By: Nabila Ikram Detroit, MI

Over 3,000 Muslim athletes and officials are said to be present at the Olympics taking place in London this year. As in every Olympic game, there are a couple of significant aspects of this year’s events.

The first and foremost, is the mere fact that the games are taking place during Ramadan. All the athletes are managing their time in different ways. For example, some athletes are continuing to fast, such as those on the Moroccan team. Others, such as the Egyptian team, have been advised by religious counselors that they are exempt due to the fact that they are traveling and in a foreign land. Yet, others plan on giving to charity enough for 60 needy people to make up for their voluntary missing of their fasts. The organizers of the Olympics have also been accommodating athletes by providing snack packs to the athletes that include items such as dates.

Another significant attribute of this year’s games is the continued involvement of Muslim women. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Brunei have sent female athletes to the Olympics for the first time ever. The women faced incredible political and social difficulties as they fought for the honor to represent themselves and their nations. For example, Wojdan Shaherkani, 16, who competed in Judo was labeled the “Prostitute of the Olympics” by ultra-conservatives in her home country of Saudi Arabia.

Many of the athletes wore hijab, or the headscarf, and modest clothing, which in itself was a challenge for some women as their home countries required them to wear traditional attire, while the Olympics Committee required them not to. Therefore, after much discussion, a compromise had been made between the two to allow athletes to continue wearing the scarf or modest attire, but with some modifications to meet sport safety and other rules. Regardless of the obstacles, the women made it to the games and although most did not last long, their efforts and appearances were noted by the international community and have begun to pave the way for future female athletes.

The diversity of the games in which Muslims, males and females, are competing range from track, swimming, rifle competition, weightlifting, and many other areas.    

The BBC has been covering the Olympics in much detail. The website has a comprehensive list of all the participating countries with profiles of their athletes and Olympic-related stories. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/2012/countries/

By: Noor Salahuddin Chicago, IL

Surah Furqaan in Quran – e – Majeed  is the 25th surah (chapter) with 77 ayaat (verses). Furqaan means the “criterion” or the “standard”,   and the meaning of this word is to distinguish between good and bad. In this surah, Allah taala (the Greatest) helps us distinguish between the two so we may become better at judging our own actions.

And the servants of the Most Gracious are those who walk on the earth Hawna, and when the foolish address them they say; "Salama (peace).'' And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing. And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment.  Hell is described as an evil abode and as a place to rest in. And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy, but are in a just balance between them [Surah alFurqaan 25:63-67]. Allah taala dislikes extremes in anything and that is evident in this ayah. What is meant here by Hawn is serenity and dignity, as the Messenger of Allah said: When you come to the prayer, do not come rushing in haste. Come calmly and with tranquility, and whatever you catch up with, pray, and whatever you miss, make it up.

These are the attributes of the believing servants of Allah, those who walk on the earth Hawna, meaning that they walk with dignity and humility, not with arrogance and pride; similar to the Ayah: And walk not on the earth with conceit and arrogance... [17:37]. One should always be humble and fear Allah, as we are reminded in this ayah.

As mentioned, these people do not walk with conceit or arrogance or pride. This does not mean that they should walk like sick people, making a show of their humility, but rather that they should not be overbearing. It is said that the Prophet Adam used to walk as if he was coming downhill, and as if the earth were folded up beneath him.

Moving on to the next part, and when the foolish address them they say: “Salama”). If the ignorant people insult them with bad words, they should not respond in kind, but they forgive and overlook, and say nothing but good words. This is what the Messenger of Allah did: the more ignorant the people, the more patient he would be. This is as Allah says: And when they hear Al-Laghw (evil or vain talk), they withdraw from it [28:55]. Allah rewards patience and perseverance and this ayah reminds us that we must not lose patience or hope in times of adversity.

Then Allah says that their nights are the best of nights, as He says: And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing. This means worshipping and obeying Him. This is like the Ayat: They used to sleep but little by night. And in the hours before dawn, they were asking for forgiveness [51:17-18]. Their sides forsake their beds... [32:16]. Is one who is obedient to Allah, prostrating himself or standing during the hours of the night, fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord... [39:9].

Allah says: And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable punishment” meaning, ever-present and never ending. Al-Hasan said concerning the Ayah, Verily, its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment. Everything that strikes the son of Adam, and then disappears, does not constitute an inseparable, permanent punishment. The inseparable, permanent punishment is that which lasts as long as heaven and earth.

This was also the view of Sulayman At-Taymi: Evil indeed it is as an abode and as a place to rest in, meaning how evil it looks as a place to dwell and how evil it is as a place to rest.

And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor stingy... The best Muslims are not extravagant, spending more than they need, nor are they miserly towards their families, not spending enough on their needs. But they follow the best and fairest way.

The best of matters are those which are moderate, neither one extreme nor the other, but are in a just balance between them. This is like the Ayah, And let not your hand be tied to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach. [17:29]

Source: Tafseer Ibn Kathir

By: Anas Alkatib - Davenport University
Photography by Daniyal Ahmad – Macomb Community College

On May 17, Michigan Muslims from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and races came and participated in the Michigan Muslim Capitol Day. They got to witness the opening invocation by a Muslim woman and meet with State Legislators, State Representatives and State Senators in Lansing.

As a Michigander, this wasn’t my first time in Lansing city, Michigan State Capitol, but it was my first time ever in the Capitol building, and my first time attending the Michigan Muslim Democratic Caucus (MMDC) function. I can say the whole experience was very positive and it was encouraging to see so many Muslims from all over Michigan coming together to talk and discuss common concerns/ issues that we, as the residents of Michigan, need to address.

The main purpose of the MMDC is to talk about general and specific community concerns/issues. Some of these points are:

• Educating elected officials about Michigan Muslims.

That can be done by educating the elected officials about the Muslim community, discuss the number of families in the community, ongoing activities that are happening, and emphasizing on the diversity of Muslims in Michigan.

• Oppose HB 4769 and SB 701.
  

“The restriction of Application of Foreign Law Act” which is also known as the “Anti-Sharia Bill” which in essence limits the religious freedoms of all Americans by banning religiously based arbitration and contracts between private individuals. Muslim Americans want to be afforded the same protections to practice their religion as all other faith communities.

Courts have regularly upheld rulings on private individuals establishing contracts based on their religious beliefs and these bills would infringe on such liberties, including contracts related to wills, marriage, divorce, and religious organizational by-laws and constituents.

For these reasons, the Michigan Catholic Conference and Jewish Voices along with other diverse groups oppose these bills. Such bills would only enhance a climate of intolerance and fear against the Muslim community and also waste the time and tax dollars of our local government.

• Muslims are a key voting block.

The Institute of Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) has published a study saying that the Muslim American community will play a growing role in elections, especially in key states such as Michigan.

• Specific community concerns/issues.

Anyone who has a specific concern or issue from a certain district should be able to discuss the matter with their respective elected official in a positive non-confrontational manner, focusing on building a relationship with the elected official in order to address the concern.

The MMDC Initiative was sponsored by State Representatives Rashida Talib, Lisa Brown, George T. Darany, Senator Morris Hood, CAIR-MI, and CIOM. CAIR-MI did a great job in organizing and coordinating this event.

Michigan Muslims are committed to enhancing the quality of life in Michigan and therefore enhance Michigan’s well-being and shape its future. Many Muslims chose and continue to choose Michigan as their home and look forward to helping Michigan become a better place for them, their children and everyone else.