by Katie Abdullah
Recently I started a new job, working evenings at a gas station in the northeast quadrant of town. My husband, a recent immigrant from Egypt, comes with me, and we spend our time in the bulletproof booth helping customers, talking, reading, and learning about some aspects of American culture.
During our shift is Magrib, the early evening prayer. While we pray, we put a sign in the window, so that customers know we'll be back soon. We didn't feel comfortable using the "Shift changing, please wait" sign, because that wasn't what we were doing. We found a sign with "I'll be back in three minutes, but this was ineffective, as customers pounded on the window upon arriving, hoping, I assume, that I was near the end of my three minutes.
With one or both of these signs in the window, I would pray right in the front of the store or my husband and I would pray together in the back room, visible through the windows. After reading the sign and seeing us, customers would beat on the windows and shout, getting noisier when we didn't respond.
In Egypt, shopkeepers and clerks pray, right in the store. My husband wanted to maintain this practice here in the U.S., and I wanted to start the tradition myself. Hoping for an undisturbed prayer, I hand, lettered a sign which reads simply, "I'm praying. Please wait 3 min. Thank you." My husband and I felt sure that most people would respect this, even if they didn't understand exactly what we were doing. So far, no one has openly complained about having to wait while we fulfill our obligation to Allah (SWT). However, people have grimaced, pouted, thrown their money in the tray, and grumbled their purchase requests. Some people still pound on the window and shout!
One evening, after having difficulty concentrating on our salat, due to pounding and knocking, I lifted my sign up in front of the face of the waiting customer, who was scowling. After entering her order into the cash register, I thanked her for waiting, (yes, she probably heard the sarcasm in my I voice), and she sulked away. The ten-year old boy waiting behind her said, "I'm sorry, I didn't see the sign," and bought a candy bar. I smiled at him and thanked him , (sincerely) for waiting. My husband was encouraged to see such a young person have respect for religious activity. He took this as an indication, insha'Allah, that other persons, of all ages, would share this young man's respect.
Although many of the customers have been neither as patient, nor as respectful as we had hoped, we have received a few pleasant surprises. A day or two after the young man apologized, we finished salat and found waiting for us several customers, the first of whom was an older gentleman. "Did you pray for me?!", he asked enthusiastically. "No, sir," I answered. "But I will the next time I pray!" "OK!" he exclaimed with joy and hopping on one foot a bit, "I'm just glad to see someone's praying." I think he was surprised to see a woman wearing hijab (the head covering) and maybe he doesn't know much about Islam, but his appreciation was genuine. Since then, we have been asked about our religion and asked why we pray. It seems that people are adjusting to our praying, and we are adjusting to their reaction.
However, the enthusiasm of the older gentleman after one of our first evenings with the sign was contagious. The rest of our shift my husband and I talked and laughed, discussing the potential of the future. What if Muslims in all occupations had small signs to put in their windows or on their desks? "I'm praying. Please wait ten minutes. Thank you. If What if we gave our bosses and supervisors copies of the local prayer schedule, with prayers during working hours highlighted, so that they would know when we'd be taking our "coffee breaks"? What if we who own our own businesses had signs which read "This is a Muslim-owned business" and "Bismillah arRahman arRahim"?
By merely announcing our existence and exercising our right to pray, we would be sending such a powerful message to the non-Muslims around us that it would be making quiet yet constant da'wa (education making quiet yet constant da'wa (education - about Islam). Insha'AIlah, more and more Muslims will feel comfortable being open about Islam, and our presence in this country will become increasingly noticeable. But for now, I use a hand-lettered sign which reads: "I'm praying. Please wait 3 minutes. Thank you."
Saturday, February 27, 2010
August 1994 Our Masjid and Conferences
RESULTS OF THE S.E.A.M. CONFERENCE SURVEY SHOW LESSONS TO BE LEARNED.
Reports: Ayman Ismail & Rashed Zantout
During the period of July 1-3, Muslims at Columbus observed the Omar Ibn ElKhattab Mosque being like a "honey-bee". The Isha prayer at one time had more than 120 praying Muslims! Sleeping bags, wires and cables here and there, video cameras, portable computers and even printers were connected to the Masjid's power supply. The occasion, The Fifth South- East Asian Muslim Student Delegates Conference (SEAM) was held, here in Omar Ibn EI-Khattab Mosque. An ingenious idea, definitely, but is it a good idea? IQRA! was there to ask some questions and find out what the participants in that conference had to say about a conference at our mosque.
According to SEAM documents, the total participants including their families were almost 200, many from overseas. Sisters and children stayed in the Fawcett Center while brothers stayed in the Omar Mosque during the program. The results of a limited survey ( 11 brothers) cannot be reliable for making conclusions, but at least they gave us an impression. It might not have been such a great idea given the resources at our Masjid.
The majority of those surveyed thought the mosque was not a suitable place for a conference, and they cited many reasons. The top reason was that it was ill-equipped. Conferences need facilities like overhead projectors, chairs, power outlets, and the like. "The restrooms are not adequate for the number of people attending the conference," one participant said. "There are no showers and the restrooms should be cleaned more often." another said. This seemed particularly true, as the Masjid hosted the majority of those surveyed, and everyone knows the shape of our rest rooms!
What conferences need most is a climate for concentration, and this was difficult given the multipurpose function of a mosque with frequent movement and activity. "People keep coming in and out and children were running during the conference !" one brother said Dr: Muhammad Imaduddin, a retired Professor from the Institute of Technology in Bandung, who flew in from Indonesia told IQRA! that "Conferences need facilities and functions not easily provided by a mosque. It is a good idea, but not necessarily practical. We need a bigger facility. Workshops should be done on campus, while lectures about spiritual issues may be done in Masjid - and thus capture the best of both world, campus facilities and the Islamic environment."
IQRA! went to the Organizing Committee with these results. We asked Br. Hermawan Dipojono if these findings were indeed sensible. "We are not surprised by the comments of the participants about these things; especially on the inadequacies of the showers and restrooms!" he said. "From the very beginning the Organizing Committee of the 5th SEAM Conference was well aware of the inadequacies of our mosque to be a host of a conference with more than 100 participants."
However, if the event was too large for the capacities of the Masjid, it also meant that the load on those who organized it was proportionally enlarged and "whatever the inadequacies. in our mosque, it certainly has given a deep spiritual experience to the participants , who, for a couple of days, stayed and slept in the mosque, alhamdulillah." said Br. Hermawan. Thus, it was not surprising that the participants expressed great appreciation to the organizers and this perspective was reflected in the survey results.
Everyone was very pleased with the treatment and assistance they got from the Columbus community and the MSA. A monumental effort was felt by everyone in the preparation and organization of this event, and IQRA! congratulates Br. Salengke, the Organizing Committee Chairperson, Br. Hermawan, and all those who assisted them. "We want to express our gratitude to the MSA-ISGC for their full gratitude to the MSA - ISGC for their full support of this conference." expressed Br. Hermawan.
Such a spirit for action should he efficiently utilized by the MSA and the ISGC. We hope that a post-ante evaluation will take place so that we learn, improve, and excel, inshallah. The Organizing Committee has a complete documentation of the conference; papers, videos and cassettes. IQRA, in turn intends to publish, inshallah, the findings of a doctoral research survey on the priorities needed for action in our Masjid. We hope the MSA/ISGC will give this and the coming findings serious attention.
Reports: Ayman Ismail & Rashed Zantout
During the period of July 1-3, Muslims at Columbus observed the Omar Ibn ElKhattab Mosque being like a "honey-bee". The Isha prayer at one time had more than 120 praying Muslims! Sleeping bags, wires and cables here and there, video cameras, portable computers and even printers were connected to the Masjid's power supply. The occasion, The Fifth South- East Asian Muslim Student Delegates Conference (SEAM) was held, here in Omar Ibn EI-Khattab Mosque. An ingenious idea, definitely, but is it a good idea? IQRA! was there to ask some questions and find out what the participants in that conference had to say about a conference at our mosque.
According to SEAM documents, the total participants including their families were almost 200, many from overseas. Sisters and children stayed in the Fawcett Center while brothers stayed in the Omar Mosque during the program. The results of a limited survey ( 11 brothers) cannot be reliable for making conclusions, but at least they gave us an impression. It might not have been such a great idea given the resources at our Masjid.
The majority of those surveyed thought the mosque was not a suitable place for a conference, and they cited many reasons. The top reason was that it was ill-equipped. Conferences need facilities like overhead projectors, chairs, power outlets, and the like. "The restrooms are not adequate for the number of people attending the conference," one participant said. "There are no showers and the restrooms should be cleaned more often." another said. This seemed particularly true, as the Masjid hosted the majority of those surveyed, and everyone knows the shape of our rest rooms!
What conferences need most is a climate for concentration, and this was difficult given the multipurpose function of a mosque with frequent movement and activity. "People keep coming in and out and children were running during the conference !" one brother said Dr: Muhammad Imaduddin, a retired Professor from the Institute of Technology in Bandung, who flew in from Indonesia told IQRA! that "Conferences need facilities and functions not easily provided by a mosque. It is a good idea, but not necessarily practical. We need a bigger facility. Workshops should be done on campus, while lectures about spiritual issues may be done in Masjid - and thus capture the best of both world, campus facilities and the Islamic environment."
IQRA! went to the Organizing Committee with these results. We asked Br. Hermawan Dipojono if these findings were indeed sensible. "We are not surprised by the comments of the participants about these things; especially on the inadequacies of the showers and restrooms!" he said. "From the very beginning the Organizing Committee of the 5th SEAM Conference was well aware of the inadequacies of our mosque to be a host of a conference with more than 100 participants."
However, if the event was too large for the capacities of the Masjid, it also meant that the load on those who organized it was proportionally enlarged and "whatever the inadequacies. in our mosque, it certainly has given a deep spiritual experience to the participants , who, for a couple of days, stayed and slept in the mosque, alhamdulillah." said Br. Hermawan. Thus, it was not surprising that the participants expressed great appreciation to the organizers and this perspective was reflected in the survey results.
