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| Thursday, October 08, 2009 - 09:39 am **Posted by ISGR (edited) Originally Posted on October 25, 2000, 8:13 AM Salaam Ailaikoum, I was extremely disappointed BUT not surprized by the brother's response - but I'm sorry - and those who join his way of thinking - BUT HAVE YOU LEARNED NOTHING??? First of all, if we want to be technical about it - we should never put ourselves in a situation where we have to vote for a non-Muslim president. And yes, I won't hide behind what that says- our deen says that we shouldn't live or our raise our families in a non-Muslim country - WE KNOW THAT. But for whatever God-forsaken reason we are living here - the situation remains that we live here. Some of us by choice others by need - but how and why we are here - that's neither here nor there. . . Anyway - I said I'm not surprized, because apathy among some types of Muslims is all too common. . . I ask you my dear brothers and sisters . . . .Why do you throw up your hands and say nothing can be done? Are we to roll over and AGAIN ALLOW THE WORLD TO DECIDE OUR OWN FATE?? (Need I say it? SAME STUFF DIFFERENT DAY/COUNTRY???) Where is the fire to at least die trying, instead of roaming this earth complaining nothing can be done about the situation?! NOT STANDING UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN, NOT BEING ORGANIZED, NOT BEING A DRIVING FORCE AND HELPING SHAPE THE THINGS GOING ON AROUND US HAS PUT US WHERE WE ARE TODAY! Yes grant it - we live in a country where our Umma does not have a strong voice. . . It's a Judao-Christian society - why else do we get Saturday's & Sunday's off???? . . . But how did the minority of Jews - of whom may I remind you we OUT NUMBER EVERY WHERE - get to be so powerful??? Because they are organized AND, even when they disagree among themselves - when it's for a common JEWISH cause, THEY FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR IT *** TOGETHER ***. Are we Muslims not worth fighting for tooth and nail for brothers and sisters???? Are our beliefs inferior to theirs? Even when the odds look markedly against us, should we still not stand up for our beliefs??? Where would we be if it were not for those before us who fought whether by emonstrating or voting or conquering by force to be able to believe in Allah and worship him Islamicly???? Where is the faith in Allah that one day WE WILL (bi'isn Illah) be the righteously and justly rewarded ones? Beware in seeking your reward in this imperfect world my friends - seek your rewards from ALLAH and ALLAH alone. We come so accustom to instant gratification that it's easy to loose site of waiting for AND WORKING for/at things that are worth it and things that are RIGHT. "Good things come to those who wait." How can you face Allah knowing that you refuse to do something so simple as voting to some how benefit your brothers and sisters? Okay fine your stuck in this "awful country" - make lemonade out of the lemons !!!! How will we face our children if we can't honestly say we didn't do EVERYTHING in our power to make their world the best ground in which for them to flourish???? Again, as I have heard so many Imams and Sheikhs say - Don't vote for who you like the most - vote for who hates us the least. . . The below attitude of apathy disgusts me for it's the same type of attitude that GETS NOTHING DONE. .. . And so again we will find ourselves next week sitting around the coffee/tea table complaining about how the world is against us. Don't think like a victim or you'll always be a victim. Take charge of the situation or join those who know what they are doing and help them take charge. . . But brothers and sisters please don't sit back and do nothing - If you do, you may have just as well handed those snipers the bullets to shot those Muslims coming out of Al Quds those ill fated weeks ago. . . . Your decision, your conscience - but in the end you have to answer to Allah. I apologize in advance if I have offended anyone. The harsh words in my letter can only be seen as a reflection of the passion I have, to do in what I believe in my heart is right. May Allah forgive me and forgive us all. Any type of feedback requested and gladly accepted . . . . Jazakoum Allah el Kheir
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| Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 07:43 am **Posted by ISGR Wa-alaikum-aslam, Well, I don't think the debate was ever over who was better but who was worse. Although, the Muslim organizations my have their reasons for their endorsement I wish they would fill me in. I wasn't part of the decision making process. I reiterate that I won't support anyone who supports the occupation of Palestine and who blames them for exercising their right to oppose the brutality of the IDF and I think it's wrong to do so. I agree that in Islam we should follow our leaders. Unless of course our leaders set us along an incorrect path, in which case, it then becomes my duty to speak out against it. Could I be wrong? Yes, of course, but it is still my duty to speak out when I feel that something is wrong as it is all of our duties. Hence, we are having the dialogue that we are having now. Perhaps I was late bringing the discussion to the attention of the Muslims in America. But I'm more worried that time is running out for our Palestinian brethren. Until Bush condemns Israel for their brutality and is willing to hold aid over their heads in order to see a true peace realized he will not have my vote. I've heard people say that Bush cannot speak out against Israel because of the Jews. But if the Jews are all voting for Gore anyway then why would he care to upset them? Some have said that I'm being unrealistic in my support for Nader since he will not win. True, he may not win the presidency; however, with Nader's party we can make significant gains. Besides, if Gore loses the election because of a strong Muslim turnout of support for Nader wouldn't you say that would illustrate our political power more than simply voting for Bush who has millions of voters already? At least that way we could have a clear conscience about voting for someone who does not blame the oppressed Palestinian people for fighting against the occupiers.
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| Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 07:39 am **Posted by ISGR In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. To My Muslim Brothers and Sisters, Please take a moment of your time and read what I have to say because it affects every Muslim in this country and throughout the world. It is the duty of every Muslim to educate themselves and not to follow others blindly. We Muslims must think critically and independently; otherwise, we will never realize our full potential and will always be subjected to the whims of others. Recently, I've been seeing quite a few emails pressing Muslims to vote for George W. Bush. Organizations such as MPAC (Muslims Political Action Committee) are openly endorsing George W. Bush for president. I'm so happy to see that Muslims are organizing and becoming politically active. However, I cannot understand why we Muslims would want to vote for George W. Bush. According to a recent poll, some 85% of Jewish voters are supporting Gore/Lieberman. Could this be the reason why we are being asked to give our votes to Bush? Is this simply a knee-jerk reaction to the Jewish support for Gore? Are we being asked to vote for Bush simply because the Jews of this country are voting for Gore/Lieberman? This simple-minded approach to politics just doesn't fly. What ever happened to voting for who and what you believe in? What happened to examining the candidates stances' on the issues that matter to us? Where do the candidates stand on the issues that concern us? The most important issue concerning Muslims today is the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Perhaps a little background on the situation would help. What's important in understanding the situation today, is that Israel attacked it's Arab neighbors in the 1967 Six Day War, during which Israel smashed the Egyptian and Syrian armies while effectively squashing nationalistic movements that were beginning to spread throughout the Arab world. Arab nationalism threatens US and British control over the region and consequently the flow of petrodollars from east to west. Heaven forbid that people who actually live in the Middle East should have control over their own resources! Therefore, in Israel, the United States has found a natural ally to combat Arab nationalism and to secure its interests in the "greatest economic prize in history" (as Eisenhower once described the Middle East). The acquisition of territory by Israel in the Six Day War was immediately condemned by United Nations Security Council Resolution 242, which clearly states that Israel must withdraw from the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. These same territories are still occupied today with no threats of sanctions or military action against Israel. Don't we recall what happened to Iraq once their troops crossed the border and occupied Kuwait? Don't we recall George W. Bush's father immediately condemning Iraq and then backing up his words with military action while proclaiming that "aggressors cannot be rewarded". "AGGRESSORS CANNOT BE REWARDED".... Now, what do we have today? We have an Israeli government under Barak that has been expanding settlements at an ever-increasing pace. We have the Israeli occupation soldiers murdering virtually unarmed civilians (many of these children!). We have our own government referring to the occupied lands as "disputed territory", implying that Israel has a legitimate claim to these lands! I think we all see the double standard here. And now we're deciding on who to vote for in this year's election. Let's see where the presidential candidates stand on this very sensitive issue? During the presidential debates, both Gore and Bush tried to outdo the other in showing their undying devotion to the State of Israel while condemning the Palestinians as the instigators of violence. Here's an excerpt 2nd Presidential Debates (full transcript can be found at www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2000/debates/transcripts/u221011.html): LEHRER: Well, let's go through some of the specifics now. New question, Vice President Gore, the governor mentioned the Middle East. Here we're talking at this stage of the game about diplomatic power that we have. What do you think the United States should do right now to resolve that conflict over there? GORE: The first priority has to be on ending the violence, dampening down the tensions that have risen there. We need to call upon Syria to release the three Israeli soldiers who have been captured. We need to insist that Arafat send out instructions to halt some of the provocative acts of violence that have been going on. I think that we also have to keep a weather eye toward Saddam Hussein, because he's taking advantage of this situation to once again make threats. And he needs to understand that he's not only dealing with Israel, he's dealing with us if he is making the kind of threats that he's talking about there. The use of in this situation has already -- well, it goes