Seeking The Pleasure Of Allah – 2022 Highlights
السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ Since it’s inception in 1968, ICNA and it’s membership have worked tirelessly for the well being of American Muslims. ICNA has several thriving entities working in various spheres such as ICNA Relief, HHRD, ICNA’s Council for Social Justice, YM Brothers, YM Sisters, WhyIslam, ICNA Sisters, MCNA, Gain Peace, ILF, and multiple Islamic Centers, Masajid and schools. With every passing year, ICNA aims to benefit the Muslim American community and to tackle the new challenges we face in our constantly evolving environment. Our goal is to help develop an authentic Muslim American identity that is true to the Qur’an and Sunnah, serve as a unifying voice for Muslims, and encourage collaboration with people of other faiths. ICNA recognizes the difficulty that COVID caused in these past two years, especially in our community. With masajid, Islamic Centers, and various religious organizations closing due to the pandemic – we knew that, our community was missing the environment of togetherness. With this in mind, we aimed to bring Muslims from across the United States together, all across the country, through conventions, Muslim Family Days at various theme parks, and other events. To sum up our events in the past year: ICNA New Jersey hosted Muslim Family Day at Six Flags with more than 18,000 participants, the Dallas Muslim Festical was held at Southfork Ranch with over 25,000 participants, the Chicago Festival had 18,000 participants, and the ICNA Muslim Family Day in Maryland had 5,500 participants. Adding on to that, various conventions were held this year. The ICNA National Convention in Baltimore gathered over 22,000 participants, the Houston garnered over 4,000 participants, and the ICNA Mid Atlantic convention was attended by over 6,000 individuals. In past few years, the North American Muslim community has become more vibrant than ever before. Recognizing that, ICNA hosted various events in the spirit of bringing our community together to learn. Hence in the past six months, the total attendance for these events has exceeded over 100,000 people. ICNA hopes to continue its mission in engaging with other faith communities and interfaith organizations, and pursuing its commitment to building a Muslim community that is active and visible in the greater society. We ask that you join hands with us in helping us work for the Deen of Allah swt, to be Witnesses for Justice, to preserve our moral and family values and above all to seek the pleasure of Allah SWT. Your brother in Islam, Dr. Mohsin AnsariPresidentIslamic Circle of North America Photo Credit: Najam Abbasi, Asim Mushtaq https://youtu.be/Y1Fp-ISyaGQ Become a “Friend of ICNA”
Dr. Mohsin Ansari Elected As The President Of ICNA
JAMAICA, New York (December 20, 2022) – All Praises are for Allah Lord of all that exists and peace and blessings of Allah be on His final Messenger and his household. The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) National Election Committee announced that Dr. Mohsin Ansari has been elected for a second term as the President of ICNA for the years 2023-2024. Dr. Ansari has been associated with ICNA in different capacities for three decades and has previously served as the Chairman of ICNA Relief and Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD). He has also served on the National Shura ICNA since 2003, and has been associated with Islamic work for over 4 decades. Dr. Ansari is a Pediatrician and a Neonatal specialist. He completed his medical training at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Ansari is currently licensed to practice medicine in several states. He is also author of multiple research papers published both in national and international medical journals. He lives in Maryland with his wife and five children. We pray that Allah (swt) grants him strength, steadfastness and guidance to fulfill this responsibility, Aameen.
