News
The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution endorsing the Goldstone Report, which found evidence suggesting that the Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas may have committed war crimes during Operation Cast Lead last winter (but reserves its harshest criticisms for Israel.) The report was discussed at the council for a vote for the first time earlier this month, but the Palestinians (under heavy pressure from the United States) opted to defer a vote on the resolution until the Council met again in March. The Palestinian leadership, however, come under heavy domestic pressure from this decision and so reversed course and called for a special session of the council to vote on the Goldstone Report. This episode is being closely watched in Washington because it presents the first real test of American engagement at the council. As I wrote at the time, the first non-vote was a pretty good example of the United States effectively pursuing its interests through diplomacy at the council. While this second vote did, in fact, endorse the report (an outcome the United States was trying to avoid) the final vote count was pretty weak: 25 in favor, 6 opposed, and 11 abstentions. This means that the issue has probably run its course. There is very little chance that (as the report suggests) the Security Council will consider granting the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over the crimes. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 October 2009 13:09 |
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Support MANA's Healing & Reconciliation Campaign
A Message from Dr. Altaf Husain, MANA's Asst. General Secretary
 Dear Believers, As Salaamu Alaykum!
In this month of forgiveness, I call upon Muslims to support MANA's campaign of Healing and Reconciliation, which is aimed at bringing the various segments of our Muslim community closer together, especially the indigenous and immigrant communities. The goal is to build a greater sense of appreciation for one another, generate a common sense of purpose, and develop a higher level of cooperation. Transcending racial, ethnic, national, and socioeconomic boundaries, we have come a long way in working together, alhamdulillah. However, we still have much more work to do in order to realize the ideal of our beloved Prophet Muhammad's hadith (peace and blessings be upon him) of being one body:
"The believers in their mutual compassion, love and sympathy are like a body; when a part of the body hurts the rest of the body responds with fever and wakefulness."
Imam Siraj Wahhaj, the Amir of MANA, has said many times that the success of the Muslim community in America depends on the indigenous and immigrant communities coming together, inspired by a functional unity and a common sense of purpose as we strive to serve Allah by serving our communities. We ask you to donate to our efforts and help us realize our goals.
Our Work
A Healing and Reconciliation Task Force, which is composed of Muslim leaders and representatives from leading Muslim organizations, met recently and laid out a plan for the Healing and Reconciliation Campaign. The plan includes:
- Town hall meetings throughout America focused on the issue of healing and reconciliation within the American Muslim community.
- Community activities to build stronger brotherhood/sisterhood such as "dine-arounds," the partnering of masjids, etc.
- Local joint projects such as oral history projects, city-wide Zakah initiatives, community service projects, etc.
- Youth activities such as joint youth group events, community cafés, etc.
The Task Force will produce a tool-kit which will give local communities a blueprint for adopting the Campaign and then provide assistance with planning and implementation.
A Personal Message
As a son of immigrant parents from India who settled in Cleveland, Ohio, I was blessed by Allah to have been raised in part by the historic Cleveland Muslim indigenous community with whom my parents had substantive and loving relations. I have vivid and warm memories of being welcomed into gatherings as a young boy, of being fed, and of being taught about Islam in America, and of being "schooled" in sports. I cherish those memories and am well aware that they shaped my future outlook in profound ways.
Sadly, although my reality and upbringing should have been commonplace for the current and coming generations, there are still too many Muslim communities in America, with superficial chasms and divides, which deprive each other of the tremendous opportunities to mutually benefit and learn from one another. I was honored to be appointed by Imam Siraj Wahhaj as a member of the Task Force on Healing and Reconciliation, and am personally committed to the vision of helping to instill mutual compassion, love and sympathy.
We need your financial support in realizing this vision of an American Muslim community that is one body. Donate generously to this worthy cause, especially during these blessed days of Ramadan. We need and appreciate your support.
 
May Allah, Most High, guide us all, purify our hearts, and reward our good.
Wishing you a blessed Ramadan!
Your brother in Islam,
Dr. Altaf Husain |
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Last Updated on Friday, 04 September 2009 20:59 |
Source: ISNA
(Plainfield, IN – August 20, 2009) The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) sponsored, along with over 30 religious organizations, a nationwide conference call with President Obama. Over 140,000 joined the call on August 19 at 5:00 pm, and several participants posed questions, which were answered by the Director of White House Domestic Policy Council, Melody Barnes.
ISNA was represented by Yasir Shareef, a member of the American Muslim Health Professionals’ Task Force on Health Affordability. Dr. Shareef shared his personal experience of finding increasing number of insured persons unable to meet health care needs because of limited coverage. He presented to the call participants cases of patients who were denied health coverage for urgently needed operations on minor technical grounds. “It’s my job to take care of my patients,” he pointed out, “but sometimes it feels as though it’s the insurance company’s job to keep me from doing it.”
