Zerqa Abid

Project Sakinah: Stopping Domestic Violence

2011-11-04T12:45:00.003-04:00

Domestic violence is an injustice that is prohibited in Islam. It has been condemned by several Muslim scholars. The translation of the famous verse 4:34 of Quran that has been used by some Muslims to justify wife beating has also been challenged by several scholars on the grounds of the alternate meaning of the word “durbahunna” and no evidence of domestic abuse in the married life of the blessed Prophet Muhammed.

There are several sayings of the blessed prophet condemning all kinds of oppression and abuse. Here are just a few of them:

1. "Do not abuse anyone, do not look down upon any good work, and when you speak to your brother, show him a cheerful face." [Sunan of Abu-Dawood, Hadith 1889]

2. "A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim, so he should not oppress him, nor should he hand him over to an oppressor..." [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 631]

3. Anas Bin Malik reported, Allah's Apostle (SAW) said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one. People asked, "O Allah's Apostle (SAW)! It is all right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?" The Prophet (SAW) said, "By preventing him from oppressing others." [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 633]

Here, the blessed Prophet is clearly forbidding people from abusing anybody, let alone somebody’s own spouse. He is also advocating Muslims to help oppressors by stopping them from oppressing anyone.

These and many other sayings of the blessed Prophet and the verses of Quran are beacon of lights for people who work at Project Sakinah, a national initiative of Dar al Islam. This project is not only raising awareness about the issue, but it is also building teams to combat domestic violence in various neighborhoods and communities across America. We are advocating to stop and prevent domestic violence through actions taken by family members, community and institutions. There are three simple steps to do this: Wake Up, Speak Up, Team Up.

The simple philosophy behind these steps is driven from the famous Hadith of the blessed Prophet in which he is reported to have said: "If one of you sees something wrong, let him change it with his hand; if he cannot, then with his tongue; if he cannot, then with his heart and this is the weakest faith."

In our opinion, just being aware and doing nothing about domestic violence is the symbol of the weakest faith. Speaking against it is better and teaming up to combat it is the best.

At Project Sakinah, we also believe that in this fast pace, high-tech media world, people’s attention can easily be diverted to another issue in a matter of minutes. People may get excited about one thing for a couple of days and they may not even remember about it a week later.

Many of us remember a cartoon character campaign on Facebook from last year. Tens of thousands of people changed their profile picture to their favorite cartoon character. The idea was that by changing pictures, they would be raising awareness about child abuse. When in reality, many of them were merely talking about their favorite cartoons. At the same time, several other people were asking how it was actually going to stop child abuse.

Raising awareness about domestic violence is also similar, whether it is through wearing purple ribbon or hijabs; through holding a seminar, a conference or a workshop; through organized walks; or through online activism. Unfortunately, it alone is not effective in combating violence unless it is followed by some form of actions by people.

This is why, Project Sakinah is focusing on actual mobilization and organization of community members to address this issue. Stopping domestic violence needs consistent efforts and solid actions taken by not only professionals and parties involved directly, but also by family members, community, faith-based organizations, etc.

Through grassroots efforts, we are hoping to introduce pre-marital counseling, couplehood trainings, anger management workshops and several other programs to various communities, mosques and Islamic centers as preventive measures. We are also engaging community members in dialogues about their matrimonial choices, the concept of manhood and womanhood and the role of their mosques and families in shaping these perceptions.

We are urging everyone to join hands with us. This is a community project. Its success lies in the community’s hands and the rewards are only with Allah. As the blessed prophet said:

“…Whoever fulfilled the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfill his needs; whoever brought his (Muslim) brother out of a discomfort, Allah will bring him out of the discomforts of the Day of Resurrection, and whoever screened a Muslim, Allah will screen him on the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 631]

You may join Project Sakinah through these links: Website, Facebook, Twitter.

I AM Youth call for Better Together on 9/11 and beyond

2011-09-05T08:40:00.003-04:00

Regardless of how sad, offended or angry Americans were on the eve of September 11, 2001, we were not lost or divided. Regardless of how shattered and crumbled our buildings were, our hearts were in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of all faiths and ethnicities. Regardless of how confused, bitter or reactionary some of us were, the majority of us stood together as one nation, because we knew we were better together.

The fire was fierce, but our firefighters jumped in it to save others. The buildings were crumbling, but our paramedics went in to get others out. The rubble was hazardous, but community members kept digging until every beloved person was placed to rest in peace. The duties were long. The jobs were tiresome. The air was polluted. The emotions were high. The eyes were wet. The hearts were heavy. But nothing took us apart.

Together we took care of our dead and injured. Together we mourned. Together we found hope and faith in each other. But then some people did not like that unity and harmony in the American people. They took it upon themselves to divide the community through fear and hate-mongering. They have been investing millions of dollars in the last ten years to incite hatred against Muslim Americans. With this kind of agenda and money, they have kept America focused mostly on death and destruction.

In the post 9/11 era, we have focused so much on the hate that we forgot to love. We have mourned so much for our deaths that we forgot to celebrate our lives. We have focused so much on our attackers that we forgot to celebrate our rescuers. We have focused so much on attacking the enemy that we forgot to make friends. We have focused so much on dividing the community that we forgot uniting it for our own sake.

I AM Youth members and mentors after Sprucing Up
Near-Eastside Columbus on Earth Day 2011

But that’s not true for some of us. Regardless of strong hate campaigns and negative media narratives, we have also been blessed with several outstanding leaders and individuals who took it upon themselves to join our communities together. These are our soldiers of civility who are fighting for America within America. They are our freedom fighters, who are constantly protecting our Constitution and the American dream of justice for all.

Over the last ten years, these Americans have been building bridges over the turbulent waters. They are faith leaders, public servants, politicians, teachers, laborers, lawyers, students, and people from all walks of life. They have set a harmonious tone of inclusiveness and unity through their sacrifices and hard work. They have kept the American dream alive through their activism and services.

As the media focuses on villains more, most of these heroes have gone unnoticed through these years. But some dynamic interfaith youth leaders in Columbus, Ohio, have decided to change the trend this year, at least in Columbus. They have decided to change the narrative of 9/11. They have decided to pay tribute to their heroes and to celebrate the revival of community spirit along with the remembrance of those who lost their lives ten years ago.

Interfaith Action Movement of Youth (I AM Youth) started as Columbus Interfaith Youth in January of 2010. A handful of adults (including myself) and youth inspired by Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) of Eboo Patel decided to start a group that would gather teenagers of different faith orientations for community service projects.

In the last twenty-one months, we have followed Patel’s path and have evolved as a thriving interfaith youth movement in the greater Columbus area. To my knowledge, this is the only interfaith youth program here that empowers teenagers.

On September 11, we are gathering some of the best young and old heroes in our city under one roof. Our event’s title, “Better Together,” is also an effort to stay close to the vision of IFYC. The subtitle, Path to Peace and Justice: Faith, Service and Unity, explains our vision. This event is a mix of a conference, an award ceremony, and a music festival. People of all faiths, ages, races and ethnicities are welcome.

This event is sponsored by Tifereth Israel, Islamic Society of Greater Columbus, C ovenant Presbyterian Church of Columbus, First Congregational Church of Columbus, Lahore Ahmadiyya Islamic Society, Interfaith Center for Peace, Justice Action Ministry of First Unitarian Church, and Columbus Metropolitan Area Church Council.

Award recipients include: Columbus Mayor Coleman, Columbus Police Department, Columbus Fire Department and several interfaith and social justice leaders.

This day, we will be gathering to heal and to discover a new beginning. A new era of construction, inclusiveness, friendship and finding comfort in each other. A new era of combining youth power and old wisdom. A new era of being better together.

Celebrating Eid over dead bodies!

2011-08-29T10:37:00.003-04:00

Karachi buried about 200 victims of
unrest and terrorism in Ramadan 2011

Eid ul Fitr is tomorrow. In order to celebrate it fully, I am supposed to do tons of things like: cooking biryani and desserts, decorating my house, getting nice clothes for my children, throwing a big party and buying and wrapping gifts for my friends, family and community members.

But I don’t want to do any of the above. I just don’t feel like celebrating Eid this time.

It’s because I am surrounded by dead bodies. Dead bodies from all over the world - Syria, Libya, Karachi, Norway, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Yemen, Somalia, … list goes on and on. How can I celebrate this Eid when thousands of mothers all around me are mourning for their children?

I am surrounded by Somali children waiting for their death. They are dying, because they have NOTHING To EAT. How do I prepare a feast for my children? That biryani? That kheer? Samosas or kebabs?

I am surrounded by homeless American children. I am surrounded by American poor and needy with no food to eat, no medicine to heal, no house to live, and no shoulder to weep. How do I throw a party without including them in it??

Not dead yet,
How painful for a parent to watch this!

So many children are dying of hunger and we eat cakes and ice creams?

So many parents can’t afford life-saving medicine for their kids and we set moonwalk and rides for ours?

So many parents are not even able to buy coffins for their children and I buy those accessories to match my daughter’s fancy clothes. How? When did I become so heartless, so self centered?? Who made me so?

It’s holy month of Ramadan, the month of mercy. All over the Islamic world, people are giving in charity. There are fundraisers being organized for Somalis. There are protests and fundraisers being organized for Syria, Libya and elsewhere. There are prayer vigils being organized for Karachi. I may have given some dollars here and there. I may have made one or two prayers for those in need once in a while. But, am I done with my job? Is it enough??

Shall I just close my eyes, or duck my neck under the sand and pretend that ALL IS WELL?

Shall I comfort myself by reminding about those couple of dollars that I sent to Somalia and elsewhere? That means I have done my job. That’s enough. Right?

Wrong. I may have helped a little, but I am not done until the peace and justice is restored in the world.

Restoring peace and justice is not something that I can do alone. This is something that can only be done by a community that has a will to bring that peace. Individuals like me can only bring ideas to table. We may push them to some bit by launching a project or two, but it’s up to our community to actually buy and implement those ideas.

In Muslim American community, mosques and ethnic organizations play a vital role in changing community’s culture and priorities. Majority of these organizations are mostly focused on their own establishment. They have their own agendas and goals which are valid up to some point. Since they collect money from the community to run their organizations, they make it incumbent upon themselves to serve the community by organizing several social events including Eid parties, picnics etc. This is normal and expected. But what should they do at the time of crises like we are facing now? Shall they spend thousands of dollars in throwing community parties and festivals at times like these? Or shall they take community in confidence and use this money in saving poor and needy and oppressed around the world and in their own backyard? These are the questions that must be answered by both parties by mutual understanding.

Here I would like to share an episode from 1999 when Eid fell upon us in the middle of genocide in Kosovo. Thousands of our brothers and sisters were running bare feet in the jungles of Kosovo to save their lives from Serb attackers. Local mosque in the city where I was residing at that time was throwing a big Eid party. My husband and I took upon ourselves and requested our mosque re-allocating those funds to help people in Kosova. We were told that “the people are suffering all over the world all the time. Every year, all year round, there are crises in the Islamic world. If we started canceling Eid parties for these reasons, we would never have a party again and that would be devastating for our children. So we shall never cancel or make it any simple.” We were also told that money had been sent to Kosova and the Eid party would be organized with different funds, hence it was justified.

I could not believe what I heard at that time, but over the last 12 years, I have learned that my mosque was not alone in making that argument. Unfortunately, there are several organizations and individuals who use this argument quite frequently. That’s how we have justified spending thousands on our superficial needs, when people literally died because they did not have a loaf of bread to eat.

We may have seen so much bloodshed and oppression in our lives that we have become immune to it. It does not affect us anymore. People die and we throw parties and festivals over their bodies. At the same time we lecture others about how caring and loving Islam is. Indeed Islam is caring and loving, but we are not the true followers of Islam. Perhaps, we may have become one of those self centered and heartless people who were rejected by Allah, the almighty, throughout the history of mankind. Hellfire, how bad is the final destination of such people? – Quran asks.

If we genuinely believe in the holy Quran that we read extensively throughout the Ramadan, we should do our best to change this situation. We need to sober up. We need to make big decisions as a community. We need to think about all “those others” as if they are us. The blessed prophet Muhammad said “Muslims are like one body. If one part of the body hurts; whole body feels it.” In our case whole body is hurting and we are feeding it with chocolates and candies instead of medicine. How sane is it?

Honestly, we need to cut these festivals and parties. It’s a call for change. Make it simple, perhaps one dish, one dessert and a simple picnic. Use our gatherings for further reflections and prayers. Stop using children as an excuse for such parties. Our children are smarter than us. When we talk to them sincerely, they donate their toys and Eid money and feel happy about it. It’s time to team up with them to do something different. Make it an Eid of Muslim community that is alive and alert, God willing.

That’s the kind of Eid I want to celebrate this year!

I pray to my Lord that He softens our hearts and gives us wisdom to put our energy and money into the projects that take us to the Heaven. May He help oppressed and needy around the world, and may He help us in helping them, ameen.

Domestic violence in Muslim families: Aasiya Zubair to Nazish Noorani

2011-08-27T12:49:00.001-04:00

Note: This post was originally written and published for Project Sakinah. It is also published at altmuslimah.com

Aasiya Zubair & Nazish Noorani. Both murdered
by their husbands and left little ones behind them.

As I write this post, it has been five days since the murder of Nazish Noorani, 27, a mother of two, in Boonton, NJ.

A week prior to her death, she texted her brother,

"I dont no wht to do…Cant talk to him cuz he abuse me than…He dosent wanna live with me…I dont no kids get scared of him sometimes…I m so tired of this…I dont no i m scared…someday u will find me dead but its cuz of kashi…he wants to kill me."

Unfortunately, regardless of her warning, she could not save herself. Her husband, Kashif Pervaiz, successfully plotted and killed her with the help of his girlfriend, Antoinette Stephen.

Inna lillahi wa inna illaihi raajioon. To God we belong and to Him we return. May God rest her soul in peace and may He grant patience to her family and loved ones.

How sad, gruesome, and alarming this murder is for the Muslim Community!

To many of us, it’s a dejavu. It reminds us all about Sr. Aasiya Zubair’s murder in February of 2009. Just like Aasiya, Nazish is also gone forever and her family, along with her two sons, 5 and 3, are left behind grieving.

As some details of Sr. Nazish’s dysfunctional married life are disclosed now, it is obvious that Pervaiz was not only abusive but was also cheating with her for long time. She had been openly communicating with her siblings for quite some time and was very confused about how to deal with the situation.

We don’t know a lot about how her brother responded to her grievances. But we know that her sister, Lubna Chaudry, begged her to leave the marriage which Nazish refused, according to some newspaper reports. She loved him, sister says. This is typical of abused women in love relationships. More reasons of why victims stay in abusive relationships can be seen here.

A common question that family and friends often ask each other after such incidents is: What could have been done to avoid it? What do you do when your daughter or sister text you a message like Nazish did about her abusive married life? Life or marriage, what would/should you pick? Where do you draw the line and decide to be safe than sorry.

Also, if it is not life threatening, how long is long enough for a person in an abusive relationship? What should a family/community member do after learning about the situation? When does it become community business?

These are tough questions and need serious dialogue within Muslim community.

In order to initiate this dialogue at community level, Dar al Islam launched Project Sakinah (Sakinah means tranquility) after the gruesome murder of Sr. Aasiya in 2009. Although various DV organizations have already been working within Muslim community for years, Project Sakinah has become the first national platform in last two and a half years.

After initial research, intensive brainstorming with several Muslim and non-Muslim DV advocates and several sessions with professional consultants, we have now launched a 6-point action plan for our community. We call upon all concerned community members to join hands with us and help us making it a success.

Starting this October, we are offering training workshops for community organizers against domestic violence. These workshops are not for professionals. These are for regular people. We call upon you to help us organize these workshops in your city, at your mosques and community centers.

As we walk on this road to Sakinah, we invite you too to join the caravan. Following are few initial steps that you can take right away:

1. Explore Project Sakinah’s website and educate yourself about the issue and possible ways to combat it within your inpidual capacity.

2. Share the site with your friends and family members.

3. Join our Project Sakinah National Team and help us through your direct participation and feedback.

4. Like our Facebook page and help spread the word to your online friends.

5. Request our free campaign material (postcards, posters and brochures) to be distributed at your mosque and local businesses. Email your request to gathering@projectsakinah.org.

6. Take our online survey "Where Do You Stand?" The Attitudes of Muslim Men and Women Toward Domestic Violence. This will help us in improving our plan and strategy to combat this evil within Muslim community.

7. Donate to support Project Sakinah so we can continue this work for long time with better quality.Last but not least is the fact that domestic violence is a global issue. One in every three women becomes a victim of domestic violence at some point of her life in the United States. But this fact does not make it less of a Muslim problem.

Last but not least is the fact that domestic violence is a global issue. One in every three women becomes a victim of domestic violence at some point of her life in the United States. But this fact does not make it less of a Muslim problem.

Unfortunately, the media is once again sensationalizing this news around Islam and Ramadan suggesting it is a Muslim problem. The best way to counter the Media’s buzz is through showing the serious commitment of the Muslim community against domestic violence. We have talked and reacted enough. It does not really help much. It’s time to walk, and the road to Sakinah is wide enough for us all to walk together.

Related Links:
Domestic violence and our bystander culture
Nazish Noorani, domestic abuse and American Muslims
Domestic violence in the month of mercy

Tax Day: Make Them Pay - FedEx Event Video

2011-08-26T18:30:00.000-04:00

Tax Day: Make Them Pay!

2011-04-17T13:55:00.005-04:00

Tomorrow, on April 18^th, 2011, at noon, my husband and I will be protesting outside the FedEx office at High St. in Columbus downtown. We have joined thousands of working class American tax payers who are demanding corporate tax dodgers to pay their taxes.

It may sound too political to you, but it is very personal to us.

Our children’s education is being hit the hardest by the lack of federal and state money.

In respond to the cut to the school funding, the Hilliard City School District Board of Education has approved a $ 3.8 million cut in the budget of school year 2011-1012. This cut would eliminate 51.5 teaching and classified positions, reduce the pay of an additional 247 positions and eliminate various middle school sports and academic programs. Gifted children program would be canceled for elementary schools too. This is very serious for all parents with younger children.

In order to avoid this cut, we are forced to pass a 6.9 million levy on May 3^rd(Issue 7 on ballot). This levy will cost us an additional $ 216 per year per $ 100,000 home value. This is in addition to a levy that we passed in last election. This is also on top of rising gas prices, higher utility bills, rising insurance, and way higher college tuitions that we are supposed to pay for our two college students next year.

As we look through our pockets and our expanses, we know we are already maxed up. If we choose to pay for better education, we have to cut our groceries, or gym, or something else that is as important as having a good school with competitive programs and sports.

While we are squeezing our household budget to fit this new levy in, we are still paying our taxes to fulfill our civic responsibility. Paying taxes is not just an option to us; it’s a must, regardless of our financial crisis or situations.

FedEx, on the other hand, does not go by this rule. It reported over $1.9 billion in U.S. profits, but paid only $1 million in federal corporate income taxes over the last 2 years, for an effective tax rate of .05 percent. At the same time, they spent nearly $42 million lobbying Congress. They have 21 subsidiaries in tax havens including 3 in the Cayman Islands and 3 in Ireland.

FedEx is not the only “US Tax Dodger.” Bank of America, Verizon, General Electric, Boeing, and Citigroup have not paid any taxes in 2009. Like FedEx, ExxonMobil also pays effective rates of less than 10 percent, even though the official corporate tax rate is 35%, according to www.ips-dc.org.

According to US Uncut’s website:

Since 2009, America’s most profitable companies such as ExxonMobil, General Electric, Bank of America and Citigroup all paid a grand total of $0 in federal income taxes to Uncle Sam. Tax havens alone account for up to $1 trillion in tax revenue lost every decade, money that could be invested in K-12 education, colleges, public health, job creation and hundreds of other worthy public programs.

If Bank of America paid their fair share of taxes, we could ‘uncut’ $1.7 billion in early childhood education (Head Start & Title I)

If Verizon paid their fair share of taxes, we could ‘uncut’ $4 billion in job training and construction programs (Job Corps & GSA).

When FedEx does not deliver on its fair share of taxes, we are forced to cut $373 million in teacher training programs (Americorp)

Since 2006, General Electric has made $26 billion in profits and paid not one penny of federal corporate income taxes. In fact, we taxpayers gave GE over $4 billion in subsidies and tax breaks during these last 5 years. In 2010, GE told their shareholders they had $5.1 billion in profits from the U.S. and $14.2 worldwide. Instead of paying $1.7 billion in taxes on these profits, they claimed a refund of $3.2 billion.

This is unacceptable. We can’t let it go like that. That is why, we have joined US Uncut and Move On in demanding these tax dodgers to pay their full share of taxes. On April 18 at noon, we will be standing outside FedEx location on High Street in downtown Columbus demanding them to pay their taxes.

We're going to bring a small circus to the Fed-Ex at the corner of Spring & High. We'll have fun demonstrating our point using scripts, props, music, puppets, etc. We won’t let Fed-Ex and the other corporate puppeteers with politicians at the end of their strings make clowns out of hard-working poor and middle-class tax payers.

Scores of other events are scheduled all over the country. Please check on the websites of US Uncut and Move On to find an event like this taking place near you.

I hope all parents, grandparents, friends, families and community members can join this national movement that is the first step to get money back to the federal budget. We know there are many other areas that need to be checked and cut in order to bring our country back on the right track. We will focus on them too, but let’s take one step at a time.

***************

Tax Day: Make Them Pay (Columbus Event)

Fed Ex - Downtown Columbus, 180 North High Street (Map)
Columbus, OH 43215
Monday, April 18th, 12:00 PM

Noor Islamic Cultural Center: A Review of Proposed Bylaws.

