Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| jannah |
| 11/21/00 at 13:07:37 |
| From: "Amir Malik" <writeamir@hotmail.com> I remember at the ALIM program how people excitedly told me about Imam Siraj Wahaj. I seemed to be the only one who had never heard of him. When he arrived, many brothers and sisters wanted to spend time with him. I thought to myself that with such seemingly national admiration in the Muslim community, Imam Siraj must have quite a setup back in Brooklyn. REALITY CHECK Masjid At-Taqwa, Imam Siraj's Masjid, is old, small, and broken down. It is in a poor black community that desperately needs it. They don't pack the House of Allah just for Jumah, every prayer I go to has nearly a fully house. Imam Siraj has helped so many people that many Muslims turn their back on. Now, why does Imam Siraj have such a broken down Masjid? Up until yesterday, I thought that was by choice. I thought he just had other priorities and was diverting huge resources to that. Well, I was wrong. They are trying to build a new Masjid on the site of the current one. I saw a picture that was drawn up by architect. It is awesome. So I thought that this is something that they can start building pretty soon. WRONG. They have been working hard for 5 years trying to raise money. How could that be? What an embarrassment to Islam! Jews and Christians who can't spell G-O-D, much less pray, still make sure they give money to churches and their favorite Muslim hating groups. What is wrong with the Muslims? Why is this Masjid not built? They are not even close to having enough money. It could be years before this thing gets going. No way. We cannot let this happen. A new Masjid would do so much for this community. It needs it desperately. Unfortunately, many of the Muslims in the area are poor and thus can't put in the necessary money. The rich Muslims outside of the area seem to care much more about their "home" country than anything in the U.S. so if they give any money at all, it surely won't be to those "black folks" at Masjid At-Taqwa. I won't even get into the racism because we know it is rampant amongst the Ummah. You may ask yourself, "Aren't there others Imam Siraj could go to money for?" Yes, he could go to Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. He could grovel and he would surely get the money. Then, they would own him. Just like the big beautiful Masjid on 96th St. in Manhattan, everything would revolve around Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. You ask NY Muslims how friendly that Masjid is. While I am sure they are great Muslims, unlike Masjid At-Tawa, they do not have a Muslim COMMUNITY. Now, Imam Siraj could probably go to an organization like ISNA, too. I mean, he has helped organizations raise so much money for themselves yet they don't help him. Again, he is not going to grovel. Imam Siraj could really push people to give money but he is far too nice to do that. BUT, I AM NOT. I can't stand this. How could this be happening? Why is a strong Muslim community in a small, broken down Masjid? ALIM brothers and sisters, I'd like some help. I've talked to the Masjid At-Taqwa treasurer and I have some ideas on how to make a difference. They need to put a small portion of their money into halal investments and see what happens. This cannot keep going on. I am asking for each brother and sister to send some money to help out Imam Siraj's community. This request is not from him. It is from me, your frustrated brother. I don't care if you only send $5 but send something. If Imam Siraj has been of any benefit to you or your family, help him out. Heck, if you're wealthy or know wealthy people, help him out a lot. Here is a guy who is so devoted to helping Muslims yet is not given the resources he needs. Can you imagine if that area had a Muslim school? A real library? You guys could make a difference. I graduate from NYU Law in May 2002. I want construction to have begun by that time. Send whatever you can to me at the following address: Amir Malik 240 Mercer St. #1405B New York, NY 10012 Make the checks out to: Masjid At-Taqwa Building Fund I promise to match from my own money the first hundred dollars that you guys send me. I wanted to gather all the money together for the Masjid from these emails and then bring it to the treasurer but if you're not comfortable sending the money to me, then send it to the folowing address: Masjid At-Taqwa 1266 Bedford Brooklyn, NY 11216 I would still appreciate it though if those people would email me and tell me the amount they donated so I have an idea of what effect this is having and then move from there. I hope to have a website built for the Masjid so the community can see what is happening with the Masjid and all the good that it provides to the community. Thank you for your time. Jazakhallahir. Your brother, Amir Malik <writeamir@hotmail.com> |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Saleema |
| 11/21/00 at 19:08:55 |
| Assalamoalykum, I didnt know... :( |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Kashif |
| 11/22/00 at 04:32:15 |
| Is it possible for the regulars here to donate a lump sum to the masjid? Kashif Wa Salaam |
| NS |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Asim |
| 11/22/00 at 09:33:42 |
| Assalaamu alaikum, Sounds good to me Kashif. |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| se7en |
| 11/22/00 at 11:01:41 |
| br. amir!! you go boy :) (he's a fellow ALIMite) |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Enayath |
| 11/22/00 at 13:18:16 |
[quote]Is it possible for the regulars here to donate a lump sum to the masjid? Kashif Wa Salaam[/quote] As Salaamu Alaikum, I would also like to participate in it. Please let me know when you are going to do that. I will include my humble contribution. May Allah Subhanu Wa Ta'alaa help us all in this matter. Salaam, Enayath. |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Saleema |
| 11/22/00 at 13:59:04 |
