PERSPECTIVE: Mothers and Fathers Who Murder...It Isn't Just a 'Muslim Thing'

In light of recent 'honor killing' headlines, i.e., Aqsa Parvez of Canada, and the Said sisters, Amina and Sarah of Texas, and the negative impact these tragic stories inevitably has on the Muslim community at-large, I just thought it was equally important to point out that headlines such as these know no boundaries. It isn't just a 'Muslim thing'. RELATED National Declaration by Religious and Spiritual Leaders to Address Violence Against Women Mothers and Fathers Who Murder Recent String of Family Killings Points to Commonalities in Homicidal Parents WASHINGTON (ABCNews) Jan. 10, 2008 - In separate and horrific incidents, a mother and father in different parts of the United States were accused this week of killing their children in two apparent group murders that shocked their respective communities. The killings appear to be the most recent in a disturbing series of family-related murders, sometimes murder-suicides, which criminologists and forensic psychiatrists call familicides. A woman found in her Washington, D.C., home with the decomposing bodies of four girls was charged Thursday with four counts of first-degree murder. Banita Jacks, 33, who is thought to be the mother of the four youths, who ranged in age from 5 to 17, faces up to life in prison if convicted. Jacks told police the children were "possessed by demons" and had died in their sleep, court documents say, according to the Associated Press. In the small town of Bayou La Batre, Ala., a father was charged with four counts of capital murder Wednesday for allegedly throwing his four kids, all age 3 and under, off a bridge. Rescue workers said the children could not have survived and they're attempting to find the bodies. Police say Lam Luong, 37, confessed to the crime, though his attorney said that Luong denied killing them and he was coerced by police into making a false confession The attorney, Joe Kulakowski, told ABC News that he believed the children were not, in fact, thrown off the bridge and were still alive. Last year, ABC News spoke with several medical and forensic experts about familicides. They said then that men and women are often motivated to kill their children for different reasons. Unlike men, who often are driven to familicide by feelings that they have failed to adequately provide for their kids, women often kill their children out of a delusional sense of altruism. Authorities in Washington said they were operating on the assumption that Jacks was the mother of the four girls whose bodies were found in her house, though they did not have conclusive proof. Marie Pierre-Louis, the medical examiner, said the bodies were probably in Jacks' house more than 15 days, "based on the insects that were found there." The cause of death was unclear, though Pierre-Louis said at a news conference today that it appeared that the eldest girl may have been stabbed and that the others may have been asphyxiated. Jacks faces four murder charges and up to life in prison if convicted. She was ordered held without bond on Thursday. "I don't think anyone in the city can remember a case involving this many young people who have died in such a tragic way," Mayor Adrian Fenty said. In the Alabama case, police think Luong threw the children, who ranged in age 4 months to 3, from the bridge after an argument with his wife, The Associated Press reported. Luong had a crack cocaine possession charge pending in Georgia, and his wife's brother-in-law described Luong as a drug addict, according to the AP. Some men and women who kill their children, forensic psychologists and criminologists told ABC News, tend to be severely depressed or psychotic and do not simply "snap" but usually have long histories of mental illness. In June, wrestler Chris Benoit made headlines when he killed his wife, his 7-year-old son and himself in the family's Fayetteville, Ga., home. Benoit's wife, Nancy, 43, and son, Daniel, were each found in different rooms and were believed to have been killed days before the wrestler took his own life. Less than a week before the Benoit killings, New Jersey engineer Thomas Reilly and California businessman Kevin Morrissey each decided to kill their children and then themselves. Reilly, 46, drowned his two young daughters, ages 5 and 6, in the bathtub of their Montclair, N.J., home before hanging himself from the attic rafters. Morrissey, 51, shot his wife and two daughters in a parked car at a popular park near Berkeley, Calif., before turning his .357 handgun on himself. Police investigating the deaths of Morrissey and his family said they found a note in which he said he was distressed over the family's financial situation. Morissey ran a skin-care clinic with his wife, Mamiko Kawai, 40. The couple's two daughters were Nikki Morrissey, 8, and Kim Morrissey, 6. Phillip Resnick, a psychiatry professor at Case Western Reserve University, said Morrissey may have been "severely depressed and believed his family was similarly miserable. He was ending the entire family's pain." "Money is often an issue. The man sees himself as a breadwinner and may feel like he has to take the whole family out with him," Resnick said. Local, state and federal agencies do not specifically track familicides, and discrepancies in the way the crimes are classified make getting an accurate count difficult. ----------------------- Fair Use Notice This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. (See: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml.) If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Cat Tales Part II

Sakinah was initially fiercely angry with me the first two days after Jessica's arrival, oh my! Al-hamdulillah, by the end of the third day, was warming up to momma again, and by the fourth day back in my lap purring. *smile* Momma happy. *lol*

Around the third day, after being chastised numerous times for biting Jessica a little too aggressively, Sakinah decided it was okay to play nice. Al-hamdulillah. Today they have been playing like best friends - what a relief!

