the muslim link - november 21, 2014

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

New Masjid, Islamic Academy Planned for Chantilly | pg 9

More Special Eids, Special Days Needed for Special Kids | pg 6

Big Step for the Safety the Dar Al-Hijrah Congregation | pg 5

Shopping and Shipping for Syria Winter Relief | pg 8

Women's Shelter In VA To Be Managed by ICNA | pg 8

ALLAHU AKBAR: Finally, Athan Sounds from Masjid In GermantownBy Hena ZuberiMuslim Link Staff Reporter

Yasmin Loya, Shahana Khan and Azra Malik are friends living in the Germantown area for nearly 30 years. They raised their children here, got them married, cooked Ramadan meals, and for decades hosted donation drives in their garages and halaqas in their living rooms. They remember starting to dream of a masjid in their city in 1996.

They are a part of an active community, a portion of the almost 100,000 Muslims in Montgomery County, which just needed a place—a masjid to call their second home— to pray, mourn, celebrate and grow. On November 8, 2014 with much fanfare this dream was realized.

The Islamic Society of Germantown opened its doors to politicians, imams, and hundreds of visitors and most importantly to those who had been waiting for the past 13 years when the

society bought the parcel of land —nearly an acre—at 19825 Blunt Road

28 MUHArrAM, 1435| Safar | Rabi Al-Awaal |Rabi Al-Thani| Jumada Al-Awwal| Jumada Al-Akhir|Rajab | Shaban | Ramadan |Shawwal|Thul-Qedah|30 Thul-Hijjah

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>> masjid Pg 14

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First Muslim to Raise the Qur'an and Call Athan from Everest to Tell Story of Perseverance at DUS BanquetBy Muslim Link Staff

Like most Muslim youth around the world, Farouq Alzouman knew the story of the companion Bilal Ibn Rabah (Allah be pleased with him) who was the first Muslim to ever call the Athan.

Alzouman, a young man from Saudi Arabia who studied in the United States, wondered how he could perform a

historic deed like that and be recognized by Allah for that deed on the day of judgement.

An avid outdoorsman, Alzouman thought that maybe -- if Allah accepts it -- he could be the first Muslim ever to call the athan from the highest point on planet Earth -- Mount Everest -- and be raised with Bilal on the Day of Judgement.

From the time he entered Nepal, it took Alzouman two months, and a mountain of perseverance and willpower, to make the climb. Here his amazing story at Dar-us-Salaam's Annual Banquet on December 14, 2014 at the Bethesda North Marriott. For more information, see the ad on page 2 of this issue.

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| 5november 21st - December 18th, 2014 COMMUNITY NEWS

A Big Step for the Safety the Dar Al-Hijrah CongregationNew Sidewalk Makes Walking to the Masjid Less DangerousBy Muslim Link Staff

Safety, safety, safety first were the words that resonated with all attendees at the ribbon cutting ceremony for a new sidewalk segment along Leesburg Pike that connects Dar al Hijrah (DAH) to the Jefferson Apartment buildings in Falls Church, VA.

After years of activism, on Friday November 7, 2014, County Supervisor Penny Gross , Robert Buckman from VOICE, Elyaa Hammad and Iqbal Khaeiry, residents of the Jefferson Apartments and Imam Johari Abdul Malik were joined by members of the board of DAH, primarily Hussein Goal to celebrate a community achievement.

Dar al Hijrah is located near Seven Corners, which is known as a pedestrian-unfriendly area and has one of the oldest vehicular bottlenecks in the U.S. According to Falls Church reporter, Nicholas Benton, historically, “the intersection of Routes 50 and 7 (Arlington Boulevard and Leesburg Pike), [was] the site during the Civil War of Fort Buffalo, built by Union forces to protect approaches to Washington,

D.C., chosen for its elevation. Before that, Leesburg Pike, the much older road of the two, originally followed wagon trails that linked the Shenandoah Valley with the Port of Alexandria. During the Great Depression, government-sponsored programs led to construction of inexpensive housing in the Seven Corners area and after World War II, the demand for residential housing caused the entire area to boom.”

According to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, the county's most deadly single intersection

for pedestrians is in the Seven Corners area, where Route 50 meets Patrick Henry Highway. One death of a pedestrian occurred at the very spot of the new sidewalk. The sidewalk segment was under dispute for over 15 years, due to opposition by neighbors whose property was needed to build a portion of the sidewalk. The county took the issue to court and the pedestrians got a quick, favorable outcome after the judge saw photographs of local pedestrians trekking through banks of snow on a “goat trail” along Route 7 during the winter.

It was a dangerous walk for many who live in the diverse community of the Jefferson Apartment buildings and made the trip 4-5 times a day to the masjid. Hammad, a grateful resident, was happy that residents can now walk peacefully to the masjid without worrying that cars will hit them. The new walkway connects the Jefferson Apartments (originally known as Ravenwood Towers) east to Row Street.

At the ribbon cutting, Gross said safe crossings are an urgent need in the district. She urged everyone to pay attention while driving or walking. She thanked the voters who made it possible to pay for the sidewalk—funded by the 2007 transportation bond.

“Pedestrians now have safer passage all the way to Seven Corners Shopping Center,’ shared Councilmember Gross.

Urban planner Ikbat, who works closely with Gross and Seven Corners Rev i t a l i za t i on , r ea ff i rmed tha t accommodating walkers is a priority for

Muslims to fast from Social Media in DecemberWith our eyes, minds and hearts constantly connected to our social media via our handheld gadgets, many feel spiritually depleted. To help overcome social media induced spiritual fatigue, the Islamic Society of Annapolis (ISA) and Islamic Community Center of Laurel (ICCL) are initiating a social media fast from December 1 to 5, 2014.

“The addiction to social media has nearly reached the point an epidemic, according to many social scientists.

Parents regularly turn to media to pacify their children and are completely unaware of the consequences of this,” says Imam Mikaeel Smith. To bring awareness to this issue and to uplift the community, this event will be held and is open to all.

Imam Smith will host a bonfire at the Makkah Learning Center after Maghrib on the fifth of December for all those who participated in the fast to discuss the after effects and benefits of fasting from social media.

>> saFETY Pg 15

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Community News

november 21st - December 18th, 20146 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Sewing Classes Move Women Towards Self-SufficiencyBy Muslim Link Staff

With stems of roses and diplomas, the first batch of twelve graduates from the Dar Al Hijrah Social Service Department sewing program celebrated their professional growth in an event sponsored by Islamic Relief USA. Women ages 18 years and up can take classes in a step towards self-proficiency.

Graduates were gifted sewing machines upon completion of the course. Two were offered jobs to ‘professionally design and create cloth decorations for homes’. “Another student exemplified tremendous enthusiasm for the program and has been recommended for the position of Assistant Instructor for future sewing classes,” shares the Social Services Department

at DAH.The Introduction to Sewing Program assists women who may have a language barrier or are new to the United States and are seeking an opportunity to work from home and earn an income of their own. The class gives these women the confidence and skill set to start a small business or work on professional business projects from home. Recipients of Fairfax County Social Services “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families" (TANF) or food stamps qualify, as does anyone who meets the criteria for 50 percent below AMI. Participants must be available to attend classes during the day time.

Classes are limited to twelve women, which allows for an intimate setting where the participants can socialize and form a

close bond, according to Tahani Jabrin, Director of Social Services at DAH.Sessions are held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 to noon or 12:15 to 3:15, at the Social Services Building located in the DAH compound in Falls Church.

According to DAH, the 100 hour course takes approximately four to six months to complete. Students learn how to sew on both consumer and industrial sewing machines. Each student is able to take a sewing machine home with them. The course fee is $300 which covers the cost of a sewing machine and all the materials needed for the sewing projects. There is a financial exemption application available for those who qualify for a fee waiver. The goal of the program is to

end the dependence on public assistance by preparing the candidate for a job by helping with job readiness and skills training, vocational training and assisting them in finding and keeping a job or running a home based business.

Registration for the second session will run from November 5 through November 30, 2014 Classes are scheduled to begin on December 1, 2014. The program is always in need of volunteers as well as donors who can provide gently used or new sewing machines and extra sewing materials.

Please contact the DAH Social Services department at: [email protected] with any questions or to get more details on how to sign up.

More Special Eids, Special Days Needed for Special Kids

By christina Tobias-nahiMuslim Link Contributing Writer

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 the MAS community center in Alexandria, Virginia hosted for the 5th consecutive year an Eid Celebration for children with Special Needs and Disabilities that brought families from as far as Richmond and Baltimore to enjoy the many indoor and outdoor activities.

Organized by Sister Rasha Abulohom, the impetus for this event was the birth of her brother, 17 years her junior, with autism. Learning about his disability eventually led her to pursue a career in the

teaching profession working with children with autism but on a personal front, she was frustrated going with her family to events where there would be long lines or where her brother would act out and the community would not be understanding.

She realized that an event where families facing the same challenges could come together to support one another in a safe space was much needed. Indeed I spoke with two different mothers, both originally from Sudan, about how important this event has been to them over

the years to feel connected. One who has a 10 year old non-verbal autistic son says she likes to be in a place where nobody is judging and where her other kids can also enjoy themselves with their siblings in a comfortable environment. The other mother mentioned that she just finished speaking at the school her child will be attending next year when transitioning to middle school as part of October disability month to counter ignorance and promote tolerance. Both agreed it would be nice to have more frequent events of this nature and then some could be opened up to raise awareness within the general Muslim

She spoke about how tactile activities and textures help the children focus and that sensory breaks, especially in the school setting, help them to relax and better interact with their peers.

>> Eid Pg 16

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Suhaib Webb Joins DC Area’s MakeSpaceBy Muslim Link Staff

MakeSpace, a young organization which caters to youth and young professionals, announced the news of Imam Suhaib Webb joining the DC Metro community at its annual fundraiser on October 24, 2014.

Making an investment in human capital with the addition of a world renowned Resident Scholar, the team at Makespace hopes that Imam Webb will take the community “to the next level” with scholarship and mentorship, in addition to the services MakeSpace already delivers. Imam Zia Makhdoom will continue in his role as Executive Director of the nonprofit, as they continue to expand operations and procure a physical space. Currently, the congregants meet at Dunya Restaurant in Alexandria and events take place in various locations throughout Northern Virginia.

Imam Suhaib Webb is internationally known from his ‘Reflections’ series on TV al Hijrah in Malaysia, his eponymous YouTube channel and website. He established the Ella Collins Institute during his past tenure at the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center. In 2015, he plans to launch a video based

curriculum catered to different levels: children, teens, college age, professional and elders on Ella Collins Insitute TV. Imam Webb is trained in Islamic Law and various other Islamic sciences. from Al-Azhar University in the College of Shariʿah. A hafidh of the Quran, Imam Webb was appointed as the head of the English translation Department at Dar al-Ifta al-Masriyah as a Mufti (Jurist).

“I look forward to joining the MakeSpace team and channeling the utility and motivation of northern Virginia’s Muslim community,” said Imam Suhaib Webb to attendees at the banquet, “our members need to preserve themselves spiritually in order to be of benefit to others.”

“We welcome Imam Suhaib Webb to the MakeSpace team as our Resident Scholar,” stated Imam Zia Makhdoom, Executive Director of MakeSpace. He continued,

“Imam Suhaib brings years of scholarship and experience working with all faith communities across the country, young people, converts, and disenfranchised populations that will tremendously benefit the greater Washington Metropolitan Area.”

Community member Ismat Farooq Khan commented, “Congrats to Imam Zia and Fatimah Popal and the entire Make Space team on a job well done with the banquet...So happy that Imam Suhaib Webb will be joining this already fantastic organization.”

“We are working closely with Imam Suhaib to develop new programs, classes, events, and spiritual activities,” shared the MakeSpace team.

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Shopping and Shipping for Syria ReliefBy Hena ZuberiMuslim Link Staff Reporter

With a knack for shopping for deals and a passion for helping brothers and sisters in need, the women behind the Share the Warmth Collection for Syria initiative were able to fill a 20 foot shipping container with warm blankets, jackets and winter clothing.

“For two months, we shopped for blankets, socks and hats,” says organizer Laurie Jaghlit. Looking for savings is a favorite pastime, and Jaghlit collected money and shopped for good deals, stretching her charity dollars.

With harsh winter temperatures fast approaching, Murat Kose of Zakat Foundation did not want to waste time and the shipment was sent to Syria on November 6, 2014 with a call for volunteers to load the container going out overnight.

Jaghlit gave a special thank you to the Zakat Foundation for covering the

shipping costs and distribution, to the unnamed sister in Ashburn for arranging a wonderfully successful house party to collect items, and to all those who gave at the ADAMS collection site and at the Dar Al-Hijrah table on Fridays. Used things that were donated were sent to the Dar Al-Hijrah thrift store and the FAITH thrift store.

Also active in the project were Girl Scouts from the Ashburn area who came to the

Jaghlit home to help pack the boxes and the 6th grade girls at Washington International Academy who organized a school-wide collection. “Both groups of young women really made me proud of our future generation!” noted Jaghlit. “It is always nice to have kids involved in service projects.”

Jaghlit thanked Allah for wonderful friends and the strength to take on projects like this one and for helping her to see

them through to the end.

Jaghlit is currently looking into the next Share the Warmth project to provide basic needs to 400 Palestinian orphan refugees in a camp in Jordan. The plan is to work with United Muslim Relief to send a year’s worth of supplies, including clothes. This time she plans on working with the Boys Leadership group at the Washington International Academy.

She is getting great deals on summer items and utilizing coupons. At the suggestion of many she checked prices overseas and confirmed that she is getting better quality items for less here. “It shows that we care, that we give them what we would give our own family,” she says.

Jaghlit and her friends plan on doing a shopping for a cause seminar in the near future, to help donors make their charity money go further by knowing where and when to shop. If you are interested in helping please email Sr Laurie directly at [email protected]

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Local Doctor Helping to Create a House of HopeMuslim Women’s Shelter Will Be First In Northern VA, Run by ICNABy Laurie JaghlitMuslim Link Contributing Writer

When entering Dr. Sameera Rentia’s pediatric clinic in Bailey’s crossroads on a busy September morning, the cries of children receiving vaccinations can be heard, while others laugh and play on an activity bench waiting for their appointments.

As she greets her patients with a smile, handing the young ones lollipops, and explaining her diagnosis in Arabic, Dr. Rentia is filling a great need in the community. However, as a medical doctor in practice for nearly 15 years, she expresses her desire to do more for the rising number of women and children who are left without homes due to domestic violence or the death of their husbands.

“During a regular appointment when I

see a mother break down sobbing, telling me she has nowhere to go, I cannot turn my back on her and move on without wanting to do something about it,” Dr Rentia explains.

Driven by the knowledge that an estimated 30 – 40% of Muslim women find themselves in a homeless shelter at some point in their lives, Dr. Rentia began visiting local church-run shelters to see how they operate. While visiting a shelter during Ramadan with her daughter, they were surprised to find two Muslim families -- an Iraqi family with seven children and a Sudanese family with five children, in the waiting room. The eldest daughter of the Iraqi family, Laila, came up to Dr Rentia and hugged her, believing one of their own had come to take them home. As the younger children of the family played with her daughter, one of them innocently asked, “Are you coming

to live with us too?” That question and Laila’s hopeful face continued to trouble Dr. Rentia well she they left the shelter. ”I couldn’t help think that the church is helping our sisters in need, so why aren’t we? Where is the Muslim shelter that can assist our sisters and their children?” Dr. Rentia’s desire to help took her to Atlanta, where she visited a transitional housing center for women and their children run by ICNA Relief. Impressed by the center and its success, she is determined to replicate it. This past October, she and her husband began raising funds to purchase a large single family home in Northern Virginia that will be transformed into a transitional housing shelter for Muslim women - a House of Hope. Although they began this effort alone, they have now developed a partnership with ICNA Relief, which has more than a decade of experience successfully running transitional housing

for Muslim women in eleven U.S. cities, including the one Dr. Rentia visited in Atlanta. Once the House of Hope is purchased, it will be developed and operated by ICNA Relief. While residing at this transitional housing center, women will be encouraged to take part in educational classes such as English language classes, job training and higher education. These classes will help women become self-sufficient once they leave the center, In shaa Allah.

