Below is a Khutba I would like to share in hope that it will bring benefit to each and everyone of you.

Here is an outline to help you follow through:

Reflections on the departure of Ramadan:

1. Everyone should acknowledge their shortcomings
2. Why are we happy on the Day of 'Īd?
3. What's your personal victory at the end of the month?

Challenges facing the Muslim community:

1. Getting over our differences
2. Everyone is obsessed with their opinion
3. Turning enemies into friends
4. Getting over the culture of retaliation

Click here to view the embedded video.

I can only imagine how I will shake with a giddy sense of excitement from hijab to foot as I unfold the campus map and set off with a group of sisters from my university.  It’ll be my first MSA West Conference ever and it’s taking place at none other than the world-renown university UCLA.  After being swept into the Muslim student organization at my own university, I’ve taken the insistent advice of the upperclassmen and have decided to travel to Los Angeles and participate in the 2011 MSA West Conference, “Taking Back Our Narrative.”  For the last few weeks, mailing lists have flooded my inbox with numerous emails and all I’ve heard the upperclassmen talk about are the stories from conferences in years past and their high expectations for the upcoming MSA West Conference this very week.  For them, just like the hundreds of other students who attend, the yearly conferences serve a crucial function and provide a much-needed space for young Muslim students, giving them a sense of community.  The conferences connect and unite Muslim student organizations and their members from all over California, providing them important resources, revitalizing their spirituality, refueling their activism, and creating a network unlike any other.

They finally got to me and convinced me to register. As I completed my pre-registration and closed the window, I wish that I had taken advantage of the many MSA West conferences in my younger high school days.  At a school where being a Muslim meant being a loser, it was difficult for me to find the group of people to rely on and to look forward to growing with.  The handful of Muslim peers around me hid the fact that they were Muslim and I had no hope of finding a place to fit in and develop myself into the young Muslim adult I wanted and dreamed of becoming.  I gave in and decided that I would just wait until college where I would insha’Allāh find a motivated and dedicated group of Muslim students.  Now I realize the many years that were wasted.  For the “lone Muslim student” on campus, for the Muslim trying desperately to revive and resuscitate the Muslim student group, for the young Muslim who can’t seem to find a place at the local masjid—the annual MSA West conferences provide the best way to get involved with other Muslim student activists, to find projects to work on, to seek and gain beneficial knowledge, to bloom spiritually, and to be continuously supported and surrounded by like-minded friends who turn into life-long companions.

All of the talk from the upperclassmen gave me anticipation of my own, with expectations and hopes and images I prayed would not only be fulfilled, but would be easily succeeded.  This year’s conference theme, “Taking Back Our Narrative,” sounds – quite frankly – amazing.  Inspired by one of the most important and influential figures not only in recent American history but in my own life, I buzzed with excitement as I watched the trailer for the conference and heard Malcolm X’s booming voice vocalize sentiments that I, as a Muslim student in America, feel just as strongly.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The theme would be relevant to any Muslim student in California given the current atmosphere in America and attitude against Muslims worldwide.

I am extremely excited to hear lectures from my favorite speakers and to participate in some hands-on workshops. I hear that the line-up this year (check out the full program here!) includes religious figures from across the country, alumni active in MSA West from back in the good old days, and even a few current students.  We’ve got Bayyinah’s own Br. Nouman Ali Khan as well as local imam (who accompanied my MSU on our past two retreats) Shaykh Junaid Kharsany. I’m really looking forward to hearing for the first time, in person, Zaytuna’s Imam Zaid Shakir, as well as Brooklyn’s very own – Imam Siraj Wahhaj! And some of the all-star sisters from my community will be speaking as well – frequent blogger and my halaqa leader, Yasmin Mogahed, as well as attorney and political activist Reem Salahi! I impatiently await to be inspired by the alumni from the “golden days” and hope to even meet and mingle with the sisters.  Look’s like the alumni speaking this year include the previous president from my MSU at UCI, Omar Zarka, and his wife Maryam Amir-Ebrahimi from San Jose State, as well as Cal Poly Pomona’s da`wah heavy-hitter, Amir Mertaban! We’ve also got former Cal State Long Beach MSA president, and current CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo, and previous MSA West president Taher Herzallah. I guess it’s some sort of tradition or duty or something, because the current MSA West president and student from UCLA, Abdallah Jadallah will be speaking as well.

In terms of current leadership of MSA West, I have a lot of faith in the quality of this year’s conference that they’ll be putting on.  Current president Jadallah speaks on behalf of the planners of this conference, saying:

“The annual conferences provide a forum for youth to discuss the challenges we face and how to correct them. The slant for the conference this year is to equip student leaders to be the catalysts for change to correct the major problems facing our community.”

