Browsing All Posts filed under »Balance vs Extremism«

Muslim Attorney Receives Death Threat from Minnesota

July 13, 2007

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Source: CAIR Newsletter (Note from Rafik Beekun: Mr. Mohammedi is the attorney representing the six imams who filed a lawsuit alledging racial and religious discrimination–see article below). The letter, sent from Minnesota to attorney Omar T. Mohammedi, states in part: “Who cares if the Federal courthouse is secure (which it really is not). . .Do […]

The Six Imams File Lawsuit Alleging Racial and Religious Discrimination

July 13, 2007

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Source:  Aisha Aziz, Southern California Infocus WASHINGTON – Six imams, who were removed from a U.S. Airways flight last year, have filed a lawsuit for racial and religious discrimination, unleashing a fresh outcry from right-wing bloggers, columnists, and media, who commented extensively against the imams when they were first de-planed in November. Headlines such as […]

Good Samaritan 101: Dr. Jessica Stern’s Speech on Double Standards Among Terror Critics

July 12, 2007

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 Source: Heather Robinson from the New York Sun A lecturer in public policy at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government claims there is a double standard by which Muslim clerics are criticized for not condemning Islamist terrorism when “rabbis are not condemning the violent settlers’ movement.” Jessica Stern‘s lecture and those of other participants sought to […]

Is There Academic Bias on U.S. University Campuses?

July 12, 2007

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CNN Interview: Ibrahim Hooper and Laura Flanders vs. David Horowitz

Muslim Doctors Angry and Saddened by Possible Terrorist Plot

July 7, 2007

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Source: Kmov.com Some Muslim physicians in our area, want the public to know they are angry and saddened by the possible terrorist plot, in the United Kingdom, which possibly includes Muslim medical professionals. Dr. Khaled Hamid a CAIR board. Member says, “We are part of the society, to stay and are not a threat.” [more] […]

Statement from the Association of Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) Regarding UK Terrorism Incidents

July 6, 2007

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July 4, 2007 It is with a heavy heart that we read about the affair in the United Kingdom. As we consider these events, we hope to remind ourselves and our peers in the health and the muslim communities of several things: We have faith in the British system of justice and hope and expect […]

Some U.K. Muslim Physicians Betraying Islam and the Medical Profession

July 5, 2007

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Source: New York Post Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, M.D. July 4, 2007 — AS THE investigation of the terror plots in London and Glasgow unfolds, I am experiencing the emotions I often do in hearing that people associated with my faith are involved – incredulity, anger, and outrage that once again, these heinous acts are associated […]

Fatwa Against Terrorism issued by U.S. Religious Council

July 2, 2007

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In light of the recent events in the United Kingdom, I am reprinting the following fatwa released in July 2005 from the highest body of Fiqh scholars in the U.S. as a reminder to all of us: The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam’s absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism. Islam strictly condemns […]

Media Misusing Statistics When Reporting on Muslims

June 26, 2007

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Sources: The Pew Research Org and Abiya Ahmed The first-ever, nationwide, random sample survey of Muslim Americans finds them to be largely assimilated, happy with their lives, and moderate with respect to many of the issues that have divided Muslims and Westerners around the world. The Pew Research Center conducted more than 55,000 interviews to […]

Caring for People with Special Needs in Islam

June 14, 2007

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by Muhammad Mus`ad Yaqut The civilized world has recently paid attention to people with special needs. This started after it had cast aside corrupt, racist theories calling for neglecting them on the false grounds that people with special needs are not of any benefit to the society. A report issued by the United Nations International […]

Balancing the Prophet (s)

June 5, 2007

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By Karen Armstrong Published: April 27, 2007, Financial Times Ever since the Crusades, people in the west have seen the prophet Muhammad as a sinister figure. During the 12th century, Christians were fighting brutal holy wars against Muslims, even though Jesus had told his followers to love their enemies, not to exterminate them. The scholar […]

Contre Le Terrorisme et L’extrémisme Religieux : Position et Responsabilité du Musulman

June 3, 2007

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I. Notre position par rapport au terrorisme L’humanité vit aujourd’hui dans un monde interdépendant et interconnecté où l’interaction paisible et juste, incluant le dialogue inter et intra-religieux, devient impérative. Le fléau de l’extrémisme religieux et politique qui se manifeste sous plusieurs formes de violence, y compris, le terrorisme, constitue une grave menace pour nous tous […]

Islam Is Against All Forms of Terrorism and Extremism

June 2, 2007

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Source: ISNA Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Extremism Task Force Against Terrorism and Religious Extremism: Muslim Position and Responsibilities I. Our Position on Terrorism Humanity lives today in an interdependent and interconnected world where peaceful and fair interaction, including interfaith and intra-faith dialogue, is imperative. A grave threat to all of us nowadays is the scourge of religious […]

