Miller said Muslim and Jewish groups are right now working side-by-side, helping build shelves to store and organize donation goods.

The volunteers are here, helping her non-denominational church, the International Harvest Church.

“It has nothing to do race, where you’re from, the color of your skin, religion or anything like that,” Miller said. “We all bleed red and we need to know at the end of the day we’re not alone.”

The church has received an overwhelming amount of donations, items such as water, paper towels and diapers.

“There is good that comes out of it,” Latimer said.

Steve Latimer a member of a Muslim relief group is embracing the fact that all faiths can work together.

“When they see another group come out to help, it exposes them to that other religion, they get to talk to the people and ask questions, it just goes miles and miles,” Latimer said.

A point, Dan Hoeft, operations manager of a Jewish disaster response team, said he agrees with.

“Even though we have some differences, we all have one goal and that’s to help people out and help get them through whatever disaster they’ve been in,” Hoeft said.

More hands, all religion aside, to help disaster areas heal.

“It just means we’re able to help more people and that’s really what we’re here to do and it’s a place for all people,” Miller said.

If you’re interested in helping, the International Harvest Church is in need of a 20×20 commercial tent to help protect donation items outside as well as cots to house volunteers.

For more information on Nechama, the Jewish Response to Disaster, visit www.NECHAMA.org.

For more information on the Muslim Disaster Response Services, visit www.icnarelief.org.

Article Courtesy: News Channel 4

Storm system approaching east coast kills at least 13 lives as it brings flooding to Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas.

 
Al-Jazeera, 3 Jun 2013 – A violent storm system that led to tornadoes and flooding across Oklahoma, Missouri and Arkansas over the weekend has killed at least 13 people, including three storm chasers.

The system was moving on Sunday towards the east coast, causing rain and thunderstorms from Quebec City in Canada to Philadelphia, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.

Some severe thunderstorms carrying hail and heavy rain were also moving southward to South Carolina.

The storms brought flooding to Van Buren, Maine; a tornado to Anderson, South Carolina; and hail to Falls Village, Connecticut, AccuWeather reported.

The town of Bennington, Vermont, was covered by more than half a metre of water.

St Louis, Missouri, could be threatened by flooding in coming days as the Mississippi River reached 11.6 metres, well above the flood stage of 9.1 metres, the National Weather Service said.

Officials on Sunday raised the death toll to at least 13 in Oklahoma, and said at least six more people were still unaccounted for.

Bodies in storm drains
Some bodies were found in storm drains where people had sought shelter on Friday night from the tornado, said Keith Bryant, the Oklahoma City fire chief.

Three tornado monitors died in the twister that moved through El Reno in Oklhaoma.

Tim Samaras, 55, was founder and director of Twistex, a tornado research firm. His son Paul and Carl Young, another storm chaser, also died in the storm.

The team was monitoring the tornado when it took an unexpected sharp turn, crushing their vehicle and flinging its engine one kilometre away, reports said.

CNN showed footage of what it said were the remains of the vehicle, which appeared crushed almost beyond recognition.

Glimpse into tornado
National Geographic called Samaras one of the world’s best-known storm chasers, saying he spent the past two decades pursuing his passion.

It said he developed his interest in twisters after watching the film The Wizard of Oz when he was just six years old.

His instruments are said to have offered the first-ever glimpse inside a tornado.

In a post on the social media four days before he died, Tim Samaras wished fellow storm chasers well.

“Everyone enjoy the chase – and hope that tornadoes wander over open country,” he wrote.

Article Courtesy: Al-Jazeera

نیویارک (محسن ظہیر سے ) امریکی ریاست لوزیانا سے تعلق رکھنے والامسلم امریکن شعیب خان ، امریکہ میں مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کی اہم و نمائندہ تنظیم اسلامک سرکل آف نارتھ امریکہ (اکنا) اور مسلم امریکن سوسائٹی کے مہمانان خصوصی و مقررین میں سے ایک تھا کہ جنہوں نے ریاست کنکٹی کٹ کے شہر ہارڈ فوٹ میں منعقد ہونے والے اکنا اور ماس کے 38ویں سالانہ کنونشن سے خطاب کیا۔اس سال کنونشن کا موضوع ”اسلام ؛خوشی کا حصول “ رکھا گیا تھا اور اس موضوع کے حوالے سے خطاب کی بجائے 29سالہ شعیب خان جو کہ چند سال قبل موٹر سائیکل ایکسیڈنٹ کی وجہ سے دونوں ٹانگوں سے محروم ہو گیا تھا ، نے اپنی آب بیتی سناکر موضوع پر روشنی ڈالی

شعیب خان نے کنونشن کے اتوار کو ہونے والے مرکزی اجلاس جس میں ہزاروں کی تعداد میں امریکہ بھر سے آئے مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کے ارکان نے شرکت کی ، کو مخاطب ہوتے ہوئے کہا کہ میرے پاس دونوں ٹانگیں نہیں ، چھ ہفتے تک کومے میں رہنے اور چھ ماہ تک لائف سپورٹ پر گذارنے کے بعد اللہ تعالیٰ نے مجھے نئی زندگی دی ،میں نے معذوری کو اپنی کمزوری نہیں بننے دیا اور ہمت و حوصلہ سے کام لیتے ہوئے آج اپنی نارمل زندگی جی رہا ہوں ۔ شعیب خان نے ہزاروں کے مجمع سے مخاطب ہوتے ہوئے کہا کہ میں خوش ہوں ، اللہ تعالیٰ کا شکرگزار ہوں ۔آپ ایک نظر میری طرف اور پھر اپنی طرف دیکھیں تو آپ کو معلوم ہوگا کہ اللہ کی آپ پر کتنی رحمت اور کرم ہے اور اس سے بڑھ کر آپ کے لئے اطمینان اور خوشی کا باعث اور کیا بات ہو سکتی ہے ۔

شعیب خا ن اور اکنا کا تعلق اس وقت قائم ہوا کہ جب چند سال قبل اس کا لوزیانا سٹیٹ میں موٹر سائیکل پر ایکسیڈنٹ ہوا جس کے بعد اسے بیہوشی کی حالت میں مقامی ہسپتال منتقل کیا گیا جہاں وہ پہلے چھ ماہ کومے میں رہا بعد ازاں چھ ماہ تک لائف سپورٹ پر رہا۔ اسی ہسپتال میں اکنا سے وابستہ بعض ڈاکٹرز بھی اس کے معالجین میں شامل تھے ۔شعیب خان کی زندگی بچانے کے لئے اس کی دونوں ٹانگیں کاٹ دی گئیں ۔نئی زندگی ملنے کے بعد شعیب خان نے فیصلہ کیا کہ وہ بھرپور انداز میں اپنی زندگی جئے گا ، گاڑی چلائے گا۔ اکنا ریلیف کے ایگزیکٹو ڈائریکٹر مقصود احمد کے مطابق اس حوالے سے لوزیانا سٹیٹ کی جانب سے پیشکش کی گئی کہ شعیب خان کے لئے سپیشل وین کی تیاری پر ایک لاکھ ڈالرز لاگت آئے گی اور اس کا آدھا خرچ سٹیٹ برداشت کرنے کے لئے تیار ہے۔ اکنا ریلیف کے مقامی ساتھیوں نے کمیونٹی کی مدد سے پچاس ہزار ڈالرز کے فنڈز اکٹھے کئے اور باقی ماندہ رقم سٹیٹ کی جانب سے مہیا کی گئی جس سے شیعب خان کے لئے خصوصی وین تیار کی گئی جس میں وہ اپنی وہیل چئیر سمیت بیٹھ جاتا ہے اور اب امریکہ بھر میں سفر کرتا ہے

