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    Muslim American News Briefs, September 18, 2007

Opinion Editorials

News

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* Hadith: A Special Gate to Paradise for Those Who Fast
* CAIR Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer
* CAIR-FL: Muslims Concentrate on Faith (Sun-Sentinel)
            - 500 Attend CAIR-Ohio 'Sharing Ramadan' Dinner
            - 300 Attend CAIR-MN Ramadan Dinner
            - CAIR-MI Rep to Give Lecture on Islam, Ramadan
* CAIR: Ramadan an 'Ideal Break' to Quit Smoking (Arab News)
* CAIR-NY: Muslim Woman Victim of Hate Crime (Newsday)
            - TX: Bullet Pierces Texas Mosque (AP)
* Are 'Foot Baths' Reasonable Accommodation? (USA Today)
            - Double Standard on Academic Freedom in Mideast (Balt Sun)
* IA: University Increases Islamic Studies Classes (AP)
* WA: Muslim, Jewish Students Break Fast Together
            - OK: Religion Series Explores Islamic Faith in Depth
            - NJ: Ramadan Helps Parents Instill Muslim Culture

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HADITH OF THE DAY: A SPECIAL GATE TO PARADISE FOR THOSE WHO FAST - TOP

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and (only) those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection."

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadith 120

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CAIR WELCOMES TAHRA GORAYA AS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - TOP

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/17/07) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed Tahra Goraya as the Washington-based civil rights and advocacy group's new chief operating officer and deputy director.

Goraya moved to the nation's capital from California, where she was the first female president of the board of CAIR's Greater Los Angeles Area chapter. She was also a member of the group's state board.

Before joining CAIR's national team in September, Goraya served for more than six years as executive director of Day One in Pasadena, Calif., a nonprofit group that works to prevent harm to youth and families from alcohol, tobacco and other drugs through education and public policy advocacy.

Under Goraya's leadership, Day One became recognized both regionally and nationally for its comprehensive approaches to improving the quality of life for its constituents.

She received her bachelor's of science from the University of California, Irvine, and her master's of art in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. Goraya is also a graduate of the California Women's Health Leadership Program and the Harvard Business School Governing for Nonprofit Excellence Program.

As an activist focused on a number of social justice, civil right advocacy and women's health issues, Goraya has provided consultative services for state and local governments, faith and community-based organizations, school systems, corporations, and other public and private sector entities.

"Tahra has distinguished herself as a passionate and dedicated community activist and coalition builder," said CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad. "We anticipate that she will be of great assistance in carrying out CAIR's mission of promoting social justice and community empowerment."

Awad noted that Goraya joins many other Muslim women who serve in vital roles for CAIR at the local, state and national levels. He said many CAIR chapters are headed or administered by women.

"I am very honored and excited to be part of the CAIR national team and look forward to joining the effort to build a better society based on mutual respect," said Goraya.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

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CAIR-FL: MUSLIMS CONCENTRATE ON FAITH - TOP
Altaf Ali, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 9/17/07
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-forum17ramadannbsep17,0,1438764.story

[Altaf Ali is executive director of the Miami chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.]

As the Muslim communities in South Florida and all over the world prepare mentally and spiritually for the sacred month of Ramadan, we are reminded of our obligation and responsibilities toward humanity.

As we prepare for Ramadan, American Muslims are faced with two adversities: the devastating memories of the Sept. 11 attack on our country and the recent statements of Osama bin Laden. Our hearts are pained and our minds are hampered by this. The appeals of Osama are contrary to the true tenets of Islam and serves as a callous reminder of extremism.

Ramadan is a special time of the year. Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on concerns of their daily routines and focus on fasting, prayer and charity. While fasting, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and conjugal relations during the daylight hours. During Ramadan, Muslims will frequent Islamic centers to break the fast and take part in extra prayers.

The prophet Muhammad was a charitable person, but he was most generous during the month of Ramadan. In the Quran we are told, "O you who believe, Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint."

