ISLAM AND APOSTASY

A Response to Anwar Al-Awlaki

Statement prepared by Muslim American Society Freedom Foundation and endorsed by the Islamic Society of Greater Lansing

WASHINGTON, DC. (MASNET) Mar. 18, 2010 - A statement issued by Muslim Cleric Anwar Al-Awlaki calls for the categorical opposition by Muslims in America to the government of the United States.  This is a sentiment expressed by Muslims who consider America to be the incorrigible "enemy of Islam" and a nation at war with all Muslims in the world.

But the Muslim American Society, and other American Muslim organizations, reject the premise that America is essentially evil, and that our society is committed to the destruction of either Islam or majority-Muslim nations.  Indeed, Muslims are an inseparable part of American social history and the fabric of American society.  Both our presence in the United States and our aspirations to build a better, more peaceful, and more democratic and morally upright society, are an integral part of what is both right and hopeful for this nation, and our world.

Our organization does, indeed, oppose military violence directed by the United States against the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, as we also call for a different, more peaceful, and more mutually respectful relationship between the United States and the Muslim world.  But we embrace the practice and methodology of American Muslim involvement in civic engagement and ongoing dialogue within the diverse community of the United States.   

The violence and hostility that underlies the call of Al-Awlaki is simply a prescription for the cancer of mutual hatred, and destruction, that is contrary to the best of not only the history of the United States, but to the best of Islam as well.

The Quran instructs Muslims to incline toward peace, forgiveness, and mutual respect with our non-Muslim neighbors and compatriots (3:64, 21:7).  Peace and mercy, not war and enmity, is the true way of our faith.  

The "revolt" of Muslims in America should always be a revolt against violence, oppression, and unrighteousness, whether it is committed by the U.S. government or by violent entities in the Muslim world that are, at least in part, responsible for the oppression and destruction of their own nations and people. And in rejecting the call for violence, we affirm our commitment to seek peace and justice for our own community, our nation, and for the global Muslim community as well.