President Obama spoke for 10 minutes and underscored the importance of health care reform and the need to provide universal coverage to all Americans. He pointed out the misinformation that plagues the debate, such as the “death panels,” and urged participants to take active roles to inform the public about the basic elements of the Health Reform Plan he put out.
The entire call-in with the president is available at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/40mins4health.
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Lexington, KY (05/22/09) - The Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA) strongly and unequivocally condemns the recent alleged plot to bomb two New York synagogues and to shoot down American military airplanes. The accused suspects are said to be affiliated with the American Muslim community.
Terrorist acts are prohibited in Islam, and MANA rejects any Islamically-based interpretation that purports to justify these or any other terrorist acts. The Holy Qur'an clearly states that killing one innocent person is like killing the whole of humanity (5:32). MANA stands united with other American Muslim organizations to condemn, confront, and challenge Muslim extremism.
While condemning the alleged bomb plot and the individuals said to be involved, MANA is concerned that their case might involve a paid FBI agent-provocateur who did not join an existing plot but actually manufactured and facilitated the plot. The FBI's use of agent-provocateurs who instigate terrorism by preying upon those who are angry and alienated is not an effective or ethical way of fighting terrorism. Such tactics engender suspicion of the FBI within the American Muslim community, and further compromises what could be a strategic and effective partnership to combat Muslim extremism. |
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4/24/09 - Professor William I. Robinson from UCSB is accused of Antisemitism for criticizing Israel's assault in Gaza. |
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 The Muslim American Society (MAS) announces with the deepest sorrow, the passage of its leader and one of the organization's founders, Dr. Ahmed El-Kadi, who returned to his Lord after suffering a massive stroke on Saturday, April 11, 2009, in Tampa, Florida.
A highly-principled man who lived and worked tirelessly in the way of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, Dr. El-Kadi will be remembered as one of the pioneers of the Islamic community in the United States.
Dr. El-Kadi founded numerous U.S. Islamic institutions, including the first Institute of Islamic Medicine for Education and Research based in Panama City, Florida, where he served as President; established with the hope that it would be a light-house in guiding and establishing Institutes of Islamic Medicines here in North America and over 60 Muslim countries. He also served as President of the Immune Technology Group in Fort Lee, New Jersey in addition to practicing thoracic cardiovascular and general surgery in Springfield, Missouri and Panama City, Florida. He also taught courses on surgery at the University of Missouri Medical Center and affiliated hospitals.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 April 2009 01:02 |
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 March 7, 2009 - Alexandria, VA - According to federal court briefs filed on Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Gordon Kromberg restated his request for the judge to overturn her order compelling prosecutors to turn over evidence regarding the 2006 plea negotiations. This marks the third time that the government has defied the court's order, signaling a desperate move to avoid revealing the facts in the 2006 plea negotiations. |
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Last Updated on Sunday, 08 March 2009 17:00 |
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Introducing an Online Community for Muslim Moms
A Project of the Muslim American Society, Maryland Chapter
GrowMamaGrow is an exciting new project designed for American Muslim mothers and young women. The website will provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for women to share experiences, support one another, grow in their spirituality, and inspire each other.
The site is officially LIVE on Jan. 2, 2009 at http://www.growmama.com. On our home page, you'll find the GrowMama Blog with regularly updated posts by a team of mother-bloggers on a wide range of topics. Browse through the archives and the resource page for readings on parenting, self-awareness, relationships, organizing, and health. The GrowMama discussion board is the "kitchen table" of our site, where real women share life experiences, discover friendships, and support each other.
Women of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. Whether you are a new mom, a seasoned parent, or not even married yet, please check out the blog, sign up on the discussion board, and join in. Spread the word to other Muslim moms and help make GrowMamaGrow a successful, thriving webspace.
GrowMamaGrow is a non-profit project of the Muslim American Society, which works to provide community-building projects and forums for people to connect and grow in every way.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 04 November 2009 13:19 |
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It is crucial that one has her/his facts straight about Israel’s war on Gaza. What events brought about this dreadful situation? What needs to be done to make it stop? These questions will be answered in the content of this article, using concrete facts from a variety of news sources. http://www.ifamericansknew.org/cur_sit/sheets.html |
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January 18, 2009 "The Guardian" - Editorial - The status of Hamas as the preferred vehicle for Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation has been enhanced by the indiscriminate brutality of the military assault. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/18/gaza-israel-palestinian |
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