IH

MAY/JUNE 2018/1439 | $4.00 | WWW.ISNA.
NET
RAMADAN IN AMERICAN PRISONS | THE CRISIS OF THE MODERN AGE
FOSTER CARE:
The Forgotten Sunnah
CONTENTS VOL. 47 NO. 3 MAY/JUNE 2018
visit isna online at: WWW.ISNA.NET
COVER STORY
Foster Care:
22
The Forgotten Sunnah
Would You Adopt
26
Muhammad?
28 CONFERENCE
ISNA Hosts Regional Conference in
13
Working Together
South Florida
for a Better
World
CONVENTION #55
20 Minds Alight
38 MUSLIMS IN ACTION
32 The Teacher App
Understanding
34 Run, Rahaf, Run!
the Rohingya
36 An Entrepreneur’s Secrets
Tragedy
to Success
MUSLIMS ABROAD
40 Life Inside a Refugee Camp
58
42 Heritage Babri Mosque Destroyed
A Condiment 46 The Stranded Can Never
Favored by be Forgotten
the Prophets
COMMENTARY
48 The Crisis of the Modern Age
DEPARTMENTS ISLAM IN AMERICA

6 Editorial 50 Ramadan in American Prisons
8 ISNA Matters 52 God Commands Justice
14 Community Matters
55 New Releases ART
56 Food for the Spirit 53 Translating Verse Through Brushstrokes
FOOD
DESIGN & LAYOUT BY: Gamal Abdelaziz, A-Ztype Copyeditor: Jay Willoughby. The views expressed in 58 A Condiment Favored by the Prophets
Islamic Horizons are not necessarily the views of its editors nor of the Islamic Society of North America.
Islamic Horizons does not accept unsolicitated articles or submissions. All references to the Quran made 60 Is Boiling Live Lobsters to Death Halal?
are from The Holy Quran: Text, Translation and Commentary, Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Amana, Brentwood, MD.
MAY/JUNE 2018 ISLAMIC HORIZONS 5

EDITORIAL
Could Your Family PUBLISHER
Foster a Muslim Child? The Islamic Society of North America

(ISNA)
PRESIDENT
Azhar Azeez
A
s this publication’s email Our community must revive this INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
address is in the public domain, almost forgotten sunnah. As good acts Habibe Ali
we often find messages — des- need to be done in the best possible
EDITOR
perate calls, really — in the inbox manner, existing Muslim and other Omer Bin Abdullah
when a Muslim child needs a Muslim organizations focused on foster care are EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
foster family who can provide a reli- obliged to guide and train those who Faryal M Khatri
giously conducive environment for an want to assume this responsibility. In
already stricken being. order to join the cadre of foster care EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Iqbal Unus, Chair: M. Ahmadullah Siddiqi,
Of course these calls point out the providers, all interested families have Milia Islam-Majeed, Habibe Ali, Faryal Khatri
danger of such children being fed pork, to be made aware of the relevant federal,
exposed to a permissive environment, state and local laws as well as become ISLAMIC HORIZONS
and sometimes taken to church by the licensed. Muslim families who want to is a bimonthly publication of the Islamic
Society of North America (ISNA)
non-Muslim families who are willing to contribute in other ways — providing P.O. Box 38 • Plainfield, IN 46168‑0038
take them in but are not conversant with transportation, taking care of things Copyright @2018
Islamic dietary and other regulations. when a foster family has to go out of All rights reserved
Reproduction, in whole or in part,
However, such messages also have 11th town or just needs a break — also need of this material in mechanical or
hour urgency. to be licensed. electronic form without written
Right now, the U.S. Muslim commu- Given that foster care arises from permission is strictly prohibited.
nity is largely unprepared to deal with various factors (e.g., war and family Islamic Horizons magazine is
available electronically on
this very crucial segment of life — even dysfunction), Muslim community orga- ProQuest’s Ethnic NewsWatch,
after having listened to countless khut- nizations should take it upon themselves LexisNexis, and EBSCO Discovery Service,
bas about how the Prophet (salla Allahu to find those who can help train willing and is indexed by Readers’ Guide to
Periodical Literature.
‘alayhi wa sallam) entered Makkah's members as counselors who can offer the Please see your librarian for access.
foster care system after his parents and necessary and appropriate intervention The name “Islamic Horizons” is protected
grandfather died. and care services. The oft-mentioned through trademark registration
ISSN 8756‑2367
Islam advises Muslims to help each saying that “it takes a village to raise
other perform good and pious deeds. a child” is never out of vogue. Clearly, POSTMASTER
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6 ISLAMIC HORIZONS MAY/JUNE 2018

ISNA MATTERS
ISNA LAUNCHES POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

ISLAMIC HORIZONS
WINS AWARD
Omer Bin Abdullah, editor of
Islamic Horizons, received the DeRose-
Hinkhouse Memorial Awards (category
A1, National Magazines) at the Religion
Communicators Council’s (RCC; www.
religioncommunicators.org) annual
convention in Atlanta, April 5. This is
the third time he has been recognized.
The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial
Awards are given annually to active RCC
members who demonstrate excellence
in religious communications and public
(left to right) Fellows Sara Ahmed, Sara Swetzoff and Kamil Jamil relations.
The RCC, founded in 1929, is this
ISNA’s Office for Interfaith and taught Arabic at Rice University. She plans country’s oldest public relations pro-
Community Alliances (IOICA) launched to pursue a doctoral degree in international fessional organization. Its awards honor
its inaugural Policy Fellowship program in affairs upon completing her fellowship. the late Victor DeRose and the late Paul
January. The program provides three selected Sara Swetzoff, who was raised in M. Hinkhouse, leading lithographers in
individuals with hands-on experience as Arlington, Va., and lived in Egypt and New York City and longtime friends of
regards the inner workings of federally Tunisia during college, earned an MA the RCC who shared a strong interest
focused faith-based advocacy. Fellows will in Islamic studies from the University of in and concern for excellence in com-
focus on issues such as health care access, London, School of Oriental and African munications. ih
wealth inequality and gun violence preven- Studies, after which she worked for the pub-
tion, as well as work with a host of interfaith lishing company Fons Vitae. She is currently
partners to shape federal policy. In addition pursuing a PhD in African studies at Howard LUBABAH ABDULLAH
to gaining experience working with faith University. Upon completing her fellow-
advocates, congressional staff members, and ship, she will conduct dissertation-related JOINS ISNA BOARD
top administration officials, they will advise fieldwork in Ethiopia and plans to teach
the Muslim American community on how international affairs at the university level.
to engage more effectively with the political Kamil Jamil, who hails from Peshawar,
process from a faith-based perspective. Pakistan, graduated with a BA in politi-
cal science from the Lahore University of
MEET THE FELLOWS: Management Sciences. In addition to work-
Sara Ahmed, a native of Egypt and recipient ing as an advisor in the Permanent Mission
of a Fulbright and a USAID MBA schol- of Pakistan to the UN, he was a researcher
arship, respectively, completed her MBA for the Inheriting Harappa joint UNESCO-
at Southern New Hampshire University. Lahore Museum exhibition. A recent recip-
She has interned for Sen. Jeanne Shaheen’s ient of a scholarship to earn a law degree in
(D-N.H.) office, served as a communica- the U.S., he plans to pursue this path after
tions intern at the Brookings Institute and completing his fellowship program. ih
Lubabah Abdullah, a St. Louis, Mo.-
based attorney who concentrates on immi-
DIALOGUE EXPLORES TRANSLATING PROPHETIC gration law, family law and estate planning,
CONCEPTS INTO ACTION was appointed to the ISNA Board of Directors
IOICA director Colin Christopher setting, grappling with difficult scriptures, in February.
joined Dr. Kyle Tau, ecumenical staff offi- the dangers of contemporary political and A two-term vice president, a Board of
Advisors member for MSA National and
cer for the Faith & Order and Theological economic thought co-opting both religions’
board member of the Al Salam Day School,
Development, in Washington, D.C., of foundational values of equity and justice,
she has served on ISNA’s Legal Affairs
March 6 for an enriching examination on and other subjects.
Committee for the past five years. Earlier,
prophetic stories and traditional scriptures This gathering was part of an ongoing she was an ISNA Executive Council member.
in Islam and Christianity that highlight interfaith series within the United Methodist ISNA President Azhar Azeez said: “We
peace and justice. Joined by seminary stu- Building on Capitol Hill and an introduction are honored to welcome Sr. Lubabah to the
dents from across the country, the group to the new Scriptural Reasoning project that Board of Directors. Her talents, experience
exchanged ideas about how to authentically IOICA will participate in during the spring and knowledge will be tremendously bene-
translate religious concepts within a policy of 2018. ih ficial for ISNA.” ih

ISNA MATTERS
ISNA BOARD MEMBERS ATTEND WORKSHOP

FAITH LEADERS
MEET IN
ROUNDTABLE
The Center for Faith-based and
Neighborhood Partnerships, a com-
munity initiative of the Department of
Veteran Affairs, hosted various faith-
based communities at a Neighborhood
Community Roundtable on Feb. 26.
Representing the Muslim commu-
nity were Rizwan Jaka, chair, Board
of Trustees and co-chair, Interfaith/
Government/Media Committee,
ADAMS; Ali Salar Khawaja, senior
program manager, United States Army;
Imam Talib Shareef, president and imam
of the historic Nation’s Mosque, Masjid
Muhammad; Chaplain AbdulRashid
Abdullah, Islamic Center Northern
Virginia Scouting; and Abdul-Rasheed
Muhammad, ISNA director, chaplain
Dr. Asra Ali, Sehrish Siddiqui, Zeyn and equipped the attendees with the tools services and Islamic endorsing agent.
Patel and 40 other Muslim leaders from needed to implement what they had learned. The featured speakers were led
around the country attended an intensive Several field experts, among them Asma by Dr. David Shulkin, secretary,
weekend training program at the El-Hibri Mirza, ISNA Strategic Reorganization and Department of Veteran Affairs. Other
Foundation (www.elhibrifoundation.org) Planning Committee member, and Farhan speakers were from various agencies
in Washington, D.C. The program focused Latif, president of the El-Hibri Foundation, within the department, such as the
on best practices for nonprofit governance led the training. ih Veteran Health Administration, the
Veteran Benefits Administration and
the Veteran Cemetery Administration.
MUSLIM-EPISCOPALIAN TALKS They provided valuable insights into
their agencies’ role in providing pro-
and Episcopalians play fessional services and programs. The
in the political space, Q&A sessions focused on issues rele-
despite their diverse vant to local veteran populations. Each
political views. During speaker discussed healthcare manage-
the meeting, Rose ment, mental health and substance
pledged Episcopalian abuse treatment programs, programs
participation from designed to reduce homelessness,
regional ecumenical education support benefits, survivor
leaders and denomi- benefits, burial services — just a few of
nations in this year’s the department’s many veteran-related
Ramadan iftar series supportive services.
developed by the The event ended with a consen-
Shoulder-to-Shoulder sus that follow-up on the local level
Campaign (www. and continued collaboration between
shouldertoshoulder- the department and additional faith-
Colin Christopher hosted Dr. Margaret Rose of the Episcopal Church
campaign.org) and based organizations could make the
IOICA director Colin Christopher sponsored by IOICA. They also talked about difference as regards reducing home-
hosted Dr. Margaret Rose, ecumenical structural racism within religious commu- lessness and dealing with the many
and interreligious deputy to the presiding nities and formulating a substantive racial other physical, social, economic and
bishop of the Episcopal Church, on March reconciliation process. They plan to meet spiritually based challenges facing our
5 at ISNA’s Washington, D.C., office. They later this year to consider and explore pos- veterans. ih
discussed the important roles that Muslims sible joint program opportunities. ih

ISNA MATTERS
ISNA SUPPORTS SNAP IOICA IN INTERRELIGIOUS

On March 1, IOICA Director Colin
Christopher and IOICA Economic Justice STAFF RETREAT
Fellow Sara Swetzoff joined Jewish, Christian On Feb. 2, all IOICA staff members
and Muslim faith-based advocacy organiza- joined more than over 120 Christian,
tions on Capitol Hill to ensure that funding Jewish, and Muslim partners in
for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Washington, D.C., to analyze the 2018
Program (SNAP) remains at current levels legislative calendar for the Washington
in the upcoming Congressional Farm Bill. Interreligious Staff Community’s (WISC)
The nation’s single most effective anti-hun- annual retreat. Discussions centered on
ger program, SNAP feeds nearly one in eight strategic faith-based engagement in a
Americans who would otherwise not have expressed concern about the program’s fate challenging political climate, practical
access to enough food. and stated their interest in advocating for it tips for adhering to a humble yet prin-
In coalition with members of the in the Farm Bill. Congressional Republicans cipled faith voice in the face of hostility
Washington Interreligious Staffing Committee will introduce mark-ups for the bill in the and hate, and the most likely openings
Domestic Human Needs Working Group, coming weeks. for bipartisan movement on legislation
IOICA staff spoke with congressional policy IOICA meetings included in-person dis- that cares for the least among us.
directors and other staff from eight Republican cussions with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Sara Ahmed, a 2018 IOICA policy
and Democratic Senate and House offices. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Sen. Roy fellow, participated in an interfaith rec-
Discussions ranged from unwavering support Blunt (R-Miss.) and Representatives Rodney itation inspired by African-American
for SNAP and a desire to increase funding Davis (R-Ill.), Vicky Hartzler (R-Mo.), Roger poet Langston Hughes (d. 1967). IOICA
to this program as an important part of the Marshall (R-Kan.), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.) and director Colin Christopher announced
larger anti-poverty landscape. Most offices also Jodey Arrington (R-Tex.). ih the office’s sponsorship of the new WISC
website, which is set to be launched
ISNA CONTINUES DIALOGUES WITH THE BRUDERHOF next month. Rooted in the 1960s civil
rights movements, WISC is a network
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY of approximately 70 Washington D.C.-
In early February, IOICA director Colin of pacifism sparked persecution in Germany based offices of national religious bodies
Christopher spent two days living with the in the early 20th century, a reality that caused and faith-based organizations. WISC
Bruderhof (https://www.bruderhof.com), them to emigrate to the U.S. in 1920. offices join with others to advocate for
an intentional Christian community that Christopher joined Alexei Laushkin, U.S. government policies that advance a
follows a unique model of work and wor- founder and director, Kingdom Mission Society, more just, peaceful and ecologically sus-
ship. Its 2,700 members live in 23 intentional to screen Unity Productions Foundation’s tainable world. Today, its staff members
communities and share equally in the profits “The Sultan and the Saint” and hold interfaith are organized in various working groups.
generated by their numerous global busi- dialogues about peacebuilding within Islam IOICA participates in the Domestic
nesses. Children are schooled based upon the and Christianity. Over the two-day period, Human Needs as well as the Energy and
Biblical teachings of generosity, honesty and Christopher and Alexei held nine discussions Ecology working groups. ih
peace. Upon graduating from high school, with over 150 members, including 120 high
they are given the choice to remain in or school students and teachers at their stunning
leave the community. Mount Academy High School in upstate New the need for more effective engagement on
The low attrition rate has enabled the York. Conversations ranged from thematic con- gun violence prevention. IOICA is currently
movement to spread to new locations and cepts in the film to who American Muslims are working with the Bruderhof to establish an
has provided greater opportunities for inter- and what Islam is. Bruderhof elders also shared interfaith youth exchange with an upstate New
faith exchange. Their foundational principal their groundbreaking work on forgiveness and York Muslim community. ih
ISNA HOSTS “UNIFICATION OF THE HEART” CONFERENCE IN AUSTIN Billoo talked about doing our job as best
ISNA’s spring conference, “Unification Imam Dawood Yasin, dean of student life as we can, regardless of what it is. She empha-
of the Heart.” was held in Austin on Feb. 17-18 and experiential learning, Zaytuna College, sized that everyone has an important place
in conjunction with MSA and with help from gave an inspirational talk about the extreme in society and that while we cannot change
the Nueces Mosque and University of Texas gratitude we should feel for having been born the world on our own, we can at least use our
MSA board members. into the ummah that Musa (‘alayhi as salam) time and influence to change our surrounding
Speakers included Sheikh Yassir Fazaga, prayed to inhabit. After explaining God’s community’s perception.
ISNA vice-president Dr. Altaf Husain and various qualities and how we are nothing Members of Austin’s refugee community
Zahra Billoo, a civil rights attorney and exec- without His constant love, mercy and guid- served a lunch of delicious shawarmas, which
utive director of CAIR’s San Francisco Bay Area ance, he highlighted the comparison between was followed by Q&A breakout sessions
chapter. Omar Husain led a Friday evening the Prophet (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) comprised of “college sisters,” “college brothers”
“fireside chat” at Nueces Mosque. Altaf Husain in Makkah and the generation of U.S.-born and adults. The program concluded with a
talked about accountability and gave the exam- Muslims. The Prophet, like many of young celebration banquet honoring Mohsin Lari,
ple of Caliph Umar (‘alayhi rahma), who tasked Muslim Americans today, sometimes faced co-founder/treasurer, Muslim Community
himself with ensuring that everything was up hate from his community, just as we do. Instead Support Services. ISNA president Azhar
to par because he knew that God would hold of giving up or becoming bitter, we should Azeez was the guest speaker, and Wajahat Ali
him accountable. forgive and ask God to guide our community. delivered the keynote address. ih

CONFERENCE REPORT
ISNA Hosts Regional Conference in South Florida

BY FARYAL M. KHATRI Dr. Altaf Husain concluded the session attendees on the dangers of sharing too much
by discussing how ISNA is working toward information on social media, as well as the
H
undreds of Floridians and their justice in terms of ending torture and hunger, importance of privacy and how too much
regional neighbors flocked to Davie, climate change and environmental justice. sharing can impact relationships.
Fla., on March 10 to participate in ISNA’sHe ended by urging Muslims to act in accor-
South Florida regional conference. The dance with their words, as the Prophet (salla PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
conference had something to offer the whole Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did, for “there was SOUTH FLORIDA EDUCATORS
family — national speakers like Imam Tahir no gap between what the Prophet preached The conference convened South Florida
Anwar, chairman of the board, North American and how he lived.” Islamic school educators and administrators
Islamic Shelter for the Abused (NISA; https:// for professional development and networking.
www.asknisa.org), ISNA president Azhar HOPE AND FAITH IN A TIME OF Upon reflection, CISNA board member
Azeez, Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans, ALIM’s first RISING ISLAMOPHOBIA Patricia Salahuddin said. “The participants
scholar-in-residence, Dr. Altaf Husain, ISNA Throughout the conference, attendees par- in the weekend session were excited to receive
vice president-U.S., Imam Mohamed Magid, ticipated in conversations on developing a teaching strategies to enhance their teaching
religious director, ADAMS and a former ISNA Muslim identity during these troubled times skills and Sister Naimah (Ghany-Khan) and
president and Hassan Shibly, CAIR Florida and increasing their civic engagement. “In Sujood (Bdaiwi) did a great job, alhamdulillah.
executive director as well as local speakers like America, God is with us and the law is also Sister Leila (Shatara) and Br. Naseeb (Khan)
Florida school principal Ustadha Rabia Khan, with us. We have no excuse not to practice provided the audience with characteristics
Imam Azhar Subedar, director of outreach at our faith, not to represent our faith and not of effective leadership and statistics related
Divine Connect (https://www.divineconnect. to share our faith in public,” Hassan Shibly to Muslim schools. The round table was an
com) and Dr. Aisha Subhani — all of whom proclaimed in one of his sessions. opportunity for school leaders, principals,
provided spiritual nourishment and board members and community
practical takeaways. leaders to come together and
Patricia Salahuddin and Laila identify ways to collaborate.
Shatara led parallel sessions for alhamdulillah! The door is open
Islamic school educators. Daniel and insha Allah, we will move
Alvarez, director of the Center for forward from here.”
Muslim World Studies at Florida
International University, and CELEBRATING SOUTH
attorney Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, FLORIDA LEADERS
CAIR-Florida communications The conference concluded with
director, conducted the Spanish- a celebration banquet featuring a
language forums. The Muslim keynote address by Imam Magid
Youth of North America presided and entertainment by nasheed
Azhar Azeez, ISNA president
over the youth development events. singer Ibrahim Caba. During the
The conference also featured a matrimonial Florida leaders Imam Azhar Subedar and banquet, ISNA recognized Muhammed
event, which one attendee described as “giving attorney Maha ElKolalli talked about such Mukhtar Hasan and Physician Aisha Subhani
[single] Muslims a platform to meet.” hidden opportunities as teachable moments with its Community Service Recognition
“The primary purpose of this event was to show Islam’s true teachings and to reclaim Award in honor of their lifelong dedication
to reconnect ISNA with the thriving South our narrative. The rise of new chances for dia- to community service.
Florida Muslim community by offering a logue and interfaith cooperation give us hope Hasan retired as chief of the Traffic
program, led by a cross-sectional group of and bring us closer together as a community. Engineering Division of Metropolitan-
dynamic speakers who promoted ISNA’s During their youth session, Imam Magid Dade County’s Department of Traffic and
services, to provide a future opportunity to and Ustadh Evans encouraged the attendees Transportation. The mayor proclaimed the
partner with local leading organizations and to root their activism in spirituality because day of his retirement “Muhammed M. Hasan
centers,” noted Farhan Syed, steering com- their activism must be driven by Islam. Evans Day.” His wife Nasim Hasan has been involved
mittee member and former ISNA Executive also noted the importance of self-care to avoid with Sunday school and summer camps for
Council member. burnout, for “you don’t want to be a candle more than 30 years.
that shines a light but burns itself out.” Subhani has directed the Deen Intensive
JUSTICE AS AN ISLAMIC TENET Foundation (www.deenintensive.com) for
“Justice is one of the most important elements JUSTICE WITHIN THE FAMILY over a decade. This foundation organizes and
of Islam,” stated Dr. Abdul Hamid Samara, ISNA president Azeez, Rabia Khan and Imam manages Islamic educational programs both
a local Steering Committee member and Tahir Anwar spoke on fostering family rela- at home and abroad, including the popular
a former ISNA Majlis-ash-Shura member, tionships as part of a panel discussion. Using Rihla program.
during the first session. Imam Dr. Nasir the Qur’an and Sunnah, the panelists analyzed Shaykh Hamza Yusuf shared a beautiful
Ahmad of Masjid Al-Ansar echoed his mes- the practical steps of fostering relationships message via video for Dr. Aisha Subhani. ih
sage of the importance of upholding justice among spouses, parents and children, siblings,
for everyone, not just Muslims. and youth and elders. Imam Tahir cautioned Faryal M. Khatri is ISNA Communications Coordinator.