Somali Muslims Returning to Jobs After Quitting Over Muslim Prayers Issue

May 30, 2007

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By OSKAR GARCIA Associated Press Writer © 2007 The Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. — Dozens of Somali meatpacking workers who quit their jobs because they were not given enough time off for Muslim prayers have returned to work, but the issue could resurface as sundown inches later through the spring, a union official said Friday. […]

Salam Al-Maryati in a conversation with Irshad Manji

May 28, 2007

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Source: KCET.online If you have access to a podcast program (such as Itunes), please listen to the following link within your podcasting program. Writer Irshad Manji joins Executive Director of the Progressive Muslim Union Ani Zonneveld and Executive Director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council Salam Al-Marayati in a conversation following a screening of the […]

Muslim Scholars Look at Conflict Between Islamic Tenets and Job Duties

May 6, 2007

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May 05, 2007 By Omar Sacirbey When the Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America convenes later this year, the few dozen Islamic scholars will try to hammer out an answer to a question vexing the North American Muslim community: How do Muslims reconcile the mandates of their faith with jobs that may require actions prohibited […]

Islamophobia 101–Episode 14: Florida Mosque Set on Fire by Arsonists

April 14, 2007

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Source: Abbie Vansickle, St Petersburg Times Someone deliberately set fire Thursday morning to the Islamic Education Center of Tampa,Florida, a mosque tucked into a neighborhood of tidy suburban homes in Town ‘N Country, according to Hillsborough Fire Rescue and the FBI. Whether hate fueled the fire remained under investigation, said FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier. […]

Islamophobia 101–Episode 13–Wafa Sultan: Reformist or Opportunist?

March 26, 2007

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 Rafik Beekun  To put into perspective Wafa Sultan’s attacks against Islam,  I am first including as comprehensive a list of video clips as I can.   Her attacks on Islam focus on the Islamic Sources (specifically the Qur’an), the civilizational role of Islam and at times on Muslims.  Since her knowledge of Islam is very limited, and her […]

Target Stores Offer Muslim Employees Acceptable Alternatives

March 20, 2007

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Steve Karnowski, Associated Press, 3/19/07 Muslim cashiers at some Minneapolis Target stores who object to ringing up products that contain pork are being shifted to other positions where they don’t need to, the discount retailer said Saturday. The Star Tribune reported last week that some Muslim cashiers at local Targets had declined to scan pork […]

Contradicting Islam, Some Muslims Are Violating The Laws of the Country They Reside In

March 15, 2007

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Source: ABC Premium News (Australia) Australia: Federal Assistant Treasurer Peter Dutton has asked the Tax Commissioner to investigate reports that some hardline Muslim clerics are encouraging people to cheat the tax system. A newspaper report today suggests some extremist clerics are advocating tax avoidance because they say paying tax is contrary to Islamic law. Mr […]

The Cost of ‘Progress’: Commercialization of Islam’s Holiest Site in Makkah

March 8, 2007

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Source: The New York Times by Hassan M. Fattah Five times a day across the globe devout Muslims face this city in prayer, focused on a site where they believe Abraham built a temple to God. The spot is also the place Muslims are expected to visit at least once in their lives. Now as […]

Serious Considerations in Mixed Groups: Interacting with Members of the Opposite Sex At Work

March 5, 2007

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Source: Arab News. Reprinted here with permission. Dr. Abd Al-Haleem Abu Shuqqah Note from Rafik Beekun: This article is reproduced here because of the increased interaction between men and women in the workplace, and the need for Muslims and Muslimahs to understand and abide by the Islamic etiquette of conduct among members of the opposite […]

Interfaith Group Breaks Down the Wall of ‘Islamophobia’

February 26, 2007

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By: NICOLE SACK – Staff Writer TEMECULA —- When U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison was sworn in as the first Muslim member of Congress in January, the Minnesota Democrat took his oath of office on a copy of the Quran that had belonged to the author of the Declaration of Independence and third president of the […]

Freedom of Faith at Work: A Major Issue for US Muslims

February 25, 2007

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BY SHANNON PRATHER Pioneer Press School bus driver Seham Nabry says her boss confiscated her prayer mats and complained that her ritual hand and feet washing messed up the office bathroom. She also says he blared Christian music and taunted Muslim workers as they prayed. Nabry said giving up her daily prayers — one of […]

Woman Minister Gunned Down For Not Wearing Proper Islamic Dress

February 25, 2007

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by Azhar Masood and Agencies Arab News ISLAMABAD, 21 February 2007 — A suspected militant yesterday shot dead Punjab’s minister for social welfare while she was about to address a meeting in Gujranwala. Fayyaz Chattha, the district administrator of Gujranwala, told Arab News a serial killer shot the minister, Zille Huma Usman, wounding her seriously. […]

