The Muslim Link - July 13, 2012 by The Muslim Link

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

Shedding Light On A 6-Day Maryland Resident Reflects Black Out On June 29 Derecho Storm By Yaman Shalabi

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

MIST Diaries: D.C. Takes Third Place Overall in Toronto | pg 4 Muslim Authors Invest In Future With Children Books | pg 5

Muslim Link Staff Reporter

It was Friday night, and all I could think about was getting through the last week of summer session one classes. My weekend was planned out:

WPRESS: Morsi Takes “Servant” Leadership of Egypt | pg 8 WPRESS: Islamic Personality ‘12: Sheikh Yusuf Estes | pg 9

Saturday: Read a 400-page book about the 1972 elections and work on my final 6-10 page paper for Political Reporting for the 2012

CIVIL: Islamophobia: A Bipartisan Project | pg 15

>> blackout Pg 20

Dar Al-Hijrah Oasis of Light During Power Outages

ISLAM: Facebook Fasting | pg 16

By Mahmood Kibria

ISLAM: Crying in Front of Allah - It’s Not impossible | pg 16

Muslim Link Contributing Writer

On Friday, June 29, 2012 one of the strongest summer storms in years hit the DC region leaving more than one million homes without power. Fuel by the high temperatures and humidity, the storm generated winds of up to 80 mph.

In Falls Church, Virginia, tens of thousands of homes and businesses lost power, but the Dar-Al-Hijrah Islamic Center was not one of

them. All around the masjid houses were dark, but the lights remained on at the masjid.

The masjid leadership decided to extend their neighborly help to those who needed it, sweltering in hot homes with the temperatures into triple digits. The masjid would be a regional “cooling center”, open for the general public all day from fajr until 11 PM. Cold drinks and snacks were of>> outages Pg 21

ISLAM: What The Prophet Did In Sajdah | pg 17 The Muslim Link

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INDEX

CORRECTION In our story “Maryland Leadership Organization Launches National Scholarship Program” (June 29, 2012 issue of the Muslim Link), we incorrectly stated that Scholars for the World is a project of the Islamic Leadership Institute of America. In fact, Scholars for the World is an individual organization partnering with the Islamic Leadership Institute of America, not a branch of ILIA. Scholars for the World is the primary fundraiser for the scholarships discussed in the article, while ILIA is a partner who will hold and distribute the funds collected for the scholarships. We regret the error.

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inside This Issue 03 Community News 08 World Press 03 Islam 14 Civil Rights 16 Opinion

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

4 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Community News MIST Diaries: D.C. Takes Third Place Overall in Toronto By Aisha Khatib, Urooj Fatima, and Anhar Karim

to sleep, and silence over takes the bus. Anhar Karim: After what seemed like 37 years, and after some particularly unkind border patrol treatment, we arrived in Toronto, Canada. But where on Earth was the hotel we were staying at? Our family, stressed to get there in time for jumah, spent over an hour going up and down one street looking for it. Finally we asked the help of one Canadian human rights group that had an office nearby. They looked up the place online, and it turned out that we had the wrong address.

Muslim Link Staff Writers

The 2012 Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (MIST) Nationals tournament took place this weekend, ranging from July 6-8, 2012 in Toronto. The Washington D.C. region sent a team of more than 90 high school competitors, coaches, organizers and volunteers to the competition, hoping to win first place overall for the third year in a row. In the end, the bright young competitors of D.C. took home the third place trophy, with New York winning second and Toronto taking first. All in all, the students enjoyed the experience, and three interns from the Muslim Link, Aisha Khatib, Urooj Fatima, and Anhar Karim, documented their thoughts in diaries all weekend. Friday, July 6th, 2012 Anhar Karim: MIST Nationals 2012 in Toronto, Canada. It was finally here. I’d been waiting for this event ever since regionals. MIST offered bus transportation there,

Photo courtesy of MIST but I ended up driving there with my parents. On the way there we met up with some of our cousins and other family in New York. As I spent time with them I thought about the history of our family and everything that we were. I thought about how because of my family’s past, I am what I am today. At that moment my family amazed me, and that is exactly the spirit behind this year’s MIST theme: Family. Aisha Khatib: We make pit stop number one at Fajr

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time, about three hours from the University of Maryland. The lady behind the counter at the convenience store ogles us as the 90-person strong MIST crew descends upon the aisles and the bathrooms to make wudu. We pray in the parking lot, foreheads on the gravel, as curious early-morning visitors look on. After Fajr, the bus rockets down the highway, streetlights whizzing by the windows and sending flashes of light in every direction. Slowly, one by one as the dawn progresses, each girl drops off

>> mist Pg 6

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After some confusion, finally we had reached the Seneca Newnham Residence. We were sure that at this point, jumah was long gone. But when we drove up to park, we saw many Muslim looking people surrounding the area. We quickly went in to see jummuah happening in the room to the right. It was literally a miracle of God, and it set the scene for the rest of MIST.

To advertise in the Muslim Link please call 301-982-1020 or email us at office@muslimlinkpaper.com

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

COMMUNITY NEWS

Local Muslim Authors Investing In Future With Books For Children By Yaman Shalabi

Muslim Link Staff Reporter One night as Sam’n (pronounced “Summun”) Iqbal was watching her daughter look through pictures in her alphabet books before bedtime, a thought crossed her mind: why not incorporate basic Islamic concepts and ideas into everyday children’s alphabet books. And that is exactly what she did. Now two years later, her first book, Allah to Z: An Islamic Alphabet Book, from Broyhill Publications, LLC, will debut during the month of Ramdan, July 2012. Sam’n Iqbal born to Pakistani immigrant parents, now living in McLean, Va., remembers learning a lot about the Quran and Islam at a young age but never recalls it ever being “fun”. And so when she had her daughter, she decided to make it her goal to make learning interesting and engaging especially for 2nd and 3rd generation kids, but it was difficult, she said, to find books for a preschooler that taught Islam in a fun way; “either the language was too hard or the illustrations too boring…and so I began writing this book to fill this hole.” “I am American, my children are American, but we are Muslims. I know I would not be able to teach my children the way my mother taught me,” said Iqbal. “I was hoping to come up with a way to provide a service, a product, to other American-born Muslim parents so they may find a way to teach their children about Islam in a fun, contemporary

way, similar to the way they would be learning in school.” The book includes 26 mini-Islamic lessons aimed for preschool and elementary children. It looks at basic Islamic elements such as: Allah, Kaaba, Eid and Wudu. Iqbal explains that choosing the words was a big process. By making a list of possibilities for all the letters of the alphabet, she narrowed it down to words that had “a positive connotation and were common.” “I also chose words based on it being an AMERICAN Muslim book - so for “I”, I chose Isa since I wanted non-Muslims to relate and N for Noah because it is such a common story that most faiths believe in. But mostly [I choose] words that I would want my children to learn.” >> books Pg 12

Top, the cover and an inside spread of locally authored “Allah to Z”. Bottom, the husband of author Wendy Diaz reads her book to their sons.

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6 | COMMUNITY NEWS

we saw that a rap battle had begun between Boston and New York. Boston soon left the field, and that’s when D.C. stepped in. The rap battle between DC and New York was intense. The two teams were definitely a match for each other, by size and talent. My friend Shahzeb stepped in many times to defend the great D.C. name. On the bus ride back to the hotel. there was a sentiment among the D.C. brothers that New York had won this battle. There must be retaliation.

mist

>> continued from pg 4

Aisha Khatib: After a long, girls file in to deprived, and the bathrooms

12-hour bus ride, the the hotel. Tired, sleepanxious, we wait for to prepare for jumah.

Anhar Karim: As soon as the prayer ended, a man got up, and, in just the Canadian accent I would imagine, he said, “Welcome to Toronto.” He explained how soon buses would be coming to transport the basketball players to the Hoopdome sports center (or “centre” I suppose). He said that those not in the teams didn’t have to go, but could come to watch. But of course Tara Mohammed, the associate director of D.C. MIST, made sure that D.C. came to support our teams. This was the first example of why you just could not compete with the DC MIST spirit. My excitement was heavily countered by the exhaustion of my fellow teammates. Apparently it had been a long and exhausting bus ride with only a slice of pizza for food and no sleep. Although this did not damper the awesomeness that was MIST, we would soon learn that Team D.C. ran on spirit. Food or sleep was unnecessary. Aisha Khatib: “Hustle, get to it! D.C., let’s do it!” chant the spectators. We’ve overtaken the bleachers, and it’s as if no other team can get a cheer in edgewise. Shrieks fill the air as the ball whooshes the net and cameras flash in the bleachers. After the games, which end in disappointment, D.C. MIST director Adam Kareem gives us a pep talk: “We’re a family,” he tells us after the brothers have gotten off the court. “We need to support each other.” Encouraged and determined, the girls head to the court. Urooj Fatima: At the basketball tournament, there was no air conditioning, and we suffered dehydration in the blazing and sweltering heat, but we still chanted for 6 hours! Anhar Karim: As soon as me and two friends entered the courts to watch the teams play, I was informed that my own Montgomery County team was already out. We

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D.C. Mist’s 23 Awards Were: Brothers most disciplined team: Moco Rockets 3rd place 2D art: Tubah Shafi 3rd place 3D art: Safiyah Cheatam 1st place Photography: Ali Waseem 2nd place Knowledge Test 2:Danish Akbar 1st place Knowledge Test 2: Zaid Bilgrami 3rd place Brothers Tajweed: Naeem Baig 1st place Brothers Tajweed: Abdullah Ahmad 1st place Sisters Advanced Memorization: Mamata Abdou 1st place Brothers Advanced Memorization:Usman Qadri 2nd Place Prepared Essay: Ali Waseem 3rd Place Original Oratory: Adib Laskar 1st Place Extemp Speaking: Faraz Ahsan 3rd Place Short Fiction: Aisha Khatib 1st Place Short Fiction: Amina Iro 2nd Place Spoken Word: Azizah Abdul-Samad 1st Place Newsletter: ERHS 2nd Place Sisters improv: Bowie HS 3rd Place Sisters Nasheed: ERHS 1st Place Sisters Nasheed: Hammond HS 2nd Place Brothers Nasheed: DUS 2nd Place Debate: Faraz Ahsan Winner of Best Chant

Photo by Aisha Khatib

still had a DC team to cheer for. We were playing against a New York team, and our crowds were going ballistic cheering. On the first day of MIST, and even after an exhausting bus ride, you couldn’t stop the power of DC MIST spirit. Finally the time came for D.C. brothers lunch! We got our burrito/sandwich/reasonably edible substance and devoured it. To be honest, most of the brothers weren’t quite sure what the strange substance was, but we were sure that we were hungry. During lunch I met up with a brother

from Boston, Shareef. He told us how Boston only came with five people. I was amazed; I guess I just assumed that the other regions would be as large as D.C. was. But quickly, me and Shareef got to talking, and I understood how great MIST was. This event brought Muslims together from all over North America, and I began to meet people I would have otherwise never heard of. I began to see talent I would have otherwise never noticed. And I learned things I would have otherwise never cared about. Off in a corner, a crowd was coming together in a circle. When we went over,

Aisha Khatib: It’s been a long, long day and we’ve just gotten to our rooms. However, none of us consider going to sleep. We’ve got projects to review, Bowl to study for, and a long day of competitions to get excited for. Anhar Karim: Once we got back to the hotel, we entered the rooms and, to our surprise, they were actually very nice. Then my dad called and I went down to the parking lot to meet him. My parents had brought me Bengali food for dinner. Being Bengali I knew I could not have survived the night with the strange burrito meal I had been fed, and I was glad to have some rice for dinner. Without it I don’t know if I could have gone on. Once I went back inside the hotel, the time was already passed midnight, and all of us MISTers had no apparent plans on sleeping. People were running around, talking, and practicing for the next day’s competitions. Among them were groups of people trying to see if there was any way of finding food. Saturday, July 7th, 2012 Anhar Karim: At 2 a.m., we again attempted to rest, but then my friend Rakeen entered with two boxes of pizza. We followed Rakeen downstairs to the lobby and still found that many people were awake and active. We ate two slices of pizza, talked with some people, and then finally, after watching some strange Canadian television, retired for the night. Aisha Khatib: It is 3:30 a.m., and I’m swaying in my seat down.... Read the rest of the diaries at muslimlinkpaper.com and search for “DC MIST DIARIES”

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

WORLD PRESS

World Press

I Have Today Become The President Of All Egyptians

In a speech to the Egyptian people, Newly Elected Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi emphasizes the importance of national unity Mohamed Morsi

patriotism and true martyrdom. They have shown steadfastness and courage in confronting the great loss of their own flesh and blood, the price of freedom.

