'Umar bought a silk cloak from the market, took it to
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said, "O Allah's Messenger
(ﷺ)! Take it and adorn yourself with it during the
'Id and when the delegations visit you." Allah's Messenger
(ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) replied, "This dress is for those who
have no share (in the Hereafter)." After a long period
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) sent to 'Umar a cloak
of silk brocade. 'Umar came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)
(p.b.u.h) with the cloak and said, "O Allah's Messenger
(ﷺ)! You said that this dress was for those who had
no share (in the Hereafter); yet you have sent me this
cloak." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to him, "Sell it
and fulfill your needs by it."
Sahih al-Bukhari 948
Well Researched Critique of Those Who Followed Saudi [ISNA,
ICNA] "Eid " on July 17.
from Dr. Omar Afzal
Did you Celebrate Eid on Friday, Oct. 17, 2015? Then you
Missed the last day of Ramadan, and disobeyed Allah and His
Rasool [pbuh]
A large number of the Muslims in N. America (as well as in
the Muslim world) celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Friday, July
17.
Obviously, they committed this blunder and SIN because
they ignored a practice of the Prophet (Pbuh)'s: DO NOT
FAST UNLESS YOU SEE THE HILAAL (of Ramadan) and do not
discontinue fasting until you see (Shawwal) moon.
Unfortunately, the blame falls on ISNA (and ICNA that
silently stands by ISNA in the name of "unity") as it issues
a general directive to celebrate Eid on July 17, after 29
days.
Did you try to see Shawwaal moon on Thursday evening?
Those who tried to observe the moon from California to Texas
and Florida confirmed that Shawwal moon WAS NOT SEEN
anywhere in the US and Canada, (or even Mexico and South
America).
May Allah SWT have mercy on us and forgive our
negligence of a crucial Sunnah. Ameen.
Study: Thirty-three million US adults may be affected by
problem drinking.
with thanks to Dr.Teepu Siddique
The AP (6/4, Tanner) reports, "Alcohol problems affect
almost 33 million adults and most have never sought
treatment," according to a study published online June 3 in
JAMA Psychiatry.
The research conducted by investigators at the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism also suggests that
"rates have increased in recent years." NIAAA director
George Koob, PhD, "said it's unclear why problem drinking
has increased but that many people underestimate the dangers
of excessive alcohol." Koob also pointed out that effective
behavioral treatments and medications exist to help people
overcome problem drinking. He said, "There's a lore that
there's only Alcoholics Anonymous out there and that's not
true."
TIME (6/4, Sifferlin) reports that the study examined "the
prevalence of drinking issues based on a new definition for
alcohol use disorders in the" American Psychiatric
Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). That "definition classifies
problem drinkers as those who have two of 11 symptoms
including continuing to drink even if it harms
relationships, drinking harming performance at work of
school, or inability to quit," with problem severity being
"classified by the number of symptoms a person has."
Newsweek (6/4, Main) reports that "researchers surveyed more
than 36,000 Americans and asked them about their drinking
habits," also finding that "binge drinking is becoming more
common and intense." Koob said, "There has been this
cultural shift - people are drinking more when they
drink."
Yahoo! News (6/4, Chan) quotes Koob, who said, "These
findings underscore that alcohol problems are deeply
entrenched and significantly under-treated in our
society."
The NPR (6/4, Hurt, Shute) "Shots" blog points out that
"Native Americans face the greatest risk overall" for
problem drinking, "and men are still drinking more than
women, with 36 percent of men reporting alcohol use disorder
at some point in their lives, compared to 22.7 percent of
women." Among young people, "drinking problems were
worst...with 26.7 percent of young adults under 30 saying
they'd had trouble in the past year, compared to 16 percent
of 30- to 44-year-olds."
Guidance
Why is Pakistan Blessed?
Can it Regain its Foundational Beliefs?
I voted for Pakistan though I was in a Muslim minority
province.
by Shamim Siddiqi, Long Island, NY
Br. Shamim has written this in response to an article by
veteran writer Samiullah Malik, based in England, who
reminded readers that Pakistan was born during the blessed
night of Lailatul Qadr , in which the Qur'an was
revealed.
Mohtram Malik Saheb, Salaam , Allah Ap ku Sada Khush Rakhey
[May Allah always keep you happy.]
Eid Mubarak. Hope that your wife is feeling well.
Ap ki Shugufta Tahreer [your refreshing writing] presents
the reflection of my dream when I voted for Pakistan in
March 1946 Elections being the citizen of a minority Muslim
Province, UP, with the glorious vision in my mental spectrum
that it will be the positive step towards building a
truthful Islamic State in Pakistan, but the power came in
the hands of those who had no vision as to how to do it. In
consequence, the nation is fast withering away from its
promised goal and mission and its youth are fast heading
towards opposite direction.
We have to build afresh the vision, the strategy and create
the spirit that galvanized the Ummah from Durand Line to
Assam and from Kashmir to Ras Kumari into a Bunyanun Marsoos
[solid unified structure ref:Qur'an] in 1946-47 that created
Pakistan. The same spirit can rejuvenate it again to fight
the anti-Islam forces in Pakistan and in its vicinity. Malik
Saheb, respectfully I would like to submit that our Islamic
Movements/forces couldn't do that job and hence are very
much subdued and bogged down.
It needs now global efforts to resurrect that hope and our
humble effort may reflect its promising shadow soon, Insha
Allah. Let us work hard.
With best wishes
Shamim Siddiqi
dawahinamericas
Latest Khutba
Eid Khutba on July 18 when Baltimore Mosques went for wrong
Eid on July 17th. Issues of Food, health, Women's Rights,
hadith, A few Dedicated Muslims vs Leaderless Crowds.
It was feared that no one would turn up for Eid prayers at
Masjid Jamaat al-Muslimeen on the Sunnah date of July 18
when all the mosques in the city went for the
Saudi-ISNA-ICNA date of July 17 without moon sighting.
Alhamdulillah the little mosque filled up with eager
worshippers on July 18, with more sisters than ever before.
Delicious food from various African countries was served
after prayers and toys given to children.
It was a little miracle owing to the efforts of Sis. Ashira
and others.
The Eid prayer was led by Br. Kaukab Siddique. He chanted
"la illaha ilaAllah, Allahu Akbar, wa lillahil hamd" for 30
minutes before leading the prayers. He recited sura al-Naba
in the first raka' and sura al-Balad in the second. Here are
the main points of his khutba.
Text: "Actions shall be judged by intentions." [Hadith of
Prophet Muhammad, pbuh, narrated by Umar, r.a., collected in
Sahih al-Bukhari.]
The first lesson of Ramadan which we must take away for
the future is :Taqwa explained in the Qur'an.
Taqwa is Fear of Allah, consciousness of His Will,
awareness of our responsibilities.
We learned for a whole month to hold back from even that
which is halal. It should be easy for us now to refrain from
evil.
Food is important in our daily lives. Ramadan has taught
us to eat little and to eat that which is TAYYEB or good for
us [as the Qur'an teaches.] In particular give up fast food
and food with preservatives and artificial stuff in it.
Second lesson of Ramadan is the necessity of good health.
The Prophet, pbuh, could jump on to a horse bare backed at
age 63. How many of us can walk or run a few miles?
More and more we see people sitting on chairs in mosques
because they are in their sixties and cannot bow or
prostrate in prayer. Health is required for fasting,
although hadith teaches us that we can continue to pray even
if we have to keep sitting or even lying down. Keep in touch
with Allah.
Immediately after the verses about fasting, Allah teaches
about husbands and wives completing each other as a dress
completes a person, hiding weaknesses, highlighting
qualities.
We must find spouses who love us and care for us for the
sake of Allah and who place piety and compassion above the
allure of the world.
Remember that there is no Eid or zakatul fitr in the
Qur'an. These are in the hadith. Our entire Islamic
civilization is founded on the Qur'an but developed
according to the Hadith.
The Christians and the Jews went astray because they did
not have hadith to interpret their scriptures. Nowadays they
interpret their religion as they wish. They have even
legitimized homosexuality. The Qur'an MUST be interpreted by
authentic hadith of Muhammad, pbuh, not by the whims and
opinions of scholars however brilliant they might be.
Each verse of the Qur'an was placed where it is
according to hadithe Muhammad, pbuh, The Qur'an was not
revealed in writing. It was brought to the mind and soul of
the Prophet, pbuh, by the Angel Jibreel, and completed in
Lailatul Qadr which we just prayed in for what we want from
Allah.
Now on the day of Eid, after following hadith throughout
Ramadan, if we suddenly violate the requirement of moon
sighting, we have destroyed the very foundation of our
faith, "obey the messenger" second only to Allah.
The great Aulia Allah are respected and honored because
they followed Qur'an and Hadith. They did not say that we
should obey them, be it the great saint buried in Baghdad
[Abdul Qadir Jilani] or in India [Chishti].
Finally, zakatul fitr must be paid, even if it is late,
because we are a global ummah. We do not belong to any one
nation but to the Ummah of Islam. If our people are hurting
in Africa, Bangladesh, India, Syria, and we keep celebrating
without caring for them, we have not understood Islam.
Eid Mubarak
Iran
Iran: The Spy that Came in from the Cold
Nuclear Talks were a Cover for the Real Issue as New Trend
Stated
by Kaukab Siddique, PhD
The US now has two armed allies in the Middle East, "Israel"
and Iran.
The long drawn out "negotiations" were necessary owing to
the tremendous influence of "Israel" in America. The Zionist
entity wanted to be the only friend of the US in the Middle
East. With the help of the Republican Party and FOX TV,
Israel flooded America with fear of Iran and with the bogus
story that Iran wants to destroy "Israel!"
Israel has invaded Gaza three times with no major response
from Iran. Even nearby Hizbullah didn't fire a shot. There
is no basis to the idea that Iran wants to fight Israel or
America. Are there any Iranian prisoners in Guantanamo Bay?
None! Iranians have been chanting "Death to America" for so
long that many Americans took them seriously. To understand
Iranian sloganeering, study the revolution led by the
Chinese leader Mao Tse Tung. After the main thrust of the
Mao revolution receded, the Chinese bureaucrats continued to
keep the Red Book on their work tables although they
themselves were reactionaries. Today China is a
neo-capitalist country although the Communist Party remains
in power.
Iran never had the potential for a nuclear weapon. It had
tremendous nuclear material but not related to weaponry.
Just to calm Israel, the US had to go through this torturous
negotiation process with Iran. The real problem for Iran
were the sanctions and Iran can claim victory because now
the sanctions will be lifted though gradually.
All three, Obama, Iran and the UK have made it very clear
that their main point of agreement is the plan to crush the
Islamic Caliphate led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi al-Qureshi
al-Hussaini. Iran wants to save the tyrant Bashar Assad
and/or his regime. America sees that the Caliphate IS could
take over both Iraq and Syria. USA cannot risk sending its
troops into the battlefield. Israeli troops dare not go in.
Iran has a large military and hates the mujahideen to an
irrational extent. So, its a natural alliance between the US
and Iran.
Israel will try to stop the US-Iran alliance through its
powerful influence in the US Congress. However, Obama is
much too suave for the Republicans and there is a good
chance that the move will fail
War News
Syria and Iraq
US bombing Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq. Here is the
latest data for July 16.
Writing by Bill Trott, Editing by Franklin Paul
Note from the Editor: This daily bombing which IS cannot
stop may be contributing to irrational responses by the
Islamic State. Each strike can hit scores of targets. Note
the US support for Assad in Hasakeh.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and its allies
conducted 26 air strikes against Islamic State targets on
Thursday in another round of daily attacks on the militant
group in Iraq and Syria, the Combined Joint Task Force said
on Friday.
The greatest concentration of raids was near the Syrian city
of Al Hasakah, where nine strikes hit tactical units,
fighting positions and vehicles. Islamic State assets also
were hit in three strikes near Ar Raqqah and two near Tal
Abyad, the task force said in a statement.
Twelve strikes near the Iraqi cities of Bayji, Habbaniyah,
Haditha, Mosul, Ramadi and Tal Afar targeted buildings,
tactical units, weapons, and other Islamic State
targets.
Syria
Bashar al- Assad regime continues to drop explosive barrels
and containers on al- Bab area killing 82 civilians in 7
days
- Source Syrian Observatory SOHR
Civilians killed by the Shi'te air force in attacks on
Islamic State are not mentioned in US TV - editor New
Trend
The number of civilians who were killed due to dropping
barrel bombs on several areas in the northeast of Aleppo has
risen to 82, where SOHR could document the death of 12
children, 15 women, 45 men and 10 charred bodies due to
dropping 20 explosive barrels and containers since July 11,
until July 18, on the the city of al- Bab, town of Tadef,
villages of Aysha and Arran south of the city of al- Bab,
dozens of civilians wounded too, some of them in critical
situation.
Despite of targeting them by hundreds of airstrikes, al-
Zabadani fighters foil Hezbollah attack on their city.
[Amazing defense by Ahrar al-Sham.]
For the fifth consecutive day, the city of al- Zabadani and
its vicinity have been shelled by the regime troops and air
force by all kinds of shells and missiles, where the city
and its vicinity have been targeted by more than 583
missiles and barrel bombs as well as by hundreds of tank
shells, mortar shells and ground-to-ground missiles in an
attempt by Hezbollah, backed by soldiers of the Fourth
Division, to seize the city of finish the last presence of
the rebel and Islamist factions in cities on the Syrian-
Lebanese border, and to close the last border crossing
between the two border sides after seizing all crossings in
al- Qalamoun in Rif Dimashq by Hezbollah supported by the
regime troops.
Although this intensive and crazy shelling on such small
geographical area but the factions which consists of Ahrar
al- Sham Movement, local militiamen and other Islamist
factions' fighters have foiled all Hezbollah and the regime
troops' attempts to seize the city, where they could not
bear to take control over wide area of the neighborhood of
al- Jam'iyyat and some buildings in the northwest and
southeast of the city, as well as they have besieged the
city aiming to drain the fighters inside the city and
finishing their arms stockpile.
War News Snippets:
Pakistan:
On Eid day, Indian artillery across the Kashmir LOC [line of
control[ opened fire on Muslim villagers. Pakistani defense
forces returned fire.The hours long exchanges of artillery
continued on Sunday, July 19.
Iran and India are going to develop Chahbahar port to
develop their economies, side stepping Pakistan. India is
also buying late model weaponry from Russia and Amertica,
both.
Afghanistan:
Mujahideen attacked police forces aligned to the
US-installed Kabul regime. Kabul has said 8 police were
killed in Herat province but Kabul usually minimizes its
losses.
Islamic State is gaining support after Taliban decided to
negotiate with the Kabul regime. US air force struck right
away at these supporters of IS claiming to have killed three
leaders but one turned out to be alive.
Gaza:
Islamic State supporters blew up the cars of Hamas officials
at their headquarters but a time when no one was there.
Earlier Khalid Mishaal, Hamas leader, met the Saudi king in
Makkah. And an Islamic State activist waa arrested and
executed by Hamas in Gaza.
Egypt:
In the Sinai, raiders of the Islamic State Sinai hit an
Egyptian military post guarding the approaches to Gaza.
Egypt reported five of its troops killed but Egypt always
hides its losses.
For the first time Islamic State hit an Egyptian naval
vessel with a missile. Image shows the ship was blown up but
the regime which has killed 1700 peaceful demonstrators did
not reveal casualties. General Sissi has decided to execute
prisoners without any recourse to appeal.
Algeria:
In a battle with government troops, al-Qaida fighters won a
small victory, killing 11 troops.
Iraq
Shi'ite militias supported by Iran and working for the
Baghdad regime are attacking the city of Fallujah, held by
the Islamic state [IS]. They have captured two villages in a
week of fighting but could not approach the city.
Baghdad troops are also trying to besiege Ramadi, major city
west of Fallujah. Powerful attacks but till now no success
as small IS defense force is using empty trucks filled with bombs
to stop the advance.
Shi'ite militias have created a serious situation with
Sunnis having burned hundreds of homes in Tikrit, Saddam
Hussain's home tow, killing and arresting civilians
suspected of supporting IS.
After three supporters of IS were tortured and executed by a
Shia militia, a human bomber from IS blew up the center of a
Shiite town in Diyala province killing more than a 100
civilians, injuring many more. Baghdad has announced three
days of morning.
[New Trend editor: Muslims leaders who are not on either
side should talk to them and try to stop the attacks on
civilians. So much hate should not be allowed to go any
further]
Female Prisoners
It appears that opponents of al-Qaida and IS are holding
female prisoners from the families of the Islamic groups.
Among them is the former wife of al-Baghdadi and the wife of
an al-Nusra leader. Now the fighters have captured 25
Lebanese soldiers and want to exchange 3 of them for the
women. [The Islamics showed the soldiers to Lebanese TV and
allowed their families to visit them. The video reportedly
shows they are well.]
Yemen: [Al-Jazeera]
During the week of July 13 to 19, the fighters for Hadi
[supported by Saudi air strikes] captured first the air port
and then the sea port of Aden and now have the whole city
after fierce fighting with Houthi shia rebels.
On July 19, the Houthis used artillery to hit civilian areas
in Aden killing 43 civilians and injuring many others.
In Taiz too, anti-Houthis pro-Hadi forces are advancing.
Eastern and south eastern Yemen are now almost completely
under al-Qaida control though its local leader was killed in
a US air strike.
Our America
New York
Special Prosecutor Is The Same Old Okey Doke
by Sis. Aisha Jamaat al-Muslimeen
Recently, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that there would
be a special prosecutor position established to handle
police misconduct cases. The caveat is that the Special
Prosecutor is none other than the current New York Attorney
General - Eric Schneiderman.
This is the problem that people have with politics: It is a
game of ring around the rosey. Gov. Cuomo did absolutely
nothing at all to stop police corruption with this new move.
It is not surprising that Gov. Cuomo was on Rev. Al
Charlatan's MSNBC show, on July 8th, where his special
prosecutor move was heralded. According to Community Cop
co-host Michael Greys, a Freudian slip was made when Cuomo
bragged about his close 20 year friendship with Charlatan.
Many of us have known in the Black community not to trust
him. Well, there is more evidence as to why.
Last year, was an election year for Cuomo and we all know
how election years make ambitious politicians nervous.
Extreme pressure could have been put on Cuomo to take action
to correct police misconduct but, no pressure was applied.
With Rev. Charlatan in his pocket, Cuomo had no worries
about the Garner Family or any other families of police
shooting victims. I am not even sure if the Blacks even knew
it was an election year. But, one group did - the Gays and
they made sure to put Gov. Homo back in office!
Speaking of Rev. Charlatan, he was with the family of Eric
Garner to announce that the family won a settlement of $5.9
million in the murder of Eric Garner by 8 cops. It is being
stated that this is not compensation because his life was
surely worth more than this and most importantly, this is
not justice. Pres. Obama has the power to order the
Department of Justice to look into these police criminality
matters but, does nothing.
"The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: Unless ye
do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and
oppression on earth, and great mischief." (Holy Qur'an
8:73)
Oregon
Lesbians punish Bakery
by Sis. Aisha Jamaat al-Muslimeen,Courtesy of
HuffingtonPost.com/GayVoices
Over $352,000 Raised for Embattled Bakers!
An Oregon bakery, Sweet Cakes By Melissa, made national
headlines in 2013 when they refused to bake a lesbian
wedding cake. A judge ordered Aaron and Melissa Klein to pay
lesbian wives, Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer $125,000 in
restitution for refusing to make the cake. The Kleins told
the judge that that amount of money would put them out of
business.
I reported earlier that a GoFundMe.com campaign raised
$109,000 but, the site stopped the campaign because it was
believed that they were helping the Kleins avoid paying for
a crime they committed. However, the Kleins were allowed to
keep the money. Now, Jesse Wellhoeffer raised $352,000 with
his own ContinuetoGive.com site amid calls for him to stop
that campaign. He stubbornly refused by responding with
"Thank you for your concern. Have a great day. God bless
you."
It was predicted over 13 years ago, by shock jock dj Starr,
that the White gays would be the next power group. The
courts have been acquiescing to their demands, not just for
gay marriage but, forcing non-gays to support their way of
life! Al-humdulillah, people are pushing back, although it
may be at the expense of their bank accounts. The Kleins are
appealing the original judge's ruling. Baked By Melissa is
no longer a storefront but, accepts online orders.
Friday, 7/10,2015, Sandra Bland was stopped for a minor
traffic infraction (not signaling before changing lanes) and
now, she is dead! Texas law enforcement claim she committed
suicide in the county jail. They are citing her social media
postings revealing her feeling depressed as support for
their claim.
During the traffic stop, she wound up outside her car with
the officer on top of her. On the video she could be heard
asking him why he is slamming her head on the ground and
then she stated that she could no longer hear. The force
must have popped her eardrum! She was never taken to a
hospital just to the county jail on an assault charge for
defending herself. It was on Monday that many believe she
succumbed to the injuries inflicted on her by the
officers.
It was stated that she moved to Chicago to Texas to start a
new job.
The person taking the video was also arrested! The video
must have been sent to another person because it is public.
Usually, the police hide these videos from public view.
Her family and friends are demanding answers and justice for
her. They do not believe it was suicide. The traffic
infraction was so minor that even the reason for them
stopping her is suspect.A very disturbing case.
Did they already know who she was? (Courtesy of
democracynow.org)
Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, Eid was on the Correct Date: July 18.
The Story about California Sightings of the Crescent were
False.
With thanks to Prof. Suleyman Kurter
Assalamu Alaikum.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We, the Milad Foundation and Risale Center, are following
authentic sources. We checked our sources in California and
there was no moon sighting in that state. Thus, Eid is on
Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the Risale Center of America, 803
West Oklahoma Ave at 7:45 am.
Please do not believe Deobandi sources ; they are Saudi
funded and their job is to create fitna among the ummah.
Sacramento
Chattanooga stirs U.S. Muslims' concerns about
radicalization
By Sharon Bernstein
Note from the Editor: Yasir Qadhi and other munafiqueen are
trying to stop support for Muslims fighting the US. Prayers
were said by "Muslims" for the 4 marines killed in
Chattanooga. Haram in Islam...this is how the US media put
it.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - Addressing his congregation
on the Eid al-Fitr holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan,
Imam Mohamed Abdul-Azeez implored worshipers to combat
Muslim extremism in the aftermath of a shooting rampage that
killed five servicemen in Tennessee.
The suspect, a young Muslim who grew up in the Chattanooga
area, also died in the gunfight on Thursday, the last day of
Islam's holy month of fasting.
It was the latest reminder to American Muslims of the need
to find ways to keep teenagers and young adults from being
drawn to ideologies promoted by such groups as Islamic
State, the militants also known as ISIS who control part of
Syria.
"When they talk about Syria, when they talk about Tennessee
... what will they say about the American Muslim community?"
Azeez asked the 2,000 congregants at the rented hall in
Sacramento, California, on Friday.
He went on to rail against extremists, whom he said usurp
the spirit of Allah for their own purposes.
The FBI is investigating the Chattanooga shooting as an act
of terrorism, though law enforcement officials said it was
premature to speculate on the gunman's motive.
Hours before the attack, the suspect, Mohammod Youssuf
Abdulazeez, had texted his close friend a link to a long
Islamic verse that included the line: "Whosoever shows
enmity to a friend of Mine, then I have declared war against
him."
Mainstream Muslim leaders around the world are concerned
about the radicalization of young people, vulnerable to
fiery rhetoric that frequently distorts the religion's true
teaching.
In Britain, a well-known cleric developed a 900-page
anti-extremism religious curriculum to be taught in Muslim
schools. About 700 Britons are estimated to have traveled to
Syria and Iraq, many to join ISIS.
In the United States, imams and other leaders regularly
visit high schools and colleges, but finding the right
message and approach has proved to be a delicate tightrope
walk between religion and politics.
Photo: People, from different faiths pray during an
interfaith vigil for victims of the Tennessee shooting.
In Chicago, anti-extremist activist Ahmed Rehab lectures at
schools and mosques, rebutting radical ideas point by point
with Islamic theology. He said militant groups at best
misread the Koran and at worst distort it when they say that
Islam condones their violent behavior.
"When we're able to root our arguments that are
counter-extremist in the authentic message of Islam, I think
it's more effective," Rehab said.
Yasir Qadhi, a professor at Rhodes College in Memphis,
Tennessee, and the AlMaghrib Institute educational
organization, also emphasizes religious teachings to show
that Islam condemns terrorism. But he goes step further,
engaging his students in discussions of political issues
facing Muslims in the United States and elsewhere, even
though that can invite controversy.
"Simple condemnations are not going to get to the hearts and
minds of these people," Qadhi said. It is important to
acknowledge that young people are attracted to groups like
ISIS because they are seen as standing up for oppressed
Muslims, he said.
The cleric recognizes that his listeners may feel angry
about Israeli-Palestinian relations or other flashpoint
issues. He said he uses history and theology to combat
extremism.
It's a stance that has earned Qadhi death threats from ISIS
as well as some far-right Americans, with both sides saying
he is too sympathetic to the other.
Photo: The Islamic Society of Greater Chattanooga where gunman
Mohammod Youssuf Abdulazeez worshipped
PRACTICAL POLITICS
In Sacramento, Muslim leaders educate young people about
broader social issues, including poverty, access to
healthcare and racism, said Basim Elkarra, executive
director of the Sacramento Valley chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations.
Through a leadership program run in cooperation with the
state legislature, high school students learn about
political engagement, such as lobbying, drafting legislation
and what it's like to serve as an elected official.
"It's giving people an outlet," Elkarra said, "giving them a
voice and the tools to make a difference."
Sacramento Muslims have also set up a hotline for people to
call if they become anxious or stressed, said Irfan Haq,
president of the Council of Sacramento Islamic
Organizations.
A key problem, several imams said, is that people who become
radicalized tend to stop coming to their mosques, preferring
instead the company of militant recruiters and radical
clerics.
In Arizona, for example, leaders at the Islamic Community
Center of Phoenix knew Elton Simpson, one of two men killed
by police while attempting an attack at an anti-Islam event
near Dallas in May. Simpson had argued with the mosque's
imam over teachings he perceived as too liberal.
Then he disappeared. "It doesn't match with the ideology
and they stop coming," said Usama Shami, chairman of the
Islamic Community Center of Phoenix. "And then you don't
know what they are doing."
