MAS & ICNA: 'Muslim American Subversives' and 'Islamist Conspirators of North America' aim for a United States of Allah
Islam vs. Humanity and the Universal Heritage Foundation
by Beila Rabinowitz Militant Islam Monitor
July 13, 2004
In 2002 the Muslim American Society and the Islamic Circle of North America merged to form one of America's largest Islamist organisations. The Muslim American Society is a Saudi funded Islamic propagation exercise whose does not hide their intentions,but rather disquises their Da'wa (Islamic missionising) campaign with American patriotic symbolism.
MAS's name states the organisations intention. To transform the United States of America into a real 'Muslim American Society.
Below is their mission statement.
Several of the organisations mentioned in the 'mission statement' as being affiliates of MAS, such as NAIT are under investigation for ties to terror funding..
The Islamic Society of North America is part of the MAS/ICNA network.
The NAIT -North American Islamic Trust is a Wahabist Saudi organisation which provides the funding for almost 80% of all mosques and Islamist institutions in the United States.
In 2003 the MAS/ICNA organisation opened the 31 acre Universal Heritage Foundation in Kissimmee, Florida .
The CEO of the UHF is the Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the ex president of ICNA.
Tayebb Yunus, the president of the Young Muslims division of ICNA/ MAS , is the webmaster contact for the UHF.
Young Muslims describes themselves as "The most popular off campus youth organisation in North America".
The Universal Heritage Foundation will no doubt be used by the Young Muslims to stage their events and 'Jihad' camps which now go under the guise of 'Seerah Camps"http://www.pipelinenews.org/index.cfm?page=uhf%2Ehtm
Islam vs.Humanity and the Universal Hatred Foundation
by Beila Rabinowitz
The new Universal Heritage Foundation, situated in Orlando's tourist corridor, will give visitors an an opportunity to exchange the fun of the Magic Kingdom.for fundamentalism and the Muslim Khalifate . [1]
Located just 15 miles from Disneyworld, the 31 acre campus of the Universal Heritage Foundation is holding its ,"Islam for Humanity " inaugural conference ,which is expected to bring thousands of Muslims to Kissimmee Florida .It's 31 acre campus is considered to be the largest tract of land owned by a Muslim organization in America.[2]
The UHF is an Islamic propagation center founded by the Islamic Circle of North America and the Muslim American Association two of the largest ,and most radical ,Muslim, organisations in the United States.
The "Islam for Humanity flyer proclaims ,"We invite you to attend our Inaugural Conference December 19 to 21,2003,where we will introduce you to the work ahead and will ask you to join hands with us as we walk up the road to new horizons".[3]
UHF director Zulfiqar Ali Shah and president Ashraf Shaikh, are hosting more then 25 participants. The guest list reads like a "Who's Who" of militant Islamists in the United States. representing institutions and organizations linked to international terrorism.[4]
The two "special guest speakers" are Saudi Sheik Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the head Islamic cleric of Saudi Arabia, who called upon Muslims to "kill Jews and American worshippers of the cross ",and Green Party leader Ralph Nader ,who recently announced that he was "launching an exploratory bid for the U.S. presidency [5] [6]
Presidential hopeful Ralph Nader was also a keynote speaker at an ICNA /MAS conference where he criticized America's war on terror declaring ,."They used to be called communists , now they are called terrorists."
Nader asserted that "The U.S will lose this type of war,. because America has more to lose" and referred to the 9/11 attacks as "an intelligence failure".[7]
Ralph Nader's leftist hatred of America echoes that of Sheik Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, and leading Saudi 'intellectuals' ,who stated in 2002 that ,"We consider the United States and the current American administration the nuturer of international terrorism with distinction, and it, along with Israel, form the axis of terrorism and evil in the world".[8]
Sheik Al Sudais's incitement and hate filled pronouncements echo that of his Saudi handlers .
Journalist Kenneth Timmerman, explained that, "these clerics are in fact employees of the state. "No one can ascend to the minaret of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, as Sheik Abdelaziz Al=Sudais does regularly, without the sanction of the king .After the terror attacks in Saudi Arabia, Al-Sudais was widely quoted for having declared that the perpetrators were 'unislamic', because their victims included Arabs and Muslims."[9]
At a sermon during the Haj in Mecca," Men and women of all ages ,races ,and backgrounds, thronged to the Grand Mosque in Mecca at noon ,to listen to an emotional sermon by Sheik Abdul Rahman Al Sudais ,appealing for support for the Palestinian intifada (or uprising), against the Israeli occupation .[10]
Holding back tears,he said that he hoped for the day when Islam's holiest shrine ,the Al Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, would be freed from the "hands of the Zionist gang".[11]
Support for the' Palestininan intifada' implies funding, which also extends to Islamic organizations in the United States, in the form of enterprises like ‘The Universal Heritage Foundation'.
A recent article about the Saudi terror funding described how "Saudi Arabia's huge investment in financing the spread of Wahabi doctrine in the United States has been tied to the threat posed by Al Qaeda sleeper cells, in as many as 40 states".
"Senator Chuck Shumer said that, "The Wahabi presence in the United States is a foreboding one…" .My fear is that if we don't wake up and take action now , those influenced by Wahabism 's extremist ideology will harm us in of yet unimaginable ways."[12]
In his book. ‘American Jihad' Steven Emerson wrote that;
"The ICNA openly supports militant Islamic fundamentalist organizations ,praises terror attacks, issues incendiary attacks on western values and policies, and supports the imposition of sharia, (Islamic code of law)."
The ICNA's own agenda belies Zufiqar Ali Shah's claims in a recent news article that, "he wasn't aware" of the fact that Saudi cleric Al Sudais, who is slated to be the keynote speaker at the UHF inauguration , had been widely quoted in the media in 2002 calling the Jews;" the scum of humanity ,the rats of the world ,the killers of prophets ,and the grandsons of monkeys and pigs.". (see below for more on Shah's connection to Al Sudais)
Regarding the event , Shah went on to state that, "we would not allow anyone to say anything inappropriate" ,and added, "We're trying to do something good".[14]
Even more disingenuous is the fact that Shah's own theological and political pronouncements rival that of Al Sudais 's for their anti semitic and incendiary comments .
A tape of Shah for sale on the ‘ Meccacentric' website is his "Examination of the Old Testament" which explains" how many teachings in the Old Testament actually go against all logic and morality." [15]
In an article in 2002 Shah stated that:;" That this (Palestine), was not just an Arab issue but one for "the whole Muslim Ummah" (nation).
"If we are unable to stop the Jews now, their next stop is Yathrib ,the prophets city of Medina), where Jews used to live until their expulsion by the prophet Muhammed (SAW)". "That's the pinnacle of their motives".
"We need to take the Palestine cause as a "Fard" (religious obligation), and work wholeheartedly towards it's realisation ," Shah said. [16]
The webmaster of the UHF is Tayebb Yunus ,who is also an active member of the ICNA's Majlis al-Shura Committee (consultation council) and director of the Muslim Youth organisation.
Steven Emerson testified at the 2003 9/11 commission hearings on terrorism that :[17]
At the July 2000 annual convention of the Islamic Circle of North America, (ICNA) in Baltimore, speaker Tayebb Yunus pleaded with the audience:
"The youth is very important…And we all want to see our youth to succeed to become doctors ,to become engineers; but how many of you can actually say that you want to send your sons to Jihad, to Chechyna ?How many of you can actually say that? Takbir Allahua Akbar!
