The Muslim Link, December 25, 2015

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ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

New Women's Shelter Set to Open in NoVA | pg 14

Dar Al-Hijrah Hires Full-TimeStaff for Gov Outreach | pg 6

Muslim NFL Player Stands Up to Trump's Hate Speech | pg 23

Kabir Wins Re-Election toCollege Park City Council | pg 5

Running for the Hills: Snowed On, Snowed In | pg 22

Kenyan Muslims Shield ChristiansIn Mandera Bus Attack | pg 24

VA Gov Supports Muslims at Annual Health Fair | pg 8

Hate Incidents Increase, Mus-lims Meet w/Officials | pg 10

December 25th - January 21st 2016 MD, VA, and DC Metropolitan Area Monthly Newspaper | FREE

'Take Your Souls to the Polls''One America' Campaign to Register1 Million Muslim Voters for 2016 Election

By Hena ZuberiMuslim Link Staff Reporter

A masjid was firebombed in California, and others vandalized in Arizona and Texas. Police in Richmond, Virginia stop a terror plot against Muslims. On Friday, December 16, 2015, the entire school district in Virginia's Augusta County was shut down because of

Muharram| Safar | 14 RABI AL-AWAAL 1437 |Rabi Al-Thani | Jumada Al-Awwal| Jumada Al-Akhir|Rajab|Shaban| Ramadan | Shawwal | Thul-Qedah | Thul-Hijjah

MoCo County Executive Convenes Meeting of County's Politicians, Police, and Muslim LeadersBy Hena ZuberiMuslim Link Staff Reporter

Your safety is our concern.

This was the message to the Muslim community from Montgomery County Council President Dr Nancy Floreen at a December 16, 2015 meeting with county officials and leaders of the Muslim community.

Police chiefs from every station in Montgomery County were in attendance, as well as Imams from ten masajid in the county. There have been at least close to 50 violent attacks, threats, assaults, protests, and instances of vandalism against Muslims in America since the Paris attacks, including plots to bomb M u s l i m s i n N o r t h e r n California and Virginia.

Dr Floreen was adamant in her support of the Muslim community and assured them that they were a priority. She ca l l ed the recen t rhetoric against Muslims by politicians on national stage a demonic attack on American liberty. Imam Faizul Khan hosted the urgent meeting initiated by the County executive

Isaiah Leggett at the Islamic Society of Washington Area in Silver Spring, Md. because of violence in the world today, Islamophobia and its impact on our children. I share your outrage, stated Imam Faizul Khan in response to the statements made by elected officials.

>> POLLS Pg 18

>> MEETING Pg 17

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22 Health & Family

| 5December 25th - January 21st 2015 COMMUNITY NEWS

Muslim Chaplain Inaugurates New College Park City Council TermBy Muslim Link Staff

College Park made history on December 7, 2015 with an Imam leading the invocation for the 2015-2017 City Council inauguration ceremony and induction of the new mayor, Patrick Wojahn, at a packed City Hall.

Imam Tarif Shraim is the chaplain at the University of Maryland College Park. He has been in this position since 2005 after Chaplain Ali Darwishs term ended. A decade of service to the UMD community has had challenges as well as constant inspiration and hope, which originally drew Shraim into this position. Guiding the MSA students through the controversies most recently over the American Sniper movie screening is full time work. Unlike other campuses, the chaplain at the University of Maryland works as a volunteer. Shraim works full-time job as a director in a software

c o m p a n y to support his family. If it were up to me , chaplaincy w o u l d b e m y j o b , he told the Muslim Link in an earlier interview.

It was only the right choice to have Shraim lead the prayer over the council meeting of city with a vibrant Muslim community. In light of recent events, I thought it was important to invite someone of the Muslim faith to participate, newly elected Mayor Patrick Wojahn said. Its indicative of the diversity and inclusiveness of our community.

In May last year, a very sharply divided

US Supreme Court approved a small towns practice of inviting faith leaders to provide opening prayers prior to beginning a town meeting. The majority ruled that opening local government meetings with sectarian prayers doesn't violate the Establishment Clause as long as no religion is advanced or disparaged, and residents aren't coerced.

I am not sure if leaders from different groups of faith and denominations were invited to lead past invocations. Perhaps they were invited, but they couldn't make it. Given the diverse nature of the residents living in our city, it only makes sense to invite them all. It shouldn't be controversial at all, commented District 1 City Councilman Fazlul Kabir.

Imam Shraims words were humbling and uplifting in a time where American Muslims are struggling with prejudice and hate speech from the national stage.

Indeed we all come from many places, backgrounds, ethnicity, and by many paths. Yet tonight we all come here inspired by a singular mission. To struggle for the well being of all those who inhabit this beloved city we call home. [May our leaders] be empowered to bear their responsibility of leadership with utmost integrity, courage, and humility. May we always see in them dedication to service and may they always see in us willingness to give them support. May they be inspired with courage, wisdom and compassion that they may stand in solidarity with the needy and the poor, defeat prejudice, and unify our city.

In April and July, a Muslim led the Prince Georges County Council meetings opening prayer. Prince Georges County

Kabir Wins Re-Election to College Park City CouncilBy Muslim Link Staff

Councilman Dr Fazlul Kabir won in his third run for College Park city councilman at the November 3, 2015 elections. Earning 722 votes, he won the most votes among all 16 council candidates across the citys four districts. The soft-spoken father of two young men is an adjunct Professor at University of Maryland and will represent College Parks District 1 for another two years.

Dr Kabir and his wife are of Bangladeshi roots. Kabir completed his PhD in Electrical Engineering from England. The family spent time in Toronto, Canada where their boys Arif and Sameer were born. Kabir was assigned to a job site in Toronto for a research job. They immigrated to the United States in 1998 to move closer to family in Arlington, VA.

The older son, Arif, would ride the bus to C o l l e g e P a r k everyday t o c o m e to the Dar-us-Salam H i f d h S c h o o l .

The two-hour daily commute was hard on the young student. In 2003, the Kabirs decided to make the city of College Park their home.

The houses were affordable and the college town was a good place to raise a young family. Now their daughter-in-law and son have also made College Park their home.

I am not a seasoned politician, I never thought [about running] ten years ago, shares Kabir. He was one of five candidates running in District 1 in 2009, and lost the seat by 81 votes. In 2011, he won the city council seat by two votes. This year his signs were on every other lawn in District 1 and he knocked on over 2500 doors in his 5000 home district. His hyper local daily blog, KabirCares.org, is filled with testimonials from District 1 neighbors whose trust he has earned with years of responsive communication and by faithfully representing their views and North College Park.

District 1 is mostly a residential neighborhood district and the residents dont want huge developments that dont serve them, says Kabir. He will be focusing on bringing more amenities to his

district such as a new community center in North College Park, and more services for seniors and youth. He plans on working with the Sate Highway Authority to build ADA compliant wide sidewalks on both sides of Route 1 in North College Park. The bike icons painted on Edgewood Road are part of Kabirs campaign promise to bring the Bike Share program to North College Park.

Kabir was instrumental in starting the resident run Farmers Market held on Saturdays in the REI shopping center parking lot.

He did face some difficulty in convincing the council, as there is a Farmers Market already in place in downtown College

>> KABIR Pg 18

>> CHAPLIN Pg 19

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Community News

December 25th - January 21st 20156 | COMMUNITY NEWS

Meet Faiza Deen, Dar Al-Hijrah's New Outreach CoordinatorBy Hena Zuberi Muslim Link Staff Reporter

Fazia Deen has worked with uninsured and low income refugees for most of her professional life as an immigration lawyer. That experience will come in handy as the new Outreach Coordinator at Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center in Falls Church, Virginia, where she will be assisting Imam Johari Abdul Malik. Colin Christopher will join the team as the Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs.