As Muslims we never ask ourselves, What if I lost my job tomorrow? What if my car broke down? What if I couldn't pay my rent at the end of the month? We believe, In shaa Allah, that God will provide for us. But many families are just one unexpected expense or lost paycheck away from being

>> hoPE Pg 16

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New Islamic Academy Planned for Chantilly VABy Muslim Link Staff

Started in 2004, Zakaria Islamic Academy (ZIA) is based in Chantilly, VA, serving the needs

of the Muslims in the area, including Jumuah, Taraweeh and Eid Salat at the rented Unity Life Center, which accommodates up to 250 people. The community received an Eid gift when Zakaria Islamic Academy signed an agreement after Ramadan to purchase 9.5 acres of land costing $650,000, for a masjid at 26243 Gum Spring Rd in Chantilly.

The property is prime for an Islamic Center with clear land and approval by the Loudoun County for a religious center. The daily prayers started in the 2000 sq ft single family house located on the land. The management is awaiting county permission to start Jumuah salah and a maktab on the new property. They are also in the process of hiring a full

time imam. “We prefer an American born alim and hafidh who can help guide our community,” says Nawaz.

The project is handled by the current board comprising of President Shoukat Nawaz, Secretary Shamsul Usmani, Treasurer Amir Akhtar and members-at-large Zubair Shaikh and Saleem Mohammed.

The Muslim community in the area consists of approximately a thousand families, said Shoukat Nawaz, the president of ZIA. Rapid development has lured young families, professionals and business owners to the area. The masjid will provide services to three zip codes within a 5 miles radius.

“We want to build a community center, a daycare center and eventually an Islamic school,” says Nawaz. Only 20 percent is developable according to county codes, and up to 50 percent can be used for parking. The masjid will be phase one of

the master plan, phases two, three, and four will be the community center, day care center and school respectively.

On a weekly basis ZIA organizes visitations in the community to invite

Muslims to populate the masaajid and visit the sick members of the community. Quran classes for children and adults are

The planned home of the Zakaria Islamic Academy in Chantilly, Virginia. Photo from www.ziacademy.org.

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Families of ‘War on Terror’ Prisoners Convene in VA, Call on US Muslims to Stand Up for JusticeBy Hena ZuberiMuslim Link Staff Reporter

The National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms (NCPCF) convened for its fourth annual family retreat in Washington D.C. over the last weekend in October.

The retreat ended with a banquet and a fundraiser at Dar al Hijrah in Falls Church, Virginia near the nation’s capital on October 26, 2014. The banquet was filled to capacity with supporters from all over the DC Metro area, as well as from other states.

Sharmin Sadequee, the sister of Shifa Sadequee—a young political prisoner— opened the event with a reminder to the community that anyone could be the next target of thought crimes and pre-emptive prosecution. “Stand up for the truth,” she urged. The dinner focused on drawing attention to the current state of

our civil liberties in the United States and highlighting the programs and initiatives that NCPCF conduct in regards to diminishing rights.

This year’s fundraiser was more local, more grassroots—without the big name speakers. To activists this represents the growth in the community as communities are taking ownership of their own issues and realizing the need for coalitions such as NCPCF. Dr Maha Hilal, a specialist in justice policy, helped organize the event.

Money raised is used to organize awareness events and send commissary money to prisoners. Sadequee noted that the families “organize gatherings and conferences to support each other and to build the capacity for collective social justice action by mapping the legacy

>> jusTicEPg 16

>> acadEmY 13

They wondered why the more than 8 million strong American Muslim community is not paying attention to the plight of these political prisoners and their families.


From Quakers to Islam, Exhibit Brings a Whole New WorldBy fatimah waseemMuslim Link Staff Reporter

In a quiet museum tucked away in a small Maryland suburb, the Islamic art of local calligrapher Ahmed Belal and his daughter, Ayah, lines the halls of a museum founded more than thirty years ago to document the Quaker history of the area.

Surrounded by local artifacts from the town’s first Quaker school, Olney Inn, classical Khymer bangles and Kimball’s Market, the ornate verses and tight shots of the inside of mosques bring a new world to the local community in the exhibit, “With Pen and Camera.”

“You never get the chance to see this world so up close,” said Liz Kelley, an Olney resident. “It is simply pristine.”

On display until Sunday, November 23, 2014 at the Sandy Spring Museum, the exhibit is in partnership with the Islamic Society of the Washington Area, a masjid in Silver Spring, Md. Belal’s work fills the halls of many local mosques including the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring and the Islamic Society of Baltimore. It has also graced the halls of churches and universities in the United States.

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Belal began creating art since he was nearly 15 years old. Just as others studied flowers and attempting to recreate them in different

shapes and forms, Belal says he studied the Quran and reconstructed its verses to expose their infinite beauty.

For Belal, his art is a form of worship. “My art is da’wah. I want others to see

what Islam really is,” he says. Each piece - whether through boxy Kufic script, glittering tiles or carefully constructed geometric patterns - tells a different story.

His daughter paints with light and her purpose echoes her father’s. “Behind each shot is a tale waiting to be told,” she wrote in her artist’s statement. “I believe that the more we know about one another, the more peaceful we can become.”

Outside prayer halls and mosques, Belal and his daughter’s work meets an entirely different audience.

For Javier Gomez, the exhibit brings back a piece home. Originally from Spain, Gomez says the exhibit is a gift to society and reflects the rich knowledge and expression of Islamic culture.

“Muslims preserved Greek and Roman traditions,” he says. “I love the scientific tradition and how it is seen in art too.”

Unl ike many me thods used by contemporary artists, Belal’s work is authentic to its core. Each curve is calculated mathematically and a testament to a truly patient art.

The museum’s executive director Allison Weiss said she loved the idea of a father-daughter show and was intrigued by Ayah’s photos of the insides of mosques.

>> ExhibiT Pg 15

American Muslim Health Professionals Participate On CDC Ebola Conference CallBy Muslim Link Staff

Starting Monday, October 27, 2014 travelers to the United States from Guinea, Liberia, or Sierra Leone had to report daily to state and local health officials for potential symptoms of Ebola. Five airport including local Dulles have been flagged for monitoring all visitors from these West African countries. According to the New York Times, “each visitor will be given a packet with

a thermometer, instructions on its use, a card describing Ebola symptoms, and a card to be given to a doctor or nurse if the visitor develops symptoms and is ordered to go to an emergency room or other health care facility.”

In an October 22 conference call for faith based organizations, a staff physician from the CDC’s Office of Infectious Diseases, Division of Preparedness and Emerging Infections, Dr Scott

Santibanez and Dr. Abdul R Shaikh, a population health scientist on the Board of Directors for the American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP), discussed the potential role of places of worship, community, and family in addressing Ebola concerns for those living in the US. Dr santadanias was a part of the response team in Dallas where the first case of Ebola was discovered in the USA, spoke to faith leaders, journalists, social workers and community organizers about

his work with the local community in Dallas, mainly answering questions about the disease and using local resources to help affected families. Faith based organizations can do a great deal.

He suggested way that that there are a lot of important things that community leaders and religious leaders can do to help— one

>> EboLa Pg 11

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was to dispel fear with facts and helping decrease stigma about the disease. He shared that many people of West African background were stigmatized. One man who was in contact with the Ebola patient was afraid to leave apartment becuase he recieved threats from neighbors. “To address stigma that we need to be compassionate,” he said.

F a i t h a n d C o m m u n i t y - B a s e d Organizations can help educate people to decrease fear and stigma. For example, in Dallas, community and religious leaders worked together to speak out against stigmatization and to promote compassion for the families of those diagnosed with Ebola and for those in quarantine.

Many people need to stay at home to be monitored and they had difficulty going out to go get food etc., so the CDC team relied on local food banks in Dallas.Faith communities can make sure the basic needs of those who may have to stay at home in quarantine are met. Dr Santibanez urged community members to get involved with local charitable efforts as they are valuable partners and help build community resilence.

Instead of panicking and fearmongering, congregations can model good infection control, know proper hand-washing techniques and keep healthy habits, to include, but not limited to, keeping immunizations current, proper rest, exercise, and nutrition.

Dr Shaikh suggested that knowing and sharing resources such as helplines and websites helps decrease fear.

Dr Shaikh of Virginia said that AMHP is in contact with many Muslim congregations and in response to a question said that because many West Africans practice the Islamic faith, networking with other organizations from the region will help in coordinating efforts.

So far there have been 9 cases of Ebola in the United States, the latest being in New York City. All but one of the U.S. Ebola patients has recovered, or is on the path to recovery, officials say.

Ebola is very rare and there is very little possibility of the general public contracting Ebola. Some facts to know

include: A person with the Ebola virus must show symptoms to spread the disease. If they don't have symptoms, they aren't contagious; Ebola does not spread through the air. Ebola is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids (urine, feces, blood) of a person who is sick with Ebola; and you cannot get Ebola simply by being in the same neighborhood or area as someone with Ebola.

You may also contact CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) any time with questions about Ebola or other health questions.

EboLa >> continued from pg 10

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By Donna St. George, The Washington Post, November 12, 2014

[Montgomery County, Maryland, November 12, 2014] The backlash was intense Wednesday to the Montgomery County Board of Education’s decision to scrub Christmas and other religious holidays from its published school calendar — without disturbing the days off.

It came by e-mail, tweets and Facebook messages — passionate views, along with some confoundment. Several Montgomery school board members reported that few people of any faith seemed happy with their Tuesday vote.

Montgomery school board member Rebecca Smondrowski, for one, was flooded with angry messages. She had supported a proposal to strip Jewish and Muslim holy days from the calendar and offered an amendment to remove Christmas and Easter, too.

A day later, she stood by her decision and stressed that students would still have the holidays off; only the calendar presentation would change. The idea, she said, was to reflect that schools were not being closed for religious observances but because of high absenteeism among students and staff members on those days.

“I just thought it was the most equitable thing to do,” she said. “I respect and appreciate so much that this is a very personal issue for so many people. I was in no way trying to imply that I don’t respect people’s religious practices. I do.”

School board Vice President Patricia O’Neill said she is confident that the board made a good decision. “It seems we’ve made multiple religious groups mad, but I believe we did the right thing,” she said. “And we’re in good company. Fairfax, Arlington, Loudoun — all are silent in calling out Christmas; they call it winter break.”

Montgomery’s school board vote to eliminate calendar references to religious

holidays followed an earlier request by Muslim community leaders to give equal prominence on the calendar to the Islamic holy day of Eid al-Adha.

Muslim leaders had for years requested that Montgomery’s schools be closed for at least one of the two major Muslim holy days. They had not succeeded, but in the 2015-2016 academic year, Eid al-Adha falls on the same day as Yom Kippur, which is a day off in Montgomery. So Muslim leaders asked for equal billing on the calendar.

Board member Michael A. Durso, who cast the lone vote against stripping away all religious holidays, said the board may have underestimated how strongly people feel about recognizing those days.

“I think in the board’s efforts to resolve a situation, we may have created a few more problems than we intended,” Durso said.

Montgomery County Council member George L. Leventhal (D-At Large), who had testified before the board Tuesday to support noting Eid al-Adha on the calendar, said Wednesday that he was disappointed in the board’s action and had heard from many constituents who felt the same way. He said that with increasing amplification of the issue on social media, he worried that Muslims would be blamed for what some would wrongly perceive as a canceling of Christmas.

“No one asked the board to remove Christmas or Easter or Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah,” he said.

In response to requests to add days off, school officials have said that the system

cannot by law close simply to recognize a religious holiday.

Charles Haynes, who has written guidelines on how to deal with religion in schools and is director of the Religious Freedom Center at the Newseum Institute in the District, said the board’s decision to do away with holiday names was unnecessary if school closings are done for legitimate reasons, such as high absenteeism.

“The issue isn’t what you call the

holidays,” he said. “It’s whether you have a secular purpose in giving the holidays.” He said it should not be complicated. “The question is whether the schools can function properly on that day.”

Montgomery County officials note that state law requires school closings for days surrounding Christmas and Easter.

The decision to close schools for Jewish holidays goes back to the 1970s, officials say, although there has been some dispute about how high absenteeism would be on those days.

Saqib Ali, a former state delegate and co-chairman of the Equality for Eid Coalition, said he hoped the board would reconsider its decision. “People are very, very upset,” he said. “The board has framed it as a measure of inclusiveness, and I think everyone has been seeing it as a very exclusive move.”

Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said he was surprised by the board’s action but added: “As long

as all faith groups are treated fairly and equally, that’s the most important thing.”

Several board members, including Smondrowski, said Wednesday that they would press for the school system to set clear guidelines to decide when schools should close on holidays, as some Muslim leaders have requested.

“For whatever reason, the administration has been less than willing to come up with a hard and fast criteria,” said board member Christopher S. Barclay. “Well, now I think it is time for the board to make a decision.”

Montgomery’s school board vote to eliminate calendar references to religious holidays followed an earlier request by Muslim community leaders to give equal prominence on the calendar to the Islamic holy day of Eid al-Adha.

Backlash Over Montgomery Decision to Strip Christmas from School Calendar

Montgomery County Council member George L. Leventhal stands in support of adding Eid holidays to the school calendar at a press conference in front of the County Council building on September 23, 2013. (Photo courtest of George Leventhal)

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conducted every evening, with future plans of starting a full time Quran Hifdh program.

An annual BBQ is held during the months of September-October. Eid prayers serve over 500 people and 200 to 500 attend the two Jumuahs.

The masjid welcomes children, women and men to the center and hopes to

provide adequate space for all to worship and learn.

The masjid will be hosting a fundraiser on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at the Arcola Elementary School, Aldie, VA with a goal of raising $200,000 towards

the purchase of a permanent home. Islamic Society of Baltimore Resident Scholar Yaseen Sheikh is scheduled to speak . The community needs to raise the money by January 2015. Please visit www.ziacademy.org to help them reach their goal.

acadEmY >> continued from pg 9

On Nov 1st, 2014, Montgomery County Muslim Foundation (MCMF), a nonprofit organization working in Montgomery County since 2008, held its annual fundraiser dinner to collect donations for its various charitable activities for the homeless, poor and needy residents of Montgomery County without any discrimination.

The well attended Annual Dinner’s theme of “Faith in Action” highlighted several of MCMF’s welfare programs for the deserving groups. The more than 200 attendees were joined by Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, Montgomery County Council Member George Leventhal, County Council President Craig Rice, Bruce Adams, Director of the Office of Community Partnership Bruce Adams, Interfaith Community Liaison Rev.

Mansfield Kasey Kaseman and his wife and Ms. Daniel K Perry, Constituent Service Representative from the office of Congressman Chris Van Hollen as well as other local community leaders.