How many of you actually want to send your child…How many of you can actually say that you want to send your youth to fight in Jihad or to send them to …these Islamic institutions to become educated? I'm sorry. Other then that I honestly believe in my heart that this is the right time, right now is the time" .[18]
M. Ashraf Shaikh, the president of the UHF, also runs the' Islamic Information Network' in Jacksonville, Florida, whose stated purpose is;
" to serve humanity by providing accurate information about the religion of Islam, and by undertaking such other projects that promote a better understanding and respect for, and among people of all faiths ,and perform all such lawful acts, that shall aid to the achievement of these objectives."
One wonders why M. Ashraf Sheik added the the caveat " all such lawful acts" when referring to the propagation of Islam. The list of links on the IIN website include such prosaic topics as, "Anger and good manners", "Jihad the Holy Struggle", and, "Muslim contributions to Humanity". [19]
Muslim American Association president Sohail Ghannouchi ,a slated participant in the UHF conference, was quoted in a 2002 article stating that, "Palestine is a pure Islamic cause even if we use the Jewish logic…the least we can do is keep this issue alive and pass it on to coming generations. " .He said Muslims must believe in the cause with the utmost Ikhlas , (sincerity) , and be persistent, adding that U.S. Muslims have a significant role to play". [20]
A MAS/ICNA 2002 conference, which billed Saudi Sheik Abdel Rahman Al-Sudais as it's keynote speaker ,and Zulfiqar Ali Shah as a lecturer, was headlined, "Moving Together into the Future, Islam in North America ,Challenges, Hopes and Responsibilities". A quote by Sayb Qutb , next to the announcement reads,
"The beauty of Islam cannot be appreciated unless it takes on concrete form…In order to bring this about we need to initiate the movement of Islamic revival." [21]
MAS is initiating the "movement of Islamic revival" by organizing' activist training seminars' aimed at giving Muslims "an overview of the U.S .Constitution ,including the Bill of Rights ,providing information on your state ,county ,and local governments .and tips for meetings with public officials." [22]
Besides providing courses on how to exploit the U.S. legal system ., MAS also runs the Islamic American University which is billed as "a subsidiary of MAS and one of the organisations' main projects."
The IAU board of trustees is headed by internationally renowned scholars such as Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi,who serves as chairman .[23]
Sheik Yusuf Al- Qaradawi's credentials include being a member of the Muslim Brotherhood ,and his name appears on a list on their website together with that of Abdullah Azzam, founder of Al Qaeda, and Osama Bin Laden's mentor.[24]
Al-Qaradawi is also the dean of Islamic studies a the University of Qatar . In 2003 he issued a notorious fatwa, (religious ruling) ,proclaiming that;" womens participation in the martydom [suicide] operations carried out in Palestine, given the status of the land as an occupied territory, in addition to a lot of sacrilegious acts perpetrated by the Jews against the sanctuaries, is one of the most praised acts of worship"..[25]
Muslim American Society trustee Qatar based cleric Qaradawi's ‘fatwas' sanctioning suicide bombings should serve as a wake up call regarding the militant islamic agenda of the 'Universal Heritage Foundation' run by MAS and the ICNA.
Saudi cleric Sheik Abdul Rahman Al Sudais's virulent antisemitism ,and calls for Muslims to kill Christians and Jews, proves the urgency of former CIA chief James Woolsey's warning:
"Once anti Semitism raises it's head ,the rest of us who don't want to live with a foot at the back of our necks are likely to be the next targets ".[26]
Dr. Daniel Pipes, director of the Middle East Forum , presidential appointee the United States Institute of Peace ,and author of "Militant Islam Reaches America", stated in 1995 that, "Unnoticed by most westerners, militant Islam has unilaterally declared war on Europe and the United States". [27]
Six years after Dr. Pipes sounded the alarm, Americans awoke on the morning of 9/11 to the smell of jet fuel and burning buildings.
Failure to take action against the terrorists in our midst could mean awakening next time to the realities of considerably greater "unimaginable harm".
Zulfiqar Ali Shah UHF CEO and ex ICNA president tape "An Examination of the Old Testament" saying that the Old Testament "goes against all logic and morality".
Steven Emerson's Testimony in front of the 9/11 commission
re:Tayebb Yunus calling for parents to send their children for Jihad .Yunus is the webtech; of the UHF and a member of the ICNA 'Majlis Al-Shura" (consulation council).
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" (Quran 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 committee: http://www.americanmuslim.org/3coverstory3a.html
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).
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Information on ICNA general secretary and vice president Ashrafuzzaman Khan, aka Ashraf Uzzaman, who was accused of being the leader of a death squad in Daka and personally executing 8 Bengali teachers at Daka university in 1971.
Ashrafuzzaman Khan was the vice president of ICNA at the same time that Zulfiqar Ali Shah was it's president. Khan's name is listed as 'Ashrafuz Zaman Khan' on the ICNA website .http://www.icna.com/ICNA/organize.html
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Americans should be wary of CAIR,ICNA,ISNA,NABIC, etc.
by Mizanur Rahman Milon
"In the aftermath of 9-11, the government of USA became very alert of fundamentalist organizations' work; thus, they banned many subsidiary Islamic organizations – which were found to be connected with the Islamic terrorists and fundamentalists. I would go this far to assert that many shrewd Islamists are working in many so-called civil rights Islamic organizations in USA and other western countries. Some of these organizations had the audacity to harbor many fundamentalist killers. One such killer fundamentalist of Al-Badr death squad of JI in erstwhile East Pakistan is M. Ashrafuzzaman Khan. He was given an official position in the Islamic organization ICNA just to whitewash his sinful past. Mr. Ashrafuzzaman Khan was the leader of a roving death squad that abducted and killed scores of Bengali intellectuals from Dhaka University staff quarter in the first two weeks of December 1971 when Bengalis were fighting a war to rid Pakistani military from the occupied land. In that bloody conflict the Islamic fundamentalists sided with the Pakistanis because they thought Islam would be better served in South Asia if Pakistan remained intact. But they were soundly defeated in 1971. The Islamists were demoralized in the early goings of Bangladesh. They however connived with the military to overthrow a legitimate government and to usher in fundamentalism in Bangladesh. They grew like a cancer and now they are virtually controlling Bangladesh politically from behind". http://www.faithfreedom.org/oped/MizanurRMilon40224.htm
"Genocide'71 - an account of the killers and collaborators", Published in Dhaka Page 189: Segment where Ashrafuzzaman Khan (now in New York, and head of Queens branch of ICNA) is cited.
Similarly, Saudi Arabia is serving as a sanctuary for some of the leading Al-Badrs (leaders of death squads in 1971). Here we would like to give the example of Ashrafuzzaman Khan, one of the Al-Badr high command. Ashrafuzzaman Khan, was one of the chief Al-Badr executioners. It has been clearly proved that he himself shot to death 7 teachers of the Dhaka University in the killing fields at Mirpur. A certain Mofizzuddin, who drove the vehicle which took these helpless victims of Ashrafuzzaman to Mirpur, has clearly identified Ashrafuzzaman as the "chief executer" of the intellectuals.
After Liberation, Ashrafuzzaman's personal diary was recovered from 350 Nakhal Para where he resided. On two pages of the diary, the names of 19 teachers of the University have been entered, as well as their addresses in the University quarters. The name of the Dhaka University Medical Officer, Mohammad Murtaza, has also been noted down in this diary. Of these 20 persons, eight were missing on December 14: Munier Chowdhury (Bengali), Dr. Abul Khair (History), Ghiasuddin Ahmed (History), Rashidul Hasan (English), Dr. Faizul Mohi (I. E. R) Dr. Munaza (Medical Officer).