hour by hour and day by day now; it's a very tense situation there. GORE: But in the last 24 hours, there has been some subsiding of the violence there. It's too much to hope that this is going to continue, but I do hope that it will continue. Our country has been very active with regular conversations with the leaders there. And we just have to take it day to day right now. But one thing I would say where diplomacy is concerned, Israel should -- should feel absolutely secure about one thing: Our bonds with Israel are larger than agreements or disagreements on some details of diplomatic initiatives. They are historic, they are strong, and they are enduring. And our ability to serve as an honest broker is something that we need to shepherd. LEHRER: Governor? BUSH: Well, I think during the campaign, particularly now during this difficult period, we ought to be speaking with one voice. And I appreciate the way the administration has worked hard to calm the tensions. Like the vice president, I call on Chairman Arafat to have his people pull back to make the peace. I think credibility is going to be very important in the future in the Middle East. I want everybody to know, should I be the president,Israel's going to be our friend. I'm going to stand by Israel. Secondly, that I think it's important to reach out to moderate Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Read the above carefully. Did you catch it? Both Gore and Bush blame Arafat for provoking the Israelis! Both of them. Not one. Both! Please read it once again. Tell me if I missed something. They both fully support Israel, UNCONDITIONALLY! Do we need to be hit over our heads with sledgehammers before we begin to comprehend that neither of these candidates will change things for the better in the Middle East. Well maybe for Israel, but definitely not for our Palestinian brothers and sisters and definitely not for the Arabs and Muslims throughout the world who are oppressed by American-backed regimes. George W. said that "I call on Chairman Arafat to have his people pullback to make the peace". Does this sound like someone who is pro-Palestinian or even someone who will be even-handed? He is clearly blaming the Palestinians who are merely exercising their right to resist an occupying force. The right to use force to resist foreign occupation is universally recognized and is a cornerstone of international law; however, this seems to elude both Bush and Gore. Bush continues on, ".... it's important to reach out to moderate Arab nations like Jordan and Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait." These are the regimes that are the pawns of the United States. They fail to look after the interests of their own desolate people while their own pockets and bellies are full and getting fuller. They submit to US/Western pressure and they aspire to be like them. George W. is effectively saying the US needs to continue oppression in those very nations so that we can benefit here. I SAY NOT WITH MY VOTE! Understanding the positions of these two major candidates is crucial if we are to vote effectively. Israel gets an absurd amount of US aid. In fact, 1/3 of all US foreign aid goes to Israel, which has only one one-thousandth of the world's population and one of the world's highest per capita incomes. Much of this money goes directly to the expansion of settlements in the Occupied Territories. Newcomers (Jews of course) to Israel can receive as mush as $20,000 as an enticement to settle in the occupied territories and have water that is diverted from Palestinian farmers to fill their swimming pools. Meanwhile, Palestinian families have their homes bulldozed because they build or expand their homes "illegally". Illegal since they didn't obtain a permit from the Israeli housing authority -- a permit that is virtually never granted to Palestinians. I'm sure we would all agree that there cannot be a lasting peace until a fair and just agreement is realized. Oslo and Camp David are far from being just and fair. In these agreements, the Palestinians are to obtain only a fraction of their land back, have restricted access to their own resources, have Jerusalem stolen away from them, and are then expected to be grateful for Israeli "generosity". They are to sit quietly while their "state" -- if you can call it that -- is to be fragmented and virtually isolated by the ever-expanding illegal settlements. We need to see that the US is not an "impartial peace broker". It is US policy that allows Israel to oppress and massacre the Palestinian people. Bush and Gore will not be willing to challenge US foreign policy in the Middle East, which hasn't changed for decades. I cannot support a candidate who supports Israel in this way. Neither Bush nor Gore will bring about a just and lasting peace in the Middle East. If you feel that you can vote for such men then please go ahead and do so. But I cannot. How can I? I can't forget the image of Mohammed al-Durah, the 12-year-old shot dead by Israeli soldiers as he cowered in his father's arms in Gaza. The significance of little Mohammed's death is that he is only one of countless others who have been suffering and killed over the 50 years of occupation (1948 on). Palestinians represent the largest population of refugees living in exile with over 3 million people. It's not that they have no rights, it's that they have negative rights. Bush and Gore will continue this policy that ignores the basic human rights of the Palestinian people. Ask yourselves, have either Bush or Gore said anything positive concerning the Middle East beyond the rhetoric? No, they haven't. But there is one candidate who has spoken out against Israel. Ralph Nader -- a long-time consumer advocate of Lebanese decent -- has condemned Israel for using excessive force. He recognizes the situation for what it is. That of an oppressive occupier that is killing unarmed civilians who are resisting the only way they can. He would cut aid to Israel forcing them to seek a just and true peace agreement with the Palestinians. I've heard some Muslims say that Ralph Nader has the "luxury" of advocating Palestinian rights since he cannot win. True, Mr. Nader probably will not win this election. However, if it's merely a matter of securing votes, wouldn't it make sense for him to speak the typical bipartisan lines of Israeli support and adoration? Nader calls it as he sees it. Bush and Gore will say anything just to get votes without believing in what they say. Luxury or not, I want a candidate who speaks his or her mind, stands firm for truth, and who is free from the influence of corporate power. Many of us know what challenges Muslims face in America today. Many Muslim communities are targeted by the government because of supposed "terrorist" ties. Have either Bush or Gore addressed this issue? This is very serious, and yet I hear nothing from either of them. But Nader addressed this issue head on today at his rally with 12,0000 supporters in Washington D.C., where he said, "We have a problem in America of discriminating against minorities. First, it was the Irish when they came over here. Then it was the Jews when they came. Now it is the Muslims. We need to put an end to this...." He is not afraid of speaking out against injustice no matter who it is against. Have you heard either Bush or Gore mention Muslims without the word "terrorist" in the same sentence? No, we haven't (not openly). There is word out that Bush is secretly for the Muslims but cannot come out and say it (for obvious reasons). Is this the type of person we want as president? Do we want a president who is afraid to speak about positive American- Muslim relations and addressing our concerns openly? Who is he afraid of offending? I've heard that former Congressman Paul Findley (a republican himself) has advocated that Muslims vote for Bush. However, I cannot figure out why. Have any of you read his book, "They Dare to Speak Out"? I have, it's very interesting. It discusses the influence of the Israeli lobby on US foreign policy, particularly as it pertains to Israel. Indeed the Israeli lobbies have significant influence on our government. However, one thing that Findley fails to mention is that US support for Israel was in tact well before the solidification of the pro- Israeli lobbies. It is actually in the broad interests of the US, particularly, economic, military, and the overall need for US control of middle-eastern oil that drives US policy in the region. Of course, there have been some Congressional votes influenced by the pro-Israel lobby, but most of these were symbolic gestures. Why wouldn't a Congressman vote in a manner that both supports broad US interests as well as the interests of Israeli lobbyists thereby killing two birds with one stone? It is interesting to note(and not mentioned by Findley) that the major upturn in U.S. aid to Israel between 1967 and 1974 took place prior to the reorganization of AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee -- the most powerful Israeli Lobby), which is when it greatly increased its scope of power and extended it's influence into Capitol Hill. This support for Israel primarily took place under the administration of Richard Nixon, who was the least dependent upon Jewish votes and financing of any recent president (not to mention an anti- Semite). The United States would support Israel with or without the Jewish lobbying groups because it is in America's economic and political interests. Israel functions as the attack dog in the Middle East keeping Arab nationalism at bay. The fact is, U.S. support for Israel is not derived from an "all-powerful" Jewish lobby, but by the same interests that support any militarized pro-Western regime that opposes Third World nationalist movements. The U.S. stands by Israel for what that country has done and continues to do for U.S. interests. Ralph Nader does not accept soft money and is therefore outside the reach of the wealthy elites that shape our government's foreign policy. Can we vote for Bush or Gore when we know that they are in the pockets of these same interests? Nader doesn't accept money from any PAC, Israeli or otherwise. He's the only one completely outside the influence of "Big Money". Voting for Nader will change things for us in the long run. Democrats and the Republicans will not change. With support, Nader's Green Party will grow and make progressive changes here and more importantly abroad. Please consider who you are voting for. I encourage all Muslims to read up on the issues. Understanding the Middle East and the US role in the region is our duty. Can any Muslim with a clear conscience vote for Bush or Gore knowing that they both UNCONDITIONALLY support Israel? We can make a change but it will not be through Bush or Gore. Nader, at the very least, speaks out against Israeli aggression. He may not win, but it is our duty as Muslims to stand for truth and justice no matter what the outcome. Remember your vote does count. Use it wisely. Sincerely, The Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said in the hadith found in Muslim: "Whoever of you sees wrong being committed, let him change it with his hand (i.e. by force). If he is unable to do that, then with his tongue, and if he is unable to do that, then with his heart."
