ICNA Islamic Circle of North America

“There are people who do not like the ever increasing and blossoming Muslim Community. Muslims have always brought peace and resourcefulness with them, but then there are people, who feel increase in the numbers of Muslims would have political and economical implications on American society, which somehow they do not want to happen. As such their works and gestures are scaring and bullying the next generation of Muslims, so as to get them to leave the USA; several renowned and respectable Muslim scholars are also being pressurized. The time has come that Muslims should stop to tolerate this and start a non-violent unified response against this tirade, so as to make sure the future of American Muslim generations is preserved.”
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Young Muslims of North America, the youth division of ICNA, is proud to present its new, redesigned site: http://www.ymsite.com. In design stages for nearly a year, the site is aesthetically cleaner than previous versions and features many new updates and features- most notably a YM National blog.

Features on the website include the following:

FORUM – A YM forum where you can learn more about YM, discuss various topics, and obtain help with regards to things such as schoolwork, khutbahs, halaqas, etc. It is highly encouraged that you register. Also, registration is necessary in order to be able to sign up for events.

YOUNG MUSLIMS BLOG – This is a new addition to YMsite. It is a blog where beneficial articles will be posted for the youth by the youth. InshAllah, you will be able gain insight, naseeha and understanding from the articles posted there. Beneficial articles from other blogs may also be posted on there. The YM blog will be an excellent place to learn about various Islamic topicsand also learn about various viewpoints.

MEDIA SECTION – The media page is divided into four sections. There is an AUDIO section where you can listen to high quality full-length audio files lectures, conferences and other events. There is also a VIDEO section where you can view various video clips relating to YM activities. There is a PUBLICATIONS section where you can check out YM’s publications. Also, there is a PICTURES section where you can view photos from various YM events.

BOOKS – This is a books section where you can read full-length electronic versions of many useful books. It is an excellent resource to expand your knowledge and gain a broader understanding of Islam – all for free! The ideas and viewpoints represented in those books as well as the ideas presented in other files on the site may not necessarily represent the views of Young Muslims or any of its affiliates, members, employees, or officers.

DONATE – This is a section where you can choose to support YM financially. Please note Young Muslims is a tax-exempt non-profit organization. Aside from registration fees for events, YM depends upon donations to cover its expenses. Please donate as much as you can. May Allah (SWT) make us generous! Ameen!

EVENTS CALENDAR – On the home page, there is an events calendar where you can view details about upcoming YM events.

The YM web-team is working on another major update, InshaAllah. Please visit the site as often as you can to remain updated.

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Catholic-Muslim Dialogue Looks At U.S. Interreligious Education

WASHINGTON—A new round of the Mid-Atlantic Muslim Catholic Dialogue, April 23-24, in Washington, looked at interreligious education in the United States.

The meeting, which was convened by the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and Catholic representatives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, explored teaching about different religions in private and public institutions. Discussion was guided by the experiences of the Institute on Religion and Civic Values, represented by Shabbir Mansuri and Munir Shaikh.

The discussion follows upon a meeting in 2007 where Safaa Zarzour described the development of a Muslim-Catholic educational exchange by the Council of Islamic Societies of Greater Chicago and the Archdiocese of Chicago. Zarzour chaired a panel of Muslim representatives at the April 23-24 meeting.

Mansuri, Shaikh and Zarzour noted there already is consensus on the need to educate about world religions in public schools, thanks to the work of the First Amendment Center in Washington. Discussion at the April meeting focused on the many audiences for interreligious education: seminarians, university students, school teachers, public and religious school children.

Sandra Keating, Ph.D., of Providence College, related the discussion to theological and pedagogical principles. From a pedagogical perspective participants looked at effective ways to educate about other religions, and said the most effective approach should not only provide basic information but also draw attention to the spiritual values of a religion. They said maintaining a positive tone in curriculum content can help correct a bias against religion that exists in some educational and political environments.

Participants also agreed that to develop critical thinking skills students need to know the story of religions in a balanced way, neither emphasizing negative features nor promoting the religion in a devotional style more appropriate to a mosque or church setting. Participants also noted that sensitivity in how one communicates and works with other traditions should be part of any program and stressed particular attention to the training of religious leaders and school teachers for all school systems.

Father Gregory Fairbanks presented a curriculum for ecumenical and interreligious training required by Catholic seminaries and recommended for clergy and lay leaders. He cited documents of the Second Vatican Council and other more recent church documents. He highlighted U.S. pastoral concerns, including interreligious marriages, social justice cooperation or tensions, and educating non-Catholic children in parochial schools.

Imam Ahmed Nezar Kobeisy offered reflections on the training of imams for U.S. mosques. He highlighted efforts, such as psychological and marriage counseling, that would not be so urgently required of imams in majority-Muslim countries.

In other remarks, Bishop Dennis Madden, co-chair, recalled the recent visit of Pope Benedict XVI. He reminded participants of the pope’s call to achieve what the pope called the “truth of peace” while maintaining
“a clear exposition of our respective religious tenets.”

The next meeting of this round will be in May, 2009, and focus on “Developing a Strategic Plan on Interreligious Education.” In the coming months, a survey on interreligious education will be sent to Muslim and Catholic educators.

Catholic participants of the dialogue include Bishop Dennis J. Madden, co-chair; Christian Brother David Carroll, Wilhelmus (Pim) Valkenberg, Ph.D., Sidney Griffith, Ph.D., Sandra Keating, Ph.D., Paulist Father Thomas Ryan, Father Francis Tiso, and Father Gregory Fairbanks.

Muslim participants include Ameer Khurshid Khan, President of ICNA, who was unable to attend as co-chair; and Imam Dr. Ahmed Nezar Kobeisy, who substituted as Muslim co-chair. Other participants included Imam Hamad Ahmad Chebli, Shabbir Mansuri, Munir Shaikh, Safaa Zarzour, and Prof. Zahid Bukhari. Radouan Majidi attended as an observer.

Source: http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2008/08-070.shtml

On Saturday a cyclone with winds up to 120 MPH ripped through the country of Myanmar (also known as Burma). The death toll has reached 22,500, with another 41,000 reported missing.

ICNA appeals to the Myanmar government to facilitate relief agencies so they can quickly provide aid to those affected.

Helping Hand for Relief and Development has started a cyclone relief fund. Please donate generously.