Archive for the ‘Islam’ Tag
Malcolm X – The Journey Continues
Filed under: Guest | Tags: el-hajj malik el-shabazz, Islam, malcolm X
Leave a Comment The law gives us the right to free speech, but we take it away from ourselves
Filed under: Guest | Tags: first amendment, freedom of speech, Islam, Muslims
Comments (1) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
The First Amendment guarantees that the American judicial system cannot punish you for saying something, no matter how objectionable what you say may be. But if making a single, fleeting statement causes you to lose your job, your family’s security, your reputation and your future career prospects, what is the point of having a First Amendment in the first place?
Read the rest of Hani’s article here.
Conversation with Qays Arthur on Faith and Guidance 3
By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota.
This blog is part of conversation with Shaykh Qays from Qibla Online Academy for the Islamic Sciences. The conversation will unfold in a series of blogs aiming toward a better understanding of Islam and Muslims. In the last blog, the conversation explored the meaning of faith. I want to continue the conversation and this time focus on the importance of the meditative activity of zikr (remembrance of God) and the purification of the heart in perceiving and receiving faith.
Read the rest of Fedwa’s blog here.
Terrorism Has No Religion
By Hajra Zaid, 9th grader at Century High School in Rochester, MN
I remember in 8th grade, my school hosted an inspirational speaker, Calvin Terrell. His presentation had a lot to do with racism, discrimination and the grotesque realities of today regarding these things. There was one point in the presentation when he would flash words onto a screen and we students would have to say the first race that we associated with that word. The list went on, and the reactions of the students were highly stereotypical. Then came the last word, “terrorist.” I remember bracing myself for the worst; students around me stared yelling not only races, but religions, people and countries. After hearing them repeatedly saying Islam, Muslims, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and so on, I became mortified. People need to know what Islam really is, not what the media and stereotypes spell it out to be. Islam is drowning in the misconceptions placed upon it, and it is being distrusted and hated for what it is not. There is no teaching in Islam that condones hate and violence against non-Muslims; in fact, all of the teachings prohibit aggression and injustice towards not only other human beings, but also every creation of God. Read more »
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Conversation with Qays Arthur on Guidance and Faith
Filed under: Guest | Tags: God, Islam, Qays Arthur, religion
Leave a Comment By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
The conversation with Shaykh Qays Arthur will continue with an exploration of the meaning of faith and guidance in Islam. This will be covered in a few blogs as there are many angles to this issue that I would like to explore. This blog will deal with the angle of the importance of acknowledging our ignorance and that what we do not know is tremendously greater than what we do know about ourselves, others and the universe we live in.
Read the rest of Fedwa’s article here.
Conversation with Qays Arthur on Monotheism
By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
Capturing the Minnesota Muslim Experience Through Oral Histories
Filed under: Onder Uluyol | Tags: Ahsan Ansari, Almanac, American Muslim history, Charles El-Amin, diversity, Ferial Abraham, ghulam haniff, IRG, Islam, Kathy Wurzer, Makram El-Amin, Minnesota, Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Muslims, Muhammed El-Akkad, Muslims, Muslims in Minnesota, Nathaniel Abdul-Khaliq, oral history
Comments (1) By Onder Uluyol, Engage Minnesota
“Really?” was the first question Kathy Wurzer of the Almanac asked me when she featured the Muslim Experience in Minnesota oral history project on her popular TV show on TPT. Does the Muslim experience in Minnesota really go back to 1880s?
I think there are two main misconceptions about Muslims in Minnesota: one is that Muslims are new and alien to this land, and two is that they are monolithic. The oral history project that was carried out by the Islamic Resource Group demonstrates that neither are true.
Blessed Festival of Sacrifice
Filed under: Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: abraham, eid, Eid al Adha, ishmael, Islam, Ismael, muslim holiday, Muslims
Leave a Comment By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
November 6th is a special day for Muslims all around the world. Eid ul-Adha, or Festival of Sacrifice is one of the major Muslim holidays. It comes right after the fifth pillar of Islam called the Hajj or pilgrimage. The Hajj commemorates the life and trials of Prophet Abraham’s family, upon them peace and blessings. Once in a lifetime, every adult Muslim who has the physical and financial ability is required to make a pilgrimage to the holy city of Makkah, home of the Ka’bah, which Muslims believe was built by Abraham and his son Ishmael, upon them be peace.