Listening to Music (during work breaks or for leisure): Fatwa from Sheikh Yusuf Qardawi

February 22, 2007

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From Islamonline.net [With respect to] music and why it is permissible, here is the clarification for that in the light of fatwa issued by Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi: The whole issue of singing is controversial, whether it is with musical accompaniment or not. Some issues succeeded to gain the Muslim scholars’ agreement, while others failed. All scholars […]

New BBC Poll Finds Significant Middle Ground between Islam and The West

February 19, 2007

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VIEWS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MUSLIM AND WESTERN CULTURES Can find common ground Violent conflict inevitable France 69% 23% Germany 49% 39% Great Britain 77% 15% India 35% 24% Indonesia 40% 51% Italy 78% 14% Kenya 46% 35% Lebanon 68% 26% Nigeria 53% 37% Turkey 49% 29% US 64% 31% By Roger Hardy BBC Islamic affairs […]

Good Samaritan 101: Mr. Aguilar, Spanish Minister of Justice

February 17, 2007

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Congratulations to  the Spanish Minister of Justice, Mr. Juan Fernando Lopez Aguilar, for taking a stand against gender discrimination in Saudi Arabia. During an official visit to Saudi Arabia last month, Mr. Aguilar was invited to speak at Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University. When the Minister learned that female journalists traveling with him would […]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 11–Pseudo-Experts Muddying the Truth about Islam: The Cases of Robert Spencer and Craig Winn

February 10, 2007

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by Rafik Beekun Robert Spencer is a self-proclaimed expert on Islam.  Khaleel Mohammed, Louay M. Safi and Carl Ernst assert that Spencer has no academic training in Islamic studies at all–his M.A. degree was in the field of early Christianity–, that he does not have any understanding of Islam, and that he is very selective […]

New Fatwa Forbids Qur’an Verses as Ring Tones

February 7, 2007

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Friday, 2 February, 2007, 01:10 PM Doha Time DUBAI: Dubai’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Dr Ahmad Abdul Aziz al- Haddad issued a fatwa yesterday prohibiting the use of verses from the Holy Qur’an as mobile phone ring tones. Al-Haddad said that using the Qur’an on mobile phones was “a violation to its glory and sacredness.” The […]

Warning: Beware of the Fake Revelation titled ‘The True Furqan’

February 6, 2007

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by Rafik Beekun Just reading the reviews below makes one understand very clearly the purpose of those who “wrote” this book: “The True Furqan has the potential to be the most practical and powerful tool to share the message of the True Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Muslim world.”–Amazon.com review  According to the Baptist […]

Good Samaritan 101: Policemen Punished for Harassment of Muslim Woman

February 6, 2007

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by Sean Murphy Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY — A police officer in the small eastern Oklahoma town of Webbers Falls was fired and another was demoted after a Muslim woman claimed they harassed her about her religion during a traffic stop in November, a town official confirmed Thursday. The town’s council members agreed to fire […]

Anti-Muslim Mindset Unnecessarily Draining US Financially

February 1, 2007

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by ABUKAR ARMANA A recent public opinion survey conducted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reveals that Muslims are still perceived negatively in the U.S. […] An open-ended question, “When you hear the word ‘Muslim,’ what is the first thought that comes to your mind?” indicates that Muslims still carry the 9/11 burden.  Only […]

Attacks on Journalists and the Press in Muslim Countries

January 30, 2007

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Source: Committee to Protect Journalists.  Being a journalist in a Muslim country is one of the most perilous jobs at this time.  In comparison to the USA where freedom of the press is relatively untampered with (see video at the end of this article), critiquing the status quo or those in power in Muslim countries […]

The BBC interviews Keith Ellison, First US Muslim Congressman

January 17, 2007

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Keith Ellison is one of the most intensely scrutinised members of the new Democratic intake – the first Muslim member of Congress. In an exclusive BBC interview he talks to Stephen Sackur about what he wants the Democrats to do with their new found clout. Please click here to watch this excellent interview by Stephen […]

Islamophobia 101: Episode 9–Michael Savage: “Kill 100 million Muslims!”

January 16, 2007

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Source: Media Matters Almost on a daily basis, on Talk Radio Network’s The Savage Nation, nationally syndicated radio host Michael Savage (aka Michael A. Weiner) launches a tirade against Islam and Muslims. Such relentless attacks can only foster hate against and distrust of Muslims both in the workplace and elsewhere. Michael Savage rarely tolerates any […]

Islamophobia 101-Episode 7: Senator Boxer Misled by Anti-Muslim Extremists

January 10, 2007

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Barbara Boxer rescinds her award to a Muslim activist after Anti-Muslim, right-wing extremists’ complaints are voiced. Watch the vigorous response from Ibrahim Hooper of CAIR on Paula Zahn’s CNN show.