مقصود احمد نے مزید بتایا کہ شعیب خان نے انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی میں ایڈمیشن لینے کے علاوہ وہیل چئیر ٹینس فیڈریشن بھی جوائن کی اور اب اس کا شمار وہیل چئیر ٹینس پلئیرز میں ہوتا ہے ۔اکنا آنیوالے دنوں میں شعیب خان کے ٹورنامنٹ کو بھی سپانسر کرے گی
شعیب خان نے جب کنونشن میں اپنی کہانی سنائی تو ہال میں موجود ہزاروں کمیونٹی ارکان نے نہ صرف اسے کھڑے ہوکر شاندار انداز میں خراج تحسین پیش کیا بلکہ اس کی زندگی کی کہانی کو متاثر کن قرار دیا ۔

اکنا کے کنونشن میں اس سال بھی حسب روایت امریکہ بھر سے اکنا کے ارکان کے علاوہ مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کے اٹھار ہ ہزار سے زائد ارکان شریک ہوئے۔ ان ارکان کا تعلق مختلف شعبہ ہائے زندگی سے تھا اور اکنا کنونشن میں بھی سیمینار اور ورکشاپس کے علاوہ مختلف شعبہ ہائے زندگی سے تعلق رکھنے والی تقریباً ہر قسم کی سرگرمیوں کا اہتمام کیا گیا تھا جس میں اکنا بازار ،میرج بیورو، یوتھ سیمینار ز، بچوں کے لئے کھیلنے کودنے کے پروگرامزاور بین العقائد ڈائیلاگ شامل تھا

اکنا اور ماس جو کہ بنیادی طور پر ایک مذہبی تنظیم کے طور پر جانی جاتی ہیں لیکن امریکہ کی ایسٹ کوسٹ پر کنکٹی سٹیٹ میں ہونے والے اس کے کنونشن میں انٹرٹیمنٹ کے پروگرام کے علاوہ مزاحیہ مشاعرہ بھی قابل ذکر ہے ۔ اس حوالے سے جب اکنا کے مرکزی امیر نعیم بیگ سے پوچھا گیا کہ بظاہر اکنا جیسی مذہبی تنظیم کے پلیٹ فارم پر انٹر ٹینمنٹ اور مزاحیہ مشاعرہ جیسی سرگرمیوں کیا کچھ عجیب نہیں ؟تو انہوں نے کہا کہ تفریح طبع اور تفنن کے لئے بہت سے سرگرمیوں ہو سکتی ہیں جنہیں ہم حلال انٹر ٹیمنٹ بھی کہا جا سکتا ہے اور اہم ایسی سرگرمیوں کو اپنے کنونشن میں یقینی بناتے ہیں ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ تاثر درست نہیں کہ اسلام کوئی بالکل ہی خشک قسم کا مذہب ہے

اکنا کے کنونشن میںمسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کے معروف ریپر نیٹو ڈین نے دف کے ساتھ اپنے مخصوص انداز میں جب پرفارم کیا تو کنکٹی کٹ کنونشن سنٹر کے پانچ ہزار نشستوں کی گنجائش والے جام پیک ہال میں دائیں اور بائیں جانب الگ الگ اطراف پر بیٹھے ، مسلم کمیونٹی کے خواتین و حضرات نہ صرف خوب محظوظ ہوتے نظر آئے بلکہ انہوں نے دل کھول کر انٹرٹیمنٹ پیش کرنے والے ریپرز کو داد دی

اسی طرح کنونشن سنٹر کے ساتھ واقع میریٹ ہوٹل میں خصوصی محفل مشاعرہ کا بعد نماز عشاءاہتمام کیا گیا جس میں پاکستان سے خصوصی طور پر آئے مزاحیہ شاعرہ کے بے تاج بادشاہ شعراءانور مسعود اور خالد مسعود نے اپنے مخصوص انداز میں اپنا شاعرانہ کلام پیش کرکے مشاعرہ لوٹ لیا ۔اکنا ، ماس کنونشن میں اس سال ہونے والے اس مزاحیہ مشاعرہ میں سابقہ کنونشن کی نسبت سب سے زیادہ تعداد میں کمیونٹی ارکان جن میں اکنا کے سابق چار امیر سمیت اہم مذہبی سکالرز بھی شامل تھے، شریک ہوئے اور خالد مسعود اور انور مسعود کے مزاحیہ مشاعرہ پر ان کو لوٹ پوٹ ہو جانا ، قابل دید تھا۔پروفیسر امین اصلاحی سمیت بعض ارکان تو خالد مسعود کی شاعری سے پوری طرح محظوظ ہونے کے لئے اپنے ساتھ بیٹھے شرکاءسے خالد مسعود کی مخصوص انداز میں پنجابی اور اردو کی مکس شاعرہ کا ترجمہ پوچھتے رہے

اکنا کے مرکزی امیر نعیم بیگ کے مطابق اس سال ہونے والے کنونشن کی قابل ذکر بات یہ ہے کہ نہ صرف پہلے سے زیادہ تعداد میں مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کے ارکان شریک ہوئے جن میں افریقین امریکن اور یوتھ کی تعداد سب سے زیادہ تھی ۔ اس سوال کہ امریکہ میں مقیم مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی جسے اسلاموفوبیا سمیت اہم چیلنجر درپیش ہیں، کے لئے اس کنونشن میں کیا پیغام ہے ؟تو انہوں نے کہا کہ ہمیں اسلاموفوبیا کا مقابلہ اسی انداز میں کرنا ہوگا کہ جیسے نبی کریم حضرت محمد مصطفیﷺ نے اپنے مکی اور مدنی دور میں کیا ،انہوںنے مخالفت اور حملوں کے باوجود دوسروں کی مدد کرکے ، ان کے دکھ درد میں شریک ہوئے اور اپنے عمل ، اخلاص ، کردار اور محبت سے لوگوں کے دل جیتے اور ہمیں بھی امریکہ سمیت دنیا بھر میں نبی کریم حضرت محمد مصطفیﷺ کے ماڈل کو ہی اپنا رول ماڈل بنانا ہے ۔

