VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH

VOICE OF GLOBAL UMMAH
Volume 202, September 25, 2011
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Editors: Mohamed & Rashida Ziauddin

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST MERCIFUL

(www.xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com)

EDITORIAL:

In this E-Zine we have highlighted positive news, Islam in the United States, discrimination against Muslims, extremism raising its ugly head again and interfaith issues. The Taliban, Al-Qaeda and other Muslim extremists through their deviated perspective of Islam have brought nothing but DISGRACE and SHAME to the beautiful, peace loving and tolerant religion of our lovely ISLAM. We encourage Muslims to do your best to be practicing Muslims while at the same time continue to climb up the ladder of your education, career and be peace loving citizens.

PART A-1

POSITIVE NEWS:

(ED NOTE:

Sister Haia Radwan is an exemplary role model for the Muslim sisters in America in terms of her maintaining her Islamic identity while at the same time continues to excel in her career. We would love to see more Muslim sisters emulate her as a role model whatever educational or careers they may want to pursue).

Chicago Muslim Journalist Attends White House Correspondents Dinner

May 19, 2011 By Haia Radwan, CIOGC

www.muslimmedianetwork.com

Photo: Brendan Smialowski from www.whca.net
via
www.chicagocrescent.com

Deborah Orin Scholarship winner, I was recently invited to the Annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner. This experience was possible because of the grace of Allah and my work as a graduate student at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. It was truly a humbling experience, Alhamdulillah.

I was able to enter a VIP room before the event where I met Sean Penn, Jon Hamm and Seth Meyers – Hamm even complimented me on my hijab.

I was able to take pictures with President Obama and the First Lady. I talked to the President about the horrendous traffic in Chicago every time he visited, and it made him laugh.

After dinner, the program began with the award ceremony. As my name was called, I walked confidently across that stage.

I did not feel nervous; rather I was proud to wear hijab on national television and represent Muslim women. It was great to show the world that Muslim women are smart and educated, and not oppressed. Islam has always given women the rights to vote, be educated, work, and be an integral part of society. It is so beautiful how the Quran has a whole chapter called Surat An-Nisaa (Chapter of Women) dedicated to women.

Meeting the President and receiving an award in journalism was wonderful, but the highlight of my night was to show what Muslim women can do. Being the only one wearing a hijab made me very recognizable and that was a good thing. Many people including journalists, congressmen and women and even some celebrities congratulated me.

I believe my hijab is empowering, and a blessing.

When employers look at my work, they can judge me based on my talents and not the way I look. The important thing is to be proud of the hijab, and proud that the United States gives us the freedom to be who we are.

Now it is our job to give back as active citizens. We need to vote and be involved in the community on every level. I left the event with many business cards and contacts.

However, what was even better was leaving knowing that I represented Islam for what it really is. Alhamdulilah, I never once felt uncomfortable about who I was as a Muslim. I hope that Allah gives me the strength to excel as a journalist and I hope I can inspire other young Muslim girls to be proud of their identity and to know that anything is possible.

PART A-2

(ED Note:

New Jersey Supreme Court Judge Br. Mohammed Sohail is yet another excellent role model for the Muslims in America. We are proud to have brothers like him who are literally like a jewel in the crown of the American Ummah).

NJ GOV. CHRISTIE BLASTS CRITICS OF NEW MUSLIM JUDGE
Lisa Fleisher, The Wall Street Journal,
July 27, 2011

ONLINE.WSJ.COM
(Condensed version)

Sohail Mohammed

(PHOTO) Governor's Office/Tim Larsen

PATERSON--A lawyer who defended Muslims detained after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks was sworn in as a New Jersey Superior Court judge on Tuesday, as Gov. Chris Christie called those who criticized his nomination ignorant. The appointment of Sohail Mohammed, 47 years old, angered some conservatives, who said they were concerned about the influence of Sharia law, an Islamic code of law.

Mr. Christie defended Mr. Mohammed, who is Muslim, calling him an extraordinary American and an outstanding lawyer who helped strengthen ties between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Muslim community after the 2001 attacks. Mr. Christie said the people Mr. Mohammed represented were inappropriately detained by the FBI after what he called a very difficult time for law enforcement.

"It's just crazy, and I'm tired of dealing with the crazies," he said. "It's just unnecessary to be accusing this guy of things just because of his religious background." Mr. Christie added: "I'm happy that he's willing to serve after all this baloney."

Sitting behind the bench in a packed courtroom in the Passaic County Courthouse, Mr. Mohammed told of how his journey to that spot in many ways centered around that very room.