Another observation. The first two days I had to feed Sakinah and Jessica from separate bowls. On the first day Sakinah even tried to run Jessica off from her own bowl, but I was sitting nearby on the floor monitoring all eating activity, so Sakinah learned she wasn't going to get away with any nasty business. Then, subhan'Allah…last night I could not believe my eyes! I prepared a fresh dish of IAMS dry kitten food with a little bit of tuna fish mixed in. When I had the tuna blended in nicely, I decided to spread the mixture out onto a plate; hoping maybe Sakinah would let Jessica share. Subhan'Allah, subhan'Allah, tuna fish smell and all, Sakinah sat down on the floor to the right of where I was sitting, and let Jessica eat first!!! Wallahi!!! Talk about being a proud momma!

The other day I bought a cute, padded traveling case for my pair of sweeties. Jessica already knew what that was all about, but to Sakinah it was like a foreign object to be eyed with the utmost suspicion, for sure! To help alleviate Sakinah's discomfort, I left the travel case out on the floor with the front door open - to be freely investigated at whim. In the first two days Jessica used the back end of travel case to hide from Sakinah - *lol* - which worked, because Sakinah wouldn't dare to enter! Ha! But, subhan'Allah (again!), this morning, Sakinah is dashing in and out of the case playing hide-and-seek with Jessica!

Commercial Break: Jessica learned today not to put her little nose into anything that smells like coffee…Ouch! Hot! *lol*

She is also learning the house rules; a sharply spoken "La!" unequivocally means "No!", and any of the numerous cords dangling in the vicinity of mommy's desk are off limits for nibbling. *smile* Wallahi! This morning my astonished eyes actually witnessed Sakinah making Jessica get away from the cords! Wallahi! After the first time, it happened a second time, and all I could do was sit here thinking, "Subhan'Allah..." (It's just been a Subhan'Allah kind of morning, sa?)

However, despite the fact that Jessica is learning not to nibble on electrical cords, she still enjoys nibbling on my fingers. *smile*

I initially set out a secondary kitty toilet box considering that it might take Jessica a little while to learn the lay of the new land, so-to-speak, and I am happy to report that it seems she is taking the lead from Sakinah in using the main box, Al-hamdulillah. Why Al-hamdulillah? Because I've accidentally hit the back-up box with the toe my foot twice, sending loose litter scattering all over the floor. Grrrr! Double that 'grrrr' when you add the pain factor... I will happily retire said box.

Jessica got a bath last night. She squirmed uncomfortably for a minute, before deciding to relax her upper body in my left hand as the warm water flowed down over her back, along with the shampoo. Apparently she decided the warm water felt pretty good. *smile* I wrapped her up in a towel for a little bit, gently rubbing out the excess moisture from her furry little body, before letting her finish the grooming job herself. I purposely did this around bedtime because I felt sure she wouldn't mind snuggling up next to me for extra warmth, and before long all three of us were fast asleep.

Sakinah has worn Jessica out this afternoon racing up and down the hallway, so she is now curled up on a chair in the sitting room. Another observation; Sakinah has never fancied any of the furniture in that room, but I find Jessica perched in the middle of a chair cushion often.

The Jummah shout-fest between the mosques has commenced and Sakinah is protesting by meowing and bouncing off the furniture here in my office. Can't say as I blame her…I want to turn the sound off, too! Astifurgallah Al-Azeem. And Al-hamdulillah that I am not a man, as Muslim men are required to attend Jummah services, whereas for women it is optional. Having to sit toe-to-toe on the floor in a crowded mosque subjecting myself to the abusive noise coming from the lecturer is not my idea of a pleasant way to spend Jummah.

Sakinah says it's a good time for a nap. I agree.

