The Imams had been screened twice by the TSA, but were refused re-entry on the plane at the discretion of the pilot who said that passengers had felt uncomfortable with their presence.

Read more here.

Chicago’s Project Mobilize, a non-profit organization aimed at “developing the political potential of the Muslim community in Chicago’s southwest suburbs,” is also working to prepare Muslims to run for local political offices.

Read more here on CNN.

Muslims in the “New World”:

Dr. Barry Fell’s work, “Saga America”, provides evidence of Muslim presence in the Americas as they traded and exchanged knowledge and ideas with the natives. An example is the language of the Pima people in the South West and the Algonquian language that share many words with Arabic. Furthermore, one of the Islamic petroglyphs discovered in the Inyo County of California states “Yasus bin Maria”, literally “Jesus son of Mary”, which is not a Christian phrase but is found a number of times in the Qur’an.

Furthermore, in the Western states, Dr. Fell has found texts, diagrams, and charts that were used for schoolings. These texts date back to 700-800 CE and cover subjects such as mathematics, astronomy, and sea navigation with the instruction written in North African Kufic Arabic.

Ivan Van Sertima’s book,  They Came Before Columbus, cites great detail as to why he believes Arab Muslim trade was active in America and the marvelous culture the Native Americans shared with the Islamic World. Sertima also narrates a description of the Moorish Muslim expeditions across the Atlantic to an “unknown land”. A Muslim historian and geographer Abul-Hassan Ali Ibn Al-Hussain Al-Masudi (871 – 957 CE) wrote in his book ‘MurujAdh-dhahabwaMaadin al-Jawhar’ (The Meadows of Gold and Quarries of Jewels) that during the rule of the Muslim Caliph of Spain Abdullah Ibn Muhammad, a Muslim navigator Khashkhash Ibn Saeed Ibn Aswad of Cordoba, Spain sailed from Delba (Palos) in 889 CE, crossed the Atlantic, reached an unknown territory and returned with fabulous treasures. In Al-Masudi’s map of the world there is a large area in the ocean of darkness and fog (the Atlantic ocean), which he referred to as the unknown territory. This indicates  a historical presence of Muslims in the Americas before Christopher Columbus.

But in the end, why should we care who first discovered America? Were the Native Americans not here before any of us “discovered” them? Were they not enjoying their lives in peace and harmony with nature? Did they not have a vibrant and lively tradition, each tribe with its own language and culture?

What happened in the past is surely horrid: The complete genocide of a people whose native tongues and cultures had spread through these lands for millennia. Our Muslim ancestors did come to these lands, long before the European’s arrival, and left without making such a detrimental impact. Muslims were here trading and learning from one another and exchanging cultures. We did not come here on a quest of conquership, but rather on a quest of scholarship to explore God’s Earth and His people.

Whether history books will ever reflect this part of history is slim. But one thing is important: Muslim Americans have a long history in the United States from the 9^th century trade with Native Americans to the enslavement of African Muslims for American plantations. Muslims have been a part of the fabric of this nation for centuries and this should be our inspiration to flourish in this great nation.

Sources:

Sertima, Ivan Van. They Came Before Columbus: The African Presence in Ancient America.

Joan Baxter (13 December 2000). “”Africa’s ‘greatest explorer’”". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-02-12.

Ali al-Masudi (940). MurujAdh-Dhahab (The Book of Golden Meadows)

And there is not a creature in the Earth, nor a bird that fly’s with its wings, but are communities like you. [The Qur’an 6:38]

And when we first acknowledge that this ant is part of a community just like us, we truly begin to see how meaningful this tiny ant is. Just think about it, the ant had just come back and seen its sister dead. And as it was carrying it to bring it back home, the ant encountered a leaf. We step on leaves every single day as meaningless pieces of trees. And yet I watched as this ant struggled for nearly 3 minutes to carry its sister over that leaf. I eventually felt so bad for the ant that I had to move the leaf to let it continue on its journey. The ant was ecstatic, finally seeing a clear path home as it hurried with its dead mother.