Source: Guardian UK, June 25, 2012

Cairo’s Tahrir Square, the focus of Egypt’s revolution, is the scene of celebration on Sunday after Mohamed Morsi is confirmed as president. Link to this video My people of great Egypt, who today celebrate democracy in our country; those of you standing in the public squares, in Tahrir Square, and all the public squares of Egypt; my dear people, big family, brothers and sons, you who are awaiting the future, who want security and safety, goodness and revival, and development and stability for our country, I turn to you praising God for having brought about this historic moment. This is a shining course written by the hands of Egyptians, by their will, their blood, their tears and their sacrifices. I would never have been able to stand before you today as the first elected president by the will of free Egyptians in the first presidential elections after the revolution of 25 January, nor I would have been able to stand before you now with this overwhelming happiness that extends to the four corners of our be-

loved country without the support of God almighty and the sacrifices and precious blood of our noble martyrs and the noble, wounded citizens. I give my thanks and greetings to the martyrs, to their souls, to the mothers and fathers of the martyrs, and all my people who lost their dear ones and sacrificed for Egypt. I offer my sincere prayers for them and for the wounded who watered the tree of freedom with their blood and cleared the way for us to arrive at this moment. We are grateful to the families of all, who taught their sons the meaning of

I renew with them the pledge that this sacred blood would not be lost in vein. I salute the great Egyptian people, and salute the army, the best soldiers on earth, our armed forces, wherever they are. I offer my heartfelt greetings and love to them. I value their role and I am keen to strengthen and secure them and their esteemed institution which we all love and value. I also extend similar greetings to the honourable police, whose role many people wrongly perceive that I appreciate less than others. This is not true. Whoever committed a crime would be held accountable before the law. As for the honourable policemen, who make up the majority among the police in Egypt, they are entitled to the highest expressions of appreciation. They have a great role in the future to maintain internal security and peace in our nation. We are duty bound to acknowledge the judges of Egypt who supervised the elections of revolutionary Egypt.

Even those who did not participate [in the electoral process], we equally hold them in a position of esteem and love. Our judges make up the third source of authority, which would always remain strong and prominent. Our judiciary owns its will; it is separate from the executive and it must remain so in the future, to be independent of the executive and by necessity the legislative powers. I affirm to all segments of the Egyptian people that I have today, by your choice and your will, through the favour of Allah, become the president of all Egyptians, wherever they are, at home or abroad, and in all the provinces of Egypt, on its eastern borders and the west, and in the south and north and central Egypt. I turn to you all on this historic day, in which I have become president of all Egyptians, equally. Everyone will be afforded due respect, without any privilege, except that rendered by their service to our nation and their respect for the constitution and the law. It is not possible to forget the members >> egypt Pg 10

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

WORLD PRESS

Dr Shaikh Yusuf Estes Named Islamic Personality of 2012 By Ahmed Shaaban

Several scholars, scientists, presidents and institutions have won the Islamic Personality Prize over the past 15 sessions. The first winner was Late Shaikh Mohammed Metwally Al Shaarawy of Egypt in 1997 while the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was the last winner in 2011.

Khaleej Times, July 9, 2012

Dr Shaikh Yusuf Estes, an American Muslim preacher who reverted from Christianity to Islam in 1991, has been named the Islamic Personality of 2012 by the 16th session of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for spreading the teachings of Holy Quran, and for his services to Islam, Muslims and humanity. Making the announcement at the Cultural and Scientific Association in Dubai on Monday, Ibrahim Bu Melha, Chairman of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award, said: “Dr Shaikh Yusuf Estes, born in 1944, is often featured as guest presenter and keynote speaker at various Islamic events. He

Dr Shaikh Estes, who earlier served as a music minister became a Muslim in 1991 after meeting an Egyptian named Mohammed. Following his reversion, Estes entered the field of Dawah, or spreading the Islamic faith. frequently appears on various Islamic satellite TV channels, in addition to his personal websites yusufestes.com and islamtomorrow.com.”

“After embracing Islam, Dr Estes pursued Arabic language and Quranic studies in Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. From 2004, Dr Estes regularly appeared

on the Islam Channel, as well as Peace TV and Huda TV,” Bu Melha said. Dr Estes has started a free-to-air Internet and satellite TV channel called GuideUS TV which currently broadcasts commercial-free programming on Islam 24/7. He has also set up various websites directed toward English speaking Muslims which include TubeIslam (a Muslim video sharing site), ChatIslam (a Muslim chat room), and WorldPreschool (a learning site for young children). “Dr Estes is highly loved by young Muslims,” Bu Melha said. [Source: KhaleejTimes.com]

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10 | continued egypt

>> continued from pg 8

of the diplomatic corps, and those who work in it, as well as the members of the general intelligence; I will not forget any of them. My beloved Egyptians who astonished the world with their revolution and whose youth surprised the world by standing in long lines to vote â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whether in the referendum for the constitutional proclamation, the parliamentary elections, the elections of the consultative assembly, or the presidential elections â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Egypt today is the Egypt of the entire nation. Our country is in urgent need at this moment for the consolidation of ranks and unity of purpose so that our great and patient people would reap the rewards of their sacrifice to live with dignity. Social justice, freedom and human dignity are our basic slogans. These are the main goals for which the revolution was started in all the squares of Egypt on 25 January 2011 and the strong voices which demanded them still do so in every expression of our ongoing revolution. The revolution will continue until it realises all its objectives. Together we will complete this process. The Egyptian people have been patient for long, enduring tyranny, oppression, marginalisation and forgery of their will and elections. We used to look around us and say: when will Egypt and its people become the owners of their destiny? Today you have become the source of authority and the world bears witness to your endeavour for a better future. O people of Egypt, you have bestowed upon me a heavy trust and great responsibility. I say to all of you, by the grace of Allah and your will, that I have been entrusted with this and I am not best of you. I will sacrifice all my efforts to be loyal to the duties and pledges which I made before all of you, and that all would be equal in rights and duties. As for myself I have no rights but I have duties; so I call upon you my people to support me as long as I establish justice and righteousness among you, and as long as I obey God in your affairs. If I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do so, and I disobey God and I do not adhere to what I promised, you are not obliged to obey me.

>> egypt I Pg 11

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

continued | 11

egypt I

>> continued from pg 10

At this historic juncture, I call upon you the great people of Egypt to strengthen our national unity and close our ranks and stand together. We are all Egyptians. Even though we differ in our views we are all citizens of this country, even if our parties are different. There is no room for the language of confrontation and there is no room to accuse each other. National unity is the way to lift Egypt out of the present situation and to embark upon a broad project of renaissance, one that is truly Egyptian, leading to real development of our resources. God has blessed us with much, but as you know [our wealth] was squandered and not put to proper use. We are today about to use these resources to realise our interests. I call upon you to begin this renaissance project. We Egyptians, Muslims and Christians, are harbingers of development and civilisation and we will remain so. We will meet the trials and schemes which are aimed at undermining our resolve and national unity as we did during the revolution. I am determined with you to astound the world with the Egyptian revival that realises prosperity, dignity and stability. I am determined, with your help, to build a new Egypt, a civil state, which is democratically constituted. All my energies will be devoted to this great project. I will work to preserve Egypt’s national interests on all fronts, Arab and African, regional and international. We will respect the international treaties and conventions we signed, and we will work to have a system of Egyptian values, especially in the area of freedom and human rights, and women’s and children’s rights, and to remove all forms of discrimination. We will establish balanced relations with the entire world community, relations based on mutual interests and respect between equal parties. We will not allow ourselves to intervene in the internal affairs of any country and we will not allow interference in our affairs.

We will preserve our national sovereignty and the borders of the Egyptian state and everyone must know that Egyptian decisions will come from within and by the will of its people. Egypt is capable with its people and its forces and history to defend itself and to prevent any hostility or anyone from contemplating aggression against it or its people, wherever they are in the world. My Egyptian people, we recognise the challenges of the moment. I am convinced that with help of God we will together be able to pass through this phase

quickly so that Egypt becomes stronger and assumes its leadership role. This is the destiny of Egypt and what awaits it in the future. We all are happy and we celebrate this great democracy, the elections and triumph of the will of our nation. I reaffirm what I announced before, that I will never betray Allah in your affairs, or disobey Him in the affairs of my nation. I place before me His saying, “Fear a day when we will return to Allah”. Therefore, say with me together my beloved people, by our will and our unity

and our love for each other, we will be able to make a great future. My beloved people some may see these hopes as distant, but we, together, see them very near, by the grace of God and “He is able to enforce His will but most people do not know”. • This is a translation provided by the Muslim Brotherhood of a speech made in Tahrir Square on Sunday following Mohamed Morsi’s confirmation as president as Egypt. The sentences in italics are Qur’anic verses.

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

12 |continued books

>> continued from pg 5

Reem Saadeh, a Greek Orthodox Christian living in McLean, Va., and a friend of Iqbal’s believes this book could become “an invaluable asset” to Muslims and non-Muslims alike. “It is exactly what was needed and what was missing in the teachings of young children about religion,” she said. “I am not just talking about Islam; it gives even us nonMuslims the ability to understand Islam and a method by which to teach our own children about our own religion. It gives us the avenue to talk about religion in general and in specific terms.” Following a similar path but with a different goal in mind, Wendy Diaz and her husband Hernán Guadalupe, Spanish-speaking Latino converts from New Jersey, did not learn about Islam until later in life, and so it was important to them that their children learn about Islam at a young age while retaining their Spanish language. After a search for Spanish Islamic books in New Jersey, New York, online, South America and even in Spain, they were surprised to only find two books. Realizing the need for such books, they created their own website- Hablamos Islam Niños (We Speak Islam, Kids) and began writing and publishing their own books after several publishing companies turned them down or didn’t respond at all. “I wanted to offer my own children a chance to learn Islam from an early age, something that as a convert, I was not able to do,” said Diaz. “And I wanted to give them the opportunity to do so in their own language... Of course, we didn’t stop at just our own kids, we began printing our books and offering them to other parents like us so that their children can also benefit.” Because Hablamos Islam Niños is a small family-run operation, their biggest challenge has been lack of funding, whatever money Diaz and her husband make goes straight into printing more books. However, they pride themselves on being the only “bilingual English/ Spanish publisher of Islamic children’s books in the world.” Unlike Diaz, Iqbal found it easier to find publishing companies, since many began reaching out to her instead. How-

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ever, she said that because she wanted to control how the book was represented and sold, she decided to start her own company- made easier with her background in Public Relations. She has shared her book with friends and family and made a few sales this month. “It has only been a few weeks but I already see how powerful this book is and how much it was needed.” Saira Sheikh, a mother of 2 from Ashburn, Va., thinks Allah to Z is a won-

derful book and, with her six-year-old son read “one letter a day as an introduction to a vital Islamic concept.” She hopes this book and others are one day incorporated into public libraries so that children “can grow up being proud and confident of Islam.” Iqbal has had schools contact her to incorporate this book into their curriculum. She is currently focusing on marketing this book as much as she can all across the country, hoping it will make

it into every Muslim home. “We are going to have more and more American-born Muslim generations in this country - so if we want to keep the spread of Islam strong, we need to adapt to teaching the new generations in a way they will understand and most importantly, enjoy.” to purchase the books visit, www.allahtoz.com & www.hablamosislamninos.com

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14 | CIVIL RIGHTS

Civil Rights

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

Islamophobia: A Bipartisan Project Deepa Kumar

The Nation, July 2, 2012 When the New York Times ran its story on Obama’s “kill list,” showing the president poring over names of people to potentially assassinate in drone strikes, it sparked a controversy. The content of that controversy was not over this extraordinary revelation about Obama’s use of power but rather over the leaking of state secrets, which Republicans accused him of doing to bolster his re-election campaign. Some liberal commentators (at Salon, The Nation etc.) were rightfully horrified and condemned such activity. But the Democrats—and much of the liberal establishment—remained silent. Deep in the Times article, another shocking revelation that hasn’t received as much attention as the “kill list” is the Obama administration’s effort to erase the deaths of some innocent victims by categorizing “all military-age males in a strike zone as combatants.” This excludes them from the civilian casualties count, allowing the administration to claim that civilian casualties have been minimal. All Muslim men in “combat zones” in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen have been presumed to be terrorists, and therefore worthy of death, simply for being of “military age.” How did we get to a place where innocent Muslim men can be killed with impunity around the world with little public outcry? The short answer is that Muslims have been long been constructed as “terrorists” upon whom righteous terror can be rained. The image of the Muslim enemy in the US is not new. While Hollywood and television play a key role in conveying that image to the public, they did not create it. The “Muslim enemy” is inextricably tied to a long history of US imperialism. The US and the Middle East

....

