaah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds)” [al-Tawbah 9:119] Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq said: “Beware

Pharaoh replied: “I have been given this only on account of the knowledge I have.”

So Allah tells us: “Did he not know that Allah had destroyed of the generations before him those who were mightier in strength than he and greater in assemblage? And the guilty need not be asked about their sins.” [Sūrah al-Qasas: 78] We often do not notice a blessing that we have until we lose that blessing or are threatened with its loss. How many of our faculties, our limbs, and our talents do we take for granted? These are but some of the blessings in our own bodies.

How many blessings surround us, in our families, our friends, our work, the status

of lying, for it has nothing to do with faith.”

It was narrated that Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqaas said: “The believer may acquire all sorts of characteristics except treachery and lying.”

we enjoy, the connections we have, even our hopes and our dreams?

Even the world on which we live is a blessing, how it possesses everything needed for life to thrive. How many other words do we see and are still discovering in the heavens, some approximating our Earth in size, some smaller, some many times larger, but we find them to be sterile, hostile, unaccommodating worlds.

Praise be to Allah, who possesses all things and who gives without measure.

Source: Islamtoday.net

It was narrated that ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “True faith is not achieved until one gives up lying in jest.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah, 5/235, 236)

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010 SALAAH >> continued from pg 15 house of a slave, containing his treasure and savings, and an empty house with nothing in it. If a thief comes to steal from one of the three houses, which one will he choose? (al-Waabil al-Sayib, p.

43).

When the slave stands up to pray, the Shaytaan feels jealous of him, because he is standing in the greatest position, one that is closest [to Allaah] and most annoying and grievous to the Shaytaan. So he tries to stop him from establishing prayer in the first place, then he continues trying to entice him and make him forget, and “making assaults on him with his cavalry and infantry” [cf. Al-Isra’ 17:64], until he thinks of prayer as less important, so he starts to neglect it, and eventually gives it up altogether. If the Shaytaan fails to achieve this, and the person ignores him and starts to pray, the enemy of Allaah will come and try to distract him, by reminding him of things that he did not remember or think of before he started praying. A person may have forgotten about something altogether, but the Shaytaan will remind him of it when he starts praying, so as to distract him from his prayers and take him away from Allaah, so that his heart will no longer be in his prayers, and he will lose out on the honour and reward of Allaah turning toward him, which is only attained by the one whose heart is really in his prayer. Thus he will finish his prayer no better off than when he started, with his burden of sins not reduced at all by his salaah, because prayer only expiates for sins when it is done properly, with perfect khushoo’, and the person stands before Allaah in body and soul.” (AlWaabil al-Sayib, p. 36).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught us the following methods of combatting the wiles of Shaytaan and getting rid of his waswaas: Abu’l-‘Aas (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that he said, “O Messenger of Allaah, the Shaytaan interrupts me when I pray, and I get confused in my recitation.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon

ISLAM |17 him) said, “That is a shaytaan whose name is Khanzab. If you sense his presence, seek refuge with Allaah from him, and spit [dry spitting] towards your left three times.” [Abu’l-‘Aas] said: “I did that and Allaah took him away from me.” (Reported by Muslim, no. 2203) The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also told us about another of the Shaytaan’s tricks and how to deal with it. He said, “When any one of you gets up to pray, the Shaytaan comes and confuses him – i.e., mixes up his prayer and creates doubts in his mind – so that he does not know how many [rak’ahs] he has prayed. If any one of you experiences that, he should do two prostrations whilst he is sitting.”

(Reported by al-Bukhaari, Kitaab alSahw, Baab al-Sahw fi’l-Fard wa’lTatawwu’).

Another of the Shaytaan’s tricks was described as follows. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If any one of you is praying and feels some movement in his back passage, and is uncertain as to whether he has broken his wudoo’ or not, he should not end his prayer unless he hears a sound or smells an odour.”

Indeed, his tricks may be very strange indeed, as the following hadeeth makes clear. Ibn ‘Abbaas reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was asked about a man who thought that he had broken his wudoo’ when he had not done so.

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The Shaytaan may come to any one of you when he is praying and open his buttocks and make him think that he has broken his wudoo when in fact he has not. So if this happens to any one of you, let him not end his prayer unless he hears the sound of it with his ears or smells the odour of it with his nose.”

