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| | Salaam Alaikum,
Welcome to the second issue of this years Islam in 60 Seconds! I'd like to begin by stating that IIC's congressional writing campaign is still on going.
To date, we've sent more than 3,000 letters, from nearly ten different states, to Congress and Senate. We've had some unfortunate news, in that Congress passed a resolution, by an overwhelming majority, in support of the offensive against the Palestinian people. Please do not lose heart, the letter campaign will likely effect the situation behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Israel renewed its strikes and shelling against targets in densely-populated Gaza on Sunday morning. Some 850 Gazans and 13 Israelis have been killed in the fighting. Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) argued last week that Israel cannot claim self-defense when fighting a weak enemy with no air force, navy or army. If Israel is not engaged in self-defense then it is engaged in an offensive. And Kucinich points out that the US gave Israel all those weapons only on condition that they not be used for aggression.
On behalf of the Islamic Information Center, I implore each of you to continue writing to your congressmen, your senators, your governors - write to each and every person who has even 1% of influence on the issue of Palestine, and demand justice, demand peace, and demand humanitarian aid for the people of Palestine. I also ask that each of you pray to the Almighty for better days.
Masalaama,
Rahat Husain
Executive Director
Islamic Information Center
| | | Muslim Family Removed From Air Flight
CNN
Muslim family removed from an airliner last week after passengers became concerned about their conversation say AirTran officials refused to rebook them, even after FBI investigators cleared them of wrongdoing. A Muslim family was removed from an AirTran flight after a conversation about the safest place to sit. A Muslim family was removed from an AirTran flight after a conversation about the safest place to sit. Atif Irfan said federal authorities removed eight members of his extended family and a friend after passengers heard them discussing the safest place to sit and misconstrued the nature of the conversation. | Muslims appearing more "main stream" American
Boston Globe
The West's picture of the Muslim preacher is often caricature: a bearded man in a tunic bellowing ancient verses and spinning asides about American imperialism. But that icon is changing as the image and message of mainstream Islam are softened to appeal to upwardly mobile, young followers who are growing in number.
| Suicide Bomber attacks Shi'ite Procession in Iran
The Guardian
A female suicide bomber blew herself up last week among a crowd of pilgrims worshipping at a revered Shia shrine in northern Baghdad, killing at least 38 people and wounding about 72, the Iraqi army and police said. The woman, wearing a traditional black cloak, approached the shrine of Imam Mousa al-Kazim, one of the holiest men in Shia Islam. She blew herself up while among a group of Iranian pilgrims in front of the main gate in the northern Shia neighbourhood of Kazimiyah. | Shi'ites Recognize Ashura
Tehran Times
Wednesday the 7th of January 2009 was the day of Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, the day of victory for Islam and Muslims. The day of Ashura is commemorated not only by the Shia people but also by freedom-loving nations throughout the world as a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Imam Husain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad at the battle of Karbala. It is especially mourned on the first ten days of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, although the mourning continues through the whole month and well into Safar till the eighth of Rabi al Awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar.
| Palestine Civillian Death Toll Grows, No End in Sight
Palestine Chronicle
The death toll in the Gaza massacre has surpassed 500. Israel has rejected an EU cease-fire and is showing no sign of halting its operations, despite growing global opposition. But for the Arab world, the strongest repercussions to this conflict will be felt in Egypt. The Egyptian leadership has taken a hiding from the Arab street for its inaction over Israel's assault on the Palestinians. Syria and Iran have removed all gloves by publicly accusing Egypt's leadership of complicity in Israel's war on Gaza.
| | Pakistan Border Reopened For Supplies
AP News
Pakistan has reopened the main supply route for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan after blocking it for three days during an operation against militants blamed for repeated attacks on convoys in the Khyber Pass, an official said. Authorities say the operation was a success, but a similar offensive in June failed to curtail attacks and was followed by a controversial peace deal with tribal elders in the northwest Khyber region that U.S. officials say allowed militants to regroup.
| | Egyptian Women Flock to Islam and Mosques
AP News
Up to a 1,000 women may show up for the Quran lessons or twice-weekly religious lectures by women. On any given day, several hundred women buzz around the mosque, organizing clothing drives, cooking meals for the poor or teaching women to read. Al-Sedeeq also has medical clinics and a day care center for children of women who do volunteer work at the mosque. Now, with religiosity increasing in Egypt overall, more women want to engage in public prayer, increase their knowledge of Islam and do volunteer work in the community. Many Egyptian women already have had to balance their traditional place in the home with public roles at universities and jobs, so they tend to ask, "Why not a place in the mosque as well?" | | |
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