Gaza Massacre dec 28 2008

Here as the children lay dead, so many out there trying to justify the actions against the innocent children dead.

more destruction, more death, more to die later, i guess the end is near, when there are no more to kill and finally will have peace.

Maybe the Israeli bombs did those children a favor by killing them now before they grow up in poverty and starvation.

Maybe those who dropped those bombs will go straight to hell.

All I know is this when faced with God and God brings forth the children killed and that child asks the pilot of commander or whoever, WHY DID YOU KILL ME ?

You better have a better answer then Hamas placed rocket launchers next to your house, because it wasn't the Hamas rockets that killed them, it was the planes with their bombs.

So sad, so tragic, Murder justified.

source

Sallam alaykum all
Please share with your friends, May Allah bless you and add to your hasanat

Women in Islam

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3

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I agree with this brother very much, women played a large role in the begining of Islams rise, the first revert to Islam was indeed a woman, the mother of humanity was indeed a muslim, all men must do everything is their power and ability to empower women who will take care of our young.

Many women did great things in Islam, Men have no right to oppress women, Islam strictly forbids any wrong doing to women.


Sallam alaykum all
Please share with your friends, May Allah bless you and add to your hasanat

Words of Wisdom from the Quran

Words of Wisdom from the Qur'an

1. Respect and honour all human beings irrespective of their religion, color, race, sex, language, status, property, birth, profession/job and so on [17/70]

2. Talk straight, to the point, without any ambiguity or deception [33/70]

3. Choose best words to speak and say them in the best possible way [17/53, 2/83]

4. Do not shout. Speak politely keeping your voice low. [31/19]

5. Always speak the truth. Shun words that are deceitful and ostentatious [22/30]

6. Do not confound truth with falsehood [2/42]

7. Say with your mouth what is in your heart [3/167]

8. Speak in a civilized manner in a language that is recognised by the society and is commonly used [4/5]

9. When you voice an opinion, be just, even if it is against a relative [6/152]

10. Do not be a bragging boaster [31/18]

11. Do not talk, listen or do anything vain [23/3, 28/55]

12. Do not participate in any paltry. If you pass near a futile play, then pass by with dignity [25/72]

13. Do not verge upon any immodesty or lewdness whether surreptitious or overt [6/151].

14. If, unintentionally, any misconduct occurs by you, then correct yourself expeditiously [3/134].

15. Do not be contemptuous or arrogant with people [31/18]

16. Do not walk haughtily or with conceit [17/37, 31/18]

17. Be moderate in thy pace [31/19]

18. Walk with humility and sedateness [25/63]

19. Keep your gazes lowered devoid of any lecherous leers and salacious stares [24/30-31, 40/19].

20. If you do not have complete knowledge about anything, better keep your mouth shut. You might think that speaking about something without full knowledge is a trivial matter. But it might have grave consequences [24/15-16]

21. When you hear something malicious about someone, keep a favorable view about him/her until you attain full knowledge about the matter. Consider others innocent until they are proven guilty with solid and truthful evidence [24/12-13]

22. Ascertain the truth of any news, lest you smite someone in ignorance and afterwards repent of what you did [49/6]

23. Do not follow blindly any information of which you have no direct knowledge. (Using your faculties of perception and conception) you must verify it for yourself. In the Court of your Lord, you will be held accountable for your hearing, sight, and the faculty of reasoning [17/36].

24. Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge and nobody knows more than yourself. Remember! Above everyone endowed with knowledge is another endowed with more knowledge [12/76]. Even the Prophet [p.b.u.h] was asked to keep praying, "O My sustainer! Advance me in knowledge." [20:114]

25. The believers are but a single Brotherhood. Live like members of one family, brothers and sisters unto one another [49/10].

26. Do not make mockery of others or ridicule others [49/11]

27. Do not defame others [49/11]

28. Do not insult others by nicknames [49/11]

29. Avoid suspicion and guesswork. Suspicion and guesswork might deplete your communal energy [49/12]

30. Spy not upon one another [49/12]

31. Do not backbite one another [49/12]

32. When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings for safety. One who conveys to you a message of safety and security and also when a courteous greeting is offered to you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous or (at least) of equal courtesy [4/86]

33. When you enter your own home or the home of somebody else, compliment the inmates [24/61]

34. Do not enter houses other than your own until you have sought permission; and then greet the inmates and wish them a life of blessing, purity and pleasure [24/27]

35. Treat kindly " Your parents " Relatives " The orphans " And those who have been left alone in the society [4/36]

36. Take care of " The needy, " The disabled " Those whose hard earned income is insufficient to meet their needs " And those whose businesses have stalled " And those who have lost their jobs. [4/36]

37. Treat kindly " Your related neighbours, and unrelated neighbours " Companions by your side in public gatherings, or public transportation. [4/36]

38. Be generous to the needy wayfarer, the homeless son of the street, and the one who reaches you in a destitute condition [4/36]

39. Be nice to people who work under your care. [4/36]

40. Do not follow up what you have given to others to afflict them with reminders of your generosity [2/262].

41. Do not expect a return for your good behaviour, not even thanks [76/9]

42. Cooperate with one another in good deeds and do not cooperate with others in evil and bad matters [5/2]

43. Do not try to impress people on account of self-proclaimed virtues [53/32]

44. You should enjoin right conduct on others but mend your own ways first. Actions speak louder than words. You must first practice good deeds yourself, then preach [2/44]

45. Correct yourself and your families first [before trying to correct others] [66/6]

46. Pardon gracefully if anyone among you who commits a bad deed out of ignorance, and then repents and amends [6/54, 3/134]

47. Divert and sublimate your anger and potentially virulent emotions to creative energy, and become a source of tranquility and comfort to people [3/134]