(Reported by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer, no.11556, part 11, p. 222. He said in Majma’ al-Zawaa’id, 1/242, its men are the men of Saheeh).

There is a devilish trick which “Khanzab” plays on some worshippers: He tries to distract them by making them think of acts of worship other than the prayer that they are performing, by

making them think of some issues of da’wah or knowledge, so that they start to think deeply about those matters and stop focusing on the prayer they are performing. He even confuses some of them by suggesting to them that ‘Umar used to make plans for the army whilst he was praying. We should let Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah explain this matter and set the record straight: “With regard to what was reported, that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab said, “I make plans for the army whilst I am praying,” this was because ‘Umar was commanded to engage in jihaad and he was the leader of the believers (ameer al-mu’mineen, i.e., the khaleefah), so he was also the leader of jihaad. So in some respects he was like the one who prays the prayer of fear (salaat al-khawf) whilst also watching out for the enemy, whether or not there is actual fighting.

He was commanded to pray, and also to engage in jihaad, so he had to carry out both duties as much as he could. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘O you who believe! When you meet (an enemy) force, take a firm stand against them and remember the Name of Allaah much, so that you may be successful.’ [al-Anfaal 8:45]. It is known that one cannot achieve the same peace of mind during jihaad as at times of peace and security, so if it happens that a person’s prayer is lacking because of jihaad, this does not mean that his faith is lacking.

For this reason, standards may be regarded as being slightly relaxed in the case of prayer at times of danger as compared with times of peace. With regard to prayer at times of danger, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘… but when you are free from danger, perform al-salaah. Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours.’ [al-Nisa’ 4:103]. So the one who is commanded to establish prayer at times of peace is not commanded to do so in the same manner at times of danger.

Moreover, people are of varying levels in this regard. If a person’s faith is strong, he will have the proper presence of mind when he prays, even if he thinks of other matters. Allaah had caused the truth to reside firmly in ‘Umar’s heart, and he was al-muhaddith almulham (‘the inspired speaker’), so

there is nothing strange in a person of his calibre making plans for the army whilst performing the prayer. He was able to do this, whilst others are not, but undoubtedly when he did not have these concerns to think about, his presence of mind in prayer would be greater. And no doubt the prayer of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) at times of safety was even more perfect that at times of danger, in terms of external appearance. If Allaah has made allowances with regard to some of the external movements of the prayer at times of fear, how then about the internal aspects?

In conclusion, therefore, if a person who is pressed for time thinks about some obligatory matter whilst he is praying, this is not the same as a person who is not pressed for time thinking during prayer about some matter that is not obligatory. It may be that ‘Umar could not give thought to making plans for the army except at that time, because he was the leader of the ummah with many obligations and responsibilities. Anyone could find himself in a similar situation, according to his position. People always think during prayer about things that they do not think of at other times, and some of this could come from the Shaytaan. A man told one of the salaf that he had buried some money, but he had forgotten where he had buried it. He told him, ‘Go and pray,’ so he went and prayed, and he remembered where it was. It was said, ‘How did you know that?’ He said, ‘I know that the Shaytaan will not leave him alone when he prays without reminding him of something that matters to him, and there is nothing more important to this man than remembering where he had buried his money.’ But the good slave will strive to attain perfect presence of mind in prayer, just as he strives to do everything else properly that he is commanded to do. And there is no help and no strength except in Allaah, the Most High, the Almighty.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 22/610) Source: Excerpted from “33 Ways of Developing Khushoo’ in Salah” by Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

18| OPINION

Opinion

Race & Culture: Fences Or Bridges?

By Sarah Salam In the battle between Islamic theology and Nationalism, the latter almost always triumphs. Humans, by nature, are fettered to deeply rooted prides of their nations and, consequently, stereotype mercilessly the peoples of the rest of the world. But I am surprised at our species, for what gives humans the right to commit such a crime when Allah subhanu wata’la Himself does not assign partiality based on superficiality?

Aside from Christianity, Islam is one of the few religions to permeate into almost every corner of the earth. The Prophet (PBUH) is blessed with an ummah as diverse in ethnicities and classes as a cosmopolitan city, but it is our level of piety, not our worldly status, which determines our ranks in this faith. The king does not stand on any higher ground in jamaat than the beggar next to him, nor can we say one hijabi receives more blessings in a day than a non-hijabi. We, as Muslims, share the same goal to attain Jannah, yet we are as divided as scattered dandelions in a field.