COMMUNITY MATTERS
Muslim Officer Sacrifices Life Protecting Woman

CAIR Opens Baltimore
County Office
PHOTO © PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Council on American-Is-

lamic Relations (CAIR; www.cair.
com) opened an office in Catonsville
Corporal Mujahid Ramzziddin on Jan. 29 to serve as the hub of its
Hundreds of people, including Mary- Ramzziddin, an only son, was a devoted work in Maryland. Before this, its
land Gov. Larry Hogan (R), Rep. Steny H. husband and father of four. Maryland outreach activities were
Hoyer (D-Md.), civic and Muslim commu- County Police Chief Hank Stawinski, run from the organization’s Wash-
nity leaders, and police officers from across said Ramzziddin’s death was a “selfless act ington, D.C., headquarters. At a
the region gathered at the funeral to mourn in a time of selfish violence.” Stawinski said. ribbon-cutting ceremony, Balti-
Prince George’s County (Md.) officer Cpl. “Mujahid stood his ground to defend the more County Executive Kevin B.
Mujahid Ramzziddin, 51, killed while help- life of the individual who had come to him Kamenetz (D) presented the orga-
ing a woman during a domestic dispute. for help.” nization with an executive citation
The 14-year member of the police depart- Ramzziddin, who was off duty, was shot of congratulations.
ment was recalled as a dedicated public Feb. 21 by Glenn Tyndell, estranged husband The office is expected to host
servant and a hero. The father of four and of a neighbor, who had requested his pres- media events, training sessions and
former Marine and Medal of Valor winner ence as she was collecting belongings and meetings with CAIR’s partners. It
was also lauded for his commitment to serv- was having the locks changed after domestic will also serve as the site for client
ing the Muslim community. disputes at the home the couple shared. meetings with those who seek
After the funeral prayer at the cemetery, Shortly after the officer went to the nearby its free legal services, which are
Ramzziddin was honored with a 21-gun home in his neighborhood, Tyndell appeared offered to those targeted by hate
salute and his badge number was called out to confront her. He shot Ramzziddin five times crimes or subject to employment
over the police radio one last time — #2770. with a shotgun before taking Ramzziddin’s discrimination, said Zainab
The funeral prayer was held Feb. 23 at the police-issued weapon and fleeing in an SUV, Chaudry, CAIR’s Maryland outreach
iconic suburban Washington, D.C. mosque, police said. Later, the alleged attacker, Tyndell, manager. ih
the Diyanet Center of America. was killed in police confrontation. ih
Concord Mosque Gets New Home 15 years, finally moved into its new home during March — a ren-
The Islamic Society of Greater Concord, which has met ovated building that had stood vacant for five years.
and prayed in the East Concord Community Center for more than “It’s just like when you’ve been renting forever and then getting
your first home,” said society president Hubert Mask. He added that
the community center was a good host, but that it was just a building.
The society, which still needs another $200,000 to turn an adja-
cent abandoned building into a parking lot, for now has signed an
agreement with the neighboring church to use their lot for overflow.
Imam Mustafa Akaya told the Concord Monitor on March 3
that having a building of their own is more than just about having
space to host their approximately 70 member congregation, some
of whom drive more than an hour to attend the busiest Friday ser-
vices and additional events. While thanking the local community
for its support, he remarked that the society is looking forward to
partnering with other Greater Concord Interfaith Council mem-
bers on events. ih

Xenophobic Political Rhetoric Rising nathan said that “through its policies and
rhetoric, this administration’s incessant
demonization of Islam has created an envi-
Members of South Asia’s Muslim, Sikh ronment of hate and fear-mongering for
and Hindu communities, as well as Arabs Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim.
and Middle Easterners in general, are the Deadly shootings, torched mosques, van-
targets of increasing levels of hate violence dalized homes and businesses, and young
and xenophobic political rhetoric in the people harassed at school have animated
U.S., according to the South Asian Amer- an acutely violent post-election year. This
icans Leading Together’s (SAALT) “Com- administration must break eye contact with
munities on Fire” report (http://saalt.org/ white supremacy if our nation is to live up
wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Communi- to its highest ideals of religious freedom.”
ties-on-Fire.pdf). Released on Feb. 1, it Women were the targets in 28 percent
asserts that these communities have expe- of the 213 documented hate incidents
rienced a record number of attacks ever post-election. Those who wear hijab are
since the election of Donald Trump. This particularly vulnerable — they accounted
uptick in anti-Muslim attacks runs parallel for 63 percent of the documented hate inci-
to the ongoing surge of anti-Muslim policies dents targeting women.
and rhetoric. “The growth of white supremacist hate
The report documents hate violence and groups and mounting attacks on our com-
xenophobic political rhetoric from Election munities are proof positive that this admin-
Day 2016 to Election Day 2017. Of the 302 between this administration’s anti-Muslim istration’s anti-Muslim agenda is not making
incidents detailed, an astounding 82 percent agenda and the increasing attacks, reveals America great, it’s making Americans afraid,”
were motivated by anti-Muslim sentiment. that of the 213 incidents of hate violence Raghunathan stated. “The daily decay of our
This represents a more than 45 percent documented, one in five perpetrators democracy can only be repaired by dignity
increase from the year leading up to the invoked President Trump’s name, his and full inclusion for all Americans, regard-
2016 election cycle — levels not seen since administration’s policies or his campaign less of faith, race, or national origin. SAALT
the year after 9/11. slogans during their attacks. and our allies are going to go the distance
The report, which draws a direct line SAALT executive director Suman Raghu- to see this demand realized.” ih
Indiana Mosque Wins applicable rules and regulations, a vocal minority of residents had
opposed its construction.
Zoning Approval Unlike the City Council, the Board of Zoning Appeals is a qua-
si-judicial board whose members are appointed by the mayor, council
and Plan Commission. It was stated that the mosque meets all zoning
requirements and will not harm area property values. In practice, city
officials said similar-sized churches routinely have been approved
in residential areas, as shown by a list of 17 houses of worship that
have received permission to build alongside neighborhoods. ih
The Carmel, Ind., Board of Zoning and Appeals voted on

Long Island Mosque to Expand
Feb. 27 to approve the permit for the 28,000 sq. ft. Islamic Life The Hempstead
Center (ILC). This house of worship and civic community space, (N.Y.) Town Zoning
which will be built on a 15-acre corner lot, is being sponsored by Board of Appeals
the Al Salam Foundation. The foundation, which is represented by voted 4-1 on Nov. 29,
2017, to approve the
Muslim Advocates and the Krieg DeVault LLP law firm, welcomed
Long Island Muslim
the vote and said: “The ILC applauds this fair decision on the mer-
Society’s expansion
its. This is an example of the power of democratic process of this
plans. This calls for adding a second story as well as a stair-
country: its ability to have hard conversations, to stay together, and case to connect the two levels. The mosque, which now has
to foster fairness and dignity for all residents. We thank the people an occupancy rate of 116 people, was built in 2006 and has
of Carmel for their broad support at every step of the process, and about 250 members, including children. The group said in
we look forward to having our own house of worship at last. Our August that it is not seeking to increase its capacity or mem-
doors remain open to any valid concerns and we will continue to bership, but rather to give female congregants more space.
be good neighbors.” To deal with concerns of congested traffic, the society has
Although support for the mosque was both broad and deep in added an extra Friday prayer service. ih
the community and the ILC’s permit application complies with all

COMMUNITY MATTERS
Bayonne Muslims Win Mosque Approval were not legally permitted to consider. The
city faced a particularly daunting legal fight,
considering that the lawsuit cited two similar
approvals the zoning board made in 2011
and 2012 for two churches.
“American Muslims around the country
are standing up for their constitutional rights
in the face of discrimination and bigotry
and winning,” stated Adeel A. Mangi and
Muhammad U. Faridi, counsel for Bayonne
Muslims to NJ.com. “Municipalities that
give in to local hatred and treat Muslims
unequally should know that they will be held
accountable and will face the full weight of
the law.”
“We are so grateful for the support of
The city of Bayonne, N.J., reached a to settle the case. The Bayonne Muslims, so many of our fellow Bayonne residents
$400,000 settlement on Jan. 31 with the formed in 1999, had been searching for a through this long struggle, and we commend
Bayonne Muslims that will allow the com- permanent home since 2008. On May 25, the City of Bayonne for moving now to cor-
munity to build its mosque and community 2017, they filed a federal lawsuit asserting rect the wrong that was done to Bayonne’s
center on the lot they purchased in 2015 that the zoning board had violated the Reli- Muslims,” said Abdul Hamid Butt, the orga-
for $1 million. The city, which was facing gious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons nization’s president. “We look forward to
the lawsuit and an ongoing investigation by Act (RLUIPA) by denying the plan’s approval welcoming Bayonne residents of all faiths
the U.S. Justice Department, moved quickly based on factors that the board members to the City’s first mosque.” ih
Educators Elect New Leaders Baccalaureate (Primary Years Program,

Middle Years Program and Diploma
of directors for several local, citywide, and Program).
national level organizations, among them the Kathy Jamil, the out-going ISLA chair
Council of Islamic Schools of North America and vice chair, who is also director of
(www.cisna.org). Elmwood Village Charter School’s Hertel
Rasha El-Haggan, founding head of the Campus, Buffalo, N.Y., along with Mathew
school and International Baccalaureate Moes, school development lead at Razi
Coordinator at Tarbiyah Academy in Education, stepped down after serving in
Elkridge, Md., was elected board member the positions for nearly ten years. During this
during December 2017. In addition to time, ISLA’s school membership increased
having 12 years of experience working in dramatically, and its professional devel-
Islamic, public and international schools, she opment services expanded to include the
has worked with various curricula ranging Leadership Academy, Leadership Retreat
from the Common Core State Standards to and customized professional development
the College Board’s Advanced Placement to for schools. Both individuals remain board
Dr. Seema Imam, professor and co- all three programs within the International members-at-large. ih
chair of the College of Education at National
Louis University, was elected chairperson,
and Dr. Patricia Salahuddin was elected Minneapolis Mosque Grows Minneapolis-based Abubakar As-Saddique
vice chair of the Islamic Schools League of City leaders approved a zoning Islamic Center to add an additional build-
America (ISLA; https://theisla.org) during change on Feb. 23 that will allow the south ing to its property as well as renovate the
January 2018. existing structure. The plans include new
classrooms for a K-12 school, a large gym-
Imam, who has been with ISLA since
nasium and a multi-purpose space. The
2003, has served as the founding principal
mosque has until 2020 to complete the
of one of the nation’s oldest Islamic schools
expansion and renovation.
for five years. Salahuddin has taught middle There is currently no timeline for when
and high school students in both Islamic construction will begin. “Since we are a
and public school, where she worked as non-profit organization, it depends on the
team leader and department chairperson. donations,” explained Abdullahi Farah, the
A former lecturer at Florida International center’s executive director. ih
University, she currently serves on the board

U.S. Physicians Help
Patients in India
Fifteen physicians from the U.S. volunteered with the
California-based Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) during
its ninth Annual India Health Initiative. This program, which ended
on Feb. 11, treated some 7,000 people over a three-week period.
Working in Hyderabad, Assam and Manipur and nearby vil-
lages, patients lined up for hours to be seen and treated by a doctor.
They received free medicine, vitamins, prescription medication and
follow-up treatment at the IMRC Indo-U.S. Hospital (if needed)
in Hyderabad.
The team members were Jawad Ahmed (general physician), Dr. Mohammed K. Ahmed from Ohio treats a patient at a
Hyderabad medical camp.
Irfan Moin (geriatrics), Jerome Stefenko (general surgeon), John
Rosenberg (ER physician), Farida Ghogawala (gynecologist), (pediatrician), Mir Mumtaz Ali (internal and pulmonary medicine),
Mohammad Gafoor (family practice), Sabiha Gafoor (pediatrician), Mohammad Haq (internal medicine), Reshma Mohiuddin (general
Moustafa Abouelkheir (surgeon), Jowairia Qadri (gynecologist), physician), Noureen M Haroon (ophthalmologist) and Shaheda B.
M. K. Ahmed (pediatrician), M. Y. Ahmed (surgeon), Sana Ahmed Ahmed (pathologist). ih
ACHIEVERS America (APPNA), on which he served for

more than a decade and also chaired.
Cheema, who has published more than
110 scientific manuscripts in high-impact
journals, continues to collaborate with
various health institutions in Pakistan and
guides students from medical schools all
across that country.
Dr. Faisal H. Cheema and Dr. Jeffrey A. Morgan
Dr. Faisal H. Cheema, director of Re-
search and Innovations at Baylor College of
Medicine and Texas Heart Institute in Hous-
ton, and his colleague Dr. Jeffrey A. Morgan
were awarded $4 million by the Brockman
Medical Research Foundation to lead cut-
ting-edge research on heart transplantation.
Cheema’s mission is to make heart and
lung transplants and artificial devices for
end-stage heart failure and lung disease a
Hanif Johnson, 27, has become Penn- reality in Pakistan. He also aspires to develop In Feb. 2018, Tahera Rahman became
sylvania’s youngest elected judge and will a national organ donation and allocation the first hijabi to work as an on-air reporter
serve a six-year term. He defeated Repub- system for that country through strategic for American television.
lican Claude Phipps, his contender for the partnerships with academic, corporate, gov- Rahman joined the WHBF-TV, a CBS
City of Harrisburg magisterial seat, by a 73 ernmental and philanthropic institutions. affiliate based in Rock Island, Ill., which
percent margin in Dauphin County. After graduating from medical school serves the Quad cities — a five-city region
The Harrisburg native, who was president in Pakistan, Cheema trained and worked located in northwest Illinois and southeast-
of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity during his at Columbia, Loyola, the Johns Hopkins ern Iowa — as a producer in May 2016. Her
student days at Penn State University, cur- University, the University of Maryland and shift from making the decisions behind the
rently coaches track and field at Harrisburg the University of California, Berkley. scenes to telling the stories on the scene rep-
High School. He told The Black Enterprise As University Senator (2009-11), he resents the fulfillment of a childhood dream.
on Feb. 6 that he wasn’t taken seriously when served on several important senate com- She will now decide which stories will be
he announced his candidacy. mittees representing the researchers of aired, write scripts and keep tabs on timing
Magisterial district judges, who are Columbia University. In addition to being and other decisions during live newscasts.
elected by the residents of the magisterial involved with several professional, academic, Before joining Local 4 News, the
district in which they serve, don’t have to be community and philanthropic organizations, Chicagoland-area born and raised Rahman
lawyers. However, they do receive training he has worked to establish the Committee was a producer for a downtown commu-
that equips them to handle the legal issues for Young Physicians within the Association nity radio station. A graduate of Loyola
they will encounter on the bench. of Physicians of Pakistani-descent of North University Chicago, she holds a degree in

COMMUNITY MATTERS
journalism and international studies and AbdelFatah, Zeeshan Chugtai, Mustafa familiarity with Muslim culture. She also
also became the first Muslim editor-in-chief Maner Khalid Alnadi and Ammaar Ahmed. gave a Ted-ex talk on “The Future of the
of the university’s weekly student paper, the A Eagle Scout (or Eagle) holds this rank Hijab in the West” — what the hijab means
Loyola Phoenix. She interned at the Chicago for life, thus giving rise to the phrase “Once to those who wear it and how Westerners
bureau of the CBS Evening News and Al an Eagle, always an Eagle.” Since its intro- most commonly view it.
Jazeera English. duction in 1911, more than 2 million young Along with being actively involved in the
Rahman was host-producer of Radio Is- men have earned the rank. It is estimated Women in Leadership at Lawrenceville, the
lam, the nation’s only daily Islamic radio pro- that less than 6 percent of those who join Diversity Council and other diversity initia-
gram, which is produced by Sound Vision. the Boy Scouts ever attain this rank, which tives around campus, she is the managing
requires earning at least 21 merit badges editor of Lawrenceville’s international news
and demonstrating “scout spirit” through publication, The Contour. In January 2017
the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service and she facilitated a Community Day workshop
leadership. on the “Role of Women in Islam.”
The PPRR recognizes and rewards high
school students who have made a significant
positive impact through volunteerism on
race relations in their schools or commu-
nities. Prize recipients receive $1,000, an
all-expenses-paid weekend to a national
symposium on race at Princeton University,
are honored at a regional ceremonies and,
if possible, at their schools.
PPRR operates in 27 regions nationally
and is growing at a steady pace.
Baasit Kazi of Troop #114 was award-
ed Eagle status, scouting’s highest rank and On April 11 Shaezmina Khan (‘19) of Zaineb Abdulla, vice
honor, after completing his Eagle Board of The Lawrenceville School (N.J.) was recog- president of Deaf Plan-
Review on Jan. 19. nized with a Certificate of Accomplishment et Soul, Dr. Su’ad Abdul
Saffet Abid Catovic, Scout Master Troop from the Princeton Prize in Race Relations Khabeer, scholar, artist,
#114, thanked Assistant Scout Master (PRRR; https://pprize.princeton.edu) at a activist, author and found-
Ahmed Abdelfattah, Mike Moriarty, Paul ceremony held at Princeton University for er of Sapelo Square, and
Endler and the other Eagle Advisors from serving as the lead youth coordinator for Arshia Wajid, founder of
the Monmouth (N.J.) Council. All of them CAIR-New Jersey’s first annual Muslim American Muslim Health
had advised Kazi and officiated at his review, Youth Leadership Symposium. The event Professionals, were recog-
which was attended by Muhammad Arif and was held at Rutgers University on Dec. nized on March 11 with
Adnan Sidiqui from the Troop Committee. 9-10, 2017. the 2018 MWA Inspiring
Kazi joins fellow Troop #114 Eagles Khan, who is president of Lawrenceville’s Woman Award at the Mus-
Ibraheem Catovic, Zain Haq, Atif MSA, organized the school’s first Islam lim Women’s Alliance’s
Salahudeen, Ismael Catovic, Aman Haq, Awareness Week — a three-day series of annual “Celebrate Mus-
Omer Syed, Noor Rostoum, Ali Tahir, Omar on-campus events geared toward promoting lim Women Gala” held in
Shaban, Omar Qari, Ali Shamshad, Yousuf a better understanding of Islam and more Chicago. ih
Macy’s Launches Hijab-friendly Line and other Muslimahs. She is a graduate of The Workshop at Macy’s
minority- and women-owned business development program.
Macy’s launched a new line of hi- May 2017’s run of this workshop represents the seventh year of
jab-friendly clothing after teaming up this initiative, which was designed to grow the department store’s
with Lisa Vogl, founder of Verona Col- partnerships with designers and entrepreneurs.
lection (https://www.verona-collection. “Verona Collection is more than a clothing brand. It’s a platform
com), an Islamic fashion brand to cre- for a community of women to express their personal identity and
ate modest designs. The new collection, embrace fashion that makes them feel confident on the inside and
which has a price range of $13 to $85, outside,” Vogl said in a press release.
features full-coverage stylish garments While the campaign is aimed at Muslimahs who want a choice
like sweaters and long coats that mix when it comes to fashion, the collection is also bound to have
modesty with style. It was released on widespread appeal for all shoppers. Last year, Nike and American
Macy’s website on Feb. 15. Eagle released hijab-friendly lines. According to the 2015-2016 State
Vogl founded Verona Collection in of the Global Islamic Economy Report (www.dinarstandard.com),
2015 due to her frustration over the lack Muslim consumers spent an estimated $230 billion on clothing — a
of fashionable modest clothing for herself number that is projected to grow to $327 billion by 2019. ih

August 31 – September 3, 2018
Houston, TX
George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida De Las Americas • Houston, TX 77010
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA
CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS:
◉ More than 200 Renowned Speakers ◉ Plenary Sessions ◉ Main Sessions ◉ Parallel Sessions
◉ Round Table Discussions ◉ MSA & MYNA Sessions ◉ Enlightening Entertainment
◉ Largest Muslim Bazaar in America (550 Booths) ◉ Health Fair ◉ Art Exhibit ◉ Meet the Author
◉ Interfaith Reception ◉ Film Festival ◉ Photography Exhibit ◉ Qira’at Competition
◉ Matrimonial Banquets ◉ Community Service Recognition Luncheon (CSRL)
◉ Basketball Tournament ◉ Children’s Program ◉ Babysitting, and more
▶ ▶ REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.ISNA.NET ◀ ◀

REGISTRATION INQUIRIES: BAZAAR & SPONSORSHIP: JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
(317) 838-8129 ◉ convention@isna.net (317) 838-8131 ◉ akhan@isna.net #ISNA55
CONVENTION #55
As Houston is scheduled to host ISNA’s 55th Annual Convention this September, we are introducing a six-part
series highlighting the city’s uniqueness by interviewing extraordinary Houstonians and exploring various scenes
in the country’s fourth largest city. This article, the fourth piece in this series, focuses on the Risala Foundation,
a grass-roots organization that brings diverse viewpoints to the Greater Houston Muslim community.
Dalia Mogahed
Minds Alight
in mind: to bring a different crowd to the masjid through unique
programming and to make the lectures completely free.
“Our events have brought different parts of the Muslim com-
munity together who otherwise might not be in the same room,”
Risala Foundation arises as Houston’s Patrawala said. “At the end of the day, we are all facing the same
challenges as Muslims living in America.” Syed also commented
only Muslim civic speakers organization on the community’s growth and diversification: “To keep up with
the changing demographics, Risala has taken pride by reaching out
BY SAMAN ESSA to diverse groups of scholars who offer different perspectives of
our faith. We have seen a beautiful range of people from different
R
isala Foundation (www.risala.org) began operating groups in our community attend our events."
in 2008 when a group of eager-to-learn, working profes- Through its interfaith events, Risala has also established long-last-
sionals realized there was a lack of relevant Islamic lecture ing connections with the city’s non-Muslim community. “The beau-
programming for what board member Faiza Patrawala refers tiful connections made when people [of all faiths] come together
to as “young professionals.” make us realize that we aren’t that different, and [that] we aren’t
Islamic Horizons interviewed Patrawala, along with her fellow alone in our struggles” Patrawala remarked.
board members, Rehan Farooq, Hina Syed and Zeyn Patel, to better Not only is Risala’s demographic unique, but its model is also
understand Risala’s mission. unique. Many lecture programs now charge for attendance, a practice
The members of Risala wanted to bring “high quality scholar- that Risala has always strongly opposed. “Throughout Islamic his-
ship” to a city that, historically, had been a place that nationally tory, scholarship has been free and available to the masses,” Farooq
renowned leaders, speakers and scholars did not visit, despite its began. “We made it one of our founding principles to remove as
large and ever-growing Muslim community. Risala had two goals many barriers to entry as possible. Can you imagine Imam Malik

or Imam Abu Hanifa charging for lectures? Like any organization, the mission to engage with us, inspire us and to propel us
Of course times have changed, but the idea evolves over time. Risala’s name comes to action,” Farooq explained. “Over the past
of a marketplace of ideas that was open to from the book “Risala,” written by Bilali decade, there has been an amazing amount
absolutely anyone in a mosque — that was Muhammad, an African slave brought of activity, new organizations and events
very foundational.” to America in the nineteenth century. in Houston. We like to think of ourselves
The idea of revisiting this tradition is This book, the first Islamic text written in as ‘firestarters’ — the ideas and inspiration
deeply rooted in Risala’s philosophy and is America, is now preserved at the University our platform provides propels others to do
visible in its speaker line-up, all of whom of Georgia, the state in which he lived. The great things.”
address present-day problems with solu-
tions from the past. More recently, in light
of the 2016 elections, Risala’s speakers have OUR EVENTS HAVE BROUGHT DIFFERENT
focused heavily on social and political
change. The first two events of 2018 featured
PARTS OF THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
Dalia Mogahed, director of research at the TOGETHER WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT NOT
Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
(www.ispu.org), and Wajahat Ali, a writer,
BE IN THE SAME ROOM,” PATRAWALA SAID.
attorney and consultant. They addressed the “AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE ALL FACING
community’s concern of what it means to be
Muslim and American in the current political THE SAME CHALLENGES AS MUSLIMS LIVING IN
climate, and, ultimately, urged the attendees AMERICA.”
to become politically involved and aware.
“When choosing our speakers, we try to
gauge what our community members might origins of the name itself reaches deep into What started as a lecture-platform was
be struggling with or might want/need to the history of Islam in America, examining quickly transformed into something much
hear about and try to bring in speakers who an oft-forgotten piece of Islamic history: greater. Risala has invited those running for
can address that,” Patrawala commented. Islam came to America through slavery. office to their masjid events, held nasheed
Patel said Risala likes to bring people who The spirit arising out of Risala’s name concerts, planned weekend retreats and
“speak to us. For example, in March we will reflects the rich dialogue initiated by the hosted several qiyaam during Ramadan,
be bringing Chris Blauvelt, the founder of scholars and audience alike, often driven by to name a few unique events. “As long as
LaunchGood (https://www.launchgood. contemporary but deeply rooted socio-polit- there’s a need and people benefit from our
com/#!/). He is doing great things for the ical issues. “There continues to be a glaring events, Inshallah we will continue our work,”
community, and that resonates with us. We need for an organization that can pose the Patel concluded.
wanted to bring him to Houston to tell his questions of the day to thinkers, scholars and Many Risala Foundation members will
story, and hopefully inspire others. The dif- activists who are best-positioned to answer help plan and run ISNA’s convention this
ferent speakers and topics that we bring in them,” Farooq stated. “Our guests know that year in Houston. They look forward to wel-
are still quite unique to our city.” if Risala invites them, they get a thoroughly coming attendees and ensuring that they
Risala has hosted both highly sought-af- professional experience, from the minute we will have a beneficial and fun Labor Day
ter scholars and those whom Farooq calls engage with them to how we meticulously Weekend 2018. ih
“hidden gems.” In any and all cases, Risala plan every detail of their visit down to the
Saman Essa, who is majoring in psychology and Middle
does due diligence in selecting speakers who event itself. We have developed a playbook
Eastern studies at the University of Houston, plans to
will connect well with the community and that hopefully raises the bar for how we treat become a psychologist with a focus on immigrant and
offer unique insights both in Islamic and our guests and attendees.” refugee populations in the U.S.
socio-political perspectives. Despite Risala’s initial mission of catering
As one can imagine, bringing a new toward a young professional crowd, Risala
perspective to a traditional space like a attracts people of all ages. “In our most recent
mosque can sometimes be met with push- event, we had a typical (for us) but uncanny
back. “Masjid committees are sometimes slice of Houston: young parents with their
hesitant to embrace certain speakers we kids, college-age students, elder uncles and
want to bring in. In those cases, we have a aunties and many community leaders. In
dialogue with them to show that the speak- addition, we had friends from the Shia com-
ers are relevant to the American Muslim munity attend,” Farooq recalled.
community, and that their perspective is Risala encourages audiences to ask ques-
needed for the Houston community,” Patel tions and keep an open mind in order to
explained. Despite the occasional opposi- propel great ideas, discussions, and imple-
tion, Risala has become a solid cornerstone mentation of these thoughts into action.
of Houston’s Muslim community. The orga- “Over time, Houston has gotten used to a
nization has become a household name in more elevated discourse, with people who
the short amount of years it has been around. are making the headlines coming to our city

COVER STORY
FOSTER CARE:
THE FORGOTTEN
SUNNAH
Our community’s invisible minority —
children who need foster parents

BY OMAMA ALTALEB
D
uring Feb. 2012, Sameena Zahoor received the
long-awaited phone call — the foster care agency had
located a 5-year-old Muslim boy who needed a Muslim
home. Two hours later, he walked into Zahoor’s home
carrying only a small backpack that contained a pair of pants, a
tiny blanket and some toys the agency had given him.
“I remember how scared he looked when he first arrived, and
how he refused to eat at first. When it came time for bed, my
foster son wanted to go home and cried for his mother for hours,”
said Zahoor, co-founder of the Muslim Foster Care Association
(https://muslimfostercare.org), a Michigan-based nonprofit that
provides a support network for Muslim foster families.
Although fostering isn’t easy, Zahoor and other Muslim foster
parents in the U.S. are welcoming the opportunity with open
arms. At the end of Fiscal Year 2016, 437,465 children were in
foster care in the U.S., a number that has increased every year
since 2012, according to a government report (https://www.acf.
hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport24.pdf) published by
the Administration for Children and Families of the Department
of Health and Human Services.
While the exact number of Muslim children within the U.S.
foster care system is unknown, those who work closely with the
agencies say there aren’t enough Muslim foster homes in which
to place all of them.
Zillehuma Hasan, former executive director and a founding
member of Wafa House Inc., worked with the Division of
Child Protection and Permanency in New Jersey to help find
temporary homes. She relates that in March 2014, Wafa House Inc.
(www.wafahouse.org) heard from a state-level resource specialist
that there were only 32 identified Muslim foster parents in New
Jersey, only one of which spoke Arabic. The 31 others were
African American.
On any given day, several Muslim children become displaced
and, because there aren’t enough Muslim foster homes, are placed
in non-Muslim homes. While the non-Muslim community is
extremely nurturing, Hasan says, its members don’t have the
know-how and cultural competency to raise them as Muslims.
“There are times when these children are being fed pork prod-
ucts, and not because these people are deliberately feeding them,
but they don’t know that these children are not supposed to eat
pork, and sometimes these children are being taken to church,”
she states. “That’s where I think our community really needs to
step up to the plate.”