Severa l pa r tne r and rec ip ien t organizations also attended the function and complimented the MCMF for its welfare activities. Among the program beneficiaries the event was attended by Mark Foker, Director Development Manna Food Center, Shane Rock, CEO Interfaith Works, Mr. Terry and Joyce Seamans from Adventist Community Services and Michael Rubin, Executive Director Impact Silver Spring.

At the outset, a documentary was shown to highlight the main programs: Seniors assistance program, transportation services for seniors in the county, MCMF

youth program, the annual food drive for Manna, the mobile food pantry program, MCMF Feed the homeless program at local shelters, thanksgiving meal program for needy families and Christmas holiday gift baskets programs for the needy.

The County Executive Ike Legett, County Council Member George Leventhal, Bruce Adams spoke on the occasion and complimented the MCMF for its work and effort to help the needy.

Rev. Kaseman, in his address stated “that he considered the team at MCMF not only as a colleague but soul mates in creating “the more beloved community. Whether we are dealing with hunger, healthcare, senior services acts of hatred or celebrating our essential unity in the midst of diversity. MCMF plays a significant role. In short it is a blessing.”

Shane Rock, CEO Interfaith Works stated in his speech:"MCMF is a vital partner with Interfaith Works in helping Montgomery County neighbors in need, including serving hundreds of meals to

women living in our emergency shelter program. MCMF embodies faith in action.”

Mark Foker, Director of Development at Manna Food Center commended the partnership with MCMF and stated that “Manna Food Center is fortunate to have the support of an active and dedicated community as we work to end hunger in the County. It is groups like the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation that help us ensure we never turn away a person in need due to lack of food.”

Michael Rubin, Interim Executive Director, Impact Silver Spring commented in his speech stated: “IMPACT Silver Spring is proud to partner with the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation on the annual Zabiha meat distribution for those in our community who continue to struggle economically. The generosity of MCMF towards the entire community is a true example of faith in action and a wonderful model for our county.” [Source: MCMF]

Work of MoCo Muslim Foundation Recognized at Annual Dinner

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Muslim State Delegate Elected for Baltimore CoBy Muslim Link Staff

He ran a strong race on the issues of better education, safe neighborhoods, and good jobs, and District 10 liked his vision, casting 22,629 votes for Dr Hasan “Jay” Jalisi, a lead of almost 13,000 votes over his Republican opponent. 10th district includes Owings Mills, Reisterstown and Randallstown in Western Baltimore County, MD.

Jalisi spoke and campaigned at several churches throughout his district. His campaign did face hiccups with attacks from opponents, including a video released by former staffers, but the voters stood solidly by his side.

Dr Jalisi is a former head-and-neck surgeon with degrees from Dow Medical College in Karachi, Pakistan and a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins, who now is a real estate investor. He has been involved with community service and interfaith activities in the city for well over a decade. Jalisi formed a group, known as Muslim Community Support Services, that helped detainees caught in the wide net that was cast post 9/11. In 2013, he received the the Agus-Shenan Interfaith Leadership Award for promoting relationships between Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities by the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council.

The former president of the Maryland Muslim Council noted in an email sent to supporters that “a year ago this victory was nothing but a dream, which turned into a possibility in June after my victory in the Democratic Primaries, and has now turned into a reality after the General

Elections.”

Dr. Jay's candidacy for election to the Maryland House of Delegates got ‘a big boost’ by the endorsement from the very popular "Baltimore Afro-American" newspaper.

“I strongly believe in better education for all our children, better safety in our neighborhoods, more emphasis on public health, protection of our environment, reduced taxes on seniors and people living on fixed income, and a fiscally responsible government which provides equal employment and business opportunities for each and every resident. Most importantly, I believe in a continuous interaction between residents and their elected officials so the best possible public policies are envisioned and implemented in a timely fashion,” says Dr. Jalisi.

He would vote yes for an increase in

minimum wages, income tax rates on high earners, higher tobacco taxes, gun control, and gay marriage but no on increased gas taxes and flush taxes, according to his answers to the Baltimore Sun’s editorial board’s questions. According to his campaign literature, education is his first priority and with rising crime rates, ‘Dr. Jalisi wants to take action in Baltimore County communities by adding more security systems, complete with IP surveillance cameras. He wants every resident to have an affordable security system which would allow them to login remotely to view the activities in their home or neighborhood from their smart phone, tablet or computer.’

The delegate- elect was also endorsed by Senator Ben Cardin, Peter Franchot, Comptroller of Maryland, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Congressman John Sarbanes and Michael Busch Speaker, Maryland House of Delegates.


in 2002.

As the Muslim Link has chronicled, ISG spent several years negotiating with the county for approvals. County planners had proposed connecting Blunt Road to the main road Middlebrook Road, delaying the project and forcing ISG into buying three additional parcels of land. A quest for a variety of permits began. However, once the permits were granted, the masjid building itself took under a year to complete. Imam Najjar, celebrating the day as an Eid, was proud of the supportive community of believers for fulfilling almost all of the contractors obligations. He was thankful to the Germantown community and said that ISG ‘really pushed them financially to the edge to get this project completed.’

The hard work and fundraising paid off when County Executive, Isiah Leggett, cut the ribbon for the Grand Opening of the Islamic Society of Germantown, which includes a brightly lit childcare center and a well equipped industrial kitchen that will serve the greater community. A halal meat store and food facility (after permission is granted from the county) is planned to help make the masjid self sufficient.

Speaking at the opening. Reverend Kaseman from the county’s interfaith liaison called it a sacred space where “we all take off our [worldly] shoes”.

MImi Hassanein, Montgomery County Middle Eastern liaison and community leader, says that it was difficult for Germantown locals to go to Islamic Center of Maryland in Gaithersburg or to the Islamic Society of Frederick, and those services were also at maximum capacity. This masjid can hold 370 worshippers at a time in a 9,080 square-foot building which cost nearly 2.2 million dollars to build.

“This is not just a mosque, this is also a community center,” she said, informing the community about tours and plans for activities that would help residents connect with resources, join PTAs and become civically engaged.

Hamza Khan, who served as Director of Outreach for the John Delaney for

Congress campaign, spoke about growing up in Montgomery County with only two options for prayers versus the 30 congregations that are now scattered over the county.”We have a lot of opportunity to engage with young people and be a part of one of America’s [most] beautiful and vibrant counties,” he said.

Abu Ja'far of Montgomery Village raised his voice in adhan which reverberated through the dome painted with clouds. The first ever public congregational prayer was led by Imam Najjar.

“It’s been a long project,” getting a little emotional Vice-Chairman of ISG, Irshad Khan remembered the day the papers were signed for the property 13 years ago in the presence of Chairman Magdi Hassanein and Br. Asghar. “We want to provide the best possible services to the community of Germantown, hoping to be a shining example of Islam in the region,” he said.

“Now that we are here, we will be opening up the board for sisters and brothers to get involved,”said Khan. Thanking the community, while glorifying Allah, he said that the qard e hasana is close to $480,000 and the board hopes to pay the lenders back in two years.

Ria, Stephen, and their son Nate live two miles from the masjid and have been residents of the Germantown for the past 6 years and feel blessed to have a spiritual home. Stephen helped out with the project on weekends and now looks forward to making salah in the masjid instead of the Iman Learning Center, and to Quran recitation and memorization classes, Sunday school—not just for children but also for adults. He would like to see history and Seerah being taught to people who have recently accepted Islam, and discussions about the future so ‘we can plan where we are headed as American Muslims, whether new to Islam or born into the faith.’ “We work behind the scenes,” said long time resident Shahana Khan. She hopes that Ustadha Yasmin’s Friday halaqas will be shifted to the masjid so they can accommodate more women. Currently, 30-40 women gather to learn. She said, the Muslims in the region have increased to such an extent that the community in

masjid >> continued from pg 1

>> masjid i Pg 15

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Weiss also enjoyed the ornateness of the Islamic scripture.

“This is just our first effort to build bridges with the Muslim community,” Weiss said. “We want to play a role in bringing people of different backgrounds together.

Weiss hopes the exhibit allows viewers to see a local and international outlook and “open some doors to a broader understanding of people of different cultures,” she said. Non-Muslims should gain some insight into Muslim culture and Muslims should want to come back to the museum and engage with us on future projects, Weiss said.

The exhibit ends on this Sunday, November 23. To view more of Belal’s work, visit his website.

ExhibiT >> continued from pg 10

the county management and this is how it sees the county developing.

Hussein Goal said when DAH was being built the local community had questions about what DAH would be. “Now, they know what we are,” said Goal. “We have programs for the entire community; this is not about just one group.”

According to Hammad, the DAH community faced opposition from a neighbor on the building of the sidewalk and struggled for 15 years to get the sidewalk built by the county. Last year in

November, DAH had a town hall meeting where Hammad joined activists such as Buckman from VOICE and took action. “Finally, we [now] have the sidewalk ready for community to walk safe to the masjid,” expressed Hammad.

Penny Gross, Mason District supervisor later wrote in her weekly column that “pedestrian safety is enhanced by sensible trails and sidewalks.” Goal said that the project is not complete as the sidewalk needs to be extended to the other end of the street.

All agreed that cooperation for safety makes life better for the community.

saFETY >> continued from pg 5

Clarksburg, MD may now plan a local masjid to accommodate their needs.

17-year-old Arhum was attending the opening with his friends. He said that he would like to see sports activities at the center so young men like him could hang out at the masjid after school and academically he’d like to attend classes to learn ‘what the Quran is about.’

Friends in their twenties, Rida and Anam have been following the progress of the masjid for over 10 years, since they were middleschoolers. “It is amazing to have [the masjid] open and so close because all the other masajid are such a long drive,”

said Anam, a middle school teacher who lives right up the street. “I have started talking to people who are organizing activities in the masjid,” she says and now that it is finally open, a lot of these movements can finally get started.

With two stories above ground and a basement, the main floor includes an office, a spacious prayer area, a foyer and the men’s restroom. The second floor incorporates the childcare center and women’s section. Some sisters who visited the second floor women’s section were quite upset with the opaque glass partition in the mezzanine. They hoped that the masjid administration would replace it as it impeded the view of the women from following the prayers below. “We are on the second floor, there is no need for this!” said a community

member. A TV screen is installed above the partition.

Aisha S. admired the brightly colored chi ldcare room for her nephew. Envisioning play dates and parents spending time together, she wants to replicate that community feeling here at ISG. She said, “we can worship here, alhamdulillah—going to Gaithersburg [was] hard,” Happy about the convenience and looking forward to having an actual community, Aisha S. recalls meeting people through Sunday School, who are now raising families here. She looks forward to building stronger bonds through the masjid. The childcare will be open to people of all faiths.

Cotton candy, balloons, bouncy castles kept the young ones busy while the elders

hugged each other with joy and shared sweets. The jam packed event was an opportunity to gauge event management for masjid activities such as Ramadan iftars and community dinners, in terms of food stations and restroom usage, as similar numbers are expected for future gatherings.

Visitors came from Fairfax and Baltimore to celebrate with the Germantown Muslims. Rabiha exuded happiness at the completion of the masjid. She has been coming to see the building go up since the groundbreaking and a 10 year wait ended for her this day. She was joined by her daughter Nafisa and her grandchildren as they celebrated the blessed day with their greater Germantown family.

masjid ii >> continued from pg 14

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community.

Joanna Beituni, a volunteer at the Islamic Relief sensory tent outdoors (where could be found bins of rice and sand and stress balls), worked with autistic children while in college. She spoke about how tactile activities and textures help the children focus and that sensory breaks, especially in the school setting, help them to relax and better interact with their peers.

Islamic Relief has provided financial resources to the event every year but this year decided they also wanted to have a staged area for their volunteers to interact with the children. Just nearby, indoors, (and fully accessible by wheelchair ramp), were many other sensory tables with

activities ranging from finger painting to play dough to life skill exercises such as cupcake frosting. There was also a less stimulating room called the quiet room which was dark except for sparkley garlands of soft light and a bubble machine. Many a child could be found there with a parent just having a calm moment before moving back outside to the moon bounces or the all popular pony rides. But most youth of all ages seemed to enjoy most the petting zoo complete with a baby calf, goats, rabbits and many types of feathered fowl. A very poignant

moment was watching Naem, a teen with a vision impairment, completely enraptured while stroking a goose. Says Bushra Nusairat, a MAS volunteer for the past four years, ‘this carnival is a no-brainer and these kids deserve this day”. Indeed, these kids deserve more than this once yearly event sponsored by Dar Al Hijrah and ADAMS with support from United Muslim Relief. Sr Rasha and the many parents said they would love to see many ongoing events as well as a celebratory day held for each of the two Eids if they can muster up additional

community support and funding. For this one special day together, the children participated in no less than a modified prayer in congregation, a tawaf around a small Ka'bah, posed for a special photo souvenir of them at Makkah made by an ingenuous computer graphics team, and finally were able to select an age-appropriate donated gift collected by Islamic Relief.

Again from one of the mothers who just returned to the states after residing abroad “overseas there was this culture of hiding kids with disabilities. Here we take them out and they can do everything we do as a family with the right support and structure.” Our masajid and community centers need to be welcoming spaces and embrace the many types of families in their midst.

Eid >> continued from pg 6 A very poignant moment was watching Naem, a teen

with a vision impairment, completely enraptured while stroking a goose.

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of trauma on their lives as immigrants, Muslims, and people of color in the context of political repression in the United States.” They live in the crux of growing Islamophobia and limited or no support from their local communities.

This year’s family retreat’s theme was Shattering Captivity and Engendering Liberation: A Conference on Dismantling the Prison Industrial Complex. Testimony of the families shared at the conference would have broken anybody’s heart, said organizers. They wondered why the more than 8 million strong American Muslim community is not paying attention to the plight of these political prisoners and their families.

Sadequee noted that the families are learning to turn their victim-hood productively. They are organizing themselves for social justice actions, engaging with the cases of their loved ones, and leading campaigns to expose

the rights violation in federal courts and prisons. “Through their brave campaigning, they call for everyone’s right to justice while simultaneously navigating the cultural shame of being targeted and the stigma of prison in their day-to-day lives under the “war on terror.”

Veteran civil right advocate Agha Saeed came from California despite his weakened condition to attend the fundraiser. Muhammad Malik of Amnesty International attended the event along with Darakshan Raja, a victim’s advocate and a justice policy researcher at the Urban Institute. Also in attendance was Imam Magid of ISNA and ADAMS Center. Imam Shaker El-Sayed was delighted with his presence and asked him to lead the Isha Salah.

Imam Siraj presented a dynamic way of looking at the purpose of the gathering.

“How many more cases of innocent people do we need to see?” asked Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who led the fundraising. “You need to take this cause that personally, like that is your brother in prison.” Aafia

Siddiqui’s case was also discussed by the organizers as they acknowledged the work of Mauri Saalakhan.

Yasmin attending the event from Virginia said that one of the things she thinks about is that most people think that this will not happen to me but no one is safe from it.

Many families felt abandoned by their communities. The thought that if this was happening to any other group of people, there would be an outrage was ever present. “I was this lost girl who lost all hope, faith in myself, the situation, and those around me…From the moment when I walked off the plane I felt like the weekend was going to change me and it was going to be a positive one, and I haven’t had a reason to smile for a while but that weekend I did. When I started getting to know other people and I saw that I was not alone and I was no longer forgotten. I felt that others were in the same position as I was in, in a way we all saved one another when we showed up. We all impacted each other in multiple ways. I felt like the broken family I had at home found its missing link,” Reem

Jayyousi wrote in a photo essay on medium.com regarding the conference organized by NCPCF for the families of Muslim prisoners.