نعیم بیگ نے کہا کہ اس سال کنونشن کا پیغام اور موضوع بھی یہی ہے اور کنونشن میں شریک شعیب خان ، علامہ سراج وہاج امام زید شاکر، نعمان علی خان ، یاسر قاضی اور شیخ عمر سلیمان سمیت سکالرز و مقررین نے بھی یہی پیغام دیا ہے کہ حقیقی خوشی اندر سے اور سکون قلب سے ملے گی ۔قلب کو سکون اس وقت ملے گا کہ جب انسان قناعت اختیار کرلیتا ہے

اگر یہ کہا جائے کہ کنونشن میں موضوع ”خوشی کا حصول “ کے حوالے سے سب سے دلچسپ و موثر انداز میں روشنی ،جواں سال اسلامک سکالر نعمان علی خان نے ڈالی تو بے جا نہ ہوگا۔کنونشن سنٹر کے جام پیک ہال جس میں بڑی تعداد میں یوتھ کمیونٹی ارکان بھی موجود تھے ، سے اپنے خطاب سپائیڈر مین ، سپر مین ، ڈزنی لینڈ ، نیا گھر ، پرانا گھر، شادی بیاہ کے معاملات ، نئے کھلونے ، تحفے تحائف سمیت انسان کی زندگی میں سامنے آنیوالی خواہشات کے حوالے سے کرکے مجمع کو پوری طرح اپنی جانب متوجہ کیا اور زندگی کے چھوٹے موٹے معاملات کو پہلے از راہ تفنن کے طور پر بیان کیا اور پھر حاضرین کے سامنے سوال اٹھایا کہ گھر لینے کے بعد بڑا گھر لینے کی خواہش ،ایک گاڑی لینے کے بعد نئی اور بڑی گاڑی کا حصول ، ایک کے بعد دوسری اچھی جاب ، بچے کا ایک کے بعد دوسرا کھلونا لینے کا اصرار روز مرہ زندگی میں آنیوالے ایسے مراحل اور خواہشات ہیں کہ جب تک ان کی تکمیل نہیں ہو جاتی،ان کی بہت تمنا ہوتی ہے لیکن جب یہ خواہشیں پوری ہو جاتی ہے پھر نئی خواہشات کی تمنا ان پر غالب آجاتی ہے

نعمان علی خان نے پانچ ہزار سے زائد کے مجمع کے سامنے سوال رکھتے ہوئے کہا کہ خواہش جس کے سامنے دوسری خواہش کھڑی ہوجائے ، کی تکمیل سے زندگی میں خوشی میسر آتی ہے تو مجمع کا مجموعی جواب تھا کہ نہیں ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ جب بچے بڑے ہوتے ہیں تو ان کی ضروریات بڑھتی ہیں، جب وہ اور بڑے ہوتے ہیں تو کھلونے کی بجائے کھیلنا کودنا چاہتے ہیں ،پھر جب وہ اور بڑے ہوتے ہیں تو ان کا دل انٹرٹینمنٹ مانگتا ہے ، وہ ویڈیو گیمز اور پلے سٹیشن جیسی گیمز مانگتے ہیں ،پھر اپنی زندگی میں تزئین چاہتے ہیں اور پھر ان کا دل چاہتا ہے کہ وہ ان کے پاس جو کچھ ہے ، وہ دوسروں کو دکھائیں ، خود کو شوآف کریں ۔جب بھی زندگی کے مراحل تبدیل ہونگے ، ضرورت اور خوشی تبدیل ہو جائے گی لیکن حقیقت میں ہمیں اپنی زندگی میں ایسی خوشیوں کی بارش چاہئیے کہ جو ایک کسان اپنی فصل کے لئے مانگتا ہے۔ کسان بارش ضرور مانگتا ہے لیکن ایسی بارش کہ جو اس کی فصل کے لئے باران رحمت ہو ۔لہٰذا ہمیں اپنی زندگی میں ایسی خوشیاں حاصل کرنی ہیں کہ جو باعث قلب و اطمینان ہوں اور یہ خوشی اسلام کے مطابق قناعت سے زندگی بسر کرکے اور دوسروںکے کام آکر ہی مل سکتی ہے ۔

مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کے عالمی شہرت یافتہ سکالرز امام سراج وہاج نے نعمان علی خان کے فلسفہ خوشی و سکون کے حصول کو شوبز اور گلیمر کی دنیا کے سپر سٹارز کی مثالین دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ ان سپر سٹارز کے پاس سب کچھ ہوتا ہے لیکن ایک لمحہ سکون کی تلاش میں مارے مار ے پھرتے ہیں ، ان کی زندگیوں کو اندر سے جھانک کر دیکھیں تو منتشر اور برباد نظر آئے گی ۔امام سراج وہاج نے کیلی فورنیا میں پاکستان کے عالمی شہرت یافتہ سابقہ پاپ سنگر جنید جمشید سے اپنی ملاقات کا احوال سناتے ہوئے کہا کہ جنید جمشید کے پاس زندگی کی ہر آسائش موجود تھی ، خواہشیں اس کے سامنے سرنگوں ہوتی تھیں لیکن وہ خوش نہیں تھا، اسے خوشی اور سکون اس وقت ملا کہ جب اس نے سچا راستہ اختیار کیا ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ انسان کی روح اگر اندر سے کھوکھلی ہو تو سکون اس کے قریب نہیں آتا۔ انہوں نے کنونشن میں شریک لوگوں سے مخاطب ہوکر کر کہا کہ خود تجربات کرنے سے بہتر ہے کہ دوسروں کی مثالوں سے سبق سیکھیں اور یہ اسباق ، اسلام ہمیں ہر قدم پر دیتا ہے ۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اسلام کے مطابق زندگی بسر سے جسم کے اندر روح زندگی پاتی ہے اور جب روح زندگی سے بھرپور ہو جائے تو قلب کو سکون ملتا ہے ۔انہوںنے کہا کہ ہمیں اس دنیا میں ایک رول ماڈل بن کر رہنا ہے ، اس لئے کہ دوسروں کے لئے مثال بنیں اور آخرت میں سرخرو ہوں ۔

امام سراج وہاج نے کنونشن میں شریک ہزاروں خواتین کی جانب اشارہ کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ انہوںنے حجاب کوئی زبردستی نہیں پہنا بلکہ اس لئے کہ ان کا خدا ان سے ایسا چاہتا ہے ، انہوں نے کہا کہ ماہ رمضان میں لوگ آپ کے سامنے کھانا کھا رہے ہوتے ہیں لیکن مسلمان کھانے کی طرف نظر اٹھا کر بھی نہیں دیکھتا ۔یہ تقویٰ اللہ کو بہت پسند ہے اور اس کا اجر وہی دے گا

