The Arizona Muslim Voice www.azmuslimvoice.com
MONTHLY NEWSPAPER
FEBRUARY, 2016
VOL.21 ISSUE NO. 234
Vandalism spikes again at Islamic Center in Tucson Owners of nearby student high-rise promise action, evictions By Susan Powell
High-rise student housing residents living near Tucson’s Islamic Center allegedly threw out alcohol bottles and other items onto the parking lot of the mosque. Center members said three times during the first week of University of Arizona classes they came to the mosque to find trash in their parking lot in January. Islamic Center of Tucson President Ahmed Meiloud said things Credit: Google Maps
Continued on p.3
MUSLIM SCHOLAR: DR. KING’S ‘THREE EVILS’ PERSIST IN TODAY’S ISLAMOPHOBIA By A llie Bice
Militarism, materialism and racism – these are the aspects of Martin Luther King’s 1967 “Three Evils of Society” address that continue to reflect today’s Islamophobic society, a prominent leader of the Muslim community told Arizona State University students Jan. 22. Hatem Bazian, a scholar and researcher who also co-founded the first accredited Muslim college in America, told ASU students how relevant King’s address is decades later. “The three evils outlined by
MLK are all around us,” Bazian said. “They are the DNA that give rise to the blueprint of today’s falsely called ‘modern society.’” Using graphics to illustrate the scope of the societal problem, Bazian said America capitalizes on building up its military, while also inadvertently maintaining its materialistic and racist mentality. “Nothing is modern when racism, materialism and militarism are set by design and are barbarically, clinically and methodically killing millions,” Bazian said in his ASU address. In another point, Bazian said
the media played a factor in society’s behavior toward the Muslim population. “The media pursues the agenda that reflects elites’ priorities, and journalists are under tight rein as to when, who, and what is to be covered,” Bazian said. Bazian explained that the mainstream media is to blame because it victimizes and simultaneously accuses Muslims of attacking themselves. “The root cause of this faulty reporting is that elites in civil society have prepared and stoked the
Obama plans for more Syrian refugees – and so does Phoenix Hundreds could come to area as president aims to admit 10,000 amid opposition By Susan Powell
President Barack Obama has plans to permit 10,000 Syrian refugees to enter the country over the next few months. In September 2015, both the president and Secretary of State John Kerry announced the U.S. would increase it present refugee cap from 70,000 to 85,000 in 2016 and 100,000 Continued on p.4
Continued on p. 2
Helping Hand opens Arizona branch Non-profit provides aid, builds up communities in Middle East
NEWS
Tutoring program is a slam-dunk at Tucson Muslim community center................................................02
By Allie Bice
A national volunteer organization dedicated to helping the less fortunate in the Middle East while channeling values of the Muslim faith opened a branch in Chandler on Jan. 30. The Arizona branch of Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) is dedicated to “empowering lives, creating opportunities and strengthening the bond of humanity,” according to its website. Gul Siddiqi, HHRD’s Arizona Continued on p.4
In this issue NEWS
Illinois Professor To Leave College After Post About Islam..... 03
SPORTS
Hijab-wearing fencer is a first for U.S. Olympic team.................... 05
HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
Researcher explores impact of infertility among Muslim women... 06
READERS RESPOND (Left to Right) Ishrat Rahman- Director West Region for HHRD; Rene Lopez - City Council member; Aijaz Balki- Marketing Manager; Theresa Niemeyer- Intel Corporation – Public Affairs . Intel Involved Program Manager; Gul Siddiqi- AZ Area Manager for Helping Hand
AMV readers share their thoughts on major headlines..........07
2
FEBRUARY 2016
NEWS
Tutoring program is a slam-dunk ASU JOURNALISM STUDENTS SEEK at Tucson Muslim community center CROWDFUNDING FOR BORDER COVERAGE By Tracey Tong
By Megan Smith
Nobody can be too loud and no one can be too quiet according to the rules at tutoring day at the Muslim Community Center in Tucson. Ahmad Safdar is a sophomore at the University of Arizona and is the brains behind Dunk and Learn. His goal was to run a program for kids of all ages to learn through affordable tutoring. “I wanted to create an environment where both the students and their parents felt comfortable and motivated to come to,” said Safdar. The Muslim Community Center of Tucson (MCCT) is open for many different kinds of community events, including family fun days and health screenings. Safdar found that the center was a good market for his tutoring services. His efforts have created an environment that is welcoming to students of all grades. The tutoring program is open to K-12 students on the first and third Saturday of every month. Each session runs from 10 a.m. to noon and is free. The tutors are all U of A students who have excelled academically. The first session began in January with about 10 students. Within two weeks the amount of students more than doubled. Students from a local charter school attended the second session. Safdar reported that there is generally an equal mix of boys and girls. All students study for an hour and a half and then are allowed to play basketball. Though basketball is the most popular activity, the kids actually are encouraged to play any sport. Soccer is also a group favorite. Safdar is very proud of the potential that his program brings to the community. “The community is able to come together to strive and work towards the success of our future generations,” Safdar said. Safdar believes that Dunk and Learn tightens the bond between children and their families when they see the progress that has been made. Not only does the program raise test scores but it strengthens relationships. Safdar hopes that this will teach kids to work and play together. Bullying is not an issue that the group experiences. The fact that everyone is welcome creates a warm environment. Younger students look up to the older ones.