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| Tuesday, September 12, 2006 - 02:03 pm Local elections are coming up November 7th. Although I have long supported Republican candiates and embraced the Republican theories of limited goverment, the fact is there is nothing conservative nor limited about the current Republican Party. Their application of government is fascist in the sense of liberal application of government power to trample civil rights and to spend every penny they can get theit hands on towards unjust oppression worlwide and at home. And as our current President has stated, "you are either with us or against us." So, you either agree with our approach or you are just another roadblock in the road to freedom and democracy. yeah...Right. How does this translate to local politics? Unfortunately, the Democrats have followed along quite willingly. Typically they do not want to seem weak on defence or security because in the patrotic fervor post 9/11 we wanted to kick someone hard for attacking us. Well, justice is a solid reason for us to band together, the question is do we have justice or just vigilantism. I say the latter, and who suffers? That right, hundreds of thousands in Iraq, Lebanon, and Afghanistan. But ultimatemately many here in the United States as well. We already had over 3,000 innocent civilians lives lost 9/11 due to years flawed foreign policy, And worst of all the catering to the Zionist Movement. We will probably see more violence in retribution due to the mahem we have supported and continue to propagate in the Muslim world, and even Central and South America(something to watch). We pray this cycle of violence and oppressive behaviors of nations and of terror groups does not become a basis for further errosion of our rights as American citizens who obey the laws and respect the constitution. As Muslims we as a collective group have openly denounced violence and terrorism in any form and have had open discussions with the law enforcement community since 9/11. But a cloud hangs over our heads. Who will protect our rights and the rights of citizens of this nation? When will the deluge come, when will we be washed away by a flood of hatred that seems to be mounting? Our politicians are in the practice of using the phrase "islamic fascists." Political pundits like Glen Beck has continuosly made comments about the Muslim problem, and how we need to be sent back where we came from. Uhhh, excuse me Mr.Beck, my family has been here approximately 400 years, and for Latino Muslims who in most cases are 100% native, they've been here approximatley 14,000-20,000 years. Things are heating up and so when you go to the polls vote your conscience, and hopefully vote for the candidate that upholds the values in our constitution. Which, is without question, full of Inherently Islamic virtues.
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| Saturday, July 31, 2004 - 09:45 pm In response to the info on Muslim influence in UK politics, it must be noted that similiar issues exist in the US. However, the political support of Jewish voters is not the main underlying issue. I don't know many Jews that support Zionism as we have witnessed it in the last 75 years. However, Zionist have made sure they achieve their aims by showing the West the strategic importance of supporting Israel at any cost. The potential to control Middle East oil reserves is vital to the global economy. Henry Kissinger has been quoted as saying "Oil is too important to leave in the control of the Arabs." A symbiotic relationship evolved between Israel and the US, Britain and France as a way to control Middle East oil without returning to the costly military occupations of the past. Israel's security is vital in Western foreign policy simply because whosoever controls Palestine (even if by proxy), can control the Middle East in any direction, this fact is as ancient as Egypt itself. The dream for Jews to return to ancestral homes turned into a wild land grab and subsequent decades of bloody warfare. Europe has never shown love for the Jews. Zionism was a prayer answered for many rabid Christians who wanted to rid themselves and their countries of Judaism forever. As Muslims we can understand this mindset as we live in the West and witness dicrimination against Muslims. The key to ending the plight of our brothers and sisters in Palestine is to be in prayer and to reach out to those we may understand least, that is, Jews and Christians. To create lasting justice does not require we give up our religion in any way, but we do need to follow the sunnah of Rasool Allah (pbuh)and promote peaceful solutions when and where possible. The Zionist movement in some aspects was a beautiful concept, yet the greed of die hard,oil hungry capitalist and power hungry members of the Zionist movement coalesced into something quite ugly, the terrorist state of Israel. It is a shame because many descent Jews live in Palestine and have been vocal against their government's policies.Like them we need to show the world how Israel is undermining Middle East peace and how unilateral support of them has cost countless innocent lives and cost world governments billions.
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| Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 03:23 pm ZIONIST ATTACKS MUSLIMS FOR ISRAEL Just where do Louise Ellman’s real loyalties lie, Britain or Israel? An MP costs us all around £100,000 per year. That’s your money and mine funding people to represent us. Now for this princely sum of public money what do we expect? Representation? Accountability? Responsibility? A duty of care perhaps? If you think about it, you have to wonder where Louise Ellman’s true loyalties lie. She sits on parliamentary committees to do with Israel, is a leading light in Labour Friends of Israel and has just started a new organisation replacing Poale Zion again to defend Israel. If it were a Muslim MP acting on behalf of say the Palestinians or Syria or Iran or any other Muslim country, you can imagine the cries of traitor and treason in the House of Commons and especially the Zionist press. Our loyalties are questioned for simply supporting the Pakistan or Indian cricket teams. The same is true for West Indians supporting the Windies. Why is it different for Ms Ellman and her Labour Friends of Israel? To me it is far more serious because none of us are public figures receiving public funding doing what should be a public job. Nobody even raises a whisper to question the Zionist defence machine. MPACUK.ORG understands that one third of the Labour parliamentary party belongs to Labour Friends of Israel. There is no reason to believe that the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives are any different in this matter! All the major parties have a Friends of Israel lobby group, working all the time for the benefit of a foreign state that flouts International Law and kills women and children with the full support of the US and UK. All UK taxpayers fund Israels defence, the same defence that costs the UK tax payer one third of the £65 million that lines the pockets of MP’s. That’s £21.6 million. So how can we address this problem? The answer is simple, join the party you have supported. If we all join the parties the candidates have to justify themselves to you, you will see the change. At the moment support for Israel is a prerequisite for getting selected for a seat. This would change very quickly if there were more Muslims in the parties. Alas though, that’s the difference between Muslims and Zionists; the Zionists would have joined a party within an hour of reading this. Muslims will nod in agreement and then click on the next article and move on.
