something you can do!

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something you can do!
se7en
09/18/01 at 14:38:51

[url]http://www.geocities.com/oureffort/[/url]
Re: something you can do!
se7en
09/18/01 at 14:59:23

a BEAUTIFUL e-mail (that I stole from my bro's email account.. sorry!)

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As Salaamu Alaikum,
Insha'Allah three recommendations:


#1- DUA- On Saturday, one of Shaykh Hamza's recommendations was that we make the Nasiri Du'a by Ibn Nasir. He described it as a very powerful du'a that is to be used in times of distress and tribulation. Below is a link that includes translations of it in numerous languages. I've also attached a two page print-friendly version of it in English.
<<The Nasiri Du.doc>>


#2- ENGAGE EFFECTIVELY IN THE CRITIQUE- We need to step up the level of our understanding of what's going on and our ability to speak upon it. Engaging with the television and mass media does not serve this goal. In fact, it dumbs us down, wastes our time, and has the opposite effect. Masha'Allah many non-Muslim, "leftist" intellectuals have written excellent coherent critiques of the current situation and the mainstream, prevailing mindset. We should familiarize ourselves with the useful parts of their arguments so we can desiminate and voice these alternative points of view. Insha'Allah, we can bolster the growing number of people who are not blindly following the herd. Below are links to websites loaded with excellent articles from sharp minds that can be of help. If you don't feel like you can speak out, either because your voice as a Muslim is considered invalid or you don't feel articulate enough, support people who can speak out, including these courageously eloquent non-Muslims. (May Allah reward them and make them Muslim.)

http://www.zmag.org/weluser.htm
http://www.counterpunch.org/
http://www.alternet.org/


#3- TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY- Muslims right now are generally
distraught, depressed, and in a state of despair. Thomas Cleary reminded us at Zaytuna, that the root of the name Iblis means "despair." He said Iblis's primary goal is to instill despair in the believer. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasalam, commanded "Never despair." This is like a state of disbelief and the baraka cannot flow when we are in such a condition. The believers are supposed to be people of "noor" (light) and "sakina" (tranquility).

The Muslims are SO stressed-out right now. Why? Because we are spending all day and night listening to Iblis. TURN OFF THE T.V.! Haven't you seen enough yet? Has your desire for sensationalist images and rhetoric been satiated? Has all the commercialized suffering and obnoxious jingoism made you sick yet? We claim we "know" the media's games so "it doesn't affect us." Well, has the knot in your stomache from all the frustration and fear and grief and worry made you think that maybe you ARE affected and this is NOT good for you? We claim we are trying to stay informed. About what? The latest incredible footage? The reverse angle? Those oh-so-essential details of the carnage, the last moments, the heores, the hunt for the bad guys, and the moronic insight of people like Norman Schwarzkopf and George Will. All this information (in essence "infotainment", could easily have been predicted the moment the second tower fell. It is not essential and it CLEARLY does not benefit us. Our Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wasalam, used to supplicate, "Oh Allah, I seek refuge in you from a knowledge that does not benefit."

This is a critical time and we need to do things that are of benefit. This is a crucial part of our jihad. Take care of your soul. Give yourself a break. Go to see a nice sunset. It is still just as beautiful as it was a week ago. Allah has not changed. His Rahma still surrounds you. His Ayat in the creation and in ourselves are still testifying profoundly to the magnificence of His creation. Allow yourself to smile. This is not to say be naive or escapist, but find a way to be at peace. The affair of the believer is all good. He is content with Allah's decree. That is when Allah's blessings descend and the openings appear and the victory of the deen that is promised inches ever-so-closer.

May Allah make us people of salaam, noor, and sakina. May He remind us of his magnificent bounty and forgive us for forgetting. May He strengthen us and enlighten us and make us voices and agents of His perfect and beautiful justice. May His sublime power bring refuge, relief, and victory to his pious servants all across the globe. May He send His peace and blessings upon His perfect messenger, the best of creation, His noble Prophet Muhammad, and his family, his companions, and all those who sincerely follow his way until the Last Day.

Jazak Allahu Khair.

(Once again, please forgive me for acting like I am of the people qualified to give advice, may Allah accept my intention as good. Insha'Allah someone will benefit.)

As Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatahu,
NS
Re: something you can do!
amatullah
09/18/01 at 17:34:04
Bismillah and salam,

May I add another one i came across today it is www.thestruggle.org to the list. You can find media contacts under the "send emails to newspapers" section
Re: something you can do!
amatullah
09/21/01 at 13:57:44
Bismillah and salam,

I just came across this Canadian news site today,

http://www.bourque.org/

Please check it out
Re: something you can do!
jannah
09/21/01 at 23:07:07
I think this was posted b4? but not sure:

Assalamu'alaikum,

OPEN LETTER TO OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS from Zaid Shakir

As-Salaam `Alaikum wa Rahmatullah Beloved Brothers and Sisters,

We pray that this letter finds all of you in the very best of health and
states. These are indeed difficult days for our community. By Allah's
Decree, we were not in the country at the time of the horrendous tragedy
which afflicted our nation on September 11th. We do share the shock,
agony, and grief which has descended upon you. No matter what political
context we may try to fit that gristly act into, right is right, and wrong
is wrong. What happened on Tuesday, September 11th, was wrong. That being
the case, we wish to extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected,
Muslim and non-Muslim.

Many people have contacted us requesting advise and insight to help them
deal with this awful tragedy. We feel it is best to refrain from any
lengthy discourse concerning this issue until returning to the country.
However, the following points might be of benefit to the believers. Allah
knows best.


Stand Tall

As a community, we should stand tall and manifest the same dignity which
we exemplified before this trial afflicted us. We haven't done anything
wrong.

Our community, by the grace of Allah, is a well-educated, hardworking, law
abiding community. I am sure that if statistics were known, there would be
fewer if any identity groups with a lower rate of criminal activity. The
perpetrators of the ghastly crimes which occurred this past Tuesday, if
they are found to be Muslims, are not from our ranks. We have nothing to
do with them. If the media or other forces won't emphasize that fact to
the American public, we certainly must emphasize it to ourselves.

Perhaps there are diabolical forces that wish to use these tragic events
to break the spirit of our increasingly dynamic community. We must not
allow them to triumph. If we withdraw and cease our lawful, well-intended
efforts to make this world a better place to live, they have won.
Certainly there is an unprecedented level of tension in the country.
Similarly, there is an unprecedented threat to our lives and property.
However, as a popular song goes, we were "never promised a rose garden."
Trials are an inevitable part of life, and people are tested commensurate
to their faith. The important thing for us is to patiently persever. If we
work together through this crisis, we will emerge as a great people.

We as a community we should take our lead from the Majestic Qur'an. Allah,
the Exalted, says: Good and evil are not equal, repulse [evil] with that
which is better. You will find the one bearing enmity towards you appear
as an intimate friend.
[Qur'an: 41:34] We should continue to extend to our relatives, neighbors,
our companions at work, and our classmates, the same kindnesses and
courtesies which we were extending to them a week ago. Despite the
tremendous difficulty involved, we should try to find the strength to
smile. In these little things there are divine secrets. Again, why should
we feel shame or guilt for a crime we have absolutely nothing to do with?

Further, we must let our neighbors and all concerned parties know that
this tragedy affects us just as deeply as it affects them. We've been told
that on any given Friday upwards to 1,500 Muslims pray Jumu'ah at the
World Trade Center. This indicates that a significant number of Muslims
lost their lives in this tradegy. On the other hand, a significant
percentage of the doctors who immediately responded to the tragedy, along
with other emergency staffers and volunteers were Muslim.


Reach Out

One of the reasons we have been placed in such a defensive position, a
position where we can easily and readily be exploited by people of
ill-will, is that we have not made adequate efforts to reach out to
potential allies. There are members of other religious communities who
share many of our concerns. Similarly, other ethnic groups, especially the
Japanese, are extremely sympathetic to our plight. We should use this
crisis to build bridges of understanding between ourselves, and such
communities. Many cities have already had very successful interfaith
prayer meetings and similar gatherings since the onset of this crisis.
From my past experiences if we initiate such contacts others are extremely
responsive to our lead. We should initiate such gatherings in every locale
where there are significant Muslim populations. Similar initiatives,
including teach-ins, can be undertaken on college campuses in conjunction
with sympathetic student groups, and they are many.