اکنا کے امیر نعیم بیگ نے کہا کہ اس سال کنونشن کا پیغام بھی یہی ہے کہ ہمیں امریکہ میں اسلام کی تعلیمات کے مطابق زندگی بسر کرنی ہے اور دوسروں کے بلا امتیاز کام آنا ہے ۔ یہ نہ صرف ہماری کامیابی کا راز بنے گا بلکہ ہمیں حقیقی خوشی بھی دے گا جس کی ہمیں ہمیشہ تلاش رہتی ہے ۔
معروف جواں سال سکالر شیخ عمر سلیمان نے کہا کہ وہ لوگ زیادہ خطرناک ہوتے ہیں کہ جن کی زندگی میں کوئی مقصد نہ ہو، ان کے لئے اپنی ہی نہیں بلکہ دوسروں کی زندگی بھی بے معنی ہوتی ہے ۔اسی طرح جس انسان کی زندگی میں کوئی خوشی یا سکون نہیں ، وہ زندگی سے مایوس اور متنفر رہتا ہے ۔جب زندگی کو کوئی مقصد مل جائے تو خوشیاں خود قریب آتی ہیں ۔ ہمیں خیال رکھنا ہے کہ زندگی کا ایسا مقصد بنائیں کہ جس کی وجہ سے حقیقی سکون حاصل ہو ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ اسلام ہمیں خوشی اور جینے کا مقصد دیتا ہے

معروف سکالر یاسر قاضی نے کہا کہ مسلمان زندگی اچھی آخرت کے لئے گذارتا ہے ۔ اللہ تعالیٰ سے وہ زندگی مانگیں کہ جو ہمار ے لئے بہتر ہو اور وہ موت مانگیں کہ جو بہتر ہو ۔ اللہ تعالیٰ سے دعا مانگیں کہ ایسا خوشی عطاءفرمانا کہ جو قلب کے سکون کا باعث بنے اور کبھی ختم نہ ہو۔مولانا یاسر قاضی نے کہا کہ اللہ تعالیٰ فرماتے ہیں کہ جن کے اعمال اچھے ہونگے ، ان کو جنت ملے گی اور جن کے اعمال زیادہ اچھے ہونگے ، انہیں جنت سے بھی بڑھ کر اجر ملے گا ۔جنت سے بڑھ کر اجر یہ ہے کہ زیادہ اچھے اعمال کرنے والوں کو اللہ تعالیٰ روز محشر اپنا دیدار نصیب فرمائیں گے اور قران میں ارشاد ہے کہ جب بندہ اللہ تعالیٰ کا دیدار کرے گا تو اس کا چہرہ روشن ہو جائے گا ۔یہ نعمت اعمال سے ممکن ہے ۔ انسان کو دنیا میں نہیں بلکہ آخرت میں جنت ملے گی اور وہی مقام ہوگا کہ اگر اس کے اعمال اچھے ہوئے تو وہ اللہ تعالیٰ کی زیارت کی سعادت حاصل کرے گا۔نبی کریم ﷺ نے فرمایا کہ جو اللہ تعالیٰ سے ملنے کی خواہش رکھتا ہے ، اللہ تعالیٰ اس سے ملنے کی خواہش رکھتا ہے

مولانا یاسرقاضی نے کنونشن میں شریک ہزاروں مسلم امریکن کمیونٹی کے ارکان سے کہا کہ آئیے ہم اپنے آپ سے یہ سوال کریں کہ کیا ہم اللہ تعالیٰ سے ملنے کی خواہش رکھتے ہیں ؟اگر جواب ہاں میں ہے ،تو ایسا اسی وقت ممکن ہوگا کہ جب ہم اچھے اعمال کریں گے ۔
کنکٹی کٹ میں اکنا کا کنونشن تین روز تک جاری رہنے کے بعد اختتام پذیر ہو گیا اور کنونشن میں شریک بڑی تعداد میں کمیونٹی ارکان اور والدین کا کہنا تھا کہ وہ نہ صرف خود اگلے سال بلکہ اپنے عزیز و اقارب کو بھی
ساتھ لائیں گے اور انہوںنے کہا کہ جب تک ہم کنونشن میں نہیں آئے تھے ، ہمیں اندازہ نہیں تھا کہ اس کنونشن کا ہمارے لئے کیا مطلب ہے

اکنا کے امیر نعیم بیگ نے اس سوال کی کیا کنکٹی کٹ کے کنونشن سنٹر کی چار دیواری سے باہر بھی اس سال کے کنونشن کا پیغام جائے گا تو انہوں نے کہا کہ کنونشن میں ہماری کوششوں سے متاثر ہونے والا ہر شخص ہمارا پیغام بن کر کنونشن سنٹر کی چار دیواری سے باہر جائے گا اور یوں ہر سال ہمارا پیغام نارتھ امریکہ بھر میں پھیل رہا ہے ۔انہوں نے کہا کہ نارتھ امریکہ میں بسنے والے مسلمانوں کو اسلامی تعلیمات پر عمل کرکے حقیقی خوشی حاصل کرنی ہے اور معاشرے کا حصہ بن کر اپنے حصے کا کام سب سے اچھا کرنا ہے اور بلاامتیاز دوسروں کے کام آنے کو اپنی زندگی کا مقصد بنانا ہے ۔

نمازوں کے دوران امت مسلمہ کی واضح تصویر نظر آتی تھی ، ہم نے حج اور عمرہ کے بعد اس جیسا منظر پہلی بار دیکھا ہئے کہ جہاں مختلف رنگ و نسل اور ممالک سے تعلق رکھنے والے مسلمان ایک جگہ پر جمع ہو

Prayers were well organized despite limited room this year.

This year ICNA launched the first ever web app for iPhone and Android. The app which was downloaded by about 2700 people, allowed for people to watch the live stream, view the program including parallel programs, hotel information and accommodations, food menus, flight information, and much more.

The bazaar was sold out much earlier this year and the vendors benefited from the higher attendance.

Running parallel to ICNA’s main sessions were the ICNA Sisters Wing sisters’ only sessions, the Window to Islam sessions, children program offered by MCNA, and the annual Young Muslims Youth Conference. Even with such a variety of choices, each session was filled to the brim. Over 500 people signed up to volunteer with various ICNA activities, more than ever before.

Aside from the main parallel sessions, sessions such as those in Spanish and Social Media for Parents were a big success. For the first time ICNA also screened the film Test of Freedom to a packed audience at the conference.

Volunteers worked round the clock to provide an incident free, well organized and enjoyable experience. Here they are preparing the attendee package.

The main hall keynote session on Sunday reached maximum capacity and an overflow area was created where attendees were able to view the keynote and entertainment sessions live on two huge screens.