MAS Freedom (MASF) is a civic and human rights advocacy of the Muslim American Society (MAS), the largest Muslim, grassroots, charitable, religious, social, cultural, civic and educational organization in America - with 55 chapters in 35 states.
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President Obama, accompanied by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, visits the Blue Mosque in Istanbul on April 7. In accordance with religious custom, the president and his entourage removed their shoes before entering the enormous carpeted mosque President Obama addresses Muslims at a speech in Cairo, Egypt Colin Powell on Obama being accused of being a Muslim Transcript : http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27266223/ And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America. I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards--Purple Heart, Bronze Star--showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life. Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourself in this way......I'm troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions. Hajj and Eid Greeting http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/25/statement-president-hajj-and-eid-ul-adha Hate Crimes against Muslims Muslim Children Gassed at Dayton Mosque After Obsession DVD Hits Ohio Chemical irritant empties Islamic Society of Greater Dayton's mosque In light of the above hate crimes against Muslims that are on the rise following the large scale distribution of the hate DVD in the Lansing State Journal and other newspapers around the country, Muslims are urged to be vigilant and alert the authorities on any physical or verbal abuse they face. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to Piety: and fear Allah For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. Al-Maidah(5:8) ---------------------------- Dr. Rany Aburashed '02 speaks at Albion College annual campus Baccalaureate Service ----------------------------     Respecting the Qur'an Ingrid Mattson, PhD President The Islamic Society of North America Geert Wilders is a Dutch politician who broke with a mainstream national party to form his own extreme-right, anti-immigrant platform.  Wilders has directed most of his hatred in recent years at Muslims.  Wilders has called for the Qur'an to be banned and in the last few months has been promoting his "documentary" attacking the Qur'an.  Wilders has intimated that the documentary will show a copy of the Qur'an being desecrated or destroyed. Geert Wilders wants the Qur'an to be banned.  Many Muslims want Wilders' film to be banned.  Wilders wants Muslims out of "his country" and to be denied the rights of other citizens to practice their faith.  No doubt, many Dutch Muslims wish that Wilders would just go away (and Wilders has received threats of violence from some).  Neither Wilders nor these Muslims will (or should) get what they want.  Now what? Many have looked to this situation only through the lense of the law.  News articles have focused on threats made to Wilders' life and the calls to ban his film.  Of course, the threats are unacceptable and criminal.  Wilders should be afforded the full protection of the law and those threatening violence against his person should be prosecuted. As for the right of freedom of speech, Wilders' film should be treated like other statements within Dutch law.  The Netherlands, like most other countries, has certain restrictions on speech that is defamatory, libelous or insults a group of people based on their race or religion.  The Dutch Prime Minister has publicly stated that if the film, once released, is judged to have violated the law, then his government has the duty to enforce their legislation.  This treatment of Dutch Muslims as equal citizens under the law shows to the Muslim world that the Netherlands is not an enemy to Islam. My plea is that we also need to look at this issue more broadly so we can find better ways of living together in a world in which there will always be people whose views and beliefs we find odd or even obnoxious.  We should not justify or excuse extremism of any kind, whether they are racist and hateful attacks on the Muslim community or vigilante violence by Muslims against those who make such statements.  What we should try to understand is why some otherwise ordinary people feel caught in the middle, and are sometimes attracted, in part, to the emotional appeals of the extremists. In the last few decades most societies in the world have gone through enormous transitions.  Many European countries have had to give up significant symbols of their national sovereignty to join the European Union and even those who did not join the EU have seen significant changes in their societies due to globalization.  Even those who have benefited economically and in other ways from these changes are sometimes are troubled by the loss of traditional forms of communal solidarity and culture: local farmers' markets, church pews filled with families on a Sunday morning, neighborhood bakeries and craftsmen; landscapes, streetscapes and the rhythm of life have changed.  Perhaps each generation has a limited capacity for change, or perhaps none of us, as progressive as we claim to be, can help but romanticize the society of our youth.  An increased presence of Muslims in Europe, while part of this change, is not the cause of all these changes.  Muslims did not cause a decline in attendance at European churches; they were not responsible for the fact that some churches have been turned into museums or bars.  Muslims did not cause the declining birth-rate in many European societies.  