Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Palestine Day at Robbinsdale Middle School
Palestine Day is an annual event that celebrates Palestinian culture and heritage through Palestinian Folk Songs (Mawwal), Palestinian Folk Dance (Dabka), Palestinian Food, and much more. This event is sponsored by Al-Aqsa Institute- a Palestinian-American organization whose main purpose is to educate the Palestinian-American community and other communities at large about the rich Palestinian culture.
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For Muslim Women in Minnesota, Complex Identities
By Emily Dussault
KFAI FM
What does it mean to be a feminist? What does it mean to be a Muslim woman in Minnesota? The challenges and experiences of two local Muslim women give us an inside look into the complex identities of this growing Minnesota population. This piece originally aired March 17 on KFAI FM as part of its series “Muslims in Minnesota.” Click here to download the audio version.
Defining feminism can be tricky. It is a messy, complicated question with countless possible answers. “The doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men” is how the dictionary defines it. But how do you decide what is equal when something can’t be quantified? And what’s equal about a culture that requires women to cover themselves in scarves? In this case, the dictionary just doesn’t do the trick.
I sat down with two women who challenged my ideas about what feminism is really about.
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Minnesotans and Iraqis Work Together for Reconciliation
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: american, Iraq, Iraqi, luke wilcox, Minnesota, minnesotan, reconciliation
Comments (2) By Luke Wilcox
Iraq can seem far from Minnesota, both geographically and culturally. While nearly six years of military operations in Iraq have brought images of war and its consequences into American homes, the culture and people of Iraq have rarely followed. Many Americans support peace with Iraq, but know little about Iraqis and wonder how much impact one person can realistically have in a violent world. For a group of Minnesotans and Iraqis, the answer is, “more than you think.” For the Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project (IARP) and the Muslim Peacemaker Teams (MPT), interpersonal and local community connections – rather than strategic agreements between national governments – are exactly what is needed to sustain an enduring process of reconciliation and peacebuilding. Read more »
Muslims and People of Other Faiths
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: christianity, Islam, judaism, tolerance
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Tamim Saidi
Reflections of an Imperfect Muslim
By Tamim Saidi, Engage Minnesota
Like many Muslims around the world, I grew up in a country that was 99.9% Muslim. Excluding a very small Hindu population, the only time we saw someone who was not a Muslim was on television. The vast majority of people in Afghanistan, my country of birth, like some other regions in the Muslim-majority parts of the world, had very little interaction with people of other faiths. Read more »
Dr. Mattson urges joint action by religious communities to face the challenges of the 21st century
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: coexistence, ICM, ISNA, jlrc, mattson, muslim
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By Onder Uluyol, Ph.D., Engage Minnesota
Dr. Ingrid Mattson spoke at the Islamic Center of Minnesota (ICM) on February 2, 2009. The topic of her speech was “Religious Co-existence and the Challenges of the 21st Century.” Dr. Mattson was in town at the invitation of the ICM and was also scheduled to speak at the JRLC event at the State Capitol on February 3. The sold out event at the ICM was attended by a large number of Muslims and people of other faith traditions including several religious leaders from the Christian, and Jewish communities. Read more »
CAIR Condemns Israeli ‘Massacre’ in Gaza
Editor’s Note: Engage Minnesota and the Minnesota Writers’ Group deplore violence and advocate the peaceful resolution of differences.
By CAIR, the Council on American-Islamic Relations
Obama urged to speak ‘in favor of peace and justice for all parties’
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/27/08) – A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip that left more than 200 people dead and called the death toll a “massacre carried out using U.S. taxpayer-funded weapons.” More than 700 people, including women and children, were injured in the attacks.
SEE: Israeli Strikes Kill 229 in Gaza (Reuters)
The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement:
“Despite the public ‘green light’ given to the Israeli military by the Bush administration, American Muslims join our fellow citizens who respect international law and the sanctity of human life in repudiating this massacre carried out using U.S. taxpayer-funded weapons.”
“It must be clear by now that the only future offered to the Palestinian people by the outgoing administration was one of perpetual subjugation and humiliation at the hands of the Israeli occupiers. Unfortunately, our nation’s timid response to this tragic episode will only serve to fuel anti-American sentiments in the Muslim world.”
“We therefore call on President-elect Obama to demonstrate his commitment to change our nation’s current one-sided Mideast policy by speaking out now in favor of peace and justice for all parties to this decades-long conflict.”
