Mosque's Boy Scouts To Hold Blood Drive

Salam/Peace:

Mosque's Boy Scouts To Hold Blood Drive
BY ED PIOTROWSKI

As a way of giving back to the community, the Islamic Society of
Northwest Suburbs will hold a blood drive this weekend at its mosque.

The blood drive is being hosted by the Rolling Meadows-based society in
conjunction with its Boy Scout Troop 786.

[...]

"We are a grateful people," he added. "We benefit from the city and the
area and we want to give something back."

The society has been accepting appointments for donations. The society
is working with Glenview-based LifeSource to collect blood.

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the
mosque,3890 Industrial Drive, Rolling Meadows.

For more information about the blood drive, call the society at (847)
253-6400.

Read the whole article at
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/rm/09-16-04-
385427.html

Muslim officer builds bridges

Salam/Peace:

Like most Americans, Houston police officer Muzaffar Siddiqi was shaken to his core by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

A Muslim who had fought crime and terror for years in his native Pakistan, Siddiqi understood the anger and grief that was now spreading throughout his new country.

But he also understood the fear of being scapegoated that was coursing through Houston's large South Asian and Middle Eastern community.

[...]

Siddiqi was named HPD's Officer of the Year in 2001 and has received recognition from Gov. Rick Perry and from national organizations.

He is helping develop a program called Blue Bridge that will bring together Jews and Muslims and help them appreciate each other's cultures. The program likely will be expanded to include other groups he said.

Read the whole article at:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2799993

Muslims turn on terror in name of Islam

Salam/Peace:

MUSLIMS around the world are increasingly speaking out against the Islamist militants believed to be behind the recent terrorist attacks in Russia and Indonesia.

From Jakarta to London, Cairo to Paris, Muslims have been calling radio talk shows, writing newspaper columns and firing off letters to the media condemning terrorist acts in the name of Islam.

Read the whole article at:
http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/topstories/story/0,4386,272701,00.html

Muslim Scholars Warn Against Fetus Sex Tests - India

Salam/Peace:

LUCKNOW, India - Two Islamic organisations in India have issued edicts against sex determination tests and the killing of female foetuses.

The edicts, or fatwas, came after a census showed a skewed gender balance which experts said was because of the widespread aborting of female foetuses.

The organisations, both based in the northern city of Lucknow and among five institutions in India empowered to issue fatwas said sex determination tests such as those done through ultra-sound technology, were against the spirit of Islam.

"Except for medical reasons pertaining to congenital diseases which could prove to be fatal for the child or the mother, Islam bans tests meant for knowing about the foetus," Maulana Mehmood Hasan Hasni, head of the fatwa department of the Darul Uloom Nadwa tul Ulema said.

[...]

"Islam preaches equality between men and women and those indulging in female foeticide are commiting murder," Maulana Khalid Rasheed, deputy chief cleric who signed the edict, told Reuters on Wednesday.

Read the whole article at:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6007526/

Muslim Convert Cleans Up Philadelphia Neighborhood

Salam/Peace:

Kenny Gamble could have settled almost anywhere after a songwriting career that earned him and partner Leon Huff 175 gold and platinum records for producing hits like "Love Train" and "Me and Mrs. Jones."

Instead, he went home to South Philadelphia.

Looking to give something back to the city that inspired his music, Gamble in 1990 shrugged off fear of crime and drug dealers and moved into a rehabilitated brick row house in the blighted neighborhood where he grew up.

Since then, the co-architect of the Philadelphia Sound has been on a mission to rebuild the area, block by block.

The nonprofit firm he founded, Universal Companies, has purchased hundreds of abandoned houses, refurbished old storefronts, and is constructing scores of tidy new townhouses to replace a demolished high-rise public housing project.

The group opened a charter school, blocks from Gamble's boyhood home, and a business support center that can help arrange loans for black entrepreneurs.

[...]

Gamble, 59, converted to Islam in 1975 and said he takes his faith's demand of charitable works seriously. He also said he felt an obligation to do more for the city's poor, black neighborhoods than write songs about them.

Read the whole article at:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/03/31/entertainment/main546974.shtml

Muslim Student Dies Saving Woman's Life

Salam/Peace:

Mohamad Abbas Momin, a junior majoring in business administration and a member of USC Army ROTC, died June 28 while attempting to save a woman from drowning on the coast of India. He was 18 years old.

Momin was on a study abroad program sponsored by the University of North Carolina when the accident occurred. He was completing a course in Hindi to learn more about his culture.

While relaxing on a beach in Goa with classmates, Momin noticed the woman struggling in the water. The group saved the woman, but Momin disappeared in the process. His body was found along the coastline 36 hours later.

"He was just the most honest and solid human being you probably could ever meet," said Anand Kishorenath, a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering and a friend of Momin's. "It's kind of frightening how amazing that guy was in terms of his integrity and how honest he was. He's on another level from anyone I think I'll ever probably meet in my life."

In addition to Army ROTC, Momin was part of the Southern California Indo-Americans Club, the Pakistani Students Association, the Muslim Student Union and Student Senate.

Read the whole article at:
http://www.dailytrojan.com/news/2004/09/13/News/Army-Rotc.Student.Dies.In.June.While.Saving.Life-716430.shtml

Muslim students hold blood drive

Salam/Peace:

Muslim students at the University of Texas held a blood drive on campus Monday.

It's the third year in a row the Muslim Students Association has collected blood donations in connection with the Sept. 11 anniversary.

Students say the anniversary is a perfect reminder of how precious life can be.

http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=119351&SecID=2