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04 November 2010
By El-Hajj Mauri' Saalakhan
Assalaamu Alaikum:
It's been a while since I last visited the MAS Center
in Brooklyn, and so when I saw this announcement (for
a very important forum) it grabbed my attention.
As someone who has worked in the field of human rights
activism for almost half of his life, and as someone
who heads a grass-roots organization that has been in
the
trenches
- addressing some of the most difficult
cases and issues impacting
Muslims in America (since
before
9/11) - I believe I can offer some much needed advice
to those who will be participating in the
upcoming forum (below).
My advice:
1. FBI raids (especially when conducted at homes) are
meant to
terrorize; this is why they
primarily take place in the wee hours of the
night/early morning - for maximum
shock
value. The targets of these acts
of psychic violence should try to remain as calm as
possible (a very difficult thing to do under the
circumstance) and NOT SURRENDER THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS - the first of which is your right to remain
silent, and to consult with an attorney.
2. It is absolutely imperative that the young and old
be educated on their constitutional rights; that they
have a good working knowledge of the
Bill of Rights
(considered the heart and soul of the
U.S.
Constitution). You cannot PRACTICE or
DEFEND what you don't know.
3. It is our right as Muslims, and as citizens (or
residents) in America to contribute our money to
any charitable or advocacy organization
that we wish to support - whether it is a 501(c)3 tax
exempt organization or not - as long as it is not on
the U.S. government's list of alleged
terrorism connected organizations for whom
material support would be considered illegal. It is
very important that Muslims not allow any government
authority to intimidate them from practicing one of
the most important principles/pillars of our deen (zakat
& sadaqa).
4. What we can and
should expect,
as Muslims, when we become active in striving to
actualize and defend our deen (Islam) is opposition.
This is the way it was during the time of the
Prophet's (peace be upon them all), and this is the
way it will always be. The Noble Qur'an says:
"Do
men [or women] think that they will be left alone on
saying we believe, and that they will not be tested?"
5. I strongly advise our brothers and sisters (and
especially the young and highly emotional) to channel
whatever
legitimate anger/rage they feel
about what's happening to Muslims (here and abroad) in
the most productive ways, and to remember
at all
times,
all
non-Muslims are not the enemy! There
are a lot of good-hearted people in America who are on
our side! WE MUST HAVE FAITH IN OUR FAITH, and be
willing to work in coalition with all who are willing
to work with us for
positive societal change.
6. If you become active - and ever serve as
spokespersons for the Muslim community in America
- never betray your deen/religion and never betray
your community (which includes your fellow Muslim, who
may be accused of heinous crime, but innocent).
7. Lastly, I strongly advise my young brothers (as I
do all over the country) to AVOID THE JIHADI WEBSITES
and CHATROOMS. They are both
poisonous to the soul, and serve
as TRAPS that help ensnare unsuspecting young
dupes into terrorist conspiracies (often orchestrated
through a government paid agent-provocateur)!
May this brotherly nasiha (sincere advice) find a
resting place in as many fertile hearts and minds as
possible. Ameen.
Your brother in the fold of Islam,
Director of Operations, The Peace Thru Justice
Foundation Seats are filling up and we have a large portion of the students who are teachers at churches and non-Muslims interested in teaching Islam at their places of worship. If you are planning on attending, register soon, as seats are limited. We have about 15 seats left.
A special 6 hr seminar with author Imam Mostafa Zayed,
author of Lies About Muhammad, followed by a class
exam. This seminar is open to Muslims and non-Muslims,
so invite your neighbors and friends.
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