Jesus (pbuh) is also a revered prophet of Islam
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: coexistence, diversity, Fedwa Wazwaz, interfaith, Jesus in Islam, multiculturalism, Muslim view of Jesus, Muslims in Minnesota
Comments (16) By Fedwa Wazwaz
Jesus, son of Mary, peace and blessings upon them, is a revered religious figure and the bedrock of Christianity. He also is a venerated figure in Islam, the faith of some 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him, said: “Both in this world and in the Hereafter, I am the nearest of all the people to Jesus, the son of Mary, peace and blessings upon him. The prophets are paternal brothers; their mothers are different, but their religion is one.”
Like Christians, Muslims believe in the virgin birth of Jesus, upon him be peace, and in his miracles. Jesus’ life and mission are mentioned in eleven chapters of the Qur’an. A few of the chapters are titled: Maryam (Mary the mother of Jesus); Imran (noble family of Jesus), and Ma’ida (the Last Supper). Jesus, upon him be peace, is glorified in the Qur’an and is referred to as “the Messiah,” “a Word of God,” and “a Sign of God.”
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CAIR-MN Meets with U.S. Customs and Borders Officials
By CAIR MN
On Friday, December 5, CAIR-MN met with representatives from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Director of Field Operations and the Operations Specialist traveled from Chicago for the meeting. Also present at the meeting were the Minnesota Port Director and Assistant Port Director of Passenger Operations.
Hajj Pilgrims: Know Your Rights, Responsibilities as Airline Passengers
By Asma Lori Saroya, Engage Minnesota
A Muslim family was detained at the MSP airport on their way home from a week-long vacation in Europe. They were told the search was “random” although others who were also detained were either of South Asian or Arab descent.
A young Muslim woman was detained as she entered the United States with her husband after their honeymoon. Her husband, a Caucasian-American, was not even questioned.
A Muslim sister was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs officials and harassed by a supervisor as she re-entered the U.S. after a 10-day international trip. She was questioned about her heritage, including questions about her parents’ place of birth. When she refused to answer, she was told, “Heritage has everything to do with your travels. It has to do with upbringing and values.” Her luggage was searched for “religious items.”
An Arab man was detained for six hours and placed in handcuffs after officials mistook his identity for someone on a watch list. He has a common Arab name.
Given the increase in the number of complaints to CAIR-MN alleging airport profiling of American Muslims, or those perceived to be Muslim, it is important that all those taking part in this year’s Hajj, or other holiday travel, be aware of their legal and civil rights and responsibilities. Read more »
Acts of Faith: Breaking the barriers that divide us
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: acts of faith, Blake School Diversity Symposium, CAIR Minnesota, Eboo Patel, interfaith, interfaith dialogue, Muslim Youth Minnesota, Muslims, St. Paul Area Council of Churches
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By Zainab Ahmad
The evening of Wednesday, the 5th of November, was a great time to be in the United Methodist Church at Grove Street in downtown Minneapolis. Dr. Eboo Patel spoke to at an event arranged by many organizations such as the St. Paul Area Council of Churches, Blake School Diversity Symposium, CAIR Minnesota and Muslim Youth Minnesota, along with many others. He spoke to a diverse audience about his work with the Interfaith Youth Core. Read more »
Barack Obama: Global phenomenon and international inspiration
By Lolla Mohammed Nur, Engage Minnesota
It is 7 a.m. on November 5th, and I am in my living room in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with the TV on. CNN has just announced that Barack Obama has won the electoral vote and is therefore the new president-elect of the United States. An endless flow of tears start streaming down my face. My tears are those of joy and victory, not of sadness.
This was the moment of victory Obama and so many others—including me—had been waiting for so long. This was the announcement of success Obama had strived so hard to achieve, regardless of the never-ending attacks that he had to endure all year long on his policies, experience, personal life, and roots. As I tried to dry my face which was proving to be impossible, I reflected on why I was crying so much. Read more »
Proud to be an American Muslim
By Tanweer Janjua, Engage Minnesota
As a long time admirer of Barack Obama’s leadership, I was moved by his speech on Tuesday night. There is no doubt that Barack has shown his leadership again and demonstrated that he deserved to be in the highest office of the land. This is truly an historic and remarkable event and we should all cherish this. It is truly a time of joy for those who believed that our country needed different direction and leadership. It is indeed a proud day to be an American.
