Alsalamu alikum,

One of my friends sent me the article referenced below; its title grabbed my attention, because every time I get to hear about Obama making it clear that he is not a Muslim, I feel sad. Not only because I care about every human, and I would like to see him/her a Muslim, it makes me sad because I remember that there was a time when non-Muslims wished they were Muslims, and here is a person, who had a Muslim Father, rejecting the "accusation" and "smear" of being a Muslim.

An Interview with Imam Zaid Shakir

By WAJAHAT ALI

Many of his students refer to him as the "new Malcolm X for Muslim Americans." Trying to obtain an interview with the "new Malcolm" requires persistence, patience, and several callbacks. "He had an unexpected speech, can we re-schedule?" "Sorry, he's completely booked for the next week. Can you all call again?" "O.K., he can squeeze in some time at 9 a.m., can you do that?"

By Ibrahim Hooper

[Ibrahim Hooper is national communications director for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil liberties group. He may be contacted at: ihooper@cair.com ]

During last year’s protests over publication of the Danish cartoons designed to insult the Prophet Muhammad, I wrote a commentary called “What Would Muhammad Do?”

Given the ongoing controversy over the jailing of British teacher Gillian Gibbons in the Sudan for “insulting Islam,” perhaps it is time to remind us all how the Prophet himself reacted to insults, both real and perceived.

Large majority in House of Representatives backs measure

By Lea Terhune
USINFO Staff Writer

Washington – A resolution recognizing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and expressing the "deepest respect to Muslims in the United States and throughout the world" was adopted in the U.S. House of Representatives October 2 by a vote of 376-0.

The resolution acknowledging the importance of Muslims in America, the first of its kind, was introduced by Texas Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson and co-sponsored by 30 legislators, including Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota.  Ellison is the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Congress.

"It’s a sign of respect and recognition. It’s a very American thing to do. We are a nation of religious tolerance and religious inclusion," Ellison told USINFO.

"The basic idea is to demonstrate not only to the Muslim world but to the whole world that the U.S. Congress is a place where all faiths are respected, all faiths are recognized, where we embrace our diversity and where we believe that the promise of America is that you may seek the Divine as you see fit within your own judgment, and in your own tradition and in your own way," he said.

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.

By Aboo Sufyaan ‘Uthmaan Beecher al-Amreekee
Published by Kuwait Times, Feb. 15, 2003

Indeed Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wasallam) informed his noble Companions that this Muslim nation would split up into various groups and sects when he said, “those before you from the People of the Book [i.e. the Jews and Christians] split-up into seventy-two sects upon innovation, and verily this Muslim nation (Ummah) will split-up into seventy-three sects upon innovation, all in the fire (of Hell) except one, and that is the Jamaa’ah [the Companions and those who remained upon their way].” [As-Sunnah of Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (#2) and declared authentic by Shaykh al-Albaanee]

As-Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatun,

The first night of Taraweeh prayers will be September 12, 2007.  The first day of fasting will be September 13, 2007. 

Ramadhan Program and Prayer Schedule is available by clicking on the links found in the top block on the right.

For more information regarding the Visibility of the Ramadan Crescent, please read more below.

As-Salaamu Alaikum,

Yesterday, after a letter to the Department of Corrections and calls to the prison on behalf of the Imam, Reidsville provided covered food to the Imam.  In addition, this morning the warden met with the Imam and acknowledged that the assault on a prison guard allegation was false.  The warden also requested that the Imam get the word out that future calls should be directed to the Department of Corrections in Atlanta concerning his conditions.  The warden called the office of Imam Jamil's wife, with the Imam present this morning to provide the update.

As-Salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

It's that time of the year again when we must become vigilant with the accuracy of crescent moon sightings because Ramadan is just around the corner, Alhamdulillah.  (Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan)

Saturday, 14 July 2007 is 29 Jumaad al-Thaany 1428 all over the world, including Saudi Arabia.  The crescent for starting the month of Rajab should be sighted just after Maghrib time on Saturday, July 14th or Sunday, July 15th, Insha Allah.  These two dates correspond to the 29th and 30th days of Jumaad al-Thaany 1428.  The first day of Rajab will be on the 15th or 16th of July, Insha Allah.