We are divided because of arrogance; we create boundaries among each other to justify superiority over each other. One member of group A marks distinction in skin color to defend his cruel actions, while another member in group B marvels

It is a known fact that a child is not born racist and that society forces this abstract and ridiculous idea into his or her mind.

But perhaps the human adult can redeem himself when he considers exactly why

“O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another.

Verily, the most honourable of you with Allaah is that (believer) who has taqwa (God consciousness) . Verily Allaah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.” - Qur’an 49:13 at his tribe’s intelligence, ignoring the manual prowess of group C. Muslim individuals are talented in a myriad of ways, but instead of allowing healthy competition to whittle imperfections and propel the Ummah toward excellence in every field of academia, competition gnaws at our pride and cracks the Muslim Shield.

he is Muslim. Are the five prayers a force of habit, or sincere reflections toward the Creator? Is abstinence from pork and alcohol a result of childhood brainwashing, or submission to a divine command?

Why are you Muslim? No matter your race, ethnicity, class, gender, or numbers

of years having embraced Islam, your answer should be the same.

It is important to note that it is not necessary to disown one’s culture in an attempt to bridge the gap between one another. In contrast, our backgrounds can serve as exotic treats for each other, so that we may not only expand our knowledge of one another, but also enjoy the fruits of other cultures. What would it be like to be of Indonesian descent but never having tasted chicken biryani? Wouldn’t our clothes smell less sweet without Arabian ittar to caress the soft fabric?

To love another individual of a different culture as if he or she were kin may be a bit too much to ask. To respect a fellow brother or sister in Islam, though, or in any faith for that matter, is an expectation. Only then can we hope for social boundaries to blur and a sense of community to emerge.

--------------------------Sarah Salam writes from Baltimore, Maryland.

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

Request For Dua’s

{ To Allah We B e l o n g , a n d t o H i m i s O u r R e t u 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)”

OBITS & EVENTS |19

Upcoming Events In Your Area Operation Blackout: Truth Needs a Voice Saturday, March 27 2010 Join the community of Muslim Link readers and supporters for our annual fund raising dinner in Silver Spring MD. With communities across the nation losing their newspapers to the changing economy, we hope you find value in what we do here at TML. Location: Montgomery Blair High School, 51 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring, MD 20901 Contact: 301-982-1020

3-13-10 It is with great sorrow that we announce, Syed Tanveer Zia’s Mother has passed away.The Janazah was held on Sunday, March 14th at ICCL in Laurel, MD. (Source: ICCL)

Service Learning Saturday, March 27 2010, 9:00am - 5:00pm his 7 hr intensive workshop will provide educators with innovative opportunities to develop awareness, understanding and capabilities to design systems of curriculum and instruction that foster civic engagement among their students. Service Learning connects students with their community, making them aware of the issues and problems in their surroundings & makes classroom discussions more interesting and appealing to students. Register Online: http://srv. eventbrite.com/ Location: 1426 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20001 Contact: Ayman Nassar

To Advertise in the Muslim Link Call

The completion of Tafsir Al-Jalalayn Saturday, March 27 2010, 6:00pm - 9:00pm Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of our students. Keynote Guests: Shaikh Zahid Patel (UK) Shaikh Abdullah Saleem (Principle of IIE, Chicago) Shaikh Abdul Mateen (Ameer Darul Huda) Shaikh Irfan Kabirudeen (Principle of Darul Uloom, Maryland) Shaikh Javid Bhiyat (Imam & Director ICCL) Alim Class curriculum will be displayed! Dinner will be served!

Location: ICCL 7306 Contee Rd. Laurel MD 20707 Fairfax, VA 22030 Contact: 301-3174584

301-982-1020

Masjid Zam Zam 1st Annual Fundraising Program Sunday, March 28 2010, 1:30am - 5:30pm Please bring your kids and families to join us at the first annual fund raising event for Masjid Zam Zam to raise funds to purchase land adjacent to the Masjid. Our speakers for the evening are Imam Tahir (Calfornia), Molana Shaikh Irfan Kabiruddin (Darul-aloom), and Molana Imran (ISB). Tickets: Family Cost $40 Individual: $20. Food will be served during the event Location: American Legion Post 183, 2301 Putty Hill Avenue Parkville, MD 21234-3914 Contact: 410-284-2840 Groundbreaking Ceremony Sunday, March 28 2010, 2:00pm - 3:30pm Join us to be a part of ICCL’s historical moment. History and Mission of ICCL will be presented.

