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Zafar Siddiqui
Zafar Siddiqui is the president of the Islamic Resource Group (IRG), an educational outreach organization dedicated to building bridges between Muslims and people of other faiths. He serves on the advisory board of the Muslim Christian Dialogue Center (MCDC) at the University of St. Thomas.
Read more about Zafar Siddiqui.
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"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."
Today is Malcolm X’s 82nd birthday. His remarkable life and his words still electrify us. At a time when racism is still rampant, Malcolm X’s life and efforts shine a guiding light and help us face this challenge head on.
The story of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz must be told. Although his journey from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X is often told, the world knows very little about his journey from Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
Without knowing what El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz stood and died for, one cannot really claim to know much about one of the greatest African American leaders.
Malcolm Little's childhood was tumultuous and torturous that reeled under relentless racism. He found himself in prison where people saw him as Satan incarnate. What they failed to notice was that Malcolm was human and, on account of this, he possessed the potential to rise even above the stature of angels.
In prison, Malcolm Little transformed to Malcolm X after joining the Nation of Islam (NOI) under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad. The Nation of Islam was one of the proto-Islamic movements of the 20th century. While its core beliefs pitted it against orthodox Islamic beliefs, it nevertheless provided a solid platform for the African Americans to rediscover their sense of identity, dignity, and confidence. While it used Islamic terminology, there was a chasm in how it dealt with the race relations which was in sharp contrast to orthodox Islam's teachings.
Malcolm X undertook with fervor the cause of Black Nationalism that NOI espoused. So strong was his conviction, sincerity, and will-power that within a short period, he transformed NOI from a fringe organization to a force to reckon with and garnered an exploding membership running into the hundreds of thousands.
However, Malcolm's journey was still to continue. Great men never stop learning. In 1964, Malcolm undertook a journey to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage called the Hajj. This paved the way for his transformation from Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. His letter from Mecca tells us of this spiritual transformation.
"Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all other prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.
There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue eyed blonds to black skin Africans. But we were all participating in the same rituals, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white.
America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have considered 'white' -- but the 'white' attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.
You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to re-arrange much of my thought patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experiences and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth."
A transformed Malcolm returned to America to face a mortal challenge to his new call to work for eradicating racism from our midst. After it became clear that he was a marked man, targeted by more than one power base, he wrote the following:
"If I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help destroy the cancer of racism that is malignant in the body of America - then, all the credit is due to God. Only the mistakes have been mine."
His life gave hope to millions and spurred on countless others to continue on the path he blazed.
The story of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz must be told and re-told.
"Heaven lies under the feet of your mother." (Prophet Muhammad)
This is taught to Muslim children around the world. When I was a child, I remember revering the ground where my mother walked and looking intently at it to see how heaven looked. As I grew up, the purport of this most beautiful teaching about mothers became clearer to me. Indeed, in the obedience, reverence, love, respect, adoration and service of one's mother lies the key to attaining paradise.
To all the mothers out there - I would like to express my deepest regard and offer my sincere thanks for taking on this most noble role! You are the real heroes who nurture the young minds and make our human civilization thrive. The travails of pregnancy that you endure, the unmatched dedication in caring for the newborn, and the selfless compassion that you show; there is no equal to that. Dictionaries will beat a retreat if one were to try to find the right word to say "thank you" to you !
As a tribute to mothers, I would like to introduce some amazing and dedicated Minnesota Muslim mothers.
Happy Mother's Day!
Krista Siddiqui
Krista Siddiqui with her daughter
My name is Krista Siddiqui and I'm a grad student and mother of 4 children. I'm in graduate school now because my children will all be in school next year so my home will be empty. I truly look forward to going back to work. Being a stay at home mom for the past 12 years has been challenging and rewarding. Making the decision to put my career on hold when I had children was not without trepidation; but in the end, I knew that I would never look back and regret the time I invested in my children. However, I could not say the same of my career. Being a mom means a lot of hard work, never ending days, and sleepless nights. However, when my baby looks in my eyes and says she loves me more than all of God's creations...my heart melts, and I know that I will never regret a minute of the time I have with them. Not one second.