Originally from Guyana, Fazia practiced law for 11 years in Indiana after receiving her J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

She dealt with divorce, amicable separation and custody cases and difficult immigration cases that other lawyers would not take on. In addition to her

experience in legal matters, advocacy and interfaith communities, Fazia also has experience managing an urgent health clinic.

A group of elders stands at her office door in the womens section, offering her cake and introducing her to young mothers who need employment as she cautiously take her first steps in being the community liaison and public advocate. She will be the liaison between the Sisters Affairs and the Executive Directors office and write press releases. Seniors are a segment of the congregation at Dar Al-Hijrah that needs advocacy. Fazia plans to make deeper relations with the AARP and implement Imam Joharis plans for eldercare.

Exuberant and full of energy, she handles the elders with jokes and pleas to teach

>> FAIZA Pg 19

Dar Al-Hijrah Hires Full-Time Staff for Government OutreachBy Hena ZuberiMuslim Link Staff Reporter

Joining the Dar Al Hijrah Outreach team is new Deputy Director of Government Affairs Colin Christopher. He brings over a decade of experience working in politics and media. He worked on presidential campaigns and in in terna t ional development in India. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Colin Christopher spent the last three years working in Muslim and Catholic faith-based environmental advocacy organizations and economic justice-related issues. You may find him at the Indonesian Muslim Association in America (IMAAM) Center in Silver Spring, Maryland where he lives with Bengladeshi-American wife. It is a wonderful community, says Colin of his local masjid. He will work from Dar

Al-Hijrah but spend most of his time on Capitol Hill and at state and county government offices in Virginia. Colin's experience with Nuns in the Bus, a program that challenged immigration and health care, makes him ready to get involved in faith-based social justice and efforts in support of those who are most vulnerable. Working with Imam Johari Abdul Malik and Fazia Deen, he will expand the work Dar Al-Hirajh does in social justice advocacy and bringing change in economic policy.

Colin will work with the community on civic engagement and the voting process, as well as environmental work at the masjid. Colin is also the President of Green Muslims, an organization which urges Muslims and masajid to be more

>> OUTREACH Pg 20

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VA Governor Expresses Support for Muslims at Annual Health FairBy Saman QureishiMuslim Link Contributing Writer

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe and prominent elected officials attended the ADAMS Compassionate Healthcare Network (ACHN) annual health fair on Saturday December 12, 2015. The health fair offered uninsured and low-income residents free preventive screenings, flu shots and educational seminars.

Gov. McAul i ffe recognized the contribution and importance of ACHN in the community. He thanked the doctors, health professionals, volunteers and key ACHN donor Muslim Lakhani. Given the current political climate Gov. McAuliffe also spoke about his support for the Muslim community.

Im here for two reasons. Number one Id like to commend you and congratulate you for all your healthcare initiatives

that you are doing here and second as Governor I want everyone in the Muslim community to understand that we love you and you are an integral part of the community, said McAuliffe.

He added that he was embarrassed for the painful and disgraceful language that is being used by politicians and college educators.

Our great fathers of this country George Washington and Thomas Jefferson they built what we have today and we will not let small minded and intolerant politicians tear down what has made us the greatest nation on earth, said McAuliffe.

Dr. Mohammad Yahya Alvi, chairman of the ACHN board and the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) director of

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Interfaith Meeting against Islamophobia Held at Maryum Islamic CenterOn Saturday December 5, 2015, Maryum Islamic Center in Ellicott City, Maryland, hosted a PATH (People Acting Together in Howard County) meeting wherein clergy and members of eight Howard County churches and synagogues joined with their Muslim neighbors to show solidarity and promote interfaith relations.

PATH organizers and clergy initiated this interfaith solidarity event to directly confront growing Islamophobia and prejudicial behavior against the local Muslim community.

Maryum Islamic Center s imam, Mahmoud Abdel-Hady and other clergy members spoke at the event, sharing common religious tenets on unity. This exciting event marked the first of a planned ongoing series of interfaith

activities and solidarity events between PATH, Maryum Islamic Center, and surrounding churches, synagogues, and faith communities.

About 125 people attended the event, far exceeding Maryum Islamic Centers expectations.

The Muslims in attendance greatly appreciated the support and participation of the PATH community. This event garnered the attention of local media, with the Baltimore Sun and three local television stations covering the event and interviewing clergy members. The next activity for PATH will take place on January 23, 2016. InshaAllah, Maryum Islamic Center looks forward to future interfaith and solidarity interaction. [Source: Maryum Islamic Center]

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As Local Hate Incidents Increase, Muslims Meet with Elected Officials, Police Over Safety Concerns


Naima*, a research assistant at the University of Maryland and a mother of five of wear the niqab, was walking her youngest to school in College Park. The two were verbally assaulted by an angry white,tall and heavily built neighbor walking his large, black dog. Terrified, they felt intimidated by the barking dog

and hateful words coming from him. I didnt know if he would let his dog loose on us, she said, still shaken from the experience. The man she and her God were responsible for the San Bernardino shootings.

Her supervisors at UMD urged her to report the encounter to the police. Reporting is vital as a record must be maintain just in case there was another

confrontation. After waiting the entire work day, the police did not come to take her statement. She kept calling until finally someone took her statement over the phone. There is freedom of speech, said the officer who took her report.

Nightmares about a dog attack have

>> SAFETY Pg 20

A hate crime is a crime against a person or group that is motivated by the victims racial, religious, ethnic or gender group. For a criminal act to be a hate crime, it must meet any of the following criteria: During the crime, racial, religious or ethnic statements are made Hate group symbols are displayed Motivation for the crime is to intimidate, harm or injure a particular group or organization The victim perceives it to be a hate crime

In all cases:

1. Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency or human rights agency. Even if you do not have any information on the suspects or there is no physical injury or

>> HATE Pg 20

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The Alim Foundation (alim.org,) a Hyattsville, Maryland based online Islamic education organization, is urgently seeking marketing and office support interns or part-time employees. Local candidates will be preferred.

Compensation will be commensurate with education, knowledge, and skills. To apply: Send your updated resume at [email protected]

Alim.org is hiring interns or part-time employees.

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An Open Letter and Request to the American Muslim Community from an American Imam.As Salaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you):

I am Imam Hassan A. Amin. I am the Imam at a very prestigious American university and executive director of one the leading Muslim social services organizations in America. On almost a daily basis many American Muslims are under attack from some of their fellow Americans. We are also defended by many of our fellow Americans and to them we thank you for being humane to your fellow humans. But, regarding the former group of attackers upon Muslims for just being Muslims it is our hope and prayer that this type of unprovoked behavior discontinues. In order to open a better understanding and dialogue of who Muslims are and what we care about, April 9, 2016, will be designated as, Muslim National Day of Giving and Dua. On this day participating Muslim communities all over America will come together for two reasons: 1. To freely share a variety of supplies with the less fortunate in their areas. 2. To pray in general for others in the world, but pray primarily for what is best for the people living in their areas.For example, in a particular city, Muslim organizations would gather in one area and set up tables, moon bounces, food, face painting, etc. and give away food and other items to the less fortunate in that city attending the free event. This event will be open to the general public and non-Muslims will be able to ask

questions about Islam and have their questions answered in a non-threatening environment by knowledgeable Muslims. Everyone will be able to enjoy the free festivities of the day, insha Allah.

On the authority of Abu al-Abbas Abdullah ibn who said: One day he was riding behind Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) who said, "Young man, if you are mindful of Allah He will be mindful of you, and if you are mindful of Allah you will find Him before you. When you ask for anything ask it from Allah, and if you seek help seek help Allah. Know that if the people were to unite to do you some benefit they could benefit you only with what Allah had recorded for you, and that if they were to unite to do you some injury they could injure you only with what Allah had recorded for you. The pens are withdrawn and the pages are dry."