23
COVER STORY
which is why many Muslims living

in the U.S. feel like they are raising
their children alone. The burden falls
entirely on the nuclear family.
She presents one possible solution:
Create an extended support system in
each community, similar to the one
that existed during the Prophet’s time,
one in which each family, foster or
not, can lean on each other for help.
But our community’s perspective
and attitude toward foster care also
needs to change, for “It’s a blessing to
have a child to take care of. It softens
our hearts and changes our attitudes
toward everything.”
Saib, who has fostered three
children, says that wanting to become
a foster parent requires a mind shift.
OVERCOMING MISCONCEPTIONS “It’s not about the perfect time. It’s
Foster parent Yasemin Saib posits that about fulfilling arguably the most
one reason for this tragedy is that not
FOSTER PARENT YASEMIN important virtue of our faith — to
enough imams and community leaders SAIB POSITS THAT ONE care for the orphaned child — and
are addressing the issue. “Many people
are made to falsely believe that foster-
REASON FOR THIS TRAGEDY foster children fall into that category
as they have no stable parents who
ing or adopting is prohibited in Islam, IS THAT NOT ENOUGH can care for them.”
which is sheer insanity,” she remarks. Ranya Shbeib, who co-founded
Zainab Alwani, a scholar and
IMAMS AND COMMUNITY the Muslim Foster Care Association
vice president of the Fiqh Council LEADERS ARE ADDRESSING with Zahoor, has fostered four
of North America who realized children consecutively and has three
that the Muslim community wasn’t
THE ISSUE. “MANY PEOPLE birth children of her own. She reports
doing enough to address foster care, ARE MADE TO FALSELY that it’s been a rewarding experience
created the Orphan Care Project for both her and her family: “It’s very
(https://www.orphancareproject. BELIEVE THAT FOSTERING eye-opening. Especially I see it in my
com) to educate and inspire Muslims OR ADOPTING IS PROHIBITED youngest child, my daughter, who has
to provide care for orphaned and grown up fostering.”
abandoned children through IN ISLAM, WHICH IS SHEER This daughter, who is now 8 years
fostering and guardianship. As part of INSANITY,” SHE REMARKS. old, was once coloring with some of
the project, she collaborated with the her friends. When one of them asked
council and the Assembly of Muslim her why she was coloring her people
Jurists of America to issue appropriate guidelines (https://www. dark shades of brown and black, she replied, “Why not? Sometimes
orphancareproject.com/fcna-amja-guidelines-orphan-care) to help I color my brothers brown.”
eliminate such misconceptions. “She’s just so welcoming, so loving and doesn’t really see the
Alwani says most people get caught up in the issue of mahram. differences of color,” Shbeib remarks.
According to Q. 4:23 and 24:31, a mahram is a blood relative and Shbeib does note, however, that fostering has also been a big
therefore can’t marry the person under their guardianship. This system challenge for her birth children, for it has changed their home
establishes certain rules to protect the sanctity of the family in society. atmosphere and their family dynamic. “It’s hard for them sometimes
However, Alwani argues that being a non-mahram to a potential foster to grasp the bigger picture of why we are doing this, and especially
child should not stop Muslims from fostering. “If you take in a child when they don’t see other families doing it. A lot of times, because I
who is not a mahram, your responsibility is to take care of the child will encourage them with the concept of there being a lot of reward
and provide them with everything they need. The only difference is in this and how to be patient, they’ll say, ‘Well, how come no one
that there are boundaries.” else is doing it if there’s a lot of reward in it?’”
Through the Muslim Foster Care Association, Shbeib and Zahoor
IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO RAISE A FOSTER CHILD have held many panel presentations about foster care at mosques
According to Alwani, Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa throughout southern Michigan. Although hundreds of people have
sallam) created a culture in which almost every family in Madina had attended, the number always drops dramatically when it is time to
a foster child who was treated as one of their own biological children. become licensed. “It’s hard because a lot of people reach out and say
But, she contends, our community has lost that spirit and compassion, that they are interested, but very few people will actually go through

the process and then actually foster,” Shbeib related.
“It’s very disheartening. We live in big communities
— very resourceful and wealthy communities.”
Like Alwani, Shbeib says she wishes people would
understand that fostering is a communal obligation.
“It’s a forgotten sunnah. It’s not something that just
falls on one family and then we say, ‘Oh well, this
family is doing it so none of us have to do it.’ You
know how they say it takes a village to raise a child?
Well, what if that child is a foster child?”
Zahoor’s first foster son had never attended
a Friday prayer in a masjid, or the tarawih and
Eid prayers until he was placed with her family.
“These children are the unseen and unheard in
our communities. They need to know that there is
a large Muslim community that cares about them.”
OTHER WAYS TO HELP

Both Shbeib and Zahoor understand that not
everyone is able to foster, which is why they dedicated
a section of their website (https://muslimfostercare.
org/other-ways-to-help) to ways people can help. For
example, licensed families can provide the much-
needed respite care for a foster family who has to go
out of town or just needs a short break. As Shbeib
points out, “Even if people aren’t licensed, they can
help with transportation, buying things that the
child needs, even mentoring or tutoring. There are
so many other ways to support foster children.”
Saib, founder of the Live It Up Foundation
(http://liveitupfoundation.org), has published four
children’s books in 2016 and is working on a fifth
one as a way to generate funds to support the foster
children in the organization’s care.
Another way to contribute is by becoming
involved in the foster care system itself. Hasan
says that people can serve on their local county’s
Child Placement Review Board, whose members
help the presiding judge ensure that the parents are
doing everything they are supposed to in order to
be reunified with their biological children.
MOVING FORWARD
Shbeib is hopeful about the community’s future in
this area, but cautious that it’s going to take time.
“Fostering is still a relatively new topic that’s just
recently coming to the surface again and being
talked about again, so inshallah with time, people
will start to realize the significance of the need for
people to be licensed. And then, hopefully, people
will start acting on that.”
Saib agrees. “Slowly but surely, I am hopeful
that more Muslim families will go the extra mile
to foster children.” ih
Omama Altaleb, a digital journalist and media entrepreneur in
Washington, D.C., is the founder and editor-in-chief of Layali Webzine,
a digital lifestyle magazine and blog for millennial Muslim women.
She also works as the social media editor and Digital Engagement
Specialist for WTOP News, a local radio station in D.C.

COVER STORY
Would You Adopt Muhammad?

DCFS’s earlier outreach to the Muslim
community resulted in ICNA Relief Chicago’s
first workshop, held in 2016. With ICNA
Unfortunately, there are nowhere near enough Muslim foster Relief ’s goal being stronger communities,
families in the U.S. to meet the needs of Muslim children creating awareness and helping Muslim fami-
lies learn more about becoming foster parents
seemed timely. The “Learn What it Takes
to be a Foster Parent” workshop offered a
panel featuring DCFS Resource/Recruitment
Specialist Chuck Dorothy and Imam Hassan
Aly of Mecca Center (http://meccacenter.
org), Willowbrook, Ill. The latter provided
an Islamic perspective on foster care and
together they answered almost an hour’s
worth of questions. Over half of the attendees
signed up with DCFS to schedule a follow-up
call to learn more. By 2017, that one work-
shop had resulted in four families becoming
foster parents. DCFS representatives were
impressed with the Muslim community’s
interest and the urgency.
START WHERE YOU ARE

While Muslim social service organizations
across the U.S. offer several initiatives, help
with getting licensed as foster parents often
isn’t one of them. Two foster mothers, Ranya
Shbeib and Sameena Zahoor, initiated the
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.-based Muslim
BY NAAZISH YARKHAN hardships, mental or physical disabilities Foster Care Association (MFCA; https://
or even death. In these situations parents muslimfostercare.org) in 2016 when they
S
ome children, through no fault lose the ability to provide for their children, found themselves at a loss for foster parent
of their own, find themselves in sit- and that inability can be temporary or long resources in the local Muslim community.
uations that would emotionally and term.” He elaborates, “When extended family Their organization assists Muslims in the
mentally traumatize even adults. members cannot or will not care for them, foster care system, helps families who are
Being removed from the only home one has these Muslim children become wards of the interested in getting licensed and provides
known is stressful enough, but it may very state, and, as wards of the state, options for the Muslim community with ways to help
well be amplified when children are placed in care are limited. Unfortunately, there are foster children even if they aren’t interested
homes that aren’t culturally similar or where not enough registered Muslim families to in becoming foster families.
practicing their faith is a challenge. With meet the demand the State of Illinois has Like ICNA Relief, their first steps were
families being targeted by U.S. Immigration for Muslim foster families.” creating awareness in the community in col-
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other The need of the hour in Illinois, as well laboration with local imams. Their presenta-
authorities, in today’s climate children are at as across the U.S., could not be stated more tion at ISNA in 2015 was very appropriately
even greater risk of being left without par- clearly. called “Would You Adopt Muhammad?”
ents. For a community whose very Prophet Foster parenting and the necessary Foster children may have one or both
(salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was an requirements for certification were on many parents, but are often neglected, abused and
orphan raised first by his grandfather and minds as more than 150 community mem- at-risk should they continue to live under
then his uncle, being a foster family would bers packed the Islamic Center of Wheaton the same roof. MFCA works closely with
seem to be a most natural way for Muslims (Ill.) on a cold February night this year for Samaritas (https://www.samaritas.org) to
to practice their faith. ICNA Relief ’s “Learn What it Takes to be a connect with Muslims in the foster care
“Muslim children are not immune from Foster Parent” workshop. Many had heard system. Besides Eid drives for them, MFCA
homelessness, and homelessness among of the organization’s success at helping the also helps Muslim foster families adjust to
Muslims is not restricted to refugees,” says Illinois Department of Children and Family their new responsibilities.
Abdullah Mitchell, executive director of Services (DCFS; https://www2.illinois.gov/
the Council of Islamic Organizations of dcfs/Pages/default.aspx) find a Muslim foster EVEN ONE PERSON CAN
Greater Chicago (https://www.ciogc.org). home for two children of Jordanian descent/ TOUCH MANY LIVES
“Muslim families, like other families in origin in January 2018: a 9-year-old boy and When children are removed from their homes,
this country, experience divorce, financial his 12-year-old sister. it is literally with just the clothes on their backs.

Speaking to the idea that even one person can the need for homes is dire, especially for participate in our religious practices,” added
make a difference, attorney Farrah Qazi of sibling groups of three or more children, Imam Hassan.
Aurora, Ill., mother of four, raises donations teens and Spanish-speakers. Singles, mar- Aliyah Banister, a licensed therapist spe-
to prepare suitcases filled with clothing, bed ried individuals and empty nesters, among cializing in the Muslim American popula-
sheets, blankets and other essentials. others, can qualify to be potential foster tion, touches on the psychological repercus-
“One of the driving forces for me to parents. Besides providing a stipend to the sions of unstable homes and spoke of Muslim
pursue the legal profession was the ability foster parent once they take in a child, the American children in the foster care system.
to help children, specifically orphans and state also pays for the child’s summer camps, She discusses the importance of them devel-
foster children,” says Qazi. “The more I read therapists and even activities. oping a sense of attachment, especially in
the early years, and how related neurological
wiring atrophies when that bond is absent.
SINGLES, MARRIED INDIVIDUALS AND EMPTY “But,” she adds, “the brain is very elastic
and even teens and tweens from troubled
NESTERS, AMONG OTHERS, CAN QUALIFY TO backgrounds and those facing behavioral
BE POTENTIAL FOSTER PARENTS. BESIDES problems can flourish when shown love,
patience and understanding. That’s why I
PROVIDING A STIPEND TO THE FOSTER PARENT am not just a counselor for young children,
ONCE THEY TAKE IN A CHILD, THE STATE ALSO but for teens as well.”
In the Muslim community, there is par-
PAYS FOR THE CHILD’S SUMMER CAMPS, ticular interest in fostering refugee children.
THERAPISTS AND EVEN ACTIVITIES. So long as a refugee child is in the system,
they are available for placement in certified
foster homes. However, if a child is overseas,
about it, the more convinced I became that Dorothy stresses that potential foster the application process is completely differ-
there is a void that can be filled by good parents can specify the age, race, faith and ent and independent of DCFS.
people stepping up and helping out. Once gender of the child they can best care for.
we recognize that any neglected child is our Certified foster parents also have the right WHAT IS FICTIVE KIN?
collective responsibility, we can progress as a to decline to take in a child. He spoke of a Rules vary with states. In Illinois, under the
society. I do my best ... I advocate, represent foster family that accepted an infant only Fictive Kin program, families do not have
and care for needy children because I take to be disinclined to adjust their schedules to be currently licensed as foster parents if
their suffering personally. When a child — they returned the infant 10 days later. they have an existing relationship or emo-
suffers, it means we have failed, in some way, “Being a foster parent is more than offering tional connection with the child, whether
as adults. All of us hold that responsibility. food, clothing and shelter,” he said. “It’s in as a neighbor, teacher or community
We can be observant neighbors and caring the child’s best interest not to be bounced member. The children can be placed with
and trusting adults whom children should from home to home, so we want foster them. However, when DCFS is looking for
feel comfortable with. As a lawyer (https:// parents to be really sure about who they families with whom to place these children,
www.qazilawoffices.com), I lend my voice to can raise.” their names cannot be divulged due to rules
kids lost in the mad shuffle of divorce or those governing confidentiality. So how did an
who don’t have anyone to advocate on their AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE organization like ICNA Relief help find a
behalf for their health and education. I am a From an Islamic perspective, adopting a home that may have a relationship with the
firm supporter of CASA (Court Appointed child is laudable and being a foster parent Jordanian children when they had practically
Special Advocates; www.casaforchildren.org) even more so, given that it impacts the entire no personal information about them?
and Together We Rise (www.togetherwerise. family, notes Imam Hassan. When it comes to “We asked members of our community
org). Both organizations allow ordinary opposite gender interaction between adults to please spread the word, to help identify a
citizens to create a direct impact into the and adolescent children, Imam Hassan men- family who may know these children. If the
lives of children. And as a Muslim, I take this tions ways to show affection that need not leaders, imam or anyone in the community
onus even more seriously because our Quran include physical contact: showing interest knows of a family where there are issues,
and our beloved Prophet repeatedly state in a child’s interests or activities, listening chances are they are likely to have heard of
how critical it is that we care for orphans.” to what’s on their mind, reading together, these children. There are definitely Allah’s
Given that we will be held accountable talking gently and sitting close. blessings involved in making this happen,”
for our blessings, any and all efforts to make Having the child accompany their foster said Dr. Saima Azfar, director, ICNA Relief
a difference count. Pajama Program (paja- family to a place of worship, especially if he Chicago. ih
maprogram.org) is another effort to reach or she can’t be left home alone, is acceptable, Naazish YarKhan, an internationally published writer, is
kids in shelters. You can contribute books Dorothy remarked. That said, “Islamically, director of www.writersstudio.us and a college essay coach.
and new pajamas, even read to them. we can suggest that our children observe
NOTE: Those interested in becoming foster parents
certain religious practices, but we can’t force should visit the websites of their state and county
WHO CAN BE A FOSTER PARENT? them to do it. Similarly, while foster children social services to download and complete application
With thousands of children in the system, can observe us, we cannot force them to forms and requirements for foster parenting.

MUSLIMS IN ACTION
affiliates in other countries, founded IRUSA
in California. That first year they raised
money and worked day and night in the
founders’ living rooms, stuffing envelopes
by hand.
“It was a dream for us when we started
... that Islamic Relief would be at least the
equivalent of the Red Cross for the Muslim
community as well as for the larger com-
munity,” remarked co-founder Ahmad El
Bendary. “Alhamdulillah, this is the beauty
of being an active Muslim — that you don’t
know how to dream small.”
The workers first reached out to youth
groups and Muslim student associations.
Khan recalls that the first event they attended
— an Orange County, Calif., youth confer-
ence in December 1993 that was full of
enthusiastic and energetic high school and
college students. “We decided to work with
youth groups from the beginning, because
we believed the most important resources
were being overlooked: human resources,”
Working Together for a

Khan said.
The students spread the word, and small
donations for Bosnia began to roll in. They
Better World
sent everything they could and worked some
more. In summer 1994 they opened their
first office in Downey, Calif., just southeast
Islamic Relief USA marks 25 years of service to all of Los Angeles. “There were sisters and
young brothers, all different ages, sitting
down, filing envelopes and sending fliers,”
BY CHANCEY JUNE GANNETT El Bendary relates. “Everyone was working
to do whatever needed to be done. It created
I
t was around 1994, and the tiny, recognized as an autonomous region of a beautiful family and brotherhood/sister-
about 3-year-old Syrian girl holding her Somalia; that Zahefa’s village would get a well hood environment.”
donation box wasn’t much older than the and fresh drinking water; to provide shelter Khan recalls that sometimes a staff
brand new organization, Islamic Relief for Esmeralda after a typhoon destroyed her member would work so late that he/she
USA (IRUSA; http://irusa.org). Anwar Khan home in the Philippines; and learning that would fall asleep in the office, get up in the
still remembers her name — Mariam — and Amina could finish school in Pakistan — she morning and continue working. El Bendary
when he met her: The future president of later became a teacher in her home village. laughs, remembering that parents would call
IRUSA was talking with her father about how Twenty-five years and millions of names him and ask if there was any adult supervi-
to get more humanitarian aid to the suffering later ... and today so many are close to our sion. He spent many nights there in those
Bosnians. She approached him, holding a own homes in the U.S., ringing out from early years just to supervise volunteers.
little house-shaped box full of forgotten coins poor Chicago communities that can’t afford IRUSA was growing a grassroots network
she had collected from around the house. health care; from shelters for abused women of volunteers that one day would number
“She wanted it to go to her brothers and in Maryland and low-income schools in as many as 3,000, one of whom was, during
sisters in Sarajevo,” Khan reminisced. Virginia; and from communities trying to the late 1990s, Azhar Azeez (currently vol-
Today Mariam is all grown up and IRUSA put their lives together after a tornado or unteering as ISNA president). Now director
is celebrating its 25th year of serving others. a wildfire. of IRUSA’s fund division, he remembers the
Growth has been remarkable, and the orga- IRUSA is a story that began with a call days of driving from community to com-
nization’s reach has expanded exponentially. for help. munity and sleeping in mosques or people’s
Still, it has always been just one name that homes. In the process, the young workers
holds the power to keep that spirit of ser- IRUSA IS BORN and community members built long-lasting
vice alive. In the fall of 1993 while the war in Bosnia bonds.
It was knowing that Amran’s family would was still raging and thousands of families “The people who grew up with Islamic
have food to eat for suhoor in Somaliland, were fleeing, a small group of mostly recent Relief in the 1990s — many of them are our
the self-declared state internationally college graduates, inspired by Islamic Relief volunteers and donors today,” Khan adds.

