Islamic Information Center's New York/New Jersey Chapter is proud to announce the first Shi'a event focused on addressing the issue of
domestic abuse in the Muslim community took place on Saturday March 20, 2010. While domestic abuse is a universal problem affecting every human society, it is incumbent upon us as Shi'a Muslims to stand up and speak out against it as we should about any injustice.

March 21, 2010

IIC joined religious organizations spanning the faith and ideological spectrum in an interfaith service on the National Mall on Sunday, March 21. Chairman Imam Naqvi delivered a compelling sermon and communications director Hajar Hosseini offered the “Gathering Prayer” for peoples from all directions  as thousands of people of faith from across the country congregated in Washington, DC, for a powerful demonstration of their unified support for just, humane immigration reform that keeps families together. 

March 28, 2010

IIC Chairman Imam Syed Naqvi last Monday joined a panel of Interfaith leaders and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, and other key private-sector, foundation, faith and nongovernmental organization leaders along with Kenna, the Grammy-nominated artist behind Summit on the Summit, to call for immediate action to ensure access to safe, clean water and improved sanitation in the developing world.

March 22, 2010

Healthcare is an essential human right, and was exemplified in the governments of Prophet Muhammad and Imam Ali (May God Bless Them). The Prophet and Imam Ali made sure that all the sick and destitute were well cared for, and were exemplars in helping uplift society. All people are entitled to having their health needs addressed, regardless of race, class, gender, age, or religion. All American residents, and indeed all people around the world, should have access to safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare. The focus of such services should be preventative. Leaving the sick untreated has devastating economic, social, and moral costs. Lofty American values should not allow the sick to suffer because of lack of means. 

March 5, 2010

Bahrain needs to take urgent steps to end torture and ill-treatment of security suspects during interrogation, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The government should promptly investigate all torture allegations and prosecute security officials suspected of abusing detainees. The 89-page report, "Torture Redux: The Revival of Physical Coercion during Interrogations in Bahrain," is based on interviews with former detainees and a review of forensic medical reports and court documents. It concludes that since the end of 2007, officials have repeatedly resorted to torture for the apparent purpose of securing confessions from security suspects.
"Torture is back in the repertoire of Bahrain's security services," said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. "The return of torture is especially distressing since Bahrain showed the political will a decade ago to end this scourge."

Bahrain's reversion to these discredited practices has come with rising political tensions. Street demonstrations by young men from the country's majority Shia Muslim population protesting alleged discrimination by the Sunni-dominated government have deteriorated with increasing regularity into violent confrontations with security forces. Arrests have often followed. Security officials appear to be using painful physical techniques to elicit confessions from many of those arrested.

The use of these techniques, separately and in combination, violates Bahrain's own laws as well as its obligations as a state party to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (Convention against Torture) and other international treaties.

March 5, 2010

Bahrain needs to take urgent steps to end torture and ill-treatment of security suspects during interrogation, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The government should promptly investigate all torture allegations and prosecute security officials suspected of abusing detainees. The 89-page report, "Torture Redux: The Revival of Physical Coercion during Interrogations in Bahrain," is based on interviews with former detainees and a review of forensic medical reports and court documents. It concludes that since the end of 2007, officials have repeatedly resorted to torture for the apparent purpose of securing confessions from security suspects.

February 27, 2010

IIC's chapters are becoming highly active, and today we will be hosting three nationwide events! St. Louis, MO - This event will be an Interfaith Relief Dinner for Haiti, and proceeds will be sent to the Shia community in Haiti, through the medical organization, Imamia Medics International, (IMI). We'll have an exciting announcement later this week! New York, NY - This event will feature a discussion on Islam's viewpoints regarding death and dying, and an explanation of how Islamic burials take place. Attendees will learn about both practical and spiritual matters in this grassroots event. Atlanta, GA - This event will be a core group meeting at the Zainabia center, for anyone who'd like to get involved with IIC. More details coming soon!

February 12, 2010

The Islamic Information Center is proud to announce that a member of the IIC Board of Advisors, Dr. Hassan Abbas, recently interviewed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

As a preview, here is an excerpt:

"Dr. Abbas: This U.S. administration has certainly set a new tone of dialogue, reconciliation and respect in this realm. President Obama's speeches in Turkey and Cairo were absolutely great and gave the right message to the Muslim audiences around the world. What is the follow-up on that? What are the next stages of that relationship?"...