After World War II, the United States began take control of the Middle East from France and Britain. In so doing, all forces that stood in the way of US hegemony were cast as enemies, using the language of Orientalism developed in Europe. (I discuss this in greater detail in my book, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire .) Through much of the 1950s and ’60s, secular Arab nationalists and leftists who failed to cooperate with this US

The “Arab terrorist” morphed into the “Islamic terrorist” after the 1979 Iranian revolution. When US embassy personnel were taken hostage in Iran for 444 days, the crisis generated daily frontpage and headline news that effectively associated Islam with terror. Ayatollah Khomeini became the personification of all things evil, and all things Muslim. The Middle East henceforth would be seen through the lens of “Islam,” a distorted construction of the religion and the people who practiced it.

How did we get to a place where innocent Muslim men can be killed with impunity around the world with little public outcry? The short answer is that Muslims have been long been constructed as “terrorists” upon whom righteous terror can be rained. agenda were seen as stooges of the USSR or as “terrorists.” The latter image intensified with the birth of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and its use of armed struggle. The PLO was coded as “terrorist” because of the close relationship between the United States and Israel. Following the infamous incident at the 1972 Munich Olympics in which a group of Palestinians took Israeli athletes hostage and murdered them, the Nixon administration launched “Operation Boulder,” giving law enforcement agencies carte blanche to investigate Arab immigrants and Arab American citizens in search of connections to “terrorist” activities related to the ArabIsraeli conflict. Thus, a violent act committed in Munich by a handful of Palestinians became the basis on which all Arabs were designated as “suspicious”; the process of racial profiling had begun in earnest.

Under President Jimmy Carter Iranians were targeted, but it was for Reagan to take this much further though his counter-terrorism policy. He issued a secret National Security Directive designed to create a network of agencies that would prevent “terrorists” from entering or staying in the US. One program by the Alien Border Control Committee called for mass arrests of immigrants from Iran and from Arab nations. During the first Gulf War, in 1991, the elder Bush launched a surveillance program against Arab Americans, which Bill Clinton would take to an entirely new level with the passage of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act (AEDPA), a precursor to the PATRIOT Act, which, among other things, made it legal to deport immigrants based on secret evidence.

Fawaz A. Gerges refers to as the “confrontationists” and the “accomodationists” in the American foreign policy establishment. The confrontationists argued that Islamism was the new post– cold war “Other” and that the United States needed to confront and challenge this adversary in the “clash of civilizations” that was to follow. The key ideologue leading this charge was Bernard Lewis (a close associate of the neocons), who penned his views in 1990 in a now-famous essay titled “The Roots of Muslim Rage,” in which he raised the alarm about an impending “clash of civilizations.” Samuel Huntington then popularized this concept in an essay titled “The Clash of Civilizations?” in Foreign Affairs, followed by a book with the same title (minus the question mark). Huntington put forward the thesis that in the new post–cold war era, conflict would be characterized by cultural differences between various civilizations. He named about seven or eight such civilizations, arguing that the Islamic civilization was among the more dangerous threats to the West.

Post-Cold War Politics

This view was reflected in a slew of other articles. Journalist Judith Miller argued in Foreign Affairs that US policymakers should not try to distinguish between “good” and “bad” Islamists because there was a consensus among all Islamists to defeat the West. Confrontation, rather than co-optation or dialogue, was the only way to thwart this new enemy. Daniel Pipes, Martin Indyk (who served on Bill Clinton’s National Security Council), Jeane Kirkpatrick (a one-time Democrat turned dogged coldwarrior Republican) and others added their voice to this chorus. The “clash” thesis was not a partisan position; confrontationists belong to both political parties. The difference between the accommodationists and confrontationists was not over the goal of US hegemo-

The 1990s witnessed a decade between what professor and Middle East expert

islamophobia Pg 19

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16 | ISLAM

Islam

Facebook Fasting

Your Heart Will Like It this Ramadan By Rasheed Rabbi

Muslim Link Contributing Writer Ramadan is right around the corner and that means the first thing that enters our minds is the worry that we will not be able to eat or drink. In fact these worries bother us so much that by the end of the fast all we’ve achieved is abstinence from food. But it seems that in our modern online society, people actually devote more time to Facebook than they do to food. So this, along with other meaningless daily habits, tend to leave our Ramadans empty and meaningless. This article is not meant to bash technology nor to attack the virtual society. So before giving it a “thumbs down”, read on. While it’s true Facebook gives

us a new way to communicate, it also leads to obsessions with our own lives and the lives of others. According to the Time Magazine 2012, 48% of 18-34 year-olds check Facebook right when they wake up and 250 million pictures are uploaded every day. Such obsessions are obstacles to a clairvoyant mind. Impulse indulgence: Posting and sharing tidbits of our lives become habitual, and after posting something we watch the likes and responses attentively for the coming days. This Indulgence into abrupt whims distracts us and our devotion to God. Active Facebook participation hinders human intellect and results in useless habits. So instead of being distracted by the idea of connecting with people at a distance, we should

connect with the Creator during this holy month. Involvement in Vain talk: Socializing via Facebook is a shallow experience; it is too superficial to be real. We read streams of brief messages from a variety of people, but the messages barely contain any depth. Most are trivial and mundane and some are clever or witty; but little of the information on a Facebook wall could actually touch our hearts and make a difference in our lives. Such vain communication is against Quranic teaching. The Qur’an clearly describes that the doomed are preoccupied with idle talk and are therefore deprived of God’s blessing. Using Facebook might provide a feeling of connectedness, but it engages us in vain emotionless talk. Our beloved

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Fasting is not [only] abstaining from eating and drinking, but abstaining from vain and obscene talk, so if someone insulted you or wronged you, say: I am fasting.” Applying this lesson, our silence on Facebook during Ramadan could be an eloquent movement towards spreading Islamic teaching. False sense of self-importance: The more visible our life is through Facebook, the more our desire to display ourselves grows. Slowly a self-centered world is fabricated in the virtual nook of Facebook where every experience, every photo, every inconsequential move and thought is extravagantly displayed. Thus the false sense of self importance grows on the deathbed of humbleness. This lack of humility leads us to numerous misdeeds and deprives us from the blessings of the most Benevolent. Because of this we neither can correct our own hearts nor can we acknowledge the facebook Pg 18

Crying in Front of Allah - It’s Not impossible By Abdul Malik Mujahid When was the last time you cried? Not a few drops of salty water from your eyes, or the odd tear that slipped down your face while watching a tragic event. I’m talking about warm tears of the heart. Tears that sting your face because they’ve been there so long, their bitter saltiness hurts your skin. When was the last time you cried like a baby? Aisha, may Allah be pleased with our mother, relates that: In the last ten of Ramadan, the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to tighten his waist belt, pray all night, and wake up his family for the night prayers (Bukhari and Muslim).

....

Almost two thirds of Ramadan is gone. We powerless people will soon be looking for the Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr), which we are advised to seek in these last ten nights of Ramadan. Aisha related that the Prophet said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan (Bukhari). We can’t afford not to be crying in front of Allah, the Merciful, All-Aware. Tears flow when we remember how much Allah has blessed us with and how much we disobey Him. We can never repay Allah for everything we have, yet we still blatantly commit sins both big and small: whether it’s backbiting, hurting other human beings, not standing up for the truth, treating our family badly, lying, doing good deeds to show off, cheating, etc.

Allah opens ways out of problems for us, easing our burdens. Yet, we still disobey Him and take His Mercy for granted. Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said he would rather shed two tears from the fear of Allah than give a thousand dinars in charity. And the most telling example of a man who few would think would cry because of Allah is Umar, may Allah be pleased with him. He was known for being strong, fearless, and uncompromising when it came to matters of faith. Yet, Abdullah ibn Isa said that Umar had two black streaks on his face because of constant weeping. He feared Allah so much that he once said, “If someone announced from the heavens that everybody will enter Para-

dise except one person, I would fear that that person would be me.” Umar was one of the strongest believers. Yet he cried and feared Allah. And Abu Bakr, he was simply known for his crying. These people loved to serve human beings in the day and spent time begging God to save humanity at night. May Allah be pleased with them. Let’s be more contemplative and pray for an awareness of and forgiveness for our sins, as well as softness in our hearts. If Umar the brave and pious did it, we have even more need and urgency to do it. Human beings are in turmoil. Connecting with God with our hearts and begging for His Mercy for His Creation will bring us Closer to Him and human beings. [Source: Soundvision.com]

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

ISLAM | 17

The Nurse and the Muslim Patient – A True Story from the United Kingdom My name is Cassie, I am 23 years old. I graduated as a qualified nurse this year and was given my first position as a home nurse. My patient was an English gentleman in his early 80s who suffered from Alzheimer’s. In the first meeting, the patient was given his record and from it I could see that he was a convert to the religion of Islam, therefore he was a Muslim. I knew from this that I would need to take into account some modes of treatment that may go against his faith, and therefore try to adapt my care to meet his needs. I brought in some ‘halal’ meat to cook for him and ensured that there was no pork or alcohol in the premises as I did some research which showed that these were forbidden in Islam.

My patient was in a very advanced stage of his condition so a lot of my colleagues could not understand why I was going through so much effort for him. But I understood that a person who commits to a faith deserves that commitment to be respected, even if they are not in a position to understand. Anyway after a few weeks with my patient I began to notice some patterns of movement. At first I thought it was some copied motions he’s seen someone doing, but I saw him repeat the movement at particular time; morning, afternoon, evening. The movements were to raise his hands, bow and then put his head to the ground. I could not understand it. He was also repeating sentences in another language, I couldn’t figure out

what language it was as his speech was slurred but I know the same verses were repeated daily.

not really believe it until someone posted a link of the Islamic prayer on youtube.

Also there was something strange, he didn’t allow me to feed him with my left hand (I am left-handed).

I was shocked.

