Background info from Imam Tahir Anwar: A meeting was called to gather the leaders in the Bay Area Muslim community. The meeting was held in the downtown San Jose masjid location of the South Bay Islamic Association (SBIA). It is well-known that there are many ‘communities’ within our larger San Francisco Bay Area Muslim community. We are so busy with our own groups and activities, we tend to forget to reach out to other communities and groups. After sending and receiving many email messages from community leaders and activists, Imam Tahir was inspired and blessed by Allah to host a face to face meeting.

Here are my notes of what transpired.

Muslim Unity & Leadership Meeting – May 24, 2008

MC: Brother Dawan Muhammad

Hosts: Imam Tahir Anwar & Imam Bilal Muhammad

After Brother Dawan welcomed the participants, Imam Tahir spoke briefly and outlined today’s goals and objectives. The main goal was about getting to know each other personally. Also, he hopes we can break barriers within organizations. He stressed that this is not a onetime event; he hopes to see regular meetings. Imam Tahir also mentioned that he does not want to form another organization.

Next, Imam Bilal greeted everyone and he did it with his well-known flair and style.

Thereafter, Brother Dawan informed us of today’s mission: To provide an opportunity and a forum for Muslim leaders to break bread and have a fellowship gatherin. Furthermore, to have free and open discussions with each other. To look at the cross-cultural perspective within our communities.

He also mentioned the agenda for today’s meeting. We would break into small groups to discuss the following: Discrimination between the different demographics within the Muslim community. The main topics for the discussion would be:

• Americanization of Islam
• Racism
• Islamic Scholarship

We were grouped with our dear friends: Sayyid Fouzi Husaini and Zakariyya Twist. In our group, we were blessed with Benjamin Ahmad from the Palo Alto community, Iftekhar Hai from United Muslims of America and Javed Ellahie (lawyer). Due to the short time, we were not able to cover the third topic. We each shared our thoughts on the first topics. As we ended our discussion, I suggested that everyone should read the Autobiography of Malcolm X, the American Muslim martyr. This is a must-read in order to consider yourself an American Muslim. Sayyid Fouzi half-jokingly said that it should be Fardu-’ain for every Muslim living in the US.

These are some points that each group shared with everyone:

Group 1: We need to be more educated so we can represent an Americanization of Islam. Wealth is the basis of racism. The wealthier are able to oppress the less fortunate. We should be willing to give what we are asking. If we are asking for justice, we should able to dispense justice.

Group 2: (Presented by Dr. Rajabally). The main issue of Americanization of Islam is the madhhab issue. There is tremendous pressure from our cultural baggage trying to correct what we think is right. Youth issue (trying to give our youth an Islamic identity while our youth were trying to be American), education issue (school system for Muslims). Living in America is like a Hajj everyday (seeing people of different nations everyday). Racism: we have to acknowledge racism if we want to eradicate it. Indigenous imams do not get the respect even though they have as much knowledge if not more than immigrant Muslims. We need to learn our history – Timbuktu, what were the contributions of African Muslims, do we know Mansa Musa? Culture is dominated by media.

Group 3: (Presented by Ahsen Syed) 1. Islam takes a little culture, takes a little color wherever it landed. 2. Aqeedah is our strength which unites us. 3. American ideals that we should strive for: punctuality, honesty, trust. 4. Be aware of the evils of society. We should detest the evils. Where are the Muslims when talking about homosexuality, alcoholism, family breakups? Racism: fact of life and exists in our communities and culture. We need to deal with it via education. Within the culture there is a form of racism. We should remember the diverse cultures that the early Muslims brought. The first companions: ar-Rumi, Bilal al-Habashi. They brought the strength to Islam. Request: have a dialogue between organizations like Muslim Community Association of the Bay Area and the African American Muslim communities. Islamic Scholarship: we see the different forms of Islam (for example: how we pray), we need to educate each other so we recognize the different variations.

Group 4: Americanization of Islam – local fusion. Global phenomena – it has always happened and will always happen. We need to socialize with different communities. We should not stick to our own communities. Usually the second generation does not have the baggage like the first generation. Racism: Evolves from convenience. Mostly, it is unintentional. Solutions: cross- promotion of events. Mutual learning and understanding. Create opportunities of interaction, not necessarily have to be religious event. Intentionally work towards improving the situation.

