How does a person in non-legal citizenship status look or talk? Does he/she have dark skin? Maybe dark skin with a cowboy hat? Face veil? Speaks with a broken accent?
There are no exact physical descriptions that can alert a city clerk or a city police officer if someone is undocumented. This is the point of the ordinance, to protect CITIZENS, who could be profiled or harrassed based upon them having one of the traits listed above.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070907/METRO/709070370
Immigration issue heats up in Hamtramck
City wants to forbid police from questioning status
Jonnelle Marte / The Detroit News
HAMTRAMCK -- Michigan's most diverse city is wading into the emotional national debate about what role local police should play in enforcing federal immigration laws.
As Congress mulls what to do with those illegally in the country, Hamtramck officials are preparing an ordinance to forbid police and other city officials from asking anyone about their immigration status unless it's relevant to investigations or during arrest bookings.
Supporters say Hamtramck, which is so diverse 26 languages are spoken in its schools, is no stranger to culture clashes and the law would provide a safeguard for immigrants wary about cooperating with police if they fear deportation or harassment.
"We don't want (local public officials) to go beyond their call of duty to carry out responsibilities of federal immigration officials," said Anthony Mosko, of the Detroit faith-based organization Metropolitan Organizing Strategy Enabling Strength. "There's no way to know that just by looking at somebody if they are documented or undocumented."
Such logic outrages foes who say police are sworn to enforce all laws. The proposal, which council members could consider next month, is modeled after an ordinance Detroit adopted in May and is similar to ones in Los Angeles and Chicago. But it goes against a national trend of municipalities teaming with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow cops to identify and report undocumented residents...
In 2004, the city was thrust into the national spotlight when the City Council initially refused a mosque's request to broadcast a call-to-prayer before repealing a noise ordinance that forbid it. The city was sued after a 1999 election on allegations officials prevented 40 voters of Arab and Bengali descent from voting.
"Due to the history of that situation happening in Hamtramck, it's good to have such an ordinance on the books," said Dawud Walid, director of the Michigan branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations that supports the measure.(MORE)
Friday, September 07, 2007
Message for Friday - Growth comes via tests
إذا أحب الله عبدا ابتلاه
Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) said, "When G'd loves a servant, He tests him."
Many have asked the question to G'd, "Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"
When a calamity visits, people tend to view it as a punishment. A calamity can be a punishment, but it can also be a time for growth. G'd allows us the opportunity for inward growth via tests.
When a weighlifter grows in muscle mass, he/she must increase the weight in which is lifted. The increasement of weight will initially seem like an incredible burden, causing muscle burning due to lactic acid build up. Over time, however, the weightlifter's muscles make the appropriate physiological adjustments and muscle mass increases, which causes the once heavy weight to feel ligther.
The spiritual and intellectual weight that affect humans in life increases pyschological strength when coupled with faith and patience.
وَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسَى أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ
G'd says in the Qur'an (2:216):
[A}and perhaps you may dislike a thing, but it is good for you. And perhaps you may love a thing, but it is bad for you.
And surely G'd knows best.
Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) said, "When G'd loves a servant, He tests him."
Many have asked the question to G'd, "Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"
When a calamity visits, people tend to view it as a punishment. A calamity can be a punishment, but it can also be a time for growth. G'd allows us the opportunity for inward growth via tests.
When a weighlifter grows in muscle mass, he/she must increase the weight in which is lifted. The increasement of weight will initially seem like an incredible burden, causing muscle burning due to lactic acid build up. Over time, however, the weightlifter's muscles make the appropriate physiological adjustments and muscle mass increases, which causes the once heavy weight to feel ligther.
The spiritual and intellectual weight that affect humans in life increases pyschological strength when coupled with faith and patience.
وَعَسَى أَنْ تَكْرَهُوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَعَسَى أَنْ تُحِبُّوا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَكُمْ
G'd says in the Qur'an (2:216):
[A}and perhaps you may dislike a thing, but it is good for you. And perhaps you may love a thing, but it is bad for you.
And surely G'd knows best.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Forum with Department of Treasury regarding charities
Relating to my quote in today's Detroit Free Press, I raised the question of the possibility that any Muslim charity that operates in Gaza or Southern Lebanon could be raided on the grounds that it is in "collusion" with Hamas or Hizbullah for giving aid in areas that are controlled by them.
Although we have designated them as terrorist groups, the reality is that Hamas is the government in Gaza and Hizbullah, not the Lebanese Army, controls Southern Lebanon.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/NEWS05/70905029/1006/NEWS04
Official: Muslims should be careful with donations
September 5, 2007
BY NIRAJ WARIKO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
A senior counterterrorism official in the U.S. Treasury Department told a crowd of Muslims in Dearborn they should be careful about which charities they donate to, suggesting they give money to groups the U.S. government works with.