And this should be a reminder to all of us. Allah (swt) is watching us in an incomprehensible amount of detail. He knows what is in our hearts, in our paths, and in our lives: past, present, and future. Just like that ant, He takes care of us and all of His creation. That ant did not know I was there. It could not really see me, but all it knew was that somehow that leaf moved and its path was now clear. That simple act had probably overjoyed the ant.

Similarly, how many times does Allah (swt) remove obstacles in our path? And yet, how many times do we turn to Him in thanks? That is just one of the meanings of taqwa, having God-Consciousness. Being conscious that God is always watching us and aware of what we are doing. However his ability to help us in our daily lives and paths is infinitely superior to us simply removing a leaf for an ant.

On a Saturday evening, over 900 people gathered for Qiyam at the Islamic Socity of Corona-Norco. This year, the mosque hoped to set an example for others. Imam Mustafa Umar said that one of their goals “was to make it the most organized and planned Qiyam ever, because these events are usually very unorganized. So we wanted to change that and set a new standard.” The Imam had told me that the “schedule was thought out and revised at least 20 times in order to ensure we were as close to punctuality as possible”. The Qur’an recitation began exactly as scheduled at 11:30 PM and throughout the evening every event began and ended within minutes of its allotted time. “When you say that a program will start at this time, your word should be your bond,” emphasized the Imam. “However, most Muslims seem to not care at all about time, even though Allah has sworn by it in the Qur’an. I make sure that this rule is followed strictly, even if there is only one person there.”

In helping fulfill the promise of punctuality, the mosque utilized a vast array of technology. The schedule was displayed on both a projector and a High-Definition television and was edited live behind the scenes in case a speaker did not show up. Twitter, Facebook, and e-mail were utilized to advertise the event and feedback was requested at the mosque’s online suggestion box. The technologically acquainted Imam says that he “hopes and prays that other Muslim institutions embrace this technology as we have. By utilizing this technology, we can all advance the efficiency of our mosques. Keep in mind, there is still much opposition from influential members of our own community in using this technology, but we must fight for that which pleases Allah”.

To broaden the accessibility of the Qiyam, the mosque invited One Legacy Radio (OLR) to broadcast the Qiyam live. The Programming Director of OLR, Marya Bangee, told me that they “have begun to do this with other mosques and broadcasted live from Reviving the Islamic Spirit conference in Long Beach last May.”

One particularly important aspect about this Qiyam was that the youth were in control of everything from planning to logistics. By empowering the youth to take leadership, the Imam increases efficiency at the mosque. Youth, who are generally more embracive of technology and thus can adapt to quick changes in plans, can resolve any situation that arises quickly. College student Nora Diab, one of the Logistics Coordinators, believes that “if people see this work effectively, they may want to bring this back to their own mosque. So many leaders from different communities are observing and what they should or should not do for their own mosque, so we are all learning”.  And this is what this mosque hopes to achieve. By setting a new standard in technology, punctuality, and innovation, they hope to inspire other mosques to follow in that path. Are you up for the challenge?

Photo Credit: Kutibh Chihabi 2010

My father happily walks into my room handing me a mug of tea, hoping it would make me smile. As I take a whiff, I smell the aroma that teases me from a distance on my desk. Just like the smell of pie teases passerby’s from the kitchen windowsill in Saturday morning cartoons. The aroma suggests that it may be chamomile, and maybe with a hint of lemon.

Tea: it can be inspiring, yet it still isn’t popular with most people. In fact, it was taxes on tea which led angry protestors to dump 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor on the morning of December 16^th, 1773. And yet today, it sits here quietly on my desk not causing any commotion.

So why write a blog about tea you may ask? Well, it is not necessarily about tea; it is about the rising steam I began to witness coming from the hot tea. This steam was continuously rising and twisting, almost in a teasing fashion. And this was my moment of  insight. Subhan’Allah (All praise is due to God). Is steam itself, not a sign and evidence of God? The fact that all matter can exist in 3 states and yet be 1 substance is such a beautiful concept. What is so significant about water, ice, and steam, you may ask?

