TMO 7-30-15

Volume 17, Issue 31 The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436By Laura FawazTMO Contributing ReporterDetroit, MI–Nur Ali is thefirst Muslim and PakistaniAmerican to become a professionalracing driver. Last weekhe completed Red Bull’s GlobalRally Cross at Belle Isle inDetroit.“When you’re a kid you wantto be a football player, a baseballplayer, a racecar driver,Muslims living intiny homesPage 2#AccessibleRamadanPage 3Prsrt stdU. S. PostagePAIDRoyal Oak, MI48068Permit#792so my parents thought it wasjust a phase … but it wasn’t aphase,” Ali said.The 2015 Red Bull GRC isthe first time Ali has done rallystyleracing. With that beingonly his 5th race, the dirt sectionwas all new to him, thoughyou wouldn’t have known it becausehis came in 3rd place onhis first race. Earlier this year,his manager put a programtogether with Valvoline andOnIslam & News AgenciesOKLAHOMA – Writing thefinal chapter in years-longcase, Abercrombie & Fitch hasdropped the appeal to a courtruling in favor of a Muslimwoman in hijab, paying about$25K to settle the case.“SamanthaElauf’sPhoto credit: Laura FawazPakistani-Americanraces on Belle IsleTweaker Energy shots, and ralliedto get a program together.“Here we are, having fun underpressure,” Ali said.Before this, he raced A1Cfor team Pakistan. “By defaultI became their driver becausethere is no other driver in theworld that has a racing license,so I got the call, and by default,they said that if you don’t drive(Continued on page 19)Abercrombie pays$25K damages tohijabi womanpersistence was a big part ofthis success,” Veronica Laizure,a civil rights attorney withthe Oklahoma Chapter of theCouncil on American-IslamicRelations, was quoted by TulsaWorld on Wednesday, July 22.Elauf case dates back to2008 when she applied for a job(Continued on page 14)Who is SandraBland and whyshould you care?By Rashida TlaibSandra Bland, only 28 yearsold, was one of five sisterswho was a musician, loved toserve her community, a summercounselor and passionateabout the #BlackLivesMattermovement. She headed toTexas for a new job that shewas thrilled about, and familymembers even described hermood as “ecstatic.” Her sisterssaid that she was outgoing,truly filled with life and joy.She was found hangingfrom her jail cell after she wasarrested for a claimed assaultof the officer who stopped heron an alleged traffic violation.Now, what you should knowis that the officer was tailgatingher and the reason shepulled to the side of the roadin order to get out of his way.When she did that she didn’tuse her turn signal and sadlythat is the reason he pull herover. When Sandra asserts herright to know why she was beingarrested. The officer thenbegins to threaten her, “I’m goingto drag you out. I’m goingto light you up.” He later slamsher head to the ground whileshe cried out “you are doing allthis for a traffic signal.”Sandra was in jail for threedays.Although the medical examinersaid it was suicide, toomany unanswered questionsarose to the point where it isnow being investigated as amurder.Her family is devastatedand can’t fathom that shecould take her life, especiallybecause she was excited tostart a new chapter in her life.Just like me and many otheryoung American Muslims, shevoiced strong opinions aboutpolice accountability, racism,and hate in America. Thereare strong suspicions by the#BlackLivesMatter movementthat the arrest was illegal, shewas a victim of a broken andcorrupt police system, andshe would not have ended herlife in a jail cell. People knewher as an activist against a policesystem that is structurallyracist, so undoubtedly, manyfear that there was wrongdoingon the part of the policedepartment.Why should we all careabout the circumstances ofwhat happened to Sandra?Because this happened righthere in our backyard. Notthat many are surprised, butit is a story that is very similarto what we hear from ElSalvador, with kidnappings(Continued on page 14)A publication of Muslim Media Network, Inc. • Tel: 248-426-7777 • Fax: 248-476-8926 • info@muslimobserver.com • www.muslimobserver.com

2 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436nationalMuslims living in tiny homesBy Mus’ab Abdalla and Sumaya MehaiThere’s a saying that goes,“If there is room in yourheart there will be room in yourhome.”Today we’re going to takeyou on a journey into our tinyyet nurturing home in Berkeley,California.You may haveheard of thegrowing tinyhome movementwherepeople aredownsizing for not only financialreasons but also more importantlyenvironmental andsustainable ones.The average American homeis about 2600 square feet andthe average hotel room is 450square feet while the averagetiny home is 200 square feet.For seven months, my wifeand I lived in a 12 x 20 foot cottage,which is just shy of 250square ft. We came looking fora learning experience, and wefound one.Sometimes we tend to forgetthat our Prophet lived in atiny home with his family andhad people over, and was thebest of hosts. Over the monthswe’ve had several people staywith us for a few days at a timeas guests, comfortably.Qur’an (7:31) “And eat anddrink but not to extravagance,for God does not love thosewho waste.”A big part of living small isthat you reduce your carbonfootprint.During our time here, welearned how to get more outof less. For example, from ourfive-foot kitchen, we were ableto store a month’s worth of grocerieson hand-made shelvesand a mini fridge; and do all ourcooking and baking on a twoburnerstovetop and a toasteroven. That taking up less spaceand using less was not a matterof depravity but a lesson invalue, and quality. The cottagetaught us about the necessitiesand essentials and we could bemore focused on the importantaspects of life, our relationshipwith God, with each other, andwith people.There’s a beautiful versein the Qur’an (25:63) thatsays, “And the servants of theGracious are those who walklightly upon the Earth (youcould say they have a small carbonfootprint) … and they askGod, make us a good exampleto the righteous.”It was this that made us decideto drive down from Ohio, athree thousand mile plus journey,instead of flying. Therewere weeks where we gladlydid not have any trash to throwaway. The herb garden rightoutside had a section for compostthat turned into healthyreusable soil, and we recycledall of our plastics, papers andcardboard if we had any. Wealso made sure to shop ethicallyand smart, using our ownshopping bags and containersand checking the better worldbuying guide which you canfind online. What we throwaway into the world, what werelease will have an impact onus metaphysically, and thusThe tiny house movement has been getting bigger and bigger. Photo credit: Nicolás Boullosathe importance of sustainableliving.Sustainable living is a reductionof one’s use of resources,especially natural ones and beingmore efficient with our useof what we have. Even whenwater was not as scarce as itis now, the community of theProphet used little water. Andthe Prophet is quoted to havesaid,“Use little water even if youare by a gushing stream.”It was an added blessing thatwe lived in a communal-likesetting. The cottage had beenaround since the 1920’s whenBerkeley was less inhabited, sothe two homes in front and behindthe cottage are one part ofwhat used to be a farm. We hadseven distinctive and aspiringneighbors. Josh Halpern, whohad been there the longest, wasworking on a project called Ecocourageousdedicated to preparingthe upcoming generationwith the right skills to face thechallenges of climate change.Last week they invited usover for an Iftar (Ramadan dinner);everyone brought somethingto the table both literallyand figuratively. We brought avegetable soup to share, sinceall of our neighbors are vegetarianand we told stories andconnected. Religion was nottalked about that night in thisinterfaith gathering but lived.Everyone brought their ownplates and silverware, and recycledjars were used as drinkingcups, and instead of papertowels we used reusable clothnapkins.So, living in a tiny homemeans less stuff. Everythingwe own fits in the back ofthis car we’re borrowing.The wise Imam Shaf’i, says,“Contentment is an unendingtreasure.” So whether you have2000 square feet or 200 squarefeet to live in if you’re not gratifiedit will mean nothing.Editor’s note: Follow Mus’abAbdalla and Sumaya Mehai atThe Prophet Smiled. This articleoriginally appeared on UmmahWide.Do You Know About Zakat?• What is Zakat?• Why should I pay Zakat?• Who must pay Zakat?• When is Zakat Due?• What things require paying Zakat on them?• What about Zakat that I have not paid in the past?• Who should receive Zakat?• How do I calculate my Zakat?Detailed Answers, Videos, and a ZakatCalculator at:www.hidaya.org/zakatDonate online: www.hidaya.orgBy Mail: Hidaya Foundation, PO Box 5481, Santa Clara, CA 95056Hidaya Foundation866.2HIDAYA | www.hidaya.orgHidaya Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization with Tax ID # 77-0502583

nationalThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 329004 W. EIGHT MILE ROADFARMINGTON, MI 48336TEL: 248-426-7777FAX: 248-476-8926E-MAIL: info@muslimobserver.comwww.MuslimObserver.comEstablished in 1998FOUNDER and CEOA. RAHEMAN NAKADAR, M.D.ceo@muslimobserver.comEDITOR-AT-LARGEASLAM ABDULLAH, Ph.D.editor@muslimobserver.comManaging EDITORAATIF ALI BOKHARIme@muslimobserver.comLAYOUT & DESIGNADIL JAMESmanager@muslimobserver.comAccount MANAGERSYED ASHRAFaccountant@muslimobserver.comTMO Inc. Board of DirectorsPresident: Dr. Iltefat Hamzavi, MDVice President: Dr. A. Majid Katranji, MDSecretary: Dr. Muzammil Ahmed, MDDirector: Dr. M.A. Salim, MDREPORTERS & CONTRIBUTORSMohammed Ayub KhanIlyas ChoudryMahvish IrfanGeoffrey CookIbrahim Abdul-MatinHaroon MoghulSajid KhanSameer SarmastAmnah IbrahimJennifer ZobairNadirah AngailNoor SalemDr. Fasiha HashamSabiha AnsariFaisal MasoodDr. Hesham HassaballaHina Khan-MukhtarLaura FawazTMO welcomes Letters to the Editor and written compositionsrelevant to the subject matter of this newspaper.Address them to “The Editor” at the above address. Wereserve the right to edit for clarity and content. Major editingis consultatively done.Submissions: We welcome submissions. Please sendto submissions@muslimobserver.com, subject “submission.”We ask that no submissions be made on behalf ofothers. By submitting articles you are promising us thatyou are the author of the article, and granting us a licenseto print it without paying you. Any items received by us,whether pictures or text, become the property of TheMuslim Observer. At your request, we will try to returnthem, but if we do not return them we incur no liability.We reserve the right to make [sometimes extensive] edits— both in body and in title, before any submission goesto print, and by sending us your article you assent to this.TMO does not necessarily agree with the opinions of itswriters. Contents © 2015 The Muslim Observer.Disclaimer: Between the front and back pages of theMuslim Observer are printed the varying and sometimescontroversial views (whether in text or graphics) of peoplewho have submitted articles - not every word of these articleshas necessarily been reviewed for content, and theviews submitted and expressed herein do not necessarilyreflect those of the Muslim Observer or its principals,staff, independent contractors, or advertisers.Making an #AccessibleRamadan forMuslims who don’t drive or own a carBy Laura PoyneerAlt MuslimahI am a single woman who is not able to drive. A combinationof sensory processing and anxietyissues means that I have never felt fullyin control of a car and have learned fromexperience that it’s safer for both myselfand others if I’m not on the road.It can often be difficult to go frompoint A to point B without a car. While the area where I livehas a good public transit system, bus routes don’t always runwhere I need to go, when I need to get there, or on a convenientschedule.One of the places I’ve struggled to get to is my local mosque.In order to reach the mosque, I first walk approximately tenminutes to the bus stop and then hop on for a ten minute rideto the nearest mosque. This, however, is the best case scenario.When the bus schedule doesn’t line up with prayer timesat the mosque, travel time can eat up an entire afternoon. Forexample, I have to allocate over two hours to attend the Fridayprayers each week and this means making a special arrangementwith my manager to take such a long break from workevery Friday.I’m also unable to join the rest of my local community fortarawih – the recommended nightly prayers Muslim gather topray in the mosque in Ramadan. In these protracted summerfasts, by the time the Imam wraps up tarawih, the buses havelong since stopped running for the night, leaving me with noway to return home.Almost every Friday, as I ride the bus to the mosque, I spotat least one other Muslim traveling with me to the same destination.There is the young brother in a wheelchair and theelderly man holding on tightly to his cane. Sometimes I’ll seea smattering of new immigrants, recently moved into the areaand hoping to meet fellow Muslims at the mosque. And thenthere are people in my city who simply cannot afford to owncars.My fellow riders and I are fortunate that our mosque is accessibleby bus. Many are not. There are mosques in my areawhich, if I chose to visit, would take me over nearly threehours on three buses to reach. In fact, I still remember theroute to one particular mosque I visited took me under a highwayoverpass and along a dirt road with no sidewalk.I’ve observed that the mosques that are more inaccessibleby public transportation tend to be located in wealthy suburbanareas. This is simply how U.S. residential and transportationsystems are structured. Muslims didn’t create these structures,but we have unwittingly reproduced them in our owncommunities.The area where I live has a stark divide between the twogroups that comprise the Muslim community. First, there arethe middle class, professional Muslims – often of South AsianPhoto credit: Clipart.comorigin – who work in high tech industries and live in suburbia.And then you’ll find the poor Muslims, often refugees ofSomali heritage, who live in more urbanized areas and attendovercrowded, resource-strapped mosques. My mosque falls inthe latter category.As Muslims and as Americans, part of our commitmentto social justice involves redistributing resources from thosewith plenty to those in need. Wealthy mosques with generousdonors should consider researching which neighboringmosques are running on empty and consider rerouting a portionof their funds and a handful of their staff or volunteers inthat direction.This social awareness should extend beyond the institutionto its members. For example, as a single woman who convertedto Islam some time ago, I would like to see a mental shiftin my Muslim community when it comes to my accessibilityto the mosque. Fellow Muslims have often thrown out theunhelpful suggestion, “Oh, well if you don’t have a car, youshould just ask someone to drive you!” Their quick and easysolution is well-meaning, but misguided. The onus should notbe on the person who does not have a car or does not drive.Very often that person is only marginally attached to themosque to begin with, precisely because it is so difficult forhim or her to get to! Converts and unmarried Muslims usuallylack family and ethnic networks to serve as an entry point intothe community, and our isolation is further exacerbated bythe dominant ethnic group’s tendency to ignore or stigmatizeus.So when you don’t know people at your mosque very wellin the first place, it can be daunting to approach a fellow worshiperand ask him or her for a ride, not just once, but on aweekly basis! Frankly, it feels like an imposition. Instead ofburdening people who are already perched on the socialperiphery, mosque communities need to take the initiativethemselves to improve accessibility. For example, a communitymember could serve as a carpool coordinator, managingvolunteers who are willing to drive and inviting those whoneed a ride to sign up for one. Similarly, if the mosque hasthe resources, it could provide a shuttle van service for Fridayprayers, Eid, and tarawih. Just as mosques often ask membersto sponsor iftars, they could request shuttle van sponsors.Changes like these would cost little or nothing at all, yetmake our mosques much more welcoming and inclusive tothe diverse range of Muslims who don’t drive or own a car.Not only would these Muslims be able to take part in manymore mosque events, but we would feel like our concerns reallymatter to our communities.Editor’s note: Laura Poyneer is a European-American convertto Islam who lives near Seattle. She works in online tech supportand volunteers for the Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative. Sheis active on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/muhajabah. Her viewsare her own. This article originally appeared in Alt Muslimah.The Muslim Observer ISSN 1531-1759 (USP.S. 018-739) is published weekly for $100 per year by Muslim Media Network, Inc., 29004 W. 8 Mile Rd., Farmington, MI 48336.Periodicals postage paid at Farmington Hills, MI, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Muslim Observer; 29004 W. 8 Mile Rd.;Farmington, MI 48336. Subscriptions: $75/1 year; $140/2 years; Advertising: for rates contact: advertising@muslimobserver.com

4 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436nationalEntrepreneurs’CornerFaisal Masood & Sabiha AnsariRafat Ali blazesmedia trail“Rafat Ali is a global soul.”That’s how the Founderand CEO of Skift, the first andonly media brand that coversthe business of travel globally,describes himself. And it’s nowonder considering that he’sgrown up across three countries(and continents), havinglived in the U.S., UK, and India.We had a chance to sit andtalk to Rafat and hear about hisamazing career and insights.“I was never meant to bean entrepreneur, I just kind ofstumbled onto it,” he states.Not surprising since he cameto Indiana University to pursuehis masters in journalism in1999, with a previous degreein computer engineering fromAligarh Muslim University inIndia.Not exactly the path of theclassic entrepreneur.But back in 2002, whatstarted out as a simple blogcovering the business of digitalmedia, turned into his firstsuccessful venture. He latersold the blog which had transformedinto an online mediacompany, PaidContent, to UK’sGuardian Media Group in 2008for a reported $30 million.Rafat stayed on with them until2010 before he took off totravel across the world for thenext two years looking to find“the next big thing”.And that turned out to beSkift. So what does the wordexactly mean? “It’s an OldEnglish word meaning shift,change, or transformation andit’s now become the word thatrefers to the change and shifthappening in the travel industry,”shares Rafat. “Skift providesnews information anddata services for the travel industrybetween all its subsectors-airlines, airports, tourism,hotels, online travel, cruises,some backend tech playersand manufacturers. We have avery progressive message. Welike to talk in big picture fashionabout the changes happeningin consumer behavior, thedigital technology trends thataffect consumer behavior andthe future of travel. In essence,we’re the Bloomberg of travel,”he adds.As Skift celebrates its thirdanniversary on July 30th of thisyear, Rafat is quite confident inthe direction it’s headed. Basedin New York City, with currently18 people on his team, he seeshis company steadily growingin the next few years. “We’rea boutique media informationbusiness and although we’rea venture backed company,we’ve only raised $2.5 milliondollars and we like it that wayand don’t want to raise more,he states. “Some of these othercompanies have raised tens ofmillions of dollars, but investormoney can come with too manystrings attached and you don’twant to sell your soul. For a mediacompany, brand and reputationis extremely important,”he further adds.When asked what habitsmake him successful, Rafatlaughs and says “A delusionalsense of belief in yourself thatRafat Aliyou will succeed! You will heara hundred no’s before you hearone yes.” He also adds that it’simportant to focus and have asense of balance, learn to say“no” to a lot of things whilekeeping your head down andworking and “brutally” managingyour time the right way.But the start-up world cancome with its own uniquechallenges. What keeps Rafatawake at night, we asked?“Building the right culture insideof the company” he shares.“Hiring the right people is agreat challenge, but it’s onlyhalf the battle won. Keepingthe people happy inside is thenext phase of the battle.”In a recent memo to histeam, Rafat shares, “We workhard during the hours of 8 amto 6 pm, and that’s it. We don’twant people in the office after6 pm, we don’t want peopleworking on weekends. Wewant to build a humane companythat wants the best outof our people in the hours theygive to the company and builda more balanced life outside ofit” And he has followed throughwith his words with two exoticoff sites for his entire team inthe past two years, Iceland andMedellin, Columbia.So what does Rafat do in hisfree time to relax and recharge?“I read, travel, and play withmy six month old son. I met mywife while I was traveling duringmy two year trip, so travelis of course a big part of ourlives. I’m also very connectedto my Indian roots. It keeps megrounded in many ways whilebeing in America,” he shares.Rafat’s parting advice tobudding entrepreneurs- “Beprepared as best as possible inwhatever sector you’re focusingon and do your research.Have a high risk tolerance andbe comfortable with this uncertaintyat all time. And actionover intent, always.”Editor’s Note: Faisal Masoodis the Founder and President ofthe American Muslim ConsumerConsortium Inc. He has morethan 20 years of managementconsulting, business management,entrepreneurship andsales management experience.Currently he works for JPMorgan Chase in New York. Theviews expressed here are his own.Sabiha Ansari is Co-Founder andVice-President of the AmericanMuslim Consumer Consortium,Inc. (AMCC). She has a degreein Psychology, is a CertifiedEmpowerment Coach, and aconsultant with Canavox, a programof Witherspoon Institutededicated to promoting familyand marriage values. The viewsexpressed here are their own.Lonely in Ramadanby Reem FaruqiAtlantaMuslim.com“Why did you write thisbook?” asks the bright-eyedsecond grader, hand wavingwith a flourish.I give him a generic answer.What I should have said is, “Iwrote this book for YOU. I wrotethis book so that you can feelconfident about sharing yourbeliefs. I wrote this book so thatyou can tell your classmatesand teachers about Ramadan,so that you can explain whyyou’re not eating lunch today. Iwrote this book so that you cantell people you’re Muslim andbe proud of who you are.”While writing Lailah’sLunchbox, I reflected on myearlier memories of moving toAmerica. My book, publishedjust in time for Ramadan,tells the tale of a young girl,Lailah, who has just movedfrom Abu Dhabi in the UnitedArab Emirates to PeachtreeCity, Georgia. Lailah realizesher best friends are miles away.She feels even more estrangedwhen she realizes no one elseis fasting with her at school.Adding to her dilemma is a notefrom her mother to her teacher,explaining why Lailah doesn’thave her lunchbox. Lailah stillhasn’t given her teacher thenote. Her classmates simplythink Lailah has forgotten herlunchbox…again.Spoiler Alert: Lailah sums upthe courage and writes a poemto her teacher about Ramadan,ending her note with a P.S. I’mMuslim!I have had people tell mewith a hint of nostalgia thatmy story brought them to tearsand that this story remindedthem of their days in thelunchroom during Ramadan.I have had a woman read thisbook, admire Lailah’s courage,and wistfully confide that noone at work even knows she’sMuslim.I wrote this book for her.I wrote this book for peoplewho are shy about revealingtheir Muslim identity.I wrote this book for thechild who is the only fastingMuslim in his/her class and isa little reluctant about sharingwhy he/she doesn’t have theirlunch with them today.If my book can help themshare about Ramadan eagerly,I will feel that my goal has beenaccomplished. I want this bookto be an icebreaker, bridgebuilder,confidence-inspirer,you-name-it.Why not open up and shareour joy regarding this blessedmonth with non-Muslims? Orfor starters, tell people that weare Muslim? Like Lailah, a “P.S.I’m Muslim!” will suffice too.Photo credit: Reem Faruqi PhotographyEditor’s note: Reem Faruqiused to teach second grade andher favorite time was Read Aloudtime. Now, as a stay-at-homemom,her favorite time is stillRead Aloud time. Of Pakistaniorigin, she moved from AbuDhabi to Peachtree City, Georgiawhen she was 13 years old. Shebased her first children’s bookLailah’s Lunchbox on her ownexperience as a young Muslimgirl immigrating to the UnitedStates. The views expressed inher article are solely her own.

advertisementThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 5TMO Foundation Essay ContestEssays should be no more than 1500 words,Your essay must include your university photo ID card, telephonenumber, your email address, and physical mailing address.The top scholarship award is: $1,200Second place: $1,000Third place: $750There will be a number of consolation prizes or scholarships varyingfrom $250 to $500Hurry up, don’t miss this opportunity!Topics:1) Why is it important that Muslims become journalists??2) How do mainstream publications discriminate against Muslims?3) How should parents encourage their kids to pursue dreams?Your essay must be received by: September 8th, 2015Prizes awarded at annual gala on October 4, 2015Send your essays to:Email: ceo@muslimobserver.comand me@muslimobserver.comFax: 248 476 8926Mail: 29004 W 8 Mile Rd, Farmington-MI-48336

6 — The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436sportsSports andConsequencesIbrahim Abdul-MatinA critical lookat footballAs football season nears,let’s begin to think criticallyabout our relationship withthis sportEvery day as I scan the sportsheadlines, I am frequently disgustedby football news. It’sso often stories about violenceagainst women, child abuse,even murder. It makes me sickand it is personal – remember,I played football for twelveyears. I am starting to thinkmore and more that it’s time toboycott football altogether. It’stime to pressure the institutionto make some much neededcultural changes.When college programs recruithigh school football players,they start by visiting parentsand making a promise,“I am here to give your childan opportunity.” They fail tomention that their young athletewill soon be surroundedby misogyny, violence, alcoholabuse, and people that donot have their best interests inmind.In recent football news, theKansas City Chiefs released cornerbackJustin Cox on Tuesdayafter his arrest on charges ofburglary of a residence, aggravateddomestic assault andtrespassing. Another KansasCity starter, A.J. Johnson fromthe University of Tennessee,was charged with rape. Thenthere’s San Jose State’s KanyaBell Jr., a wide receiver, whohas been dismissed from theteam after his on-campus arrestfor domestic battery. Finally,New Orleans Saint DarrenSharper is back in the news.His sentencing for druggingand assaulting women in fourstates has been rescheduled.Literally every young athletewho enters the world of collegeand pro-football is at risk forbecoming a headline like thoseabove. I think back to when myparents allowed me to play – itwas out of necessity. Withoutthe scholarship, I could nothave attended college. Thisis the case for many youngballers. It is unacceptablethat young people seeking aneducation and needing to usefootball as a route must also beinculcated into a culture that’smore detrimental than helpfulin the long run.There is a context to theviolent nature of football as asport. Baseball and golf comeout of agrarian societies. Thereare no clocks and the games areplayed outside in large openfields. Basketball comes fromthe urban context exemplifiedby its sense of urgency. Footballis uniquely “American” becauseof its relationship to factoryDisgraced New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Lucy Nicholson/Files / Reutersand mill towns. Small cities inPennsylvania and the Midwestpumped out football playersthat often played games afterleaving their line jobs where itwas common to see people severelyhurt in factory accidents.But this violent history doesnot need to translate into modernday off-the-field violence.Football can be a healthy containerfor anger and aggression.It can be a non-criminal,non-oppressive outlet.As football season nears,let’s begin to think criticallyabout our relationship withthis sport. We may enjoy thecompetition, the tailgating, theexcitement, but are we consideringwhat our unquestionedsupport is doing to the athletes?Are we asking the NCAA andthe NFL about support servicesthat athletes might need? Arecollege athletes being treatedas whole humans or as moneymakers? Are pro-athletes recognizedfor bad behavior? Arethey appropriately punished?Rehabilitated? As someonewho believes in conscious consumerism,I believe we need toextend our conscience to theworld of sports.Editor’s Note: Ibrahim Abdul-Matin has worked in the civic,public, and private sectors andon several issues including sustainability,technology, communityengagement, sports, andnew media. He is the author ofGreen Deen: What Islam TeachesAbout Protecting the Planet andcontributor to All-American: 45American Men On Being Muslim.From 2009 to 2011 Ibrahim wasthe regular Sports Contributorfor WNYC’s nationally syndicatedshow The Takeaway. Followhim on twitter @IbrahimSalih.The views expressed here are hisown.Our no-load mutual funds follow a value investment style,diversify across industries, and choose equities in accordancewith Islamic principles. Isn’t it nice to know there’s a Shariacompliant mutual fund with a low minimum investment of$250? (It’s even lower for IRAs, Health Savings Accounts orEducation Savings Accounts.) Open an account today and startinvesting in your future.Amana Income Fund seeks current income by investingprimarily in dividend-paying stocks. The Fund seeks capitalpreservation as a secondary objective. Established: 1986Amana Growth Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation byinvesting in companies expected to grow earnings and stockprices faster than the economy. Established: 1994The Amana Funds limit the stocks they purchase to those consistent with Islamic principles, which limitsopportunities and may increase risk. Please consider an investment’s objectives, risks, charges and expensescarefully before investing. To obtain a free prospectus that contains this and other important information aboutthe Amana Funds, please call toll-free 888/73-AMANA or visit www.amanafunds.com. Please read theprospectus carefully before investing. Distributed by Saturna Brokerage Services, member FINRA/SIPC. 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8 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436opinionMoney trumps fear in reactions to West’snuclear accord with IranBy Jamsheed K Choksy andCarol E B ChoksyThe Islamic Republic of Iranboasts the world’s fourth-largestoil reserves, second-largestgas reserves and the 29thbiggesteconomy, estimated atUS$415.3 billion in 2014. Itsgross domestic product is growingabout 3% a year despite thecrippling impact of decades-oldsanctions.Not surprisingly, then, potentialeconomic gains are prevailingover military, terrorismand human rights concerns inshaping responses to the historicdeal agreed to this week betweenIran and six major worldpowers (P5+1).While Iran trails SaudiArabia as the biggest economyin the region thanks to the latter’senergy dominance, it hasmany advantages over its rivalthat are sure to become morepronounced as sanctions arelifted. Iran’s economy is morediversified and includes a robustmanufacturing sector thatsupplies domestic and Asianmarkets with chemicals, plastics,automobiles and householdelectronics.Iran is also set to get a boostfrom about $100 billion in assetscurrently frozen by USand UN sanctions once theInternational Atomic EnergyAgency (IAEA) certifies thatTehran is fulfilling its part ofthe deal, probably by the end ofthe year.As sanctions fall away, Iranshould rise swiftly back intothe major leagues, propelledby larger energy exports thatcould top $100 billion a year,the release of hitherto frozenfunds and a highly educatedand motivated workforce.Iran, for its part, has beenstressing the economic and stabilitybenefits of the agreement.President Hassan Rouhani emphasizedto his nation: “We areon the brink of a new era in theinternational community.”Ever the cautious internationalbureaucrat, IAEA directorgeneral Yukiya Amano simplyendorsed the Vienna accordas a “significant step forward.”But then, the IAEA has no fiscalstake in the plan’s success orfailure.Most nations, however, do,and are counting on Iran becominga major market fortheir goods and services, signalingwhy money is trumpingother concerns when it comesto reactions to the accord. Andfor those that remain opposed,their rivalry with Iran meantthey didn’t expect to gain anythingin the first place.Here’s a look at how 20countries with a variety of tiesto Iran reacted to news of theaccord, and how economicinterests were the dominantfactor.Russia and China awaitbig benefitsRussia is one superpowerwhose stance is as clear as thatof many developing countries.President Vladimir Putin hasdeclared that relations withIran “will receive a new impetusand will no longer be influencedby external factors.”Foremost in fiscal terms willbe high-tech weapons sales andatomic reactors for civilian energygeneration. Russia expectsto benefit despite knowing aflood of Iranian oil and gas onthe market will lower energyprices, hurting its own mainsource of income.China is another superpowerthat warmly welcomed thedeal as a “historic day.” China,like Russia, plans to sell civiliannuclear plants to Iran andis in talks to invest in gas, oiland rare earth mineral minesin Iran. Beijing, which importsmore than 500,000 barrels ofIranian crude a day despitethe sanctions, also hopes tohave fewer problems fueling itseconomy.US, Canada, Australiaand UK reactions moremixedIn the US and Canada –which have little need forIranian oil or other exports butwhose companies hope to strikelucrative deals selling technology,energy infrastructure andconsumer goods – the politicalreaction has understandablybeen more mixed.Reflecting the divisions withinthe US about Iran’s potentialmartial threat, Republicanpresidential hopefuls such asJeb Bush denounced the agreementas “dangerous, deeplyflawed, and shortsighted.”Democratic candidateHillary Clinton, however, isless fearful of this threat andmore focused on pitching economicwelfare to Americanvoters. She described it as “anIstanbul, despitebeing a regionalrival of Tehran onthe political stage,declared that “thenuclear deal is greatnews for the Turkisheconomy,” will lead toinvestment and helpreduce the price of oilimportant step” — one that shehelped set the groundwork foras secretary of state.Canada, which severeddiplomatic relations in 2012over Iran’s nuclear and humanrights violations, said it neededto examine the deal further beforetaking any specific action,even as pressure mounts to embracethe fiscal benefits of reestablishingties.Australia greeted the dealby stressing “caution at least asmuch as the welcome,” but itsexports, largely grains, to Iranare small at $222 million.The UK, which also participatedin the negotiations, hasincreased its trade over the pastyear by 36% to $109 million.London hopes to gradually restorecalm to a relationship thatbroke off in 2011.Israel, the GCC and theSunni–Shia struggleIsrael lives under the verbalthreat of annihilation byTehran and naturally does notexpect to have any commercialdealings directly or indirectlywith the Ayatollah’s regime.Freed from economic considerations,Prime MinisterNetanyahu called the deal“a bad mistake of historicproportions.”Certainly, seen fromJerusalem, the anti-Semiticleaders of the Islamic Republiccould deploy vast portionsof their newfound funds tostrike terror via Hezbollah andHamas. Consequently, antipathyand fear of Iran had broughtIsrael closer to erstwhile Arabfoes in opposing Iran.Saudi Arabia, for example,which is locked in a sectarianstruggle against Iran for dominancein Iraq, Syria, Yemenand the Gulf, had its diplomatsspeak confidentially about “extremelydangerous” Persian expansionismin the wake of thenuclear deal.Fellow Gulf CooperationCouncil (GCC) membersKuwait, Bahrain and Qatar,also part of this Sunni–Shiitestruggle, were much more nuancedin their reaction.All three Gulf monarchiesknow full well that the dealprovides both economic benefitsand costs. Iranian cash soonto be heading their way willboost real estate, luxury goodsand consulting services. At thesame time, higher Iranian oiland gas exports will eat intotheir established energy-basedincome streams. Iran’s oil ministeris already planning toboost exports by 500,000 barrelsper day within six monthsand top out at 2.5 million barrelsper day within a couple ofyears. This will be a particularlymajor blow to the Saudis,whose crude oil will become farless vital to the global energymarket.Two other GCC memberstates, the United Arab Emirates(UAE) and Oman, are takinga more positive approach,regarding Iran’s economic andstrategic reemergence as inevitable.The UAE, which has beenrebuilding non-energy tradewith Iran that’s now worth $17billion, extended “congratulations”coupled with hope thatthe agreement will contributeto “strengthening regional securityand stability.”Oman, which helped sowthe seeds of this agreement byopening up communicationchannels between Iran and theUS, went even further, hailingthe agreement as a “historicwin–win.”Oman has longstandingcommercial ties with Iran in additionto a confessionally mixedpopulation of Ibadi, Sunni andShiite Muslims. So it cannotafford to foment intrafaith tensionsthat would rip apart itssociety and doom its emergingstatus as a diplomatic and mercantilehub.Iran’s allies praise dealIraq’s Shiite government isallied with Iran confessionallyand dependent upon it bothcommercially and in the battleagainst the Islamic State.Accordingly, Iraq sees thedeal as a “catalyst for regionalstability.”Indeed, long after the US isgone from its soil, Iraq’s Shiitemajority knows that maintainingnot just political buteconomic clout over its restiveSunni population northof Baghdad will depend onTehran’s largess via militias andcross-border trade.Then there is dysfunctionalSyria, where the tottering regimeis a client beholden fiscally,commercially and militarilyto Tehran.Having just accepted a $1billion line of credit from Iran,Bashar al-Assad could hardlydo anything but praise theagreement as “a great victory”and “a fundamental turningpoint.” Presumably, Assadhopes that if he can just hangon to Damascus a little longer,Iran will be more empoweredin convincing the US and EUthat the Alawite ruling classcan still secure Syria againstthe Islamic State.Neighbors see gainsfrom trade, oil flowsIstanbul, despite being a regionalrival of Tehran on thepolitical stage, declared that“the nuclear deal is great newsfor the Turkish economy,” willlead to investment and help reducethe price of oil.Indeed, Turkey’s economy,presently Iran’s third-largesttrading partner, will benefitboth from larger flows of cheapIranian gas and oil to its ownconsumers and from tariffs onenergy that passes through itsborders to European countries.Likewise, the entire Turkishsupply chain – from corporationsto individuals – standsto reap windfalls from goodsflowing through its borders toEurope and beyond.Pakistan and India, similarly,hardly feel threatened byIran even despite Tehran’s influenceon Afghanistan, due totheir own nuclear capabilities.Thus, each welcomed the dealand its economic impacts.Pakistan expects “economicgrowth along with an increasein trade” especially through theIran-Pakistan pipeline. Iraniangasoline, smuggled acrossthe border of Baluchistan andMakran provinces, has longkept the Pakistani economyafloat. But those supply linesprovide no tax revenues.Now, as energy imports cantake place freely and overtly,the central government inIslamabad stands to benefit.India also expressed delightat additional “energy cooperationand connectivity” plus areaffirmation of each country’s“right to peaceful uses of nuclearenergy.” India has an ever-risingdemand for fuel, andIran is positioned a short distanceaway to deliver a steadysupply.Kazakhstan’s officials hailedthe accord as they expect swiftgains from a recently inauguratedtrans-national railway.The Central Asian nation alsoplans to work with Iran towardenhanced cooperation in theenergy-rich Caspian Sea.Jockeying for positionChina is currently Iran’slargest trading partner, withnon-fuel trade expected to risefrom $13 billion in 2014 to atleast $80 billion by the end ofthis year. Rounding out the topfiveare the UAE, Turkey, theEuropean Union and SouthKorea. Seoul also quicklyjoined Iran’s other top tradingpartners in welcoming the nucleardeal.As the end of sanctions bolstersIran’s economy, these 20and many other countries willbe competing over the comingmonths and years to enjoythe benefits that will accompanythe nuclear accord takingeffect.Clearly it’s no surprise thatmoney is dominating reactions,rather than ideals or even fear.For better or worse, global andregional responses are beingshaped by fiscal calculations.Even security and strategic interestsare being seen in commercialrather than militaryterms.It’s the economy, stupid.Editor’s note: Jamsheed KChoksy is chairman, and distinguishedprofessor of theDepartment of Central EurasianStudies at Indiana University,Bloomington. Carol E B Choksyis a lecturer at the School ofInformatics and Computing atIndiana University, Bloomington.This article originally appearedon TheConversation.com and isreprinted here with permission.All views expressed here are solelythose of the authors.

advertisementThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 9AFMIYou are invited to celebrate the Silver JubileeAnniversary on August 29, 2015.Place: Burton ManorFor further information please contactDr. Ashraf Dahod, 855-709-0701Please Donate GenerouslySend your donations to: AFMI; 29008 West Eight Mile Rd., Farmington, MI 48336

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opinionThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 11ClosingArgumentsSajid KhanDefending a client(Part 1 of 2)By Sajid KhanA new file showed up in mymailbox, Mr. Sanchez, 54 yearsold, charged with a felony assaultcrime against a fellowhomeless man, set time notwaived for trial. I perused thepreliminary hearing transcript,where a colleague representedMr. Sanchez, and noticed thatMr. Sanchez had yelled outduring a witness’ testimony.I read my colleague’s memosdetailing his impressions of thecase and his interactions withthe client; Mr. Sanchez wasnot interested in any deals, hadstrong, perhaps unreasonable,opinions about the case andhad a history of mental healthissues. His “rap” sheet was longand voluminous, dating backdecades.A few days later, I set out tothe jail to meet Mr. Sanchezmyself. I sat in the cramped interviewroom and awaited hisarrival from his housing unit.The door opened but it wasn’tMr. Sanchez; instead, a correctionalofficer informed me thatMr. Sanchez refused to see me.Flustered, I asked if I could goto the unit and talk to him orleave him a note. Both requestsdenied. I exited the facility,heavy footed and sad that myclient, who I had been taskedwith representing, didn’t wantto see me. Even though it washis choice, I felt like I was abandoninghim.Days later, I tried again.This time, the door opened andMr. Sanchez limped into theroom. He wore glasses, heldtogether by a scrap of tape,thatsat crooked on his face. Mr.Sanchez’s long black hairslicked back, his hands largeand rough. His leg mangled anddeformed, the result of beinghit by a car over 25 years ago.The resulting surgeries left himwith a rod in his leg and thatleg 1 ½ inches shorter than theother. To correct his alignmentwhile in custody, Mr. Sanchezconstructed a jailhouse orthopedicshoe by binding three orangejail slippers together. Mr.Sanchez shook my hand andeased his worn body onto thejail stool. I told him that I hadcome to visit him days prior; hesaid he wasn’t feeling well, notthat he refused to see me as thecorrectional officers described.We launched into a conversationabout his life, his growingup in the foster care system,his medical and mental healthissues, his medications, hisstruggles with alcoholism andhomelessness. As he talked, hiseroded and warped teeth exposedthemselves. He proudlyshowed me his tattooless arms;“I’m not a gangbanger,” he said.I detailed to him what hewas accused of: assaulting afellow homeless man causingalleged great bodily injury. Headamantly claimed he actedin self-defense when he usedphysical violence against thealleged victim; “he pushed mefirst!” he said. I squeezed ina few words between his repeateddenials of culpability. Idrew a flowchart of the potentialscenarios of his case, trialor a plea bargain. If convictedas charged, Mr. Sanchez wouldbe saddled with a strike felonyand faced a likely double digitlength sentence. Mr. Sanchezwasn’t phased; he was readyfor trial. “If a jury wants to sendme to prison for this, then so beit,” he said.We’d meet again a few timesat the jail and then again atthe courthouse when the casewas sent to a judge for a potentialresolution. The assignedprosecutor made an offer thatwould limit Mr. Sanchez’s exposureto low single digits andremove any strike consequencesif he would plead no contestto a felony assault. After somediscussions with the assignedjudge, I met with Mr. Sanchezin a court holding cell to relaythe offer; Mr. Sanchez wantednone of it. “No deal, man,” hesaid repeatedly, despite myadvise that the offer was a reasonableone that protected himfrom the severe risks of trial.Mr. Sanchez would repeat, “Allthis for a bum fight?” “I alwaystake deals because I’m partiallyguilty.” This time, though, hewas clear: absent a reduction toa misdemeanor or a dismissal,the case was going to trial. .Several days later, the presidingjudge assigned the caseto a different judge for trial.The DA extended the same offerand the judge urged me to discussit with Mr. Sanchez again;perhaps being on the doorstepof trial might change his mind.I found Mr. Sanchez nappingon the wooden bench in theholding cell. I gently woke himand we conversed about theimpending trial and the offer.This time, Mr. Sanchez talkedless and would say, “yeah” and“uh huh” as I told him about therewards and merits of the offer.I asked him, “I’m sensing thatyou’re more open to this offerthan the last time we talked, isthat right”? Mr. Sanchez quicklyresponded, “Oh, no … I wasjust trying to be respectful toyou. I’m not taking no deal.”The judge brought us intothe courtroom to discuss the upcomingschedule, the first timeI had appeared in open courtwith Mr. Sanchez. He quicklylost his filter and spouted outhis thoughts, frustrations andmusings openly to the judge asI tried to calm and quiet him.The judge indulged him andhis rumblings but made it clearthat such behavior wouldn’t beacceptable in front of a jury. Mr.Sanchez apologized for his outburst,saying he hadn’t takenhis medication that morning.The case was continued untilthe next day for motions in liminewhere the judge wouldmake evidentiary rulings outsidethe jury’s presence. Thejudge ordered that Mr. Sanchezbe “dressed out” for that courtsession in his trial clothes as atest run before the jury wouldarrive for trial.The next morning, I rushedto court only to find that Mr.Sanchez refused to wear theclothes I provided him. I wentback to the holding cell andasked Mr. Sanchez if he didn’tlike the clothes I chose or ifthey were the wrong size. Hetold me he hadn’t even seenthem but refused to wearthem on principle; the clothesweren’t reflective of his currentcondition and he wantedthe jury to know he was in jail“for this shit.” I tried to convincehim to wear the clothesto avoid the jury assumingfrom his jail garb that he wasdangerous, a habitual offenderor simply disrespectful to thecourt. Mr. Sanchez was unmoved;he would wear his jailclothes in front of the jury. Weproceeded with motions in limineand as I argued for Mr.Sanchez’ prior acts of assaultto be excluded from evidence,he yelled out again, frustratedthat the prior acts were beingdiscussed at all. His outburstexasperated me, derailed mytrain of thought. I remindedhim that I was his voice, that hePhoto credit: Clipart.comcould whisper things to me orwrite things down and that I’ddo my best to share his views.We got through the rest of themotions without further interruptionand were ordered backthe following week for jury selectionand trial.Editor’s Note: Sajid A. Khanis a Public Defender in San Jose,CA. He has a BA in PoliticalScience from UC Berkeley anda law degree from UC Hastings.When not advocating for justice,Sajid enjoys playing basketball,football and baseball, and is ahuge fan of Cal football and A’sbaseball. He lives in San Jose,Ca with his wife and son. Reachhim via email at sajid.ahmed.khan@gmail.com or Twitter @thesajidakhan.The views expressedhere are his own. Part2 of his piece will run in nextweek’s issue.