Somehow I knew this linked to his religion but didn’t know how. One of my colleagues told me about paltalk as a place for debates and discussions and as I did not know any Muslims except for my patient I thought it would be good to speak to someone live and ask questions. I went on the Islam section and entered the room ‘True Message’. Here I asked questions regarding the repeated movements and was told that these were the actions of prayer. I did

A man who has lost all memory of his children, of his occupation, and could barely eat and drink was able to remember not only actions of prayer but verses that were in another language. This was nothing short of incredible and I knew that this man was devout in his faith, which made me want to learn more in order to care for him the best I could. I came into the paltalk room as often as I could and was given a link to read the nurse Pg 21

What The Prophet Did In Sajdah By Abdul Malik Mujahid “I happened to pray one night with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The Prophet started reciting alBaqarah chapter of the Quran and I thought he would stop after 100 verses. But when he went beyond it I thought that he may want to recite the whole chapter in one Rakah. When he finished al-Baqarah I thought he would do Ruku but then he immediately started reciting al-Imran and when he finished he started reciting an-Nisa. The Prophet was reciting very slowly with enough pauses and would do Tasbih (praising God) and Dua (supplication) according to the subject being discussed in the relevant Ayah. After that the Prophet did Ruku (bowomg). In Ruku he stayed as long as he did when he was in Qiyam (standing in

prayer). After Ruku he stood up for almost same time and then he performed Sajdah (prostration) and stayed there as long as he recited Quran while doing Qiyam”. (Hudaifa, may God be pleased with him, narrated this hadith as in Sahih al Muslim, Nasai) Of course, not all the Prayers of the Prophet were this long. In public he would pray for a shorter period of time and ask other imams to do the same. The Prophet use to make dua in Sajdah not just tasbeeh as we do in obligatory prayers. He used to cry in Sajdah. He would spend an extended amount of his time in Sajdah whenever he was praying on his own. Many times, however, Muslims would join him when they found him praying alone. Aisha, may God be pleased with her, mentions that: the Prophet one night stood up for Salah and he stayed in it for so long that I thought the Prophet had passed away or died. When I felt

that way I stood up shook his toe and I felt the movement then I laid down again and I heard the Prophet saying in Sajdah “I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your wrath, and in Your pardon from Your punishment, and in You from You. I cannot enumerate Your praises as You praise Yourself.” (Transliteration: Audhu bi ridaka min sakhatika, wa bi muafatika min uqubatika wa bika minka, la uhsiy thana’an alayka, anta kama athnayta ala nafsika). When he stood up from the Sajdah he asked Aisha, “do you think God’s Prophet has betrayed you?” Aisha responded “No Preophet of God, because of the long Sajdah I thought you had died.” (hadith from Baihaqi but Dua wording from Muwatta Imam Malik) One of the Prophet’s companion, Abdullah ibn Zubayr, would pray with such concentration that when he was in Sajdah the sparrows would come flying and sit on his back. In a separate narra-

tion, Abdullah ibn Abbas, another companion, said if you want to see how the Prophet of God used to pray, you should copy how Abdullah ibn Zubayr used to pray. And consider these two Hadiths from the Sahih Muslim: Ma’dan b. Talha reported: I met Thauban, the freed slave of God’s Messenger, and asked him to tell me about an act for which, if I do it, God will admit me to Paradise, or I asked about the act which was loved most by God. He gave no reply. I again asked and he gave no reply. I asked him for the third time, and he said: I asked God’s Messenger about that and he said: Make frequent prostrations before God, for you will not make one prostration without raising you a degree because of it, and removing a sin from you, because of it. Ma’dan sajdah Pg 21

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

18 | ISLAM

Salaah times for July 13th - July 26th, 2012 If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it fi ve times a day, do you think he would have any fi lth left on him?” The people said, “No filth would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “That is like the fi ve daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.”

Day

Date

Hijri

Fajr

Sunrise

Dhuhr

Asr

Maghrib

Isha

Fri Sat Mon

July 13 14 15 16

23/8 24/8 25/8 26/8

4:24 4:25 4:26 4:27

5:53 5:54 5:55 5:56

1:14 1:15 1:15 1:15

5:10 5:10 5:09 5:09

8:34 8:34 8:33 8:32

10:05 10:04 10:03 10:03

Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27/8 28/8 29/8 1/9 2/9 3/9 4/9 5/9 6/9 7/9

4:28 4:29 4:30 4:31 4:32 4:34 4:35 4:36 4:37 4:38

5:56 5:57 5:58 5:59 6:00 6:00 6:01 6:02 6:03 6:04

1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15 1:15

5:09 5:09 5:09 5:09 5:09 5:09 5:09 5:09 5:08 5:08

8:32 8:31 8:30 8:30 8:29 8:28 8:28 8:27 8:26 8:25

10:02 10:01 10:00 9:59 9:58 9:57 9:55 9:54 9:53 9:52

Sun

---Hadith in Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim

Prayer times generated from www.islamicfinder.com for the WASHINGTON, DC area.

facebook

resentment. Facebook fasting will free us from these lame obligations and help us regain control over our lives.

>> continued from pg 16

mercy of the most gracious deity. The goal of this life is to internalize our personal insignificance in front of God’s greatness. But Facebook works against this eternal truth and prevents us from submitting to God with humility. Unconscious control over life: Facebook obliges us to share updates frequently with “friends”, most of whom we’ve never even met in person. These so-called friends either compliment our posts or complain; they also grumble if they find us updating our profile irregularly in . Thus this distant virtual community conditions us to behave in a certain way without a conscious choice of our own. Being soaked with other people’s thoughts, feelings, and beliefs on a daily basis can be pleasing and inspiring, but the endless repetition of empty emotions can easily turn into

Illusion of unreal socialization: We are deceived into imagining an active social life via a few clicks on Facebook. We tend to forget that a Facebook hug is not a real hug and a smiley isn’t a real smile but a symbolic imitation on a digital device. Thus this virtual life merely displays witty banter, wastes our time with each click, and the deceives us into thinking we are being social. According to Facebook there are 2.7 billion daily “likes” and comments. One could surmise that much of this is not really intended for socialization. Rather this is simply an illusion that enfolds us into a fog full of thoughts, words, actions, behaviors, and attitudes that are empty in essence and keep us away from selfawareness. Parched productivity: most often we only intend to spend a few minutes

on Facebook, but we end up staying for hours. We forget that this time is what determines our destiny on the Day of Resurrection; we are accountable for every moment we spend in this world. Keeping this in mind, we need to be cognizant of social networking and whether or not it is making a positive difference in our lives and in the lives of others. It might be difficult to reconsider our daily habits, however the month of Ramadan could be a good time to start spending our hours more wisely in order to secure a better hereafter. Intrusive externally: Facebook culture is heavily focused on the affairs of others, what they’re doing, what they like, or what they think of one another, and so forth. If we are so intrusive into other people’s business, their spiritual progress during Ramadan will be hindered. It is baffling to find people wasting hours reading comments on others’ walls or viewing pictures of people

people who they barely know. Although no one is watching or questioning us for being so inquisitive about others’ affairs, we are still compromising our own ethic of manners and morality. Early scholars used to say ‘Whoever busies themselves with that which does not concern them misses out on much of that which does concern them.’ Thus spending time involved in the affairs of others instead of our own brings no benefit to us. Have any of you started defending yourselves against the above aspects yet? If you have, then your heart has already been corrupted with one or another. Don’t delay any further to discipline these digressions. We need to use this blessed Ramadan to beat our bad habits. Ramadan requires rigorous reflection and steady self-persuasion. We have to be careful that our human (nafs) soul does not give into the self-deception and self-indulgence that is Facebook.

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>> continued from pg 14

ny; it was about strategy and rhetoric. During the 1990s, the accommodationist line dominated in Washington. The Bush père and Clinton administrations sought to win over Muslim-majority countries by appealing to universal values and, under Clinton, free market policies. Domestically, however, the hysteria against Muslims mounted during this period. The fear generated by the attempted bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 ensured that in 1995, when white right-wing Christian terrorist Timothy McVeigh bombed a federal building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, Arabs and Muslims were immediately blamed. Congress passed AEDPA in 1996. In short, even before the events of 9/11, the groundwork had been laid for the legalized targeting of Muslims and Arabs. The “War on Terror” Decade The events of 9/11 brought this legal apparatus in line with the foreign policy establishment. Barely had the ashes settled from the Twin Towers when loud proclamations that “Islamic terrorists” represented existential threats to the United States began to echo in the public sphere. From then on, US policy was geared towards “keeping Americans safe” from Muslim “evildoers.” The “clash of civilizations” rhetoric became the ideological basis for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as domestic attacks on Muslims and Arabs. The war on Iraq, however, did not go the way the neocons wanted it to. Instead of greeting US forces as liberators, the Iraqi people resisted and rejected US hegemony. During his second term, Bush moved away from “hard” power and toward winning “hearts and minds.” But by the end of his second term, the failing occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq—as well as an economic crisis of proportions not seen since the Great Depression—meant that it was time for a changing of the guard. Obama was voted into power by an electorate disgusted by the hubris and arrogance of the Bush regime. The ruling elites also gave him their blessing, hoping to put a friendlier face on US imperialism.

continued | 19 The Democrats were ready to take on this role. In January 2007, a leadership group on US-Muslim relations headed by Madeleine Albright, Richard Armitage (former deputy secretary of state under George W. Bush) and a number of academics produced a document titled “Changing Course: A New Direction for US Relations with the Muslim World.” The document, which received high praise, argued that distrust of the United States in Muslim-majority countries was the product of “policies and actions— not a clash of civilizations.” It went on to argue that to defeat “violent extremists,” military force was necessary but not sufficient, and that the United States needed to forge “diplomatic, political, economic, and cultural initiatives.” The report urged the US leadership to improve “mutual respect and understanding between Americans and Muslims,” and promote better “governance and improve civic participation” in Muslim majority countries. The report’s call to action stated that it would be vital for the next president to reflect these ideas in his/her inaugural speech and to reaffirm the United States’ “commitment to prohibit all forms of torture.” Barack Obama has proven brilliantly effective at embodying such a posture. In one of his first speeches, in Cairo , Obama rejected the “clash of civilizations” argument, emphasizing the shared common history and aspirations of the East and West. Whereas the “clash” discourse sees the West and the world of Islam as mutually exclusive and as polar opposites, Obama emphasized “common principles.” He spoke of “civilization’s debt to Islam,” which “pav[ed] the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment,” and acknowledged Muslims’ contributions to the development of science, medicine, navigation, architecture, calligraphy and music. This was no doubt a remarkable admission for an American president, but one that Obama clearly saw as vital to bolstering the United States’ badly damaged image in the “Muslim world.” Indeed, this speech marked a significant rhetorical shift from the Bush era; a shift to the language of liberal imperialism and liberal Islamophobia. The key characteristics of liberal Islamophobia are the rejection of the

“clash of civilizations” thesis, the recognition that there are “good Muslims” with whom diplomatic relations can be forged and a concomitant willingness to work with moderate Islamists. Liberal Islamophobia may be rhetorically gentler but it reserves the right of the US to wage war against “Islamic terrorism” around the world, with no respect for the right of self-determination by people in the countries it targets. It is the “white man’s burden” in sheep’s clothing. “The truth is that my foreign policy is actually a return to the traditional bipartisan realistic policy of George Bush’s father, of John F. Kennedy, of, in some ways, Ronald Reagan,” Obama once said. Since taking office, he has embraced and expanded Bush’s secondterm policies. He has deployed 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, expanded the war into Pakistan, tried to bully Iraq into granting an extension of the US occupation (which failed), carried out drone attacks and “black ops” in Yemen and Somalia and participated in the NATO-led war in Libya. Domestically, Obama has continued Bush’s policies of torture, extraordinary rendition and pre-emptive prosecution. American Muslims continue to be harassed and persecuted by the state. Obama has even gone further than Bush in several ways, not only by securing the power to execute US citizens suspected of ties to terrorism without so much as a trial but also by signing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which, among other things, allows the military to detain indefinitely without charge “terror suspects” who are US citizens. His 2011 “counter-radicalization” strategy document elicits the help of Muslim American teachers, coaches and community members, who are to be turned into a McCarthy-type informant system. Yet liberal Islamophobia does not target all Muslims. It acknowledges that there are “good Muslims.” The report heaps praise on Muslim Americans who have cooperated with the state arguing that “we must counter al-Qa’ida’s propaganda that the United States is somehow at war with Islam” and instead affirm that “Islam is part of America, a country that cherishes the active participation of all its citizens, regardless of background and belief. We live what al-Qa’ida vio-

lently rejects—religious freedom and pluralism.” Obama added that “our rich diversity of backgrounds and faiths makes us stronger.” This is the modus operandi of liberal Islamophobia: to roundly reject Islam-bashing—and then proceed to institute proposals that target Muslims When Representative Peter King held his McCarthy-style hearings in March 2011 to determine the extent of “Muslim radicalization” in the United States, he was rightly criticized by liberals. However, that August, when Obama institutionalized this process through his “counter-radicalization” strategy, there was nary a peep. At the end of the day, the fear of “Islamic terrorism” is manufactured to grease the wheels of empire. Statistics show that Americans are more likely to die from lightning strikes and dog bites than an act of terrorism. In the ten years since 9/11, a comprehensive study shows that of the 150,000 murders in the United States, eleven Muslim Americans were responsible for the deaths of thirty-three people (besides themselves). Yet, this did not stop King from starting yet another hearing on Muslim American “radicalization” in June 2012. Complaining that his earlier efforts had been “vilified by the politically correct media, pandering politicians and radical groups” King squawked that his efforts were intended to “protect America from a terrorist attack.” While his antiMuslim racism is thoroughly disagreeable, he is not incorrect when he states that this is a “nonpartisan” issue and “of serious concern to national security and counterterrorism officials in the Obama administration.” Indeed. King is simply continuing what is a bipartisan policy with a long history. The mistake that progressives make is to focus on the most rabid Islamophobes, while giving liberal Islamophobia a pass. Whatever form it takes, racism should be called out for it is. Source: [www.thenation.com/article/168695/islamophobia-bipartisan-project] In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

