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It's not news that since September 11th, Muslim charities in the US have been under scrutiny. There have been repeated attempts to investigate, shut down, or inhibit the activities of virtually every non-profit group with an Islamic connection, although few have been charged with any sort of crime. The pattern of activity has been constant and predictable: accuse and/or shut down first, punish if possible before an investigation (if any) can start, and in the chance that an inquiry is held and the charity is absolved of any wrongdoing, don't bother to pick up the pieces - even though Muslim groups have tried repeatedly to prove their transparency. And this pattern that federal authorities set is usually followed by the private sector, which is given quite a bit of leeway in their treatment of Muslim customers. The most notable culprits have been airlines and banks, which sometimes find it easier to not do business with Muslim customers rather than take the (very slim) chance of being caught in a terrorist plot. The latest such instance of pre-emptive customer ejection came when Wachovia Bank, the fourth largest bank in the US, closed the account of a Muslim charity in northern Virginia. Lest one think that Muslim charities all have some sort of connection to the Muslim world and thus could unwittingly be a conduit for terrorist funds, the organization in question, the Foundation for Appropriate and Immediate Temporary Help (FAITH), was founded in 1999 exclusively in the area of addressing domestic violence in America "regardless of faith, ethnicity or gender." "It's just really irritating," said Margaret Farchtchi, treasurer of the group. "We've made extra efforts across the board as a Muslim organization to maintain transparency." Muslim groups stepped up pressure on Wachovia to review the account closure (the bank says it will now do just that), and several Muslim organizations in the area with accounts at the bank are considering moving their accounts in advance of any pre-emptive action. Attempts by Muslim organizations to create a mutually-agreeable framework for fundraising and allocation of money (between the groups, the US Treasury Department, and banking institutions) has so far been fruitless. Which means that the law still allows for the seizure or blockage of funds of any organization with very little, if any, due process - the model, apparently, being used by banks such as Wachovia. (More here)
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One man's extremist is another man's progressive. And sometimes they can be both at the same time. Take Sudan's Hassan al-Turabi, for example. Long derided in the West as an "Islamist extremist" that, as speaker of Sudan's National Assembly, provided Osama bin Laden with a save haven in Sudan for five years (calling him a "hero" in the process), Turabi is probably best known for his involvement in imposing sharia law on Sudan, a move which exacerbated the 20-year north-south conflict that claimed thousands of lives and was only recently resolved. Turabi also convened a "congress" in the early 1990's of militant Islamic groups from around the world, hoping to foster cooperation in training and smooth over divisions among the ranks. Wielding both a Western and Islamic educational background, Turabi used his scholarly influence and membership in the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamic Charter Front to orchestrate the 1985 execution of scholar Mahmoud Mohamed Taha for his unorthodox (read: liberal) Islamic beliefs. But, that was then and this is now, and as Turabi aproaches his mid-70's, he finds himself, at least partially, on the opposite side of the fence. Having fallen out of favor with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, Turabi was jailed and exiled into the opposition, where he now calls for dialogue with the West, sides with the people of Darfur against the Sudanese government, and stresses that jihad should only be waged "in self-defense and not in aggression against others." And now, embracing ideological points that cost fellow scholar Taha his life, Turabi has now gone on record supporting a host of liberal legal reforms regarding women, including allowing Muslim women to marry Christian and Jewish men (citing the experiences of female Muslim Americans), making hijab optional, allowing the testimony of women to equal that of a man, and (just when you thought this debate was over) allowing "pious scholarly women" to lead mixed-gender prayers. "When there is a pious woman," explained Turabi, "she should lead the prayers and whoever is distracted by her beauty should be deemed sick." As expected, this failure of the traditional gender litmus test has resulted in former supporters of his scholarly aptitude in the religious establishment calling for his head. "Turabi should declare repentance," said a statement by the government-supported Muslim Scholars Committee, "or face the sharia hadd for heresy." Turabi has since stood by his statements in the face of criticism, earning respect from some quarters and condemnation from others. "What Turabi is doing is obvious intellectual confusion," complained Abdul Sabour Shahin, an Islamic studies professor at Cairo University. "We have to look at the context of this matter particularly from the framework of ijtihad when it comes to the general issues of women in Islam," responded Turabi to his critics. "The modern and contemporary Islamic discourse on women lags far behind the authentic Islamic rules and principles."