Sarah Irshad
Sarah Irshad with her family
My name is Sarah Irshad. I was born in Karachi, Pakistan. I did my bachelors in civil engineering from NED University of Karachi. I am married to Adeel Ahmed and we have two beautiful daughters, Zainab and Emaan. The first thing that comes to my mind when talking about motherhood is the 'learning process' associated with this experience. For example, learning how to manage stress, how to organize time, how to bring discipline in your life so that you can serve as a role model for your children, and lastly learning how to be patient. I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous role my husband Adeel has played in the parenting of our children. I stayed home with my kids when they were young. Currently I work part time at Hennepin Technical College as a math tutor. InshaAllah (God willing) I am planning to pursue my masters in mathematics education from the University of Minnesota.
Jean Nackers
Jean Nackers with her children
I believe motherhood means love and protection. I cherish every moment I have with my children. I love to rediscover the world through their eyes. We raise caterpillars in the spring, fish in a nearby pond, and love to learn more about the world around us. I want to teach my children to care for the earth and to have love and concern for their fellow human beings. We belong to one amazing human family and we can learn so much from one another.
Janice Aziz
I was born and raised in Minnetonka, MN and currently live in Minneapolis. I am an elementary school teacher and have been in education for the past 17 years. I have three sons, two daughters, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and the cutest granddaughter ever, with another grandchild expected in November. Motherhood is the toughest job I have ever had or will ever have. It’s a little like the “Forest Gump” box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get. Some days are sweet and some days are not so sweet. Then there are those days that were totally unexpected. Through all of that, my children are the light of my life. They are my pride, my teachers, my comedy club, my camping partners and why I shed tears of joy as well as tears of frustration. In the end, I hope that I have given my children the strength to be whatever they aspire, the courage to carry on when times are tough and the support to become people of integrity and faith.
Arwa Osman
Arwa Osman with her son
Arwa Osman was born and raised in St. Paul and spent much of her youth volunteering for local community organizations. In 2009, while training as a human rights activist in the Occupied West Bank she met her husband, Stephen. Their son, Zakariyya, was born in January of 2011. Today Arwa is a undergraduate student at St. Olaf College studying Sociology/Anthropology and concentrating in Middle Eastern Studies and Women's Studies. Though very busy, she maintains the balance between work and school, and enjoys days at the park playing and reading with Zakariyya. "Being a parent has made my entire outlook on life shift. I'm much more relaxed, open-minded and empathetic, despite the sleep-deprivation and stress that comes with raising a child," she reflects. Arwa hopes to move on to graduate school and work in public health, in the area of child and maternal health and well-being.
Nausheena Hussain
Nausheena with her children
Paradise lies beneath her feet,” golden words to any mother’s ears. It’s this elevated status that God has blessed mothers with that helps us play such an important role in the lives of our children. Teaching the important things in life, to love, laugh, respect, forgive, work hard, show compassion, empathy and so much more.
My children and family have always been my top priority in life. Now, did I sacrifice school and put my career on hold for that? Some would argue yes, but I would say no. I always tried to find a balance when pursing graduate school with a newborn, focusing in on my marketing career with two kids, or following my passion into the non-profit with pre-teen drama and an overactive boy!
To me, Mother’s Day has always been the day my daughter was born. That’s the day I became a mother. Three and a half years later, my son was born. So, do I think that’s Mother’s Day too? Absolutely! Surviving the first round out of motherhood is a feat in itself!
I’m just like any other mom- making it through the morning rush, chaperoning field trips, calligraphy class, karate class, Qur’an class, tennis lessons, bike rides, and bedtime stories. My kids told me I was doing a pretty good job. Tough judges, but I'll take that word of confidence any day.
MN Muslims to Hold Annual Day at the Capitol
Posted by: Zafar Siddiqui Updated: April 5, 2012 - 12:36 AMOn April 5, 2012, the Minnesota Muslim community will participate in the 8th Annual “Muslim Day at the Capitol.” The event will include a 10 a.m. rally in the capitol rotunda.
The annual event seeks to promote community engagement in local politics and to discuss issues of interest to the Muslim community with legislators. This year, the topics of interest include Islamophobia, anti-Muslim legislation, photo ID legislation, and gun violence.
Scheduled speakers include Minnesota Muslim community leaders, Governor Mark Dayton, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, and other elected officials. The afternoon will include appointments with the state representatives and senators.
Minnesota Muslims constitute one of the most diverse religious groups. Estimates of Muslims in Minnesota range from 100,000 to 150,000.