Everyone was very pleased with the treatment and assistance they got from the Columbus community and the MSA. A monumental effort was felt by everyone in the preparation and organization of this event, and IQRA! congratulates Br. Salengke, the Organizing Committee Chairperson, Br. Hermawan, and all those who assisted them. "We want to express our gratitude to the MSA-ISGC for their full gratitude to the MSA - ISGC for their full support of this conference." expressed Br. Hermawan.
Such a spirit for action should he efficiently utilized by the MSA and the ISGC. We hope that a post-ante evaluation will take place so that we learn, improve, and excel, inshallah. The Organizing Committee has a complete documentation of the conference; papers, videos and cassettes. IQRA, in turn intends to publish, inshallah, the findings of a doctoral research survey on the priorities needed for action in our Masjid. We hope the MSA/ISGC will give this and the coming findings serious attention.
June 1994 Project Save International
A Columbus based Muslim organization, Project Save International (PSI) has raised thousands of dollars for needy people throughout the world. PSI has been a forerunner in the area of mobilizing Muslim support for charitable causes as diverse as providing medical expenses for Bosnian war victims to establishing a zakat fund for needy people in the USA and India. The PSI also has donated monies to victims of atrocities in Kashmir and families of the Hebron massacre. May Allah reward this band of Muslims for coming together and helping to make a difference.
"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth." (2:261)
For further information on ....[contact information omitted]
"The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it groweth seven ears, and each ear hath a hundred grains. Allah giveth manifold increase to whom He pleaseth." (2:261)
For further information on ....[contact information omitted]
June 1994 Picnic for New Muslims
May 15th, the day Temple Dunlop planned for a picnic celebration, turned out to be full of showers, but no one seemed to care. Women and children filled her house and made the best of the day. A covered porch protected the grill and the chicken and kabobs turned out fine.
Michelle Miller formally said Shahada at the party. Michelle is now known as Munirah Ali, our new Muslim sister. Donna Pletcher had said Shahada at the English Sisters Study Group the week before the party. She repeated it before the imam here also. Four other women joined Munirah and Donna In the ceremony to obtain formally recorded Shahada certificates from the imam, Katharine Barker Abdallah, ImanShennan, Sadie Mahmood, and Mariam Bouslahmi. These women have been Muslims for a year or more, but without any paper to record the day and the witnesses. We live in a day of documentation, and these papers can prove useful. Brother Mouhamed Nabih Tarazi Ii presented a short speech on the significance of Shahada, before formally witnessing the women's testimony and presenting them with their signed certificates.
Congratulations to all our sisters who, in these times of hardship and persecution, came to document and celebrate their decision to be Muslim.
Michelle Miller formally said Shahada at the party. Michelle is now known as Munirah Ali, our new Muslim sister. Donna Pletcher had said Shahada at the English Sisters Study Group the week before the party. She repeated it before the imam here also. Four other women joined Munirah and Donna In the ceremony to obtain formally recorded Shahada certificates from the imam, Katharine Barker Abdallah, ImanShennan, Sadie Mahmood, and Mariam Bouslahmi. These women have been Muslims for a year or more, but without any paper to record the day and the witnesses. We live in a day of documentation, and these papers can prove useful. Brother Mouhamed Nabih Tarazi Ii presented a short speech on the significance of Shahada, before formally witnessing the women's testimony and presenting them with their signed certificates.
Congratulations to all our sisters who, in these times of hardship and persecution, came to document and celebrate their decision to be Muslim.
June 1994 English Classes for Ladies
Since January a few of the American sisters at the Omar Mosque have been offering classes In English for sisters from abroad. Aside from a nominal charge for books and materials, the classes are free. They are offered in the school building next door to the mosque during the week and have 2 beginner levels and one advanced class. For more information contact Mahdiya Koloresli at ###-####.
June 1994 Teachers' Appreciation Day At The Islamic Center
In an effort to recognize the dedication of our teachers, Sunday, April 24th was the annual Teachers' Appreciation Day at The Islamic Weekend School of the Islamic Center. The parents and children expressed their appreciation and thanked the teachers by giving them thank-you notes,kind words, etc. Teachers also received an appreciation certificate from the Islamic Weekend School.
Teachers, who are volunteers, play a very important role in building an Islamic personality in our children. They come to the Islamic Center every Sunday, spending their valuable time, to serve Allah SWT and to help our children learn Quran and Islam. The Teachers' Appreciation Day strengthens the bond between the parents and the teachers and enhances the learning process of the children, putting Islamic education in the right perspective.
IFCO ISLAMIC WEEKEND SCHOOL GRADUATION
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1994 - 11:00AM
St. STEPHEN COMMUNITY HOUSE, 1500 E. 17TH AVENUE
A CEREMONY FOR THE CHILDREN BY THE CHILDREN
Everyone is welcome to attend.
For further information, please call Br. Sohail Khan at ###-####.
Teachers, who are volunteers, play a very important role in building an Islamic personality in our children. They come to the Islamic Center every Sunday, spending their valuable time, to serve Allah SWT and to help our children learn Quran and Islam. The Teachers' Appreciation Day strengthens the bond between the parents and the teachers and enhances the learning process of the children, putting Islamic education in the right perspective.
IFCO ISLAMIC WEEKEND SCHOOL GRADUATION
SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 1994 - 11:00AM
St. STEPHEN COMMUNITY HOUSE, 1500 E. 17TH AVENUE
A CEREMONY FOR THE CHILDREN BY THE CHILDREN
Everyone is welcome to attend.
For further information, please call Br. Sohail Khan at ###-####.
June 1994 Don't Ask Me When I Will Be Back!
As-Salaam Alaikum, being Muslim, Jummah prayer is very important to me. We live in a culture that is mostly Christian. when I started to work, I made up my mind I would be attending Jummah prayer to be among my Muslim sisters. I explained this to my coworkers and my supervisor. they asked me what time would I be returning. I asked, "Do I call you on Sunday morning to ask what time you will be returning from church? That ended the questioning. Now they know not to schedule meetings or appointments around Jummah prayer. [Rhoda worked for Franklin County.]
June 1994 Make a Difference
by Temple Dunlop
Are you tired of the suffering our brothers and sisters in Bosnia have endured? You can make a difference right from your own home or office. First, call your senators at both their local offices in Ohio and their offices in Washington every day to vote in favor of lifting the arms embargo. Second, call President Clinton asking • him to lift the embargo. Third, fax letters every day to the president and your senators reminding them of the need to lift the embargo. Fourth and most importantly, ask Allah for victory to Bosnian Muslims so that justice and peace are realized.
Several letters to the senators were distributed and signed by various people in our community. These letters helped but still are not enough. The Senate bill, S.2042, as introduced by Senators Dole and Lieberman did pass in part because of the thousands of letters and phone calls encouraging a passing vote. This is simply not enough. The bill I must still go through the House of Representatives. You may contact Temple at ###-#### for a sample letter in order for you to make copies and distribute them. If you have the time ; you may simply write a quick note to your representative or to the president using the following addresses: .....[omitted]
Are you tired of the suffering our brothers and sisters in Bosnia have endured? You can make a difference right from your own home or office. First, call your senators at both their local offices in Ohio and their offices in Washington every day to vote in favor of lifting the arms embargo. Second, call President Clinton asking • him to lift the embargo. Third, fax letters every day to the president and your senators reminding them of the need to lift the embargo. Fourth and most importantly, ask Allah for victory to Bosnian Muslims so that justice and peace are realized.
Several letters to the senators were distributed and signed by various people in our community. These letters helped but still are not enough. The Senate bill, S.2042, as introduced by Senators Dole and Lieberman did pass in part because of the thousands of letters and phone calls encouraging a passing vote. This is simply not enough. The bill I must still go through the House of Representatives. You may contact Temple at ###-#### for a sample letter in order for you to make copies and distribute them. If you have the time ; you may simply write a quick note to your representative or to the president using the following addresses: .....[omitted]
June 1994 Update on our Bosnian Family
by Soumiya Bousfiha
As you know, Dr. Haque, her family, and many others have been sponsoring a family from Bosnia. Dr. Haque told me how much they have become members of her own family. Mashallah! She worked hard to bring Mevlida Hodzic and her children, 8 yr. old Amina, and 5 yr. old Adnan to America.
Adnan had an eye damaged in the Bosnian war and Dr. Haque made arrangements for Adnan to have eye surgery at Children's Hospital. On April 7th Adnan had the damaged cataract removed and he spent the night in the hospital. His damaged eye had to be covered, and therefore lost a lot of vision. The doctor have now covered his good eye, forcing the damaged eye to work. This will now require extra time to return to normal. Alhamdulillah, his vision has improved about 75%. Last week he had 20/80. Inshallah, it will return totally.
His sister Amina has been doing very well in learning English and is in school. She has progressed to the 3rd grade. She has adjusted well to living in America. Allah Akbar! Mevlida has also been taking adult English classes. She too has progressed and adjusted well. She can talk to you in good English now. She will be graduating from her English class June 7th. Congratulations!
The family is living with Mr. and Mrs. Bakht Quraish and their 5 yr. old son Aziz. Jazakallaho khayran this beautiful Muslim family for all they have done. They are appreciated by the community and an inspiration to all of us.
The Hodzic family had a choice to return to Bosnia or stay her
e in America. Due to the danger, Mevlida does not want to risk the lives of her family, so they will stay in the U. S. After many letters and phone calls, Mevlida's husband, Mehmed is expected to join them here soon. He is still in Bosnia recuperating from war injuries. Surprisingly, it has been found that Mevlida has a cousin and a distant uncle living in America. They have talked by phone.
Around June 18th the family may be moving to Indianapolis. They really appreciate all of you who have been so wonder fully kind and loving toward them but would very much like to live closer to other Bosnian families. I can understand that and would like to speak for the community: We will definitely miss you but wish you continued blessings from Allah.
As you know, Dr. Haque, her family, and many others have been sponsoring a family from Bosnia. Dr. Haque told me how much they have become members of her own family. Mashallah! She worked hard to bring Mevlida Hodzic and her children, 8 yr. old Amina, and 5 yr. old Adnan to America.
Adnan had an eye damaged in the Bosnian war and Dr. Haque made arrangements for Adnan to have eye surgery at Children's Hospital. On April 7th Adnan had the damaged cataract removed and he spent the night in the hospital. His damaged eye had to be covered, and therefore lost a lot of vision. The doctor have now covered his good eye, forcing the damaged eye to work. This will now require extra time to return to normal. Alhamdulillah, his vision has improved about 75%. Last week he had 20/80. Inshallah, it will return totally.
