Uvalde School Shooting: Statement from ICNA
Another Mass Shooting: This Madness Must Stop! Issued on: 5/24/2022 It is with great sadness that ICNA learns of the massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas that leaves 19 innocent children and 2 adults dead and several injured. It leaves us once again searching for answers and depressed at the collective state of our American culture. Why such mass shootings happen over and over again? What actions are our lawmakers taking to stop such atrocities other than offering “prayers” and long emotional speeches? As investigations are underway, ICNA takes this moment to send condolences to the families who have lost near and dear ones and for those injured, a speedy recovery. No words can wipe out the tears and sadness for the loss of these innocent lives. How sad it is for parents never to see their children return from school and tell their little stories! How sad that they will not ever see their children walk the halls for their graduation! How dreams are shattered by such acts of terror. With so much hate and hate speeches increasing by the day from political leaders, our society is simply heading in the wrong direction. So far this year almost 200 mass shootings have taken place. This is about 1.45 mass shooting per day. ICNA calls on officials to make every effort to stop this culture of murder that is taking root in our country. Hate speeches from officials must be taken seriously and dealt with accordingly. They have direct effect on our souls of our nation. Why is there so little emphasis on the spiritually of our nation only to be substituted by hatred, bigotry, racism and arrogance? It is hate and the accessibility of weapons that would lead an 18-year old to walk in a school and take his vengeance out on poor, little defenseless children. It is what causes a 19 year old just a matter a days before to travel several hundred miles to go to a grocery store and kill 10 people of color in Buffalo New York. How many more mass shootings in schools, places of worship, public spaces or elsewhere need to happen in our country before our lawmakers decide to take action? (Photo Credit: Texas Livestream)
Eid Mubarak!
My dear brother and Sister in Islam, السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ , I, on behalf of Islamic Circle of North America, ICNA, wish you a blessed, happy, and a joyful Eid. We are thankful to Allah SWT for providing us with an opportunity to offer our Salat and recitation of Quran once again in our masajid, standing shoulder to shoulder in congregation. We ask Allah SWT to accept all of our sacrifices, rituals, prayers, recitation of Quran, charity, and other good deeds. I will also take this opportunity to remind myself and everyone else about the plight and difficulties of our brothers and sisters around the world. This year was no different than previous years for our brothers and sisters in masjid Al-Aqsa. Once again, they were attacked while offering their prayer. Similarly, we continue to see the brutality, injustice, and discrimination against our brothers and sisters in India. Furthermore, our brothers and sisters that are working diligently for the cause of Islam and the Islamic Scholars throughout the world are facing all sorts of challenges and hardship. We pray to Allah SWT that He enables our efforts to have some positive impact in this regard and that He SWT relieves them of their pain and suffering during these difficult time. We as American Muslims should especially commit to making an effort to the best of our capacity so that can do our part in the face of all the aforementioned circumstances. We make Dua that the coming year will be a better year for us as a Muslim and as a human being. Once again, I want to remind you that the in-person ICNA convention is back on May 28th-30th this year in Baltimore. Many of you have already registered and we will see you there Insha Allahl. السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ Dr. Mohsin Ansari PresidentIslamic Circle of North America – ICNAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpN_1UQu5f8&feature=youtu.be
Ramadan Mubarak
My dear brother and Sister in Islam, السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُ ,We are all thankful to Allah SWT for giving us an opportunity to witness another month of Ramadhan. During the two last years, our world has seen one of the biggest calamity of our lifetime. We saw lot of sadness, gloom and sorrow around us. We are thankful to Allah SWT for giving us an opportunity to prove ourselves as His obedient servants, once again. Let’s make this Ramadhan the best one of our lifetime. Lets promise to Allah SWT to mold our lives in a way that is in line with being faithful servants to Him SWTLet’s become better followers of the Quran.Let’s become role models for others living around us.Let’s promise to ourselves that we will improve our personal life.Lets make a promise that in this Ramadhan we will change for good. May Allah SWT give us an opportunity to do so. On behalf of Islamic Circle of North America, ICNA, I want to invite you to attend the Doura-Quran, the Quran circles, pre-Iftar sessions which we have arranged all across the country. Please join in your communities to benefit from these sessions. I will also request you to keep us in your prayers. I will also request you to keep the Muslims all over the world in your prayers. This organized Islamic work needs your help and support. So I hope that you will make a special duas and support us in this month of Ramadhan. Finally, I will remind you that, insh Allah, ICNA National convention is coming soon. Again, all praise and thanks be to the All Mighty. The ICNA convention, after three long years, will resume being in-person. Insha Allah, we will celebrate our Eid together from 28th to 30th of May in Baltimore, Maryland Let’s make dua for those who left us in last two years. Please make duas for anyone suffering across the world and make a commitment to Allah SWT that we will do our best to be his faithful, obedient servants and do what is needed to be done to be a true Momin/Muslim. السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَ رَحْمَةُ اللّهِ وَ بَرَكَاتُهُDr. Mohsin Ansari PresidentIslamic Circle of North America – ICNAhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpL2ZR9c2Qg&feature=youtu.be
