Volume 16, February 26, 2008
Mehrun Yusuf Behavioral Care
Editor: Hajji Mohamed Ziauddin
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL
AMERICAN UMMAH’S WHO’S WHO:
Yusuf Estes is very loved by young Muslims, who call him the "Funny Sheik". Children and adults all delight to hear Yusuf Estes talk about coming to Islam while trying to convert a Muslim from Egypt to be a Christian, an amazing story, it makes you laugh and cry at the same time. www.YusufEstes.com
• Raised a strong Christian, educated in Texas, he became very successful owning music stores, TV shows and was a music minister and preacher of the Bible.
• He explains how priests and preachers come to Islam when they learn the truth. www.911bible.com
• He was a
• He now runs hundreds of websites for Islam (list: www.IslamAlways.com)
• His lectures in universities are for all faiths and even rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests compliment his way of presenting a fresh and enlightening picture of the world's fastest growing religion - Islam.
• He works to share the correct message of Islam to our youth, new Muslims and non-Muslims in simple English terms, making it enjoyable and even humorous at times while referring to Quran and teachings of Islam.
• •As Islam overtakes Christianity as the world's biggest religion, Sheik Yusuf uses the latest in websites on the Internet and hi-tech in DVDs, CDs to encourage us all to share the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" (Arabic = 'Islam'). www.ShareIslam.com
• •Sheik Yusuf brings many new people to Islam using straight talk and funny jokes, while answering many of the harsh attacks against Islam and the Muslims. He makes it fun and easy for all to understand. www.IslamNewsroom.com • www.YusufEstes.com + www.LinksToIslam.com for a list of his many websites, chatrooms, TV & radio broadcasts.
AMERICAN UMMAH’S SELF INTROSPECTION IN THE WORKPLACE:
How many Muslim employees have made good faith attempt to discuss with other Muslim employees in the same workplace about the possibility of doing Friday prayers in a common area?
In cities with sizeable Muslim populations and in a hospital setting that had a chapel room, how many Muslims had prayed as an individual or group in the Chapel room? How many Muslims ensured that besides there being copies of Bible, that there was at least one copy of the Holy Quran in the Chapel ?
How many Muslims when asked about the origin of their positive qualities in the workplace ascribed it to the teachings of Islam?
How many Muslims can emphatically state that they indeed did their best to be the AMBASSADOR OF ISLAM at their workplace by demonstrating it in so many different ways?
During the month of Ramadan, how many Muslims assertively stated to their colleagues at their work place that they are fasting and answered additional questions about the issue when asked?
During lunch gatherings, how many Muslims had shied away from explaining to their colleagues about the halaal concept in foods and silently accepted the food on the table, secretly wishing “hopefully there is no pork in this mixed dish”?
Last but not the least, for all the complaints of “ no option but to confirm to the American culture” in the workplace and the subsequent justification for “wearing appropriate acceptable western dress”, how many Muslims during weekends and holidays when given the freedom to wear what they want, really wear the dress of their ethnicity or culture or religion ?
REVIEWING LAWS BY TAKING AN EXAMPLE OF “
BELOW IS A LIST OF PARTIAL GUIDELINES FROM THE POLICY OF
RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION:
Religious diversity is on the rise in
Religious discrimination can occur in two forms. A person can be harassed or discriminated against based on their religious beliefs, their association with others of a particular faith, or the perception that they belong to a certain religious group.
Religious discrimination can also occur when an employer refused to accommodate an employee based on their religious beliefs:
UNDER THE LAW, EMPLOYERS MAY NOT:
Refuse to hire someone because of his or her religion
Impose more stringent discipline on an employee because of his or her religion or lack of religion.
Give an advantage to an employee in a promotion or assignment based on his or her religious belief or lack of religion
Lead a lunch hour religious class that includes career advancement discussions
Coerce or in anyway demand participation in religious activities
(Ed note: Muslims please note): REFUSE TO ADJUST AN EMPLOYEE’S WORK SCHEDULE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE AN EMPLOYEE’S RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE IF TO DO SO WOULD NOT CREATE AN UNDUE HARDSHIP
REFUSE TO PERMIT AN EMPLOYEE TO WEAR RELIGIOUS GARB, SUCH AS A CRUCIFIX OR A YARMULKE IF WEARING SUCH ATTIRE IS PART OF THE EMPLOYEE’S RELIGIOUS PRACTICE OR EXPRESSION AS LONG AS IT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE SAFETY OR EFFICIENCY OF THE WORK PLACE
REFUSE TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO GATHER ON THEIR OWN TIME FOR PRAYER, BIBLE STUDY OR OTHER RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION, IN EMPTY CONFERENCE ROOMS OR THE CAFETERIA
Engage in activities that a reasonable observer would interpret as governmental endorsement or denigration of religion or of a particular religion; or
Lead a prayer at the end of a staff meeting that all employees are required to attend.
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION:
Employers are obligated to attempt to reasonably accommodate the religious needs of their employees. Examples of accommodations include:
Allowing for different dress and grooming requirements
Establishment of special work schedules or
Use of personal time off for religious purposes
An employer may refuse an accommodation when it would result in undue hardship upon the organization or on other employees.
In determining what constitutes an undue hardship considerations are given to the size of the organization, type of operation they are engaged in, nature and cost of the accommodation, reasonable notice to employer of the need for the accommodation, and reasonable alternatives available.
FINAL NOTE:
All Muslims are encouraged to do their best to put ISLAM IN ACTION at their workplace. This can be done in several ways. If a practicing Muslim brings out his best in terms of his Islamic qualities at the work place, in most cases it is likely to boost his or her status as AN EXCELLENT AND DEPENDABLE EMPLOYEE.
As usual feel free to e-mail your comments at info@mehrunyusuficds.com.
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