Group 5 (our group): Iftekhar Hai: America stands for equality and justice, we should endeavor for this. Faith has been corrupted, we need to revive it. We need to refine Islam. Racism: We need to remove racism from our hearts. [Author's note: we discussed more issues that were not presented: Muslim hip-hop, understanding Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah's brilliant article: "Islam and the Cultural Imperative", excelling in our work and our interaction with society and so much more]

Group 6: Discrimination – on ethnic lines, nationality, race. Islamic Scholarship: too many rivalries. Leaders need to fix this problem. Set the expectation that we know discrimination exists, how do we address these issues?

Conclusion: Bring the message back to your own communities!

Challenge: Unity Eid Celebration

Organizations represented:

San Francisco Muslim Community Center, Yaseen Foundation, South Valley Islamic Community*, South Bay Islamic Association, All Muslims’ Islamic Communications Center, Masjid Waritheen, Muslim American Society, Muslim Community Association of San Francisco Bay Area, MeccaOne Radio, Islamic Networks Group, American Muslim Voice, San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, United Muslims of America, Rahima Foundation, World Business & Technology Television, ICNA Bay Area, Northern California Islamic Council, SEMAH, Zaytuna Institute*.

The Shia Muslim community were invited as well, however, they were unable to attend.

Notes taken by: Mikael Pittam

Photo credits: Susanah Pittam

* Represented by the Dynamic Duo.

As the Muslim Twitter list grows, we wanted to start a list for Muslim Pownce users. You know the drill, if you are a Muslim user of Pownce, drop a comment with a link to your profile, please feel free to add your business if you use Pownce to promote your company.

First 5 valid comments will get an invite to SocialThing.

And if you are on FriendFeed (similar to SocialThing), please add us here: http://friendfeed.com/islamcrunch

On Pownce, check us out here: www.Pownce.com/IslamCrunch

Here is an earlier post about Pownce with a video review from CenterNetworks.

Our followers on Twitter have increased since being mentioned on a tweet conversation. We appreciate all the brothers & sisters & organizations who are following us. We wanted to expand the Muslim Twitter phenomena by asking all Muslim users of Twitter to drop a comment with a link to your Twitter profile. If you use Twitter to promote your business, please feel free to add a link to you site and/or blog. Also please add your favorite method of receiving and sending tweets: clients, IM, phone, web, etc.

First 5 Twitter users who add comments will get an invite to Ping.fm, currently in closed beta mode.

And follow us here: http://twitter.com/islamcrunch

In memory of our beloved uncle and Bay Area Muslim community leader, Abdul Sattar Rydhan, who passed away after recently completing his 63rd year on March 19th, 2008 (11th Rabi ul Awal, 1429) and buried on the 12th of Rabi ul Awal (the birth date of the Beloved Prophet). Sidi Abdul Sattar was born in the month of Rabi ul Awal and only Allah s.w.t. could have made this blessing occur.

Uncle Abdul Sattar was more than just an uncle to us. He was a friend and a personified sanctuary. At his side, we felt safe. He inspired us to work harder for the sake of Allah and to gain the appreciation of the Beloved Prophet.

Steadfast in his principles, he took care those that he loved. It was with great honor to know and feel his love. Even though we only knew him for a few years, he treated us like his own children. Generations apart, we shared the common bond of utmost respect for our scholars like Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Imam Zaid Shakir, Sidi Yahya Rhodus and Ustadh Usama Canon. We also shared another common link: love of Allah and His Messenger, Sayyidina Muhammad, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

Rest in peace, dear uncle. We long to be at your side again. May your resting place be of the sweetest gardens of Paradise. May your heavenly abode be surrounded by the awliya and under the shade of Allah’s Mighty Throne.

Facebook Memorial Page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=15042360870

Links to the past:

http://www.pakistanlink.com/Community/2002/May/17/05.html

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-6325478_ITM 

We would like to thank our brother, Irfan Rydhan (Sidi Abdul Sattar’s son), for honoring us to host the flyer for the memorial event.

http://www.islamcrunch.com/flyer/Honoring_Abdul_Sattar_Rydhan.pdf

And for inviting me to speak at the event. What else can I say at the event but: “I love you, Uncle Abdul Sattar.”

