Detailed Organization Info
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About the Organization |
| Organization's Name: Islamic Circle of Yesrth America (ICNA) Nature of Organization: Relief, Social Work, Youth, Human Development, Educational & Cultural, Street Address: 166-26, 89th Avenue City: Jamaica State/Province: NY Postal/Zip Code: 11432 Country: USA Phone: 718-658-1199 Fax: 718-658-1255 Email: info@icna.org Website: www.icna.org Date Established: 1960 Activities: No. of Members: 10,000 Additional Info: Islamic Circle of Yesrth America (ICNA) is a non-ethnic, non-sectarian, open to all, independent, North America wide, grass root organization. Any Muslim brother or sister can become a member of ICNA if he/she agrees with our goal and program. ICNA leadership is elected through a secret ballot and decisions are made through the process of shura. ICNA does not solicit or accept funds from any government or their agencies. Goal The goal of ICNA shall be to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT) through the struggle of Iqamat-ud-Deen (establishment of the Islamic system of life) as spelled out in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . Program - To invite mankind to submit to the Creator by using all means of communications. - To motivate Muslims to perform their duty of being witnesses unto mankind by their words and deeds. - To organize those who agree to work for this cause in the discipline of ICNA. - To offer educational and training opportunities to increase Islamic knowledge, to enhance character, and to develop skills for all those who are associated with ICNA. - To oppose immorality and oppression in all forms, and support efforts for civil liberties and socio-economic justice in the society. - To strengthen the bond of humanity by serving all those in need anywhere in the world, with special focus on our neighborhood across North America. - To cooperate with other organizations for the implementation of this program and unity in the ummah. |
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ICNA and MAS Pledge to Work Together in the Path of Allah
"And Hold on all together to the rope of Allah and be you not divided." (Qur'an 3:103)
On April 16, less than 2 months after the Saviours' Day (when Farrakhan and Warith Deen Muhammad joined hands) the leadership of the Muslim American Society (MAS) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) held a historic meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. In this meeting, which came as a result of a ten-year long effort to bring their ranks together, it was decided to join hands and work together in a much closer form than ever before. Joint committees were formed, and the department heads were instructed to work together to turn such decision into an action plan that covers all areas of joint Islamic activity, on the way to integration in due course of time.
Adopting some terms from the biography (seerah) of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), one can say that both the Muhajereen and the Ansar are bringing their ranks together, and that we are a step closer to a United Muslim Community in North America. That's how we can emulate the miraculous achievements of the early days of Islam brought about by a Muslim Community that was built on three pillars, (1) the Mosque (which was much more than just a prayer hall), (2) brotherhood and unity (which left behind all tribal, ethnical, and cultural differences), and (3) a constitution that governs the society. Of course, Muslims did not wait to have their own state to form a Jamaa (a group) and work collectively. The reason is very simple: they understood that their mission as Allah's viceregents on earth is to enjoy good and forbid evil, and that in turn requires individual as well as collective and organized efforts. And when they lived for and by Islam, ethnicity took the back seat, and unity was easy to achieve.
Invigorating our Mosques and establishing a brotherhood are within our reach. And if we do so, we will become an effective minority who has a say in shaping the laws that govern our society. The question is, can we properly handle the challenges of race, ethnicity, and identity? Are we sincere enough to be able to closely coordinate our efforts? Can we get rid of an inherited secular version of Islam, and realize that Islam is a comprehensive way of life, and a mission and a responsibility to enjoy what is good and forbid what is evil? Are we aware of the challenges facing us as a minority living in a "melting pot"? Can this awareness foster unity or at least coordination, as a duty and a necessity?
All praise is due to Allah. We ask Him to bestow His Mercy on His Messenger, Muhammad, his companions and those who follow their footsteps.
The 11th of Al-Muharram 1421 (April 16th, 2000) was a blessed and historical day in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as leadership of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) and Muslim American Society (MAS) gathered once again to discuss and implement the close coordination efforts between the two Jammahs. The meeting was attended by the leadership of both the Jammahs: Presidents, Shaikh Abubakr Salman Saeed and Dr. Mohammad Yunus; Vice presidents, Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Br. Abdul Jalil Mezgouri; Chairman of MAS Shura Br. Souheil Ghannouchi; Secretary Generals, Br. Shaker El-Sayyed and Br. Ashraf Uzzaman; the members of Shura, the Department Heads, Regional Presidents; Br. Asam Asad (South-East), Br. S, and the Coordinating Committee of ICNA/MAS. South-East Region was the host of the meeting.
