Quote:

---

A former Army soldier seeking help for mental problems at a Georgia military hospital took three workers hostage at gunpoint Monday before authorities persuaded him to surrender.

---

Quote:

---

Spiritual warfare is merely the Christian’s continuing resistance to the world, flesh, and devil, on such a regular basis--and with such deadly accuracy--that those held hostage to any one of the ‘unholy religions' can be freed and pointed to Christ.

Once a Christian believes and acts on the Word of God, enemies are going to appear and be spoiling for a fight!

---

Quote:

---

seem to think that standing up to evil is worse than the evil that has declared war on ALL OF US

---

Quote:

---

Being the bully that America's been for half a century and more is completely counter productive. (Well, except to line the pockets of big companies and rich folk.) Being the idealized freedom loving democracy we claim to be, rather than emulating the extremism and intolerance we profess to hate, might actually do a helluva lot more.

---

Quote:

---

Muslim scholar appeals for release of three American students imprisoned in Iran

A personal appeal by Ambassador Akbar Ahmed to the Supreme Leader of Iran, Grand Ayatollah Ali Hoseyni Khāmene'i, to show Islamic compassion during Ramadan, the month of fasting, and free the three young American hikers who have been held in Iran for over a year. The appeal comes in advance of the Night of Power, which falls in the last days of the month. It is the time when Muslims are called to show special mercy and kindness.

Islamic Relief awarded four stars by Charity Navigator for seventh year, described 'worthy of public trust'

For the seventh consecutive year, non-profit relief and development organization Islamic Relief USA is pleased to announce that it has been awarded "four stars" for its fiscal transparency and organizational efficiency from leading charity evaluator Charity Navigator.

"This is an accomplishment everyone can take pride in," said Abed Ayoub, CEO of Islamic Relief USA. "Our organization is built on the spirit of our volunteers and the conviction of our donors to make a difference. We take this trust very seriously and do what we can to keep overhead costs low in order to maximize our resources for those in need."

According to the Charity Navigator website, its rating system is based on an evaluation of an organization's financial health, efficiency, and capacity in comparison with the performances of similar charities. A four-star rating indicates that a charity's organizational efficiency and organizational capacity "exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in its cause."

"Only 2% of the charities we rate have received at least 7 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that Islamic Relief USA consistently executes its mission in a fiscally responsible way, and outperforms most other charities in America," said Charity Navigator President and CEO Ken Berger in a letter. "This ‘exceptional' designation from Charity Navigator differentiates Islamic Relief USA from its peers and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust."

About Islamic Relief USA: Inspired by Islam's values on charitable giving and community development, IR USA is a relief organization dedicated to alleviating poverty through disaster relief and development projects in the U.S. and globally for communities regardless of color, race, religion, or creed. For more information, please visit www.islamicreliefusa.org.

Islamic Relief USA's response efforts to Hurricane Katrina assisted over 60,000 people in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and also raised more than $2.2 million dollars for the Haiti earthquake.

Its domestic programs include "Day of Dignity" ( www.dayofdignity.com), an annual campaign to provide thousands of homeless and underserved people in cities across America with food, clothing, blankets, medical care, first aid, and other social needs. ( http://www.religionnews.com/index.php?%2Fpressreleases%2Fislamic_relie
f_usa_awarded_four_stars_from_charity_navigator_for_7th_consec%2F)

Muslim cleaner returns $50,000 found while on duty

A Pakistani hotel employee has won acclaim after handing in over $50,000 (£33,000) in cash that had been left behind by a guest.

Essa Khan, 51, discovered the money in $100 notes left in the room of a Japanese worker at the Serena Hotel in Gilgit.

Mr Khan, who earns about 21,000 rupees ($235; £153) a month, says he never considered keeping the money.

He has been invited to receive an award from a state governor for his honesty.

"My duty with the hotel and my family upbringing teaches me nothing else," he said.

"Times are hard for everyone, but that doesn't mean we should start stealing and taking things which do not belong to us." ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/south_asia/10603417.stm)

Muslim becomes president of Chicago interfaith body

June 21 was a proud day for the Illinois Muslim community as they saw Brother Kareem Irfan address the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago as the first Muslim to be elected President of this interfaith organization. Br. Kareem is a former Chairperson of the CIOGC and has been active in interfaith and advocacy work for several years.

The Council of Religious Leaders strives to create a climate of understanding by sharing the insights of the various religious faiths on issues affecting the common good. It seeks to act with a unified voice on social issues affecting the people of Chicago.

“I feel blessed that Allah has granted me the chance to represent the Council of Islamic Organizations and its Muslim constituency on this important inter-faith body,” said Kareem Irfan.
( http://www.crlmc.org/kareem_irfan.php)

Muslim Students Bring Food, Conversation to Florida Homeless

In the southern U.S. state of Florida, a group of American Muslim students is running a non-profit organization called Project Downtown. The project's goal is to help the poor, poor people of all backgrounds and cultures. Our correspondent went down to the city of Tampa, Florida to learn more about Project Downtown and the Muslim students who belong to it.

Like just about any major city in the United States, the city of Tampa has its share of homeless people. But it also has people who are reaching out to help Tampa's homeless.

"We are here because, in Islam, we are supposed to feed the hungry," said one of the students. "So that's our purpose here. That's all."

The students belong to Project Downtown, an organization that started about two years ago in Miami and now has branches other U.S. cities. The Tampa members of Project Downtown say what motivated them was seeing people in need.

"Project Downtown was started by a couple of groups and a couple of university students back in Miami, and people have been gathering money after seeing a problem in the community, went out and bought sandwiches," said another student. "They went to the local city hall and started feeding."

The city of Tampa has almost 350,000 people. It is estimated that about 11,000 of these are homeless. That's about three percent of the population. For the students of Project Downtown, the religion of the people they are helping does not matter. What matters is that they are in need. Jill Moreida is a member of Project Downturn.

"We come up to them," said Jill Moreida. "We don't just give them food and walk away. We don't feed them like they're at the zoo. We make friends with them; we talk with them. We interact with them. Week after week after week. And we know stories about their family. We know when they're sick. We get to develop relationships with them."

As the relationships develop, Jill says, the homeless gain a new understanding of Islam.

"They say they cannot believe how amazing the Muslims are," said Moreida. "And it's acts like that, that not only are we serving...we do it for the sake of Allah, when we're feeding them. But there's a bigger message being brought, and it's exposing a whole new realm of people to Islam. Teaching them to not be afraid of us, to not have that stereotype that we're going to hurt them or anything."

Project Downtown is one of several outreach efforts sponsored by the Muslim community of Florida. Its funding comes from other Muslim groups in the state, including the Tampa Bay Muslim Alliance. Dr. Hussein Nagamiya, a cardiologist, is head of the alliance.

"Our main idea is to feed the hungry, to clothe the poor, to address their needs, because these are homeless people, and they don't have anywhere to go," said Hussein Nagamiya. "So, we give them conveyances such as bicycles that were given away. We conduct their [medical] tests. Some of them may never have a test in the entire year. We detect diseases for them and send them on to free clinics, etc."

In addition to helping the poor and teaching people about Islam, organizations like Project Downtown and the Tampa Bay Muslim Alliance hope to achieve another goal: Showing their fellow Americans that, in the words of Dr. Nagamiya, the vast majority of American Muslims are good citizens who make positive contributions to the United States. ( http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/usa/Muslim-Students-Bring-Food-Co
nversation-to-Florida-Homeless-89434512.html)

Islamic Horizons Magazine wins 2010 DeRose-Hinkhouse awards

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) proudly announces that its flagship magazine, Islamic Horizons, is among the winners of the 2010 DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards presented by the Religion Communicators Council – an interfaith association of religion communicators. The Islamic Horizons won the awards in three categories: the “Best of Class” and the “Award of Excellence” categories for its March/April 2009 issue, and the “Certificate of Merit” category for the Nov/Dec 2009 issue.

The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards are given annually to active members of the Religion Communicators Council who demonstrate excellence in religious communications and public relations. ( http://www.isna.net/articles/News/ISNAs-Flagship-Magazine-Receives-201
0-DeRose-Hinkhouse-Awards.aspx)

Muslim leaders back interfaith dialogue for peace

People of faith came together to promote dialogue as a way of attaining world peace, at the International Workshop of Faith-Based Groups and Civil Society (IWFC) held March 16 during the Senior Officials Meeting of the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMM) at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, vice chairman of the National Ulama Conference of the Philippines; Archbishop Antonio Ledesma of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and Bishop Efraim Tendero of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches co-chaired the workshop.

Tarason expressed optimism about the interfaith dialogue and commended the IWFC and the Philippine government for hosting the workshop.

“I hope this leads us to an understanding of one another and contributes toward the building of peace and strengthening of harmonious relationships, especially among the different cultures in our society,” he said.( http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20100330-26162
4/Muslim-leaders-back-interfaith-dialogue-for-peace)

Faith inspires Muslim veterinarian's compassion for animals

Dr. Zia Usman is a rarity within the U.S. veterinary profession.

Not only does the Indian-born and -trained veterinarian own a companion animal practice on Chicago's North Side, Dr. Usman is also a Muslim.

Such a combination is unusual among first-generation immigrants who are followers of Islam, according to Dr. Usman's colleague, Riaz H. Siddiqi, a professor at Truman College in Chicago and president of the Muslim VMA.

The association believes approximately 500 Muslim veterinarians are in the United States. Dr. Siddiqi thinks most of them are employed in academia, research, industry, or government, where they are likely to be inspectors in slaughterhouses. Few Muslim veterinarians in the United States work with pets, he said, but this is more a matter of economics, not any Islamic taboo.

Dr. Usman cited a popular account in the Hadith—a collection of narratives based on the words and deeds of the prophet Muhammad and, in addition to the Quran, one of Islam's primary sources for instruction. According to the story, a man took pity on a thirsty dog by giving it water from a shoe.( http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/feb10/100215d.asp)

Montreal Muslim wins Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy award

The award was presented to Mr. Yeboah on January 18th, by Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay and the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Committee of Montreal. Mr. Yeboah was recognized for his outstanding work in coordinating the Open Mosques project among local mosques, to help foster bridges of cooperation, understanding and social harmony in the Montreal community.

“It is an honour to see a young member of our community awarded for his efforts,” stated Salam Elmenyawi, president of MCM. “Mr. Yeboah presents a fine example for all our youth, dedicated to positive contribution and civic engagement.”

The Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award is presented each year to individuals in Montreal who best exemplify Dr. King’s ideals. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated each year on the third Monday of January. ( http://www.muslimcouncil.org/en/2010/01/mcm_director_kwasi_yeboah_wins
_martin_luther_king_jr_legacy_award.html#more )

---

Quote:

---

"Muslim Court Defends Rights of Christians" (Malasya), "Muslim Medical Group Sets Up Clinics" (Haiti), "Muslim Pilgrimage Calls for Peace"(Malasia), "Muslims donate more than 500 coats for kids" (Canada), "Muslims and Christians stand together against family violence" (Norway), "Muslim women participate in peace seminar" (Monrovia), "Muslim store owner in NY gives would-be thief $40 and a loaf of bread" (New York: A New York area convenience store owner confronted by a bat-wielding would-be robber said Tuesday he decided to show mercy on the man after he collapsed in tears and said he just wanted to support his starving family. The store owner provided the man with $40 and a loaf of bread, but only if he promised never to rob again. "This was a grown man, crying like a baby," said Mohammad Sohail, owner of the Shirley Express convenience store"), "Muslim charity helps Jews celebrate Passover" (SANA'A), "Thousands of Muslims vow to combat terror" (BANGALORE: India’s one of the most prominent Muslim organizations, the Jamiat Ulema-i-Hind (JUH), organized a massive anti-terrorism convention in Bangalore on Saturday, which strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms.
Attended by thousands Muslims from different walks of life at the historic Palace Grounds the convention was addressed by leading Muslim and Hindu scholars. The Muslims declared their commitment to their faith, solidarity with their leaders and patriotism. The convention strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms including that done by terror groups and governments. The crowds also took oaths against terrorism.), "Muslims hold peace march in India" (India), "Islamic leader walks the peace walk across Canada" (Canada: An Islamic leader who mortgaged his house to walk across Canada in the cause of non-violence is striding toward Victoria after six months on the road).

---

Quote:

---

unable or unwilling to discern or judge; unquestioning blind loyalty; having no regard to rational discrimination, guidance, or restriction; lacking a directing or controlling consciousness.

---