During Black History Month, we will be featuring interviews from different personalities. We divided our questions into three parts: Past, Present and Future.

In our third Black History Month interview, we are honored to have Preacher Moss answering our questions. Preacher Moss is our mentor and dear brother. He is an educator, motivational speaker, comedian and anti-racism advocate.

Past - Malcolm X was a visionary and he had plans to establish a Muslim identity in North America.

1. Do you feel that our contemporary  generation has lost the connection to Malcolm’s legacies? Please explain (you may include suggestions and action steps)

The issue of connection is important. I don’t believe we’ve lost the connection, but we have not been effective in making that connection salient to a younger generation. As well, the message isn’t as competitive with things going on today. Individualism is an inherent reason why we have a passing understanding of what Malcolm’s message articulated to the people of his time. The young minds of today suffer from strategic amnesia of individualism and immediacy. If something doesn’t happen within a relatively short time, then it loses value. Our
challenge now is to present a true universal that resonates with our youth and it must be enduring.

2. On the eve of the 43rd anniversary of  Malcolm’s death, why do you feel we still have not been able to establish a fraction of Malcolm’s vision?

There are many successful outgrowths of Brother Malcolm’s vision. The problem is that they appear to be isolated in nature and thus, aberrations. Specifically, these outgrowths of Shabazz’s vision do not appear to be something organic to many. As a result, people tend to think that extraordinary measures must be taken to achieve success. From there, some people tend to think they’re limited in skill, conceptual understanding or commitment. Often this is the reason people do not try at all. It is this unmotivated thinking that continues to let us
down. [This also does not allow us to] establish Malcolm’s vision and establish a current vision. We have to establish a tradition on which can be judged by our actions in the future.

Present - Andre Carson and Keith Ellison, new leaders in a new age.

1. Mr. Carson and Mr. Ellison have added a new dimension to American politics. Do you think it is important for them to emphasize their Islamic beliefs to the American public? Why or why not?

Mr Carson and Mr. Ellison, whom I’ve met, will ultimately be judged by their approach to service. Their beliefs will inshallah shape their actions. It is my theory that their beliefs have called them to action into politics and will now lead them to execution of positive action within the political arena. The greatest thing we can do as Muslims is service to God and community. Here they have an opportunity to exercise their faith in a righteous manner without hesitation or consternation.

2. If you were a member of their administration, what advice or suggestions would you offer to them?

My advice to them would be something I say in my comedy routine which is…”Think Black.” Focus on the infrastructure of not Black people, but a working history of a survival narrative in American history. I encourage all of us to do so. It is a spiritual exhortation that we must understand that Pharaoh has never treated the oppressed as an equal…so why would we wait? We have to reassess that covenant we have with G-d and understand that the value in that relationship is the only thing that can bring us peace or salvation. I know Pharaoh may get upset about that comment, but I would also tell him to settle down and “Think Black.”

Future - African American Youth

1. The youth are constantly bombarded by insidious and harmful elements in the media. Which role models would you recommend for our youth to seek inspiration and guidance? (Our Beloved Prophet is the default answer but anyone else that is in our generation?)

I would suggest several people of whom a young mind might study. I would suggest 1) The Honorable Elijah Muhammad 2) Manning Marable 3) Reverend Vernon Johns 4) Shirley Chisolm 5) Miles Davis 6) Dick Gregory/Redd Foxx

2. For many, African pride is strong during the short month of February. What do you recommend to our readers to instill a consistent awareness of African history, past & present contributions and contemporary issues?

In order to maintain consistent awareness of African History, I would suggest your readers to be aware of world history. We should be advocates for having an integrative thought process about any form of history. I formed a theory that if you want to know why someone is interested in you, then you must find out what is interesting in that person and expand that ideas surrounding that person’s core values. History happens everyday, so we can be effective anytime we wish. The 1 million dollar question: Our intent when we expose ourselves that way?

Check out Preacher Moss’ latest project here: http://islamcrunch.com/archives/exclusive-handshake-productions-inaugural-event/