| Assalamoalykum, Yes! I will donate too inshallah. wassalam |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| jannah |
| 11/22/00 at 16:38:54 |
| Sounds good to me!! It can be the jannah.org Ramadan project. Who would like to collect all the $$ to donate as a group? Or should we just individually send out the $$? Or.. any ideas? |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| destined |
| 11/22/00 at 17:26:26 |
| count me in too |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Saleema |
| 11/22/00 at 19:11:40 |
| Assalamoalykum, Those of us that can collect money should do so, and we should also donate individually. wassalam |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Kathy |
| 11/22/00 at 21:42:01 |
| slm I buy stuff through the auctions and pay using Paypal. This may be a method of pooling our money. |
| The First Annual Jannah.org Adopt a Masjid Project |
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| SuperHiMY |
| 11/26/00 at 20:01:56 |
AsalamAlayKum,,, Cub scouts and brownies and veterans adopt miles of highways and parks etc etc etc... So, I suggest that a NEW tradition starts at Jannah.org every ramadhan from now on. Every Ramadhan, in the First 10 days, we all debate and consensus-reach a masjid or project or whatever and we Just adopt it. So, this year, how bout Jannah.org board members adopt Imam Siraj Wahaj's Masjid. We all do what we can, have a running tally of pledges here on a specific thread. And we all mail in the money directly to Masjid-e-Taqwa by LaylatulQadr, the 27th. Next Year in 1422 perhaps we could adopt a muslim school or somethin' What Think? Salam ~ HiMY! ~ |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| AbuSobiya |
| 11/27/00 at 06:39:57 |
| Assalamulaykum ! I like HiMY's idea. Count me in. I pledge to mail my donation of $100 to the mosque. Wassalam Abu Sobiya |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| jannah |
| 11/28/00 at 00:07:12 |
| good idea inshaAllah ! also if anyone wants to pledge anonymously they can do that too using the "anonymous posting" link. then everyone will send their pledges to masjid al taqwa before the 27th and we can see the running tally of how it went!! |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Malika |
| 11/28/00 at 12:56:17 |
| slm I'm in! I've been there several times and likewise wondered why does this masjid look like this. I have also seen some of the muslim community that goes there. if you check the information boards there is always a collection or a trip going on and not one mention of the Masjids goals. At the million man march Farrakhan asked everyone for $1 - that was an enormous amount right there from $1 ! that same concept could be utilized for projects such as these! Himy that is a great idea and I will be on that group. :) |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| mahsou411 |
| 11/28/00 at 20:36:33 |
| slm I will donate too insha'Allah. I only have a little but I will contribute what I can:) slm |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| haaris |
| 11/29/00 at 06:29:59 |
| Subhana' Allah, You can count me in as well. I also think that FIS HiMY's idea is excellent. |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Kathy |
| 11/29/00 at 08:39:59 |
| slm Ok- tell me exactly what to do. How to send the money and where. |
| Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| SuperHiMY |
| 11/30/00 at 02:05:16 |
AsalamAlayKum, Okay, reads like Imam Sirah Wahaj and Masjid Al-Taqwa are this Ramadhan's Jannah.org project. My immediate question, Does anyone have any pictures jpgs/gifs of Masjid Al-Taqwa? As is right now and perhaps pictures of the architectural drawings? Beyond Br. Amir's original founding post of this thread, any more info on the Masjid itself? Please Post, Salam, Himy.org |
| Re: The First Annual Jannah.org Adopt a Masjid Project |
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| destined |
| 12/02/00 at 06:52:39 |
| [quote]And we all mail in the money directly to Masjid-e-Taqwa by LaylatulQadr, the 27th.[/quote] slm, It's already the 6th day of Ramadan. What's the status on the project so far, does anybody have the address of the masjid ??? I think we should decide real soon on how we're gonna donate, before you know it, Ramadan will be over. |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| jannah |
| 12/02/00 at 11:26:25 |
| Here's what you do: Mail your contribution to Masjid At-Taqwa to the mosque address. Indicate that it is for the building of the new mosque. Masjid At-Taqwa 1266 Bedford Ave Brooklyn, NY 11216 Masjid Al Taqwa Phone: 718-622-0800 Fax: 718-857-8984 and then post here (anonymous if you want) on how much you sent. |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Anonymous |
| 12/08/00 at 01:09:37 |
| assalamu alaikum, I am sending out my donation of $50 Inshallah May Allah swt put his barkah in my humble means |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| writeamir |
| 12/09/00 at 18:59:56 |
| Assalaamulaikum, this is Amir Malik, the one whose letter is at the start of this thread. I didn't even know about this message board until I read an email from someone about it. Anyway, for those of you interested in donating, here is the second email I sent out on the project. Bismillah Walhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'ala Rasulillah In the Name of Allaah, The Most Gracious, The Most Kind Hijri date: Thursday 28 Rajab 1421 A.H. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 25 Oct 2000 11:13:21 -0400 From: "Amir Malik" Brothers and sisters, this is Amir Malik, the one who sent out the original email on Masjid At-Taqwa. I have been amazed by the response that I have received from across the country. I know that the moderator has said that this list should be restricted to events and I have no problem with that but since this has become an event, I want to write one LAST email on it. I was astounded by the variety of people who have said they will help the Masjid so I want to give some more info. First of all, don't send any of the money to me. That address was there for when I initially sent the email to a small group of people I know. I don't want there to be any sense of impropriety. As I said before, make the checks out to: Masjid At-Taqwa Building Fund Send them to Masjid At-Taqwa 1266 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11216 I spoke with the treasurer, Bilal Hinson(bilalhinson@aol.com) and got more information on the project. It looks like the 3-story Masjid will cost $4-$5 million. They have already spent about $200,000 on the architect and some other stuff. They have about $500,000 in the bank. They have had fundraisers but often the people "pledged" money but then never came through. For those of you looking to help this INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISING EVENT :) by having local fundraisers, I recommend that you call it something like "Friends of Masjid At-Taqwa" and take checks but no pledges. I think there is a Masjid in Massachusetts that is having one soon. For the people outside of the U.S. who contacted me, Bilal said that it would be greatly preferred if you sent U.S. funds because he said whenever people even just from Canada send money, the banks charge a bunch of fees. As you can guess, Masjid At-Taqwa isn't exactly close to the banks since they refuse to take loans due to riba. Thus, U.S currency is preferred. Now, here are some phone numbers. I want to ease anybody's concerns that this is a scam. I understand your fears better now. I should have thought about that before. Forgive me for my ignorance. Sister Medina 718-399-0340 - she is the secretary in charge of this stuff. She will be able to provide you with much of the info you might need. Her fax number is 718-399-0341. Masjid At-Taqwa Main Number - 718-622-0800. Fax number 718-498-1785. Again, Bilal Hinson, the treasurer, has the following email: bilalhinson@aol.com. He is at the Masjid often so you might be able to just call up and speak to him. Imam Siraj is also often there, especially Mon-Thurs. There is not a website for the Masjid. Bilal said someone may already be working on it. If not, I'll have a makeshift one up shortly after I find out from Bilal if someone else is doing it or not. I'll make sure to put up a picture of the proposed Masjid. Another thing Bilal mentioned to me is that it would be really good if some of you who are considering donating to the Masjid would come and visit it. I know that might not be practical for many of you but stop by sometime if you have the chance. If you're taking the train, take the A train to Nostrand and then take a lebt down Fulton St. for one long block. If you can't take the A train, then you can take the local C train. Then you might as well get off at Franklin and turn right down Fulton St. for a block. As for beginning the construction, they are not willing to start until they have a significant amount of money. They are worried that they will start and then people won't donate enough money to continue the construction. Since they refuse to take a bank loan, the Masjid would then be in trouble. What they are doing is knocking down the old one and rebuilding on that spot. One last thing, if any of you are thinking about doing your donation as a stock transfer, contact me directly. I can set up the Masjid for that if I see a need. I'm not going to bore you with the tax details but you could give significantly more to the Masjid if it is a stock transfer of appreciated stock than if you just write a check. With regards to regular donations, you might also want to get deductions for those if they are large. Of course, your motivation to donate should have nothing do with getting a tax deduction, but if the deduction is enabling you to give even more money, then I see no problem with that. Only you and Allah know your intentions. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me or Bilal. The response has caught me off guard but I guess it shouldn't have. The Ummah has a good heart. We just sometimes let other things get in the way. I will try to keep gathering info on this so that I can answer questions. I only found out a week ago that they were trying to build a new Masjid so you can see that I've been playing catch-up. Take care brothers and sisters. I think we can now leave this great list alone with regards to our INTERNATIONAL FUNDRAISING EVENT :). Jazakhallahir Amir Malik ------------------------------------------------------------------ Madina Citizens, I have a website located at http://www.amirmalik.com. It is called the Islamic Guide to NY. Of course, it is still in its infancy but inshallah it will improve. On my site, I have some basic information on Masjid At-Taqwa. Imam Siraj Wahaj told me that he has someone building a website for the Masjid so that is why I am not creating one. I don't want to step on anyone's toes. He has someone doing so it that's fine then. Ok, take care everyone. Assalaamulaikum. |
| Re: Imam Siraj's Masjid is old, small, and broken down |
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| Saleema |
| 12/31/00 at 16:53:13 |
| Assalam ualykum, To get the full reward I have decided not to post how much I will be sending. I know i can post anonymously, but then the moderators would know how much me and my mom are sending. Or wait. Because I am telling you guys that I am sending money, even though not saying how much, I won't get the full reward? hmmmmmmmmmmm.......... Ok. So i think I will take my chance this way, I think it will count as giving away and not telling the people.I was reading "Charity even with a trifle" last night and it said that it is better to give without telling if it can be avoided. anyway, wassalam and sorry I am late with this, i know the deadlne was the 27 of ramadan right? Because it wasn't an urgent matter me and my mother put it off. wassalam |
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