"If you were buying a car, or buying a house, of course you would try to find out who you were dealing with," said Michael Rosen, a policy adviser with the Treasury's Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, on Tuesday night. "And in essence, when you're making a charitable donation, that's exactly what you're trying to do. "
"You're trying to figure out, to whom am I giving? Who are these people? How did they run their business?"
Rosen's discussion was part of what has become an annual public forum with local Muslims and federal law enforcement officials around the start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month when many Muslims donate money to charities.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the United States cracked down on some Islamic charities, concerned they were funnelling money toward violent groups in the Muslim world. Over the past year, three Muslim charities have been raided in metro Detroit.
Held inside a Dearborn library, the discussion was testy at times, with some Muslims expressing frustration at the government crackdown. With Ramadan starting next week, some called for the government to make clear what charities are legitimate and which ones are off-limits.
"What is declared legal today could be declared illegal tomorrow," said Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, who cohosted the forum along with First Assistant U.S. Attorney in Detroit Terrence Berg. "Have some sort of regulator."...
Others expressed concern that the U.S. government is making it impossible to help Muslims in certain areas that are controlled by groups that are labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.
"Hizballah and Hamas, although we designate them as terrorist organizations, they're considered legitimate governments of the people," said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "You can't operate or do any type of business in Gaza without having contact with Hamas. You can't do any business in southern Lebanon, realistically, without having some type of contact ... with Hizballah."
Rosen said there are ways to help people in those areas without dealing with terrorist groups.(MORE)
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/METRO/709050383/1003
Feds discuss charity
Attorney's Office meets with Muslims to clarify donation policy.
Paul Egan / The Detroit News
DEARBORN -- Area Muslim and Arab-Americans had a spirited exchange over charitable giving Tuesday night with two representatives of the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes.
The meeting in Dearborn was organized by the U.S. Attorney's Office and Muslim leaders to address questions and concerns in the lead-up to Ramadan, a Muslim holy month of fasting and charitable giving, which begins at dusk Sept. 12.
In the last year, the FBI and other federal agencies have raided three Detroit-area Muslim charities: Life for Relief and Development, Al-Mabarrat Charitable Organization and Goodwill Charitable Organization Inc.
Nobody from any of the charities has been charged with a crime, and only the Goodwill Charitable Organization -- which has no connection with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit -- has been designated a terrorist front by the Treasury Department.
Audience members unsuccessfully sought absolute assurances they could not be prosecuted for giving to a charity that is legal today but could be deemed a terrorist front tomorrow...
Though the meeting at Henry Ford Centennial Library was useful, "I don't think (it) is going to put the Muslim community's anxieties at rest," said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Michigan.(MORE)
Although we have designated them as terrorist groups, the reality is that Hamas is the government in Gaza and Hizbullah, not the Lebanese Army, controls Southern Lebanon.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/NEWS05/70905029/1006/NEWS04
Official: Muslims should be careful with donations
September 5, 2007
BY NIRAJ WARIKO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
A senior counterterrorism official in the U.S. Treasury Department told a crowd of Muslims in Dearborn they should be careful about which charities they donate to, suggesting they give money to groups the U.S. government works with.
"If you were buying a car, or buying a house, of course you would try to find out who you were dealing with," said Michael Rosen, a policy adviser with the Treasury's Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, on Tuesday night. "And in essence, when you're making a charitable donation, that's exactly what you're trying to do. "
"You're trying to figure out, to whom am I giving? Who are these people? How did they run their business?"
Rosen's discussion was part of what has become an annual public forum with local Muslims and federal law enforcement officials around the start of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month when many Muslims donate money to charities.
After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the United States cracked down on some Islamic charities, concerned they were funnelling money toward violent groups in the Muslim world. Over the past year, three Muslim charities have been raided in metro Detroit.
Held inside a Dearborn library, the discussion was testy at times, with some Muslims expressing frustration at the government crackdown. With Ramadan starting next week, some called for the government to make clear what charities are legitimate and which ones are off-limits.
"What is declared legal today could be declared illegal tomorrow," said Imad Hamad, regional director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, who cohosted the forum along with First Assistant U.S. Attorney in Detroit Terrence Berg. "Have some sort of regulator."...
Others expressed concern that the U.S. government is making it impossible to help Muslims in certain areas that are controlled by groups that are labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government.
"Hizballah and Hamas, although we designate them as terrorist organizations, they're considered legitimate governments of the people," said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "You can't operate or do any type of business in Gaza without having contact with Hamas. You can't do any business in southern Lebanon, realistically, without having some type of contact ... with Hizballah."
Rosen said there are ways to help people in those areas without dealing with terrorist groups.(MORE)
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070905/METRO/709050383/1003
Feds discuss charity
Attorney's Office meets with Muslims to clarify donation policy.