During this special month, Muslims take time to pray for their families, friends, those less fortunate, those who are suffering and all of humanity. One of the main benefits of Ramadan is an increased compassion for those in need of the necessities of life, a sense of self-purification and reflection and a renewed focus on spirituality. Muslims also appreciate the feeling of togetherness shared by family and friends throughout the month. Perhaps the greatest practical benefit is the yearly lesson in self-restraint and discipline that can carry forward to other aspects of a Muslim's life, such as work and education. (MORE)

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500 ATTEND CAIR-OHIO SHARING RAMADAN DINNER - TOP

(CLEVELAND, OH, 9/17/2007) - More than 500 people turned out on Saturday at Cleveland State University for the 4th Annual Sharing Ramadan Iftar Dinner hosted by the Cleveland chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Cleveland).

Those attending the dinner included interfaith leaders and public officials. In his keynote address, award-winning author and former diplomat Michael Hamilton Morgan spoke about his recent book "Lost History: The Enduring Legacy of Muslim Scientists, Thinkers, and Artists."

Morgan's talk dispelled the myth of a clash of civilizations by describing the profound impact the Islamic world has had on the West throughout history.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-OH, Cleveland Chapter Executive Director, Julia A. Shearson, Tel: 216.830.2247 or 216-440-2247, Email: jshearson@cair.com

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300 ATTEND CAIR-MN RAMADAN DINNER - TOP

(ST. PAUL, MN, 9/17/2007 ) - Some 300 people turned out on Sunday for the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) Ramadan fundraising dinner held in Mounds View.

Speakers included community leader Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Muslim activist and former candidate for mayor of Minneapolis Farheen Hakeem and CAIR National Chapter Director Yaser Tabbara.

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-MN Communications Director Valerie Shirley, Tel: 651.645.7102, E-Mail: vshirley@cair.com; CAIR-MN Executive Director Omar Merhi, Tel: 612.702.0590, E-Mail: omerhi@cair.com

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CAIR-MI REP TO GIVE LECTURE ON ISLAM, RAMADAN - TOP
Valley Vanguard, 9/17/07
http://www.svsu.edu/clubs/vanguard/stories/1454

Dawud Walid, the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Michigan, will be speaking at SVSU on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Malcolm Field Theatre for Performing Arts.

Walid will be answering questions about Islam, such as what is Ramadan, do Muslims worship a different God than Jews and Christians, is the Darfur crisis a genocide of Arab Muslims upon indigenous Black Africans, are Muslim females second class citizens under Islamic Law, is the Palestinian/Israeli conflict a war between Islam against Judaism, as well as several others.

The event is open to the public. Admission is free of charge, and is sponsored by the Muslim Students Association of SVSU.

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CAIR: RAMADAN PROVIDES 'IDEAL BREAK' TO QUIT SMOKING - TOP
Sarah Abdullah, Arab News, 9/17/07

With Muslim smokers already refraining from the habit during daylight hours this month, a number of health experts and officials say that Ramadan is the perfect opportunity to kick the habit for good.

According to Dr. Abdullah Al-Baddah, director of the Tobacco Control Department at the Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia ranks 23 worldwide in terms of smokers in population per capita. Each year Saudis consume as many as 15 billion cigarettes and inhale 40,000 tons of tobacco smoke.

"We in the Tobacco Control Department make use of the occasion ... to urge smokers around the Kingdom to utilize the chance Ramadan offers to give up smoking," Al-Baddah told Arab News. He added that the Ministry of Health is currently running a number of television and outdoor media ads in Saudi Arabia and other GCC states emphasizing the need to utilize Ramadan for promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The health official also commented that the feedback received from the community has been overwhelming with a number of people getting to celebrate two Eids this year - the Eid Al-Fitr and the Eid of freedom from smoking. . .