Jadallah also describes the goals of this year’s conference as an effort to make long-lasting changes in the attendees’ lives instead of just providing a temporary īmān boost.  For this reason, the 2011 conference has a new focus:  community issues and how to address them. Improving from last year’s conference, the planners of the 2011 MSA West conference have taken a different approach this time around.  Jadallah said,

“Upon reflecting on last year's conference and Muslim conferences in general, this year we decided to include more practical information.  Through the main sessions and especially the leadership workshop series, we hope to provide this type of forum for our students to encourage them to overcome the complacency of the Muslim American community, and to, at the very least, start thinking about how to address [our community’s] problems.”

I don’t need to stop at taking only his word for it, but I can also look forward to the upcoming conference based on what local imam, and alumnus from my own university,  Shaykh Mustafa Umar has to say about the conference.  A speaker at the conference this year, if he insists on the event’s importance and he himself looks forward to the event, then I’m definitely 10 times more excited about going!

It’s official—I’m going to the MSA West Conference 2011, “Taking Back Our Narrative” at UCLA on January 14^th-16^th, and I’m telling EVERYONE I KNOW about it!  I am widely circulating the flyer and spamming (in a good way) every Muslim student I know, whether active on his/her campus or not.

I’ve been convinced that this year’s conference will top all others and I’m not going to be selfish—I’m inviting everyone to attend “Taking Back Our Narrative,” the 2011 MSA West Conference in Los Angeles—EVEN YOU!  I hope you’re registering at this very moment and I pray to see your face as one of the many hundreds on the Friday, Saturday, or Sunday of the January 14^th-16^th weekend.

I hope that you also invite all of the students/youth you know. :) Spread the word and collect the reward, insha’Allāh.

SEE YOU AT THE 2011 MSA WEST CONFERENCE IN LA!

Video produced by members of Sisters Film Club.

Salamu alikum

There was nothing in this world I dreaded more than going to Ilm Summit 2010. I had been away from my house for school for 4 months, traveling all summer, and never got to spend much quality time at home. My parents kept bringing up the point that I am never home and always on a trip. On top of that I never liked people hyping up any event, because usually I come to realize that it was just a big flop. However I figured that I had already decided to attend this conference long time ago so it would be best to not make any rush decisions. I got on that flight and headed for Houston, against my wishes.

It was business as usual and I just stuck to the friends I knew from my area.  The first night I heard a few awesome speeches from the scholars in attendance, yet my overall feeling remained the same.

As it came time for prayer, the students were moving chairs around trying to make room for everyone. My “whatever” attitude paralyzed me into simply being a spectator in a productive crowd rushing to and from every spot. As I stared into nothingness, someone from behind me laid his bear-like hands on my shoulder. I turned around to see the bright smile of Sheikh Waleed Basyoni, a man who had no clue who I was.

Instantaneously my doubts and ill feelings towards this summit completely changed into love, admiration and genuine brotherhood. Although I was someone new to both Ilm Summit and AlMaghrib in general, I felt just as welcomed as the most experienced man amongst them.

Thank you Sheikh Waleed

Salam

• July 23
• July 24-25
• July 26-27
• July 28-29
• July 30-Aug 1

Comedy Night

Ilm Summit 2010 had THE BEST entertainment session EVER. Sorry ICNA, ISNA, MSA, and any other conferences, you all just got SERVED.

My roommate Nihal Khan posted that on his Facebook status. And yeah, it was pretty hilarious. Except, you had to have been an Ilm Summit student and really ingrained in AlMaghrib student culture AND a student at this year's classes to understand the jokes.

Nonetheless, the sheer talent on display, the scripting and special effects, as well as the participation of Shaykh Google himself (who reminded us that the key to being an optimist is to think of the glass as…a glass) made it a night to remember. Unfortunately, the whole event was Fight Club-ish about keeping a tight lid on event details, but I have to say, seeing Shaykh Yasir Qadhi reveal himself to be Shaykh Google definitely made my Ilm Summit (whoops, did I say that out loud?).

A Visit From Baba Ali

On Saturday, after we had concluded our final classes with Shaykh Yasir, Baba Ali randomly stopped by, and we asked him to tell us about his new project, so check it out below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Saturday Night Banquet

For the second year in a row, Ustadh Wisam MC'ed the Ilm Summit banquet, and alhamdulillaah, for the first time ever, no shady halls to deal with, either in theory or practice. Awards were given out, poetry was read, upcoming AlMaghrib projects were presented, a video of students stealing shaykh Yasir's dissertation from his hotel room, and oh yeah, the return of Shaykh Yaser Birjas.

