Points to consider before being suspicious of the next random Muslim you meet
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Islam, muslim anti terrorist, muslim efforts against terror, Muslims, muslims against terror, terrorism
Leave a Comment By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
You’ve probably seen a Muslim in a public place at some point in time. Given the rising anti-Muslim sentiment in the US, you probably went through the brief discomfort associated with the questions: “Is it wrong to feel suspicious about this guy?” and “How do I know he/she isn’t plotting something?”
Right wing pundits wish to make you believe that you’re being forced under the pressure of illogical “political correctness” to treat Muslims with equality. I’m here to tell you that you can put all notions of political correctness aside and simply look at the facts:
Bacteria-fighting viruses may offer critical help against infection
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Bacteriophage, bacteriophage therapy, phage therapy
Leave a Comment By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
One of my high school friends grew up to become an orthopedic surgeon. He works in a busy hospital in which he sees all kinds of cases — from trauma to congenital malformations to tumors. When I asked him what he considers the most difficult cases to treat, he said that the one thing that raises the hair on the back of his neck is not seeing a tumor on a radiograph; it’s being able to see bone through the skin.
Read the rest of Hani’s piece here.
African American Muslims – An Integral Part of U.S. History
Filed under: Guest | Tags: african american muslims, African Americans, history, Islam, Muslims
Leave a Comment By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota
African American Muslims make up a large part of the American Muslim community, constituting at least 30% of the population. You may be familiar with African-American Muslims of the twentieth century, but Muslims were here long before that–nearly as long as Europeans. Black History month gives us a great opportunity to look back at the rich history of the Muslim African American presence in our country.
Read the rest of Zafar’s piece here
The NRA is MIA where liberty is truly at stake
Filed under: Guest | Tags: civil liberties, gun control, Guns, NDAA, weapons
Leave a Comment By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
Arms and liberty. There is an accepted connection between the two, a connection perpetually repeated by pro-gun pundits. Soon after the Sandy Hook tragedy, pro-gun activists took to the airwaves and the internet in a frenetic frenzy, warning the populace that their freedom is at stake and that they should stock up on all kinds of weapons before it’s too late, especially borderline-illegal heavy duty artillery that is just waiting to be outlawed by nature.
The frenzy worked.
Reflecting on King’s Challenge to America
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Fedwa Wazwaz, Islam, Martin Luther King, Muslims, Sandy Hook
Leave a Comment By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
On December 14, 2012, late in the afternoon – I became aware of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. It was painful to read the stories, emails and newsfeed as they poured over the tragedy. In times of crisis and pain like this, as a Muslim I immediately turn to prayer to gain strength and to reflect on the situation. In the evening, I joined an online prayer service on SeekersHub in Toronto.
The Toronto team was able to gather a large crowd at the Hub and online for our prayer for the victims and families of the murder in Connecticut. “The believer is pained by the pain of another,” said Shaykh Faraz Rabbani while leading the prayers for the affected families of Connecticut.
Read the rest of Fedwa’s article here.
Mary, the mother of Jesus in Islam
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Jesus in Islam, Jesus to Muslims, Mary in Islam, Mary to Muslims
Leave a Comment By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota
My dream candidate
Filed under: Guest | Tags: big money, elections, Islam, Minnesota Muslims, Muslims, Obama, political system, romney
Comments (1) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
Like everything else in life, another election has come and passed. It’s funny how, on Wednesday morning after it was all done, a sense of calm enveloped everything. I love my neighborhood for the fact that I hardly see any yard signs at all no matter how heated the elections get, which means that my neighbors are either that apathetic or that intelligent – I will choose the latter. But even the passion of the most passionate advocates on both sides seemed to wither away in the cool winds of the Minnesota fall.