This hadith teaches us a lot of great lessons such as when we want or need something ask of Allah; no matter who goes against us, Allah is our protector and no harm will come to us unless Allah wants it to come.

Using the above hadith as our guide, the second portion of the days event would be that at a designated time the event coordinator would stop all activities and make dua (supplication/prayer) for others, but must make dua that is city focused or area focused. Each group will pray for better understanding, respect, peace and the unique needs for the people in their respective area or city, insha Allah. Then the events activities would continue, insha Allah.

We have to start building bridges and

closing the gaps between American Muslims and our fellow non-Muslim Americans. The April 9, 2016 Muslim National Day of Giving and Dua event may be what America needs in order to help foster respect, peace and better understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.

I also invite Muslims from around the world to have similar events in their countries. Then, April 9, 2016, will be automatically changed to, Muslim International Day of Giving and Dua. Finally, I would love for the almost two billion Muslims worldwide to remember and put into practice the following words from Allah found in Chapter 3 Verses 102-103, O you who believe! Have Taqwa of Allah as is His due, and die not except as (true) Muslims. 103. And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah, and be not divided among yourselves

For further details and to find out how you can participate, donate or become an event coordinator, please email me at [email protected]. Please share my above words and may Allah grant us all the best of this world and the best of the next, ameen.

Peace.

Imam Hassan A. AminBaltimore, Maryland

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It is of our professional assessment that she needs and requires to be in a faith-based Islamic shelter, read a recent letter shared by a referral agency.

H. A., 34-year-old human trafficking asylum seeker is a victim of trauma. She speaks very little English. Working with the Program for Survivors of Torture and Severe Trauma (PSTT) since July 2015, she is trying to rebuild her life. She also experienced discrimination for her faith while at the shelter. For example, her roommate forbid her to pray in their shared room. [She] was asked to leave [after] an argument with her roommate around her practicing her Islam.

There is a need for more domestic violence shelters in the Muslim community and the Islamic Circle of North Americas domestic relief agency is close to opening a center near the Nations capitol. We are delighted to announce that our vision of a women's shelter is only a step

away from becoming reality and will be opening in the near future, shared Tahani Jabarin.

ICNA Relief was able to purchase the property for the women's shelter, which will serve Muslim women in the Greater Washington DC metropolitan area. Recent fundraisers were held on December 5 and 20, 2015 for minor property fixes, commercial furniture, and one-year operation costs.

We are well-acquainted with the common concern of women's debilitation through such issues as becoming widowed, escaping a hostile household, or more simply, job termination, Dar Al-Hijrah shared in a recent statement.

Dar Al-Hijrah and ICNA Relief established a long-term plan in 2014 to build a transitory establishment close to the Falls Church, VA masjid, set-up especially to shelter Muslim women while they pursue self-sufficiency and independence.

Reflecting that homelessness among Muslim women is a nationwide issue, ICNA Relief already operates women's

shelters in the following cities: Anaheim, CA; Atlanta, GA; Baton Rouge, LA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI; Houston, TX; Jamaica, NY; Kansas City, MO; West Palm Beach, FL; Orlando, FL; and Phoenix, AZ.

The two organizations have taken the first step towards a solution for homelessness in the Muslim community. They say that now the community needs to step up efforts to make this a success.

Donations can be made at icnarelief.org .

New Women's Shelter Set to Open in NoVA

Above, the home in Northern Virginia which will serve as an ICNA Relief Women's Shelter in shaa Allah. ICNA Relief operates women's shelters in about a dozen cities across the United States. Most of the shelters are normal family dwelling units which are converted so multiple women -- some with children -- can live temporarily while they try to better their situations. Photo courtesy of ICNA Relief.

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MD Man Accused of Receiving $9K from ISIS to Carry Out Attack on American Soil

By Adam GoldmanThe Washington Post, December 14, 2015

The FBI said Monday that it has arrested a Maryland man who received thousands of dollars from Islamic State terrorists to carry out an attack on U.S. soil.

Mohamed Yousef Elshinawy, 30, of Edgewood was taken into custody Friday afternoon at his home. He was charged with providing material support to the Islamic State, lying to the FBI about money transfers and concealing evidence, according to a criminal complaint.

The complaint outlined Elshinawys stream of communications with Islamic State operatives who sent him nearly $9,000.

Elshinawy told the FBI that one of the militants said the money was to be used for operational purposesand cited the May attack on the prophet Muhammad cartoon contest in Garland, Tex., as the kind of target he should contemplate, according to court documents.

The FBI said Elshinawy earlier this year pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, and wanted to die as a martyr.

Elshinawy told the FBI that he never intended to carry out an attack and was simply going to take the money from those thieves. He suggested to the FBI that he should work for them to identify the Islamic States money network, according

to the complaint.

The FBI said he used the money to buy phones, calling cards and a laptop computer. The FBI wasnt able to account for all the money, some of which went toward personal expenses.

Elshinawy used social media, multiple email accounts and pay as you go phones to communicate with Islamic State operatives, the FBI said.

The bureau first learned about Elshinawys connections to the Islamic State in June after it became aware of payments to him that originated overseas.

Elshinawy, who remains in custody, appeared Monday in federal court in Baltimore. Federal public defender Joseph A. Balter said, We consider this to be a very early stage in the proceedings. We hope the public reserves judgment.

Elshinawy is one of dozens of people who have been arrested in the past year in connection with the Islamic State as the FBI has sharply ramped up efforts to blunt the threat from the militant group. Unlike many other FBI arrests that have relied on much-criticized stings, court documents indicate that the bureau disrupted a possible terrorist attack.

Elshinawys arrest comes on the heels of the deadliest terrorist attack since Sept. 11, 2001, in which a husband and wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif.

The couple, who were killed in a shootout with police, pledged allegiance to the Islamic State just before the attack.

Authorities also announced Monday that Hasan Rasheed Edmonds, 23, a former Illinois National Guard soldier, had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to provide and attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State.


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By Muslim Link Staff

The story of the Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) leaving his family in the barren desert valley of Makkah is well known among Muslims. Every Eid Al-Adha the story of his obedience to Allah's command, his prayers for his family and for the Muslim ummah, and Allah's answer to his supplication is repeated from minbar to minbar.

But there is another story in his story, and it's her story. Hajar, the wife of Ibrahim (Allah be pleased with them both), was left alone with an infant son. Her food and water quickly ran out, and there was no sign of life for miles around. Her story is one of hope a hope in Allah for safety, security, and the comfort of community.

Hajar's Hope Women's Center, a shelter for homeless Muslim women in Baltimore, opened in 2007 as the answer to the prayers of countless Muslim women living in their cars, in shelters unfriendly to their modest way of life, or barely existing under the roof of an abusive husband.

On December 12, 2015, over 100 community members gathered at the Islamic Society of Baltimore to take Hajar's Hope up and over yet another hilltop acquiring a new shelter for the eight women who currently stay there, in a rundown house with water problems, mice, and one bathroom.

The new location is a single family home with three-and-a-half bathrooms. Hajar's Hope, formerly called Al-Mumtahinah Home (not to be confused with another unaffiliated Baltimore shelter called Women Affairs of Al-Mumtahinah Home, Inc.), needs $110,000 to purchase the home, and an additional $40,000 for renovations. The fundraising banquet helped raise over $84,000 towards the new shelter project.

Co-founder Nasrin Rahman started the shelter with Baqiyyah Adam in 2007, using a donated apartment to temporarily house homeless Muslim women. Without Allah, we cannot do anything. This [project] only started because Allah wanted it to start. May we have more opportunities to help our sisters, Rahman told the crowd.