48. Call people to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful exhortation. Reason with them most decently [16/125]

49. Leave to themselves those who do not give any importance to the Divine code and have adopted and consider it as mere play and amusement [6/70]

50. Sit not in the company of those who ridicule Divine Law unless they engage in some other conversation [4/140]

51. Do not be jealous of those who are blessed [4/54]

52. In your collective life, make rooms for others [58/11]

53. When invited to dine, Go at the appointed time. Do not arrive too early to wait for the preparation of meal or linger after eating to engage in bootless babble. Such things may cause inconvenience to the host [33/53]

54. Eat and drink [what is lawful] in moderation [7/31].

55. Do not squander your wealth senselessly [17/26]

56. Fulfil your promises and commitments [17/34]

57. Keep yourself clean, pure [9/108, 4/43, 5/6].

58. Dress-up in agreeable attire and adorn yourself with exquisite character from inside out [7/26]

59. Seek your provision only by fair endeavour [29/17, 2/188]

60. Do not devour the wealth and property of others unjustly, nor bribe the officials or the judges to deprive others of their possessions [2/188]

Sallam alaykum all
Please share with your friends, May Allah bless you and add to your hasanat

Video about the towers and sept 11

This video was passed to me and I wanted to share with all the readers. Please give your opinions.



Former German Defense Minister Confirms CIA Involvement in 9/11: Alex Jones Interviews Andreas Von Buelow terrorism

Von Buelow is the former German Defense Minister and Minister of Technology. Von Buelow went public to say the US government carried out 9/11. His book is one of the bestsellers across Europe.


Sallam alaykum all
Please share with your friends, May Allah bless you and add to your hasanat

The Secret Meeting Between the Saudi King And The Israeli Officials

A Saudi official, who wished to remain anonymous, said Saudi King Abdullah and President Shimon Pres of Israel met during the Interfaith Conference in New York. Tzipi Livni, Israel's foreign minister, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Saud al-Feisal, Saudi foreign minister, were also present at the meeting. Among the topics discussed was mutual cooperation and coordination in regard to the new Arab-Israeli peace plan. Despite the Israeli view, the meeting remained secret and undisclosed to the public and the media at the request of the Saudi officials. The peace plan discussed in this meeting is to be proposed publically upon the start of Obama’s presidency whose close ties to Israel is to be used as leverage to overcome the different obstacles in the Middle East conflict.

Both sides agreed that confronting Iran would not be possible without the success of this proposal. The anonymous official revealed that during the meeting Saudis agreed to remove two articles from the proposed plan: the issue of Jerusalem and the Palestinians’ right to return.

The meeting was arranged by Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the high-ranking Saudi security official, and Adel al-Jabeer, Saudi ambassador to the US. Interesting to note, all travel and hotel expenses for the 20 Israeli officials were paid by the Saudis

***

Saudi Militia Groups

Saudi secret services have recently created a militia group from the defected members of Al-Qaeda that is loyal to the Saudi royal family. Reports from Saudi opposition groups say this militia is to defend the Saudis against internal and external threats.

The main reason behind the establishment of the militia is based on results from recent polls conducted in Bahrain and northern Saudi Arabia. The polls indicated that Arabs in these regions will support Iran in the event of an attack by the U.S. or Israel, which will result in a crippling of Saudi oil production.

Another justification behind the creation of a militia loyal to the Saud royal family is to confront the rise of the reformist movements within Saudi Arabia. Members of the militia, who were mainly former al-Qaeda detainees, were recruited and equipped Salafi Saudis. Curiously, the creation of this militia has not led al-Qaeda to denounce or make threats against Saudi officials.

Based on available evidence, the Saudis have also created similar militias in Yemen, which have already been used in Yemen’s internal unrest.

Recent confessions made by the arrested members of Fat’h-ol-Islam, a Salafi movement based Lebanon, have revealed widespread financial support by Saudi officials and their Lebanese affiliates for the militia. In early 2007, the Fat’h-ol-Islam militia started a confrontation with the Lebanese army. The conflict, which took place in Nahr al-Bared refugee camp in northern Lebanon, spanned three months and cost dozens of casualties from both sides.

Site

Islam and Allah

Islam's fundamental belief is the Unity of God. All other beliefs hang on this belief. Therefore the acknowledgment and 'bearing witness' of this is the key to the Muslim faith. Unless this is observed one cannot be a Muslim. A Muslim understands that Allah is the only God, and only Master, only Lord, Creator of all that exists and is the Ruler over all alone with no partner and can handle it with ease. Allah is One; He is Unique, His not like any creation, He is not the father of any one, nor He has or had any father. He is Almighty and Self-Sustaining. He is there forever, and will be there forever, Muslim believes everything that exists in the universe obeys God.

Allah: Allah is the proper name in Arabic for The One and Only God, The Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It is used by the Arab Christians and Jews for the God (Eloh-im in Hebrew; Allaha in Aramaic, the mother tongue of Jesus, pbuh). The word Allah does not have a plural or gender. Allah does not have any associate or partner, and He does not beget nor was He begotten.

Zakat is distributed among 8 catagories

Zakat is a very important Pillar in Islam's growth. Its affect of mankind from all parts of the world show how they became so popular so fast.
Zakat is based on contributing to help others, but it plays a larger role in bringing people together and unifying them. Not one known civilization to exist on earth brought such a successful system, and looking at how many Muslims (masha'Allah ) world wide, its very clear of its powerful message.