Tutor works with student one-on-one during session.
A Phoenix-based news service seeking to ensure fair coverage to a frequently overlooked population is looking for financial support. Cronkite News, which focuses on a population of 15 million people living on both sides of the United States-Mexico border, is holding a crowdfunding campaign in hopes of raising $50,000. Cronkite News is a professionally led news service staffed by the students of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. It produces an evening program daily and is estimated to reach two million households in Arizona. The coverage is also shared with news services across America. The issues of the residents here – immigration, the economy,
security and the environment – are important issues, but are frequently overlooked. Cronkite News has covered numerous important topics from a border perspective, including the possibility of legalizing marijuana, fatal shootings, obesity and low-cost medical care. The goal is to raise $25,000 by February 25. All funds pledged will be matched by Beacon, a platform for funding journalism, for a total goal of $50,000, which will go towards funding sustainable reporting on both sides of the border. Cronkite News is also looking for news tips, residents’ experiences and feedback through its Public Insight Network, a community of people who help inform media coverage in their own neighborhoods.
MUSLIM SCHOLAR: DR. KING’S ‘THREE EVILS’ PERSIST IN TODAY’S ISLAMOPHOBIA Students work on assignments during tutoring session at Muslim Community Center
Tutors and students work on assignments on subjects including English and Algebra
Even siblings are getting along better now. Not only are the college tutors teaching the elementary students but they are learning from them as well. Safdar said the privilege of watching the shy kids come out of their shells to assist others is one of the things that makes this well worth the time and effort. Future plans to expand the program include SAT preparation. For more information on how to sign up for Dunk and Learn, contact Ahmad Safdar at 520-904-3788.
Continued from p. 1
conditions that embolden people to take their fists to Muslim faces in the first place,” Bazian said. Bazian concluded by stating that the hatred of Muslims is an easy way to diverge from the real societal problems. “Muslims today are an instrument that shapes and reshapes power disparities at a time when all existing modalities have failed,” Bazian said. Audience member Sarah Syed, who is also the president of ASU’s Muslim Student Association and a health science senior, said she watched Bazian’s lectures featured his website in preparation for his lecture at the university. Bazian is a co-founder and professor at Zaytuna College and a lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley. “He’s an intellectual authority in the Muslim community,” Syed said. “He speaks about power and politics, as well as orientalism and Islamophobia, and has the religious and academic background to do so.” Like Syed, Johnny Martin, president of ASU’s Sun Devils Are Better Together and a religious studies senior, found Bazian inspirational. “I know first-hand
that Islamophobia is a real issue on our campus,” Martin said. “And I’m glad Bazian talked about how it is deeply interconnected with issues like racism and all of these other forms of bigotry.” Martin also said that he is excited to be a part of ASU’s new initiative to be more religiously inclusive on campus. “ASU’s Dean of Students Office will begin responding to issues of Islamophobia by bringing Muslim students together to share their experiences and strategize solutions,” Martin said.
The Arizona Muslim Voice PUBLISHED MONTHLY by UNUS, LLC OWNER / PUBLISHER Wafa Unus wafa@azmuslimvoice.com FOUNDED BY Marwan Ahmad
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Allie Bice • Susan Powell • Megan Smith Tracey Tong • Gary Reeds • Alex Simpson Kent Barry • Hanna Rahman Ian Punnett • Omaira Alam Aneesah Nadir ADVERTISEMENTS ads@azmuslimvoice.com Deadlines for submission of letters is the 24th of every month, and for advertisements by the 25th. Only letters and articles submitted on electronically or by email will be accepted for review. The Publisher reserves the right to refuse any letters, articles or advertisement or any other material. The Publisher will not be liable for more than the advertisement cost in case of an error. The Muslim Voice is not responsible for the contents of advertisements or articles nor endorses them in any way or form.
NEWS
Vandalism spikes again at Islamic Center in Tucson Continued from p. 1
are quiet for some time, then it suddenly happens. He said in some cases, the incidents are minor while other times they’re major. He said racial slurs also occur from time to time. Pennsylvania-based GMH Capital Partners, which owns the Sol Y Luna apartments, said letters were sent to its residents condemning the behavior and promised action against offenders, including evictions and fines. Rand Ginsburg, the company’s senior vice president of asset services, said GMH and its affiliates will not condone any violent or destructive behaviors and actions toward individuals or organizations. He also said the company is completely against words or actions that are racist or promote racial hostility. Bruce Pilarczyk, GMH senior vice president of marketing and public relations, said the company is working in conjunction with local police to review video tapes to determine what’s happened. Pilarczyk said if people are recognized on the video, they will be turned over to authorities and evicted. The tenants’ leases include a provision that stipulates that any items thrown from windows or balconies can result in a $1,000 fine, possible eviction and criminal prosecution. It would also be reported to the university.