12 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436opinion / communityLivingWellNoor SalemThe health of ournext generationMany times I question theconditions our children andgrandchildren will be facing inregards to their health. Whiledriving on the highway I seetons of advertisement of fastfood paired with happy faces,aiming at children evidently.Children are going to schooland are surrounded by vendingmachines full of food like substancesin colorful packagingand mouth-watering pictures.They head home and are probablyfed food items from boxesand bags, all with label claimsthat easily deceive many parents.A box of cheese crackersstating 14grams of whole graindoes not eliminate the other30 chemicals in the box, andnor does it automatically makethese crackers a health food forour children. Children are stillyoung to come upon understandingfood labels, so it’s upto us educated parents to takeon this role. What you feed yourchild has a major effect on theirdevelopment, both physical andmental health. If your child hada bowl of colorful and sugarycereal for breakfast, they’re lesslikely to concentrate in schoolversus eating scrambled eggs,good quality ingredient toast,and fruit. Many studies haveproven that artificial coloringcauses ADHD in children. Howmany parents link the behaviorissues of their children with thefood they are eating all day? Itundoubtedly has a correlation,but many are just unaware. Sowhile children are encircled bya junk-food society, what canyou do to have them love thehealthy counterparts? Here area few tips which I highly recommendyou try.First off, be a better example.Every parent has seen themocking of their child, whetherin words or actions. Yourchildren see, and they do. Bea role model for your childrenand bring the healthy food intoyour kitchen. Stock up the bowlof fruits and veggies on an ongoingbasis. Your pantries don’tneed to be filled with deepfried snacks, sugary cereals,and colorful treats. Go for betteroptions like nuts, dried fruit(without sulfur or potassiumsorbate), even quality ingredientspretzels and crackers. Callyour child over while munchingon your apple, and ask if they’dlike one too.Secondly, get your child involvedin the grocery shopping.Despite their chicken scratchhandwriting, allow them towrite down the fruits and veggiesfor your shopping trip. It’llexcite them into deciding onwhich fruits to buy, and they’llgrow a loving bond for healthfood. Along with that, take yourchild with you on a shoppingtrip. Try staying in the producearea; otherwise you might facesome tantrum trouble. Allowyour child to open the bags,count the produce, and simplybe involved. It’s a great motivator,and it does wonders.Next, allow your child timein the kitchen. They can watchyou chop vegetables or makechicken soup for dinner. Justthe fact that they’re observingwhole food in its raw formis beneficial. Many childrenknow of chicken only as nuggetform, and know of lettuceas a topping on burgers. Ifyour child is old enough, perhapsthey can get their handsinvolved. With your supervision,allow them to makesmoothies, fruit salads, or vegetableplates. Have them cookup a stir-fry with you, and feelthe honor of having cooked ahealthy meal. Kids love handson activities, and cooking isnot an exception.Furthermore, beware of whatyou pack in your child’s lunchbox.While home cooked food isbeyond healthier than hot mealsfrom school, it’s still importantto be aware of what you’re feedingyour child. Instead of packagedpuddings, fruit snacks, andchips, go for fresh fruit, nuts, andperhaps homemade muffins. Ifdoable, pack your child mealslike the chicken and veggie stirfryyou made for dinner, or asandwich with extra veggies.Instead of drinks with less than10 percent of real juice, choose100 real juices or just go withwater.Lastly, I’d highly recommendyou decrease TV time for yourchildren. Aside the negativehealth effects it comes with,your child won’t be exposed to asmuch advertisement. We don’tsee apples and broccoli dancingaround happily during commercials,we see fast food instead.Photo credit: PhotoduneWhen your child sees it more often,they’ll highly want it more.Try getting your children intomore physical activity outdoorsinstead of being attached to theTV or electronics.It’s very important that weare aware of what we feed ourchildren, for it has a direct effecton their long term health.Invest in healthy eating in yourchild, and remember to be thebetter example.Editor’s Note: Noor Salem isa Certified Integrative NutritionHealth Coach, and is CEO of herown wellness practice, HolisticNoortrition, LLC. Noor specializedin women’s health, weightloss, and food intolerance versusallergies. She offers individualand group health coaching programs,and is a speaker on thetopic of holistic health at workshopsand seminars. The viewsexpressed here are her own.Community newsbriefsAymen Sayednamed ChiefProduct OfficerNEW YORK,NY--Softwaremaker CA Technologies hasnamed Aymen Sayed as itsChief Product Officer. “Aymanis an accomplished technologyexecutive with a big vision whohas built world class softwaredevelopment organizations andoperated globally at scale,” saidChief Executive Officer MikeGregoire in a press release. “Byfocusing on product directionand excellence, Ayman willhelp CA build a differentiatedproduct portfolio meant to helpCA’s customers solve their mostdifficult business problems inthe Application Economy. I ampleased to welcome him onboard.”Sayed served as SeniorVice President of the NetworkOperating Systems TechnologyGroup at Cisco, where he oversaw2,500 engineers and ledthe development of the networkoperating software on whichnearly every Cisco networkingproduct runs. He helped Ciscopioneer the programmable networksarena and drove innovationbroadly across networkingsoftware, which enabledthe evolution of the intelligentnetwork to support applicationawareness and the Internetof Things. He also led a Ciscowide engineering transformationto Agile software developmentmethodology.Sayed joined Cisco in 1999and held leadership rolesacross several businesses includingCore Routing, EdgeRouting, Enterprise AccessSwitching, and most recentlyMobility Virtualization. Hedrove multi-billion dollar businessgrowth through productinnovation and new product introductions.While in charge ofthe Core Routing Business UnitEngineering team, he led thesoftware development for theCisco Carrier Routing System(CRS-1), a platform that introducedseveral industry firstsin terms of scale and availability.He also served as the VicePresident of Engineering for theUnified Access Business Unit. Inthat role, he led the engineeringteams for the Cisco Catalystaccess switching platforms.Sayed has more than 25years of experience in managinghigh-performance softwareorganizations. Beforejoining Cisco, he was Directorof Engineering at PlaintreeSystems, where he led thedevelopment and engineeringteams that created theirEthernet switching productline.Sayed holds a Bachelorof Science degree in electricalengineering from CairoUniversity.Ahmed shines,PanAm gamesMohammed Ahmed, the formerUniversity of Wisconsinrunner, hit gold at the PanAmerican Games. He wastaking part as a member ofTeam Canada. He won the goldin the 10,000 meter run.Running in front of a homecrowd, Ahmed finished in 28minutes, 49.96 seconds, bestingTeam USA’s Aron Rono, whofinished second in 28:50.83.“It was very tough, as I expected,”Ahmed said in a TeamCanada release. “To come outon top in front of the homecrowd is unbelievable.”““It was my first time experiencingsomething like this,being on the podium,” Ahmedsaid. “Now that I have experiencedthe feeling of being onthe podium, I hope to keep experiencingit.”Muslim groupwants to buyAsheboro hotelASHEBORO,NC--The IslamicAssociation of Central NorthCarolina is planning to buy avacant motel and convert itinto a Muslim school, an interfaithmeeting space, and a foodpantry and homeless shelteropen to all. Muhammad Elahi,a spokesperson of the grouptold a local television channel,“We just want to contribute tothis community.”For 15 years, the Islamicgroup has owned a mosque onBrittain Street in Asheboro,which it plans to keep. Elahisaid it currently serves about200 people, but that number isgrowing.Elahi said he wants peopleto realize that the plans for themotel would include services tobenefit the whole community,not just Muslims.Dr.Uzma Khanreceives Best ofBrooklyn AwardBROOKLYN,NY--Dr. UzmaKhan, DDS has been selectedfor the 2015 Best of BrooklynAward in the Dentistry categoryby the Brooklyn AwardProgram.Each year, the BrooklynAward Program identifies companieswhich have achievedexceptional marketing successin their local community andbusiness category. These are localcompanies that enhance thepositive image of small businessthrough service to theircustomers and our community.

nationalThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 13Halal vitamins take over shelves in pharmaciesBy Mahvish IrfanMove over Centrum, there’sa newer vitamin brand that’staking over shelves claiming tobe better – and they’re proudlyhalal.NoorVitamins, a brand ofNoor Pharmaceuticals, the firstand only halal-based pharmaceuticalcompany in the USfounded in late 2011, is aimingto set the highest standardsin the dietary supplementsindustry.For CEO Dr. Mohamed Issa,having a halal product is notgood enough – being the bestis.“We are not going to stop atjust being halal,” Dr. Issa states.“We want to make sure that wegive our Muslim consumersand really all of our consumersthe confidence that the productsthey’re buying are the bestpossible products irrespectiveof [whether it’s] halal or not.“I think as Muslim consumerswe are used to settling forhalal, even though halal maybe second best, but ‘at leastit’s halal.’ With us, what we’resaying is that the halal productthey’re buying is actually thebest product on the market.”Several of NoorVitaminsproducts testify to this point.Take their newly released jointformula supplement. “There isno other joint formula on themarket, whether halal or not,that competes with the scientificingredients that are in ourproduct,” Dr. Issa says.Their multivitamin formulais also more competitive thanCentrum’s formula thoughCentrum is known to be theleading multivitamin brand.Additional products, includingOmega-3 Fish Oil, VitaminD3, Children’s GummiesComplete, Women’s Prenataland more, are also supplementsof a high caliber. New productswill be launching in the comingmonths.The inspiration behind creatingNoorVitamins was tohelp Muslims live a halal andhealthy lifestyle and help providea better solution to theharam (forbidden) alternativesflooding the shelves of pharmaciesnationwide.“Myself and the other founders,all [of whom] are eitherdoctors or pharmacists … noticedthat many Muslims wouldbe concerned and would questionwhat kind of ingredientsand sources of ingredientswere in many of the products[supplements] they were taking,”Dr. Issa continues.“We realized pretty quickly,once we did some investigationand really researched whatthe ingredients were, [that]a lot of the ingredients werebeing sourced from pork andalcohol which is obviously notacceptable.“When we tried to find alternatives,there really wasn’tanything reputable or anythingthat really met our qualitystandards that we would feelcomfortable giving to our ownpatients and families.”Rather than giving up, ateam of US Muslim physiciansand pharmacists joinedforces and worked together towardscreating a solution thatbrought out the best combinationof science and faith.“We developed a companyin the business of now makingmedicines and vitamins andsupplements that are not onlyhalal, but most importantly, reallythe best.”There are a few key distinctionsthat make NoorVitaminsstand above other brands, Dr.Issa explains.“First and foremost, thefact that we don’t use anypork or alcohol based ingredientsand the fact that we’rehalal certified, that’s a criticaldifferentiator.“More importantly, we prideourselves in making sure thatevery single ingredient that weuse is of the highest quality andhighest grade.“We also ensure that ourformulations that go into ourvitamins are ones that havebeen clinically proven to beeffective and safe … We makesure we use the right ingredientsin the right doses and theright, scientifically proven formulations,so that’s obviouslya big deal.“The other thing that wealso try to use is all-natural ingredients… in order to makea product that much healthierfor our consumers.“The last thing [is that] weare produced here in the U.S.under the strictest manufacturingguidelines with the FDA.“[Altogether] what thatmeans is that we not only prideourselves on the products thatwe make, on the ingredientsthat we use, but also on theprocessing and manufacturingpractices that we use aswell to make sure we are givingconsumers the best qualityproduct that also happens to behalal.”It doesn’t end there. NoorPharmaceuticals is also a sociallyresponsible companythat takes charity and making apositive difference in the communityseriously.This past Ramadan,they ran a successful#NoorishTheHungry campaignunder their NoorVitaminsbrand feeding thousands ofhungry children in Palestine,Syria and Ghana. For everybottle of vitamins purchased, achild in need was fed.Prior to this, 100% of retailprofits were donated for30 days in memory of fouryoung Muslims recently killedfor alleged hate crimes: DeahBarakat, Yusor MohammadAbu-Salha, Razan MohammadAbu-Salha, and MustafaMattan.NoorVitamins is also partneredwith Vitamin Angels,a non-profit organizationdedicated to reducing childmortality worldwide by advancingavailability, access anduse of essential nutrients topregnant women, new mothers,and children under five.“We are ecstatic and committedto help fill this worldwidenutrition gap!” NoorVitaminsFacebook page exclaims.With a commitment to deliveringhigh-quality products,operating under strict religiousguidelines, and giving backregularly to build a strongercommunity, NoorVitamins hasbecome the leading halal vitaminbrand worldwide.But, in the near future, theyjust might be recognized as thebest vitamin brand, period. Infive years time, Dr. Issa plansfor NoorVitamins to have astrong, reputable and competitivepresence in the dietarysupplements industry.Currently, NoorVitaminsproducts are found online andin 13 countries globally includingin North America, SouthAmerica, Asia and the MiddleEast. In the US, they are foundin hundreds of pharmacies nationwideincluding in majorretail establishments such asWalgreens and Whole Foods.To purchase a NoorVitaminsproduct online with no addedshipping costs, visit noorvitamins.com.Stay regularly updatedon exciting new productsand charitable campaigns onfacebook.com/NoorVitaminsand @NoorVitamins on Twitter.