His sister Amina has been doing very well in learning English and is in school. She has progressed to the 3rd grade. She has adjusted well to living in America. Allah Akbar! Mevlida has also been taking adult English classes. She too has progressed and adjusted well. She can talk to you in good English now. She will be graduating from her English class June 7th. Congratulations!
The family is living with Mr. and Mrs. Bakht Quraish and their 5 yr. old son Aziz. Jazakallaho khayran this beautiful Muslim family for all they have done. They are appreciated by the community and an inspiration to all of us.
The Hodzic family had a choice to return to Bosnia or stay her
e in America. Due to the danger, Mevlida does not want to risk the lives of her family, so they will stay in the U. S. After many letters and phone calls, Mevlida's husband, Mehmed is expected to join them here soon. He is still in Bosnia recuperating from war injuries. Surprisingly, it has been found that Mevlida has a cousin and a distant uncle living in America. They have talked by phone.
Around June 18th the family may be moving to Indianapolis. They really appreciate all of you who have been so wonder fully kind and loving toward them but would very much like to live closer to other Bosnian families. I can understand that and would like to speak for the community: We will definitely miss you but wish you continued blessings from Allah.
March 1994 Our Bosnian Family
by Soumiya Bousfiha
Tuesday was a cloudy, cold, wet, snowy day until I had the opportunity to speak with a sweet, warm Muslim sister by the name of Nome Quraish from Pakistan. She warmed and brightened my day as the sunshine, from all the love she has in caring for others. Nome and her husband have taken in a family from Bosnia.
There are three members of the family here so far, Melvida, and her two children, 8 year old Amina, and 5 year old Adnan. The father, Mohammed, is still in Bosnia, anxiously waiting for the day he can join his family here in America.
While most of us cried silent tears in horror at seeing on TV or in newspapers the I Bosnian Muslims being killed, Dr. Malika Haque was , working at doing something to help. Since the summer of last year, she (along with Dr. Shareef of Gahanna, see page 8) has worked through International Organization of Migration (IOM) to bring those in medical need (required by IOM), here to the U.S. for help. Children's Hospital is working with her for the care and rehabilitation that will be needed for 5 yr. old Adnan. This precious little boy was injured in Bosnia and needs to have eye surgery soon. Please support him with your prayers.
Dr. Haque had submitted several names to IOM of families in need of help. Then the market place in Bosnia was bombed, where 68 were killed and many more injured. She received a fax that one of those families would be here sooner than expected. On February 18th, Adnan, his mother and sister arrived.
Several families in Columbus volunteered to take this family in. Dr. Haque decided on the Quraish family because they have a 5 year old son, Aziz, for Adnan to play with.
Thanks be to Allah, this family has been granted refugee status visas which means they may stay as long as they want in the U.S. Dr. Haque said, "This is not common place and must be a blessing from Allah." She is still working very hard to cut through all the red tape to unite the father once again with the family. He is a war casualty, injured in shelling in Bosnia, and there are problems in evacuating him.
When Melvida arrived here in the U.S., she and her children were in a state of fear. Melvida had seen her parents' bodies after their throats had been cut. Their home was in the war front area and they were forced to leave and find refuge with strangers. They lived in basements with no lights. They had to walk several miles for water, risking being shot, etc.
Adnan had 2 toy guns when he arrived here, and when he would go to bed, he would put one under his pillow and keep one in his hand, as he was afraid of being attacked during the night. The games he knows how to play are war games. This is all he knows. This is all he saw. The children were not allowed to play outside their basement refuge in Bosnia for fear they would be killed.
The daughter, Amina, is a very sweet, shy little gir1. She likes traditional clothes and "girl" things. The fear this child has had to live with just to survive is beyond our worst nightmares.
Dr. Haque has given them freedom from worry of being killed and freedom to practice their religion. In Bosnia they were persecuted if they practiced Islam. They were not allowed to read Quran out loud, for example. They now can look to a future of peace, with no bullets, no bombs, and to the day when their husband and father will be reunited with them.
Suggestions for ways to help this family:
1. Visit them. Let them know they are not alone here. Phone Nome at ###-####. Melvida is very eager to learn English and hopes to be able to work soon. The children have already learned a few words, like "pizza."
2. Donate money. Dr. Haque (###-####) is asking for money to help pay expensive phone bills to Bosnia for the family and to afford personal needs and extra help for the family.
3. Remember them in your prayers.
Tuesday was a cloudy, cold, wet, snowy day until I had the opportunity to speak with a sweet, warm Muslim sister by the name of Nome Quraish from Pakistan. She warmed and brightened my day as the sunshine, from all the love she has in caring for others. Nome and her husband have taken in a family from Bosnia.
There are three members of the family here so far, Melvida, and her two children, 8 year old Amina, and 5 year old Adnan. The father, Mohammed, is still in Bosnia, anxiously waiting for the day he can join his family here in America.
While most of us cried silent tears in horror at seeing on TV or in newspapers the I Bosnian Muslims being killed, Dr. Malika Haque was , working at doing something to help. Since the summer of last year, she (along with Dr. Shareef of Gahanna, see page 8) has worked through International Organization of Migration (IOM) to bring those in medical need (required by IOM), here to the U.S. for help. Children's Hospital is working with her for the care and rehabilitation that will be needed for 5 yr. old Adnan. This precious little boy was injured in Bosnia and needs to have eye surgery soon. Please support him with your prayers.
Dr. Haque had submitted several names to IOM of families in need of help. Then the market place in Bosnia was bombed, where 68 were killed and many more injured. She received a fax that one of those families would be here sooner than expected. On February 18th, Adnan, his mother and sister arrived.
Several families in Columbus volunteered to take this family in. Dr. Haque decided on the Quraish family because they have a 5 year old son, Aziz, for Adnan to play with.
Thanks be to Allah, this family has been granted refugee status visas which means they may stay as long as they want in the U.S. Dr. Haque said, "This is not common place and must be a blessing from Allah." She is still working very hard to cut through all the red tape to unite the father once again with the family. He is a war casualty, injured in shelling in Bosnia, and there are problems in evacuating him.
When Melvida arrived here in the U.S., she and her children were in a state of fear. Melvida had seen her parents' bodies after their throats had been cut. Their home was in the war front area and they were forced to leave and find refuge with strangers. They lived in basements with no lights. They had to walk several miles for water, risking being shot, etc.
Adnan had 2 toy guns when he arrived here, and when he would go to bed, he would put one under his pillow and keep one in his hand, as he was afraid of being attacked during the night. The games he knows how to play are war games. This is all he knows. This is all he saw. The children were not allowed to play outside their basement refuge in Bosnia for fear they would be killed.
The daughter, Amina, is a very sweet, shy little gir1. She likes traditional clothes and "girl" things. The fear this child has had to live with just to survive is beyond our worst nightmares.
Dr. Haque has given them freedom from worry of being killed and freedom to practice their religion. In Bosnia they were persecuted if they practiced Islam. They were not allowed to read Quran out loud, for example. They now can look to a future of peace, with no bullets, no bombs, and to the day when their husband and father will be reunited with them.
Suggestions for ways to help this family:
1. Visit them. Let them know they are not alone here. Phone Nome at ###-####. Melvida is very eager to learn English and hopes to be able to work soon. The children have already learned a few words, like "pizza."
2. Donate money. Dr. Haque (###-####) is asking for money to help pay expensive phone bills to Bosnia for the family and to afford personal needs and extra help for the family.
3. Remember them in your prayers.
March 1994 Bosnian Medical Help
by N.T.
Dr. Mohamed Shareef and his family have been very active in helping medical refugees from Bosnia. With his professional contacts, Dr. Shareef contributed greatly to optain equipment and medical supplies last year when our community collected donations to send over to refugee camps.
But he didn't stop there. Some 6 months ago, he sponsored Jeward and saed, two Bosnian men injured in the conflict. He arranged for their treatment at Columbus Community Hospital for eye and facial injury, requiring extensive plastic surgery. Saed was accompanied by his mother Fatima. All three stayed with the family of Dr. Shareef and his wife, Dr. Nayyar. Fatima became very good friends cooking in the kitchen with Sajida Begum, Dr. Shareef's sister, who handled so much of the extra housekeeping chores for the guests.
These guests recently left for indianapolis, where they found family friends, and Jeward has just phoned to say his wife and three children have finally joined him from Bosnia. Fatima and saed still await the arrival of Saed's wife and two daughters.
Three months ago another man, Khair-uddeen, arrived to be treated for a back injury at Grant Hospital. He is staying with another volunteer family. More people could be brought in but money and sponsors are needed. Dr. Shareef has extablished a special fund to handle donations and has a list of more Bosnians in need. He and his wife can be contacted at: [###-####].
Dr. Mohamed Shareef and his family have been very active in helping medical refugees from Bosnia. With his professional contacts, Dr. Shareef contributed greatly to optain equipment and medical supplies last year when our community collected donations to send over to refugee camps.
But he didn't stop there. Some 6 months ago, he sponsored Jeward and saed, two Bosnian men injured in the conflict. He arranged for their treatment at Columbus Community Hospital for eye and facial injury, requiring extensive plastic surgery. Saed was accompanied by his mother Fatima. All three stayed with the family of Dr. Shareef and his wife, Dr. Nayyar. Fatima became very good friends cooking in the kitchen with Sajida Begum, Dr. Shareef's sister, who handled so much of the extra housekeeping chores for the guests.
These guests recently left for indianapolis, where they found family friends, and Jeward has just phoned to say his wife and three children have finally joined him from Bosnia. Fatima and saed still await the arrival of Saed's wife and two daughters.
Three months ago another man, Khair-uddeen, arrived to be treated for a back injury at Grant Hospital. He is staying with another volunteer family. More people could be brought in but money and sponsors are needed. Dr. Shareef has extablished a special fund to handle donations and has a list of more Bosnians in need. He and his wife can be contacted at: [###-####].