The Islamic Center went public with the situation in late 2014 after members dealt with the trash, glass bottles and more for over a year. Surveillance cameras had been installed at both the apartments and mosque, evictions were handed out and a public forum was hosted by the university and the city. Pilarczyk said his company knew of the problem when it acquired the apartments from another company and wants to do another forum that includes sensitivity training for its residents. He’s been working with Ward 6 City Councilman Steve Kozachik. Pilarczyk said people often wonder why he has issues with out-of-town student housing projects, noting that this is one reason. Kozachik said he’s been talking with Ginsburg and Pilarczyk about the next steps and will meet with the Islamic Center, Tucson Police and a company representative. Pilarczyk said a recurring sensitivity training program is liable to happen, as the housing complex brings in an influx of students. He said students need to understand what they’re doing, the future ramifications and the harm that could result from their actions – physically and emotionally.
FEBRUARY 2016
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ILLINOIS PROFESSOR TO LEAVE COLLEGE AFTER POST ABOUT ISLAM By Gary Reeds
In December, Associate Professor Larycia Hawkins was suspended from her post at Wheaton College, an evangelical Christian institution in Illinois. The suspension came after Hawkins vowed to wear a hijab for Advent to show solidarity with Muslims. However, it is believed that her Facebook post, citing that Muslims and Christians worship the same God, was the reason for the suspension. In a media statement Wheaton College announced that the sus-
Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, triumphing over all evil; and that all who believe in Him are justified by His shed blood and forgiven of all their sins.’ We affirm that salvation is through Christ alone. “While Islam and Christianity are both monotheistic, we believe there are fundamental differences between the two faiths, including what they teach about God’s revelation to humanity, the nature of God, the path to salvation, and the life of prayer.”
The act was primarily an expression of solidarity — not an attempt to challenge any theology. pension reflected that its officials “were concerned that Professor Hawkins had contradicted the School’s Statement of Faith.” In media interviews, Hawkins stood by her post, saying it was “primarily an expression of solidarity — not an attempt to challenge any theology.” Hawkins also expressed the wish to remain at Wheaton College and said that she never expressed the view that there were not “differences in the two faiths.” A hearing to challenge her suspension, scheduled to take place this week, was preempted by a joint statement released by Hawkins and Wheaton College which announced that the two parties had “found a mutual place of resolution and reconciliation.” After reaching a confidential agreement it seems that Hawkins and Wheaton College will part ways. It is hard to determine how Hawkins was contradicting the school’s Statement of Faith. In a media announcement on December 11, Wheaton College sought to clarify why Hawkins had been suspended: “Wheaton College is an institution of distinctively evangelical Christian identity. The core of our faith, as expressed in our Statement of Faith, is our belief that ‘the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, according to the
The statement does not mention exactly where Hawkins erred. It is worth noting that even the Catholic Church, via its Second Vatican Council in 1964, affirmed that Muslims “together with us adore the one, merciful God.” In the purely historical sense it has been established that Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are monotheistic faiths which can be traced back to or said to have origin with the patriarch, or tribal leader, Abraham. They share the tenets that God is a paternal figure who created the universe and makes his teachings known via prophets and holy scripture. Most mainstream Christians, Muslims and Jews would agree that they worship the same God. It is how they worship that is different. Evangelical Christians, like fundamentalists of the other faiths, have a different view. Despite releasing several, lengthy statements to support the suspension of Hawkins, Wheaton College has never explained how or where their statement of faith was contravened. As the agreement reached by the two parties is to remain confidential, it is unlikely that we will soon discover exactly how she did.
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NEWS
FEBRUARY 2016
Helping Hand opens Arizona branch Continued from p. 1
area manager, said the non-profit organization helps countries and people in two aspects: relief and development. “Under the scope of relief, we help and send out teams to countries in emergency crises, whether there’s a drought or an earthquake,” Siddiqi said. As for the development component, she said, the organization spends time building up communities in need, noting as an example, “some teams empower women and give them six months of skills training.” Siddiqi said the HHRD volunteer teams are typically sent to countries outside of the United States. She added that teams aren’t limited to helping people of the Muslim faith, stating, “It’s not specifically religion based.” She added that the humanitarian organization “does a lot of it under the guidelines of the Muslim religion, but the person receiving it can be of all faiths.” After two years of working with the organization and doing community outreach, she was asked to open a warehouse in Arizona.