From the confession of Mofizuddin, it has been learned that Ashrafuzzaman shot these people with his own hands. As a result of Mofizuddin's confession, the decomposed bodies of these unfortunate teachers were recovered from the marshes of Rayer Bazar and the mass grave at Shiyal Bari at Mirpur. There were other names in the diary including the following: Dr. Wakil Ahmed (Bengali), Dr. Nilima Ibrahim (Bengali), Dr. Latif (I. E. R), Dr. Maniruzzaman (Geography), K. M. Saaduddin (Sociology), A. M. M. Shahidullah (Mathematics), Dr. Sirajul Islam (Islamic History), Dr. Akhtar Ahmed (Education), Zahirul Huq (Psychology), Ahsanul Huq (English), Serajul Islam Chowdbury (English), and Kabir Chowdhury.
On another page of the diary there were the names of 16 collaborating teachers of the University. Apart from these there were also the names of Chowdbury Moinuddin, the man in charge of the operation to kill intellectuals, Showkat Imran, a member of the central Al-Badr command, and the head of the Dhaka Badr forces.
Apart from the names of the slain intellectuals, the diary also contained the names and addresses of several other Bengalis. All of them lost their lives at the hands of the Al-Badr. On a small piece of paper the name of the Member Finance of the Pakistan Jute Board, Abdul Khaleq, had been written down, along with the name of his father, his Dhaka address, as well as his permanent address. On December 9, 1971, the Al-Badr took away Abdul Khaleq from his office. They demanded Taka 10,000 as ransom. The Al-Badr then went to Abdul Khaleq's house carrying a letter from him in which he asked that the money be paid to his kidnappers. Abdul Khaleq's wife was unable to give more than Taka 450 at the time. She promised that she would give them the rest of the money later, and pleaded with them to return her husband. But Abdul Khaleq never came back.
Ashrafuzzaman has also been implicated in the murder of some journalists. It was Ashrafuzzaman who kidnapped the shift-in- charge of the Purbodesh, and the Literary Editor, A. N. M. Gholam Mustafa.
Ashrafuzzaman Khan, was a member of the Central Committee of the Islami Chhatra Sangha. After liberation he went to Pakistan. At present he is employed in Radio Pakistan.
Update: Since publication of this book, Ashrafuzzaman Khan has moved to New York and now heads the Queens branch of ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America)
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Domain registration for the Universal Heritage foundation shows that ICNA president Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Tayabb Yunus of the Muslim Youth organisation (MAS) are both involved in the UHF activities
Domain ID:D101898805-LROR Domain Name:UHERITAGE.ORG Created On:27-Oct-2003 20:38:54 UTC Last Updated On:27-Dec-2003 03:56:05 UTC Expiration Date:27-Oct-2004 20:38:54 UTC Sponsoring Registrar:R39-LROR Status:OK Registrant ID:82A0833B4B4FABB9 Registrant Name:Zulfiqar Shah Registrant Organization:Universal Heritage Foundation, Inc. Registrant Street1:233 Academy Drive Registrant City:Kissimmee Registrant Postal Code:34744 Registrant Country:US Registrant Email:[email protected] Admin ID:82A0833B4B4FABB9 Admin Name:Zulfiqar Shah Admin Organization:Universal Heritage Foundation, Inc. Admin Street1:233 Academy Drive Admin City:Kissimmee Admin Postal Code:34744 Admin Country:US Admin Email:[email protected] Tech ID:A0FBFB61A45A82BF Tech Name:Tayyab Yunus Tech Organization:Universal Heritage Foundation, Inc. Tech Street1:233 Academy Drive Tech City:Kissimmee Tech State/Province:FL Tech Postal Code:34744 Tech Country:US Tech Email:[email protected] Name Server:NS2.IXWEBHOSTING.COM Name Server:NS1.IXWEBHOSTING.COM
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In the article above Shah claims that he was "not aware" that Abdul Rahman Al Sudais has been quoted in the media calling for Muslims to "Kill Jews and American worshippers of the cross" despite the fact that it had been said on Saudi state television. This claim is even more outrageous in light of the fact that Shah acted as Al Sudais's translator when he visited the School for Islamic Studies in Broward in 2001. Shah was the president of ICNA and the principal of the SISB which he founded together with Mohammed Javed Qureshi, who hired and supervised Jose Padilla at Taco Bell and helped Padilla and his wife convert to Islam. Padilla is said to have met jailed BIF fundraiser and Al Qaeda operative Adhan Hassoun at the SISB. http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/chicagosuspect020612.html
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Report of Sheik Al Sudais's visit to Broward Islamic institutions.
The visiting Imam Ka'aba, Sheikh Abdur Rehman As-Sudais was accorded a warm send off at the Miami International Airport by a group of local Muslim leaders at the conclusion of his five day visit to South Florida.
Among those present at the MIA to see off the honorable guest, included ICNA Amir Dr Zulfiqar Shah, Engineer Tasnimuddin of Islamic School of Miami, Dr Zahid Qureshi of School of Islamic Studies at Broward and Engineer Mohammad Irshad.
The Imam, accompanied by an official of the Royal Saudi Embassy in Washignton DC, had come to Miami last Sunday at the invitation of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) after attending its annual Convention in Ohio, besides leading Isha'a prayers at the Masjid Miami Gardens Drive and at the Broward Islamic School in Fort Lauderdale, had also addressed a large gathering of Muslims at the Hotel Inter Continental in Miami.
During his speech, the Imam called upon the Muslims to learn Arabic since it was the language of The Holy Quran and elaborated that one could only fully understand and act accordingly if aware of the language.
Before the two thousand plus Muslim gathering of its kind in South Florida, Sheikh Abdur Rehman As-Sudais, who also had led the Maghrib and Isha'a prayers at the Grand Ball Room of the down town hotel, called upon the Muslims to get united and keep their Islamic identity above everything. He said we should be proud of being a Muslim and such let the world know that we were the followers of the greatest religion. He said its about time we leave our pity differences behind and work collectively for the greater cause of one Muslim Ummah.
Imam Ka'aba said he was very much impressed to learn the great work various organizations and individuals were doing in propagation of Islam in this part of the world and called upon the Muslims to lend their fullest support in this noble cause.
He said the Muslims today had lost their pride due to the fact that they were not following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and were more involved in the wordly affairs and selfishness. He said the Ummah had plenty of resources but could not avail them due to various divisions within their ranks and files. Imam Ka'aba was of the view that if we practiced Islam as per teachings of the Prophet Mohammad, we would once again become world leaders. He said he had brought the message of love, happiness and brotherhood from the people of Mecca. Sheikh Sudais speech in Arabic was translated by Dr Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Amir of ICNA , who also gave a brief introduction of his organization.
Right :Abdul Rahman Al Sudais
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ICNA's homepage clearly spells out the Islamist intentions of both organisations :
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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 (pbuh)
Program To invite mankind to submit to the Creator by using all means of communications.
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The membership form of the ICNA begins with this 'pledge of allegiance' to Allah:
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I agree with the goal and program of ICNA and extend my cooperation in fulfilling its program. May Allah (SWT) give me strength to fulfill the responsibilities of living in submission to Him.
The Muslim American Society (MAS) is a charitable, religious, social, cultural, and educational, not-for-profit organization. It is a pioneering Islamic organization, an Islamic revival, and reform movement that uplifts the individual, family, and society.
When and where it all started?
The Muslim American Society (MAS) traces its historical roots back to the call of the Prophet Muhammad ( Peace be upon him). Its more recent roots, however, can be traced to the Islamic revival movement which evolved at the turn of the twentieth century.
