June 1996 News Fly Around

Islam in the OSU Medical college Curriculum

 

reported by Dr. Malika Haque, M.D.

 

Columbus (May 1996) "Islam and Medicine", by the grace of Allah, has been successfully introduced as a permanent ongoing course in the college of Medicine of the Ohio State University in the mini-module format: 4 weeks, 3 hr./wk, which is an established requirement in the Medical Humanities and Behavioral Sciences area of the College of Medicine. The context was thoughtfully designed for all the medical students who signed up. Definition of Islam, Pillars of Islam, Islamic practices and Law, Moral and Ethical Values, History, and Science were some of the topics presented leading to considerable enlivening discussions. Since Muslims now have a clear presence in the diversity of patient population on the American scene, useful courtesy, manners for communicating, and a basic knowledge of Islam were shown as necessary for improved medical management and doctor-patient rapport, particularly in community ambulatory facilities.

 

Guest speakers were appreciated by the students, with Dr. Asma Mobin Uddin speaking on Islam and Science and Dr. John Kashbeck relating his experiences as a Muslim physician on medical ethics. At the conclusion of the course, more than 90% of the students gave an "excellent" rating and the director of the program at the College of Medicine was excited to request that I make a continual annual presentation.

 

Eid-ul Adha Dinner

 

reported by Shahida Khan

 

The Eid dinner is a tradition in our community. It is a beautiful occasion for our children, ourselves, and our Muslim community. New clothes, gifts, visiting, being together, and feasting make the occation very enjoyable to children and adults alike.

 

Saturday, May 4, 1996 at the Whitehall Community Center, sisters and brothers from the Islamic Center and Omar mosque came together in the spirit of sacrifice and sharing to enjoy Eid Dinner.

 

Alhamdulillah, our community has grown many folds. Some 20 plus years ago Eid dinners took place in a small hall at the Park of Roses and later at the St. Stephen Community Center. Now even Whitehall Community Center has become small. Tables were full of different kinds of tasty, spicy, ethnic foods. for some people, some of the food was so hot that they had to use napkins to wipe their eyes. for children the big excitement was the pizza party, magic show, and goody bags.

 

Together with the remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim's supreme submission to Allah, we should remember other Muslims in our community and in other communities. May Allah increase our community more and more day by day. May Allah bless our community with more unity and more tolerance and love. May Allah reward those people who worked hard selflessly to make this Eid Celebration successful.

 

Dear Editor

 

During Eid Prayers

 

Over the years, Subhannahllah, the Muslim community has grown considerably in Central Ohio. Particularly at Eid prayers, a Jamaa of 3000 to 4000, sisters, and children is quite common. We are a cultured, caring Ummah whose collective organizational efforts are a norm, successful in conducting religious activities in particular.

 

Due to the request of some of the sisters, in as gentle way as possible, it is necessary to bring our attention to a rather disquieting mannerism during the Eid Khutbah (lecture). Immediately after the salat, while the khateeb is lecturing, a small number of people are getting up and walking. Some are talking, some are leaving, and forming conversational groups (particularly in the ladies section.)

 

All of us should clearly realize that salat and khutbah are one entity and we are present to please Allah (SWT). We should all listen to the khutbah, honor the khateeb and rejoice after the salah and khutbah. As an elder of the community, who has been part of organizing Eid prayers for over 15 years, "no offense is meant to anyone". Let us be simply knowledgeable and exemplary in our acts.

 

C. Azeez ul Haq

 

 

Muslim Student Association Officer Elections

 

Recently on the Ohio State University campus, the Muslim Student Association held elections for new officers for the remaining of this 1996 year and for next year. The results were as such:

Br. Safwan Halabi - Amir
Br. Muhammad Abdul Haq - Secretary
Br. Samer Suleiman - Treasurer
Sr. Bonita McGee - Information
Sr. Habeeba Gaiter - Sisters' Affairs

 

 

CAIR Media-Relations Training Workshop Planned

 

What: Ibrahim Hooper, National Communications Director for the Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), will conduct a workshop to train Muslims in
techniques of effective media and public relations.
When: Saturday, June 8,
1996 10 am-12:30 pm, Inshallah
Where: Islamic Center, 1428 E. Broad St.
Who: All are welcome. Please RSVP XXX-XXXX Admission is free. Donations to
CAIR appreciated. Sponsored by IFCO Public Relations Committee

Women's Get-Together

In response to a request from some sisters, the Board of Trustees invites all women to an open discussion on June 16th at noon in the sister's Meeting Room of the Omar Mosque. 