20 | continued blackout i

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Presidential Campaign class. Sunday: Start gathering information for my 10 assigned Maryland delegates, also for my political reporting class. Sounded fun… The weekend passed, and I managed to do nothing, all because of an unexpected visitor. It was sudden and short, but the Friday June 29 storm left us without electricity for six sweltering days and scorching nights. I was sitting in my room, unaware that we were expecting a storm, when the lights began flickering. As I opened the door to my room to see what was wrong, I saw everyone from my parents, aunt and uncle, siblings and cousins hurriedly walking around, and by the time it hit me that there was a severe thunderstorm, the lights went out and everything went dark. “Everyone to the basement!” my father yelled out. Back in my room, I told my husband, Alaa, to hurry downstairs as I fumbled around for my phone. I had finally found a use for the flashlight application I downloaded a year ago. With the only available flashlight on hand, I made my way back and forth from the kitchen, garage, utility room and basement as I lit the way for my father who was worried that the stove might have been accidently left on and for my mother who was placing dry towels all around the windows in case any water should start dripping in. Our utility room and everything in it was drenched in water by the time the storm passed. Every so often, when we are hit with brutal storms, for a household with 17 family members, we realize just how unprepared we are for any dangerous or disastrous situation. We had a radio but no batteries. The internet wasn’t working on any of the phones and within 15-minutes many of them had died. And we had no fuel for our generator.

....

We were cut off from the world and did not fully realize the extent of the damage until the next morning. We all awoke the next morning in puddles of sweat. My husband left to Panera Bread with his laptop and college books in hopes of getting his assignments completed for his 11:59 p.m. deadline, while my father left for an early meeting and on his way back stopped at a gas station for some fuel to fill up our small generator. It later took him and my uncle, who also went to look for gas, over four hours to find a working station. By noon, I had decided to go out and get some bagels and coffee for a small breakfast. I took my sisters along, and in the car blasted the air conditioner. Driving along rural Bowie, it looked like a ghost town. The roads were covered with tree branches everywhere; light signals were out and signs were blown away. About 300 feet from our house, I noticed an entire electric pole had been uprooted. This, I thought was a good sign, for the electric company would realize how dangerous it was and quickly fix it. I was wrong. All it took was seconds, but the 60-70 mph “derecho” storm fueled by the 100-degree temperature left a path of destruction so great that about three million customers across the MidAtlantic had lost power. Electric companies were estimating repairs to take well over a week to complete. To put the damage into perspective wrote Jeannette M. Mills, Customer Operations & Chief Customer Officer for the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, this sudden storm caused about “twothirds of the total outages caused by last summer’s Hurricane Irene.” Panera was packed and the A.C. was attracting dozens of people creating a line beyond the front door. I made my way to the bathroom to wash up and was grateful for the running water, while my sisters waited in line. They were out of bagels, so we bought two baguettes and a cinnamon crumb cake and made our way back home to the heat. Later in the day, the generator was finally started to get only our refrigerators working. The A.C. takes up too much power,

my father constantly reminded us, and so we had to bear through the heat for the week. My aunt later went out and bought five fans to help cool us down.

of Syrian descent, at night we would blast Syrian revolutionary songs from my phone, and we would have our own semi-protests.

Our week was pretty much unproductive. The heat and humidity made it impossible to work. We were all feeling lethargic. Mornings were spent on the front porch as the sun was rising and later in the day we would move to the back porch, where we’d have dinner and stay there until about eleven at night. It was impossible to sit inside.

While we must always remember God’s might and power, it is in the times of hardships that we feel nearer to Him. With every action, I remembered how grateful I needed to be. To be able to escape to a cooled restaurant, go to school, or just sit in a car with A.C. reminded me of the countless things I take for granted on a regular basis, which is why I took the storm to also be a blessing. It reminded me to always be humble and more aware of those less fortunate than me. However, as lucky as we were to be safe with no ruined food or damaged goods and property, the 34 people that the Federal Emergency Management Agency attributed as casualties of the storm were sadly not as fortunate. BGE was calling the June 29 storm as “one of the most damaging storms in the company’s nearly 200-year history.” Downed trees and the widespread damage were not only the source of deaths but a consecutive 12-day heat wave with temperatures over 90-degrees led to several other fatalities. And according to a CNN article, “experts are estimating that it should take about a month to assess the amount of damage caused by the severe storm and resulting power outages.” However, Michael Hicks, director of Ball State’s Bureau of Business Research told the Journal Gazette that based off of anecdotal testimonies; the damage from Friday’s storm could add up to $20 million.

“The electricity should be back on tomorrow,” everyone would say, although we sensed that we were wrong; we were still hopeful. Once I was able to access the internet on my phone and saw that the number of customers BGE had without electricity was over 600,000, I knew we’d be one of the last to get help, and we were, with only 1,000 left after us. Now all I could think about, of course other than the unbearable weather, were my papers that I hadn’t even started. “One more week, one more week, I constantly reassured myself.” And realizing I wasn’t going to be able to do much of anything at home, for the next few days, my husband and I would head to the University of Maryland to study in the morning and then head to Prince George’s Community college –where Alaa was taking classes- in the evening. As much as I hated being without air condition, the storm wasn’t without its benefits. For one, it brought me closer to God and made me feel extremely blessed for all that He has given me. It is the small things that make you realize His strength and capabilities, like a cool breeze or a nice drizzle of rain. Growing up in America, you take for granted the basic essentials of life such as clean running water and a readily available supply of food. My mind continued to go back to the people in the drought-stricken part of East Africa and to the people in Syria who were not only suffering from lack of electricity, food and water but are also constantly bombarded with rockets and mortar shells. It also brought us as a family closer as we were forced to spend much more time together-with there being no internet or T.V. Being

On Thursday, BGE crews were working along our street. It was finally our turn. I couldn’t head home just yet though as I had a 12:00 class and still needed to finish my papers that were, thankfully, due by midnight. At around 9:39 p.m., I hit the send button and was officially done with class. Now I waited an hour for my husband to finish his final class for the summer before heading home to a working A.C. Finally. That night, I woke up to grab an extra blanket to keep me warm.

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012 nurse

>> continued from pg 17

translation of the Quran and listen to it. The chapter of the ‘Bee’ gave me chills and I repeated it several times a day. I saved a recording of the Quran on my iPod and gave it to my patient to listen to, he was smiling and crying, and in reading the translation I could see why. I applied what I gained from paltalk to care for my patient but gradually found myself coming to the room to find answers for myself. I never really took the time to look at my life; I never knew my father, my mother died when I was 3, me and my brother were raised by our grandparents who died 4 years ago, so now its just the two of us.

continued | 21 I was given a list of mosques in my area by a lady on paltalk and went down to visit one. I watched the prayer and could not hold back my tears. I felt drawn to the mosque every day and the imam and his wife would give me books and tapes and welcome any questions I had. Every question I asked at the mosque and on paltalk was answered with such clarity and depth that could do nothing but accept them. I have never practiced a faith but always believed that there was a God; I just did not know how to worship Him. One evening I came on paltalk and one of the speakers on the mic addressed me. He asked me if I have any questions, I said no. He asked if I was happy with the answers I was given, I said yes.

But despite all this loss, I always thought I was happy, content.

He asked then what was stopping me accepting Islam, I could not answer.

It was only after spending time with my patient that felt like I was missing something. I was missing that sense of peace and tranquility my patient, even through suffering felt.

I went to the mosque to watch the dawn prayer. The imam asked me the same question, I could not answer.

I wanted that sense of belonging and a part of something that he felt, even with no one around him.

sajdah

>> continued from pg 17

said that then he met Abu al-Darda’ and when he asked him, he received a reply similar to that given by Thauban.

outages

>> continued from pg 1

fered to all free of charge. Outlets were

I then went to tend to my patient, I was feeding him and as I looked in his eyes I just realized, he was brought to me for a reason and the only thing stopping me from accepting was fear.... not fear in the sense of something bad, but fear of

accepting something good, and thinking that I was not worthy like this man. That afternoon I went to the mosque and asked the imam if I could say my declaration of faith, the Shahadah.: lā ilāha illà al-Lāh, Muhammadun rasūlu Al-Lāh. There is no god except Allah, Muhammad is Allah’s messenger.

I did eventually call my brother to tell him and although he wasn’t happy, he supported me and said he would be there, I couldn’t ask for any more. After my first week as a Muslim my patient passed away in his sleep while I was caring for him. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon.

He helped me through it and guided me through what I would need to do next.

He died a peaceful death and I was the only person with him.

I cannot explain the feeling I felt when I said it.

He was like the father I never had and he was my doorway to Islam.

It was like someone woke me up from sleep and sees everything more clearly.

From the day of my Shahadah to this very day and for every day for as long as I live, I will pray that Allah shows mercy on him and grant him every good deed I perform in the tenfold.

The feeling was overwhelming joy, clarity and most of all.... peace. The first person I told was not my brother but my patient. I went to him, and before I even opened my mouth he cried and smiled at me. I broke down in front of him, I owed him so much. I came home logged on to paltalk and repeated the shahadah for the room. They all helped me so much and even though I had never seen a single one of them, they felt closer to me than my own brother.

In the second Hadith, Rabi’a b. Ka’b said: I was with God’s Messenger one night and I brought him water and what he required. He said to me: Ask (anything you like). I said: I ask your company in Paradise. He (the Prophet) said: Or anything else besides it. I said: That is all (what I require). He said: Then help me to achieve this for you by de-

voting yourself often to prostration.

available for people to recharge their phones and other devices, and space was plentiful for those who wanted to settle into a corner and get some work done or read a book. The showers in the bathrooms were also available for use.

Both the courtyard and the carpeted masjid area were part of the “cooling center” area.

Sajdah is truly a humbling experience. We can beg for God’s forgiveness and cry by thinking about our misdeeds, as well as seek refuge in God from the Hellfire. We are in one of the most submissive physical positions when in Sajdah. It is one of the best occasions to

“Roughly 100 people [used the cooling center] some were neighbors, and

I loved him for the sake of Allah and I pray each night to become an atoms weight of the Muslim he was. Islam is a religion with an open door; it is there for those who want to enter it.... Verily Allah is the Most Merciful, Most Kind. * Note * Our sister Cassie passed away October 2010 Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon, after she gave da’wa to her brother, who had accepted Islam Alhamdulillah. [Source: a da’wa organization in the UK]

ask God for forgiveness, guidance, and all that we want. It is one of the best positions in which to talk to God. Seeking God’s pleasure and forgiveness need to be given top priority in these remaining days and nights of Ramadan. [Source: soundvision.com]

others were people who attended the masjid”, said Imam Johari. He received letters from local churches thanking the Muslim community for its generosity.