According to Lori Saroya, CAIR-MN Executive Director, "As one of the nation's most educated and integrated religious communities, American Muslims have an important role to play in our society's social and political fabric. It is important that members of our community engage with state and national lawmakers to share innovative ways to help build a stronger America and a stronger Minnesota."
Muslim Day at the Capitol is co-sponsored by Muslim American Society of Minnesota, Al-Amal School, Council on Islamic-American Relations-MN, Islamic Center of Minnesota, Islamic Resource Group, Masjid Al-Ihsan Islamic Center, Masjid An-Nur, Masjid At-Taqwa, and Northwest Islamic Community Center.
In celebration of Women’s History Month we will look at contemporary Minnesota Muslim women who founded or lead non-profit organizations, excel in academics, are media personalities, or leaders in politics. This list is merely a sampling of the many accomplished Minnesota Muslim women in multiple fields which time and space does not permit us to include in this note.
All entries are in alphabetical order by last name within each section.
Female Founders of Minnesota Muslim Organizations
Arlene El-Amin Valerie Shirley Audrey Zahra Williams
Arlene El-Amin is the co-founder and director of community outreach activities for Masjid An-Nur in Minneapolis. She engages in multiple interfaith and community-wide efforts to challenge a variety of social justice issues, with a focus on helping those challenged by unemployment and underemployment. Arlene is the mother of five children and has twenty-two grandchildren.
Valerie Shirley is the co-founder of Global Deaf Muslims-Minnesota Chapter (GDM-MN) and a national board member of GDM. GDM advocates for the advancement and inclusion of Deaf Muslims and seeks to raise awareness of Deaf Muslims issues within the broader Muslim community. Valerie, a mother of five, is a teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. She is the recipient of the Courage Center's 2010 Rose Phillips Award.
Audrey Zahra Williams is co-founder and principal of Al-Amal School. Her passion is in the Islamic school movement and she has been an educator for twenty years, working as a teacher and principal. She is a board member of the Council of Islamic Schools of North America (CISNA), and is known as a mentor to many developing Islamic schools and administrators nationwide.
Female Muslim Directors & Presidents of MN Non-Profits
Afira Hasan Sakinah Mujahid Asma Lori Saroya
Afira Hasan is the president of the Muslim Youth Leadership Award (MYLA), an award established to assist, prepare and encourage the future leaders in our communities. Afira is originally from Houston, Texas and has been practicing as an optometrist in the Twin Cities for the past six years. She currently resides in Edina, MN with her husband and two children.
Sakinah Mujahid is the executive director of Sisters Need a Place (SNAP). She has worked in social services for six years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and certificates in Financial Literacy Training and Dispute Circle Training. Sakinah served thirteen years in the U.S. Army. She is currently an advisory board member of the Council on American Islamic Relations, Minnesota (CAIR-MN).
Asma Lori Saroya is co-founder and president of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota (CAIR-MN), the state’s only Muslim civil rights advocacy organization. She is a board member of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofit, was recognized as a Facing Race Ambassador by the St. Paul Foundation and was selected for MinnPost’s YPN5Q, which spotlights the state's top young leaders. She received the IRG Community Leadership Award and the St. Catherine University Alumni Award.
Minnesota Female Muslim Academics
Awa Abdi Afshan Anjum Manijeh Daneshpour
Dr. Awa Abdi is an assistant professor in the Sociology department at the University of Minnesota. She writes on topics including family and gender relations, refugee and human rights issues in the Horn African region as well as the role of the war on terror on Muslims around the globe. She has a number of articles in national and international journals and is now completing a book on Somali migration experiences in different regions of the world. She has a BA from the University of Ottawa and an MA from the University of Guelph (Canada), and a PhD from the University of Sussex, UK.
Dr. Afshan Anjum is assistant professor of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. She completed her residency in adult-psychiatry in 2000, fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry in 2002, and fellowship in schizophrenia and psychotic disorders program in 2004 from the University of Minnesota. She became a faculty member in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota in 2004. She is currently serving as child psychiatrist in the outpatient psychiatry clinic providing patient care and also as a clinical supervisor of residents and fellows. Her research interests include early onset psychotic disorders, mood disorders, mood disorders and cultural psychiatry with special reference to the immigrant population.
