ICLI News Sept. 2005

Imam Charles Bilal Visits ICLI

Dear Fellow Muslims, As-Salaamualaikum.

As we get ready for start of Sunday School on September 11th, 2005, I am pleased to inform you that the volunteer group supervising this vital ICLI program has prepared a revitalized and robust program for our children. The Education Committee has added parents with extensive educational and legal background to the planning group.

The pre-K is also all set to start in the newly designed and renovated space. The “IC” kids preschool at ICLI for ages 3-5yrs will provide an enriching, educational and spiritual environment for your toddlersInshallah.

ance is involved in with the goal of empowering the 800,000 Muslims in NYC, Imam Talib Abdur Rashid representing the American Muslim Task Force spoke on the need for an intelligent coordinated effort in ensuring an appropriate “voice” to the Muslims in the political sphere. Imam Siraj Wahaj outlined his approach in selecting candidates for support. Candidate Imam Charles Bilal spoke of the need for increased grass roots mobilization of Muslims to ensure appropriate representation in the public sphere. He also gave an upbeat assessment of his campaign and reflected on the lesson’s learnt in his previous campaign in 2001 when he lost by 700 votes. For those who like to obtain further information regarding Imam Bilal’s campaign you may contact him at 718-3229703 or cell 646-529-1925. The campaign is preparing for a primary contest in September 2005.

ICLI Participation at 42nd ISNA Convention in Chicago Sept 2-5 2005

The following ICLI initiatives are scheduled for presentation.

 Institutional Dawah: ICLI reaching out to the community speakers: Asma Ejaz, Nazli Chaudhry, Shaida Khan. Moderator: Zubedia Lunat.

Imam Charles Bilal at ICLI on Wednesday August 17th 2005.

We welcomed Imam Charles Bilal, a candidate for NYC council seat from district 28 to ICLI. We heard from Imam Aiyub Abdul-Baqi the work American Muslim Alli-

 American Muslims Response to Tsunami Disaster: Trikantikaningsih (Kiki) Byas will be presenting the ICLI tsunami relief effort. 

(Growing up in America: Challenges Faced by Muslim Adolescent Girls: Speakers: Inur Mamoor, Rafia Hamid, Kushala Ahmed. Moderator: Shaida Khan.

American Muslim

Continued from page 1)

 In addition I will be moderating three sessions and presenting at two; while Hamza Eric Byas will be moderating a session as well.

Inshallah on September 11 th we will be presenting the highlights of these presentations for the benefit of those who are unable to attend to ISNA convention.

Personal Note: Recently a member of our family had to avail of the services of the Washington cemetery, a first for our family. On this very sad occasion it was gratifying to see how the procedures and programs developed by Br Basir Kazi and other members of the bereavement committee came in handy and made it possible to have very quick and comforting funeral and burial. May I remind you to make sure you have arrangements for burial plot, a living will, power of attorney and a will, all ready and easily accessible to your family. If you need any assistance in any of these matters do not hesitate to call the office at 516-333 3495.

On a final note may I remind everyone that if and when you have a concern or an issue please feel free to contact a member of the executive committee or me directly so we can address any issues that concern you. The multiethnic and growing community of ICLI expects to face issues which may be problematic and we need to follow the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah in addressing such issues with an open mind, in a civil and professional manner.

Jazak Allah Khair. With my Best Wishes.

Sincerely Yours, Dr. Faroque Khan

E-mail: Faroquekhan@yahoo.com

ICLI Members Volunteer for PBS Station Ch. 21 WLIW

ICLI President Elect Ahmed Habeebuddin along with his two boys (Gibran and Imran) volunteered at Channel 21 for the pledge drives. The station's Volunteer Coordinator Margaret Bilardello has been very supportive of inviting ICLI's members to at the station.It is important to mention that ICLI gets acknowledged in the end credits of WLIW's programming whenever its members volunteer. This acknowledgement allows WLIW viewers the opportunity to be aware that the Islamic community is involved in all endeavors within the local area.The contribution that Muslims make to the local community and to society as a whole, is positive and beneficial for everyone.If you would like to volunteer your free time to represent ICLI at Channel 21, please contact Br Habeebuddin during Jummah prayers.

On Thursday, August 11, during a pledge drive, classical violinist Andre Rieu was featured. He performed numerous songs from his hit album: "The Flying Dutchman" during a concert from Parkstad Limburg Stadium in Kerkrade, Netherlands.He had special extras included in his concert such as the excellent rendition of "Over-theRainbow" and a special guest appearance from a young Muslim boy named "Akim", no older than 5 years old, who dazzled an entire European audience with his natural talent for playing the violin!Muslims need to send a positive message that it was Islam who engineered and pioneered the present civilizations of the world today leading the way in Science, Art, and Education."

Why YOU Should Attend Sunday Adult Program

We are living in a society where God is not denied strictly, but this society simply has simply no room and no use for Him in its present intellectual system. Only those dear are given practical importance which are expected to influence men’s social relations in a tangible way. We concentrate all our energies on the development of out material and intellectual affairs without paying attention to our spiritual development.