Zakat is distributed among 8 categories of people, namely:

1. Fakir - One who has neither material possessions nor means of livelihood.
2. Miskin - One with insufficient means of livelihood to meet basic needs.
3. Amil - One who is appointed to collect zakat.
4. Muallaf - One who converts to Islam.
5. Riqab - One who wants to free himself from bondage or the shackles of slavery. (In Singapore, zakat due to this category of recipients is spent on those who need help to pursue education or to improve their standard of living).
6. Gharmin - One who is in debt (money borrowed to meet basic, halal expenditure).
7. Fisabillillah - One who fights for the cause of Allah.
8. Ibnus Sabil - One who is stranded in journey.

(Source: MUIS in Singapore)

The Holy Qur'an (Sura Al-Tauba: 60) classifies the due recipients of zakat under the following eight categories.

"Zakat is for the poor, and the needy and those
who are employed to administer and collect it,
and the new converts, and for those who are in
bondage, and in debt and service of the cause
of Allah, and for the wayfarers, a duty ordained
by Allah, and Allah is the All-Knowing, the
Wise".

[Source: Guide to Zakat - By Dr. Abdul-Satar Abu Qhodda]

The Prophet(pbuh) said: 'Charity is a necessity for every Muslim. ' He was asked: 'What if a person has nothing?' The Prophet replied: 'He should work with his own hands for his benefit and then give something out of such earnings in charity.' The Companions asked: 'What if he is not able to work?' The Prophet said: 'He should help poor and needy persons.' The Companions further asked 'What if he cannot do even that?' The Prophet said 'He should urge others to do good.' The Companions said 'What if he lacks that also?' The Prophet said 'He should check himself from doing evil. That is also charity.'

Please Share with your friends and Peace be unto you All

Terror in EU overwhelmingly non-Islamic

Although there were no major foiled, failed or executed terrorist attacks in Europe in 2007, Europol still witnessed a sharp increase in both terrorist attacks and arrests on terrorism charges. But only four of the 583 terrorist attacks committed were linked to militant Islam.

Europol's second annual EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report, released last week, found that EU member states had to deal with a 24 percent increase in terrorist attacks, although many were foiled or failed, and arrested 48 percent more terrorist suspects. Eighty-eight percent of these terrorist attacks were linked to separatist groups unrelated to Islamist groups.

"Several member states report that the threat from Islamist terrorism has increased or remains high," said Europol Director Max-Peter Ratzel during the presentation of his report to European Parliament here.

"The threat partly originates from an increasing level of command, control and inspiration on attacks in the EU from Pakistani based al-Qaida linked groups and networks. In 2007, investigations showed EU-nationals who had attended training in Pakistan and later been involved in terrorist offenses in the EU".

Despite the lack of really high-profile attacks on European soil such as the London and Madrid bombings, Ratzel said in the report that "the impact of terrorist attacks became obvious again in 2007 with the murder of two Spanish police officers in France by the Basque separatist terrorist group ETA."

"The overall threat to the member states from terrorism remains serious, as demonstrated by the failed attacks in London and Glasgow and the disrupted plots in Germany and Denmark," Ratzel continued.

Of the 583 successful and otherwise attacks attempted in 2007, 517 were claimed by separatist terrorist groups in Spain and France who tended toward small arson attacks not designed to harm anybody but instead cause material damage. This strategy is exactly opposite to the strategy employed by Islamist terrorists who aim for as much carnage as possible in order to create fear among the public, according to the report.

Yet Islamist terrorist attacks only numbered four during the past year, two of which failed and two of which were foiled. Two occurred in the U.K., one in Denmark and one in Germany.

France made the most Islamist-related arrests with 91, followed by Spain and Italy with 48 and 21 respectively. Throughout 15 member states 201 people were arrested on Islamist terrorism charges. This however does not include those arrested in the U.K., which doesn't distinguish between terrorist causes, although a majority of the 203 terrorism suspects nabbed there last year were thought to have Islamist motives.

Yet Islamist terrorism played second fiddle to separatist terrorism in this regard too, which saw 548 arrests made against its cause. The total number of terrorism arrests across the 15 countries was 1,044, almost double last year's total which Europol ascribes to better police work and more preemptive arrests. Spain contributed heavily by arresting 196 suspects in 2007, up from 28 in 2006. France arrested 315 suspects, up from 188. Yet the number of arrests on Islamist terrorism charges fell from 257 to 201, fueled by a 35 percent drop in France.

One marked role for which arrests increased was the creation of propaganda. Almost all of those arrested on that charge were linked to Islamist terrorism.

Furthermore, 2007 saw 143 terrorism trials, 38 percent of which were Islamist related, in which 418 people, 34 of which were women, were tried and 449 verdicts were read with 331 convictions. Thirty-one percent of Islamist suspects were acquitted.

Belgium, Germany and the U.K. only had verdicts in Islamist terrorism cases. In Italy 44 of 47 verdicts were on Islamist grounds.

The EU's anti-terrorism head Gilles de Kerchove said that "al-Qaida is still and will continue to dominate international terrorism for years to come."

The report was released ahead of new legislation proposed by the European Commission which will set out new guidelines in the fight against terrorism. The Commission will revise the rules established in 2002 and will seek to include public incitement of terrorism, recruiting and training in the EU list of acts of terrorism.

But Dick Marty, Chairman of the Human Rights Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe warned members of European Parliament that this expansion of the laws will make it easy for governments to demonize certain minorities or oppositions, according to the EU Observer.

Source

Jews and Christians who believe in Allah

"And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), those who believe in Allah, and that which has been revealed to you and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before Allah: They will not sell the Revelations of Allah for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and Allah is swift in account."
{Holy Quran 3:199}

The Sermon Given By The Prophet (pbuh) On The Last Friday Of Sha'ban On The Reception Of The Month of Ramadan.

O People!

Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah.

A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness.

A month which with Allah is the best of months.

Its days, the best of days, its nights,the best of nights, and its
hours, the best of hours.