Women’s History Month
They are Honored, Women of Islam Women’s History Month March 2022 “She believed in me when the whole world refuted me and she attested to my trueness when the whole world accused me of falsehood. She offered me compassion and loyalty with her wealth when everyone else had forsaken me.” said the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ peace be upon him about his beloved wife Ummul Mo’mineen Khadija bint Khuwailyd ؓ. The contribution of Muslim women in the establishment of Islam started with our mother Khadija, may Allah be pleased with her and is still happening each and every day. Muslim women throughout the history played their role in the field of Dawah, education, government and were never afraid to shed their blood for the Deen of Allah, SWT. They were the first to shed their blood for Islam. They facilitated the migration of the Prophet ﷺ, peace be upon him, from Makkah to Madinah. They helped protect the city of Madinah from the invaders. They memorized the Quran and Hadith of the Prophet. They donated for the cause of Islam and did not fear poverty. They were scholars who taught the Quran and Hadith. They were not shy to challenge the Khalifa of the time or helped a Qadhi to correct his legal verdict. They were the first to start an Islamic University. They were the ones to send their husbands, brothers and sons to fight for Islam against the Mongols or Crusaders or others. And, they are the ones, as mothers and grandmothers teach Quran to their little ones and instill in them the love for Allah and His Messenger Muhammad ﷺ, peace be upon him. They are the Jewels of Islam! Umme Salma ؓ (Radi Allah Annha) Umme Salma ؓ, her name was Hind bint Abe Umayya, but she is very well known as Umm-e-Salma ؓ. She belonged to a very respectable family and was famous for her knowledge of Islam and her wisdom. She was first married to Abdullah ؓ bin Abdul Assad Makzoomi, who was known as “Abu-Salma Umm-e-Salma ؓ had the honor to be the blessed woman who accepted Islam at its early stage. Her father Abe Umayya bin Abdullah ؓ bin Umro bin Makzoom was very generous person. Her mother was Aatika binte Amer Rabiya bin Malik bin Khazima. She inherited this quality of generosity from her parents. She was very happy and enjoyed the life when she was married to the brave, wealthy and kindhearted Abdullah ؓ bin Abdul Assad. The Holy Prophet ﷺ advised the Muslims to migrate to Abyssinia when the persecution became unbearable. Umm-e-Salma ؓ and Abullah ؓ were ready to undertake this immigration. This was the first batch of Immigrants to Abyssinia which consisted of 20 persons of whom 4 were women. Umm-e-Salma ؓ and her husband were happy there in Abyssinia and they had a beautiful daughter Zainab and a son named Umar also second daughter Durra was born there. The king of Abyssinia extended all comforts and facilities to the immigrants. Umm-e-Salma ؓ narrates that they came back to Makkah when they heard that Umer bin Khattab ؓ embraced Islam and the atmosphere there was peaceful for the believers, but this was not so when they came to Makkah and they had to accept the prevailing situation. Umme Salamah ؓ had vowed to delicate herself to Allah since she embraced Islam. She faced the most difficult and the most horrible situation, but Allah SWT was with her. She once made up her mind again to migrate to Abyssinia, but Prophet ﷺ asked them to migrate to Madinah. She prepared herself for migration to Madinah. Abu Salma ؓ brought a camel for this purpose. The family members of her objected for her departure and detained her at Makkah. Also the members of the family of Abu Salma ؓ came there and snatch my children and said that they would look after the children at Makkah. Only Abu Salma ؓ left for Madinah and Umm-e-Salma ؓ and her children had to stay at Makkah. Umm-e-Salma ؓ was very much upset and worried at this separation. At last, the family members of Umm-e-Salma ؓ took pity on her and the children were also brought by them and given to her. She was allowed to go to Madinah. She undertook the journey to Madinah all alone and reached Madinah. Uthman bin Talah ؓ, who was also going to Madinah and helped her very nicely and accompanied her till she met Abu Salma. Abu Salam ؓ participated in the battle of Uhad and he was among those who remained firm. He suffered a serious injury in that battle from which he was healed but not totally. For, after some time, the wound decayed and deteriorated until claimed his life. She was married to the Holy Prophet ﷺ in the year 4 Hijra. The prayer made by Abu Salma ؓto Allah SWT to give her a better husband was thus accepted by Allah SWT. She was a very great scholar of Islam, sagacious and wise woman. When the Prophet ﷺ commanded the people to slaughter their sacrificial animals and get their heads shaved at the Hudaybiah. The people were suffering distress for nothing. He ﷺ came to his tent and feeling indignant. He told Umm-e-Salma ؓ that he had commanded the people to slaughter their sacrificial animals and get their heads shaved but there is no response from them. Umm-e-Salma ؓ said “O Prophet of Allah: You cannot make these 1500 people do what they don’t want, just do your own duty which Allah SWT has imposed on you. Go ahead and perform your own rites in an open place so that every one of them can see you..” The Holy Prophet ﷺ stepped out of the tent and offered the slaughter of the camel. The people immediately came forward and did the same as the Prophet ﷺ was doing. She was very pious and learned. She knew reading and writing. She had the
Malcolm X – In remembrance