May 1994 In Response to You
Due to editing decisions, some minor changes were made to the article "Religion Not Culture" by sisters Inas Hendawy and Farida EI-Hennawy, published in the March [April] issue. At the request of the authors, we here publish a part of their article that was edited:
" ... Also, many women do not respect hijab regulations (especially being not tight or short), and some uncover (partially) their hair. Aisha (RAA) said: 'If the Prophet (PBUH) saw what women did, he would prevent them (from praying in the mosque) like the women of 2:349) ... "
We would like to comment on this saying of Aisha. Though we certainly respect her opinion, she was a scholar and a judge of the highest caliber in the early Muslim community, there is a distinction between a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and one from Aisha. More importantly, the context of her statement is not clear. However, we did not feel omitting this material changed or weakened the authors' letter.
We regret that we didn't define our editorial policy clearly enough in, advance. Since we are reorganizing with the MSA for future issues of Iqra!, we will, insha'allah, publish a detailed policy statement on editing next issue.
" ... Also, many women do not respect hijab regulations (especially being not tight or short), and some uncover (partially) their hair. Aisha (RAA) said: 'If the Prophet (PBUH) saw what women did, he would prevent them (from praying in the mosque) like the women of 2:349) ... "
We would like to comment on this saying of Aisha. Though we certainly respect her opinion, she was a scholar and a judge of the highest caliber in the early Muslim community, there is a distinction between a hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and one from Aisha. More importantly, the context of her statement is not clear. However, we did not feel omitting this material changed or weakened the authors' letter.
We regret that we didn't define our editorial policy clearly enough in, advance. Since we are reorganizing with the MSA for future issues of Iqra!, we will, insha'allah, publish a detailed policy statement on editing next issue.
April 1994 Religion Not Culture
By Inas Hendawy and Farida EI-Hennawy
We thank our sister who wrote the article "Is It Simply Culture or Religion?" for criticizing what she thought of as bad things. We think that she had good intentions, although we disagree with her on many points we will be as objective and fair as we can.
During times of regular sisters' meetings, the door is always unlocked, but you need to pull it hard enough to open it. In other times, it is locked for security purposes, keeping in mind the serious accidents which happened last year. But you may ask your husband to unlock it from inside. This has nothing to do with your right to enter the mosque.
Sisters who can't pray, yet come with their husbands, may sit and talk in the lecture room, which has a door that can isolate it from the prayer room, preventing any nuisance. Eating in mosque is also allowed. Abdullah Ibn Al Harith (RAA) said that they used to eat bread and meat in the mosque in the era of the Prophet (PBUH)(Ibn Majah 2: 1097). Aggressive efforts are exerted to control cockroaches by regular thorough cleaning after each meeting. We will seek professional help for pest control soon. We need more real help, and less sarcasm from those who like to be just "visitors." Some sisters look through window blinds for their husbands to inform them of something Important. They never have bad intentions in doing so.
Our children are ours, and it is not practical to leave them with baby sitters each time we go to the mosque. In addition, we have to train them r to attend the mosque frequently. Children stay in the toy room, unless one of them needs r something from his/her mother. The Prophet (PBUH) carried his granddaughter on his back during prayers. (Nasa'y 2:45). He also shortened the prayers when he heard a child's cry, to avoid hurting his mother. (Bukhari 2:349) We have to make some sacrifice to raise truly Muslim generation.
During azan, we are urged to repeat what the mua'zzin says (person who says azan is called mua'zzin, while imam is the person who leads the prayers). Talking in addition to that repetition is not forbidden, and the hadeeth mentioned by the writer was about the imam giving Jumma' speech.
Women are allowed to pray behind men. Um Salama narrated that women used to leave when the Prophet (PBUH) finished prayers and be used to stay in his place for awhile to give them a chance to leave before men reach them. (Bukhari 2:352) Due to our mosque structure, when men come from wudu' section in the rear of the mosque, they can - without intention - see the women's backs, especially during ruku' and sujud. This makes women praying in men's section inappropriate at this time. Also some women may not respect hijab regulations (especially being not tight, or short).
Muslims (men or women) may pray separated from the imam by a partition if they can know his actions, either by seeing or hearing him, or seeing or hearing whoever is praying behind him. (Majmooa' by AI-Nawawy 4:201) So, praying in the women's section of our mosque is appropriate as long as they know (through the loud speaker) the imam's or men's actions. In fact the farther women stay away from men the better. Abu Hurayrah (RAA) said that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The best of men's rows is the first, and the worst is the last; and the best of women's rows is the last and the worst is the first" (Muslim I:326).
At the end, we thank our sister for her criticism, we need constructive criticism. Please be of help in maintaining our mosque.
We thank our sister who wrote the article "Is It Simply Culture or Religion?" for criticizing what she thought of as bad things. We think that she had good intentions, although we disagree with her on many points we will be as objective and fair as we can.
During times of regular sisters' meetings, the door is always unlocked, but you need to pull it hard enough to open it. In other times, it is locked for security purposes, keeping in mind the serious accidents which happened last year. But you may ask your husband to unlock it from inside. This has nothing to do with your right to enter the mosque.
Sisters who can't pray, yet come with their husbands, may sit and talk in the lecture room, which has a door that can isolate it from the prayer room, preventing any nuisance. Eating in mosque is also allowed. Abdullah Ibn Al Harith (RAA) said that they used to eat bread and meat in the mosque in the era of the Prophet (PBUH)(Ibn Majah 2: 1097). Aggressive efforts are exerted to control cockroaches by regular thorough cleaning after each meeting. We will seek professional help for pest control soon. We need more real help, and less sarcasm from those who like to be just "visitors." Some sisters look through window blinds for their husbands to inform them of something Important. They never have bad intentions in doing so.
Our children are ours, and it is not practical to leave them with baby sitters each time we go to the mosque. In addition, we have to train them r to attend the mosque frequently. Children stay in the toy room, unless one of them needs r something from his/her mother. The Prophet (PBUH) carried his granddaughter on his back during prayers. (Nasa'y 2:45). He also shortened the prayers when he heard a child's cry, to avoid hurting his mother. (Bukhari 2:349) We have to make some sacrifice to raise truly Muslim generation.
During azan, we are urged to repeat what the mua'zzin says (person who says azan is called mua'zzin, while imam is the person who leads the prayers). Talking in addition to that repetition is not forbidden, and the hadeeth mentioned by the writer was about the imam giving Jumma' speech.
Women are allowed to pray behind men. Um Salama narrated that women used to leave when the Prophet (PBUH) finished prayers and be used to stay in his place for awhile to give them a chance to leave before men reach them. (Bukhari 2:352) Due to our mosque structure, when men come from wudu' section in the rear of the mosque, they can - without intention - see the women's backs, especially during ruku' and sujud. This makes women praying in men's section inappropriate at this time. Also some women may not respect hijab regulations (especially being not tight, or short).
Muslims (men or women) may pray separated from the imam by a partition if they can know his actions, either by seeing or hearing him, or seeing or hearing whoever is praying behind him. (Majmooa' by AI-Nawawy 4:201) So, praying in the women's section of our mosque is appropriate as long as they know (through the loud speaker) the imam's or men's actions. In fact the farther women stay away from men the better. Abu Hurayrah (RAA) said that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "The best of men's rows is the first, and the worst is the last; and the best of women's rows is the last and the worst is the first" (Muslim I:326).
At the end, we thank our sister for her criticism, we need constructive criticism. Please be of help in maintaining our mosque.
March 1994 Is It Simply Culture or Religion?
By Meriem Djafi
My husband and I arrive at the mosque through the back door as I walk around to the front entrance However, when I arrive at the front door, I usually have to knock and wait patiently because the door is locked. As I stand in the cold, I feel isolated and locked out. What should I do? Is it acceptable for me to go around to the back door to enter the mosque or should I continue to knock and wait? I wait because I know that no Muslim can be denied the right to enter a mosque and offer prayers therein. After a few minutes or so, a sister answers the door, and I enter the mosque to pray. I remove my shoes as I prepare to enter the room for prayer.
Can you imagine what I find? Many women are sitting in several groups talking in numerous languages, children are running around as they scream and play, sisters and children alike are eating and gossiping instead of preparing for prayer, and I almost always find a cockroach crawling on the floor or walls. This is not what I expect to find when I enter a room for prayer. In addition to this, I always find women the bent, broken metal blinds the bent, broken metal blinds peeking at the men.
This is really bizarre to me, and I have much difficulty comprehending this whole situation. Aisha said, The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, ordered the building of the mosque and that it should be kept clean and perfumed (AD-Msh.4:7). Is it not the responsibility of all brothers, sisters, and their children to show the utmost RESPECT for the mosque since "the mosques are Allah's" (72:18)? We all need to work together to correct this!
The imam turns on the microphone and makes the athan, the noise and utter chaos continues even though Salman said on the authority of the Prophet, PBUH, "one should remain silent when the imam speaks" (Bukhari, 11:35). During, the prayer, the sisters are silent even though the children continue to yell, scream, cry, and run between the lines. Unfortunately, some of the sisters make as much noise as the children when the imam gives his lecture, whether in English or Arabic.
This is so frustrating because I come to the mosque to worship Allah, pray, and learn Qu'ran. After all, the mosque, being the essential meeting place of Muslims five times a day, is also a general center where all important matters relating to the welfare of the Muslim community are transacted and where Muslims gathered together on all important occasions. What can I do? I ask a sister to please be quiet or stop the children from running through the doors to the men's side, but some sisters seem to be offended.
I am comforted to know that at least my husband can concentrate on his prayer in peace because he is not stranded on the noisy, dirty, "baby-sitting" side of the mosque. Why am I not permitted to join the men in prayer and accomplish my objective for coming to the mosque?
I am convinced that separating the men from the women is cultural. As long as men and women are dressed appropriately, then why can they not pray together in congregation. Ibn 'Umar said, A wife of 'Umar used to attend the morning and 'Isha prayers In congregation in the mosque. It was said to her, why do you go forth and you know that 'Umar does not like this and is adverse to it? She said, what prevents him from prohibiting me? He said, what prevents him is the saying of the Messenger of Allah, PBUH: "Do not prohibit the handmaids of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah" (Bukhari 11:12)
In a sense, I feel like I am prohibited from attending the mosque. My husband encourages me to attend the mosque as much as I desire to go. However, when I attend the mosque, I usually leave frustrated and unfulfilled. Why should I drive a long distance to the mosque and leave my clean, 'peaceful home Perhaps, I want to pray with my brothers and sisters in order to learn more about my religion. I believe that Muslims' iman decreases when an individual practices his/her religion alone; while on the other hand, a Muslim's iman can only strengthen and increase in congregation.