So Shaykh Love Notes broke down how he was able to escape from his wife who was due at any moment to attend one night of Ilm Summit.  He tells us she told him she felt guilty that he was missing out, and encouraged him to go for at least one day. He was, of course, making a cupcake at the time for them to have breakfast. While his heart said, “Yes! I'm outta here!” he replied, “No, I couldn't do that.”  After his wife insisted he leave, and he put up token resistance to not just cave in so easily, he joined us for the final event of Ilm Summit.

Or so he thought.

The previous year, both Shaykh Yasirs held counseling sessions with students who wanted them, but there were none this year. At least, none until Shaykh Yaser arrived. From 1am to 5am, he ended up holding counseling sessions for 20 or more sisters. And, for those brothers remaining who wanted them, he was willing to give them counseling sessions at 10am, may Allāh reward him for it.

Khatirah Evaluations

You may recall last year, students gave short khatirahs that were followed by critiques from our instructors. This program continued, and the final khatirah was given by our good brother Muhammad Ouyoun (from Chicago, represent!) on the importance of ṣalāh (note:  I started recording this a little past the intro with my Droid [shameless plug] phone):

Click here to view the embedded video.

And here's the follow-up evaluation from Shaykhs Yasir and Waleed:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Conclusion

What's more is there to say?  Ilm Summit 2010 was an experience, and for reasons I'll inshā'Allāh elaborate on in future posts, perhaps even more beneficial in terms of personal growth than Ilm Summits I and II.  Below are the photos I took and one video I did with brother Shiraz on personal development.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Its always easy to start strong, but only the successful ones finish strong.

The last ten nights are here, we’re at the finish line! Join AlAmaanah for a webinar tomorrow (Saturday, September 4th at 4:00 pm CST) to learn how to maximize your last ten nights.

Speakers include Sh. Waleed Basyouni, Sh. Yaser Birjas, and Ustadh Wisam Sharieff.

RSVP @ www.ramadanfinishline.com

• July 23
• July 24-25
• July 26-27
• July 28-29
• July 30-Aug 1

UPDATE

The CNN Interview released on Islamophobia released on September 2nd, 2010 can be found here while the interview CNN interview on Moderates vs Keyboard Jihadists released August 12th can be found here.  A final story from another prominent print news organization remains pending and will be released in the weeks ahead, inshā'Allāh, and once that's posted, we'll link to that as well.

The Media and the FBI

Each year, Shaykh Yasir adds a new wrinkle to Ilm Summit to “raise the bar” so to speak.  This year was no different, except instead of inviting speakers that could tell us all about speaking to the media if in the unlikely event it were to happen or how to speak in a of roundtable discussion that the media was watching and the FBI would be a part of, we were now in the midst of it.

A number of brothers and sisters had the opportunity to speak with reporters from two prominent national news organizations.  The questions raised related to how Muslims felt they were perceived, what difficulties they were encountering, and their take on why the crazy neo-con right hated us so much.

Perhaps the irony of ironies was our beloved Shaykh Jamaal, who we've been looking for forever, was all of a sudden interviewing on TV, showing up on national tv to speak out against extremism.  Shaykh Yasir's elder brother 'Ubaid (a student of Shaykh Jamaal's from back in the day as well) said that if this kept up, he was going to start calling him “diva” from now on =)

As for the roundtable discussion, Abu Noor AbdulMalik Ryan (you've seen his comments on here before), Mohammed Elibiary (the guy rooting for McCain back in '08), 'Iesa Galloway (moderator), sister Rana al-Dabagh, Shaykhs Yasir and Waleed, as well as yours truly sat down with Supervisory Special Agent Brad Deardorff to have a discussion about issues Muslims are facing with law enforcement. There should be a video on it somewhere out there, not sure who has it, but eventually, it'll be an MM video, and you can see for yourself what we discussed, and if it was substantive or touchy-feely fluffy PR posturing (or a combination thereof =)

In all honesty, the media was a distraction for me personally, and I think it was so for a lot of students between Tuesday and Thursday. In the past, Ilm Summit was this isolated īmān bubble where we'd disconnect from the rest of the world to focus on just seeking knowledge for two weeks.  Having it abbreviated to 10 days, and then adding the interviews and roundtable on top did take away from the academic experience a bit.

The good thing about the media was that was that they weren't obnoxious jerks looking for gotchas (unless you're Sarah Palin, and asking about what magazines you read is “gotcha-doncha-know?” journalism) and they were in fact the exact opposite – they were empathetic and looking for our perspective from our perspective. So while their presence was distracting, it was most definitely not unwelcome, and I was glad they came, especially one of the videographers (because I was able to talk to him later about his experiences filming the humanitarian crisis in Haiti).

Inshā'Allāh once the roundtable discussion becomes available, that'll be posted as well.

http://www.ilminar.com

“ENGLAND HAS DROWNED! ENGLAND HAS DROWNED!”