This movement brought the call of Islam to Muslims throughout the globe to reestablish Islam as a total way of life. The call and the spirit of the movement reached the shores of North America with arrival of Muslim students and immigrants in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
These early pioneers and Islamic movement followers established in 1963 the Muslim Student Association (MSA) of the U.S and Canada as a rallying point in their endeavor to serve Islam and Muslims in North America. Other services and outreach organizations soon followed, such as the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT), the Islamic Medical Association (IMA), the Muslim Arab Youth Association (MAYA) and the Muslim Youth of North America (MYNA), to name a few.
Twenty years later, Islamic movement followers and sympathizers in North America launched the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) as an outgrowth of the Muslim Students Association (MSA) to serve the needs of the ever-growing number of indigenous and immigrant Muslims who had opted to reside permanently in North America.
Since its inception, ISNA, and other organizations affiliated with it, worked diligently with those who were to become the founding members and future leadership of MAS, towards the advancement of the cause of Islam and Muslims in North America.
Mindful of the dynamic changes that are taking place within the Muslim community and its surroundings, and keeping an eye on the future, a number of Islamic workers and Islamic movement followers decided in 1992, after a painstaking measured and tedious process of soul-searching and consultation, to launch the Muslim American Society (MAS) in order to complement the work accomplished over the last three decades, and to lay the ground for the Islamic effort needed to face the next century's challenges.
Objectives
To present the message of Islam to Muslims and non-Muslims, and promote understanding between them,
To encourage the participation of Muslims in building a virtuous and moral society,
To offer a viable Islamic alternative to many of our society's prevailing problems,
To promote family values in accordance with Islamic teaching,
To promote the human values that Islam emphasizes: brotherhood, equality, justice, mercy, compassion, and peace, and
To foster unity among Muslims and Muslim organizations and encourage cooperation and coordination amongst them.
The MAS/ICNA deceptively named "Islamic American University" is dedicatated to teaching Islam and Shar'ia law.
At IAU, you can earn your degree any way you want to; by correspondence, or on campus. IAU has grown from a project of the MuslimAmerican Society the nation's largest grass root organization for Islamic work. IAU is specializing in the Islamic education of working adults, muslim American youth, and new muslims by offering degree programs that are highly relevant and accessible. http://www.islamicau.org/about.asp
Q: Do the American and Islamic international universities recognize the IAU? A: No university would be recognized (accredited) when it first starts its programs. However, we are working toward accreditation from: 1- American universities 2- Islamic universities Praise be to Allah, our programs and highly qualified faculty members (the two bases for accreditation) are a big plus toward accreditation. Our staff includes prominent scholars and scientists, such as Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, Dr. Jamal Badawi, and other professor and deans from prominent Islamic universities and colleges of education. http://www.islamicau.org/faq.asp
Yusuf Qaradawi is a MAS trustee and Islamic instructor of the Muslim American Society's Islamic American University. He is the chief cleric of Qatar and must be heavily funded by the oil rich kingdom.
He is also a board member of Hamas operative Azzam Tamimi's IIPT-Institute of Islamic Political Thought in the UK.
Qaradawi is banned from entering the US because of his ties to terrorism.
His role as teacher at MAS's Islamic American University ensures that his messages and fatwas, such as his ruling on the Islamic obligation of women to perpetrate suicide bombings, and the carrying out of several such attacks by women, show that his fatwas are being heard and heeded.
In 2003 he was implicated together with Abdul Rahman Alamoudi, the now jailed head of the American Muslim Council, on charges involving Al Qaeda funding when both were working at the Islamic Society of Boston in the 1990's. http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/115
Below: The left wing press touted Qaradawis statement about arming terrorists with Apache helicopters so they wouldnt have to blow themselves up as a denouncement of extremism. Which once again begs the question as to if a suicide bomber who fails to detonate fits into Al Muhajiroun spokesman Kamran Bokhari's definition of a "post Islamist".
When pressed on suicide attacks in Israel, the cleric said that such operations were permissible.
"They are necessary because, simply, the Palestinians do not have any other means of confronting their enemies. Give them Apaches (helicopters) and tanks and not one of them would explode himself in a martyrdom operation," he said. "
Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, an Egyptian who serves as the dean of Islamic Studies at the University of Qatar, issued his ruling in response to last week's bombing in Afula, which was carried out by 19-year-old Hiba Daraghmeh, a female student from Tubas in the northern West Bank.
"Women's participation in the martyrdom [suicide] operations carried out in Palestine given the status of the land as an occupied territory, in addition to a lot of sacrilegious acts perpetrated by the Jews against the sanctuaries is one of the most praised acts of worship," Qaradawi said.
"Also, the act is a form of martyrdom for the cause of Allah, and it entitles them, inshallah, to the same reward earned by their male counterparts who also die in the cause of Allah." He said Muslim jurists have unanimously agreed that when the enemy attacks part of the Muslim territories, jihad becomes the duty of every individual.
"This obligation reaches the extent that a woman should go out for jihad even without the permission of her husband, and the son without the consent of his parents," he added.
According to his fatwa, the organizers of the suicide attacks "could benefit from some believing [in] women, as they may do what is impossible for men to do." He said Muslim women are allowed to violate Islamic teachings by traveling unaccompanied by a close male relative and without having to cover their heads for the sake of carrying out an attack.
"Concerning the issue of the hijab [veil], a woman can put on a hat or anything else to cover her hair," Qaradawi ruled. "When necessary, she may even take off her hijab in order to carry out the operation, for she is going to die in the cause of Allah and not to show off her beauty or uncover her hair."
"I don't see any problem in her taking off the hijab in this case. I think the committed Muslim women in Palestine have the right to participate and have their own role in jihad and to attain martyrdom."
At Your Service, Yaa Rabb! An Introduction to ICNA (Established in 1971)
Islamic Circle of North 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 (pbuh)
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.
Dawah: Inviting Mankind to Submit to the Creator The top priority of ICNA
Major Activities for Dawah include: Dawah field trips; Toll-Free number for non-Muslims; Distribution of Islamic literature; Dawah through Masajid; Dawah by Mail; Dawah through Media; Dawah in Prisons; Campus Dawah Support; Dawah Flyers Online; Dawah through Email
WhyIslam: A unique Project by Central Jersey Unit: Please visit www.whyIslam.org for details.
Tarbiyah: Personal Development Self Development to fulfill the Responsibilities
Major Activities for Tarbiyah include: NeighborNets; Training Camps; Study Circles; Speakers Forums; Night Vigils.
Vice Chairmen: Dr. Mohammad Yunus
NeighborNets NeighborNets provide the foundation for all activities in ICNA. It consists of a small group of members (no more than eight) who gather very week to improve their knowledge, develop brotherhood and to do dawah. All members of ICNA participate in this program.
Training Camps ICNA organizes one or two days training camps. Various lectures and workshops are part of these camps. These camps are organized at Regional or Unit level.
Study Circles This activity is organized by units and NeighborNets. Members study books and articles on different topics and then share their ideas with others in the Study Circle meetings.
Learning by Doing ICNA workers strongly believe in the concept of learning by doing. Every one tries to get involved in Dawah activities and starts learning the tools of this trade by just doing it.
Tutorial Workshops During ICNA conventions and Training camps, workshops are offered on various topics. Learned and professional brothers/sisters in different fields offer these workshops.
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Besides trying to 'save' non Muslims from an infidel 'hell fire' through conversion, MAS/ICNA youth groups in have held "Jihad' and 'Akhira' camps aimed at preparing Muslim young men for the "Hereafter".