It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah

and invites you to be one of those near to Him.

Each breath you take glorifies him;your sleep is worship,your deeds
are accepted and your supplications are answered.

So, ask Allah, your Lord;to give you a sound body and an enlightened
heart so you may be able to fast and recite his book,

for only he is unhappy who is devoidof Allah's forgiveness during this
great month.

Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyaamah (Judgment) with
your hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor,honor your
old,

show kindness to the young ones,maintain relations with your blood relations;

guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible
for your sight,

close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show compassion to
the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your orphans.

Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these
times, for they are the best of times

and Allah looks towards His creatures with kindness, replying to them
during the hours and granting their needs if he is asked...

O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with
Istighfar (repentance)

lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know that Allah swears by His
might:

That there is no punishment for the one who prays and prostrates

and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when man stands
before the Lord of the Worlds.

O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month
will be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be
forgiven.

Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s):

'Not all of us are able to invite those who are fasting?'

The Prophet (s) replied: 'Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar
(meal) is a drink of water.'

One who has good morals (Akhlaq)during this month will be able to pass
the'Siraat'. ..

on the day that feet will slip...

One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will
curb His anger on the Day of Judgment...

As for one who honors an orphan; Allah will honor him on the Day of Judgment,

And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy
over him on the Day of Judgment.

As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy
from him...

Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month Allah will
keep the fire of Hell away from him...

Whoever performs an obligator prayer Allah will reward him with
seventy prayers [worth] in this month.

And who so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load
lightened on the Day of Measure.

He who recites one verse of the holy Qur'an will be given the rewards
of reciting the whole Qur'an during other months.

O People! Indeed during this month the doors of Heaven are open,
therefore ask Allah not to close them for you;

The doors of hell are closed, so ask Allah to keep them closed for you.

During this month Shaytan (Satan) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not
to let him have power over you.'

Ameen

Trevor found the truth in Islam

Darfur, Another Year Later

In January, President Bush said this about Darfur: “My administration called this genocide. Once you label it genocide, you obviously have to do something about it.”

Yet, last week — nearly one year later — this is what the International Criminal Court prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, told the United Nations Security Council about Darfur: “Genocide continues. Rapes in and around the camps continue. Humanitarian assistance is still hindered. More than 5,000 displaced persons die each month.” How can this still be?

The world has long declared its revulsion at the atrocities committed by Sudan’s government and its proxy militias in Darfur and done almost nothing to stop it. It took years of political wrangling to get the Security Council to approve a strengthened peacekeeping force with deployment set for Jan. 1. More than 11 months later, the Security Council has managed to send only 10,000 of the promised 26,000 peacekeepers. Large-scale military attacks against populated areas continue.

Much of the fault lies with Sudan’s cynically obstructionist president, Omar Hassan al-Bashir. But Russia and especially China — which has major oil interests in Sudan — have shamefully enabled him. So have African leaders. The United States and its allies also bear responsibility for temporizing, most recently over how to transport troops and equipment to the conflict zone.

President Bush said on Wednesday that the United States was prepared to provide airlift. So why has this taken so long?

Now, the war crimes charges Mr. Moreno-Ocampo has brought against the Sudanese leader for his role in masterminding Darfur’s horrors (the burning of villages, bombing of schools and systematic rape of woman) may — may — be changing the calculus in Khartoum. Source

The prophet Noah (pbuh)

First Uniquely American-Muslim Wedding Tradition

First Uniquely American-Muslim Wedding Tradition

A couple days ago I was at a Muslim wedding. A couple of friends and I were talking to the groom giving him our salaams and congratulations before leaving. I off-handedly remarked to one of my buddies that we need our own American Muslim wedding traditions. I know that at Pakistani wedding the bride’s siblings will steal the groom’s shoes and hold them for ransom. At Egyptian weddings we must endure ear piercing ululations. Why not something original for Americans.

I suggested, quite innocently of course, that we kidnap the groom before his wedding night, shove him into a car and drive off. This would be the epitome of jerkdom, which is partially why I thought of it, but it was too evil to actually put into practice … or so I thought.

I turned away for one second only to discover that my two friends had already acted out my fleeting fancy and were hauling the groom out of the hall. After stopping and posing for several photo opportunities they finally made it to the door but the groom’s panicking eventually forced them to put him down. Apparently, the groom thought that they were taking him to the pool were he would be summarily immersed, tux and all, into quite chilly water.

I didn’t know why he would think we would do such a horrible thing until I later discovered that the photographer and the camera man were chasing us and conspiring to have him tossed into the pool so they could immortalize all the drama simultaneously on film and tape. I guess you have to be careful who you hire nowadays.

Well, there you have it, the tempestuous birth of the first Uniquely American Muslim wedding tradition in history!

Anyone have a unique American Muslim Wedding story they would like to share please post in the comments.

Source

Jewish Convert to Islam Joseph Cohen

Part One



Part two



Him and his family who all converted as well in Palestine/Israel

Spanish Muslims

Never has history "chosen" to eliminate a race of people as in the Spanish Inquisition. One wonders why the silence has remained so steadfast for a people, who brought glory and art to Europe for over nine centuries. When the students of the West open their history books and read the title given to the "Moors", few are ever taught that what they are reading has relevance to "Islam". Today, on architecture frames found in Spain, one can still see the secretive inscriptions in Arabic, written during the days of the Inquisition: "La ghalab illa'illah", "There is no conqueror except Allah."

Long after the Inquisition, the resurgence of the Islamic community in Spain occurred in 1976 in the city of Cordoba. Five young men became Muslims through the da'wah of Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi. They were the first Spaniards to enter Islam since the time of al-Andalus. The Shaykh instructed them to spread Islam among their people. Their efforts drew large numbers of new Muslims and the establishment of a Muslim community in the city of Granada. Through the initiative of Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi, the community bought land in the very heart of the old Islamic city, Albaycin, with the intention to build a mosque, the first mosque built by Muslims since the Inquisition.