ISB President Muhammad Jameel encouraged the community to support the project and highlighted the sincerity and sacrifice of the women who manage Hajar's Hope. He recalled an incident last winter on a day when there was snow on the ground and an elderly lady walked onto the ISB from Route 40. She was wearing open sandals and said she needed shoes. A sister who is on the board of Hajar's Hope was present took off her own shoes and gave them to the elderly lady. Jameel announced the $5,000 donation to Hajar's Hope on behalf of the Sheikh Saied Jamila and Sons Trust. Hajar's Hope

is not affiliated with the ISB.

The Council on American Islamic Relation's Maryland Outreach Coordinator Zainab Chaudry also addressed the gathering, recounting phone calls she received from female reverts to Islam, especially since the Paris attacks. She said a few days prior to the fundraising banquet she received a distraught call from a college student in Maryland who had been Muslim for just six months. After the Paris attacks, her Evangelical Christian father gave her an ultimatum, saying either leave Islam or leave the home. Her father said he did not want a follower of Satan under his roof. A full-time student at the University of Maryland, the sister had no income and nowhere to turn, so she stopped praying at her father's house.

Chaudry said the most Muslim women who fall into homelessness are victims of domestic violence, reverts who are ostracized, women whose husbands passed away, and women who don't speak English and who have no family support structure. This is especially unacceptable

knowing that our beautiful religion of Islam elevates Muslim women, said Chaudry.

After Chadry's address, seven women and two men performed a powerful play written by shelter director Nasrin Rahman. The play juxtaposed the way abused Muslim women are often treated by the Muslim community with blame, scorn, or indifference , with the way Islam intends for them to be treated with compassion, empathy, and responsiveness.

Annapolis Imam Mikaeel Smith, the

second guest speaker for the evening, made a very personal and passionate plea to stop blaming Muslim women who fall into homelessness, and instead rise up and give them security.

Islam began as [something] rejected. All the wet nurses rejected the Prophet Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam except one woman who brought him under her wing, and she instantly saw a change in her situation, said Imam Mikaeel. He also reminded the audience about a hadith in which the Prophet Sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam said the person who takes care of an orphan will be very close to him on the Day of Judgement. Imam Mikaeel said his mother was abused by a man she was with before she met Imam Mikaeel's father. She told the young Mikaeel stories of hands on her eyes and he would wonder where are the people who would protect these women? With fatherless families very common, there are many stresses on women today, said Imam Mikaeel. She has to be a mother, a father, a guidance counselor, a friend, a math teacher what are we asking from these women? he said.

Build a place of security and a place of growth. You're building it for your daughter or your sister who might be in that situation ten years from now, said Imam Mikaeel.

Imam Rafiq Mahdi from the Muslim community of Knoxville, Tennessee conducted the fundraising. To donate visit hajarshope.org

Chaudry received a distraught call from a college student in Maryland who had been Muslim for just six months. After the Paris attacks, her Evangelical Christian father gave her an ultimatum, saying either leave Islam or leave the home.

Baltimore Shelter is Hope for Homeless Muslim Women

Above, the dwelling Hajar's Home is trying to purchase is in need of about $40,000 in renovations. The current dwelling being used has water problems, mice, and only one bathroom for eight residents. Photo courtesy of Hajar's Hope.

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Never should one be disparaged, profiled, or have their rights infringed upon because of their religious beliefs, he added. He referred to the many people in his congregation who have escaped repressive regimes to find safety in the United States. He expressed deep disappointment and disgust at the call for a ban on Muslims coming to the United States and the motions across the country to refuse Syrian refugees from settling in the country. May our country be a beacon of hope and not fear, he said.

Rev. Mansfield Kaseman, Interfaith Liaison with the County's Office of Community Partnerships, moderated the session and shared letters of support from other faith communities.

The Police Chief of Montgomery County, J. Thomas Manger, spoke at the session and introduced all the division chiefs to the community leaders.

They are here to know what the community is concerned about, he said. We are here to protect everyone in the community please spread the word that if anyone is the victim or a crime, or are concerned about their safety, they should contact the police.

The former mayor of Gaithersburg, Councilman Sydney Katz, called the Muslim community his family. The councilman from Takoma Park informed the audience that Takoma Park City Council also reaffirmed the City of Takoma Parks status as a sanctuary city and its commitment to remain a place

of support for refugees from around the world. We are all in this together, he said.

Member-at-large George Leventhal, said that Muslims are welcome and safe in the county.

The Montgomery County Council has also sent the Governor a letter disagreeing with his statement on refugees. Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett reminded the attendees that all nine County Council members told the federal government they will welcome Syrian refugees into the county and that they were disheartened that many governors have expressed opposition to having Syrian refugees make new homes in their states. He read statements of support from Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Sen Ben Cardin and from Sen Barbara Maluski. Sen Mikulskis representative was a part of the session.

The council also heard from Muslim community leaders. Many expressed

satisfaction with the treatment of Muslims by County Officials. Others brought up some key issues facing Muslim residents, including safety during Friday prayers, hate incidents and fear of police preventing Muslims from reporting hate crimes.

The police chiefs said that the public should not be afraid of reporting hate crime as the police would not ask questions about immigration status, deportation, etc.

My wife wears hijab and she was verbally assaulted as she was driving,

shared a community leader. He asked the council if data was collected on the hate incidents. He also shared that his wife was stopped by a police officer and was questioned whether she was carrying any weapons and wondered whether this was normal for traffic stops. He also asked what the county was doing to educate people about their rights.

Lawyers and activists were taken back to hear about the lack of knowledge the Muslim community has about their rights. Without the key factor of probable cause that a traffic violation has occurred, police to stop a vehicle is an invalid exercise of police authority and clearly falls into the area of an unlawful detention. According to the Supreme Court rulings, to question pedestrians or drivers during traffic-related stops, police must have a good, specific reason that leads them to believe they might pose a danger, so it is not normal for police to ask if you are carrying a weapon if they stop you for speeding.

Mona Negm, who sits on the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission, shared suggestions such as the need for cultural sensitivity training for the school system, police, and judges and mental health resources. There is a lot of misinformation on Islam and our community is feeling marginalized, she said. She suggested imams could develop a joint statement on Islam for the county. Sameera Hussein suggested more diversity education of schoolteachers. The President of the Human Rights Commission informed the leaders that there is an executive at MCPCS whose job it is to respond to parental concerns about bullying and hate incidents.

ISWA President Zamal Housein was

pragmatic about bigotry and that Muslim communities need to learn how to deal with it. He noted the strained relationship with the police department but urged community leaders to come up to the challenge and let government officials and police force know what is happening in their communities.

Another topic that was brought up was the pressure that Muslim communities feel when asked to spy on their own community and report suspicious activity. Muslim communities have been crucial in helping law enforcement find terror suspects in the United States but youth and imams feel the intense pressure to police their own unlike members of any other group of people.

We cannot ask our Muslim community to be super heroes and do more than what every other citizen is doing to make the country safe, said County Executive Leggett.

He that what he found disturbing was that 43 percent of people have bought into the hate. My task is that in Montgomery County that we reduce or eliminate that number all together, he said.

After the discussions it was revealed that many do not know the definition of a hate crime and the community needs to be educated. One of the police chiefs also could not define a hate crime according to Maryland law.

The imams of the masajid did not contribute much to the conversation, giving others space to speak.

The council planned a more public expression of solidarity in the coming days.

Lawyers and activists were taken back to hear about

the lack of knowledge the Muslim community has about their rights.

We cannot ask our Muslim community

to be super heroes and do more than what every other citizen is doing to make the country safe, said County Executive Leggett.

MEETING >> continued from pg 1

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Park. Any time you come up with a new project, there are questions about funding and for good reason. Skeptics wondered whether another farmers market would survive, he explained.

Now everyone is onboard. District 1 residents appreciate it, as they wanted an easy access to locally made goods and produce. Most residents dont want to go to downtown because of the traffic. This is close to homes, he says.

