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Jan – Mar 2003

Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

Respecting our differences

“Waste no time debating what a good Muslim should be. Be one!” By Muhammad Alshareef http://www.islamfortoday.com/differences.htm Imam Malik one day entered the Masjid after Asr. Towards the front of Masjid An-Nabawee he drew closer and sat down. Rasul Allah had commanded that anyone who enters the Masjid should not sit until he first prays 2 rakas as a salutation of the Masjid. Imam Malik was of the opinion however that Rasul Allah’s forbiddance of praying after Asr took precedence and so he would teach his students to not pray the tahiyyatul Masjid if they entered between the Asr and Maghrib

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Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

Islam Under Wraps

By Jamal Arif http://iviews.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IV9906-510 Iviews. June 11, 1999.Article Ref: IV9906-510 The mere mention of South America can conjure up visions of tall spires and stately steeples bedecking the enchanting and somewhat mysterious landscape of the continent. A common bond of Catholicism runs through the skein of South American countries that have emerged over the last century. It is no wonder then that one might typically perceive this region as a “baptized continent,” devoid of any significant Islamic influence or presence. And even if the observer were to recognize the survival of some smattering of Islamic communities today, the palpable perception

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Jan - Mar 2003, Spain

Los Musulmanes Españoles

Por Yusuf Fernández http://www.webislam.com/multimedia/presentacion/yusuf.htm Entre los países de Europa, España fue el que mantuvo durante más tiempo una presencia musulmana en su suelo. El estado islámico de Al Andalus (711-1492), pese a haber sido destruido tras ocho siglos de una brutal guerra por parte de los cruzados españoles y extranjeros, dejó unas profundas raíces culturales en la región sureña de Andalucía y toda España. Entre los idiomas europeos, el español es el que posee un mayor número de palabras de origen árabe -unas 6.000-. En los años setenta, después de 500 años de silencio y tras el fin del régimen

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Hajj, Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

Hajj in a Wheelchair

By Betty Hasan Amin November 4, 2002 This article originally appeared in Azizah magazine.http://www.azizahmagazine.comhttp://newswatch.sfsu.edu/journal/winter2002/110402muslim2.html Locking my electric wheelchair into place behind the steering wheel of my specially-equipped van, I took a deep breath. I was beginning the journey of a lifetime — hajj! I knew that hajj would be a life-altering event. I also knew that, while hajj can be a struggle for an able-bodied person, it would be even more of a challenge for me, a paraplegic in a wheelchair with complex medical needs. Paralyzed by a fall as a 17-year-old high school senior, through determination I managed to

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Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

Muhammad Was a Terrorist?

By Juan Cole History News NetworkOctober 7, 2002http://hnn.us/articles/1018.html Jerry Falwell, the fundamentalist televangelist, has said, “I think Muhammad was a terrorist.” On CBS’s Sixty Minutes, the reverend contrasted Moses and Jesus as men of peace with Muhammad, whom he saw as warlike. News of the slur ricocheted through the Muslim world, and crowds rioted in Kashmir, raising questions as to whether Falwell himself is exactly promoting love and peace. Falwell’s comments are problematic for many reasons, not least with regard to historical accuracy. Muhammad forbade murder and the killing of innocents, and never used terror as a weapon in his

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Dawah, Islam, Jan - Mar 2003, Quran

The Prophet’s Night Journey

The Prophet’s Night Journey From Makkah To The Farthest Mosque In Jerusalem, And Ascent To The HeavensSardar, Ziauddin. “MUHAMMAD: Aspects of His Biography.” Excerpt.The Islamic Foundation: Leicester, UK. 1982.http://islamicbookstore.com/b3799.html On the night of the twenty-seventh Rajab, Muhammad (peace be upon him) was in a deep sleep in a house in Makkah when (Gabriel) woke him up. With the archangel was Al-Buraq: an animal unique in creation. It resembled lightning in swiftness and lustre, was of clear white colour, medium in size, smaller than a mule and taller than an ass, and so quick in movement that it put its feet

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Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

The Religion of Islam

By Sharrifa Carlo http://www.islamzine.com/carlo/carlo3.html Since our creation, humans have pondered the existencial mysteries of life. The same questions have plagued us throughout the centuries, “From where did I come?, Why am I here?, What is expected of me?, Where do I go fom Here? and Is this all there is?” Some of us spend a lifetime pursuing the answers to these questions, others of us seem to be content to accept the answers provided by our individual cultures and religions, and some of us even consciously decide to ignore the basic instinct to find the answers. Muslims have a strong

