For Bloggers Unite for Human Rights Day, we decided to give a little spin on the event. Here is our perspective on what we can do to be aware about Human Rights.

There is no doubt that we need to be concerned about others who are suffering and who are less fortunate than us. We should definitely educate ourselves and make ourselves aware of the human rights situation in Darfur, Guantanamo, China and elsewhere. We need to start with ourselves. Therefore, we would like to offer these suggestions:

1. Return to your original state (known as fitrah in Islam). Return to your state before there was greed, jealousy, hatred, anger, prejudice and malice. You did not come into this world with blackness in your heart. Somehow, somewhere, the little spots of blackness were introduced into your heart. By removing the blackness, we can learn to have concern for others, we can learn to care and love others regardless of status, race, religion, wealth, etc.

2. Follow your role model. If you are Muslim, follow the exemplary qualities of the Beloved Prophet Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him). Do not disregard the sunnah of the Prophet. Learn about his characteristics at home, at work, in the community and throughout society. Learn how he dealt with others from different faith communities. Be a reflection of the Best of Creation.

If you are a Christian, embody the qualities and characteristics of Jesus (peace and blessings be upon him). Coming from a Catholic background before I converted, I learned the qualities of Jesus. He was kind, gentle, patient and caring. He had concern for everyone in his environment. He worked hard for his parents, there was no Hallmark or purple roses to ’show’ his feelings. He didn’t hate. His parents did not avoid or exclude any of the 3 wise men who visited their baby (the 3 wise men were from different regions, thus of different races). 

If you are Jewish, look to Moses for inspiration. Look at how he withstood trials and tribulations. May you all live to 120.

And so forth. Whatever your belief system or lifestyle is, follow the true, beneficial teachings within that system. 

God taught us in the Quran:

O humankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other, not that you may despise (each other). Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). 

Chapter 49, verse 13

We should compete to do righteous acts. We should all strive to help the people suffering. We should all do our part to raise awareness of human rights for everyone.

Check out our BlogCatalog profile here: http://www.blogcatalog.com/user/islamcrunch

Peace.

Confirmed speakers: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir and Imam Tahir Anwar, Sister Rabia Khedr

Sunday, May 11, 2008 (Mother’s Day) in Fremont, California. Special tribute to Sidi Abdul Sattar Rydhan.

Organizers: Zaytuna Institute & Rumi Bookstore & SBIA

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17092165855&ref=mf

The organizers are looking for donations. Sponsorship packages are also available ($1000 - full reserved table, $1500 - full reserved table + your organization’s logo on all promotional material). We are seeking sponsors from women’s organization. If you are interested, please contact us.

This post was added to remain on the front page of our site until the event is over. This was requested by the organizers.

By Ebadur Rahman

On March 24th 2008, SHURUQ, a New York University (NYU) club dedicated to “celebrating the many cultures represented in the Muslim world,” put together an event that served particular importance in our times of extreme tension and animosity between people of different views and beliefs. The second in a series of diverse events, this program was entitled “Crossroads of Islamic Divisions: A dialogue for Sunnis and Shi’as to discuss how to bridge divides within our communities and to examine the differences between these two branches and discover commonalities.”

This program brought together two very accomplished and respected speakers, one Shi’a and one Sunni. Sayed Ammar Nakshawani is a dynamic and popular speaker educated in psychology, law, and politics. In Islamic studies, he has completed his masters degree and will obtain his PhD from Exeter University this year. He came together with Dr. Muneer Fareed, the current secretary general for Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a professor of Islamic studies, and the co-founder of American Learning Institute for Muslims (ALIM).

The program started off with a recitation from the Qur’an and introductions by SHURUQ co-chairs, Shermeen Rahman and Sahal Kango, who expressed their hope that Muslims would find a window into different perspectives through this event. The program was moderated by Irfana Hashmi, a third year PhD candidate at NYU, who began by bringing the Amman Message to the attention of the audience as a historical landmark and beacon of hope for the future of Sunni-Shi’a relations. The Amman Message, signed by many of the world’s leading Muslim scholars, involved ”Three Points,” which included a push for recognition of the diverse schools of thought in Islam, a precise definition of who is a Muslim and a call to cease unwarranted declarations of apostasy and disbelief based on this definition, and an appreciation for the scholarly preconditions required for legal rulings.
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Special LIVE Webcast Event. Limited spaces available. Register now!

ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF ISLAMIC CIVILIZATION
by IMAM ZAID SHAKIR

Sunday, 11 May 2008
1:00 pm PST / 4:00 pm EST / 9:00 pm UK

About this session:
* How to be just and fair when others are not
* How divine grace influences positive change
* Showing kindness and decency when others do not

Register here: http://www.newislamicdirections.com/nid/Registration/

Join IMAM ZAID SHAKIR every month for a live online session. Visit www.NewIslamicDirections.com for further information.

Webcast ad designed by our own IslamCrunch team member, Su Pittam.

Confirmed speakers: Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir and Imam Tahir Anwar, Sister Rabia Khedr

Sunday, May 11, 2008 (Mother’s Day) in Fremont, California. Special tribute to Sidi Abdul Sattar Rydhan.

Organizers: Zaytuna Institute & Rumi Bookstore & SBIA

Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=17092165855&ref=mf

The organizers are looking for donations. Sponsorship packages are also available ($1000 - full reserved table, $1500 - full reserved table + your organization’s logo on all promotional material). We are seeking sponsors from women’s organization. If you are interested, please contact us.