Iraqi Woman Lost Left Leg and Right Foot to Missile, Now Coming to Minneapolis for Donated Treatment
Filed under: Guest | Tags: luke wilcox, iraqi american reconciliation
Leave a Comment By Luke Wilcox
Help flood victims in Pakistan
Filed under: Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: Fedwa Wazwaz, pakistan floods, bushra dar, human development foundation
Leave a Comment By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
I have been battling migraines and extremely tired to write much, so there is a backlog of articles that I will wrap up this next two weeks regarding Ramadan. We had quite a few events within the Twin Cities during Ramadan where Muslims struggled to reach out to the best of their ability to be a mercy and in the service of others. Read more »
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
Ramadan Mubarak (Blessed Ramadan)
…
“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]
The fourth pillar of Islam is Sawm, or fasting in the month of Ramadan. Fasting is also practiced in many other religions and is mentioned in the Torah and Bible as well as in Hindu scriptures. Observant Christians fast during Lent by giving up a particular food. Hindus fast on certain days of the week or on holidays, and for Jews, the most important day of fasting is on Yom Kippur, which lasts a little over a day.
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 in August 22nd and this year, the Islamic Society of North America, declared Ramadan to begin on August 11th, 2010.
Vote to fund this conversation about peace
John Noltner
By John Nolter
A year ago I started a project about peace on the belief that if we would just begin the conversation, and encourage others to do so, we could perhaps find some new and better ways to resolve the conflict in our hearts, in our communities and in the world.
The result is A Peace of My Mind. http://apeaceofmymind.net
A generation ago we didn’t talk about recycling…and nobody recycled. Then it became common to have that conversation at home and at school, and now recycling is second nature. Read more »
Passover Seder Through Muslim Eyes
Zafar Siddiqui of Engage Minnesota has recently published a blog in the Star Tribune’s Your Voices section. Read and comment on it here.
Interfaith “Taking Heart” helps refugees resettle with “Taking Root”
A mother and children helped by the Taking Root program
On a wintry afternoon in the last week of February Mariam, age 30, arrived in the Twin Cities on a flight from Turkey. She and her family had taken refuge there after fleeing violence and anarchy in her home country of Somalia. She has had no permanent home for the last five years. She arrived with her five children, ages 4–13, with no connection to this community – no family, no friends, no resources.
However, she and her family were greeted at the airport by a group of people organized by the Minnesota Council of Churches to help them get rooted in their new community, their new home. Her group of sponsors will get her family set up in an apartment, they will drive her and her family to appointments, they will introduce her to her neighborhood and community, they will help the kids get set up in school, and most likely they will become some of her first friends in America.
Mariam and her family are the first of nearly 100 refugees with no connection to anyone in Minnesota (a “free case”) expected to be co-sponsored by the Minnesota Council of Churches in 2010.
Poem for Advent
Editor’s Note: The following is a poem by Charles Curry written on the occasion of Advent but nevertheless relevant in this later season.
Charles Patterson Curry
There was a shooting yesterday. A man killed his wife. The police killed him. There was another the day before yesterday. Friends killed each other over some small matter. A few weeks ago an Army psychiatrist shot forty-three soldiers and civilians. Some young, some older. Some officers, some enlisted. Men, women. The shooter isn’t dead. Not yet. Each day the drones fly into Pakistan. Killer bees. Sometimes they hit their targets. Sometimes not. There is always collateral damage – meaning innocents killed. On it goes. Be grateful you don’t know the shooters or the shot or the blown up. Not this time.
Listen.
Muslim Americans in the 1700s: An Important Part of U.S. History
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 the article by Engage Minnesota’s Zafar Siddiqui here.
Where Is God in Haiti?
Filed under: Discussions, Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: Islam;Trial and Tribulations;Muslims;God;, Searching for Meaning, Where is God
Leave a Comment Free online event with Sheikh Nuh Keller.
When trials and tribulations hit, many people struggle in search for meaning while others fall in despair or seek means of escapism.
Many faiths offer counseling on how to deal with trials and tribulations. In Islam – trials and tribulations are expected to hit as a test of faith and growth, and in face of them, Muslims are to remind themselves and each other that: “Allah suffices us, and is the best to rely on.” (Qur’an 3:173)
The recent earthquake in Haiti is one such example. The earthquake has destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure, and the Haitian government has now confirmed a death toll of 170,000 and estimated over 300,000 injured. To add to the disaster, the rescue and relief efforts are severely limited by a shortage of resources.
A common prophet brings 3 religions together
Feb. 11 interfaith dinner commemorates “Abrahamic Traditions”
The Bosphorous Dialogue Association, a student organization currently registered with the University of Minnesota, and the Niagara Foundation of Minnesota, a Minnesota state/Twin Cities-based interfaith dialogue group — invite interested members of the public to be their guests at the 2nd Annual Dinner of Abrahamic Traditions at 6:30 pm on the 11th of February, 2010. This is a unique opportunity for members of the Christian, Islamic, and Jewish faiths to celebrate their shared roots and traditions derived from their common ancestor, the Prophet Abraham (Peace Be Upon Him).