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Jan - Mar 2003, USA

Islamic scholarship in America

IslamiQ.comwww.islamiqmoney.com/art_fe01_02072000.htmPosted on July 2, 2000 By Nicole Ballivian With the rise of oriental studies in the West, a birth of Islamic universities and higher learning institutions are now setting its roots in America. Throughout Western history, Islamic scholarship began before the establishment of any of the modern sciences, even before the implementation of a curriculum of sociology, psychology, and political science. Unknown to the vast majority of the Muslim world, the West has played a major role in contributing extensively to the preservation of Islamic sciences. The first, most comprehensive collection of ahadith or written documentation of Islamic practice was

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Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

El Norte: One Man’s Journey

by Ghadah Ali Gutierrez At the age of 23, my husband decided to head to America to look for work. He entered America as a “mojado,” an illegal alien. In a country where grinding poverty is a fact of life and the chance to improve one’s lot is slim, the only alternative is to seek work in “el norte” – the United States. In Mexico, he earned only about $10 per week at a factory. This did not go far towards supporting his elderly parents. Life in Mexico is difficult. This may sound like a simplistic statement, but the reality

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Jan - Mar 2003, Muslim converts

Lonely in the Masjid

A Recent Convert’s First Step Inside a MosqueBy Shinoa Matos November 20, 2002 Bismillah Irahman, IrahimEn el nombre de Alá, el Compasivo, el MisericordiosoIn the Name of Allah, the Beneficient, the Merciful For my own benefit, I’ve been chronicling my progress in Islam and I recently wrote my conversion story, all thanks be to Allah. The next step I’ve taken was visiting the Masjid for the first time. Here’s my take on it… As a recent convert (thanks be to Allah), I was overwhelmed by my feelings of closeness to Allah and my sudden desire to please the one who

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Jan - Mar 2003, Muslim converts

One Woman Reclaims Her Roots

By Suha Siam Do idol worshippers realize what they are praying to? Do Christians know they are not supposed to worship anyone other than God? It’s clearly stated in the Bible, but many Christians do not read the book they claim to follow. Very few of those who read the Bible question their priests about why the church rituals and lectures do not match what God says in their holy book. A formal Catholic by the name of Diana Maria Santos always questioned her religion. Diana was not spiritually fulfilled until she learned about Islam. Diana Santos grew up in

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Islam, Jan - Mar 2003

Pensamientos entre los Musulmanes Latinos

Por Juan Galván El año pasado, mientras buscaba artículos, envié diez preguntas a diez Musulmanes Latinos. Después de leer las respuestas que me enviaron me di cuenta que muchos Musulmanes se podrían beneficiar de tan valuable información. Al mismo tiempo, decidí escribir un articulo que comprendiera dichas respuestas. Algunos Musulmanes Latinos se podrían identificar con algunas respuestas. Por cuestiones de privacidad y seguridad he incluido solo los nombres o nombres Musulmanes para dichos participantes. En algunos casos he editado algunas respuestas por cuestiones de claridad y gramática. Espero que usted, como lector, encuentre algún beneficio en alguna de las siguientes

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Jan - Mar 2003, Latino Muslims

Thoughts Among Latino Muslims

By Juan Galvan While researching for articles last year, I sent out ten questions to ten American Latino Muslims. Upon rereading the answers I received, I realized that many Muslims could benefit from this valuable information. Consequently, I decided to write an article composed of the responses. Latino Muslims may relate to the responses. For sake of privacy, either I only use first names or Muslim names of the Latinos. I have edited responses for clarity, concision, and grammar as needed. I hope you may benefit from the following responses. 1. Why do Latinos convert to Islam in America? Getsa:

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Jan - Mar 2003, Poems

Our Struggle, Sacrifice

By Abdullah Gonzalez People wonder whatHispanic Muslim culture is likebecause you already know this…Nearly every aspect ofHispanic culture is unIslamic. The wild bachata, merengue,cumbia, salsa, and ranchero musicblasting at two in the morning. The excess wearing of gold…from gold necklaces to the ever so popularCentral American gold teeth brandishings.Aay dios mio, los guanacos y chapines. Sometimes a Hispanic looks at a family gatheringand wonders if his relatives were each bornwith a Corona in one hand,El Presidente if you’re Dominican,some Bacardi if you’re Boricua, or not. The sudden burst ofdancing or singingto a romance songin public. Aah, I love itwhen my

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Jan - Mar 2003, Quotes of the Month

Quotes of the Month

“Pray for help from God, and (wait) in patience and constancy: for the earth is God’s, to give as a heritage to such of His servants as He pleaseth; and the end is (best) for the righteous.” – Qur’an 7:128. “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error.” – Qur’an 2:256. “The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘When you smile at your brother (in faith), or enjoin what is reputable, or forbid what is objectionable, or direct someone who has lost his way, or help a man who has bad eyesight, or remove (debris)

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