“My role was mainly to raise awareness in Arizona,” Siddiqi said. “Obviously the national organization chose someone in Arizona to start this.” Siddiqi said she picked Chandler to station the organization’s warehouse because of the large Muslim population, noting, “I did research a lot of the Phoenix areas, and because of that, I preferred Chandler.” The newly opened Chandler HHRD is hosting a clothing drive for the less fortunate in Lebanon, and has packed 20 boxes of clothes within a few weeks of opening. Siddiqi said they hope to pack and sort 300 boxes of clothes before April, “with the amount of clothing we are receiving on a daily basis, I feel that we can accomplish that goal.” A regular volunteer for HHRD and an ASU sustainability junior, Anisa Abdul Quadirs, said the organization has enriched her life. “Working with Helping Hand gives me the opportunity to do good amidst my everyday schoolwork and life,” Quadirs said. ‘With all of the calamities that befall the people of the world on a daily ba-
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sis, I am blessed to have the ability to give a helping hand.” She said she got involved in HHRD in 2013 and fell in love with its mission for development, noting, “It is obviously crucial to respond to emergencies with aid, and HHRD does extensive relief work. However, my passion and focus is development.” Chandler Councilman Rene Lopez attended the opening, and said he believed the branch of HHRD would benefit the community. “From what I saw, they seem very positive,” Lopez said. “The
Obama plans for more Syrian refugees – and so does Phoenix Continued from p. 1
for 2017. This increase in the cap would allow the additional 10,000 Syrians without affecting the number of refugees coming into the country from other parts of the world. GOP front-runner Donald Trump said he’d send refugees back home if he became president because terrorists could pose as refugees. Trump isn’t alone in his thinking, as some GOP lawmakers are also against the idea of increasing the number of Syrian refugees entering the country. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., House Judiciary Committee chairman, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said in a joint written statement, that terrorist groups such as ISIS have made it perfectly clear that they’ll enter the country by way of the refugee crisis. The pair said Obama’s plan would allow another 10,000 Syrians in without a foolproof measure in place that terrorists can’t get into the country. Kerry has said that security checks would be maintained. Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar is also against allowing more Syrians into the country. He has expressed that the country needs to focus on the reason Syrians are leaving their country in great numbers. Gosar, a Republican who represents District 4, believes the focus needs to be on resettling them in areas that are near their home so they can perhaps go back one day. Gosar reportedly thinks the administration doesn’t have an adequate strategy to fight ISIS and other terrorist groups and defeat
purpose of the organization is to gather clothes and food and other resources in order to promote relief among foreign refugees, and not just refugees but locally.” Lopez said the organization would allow the Chandler and Phoenix communities to come together through volunteer work and public service. “Anybody and any group can help,” Lopez said. “No matter what religion, belief, or sect you are – as long as you’re out there to help the community and other people – that’s a great thing.” them. Gosar said it’s the failure in leadership that has caused refugees to leave their homes in the first place.
PHOENIX READY FOR INFLUX
According to various Arizona resettlement organizations, Phoenix is one of the best places to live in a country with a long history of offering safe haven to refugees who want to rebuild their lives. Resettlement organizations said Phoenix officials have assisted thousands of Iraqi refugees who share similar culture and language. When the refugees arrive they’re going to need help getting past the warlike conditions and trauma they endured while escaping their homeland, said Catholic Charities Director Joanne Morales, to the Arizona Republic. Morales said the people of Phoenix are extremely prepared for this situation since the area has worked with people from other worn-torn countries such as Iraq, the Republic of Congo and Somalia. Phoenix Union High School District spokesman Craig Pletenik told the Arizona Republic that the district has no issue helping Syrian students. He said there are around 300 of about 27,500 students already enrolled who are refugees – five of them being from Syria. He said if a teacher needs to be moved or another class needs to be added, the school district can do it. These and other organizations believe that more than 400 Syrian refugees could enter the area in the next year. The president’s plan is geared to help ease the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War.
SPORTS
FEBRUARY 2016
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HIJAB-WEARING FENCER IS A FIRST FOR U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM By Tracey Tong
An American athlete will make history this year when she becomes the first woman to compete for Team USA at the Olympics in a hijab. Thirty-year-old fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad will wear a hijab under her mask at the games in Rio de Janeiro in August. The saber fencer has already made a first – when she became the first Muslim woman to join the U.S. team. Muhammad fenced for Duke University, and she continued with the sport after graduation. Since then, Muhammad has been racking up the awards. She already has two bronze World Cup medals to her name. She has earned enough points to guarantee her a spot at the Olympics, which will be her first. Although there have been safety concerns with athletes who compete in hijabs – FIFA banned the women’s Iranian soccer team from competing in
Credit: www.TeamUSA.org
2011, but has since lifted the ban – Muhammed is one athlete that has overcome this challenge. Fencing already requires head covering, which is why
Muhammed took up the sport as a young teenager. Other athletes in hijabs have paved the way for Muhammad. Pentathlete Aya Medany of Egyp-
tian and weightlifter Khadija Mohammed of the United Arab Emirates have both competed wearing the traditional headscarves.
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HEALTH/ENVIRONMENT
FEBRUARY 2016
Islamic Relief pitches in with water for Flint By Tracey Tong
Islamic Relief USA recently sent 100,000 bottles of water to over 3,500 families affected by the Flint water crisis. Members of the Islamic Relief USA Disaster Relief Team (DRT) were on site to help distribute the bottles. Islamic Relief USA has helped residents in this area in the past. Flint is an aging industrial city of 100,000 people about 70 miles north of Detroit. In 2014, the DRT team assisted with cleanup after the heavy rains and flooding, while in 2015, Islamic Relief USA partnered with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan and Wayne Metro Community Action Agency to present a $100,000 grant to the Detroit Water Fund for emergency water bill assistance. The Flint water crisis started in April 2014 after Flint changed
its water source from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department, which draws from Lake Huron, to the Flint River. Extremely elevated levels of lead have been found in the water, causing a public health crisis. Between 6,000 and 12,000 children have been exposed to the lead, which causes serious long-term health problems. In addition, the highly corrosive water has been linked to a spike in Legionnaire’s disease, which has killed 10 people and made 77 more extremely sick. A humanitarian organization based in Virginia, Islamic Relief USA helps alleviate suffering and provides relief regardless of color, race, gender or creed. The group meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list.