2011-03-28T23:50:00.017-04:00

Finally, after nine months of discussion and consultation, the Bylaws Committee assigned by the current board of American Islamic Waqf (AIW) has proposed new bylaws. AIW is a nonprofit Islamic organization that holds the property called Noor Islamic Cultural Center located at 5001, Wilcox Rd., Dublin OH 43016.

Although many community leaders and I have been questioning the legitimacy of the current AIW board since it was handpicked by the disputed chairman and imam Hany Saqr last year, I would like to thank all members of the Bylaws Committee who have worked tirelessly to provide us something to start with. May Allah, the Almighty, accept their services for the sake of their community and may He reward them immensely for the hours they spent away from their families and businesses while working on this document.

I also appreciate the fact that this document has been provided to the community for revision before it is formalized into actual bylaws. This is a good start. It’s an opportunity that must be used wisely in laying a concrete foundation of trust, love and harmony that is needed not only to run NICC but to make this community more vibrant and proactive in pursing the American dream while preserving its Islamic values.

Although the Bylaws Committee has done a good job in introducing new items and modifying old articles, there is still a lot that needs to be clarified and itemized further. In addition, there are some important pieces of the puzzle that are still missing, hence leaving the picture incomplete.

The summary of the proposed bylaws talks about the process, but it is very vague.

It does not give the names of Ohio’s seven attorneys who helped write this document.
It does not give the names of community “elders” who were consulted during the process.
It does not tell us who and how many are checking the feedback emails submitted by the community or how can we see the suggestions made by other community members.
It does not define any procedure or identify space for the community to provide public feedback other than having a meeting on the same day of delivery.

According to my knowledge, the proposed bylaws were delivered to the community through NICC’s electronic newsletter ENN 113 on Friday, March 11 at 1:29 a.m. The only community forum was scheduled within 20 hours of delivery on a weekday that happened to be Friday too. This was not enough time to analyze a 19-page document that would affect not only NICC itself but also this entire community and especially our youth in the long run. The notes of that meeting have not been shared with the community either. Similar is the case of the board’s meetings.

Lack of Communication

Regardless of many promises made by the current board, there has been no open communication and sharing of meeting minutes with the community for several months. This practice of keeping everything secret and under the carpet had severely damaged AIW in the past. There is no need to repeat the mistakes of the previous board. The Noor community is the backbone of AIW. If the board wants this organization moving forward, they’ve got to communicate with the community with honesty and sincerity and it has to be a two-way, open communication.

The Ownership of “Noor Islamic Cultural Center”

The top most item that the community needs to know before even discussing the new bylaws is the legal status and the ownership of the name “Noor Islamic Cultural Center.” In August 2009, Hany Saqr, former chairman and current board member, registered an organization “Noor Islamic Cultural Center,” in his personal name and home address after his dispute with other board members that year. Last year, the current bylaws committee’s chairman Asim Z. Haque (Esq.) assured community members that the current board is in the process of transferring that name back from Saqr. Has it been resolved or not? Please tell the community about the procedure and the status of that dispute.

As far as the proposed bylaws are concerned, my analysis is based on the following questions:

How detailed is it in preventing further argument within the community?
How effective is it in preserving the rights and values of its community (main donor)?
How instrumental is it in protecting AIW from future disputes between its board members?
How sufficient is it in training/bringing new leaders on the board and in committees in coming years?

Here is my feedback regarding certain sections. This is a lengthy discussion, I have the committee’s words in bold and mine as plain text. My emphasis is bold but underlined. I hope this will help.

Section 3.02 Membership.

AIW shall be a religious organization with a formal membership that has voting rights.

This is a major step and a milestone in the history of the organization. It will not make any major difference though, if implemented as suggested in these bylaws. I will discuss it more in Section 4.05.

Section 3.04 Membership Dues.

Membership dues shall be at least six hundred dollars ($600.00) annually, per person.

The bylaws committee explains in the summary:

While this membership fee may appear high, our donation data shows that in 2010, a couple of hundred Brs. and Srs. in the Noor community donated at least $600 per person. Thus, in 2010, if we would have registered for Membership, it stands to reason that Noor would have had a membership of approximately a few hundred Brs. and Srs. This is a substantial membership base.

Maybe they are right, but it will simply exclude:

Many longtime donors and volunteers who may have donated more than $600 annually in past years but are not able to pay it in one payment.
All youth who may have turned 18 but do not have enough savings and their parents cannot afford it either.

I suggest:

Installment in Membership Fee: that AIW finds a way to accommodate regular donors and/or volunteers of the past years who cannot afford to pay this fee in one installment. For example, anyone who paid $600 in any of last fiscal years and is pledging to pay similar amount in installment this year should be able to become a member.
Reduced Fee and Service hours for Youth: that the fee for under 21-year-old must be reduced by half or more. They may compensate that reduction of fee by providing a certain number of community service hours to the center. This must apply to all youth regardless of their parents’ financial capability.

The Bylaws committee also states:

Furthermore, the annual operating expenses for Noor based upon the latest financial report are extremely high, roughly in the —$700,000 range. Noor needs an annual, guaranteed influx of money in order to operate. If the membership fee is set too low, the concern is that individuals will just pay that amount necessary in order to become members, and Noor will be unable to sustain itself on an annual basis.

This is incomplete information. They are not telling how much AIW’s income and deficit was.
This membership fee is bringing a large amount in the budget anyway. If they charge $300 per person and recruit 1000 members this year, they will have a fresh cash flow of $300,000 in the budget. How much more is needed?
This fee can only be justified if the members are also given all services free or at highly discounted price for their families. This would include all schools under AIW and all other classes that are offered at NICC. This is a model that has been in practice in many mosques. The Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati is an example next door.

Section 3.05 Rights and Privileges.

This section does not really list voting rights. It only says: Members in good standing may attend and participate in General Assembly meetings. It would be nice to have a proper list compiled under this heading.

I suggest adding the following in accordance with the general practices of other member based 501 C 3 organizations:

Right to receive free/discounted services at the center (including all schools, classes, use of facility).
Right to elect directors.
Right to quietly attend BOD meetings.
Right to receive BOD meeting minutes, financial and other reports of the organization in a timely manner.
Right to call a general assembly meeting through agreed upon procedure.
Right to amend articles and bylaws.
Right to run in the election for a BOD position.

Section 4.04 Board Composition.

In the summary, the Bylaws Committee rightly states: The Noor community needs the support of all groups to thrive and prosper. No one group should be excluded. No one group should dominate on the Board.

This is the real challenge. If we get it done right, our community will thrive and we will enjoy the blessings of our diversity, inshaAllah. The committee suggests:

a) at least three (3) women to be included on the Board;

Three women will only comprise 19 % of a full quorum of 16 directors. This is neither democratic nor Islamic. This should simply be altered to match the percentage of women members in each election year.

b) at least three (3) American-born / raised individuals to be included on the Board;

This should be clearer and have a minimum age criteria for those who have migrated to this country as young children.

c) no more than (4) individuals from the same ethnic background.

The committee discusses this in details in the summary:

The Bylaws Committee nor the Board felt that this should be accomplished via full Membership-wide elections, as you'd essentially create classes of individuals to vote from. That is, it is an extremely difficult and perhaps divisive task to have an election for just our Sisters, or for just our Somali Brs. and Srs., or just our Middle Eastern Brs. and Srs. This mechanism allows the Membership to elect whomever it wants, and the Board is then required to fill-in the Board based upon the diversity requirements after these elections.

In my opinion, the committee is suggesting a recipe of never ending tension, frustration and accusations among various ethnic groups in the community.

I suggest the following:

1. Through membership forms, sort members on the base of their ethnicity, gender and age.

2. Categories may include : Middle Eastern, Indo-Pak, Bangladesh, African, Somali (since we have second largest Somali population in Ohio), Caucasian American, African-American, Female, Male, Under 25, Over 25, etc, etc.

3. Three months prior to each election, calculate the percentage of each group in the total membership. Set a minimum base for any group to be qualified to have a seat in the board.

4. Create a color coded system for groups who qualify for having their own seat. Allow the under-represented group to vote for whoever they want.

This may sound complicated but it will actually bring out a real and diverse leadership. For example, there are so many active, outstanding sisters in our community who are not even known to our brothers. The chances for these sisters’ winning an open election are very thin. Only this kind of group-oriented election will tap into the untapped resources and leadership of our beautiful community.

d) Youth Board Member: I also insist that we reserve two board seats for our youth. In each election, under 25-year-old members should be allowed to send one brother and one sister to the board. This will not only bring the young voice to the board, but it will also give us an opportunity to train our future leadership in continuity.

Section 4.05 Categories and Election/Appointment of Directors.

This section regarding the mechanism and reasoning for having Member elected and Board Appointed directors on the board seems okay by itself. But it becomes a serious issue when we combine it with the following statement in the summary of the bylaws:

Current Board of Directors

The current Board of Directors consists of twelve (12) individuals who were appointed per the provisions of the current AIW bylaws for a term of four (4) years. In order to implement the staggered terms contemplated under the new AIW Bylaws, eight (8) of the twelve (12) current Board members will cut their terms short.

In May of 2012, four (4) of the current Board members will depart having served two (2) of the four (4) years of their terms. They will be replaced by four (4) new Board members pursuant to the terms of the new Bylaws.

1. At the time of the selection of the current board, AIW was not a membership organization. In 2012, it will become a membership organization, inshaAllah. This should simply be the right of then members to choose whoever they want to run their organization.

2. If all current directors do not depart from the board at the time of the first election in 2012, the members will only be electing 2 directors. This would be less than 13% of the full quorum of 16 directors and just 16 % of the minimum requirement of 12 directors. After this election, the board will select two more by 2/3 of the majority vote. This will guarantee that member elected board will have no voting majority for many years to come.

3. The current BOD has been rejected by almost all major community leaders and several prominent community members in the past. AIW current directors cannot escape this harsh reality unless they take courageous steps to legitimize their positions in the board. It will only be in their favor that they honorably dissolve the current board in 2012. They may run in the elections and may win to come back. This will not only earn them more respect and credibility, but it will also help uniting the community by removing the root of conflict and bitterness.

The current Board of Directors, with the support, assistance, and du'as of the Noor community, has developed a wealth of institutional knowledge. Rather than have the entire Board depart in one year, the Bylaws Committee and the Board felt that this approach was best in order to preserve continuity and to implement staggered terms (four Directors added each year).

1. AIW and NICC have previously survived the sudden removal of Dr. Khaled Farag, Hassan Ayoub, Ashraf Mandoorah and Muffakar Islam. They were working for the organization for a longer period than the current board is. They were the backbone of the organization at the time of their removal and each one of them is an institute within himself. Their removal did harm the organization for the time being, but it did not really stop anything. A pre-planned, smooth transition of the organization’s leadership would not cause any harm at all.

2. All current and previous AIW directors should be allowed and encouraged to run in the first ever elections of the organization. All of them are human assets of this community. Let the members choose from them and let it be settled once forever.

Section 4.06 Term of Directors.

All Directors shall serve a four (4) year term. A Director may not serve on the Board again for at least two (2) years after the expiration of his or her term.

1. No director shall be able to serve for more than two full terms (8 years) on the board. Our community is growing fast. We are rich in human resources. We must make sure that the organization’s board stays vibrant through the addition of fresh blood, stamina, enthusiasm and experience every election year. Ex-directors must always be welcomed to help in various departments, mentoring youth and serving the community at large.

InshaAllah, this rotation of leadership with peace and harmony will strengthen Noor community. It will prevent the use of NICC as a fiefdom for certain individuals. It will also make us a good model for our youth and for other organizations.

Directors’ Accountability: I also suggest that through these bylaws a new system of director’s screening be introduced in the organization. This system would require all directors to report to their constituents on regular basis. This would also allow members to file reports against any director in case of perceived corruption or the violation of the code of conduct.

Section 4.08 Elections Commission.

An Elections Commission shall be established by the Board.

This should not be valid for 2012 elections. I suggest that the Election Commission 2012 be selected by the direct elections of all members six months prior to the elections of Board of Directors. Two neutral, professional sisters shall be selected by the current board and community to oversee this process. InshaAllah, community will not be disappointed.

**************

This is my humble feedback and suggestions to the best of my knowledge and ability. I submit them with utmost sincerity and well wishes for the organization and the center.

“By eventide, every man is indeed at a loss. Except for those who believe, perform honorable deeds, encourage Truth, and recommend patience” (Surah Al-Asr, Holy Quran).

Sincerely submitted by Zerqa Abid to the AIW Bylaws Committee on March 28, 2011

Peter King’s hearing: The way forward for the Muslim Americans

2011-03-12T14:29:00.012-05:00

By now, a lot has already been written and said against Rep. Peter King’s notorious, discriminatory and un-American congressional hearing entitled “The Extent of Radicalization in the American Muslim Community and that Community's Response." I am not going to repeat it.

What I want us to do instead is focusing on what have we gained from the hearing and where do we go from here.

The array of witnesses that King presented on March 10 has already backfired on his very core claim of the non-cooperation of Muslim Americans in confronting extremist terrorism. Rep. Keith Ellison set the tone of the hearing when he broke into tears while telling the story of Salman Hamdani, a 23-year-old Muslim American paramedic of Pakistani origin, who lost his life in saving his fellow Americans on 9/11. Another witness Sheriff Lee Baca of Los Angeles, CA, also testified over and over during the hearing that in his jurisdiction Muslim community and Muslim organizations including local chapter of CAIR cooperates significantly in identifying and combating any radical element in the community.

During the hearing, disputed and infamous Muslim, so-called expert Zuhdi Jasser uselessly tried marketing himself as the best Muslim brain in the U.S. The more he talked; the more he lost. Not only he was challenged by several U.S. congress representatives up front, but he has been also proven wrong by several journalists, reporters, researchers and professionals all over the country afterward. However, the best answer to his false claims came from the former president of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Dr. Ingrid Mattson.

Dr. Mattson writes in her testimony published in Huffington Post: “In addition to my individual efforts, I was able to work with other leaders at ISNA and with other American Muslim organizations, like the Muslim Public Affairs Council and Muslim Advocates to organize dozens of conferences, panels, educational forums and meetings to address these issues with the greater Muslim community. We issued fatwas and statements condemning terrorism and lately, realizing the danger of the new phenomena of internet recruiting, have developed videos and other materials to counter the terrorists' message…The reality is that all of the recommendations Peter King's witness Zuhdi Jasser made today have already been done by Muslim American organizations.”

This is exactly what King, Jasser and all fellow Americans need to be told over and over.

Throughout the last decade, when King was supporting terrorism elsewhere, when Jasser was simply stepping up the ladder of fame by bashing Islam and Muslims on Fox News and at other places, the Muslim community was actually addressing the issue of radicalization professionally. We are proud to have mothers and sisters like Dr. Mattson, Maha Elgenaidi, Farhana Khera, Zahra Billoo and many others who took it upon themselves and have worked tirelessly to make sure that ALL types of terrorism be stopped and nipped in the bud. The list of Muslim fathers, brothers and organizations is way too long to be mentioned here in this blog.

We did not do it for the sake of The Department of Homeland Security or FBI or any other agency. Instead, we did it for the sake of our God, the Lord of the Universe.

Yes, we did it, because our Islamic faith guided us to do so. Verse 32 of Chapter 5 in the Holy Quran tells us that slaying one innocent person equals slaying all of humanity and that saving of one person equals the saving of entire humanity. There are several verses like this in the holy book and numerous sayings of the blessed Prophet Muhammad supporting the same message.

We did it, because we condemn all kinds of terrorism. We did it because we believe in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We did it, because America is our home and we care about all of our family members regardless of their faith, race or ethnicity.

This is who we are and that’s what we have done and continue to do.

We should not be distracted by these hearings and the propaganda of right-wing media. Regardless of the results of these hearings and bias reporting, we, the Muslim Americans, must pledge to continue our struggle against terrorism and radicalization. We must pledge to strengthen existing adult and youth programs across the nation and to introduce even more. We must pledge to educate our fellow Americans about Islam more extensively and thoroughly than ever before. And we must remember to thank our peaceful, right-minded friends and colleagues of all faiths who choose to stand with us in these tough times.

American history is full of beautiful stories of communities and individuals who bravely stood for their values and this country. Now is the time for the Muslim American's story. It’s time to set our legacy straight. As we stand proudly as Muslims and as Americans to protect our faith and our country, we must ask our Lord to bless us with the courage, wisdom and partners that are needed to counter King’s false propaganda.

Let’s continue to do our best with the right intention and the utmost sincerity and leave the results in the hands of God, the Almighty. Indeed, He is enough for fear and hate-mongers like Rep. Peter King.

Domestic Violence, Muzzammil Hassan and the Muslim Community

2011-01-31T09:01:00.014-05:00

On February 12, 2009, the infamous murderer Muzzammil Hassan of Bridges TV, Buffalo, NY, took less than 23 minutes in admitting that he murdered his estrange wife Aasiya Zubair Hassan. But unfortunately, the American judicial system took 23 months in bringing this notorious man to the court for a real trial.

During these 23 months, NY taxpayers paid several thousand dollars to provide health care, food and other services to this unsolicited guest in jail. He gained as much time as possible by hiring and firing attorneys only to be his own lawyer in the end.

Now that the trial finally began on January 18^th, 2011, he has been doing his best to manipulate the jury, but it seems unlikely that he will succeed. It’s sickening to read the minute by minute detail of his trial. Regardless of the facts that there is no witness to support his claim that he was abused by Aasiya, and that his own older children have given strong statements against him, he has been going on and on for last 3 days of trial. It's expected that he will finish his testimony on Tuesday, February 1, 2011.

No matter how much and whatever he speaks and presents, I hope and pray that the jury would serve this man with the punishment he deserves. He did not just kill his wife, but he heartlessly slaughtered the mother of his two little children while they were waiting for their mom in the parking lot.

In fact, Muzzammil Hassan has blown several minds and has opened eyes of even more. By his brutal actions and nasty, manipulative testimony, he has broken several stereotypes within American Muslim community too. He has proven that a well educated, well groomed, high achiever in the twenty first century can also be as brutal as a caveman or even worse. Regardless of the fact that he launched a Muslim TV channel to educate non-Muslims about the beauty of Islam; he proved that he himself needed that education the most. His abusive relationships with all three of his wives proved that he was not following the polite and loving way of the blessed Prophet Muhammad.

On February 12, 2009, the Muslims in America and abroad also learned the hard way that they could not ignore the issue of domestic violence anymore; that they could not pretend that it does not exist; and that they could not blame, shut up or simply label the victims anymore.

It was a wakeup call. Several individuals and organizations responded to it immediately. New organizations have been founded and new projects have been launched since then. Project Sakinah, and altmuslimah.com are on top of those efforts on national level.

Project Sakinah is an initiative of Dar al Islam, a New Mexico based nonprofit organization under the leadership of Dr. Mohammad Shafi. As a first response to the murder, Dar al Islam called for and facilitated a meeting of several national and local Muslim DV prevention organizations and advocates. This meeting, Voice to Action: Muslims against Domestic Violence, was co-sponsored by altmuslimah.com, Peaceful Families Project, Karamah, and Islamic Social Services Association - USA and was held in Arlington, VA, on October 17, 2009. According to the participants, this meeting became first ever brainstorming platform for all those organizations and DV prevention advocates who would draw a road map to the prevention of domestic violence within American Muslim community. The video highlights of this meeting can be seen here.

Simultaneous to the call of Voice to Action meeting, Dar al Islam also decided to launch Project Sakinah to initiate a community response to the various types of family violence in the American Muslim community. In last 23 months, Dar al Islam has provided its resources and manpower to establish and facilitate Project Sakinah. Its interactive website is in its final stages of development. This is the first of its kind website developed to mobilize American Muslim community against family violence.

In the second round of meeting and efforts, the project is now gathering community to end domestic violence. The first gathering was held in California on October 17, 2010. The project is willing to partner with local organizations in various cities to facilitate a real movement in coming months and years.

Similar to Project Sakinah, altmuslimah.com has also been playing a major role in this regard. It was launched on Mrach 8, 2009. Asma T. Uddin, the founder and editor-in-chief of the online publication took it upon herself to burst various myths and mysteries surrounding gender-related issues in Islam. In last 22 months, this site has proven to be a great space for open dialogue addressing not only domestic violence but also many other taboo topics in Muslim community. This site is unprecedented in many ways.

Another unprecedented effort was the foundation of Muslim Men Against Domestic Abuse on day twelve of Aasiya’s murder. Mohammad Khalil, the founder of MMADA called upon all Muslim men to stand up against domestic violence. Simultaneously, Baitul Salaam Network in Atlana, GA, launched a similar initiative, Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence. Their call was heard loud and clear all over the United States. Both organizations have been instrumental in mobilizing Muslim men in last 23 months.

In October 2010, Muslim Consultative Network, a NY based nonprofit organization launched another initiative entitled, “10,000 Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence.” This is a pledge of Muslim men to stand “against this societal ill that is strictly forbidden in Islam.” So far only 756 men have signed on the pledge, but it does not mean that the rest of the Muslim men are in favor of domestic violence. It’s only a matter of how many Muslim men are actually active online and how far the message has been reached by now. This definitely needs more publicity within Muslim community, both online and on grounds.

When it comes to on-ground local activism, Turning Points for Women and Families in Queens, NY, under the leadership of Robina Niaz is a great example. This organization has been working round the clock not only to serve the DV victims but also to engage and mobilize NY Muslim community against domestic violence. In October 2009, CNN selected Niaz as a CNN Hero and she was invited to Lary King Live show. In November 2010, Bank of America Charitable Foundation also recognized Niaz as a "Local Hero." This is in addition to several other awards and recognitions by local organizations in NY.