Although their efforts to build the mosque were hindered by public and governmental opposition for 18 years, their project has recently pulled through, and are now a respected community on the brink of establishing a whole Islamic institution. The project consists of not only the establishment of a mosque but an attached school, Islamic college, and da'wah and training center.

Regardless of the fact that the Inquisition wiped out almost the entire Muslim community in Spain, a resurgence of Islamic identity traveled from this torn land to the land of another conquest under the same name to Latin America in the 15th century. Slaves, brought by the conquerors from the north and west of Africa, were those who first introduced Islam, newly residing in the countries of Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia and some islands of the Caribbean. These Muslim slaves were obligated to abandon their beliefs under fear of execution, and as a result, Islam disappeared without a trace in Latin America. This trend was reversed at the end of the 16th century, as slaves were liberated. More recently, the community has a new revival with the wave of immigrants from India and Pakistan. source

Jesus ( pbuh) Own brothers teachings were considered herecy by the church.

Latin Muslims

Islam in Latin world.

This article appeared in the L.A. Times Monday, March 15, 1999

New Islamic Movement Seeks Latino Converts;
Religion: Leaders estimate there are more than 15,000 Spanish-speaking Muslims in the U.S. Many say they were confused by Catholicism.;

By: MARGARET RAMIREZ
TIMES RELIGION WRITER

Slipped inside a strip mall across from Exposition Park where the smell of incense mingles with Arabic swirls on the wall, Muhammad Gomez absorbs the message of Allah. Sitting beside him in this storefront Islamic center, Domy Garcia raises her hand and asks why she and other Muslim women are obliged to cover their heads with the hijab. Mariam Montalvo takes diligent notes at the Sunday afternoon Islamic lesson with the holy Koran by her side.

Here at the ILM Foundation, a new Islamic movement is being born. Yet it lies far from Mecca, where the faith was founded more than 1,400 years ago. And the language of choice for this group of Islamic followers is not Arabic. These Muslims worship Allah in Spanish.

Montalvo, who immigrated to Los Angeles from Mexico in 1996, left the Catholic faith three months ago, frustrated by what she called contradictions within church teachings and preoccupation with the saints. After research and contemplation, she took the shahada, the simple declaration of faith by which one becomes a Muslim.

I had a lot of problems with the church. One Bible says one thing, and another Bible says something different. Then there are people who call themselves Catholics and drink and smoke, said Montalvo, 21. With Islam, it was so pure. I found there were no intermediaries. Everything goes straight to God.

If you were inclined to believe that most Muslims are Arabs, you would be wrong. Over the past 10 years, Islam has become one of the fastest-growing religions, with an estimated 1 billion adherents worldwide and 6 million followers in this nation. About half of the Muslims in the United States are African American converts. But, in recent years, Islamic teaching has begun gaining acceptance among members of the Latino community. Though precise statistics do not yet exist, Islamic leaders estimate that there are at least 15,000 Latino Muslims across the nation.

Last month, about 30 Southern California converts founded the Latino-Muslim Movement with the intent of educating Spanish-speaking Muslims and spreading Islam to other Latinos. After meeting informally for the past seven years, the group appointed officers and elected to meet at the ILM Foundation once a week.

Scores of Latinos throughout the country--specifically in New York, New Jersey, Chicago and Miami--have fled the church of their birth and embraced Islam as their newfound faith.

In New York, a group of Puerto Rican Muslims opened an Islamic center in the heart of East Harlem called Alianza Islamica, where hundreds of Latinos have converted since 1992. The center, the first of its kind, includes a small mosque where the Friday sermon is heard in Arabic, English and Spanish. Islam has adherents throughout Latin America and the Caribbean as well, with especially strong followings in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Panama.

Reymundo Nur, a Panamanian who became Muslim at the age of 12 and studied Islam in Saudi Arabia, helped organize the Los Angeles group. Two years ago, Nur co-founded a national nonprofit organization called Asociacion Latina de Musulmanes en las Americas, which focuses on translating Islamic books and literature into Spanish.

He said one of his group's main projects is translating the Koran into contemporary, conversational Spanish. At least two Spanish translations of the Koran exist, but Nur said they use a more formal, Castilian Spanish.

There have always been Latino Muslims. It's only now that they're coming to the forefront, said Nur, vice president of the Latino-Muslim Movement in Los Angeles. We have a strong Islamic legacy, and people are rediscovering that part of their heritage. Many learn about it and say, 'Hey, I have more of this in me than I ever realized.'

Islamic ties to Hispanic culture date back to 711, when the Muslim general Tariq ibn Zayid conquered Spain, and the Christian Visigothic domination of Roderick came to an end. Under Moorish rule, Christians, Jews and Muslims coexisted in Spain. Conversion was encouraged but never forced. Because the Arabs did not bring women with them, they took Spanish wives, and within a few generations the Muslim population was more Spanish than Arab.

For the next 700 years, Al-Andalus, as the Muslims refer to Spain, enjoyed an era of political and cultural splendor, becoming one of the most intellectually advanced countries in medieval Europe. Islamic influence penetrated almost every facet of Spanish life, especially music, architecture and literature.

But, gradually, Christian armies advanced. After the fall of the last Moorish stronghold in Granada in 1492, the cross replaced the crescent on Spain's minarets and Muslims were forced to convert to Christianity or be exiled. Many Latino Muslims in Los Angeles see their conversion as a return to their Moorish roots.

Today, Southern California has the third-largest concentration of Muslims in the country, including 58 mosques and Islamic centers in Los Angeles County.