Dr. Hassan Abbas is an Affiliate with the Belfer Center and a former joint research fellow with Project on Managing the Atom and the International Security Program from 2005-2009. Hassan joined Columbia University's South Asia Institute as Quaid-i-Azam Chair Professor in January 2010.

His research interests are nuclear proliferation, religious extremism in South and Central Asia, and relations between Muslims and the West. In association with the Belfer Center, he is currently working on a project focusing on police reforms and counterinsurgency in Pakistan.

December 29, 2009

The Islamic Information Center strongly condemns the series of attacks against Shia Muslims around the world that have occurred on the Holy Event of Ashura. Preliminary reports indicate that there have been bombings in both Iraq and Pakistan, killing approximately one hundred innocent civilians on a day meant for prayer and meditation.

IIC is proud to announce its first ever electronic fundraiser. This gives IIC supporters and fans the unique opportunity to be a part of something amazing. IIC is a fully accredited 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all donations made are fully tax exempt. IIC provides receipts to all donors - so make sure you donate before the end of the tax year!

The work of the Islamic Information Center is funded 100% entirely through community donations, and without your support, we cannot continue with our efforts to help the Muslim community in general, and the world at large. Recently IIC had a Washington DC area fundraiser, but our work is not done.

November 20, 2009

The Islamic Information Center is proud to announce a grassroots campaign to support the masjids in the asset forfeiture case, entitled 'You Can't Seize My Faith', which will begin with a Unity Jummah program to be held next Friday, November 27th, 2009, from 12:00pm at the Islamic Education Center in Rockville, MD.

November 20, 2009

November 12, 2009

The Islamic Information Center is alarmed by recent reports that the Federal Government has begun the process of seizing mosques in the United States. Reports from this evening indicate that government agencies have begun the process of seizing mosques in New York, California, Texas, and Maryland.  At this time the mosques will remain open; however, IIC is concerned about the fate of these religious centers.

The Islamic Information Center will observe and monitor this issue to ensure that there is no breach of civil rights by the government.  In its first amendment, the United States Constitution declares: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

November 12, 2009

Last week, the Islamic Information Center was one of the first organizations to report on the federal government's announcement  regarding the seizure of 4 religious mosques in the United States. To see the original Information Alert, please click here. Last night, the Islamic Information Center sponsored a Know Your Rights Conference Call. IIC invited the leaders of the four targeted masjids, as well as the respected leaders and scholars of other masjids, to participate in a discussion with community lawyers and other attorneys from Muslim Advocates (MA), on the legal rights of the masjids and what they can do to protect themselves from a legal perspective. Meeting notes from the conference call are available on IIC's blog .

November 12, 2009

The Islamic Information Center is alarmed by recent reports that the Federal Government has begun the process of seizing mosques in the United States. Reports from this evening indicate that government agencies have begun the process of seizing mosques in New York, California, Texas, and Maryland.  At this time the mosques will remain open; however, IIC is concerned about the fate of these religious centers. The Islamic Information Center will observe and monitor this issue to ensure that there is no breach of civil rights by the government.  In its first amendment, the United States Constitution declares:"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." 

November 12, 2009

The Islamic Information Center is alarmed by recent reports that the Federal Government has begun the process of seizing mosques in the United States. Reports from this evening indicate that government agencies have begun the process of seizing mosques in New York, California, Texas, and Maryland.  At this time the mosques will remain open; however, IIC is concerned about the fate of these religious centers. 

November 12, 2009

The Islamic Information Center is alarmed by recent reports that the Federal Government has begun the process of seizing mosques in the United States. Reports from this evening indicate that government agencies have begun the process of seizing mosques in New York, California, Texas, and Maryland.  At this time the mosques will remain open; however, IIC is concerned about the fate of these religious centers. 

Novemer 5, 2009

The Islamic Information Center, in conjunction with all the major Muslim organizations nationwide, strongly condemns the attack on U.S. Military Base Fort Hood in Texas that took place today. American Muslims stand with their fellow citizens in offering prayers for the victims, and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured.

While several news reports have cited one of the gunmen to be Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, IIC strongly emphasizes that this attack and its perpetrator are in no way representative of the Muslim people or the peace-loving religion of Islam.

Eleven people plus a gunman were dead and 31 wounded after the gunman opened fire Thursday on a soldier-processing center at Fort Hood, Texas, officials said. The gunman was a soldier, and two other soldiers have been detained as suspects, Army Lt. Gen. Bob Cone said.