Read the rest of Fedwa’s piece here.
We need to take a long hard look at interest
Filed under: Guest | Tags: interest, interest on loans, interest on money, Islam, islamic banking, islamic finance, Muslims, Occupy Wall Street, OWS
Comments (1) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
With the Occupy Wall Street movement gaining momentum and showing some promise of reform, there is a need to identify the issues that need fixing within our financial system. The phenomena that OWS protesters are decrying, such as the growing socioeconomic inequality, are not simply an act of wealthy bankers. They are a result of these wealthy bankers’ utilizing existing flaws in our system to their benefit. These flaws are what really needs to be addressed. Read more »
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Prophets in the Qur’an vs. the Bible
Filed under: Guest | Tags: abraham, adam, Islam, islamic prophets, jesus, king david, king solomon, moses, muhammad, Muslims, noah, prophet sin, prophets, prophets in Islam
Comments (3) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota.
Knowing the way Muslims view prophets can be beneficial when formulating a good understanding of Islam and Muslims. The majority of prophets mentioned in the Qur’an are shared with the Old and New Testaments. Muslims recognize and revere Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and others. Muslims also believe that Adam received prophethood after leaving the Garden and they also believe Ishmael and kings David and Solomon to be prophets as well.
But there is a general notable difference between the stories of prophets in the Qur’an when compared to the Bible – a difference that yields an important aspect of the Islamic view of prophethood. Read more »
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Press release condemning the horrific suicide bombing in Mogadishu
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Islam, mogadishu, mogadishu terror, Muslims, somali Americans, somalia, terrorism
Leave a Comment In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Islamic League of Somali Scholars in America
504 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Minneapolis, MN – October 4, 2011
PRESS RELEASE CONDEMNING THE HORRIFIC SUICIDE BOMBING IN MOGADISHU
The Islamic League of Somali Scholars in America strongly condemns the horrific suicide bombing that claimed many innocent lives in Mogadishu.
Abu Hurayra (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Every Muslim is forbidden from transgressing against the blood, property, and honor of another Muslim.” (Related by Muslim and Ahmed).
1. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their brothers/sisters, children, parents, and relatives in this senseless attack in Mogadishu.
- May Allah grant His Mercy to those who were killed.
- May Allah grant swift healing to those injured in the blast.
2. This criminal act goes against the teachings of Islam and all human norms.
3. We also declare that anyone who blows himself up or commits suicide may earn Hellfire in the following three ways:
- Taking his own life
- Killing an innocent life that has not committed any wrongdoing
- Justifying the spilling of an inviolable blood
4. We call on the Somali people to extend urgent assistance to the people affected by this heinous act
Our success comes from Allah,
And peace be upon you,
Sheikh Abdirahman Sharif Mohamed,
President, Islamic League of Somali Scholars in America
Email: shabraahin@yahoo.com; Telephone: (612) 558-5389
The “B” Word
By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
Whenever I hear a question being asked about an issue of public debate, I can’t help but notice the verb “believe.”
“Do you believe in global warming?”
“Do you believe that President Obama is a secret Muslim?”
“Do you believe that silver amalgam dental fillings will make you sick?”
“Do you believe in vaccinations?”
Is it just me, or is the word “believe” being patently misused here?
Read the rest of Hani Hamdan’s MPR piece here.