Even since the tragic incident of 9/11, the American media and its allies have been running all kinds of attacks on Muslims and Islamic education. We are finding ourselves under great pressures from all sides and in various forms, subtle and blatant.

In the wake of this crisis, people are making critical choices about Islam. Some of our brothers and sisters are asking themselves, “Should I practice Islam completely or should I continue being Muslim in name or by culture?” They see Islamic practice in today’s society as swimming against a tidal wave.

How do we bring about change in our conditions and enable those who ate undecided about practicing Islam to see the light of Allah’s guidance. The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have said “Islam began as a stranger and will return to being a stranger, so glad tidings is for those who are strange. They asked, “Who are the strangers?” He replied, “ Those who rectify (themselves and others) When the people are corrupt” (Al Tabarani).

The kind of problems and challenges Muslims are faced with today, at political, economic and cultural levels, is in no way a new state of affairs or never before encountered. In their long history the Muslims have repeatedly experienced such situations in various forms, but they gave managed to come out successful. The Mongol, barbarous in their execution of their wars, inflicted extraordinary harm on Muslims in the middle of the 13th century.

The sole answer offered by history is that on each occasion of adversity, success was achieves through the d’awah power of Islam. The same methodology can be utilized now. We should participate in the political process with the intention of Da’wah. With all the corruption and mistrust in the modern day politics, what better way to benefit society and ourselves.

We must prepare ourselves for this battle of the heart and mind with the guidance of Allah (SWT). The Quran is a warning from Allah (SWT) and our Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was sent as a warner to the world (Quran 25:1). We have to carry on His message to others with our beliefs and actions. In short, the belief and learning of Islam makes accountability to Allah the greatest perpetual concern.

One might argue that you can read Tafsir al Quran or listen to tapes at home but one must remember that there are areas where one needs expert and scholarly explana-

tion There are questions which need to be asked and responded to.

Above all the Qur'anic recitation, the milieu, the ambiance of the sanctity of the hours of (masjid) of Allah (SWT) brings the hearts of its inmates closer to each other and solidifies the eternal bond the true Muslims have among themselves.

We might spend only a couple of hours in the masjid but these hours will be worthwhile if we understand what Allah (SWT) says in Al-Quran “know that the life of this world is only a sport and pastime, pageantry and cause of boasting among you, and a quest for more wealth and more children. It is like the vegetation springing after rain, delights the farmers, but it withers and you see it turning yellow, and them becoming worthless scrubber.” Surah Al Hadid 57:20.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County atICLI enters its Third Year

We are very happy toannounce that we will continue the Girl Scout Program atICLI for the 05/06 school year. Our meetings take place September through June every other Fridaynight at ICLI . A specific schedule of dates will be announced shortly.

In the upcoming year our plans, in sha Allah, will include life,leadership and social skill development as well as camping andtrips. As always the program takes place in an all girl, fun environment. To date we have 4 troops that serve ages Kindergarten through 9th grade.

Registration is ongoing. Adult volunteers are needed as well.Opportunities to grow our girls and ourselves abound in this program. Please join us.

For further information please contact: Sr. Peggy at margaretaiamunno@msn.com Sr. Seema at seemarahman@aol.com

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS OR SERVICES IN THE ICLI NEWS

Contact: Sohail Nabi m.nabi@verizon.net OR 646-286 0060

Islamic Heritage

Rightly-Guided Caliph’s: The ‘First’ Caliph - Abu Bakr Siddiq

The Caliph’s who truly followed in the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) footsteps are known as The Rightly-Guided Caliph’s, see below.

The First Four Caliph’s 1. Abu Bakr 2. Umar 3. Uthman 4. Ali

Upon the prophet’s (PBUH) death the Muslims had to choose a new leader. The method by which Abu Bakr became the Caliph was by a selection process, (ikhtiar); after several discussions by the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH). However, there were times when the Prophet (PBUH) implied that he wanted Abu Bakr to be the ‘first’ Caliph.

When asked who should be contacted for assistance if the prophet was not around i.e. in the event of his death. The Prophet (PBUH) stated Abu Bakr

Abu Bakr His Life

The name Abu Bakr means “The Owner of Camels”. He acquired this name because of his great interest in raising and trading camels. His real name was Abdul Kaba “Slave of Kaba”, which Muhammad (PBUH) later changed to Abdullah “Slave of Allah”. The Prophet also gave him the title of 'Siddiq' - 'The Testifier to the Truth.'

Abu Bakr was three years younger than Muhammad (PBUH) and they were friends since childhood. When Muhammad (PBUH) first invited his closest friends and relatives to Islam; Abu Bakr, was among the earliest to accept it. When the permission of Allah (swt) came to emigrate from Mecca, he was the one chosen by the Prophet (PBUH) to accompany him on the dangerous journey to Medina.