The city is rapidly developing. There is the possibility of the FBI relocating its headquarters to the Greenbelt Metro and more development in downtown. In the Hollywood area Kabir is pushing hard for strategic changes. Route 1 in north College Park is the long forgotten main

street of the city and, unfortunately, is not getting sufficient attention from the city, local and state governments. Route 1 in North College Park needs smart development with more quality mixed-use businesses in place of the abandoned and vacant stores. It also needs walk-able sidewalks so businesses are accessible to residents, says Kabir.

Eying the two corners of North of Edgewood, he says that intersection will be widened. We have a plan concept and have secured funding for the design work. The old house on Edgewood as you enter the neighborhood is now owned by the city. Gateway Park is in the plans the goal is to be able to walk from shops like the Dunkin Donuts to the park, changing the look and feel of the district.

His political career started out in neighborhood service. He spent time getting to know the neighbors while

volunteering at the North College Park Civic Association. From the free snow-shoveling brigade to annual coat drives to community clean ups every program gave him a taste of public service and he was hooked. I have found each of these activities extremely rewarding and any opportunity to help someone in need is an honor that I hope to continue to have. The desire to serve my neighbors is what drives me to write daily on my blog KabirCares.org, he says.

There is goodness in my neighbors. They appreciate the good work sincerely working to make lives better and the neighborhood safer to live in. Despite the negative images on TV, they have faith in anyone who can serve them, it doesnt affect me as I work on very local issues, he says about the anti-Muslim bigotry that is rising in the country. He hopes that the Muslims in College Park will continue to support city events and intermingle with

their neighbors.

So how does a non-career politician handle City hall meetings and win the seat for three terms? By providing quality service, being prepared for council meetings and by thoroughly and honestly looking after his residents point of views this has helped him gain the trust of his constituents. He says his vote largely reflects his constituents sentiments even if he does not personally agree and he has often voted against the majority in the council.

His faith helps him to remain calm and listen first before jumping to the conclusions. My faith teaches me to serve my neighbors and to make their lives better. I cannot be selfish. That drives me, says Kabir.

KABIR >> continued from pg 5

threats made to school officials after parents learned that a teacher gave a calligraphy assignment asking students to write the shahadah.

The atmosphere in the around the country is tense. The GOP has declared a war of hate on American Muslims. According to a Public Policy Polling survey conducted this month, as many as 31 percent of Republicans and 19 percent of Democrats believe the United States should attack the fictional city of Agrabah from Disney's Aladdin cartoon.

Several local communities are hosting anti-Muslim bigotry workshops from Muslim Student Associations to masajid. One was held at the Prince Georges Muslim Association. Social workers, therapist, civil rights activists came to speak to the community to help young and old cope.

A photograph of the American Diner in Washington DC went viral when they posted a sign standing with American Muslims.

71 House members s igned their support for a resolution that condemns anti-Muslim bigotry proposed by Congressman Don Beyer, Congressman Mike Honda, Congressman Keith Ellison,

and Congressman Andr Carson safeguarding the values of pluralism and religious freedom of the nation.

In light of this rapid rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric and anti-Islamic incidents across the nation, the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) convened a day long summit in Northern Virginia on December 20, 2015. Several major educational, outreach and civic empowerment initiatives were announced at the News Conference on Sunday at the National Press Club. The most ambitious proposal was the drive to register one million voters before the 2016 presidential election, a campaign called One America. Also planned is a "National Open Mosque Day" designed to help increase interactions between American Muslims and citizens of other

faiths and backgrounds.

Weve learned one thing: That if you are demonized as a community, denied your rights, then the best response is to take your soul to the polls. We are going to use the ballots to fight bigotry, said Mahdi Bray, an imam representing the American Muslim Alliance.

Another initiative planned by the national Muslim coalition includes the formation of new and strengthened alliances with interfaith partners, social justice groups and other minority communities that have faced or continue to face similar challenges.

The USCMO will also seek to increase emergency preparedness for Islamic institutions and individual Muslims to

address the rising number of hate incidents nationwide. Locally, Zainab Chaudry, the Maryland outreach coordinator for the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) joined hands with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights to organize the first statewide Maryland Emergency Preparedness Summit for Faith Leaders. USCMO leaders and members understand the magnitude of the challenge facing our nation and our community and will not allow either Islamophobes or un-Islamic extremist groups like ISIS to define American Muslims or to decide our fate," said USCMO Secretary General Oussama Jammal."American Muslims will define themselves and will chart their own destiny by securing both our faith and the security of America."

These are difficult times for our nation but we Americans are tough, said Dr Altaf Hussain of the Islamic Society of North America.

T h e " O n e A m e r i c a " c a m p a i g n announced by USCMO will enhance the understanding of American Muslims and Islam. We will benefit from the continued collaboration with our interfaith and social justice partners, our neighbors and our co-workers. Let's be very clear. Anti-Muslim bigotry and anti-Muslim hostility are un-American. We are appreciative of the support we have received from our interfaith partners and public statements from elected officials, said Hussain.

POLLS >> continued from pg 1

Representatives of local and national Muslim organizations speak at the December 21, 2015 press conference where the USCMO announced its 'One America' campaign to register one million Muslim voters for the 2016 elections. Photo courtesy of USCMO.

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Health Education and Programs said that the clinic which has been operational for two years has served over 4,000 Muslim and non-Muslim patients. The numbers point to a need for ACHN.

Jennifer Boysko, Delegate elect for the 86th district of the House of Delegates agreed and said that since Virginia has not expanded Medicaid there is a huge population that is missing out on healthcare. When someone with a non-profit comes in and steps in it fills in a great void, Im very grateful for that, said Boysko.

Jahanara, an ACHN patient of 9 months, had come to the health fair to get her cholesterol checked. She had first heard about the ACHN through the ADAMS center in Sterling, Va. Her Husband had lost his job and she found herself without insurance and she registered as a patient. I like ACHN too much, everybody here is so happy and they make you feel so welcome, said Jahanara. She added that the process of registering was easy and she is very happy with the services that clinic currently provides. One thing she would like to see in the future is more female centered healthcare.

Dr. Alvis future goals for the clinic will address Jahanaras concern. He would

like to develop ACHN into a full-fledged hospital with many departments and specialties. He said that he looks forward to the day when medicines, labs and x-rays can all be provided free of cost. He added that with presence of the Governor and other elected officials there will be awareness of what ACHN is doing and that he hopes that may lead to future grants from the government.

Fakhir Ahmad, director of administration at ACHN also said that he was happy to see that the Governor and other officials came see the contribution that ACHN is providing to the community. Muslims are part of the fabric that makes America great. Healthcare is universal and there's not more rewarding then to help someone

who's sick and in need of medical treatment, said Ahmad.

Elected officials in attendance from the ACHN 2015 health fair included: Senator Barbara Favola, Senator Janet Howell, Delegate Alfonso Lopez, Delegate Kathleen Murphy, Delegate Ken Plum, Delegate Vivian Watts, Fairfax Chairman Sharon Bulova, and Supervisor John Foust.

ACHN is a volunteer based 501(c) 3 nonprofit that provides patient centered health care to all uninsured and low-income individuals regardless of their background. For more information you can visit them at http://achnclinic.com/

SUPPORT >> continued from pg 8

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Muslim Council Board Member, Imam Ahmed Lamptey of Masjid Ibn Taymiyyah lead the invocation opening a County Council session. He first gave the invocation in 2005 when he was the assistant imam at the Islamic Research and Humanitarian Services Center of America based in Capitol Heights.

Leaving City Hall, a non-Muslim couple from District 4 reflected over Shraims words. May we walk away from this gathering determined to find ways to an inspired life; absorb the inspiration of others; and become an inspiration. May we all walk away with the will and courage to move beyond ourselves and leave our noble mark on our beloved community, city, nation, and all of earth. Uplifted, they wondered where his Muslim church was located.