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The simmering conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan, now at least three years old, has seen hundreds of thousands die from violence and disease and over 2 million left homeless. And despite years of awareness campaigns, the violence is set to flare up again. In eastern Chad, which borders Darfur, an estimated 200,000 refugees and native Chadians have been fleeing the Sudan-government financed Janjaweed militia (numbering up to 50,000 Arabs) which stages raids into Chad to continue the looting and raping that started in Darfur. "We fled Sudan because of this violence," said Yaquoub Mohamed Mohamed Abu, head of refugees in the camp. "But now it is coming here." The conflict overlaps with a Chadian insurgency against that country's president of 16 years, Idriss Deby. Deby accuses Sudan of aiding the insurgency and has severed diplomatic relations in response. In the midst of the chaos, Chad threatened to forcibly repatriate the refugees, though they now say this will not happen. Meanwhile, in Sudan, the main Sudanese rebel groups fight the Sudanese army, the Janjaweed, and each other, leaving the area too dangerous for humanitarian assistance from the Red Cross and others. The UN is considering taking over the 7,500 (NATO-assisted) African Union patrolling the area, though Sudan has barred UN officials from visiting while talks with rebels continue. The AU, which Sudan tolerates as an inter-African force, has given a deadline of April 30 for the talks to conclude (before giving up and going home, presumably). Confused? You're not alone (though Angelina Jolie says that shouldn't matter). While the US has pushed for sanctions and UN intervention (military action requires oil, you see), others such as Russia and China are opposed, preferring further diplomatic efforts, such as the fragile "declaration of principles" between Sudan and rebel groups signed in July 2005. In the meantime, the US settled for sanctions on four key Sudanese nationals, including a travel ban and asset freeze. (That'll show 'em!) "We are doing what we can to support the current African Union mission," said Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. "But everybody recognizes that that you need a more robust force that's going to come from the UN." Reports suggest that a force of 20,000 troops would be sufficient to protect civilians, but some caution that this would repeat the mistakes of Iraq, which leads to the obvious question of why the Muslim world has been unable or unwilling to help resolve what is largely an intra-Muslim conflict. Muslim Americans, however, are speaking out, as can be seen at an interfaith rally on April 30th in Washington DC that includes the Muslim Public Affairs Council and CAIR as co-sponsors. "There is also the daily genocide that the Muslim janjaweed militia wages against the indigenous tribes of Darfur, most of whom are also Muslims but of darker skins," says Muslim American journalist Hasan Zillur Rahim. "Isn't it too much to expect that [the] typical American will continue to be reassured by our words while the horrific deeds continue unabated?"
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From the Silk Road to the growth of Muslim communities in Europe and America, migration has been a part of the Muslim experience ever since the hijra - the fleeing of the early Muslim community from Mecca to Medina to avoid persecution. There is no part of the Muslim world that hasn't been touched in some way by the shifting of communities both inside and outside its borders. The Muslim American immigrant experience in particular has been a challenging one, especially since the days of 9/11. The last few years have shown us the early targeting and detained (without a single terror-related conviction among them), the plight of Muslim immigrants caught in INS red tape, the special registration that specifically targeted Muslim visitors, the prevention of the immigration of US scholars, and the deportation of Muslim women who made the mistake of divorcing their US citizen husbands. Based on this, one would think that Muslims would have a lot to say on the current raging debate on immigration. But aside from a few voices joining calls for a more humane immigration policy as scattered endorsers of various protests, there has been little contribution from Muslim circles. "We are all in this together," said Fatme Bahmad, whose husband is facing deportation. "Arabs and Latinos and we should all have one voice." Critics of immigration reform, however, have not hesitated to pull the "Muslim card" in their efforts, citing not Mexican immigrants but a potential "invasion" of "Islamist extremists" in order to whip up support for more draconian measures. They cite the "Muslim immigrant takeover" of Europe (which has not been as successful as integrating immigrants into their society as America has) and call current US policy a "welcome mat for terrorists." So what happens now? In the West, some Muslims have taken up the "burning boats" metaphor of Tarek ibn Ziyad, the Muslim general who began the conquest of Spain by burning the boats used to cross the Mediterranean, thus preventing a retreat. The intent is to convince Muslim immigrants of the need to become full participants in their new home and abandoning their previous national identity. Those Muslims who have now made their home in America (and have by all accounts done quite well for themselves) would do well to heed this advice and contribute to the resolution of this issue, for the betterment of all.