Like Christians and Jews, Muslims are monotheists believing in one God known as Allah. They revere biblical prophets including Noah, Isaac, Abraham and Moses. Jesus is also considered a prophet, but unlike Christians, Muslims do not accept him as the son of God. Muhammad is believed to be the last prophet to whom Allah revealed the Koran.

For former Catholics like Guadalupe Martinez, 26, it is this comprehensive set of beliefs that makes Islam appealing.

In Islam, there is no separation. You accept the Torah and the Bible, said Martinez, who converted in 1997. We love Jesus, we dress like Mary. It's like we're putting all the faiths together. It really touched me.

In Catholicism, there are just so many ways to go. Why am I going to pray to the saints? she added. When we find Islam, we don't have to waste energy. It's like if I call the operator to get a number, I waste energy. But with Islam, I have the number. I get connected directly to God.

Along with the formation of more Latino Muslim organizations, conversion stories have begun burning up the Internet.

Ali Al-Mexicano, a 25-year-old Pomona computer technician, created his own World Wide Web page account of how he became Muslim that includes the first time he read the Koran.

It was so clear and written in a simple, understanding way, he said. "It just hit me. This has to be the truth."

Though Al-Mexicano family accepted his conversion, several other young Latinos who have begun searching outside the traditional confines of Catholicism have found conversion to be a heart-wrenching affair, often tearing families apart.

A 1998 Georgetown University study of people ages 20 to 39 found that 8% of the Latinos had joined another denomination or religion. Of those, at least 65% left for evangelical Protestant groups, Pentecostal churches or Mormonism. A smaller percentage accepted other religions, including Islam and Buddhism.

Some relatives see conversion to other faiths as rejecting family and tradition.

Domy Garcia said her family in Mexico was confused and upset by her decision to leave the church. The Buena Park mother converted to Islam two years ago after rejecting the religion she said was forced on her Mexican ancestors. Undeterred by her family's reaction, Garcia said her main concern now is raising her children as Muslims and introducing more Latinos to Islam.

My family just would not accept it. They said, 'What happened? You've changed so much,' " she recalled. But it's all right, because on Judgment Day, my family won't be able to help. It will be God.

The Latino-Muslim Movement meets every Sunday afternoon for discussions at the ILM Foundation, a community center managed by Saadiq Saafir, a prominent African American prayer leader, or imam.

About 2 p.m., Elizabeth Chawki, a Native American who is fluent in Spanish, usually begins the sessions, which have focused on women, preparation of food, marriage and Islamic divorce. Despite the perception that all Muslims are Arab, Chawki said, converts see the distinction between religion and ethnicity.

This is about pure religion, not culture. We still eat our tamales and frijoles," said Chawki, referring to some Latino dishes served after the discussions.

Gomez, a native of Nicaragua with no prior religious affiliations, said it was after reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X that he began to explore Islam. Like several other converts, Gomez spoke with resentment about the Catholic Church's involvement in Latin America.

Viewing Jesus as a prophet and a political leader, and not a God, made more sense to me, he said.

The Latino-Muslim Movement also aims to bring together Muslims regardless of race. At a recent meeting, Saafir reflected on the emerging phenomenon of Latino conversions as similar to the time when African Americans began accepting Islam 50 years ago. In allowing the group to use the Islamic center, Saafir hopes to tear down the barriers that divide blacks and Latinos.

We all realize that we're Muslim first, Saafir said. This religion is going to bring us together.

Nur nodded.

"Inshallah, he whispered. God willing

Did Jesus die on the cross ?

If Jesus is not responsible for our sins, why would God allow him to die.

No one saw Jesus die on the cross. Several Bibles and passages say he did not die:

Bible of Barnabas: "The face of Yehuda who led the soldiers to arrest Christ was transfigured into that of Christ who had been rescued by the Angels through the window to the third Heaven."
Also the Bibles of Basilidains, Docetae, The Marcionite Gospel.

Here brothers and sisters you have 4 chosen and recognized Bibles, also Luke 20:34-36, 24:36-41, Hebrew 5:7 and John 20:17 support Jesus was saved.

The Bible says that Jesus did not die on the cross, that his loving creator saved Jesus from the cross as confirmed in the Koran. God loves Jesus.



Would a compassionate, forgiving, merciful God allow his anointed Jesus to die??

* To say he was sacrificed for us, opposes the Bible's teachings (Hosea6:6) and (Matthew 9:13 and 12:7).

* To say he died on the cross, discredits his prophethood (Deuteronomy 13:5) and (21:22-23).

The Jews claimed they killed him to prove he was a false prophet which they still believe. The Koran is here to unite the Jews and Christians and to have them submit their will to God, to be Muslims.

Where is the information on sacrifice coming from?

Paul, who was a Jew and his belief in Jewish sacrifice was transported into Christianity as suggested by a renowned New Testament scholar V. Taylor "The Atonement in the New Testament Teaching." Paul developed the idea by sending letters to the Corinthians, the Romans 4:25, He told the Galatians 6:4., and Ephesians 5:2, read the history yourself. Christianity is the teaching of Paul, not Jesus.



Who are we to believe??

Jesus came to confirm the Torah, not to destroy it (Matthew 23:2-3).

While Paul abolished the teachings of the Torah (Acts 13:39).

What hour was Jesus crucified??
(Mark 15:25) It was the third hour, and they crucified him.

(John 19:14) It was the sixth hour, and he was not yet crucified



Who bore the cross??

(Matthew 27:32) The compelled Simon to bear the cross of Jesus./ also(Luke 23:26)& (Mark 15:21).

(John 19:17) Jesus was bearing his cross himself.



What did they put Jesus on??