• Do you want a women's organization under the ISGC?
• How would you visualize this organization?
• What role would you like to play?

June 1996 Mr. President

by Ayman Ismail

Exclusive interview with Br. Siraj Akhtar, newly elected president of ISGC as he talks about hopes, aspirations and goals for the next year.

In a reclining chair at his oval office... Actually, on a keyboard behind an eye-exhausting monitor, Mr. Akhtar, a graduate student in electrical engineering at OSU, tells IQRA! why he thinks this year is going to witness some major changes in this community.

"My first action as president is to ban IQRA! and expel its staff members from our organization!!!" says Mr. Akhtar humorously before returning to his usual seriousness.

Q: As President with limited resources, how do you see your number one priority?

"Among the first issues, " said Br. Siraj, "is enhancing the structure of the organization to optimize our efforts in order to achieve maximum cooperation amongst us."

Mr. Akhtar sees many problems with the current ISGC constitution, with which he was once involved in developing, that must be addressed in order to smoothen the organizational structure, and to define specifically the roles of the different bodies, especially the BOT.

"Another important priority is to enhance the participation of the various ethnic and linguistic groups that comprise the diverse fabric of our community," said Br. Siraj.

Q: The ISGC, in spite of its deliberate reorganization for greater unity in the community, is still accused of being student-based, insensitive to African-Americans and self centered. How do you plan to address these issues?

"Any organization is only a reflection of its members and those who participate in its activities," said Br. Siraj. "If more students and non-African Americans participate, we cannot blame them for excluding others. Rather, we strongly urge everyone to help and participate in making our community better. There has never been, and Inshallah will never be, any attempt, official or otherwise, to prevent any person from participating in any of the activities of the organization, within the limits of the Book of Allah (SWT) and the authentic sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). Whether you are an African American, or an Arab student or a green creature with blue stripes from Mars, we could care less. All we want are committed Muslims ready to serve for the betterment of themselves, their community and the entire Ummah, only for the sake of Allah (SWT)."

Br. Siraj, himself from Pakistan, clearly states that the ISGC does not believe in favoring one person over another, simply because he belongs to a minority group. The overriding criterion has got to do with the willingness to work and deliver the best results, with only the pleasure of Allah (SWT) in mind.

"At the same time," he added, "it would be naive of me to say that all ethnic and cultural groups participate in the ISGC. Obviously many don't. Many of them have their valid reasons. The immense challenge that lies for us, is to identify the reasons and address them. Perhaps we need to conduct detailed surveys. Perhaps we need to set up open meetings where people come and air their concerns,... we are open to all suggestions and ideas. Indeed, this is a critical objective for our organization.

As individuals, there is a lot that we can do, that we are not currently doing. For example, when we see a new individual at the masjid, how many of us go up to him and say salaam, and ask him how he is doing? If we do so the first time we see him, do we bother to greet him and inquire about him every time we see him?... There is a brother from Nigeria that I see very often at the masjid, yet I don't see others talking to him and trying to be friendly. The masjid can be a very unfriendly and uninviting place for those who are new and don't know others. Obviously, this problem is very much [more] profound for non-Arabs, than for Arabs. We need to address this, not be telling the Arab brothers to be more friendly towards others, but rather by reminding them and educating them of what Islam says about this issue. Unless and until we can educate the people about the authentic Islamic teachings, we will see problems like these, and others arising out of ignorance of the masses.

Finally, Br. Siraj, who has barely accepted his nomination, extends a sincere call upon everyone to join the ISGC in order to make it a better place for all. "I know many have their doubts and concerns," he says, "some which are genuine and others which are not. I do not ask that you set them aside and forget about the,, but all I ask is that you come to us, air your concerns and work with us, in improving ourselves and our organization. Let us work in the spirit of the Quran and authentic sunnah, and then if we do not deliver, I will be the first to say that you have a genuine reason not to participate in the organization."

Election Results

Fiqh council:
Dr. Salah El-Sawi,
M. Adam Elsheikh, and
Safwat Morsi.

New Board of Trustees Members:
Safwan Halabi,
Abdullah Al-Amiri,
Aly Eman, and
Mohamed Matus.

General Body Representative seats for the 2 year term ending '98:
Ashfaq Tashfeen,
Mohamed Salem,
Siraj Akhtar,
Hazem Gheith,
Suhail Munir,
Bilal Farhan, and
Asmaa Al-Khourasat.