Latina Immigrants: The New Ambassadors of Islam

NEW AMERICA MEDIA: Tucked away in a quiet rural neighborhood in Somerset, New Jersey is an old brownstone that houses the New Jersey Chapter of the Islamic Center of North America’s (ICNA) WhyIslam Project. Within its confines, in a second floor office decorated with rose-colored walls, sits the administrative assistant and only female employee of the department, Nahela Morales.


 In a long black garment and gray headscarf, Morales sits in front of a computer entering notes and taking phone calls from the program’s hotline, 1-877-WhyIslam, a resource for individuals hoping to learn more about the religion. A Mexican immigrant and recent convert, Morales is the national Spanish-language outreach coordinator for the program, part of ICNA’s mission to disseminate information about Islam nationwide.


 But Morales’ efforts go beyond U.S. borders: the 37-year-old recently led a trip to bring Islamic literature, food and clothing to her native Mexico.

Morales, who was born in Mexico City but later moved to California and then New York, is part of a growing population of immigrant Muslim converts from Latin America – many of them women -- now helping to bring the religion back to their home countries. 
 » | Wendy Diaz | Friday, January 18, 2013

Exclusive: Jihad Jane’s First Interview - Reuters Investigates
Colleen LaRose, aka Jihad Jane, explains why she became a Muslim and how she was radicalized online. (December 5, 2012)

Large Majority Of Muslim-Americans Support Obama In Decade-Long Shift Toward Democrats
THINK PROGRESS: The Council on American-Islamic Relationsreleased poll results this week showing that 68 percent of American Muslims support President Obama while just 7 percent support Mitt Romney (1 in 4 remain undecided). These results reflect a new reality for Republicans: American Muslims are rushing toward Democrats. In 2008, 49 percent of Muslim-Americans felt “closer” to Democrats. Now that number has shot up to 66 percent. That’s in contrast to the population as a whole, where Democratic favorability has actually gone down 11 percent. » | Hamed Aleaziz | Thursday, October 25, 2012

Madonna Causes Confusion by Referring to President Barack Obama as a Muslim
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Pop star Madonna urged Americans to support President Barack Obama during a concert in Washington DC but incorrectly referred to him as a Muslim.


In a video posted on YouTube by audience members at the concert, the singer delivers a rousing, profanity-laced political speech on freedom during her show.

"Now, it's so amazing and incredible to think that we have an African-American in the White House ... we have a black Muslim in the White House ... it means there is hope in this country, and Obama is fighting for gay rights, so support the man," Madonna said. Mr Obama, who stands for re-election on Nov 6, is Christian.

Madonna said later: "I was being ironic on stage. Yes, I know Obama is not a Muslim - though I know that plenty of people in this country think he is. And what if he were?

"The point I was making is that a good man is a good man, no matter who he prays to. I don't care what religion Obama is - nor should anyone else in America." » | Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Anti-Islam Challenge to Tennessee Lawmaker Fails
REUTERS.COM: A Tennessee Republican congresswoman survived a spirited primary election challenge on Thursday from an opponent whose campaign was based on opposition to Islam and to a new mosque built near Nashville.

U.S. Representative Diane Black won the primary election by a comfortable margin over Lou Ann Zelenik, noted for her fierce opposition to the Islamic Center built in Murfreesboro, about 30 miles south of Nashville, although it was outside the congressional district she sought to represent.

Zelenik was backed by a wealthy conservative businessman from Nashville, who paid for ads attacking Black over the mosque and Islam. Zelenik charged that Black had not opposed the mosque vigorously.

Zelenik pledged during the campaign that if elected she would "work to stop the Islamization of our society, and do everything possible to prevent Sharia Law from circumventing our laws and our Constitution." » | Tim Ghianni | NASHVILLE, Tennessee | Fri August 03, 2012

Man Jailed for Threatening South Park Writers
THE GUARDIAN: Jesse Curtis Morton and another man encouraged attacks on show's writers over episode depicting Muhammad in a bear suit

A Muslim convert from New York has been sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison after admitting threatening the writers of South Park over their depiction of the prophet Muhammad.

Jesse Curtis Morton, 33, alias Younus Abdullah Muhammed, ran a website that encouraged Muslims to engage in violence against perceived enemies of Islam.

In February he pleaded guilty to making threatening communications, using the internet to put others in fear and using his position as leader of the Revolution Muslim organisation's websites to conspire to commit murder. The sentence was handed down in a federal court in Alexandria, Virginia.

The US attorney Neil MacBride said: "Jesse Morton sought to inspire Muslims to engage in terrorism by providing doctrinal justification for violence against civilians in the name of Islam. His crimes not only put people's lives forever in danger, but they also chilled free expression out of fear of retaliation by violent terrorists." » | Reuters | Friday, June 22, 2012

Dearborn Arab International Festival Violence

Related »

Screaming Anti-Islam Protesters Taunt Muslims with Pig’s Head: ‘You’re Going to Melt in the Fires of Hell!’
THE BLAZE: If you‘re looking to spread God’s love, it’s probably not a good idea to show up to the Arab International Festival in Dearborn, Michigan, with a pig‘s head on a stick and signs telling Muslims that they’re poised to burn in hell. Yet this is exactly what happened over the weekend when some Christians from an anti-Islam group showed up at the event and confronted Muslim adherents with some unwelcome messages.

One of the protesters yelled, “You’re going to burn in hell,” among other sentiments. The signs the individuals held were less-than-covert in their messaging as well. One read, “Islam is a religion of blood and murder” and another said “Muhammad is a…liar, false prophet, murder, child molesting pervert.” Clearly, those in attendance weren’t there to play nice (caution: language). » | Posted by Billy Hallowell | Monday, June 18, 2012

Islamic Convention Set This Weekend In Hartford
THE HARTFORD COURANT: HARTFORD — — Thousands of Muslims are expected to attend a convention in the city this weekend sponsored by the Islamic Circle of North America with the goal of promoting religious tolerance and fighting "Islamophobia."

The group, a New York City-based Muslim American advocacy organization, seeks to raise awareness and dispel misconceptions by educating people about the Islamic faith, members said.

The convention at the Connecticut Convention Center is titled "Defending Religious Freedom, Understanding Shariah" and is part of a national tour. Shariah is the fundamental religious concept of Islam.

About 15,000 people are expected to attend the conference, which runs from Saturday to Monday, said Naeem Baig, vice president of public affairs for ICNA. » | Jenna Carlesso, The Hartford Courant | Friday, May 25, 2012

Anti-Islam Gathering in Dearborn Protested, Defended
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Anti-Islam advocates from across the U.S. gathered Sunday in Dearborn for a conference to bring attention to what they say is a problem of Muslim honor killings.

About 150 gathered at the Hyatt in Dearborn for the Jessica Mokdad Human Rights Conference, named after a 20-year-old Arab-American Muslim woman who was killed by her stepfather last year in Warren.

But at another conference in Detroit, about 100 people gathered earlier in the day to oppose the anti-Islam conference, saying it was the latest attack on metro Detroit's Arab-American and Muslim communities. Dearborn has the highest concentration of Arab-Americans in the U.S., many of them Muslim.

"We stand for America," said Osama Siblani, publisher of the Dearborn-based Arab-American News, at a panel at the DoubleTree hotel in Detroit. "And they (anti-Muslim activists) stand against America and against the American way of life." » | Niraj Warikoo | Detroit Free Press Staff Writer | Monday, April 30, 2012

Islamic Awareness Week Aims to Knock Down Misconceptions
JC ONLINE: With hijabs to try on, Middle Eastern recipes to taste, and copies of the Quran on display, Islamic Awareness Week is in full swing at Purdue University.

In a tent at Memorial Mall Wednesday, members of the Muslim Student Association shared information about Muslim culture.

"This is very important and a pleasure to all of us," Purdue graduate student Sameer Mojlish said. "Students come to ask us questions (about our religion and culture) and it's a great opportunity to share with them our faith and beliefs."

Mojlish was one of several students in the tent representing Islam, a culture many Muslims feel is often misrepresented and undervalued in the media. » | William Murrell | Thursday, April 19, 2012

Fla. Pastor Terry Jones: Islam's Goal Is 'World Domination'
USA TODAY: DEARBORN, Mich. – Speaking Saturday in front of the biggest mosque in Michigan, the Florida pastor known for burning the Quran blasted Islam and called upon Americans to take back their country.

"Islam has one goal: That is world domination," said Pastor Terry Jones, wearing sunglasses, jeans and a faded black leather jacket. "It's time to stand up."

Holding signs in English and Arabic that read "I Will Not Submit," about 20 supporters cheered as Jones and his assistant spoke outside the Islamic Center of America. Framed by the mosque's minarets, Jones said he's concerned that the growth of the Muslim population in metro Detroit and the United States will lead to the oppression of non-Muslims.

"Muslims, no matter they go around the world … they push their agenda on the society," Jones said. "We must take back America." » | Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press | Monday, April 09, 2012

New Book Argues Against Islam in America

PRWEB: Author Kalai-o-Waha urges Americans to remove radicals from the United States.

In his new book "On Guard, America: A Challenge To Islam - Forcing The Enemy Out From Within - Why The Muslim Brotherhood Will Fail" (published by AuthorHouse), Kalai-o-Waha discusses his objections to Islam – which he sees as a threat – and the reasons he believes Americans should not tolerate the practice of Islam in the United States.

Kalai-o-Waha dedicates a majority of the book to examining the Quran and using it to help make his point, which is that a good Muslim cannot be a good American. In his words, the principal goal of his book is, “…to force Islam out of America while their numbers are small enough. If we don’t take action soon, we will become slaves (dhimmis) and will be subjected to pay a poll tax (jizyah) to eat and breathe in what was once our homeland – that’s if we haven’t been beheaded.”

The following excerpt from "On Guard, America" touches on the reasons the author gives to validate the sense of urgency he feels and wishes to pass on to readers:

It is the goal of Islam to convert the entire world to the Islamic faith. If the people do not wish to convert, they are Unbelievers and are to be destroyed… …By converting the majority of the people in America to Islam, then Islam, through its voting power, can control America.

» | Honolulu, Hi | PRWEB | Friday, March 30, 2012

USA/Islam: The Islamic Circle of North America and the Sharia Campaign
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC NEWS AGENCY (IINA): WASHINGTON – The Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) announced a national Sharia education campaign to promote “religious freedom and combat Islamophobia.” This campaign will include an education tour to introduce Islamic faith to the American public, as well as billboards, college campus seminars, radio ads, and a national hotline to address questions about Sharia.

Sharia education and interfaith events and town hall forums are scheduled for 25 cities. According to Dr. Zahid H. Bukhari, president of the ICNA, “The First Amendment guarantees religious freedom for every citizen. Muslim Americans are asking for the same fundamental rights to observe Sharia, a component of the Islamic faith, in our personal, familial and religious affairs within the boundaries of the United States Constitution and all local, state and federal laws.”

Presumably these town hall forums are designed “to clarify misconceptions about American Muslims.” But suppose Sharia is incompatible with Constitutional guarantees? Suppose as well that Sharia, if widely instituted, would shatter provisions for free speech, individual rights and equal protection of the law?

It is certainly appropriate to educate the public about Sharia. Is it, however, appropriate to propagandize on behalf of religious attitudes that encourage hostility to women, that argue Jews are the progeny of apes and pigs and that can only accept categorical rights as opposed to individual rights? » | AH/IINA | Tuesday, March 27, 2012 (5 Jumada Al-Awwal)

Muslims Call New Religious Freedom Appointee a ‘Puppet’ for Islam Foes

THE WASHINGTON POST: WASHINGTON — One of two new members of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has Muslim civil rights groups crying foul.

Zuhdi Jasser, who lauded a controversial New York City police surveillance program that targeted Muslims and helped lead the opposition to an Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero, has been appointed to the commission, which advises the president, Congress and State Department on religious rights abuses internationally.

“It would have been better to appoint someone who has some measure of credibility with Muslim Americans,” said Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

“He has long been viewed by American Muslims and the colleagues in the civil liberties community as a mere sock puppet for Islam haters and an enabler of Islamophobia.” » | Lauren Markoe | Religion News Service | Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Number of Mosques Nearly Doubles in Decade

THE WASHINGTON POST: NEW YORK — The number of American mosques has increased dramatically in the last decade despite post 9/11 protests aimed at Muslim houses of worship, according to a new study. The new Islamic centers serve Muslims who moved into the suburbs and newer immigrants from Africa, Iraq and elsewhere.

Researchers conducting the national count found a total of 2,106 Islamic centers, compared to 1,209 in 2000 and 962 in 1994. About one-quarter of the centers were built between 2000-2011, as the community faced intense scrutiny by government officials and a suspicious public. In 2010, protest against an Islamic center near ground zero erupted into a national debate over Islam, extremism and religious freedom. Anti-mosque demonstrations spread to Tennessee, California and other states.

Ihsan Bagby, a professor at the University of Kentucky and lead author of the study, said the findings show Muslims are carving out a place for themselves despite the backlash. » | Associated Press | Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Rick Warren Builds Bridge to Muslims
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Through years of outreach, Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren is part of an effort named King's Way that's attempting bring evangelical Christians and Muslims together.

The Rev. Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest and one of America's most influential Christian leaders, has embarked on an effort to heal divisions between evangelical Christians and Muslims by partnering with Southern California mosques and proposing a set of theological principles that includes acknowledging that Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

The effort, informally dubbed King's Way, caps years of outreach between Warren and Muslims. Warren has broken Ramadan fasts at a Mission Viejo mosque, met Muslim leaders abroad and addressed 8,000 Muslims at a national convention in Washington D.C.

Saddleback worshippers have invited Muslims to Christmas dinner and played interfaith soccer at a picnic in Irvine attended by more than 300 people. (The game pitted pastors and imams against teens from both faiths. The teens won.)

The effort by a prominent Christian leader to bridge what polls show is a deep rift between Muslims and evangelical Christians culminated in December at a dinner at Saddleback attended by 300 Muslims and members of Saddleback's congregation.

At the dinner, Abraham Meulenberg, a Saddleback pastor in charge of interfaith outreach, and Jihad Turk, director of religious affairs at a mosque in Los Angeles, introduced King's Way as "a path to end the 1,400 years of misunderstanding between Muslims and Christians." » | Jim Hinch | Thursday, February 23, 2012

Penn Judge: Muslims Allowed to Attack People for Insulting Mohammad
YAHOO! NEWS – COMMENTARY: Jonathon Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, reports on a disturbing case in which a state judge in Pennsylvania threw out an assault case involving a Muslim attacking an atheist for insulting the Prophet Muhammad.

Judge Mark Martin, an Iraq war veteran and a convert to Islam, threw the case out in what appears to be an invocation of Sharia law.

The incident occurred at the Mechanicsburg, Pa., Halloween parade where Ernie Perce, an atheist activist, marched as a zombie Muhammad. Talaag Elbayomy, a Muslim, attacked Perce, and he was arrested by police.

Judge Martin threw the case out on the grounds that Elbayomy was obligated to attack Perce because of his culture and religion. Judge Martin stated that the First Amendment of the Constitution does not permit people to provoke other people. He also called Perce, the plaintiff in the case, a "doofus." In effect, Perce was the perpetrator of the assault, in Judge Martin's view, and Elbayomy the innocent. The Sharia law that the Muslim attacker followed trumped the First Amendment.

Words almost fail. » | Mark Whittington | Yahoo! Contributor Newtwork | Friday, February 24, 2012

Muslim Mother 'Beat Daughter, 19, and Locked Her to a Bed after She Was Seen Speaking to a Boy'

MAIL ONLINE: An Iraqi woman has been accused of beating her teenage daughter and padlocking her to a bed after she was seen speaking to a young man.

After Yusra Farhan was arrested in the Arizona hospital where her daughter was being treated for her injuries, she told police she wanted to punish the girl for violating her 'culture'.

Farhan, 50, faces charges of aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment and resisting arrest. She was being held in a Maricopa County jail. Police did not identify her daughter by name. Read on and comment » | Daily Mail Reporter | Saturday, February 11, 2012

Listening Post – Boycotting Reality: 'All American Muslim'
What has an American Muslim reality TV show revealed about US media in a post-9/11 era?