What is our solution? As an ummah, we must correct this situation because no one has the right to interfere with another brother's or sister's prayer or opportunity to learn• more about Islam. I am not going to stop coming to the mosque. I am going to persevere and continue to be patient. It is our obligation to educate our fellow brothers and sisters in a polite manner. One day, I am sure that I will go through the double doors that separate the men from the women and pray behind the men as I did in the mosques in Canada. I do not wish to offend any of the brothers, but I have come to the mosque to pray and hear Qu'ran. Our religion does not prohibit us from praying together. Abu Musa said, the Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said: "When you pray, set right your ranks; then one of you should act as your imam, so when he says takbir, say the takbir, and when he says ghairi-l-rnagh-dzub-i 'alia-him wa la-dzal-lin, say amin, Allah will accept your prayer (M, Msh 4: 12).
Honestly, I want to stop the ritual of constantly complaining to my husband when I join him once again as we leave the mosque. He always finds himself in the situation of having to repeat the lecture that the imam gave so that I can learn. If the doors that separate the men from the women are to remain, let them separate the people that want to worship from those who want to socialize, gossip and eat.
My husband and I arrive at the mosque through the back door as I walk around to the front entrance However, when I arrive at the front door, I usually have to knock and wait patiently because the door is locked. As I stand in the cold, I feel isolated and locked out. What should I do? Is it acceptable for me to go around to the back door to enter the mosque or should I continue to knock and wait? I wait because I know that no Muslim can be denied the right to enter a mosque and offer prayers therein. After a few minutes or so, a sister answers the door, and I enter the mosque to pray. I remove my shoes as I prepare to enter the room for prayer.
Can you imagine what I find? Many women are sitting in several groups talking in numerous languages, children are running around as they scream and play, sisters and children alike are eating and gossiping instead of preparing for prayer, and I almost always find a cockroach crawling on the floor or walls. This is not what I expect to find when I enter a room for prayer. In addition to this, I always find women the bent, broken metal blinds the bent, broken metal blinds peeking at the men.
This is really bizarre to me, and I have much difficulty comprehending this whole situation. Aisha said, The Messenger of Allah, PBUH, ordered the building of the mosque and that it should be kept clean and perfumed (AD-Msh.4:7). Is it not the responsibility of all brothers, sisters, and their children to show the utmost RESPECT for the mosque since "the mosques are Allah's" (72:18)? We all need to work together to correct this!
The imam turns on the microphone and makes the athan, the noise and utter chaos continues even though Salman said on the authority of the Prophet, PBUH, "one should remain silent when the imam speaks" (Bukhari, 11:35). During, the prayer, the sisters are silent even though the children continue to yell, scream, cry, and run between the lines. Unfortunately, some of the sisters make as much noise as the children when the imam gives his lecture, whether in English or Arabic.
This is so frustrating because I come to the mosque to worship Allah, pray, and learn Qu'ran. After all, the mosque, being the essential meeting place of Muslims five times a day, is also a general center where all important matters relating to the welfare of the Muslim community are transacted and where Muslims gathered together on all important occasions. What can I do? I ask a sister to please be quiet or stop the children from running through the doors to the men's side, but some sisters seem to be offended.
I am comforted to know that at least my husband can concentrate on his prayer in peace because he is not stranded on the noisy, dirty, "baby-sitting" side of the mosque. Why am I not permitted to join the men in prayer and accomplish my objective for coming to the mosque?
I am convinced that separating the men from the women is cultural. As long as men and women are dressed appropriately, then why can they not pray together in congregation. Ibn 'Umar said, A wife of 'Umar used to attend the morning and 'Isha prayers In congregation in the mosque. It was said to her, why do you go forth and you know that 'Umar does not like this and is adverse to it? She said, what prevents him from prohibiting me? He said, what prevents him is the saying of the Messenger of Allah, PBUH: "Do not prohibit the handmaids of Allah from attending the mosques of Allah" (Bukhari 11:12)
In a sense, I feel like I am prohibited from attending the mosque. My husband encourages me to attend the mosque as much as I desire to go. However, when I attend the mosque, I usually leave frustrated and unfulfilled. Why should I drive a long distance to the mosque and leave my clean, 'peaceful home Perhaps, I want to pray with my brothers and sisters in order to learn more about my religion. I believe that Muslims' iman decreases when an individual practices his/her religion alone; while on the other hand, a Muslim's iman can only strengthen and increase in congregation.
What is our solution? As an ummah, we must correct this situation because no one has the right to interfere with another brother's or sister's prayer or opportunity to learn• more about Islam. I am not going to stop coming to the mosque. I am going to persevere and continue to be patient. It is our obligation to educate our fellow brothers and sisters in a polite manner. One day, I am sure that I will go through the double doors that separate the men from the women and pray behind the men as I did in the mosques in Canada. I do not wish to offend any of the brothers, but I have come to the mosque to pray and hear Qu'ran. Our religion does not prohibit us from praying together. Abu Musa said, the Messenger of Allah, PBUH, said: "When you pray, set right your ranks; then one of you should act as your imam, so when he says takbir, say the takbir, and when he says ghairi-l-rnagh-dzub-i 'alia-him wa la-dzal-lin, say amin, Allah will accept your prayer (M, Msh 4: 12).
Honestly, I want to stop the ritual of constantly complaining to my husband when I join him once again as we leave the mosque. He always finds himself in the situation of having to repeat the lecture that the imam gave so that I can learn. If the doors that separate the men from the women are to remain, let them separate the people that want to worship from those who want to socialize, gossip and eat.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
July 1994 International Conference Here!
The 5th South East Asian Muslim Student Delegates Conference comes to Columbus, July 1-3, 1994.
The purpose of this conference is to provide Muslim scholars and students of South East Asian origin, studying in the U. S., with a constructive and meaningful intellectual platform where they can exchange ideas and formulate solutions to regional problems facing the Muslim Ummah in South East Asia. Registration information can be obtained from the steering committee [phone # omitted] or at Omar Mosque, Friday, July 1, between 6 and 9 pm, for limited places still available.
Topics include:
• How to make functional the basic religious as well as cultural values so that the Ummah can keep up with the demand of modem life. Under-education, under-utilization of Muslim women, and underdevelopment of social solidarity will be addressed.
• In politics and Shariah, practical Islamic strategies are needed that will be instrumental in encouraging more general participation in policy making. Collaborative ventures between religious scholars and formal leaders in the form of Islamic judicial offices like in Indonesia will be discussed.
• In Economy, issues of Islamic banking, distribution of Islamic charity, and generally improving the role of Muslims in the regional economy will be examined.
• In Science and Technology, issues and problems will be addressed related to the extent to which Muslim Ummah can and should make the best use of the existing technology to improve the quality of life. Improved communication between Muslim scientists and scholars is needed also.
ALL OF THE LOCAL MUSLIM COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO JOIN CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS for 2 joint halaqahs.
The purpose of this conference is to provide Muslim scholars and students of South East Asian origin, studying in the U. S., with a constructive and meaningful intellectual platform where they can exchange ideas and formulate solutions to regional problems facing the Muslim Ummah in South East Asia. Registration information can be obtained from the steering committee [phone # omitted] or at Omar Mosque, Friday, July 1, between 6 and 9 pm, for limited places still available.
Topics include:
• How to make functional the basic religious as well as cultural values so that the Ummah can keep up with the demand of modem life. Under-education, under-utilization of Muslim women, and underdevelopment of social solidarity will be addressed.
• In politics and Shariah, practical Islamic strategies are needed that will be instrumental in encouraging more general participation in policy making. Collaborative ventures between religious scholars and formal leaders in the form of Islamic judicial offices like in Indonesia will be discussed.
• In Economy, issues of Islamic banking, distribution of Islamic charity, and generally improving the role of Muslims in the regional economy will be examined.
• In Science and Technology, issues and problems will be addressed related to the extent to which Muslim Ummah can and should make the best use of the existing technology to improve the quality of life. Improved communication between Muslim scientists and scholars is needed also.
ALL OF THE LOCAL MUSLIM COMMUNITY IS INVITED TO JOIN CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS for 2 joint halaqahs.
7/94 More Picnics!!
Results of the MSA Eid Picnic Survey Show a Demand for a More Active Summer!!
(Surveyed by IQRA! staff)
30 men and 36 women were surveyed about their opinion of the MSA Eid Picnic, representing 41 % of the adults (66/160 = 41 % based on ticket sales). Four basic questions were asked in addition to an open ended survey of opinion and suggestions.
1. Did you like the food? 88% yes, 12% no
2. Was the food expensive? 17% yes, 83% no
3. Was it better than last year? 20% yes, 26% no, 54% didn't attend last year.
4. Did you participate in the clean up? 50% yes, 50% no.
The following are the responses to the open ended survey of opinion arranged by order of magnitude.
1. MORE PICNICS: "We should have more frequent picnics, maybe as fund raisers."; "Summer should be used for more activity, not just mosque related"; "why not make camps for education and recreation."
2. BETTER FOOD QUALITY & MANAGEMENT: "Women should bring more desserts"; "Chicken was cold and uncooked, we want meat too, this is Eid!"; "The serving size was too large!" We could get • individual salt packets like at McDonalds to serve with the food. Foam plates with covers might have kept the food hot and dispensed with the need to reheat the chicken on the barbecues.
3. BETTER PROGRAMMING: The time of the picnic should be better established in advance. Several women mentioned this. Some had children in the Saturday school which ended at 12. The Friday handout said the picnic would start at 1:00 pm. The Friday prayer announcement said 10 am and some came early to the picnic and were very hungry before the food was served at 3:30. Food should be served sooner. "Meal time should be either at lunch or at supper. 3:30 was in between, an awkward time especially for children." "Better communication is needed in advance."; " You should announce what is the program for activities especially for games". "Tables can be reserved with balloons and signs to arrange the picnic grounds better for us." "The ticket idea was good but should have been more formally and firmly enforced. Ticket sales could be in advance."