Indeed, the success of Turning Points for Women and Families is a testimony of Muslims' commitment to ending domestic and other types of family violence. This organization is also a great model for other faith and ethnicity based local organizations focusing on the issue of domestic violence.

While Hassan’s trial is in the progress, American Muslim community is preparing for the second anniversary of Aasiya’s death. Several organizations and individuals are organizing memorial services on February 12. They are also asking imams to address the issue of domestic violence in their Friday sermons and other community meetings during that week. Baitul Salaam Network, has also called for an “International Purple Hijab Day” on that day.

The purpose of all these activities in February is raising awareness against domestic violence. This is good news. This must be followed by solid actions and initiatives to end all types of family violence though. Local Muslim communities all over the states need to replicate Turning Points for Women and Families model. More project ideas and resources are available at Project Sakinah’s site too.

Joining this campaign is not an option anymore; instead, it is a journey that we must go on for the sake of our little ones who may lose their parents otherwise as Aasiya’s little ones did. If awareness is step one in this journey, willingness and actions must be step two and three.

May Allah, the almighty, bless the soul of Sr. Aasiya and place her in the highest levels of paradise, may He always protect and provide her little ones with the best in this life and in the hereafter, may He heal the suffering of her parents, family and friends, may He give the wisdom to the jury of Muzzammil’s trial to serve the justice well, may He guide all communities to stand against all types of family violence. Amen.
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Other posts on this topic:

Did we ever bother to know Muzzammil?
Voice to Action: Muslims Against Domestic Violence
Do we have a Will to End Domestic Violence?

Useful Links:

Muzzammil Hassan Trial Follow Up by Buffalo News
Project Sakinah
Project Sakinah's Facebook
altmuslimah.com
Turning Points for Women and Families

Hazardous Icy Roads Call for Action.

2011-01-13T15:34:00.010-05:00

On December 27, 2010, I was driving my 9-year-old daughter and her friend back from their swimming class when my car slid on an icy road in my own neighborhood. Since the speed of my car was only about 5 mile/hour and no pedestrian or car was in front of it, thanks to God, the only victim was a stop sign.

I immediately called the police to report the icy road that was not cleared even once after the last snow 10 days ago. To my surprise, I was told that I could be given a ticket for having my car out of control and that I would be charged for causing damage to the city’s property. “And who would pay for my car’s damage?” I asked the officer. “You or your insurance,” he replied. “But I already paid the city for road cleaning in the first place,” I tried to make sense out of it. The officer agreed that the city did not clean the road on time, but at the same time, he refused to write a report against the city. According to him, there is no such law. Really, there is no such law. But why not, I wondered.

As a new wave of winter storms is hitting various states of North America, road safety will become a major issue in many areas for the coming days and weeks. Although cities do clean major highways and main streets right away, the majority of small streets and cul-de- sacs remain icy for days and weeks waiting for God to take direct action over the ice. These hazardous streets pose a serious threat to properties and lives. Serious actions need to be taken by cities and citizens to avoid any damage, injury or death.

Most cities hold drivers responsible for these accidents and charge them for the damages too. This is an unacceptable situation. Taxpayers pay taxes to have their roads cleaned in a timely manner. It’s a city’s job to provide the service as planned and advertised. In the absence of such services, the city must take responsibility of these damages, deaths and injuries and must compensate the affected parties.

In my case, I have not yet been charged by the city, so far, for the damage to the stop sign; but neither have I been paid for the damage to my car. But to me, the major question is bigger than this: what if it was a person or someone else’s car in the place of that stop sign? What if I or the girls were injured seriously due to that slide?

Who would be responsible? The city? The residents of that street? Or myself?

All of us.

Yes, all of us would be responsible: The city for not providing a service in time; the residents for not complaining in the absence of the service; and I for not drawing people’s attention to the issue prior to the accident.

Each city plans for snow removal in advance. My city, for example, has divided its roads and streets into four levels. All cul-de-sac and dead end streets fall into priority level four. According to the city’s website, “the City of Hilliard Operations Division operates under a curb-to-curb snow removal policy.” The plan posted on the website mentions that the expected cleanup time for ALL streets, including cul-de-sacs, after an accumulation of over 10 inches snow and a storm for a duration of 6-10 hours would be 25-35 hours after the storm.

However, this has not been the case in the past and in this winter. As of December 27, the day of accident, the total snow of the season was 7.0.” The last snow day was December 18 with 0.9” accumulation. The second last snow day was December 14 with 2.9” accumulation. It had been 13 days and Hilliard’s many fourth priority streets were not cleaned (see the photographs taken on Dec. 27). This included Weston Trail, Silverton Farms, Hoffmann Farms and many other sub-divisions. Some of these neighborhoods are very well-off, and their residents are highly educated folks who make a lot and pay taxes in thousands.

When I talked to my friends who live on and deal with these icy roads on daily basis, they blamed the home-owners’ associations for the problem. None of them was actually aware of the fact that their association is not responsible of cleaning any road in anyway and that they need to call the city when the job is not done within the expected time frame. The cost of this ignorance is not only inconvenience, but they also pay for minor to major damages to each other’s and to the city’s properties sometimes. The potential threat of injury or death is on top of that.

According to the Hilliard Police Department’s clerk, Esther Sauls, the city does not keep any record of the accidents and the dollars cost of the damages caused by icy roads. Hence the exact numbers cannot be presented at this point. But to me, even one death or a threat of death should be enough to take precautions.

In a nutshell, hazardous icy roads call for actions. Keep an eye on the roads in your neighborhoods. Call your cities immediately, if the snow or ice has not been removed within the planned time. Take it to your city councils and hold your mayors responsible in case of accidental damages, injuries or deaths. It may sound like a lot of work, but this is the price of safe, secured and well maintained neighborhoods that all civilized people pay for whenever needed.

I and my friend resident of that street paid this price after the accident and the good news is that the city is now little bit more efficient in cleaning our subdivision. Since this recent storm started two days ago, they have already cleared the road of accident twice. That’s what we need. That’s what we deserve.That's what we should get through civic engagement.

Sunrise Academy: Light, Hope and the Pride of Community

2010-12-15T23:44:00.028-05:00

Two great things happened at Sunrise Academy today: a students’ pep rally in the morning and a stakeholders' meeting in the evening.

Although the context and participants of both events were very different from each other, the message was same that the Sunrise Academy is light and hope for us all.

The students' pep rally was organized by the school’s new PTA. It was a kick start event for the preparation of an upcoming “gigantic” fundraiser in May, 2011. The theme of the fundraiser is “Sunrise Academy, light and hope for the Ummah.” The rally itself was an amazing event in which PTA’s young, energetic, and very passionate officials, through their moving speeches and superb performance, successfully motivated about 400 students.

I have been to several youth events and I must say that today’s rally was one of the most successful youth/kids events I have ever attended. Students were not only informed about their potential performance in the upcoming event, but they were actually pumped up about their identities as Muslims and as Sunrisers, and about their roles in the Muslim Ummah and the rest of the world. By the end of the rally, regardless of their ages and grades, all students were thrilled about being light and hope for the Ummah. A beautiful message was conveyed in a beautiful way.

The stakeholders' meeting, “Call to Action,” in the evening was called by the school board. The purpose of this meeting was drawing support from the community for the expansion project. It was held in the same gym that witnessed the beautiful glowing faces of the young sunrisers in the morning rally. More than hundred teachers, parents, and community members came forward to support their children and to invest in the future of the community. School’s super performance report was shared and analyzed. Genuine questions were asked. Professional and logical information was requested. Valid concerns were raised. A heart-to-heart conversation occurred that brought all stakeholders closer. The trust in the school board and the administration was revived. The faith in Allah and the goodwill of people was expressed. The support to the project was heard loud and clear. And the gym, once again, witnessed that this community means business. From a pre-schooler at sunrise to the senior members of the community, we are all committed to deliver the best to the world, God willing.

Being a former teacher of two Islamic Schools, a former PTA secretary of another Islamic school and a parent of kids in different Islamic schools for 17 years, I can honestly say that I have never been so satisfied and thrilled about any Islamic school ever before.

Since its establishment in 1996, the school has been growing and stepping up the ladder of success and achievement steadily. Its excellence is a product of several dedicated students, volunteers, donors, teachers and community members throughout the years. It is the only chartered Islamic school in Ohio. Its performance index has reached 96.66 in 2010 .

In addition to a track record of success and growth, by the grace of Allah, something new has happened at Sunrise this year. With many old faces, it has a new team of talented students, passionate teachers and staff, super-dedicated principal, sincere and professional school board and young, energetic and promising PTA. They are all together at right place on the right time. All they need is the community’s support and a little push in taking the next step up the ladder of achievement.

It’s a call to expand the Sunrise Academy. As the building across the street is open for sale, this call can be answered easily. Regardless of several ifs and buts, it’s the best step forward for the school and for the community. It's a good opportunity since the price is fairly low and the owners of the proposed building are desperate to sell it by the end of this year. The school is asking community members to either one-time immediate donations or loans that can be returned in coming months and years. The schools has done this before and it is confident that by the will and help of Allah, the Almighty, it can be done again,

Indeed, Sunrise Academy has proven to us that it is our glorious past, our bright future and our today’s pride. Perhaps, the sun is rising with brighter light and more shine in this corner of Hilliard, Ohio. It’s up to us, the community, to make sure that its warmth and shine continue to grow and it helps making this world a better place for us all.

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For more info about Expansion Project and ways to help, please contact Sunrise Academy.

My Birthday Gift This Year

2010-12-12T11:44:00.002-05:00

I have not celebrated my birthday for last 21 years, but this year I have changed my mind. I thought to use your gift and love for me in shaping someone's future :)

For my birthday on Dec. 14th, I'm asking my friends, family and community members for a special gift: help me raise $1095 for Helping Hand Orphan Sponsor Program. It's a great cause that takes good care of orphans all over the world. For just $ 30 / month we can provide food shelter and education to a child in any country of our choice. If you help me raise $1095 this year, I can sponsor 3 children.

I chose Helping Hand Orphan Sponsor Program, because I have worked with them myself and have seen their camps. I especially like it, because Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said, "I and the person who looks after an orphan and provides for him, will be in Paradise like this," putting his index and middle fingers together. - Narrated by Sahl bin Sa'd. Helping Hand makes this a little easier for us.

Please consider giving to my Birthday Wish, and together we can sponsor 3 orphans and make this world a better place for them. Although I recommend a $30 donation, any amount would help, even a dollar.

If you can't give now, I'd really appreciate if you'd share this page with your friends.

Thanks, love and warm regards,

Update on December 16, 2010:

By the grace of God, I received $ 652.00 in birthday gifts. This amount is enough to sponsor 3 orphans for 7 months. I have requested Helping Hand Relief to help me in sponsoring one child from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan each. They will receive the check from Causes next month and will process this request then.

In the meantime, I will continue to collect more funds for this cause. Please contact me at zabid@ohiomuslims.org if you have any question or would like to help in this regard.
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Related Links:
My Birthday Wish
Helping Hand Home
Orphan Sponsor Cause Page

We All Belong Rally

2010-12-09T15:40:00.002-05:00

We All Belong Rally was a historic event in which several organization of various backgrounds gather together to proclaim that We All Belong.

The event was organized by Racial Diversity Task Force of First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus, Ohio on October 31, 2010. The event was hosted by First Congregational Church of Columbus at E Broad St. in Downtown Columbus.

After the speeches in the church, demonstrators walked to the State House and came back to the church and gathered in Parish Hall of the church.

This event was sponsored by Church World Service, Columbus Interfaith Youth, Columbus Jewish Federation, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR - OH), Dignity Columbus, Equality Ohio, First UU Church Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Islamic Society of Greater Columbus, Lahore Ahmadiyya Islamic Society, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Metropolitan Area Church Council (MACC), Muslim Student Association OSU, NAACP, National Organization of Women (NOW)-OH Chapter, New Leaf Columbus -- LGBTs of Color, Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV), OSU Multicultural Center, RESULTS: the power to end poverty, and Stonewall Columbus.

These videos are produced by me. Don Furbee, Pareesa Nabi, Jeffrin Wisel, and Zafar Abid helped in recording the event. Thanks to everyone who helped and participated.

The Harmony Project, BREAD and “Imam” Hany Saqr

2010-11-15T11:25:00.011-05:00

The Harmony Project of Columbus has chosen Dr. Hany Saqr as a representative of the Muslim community of central Ohio. He will represent the community in an upcoming event “Hope for the Holidays: A partnership of faith benefitting Mid-Ohio Food Bank.”

Although it is a great initiative for a great cause, the choice of community’s representative must also be made with great care. Events like these are like king makers. The organizers must always make sure that they choose right and genuine people with good reputation and sound legal and ethical backgrounds.

The choice of “Imam” Hany Saqr as a representative of Muslim community in this event is highly questionable and disturbing to many Muslims. Out of about 70,000 Muslims in greater Columbus area, the Harmony Project has selected the most disputed person of a community as its representative. Dr. Saqr is not only disputed as an imam in this community, but he is also dealing with a lawsuit filed against him by a community member for misrepresentation in a business deal (case # 10 CV 007164). Due to his legal baggage and past associations, he has become a liability to this community.

In fact, there are several misconceptions and misinformation about Dr. Hany Saqr and Noor Islamic Cultural Center within the Columbus interfaith community, and they need to be clarified. This write up intends to address some of them.

Misconception # 1: Dr. Hany Saqr is an Islamic Scholar .

Fact: Dr. Saqr has not gone to any religious school and has no formal degree in Islamic theology or Fiqh (Islamic law). He has a basic medical degree with a PhD in Pathology.

Misconception # 2: Dr. Hany Saqr is the most influential “Imam” (religious leader) in the central Ohio’s Muslim Community.

Fact: Dr. Saqr is the only “disputed imam” in this community. Several Muslim community leaders have recorded their distrust in his leadership. Their comments and statements can be seen here and here. He has publically lied on several occasions and has sworn on Quran and then did not fulfill his promises. Due to this reason, several community members, including myself, believe that he should not be leading prayers anymore. We step outside the congregation, whenever we see him leading a prayer or at the pulpit .

Misconception # 3: Dr. Saqr is chairman or president of Noor Islamic Cultural Center located at Wilcox Rd, Dublin, Ohio.

Fact: The property of Noor Islamic Cultural Center at Wilcox Rd. is owned by a private trust called American Islamic Waqf (AIW). Dr. Saqr was forced to resign from the chairmanship of AIW after several proofs of violations of organization’s bylaws and mismanagement of funds and operations. In the midst of the dispute, on August 29, 2009, he registered a new organization “Noor Islamic Cultural Center” under his name and home address. According to the secretary of state’s website, it has no member other than himself. Currently he serves as a board member of AIW. Several community members and leaders have publicly recorded their protest to his position in the board.

This is also important to note that AIW has never been a member organization, and that Saqr was never elected by community members to any position whatsoever.

In short, Dr. Saqr is not an agreed upon and respected leader of Columbus Muslim Community. If he represents Muslim community in the Hope for Holidays event, he will be the only winner. Both Muslim community and Project Harmony will lose. He will legitimize himself by standing next to Rabbi Harold Berman, Rev. Timothy Ahrens and Rev. Dr. Susan Smith on the stage provided by the Harmony Project. Whereas, the project will lose its credibility of presenting the genuine leaders only; and the Muslim community will be once again stuck with a forced upon corrupted leader as its representative.

It’s about time for central Ohio’s interfaith community to educate themselves. They need to reach beyond Dr. Saqr. There are several Muslim activists volunteering in various community and interfaith projects, it won’t be hard to find right Muslim guest and speaker for any program, let alone a charity concert.

If it is about community service and taking care of needy families, I would suggest any of the following:

•    Mubushra Shaheen, who has been tirelessly organizing “Feed the Needy Events” on monthly basis for several years.
•    Dr. Malka Haque, who has been putting immense effort in running free Noor Clinic for needy people in the community.
•    Anas Deifallah, who has been taking care of torn refugee families, orphans and battered sisters through the platform of Muslim Family Services for years.

If it is about the religious leadership and speaking skills, we have several well reputed and well received imams and speakers including Br. Alauddin Alauddin, Br. Abukar Arman, Dr. M.N. Tarazi, and Br. John Kashubeck among us.

I hope that the Harmony Project will take heed and will do the right thing at this point. If there is a will; there is a way. And, it’s never too late to correct any mistake.

Dr. Hany Saqr becomes Vice President of BREAD

Update on November 17, 2010:

Within the hours of posting this post on November 15, I was contacted by few interfaith leaders in the community, who informed me that Dr. Saqr’s was about to be elected as a Vice President of BREAD (Building Responsibility, Equity and Dignity) that evening. BREAD is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic social justice organization comprised of over 50 different religious denominations in the city of Columbus.

They were shocked to learn about Saqr’s details in my writing and through the links provided in this post. His nomination for VP post was based on the above-mentioned misconceptions about him and lack of any vetting by BREAD’s officials. Since it was too late, they were not able to take him off the roster that night. He brought five adults and three children with him to represent Noor community. Of course, none of them objected about his nomination. Hence, he became the first Muslim Vice President of BREAD.

My advice to BREAD is the same as it is to the Harmony Project. I hope and pray that the BREAD will also take heed and will do the right thing from this point on. If it does not, according to its by-laws, this man will become the organization’s president next year. The officials and members of BREAD should be smart enough to sort and straight this out before then for the sake of their organization and the reputations of other ministers, leaders and member organizations.
__________________________________

Related Links:
1. Where is the Noor Community?
2. Noor Saga-Introduction
3. Noor Saga-Complaint and TRO
4. Noor Saga-Court Hearings
5. Noor Saga- $50K For No Court Decision
6. Noor Islamic Cultural Center: Legal Status and the Fundraiser
7. Hany Saqr's lying
8. Lawsuit against Hany Saqr (Enter case # 10 CV 007164)

American Muslims, Go Out and Vote!!!

2010-10-14T12:55:00.027-04:00

This is a reminder to all who are eligible to vote in the U.S. General Elections on November 2, 2010.

Although every election is very important, this election may have been one of the most important elections in our lives. Never in any U.S. elections before so many campaign ads were aired mongering fear against Islam or Muslims. This year, Republicans have crossed all limits. They are openly bashing Muslims and Islam to get more votes in elections.

In response, it is a must for all American Muslim voters to Get Out the Vote (GOTV) against these racists and bigots. It's our job to make sure that nobody who bashes Islam or Muslims get in any public office.

In order to achieve this target, we must make sure that every eligible American Muslim voter go out to vote for Muslim friendly people.

There are at least eight things that you can do in this regard:

1. Vote Early: Early voting helps avoiding last minute hindrances in voting. It has already started in some states. Please check in your state and take advantage of these two weeks by taking as many voters to the polling stations as possible. Go for voting in groups. This way you will be able to pull those who otherwise may never go.

2. Create Sample Ballots: Please use online resources like http://www.evoter.com/ to create sample ballots for your neighborhoods and distribute them in your communities. Make sure to select right judges for your courts, since the name of judges do not appear with their party affiliations. It's important for people to know their candidates before they enter their polling station. Generally, each county's website now offer such electronic resource. Your party's local website will guide you about the judges affiliated to them in your district.

3. Call Your Friends and Family: Please make sure to call every eligible voter on your phone list and remind them to get out to vote.

4. Spread this Message: Please forward this message through email to all your personal contacts. Please DO NOT POST IT on any non-profit organization's list serve. It will create a problem for their tax exemption status.

5. Friday Khutbas and Announcements: Ask your imam to address this topic in Friday khutbas before elections. They can talk about GOTV while educating the community about bigotry and racism toward Muslims during this election.

6. Walk and Talk: Please identify neighborhoods with more Muslim population. Walk around those neighborhoods and talk to people personally. Make sure to distribute sample ballots while visiting them.

7. Ride to Vote: In densely populated, low income neighborhoods you may also organize ride to vote services. This will encourage several people to get out to vote.

8. Make Dua: Please make special duas (prayers) for this country and for the outcome of these elections.

For more information please check following useful links:

Get Out the Vote, Columbus

Early voting has started in Ohio on September 28, 2010.

To avoid any last minute hindrance in voting, please plan to vote early along with your friends and family. For your convenience, I have created Sample Ballot for Hilliard and Dublin areas. You may request a sample ballot for yourself by contacting me at zabid@ohiomuslims.org.

Although most races mention party affiliations on the ballots, Judiciary candidates appear without any party affiliations. For your guidance, I have created another document that has names of all judges that we should be voting in different districts in Franklin and Delaware counties of Ohio. You may also request this document at zabid@ohiomuslims.org.

Location: 280 E Broad Street in downtown Columbus, OH.

Time: Monday, October 11 – Friday, October 15 — 8AM – 5PM

Monday, October 18 – Friday, October 22 — 8AM – 5PM

Monday, October 25 – Friday, October 29 — 8AM – 7PM

Saturday, October 30 — 8AM – 4PM

Sunday, October 31 — 1PM – 5PM

Monday, November 1 — 8AM – 5PM

More Info: Why should I vote? Islamic reasoning of voting in America by Dr. M. N. Tarazi.

http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/

http://ohio.evoter.com/ (Great resource for Sample Ballot Creator for CA, MN, IL, OH, PA, MD, and DC)

Questions: For more help in this regard, you may also contact me at zabid@ohiomuslims.org

Muslim Americans and the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America.

2010-10-06T16:50:00.013-04:00

Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani immigrant who tried to detonate a car bomb near Times Square on a busy Saturday evening, has been given a life sentence yesterday in a New York court.