Dr. Manijeh Daneshpour is a full professor and chair of the department of Counseling and Community Psychology at St. Cloud State University. She has served as the president of Minnesota Board of Marriage and Family Therapy and chair of the election committee for the Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapist. Her research interests, presentations, and publications are in the areas of multicultural family therapy, gender relations, social justice, and postmodernism.
Minnesota Female Muslim Media Personalities
Zuhur Ahmed Lolla Mohammed Nur Fedwa Wazwaz
Zuhur Ahmed is the host of Somali Community Link on KFAI Radio and ECHO TV on TPT Minnesota. She brings awareness to community issues, with a focus on healthcare. Zuhur is a community activist, aspiring doctor, and a graduate of University of Minnesota.
Lolla Mohammed Nur is a freelance journalist and a Young Reporter Series Fellow with Minnesota Public Radio, working on a project on how East African and Muslim youth in the Twin Cities use poetry and art to express their identities and cultures. She has worked as a reporter and/or columnist for the Minnesota Daily, a citizen journalist for the Twin Cities Daily Planet, and has interned for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. She also interned for Voice of America Middle East in Washington D.C. through the Fund for American Studies program at Georgetown University in the summer in 2011. She recently graduated from the University of Minnesota with honors in political science and journalism, and a minor in African American and African studies.
Fedwa Wazwaz is a blogger for the Star Tribune and co-founder of EngageMN, which fosters dialogue between Muslims and the greater Minnesota community. Fedwa is also the co-founder of several Minnesota nonprofit organizations, including the Islamic Resource Group (IRG) an the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Minnesota (CAIR-MN). She has worked on various outreach projects in the community to build bridges of understanding through education. Fedwa completed training in restorative justice at the University of Minnesota Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking and was a 2008-09 Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Minnesota Female Muslim Leaders in Politics
Nimco Ahmed Hindia Ali Farheen Hakeem
Nimco Ahmed is the policy aide for Vice President Robert Liligren of the Minneapolis City Council. She is the chief of staff of the 6th ward office and represents the council in city and neighborhood meetings. Nimco is a Somali activist and was named a Policy Fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs.
Hindia Ali worked on Congressman Keith Ellison’s reelection campaign by increasing the participation of Somali voters in political campaigns. She is the youth leadership coordinator at Somali Action Alliance and a Resident with Community Organizing Residency (COR) in the Twin Cities Cohort. Hindia has been a powerful voice in advocating for the rights and safety of Somali Muslims and regularly organizes community meetings with elected officials and law enforcement.
Farheen Hakeem is the national co-chair of the Green Party of the United States and is the highest ranking Muslim woman in any U.S. political party. Born and raised in the Midwest, Farheen is an educator, leader, and community organizer. She is currently working on the campaign team of Roseanne Barr for President.
In Memoriam
Mary Abraham
Mary Abraham was a pioneer in the Minnesota Muslim community. She co-founded the Women’s Society at the Islamic Center of Minnesota and served as its first president. She also was a member of the Salvation Army Quilting Club and enjoyed gardening. Mary was fifteen years old when she moved to North Dakota from Lebanon. She died on July 29, 2011 at the age of 100.
Islamic Resource Group's (IRG) Presentation on Muslim Women
IRG offers a presentation entitled "Muslim Women in the U.S. and Around the World" that is suitable for high schools, universities and colleges, and community organizations. The presentation examines some of the common stereotypes about Muslim women before discussing Qur’anic teachings that emphasize the equality and dignity of women. The presentation also features surprising data from recent polls and describes notable Muslim women in history and today. To schedule a presentation about Muslim women, please contact irg@irgmn.org or request the presentation online: www.irgmn.org.
IRG Statement on the Recent Killings in France
The recent killings in Toulouse, France are an atrocity of the highest order. Deliberately stalking, hunting, and shooting teachers and children is a crime that deserves nothing but the deepest condemnation. IRG joins the rest of America in expressing our sorrow and sympathy to the victims, their families and friends, to the Jewish community, and to the nation of France. As American Muslims, we would like to express our outrage over these senseless killings.
We were horrified and saddened to learn that a French Muslim, Mohammed Merah, is alleged to be responsible for these attacks in France. The victims included three Jewish children and a teacher who were shot outside their Jewish school on Monday, as well as the previous murders of three paratroopers of North African origin (two Muslims and one Catholic).