Maryam Abu Ali, the sister of Ahmed Abu Ali who was detained 11 years ago and sentenced for life based on a testimony derived through torture that he suffered in Saudi jails, also attended in solidarity with other families. Ahmed Abu Ali, from the Northern Virginia Muslim community, was brought back to the United States but evidence of his being tortured was not allowed in court. He was found guilty of conspiring to assassinate then President George W. Bush Ali and sentenced to life; Abu Ali has been in solitary confinement for the past 10 years. Several women from the Dar Al-Hijrah community remembered the family’s ordeal and chatted about that dark period in the community’s history over warm food cooked in the masjid’s cafeteria.

As pledges were made, masajid and organizations were urged to hold fundraisers for the coalition in their own spaces.

jusTicE >> continued from pg 9

homeless and sometimes God tests us and our faith in ways that we do not always understand. We never know when we will need our community to give us hope.

With even a small donation you can help Dr. Rentia and ICNA Relief give hope to our sisters through the development of a House of Hope.

Donations can be made online on ICNA Relief's website at: www.tinyurl.com/dcshelter or http://icnarelief.org/site2/

index.php/campaigns/529-house-of-hope-northern-Virginia or checks can be mailed directly to P.O Box 2149, Fairfax, VA, 22031. Make checks payable to ICNA Relief, and please write "DC Shelter" in the memo section.About Dr. Sameera Rentia: Dr. Rentia completed medical school in India, did

her pediatric residency at Fairfax Hospital for Children, and has been in private practice in Falls Church since 1998. She lives with her husband and four daughters in Fairfax and has been involved in charity work with local organizations such as FAITH and Dar Al-Hijrah Social Services.

hoPE >> continued from pg 8


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dId yOU kNOw?Mt. everest is the tallest mountain in the world standing at 29,029 ft. That's 96 football fields! The tallest building in the world, the Burj khalifa, is 2,717 ft. tall while the washington Monument in D.c. is a mere 555 ft.

now imagine making the adhaan from from Mt. everest... DiD You know?

Mt. everest is the tallest mountain in the world standing at 29,029 ft. That's 96 football fields! The tallest building in the world, the Burj khalifa, is 2,717 ft. tall while the washington Monument in D.c. is a mere 555 ft.

now imagine making the adhaan from from Mt. everest...

november 21st - December 18th, 201418 | HEALTH & FAMILY

rUNNING FOr THE HILLS

Homestead HalalBy Jann Mcclary

In May of 2011, Sister Jann McClary and her husband Tariq moved from the Washington DC metropolitan area to establish a new home in the mountains of Colorado, building it from the ground up as part of their plan to become free of the spiritual and physical stress of modern urban life. Sister Jann is documenting her experiences for the Muslim Link. See her earlier installments at www.muslimlinkpaper.com by searching for “Running for the Hills”. Make sure you select “Exact Phrase” in the search options. – TML

So, you wonder, how in the world do we enjoy anything out here in this “wilderness”? You have no piped-in water (yet), you say, no tie-in to the electric grid. No tv, central A/C or heat, nor microwave popcorn! How do you stand it, sister?! What do you do for fun, watch the corn grow? Count cows?

Well, we can stand it because we made a conscious choice to live without tv and central air. Popcorn popped fresh over an open fire is way tastier and healthier than when it's nuked into submission. Watching corn grow is not a sane way to spend time. I have on occasion, however, tallied Black Angus and Herefords. It's kinda like the bovine version of “red car blue car” you've probably played with your little brother on summer vacation family car trips. We have plenty of other little amusements and homemade luxuries, but we don't get too carried away. In Suraat ul An-'Am, Muhammad, and Ankabut Allah subhanah wa t'ala warns that the life of this world is just amusement, play and pastime, so don't focus on that because the home in the akhirah is where we need to be looking and working toward. But in the meantime, Allah has created some really cool recreation.

Now, I'm not a big fan of bird watching because it seems to me that most birds do the same things: peck at things to eat on trees, peck at things to eat on the ground, hop a little here, hop a little over there, then fly away. But hummingbirds? They are the best two-winged entertainment in nature. And their aerial acrobatics put every other bird to shame. Think Maserati vs. Saturn. Once you put up a hummingbird feeder, it's on. Every other hummer within miles will beat a path to it and then guard it jealously and aggressively against any

and all competition. These feisty little bits of fluff will kamakazi-dive, swoop, hover, fly sideways, backwards and upside down to defend a quart jar of sugar water. They've been clocked at 60 mph in a dive and even the U.S. Army Research Laboratory has studied them in the development of new types of drones. And they can whiz that fast, and with such precision, between you and another close object that you can actually feel the vibration of air they leave behind. If you stand stock still under our hummingbird feeder (first photo), after a while they become used to you and will continue to buzz and whir and dart and zoom around your head in a veritable vortex of wind and wings that will leave you breathless and giddy with sensory overload.

A more sedate pastime is spotting and stalking deer. Great fun if you fancy games of steadfast patience, intense concentration and the ability to imitate whole-body paralysis. You see, deer have a weird way of seeing that allows them great detection of movement, but they're severely lacking when it comes to fine detail. You move, they see you. You stand still and they're not so sure you're still there. They can hear you fine, so you gotta be reeeal quiet. You spot a deer grazing peacefully at the edge of a meadow. You start the stalk, carefully and slowly inching toward her in silence. She does not look up. Stealthily you close the distance, then clumsily you step on a twig. Her head jerks up and she locks her big, brown peepers on yours. It's “onetwothree... red light!” Just like grade school recess, you freeze in place. She finally resumes grazing. You take two steps. Then one more. Your shirt snags on a branch. Her head pops up again, but before you can extricate yourself, she's outta there. Noisy human. Game over.

After a rousing game of sneaking up on deer, a steamy cup of cappuccino would go down fine. You may take it for granted, what with a Starbucks every 20 yards in the city, but for us it's a luxury best indulged in winter, homestead-style. You got your coffee, your sugar and your goat milk. No, really, goat milk makes cow milk taste like white water. Rather than drag out a fancy cappuccino machine, I sit a cup of goat milk outside overnight when the temperature dips below freezing. Next morning I've got a cup of ice-crystalline milk. I brew some sugar, then add a little hot coffee. I like it that way. I put a lid on the cup of milk, shake it vigorously for about 15 seconds, and voila, creamy, fluffy froth. A nice head on a hot cup of joe.

Then there's ice cream. Surely one of the mercies of Allah 'azza wa jal. When times are good, it's Haagen Dazs. When I'm broke as a joke, it's poor man's ice cream, better known as snow-cream (second photo). The concept is simple: scoop up some snow, add milk, sugar, and the flavoring of your choice. Mix together in a cold bowl and enjoy the brain freeze. (City dwellers beware of odd-colored snow.)

Though we may not have the conveniences and entertainment of conventional modern living, Allah subhanah wa t'ala has granted us many different ones unique to where and how we live. Some folks live in the city or suburbia. Some have homes with amenities galore. Allah ar-Razzaq has provided us with a little 15' x 15' cabin on a hill. But boy, you should see our front yard (third photo).

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| 19november 21st - December 18th, 2014 NATIONAL NEWS

Court Asked To Consider Jerusalem’s Sovereignty On U.S. Passports By robert Barnes, the washington Post, 11/3/2014

The Supreme Court seemed deeply split Monday about whether Congress may allow Americans born in Jerusalem to claim “Israel” as their birthplace on passports, since every president since Harry Truman has resisted taking sides on whether Israel or Palestine controls the holy city.

Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli Jr. warned the justices during an energetic hour of questioning that the world hangs on every official U.S. government action on the status of Jerusalem, which he described as “the most vexing and volatile and difficult diplomatic issue that this nation has faced for decades.”

Although presidents both liberal and conservative have held that any decisions on the status of Jerusalem’s sovereignty be settled through negotiations between parties in the Middle East, the case at hand appeared to divide the court by ideology.

Liberal members of the court seemed to agree with the Obama administration — and President George W. Bush before him — that the 2002 passport law embraces the interpretation that Jerusalem belongs to Israel and therefore should be seen as an unconstitutional intrusion on the executive branch’s role in setting the nation’s foreign policy.

Conservatives seemed to endorse the view that Congress was simply enabling “self-identification” of those born to Americans in the city, and that it does not affect the recognition issue.

It appeared that the outcome would be determined by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy. He looked for a compromise — some version of a passport disclaimer by the president — but also indicated that he believes the court must yield to the executive branch in matters of foreign affairs.

“Why doesn’t the government trump?”

Kennedy asked Alyza D. Lewin, attorney for 12-year-old Menachem Zivotofsky and his parents, who have waged a legal battle the boy’s whole life to have Israel listed on his passport.

There are about 50,000 people like Zivotofsky, and some of them want the option Congress passed in 2002.

Bush signed the legislation to which the provision was attached. But he announced that he would not enforce it, saying it violated the U.S. policy of neutrality, and the Obama administration has taken the same position.

Lewin said the executive branch’s objections were misplaced.

“What goes on a passport as a place of birth is not tantamount to recognizing foreign sovereignty,” she said.

Justice Antonin Scalia was her most ardent supporter, at times taking over her argument. If Congress has the power to declare war on foreign countries, he said, surely it has a say in passports.

“But your main position is this is not recognition; it just has an effect on the State Department’s desire to make nice with the Palestinians, and your position is Congress has no compulsion to follow that, assuming it can’t recognize,” Scalia told Lewin.

“That is correct,” Lewin replied.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said the U.S. government already recognizes the reality that Israel has controlled most of the city since 1967. He said there was no dispute about Israel’s right to charge an American who has committed a crime in the city, or to issue a birth certificate to someone born there.

But the court’s liberal members said Lewin downplayed the importance of the passport change.

“They’re asking the government to lie,” said Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Justice Stephen G. Breyer said the court should follow the State Department’s lead: “I’m a judge. I’m not a foreign affairs expert.” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said the

passport provision cannot be separated from the rest of the bill.

“The thrust of the whole provision (is) that Congress has said we think Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” she said.

Justice Elena Kagan said if the provision was simply about self-identification, it would be a “very selective vanity-plate law.” But passports are a form of communication from the secretary of state to another country, she said.

“What we usually say about diplomatic communication is that whatever Congress’s other foreign affairs powers are, the power of diplomatic communication belongs to the president and the president alone; that in that realm we only speak with one voice,” Kagan said.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. told Verrilli that if the provision was such a “big deal,” Bush should not have signed the law. He said that it was the resistance of the executive branch that has elevated the dispute and created a “self-fulfilling prophecy that it’s going to be such a huge deal.”

Alito agreed that Verrilli was exaggerating the stakes of how the world would see the court’s action.

“Our decision isn’t going to be based on any view that we may have about whether Jerusalem should be regarded as part of Israel or the capital of Israel,” he said.

But Kagan said Jerusalem was a “tinderbox” because of renewed tensions over access to one of the city’s holiest sites, which Jews call the Temple Mount and Muslims know as the Noble Sanctuary.

“Can I say that this seems a particularly unfortunate week to be making this kind of, ‘oh, it’s no big deal’ argument,” Kagan said. “I mean, history suggests that everything is a big deal with respect to the status of Jerusalem.”

The case is Zivotofsky v. Kerry.

National News

“Can I say that this seems a particularly unfortunate week to be making this kind of, ‘oh, it’s no big deal’ argument,” Kagan said. “I mean, history suggests that everything is a big deal with respect to the status of Jerusalem.”

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november 21st - December 18th, 201420 | CIVIL RIGHTS

U.S. Muslim Leaders Say FBI Pressuring People To Become InformantsBy JoHn M. GLionnaLA Times, 11/3/2014

Muslim leaders nationwide say the FBI is pressuring some Islamic community members and religious leaders to spy on fellow Muslims as part of a government effort to combat extremist recruiting in the U.S.

The campaign has intensified in recent weeks, with mosques in California, Texas, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida and other states reporting unannounced visits by FBI agents, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization.

In a nationwide alert, the group urged mosque and community leaders to seek the advice of an attorney if they are approached by the FBI for questioning. They worried that the civil rights of numerous imams were being violated as the religious leaders were asked to meet with FBI agents, who then pressed them to inform on members of their congregations.

“It’s happening all over the country," said Ibrahim Hooper, a Washington-based spokesman for CAIR. “The agents are approaching these community leaders at mosques with basic questions that quickly turn into something different: pressure to become informants.”

Leaders at several mosques in California and Minnesota contacted for comment said they were afraid to speak out for fear of becoming a government target.

The FBI would not comment on the CAIR alert, but spokesman Paul Bresso said in an email that the agency respected the rights of all citizens and “we value our partnerships with the Arab, Muslim and Sikh communities as they are partners in our efforts to stem crime, violence and civil rights violations."

One agent said such visits were standard procedure. “It’s not unusual for us to go out and talk to, I don’t want to call them at-risk folks, but people dealing with issues,” said the agent, who declined to give his name because he was not authorized to talk about the matter.

Jennifer Wicks, an attorney who heads the civil rights department for CAIR, said she knew of no crimes committed by FBI agents. “No one has been detained in any way or taken from one setting to another,” she said.

She said the interrogation tactics depended on the agent and the situation.

“These visits aren’t based on people being suspected of doing anything wrong. It’s because this is a Muslim community. That’s why people are being targeted,” Wicks said.

“However, the FBI's over-broad and coercive use of informants in mosques, reports of outreach meetings being used for intelligence gathering and other acts of abuse demonstrate that community leaders should engage legal professionals

to ensure the protection of their rights and those of their congregations,” Wicks said in a statement on the CAIR website.

Activists said the visits were tantamount to religious profiling.

“For us, the issue is one of civil rights,” Hooper said. “Too often these interactions are done in private and people feel coerced. Because ISIS is a hot topic, they’re going to mosques. It’s all based on the round-up-the-usual-suspects style of law enforcement.”

Federal officials are calling for new ways to fight what they see as the nation’s

latest national security threat: people indoctrinated by extremists returning to plan terrorist acts here. The Justice Department recently unveiled a pilot program in Los Angeles, Boston and Minneapolis that enlists social and mental health workers, religious leaders and police to thwart Islamist group recruiters.

Orlando, Fla., attorney Hassan Shibly said he had represented 33 clients this year who claimed they had been pressured by

the FBI to release information on their religious beliefs and practices. He said the number of cases had risen dramatically in the last few weeks.

“In Orlando, they pressured one citizen who happened to be Muslim to spy on mosques, Islamic restaurants and hookah lounges or they would throw him in jail,” he said. “In another case, they approached an imam with pictures of a woman they claimed would testify of an affair unless he helped them. These are law-abiding Muslims, not criminals.”

He has taken those and other cases to court, alleging the FBI was using illegal tactics to gain information.

Shibly said Muslims were targets because many didn't know their legal rights.

"The FBI thinks it can get away with bending the law," he said. "Many Muslims come from Third World countries where such practices are common fare for the secret police. But in the U.S. you don’t expect such blackmail, with threats of deportation or worse."

In several cases, Shibly said, imams were asked about their opinions on political affairs and other matters. Agents return and tell the imams that informants have contradicted their previous statements. "They are laying the groundwork for a charge of giving false information to a law enforcement officer. That’s the trick to get them to cooperate,” he said.

In Florida, tips from the Muslim community led to the arrest of Sami Osmakac, later convicted of planning a terrorist attack at a Tampa-area nightclub. Osmakac was found guilty in June of attempted possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

[A]ttorney Hassan Shibly said he had represented 33 clients this year who claimed they had been pressured by the FBI to release information on their religious beliefs and practices.

