SIGNS OF THE TIME

As-Salaamu 'Alaikum. No I'm not kidding. I do have a sense of humor, but you all should know me better than that. Each year when the disguised devil worship that is Halloween (then again, maybe it's not so disguised) is highly visible in America and elsewhere, I always think about the truth that is behind the reality. First, the myth of vampires attacking and slaying the innocent is a metaphor for the victimizing of the poor by the rich. The real vampires are those who systematically prey on the indigent. This means that the real vampires are individuals and corporations who drain the social, economic, and spiritual life out of grassroots people, living them in the condition of the walking dead, in place of living, vibrant human beings who live fruitful and well realized lives in a world of shared prosperity. But even moreso, Dracula was a real person; a historical figure from European history. Decades ago I was walking through the Port Authority Bus Station here ...

Press Conference of the Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan New York, City Hall, NYC Oct. 14, 2014 A Call to Justice and Rejection of Violent Extremism A Statement from the Majlis Ash-Shura (Islamic Leadership Council) of Metropolitan New York Thirteen years ago during the immediate aftermath of the september 11 th atrocities, the Majlis Ash-Shura, also known as the Islamic Leadership Council of Metropolitan New York, wrote and distributed 10,000 brochures on the streets of our city. The brochures conveyed our message of condolences to all who lost loved ones in those horrid attacks. We denounced terrorism, which we identified as politically motivated violence against innocents.   Further, we urged the Western powers to seriously investigate those factors that were fomenting extremism amongst Muslims. Today, our message remains essentially the same.   Throughout the planet,   there are people of different racial and ethnic groups, many religions...

Wednesday, April 16, 2014 . Yesterday,  Police Commissioner William Bratton announced the disbanding of the  NYPD Special Surveillance Unit, that targeted the Muslim community for years under the leadership of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. The Majlis Ash-Shura of Metropolitan New York congratulates all Muslims in New York City and beyond, and our many allies, who "dared to struggle, dared to win" against such an injustice.  To all who spoke out, marched, rallied, wrote, litigated and engaged in every possible act of legal resistance, know that Allah has blessed your efforts. You were determined to stand for our communal and individual civil, constitutional and human rights. You refused to be intimidated and compromise for the sake of expediency. You were criticized  and rebuffed by the former mayor and police commissioner and boycotted their photo ops. You did not defend nor apologize for...

TO THE ANONYMOUS PERSON WHO SENT ME A RAMADAN LETTER DENIGRATING "MOST BLACK AMERICAN IMAMS" Even though I find it curious that the shortcomings you attribute to "most Black-American Imams" can only be attributed to us in your view , I state nonetheless that if you are a sincere Muslim and believe what you say, then pray for those of us whom you cite. Perhaps we'll meet your standards one day. If you are an enemy of Islam trying to sow the seeds of fitna (and I say that because your letter in form and content reminds me of those sent during the COINTELPRO era, including your use of a return address of another masjid -auuthu bil-laah), then may Allah humiliate and expose you. Oh btw, next time use spell check !

NEVER ENDING STORY After the Indictment of Trayvon  the Dead Victim And the Acquital of George Zimmerman, the Killer By Imam Al-Hajj Talib ‘Abdur-Rashid As long as white folk continue to deny the ongoing existence of racism And its impact on themselves, black folk, all people of color, and American life Racism will never be eradicated in America. As long as “good White folk” remain in denial as to their own implicit race bias And the enduring legacy of white supremacy on American policies and institutions, Injustice will remain ascendant in the land. As long as white folk, when confronted by the apparent ugly truths of racial injustice Are afraid to speak or act  with equity , but choose to uphold double standards And keep the flames of injustice burning, the soul of the nation decays. “If you Black, get back. If you’re White, you’re alright. If you’re Brown, stick around. If you’re yellow, it’s mellow.” As lon...