Expansion Project plan will be presented. Light Lunch will be served. Location: ICCL 7306 Contee Rd. Laurel MD 20707 Fairfax, VA 22030 Contact: 301-317-4584 Got Deen? Womens’ Conference Saturday, April 03 - To Sunday, April 04 2010 The Women’s Committee of Masjid As Saffat’s will be hosting its 27th annual women’s conference “Allah: Seeking His Face”. A gathering of our sisters from Muslim communities around the globe, anticipating a spiritual awakening as we engage in conversation and exchange of information regarding our Deen. We will be hosting our young sisters concurrently with the Women’s Committee program, conducting separate sessions for the youth. (Attendees must be age 12 or older.) Vendors welcome. For more info or to register: http://womens_committee. tripod.com/index.html NO REGISTRATION AT THE DOOR Location: Turf Valley Inn & Conference Center, 2700 Turf Valley Rd., Ellicott City, MD 21042 Contact: Registration, Hafiza AbdurRahman 410-9163337; Vending, Zakia Amin 443-379-2351 Spring Scarves Collection Open House Saturday, April 03 2010 - 12:00pm To Sunday, April 04 2010 - 4:00pm You and your friends are invited to see our variety of plain and colored scarves collection at our open house in Columbia, MD on Saturday April 3rd and Sunday April 4th, 2010 from 12pm to 4pm. If you need more information, please feel free to contact us by email at tuleenshop@gmail. com or by phone at 443-283-3484 Thank you and looking forward to seeing you.

Location: Columbia, MD Contact: 443-283-3484

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Dar Al-Hijra Annual Fund Raiser Banquet Saturday, April 03 2010, 6:00pm - 10:00pm The Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center cordially invites you to its annual fund raising banquet. Our guest speaker is Sheikh Hassan Abunar. Invited guests include Gov. Tom Kaine, Sen. Jim Webb, Rep. Jim Moran, and others. There will be a free childrens’ program and live entertainment.

Tickets: $45 for individual, $80 for couple. Log on to www.daralhijrah.net Location: Fairview Park Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042 Contact: www.daralhijrah.net, or call 703-536-1030

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

20| SALAAH TIMES Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan

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.”

Office Manager : Stephanie Benmoha News Desk: Rashad Mulla

---Hadith in Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim

Layout & Design: Fadlullah Firman Staff Writers: Farkhunda Ali Farha Marfani Rashad Mulla Yaman Shalabi Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Imam Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published on the first Friday of every Islamic month (Hijri calendar) and distributed throughout the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia Metropolitan Areas.

TML is a non-profit publication and is based at Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, USA. Staff and contributors are not necessarily affiliated with Dar-us-Salaam.

The views expressed in The Muslim Link do not necessarily reflect those of Dar-us-Salaam or TML management or their underwriters. Dar-us-Salaam and TML are not responsible for the accuracy of information presented by advertisers, or for the religious compliance of events, products, or services published in TML.

Salaah times for March 26th - April 8th, 2010 Day

Date

Fri

3/26

Sat

Hijri

Fajr

Sunrise

Dhuhr

Asr

Maghrib

Isha

10/4

5:47

7:01

1:14

4:45

7:26

8:41

3/27

11/4

5:45

7:00

1:14

4:45

7:27

8:42

Sun

3/28

12/4

5:44

6:58

1:13

4:45

7:28

8:43

Mon

3/29

13/4

5:42

6:57

1:13

4:46

7:29

8:44

Tue

3/30

14/4

5:40

6:55

1:13

4:46

7:30

8:45

Wed

3/31

15/4

5:39

6:53

1:12

4:46

7:31

8:46

Thu

4/1

16/4

5:37

6:52

1:12

4:47

7:32

8:47

Fri

4/2

17/4

5:35

6:50

1:12

4:47

7:33

8:48

Sat

4/3

18/4

5:34

6:49

1:11

4:47

7:34

8:49

Sun

4/4

19/4

5:32

6:47

1:11

4:48

7:35

8:51

Mon

4/5

20/4

5:30

6:46

1:11

4:48

7:36

8:52

Tue

4/6

21/4

5:28

6:44

1:11

4:48

7:37

8:53

Wed

4/7

22/4

5:27

6:43

1:10

4:49

7:38

8:54

Thu

4/8

23/4

5:25

6:41

1:10

4:49

7:39

8:55

Prayer times generated from www.islamicfinder.com

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This publication contains the names of ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). Please keep, recycle, or share it with others The Muslim Link 5301 Edgewood Road College Park, MD 20740 Phone : (301) 982-1020 Fax: 240-209-0702 editor@muslimlinkpaper.com Advertising: 301-982-1020 or email us at ads@muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2010