Taking Heart, taking action: Interfaith gatherings look at civic engagement
Jan. 14/Feb. 4 interreligious workshops will look at getting engaged in solving civic problems
By Gail Anderson, Minnesota Council of Churches
Gail Anderson, unity and relationships organizer with the Minnesota Council of Churches, organizes the interfaith project “Taking Heart,” which brings Muslim and non-Muslim neighbors together over good meals and good conversation. This is Ms. Anderson’s recent letter announcing the next Taking Heart events January 14 and February 4, 2010.
Taking Heart participants,
I hope you are all coping well with our miserable weather, and are staring the New Year with joy. I want to remind you of the upcoming Taking Heart workshops. Please let me know if you will be able to attend. As with our regular Taking Heart gatherings, there will be a meal. Here’s the information:
We have contracted with Brian Rusche Executive Director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) to run two training sessions on civic engagement in early 2010. We will still have food and conversation, but the conversation will be directed toward learning about advocacy. JRLC is the largest and most inclusive interfaith public interest group in Minnesota—people of diverse faiths bringing vision and wisdom to the public realm for the well-being of Minnesotans. JRLC is authorized and governed by four sponsoring members: the Minnesota Catholic Conference, the Minnesota Council of Churches, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, and the Islamic Center of Minnesota.
Brian will help participants identify an issue of concern in their own community. Training modules include:
–Introduction to the concepts of civic life and civic leadership
–Life-work exercise to clarify one’s aspirations in civic life
–Power analysis exercise; to bring democratic standards to problem-solving
–Value-driven calendar; to help leaders prioritize their work for the good of the community
–Civic goals and standards for community work
Participants will help each other develop work products and also receive one-on-one mentoring from the trainer.
The workshops will be held on Thursday, January 14, and Thursday, February 4, 2010 from 6:00 – 7:45 p.m. We will meet at the Minnesota Church Center, 122 Franklin Avenue West in Minneapolis. There is free parking in the lot at the Church Center. A meal will be served. There is no charge for the workshop but we do require pre-registration and recommend that you be able to attend both sessions to get the full value.
Please respond via e-mail or phone to Gail Anderson, Director of Unity and Relationships at the Minnesota Council of Churches, Gail.anderson@mnchurches.org, or 612-230-3210. Please include your religious affiliation so that we can make this a true interfaith experience. I am excited about this new phase of the program. I hope to see many of you there.
–Gail Anderson,
Director of Unity and Relationships
Minnesota Council of Churches
Learn more:
- Taking Heart: Visit a Mosque, Share a Meal
- Information about the Taking Heart project from the Minnesota Council of Churches.
- A list of Minnesota interfaith resources.
Problems with Profiling
Aviation security overreaction is counterproductive
By Tamim Saidi, Engage Minnesota
Originally published in the Saint Paul, Minn., Pioneer Press, January 6, 2010
I fully sympathize with those who are sincerely concerned about terrorist attacks. As I heard of the attempted terrorist attack on the Northwest flight from Amsterdam to Detroit, I had flashbacks of my recent flight home to the United States from Amsterdam. I could only imagine how worried and frightened our family would have been in that plane.
But as I hear the calls for profiling people like me, an American Muslim with darker skin and an unfamiliar-sounding name, to prevent terrorist attacks, a few names and faces of terrorists come to mind: Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, Richard Reid, Jose Padilla, Paul Hill and Adam Gadahn.
My God or Your Lord: Whom Should We Worship?
Understanding about God, from an Islamic Perspective
By Tamim Saidi, Engage Minnesota
Tamim Saidi
Immediately after the teacher introduced me and before I had finished my first sentence, I noticed a hand raised high from a young man who asked, “Why is your God better than my God?”
The Kool-Aid Syndrome and Somalia’s Fading Hope
Naari meel qabow ma leh.
–A Somali adage that says there are no cool corners in hell
By Sadia Ali Aden
Approximately nine months ago, the UN-sponsored peace conference in Djibouti produced the current president of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Somalia, Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. President Ahmed’s internationally supported unity government continues to be mired down in internal conflict; a conflict rooted in the 4.5 clan system formula. It is a system that remains the most persistent impediment to peace, justice and equality, because it promotes, legitimizes and generously rewards the warlords (and their militias) who for nearly two decades perpetuated violence and chaos, and tarnished the credibility of the Somali people and the state.
Within this volatile mix are the President’s former colleagues who feel profound contempt and a sense of betrayal towards him and his current allies; allies accused of running with the glory of having defeated Ethiopia’s brutal forces, which occupied Somalia from December 2006 to January 2009 and humiliated the Somali public. They accuse the President’s camp signing agreements without consultation and the consent of all of the Alliance for Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) stakeholders.