Although his entire case is sickening at many levels, one thing sticks out the most: Shazad’s admittance of intentional lying at the oath ceremony to become an American citizen.

According to an Associated Press report about the case conclusion yesterday, October 5, 2010, “The judge cut [Shahzad] off at one point to ask if he had sworn allegiance to the U.S. when he became a citizen last year. “I did swear, but I did not mean it,” Shahzad said.”

This reminds me of a conversation I had with someone who told me that at the time of their oath ceremony they were only lip sing the oath instead of saying it properly. “Didn’t you sign the oath?” I asked. “Yes, I did, but I did not mean it,” they replied.

“But, that’s lying,” I rebuked.

“It’s allowed at the time of desperate need,” they said remorselessly.

I spent an hour in explaining to them that how un-Islamic and illegal such practice is.

In later years, I have found that there are several misconceptions and misunderstandings regarding this matter in the Muslim community and they need to be clarified more often in our mosques and community centers.

People need to understand that false pledging in any court is forbidden in Islam at least for two reasons: it’s lying and it’s illegal.

False pledging and signing an oath just to get American citizenship is intentional lying for the sake of some worldly benefits, which is not permissible in Islam. By doing so, some may deceive Americans, but they cannot deceive God, the almighty.

It’s very hypocritical of people to get benefits of both sides. Gathering benefits of American citizenship and then cursing or plotting against America in the company of its enemies is nothing but hypocrisy. The Holy Quran identifies hypocrisy as the worst disease of heart. There are several chapters in the Quran about the severe torments waiting for hypocrites and liars.

Just like in any other country, it is illegal in America to falsely sign or pledge anything in the court of law. This is also called the contempt of court, which is a major crime. Islam requires all Muslims to follow the Law of the Land where they reside. If there is a law that contradicts their faith, they must struggle publicly and peacefully to have it amended to fit their religious needs. If that does not happen, the Holy Quran guides them to migrate to another land, where they can practice their religion in peace. It does not guide them to be deceitful in any court to join a country that they don’t feel comfortable as Muslims to begin with.

There is no compulsion. Nobody is forcing them to become Americans. They must think a lot and resolve all their inner fights of conscious and sub-conscious before they come to an American court to pledge allegiance to the United States of America.

They must understand that being American is not just about few hundred dollars of senior citizen’s benefits or convenience of roaming half of the world with a blue passport that does not need visa in many countries. Being American is way more than that.

It’s about playing an active role in making this country a better place for everyone. It’s about civic engagement. It’s about improving our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, courts, congress and so much more through our votes and active participation.

They must also understand that it’s not fun to be a Muslim American these days. It is about carrying double loads. It’s about building bridges between Islamic World and America. It’s about helping Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kashmir and other Muslim lands through participation in U.S. politics. It’s about bringing America back to the right track of justice and accountability in the times of war and peace.

It’s not against Islam. Instead, it’s a noble cause to be an American. That is why, Muslims should be more at peace and uplifted while saying the allegiance:

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. So Help Me God.

Columbus Interfaith Youth – Making a difference in their community

2010-10-02T08:31:00.007-04:00

Columbus Interfaith Youth Group (CIFY) under the umbrella of the Interfaith Center for Peace (ICP) held their first joint service project, "Spruce Up Day," Near East Side on Saturday, April 24, 2010.

The Columbus Interfaith Youth Group is built on a vision of religious pluralism. The model for this vision is the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) pioneered by Eboo Patel and others in Chicago. According to Patel, "Religious pluralism goes beyond mere tolerance for diversity and requires we build positive relationships and work with one another. It is a state in which we respect one another's religious identity, develop mutually enriching relationships with each other and work together to make this world a better place."

On Spruce Up Day, this vision was materialized in Columbus. This project brought together youth and their mentors from First Unitarian Universalist Church, Ohio Muslims, Muslim Family Social Services, Art of Living, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Noor Islamic Cultural Center, International Gospel Center, Youth Advocate Services, Isha Foundation, Harmony Project and residents of the Near East Side to "Spruce Up" the neighborhood.

CIFY is a coalition between youth and mentors who come from different faith backgrounds. “The idea is to get kids come together, learn about each other and learn about each other’s religion through doing service work” says CIFY mentor Susan Roscigno. “Today we are cleaning, but we are also talking to each other and getting to know each other as individuals as well as representatives of our different faith organizations… By doing work together and by playing together we know each other at more personal level and build more level of respect than just knowing that each other exist.”

The “Spruce Up Day” project was in collaboration with the Columbus City, "Keep Columbus Beautiful" initiatives for April 2010, Earth Day. After the spruce up, hundreds of pinwheels were planted in the neighborhood. Since April was also "Child Abuse Prevention" month, Franklin County Children Services had partnered with Ohio Children's Trust Fund and other counties across the state to promote Pinwheels for Prevention. This campaign is designed to enhance awareness about child abuse and neglect.

CIFY is now organizing a “Play for Peace” event which is targeting youth in the area. This event is designed to recruit more youth in the group through playing together. More information is about to come. Please stay tuned, I will post it here soon.

Columbus Interfaith Youth can be contacted at cifygroup@gmail.com

American Muslims and Elections 2010

2010-09-19T20:44:00.010-04:00

My dear friend Earl wrote on Friday:

Dear friend,

It is with sadness that I acknowledge that the Democratic Party is very likely to be completely and soundly trounced in the November 2^nd fall elections.

Why do I think, just as do virtually all of the political pundits, that this terrible fate awaits the political party to which I belong? Because the majority of Americans appear to have decided that the Democratic Party, more than the Republican Party, works for "other people" more than it does for the majority of Americans; namely, the Democratic Party works for the "other" -- for the immigrants, for minorities of all sorts, for the poor, for the Islamics and for foreigners generally, for people who do not have health care insurance, for people who are not American citizens, for those who are not the achievers within the American society, for the "other" within our society.

In a summary word, the majority of Americans appear to see themselves as hard working achievers, while they see all of these "others" as "the other," not deserving of any special attention of the government. In short, this vast majority of Americans will be voting in their own perceived best interest -- voting for themselves and against foreigners, for themselves and against those who do not have health care insurance, for themselves and against those who want to change our environmental standards, for themselves and against anyone who wants a
"bailout" for any purpose, for themselves and against Muslims, for themselves and against gays, lesbians, and the transgendered, for themselves to TAKE THEIR COUNTY BACK FROM THESE "OTHERS!"

... Most alarming is the prospect that this fight against "the other" may continue and endure for some time to come. As a minority in many, many different respects, I am this "other" the American majority is fighting against. I am the "other" from which the country is being taken.

With Some Fear and Trembling,
Earl

By the time I finished reading his email, I realized that his words actually fit many of us. They fit me.

I am: a Muslim, an immigrant, a small business owner, and a middle class American. In Earl’s words, “I am this ‘other’ the American majority is fighting against.”

Here, the question arises: Is it really American majority that is fighting against me or is it just a bunch of loud mouth Tea Partiers who are confusing everyone else?

I think, it's mostly Tea Partiers, but calling them "just a bunch of Tea Partiers" would be a criminal under estimating. Their threat is real.

The whole America is facing this serious threat this fall. No matter how much ignorant, careless or fearless we would like to be in this regard, this needs addressing right away.

CNN analyst Roland Martin recently addressed this in his article, “Democrats had better fear Tea Party candidates.” He notes that the Tea Party Movement in recent primaries in several states has already proven its power and is shaking the GOP. In Delaware, he says, “Christine O'Donnell's victory this week over the legendary Mike Castle, a congressman, former governor and the man considered absolutely unbeatable” should be a serious point to note for Democrats. “In the New York Republican gubernatorial race, Rick Lazio was also considered a shoo-in to face New York Attorney General Mario Cuomo in November, yet a Tea Partier with a racist streak in his body, Carl Paladino, beat the former congressman. Badly.”

Although many political pundits are suggesting this as a sign of confirmed win for Democrats in many races, I think it could be unlikely. According to my observation as a political community organizer, voters other than Tea Partiers are either laid back or have given up. Many of us who were very involved in 2008 elections are not even talking about the elections or candidates yet.

In Columbus Muslim community, for example, I have not heard any discussion about upcoming elections and who are we voting for. So far, no programs have been organized to inform and educate the Muslim voters about the candidates. Neither MPAC nor CAIR has organized any event in this regard. And we are only 44 days away from the election.

Here, we are talking about Ohio, a swing state, where Congress woman Mary Jo Kilroy won her 2008 elections with only 2,311 votes. This is going to be a tough race again this year. In the absence of Obama’s 2008 charisma, this needs way more activism than the last time.

Similarly, according to a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters released on September 16, “Republican challenger John Kasich has a 54 - 37 percent lead over Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland in the race to be Ohio's next chief state executive, with much of his lead due to overwhelming support among independent voters.”

A 17-point lead is nothing but a wakeup call for us. The situation is really bad. Ignoring these numbers and doing nothing about it is even worst.

In central Ohio, the loss of Kilroy, Strickland and many other democrats, God forbidding, would actually be a greater loss for Muslim Community than any other minority. In the current environment, Democrats are the only people who have supported us without any reservations. Although they are not perfect, when it comes to bigotry and Islamophobia, democrats have stood up clearly in support of Muslims and have defended Islam. Keeping them in their offices is nothing less than a must for American Muslims.

This calls for all kind of community mobilization in next 44 days. Having fundraisers and donating money to the races is very important; but the most important is the call to get out and vote (GOTV). At the end it’s the vote count that decides who goes to the office. We must launch a state of political emergency within our communities. Educating our communities about the candidates and encouraging them to vote would be the first step, but taking them to the poll would actually be the king maker.

My friends, it’s time to reach “others” and work together for a better tomorrow. It’s time to send all racists, bigots, fear and hate mongers home. This cannot be done without American Muslims.

Please join the movement by sending an email to zabid@ohiomuslims.org.

God bless you. God bless America.

An Excellent Interfaith Solidarity Service on September 11, 2010

2010-09-14T13:46:00.006-04:00

Video highlights of Columbus Interfaith Solidarity Event: "Burn NO Sacred Books."

This event was held on Saturday, Sept 11, 2010, 2:00 pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church.

It was an interfaith service commemorating 9/11. It brought together people of many different faiths including United Church of Christ, Unitarian- Universalist, Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Islam and others. The organizers said, “In doing so we expressed solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers who are being targeted by hate campaigns in recent months, including calls by a Florida-based church (and its copycats) to burn the Muslim Holy book, the Qur'an (Koran).” We stood with our leaders as we affirm religious tolerance and a pluralistic society where all share equal dignity and mutual loyalty.

Speakers included: Rev. Mark Belletini (First Unitarian Universalist Church), Ray Nandyal (Racial Diversity Task Force), Saham Abdi, Ilham Abdi (Interfaith Youth Group), Rev. Eric Brown (Woodland Christian Church), Father Vinny Kiernan (The Newman Center at OSU, Roman Catholic), Dr. Mouhamed Tarazi (Islamic Society of Greater Columbus), Rev. Eric Williams (North United Church of Christ), Rev. Alicia Rivers (United Methodist), Zerqa Abid (Interfaith Youth Group & Ohio Muslims), Don Furbee (CAIR), Rev. Joan Van Beceleare (Ohio Meadville District UUA), Fazeel Khan (Lahore Ahmadiyya Islamic Society), Jamal Sadoun (American Islamic Waqf), Rev. Eric Meter (First Unitarian Universalist Church), Jolinda Stephens (First Unitarian Universalist Church) and Robert Reber (Interfaith Association of Central Ohio).

There were also messages from Senator Sherrod Brown, Rabbi Idit Jacques, Rabbi Berman (Tifereth Israel), Dr. Susan Ritchie ( North Unitarian Universalist Congregation and the Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees) and Rev. Tim Arhens (First Congregational United Church of Christ).

The Event's Major News Links:

The Examiner: Over 400 gather for 9/11 interfaith solidarity service at First Unitarian Universalist Church

NBC 4: Interfaith Service Encourages Solidarity And Religious Tolerance

Columbus Dispatch: Faiths unite to oppose burning of sacred texts

Burn NO Sacred Books. Bash NO People.

2010-09-06T18:47:00.015-04:00

I love Daniel Pipes.

I love Steven Emerson, Phyllis Chesler, Pamela Geller and all those who have dedicated their lives to Islamophobic activism.

I am very grateful for their never-ending Islam and Muslim bashing. Their passion and persistence in this regard is remarkable, and their bigotry is outstanding. Indeed, they are masters of lying, twisting, fabricating and fear and hate-mongering. That’s who they are. This is what they do for their living.

Since 9/11, these professional Islamophobes have done a great service to the American Muslim community. They have produced and trained several leaders and organizations to defend Islam. In the last 9 years, many organizations and individuals have emerged, organized and re-organized to take care of the Pipes and co. Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) would not be where they are today, if there were no Islamophobes in America.

In addition to Muslim individuals and organizations, these Islamophobes have also convinced several non-Muslim individuals and organizations to stand up with the Muslim community of North America. This list includes President Obama, New York’s Mayor Bloomberg, MSNBC’s anchor Keith Olbermann, several rabbis, priests, faith and community leaders and common men and women with a sound conscious. This is good news.

While we worry about the tone of Islamophobia that is running wild across our country, we are surprised everyday by new friends and supporters that are emerging all over the country. While our newspapers are filled with stories of opposition to new mosque projects in California, New York, and Tennessee and vandalism and arson at mosques in California, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas; we are witnessing a great concern arising about the preservation of constitutional rights given to faith based communities. While we hear the call of burning Quran on 9/11, we are also witnessing the interfaith activists organizing several solidarity events to support the American Muslim community on that same day.

In Columbus, our dear brother Ray Nandyal of the Racial Task Force of Central Ohio at the First Unitarian Universalist Church has taken the first step. He has called for a solidarity service entitled "Burn No Sacred Books Day" on September 11, 2010. This service has scheduled representatives from several organizations of different faiths. Its flyer reads: Let’s gather to commemorate 9/11 as well as express solidarity with our Muslim sisters and brothers who are being targeted by hate campaigns, including calls by a Florida-based church (and its copycats) to burn the Qur’an. In this hour long program, our leaders stand with us as we affirm religious tolerance and build a pluralistic society where all share equal dignity and mutual loyalty. (Click here for event details)

This is a true American response to the persecution and bashing of people of any faith or ethnicity.

Persecution of people of one faith or ethnicity is not new in America. And our country has a great record of sidelining and shutting up all sorts of persecutors and hate-mongers in the past. Every single minority group that was bashed and terrorized in America earlier on is now doing much better and is stronger than it was at the time before its persecution. Their bashers are nowhere to be found other than in the dark chapters of history books.

History is only repeating itself. Once again, our country is reaching the founding fathers asking what they would have said and done about these Islamophobes and their bigotry. Thanks to the Pipes and co., we have found our new civil rights heroes. We have found Nandyal, Olbermann, Bloomberg, Obama and many more. We are reviving our vow to the founding values of religious pluralism, tolerance and inclusiveness. The process is slow, but thank God it has begun.

God willing, soon the Truth will prevail and these dark clouds of hatred and bigotry will be cleared. Until then, we need to stay united in saying NO to the bashing and persecution of people of any faith and ethnicity. We need to organize and attend as many solidarity events as we can. This is the only way to get out of this scary phase sooner than later.

To Obama, Bloomberg, Olbermann, Nandyal, CAIR, MPAC and all other civil rights activists: I love you guys more. Please keep up the good work. America is proud of you. May God bless you. May God bless America.

_________________________

An Interfaith Solidarity Service in Columbus, Ohio
To commemorate 9/11 and express solidarity with Muslim sisters and brothers who are being targeted by hate campaigns, including calls by Florida-based church to burn the Qur'an

Saturday, September 11, 2010, 2 pm
All are welcome!

First Unitarian Universalist Church
93 W. Weisheimer, Clintonville, Ohio
Please Bring Family and Friends

See Full Flyer

No Compulsion in the Way of Life!

2010-07-10T10:19:00.005-04:00

I was twenty years old, when I decided to wear a burqa, right before my wedding. It was a decision of my own. I wanted to follow the women of the blessed Prophet Muhammmad’s household and his female companions. For me, it was a 180-degree change from sleeveless, body-revealing, fashionable, bright colored clothes to a dull-colored big sheet of cloth wrapped around me from head to toe. No one in my family was used to wear any such thing at that time; hence, nobody would support it. Convincing my parents was a big deal. My newly-wedded husband, then a student at the Florida International University in Miami, FL, did not believe in the need of burqa for being modest, but he supported me just for the sake of my love and freedom to choose.

Since burqa was not forced on me, I embraced and loved it to the fullest degree possible. I wore it for 17 years in different forms. During this time, I achieved several academic and professional high achievements in America and internationally. Instead of being frustrated, I was very happy and content. Four years ago, I decided to finally take off my face veil. This decision was again of my own. I was convinced that I could deliver the message of Islam more efficiently without wearing a burqa in a post-911 America. I still wear long, loose dresses and headscarves and I love it.

Per my own experience, people’s freedom to choose a way of life is crucial for their happiness, intellectual growth and positive contribution to a progressive, peaceful society. If it were not my own decision, I could always manage to expose my body wherever I wanted, and I would only spend my energy and my talents in protesting against Islam and Muslim male-agenda like many unfortunate, frustrated Muslim sisters all over the world. What a waste of great human resources.

As we prepare Everybody Follow Muhammad campaign, I ponder more and more on one verse in the Holy Quran. “La ikraha fiddeen” (2:256). It has simply mesmerized me as I see the solution of millions of our problems lie simply in this one sentence: “There is no compulsion in the way of life.”

It’s a simple guidance for Talibans in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It’s a point to ponder for Saudi rulers, clerics and all others in their camp. It’s a parenting tip for all parents. It’s a founding stone for all bridges to interfaith understanding and coexistence. It’s a wellness tip to keep one away from high blood pressure, depression and other very common but chronic diseases.

This one concept was at the core when God created Adam with free will and granted permission to Satan to misguide Adam and his off springs. Throughout the human existence on this earth, the same concept has been the essence of all divine movements lead by prophets including Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon them). According to all authentic and credible historic accounts, no prophet of God ever forced people to believe in his teachings or to live by his rules. People were always left free to live by whichever way they would like to live and whoever they would like to worship. They were told, but they were never tortured. On the contrary, many prophets and their followers were brutally tortured by their opponents to leave their faith and their way of life.

Even those prophets who became the legendary kings and rulers of their time never forced anybody in the matter of faith and ways of life. Prophets Joseph, David, Solomon, and Muhammad are great example of this practice. May the peace and blessings of God be upon all of them. Under their rule, peaceful and law-abiding citizens were left alone to practice whatever faith they would like. Their personal lives and properties were protected under the divine governments.

Among all, the original version of the Holy Quran, the detailed authentic account of Prophet Muhammad’s life and his sayings are still available to teach us some wisdom and patience when dealing with others.
Here are some more examples from the Holy Quran.

“But if they turn away from you, (O Prophet remember that) your only duty is a clear delivery of the Message (entrusted to you).” 16:82

“Yet if God had so willed, they would not have ascribed Divinity to aught besides him; hence, We have not made you their keeper, nor are you a guardian over them.” 6:107

“(Say to everyone of them,) 'Whatever good betides you is from God and whatever evil betides you is from your own self and that We have (O Prophet) sent you to mankind only as a messenger and all sufficing is God as witness. Whoso obeys the Messenger, he indeed obeys God. And for those who turn away, We have not sent you as a keeper." 4:79, 80

“And so, exhort them your task is only to exhort; you cannot compel them to believe.” 88:21, 22; also see 24:54

All of the above verses clearly indicate that when it comes to people’s faith and the choice of lifestyle the job of a revolutionist, a state man, a cleric, a ruler, a parent, a teacher and many others in similar roles is nothing more than delivering the message to those under their supervision or to their fellowmen. They can be as creative as they want in delivering the message. They can choose whatever non-violent strategy they would like to achieve their goals, but they cannot coerce their views, their likes and dislikes on others, no matter who these others are. If God has not imposed His views on anyone, no human should be privileged to do so either.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness lie central in all divine scriptures. They were central to Prophet Muhammad’s teaching and practices too. With his strong message and human-friendly strategies he won over people’s hearts. People took care of their bodies themselves. And in just 23 years he transformed barbaric, uncivilized, illiterate Arab tribes into an empire of civilized, literate and just people who lead the world into a new era of progress, hope, and development.

Following the blessed prophet’s footsteps can only lead us to another era of peace, harmony and human development. That’s something needed more than ever before.
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This article was originally written for Everybody Follow Muhammad campaign. For more info about the campaign, please check these out:

Where is the Noor Community?

2010-06-19T11:23:00.007-04:00

Since my last blog post about Noor Islamic Cultural Center, so much has been said and discussed online that it seems to active internet users that the whole Noor community is well aware now.

To this date, there are 188 comments posted on my blog. Dr. Muhammad N. Tarazi has also posted on his blog some very important emails as independent posts and his own thoughts about the failed efforts to organize arbitration between both parties in original AIW board. Altogether, there are 84 comments posted on his blog until the time of this writing.

These comments are also comprised of some very important emails sent by significant Noor community leaders and members. That list includes: Dr. Asma Mubinuddin, Dr. Kamel Salani, Hasan Ayoub, Abdul Aburmaieleh, Mahmoud El-Yousseph, Mufakkar Islam, Mahmudur Rahman, Souzan El-Kest, Dr. Taslima Rashid, Muhammad Shakeel, Dr. Quazi Altaf Hossain, Perveen Sarwar, Jeri Milburn, Ashraf Mandourah, Imran Malik, Farooq Wirk, Mohamad Elmahdy, and Fuad Shami. All of these brothers and sisters are very highly respected in the central Ohio Muslim community. They are recognized and appreciated for their integrity, objectiveness and sincerity to the Muslim community in general and to NICC specially.