Islamic groups around the world are encouraging Muslims to take advantage of the holy month to quit smoking. "One of the important benefits of the Ramadan fast is the sense of discipline that it instills in an individual," said Tahra Goraya of the Washington-based Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). (MORE)

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CAIR-NY: MUSLIM WOMAN VICTIM OF HATE CRIME - TOP
Jennifer Maloney, Newsday, 9/16/07
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-libias0917,0,3619601.story

Assemi, 50, owns Givan Nail and Skin Center, a high-end nail salon in a cluster of chic stores near Birch Hill Road called The Plaza.

At 6:30 a.m. Saturday, Assemi was opening her second-floor shop when two men burst out of a bathroom across the hall. They grabbed her from behind, put a gun to her head and forced her inside, she said. There, they slammed her head on a counter, shoved a towel in her mouth, smashed her hand with a hammer and sliced her face, neck, back and chest with a knife and a box cutter, she said.

"They were cursing, ' -- -- Muslim, leave Locust Valley, leave The Plaza. Go back to the place you came from,'" she recalled. . .

The Council on American-Islamic Relations Sunday called for the FBI to investigate the beating as a hate crime.

"The bias attack on Zohreh Assemi is an indicator of the rising trend of Islamophobia that is growing in certain segments of American society and is promoted by a small minority of Islamophobes," said Aliya Latif, civil rights director of the group's New York chapter.

Last year, the group saw a 9 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes across the country, she said. (MORE)

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TX: BULLET PIERCES TEXAS MOSQUE - TOP
Associated Press, 9/16/07
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-

mosque-bullet,0,5818334.story

A bullet whizzed through the door of an empty mosque here, and police were investigating whether a hate crime was committed.

The bullet pierced the aluminum frame of a glass entry door at The Islamic Center of South Texas on Friday afternoon. The mosque was empty at the time and nobody was injured.

The bullet shattered an exit transom window at the other end of the mosque's central hallway, according to police.

"We're sure it's a high-caliber weapon, based on the damage," Corpus Christi police Cmdr. Jesse V. Garcia said.

Pieces of the bullet have been recovered for testing, but police have yet to name any suspects and haven't determined whether the incident is a hate crime.

Osama Bahloul, the spiritual leader of the mosque, is among some 600 members who are celebrating Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, prayer and giving to the poor that started last week. (MORE)

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ACCOMMODATING THE FAITHFUL - TOP
T. Jeremy Gunn, USA Today, 9/17/07
http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/09/accommodating-t.html

Public schools go dark on Saturdays and Sundays, the traditional days of worship for Christians and Jews. And on Christmas, class will not be in session. But when schools provide foot baths for Muslims, critics cry foul. So what is acceptable in a country that has a wall between church and state?

A few months ago, I had dinner with a prominent Evangelical Christian who insists that Christians are "persecuted" in the USA. Although we had a friendly discussion -- and he generously paid for my dinner -- I did think he was exaggerating a bit. So I asked him two questions:

First, could he identify any country in the world where there is more religious freedom than in the USA?

He could not. Nor can I.

Second, could he name any time in the history of the United States when Evangelical Christians have had more religious freedom (and political influence) than they do now?

He could not. Nor can I.

There are, of course, several reasons why there is more religious freedom in the USA than elsewhere. One of them is that we have an Establishment Clause in our Constitution that helps keep the government from getting into the religion business. The unfortunate consequences of government financing religion and choosing religious beliefs can be seen all over the world.

The majority view

Another is that we have a healthy respect for the right of individuals and families to practice their religion without government interference. The United States is particularly good at accommodating the core religious practices of majority religions. Public schools do not (usually) hold classes on Saturday and Sunday (worship days for Christians and Jews). Public schools are also closed on two of the majority religion's most sacred holidays, Christmas and Easter, the latter of which is of course always on Sunday. Majorities may be more likely to notice the unusual accommodation for others and take their own for granted.