CHAPLAIN >> continued from pg 5

her Arabic. They are still getting used to the idea of her. Human investment is a rarity in many Islamic Centers and many wonder why there is a need for extensive staff. But Dar Al-Hijrah has many interfaith partners. Imam Johari is well known and was being pulled in so many directions. He cant be everywhere

all the time, says Deen. She went through five extensive interviews with board members.A worshiper at Dar Al-Hijrah for two years, she has joined several classes offered at the center to and hopes to build trust with the congregation. Inreach is just as important as outreach says Deen and she is working on recruiting volunteers as well as trying to get the teenage girls back into the masjid. She is a mother of four adult

children and understands the needs of the millennials.She has helped organize a Unity Walk in Washington DC and in the local neighborhood. Members of the masjid walked to the church wearing blankets; they collected two truckloads of blankets for Syrian refugees. Both congregations helped load the trucks. Two days ago, she was sitting behind Vice President Joe Biden at Georgetown University.She recently represented Imam Johari

at a vigil in memory of Sandy Hook. I am not Imam Johari, she said to the congregations as they were expecting Imam Johari according to the program. This broke the ice at a somber event and introduced her to the Fairfax interfaith community. I havent stopped running since I was hired, she says with a smile. She has a jilbab hanging in her office closet, just in case.

FAIZA >> continued from pg 6

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December 25th - January 21st 201520 | CONTINUED

environmentally conscious. He will be available for speaking engagements and speaking to media on behalf of Dar Al-Hijrah. One of his recent projects was to host members of Congress at Jumah salah at Dar Al-Hijrah and he hopes to make this a regular event.

As a white male I have every privilege in the world. I dont face the kind the scrutiny other [Muslims face]. I am treated differently within the community and most of the time it is an unfair advantage because I am white, he said. At times it can be productive and helpful [but] sometimes it can be discouraging. You cant fill [Imam Joharis] shoes its been a privilege to work with him. The idea is to create a team, said Colin.

I think we really need to understand [that] every person has something to offer. We lose a lot of potential when we push people away. We want to find those people and create space so people can shine. They are here for a reason to work for the community. Colin used to teach people how to lobby politicians at his last job, and he thinks its something that might be needed at Dar Al-Hijrah. We have many newly

arrived immigrants and we [may] get more involved in the process of telling our stories, he said. Engaging and expanding the social services program are some goals the team has not had a chance to plan as they have been under immense pressure due to the turbulent political climate in the country. We were thrown in the mix, we have been in a firestorm we have not had a time to breathe, said Colin.

OUTREACH >> continued from pg 6

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followed her preschooler. Naima is scared to walk her daughter to school. People have advised her take her niqab off. Some of her Muslim neighbors who used to cover have taken it off.

The Prince Georges County School District was extremely helpful and encouraged her not to walk her daughter to school until the school could provide safe transportation from her house to the Elementary School.

Naima's story is important because verbal assaults are becoming a common occurrence for local Muslims. The normalization of the verbal attacks make many Muslims reluctant to report the incidents. Naima's perseverance in reporting the incident and asking for county resources helped her family function.

Actively reporting a hate incident to the authorities leaves an official record that can help prove a hate crime should it occur. Many people do not know the definition of a hate crime and the difference between a hate incident and free speech.

A family in Germantown found their car keyed in the neighborhood they've lived in for 22 years. A young man was punched at work. A customer yells obscenities and makes references to ISIS as a graduate student fills gas at a local gas station. Incidents such as these should be reported according to Montgomery County Police Officer Sharif Hidayat at recent town hall held at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights Committee on Hate and Violence called the special meeting because they were hearing about hate incidents on social media but were not seeing reports being filed.

I really feel so grateful to you for allowing us to have our meeting here and for opening your community home to us, Committee Chair Lorraine Lee-Stepney told Muslims.

A police representative read county hate incident reports for the month and the community was surprised that no hate incidents concerning Muslims had been reported. The report included vandalism incidents as well as seemingly mundane incidents like a hate message left on an Instagram account.

If theres an incident you feel is hate generated or someone is making a slur, it may not be a crime but its a serious incident and you should report that as well, said committee member Terry Vann.

A packed hall with standing room only, three television stations and two radio stations witnessed a community full of concerns, hungry for information.

What can you tell us especially elderly immigrants and young children on what we can do in the 15 seconds after an incident has occurred, asked a law student. Officer Sharif said that we have to work hand in hand with law enforcement. Montgomery County wants to hear from you so we can set the policy and [programming], he said. We have an open door policy at our police station, he added.

Middle schooler Jawad M., summed up the Muslim communitys feelings in his impassioned testimony about harassment and abuse at his public school and the lack of response from authorities. Teachers and administrators dont care. I have been called ISIS, bomber, terrorist, but the teachers don't do anything. My Muslim community helps me.

Zahirah Eppard, the principal of the MCC

weekend school, presented statistics from a school survey on bullying and other incidents that will help the commission make its recommendations to the county. 73 percent feel safe in school. 29 percent of the children were not comfortable with letting their class mates know that they were Muslim. 48 percent of the students agreed that their schools were responsive to their religious needs.

I dont have that relationship of complete dependence and trust with the police, Hiba Akhtar, a graduate student, said. I think the police need to step upand really let us know that we are taken care of, we are kind of a special entity right now, special community right now, she said. Concerns about surveillance and mental health resources was brought up several times by community members.

The Justice Department notes that two out of every three hate crimes are not reported because victims believe that police cannot or will not help. This is especially true for Muslims, who have been targets of massive surveillance, deportation, questioning and other harassment by local and federal law enforcement during the past 14 years. That excessive scrutiny has eroded the trust necessary for victims to report hate crimes, said Farhana Khera of Muslim Advocates.

SAFETY >> continued from pg 10

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| 21December 25th - January 21st 2015 CONTINUED

property damage, your report will serve as important investigative information if a future incident occurs.

2. Do not destroy any evidence related to the crime. Keep all letters, emails and recordings. Do not clean up any vandalism until the police arrive and investigate.

Maryland Hate Crimes

Vandalize any religious property Interfere by force or threat with anyones exercise of their religious beliefs Damage or destroy anyones property because of their race or beliefs Harass or commit a crime against any person because of their race, color, religious beliefs or national originArticle 49B, Annotated Code of Maryland, enforced by the Maryland Commission on Human Relations, protects people against hate crimes in their homes, from harassment by neighbors, or interference with fair housing rights based on race, national origin, sex, familial status, color, religion, marital status, physical and mental disability or sexual orientation.If you do not know who your local victim service providers are or you need to reach your local human rights agency, call the

Maryland Hate Crimes Hotline at: 1-800-637-6247

Virginia Hate Crimes

A criminal act committed against a person or his property with the specific intent of instilling fear or intimidation in the individual against whom the act is perpetrated because of race, religion, or ethnic origin or that is committed for the purpose of restraining that person from exercising his rights under the Constitution or laws of this Commonwealth or of the United States, any illegal act directed against any persons or their property because of their race, religion, or national origin, and all other incidents, as determined by law enforcement authorities, intended to intimidate or harass any individual or group because of race, religion, or national origin. (Code of Virginia 52-8.5 (C))

Virginia law requires law enforcement agencies to report all hate crimes to the Virginia State Police. In 2008, 337 hate crime offenses were reported; 35.9 percent of these were assault offenses; and 41.2 percent were vandalism /damage of property offenses.