Due to the record breaking attendance this year, the ICNA-MAS Annual Convention will be moving to a bigger location next year. ICNA would like to thank the Hartford Convention Center and staff for accommodating us throughout these years and by Allah’s grace helping this convention grow into what it is today. Also to all the attendees who have continued to support us over the years, we thank you and hope to see you next year at a new location for an even bigger and better conference God Willing.

Photos by Muhammad Tahir

“We look forward to welcoming people from all walks of life and to another great event that will draw thousands of people.”

Themed “Islam: The Pursuit of Happiness”, the three-day annual convention aims to promote peace and tolerance in society.

Muslim attendants would be offered special lectures and symposiums on how to achieve everlasting happiness.

To this end, sessions would be delivered in different languages including Arabic, Urdu, Bengali and Spanish along with English.

Special sessions would also be dedicated to Muslim women to discuss issues of concern to them.

A host of prominent Muslim speakers are attending the ICNA-MAS convention, including Boston imam Suhaib Webb.

The convention is being held at the Connecticut Convention Center, the largest convention facility between New York and Boston.

More than 15,000 Muslims from across the United States are expected to attend the annual convention.

A parallel youth event, organized by the Young Muslims (YM) organization, is being held during the three-day convention

Themed the “The Seekers: A Quest for Hope”, the event aims at inspiring young American Muslims to reclaim hope in Allah’s forgiveness and in people surrounding them.

The ICNA convention comes a month after a bombing targeted an international marathon in Boston and killed three people.

US Muslims have condemned the bombing, which was blamed for two brothers of Chechen origin.

ICNA is one of the largest, non-profit, grassroots Muslim organizations in North America with many projects, programs, and activities designed to help in reforming society at large.

Since 1968, ICNA has worked to build relations between communities by devoting itself to education, outreach, social services and relief efforts.

The United States is home to a Muslim minority of between six to eight million.

A US survey has also revealed that the majority of Americans know very little about Muslims and their faith.

Last year, Gain Peace, a Chicago-based Muslim outreach group, launched a public and television campaign to clear long-held misconceptions about Islam.
ICNA has also launched a campaign to educate Americans about Shari`ah and dispel wrong perceptions about it.

Article Courtesy: OnIslam.net

“We want to show the compassion and mercy that Islam teaches us.”

While several states have passed laws forbidding courts from considering Islamic law, or Shariah, in their decisions, Oklahoma is the only one to have done it twice. The Grand Mosque of Oklahoma City has been vandalized twice in the last two years, most recently on April 27.

A police captain in Tulsa even went to court to avoid having to attend a “Law Enforcement Appreciation Day” at the Islamic Society of Tulsa.

While Muslim-American organizations have routinely provided emergency aid following natural disasters, the Oklahoma tragedy is special because of the anti-Muslim sentiment in the state. Rather than retreating, however, Muslims increased their outreach, convinced that when Oklahomans meet Muslims, their prejudices will fade.

“I believe this helps break down barriers,” said Saad Mohammed, director of outreach at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City. “But dialogue and interaction are going to have to continue if these barriers are going to stay down.”

Mohammed was at home in suburban Moore, taking cover in a closet with his wife and teenage twin sons when the tornado bore down. Their home was completely destroyed, but the family survived.

Mohammed and his family are now staying with friends, but he’s also been involved with collecting and delivering donations. “It’s a shock, but we have to keep moving forward.”

The evening after the tornado hit, Muslim leaders gathered at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City mosque to start a Muslim community donation drive. In less than two days, they had collected thousands of food items, toiletries, bottled water, and other necessities.

The Islamic Circle of North America, an outreach group from Jamaica, N.Y., dispatched its Disaster Relief Team, which helps with debris removal and patching damaged houses. Soltani and his wife were helping with cleanup efforts less than 24 hours after the tornado struck.

“Anytime people come into contact with people of other faiths or ethnicities, it breaks down the stereotypes people have,” said the Rev. Joshua Leu of New Hope Christian Church in Oklahoma City, and a local interfaith activist. “Whenever you have a disaster like this, people come together and stop caring about those differences.”

Soltani agreed.

“People don’t care if you’re Muslim or not. That’s irrelevant,” Soltani said. “It’s a testament to how Oklahomans come together when things go bad.”

Article Courtesy: Washington Post

In the upstairs women’s section, the speeches were broadcast over a large TV screen. As kids screamed and ran around and the majority of the women chitchatted, some sisters tried to concentrate on the speeches given by the President, Ramiz Abid, Dr. Essam Tellawi, Imam Abdool Rahman and Dr. Zahid Bukhari of ICNA.

It was a joyous, social occasion so a certain amount of informality was tolerated in the packed halls.

The speeches highlighted many weighty issues from the past, present and future of the new masjid.

Building the ICNA masjid was a journey. Br. Abid reminisced about the small trailer that served the community as a masjid for several years prior to the building of the new structure.

He recalled fond memories of youth meetings,”when we would horse around and end up breaking walls; once we even found racoons in the wall.”

Now that the structure is complete, the masjid is forming various committees to aid in running the masjid smoothly, including Jumu’ah, fundraising, sisters, and maintenance committees.

Dr. Essam Tellawi, a long standing member of the community, spoke on the bond of brotherhood and imaan. The masjid is diverse, and most attendees are immigrants from a variety of countries.

Dr. Bukhari spoke about the model of the American masjid and the expanded role that Islamic centers play. He believes the masjid is a place where future leadership develops, and which serves as a hub of social, relief and dawah activities.

Young girls and boys from the weekend school presented Quran and Salah recitation to the audience.

Bintu Fofana has three children in the weekend school. She has lived in the community for 4 years and was pleased with the new structure. “We did not go to Jumu’ah, we were waiting of this masjid,” she said, after watching her son, Kafumba, recite Quran on the big screen.

In her opinion, the new imam will be a welcome teacher of masjid etiquettes for the community.

Sr. Asma is from the Sudan, a warm friendly sister, she said she feels very happy about the new masjid and the arrival of the imam. “I can meet people and enjoy food together with different nationalities,” she said.

Saiqa Aziz’s daughter, Areeba, recited Surah Yaseen to the audience along with her friends Anum, Ayesha and Fatima. “Alhamdulillah,” Sr. Saiqa said with a grateful smile when asked about the masjid.

Imam Abdool Rahman Khan urged the congregation to stand together, love each other and work to develop this masjid with ‘tolerance, understanding and sabr.” The Imam has started counseling for youth, marriage and family as well as several circles of learning on aqeedah, tafseer, tajweed and hadith. (TML will be featuring a detailed interview with Shaykh Khan in the June issue in shaa Allah).

A South Asian dinner was served with humility by enthusiastic volunteers serving guests who sat on the floor of the new center.

