Islam

Arrest of Imam Jamil Al-Amin on Murder Charges

March 22, 2000

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On March 22, 2000 the Atlanta Constitution ran an article covering the capture of Al-Amin in Alabama after an extensive manhunt. The national Muslim community has expressed their concern for justice: "We are not here today to judge the guilt or innocence of any party to this tragic series of events, " Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American Islamic Relations, said at a press conference in Washington, D.C. "We want to ensure that Imam Jamil receives proper legal representation."

Arrest of Imam Jamil Al-Amin on Murder Charges

March 20, 2000

Source: The Atlanta Journal and Constitution

On March 20, 2000, the Atlanta Constitution reported on the search for Imam Jamil Al-Amin, wanted in connection with the shooting of two Fulton County Deputies on March 16th. Deputy Richard Kinchen died the next day. Al-Amim is the leader of a mosque in Atlanta's West End, and a "hero to some in the West End because he is credited with doing something the police could not: clearing out drug dealers." Police report no help from the community.

"Jewish Tradition Can Help Solve Muslim Interest Dilemma"

March 18, 2000

Source: Star Tribune

On March 18, 2000, the Minneapolis Star Tribune printed an article outlining the Jewish resolution to the difficulties that arise from the religious prohibition (shared by Jews and Muslims) of payment of interest. The concept of "Heter Iskah" requires that both parties to the financial transaction agree to be "partners in a joint venture" and to share the profits rather than structure the relationship as "lender-borrower" with interest payment. Muslims have arranged formal joint ventures, but this has often proven cumbersome without...

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Hajj

March 18, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 18, 2000, the Los Angeles Times published an article on the hajj, reporting that for many this journey is the "high point of their religious lives." For some, the experience is one of profound equality across race and class differences: "In Mecca, there was "no ranking," ...(b)usiness tycoons and beggars marched side by side, shoulder to shoulder, in the series of rituals that mark the pilgrimage."

Eid al-Adha

March 17, 2000

Source: The Washington Post

On March 17, 2000, The Washington Post reported that more than 20,000 worshipers from Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. gathered at the Capital Expo Center in western Fairfax County, Virginia for Eid al-Adha celebrations. The gathering of Muslims for Eid al-Adha will be the largest ever in the Washington area, which has seen a remarkable growth in the Muslim population. The article reports that there are approximately 300,000 Muslims living in the Washington area.

Eid al-Adha

March 17, 2000

Source: St. Petersburg Times

On March 17, 2000, the St. Petersburg Times reported that the Muslim American Society will celebrate Eid al-Adha at Williams Park in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 17th.

Eid al-Adha

March 17, 2000

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On March 17, 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Muslims will gather for Eid al-Adha in the Chicago area. In past years, Muslims have celebrated Eid al-Adha at McCormick Place in Chicago, but this year the services will be held at various Islamic centers and rented facilities throughout the Chicago area. Eid al-Adha marks the end of the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, and commemorates Abraham's readiness to sacrifice his son to Allah.

Hajj

March 11, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 11, 2000, the Los Angeles Times reported that several thousand Southern California Muslims are expected to celebrate the end of the yearly pilgrimage with communal prayers Thursday, March 16th at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Muslim Prohibition on Paying Interest Creates Challenges for Homeownership

March 5, 2000

Source: Star Tribune

On March 5, 2000, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis published an article on the difficulties that many Muslims, and some other religious individuals, have buying homes when paying interest is directly against the tenets of their faith. One of the few organizations that can facilitate interest-free housing is Habitat for Humanity, a Christian organization founded upon the principle of interest-free mortgages. Steve Seidel, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Minnesota, stated: "We're delighted by our use of the interest-free...

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Muslims in the U.S. Begin Hajj to Saudi Arabia

March 5, 2000

Source: Los Angeles Times

On March 5, 2000, the Los Angeles Times published an article on the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca through the eyes of a Garden Grove, California family who are about to embark on the journey. The Sufi-Ismail family, consisting of Muzni and Shamilla, their three daughters, and Shamilla's mother, will leave shortly on the Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of the Islamic faith that every devout Muslim must fulfill at least once in one's lifetime, health and finances permitting. Shamilla Sufi-Ismail stated: "Every Muslim wants to do...

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Muslim Unity

February 28, 2000

Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On February 28, 2000, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the more than 20-year split within the African-American Muslim community has been repaired. W. Deen Mohammed and long-time rival Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan have publicly unified. Farrakhan and Mohammed declared the unity this past weekend at the four-day International Islamic Conference in Chicago sponsored by the Nation of Islam. Farrakhan stated: "We will be together as a family...And I say to all the children and grandchildren of Mohammed, come back to Islam...

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