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| Wednesday, July 28, 2004 - 03:22 pm heres whats going on in the uk chaps re : politics - Zionists Bring Out The Heavy Guns Against British Muslims! Black Spider – the web protecting Muslims! How delightful to see Will Cummins running scared! In his violently Islamophobic article in the Sunday Telegraph, ‘The Tories must confront Islam instead of kowtowing to it,’ he states that ‘as the bye-elections show, the Party will only ever gain a small number of Muslim supporters.’ And all because MPACUK.ORG backed the pro-Palestinian Conservative in Leicester South! Look at that, we take part in a bye-election and the Zionists bring out the heavy guns in the best selling newspaper in the country. And the Spectator magazine, what is their headline this week? ‘The Muslims are Coming!’ What exactly are Cummins and the Spectator afraid of? The Tories promoting Muslim interests? The Tories becoming pro-Palestinian? Yes, we think so. We have the power! We have the vote! It is just a shame that Muslims refuse to realise their own influence. We suppose that to Islamophobes like Cummins, the RESPECT Party is the best thing to have happened for their interests. i.e: Israel. Let us paint a picture. All Muslim groups are united in promoting a pro-Palestinian Liberal Democrat or Tory candidate to defeat a pro-Israeli Labour candidate like Lorna Fitzsimons from Rochdale who is a Labour Friends of Israel member. Along comes RESPECT, puts up a candidate and splits the Muslim vote. What happens? Lorna Fitzsimons wins again because the Muslims have split their vote! Israel’s powerbase in the British House of Commons is untouched! It can carry on killing the Palestinians! May Allah (swt) give us strength! Due to the closed Muslim mindset, MPACUK.ORG could not deliver the pro-Palestinian candidate as MP. Instead, the Muslims voted for a Liberal Democrat who may do nothing for Palestine. Wasted opportunity to get our backers into power? We think so. So MPACUK.ORG would like to congratulate the newly launched Conservative Muslim Forum - a network for Muslims to promote our interests within the Party. MPACUK.ORG have helped open the doors for the Conservative Party and for them to understand what it is that makes Muslims tick. And that is Palestine! Today, we might be worth very little in the Conservative Party, but by the will of Almighty Allaah, and if He wishes, we will influence more and more Tories to become pro-Palestinian. And Zionist Islamophobes like Will Cummins are well aware of this and will do everything they can to keep the British Muslims down and out! And if you, the individual Muslim back RESPECT, our entire Ummah will be down and out! - And a note to Cummins. We know your Mossad links! More coming soon…. MPACUK.ORG: POLITICAL REVOLUTION
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| Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 08:35 pm Asalaam Alaikum, Just reading over our thoughts from last year. We have put false hope in political leaders who have faith in power and money, not God. The political shaking,spinning and maneuvering continues as President Brush,the poster child of world freedom,harps on about democracy and freedom,yet telling Palestinians who can and can not participate in the democratic process.This guy told Muslims prior to the election he was going to work for peace and to bring justice to the oppressed Palestinian people.Evidence mounts that Bush is another Zionist,who beguiled the Muslim leadership,who in turn told the Muslims to vote as a bloc in his support. Well, I supported this,however feel that our source of power and victory is with Allah(swt),not with politicians. We can continue to pursue our politicians and remind them of their moral obligations before Allah Almighty,but begging at the feet of the kafir is a losing game. WE NEED TO SPREAD ISLAM. Allah willing,he will change the hearts of the people.Then, and only then will we see a change in this society and in government.
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| Wednesday, December 05, 2001 - 04:03 pm Dear Brothers in Islam This is the first time I am visiting this site. I have gone through many of the opinions of our brothers (not all). After all these events which happened, what do you all think. It is easy to say but it is a fact, Make Allah as your companion and doesn’t rely on any Non believer. Pray to Allah to show us the right path and don’t seek help from anyone but Allah. If you have a mole of feeling that you can get help from other than Allah. Even Allah will not help you. Masalam
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| Friday, May 04, 2001 - 11:25 am Now the election is over, let's look how we can (islamize) the rest of our life while we are living in the west. Most of us go frequently to masjid, and many of us try to eat halal meat ( that is great). what about the rest of our life, how can I get a capsule of medicine while Iam scarred that the capsule is made from gelatin which may be of pork origin ???, how can I use toothpaste while iam not sure if it contains pork or not, let us focus now on asking for (Halal life ), ask all companies producing youghart to indicate that it is kosher, ask all companies producing capsules of medicine to indicate that the gelcaps is not pork..... that is important.
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| Friday, May 04, 2001 - 11:11 am I completely agree with the letters indicating that muslims should be politically active, should vote as a bloc as the American democracy is working, and you cannot get your rights when you are dumb. Allah SWT informed us that muslims will be happy when Rome defeate Fors although all were non muslims, but Rome were closer to the right path. The prophet Joseph was the secretory of supply in Egypt for a non - muslim king. We have to emphasize that the most important concern is the intention and the sincerity to support Islam and who is closer to the Islamic regulations and who will be fair for muslims until we have muslim candidates for all the positions and this will surely take place In shaa Allah.
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| Tuesday, October 24, 2000 - 08:34 am U.S. Muslim Coalition Endorses Bush http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/politics/AP-Muslims-Politics.html October 23, 2000 By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 6:40 p.m. ET WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new national Muslim coalition is endorsing George W. Bush for president, citing the Texas governor's openness to American Muslims' concerns. ``The main factor was the governor's accessibility to Muslim leaders. He has promised to address American Muslim concerns when and if he goes into office,'' said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the American Muslim Political Coordination Council, a political action committee that made the endorsement Monday. Agha Saeed, director of the committee, said, ``Bush has promised to address Muslim concerns on domestic and foreign policy issues.'' Bush helped his standing during the second televised debate with Vice President Al Gore when he challenged the use of secret evidence by officials in the Immigration and Naturalization service. Under a 1996 anti-terrorism bill, INS officials can hold people based on anonymous accusations. Some American Muslims believe that rule is used disproportionately against them. ``We believe Governor Bush is our best chance to do away with secret evidence,'' Hooper said. Monday's endorsement is part of an effort to boost the visibility and voting clout among the nation's Muslims, estimated by the group at 6 million. In August, the Council on American-Islamic Relations distributed voter guides to raise political awareness among Muslims. On Sept. 15, designated as American Muslim Voter Registration Day by activists, voter registration tables were set up at mosques and Islamic centers nationwide. ``There is an awareness that voting in a bloc makes your voice heard so we think the endorsement should have a galvanizing effect.'' Hooper said. The political action committee is made up of the American Muslim Alliance, American Muslim Council, Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Public Affairs Council. In recent years, religious leaders including civil rights advocate Jesse Jackson and Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson have sought the presidency. And for generations, black ministers have held great sway on how congregation members cast their votes on Election Day. JeDon A. Emenhiser, a professor in the department of Government Politics at Humboldt State University, said an overt political endorsement by affiliates of a major religion might sway some voters. ``We have to see how strongly attached people in the Islamic community will be to the endorsement to know if it will have any effect,'' Emenhiser said. ``I think it will be something Muslim voters weight along with other concerns like how the candidates feel about immigration or the budget. It should help him,'' meaning Bush. James Reichley, a Georgetown University political scientist, agreed: ``I don't know if it will draw overwhelming support for Bush among Muslims but it should get some.'' Polls taken by an Islamic group have shown Bush with the most support but with widely swinging totals for various candidates. The New York Times on the Web http://www.nytimes.com
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| Thursday, October 26, 2000 - 08:03 am **Posted by ISGR from Sound Vision Web site http://soundvision.com/politics/endorsement.shtml AMPCC tells Muslims to support Bush November 7 It's official - America's over six million Muslims should vote for George W. Bush as the country's next president on November 7. This endorsement was made October 23 by the American Muslim Political Coordinating Council Political Action Committee (AMPCC-PAC). AMPCC is an umbrella organization which includes the four major American Muslim organizations and represents a large cross section of Muslims in America. Bush, the presidential candidate of the Republican party, is governor of Texas and the son of former US president George Bush (1988-92). Two key factors in selecting Bush were his outreach to the Muslim community during his campaign as well as his opposition to the law of secret evidence. "Governor Bush took the initiative to meet with local and national representatives of the Muslim community. He also promised to address Muslim concerns on domestic and foreign policy issues," said AMPCC-PAC head Agha Saeed. During the second presidential debate earlier this month, Bush challenged the use of secret evidence which is used in US Immigration and Naturalization Service deportation hearings. It has been used disproportionately against Muslims in America. Input from community groups also played a role in the selection of Bush as the candidate for endorsement. Straw polls, surveys and town hall meetings conducted by the AMPCC indicated that Bush already has the support of a large cross-section of Muslims. Importance of bloc vote stressed The AMPCC also stressed that a Muslim bloc vote in a number of states could seriously affect the outcome of the election, especially considering Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore and Bush are running neck in neck. It will mean the Muslim voice in America will be heard in the American political arena California, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio were the states the organization singled out for possible use of the bloc vote strategy. Not all support Bush One group representing a number of African-American Muslims, the Coalition for Good Government, did not support the endorsement of Bush. As well, a number of Muslim immigrants have expressed support for Gore and Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader in the upcoming election.