4. THE ISSUE OF SEPARATION: Because of 2 sisters comments early in the poll, ''In your opinion, were the men and women too close together?" was added to the women's survey. However, of 33 women interviewed on this question, only 8 (including the first 2) said there was a problem, while 25 (or 80%) said the arrangements were acceptable. Here are some of the comments: "Men and women could be further apart, particularly if the women want to have volleyball." " Food could be served at two locations so the men don't have to wait so long to be served." "The kitchen was too close to the women."
5. SUGGESTIONS FOR ORGANIZATION: "The people organizing the children's games could have hats for identification"; "The park at Arlington Library is suggested as a future site more in-town. "We need to know the approximate number of children coming to arrange prizes properly." "We need more games for older children, particularly the older girls."; "People should be asked to participate more in the clean up."
6. BETTER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: "Maybe we can get donations from McDonalds or Wendy's of simple gifts for the kids prizes."; "Increase cost to make more profit"; "Pricing drinks for 25 cents was a bad idea. I was thirsty after the games and had no money."
7. WOMEN'S ACTIVITIES: "Maybe we could arrange a group walk or some activity for the ladies, like volleyball? This was suggested several times.
(Surveyed by IQRA! staff)
30 men and 36 women were surveyed about their opinion of the MSA Eid Picnic, representing 41 % of the adults (66/160 = 41 % based on ticket sales). Four basic questions were asked in addition to an open ended survey of opinion and suggestions.
1. Did you like the food? 88% yes, 12% no
2. Was the food expensive? 17% yes, 83% no
3. Was it better than last year? 20% yes, 26% no, 54% didn't attend last year.
4. Did you participate in the clean up? 50% yes, 50% no.
The following are the responses to the open ended survey of opinion arranged by order of magnitude.
1. MORE PICNICS: "We should have more frequent picnics, maybe as fund raisers."; "Summer should be used for more activity, not just mosque related"; "why not make camps for education and recreation."
2. BETTER FOOD QUALITY & MANAGEMENT: "Women should bring more desserts"; "Chicken was cold and uncooked, we want meat too, this is Eid!"; "The serving size was too large!" We could get • individual salt packets like at McDonalds to serve with the food. Foam plates with covers might have kept the food hot and dispensed with the need to reheat the chicken on the barbecues.
3. BETTER PROGRAMMING: The time of the picnic should be better established in advance. Several women mentioned this. Some had children in the Saturday school which ended at 12. The Friday handout said the picnic would start at 1:00 pm. The Friday prayer announcement said 10 am and some came early to the picnic and were very hungry before the food was served at 3:30. Food should be served sooner. "Meal time should be either at lunch or at supper. 3:30 was in between, an awkward time especially for children." "Better communication is needed in advance."; " You should announce what is the program for activities especially for games". "Tables can be reserved with balloons and signs to arrange the picnic grounds better for us." "The ticket idea was good but should have been more formally and firmly enforced. Ticket sales could be in advance."
4. THE ISSUE OF SEPARATION: Because of 2 sisters comments early in the poll, ''In your opinion, were the men and women too close together?" was added to the women's survey. However, of 33 women interviewed on this question, only 8 (including the first 2) said there was a problem, while 25 (or 80%) said the arrangements were acceptable. Here are some of the comments: "Men and women could be further apart, particularly if the women want to have volleyball." " Food could be served at two locations so the men don't have to wait so long to be served." "The kitchen was too close to the women."
5. SUGGESTIONS FOR ORGANIZATION: "The people organizing the children's games could have hats for identification"; "The park at Arlington Library is suggested as a future site more in-town. "We need to know the approximate number of children coming to arrange prizes properly." "We need more games for older children, particularly the older girls."; "People should be asked to participate more in the clean up."
6. BETTER FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: "Maybe we can get donations from McDonalds or Wendy's of simple gifts for the kids prizes."; "Increase cost to make more profit"; "Pricing drinks for 25 cents was a bad idea. I was thirsty after the games and had no money."
7. WOMEN'S ACTIVITIES: "Maybe we could arrange a group walk or some activity for the ladies, like volleyball? This was suggested several times.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sept. 1994 Summer School Success?
by GhadaTarazi
The six-week summer school program (Omar Ibn Elkhattab School) is over. IQRA! explored the situation to see how the plans were visualized, and how they worked out in practice. So IQRA! interviewed both the organizers and the mothers of participants in an effort to draw lessons for the future.
The principal of the school, Br. Mohammed Sani, said that the school had around 35 students, divided into 5-6 groups. But some of them didn't attend the whole program. There were 8 volunteers; 7 women and 1 man. The tuition was $50 for the first child and $40 for each additional child. "For people who couldn't afford this fee, we asked them 'How much can you afford?' Sani added.
The six-week summer school program (Omar Ibn Elkhattab School) is over. IQRA! explored the situation to see how the plans were visualized, and how they worked out in practice. So IQRA! interviewed both the organizers and the mothers of participants in an effort to draw lessons for the future.
The principal of the school, Br. Mohammed Sani, said that the school had around 35 students, divided into 5-6 groups. But some of them didn't attend the whole program. There were 8 volunteers; 7 women and 1 man. The tuition was $50 for the first child and $40 for each additional child. "For people who couldn't afford this fee, we asked them 'How much can you afford?' Sani added.
The designed program consisted of:
- Quranic session of about 45 minutes which included both reading and memorization.
- Crafts: drawing designs, cut and paste, models, songs, games, stories, and discussion.
- Sport activities for older children when the time allowed: soccer, volleyball, and baseball.
- Trips: to the zoo, COSI, and the Discovery Zone.
- Safety workshop: Two police officers talked to the students about crime prevention, how to be careful with strangers, and what to do in case of an emergency.
Both Mohammed and his assistant Nawal Yaqub agreed that they had enough volunteers to cover the school project adequately. Mohammed said: "We reduced the fee because of the volunteers. It was a great effort." Though they both feel that paid staff would significantly increase the quality of the school, still Nawal said, "The school should be kept as a voluntary effort every year. Doing that, money would be saved and mothers would come and work. After all, it is a fun school, not a real one." We asked them whether they had adequate funds to present interesting porojects. Sani said, "Never adequate, but it could be enough."
Ranking the success of the school on a scale of (1-5) [1 is poor and 5 is excellent], Sani said (4). He explained that they attained their goal which was to have a program designed by Omar Ibn El Khattab School and to have Muslim children getting together. Nawal ranked the school at (3). She explained that the school did not perform that well because the MSA had told them just 3 days before the school started to go ahead and design the program. "Also we have to ask the MSA for everything: money, trips, etc. This is too much bureaucracy. Give us the freedom to do everything ourselves. That will create a better program and consequently a better school." Although Nawal ranks the school at 3 she said that it was better this year than last year. She added: "Better because we have the experience from last year."
I asked Nawal, "What was the point of having this issue handled by the MSA?" She replied: "We (women of Omar Mosque) used to design the summer school for many years. However, we heard that the school board would be responsible this year. The teachers would be paid and the fee would be $100. The MSA developed application forms but nobody came forward. Nobody was willing to pay. From $20 last year to $1000 this year was a big jump. The MSA preferred not opening the school over dropping the fee. After much discussion, they agreed on $50 and gave us the OK to start."
We asked Nawal, "What was the role of the MSA in the summer school afterward?" She said: "I don't know. I was in charge of everything. I don't need a messenger between me and the MSA! The MSA didn't do much in terms of planning and organizing. They are inexperienced. The only thing the MSA promised was to provide us with 3 volunteers (men) to take care of the older kids. But even that didn't come through. Mohammed was the only one who helped with the boys. for next year the MSA should give us the freedom of planning and doing it ourselves. All we need is volunteers to take care of the teenager boys we have."
IQRA! interviewed 13 mothers whose children were enrolled in the summer school.
- Everyone agreed that the summer school this year was better than last year, (of those who attended last year).
We asked them whether they felt that the school was safe. Eight said YES and 5 said NO. Comments: They have too many children for one teacher. Some volunteers bring their babies and toddlers and are not really free from their mothering responsibilities to take proper care of their volunteer responsibilities, especially for trips. There should be at least 1 instructor for each group of 3 on trips. Also, the door of the mosque gets open sometimes and there was a chance for little kids to get out. "I have seen a 2-3 year old girl outside the mosque by herself." This is scary. [Street traffic is close to the doors.]- "Was the school worth the price you paid?" 10 said YES, 2 said NO and 1 said NOT SURE.
Suggestions and constructive criticism to improve the performance were centered around issues of planning and implementation:
Planning
• Organizers appointed and program developed at least a month before the school starts.
• Registration help prior to school opening.
• The school should not rely on voluntary work. Volunteers must be committed as far as time and effort. "Voluntary work doesn't mean that I show up whenever I feel like it."
• School calendar must be available at registration time.
• Special time arrangements made for trips. "There was not enough time to go and come back."
• Improved development and organization of Islamic program. More effort should be put on memorization of the Quran, introduction of Arabic alphabet and teaching children to read Quran. • Curriculum should be varied to avoid boredom, e.g. sports for all ages, more crafts and games.
• Improve variety of food offered. "Children should be given something other than peanut butter sandwiches!"
• Fees must be affordable for everyone. "90% of the community here are students who cannot afford $50 fee."
• Fees should be calculated in advance based on planned expenditures.
• Teachers/students ratio must be well planned.
• Story time can be used as an instructional tool for teaching seerah, Islamic manners, and Islamic studies.
Implementation:
• School hours must be respected by teachers and students. School must be opened 15-30 minutes before children come.
• Name tags must be ready a day before any trip.
• Volunteer schedules should be posted in advance.
• Schedule must be respected. "More than once the Quran session was canceled."
• Consistent discipline policies for the school - including teachers' children. Fun school doesn't mean that everyone goes wild!
Finally, ranking the school on a scale of 1-5, (1 is poor and 5 is excellent) we got the following results: One person said 2, 7 people said 3, 4 said 4, and 2 said 5.