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22 | MP - Education, Restaurants

March 26th - April 8th, 2010

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

MP - Professional Services | 23

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March 26th - April 8th, 2010

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TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

MP - Healthcare | 25

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March 26th - April 8th, 2010

26| MP - Masjid Locator

MASJID LOCATOR ADAMS CENTER:

46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling,VA 20164, Tel: 703-433-1325, www.adamscenter.org.

ALL MUSLIM BROTHERS ASSOCIATION

3900 King Street Alexandria, VA 22302 703-647-0515 Jumma Prayer ONLY - 1:00 p.m

AVONDALE ISLAMIC CENTER: 4637 Eastern Ave., Hyattsville, MD, 20782, Tel: 301-779-9292.

BAITUL MUKARRAM: 2116 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA, 22204, Tel: 703-778-1550.

DAR AL HIJRAH:

3159 Rowe St., Falls Church, VA 22044, Tel: 703-536-1030, www.hijrah.org.

DAR AL-SALAAM:

15250 Dumfries Rd., Mannassas,VA 20112.

DAR AL-NOOR (MUSLIM ASSOC. OF VA):

5404 Hoadly Rd., Manassas, VA 20112, Tel: 703-580-0808, Fax: 703-2218513, www.daralnoor.org.

DAR AL-TAQWA:

10740 Rte. 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042, Tel: 410-997-5711, www.taqwa.net.

DAR UL ULOOM,

6334 Dogwoood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207, 410-493-0785 Email:darululoommd@aol.com

DAR UL-GHURABA (Masjid ur Rahmah): 155 Baker St., Emporia, VA 23487, Tel. 434-348-786.

DAR-UL HUDA:

6666 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150, Tel: 703-922-0111, www.darulhuda.org

DAR-US-SALAAM:

5301 Edgewood Rd. College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848, www.darussalaam.org.

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

FIRST HIJRA MUSLIM COMM. CENTER:

ISLAMIC FOUND. OF AMERICA (IFA):

MAKKAH LEARNING CENTER (MLC):

6606 Electronic Dr., Springfield, VA 22151 Tel: 703-914-4982, www.ifa.ws.

814 Brandy Farms Ln Gambrills, MD 21054 Tel: 410-721-5880 www.mlcmd. org, Email: info@mlcmd.org

ICNA VA CENTER:

ISLAMIC HERITAGE CENTER (IHC):

MANASSAS MOSQUE:

4324 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, DC 20011 www.firsthijrah.org.

2913 Woodlawn Trail, Alexandria, VA 22306.

IDARA DAWAT-O-IRSHAD: 4803 Valley St, Alexandria, VA 22312 703-256-8622, www.irshad.org.

INDONESIAN MUSLIM ASSOC. IN AMERICA (IMAAM):

1611 Veirs Mill Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20851 Tel: 240-453-0808, e-mail: fkadir@imaamnet.org.

INST.OF ISLAMIC AND ARABIC SCIENCES IN AMERICA (IIASA): 8500 Hilltop Rd., Fairfax, VA 22031 Tel: 703-641-4890, www.iiasa.org

IRHSCA (ISLAMIC RESEARCH AND HUM. SERVICES CENTER OF AMERICA): Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040, www.irhsca.org.

ISLAMIC CENTER OF GREATER SOUTH EAST (FORMERLY MASJID ASH-SHURA)

3109-B Martin Luther King Ave., S.E.Washington, DC 20032 202-506-7235

ISLAMIC CENTER OF MARYLAND (ICM): 19401 Woodfield Rd. Gaithersburg,MD 20879 Tel:301-840-9440, www.icomd.org.

ISLAMIC CENTER OF NORTHERN VA TRUST (ICNVT): 4420 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030 Tel: 703-941-6558, E-mail: info@icnvt.org www.icnvt.org

ISLAMIC COM. CENTER OF LAUREL (ICCL): 7306 Contee Rd., Laurel, MD 20707 Tel: 301-317-4584, www.icclmd.org.