Which begs the question as if 'Jihad' camp is a prerequisite to the "Akhira" camp.
The Universal Heritage Foundation 31 acre school premises, replete with dormitories, is an ideal place for such training.
Paintball, archery,and wrestling are some of the activities offered .
In the interests of modesty swimming trunks must "cover the aura".
Note that the UHF CEO, Zulfiqar Al Shah, is listed as a speaker at this Muslim Youth 'Akhira' camp in 2002.
BROTHERS ONLY- Change in Dates, changed from Aug 11-14 to Aug 14-18 August 14th - 18th 2002 INDIANA
Planning for Our Akhira
Our Summer Camp will help educate and prepare the youth with the proper understanding of the concept of the Akhira (The Hereafter) in Islam. This camp is for b
Planning for Our Akhira
Our Summer Camp will help educate and prepare the youth with the proper understanding of the concept of the Akhira (The Hereafter) in Islam. This camp is for brothers with ages ranging from 14 to 25 years. The cost of the camp is $100 and includes transportation (if you travel with us), food, activities, and accommodations. Attendees must also have the waiver form filled and signed. Many knowledgeable people will come and teach us. Many important lessons await.
You will be contacted via e-mail or phone about your status of acceptance
If you are accepted, you will be given further information at that time. You must bring the camp fee and the waiver form with you, they will be collected before departure.
These brothers will help accommodate people from their respective regions to get to camp. You can also get information by e-mailing your questions, comments, or concerns to [email protected].
The flyer is also available on that site. Limited Seats, register now!
REMEMBER THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT CAN COME. SIGN UP NOW TO RESERVE A SPOT.
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Young Muslims Summer Camps 2002
Zulfiqar Al Shah and Muhammed Yunous of the UHF/MAS/ICNA were among the leaders who conducted the Muslim Youth Camp trip to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia .
... Lectures by renowned Islamic Scholars: Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah -President of ICNA Br. ... org/intcamp/study.htm Another is the week long Jihad Camp where brothers ... groups.yahoo.com/group/SCAMA-Events-Daily/ message/255?source=1 - 26k - Supplemental Result -
YM also successfully conducted the first ever International Youth Camp from America. The camp was for 3 weeks (two of which were conducted in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan). http://www.ymusa.org/intcamp/study.htm
Another is the week long Jihad Camp where brothers learn various sports and undergo training in Conflict Resolution and Brotherhood Building. http://www.ymusa.org/northeast/
------------------------------ There are many such unique programs that make YM popular among the Muslim Youth of USA and Canada. But the real strength of YM is the practical training in Islam that the members undergo every week in circles called Neighbornets. ---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Save yourselves and your families from (hell) Fire!"- (Qura'n 66:6) ICNA FAMILY CAMP at Camp Seely October 5, 6 & 7, 2001
Lot's of Fun, Games for Children, Hiking for the Youth, Youth Counseling, Women's Programs, etc. Modern rest rooms/shower facilities, playing field, game room, pony rides and children's play area.
Lectures by renowned Islamic Scholars: Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah -President of ICNA Br. Naeem Baig -General Secretary of ICNA Br. Tayyeb Younes -President of Young Muslims among others... Parallel Programs for Sisters and Youth.
Limited capacity, please register early.
For more information call: 1-800-345-ICNA or email: icnasc@y...
More on ICNA's activities and the Muslim Youth. ICNA merged with MAS in 2002.
ISLAMIC CIRCLE OF NORTH AMERICA has been working for more than 30 years in America. ICNA is today the biggest grass root Islamic organization in America working in all spheres of American Society. It founded the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) and Muslim Students Association (MSA). Today ICNA has been in the forefront of many Islamic activities especially Dawah and Youth.
DAWAH It is done by field trips; Toll-Free number for non Muslims; Distribution of Islamic literature; through Masajid; by Mail; through Media; in Prisons; Campus Dawah Support; Flyers Online; through Email and the Internet. http://www.icna.org/ICNA/dawah.html
ICNA has many divisions like- Relief, Ladies Wing, Muslim Alert Network, MSI Financial Services, Book Service, The Message Magazine, Sound Vision (soundvision.com) and Young Muslims. http://www.icna.org/ICNA/divisions.html
YOUNG MUSLIMS YM is the largest and most popular off campus youth organization in North America. http://www.ymusa.org/
Some of their well known activities include The Muslim Youth Day. This is when thousands of Muslim Youth attend a day of fun and brotherhood at the Six flags amusement parks in New Jersey and Houston. This year almost 20,000 are expected. http://www.muslimyouthday.com/
The Constitution of the Muslim Youth shows they are the youth brigade of the Islamic Circle of North America . Note that UHF CEO Zulfiqar Ali Shah who was the president of ICNA at the time, and Tayebb Yunus, the UHF web tech are the final arbitrators of all decisions taken by the Muslim Youth.
To insure the integration of YM workers and graduates after the age of 25, there shall be constitutional and functional ties between the two for the common purpose of Iqamat-ad-Deen in North America.
1. The Ameer of ICNA with the consultation of ICNA Shura (or Executive Council) and Young Muslim Shura shall appoint a Board to facilitate the YM activities, to oversee the matters of YM.
2. The YM Board shall serve as a link between ICNA and YM leadership.
3. It is imperative that YM utilizes ICNA human and financial resources, and YM members shall be encouraged to attend and participate in ICNA activities. The YM members shall be encouraged to join ICNA as MGA's. The YM members becoming MGA's of ICNA shall be allowed to remain focused on YM work till the age of 25.
4. A member of YM shall become a MGA of ICNA after the recommendation and approval of his application by the YM Board and the Ameer of ICNA respectively.
5. The Local Units of YM shall have close contacts, coordination and cooperation of ICNA Units.
Clause 3: Disagreement between YM Shura and YM Board
In case there is a disagreement between the Young Muslim Shura and the YM Board, the matter shall be resolved by the Ameer of ICNA, whose decision shall be binding.
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Excerpts from membership rules:
5. To undertake an organized struggle for the establishment of Islam and the propagation of its message.
6. To invite those who agree with the aqeedah of Young Muslims to join the movement and help achieve its goal.
7. To abstain from all such activities, which conflict with the goal and of Young Muslims.
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Amendments to the Original Constitution:
1. On September 2001, Part 1 Clause 5; Secretary General Clause was approved by the National Coordinator; Tayyab Yunus, Young Muslims Shura, Young Muslims Board, and the Ameer of Islamic Circle of North America; Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
The Importance and Ettiquette of Seeking Knowledge
Iman, Importance, Pillars and Nullifications
The Salient Features of Islamic Morality
Dealing with Social Pressures, Peer Presure, Music, Dating and Violence
The Elements of a Sound Muslim Family
Introduction to Quranic Sciences I
Introduction to Quranic Sciences II
Prioritites of Islamic Work in North America
Islamic Educational Institutions in North America Challenges and Hopes
The Role of Muslims in North America
The Role of Ssana in Resolving Fiqhi Issues
Introduction to Hadith Sciences I
Introduction to Hadith Sciences II
Islamic Movement in the 20th Century: An Evaluation and a Look at the Future I & II
Islam: The Universal Message
Young Muslims of Peace and Mercy
Leadership Training
Putting Islam into Action, How and Why?
Sharing the Message of Islam with Others: An Obligation
The Character of a Young Muslim
Makkah
An indepth study of the seerah of Muhammed (saw) from his birth until his Hijrah to Madinah accompanied by visiting the hostic sites in Makkah to enahce and reinforce our understanding of his great legacy.