Sept. 1994 Farakhan Visit to Columbus
The MSA and ISGC distributed a press release to all news agencies and TV channels in Columbus for the occasion of Farakhan's speech, August 27th. The press release stated that Islam is not a religion of racism, hatred, separation, and violence. It promotes brotherhood and unity. Muslim teaching places strong emphasis on education, respect, tolerance, family values, and above all, a God-centered lifestyle.
A group of MSA brothers distributed flyers in a peaceful manner at the speech. One brother remarked, "The nice thing is that people ignored me until I said 'Asalaam alaikum'. Then they asked me if the pamphlet about Islam was good or bad. So I said, "I am a Muslim. How can I give you something bad?"
A group of MSA brothers distributed flyers in a peaceful manner at the speech. One brother remarked, "The nice thing is that people ignored me until I said 'Asalaam alaikum'. Then they asked me if the pamphlet about Islam was good or bad. So I said, "I am a Muslim. How can I give you something bad?"
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sept.1994 Conflict at Omar mosque
by Rashid Zantout
August was indeed a very eventful month as far as the Omar Ibn El Khattab Mosque was concerned. Many events happened during the month that put our small community under big tests. Did our community pass or fail? Only time will tell. In an effort to pass this test we will try in this article to explore what went wrong and try to suggest remedies. These suggestions could then be developed through community discussions and on the pages of IQRA!
The problems that happened in the Masjid lately were obviously a result of lack of communication. The leadership is trying hard to perform its duties, yet mistakes do happen. How should the community correct those mistakes. In fact the bigger question is what is the relationship between the community in general and the leadership of the Masjid. Are those whom we have elected free to do whatever they want without any interference from the community? That's one extreme. Or should they call for a general assembly every time any decision arises? That's another extreme.
First of all let us affirm that as Muslims we should all have good faith in each other. Therefore we believe that the leadership of the Masjid is acting out of good intentions. We also believe that whoever tries to correct the mistakes of the leadership is doing that based on good intentions. Furthermore, it is important to notice that we are a diverse group of people that are united solely because of Islam. We speak different languages and come from very different backgrounds and cultures. Accepting all this is the first step towards solving our problems.
The lessons that we can learn from such conflicts are many and one writer cannot gather them all. Still through interaction with brothers and sisters, the following suggestions are offered:
Passing judgment on an issue should only be done after gathering all the facts from all the different parts. Like the blind men that went to "see" the elephant. Each one of them came with a different description of the elephant depending on which part of the elephant he felt. such is the example of someone who hears the story from one side and then passes judgment. The elephant for that person can then be a long and thin creature.
Knowledge was a key factor in all the conflicts that happened. The MSA should keep brothers and sisters abreast of current events and decisions as much as possible. If a decision can be delayed till after the community is informed about its consequences, then it should be delayed! Announcements after Isha and Friday prayers should be used more effectively by the leadership in order to inform and educate the community.
In turn, brothers and sisters should go through the official channels when trying to protest or change something. Self-appointed "officials" lead to chaos. The leadership of the Masjid was elected by us and as such it has a right to receive our advice and cooperation.
The leadership should come up with guidelines for conduct inside the Masjid. Such guidelines must pass through an amelioration process where every member of the community tries to make it better. Then such a list can be adopted and punishment procedures set for people who break those rules.
Allah (SWT) described us in the Quran as those who are merciful amongst themselves. Therefore, any one of us who sees his brother or sister doing mistakes should search for the best way to correct that mistake. Publicly defaming the brother or sister almost always does not correct their mistakes. Furthermore, each one of us should have good intentions when thinking about their brothers and sisters. If certain action of a brother or sister can be explained in different ways according to different intentions, then it is the duty of a Muslim to think as highly as possible of his brother or sister and assume the best intentions.
Islam came to wipe out differences between believers. Whether I come from one part of the world or another, my native language is one or the other, or my skin color is one or the other, I should always think of the other Muslims as my brothers and my sisters and deal with them accordingly.
August was indeed a very eventful month as far as the Omar Ibn El Khattab Mosque was concerned. Many events happened during the month that put our small community under big tests. Did our community pass or fail? Only time will tell. In an effort to pass this test we will try in this article to explore what went wrong and try to suggest remedies. These suggestions could then be developed through community discussions and on the pages of IQRA!
The problems that happened in the Masjid lately were obviously a result of lack of communication. The leadership is trying hard to perform its duties, yet mistakes do happen. How should the community correct those mistakes. In fact the bigger question is what is the relationship between the community in general and the leadership of the Masjid. Are those whom we have elected free to do whatever they want without any interference from the community? That's one extreme. Or should they call for a general assembly every time any decision arises? That's another extreme.
First of all let us affirm that as Muslims we should all have good faith in each other. Therefore we believe that the leadership of the Masjid is acting out of good intentions. We also believe that whoever tries to correct the mistakes of the leadership is doing that based on good intentions. Furthermore, it is important to notice that we are a diverse group of people that are united solely because of Islam. We speak different languages and come from very different backgrounds and cultures. Accepting all this is the first step towards solving our problems.
The lessons that we can learn from such conflicts are many and one writer cannot gather them all. Still through interaction with brothers and sisters, the following suggestions are offered:
Passing judgment on an issue should only be done after gathering all the facts from all the different parts. Like the blind men that went to "see" the elephant. Each one of them came with a different description of the elephant depending on which part of the elephant he felt. such is the example of someone who hears the story from one side and then passes judgment. The elephant for that person can then be a long and thin creature.
Knowledge was a key factor in all the conflicts that happened. The MSA should keep brothers and sisters abreast of current events and decisions as much as possible. If a decision can be delayed till after the community is informed about its consequences, then it should be delayed! Announcements after Isha and Friday prayers should be used more effectively by the leadership in order to inform and educate the community.
In turn, brothers and sisters should go through the official channels when trying to protest or change something. Self-appointed "officials" lead to chaos. The leadership of the Masjid was elected by us and as such it has a right to receive our advice and cooperation.
The leadership should come up with guidelines for conduct inside the Masjid. Such guidelines must pass through an amelioration process where every member of the community tries to make it better. Then such a list can be adopted and punishment procedures set for people who break those rules.
Allah (SWT) described us in the Quran as those who are merciful amongst themselves. Therefore, any one of us who sees his brother or sister doing mistakes should search for the best way to correct that mistake. Publicly defaming the brother or sister almost always does not correct their mistakes. Furthermore, each one of us should have good intentions when thinking about their brothers and sisters. If certain action of a brother or sister can be explained in different ways according to different intentions, then it is the duty of a Muslim to think as highly as possible of his brother or sister and assume the best intentions.
Islam came to wipe out differences between believers. Whether I come from one part of the world or another, my native language is one or the other, or my skin color is one or the other, I should always think of the other Muslims as my brothers and my sisters and deal with them accordingly.
June 1994 ISGC passes with flying colors
by Rached Zantout
On the night of Friday, May 6, 1994 the general assembly of the MSA (Muslim Student Association) met for a historic voting. The main issue at hand was the approval (or rejection) of the new proposed organization, the Islamic Society of greater Columbus (ISGC).
Preparation for that General Assembly started months before that Friday. The MSA conducted four workshops to educate its members and the Muslim community in general about ISGC. Attendees of each workshop were around 20 brothers or sisters. During those workshops the MSA also collected suggestions from attendees about ISGC. The most prominent objection to the proposed model of ISGC was about the permanency of the members of the board of trustees. Many brothers and sisters felt that a permanent member of board of trustees will help to create dictators in the board of trustees that are not answerable to the community.
Due to the importance of this issue, it was decided by the MSA Executive Committee (EC) to include both models on the ballot so that the general assembly would decide which was better. Another main issue was the election of the four initial members of the board of trustees which will oversee the final stage of bringing ISGC into existence. There were 17 members who were nominated by the general assembly and who accepted their nominations.
During the meeting many objections were raised and many new suggestions were introduced. it was clear that many members did not attend the workshops and therefore necessitated from the MSA president [Khaled Farag] to re-explain many things about ISGC. This lead to the frustration among members who attended the workshops as some of them considered it unfair for them after they took out of their time and attended the workshops.
Another problem was a brother who was authorized by his wife to cast her ballot in absentee. The MSA president explained that absentee ballots were not acceptable although the constitution did not say anything about that issue. A suggestion was put to the floor on whether the voting on the permanency of the members of the board of trustees should be done now or later. Many objections were raised "we are here to vote on issues not vote on postponing them" a sister said. "(members) who do not like the issues we vote on today can change them in later general assembly" the sister affirmed later. Also an objection from a brother who had written a suggestion during the workshop that did not make it to the ballot was noted. The MSA president explained that only suggestions which were given to the MSA by a large number of people made it to the ballot. All other suggestions are still on file and will be dealt with later.
The results of the meeting were that the budget of the MSA was passed by more than 51% of the members. Issue 2 (removing a trustee only by a unanimous vote of other trustees) did not pass. Issue 3 (removing a trustee either by a unanimous vote of other BOT members or by a 90% vote in a general assembly which contains at least 90% of the total ISGC membership) passed with a large difference between acceptance and rejection. Issue 4 (the formation of a new organization called Islamic Society of Greater Columbus) making MSA a sub-organization of ISGC, and accepting the proposed model that was presented in the workshops) passed with only 4 out of the 78 members present voting against it.
The initial plan was to provide both the men and women sections with a microphone so that each would be able to participate in the meeting. At the last minute the microphone did not work in the sisters room. The MSA president [Khaled Farag] attacked the manufacturers of the device and affirmed that a better system should be purchased. The MSA president allowed opening the double door separating the sister's section from the brothers' to facilitate communication.
The newly elected board of trustees for the ISGC are: Ahmed Abdullah, Hany Saqr, Khaled Farag, and Mouhamed Nabih Tarazi.
IQRA! survey of the MSA general assembly for the ISGC
Following the MSA general assembly, IQRA! made an opinion poll of the men and women of the MSA who attended the meeting. The sample was chosen at random made up of 38 men (or 48%) and 7 women (or 37%) of those who attended. Here is what they thought:
Do you understand that the ISGC is about? 35 said yes. 5 said no. 5 said no comment.
Did you attend the workshops? 25 said yes. 20 said no.
Did you approve how this meeting was managed? 18 said yes. 20 said no.
Give me one reason only why you did not approve?
• Khaled [Farag] was one of the nominees. He should not have chaired the meeting.