Article Courtesy: Muslim Link

Or scan to download:

You can also click here to visit the mobile version of the website.

The app can help you in many ways as follows:

Schedule

• Keep track of sessions. Find out who is speaking and when and where
• Only interested in Youth, Sisters Only or Ethnic Sessions, use the filter feature (Click on the funnel icon – at the top right of Schedule. Filter only for type of sessions (8 different filters available)
• Like a session and want to be reminded — Click the + sign on the left. Choose when you wanted to be notified (10,30 or an hour before the session). Keep doing this for all the sessions you like. A green check-box appears in place of the “+” sign.
• To find all the sessions you want to attend simply click on the My Schedule button at the top of the Schedule Window and find your list. Want to remove something from your list just click the green check-box.
• Want to see sessions for another day, use the “<” or “>” arrows on top of the schedule screen.
• Want to know what are topics or session details, Click on the session and select Description tab
• Want to know who is speaking, Click on the session and select Speakers tab
• Want to look up speaker introduction (bio) just select the speaker from the list
• Remember, the color bars on the left gives you a quick “type of session” (Youth, Sisters Only, Parallel, etc.)
• If you are speaking in one or more sessions — you can use the app to keep track of sessions in the same way the audience are tracking your sessions. Best of all — Be reminded of them automatically.

Speakers

• Want to learn about the speakers, Check their pictures — Sometimes speakers don’t want to share their pictures or bio — we respect that.
• See a speakers Title from the list.
• Like a speaker and want to follow all their session — click on the speakers name, click Sessions – now you can click on their sessions and add them to your schedule.

About (i)

• Don’t miss this section of the app. It has lots of useful information.
• Why attend – Information about the convention
• Online Registration — don’t mind the small font and want to register from the mobile device directly — Now you can
• Wondering how much food will cost you and want to know before you leave your hotel room or session — Check out this section for food prices in the food court and decide
• Drove to the convention and wondering where to Park — Check the Parking Rates for Marriott.
• SAVE $$ on Your Daily and Overnight Rates - Check for a coupon right in your mobile app. Show it to the attendant and SAVE
• Flying to the Bradley Airport  - Check for shuttle service hours and rates from the Airport to the Convention Center
• Want to know more about the Convention Center and the Venue - Check the Venue section
• Need to take the roundtrip bus from NY to Hartford – Check the Travel section for pickup and drop-off details (date, time and locations) + How to make reservations
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Have a question ? Check our FAQ section under the About section
• Need Baby Sitting - Information are in the palm of your hand – scroll down to the section on Baby Sitting
• Still Have Questions – Scroll to the session on Contacting Us

Directions

• Find directions for different hotels.
• Click on the List button on top to see list of hotels, prices and phone numbers.
• Use the Filter feature to see venue, hotels on the map and in the list.

Sponsors

• We thank our sponsors for their support
• In this section you can find our who are sponsors are and find a variety of information about them.
• Connect with our sponsors through email, web and phone.

Map

• We have included a map and the Bazaar layout. Pinch out to see details.

This content for this app is maintained by the ICNA-MAS Convention team.

The President of ICNA, Naeem Baig said, “We are saddened at the loss of so many lives including many children caused by this tornado. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in Oklahoma today.”

He also appealed to the American Muslim community to donate to ICNA Relief, whose Disaster Relief Team is already on its way to Oklahoma.

Depending on the needs in the affected area and of availability of resources, plans are underway to provide the following services:

• Information and referrals to services needed to recover
• Debris removal
• Chain saw crews
• Muck out teams
• Tarping roofs
• Emotional, spiritual, and physical care
• Case Management

ICNA Relief has responded to 18 disasters within last two years and was declared New Yorker of the Week by NY1 for outstanding services in the aftermath of hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey. Click here to donate generously and help fellow citizens at a time of need. Click here to volunteer and get involved.

Press Contact: Umber Siddiqi
Assistant Director for Public Affairs, ICNA Relief USA
E-mail: office@icnarelief.org
www.icnarelief.org
Office: (718) 658-7028 Extension: 126
Disaster Support Hotline (888) 616-6865

Click here to see the full program for the convention.

In this global turmoil many people have given their recipe for Happiness but unfortunately they inevitably lead to more depression. Such lack of happiness impact heavily on us, as individuals, as a society, as a nation and the entire world. We fail to be true vicegerents on earth.

It is hoped that by this Convention we will address the issue of Happiness by our competent leading Scholars and the evil consequences of the lack thereof from an Islamic viewpoint. It is hoped that the Convention will bring to light that The Maker Allah (SWT) has informed what happiness is, how it should be sought for, the role of the messenger Muhammad (SAS) in demonstrating the pursuit of happiness and what are the good outcome of happiness in this world and the next. By Allah’s Grace we would bring back the desire for true happiness; a happiness that will make this world a better place and a Happiness that will live on in the Hereafter.

Last chance to get 15% off your convention registration

The 38th Annual ICNA-MAS Convention is just a few weeks away, and we’re gearing up to give you the best Memorial Day weekend yet! But time is running out fast to qualify for the 15% discount. So if you still haven’t registered yet, register now before time runs out.

Qira’atul Quran Competition

Are you a tajweed superstar? Test your skills at the ICNA-MAS Convention Qira’atul Quran Competition!

Group “A”
Age 8 – 10 Years
Juz 30
Surah An-Naba to Surah An-Nas
Winner: $200
Runner-up: $100

Group “B”
Age 11 – 13 Years
Juz 29
Surah Al-Mulk to Surah Al-Mursalat
Winner: $200
Runner-up: $100

Group “C”
Age 14 – 16 Years
Juz 28
Surah Al-Mujadilah to Surah At-Tahreem
Winner: $200
Runner-up: $100

You must be registered with the 38th Annual ICNA-MAS Convention to participate in the Qira’atul Quran Competition. Contestants will compete within their gender group.

The online registration deadline is May 17th for the Qiraat competition; you may also pay $10/child onsite Saturday, May 25 between 11 AM and 1 PM at the convention center.

The maximum number of contestants per age group is 30. Registration will be closed once we reach our limit! Click here for rules and guidelines or to register.

Late in the night electricity lines were disconnected and eye-witnesses reported that thousands of heavily equipped security forces attacked while the unarmed protestors were sleeping and fired indiscriminately resulting in many causalities. Accurate figures are not available as government enforced a media blockade.

ICNA condemns any type of oppression and indiscriminate killing no matter what the situation is. We urge the United States State Department to take serious note of this situation where the current Bangladeshi government is abusing the human rights of its own citizens and curbing freedom of expression by imposing ban on independent media and peaceful assembly.

We are also saddened at the loss of over a thousand factory workers due to non-implementation of safety requirements by corrupt government officials. Our prayers and support go out to those suffering from these incidents.