It was in that courthouse where he took his oath of citizenship and where he served jury duty, which is what led him to abandon an engineering career and become a lawyer. He spoke of how he is an example of the American dream, how he came to the country in 1980, and how his mother worked two jobs to support the family.

He thanked Mr. Christie for being a friend. "It's all part of the process," Mr. Mohammed said when asked about the criticism of his nomination.

PART A-3

SETTLEMENT REACHED IN ARIZONA MUSLIM FAIR HOUSING LAWSUIT

Sean Crowley, KPHO 5,
July 26, 2011

PHOENIX - Attorney General Tom Horne announced today the largest settlement of a fair housing lawsuit in the Civil Rights Division's history. Soha Abdelrahman and her husband Hany Ibrahim have received $197,000 in compensation from Hall apartment entities.

According to the lawsuit, Hall agents discriminated against Abdelrahman and Ibrahim because of their race (Arab), national origin (Egyptian) and religion (Muslim) by complicating the application process to discourage them from renting and by inspecting their apartment without permission while they were moving into Villatree Apartments in Tempe.

PART A-4

100,000 Copies Of Quran For Cambodian Muslims In Next 5 Years
KI MEDIA NEWS
July 28, 2011

PHNOM PENH, July 28 (Bernama) -- The World Quran Endowment Programme organised by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) with the cooperation of Restu Foundation will print 100,000 copies of the Quran with translation in the Khmer language for distribution to Muslims in Cambodia in the next five years.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the effort was to fulfil the need of the Muslim community in Cambodia and to ensure that each Muslim family would have at least one copy of the Quran.

"There are about 500,000 Muslims in Cambodia and there is only one Quran for every six families. So, we hope generous Malaysians can assist Cambodian Muslims through this programme so that each family will have at least one Quran," he told Malaysian journalists here Thursday.

Ahmad Zahid had earlier handed over 10,200 copies of donated Quran to the president of the Cambodian Islamic Community Development Foundation Othsman Hassan and Cambodia mufti Kamaruddion Yusof at Chrouk Romeat Mosque in Kampung Chhnang and Amar bin Yazid Mosque at KM9, to be distributed to Muslims here.

"Translation of the Quran into the Khmer language has been completed and we are only waiting for sufficient funds to print the copies of Quran," he said.

Earlier, speaking before 1,500 Cambodian Muslims at Chrouk Romeat Mosque, Ahmad Zahid said the 10,200 copies of Quran given away today showed the concern of the Malaysian government and people towards Muslims in Cambodia. Kamaruddin said he was touched and thankful for the gift of the Quran, adding that the Cambodian Muslim community depended on outside help for copies of the Holy Book.

"We hope there will be enough Quran for us in future," he added. At the two presentation ceremonies, Ahmad Zahid also handed over 500 Muqaddam booklets and 1,000 prayer rugs for use by the Cambodian Muslims.

PART B-1

ISLAM IN THE UNITED STATES:

ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR SHOWS DISREGARD FOR MUSLIM CONSTITUENTS
Zahed A. Haseeb
Rockford Register Star

July 29, 2011

Via CAIR

I applaud the Register Star editorial staff for the piece criticizing Sen. Dave Syverson, R-Rockford, for making a joke on his Facebook page in which he suggested he would cut off ties with his daughter if she were to bring home a Muslim ("Mohammed from Iran") boyfriend. ... Politicians say dumb things that offend people all the time, but they almost always backtrack and produce apologies that can be characterized as anything from empty to genuinely contrite.

We can often abandon our cynicism and let the offending remark pass as just another gaffe. But what does it mean when a politician refuses to apologize for offending and even alienating a section of his constituents?

By not showing any remorse for his comment, he displays an utter disregard for his Muslim constituents. If Sen. Syverson's punch line featured "Tyrone from the West Side," he'd have apologized and retracted his comment as soon as someone saw it and criticized it -- because,in his mind, he would have offended constituents who matter.

PART B-2

Council of American-Islamic Relations- Michigan
CRITICS DENOUNCE 'FOREIGN LAWS' BILL
United Press International
August 17, 2011

Via CAIR

DETROIT, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Opponents criticized as discriminatory a measure that would forbid Michigan courts to consider "foreign laws," including Shariah, or Muslim law.

"This plan goes against our country's core values of accepting people from all races and walks of life," State Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, a Muslim, said as she joined other opponents in Detroit on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the Michigan chapter of the Council of American-Islamic Relations said it would sue if the measure becomes law.

