The Muslim Link, December 19, 2008
EDITORS DESK Editor-in-Chief: Minhaj Hasan Office Manager : Jann McClary News Desk: Umm ‘Abdullah (Events) Distribution: Elwaleed Elshowya Layout & Design: Fadlullah Firman Staff Writers: Lensay Abadula Amina Ali Farkhunda Ali Fasiha Khan Farha Marfani Rashad Mulla Maryam bint DawudMussallihullah Sharia Advisors: Sheikh Salah as-Sawi Safi Khan The Muslim Link (TML) is published every other Friday on a Bi-Weekly Schedule 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 ads@muslimlinkpaper.com The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2008
OPINION AND EDITORIALS
Letters to the Editor
15
Fasting Kids Inspired Me For quite some time now I have been incarcerated. And never have I stepped into a masjid. I have 20 months left until my release to the Feds, shortly thereafter I will be home, insha Allah.
children who fasted [Muslim Link October 31, 2008 issue], alhamdulillah. Reality struck, knowing Islam is expanding and our youth are still inspired to worship Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). It is a difficult path here, but today those faces gave me inspiration, for I know that this was my hardest Ramadhan yet! And I know those who didn’t fast. In our condition, some are weak. Yet still, 9-year olds, and some 5-year olds, sacrificed their eating, because He said so! Wow!
Your newspaper did something to me. I felt my eyes well up in tears when I saw all the
My most wanted desire is to raise a daughter on the deen of truth, or a son as a lion of Allah
As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatuallah, Insha Allah, I hope this is not crossing boundaries, yet I felt inspired to write this letter.
(Subhanahu wa ta’ala). To expose them to what they were created for, and to establish why the trust is so sacred; not to take lightly but to live for Allah by it! I feel that is where Islam is proven, in our children. They are future protectors. They can be proof, but first it starts home in our own hearts. May Allah continue to aid and assist you all, and may He grant guidance and paradise for those whom strive in His cause. Robert Kyle Horne [Brother Robert is an inmate at a federal prison]
Sacrifice – The Essence of the Eid Assalamu’alykum, Some criticize the way in which some of the udhiya meat distribution is done around the local area. There is this underlying sense that people are taking pride in their efforts and successes and projects more than feeling a sense of relief and joy in fulfilling their religious obligation to Allah as well as distribute wealth more
HOMELESS II >> continued from pg 13
Masjid did not have access to security and volunteers to do advocacy work and prepare breakfast for the homeless. Imam Johari said there are several homeless
DISTRIBUTION II >> continued from pg 13
distribute meat and gift baskets to 717 families in Montgomery County on December 20th. “The cost for this effort will be between $25,000 to $35,000 dollars. Presently, MCMF has commitments for seven and a half cows. The meat will be slaughtered professionally and distributed. Al-Mumtahinah Home, Inc. is a Muslim Women’s homeless shelter in Baltimore that opened in February of 2007. Presently they operate a four bedroom house. The house is always full. Even the living room has been converted to a bedroom. Baqiya Adam, Vice President, Treasurer and Program Director for the shelter stated, “We don’t use the word shelter, especially for the children. We want it to be like a home…When a sister is ready
evenly in the community and give solace to the unfortunate. I challenge each reader to step back and ask themselves, “When I donated my qurbani meat, did I do it with respect and appreciation that someone took my offering or did I feel bloated about being the giver and not the taker? Or, did I avoid any of the labor and inconvenient involvement in sacrifice by sending a check or money order to a relative in
living in urban and suburban communities. “You may find homeless sleeping under the bridge, in a car, and there are also the working homeless who were evicted due to one missed paycheck,” said Imam Johari. There is no stereotypical homeless person, he added. Individuals with no homes are ordinary people who were forced out of their homes
to leave; we have a goodbye party for her. We encourage our residents to want and expect more.” To date, Al-Mumtahinah has been offered qurbani meat from a few sources and is awaiting delivery. Muslimat Al-Nisaa, a homeless women’s shelter also in Baltimore run by Asma Hanif, has received some qurbani meat donations. This year there were several private donors and donations given by the Islamic Society of the Washington Area (ISWA), Dar al-Taqwa and Masid al-Inshira. But, in addition to supplying food to the residents of the women’s shelter, Muslimat Al-Nisaa also distributes food to anyone who asks for it. “One of the things that is missing most of the year is meat. We are very thankful that so many people have come to donate to us, Alhamdulillah… But, when one organization
Pakistan or Syria or Indonesia? Did I turn Eid into a shopping and party event like Christmas or did I relive a part of the sacrifice of Allah’s khalil [friend] – Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) -- and imagine his relief and joy at the opportunity to slaughter an animal instead of my son?” A. Rehman Virginia
due to some economic hardship, according to county officials and religious leaders. Program Direct of Volunteers of America Hypothermia Program, Alonzo Davis said, “faith based communities generally think about doing something chartable in the spirit of giving. One of the best things anyone can give anybody is an opportunity.”
from Virginia called and said they were donating 90 bags of meat, I was overwhelmed and concerned that I would have storage problems. In actuality, lambs are small animals and a third is not as much as I had expected. I want to encourage [Muslim Link] readers in the community to continue to give meat donations throughout the year. Although this meat can last us a while, there are many times during the year that we are wanting for meat.” stated Sister Asma Hanif. It seems that the economic times we live in are markedly different and more difficult, even from where we were year ago. Many families and individuals that sent qurbani money for slaughtering overseas are now distributing not only to Muslims in the local community, but also to non-Muslims.