Alabama Muslims Speak Out Against Gaza Attacks

I’ve been in Alabama about a month now, and have attended at least 3 Jumuah prayers all at the same masjid. I generally attend the Hoover Crescent Center in Hoover, Alabama simply because it’s easier to get to, and I’ve only found one other Masjid in Birmingham thus far.

Judging from some blogs I’ve read, I expected the Muslim community here to be very Westernized. Well, that is true for Birmingham. The Muslims here are mostly Arab and Pakistani immigrants who have done well for themselves and are considered middle to upper middle class. Put simply, I see quite a few Mercedes, Beemers and other high class cars at Jumuah.

I kind of expected the khutbahs here to pander to the Liberal side of America. This preconception is fortified by the fact that I remember a couple of years ago when the Masjid in Birmingham invited the FBI for a visit. I wasn’t a resident of Birmingham back then; I was only visiting family. Nonetheless, that move gave me a good idea of the Muslims here.

Regardless of how much they want to show they are just like other Americans, the Khutbahs I’ve heard so far have been very encouraging. I thought I would hear khutbahs trying to make Islam equal to other religions. Or castigating Muslims who fight against oppression. Or worst yet, support Israel implicitly or explicitly.

Alhamdulillah, I was wrong about all of that.

The very first Khutbah I heard here in Birmingham, the Imam talked against that foolish interfaith we’re-all-the-same crap some Muslims chant. He clearly showed using the Quran and Hadith that Islam is the only correct way of life and anyone who associates partners with Allah and dies like that is doomed to hell.

And then today (Friday, January 2nd) another Imam gave an equally important speech concerning the Israeli attacks against the people of Gaza.

The Imam did not pull any punches. He laid out how destructive the Israelis have been to the people of Palestine. He spoke about how the Israeli government acts as if it’s above the law (and in many ways, it is). And he gave several ideas about how we can help the people of Gaza.

One of the simplest ways is to visit CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) and sign an online petition. Of course this isn’t going to stop the bombs from dropping, but at least, like the Imam says, it’s better than doing nothing.

And of course, he also mentioned, we must include the Muslims of Gaza in our dua’s and prayers.