These three states of matter –solid, liquid, and gas– define our life. If it wasn’t for liquid, we could not drink water – which is necessary for our survival – let alone tea. We would have no blood circulating our bodies. There would be no rain to feed the crops – and aha! The Rain Cycle! That in itself is a miracle and a mercy of God, but that is a topic of another blog…

If it wasn’t for solids, there would be nothing to stand on. There would be nothing tangible. Everything would be a gooey mush, similar to the surface of Venus. Or everything on the Earth would be one giant ball of gas like Jupiter.

If it wasn’t for gas, there would be no oxygen to breathe. There would be no air to help the plants cross-pollinate. There would be nothing to carry the sound waves of our voices to one other.  There would be no…Steam.

So all three states of matter are in perfect harmony with one another on our lonely planet Earth. They allow for the existence of oceans, wind, and ground. With one missing, life would be impossible. And it is this, the incredibly intricate design of our Universe, in which everything is in harmony with one another, which has atheists standing in awe and baffled as to its existence.

But of course, it is just steam

“Do you not realize that the universe and the earth used to be one solid mass that We exploded into existence, and from water We made all living things? Will you not then believe?” (Qur’an 21:30)

And the water continues to rush in the urban centers, already having threatened to destroy crops which are the breadbasket of the province. Water levels left only tree tops and some of the upper portions of homes visible.  The washed-out bridges and roads and downed communication lines make the relief efforts even more difficult in delivering aid that the army has had to use boats and helicopters to rescue stranded villagers. The situation in the government, however, is so bleak that the United States had to send 6 military helicopters from Afghanistan to use for rescue efforts.

Al-Jazeera reports that Pakistani citizen Ejaz Khan is frustrated with the relief efforts of the government, citing his packed shelter with lack of food and medicine. His two-room house was destroyed in the flood, something he had paid for with his own hard-earned money. This scenery paints the question: Who will help these people?

The UN has warned of “serious food shortages following the loss of farm produce in the floods”. They have estimated that approximately 1.8 million people will need to be fed in the next month. And, yet, it was the Messenger of Allah  who said, “The Muslims are like a body, if one part of the body hurts, the rest of the body will also suffer” [Hadith Muslim].

The irony of this is that the next month, in which these 1.8 million people will need food and shelter, is the month of Ramadan. It is the time when Muslims all over the world are required to pay Zakat (almsgivings), a 2.5% charity of their wealth to the poor. Furthermore, charity and generosity in general is urged during Ramadan. The deprivation of the fast allow us to sympathize with the suffering of the others, and make us desire to alleviate their pains.

Therefore, with a pressing disaster such as this, a disaster which affects a large portion of the Muslims and arriving at a time just days before Ramadan, it is only logical that we must respond.

One of the prominent responders to the relief efforts, Islamic Relief, has launched a global appeal of £2 million following what is called “the worst monsoon floods in living memory”.  They have already begun distributing blankets and tents to the victims of this flood. But more aid from international donors is needed to prevent the death toll from escalating.

However none of this can be possible without each of our help.

Here is a breakdown of what can be bought with YOUR donated money:

£20 will buy a family hygiene kit

£40 will buy a food pack for a family

£150 will buy a family tent

Islamic Relief has set up an easy way for us to donate for Pakistan’s emergency. (If you would like to first calculate your Zakat for the year, here is a quick calculator.)

Other organizations uniting to help in the relief efforts include

• AmeriCares
• The British Red Cross
• CARE
• Catholic Relief Services
• Church World Service
• Direct Relief International
• Doctors Without Borders
• UNICEF
• World Food Programme
• World Vision

Finally, we must remember that this disaster is truly a test from Allah (Glorified be He). It is a test not only for the victims of the disaster, but it is a test for the rest of the Muslims, testing our response to help our fellow Muslims during this month of Ramadan. Allah tells us in the Qur’an:

Do you think that you shall enter into Paradise without such trials as those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with poverty and disease and they were shaken such that the Messenger and those who believed that were with him cried out, ‘When will the Help of God come?’ Surely, the help of God is near. (Qur’an, 2:214)

Sources:

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.aid.groups.respond.as.pakistan.flood.kills.over.1000/26407.htm