Aishah's Baby Brag Book

Assalamu Alaikum! Broke down after 5-years and got a new kitten. Named it on the 2nd day (Sakinah)...4 weeks later...I discovered it was a boy - not a girl! *lol* But he/she learned his/her name the first day...thought of changing it...but he/she's stuck with it...and a complex to boot, I'm sure! *lol* She is abyssian by heritage (it's an Egyptian thing going back 4,000 years!). In some photos you can see the distinguishing black circle (like a frame) around the outer part of the green in her eyes. It was funny, the other day I was outside at the Yacht club over here on the Mediterranean Sea with some friends having lunch, and there were a few stray cats roaming around looking for handouts. Two of them were beside me at one point, and I paid closer attention to their eyes...looking for the black circle around the green color (they both had green eyes) - but neither cat had it like Sakinah. She/he *lol* is really a handful, I'll tell ya. The characteristics and personality traits described for the aby cat are all there, but with Sakinah two are different. It says that abys aren't usually talkers or lap cats...but Sakinah talks up a storm, purrs like crazy, and can't stay out of my darn lap! Sometimes in the morning I wake up and she is sitting on my chest, curled up, looking dead into my eyes as if to say, "It's about darn time! I'm ready to play!" Favorite past-time: gnawing on my right forearm as if it were corn-on-the-cob; got the perpetual healing scratches and bite marks to prove it. Geez...what we will do/tolerate for the love of a critter... But I have to admit...even though I was totally unsure the first two or three days...(boy, I was nervous)...I mean...I wasn't sure I was ready...when Benji died I was crushed...and it can still make me cry if I think about it...so I didn't know if I wanted to let myself go there again with a new cat...but I guess that's all history now! Anyhow, it's been nice to have this little one running around here - and let me tell ya, wherever I am, there she gotta be! But she has learned not to move too quickly; it's funny! She used to jump every time I moved, but now she's got it figured out that 9 times out of 10, if she chills out and waits a few minutes, I come right back to where I left her - and even though she doesn't move, when I reappear, her head is upright and looking expectantly for my arrival - and she sleeps on the rug near the apartment door waiting for me to return to say welcome home. We play hide-and-seek, too. Most of the time I get her...lol...but the other day she surprised the daylights out of me and GOT ME! I stood in the hallway laughing my tail off; it was too funny. She is always doing her little Halloween cat dance up to me when she wants to play. She'll bounce from the floor to the chair next to my desk. Pause on the arm of the chair with her hair-raising pose, and then pounce up onto the corner of my desk to the right of my laptop and, ears flat against her head freeze-frame - staring me down. I just look at her and say, "Who do you think you're talking to?" *lol* and she'll fly off the corner of the desk and race out of the room, down the hallway - for a minute. *lol* Then she's back again; tempting me to chase after her. And I actually do sometimes. Don't want any hidden cameras catching that action! *lol* OMG... I was told by her namesake that the name Sakinah means peace and tranquility...but I wondered why my Egyptian friends' eyes would pop when I shared the name with them...turns out that in Egypt there is a famous mass-murderer who's name was SAKINAH! Well...my intentions were good!!!

FYI...about a month into this relationship...*lol*...I discovered that Sakinah is a BOY! And that's the end of THIS cat tale! *lol* Ma'Salaama! `Aishah

Eid Mubarak!

Introducing the "Beginner's Cheat Sheet" Sound File!

Bismillah

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatuallahi wa Barakatuhu and Greetings to Non-Muslim Readers!

As it happens, I am not one of those people with the gift that allows one to memorize well or to learn foreign languages. Al-hamdulillah, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is okay with that, insha'Allah! But it set me to thinking that for sure I was not the only one with this handicap!

So, I set out in the early days of my writing to compile a list of Arabic words and phrases that I could, in the very least, incorporate into my writing. I was keen to do this because I had become aware of the significance and potential for reward, or acceptance as good deeds, for those things that Muslims say and do in remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. It stood to reason, in my mind, that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala was already aware of my handicap, so if I made the extra effort, the potential for reward would be even greater. The list of words and phrases I chose to compile each contain a form of the word "Allah" - and as such, as I understood it, when used or spoken, became reward worthy! 

LINKS TO AUDIO FILE
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/aishah-schwartz/aishahs-beginners-cheat-sheet-audio
DROPBOX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2k1nb5e88scshqt/tasabeeh.mp3

Then I got to thinking, hey! How great would it be to share the list with others! And then every time someone used one of the words or phrases from the list they received from me, I would receive yet another reward! At that point the whole reward system was looking pretty good to me! *smile!*

And then I got another idea!