“In another case, they approached an imam with pictures of a woman they claimed would testify of an affair unless he helped them. These are law-abiding Muslims, not criminals.”

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Civil RightsCivil RightsCivil Rights

| 21november 21st - December 18th, 2014 CIVIL RIGHTS

Why Aafia?A Response to one of the most persistent questions put to an African American Muslim human rights advocate

By el-Hajj Mauri’ Saalakhan

At the time of this writing I sit in the home of my Houston (TX) host, Br. Khalid Zaman, in the final stages of preparation for what is expected to be a small, but very important, human rights initiative for an imprisoned Muslimah by the name of Aafia Siddiqui.

Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is an intellectually and spiritually gifted Pakistani national who has been imprisoned now for more than 11 years. She is a graduate with honors of both MIT and Brandeis universities, with a PhD in cognitive neuroscience; she is also a Hafiza of Qur’an (she has memorized the Qur’an).

In 2002, following 12 years of fruitful residence in the United States of America, Dr. Siddiqui returned home to Karachi Pakistan under a cloud of suspicion (primarily because of her activism as a student in the areas of dawah and humanitarian relief). The cloud became a raging storm in March 2003 when Dr. Siddiqui and her three young children (ages 6, 4, and six months) became targets of a rendition operation involving American and Pakistani government agents. She and her children were forcibly removed from a taxi while enroute to the airport to visit a maternal uncle in Islamabad, and were never heard from again until her mysterious reappearance in Afghanistan in the summer of 2008.

Where was she during these missing years? According to the official narrative she was an Al-Qaeda agent operating underground, or on the run, with her young children in tow. According to a number of former prisoners who were held at the American controlled Bagram Detention Center in Afghanistan, Aafia Siddiqui was the only female prisoner at Bagram at the time. She was the “ghost prisoner” known both for her haunting screams and the number she wore, “Prisoner 650.”

Following her forced return to United States – in violation of both Afghan and international law – a severely wounded Aafia Siddiqui (shot by an American soldier who panicked when he first laid eyes on her in the Afghan police compound) was held under pre-trial conditions that violated the U.S. Constitution’s ban against “cruel and unusual punishment,” for approximately 18 months before going on trial.

The trial of this political prisoner from start to finish was a shameful spectacle – prompting one non-Muslim female observer to shout out during the sentencing phase: “Shame, Shame, Shame on this court!” The forensic evidence was in Aafia’s favor, the government’s narrative of the alleged “crime” did not make sense, and the prosecution’s “star witnesses” contradicted themselves so much under oath that they should have been charged with perjury.

Despite these gaping holes in the government’s case, Dr. Siddiqui was convicted of attempting to murder US personnel in Afghanistan (i.e. soldiers, FBI, and probably CIA), and she was given a sentence of 86 YEARS – in spite of the fact that no one was injured but her! It is also important to note that while her rendition (secret disappearance and imprisonment) was based on the suspicion that she was an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist operative, Aafia Siddiqui was never charged with a terrorism offense!The two oldest children (Ahmed and Maryam), U.S. citizens by birth, were returned to the family home in Karachi in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The youngest child, Suleiman, is still missing to this day and presumed dead.

Why Aafia?

Reason # 1: One of the most persistent questions directed to this writer by persons of different racial, religious, and political persuasions is “Why Aafia?” Implicit in this (for persons of sincere good will) is the question, ‘What is it

about this particular case that has kept you (an African American Muslim) so passionately committed, when there are many other cases of injustice which also warrant attention?’ To this I say, there are a number of reasons. The summary of the case that you just read is Reason # 1.Reason # 2: This is an enormous precedent-setting case involving a highly educated and committed Muslim woman who had so much to offer the world. (One of the tragic ironies is that the case of Aafia Siddiqui in many respects is like a Malala Yousufzai in reverse!) When the gravity of this case first came to our attention, we cautioned some of the leaders of our community that if we didn’t respond quickly and appropriately, it was a Muslim woman of Pakistani descent today; it would be other Muslim women of varying hues tomorrow. When U.S. prosecutors went after Palestinian-activist Rasmea Odeh (also unjustly convicted in a political trial), I thought again about the ominous warning that we delivered over five years ago.

Reason # 3: The challenge and opportunity that this case affords our community is quite significant. The Noble Qur’an and Prophetic Sunnah are clear on the responsibilities that we as Muslims have vis-à-vis the oppressed, and as it pertains to the general principle of enjoining the good and forbidding the evil for society as whole. This is so clearly evident in our faith tradition that there should be no need to cite the volumes upon volumes of chapter and verse. Instead, I would simply like to remind my brothers and sisters that the character of our faith community is being measured by how we respond to the challenges of our time. Dr. Siddiqui’s case is a major challenge (former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark has described it as the “worst

case of individual injustice” he has ever witnessed), and as a result of the international attention it has received, it also affords us a major opportunity.

Reason # 4: The dangers of ignoring the plight of this long suffering Muslim woman are enormous. The plight of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui has become a rallying point for aggrieved Muslims in different parts of the world. International “extremist” groups have [mis]used her plight for ideological argument and recruiting purposes, while provocateurs in America (many of them government paid), as well as people of genuine good will, have referenced her ongoing plight as both an example of America’s profound shortcomings, and the inherent weakness of American Muslim leaders and institutions.

The greater danger is reflected in the following quotes from two historic personalities, Sheikh ibn Taymeeyah and [American Founding Father] Thomas Jefferson:

“Civilization is based on justice, and the consequences of oppression are devastating. Therefore it is said ALLAH aids the just state, even if it is not Muslim; and withholds His help from the oppressive state, even if it is Muslim.”“I tremble for my country when I reflect God is just; His justice cannot sleep forever.”

We also have a warning directly from the Prophet himself (peace be upon him) to every generation of humanity until the end of time:

>> aaFia Pg 27

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november 21st - December 18th, 201422 | WORLD PRESS

World Press‘We crossed the line’, US admits to UN anti-torture body(Agence France-Presse, 11/12/2014) The United States said Wednesday it did not condone torture under any circumstances, but acknowledged to a UN anti-torture watchdog it had “crossed the line” following the September 11 attacks.

“The US is proud of its record as a leader in respecting, promoting and defending human rights and the rule of law, both at home and around the world,” acting US legal advisor Mary McLeod told the 10-member UN Committee on Torture.

“But in the wake of 9/11 attacks, we regrettably did not always live up to our own values,” she said.

“We crossed the line and we take responsibility for that,” she said, quoting US President Barack Obama.

McLeod was one of about 30 top US officials gathered in Geneva for Washington’s first grilling by the committee since 2006.

In its first review since Obama came to power, several delegates acknowledged abuses had occurred during the so-called “War on Terror” under the previous administration of George W. Bush.

“We recognise that no nation is perfect, ours included,” Keith Harper, US ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council, told the committee.

The delegation faced a barrage of questions from committee members on how the country was dealing with rectifying and providing redress for

acknowledged abuses during the “war on terror”.

The US delegation was asked to explain why the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba remains open, why many detainees remain there without charge and when Washington plans to shut it down.

The committee members also questioned the treatment of prisoners there, and lack of redress for victims of the widely publicised abuses by US troops at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq in the early 2000s.

Beyond the “war on terror” legacy, the committee members raised issues of abuses in US prisons, rape in prisons, the broad use of drawn-out solitary confinement, and long years on death row.

And they asked how Washington could justify its widespread detention of non-violent, non-criminal illegal immigrants, including minors.

And they slammed police brutality that appears to disproportionately affect minorities, such as 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was shot and killed by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri last August.

His parents were in Geneva this week to take part in events on the sidelines of the committee hearing.

The committee is set to publish its conclusions on November 28.

To Counter Rise Of Islamic State, Jordan Imposes Rules On Muslim ClericsBy william Booth and Taylor Luck, The washington Post, 11/9/2014

ZARQA, Jordan — Several hundred robed Muslim clerics recently packed themselves into an auditorium to hear the minister of Islamic affairs issue their new marching orders. The meeting was mandatory.

“You clerics are our ground forces against the extremists,” Hayel Dawood told them.

Then he made himself clear: Preach moderate Islam — or else. “Once you cross the red line,” Dawood intoned, “you will not be let back in.”

Stunned by the rapid advance of the Islamic State in neighboring Syria and Iraq, Jordan has fortified its borders and put its air force and intelligence service to work in the U.S.-led alliance against the

self-declared caliphate in Syria and Iraq. To counter the low thrum of support for extremist movements on the home front, the kingdom is not only prosecuting Islamic State recruiters and cracking down on anyone waving an Islamic State banner, but it has turned its attention to the nation’s 7,000 mosques. Jordanian authorities have begun a campaign to coax — and, when necessary, pressure — Muslim clerics to preach messages of peaceful Islam from their pulpits. The main targets are Jordan’s more than 5,000 imams, including lay clerics and those on the government dole, who give the traditional sermon that follows Friday prayers.

Jordan’s security apparatus has always kept a close eye on known radicals and has pursued a policy in the past of allowing even prominent al-Qaeda-affiliated clerics to preach as long as they watched what they said. The idea: It was best to grant

opposition figures a sliver of political space, to better monitor, co-opt and control them.

But with the sudden rise of the Islamic State, Jordan’s religious authorities are taking a more active stance. The Islamic affairs minister is touring the kingdom to announce new rules in a remarkable series of meetings for anyone who wants access to the Friday flock.

Specifically, Jordan is demanding that preachers refrain from any speech against King Abdullah II and the royal family, slander against leaders of neighboring Arab states, incitement against the United States and Europe, and sectarianism and support for jihad and extremist thought.

Dawood also suggests that clerics keep sermons brief.

“Fifteen minutes is okay,” he told the crowd in Zarqa. He reminded them that

the prophet Muhammad “was short and to the point — often 10 minutes, no more.”

For those who adhere to the new guidelines, there are government salaries of about $600 a month, religious workshops, travel assistance for pilgrimages to Mecca, and weekly guidance.

The ministry is providing suggested topics for Friday sermons, available for download from the government’s Facebook page. Recent suggestions included:

• Oct. 17 — “Security and Stability: the Need for Unity in a Time of Crisis.”

• Oct. 24 — “The Hijjra New Year — Lessons Derived From the Prophet’s Flight From Mecca.”

>> counTErPg 27

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november 21st - December 18th, 201424 | ISLAM

Being Shy In Front of AllahThe Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “If you do not feel ashamed, then do whatever you like.” [Reported by al-Bukhari 6120]

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “Be truly shy from Allah. The companions said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, praise and thanks be to Allah, we are shy from Him.’ upon which he replied, ‘it is not that I mean. Being truly shy from Allah means that you preserve your head and what it comprehends (your thoughts, ideas, creed, religion…) and preserve your belly and what it contains (your source of livelihood

should be lawful). Moreover, you should remember death and rottenness. He who seeks the Hereafter should abandon the adornments of this worldly life. Whoever does that is shy, i.e., truly shy from Allah.” [Reported by at-Tirmidhi 2458 and deemed good by al-Albani] The shyness of the Lord from His slave is the shyness of generosity, bounty, goodness, munificence, and exaltedness. Allah, Blessed and Exalted, is Shy and Generous, He is shy of His slave when he raises his hands (in supplication) to send them back empty. He is shy to torture an old man whose hair turned grey in Islam. The shyness of worshiping, fear and submission to Allah Glorified and Exalted, is the shyness that is acquired

through knowing Allah, His Greatness, His closeness to His slaves. He knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the breasts conceal. This type of shyness is the most supreme characteristic of faith; rather, it is the highest degree of ihsân [i.e. to be patient in performing your duties to Allâh, totally for Allâh’s sake and in accordance with the Sunnah (legal ways) of the Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, in a perfect manner]. The Prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “Ihsân is to worship Allah as if you (truly) see Him; however, if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you.” [Reported by al-Bukhari 4777] The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, has said, “If you do not feel ashamed, then do whatever you like.” [Reported by al-

Bukhari 6120] The Hadith means that if one is not bashful from anyone or anything, he can commit whatever ugly blemish acts he wishes. What hinders him from that is shyness, which does not exist. In fact, the one who has no shyness can engage in all acts of fornication and evil. Salman al-Fârissi (the Persian), may Allah be pleased with him, said, “When Allah wishes to doom His slave, He takes away shyness from him. When shyness is taken away you will not find him but repulsive and abominable.” Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, said, “shyness and faith are fastened together, if shyness is taken away, faith follows.” [Source: islamway.net]

A History of MakkahBy Muhammad bin Saamil As-Sulami PhD - A member of the teaching staff at Umm Al-Qura University

History informs us about what happened during specific points in the past as well as events that have taken place over time and gives us information related to this. Such information may be true or false, and every Muslim is obliged to seek the truth and confirm any information he hears so that he may ascertain what is correct from what is fabricated. Moreover, every Muslim should refer to reliable sources in order to obtain definite, authentic and verifiable information.

Makkah is the Sacred City as well as the holiest and the absolutely most honourable place on earth. The most truthful sources from which one can take news about its history are the Noble Qur’aan and the authentic prophetic

narrations in this regard, and from these we can ascertain its ancient history as well as how it was prior the message and prophethood of Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam.

After the advent of Islaam, Muslim scholars and historians have endeavoured to record chronicles of Makkah in general history books as well as books concerned with the biographies of the Muslim scholars who lived in it. Some scholars authored books that dealt primarily with its history and the areas surrounding it, one of the most famous being “Chronicles of Makkah and its Ancient Monuments” authored by Abu Al-Waleed Al-Azraqi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, from the third century AH. Another book was “Chronicles of Makkah in Ancient and Contemporary Times” authored by Al-Faakihi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, who also lived during the third century AH, and his book was larger than that written by Al-Azraqi, may Allaah have mercy upon him, but the initial parts of his book were lost over time.

Thereafter, chronicling the affairs and events of Makkah ceased for a period of almost four centuries. It was thereafter resumed and one of the scholars who is

considered to be the most prolific author regarding it and its history was Imaam Taqiyyud-Deen Al-Faasi Al-Makki, may Allaah have mercy upon him (775 AH - 832 AH). In his book entitled “The Therapy for those who Harbour Affection for the History of the Sacred City”, Imaam Taqiyyud-Deen, may Allaah have mercy upon him, expressed his amazement at the fact that chronicling

the history of Makkah had halted after Imaams Al-Azraqi and Al-Faakihi, may Allaah have mercy upon them.

This incited him to write many publications on the history of Makkah that took different sizes; large, medium and small. One of the largest books he authored was “The Treasured Necklace on the History of the Secure City” which consisted of

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Islam

| 25november 21st - December 18th, 2014 ISLAMeight volumes. Next in size came “The Therapy for those who Harbour Affection for the History of the Sacred City” which consisted of two volumes, which he later summarised in books such as “The Gift for the Honourable on the History of the Sacred City” and others.

Thereafter, many scholars and schools of history arose which contributed to the writing of the history and chronicles of Makkah such as, Aal Fahd and Aal At-Tabari, and this has continued ever since, to include the contemporary.

The establishment of Makkah:

The history and building of Makkah is directly connected to Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, as he was the first person to settle his family in it when he left his wife Haajar and his son Ismaa’eel, may Allaah exalt his mention, there in compliance with the command of Allaah for him to do so.