Also see: http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/05/03/bangladesh-end-unlawful-violence-against-protesters

El tema de nuestro puesto de información este año fue, “Porque soy musulmán, Yo amo a Jesús,” cambio la perspectiva de aquellos que dicen seguir las enseñanzas de Jesús (la paz sea con él). Muchos acudieron al puesto atraídos por el mensaje, algunos sólo para tomar fotos o videos, otros para verificar su veracidad. Cada uno de los voluntarios lucía una camiseta con el mismo mensaje y ayudo a impulsar el mensaje alto y claro y atrajo al publico.

El puesto fue manejado profesionalmente por voluntaries todo el día. Más de 1,100 ejemplares de las traducciones del Corán fueron distribuidos junto con más de 3,000 folletos en español e Inglés. Los voluntarios provenían de los diversos equipos WhyIslam de el sur de California y se incluyeron aquellos que habían aceptado el Islam recientemente. Ellos mostraron mucho entusiasmo y dedicación para que el evento fuera especial y memorable.

Esta historia se convirtió en la historia más popular en la página facebook de ICNA con más de 200.000 visitas. Por favor, únase www.facebook.com/ICNA

English Translation:
 

More Latinos accept Islam than ever before in Los Angeles

A dozen Spanish speaking volunteers were at the past Sunday’s booth at Fiesta Broadway organized by ICNA’s Southern California Chapter team under the project WhyIslam. The day witnessed a record number of shahdahs (declaration of Islamic faith). This meant that people were interested in Islam despite negative feedback in the media and elsewhere.

The theme for this year’s booth “I love Jesus because I am a Muslim” changed the perspective of those who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus (peace be up on him). Many flocked to the booth enticed by the message; some just to take pictures or videos, others to verify its truth. Every one of the volunteers sported a T-shirt with the that slogan and a matching banner helped drive the message loud and clear.

The booth was professionally managed by volunteers the entire day. Over 1,100 copies of translations of the Qur’an were distributed along with 3,000 brochures in Spanish and English. The volunteers came from the various WhyIslam teams in Southern California and included those who had accepted Islam recently. They showed much enthusiasm and dedication to make the event special and memorable.

This story became the most popular story on ICNA’s facebook page with over 200,000 views (see above image).

To support these activities please attended the ICNA SC banquet on June 15th at Doubletree Hotel, Anaheim, Southern California.

Hunt Ahmed, 45, is part of a growing sorority of female American converts to Islam, especially those who are or were married to Muslim men, who must deal with the perception that they converted to Islam because of domineering boyfriends or husbands.

The stereotype was revived in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings, when news emerged that the wife of bombing suspect Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Katherine Russell, converted to Islam after meeting Tsarnaev in 2009 or 2010 when she was about 21.

Tsarnaev, 26, was shot and killed during a standoff with Boston police while his 19-year-old brother, Dzhokhar, was taken into custody and now faces a raft of terrorism charges.

Malika MacDonald Rushdan, who converted in 1995 after divorcing her Christian husband, made her “shahada,” or declaration of faith, at the Islamic Society of Boston mosque in Cambridge. Photo courtesy Malika MacDonald

“It’s not just Fox. A lot of the media have portrayed her as someone who was brainwashed and who didn’t know what she was doing,” said Edlyn Sammanasu, who was born to Catholic parents and started studying Islam when she met her Muslim husband in college, and converted when she was 21.

“When I saw the coverage, I thought this was ridiculous,” said Sammanasu, now 32, a technical writer in Fremont, Calif.

Seema Imam, an education professor at National Louis University in Lisle, Ill., has seen the same thing. She grew up as an observant Methodist but converted to Islam 40 years ago at age 17.

“Whenever someone talks about Muslim converts being involved in something negative, it’s done in a way in which people say, ‘Be careful, look what happens when you become Muslim,’” she said.

Converts to Islam are as diverse as the rest of America, racially and ethnically, as well as in their interpretations of the faith. Some female converts wear a headscarf, some don’t. What they share is the perception from others that they are incapable of making their own choice in a decision that involved substantial spiritual wrestling.

It’s as insulting as it is inaccurate, they say.

“These reports are misogynous in nature, reducing women to creatures who cannot think for themselves,” said Malika MacDonald Rushdan, who converted in 1995 after divorcing her Christian husband. She made her “shahada,” or declaration of faith, at the Islamic Society of Boston mosque in Cambridge, which the Tsarnaev brothers occasionally attended.

“My faith, by definition, is for the Creator, not for my husband,” wrote Ohio attorney Sarah Anjum, who converted almost 10 years ago, while she was in college studying Islamic political movements and Arabic, and four years before she met her husband.

While some American Muslim women converted while single, those who started reading about Islam after meeting future husbands are incredulous over the idea that they converted to please them.
When Kelly Wentworth, 35, told her Yemeni boyfriend that she was interested in learning about Islam, he pointed her to a Muslim professor who taught at Tennessee Tech, where the two were students at the time. When she later told him she wanted to convert, he didn’t celebrate. Photo courtesy Kelly Wentworth

When Kelly Wentworth, 35, told her Yemeni boyfriend that she was interested in learning about Islam, he pointed her to a Muslim professor who taught at Tennessee Tech, where the two were students at the time. When she later told him she wanted to convert, he didn’t celebrate. Photo courtesy Kelly Wentworth

When Kelly Wentworth, 35, told her Yemeni boyfriend that she was interested in learning about Islam, he pointed her to a Muslim professor who taught at Tennessee Tech, where the two were students at the time. When she later told him she wanted to convert, he didn’t celebrate.

“He was worried people would think that I converted because of him, or that I was being forced to convert,” said Wentworth, a software engineer in Atlanta and board member of Muslims for Progressive Values, a national advocacy group. “The stereotype is out there. That’s something I fight with now.”

Wentworth became so worried about how friends and family would judge her after the Katherine Russell stories that she couldn’t sleep for several nights.

A 2011 study from the Pew Research Center found that about 20 percent of an estimated 1.8 million Muslims in America are converts, while a 2007 Pew study found that 49 percent of converts converted by the age of 21. The 2007 study also found that 58 percent of converts converted for religious reasons, and 18 percent for family and marriage reasons.

Female Muslim converts acknowledge that they have heard about Muslim women trapped in abusive relationships, but say that such relationships affect women of other faiths as well.

“That has nothing to do with religion,” Wentworth said. “That’s a problem with personality.”

Katherine Wilson, a convert and Rhode Island resident who works with female victims of violence and sexual assault, said the media, by focusing on Russell’s faith, missed a chance to speak about domestic violence. She believes Muslim women converts are perceived negatively because some people see their choice of faith as a knock against their own decisions.

“I believe this is partially due to white privilege in that there is not an understanding why an ‘all-American girl’ would give up her privilege-assumed, carefree lifestyle,” said Wilson. “I think it bothers people that an ‘all American woman’ would walk away from what they think is a great life, which is a stereotype within itself.”