Pleasant, Loving, and Kind Hearted Br. Saqib Attique
All Praises are for Allah Lord of all that exists and peace and blessings of Allah be on His final Messenger and his household. Saqib Attique popularly named as “Wonder of HHRD” and “One Man Army” by his colleagues and friends was born on Sep-1974 in Pakistan. With the philosophy of “do good until I no longer can,” Saqib Attique continued his humanitarian work and fulfilled his role as Assistant Director of Development team, HHRD Helping Hand for Relief and Development, USA until his last days even with a series of serious health setbacks. Moreover, he was Program Manager of Children with Disabilities and Physical Rehabilitation, facilitator of HHRD operations in Haiti Lead, Regional Manager New Jersey, Promotional Manger of Marketing and National Conference Lead. Upon reflection on how one man could make such a positive difference in so many lives, those who knew him best identify qualities that were interwoven in the fabric of his being. A tireless work ethics that seemingly allowed him to bend space and time. An unshakable faith in Allah who calls us to a life of service to others. Saqib Attique had an uncanny ability to find happiness in his daily activities and his pleasant personality was contagious to everyone he met. A warmth and kindness that when you spoke to him, he made you feel like you were the most important and beloved person in the world. He wasn’t trying to win any popularity contests but lived a life of purpose by helping distressed humanity through welfare work. He was making difference and changing lives of many by dedicating his life for Islamic movement, supporting fund raising activities, collecting donations, organizing refugee camps. His positive work has inspired a lot of younger generations and motivated them to participate in community services. One of his biggest achievement was starting 1st Mid Atlantic Regional convention as his everlasting charity. At the age of 48, on Dec 9, 2022 the Muslim community mourned the tremendous loss of Saqib Attique who fought a courageous battle of kidney failure. Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi Raji’oon. To Allah we belong and to him we must return. Although, he battled chronic and debilitating illnesses for several years but he rarely talked about his challenges and always showed courage and patience. He left a legacy of Islamic Movement workers which is filled with selflessness, unconditional love, courage, commitment, compassion, standing for truth and pure dedication. He will be remembered forever for his everyday acts of kindness, commitment to working in the path of Allah SWT and in the service of those in need. He dedicated his life as a giver and more importantly he was extremely generous. One cannot describe the extent of loss that the Muslim community has felt with his departure. He will always be surrounded in the special prayers by the loved ones and they will continue to honor his legacy. Although he left this world but his loving heart has left a beacon of light for all Muslim Community.
Reverts/Converts Surviving The Holidays!
Surviving the #holidays as a new Muslim can be difficult, especially if you’re surrounded by unsupportive friends and family who perhaps don’t understand your new way of life. The good news is that we are here to support one another. Make sure to mark your calendars and invite others InshaAllah!
Native American Heritage Month
Walking the Red Path in Islam Anthropologists and archaeologists are generally unified in their view that Native Americans (Red Indians) were the original inhabitants of the Western hemisphere. The ancestors of modern-day Native Americans are uniformly heralded as the “First Americans,” whether the hypothesis is that migrants arrived in the Americas when the South American and African continents were physically joined, or that a mass migration came from eastern Asia across the Bering Straits to the southern-most regions of South America. Evidence of Islam among Native Americans during the pre-Columbian period is mostly sketchy as there is relatively little research on the subject. Notable exceptions are the works of a few individuals including Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick, Dr. Jerald Dirks, and Kambiz Ghanea Bassiri. Further historical documentation of indigenous people embracing Islam through their interaction with Muslim Malian explorers in the Americas in the early 1300s, as well as the Natives’ synergy with runaway Muslim African slaves in the United States, holds the promise of validating and building upon preliminary research in this recent field of study. While there is abundant historical research about the relationships between Europeans and Native Americans, and Europeans and Africans in America, definitive works about the relationships between Native Americans and Africans in America, from the 15th to the 19th centuries, have yet to be written. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, heralded as the “Father of Black History,” in 1920 referred to the absence of research in this area as, “…one of the longest unwritten chapters in the history of the United States.” The interaction of Natives and Africans in America is exemplified by a number of well-known historical figures. Crispus Attucks is recognized as the first martyr of the American Revolution. He was fatally shot by British troops during a street fight between American colonists and British soldiers in 1770. Tensions ran high due to the heavy taxes imposed by Britain. The incident became known as the Boston Massacre. Attucks was a Black Natick (Nantucket) Indian. Similarly, the father of the Back to Africa Movement, Paul Cuffee, was of Black and Indian (Dartmouth) parentage. He was a successful shipowner in Massachusetts, and in 1815 he transported and resettled in Sierra Leone 38 Black freedmen and former enslaved Blacks. Another example, one of the most notable and effective abolitionists of the mid-19th century, was Frederick Douglas, also of mixed Native American and African American ancestry. Following two previous failed attempts at freedom, Douglas escaped from a Baltimore plantation to New York, eventually settling in Massachusetts where he became known as a brilliant orator, author, and compelling abolitionist voice. Continue Reading…. Being Native American and Muslim I prefer being referred to as Native American. When someone says “Indian,” most people think it refers to a person from India. It’s more accurate to say Native American or Indigenous. My family is from South Dakota and growing up in Oglala in the southwest of the state, you are used to being around Native Americans every day, and everybody is related to you in some way. Both my mother and my father are Lakota (Sioux) Oglala. Being Native American and Muslim is a balancing act that is interesting because you know your heritage yet now you must learn new and different traditions. Some Muslims told me that you must turn your back on your native culture once you become Muslim. I wasn’t going to do that. Our family’s history goes back to the days of traveling with Crazy Horse, one of the most famous of the Oglala Lakota war chiefs. Both sides of my family fought at Little Big Horn, then they branched out with Red Cloud. We have a proud history that I can never ignore.My grandparents were very strict in religion. They were Christian. My grandfather knew the Old Testament backward and forward. It was rather difficult growing up with my grandparents because they would not allow certain things in the house. They insisted that Native Americans shouldn’t eat pork. I discovered that Muslims don’t eat pork and do several other things in a similar way as my grandparents. My grandparents and my mom lived in Oglala, South Dakota and my uncle lived in Wolf Point, Montana. We would spend part of the time in South Dakota and the other time in Montana. Growing up in two different states was interesting and fun. Coming to Islam I started to do research about Islam in 2005. I wanted to find out about Shariah law and what it meant. I was on a hunt to learn everything I could about Islam. I met online a brother from Egypt and he taught me a lot about the Islamic religion and being Muslim. When I asked him questions that he wasn’t sure about, he would tell me to keep the questions until I go to the mosque to take shahadah (declaration of faith). I eventually took my shahadah in 2007 at the mosque. Continue Reading….
Passing of Dr. Nejatullah Siddiqi
All Praises are for Allah Lord of all that exists and peace and blessings of Allah be on His final Messenger and his household. ICNA mourns the passing of one of the most renowned Islamic scholar of economics, Dr. Nejatullah Siddiqi on Friday, Nov 11th, 2022 at the age of 91. He was also a member of Jamaat-e-Islami India central executive. May Allah SWT grant him highest place in Jannatul Firdous! Dr. M. Nejatullah Siddiqi (born 1931, Gorakhpur, India) died this morning. He was a pioneer of Islamic economics and taught this subject in Aligarh Muslim University and King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He was also associated with Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah.He was a prolific writer in Urdu and English and had 63 works in 177 publications. His works were translated into Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, etc. His most widely read book is “Banking without interest” which was published in 27 editions between 1973 and 2000. He supervised dozens of PhD theses in Indian, Saudi and Nigerian universities.He was also associated with Jamaat-e Islami of India and was a founder-member of the All India Muslim Majlis-e Mushawarat, an umbrella body of Indian Muslim organizations established in 1964.
Passing of Sh. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
All Praises are for Allah Lord of all that exists and peace and blessings of Allah be on His final Messenger and his household. ICNA mourns the passing of one of the most renowned contemporary Islamic scholars Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi. He was the Founding President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and only recently stepped down from its presidency. He was 96. The death of Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi is a great loss to this Ummah and particularly to Islamic Movement. The Ummah has lost one of the most brilliant minds. Dr. Qaradawi was honored in 1994 with the prestigious King Faisal International Prize, recognizing his exceptional service to humanity in religious scholarship. Then again in 2000, he was given an international award as the “Islamic Personality of the Year” in Dubai. He spent his entire life calling Muslims both leaders and followers to come back to the Hukm of Allah SWT. In the process he challenged rulers including of his own country where he was jailed three times and subsequently stripped of his Egyptian citizenship driving him to seek exile in Qatar. He had strong determination, insight and a pragmatic approach in dealing with the problems facing the Muslim Ummah; qualities that are not given to many. His goal was clear; to please Allah SWT. He was not preoccupied with criticism but was very focused in solving the issues of the Ummah. His thoughts will live with us in the 120 books which he authored and from which millions have benefitted. May Allah SWT grant him the highest paradise of Paradise and grant patience to his family.
