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FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
ahmer
10/02/01 at 18:36:32
Muslim Leaders Struggle With Mixed Messages By Hanna Rosin and John Mintz Washington Post Staff Writers Tuesday, October 2, 2001; Page A16 [color=red] On Sept. 20, FBI agents showed up at the house of Hamza Yusuf, a Muslim teacher and speaker in Northern California. They wanted to question him about a speech he had given two days before the Sept. 11 attacks, in which he said that the U.S. "stands condemned" and that "this country has a great, great tribulation coming to it." "He's not home," his wife said. "He's with the president." The agents thought she was joking, Yusuf said. But she wasn't. That day Yusuf was at the White House, the only Muslim in a group of religious leaders invited to pray with President Bush, sing "God Bless America," and endorse the president's plans for military action. "Hate knows no religion. Hate knows no country," Yusuf said that day outside the White House. "Islam was hijacked on that September 11, 2001, on that plane as an innocent victim." Yusuf's mixed message created awkwardness for the White House -- and revealed a dilemma for the suddenly very visible Muslim leadership in America. The president invited Yusuf because he is one of the "leading Muslim clerics," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. When the president meets with a group, "you should never assume . . . that he would ever agree with anything anybody in that group has said," added another Bush spokesman, Ari Fleischer. Before the Sept. 11 attacks, Yusuf's speeches would occasionally stray into anti-American rhetoric, hitting apocalyptic themes. At least one other Muslim leader invited to the White House since the attacks also has made provocative remarks about America. But now Yusuf has joined other American Muslim leaders as they have closed ranks behind the message that Islam is a peaceful religion and that extremists are outside its fold. No one suggests that Yusuf had anything directly to do with the attacks, and he has not endorsed violence against American targets. But some Islamic experts said Yusuf is one example of a Muslim leader who speaks of peace to the American public though he has used incendiary language in private. The contradictory idioms are, in part, an outgrowth of the American Muslim community's reluctance to air its disagreements in public, said Ali Asani, an Islamic studies professor at Harvard University. Muslims "are so sensitive about the perception of Islam," Asani said. "Even when there are disagreements within the Muslim community about extremism, they will project to the outside that we are all monolithic and peaceful." Asani, who has watched the spread of rhetoric such as Yusuf's with dismay, added that it was time for a reckoning. After Sept. 11, the more extreme leaders went "on alert," said Asani. "They realize that they are part of the problem, that the Sept. 11 incident can be the result of this kind of thinking they have been propagating for so many years." Yusuf said he partly regrets the speech, adding that it was "tragic timing" and that he would never give it now, after the attacks. "I don't want this country to be destroyed," he said. "I don't want to have punishment come to this country. I'm not a wrathful person." Yusuf was born in California to an American Catholic father and a Greek Orthodox mother. He converted to Islam at age 17, and studied with Muslim scholars in the Middle East. Then he returned to college in this country and began teaching Arabic and Islamic affairs at a center in California. He is known among his students as a charismatic teacher who can speak to the experiences of young second-generation Muslims. His Sept. 9 speech was not the first time Yusuf drew criticism. In 1995 he said, "the Jews would have us believe that God had this bias to this little small tribe in the middle of the Sinai desert, and all the rest of humanity is just rubbish. I mean, that is the basic doctrine of the Jewish religion and that's why it is a most racist religion." "Those are old speeches," Yusuf said yesterday about those remarks. "I've spent 10 years in the Arab world and I've learned their language. . . . Anti-semitism, anti-anything does not reflect my core values. If people were fair, they would see my spiritual growth, as a person, as a religious scholar." He gave his Sept. 9 speech in Irvine, Calif., to a gathering to support Jamil Al-Amin, a Muslim cleric facing charges in the slaying of a sheriff's deputy during an Atlanta shootout and the wounding of a second deputy. The case of Al-Amin, known previously as the 1960s black radical leader H. Rap Brown, has rallied Muslim activists around the country who say he is being railroaded. "He's a man who by necessity must speak the truth," Yusuf said of Al-Amin in the speech. "That is a dangerous man. . . . Within this government are elements who will do anything to silence the truth. They'll assassinate either the person or the character." He told his audience that that was merely one example of the injustice and immorality rampant in America. "This country is facing a very terrible fate," he said. "The reason for that is that this country stands condemned. It stands condemned like Europe stood condemned because of what it did. And lest people forget that Europe suffered two world wars after conquering the Muslim lands. . . . [Europe's] countries were devastated, they were completely destroyed. Their young people were killed." Yusuf also mentioned the conviction of Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman, the blind Egyptian cleric convicted of sedition and sentenced to life in a U.S. prison in connection with a plot to bomb Manhattan's Lincoln and Holland tunnels and other New York landmarks. "That sheikh was unjustly tried, was condemned against any standards of justice in any legal system," Yusuf said, citing Rahman's lawyer, former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark. "Now [he] sits in jail because it was a foregone conclusion." Yusuf said yesterday that the attacks had taught him a lesson. "One of the things I have learned is that we in the Muslim community have allowed a discourse of rage," he said. "This has been a wake-up call for me as well, in that I feel in some ways there is a complicity, that we have allowed a discourse centered in anger." Another popular Muslim cleric invited to the White House after the attacks also has made controversial remarks. Muzammil Siddiqi, who also spoke at a service at the Washington National Cathedral after the attacks, harshly criticized U.S. support for Israel at a rally outside the White House last October, at which marchers chanted in praise of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group. "America has to learn," Siddiqi said at the rally. "If you remain on the side of injustice, the wrath of God will come. Please, all Americans. Do you remember that? Allah is watching everyone. God is watching everyone. If you continue doing injustice, and tolerate injustice, the wrath of God will come." Siddiqi could not be reached for comment.[/color]