While such stereotypes still annoy these women, many say they have grown tired of having to explain their decisions to convert. Which doesn’t mean they aren’t trying to change minds.

“There will always be those who judge based upon ignorance. They are of no concern to me,” said MacDonald Rushdan. “I will keep on doing what I’ve always done. I will not apologize for being a God-fearing woman whose faith provides her with inner peace and contentment.”

Article Courtesy: RNS

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ICNA IT DEPT.

The sports day, held April 27, was open to both Muslims and non-Muslims.

“This is the second year we are holding this event, and it was an effective outreach [the first time], so we decided to hold it again,” Kahn said.

Approximately 1,100 athletes participated, and more than 1,000 spectators enjoyed the events, as well as a bazaar that included a variety of vendors selling clothing and jewelry.

During the sporting events, a Paterson man, Haji Ibrahim, 60, made a pledge to run a full marathon around the track at the middle school, equating to about 300 laps.

“He started at 6:30 a.m. and finished around 11:30 a.m.,” Kahn said. “He did this for the victims of Boston [where three people were killed and hundreds were injured in two bomb explosions on April 15] and to show that we are against any form of extreme terrorism.”

Among those in attendance April 27 was Ibtihaj Muhammad, a member of the U.S. National Fencing Team.

“This is my first time here,” she said. “My sister joined a volleyball team, and I came to support her.”

Muhammad, 27, of Maplewood, said she travels around and speaks on the subject of empowering women, particularly to show that there are opportunities for Muslim women.

Click here to see more pictures.

“Sports are not really a routine activity,” she said. “My mom introduced me to the sport of fencing because it was a sport [in which] I would be fully covered.”

Muhammad took up fencing in 2000 as a freshman at Maplewood High School. As part of the U.S. National Fencing Team, she gets to travel across the nation and to various countries for competitions.

She also serves as the fencing coach at Maplewood High School.

“It has been a great experience,” she said.

Muhammad said she unfortunately did not get to compete in the Olympic Games in London last summer, but her goal is to make it the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

The ICNA was established in 1968 in response to the growing need for a supportive Muslim community in North America. The Muslim Family Day, first hosted at Six Flags in 2000, now attracts nearly 50,000 a year at several parks nationwide.

The grassroots organization focuses on self-development, education, outreach and social services.

For more information about the ICNANJ, visit home.icnanj.org. Contact Kathy Chang at kchang@gmnews.com

Article Courtesy: Sentinel

“People were very receptive (to the message of Islam)” said Sameer Shaikh, manager of one of the booths. The WhyIslam booths were the center of attention in two corners of the festival. After many hours of tiring dialogue, someone would be on the verge of shahadah; a proclamation of the Islamic creed, thereby entering the fold of Islam, but someone not very at-home with Islam would say something to dissuade her. This was a familiar routine. A young festival goer came and said “I lived among Muslims, heard everything good about Islam and now all I needed was the Quran – and there you are!” But the conversation with him ended with a shahadah.

One of the volunteers was describing the different kinds of people mentioned in the first chapter of the Quran, Surah Fatihah to very interested individual. She was saying that those who had invited the wrath of Allah and those who were astray. But those who were blessed with favors were those who took the guidance from God.

The booth came a day after the devastating Boston bombing attacks. The trained volunteers went out of their way to satisfy the thousands of queries and to convey the correct message of Islam with professionalism and excellence. “We were able to discuss with our visitors that Islam doesn’t condone violence and dispel many myths regarding Islam” said Dr. Salahuddin who is the manager of one of the booths.

Volunteers are always needed. To apply visit http://www.icna.org/volunteer

While there are various different booths around campus ranging from authors and publishing houses to fresh food collaboratives, there are two tents likely to stick out: Islamic organizations prepared to educate people about Muslims and the Islam religion.

The Islamic Circle of North America organization was established in 1968 and has been present at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books since 2004. The organization claims it’s the largest Muslim organization in America. The Islamic Circle’s main goal in attending this festival each year is to educate the people according to Waqas Syed, the organization’s deputy secretary general.

“We are more about offering facts about our religion; What does Islam say about terrorism, about violence, and other things so people can make their own informed opinion,” said Syed.

At the festival, the Islamic Circle of North America has distributed up to 12,000 copies of the literature and 4,000 copies of the Holy Qur’an all for free.

“The objective of the project is not to proselytize or convert people but to basically provide educational opportunities for the general public to know and inquire about Islam and Muslims,” he said.

This year, this festival is coming just days after the Boston Marathon explosion, which many Americans speculate has Muslim ties. Syed is concerned about how people will react to the booth this year, but doesn’t plan to back out. In previous years, there have been people who didn’t like this organization’s presence at the festival.

“a person whose Marine brother had died in the Iraq war was pretty upset and said you killed my brother and things like that, but overall we’ve had a very broad support from everyone” Syed said.

Al Islam is the second Islamic organization attending the festival this year. Al Islam is like a digital portal of books on Islam and lectures available for people who want to learn more about Islam.

Imam Shamshad Nasir belongs to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Nasir is the Regional Imam for California, Nevada, and Nebraska. “There are so many misunderstandings and Islam is a very misunderstood region in the world right now and especially in the American society,” Nasir said.

Nasir wants to clear up the stereotypes people have against muslims. “People think that all Muslims are terrorists, which is not true. We want to remove the misunderstanding by telling them that Islam is peace, Islam is submission to the will of God,” Nasir said.

Both organizations said they are aren’t trying to convert people to Islam, but better educate people about the religion.

In light of the Boston explosions, USC’s Department of Public Safety has said it’s asked for an on-call bomb sniffing dog and more LAPD officers to help out with the large crowds at the festival this weekend.

Article Courtesy: Annenberg Radio, USC

An Interview with Malika Rushdan, ICNA Relief

 
Boston, MA (April 20, 2013) – As always some individuals and communities are being scape-goated and marginalized, most recently in the aftermath of the tragic Boston Marathon bombings.

To look at this, our guest Malika Rushdan MacDonald will be briefly discussing the impact of the recent bombings on the local Muslim and the wider immigrant communities of Boston. Malika is Project Director for Boston operations with Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Relief.
 

 

We want to make it very clear to our fellow Americans that such acts of terrorism have no place in Islam. These acts are not just against Americans but against all mankind. Islam, our faith, condemns those who murder innocent people and God Almighty declares the killing of even a single innocent person as murdering the entire humanity.

ICNA calls upon the American Muslim community to engage in social justice and service work being offered by ICNA Relief and other Muslim relief organizations.

We also thank the media for not jumping to any conclusions and showing responsibility in reporting of the situation in Boston.

We pray for peace and harmony, and may such moments of trials bring our hearts closer to one another.