In the numerous battles which took place during the life of the Prophet (PBUH), Abu Bakr was always by his side. Once, he brought all his belongings to the Prophet (PBUH), who was raising money for the defense of Medina. The Prophet (PBUH), asked "Abu Bakr, what did you leave behind for your family?" The reply came: "Allah and His Prophet."

Despite being wealthy and from a very noble family, he lived a very simple life. Instead he used his money for the cause of Islam and paid to ‘free slaves’ in order to give people back their freedom. As well as sustaining charitable causes to support those who were needy. He possessed a bold, truthful, polite, selfless, caring and humane nature. His own family life was a cheerful and affectionate one.

The Caliph (632 to 634 CE)

As the news of the Prophet's death spread, a number of tribes began to rebel and refused to pay Zakat, saying that this was due only to the Prophet (PBUH). At the

same time a number of impostors began to claim that the prophethood had been passed to them after Muhammad (PBUH) and they raised the standard of revolt even further. To add to all these difficulties, two powerful empires, the Romans and the Persians, also threatened the newborn Islamic state at Medina.

Under these circumstances, many Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), including Umar , advised Abu Bakr to make concessions to the Zakat evaders, at least for a time. The new Caliph disagreed. He insisted that the Divine Law cannot be divided, that there is no distinction between the obligations of ‘Zakat’ and ‘Salaat’, and that any compromise with the injunctions of Allah (swt) would eventually ‘erode’ the foundations of Islam. Umar and others were quick to realize their error of judgment.

The revolting tribes attacked Medina but the Muslims were prepared and able to defend it. Abu Bakr himself led the charge, forcing the invaders to retreat. He then engaged in a relentless war against the false claimants to prophethood, most of whom eventually submitted and again professed to Islam.

The threat from the Roman Empire had emerged earlier, during the Prophet's (PBUH) own lifetime, he had organized an army under the command of Usama, the son of a ‘freed slave’. The army had not traveled far when the Prophet (PBUH) suddenly fell ill so they had to stop. After his death the question was raised whether the army should be sent out again or should remain for the defense of Medina? Again, Abu Bakr showed a firm determination. He said, "I shall send Usama's army on its way as ordered by the Prophet, even if I am left alone."

The final instructions Abu Bakr gave to Usama as he led the army away, have prescribed ‘a code of conduct’ in war which remains unsurpassed to this day. Part of his instructions to the Muslim army were: "Do not be deserters, nor be guilty of disobedience. Do not kill an old man, a woman or a child. Do not injure date palms and do not cut down fruit trees. Do not slaughter any sheep or cows or camels except for food. You will encounter persons who spend their lives in monasteries. Leave them alone and do not molest them."

These are the attributes that were implemented in war, established by those who were rightly guided. Another important contribution made by Abu Bakr for Islam was the collection and compilation of the verses of the Quran.

Abu Bakr - His Death

Abu Bakr died on 23 August 634 A.D. at the age of sixtythree and was buried next to Prophet Muhammad (saw). In death as in life Abu Bakr remained by his friends side. His rule was a mere twenty-seven months. In this brief span however, Abu Bakr had managed, by the Grace of Allah (swt), to strengthen and consolidate his community and the Khilafah State and to secure the Muslims against the perils which had threatened their very existence.

Educational Section

Registration September 11,

Dear Parents, Assalaamu Alaikum. We hope you are all enjoying a healthy, restful and peaceful summer.

September is here again and it’s time to begin our 2005-2006, Sunday School registration.

Throughout summer, we have been busy planning for the new school year in line with our goal to provide our children with a sound Islamic education in a safe, secure and happy environment.

Registration and the first day of class will be, September 11, 2005. Please plan to spend the day with your child as our agenda will be as follows:

9am – 1:00pm: Registration and book sales in the area outside of the Sunday School office.

FREE TEE SHIRTS WILL BE GIVEN AWAY AS LONG AS OUR SUPPLY LASTS.

Ongoing throughout the morning members of the Education Committee will be available to answer questions and to provide you with information regarding the Sunday School.

10:00am - 1:00pm Students will have classes. Subsequent Sundays, classes will begin at 9:30am.

September 11 th is a day of remembrance; we are placing message boards in our courtyard hoping everyone will write a message in remembrance of 9/11/01.

Enclosed in this newsletter, you will find a registration form which needs to be completed. For those of you who sent in a green registration card, you will find most of the information printed on your form, please review it and make any necessary changes.

We look forward to a year of Islamic activities to complement our curriculum as we strive toward providing the students with a religious education that will give them the knowledge and confidence needed to prosper as a 21st century Muslim-American.

Sincerely,

Sohail Nabi and Rizwan Qureshi (Co-Chairs)

Nasir Farooqi, Catherine Khalifa, Ellen Brollosy, Humma Qureshi, Nadia Pervez, (Comm. Members)

835 Brush Hollow Road, Westbury, NY 11590 Tel: 516-333-3495 - Fax: 516-333-7321 - Email: icli.icli@verizon.net Website: http://www.1icli.com

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