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Begum Case Defeat Highlights A Game of Power - Now that a Muslim high school student has lost her case to wear a jilbab instead of the Muslim uniform derived from consensus, many are asking what was really behind it. (Mar 24, 2006)
Kurtlar Vadisi: The Other Side Of Free Speech - After decades of Muslim and Arab stereotyping in film, a Turkish blockbuster turns the tables and portrays Americans and Jews in a negative light. Will calls for free speech diminish? (Mar 11, 2006)
So Who's Hung Up On The 'Muslim Madonna'? - If Norwegian-born Muslim singer Deeyah wants to be the next 'Muslim Madonna,' will mixing Muslim commentary with scantily-clad videos gain her credibility or just cheap publicity? (Mar 2, 2006)
Irrational Fear, Your Ship Has Come In - Perhaps if you didn't understand global trade, the economy of Dubai, or the help the UAE gives the US military, your fear of Dubai Ports World would make sense. But it still wouldn't be right. (Feb 24, 2006)
A Harsher Light Shines on Guantanamo Bay - New pressure on the United States from the UN and others to close its Guantanamo Bay prison may highlight its legal and moral anomalies, but success remains uncertain (Feb 19, 2006)
Abu Hamza al-Masri Begins His "Slow Martyrdom" - With the US running out of domestic fish to fry, Abu Hamza's "slow martyrdom" following his UK conviction on incitement charges may soon quicken. (Feb 9, 2006)
The Dirty Dozen (And The Damage Done) - With worldwide protests, the divide between Western understandings of Muslim sensitivities and Western notions of free speech has been illuminated. But at what cost? (Feb 4, 2006)
Won't Somebody Please Think Of The Palestinians? - A Hamas victory in Palestine may not lead to what Israelis fear nor what Hamas idealogues want, but instead a revisiting of the harsh compromises that both sides will have to accept. (Jan 28, 2006)
British Muslims Mourn Scholar & Leader Dr. Zaki Badawi - "I am naturally a rebel," explained scholar Dr. Sir Zaki Badawi, who passed away yesterday at the age of 84. "Irreverence is part of my Islamic culture." (Jan 25, 2006)
A Conversion in Death for Malaysian Everest Hero? - A contested conversion after the death of a Malaysian mountaineering hero sparks a controversy over legal access by non-Muslims to sharia court decisions in Muslim majority countries. (Jan 4, 2006)
Santa Doesn't Watch Muslims, But The FBI Does - Coal is put in the stockings of Muslims this Christmas with the revelation that thousands of their homes and businesses were warrantlessly monitored for radioactive material. (Dec 24, 2005)
Muslim Sorority Seeks Best Of Both Worlds - It's hard to think of of two groups farther apart on the social spectrum than Muslims and members of the Greek system. A new Muslim sorority seeks to change that. (Dec 19, 2005)
Al-Arian Acquitted, But Court Of Public Opinion Still Out - A "controversial" Muslim leader is acquitted, but not before a drawn-out trial that burdened his family and brought embarassing statements into the light. (Dec 13, 2005)
Searching for Islam in a Belgian Female Bomber - Muriel Degauque may be Europe's first woman suicide bomber, but pinning her motivation on Islam alone won't stop other "firsts" from making tomorrow's headlines. (Dec 6, 2005)
In California, Muslim-Owned Liquor Stores Become A Target - On one side, Muslim immigrants say they're just trying to make a living. On the other, an African-American neighborhood struggles to rid itself of an abundance of liquor stores. (Dec 1, 2005)
The Strange Spiritual Journey of Michelle Leslie - When Australian model Michelle Leslie stated she was a Muslim in an Indonesian drugs trial, she gained her freedom - at the expense of her reputation and for an uncertain future. (Nov 28, 2005)
Undoing A Character Assassination - The US found no evidence to link 25 American Muslim organizations to terrorism, but many of the groups have been irreversibly harmed in the process. (Nov 21, 2005)
- More news articles here |
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By Hesham Hassaballa, May 14, 2006
During our extensive conversation about the relationship of a Muslim with non-Muslims, the issue of who exactly is a kafir, or one who "denies the truth" (frequently translated as "infidel"), came up. Yet, when I delved deeper into the meaning of the words kufr and kafir in the Qur'an, I learned that these words have a much deeper, more profound meaning. And it has nothing to do with "being infidels." The literal Arabic text denoting "but if you are ungrateful" reads: wa la'in kafartum. Thus, the Qur'an uses both renderings of the word kufr, namely, denial of truth and ingratitude. Yet, when I think of it more deeply, kufr is truly ingratitude and nothing else. (More here)
By Motazz Soliman, May 3, 2006
As the 'new hyphenated Americans,' it would serve the Muslim population to study the struggles of other minorities who have pursued justice and productive integration for their communities. Their experiences have led me to conclude that such minorities have a lot more successful at pressuring and coaxing the American mainstream into listening to their views and to display more understanding - and even sympathy - to their causes, with quite impressive exhibits of tolerance towards them, and at times, adoption of their existence as protected minorities outside legal and political channels. Starting from scratch, these groups have struggled hard and endured much, inventing what were seen then as new methods of social and political engagement along the way. (More here)
By Hesham Hassaballa, May 1, 2006
As we discussed last time, those who are bent on promoting the "Doctrine of Hatred" cite verse 60:4 and the example of Prophet Abraham (pbuh). Yet, it is clear that this understanding is not valid when the verse is examined in its proper context. Thus, again, I can say truthfully that there is no basis for the claim that Muslims must hate all non-Muslims. None whatsoever. Yet, there are other considerations that further strengthen my contention for the lack of evidence for the "Doctrine of Hatred." (More here)
Are We Really Supposed To Hate Non-Muslims? (Part I)
By Hesham Hassaballa, April 21, 2006
How should Muslims interact with people of other faiths? What do Islam and Muslim scholars have to say about the matter?