Paul Egan / The Detroit News
DEARBORN -- Area Muslim and Arab-Americans had a spirited exchange over charitable giving Tuesday night with two representatives of the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes.
The meeting in Dearborn was organized by the U.S. Attorney's Office and Muslim leaders to address questions and concerns in the lead-up to Ramadan, a Muslim holy month of fasting and charitable giving, which begins at dusk Sept. 12.
In the last year, the FBI and other federal agencies have raided three Detroit-area Muslim charities: Life for Relief and Development, Al-Mabarrat Charitable Organization and Goodwill Charitable Organization Inc.
Nobody from any of the charities has been charged with a crime, and only the Goodwill Charitable Organization -- which has no connection with Goodwill Industries of Greater Detroit -- has been designated a terrorist front by the Treasury Department.
Audience members unsuccessfully sought absolute assurances they could not be prosecuted for giving to a charity that is legal today but could be deemed a terrorist front tomorrow...
Though the meeting at Henry Ford Centennial Library was useful, "I don't think (it) is going to put the Muslim community's anxieties at rest," said Dawud Walid, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Michigan.(MORE)
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
The don'ts of Ramadan
Ramadan, the 9th lunar month on the Islamic calendar, should begin this year at dusk on September 12th.
Whether visiting the Middle East or driving through Dearborn, Michigan, one may observe a festival like atmosphere during the night time. Restaurants are packed, hookah cafes are full, bakeries are open 24/7 and colorful lights and banners hang from some businesses. This carvinal like spirit or party atmosphere, however, has nothing to do with the Islamic faith and the religious emphasis of Ramadan. This is cultural expression that is in some ways antithetical to the purpose of Ramadan.
Ramadan is not a party month. Its importance is based upon the Qur'an and prophetic traditions as follows:
1) Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed upon the heart of Prophet Muhammad (SAAS). Some narrations even state that the Scrolls of Abraham, the Torah given to Moses, the Psalms given to David and the Gospels given to Jesus the Messiah were all revealed during Ramadan. Muslims strive to read the entire Qur'an during Ramadan.
2) In Ramadan, there is a night in which the Qur'an was revealed, Laylah Al-Qadr, in which G'd says is better than 1,000 months. Many Muslims believe that this night falls on the 27th night although the majority of Muslims believe that it can be on any odd night within the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Muslims, who practice their religion, attempt to stay up as long as they can this night in devotion to G'd.
3) Ramadan is the month of fasting, giving up food, drink and lawful sexual relations from dawn to dusk. Fasting instills discipline and brings about natural empathy for the poor and destitute, who lack sufficient food and water.
4) Ramadan is the month of giving extra attention to refraining from anti-social conversations such as gossip, back biting and deceptive speech.
5) Ramadan is the month of charitable giving to the poor, mentally challenged and orphans.
6) Ramadan is the month of showing mercy in general and increasing good deeds for the benefit of others.
Ramadan was not a party time during the era of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) and the earlier pious generations of Muslims. Outside of making a living, they spent their time in prayer, religious learning and charitable donation.
Did the Prophet (SAAS) break his fast with large meals and an array of sweets? No! He (SAAS) broke his fast with 3 dates and some water. These days, many Muslims actually gain weight during the month of the fast, which is almost sacrilegious. In fact, the Prophet (SAAS) taught us not to eat until we are full (stuffed). Over-eating is consuming food that could be used to alleviate hunger for another person.
The other extreme is to make things unlawful during Ramadan that are not unlawful or to give up unlawful items just for Ramadan to return to them immediately after it.
One example is those people who say that they will give up music during Ramadan, even stating that it is unlawful doutside Ramadan. What is clearly unlawful during Ramadan would be clearly unlawful outside of Ramadan as well. If the music is lawful and decent outside of Ramadan, then it is lawful during Ramadan.
If a Muslim, however, is going to give up listening to 50 Cent or Lil Wayne during Ramadan on the basis that their lyrics are repugnant and promoting un-Islamic behavior, the ban should extend past Ramadan. The same holds true for Muslims that smoke marijuana or patronize "gentlemen's clubs" outside of Ramadan, or Muslim merchants that increase their charitable donating during Ramadan from money that is earned unlawfully or illegally (ex. selling pornography, alcohol, lottery & drug paraphernalia).
Whether visiting the Middle East or driving through Dearborn, Michigan, one may observe a festival like atmosphere during the night time. Restaurants are packed, hookah cafes are full, bakeries are open 24/7 and colorful lights and banners hang from some businesses. This carvinal like spirit or party atmosphere, however, has nothing to do with the Islamic faith and the religious emphasis of Ramadan. This is cultural expression that is in some ways antithetical to the purpose of Ramadan.
Ramadan is not a party month. Its importance is based upon the Qur'an and prophetic traditions as follows:
1) Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed upon the heart of Prophet Muhammad (SAAS). Some narrations even state that the Scrolls of Abraham, the Torah given to Moses, the Psalms given to David and the Gospels given to Jesus the Messiah were all revealed during Ramadan. Muslims strive to read the entire Qur'an during Ramadan.
