Content about North America

For six weeks, from early June until the third week in July 2011, about 70 young Muslim ladies from across the Americas have gathered in Holy Islamberg, in the Catskill mountains near Hancock, New York, for the 24th Banaatun Noor International Annual Summer Camp under the direct supervision of our Blessed Murshid (spiritual guide and leader) Sheikh Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani. The BNI camp provides a quiet, rustic, secluded setting, located far from the hectic routines of daily living, facilitating the concentration and immersion into the study of Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, peace be upon him, that is necessary to bring about the reformation and transformation of human souls.

God Almighty has graced us with many wonderful herbs to help us heal ourselves.  A well-known and multi-purposeful herb is yarrow – a plant which has been used for thousands of years.  It is recognized world-wide as a wound healer; it fights infection and stops bleeding.  During World War One, the soldiers took it to the battlefields. Doctors and soldiers put it directly into open wounds. 

President John F. Kennedy said: “Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.”  

This quote embodies the true spirit of learning, in that we should be acquiring knowledge for the betterment of society and not the propagation of self.  In America, our current approach to education is in total contrast to this idea, as we have become a society that has yielded to promoting individual aspirations in the acquisition of knowledge.  This trend has served to weaken our society and will ultimately lead to our demise if not corrected.  To begin addressing any problem, one must recognize its root.  The core of this crisis lies in the prevalent ideas that govern our society namely Materialism and Capitalism.

His Eminence Muhyiddin El Sheikh  Sayyid Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani al Hasani wal Husaini wal Hashmi Al Mujadid was asked, “Who is this person, Dr. Tahirul Qadri, claiming to be Sheikh ul Islam?”  His Eminence replied, “He [Tahirul Qadri] is a fake Qadri who came here and introduced a Pakistani brand of Islam.  No one receives this charlatan as Sheikh-ul-Islam. Pakistan is full of thousands of people, like him, who pretend to be scholars and Sufis. They cheat people in the name of the Qadri Order.”

His Eminence Shah Gilani added that Dr Tahirul Qadri had been warned about defrauding the public some fifteen years ago, as mentioned in an article in the New Baghdad.

His Eminence further stressed, “Does not he know that in Holy Islamberg, New York, in the Jamia Tajalli Azam Qadriyya Baitullah, the miraculous manifestation of Allah, the Most High’s, Divine Name, has been shining for the past ten months? Why doesn’t he pay homage? True Sufis are aware of the proper ethical decorum and protocol. These pious men and women know that one’s rank and status will be raised or lowered by honoring or disrespecting the signs of Allah, the Most High. One perfect Sufi guide, who came certified with divine manifestations and miracles, was made Khalifa and Naib of the Holy Rasul (peace be upon him) in his presence, by his hand, in the Darbar Sharif, Holy Court.”

As a member of the Muslims of the Americas Department of Health and Wellness, we are always concerned with the well-being of every member of our communities, regardless of faith. For this reason, we expend great effort in trying to keep the public informed of helpful tips regarding disease and preventive health maintenance. Currently, the topics of obesity and diet are prevalent in healthcare; therefore, we are particularly mindful in sharing beneficial information regarding these. 

In the Special Edition, January 2011 issue, of the Islamic Post an ayah from the 60th chapter in the Holy Quran, Sura Mumtahana (60:3), was explained for it more appropriately displays an Islamic perspective as concerns the treatment of Non-Muslims. Currently Islamic sentiments in this regard are negatively portrayed by an often misrepresented ayah from another chapter; Surah Tauba (9:5) in which it is frequently translated as “kill all infidels”.  Also mentioned was the fact that in order to truly understand the Quran, a multifaceted approach is necessary and part of that entails an understanding of the “asbabul nazul” or reason for revelation of the individual parts.  The danger of taking an ayah and simply disseminating the words face value is that misunderstandings are created.  In truth this is done on purpose for these very misconstructions are tools used by the agencies of hate that exist worldwide.   These evildoers are not only attempting to extinguish the light of Islam, but to also destroy the pillars of all religions.  As all mankind is the family of God we must not sit idly by and allow these agents of hate to be successful.   In light of that, if the true meanings of this Islamic holy script, the Quran, are elucidated and disseminated, then appropriate insight into the inner meaning of Islam can be achieved and the animosity that has been created between religions—especially Christianity and Islam—can be eliminated.  That being said it would be helpful to expound on the reason for revelation of this repeatedly misread ayah.  Although this subject is very extensive, an attempt will be made to cover the breadth of it in a two part article starting with the historical aspect and a discussion to follow in part two.

The newly renovated mosque, not surprisingly, funded by Saudi monies, suddenly became unavailable with doors locked- relegating the celebration to a meager recreation room.

The Milad program was orchestrated by Maulana Nur Muhammad, an American Muslim Association member who was treated  disrespectfully when he demanded to know why the  Holy Last Messenger Muhammad, peace upon him, was being treated in such a blasphemous manner. It was a surprise to all that the program would be locked out of the mosque. A renowned speaker and scholar, Dr. Faruqi, voiced his outrage and gross dismay that an observance dear to the hearts of millions of Muslims would be denigrated in such a flagrant manner by the consignment  of the festivities to the mosque proper.

During this holiday season, we proudly proclaim that the key to world peace, and specifically, peace in America, lies in the unification of Muslims and the followers of Holy Messenger Jesus, son of Chaste Mary, upon them be peace. This unity will close the door on war, destruction and disease for the world, and for the American people, who have been pushed into Iraq in past crusades. The Holy Qur’an is the only Divinely-revealed Book which confirms the Prophethood of Jesus, son of Chaste Mary, peace be on them both, his virgin birth and the honor that Almighty Allah bestowed upon his blessed, pious mother, Mary.
“And (remember) when the angels said, Oh Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and [selected]you above the women of all the worlds.” –Holy Qur’an, Surah Al-i-Imraan: 42

Beautiful snowflakes descended gently from the heavens, as the first major snowstorm of 2011 made its way across most of the United States and Canada. Yet, this did nothing to deter hundreds of guests who made their way into the Liberty Ballroom at Days Inn Motel in Binghamton, New York; faithful who gathered in anticipation of the commemoration and celebration of the auspicious and noble birth of ‘The Anointed One’, Jesus son of the Chaste Mary (perpetual peace be upon them both), his life, his doctrine of peace and his miracles.
The spirit of the expression ‘Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Mankind’ reverberated around the exquisitely decorated ballroom as Christians and their Muslim brethren took their seats. In their smiles and greetings, the warmth, tranquility, and love that filled the room was undeniably felt by all.

In late March the province of Quebec passed a landmark legislation which stipulates that Muslim women who wear the face covering known as niqab will have to uncover their faces to be able to receive government services as well as when approaching government offices, schools, and other publicly funded institutions.