14 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436as Abercrombie & Fitch salesassociate in Tulsa, Oklahoma.Donning a headscarf, thethen 17-year-old girl was rejectedfor failing to look like“model” employee according tothe retailer “look policy.”Bringing her case to the USSupreme Court, the federalgovernment charges that theretailer discriminated “whenit intentionally refused to hireSamantha Elauf because of herhijab, after inferring correctlythat Elauf wore the hijab for religiousreasons.”Backed by the US Chamberof Commerce and otherbusiness groups, Abercrombie& Fitch contends that employersshould not be forced to inquireabout a job applicant’sreligion, for fear of appearingto discriminate.The court examined whetherElauf was required to askfor a religious accommodationin order for the company tobe sued under the 1964 CivilRights Act, which bans employmentdiscrimination based onreligious beliefs and practices.In a victory to freedoms, theUS Supreme Court ruled June1, in favor of a of Elauf who wasdenied a job at Abercrombie &Fitch Co for putting on a Hijab.The ruling, which wasnational / continuationAbercrombie pays $25,000damages to hijabi woman(Continued from page 1)appealed later, was deemeda victory to the EqualEmployment OpportunityCommission (EEOC), a federalagency that sued the companyon behalf of Elauf.BreakthroughAs Abercrombie paid$25,670 in damages to Elaufand $18,983 in court costs,Laizure said there are “two bigtake-aways from this case.”The first is that people whofeel they are denied a job fordiscriminatory reasons shouldnot hesitate to report it to theEEOC or a civil rights organization,she said.On his part, an Abercrombie& Fitch spokesperson said: “Weare pleased to have resolvedthis matter … and to be movingforward.“A&F remains focused onensuring the company has anopen-minded and tolerantworkplace environment for allcurrent and future store associates.We have made significantenhancements to our store associatepolicies, including thereplacement of the ‘look policy’with a new dress code that allowsassociates to be more individualistic;changed our hiringpractices to not consider attractiveness;and changed store associates’titles from ‘model’ to‘brand representative’ to alignwith their new customer focus.“A&F has a longstandingcommitment to diversity andinclusion, and consistent withthe law, has granted numerousreligious accommodationswhen requested, includinghijabs,” the spokesperson said.Islam sees hijab as an obligatorycode of dress, not a religioussymbol displaying one’saffiliations.Abercrombie has repeatedlyfaced legal trouble because itsdiscrimination policies.In September 2013, a federaljudge in California ruled thatthe fashion mogul has violatedwork anti-discrimination lawswhen it fired a veiled Muslimwoman, Hani Khan, from SanMateo store.In a similar case in 2008, aMuslim woman said a managerat an Abercrombie & Fitch storein Milpitas, California, hadwritten “not Abercrombie look”on her interview form and refusedto hire her after she appliedfor a job.In 2010, US authorities suedthe company for discriminationover the incident.Shante Needham (R) and Sharon Cooper (2nd R), sisters ofSandra Bland, and Bland’s mother Geneva Reed-Veal (L) attendthe funeral in Illinois, July 25. Jim Young / ReutersWho is SandraBland?(Continued from page 1)of civilians, or from Mexico,where local police are behindthe kidnapping of 43 youngpeople. People today getpulled over and detained bypolice every day without reasonor justification.Sandra’s experience withthe officer, the traffic stop,the arrest, and later her tragicdeath, should be an awakeningthat an overhaul of theway we police communities ofcolor is desperately needed,because the current system iscompletely broken and killingpeople.Editor’s note: Rashida Tlaibis the child of Palestinian immigrants.She lives in Detroit.Tlaib made history in 2008 becomingthe first female Muslimwoman elected to the MichiganHouse of Representatives andonly second in the country.Tlaib currently works at theSugar Law Center for Economic& Social Justice on the communitybenefits movement inMichigan.Georgia imams praise Qur`andiscovery as a proof of IslamBy Edward MitchellAtlantaMuslim.comImams in Georgia are joiningMuslims around the worldin praising the discovery of anancient Qur’an manuscript in aBritish museum. The Universityof Birmingham announcedWednesday that it had discoveredmultiple chapters of theIslamic holy book written onanimal skin carbon dated to568-645 CE, making them perhapsthe oldest fragments ofthe Qur’an in existence.“This means that the partsof the Qur’an that are writtenon this parchment can, with adegree of confidence, be datedto less than two decades after(the) death (of the Muslimprophet),” said BirminghamUniversity professors DavidThomas and Nadir Dinshaw.“These portions must havebeen in a form that is very closeto the form of the Qur’an readtoday, supporting the view thatthe text has undergone little orno alteration and that it can bedated to a point very close tothe time it was believed to berevealed.”Muslims believe that theQur’an is a message fromGod that was delivered to theProphet Muhammad (pbuh)via the Angel Gabriel over a 23-year period between approximately610 and 632 CE.“Personally this newsbrought nothing but firmnessto what I already believed inmy heart to the words of Allah,”said Ahmad Jafari, imam of theIslamic Community Center ofAtlanta. “Allah himself statedin the Qur’an that the preservationof his book is his ownresponsibility.”Another Georgia imam saidthat the news was just as significantfor religious scholars.“Personally, I felt this was agreat discovery for the academicworld,” said Imam ArshadAnwar, leader of the RoswellCommunity Masjid. “There isalready plenty of evidence thatthe Quran we have today is thesame recited by the Prophet(saw) and his companions.Unfortunately, some in the academicworld, and most of thegeneral population, don’t quiteunderstand the finer points ofQuranic sciences such as thevariant recitations and dialectswhich causes them to thinkthat there are discrepanciesor contradictions in the variousreadings or writings of theQuran.”But, Imam Anwar added,“this type of discovery is a simplerform of evidence that othersnot familiar with Quranicsciences can comprehend aswell.”Birmingham University receivedthe ancient pages decadesago from a British explorerwho acquired the text duringhis travels in the Middle East.For years, the museum was unawareof their significance asperhaps the oldest existing recordof the Muslim holy book.“Consisting of two parchmentleaves, the Qur’an manuscriptcontains parts of Suras(chapters) 18 to 20, writtenwith ink in an early form ofArabic script known as Hijazi,”the museum said in a statement.“For many years, themanuscript had been misboundImam Jafari said thediscovery shouldinspire Muslims todevelop greater faithin their religion.with leaves of a similar Qur’anmanuscript, which is datable tothe late seventh century.”But modern technologyallowed the museum to finallydistinguish and date thechapters.“I loved the words of Dr. YasirQadhi and how he mentionedthat it is all part of Allah’s planthat this document ended up inthe hands of a people who hadthe means to protect it,” ImamAnwar said. “It just shows ushow Allah works in magnificentand the wisest of ways.We may have been crying overlosing these artifacts from theMuslim world while not realizingthat we may not have hadthe means to protect them!”Imam Jafari said the discoveryshould inspire Muslims todevelop greater faith in theirreligion.“This news should be aneye opener for all the Muslimsthat might be losing their waythat the promises of Allah aretrue,” Jafari said. “And there’sno greater example than thisnew research. Today, our fellownon-Muslims are even givingtestimony to this being themost preserved book.”Imam Anwar hopes that thediscovery, which was widelyreportedly in secular mediathroughout the world, will leadnon-Muslims to learn moreabout the Islamic holy book.“What I really hope for isthat this discovery will sparkan interest in people and theywill start Googling “the Quran”and eventually exposing themselvesto its teachings,” ImamAnwar said. “I really hope moreand more people will be exposedto Islam and realize thereality of their own lives andfind their path to peace!”Birmingham Universityplans to put the manuscripton public display from Friday,October 2, through Sunday,October 25 at The BarberInstitute of Fine Arts.

Muslims raisefunds forChattanoogavictimsNationalThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 15OnIslam & News AgenciesNASHVILLE, Tenn. –Cooperating with interfaithgroups, leaders of the Muslimcommunity in Chattanooga,Nashville, have launched afundraising campaign for thevictims of the latest attacks,sending an out loud messageagainst these attacks as contradictingwith Islam.“The Chattanooga familieslost fathers, brothers, and sonsin a deplorable act of violenceon July 16th. We wish to send apowerful message of unity andcompassion through action,”Faith and Culture Center | OurMuslim Neighbor initiative saidin a post on the charity websiteLaunchgood.com.The group, in coordinationwith the Muslim communityin Chattanooga, theCommunity Foundation ofGreater Chattanooga and interfaithpartners is leading effortto raise $20,000 for the familiesof the victims of July 16thattack.The money will be used tocover college scholarships andeducational expenses for thespouses and children.The funds will be verifiedand dispersed throughthe Community Foundationof Greater Chattanooga 7-16Freedom Fund.“Faith and Culture Center |Our Muslim Neighbor will coverall administrative and processingfees associated in thiseffort, so your gift will have themaximum impact. We stronglyurge you to take part in this action;give and help our communityheal,” the group said.Last July 16, a 24-year-oldKuwaiti-born gunman openedfire on a military recruitingstation, then raced to a secondmilitary site where he killedfour United States Marines.The gunman, who alsodied Thursday, was identifiedas Mohammod YoussufAbdulazeez, who became anaturalized United States citizenand went to high schooland college in Chattanooga.As the Muslim communityrejected the attack, the familyof Abdulazeez offered sympathy,condolences and prayers.“There are no words to describeour shock, horror, andgrief,” said a family statement,provided to the AssociatedPress by a lawyer representingthe family of MuhammadYoussef Abdulazeez, who waskilled by police.“The person who committedthis horrible crime was notthe son we knew and loved. Formany years, our son sufferedfrom depression. It grieves usbeyond belief to know that hispain found its expression inthis heinous act of violence.”SupportThe web page announcingthis also has several appealsfrom community and religiousleaders.“Our communities need tocome together and supportthe victims’ families,” SheikhOssama Bahloul, Imam atIslamic Center of Murfreesboro,said.“By coming together, nomatter where you live or whatreligion you practice, you canbe a part of something makingour community a better place.Please give and support this importanteffort.”Dr Naeem Baig, PresidentIslamic Circle of North Americaand Moderator of Religions forPeace USA, echoed a similarmessage.“It is at moments like thesewhen all of us must come togetherto demonstrate unityover division. Let us stand insolidarity with the families ofthe victims in Chattanooga,and together create a culturethat best embodies our deepestIslamic values of compassionand love for the neighbor. Iurge all to support this cause,”he added.The Muslim initiative wonsupport of Christian andJewish faith leaders as well.“Our traditions and sacredtexts instruct us not to standidly by while our neighborbleeds. We mourn the tragicloss of innocent human life inChattanooga, the derangedshooting of five United Statesserviceman, those soldierswho sought to honor and defendour nation and its highestvalues of life, liberty and thepursuit of happiness,” RabbiMark Schiftan, The TempleNashville, said.“Our hearts collectivelycompel us to support theirfamilies in their greatest timeof need in tangible ways thatwill do something to ease theirburdens, as they must firstmourn their loved ones andthen rebuild their lives as bestas they can.”Rev. Dr. Tony Richie, Bishopin the Church of God, SeniorPastor at New Harvest Church,added, “When communitiesof all faiths come together,it demonstrates that God isworking in the face of evil.“In these tough times, wecan come together and turnthe tables on the evil in ourmidst. Thus we overcome evilwith good. In faith, commonhope and love, we can ministerto the Chattanooga familieswho are suffering.”

