( Written and Posted by F.Sheikh)

Today at Islamic Center of Rockland, sermons ( Khutba) given by Mr. Muhammad Abbasi was not only courageous but right on target, especially at this time of crisis.I am paraphrasing his comments. He supported his comments by references from Quran.

He started his khutba by first sending his condolences to the victims of Boston Marathon bombing and then reminded the audience that it is our duty to fight the evil not just outside, but within our own community also. We have to face Boston Marathon Bombing head on. He added, we have difference of opinion with our government’s policies towards Iraq, Afghanistan and other places, and we have such right, but we have no right to violate the laws of this country. We talk about these differences at home with our children, riled them up, but we do not tell them what to do about it, and leave the conversation incomplete. In these conversations we also have to tell them that in order to make a change, we have to use legal means by expressing our opinion and use the power of voting. If we only rile up our children, but do not complete the conversation by emphasizing on using the power of political system to bring a change, then someone else will fill this gap with different agenda. He continued, at home we have to teach our children right from wrong, and if we don’t, someone else will fill this space with its own version of right and wrong.

He lamented the fact that how misdeeds of misguided few, malign the whole community. He said that in Muslim community, it is two-way street. If I see something wrong, I have the obligation to point it out, similarly if someone see something  wrong in me, it should be pointed it out to me. Just ignoring and going along is not the option.

He said, when we apply for visa and get a visa to enter this country, we take the oath to abide by the laws of this country. As a Muslim, we have to fulfill this obligation and abide by the laws. If you do not like it, leave this country, and you have no right to stay here. If someone is breaking the law and involved in harmful activities, it is like stabbing in the back, and it is a grave sin in Islam. You cannot take oath when you get the visa, and then stab in the back. He continued, we came to this country by our own choice and we have our children and grandchildren here. This is our country, and we have to live by the laws of this country. We have every right to criticize the wrong policies of the government, but we have to use lawful and political means to change it.

 Interesting photograph and article. How the Airline allowed it ?  

 Adam Kirsch in Tablet

Huffington Post Photo

It’s not often that the subject of the weekly Daf Yomireading makes headlines in the blogosphere. But last week, the web—especially its Jewish corners—was buzzing over a bizarre photograph of an Orthodox Jewish man on an airplane, completely wrapped in a plastic bag. Many commenters on the photo assumed this had something to do with sexual purity or avoiding women, but in fact, as knowledgeable readers pointed out, it actually involved another taboo entirely.

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-life-and-religion/129136/crossing-the-line