State Rep. Rashida Tlaib,
Democrat-Detroit, Michigan

PART C

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MUSLIMS:

SEATTLE MUSLIM SAYS HE LOST JOB OVER BEARD (CAIR)
Allen Schauffler
King 5 News
August 4, 2011

via CAIR

A Seattle-area Muslim is suing his former employer, claiming he was fired as a security guard for refusing to shave his beard, which he wears for religious reasons. Abdulkadir Omar filed his federal lawsuit July 15 in Seattle. He spoke publicly about it Thursday along with representatives from the Seattle chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Omar, however, did not want his face shown in entirety.

Omar says that in November 2009, a supervisor at American Patriot Security told him he had to shave his beard. Omar responded that his beard is part of his religious beliefs and refused. He was suspended the following spring.

Omar filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which found that Omar was wrongfully terminated. The Yemeni-born man, now an American citizen, says he grew up believing in certain civil rights and he feels those rights have been violated. He's asking for changes at the company and for punitive damages for Omar.

PART D-1

UGLY HEAD OF EXTREMISM RESURFACES AGAIN:

HARVARD INSTRUCTOR RECOMMENDS DEMOLISHING MOSQUES

Leanna Erhlich, The Harvard Crimson, 7/27/2011

via CAIR

A group of Harvard students have started a petition calling on the University to sever ties with Subramanian Swamy, a Harvard Summer School economics instructor who wrote an op-ed against Islamic terrorism that many have called offensive and inflammatory. In an article published July 16 in the Indian newspaper Daily News and Analysis, Swamy recommended demolishing hundreds of mosques, disenfranchising non-Hindus who do not acknowledge their alleged Hindu ancestry, and banning conversion from Hinduism.

PART D-2:

Indonesian court lets anti-Ahmadi mob perpetrators off 'lightly'
By AFP
July 28, 2011

(PHOTO:An Indonesian Muslim accused of assault on a Ahmadiyah follower sits waiting during his verdict at the court room in Serang, Indonesia's Banten province July 28, 2011. A group who brutally attacked and killed three followers from a religious sect were jailed on Thursday for periods between three to six months in prison. REUTERS)

SERANG, INDONESIA: In what seems to have been a light sentence, an Indonesian court on Thursday sentenced religious fanatics who killed three members of the minority Ahmadiyah Muslim sect in a frenzied mob attack to between three and six months in jail. Dani bin Misra, a 17-year-old who smashed a victim’s skull with a stone, received three months for manslaughter. While Idris bin Mahdani, who led the mob of more than 1,000 Muslims in the February attack, was convicted of illegal possession of a machete and received five months and 15 days in jail.

Twelve people stood for trial, but none faced murder charges in what human rights activists termed was a travesty of justice in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

The unprovoked violence against the Ahmadiyah sect members in Cikeusik, western Java, was one of the most horrific in a long line of attacks on the minority group in Indonesia in recent years. Ahmadiyah, unlike mainstream Muslims, do not believe Mohammed was the last prophet and are regarded as heretics and blasphemers by conservatives in places like Indonesia and Pakistan.

“When the Cikeusik video went viral, people around the world were shocked and appalled by the savagery of the mob kicking and slashing three men to death,” Human Rights Watch Deputy Director for Asia Phil Robertson said.

“But instead of charging the defendants with murder and other serious crimes, prosecutors came up with an almost laughable list of ‘slap-on-the wrist’ charges.

“The Cikeusik trial sends the chilling message that attacks on minorities like the Ahmadiyah will be treated lightly by the legal system. This is a sad day for justice in Indonesia.”

PART D-3

Video: Tenn. Muslim Mom Says Road Rage Incident 'a Hate Crime'
(CAIR)

Uploaded by CAIRtv on Jul 28, 2011

CAIR Seeks FBI Probe of Tenn. Anti-Muslim Road Rage Incident

Knife-wielding driver shouts 'I'll kill you,' spews religious slurs at Muslim

www.youtube.com

PART D-4

Clinton Mosque Leaders Calling Vandalism Hate Crime
August 15, 2011

www.kwqc.com

A local mosque is vandalized and now the people who run it are calling it a hate crime. Leaders at the Islamic Society of Clinton County said rocks were thrown through windows, causing hundreds of dollars worth of damage.

Investigators are looking into an act of vandalism. They said more than a dozen rocks were thrown through the front door windows.

PART D-5

Two Churches Torched in Indonesia
August 03, 2011
www.thejakartaglobe.com

Two homes used as churches were burned to the ground in Riau on Tuesday night, a report said. The incidents are the latest in a series of attacks on minority religious groups in Indonesia that have prompted international condemnation, including from the United States and European Union. The homes were being used as unlicensed houses of worship in Kuansing regency, VIVA news reported.