Although I didn’t vote for Obama, I do have a slight sense of relief. A relief not because he won, but because Romney didn’t. Unfortunately, that’s how it goes in most elections these days: many are forced out to the voting booths not out of love, not out of enthusiasm or hope or a dream of a better future, but out of fear of the opposite side. When politics becomes so polarizing with every party smearing the other with caustic labels like “socialist” and “racist”, people vote because of fear. Read more »
Autism and Other Disabilities Fair
Filed under: Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: autism, disability, education, social services
Leave a Comment By Engage Minnesota
Autism Spectrum and Other Disabilities Awareness Fair
Activities for kids of all ages!
Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012
10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Islamic Center of Minnesota
Gynasiumm
1401 Gardena Avenue,
Fridley
Autism Spectrum and Other Disabilities Awareness Fair provides a great opportunity for family members to talk to the medical and educational representatives about resources options; visit with organizations, disability, life insurance and wellness program representatives, as well as some community organizations that provide health and wellness programs.
For more information, contact Nemeh Sarraj at sarrne11@hotmail.com or 763-516-6065
There will be gluten free/casein free samples.
This year’s fair highlights include speeches by:
- Theresa Namie from ANSWER
- Nora Slawik from Autism Society of MN
- Nancy Michael from Amaze Works
The following organizations will be present to answer your questions:
Legal:
- Autism Law and Advocacy Center
Education:
- The Whole Learning School
Advocacy:
- ANSWER
- ARC
Employment:
- Opportunity Partners
Rehabilitative Services:
- Fraser
- Midwest Special Services
Other services:
- Art Without Boundaries
- Special Music of MN
- In The Company of Kids
- Amaze Works
- Dodge Nature Center
Your attendance and support is welcome!
Unrest in Jordan has its roots in an economic divide
Filed under: Guest | Tags: arab spring, hani hamdan, Islam, jordan, Minnesota Muslims, Muslims
Leave a Comment By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
The civil unrest in the country of Jordan is the result of complicated local and international circumstances. Blame gets thrown in all directions among the public, the royal family, successive governments, business tycoons and influential tribes. In my limited view, no one is free of guilt except perhaps the impoverished working class. One reason for the unrest would be familiar to Americans in this election season: specifically, the debate about how much government regulation is necessary to ensure fair worker wages and benefits.
Read the rest of Hani’s piece here.
‘Day of Dignity’ held Sunday at Masjid An-Nur
Filed under: Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: community service, day of dignity, free health services, free legal aid, Muslims
Leave a Comment By Engage Minnesota, Fedwa Wazwaz
On Sunday, October 7th in North Minneapolis, Masjid An-Nur will host the 2nd annual Twin Cities Day of Dignity, a day to celebrate dignity and well being in the Twin Cities.
“It means alot to the communities,” said Masjid An Nur Imam Makram El-Amin. He added that there are: “a ton of services as well as direct services to really help people have a higher quality of life”.
The event is a combination of day of service to the community and a free block party. There will be many free services including health care services, hair cuts, books & school supplies, winter clothing, meals and health and hygiene kits.
CAIR-MN will be organizing a Free Brief Advice Legal Clinic at the Twin Cities Day of Dignity. This is the state’s only Muslim-run free legal clinic! Any lawyers or law students interested in volunteering, please contact CAIR-MN at info@mn.cair.com
Last year’s Day of Dignity had live music by Brother Ali and Freeway. This year, there will be live music by Atmosphere and Stalley of Maybach Music Group.
The Day of Dignity – “We’re Here To Help Everyone”
The event will take place outside Masjid An-Nur Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masjid An-Nur is located at 1729 Lyndale Ave N.
Response to anti-Islam Film
by Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
In various parts of the Muslim world, protests erupted over an anti-Islam film produced in the United States. In addition, protests turned deadly at U.S. Embassies in areas struggling with revolutions and political unrest.
Violence Condemned
Various leaders and activists from the Twin Cities Muslim community came forth to condemn the violence.
Star Tribune front page article:
Twin Cities Muslim leaders condemn overseas violence
And here is the joint statement from MN Muslim leaders/activists:
MN Muslim Leaders Condemn Killings of American Diplomats
Zafar Siddiqui, Islamic Resource Group Outreach and Interfaith Director wrote the following blog on the Star Tribune.