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| Tuesday, October 24, 2000 - 07:26 am **Filed by ISGR** Political experts have been advising Muslims to vote as a bloc, if they want to be counted as a political force. American Muslims are as many in number as American Jews but they have not voted as a bloc in a national election. The numbers of American Muslim voters have increased substantially since 1996 presidential election. The question is, will Muslims vote as a block in the forth-coming election? My answer to this question is; most likely not. The reason is that American Muslims are divided into three broad groups with different interests and priorities. 1. First generation immigrants 2. Second / third generation immigrants 3. Indigenous (mostly Afro-American) Muslims The first group is mostly concerned with the US foreign policy issues and is most likely to vote for Bush to counter the Jewish votes for Gore. The second group consists of mostly young Muslims born and raised in US. They are idealists and are not likely to vote for Bush or Gore. Instead, they are likely to vote for Ralph Nader. The third group is mostly concerned with the social issues and is traditionally affiliated with Democratic Party and is likely to vote for Gore. The second question is, can Muslims affect the outcome of the presidential election if they vote as a bloc? The answer to this question is that Gore may win without the Muslim bloc vote. Nader will not win even with the Muslim bloc vote but the monopoly of the two party system may be challenged. Bush may win with the Muslim bloc vote. If Muslims vote for Bush and he wins, it will send a message to all political parties in the US that there is a new political force to reckon with. In any case Muslim bloc vote will be noticed and their scattered votes will go unnoticed. Will Muslims then vote as a bloc? Shafi Refai October 20, 2000
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| Wednesday, October 25, 2000 - 07:36 am Posted by ISGR Asslamu alikum brothers and sisters, Why should we vote for the candidate G. Bush? On what basises CAIR said that we should vote for? Didn't he state clearly that he is supporting ISRAIL? I think every muslim should refuse to vote for any of the candidates, because both of them are supporting ISRAIL. Wasslamu alikum.
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| Wednesday, October 25, 2000 - 07:54 am ** Posted by ISGR Assalamo Alaikum, Brothers and Sisters, please do not refuse to vote. If you do not vote, you have nothing to gain but a lot to loose. If you do not want to vote for anything else, please vote to defeat Liberman only. We have no choice but to pick the candidate potentially less dangerous for Muslims. Under the circumstances, voting for Bush seems to be a better choice. Now, suppose Gore/ Liberman win. Something happens and Liberman takes over as the president of United States. Brothers and Sisters this scares me. A Jew running this country? I will not be surprised if the US foreign policy (especially in regard to the Palestine and Arab Peninsula) is made right in Tel Aviv. Allah will love you for defeating Liberman. Now, the decision is yours. You want to vote for Bush, Gore or not vote at all? Wassalam, Asghar
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| Thursday, October 26, 2000 - 07:44 am **Posted by ISGR I completely agree. We MUST follow the recommendation of our Muslim brothers in CAIR.
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| Wednesday, October 25, 2000 - 07:46 am **Posted by ISGR ALslamo alicom brother we should for the person who will do less harm for the muslim by islamic bylaws meaning AL MASALEH AND ELMAFASED bylaws we have to do that it has some benifits also to educate the Ummah to register and vote to be postive and share in the community and decision making to send a message to anyone that the muslims count to raise that issue among the muslim so in 10 years from now we will find someone not harmful at all if you have someone attacking the muslims with a stick and someone attacking with a knife which you wanna choose both attacking and you do not have choice if you do not vote for the stick you will be in big trouble and islamic wise not correct that what I thought about it Jazakom ALLAH khiran Essam
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| Thursday, October 26, 2000 - 07:20 am **Posted by ISGR (edited) People from different backgrounds have different perspectives about the same situation. I come from U.P. India where Muslims have been struggling for their rights for over 50 years. At the time of Independence all the educated professionals opted for Pakistan leaving behind the decadent land-owners and the very poor and the very uneducated. Very slowly and very painfully, the Muslims have improved their lot and are now much better situated than they were 50 years ago. We did this without any outside help whatsoever and we did not lose even one generation to the ravages of war. Looking at things from this perspective, I think the Palestinians, Kashmiris, Bosnians and all the other folks are going about their struggle in a wrong way, in my opinion. The Indian Muslims live in a non-Muslim country but they have not sacrificed their rights as Muslims. Their voice is heard and all those, who with sheer effort have created little circles of excellence around themselves, have earned the respect of the non-Muslims and have been appointed to high positions in the country. They also act as beacons of hope for those who are still trying to improve their situation. As is the case of Muslims all over the world, there is no leadership worth talking about. Always it is the individual who stands up and takes responsibility for his decisions. I have seen the magic happen up close and I have no wish to accept the leadership of any one. Demonstrating unity is one thing, but succumbing to the ‘mob mentality’ demanded by the so-called leaders who have not shown any great skills in analysis and objective thinking is quite another. None of these worthies will accompany me to my grave and whatever decision I make will have to be based on my own knowledge and understanding. Whoever realizes the true importance of “No god (read controlling power) but Allah” will find it very difficult to tag along with people just because someone tells them to. Our e-mail is flooded with messages regarding this issue and the emotional outpouring contained in them makes it even more difficult to have any confidence in the judgement of the writers. So, thanks, but no thanks. I shall try to make my own decision and accept the responsibility to stand or fall by it.
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| Sunday, November 05, 2000 - 01:12 am I have very recently come to this new page and am disheartened to find that our only choice to voice our opposition to a Jewish candidate and his zionist representation is to vote Bush into office. I have not been able to access CAIR's webpage to see for myself why this has been recommended, but it is my understanding that both candidates are in support of the Israeli aggression. I can only see a very destructive situation on both ends; with Bush, blacks and the poor will be made targets of injustice and with Gore, Muslims will be made the victims. I am both; black and Muslim. Dedicated to presevering my voting rights, but with no candidate for effective representation. These are very serious days for me as I reflect on the violence that photographs have captured from the lastest aggression of muslims worldwide. The only security for our best interest rests in Allah.
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 01:57 pm To view the entire article, go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38883- 2000Oct29.html Our Money Is Not Good Enough Hillary Clinton's decision to return more than $50,000 in donations to her campaign by American Islamic organizations is a wake-up call for every Muslim in the United States. The message, with its not-so-subtle racist undertone, is clear: You are not wanted.The money was given back to the Fremont, Calif.,-based American Muslim Alliance because the group opposes the Israeli occupation of Palestine and some members of the group have defended the Palestinian use of force in resisting Israeli aggression.By this reasoning, Mrs. Clinton should send back every check to her campaign written by American Muslims and organizations representing them. Almost all Muslims support the right to self-determination for the Palestinian people. Further, most Muslims support the right of Palestinians to defend themselves when under attack. While many American Muslims may not agree with the military tactics of so-called extremist groups such as Hamas, they do recognize that such groups have pro! vided necessary education and health care services to one of the world's poorest people. The current electoral cycle is certainly not the first time that American Muslims have been spurned by high-profile political candidates. Both Walter Mondale and Michael Dukakis in their presidential bids refused donations from Muslim organizations and declined endorsements from Islamic groups.Other ethnic groups that support causes overseas aren't treated in such an offhand manner. For years Catholics in Northern Ireland waged a political and armed struggle against the British, and yet Sen. Edward Kennedy has received millions of dollars in donations from Irish American Catholics who were supportive of that cause. It's not surprising that Clinton and her opponent, Rep. Rick Lazio, are attempting to outdo each other in rejecting Muslim support. Each is trying to pander to New York's all- important Jewish voters who demand the candidates' unabashed support for Israel. As a corollary th! e candidates must forthrightly reject any association with groups or individuals who might believe otherwise. By calling such donations "blood money" and questioning why Mrs. Clinton has even met with American Muslim representatives for the past several years at White House receptions, Lazio is increasing the McCarthyist temperature that already pervades American politics when it comes to Muslim involvement.Last year for example, Salam Al-Marayati, director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council, was kicked off the National Commission on Terrorism, which was reviewing U.S. anti-terrorism policies. A moderate Muslim involved in interfaith dialogues and human rights issues, Al-Marayati saw his nomination withdrawn after Jewish groups falsely claimed he condoned terrorism against Israel.Even ordinary American Muslims are feeling the effects of anti-Muslim political sentiments. In an effort to calm fears after the Oklahoma City bombing, Congress passed the ill-conceived 1996 A! nti-Terrorism Act, which allows deportations based on secret evidence. Enforcement of the law has disproportionately targeted Muslims, with 20 of the 25 individuals held under the law being Muslims or Arabs. Mrs. Clinton's rejection of Muslim campaign donations may be politically expedient in New York, but politicians in other parts of the country are going to have to come to terms with America's Islamic reality. Today, at 6 million residents, there are more Muslims in the United States than Jews. With increased immigration and higher birthrates, the domestic Muslim population will continue to grow. This undoubtedly will have an effect in Muslim-heavy states such as Michigan, where in close races Muslims voting as a bloc can help decide the outcome.Message to politicians: Ignore us at your own peril.The writer lives in Berkeley, Calif.