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while addressing the Organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City at 39 years old. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/malcolm-x-assassinated Malcolm X’s legacy is remembered by those in America for his fight for Black nationalism and Black liberation. He is remembered around the world by Muslims for his conversion to Sunni Islam after leaving the Nation of Islam. His words about Islam, peace, and race hold meaningful weight and perspective about being a Black man in America. Malcom X, born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska was the son of a Baptist preacher. Facing threats from the white supremacist group, the Ku Klux Klan, his family was forced to flee to Lansing, Michigan. Malcolm’s father was murdered by a white supremacist, and Malcolm was taken from his family by welfare caseworkers. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/malcolm-x-assassinated Malcolm X – In remembrance When he was 21, Malcolm was sent to prison on a burglary conviction. In prison, he experienced Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. Muhammad was the leader of the Nation of Islam, which advocated for Black nationalism and racial separatism. Throughout his time in prison and after his release, Malcolm became involved in preaching self-defense and liberation of Black Americans. Through an incident where Malcolm X was suspended from the Nation of Islam, Malcolm formally left the NOI and made a pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj. Through this experience, Malcolm converted to Sunni Islam – adopting the name el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. After this, Malcolm shifted some of his views – rather than focusing on white people themselves, he was later advocating that racism was the larger issue. Although some ascertain that Malcolm had a drastic shift after the conversion, it is apparent that Malcolm still held onto his Black nationalist and liberation views. Curtis argues in his book “Islam in Black America,” Malcolm defined Islam in universalistic ways. “Islam was no more relevant to ‘black’ people than it was to ‘white’ people; it was a ‘human’ tradition that applied equally to all human beings” (Curtis, 85). Malcolm held onto his views on essentialist Black identity. At an address given to the Harvard Law School on December 16, 1964, Malcolm said, “Despite being a Muslim, I can’t overlook the fact that I’m an Afro-American in a country which practices racism against black people…whether I’m Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, atheist, or agnostic, I would still be in the front lines.” While some sanitize Malcom X’s views on race and religion after his conversion, it must be understood that his views on Black nationalism did not waver. His conversion allowed for him to utilize a different creed to understand the world, yet he still fought for Black liberation, and believed in pan-Africanism. Although mainstream society deems Malcolm’s words as too radical, too uncomfortable, his rhetoric, although at times at odds with others in the Civil Rights Movement (such as Martin Luther King Jr.), it is often forgotten that the sanitization of figures, leaders, and revolutionaries is created in order to detract from the impact that these figures had. We remember Malcolm X this month, and with this memory, hope to not just create a society that eradicates systemic oppression, but actively addresses it, gives reparations for it, and is equitable in this goal. After his assassination, Malcolm X’s legacy lives on. Many are radicalized when they read the autobiography of his life. Realizing the ways racism has impacted every aspect of life in America today, Malcolm X was a revolutionary who advocated charismatically and profoundly the struggles of Black America. Through his experience converting to the Nation of Islam to Sunni Islam, Malcolm X symbolizes the longstanding history of not only Islam in America, but liberation and struggle for Black Americans. His legacy is one that impacts all that fight for liberation, his words heard from DC to Jerusalem to Srinagar. To celebrate the legacy of Malcolm X, read his autobiography (readily available online), and evaluate his words, interpret his legacy into how you can live a life that fights for the rights of Black people in America. Many of the problems that existed when Malcolm X was alive persist to this day – Black history is not just about remembrance, but about action. Fighting to end oppression and make an equitable society is necessary.
Super Bowl – Super Dawah
As Los Angeles prepared for the Super Bowl 2022, ICNA Southern California along with WhyIslam assembled an all-star super dawah team. Masha Allah, team held various dawah events entire weekend in Torrance, Hollywood, Long Beach and outside Stadium for Super Bowl. Our goal is to dispel misconceptions about Islam, tackle Islamophobia and to bridge the gap between Islam and America.Here are some highlights: 6 people accepted Islam, Alhamdulillah Dawah at 3 locations – Hollywood, Long Beach and Outside Stadium Jummah Khutbahs and Dawah workshops on Friday While Super Bowl is over, ICNA Dawah activities continues. Our vision is simple – Reach Every Household with the Message of Islam. Masha Allah, we get a new request for a free Quran every 14 minutes! Please join this campaign and donate today. All donations are tax-deductible and zakat-eligible. Video Highlights from Super Bowl 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUGZl6b2Vr0 How can you help? Join and volunteer Start a dawah activity in city & we will support you Donate to strengthen “Reach Every Household” campaign Sponsor Quran distribution Join Dawah courses at the Dawah Academy Check Out More Dawah Initiatives at ICNADawah.org
Queens lawmaker with AAFE urging full census participation at Flushing food pantry
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City officials, advocates make last census push
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Covid-19 vaccine not only permissible but also obligatory, say Muslim scholars
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