But the fact that Muslims are building mosques and attending religious services in higher numbers than European Christians, and that many Muslims have larger families than most European Christian families, makes Muslims easy targets of scapegoating.  Europe has seen this kind of ethnic hatred before in its history.  Financially-successful Jews were for many centuries viewed with jealously and resentment by some European Christians.  Read more Islaimc Society of Greater Lansing co-sponsors SPEAK FOR PEACE TOUR American Friends Service Committee Speak for Peace Tour: U.S. Veterans & Iraqis Creating the Way Forward Wednesday, February 27, 2008 Michigan State University - B108 Wells Hall 7:00 to 9:00pm - Guest Speakers 9:00 to 9:30pm - Networking, Information Tables Thursday, February 28, 2008 Noon to 1:30pm - Brown Bag Lunch Program (Soup and Dessert Provided - donations accepted for displaced refugees) Unitarian Universalist Church - main level 855 Grove Street, East Lansing, Mi 48823 These talks are free and open to the public. NEWS BRIEF: American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) is pleased to announce the Speak for Peace Tour: U.S. Veterans and Iraqis Creating the Way Forward which will be in the Great Lakes region February 25 through March 1, 2008. The tour will help lay the foundation for building reconciliation between the American and Iraqi people. Only through a better understanding of the experiences of both U.S. Soldiers and Iraqis will Americans see the value and possibilities for peace. The guest speakers for this tour Raed Jarrar, an Iraqi, and Patricia McCann, an Iraq War Veteran, will give first hand accounts about the realities of the Iraq War and provide informa tion seldom shown or heard in the mainstream media. Raed Jarrar Iraqi Political Analyst Currently working as the Iraq consultant for the American Friends Service Committee, based in Washington DC. Following the fall of Baghdad in April 2003, Raed became the country director for the only door-to-door casualty survey group in post-invasion Iraq. He moved to the United States in 2005, where he has been working on ending the occupation. Patricia McCann Iraq War Vet A member of the Iraq Veterans Against the War. During her tour of duty with the Illinois National Guard, she witnessed many injustices perpetuated and enforced by the U.S. military directed toward both Iraqi civilians and lower enlisted U.S. soldiers. She is currently a Program Associate of the American Friends Service Committee Truth in Recruitment Program. More about the tour at: http://www.afsc.org/chicago/middle-east/SpeakingTour.htm ------------------------------ My Name is Rachel Corrie The dynamic one-person play, MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE, opens for eight shows beginning October 18, 2007, at the Woldumar Nature Center's RE Olds Anderson Rotary Barn in Lansing. The production is in conjunction with Sunsets with Shakespeare, a local theater company. The play is based on the writings and e-mails of American activist Rachel Corrie, who at age 23 was bulldozed to death by the Israeli military in Palestine on March 16, 2003. The play follows Rachel's life as a young American growing up in Olympia, Washington, through he r political awakening during her activism in Palestine. The theater production brings to life the words and first-hand observations of a witness to violence and oppression. Todd A. Heywood will direct the play. Lindsay Palinsky will perform the lead role. There will be eight performances. Tickets are now on sale at $10 each, or buy 4 tickets and get one free. Tickets may be purchased at the door. Also, tickets may be purchased online by credit card at www.peaceedcenter.org. Donwload a flyer to the play at : http://www.lansingislam.com/dl/rachel_corrie_play.pdf PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Thursday, October 18th at 8pm Friday, October 19th at 8 pm Saturday, October 20th at 8 pm Sunday, October 21 at 2pm (A panel discussion will follow the matinee performance) Thursday, October 25th at 8pm Friday, October 26th at 8 pm Saturday, October 27th at 8 pm Sunday, October 28 at 2pm (Matinee) You can get tickets at the following locations Gone Wired Cafe 2021 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan www.gonewiredlansing.com Everybody Reads Bookstore 2019 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan www.becauseeverybodyreads.com New Aladdin's Restaurant 300 N. Clippert, Lansing , Michigan Magdalena 's Tea House 2006 E. Michigan Avenue, Lansing, Michigan International Supermarket 5324 S. Pennsylvania , Lansing, Michigan Peace Education Center 855 Grove Street, East Lansing, Michigan Interfaith Listening Program A Christian-Muslim Relations team based in Nairobi, Kenya, will travel to Lansing between October 28 and October 31, 2006 Itenarary: Saturday, October 28, 2006 Evening: The team will visit the Islamic Center in Lansing for a meet and greet. Sunday, October 29 10:00 a.m. Worship Service at First Presbyterian Church in Lansing. Recognition of the Interfaith Team; possible reading of passages from both the Koran and the Bible by the Interfaith Team during the service. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Discussion during a forum following worship service on HIV, homelessness and hunger. 5:00-7:00 p.m. Meet with a gathering of First Presbyterian Youth, other Presbyterian youth and youth from the Islamic Center. Monday, October 30 Evening: Meet with youth from the Islamic Center and First Presbyterian youth at the Islamic Center. http://www.pcusa.org/listeningproject/where.htm#michigan or at http://www.Lansingislam.com/unity.htm The team consists of Rev. Wilson-Dogbe is an ordained minister of the Methodist Church of Togo. Ms. Salim is a committed and practising Muslim, who works as a counsellor at a drug rehabilitation Centre called the Omar Project in Malindi, Kenya More details at http://www.pcusa.org/listeningproject/teams.htm If you would like to take part in any of these interfaith activities, please reply to this message(info@lansingislam.com) with your name and contact information, in order that we can have a coordinated representation. Interfaith effort MSA "Day of Defense": Interview with Abubacker Siddiq Statement Regarding Muslim-Christian Perspectives on the Nuclear Weapons Danger Protests, vigils follow battle fears, tears Muslims healing, reaching out - 9/12/02 Area leaders urge solidarity Muslims gather to discuss, educate Forum urges peace, diversity Islam in America - CAIR Ad campaign Greater Lansing Islamic Center Discussion Forum - April 19, 2004 ` Peace Activities, Lansing Muslims featured in local Newsprint Media Picture from Islamic Center Open House Arshad Majid: Column unfairly labeled Muslims Relocate Israel - Sr. Nazara Quraishi Swedish Women's Plight - Sr. Salma Ayoob Halal Market brings man's dream to life Letters protesting LSJs Muslim bashing cartoon by Sr. Nazra Quraishi, Br. Ahmed Issawi, Dr. Ibrahim Shah, Dr. Arshad Majid, Sr. Nadia Yusaf, Br. Charles H. Morgan, Jr. and our sympathizer Betty Krohngold Caught in the middle - MSU's Michael Vicente Perez stands for peace in Palestine US Islamic schools under scrutiny - Sr Karen Keyworth speaks in an Aljazeera article Scarves are fine - Salma Ayoob Arab-American group launches voting effort Physician helps refugees brought to his 'back door' Muslims celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr Muslim students, faculty say progress still needed Area Muslims still dealing with Sept. 11 Prayers rise for peace Some fear anti-Arab crimes Muslims work to curb hate Foreigners face registration Islamic center expansion project article in the LSJ INS: New law affects foreign students, workers Award winning story by Greater Lansing Islamic School fifth-grader Muhammad Perkins 'U' should work to understand Muslims - Shaad Ahmed Profiling is dumb way to operate - Karen Keyworth Islam in a Global Context - A workshop for K-12 teachers Mentoring Muslim students USA Today - Q&A on Islam and Muslims Terrorism has no place in Islam; such scare tactics have no religion - Thasin Sardar Area leaders urge solidarity Community shares spirit, raises money for victims Local Muslims reach out with blood drives MSU Students urged to show respect for differences March calls for peace Sports unify in difficult times If you had a letter or article and wish to list the link above, please email info@lansingislam.com PLEASE notify us of expired links or adverse contents U.S. Muslims look to Interfaith Relations Unity of Christian, Muslim, Jewish Faiths Sought by Community ISLAM IN AMERICA" AD Campaign CAIR has launched a year-long "Islam in America" advertising campaign designed to foster greater understanding of Islam and to counter the rising tide of anti-Muslim rhetoric in the United States.http://www.americanmuslims.info. If YOU would like to sponsor one or more of these Ad's in the Lansing State Journal, please send an email to info@lansingislam.com The Ads have been customized for local publication. You can download it and view them by clicking here. CAIR Muslim community safety kit : CAIR has put together a "Muslim Community Safety Kit" for Muslims who may be targeted by religious or ethnic profiling or bias-related hate crimes. Muslim Peace Fellowship REPORT: ANTI-MUSLIM INCIDENTS UP 15 PERCENT IN PAST YEAR Report: American Muslims One Year After 9/11 Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights - report entitled A Year of Loss: Reexamining Civil Liberties Since September 11 Muslims speak out against Terrorism Read Mehdi Alavi's articles God Bless America: Imam Muzammil Siddiqi delivers his prayers and supplications in the Washington National Cathedral as part of the National Prayer Service Day. Guidelines for Christian-Muslim Dialogue Churches for MIddle East Peace Muslims Against Terrorism Statement Regarding Muslim-Christian Perspectives on the Nuclear Weapons Danger HADITH: RULES OF WAR Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, a close companion and successor of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), told one of his military commanders: "I advise you of ten things [relating to the rules of war.] Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter [animals] except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the materials captured in combat, and do not be cowardly." Al-Muwatta, Volume 21, Hadith 10 Resolutions on Terrorism: The International Fiqh Council [Jeddah] The Fiqh Council in Jeddah is seen, amongst many students of knowledge and scholars, as the top Islamic legal authority in today's times. It consists of scholars from every flavor and nationality. A clip from some of their resolutions: This resolution took place during the councils 17th session December 13-17th 2003 and concerns acts of terror and violence acted upon the innocent. Brief Resolutions: 1. The council clarifies that Shari'ah prohibits such acts and regards their perpetrators as criminals. 2. The council cautions that the meaning of the verse of Qur'an found in Chapter seven verse 60, which calls on Muslim to be strong so that no enemy dares to commit any aggression against them or violates their sanctities, is completely different from the prevailing notions about terrorism. Part One: Islamic Definition of Terror: The Council affirms the following definition of terrorism as adopted previously by the Council: "Terrorism is an atrocity committed by individuals, groups or states against people [either against their religion, life, intellectual development, property and honor here they are applying the famous necessities of Shari'ah to the definition of Terrorism]. This includes all forms of intimidation, harm, threats, and killing without a just cause; and all acts of recklessness and violence, that take place in the wake of an individual or collective criminal plan, aimed a spreading fear amongst people by exposing their life, liberty or security to danger. This includes harm inflicted upon the environment or to a public or private utility, or exposing a national or natural resource[s] to danger." Part Two: Defending Islam and Muslims from Blanket Accusations: The Council condemns the attempts to associate the religion of Islam with terrorism or to accuse [in general] its followers, of extremism and violence. This is because Islam is a religion based on mercy, love and peace. (See Qur'an 21:107, 14:12, 3:159, 7:199, 9:128) Part Three: Causes of Terror * Adherence to individual fatwas leads to confusion and lack of security in society [following the fatwa of a nutcase] * Obstacles in the path of propagation of Islam based on the Qur'an and the Sunna * Social injustices in certain societies, as well as lack of essential services such as education, health care and employment. * Failure to apply the laws of Islam [In predominantly Muslim societies] and adoption of man-made laws in its place. Part Four Consequences of Terrorism: "The Council states that, "Terrorism is an act of aggression against life, property and religion. Its strikes fear in the hearts of innocent people and depicts Islam as though it sanctions bloodshed and the destruction of properties. At the same time, it projects an image that Islam rejects dialogue and does not accept peace as a solution for problems and disputes and portrays Muslim as blood-thirsty and constituting a threat to world peace and security, values and human rights. The outcome of this would be negative effects on the basic interests of Muslims and their vital role in spreading peace and security as well as the message of Islam that protects the rights of others. Finally, it would undermine the political, economic, commercial cultural and social relations of Muslims with other people as well as it would put THE MUSLIM MINORITIES INTO ISOLATION IN MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD." Part Five: The Islamic Ruling on Terrorist Acts "Islamic law sanctions deterrent punishments against persons who commit destructive terrorist acts that include the bombing of housing complexes or other installations, hijacking of planes, trains and other means of transport with the aim of intimidating innocent people. (see al-Qur'an 4/33). Islamic law regards such acts as serious crimes and cardinal sins and considers their perpetrators, all those who take parts in these acts with their planning, financing, media and others means [as criminals]." Part Six: Ways to Stop Terrorism: 1. Highlight the grave consequences of the harm inflicted through such acts of violence, destruction and sabotage to the nations, societies, and individuals 2. Provide purposeful education and awareness by those who have knowledge and experiences, and to work out practical programs in this regard. 3. To define certain religious terms such as Jihad, Dar al-Harb. Signatures: Chairman, Islamic Fiqh Council Abduil Aziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh Deputy Chairman, Islamic Fiqh Council Dr. Abdullah bin Abdul Mohsin al-Turki Secretary General, Islamic Fiqh Council Dr. Saleh Bin Zabin al-Marzooqi Members: Dr. Muhammad Rashid Raghib Qabbani Dr. Mustafa Sirtish Dr. Nasir Farid Muhammad al-Wasil al-Azhari Dr. Sidiq Muhammad Amin al-Dharir Dr. Muhammad Habib bin al-Khojah Muhammad Salim bin Abdul Wadud Muhammad bin Abdullah al-Subayil Dr. Abdul Karim Zaydan Muhammad Taqi Othmani [traveled before he was able to sign] Dr. Wahba Mustapha Zuhayli Dr. Yusuf bin Abdullah al-Qaradawi al-Azhari Dr. Abd al-Satar Fathullah Sa'id al-Azhari On the Question of Loyalty and Patriotism Loyalty to our Creator, Allah (swt) is the primary loyalty in Islam. Our loyalty to Allah (swt) leads us to be loyal and patriotic to our country. Muslims are advised by the Prophet (pbuh) to help their brother, whether he is oppressed or is an oppressor. This is understood to mean that when he is being oppressed, we should come to his aid. However, if he is the oppressor, we should help him understand his actions so he may stop it. Similarly, Muslim Americans will be loyal to their country. This may mean supporting current actions because we feel that those are actions that promote the greater good. At other times, it may mean that we work to change the actions since we feel that the current actions are not for the greater good. Loyalty to one's country should not allow one to accept injustice committed by it. The commonality At an interfaith memorial service for journalist Daniel Pearl, Imam Rauf said "If to be a Jew means to say with all one's heart, mind, and soul: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One, not only today I am a Jew, I have always been one. If to be a Christian is to love the Lord our God with all of my heart, mind and soul, and to love for my fellow human being what I love for myself, then not only am I a Christian, but I have always been one." Disclaimer: Views expressed in this site are those of individuals and not necessarily the express opinion of the Islamic Soc. of Gr Lansing. Back to Home Ask your question © 1996 All rights reserved. Hosted by http://www.muslimDomain.com