Imaam Al-Bukhaari, may Allaah have mercy upon him, reported on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allaah be pleased with him, in the long narration in which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam informed us that Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, once came with his wife Haajar and his son Ismaa’eel, may Allaah exalt his mention, who was still a suckling infant, from ancient Syria to Makkah. At that time, Makkah had no water and nobody residing in it. Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, took them both under the shade of a tree and left with them a bag of dates and a flask of water, then headed back to ancient Syria. As he was leaving, his wife Haajar called to him, saying: “Where are you going? How can you leave us in this deserted valley that has neither humans nor anything else (in terms of life)?” She repeated this a few times but he did not reply, so she asked: “Did Allaah command you to do this?” Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, replied: “Yes” Thereupon she said: “Then He shall never forsake us”.

Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, walked for a while and then stood upon a small hill, raised his hands in supplication, and said, as Allaah informs us (translation): “Our Lord! I have settled some of my descendants in an uncultivated valley near Your sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish prayer. So make hearts among the people incline toward them and provide for them from the fruits that they might be grateful.” [Ibraaheem: 37]

Allaah blessed Haajar and her son with the well of Zamzam, and then people came from all directions and resided in Makkah. The first tribe to reside there was the tribe of Jurhum among whom Ismaa’eel, may Allaah exalt his mention, grew up and from whom he married.

Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, came many times to Makkah to check upon their condition, and later Allaah commanded him to build the Ka’bah; Allaah says (translation): “And [mention] when Ibraaheem (Abraham) was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ismaa’eel (Ishmael), [saying]: 'Our Lord! Accept [this] from us. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.'” [Al-Baqarah: 127]

Allaah also says (translation): “And [O Muhammad], when We designated for Ibraaheem (Abraham) the site of the House, [saying] “Do not associate anything with Me and purify My House for those who perform Tawaaf (circumambulation of the Ka’bah) and those who stand [in prayer] and those who bow and prostrate.” [Al-Hajj: 26]

Ibn Katheer, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said commenting upon this verse in his famous book of history entitled “The Beginning and the End” in Volume 1, page 135: “There is no authentic report from the infallible (i.e. Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) informing us that the House (the Ka’bah) was built before Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, and whoever states that, relying upon this verse (for evidence of that), has no basis for such a claim because what is meant by the verse is that he was simply being informed of where the House was to be built.” In Volume 2 page 227 of the same book, he said: “The verses of the Qur’aan clearly indicate that Ibraaheem was the first person to build it.”

Abu Tharr, may Allaah be pleased with him, narrated: “I asked the messenger of Allaah: `O messenger of Allaah! Which mosque was the first built on earth?` He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied: “The Sacred Mosque (in Makkah)” “I then asked: ` Which mosque was built next?` He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said: “The Aqsaa mosque (in Jerusalem).” “Thereupon, I asked: `What was the period between the building of the two mosques?` He sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam replied: “Forty years.”" [Reported by Al-Bukhaari]

These reports clearly highlight the virtue

of Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, and confirm that he was the one who built the two mosques, and that the period between the two was forty years.

Therefore, it becomes evident that the first thing to be established in Makkah was the Sacred Mosque (i.e. the Ka’bah), and that the first water to gush forth from it was Zamzam.

Thereafter, the offspring of Ismaa’eel, may Allaah exalt his mention, multiplied in the area of Hijaaz (the province in which Makkah lies) and its surroundings, and their families succeeded each other in caring for the Sacred House and maintaining it for a long period of time, until the tribe of Khuzaa’ah took over this responsibility. People remained upon the monotheism with which Prophet Ibraaheem, may Allaah exalt his mention, came until the time when, ‘Amr bin Lahy Al-Khuzaa’i introduced idol worshipping in the Ka’bah.

The number of idols then increased in the Ka’bah and this phenomena spread all around the Arabian Peninsula to the extent that the number of idols in the Ka’bah reached three hundred and sixty, as stated by Al-Kalbi in his book “The Idols”.

Due to numerous wars and tribal struggles, the well of Zamzam was buried and people could no longer find it. Qusay bin Kilaab, a great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, forcefully took over the custody of caring for the Sacred House and maintaining it from the tribe of Khuzaa’ah, as it had abused its authority. Qusay gathered the scattered families of the Quraysh

tribe, relocated them in Makkah, and restored the sanctity of Makkah, which had been lost due to Khuzaa’ah's misuse of authority and because some of the Quraysh tribe had been placed in the surrounding areas of Makkah in order to protect it.

This marked the beginning of an authority that glorified Makkah and which freely offered all types of services to its visitors, such as food, water and the cleaning and maintaining of the Ka’bah.

After ‘Abdul-Muttalib saw a dream in which he saw the exact spot of the buried well of Zamzam, he had the area dug up and restored the well. Thus, the well of Zamzam once again became the source of water to the pilgrims and visitors, as well as to the residents of Makkah.

After this, a grave event took place during the time of ‘Abdul-Muttalib when Abrahah the Ethiopian headed towards Makkah riding a huge elephant in order to demolish the Ka’bah. This is why that year came to be known as “The Year of the Elephant”, during which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam was born.

A city with such a magnificent history is worthy of having such an exalted status and should, therefore, be glorified and honoured. It deserves to occupy a special place in the hearts of its residents, as well as the Muslims in general.

[Source: Project for the Glorification of the Holy City, www.makkah.org.sa]

....

november 21st - December 18th, 201426 | ISLAM

Salaah times for November 21st - December 18th, 2014

If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?” The people said, “No filth would remain on him whatsoever.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, “That is like the fi ve daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them.”

---Hadith in Sahih al Bukhari and Muslim

Day Date Hijri Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr Asr Maghrib IshaFri Nov 21 28/1 5:41 6:57 11:54 2:31 4:51 6:08Sat 22 29/1 5:42 6:58 11:55 2:30 4:50 6:08Sun 23 1/2 5:43 6:59 11:55 2:30 4:50 6:07Mon 24 2/2 5:44 7:00 11:55 2:30 4:49 6:07Tue 25 3/2 5:45 7:01 11:56 2:29 4:49 6:07Wed 26 4/2 5:46 7:02 11:56 2:29 4:48 6:06Thu 27 5/2 5:47 7:03 11:56 2:29 4:48 6:06Fri 28 6/2 5:47 7:04 11:57 2:29 4:48 6:06

Sat 29 7/2 5:48 7:05 11:57 2:28 4:47 6:06

Sun 30 8/2 5:49 7:06 11:57 2:28 4:47 6:05Mon Dec 1 9/2 5:49 7:06 11:57 2:28 4:47 6:05Tue 2 10/2 5:50 7:07 11:58 2:28 4:47 6:05

Wed 3 11/2 5:52 7:09 11:58 2:28 4:47 6:05

Thu 4 12/2 5:52 7:10 11:59 2:28 4:46 6:05Fri 5 13/2 5:53 7:11 11:59 2:28 4:46 6:05Sat 6 14/2 5:54 7:12 12:00 2:28 4:46 6:05Sun 7 15/2 5:55 7:13 12:00 2:28 4:46 6:05Mon 8 16/2 5:56 7:14 12:01 2:28 4:46 6:05Tue 9 17/2 5:56 7:14 12:01 2:28 4:46 6:06Wed 10 18/2 5:57 7:15 12:01 2:28 4:46 6:06Thu 11 19/2 5:58 7:16 12:02 2:29 4:47 6:06

Fri 12 20/2 5:58 7:17 12:02 2:29 4:47 6:06

Sat 13 21/2 5:59 7:18 12:03 2:29 4:47 6:06 Sun 14 22/2 6:00 7:18 12:03 2:29 4:47 6:07

Mon 15 23/2 6:00 7:19 12:04 2:30 4:47 6:07

Tue 16 24/2 6:00 7:19 12:04 2:30 4:47 6:07 Wed 17 25/2 6:01 7:20 12:04 2:30 4:48 6:07 Thu 18 26/2 6:02 7:21 12:05 2:31 4:49 6:08

Prayer times generated from www.islamicfinder.com for the

WASHINGTON, DC area.

....

| 27november 21st - December 18th, 2014 CONTINUED

• Oct. 31 — “The Beginning of the Rainy Season — Safety Measures in Preparation for Winter.”

For those who stray? Banishment from the pulpit for life.

The worst offenders, those who openly praise the Islamic State, might be hauled into the newly empowered State Security Court to face charges under the country’s enhanced anti-terrorism law.

Jordan’s soft-power press for moderate Islam, a personal project of Abdullah, has been applauded by U.S. officials for its proactive approach and its emphasis on Islam’s positive messages of charity, respect and tolerance.

Some clerics, though, bristle at being told what to preach. What some see as “moderate Islam,” others decry as “state Islam,” foisted on them by a pro-Western monarchy kowtowing to foreign powers.

“They’ve left no space for us in the mosques,” said Mohammed al-Shalabi, a senior leader of ultraconservative Muslims known as Jihadi Salafis in Jordan. “They’re not even allowing anyone to use the words ‘Islamic State.’ ”

Shalabi complained that the mosques were filled with informants from the Jordanian intelligence agency. “They write down everything you say,” he said.

That is probably an exaggeration. Currently, Jordan employs 60 “monitors” to listen in at the country’s 5,500 mosques

that regularly host Friday sermons. Dawood told the meeting in Zarqa that he was planning for 200 monitors but thought he needed 400 to do the job right.

In an interview, Dawood said he was “limited by budgetary and logistical constraints that is making policing the mosques that much more difficult.”

‘Not a new policy’

State control of religious life is nothing new in the Middle East. Close monitoring of sermons is common in the oil-rich states in the Persian Gulf. Likewise, many of the region’s current and former despots, in Libya, Algeria and Syria, were obsessed with imprinting their message on Islam.

But message control has grown in the wake of the Arab revolutions and the rise of the Islamic State. Recently, state-sponsored clerics in Jordan — long at the forefront of promoting religious moderation — and throughout the region have been especially vocal in denouncing the Islamic State.

Arab media report the Saudi Interior Ministry may require clerics to pass a security screening before they can preach. Egyptian authorities have banned tens of thousands of unlicensed clerics, especially imams linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.

“Centralized Islam is not a new policy,” said Omar Ashour, a senior lecturer in Middle East politics at the University of Exeter. But, he added: “It has been tried before, with mixed results.”

“You have a segment of society that will

seek out other messages, other voices,” he said, perhaps in underground settings with outlaw imams. In an earlier age, extremist messages on cassette tapes were passed hand to hand; now, all it takes is typing a few search terms on YouTube.

Jordan employs about 3,400 Muslim preachers — about 2,000 clerics and 1,400 caretakers — to staff the country’s 7,000 mosques. The deficit has forced the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to grant more than 2,200 permissions for sermons to “unofficial clerics” — educators, tribal sheiks and ordinary citizens.

Those wishing to ascend the pulpit are supposed to register with the ministry’s directorate. Applicants are subject to a security check and must receive approval from the intelligence service. Even so, Jordanian officials say dangerous preachers have slipped through their filters.

“We have preachers using the pulpit for political means, to launch attacks on private individuals and the state,” Dawood said. “This will not be tolerated.”

Jordan has barred 30 preachers from delivering sermons so far this year. The ministry banned six clerics in October for allegedly denouncing Jordan’s participation in the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State, referring four to the State Security Court for attempting to “disseminate terrorist ideology” and “gathering support for the Islamic State.”

Ahmed Abu Omar was among them. The Amman cleric, who declined to use his full name out of concern for his safety, said he delivered a Friday sermon on Oct. 3 denouncing coalition airstrikes he

feared were targeting Syrian and Iraqi civilians.

“I was only speaking the truth, that Jordan should not participate in the killing of civilians, which is forbidden in Islam,” he said. “I was told later that this was ‘inciting terrorism.’ ”

According to people who attended the sermon, Abu Omar went on to call on Jordanians to “show solidarity with the Islamic State,” which was “defending Islam against the United States and the crusaders.”

Rules welcomed in Zarqa

The meeting outlining the do’s and don’ts appeared to be welcomed in Zarqa, long a bastion of al-Qaeda supporters, including an eclectic mix of salafists, sufis and jihadists who, some state-supported clerics said, have posed a challenge. (Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the al-Qaeda in Iraq leader who was killed in an American airstrike in 2006, hailed from the city.)

“We have extremists come to our mosques. We know who they are, and they make their presence known,” said Mohammed Mushagbeh, 70, a cleric in the village of Hashmiyeh, outside Zarqa. “But our words can only go so far; we cannot just be in the defensive, we must go on the offensive.”

According to Mushagbeh, a ministry-employed cleric for more than a decade, extremist preachers in Zarqa have also used the pulpit to attack Jordanian authorities.

“It is up to all of us to root them out,” he said.

counTEr >> continued from pg 22

....

“You must surely enjoin the good and forbid the evil. Otherwise it is expected that ALLAH will send against you a punishment, and you will supplicate Him, but your supplications will not be answered.”

Reason # 5: The political nature of Dr. Siddiqui’s case, and the mounting evidence that relief must come through a political decision, has become clearly evident. The most recent compelling argument for an intensive and well organized struggle in the court of public opinion is the recent decision by the

openly biased presiding judge, Richard Berman, to officially close her case. The illusion of any possibility of judicial relief is now completely off the table.

If we don’t ACT NOW Aafia Siddiqui will die (sooner rather than later) inside that notorious hell hole known as FMC Carswell! If that happens, our excessively

imprisoned young men will not have a snowballs chance in hell of getting relief, and we will all be more vulnerable for it.

The author serves as Director of Operations for The Peace Thru Justice Foundation. He can be reached at [email protected].

aaFia >> continued from pg 21

november 21st - December 18th, 201428 |

Upcoming Events In Your Area

....

ISB Matrimonial EventSaturday, November 22 2014, 10:30am - 3:00pm =============================================================ISB Marriage Bureau is pleased to an event for singles registered with ISB. Only candidates that RSVP (can bring one guest as Wali) will be allowed. To register online, please go to: http://www.isb.org/marriage Location: ISB Gymnasium, 6631 Johnny-cake Road, Baltimore, MD 21244 Contact: For questions or concerns, please email [email protected]=============================================================PGCMC Domestic Abuse ForumSaturday, November 22 2014, 4:00pm - 7:00pm=============================================================A forum to discuss Domestic Abuse/Violence in the community and examine avail-able resources to address the issues. Panelists will include men and women experts in the fields of social work, law and local imams from PGMA, ISWA, Ali Khan and Avondale that have been confronted with the problem in their community. Location: Prince George's Muslim Association, 9150 Lanham Severn Road, Lanham, MD 20706 Contact: [email protected]=============================================================First Hijrah Annual Community DinnerSaturday, November 29 2014, 4:00pm - 10:00pm

First Hijrah Annual Community Dinner, Sit Down with a stranger and leave with a friend. Come and enjoy a variety of halal dishes, Youth program, Lecture about family and Q and A, What is Ebola. Tickets: $25 Adults, $10 Youth 13-18. Babysitting is available. Location: Clarion Hotel, 6400 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill, MD 20745 =============================================================Islamic Leadership and KhilafaWednesday, December 03 2014, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Friends & Neighbors Confused? Islamic Khilafa? The media has been sharing a lot of buzz words lately, and many of us have been asked by our youth, neighbors, co-work-ers, friends and others. Register online - http://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-khila-fa-in-islam-tickets-13720200489 Location: Howard County Library, Savage Branch, 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel, MD 20723 Contact: www.islamicleadership.org =============================================================Masjid Al-Ihsan Annual Fund Raising BanquetSaturday, December 06 2014, 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Join the Gwynn Oak Islamic Community and Masjid Al Ihsan's Annual Fundrais-ing Banquet: Forwarding the Islamic agenda... Uplifting our Communities. Keynote Address: Imam Mikaeel Ahmed Smith, Islamic Society of Annapolis. Guest Speaker: Imam Maqbool Patel, Islamic Society of Baltimore. Location: Masjid Al Ihsan at Gwynn Oak, 3723 Gwynn Oak Ave, Gwynn Oak, MD 21207 =============================================================ICNA Relief Community Banquet DinnerSaturday, December 06 2014, 6:00pm - 9:00pm

The Fourth Call, A Community Banquet Dinner. Guest Speakers: Ustadh Wisam Sharieff, Dr Essam Tellawi, Dr Mohammed Hassan. Admission is free. Babysitting available. Location: Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way, Colum-bia, MD 21045 Contact: [email protected]=============================================================Dar-us-Salaam Annual Fundraising Dinner and Family NightSaturday, December 14 2014

Dar-Us-Salaam's Annual Fundraising Dinner and Family Night - Perseverance, Reach-ing New Heights Together. Event starts at 4:30PM. Please join Dr. Altaf Husain, Imam Safi Khan, Br. Farouq Alzouman, and over 1,200 Muslims in the region on this joyous occasion. Come and experience the thrilling story of Br. Farouq's life-threaten-ing journey to be the first Muslim to call the adhan on the summit of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain on Earth. Tickets: $37 for tickets purchased before Sun., Dec. 7,$47 for tickets purchased before Sun., Dec. 14th, $60 for tickets purchased on Sun., Dec. 14th (at the door). Childcare (ages 2-8): $20, Youthcare (ages 9-12): $25.