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
jannah
10/02/01 at 22:14:34
Watch very closely.. all these Muslim leaders that have been to the whitehouse on the news defending Islam etc. There will be smear campaign to link them to terrorists and evil things to ruin their reputations. It's happenning already...

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
ahmer
10/02/01 at 22:50:44
yes.. they will malign every leader and org, so that we lose trust in any leader or org and we are like a ship without a rudder!!

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
ahmer
10/03/01 at 07:46:30
don't wanna comment...confused.....depressed....baffled....don't know what to say....:( ):( ??? no despair yet.. but on the brink.... sometime back i wrote tis piece of poetry it's weird but now i m feeling the heat more than was two years back when i penned it down(dat was for personal reasons) some excerpts out of tis long poem [i] I sit at the end of the tunnel… People tell me to wait for the light… But I don't want the light… I am running away but can't stop… I sit in a blessed garden... People tell me to smell the roses… But I can only see the black ones… I can see the roses but can't smell [/i]

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
Learner
10/03/01 at 08:49:36
slm   You guys are both echoing my thoughts and feelings at this critical moment in time. I too am frustrated and depressed... However, I am made to remember the beautiful words of Sister Maliha who eloquently wrote: ...Before giving into public hysteria and despair, we have to remember that it is through trials and tribulations that we are tested. What we are going through is merely a testimony of Allah’s love and mercy for us. We do have the ultimate source of Power and Might to tap into. This is the time to cease our self deceptions, gather our senses, and truly contemplate the very basis of our existence. There is no short term solution for the “ummah”. There is no magic “Duah” that will erase the magnitude of what we are facing. There is an immense amount of building that needs to be done. The foundation starts with each of our souls. It is imperative on each of us to heal the many spiritual maladies and diseases we are suffering from. We need a complete overhaul of our spiritual equipment starting from the basic Salat, to the very way that we think, act, and talk. The remedies are clearly outlined in the Quran, Sunnah, and many scholarly works done on Tawassuf and Tazkiya. Our sincerity in approaching Allah will be rewarded with immense blessings, guidance, and light. Opening our esoteric eyes will gear us communally to movement. At this level we can strategically implement the many ways we can work together and facilitate a self reliant Islamic way of life, that will guarantee the preservation of our spirit. This stage, however, will be doomed (as it has in past efforts) if we do not purify our own selves first. The usual petty bickering, disorganisation, and inaction will remain dominant as long as we are not committed to the ultimate goal. Islam challenges us to rise to the very heights of our spiritual selves in light of the absolute Truth. The world is a preparatory ground, and we do have all the resources we need, right at this moment, to begin working. This struggle is a mere continuation of the endless fight for truth, freedom and justice that has been passed on by generations of visionaries throughout time. This struggle transcends race, religion, geography, or borders; this struggle transcends the quest for the material world into the realm of spiritual liberation and ascension... Subhanallah, how true!!! So guys, let's not get glued to the media - let's get up and do something about it! And be happy knowing that if we are sincere in what we do Allah (swt)will be happy with us.  :) wlm  :)

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
mujaahid
10/03/01 at 09:00:45
Guys i'm confused as to your views! What are you guys vofused and upset and depressed about? Is it that your dissapointed Hamza Yusuf said that about the USA before the attacks, or is it because he seems to have used contradictory language and seems afraid to speak his mind?

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
M.F.
10/03/01 at 10:15:05
Assalamu alaikum, I don't believe that Hamza Yusuf said what he said because he was afraid or because he was backing down.  It's essential right now to give the best possible image of Islam to the public, now that it's in the spotlight.  What H.Y. had said before was intended for Muslims only, and of course from our point of view we can totally see where he's coming from.  But when a non-Muslim reads that, esp. an American, they're going to see it as an attack on America, and of course their response is to attack Islam back.  Hamza Yusuf has to try in the way that he can to prevent that.  I think it's as simple as that.  I don't think any of the Muslim leaders are scared except for Islam and for their communities.  No one wants to provoke anymore hatred, and saying things like America had it coming would do that, no matter now true.