262 A-3 Cedar Ln., Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: 703-206-9056.

12950 Center Entrance Ct, Manassas, VA Tel: 703-257-5537.

ISLAMIC SOC. OF ANNAPOLIS (ISA):

MASJID AL-GHURABAA:

2635 Riva RdSuite 110 Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel: 410-266-6660 www.islamannapolis.org, Email: info@islamannapolis.org

ISLAMIC SOC. OF FREDERICK (ISF):

8220 Washington St., South, Laurel, MD 20724.

Tel: 301-604-3295.

MASJID AL-HIKMAH:

11064 Livingston Road Unit L (101) Ft. Washington, MD 20744, Tel: 301 292-9009.

1250 Key Parkway , Frederick,MD 21702 Tel: 301-682-6090, www.isfmd.org.

MASJID UL-HAQ:

ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF GERMANTOWN (ISG):

MASJID AL-ISLAM:

19900 Brandermill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876 Tel: (301)-972-0504, www.isgtown.org.

ISLAMIC SOC. OF SOUTHERN PG COUNTY (ISSPGC):

P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Tel: 240-253-4217

ISLAMIC SOC. OF THE WASHINGTON AREA (ISWA): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd. Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930, www.iswamd.org.

ISLAMIC SOC. OF WESTERN MARYLAND: 2036 Day Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 Tel: 301-797-0922.

IVY CITY MASJID:

514 Islamic Way (Wilson St. ), Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-728-1363.

4603 Benning Rd., SE, Washington, DC 20019 Tel: 202-581-1616, e-mail: imammusa@hotmail.com

MASJID AL-INSHIRAH:

7832 Fairbrook Road , Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977, Fax: 410-2980266, www.al-inshirahweb.net.

MASJID AL-MUMINEEN: 2642 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21218 Tel: 410-467-8798.

MASJID JAMAAT ALMUSLIMEEN: 4624 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212 Tel. 443-869-5233.

MASJID MUHAMMAD: 1519 4th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20001 Tel: 202-483-8832.

MASJID AL-NOOR:

2001 Galludet St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 Tel: 202-529-3100.

10012 Harford Rd., Carney, MD 21234 Tel: 410-663-9637, Fax: 410-663-9817.

LA PLATA MASJID:

MASJID AL-RAHMAH/ISB:

111 Howard Street, La Plata, MD 20646 Tel: 301-609-8769.

6631 Johnny Cake 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 BAIT-ALLAH:

1910 Frederick Avenue (2 Floor) Baltimore, MD 21223 Tel: 443-224-4423, E-mail: info@masjidbaitallah.org. www.masjidbaitallah.org

MASJID IBN TAYMIYYAH: 8000 MLK Highway, Glenarden MD Tel: 301-461-9325.

MASJID ZAMZAM 1510 Lynch Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 Phone: 410-284-2840

MEDINA CENTER: 9426 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda MD 20814 www.medinacenter.net

MUSLIM COM. CENTER (MCC):

15200 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-384-3454, www.mccmd.org.

MUSLIM SOC. OF WASHINGTON, D.C. (MSWDC):

Howard Center, Room 805 (Above HU Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236, www.mswdc.org.

MUSTAFA CENTER:

6844 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA 22003.

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, imam@pgmamd.org.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND ISLAMIC CENTER(SMIC): 1046 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown, MD, 20639.

Tel: 410- 535-0000 THE ISLAMIC CENTER: 2551 Mass. Ave. NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-332-8343.

TML, March 26th - April 8th, 2010

MP - Classifieds | 27

Place a personal classified ad. Call us at 301-982-1020 $1 per 3 words. You may place a classified on muslimlinkpaper.com free of charge. All classifieds run 3 issues in the marketplace section. To place a classified, email office@muslimlinkpaper.com with the exact text of the classified, and send a check or money order payable to the Muslim Link to: The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Rd, College Park MD 20740.

CHILDCARE EXCHANGE BABYSITTING IN MY HOME I am a licensed childcare provider available to babysit at my Silver Spring home. Children age 1 and up.

Snacks provided. Overnights available.

Can teach Qur’an and Arabic. For information. 301-593-4769.

-----------------------------------------------LICENSED BABYSITTER For infant - 10 yrs. In my home in Annandale, VA. Flexible hours. 15 years experience. Call 703-256-1175, or 571308-4295.