What if I could get the list recorded so that people who do not speak Arabic and are not even around other people who speak Arabic, could actually hear how the words pronounced and defined! Has anyone ever played the board game SCRABBLE? *lol* My brain was running in over-time mode and I was thinking, "Triple points!" (rewards.) *lol*

So, on November 18, 2005, I distributed an email through my e-distribution lists in search of a volunteer willing to record the list to create an up-loadable audio file of the now, much re-cycled Sister Aishah's "Beginner's Cheat Sheet" (inserted below).

Al-hamdulillah, 16-months later (March '07) the task was, at long last, embraced by a dedicated Muslim brother from Jordan. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala reward him greatly, in this dunya and in the Hereafter, insha'Allah.

LINKS TO AUDIO FILE
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/aishah-schwartz/aishahs-beginners-cheat-sheet-audio
DROPBOX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2k1nb5e88scshqt/tasabeeh.mp3

Now lets review.

There is reward to be found in each word used for each time I speak or write it.

Then the reward is multiplied for each time another person speaks or writes it.

Then there is a reward for each time another person hears the words, repeats and/or writes them!

Then there is a reward for each time the person you share the list with who repeats and/or writes them!

And so on, and so on, and so on!

Is anyone else seeing the potential for reward here that I am? *smile*

And all you have to do is click on the share link...imagine that.

Could remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala (or dawah even!), possibly get any easier?

‎"Allah the Most High says, 'I am with my slave when he thinks of Me and I am with him when he mentions Me. For if he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in a gathering, I mention him in superior gathering. If he approaches Me by a hand's width, I approach him by an arm's length, I approach him by two arms length. And if he comes to me walking, I hasten to him swiftly.'" [Bukhari]

LINKS TO AUDIO FILE
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/aishah-schwartz/aishahs-beginners-cheat-sheet-audio
DROPBOX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2k1nb5e88scshqt/tasabeeh.mp3

THE LIST!

ALAYHIS SALAM - Alayhis Salam'Peace be upon him', a formula used after the name of a prophet.

AMEEN - Ameen - The Arabic expression meaning 'Please accept'. Used at the end of prayers and supplications (duas).

ASSALAMU ALAYKUM - Assalamu Alaikum - 'Peace be upon you' the greeting of the Muslim. [The reply is 'wa alaikumus salam' which means 'and peace be upon you'. The fuller version reads, 'assalam u alaikum wa rahmatulahi wa baakatuhu' which means'peace be upon you and the blessings and mercy of Alllah' the reply is 'wa alaikumus salam wa rahmatulahi wa baakatuhu'].

ALLAHU AKBAR - Allahu Akbar - The Arabic expression meaning 'Allah is great(est)'. Also called the takbir.

ALLAHU A'ALAM - Allahu A'alam - An Arabic expression meaning 'Allah knows best'.

AL HAMDU LILAH WA SHUKRU LILLAH - Al Hamdulilah wa Shukru Lillah - The Arabic expression meaning which means 'Praise belongs to Allah and all thanks to Allah'.

ASTAGFURALLAH - Astagfur'Allah - The Arabic expression meaning, 'I ask forgiveness of Allah'.

AUDHU BILLAHI MIN ASH SHAYTAN AR RAJIM - Audhu Billahi min ash Shaytan ar Rajim - The Arabic expression meaning, 'I seek protection in Allah from the accursed satan'.

BARAKALLAH FIK - Barak'Allah Fik - An expression which means, 'May the blessings of Allah be upon you.' When a Muslims want to thank another person, they uses different statements to express thanks, appreciation and gratitude. One of them is Barak'Allah. 

BISMILLAH AR RAHMAN AR RAHIM - Bismillah ar Rahman ar Rahim -The basmala. 'In the name of Allah, the all Merciful the all Compassionate' [this is also translated as In the Name of Allah most Gracious Most Merciful].

FI AMANALLAH - Fi Aman'Alla - Valedictory (expressing or containing a farewell) phrase meaning 'In Allah's protection'.

FI SABILILLAH - Fi Sabilillah - The Arabic expression meaning 'In the way of Allah', 'For the cause of Allah' [also used to mean 'for the love of Allah'].

HASBALA - Hasbala - The Arabic expression, 'Hasbunallah wa nimalwakil' meaning'Allah is enough for us and an excellent Guardian'. Usually known as 'Hasbi Allah'.