• Clear regulations must be made regarding the women's participation.
• The absentee votes
• A meeting should take place to discuss the issues before voting.
• All suggestions of the people should be posted before the meeting and those who second them should mark on the ones they approve.
• The issues to be voted on should have been publicized before the meeting (especially the budget and issues 3 and 4) so brothers and sisters could think about them, discuss them and form an opinion about them before coming to the meeting. This would have made the meeting more smooth and we could have finished everything before Isha' prayer as was planned.
• The men's questions suggest they were ill-informed.
• I could not hear well or ask questions. I didn't want to yell.
• No time was given to consider the budged and other issues on the agenda.
• I cannot recall issue 3 being raised in the workshops.
• The men were allowed to open already settled issues; we were there to vote, not debate.
• Proxy voting was acceptable before. I was surprised the rule was changed.
On the night of Friday, May 6, 1994 the general assembly of the MSA (Muslim Student Association) met for a historic voting. The main issue at hand was the approval (or rejection) of the new proposed organization, the Islamic Society of greater Columbus (ISGC).
Preparation for that General Assembly started months before that Friday. The MSA conducted four workshops to educate its members and the Muslim community in general about ISGC. Attendees of each workshop were around 20 brothers or sisters. During those workshops the MSA also collected suggestions from attendees about ISGC. The most prominent objection to the proposed model of ISGC was about the permanency of the members of the board of trustees. Many brothers and sisters felt that a permanent member of board of trustees will help to create dictators in the board of trustees that are not answerable to the community.
Due to the importance of this issue, it was decided by the MSA Executive Committee (EC) to include both models on the ballot so that the general assembly would decide which was better. Another main issue was the election of the four initial members of the board of trustees which will oversee the final stage of bringing ISGC into existence. There were 17 members who were nominated by the general assembly and who accepted their nominations.
During the meeting many objections were raised and many new suggestions were introduced. it was clear that many members did not attend the workshops and therefore necessitated from the MSA president [Khaled Farag] to re-explain many things about ISGC. This lead to the frustration among members who attended the workshops as some of them considered it unfair for them after they took out of their time and attended the workshops.
Another problem was a brother who was authorized by his wife to cast her ballot in absentee. The MSA president explained that absentee ballots were not acceptable although the constitution did not say anything about that issue. A suggestion was put to the floor on whether the voting on the permanency of the members of the board of trustees should be done now or later. Many objections were raised "we are here to vote on issues not vote on postponing them" a sister said. "(members) who do not like the issues we vote on today can change them in later general assembly" the sister affirmed later. Also an objection from a brother who had written a suggestion during the workshop that did not make it to the ballot was noted. The MSA president explained that only suggestions which were given to the MSA by a large number of people made it to the ballot. All other suggestions are still on file and will be dealt with later.
The results of the meeting were that the budget of the MSA was passed by more than 51% of the members. Issue 2 (removing a trustee only by a unanimous vote of other trustees) did not pass. Issue 3 (removing a trustee either by a unanimous vote of other BOT members or by a 90% vote in a general assembly which contains at least 90% of the total ISGC membership) passed with a large difference between acceptance and rejection. Issue 4 (the formation of a new organization called Islamic Society of Greater Columbus) making MSA a sub-organization of ISGC, and accepting the proposed model that was presented in the workshops) passed with only 4 out of the 78 members present voting against it.
The initial plan was to provide both the men and women sections with a microphone so that each would be able to participate in the meeting. At the last minute the microphone did not work in the sisters room. The MSA president [Khaled Farag] attacked the manufacturers of the device and affirmed that a better system should be purchased. The MSA president allowed opening the double door separating the sister's section from the brothers' to facilitate communication.
The newly elected board of trustees for the ISGC are: Ahmed Abdullah, Hany Saqr, Khaled Farag, and Mouhamed Nabih Tarazi.
IQRA! survey of the MSA general assembly for the ISGC
Following the MSA general assembly, IQRA! made an opinion poll of the men and women of the MSA who attended the meeting. The sample was chosen at random made up of 38 men (or 48%) and 7 women (or 37%) of those who attended. Here is what they thought:
Do you understand that the ISGC is about? 35 said yes. 5 said no. 5 said no comment.
Did you attend the workshops? 25 said yes. 20 said no.
Did you approve how this meeting was managed? 18 said yes. 20 said no.
Give me one reason only why you did not approve?
• Khaled [Farag] was one of the nominees. He should not have chaired the meeting.
• Clear regulations must be made regarding the women's participation.
• The absentee votes
• A meeting should take place to discuss the issues before voting.
• All suggestions of the people should be posted before the meeting and those who second them should mark on the ones they approve.
• The issues to be voted on should have been publicized before the meeting (especially the budget and issues 3 and 4) so brothers and sisters could think about them, discuss them and form an opinion about them before coming to the meeting. This would have made the meeting more smooth and we could have finished everything before Isha' prayer as was planned.
• The men's questions suggest they were ill-informed.
• I could not hear well or ask questions. I didn't want to yell.
• No time was given to consider the budged and other issues on the agenda.
• I cannot recall issue 3 being raised in the workshops.
• The men were allowed to open already settled issues; we were there to vote, not debate.
• Proxy voting was acceptable before. I was surprised the rule was changed.
May 1994 MSA Restructuring
staff report
Usually when an organization sees itself getting too big it breaks itself into smaller pieces, controlled at the top by the same executives, who become the parent organization. The MSA of Columbus [Muslim Student Association] is doing something else. It is creating a parent organization for itself to become a subsidiary.
The Islamic Society of Greater Columbus, ISGC, has been proposed by members of the MSA, including the newly elected executive council, to the general membership of the MSA and the general public at a series of workshop discussions held during the mid April. The ISGC would be a nonprofit Islamic organization which would initially take over responsibility for the Omar Ibn El Khattab Mosque, the Saturday school, the summer school, and the proposed school project, plus all of the community responsibilities that stem out of these responsibilities.
The ISGC would have a board of trustees of long-term members, and an executive committee of elected officers for everyday affairs. It would be overseen by a board of fiqh.
The current MSA would become a small part of this organization, and envisions breaking up still smaller into separate MSA organizations for each of the different universities here in Columbus area to better meet the students' needs, increase student participation at different institutions, and to improve dawah efforts.
General Assembly Meeting
May 6 will be a very important date for the MSA. At a mass MSA meeting between Magrib and Isha, a vote will be held whether or not to approve the creation of the ISGC. If it is approved, MSA members will proceed to vote on a list of proposed Board of Trustees members for the ISGC, trustees who will be charged with creating a proposed constitution for the organization.
All MSA members and all members of the community, men and women, are highly encouraged to attend this meeting. Anyone who would like to participate in voting is urged to join the MSA as soon as possible. All members of the new ISGC automatically. MSA membership is required for voting. Membership forms can be obtained at the mosque, and the fee is only $5 for the year.
There is a proposal to make the initial board of trustees permanent. An alternate proposal would make trustees subject to impeachment (removable) if impeachment is voted by 90% majority of a quorum of 90% of the ISGC membership at a General Assembly Meeting. Voting on these proposals will take place at this meeting if the ISGC creation is approved.
The MSA has received many names of nominees for Board of Trustee positions. These names are being screened based on these criteria:
1. A good Muslim of about 30 years old at least.
2. Read/write ability in English
3. Has been in the U.S. for the past 3 years and will be in Columbus for the next 3 years.
4. Leadership ability and behavior.
5. Active member of any Islamic organization and a team worker.
6. Clear vision on the expansion of the community. For example, building a larger mosque, a school, ... etc.
7. General common interest of the community.
Other MSA business at the May 6th meeting will include the introduction of its newly elected executive committee. They will present their plans and projects for the current year, along with a review of the MSA budget.
Usually when an organization sees itself getting too big it breaks itself into smaller pieces, controlled at the top by the same executives, who become the parent organization. The MSA of Columbus [Muslim Student Association] is doing something else. It is creating a parent organization for itself to become a subsidiary.
The Islamic Society of Greater Columbus, ISGC, has been proposed by members of the MSA, including the newly elected executive council, to the general membership of the MSA and the general public at a series of workshop discussions held during the mid April. The ISGC would be a nonprofit Islamic organization which would initially take over responsibility for the Omar Ibn El Khattab Mosque, the Saturday school, the summer school, and the proposed school project, plus all of the community responsibilities that stem out of these responsibilities.
The ISGC would have a board of trustees of long-term members, and an executive committee of elected officers for everyday affairs. It would be overseen by a board of fiqh.
The current MSA would become a small part of this organization, and envisions breaking up still smaller into separate MSA organizations for each of the different universities here in Columbus area to better meet the students' needs, increase student participation at different institutions, and to improve dawah efforts.
General Assembly Meeting
May 6 will be a very important date for the MSA. At a mass MSA meeting between Magrib and Isha, a vote will be held whether or not to approve the creation of the ISGC. If it is approved, MSA members will proceed to vote on a list of proposed Board of Trustees members for the ISGC, trustees who will be charged with creating a proposed constitution for the organization.
All MSA members and all members of the community, men and women, are highly encouraged to attend this meeting. Anyone who would like to participate in voting is urged to join the MSA as soon as possible. All members of the new ISGC automatically. MSA membership is required for voting. Membership forms can be obtained at the mosque, and the fee is only $5 for the year.
There is a proposal to make the initial board of trustees permanent. An alternate proposal would make trustees subject to impeachment (removable) if impeachment is voted by 90% majority of a quorum of 90% of the ISGC membership at a General Assembly Meeting. Voting on these proposals will take place at this meeting if the ISGC creation is approved.
The MSA has received many names of nominees for Board of Trustee positions. These names are being screened based on these criteria:
1. A good Muslim of about 30 years old at least.
2. Read/write ability in English
3. Has been in the U.S. for the past 3 years and will be in Columbus for the next 3 years.
4. Leadership ability and behavior.
5. Active member of any Islamic organization and a team worker.
6. Clear vision on the expansion of the community. For example, building a larger mosque, a school, ... etc.
7. General common interest of the community.
Other MSA business at the May 6th meeting will include the introduction of its newly elected executive committee. They will present their plans and projects for the current year, along with a review of the MSA budget.
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