Minnesota Muslims Condemn Violence in Libya
Hate Speech vs. Free Speech
“Every time that there is an offensive piece written to target Muslim sensitivities, there is the temptation to cast it as an issue of ‘freedom of speech’, held to be absolute, vs. the religious sensitivity of Muslims. That framework is either unhelpful or at best only partially helpful,” said Omid Safi, professor of Islamic Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in an article for the Religion News. He added: “The so-called film are best classified as ‘hate speech’, as they seem to be of the same genre as anti-Semitic films of the 1930’s or Birth of the Nation KKK movies.”
Sheila Musaji has done an investigative piece on the film here. On the site, The American Muslim, Musaji has well written pieces on the Islamophobia industry and their desire to psychologically terrorize Muslims. Here is an excerpt from one of her pieces, Islamophobia Manifesto Clearly Lays Out Plot Against Muslims:
“The Muslims themselves have shown us their most vulnerable spot, which is the questionable (though unquestioned) character of the ‘Prophet’ himself. We need to satirise and ridicule baby-bonking Mo until the Muslims fly into uncontrollable tantrums, then ridicule them even more for their tantrums, and repeat the process until they froth at the mouth and steam comes out of their ears.”
Prophetic Response to anti-Islam film
Prophet Muhammad, upon him peace and blessings taught Muslims how to respond in such situations. Muslims need to remind themselves of his life and how he dealt with such situations and follow his footsteps. These psychological games are clearly designed to manipulate and harm. But the spirit and our faith in God is more powerful than any psychological terrorism.
See the following video as a reminder on how the Prophet responded to insults:
People Are in a State of Agitation and Insecurity
Education is key. You cannot give something that you do not have. If you do not know his life, then the answer is not to yell or shout but to first educate yourself on his life. Seek out scholars and knowledgeable people that can educate you on his entire life. Then share that knowledge with others beginning with your family.
Use media available to you to tell his life story using whatever skill you have, while keeping in mind that no film or anyone can eradicate Islam or change Prophet Muhammad’s life story. The strategy used now has been tried in the past many times, and it has failed and will fail again. See the following examples:
Lupe Fiasco counters anti-Islam video
Poem on Character of Prophet Muhammad
Twitter Gives Muslims A Voice, A (Seriously) Funny Voice #MuslimRage
13 Powerful Images of #MuslimRage
Educational Presentations Available
For speakers or presentations on the life of Prophet Muhammad, upon him peace and blessings, contact the Islamic Resource Group, an educational outreach organization in the Twin Cities.
Minnesota Muslims Condemn Violence in Libya
By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota.
The horrendous attack against the US consulate in Libya and the killing of our ambassador needs to be condemned in strongest possible terms. There can be no excuse for such cowardly acts of violence. Muslims around the world must take heed from the American Muslim community that rightly ignored the movie and the vile attempts to promote it. Minnesota based Islamic Resource Group issued the following statement in response to this tragedy.
Read the rest of Zafar’s piece here.
Blessed Festival of Fast Breaking
Eid Mubarak! May God, Mighty and Majestic accept all of our good deeds and efforts during the month of Ramadan. May God grant us His enabling grace to take the lessons and reflections with us throughout our lives so that we may benefit and receive benefit. May God increase us to be more conscious of Him and grateful for all the blessings that are too numerous to count.
Free Health Care
By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota
While the health care debate rages in the nation, Al-Shifa clinic has been quietly providing free health care to Minnesotans of all hues, religions, and backgrounds for the past 15 years. Al-Shifa, which means “to heal” in Arabic, is a program of the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Fridley. Founded in 1996, the Al-Shifa clinic has been providing a lifeline to many a Minnesotans who cannot afford health care or are not covered by health insurance.
Read the rest of Zafar’s piece here.