16 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436opinionScreenshot from the promotional preview for Kingsman: The Secret Service.The LastMoghulHaroon MoghulCan I likethis racist movie?I was going to start this columnwith an apology.Last Saturday night, mywife and I watched Kingsman:The Secret Service. We’d hadenough of Netflix, so leapt toAmazon, sacrificing good financialsense for the illusionof substantive choice. Themovie was so nice, though, Iwatched it twice. (The secondtime around, it was a solo operation.)Given the seriousnessof much of what I write, read,speak and advocate about,from racial injustice to epistemicbigotry to foreign policy—thisweek’s question wasthe Iran Deal or whether it’s reallya bad idea to bomb anothercountry—I no longer begrudgethe break.Kingsman appealed to mebecause the evil at the heartof it is somehow affecting; thefilm’s villain, a Mr. Valentineplayed by a Samuel L. Jacksonwho loves himself some purplelight sabers, is a fantasticallywealthy entrepreneur tiredof inaction on global warming.His desire to help humanitybutts up against humanity’scomplicity in its own destruction—theEarth never factorsin, except insofar as theworld’s response to humanity’sperfidiousness only furtherimperils humanity. Valentine’ssolution is deeply immoral, butgiven years of work in my professionalfield, it’s not surprising.The question is not aboutcollateral damage.It’s how much is acceptable.(A: A lot.)Since I’ve started writingfiction again (for myself, fornow), I focus on how moviesand stories are structured,manufactured, refined,honed—breadcrumbsdropped in opening scenesreturn us to the plot, or explainsome misdirection,many scenes/pages/acts later.A fine balance: There must beenough interconnectedness tobelieve the outcome plausibleand reasonable, but not toomuch that we see it coming.Too many in-jokes, and it’soverwhelming—the filmmakersseem to be congratulatingthemselves. Too few, and themovie might take itself tooseriously.It’s more of an art, less of ascience. The achievement inthe eye of the beholder. Thenext day, after all, I sat downto watch Foxcatcher, a wellreceivedmovie about a wrestlerand a philanthropist, butI couldn’t get past the first tenminutes even though I felt Ishould. Despite all the goodthings I’d heard, I was boredout of my mind. Fortunately,since life is short and I amincreasingly appreciative ofwhat I need or at least wantto accomplish in my time onEarth, I’m not going to forcemyself through somethingjust because. The gentlemanlysolution in these situations isto hit up Wikipedia, find outwhat happened, and move on.But a few days later, boredwith Candy Crush, maroonedon the Q train (we could defeatthe Nazis, but we can’trebuild the railroads), and tootired to read more of what wasthe otherwise outstandingbook in my messenger bag—James Michener’s Hawaii; it’snot often that I can be compelledto read 900-somethingpages, but this was fantastic—Ibegan daydreaming.Abruptly it occurred to me,that the two principal villainsin Kingsman: The SecretService are played by a blackman (Jackson) and a French-Algerian, ostensibly Muslim,woman (who will next starin the new Star Trek movie,called Star Trek Beyond, a curiouslyincomplete and unexpectedlyfamiliar title, whichjust hangs there like ‘AllahuAkbar’; for you ask, ‘Akbar-erthan what?’). In Kingsman,therefore, the good guys areoverwhelmingly men—the femaleLancelot plays a tangentialif supposedly importantrole in the wonderfully wildand wildly inappropriate finalscenes—and all white at that.White as white can be. AndI thought: Does this make themovie racist?Even if it wasn’t intendedto be, surely this imbalance isworth something, means something,should demand somekind of (written) response?Because sometimes racism, sexism,homophobia, is deliberate,obvious. Sometimes its unintentionalityis even more irritating—nearlyevery (Muslim)panel I’ve been to on Islam andwomen is for example a bunchof men, mansplaining, and theymay not have even consciouslyplanned to exclude women,which doesn’t mean they’re notpatriarchal, it just means theirpatriarchy runs so deep theycan’t even sense it.But maybe we look too hardsometimes. Maybe a movieis just a movie. After all, it’snot like Valentine’s blacknesscaused his dastardliness,or Galahad’s and Lancelot’swhiteness necessitated or explainedtheir goodness. (Themovie does make a slow-motionnod at class mobility andhierarchy.)A few months ago, I wasinvited to a Muslim conferencewhereat I was the onlyspeaker who did not identify asan imam, scholar or religiousleader. This left me isolated, aminority in the rare situationwhere our religious minorityis the majority, and it left meoften at perspectival odds withmy co-panelists. But, fortunately,I did not repress this; yearsago, I’d have been too nervousto open my mouth, to believethat I had the right to express anopinion about Islam contraryto what the longbeards (nota Dwarfish clan) would hold.In this case, a young womanasked, ‘What do you do’—sheposed the question to our panel—‘whenyou really want to dosomething haram, somethingreligiously forbidden?’She was looking for ouradvice. Our help. Maybe shewanted to have sex, drink,smoke, watch Kingsman: TheSecret Service (hey, some ofthose scenes…)—I don’t know.She didn’t specify. She didn’tneed to, want to. Each of theother panelists said, in effect,that we should turn to God, andask His help, invest more in ourIslam to prevent ourselves fromstraying from Islam, whichanswer struck me as entirelybackwards. If all you ever thinkabout is what you should do,eventually you’ll start thinkingabout what you should *not*do. The solution to wanting lessof Islam is not more of Islam.It’s not less Islam, either.Because the options are notreally about Islam and not-Islam, they are still really justIslam—in fact there are nochoices. You can have more ofIslam or less of Islam, but thearbiter is still Islam.Some things mean everything.No thing means nothing.But why must everything meaneverything?Editor’s Note: HaroonMoghul is the author of “TheOrder of Light” and “My FirstPolice State.” His memoir, “Howto be Muslim”, is due in 2016.He’s a doctoral candidate atColumbia University, formerlya Fellow at the New AmericaFoundation and the Center onNational Security at FordhamLaw School, and a memberof the Multicultural AudienceDevelopment Initiative at NewYork’s Metropolitan Museum ofArt. Connect with Haroon ontwitter @hsmoghul. The viewsexpressed here are his own.

internationalA displaced Iraqi child, who fled from Islamic State violence in Anbar, looks out from inside antent at a refugee camp near Amiriyat al-Fallujah, July 25, 2015. Ahmad Mousa / ReutersInternational newsbriefsWarplanesattack air basenear AdenWarplanes attacked Houthimilitia in control of Yemen’slargest air base north of Adenon Tuesday, seeking to expandterritorial gains made by Saudiledcoalition forces since theycaptured the southern port citylast week.India Punjabattack gunmenwere Muslim?Three gunmen who foughta 12-hour battle on Mondaynear the Pakistan border wereMuslim, the Punjab police chiefsaid on Tuesday, contradictingspeculation that the attack mayhave been carried out by Sikhseparatists.Brazil will usedrones to fightslave laborRIO DE JANEIRO (ThomsonReuters Foundation) - TheBrazilian government plansto use drones to strengthen itsfight against slave labor in ruralareas, the Labour Ministry hassaid.Obama tellsAfrica’s ‘BigMen’ to quitADDIS ABABA/NAIROBI(Reuters) - Judging by the applauseat the African Unionheadquarters, Barack Obamahit a chord when he took aimat the continent’s ‘Big Men’,telling them they should quitwhen their time was up - especiallysince most have the cashto retire comfortably.Millions inYemen on brinkof starvationLONDON (Thomson ReutersFoundation) - More than 6 millionpeople in Yemen are onthe verge of starvation, Oxfamwarned on Tuesday, addingthat months of war and a blockadeon imports were pushingan additional 25,000 peopleinto hunger every day.Obama says aidto farmers cutschild stuntingacross AfricaNAIROBI (Thomson ReutersFoundation) - U.S. PresidentBarack Obama, wrappingup a visit to the continent ofhis father’s birth, toured anEthiopian factory making babyfood on Tuesday to show howinvestment in farming can cuthunger and stunting.Erdogan: nopeace withmilitantsANKARA (Reuters) - TurkishPresident Tayyip Erdogan saidon Tuesday it was impossible tocontinue a peace process withKurdish militants and urgedparliament to strip politicianswith links to them of immunityfrom prosecution.Libya sentencesGaddafi son Saifto deathTRIPOLI (Reuters) - ALibyan court on Tuesday sentencedMuammar Gaddafi’smost prominent son, Saif al-Islam,and eight others to deathover war crimes including killingsof protesters during the2011 revolution that ended hisfather’s rule.Iran, EU tostart talks overconflictsIran and the EuropeanUnion have agreed to starttalks on various issues, IranianForeign Minister MohammadJavad Zarif told a joint newsconference with the EU’s chiefdiplomat Federica Mogheriniin Tehran.Bomb kills twopolicemen inBahrainMANAMA (Reuters) - Abomb killed two policemenand wounded six in the deadliestsuch attack in Bahrain inmonths, and state media saidthe explosives resembled someseized at the weekend that authoritiessay were smuggled infrom Iran.The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 17Nigeria’s Shiascommemoratearmy massacreBy Rafiu OriyomiOnIslam CorrespondentLAGOS – Nigeria’s Shiamovement will on Sunday,July 27, hold an internationalconference to commemoratethe July 25, 2014, massacre inwhich at least 35 members ofthe group were gunned downduring a peaceful protest onAl-Quds Day in northwesternZaria town in Kaduna state.“We have lined up a programof event to commemoratethe July 25 massacre,” a nationalspokesman of the movementDr Abdullahi Danladi toldOnIslam.net.Planned in the Nigeriancapital city Abuja, the conferenceis organized by the IslamicMovement in Nigeria, the nameby which the Nigerian Shiasgo, led by Sheikh IbraheemZakzaky, who lost at least threesons in the massacre.The Nigerian army was criticizedhome and abroad for theshooting of the protesters, andthe military’s probe panel establishedto probe the incidenthas not made its findings publicone year after.Sunday’s conference will beaddressed by many scholarsfrom across the world, cappinga weeklong activities commemoratingthe massacre whosevictims included three sons ofthe Nigerian Shia leader SheikhIbrahim el-Zakzaky.The last few days saw membersof the movement and civilrights activists giving testimonieson the martyrs, witnessaccounts, film show on Al-QudsDay massacre, parade, recitationof special prayers andspeeches.“Tomorrow, an internationalconference is scheduled to takeplace at the Sheraton Hotel,Abuja, which will feature internationaldignitaries of highrepute,” said the spokesman ofthe movement.“First of its kind, a renownedscholar and ChiefImam of Washington DC, ImamMuhammmad Al-Asi, willdeliver a paper on ‘Al-Quds:Historical Perspective and theSignificance of Marking theInternational Quds Day’.“A segment of the day’sevent will be a symposiumwith a theme, ‘From Al-Quds toZaria: A Melting Pot of RightsViolation, Veil of Bias andConspiracy of Silence’, in whichdignitaries from Iraq, Iran,Malaysia and London, includingcream of Nigerian humanrights activists will participate.”Top Nigerian and foreignactivists expected at the eventinclude Prof Chidi Odinkaluof the National Human RightsCommission who will speakon the topic ‘From Al-Quds toZaria: A melting pot of rightsviolation, veil of bias and conspiracyof silence’; BarristerFestus Okoye of Network forJustice; Massoud Shadjarehof the Islamic Human RightsCommission, London;Sheikh Ramadhan Abdullah(Iraq), Syed Jawad Mousawi(Iran), Mohideen Abdulkadir(Malaysia), Professor DahiruYahaya of Bayero University,Kano.“Others are activistand columnist HajiyaBilkisu, Professor MaigandiMuhammed of UsmanDanfodio University, Sokoto;Dr Abdullahi Danladi and DrShuaibu Musa of AhmaduBello University Zaria,” accordingto a statement made availableto OnIslam.net.Search for justiceThe Islamic movement ofNigeria says it would continueto press for justice for the victimsof the massacre.“We are not going to keepquiet until justice is done, andof course this commemorationof the incident is part ofthe clarion call on the authoritiesto do what is right,” DrAbdullahi Danladi, spokesmanof the movement, told OnIslam.net in a telephone interview onSaturday.“Despite claims of probinginto the unjust killing of ourmembers, no one has seen thereport of the probe and no one,to the best of our knowledge,has been made to face the lawfor the massacre of innocentand law abiding citizens.“This is impunity but we willcontinue to seek redress andjustice through lawful means.”The conference will also featureexhibition on the images,sights and sounds of Zaria Al-Quds Day massacre while theleader of the Nigerian ShiaShaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky isexpected to give a closing remarkat the event.Although Nigeria is predominantlydominated by SunniMuslims, a significant minoritysubscribe to Shia ideologyespecially in the northwesternSokoto, Kano and Kadunastate.The Shia movement wasstarted in the 1980s and iscurrently being led by SheikhEl-Zakzaky.To advertise here:Please call TMO248-426-7777