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
ahmer
10/03/01 at 10:35:22
slm i am not depressed cuz of Shaykh Hamza's interview!! or anything and Br mujahid, you are free to think of me as blind lovers of Shaykh Hamza and whatever you want to. i have realized that it's so easy to debate this from the midst of our cozy homes. But it's altogether a different thing when you are out there facing. I have been guilty of criticizing the policies of our leaders and org too, jannah has corrected me , jazaka'Allah to her. May Allah forgive me. but i know how difficult it is to lead. Aren't the leaders reflection of our ummah? and considering the state of how we are right now, they are far better than what we are!! Atleast they are sticking out. Just giving you an example, ICNA pres is a full time day'ee of deen unlike my or anyone's "weekend islam", going everywhere to give confidence to communities. You know what Imam Siraj has been doing ever since 11th september, visiting Islamic centers and conf across US to give strength to Muslims. Shaykh Hamza is conducting open houses in California and everywhere, and i don't see anything egregious in his interview, except for the "anger discourse" which i think is partly true, and if someone is acknowledging this , there is nothing wrong. Why do we have to criticize the Muslims leaders right now? Isn't it time to stick together!! Alhumdolillah i am not depressed by tests and tribulations, but by the unrelenting smear attacks on our leaders and org. I am afraid it's part of strategy to undermind the legitimate leaders of American Muslims, and as i see it Muslims themselves are now falling into this trap. be it ICNA, ISNA or any leader, we are pointing fingers at them...Why? Lemme tell you how understaffed and under resourced they are? ICNA NJ hasn't even got an office!! yet it is the most dynamic chapter in the US, it hosts the ICNA national website, has a creative pioneer dawah project "Whyislam" (where 60 shahdahs have taked place due to the project in one year alhumdolillah), its hotline is run my sister volunteers, it organizes 2 major events annually, takes out a 30,000 strong quarterly publication. I can go on and on the projects are unlimited, and the barakah of Allah is unending in it. yet just imagine each Muslim leader and org is doing? we should help them and really try to be a part of it. Just imagine that only 10 percent of Muslims in this country are associated with Masajids. Why do we have to blame those only 10 percent who are sticking out! what about the others.! yes i agree at times i get frustrated too, and my earlier post was out of such feeling but Islam is hope insha'Allah for all of us..and jazaka'Allah khair! Learner for your thoughts that gave me strength. i was really feeling down and out last night!! but around fajr i got this email from someone, and this was encouraging! http://www.jannah.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl/YaBB.pl?board=bebzi&action=display&num=4932 I realized that rather getting depressed, go on be positive and act positive. Insha'Allah i will try to stick to this attitude thou at times it's hard! these were my outbursts everyone!! i vented my thoughts!! sorry for bothering you, Like Allah says in the Quran, Eeman(faith) is not something constant rather increases and decreases and the medina community is so kewl that you guys (like Learner, jannah and everyone) help remain focused and ward off any pessimism. Do correct me if i went wrong somewhere!! i luv u all:) jazaka'Allah khair wlm ahmer

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
Arsalan
10/03/01 at 13:49:29
[slm] [quote]Just imagine that only 10 percent of Muslims in this country are associated with Masajids. Why do we have to blame those only 10 percent who are sticking out! what about the others.![/quote]Right on bro.  Right on!

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
mujaahid
10/03/01 at 14:43:09
"or anything and Br mujahid, you are free to think of me as blind lovers of Shaykh Hamza and whatever you want to." Come on Bro o never said that or implied it. If you felt i did then i apologise, i never meant to offend. I was simply asking how come your upset and depressed over Hamza Yusuf now.

Re: FBI came to Shaykh Hamza's house (read what he says about it!!)
BroHanif
10/03/01 at 16:46:12
Don't be upset if you think you can do one better go ahead. Instead of talking like what we should do, at least give the Shaykh credit for what he has done for deen in the US. We muslims are in this mess because we look at others first and then oursleves. The first jihad starts with ones own heart not by making ill judegements based on the evidence of the monkey media. If we muslims lived like real muslims, loved one another like we should do, helped each other like we should do and adopted the character of prophet saws, then by Allah we would not be in such a mess as we r today. Nowdays we always hear that Islam is the fastest growing religion, maybe it is, but what about the akhlaq(character) of the muslims ? Are we lip service muslims who look at others and are muslims on a Friday or do we have our role models that we look up to like Hazrat Abu Bakr R.A. and Fatiamah R.A. At the time of the Shabas people used to look at em and become Muslims, the shabas sometimes travelled far and wide simply for trade and people begged them not to leave but to stay in their country and teach them the true way of life, Islam. Is that happening today ? No. we are quick in looking at the faults of others, however, when it comes to our own rectification we simply lag the energy and resources. May Allah forgive us. Remember the plot of the kufr divide and conquer, our plot is One Allah, One Ummah. United we stand, united we fall. Salaams Hanif
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