While some religious accommodations are constitutional and to be encouraged, some cross the line and promote particular beliefs. (MORE)

T. Jeremy Gunn is the director of the American Civil Liberties Union's program on freedom of religion and belief.

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A DOUBLE STANDARD ON ACADEMIC FREEDOM IN THE MIDDLE EAST - TOP
George Bisharat, Baltimore Sun, 9/17/07
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.boycott17sep17,0,4476313.story

Two hundred thousand Palestinian children began school in the Gaza Strip this month without a full complement of textbooks. Why? Because Israel, which maintains a stranglehold over this small strip of land along the Mediterranean even after withdrawing its settlers from there in 2005, considers paper, ink and binding materials not to be "fundamental humanitarian needs."

Israel, attempting to throttle the democratically elected Hamas government, generally permits only food, medicine and fuel to enter Gaza, and allows virtually no Palestinian exports to leave. Lately, it held up delivery of materials needed for printing textbooks. As a result, Gaza students began the year facing a 30 percent shortage of texts.

No full-page advertisements in major American newspapers have publicized Israel's violations of Palestinian children's right to an education. No editors, syndicated columnists or presidents of major universities in this country have denounced this callous measure. Our politicians have demanded no remedial action. Instead, they continue, verbally and materially, to support Israel in its near-total blockade of 1.5 million Palestinians, kids and all.

Israel's trampling of Palestinian students' right to education - the key to a lifetime of opportunity - has rarely evoked official protest from American leaders. The Israeli army has closed Palestinian universities for years at a time. Israeli military authorities have barred Palestinian occupational therapy students from traveling from Gaza to the West Bank to obtain vital clinical training. (MORE)

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IA: UI INCREASES ISLAMIC STUDIES CLASSES TO MEET DEMAND - TOP
Brian Morelli, Associated Press, 9/17/07
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/09/17/news/breaking_news/doc4

6ee55d94a42c744938368.txt

In a front corner of a Schaeffer Hall classroom, University of Iowa junior Sam Dennis sat at a desk scribbling notes about Israeli-U.S. relations during a recent Introduction to Politics in the Middle Eastern World class.

"This is not a political issue. The difference is in the amount of assistance to Israel versus the lack of assistance to inhabitants of Palestinian territories," political science professor Vicki Hesli lectured to the students. "What is important for this class is how Arab states perceive this."

Middle Eastern studies are the most relevant topic in political science today, Dennis said after the class.

"Ignorance and negligence in the situation, there will be a detriment to American society and what is going on," said Dennis, a 23-year-old who has taken three courses in Islamic studies recently.

Interest in the subject appears to be surging, UI officials said. Students want to better understand the culture, politics and religion of a world that the U.S. has been at odds with in recent years, from the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and potential future conflicts with countries such as Iran and Syria.

Since 9/11, UI has made a concerted effort to meet the growing demand. Officials have increased the opportunities to dive into the subject by offering more courses, hiring more specialized professors, bringing in more guest speakers and creating study abroad opportunities.

Hesli, the coordinator and one of 23 faculty in the two-year-old Middle Eastern and Muslim World Studies program, said students want to try to develop their own understanding of why these problems exist rather than relying on media or government accounts. (MORE)

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WA: MUSLIM, JEWISH STUDENTS BREAK FAST TOGETHER - TOP
David Song, Washington University Student Life, 9/17/07

For the first time in years, the religious holidays of two faiths coincided, leading to the convening of both Jewish and Muslim students on campus. Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Jewish High Holidays, began last Wednesday at sunset and ended last Friday at sunset. Ramadan, the month-long period of religious observance for Muslims, began on Thursday during Rosh Hashanah.

Because the Islamic calendar operates according to the lunar year, Ramadan migrates throughout the months of the Gregorian calendar, making the coincidence between the first date of Ramadan and Rosh Hashanah uncommon.

During Yom Kippur, the Jewish High Holiday that follows Rosh Hashanah, Jews will fast from this Friday at sunset to this Saturday at sunset. Muslims also practice fasting, abstaining from food during the daytime throughout Ramadan.