District of Columbia Hate Crimes

It is important for the community to know

what is and is not a hate crime. First and foremost, the incident must be a crime. Although that may seem obvious, we must be clear that most speech is not a hate crime, regardless of how offensive it may be. Moreover, a hate crime is not really a specific crime; rather it is a designation that makes available to the court an enhanced penalty if a crime demonstrates the offenders prejudice or bias based on the actual or perceived traits of the victim. In short, a hate crime is not a crime, but rather a possible motive for a crime. Needless to say, it can be difficult to establish a motive for a crime, and even more difficult for prosecutors to prove it in court beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore the classification as a bias-related crime is subject to change as an investigation proceeds even as prosecutors continue an investigation. Under the Bias-Related Crime Act of 1989 (D.C. Official Code 22-3700 et. seq.), to qualify as a hate or bias-related crime in the District of Columbia, an incident must meet the standards for both a designated act and a bias-related crime: Designated act, meaning a criminal act, including arson, assault, burglary, injury to property, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, rape, robbery, theft, or unlawful entry, and attempting, aiding, abetting, advising, incit ing, conniving, or

conspiring to commit arson, assault, burglary, injury to property, kidnapping, manslaughter, murder, rape, robbery, theft, or unlawful entry. D.C. Official Code 22-3701.

Bias-related crime, meaning a designated act that demonstrates an accuseds prejudice based on the actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibility, homelessness, physical disability, matriculation, or political affiliation of a victim of the subject designated act.

In order to successfully prosecute a hate crime, the government must establish beyond a reasonable doubt both that the defendant committed the crime, and that he or she was motivated by prejudice because of an actual or perceived difference. It is not sufficient to merely prove that the defendant belonged to a different group than the victim; the criminal act had to have been motivated by the prejudice. If a person is found guilty of a hate crime, the court may fine the offender up to 1 times the maximum fine and imprison him or her for up to 1 times the maximum term authorized for the underlying crime. D.C. Official Code 22-3703. (Source:dc.gov)

HATE >> continued from pg 10

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December 25th - January 21st 201522 | HEALTH & FAMILY

Running for the Hills

Snowed On, Snowed In

By Jann McClaryMuslim Link Contributing Writer

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

What does 26 inches of snow look like? How can you actually envision it to begin to understand that what you have is extra-normal to the everyday winter experience of a former east-coast girl. Look at it like this: A standard 30-gallon trash can is 25 inches high. The rolling baskets at your neighborhood laundromat are 26 inches tall. An SUV tire is about 26 inches. The distance from the bottom of the heel to the middle of the thigh of an average height woman is 25 inches. Your one year old kid is more than likely only about 3 or 4 inches more, so that means if you bundle little habibi in snow pants, sweater, mittens and a hat and stand him up in that kind of snow, you'll probably only see the tip of that tiny hat. (People, please, do not try this at home.)

What can one do with all this snow? You can throw it, pack it, sculpt it. You can douse it with juice and call it a snow cone. Put it into a zip-type bag and use it like a cold compress. You can get a magnifying glass and look at the shapes of the snowflakes. For children it can become a beautiful lesson in beginning geometry, and a reminder of the amazing and never-ending creations of Allah. Say: "Is there of your (Allah's so-called) partners one that originates the creation and then repeats it?" Say: "Allah originates the creation and then He repeats it. Then how

are you deluded away (from the truth)?" (Surat-ul Yunus; Ayat 34) Just think of all the snow that has ever fallen on this earth since Allah created it, and then ponder that no two flakes are exactly alike...subhanallah.

So we ended up with about 2 or 3 bazillion of them in front of our place. How do I know it was 2 or 3 bazillion? Well, see if you take the aggregated height of the snow, squared, divided by the sum of the length and width of the space in front of our kitchen window, multiplied by the 9 or so main shapes of flakes, then add that to the... well, anyway, it seemed like a few zillion. The measuring tape said 26 1/2 and that's good enough. We went to bed with visions of easily shoveling the 3 to 5 inches the weather service told us we could expect. We woke up the next morning and went to open the door to let the cat out. The door didn't open. Why? Because a quarter of those bazillion snowflakes were halfway up the other side of the door. Shoveling was out of the question, so we just threw the cat out into the mess and let her tunnel a path. (No, I'm kidding. We didn't throw our cat into the snow, although she does like to play in reasonable amounts of it.) We shoveled as best we could, creating paths to the most needed areas; storage shed, car, and outhouse. We cleared away the car in the

disillusioned hope that we'd somehow try to drive the thing through 26 inches if snow. But shoveling our long driveway, at our age, was out of the question. So we assessed our situation and made sure we had enough food, water and wood, then we settled back and became officially snowed-in.

Unbeknownst to my husband, I made du'ah. And unbeknownst to me, he made du'ah. The next day we called our friend, Scott. We managed to get a weak cell signal and told him we were stranded in our canyon and needed help. Why call Scott? Because Scott is a logger and loggers have big-boy toys: tractors, backhoes, frontloaders and bulldozers. But Scott had to dig himself out first.

Told us he'd be there the next day. Yikes! We needed help now! All we could do was thank him profusely and wait. So we relied on Allah and waited.

The following day we ventured outside to make sense of and acknowledge the barakaat hidden in all this snow, asking Allah to please, please not give us more of this barakaat than we could possibly shovel. And then we heard the rumbling of a plane, deep and long, like they sometimes sound, except that this one was flying too low. Was the military dropping supplies to all of us stranded in the canyon like they'd done back during the Colorado

Our neighbor Scott's front loader, the answer to our prayers. Photo by the author.

>> SNOWED IN Pg 32

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| 23December 25th - January 21st 2015 NATIONAL NEWS

National NewsBroncos' Ryan Harris Stands Up to Donald Trump's Anti-Muslim RemarksBy Lindsay H. JonesUSA TODAY, December 9, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. As anti-Muslim rhetoric has filled television airwaves and swamped social media over the last week, Muslim athletes have begun reaching out to one another, said Denver Broncos left tackle Ryan Harris.

What should we say, theyve asked each other, and how should we say it? All they know is they cant be silent.

As Muslims, anyone who murders, kills, does anything like that, it is so against the tenets of Islam, that it doesn't even warrant a response. It's like (Donald) Trump's comments don't even warrant a response. But now we're at a point where we have to say something, Harris told USA TODAY Sports.

Harris was traveling with the Broncos from San Diego on Sunday night when President Obama spoke to the nation, denouncing anti-Muslim sentiment in the wake of the attack in San Bernardino,

Calif., last week.

"Muslim Americans are our friends and our neighbors; our co-workers, our sports heroes and, yes, they are our men and women in uniform," President Obama said.

Harris didnt immediately see Trumps response on Twitter, which was to question Obamas assertion that there were Muslim athletes. But shortly after landing back in Colorado, he saw his Twitter timeline filled with mentions of his name as one of dozens of prominent Muslims playing professional sports.

People need to know, I have had the best experience being Muslim both at Notre Dame and in NFL. Every single one of my coaches has respected me, asked me about it. My teammates ask me about it. I have never experienced any xenophobia in the NFL, Harris said. You talk about Muhammad Ali, you talk about in Houston Hakeem Olajuwon. Every single sports fan in Houston knows about fasting, Ramadan, and Islam because Hakeem fasted. You know what I mean?

In Kansas City, people know Husain Abdullah. It's such a contrast to what you're seeing with the xenophobic hate speech. But it's having an effect, and its unfortunate.

While Harris said the locker room has always been a safe place for him, he understands that many of his peers dont have that same security.

The only Muslims I know are peaceful, loving people, that's the overwhelming majority. I can also tell you, a lot of

Muslims are getting scared. When you start hearing that kind of rhetoric, and you can never control what some psychopathic extremist is going to do that's going to have an effect on all of us, Harris said.

In all of my years of being Muslim, I feel this is the most tense it's been in terms of Muslims having a lot of fear. Not as much me I mean, I'm 300 pounds, I'll be OK. But for the Muslim woman who wears a hijab and goes to work, or the Muslim kid in school right now, it's tough.