Researcher explores impact of infertility among Muslim women By Tracey Tong
A clinical psychology PhD student is fundraising in hopes of launching a new infertility support group for Muslim women. Mona Elgohail, a researcher at Drexel University in Pennsylvania, is conducting a new study on the impact of faith on the mental health and coping of Muslim women experiencing infertility. Elgohail said that although similar studies have already been done, their focus was on women from the Christian and Jewish faiths. There isn’t much research on infertility concerning Muslim women, she said. The support and feedback that Elgohail has received on her work so far has led her to launch a crowdfunding campaign through LaunchGood. Elgohail’s study requires 200
Muslim women over the age of 18 who will agree to take part in an anonymous 20-minute online survey, in which they answer demographic questions and questions about pregnancy and fertility history, recent mood, religion and spirituality. The participants must be experiencing difficulty conceiving a child, and must not be currently pregnant. Elgohail hopes to raise at least $5,000, which will go towards funding more research in the area of fertility and launching a professional support group for Muslim women who are struggling with infertility. Anyone who is interested in helping can donate towards the campaign, or email Elgohail at MuslimFertilityProject@gmail.com to participate in the study.
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READERS RESPOND AMV readers share their thoughts on major headlines
Firings over Muslim prayer breaks raise issues of faith, fairness Seven employees of Ariens Co., a manufacturing company based in Brillion, about 90 miles north of Milwaukee, were fired recently after the company began enforcing an existing rule of two 10-minute breaks per work shift. The rule impacted the employees’ ability to pray while at work. Numerous Muslim staffers left their jobs in protest. A total of 53 employees were involved. Thirty-two abided with the policy, 14 resigned, and seven were terminated. A spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations said the company just wanted “to weed them out.” The company previously allowed the Muslim employees to take a third break so that they could perform their prayers. However, company officials now
say that these additional breaks have begun to disrupt production. CEO Dan Ariens said the best solution was to go back to the original two break policy. The company makes lawn mowers and snowblowers. Jaylani Hussein, an employee, argued that if the company previously allowed prayer breaks, it couldn’t legally end them. He also said that Muslim employees have been harassed by co-workers and that the company failed to handle the complaints properly. A spokeswoman for Ariens said the company has taken extra time to overcome culture and language barriers by bringing in interpreters and consulting with the Islamic Society of Milwaukee to help mediate.
AMV Reporter Hanna Rahman asked readers how they felt about the incident.
RESPONSES:
Compromise, communication could have averted firings
Niharika Jain,
18, Chandler I think it is fair of them to require the employees to stay within break times, and my position on the overall piece is that it makes perfect sense for employees to have to accommodate and adjust to employer conditions. It is a little frustrating that the company is changing its practice, but policy being more strictly enforced happens literally everywhere and all the time. The company’s doing the best it feasibly can to provide for this community of employees before it starts to lose business opportunity. I don’t feel this is a strong case of discrimination against a religion, merely some rules (which all parties were originally clear about) being enforced in a kind of win/lose situation. The company should, however, deal with harassment claims in a more effective manner, as that was also an issue addressed (briefly) in the article. Abdul Rahman, 21, Tempe I believe that the employer should discuss this matter with the employees because I believe this issue can be resolved very easily and should not be dealt in an absolute by firing the employees. My position is with the employees because
FEBRUARY 2016
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I believe that the employer could have easily resolved this issue without having to result in firing the employees.
Sunil Kataria,
21, Phoenix I think that they should continue to provide prayer break accommodations. It seems as though that Ariens Co. already used to provide prayer break accommodations anyway, so why suddenly stop? Though it may be true that it started to interfere with their work, I am sure that the company can figure out a way to make up for the lost time. Since they have already been allowing for a third break to accommodate prayer, they should not suddenly stop. Instead of removing the accommodation altogether, they should at least attempt to find a way to make it all work. Perhaps work could begin just slightly early or end slightly late in order to accommodate for the lost time that goes toward their prayer accommodation. I think compromise is important. That way everyone can stay happy. The terminations did not need to occur. I feel as though Ariens Co. could figure out a way to allow its workers to get the work done while accommodating an extra 10-minute break for prayer.
Ireen Khan,
20, Chandler Employers should be allowed to provide prayer break accommodations. Employees and students are given days off on Christian holidays, so extending Muslim employees and students prayer accommodations should not be too difficult for employers. I think it is good that the company is providing workers with accommodations, but it is also definitely understandable that employers want to keep productivity up. Overall, I really think there needs to be more communication between the Muslim community and employers to come to a decision on the best way to accommodate prayer times for employees, but beyond that, employees also have to make the effort to balance their work and religious obligations.
Rafee Alam,
20, Gilbert The only reason provided by Ariens Co. to go back to the existing two break per day rule is that production was affected by having the workers take a third break. What is their reasoning based on? Ariens Co. needs to provide evidence, statistics or some kind of research to show that when the rule was enforced their production was much higher than when workers were allowed to practice their religion without discrimination. The disappointing part is that Ariens Co. still retained more than 50 percent of their Muslim workforce, while about 30 percent of them left and approximately 10 percent were fired. No matter how employers treat their employees, there will always be those who protest. Yet, the majority of the people will just accommodate to the employer’s wishes. Is that right? Should one specific group of people have to change their life and accommodate their beliefs to conform to their work?