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22 | OPINION

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

Opinion

Evolution of the Muslim Vote in America By Ramy Osman A number of surveys and studies clearly show that historically, Muslim Americans lean more towards the Democratic Party. By looking at Muslim voting behavior over the years, we can try to identify patterns. We can also pose some questions and try to guess what is needed in the evolution of this behavior. Is the Muslim American vote the result of a well organized effort of forming a bloc vote? Or is it more haphazard, where as members of a minority group, we independently arrive to similar conclusions? Do Muslims vote based on “lesser of two evils”, or based on principles and values? It seems to be a combination of all these factors. But as of yet, there seems to be no coherent platform that one can identify as being “Muslim”, whether on the national or local levels. Local elections are important, but voting trends in Presidential elections are a good way to gauge the collective mindset of communities around America. The first attempts at organizing Muslim Americans into a national bloc vote probably occurred in the 1990’s. In 1992 a handful of Muslim leaders and organizations recommended that Muslims vote for the Republican candidate George Bush Sr, and then in 1996 they supported Democratic candidate Bill Clinton. In 2000, a better organized Muslim community rallied around the domestic policies and social values of the Republican candidate, George W Bush. Muslims correctly identified the Republican Party as standing for issues we can identify with: social and economic conservatism, support for entrepreneurship and family values, and high regard for religion. These were all things that attracted a large portion of the Muslim vote. Bush’s outreach to the Muslim communities, a pledge to pursue a “humble foreign policy”, and an agreement to end the government’s use of secret evidence solidified commit-

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AIPAC (American Israeli Public Affairs Committee), PNAC (Project for a New American Century), and Fox News channel. It was difficult for the Muslim community to realize that a neo-conservative takeover of the Republican Party was in progress. And it was almost impossible to foresee the types of difficulties that Muslims were about to encounter over the next 10 years.

Do Muslims vote based on “the lesser of two evils”, or based on principles and values? ment of Muslims to support him. There are estimates that as much as 75% of Muslim voters voted for Bush in 2000, despite less than 25% of them being registered Republicans. Bush’s extremely narrow win in Florida, by just a few hundred votes, put him into the White House in 2000. 60,000 Muslims in Florida voted for him. They were considered the swing vote that put him over the top because it was the first time the Muslim community united politically in such an organized and effective manner. Muslim Americans prided themselves on placing a vote that “counted”. But Muslim leaders and communities failed to realize that they were officially inducted into the politics of pandering. Bush and his election campaign had agreed to adopt the demand of Muslim political leaders, which was to end the use of secret evidence. But Bush adopted this not because he was a principled individual who thought it

was the right thing to do, but rather because he found it politically expedient. His desire to get elected pushed him to persuade Muslims, and others, to vote for him by saying things that will guarantee their vote. And because of the desire of the Muslim community to be recognized and have influence on an election, many ignored Bush’s personal and family history (which includes involvement in war and big business). This type of mutual political pandering turned out to be detrimental to the Muslim community. The community was not prepared with the type of political infrastructure and influence needed to maintain any sort of national pressure beyond an election season. Without any significant lobby group, policy think-tank, media resource, or insider access, the Muslim community was in no position to compete with other communities. This was especially true with right-wing power elites, such as

After 9-11, Muslims reacted to the overaggressive military and security policies by vowing to never vote Republican again. It seemed like a justified reaction to the right-wing power elite that started the wars and oppressive policies against Muslim people. It was also a reaction to the increasing intolerance and hostility of some Republicans towards Muslims and the Islamic faith. The 2004 presidential election saw many Muslims placing a protest vote against Bush by voting for John Kerry, who did no direct outreach to Muslim voters. They viewed Kerry as a “lesser of two evils”. This was despite Senator Kerry voting in Congress for the wars, the Patriot Act, the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act), and other bills that started and expanded the “war on terror”. But Muslims ignored the fact that the Democratic Party was just as responsible as the Republican Party in enabling the transgressions of government. By shunning the Republican Party, many Muslims thought that the only alternative was the Democratic Party. They focused on finding a political home in the liberal inclusiveness of a party that now prides itself on its diversity and appeal to people turned off by Republicans. After all, the Democratic vote includes black, Jewish, gay and pro-choice voting blocs, among others. So why not include another group who are unwelcome in the Republican Party? Muslims engaged and supported vote Pg 23

July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012 vote

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the Democratic Party despite the conservative nature of Muslims, which puts them at odds with the party’s support for some socially controversial issues, and also puts them at odds with the party’s overwhelming support for the wars and unconstitutional laws. The only real agenda Muslims seemed to be pursuing was finding acceptance in a political party. By the 2008 presidential election, Muslim Americans became even more disillusioned with the policies and rhetoric of the Republican Party. Public displays of Islamophobia had increased and were mostly coming from Republicans. But the Democrats had candidate Barack Obama who had qualities which superficially made him an attractive choice. Obama had a Muslim father, estranged Muslim family members in Kenya, and Hussein as a middle name which was all endearing to the Muslim community. 80-90% of Muslims voted for him in 2008. After Obama was elected, Muslim Americans felt some hope that he would bring about the “change” he eloquently campaigned for. They thought that their vote “counted”. But Obama proved that he lacked principles and the moral resolve to make any change or to challenge the status quo. He extended the Bush policies of bailouts to bigbusiness, continued war, and expansion of a domestic police state. He signed off on unconstitutional laws like the Patriot Act, NDAA and CISPA, which all embolden law enforcement in their profiling and targeting of Muslims. He escalated the war in Afghanistan and Yemen. He continues to sign off on a kill list which resulted in the assassination of three Muslim US citizens and hundreds of innocent people. And he approved sanctions on Iran, which collectively punishes all its citizens, even though Iran never attacked or instigated threats against America. Muslim Americans were let down in a way similar to what they experienced in 2000. Once again, Muslim leaders and communities failed to recognize signs from Obama’s past (like his Senate voting record, and associations with big business and lobbyists), which would have warned of things to come. But his after-election

OPINION | 23 behavior was the clear proof the Muslim community needed for them to confirm that the Republican and Democratic parties are two sides of the same coin. Both parties have the same corrupt tendencies. What Bush and the war-party set in motion in 2000, Obama and the big-government party re-enforced in 2008. One can only speculate as for the rea-

In previous years, the Muslim vote appeared unified simply because we independently reacted to events in a similar way. But after learning that both parties perpetuate the same harmful policies, it’s now time to re-evaluate things and face the challenge of how to engage this negative landscape. Do we ignore these negative aspects, and focus instead on playing the political game of pandering and lobbying? Do we try to compete

The only real agenda Muslims seemed to be pursuing was finding acceptance in a political party. sons of this level of unpreparedness on the national level. But a major factor was that the vast majority of Muslims who were involved in supporting the Republican presidential campaign in 2000 were from an immigrant generation who were new to this country. They were very successful at laying a foundation by building mosques, Islamic centers and schools, but they didn’t yet have a social infrastructure that can support long term political involvement. Without a historical context in American politics, they lacked the knowledge and experience needed to recognize po-

with the other interest groups and industries in pressuring and embarrassing political leaders into listening to us? Or do we take a different approach where we stand on uncompromising principles of things like no war, no corruption, no reckless budget and no police state? Are principles and values prioritized over access and acceptance? Which one is worth it? Where we go from here is up to us. By being relatively young in the American political scene, Muslims still have an opportunity to create an identity that is

After learning that both parties perpetuate the same harmful policies, it’s now time to reevaluate things and face the challenge of how to engage this negative landscape. litical trends and know what role they can play. They also didn’t share the political identity of the indigenous black Muslim community who are well-established and have first hand knowledge of the psychology and history of America. The black Muslim community didn’t seem to participate in the political flipflopping that the immigrant community has been part of for the past 20 years.

unique and that does not get absorbed into the status quo. It’s a chance to develop a communal voice that can be called Muslim and American. But there are many questions we need to answer. Is there a way to participate in politics and voting, while not compromising our morals and values? Is there a way to preserve our identity while improving American society? What are our goals of political involvement and what

should shape these goals? Are we more concerned about pursuing “liberty and justice for all” (which is something America’s founding fathers dreamed of but no generation has been able to achieve), or more concerned about pursuing the American dream (by fighting for a “piece of the pie” and laying a claim to politics just for the sake of inclusion)? What is the role of government to begin with? Does the protection of “inalienable rights”, which is rooted in American governance, have any commonality with the intentions of Islamic law (maqasid al-shariah)? Is there a way to harmonize these two concepts so that we have some guidance in our involvement in politics? What role does the pursuit of ideals such as justice and liberty play in guiding our involvement? Without having clear answers, then our political involvement will be haphazard and ultimately misguided. If we don’t challenge ourselves by exploring these questions, then our condition will never change, and we’ll have only ourselves to blame. For the Muslim vote to evolve into something productive, the first step that is needed is for us to abandon the defeatist attitude of “lesser of two evils”. It doesn’t make sense for people with morals and values to constantly rationalize endorsing evil, even if it’s a supposed “lesser evil”. To use this as a standard strategy of political involvement is a stark contradiction to the Islamic precept of ‘forbid evil’. It’s also time to stop thinking that winning is everything. Is it more important for us to be on the winning side rather than the principled side? We should remember that a vote is a reflection of your opinion, morals and values. Voting is your chance to give naseeha (advice) to those in power. If you resign yourself to continuously voting lesser of two evils, then you are voicing your acceptance of it. Nothing will change and you will actually contribute to perpetuating evil, which is forbidden for us to do. But if you disapprove of what those in power are doing, then elections provide an opportunity to give naseeha by registering your disapproval. When it comes to voting at the presidential level, a vote for Ron Paul, Ralph Nader, Ross Perot or any other non-establishment candidate is a vote of convote I Pg 26

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24 | OBITS & UPCOMING EVENTS

Request For Dua’s { To A llah We B e l o n g , an d t o Hi m i s Ou r R e tu r n }

“Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya:35)” 6-28-12 It is with regret we announce that mother-in-law of Br. Anwer Goheer, Director of the MCC, has returned to Allah (SWT). May Allah (SWT) bless her soul and grant her the highest place in Jannah, Ameen. (Source: MCC) 7-4-12 There was a Janazah for Brother Kamil Muhammad. May Allah SWT grant him Jannatul Firdaus, and make it easy for the family. Ameen (Source: PGMA) 7-4-12 The Board of Directors, Imam, Executive Director and the staff of Dar Al Hijrah and the muslim community in Northern Virginia extend its deepest condolences to our brother Mohammed Elkot for the death of his Mother. My Allah grant her with Jannah, and give his family patience. (Source: Dar Al-Hijrah) 7-4-12 It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Seyed Abdol Hossein Hejazi, Father of Sr. Minoo Hejazi. Janazah Prayers were on July 6th, 2012 in Laurel, Maryland. We ask Allah SWT to forgive him, have mercy on him and give him Jannat ul-Firdous. We also ask Allah SWT to give patience to his family during this difficult time. Allahumma Aameen. (Source: ICCL) 7-6-12 Salatul Janazah of Br. Ali, brother of Professor M M Ali, S & Y Ali and Sr. Sultana Kamal (ADAMS Fairfax Co-Chair) was on July 6, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah SWT forgive him and rewards him a place in Jannat ul Firdous - Ameen. May Allah SWT Grant Sabr to family - Ameen. (Source: ADAMS)

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

Upcoming Events In Your Area ICM Bazaar, Eid Boutique & Yard Sale Saturday, July 14 2012, 10:00am - 6:00pm