Accordingly, the Muslim Student Association (MSA) and the Jewish Student Union (JSU) of Washington University have plans to hold a joint break fast at the end of Yom Kippur. The break fast will take place at sunset, when Jews and Muslims may resume eating.

Senior Tasmeem Ahmad, president of MSA, expressed optimism about the event.

"I know that the MSA is very excited to be participating in the joint break fast," said Ahmad. "It's something we wanted to do last year but weren't able to. I think it's going to be a very good experience. Instead of just meeting with the entire Jewish population, we'll be breaking fast with 15 of them, so it's not going to be such a skewed proportion of Jewish and Muslim students. I think the intimacy is going work out really well." (MORE)

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OK: RELIGION SERIES EXPLORES ISLAMIC FAITH IN DEPTH - TOP
Church offers an opportunity to learn more about the world's "Five Great Religions."
Teddye Snell, Tahlequah Daily Press, 9/17/07
http://www.shelbyvilledailyunion.com/features/cnhinsfaith_story_256124200.html

In a post 9-11 America, devout Muslims have found themselves more misunderstood than ever, often labeled terrorists for holding beliefs contrary to those of popular Western religions.

Many people do not understand that Islam belongs to the family of great monotheistic faiths, the children of Abraham. It is the second-largest and fastest-growing religion in the world.

To promote a better understanding of Islam, as well as the world's other five great religions -- Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism -- St. Basil's Episcopal Church is offering a 60-week study series on Wednesday nights at 7.

The series combines a DVD study course, "Great World Religions," compiled by Dr. John L. Esposito, professor of Islamic studies at Georgetown University, followed by discussion and fellowship.

A small group gathered Wednesday night to watch an overview of Islam. Church member John Day welcomed the group.

"Islam is such an important religion in the world today," he said. "The more we learn and know, the better prepared we are to deal with it in our everyday lives."

Day explained the series would run 60 weeks, and the first 12 meetings in the series will feature an in-depth study of Islam. The video portion of the event ran 30 minutes, and Day invited discussion and comment afterward.

During the video lecture, Esposito explained Islam is practiced in 56 countries, spanning North Africa to Southeast Asia, with minorities in Europe and the U.S. While many believe Islam is primarily an Arab religion, only 20 percent of Muslims are Arab. (MORE)

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NJ: OBSERVING RAMADAN HELPS PARENTS INSTILL MUSLIM CULTURE INTO FAMILY - TOP
Sametta M. Thompson, Asbury Park Press, 9/17/07
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/NEWS01/709130480/1004

For Lubna Malik and her family, observing Ramadan means using focus and self-discipline to improve themselves and their lives.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar; it is spent fasting from dawn to dusk. Followers believe that the Qur'an was sent down to the Earth during this month. Special nightly prayers called Tarawih are held, and at least 1/30th of the Qur'an is recited each night, so that by the end of the month, the entire Qur'an has been read.

The observance of Ramadan began Wednesday night and ends on Oct. 13.

"Fasting for us is more like renewing our connection with God and increasing our faith and trying to bring our lives back to the course that it should be running instead of running to all the worldly causes," said Malik, a longtime resident of Holmdel who is originally from Karachi, Pakistan.

Malik, a teacher at a Muslim school, lives in her Takolusa Drive home with her husband of 19 years, Naeem, and two children, daughter Najia, 15, and son Danyal, 8.

Malik said the observation of Ramadan is significant because it allows her and her husband to instill the Muslim culture into their American-born children.

"I want my kids to understand what Ramadan is all about," she said. "I hope they will become good Muslims and not just think of their religion as something that they do on Fridays or at Ramadan or at special occasions."

Malik said the family tries to congregate as much as possible with other Muslims in the community so that the children can see that many other people are fasting and that they're not alone. (MORE)

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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: info@cair.com
URL: http://www.cair.com

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