“Many of them learned activism through Day” to provide food and other necessities to which it delivered medicine and medical
Islamic Relief. It made them more socially homeless and low-income Americans. Now supplies; and schools. They have helped
aware and active. I would like to think of called the “Day of Dignity,” these events are widows start businesses, repaired farmland
Islamic Relief as a school to teach people held in partnership with local organizations in Palestine, cared for orphans worldwide
to go out there and make the world a better and offer everything from health screenings and helped communities prepare sustain-
place, and not just talk the talk but walk to clothes and haircuts. able solutions to everything from drought
the walk.”
Their goal was to complement what
other groups were doing for, as El Bendary IRUSA’S ADVOCACY REACH HAS ALSO
notes, “good doesn’t compete. If you have
a dark room and you light a candle — if GROWN, FOR ITS PUBLIC AFFAIRS TEAM
you light one more candle, it will make the NOW MEETS WITH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
room brighter.”
AND INTERNATIONAL GROUPS TO PROMOTE
DOWN TO BUSINESS HUMANITARIAN VALUES AND PUSH FOR
Throughout the 1990s, IRUSA responded
to various emergencies. The first major one POLICIES THAT REDUCE HUNGER, POVERTY
was the Oklahoma City bombing (1995) — AND HOMELESSNESS.
the group sent $5,000, more than its mem-
bers had collected during Ramadan. When
the Bosnian conflict spread to Kosovo, the Meanwhile, staff began forming partner- to earthquakes. IRUSA, which has grown
young workers helped set up a refugee camp ships with other major nongovernmental nearly every year, now reaches more than
and arranged hosts for refugees coming to organizations, such as the Church of Jesus 10 million people annually in approximately
the U.S. They responded to earthquakes in Christ of Latter-day Saints. When a tsunami 48 countries.
Afghanistan (1998) and Turkey (1999) by struck Indonesia and the coastal regions of At the same time, it has diversified into
sending emergency supplies. nations bordering the Indian Ocean (2004) new types of special events. In 2004, singer
Right from the beginning, the young and an earthquake devastated Pakistan the Sami Yusuf drew thousands of people on a
activists took seriously the mandate to following year, such partnerships helped nationwide tour in order to launch an annual
care for their neighbors. One early project IRUSA quickly dispatch large deliveries of “Evening of Inspiration” to help needy chil-
was supporting the UMMA Clinic in Los clothes and hygiene necessities. dren. New events — some planned by IRUSA
Angeles to provide free care for low-income These tragedies were massive, and and others by the donors themselves — com-
and homeless Americans. Upon learning repeated TV images of the devastation raised bine fun and activism along with team fund-
about the 9/11 attacks while driving away widespread public awareness. Donations raising. For example, “Skate for Syria” brings
from the office, Khan pulled over in tears and poured in, and staffers were so busy that communities out to ice rinks to raise money
then turned his car around and returned to once again they were sleeping in the office. for Syrian humanitarian aid, while “Walk
the office. IRUSA’s office phone rang off the for Water” draws diverse crowds to walk a
hook all day with threatening and frighten- GROWING TO SERVE 5K and help build water systems. Volunteer
ing calls, and a vandal painted an obscenity After operating from California for more projects have likewise been expanded and
on the door. But then messages of support than a decade, Islamic Relief opened new diversified.
began coming in, and their Armenian neigh- offices in Dallas, Washington D.C. and
bors grabbed a brush and repainted the door. Totowa, N.J. to keep up with all of the A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS
Through it all, the staff kept working work. Another office in Chicago would IRUSA’s advocacy reach has also grown, for
and donations that year only increased. open a few years later. These new regional its public affairs team now meets with gov-
Patients at UMMA Clinic lined up to give offices allowed staff members to become ernment agencies and international groups
blood for survivors. One donor told UMMA more deeply involved with communities to promote humanitarian values and push
volunteers, “You guys came to help us when nationwide. for policies that reduce hunger, poverty
nobody else came. Now we want to support Even though emergency work continues and homelessness. In 2010, an IRUSA rep-
you.” around the world, this growth has enabled resentative was appointed to several State
That time was rocky for all Muslim IRUSA staff to pursue their goal of focus- Department and USAID working groups.
American organizations, but IRUSA ing more heavily upon development work. Shortly after that, IRUSA staff began receiv-
emerged stronger. A few years later, the orga- The organization’s goal has always been to ing invitations to speak at United Nations
nization earned its first 4-star rating from improve lives year-round based upon the forums and other international events.
the watchdog Charity Navigator (https:// local communities’ priorities. “Our faith causes us to bear witness on
www.charitynavigator.org) — an honor it Thus, staffers have built wells and water behalf of our beneficiaries to share their
has maintained nearly every year since then. systems from Mali to Pakistan to remote stories, to call for solutions to those with
Their work never paused. In 2002, staff Albanian villages; health facilities, the latest authority and power in our nation,” said
reached out to local communities by holding one being the cancer wing of South Africa’s Jihad Saleh Williams, IRUSA’s government
the first — and now annual — “Humanitarian Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital, to and public affairs manager.

MUSLIMS ABROAD
In 2011, IRUSA added a volunteer-based
Timeline Disaster Response Team to its domestic

activities. This team quickly began mobi-
lizing to respond to emergencies from tor-
Fall 1993: IRUSA is incorporated in Los Angeles 2007: Bangladesh is devastated by a cyclone; nadoes to wildfires to assess damage, staff
County. IRUSA donors send relief. IRUSA expands shelters and deliver relief, often together
Dec. 1993: IRUSA representatives attend first its focus on development projects, such as
with the American Red Cross. This team
event, a youth conference in Orange County. education in Mali.
Feb. 1994: First Ramadan: Islamic Relief workers 2008: IRUSA donors are now providing relief in is now involved in rebuilding houses for
make about 30 visits to at least 10 mosques more than 20 countries. those who remain homeless long after the
in Los Angeles and raise roughly $3,000. 2009: IRUSA expands again and moves its public attention fades.
Summer 1994: First official office opens in headquarters to a new Virginia office. As Efforts like these not only help our
Downey, Calif. an emergency spreads in Palestine, IRUSA neighbors, but also help change stereo-
Throughout 1994: First relief campaign: Bosnia sends aid for medicine, food and clothes.
types. For example, on one deployment a
War Relief. Volunteers stuff 3,000 mailers 2010: IRUSA CEO is appointed to USAID advi-
by hand. sory committee. IRUSA hosts first Capitol fellow relief worker tapped an IRUSA staff
April 1995: The Oklahoma City bombing. IRUSA Hill iftar. Massive flooding submerges large member on the shoulder and said, “You
staff, despite threats, raises and sends $5,000 portions of Pakistan; IRUSA sends aid that know, I’ve never met a Muslim before, but
for relief. will eventually assist hundreds of thousands now I see they’re just like us!” The team
1996: IRUSA has five employees. over next two years. hears this sentiment repeated on each
1997: Staff delivers Qurbani meat to families in 2011: IRUSA CEO is appointed to U.S. State deployment.
need for Eid al-Adha. Department working group. IRUSA expands
1998: A 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes domestic disaster relief work, forming
Afghanistan; IRUSA sends relief. Disaster Assistance Relief. As political unrest SO MUCH MORE TO DO
1999: The Kosovo crisis begins in March; staff ini- spreads throughout the Middle East, IRUSA Emergency work remains ongoing amid
tiates a major relief campaign. IRUSA workers sends aid to people in Egypt, Libya, Yemen a massive and ongoing international refu-
travel to Albania in April and help set up the and, later on, Syria. Drought and famine gee crisis. Meanwhile new creative projects
first Islamic Relief camp for Kosovo refugees. strike East Africa; IRUSA donors provide food, are applying innovative approaches to old
2000: IRUSA delivers emergency aid to water, medical care and more to hundreds
problems. For example, in Bangladesh an
Chechnya and continues to garner support of thousands of people in Somalia, Kenya
for campaigns to help eastern Europe. and Ethiopia. IRUSA CEO addresses the UN old slaughterhouse, once a source of pollu-
September 2001: After 9/11, IRUSA office on providing appropriate aid. tion, now provides free clean cooking fuel
receives threats. Workers respond by orga- 2012: IRUSA spends $36.5 million on emergency to nearby residents.
nizing blood drives and launch a major cam- relief, food, water, development projects and IRUSA partners with local organiza-
paign for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. more to help people in need; 9,239 orphans tions to distribute food during Ramadan,
2002: The first “Humanitarian Day” is held. This are sponsored in 22 countries. Ramadan food
Eid al-Adha meat and zakat funds. The
annual tradition is now called the “Day of packages are distributed to feed 318,731
Dignity.” IRUSA spent $6.6 million on pro- people in 23 countries. Udhiyah/Qurbani latter proved to be a lifeline for Brandy in
grams to help people in need. meat is distributed to feed 431,506 people Las Vegas when she lost her job and her
2003: As of January, U.S. donors were spon- in 26 countries. baby was born with major medical prob-
soring 513 orphans. A major earthquake 2013: The organization has grown to 89 employ- lems. “He was two pounds eight ounces,”
strikes Iran (Dec. 26) and staffers set about ees, has more than 10,000 sponsored she said. “They did not expect him to live,
organizing a relief campaign. orphans and is working in more than 30 but we prayed on it, and Allah answered
2004: In the spring, IRUSA receives its first 4-star countries.
rating from Charity Navigator. It launches 2014: IRUSA signs memorandum with the
our prayers.”
its still-operating global “Children in Need” American Red Cross, becoming its first With no job and medical bills mounting,
campaign and responds to the tsunami that Muslim partner. she faced eviction and had nowhere to go.
struck the coastal regions of the countries 2015: Donors provide humanitarian aid in more IRUSA zakat donors put a roof back over
bordering the Indian Ocean, especially than 50 countries for the first time, helping her head by paying for a temporary apart-
Indonesia and neighboring countries on Oct. more than 100,000 people living in the U.S. ment while she looked for her next step. “I
26. IRUSA donors sent aid, such as tempo- IRUSA co-sponsors the World Bank’s first
don’t even know where I would be,” Brandy
rary homes, health clinics, schools as well summit on religion and sustainable devel-
as water and livelihood support. opment and takes part in U.N. summit on sighed. “I wouldn’t really have anywhere to
2005: IRUSA opens offices open in Texas and New sustainable development goals. go if they didn’t give me this apartment.”
Jersey. Hurricane Katrina hits the Gulf Coast, 2016: IRUSA responds to eight U.S. emergencies, Ten million people being helped, and
and IRUSA enters the field of domestic relief including delivering water in Flint, Mich., for yet that one name still moves the heart.
work. Pakistan is rocked by an earthquake six months. The team takes part in two U.N. “Indeed, whoever saves one life, it is as
(Oct. 8), and IRUSA sends large-scale relief. summits, focusing on housing and women’s
though he [or she] has saved all of human-
2006: Famine spreads in Africa and Lebanon empowerment. Donors share Ramadan food
is rocked by violence; Islamic Relief donors with more than 390,000 people and Eid meat
ity” (5:32).
send humanitarian aid. Development proj- with more than one million people. Today, IRUSA celebrates a legacy. While
ects include water in Mali and health initia- 2017: IRUSA hosts InterAction forum and earns thanking its tens of thousands of donors,
tives in Afghanistan. Singer Sami Yusuf joins its 11th 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. they remember that it all started with one
Islamic Relief to launch a national “Evening of 2018: IRUSA celebrates 25 years of service and person at a time — with hearts like little
Inspiration” tour to benefit people in need. hope. Mariam’s and her box of forgotten coins. ih
Chancey June Gannett is content creator, Islamic Relief USA

MUSLIMS IN ACTION
The Teacher App

The Quranic app helps those who can recite the Quran
but who have no idea of what the words mean
BY JANET KOZAK
A
new app called “Quranic” is “I knew I didn’t want to continue helping
breaking records. In fact, as of this oil and gas companies make more oil, so I
writing it is the highest funded mobile pivoted my career path. I applied to different
app to date on the LaunchGood plat- masters programs and was accepted into
Adam Jamal
form (https://www.launchgood.com/#!/) — Cornell University to study human-com-
a crowdfunding platform primarily used puter interaction. It’s a degree that studies questions about what the actual goal of a
by Muslims for Islamic projects. Their the intersection of people, technology and student should be. I’m also striving for con-
record-holding status is not something behavioral science.” stant improvement by developing a rapid
Quranic co-founders Hani Khan and Ustadh Hani uses his degrees to fuel his design feedback loop to improve what I’m doing,”
Adam Jamal were expecting to achieve; how- strategy for Quranic. He also loves exam- Adam explains. “I think this genre, Arabic
ever, they’re excited about working with an ining other business ideas to understand studies, has been in need of reiteration for
amazing development team and hope to the problems they’re solving in the world. a long time. Some curricula in use today are
launch their full app soon. After all, re relates, “good design should solve 200 years old! However, students’ needs and
Hani and Adam began working on the actual problems people face.” expectations of how they learn have changed
app in 2017. It’s been just the two of them Adam also enjoys the moments of clarity tremendously even in the last five years, let
from the beginning. As Hani says, “Adam and resolution that he sees on the faces of his alone the last 200.”
brought the Arabic knowledge and I brought students when they finally understand. He
product design experience to the table. We delights in the moments when they realize THE QURANIC EPIPHANY
thought this would be a great partnership that they can actually understand the words It was originally Adam’s idea to create a
and help us think through the problems we of God if they make the effort and have access Quranic Arabic learning app with bite-sized
wanted to solve with the idea. We’ve been a to the right tools and teachers. student lessons. “I was using an app to learn
two-man team since day one.” “I’m a big believer in simplifying things, Spanish. I realized how effective it was in
going back to the basics and asking strong helping me to read Spanish and understand
MIXING A LOVE FOR TECHNOLOGY it. But I couldn’t speak the language. That’s a
AND TEACHING problem for Spanish, but it’s not as much a
While both of them grew up loving technol- problem for Quranic Arabic,” Adam remarks.
ogy and video games, they took divergent THE QURANIC TEAM He recalls his epiphany in the following
paths as young adults. Adam turned what is terms, “Somehow my brain connected the
usually a two-year Quranic memorization IS BUILDING DATA dots. For the Quran, most Muslims don’t
program study into an eight-year journey COLLECTION INTO need to speak or recite it, they only need to
in pursuit of Islamic knowledge. “I quickly understand what they’re reading.”
realized I didn’t just want to memorize. I THE APP SO THEY Adam knows there are a lot of people
wanted to understand,” he explains. CAN TRACK AND (including himself back in the day) who
It was a journey that totally changed think they can never learn any Arabic. “I’ve
his career path — he became an imam and UNDERSTAND WHERE shown my students that this doesn’t have to
a teacher. “I’ve taught on YouTube, at the USERS ARE MOST be the case,” he says. “I believe this app will
masjid, and at Bayyinah Institute, which has reach a whole new world of people.”
millions of followers. I’ve taught short week- CHALLENGED. AS And the proof is in the numbers. With
long classes and nine-month 1,000-hour ADAM RELATES, “THE the support of the LaunchGood team and
Arabic programs,” Adam shares. platform, they have raised over $95,000
Hani also had a change of heart after NUMBER ONE GOAL from more than 1,000 supporters. Even
earning a degree in computer information though they’re a U.S.-based app develop-
systems from the University of Houston.
OF THE APP IS FOR ment team, support has streamed in from
After working for an oil and gas company PEOPLE TO LEARN ON Canada, Singapore, the U.K., Australia and
for three years, he realized it wasn’t what other countries.
he wanted to do for the rest of his life. “I
A MASSIVE SCALE." Amany Killawi, co-founder of
found the design of digital products to be a LaunchGood, has offered help and sup-
potential career opportunity,” Hani explains. port throughout. “We featured it in our

app is for people to learn on a massive scale. people connect with the Quran. Threading
We’re incorporating lots of analytics within this information with stories will make it
the app to see exactly where people are get- easier for them to retain all of this new
ting stuck, what’s getting them frustrated, information. We want this app to be prac-
and what questions they have.” tical and immediately applicable in their
Hani hopes that the app will enable everyday life.”
Muslims to understand the Quran’s lan-
guage, strengthen moments when people QURANIC APP IN SCHOOLS?
are praying or making dua, for “we believe Hani and Adam want to learn more about
that the ripple effect from learning Quranic how their app can fit into a typical Arabic
vocabulary and basic grammar concepts or Quran learning environment. “It will
over a long period can significantly enhance be interesting to see how teachers use the
an individual’s relationship to their deen.” app to supplement the learning going on in
class,” Hani enthuses. “Or perhaps it could
Hani Khan
USING STORIES FROM THE QURAN be used to deliver homework lessons! There
newsletter and generated over $10,000 for FOR CONTEXTUAL LEARNING are a lot of interesting use cases around our
the campaign,” she remarks. It was a move Coming to the idea to use stories from the idea. We’re excited to see where it takes us.”
that surely helped tip the scales in favor of Quran to teach the Arabic was a process. As Adam shares the enthusiasm, “We’re
a successful campaign, one that also helped Adam was putting the app idea together, he open to meeting with institutions and dis-
get the word out to more potential Quranic cussing ways we can implement this app as
Arabic students. a solution to some of the more common
The two friends’ success can also be problems facing Islamic schools. Islamic
attributed to their obvious understanding schools suffer from a huge gap in their
of what busy Muslims want and need. “The Arabic curricula. Many classrooms have
interesting thing about this idea is that I’ve four or five levels of students in one class-
felt the need for it multiple times in my life. room. Quranic can revolutionize how they
I’ve met so many people in similar situa- learn and interact with their teachers.” Hani
tions,” Hani states. “Every single Arabic class adds, “We’re excited about the possibilities
I’ve attended in the past was an excruciating this may bring.”
experience. Sometimes classes started with The app’s beta version was launched in
super dry lessons about grammar or were March, and its full version is scheduled to
crammed into a few days so I forgot every- be released before Ramadan. Please check
thing after a week or two. There were also out https://www.launchgood.com/project/
classes I wasn’t able to attend because I can’t quranic_arabic_for_busy_people#!/ for
take a few months off work. We knew there updates. ih
had to be another better way to connect with
the Quran.” Janet Kozak, a content strategist and copywriter (JanetKozak.
com), is also the community manager at Noor Kids (https://
“It’s what led us to Quranic,” he notes. noorkids.com) and content manager for the Muslim
“With Quranic, people can take short les- tested it on his younger brother who doesn’t Writers and Publishers Association (http://muslimwriters-
sons whenever and wherever they want. The understand any Arabic. Adam gave him a tra- publishers.org).
lessons have interlaced stories to make it ditional grammar piece. However, his brother
easier to understand all the information. recommended something that even their
After all, who doesn’t like to learn about parents could complete, something without
stories in the Quran?” the complicated grammar technicalities. And MedicalAudits.net
The Quranic team is making the learn- so he went back to the drawing board. Attorney Ismail Laher
ing Quranic Arabic fun and interesting for The second time, he shared a lesson based (202) 596-7863 (d)
people on the go. It’s for those who can recite on Surah al-Fatiha. “My brother enjoyed
the Quran but who have no idea of what the it because it’s a surah he is familiar with, We help Doctors, Dentists
words mean, for those who’ve studied Arabic but said it felt repetitive.” The next time, he & Health Care Providers
part-time but don’t have a strong vocabulary tried something different. “I brought him the Nationwide
and helpful for those who’ve studied Arabic story of Musa, and he was eager to see the Medicare Audits, Compliance
but want to maintain or brush up their skills. next lesson. I knew I was on to something,” Revocations, Negotiations…
Adam relates.
BUILT-IN ANALYTICS Hani agrees stories are a powerful way Liles Parker, PLLC
The Quranic team is building data collection to engage people and help them understand
Washington DC
into the app so they can track and under- certain concepts, for they give people con-
(202) 298-8750
stand where users are most challenged. As textual examples of how the Quran uses
Adam relates, “The number one goal of the certain words. “We want this app to help

MUSLIMS IN ACTION
Run, Rahaf, Run!

the offer. Little did she know that
she had also come to the atten-
tion of a different publication.
A few months later, Women’s
A marathon runner, sets to show that you can take Running Magazine wanted her
as one of its top 20 game chang-
your message to the world in more ways than one ers in the sport and its cover girl
for October 2016.
“Subhan Allah, going from
BY HABEEBA HUSAIN
“[Running London is] one more But she faced a dilemma: one magazine to the other,”
I
t’s mid-January, and a thing he can witness.” Runner’s World wanted to have Khatib reflects. “God works in
runner from Michigan read- Since her running career her on its cover while posing mysterious ways. He took away
ied herself to add a signifi- began in 2012, Khatib’s father with a man who runs in a speedo. something from you, but then He
cant checkmark to her list of has witnessed her build up an Needless to say, she turned down gave you something even better.
accomplishments. Rahaf Khatib, impressive list of accomplish-
a Syrian American hijabi runner, ments. She transformed herself
already has four of the six major from a mother who enjoyed
marathons under her belt — physical fitness and didn’t
Berlin, New York, Chicago and know what a 10K was into an
Boston. Just a few days ago, she avid runner who has completed
had received the green light to nine full marathons (that’s 26.2
participate in No. 5: London. miles each), over 15 half mara-
The preparation for this thons (13.1 miles) and several
upcoming race in April will other 10K races (6.2 miles). In
require far more than her normal addition, this Damascus-born
training routine. It will be phys- super athlete has finished two
ically strenuous, mentally chal- sprint triathlons and even a few
lenging and, this time, perhaps 30-mile biking events.
emotionally overwhelming, for It all started when her son’s
she is raising money for a charity gym teacher approached her to
that hits very close to home. run in a 10K six years ago.
This past Thanksgiving, “I thought it was a great idea
Khatib’s father was diagnosed because I’m the type that likes to
with brain cancer. challenge myself, and I found
“This is not how I imagined to that fitness and going to the gym
be running London, but Subhan wasn’t fulfilling enough for me,”
Allah, this is how it worked out,” she states. “I did my best at the
says the mother of three. “Ever time as an amateur runner in
since my dad’s diagnosis of brain April 2012 and actually crossed
cancer, I [thought] ‘What if I can the finish line. Ever since then,
do something? What if I can help I’ve been hooked on running.”
in some way?’” Not only did Khatib become
And so she decided to run a familiar face at the races in her
for a charity that supports home state, but she also made
brain cancer research. With the national news on more than one
London Marathon 2018 right occasion. The first was during
around the corner, Khatib is her campaign to be on the cover
fundraising diligently in an of Runner’s World Magazine. She
effort to help her father and those beat out thousands of entrants
suffering from the same illness. and became a top ten finalist to
To help her reach her goal, visit be on the cover. The contest was
https://www.justgiving.com/ based on garnering votes from
fundraising/rahaf-khatib. people all over the world, and
“It’s hard to see your parent Khatib did great thanks to the
sick and struggling. My father help of her Instagram page (@
is really proud of me, what I’ve runlikeahijabi) that, at the time
accomplished and what I’m of writing, has 15.3 thousand fol-
doing,” the marathoner remarks. lowers and counting.

I’m one of the first hijabis ever to predominantly white sport,” sukoonactive.com), a modest refuse it?” she asks. “Even if I can
be on a magazine [cover], period.” she says. “Most people run for activewear apparel line. A fellow change one person’s mind about
From grocery store stands numbers. They chase time, a gym goer expressed her love for Muslims, I feel like I’ve accom-
to your crammed social media pace, goals. For me, running is the covering shirt. On another plished so much.”
feed to your Muslim friend’s so much more than that. I feel occasion during the Bayshore Gracing the cover of a world-
Snapchat story — Rahaf Khatib like I run for social change.” Marathon in upper Michigan wide magazine in hijab, cross-
donning her hijab and running While Khatib mentions that in May of one year, the weather ing countless finish lines in epic
gear on the cover of Women’s she gets funny looks from fellow was particularly hot, humid fashion, raising $16,000 during
Running Magazine was every-
where. The milestone was yet
another accomplishment added
KHATIB SAYS LOTS OF MUSLIMS ARE TEACHING QURAN
to her already lengthy list. AND EXPLAINING ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE AS THEIR
“It’s not very common
to see a hijabi running in a
METHODS OF DA’WAH — AND RIGHTFULLY SO. BUT
FOR HER, THE SPREADING OF HER FAITH TAKES A
DIFFERENT FORM.
runners, she understands that and rainy. Khatib dressed as she the Boston Marathon for Syrian
her peers are naturally inquisi- usually does and heard one man refugees in her home state and
tive and curious. She gets it — hilariously comment, “Well, being well on her way to fulfill-
she looks different. With her aren’t you dressed for the rain!” ing every marathoner’s dream
long tights, long sleeves, skirt, “That’s the da’wah part of it; of running the six majors — all
athletic hijab and cap all incor- it kind of comes automatically,” while crushing Islamophobic
porated into one ensemble, how she tells me. “Every opportunity stereotypes of Muslim women…
could she not? I get, I feel like it’s from God.” Yes, Rahaf Khatib has accom-
More than the negative Khatib says lots of Muslims plished so much. ih
remarks (those usually rear are teaching Quran and explain-
Habeeba Husain, a freelance journalist
their ugly heads on Twitter), ing Islamic jurisprudence as their based in New York/New Jersey, contributes
however, she gets compliments. methods of da’wah — and right- to SLAM Magazine, blogs for Why-Islam and
At one of her workouts in the fully so. But for her, the spreading is a social media manager for WuduGear.
Her work has also appeared on Narrative.
gym, she sported a long top of her faith takes a different form. ly and MuslimGirl.com, among other online
from Sukoon (https://www. “It just came to me. How can I and print publications.