Each one of them has testified to various flaws in the AIW administration led by Dr. Hany Saqr. The demand of Dr. Saqr’s resignation and the rejection of the “New” AIW Board are the most significant themes of the emails and comments made by these individuals. Their speaking up is a testimony of how serious the problem at hand is and that how much is at stake.

In addition to these blogs, on behalf of the community, an online petition demanding Dr. Saqr and Dr. Amjad Saleh to resign was launched by Dr. Tarazi on June 1st, 2010. So far it has 83 signatures, but some people have signed twice and there are many anonymous. If we assume all anonymous are different individuals, we may say that around 80 people have signed.

Only 80 signatures from a mosque’s community where around 1200-1500 people attend weekly Friday prayer is a point to ponder. It raises an important question: Where is the Noor Community?

Indeed, it’s time for us to asses ourselves as a community and to find out where are we heading.

We know as a matter of fact that majority of people in our community are simply indifferent to who runs the mosque. For them, it’s enough to simply have a place to offer daily or Friday prayers and to teach reading Quran to their children. They don’t invest themselves or their children in the mosque. They don’t bother to waste their time or energy in reading these blogs and learning about who did what in the AIW board. In their opinion, as far as the mosque is open they have nothing to lose or gain in this fight.

Although their absence does bother me, I am bothered more by the absence of those who are well aware of what is at stakes, but they still are keeping quiet or sitting on sides. While talking to several community members, I have found following reasons of their absence:

1. Majority of this group is still not aware of this online petition. Where many of us, online activists, assume that everyone is already involved and updated; the reality is actually opposite. I checked with those who are very involved in the mosque and they had no idea about this petition or even about the discussions that we are having on both blogs.

2. Most of these people are very confused, disgusted and dismayed by this whole dispute. They don’t want to take any side, because they are not sure which side is the right side. Some of them may have read some online discussion, but it has actually turned them off and they have not followed it all the way long. They are hoping that others will fix the problem for them. This phenomenon is called “Diffusion of Responsibility” in social psychology.

3. Many people are keeping quiet in respect to the puppet “New AIW Board”. Going against Br. Abukar Arman, Br. Muhammad Arif, Dr. Adil Kataby, and Br. Jamal Naiyer is not easy for them. They feel sad for these brothers being used to cover Dr. Saqr’s crimes. At the same time, they feel helpless since such “GOOD” brothers have joined Dr. Saqr.

4. Rest of the people are truly misguided and think that all is finally well. They think Dr. Saqr is not in power anymore and Dr. Farag has resigned on his own choice. The fitnah is over and the mosque now is in safe hands. Hence they don’t see any need of any activism.

All of the above prove that the message is not communicated well enough and there is yet a lot to do. This online activism is great, but it must be coupled with traditional grassroots organization of our community. Organization of public forums, town hall meetings, door-to-door-petition-signing campaign and protesting outside the NICC are next necessary steps in this struggle of restoring justice and a long-term peace in our beloved mosque. This is the way to a corruption-free Islamic organization.

We ought to do this for the sake of our children. We owe them at least this much.

Being the “Other Mother” of a child in a faraway land!

2010-06-14T16:07:00.006-04:00

Rawaa, my Lebanese daughter, left our home yesterday. Although we hope she can come back and be with us again, we know it will probably never happen. She is gone and we may not live with her as a family ever again.

Her departure was not a surprise; we knew from day one that she is here for only ten months. But from day one, she acted as if she was part of our family forever and as if she was never going to leave. She won everyone’s heart with her sweetness, good manners, high morals and caring nature. In a very short time, we knew that having her in our home was not a favor to her but a reward for us. This was a gift of God that came to us through Pacific Intercultural Exchange, a not-for-profit student exchange organization.

This was our second year as a host family. We hosted another outstanding student, Hanane, from Morocco, last year. We learned about this program in our mosque. We were told that in the aftermath of 9/11 several Muslim students are brought to USA every year as a part of a Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES), a high school exchange program funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

The YES program selects outstanding 10^th grade students, 16-year-old boys and girls, on a merit basis from all over the Islamic world and then places them with American host families in different states. These students are the crème of their countries’ young minds. During their stay, these students not only attend public high schools, but they also learn a great deal of American culture and norms through their host families and the communities they are in. They come as young ambassadors of their countries, but they leave after 10 months as young ambassadors of USA to their countries. It’s a win-win situation for both parties and its impact will actually be seen in next 10-15 years when these dynamic young people will actually assume the leadership roles in their own countries and in the international politics and programs.

It’s the significance of the program and the impressionable age of these students that helped us decide to open our home for them as soon as we heard about it. Being Muslim parents of three daughters, it was not easy for my husband and myself to have a non-related, unknown student from a faraway land at home for a whole academic year. But we both decided to sacrifice the privacy of our family and took the responsibility of another daughter for the sake of a greater cause. We believe it is incumbent on us, American Muslims, to open our homes and hearts to these young dynamic Muslims. While we appreciate all host families, we believe, the participation of American Muslims in this program is crucial.

American Muslims are the only people in USA who actually belong to both parties, America and the Islamic World. We know the culture and the norms of both sides. We know the goodness and beauty of both people. And we know the sufferings on both sides. We can definitely help in alleviating the pain through responsible mediation. Our sincere participation in any and all diplomatic programs can specially expedite the establishment of greater peace and understanding and building the bridges between both worlds.

By our participation in the YES program, we can actually encourage more Muslim parents overseas to send their children to America without being worried about their children being lost in a mystery land. I know as a matter of fact, Rawaa might have not even come in the first place, if she had not known in advance that she was going to stay with a Muslim family with three daughters. Being a native of a small town of Lebanon next to the territories illegally occupied by Israel, she came with serious reservations and misconceptions about Americans. In her ten months stay, she was able to differentiate between the general Americans and the politicians. I saw her suspicion and disbelief in diplomacy changing into confidence and hope in dialogue and a non-violent but firm approach. To me, it’s a great achievement, because I know this brilliant young woman is capable of changing her peers and her people. So are all other young men and women from various countries.

The reward of knowing and nurturing these incredible young ambassadors is beyond writing and describing. The pleasure of exposing them to a new world, showing them the other side of the picture with much empathy, and then sending them back to lead their people in the right direction is unspeakable. It’s worthy enough to compromise on some personal space, privacy and family rules.

Being Rawaa’s “Other Mom,” as she called me, is something I would not trade for anything else. It’s very satisfying to know that in addition to my own daughters, there is someone else out there who loves me dearly as her own mother and that she will also send me prayers and good deeds when I die.

All praise is due to God, almighty. I pray to Him that He accepts our good deeds and He forgives us for our shortcomings. May He give us wisdom to use all opportunities to make this world a better place for everyone.

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Click here for more information about Pacific Intercultural Exchange

Click here for more information about YES Program

If you are interested in hosting a student, contact PIE Regional Manager Patty Grasty at <patty@pieusa.org>

Everybody Follow Muhammad Day - July 8

2010-06-05T03:20:00.016-04:00

How much do we, Muslims, love the blessed Prophet Muhammad?

Enough to sacrifice anything and everything for his sake.

How crazy are we in this love?

Crazy enough to destroy anyone and everyone who appears to be disrespectful to the beloved prophet peace be upon him (PBUH). Yes, anyone and everyone.

This love is displayed all over the world overwhelmingly. It has several forms and symbols including naming babies with the name of the prophet or of his household, men growing beards, the use of the color green, celebrations of “Eid e Mawlood” (birthday of the blessed prophet), “Naat khwani” (singing in praise of the blessed prophet) and many other things. Sacrificing our appearance, time, money, and energy for showing our love and upholding his name is not a big deal for us. Regardless of how devout we are, sacrificing our lives for the sake of upholding his name would not be a big deal also.

That’s exactly why, whenever someone appears to be disrespectful to our beloved Prophet; we make sure to shut that person up, sometimes forever. No matter how scary or crazy it may seem, we believe that our love demands us to terrorize all non-Muslims to the point that they don’t dare to say or write anything bad about him or depict Prophet Muhammad PBUH in any form whatsoever. Many of us also believe that killing someone disrespectful to the prophet is reaching the height of this love and will be rewarded heavily in the hereafter.

We boycott Danish products for their crime of publishing blasphemous cartoons. We kill and threat to kill artists and writers all over the world. We march and protest all over the world in millions. We launch websites and campaigns online against websites, channels and whosoever might have helped those audacious people. We ban Facebook (at least for some days in Pakistan). Whether you call us crazy or not, this is how we uphold our beloved Prophet’s name these days.

Once we achieve our great goal of threatening and punishing the non-believers, we return back to our normal lives.

In our normal lives we do everything against the blessed Prophets’ practices. We ridicule his sayings. We question his wisdom. We reject his beloved Islam. We disobey his commands. Our governments are corrupted. Our courts deliver injustice. Our economy is based on interest. Our entertainment industry promotes adultery and vulgarity. Our news media is biased and deceptive. Our entire community itself is a joke against Islam. We are the cons who have shadowed the Prophet’s exemplary character to the point that non Muslims don’t really know who Muhammad was and what he actually represented.

While disobeying every bit of Islam, we wear green, grow beards, sing Naats, use a miswak (the prophet’s practice of using a wooden toothbrush) and wear oriental perfumes. We have become live blasphemous cartoons known by Muhammad or Ahmad or any other Islamic name. Yet, we manage to accuse non-Muslims of blasphemy and issue orders of death for them. What an irony!

We waste so much time, energy, money and other resources on launching international campaigns against non-Muslims. If we use only 10 % of those things in correcting our own actions, we will do a huge service to the beloved Prophet (PBUH).

There was not a single incident in the whole life of the merciful Prophet where he took revenge or allowed revenge. We all know that there were several serious assaults on him and he had plenty of opportunities and enough resources to shut his enemies forever, but that was not his way. He only made dua for them. His legacy is a legacy of forgiveness and compassion for non-Muslims.

His focus was always on spreading peace, ensuring justice, stopping all kinds of social evil and so on so forth. He never forced anyone to respect him. He earned that respect by serving his worst enemies in the nicest ways and by forgiving them as much as possible.

His real worry and concern was his own people: his Ummah. He spent nights in crying and asking God for mercy for us. He spent 23 years of his life teaching his companions, purifying their hearts, strengthening their unity, and preserving Islam for us. Twenty three years. Do we even care to be a true Muslim for even 23 seconds each day? Even our daily prayers are mostly rituals with no real connection to God.

If we really love Prophet Muhammad PBUH, we should work on improving ourselves first. Instead of frowning about people drawing cartoons, we should first uphold his principles by following him ourselves. In order to rebut last month’s “Everybody Draw Muhammad Day,” on July 8th we can have our own “Everybody Follow Muhammad Day." That's Rajab 26 of Islamic calendar, the day of "Isra wal Mairaj," when he visited heaven and Masjid al Aqsa with the angel Jibrael PBUH. If we cannot follow him every day, for whatever reason, we can start by following him for at least one day.

On that day we can pick any of our weaknesses and work all day long to improve ourselves according to the practice of the blessed prophet. His beautiful life and exemplary personality offers solutions and remedies to so many of our problems today regardless of who we are, where we are located, and what our faith is. For example, if we have anger management issues, he suggests therapy for that. If we have eating disorder, he prescribes remedies for that. If we are a parent, he offers all kinds of tips for children of different ages. If we have old parents living with us, he shows us how to be compassionate. If we are a ruler or a community leader, he provides tips for success. If we are an oppressor, he tells us the severe consequences. If we are oppressed, he guides us what to do. No matter what our condition is, we can always find something worthy of following in the Prophet Muhammad’s life.

Once again, how should we, Muslims, love the blessed Prophet Muhammad?

Sincerely enough to shape our personalities and to live our lives according to his teaching. Unless we do that, the craziness of symbolic, meaningless love will not let us live in peace and the world will never know the real Prophet Muhammad and his teachings. It’s our job to earn him some respect by representing him right.

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This initiative has already been launched. We currently have:

A Facebook Group: Everybody Follow Muhammad Day
A Blog: Everybody Follow Muhammad
An Email: EverybodyFollowMuhammad@gmail.com
A website: www.EverybodyFollowMuhammad.com (Not uploaded yet)

God willing, all of the above tools will be used to spread our message and to compile resources that are genuine and easy in language. Let's work together in presenting the true teachings of peace and compassion of the blessed prophet. May God help us all.

Facebook, Burqa, Nudity or a Local Mosque, What would be the Blessed Prophet Muhammad’s First Priority?

2010-05-28T16:55:00.013-04:00

Everybody takes a deep breath. The Noor Islamic Cultural Center’s case is closed… for now.

Once again, Satan has succeeded in keeping a dictator with no Islamic ethics and values as an IMAM in a mosque. Once again, an entire community chose to be quiet while watching the persecution of some of their very best people. Once again, the influential people of the same community did not stand up to speak the Truth against a tyrant. Once again, some good people of the same community have volunteered themselves to be puppets of the same dictator. Once again, Adhan (call to prayer) will be called in this mosque and the Quran will be read here without its implementation in its own administration. Once again, a mosque has been founded for the implementation of people’s personal agendas.

Everybody, take a deep breath.

It’s not the first time. And it’s not the last.

It happened in the time of blessed Prophet Muhammad’s time too. Allah almighty pointed this out and saved it forever in the Holy Quran for the sake of our guidance. He says:

“Those who adopt a mosque for [working] mischief and disbelief, as well as disunion among the disbelievers and as an outpost for anyone who has already warred on God and His messenger, will swear “We only wanted to be kind!” God witnesses what sort of liars they are. Never stand in it! It is more fitting for you to stand in a mosque which has been founded on performing one’s duty from the very first day in which there are men who love to be purified. God loves those who cleanse themselves.

Is someone who founds his building on heeding and pleasing God better, or someone who founds his building along the edge of a crumbling bluff, so it crumbles along with him into Hell fire? God does not guide such wrongful folk. The building which they have built is continually in doubt within their hearts, till their hearts are torn to pieces. God is aware, Wise.”

(Chapter IX, Repentance, verses 107-110)

As soon as this article is posted, there are people accusing me (once again) of creating Fitna (chaos) by calling NICC a Misjid Darar (a mosque for mischief and disbelief). I say to all of them: please take a deep breath and examine the case under the shade of Quran and Sunnah (Prophet’s practices) only.

Here is a track record of deception, dishonesty, incompetence, manipulation, and violation of the organization’s bylaws. Here is a person, Dr. Hany Saqr, the chairman of American Islamic Waqf, who has lied in the court under oath and outside while swearing on Allah. (Islam requires me to provide at least four good-standing, honest community members as witnesses to support my accusation. I can provide several of them.)

His deception to three “disputed board members” is public. His injustice, vindictiveness and favoritism are obvious after he voted to fire an active and always present secretary and treasurer of the organization, Dr. Khaled Farag, for not performing fiduciary duties properly while keeping an unseen, inactive and distant board member who is located in Chicago on board. His incompetence is further revealed by a major accusation he placed against the treasurer of paying three hundred thousand dollars to his company through a check. Auditors found the opposite. The treasurer’s company actually made two payments of the same amounts to the AIW. Either Dr. Saqr does not understand the difference between credit and debit, or he is too blind in his power hunger and hatred for Dr. Farag. Either way, by Islamic jurisdiction, he is not qualified to be an imam or board member of any Islamic organization. Yes, I am not a scholar, but I challenge the whole community to take this case to any Islamic court or ask any reputable Islamic scholar, they will tell you the same.

Here, I question all those imams, religious and community leaders who either keep quiet or teach the wrong lessons of peace with a dictator. If they are so naïve that they do not know the real rulings in Islam regarding such matters, may Allah guide them. If they only pursue their position on the pulpit and worry about their leadership only, may Allah ruin them and grant us better imams and leaders.

I also question those hand-picked “Good” people who recently accepted to sit on board with Saqr and Saleh. How could you knowingly volunteer yourself to legitimize their illegal and un-Islamic actions against your fellow Muslim brothers? If you think that you will save the masjid by covering their crimes and pretending all is well, please be informed that Allah SWT has not allowed you to cover your brothers’ crimes for the sake of any masjid. If you seek peace, please understand no peace is bestowed without countering and removing the wicked and the unjust. On the Day of Judgment, you will be standing next to them, and there will be many (including myself) in this community who will hold you responsible for starting and legitimizing a legacy of injustice and corruption in our beloved mosque.

Muslims in central Ohio, if we truly like to please Allah, almighty, He has given us only two options: either we remove this fake IMAM from the pulpit of the mosque and make sure that we have the righteous, honest and just people in its administration, or we abandon this mosque. Please read the above-mentioned verses of Quran again.

Muslims elsewhere, open your eyes and check your local and national organizations for the same. Double check your imams and religious leaders before you fight against the ban on burqa, nude scanners at the airports and “Everybody draw Muhammad Day” Event on Facebook. The first war we have to wage must be against the corruption in our own mosques. Prophet Muhammad’s first order in Madinah was the establishment of a mosque and the implementation of Islam in its sanctuary. He, peace be upon him, did not worry about anything else before doing that.

Every disqualified imam must be ousted and every injustice in a mosque must be addressed before we talk about the corruption of governments, civil rights and other issues. Unless we do that, our mosques will only produce incompetent, confused, apologetic and frustrated Muslims, who will continue to be terrorized either in the name of Islam or anti-terrorism. We harvest what we sow.

Everybody, take a deep breath.

The case against AIW is not closed yet. It shall never be closed until true Islam is implemented at NICC or every honest and practicing Muslim in the Noor community is dead.
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CASE UPDATE, JUNE 1, 2010

Community Petitions the AIW Board

Dr. Tarazi has put together a petition for community to sign. Following is Dr. Tarazi's message that came along with the information of the petition:

"Dr. Khalid Farag has already resigned while Dr. Hany Saqr and Dr. Amgad Saleh have many times promised to resign in the past but have not yet done so. Concerned community members have put together this petition is thanking them for their services and kindly asking them to please resign immediately so that the new AIW board can accept an interim position and work to correct the organization's By-laws and implement a system of checks and balancesto strengthen the organization for years to come.

Please add your voice to this initiative, electronically sign the petition, and circulate it to other community members."

Lesson learned from The Pope, The Vatican

2010-05-14T16:22:00.008-04:00

Earlier this year, the news of child molestation by the priests in the Catholic Churches topped the global news. It became a public relation nightmare for the Vatican, since the evidence showed that Pope Benedict XVI may have been responsible in several cases. Not that the Pope molested any child, but he provided cover and protection to the pedophile priests when they were identified as predators.

According to The New York Times’ article entitled “Vatican Declined to Defrock U.S. Priest Who Abused Boys,” published on March 24, 2010, “Top Vatican officials — including the future Pope Benedict XVI — did not defrock a priest [Rev. Lawrence C. Murphy] who molested as many as 200 deaf boys, even though several American bishops repeatedly warned them that failure to act on the matter could embarrass the church, according to church files newly unearthed as part of a lawsuit.”

“The documents emerge as Pope Benedict is facing other accusations that he and direct subordinates often did not alert civilian authorities or discipline priests involved in sexual abuse when he served as an archbishop in Germany and as the Vatican’s chief doctrinal enforcer.” As a result, priests like Father Murphy were “never tried or disciplined by the church’s own system, but also got a pass from the police and the prosecutors who ignored reports from his victims.” These predators were simply moved from one place to other where they kept serving as priests and abusing children for several years. Father Murphy abused children for 24 more years after being identified as a pedophile and being reported to three successive archbishops in Wisconsin. He died as a priest in 1998.

Time’s reporter writes, “The internal correspondence from bishops in Wisconsin directly to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future pope, shows that while church officials tussled over whether the priest should be dismissed, their highest priority was protecting the church from scandal.”

Of course, it is very disturbing not only for the Pope’s followers, but also for people all over the world. The Pope’s crime seems bigger because of his supposed righteousness, piety and commitment to higher standards of justice along with his global leadership. What we simply overlook is the role of the followers, the community and the society who must always act as a watchdog in all situations.

There are several accounts of the priests’ victims and their families who actually tried to alert their fellow church-goers, communities, and civil authorities about the sex-abuse at the time and afterward; but they were simply ignored as trouble makers and liars. The human tendency and desire to keep their heroes, religious and political entities on a superior level that is above the law and beyond any criticism always produces bigger disasters for the people.

Although the pope is receiving very harsh criticism from all over the world, he is not unique in his actions. If the Vatican’s crime is protecting the church from the scandals while sacrificing the victims, it’s not alone in this crime. People all over the world do the same day and night. Thousands of victims, young and old, male and female are sacrificed all over the world while saving the honor of their families, communities, countries, churches, mosques, synagogues, temples etc. Most authorities protect their entities and so-called honors instead of saving their people.

The whole process has two major steps and their consequences.

First, whenever and wherever people stop holding their leaders accountable; they create monsters. As time passes, these monsters grow in size, and get more power and experience to play by their own rules. The entities under their power simply turn into their fiefdoms and the system falls for their seniority and loyalty. As time passes by, it becomes harder and harder to kick these monsters out. That’s why most of these monsters stay in the system for longer than they should have.

Second, whenever and wherever people protect their entities at the cost of their own people; they create hell for themselves and for others. General people suffer tremendously in these man-made hells. Over time, hundreds of followers/people lose their faith in God, in Justice and in the system. Some die of mental problems and depression. Others try to take revenge themselves. Some do it the legal way and others become more violent willing to destroy everyone who comes in their way. That’s how the peace of the community and society is destroyed by not holding criminals responsible in time because of their status and given role in an entity and for the sake of so-called honor of that entity.