18 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436advertisement(Your mosque can do it, but you can do it by yourself !Today, the image of Muslims is under attack. However, we should not forget, that it is our responsibility to correct it collectively andindividually: it is every Muslim's responsibility. YES, if we do it seriously we can see positive results emerging in a few years.Muslims, who are spread out across the United States, should place this ad. in their local newspapers and magazines.Below is a sample text for the ad. that you can use.Islam is a religion of inclusion. Muslims believe in all the Prophets of Old &New Testaments. Read Quran - The Original, unchanged word of God as HisLast and Final testament to humankind. More information is available onfollowing sites: www.peacetv.tv, www.theDeenShow.com,877whyIslam, www.Gainpeace.com www.twf.orgSuch ads are already running in many newspapers in the United States but may not be in your area of residence yet. Placingthese ads can be a continuous reward (sadqa-e-jaria) for yourself, your children, your loved deceased ones and with the prayerfor a sick person that Allah make life easy here and in the Hereafter. Please Google the list of newspapers in your state andcontact their advertising departments.Such ads are not expensive. They range for around $20 to $50 per slot and are cheaper if run for a longer time. Call your localnewspaper and ask how many print copies they distribute, and run it for a longer period of time to get cheaper rates.Don't forget that DAWAH works on the same principles as that of advertisement, BULK AND REPEATED EXPOSURE CREATESACCEPTANCE. Printing continuously for a long period of time is better than printing one big AD for only once. Let yourAD run for a longer time even if it is as small as a business card.NOTE: If you are living East of Chicago, Please call 877WHYISLAM and check if someone is already running an AD in the samenews paper as yours. If that is the case chose another newspaper. And if you are living West of Chicago, please check withwww.Gainpeace.com before putting your AD. Also, after the ad appears, please send a clipping to the respective organization.——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————If you have any questions, or want copies of the ads that others have already placed in their area newspapers/magazines, please contact me, Muhammad Khan at mjkhan11373@yahoo.com so that I can guide you better.You can also contact 1-877-why-Islam or Gainpeace.com

continuationThe Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436 — 19Pakistani-American races at Belle Isle(Continued from page 1)for us there’s no A1C Pakistan,Pakistan will not be able to participate… I felt a lot of pressure.So I said, ‘ok, let’s do it’,”explained Ali.After that he came back tothe states and focused again onNASCAR style racing.Born in Karachi, Pakistan,Ali and his family moved toGermany when he was just afew months old. He loved taggingalong with his dad whendriving on the autobahn, theinterstate system in Germanywhere there is no speed limits.This led him to watch theFormula One Races on TV,which only intensified his interestinto racing. He and hisfamily moved to the States andsettled in Texas in the mid 90s.Ali’s start was at the grassrootslevel. “When we startedI didn’t know anything aboutracing, nothing. Being the firstPakistani American, the firstMuslim American, I couldn’tpick up the phone and callanother Muslim American orPakistani American to ask them‘hey, how did you get started,what’s the road map’,” said Ali.Nevertheless, he cites hisparents as being supportivethe whole way. Their onlyrequirement was that he firstwent to a university and got adegree. By that time, they wereall living in America. While inschool though, his passion onlycontinued as he got into watchingNASCAR. His parents noticedthis passion increase andafter his University years, hewanted to start racing professionally,but he and his familydidn’t know anything on howto get started. “I went to racingschool, got certified, came backhome, and now what? I had aregional license to go racing.I didn’t get a lot of coaching, Igot a license, I was just certifiedand passed a class,” said Ali.He noticed a lot of otherdrivers who had coaches and alot of people around them helpingand training. According toAli, he was the only one thatshowed up by himself, withouta team, didn’t really know whathe was doing, but still knewthat he had the passion for it.So Ali came back home, and hisdad asked what he wanted todo next, and Ali said, go race,as he wanted to start buildinghis racing resume. So his dadput up some money, and hegave it a try.Ali did his first season in theSkip Barber Southern Raceseries, which was in Floridaand Georgia. “I finished somewherein the middle of the backof the pack that season. Therewas a lot of other drivers whohad more experience, and driver’scoachers, and sponsorshipsand stuff,” explained Ali. “I hadno money, I was very limited,but I had the passion. Longstory short on that, we bumpedin a littler more money, webought ourselves our own racecars,I got myself my own team,a truck and a trailer, and juststarted and learned grass rootsracing.”According to Ali, it all startedto come together like a puzzlearound 1999 to 2001, and a bigpart of that was getting theirfirst sponsorship. “Nothing bigbut it got us going. It put morelegitimacy in our program; itgave me confidence as a humanbeing,” said Ali.This was still the early yearsof his racing career at the time,but Ali knew he was blessed.He was grateful to have hiseducation and supportive parents.He knew that his parent’sPhoto credit: Laura Fawazcould have easily not helpedhim reach and dream, and insteadpush him for the typicalroute within the culture ofbecoming a doctor or an engineer.“They didn’t say, ‘no onehas raced before in our community,what is this?’ They didn’tdo any of that, they were verysupportive. So I kept on movingforward. With the Lord’s blessings,I kept on picking up moresponsorships, and started drivingdifferent kinds of cars, andstarted racing internationally,”said Ali.For Competitive Fares for Pakistan, India, Bangladesh,and Middle EastACCESS TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL35384 Northmont Dr. Farmington Hills, MI 48331For Pakistan - India - Bangladesh:Phone no: 248 225 5731Fax no: 248 489 8646Email: accesstravel@hotmail.comBusiness OpportunitiesFAMILY PRACTICESEast Point Primary Care: Near I94 and Kelly Road. 3 Examrooms, 2 year old practice asking $60,000 includesequipment/goodwill and transition, real estate availableMexican Town: (DETROIT) Mostly hard working Latino practice,40 patients per day. Hired Doctor works with PhysicianOwner, could be your part time or full practice, approximately$700,000+ gross. 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Asking $70,000MEDICAL BUILDING FOR SALE OR LEASEWest Side Detroit:Primary Care Practice: Established 2005, grossing in excessof $500,000 annually, fully equipped asking $200,000owner wants to retire.Detroit (Far West Side): Medical Buildings For Sale orLease Far West Side Detroit: 8,000 square feet, multisuites, fully leased $60,000 pos. cash flow excellent Brick,single story asking $500,000 or lease for $1.00 square footplus utilitiesPontiac:Large professional Medical Building. 3 story suites, 500-5000 sq. ft. Across from Hospital and acres of parking.VERY REASONABLE RATES/TERMS or buy building for$250,000.Allen Park:Retired Orthopedics Surgeon offering turn key operationfull P>T> Lab, active patient files, lots of potential for a verylow price asking $50,000.00For more details, contact our practice specialist at Union Realty: Joe Zrenchik/BrokerCell: 248-240-2141, Office: 248-919-0037 Joezrenchik@yahoo.comThinking of Retirement, Relocation or Expansion of your Practice?We have Buyers & Sellers for Primary Care, Internal Medicine & Cardiology Practice

20 —The Muslim Observer — July 31 - Aug 5, 2015 — Shawwal 15 - 21, 1436advertisementEMERGENCY RELIEF FOR YEMENʼS REFUGEESARRIVING IN SOMALIARight: a young Yemeni teenager is helped to the emergencymedical tent after being below decks in overheatedconditions on the ship that brought her from Yemen. Above:thousands of Yemeni refugees and Somali returnees arearriving at Somali port cities in Puntland and Somaliland byship. Below: refugees and returnees are being housed inhot, non-segregated tents. Conditions are worsening by theday; please give today!Due to the ongoing crisis in Yemen, thousands have fledthe fighting to port cities in Puntland and Somaliland innortheastern Somalia. So far, more than 16,000 refugees,including both Yemeni nationals and Somali returnees,have landed in the port city of Bossaso. The majority of therefugees are women and children.Mercy-USA has a long history of working in Somalia and isproviding the most effective aid and relief needed for thesepeople who have fled Yemen with nothing more than theirlives. Your donation will provide temporary shelter, vital nonfooditems, and medical care. Please help today!Donate Online: www.mercyusa.orgCall Toll-Free: 800-55-MERCY (800-556-3729)Mercy-USA for Aid and Development®Like us on Facebook!facebook.com/MercyUSA@Mercy-USADonate Online: mercyusa.org • Call Toll-Free: 800-55-MERCY (800-556-3729)Clip and Mail this Donation Form to Mercy-USA • 44450 Pinetree Dr. Ste. 201, Plymouth, Michigan 48170-3869In Canada: Fiesta RPO, PO Box 56102, 102 Hwy #8, Stoney Creek, ON L8G 5C9Enclosed is my donation: One Time Donation $ _____________ Monthly Donation $10 $25 $50 $100 $250 Other $ _____________ Check Credit Card (Fill out credit card section) Pledge $ _____________ I give my permission to Mercy-USA/Mercy-USA (Canada) to withdraw from my Credit Card the amount I have indicated above. I also understand thatI may change or end a monthly donation agreement at any time with a written notice.Credit Card Information (Charged in US Currency)TMO:07/15Name (Please print)AddressCity State/Province Zip/Postal CodeDaytime TelephoneEvening TelephoneApt.IHCredit Card No.E-mailSecurity CodeExpiration Date*Many companies match their employees’ donations; ask your employer if they have a“Matching Gift Program”.Authorized SignatureIRS Tax ID No. 38-2846307, Canada Charity Business #89458-5553-RR0001Date**Automatic Giving Program: A gift of your choice can be automatically deducted monthlyfrom your bank or major credit card account. Please call us toll-free at 800-556-3729 fordetails on how you can make an easy and sustaining gift.