(Mark 15:21) They put Jesus on the cross.

(Peter 2:24) They put Jesus on the tree./ also (Gal3:13)



What did they give Jesus to drink??

(Mark 15:23) They gave him wine mingled with myrrh to drink.

(Matthew 27:34) Thew gave him vinegar mingled with gall to drink.



What happened to Judas??

(Mat 27:5) Judas went and hanged himself.

(Acts 1:18) Judas fell headlong, and burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.

Many earlier sects of Christians believed that it was Judas who died in the place of Jesus, with the contradictions at hand, maybe those earlier Christians were right.



Who went to the grave of Jesus??

(John 20:1) Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.

(Mat 28:1) Mary Mag-da-le-ne and another Mary.

(Luke 24:10) Mary Mag-da-le-ne and another Mary and Jo'an-na and some other women.

(Mark 16:1) Mary Mag-da-le-ne and another Mary and Sa-lo'-me.



Angel??

(John 20:12) One woman saw two angels at the grave of Jesus.

(Mat 28:2) Two women saw one angel.

(Luke 24:3) Three women saw two men.

(Mark 16:5) Three women saw one man.



Who was told??

(Luke 24:9) Mary the Mag-da-le and Mary the Mother of James and Jo'an-na returned back from the grave and told the eleven apostles all of what they saw.

(Mark 16:8) Mary the Mag-da-le and Mary and Sa-lo'-me returned
back from the grave, and did not tell anyone anything because
they were afraid.



During the time of the assumed crucifixion, as you see, was a time of confusion, because no one saw Jesus die. (Matthew 26:56)

But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might
fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled."

So the Qur'an says: 4:157
"That they said (in boast), "We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah"- but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but so it was made to appear to them, and those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge, butonly conjecture to follow, for of a surety they killed him not:"

When Abraham was told by God to sacrifice his son, his son did not object or question him, if Jesus was sent to be sacrificed for our sins, why would he question God?

(Matthew 27:46): ".. . My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"

Could this not come from someone other than Jesus? Even a Non Prophet would smile at agony as he knew that his death would win him the title of martyr.

Was this not an insult to Jesus in not having faith in Allah?

The sacrifice that has to be made to be forgiven for our sins is the sacrifice of our will to the Creator Allah, as confirmed in the Bible.

Not only do we rely on faith, but also action and reality all combined.We believe in the same God, you have been taught by the recipients of your hard earned 10% of your income tithing that the Koran is not the word of God, that is sad, because then you would learn as every chapter begins "God is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful."

In Islam, only 3% of your income goes straight to the poor, such as a relative. None is required to go the Church or Mosque. 3% of the wheat in the world would feed all the starving.


Copyright (c) 1998 Mohamed Ghounem & Abdur Rahman
The Authors give Full Permission to Use any of the Above Material As Your Own to distribute for Free.
"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance." Qur'an 16:125

List of the mentioned Prophets of Islam ( pbut )

Peace be unto you Along with God's Mercy and Blessings/ Alsallam alaykum wa Rahmet Allah wa Barakato

The mentioned prophets in the Quran.

Adam (pbuh)

Idris/Enoch (pbuh)

Nuh/Noah (pbuh)

Hud (pbuh)

Salih (pbuh)

Ibrahim/Abraham (pbuh)

Ismail/Ishmael (pbuh)

Ishaq/Isaac and Yaqub/Jacob (pbut)

Lut/Lot (pbuh)

Shuaib (pbuh)

Yusuf/Joseph (pbuh)

Ayoub/Job (pbuh)

Dhul-Kifl (pbuh)

Yunus/Jonah (pbuh)

Musa/Moses and Haroon/Aaron (pbut)

Hizqeel/Ezekiel (pbuh)

Elyas/Elisha (pbuh)

Shammil/Samuel (pbuh)

Dawud/David (pbuh)

Sulaiman/Solomon (pbuh)

Isaiah (pbuh)

Aramaya/Jeremiah (pbuh)

Daniel (pbuh)

Zakariyah/Zechariah

Yahya/John (pbut)

Isa/Jesus (pbuh)

Muhammad (pbuh)

Source

Mohammed Ali on Islam and his pilgrimage

"I have had nice moments in my life. But the feeling I had while standing on Mount ‘Arafaat on the day of 'Hajj' (pilgrimage), was the most unique. I felt exalted by the indescribable spiritual atmosphere there, as over a million and a half pilgrims invoked God to forgive them of their sins and bestow on them His choicest blessings. It was an exhilarating experience to see people belonging to different colors, races and nationalities, kings, heads of states and ordinary men from very poor countries all clad in two simple white sheets praying to God without any sense of either pride or inferiority. It was a practical manifestation of the concept of equality in Islam." Cassius Clay (Mohammad Ali).

The Natural Alliance Between Muslimsm, Christians and Jews

Islam is a religion of peace, love and tolerance. Today, however, some circles have been presenting a false image of Islam, as if there were conflict between Islam and the adherents of the two other monotheistic religions.

Yet Islam's view of Jews and Christians, who are named "the People of the Book" in the Koran, is very friendly and tolerant.

This attitude towards the People of the Book developed during the years of the birth of Islam. At that time, Muslims were a minority, struggling to protect their faith and suffering oppression and torture from the pagans of the city of Mecca. Due to this persecution, some Muslims decided to flee Mecca and shelter in a safe country with a just ruler. The Prophet Muhammad told them to take refuge with King Negus, the Christian king of Ethiopia. The Muslims who followed this advice found a very fair administration that embraced them with love and respect when they went to Ethiopia. King Negus refused the demands of the pagan messengers who asked him to surrender the Muslims to them, and announced that Muslims could live freely in his country.