As we mentioned at the outset, we don't want to be lengthy. Hence, we'll
conclude now with a few specific suggestions for actions, which you may
consider in the very near future.


Possible Actions

Du'a This isn't a possible action, this is indispensable. In these
difficult days, when we have a heightened awareness of our reliance on
Allah, our prayers will surely have more sincerity. We should not hesitate
to call on Allah asking Him for relief from this affliction. One of the
most powerful Du'as for helping us in the situation we find ourselves in
is:
Allahumma, ya Lateef, ultuf binaa feemaa jarat bihi al-Maqadir (O Allah!
The knower of all Subtleties, treat us gently while manifesting your
Decree [in our lives]). Similarly, we should remember Allah much, Dhikr.
We should all take a wird of the
following: Hasbunallahu wa Ni'amal Wakeel (Allah suffices us, and He is
the most excellent one to entrust with our affair). As many times as is
easy for us. This should be followed by reciting the two verses, 173 and
174 of Ali `Imran (Chapter 3) Alladhina Qaala lahum al-Naasu, Innanaasa
Qad Jama'u likum, fakhshawhum, fazaadahum Imaanan... (Those to whom the
people said, surely the forces are rallying against you, therefore, fear
them; it only increased their faith...)In general, we should also increase
our recitation of the Qur'an. We should also remember that we a entering
into one of the sacred months of Allah ?Rajab.

A coordinated public advertisement campaign. We should choose a designated
Sunday and take out a full page ad in at least one nationally circulated
newspaper, i.e. New York Times, Chicago Herald-Tribune, etc., and
simultaneously at least 100 regional papers. The ad should express our
sympathy, condolences, and simultaneously "define" ourselves to the
American public as a peaceful, law-abiding community with deep roots in
this country. We should also let them know that Muslims are directly
affected by this tragedy, that we have our own dead and missing. The
national ad can be easily financed by a nationwide fundraising campaign,
conducted online through a central office, while the regional ads can be
financed on a regional basis.

A "Day of Flowers." We should choose a day. On that day every Muslim
family will buy 14 flowers along with 14 cards with a message explaining
that we are their Muslim neighbors and we wish to extend to them a small
expression of condolence. We should personally deliver them to 7 neighbors
to our right, and seven to our left. If we live in an apartment building
building, to the 14 doors closest to our own. If they refuse to accept, we
should return later and leave them at their doorsteps. Such an action
involves implementing a prophetic tradition concerning the rights of our
neighbors, hence, we will find blessing in it, Insha Allah.

Creation of a standardized letter to be sent to the police chief and mayor
of every city with a significant Muslim population expressing our security
concerns. We can also cordially request a meeting with such officials to
outline action plans and emergency response measures. Such meetings have
already been undertaken in many cities. Officials have been found to be
extremely responsive.

Utilize local access television stations to air panel discussions of the
crisis and the related events. Such programs are an excellent way to
broadcast our message. If we don't currently air such a program in our
area, we can contact the hosts of existing programs requesting to use
their program for such a purpose. The panel can exist of the local Imam,
Muslim professionals and professors from neighboring universities, and
their non-Muslim counterparts. The discussion can focus on the many issues
related to the tragedy.

Community level "town" meetings. We can initiate meetings in our locales
to discuss the issue of political violence. We can invite friendly and
even potentially hostile groups to participate in such forums. Face to
face contact makes it more difficult to villainize the "other." Similar
forums can also be arranged on college campuses.

Organized call-ins to radio talk shows. We can organize teams to cover
local talk shows. These teams can be given a standard list of points we
wish to make when on the air. Lists of such salient "sound bites" have
already been developed by several major Islamic organizations. Ask about
them. We won't mention the names of any such organizations because we
haven't taken their permission do to so.

Develop a special handout just for this crisis. This handout could be on
the order of the "What is Islam" pamphlet. It could be called, for
example, "You Should Know." The points inside could then be prefaced by
this phrase. For example, "You should know that ___ Muslims died in the
bombing of the WTC."