What Muslims Can Learn From Easter
By Irfan Yusuf, April 14, 2006
Easter is about Christ, a great man who saw the inherent worth of all human beings - even tax collectors and sex workers and lepers, those whom the rest of society wrote off.
Literalistic Wahhabistic Sufism
By Shabana Mir, April 13, 2006
The masses are drawn, as flies to honey, to a romanticized notion of legitimate "tradition" that is divorced from the specificity of reality, from compassion, from inclusiveness.
Making Men(ds) With Method
By Ali Eteraz, April 12, 2006
Would it be that the age of the reprehensible and anachronistic was the one that had waned, and the age of the righteous was at hand?
Are The Scholars The Same As God Himself?
By Hesham Hassaballa, April 7, 2006
The ink of the scholars may be more valuable than the blood of martyrs, as the Prophet Muhammad once said - but it is not the Word of God.
Why Is The US Promoting Nuclear Proliferation?
By Zeeshan Hafeez, April 3, 2006
The US agreement to support India's nuclear activities will fuel an inevitable nuclear arms race that will further destabilize the volatile region of South Asia.
Apostasy And Religious Freedom
By Louay M. Safi, March 31, 2006
A Christian or a Jew who converts to Islam is a Muslim and must be respected as such. By the same token, a Muslim who converts to Christianity is a Christian, and must be respected as such.
Converts From Islam: Let God Be The Judge
By Hesham Hassaballa, March 31, 2006
The Qur'an is very clear on this: There's no compulsion in religion. So why is an Afghan Christian convert being persecuted?
Intellectual Apostasy: The Real Issue
By Ibrahim Abusharif, March 29, 2006
The intransigence of the Afghani "judge" of this controversy is out of step with the very legal tradition he believes he's upholding.
Two Theories Of Ijtihad
By Muqtedar Khan, March 28, 2006
Muslim societies today have to distinguish between Islam and culture, retain their Islamic essence and reform dysfunctional cultural habits that hinder development.
An Unearthly Sufi Novel: Irving Karchmar's "Master of the Jinn"
By Ali Eteraz, March 28, 2006
Irving Karchmar's debut Sufi novel, "Master of the Jinn", heralds the arrival of a fresh literary voice to Islam and America. It also signals the revival of Sufism.
The Forgotten Story Of Iman Muhanna Mohammad
By Kelly Izdihar Crosby and Saraji Umm Zaid, March 27, 2006
While we argue about hijab or whether or not women should lead prayers, there are Muslim women all throughout the world that are being victimized by poverty, war, and disease.
Whatever Happened To "No Compulsion In Religion"?
By Irfan Yusuf, March 26, 2006
If Muslim minorities do not stand up for the rights of non-Muslims in Muslim-majority states, their occasional claims to being oppressed minorities themselves will not be taken seriously.
In Search Of The Kuffar ("Infidels")
By Hesham Hassaballa, March 20, 2006
Many Muslims may understand that a kafir is anyone who is not Muslim, a so-called "infidel." It is not that simple.
Dr. Wafa Sultan: A Lost Opportunity
By Hesham Hassaballa, March 13, 2006
As I listened to Dr. Wafa Sultan speak about the crimes committed by Muslims throughout the centuries, I thought to myself, "Here we go again."
The Media And Islam: Reimagining Imagery
By Maliha Masood, March 6, 2006
Maybe all that we are, all that we can ever be, are just ordinary folks trying to live our lives. Now that would be a relief.
"Everyday Is Ashura, Every Land Is Karbala"
By Mohamed H. Sabur, February 27, 2006
Whereas violence against Shiites manifests itself in the form of targeted killings in Pakistan and in Iraq, violence against Shiites in the U.S. manifests itself in the form of hate speech.