FEBRUARY 2016
REVIEWS
Krispy Krunchy does zabiha chicken right Other dishes, customer service don’t measure up
By Kent Barry
If you’ve been looking for some zabiha fried chicken after seeing that Popeyes commercial for the umpteenth time on TV, then you know your options are limited in Phoenix. Luckily, there is Krispy Krunchy Chicken. I had the family meal, which consisted of breast, thigh and drumstick pieces. It also included biscuits and fries as a side. The chicken was undoubtedly the best part of the meal. It tasted just as it looked. The fried chicken is juicy and has a nice crunch to it when you bite down on the breading. The side items were just soso as the fries tasted like they were the kind you can purchase from the grocery store and make at home. The biscuits were also just okay, as they were a little too hard for my liking. I also tried their chicken ten-
ders, which paired well with hot sauce and ranch dip. I thought they were good but not as tasty as the fried chicken, and somewhat dry. Not only do they sell fried chicken and tenders, they sell all sorts of Southern-style offerings including fried catfish and gumbo. If chicken isn’t your thing, they also make their own pizzas and sandwiches. I tried their extra-large pizza with beef pepperoni and beef sausage. Aside from being very large, the pizza itself was nothing too special. Overall, the toppings were not too plentiful and the crust was a little dry. The establishment is located in a strip that includes a halal market next to it. On the window is a sign that says halal meat. Inside is some seating where you can wait for your meal as it is being
made. Next to the cash register is another verification of the meat that it is zabiha. Prices are on par with other similar establishments and overall you will get a lot of food for the money. They also deliver but be wary as delivery times can be over what they tell you. This is my biggest complaint about them, more so than the food itself. The delivery time for my meal was stated between 35-40 minutes, which is an average amount of time for delivery. The food was not delivered until double that amount of time. When I called to voice my complaint about the delivery time the person on the other end was not very helpful, cut me off short and stated they were busy. How rude. Bottom line: if you’re in the mood for some zabiha fried chicken that is reasonably priced, I would recommend Krispy Krunchy Chicken. For the other things I mentioned, I would suggest looking elsewhere. I’d give it 2.5 out of 5 drumsticks.
st
21 Century Family Medicine
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Office: 602–973–0200
OP-ED
Deacon I an Punnett
In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s recent primary victory in New Hampshire, a new narrative is developing: Trump actually could be the Republican nominee for president of the United States. Now, some people are concerned that if Trump were elected, he would inflame Islamophobia and follow through on his promise of December 2015 to enact a “total and complete shutdown” of Muslims entering the U.S. Like any politician, of course, although it makes for a meaty sound bite, Mr. Trump is short on details on how this would be accomplished. Currently, there is no “religion box” on the application form to enter the U.S. Theoretically, “President” Trump would have to order that a space be made for the would-be visitor to declare his or her religion, and then deny them on that basis if they wrote “Muslim.” It goes without saying that even anybody who is stupid enough to follow a jihadist’s call to terrorism would be smart enough to write “Methodist” on the form and not get themselves disqualified. The plan is as dumb as the comment, not to mention unconstitutional. But that’s not the only good
news for people who fear a Trump presidency. The best news is contained in the long history of presidential promises. For example, in 1916, as World War I wreaked havoc across Europe, incumbent President Woodrow Wilson used the slogan, “He kept us out of war,” in his victory over Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Hughes (when was the last time that happened?). Five months later, U.S. doughboys were very much in the war. In 1928, Herbert Hoover promised unprecedented prosperity with the phrase, “A chicken in every pot and a car in every garage.” Within 24 months, the country was in the midst of the Great Depression. In 1940, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt assured the American electorate, “I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.” By 1942, U.S. troops were dying in the Pacific, Europe and Africa. Running against Arizona Republican challenger Barry Goldwater in 1964, incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson declared that his administration would not send ground troops into Vietnam,
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despite the fact that Johnson had already drawn up plans to escalate the war. Within five months of being elected . . . Once again, in 1968 Richard Nixon’s campaign leaked a “secret plan” to end the Vietnam War. Nixon expanded the Vietnam War into surrounding countries over his two terms and kept that secret to himself. The pattern just repeats itself. Anti-big government conservative Ronald Reagan’s first-term, fouryear budget deficit was larger than those of Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter combined. In 1988, George H.W. Bush famously promised “Read my lips: No new taxes”—yeah, right. When Bill Clinton took office in 1992, health care was on his agenda and 37 million Americans were without any form of health insurance. By the time Clinton left office, there were at least 3 million more people uninsured in the U.S. Not to be outdone, in 2000, George W. Bush campaigned on his commitment to making health insurance affordable for hardworking, low-income families. In his first two years in office alone, the uninsured increased by another four million. Bush also promised that the U.S. would not engage in any more “nation
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Brother Of The
Book Deacon Ian Punnett
@deaconpunnett
Rev. Ian Punnett is a PhD student at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication/ASU in Phoenix, a seminary–trained deacon in The Episcopal Church, a former nationally syndicated broadcaster and author of “How to Pray When You’re Pissed at God.”
building” around the world on his watch. I think we all remember how that worked out. Saying, “It is not who we are,” Barack Obama pledged to close the detention camp at Guantánamo Bay on the campaign trail in 2007 and after being sworn in as president. Then again in 2009, 2010, 2011 . . . Sigh. The neon sign over “Gitmo” is still flashing “Open.” So, if the past is prologue, and it usually is, if Trump were elected president, not only would he not go through with a ban on Muslims coming to the U.S., very likely, somehow, the opposite would happen. Mark my words, if history is any indication, the number of Muslims entering the U.S. under President Trump would become “yuge.”