As is obvious in the Vatican’s case, authorities also suffer severely. They spend more money and waste a lot more energy than they would have if they had taken care of the problem at the beginning. For example, taking care of Father Murphy in time through law and order would have cost less money and efforts to the church than what they have to spend and do now. Contrary to the Vatican’s beliefs, it would also have alleviated and strengthened the respect and the trust in the church, the Vatican and the Pope himself. They thought they were saving church from embarrassment by suppressing the victims and covering the crimes of pedophile priests; they actually ended up with serious embarrassment scarring the reputation of the Catholic Church forever. Let alone the hundreds of victims of sex abuse who live in their man-made hell every day.

The lesson that we must learn from the Vatican’s episode is simple: Honor of any and all entities lies in the honor of their people. Covering the mess may give some extra time to the oppressors, but it always brings more destruction and dishonor to the entity and the authority, even if it is as high as the Pope.

Noor Islamic Cultural Center: Legal Status and the Fundraiser

2010-05-07T16:26:00.014-04:00

On March 31, 2009, I posted my first article about Noor Islamic Cultural Center. In that post, I pointed to some of the major problems that I had seen in the administration of the center under American Islam Waqf. It was the first time in the Central Ohio Muslim community that a Muslim posted criticism of an Islamic organization online. The community response was very mixed. You may read the comments here.

Although I carefully and politely listed the major flaws in the AIW administration and raised serious concerns about the leadership, some people accused me of being a liar, an upset ex-employee, and a Fitnah (chaos) creator. I was labeled as a slanderer and a woman with emotional problems. All of this was expected and I received it patiently. I was relieved that I did not withhold the truth and had conveyed the message to the community. My job was done. I asked Allah (God), almighty, to take care of the NICC matter. I made Him my witness and moved on.

Indeed, Allah is the Best Caretaker. I am humbled and grateful to Him that He did not let it go. He made sure that AIW directors themselves brought the Truth along with solid proof to the surface. Within five months of my blog posting, they disputed on the leadership issues and broke up into two parties.

The details of this dispute and the court hearing are posted by a respected community leader, Dr. M. N. Tarazi on a recently launched blog, “Central Ohio Muslim News.” Please read all three posts for full details: Noor Saga-Introduction, Noor-Saga Complaint & TRO, and Noor Saga-Court Hearing. This is a great service to the community. May Allah( SWT) reward Dr. Tarazi very well.

At the end of the court hearing last week, the judge has lifted the restraint order against the chairman, Dr. Hany Saqr. The magistrate wrote:

Mr. Saqr expressed that if permitted to return to his role on the Board, he will begin by helping to bring calm to the congregation. According to Defendant, his disappearance has hurt him quite a bit, but the organization suffers even more. If allowed to return, Saqr insisted that the others, referring to the disputed board members and Mr. Farag, will still participate as before, with all of them working toward the best interest of the organization."

Like many other community members, I thought, it would be a new beginning and these directors will now take care of AIW professionally. But so far, it is not happening. Dr. Saqr has refused to meet the board until now. The disputed members have voluntarily resigned from the board hoping to resolve the dispute. The AIW board is still a big question mark.

Although the NICC supporters are preparing for a NICC annual fundraiser tomorrow, the legal status of AIW and NICC need to be re-established first. There are serious legal problems that need to be resolved as soon as possible.

Attorney Omar Tarazi listed in his recent email to Noor Council:

"First, the fundraising tickets that were being sold say “Noor Islamic Cultural Center Annual Fundraising Dinner.” The “Noor Islamic Cultural Center” is an organization registered on August 29, 2009 as Hany Saqr’s personal organization located at his home address. Is Hany Saqr going to cancel his home Noor Islamic Cultural Center and give the name and similar names to AIW so that it is legally an AIW fundraiser?

Second, if this fundraiser is supposed to be an AIW function, has it been approved / ratified by a formal unanimous board resolution from AIW Board? If not then isn’t the function as legally insignificant as Brother’s Hasan, Ashraf, and Mufakharul Islam hard work and dedication to the organization for the past three and a half years?

Third, if all AIW board decisions have to be unanimous per the bylaw, who is on the board anyway? Is Khaled Farag off the board or not? Is Amgad Saleh? What about the new additions to the “board” etc.?"

These are serious questions. Two other community members have also listed major demands to AIW in these words:

1. The community needs to understand who is on the current AIW Board of Directors?

2. Update the organizations by-laws and constitution.

3. Add more members to the AIW Board of Directors. Please for the Love of Allah don’t confuse the community again with two Organizations. AIW and NICC! We want one main board and I believe AIW Board of Directors!!!

4. Time for Brother Amjad Saleh (May Allah Reward him for all his deeds) who reside in Chicago to leave the current AIW Board of Directors

5. Continue the good work started by Br. Imad Abboushi and Financial committee to show financial transparency. Also, the financial committee should keep good accounting practice and reports financials in professional but understandable manner.

6. Have quarterly committee meetings to track progress, outline issues and attract more volunteers. Furthermore, the committees are able to benefit from community input while community sees the wonderful work of people.

7. Finally, if Noor center wishes to move forward, professionalism is needed to run the center. We have accomplished a lot in 5 years; however, what is the vision, processes, and strategies for next 50 years.

While supporting the above demands, former board member, Hassan Ayoub advices AIW board in an open email to Noor council in these words:

"In addition to the valid changes already requested here, my advice is that the current AIW BOD, make a decision to ratify and accept all of the previous decisions of the AIW BOD going back the last 10 years. Otherwise many of these decisions would have been legally invalid according to the old constitution since all decisions must be unanimous and conducted in an actual BOD meeting attended by all.

This will Insha-Allah make all of the current employee hires, loans, decision to build NICC, etc. valid. Otherwise there may be issues since these decisions were not properly made in a BOD meeting attended by all or ever recorded; also Br. Amjad as far as I know has only physically attended maybe only 2-3 meetings in the last 10 years.

Unless you have a provision in the 2004 bylaws to allow telephone attendance there may be an issue here and Br. Amjad will have to fly in for every meeting for the decision to be unanimous and valid. Otherwise the organization will be frozen.

Additionally the BOD will have to vote to amend the BYLAWS or abide by them completely. That means the current violations must be addressed including the vote for new officers every 4 years, the establishment of a Noor Advisory Council, the requirement that all BOD members by “Active” members of Central Ohio Community, and the addition of an Executive Director and Treasurer. If the decision to make Br. Imad Aboushi the treasurer is not ratified than the organization will not have a treasurer, be in violation and cannot write any checks or approve any expenditures. Also according to the 2004 Bylaws the Treasurer has to be from the AIW BOD you cannot just delegate this to someone outside the BOD.

I know it is difficult to stick 100% to the Bylaws but we cannot have a double standard anymore. Everything has to be by the book. If you cannot abide by the mandates in the “book” than vote to change them but you cannot any longer violate them. Looks like you guys have a lot of tough decisions to make, I can’t say I envy you. May Allah make it easy for you."

After reading the details of the organization’s status, I am very disturbed. Although I was aware of several Islamic violations and mismanagement in the AIW administration that resulted in my resignation, I never imagined that they have been violating their own bylaws for about ten years. Yet they claim to be the champion of Islamic nonprofit work. After all this mess, if they have any shame, they should simply resign.

As a community member, I seriously think we need to hold our horses and put our emotions on to the side until the legal BOD cleans up this mess. I firmly believe that it is not rational, professional or Islamic to hold this or any fundraiser until the legal problems are fixed.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, a mu'min (good Muslim) does not get bitten from same snake pit twice. AIW BOD has a track record of all kind of violations. In this situation, it is only fair to demand the professional and legal recovery of the organization, before we supply more money. As I understand from some emails, unless they do that this is only a private organization.

Yes, we love our masjid, but do we have any say in its matter at the moment? Now is our chance to rescue and restore it for the sake of Allah and for the benefit of the community. Now is the chance for the AIW directors to show us how sincere and God fearing they are.

As I raised this concern to the Noor Council, one of the former board members replied, “A lot of effort has been put to organize this fundraiser and mobilize the community, and it would only harm the masjid to cancel it or postpone it this late.”

Although he thinks postponing it will be harmful to the masjid, I believe having it now will not only be harmful to the masjid, but to the organizers and supporters too. It will be harmful to the masjid, because it will once again postpone the long due amendments to the by-laws and its legal settlements. If it hasn’t been done in the past 10 years, what is the guarantee that it will be done now? Dr. Saqr has openly said in several meetings in the last two months that he will not change anything in AIW board and that he will only introduce a new NICC board that will be on the disposal of AIW. Three board members have already resigned. Farag is a minority. What do we think is the logical consequence?

It will also be harmful for the organizers and main supporters, because it will prove

That they lack professionalism and business understanding.
That they support and/or ignore the wrongful deceptive practices of AIW board.
That they continue to support an organization that violates its own bylaws.
That they are more interested in the brick and cement of this masjid than in the implementation of justice and the Quranic laws in its premises.

Once again, the reputation of many sincere organizers will be on line. Once again, many donors will give their hard earned money to AIW trusting those who they know as pious and God fearing people, without realizing that these good people have no say whatsoever in anything at the masjid. Even those with assumed responsibility can be kicked out so easily.

The next payment of $ 120 K to the bank is due in November. According to the AIW treasurer, AIW has more than $ 100 K in its account right now. Monthly deficit is only about $ 500. Even if we don't contribute anything at the moment, the center will be okay for at least next three months. This should be enough time for the AIW board to amend their basic by-laws about AIW board membership, to recruit new members in the board, and to take care of major legal problems. Where there is a will, there is a way.

If this happens, and I hope this happens, raising $120K prior to November should not be a problem. By God, in this community, it is not a problem. I know several brothers and sisters who may contribute in cash 5-10 k on a one day notice. They have done this before. InshaAllah, they would do it again if needed. People can save their money for masjid until then in their own personal accounts. We seriously need to see the amendments made to the AIW before we pour anymore contribution to it.

If they straighten themselves legally and professionally to the satisfaction of the Noor community, I promise that I will help organize the next fundraiser myself. Until then, I will be saving my money in a separate account for NICC.

I hope, once again, I have conveyed my message clearly. I ask Allah SWT to be my witness. I ask Him to give us the correct understanding of the matter and to keep us united with pure hearts for His sake. I ask Him to help us in restoring the true Islam in at least in our own mosque, ameen sum ameen.

The Memories of my Beloved Father

2010-04-30T22:08:00.002-04:00

For 17 years, I have not seen or heard him directly, but his voice is in my ears, in my heart. His beautiful face with broad forehead, red cheeks, bright eyes and salt and pepper beard is still fresh in my eyes. I still feel his gentle kiss on my forehead. His prayers are always around me protecting me from all kinds of evil.

Tonight, once again, I am commemorating him.

I am celebrating the life of Abbu, my father, who carefully created a balanced world with a set of principles around me that would only take me to the road to success. I am commemorating my father whose conditioned love, clear guidance, emphasis on character and hard work, and demand of excellence shaped me into who I am today.

Although I can talk for hours and can write hundreds of pages about him, for the sake of this blog, I am only bringing up some most significant aspect of his personality as a good Muslim, supportive husband and a very loving and caring father.

Being a grandson of Syed Sulaiman Nadvi (RA), one of the most significant Muslim Scholars of all times and zones, he spent his pre-teen and teenage years in Desna, India, and was educated under the supervision of some of the best scholars of the time. In contrast to the general belief about the narrow mindedness and backwardness of Muslims of that time (1930-1950), I found my father and his family very progressive and open-minded. The passion for Quranic studies and research, the love for knowledge, the appreciation for education, the habit to encourage academic excellence and the practice to celebrate others’ achievements were just some of the gifts of that environment and upbringing that my father carried with him all his life and had successfully transferred to many children in the family.

Based on his own upbringing, he set very high standards for us, his children. He made it clear way earlier in his parenting that his expressed love was conditioned. He demanded performance of mandatory five time Islamic prayers, daily Quran reading, honesty, character, service to the family and the community, respecting ourselves and others, and academic excellence. But the demand was not just a dictator’s demand. Instead, it was a demand of a passionate and sincere father whose life was centered on his children.

I can see the various phases in his fatherhood. He was a very funny guy until I was 6 or 7. I remember sitting on his shoulders and playing with him for hours. That was the time when he bonded with me firmly. At that young age, I knew I was his pride. I could do anything and everything in the world and he would celebrate it. This did not change even after the birth of my brothers who are 6 and 7 years younger than me.

As soon as I turned 7, certain principles were systematically forced in our family routine. Now the daily prayers and Quran readings were a must. Behavior, discipline, time management, academic excellence all these concepts were introduced one by one. They were not just mere theories; he actually provided all sort of counseling, training and gadgets to implement these ideas. He sent us to the best schools in his range. He gave us the right books and banned us from activities and games that would only waste our time. For example, we were banned from playing cards and chess, because he had seen people being addicted to these games playing it endlessly for hours and days. We were also banned from watching Indian movies. To help us manage our time, he would make daily and weekly schedules for me and my siblings and helped us implement them. He taught us to keep a balance in our lives.

Being a parent of two teens and one preteen, when I analyze his parenting strategies in my preteen and teenage years, I find a beautiful and wise balance. He would celebrate our achievements and would punish us seriously on misbehaviors. Major issues were daily prayers and obedience and respect to our mother (everything else came under it, because Ammi was his right hand anyway). He would not compromise on these no matter what. In anger, he was the scariest person I had known at that time. There were times when he actually did beat me up for acts that were unacceptable in our household. And I am so thankful today that he did it. He set me straight when I didn’t know what was right or wrong for me. His anger protected me from developing several attitudes and social problems. I am thankful that he did not always treat me as a princess. He actually gave me a balance that was needed to deal with this very difficult world.

Although he left for Saudi Arabia, when I was only 15, his daily letters, phone calls, thoughtful gifts, and prayers kept me very close to him. To this day I keep one of his beautiful letters in my wallet.

In my late teenage years, he became my friend. He would talk to me on complicated issues as an equal partner. There were more reminders of me being his pride. There was more appreciation for everything I achieved. And there were serious discussions about the mistakes that I made or could make. With this love and trust he turned me into an independent and strong woman who could do anything and everything without compromising her family values and modesty.

Indeed, he was a role model for parents of his time and our time. May God, the almighty, exalt his levels in Heaven.

Sending gifts to my father

It was April 29th, 1993, Thursday night, 11:30 p.m., when Abbu left us to meet His Lord, the most Merciful, the most Loving. My world was changed forever.

Within ten minutes of coughing, the whole game of life was altered. The hands that were used to raise several times a day making dua (prayer) for me were lowered forever. The lips were sealed and the eyes were closed. All of a sudden, we swapped our roles. He became the dependent, and I became the provider. Instead of sending me gifts, he would wait for gifts and prayers everyday from me. He would get the rewards for my good deeds and, God forbid, he might get the punishments for my sins.

According to the authentic Islamic books, Prophet Muhammad (may peace be upon him) once said, when a person dies, his or her grave becomes a garden of heaven or a ditch of hellfire per his or her good or bad deeds in the worldly life. Later, the person in the garden of heaven might get a whip of hellfire. He or she would ask, ‘why am I getting this harsh treatment after my book of deeds is already closed?’ He/she would be told that ‘your so and so child has committed such and such sin.’ Similarly, a person would be in a ditch of hellfire per his/her bad deeds, and he/she would be given a cool breeze of heaven. The person would ask ‘why am I getting this cool breeze after my book of deeds is already closed?’ He/she would be told that ‘your so and so child has done so and so good deeds.’

Prior to Abbu’s death, I reminded many people of this saying at their parent’s funerals. After Abbu’s death, I actually realized that how hard it is. In the first year, I literally had several fights with my siblings just to keep them away from anything bad. As the time passed, I understood the wisdom behind prophet’s words. This is a great incentive for people to do good deeds and to keep away from sins

In that regard, my personal struggle goes on every day. To me, my acts in my worldly life are like a barometer to measure my love for Abbu. It is beyond a simple reading of Quran once in a year or donating money once in a while. It’s an everyday struggle on both personal and social level. Although he is not with me, his love still keeps me on the right track. Sometimes, it convinces me to make hard choices just for his sake. Whenever it happens, I offer special prayers to God and thank him for granting me such a father.

There are good days and bad days. Of course none of us is perfect. I am sure my father had many shortcomings and so do I. At the end of each day, I ask God, the most forgiving, to forgive my parents and myself for our shortcomings and to reward us for our good deeds. I pray that my father’s grave be a garden of Heaven per his own good deeds and that only our good deeds be sent to him as a cool breeze of Heaven. I pray that he would not be punished for my sins, since he did not teach them to me.

Each day, I pray and I worry.

Muslim Fathers against Child Molestation

2010-03-24T23:04:00.017-04:00

Since I posted a true story of child molestation in the Muslim world, I have received several emails and comments. Most of them are from the victims, Muslims and non-Muslims. These are sad and disturbing stories of those who are still traumatized by the horrible acts that happened to them by their very own loved ones.

While reading these testimonies, I see the role of their mothers as crucial in healing or aggravating the situations. I learned that this sister is not alone; unfortunately, most victims’ mothers would not believe and comfort them whenever their children took courage to share their horrible experiences with them.

Why is that?

I have been constantly researching to find the answers to this and more questions. Why would a mother not listen to her own child? Why would she blame the little one (5-10 years old) of imagining graphic details of sexual activity? And after knowing the truth, why would she shut up her little one instead of confronting the molester? Why?

I believe in the sincerity and love of a mother for her children. In my understanding of the world, unless there is a serious life-threatening situation, there is no way that a normal mother would let an abuser go away after abusing her child or she would knowingly let someone abuse her children again and again. But the research on this topic supports various other reasons that include innocence, ignorance, and weakness of a mother. I found Umm Reem’s thorough research and in-depth analysis of child molestation very helpful in this regard. I strongly urge all of you to read it in its entirety. You may find it very disturbing, but it is eye opening.

It truly opened my eyes. I never realized that the child molestation could actually be one of the founding stone of a crippled, corrupted and dysfunctional society. The damage it causes gets transferred to the next generations through unhappy marital and social lives of insecure, disturbed and emotionally unstable victims. In the most cases, the children of these victims also suffer with their parents and they too turn out to be emotionally unstable, if not treated in time. Indeed, child molestation is an evil that is destroying kinship, families and at large our society, Muslim and non-Muslim.

Along with the victims’ emails, I have also received a very important email from Brother Yahya Whitmer of MuslimFathers.com. In support of my post, he has already posted another article about child molestation in the Muslim world. Now, Muslim dads are attempting to develop an initiative to tackle this issue within Muslim community. This is good news. I am humbled and thankful to God only.

As I read through the victim’s accounts and the research on the topic, I am convinced that this problem can easily be taken care of by the direct involvement of our men. Our fathers, brothers and uncles need to stand firmly and publicly by their women against this evil. The strength that our families need to confront the molesters can only be gained by the mutual understanding and united efforts of both parents.

A father’s strong and supportive presence is not only needed for the prevention of molestation in the first place; but it is also needed to heal the damage caused by the molestation if it is already happened anyway. As most molesters are simply cowards, just a clear message of zero tolerance to the molestation from the male family members would be enough to stop many in the most situations. Also, strong fathers can easily empower these clueless or scared mothers through their clear commitments to the protection, safety and well-being of their families.

Although I am a strong woman and am blessed with a very strong and supportive husband, it took me three weeks to get over those feelings of depression and helplessness that had aroused by reading horrible accounts of child molestation in the Muslim community. I can imagine how hard it must have been for those who actually were victimized in their childhood and have been suffering alone for years. I hope and pray that fathers’ involvement in this matter would now change the situation for many.

It’s about time that we announce Zero Tolerance for the child molestation. We need to have clear and firm policies to punish the molesters and to support the victims. It’s about time that the molesters be identified, humiliated and punished publicly, so that they do not go around and molest other children. At the same time, we also need to take all preventive measures to save our children from such monsters who hide behind the friendly faces. It's about time that we join hands with Muslim fathers and act together to stop this type of family violence.

May God grant us the wisdom and patience to deal with this horrible problem. May He heal the suffering of the victims and may He guide the molesters to the point of repentance, amen.

A True Story of Child Molestation in the Muslim World

2010-03-01T22:45:00.006-05:00

Child Molestation is a taboo topic in the Muslim community. Nobody likes to bring it up. But not talking about it does not help at all. Following is an email that I received couple of days ago. It is from a sister who was molested in her childhood. I present it to you without any editing. Let’s talk about an evil that has ruined thousands of lives all over the world.

Dear Sr. Zerqa,

Salams,

One of my friends sent your blog’s link to me. I read all entries about battered women. I am very impressed that you have been very instrumental in helping some of them and they are leading a happy life now. May Allah reward you for that I have also seen Project Sakinah’s website. I think it is still under construction. When I went through the Wake Up section, I saw myself in the picture of depressed teenager girl. I felt I have finally found someone who can understand my pain and may do something to save other children from the evil that has ruined my whole family life.

This is about an issue that nobody has cure of and Muslims will never admit that it even exists in their families and community. I am talking about child molestation. I want to share with you my personal story to make my point and I give you permission to share it with everyone through your blog and any other means that you find suitable.

I was molested by my uncle, when I was 13 year old.

In Pakistan, sexuality has never been a topic for mother-daughter talk. Most girls learn about sexuality from their cousins, friends and other people. In my case, nobody had actually talked to me about it by then. I had not reached my puberty then and was completely naïve about any such thing.