My 9/11 experience
Filed under: Guest | Tags: 9/11, al qaeda, discrimination, Islam, Islamophobia, Muslims, post 9/11, terrorism, terrorists
Leave a Comment By Rihab Naheel
I rarely think of 9/11. I know that almost every one has been affected by this day in one way or another. It was 10 years ago and yet it feels like yesterday. I had to remember that day against my will the other day, long before the actual date came, while teaching a grammar lesson. Yes, this day creeps up in unexpected places, unexpected times. Read more »
Countering Islamophobia on the Tenth Anniversary of September 11 Attacks
Filed under: Guest | Tags: al qaeda, asma adam, Islam, Islamophobia, muslim-americans, terrorism
Leave a Comment By Asma Adam
If asked whether Muslim-Americans should be treated fairly, most Americans would answer “yes.” However, America has had its struggles with racism, bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination in its history and it seems that Muslim-Americans are now on the receiving end of these hateful reactions. Since the attacks of September 11, 2001 by Al-Qaeda terrorists, Muslim-Americans have had to deal with mistrust, fear, discrimination, and greater scrutiny. For instance, Muslim-Americans experience traveling restrictions, extra airport searches, denial of immigration cases, and deportations. Just because some Muslims commit horrific atrocities in the name of Islam does not mean that all Muslims are responsible for such actions. There needs to be a more fair way of viewing current issues. There must be a balance between security concerns and protecting civil rights. Read more »
Minnesotans Standing Together on 9/11/2011
Filed under: Guest | Tags: 9-11, 9/11, 9/11 10th anniversary, 911-11, interfaith, Islam, Minnesota Muslims, minnesotans standing together, Muslims, muslims against terror, terrorism
Comments (1) Islamophobes’ authoritarian contemptuous attitude toward the American public
Filed under: Guest | Tags: anti-muslim, bigotry, CAP report on islamophobia, david horowitz, david yerushalmi, fear inc, hate speech, Islam, Islamophobia, pam geller, racism, robert spencer, terrorism
Comments (2) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
Much of the industry of Islamophobia these days seems to operate based on a perceived existential threat to the American identity – the threat that somehow Americans may become “Islamicized” en masse and be brainwashed by Muslims either into converting to Islam or adopting Islamic viewpoints. The rhetoric of bigots like Robert Spencer and David Horowitz warns America from being nobbled into somehow becoming a Muslim nation.
Regardless of the hilarity of such a claim, there is something else about it that should be deeply insulting to Americans: It presumes that Americans are stupid. Read more »
The rich pay taxes at a lower rate? That’s a problem in need of fixing
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Islam, Muslims, rich pay less tax, warren buffett
Comments (1) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
That an ultra-rich man sends an op-ed piece to the New York Times, pleading for Congress to tax him and his wealthy friends more, is something I hope will serve as a big eye-opener for all of us. I don’t need a long list of facts to support an argument. All I need is to mention a small, yet hugely important, fact:
Last year, Warren Buffett paid only 17.6 percent in federal income tax, while most of us paid a much higher percentage.
See the rest of Hani’s op-ed piece here.
American pundits’ anti-Muslim hate speech predictably ends up costing lives
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Islam, Islamophobia, terrorism, hate speech, norway attacks, Anders Breivik, anti-muslim, ayan hirsi ali, robert spencer, pam geller
Comments (1) By Hani Hamdan, Engage Minnesota
This is not to say that Islamophobia has not already cost a barrage of human lives. In addition to direct hate crimes committed against Muslims and Muslim-looking individuals in the US and Europe, hate speech against Muslims or at least the broad criticism of Muslims’ way of life is to blame, in my opinion, for the general public’s inaction toward the thousands of lost lives deemed “collateral damage” during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Read more »
Islamophobia Driven by Guroor, not Fear of Terrorism
Filed under: Fedwa Wazwaz | Tags: guroor, Habib Ali, Islam, Islamophobia, terrorism
Leave a Comment By Fedwa Wazwaz, Engage Minnesota
Organisation of The Islamic Conference condemns the killing of UN Staff members during protests in Mazar-i- Sharif
Filed under: Guest | Tags: Islam, Muslims condemning UN killings, OIC, quran burning, terrorism, terry jones, UN killings
Leave a Comment Recalling his warning against unforeseen and volatile consequences of the outrageous and irresponsible act of burning the Holy Quran, Prof. Ihsanoglu reiterated OIC’s position on a normative approach to deal with the acts of discrimination and incitement to violence on religious grounds – through concerted efforts by the international community- with a view to avoiding recurrence of incidents caused by inflamed religious sentiments.”