INNA LILLAHI WA INNA ILAYHI RAJIUN - Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Rajiun - This is something which a Muslim expresses when he is afflicted by a misfortune, the meaning of which is, 'We are from Allah and to Him are we returning.' It is taken from an ayat (verse) from the Quran (ch 2 vs 156). [This is usually said upon hearing of the death of an individual.]

INSHALLAH - Insha'Allah - The Arabic expression meaning 'If Allah wills' - 'God Willing'.[This is usually said when referring to a situation in the future e.g. IinshAllah I will go to the grocery shop tomorrow." etc.]

ISTIGHFAR - Istighfar - To ask the forgiveness of Allah, especially by saying,Astagfur'Allah, 'I seek the forgiveness of Allah'.

JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRAN - Jazaka Allahu Khairan - Jazakallahu Khayran - This is a statement of thanks and appreciation to be said to a person who does a favour. Instead of saying 'shukran' (thanks), this phrase is used. It means 'May Allah reward you with good'.

LA HAWLA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH - 'la hawla wa la quwwata illa billah' - The meaning of this expression is, 'There is no power nor strength save in Allah' . This is said by a Muslim when he/she is struck with calamity, or is taken over by a situation beyond his/her control.

MA SALAMA - Ma'Salaama - With peace', a formula for ending letters [in reply, "Fi Aman'Allah" - In Allah's Protection].

MASHALLAH - Masha'Allah - A phrase literally meaning 'What Allah wishes', and it indicates a good omen. 

RABBANA WA LAKAL_HAMD - Rabbana wa Lakal Hamd - 'Our Lord, Praise if yours', said after rising from ruku after saying 'sami Allahuliman hamidah' [which means 'Allah listens to the one who praises him']. 

SUBHANALLAH - Subhan'Allah 'Glorified is Allah.' - To honour Allah and make Him free from all (unsuitable evil things) that are ascribed to Him, (or 'Glorified be Allah').

SUBHANALLAH WA TA'ALA - Subhanahu wa ta'ala - 'Glorified is He and exalted', an expression that Muslims use when the name of Allah is pronounced or written [this is often abbreviated as (swt)].

TABARAK'ALLAH - Tabarak'Allah - The formula 'Blessed is Allah' [usually used in the context of when one hears good news].

YA ALLAH - 'Oh God' - or 'Lets Go' Often used by Aishah's heart-adopted sister, Sameera (in Saudi Arabia), when she would call out, "Ya'Allah! Aishah! Come!" *smile*

LINKS TO AUDIO FILE
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/aishah-schwartz/aishahs-beginners-cheat-sheet-audio
DROPBOX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/2k1nb5e88scshqt/tasabeeh.mp3

SPECIAL NOTE OF THANKS AND REMINDER

Please remember Br. Omar of Jordan in your duas and ask that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala reward and bless him for his contribution in providing us with the wonderful audio file that brings this list to life, and insha'Allah serves as a reminder to one and all the importance in remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in all that we say and do, insha'Allah.

---
If I am right, it is from Allah; if wrong, it is from me. I ask Allah Almighty to protect you and me from errors and from all that displease Him. Al-Hamdu-lillahi rabbil-alameen.

MAS Freedom Condemns Saudi Miscarriage of Justice in Gang Rape Sentencing

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Muslim Community Called Upon to Stand in Solidarity Against Human Rights Abuse

WASHINGTON, D.C. (MASNET) Nov. 20, 2007 – MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), in response to what is clearly a gross and cruel miscarriage of true justice, expressed both outrage and intense protest to the government of Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of a judicial decree to punish a 19-year old female victim of gang rape, known only as 'Qatif Girl', with 200 lashes and 6-months imprisonment.

According to Arab News, CNN and other international media sources, the victim had been gang raped by seven Saudi men, when she attempted to retrieve unspecified photographs from allegedly being used in a blackmail scheme.

However, when the woman made a public protest in response to what she and her attorney, Abdul-Rahman Al-Lahem, considered the inappropriately lenient prison sentences given to her attackers-ranging from ten months to five years-she herself received a court sentence of six months in prison, and 200 lashes.

The victim's attorney was subsequently disbarred by a Saudi court and prohibited from further representing his client as a result of protests lodged regarding the lightness of the court's prior decision on the sentences of the convicted rapists.

Al-Lahem was scheduled to meet with an administrative judge on Monday to seek reinstatement to the bar and permission to continue representing his client. It is reported that Saudi officials have not responded to media requests for comments on the case.