He was married to my maternal aunt for a couple of years then. They lived abroad and used to visit Pakistan once in a year. I was very fond of this aunt and loved her dearly. That year, they had their first son with them. My little cousin was a bunch of joy. I would play with him for hours and hours. One day, I took him to the roof. My uncle came behind me. He started talking about how beautiful I was. I was very happy to hear nice words about myself. I was tickling my cousin. My uncle said let me check if you are ticklish. I said, I was not. But he forced himself and started tickling all over my body. Before I would understand, he touched me everywhere. I did not like it, but I was not sure how to react. I got confused and tried to come downstairs. He pulled my hand and held my body against his. Pressing me hard. He told me that I was a very beautiful, good girl and he liked me a lot. I was very uncomfortable, but he did not let me go until my little cousin started crying. I picked the baby up and ran to downstairs. I was very scared of my uncle but very shy to tell anybody. I thought it will not happen again.

But next week, there was a party. My whole family went there in the afternoon. I was in an afternoon school and used to go for tuition after school. My uncle told my mother that he would pick me up after tuition. When my mother told me about it, I refused to go with him. I told her that I am scared of him. But my mother was so fond of him as younger brother-in-law that she refused to listen to me and scolded me for making problems for her. That evening when I came home after my tuition, my uncle was waiting for me. I cannot forget his filthy smile that he had on his face that day. I was very scared and confused. As soon as I came in, he jumped on me and started the same thing as before. I said I wanted to go to the party. He said he was very tired and suggested that we both should sleep first. I said, I didn’t want to sleep. He said, he did and he would make me sleep too. He actually started pulling me to my mother’s bed. That was my moment of realization that something terribly wrong was happening to me. I started screaming and threatened to tell my mother and his wife about it. He got scared and dropped the sleeping idea right way. He pulled me to his car saying that I made him late. While driving to the party’s place, he instructed me not to tell anything to anyone. I was in deep shock. By the time we reached there, I had severe headache. Later, I got fever. My mother was too busy with her family. She did not really care about me besides giving me some medicine. My father was overseas. Hence, nobody really found out what happened that day.

In next two years, I learned a lot about sexuality on my own. I knew now what could have happened to me if I had not screamed on time. My uncle and aunt continued visiting Pakistan every year. I thought about telling my aunt, but then I knew it will ruin her married life. Her marriage was a love marriage. She trusted her husband and could not stand it. I tried to tell my mother several times, but she always refused to hear anything bad about him. She always blamed me for being disrespectful to my adults, which was not true in any other case.

Several years passed. I grew up and got married. In the meantime, I learned from other cousins that he had tried similar attempts to other girls in the family at different times. Different girls reacted differently, but all of us compromised and did not tell our aunt. We did not want to hurt her. One day, at a family sleepover, I tried to tell younger girls in the family about the sexuality and about the physical limits between boys and girls. I explained to them that no uncle or cousin is safe to be trusted. We should always be careful. Someone went to my aunts and reported to them that I am saying bad words about their brothers and sons. It became a big fight. That ended up me sharing stories about that uncle. None of my aunts believed me. None of my cousins came forward and testified to what I was telling. It only made me look evil.

Next thing I knew was my aunt was told that I am accusing her husband. She did not believe it and was very hurt. She disconnected her ties with me. It has been more than twenty years now that I am suffering for something that I did not initiate and had no control of. My family members look at me as if I have committed this crime. My little cousin, my only witness besides God, has grown up into a young man. He and his siblings do not talk to me. My aunt has not opened her arms and heart for me since then. But my uncle has made sure to be my mother’s best friend. My father has passed away. He learned about it before his death. It disturbed him deeply, but it was too late to take any action in his view.

What hurts me the most is my mother’s friendship with that man. I have talked to her several times now. She says, I told her very late and that she could not discontinue her relationship for something that happened so many years ago. She does not understand that it still is as painful for me as it was day one.

I am sharing this with you with a hope that it may save one child from sexual molestation. I beg you and all your readers to pay attention to this problem and protect your children as much as you can. Please listen to your kids, before it is too late.

Yours truly,

A molested sister

It is very sad but true representation of how child molestation is handled in Pakistan. While I was searching online, I found this very important and informative piece on this topic:

Sex & the Ummah: Child Molestation in the Muslim World- Myth or Reality?

I invite my readers to come forward and share their views and observations in this regard.

Do we have a Will to End Domestic Violence?

2010-02-21T13:25:00.007-05:00

February 12, 2010, marked the first anniversary of the gruesome murder of general manager and co-founder of Bridges TV, Sister Aasiya Zubair Hassan. She was killed by her husband, Muzzammil Hassan, the other co-founder and CEO of Bridges TV.

Many of you know by reading my earlier posts on the topic that this particular murder had hit me and my family very hard. We felt the Zubair family’s pain directly, as we knew if we had not acted on time the dead victim could have been my first cousin, Sadia, instead of Aasiya. Sadia is Muzzammil’s ex-wife. We were thankful to Allah for saving Sadia’s life. At the same time, we were very sad for losing Sr. Aasiya at the hand of an established, known abuser. Since we personally knew many major players of the story, our reaction has been mixed with grief and anger. Grief for Aasiya’s children and her family. Anger toward the community and friends around the couple.

Our feelings were shared by several other individuals and organizations. In Sr. Enith Morillo’s words, “[this tragic death] served as a catalyst for the birth and rebirth of programs and organizations addressing this social evil.” All these organizations and many individuals have worked very hard throughout the year and have organized various awareness programs and Facebook campaigns this month commemorating Sr. Aasiya and renewing their vow to end domestic violence. (See the links to these events at the end of this post).

As a consultant and affiliate of Project Sakinah, a Dar al Islam initiative to end family violence, I am pleased about the collaborative efforts by several Muslim organizations to end domestic violence within Muslim community. The in-depth planning of several events in 2010 and a national campaign to raise awareness about the domestic violence in the Muslim community seems very promising.

As a community activist, I am excited about the possibility of launching meaningful events in my own community with the help of Project Sakinah’s campaign tools and major DV advocates.

But as Sadia’s cousin, I am afraid that just awareness about the domestic violence will not be enough to save any life in any community.

In Sadia’s case, I know firsthand, it was not just the awareness; it was the will that saved her life from Muzzammil.

Like other DV victims, it was her will to live a happy life with dignity, respect and security.

And unlike some other families of DV victims, it was our family’s will, with Allah’s guidance, to save her instead of saving her marriage.

We are a big extended family of more than a hundred people including my mother’s siblings and their families. Sadia’s divorce was about to be first ever divorce in our family. We could have made it an issue of family reputation, but we did not. Regardless of the stigma attached to the divorce in our community, we made sure that she divorced Muzzammil and secured a better life for herself.

Not a single person in our family was concerned about the consequences of the divorce. Instead, we were worried about the worst consequences of keeping her in that abusive relationship for long. The possibility of her being unmarried for the rest of her life and the possibility of her younger sisters never getting married were very obvious. But we disregarded all such fears and concerns for the fact that Sadia’s life and happiness was more important to us than anything else. This willingness of our family to put Sadia's well-being above family reputation was a gift from Allah to us all, and one for which we all remain grateful.

By Allah’s mercy, it was the will of those who loved her dearly that saved her life. That will was translated into several prayers and serious efforts to rescue Sadia. The non-conventional imam at Rochester’s mosque supported and rightly guided Sadia to get out of that marriage as soon as possible. Her brother willingly stepped forward and threatened Muzzammil about the consequences of torturing his sister. Her mother came from Pakistan, hired a lawyer and filed a case against Muzzammil. My uncle and auntie in Rochester launched a campaign against Muzzammil and supported Sadia by all means.

It was not easy. All of these people suffered through emotional, social and financial distresses. They all faced boycott in the community at some level. Sadia was labeled as a bad woman for the time being. Majority of the people did not believe us until Sr. Aasiya was murdered. But Allah SWT granted our wish and accepted those efforts. Today, b y Allah’s blessing, Sadia is happily remarried with a cute little girl. Her younger sisters are also happily married and have kids. On the other hand, Muzzammil Hassan is being jailed for killing Aasiya and is waiting for his punishment in this world and in the hereafter.

That’s where I am coming from. That is why I think it is crucial to raise this fundamental question about will. Do we have a will to end domestic violence? At the moment, my answer for the general community would be no.

As a community activist, I am convinced that we have to create a will to end domestic violence. Awareness is good, but it is not enough. It is the first step. The second step to the process is the creation of the will. People must be willing to take an action to end domestic violence within their families and their communities. They must be willing to face the consequences. Unless we do that, I am afraid that we will be ending up in having several DV awareness events all over the country and online with lots of empty talks and photo opts but no serious effort in saving a single life.
________________________________________________

Recent Articles on DV and Sr. Aasiya Zubair’s case:

How many more deaths before we take action? By Enith Morillo

Remembering Aasiya Zubair By Wajahat Ali

Voice to Action: Muslims Against Domestic Violence

2009-11-21T23:03:00.018-05:00

Did you know that one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime? 1

According to a carefully estimated guess by major Islamic social service organizations in North America, this statistic applies to the Muslim women too. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year 2. This number also includes thousands of Muslim women.

Yes, one in every four Muslim women. You must know some who are already abused.

I know many.

Nearly 17,000 people, mainly women, are killed each year by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition of Domestic Violence, a nonprofit advocacy group based in Denver.

I just close my eyes and see many faces in front of me. From extended family members to friends in the community. From Pakistan to America. From North Carolina to Ohio. From New York to California. They are everywhere; but they are hiding behind a veil of denial in the hope of preserving the so-called reputation of their families and communities.

“Muslim women have to carry the burden that they are protecting the identity of the community every time they don’t disclose that they are experiencing violence,” says Shenaaz Janmohamed of California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. “Because by disclosing violence … they feel like they are perpetuating the notion that Muslim communities are violent.”

A most prominent example of such a woman was Sr. Aasiya Zubair Hassan of Bridges TV.

Although we had pretended for a long time that domestic violence is not a prevalent issue within Muslims, especially in North America, Aasiya’s murder at the hand of her barbaric husband, Muzzammil Hassan, on February 12th, 2009, snatched that veil of ignorance and denial from our face and brought us to the worldwide attention.

Those of you who read my blog “Did we ever bother to know Muzzammil,” know what made me really angry then and still does is the fact that the whole community around this particular couple covered Muzzammil’s abusive character. People who saw what happened to his ex-wives did not make any extra effort to protect Aasiya. Instead, many of them kept blaming his ex-wives for their shortcomings.

I do realize it is unfair to blame the community solely, whereas Aasiya herself chose not to disclose her abusive relationship to those who could have helped her otherwise. But that leads to the question: why was she hiding?

May be Aasiya was protecting the identity of the community and the reputation of her family. May be she was simply very scared. May be she knew the harsh consequences very well and wanted to avoid them. May be all of the above are true. We don’t know exactly.

We may never find the right answers in Aasiya’s case, since she is gone forever without telling her story. But we can still find the right answers for hundreds of other abused Muslim women who are also trying to hide behind fake smiles with twinkling tears in their eyes. We can still save them before it’s too late.

With this vision, Dar al Islam, a New Mexico, nonprofit religious and educational organization, organized an event, Voice to Action: Muslims Against Domestic Violence in Arlington, VA, on October 17, 2009. This event was co-sponsored by altMuslimah.com, Peaceful Families Projects, Islamic Social Services Association-USA, and Karamah, Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights.

Although the movement against domestic violence within Muslim community in North America has been in progress for more than a decade, this was the first time in years that major Muslim DV organizations sat together and talked about a collaborative effort. (watch the video)

Two early founders of this movement were Dr. Maryam Funches and Sharifa Alkhateeb. Some of the most influential and active torch bearers of this movement today are Dr. Aneesa Nadir, Shaheena Siddiqui, Asma Hanif, Salma Abugideiri, Joana Ladki, Bonita McGee, Robina Niaz, Maha Alkhateeb, Yasmin Turk, Shenaaz Janmohamed, and Anzala Alozie.

As a reaction to Aasiya’s murder, many community and media activists also came forward and have made domestic violence a major priority in their campaigns and organizational work. On March 8th, 2009, Halalfire Media launched altMuslimah.com under the leadership of Asma Uddin. This incredible website is busting many myths and exposing realities regarding gender and sexuality within Muslim communities. Sound Vision, the first Islamic media company in America, also teamed up with the ISSA-USA and conducted surveys and workshops to raise awareness against domestic violence.

The Director of Strategic Development at Dar al Islam, Anas Coburn, called for sustainable, collaborative action to actually dismantle domestic violence in the community. Dar al Islam with a 30-year history in America and a portfolio of projects such as the Teachers’ Institutes, Muslim Powwows (93-96), Deen Intensives, the Tarbiyah project, and its support of other various educational programs, has the capacity and experience to be a facilitator in a national movement by providing a platform for DV organizations. His call was well received. By the grace of God, the Voice to Action meeting marked the beginning of a new era. Representatives of more than 20 organizations and individuals attended the meeting. (watch the video)

In addition, as an initiative to facilitate the existing DV organizations, Dar al Islam will also launch a new website soon, Project Sakinah, Stop Family Violence Now. The purpose of this website is to educate and empower the Muslim community against family violence. Coburn gave a preview of the website to the attendees of Voice to Action meeting. (watch the video).

As a second step to the Voice to Action meeting, on December 13th, altMulimah is organizing a webinar for all who are interested in joining the movement. (click here for more info). This will be another historic event to engage the caring people nationwide. Mark your calendars now. This will be your opportunity to join in the movement that will preserve many lives in coming years.

We cannot bring Sr. Aasiya back, but we can surely save many other sisters and their children. We can return the joy and happiness to their lives. They don’t need to hide behind the fake smiles. Their smiles sould be real and the twinkling tears should be the tears of thankfulness and relief.

One in four Muslim women is abused today. It’s just the matter of reaching out and teaming up and we can easily save them. With little effort and by providing right support on time, I have already seen at least six sisters saved and settled in their happy lives today. It’s not that hard.

I invite you to join the movement now. You will soon see the results yourself.

It’s about time, my friends!
_____________________________________________________
1 Tjaden, Patricia & Thoennes, Nancy. National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, “Extent, Nature and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey,” (2000).
2 Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States. 2003. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centers for Injury Prevention and Control. Atlanta, GA.
_____________________________________________________

Watch the Videos:
Voice to Action: Muslims Against Domestic Violence (Part 1 of 2)
Voice to Action: Muslims Against Domestic Violence (Part 2 of 2)

Useful DV Links for Muslims:
http://www.peacefulfamilies.org/
http://www.issa-usa.org/
http://www.karamah.org/
http://www.mnisaa.org/
http://turningpoint-ny.org/
Directory of DV Programs Serving Muslim Communities

Kilroy Did It Again!

2009-11-05T21:34:00.013-05:00

Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy once again has supported Israel through her vote in the favor of the House resolution H. Res. 867 on November 3rd, 2009. After 11 months in office, she is showing a pattern.

On January 9th, 2009, the newborn 111th U.S. Congress passed a house bill, H. RES. 34, recognizing Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, reaffirming the United States strong support for Israel, and supporting the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The language of the bill was highly in support of the State of Israel. There was no mentioning of war crimes committed by Israel against Palestinian people. The condemnation was only toward Hamas as the source of terror and the sufferings of Palestinian and Israeli people.

That bill was passed by an overwhelming majority. To be exact, 390 “Yeas.” Rep. Kilroy was one of them. There were 5 Nays. Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, Ohio was one of them. There were 22 “Present” and 16 “Not Voting.” Altogether, there were only 43 courageous representatives who did not say yes to the resolution.

Central Ohio’s fair-minded people took a note of that. I myself contacted Rep. Kilroy’s office and requested a meeting at her DC office. The request was granted, and I was scheduled for a meeting on January 22nd, 2009.

On January 19th, the eve of President Obama’s inauguration, at the Muslim Inaugural Gala in DC, I met Congressman Kucinich and thanked him for his firm standing for the justice and real PEACE in the world. He said “That’s what all sincere Americans must do. There is no way other than saying no to all kinds of terrorism regardless of who started it.” He also assured me that, as a congressman, he will never vote to fuel this war with American tax dollars.

On January 22nd, as scheduled, I met the congresswoman and her staff in her DC office. I had taken various resource documents compiled by Jewish sources. I presented her with a copy of President Jimmy Carter’s phenomenal book Palestine Peace Not Apartheid. I explained to her why it is not in the interest of the American people to support Israel unconditionally. The facts, the numbers, the charts and the graphs were in her hands, and she promised to be more careful in casting her votes in the future. As I communicated about the concerns of her constituents in Ohio, she agreed to meet some representatives in her Ohio office soon.

On April 15th, I, along with other local leaders, again met with the congresswoman in her Columbus office. She was again given some more background info. The concerns of her very supportive constituents were clearly communicated to her. And once again, she assured that she would be more careful in the future.

Unfortunately, she did not keep up her words. In the last 11 months there have been several resolutions passed to support Israel in different ways and she has been saying yes to all. And that’s maybe okay depending upon the language of the bill. But her saying yes to the most recent resolution, H. Res. 867, is what upsets her constituents the most.

Briefly, the resolution, H. Res. 867 resolved that the House of Representatives considers the `Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' to be irredeemably biased and unworthy of further consideration or legitimacy; it calls on the President and the Secretary of State to continue to strongly and unequivocally oppose any endorsement of the `Report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict' in multilateral fora, including through leading opposition to any United Nations General Assembly resolution and through vetoing, if necessary, any United Nations Security Council resolution that endorses the contents of this report, seeks to act upon the recommendations contained in this report, or calls on any other international body to take further action regarding this report; and it reaffirms its support for the democratic, Jewish State of Israel, for Israel's security and right to self-defense, and, specifically, for Israel's right to defend its citizens from violent militant groups and their state sponsors.

In reality, the above mentioned, 472-page report mercilessly criticizes both sides in the conflict during last winter's hostilities in Gaza. Judge Richard Goldstone is the chairman of the mission. He is a highly respected jurist, known for his fearless support for justice and has impeccable credential as an impartial man dedicated to the highest ideals of justice. Besides being Jewish himself, he is an avowed Zionist too.

It is also worth noting that, throughout the fact finding mission, Israel had been uncooperative and obstructed the inquiry of that August commission in every way it could. Also, the report asks nothing more of Israel than that it conduct an impartial inquiry of its own.

It is especially disappointing that the House of Representatives did not insist on a full hearing on the report and did not insist on inviting Judge Goldstone to answer any questions. Whereas, Judge Goldstone actually wrote a letter to the House the day before HR 867 was brought to vote. In it, he clearly pointed out no less than 12 utterly false assertions that comprised the resolution itself.

Very likely, our representatives did not have time to read the 472 page report, because if they had, they could not have cast their vote the way they did. The points made in regard to every aspect of the tragedy are very persuasive in the report.

One may excuse other U.S. Representatives, whose constituents may not have communicated their concerns to them yet or may have done it otherwise; thousands in Central Ohio may not excuse Rep. Kilroy this time.

At the time of voting, Kilroy was well informed about the ins and outs of the issue. She knew clearly how much this unconditional support to Israel is costing to the American people. According to the Congressional Research Service’s “U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel,” written by Jeremy M. Sharp, Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs, updated February 3, 2009, the U.S. is providing Israel with at least $7.0 million each day in military aid and is giving the Palestinians $0 in military aid during Fiscal Year 2009. According to this report, by early February 2009, the US had already given Israel at least $2.55 billion ($2,500,000,000) in military aid for Fiscal Year 2009. Couldn’t we use these same dollars in saving thousands of American, Palestinian and Israeli people, if they were invested in different ways?

I am very disappointed in Rep. Kilroy; but, I am not hopeless.

I see a silver lining, beyond the dark cloud of seemingly dismal performance of our elected representatives. I see a big change in the overall voting pattern when I compare it to the one on January 9th, 2009. The number of “Yeas” in unconditional support to the State of Israel has decreased from 390 to 344. Whereas, the number of “Nays” against the rejection of the U.N. Fact Finding Mission report is 36 instead of 5 in January. The number of “Not Voting” has also increased from 16 to 30. Altogether, 45 more representatives stood in one way or other against the recent noxious resolution. That is unprecedented! Usually, there is a stampede in the US Congress to support every pro-Israeli resolution, this time the lemmings accounted for less than 80% of 432 member house (the Congress is short 3 members).

I am a firm believer in solving domestic issues before tackling foreign policies. But lately, the U.S. foreign policies and the resulting U.S. heavy investments in wars has not left many options for average Americans. If it’s my tax dollar, I would rather have it spend in improving people’s lives at home and abroad than in destroying them. That’s what I would like my representatives to do in Congress on my behalf. And that’s why I support them in elections.

The beauty of the American political system is hidden in the balance of power and checks on it. Of course, this resolution is not the end of the world, and this Congress is not the last U.S. Congress, God willing. Just in few months, all these representatives, including Kilroy, will be standing in front of us again for votes and notes. It’s our job to keep an eye on their performance in all aspects. Let’s tell them once again, what we think they should or should not do. Let’s give them one more chance.

It’s just a matter of one more year.

If they do it wrong again; we can always get someone else better. Someone more sincere to America and to the American people.

Writer's Note: Special thanks to Dr. Inayat Lalani, MD, for his contribution to this post.

Resources:
For more facts that were given to Kilroy, please click here.

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml is the best website to find the Congressman/woman who represents you and the way to reach him or her. Just click on your state in the map provided and the list of your representatives will pop up. Check your voter certificate for the congressional district you live in to find the name and then click on it. Go to "CONTACT US" to find the contact info. You may then call, fax ,e-mail or mail to your rep. There is no substitute for personal letter, written legibly in long hand and sent by snail mail but BE BRIEF AND ADDRESS ONLY ONE ISSUE!

“Almost voted” Today?