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 01:47 pm **Posted by ISGR Dear brother, none of the two candidates will admit supporting any of these causes in public. Because they both want to please the jewish voters and their lobbysts. This is the very first time muslims have decided to vote as a Bloc. Al Gore is 110% pro Israel since his running mate is a jew. This does not leave much room for muslims to manuver. If the adminitration of Bill Clinton is taken as a example, he supported Israel without fail everytime, whenever he had to choose between Arabs or muslims in general against jews or Israelis. As a muslim I believe in the unity of umma. If the Umma has decided to vote as a Bloc, I am all for it to futher the unity and cause for muslims in the US. Have you not read that $50,000.00 contribution was returned back to muslim organization in Newyork by Hillary Clinton due to pressure from jewish lobby? Waslam
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 02:56 pm This is an Islamic alternate for Britain: http://www.islamicparty.faithweb.com/ Why do we not have one for the USA?!
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 03:12 pm **Posted by ISGR Following is a brief info on Islamic Party from their web site. http://www.islamicparty.faithweb.com/ The Islamic Party of Britain began its work in 1989 with the purpose of encouraging public debate about the Islamic alternative. Being the very first national Islamic political organisation in the UK and the only Islamic political party in the non-Muslim Western world, it has helped Muslims to gain confidence in the political discussion, it has researched Islamic answers to contemporary issues and come up with convincing policies on economy, environment, health, education, social affairs, international relations, and many other aspects of modern life. It has provided accurate, well presented information about Islam to the general public, and many have found their way to Islam through its dynamic approach. Giving the Muslims in Britain a voice in matters relating to the future of British society features amongst the objectives of the party, as does helping them to improve their planning and organisation to improve their situation in a world ruled by forces prejudiced with anti-Islamic sentiment. Its main efforts are, however, directed at the majority of non-Muslims living in the West, who are to be offered practical alternatives to the mounting problems of modern society and need to be made to realise that as an ideology and way of life Islam is superior to the failed ideologies of capitalism and communism. Such encounter has to be public, and this, not the desire for minority representation, is the party's motivation when participating in local and national elections. It is entirely financed by subscriptions and individual donations and is independent of any domestic or foreign government or organisation. To continue its important mission, your regular support is vital. The Islamic Party of Britain publishes a quarterly magazine called Common Sense , containing in-depth articles from an Islamic perspective on a different relevant topic each issue. Annual subscription is free. However, If you don't have access to the Internet a printed copy will cost you £10 annually (+£5 postage if outside UK). Please send your subscription, or any other correspondence, to: Islamic Party of Britain PO Box 844 Oldbrook Milton Keynes MK6 2YT
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 03:22 pm **Posted by ISGR Salaam Alaikum The debate about who is better is over. It was over on the day George Bush was endorsed by all major organizations and several Muslim publications. They have their reasons for their decision. Now, it is our Islamic duty to follow our leaders, and vote for George Bush just because our leadership said so. That is the concept of unity. Forget about who is better. Just vote for the candidate selected by the Muslim organizations just because they said so. This will create a voting block, which will have a great bargaining power, Insha Allah, in future elections.
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 04:03 pm **Posted by ISGR To view the entire article, go to Washington Post Many See Candidates Through the Lens of Religious Teaching In the year 2000, religious faith became a constant refrain in politics.Methodist George W. Bush named Jesus as his favorite philosopher and spoke often of his spiritual rebirth. Southern Baptist Al Gore, who once called his faith "a kind of spiritual gyroscope," said it was "the most important thing" in his life. Orthodox Jew Joseph I. Lieberman, the first of his faith on a major party ticket, suggested "a constitutional place for faith in our public life."And to this, Muslim Ashraf W. Nubani, of Springfield, says aameen, his faith's version of "amen.""I don't think we can strictly adhere to morality and ethics without having a religious component which comes from something greater," said the 34-year-old lawyer. "For me as a Muslim, that's God, the one known creator of the heavens and the universe."Nubani's sentiments were echoed by many others as Post reporters visited seven Washington area places of worship over the weekend to see what this slice of faith- minded vo! ters was thinking on the eve of the presidential election. The worshipers were a tiny sample of the 30 to 40 percent of Americans who recent polls indicate attend weekly religious services--a figure that has remained fairly consistent for decades. Unlike the Anti-Defamation League, which asked Lieberman to refrain from "overt expressions" of religious beliefs, many area worshipers said they were thrilled by the politicians' emphasis on faith, which reflects their own spiritual orientation.At Bethel Korean Presbyterian in Ellicott City, church elder and longtime member David Cho found it perfectly natural--necessary, in fact--that candidates talk openly about their religion. "Otherwise, how could I judge them?" he asked.Just because they enter a place of worship each weekend, however, worshipers are not totally sanguine about the stress laid on faith by politicians."It's always good to know where a person stands on religion," said Doretha O'Neal, a member of Mount Leban! on Baptist Church in Northwest Washington. "But you can't always tell if a person is saying that just to get a vote."Mosques, churches and synagogues echoed this weekend with reminders that voting is a civic and even religious duty. Rabbi Joel Tessler, who leads Potomac's Orthodox Beth Sholom Congregation and Talmud Torah, calls it a "halakhic mandate" for Jews.In most places, the message was nonpartisan. But Catholics throughout the area were reminded that abortion is the most important issue to their leaders and were given the opposing positions of Bush and Gore. Black pastors told their mostly Democratic flocks that they owed it to civil rights leaders past to go to the polls. And at the evangelical Christ Church of Arlington, Pastor James M. Hutchens read a statement by Bush that described his faith."It's going to be pretty clear who I'm endorsing, but I won't say so," said Hutchens, 66, a retired U.S. Army chaplain.During services, he displayed a slide with one wo! rd: "Vote!"Dar Al HijrahFalls Church, Friday, 12:15 p.m.The imam did not mention the election. It was hardly necessary."Islam entreats people to try to change their environment for the better," said Saif D. Rahman, 22, a paralegal who lives in Springfield. "So if one person retreats from politics, and voting in particular, then in effect you're not doing much to help change society.""Being involved in your society is a religious duty," noted Asmaa Rhodes, 25, a Falls Church resident who is headed to Ghana on a Fulbright scholarship. "Islam is a very active religion. It's . . . about thinking things through and learning things yourself and actively seeking knowledge."Set behind a row of tall evergreens along Leesburg Pike near Seven Corners, Dar Al Hijrah has a mailing list of about 30,000. Its congregation is ethnically eclectic, including many of Arab descent as well as U.S.-born converts like Rhodes. The mosque had a voter registration drive in September; about! 