Other activities will include: Performing Umrah Learning the Basics of Tajweed Study of Quranic Arabic
Madinah
An indepth study of the 2nd phase of the Prophet's seerah; a phase characterized by sacrifice and establishment of the Isamic state accompanied by visiting the historic sites in Madinah to enhance and reinforce our understanding of this great era.
Other activities include: Learning from Imam of Masjid AL Nabawi and other great scholars of Islam and an opportunity to ask shari questions and get answers from authentic scholars.
Islamabad
An indepth study on the ideaology of an Islamic Movement, concept of an Islamic State. Analyze the practical aspects of an Islamic worker.
Lahore
History and ideaology of Islamic Movements. The study of the future of Islam and the muslim youth.
The name of this movement shall be "Young Muslims" (YM).
Clause 2: Status
Young Muslims shall be a division of ICNA and shall make policy decisions with the consultation of the YM Board.
Clause 3: Effective Date
The Charter and By-Laws came into effect on May 1,1999.
Clause 4: Aqeedah (Creed)
The aqeedah (Creed) of Young Muslims is: "La ilaha-illallahu Muhammadur Rasulullah," That is, there is no deity except Allah, Muhammed is the Messenger of Allah.
A.La ilaha-illallahu means that Allah (SWT), alone is the Creator, Sustainer, Lord, and Sovereign of the whole universe. No one shares His attributes or powers. The acceptance of this fact makes it imperative that the believer should:
1. Believe that Allah begets not, nor is He begotten and that Allah is his/her sole Creator, Guardian, the Benefactor, and the Protector.
2. Repose in Allah his/her trust, hopes and fears.
3. Call for help, pray to, and seek refuge only in Allah without considering any intercessor to Him, be that and angel, a prophet or a saint.
4. Bow his/her head before none, worship none, offer homage to none except Allah, and do not indulge in any practice(s) of polytheistic nature because Allah alone deserves all ibadah (worship).
5. Accept that Allah (SWT) is the Sovereign of the universe and the Supreme lawgiver.
6. Exercise his/her freedom in the submission to Allah's will as an abd (faithful servant) and refrain from servitude of his/her lust and desires.
7. Recognize the fact that he/she owes his/her life, body, mental, and physical capabilities to Allah and thus consider them a trust (amanah) from Allah.
8. Consider himself/herself answerable to Allah (SWT) for his/her actions on the Day of Judgment.
9. Make the pleasure and displeasure of Allah (SWT) the criterion for all his/her likes and dislikes.
10. Recognize Allah's (SWT) guidance as "The Guidance" in matters of moral, social, political and economic behavior. Thus reject anything that goes against His Shari'ah.
11. Consider the pleasure of Allah (SWT) as the only basis for his/her struggle for Iqamat-ud-Deen, and the pivot of his/her entire life.
B.Muhammadur Rasulullah implies that Muhammad (SAW), is the last Prophet sent by Allah (SWT), with the final and authentic guidance, and that he was entrusted with establishing a model society based on this guidance. Acceptance of this fact makes it imperative that the believer should:
1. Accept without question all those teachings that have been proven to be those of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
2. Recognize the fact that obedience to Allah (SWT) and His Prophet is paramount to all other obedience's. Following others can only be under the direction of Allah's book (The Holy Qur'an) and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (SWT), Muhammad (SAW), but not independent of them.
3. Declare the Book of Allah (SWT) and the Sunnah of His Messenger as the argument, final testimony and source of all guidance in his/her life.
4. Cleanse his/her heart of all prejudices whether they are racial, personal, familial, social, national, territorial, sectarian or parochial; Abstain from developing love and adoration for anyone that dominates or rivals the love and adoration for the truth brought by the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (SAW).
5. Recognize no person after the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as having such status that allegiance to him would determine the Iman or Kufr of any person.
Clause 5: Goal
The goal of Young Muslims shall be to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT) by educating, training and developing the Muslim youths to be Islamic workers for Iqamat-ud-Deen in North America.
Clause 6: Methodology/Program
1. Qur'an and Sunnah shall be the primary source of guidance.
2. Providing all areas of education for Muslim youths of North America.
3. Inviting youths to submit to the Creator by using all possible means of communication.
4. Motivating Muslim youth to perform their duty to being witness unto mankind by their words and deeds.
5. Organizing those Muslim youths who agree to work in this cause in the discipline of Young Muslims.
6. Offering educational and training opportunities to increase Islamic to enhance character and to develop skills of all those who are associated with Young Muslims.
7. Cooperating with other organizations for implementation of this program and unity in the Ummah.
By-Laws
Part I
Clause 1: Membership
Any youth, living in North America, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, family or gender, can become a member of Young Muslims, provided that he/she:
1. Agrees with the aqeedah, goal, methodology and program of Young Muslims.
2. Tries to practice Islam in his life.
3. Fills out the prescribed form, which shall be recommended by the Local or Regional Coordinator and shall be approved by the National Coordinator.
4. Extends cooperation in the struggle of Young Muslims.
Clause 2: Members of Young Muslims
Every member of Young Muslims shall endeavor:
1. To improve his/her knowledge of Islam on a continuous basis.
2. To mold his/her personal, family and social life in accordance with the Qur'an and the Sunnah.
3. To introduce the da'wah of Young Muslims to his/her family, friends and acquaintances.
4. To encourage and extend all possible support to any member of his/her family who is actively involved in the activities of Young Muslims.
5. To undertake an organized struggle for the establishment of Islam and the propagation of its message.
6. To invite those who agree with the aqeedah of Young Muslims to join the movement and help achieve its goal.
7. To abstain from all such activities, which conflict with the goal and of Young Muslims.
Clause 3: The National Coordinator
1. The National Coordinator shall be the ultimate responsible to guide and lead Young Muslims with the cooperation of YM Shura and members and shall be answerable to the Ameer of ICNA.
2. The National Coordinator shall implement the Young Muslims policies and decisions of YM Shura.
3. The term of the National Coordinator shall be two years. A person cannot be elected as the National Coordinator for a third consecutive term.
4. If at any time the National Coordinator can not perform his responsibilities, temporarily, he shall appoint an acting National Coordinator in consultation with the YM Board for a maximum period of three months. If the situation persists, the Ameer of ICNA shall appoint or the YM Board shall conduct the election for the new National Coordinator.
5. If the office of the National Coordinator becomes vacant during the session due to his resignation, removal or any other reason, the Young Muslim Shura shall elect an acting National Coordinator for a maximum period of six months. It shall be necessary that the new National Coordinator be elected before the expiration of this period.
6. It shall be the duty of the National Coordinator to:
a) Place obedience and faithfulness to Allah (SWT) and His Messenger, Muhammad (SAW) above everything else.
b) Consider achieving the goal of Young Muslims as his primary obligation.
c) Give preference to Young Muslims' interests over his personal interests.
d) Treat and command members of Young Muslims justly and honestly.
e) Safeguard fully the trusts handed over to him.
f) Abide by this Constitution and seek to maintain proper order within Young Muslims.
g) To maintain contact or communication with the members of Young Muslims.
h) To visit Neighbor Net on a periodical basis.