-----------------------------------------------LIVE-IN NANNY Need a live-in nanny for 15 month girl. some light house work. Please contact 443 708 5183.

-----------------------------------------------NANNY WANTED We live in Silver Spring MD, and are looking for a full-time nanny to take care of our 14 month old boy and also after-school care for our 6 year old daughter; Light household work will be required; live-in arrangement may also be considered. Please call 301-6492228 or 240-475-6108.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE Great communications $. Typing skills needed to work on behalf of a company. This service representative will earn up to $2000 monthly. Any job experience needed. Email to representative1000@gmail.com

-----------------------------------------------DOMESTIC HELP NEEDED Experienced house keeper and cook.

Live in McLean, VA. Tuesday-Saturday with flexibility. Energetic, trustworthy, and gentle person with recent references.

English-speaking preferred. Driving a plus. Starting salary from $350-400 a week. Call 703-851-7979 -----------------------------------------------HOME HELP AVAILABLE Helping hand/companion seeking work.

Dependable, have own transportation.

Part-time days or weekends in your home. Contact 202-450-4144 -----------------------------------------------C++/C#/.NET DEVELOPER Looking for a C++/C#/.NET Developer with 2-4 years experience for fulltime remote work. Email navmed@gmail. com ------------------------------------------------

MATRIMONIAL BROTHER SEEKING WIFE Gentleman, 57, from Iran, no children.

Non-smoker, taxi driver. Seeking Muslim lady for marriage. For more information call Ali from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week.

202-669-5699.

-----------------------------------------------WANT TO CORRESPOND Incarcerated Sunni Muslim, 49, looking for devoted Muslima for correspondence/ marriage. Please contact “Abdul Malik” Rudolph Barbot, #05A2129, Eastern NY Correctional facility, P O Box 338, Napanoch, NY 12458-0338 ------------------------------------------------

SEEKING MUSLIMA Studious Muslim in North Carolina looking for a Muslima to seriously communicate with, insha Allah. Please mail inquiries to Kerry Morston, #0257064, PO Box 1808, SCI, Laurinburg, NC 28353 ------------------------------------------------

MISCELLANEOUS LOOKING TO CONNECT Correctional inmate, Afro-American, physically fit, 50, 5’10”, 200 lbs, who believes in Free Thinking, Harmony, Peace and Balance, with balance being a priority. Seeking anyone who can imagine how it feels to be loney. Age, race, unimportant. Lonliness is! LaVonn Macon, #108634, P O Box 900, Portage, WI 53901 -----------------------------------------------COMMUNITY THRIFT STORE Store hours Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, 5115 Park Heights, Baltimore, MD 21215.

Donation accepted or pickup. Slighted worn items only. License #30385946.

Call 410-542-6925 or 443-531-9353 (cell)

RENTAL 2 separate rooms for rent in College Park close to Al Huda, University of MD, close to Greenbelt Metro. Call 301345-5850 or qureshimahboob@hotmail. com

To Advertise in the Muslim Link Call

301-982-1020

SERVICES LOVING HOME CARE ELDER CARE/ NANNY SERVICE At Loving Home Care we provide care you can trust and afford all from the comfort of your home! Our services are for seniors and loved ones needing assistance with activities of daily living.

We also provide Mother’s Helpers for that mother in need. Companionship, Hygiene Care, Meal Preparation, Errands, Grocery, Light Housekeeping, Grooming, Dressing, Medication Reminders, Doctors Appointments. *Low Rates* *No Deposit* *Bonded & Insured* www.lovinghomecare.org FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION CALL: 301-490-1146 -----------------------------------------------HANDYMAN AVAILABLE Assalamu’alaykum! My name is Varga Syahroni. I am an experienced technician in D.C. and Maryland. I offer service and repair for cooling, heating, plumbing, refrigerator, dish washers, dryer machines and much more. Call me for reliable service! Free estimates (301) 792-1004 or email varga_syahroni@yahoo.com -----------------------------------------------HOME SERVICES Licensed contractor. Home Improvement work, interior/exterior painting, drywall install/repair, brick/concrete repair.

Estimates done. Contact Br. Allen Scott at 410-467-1259 or 443-531-9353 (cell) ------------------------------------------------

or Email us at office@muslimlinkpaper.com

5th Annual Fundraising Dinner