2) In Ramadan, there is a night in which the Qur'an was revealed, Laylah Al-Qadr, in which G'd says is better than 1,000 months. Many Muslims believe that this night falls on the 27th night although the majority of Muslims believe that it can be on any odd night within the last 10 nights of Ramadan. Muslims, who practice their religion, attempt to stay up as long as they can this night in devotion to G'd.
3) Ramadan is the month of fasting, giving up food, drink and lawful sexual relations from dawn to dusk. Fasting instills discipline and brings about natural empathy for the poor and destitute, who lack sufficient food and water.
4) Ramadan is the month of giving extra attention to refraining from anti-social conversations such as gossip, back biting and deceptive speech.
5) Ramadan is the month of charitable giving to the poor, mentally challenged and orphans.
6) Ramadan is the month of showing mercy in general and increasing good deeds for the benefit of others.
Ramadan was not a party time during the era of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) and the earlier pious generations of Muslims. Outside of making a living, they spent their time in prayer, religious learning and charitable donation.
Did the Prophet (SAAS) break his fast with large meals and an array of sweets? No! He (SAAS) broke his fast with 3 dates and some water. These days, many Muslims actually gain weight during the month of the fast, which is almost sacrilegious. In fact, the Prophet (SAAS) taught us not to eat until we are full (stuffed). Over-eating is consuming food that could be used to alleviate hunger for another person.
The other extreme is to make things unlawful during Ramadan that are not unlawful or to give up unlawful items just for Ramadan to return to them immediately after it.
One example is those people who say that they will give up music during Ramadan, even stating that it is unlawful doutside Ramadan. What is clearly unlawful during Ramadan would be clearly unlawful outside of Ramadan as well. If the music is lawful and decent outside of Ramadan, then it is lawful during Ramadan.
If a Muslim, however, is going to give up listening to 50 Cent or Lil Wayne during Ramadan on the basis that their lyrics are repugnant and promoting un-Islamic behavior, the ban should extend past Ramadan. The same holds true for Muslims that smoke marijuana or patronize "gentlemen's clubs" outside of Ramadan, or Muslim merchants that increase their charitable donating during Ramadan from money that is earned unlawfully or illegally (ex. selling pornography, alcohol, lottery & drug paraphernalia).
Saturday, September 01, 2007
MI congressman attacks mainstream Muslim group
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070831/NEWS06/70831115/1003/NEWS01
Feds defend decision to associate with Muslim group
August 31, 2007
By NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Facing criticism from a Michigan Congressman, the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday defended its decision to associate with a Muslim group at its annual convention this weekend.
U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) sent a letter on Tuesday to the Attorney General at the Department of Justice, slamming it for working with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a Muslim group that is holding its convention in Rosemont, Illinois, from Friday through Sept. 4...
In response, Justice Department officials said Friday they are reaching out as part of a general effort to engage communities.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said in a letter sent Friday that the "Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and Community Relations Service will be operating a literature and information table at the conference."
Officials with ISNA could not be reached Friday afternoon, but local Muslims defended the group.
The secretary-general of ISNA is Muneer Fareed, who is from Oakland County and was once an imam at the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit, based in Rochester Hills, said a local Muslim leader.
"If Mr. Hoekstra has a problem with ISNA, then he is stating his disdain for the mainstream Muslim community," said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "ISNA is not an extension of the Muslim Brotherhood, and even if it was, the Muslim Brotherhood is not designated by our country as a terrorist organization."(MORE)
Feds defend decision to associate with Muslim group
August 31, 2007
By NIRAJ WARIKOO
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Facing criticism from a Michigan Congressman, the U.S. Department of Justice on Friday defended its decision to associate with a Muslim group at its annual convention this weekend.
U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-MI) sent a letter on Tuesday to the Attorney General at the Department of Justice, slamming it for working with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a Muslim group that is holding its convention in Rosemont, Illinois, from Friday through Sept. 4...
In response, Justice Department officials said Friday they are reaching out as part of a general effort to engage communities.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Benczkowski said in a letter sent Friday that the "Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and Community Relations Service will be operating a literature and information table at the conference."
Officials with ISNA could not be reached Friday afternoon, but local Muslims defended the group.
The secretary-general of ISNA is Muneer Fareed, who is from Oakland County and was once an imam at the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit, based in Rochester Hills, said a local Muslim leader.
"If Mr. Hoekstra has a problem with ISNA, then he is stating his disdain for the mainstream Muslim community," said Dawud Walid, head of the Michigan branch of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. "ISNA is not an extension of the Muslim Brotherhood, and even if it was, the Muslim Brotherhood is not designated by our country as a terrorist organization."(MORE)
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