PART D-6

Toronto Synagogue Vandalized

Swastika, 'Islam will rule' spray-painted on exterior walls of Beth Tikvah Synagogue
in Ontario's capital
Ynet
August 5, 2011

The Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Toronto, Ontario, was vandalized late Thursday night. Staff members of Beth Tikvah Synagogue found a swastika and the words "Islam will rule" spray-painted on one of the exterior walls of the temple, Canada's CTV reported on Friday.

PART D-7

Pakistan: Honour killings - Man guns down six daughters

The International Herald Tribune
July 27, 2011

On Tuesday morning, Arif Mubashir called his teenage daughters to his room and shot them while the rest of the family, including their mother, watchedFAISALABAD: A man gunned down six of his daughters on suspicion that two of them were in relationships with boys in the neighbourhood.

On Tuesday morning, Arif Mubashir called his teenage daughters to his room and shot them while the rest of the family, including their mother, watched. His wife Musarrat called the police after the incident.

Mubashir shot the girls after their brother said two of them were in a relationship. He told police officials that he had killed his daughters because they were both “without honour”. The man said his daughters Sameena, 14, and Razia, 16, were in a relationship with college boys from the neighbourhood and the sisters had helped each other. “I should have been told immediately but the girls sided with each other. They were both corrupt,” Mubashir told Tandlianwala Police Inspector Javed Sial.

Police officials have taken Mubashir into custody and filed a case against him. “He does not regret what he did. He boasted that he would do it all over again if he had to,” Sial told reporters. Pakistan has repeatedly been termed as one of the least women-friendly countries. In June, the Thompson Reuters Foundation ranked Pakistan as the world’s third most dangerous country for women.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2011.

(PhotoPPI) British minister Sayeeda Warsi

According to the Guardian, the British minister says Pakistan fails to give women rights that were granted in Islam.

According to British minister Sayeeda Warsi, Pakistan is failing to live up to one of the tenets of Islam which guarantees rights to all women, The Guardian reported on Thursday.

Warsi is a Conservative party co-chairman and minister without portfolio, who is the first Muslim to sit as a full member of the cabinet.

Lady Warsi said Pakistan is denying rights granted 1,400 years ago in the Quran.

Warsi, 40, whose father arrived in Britain from Pakistan in 1960, said in a Guardian interview that, in a “nutshell”, Pakistan is not living up to the ideals of its founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Warsi said she had also raised concerns about the treatment of minorities in Pakistan. Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan’s only Christian minister, was shot dead in March after he called for the reform of blasphemy laws that impose the death sentence for insulting Islam. Warsi said: “I said to them … let me talk to you about the rights of minorities, the protection of women and the concept of meritocracy. I gave real examples of how Islam embodies all of those values, and the question I put was: my country wasn’t formed in the name of Islam, but yours was; so why does my country embody the values of the faith that your country was formed on the basis of?”

Warsi said her heritage enabled her to speak out. “This was not the west arriving with an ideological perspective of women’s rights about to impose them on a nation. I understand this culture, I deeply understand the faith and the culture that is part of this nation … But what I don’t see is you in many ways having the very values upon which the nation was formed, the vision of the founder of Pakistan.”

Last week, a Thomson Reuters Foundation expert poll showed Pakistan as the third most dangerous country in the world for women.

PART E

INTERFAITH ISSUES:

RELIGIOUS LEADERS MARCH AGAINST VANDALISM AT CALIFORNIA MOSQUE

Venusse Navid,

Whittier Daily News

July 28, 2011

LA MIRADA - Members of the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faiths gathered in unison Sunday for a peace rally in light of recent vandalism targeting a Muslim mosque on Imperial Highway. The peace rally was organized by Rezaur Rahman, president of Muslim Community Services, Inc., in light of vandalism that took place July 18 at the mosque. A brick or large rock was thrown through the mosque's rear glass doors.

"We feel great that different groups of faith wanted to support us during this successful peace rally," Rahman said Thursday. About 100 people began a one-hour walk from the mosque, and proceeded through the streets of La Mirada in honor of religious peace in the community.

"While many of us were braced for any possible negative responses from passers-by, we received nothing but positive and encouraging words and gestures of support," said Interfaith Witnesses founder Vicki Tamoush.

PART F

To All Who Hate Muslims Must Watch

Uploaded by slvlart on Sep 20, 2010

END