2009-11-03T11:58:00.007-05:00

Today’s cartoon on Columbus Dispatch’s editorial page reminded me of many people in previous elections who meant to vote, but never did. Those are the ones now who complain the most about every little upside down in the society.

This year, I thought to remind you all one more time, before it’s too late.

If you mean to vote today, then you need to stop reading and get out and vote now.

If you do not mean to vote today, please continue reading.

Let me guess, like many others, you are also assuming that all other citizens will vote rightly, and just yours not casting vote would not make any difference.

What if the other side wins by just one vote?

And just that one vote would clear the way for Casinos to be opened in our peaceful, good community. What if that one vote helps in failing another school levy that is much needed to support our schools? What if wrong people would get elected in the offices just by one vote?

Would you ever forgive yourself?

You may not even care; but, like it or not, every wrong move or election will affect every aspect of your personal and financial life for many years.

Every single vote counts. And every election is an important election. Who do we select for our school board is many times more important than who is running the country. Because, it affects our children every day. The policies and the environment the school boards create in the schools shape our next leaders and shape our future by all means.

Everyone of us needs to be active for next few hours. Even if you are not eligible for vote, you can still remind other eligible voters around you to go and vote for the sake of values that are very dear to us; for the sake of our communities that we all have built together through our hard work and much sacrifices; and for the sake of our children who are everything to us.

Today is the day. The election day that may affect our lives for years.

It’s the day, when new policy makers will come in the offices with brand new good or bad ideas. It’s the day when many old policy makers will be thrown out of their offices, regardless of their good or bad services to the community.

It’s the day when many levies will be passed or failed around the country. New laws will be passed by the ballot approval of the active citizens. Laws, that will affect our children and their children for long time.

For Ohioans, in my opinion, the most important issue at stake is Issue no. 3. Issue 3 is the fifth proposal from private developers to expand gambling in Ohio since 1990. It would authorize casinos in or near the downtowns of Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo. So much has been written and debated about the issue that any clarification at this last minute may not be needed. What is needed though is an effort by all eligible voters to get out to vote no on the issue.

Remember, "I Voted" is never equal to “I almost Voted.”

The election results will only include those who actually voted. Please be counted and bring a difference in lives of many.

Ohioans do not gamble on their kids

2009-09-27T11:58:00.014-04:00

On Monday, September 21, 2009, The Ohio Supreme Court ruled that the proposed 17,500 video slot machines in Ohio’s seven horse-race tracks are subject to a statewide vote.

This remarkable and timely ruling has halted the disputed slot machines until the possible referendum in November 2010.

This is a bad news for the track owners and for Governor Ted Strickland, but, it’s a great news for value-oriented Ohioans who understand that expanded gambling in Ohio’s seven neighborhoods might change these communities forever.

The governor proposed to fill the $ 853 million hole in the two-year budget by using the money generated by the slot machines. Most of this money was supposed to go to the education of our children. How then will we take care of our children’s education? Probably by paying more taxes unless the governor and his team are creative enough to find better solutions.

Although the governor insists that raising taxes would be a disaster, we, the Ohians, know that paying some more is better than losing our kids to the gambling.

The picture that the governor painted just three months ago suggested that a great recession in Ohio is just unfolding its arms and stretching its fingers to grab every household and family, big or small, rich or poor. Unless we have our horses ready, it’s hard to escape it. Hence, the recent budget had good news only for horse-race track owners and for the people associated with this business.

What the governor does not understand is that on these horses we may save our lives, but we won’t be carrying along our faith, education, and other family values. These horses are not trained to carry such loads; neither they are strong enough.

If the slot machines were coming without cutting any educational funding, it may have been something less dangerous than the situation now. As after the implementation of the recent budget, Ohio schools are cutting various school activities and programs; we are talking about a whole new culture and a major challenge in keeping our kids’ focus on education and keeping them away from the glamorous world of gambling.

What would inspire our teenagers more in just four years from now; schools with barren fields, empty labs, over stressed teachers and non-creative courses or the glamorous race tracks with new hi-tech facilities, healthy horses, supposedly money making slot machines, easy access to bars and drugs and a thrilling life? Reduced guidance services and support to recover from or to avoid drugs and alcohol abuse, lack of recreation facilities, reduced library services and hours, absence of extracurricular activities and clubs at schools, and higher tuition fee for college will make our children easy prey to an industry that can enslave and destroy them forever.

The cost of fixing those social, mental and physical ills in our children will be in millions of dollars that we don’t see coming from anywhere now. Although the governor says it will all come from slot machines; we know that such damages are irreparable anyway. Even an average citizen has the ability to understand that. That is why, Ohioans rejected similar gambling proposals four times before. But do the Ohio governor and legislators understand that?

Regardless of their understanding, they have failed to uphold the will of the people of Ohio.

For Democrats, the biggest reason is money and their intended corruption in this regard. Not only the gambling industry has already injected $775,000 in Ohio politics, but it has also hired influential lobbyists. According to Dispatch’s editorial on July 15, these lobbyists include the wife of the Chairman of Ohio Democratic Party and former legislator, Chris Redfurn and a close friend to Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, Alan Melamed. Although the governor said he would not take money from the industry, everyone knows that money finds its ways.

For Republicans, it’s their incompetence that they did not provide any other alternative plan to take care of the budget deficit in the first place. It’s not unusual in Republicans nationwide these days. As president Obama kept asking for an alternative plan to the stimulus package instead of empty criticism from Republicans, Governor Strickland also asked Ohio Republicans for an alternative plan to the slot machine. Republicans had none. They only insisted on taking the slots issue to the ballot. Senate President Bill M. Harris, Republican, had no straight answer to Dispatch’s reporter when asked about the same (Dispatch July 26).

The governor claims that he has not raised the tax in the hard times. The reality is that under the new budget Ohioans are spending way more in the name of higher fees and charges for public services that include schools, doctors, food, house, sports and tons of other everyday things than what they would give in the case of a tax increase but the sustenance of existing services. Our children and elderly are suffering the most.

The governor also says that the money that he has taken out from the education will phase back in schools in ‘just’ ten years. Just ten years? So what do we do with our school-going children through these ten years? Each one of them now is as precious as the children ten years later will be. We cannot pick one over the other.

Perhaps, it’s time for the citizens to get involved more than ever before. It’s time for issue based politics and holding every single legislator, Republican or Democrat, accountable for the jobs that they are supposed to do. They need to hear and understand it clearly that we are watching them carefully and will not re-elect any incompetent, insincere and non-professional legislator in the next election. They shall not forget that Ohio’s politics is personal and Ohioans do not gamble on their kids. We love our horses but not at the cost of our children.

Finally, thanks to the LetOhioVote.org for taking it to the court. But to bring it to the ballot, they must collect at least 241,365 valid signatures from Ohio voters, including signatures from at least 44 of the state's 88 counties equal to 3 percent of the 2006 vote for governor in those counties. The deadline is December 20.

This is a huge task and we all need to pitch in. It’s a community project and probably one of the most important projects for many coming years. Let’s not stay behind.

A Major Flaw in Rifqa Bary’s Affidavit: Noor Islamic Cultural Center was not even built in 2004

2009-09-15T12:37:00.020-04:00

Now that the Florida Department of Law and Enforcement’s report is unsealed; it has been established that none of Rifqa’s allegations or accounts regarding her family or school were found true by the FDLE investigators.

" . . . FDLE's inquiry to date has failed to reveal any evidence of a conspiracy to commit, solicitation to commit, attempt or other efforts to commit any such action or other violence against her," the report said.

The FDLE's seven-page investigative summary includes interviews with Ohio school officials, with Rifqa's father, and with Brian M. Williams, a 23-year-old minister, who baptized Rifqa and helped her get to Florida.

Please read articles by Amy L. Edwards and Rene Stutzman of Orlando Sentinel and Meredith Heageny of Columbus Dispatch for detailed report and its conclusions.

The FDLE did not do any investigation about Noor Islamic Cultural Center or anybody related to it, because Rifqa did not pinpoint anyone by name. FDLE says, "without a specific identifiable criminal predicate is inappropriate."

In my opinion, if investigators would start any investigation in this direction, it would be so much better for all of us in the Central Ohio. Because, it would reveal more truths and would establish once again that Rifqa’s fears are installed by people who don’t even know our community very well.

Rifqa’s lawyer, John Stemberger, presented Rifqa’s affidavit in the court and a 35-page document connecting NICC, Rifqa’s father and fanatics all over the world.

In this affidavit, Rifqa says:

3. When I was twelve, in 2004, our family moved from Hollis/Queens, New York to Ghanna Ohio.

4. Upon arriving in the new area, my father began to search the mosques in the region;

5. After visiting a couple of other mosques in the area, including the “Islamic Center” in Columbus, my father would join and become active the “Noor Islamic Cultural Center” (Noor Center) located in Dublin, Ohio;

6. The Noor Center was a twenty five minute drive from our home and there were eight other mosques that were closer to our home in the Columbus area.

7. My father was very intent on making sure that his children, and especially me, were raised deeply in the faith of “Original Islam” which was taught at the Noor Center;

8. Our family attended the Noor Center gathering as much as our schedules would allow;

Noor Islamic Cultural Center was not even built in 2004.

This center was under construction in 2005 and started some operations in late 2006. This is a fact that cannot be denied, since it is in the city records too.

What kind of lawyer would present such an affidavit in the court without doing his or her own research about the facts that cannot be denied? May be, he belongs to the same clan that denies President Obama’s birth certificate. Who knows?

No wonder, Rifqa could not identify anyone in the community at NICC; she hardly attended few Friday prayers. She does not know anyone besides 4 or 5 Sri Lankan families. I am sure, if a simple cross questioning about NICC’s building and people would be conducted, Rifqa would simply fail in identifying rooms, individuals and leaders at this center.

The FDLE’s report, once again, restores my trust and confidence in our agencies, our courts and in this country of ours. Regardless of how much some people try to exploit the vulnerables and the weaks of the society; together, as a community of peace and truth loving people, we prevail.

I am sure that the Rule of Law is prevailing, and it will resolve the issue in the best interest of Rifqa and her family. Indeed, it's the Rule of Law that makes this country as strong as it is.

God bless America.

Rifqa Bary Case: Finally, Ohio's Governor Ted Strickland is Talking !

2009-09-11T12:32:00.007-04:00

“We have no reason to believe that she would be unsafe in Ohio. Child welfare agencies and authorities in Ohio and Franklin County are fully capable of providing for the security and well-being of Ohio’s children. The Governor believes this is a family matter and therefore would most appropriately be handled here in Ohio with the assistance of the child welfare and foster care system.”

-statement from Governor Ted Strickland’s office about the Rifqa Bary case.

Thank you so much Mr. Governor for supporting Ohio children services and other authorities. Please stay in touch.

Congratulations to all who worked very hard to have this happened. Keep up good work, folks. It's worth it.

Rifqa Bary Case: Look who is talking !

2009-09-10T09:42:00.013-04:00

Pastor Blake Lorenz and his wife Beverly Lorenz of Orlando, Florida, illegally kept a teenage minor, Rifqa Bary, at their home for two and half weeks and did not inform any legal authorities. On August 8th, they finally called and informed Florida’s Department of Children and Families about this Sri Lankan girl from Ohio. But DCF did not take any action for next 2 days.

On August 10th, Pastor Lorenz organized a TV interview of this girl before handing her over to the DCF, again without having any custody rights upon her. The girl’s very sensational interview was recorded and broadcasted by Florida’s local TV channel, who did not ask about custody rights; neither did they check with any Florida authorities.

In this appearance on camera, Rifqa said that she has become a Christian and that her Muslim father would kill her because Islam says to do so. She appeared very shaky and spoke of fear for her life. This TV appearance has dramatically transformed Rifqa and Lorenz into national figures and has ignited a fiery debate between the Muslim and Christian community nationwide.

The Orlando Sentinel published an article on September 1, 2009, entitled, Rifqa Bary: Couple that took Rifqa Bary says they have no regrets. According to this article, the Lorenz said that they believed the threat is real, that’s why they kept her. The article quotes Lorenz, “We didn't do anything without legal counsel because we didn't want to break any laws."

If you are wondering who their legal counsel was, the same article gives you the answer. “After Rifqa arrived, the Lorenzes said they called 11 lawyers, a judge and Catholic Charities. Each had different advice. No one knew what to do with Rifqa.”

It means, at least 11 Florida lawyers and one judge don’t even know what to do with a runaway minor.

The fact that none of them informed DCF or the police about Rifqa’s whereabouts should not be frustrating to anyone. They may not know about this civil duty either.

Some poor, ignorant Floridians.

Did I tell you that the DCF has not filed any case against Lorenzes, to this date. And after this poor performance of DCF, no citizen or organization has yet filed any lawsuit against DCF either. Instead, the Republican Governor of Florida, Charlie Crist, has come forward and has publically supported the Lorenz position and expressed appreciation to the judge for keeping Rifqa in Florida.

Wow. Isn’t it something?

Just leave Florida’s governor aside. He's up for reelection and this is sensational politics.

But, what does it tell you about Florida’s Department of Children and Families?

That they are not capable of taking care of their children.

What about Florida lawyers and its judges?

That some of them are ignorant and incompetent.

And what about Florida courts?

That some of them are corrupted.

Just hold it there.

Did I tell you that the Circuit Judge Daniel Dawson in Florida refused to send Rifqa back to Ohio? Because Rifqa’s lawyer, John Stemberger said that not only Rifqa’s parents and the Muslim community in Ohio are a threat to her life; but also that Ohio’s children services and courts are not capable of taking care of this child.

Isn’t it amusing?

Just look who is talking!

The same judge ordered various investigations about Rifqa’s family in Ohio. First, Franklin County Children Services cleared Rifqa’s family. Then a team of detectives from Florida Law Enforcement came to investigate and also declared the family harmless. The post investigation hearing was on September 3rd. Rifqa’s parents hoped that she would come home now. But not so fast. Judge Dawson has some more tricks to use. He sealed the reports and put a gag order on the attorneys so they cannot talk about the substance of the case anymore.

Isn’t it crazy?

Don’t you think it’s about time for Ohioans to start talking?

I believe it is.

WATCH: Rifqa Bary's Parent video

Burqa, Women Rights and the American Dream

2009-07-29T01:22:00.016-04:00

“I am truly in love with America,” I shamelessly admitted last week in front of Zafar, my beloved husband. “Seriously?” he asked. “Seriously,” I replied, “this is the country that cherishes my liberty, my freedom, my inner human being, without coercing people’s opinions and judgments in the name of laws on how I should dress, live or behave. It has made me who I am today.”

To me, Zafar and America are similar in many ways. They both loved and respected me. They nurtured me into a beautiful, independent, and proactive woman by supporting my various adventures and giving me time to know who I am and where do I want to go. They did not use any coercion or law to force me out of one state to the other. As a result, this freedom has drawn me closer to them and my loyalty to them has brought me to the point where I am willing to modify and adapt myself in order to serve them both better.

I was thinking that night: What else would be a better, real picture of a successful relationship, a blossoming democracy and a true citizenship?

Next morning, I found an op-ed piece in The Columbus Dispatch that actually threats destroying this beautiful balance of my life and violating my basic rights.

“Banning burqas in America would, better than speeches and United Nations resolutions, show the world where we stand regarding the oppression of women in conservative Muslim countries,” wrote respected Professor emiritus of Philosophy Andrew Oldenquist of Ohio State University in his op-ed, “Ban on burqas would show support for women’s rights,” on July 23, 2009.

This hits me personally, because I have been wearing burqa for 20 years and have worn face veil for 17 years by my own will and do not mind covering my face again. It’s a personal and religious obligation that is very dear to me and is protected by the constitution.

Burqa has never hindered my career in any way. I was inducted to Phi Beta Kappa in my burqa and was selected to represent NC State University in U.S. Congress and Senate in my burqa too. Even, while working as news editor at NBC News, as general manager of The City Channel of ARY Digital Network of Pakistan, or as event manager of international expos, I never took off my burqa. I am blessed to have civilized, open minded people as professors, employers, colleagues and clients who respect me for who I am not for how I look.

For those who don’t know yet, burqa is a Muslim women’s outerwear that covers their body from head to toe, leaving their hands, face and sometimes only eyes uncovered. I have worn burqas of various colors and styles that ensured my modesty and secured my uniqueness as a journalist and a businesswoman.

I find this burqa debate amusing, sad and disturbing.

Amusing, because in the name of women rights, these people are suggesting to deprive thousands of American Muslim women from their basic rights of choosing their outerwear. What would differentiate America from Saudi Arabia or Iran then? They force women to wear burqa and we would force them not to wear it. Wouldn’t this put us in the same category of all those nasty regimes? Where is the respect of a woman’s intelligence and her liberty to choose what or what not to wear? Isn’t this a violation of her basic right too?

How about we ban men from wearing tuxedos for whatever reason? Or they can no longer wear jeans? Can we find any moral or constitutional support for such a ban? Of course not. Then, why are we talking about banning our women from a basic right? And since when did France become our role model in any regard?

It’s sad, because this is coming from a professor emiritus of philosophy too. He must know the philosophy of the American Dream. It’s the Liberty to exercise one’s personal beliefs that makes this country America. Once you deprive its people from their basic right of how should they dress, it would be any place but America.

Once I told a Turkish professor in a TV show, while she was bragging about the liberty in her country, that real liberty is in America where I am not banned from schools or workplace because of my dress. My veil does not hinder my career at all. I asked her how exactly does she define Liberty in her country. She did not have any answer. Nor do all these confused people, including so-called feminists like Mona Eltahawy, around the world who impose their opinions and judgments to women’s dresses and then continue women oppression in the name of law or liberation.

It’s disturbing, when opponents of burqa, like Oldenquist, suggest that “Burqas have nothing to do with religious observance or symbolism and everything to do with sex and subordination,” or when they advocate regulating immigrants’ dresses.

In reality, in chapter 24, verses 30-31 of Holy Quran, God sent a revelation to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) ordering both Muslim men and women to guard their modesty and cover themselves properly. Verse 31 goes in details about the dress code of Muslim women in public. Although the Arabic words do not directly say about the covering of face, the custom of prophet’s wives and all Muslim women of that time changed after this revelation. It’s proven that they all covered their faces and advised it to the coming generations too.

That is why, out of four Schools of Thoughts in Islam, one requires burqa in all circumstances and three recommend it as the best practice for women since Prophet’s wives wore it.

It seems to me that the critics of burqa in America are also unaware of the existence of thousand of American Muslim women, who are American by birth and who choose to wear burqa by their own will and love to follow the Prophet’s wives. If anyone has any confusion, please check out the African-American community anywhere in the United States and you will find fully covered American women with even their hands covered with gloves. Did anyone force them to do so? No. They do it as their religious duty by their own will and desire.

Last but not least is the security and the identification issue. Muslim women are allowed to open their face and other body areas at the time of emergency or to meet the identification requirement. They must cooperate with authorities whenever their identification is needed. It makes complete sense and is allowed in Islam to have open faces on the identification documents, court appearing etc. so no criminal can take advantage of a woman’s observance of burqa in legal scenarios. It’s good to follow the Prophet’s wives and they too opened their faces when required by law during Hajj. It’s documented in the book of Sahih Bukhari.

In the end, what matters is the love and respect that people can give to each other and to their country. In this era of interfaith understanding and inclusiveness in America, we can’t afford going back to any kind of oppression or torture. At the same time, in this era of international terrorism and security threats, we cannot afford criminals using burqa as a tool of disguise. This calls for both the country and the countrywomen to love and respect each other and to resolve the issue by applying right reasoning.

To me, that’s the true fulfillment of the American Dream.
_______________________________

Letter to the Editor Published in The Columbus Dispatch on August 1, 2009.
Read it Here: Taking Away a Woman's Choice Would be Wrong

Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness @ ISNA 2009

2009-07-16T12:59:00.017-04:00

A historian wrote about July 4th 1776:
Congress adopts the Declaration of Independence on the morning of a bright, sunny, but cool Philadelphia day. The foundation of American democracy was laid out with phrases like: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

Just two hundred and thirty three years later, on July 4th, 2009, it was another bright, sunny, but cool Washington, DC, day. Under the banner of ISNA, Islamic Society of North America, Muslim Americans from all over the United States gathered in the nation’s capital to embrace the Declaration of Independence more proactively and collectively than ever before.

On that particular Saturday morning, I was honored to open the training sessions designed to help Muslim political activists at the 46th Annual Convention of ISNA. It was a genuine effort to translate emotions and dreams into reality for American Muslims, and in the post 9/11 and post-Bush era under the dynamic leadership of more inclusive and open-minded American President Barack Hussein Obama, it meant a lot to me and to my community.

I felt the heavy load of history and responsibility on my shoulders. But I was humbled. I took a deep breath inhaling the inspirations of the Founding Fathers and repeated to myself: I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. This repetition lifted my spirit. The magic was done and I officially joined the caravan of those known and unknown freedom fighters, social and political activists and community volunteers who have made this beautiful country what she is today. So Help Me God.

The training began along with the launching of a new era in the history of The United States of America. How so? I will explain in my following post soon.

These political training sessions were organized by EMERGE, Empowering Motivating Educating Resourceful Grassroots Entities, a national, non-partisan organization that aspires to ensure that under-represented communities have the same constitutional rights, social privileges, and political opportunities afforded to all Americans.

My topic was Political Mobilization of Muslim Community. I drew my presentation from my experience as a community organizer in Columbus, Ohio, during the presidential election in 2008.

Please click on the following links to watch the highlights of my speech and other presentations.

Political Mobilization of Muslim Community by Zerqa Abid

Building a Political Network by Safiya Ghori

Understanding the Political Party Structure by AJ Durrani