“Indeed, God commands justice, doing good to others, as well as courtesy to close relatives. He forbids indecency, wickedness, and aggression. He instructs you so perhaps you will be mindful.” (16:90 )            “For every day on which the sun rises, there is a (reward from God) for the one who establishes justice among people.” (al-Bukhari)            “And thus have We willed you to be a community of the middle way, so that [with your lives] you may bear witness to the truth before all humankind. . .” (2:143)            “Dispensers of justice will be seated on pulpits of light beside God.” (Muslim)            “Do not spread corruption in the land after it has been set in order. And call upon Him with hope and fear. Indeed, Allah’s mercy is always close to the good-doers.” (7:56)           “Even an ant in its hole and fish (in the depth of water) invoke blessings on someone who teaches people goodness.” (al-Tirmidhi)            “O believers! Remain conscious of God, and be with those who are truthful in word and deed.” (9:119)           “God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds.” (Muslim)            “The parable of those who spend their possessions for the sake of God is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for God grants manifold increase unto whom He wills; and God is infinite, all-knowing.” (2:261)           “Charity does not diminish wealth.” (Riyadh al-Salihin)            “Let there be a group among you who call ˹others˺ to goodness, encourage what is good, and forbid what is evil-it is they who will be successful.” (3:104)           “Avoid cruelty and injustice...and guard yourselves against miserliness, for this has ruined nations who lived before you.” (Riyadh al-Salihin)            “Do not forget to show kindness to each other. Surely God observes your actions.” (2:237)           “(Allah) has revealed to me that you should adopt humility so that no one oppresses another.” (Riyadh al-Salihin)            “It is We who sent down this Reminder (al-Quran) and it is We who shall preserve it.” (15:9)           “The best among you are those who learn the Quran and teach it (to others).” (al-Bukhari)            “So remember Me; I will remember you. And be grateful to Me and do not deny Me.” (2:152)           “There are two blessings that many people lose -- health and free time for doing good.” (al-Bukhari)            “Say: 'O My servants who have transgressed against your own souls, do not despair of God's mercy, for God forgives all sins. It is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.'“(39:53)           “Happy is the man who avoids dissension, but how fine is the man who is afflicted and shows endurance.” (Abu Dawud)            “And you love wealth with immense love.” (89:20)           “Being rich does not mean having a great amount of property, but (it) is being content (with what one has).” (al-Bukhari)            “Every soul is held in pledge for its deeds.” (74:38)           “Make things easy and convenient and don't make them harsh and difficult. Give cheer and glad tidings and do not create hatred.” (al-Bukhari & Muslim)           
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بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful

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IONA In The News

FBI Meets With Local Area Muslims (November 1, 2007)

  • The Muslim Observer (TMO) & Sadaf Ali, Muslim Media News Service (MMNS)
Warren-October 30—“Muslims did not attack the World Trade Center, extremists did,” said Andrew Arena, FBI Special Agent in Charge.
Approximately 50 people gathered at the Islamic organization of North America (IONA) for a Town Hall meeting with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to discuss the concerns and fears of the Muslim community in Michigan.
“It’s very important for us to hear the Muslim community,” said Arena, “Hopefully we can learn about one another.” Six years after September 11th, many American Muslims believe that they remain under siege with profiling, discrimination, raids on Muslim charities and the defaming of local area mosques.
For example, in early March worshippers at a mosque in Hamtramck were attacked with shoes while praying, with two members being physically attacked outside. The Islamic House of Wisdom, in Dearborn, was also vandalized in September.
Many believe the rising tide of Islamophobia has been intensified by the war in Iraq and U.S. government measures at home. However, Arena says many of the problems are fueled by the mainstream media.
“An FBI agent helping a person is usually not considered a good story,” he said, “It’s the perception and what is put out by the media.”
“I have concerns for my son. He’s an American citizen and it’s torture for him. He was going on a school trip to Florida and he was singled out by security. All of his classmates had their boarding passes and he was standing and waiting,” she said. Iftikar says that despite repeated attempts there has been no resolution to the situation. Arena said that although he did not know why Iftikar’s son was flagged, he did say that the FBI does have individuals of interest and airport security helps keep track of those people.
“We are not investigating Muslims. We are investigating crooks who mean to do harm to American’s like you,” he said.
Another issue presented was the use of wiretaps in mosques.
“Under the United States Constitution we do not have the authority to bug places, especially a religious institution,” said Arena.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge William Kowalski says it’s a money issue, as well as, “The FBI does not have the resources to wiretap every other person,” he said, “If we did that, the Michigan FBI would have to shut down.”
Kowalski also says that a mosque would not likely be used for recruitment. “Someone who is an extremist does not usually come to a facility like this. Their usually recruiting in someone’s garage or basement,” he said.
Besides a physical location, IONA Ameer Mustapha Elturk says the Internet is also posing a huge problem for Muslim youth. Elturk says terrorist organizations are now using the World Wide Web as a tool to propagate their “holy war.”
“Many youth are influenced by these websites calling for jihad, especially when they see their parents’ homelands being shattered,” said Elturk.
Although it is useful, if usage is not controlled, Arena says the Internet can be a dangerous place.
“They see what is happening in their homelands and they’re interested. So it’s easy for them to get sucked in,” he said, “Watch what your kids are doing and keep the computer in a public space in the house, because once they’re caught it’s tough to get them out.” Arena says the FBI is continuing its efforts to improve understanding within their own organization.
“I won’t tell you we don’t have ignorance on our side. It’s an education process.”
IONA, 28630 Ryan Rd., Warren, MI 48092 | Tel: 586-558-6900 | E-mail: center@iononline.org
muslimmedianetwork.com/mmn/?p=1447

About IONA

IONA’s objective is to help the Muslims of North America understand and fulfill their divinely ordained obligations, in order to please Allah (SWT) and thereby achieve success and salvation in the Hereafter.
IONA’s objective is to help the Muslims of North America understand and fulfill their divinely ordained obligations, in order to please Allah (SWT) and thereby achieve success and salvation in the Hereafter.

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