Mahdi Bray, the Executive Director of MAS Freedom, issued the following statement regarding this incident:

"MAS Freedom views the sentencing in this case as an unspeakably cruel and brutal miscarriage justice, and a clear violation of the compassion and mercy taught by the religion of Islam. Not only has this woman endured the horror of gang rape, but she is now being subject to an equally terrible infliction of pain and harm by the legal system of Saudi Arabia.

We call upon the Saudi government to overturn this cruel sentence, and to immediately reinstate her attorney to the practice of law so that he can give her the legal representation that she is due.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught in his Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that 'Paradise lies at the feet of our mothers'. How, then, can Muslims tolerate the violent abuse of women in the eyes of any legal system?

American Muslims must not be silent in the face of such blatant violations of decency and fundamental human rights. We call upon our entire community, and American Muslim organizations nationwide to condemn this terrible miscarriage of justice.

MAS Freedom believes that the true value and beauty of Islam can only be manifested when women are afforded the respect, and human rights given to all human beings by our Creator. We reject the distorted, and un-Islamic idea, that regards the systematic oppression, and even physical violation of women as tolerable."

The victim's husband (and 'legal guardian') is scheduled to receive a copy of the verdict this coming Saturday from the Qatif General Court, after which the defendant will have 30-days to file an appeal with the Court of Cassation.

RELATED:
Saudi Arabia: Rape Victim Punished for Speaking Out
Rape Victim's Lawyer Refuses to Give In
A Saudi Hero: Abdul Rahman al-Lahem
Petition for Reform of Legal Guardianship of Women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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MAS Freedom (MASF) is a civic and human rights advocacy entity and sister organization of the Muslim American Society (MAS), the largest Muslim, grassroots, charitable, religious, social, cultural, civic and educational organization in America – with 55 chapters in 35 states. Learn more here.
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MAS Freedom
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
Phone: (202) 552-7414
Toll Free: 1-(888)-627-8471
Fax: (703) 998-6526
MASF on the Web
Contact MASF by Email

Please Help the Family of Slain VA-Tec Student Waleed Shaalan

Bismillah

Assalamu Alaikum.

I am passing the following message along; please help if possible - even if all you can do is continue the forwarding of this message, insha'Allah.

Jazakallahu khayran.

Ma'Salaama,
`Aishah

The Muslim Student Association (MSA) National is trying to raise some fund for the family of Waleed Shaalan who was killed last Monday at VA Tech. He left behind his wife and a one-year old son.

If you like to donate via the Web, please click on http://www.msanational.org/finance/vt07donate.html

If you would like to send a check, please mail it to:

PO Box 1096
Falls Church, VA 22041
Phone: (703) 820-7900

Check should be payable to "MSA National".

On the memo section, please write: "Waleed Shaalan".

Some info about Waleed Shaalan from from MSA Natinoal website:

Waleed Shaalan, 32 years old, first stepped onto the Virginia Tech campus in August 2006. An international student originally from Zagazig, Egypt, with no family members in the United States, Waleed quickly became an essential member of the Blacksburg Muslim community. Among those mourning his death are his two roommates (Fahad Pasha and Irfan Waseem) to whom Waleed was their loving older brother, cook, academic and spiritual mentor. Waleed was known for his broad smile and wave that he gave everyone.

Waleed left behind Amira, his wife for 3 years, and Khaled his one-year old son.

For more information about Br. Waleed or the Virginia Tech MSA please visit http://www.msavt.org/.

NEW!! From MWA Member Sumayyah Meehan: Sa`d and Sara's Escape (Part 1)

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

ANNOUNCING!!!
http://www.islamonline.net/English/Family/2007/04.shtml

Also Stop by Sister
Sumayyah's Online Store
Muslim Women's Boutique

The Muslim Women's Boutique is an online cyberstore created by Sumayyah Meehan.
She is an American revert to Islam and has been Muslim for almost 11 years.

Currently, she lives in Kuwait with her husband and 3 children.

The purpose of this site is to provide high quality and

low cost Islamic products and apparel to our customers.

Established in 2006, MWA's mission is to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another

for the common good of the Muslim Ummah, and to be of support to one another in fulfilling

their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless

enthusiasm, experience and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are

dedicated to one another's success.

SIGN THE PETITION!

Say 'No' to Forced Divorce - 'Yes' to Reforms
Online Petition to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz

Muslimah Writers Alliance Forced Divorce Case
Chronological Media Log