The Asmara-based alliance, composed of exiled parliamentarians, Islamic Courts Union (ICU), and members of the Diaspora is an alliance that, while it lasted, was a beacon of hope.
The agreement, while applauded by the international community, has left other groups within the Alliance feeling alienated – especially the ICU’s military wing (Al-Shabab) who played a crucial role in liberating Somalia—and through their resilience afforded the ARS the credibility to negotiate with the world.
Sadly, the ARS has now broken up into multiple groups; Hisbul Islam, Al-Shabaab, and a third group led by Sheikh Ahmed, president of the current “unity government.” The breakup has dashed the hope for a peaceful and truly stable Somalia, for it has multiplied the chaos.
Muslims’ pilgrimage and Eid: Celebrations of Abraham
By Tamim Saidi
EID MUBARAK (BLESSED EID)
Muslims’ Pilgrimage and Eid are celebrations of Abraham’s life and his struggles. Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice), which is the second of Muslims’ major annual celebrations, will be celebrated around the world, including Minnesota, around November 27, 2009 (and about 10 days earlier each year thereafter).
The two eids, Eid of Sacrifice and Eid of Ramadan, are joyous celebrations for the 1.5 billion Muslims around the world, and are as significant to the Muslims as Christmas is to Christians.
The Eid of Sacrifice and the pilgrimage (Hajj) are both celebrations and commemorations of the incredible sacrifices made by Prophet Abraham, peace be upon him, as his way of submitting to God, including his willingness to sacrifice his young son for the sake of God. Both of Abraham’s sons, Ishmael and Isaac, are considered prophets of God, and Muslims believe Prophet Muhammad is a descendant of Prophet Abraham through his son, Ishmael. Muslims also revere Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) as prophets and messengers of God, and descendants of Prophet Abraham through his son Isaac (peace be upon him).
Chimamanda Adichie: The danger of a single story
Chimamanda Adichie gave a wonderful talk about how we humans stereotype each other and see the other through our negative single stories or negative personal experiences which not only rob people of their dignity, but also create walls that separate us from each other.
Some excerpts of the talk to reflect on:
“I wrote exactly the kind of stories I was reading. All my characters were white and blue eyed.”
“I realized that people like me, girls with chocolate skin and kinky hair that could not be formed into a pony tail could exist in literature.”
“Their poverty was my single story of them[Nigerian family].”
“She felt sorry for me even before She saw me.”
A Peace of My Mind
By John Noltner, A Peace of My Mind
John Noltner
“A Peace of My Mind” is a documentary project I have been working on for the past half year. It was born out of a desire to give a voice to people who believe in peace. It is easy to become discouraged and even angry when we listen to the shrill rhetoric that can be found in the mainstream media. Complex issues are boiled down to talking points and black and white answers while the true answers are found in the subtle nuances in between.
The premise of “A Peace of My Mind” is simple. To interview individuals from a wide range of backgrounds about their thoughts on peace and what it means to them in their lives, what they do to work toward it and what obstacles stand in their way. Their peace can be a spiritual peace, political peace, inner peace and it is about what moves them. The idea is that the more we can talk about peace and the more we can keep it in the public dialog, the more likely we can achieve it.
Speaking of Faith: Revealing Ramadan
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Revealing Ramadan; Speaking of Faith; Islam; Muslims
Leave a Comment By Brad Robideau, American Public Media
I’m writing to alert you to a groundbreaking special project from American Public Media’s Speaking of Faith unfolding in and beyond Ramadan.
Several months ago, Speaking of Faith extended an invitation to Muslims to reflect on their lived experience of Islam, of what it means—in a daily, particular way—to be part of what is often referred to in the abstract as “the Muslim world.” Responses continue to flow in from people all over the world. They range in age from their teens to their 70s. They are Iraqi-American Californian, but also Mexican-American and Russian-American converts from other faiths. They’ve come from Indonesia, Turkey, England, and from robust Muslim communities in places like Dallas.
Pride Is Source of All Problems
By Engage Minnesota
We need to purify our hearts before we solve the world’s problems.
Ramadan: Beyond Abstaining from Food and Drink
Filed under: Tamim Saidi | Tags: fasting, holy month, hunger, Muslims, Ramadan, Tamim Saidi, thirst
Comments (1) Tamim Saidi
By Tamim Saidi, Engage Minnesota.
I vividly recall the first couple of years that I fasted as a young teenager. All I could think about was food. Even when I took a daytime nap, I dreamt of food. Ramadan follows a lunar calendar, and when it falls in long summer days like this year, abstaining from food and water becomes more challenging, but Ramadan is not merely about food and water. For practicing Muslims, it is about righteousness and God-consciousness. It is about making one a better person and a better Muslim. Read more »
