September 21st 2012 - October 18th 2012 PGcmc
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(may Allah have mercy on him) was asked about the ruling on elections, and he replied: “I think that elections are obligatory; we should appoint the one who we think is good, because if the good people abstain, who will take their place? Evil people will take their place, or neutral people in whom there is neither good nor evil, but they follow everyone who makes noise. So we have no choice but to choose those who we think are fit.” Shaykh Waseeullaah `Abbaas was asked a question from an American about voting for those it is believed will benefit the Muslims. A segment of his response was as follows (the full response is too long to print but further supports the below): “That which appears correct to me, insha'Allah, is that if some good is anticipated as a result of voting, then we vote. We vote for the candidate as long
imam
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In general, I see this generally in American Muslims, there is a gap between the scholars and the youth; this gap needs to be filled. They need someone that they can confide in. Someone who can evoke a sense of outward pride and inner humility, encourage their sense of learning. The greatest need is the lack of education, knowledge about Islam and specifically the difference between religion and culture. Don’t get me wrong we have beautiful aspects in our cultures. To meet this need we intend to teach several classes at the Makkah Learning
as he is presently benefiting the Muslims or promises to benefit the Muslims in the future, even if he is not a Muslim. It would be inappropriate for the Muslims to refrain from voting for this individual, especially if the leader of the Muslims can dictate terms, conditions, and other stipulations on him as a result of the Muslims voting. For example, the leader of the Muslims says, "We will vote for you on the condition that you support our interests, mention them to your superiors, etc." And this applies in any country where the Muslims are a minority, not just in America. Similar statements have been made by Shaykh Muhammad Naasiruddeen alAlbaanee and Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin al-`Abbaad. Armed with this understanding the Prince George’s County Muslim Council (PGCMC) has engaged in a voter registration and education drive at the county masajids in the hope of increasing Muslim voter participation in the November 6 elections. The first drive was held at Prince George’s Muslim Association on August 31st where 27 Center. The Foundations course is our course aimed at college students, juniors/ seniors in high school as well as adults to learn the essentials of the Islam, mainly Aqaaid, Fiqh and spirituality. Another class that will be taught is the Adab al Mufrad by Imam Bukhari (RA), every Friday after Maghrib. As we settle in, we would like to start interfaith dialogue, I had a great chance to been involved in interfaith between the scholars and bishops in Syria. TML: What is the role of the masjid? Across the country, the masjid is playing various roles. However, I feel that the maktab system is great, where the children come after school to the masjid and just spend time there. They do their
COMMUNITY NEWS | 21 new or relocated individuals were registered to vote. The next effort took place on September 14th at Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah in Glennarden . Additional drives are planned for September 21st at Islamic Community Center of Laurel and Avondale Masjid in Mt. Rainier. Other Prince George’s masajid that are interested in having a voter registration drive should send an email to President@ pgcmcmd.org to discuss arrangements. Maryland residents can also register online at https://voterservices.elections. state.md.us/OnlineVoterRegistration. The last day to register to vote in Maryland for the November 6, 2012 election is October 16, 2012. Muslims in Maryland have the opportunity to not only support those candidates which are of greater benefit to the needs of Muslims, but to also engage in the Quranic injunction of “enjoining that which is good, and forbidding that which is evil”. In this election there will be seven ballot questions of which the last two have proven to be of concern to the Muslim community. Question 6 is the Civil Marriage Protection Act which will allow gay couples in Maryland to legally homework there, read Qur'an. The masjid should be an integral part of every child’s daily life. Here we explain to them that Allah [causes] the effect and it happens. This is opposite of what they are taught in schools. Children are taught day in and day out that everything happens by itself; that the water becomes ice by itself, without a Creator. After years of hearing this, when they become teenagers, doubts start creeping into their minds about Islam. How many of us just spend time at the masjid? When do we say 'I have some free time, let me go to the masjid?' We don’t have a connection with the masjid; we have forgotten the purpose, dhikr Allah. A mu’min feels at home in the masjid, like a fish in water, it’s their natural habitat. We need to instill this in
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marry. This spring the Maryland State legislature passed a bill that will legally recognize the marriages of gay couples. One caveat in the bill was that Maryland residents would have an opportunity to make the legality of gay marriages a referendum on the November ballot if at least 56,000 registered Maryland voters signed a petition calling for it. At least 113,000 signatures were filed. Question 7 is the Gaming Expansion Referendum which will allow for slots and gaming tables in Prince George’s County. A “yes“ vote on these questions means you are in favor of the referendums. A “no” vote means that you oppose them. The only way to cast a vote on these referendums is to be registered by October 16th. Individuals who wished to be kept informed about election issues or other PGCMC activities should send an email to info@pgcmcmd.org or go to the PGCMC website at www.pgcmcmd.org. Jameel Alim-Johnson is the president of the Prince George’s County Muslim Council
ourselves, the desire to be in the masjid away from dunya instead of impatiently waiting for salah to be over to rush to the dunya. TML: How do you view the Board of Directors and Imam’s relationship? I can only speak of my personal experience. This community has been so welcoming. I have yet to fulfill the favors that they have done for my wife and me. It reminds me of the Muhajirun and their arrival in Madinah and how the Ansaar welcomed them into their new homes. The Board of Directors had arranged a welcome wedding reception for us. It has been simply amazing and I just hope that I can return the favor to the best of my abilities.
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