"You should know____ Muslim doctors were among the first to respond to the
disaster". "You should know that ____ of them subsequently lost their
lives when the towers collapsed".
"You should know that Islam categorically condemns such action." Etc. Such
a handout would allow brothers and sisters to give something to people as
they walk the streets, especially those people who stare at them as if
they just saw OBL himself.

Report all "hate" crimes and phone threats, regardless of their magnitude,
to national Islamic organizations which are recording such incidents, as
well as to your local police. Such documentation can serve as the basis
for future legislation and other measures to help prevent a reoccurrence
of such a situation in the future.

Organize city-wide Islamic group discussions of the tragedy. These
discussions can be held weekly at the largest Masjid in the city, or the
local Masjid. We can discuss the conditions existing in our Muslim
homelands which might possibly lead to the creation of warped
personalities, and similar topics. Talking is therapuedic, and in our
gathering there is support and strength.

These are a few suggestions, we are sure that you can think of many more.
The important thing is to do something. Inactivity won't change our public
image. In the State of Hawaii, an Island-wide prayer service was held a
few days ago. One of the speakers was the president of the local Islamic
Association. Only 11 of the island's 1500 Muslims showed up. Such
inactivity during a crisis of this magnitude is unacceptable.

These are just a few things we can do. As far as a few security tips, we
mention the following:

If you are traveling, make sure that you gas up your car during the day at
a gas station where you are well known and are confident that the
attendants are friendly towards you. Also, insure that you have enough gas
in your tank to prevent you from having to stop in a potentially hostile
rural or suburban area. If your car is in poor condition, don't trust it
for a long trip where it might breakdown in an isolated area. If you live
in an urban area and frequently walk to work or to shop, avoid walking
alone, as much as possible, or through loitering crowds. Also, avoid
walking through potentially hostile neighborhoods, even if it means taking
a longer route.

Initiate a local emergency phone call-up roster. In an attack on the local
Mosque, or at the home of an area Muslims, other believers can be notified
immediately and peacefully respond to the situation with some significant
numbers.

Married couples should schedule random visits to the homes of single
mothers and sisters. Such visits help to boost the morale of our sisters
and to discourage attacks by those parties who think that they have no
viable support network.

On campuses Muslim brothers should organize escort services for Muslim
sisters who find themselves having to traverse great distances on foot,
alone after dark. If sisters are driving, they should be escorted to their
cars. A central phone number can be dispensed at the weekly MSA meeting.
Of course such services should be undertaken with strict observance of
Islamic decorum, preferably two brothers should escort a single sister.
Believers should generally try to avoid being out at night, especially the
sisters.

The Masjids should not be abandoned. Many people are staying away from the
Masjids because of threats of violence. However, in many instances the
Masjids have been attacked because they are abandoned. If a severe threat
exists, local police can be alerted to provide coverage at prayer times.
We know of at least one Masjid that has hired a security company to guard
the premises, 24/7

All of the community's members should have a list of police and fire
department emergency hotlines.

These are a few tips. Insha Allah, they will be of some benefit. Pray for
your brothers and sisters here in the Muslim world, you can be assured
that their prayers are with you. Insha Allah, we will see you all soon.
Please remember us in your prayers. ...and the last of our prayers is,
Al-hamdulillah Rabbil 'Alamin.


Your Brother in Islam,

Zaid Shakir

Re: something you can do!
jannah
09/25/01 at 12:36:59
--------------------------------------------------------------------
From Sheikh Yusuf Estes,
     National Chaplain, Islam Today
     WAMY World Assembly of Muslim Youth
     re: ANTI-TERRORISM tape ("Our Statement to America" & "Bubba
           Meets the Muslims")
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Salam Alaykum:

What is happening? - Non-Muslims are promoting Islam!

"Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world." - President
Bill Clinton, Washington Post December, 2000.
"Muslims make up one in four people of the earth." - Madelyn
Allbright, Washington Post December, 2000.
"Islam is a good religion . . . of peace." - President George W.
Bush, State of the Nation Address, September, 2001

Requests for copies of the Holy Quran are coming in faster than we
can answer them. Christians are calling us to set up dialogs to tell
them about Islam.
Book stores are having runs on their "cultural religion" sections
and running out of anything that even looks like something about
Islam and the Muslims. What is going on here? - People are begging
for information.

The emails that are so kind and supportive far outweigh the crazy
hate mails that we are getting. The first couple of days we did
receive some hate mail.
But now there is true support. The non-Muslims are even trying to
donate money to help us carry this message of the truth of Islam.

What is this all about? - Leaders of other religions are showing
Islam to their followers.

So many preachers, ministers and leaders of other faiths are not
only saying good things about Islam, but they are even inviting
Muslims to come in and give talks to their congregations.

Where are we in this picture? - No where.

I can't believe how fast the Muslims all ran back to their jobs and
education programs. While at the same time many of the non-Muslims
are leaving the material world at least for a brief break to try to
learn more and come to a better understanding of what is going on
here.

How can this be?

I heard, as did the entire world last week, the president of the
United States of America in his address to the nation, tell people
good things about Islam. He said  that Islam is a "good religion"
and it is a "religion of peace" and we Muslims are good "people."

How is it that the effort of carrying the message of Islam to the
entire world, into every house on the earth, was brought about by a
non-Muslim in one single speech?

How can it be that even the translation of what he said was brought
into every language on the earth in both the electronic media and
the written media at the same time?

There is not a place on earth today that is not aware of Islam,
Muslims and the fact that it is a religion of peace.

Why did Allah use the non-Muslims to spread the Message of Truth?

Good question. . . .

What about us?

Have we been actively sharing the message of Islam with others?
Did we even share it with our own fellow workers or neighbors?
Do we make a bigger effort on dawah for Islam or on making money in
this material world?
Do we even make effort on our families to follow Islam?
Do our women wear hijab?
Do we pray, fast, pay zakat and make hajj?
Do we even think about Allah as we should during the day and night?

Allah does not need us and He will ask us what we have done with our
time and our money. We have basically failed this test so far. But
it is not too late.
We must come together to share this message of Islam with these
people now.
Right now. There is no more time to sit and think or set up meetings
for next month to discuss a dialog for next spring. That type of
procrastination must cease and we must come face to face with the
reality of the responsibility of dawah.

WAKE UP - Before it's too late!

Those of you who know me and know our volunteers at Islam Today,
know that we have never made a public appeal for money. We only ask
Allah. So, do what ever Allah puts in your heart. We have put
together a two sided tape that explains Islam from the Quran and the
Sunnah. It also has a skit or play done by some American brothers to
show everyone how to overcome the maddness and anger being shown by
non-Muslims toward Islam. This is a very short tape, only 12 minutes
long. But it will work, inshallah.
IT IS FREE. For all non-Muslims. If you want copies, please send
email to us immediately and tell us how many you need and where to
send them. If your organization does not have the money to assist,
we will try to find someone or group who will sponser your effort,
inshallah. If you know someone who can help then, please tell us who
to contact for support on this effort. We will do whatever we can.
This is for the benefit of all of us on the Day of
Judgment, inshallah.

We are presently experiencing a tremendous response to our dawah
campaign and our emails are in the hundreds daily.
Please help us by:
* order our ANTI-TERRORISM tape ("Our Statement to America" & "Bubba
Meets the Muslims")
* set up email lists and referring them to our site
* visit boards on the internet and post links to our pages
* give our our email address to people to receive free Qurans and
info on Islam & Terrorism
* raise financial assistance for more tapes and postage as much as
you can
And above all, pray for all of us, that Allah will forgive us for
not taking this message out to the people as we should have and that
He will allow us to succeed in our efforts to spread Islam around
the world.

Visit Islam Today to Research All Islam:
http://www.islamtoday.com/everything/

For those interested in learning more about priests and preachers,
like myself who have come to Islam, please visit:
http://www.islamtoday.com/yusuf

Thank you again and may Allah guide all of us to the right path,
ameen.

Salam Alaykum,
Yusuf Estes

http://www.islamtoday.com National Imam -- ISLAM TODAY

United Nations Delegate World Peace Conference for Religious Leaders
http://www.wamy.uk.co WAMY World Assembly of Muslim Youth

Falls Church, VA.
USA


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