Islam and Stress Management (Part 6): Relaxation and Humor

January 6, 2007

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by Rafik Beekun at the Islamic Workplace blog Sources: http://www.fridaynasiha.com and compiled from “The Lawful and The Prohibited in Islam” – Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, p. 292, Sheikh Jamal Zarabozo’s article on ‘The Manner of Joking in Islam’ from Islam House, and an article from Islamway At times, Muslims can take themselves too seriously, and present too […]

US Muslim Congressman Keith Ellison shakes the hand of Virgil Goode

January 5, 2007

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In spite of Islamophobic attacks by Congressman Goode on him, Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to the US Congress, went to shake his hands during the inauguration ceremony. Goode’s back is towards the camera. Congressman Ellison’s behavior models that of the Prophet (s) who asked how the woman who had been putting trash on […]

Bush says feds can open U.S. mail without warrant

January 4, 2007

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Source: The Seattle Times By James Gordon Meek, New York Daily News WASHINGTON: Jan 4, 2007 — President Bush quietly has claimed sweeping new powers to open Americans’ mail without a judge’s warrant. Bush asserted the new authority Dec. 20 after signing legislation that overhauls some postal regulations. He then issued a “signing statement” that […]

U.S. Muslim Mayor Avoids Mixing Politics and Religion

January 4, 2007

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Source: The Record By Maya Kremen “Hey, what’s up,” Mayor Mohamed Khairullah says. “Assalam alaikum. I got your e-mail.” Khairullah, 31, set a precedent in November by becoming the state’s first elected Arab-American Muslim mayor. Now he’s all about proving that, like any good politician, a Muslim can serve the public without mixing religion into […]

Condition of Migrant Workers and Women in Saudi Arabia

January 2, 2007

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Source: Human Rights Watch 2006 Report Migrant Workers The estimated 8.8 million largely South and Southeast Asian and Arab foreign workers in Saudi Arabia comprise a third of the country’s population, according to Minister of Labor Ghazi al-Gosaibi. Many face exploitative working conditions, including sixteen-hour workdays, no breaks or food and drink, and often remain […]

Good Samaritan 101: Rabbis for Human Rights

December 31, 2006

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This video highlights the strong emphasis on social and economic justice in Judaism, and the courageous work being done by Rabbis for Human Rights to safeguard the human and economic rights of all, including Palestinians, within Israel.

Tolerance towards others (Part 1)

December 27, 2006

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From Rafik Beekun:  The following hadith is narrated by Abdur Rahman bin Abi Laila in Sahih Bukhari, volume 2, hadith 399: Sahl bin Hunaif and Qais bin Sad were sitting in the city of Al-Qadisiya. A funeral procession passed in front of them and they stood up. They were told that funeral procession was of […]

Good Samaritan 101: Two US Lawmakers defend Keith Ellison and American Muslims

December 21, 2006

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One US Congressman nd one US Senator have come to the aid of the first Muslim elected to Congress, Keith Ellison. Here are their letters defending Congressman Ellison and American Muslims in general: Rep. Honda’s Letter to Rep. Goode – 12/21/06 Dear Congressman Goode: I was surprised and offended to hear about a constituent letter […]

UNDP Report: Islamic Movements at the Vanguard of Women’s Empowerment

December 11, 2006

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Source: Arab Human Development Report Launch, December 06, 2006 According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Arab Human Development Report 2005 due to be released in 2006, women in the Arab world are not realizing their full potential and are not being provided with equal opportunity. The report states that this situation poses difficulties […]

Islamophobia (Episode 4): All terrorists are Muslim!!!

December 7, 2006

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Waiting until the elections were over, Florida Congresswoman Brown-Waite says all terrorists are Muslim. However, some good Samaritans defended Muslims. Specifically, we should congratulate Governor Jeb Bush for disassociating himself from another islamophobe, and we should thank TV channel FOX 13 for challenging the congresswoman during the interview. She cut the interview short when she […]

Yusuf Islam sings “Peace Train” again

December 4, 2006

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A wonderful new version of “Peace Train” sung by Yusuf Islam according to Islamic parameters regarding music, and by the Grace of Allah, he is as moving as ever.

Medical and Media Professional Women Asked to Leave Seminar

November 25, 2006

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Source: Raid Qusti for Arab News RIYADH, 22 November 2006 — A presenter from King Saud University at an international medical seminar at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center caused a stir yesterday when he insisted that all women — including medical and media professionals — leave the room before he would enter […]

Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qardawi on Excessiveness (Ghuluw) in Religion

November 20, 2006

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Note from Rafik Beekun: At times, some Muslims may be excessive in their practice of deen in the workplace, their personal life and elswhere. The current rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan and their extreme viewpoints (with respect to the rights of women in Islam and their lack of tolerance for any other Islamic interpretation […]