Should the headlines read such formidable news, the global community would no doubt be in a state of utter shock. THE MATTER OF FACT IS: Land greater than the SIZE of England has indeed drowned. The damage in Pakistan is unfathomable and the statistics pouring in have grown beyond comprehension.

Muhammad Al Shareef, Yasir Qadhi, Waleed Basyouni, Yaser Birjas, Reda Bedeir, Abu Eesa Niamatullah with Islamic Relief.

It's not uncommon, for instance, for Americans to send their zakat – all of it – overseas. I've done this myself, on occasion, and didn't think twice about it. At the time, I reasoned that the everyday state of Muslims overseas is far worse than that of Muslims in America, and certainly rougher that the condition of non-Muslims here. Whatever the merits of this argument may be (today, I hardly find it convincing), the plight of our neighbors shouldn't be trivialized – and neither should the benefits of aiding them.

Concern for those closest to you, both physically and biologically, is actually prescribed in our deen. One notable hadith in this regard states that the Prophet Muhammed (SAWS) said:

“To give something to a poor man brings one reward, while giving the same to a needy relation brings two: one for charity and the other for respecting the family ties.” (Ahmad and Tirmidhi)

During his joint session with Sh. Yaser Birjas at ISNA this year, Sh. Yasir Qadhi spoke on this theme noting that the major books of fiqh agree that zakat should be given locally, if possible. Expanding on this point some more, Sh. Yasir highlighted the need for Muslims to engage in sadaqah and acts that benefit ones locality at large, not just the Muslims within it. Indeed, it's these actions that will allow others to appreciate our presence and build those oh-so-elusive bridges we always talk about.

As Muslims lay firmer roots in this country, this message of looking to one's community first is beginning to hit home. It's part of the reason that, alhamdulilah, we were able to raise over $20,000 in such a short period of time to help our dear shaykh, Dr. Ibrahim Dremali – after all, what would a community be without guidance from our shuyookh? It's also one of the principles behind the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (īmān), and “Khairat”, a grassroots endeavor run by the Islamic Center at NYU that “seeks to foster dialogue and understanding through community service.”

This ethos is similarly a driving force behind the M100 Foundation and its Ramadan initiative, 30/30:

Throughout Ramadan, millions of Muslims worldwide draw closer to Allāh by fasting and giving in charity…During each night of Ramadan, we will give out a grant to a different non-profit organization that fulfills a unique charitable category. 30 nights, 30 grants, 30 ways to make a difference.

To promote this project, which focuses on the greater D.C. area, the team at M100 is hosting a webinar this Sunday complete with a litany of A-list speakers, including MM's own Sh. Yasir. So go register on their site and check out this great opportunity for sadaqah!

What: M100′s 30/30 Webinar

When: Sunday, August 22nd at 6:00 pm EST

Where: Online – Register here.

• July 23
• July 24-25
• July 26-27
• July 28-29
• July 30-Aug 1

July 26th – July 27th

Snap, Crackle, Pop:  Tajweed Revisited

Crowd favorite Ustadh Wisam Sharieff returned to Ilm Summit to lay down the law on the sounds of the letters.  Remember all that arcane terminology for letters from last year, like heavy and light?  Yeah, it got even better with the characteristics of the letters, with terms like sharp, blow, commit, click, scratch, spread, stereo, and gargle.  Huh?  Yeah, me too, 'til I saw the demo.  Tajweed would never be the same again.

R.S.V.P:  Tafseer Surah Fussilaat

Adding more Bayyinah flavor to the mix, Imam Abdul Nasir Jangda brought us an amazing discussion of daw'ah, and the role of the Qur'aan in calling nonMuslims to Islam, as well as dealing with harsh and vocal opposition to the daw'ah.  I have to admit, Shaykh Abdul Nasir always has a new surprise for us – the last time he came by, he was this newcomer deobandi  hanafi dude who the kids thought they had to refute – boy did they guess wrong.  This time around, no one expected the kurta shalwar molvi to tell him, “hey man, that ain't how I roll.”

It was a much needed heart-softener class among a number of technical islamic sciences courses, and jazakallahu khayran to Imam Abdul Nasir for dropping for two days and giving us so much time, alhamdulillaah.

Money Talk:  Fiqh of Financial Transactions

This was the day, the moment I had been waiting for all my life.  I had read his books, listened to him on CD and cassette, and finally, it was time to learn directly from Shaykh Jamaal Zarabozo, alhamdulillaah.  Shaykh Yasir introduced his teacher and when I heard him speak, with the gentleness that he had in his voice, I knew I seriously loved him for the sake of Allāh.

My only regret for this class and others was that the Ilm Summit exhaustion had set in early, and I was already nodding my head back and forth trying to keep my eyes open, even as I was highly interested in all the classes.  Kind of embarrassing when your teacher catches you doing it, but alhamdulillaah, none of the instructors complained.