Location: North Bethesda Marriott Hotel & Conference Center, 5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852

| 29november 21st - December 18th, 2014 OBITS

Request For Duaa To Allah We Belong, and to Him is Our Return

09-17-2014 Brother Hasan Waqas’s grandfather and father of Dr. Sarfraz Choudhary, brother Ali Muhammad passed away at age 90. His Janaza prayer was on September 17, 2014 in Springfield, Virginia. (Source: S. Hossain)

09-18-2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Br. Orsen Lee McGee. The Salat ul Janaza was on September 18, 2014 in Baltimore, Maryland. We ask Al-lah (SWT) to shower him with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, grant him the highest ranks in para-dise and give his family support and patience during this difficult time. (Source: ISB)

09-20-2014 Br. Waqas Ahmed's mother-in-law has passed away. Salat-e-Janaza was on September 21, 2014 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah (SWT) grant her Jannatul Firdous and patience to the family members who are undergoing this test. (Source: G. Tirmizi)

09-21-2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing away of the Mother of Sr. Filza Qureshi and Mother-In-Law of Br. Sadiq Qureshi, Sr. Shakira Khatoon. May Allah SWT in His infinite mercy grant her the highest place in Janat-ul-Firdous. Ameen. (Source: ICM)

09-26-2014 The Dar Al-Hijrah Board of Directors, Imam, Execu-tive Director, the staff of Dar Al-Hi-jrah and the Muslim community in Northern Virginia extends its deepest condolences to Br Adel, his mother,

the grandmother of Maha, Hani and Ayman, has returned to Allah (swt). The Janaza was September 26, 2014 in Falls Church, Virginia. May Allah (swt) enter him into the highest level of Jannah. (Source: Dar Al-Hijrah)

10-05-2014 The Prince George's Muslim Association extends sincere condolences to the family of 2 week old Baby Kayenat Noori, who has passed away. The Janazah Salat for Baby Kayenat Noori was on Octo-ber 6, 2014 in Lanham, Maryland. May Allah SWT admit her to Jan-natul Firdaus, and may HE grant her father Noor Rahman Noori, and mother Bebe Arezo, patience and ease. (Source: PGMA)

10-05-2014 Mahmood Siddiqui, fa-ther of Ubaid and Anwar, has passed away. Siddiqui Sahab, as he was re-spectfully/affectionately called was a native of Hyderabad, India and a longtime member of the ICM com-munity. Salaat ul Janazah was on October 6, 2014 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. May Allah accept his good deeds, forgive his shortcom-ings and enter him into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM)

10-07-2014 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Br. Numan Hussain's mother. Br. Nu-man has previously served as the ISB Council General Secretary. We ask Allah (SWT) to shower her with His mercy, compassion and forgive-ness, grant her the highest ranks in paradise and give her family support and patience during this difficult time. (Source: ISB)

10-10-2014 The Prince George's Muslim Association extends sincere condolences to the family of Broth-er Amijatta Jabbie. The Janazah Salat for Brother Amijatta Jabbie was on October 10, 2014 in Lan-ham, Maryland. May Allah SWT admit him to Jannatul Firdaus, and may HE grant the family patience and ease. (Source: PGMA)

10-11-2014 It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Sr. Hamida Wyne, mother of Br. Shafiq Wyne, Br. Fa-rooq Wyne, Br. Hamid Wyne, Sr. Maliha Syed, Sr. Nasreen Cassim, Sr. Frida Din and mother-in-law of Yazdani Syed. Janaza was on Octo-ber 11, 2014 in Ellicott City, Mary-land. We ask Allah (SWT) to show-er her with His mercy, compassion and forgiveness, and to grant her the highest ranks in paradise, and give her family support and pa-tience during these difficult times. (Source: Dar Al Taqwa)

10-12-2014 It is with great sadness and heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of community mem-ber Sister Fatima Asreb, mother of Br. Abdul Hamid, Samir, Nasseer, Rami, Sr. May, Ginane, & Souraya Zureick. Janaza was on October 12, 2014 in Ellicott City, Maryland. We ask Allah (SWT) to shower her with His mercy, compassion and for-giveness, and to grant her the high-est ranks in paradise, and give her family support and patience during these difficult times. (Source: Dar Al Taqwa)

10-13-2014 The Dar Al-Hijrah Board of Directors, Imam, Execu-tive Director, the staff of Dar Al-Hi-jrah and the Muslim community in Northern Virginia extend its deepest condolences Br. Ashraf Nubani, his father Wajdeh Rasheed Nubani, has passed away. May Allah (swt) enter him in the highest level of Jannah. (Source: Dar Al-Hijrah)

10-15-2014 Br. Mohammad Iqbal Zahri has passed away. Br. Iqbal who is one of our very active AD-AMS volunteer, members of the Ramadan volunteer team, is very helpful in packaging and distribut-ing the Qurbani meat last week dur-ing Eid Al Adha and always ready to help others. Janazah prayer was on October 16, 2014 in Sterling, Virginia. May Allah Subhana Wa Taala forgive all his sins, shower His mercy on him, grant him high-est level in Jannat-ul-Firdous; Give sabr to his family in this time of dif-ficulty, patience to bear this great loss to the family and to ADAMS as well - Ameen. (Source: E. Baig)

10-16-2014 Sr. Maria Javaid, pre-cious and dear sister of Bilal Javaid, has passed away. Janazah Prayer was on October 17, 2014 in Ster-ling, Virginia. May Allah (SWT) grant her Jannah, accept her in His Mercy & Love and grant Sabr to her family and friends. (Source: S.J.)

10-20-2014 Senada Pajazetovic, wife of Muhamed Pajazetovic and mother of Mustafa Pajazetovic, has passed away. Salaat ul Janazah was on October 21, 2014 in Gaithers-burg, Maryland. May Allah accept her good deeds, forgive her short-comings and enter her into Jannat ul Firdaus, Aameen. (Source: ICM)

10-20-2014 Our dear brother Ab-dulmalik Naser has passed away at age 29 due to a car accident. Brother Abdulmalik is survived by his par-ents, his 5 sisters, and 2 brothers. Salatul Janaza was on October 21, 2014 in Falls Church, Virginia. May Almighty Allah dwell him in Jan-natul Firdaus and may He give his family the strength and patience in this time of their loss. (Source: First Hijrah Foundation)

“Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and good, and to Us

you will be returned.” (Surah Al-Anbiya:35)”

....


--------------------------------------------------------------------------- NORTHERN VIRGINIA

---------------------------------------------------------------------------All Muslim Brothers Association

3900 king Street, alexandria, Va 22302

Tel: 703-647-0515Jumma Prayer only - 1:15 P.m

---------------------------------------------------------------------------IcnA VA center:

2913 woodlawn Trail, alexandria, Va 22306.

Tel: 703-660-1255---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Idara Dawat-o-irshad:4803 Valley St,

alexandria, Va 22312Tel: 703-256-8622 | ww.irshad.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mustafa center:6844 Braddock rd.,

annandale, Va 22003Tel: 703-658-7134

www.mustafacenter.orge-mail: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Baitul Mukarram:

2116 S nelson St., arlington, Va, 22204,

Tel: 703-778-1550---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zakaria Masjid26243 Gum Spring road,chantilly, Va 20152, uSa

Tel: 571-969-2123|www.ziacademy.orge-mail: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Badr community center Of Dumfries:

17794 Main Street, Dumfries, Va 22026

Tel: 703-554-7983 www.bccd.orge-mail: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar Ul-ghuraba (Masjid Ur Rahmah):

155 Baker St., emporia, Va 23487

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al Hijrah:

3159 rowe St., falls church, Va 22044,

Tel: 703-536-1030 | www.hijrah.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moroccan American community Organization center

5613 Lessaburg Pike,#1falls church,Va 22041

[email protected] | www.macous.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic center Of northernVA Trust (Icnvt):

4420 Shirley Gate road, fairfax, Va, 22030Tel: 703-591-0999

www.icnvt.org | e-mail: info@icnvt.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------Dar Al-noor (Muslim Assoc. Of VA):

5404 Hoadly rd., Manassas, Va 20112,

Tel: 703-580-0808fax: 703-221-8513www.daralnoor.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Manassas Mosque:

12950 center entrance ct, Manassas, Va

Tel: 703-257-5537---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic center Of Virginia:1241 Buford rd.,

richmond, Va 23235Tel: 804-320-7333www.icva1.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of Greater

Richmond (ISGR):6324 rigsby road,

richamond, Va 23226Tel: 804-673-4177 | www.isgr.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Al Rahman:1305 Hull St.,

richmond, Va 23224Tel: 804-232-7640

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjidullah Of Richmond:

211 north ave., richmond, Va 23222

Tel: 804-321-8864/804-647-4297---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dar-ul Huda:6666 commerce St.,

Springfield, VA 22150,Tel: 703-922-0111 | www.darulhuda.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Foundation of America:

6606 electronic Drive, Springfield, VA 22151

Tel: 703-914-4982---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid noor:8608 Pohick rd,

Springfield, VA 22153Tel: 703-451-7615

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Adams center:

46903 Sugarland rd, Sterling,Va 20164,Tel: 703-433-1325

www.adamscenter.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Heritage center (IHc):262 a-3 cedar Ln., Vienna, Va 22180Tel: 703-206-9056

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Falah

14918 Jefferson Davis Hwywoodbridge, Va 22191

Tel: 703-490-2220|[email protected]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- WASHINGTON D.C.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Ivy city Masjid:

2001 Galludet St. ne, washington, D.c. 20002

Tel: 202-904-9668e-mail: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Muhammad:

1519 4th St. nw, washington D.c. 20001

Tel: 202-483-8832www.masjidmuhammad.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------The Islamic center:

2551 Massachusetts avenue nw washington D.c. 20008

Tel: 202-332-8343www.theislamiccenter.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------First Hijra Muslim comm. center:

4324 Georgia ave, nw washington, D.c. 20011

www.firsthijrah.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Al-islam:4603 Benning rd.,

Se, washington, D.c. 20019e-mail: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------new Africa Islamic community center

of Washington. Dc.

1628 Good Hope road, Sewashington, Dc. 20020

202.678-1881 | www.naiccdc.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Muslim Society Of Washington, D.c.:Howard center, room 805

(above Hu Bookstore)Tel: 202-328-3236

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- MARYLAND

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- Islamic Society Of Annapolis (ISA):

2635 riva rd. Suite 110, annapolis, MD 21401

Tel: 410-266-6660www.isamd.org

email: info@islamannapolis.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------Bait-Allah Masjid of Baltimore Inc

200 S. calhoun StreetBaltimore, MD 21223

imam’s cell: 571-721-9938email: baitallahmasjid@yahoo.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bilal Dawah center, Inc:1910 frederick avenue, Baltimore, MD 21223

Tel: 410-945-1515---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dar ul Uloom:6334 Dogwoood rd, Baltimore, MD 21207,

Tel: 410-493-0785email: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Ul-haq:

514 islamic way (wilson St. ), Baltimore, MD 21217

Tel: 410-728-1363---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Al-mumineen:2642 Harford rd.,

Baltimore, MD 21218Tel: 410-467-8798

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Jamaat Al-Muslimeen:

4624 York rd., Baltimore, MD 21212

Tel: 443-438-7986---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Al-rahmah/ISB:6631 Johnnycake rd., Baltimore, MD 21244

Tel: 410-747-4869 | www.isb.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid As Saffat:1335 w. north ave., Baltimore, MD 21217

Tel: 410-669-0655---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Fatima1928 Powers Lane

catonsville MD, 21228Phone: 410 800 4880

email: [email protected]: www.masjidfatima.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------IRHScA (Islamic Research And Hum.

Services center Of America):1 chambers ave,

capitol Heights, MDTel: 301-324-5040

www.irhsca.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Society Of Southern Pg county (ISSPGc):

P o Box 99, clinton, MD 207355410 indian Head Hwy, oxon Hill, MD 20745Tel: 240 603 4618

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dar-us-Salaam:5301 edgewood rd.,

college Park, MD 20740,Tel: 301-982-9848

www.duscommunity.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Society Of Easton126 Port Street unit # 1

easton, MD 21601Tel: 410-829 7924

islamicsocietyofeastonmd.yolasite.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Zamzam1510 Lynch road,

Dundalk, MD 21222Tel: 410-284-2840

www.masjidzamzam.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dar al-Taqwa:10740 rte. 108,

ellicott city, MD 21042,Tel: 410-997-5711

www.taqwa.net---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maryum Islamic center (MIc)3280 Pine orchard Lane

Suite a ellicott city, MD 21042

Tel: 443-574-5188 www.maryumcenter.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-Hikmah:

11064 Livingston road unit L (101) ft. washington, MD 20744,

Tel: 301 292-9009---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Society Of Frederick (ISF):1250 key Parkway,

frederick, MD 21702Tel: 301-682-6090

www.isfmd.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic center Of Maryland (IcM):

19411 Woodfield Rd. Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Tel:301-840-9440www.icomd.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Makkah Learning center (MLc):

814 Brandy farms Ln., Gambrills, MD 21054

Tel: 410-721-5880www.isamd.org

email: info@mlcmd.org----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Society Of Germantown (ISG):19900 Brandermill rd.,

Germantown, MD 20876Tel: 240-277-7758 | www.isgtown.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah:8000 Mlk Highway,

Glenarden MDTel: 301-322-8105

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society of

Western Maryland:2036 Day rd.,

Hagerstown, MD 21740Tel: 301-797-0922

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Southern Maryland

Islamic center (SMIc):1046 Solomons island rd, Huntingtown, MD, 20639

Tel: 410-535-0000---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Avondale Islamic center:4637 eastern ave.,

Hyattsville, MD, 20782Tel: 301-779-9292

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Prince Georges Muslim Assoc.(PGMA):

9150 Lanham Severn rd., Lanham, MD, 20706,

Tel: 301-459-4942www.pgmamd.org

Imam’s Office: 301-459-1441e-mail: [email protected].