Such attitudes of Christian people that are based on the concepts of compassion, mercy, modesty and justice, constitute a fact that God has pointed out in the Koran. A verse of the Koran states:

You will find the people most affectionate to those who believe are those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 82)

Ninty nine names of Allah

99 names of Allah according to the Quran

Top 10 Myths About Islam

By Huda, About.com

Islam is a widely-misunderstood religion. Those who are unfamiliar with the faith often have misunderstandings about its teachings and practices. Common misconceptions include that Muslims worship a moon-god, that Islam is oppressive against women, or that Islam is a faith that promotes violence. Here we bust these myths and expose the true teachings of Islam.

1. Muslims worship a moon-god

Some non-Muslims mistakenly believe that Allah is an "Arab god," a "moon god," or some sort of idol. Allah is the proper name of the One True God, in the Arabic language. The most fundamental belief that a Muslim has is that "There is only One God," the Creator, the Sustainer -- known in the Arabic language and by Muslims as Allah. Arabic-speaking Christians use the same word for the Almighty.

More: Allah

2. Muslims don't believe in Jesus

In the Qur'an, stories about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ (called 'Isa in Arabic) are abundant. The Qur'an recalls his miraculous birth, his teachings, and the miracles he performed by God's permission. There is even a chapter of the Qur'an named after his mother, Mary (Miriam in Arabic). However, Muslims believe that Jesus was a fully human prophet and not in any way divine himself.

More: How Muslims view Jesus

3. Most Muslims are Arabs

While Islam is often associated with Arabs, they make up only 15% of the world's Muslim population. The country with the largest population of Muslims is Indonesia. Muslims make up 1/5 of the world's population, with large numbers found in Asia (69%), Africa (27%), Europe (3%) and other parts of the world.

More: Population of the Muslim world

4. Islam oppresses women

Most of the ill-treatment that women receive in the Muslim world is based on local culture and traditions, without any basis in the faith of Islam. In fact, practices such as forced marriage, spousal abuse, and restricted movement directly contradict Islamic law governing family behavior and personal freedom.

5. Muslims are violent, terrorist extremists

Terrorism cannot be justified under any valid interpretation of the Islamic faith. The entire Qur'an, taken as a complete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. The overwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in God, and justice among fellow human beings. Muslim leaders and scholars do speak out against terrorism in all its forms, and offer explanations of misinterpreted or twisted teachings.

More: Terrorism

6. Islam is intolerant of other faiths

Throughout the Qur'an, Muslims are reminded that they are not the only ones who worship God. Jews and Christians are called "People of the Book," meaning people who have received previous revelations from the One Almighty God that we all worship. The Qur'an also commands Muslims to protect from harm not only mosques, but also monasteries, synagogues, and churches -- because "God is worshipped therein."

7. Islam promotes "jihad" to spread Islam by the sword and kill all unbelievers

The word Jihad stems from an Arabic word which means "to strive." Other related words include "effort," "labor," and "fatigue." Essentially Jihad is an effort to practice religion in the face of oppression and persecution. The effort may come in fighting the evil in your own heart, or in standing up to a dictator. Military effort is included as an option, but as a last resort and not "to spread Islam by the sword."

More: What is Jihad?

8. The Quran was written by Muhammad and copied from Christian and Jewish sources

The Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of two decades, calling people to worship One Almighty God and to live their lives according to this faith. The Qur'an contains stories of Biblical prophets, because these prophets also preached the message of God. Stories are not merely copied, but the oral traditions are referred to in a way that focuses on the examples and teachings that we can learn from them.

More: The Qur'an

9. Islamic prayer is just a ritualized performance with no heartfelt meaning

Prayer is a time to stand before God and express faith, give thanks for blessings, and seek guidance and forgiveness. During Islamic prayer, one is modest, submissive and respectful to God. By bowing and prostrating ourselves to the ground, we express our utmost humility before the Almighty.

More: Islamic Prayer

10. The crescent moon is a universal symbol of Islam

The early Muslim community did not really have a symbol. During the time of the Prophet Muhammad, Islamic caravans and armies flew simple solid-colored flags (generally black, green, or white) for identification purposes. The crescent moon and star symbol actually pre-dates Islam by several thousand years, and wasn't affiliated with Islam at all until the Ottoman Empire placed it on their flag.

More: Crescent Moon: A symbol of Islam?

Source

Muslim pilgrims retrace prophet's path as haj starts

By Nael al-Shyoukhi

MECCA, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of Muslims began the haj pilgrimage on Saturday, heading to a tent camp outside the holy city of Mecca to follow a route Prophet Muhammad took 14 centuries ago.

Muslim Pilgrims circle the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Mecca December 5, 2008. (REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah)

Over two million Muslim pilgrims arrived this week in Mecca, where authorities have mounted a vast security operation to avert any militant attacks, deadly stampedes or political activities that could embarrass Saudi Arabia.

"It's a beautiful feeling, very beautiful, especially when you see the Kaaba," said a Moroccan woman called Sanna after visiting the ancient cubic shrine at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Mecca. "I hope I can return again, with God's help."

Some pilgrims walked, carrying their bags, while others took buses moving slowly through the crowds to the Mina area east of Mecca. Men were dressed in simple white robes, marking a state of ihram, or ritual purity.

The pilgrims will all have arrived by Sunday morning at Mount Arafat, about 15 km (10 miles) east of Mecca. The Eid al-Adha, or feast of the sacrifice, begins on Monday, when pilgrims begin three days of casting stones at walls in a symbolic renunciation of the devil.

Authorities have made renovations over the past year to ease the flow of pilgrims inside the Grand Mosque and the disaster-prone Jamarat Bridge. In January 2006, 362 people were crushed to death there, the worst haj tragedy since 1990.

Source