7. The National Coordinator shall have the following powers:
a) To take immediate and appropriate action, when needed, concerning important matters in consultation with the Young Muslims Shura.
b) To supervise all the administrative activities of Young Muslims.
c) To use the resources of Young Muslims within the limits drawn by the Young Muslim Shura.
d) To accept new members or expel any existing members in consultation with Young Muslims Shura.
f) To approve the elections or the dismissal of local NeighborNet Coordinators with the consultation of the Young Muslim Shura and the Regional Coordinator.
g) To appoint or remove the any office within the National Shura held by Shura member of Young Muslims in Consultation with the Young Muslim Shura and YM Board.
h) To use funds from Young Muslims Baitul Maal according to the budget.
i) To call in session a meeting of the Members.
j) To implement the decisions arrived at by the Young Muslim Shura to the best of his judgment and ability.
k) To delegate any of his powers to any other person, in consultation with the Young Muslim Shura.
Clause 4: The Young Muslim Shura
1. The basic function of the Young Muslim Shura shall be to formulate the best policies and working procedures with the consultation of the YM Board to achieve the goal of Young Muslims.
2. The Young Muslim Shura shall consist of elected and nominated members.
3. The members of Young Muslims shall elect the members of the Young Muslim Shura every two years.
4. The term for Shura members shall be for two years. A person cannot be elected for a third consecutive term.
5. The National Coordinator shall be the President of the Young Muslim Shura.
6. Powers of the Young Muslim Shura:
a) To formulate Young Muslims policies with the consultation of the YM Board.
b) To advise, without apprehension, on central, regional and local appointments and other matters.
c) To carry out ehtisab (criticism and accountability aimed at future improvements) of the National Coordinator and remove him from his office provided two-thirds of the elected members of the Young Muslim Shura pass a no-confidence motion against him. The removal shall be effective after the approval from the Ameer of ICNA.
d) To interpret the Constitution and amend it, in extraordinary circumstances, with the consent of a simple majority and subject to the subsequent approval of the Members.
e) To approve the central budget of Young Muslims.
f) To review, criticize and evaluate the reports of the central, regional and local organizations.
g) To set up committees, as needed, in connection with various works (projects) and departments of Young Muslims and define their limits.
h) To take all necessary steps to achieve the goal of Young Muslims in accordance with the Constitution.
i) To delegate its powers, or some of them, along with any limits which it may deem necessary, to any committee of Muslims, the National Coordinator or any other person.
7. Duties of the members of the Young Muslim Shura:
a) To place obedience and faithfulness to Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (SAW) above everything else.
b) To keep a watch on themselves and the National Coordinator in order to ensure that they adhere to Young Muslims ideology and strive constantly to achieve its goal.
c) To participate regularly in the meetings of the National Shura.
d) To express their honest opinion according to their best knowledge and understanding.
e) To abstain form creating permanent groupings and causing divisions within Young Muslims and to help forestall any such eventuality.
f) To bring to the immediate attention of the National Coordinator any issue or problem concerning Young Muslims and to help in rectifying the situation.
g) To keep in touch with the National Coordinator on a regular basis.
h) To carry out the responsibilities assigned to them diligently.
8. Ordinary and Extraordinary Meetings:
a) Ordinarily, there shall be at least three meeting of the Young Muslim Shura in a year.
b) The National Coordinator shall hold the special meeting of the Young Muslim Shura as and when deemed necessary.
c) At the request of one-half of the members of the Young Muslim Shura, the National Coordinator shall call a meeting as soon as possible.
d) The quorum for a meeting shall be two-thirds of the Shura members, but if a meeting has to be postponed due to lack of quorum, then no quorum is required for the next meeting.
e) Generally, the Young Muslim Shura shall seek unanimous decisions but in case of differences the decision of the majority of the members present shall be binding.
Clause 5: Secretary General:
1. The National Coordinator shall appoint the Secretary General in consultation with the YM Shura.
2. The Secretary General shall render general assistance to the National Coordinator. He shall perform all those duties and use all those powers entrusted to him by the National Coordinator, and shall be answerable to him for his work.
3. The special responsibilities of the Secretary General include maintaining contact with and supervising the central departments, and compiling proceedings of Shura.
4. The same person may hold the office of Secretary General successively.
Part II
Regional and Local Organizations
Clause 1: Regions
1. In order to expand, to strengthen and to better supervise the work of Young Muslims, North America shall be divided into various regions.
2. The regional organization shall normally consist of the following, except in circumstances requiring any other arrangements:
a) Regional Coordinator
b) Regional Shura, if necessary
Clause 2: Regional Coordinator
1. The National Coordinator shall appoint every two years a Regional NeighborNet Coordinator for each region, in consultation with the Young Muslim Shura.
2. The Regional Coordinator shall have the following responsibilities and powers:
a) To implement the program and policies of Young Muslims in the assigned region.
b) To maintain contact with the local organizations and the individual members.
c) To receive instructions from the Headquarters and to guide and supervise the local organizations.
d) To establish new local units in his region.
Clause 3: Local Units
1. A local unit shall be established at a place where there are three or more members of Young Muslims.
2. The National Coordinator under special circumstances, in consultation with the Young Muslim Shura, may ask local members to hold new elections.
3. The Local Neighbornet Coordinator shall be answerable to the local members, regional NeighborNet Coordinator and the National Coordinator.
4. The local NeighborNet Coordinator shall have the following responsibilities:
a) To disseminate the message of Islam and to organize those who have joined Young Muslims in his area.
b) To nourish the brotherhood among the members of Young Muslims and take personal interest in their Islamic development.
c) To implement policies and decisions of Young Muslims at the local level.
d) To keep the regional NeighborNet Coordinator and the National Coordinator informed of his unit's progress.
e) To guide, supervise and undertake accountability of Young Muslims activities at the local level.
f) To take prompt notice of the issues affecting Young Muslims, its aqeedah and goal, and to undertake all necessary safeguards in this respect.
g) To establish and maintain the local Baitul Maal, in consultation with the local Shura or members, according to the guidance provided by the National Coordinator.
5. Local Shura:
a) The local Shura shall have similar roles, responsibilities and powers, in the local area, as that of the Young Muslim Shura.
b) A Local Shura of five members may be formed with the consultation of the Regional Coordinator, if there are more than 20 members of YM.
Part III
Qualities of the Office Bearers and Elections
Clause 1: Qualities of the Office Bearers
A) Qualities of the National Coordinator:
1. He should neither desire nor seek this office.
2. He should be an MGA of ICNA and between the age of 15 and 25 and on the whole, the best of all among the members of Young Muslims in respect of the knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, taqwa (piety), wisdom, vision and soundness of opinion, honesty, justice, sacrifice, patience and steadfastness in the struggle of the Iqamat-ud-Deen.
3. He should possess high administrative capabilities.
B) Qualities of the members of the Young Muslim Shura:
1. They should neither desire nor seek this office.
2. They should be an MGA of ICNA (in exceptional cases the Ameer of ICNA can grant approval for a non-MGA member to become a member of the Young Muslim Shura) and between the age of 15 and 25, on the whole, the best of all among the members of Young Muslims in respect of the knowledge of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, taqwa (piety), wisdom, vision and soundness of opinion, honesty, justice, sacrifice, patience and steadfastness in the struggle of the Iqamat-ud-Deen.
Clause 2: Elections
A) Fundamental Principles of Elections:
1. All the elections shall be held by secret ballot and all National elections shall be conducted by the Election committee that is selected by the Young Muslim Shura. This election committee shall consist of 50% MGA members and 50% YM members.
2. A simple majority shall be decisive in the Central elections. In all other elections, approval of the National Coordinator shall be also required, in conjunction with the Young Muslim Shura.