MUSLIMS IN ACTION
An Entrepreneur’s years old, something happened that changed

Naeem’s life path. As he was working on-site for
most of the week, he was constantly traveling.
Secrets to Success
A yellow taxicab would pick him up at home
and take him to the airport early in the week.
He would come home a few days later, again
in a yellow taxicab. One day his son, upon
There is nothing “wrong” with becoming a seeing a yellow taxicab, excitedly yelled, “Papa!”
Naeem’s heart became heavy when he real-
financially successful, even wealthy, Muslim ized that his son thought he was the taxi’s
driver. And it was this awareness of how
BY RUBINA ALI little time he actually got to spend with his
son that pushed him to start his first busi-
ness. Eventually, this business would do well
I
t’s something we’re taught at a enough to allow him to become his own boss.
young age; “Work now, relax later.” If In 2014 Naeem started HalalSky.com,
you’re like most people, the daily grind which gives real estate opportunities to people
includes waking up early to get ready, with little capital. In “Muslim Entrepreneur,”
rushing out the door and trying to make it he states that “I’m bringing the once reserved
to work on time. At the end of the work day for the wealthy, very lucrative business oppor-
you come home tired and left with little energy tunities to every day people who can start in
for activities with your loved ones. Most of real estate with as little as $5,000.” And it’s not
us put money away every month to pay for just meant for small investments. Some choose
trips or other large expenses, which means to invest millions.
sacrificing time with the people we want to be “Real estate is not a Cryptocoin that may
with the most. And anyway, when is “later”? not be around tomorrow,” he remarks, because
When we retire? When we’re so old that we “it’s hard and tangible, which makes it worth
don’t have the energy to do the things we’ve investing in.” While most people are inter-
always wanted to do? ested in investing, the truth is that it takes
Entrepreneur Naeem Randhawa contends time and energy to do the research neces-
that it doesn’t have to be that way. “The mid- WITH ALL OF HIS sary for making good investments. Take the
dle-class is struggling,” he says, “because most guesswork out of investing and, as Naeem
of us don’t have the financial freedom to do BUSINESSES AND suggests, “find someone who has the know-
what we want to do.” Instead of just talking PROJECTS, IT MAY how, time and experience to invest in real
about how that reality can be changed, he is estate.” More impressively, HalalSky.com
actually helping Muslims leave their 9-to-5 SEEM THAT NAEEM IS enables Muslims to invest their money with
jobs and putting them on the path to becom- no interest, which is why it earned the 2016
ing millionaires.
IN CONSTANT WORK Global Islamic Award.
Naeem, who made his first million while he MODE. BUT THAT’S NOT “We live in this amazing country where
was still in his 30s, is among the contributors we have opportunities to gain financial free-
to Amazon’s bestseller “Muslim Entrepreneur THE CASE, FOR BEING dom,” says Naeem, “I’m just here to help.”
Mind” (2016), the CEO of six businesses and As a national speaker on entrepreneurship,
the creator of Halalsky.com (http://halalsky.
HIS OWN BOSS MEANS e-Commerce and teaching people how to
com) — the first Shariah-compliant real estate THAT HE GETS TO MAKE attain financial freedom, Naeem asserts that
crowdfunding platform for Muslims. While he doesn’t want Muslims to fall behind in
his first few jobs may have not been so desir- HIS OWN SCHEDULE — gaining their financial freedom.
able — in high school he sold fish door-to- ONE THAT ALLOWS HIM As a successful entrepreneur, Naeem now
door and, after that, pens — they ignited his focuses his efforts on projects that are mean-
passion to become an entrepreneur. TO SPEND MORE TIME ingful to him. For example, Naeem and his
His family moved from Pakistan to Canada wife challenged themselves to raise $1 million
when he was 5 years old, and like most South
WITH HIS FAMILY AND for their favorite charity, Islamic Relief (http://
Asian children he had two career options: ON HIS HOBBIES. www.islamic-relief.org) — so far they have
doctor or engineer. He chose engineering raised over $600,000. They’ve also sponsored
and, after getting married, moved with his four orphans for the past 10 years, giving them
wife Sonia to Dallas. During his career he vice president of a data company in Austin. opportunities that they may never have had.
has worked for prestigious firms like KPMG “The reality is, though,” Naeem states, “deep One project that he holds close to his heart
and BearingPoint, implementing multi-mil- down it didn’t feel any different. I just felt I is building and supporting a school in rural
lion dollar IT projects around the country. had inherited more work, more responsibility Afghanistan. After visiting it, he proclaimed
He has consulted for companies like Pepsi, and more time away from my family, and was that he “can’t express how much that drives
Boeing, Wal-Mart, FedEx and the State of even more at the mercy of those above me.” my passion to be more, want more and [grow]
Texas, reaching the height of his career as When their son Zakaria was around 4 10X my business.”

“The reality,” explains Naeem, “is that wealth is not important.
It’s what you do with the wealth that is important.” That think-
ing has fueled his philanthropic efforts. And those efforts have
not gone unnoticed — Naeem and his wife were awarded ISNA’s
Humanitarian Award for their charitable work. And as he helps
other Muslim entrepreneurs make their first million, he hopes
that they will use their success to give back and to help others.
Another passion project is directing and producing “American
Ramadan,” a documentary that follows the lives of five Muslim
families and shows how each one practices their faith during the
holy month. “American Ramadan” aired on PBS and has won
several global awards. Naeem is currently working on his next
documentary, “Tea with the Taliban.” While it may seem odd for
an entrepreneur to be directing and producing films, this actu-
ally goes along with his philosophy: “Don’t make making money
your goal. Make living your passion your goal — the money will
follow, I promise you.”
With all of his businesses and projects, it may seem that Naeem
is in constant work mode. But that’s not the case, for being his
own boss means that he gets to make his own schedule — one that
allows him to spend more time with his family and on his hobbies.
He admits he’s not a morning person, so instead of rushing out the
door mornings he spends those hours in such activities as prayer,
reading the Quran, breakfasting with his wife, and working out.
On any given day, don’t be surprised if you catch him with the
wind in his hair on his Ninja 1000 motorcycle. He also has the
freedom to take a vacation when and for how long he wants — a
reality that he definitely takes advantage of.
If being your own boss and making your own schedule is The world we live in is constantly evolving and ISNA is
something you aspire to, Naeem points out the three things that committed to being a positive driver of change. ISNA has
you need to have: long recognized the importance of engaging with other
Time. In the beginning you’ll have to devote a lot of time to
faith communities as a fundamental part of its mission,
building your business, which may mean sacrificing time with
your family and giving up some weekends. But not for long, for and therefore, we continuously host and participate in
as you grow your business you’ll be able to devote more time to interfaith events, meetings and webinars to educate our
things about which you are passionate. friends, partners, officials and activists about Islam.
Patience. People get caught up in making a lot of money as
quickly as possible. But because this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, These interreligious initiatives have helped break down
patience is necessary.
barriers of misunderstanding, formed genuine partnerships
Support. Naeem relates that he started his new career only after
talking with his wife. “Sit your family down, tell them what you’re of faith and ethics, and established a platform to advocate
doing and how much time you need,” Naeem urges. He offers the for social justice issues for the common good.
much-known advice that we make sure that everyone understands
what your goals are so they can help you work toward them. We aim to work together to fight Islamophobia and share
The significance of owning your own business is evident. In knowledge about the true teachings and understanding
Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda’s “Life of the Prophet: Muhammad,
of our religion in all sectors.
The Businessman & A Marriage Proposal” podcast, we learn that
owning your own business is actually a sunnah of the Prophet (salla
The gift of education has a ripple effect—it creates change
Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and that he was a successful business-
man. Al-Tirmidhi also relates the following hadith: The Prophet locally, nationally and globally.
is quoted as having said: “An honest and trustworthy merchant
will be [raised] with the prophets, the truthful and the martyrs” Ignorance is our enemy, and with your support we can
(cited on the authority of Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar; Ibn Maja no, 2139; make a difference.
al Hakim; no. 2142; ad-Daruquthni, no. 17; at Tirmidhi; no. 1209).
In today’s financial world, it is hard to take out a loan or make an Please donate to ISNA today.
investment that doesn’t involve interest. Naeem’s Shariah-compliant
platform HalalSky.com now makes doing so possible. Muslim entre-
preneurs can rest easy, knowing that their hard-earned paychecks
are going toward investments that are both honest and halal. ih
Rubina Ali, who has a passion for reading, and writing, owns the online Alina’s Boutique P.O. Box 808 • Plainfield, IN 46168 • (317) 839-8157
that sells Islamic books and gifts.
www.isna.net • ISNAHQ • @ISNAHQ

MUSLIMS ABROAD
Understanding the Rohingya Tragedy

Once again genocide raises its ugly head in an overwhelming indifferent world
BY AZEEM IBRAHIM The lands of Myanmar were part of the Raj After the war and the ensuing indepen-
— imperial Britain’s South Asian empire. dence of South Asia’s colonies, two things
O
f the many genocidal cam- As with other parts of the Raj, these lands happened: (1) Burma became indepen-
paigns that the world has seen during also had growing national independence dent in 1948 based on the borders of 1824
the past century, few have been as effec- movements. But unlike in India and other (before the first British-Burmese colonial
tive at removing an entire people from British colonies, the Burmese nationalists wars) and (2) the Japan-allied Burmese-
their birth country as the Myanmar army’s who sought independence had no qualms nationalist independence fighters became
assault on Rakhine state’s Rohingya Muslim about aligning themselves with the Japanese the core of the new country’s armed forces.
minority. Of the approximately 1 million and assisting their invasion of Burma. The Muslim “British collaborators” in the
Rohingya living in Myanmar at the begin- Not everyone in Burma/Myanmar was northwest therefore found themselves on
ning of August 2017, over 700,000 have fled on board with this, however. The most “the wrong side of the border.” The largest
to Bangladesh. And even though this exodus notable dissenters were perhaps the Muslim of these groups were the Rohingya.
has slowed down a little in recent weeks, it minorities, which, along with all of the other Just over that border was East Pakistan,
remains ongoing. How did we get here? minorities that cooperated with imperial which would, in 1971, become the indepen-
As is often the case with such large-scale Britain, enjoyed a great deal of protection dent country of Bangladesh. In the years
humanitarian disasters, this crisis has been under the colonial legal system. They were around 1948, at least some Rohingya lead-
a very long time in the making. Genocide also more culturally comfortable with the ers felt that their people and lands would
is not an event, but rather a process that institutions of the Raj, given how it had more naturally belong to East Pakistan. In
unfolds on a historical scale. By the time originally evolved to supplant the Muslim fact, some abortive attempts were made to
this crisis had emerged into the public con- Mughal empire in northern India. Unsure change the border settlement so that the
sciousness of the international community, of what an independent Burmese Buddhist- Rohingya and their lands would become part
it was already too late. majority state might mean for their security of a Muslim-majority country, as opposed
Perhaps this conflict’s earliest clearly iden- and status, they aligned themselves with the to a Buddhist-majority one.
tifiable roots lie in the dark days of WW2. British defenders. As if the antagonism of Burma’s military

toward the country’s Muslim minorities were Law, which effectively precluded the vast million, Rohingya in the world. One million
not already bad enough due to the WW2- majority of them from the right to citizen- of them had already been pushed out during
related conflicts, these moves cemented the ship. Incidentally, international law strictly the previous decades. This latest crisis is by
army’s perception that the Muslims were “out- prohibits rendering people stateless in their no means something new, but merely the
siders” in the new Burmese national project. birth country in this way. natural continuation of a long-established
This was not immediately problematic, The Rohingya began to see grow- and accelerating trend.
however, for the Rohingya moves toward ing restrictions placed on their right of Looked at from the proper histori-
East Pakistan were peaceful and sought movement, until most of them had been cal vantage point, the Rohingya situation
to follow legitimate political channels. ghettoized in specific rural areas or spe- can be understood as a politically driven
Moreover, at this point the new country of cific neighborhoods in cities. Building decades-long effort to remove an entire
Burma was a British-style parliamentary mosques became increasingly difficult, as people from their ancestral land — an effort
democracy. Once it was settled that the newly enacted building permit requirements that is nearing completion. But this genocide
Rohingya would be part of Burma, they forbade the construction of new ones. In was neither inevitable nor unstoppable until
would have the same standing as any other addition, state policy and the Rohingya’s last year, when both the international com-
minority, including political representation civilian Buddhist neighbors increasingly munity demonstrated its unwillingness to
in the national political bodies. boycotted their businesses. intervene and the country’s Buddhist army
Everything began to change in 1962, when
the army took control of the government
following a political crisis. Burma was still
LOOKED AT FROM THE PROPER HISTORICAL
not a “nation” with a definite sense of shared VANTAGE POINT, THE ROHINGYA SITUATION
identity. Demographically, it remained what
it had been in the pre-colonial era: a Burmese
CAN BE UNDERSTOOD AS A POLITICALLY
core surrounded by a periphery of diverse DRIVEN DECADES-LONG EFFORT TO REMOVE
ethnic and religious groups. But this was
no longer the pre-colonial era, and some AN ENTIRE PEOPLE FROM THEIR ANCESTRAL
of these groups thought they should not be LAND — AN EFFORT THAT IS NEARING
ruled by a more powerful neighbor. Many of
them, in fact, harbored ambitions of auton- COMPLETION.
omy or even independence. The new politi-
cal leadership, however, was in no mood to Policies that, according to international retained it firm control of the situation. And
tolerate any secessionist drives. law, veered into the territory of genocide so now we are witnessing a sacrifice on the
These demographic dynamics explain were also introduced: They could not marry altar of Myanmar’s “national identity” as
much of the country’s post-war — and ongo- non-Rohingya, had to obtain state pre-ap- well as a crime of omission committed by a
ing — internal political dynamics. Myanmar proval before getting married and could have morally bankrupt international community.
has the longest running civil wars in the no more than two children — which is, of What will become of the nearly 1 million
world due to the military forces’ decades- course, below the natural replacement rate. Rohingya now languishing in Bangladesh’s
long legacy of trying to impose the Burmese By the 1990s and early 2000s, Myanmar state refugee camps? This really is the most
national and religious identity on the inde- policy was already committed to a genocide important question at this point in time.
pendently minded borderland ethnic groups. of attrition. And the answers are not entirely obvious.
Unfortunately for the Rohingya, they Despite all of this, their situation only Although Bangladesh has been very helpful
have a special place in this dynamic. After really came to world attention following so far, it understandably has been far from
the abortive attempt to join East Pakistan, several vicious episodes of communal vio- enthusiastic about this particular develop-
they have been far from the most rebellious lence between Rakhine state’s Muslim and ment. A poor country with plenty of its own
group and certainly nowhere near the most Buddhist inhabitants in 2012 and 2013 — epi- problems, it doesn’t have enough resources
violently belligerent. However, they were the sodes that led to hundreds of thousands of the to cope with such a large, rapid and unex-
largest borderland minority and deviated former being internally displaced and hun- pected influx of destitute refugees. The offi-
most visibly from the national identity pro- dreds of thousands more fleeing the country cial political discourse about “repatriation”
moted by the central government: They are altogether. Subsequent episodes of violence is just political posturing. The Rohingya now
Muslims in a Buddhist-majority country and recurred periodically, most notably in 2015 as need a sustainable solution for the future, as
a brown-skinned people in a land where vir- the South East Asia Migration Crisis, which well as the international community’s efforts
tually all other groups are fair-skinned. They saw large new outflows of Rohingya refugees to step in, guarantee and underwrite such
thus became totemic for Burma’s “struggle” to from Myanmar, strained the entire region a solution. The problem is that we have not
secure its identity as a nation because they were and made international headlines. even begun to develop solutions and don’t
the most obvious “foreign” presence against This latest crisis, which has seen approxi- seem to be in much of a hurry to do so. ih
which that national identity could define itself. mately 70 percent of the 1 million Rohingya
In practical terms, this meant that flee Myanmar, obscures a number that is far Dr. Azeem Ibrahim is a senior fellow at the Centre for Global
Policy (https://www.cgpolicy.org) in Washington, DC, and
the Rohingya were steadily marginalized more indicative of the ongoing genocide: author of “The Rohingyas: Inside Myanmar’s Hidden
politically up until the 1982 Citizenship There are approximately 2 million, not 1 Genocide” (2016; Hurst Publishers & Oxford University Press).

MUSLIMS ABROAD
Life Inside a Refugee Camp

Muslim American health professionals reach out with help to Rohingya refugees
like Syria and Haiti.” He relates that “70
percent of water consumed by refugees is
contaminated. And with no sewage system
in place, disease spreads quickly.”
While the IMR is working with other
medical organizations currently in the
region, they are taking the lead in providing
medical care to as many people as possible.
Every day a mobile clinic is set up in a differ-
ent area, some of which can only be reached
by walking two to three miles. The clinic is
equipped with a full pharmacy, and patients
receive a full physical examination. A rota-
tion plan has been mapped out that makes
it possible for the teams to circle back to the
original point after 30 days, which enables
patients to follow-up on their medical care
and refill any prescriptions.
PHOTO LOVE ARMY

Between 10 and 12 doctors are now
seeing 40 to 50 patients a day. By the end
of each day, the clinic has served between
500 and 600 patients. Each day it receives a
BY RUBINA ALI handful of critical patients who need to be
transferred to a nearby hospital. IMANA
C
lick. You’ve just received a their homes. Some arrived in boats while has two ambulances on site to transfer them
telephone call from a relative in others climbed over mountain ranges, trying immediately.
another country and can’t believe to escape this latest persecution campaign. Dr. Tasneem Hoque, a pediatric cardiolo-
the conversation you’ve just had. Since 2012, Rohingya Muslims have fled gist from New York who volunteered for an
New laws have gone into effect — laws that to Bangladesh in what the U.N. states is “the IMR mission, remarks that the experience
clearly state that Muslims can no longer go to world’s fastest growing refugee crisis.” This is “transformed me… In America, when you
school, get jobs, marry without government in response to what Amnesty International get sick you see a doctor and you get better.
consent or have more than two children. describes as a “targeted [state] campaign of But in a refugee camp it’s not that simple.
Furthermore, their citizenship has been widespread and systematic murder, rape and Death is such a part of their lives that it’s
taken away and so they effectively have no burning.” According to a recent U.N. esti- [no longer] traumatizing.”
place to call “home.” In fact, they are flee- mate, almost 1 million Rohingya have fled Hoque recalls two separate occasions
ing to refugee camps in neighboring coun- to Bangladesh to escape what is considered when babies who needed emergency care
tries. No, this isn’t a dystopian society from “a textbook example of ethnic cleansing.” were brought in. The first was a 45-day-old
a novel; this is exactly what is happening to Before the refugees’ arrival Bangladesh infant who only weighed two pounds and
Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslims. was not only the world’s most densely popu- was not latching. Right away she could see
The Islamic Medical Association of North lated country, but also the poorest. And yet that the infant was severely dehydrated and
America (IMANA; www.imana.org), which it has provided them a temporary home. Life did not have the strength to feed. She advised
provides medical relief in over 26 countries, in a refugee camp has meant no electricity, the mother to take the infant to the nearby
has recently started providing aid for these running water or functioning sewage sys- hospital; however, the mother refused on
new refugees. IMANA Medical Relief (IMR) tems. Needless to say, the need for medical the grounds that she needed to stay near
comprises a team of volunteer medical aid is crucial. her home — U.N. workers were registering
professionals who serve for two-week mis- IMR chair Dr. Ismail Mehr says, “In the refugees, and if she missed her chance she
sions in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Most two-dozen medical missions I’ve been on, wouldn’t be able to receive rations for herself
patients are dealing with treatable diseases Rohingya Muslims are dealing with, by far, and her family. After 30 minutes of convinc-
or infections; others have more serious ail- the worst living conditions I’ve ever seen. The ing — a typical patient-visit lasts about 10
ments, among them open wounds and frac- criticalness of disease in the refugee camps minutes — Hoque was able to get the mother
tured bones that they received while fleeing is much worse than in other disaster areas on an ambulance heading toward the hospital.

The second was a 15-month-old boy who excitement was palpable. When she was know. But what about the elderly? “They’ve
was running a high fever, had protruding able to get a closer look, she realized that seen better,” Khan remarks. “There are grave-
ribs and was breathing very heavily. He the man was showing them how to farm. yards here [in the camp]. It must be hard
was in obvious respiratory distress. Hoque Despite the hilly terrain, which was not living your final years in a refugee camp.”
advised the father to take him to the nearby ideal for farming, he wanted to give them Since IMANA began medical relief in
hospital; he refused to do so. “How,” she something they could nurture with their Bangladesh in late December 2017, volunteer
wondered, “could a father refuse his child own hands and watch it grow as the days doctors have treated a total of 28,352 patients.
medical care?” He had a wife and two chil- passed. “Despite what these children have Treatment costs about $3.75 per person,
dren at home, he informed her, and women been through,” muses Khan, “they still want which is less than what most Americans pay
and children were often kidnapped if there to bring beauty around them.” for lunch every day. The volunteer doctors
sacrifice time with their loved ones to help
those in need. Not only do they pay their
own airfare to make that happen, but they
BEFORE THE REFUGEES’ ARRIVAL also commit to raising a minimum of $1,000
to put toward medical relief efforts. Some
BANGLADESH WAS NOT ONLY THE WORLD’S doctors raise far more than that. For exam-
MOST DENSELY POPULATED COUNTRY, ple, Hoque created a travel diary and put up
pictures and stories of her daily experiences
BUT ALSO THE POOREST. AND YET IT HAS on her Facebook page. By the time she left
PROVIDED THEM A TEMPORARY HOME. Bangladesh, she had raised over $23,000
through donations from family and friends.
Founded in 1967, IMANA has treated
over 2 million people in need around the
was no one to care for them. The possibility “The medical stuff is one thing,” Khan world and has completed 65 medical and sur-
of having to leave his family for an extended explains, “but it’s more important to see the gical missions. IMANA is currently taking
period of time could mean losing them for- humanity, the human side of it.” Khan says applications for volunteers in Bangladesh,
ever. Hoque explained, “He was choosing she wants people to understand what hap- Syria and Haiti.
the livelihood of his family over the child’s pens to the Rohingya once the volunteers According to Mehr, IMANA will continue
life.” Women and children in the camps leave. “We get to leave at the end of the day, its mobile medical camps as long as there
are at high risk for gender-based or sexual but these people are stuck. Right now the is enough funding to do so. There are trips
violence, and there are countless stories of ground is dry, but what happens when the scheduled to Bangladesh through the end of
attacks, kidnapping, rape and even under- rainy season comes? Tents will be washed April, and more may be added in May and
cover sex-trafficking. away, mosquitos will come and they’ll bring June if donations continue to come in. ih
A few days later, knowing that the malaria. Sewage will be all around.” For Rubina Ali, who has a passion for reading and writing, owns
15-month-old needed care, Hoque had one the children, the refugee camps are all they the online Alina’s Boutique that sells Islamic books and gifts.
of the young translators help her track down
his family. They walked for miles to reach
them with medicine and water in hand. The
child’s mother was hesitant at first. But once
she realized that the doctor was there to help,
she let Hoque show her how to make and
administer medicine to help nurse her baby
back to health.
Dr. Fariha Khan, a mother of four chil-
dren all under the age of 11, spent two weeks
volunteering with IMR in the Rohingya
camps. She was amazed by the resilience
that she saw there. “What these people have
endured is absolutely horrific,” she states,
“from seeing someone being raped, to a child
watching their own house being burned
down. Yet they carry themselves with such
patience, grace and dignity. They don’t dwell
on their pain.”
While taking some videos of the local
children, she recalls one incident that made
her smile. An adult had gathered some of
the young children together, and their

MUSLIMS ABROAD
Heritage Babri Mosque

RESEARCHERS Destroyed in the Name
HAVE FOUND of a Myth
NO MENTION The dream of India’s Hindu extremists —
OF AYODHYA a pure Hindu India
BEING RAMA’S
BY MOHAMMAD AHMADULLAH SIDDIQI
“BIRTHPLACE” IN
E
ANY HISTORICAL ver since my childhood, when- entry gate, confirm the construction dates
ever the Gorakhpur to Lucknow bus but say nothing about it being built on or
OR RELIGIOUS passed through the twin cities of near a temple site.
TEXT FROM THE Faizabad and Ayodhya I would wonder
about the magnificent Babri Masjid, one of
But ever since British historians, who
colluded with London’s “divide and rule”
FIRST CENTURY the province’s largest mosques, whose front strategy, wrote conflicting stories about
door I always found locked. the site of the mosque and the city being
BCE TO TWELFTH Today Ayodhya is a city of temples along the birthplace of the mythical Hindu deity
the banks of the Sirju (Ghaghra) River. But Rama, there have been communal clashes.
CENTURY CE. long before British colonialism, it was the The first one broke out in 1855.
thriving capital of a large Mughal-ruled Fast forward to Dec. 6, 1992. Scores of
province and home of the large Babri Masjid, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) kar
built in 1528. Two Persian inscriptions, one sevaks (helpers) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad
on the pulpit and the other longer one on the (VHP) members, led by the Bharatiya Janta