80 percent of its voter-eligible congregants are registered.Several worshipers said they were not bothered that religion and spirituality had high profiles in this year's presidential election.Egyptian-born Mamdouh Rezeika, executive director of the Islamic Media Foundation in Falls Church, said Lieberman's expressions of his Orthodox Jewish beliefs were "not a problem. He's just expressing what he believes. . . . It's not offensive. But to impose one specific religion on people--that would be offensive."After service, Albert Mokhiber passed out an armload of Ralph Nader posters to worshipers as they streamed out of the mosque. Nader resonates with Muslims, the campaign volunteer said, partly because of his Lebanese ancestry but also because he represents "an option that's not been heard."Beth Sholom Congregation andTalmud TorahPotomac, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. servicesIt is a synagogue political by nature. U.S. Reps. Peter Deutsch and Robert Wexler (both D-Fla.) b! elong, as does Jacob J. "Jack" Lew, director of the Office of Management and Budget. And many from the 500-family Orthodox congregation work on the Hill in other capacities.But having the first Orthodox Jew on a major party ticket has not changed members' strong resistance to mixing politics and religion."People who know me will tell you I speak less about politics than any clergyman in America," said Tessler, the rabbi.For many at Beth Sholom, concern about a new wave of Arab-Israeli violence in the Middle East has superseded Jews' earlier excitement about Lieberman's candidacy."I don't think any American president or the U.N. or any other body in this world can enforce peace on the Middle East," said Michael Perkins, 28, a computer engineer.Lieberman's role has had one effect. Tessler, a registered Republican, will vote Democratic because Lieberman is a friend he has long admired. "I vote for the person, not the party," he said.Queen of Apostles Catholic Church! Alexandria, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. servicesRoman Catholic bishops for decades have urged their flock--America's single largest denomination--to vote with consciences attuned to social justice issues. But abortion remains a top concern as church leaders urge their parishioners to vote. Last week, Cardinal James A. Hickey of the Washington Archdiocese said protecting "the unborn" was the "one issue that rises above all others." Arlington Diocese Bishop Paul S. Loverde wrote that being "a faithful and serious Catholic necessarily means that one is pro-life and not pro-choice."At Queen of Apostles, parishioners were urged twice to read the bishop's letter and also received a National Right to Life Committee comparison of Bush and Gore on six abortion issues.In addition, the faithful joined in four prayers about the elections, which were more general in message. One encouraged God to guide people to "vote for a person of integrity," and another prayed "that the outcome of Tu! esday's election will mean greater assistance to those most in need." They were told by their pastor, the Rev. Salvator Cuillo, that voting is a "God-given right" and a "moral responsibility." A number of churchgoers said that, while they agreed with the church's stance on abortion, they had made up their own minds on the issue, and the church had not been a major influence upon them.Rosemary Tiffany, 80, a retired government worker who is opposed to abortion and will vote for Bush, cited John F. Kennedy as a role model in her belief that politics and religion should not be connected. "I separate religion and politics in my own mind. I was brought up that way," she said.Nonetheless, she said, she isn't bothered when a political message is offered during Mass. "They don't try to sway," she said. Another parishioner, Franklin Lopez, 30, awaits the day he can vote. The immigrant truck driver, who said he, too, opposes abortion, believes political messages should not b! e part of a religious service. "In Honduras, the church didn't interfere," he said.Christ ChurchArlington, Sunday, 10:30 a.m. servicesPastor Hutchens got Bush's statement of faith-- in which Bush recalls a now-famous conversation with the Rev. Billy Graham that he said "sparked a change of my heart"--on "the Web someplace" and already had excerpted portions in a weekly e-mail to his flock called "Dateline Heaven."During worship, which attracted about 50 people, Hutchens prayed, "As we consider this election, that we will vote for those whose records, whose platforms, whose promises are most in line with your word."Members were receptive to the message. "I do believe we should vote our spiritual side," said Vicky Wood, 33, a nurse in Arlington. "The morals of this country have really dropped. That should be what someone looks at when they vote. . . . [Elected officials] are people we're supposed to look up to." U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Landon Hutchens, 35, no relation t! o the pastor, and his wife, Margarita Hutchens, 24, a Navy nurse, were among those who joined the small church partly on the basis of the way its pastor treats political issues."I think it's critical to a democracy that these issues be discussed," Landon Hutchens said. "Morality is the primary criteria for how we vote. It affects everything, from how we feel about taxes to abortion."Mount Lebanon Baptist ChurchNorthwest WashingtonSunday, 11 a.m. servicesFor Doretha O'Neal, of course, her faith influences her voting."The way things are now, I usually have to pray on it first and listen to each candidate," said O'Neal, 45, a records management assistant at the Smithsonian Institution.Decisions about public policy are no different. "As far as Social Security is concerned, what the elderly people get is really not that much. And for somebody to tell them they're going to cut it, that doesn't make sense to me."In the Bible, it talks about helping those who canno! t help themselves."Mount Lebanon is a tiny, 101- year-old church on New Jersey Avenue NW where sixth-grader Andre Taylor is called to the pulpit for a round of applause because of the A he got in reading on his report card. Its pastor, the Rev. Lionel Edmonds, is a leader in the politically active Washington Interfaith Network. And while his congregation is overwhelmingly Democratic, his policy is not to endorse. "We don't tell you who to vote for," Edmonds said from the pulpit. "But we do tell you to go out and vote."While some religious leaders have said the country is in moral decline, that sentiment was not on display at Mount Lebanon."Sometimes it looks cloudy, but I have to go back to my religious aspect there and say that we know who is really in control," said Ernest Sims, a 63-year-old retired ironworker. "Things are bad at times, but it has looked worse than this. I think we'll make it through."Bethel Korean PresbyterianEllicott CitySunday, 8:30 and 11! a.m. servicesFor 30 years, Bethel has been helping newcomers master the mores of the suburbs and, by extension, the United States. But by now, the immigrants have grown American children, born and raised in Maryland and somewhat impatient with their parents' style of worship. The 11 a.m. service belonged to the parents. They are professionals and merchants, about 800 in all, nearly all in suits. For them, the church is what it has been for thousands of Korean immigrants--an all-purpose community center. A doctor urged them to get flu shots. The Rev. Soon Keun Lee reminded them to exercise their civic duty to vote. Both candidates are Christians who have confessed that they're born again, he told them. "I'm at peace with any one that you choose."As a church elder and longtime member, David Cho can explain the pastor's emphasis on voting. Korean Americans have a reputation of just looking out for their own and ducking out of the American mainstream. "We must be involved! ," Cho said.In the earlier youth service, elections never came up. The young deacons considered participating in National Prayer Day, saying a pre-election prayer for the national leaders. But they decided not to, because "we're not going to bring politics into God's house," said Deacon Jim Chung. They don't need church to remind them to vote or get flu shots. They need church just for church things.Like his father, David, Peter Cho finds it unthinkable that candidates would decline to mention God. But by that he doesn't mean old-world notions of duty and honor and service to the community. He means a candidate must be openly, aggressively Christian, in declaration and deed."Both candidates say they're Christian, but only one clearly behaves like one," said Cho, meaning Bush. "George Bush understands this country was founded by deists. He doesn't strip down Christianity to remove all the morality."Chung, the 35-year-old deacon, agrees. "How could something this imp! ortant not influence who I vote for? Look at all our sports heroes, the music," he said, glancing at his son Jacob. "With the breakdown of family, the education system, we need someone to be a Christian role model."Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal ChurchFort WashingtonSunday, 11:15 a.m. serviceEbenezer's 150-voice choir brought most of the 3,000 in the cavernous sanctuary to their feet with a song that assured, "No Weapon Formed Against Me" shall prosper. Some church ushers wore blue "Get Out to Vote" stickers, and across the street, the old church building had been transformed into the "command center" to coordinate the effort to drive people to the polls on Election Day."We pray that every born-again believer realize that it is our God- given right to go to the polls on Election Day," the Rev. Grainger Browning preached from the pulpit. "At the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, four little girls died over the issue of voting rights. . . . Some of us here! have family members who are no longer here because they died fighting for the right to vote.""I am going to drive people to polls on Election Day," said Roena Hawk, a retired public school bus driver who lives in Clinton. Hawk said she was glad that Browning's message contained politics as well as religion. "This is a very important election. You can reach a lot of people this way."Walter Ridley, the former director of the D.C. Department of Corrections, is now church administrator of Ebenezer. He said that while church leaders shouldn't endorse candidates, "the church historically is the focus of community-related issues. It helps us to get a better feel on what the candidates are all about."To Browning and his parishioners, voting is a moral issue; his sermon was a mixture of black history, theology and politics."From the slave ships to the ballot box, no weapon formed against us has prospered," Browning said."We are on our way! Forward, march!" he shouted. "We ar! e on our way to the Promised Land, forward, march! It starts Tuesday."Staff writers Bill Broadway, Hamil R. Harris, Jennifer Lenhart, Ann O'Hanlon and Hanna Rosin contributed to this report.