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Turkish American community center

9704 Good Luck rd, Lanham, MD 20706

Tel: 301-459-9589 | www.taccenter.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

La Plata Masjid:111 Howard Street,La Plata, MD 20646Tel: 301-609-8769

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic com. center Of Laurel (IccL):

7306 contee rd.,Laurel, MD 20707

Tel: 301-317-4584 | www.icclmd.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid Al-Ghurabaa:8220 washington St.,

South Laurel, MD 20724.Tel: 301-604-3295

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic center Of Lexington Park

22583 Three notch road, Lexington Park, MD 20619

Tel: 240-538-7839 or 561-414-0994 www.iclpmd.org

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic community center of Potomac

10601river road,Potomac MD 20854

www.iccpmd.com | 301-983-0383e-mail: [email protected]

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Randallstown Islamic center

9019 Marcella ave. randallstown, MD 21133

Tel: 410-971-4018www.ricbaltimore.org

e-mail: info@ricbaltimore.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------Islamic Society Of The Washington

Area (ISWA):2701 Briggs chaney rd., Silver Spring, MD 20904

Tel: 301-879-0930 | www.iswamd.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Islamic Education Society of Maryland11504 Veirs Mills rd,

Silver Spring, MD 20902Tel: 301- 933-3838

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Muslim community center (Mcc):

15200 new Hampshire ave. Silver Spring, MD 20905

Tel: 301-384-3454 | www.mccmd.org---------------------------------------------------------------------------IMAAM center (Indonesian Muslim

Association of America):9100 Georgia ave

Silver Spring, MD 20910Tel: 301-588-0693 | www.imaam.org

email: infoimaam@gmail.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Masjid An-nur:5418 ebenezer road,

white Marsh, MD 21162Tel: 410-663-9637fax: 410-663-9817

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Masjid Al-inshirah:

7832 fairbrook road, windsor Mill, MD 21244

Tel: 410-298-2977

MASJID LISTINGDo you have additions, changes, or corrections to the event listings in the Muslim Link? Email us at [email protected], or call us at 301-982-1020. Listing is organized by name of city.

....

| 31november 21st - December 18th, 2014

Editor-in-chief:Minhaj Hasan

Office Manager:Stephanie Benmoha

Layout:Fadlullah Firman

Staff Writers:Urooj FatimaYaman ShalabiFatimah WaseemHena Zuberi

Sharia Advisors:Sheikh Salah as-SawiImam Safi Khan

The Muslim Link (TML) is published once a month on Fridays and distributed throughout the Washington, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia Metropolitan Areas. TML is a non-profit publication and is based at Dar-us-Salaam in College Park, Maryland, USA. Staff and contributors are not necessarily affiliated with Dar-us-Salaam.

The views expressed in The Muslim Link do not necessarily reflect those of Dar-us-Salaam or TML management or their underwriters. Dar-us-Salaam and TML are not responsible for the accuracy of information presented by advertisers, or for the religious compliance of events, products, or services published in TML.

This publication contains the names of ALLAH (Subhanahu wa ta’ala). Please keep, recycle, or share it with others

The Muslim LinkPO Box 596College Park, MD 20741Phone : (301) 982-1020Fax: (240) [email protected]

Advertising:301-982-1020 or email us at [email protected]

The Muslim Link. All Rights Reserved 2014

ATTENTIoN INMATES: As much as we would like to, we are unable to honor requests for free subscriptions at this time. To sub-scribe, follow the instructions above.

SUBSCRIBE To THE MUSLIM LINK! To get the Muslim Link print edition in the mail, send $5 for shipping and handling per issue using check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, PO Box 596, College Park MD 20741. To make payments over the phone using a credit card, call the Muslim Link office at 301-982-1020.

Subscribe to the online version of the newspaper so you get it in your email inbox FREE each issue. To subscribe for free, go to muslimlinkpaper.com.

....


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• for businesses not currently in the paper, coupons are just $10 each issue, paid in advance.

• all coupons are one size (approximately half the size of an 1/8 page ad)and are text-only, no images.

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november 21st - December 18th, 201434 | Restaurant Section

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| 35november 21st - December 18th, 2014 Restaurant Section

CONVENIENT TO UMBC CAMPUSLast order taken 15

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| 39november 21st - December 18th, 2014 Restaurant SectionMarch 14th - April 3rd 2014 MP - ADVERTISEMENT | 53HALAL MENUS

Mandarin Restaurant

Chinese Halal Cuisine

6366 Commerce Street Springfield,VA 22150

Phone: 703-912-3118, 703-912-5855

We deliverand cater 10

0%Za

biha

Hala

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Zabiha

Halal

HoursSunday-Thursday 11am-10pm (Last Dine In: 9:30pm)Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm (Last Dine In: 10:30pm)

Lunch Buffet (except holiday) 11am-3:30pmMonday-Friday 7.95 plus tax

Website: www.mandarinchinesehalal.comEmail: [email protected]

CHEF’S SPECIALS

APPETIZERS

DAILY SOUP

CHICKEN

VEGETABLES

LUNCH SPECIAL $6.95

NEW ITEMS

FRIED RICE

LO MEIN (NOODLE)

SINGAPORE RICE NOODLE

SIZZLING PLATTERS

Hakka Crispy Chicken 14.25Hakka Crispy Beef 15.00Spicy Crispy Shrimp 12.95Sweet & Sour Combo 13.95(Chicken & Shrimp)Sesame Chicken 11.50General Tao’s Chicken 11.50General Tao’s Beef 12.95General Tao’s Combo 13.95(Chicken & Beef)Orange Chicken 11.50Orange Beef 12.95Orange Combo 13.95(Chicken & Beef)Sweet & Sour Fish 16.95Chili Fish 16.95Spicy Crispy Fish 16.95Manchurian Fish 16.95Hunan Fish 16.95Triple Delight 12.95(Chicken, Beef & Shrimp)Chicken in Chef’sSpecial Sauce 11.25

Spicy Fried Tofu (8) 5.50Shrimp Tempura (4) 5.25Crab Rangoon (6) 5.25French Fries 3.00

Chicken with Broccoli 10.50Chicken with Mixed Vegetables 10.50Hunan Chicken 10.50Chicken in Garlic Sauce 10.50Chicken in Cashew Nuts 10.95Mongolian Chicken 10.95Manchurian Chicken 10.95Chicken Chilli 10.95Kung Pao Chicken 10.95Szechuan Chicken 10.95Sweet & Sour Chicken 11.25

Sauteed Mix Vegetables 8.95Hunan Mixed Vegetables 8.95Eggplant in Garlic Sauce 8.95Szechuan String Beans 8.95Bean Curd w/ MixedVegetables 9.25

Monday - Friday 12pm - 3:30pmAll Lunch Specials Served with Vegetable of the DayWhite Rice or Egg Fried Rice or Plain Lo Mein

Beef with Mixed VegetablesChicken with Broccoli

Chicken ChillyGeneral Tao’s Chicken

Kung Tao’ ChickenManchurian Chicken

Pepper Steak with OnionsSauteed Mixed Vegetables

Shrimp in Garlic SauceSweet & Sour Chicken

Egg Drop Soup 5.00Wonton Soup 5.50Chicken Corn Soup 6.50Hot & Sour Soup 6.50Chicken Tom Yum Soup 6.50Shrimp Tom Yum Soup 7.50

Plain Lo Mein 7.00 7.25 8.00Vegetable Lo Mein 8.75 9.00 9.75Chicken Lo Mein 8.75 9.00 9.75Beef Lo Mein 9.50 9.75 10.50Shrimp Lo Mein 9.50 9.75 10.50Combo Lo Mein 10.00 10.25 11.00(Chicken, Beef & Shrimp)

Vegetarian Singapore10.00 10.25 11.00Chicken Singapore 10.00 10.25 11.00Chicken & Shrimp Singapore 10.00 10.25 11.00Beef Singapore 10.50 10.75 11.50Shrimp Singapore 10.50 10.75 11.50Combo Singapore 11.00 11.25 12.00

Beef, Chicken or Shrimp Teriyaki 10.95or CombinationPad Thai with Chicken and Shrimp 11.50Bean Thread Rice Noodle with 11.50Chicken and ShrimpFried Bananas with Ice Cream 4.95Gulab Jamun (2 pieces) 2.25

Reg. Spicy Manchria

Vegetable Fried Rice 8.00 8.25 9.00Chicken Fried Rice 8.00 8.25 9.00Beef Fried Rice 8.25 8.50 9.25Shrimp Fried Rice 8.25 8.50 9.25Combo Fried Rice 8.75 9.00 9.75(Chicken , Beef & Shrimp)Hakka Fried Rice 8.75 8.75 9.75(Chicken & Shrimp)

Fried Chicken Wings (8) 6.50Spicy Chicken Wings (8) 7.00General Tao’s Wings (8) 8.00Buffalo Style Wings (8) 8.00Spring Rolls (2) 3.00Spicy Chicken Pakor a 8.95Teriyaki Beef/Ch icken 5.50Fried Wontons (8) 4.25

Shrimp on Sizzling Platter 17.95Steak on Sizzling Platter 17.95Scallops on Sizzling Platter 17.95Sizzling Chicken 17.95Sizzling Fish 17.95

Served with White Rice

With curry or brown sauce



(Please No Substitutions)

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SaladsServed with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and yogurt sauce on the side...1. Chicken Salad $6.492. Beef Salad $7.493. Lamb Salad $8.494. Gyro/Falafel Salad $5.49

Drinks

1. Can Soda $ .992. Bottle Soda $1.49 3. Chai $l.504. Yogurt Drinks and Mango Laasi $2.495. Bottle Water.... $1.256. Bottle Juice...... $1.75

Appetizers1. Samosa $1.252. Samosa chat $2.493. Shami kabob $2.49

Kabob HouseAll Kabobs are cooked on charcoal and served with rice,tandoori naan (bread), salad, chutney (yogurt sauce) andone side of your choice (chickpeas, veget-ables or lentils).l. Chicken Kabob (Bone1css) $7.992. Lamb Kabob $9.993. Beef kabob* $8.494. Lamb Chops $12.995. Seekh Kabob $7.996. Chicken Kabob (Bone-In) $7.497. Reshmi Kabob $8.49

8. Chapli Kabob* $8.999. Combination Kabob $14.9910. Bihari Kabob* $8.99ll. Fish Kabob $9.99

Side Orders1. Naan(Bread) $1.00 & $1.252. Rice $1.993. Salad $2.494. Chutney (Yogurt Sauce) 8oz. $1.491 12oz. $1.995. Vegetable Curry 8oz. $2.49 / 12oz. $3.496. Meat Curry 8oz. $2.99! 12oz. $3.997. Grilled Tomatoes $2.99

Weekend Special 1. Nihari $7.99 2. Haleem $7.99

Sweets 1. Rice Pudding $2.992. Sweets(2pieces) $1.99Sweets(Mix) $5.99/Lbs

Buffet MenuMON-FRI (11AM-4PM) $7.99MON-FRI (4PM-10PM) $8.99Weekends $9.99

By Special Order1. Biryani(Chicken or Vegetable) $5.992. Chicken Karahi (For Two) $17.99 3- Lamb/Beef Karahi (For Two)$19-99

WrapsServed on freshly baked bread with cu-cumber sauce, lettuce,tomatoes, onions and cheese and yogurt sauce on the side...1. Gyro Wrap (Lamb and becf mix) $5.99 2. Falafel Wrap $5.493. Chicken Wrap $6.494. Ground Chicken Wrap $6.995. Beef Wrap $6.996. Ground Beef Wrap $7.49 7. Lamb Wrap $7.99

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NRC.com/1419 | 800.747.3342 x1419SEALED BID DEADLINE: DECEMBER 11

12 Convenience Stores with Gas

1 Convenience Store with Subway Franchise2 Former Convenience Stores 1 Vacant Lot

Sold with fuel supply. Sold without convenience store brand.

Buildings from: 500 to 5,600 sf

Sites from: 8,200 sf to 2.4 ac

Sale is conducted in conjunction with the following state-licensed brokers: CT - Auction Advisors, LLC, Lic #REB.0758959, DE - Continental Real Estate Group, Inc., Lic #RB-0003013, MD - Continental Real Estate Group, Inc., Lic #611425, NJ - NRC Realty Advisors of New Jersey, LLC, Lic #0897521, VA - NRC Realty & Capital Advisors of VA, LLC, Derek Eisenberg, Lic #0225100252.

Seller Financing Available!2% Broker Co-OpTo Qualified Bidders On Leased Sites OnlyFee Sites Only

2 Connecticut South Windsor Vernon

3 Delaware Harrington Millsboro Newark

2 Maryland Aberdeen Elkton

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| 61november 21st - December 18th, 2014 CLASSIfIEDS

Place a personal classified ad. Call us at 301-982-1020. [email protected] invite you to place a personal classified on the web FREE of charge at www.muslimlinkpaper.com. Classifieds in the print edition of the Muslim Link newspaper are only $1 for every 3 words. All classifieds run for a single monthly issue in the Marketplace section. Get started by emailing your exact text to [email protected] and then call in your credit card payment to 301-982-1020 or send a check or money order payable to: The Muslim Link, PO Box 596, College Park MD 20741.

MIScELLAnEOUSBUSINESS PARTNER WANTEDNeed a business partner to start a sew-ing/tailoring business. Call 240-912-5954.

SERVIcESHoME SERVICESContractor, Need Home Improvement work done? Interior/ Exterior Estima-tions. Contact Bro. Allen Scott at 443 538 7643 or [email protected] ------------------------------------------------

SELL YOUR HOUSE TODAY!Credit of $5000-$8000 towards

your purchase of new home!

Call today for Free Buyers Guide!

Call 301-503-9262 NOW!

Nancy Afifi Realtor/Architectural designerColdwell Banker | Maryland Green Architects

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For Buyers: Get the right home for you while saving thousands in fees for a deal that works in your favor.

For Sellers: I sell your home in 59 days or I sell it for “Free”Introduction to Software Testing & QAStarts November 15 (Saturdays 9am-5pm for 5 weeks) This course is designed for people with limited IT background. It is focused on getting you ready for an entry level job in software testing and preparing for the Certified Tester Foundation Level certification offered by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (istqb.org). Course is 40 Hours. Fee: $399

Information Security Starts December 20 till December 28This course provides the fundamental knowledge on information security, security risks to an Organization and security framework, program and policies that protects information assets from potential intrusion, damage or theft. Students will learn which countermeasures to deploy to thwart potential attacks. This course will also prepare students for CompTIA’s Security+ Exam. Instructor: Tahir Ismail, CISSP, CISA, CRISC Fee: $399, Early bird tuition fee: $350 (By November 25, 2014)

Oracle Database: Program with PL/SQLStarts January 4 (every Sunday for 5 weeks)This course starts with an introduction to PL/SQL and proceeds to list the benefits of this powerful program-ming language. Participants are made aware of how to create PL/SQL blocks of application code that can be shared by multiple forms, reports, and data management applications. In addition, creation of anonymous PL/SQL blocks as well as stored procedures and functions are covered in this course. Learn from Oracle Certified professional with 19 years of experience in software development using Oracle products. Required Prerequi-sites: Oracle Database: SQL, Laptop with Oracle 10g/11g Express and SQL Developer installed. Fee: $399, Early bird tuition fee: $350 (By November 25, 2014) Frequency: 12PM-8PM (40 Hours).

For detail information and registration, please visit/contact www.mcleanmuslims.org or www.razsys-tem.com, email [email protected] or [email protected] Tel, 571-241-0073

INFORMATIONTECHNOLOGYTRAINING

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the muslim link - november 21, 2014

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