A timeline of the Babri Masjid dispute:
Party (BJP) leaders Lal Krishan Advani 1528 Mir Baqi constructs the Babri Masjid on the orders of Emperor Babur.
(deputy prime minister of India [2002-04])
1949 In the early hours of Dec. 23, 1949, Hindus allegedly place Ram idols inside the
and Murli Manahor Joshi (now a BJP MP),
mosque. There are widespread protests. Hashim Ansari and Mahant Paramhans
climbed atop the mosque’s central dome and,
Ramchandra Das, chief of the Ram Birthplace Trust, file suits for their respective
in about eight hours, destroyed the entire communities. The government declares the site disputed and locks its gates.
structure. The police did not intervene, and
1950 Mahant Das and Gopal Singh Visharad, head of the Hindu Mahasabha’s Faizabad
both the BJP-led state government of Uttar
unit, file suits in Faizabad to pray before the idols. The court allows the holding
Pradesh (UP) and the Congress-led govern-
of a puja ceremony. The inner courtyard stays locked.
ment did nothing.
Muslims, who organized as the Babri 1959 Nirmohi Akhara, a Hindu religious denomination and a main party to the
dispute, and others seek permission to hold prayer ceremonies again.
Masjid Action Committee (BMAC; www.
india.com/topic/babri-masjid-action-com- 1961 UP’s Sunni Central Board of Waqfs stakes its claim on the grounds that the
mittee), and some Hindu priests filed court area surrounding the mosque is a graveyard.
cases challenging the claim that the site 1984 The VHP establishes a group to continue the movement, and BJP leader Advani
and the land belonged to the Hindus. The is put in charge of the campaign. VHP organizes a massive procession from
case, which the BMAC is still pursuing, is Sitamarhi (supposedly where Rama’s wife Sita emerged from the ground) to
now before the Indian Supreme Court. The Ayodhya in late September. At least 50,000 Hindus join the 12-day procession.
According to participants’ accounts, they take an “oath” at Sarju River.
BMAC has said that Muslims will accept
its judgment. Feb. 1, 1986 BMAC was constituted after Faizabad's district judge ordered the gates opened
Jesuit missionary Joseph Tiefenthaler so Hindus can pray before the idols.
(1710-85), one of the earliest European 1989 Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi allows a groundbreaking ceremony at a nearby
geographers to write about India, visited undisputed site. Afterward, the case hearing was shifted to the Allahabad
Ayodhya before 1768 and claimed, with- High Court.
out citing any evidence, that a temple had Sept. 25, 1990 Advani launches a pilgrimage from Somnath to Ayodhya to mobilize coun-
been destroyed to build the mosque. Hindus trywide support.
brought idols (Sita ki Rasoi) and placed November 1990 Advani’s vehicle is stopped at Samastipur; he is arrested. The BJP withdraws
them outside the mosque. Some Hindus its support of V.P. Singh’s government, thereby triggering fresh elections.
believe that Sita ki Rasoi is the place where Dec. 6, 1992 Hundreds of kar sevaks destroy the mosque and erect a makeshift temple.
Sita cooked food for the first time after she During the ensuing massive countrywide riots, at least 2,000 people are
married Lord Ram. killed. The P.V. Narasimha Rao-led Congress government asks the court to
However, researchers have found no reinstate the status quo.
mention of Ayodhya being Rama’s “birth- March 5, 2003 The Allahabad High Court orders the Archeological Survey of India to examine
place” in any historical or religious text from the disputed site and submit its report.
the first century BCE to twelfth century CE. Aug. 22, 2003 The report finds that there are features of a 10th-century temple beneath
The first known Sanskrit text to place Rama’s the site.
birthplace in a locality of Ayodhya is the
Aug. 31, 2003 The All India Muslim Personal Law Board says it will challenge the report in court.
Skanda Puråna, which has varied versions
but was not composed earlier than 1600. July 26, 2010 The court reserves its judgment and recommends all parties to settle the
In 1884, the dispute was heard by Pundit issue amicably.
Hari Kishan Singh, sub-judge, Faizabad, and Sept. 8, 2010 The Allahabad High Court announces that the verdict will be pronounced
then in 1885, on appeal before W. Young, on Sept. 24.
judicial commissioner, Awadh. Both decided Sept. 14, 2010 It quashes a writ petition seeking deferment of the judgment.
in favor of Muslim possession of the mosque; Sept. 23, 2010 The Supreme Court, after receiving a plea for an out-of-court bargain, says
Young also allowed the Sita ki Rasoi to be it will hear the case again on Sept. 28.
retained by Hindus. The property issue was Sept. 28, 2010 It rejects the petition for deferment and requests the Allahabad High Court
thus settled in the eyes of law. to deliver its judgment. That court announces it will do so on Sept. 30.
In his judgment, Singh wrote: ‘This place
Sept. 30, 2010 The Allahabad High Court pronounces a three-way division of the disputed
is not like [any] other place where the owner area among the Sunni Waqf Board, the Nirmohi Akhara and the party for
has got the right to construct any building “Ram Lalla.”
he likes […] If a temple is constructed on
Feb. 26, 2016 The Supreme Court permits BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to intervene — he
the chabutara [platform] at such a place then
seeks permission to build a Ram temple at the site of the demolished mosque.
there will be the sound of bells of the temple
and sankh [sounding shell] when both April 19, 2017 The Supreme Court orders the State High Court to reopen the case against the
main individuals accused in the Babri Masjid destruction case: Advani, Murli
Hindus and Muslims pass from the same
Manoher Joshi (former education minister of India), Uma Bharti (a minister in
way and if permission is given to Hindus
the current federal government), and Kalian Singh (the then-UP chief minister).
for constructing a temple then one day or
the other a criminal case will be started and Feb. 8, 2018 The Supreme Court hearings continued with new dates being fixed till this
magazine went to press.
thousands of people will be killed.”

MUSLIMS ABROAD
has to revive its old values of secularism.

Ultimately, they will not be victorious.
The Babri Masjid has become a symbol
of identity and survival for India’s more than
180 million Muslims. Extreme right wing
Hindu organizations, however, are using it
to spread hate and violence and to ensure
that India becomes a Hindu Rashtra (a pure
Hindu nation). The lynching of Muslims, the
killing of peaceful citizens in the name of “cow
protection,” the incitement of the majority
community’s sentiments against minorities
and the growing intolerance and communal-
ization of politics are becoming the norm.
Muslims have an uphill task before
them. While more than half of them live in
poverty and are largely illiterate, the other
half is confused. Less than 10 percent of the
wealthiest Muslims are concerned about the
fate of their coreligionists. Others, mostly
middle class, are struggling to survive and
Historical photograph of the Babri Masjid from The British Library Board taken in early 1900s.
sustain their families. The community seems
to be caught between incompetent leaders
The RSS was banned after Nathuram “a few Hindus entered the Babri Masjid and ignorant followers. ih
Godse, a follower of the Hindu Mahasabha at night when the masjid was deserted
Dr. M. Ahmadullah Siddiqi taught public relations and
and the RSS, assassinated Mohandas K. and installed a deity there. (Krishna Jha
journalism at Western Illinois University for more than 28
Gandhi on Jan. 30, 1948. After its leader and Dhirendra K Jha, “Ayodhya, The years, where he was chair of the Department of English
Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar gave some Dark Night: The Secret History of Rama’s and Journalism.
assurances, the ban was lifted in July 1949. Appearance in Babri Masjid;” 2012. New
Immediately thereafter, both groups looked Delhi: Harper Collins).
for an issue to revive their base. During the On Sept. 30, 2010, the Allahabad High ISNA Monthly Sustainer –
night of Dec. 22-23, 1949, the mosque’s locks Court awarded two thirds of the land to
were broken and the idols were placed near Hindus for a temple, less than one third
A Good Deed Done Regularly!
its pulpit. As Muslims could not offer prayers to Muslims and the remaining to the third
there, the district administration locked the party claiming ownership of the land. All You can make an impact
mosque again and waited for the dispute to parties have challenged this verdict in the
be resolved. Indian Supreme Court. On April 19, 2017,
with as little as
During the 1980s, when the BJP suf-
fered several devastating defeats in state
it ruled that senior BJP leaders L.K. Advani,
Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti would
$10 per month!
and national elections, it made the Babri face charges of criminal conspiracy and
Masjid a central issue and began planning that the matter would have to be decided
to replace it with the Rama Temple. When in two years. The Court stated that hearings
the BJP-led government came to power in would begin on Feb. 8, 2018 and re-set it
UP in 1992, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the to March 14.
RSS and the BJP started advance planning. VHP joint general secretary Surrinder
The mosque was destroyed on Dec. 6, 1992, Jain stated: “We have been celebrating
large-scale countrywide riots erupted, sev- Victory Day [Shaurya Diwas] for the past
eral thousand Muslims died and others lost 24 years since that structure was destroyed.
their personal properties and businesses. It’s natural that we celebrate. The monu-
Since 1949, several court cases have ments of slavery have to be destroyed.” For
been pending at various levels of the Indian Muslims, it is a black day in the history of
judicial system. It took the Indian judi- secular India.
ciary 61 years to recognize that the idols “When they talk of solution they mean
had been placed in the mosque by human we should surrender our claim, and that’s
www.isna.net
hands — although K.K.K. Nair (1907-77), not possible. That will never happen, we will
(317) 839-8157
an Indian Civil Service officer, district not surrender,” BMAC convener Zafaryab
magistrate of Faizabad, had informed the Jilani told Al Jazeera, Dec. 5, 2017. “They are
higher authorities in December 1949 that causing damage to the nation. The country
Convenient. Secure. Affordable.
MUSLIMS ABROAD
The Stranded Can Never be Forgotten

A humanitarian initiative brings hope to Stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh
BY SAIMA HASSAN them have made the living conditions in these education, health care and providing skills
T
he Urdu-speaking community camps even more harrowing than before. and economic opportunities that would
has been living in makeshift camps A common sight is severely underfed ultimately lead to financial self-sufficiency.
since the 1971 civil war between East children, piles of rotting trash, open sewers,
and West Pakistan, which led to East rundown and semi-functioning community PROVIDING HOPE
Pakistan becoming Bangladesh. Variously bathrooms being used by countless people. Since its inception, OBAT has achieved sev-
known as Urdu-speaking, Biharis or stranded Families of 6-8 people live, eat, cook and eral milestones. It now runs eight schools,
Pakistanis, they were temporarily accommo- sleep in a single, cramped, 8 ft. by 10 ft. 34 preschools and health clinics, as well as
dated in camps after Bangladesh was created, space fashioned out of junk, such as tin several tutoring, computer training and
so that, according to their wishes, they could and bamboo. A lack of access to clean water, vocational centers. About 1,000 students
be repatriated to Pakistan. health facilities or education is the norm. receive scholarships. Special basic literacy
Forty-seven years later, approximately Disease, illiteracy and miserable poverty classes, held before the workday begins,
350,000 inhabitants of the former East continue to plague and mar their lives. facilitate the ongoing education of working
Pakistan still live in the same dismal cir- Pakistani-American Anwar Khan, children and illiterate adults. About 5,000
cumstances and in the same decrepit shelters moved by these conditions, founded OBAT students currently study in the organization’s
set up for them in the newly independent Helpers (https://obathelpers.org) in 2004 educational programs.
Bangladesh. The natural growth in population to help alleviate the residents’ sufferings OBAT’s now self-sustaining microfinance
and the limited resources being shared among by meeting their basic needs in terms of program has enabled 1,600 women to start

small businesses. Various camp improve- residents on how to become change agents A NEW CHALLENGE
ment projects, such as constructing water and problem solvers. Through this platform, During October 2017, OBAT started
and sewage facilities as well as bathrooms, young people are encouraged to take own- responding to the influx of Rohingya ref-
have given 85,000 people access to clean ership of the problems surrounding them ugees fleeing persecution and genocide in
water and sanitation facilities. The health and devise simple solutions for them via Myanmar. Over 650,000 Rohingya have
area comprises clinics, a cataract surgery the concepts of human centered design — arrived since August 2017; current estimates
stand at 1 million. By partnering with several
local NGOs and the UNHCR, OBAT has
FORTY-SEVEN YEARS LATER, APPROXIMATELY been working to provide emergency relief
350,000 INHABITANTS OF THE FORMER items, cooked food and fulfilling health care
needs by holding medical camps. At present,
EAST PAKISTAN STILL LIVE IN THE SAME it has established a fully functional medical
DISMAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND DECREPIT clinic and is setting up another one, along
with 18 learning centers for children — and
SHELTERS SET UP FOR THEM IN THE NEWLY a plan to build 100 in total. Refugee shelters
INDEPENDENT BANGLADESH. have been built, and community centers have
been established so that they have a place to
stay until their tent homes are ready.
program and a maternity service that offers a design and management framework that Love Army, which has raised over $2 mil-
pre- and post-natal care to mothers and their develops solutions to problems by involving lion to help Rohingya refugees, say that they
infants. These programs, which can be found the human perspective in all steps of the have partnered with the American Refugee
in 79 camps in 14 cities, extend assistance to problem-solving process. Students are also Committee and local NGOs and OBAT
more than 32,000 families. Assistance is also being trained in media, computers and new Helpers to make sure that every dollar is spent
provided to needy families during Ramadan, technology so that they can acquire relevant in the most effective way. Two bridges have also
and meat is distributed on Eid-ul-Adha. skills that will make them competitive in the been erected to facilitate travel by foot, as the
To help promote empowerment, OBAT job market and assist them in finding good camp’s terrain camp is rather treacherous. ih
has created youth think tanks that, it hopes, employment opportunities, wherever they Saima Hassan, director of Development & Communications,
will produce leaders by training camp are allowed to venture outside of the camps. OBAT Helpers Inc.

COMMENTARY
The Crisis of the Modern Age

What happens when profit and self-interest, as opposed to the market’s “invisible
hand” that supposedly helps the demand and supply of goods in a free market reach
equilibrium automatically, determines the world’s winners and losers?
LUKE MATHEW PETERSON
(including marketing neoliberalism itself) priorities. Ultimately, we should be deeply
S
ince the 1970s, a number of … Neoliberal empire is a marriage of suspicious of the moral compass that comes
authors and critics have locked on to convenience with neoliberalism indi- into play in our state and national capitals in
the theory of neoliberalism, the creep- cated by [the] inconsistent use of neo- order to justify the blatantly and obviously
ing, globally exploitative trend that liberal policies, and an attempt to merge hypocritical international alliance system for
proscribes the privatization of all human the America whose business is business which so much military expenditure, blood
endeavors. Some go as far as to label it the with the America whose business is war and treasure have been so callously spent.
single most compelling and pervasive politi- (ibid., 123). It is through these lenses that we should
cal phenomenon of our time. Jan N. Pieterse According to these parameters, and along view the ongoing the Palestinian-Israeli con-
calls it a “universalistic … economic regime with the definitions provided by other lead- flict and its incorporation within the aggres-
[in which] (free markets are the sole effec- ing scholars in this arena, whenever political sive, global profiteering system known as
tive system) … [and in which] the United leaders speak of the importance of legislation, neoliberalism. Although Israel’s more than
States [is given] the exclusive and combined taxation or policy in terms of “national secu- half-century of military and civil domination
roles of prosecutor, judge, and executioner” rity,” we should begin to look for the profit of Palestine is most often described in terms
throughout the world (“Neoliberal Empire,” motive and payment details in order to see of conflicting nationalisms, the global forces
Theory, Culture, and Society, 21(3), 2004, 121). through the political rhetoric and answer the of both corporate and military domination
He goes on to connect neoliberalism and the simplest and most meaningful question with have become flexible enough to monetize the
neo-imperial oeuvre being conducted by which political organization has ever provided Palestinian quest for self-determination and
American policymakers, as well as American us: “qui bono?” to profit from the ongoing status quo. In fact,
military and intelligence officials, since the We should begin to follow the trillion-dol- this is so much the case that it has actually
middle of the last century: lar trails of money when issues of “national created nuanced, new dimensions within this
The core of empire is the national secu- security” are asserted and question robustly, political conflict that enable the profit motive
rity state and the military-industrial if not automatically doubt, the leaders of the and corporate domination inherent in these
complex; neoliberalism is about busi- military-corporate state when they speak of current neoliberal policies to thrive.
ness, financial operations and marketing the importance of their international policy Among these driving profit motives are
The principal architects of Neoliberal Empire would see market systems govern the whole world, and everyone in it.
(left to right) Milton Friedman (economist at the University of Chicago, pioneer of Neoliberal Theory, and advisor to U.S. Presidents from NIxon to Reagan),
Margaret Thatcher (Britain's first female Prime Minister, 1979-1990), Ronald Reagan (President,1980-1988), Tony Blair (British Prime Minister, 1997-2007)
and David Cameron (British Prime Minister, 2010-2016).

newly created markets that seek to exploit the all of these alleged threats are just so many Britain with the surging stock prices of Dow,
subjected Palestinians by virtue of capitaliz- fictions contrived to create and extend mar- Raytheon, Bechtel and Halliburton. It may
ing upon their status as an occupied people. kets for military and espionage technologies? seem tangential to diagnose the water crisis
U.S. and European companies, including What becomes of the state if it confesses that in Flint, Mich., as somehow connected to the
SodaStream (which was obliged by boycotts all of the many wars that it has enacted were militarization of American police forces and
to close its occupied West Bank factory in wars of its own making created in order to pro- their indiscriminate use of violence against
early 2016), Veolia and Caterpillar, have set vide manufacturers, analysts and technicians minority communities. But all of these phe-
up shop in the Occupied Territories so they with a justification for their own existence? Or nomena, all of these social, political, economic
can actively take advantage of the expenditure
allowances provided by Tel Aviv, allowances
that are designed to raise their profit margins to
unprecedented levels. In a particularly macabre
IN THE SCENARIO DESCRIBED HERE, LIKE
twist, they can increase their profits even fur- MANY, MANY OTHERS BEING ENACTED
ther by using cheap Palestinian labor to build
and extend Israeli settlements in the West Back ELSEWHERE IN ACCORD WITH THE TENETS
that the global community has declared illegal OF GLOBAL NEOLIBERALISM, THE SO-CALLED
or perhaps, worse yet, the Separation Wall.
Harvard economist Sarah Roy, author “MARKET” SIMPLY REVEALS ITSELF TO BE AN
of “The Gaza Strip: The Political Economy
of De-Development” (1995), has described
EXTENSION OF THE MILITARY, POLITICAL AND
the severe and prolonged rate of Palestinian DIPLOMATIC INSTITUTIONS PRESENT WITHIN
unemployment, combined with the lack of
stable investment in the Occupied Territories’ THE OPERATIONAL MEGA-STATE.
education or infrastructure sectors, as eco-
nomic “de-development” due to Israel’s
total military and civilian occupation of all closer to home, what of the robust, self-jus- and moral transgressions, are actually cousins
Palestinian cultural areas. This process has tifying, militarized state that confesses to its to one another. In fact, they are encouraged,
transformed Palestine into fertile ground for people that the its current, continuous state of lauded, championed and pressed forward
being incorporated into the profit model dic- war is a phantom, a bloody and unfathomably by the unrepentantly avaricious free market
tated by the neoliberal ideal: occupy, destroy costly exercise enacted to provide meaning that seeks to ensure the “privatisation of all
and rebuild with contracts doled out exclu- to its own mightiness, to provide succor to things” inherent in the growing, international
sively to private concerns. its baying nationalists and, most importantly, neoliberal system (David Harvey, “A Brief
In the scenario described here, like many, to create and expand markets for its hungry History of Neoliberalism,” 2005).
many others being enacted elsewhere in military industrialists, all of whom are eagerly And if we recognize these policies as part
accord with the tenets of global neoliberalism, waiting to demonstrate their newest piece of and parcel of the same insidious market phe-
the so-called “market” simply reveals itself to murderous technology? nomena, then we must also acknowledge that
be an extension of the military, political and Today, Gaza is a subjected territory bound by opposing one aspect of the neoliberal ideal,
diplomatic institutions present within the by the Israeli war machine and the oppressive we can oppose them all. By standing up for
operational mega-state. These institutions rise of neoliberal strategy. It is poor, having First Nations Water Protectors at Standing
work in tandem, often with the very same been denuded and de-developed by years of Rock, we sing the song of Mahmoud Darwish
overseers trading positions of power among Israeli settler colonialism and deliberately and the Palestinian paradise he cherished until
themselves, in order to design, extend, exploit uneven resource exploitation. It is isolated his final breath. By demonstrating against the
and then justify various forms of profit-mak- from its co-nationalists and co-religionists clearly unjust sentences that punish poor and
ing activity regardless of the human, social by several hundred miles of stark, impene- marginalized communities throughout pri-
or environmental consequences. trable space. It is hungry, for the “magnan- vate prisons in the U.S., we open our hearts
For Israel, the implications of these rela- imous” occupying power denies its people to the Bakr family, now missing four children
tionships are profound. The actual, legitimate the lowest limit of per capita caloric intake, who committed no other crime than playing
security threats posed by children playing which enforces a slow starvation on the soccer on the beach while Israel bombarded
soccer on a beach, old women sitting on their people. Its traumatized children experience their homeland. If we deny our own economic
veranda or by a 16-year-old girl defending post-traumatic stress disorder, subsequent to and political elites ever more crumbs from
her own home while standing on her own regular Israeli bombardment of their homes the table of public well-being here at home,
driveway are plainly non-existent. Rather, and villages, at a rate of 70 percent — even then we stand with Ahed Tamimi, riding the
what is critical is the assertion that these indi- more by some estimates. It is the ultimate wave of her unstoppable bravery when she
viduals are a security threat, precisely because liminal space, neither state nor sovereign, nei- denied the invasiveness of the occupier on
they are the only existential justifications left ther occupied nor bound (according to their the driveway of her own home. ih
to a state that has built itself into a military occupier), one that continues on a confined Luke Mathew Peterson (Ph.D., Middle Eastern studies,
and technocratic giant upon the backs of a trajectory with no end in sight. University of Cambridge) is a professor of Arabic, history
captive population of test subjects tormented It may seem contradictory at first to con- and politics in Pittsburgh. His book “Palestine-Israel in the
with newer, more adaptable and ever deadlier nect the ongoing occupation of Palestine with Print News Media: Contending Discourses” (London and
New York: Routledge, 2015) is available on Amazon, and
military and intelligence technologies. the opioid crisis in the Midwest, or incon- his piece “Palestine-Israel and the Neoliberal Ideal” was
But what becomes of the hyper-milita- gruous to connect the Tory government’s released in the fall 2017 volume of The American Journal
rized, conscription state once it confesses that sabotage of the National Health Service in of Islamic Social Sciences.