The meeting started with the recitation of verses from Al-Qur'an. Br. Naeem Saroya, Chairman of External Relation and ICNA/MAS coordinator chaired the meeting. The Presidents of both the Jamahs gave history and background of their respective Jammah. The respected leaders emphasized that the goals, objectives and the methodology of both Jammahs is same and in North America the mode of communication also is same, English. The members of both the Jammah have studied and learned from our teachers, Imam Hasan Al-Banna (ra), Sayyad Qutb (ra) and Sayed Abul A'la Mawdudi (ra). The Islamic Circle of North America and the Muslim American Society have been serving the Muslim Community and other non-Muslim communities in North America for the past several decades. And whereas Islam calls for cooperation and coordination in the path of goodness and righteousness, the leaderships of ICNA and MAS have embarked on a ten-year long effort to bring their ranks together.
The sentiments and the results of the discussion in the joint meeting were:
Since both organizations share the same understanding of Islamic principles and the requirements for working together in the service of Islam, the Muslims, and the people of this land as one Islamic movement, it was decided to join hands and work together in a much closer form than ever before. Joint committees were formed and the department heads were instructed to work together to turn such decision into an action plan that covers all areas of joint Islamic activity, on the way to integration in due course of time. This effort will start in the areas of Youth and Tarbeyah, and it will extend to cover Dawah, Relief, Media as well as strategic planning for Islamic work in North America. Strategic planning activities will be done in coordination and cooperation with other major Islamic organizations in North America. The joint committees are instructed to present respective reports by June 30th, 2000 to the leadership of both the Jammahs.
Following are the decisions and jointly agreed upon committees:
YOUTH
Committee's Mission: To develop close coordination and cooperation of youth work —Young Muslim (YM-ICNA) and MAS Youth Department (MYD)—leading to a merger as soon as possible.
TARBEYAH
Committee's Mission: To develop a unified Tarbeyah Program for unification of two Jammah.
DA'WAH
Committee's Mission: To develop a joint plan for Da'wah which could be implemented by both Jammah primarily for non-Muslims not excluding Muslims.
MEDIA
Mission: To cooperate and exchange views, shared editorial board of two magazines and link the two web sites and cooperate in the technical aspects of internet to enhance the sites exposure and viability. Chiefs editors of both magazines to hold conference calls and meeting for mutual coordination, enhance circulation, subscription and advertisement.
Internet/Web Site Committee.
RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS
Br. Tariq urrehman briefed the meeting on the work and structure of ICNA Relief. ICNA Relief will take part in the coordination efforts pioneered by MAS and involving Islamic Relief and Life for relief and development.
STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE
The Strategic Planning committee will develop plan to work with other organization in shaping the future of Islam in North America
JOINT COORDINATION COMMITTEE
The over all coordinating committee of MAS and ICNA will continue their assignment as defined in the earlier meetings to initiate, monitor and coordination the efforts of various joint committees of both the Jammah. The committee periodically will report to respective leaderships the progress of joint efforts of coordination and eventual integration of the two Jammah. The other joint committees will keep the Coordinators of this committee informed of their progress which eventually will passed on to leadership.
In the end meeting was handed over to the Ameer of ICNA and President of MAS to make the closing remarks: The essence of concluding remarks of both the leaders is:
This is a historical day that the like minded brothers with the same goal, objective and teachings have gotten together to pool the efforts to spread the Word of Allah, serve Muslims and educate the people of this land about Islam. The guiding principle in this humble effort is that both the Jammahs will cooperate with everyone who would like to work with us in serving Islam and Muslims and people of the land while we respect and appreciate the sincere efforts of all those who choose to work on their own. We hope and pray that such a step will encourage other Islamic organizations to join hands in the path of collective cooperation, to better serve as mercy to mankind.
The meeting concluded with du'a offered by Sheikh Abu Bakr Saeed.
The Unit presidents, MGA and members are encouraged to seek out their counter parts from MAS in their areas to start the grass root coordination efforts and to get to know each other by inviting them to programs.
If you need information about the MAS or ICNA contact person in your area please contact Br. Naeem Saroya at e-mail Address:
[email protected] or [email protected] from ICNA and
Br. Shaker El-Sayed at:
[email protected] from MAS.
May Allah bless the joint effort of both the Jammahs to disseminate the Message of Al-Islam in this land (Ameen).