Abul A’la Al-Maududi
Abul Ala al-Moududi 25 September 1903 – 22 September 1979 Syed Maududi is not just the name of one Person. It is a mindset, approach, bravery, intellect, and a message of hope and light. Both Western and South Asian historians have described him as one of the most potent Islamic ideologues of the 20th century, whose ideas and writings went on to influence a vast number of Islamic movements in the world. Syed Maududi was able to do so much due to a few universal principles: Critical Lessons from his Life: He was a Focused person, and he knew his Road Map. He was well aware of the distractions of his time. He knew that he had minimal time and resources to achieve this monumental goal in front of him. He was a brave and fearless man who dared to think outside the box and challenge the status quo and all the obstacles between Humans and God Almighty. This Quality of Syedi had given him the courage to write the books like Khilafat o Malukiyat, and courage to take a stand and put his life on the line for Khatam E Naboat (Protection of the Finality of Prophet Mohammed as Last Messenger of Allah SWT), also confronting Munkreen Hadeeth, through his powerful writing like “Sunnat Ki Ayni Haysiat”. He was a man of vision, focus, and his foresightedness was not just limited to the audiences of his time but to future generations to come. He understood that history has proven that sometimes people have a better understanding of what is said today. Another quality of a true leader is knowing his time’s challenges, language, psyche, and potential. Having a hand on the pulse of society. Syedi had a complete understanding of his time and challenges as the Ummah was facing colonization and a slave mentality. Another quality we expect from everyone who is doing work of Allah SWT is sincerity, Ikhlas, which brings Barakah into the effort. Allah SWT has granted such a splendid acceptance of the work of Moulana that its impact can be seen worldwide. The impact of his writings is also visible in all of the revivalist movements of Islam across the world. It is mind-blowing that One Man has not only written Tafseer of Quran and many books but was able to raise an Islamic Movement, his movement is not just a Jamaat, group of few brothers, but it is a movement that happens once in hundreds of years. – Dr. Shahif Rafiq
$15M Pakistan Flood Relief Package
$15M FLOOD RELIEF PACKAGE FOR PAKISTAN Representing American Muslims, ICNA, and Helping Hand President of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Dr. Mohsin Ansari and CEO of Helping Hand USA (HHRD) Br. Javaid Siddqui are visiting Pakistan to oversee flood relief efforts. They expressed extreme concern that millions of Pakistanis are in dire need of help and assistance. Both the leaders visited worst affected areas and helped out in relief efforts. Later , in a press conference HHRD USA announced a package of 15 million dollars (ساڑھے تین ارب روپے) for Pakistan flood relief! DONATE TO HELPING HAND ICNA and Helping Hand USA is working day and night to distribute food, water, shelter kits, tarps, and the essentials that Pakistan needs at this time. This would NOT be possible without YOUR generous donations. We ask that you please keep #lendingahelpinghand during this tough time. www.hhrd.org/pakistanfloods Make Hope Float as Monsoon Season Devastates Pakistan 33 million residents need assistance with shelter, medicine, food, and clean water. Your support will help families and marginalized communicates receive live saving support. A helping hand for a hopeful heart can make a world of a difference. Visit www.hhrd.org/PakistanFloods today to see how you can help. DONATE TO HELPING HAND A Humanitarian Crisis of Epic Proportions is underway in Pakistan as Monsoon Flooding affects 33 Million Residents. Entire communities have been swept away leaving over 200,000 in temporary shelters. Join Helping Hand USA as we continue to provide immediate assistance across Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. To save a life visit www.hhrd.org/PakistanFloods DONATE TO HELPING HAND