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FEBRUARY 2016
OP-ED
My African American and Muslim American roots History proves we’re not newcomers, but helped to build this country
Dr. Aneesah Nadir
Sadly, the social climate and the messages we see in the media and hear from high-profile politicians make us feel as though we don’t belong. Many of us believe that Muslims are newcomers, don’t have roots in America and that home is thousands of miles away. As an African American and a Muslim American this is my home. I believe that I have a claim to America. I know that my ancestors’ blood, sweat and tears helped build this country. I know that they suffered under the cruel slave system in America and survived it. I know they fought the injustice of segregation and institutional racism to make a better place and an opportunity for me. I saw the harsh treatment of those who participated in nonviolent demonstrations to obtain our civil rights and our right to vote. I know they had
a dream for a better tomorrow for my children and me. As a Muslim American and a student of Islam in America I learned that Muslims traveled to establish trade ties with early Native American peoples as early as the ninth century. I learned that Mansa Abu Bakr of Mali traveled from west Africa to the Gulf of Mexico in 1312. In 1527 Moroccan guide Estevan came to Florida from Spain with the de Narvaez expedition, and in 1539 he participated in the exploration of what is presently Arizona and New Mexico. I learned that as many as 10 to 30 percent of the total African slave population in the Americas were Muslim and that 7-8 percent of the West Africans enslaved in America from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries were Muslims. I learned that African Muslims
Insensitive students, staff are no joke in any school setting Omaira A lam
On January 22 six young ladies from a local Ahwatukee high school decided to wear black Tshirts with gold lettering that when they stood together spelled out the n-word. They took a Snapchat photo of it which was sub-
how in 2016 students from an affluent suburb think that using a racial slur that carries the weight of over 400 years of oppression, systemic racism and blatant, institutionalized discrimination can be a joke. What kind of school climate allows for this sort of be-
we need to develop empathetic and merciful frameworks around which to engage students and teachers as part of our desire to establish Prophetic pedagogy. sequently downloaded and the photo went viral. Since then the six ladies were suspended for five days, although a petition has been circulating demanding their expulsion, and rightly so. One of them has apologized publicly with her mom at her side. Apparently it was a joke for one of the ladies’ boyfriends. But what’s the punch line? I don’t get it. I don’t understand
havior unchecked? But, the joke’s on us. While we may be smug enough to think that this offensive behavior is the result of a public school environment, it should not surprise us to know that Islamic schools in fact do not lag far behind in failing to stop racial and discriminatory behavior. Often times Islamic school educators and Muslim students bring their own colonial mindset into
in America were statesmen and Qur’an scholars and businessmen and military leaders in their homeland. They were strong men and women who kept Islam alive and passed it on as much as they could despite the harsh laws that prohibited them from doing so. Prince Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim Sori Mawdo, a Fulani army colonel, born in Timbuktu and sold into captivity in 1788, was an African Muslim Qur’an reciter and scholar of Islamic sciences, religious and civil law, geography, astronomy and mathematics. Alex Haley told the story of his African Muslim ancestor Kunta Kinte and his determination to maintain his Islam. They were among the many African Muslims who helped to build the foundations of the United States we enjoy today. Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis, Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik Shabazz), Muhammad Ali, Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, Sister Clara Muhammad, Dr. Betty Shabazz, Mahmoud Abdul the classroom, leaving many students vulnerable and having to deal with hostilities from fellow classmates and teachers. How then do we develop classroom environments that encourage sensitive dialogue, safe spaces for deep conversations, and authentic community-building? First we need to talk about it. We need to have the discussions and we need to address the issues coming into the classroom. We need to provide sensitivity training for our teachers and administrators, and to stop laughing at culturally and racially charged jokes thinking that it’s okay; it’s just a joke. We know it never is just a joke. Second we need to develop empathetic and merciful frameworks around which to engage students and teachers as part of our desire to establish Prophetic pedagogy. Finally, we need resources to help us do this. Two organizations are working to make for more inclusive classrooms in Islamic schools, as well as provide resources to deeply understand the racial and discriminatory undercurrents. One is a syllabus developed by Margari Hill through the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative. The focus is to bring AfricanAmerican Muslim history into the everyday of Islamic schools.
