3 Muslims Gunned Down In Chapel Hill Shooting (Video)

 Three young Muslims have been killed in a shooting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. A suspect has been charged with the murder of Deah Shaddy Barakat, Yusor Mohammad and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha.

Imam Siraj Wahhaj: Mark of a Hero – Malcolm X (Video)

 Main Session 4, Mark of a Hero: They were the epitome of bravery and their lives are soaked with heroic qualities that the entire world marvels at hundreds of years later. This session will unravel the characteristics & persona of the greatest heroes of the past and practical steps towards inculcating similar qualities in our own lives. Sh. Waleed Basyouni will speak on the respected early scholar of Islam, Hassan al-Basri.
More Imam Siraj Wahhaj lectures…

Australia: Christian and Jewish leaders rally in support of Muslims

By: Gabrielle Chan

Source: http://www.theguardian.com/

Christian and Jewish leaders have rallied to support the Muslim community, asking members of the Australian public to join them in a campaign called “We’ll love Muslims 100 years”.

Rabbi Zalman Kastel will join Australian Christian Churches pastor, Brad Chilcott, Tim Costello and other denominational leaders in three events in New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia on Friday to declare their support for Australian Muslims.

Omar Suleiman & Nouman Ali Khan: Social Media Session (Video)

 Young Muslims is a pioneering national youth organization that has been on the youth scene since the early 90’s. We have established a well organized network of local youth groups that we call NeighborNets (which means network of neighbors) across the United States and Canada. Each NeighborNet is a dynamic youth group which attempts to build a solid understanding of the principles of Islam amongst its members by helping them put these principles into practice. By providing the youth with an Islamic atmosphere where they can form bonds of brotherhood with their peers, they become comfortable with Islam and its teachings. We stress the importance of knowing, understanding, and fulfilling our individual and collective obligations as Muslims.

Arsenal player Abou Diaby discusses faith and football with the FA

Source: http://iengage.uk.net/news/arsenal-player-abou-diaby-discusses-faith-football-fa/

With a brief explanation detailing key features of Ramadan, the Football Associationwebsite publishes an interview with Arsenal football player, Abou Diaby, in which he discusses faith, fasting and football.

With Ramadan underway, Diaby talks about the impact of fasting on performance and the way players deal with the demands of faith and football. He states “It is really difficult to fast at the moment, during pre-season. Some players can handle it – it is different from one player to another.

“All the days I miss during Ramadan I make up during the rest of the year – for example when I have days off or a light session I can fast, but when we have a hard session or a match I don’t fast.”

Diaby talks about his faith and its impact telling the FA, “It is something that I have had in my heart. I take it from my parents and from the way I grew up.

“It has helped me to be a better person, definitely.”

Diaby also touches upon the positive role models footballers can be saying, “The young Muslims want to see role models – somebody who is dedicated to his religion but also someone who is achieving something in his life.”

According to the FA, Diaby appreciates the understanding and support he receives from the club and its manager, Arsene Wenger.

He states “Arsene Wenger knows that Ramadan is a special moment for all the Muslim players. But at the same time we have a contract to the club and we be at our best to do our jobs. So we have to find a balance during Ramadan.

“My contract to my club, or to whatever my profession is, is part of who I am and my own morality so I need to respect that, and that’s why I don’t fast during Ramadan, but there is always a compensation. The religion is very flexible.”

On Ramadan and the rituals of opening fast and Tarawih prayers, Diaby said, “It is a very good time. We get together at home as a family but it’s also when we strengthen our links with the community.

“We have the prayers at night where all the community pray together – it is a very powerful moment.”

Diaby further expressed his belief that the perception of Muslims in football has changed positively.

“There has been a big improvement in football’s understanding of Islam. But then I believe today football has a better understanding of religion as a whole. Judaism and Christianity too – all the religions.”

The football industry has increased in its efforts to accommodate Muslim players’ needs by offering non-alcoholic celebratory drinks for Man of the Match awards, introducing prayer room facilities at clubs and challenging Islamophobia as well as racism in sport.

Such endeavours follow a recommendation by the Housing Association that the FA and league clubs do more to engage with young British Muslims through sport.