O you who believe! If a Faasiq (liar evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done -- Surah al-Hujuraat:6

It was narrated that Hafs ibn Aasim said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: It is enough lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears. Narrated by Muslim in al-Muqaddimah, 6; Saheeh al-Jaami, 4482.

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December 25th - January 21st 201524 | WORLD PRESS

Netanyahu 'threatens to strip Jerusalem residency from 230,000 Palestinians'By Adam WithnallIndependent UK, December 20, 2015

Plans to strip Jerusalem residency rights from Palestinians in the wake of recent violence could affect more than 230,000 people, according to reports.

Identity cards give around 350,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem the right to work and move freely across the city, and are used by residents both inside and outside the separation wall built in 2003.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has previously hinted at the prospect of taking away residency rights from some Palestinians, seemingly manipulating public fears about a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that began around two months ago.

But the new figures, reported by the pro-Likud Hebrew Channel 2 and the Anadolou Agency in Turkey, would also impact Palestinians inside the wall and threatens to dramatically alter the

demographic balance of Jerusalem.

P u b l i c s e r v i c e s i n P a l e s t i n i a n neighbourhoods already suffer significant neglect, despite its residents paying taxes to the municipality. Jerusalem officials say it is not safe for workers to operate in the areas.

If those who lived there were also denied the right to move around Jerusalem for work, local Palestinian representatives say, they will be turned into criminals.

According to official Palestinian figures, 145,000 Palestinians live outside the Jerusalem separation wall, while 195,000 live inside of it.

Kahil Tufakji, a Palestinian settlement affairs expert, told Anadolu Agency: According to the plan prepared by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Jerusalem will be a Jewish-majority city of 88 per cent and an Arab-minority of 12 per cent by 2020.

Kenyan Muslims Shield Christians In Mandera Bus AttackSource: BBC, December 21, 2015

A group of Kenyan Muslims travelling on a bus ambushed by Islamist gunmen protected Christian passengers by refusing to be split into groups, according to eyewitnesses.

They told the militants "to kill them together or leave them alone", a local governor told Kenyan media.At least two people were killed in the attack, near the north-eastern village of El Wak on the Somali border.

The Somali based al-Shabab group says it carried out the attack. The group often carries out attacks in Kenya's north-east.

The bus was travelling from the capital Nairobi to the town of Mandera.

When al-Shabab killed 148 people in an attack on Garissa University College in April, the militants reportedly singled out Christians and shot them, while freeing many Muslims.

Last year, a bus was attacked near Mandera

by al-Shabab militants, who killed 28 non-Muslims travelling to Nairobi for the Christmas holidays.

"The locals showed a sense of patriotism and belonging to each other," Mandera governor Ali Roba told Kenya's private Daily Nation newspaper.

The militants decided to leave after the passengers' show of unity, he added.

The passengers on the bus showed great bravery, but there was another quality revealed by their surprising decision to stand up to the gunmen: Frustration.

The majority of the local population in the north-east are Kenyan Muslims of Somali descent, and they have been hit hard by the consequences of al-Shabab attacks, even if non-Muslims are supposedly the main target of the Somali militant group.

An attack last year in Mandera, in which Christians were killed after being separated from Muslims, caused the departure of more than 2,000 teachers, as well as many health workers who had come from other parts of the country.

Perhaps the passengers felt that the region could simply not afford another such attack.

It will be interesting to see if their actions embolden local populations to increase their

resistance to al-Shabab, which has attacked the area several times.

An employee of the Makkah bus company, who had spoken to the driver involved in the attack, confirmed to the BBC that Muslims had refused to be separated from their fellow Christian passengers.One of the victims was shot dead after trying to run away from the militants after passengers had been forced off the bus, the same employee told the BBC's Bashkas Jugsodaay in Nairobi.

Al-Shabab has been at war with Kenya ever since Kenyan forces entered Somalia in October 2011 in an effort to crush the militants.

Kenya's north-eastern region has a large

population of ethnic Somalis.

Al-Shabab attacks in Kenya:

September 2013 - Al-Shabab militants seize the Westgate shopping mall in the capital Nairobi, killing 67 people; June 2014 - At least 48 people die after Islamist militants attack hotels and a police station in Mpeketoni, near the island resort of Lamu; November 2014 - The group targets a bus full of teachers in Mandera County, executing 28 non-Muslims at point-blank range; December 2014- Al-Shabab kills 36 non-Muslim quarry workers near the north Kenyan town of Mandera; April 2015 - Militants carry out a massacre at Garissa University College in north-east Kenya, killing 148 people.

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World Press

| 25December 25th - January 21st 2015 ISLAM

How Islamic is the Islamic State?By Hamza Andreas Tzortzis Since the group known as ISIS or 'Islamic State' (IS) declared the re-establishment of the Caliphate on 29 June 2014, the world's media has reported on numerous actions carried out by the group, most recently the execution of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians in the Libyan city of Sirte. Unfortunately, many journalists, academics and analysts have implied that these crimes are a "normality" for a Caliphate.

Hence, I felt it was necessary to educate both Muslims and non-Muslims on true Islamic values, to prevent the public from conflating Islam with extreme acts. Furthermore, it is imperative that Muslims who are qualified on matters pertaining to the Shari'ah and Islamic history, exhaust their efforts on educating people of all faiths and none on what life under Islamic

values should look like, as witnessed by over a thousand years of civilisation.

Islamic Values in Practice

Islamic governance is fundamentally based on justice and compassion. These are the central values of Islam that are

expressed through a sincere belief in the existence of one God and by seeking to act in a way that is pleasing to Him. By singling Him out for worship and being conscious of one's accountability, a Muslim is encouraged to act fairly and justly. The Qur'an clearly states in this regard:

"O you who believe, be steadfast in your devotion to God and bear witness impartially: do not let the hatred of others lead you away from justice, but adhere to justice, for that is closer to being God conscious. Be mindful of God: God is well acquainted with all that you do." --Al-Qur'an 5:8

"O you who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to God, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, God can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly if you distort or neglect justice, God is fully aware of what you do." --Al-Qur'an 4:135

Jesus in the Qur'anThe Quran tells us a lot of wonderful things about Jesus. As a result, believers in the Quran love Jesus, honour him, and believe in him. In fact, no Muslim can be a Muslim unless he or she believes in Jesus, on whom be peace.

The Quran says that Jesus was born of a virgin, that he spoke while he was still only a baby, that he healed the blind and the leper by Gods leave, and that he raised the dead by Gods leave.

What then is the significance of these miracles? First, the virgin birth. God demonstrates his power to create in every way. God created everyone we know from a man and a woman. But how about Adam, on whom be peace? God created him from neither a man nor a woman. And Eve from only a man, but not a woman. And, finally, to complete the picture, God created Jesus from a

woman, but not a man.

What about the other miracles? These were to show that Jesus was not acting on his own behalf, but that he was backed by God. The Quran specifies that these miracles were performed by Gods leave. This may be compared to the Book of Acts in the Bible, chapter 2, verse 22, where it says that the miracles were done by God to show that he approved of Jesus. Also, note that Jesus himself is recorded in the Gospel of John to have said, I can do nothing of my own authority (5:30). The miracles, therefore, were done not by his own authority, but by Gods authority.What did Jesus teach? The Quran tells us that Jesus came to teach the same basic message which was taught by previous prophets from Godthat we must shun every false god and worship only the one true God. Jesus taught that he is the servant and messenger of that one

true God, the God of Abraham. These Quranic teachings can be compared with the Bible ( Mark 10:18; Matthew 26:39; John 14:28, 17:3, and 20:17) where Jesus teaches that the one he worshipped is the only true God. See also Matthew 12:18; Acts 3:13, and 4:27 where we find that his discip

The Muslim Link, December 25, 2015

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