Muslim Inauguration Gala
Vending is available during the Muslim Inauguration Gala for $250 per table and $75 for each additional person. If you are interesting in vending, please contact : Tahir Kaiyum, at (202) 487-3874 or at cmmovement@gmail.com or Aisha Jackson at 301-461-4202 or aisha.jackson@gmail.com .
For additional information, please visit: http://www.wali-dc.org/Events_Calendar.html
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It’s almost time for the Muslim Inauguration Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2009 from 7:00 - 11:00 p.m., and space is running out fast! With the limited number of tickets available, we encourage you to pre-purchase tickets. Tickets are currently on sale for $100. This event is a joint sponsorship of the Washington Academic Leadership Institute, and the Muslim Social Network. The Honorary Host Organization is the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association.
The Thurgood Marshall Center
1816 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Congressman Keith Ellison, D-MN
Representatives of the Obama administration
Representatives from the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association
Reverend Walter Foundroy former DC Congressional Delegate
The Nappy Roots (Guest Appearance)
Tray Chaney from HBO’s hit series, The Wire (Guest Appearance)
L’Tynna and Company
Imam Dawud Walid - CAIR Michigan
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik - Muslim Alliance of North America, Dar Al Hijrah Islamic Center
Imam Yusef Saleem - Masjid Muhammad, DC
Representatives from the Washington Interfaith Conference
Judge Hassan Al-Emin
Filed under: Black American Muslims
It says Muslim, but it seems a lot more Black Muslims. Says a lot of our non-Black Muslim community and their interest in American politics.
InshaAllah I’m going to try my best to show up.
This is unbelievable!!!!!! This appears to be the biggest “I wanna imitate the kuffar and their evil at any cost” event, I’ve ever heard of. Nothing but beautified sinning. Tuxedos, gowns, haraam music groups, and violence glorifying actors from the haraam tv show, “The Wire”, !?! Subhanallaah!!!!!!!!!!!
Look how low the Muslims are. Whoever calls to, and attends this affair is an open sinner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such is the contribution of “black” Muslims in America, nothing but sin and transgression!!!!!!!!!!!
Wonder how Obama will respond this tragic murder
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/04/MN0R153LGU.DTL
Imam Zaid Shakir and Hamza Yusuf have also confirmed their attendance.
MR, your comment struck me. Surely you realize that most Muslim conferences, events, and even communities are immigrant/first generation dominated?
I myself am the daughter of immigrants, but your comment sounded a bit naive, and I know you are a lot more conscious than that:)
There is a debate on whether Muslims should be engaged in politics, and that is a debate I shy away from as I seed both sides. Either way, it will be a good opportunity to network, and be among some of the more active members of our community, Allah Alam.
“This is unbelievable!!!!!! This appears to be the biggest “I wanna imitate the kuffar and their evil at any cost” event, I’ve ever heard of. Nothing but beautified sinning. Tuxedos, gowns, haraam music groups, and violence glorifying actors from the haraam tv show, “The Wire”,” blah blah blah………….
Good at least we know who WON’T be there. And that’s a good thing.
maybe he will be over in saudi hugged up dancing with swords like his leader LOL
Maybe black-tie or tuxedo and gowns can be understood by the educated that…… this is not a wear your torn jeans evening. Meaning it is an evening for the intellect, for those who want to be part of history and embrace the fact that we are American Muslims that have finally been shaken awake with anger and resentment against those who have hijacked our Peaceful religion and have put all of us Muslims to shame.
This event defintenly sends a mix message.We muslims need to define halal entertainment and nonhalal .Whoever thinks music is not haram he better get a copy of the book Slippery stone by brother Khalid Baig.It shuts down all the nonsense around this issue.Lately it just seems like a bunch of confusion is taking place.What I mean is that were going to define Islam thw way we wantKnow matter if we bypass the principles of Shariah .
There is no confusion. This is simply Muslims following their evil desires, and imitating the kuffar. Music is haraam, the intermixing they will do–Allaah knows best–is haraam. This whole function is haraam!!!!
Check out the 4 Imams’ take on music.
http://www.troid.org/ibaadah/common-conflcts/the-ruling-concerning-music-according-to-the-four-imaams.html
It’s too expensive, there are other events for far less!
Other than the music issue, the whole idea of gala in light of the recent events is unacceptable. How dare we celebrate the office of oppression past and present. The Palestinian victim toll rises we celebrate in gala, Iraqi death tolls has been on the rise,we celebrate in gala. So many acts of harm where the past administration had involvement or ties and we celebrate in gala. Shame. Pure Shame. I guess we should just go to the gala or donate to it and then blog about our gripes of the system. Today’s ummah needs to mature and sit down and make fikr (make deep thought) about the ummah. Maybe hours in contemplation about our plight will yield more benefit than partying to abominable tunes. Let’s be serious for once.
Wow. I’m appalled at the speech on this site. Why are these posts so irrational, so unreasonable??? I’m beginning to believe the stereotype about Muslims… and then I remember I am one. How shameful. God give us Hikmah!
Firstly, I ask Allah (swt) to forgive us all for our sins, intentional or otherwise. Given that our Muslim leadership from around the nation are attending and endorsing this event, perhaps some of you should look at the broader picture. Otherwise, Muslims will continue to be marginalized in the US and face the same type of persecution that was faced after 911. Wake up people! And by the way, not only African American Muslims are participating. