Jamaat al-Muslimeen International Press Release

4th International Islamic Symposium in Baltimore
Plus Juma' Khutba by Imam Ali Siddiqui

Coming Together of Grassroots Workers: Indigenous & Immigrant
Shaikh Omar Abdel Rahman and Imam Jamil al-Amin are the Focus
Women's Support Makes New Movement in USA Possible

"...Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be ye male
or female: ye are from each other, interconnected." (The Qur'an 3:195)
"Let not the strutting about about of the rejectors through the land
deceive thee: what they have is a little enjoyment: Their ultimate
abode is hell: an evil resting place indeed." (The Qur'an 3:196-197)

The June 23 symposium was a unique event in that it brought together those working at the grassroots of American society for the cause of justice and truth. These are the independents, uncontrolled by big money, refusing to sell out to governments and their front organizations.
The speakers included:
Br. Jihad Abdul Mumit from Richmond, Virginia.
Imam Warithuddin 'Umar from Albany, New York.
Sis. Ashira Nai'im from Baltimore, Maryland
Imam Ali Siddiqui from Los Angeles, California
Br. Nasser Ahmed from Brooklyn, New York
Br. Ahmed Abdel Sattar from Staten Island, New York
Br. Salahuddin Abdullah from Denver, Colorado
Sis. Yasmeen from Baltimore.
Br. Rasheed Muhammad from Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Br. Mahair Sibay, Washington, DC, started the program with Qur'anic verses relevant to the program, with translation and commentary.
Br. Imani Mahdi was in charge of video taping the program.
Br. Kaukab Siddique was the M.C. and coordinator for the program.
(There were 6 hours of speeches with questions and answers.)
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During the INTERNATIONAL LUNCHEON, which lasted for 2 hours, making it a total of 8 hours for the program, the NIGERIAN community was represented by Dr. Fakunle, the SENEGALESE community by Br. Papa Muammar and the PAKISTANI community by Br.Imam Ali Siddiqui. Sis. Ashira was the M.C. for the International luncheon.
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Leaders of the Jamaat who were present included: Br. Amin Abdullah, Sis. Jaleelah Yusuf and Br. Salahuddin Abdullah.
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STATEMENTS were made on behalf of the following during the break for announcements:
KASHMIRI struggle (received from Brig. Usman Khalid, U.K.)
IRAQI children (on behalf of Shaikh Abdel Sattar of Gulf Medical Relief Fund, New Orleans.)
For SUDAN: from ANSAR of Langley Park, Maryland who are distributing literature to expose the "slavery in Sudan" propaganda.
For AFGHANISTAN to condemn the sanctions imposed on it.
PALESTINE was supported by the main speakers during the forum.
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The issues discussed by the main speakers:
THE (in)JUSTICE SYSTEM as seen FROM INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
THE UNITY of INDIGENOUS and IMMIGRANT MUSLIMS
THE NEED TO SEE QUR'AN AND HADITH as books of TRANSFORMATION AND REVOLUTION and not merely as books for private blessings.
THE EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN BY MEN IN THE NAME OF RELIGION.

The speakers were very impressive in their hard core, matter-of-fact approach to the issues.
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A BIG FIRST: The associates of Shaikh Omar, Ahmed Abdel Sattar and Nasser Ahmed spoke about the Shaikh's case and related issues and were very well received. Br. Nasser Ahmed brought tears to the eyes of many when he spoke of his imprisonment under secret evidence and the government's attempts to make him work against the community.
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IMAM WARITHUDDIN Umar spoke for the first time at a Jamaat gathering and won the hearts of the people by his powerful presentation.
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A variety of grassroots organizers and actvists spoke during "introductions". It became evident that ALL THE SUCCESSFUL MALE ACTIVISTS are backed by WOMEN ACTIVISTS. One beautiful example was that of Sis. Salwa, Br. Nasser's wife, (who used to be secretary to the Shaikh and his medical adviser). She had come with her and Br. Nasser's newborn baby named Muhammad. (OUR CONGRATULATIONS to this great couple.)
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THE CENTER OF THE ENTIRE SYMPOSIUM was Br. Jihad Abdul Mumit (again supported by his wife Sis. Latifa). He is organizing the community in Richmond and we urge everyone to work with him.
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The spirituality of the program came from IMAM ALI, who constantly reminded the audience to REMEMBER THE HEREAFTER, KEEP CONNECTED TO ALLAH and LOVE AND EMULATE THE PROPHET (pbuh) and his SUNNAH.
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A special word of thanks goes to Br. Osman, who drove with his son all the way from Toronto, Canada to attend the symposium.
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SUPPORT FOR IMAM JAMIL AL-AMIN was generated during the symposium and many copies of the MILLION SIGNATURES PETITION were distributed. Unfortunately owing to thunderstorms in the Atlanta area, no representatives came from Atlanta.
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EARLIER ON JUNE 22, Imam ALI SIDDIQUI, founder of Jamaat al-Muslimeen, gave the Juma' khutba at ISWA (Islamic Society of Washington Area) in Silver Spring, Maryland. He urged Muslims to CARE FOR non-MUSLIMS who are our neighbors, friends, associates, colleagues and among whom we live. He quoted from the Prophet's Hadith to give examples of love and care for non-Muslims. He also SPOKE AGAINST SPOUSAL ABUSE and criticized mosques which give a secondary position to women.
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Jamaat al-Muslimeen is on the move, brothers and sisters. We are willing to work with all independent, Allah-oriented, anti-oppression groups. We have been tested and tried from 1978-2001 and not one of us has sold out. Join us. We need your ABILITIES, TIME, MONEY in ALLAH's CAUSE. We are all UNPAID VOLUNTEERS. We don't charge for Islamic efforts, but resources are badly needed to enable us to reach others.
Come forward and help the cause of the oppressed:
Call : 410-638-5965
Write and send donations to: Jamaat al-Muslimeen, POB 10881, Baltimore, MD 21234.
Email: JAM international: ksidd37398@aol.com
Women's rights and struggle: ash era22@aol.com
Issues of Islamic fiqh in USA: siddiqui@aol.com

Our web sites: www.NewTrendMag.org (click on java scripts and go to news)
www.newtend.org
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Video tapes available:
1. Introduction to Br. Jihad Abdul Mumit (2 tapes $10 each)
2. the year 2000 symposium: extensive coverage on Imam Jamil al-Amin and women's struggle in Islam: 4 tapes, $10 each.
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audio tapes:
1. IMAM JAMIL IS INNOCENT. Three prominent activists interviewed by Br. Bilal Sunni Ali on Atlanta's FM radio.
2. TAGHOOT: What does the Qur'an say about oppressors? by Kaukab Siddique.
3. Shaikh Omar speaks to Sis. Nadrat Siddique when the movement to free the Shaikh began.
4. Imam Ali Siddiqui's KHUTBA at ISWA on June 22. (O PROPHET: WE HAVE NOT SENT YOU EXCEPT AS A MERCY TO ALL THE WORLD.)
5. Shaikh Omar interviewed by Dr. Mahdi JUST BEFORE HIS ARREST.
Five dollars each of the 5: Order from: New Trend, POB 356, Kingsville, MD 21087
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VIDEO TAPES FOR SYMPOSIUM 2001 WILL BE RELEASED in AUGUST, inshallah
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2001-06-25 Mon 06:47ct