Muslim nonprofit groups aid the needy, participate in interfaith events

19 September 2007

By Lauren Monsen
USINFO Staff Writer 

Muslim girls break the fast with dates before saying prayers at an iftar at the Islamic Center of Passaic County in Paterson, New Jersey. Iftars are often communal affairs at mosques across the United States and are also hosted by most Muslim organizations in America. (© AP Images)

Washington -- The sacred month of Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, is a time of spiritual renewal, with a strong focus on performing good deeds and deepening ties with neighbors and local communities.

The evening meal, known as iftar and held after sundown to break the Ramadan fast each day, often is a communal affair at mosques across the United States.  Iftars also are hosted by most Muslim organizations in America, including those in the nation’s capital.

At the Muslim Community Center (MCC) in Silver Spring, Maryland, iftars “are open to the public,” says MCC President Nehal Shah.  The All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center, which has seven branches throughout northern Virginia, shares this approach.

Dale Fuchs in Madrid
Thursday December 28, 2006
The Guardian


An organisation of Spanish Muslims has asked Pope Benedict XVI for permission to worship alongside Christians in the former Great Mosque of Córdoba, an elegant vestige of Moorish rule that was turned into a cathedral in the 13th century.

Why Pope Benedict XVI's Remarks are Offensive to Muslims, and violent reactions are against Islamic teachings.

Pope Benedict XVI's remarks tacitly associating Islam and Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s blessings and peace on him, with evil and violence are at best regrettable: It is quite rightly offensive to Muslims; it is factually incorrect and misleading, and can very well be construed as a ‘moral justification’ for the so called war on terror which has brought much death, destruction and devastation of entire countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Lebanon and still hangs over the heads of the people of the world like the sword of Damocles.

A message on behalf of Trustees, Director and Staff of IPCI

Early this morning, 8 August 2005 / 2 Rajab 1426, Sheikh Ahmed Hoosen Deedat passed on to meet his Creator. This was after succumbing to a severe stroke that left him paralysed for more than nine years.Throughout this period, he gracefully persevered under the most difficult personal conditions; however, not forgetting his task as a daee (Islamic worker) and an ambassador of Islam, he continued to inspire, educate, challenge and inform people about the universal message of Islam. It is on this solemn occasion of his demise that we salute the courageous spirit and phenomenal work of this world-renowned personality, a hero of the Muslim World, nay, a true hero of believers all around the globe!

Famed South African Islamic thinker and preacher Shaikh Ahmed Deedat has passed away at the age of 87 after a long struggle with illness.

Deedat, who died on Monday in the South African city of Durban, suffered a stroke in 1996 and had been bedridden ever since.

He fell ill shortly after a trip to Australia, a momentous tour on which he gave one of his most passionate talks, Easter: A Muslim Viewpoint.

(Washington, DC - 4/2/05) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council mourns the passing of Pope John Paul II, a religious leader of tremendous foresight who was tireless in his efforts to embrace people of different faiths.

The most-traveled pope of all times visited many Muslim countries, and, with an unprecedented papal visit to the Omayyad mosque in Syria in 2001, earned respect for his efforts at dialogue with Islam. He marked the historic event by issuing a plea for Christians and Muslims to forgive each other for the past. Over the course of his 26-year papacy, he was a resounding voice for justice, human rights, and peace.

CAIR calls John Paul II ‘an advocate for justice’

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 4/2/05) - A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today offered condolences on the death of Pope John Paul II.

The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said in a statement:

Arsalan Iftikhar, Myrtle Beach Sun-News, 3/2/05

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/news/opinion/11028301.htm

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether a monument engraved with the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the Texas state Capitol "is an impermissible establishment of religion in violation of the First Amendment."

My mother forwarded an e-mail to me the other day. She was concerned that a relative of ours was being misinformed about Islam. The forwarded e-mail suggested to the reader that they Boycott the Eid Stamp. My mother requested that I and another friend of mine that she knows, send a response to her regarding the e-mail. What follows is the original e-mail, the request of my mother, two respones, and the follow-up from my mother and our relative. I thought I would share it with everyone to hopefully help pass on some lesson.

A professor reveals warlike aspects of not only Zen Buddhism, but of other religions

When Brian Daizen Victoria starts talking about "holy war," it is in the surprising context of Zen Buddhism, traditionally a path to internal peace.