Eid Outfits, Accessories, Household items and much more! Yard Sale: 1 table/family (no charge). Eid Bazaar: 1 table/vendor ($25/table - first come first served). If Possible Please Bring Umbrellas and/or tents for shade. Mark your calendars and reserve a table! Location: ICM Masjid, 19411 Woodfield Rd., Gaithersburg MD 20879 Contact: For more info, please contact: Mohammed Aslam at icmadmin@icomd.org Shahnaz Baten at shahnaz_baten@yahoo.com

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ISB SummerFest 2012 Saturday, July 14 2012, 12:00pm - 8:00pm

Featuring: Call of Duty- MW3 Tournament, Laser Tag Area, Grand Bazaar with over 70 vendors, Boot Camp obstacle course, talent show, Rock climbing, reptile show, The wrecking ball- 18 person ride, pony rides, International Food Vendors, Bumper Cars, Carnival games, face painting, henna, ultimate volleyball and much more. Purchase wristbands online at www.isb.org/summerfest. Get your Ramadan and Eid shopping here. Location: Islamic Society of Baltimore (ISB), 6631 Johnnycake Road, Baltimore, MD 21244 Contact: For more info, sponsorship, or vending inquires, email: summerfest@isb. org

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------IRHSCA 12th Annual Fundraising Dinner Saturday, July 14 2012, 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Islamic Research and Humanitarian Services of America (IRHSCA) cordially invites you to the 12th Annual Fundraising Honors Dinner. Respect, Tolerance, and Collaboration by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullahi, Imam of MCC. Speakers: Safi Khan, Dar-us-Salaam; Imam Faizul Khan, ISWA; Imam Aqil Ingram of Ahil Quraan wa Hadith; Imam AbdulRahman M. Yaki of IRHSCA and Mayor Kito Jones. Honorees are: PGMA, Prince Georges Muslim Council, Muslimat Al Nisa, Milati Islami, M.I.S.T, Al Huda School, and Muslim Link. Special presentations by Naeem Baig, Azizah Bint Abdul-Samad, and IRHSCA Weekend Islamic Academy Students. Location: Suitland High School, 5200 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD Contact: For tickets, call 301-324-5040 or visit irhsca.org, Pizza Pike, Sweet Tooth Bakery, IRHSCA, ISWA or MCC

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ICM Ramadan Fundraising Dinner Sunday, July 29 2012, 6:30pm - 9:30pm

Insha’Allah ICM will be hosting its Ramadan 1433 Fund Raising Dinner. The purpose is to raise money for building ICM youth & community center complete with sports facilities, reception hall, health clinic, library, class rooms, book store, commercial kitchen, and other facilities. Once completed Insha’Allah, it will be a 40,000 square feet facility; one of the biggest in the region. This new facility will accommodate bigger congregation, significantly increase our capacity to serve the community and to expand social services. Please plan to attend the fund raiser and inform others. You can also donate online at www.icomd.org. Location: Bohrer Park Activity Center, 508 S Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Contact: For questions or suggestions, please contact Br. Iqbal Yousuf at (301) 7421147 or via e-mail at fr@icomd.org

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Family Day 2012 Saturday, September 15 2012

ICNA Washington DC cordially invites you to Muslim Family Day for the greater Baltimore/Washington DC/Virginia area at Six Flags America. For the first time we were able to reserve the entire park for this event on SATURDAY! Please stay tuned for discounted ticket pricing and Family- Pack deals. Location: Six Flags America, Maryland Contact: For more info and how to buy tickets, please visit our website: www. MuslimFamilyDay.com Or call us at 1-866-DIAL-MFD

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

MASJID LISTING

| 25

Do you have additions, changes, or corrections to the event listings in the Muslim Link? Email us at events@muslimlinkpaper.com, or call us at 301-982-1020. --------------------------------------------------------------------------NORTHERN VIRGINIA ---------------------------------------------------------------All Muslim Brothers Association 3900 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22302 Tel: 703-647-0515 Jumma Prayer Only - 1:15 P.m ---------------------------------------------------------------Icna VA Center: 2913 Woodlawn Trail, Alexandria, VA 22306. Tel: 703-660-1255 ---------------------------------------------------------------Idara Dawat-o-irshad: 4803 VAlley St, Alexandria, VA 22312 Tel: 703-256-8622 ww.irshad.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Mustafa Center: 6844 Braddock Rd., Annandale, VA 22003 Tel: 703-658-7134 www.mustafacenter.org E-mail: Mustafacenter@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Baitul Mukarram: 2116 S Nelson St., Arlington, VA, 22204, Tel: 703-778-1550 ---------------------------------------------------------------Zakaria Islamic Academy: Galesbury Lane, Chantilly, VA 20151 Tel: 571-969-2123 www.ziacademy.org E-mail: Contact@ziacademy.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Badr Community Center Of Dumfries: 17794 Main Street, Dumfries, VA 22026 Tel: 703-585-1689/703-554-7983 www.bccd.org E-mail: Info@bccd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Ul-ghuraba (Masjid Ur Rahmah): 155 Baker St., Emporia, VA 23487 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al Hijrah: 3159 Rowe St., Falls Church, VA 22044, Tel: 703-536-1030 www.hijrah.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Northern VA Trust (Icnvt): 4420 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax, VA, 22030 Tel: 703-591-0999 www.icnvt.org E-mail: Info@icnvt.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al-noor (Muslim Assoc. Of VA): 5404 Hoadly Rd., Manassas, VA 20112, Tel: 703-580-0808 Fax: 703-221-8513 www.daralnoor.org ----------------------------------------------------------------Manassas Mosque: 12950 Center Entrance Ct, Manassas, VA Tel: 703-257-5537 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Virginia: 1241 Buford Rd.,

Richmond, VA 23235 Tel: 804-320-7333 www.icVA1.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Greater Richmond (Isgr): 6324 Rigsby Road, Richamond, VA 23226 Tel: 804-673-4177 www.isgr.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al Rahman: 1305 Hull St., Richmond, VA 23224 Tel: 804-232-7640 --------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjidullah Of Richmond: 211 North Ave., Richmond, VA 23222 Tel: 804-321-8864/804-647-4297 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar-ul Huda: 6666 Commerce St., Springfield, VA 22150, Tel: 703-922-0111 www.darulhuda.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Foundation of America: 6606 Electronic Drive, Springfield, VA 22151 Tel: 703-914-4982 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Noor: 8608 Pohick Rd, Springfield, VA 22153 Tel: 703-451-7615 ----------------------------------------------------------------Adams Center: 46903 Sugarland Rd, Sterling,VA 20164, Tel: 703-433-1325 www.adamscenter.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Heritage Center (Ihc): 262 A-3 Cedar Ln., Vienna, VA 22180 Tel: 703-206-9056 ---------------------------------------------------------------WASHINGTON D.C. ---------------------------------------------------------------First Hijra Muslim Comm. Center: 4324 Georgia Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20011 www.firsthijrah.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Ivy City Masjid: 2001 Galludet St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel: 202-904-9668 E-mail: masjidivycity@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-islam: 4603 Benning Rd., SE, Washington, D.C. 20019 E-mail: Imammusa@hotmail.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Muhammad: 1519 4th St. NW, Washington D.C. 20001 Tel: 202-483-8832 | www. masjidmuhammad.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Society Of Washington, D.c. (MswDC): Howard Center, Room 805 (Above Hu Bookstore) Tel: 202-328-3236 ----------------------------------------------------------------

The Islamic Center: 2551 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20008 Tel: 202-332-8343 www.theislamiccenter.com ---------------------------------------------------------------MARYLAND ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Annapolis (Isa): 2635 Riva Rd. Suite 110, Annapolis, MD 21401 Tel: 410-266-6660 www.isamd.org Email: Info@islamannapolis.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Bait-Allah Masjid of Baltimore Inc 200 S. Calhoun Street Baltimore, MD 21223 Imam’s cell: 571-721-9938 email: baitallahmasjid@yahoo.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Bilal Dawah Center, Inc: 1910 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223 Tel: 410-945-1515 ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar ul Uloom: 6334 Dogwoood Rd, Baltimore, MD 21207, Tel: 410-493-0785 Email: Darululoommd@aol.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ul-haq: 514 Islamic Way (Wilson St. ), Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-728-1363 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-mumineen: 2642 Harford Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218 Tel: 410-467-8798 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Jamaat Al-Muslimeen: 4624 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212 Tel: 443-622-2962 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-rahmah/isb: 6631 Johnnycake Rd., Baltimore, MD 21244 Tel: 410-747-4869 | www.isb.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid As Saffat: 1335 W. North Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 Tel: 410-669-0655 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Easton 126 Port Street Unit # 1 Easton, MD 21601 Tel: 410-829 7924 islamicsocietyofeastonmd.yolasite.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Irhsca (Islamic Research And Hum. Services Center Of America): 1 Chambers Ave, Capitol Heights, MD Tel: 301-324-5040 www.irhsca.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Southern Pg County (Isspgc): P O Box 99, Clinton, MD 20735 5410 Indian Head Hwy, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 Tel: 240 603 4618 ----------------------------------------------------------------

Dar-us-Salaam: 5301 Edgewood Rd., College Park, MD 20740, Tel: 301-982-9848 www.duscommunity.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Zamzam 1510 Lynch Road, Dundalk, MD 21222 Tel: 410-284-2840 www.masjidzamzam.com ---------------------------------------------------------------Dar al-Taqwa: 10740 Rte. 108, Ellicott City, MD 21042, Tel: 410-997-5711 www.taqwa.net ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Hikmah: 11064 Livingston Road Unit L (101) Ft. Washington, MD 20744, Tel: 301 292-9009 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Frederick (Isf): 1250 Key Parkway, Frederick,md 21702 Tel: 301-682-6090 www.isfmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Maryland (Icm): 19411 Woodfield Rd. Gaithersburg,md 20879 Tel:301-840-9440 www.icomd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Makkah Learning Center (Mlc): 814 Brandy Farms Ln., Gambrills, MD 21054 Tel: 410-721-5880 www.isamd.org Email: Info@mlcmd.org----------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Germantown (Isg): 19900 Brandermill Rd., Germantown, MD 20876 Tel: (240)-277-7758 www.isgtown.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah: 8000 Mlk Highway, Glenarden MD Tel: 301-461-9325 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society of Western Maryland: 2036 Day Rd., Hagerstown, MD 21740 Tel: 301-797-0922 ---------------------------------------------------------------Southern Maryland Islamic Center (Smic): 1046 Solomons Island Rd, Huntingtown, MD, 20639 Tel: 410-535-0000 ---------------------------------------------------------------Avondale Islamic Center: 4637 Eastern Ave., Hyattsville, MD, 20782 Tel: 301-779-9292 ---------------------------------------------------------------Prince Georges Muslim Assoc.(Pgma): 9150 Lanham Severn Rd., Lanham, MD, 20706, Tel: 301-459-4942 www.pgmamd.org Imam’s Office: 301-459-1441 E-mail: Imam@pgmamd.org.