ISLAM IN AMERICA
Ramadan in American Prisons

The difficulties and ease of fulfilling an obligation while incarcerated
BY ABDULMALIK NEGEDU
O
ne of the first things new a result, a palpable and ever-present under- are placed in lockdown, which involves con-
inmates realize is that prison is a dif- lying tension permeates almost every aspect fining prisoners to certain areas for a few
ferent from the outside world, that it of prison life. Muslim inmates seeking to minutes or up to 30 days and restricting most
is a more surreal world in which to observe Ramadan have to find a balance privileges and activities, such as religious
live and an even more difficult one in which between being constantly on guard and services, library, school or work.
to observe Ramadan, because its very nature dropping their guard so they can reflect Prison units are also locked down when
and environment are often antithetical to more deeply upon God’s words and signs. prison security is breached within the
Ramadan’s spirit. Prison is neither intended All inmates are watched and controlled prison facility, such as when fights break
nor designed to be an easy place. Existing 24/7 by prison guards or corrections officers out between inmates, someone’s actions may
difficulties are further compounded when (COs). The COs plan out and track their be construed as inciting a riot or someone
the accommodations made for it are con- activities, tell them when to sleep and wake commits suicide. One can imagine the
strued as more of a privilege than a right. I up, when and what to eat, when to remain impact that these shakedowns and lock-
have experienced Ramadan in at least two inside or go outside, when to speak with downs have on religiously sincere inmates
prisons, and in my opinion such a challenge and receive visits from friends and family whose Ramadan routine is suddenly inter-
is generally about making the best of a bad and for how long. This unnatural situation rupted, which severely disrupts their focus
situation, for “Surely, with every difficulty is unnerving and distressing and has an on the spiritual.
there is relief ” (94:5). adverse effect upon their mental health — Praying the five daily prayers, the Friday
Prison is more than a melting pot of one that creates a lingering feeling of despair prayer and tarawih in congregation when the
people of different races, beliefs and creeds. and/or helplessness as well as an increased chaplain and CO are absent is considered
It is, in fact, a melting pressure cooker in sense of dependency. a security risk and therefore limited to two
which individuals of varying characters, per- These feelings are exacerbated during inmates or prohibited altogether. The jus-
sonalities, temperaments and proclivities are Ramadan, for the status quo is not relaxed. tifications given include the possibility that
compelled to live together in a constricted Religious services remain subject to the inmates will use the time to organize for a
space. A young adult who made a dumb prison’s logistics and operational manage- protest or a riot, prepare for confrontations
mistake may be paired with a career crim- ment, the number of inmates who can pray with other faith groups or gangs, or to recruit
inal in a bunk bed situation, a non-violent together in a cell or dormitory outside of and radicalize other inmates. Inmates, of
white-collar criminal may share a cell with prison-sanctioned religious services remain course, insist that they merely seek to
a gang leader, and a non-violent drug pos- limited, and censorship of religious and maximize the spiritual rewards of praying
sessor may end up in the same dormitory other literature is still strictly enforced. together. Consequently, some inmates suffer
with convicted serial rapists and murderers. For example, religious services are can- from loneliness, especially during Ramadan,
Living in this space places one in a state celled if the Muslim chaplain or CO are because there is no religious companionship
of constant uncertainty and hyper-vigilance, unavailable — the reason for their absence and spiritual bonding while fasting.
for one never truly knows the other guy and/ doesn’t matter. Services are suspended during In one situation, an English translation
or why he is in prison. And yet he dare not shakedowns and lockdowns. Shakedowns of the Quran was denied during Ramadan
ask, for to do so is to risk serious personal are when COs conduct a systematic check for because the authorities considered it a
injury. But as the risk of assault is ever such “contraband” as handcrafted weapons, potential tinderbox between Muslim and
present, inmates must always be on guard drugs, unauthorized property, tattoo equip- Jewish or Christian inmates. Ramadan
— sometimes to the point of paranoia. As ment and cell phones. At such times, prisons is known as the month during which the
Auburn (N.Y.) Correctional Facility

Qur’an began to be revealed (2:183), and off the Ramadan food service list, which of the taqwa that inmates attain thereby is
censorship is one way to deny access to its they consider a roster of the privileged. In liberating, for it imbues them with a sense
guidance. The fact that the approved alter- this perception, every inmate is seen as a of purpose that counterbalances incarcer-
nate translation was overpriced, compared person who resorts to strange and manip- ation and inspires feelings of hope that rise
to the literature of other religions, only ulative behavior to exploit opportunities beyond the prison’s walls. And whatever they
reinforces the perceptions that Muslims are for favors and/or protection, and therefore can read of the Qur’an during Ramadan can
being selectively exploited or that artificial they should be treated accordingly. In the imbue them with a sense of actual reality,
barriers to God’s word are being imposed case of Muslims, this can involve reminding for the reality described in the Qur’an tran-
upon them. This aggravates or disheartens them that they are receiving “unwarranted scends the surrealism of prison life and of
many of the fasting inmates, particularly preferential treatment,” watching them extra the illusionary “outside” world.
those who have the intention to read the carefully to see if they break the fast early, That reality provides an inner sanctuary,
entire Qur’an during this month. supplying cold food and delivering food late one in which real human normalcy exists
How can their rights be restricted when or just leaving it by the bunk bed and not and there are moments of ease and peace.
the Constitution protects the right of free waking them up. As the Quran states, Ramadan is the month
exercise of religion? The boilerplate ratio-
nale is “maintenance of safety and security.”
While the First Amendment protects the
right of free exercise of religion, according WHILE THE FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTS
to various court cases it also permits cer-
tain restrictions to be placed on religious
THE RIGHT OF FREE EXERCISE OF RELIGION,
practices in prison if they are considered to ACCORDING TO VARIOUS COURT CASES IT ALSO
threaten a prison’s safety, security or smooth
operation. However, arriving at such a deter-
PERMITS CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS TO BE PLACED
mination has caused a great deal of conten- ON RELIGIOUS PRACTICES IN PRISON IF THEY
tion between prison officials and those who
advocate for and seek added protections for
ARE CONSIDERED TO THREATEN A PRISON’S
religious exercise in prison. SAFETY, SECURITY OR SMOOTH OPERATION.
Ultimately, the facility wardens have
the final say because they essentially view
their facilities as security institutions in
which safety and security take precedence Ramadan in prison is a test both of and of mercy and during it God grants ease and
over everything else. Therefore, COs com- for the faithful. This insight is one of the peace. Its teachings provide actualities,
monly contend that allowances for prac- hidden benefits that manifest themselves wisdom and practical knowledge that can
ticing Islam beyond the individual level, during Ramadan. Inmates know that this enable inmates to navigate the difficulties
particularly making accommodations for world is the proving ground for a person’s of prison life. This knowledge, with faith,
Ramadan, is more of a privilege and less of faith in God. Abu Hurayra (radi Allahu can become the light that helps lead them
a right. Nowhere else is this attitude more ‘anh) narrated that the Prophet (salla Allahu through the darkness of their imprison-
obvious than in the provision of the sahur ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “The world is a prison ment for its duration or at least until the
and iftar meals. for the believer and a paradise for the unbe- next Ramadan. This light empowers them
Some COs believe that fasting is a matter liever.” This hadith has a deeper significance to make the best of a bad situation.
of conscience between a person and his Lord for imprisoned Muslims, for their surreal Those of us on the outside, where
and so don’t make an issue of the extra effort life makes Ramadan a supercharged inten- Ramadan is relatively much easier to observe,
that Ramadan demands. Others, however, sive learning experience in terms of God- are obliged to advocate for Ramadan in
employ provocation, vindictiveness and consciousness (taqwa). prison as a right and not a privilege, to
heightened vigilance in the hope of get- The U.S. prison world is like the out- seek added protections for fasting inmates
ting as many fasting Muslim as possible side world on steroids. Some of the fasting and to continue striving through the
inmates understand the world’s illusory judicial system for less-stringent security
nature more deeply and the values of self-dis- restrictions on prisoners’ right to exercise
cipline and restraint better. The discipline of their religious practices during Ramadan.
fasting provides them with an inner sense of We are also obliged to provide programs
personal control beyond the prison officials’ for those reentering society that continue
reach, regardless of their attitudes, and the to re-enforce the Qur’anic teachings post-
appreciation that only God has true power incarceration so that the light of faith will
BY KOTEPHO AT ENGLISH WIKIPEDIA
and strength. Consequently, their aspirations continue to lead them through the smoke
often become higher as they strive to draw and mirrors of this worldly life. ih
closer to God and grow in faith. AbdulMalik Negedu is a community chaplain with Malik
God prescribed fasting Ramadan as a Human Services, Inc. of New Haven, Conn., and has worked
way for people to attain taqwa (2:183). Much with people in re-entry.

ISLAM IN AMERICA
God Commands Justice

refined and nuanced understanding of jus-
tice, one that implies going beyond “doing
that which is most excellent and best.” In
Despite being a divine command, and despite the countless assertions that other words, one must go beyond restorative
“we are working toward it,” only rarely does justice seem to prevail. justice in order to place a matter or a thing
in an even better place and situation then
it was before.
It is imperative that humanity follow
God’s command to establish justice, for
Al-‘Adl (The Just One) is one of His 99
Most Beautiful Names and refers to the
one from whom just action emanates. We
know the Just One through knowing His
justice, which, in turn, is realized through
knowing His action. The Just One orders
and arranges matters in such a fashion that
there is no fault in them. We human beings,
who in the Quranic reading are “infused
with the Divine spirit” and in the language
of the Old Testament “made in the image of
God,” need to strive to do the same.
We need to establish justice for our
neighbors, friends and, in some cases, our
own relatives — the many who have called
America home for so long. But despite work-
ing hard, paying their dues by doing their fair
share, paying their taxes and contributing to
BY SAFFET A. CATOVIC and even the outright denial of truth and our country’s general wellbeing, growth and
facts in the frenzied world in which we find prosperity, some of them are denied the right
T
hroughout the centuries, many ourselves today. ‘Adl is giving equal things to call themselves citizens because they lack
speakers have concluded their Friday — equal rewards. In an economic sense, it a certain piece of paper. They need sanctuary
sermon by reminding the faithful that calls for an honest day’s pay for an honest now as well as a clear pathway to citizenship,
“God commands justice and the doing day’s work, a living and sustainable wage as do their children — the Dreamers who
of that which is most excellent, that which that allows hard working folk to provide dared to have a dream not unlike Rev. Martin
is best and giving to relatives, and forbids the basic necessities for themselves and Luther King Jr.’s dream. After all, they have
immorality and bad conduct (injustice) and their families during times of both sickness also worked hard to realize the American
oppression. He admonishes you so that per- and health. Dream and its promise in their own lives
haps you will be reminded” (16:90). Islam’s teachings on justice, as they apply and that of their families.
Many of the congregants, who have heard to those who have been placed in power and We need to establish justice for those
it so many times over the years that they can make decisions that affect us all, call upon Americans who are unfairly targeted and
recite it from memory, are, unfortunately, them to not follow their base desires and racially profiled due to their skin color and
unmindful and often neither reflect nor act latent prejudices, which may hinder them then subjected to excessive force by some
upon this verse as they leave the mosque from dealing justly and fairly with those of those in law enforcement. In this regard,
and resume their daily activities. under them. ‘Adl is about restoring a thing we applaud and recognize the consistent
The Arabic dictionary gives two pri- or a matter to the place where, and to the efforts and hard work of all those, including
mary words for justice: ‘adl and qist. ‘Adl is situation in, which it rightly belongs. Faith in New Jersey (http://faithinnewjer-
defined “as what the soul sees as straight,” Qist (equity) lends itself to a far more sey.org) and its partner organizations that,
the opposite of deviation from a well-estab-
lished moral and ethical norm. It is to be in
a state of equilibrium, to be balanced. Just
WE NEED TO ESTABLISH JUSTICE FOR
as balance is inherent in the cosmic order, THOSE AMERICANS WHO ARE UNFAIRLY
it needs to be present in our spiritual and
ethical values as well as our very being and
TARGETED AND RACIALLY PROFILED DUE TO
lives as lived in the world. THEIR SKIN COLOR AND THEN SUBJECTED
‘Adl is ruling by truth, not by that
which is false and fake — something that
TO EXCESSIVE FORCE BY SOME OF THOSE
is extremely relevant and timely given the IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
“fake news” phenomenon, alternative facts

ART
Translating Verse
by God’s blessing, pushed the Independent
Prosecutor bill (S 2469) through the New
Jersey State legislature. When Gov. Phil
Murphy (D) signs this bill, which calls for
investigating every fatal police shooting, it
will be a big step forward and an import-
ant milestone in the long-term process of
rebuilding trust between our communities
Through Brushstrokes
and law enforcement.
We need to establish justice and work
BY HAMZA ZAFER
to end the policies and practices of mass
L
incarceration that disproportionately affect ubna Zahid is a fine artist
African Americans and Latinos and deprive trained classically in Pakistan
and in the United States. Her
them of the right to vote. Let’s be clear — In
art is a modern American
order for all human lives to matter, black
expression of Islamic artistic forms,
and brown lives must matter. In his Farewell both inscriptional and architec-
Sermon, delivered during his last hajj, tural. In her oeuvre, Lubna seam-
Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu ‘alayhi lessly fuses together an eclectic set
wa sallam) stated to all of those who were of aesthetic values that reflect her
with him, as well as to all future generation, experience as a modern American
that an Arab has no superiority over a non- woman of color. Her pieces reflect
Arab just as no non-Arab has any superiority the hopes and anxieties of a Muslim
over an Arab, and that a white person has navigating this period of heightened
no superiority over a black person just as a Islamophobia, as well as a woman
black person has no superiority over a white confronted by the endemic misog-
person — except through piety, righteous- yny in American popular culture.
ness and good action. All human beings are Lubna’s artworks are engage-
from Adam (‘alayhi as salam) and Adam is ments with an American audience
increasingly apprehensive about
from earth — dirt.
the space of Muslims in American HER WORK IS VERY
White supremacy has no place here in
our America.
society and of Islam in American
socio-political discourse. Her work
TIMELY — A BOLD
All people need to establish justice in
the most basic area of human rights, as
is very timely — a bold assertion of ASSERTION OF THE
the place of Islamic voices in main-
articulated in all of our faith traditions and stream American culture and the PLACE OF ISLAMIC
as found in the lofty words of the nation’s
foundational documents — which affirm
place of immigrant women in the VOICES IN MAINSTREAM
world of high art.
and guarantee freedom of conscience, the Lubna works in mixed media, AMERICAN CULTURE
right to believe as we choose and the right bringing together watercolors, oils,
to freely practice our respective faiths and acrylics, clay, fiber and glass beau-
AND THE PLACE OF
religious traditions in safety and security tifully in her pieces to an arresting IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN
without fear of prejudice or harm. In a time visual effect. Her compositions are
of growing religious intolerance and big- neither subtle nor restrained. They THE WORLD OF HIGH ART.
otry, as manifested in hate speech and hate are theatrical — full of movement
crimes run amok, we must speak out and and drama. Her artistic voice has
organize against the forces of xenophobia, developed over several years of studying texts in Urdu, Arabic, Persian and Punjabi
visual art under various teachers including, that she selected from various classical
Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and the like
importantly, master calligrapher and illu- sources such as the Quran and the writings
until Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of
minator Abbas Al-Baghdadi from Iraq, the of Rumi. Included in other works are the
a “beloved inclusive community” is realized, renowned modernist Mansoor Rahi from philosophical writings of contemporary
at which time we will finally be judged and Pakistan and master gilder William Adair thinkers such as Faiz Ahmed Faiz (d. 1984)
judge one another on the basis of the content from the U.S. Lubna is also herself a dedi- and Allama Iqbal (d. 1938). The texts are
of our character as opposed to our skin color, cated teacher of art, training students cur- not to be read as much as experienced as
religious affiliation or gender. ih rently in Reston, McLean and Alexandria visual forms.
Saffet A. Catovic, Muslim chaplain at Drew University, is in the Washington, D.C., metro area. One of her most recent works, a six-piece
a member of Faith in New Jersey Statewide Clergy Caucus. Script and typography are central set titled “Bol” or “Speak,” visualizes a short
elements in Lubna’s oeuvre. She brings a Urdu poem by the revolutionary poet and
[Editor’s note: Excerpted from the author’s talk at
uniquely modern and bold voice to the hal- thinker Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a contemporary
the Annual Statewide Faith Leadership Summit of
Faith in New Jersey held on Jan. 28, 2018 at Anshe lowed pan-Islamic tradition of calligraphy. and close friend of Chilean Nobel Laureate
Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick, N.J.] Many of her pieces include philosophical Pablo Neruda, who wrote the poem as an

ART
anthem against Pakistan’s suppression of free effect by infusing chaos and unpredictability as salam) around the octagonal shape of
speech in the 1980s. It became the rallying into the geometry and balance. the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The
cry of Lubna’s generation, the first post-colo- Her large piece “Dareecha” (42”x42”, 2017), “Exploding Shamsas” is a rich collection
nial generation in the Subcontinent that had which is part of the Shamsa series, features an of paintings that capture the socio-politi-
to contend with the state authoritarianism Urdu verse by Faiz during his lengthy impris- cal questions of the modern age, expressed
that gripped the developing world during onment, interspersed in a jagged font and through a long revered symbol.
the Cold War. Lubna beautifully renders the fixed between aquamarine and black streaks: Currently, Lubna is teaching at various
curt and powerful verses into an American “How many a crucifix is anchored before my institutions in the D.C. metropolitan area.
visual idiom, including the text of the poem cell window / each stained by its very own She conducts workshops and seminars on
(in the “nastaliq” font) as an element within Messiah’s blood.” Another one of her pieces art and on art history as well, most recently
the compositions. in the series “Sinai” (42”x42”, 2018) features at the “Script ‘N’ Scribes” and the “Art of the
Lubna’s other recent collection, the verses written by Faiz during his in exile in Quran” workshop series at the Freer and
“Exploding Shamsas,” is a modernist and Beirut when the first Lebanese-Israeli war Sackler Galleries at the Smithsonian. Her
deconstructive rendering of a traditional broke out. The shamsa is constructed with the work has appeared in various publications,
motif in Islamic art, the shamsa or “solar disc. line in Urdu, “Yet again lightning and thunder including most recently in the Letters Arts
Shamsas are geometric circular medallions rages over the mount of Sinai!” that revolves Review, the leading international journal for
that are frequently embossed on the covers around an affixed octagonal structural piece calligraphers and lettering artists. Lubna is
of the Quran and in classical and contempo- constructed of clay and gold leaf. In Islamic art, preparing to exhibit her series “Exploding
rary Islamic architecture. Their geometry and the octagon represents a fusion between the Shamsas” and other pieces in the U.S. by the
arabesque represent the ordered yet complex circle and the square, the two perfect forms. end of this year. Her work can be seen at her
expanse of the cosmos — a continuous out- In her piece, Lubna surrounds Faiz’s line website: www.lubnazahid.com. ih
ward expanding pattern. Lubna has taken this hearkening to a Quranic verse regarding the Hamza Zafer is an assistant professor of Islamic History
ubiquitous symbol and reconfigured it to bold first revelation to Prophet Moses ('alayhi at the University of Washington, Seattle.

NEW RELEASES Non-Latino Muslims should welcome this book, as it enables them to
hear the voices they may never have heard so clearly. Galvan’s compilation of
his community’s experiences enables this country’s numerous Muslim com-
munities to draw closer to each other. ih
Islamic Wealth Management: Theory and Practice
Mohamed Ariff and Shamsher Mohamad, eds. Finding Jesus among Muslims:
2017. Pp. 416. HB. $175.00 How Loving Islam Makes Me a Better Catholic
Edward Elgar Publishers, U.K. Jordan Denari Duffner
A riff and Mohamad offer a compilation comprising

21 chapters under five sub-themes on how to comply with
Islamic principles when managing one’s wealth.
2017. Pp. 162. PB. $19.95
Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minn.
The book defines wealth from both the secular and Islamic perspective
and describes how it needs to be earned in lawful ways, preserved and used to
D uffner addresses a range of questions, such as
whether Christians should engage in interfaith dialogue with Muslims, if
Islam has anything to offer Christians, what is Islamophobia and what should
meet the community’s needs. They remind the readers that a small part of it is Christians do about it.
to be given as charity and the remainder managed according to the laws and Drawing from church teaching and her experiences of living among Muslims
common practices established by the majority consensus of scholars of Islam. in both the U.S. and the Middle East, Duffner explains why Christians are called
Each section contains relevant chapters on the theory as well as the appli- to participate in a “dialogue of life” with Muslims. She calls for not just learning
cation and challenges of Islamic wealth management in real and financial about Islam and Muslims, but also for learning with Islam and Muslims. This
markets. This book will be use for academicians, scholars, students, research- book could be of help during a time of division and fear, as some politicians and
ers, practitioners and policymakers. ih the media never seem to tire of painting Islam and Muslims as the other. ih
The Bible and the Qur’an: Biblical Figures in the Islamic Tradition Politicizing Islam: The Islamic Revival in France and India
John Kaltner and Younus Mirza Z. Fareen Parvez
2018. Pp. 184. HB $88.00. PB $26.95 2017. Pp. 288. HB. $78.00
Bloomsbury, New York, N.Y. Oxford University Press USA, New York, N.Y.
T he authors provide an overview of the figures and

groups mentioned in both scriptures, one that centers on the
similarities and differences of their presentations, with special
P arvez analyzes the challenges being faced by
Muslims in France and India, which host the largest Muslim
minorities in Western Europe and Asia, respectively, due to the
emphasis on how they appear in the Quran. References are crisis of secularism. Her in-depth examination of how these
also included as to how many of them are treated in other Islamic sources. communities have responded focus on Islamic revival movements in Lyon
Each figure or group includes a list of relevant Quranic passages, a descrip- and Hyderabad — a state whose Muslim character was demolished after India
tion of how the individual/group is presented in the Islamic texts, questions invaded and occupied it in 1948.
and issues to consider and suggestions for further reading. An introductory For her comparative view, she concentrates on middle-class and poor
section provides a basic orientation to the Quran and other Islamic sources. Muslims in both cities, showing how Muslims from every social class are den-
This book should also help those who deride Islam and are unaware that igrated but nevertheless continue to struggle to improve their lives and make
the Quran includes those Biblical figures whom they also respect and follow. ih claims on the state. In Lyon’s banlieues they have retreated into the private sphere,
while in Hyderabad’s slums they have created vibrant political communities.
Great Muslims of the West: Makers of Western Islam The author explains how these divergent reactions originated in France’s
Muhammad Mojlum Khan militant secularism and India’s flexible secularism, as well as in specific pat-
2018. Pp. 500. PB. $24.95 terns of Muslim class relations in both cities. This fine-grained ethnography
Kube Publishing Ltd., Markfield, Leics., U.K. pushes beyond stereotypes and has consequences for public debates over
M uslims have lived in the “West” for hundreds of

years, and yet the lives of all but a few of them are relatively
unknown. Khan, who argues that the makers of Western Islam
Islam, feminism and secular democracy. ih
Visit the Old City of Aleppo: Come with Tamim to a World Heritage Site
have enriched both Islam and humanity, brings together accounts of the lives Khaldoun Fansa (Design: Mamoun Sakkal. Illustrator: Abdalla Assad)
and contributions of over 50 significant Muslims, from the founder of Muslim 2017. Pp. 152. PB. $19.95
Spain to the Champ — Muhammad Ali. Cune Press, Seattle, Wash.
At a time when Islamophobia continues to boil, this volume should not
only be welcomed by both Muslims and non-Muslims, but also offers a much-
needed sense of belonging to all Muslims born and raised in the West. ih
T he guns in Aleppo, one of the world’s oldest con-
tinuously inhabited cities, have fallen silent, leaving its east-
ern part in rubble and empty. Aleppo’s U.N.-designated World
Heritage Site has been damaged or destroyed. How can Syria
The Other Side of the Wall: and the world recover this one-of-a-kind treasure?
An Eyewitness Account of the Occupation in Palestine In their book, Aleppo-native and author Khaldoun Fansa and illustrator
Richard Hardigan Abdalla Asaad, who lives in nearby Homs, remind Syrians that their coun-
2018. Pp. 185. HB. $34.95. PB. $19.95 try’s ancient cultural touchstones belong to each one of them. If Syria is to
Cune Press, Seattle, Wash. be restored, the international community needs to value Aleppo and other
H ardigan works on the front lines of the Palestinian-

Israeli conflict with the International Solidarity Movement
(https://palsolidarity.org), a prominent organization of peace activists that
one-of-a-kind Syrian treasures.
This children’s book, meant for adults as well as children, is rich in both
historical and contemporary color illustrations and photographs. It brings
documents the acute suffering and injustices imposed upon the Palestinians by Aleppo’s ancient city alive by means of a story set just before the 2011 trou-
both Israeli soldiers and settlers. During his stay in the West Bank, the author bles through the eyes of Tamim, a boy who visits its historic neighborhoods.
experienced two momentous events: the collective punishment imposed by the Royalties from book sales will be donated to restoration and relief efforts. ih
Israeli army upon West Bank residents for the kidnapping of three teenaged
Jewish settlers, and the subsequent military assault on the Gaza Strip, which Mommy’s Khimar
killed over 2,000 Palestinians. ih Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn
Latino Muslims: Our Journeys to Islam 2018. Pp. 40. (Picture book. 4-8). HB. $17.99
Juan Galvan, ed. Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster, New York, N.Y.
2017. Pp. 242. PB. $11.95
CreateSpace Independent Publishing,
North Charleston, S.C.
I n their debut publication, this author-and-illustrator team
presents a glimpse into a young Muslim African-American girl’s family and
community as she walks around in her mother’s hijab. The star of this book
A collection of stories about Latino Muslims’ per-

sonal journeys to the truth, this book comprises their strug-
gles, discoveries and revelations during their journey along with how they
finds her joy in imagining that her mother’s hijab transforms her into a queen,
a star, a mama bird and a superhero. At the core of the story is the love between
the girl and her mother. Her grandmother, apparently a Christian, reminds
found peace within Islam. readers that “we are a family and we love each other just the same.” ih

FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT
For Muslims, Jerusalem is Never off the Table

Muslims can regain their stature and liberate their third most holy mosque
if they repent sincerely and return to God’s way
BY OSMAN AHMED
keep it holy (following the Qur’an’s teach-
ings), while the tenth verse warns them of
the severe consequences of disbelieving in
the Hereafter.
The chapter’s second to the eighth verses
discuss the Children of Israel, who at certain
times were considered the only believers in
God’s oneness and were expected to believe
in all His messages and messengers. By pre-
senting their history in several places, God
establishes for the Muslims that His gen-
eral rules apply to those who claim belief
in Him and His messages. Looking at what
happened to the Children of Israel indicates
what can and will happen to other believers.
Although some may consider Q. 17:2-8
as no more than history — in fact, this chap-
ter is sometimes entitled Bani Israel (The
Children of Israel) — this passage is actually
O
ne century after London took and God’s sanctification of Jerusalem’s a warning and prophecy for the Muslims.
Palestine off the table with its Balfour Masjid al-Aqsa — the first qibla and where “We gave Moses the book and made it a
Declaration, Washington claims that Muhammad had led the prayer for all of the guide for the Children of Israel, (command-
its Dec. 6, 2017 announcement has earlier Abrahamic prophets and messengers ing): ‘Take no other than Me as Disposer of
taken Jerusalem off the table. However, (‘alayhum as salaam). (your) affairs.’ O you who sprung from those
Muslims contend that Jerusalem is never In Q. 17:9-10 we read: “Verily this Qur’an We carried (in the Ark) with Noah! Verily,
off the table, and the Quran 17:1-10 clearly guides to that which is most right (or stable) he was a devotee most grateful’” (17:2-3).
defines its centrality to them. and gives the glad tidings to the believers Let’s ponder this passage for a moment. The
Q. 17:1 proclaims: “Glory to (God), Who who perform deeds of righteousness, that Quran was revealed to guide Muhammad’s
took His servant [Muhammad] for a jour- they shall have a magnificent reward. And followers to belief in His unity. The Muslims
ney by night from the Sacred Mosque to to those who do not believe in the Hereafter are the descendants of those carried in the
the Farthest Mosque, whose precincts We (it announces) that We have prepared for Ark with Noah (‘alayhi as salam), and both
blessed, in order that We might show him them a grievous penalty.” Moses (‘alayhi as salam) and Muhammad are
some of Our Signs, for He is the One Who Accordingly, Muslims are responsible among Abraham’s (‘alayhi as salam) descen-
hears and sees (all things).” for preserving it forever, keeping it as holy dants – yet another descendant of Noah.
This relates the miracle of the Prophet’s as possible for Christians and Jews and will “And We gave (a clear) warning to the
(salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) night jour- be generously rewarded in the Hereafter for Children of Israel in the book, that twice they
ney from Makkah to Jerusalem and back doing so. The ninth verse reveals how to would spread corruption in the land and be

elated with a mighty arrogance (and would on the Mount of Olives, directly east of and
be punished twice)!” (17:4). Tyranny and WHAT SPIRITUAL TOPICS MATTER overlooking the Temple Mount; the 12th
arrogance arise when individuals, groups or MOST TO YOU? and 15th Legions on Mount Scopus, further
nations become mighty, rich and powerful. Please help “Food for the Spirit” better to the east and commanding all routes to
Such a situation is usually is followed by meet your needs by completing a Jerusalem from east to north; and held the
God’s wrath and destruction. 2-minute survey at: 5th Legion in reserve. The Romano-Jewish
But for those who claim sincere belief, www.isna.net/foodforthespiritsurvey scholar, historian and hagiographer Flavius
the consequences in this life are greater. Josephus recorded a legend that sprung up
For example, the powerful and prosper- Mosque in the area blessed by God. Thus, about the Temple: A tremendous amount of
ous Children of Israel became tyrannical, the city became Islam’s third official holy site. looting, killing and raping accompanied its
extremely arrogant and caused trouble to On July 15, 1099, the Crusaders captured it burning. Many rushed to there to die rather
themselves and to others. Although this hap- and slaughtered its inhabitants. than become slaves.
pened several times on a small scale, on two “Then We granted you the return vic- For the Muslims, the event of the second
occasions God’s punishment hit them hard tory over them. We gave you increase in promise and punishment started with the
in their hearts, as the next verse indicates. resources and sons, and made you the more Ottoman Empire’s destruction in 1918 and
its division among the Crusaders’ descen-
dants. Upon entering Jerusalem, the victo-
BY PRESENTING THEIR HISTORY IN SEVERAL rious British commander General Edmund
PLACES, GOD ESTABLISHES FOR THE Allenby declared the Crusades complete.
The Balfour Declaration put the first nail in
MUSLIMS THAT HIS GENERAL RULES APPLY the coffin of Muslim rule in Palestine, and,
TO THOSE WHO CLAIM BELIEF IN HIM AND HIS of course, the humiliation that would befall
most of the world’s Muslims.
MESSAGES. LOOKING AT WHAT HAPPENED TO The fall of Jerusalem came at the hands
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL INDICATES WHAT of despotic Arab rulers. During June 1967,
the Israeli Jews “liberated” Jerusalem’s Old
CAN AND WILL HAPPEN TO OTHER BELIEVERS. City. On the war’s third day, Israeli para-
trooper Motta Gur, mounted on a half-truck,
“When the first warning came to pass, numerous in manpower” (17:6). God forgave announced that the Temple Mount had been
We sent against you Our servants given to the Children of Israel after they repented regained. On June 7 of the same year, Israeli
terrible warfare. They entered the inmost and returned to His way. He then rewarded troops moved into the Old City and prayed
parts of your homes. It was a warning (com- them with the great wealth and numbers at the Western Wall (Wailing Wall).
pletely) fulfilled” (17:5). In other words, God they needed to regain their former strength, Ever since, the Palestinian case has been
punished them severely by sending against defeat their enemies, establish another worsening due to the unconditional help of
them unbelievers who defeated them and strong kingdom and rebuild the Temple. the Crusaders’ descendants and the wasting
even entered their Temple, the symbol of Exactly the same thing happened to the Arab rulers. In fact, one can consider it is
their honor and dignity. Muslims. Having weakened themselves another Crusade albeit with a Zionist facade.
Israel, with its capital Samaria, lasted through internal divisions and some groups At the same time, the Muslim world is grow-
more than 200 years (10th-8th centuries allying themselves with the Crusaders, their ing in numbers — but its growth is like the
bce), and King David’s descendants ruled eventual repentance and return to God’s path foam of the floods that the Prophet foretold.
the Kingdom of Judah from Jerusalem for enabled them to unite under Salah al-Din “It may be that your Lord may (yet) have
350 years. The Assyrians (722 bce) crushed al-Ayyubi (Saladin), defeat the Crusaders, mercy on you. But if you revert (to your
and carried off Israel’s people into exile and liberate Jerusalem and erect a new strong sins), We shall revert (to Our punishments).
oblivion. More than a century later, Babylon’s Islamic empire that flourished and con- We have made Hell a prison for those who
King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Judah, quered additional parts of Europe under reject (all faith) (17:8). This verse emphasizes
exiled most of its inhabitants and destroyed the Ottomans. the divine rule established in the previous
Jerusalem and the Temple (586 bce). “If you did well, you did it for yourselves. verse and confirms what will happen to us
Muhammad’s followers soon created a If you did evil, (ye did it) against yourselves. if we continue to do evil here. Verses 9 and
strong and prosperous empire stretching So when the second warning came to pass, 10 remind Muslims to repent and return to
from the Atlantic to the western borders of (We permitted your enemies) to disfigure God, and inform the unbelievers that there is
China. But within a few centuries its rulers your faces, to enter your Temple as they had still hope for them if they follow the Quran.
had become tyrannical and arrogant, espe- entered it before and to destroy all that fell There may arise from among them those
cially to their own people. Accordingly, what into their power” (17:7). Clearly, this verse who will help liberate Al-Aqsa Mosque. ih
had befallen the Children of Israel now befell applies to both faith communities.
the Muslims. Both the Temple and Jerusalem were Dr. Osman Ahmed, ex-officio president of the Islamic Society
of Essex County, retired from Raritan Valley Community
Jerusalem was conquered in 638 during about to be destroyed when General Titus College as a professor emeritus of engineering. He is among
reign of Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab (‘alayhi began his siege of the city during April 70 the pioneers of the Muslim Students Association of the U.S.
rahmat), who went on to build the Aqsa with four legions. He posted the 10th Legion and Canada (now MSA National).

FOOD
A Condiment Favored
The site www.winespectator.com states:
“If it’s real Balsamic, it’s all in the aging
process. Balsamic vinegar is made from
by the Prophets
syrup (not wine) that comes from the juice
of white grapes (typically from Trebbiano,
Italy). This syrup is then fermented and aged
slowly in barrels so its flavors become sweet,
Does every type of vinegar meet the halal test? viscous and concentrated. The oxidation,
evaporation, aging and exposure to barrels
BY ASMA JARAD said: ‘Eat; what a good condiment is vine- also turns the color that wonderfully glossy
gar’” (Reported in “Sahih Muslim,” “Sunan dark brown, and gives it a rich, sweet, pun-
P
rophet Muhammad (salla Allahu Abu Dawud” and “Sunan al-Sughra”). Most gent flavor.” However, never give up reading
‘alayhi wa sallam) is reported to have likely they dipped their bread in unpasteur- labels, as some brands are wine vinegars.
remarked that all the prophets who ized vinegar, which was not heat-treated to Rice vinegar, a popular salad dressing
preceded him liked to season their kill the mother culture and thus formed a because of its mild and somewhat sweet
food with vinegar (Narrated by Ayesha; jelly-like dip. In modern times, vinegar is flavor compared to distilled vinegar, is made
cited by Muslim and Ibn Maja). heat-treated (pasteurized) to prevent such a by fermenting the sugars from rice into alco-
Indeed, this useful and healthy condiment formation. The heat also stops bacteria from hol and then into acid. However, it should
has been passed down for thousands of years, continuously growing so that a consistent not to be confused with rice wine vinegar,
for its versatility is beneficial in so many ways. mass-produced product can be obtained. as www.thekitchn.com notes: “While both
It can be consumed in both hot and cold In addition to the standard distilled white products are made from fermented rice, the
dishes, is a natural food preservative and is vinegar, plenty of flavorful vinegars line difference is in the manner in which each
a cost-effective efficient and natural cleaning market shelves, among them wine-flavored one is produced, as well as how they’re used.
agent. The Prophet told his Companions that vinegars. For instance, red wine vinegar is These two can easily be confused, since rice
as long as a house has vinegar, it will never made when diluted red wine is fermented vinegar is sometimes also labeled as rice wine
suffer from poverty (Reported in “Sunan until it sours. vinegar (which is a vinegar, and not wine).”
al-Tirmidhi” and “Sunan al-Bayhaqi”).
Now the question arises: Is there a differ-
ence between vinegar, a halal food promoted
by the Sunnah, and wine-flavored vinegar?
To begin with, vinegar is defined as a liquid
produced through the natural fermentation
of sugars. Fermentation occurs when micro-
organisms such as bacteria or yeast convert
carbohydrates into alcohol or acids under
anaerobic conditions. In vinegar, the alco-
holic fermentation occurs when yeast con-
verts sugars into alcohol. After this, a group
of bacteria known as acetobacter converts
the alcohol into acetic acid, which is then
diluted with water to achieve an acidity level
between 4 and 8 percent. Vinegar retains
virtually no alcohol after this process.
Vinegar can be sourced from many types
of fruits, vegetables and grains. Distilled
white vinegar is sourced from corn or apples,
whereas unfiltered apple cider vinegar is
naturally created during the fermentation
process. This latter type of vinegar is made
by crushing and squeezing the juice out of
the apples and then adding bacteria or yeast
to initiate the alcoholic fermentation. The
ensuing sugars produced are then turned
into alcohol and converted into vinegar by
acetic acid-forming bacteria.
It is narrated that Jabir said: “I entered the
Prophet’s house with him and there was some
bread and vinegar. The Messenger of Allah

For Muslims, the point of contention is the vinegar changes its molecular structure In the end, we know that God’s prophets
not the vinegar’s sour, sweet or mild taste, and removes the intoxicating factors. In plain consumed and revered vinegar and that
but whether these wine-flavored vinegars English, if the wine is transformed into vine- the Prophet told his Companions that
are halal or haram. We know that since the gar, then it has become a different substance God has put a blessing into it. As long as
Prophet consumed vinegar and advised his and is therefore permissible. wine is not added to flavor the final prod-
followers to make it part of their daily diets, This coincides with the opinion of Sheikh uct, the majority of Islamic scholars and
it’s a sunnah that we should follow. But with Dr. Jaafar Al-Quaderi, a prominent Islamic studies consider it halal. For more specific
modern technology and the manufacturers'
often financial-benefits led options to infus-
ing from different sources, how can we be
IT IS NARRATED THAT JABIR SAID: “I ENTERED
sure that we are doing so without deviating THE PROPHET’S HOUSE WITH HIM AND
into a gray area under Islamic guidelines?
Depending on which school of thought
THERE WAS SOME BREAD AND VINEGAR. THE
you follow, you will hear differing opinions. MESSENGER OF ALLAH SAID: ‘EAT; WHAT A
The majority of religious scholars have con-
cluded that vinegar derived from wine is halal
GOOD CONDIMENT IS VINEGAR’” (Reported
due to the physical and chemical transforma- in “Sahih Muslim,” “Sunan Abu Dawud” and
tion (istihalah): The vinegar-making process
changes the nature of the wine and thereby
“Sunan al-Sughra”).
produces a substance that is different in name,
characteristics, qualities and properties. scholar who has served as advisor to the information, contact individual companies
According to the European Department Islamic Food Council of North America and inquire about their manufacturing pro-
of Halal Certification (http://halalcertifica- (www.ifanca.org): “Wine is haram as long cess or consult with local scholars. And, of
tion.ie), the Hanafi and Maliki schools have as it remains wine. However, it the same wine course, always approach such topics with
ruled that wine vinegars are permissible as is turned into vinegar, it becomes Halal. The a moral intention. When in doubt, trust
long as the oxidation of alcohol present in use of the vinegar derived from wine is Halal, your heart. ih
as long as no wine remains in it” (Istihala:
Change of State; www.daganghalal.com). Asma Jarad is a Chicagoland-based freelance writer and editor.
According to Sheikh Yusuf al-Qarada-
wi’s “The Lawful and Prohibited in Islam”
(American Trust Publications, 1999 [trans.]): ISNA Monthly Sustainer –
“Muslim scholars unanimously agree that if
wine turns into vinegar by itself, it is lawful.
A Good Deed Done Regularly!
Most scholars say that it is pure and lawful
because it has changed from its original state; You can make an impact
others say that it is still impure and, thus,
must be avoided. In the books of the Maliki
with as little as
jurists, it is stated that it’s permissible to treat
wine so that it becomes vinegar” (also see
$10 per month!
Haider Khattak. Is Vinegar Halal? Halal
Consumer, p. 15, Winter 2008).
A minority opinion argues that since
wine is not completely converted into
acetic acid during the chemical process,
wine-derived vinegar should be shunned.
Those who hold this opinion contend
that the forbidden does not become per-
missible just because its characteristics,
qualities and properties have changed.
They cite the hadith that when Abu Talha
asked the Prophet whether orphans who
inherited wine could use it to make vine-
gar, he replied that they could not. Caliph
Umar (radi Allahu ‘anh) prohibited it if it
www.isna.net
had not turned into vinegar by itself and
(317) 839-8157
suggested that Muslims buy vinegar from
non-Muslims if it was known that they had
not intended the wine to turn into vinegar.
FOOD
Is Boiling Live Lobsters

cutting off all circulation to the brain. So,
what is the most humane way to kill a lob-
ster so that Muslims can eat it knowing that
to Death Halal?
the creature was not unnecessarily tortured
before it was put on their plate?
Given the goal behind their method of
Why be cruel to lobsters when there are practical and humane slaughtering livestock, it makes sense for
Muslims to use a similar method for lobsters.
alternatives to the usual way of preparing them for our dinner? Since their internal and external structures
differ completely from those of other ani-
BY ASMA JARAD Lobster Institute of Maine takes another mals, we must consider the quickest and least
approach. Bayer suggests chilling the lobster painful way of slaughtering them. Wouter
I
f you pinch a goat’s ear, he will in the freezer, supposedly thereby putting van der Ven, an Amsterdam-based sous-chef
bleat and scurry away. If you stroke a it to sleep, before cooking it. The question with experience in preparing seafood, notes,
cow’s back too roughly, she will grunt here is: Wouldn’t these procedures involve “Before I cook lobster, I put a knife in its
and snort at you. If you startle a chicken, the same amount of potential pain, if not head, right through the skull. Then I imme-
she’ll squawk in distress and flutter away. more, than boiling? diately cook the lobster in the pan. I don’t
What about lobsters? Science has long told Such alternate solutions remind me of a feel any sorrier for lobsters than for other
us that these animals have no cerebral cortex traditional Arabic saying: “This is my ear, and animals” (see Munches NL, Aug. 2016).
or central nervous system, and thus they this is my other ear.” In essence, these meth- Indeed, the speed and simplicity of this
neither have emotions nor feel pain. ods all seem to lead to the same outcome: method appears to inflict the least amount of
The Lobster Institute of Maine likens subjecting the lobster to unnecessary pain. pain, if any, upon the lobster. It is similar to
lobsters to insects. Dr. Robert Bayer, the Muslims are obliged to slaughter live- the Muslim method of slaughtering livestock
director’s executive director and professor stock for food in the most humane way because eaths is instantaneous and there is
of animal and veterinary sciences at the possible, which involves a swift, deep and therefore no need for any mechanical brain
University of Maine, has been studying powerful slash of the animal’s jugular vein, destruction, boiling, freezing or electrical
lobsters for thirty years. He contends that carotid artery and windpipe. This method shocks. Lobsters and other shellfish have dan-
they have no brain or vocal cords — that drastically limits the pain felt by immediately gerous bacteria in their flesh, which multiply
“cooking a lobster is like cooking a big bug.”
On the other hand, animal rights activ-
ists and some scientists argue that lobsters
suffer in silence. They assert that lobsters have
complex nervous systems and react wildly to
being dropped into boiling water by thrashing
their bodies against the sides of the pot. The
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(PETA) claim that lobsters are similar to other
animals in that they feel pain, suffer from
stress and have a full array of senses. Dr. Jaren
G. Horsley, an invertebrate zoologist, remarks
“a lobster has a rather sophisticated nervous
system that, among other things, allows it to
sense actions that will cause it harm.”
One thing we do know from these dras-
tically different points of view is that there is
no conclusive evidence to indicate whether
lobsters do or do not feel pain.
It has long been assumed that dropping
a live lobster into a pot of boiling water is
a quick and painless journey to the table.
Recently, however, the Swiss Federal Council
issued an order stating that effective March
2018, boiling live lobsters will be considered
inhumane. In an effort to improve how ani-
mals are treated, the Swiss government says
that lobsters must now be stunned through
electricity or have their brain mechanically
destroyed before being put to death. The

meat and to extract from it ornaments which
COMMON SENSE DICTATES THAT you wear. And you see the ships plowing
SUBMERGING A LOBSTER — A FELLOW LIVING through it, and He subjected it that you may
seek of His bounty; and perhaps you will be
CREATURE — IN A POT OF BOILING WATER grateful” (16:14).
AND THEN BOILING IT DEATH SO THAT WE Before you decide whether boiling a
lobster to death is halal or not, ask yourself
MAY EAT IT IS PAINFUL BOTH FOR IT AND FOR whether it is necessary to do so. Since there is
MANY OF US WHO WATCH THIS PROCEDURE a humane alternative, namely, using a sharp
knife to slice through the creature in one
IN ITS ENTIRETY. swift move, why not use it instead? Whether
or not lobsters feel pain, our Islamic princi-
and release toxins upon death. So cooking as humanely as possible: “And the grazing ples command us to treat all living creatures
the lobster alive (or very shortly after being livestock He has created for you; in them is with respect, especially those from which we
killed) avoids a nasty case of food poisoning. warmth and numerous benefits, and from attain some benefit. Common sense dictates
Sam Vreeke, chef at Mossel & Gin in them you eat” (Q. 16:5) and “To hunt and that submerging a lobster — a fellow living
Amsterdam, rightly points out, “I think it’s eat fish of the sea is made lawful for you, a creature — in a pot of boiling water and then
important to realize that meat comes from provision for you and for seafarers” (5:96). boiling it death so that we may eat it is painful
living animals and you have to treat it with Furthermore, Abdallah ibn Omar (‘alayhi both for it and for many of us who watch
respect to make a nice meal.” rahmat) narrated that the Prophet (salla this procedure in its entirety. According to a
Some may turn away from eating slaugh- Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Two types hadith sahih narrated by Shaddad bin Aws,
tered livestock and seafood after reading of dead meat and two types of blood have the Prophet said: “Indeed God has decreed
about these preparation methods. However, been made lawful for us to consume: the ihsan [excellence] in everything…when you
keep in mind that God has blessed humans two dead meats are seafood and locusts, and slaughter, then do the slaughtering well.
as the highest member of creation and thus the two types of blood are liver and spleen.” Comfort the animal (before slaughtering)”
has permitted them to use animals for their For the majority of Muslims, eating sea- (Tirmidhi, vol. 3, book 14, no. 1409). ih
benefit. But along with this blessing comes food makes a halal, healthy and a delicious
the responsibility to treat all living creatures dinner. However, is boiling a lobster to death Asma Jarad is a freelance writer and editor. She’s currently
working on a YouTube channel narrating books and creating
halal? You will be hard-pressed to find an videos to help instill pride and confidence in Islam and
Islamic scholar to give you a straight and personal heritage among the youth. Catch her on YouTube
clear answer to this question. Instead, Mufti and Facebook: Sami & Amro Reading Time.
Sheikh Hatem Al Haj, who has a PhD in
comparative jurisprudence from Lebanon’s
al-Jinan University, advises each Muslim to
do his/her own research on this topic and ISNA Monthly Sustainer –
reach his/her own conclusion: “It is on you to A Good Deed Done Regularly!
figure out if it hurts or if it does not hurt. The
principle here is that you should do kindness
to every living creature. If you think that this
is not kindness, then do not do it. If you think
You can make an impact
that there is no pain involved in this process, with as little as
then it may be permissible for you to do it.”
Since lobsters cannot survive outside of
$10 per month!
water for more than two days, most Muslims
consider them part of the marine family and
thus halal for consumption. The influential
theologian Yusuf al-Qaradawi concurs in
his book, “The Lawful and the Prohibited in
Islam,” that while marine animals are halal,
we must avoid mistreating them: “The Most
Generous Lord has opened wide His bounty
upon His servants by permitting them to eat
all marine animals, without the requirement
of bleeding; man has been left free to catch
them in whatever manner he is able, avoiding www.isna.net • (317) 839-8157
any unnecessary cruelty as far as possible.”
And as the Quran states: “And it is He who
subjected the sea for you to eat from it tender

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) NON PROFIT ORG.
P.O. Box 38 • Plainfield, IN 46168-0038 US POSTAGE
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MAY/JUNE 2018/1439 | $4.00 | WWW.ISNA.

DEPARTMENTS ISLAM IN AMERICA

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ACHIEVERS America (APPNA), on which he served for

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