Whatever the killer's background and twisted ideology, we would like to take this opportunity to say: Not in our name. Massacres like this and the recent one in Afghanistan violate the clear commands against murder in all religions, including Islam. Islamic teachings, based on the Qur'an and other theological sources, condemn without exception this kind of deliberate killing of civilians. The basic tenets of Islam place infinite value on human life, security, and justice, all of which are contravened by these brutal and senseless acts of violence which serve no purpose but to fan the flames of hatred and more violence.
The right to life is a fundamental, universal imperative. The perpetrator of this deed betrayed his own humanity and stands condemned by all faith traditions.
We also hope that the senseless and savage action of one person does not in turn lead to the vilification of another minority group or a cycle of further conflict and violence; the demonization of any community for the actions of its members is itself an injustice.
As President Nicolas Sarkozy emphasized after meeting with Jewish and Muslim leaders in Paris, “We must remain united. We should in no way yield to discrimination or vengeance.”
Based in the Twin Cities, Islamic Resource Group (IRG) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to counter prejudice and discrimination against American Muslims by teaching about their traditions and contributions in the context of America’s history and cultural diversity, while building relations between American Muslims and other groups. Founded in 2001, IRG achieves its mission through education and community engagement at the grassroots level.
"I'm for truth, no matter who tells it. I'm for justice, no matter who it is for or against. I'm a human being, first and foremost, and as such I'm for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole."
Forty-seven years after his assassination, Malcolm X's words still electrify us. On February 21, 1965 an assassin's bullet cut short a life that was embarking on finding a cure for the societal cancer called racism in our country.
As we come to the end of the Black History Month, the story of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz must be told. Although his journey from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X is often told, the world knows very little about his journey from Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
Without knowing what El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz stood and died for, one cannot really claim to know much about one of the greatest African American leaders ever to walk on this land.
Malcolm Little's childhood was tumultuous and torturous that reeled under relentless racism. He found himself in prison where people saw him as Satan incarnate. What they failed to notice was that Malcolm was human and, on account of this, he possessed the potential to rise even above the stature of angels.
In prison, Malcolm Little transformed to Malcolm X after joining the Nation of Islam (NOI) under the leadership of Elijah Muhammad. The Nation of Islam was one of the proto-Islamic movements of the 20th century. While its core beliefs pitted it against orthodox Islamic beliefs, it nevertheless provided a solid platform for the African Americans to rediscover their sense of identity, dignity, and confidence. While it used Islamic terminology, there was a chasm in how it dealt with the race relations which was in sharp contrast to orthodox Islam's teachings.
Malcolm X undertook with fervor the cause of Black Nationalism that NOI espoused. So strong was his conviction, sincerity, and will-power that within a short period, he transformed NOI from a fringe organization to a force to reckon with and garnered an exploding membership running into the hundreds of thousands.
However, Malcolm's journey was still to continue. Great men never stop learning. In 1964, Malcolm undertook a journey to Mecca for the annual pilgrimage called the Hajj. This paved the way for his transformation from Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. His letter from Mecca tells us of this spiritual transformation.
"Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad and all other prophets of the Holy Scriptures. For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.
There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue eyed blonds to black skin Africans. But we were all participating in the same rituals, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and non-white.
America needs to understand Islam, because this is the one religion that erases from its society the race problem. Throughout my travels in the Muslim world, I have met, talked to, and even eaten with people who in America would have considered 'white' -- but the 'white' attitude was removed from their minds by the religion of Islam. I have never before seen sincere and true brotherhood practiced by all colors together, irrespective of their color.
You may be shocked by these words coming from me. But on this pilgrimage, what I have seen, and experienced, has forced me to re-arrange much of my thought patterns previously held, and to toss aside some of my previous conclusions. This was not too difficult for me. Despite my firm convictions, I have always been a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experiences and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth."
A transformed Malcolm returned to America to face a mortal challenge to his new call to work for eradicating racism from our midst. After it became clear that he was a marked man, targeted by more than one power base, he wrote the following:
"If I can die having brought any light, having exposed any meaningful truth that will help destroy the cancer of racism that is malignant in the body of America - then, all the credit is due to God. Only the mistakes have been mine."
His life gave hope to millions and spurred on countless others to continue on the path he blazed.
As we come to the end of the Black History Month, the story of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz must be told and re-told.
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