Senator Klobuchar Attends Ramadan Event
By Zafar Siddiqui, EngageMN
On Saturday, July 28 , Senator Amy Klobuchar was a distinguished guest at the Islamic Center of Minnesota’s annual Ramadan iftar (fast breaking dinner). She spoke to an enthusiastic and welcoming audience of over 300 people. The event also featured Haroon Moghal as an invited speaker.
Senator Klobuchar acknowledged the diversity of the vibrant Minnesota Muslim community and expressed appreciation for the positive contribution that the community is making in Minnesota. She expressed her unhappiness at the finger pointing and name calling against Muslim Americans and reassured the Muslim community of her support in standing up to bigotry and discrimination against them. She recounted her efforts since 9/11 in how she stood up against the demonizing of Minnesota Muslims.
She stressed the need for all Minnesotans, irrespective of their faith, to work toward the betterment of the state and the country. She drew repeated applause during her speech.
As the first woman to be elected to the US senate from Minnesota, Senator Klobuchar is a trailblazer. The Muslim community appreciates Sen. Klobuchar’s kind gesture of visiting the Islamic Center of Minnesota during the sacred month of Ramadan and for her pledge to stand up for the rights of all Minnesotans. Her visit is a positive example for all elected officials in building relationships with the local Muslim community.
Read Zafar’s blog entry in the Star Tribune here.
Celebrate Civil Rights
Filed under: Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: Civil Rights;CAIR MN;Ramadan;Minnesota
Leave a Comment CAIR-MN Ramadan Dinner to be held tonight!
On Friday, July 27, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) will hold its 6th Annual Ramadan Dinner. It will be held at 7:30pm at the Mounds View Community Center, 5394 Edgewood Drive, Mounds View, MN 55112.
The event will feature CAIR-MN’s recent case wins and accomplishments, a Ramadan fast-breaking meal, and a video presentation. Guest speakers include CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad and Congressman Keith Ellison. CAIR-MN has had an incredible year. A few recent CAIR-MN accomplishments include: ·
- Reaching federally-mandated settlement agreements in student harassment cases in St. Cloud and Owatonna·
- Defeating the Minnesota anti-Sharia bill·
- Leading the call for an investigation of a mosque permit denial in St. Anthony Minnesota·
- Organizing a day-long seminar, Positive Interactions: Working Effectively with Your Muslim Employees,” for supervisors and human resources personnel·
- Organizing the state’s only Muslim-run free legal clinic·
- Receiving the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits “Mission and Excellence Anti-Racism” nonprofit award
SEE: CAIR-MN Photo Slideshow: http://youtu.be/fz1IzxfTBus
CAIR-MN is the state’s only Muslim civil rights advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. For more information on CAIR-MN or the Ramadan Dinner, visit www.cairmn.com, call (612) 206-3360 or e-mail info@mn.cair.com
Ramadan Mubarak (Blessed Ramadan)
Filed under: Engage Minnesota, Fedwa Wazwaz, Guest | Tags: Fedwa Wazwaz, Muslims, Ramadan;Islam
Leave a Comment By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
…
“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for the people, and clear verses of guidance and criterion.”
Quran: Chapter 2, 183]
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic Calendar. Because Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, it rotates through the seasons, moving back around eleven days each year. Last year, Ramadan started on August 1st and this year, the Islamic Society of North America, declared Ramadan to begin on July 20th, 2012.
A Tribute to Fathers
By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota
I dedicate this blog entry to all the fathers who are making a difference in the lives of their children.Mothers and fathers are the pillars of any healthy society. Islam acknowledges their great contributions to human civilization. Respect, love, compassion, and obedience to parents is not an option but an obligation in Islam.
“Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor.’ (Qur’an 17:23)
Read the rest of Zafar’s Star Tribune post here.
Malcolm X – The Journey Continues
Filed under: Guest | Tags: el-hajj malik el-shabazz, Islam, malcolm X
Leave a Comment A Tribute to Mothers
By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota
