http://muslimmatters.org/2007/08/10/the-ruins-of-traditional-islam/

Seriously though, we often hear that Saudi Arabia promotes a specific school of thought as the authoritative version of Islam.  What is often ignored, however, is that all governments in the historically Muslim world do the same thing.  Ironically, some of the fiercest critics of Saudi's “official Islam” are sponsored or trained by institutions that represent the official Islam of other states.  Whatever the flaws of the Saudis, I can't imagine that anyone would view the authorities of other nations (Egypt and Syria, for example) as more virtuous.

Keeping this in mind, I thought our readers could offer a descriptive list of “official Islams” by nation (including Western ones).  This is not to promote one state's view over the other, or to discredit specific scholars and institutions.  Rather, we should keep in mind that every group is subject to political exploitation, and that proximity to power is an ongoing historical problem for Muslims.

(Incidentally, one can have an adversarial relationship with one or many states and still be misguided.)

In reality, we do not have any share in those past glories. We are not accumulating reward for the deeds of our predecessors. Though certainly, to the extent that we follow their example, they are accumulating reward from us.

And just as we love to reflect on a past that we did not author, we also like to dream of the eventual revival and resurgence of Islam. Yet, there is no guarantee that we will have much of a share in that either. In fact, we may be remembered as one of the lost generations that failed to fulfill its covenant with Allah.

Allah says:

2:83 And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but Allah. treat with kindness your parents, kin, orphans, and those in need; speak good to people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice charity regularly. Then you turned away, except a few among you, and you continue to backslide.

Let us keep in mind the various purposes of such verses. One is to teach us how the people of the past have gone astray. This is the aspect we like to talk about.

But there is another aspect, one that is more frightening. These verses also serve as a warning to us. They serve as a forecast of the way that this ummah will go astray. The Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said,

“You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a lizard’s burrow, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah's Apostle! (Do you mean) the Jews and Christians?” He said, “Who else?”

So let us hold ourselves to account and consider just two of the virtues mentioned in this verse—providing for orphans and the poor. Providing aid to these two groups is so central to our faith that it spans all ideological and sectarian divides.

Before offering some concrete suggestions, I want to mention two important principles to guide our practice of charity. They are the generosity of giving, and the generosity of our hearts. I only mention these because their opposites are tragically common. First, there are so many opportunities to give; so many projects on a local, national, or global scale that need support. This creates a logistical dilemma. Should we split our giving between as many different causes as possible? Or should we spend more or a few select projects? There is no definitive answer to this question…or rather, the only definitive answer is that we should give generously from our wealth, no matter how it is apportioned.

But the second principle that I want to mention is even more essential—the generosity of our hearts. It is tragic that some Muslims do not truly care about all those in need. Some argue that we should not support local causes, especially those that assist non-Muslims, when so many Muslims are suffering overseas. Others resent this negligence toward local communities, responding in turn with callousness toward the traditional international causes. This attitude is truly a disease, for even if we lack the funds to support one cause or another, or we prefer to give to one cause or another, we can always dip into the inexhaustible resource of sincere empathy and du’a for all those in need.

Giving to Orphans
At the 2007 Texas Dawah Convention, Islamic Relief, a major international Muslim charity, hosted an inspiring session. One of the brothers from Islamic Relief gave a presentation about his travels to natural disaster zones around the world. This is someone who works on the ground to make relief efforts happen. And when listening to the tragic and touching stories about what goes on after an earthquake, tsunami, or hurricane, our comfort and ease of life starts to feel like negligence.

Islamic Relief offers a simple formula to guide charity: Think-Care-Act. First, take the time to withdraw from your daily routine, from your worries and concerns, and think about the suffering that occurs all across the world. Then, assuming that your heart is not hard, and you actually care about those in need, you will start to feel their pain. And finally, don’t leave the good intentions, or the moment of awareness, without acting upon it. Give.

Islamic Relief, and many other Islamic charities—Muslim Hands, Zakat Foudation, etc.—put a major priority on orphan sponsorship. In places where natural disasters occur, thousands of children become orphans in an instant. Think about their situation. For those of you who are parents, think about your own kids. Consider all that they face in this world, and the little bit of security you feel knowing that you are there to protect them. But what if you were no longer there? How would your kids fare?

The Prophet said, “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise” – and he gestured with his index and middle fingers, holding them slightly apart.

Do we need any incentive other than this?

Alhamdulillah, there are many Muslims doing great work in this regard. While conducting some cursory research on Muslim charities for this article, I discovered that over 20,000 orphans have been sponsored by Islamic Relief (www.irw.org) and over 4000 by Muslim Hands (www.muslimhands.org). Many other Muslim charities are also active in orphan sponsorship.

I also learned that there are many orphans currently awaiting sponsorship. At present, there are 161 orphans awaiting sponsorship through Islamic Relief, 148 through Muslim Hands, and 29 through the Zakat Foundation of America.

That’s 338 orphans who are waiting to be sponsored right now. 338 opportunities to be like “this” with the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam. And all you have to do is go to the website, fill out a form, and you are charged 40-60 dollars per month.

But let’s reflect on this from another angle. What does it say about us that these charities have orphans on a waiting list? What does it say about our wealthy communities in the West that hundreds of children are a mouse click away from their basic necessities and education, but somehow we fail to make the effort to assist them.

Is this the way it should be? No, exactly the opposite should be true. These charities should have a waiting list of donors. We should be eagerly checking our email everyday to see when we will get this wonderful opportunity to sponsor an orphan. Poor children in Palestine, or Mali, or South Africa, should be able to visit an Internet café and choose their sponsor. They should be able to browse our photos and short bios, selecting whoever seems most worthy to receive the abundant reward or orphan sponsorship.

So ask yourself, what is stopping you from spending the $40, $50, or $60 a month for orphan sponsorship? This is one trip to the grocery store, one month of cappuccinos, a dinner at Red Lobster. What is preventing you from this small act that may very well earn you Paradise?

In light of this situation, I am calling on all of our readers to help create a logistical headache for the charities. Let us deplete their waiting lists of orphans and redefine how sponsorship works. Let’s force the charities to make new databases of potential sponsors and new web pages to register for the waiting lists. Let us not leave the orphans waiting when we are the ones in need.

You can access orphan sponsorship programs through the following websites. All of these charities operate legally and under the supervision and regulations of multiple governments, so there is no risk to your security in making a donation. Don’t let Shaytaan or your vain desires sway you from making this small sacrifice. Think. Care. Act.

Islamic Relief
www.irw.org
www.alyateem.com (UK site)

Muslim Hands
www.muslimhands.org

Hidaya Foundation
www.hidaya.org

Zakat Foundation of America
www.thezakat.org

Serving the Poor in America
Without a doubt, supporting the poor is a core principle of Islam. And the extent to which we support the poor is a good indicator of the level of our faith. This is not an issue that requires us to look far from home. I live in Milwaukee, one of many rust belt cities that suffer from serious economic problems and a high rate of poverty. On August 28, 2007, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported that Milwaukee has the eighth highest poverty rate among the largest cities in America. The numbers are startling, 26.2% of the population, or 143,000 people, live below the federal poverty line.

The fact is that most of us live very close to poverty, but we may never see it. It may just be sad stories on the evening news, or a blighted neighborhood that we pass on the highway. But across America, poverty is real and abundant.

This is what’s going on right around us. In Milwaukee, there are 143,000 people living in poverty. That is 143,000 people living in a society where corrupt politicians blame poverty on the poor. It is 143,000 reasons why the wealthiest country in the world is a disgrace. And for those who only wish to focus on poverty and suffering overseas, it is 143,000 potential recruits for the armed forces, 143,000 people who may risk their souls in Iraq or Afghanistan because there are no alternative opportunities for a decent life in America.

Of course, as Muslims, the calculus is a bit different. We should see 143,000 opportunities for seeking the pleasure of Allah, 143,000 guaranteed investment opportunities for this life and the Hereafter.

Keeping all this in mind, it is befitting to ask: who are the leaders in the fight against poverty in Milwaukee?

When I gave a khutbah about this topic several months ago, I sent the following message to the head of a local charity:

“Hi. I am giving a speech to a small group tomorrow (as a component of the Muslim Friday prayer) about the importance of charity, feeding the hungry, sponsoring orphans, etc. I was wondering if you could answer a short question to help me prepare. When you think of the leaders in the fight against poverty and hunger in Milwaukee, what groups (religious, non-profit, community, etc.) come to mind? I want to use this as motivation to encourage my community to step up to the plate.”

She responded:

“Thomas–hope I'm not too late in responding.
The Episcopal Diocese sponsors both the Gathering soup kitchens and Sojourner Truth House.

Lutheran Churches make up more than 30% of all pantry operators and are all volunteer run.

The Archdiocese of Milwaukee (Catholic Church) is a strong contributor to shelters, pantries and soup kitchens and their Saint Vincent DePaul Societies are voluntary organizations that form the backbone of the work.

Interfaith of Greater Milwaukee organizes the annual Crop Walk, raising food, money, and awareness for both local and international hunger causes.

Non-profits with a clear and obvious history–Salvation Army, American Red Cross who both operate shelters for the homeless.

If your group wants to get involved, we can help them to get organized. Let me know”

Notably absent from the list is the Muslim community, and this is not a local anomaly. Muslim communities across the country are not doing enough for their impoverished neighbors. If we made it a priority, Muslims could solve, or at least severely mute poverty in America. Our numbers and wealth are sufficient for that.

Poverty and hunger are vast problems, but we can make small steps to get ourselves involved and, more importantly, to develop a culture of giving within our communities. There are many ways to go about this, but I will mention just one.

Most cities have organizations that deal directly with hunger issues. In Milwaukee, the Hunger Task Force is a non-denominational organization focused entirely on the collection and distribution of food for the poor. Hunger Task Force accepts food donations in all quantities, and they provide marketing and logistical support for food drives.

One of the local masjids in Milwaukee has started a continuous food drive program. This idea is not to accumulate a great deal of food in one shot. Rather, it is designed to help nurture a culture of giving in our communities. Muslims are encouraged to make regular donations of non-perishable food to collection boxes in the masajid. To meet this call, all one needs to do is buy a little extra food during each trip to the grocery store. When there is a 10 fo $10, or 8 for $5 deal at the local supermarket, it is a wonderful opportunity to give. This is a small effort, but it is important for several reasons. First, it is realizable given the existing financial capacities and organizational dynamics of the community. It would be nice to offer food pantries and other meal services across the city, but that may not be realistic at this stage. Next, and more importantly, it adheres to the principle that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are done regularly, even if they are small. A box of cereal here, and a can of soup there, may add up to a mountain on the Day of Judgment. This program is something that all communities can implement to help feed the hungry in their respective locales.

This title of this article presents a questions: “Is Islam a Fairy Tale When Told to the Poor?” Let us renew our efforts in this regard, so when future generations tell our story, it is not one of miserliness, self-absorption, and selfishness. Are we the exemplary community that one finds in the history books? Or are we like the people who came before, more certain of our own virtue than we are of our imminent Recompense?

Luttwak’s argument borrows heavily from Daniel Pipes, who also attempts to prove that Obama is a former Muslim. Pipes claims that Obama was listed as “Muslim” on some documents from his elementary school in Indonesia and that he was occasionally taken to Friday prayer by his Muslim step-father. In the minds of Luttwak and Pipes, these events, sprinkled throughout what seems to be a very ecumenical childhood, are sufficient to make Obama a former Muslim and current apostate.

The issue of apostasy and execution in Islam, and how it applies to this situation, has been addressed elsewhere, so I will only mention a few points. First, this whole discussion relates to Obama’s religious conduct and identity as a child. Consider this: I have never been a Jew nor have I ever practiced Judaism. Yet when I was a child, my mother took me to a Passover event at a local synagogue. I don’t remember much about it except that she made me eat horseradish, which was a bit traumatic. As far as I know, the synagogue did not make me declare my religion before entering, but if it had done so, my mother would have written “Catholic”. Perhaps then you could say I was a practicing Catholic, unless you ever witnessed me at church, sitting several seats away from my grandfather so he couldn’t tell that I was lip syncing the Nicene creed because I didn’t know the words. Somehow, I think my religious experience as a child is fairly representative, and yet in the case of Obama, it has become a matter of national debate, significant enough to warrant space in the New York Times.

Obama knew Muslims as a child and even had Muslim relatives, through whom he gained some exposure to Islamic practices. OK, but how could any reasonable person conclude that Obama was a “practicing Muslim” and that his eventual embrace of Christianity constitutes apostasy? Normally I would say that Pipes and Luttwak, like all extremists, have an aversion to context and subtleties. But in this case, it’s not even subtle. First, there is the claim that Obama is a former Muslim based on some childhood experiences. Then, it is later argued that Muslims may view him as an apostate, but only if they mimic the same preposterous line of thinking that allowed Pipes and company to declare him a Muslim in the first place.

The fact is that Obama can only be considered a former Muslim in the same way that Pipes and Luttwak can be considered former Muslims. According to Islam, everyone is born with the natural predisposition toward pure monotheism, which the religion then nurtures and cultivates. That is why many of those who embrace Islam call themselves “reverts” rather than “converts.”

As a Muslim, I hope that Obama might accept the pure monotheism that was taught by Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, peace be upon them. However, if he chooses to exercise the religious freedom that is in fact protected by Islam, then I am still happy to see the good in him and his promises of change. And incidentally, I hope Pipes and Luttwak will return to Islam as well.

With this in mind, and given what is at stake in the 2008 elections, I propose that we bring back a relic of American political history–the literacy test. In the past, literacy tests asked questions about obscure laws and were used to disenfranchise black voters. The new literacy tests are different. They will ensure that white people meet a minimum level of cultural and political awareness before completing their ballots. And unlike literacy tests in the past, the new tests are not designed to usurp civil rights. Rather, they will ensure that voters properly educate themselves. To this end, study guides for the white voter literacy test will be readily available at your local Barnes and Noble.More…

Here are some sample questions from the test:

All of the following countries border Iraq EXCEPT:
a. Syria
b. Jordan
c. Wahhabi Arabia
d. Iran

Which of the following is counted among the “five pillars of Islam”?
a. Hating freedom
b. Giving charity
c. Spreading terror
d. Oppressing women

The classic American novel, Native Son, was authored by:
a. Richard Wright
b. O’Shea Jackson
c. Calvin Broadus
d. Christopher Wallace

Select the answer choice that best completes the following sentence:

Prior to the September 11 attacks, ________ bin Laden operated military training camps in ________.
a. Obama // Iraq
b. Osama // Iraq
c. Obama // Afghanistan
d. Osama // Afghanistan

“NATO” is an acronym for the ________, a powerful international organization with vast military capacities?
a. Negroes And Towel-heads Organization
b. New Arab Terror Organization
c. North Atlantic Treaty Organization
d. Non-Aligned Trade Organization

Enron collapsed due to which of the following?
a. Affirmative action
b. Corporate corruption
c. The liberal media
d. The terrorists

In the sentence, “Global warming threatens the tundra’s survival in its current state”, the term tundra refers to:
a. where the Green Bay Packers play football.
b. an area with low tree growth due to short summers.
c. a small Latin American country where many immigrants originate.
d. a pick-up truck.

Who was George Herbert Walker Bush’s opponent in the 1988 presidential election?
a. Michael Dukakis
b. Willie Horton
c. Manuel Noriega
d. Ronald Reagan

The state of Israel was founded in:
a. 700 BC
b. 1 CE
c. 1492 CE.
d. 1948 CE

Saddam Hussein was formerly a member of which political organization?
a. Al Qaeda
b. Radical Islam
c. Ba’th Party
d. Evil Doers

Since the test is still in development, your suggestions for new questions are welcome.

There are some special rules about this test that impact the multiethnic Muslim community. Immigrants from historically Muslim countries will be required to sit for the test, but they will only have to respond to this question on the registration page:

[Please answer if you originate from a historically Muslim country. Circle the correct choice.]

True or False: I am considered “white” in America.

For those who answer correctly, the test will be waived. Those who answer incorrectly will not be allowed to vote.

And finally, many may wonder if white Muslims will be exempt from the test. It is true that accepting Islam is one of the most non-white things that you can do. However, this is still America. White privilege is white privilege. So white Muslims: you will have to take the test, no matter how much you like Zaid Shakir, Sherman Jackson, or Malcolm X.

In English, there is technically a linguistic structure known as the “royal 'we',” but it is archaic. In practice, the term “we” is exclusively plural. Translating the Arabic “nahnu” to “we” (when Allah is referring to himself) is therefore highly problematic, not simply because the awkward use of English alienates and confuses the listener, but more importantly, because it obscures the core message of Islam–tawheed. The most significant aspect of Islam, before any acts of worship, or standards of morality, or rulings of permissibility/prohibition, is the belief that none has the right to be worshiped except the creator of the heavens and the earth, Allah. And Allah is one, without partners, offspring, or any other associates. And yet, when communicating some very basic verses expressing the Oneness and uniqueness of Allah, Muslims stubbornly insist on the literal translation, “we.”

For someone trying to learn about Islam, this is baffling. What on earth do they mean by “we”? How is that consistent with what they just told me about the pure monotheism of Islam? Some outlandish critics even go so far as to say that “we” refers to the trinity, and Muslims have just failed to pick up on that for the past 1400+ years. Some contend that “we” refers the Asiatic Black Man (or men), in accordance with the beliefs of some pseudo-Islamic groups in America.

The question arises: if we translate the relevant verses with the first person singular, “I”, do we thereby corrupt the Quran? Are we changing the meaning of the verses and tampering with revelation? Well, let's consider the basic principle for translating the Quran: that translation, in a strict sense, is impossible. The Quran as revelation, as the speech of Allah, is Arabic. Once translated, it loses that quality. That is why you often see English Qurans described as “translation of the meaning of the Quran” rather than just “translation of the the Quran.” In practice, however, we often find a “poor translation of the meaning of the Quran.” The use of the royal “we” is a perfect example. It is really puzzling how some vigorously declare that the English translation can never fully capture the meaning of the Arabic Quran, and yet they still insist on awkward, literal translations, sometimes going so far as to Arabize English grammar (as if that will yield a perfect translation). In such cases, not only is the Quran stripped of eloquence, but the reader/listener is not even able to discern the basic meanings.

In other words, this is like saying “It is impossible to translate the Quran perfectly, and we can only translate its meaning. Nevertheless, I'm going to attempt to translate it perfectly, thereby obscuring its meaning, and its beauty.”

Once we recognize that the translation will never live up to the original, we must make every effort to convey the meaning in as clear and eloquent a manner as possible. With this in mind, using the royal “we” in English in ineffective. When conveying the message of the Quran to others, especially in a casual setting, we should consider substituting “I” for “we”.

But for all the other disillusioned Muslims, I thought it might be worth having a real alternative to the other candidates, someone who speaks to your Muslim sensibilities, someone from America, and for America. That someone, I believe, is me.

Of course, the immediate objection is that a Muslim could never be president. You'd waste your vote, right? Yes, I am Muslim. Yes, the odds are stacked against me. But I believe that my platform is one that all Americans can accept. I believe that I can transcend my Muslim identity and bring America together. As I've always said, Muslims are the true moderates in American life.

Islam discourages the boastfulness and thirst for power that is common among all US presidential candidates. I am wary to do likewise, and so I will only assert one modest, indisputable virtue that I would bring to office. If elected, I would instantly become the most just and legitimate Muslim leader in the world. This would bring unprecedented weight and authority to America's presence in the Middle East. The alleged conflict between Islam and the West, a favorite of kings, dictators, and neo-cons, would melt away. So what would I do with this new and unprecedented power?

Let me make one thing clear. A lot of people like Ron Paul because of his hands-off foreign policy. But let's be real. The Muslim world needs to be straightened out a bit, and who better to do it than an American Muslim president.

First, I want to assure the leadership of America's military forces that a Muslim presidency would not spell the end of their adventures in the Middle East. On the contrary! Although Iraq has recently looked a bit more stable, it is safe to say the project of imposing American-style democracy has failed. As president, I want to go one step further. I want to cut out the middle man, and impose American democracy itself on Iraq. That means a complete, unapologetic colonization of Iraq, which will then become the 51st state of the United States of America. I expect the representative from Iraq will contribute heartily to debates in the US legislature. I cannot foresee any substantial legal obstacles to including Iraq in the Union, though we may want to pass a constitutional amendment that no one may serve in Congress who believes that a messianic religious figure is hiding in a cave located in any of the 51 states. And I'm not ashamed to deny the political benefits of this new arrangement. Given the Bush administration's record, I think the 34 electoral votes from Iraq will remain squarely in the Democrats' column for decades to come.

That is not the end of my military plans. There is a strain of US policy in the Middle East which needs to be revived. It is a simple bargain…Islam for oil. With that in mind, I would gather all the Muslims in the US Armed Forces into a special unit that would lead an invasion of eastern Saudi Arabia, securing the world's prime oil reserves for the foreseeable future. We would set up a puppet, Sunni government in the area based on the following arrangement. We pay $20 per barrel of oil for the next 50 years, and they use the money for anything except palaces and luxury cars. I would also nationalize the oil refineries in America, and guarantee $1/gallon gasoline for Americans for the duration of my presidency.

As for Egypt, the political heart of the Muslim world, I would excuse the current leader from his position, and make Egypt the testing ground for indigenous democracy in the region. In Lebanon, we would pretty much let things play out as they're going now, except for economic projects, one of which would be to subsidize the textiles industry because women on Lebanese TV channels don't seem to have enough clothes.

Domestically, my plans would be no less innovative or attractive. I support universal healthcare, generous student grants for higher education, tax credits for marriage, and a Constitutional Amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and up to four women. I would also launch a federal investigation into why there are so many adult video stores along the highway in the Bible belt, an embarrassing reality for a part of the country that prides itself on conservative moral values. We would take care of that for all those decent people down there.

If there are any judges who oppose abortion and support affirmative action, I would find them and appoint them to the Supreme Court. And while I'm open to all sorts of ideas on fiscal reform, I would institute a modest tax, say 2.5%, on wealth (rather than income) that would go to feed the hungry and house the homeless in America.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The new morality is the same old immorality.” If we are honest with ourselves, it is clear that the current social crisis (loss of modesty and morality, deteriorating family structure, drug use, erosion of parental authority, etc.) is the greatest threat to American prosperity and stability. And unlike Europe, I think the majority of Americans can agree on this. As president, I would respect the American social contract. There is no place for me to impose my religious beliefs. All I ask is for the American people to keep an open mind…and when it comes to this festering social crisis, you may find Islamic shariah a bit more attractive than you've previously imagined.

Finally, I want to be sure that I dot the 'i's and cross the 't's, doing all those things that are technically required for someone to run for President, all those things upon which one's eligibility rests. After doing a survey of the campaign websites, I've found a common element to most of the Republicans and Democrats. Now I'm not a legal expert, so I don't know of any laws that govern this issue, but based on my research, I want to make the following statement:

“Israel is the best friend of America in the world, and the only democracy in the Middle East, and it has the best beaches and public transportation system. America will continue to support Israel with whatever resources it wants…to do whatever it wills. And of course, America will always remain an unbiased peace-broker in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

Thank you for your time and support. As usual, I procrastinated before making this decision, so please write in “Musa Maguire” on your primary ballot.

American Muslim Converts: Empowerment and Outreach

Guest speakers include Imam Siraj Wahhaj, Dr. Robert Crane, Shabir Ally, Ihsan Bagby, and others.

Yours truly will moderate the panel discussion, “New Muslims and the Attraction of Islam.”

Detailed information about the event is available on the Islamic Society of Milwaukee website: www.ismonline.org.

We hope to see you there.

American University in Turkey Says It Will Not Enforce Head-Scarf Ban

An American university is courting controversy in Turkey by allowing female students at its newly opened Istanbul campus to wear head scarves, a public expression of their Islamic faith that is forbidden at universities and government offices throughout the country.

The new 30-acre branch campus of Alfred University, which opened this month, offers an English-only curriculum that will focus at first on business courses and eventually include a full liberal-arts program.

Wearing head scarves at universities has been a focal point of controversy in Turkey in recent years, and last month Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan inflamed the debate by saying that his government would seek to overturn the ban.

All universities in Turkey, whether public or private, fall under the authority of the Higher Education Council, a staunchly secularist body that has been an unwavering supporter of the head-scarf ban.

Turkish news-media reports in the last week indicate that the council has already taken action against Alfred, by filing a complaint against the university for violating Turkish law. —Aisha Labi

See also: Get that Hijab Away… Turkey’s Secularists Traumatized! (2 UPDATES)

I wanted to share the good news that Huda TV is now availabe online at:

http://www.huda.tv/defaultN.aspx?rt=15

This is a great resource that is finally availabe to everyone worldwide. You can also watch it through the Atlantic Bird satellite in parts of the eastern United States.