American Muslim Observer » Islamic Events

American Muslims Get a Lesson in Fundraising

amobserver — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:17:57 +0000

At Elmhurst College over 100 leaders of mosques and Muslim non-profit companies gathered to learn how to fulfill their Islamic responsibility to do charitable works without drawing the attention of the FBI. Since 9/11 it has become increasingly difficult for Muslims to do this, especially abroad.

Muslim Advocates, the IRS and the MacArthur Foundation all gave information on how to make bookkeeping transparent, report the collection of foreign funds properly and reassure U.S. officials that the money will never end up in the hands of terrorists. Missteps in the past lead to a crackdown by the federal government and this in turn started a cooling in charitable giving.

These steps are being taken in light of the new climate under President Obama. Many Muslim organizations are signing up to have the Better Business Bureau’s charity watchdog comb through their financial records. So far eight organizations have signed up for this. This lets the government know that these charitable organizations are following best practices.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-muslim-charity-12-jun12,0,3690922.story

Hawaii Under Scrutiny for Islam Day

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:39:25 +0000

Hawaii is marking September 24^th as Islam day. This is a move that is drawing much consternation, mainly from people who live out of the state. Some are even threatening to boycott the islands. Hawaii has long been a place of tolerance thanks to its multi-cultural fabric. State Representative Lyla Berg thought that having an Islam day was in line with the island state’s culture, many disagree.

The resolution to make September 24^th Islam day passed unanimously in the House and overwhelmingly in the Senate and is intended to recognize the religious, scientific, cultural and artistic contributions of Islam and the Islamic world. It is important to the people that supported the bill for others to understand that because they want to recognize the contributions of Islam does not mean that they support terrorism.

Some have said that the bill violates the separation of church and state, but at least 10 other days with religious overtones are recognized by the Legislature. Christmas and Good Friday are both Christian holidays that are also official State holidays.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=676&&ArticleID=25947&&name=n&&currPage=1

Muslim Singer Performs in New York City

amobserver — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:23:36 +0000

Youssou N’Dour is a 49 year old musician from Africa who has been criticized by the Muslim community for allegedly mixing secular music with religious themes. His intention is to prove that Islam is not all about fear and sadness. He wants to show the world that Islam is a religion where people can dance and even enjoy themselves.

Youssou N’Dour has performed with popular western musicians like Bono, Bruce Springsteen and Sting. His 2004 album Egypt was boycotted for two years in his home country of Senegal. Muslims accused him of desecrating Islam by mixing it with popular secular culture. There were even false rumors spread that he used naked women in his videos.

He performed at “Muslim Voices: Arts and Ideas Festival” in Brooklyn. There were performers from 23 different countries. The program included Arabic cinema, Indonesian dance and African music; there were also other films and other forms of visual art.

Youssou N’Dour has filmed a documentary that follows his struggles after the release of his album “Egypt”. The album won a Grammy in 2005 and N’Dour played sold out venues. Although in his native West Africa stores returned copies of the album and radio stations refused to play the new music. Later he won over his detractors and even went on to be an official UNICEF goodwill ambassador. He is working to stop malaria in Africa and helps distribute mosquito nets to families. His goal for his documentary is to break the perception that Islam is what extremists do.

http://wonderwall.msn.com/movies/The-Top-10-Marilyn-Monroe-Wannabes-2992.gallery?gt1=28135#wallState=0__/movies/African-singer-criticized-by-Muslims-plays-in-NYC-1516068.story

American Muslims Join Japanese Americans in Pilgrimage

author1 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:52:43 +0000

A group of 100 American Muslims from California made a pilgrimage to the former Japanese internment camp known as Manzanar War Relocation Center. The participants listened to the stories of the men, women and their children who were held in the camps during WWII. The United States ordered 120,000 Japanese Americans held in 10 camps during the war without allowing them due process. Not one of the detainees was ever convicted or even charged with a crime.

American Muslims pay tribute to the Japanese men and women who were imprisoned based solely on their heritage. The Japanese community has stood by American Muslims as their civil liberties were taken away after 9/11. Every year Muslims pay tribute to those Japanese Americans who fought the injustice done to them and tried to gain the respect and equal treatment that should have been available to all Americans.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=25902&&name=n&&currPage=1

Conference to Be Held to Examine American-Islamic Relations under Current Administration

author1 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:47:19 +0000

There is an upcoming conference to be held in Washington D.C. to look at whether the currant administration’s policy changes are an indication of more positive relationships between the United States and the Muslim world. The conference is being hosted by Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy (CSID). “How to Improve U.S.-Muslim Relations” is drawing policy experts and academics from around the world.

CSID will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary at the conference. The organization was founded by a diverse group of academics and professionals from different backgrounds. The focus of the group was the knowledge that Islam’s place in democracy was in need of understanding and clarification for a better cross-culture channel of communication.

http://www.cair.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?mid1=777&&ArticleID=25877&&name=n&&currPage=1

American Muslims Get a Voice with Film Festival

author1 — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:51:34 +0000

The “Link TV: One Nation Many Voices Muslim American Film Competition” has given Muslim Americans a voice that cannot be drowned out by stereotypes and hateful rhetoric. These are the things that Muslim Americans face most often when they are trying to get their messages across to the world.

The more than 100 entries to the film competition reflect the changed lives of Muslim Americans since 9/11. A 24 year old from Georgia, Nabil Abou-Harb, won the $20,000 grand prize for “Best Overall Video”. The five minute video was bittersweet and depicted how Muslim Americans must “whitewash” their appearance and mannerisms to fit into American society and avoid persecution.

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/culture/?id=32031