Nadir
Notes
Dr. Aneesah Nadir Dr. Aneesah Nadir is a social worker, published author, speaker, retired social work professor and entrepreneur. She serves as the president of the Islamic Social Services Association-USA headquartered in Arizona. She is an independent associate with LegalShield. For more information contact Dr. Nadir at 480233-6547 or pnadir@legalshieldassociate.com
Rauf, Congressmen Keith Ellison and Andre Carson and many other African-American Muslims and Christians laid the foundation and built the social capital that enables Muslim Americans today, no matter where our parents are from, to practice our religion, vote, receive a quality education, live where we want to live, enjoy public accommodations. Thank Allah for their struggle and determination which allows us to continue to make positive and lasting contributions to this country and call America home.
The Teacher’s
Desk
Omaira Alam Omaira Alam is the Program Director of the
Islamic Teacher Education Program (islamicteachereducation.com). She spent the last year serving as the Education Director on the Noor Academy of Arizona School Board. She holds a master’s degree in special education with a focus on students with emotional and learning disabilities. With almost 20 years of experience in teaching and teacher training, she has presented on topics related to Islamic education in the United States and Canada. Her blog, Black Board, White Chalk (blackboardwhitechalk. wordpress.com), explores traditional and contemporary issues in education. She lives in the greater Phoenix area with her husband, Josh, and their two children who are homeschooled.
The second organization works primarily within the field of special education and was founded by Imam Omar Suleiman from MUHSEN (Muslims Understanding and Helping Special Education Needs). Both these organizations, as well as the support and commitment of community members, are necessary to help our communities eradicate racism and discrimination, and build authentic Islamic learning environments.
OP-ED
Exercise boosts brain, body at the same time Hanna R ahman
Hitting the gym has more benefits than just improving cardiovascular health and building muscle; physical activity has brain benefits, too. For decades now, scientists and exercise physiologists have wondered how physical activity can boost brain function. Regardless of age or fitness, studies show that making time for exercise provides mental benefits. The importance of exercise is not adequately understood or appreciated by patients and mental health professionals alike. Evidence has suggested that exercise may be an often-neglected intervention in mental health care. Below are just some mental health benefits that are unexpected and should inspire you to get active. Improve sleep People sleep significantly better and feel more alert during the day if they get at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. A new study published in the Mental Health and Physical Activity Journal concluded that physical activity provided a 65 percent improvement in sleep quality. Exercise has also shown positive effects in helping with chronic insomnia. Chronic insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, awakening too early or experiencing nonrestorative sleep. Even a single bout of exercise reduced the time it took to fall asleep and increased the length of sleep. Reduce stress One of the most common mental benefits of exercise is stress relief. While you work up a sweat, you are managing your physical and mental stress. Exercise also increases concentrations of norepinephrine, a chemical in the brain that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. Norepinephrine, according to the Franklin Institute, works like
adrenalin, a hormone, to cause arousal of the nervous system, helping you stay alert and motivated throughout the day. In addition, chemicals that are released during and after exercise can help people with anxiety disorders calm down. Boost happy chemicals Running on that treadmill can be tough, but completely worth the effort. Exercise releases endorphins, which create feelings of happiness. A study done at Duke University and published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that regular exercise was effective in decreasing symptoms of major depressive disorder. In some cases, exercise can be just as effective as antidepressant pills in treating depression. For this reason, doctors recommend that people suffering from depression or anxiety hit the gym. Improve self-confidence Do you want to feel like a million bucks? Then hop onto the treadmill. Even light-to-moderate exercise can boost self-esteem and improve positive selfimage. Exercise has also been found to alleviate symptoms of low self-esteem and social withdrawal. Regardless of their weight, size, gender or age, exercise can quickly elevate people’s perception of themselves and increase their self-worth. Get smarter Various studies on mice and men have shown that cardiovascular exercise can create new brain cells, which is known as neurogenesis, and improve overall brain function. Studies also suggest that a tough workout increases levels of a brain-derived protein, known as BDNF, which is believed to help with decision making, higher thinking and learning. Regular physical activity boosts memory and ability to
learn new things by increasing production of cells in the hippocampus. Get those smartypants on and go for a run. Stop cognitive decline As we get older, our brains get a little cloudy. As aging and degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s kill off brain cells, the brain actually shrinks, losing many important brain functions in the process. While exercise can’t cure Alzheimer’s, it can help protect the brain against cognitive decline. Physical activity boosts the chemicals in the brain that support and prevent degeneration of the hippocampus, an important part of the brain for memory and learning. Become creative After a heart-pumping gym session, our creativity is boosted for up to two hours. Exercise can increase blood circulation to the brain and by an influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal axis can boost mood and motivation. Lastly, working out is always more fun with a buddy, and it’s great because studies show that most people perform better on
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Hanna on
Health Hanna R ahman Hanna Rahman is an Arizona native and senior at Arizona State University, studying kinesiology. After graduation, she plans to pursue medical school and work in underserved communities. Hanna is actively involved in her local community, volunteers regularly with various organizations and is a part of the Muslim Students Association at ASU.
aerobic tests when paired up with a workout buddy, This can actually raise an individual’s tolerance for pain. Mental health is typically overlooked, and many people don’t know about these unexpected mental health benefits. Working out can have positive effects far beyond the gym. Being able to think smarter, feeling better about the simple problems in life and gaining self-confidence are some of the motivations to take time for quick exercise sessions on a regular basis.