Who could ever imagine this 45 years ago? It is less than half century ago, when Civil Rights Act passed and now we see an African-American heading for the White House. Barack’s success should not be perceived as anything incidental and easily achieved. Many people gave their lives, spent their lifetime in struggle, suffered humiliation, torture and discrimination but, they did it and a dream was fulfilled on Tuesday night.
AMT Congratulates President-Elect Obama At His Historic Victory
By American Muslim Taskforce, Engage Minnesota
Washington, D.C. 11/04/08: The American Muslim Taskforce on Civil Rights and Election (AMT***), an umbrella group representing major Muslim organization, has congratulated president-elected Barak Obama at his world-historic victory and pledged their full support for his efforts to build a better world.
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Review of Dalia Mogahed’s Book: “Who Speaks for Islam?”
By Luke Wilcox, Engage Minnesota
During my six months as a policy intern in Washington, DC, my days were filled with important tasks critical to national security, such as copying memos and creating Microsoft Excel sheets. Thankfully, I was also able to escape the office once in a while to attend some really great hearings and events. One of my absolute favorites – and one that is reoccurring here in the Twin Cities – was the book launch of Who Speaks for Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think.
In the book, Dalia Mogahed of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies and John Esposito of Georgetown University draw on 6 years of systematic research conducted by Gallup. Rather than unfounded assumptions, 50,000 verbal interviews of Muslims back up Mogahed and Esposito’s claims. If you care about sound methodology – or if you want to hear, from Muslims, what Muslims think about the world – this is the book for you. Read more »
‘Shariah’ is not a scary word
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: islamic law, Shariah, Uncategorized
Comments (2) By Elias Karmi, Engage Minnesota
The word ‘Shariah’ is a bit prickly even among many of the better educated in the West. I and many Muslims, however, grew up viewing Shariah as an exit from current-day injustices. Now, instead of having to read me blabbering away about it, fortunately for you I came across a highly insightful article by professor Noah Feldman, law professor at Harvard University and adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. The following are two paragraphs from the first page of the article. Please check out the article and let professor Feldman do all the talking:
McCain’s Call for “Change” Raises Questions
“Are they in essence accepting that the past eight years has been a
total failure?”
By Zafar Siddiqui, Engage Minnesota
Perhaps never in the history of the presidential elections has the word “change” been bandied about as it is being done during the current elections. The palpable thirst for change is a result of the American public’s frustration with the direction the country is headed in. The dismal financial situation, the ever escalating “war on terror“, the never-ending wars, the increasing anti-Americanism both in the East and the West, and literal drought of fresh ideas cry out for a change in all these areas.
The Right to Food Threatened Worldwide
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Almanac of hunger and poverty, hunger, Islam, muslim, poverty, Ramadan, Uncategorized, world hunger
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By Ramla Bile, Engage Minnesota
This month, Muslims across the world are observing Ramadan. In addition to its copious spiritual and personal benefits, the month provides an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the notion of freedom from hunger, and the extent to which the right to food is met locally, nationally, and internationally.
Fasting as a Way of Knowing God
By Owais Bayunus, Engage Minnesota
Islam places a duty on every Muslim to let their neighbors know what they believe in. Therefore it is incumbent upon all Muslims to practice their religion openly. It is also important for Muslims to know what others believe in. That is why meeting of the interfaith groups is very important, where open and respectful discussion can be carried out and true pluralism can prevail.
March In Solidarity with the People of Palestine.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Events, Guest bloggers, Uncategorized
Leave a Comment Coalition for Palestinian Rights, Engage Minnesota
On September 1, the Republican Party will be in St. Paul, Minnesota for the Republican National Convention (RNC). More than 45,000 people, including 15,000 media employees, are expected to attend the 2008 convention.
Counting the days to the End Times
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: apocalypse, Elias Karmi, end times, evangelical, hagee, Islam, Israel, jesus, judgement day, Muslims, prophecies, prophecy, second coming, Uncategorized
Comments (2) A Quick guide to the Islamic attitude toward prophecies
By Elias Karmi, Engage Minnesota
For some religions/denominations, notably Evangelical Christians, the subject of the End Times constitutes a formidable chunk of faith. Many of Pastor John Hagee’s books, from the fictional “Left Behind” series to “Jerusalem Countdown: A Warning to the World,” attempt to predict the future according to interpretations of the Bible and have enjoyed tremendous popularity among Evangelical Christians. “Left Behind” was even made into a movie.