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/08/20108272938607141.html

http://islamicrelief.com/Emergencies-And-Appeals/emIRResponse.aspx?emID=67

http://www.islamic-relief.com/NewsRoom/4-307-pakistan-floods.aspx

http://www.islamicreliefusa.org/pakistan-floods

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/08/04/help.pakistan/#fbid=M3EpVZezbOG&wom=false

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/08/2010847584729225.html

Photo credit: Kutibh Chihabi 2010

Taking a short walk outside this hot, sunny day in Riverside, California exposed to me to one of Allah’s miracles. In my backyard, perched in the tiny space of one of the lamppost’s corners was a tiny nest. Resting on that nest was a mother hummingbird, gracefully feeding her young. As I approached it out of curiosity, the mother fluttered away out of fear.

As I observed her newborn with joy, panic filled the mother’s body. She began chirping loudly with fear and flew all around me. She felt so helpless, so useless, and unable to protect her newborn against this 5 foot 9 inch mammal with peering eyes. I could not help but feel horrible for having intruded her space. I did not mean any harm, but my curious human eyes could not help but feel the need to take a picture of that young. I could feel the love for her young in her heart. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.” (6:38)

And it was amazing just to observe the mastery of the nest she had made for her young. As humans, we sometimes fail to recognize the miracles of nature all around us. This small, tiny, helpless hummingbird was able to create such a perfect nest in the most unusual of locations. To understand how she could have made such a nest, just by gathering bits and pieces of straw and cotton, and was able to put them together  in the corner of a lamppost without having it blown away by the wind is a miracle by itself. That is one of the countless blessings of Allah, Subhan’Allah (praise is to Allah).

“Do you not see that Allah is exalted by whomever is within the heavens and the earth and [by] the birds with wings spread [in flight]? Each [of them] has known his [means of] prayer and exalting [Him], and Allah is Knowing of what they do. And to Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and to Allah is the destination.” (Qur’an, 24:41-42)

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Qur'an, 51:56]

What is the significance of this verse? In this verse, our Creator is telling us the purpose behind our creation. We were created only so that we may worship God. Our worship can be in many ways. It can be through prayer, supplication, sleep, the act of eating, work, studies, marriage, and so on. Anything done for the sake of God alone can be considered worship. If our intention behind eating is to sustain our bodies in order to worship our Creator, then it is worship. If our intention behind studying is to gain knowledge to understand the creation of our Creator, then it is worship.

Despite all of this, however, Muslims today fail to realize the underlying purpose of life. Our life on earth is only a test. We are here to be tested between good and evil. Will we pick the right path? Will we enjoin the good and forbid the evil? Will we worship our Creator or deny Him? This is the test that we have been placed on earth to take. Our life here is simply a journey to the afterlife (the akhira). Unfortunately, many Muslims today have been caught up with this worldly life (the dunya). We seek wealth, fame, power; all of these things which are absolutely meaningless for the afterlife. Our money, power, and fame will not follow us into the grave. When we are standing before our Creator, we will be questioned about our deeds, our intentions. We will not be questioned about our wealth or our fame.

Therefore, I urge the ummah to please come back to reality. Keep the afterlife as the goal. I am not saying wealth is bad. If you truly earned it then it is rightfully yours, but think about those around the world who die every day without food. It is our duty to help feed and clothe those in need if God has blessed us with this wealth. If we do that and we remind ourselves that this worldly life is of no true meaning, then we will have succeeded that test, insha’Allah (God-Willing).

And I try very hard to understand its wisdom
To be able to comprehend the very power of the prism

Through these miracles do I see Your signs
Blatant as is a diamond in the mines

Yet, such wisdom only comes through education
So please grant us knowledge for the nation

We promise to put the teachings to action
So please allow us to show our traction

Extinguish our misdeeds through our struggles
For You it is we strife in our bubbles

These battles will only tame our souls desires
The infatuation with our daily admires

And through these nights I long for Your forgiveness
For You, above all, are of everlasting greatness

Your Holy light has shone upon our nation
Yet, we do not deserve your magnificent revelation

Yet, your majesty has allowed us to attain salvation
So please answer our prayers for the nation

For this I write to commend You above all
Because You are my Creator and I am so small