---------------------------------------------------------------Turkish American Community Center 9704 Good Luck Rd, Lanham, MD 20706 Tel: 301-459-9589 www.taccenter.org ---------------------------------------------------------------La Plata Masjid: 111 Howard Street, La Plata, MD 20646 Tel: 301-609-8769 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Com. Center Of Laurel (ICCL): 7306 Contee Rd., Laurel, MD 20707 Tel: 301-317-4584 www.icclmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Ghurabaa: 8220 Washington St., South Laurel, MD 20724. Tel: 301-604-3295 ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Center Of Lexington Park 22583 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD 20619 Tel: 240-538-7839 or 561-414-0994 www.iclpmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Medina Center: 11600 Falls Road, Potomac MD 20854 www.medinacenter.net E-mail: Admin@medinacenter.net ---------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic Center 9019 Marcella Ave. Randallstown, MD 21133 Tel: 410-971-4018 www.ricbaltimore.org E-mail: Info@ricbaltimore.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington Area (Iswa): 2701 Briggs Chaney Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904 Tel: 301-879-0930 www.iswamd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Education Society of Maryland 11504 Veirs Mills Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20902 Tel: 301- 933-3838 ---------------------------------------------------------------Muslim Community Center (MCC): 15200 New Hampshire Ave. Silver Spring, MD 20905 Tel: 301-384-3454 www.mccmd.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Imaam: (Jumuah Only) Jumuah: 12:50pm 3201 Randolph Rd, Wheaton, MD 20906 www.imaam.org Email: Fridayprayer@imaam.org ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid An-nur: 5418 Ebenezer Road, White Marsh, MD 21162 Tel: 410-663-9637 Fax: 410-663-9817 ---------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah: 7832 Fairbrook Road, Windsor Mill, MD 21244 Tel: 410-298-2977

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

26 | continued vote I Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan Office Manager: Stephanie Benmoha Layout & Design: Fadlullah Firman Staff Writers: Urooj Fatima Anhar Karim Aisha Khatib Yaman Shalabi Fatimah Waseem Wafa Unus Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Imam Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published every other week on Fridays and distributed throughout the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia Metropolitan Areas. TML is a non-profit publication and is based at Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, USA. Staff and contributors are not necessarily affiliated with Dar-us-Salaam. The views expressed in The Muslim Link do not necessarily reflect those of Dar-us-Salaam or TML management or their underwriters. Dar-usSalaam and TML are not responsible for the accuracy of information presented by advertisers, or for the religious compliance of events, products, or services published in TML. This publication contains the names of ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). Please keep, recycle, or share it with others The Muslim Link 5301 Edgewood Road College Park, MD 20740 Phone : (301) 982-1020 Fax: (240) 209-0702 editor@muslimlinkpaper.com Advertising: 301-982-1020 or email us at office@ muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2012

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>> continued from pg 23

science. By simply changing your vote to a non-establishment candidate, it will go a long way in developing ourselves as informed ethical voters. By raising the bar regarding the way we vote, it will make us more critical of the people we support and the issues we advocate. Maybe Muslims should vote for any one of the third party candidates. One example is Gary Johnson. He is a libertarian with some principled positions such as: immediately end all wars, reduce troop levels from bases around the world, end all foreign aid (including to Israel), end the Patriot Act and indefinite detention, reduce the powers of the TSA, reduce the federal budget, and oppose bailouts and lobby groups. Are these positions that an American Muslim should support? If you don’t support any of the third party candidates, then maybe join the write-in campaign for Ron Paul who has a proven track record of challenging the transgressions of the federal government on so many levels. Another alternative for Muslims is to

not vote at all. This can be just as powerful as a principled vote. A non-vote doesn’t mean political disengagement. You can still be a registered Republican or Democrat and be involved in political discourse. But a non-vote is an expression of dissatisfaction with the poor quality of available candidates. It’s a statement of ‘no confidence’ in the options presented to us. A non-vote can also be a disapproval of the political process as a whole. It can be a refusal to take part in electing a person who will legislate convoluted and unnecessary laws which effectively restrict your freedoms or someone else s freedoms in some way. Whatever strategy one decides, it will be an approach based on principles and responsibility. An approach like this will help restore some dignity to our community and will train us to be more critical about the political process. We need to be resolved enough not to compromise our votes.

most likely be evil #1 or evil #2. Although many people feel a personal responsibility to vote in presidential elections, it’s actually more important to participate and vote in local and state elections. Our numbers are insignificant in most states for us to be a swing vote and have any bearing on a presidential election (the 2000 Florida election was a unique exception). But our numbers in many states are significant enough to sway local elections which are more relevant to our everyday lives. However, since the presidential election is fast approaching, and if you feel compelled to vote, then your best strategy is to vote by writing in the person whom you endorse and have faith in. Vote for someone who you believe can faithfully strive for justice and peace. If there is no one who meets your criteria and you have to write in Imam Al-Mahdi or Jesus Christ son of Mary (peace be upon them), then so be it. But whatever you do, do not endorse evil. -----------------------------------------------

Come this November, and for most presidential elections to come, the choices of the two-party system will

Ramy Osman lives in Northern Virginia. This essay appears on www.muslims4liberty.org.

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th July 2012 - July 26th 2012 MP 13 - ADVERTISEMENTS

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Place a personal classified ad. Call us at 301-982-1020. Office@muslimlinkpaper.com We invite you to place a classified on the web FREE of charge at www.muslimlinkpaper.com. Classifieds in the print edition of the Muslim Link newspaper are only $1 for every 3 words. All classifieds run for 3 issues in the Marketplace section. Get started by emailing your exact text to office@muslimlinkpaper.com and then call in your credit card payment to 301-982-1020 or send a check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, 5301 Edgewood Rd, College Park MD 20740.

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Looking for a part-time nanny for after-school care of our two children (ages 8 and 3) between 12 and 5 pm, five days a week, in Bethesda, MD. Household work, and light cooking; must be able to drive; good hourly pay; call 240-475-6108. 06-20-12

Matrimonial SEEKING DEVOUT MUSLIMAH

28 year old Muslim seeks devout Muslimah for marriage. She must love Allah and His Messenger, and be willing to lead a responsible loving life observing all the correct tenets of Al-Islam. If interested, please contact the following: Lasana Philbert (Abdus-Salam), 07A2541, Eastern New York C.F., P.O. Box 338, Napanoch, N.Y. 12458-0338.

Miscellaneous SEEKING PEN FRIEND

Pakistani Sunni Muslim Male, age 43, incarcerated. Funny, understanding, and easy-going. Seeks pen friend. Nadeem Khan #1113005 Box 1900 Pound, VA 24279

Rental GREENBELT CONDO FOR RENT

Recently Renovated, 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Condo available immediately. Appliances includes washer/dryer too. All utilities are included for a fee. Please call 240-441-8907 for more details. -------------------------------------------ROOM FOR RENT

Room available to rent for any single brother or sister. Close to Muslim Community Center, Wheaton Mall, and less than 1 block from Wheaton Metro. Available anytime. $400 per month, all included. 301-922-1839.

Services HOME SERVICES

Licensed contractor. Home improvement work, interior/exterior

painting, drywall install/repair, brick/ concrete repair. License # 30385946 Estimates done. Contact Br Allen Scott at 410-467-1259 or 443-5387643 (cell). --------------------------------------------

LOVING HOME CARE

Providing elder and child care you can trust and afford. Companionship, hygiene care, meal preparation, housekeeping, shopping, doctor appointments. Loving, dependable caregivers for Live-in, Full, Part time. Call: 301-490-1146 www.lovinghomecare.org. -------------------------------------------QURAN AND ARABIC TUTOR

As’salamu alaikum. I’m a high school student. I memorized Qur’an in eight months when I was eight, alham’dulillah. I’ve also memorized Sahih al-Bukhari. I can teach Qur’an with tajweed, Hadith, and Arabic. I live in Fairfax, VA and offer tutoring at home or nearby public places. Rate is negotiable. Please contact me at 703-822-7755. Jazakum Allahu khairan. 07-05-12

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

Honey Heals Skin Disease and Hair Loss Every Muslim has read

that the Prophet Sallallahu ‘alyhi wa sallam told his ummah about the wonderful nature of honey. In the Qur’an in Surah An-Nahl, Allah described honey as a “drink of varying color wherein is healing for men”. Its no wonder that scientists are spending more and more resources examining, testing, and developing honey-based medical treatments. As early as December 26, 2007, the Associated Press ran a story titled “Honey makes medical comeback”. One company that has believed in the restorative power of honey for a long time is HoneyDerm, Inc., a Lansing, Michigan based company that spent years bringing the healing power of honey to people suffering from hair loss, dandruff, and skin disease. Their most famous product line is Hairback Lotion and Hairtonix Shampoo, that “helps stimulate new hair growth and thicken existing hair”. Honeyderm, Inc also claims the products solve dandruff and scalp psoriasis. The Muslim Link requested access to some of Honeyderm’s customers, and Brother Mahmoud from Honeyderm gladly offered us some phone numbers. Brother Hasan, in his late 30’s is from Maryland and suffers from the common skin disease eczema. “I’ve had eczema

since high school, and it got worse as the years went on. I went to a dermatologist and he recommended a cortisone-type prescription cream. It did stop the itch, but my skin was still dry and tight. I’ve tried lotions and shampoos from Aveeno, Lubiderm, Vaseline, and others. Alhumdulillah, I found Honeyderm’s Dermatonic-P, and it is really, really a blessing for people with Eczema or other skin illnesses. I no longer wake up sweating at night! AllahuAkbar!.” We called Abdurihman Khalil from Chicago. He did not know we were going to call. Abdurihman started losing his hair when he was about 28. He discovered the Hairback product line at a convention and decided to test its claims. “The hair loss stopped completely,” said Abdurihman. “It’s excellent, and I’ve been using it now for 6 years.” We also called Brother Mustafa Al-Omary in Sterling Heights, Michigan. He decided to do something about his thinning hair at age 40 and tried the Hairback treatment. Asked how long it took for him to see results, he told us “Oh gosh, less than a month. My thin spots filled in within 3 months,.” He said he would “absolutely” recommend the product to anyone. “It’s not a fly-by-night product, its awesome,” said Mustafa. We

also called Najeebudheen Appat, a 30-year old living in Los Angeles, CA. He’s had a severe dandruff

“Alhumdulillah, I found Honeyderm’s

Dermatonic-P, and it is really, really a blessing for people with Eczema or other skin illnesses. I no longer wake up sweating at night! Allahu-Akbar!.” -- Br.Hasan, Maryland problem for a long-time, and had been searching for a solution. “I tried so many different products like tonics and shampoos, I can’t even remember them all, until I found this product around 2002. My problem was solved completely, the entire thing is taken care of. I even called [Honeyderm] with the great feedback,” recalled Najeebudheen. He told us that Allah creates shifa in many things, and Honeyderm’s products are a part of that. “For dandruff problems, this is the total solution,” he told us from his mobile phone.

BEFORE

AFTER

On Honeyderm’s website, there are many more testimonials from Muslims and non-Muslims from around the nation and the world. There is also a gallery of “before and after” pictures of both hair loss treatments as well as skin treatments. And best of all, for those of us who’ve “tried it all”, there is a full money back guarantee. Allah said honey heals. The Prophet Sallallahu’alyhi wa sallam said honey heals. The people we called said honey heals. With a money back guarantee, there is absolutely nothing to lose, and everything to gain – your hair and skin!

BEFORE

AFTER

Honey-Based Healing for:

Hair Loss, Hair growth, Itching, dandruff, and Scalp Psoriasis. Acne, Wrinkles, Psoriasis, Eczema, Dermatitis, and Rosacea. Plus Supplements for Diabetics, Immunity, and Liver Health. Order Risk Free Today by calling (800) 424 - 7710 or buy online at www.honeyderm.com 2522 East Michigan Ave Lansing, Michigan 48912 MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

HoneyDerm is very confident that its products will definitely help you. If for any reason you are not satisfied with the product, we offer you a full money back guarantee with the return of any remaining portion of the product in their original containers. See our website for time restrictions. All products are 100% drug free and are not intended to change any of the body physiological functions or treat any disease or possess any drug claim.

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July 13th 2012 - July 26th 2012

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ISLAMIC RELIEF USA

PRESENTS

FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2012 7:00 p.m. WESTIN TYSONS CORNER 7801 Leesburg Pike Falls Church, VA 22043

SYRIA IFTAR RELIEF FOR REFUGEES

GUEST SPEAKER DR MOHAMMED ZAHER SAHLOUL SYRIAN AMERICAN MEDICAL SOCIETY

CONTACT Belkacem Nahi bnahi@irusa.org 703.370.7202

BABYSITTING & FOOD PROVIDED Babysitting: $5

Tarweeh prayer will be held on location.

TICKETS Price in advance: $35 Price at door: $45

ISLAMIC RELIEF USA•3655 WHEELER AVE., ALEXANDRIA, VA 22304

IRUSA.ORG

WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER WORLD.

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