3. No member of Young Muslims shall have the right to do canvassing for himself or for someone else.
4. A member shall be entitled to consult and seek opinion from another member individually.
5. It shall be necessary that the new election be held before the expiration of the term of the existing office bearer. If that is not possible for any reason, the existing National Coordinator and other office bearers shall continue in their responsibilities. However, this period shall not exceed more than three months.
6. It shall be necessary for the National Coordinator and other office bearers to take their oath of office before assuming their responsibilities. This oath shall be taken in person or by phone in the presence of the Chairman of the Election Committee, the National Coordinator, or members as the situation may warrant.
7. The in-charge of an election shall be responsible to inform the members of the principles and procedures of the elections and qualities of the office bearers. The in-charge shall also make sure that the principles are observed and shall report the National Coordinator if any violation takes place.
8. Upon receiving a written complaint from a member or in-charge of election about any electoral irregularity, the Ameer of ICNA shall take appropriate action.
9. No member shall be elected for the same office for more than four consecutive years.
10. Local Elections:
a) The National Coordinator shall appoint a representative for the local elections.
b) The representative shall obtain the votes of local members by direct secret ballot.
c) The representative shall obtain approval of the results of local election from the National Coordinator prior to their announcement.
Part IV
Modes of expressing differences of opinion,
removal of Shura members and
expulsion of members
Clause 1: Modes of expressing differences of opinion
A member who disagrees with the strategies, policies and decisions of Young Muslims may express his/her opinion according to the following manners:
1. He shall bring up his/her differences in the meeting of the local members, and the YM Shura or convey his her opinion, in writing, to all the individual members. But he/she shall have no right to use the public press or any other public platform for this purpose and shall have no right to do any canvassing among individual members directly.
2. He shall accept the decisions arrived at through a majority opinion and will abide by them. However, he/she shall have the right within the above-established limits to get those decisions modified or rescinded.
3. If a member, who holds an official portfolio, expresses his/her differences vis-à-vis the established policy of Young Muslims outside the forums provided by the Constitution, then he/she shall be relieved of his/her official responsibilities that oblige him/her to enforce or interpret that policy.
Clause 2: Removal of the members of the Shura
1. Any member of the Young Muslim Shura shall be removed from its membership if:
a) He ceases to be an MGA of ICNA.
b) He remains absent from two consecutive meetings of the YM Shura without a valid reason.
c) He resigns from the membership of the Shura and the National Coordinator accepts his resignation.
d) A written motion of no confidence is presented against him by 2/3 members of the YM Shura in a Shura meeting that is approved by the National Coordinator.
Clause 3: Filling a vacant seat of Shura during the session
If a seat in any of the Shura becomes vacant for any reason during the session, the National Coordinator or the respective National Coordinator shall be entitled to fill it in consultation with the remaining members of the Shura.
Clause 4: Suspension of a member
If the National Coordinator deems it necessary, due to special circumstances, he may suspend a member, in consultation with the Young Muslim Shura, for a maximum period of three months.
Clause 5: Cancellation of membership
If a member abandons his/her residence in North America on a permanent basis, the National Coordinator may cancel his/her membership in consultation with the Young Muslim Shura.
Clause 6: Expulsion of a member
The National Coordinator, in consultation with the Young Muslim Shura and the respective regional and local NeighborNet Coordinators, shall have the authority to expel a member, if:
1. He/she violates, despite a reminder, the conditions of membership repeatedly and deliberately.
2. He/she acts repeatedly against the interests, goal and methodology of Young Muslims.
3. If he/she conveys, verbally or by continuous action, the impression that he/she no longer has any interest in the activities of Young Muslims.
Part V
Baitul Maal
Clause 1: Finances
1. The department of Baitul Maal (Treasury) shall be established at central, local levels.
2. The National Coordinator in conjunction with decision of Young Muslim Shura shall have the final authority on all the Baitul Maals.
3. The local NeighborNet Coordinators shall bear overall responsibility for the respective Baitul Maal, but each one of them shall be accountable to his higher National Coordinator.
4. The National Coordinator shall be accountable to the Shura.
5. The National Coordinator at each level shall be authorized to spend from his respective Baitul Maal on the activities of Young Muslims.
6. Sources of income to the Baitul Maal shall be as follows:
a) Contribution from members.
b) Donations from the community at large.
c) Zakat/Ushr/Sadaqat.
d) Contribution from the units
e) Contributions from the departments/institutions.
f) Income from investments/properties, etc.
Part VI
Miscellaneous
Clause 1: Amendment and Addition to the Constitution
1. Any member shall have the right to present an amendment to the Constitution through the National Coordinator.
2. Such amendment shall be deliberated upon by the Young Muslim Shura, and after securing approval of a 2/3 majority shall be submitted to the Ameer of ICNA for final approval.
Clause 2: The Relations with ICNA
To insure the integration of YM workers and graduates after the age of 25, there shall be constitutional and functional ties between the two for the common purpose of Iqamat-ad-Deen in North America.
1. The Ameer of ICNA with the consultation of ICNA Shura (or Executive Council) and Young Muslim Shura shall appoint a Board to facilitate the YM activities, to oversee the matters of YM.
2. The YM Board shall serve as a link between ICNA and YM leadership.
3. It is imperative that YM utilizes ICNA human and financial resources, and YM members shall be encouraged to attend and participate in ICNA activities. The YM members shall be encouraged to join ICNA as MGA's. The YM members becoming MGA's of ICNA shall be allowed to remain focused on YM work till the age of 25.
4. A member of YM shall become a MGA of ICNA after the recommendation and approval of his application by the YM Board and the Ameer of ICNA respectively.
5. The Local Units of YM shall have close contacts, coordination and cooperation of ICNA Units.
Clause 3: Disagreement between YM Shura and YM Board
In case there is a disagreement between the Young Muslim Shura and the YM Board, the matter shall be resolved by the Ameer of ICNA, whose decision shall be binding.
Amendments to the Original Constitution:
1. On September 2001, Part 1 Clause 5; Secretary General Clause was approved by the National Coordinator; Tayyab Yunus, Young Muslims Shura, Young Muslims Board, and the Ameer of Islamic Circle of North America; Zulfiqar Ali Shah.
Note that Talat Sultan was the principal of the Islamic Foundation School which is part of the Bridgeview Mosque Foundation, a known stronghold of Hamas,the Islamic Association of Palestine, and affiliated with groups and individuals who have been jailed on terrorism charges.
The General Assembly Members of the Islamic Circle of North America, elected Dr. Talat Sultan as the Ameer (President) of the Islamic Circle of North America for the session 2003 - 2004. The election commission made the announcement at the annual gathering of the General Assembly members held in Detroit, MI on January 25 & 26, 2003.
Dr. Talat Sultan is known Nationally and Internationally for his contribution towards the Islamization of educational system. He received his Ph.D. from UCLA in the field of Education in 1970. He taught at the University of North Carolina for few years and then he joined Ummul Qurra University as Professor of Research in Islamization of Education.
Dr. Sultan has been involved in Islamic work, since his school days. He was among the early members of the Muslim Student Association and served as the Chairman Education Committee of the MSA. Later he joined ISNA as the Director of Education. He served as the President of ICNA between 1968 to 1976.
Dr. Sultan has written several books on the subject of Islamic Education and at present he is serving as the principal of Islamic Foundation School in Villa Park, IL.
For more information, please contact:
Islamic Circle of North America 166-26, 89th Avenue Jamaica, NY 11432 Ph: (718)-658-1199 Fax: (718)-658-1255 www.icna.org
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Registration for ICNA in Florida showing Talat Sultan as president :
To invite mankind to submit to the Creator by using all means of communications.