Why Is Halliburton Building Internment Camps?
By Sheila Musaji, February 26, 2006
Nobody is talking much about it, but moves have been made to develop a network of detention centers in the US.
President Bush And The Rule Of Law
By Hesham Hassaballa, February 26, 2006
If we compromise on our values simply because our enemy is brutal and inhuman, then everything that has been done on behalf of America will have been for nothing.
Reflections Of An American Muslim Soldier
By Nasir Cray, February 21, 2006
It's time to let Zarkawi and his associates know that peace-loving Muslim communities will not tolerate the loss of their families to their stupidity and dreams of ill-gotten glory.
Guantanamo Bay: Injustice Continued, Justice Denied
By Irfan Yusuf, February 19, 2006
The longer the detainees remain behind bars without charge, the less credible the case against them will seem to the outside world and to an independent impartial judiciary.
Your Islamophobic Fist Must Stop At My Muslim Nose
By Khalil Bendib, February 17, 2006
Let us remember to never cross the line into hateful bigotry in the name of an abstract absolute. The freedom to swing your Islamophobic fist must stop at my Muslim nose.
A Letter To Southwest Airlines
By Omar Ahmad, February 16, 2006
A frequent Southwest Airlines flyer questions their "match list" for Muslim-sounding names (including his) only to find out there's no federal policy to use one.
Cartoongate: Déjà vu All Over Again?
By Ibrahim Abusharif, February 16, 2006
Just as Medieval Europe created fear-fantasies about Jews, "Christ-killers" who apparently ate children, so too did they produce a miasma of animus directed toward the Prophet Muhammad
The Sufi Electronica of Niyaz: Music to Smash Idols
By Ali Eteraz, February 12, 2006
In the Sufi-inspired music of Niyaz, the serenity of Islamic mysticism exists even if the words were to disappear and only the voice were to remain.
Clash Of The Uncivilized
By Imam Zaid Shakir, February 9, 2006
Why are we calling for a "Day of Outrage" when our Prophet has instructed us repeatedly not to become angry? Why not a "Day of Familiarization" with the Prophet?
Emotional Torture, Untamed Violence and Intellectual Terrorism
By Dr. Aslam Abdullah, February 6, 2006
We showed our weakness in controlling our emotions when Salman Rushdie insulted our Prophet. We have repeated the same mistake.
Through The Looking Glass: The Danish Cartoons
By Sheila Musaji, February 4, 2006
Does one have the right to make fun of religion? Where is the line between freedom of speech and censorship? And what are appropriate responses?
Stupid Cartoons, Even Stupider Reaction
By Safiyyah Ally, February 1, 2006
Why are we so exciteable anyway? The cartoons, horrendous though they may be, need not affect a Muslim's impression of the Prophet.
Preserving Our Heritage
By Firas Ahmad, February 1, 2006
It is often the case that Muslims are so busy trying to return to a "golden age" that they have forgotten what exactly constituted its many virtues.
In Hamas Victory, An Opportunity for Change
By Muqtedar Khan, January 31, 2006
What can be a more spectacular advertisement for the idea that democracy makes politicians out of terrorists than the electoral victory of Hamas in the recent Palestinian elections?
On Holocaust Exploiters, Deniers, & Heroes
By Mas'ood Cajee, January 27, 2006
On this Holocaust Memorial Day 2006, Mas'ood Cajee reflects on the politics of memory and why Muslims should represent the best of Islamic tradition and spirit.
The Shame Of "Honor Killings" In The Muslim World
By Hesham Hassaballa, January 23, 2006
From where did this come? Where in the Qur'an does it sanction the murder of a woman on the mere accusation of adultery? What sort of barbarity is this?
Open House at the Mosque
By Hamzah Moin, January 21, 2006
You busted yourself vacuuming and shampooing the mosque's carpet only to realize the non-Muslims forgot to take their shoes off. Flip man.
Look For Comedy Elsewhere
By Zahir Janmohamed, January 20, 2006
As offensive and racist as Brooks' humor often is, the most offensive part of his film is that it fails to deliver what it searches for: comedy.
- More opinion and commentary here | |
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Cartoon debate rages in online forums - "Safiyyah Ally, a Muslim writer, published an article on Altmuslim.com on Wednesday last week, saying: 'I'm quite troubled over the cartoon controversy in Denmark, not because of the cartoons themselves, which I agree are offensive, but rather because of the absurd overreaction of Muslims worldwide.'" (Feb 8, 2006)
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