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| Monday, November 06, 2000 - 09:01 pm Bismillah Al-Rahman Al-Raheem, Asalaam Alaikum, Brothers and sisters in Islam, I am an American born muslim of European descent. We all know Muslims come in various shapes, sizes, colors and cultural heritages. As a group we are the "true rainbow coalition." We are a shining example of everything Americans want in a just and equitable society. As a nation, Americans have committed many great, noble deeds. Yet, at times we have orchestrated some of the greatest tragedies. My message is that Americans want to do the right thing, but have gone astray; led there by a corrupt government, and biased press. So how can we change things? First, the electorate(the voters)can control the government through block voting. This is not only about a just cause, it also involves econonmics. Politicians fear losing money from the electorate and from special interest groups that donate large sums of money. Money is the attention getter! The politicians are ready to hear the Muslim community only when they fear our block power. This can be compared to the Quraish, once they realized how their trade and economic viability was threatened, they were prepared to hear the Muslim Ummah's terms. This method has been used by many groups in the U.S. to gain political access, and to begin to change public and foreign policy. Our second agenda involves educating the American public on issues they are not well informed on, for example Palestine, Kashmir, etc. Also, informing Americans about Al-Islam. Our goal must continue to be access to the media; challenging mis-information whenever and wherever we encounter it. Americans love the underdog, and love a good, virtuous cause. However, we must educate mainstream America on our concerns. Once, their eyes are opened to the truth, we will have many of them in our corner. Look at how many Americans have been dupped into an unquestioning support of Israel!! Americans are being made fools of simply because they wanted to do the right thing. But truth always overcomes lies and darkness. Once we come to the forefront in the media and in politics, we can finally make changes for a just and equitable America! Most importantly, we must take the moral highground, and practice our religion with sincerity, so that this nation may embrace a new and brighter path. In closing, we should support our block candidate George W. Bush, because he has shown concern for our community. However, Allah(swt)knows best. May Allah(swt)grant us guidance.
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| Tuesday, November 07, 2000 - 06:51 am Assalam Alikum, The debate is indeed over on whom Muslim should select. Your effort can not change the endorsment of the Muslim organizations in the last hour. all what can it lead to is to divide the Muslim vote and that can harm no one but the Muslims. Please follow the endorsment and VOTE BUSH and next time join the discussion early. Wa assalam
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| Tuesday, November 07, 2000 - 06:55 am Assalamu Alaikum, The discusson on the issue of *Muslims* voting for a candidate in the upcoming U.S. elections is mostly sad. It is absurd! Did we forget who we are? Did we forget what Islam is and stands for? Many of us unfortunately have! Any U.S. candidate for president, or office, will work for and under the U.S. system, which is CAPITALISM. Do you seriously believe the U.S. president listens and carries out the people's wishes? NO! It is a system, which like every other system of life has certain objectives, desires, and interests. The candidate will work under this shell of CAPITALISM and will do ONLY what is in the best interests for the U.S. and no one else period!!!! If you think that the JEWS worked hard and FORCED the U.S. to do major things in its favour your totally mistaken. The U.S. helps Israel, only, because it is in its interests to do so, not because millions of Jews in the U.S. kiss up to the ugly U.S. leaders and this regime. Thus, not only is it plain silly to vote for any candidate(which by the way the System would love for us to vote to get us involved) it is HARAM to vote! Thats right HARAM! I never knew that an Islamic ummah had many leaders! Thats, because it doesn't. Leaders of Muslim organizations, do NOT, have the legitmacy to make muslims follow them at all. Thus, what they say is not in the least bit binding on us. In Islam, there is only one leader of the ummah we should follow, and give our bayah or allegiance to and that is the Khaleefah, which sadly does not exist currently. Finally: Just to have unity for the sole sake of being united is an idea not based in Islam. If we are to be united, it must be based solely on Islam and nothing else.
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| Monday, November 13, 2000 - 10:51 am Bismillah AL-Rahman Al-Raheem, Asalaam Alaikum, I am happy to see so many passionate Muslims coming forward with their opinions. Speaking out and sharing our views in order to reach some consensus on this issue is part of our Islamic heritage. Of course, any decent leader would respond positively to the voice of the people. We know Muhammad(pbuh)would seek the advice of the Sahaba(rad)on various issues. At times Muhammad(pbuh)was approached also by Muslims complaining of some percieved or real injustice; they were not turned away. And, what part did the Sahaba(rad)play in matters of the state? Many of them were well respected in their communities and could be counted on to speak out on behalf of the people. Again, they too were not turned away. What has been described briefly is a type of democracy(not the American style).A righteous leader hears the voices of his people and responds justly.Those that represent their people are also heard and dealt with justly. We are living in a land where we can speak out and someone will hear us.However, our audience is not the leaders of the Muslim community(whoever that may be).So, what are we to do? We know our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world are oppressed, not solely by the West, but by their fellow Muslims. Can anyone tell me where in this world can Muslims have economic and political and religous freedom? I am sure it is not so in many of our so called Muslim nations. We all recognize the oppression that has been put upon the Muslim Ummah worldwide due to nationalism,communism,socialism and a host of other names. Brothers and Sisters speak out for justice in the name of Allah(swt) and are thrown in jail. Brothers and Sisters question the establishment and are murdered. Is this the world of Al-Islam? Is this what Allah(swt) wanted for mankind, of course not!! So, what are we to do? The United States was created politically as a democratic system not totally unlike the Islamic ideal. The people have equal rights under the law(most of the time). The civilian populace is also well armed to prevent invasion and to deter evil despots from gaining control of the government. And, our courts requires evidence to convict, not hearsay nor innuendo. Again, the American system is not far from our Islamic ideal. With this in mind we should all consider how we can change the heart of this nation. First,we need to be as close to our masjids as possible,this is the root of the community. Also,we must establish and maintain prayer. We must see ourselves as missionaries bringing a special message of hope to the people of America. Think of Americans as children trapped in a burning building and the Muslim Ummah in this country is the fire marshall coming to the rescue with Al-Islam. Now political involvement does bring up many questions.However, we can debate the issue forever or we can act now! We need to start pursuing political offices. This not only to gain political access, but also to show the people the true face of Al-Islam. Muslims in general care for all mankind. We know Muhammed(swt)never cursed Jews or Christians, but was very kind and gracious to them. In other words, our political efforts must not be in spite of Jews or Christians. We must show tolerance and patience if we are to succeed in this endeavor. We have an opportunity and Allah(swt) put us all here in the United States for a reason. And I don't mean for the free enterprise system only! May Allah(swt)provide us with truly pious Muslims to carry out this work and to lead this ummah.Remember Brothers and Sisters in Al-Islam, Allah(swt)put us here for a reason. Wa Salaam, Ibrahim
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| Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - 10:56 pm Interesting viewpoints... Going by the parable: Failure is the stepping stone to success. The roots of democracy (honest) is the will of the people. It is the people who decide how they would like to be governed. It is a daunting task for any one candidate / person to claim one's favor towards any community. It is when the community grows as one when it becomes a force to reckon with. Its easier to be recognized as a group than as an individual. An individual need to present to the community many-a-good deed before the community can recoginze the individual. On the other hand, a group need only do one thing that stands out, and it will be recognized. We need to be fore cited, and the need for doing so is much more NOW than ever before. If we work and expend our energies towards building a strong organization, we will eventually bloom into a nation. Time would be the better judge. If we become one voice, it would be no wonder that within a couple of decades, the so-called politicians will be campaigning for our votes. We would not have to extend donations for their favors, they will extend their help for our ballots.
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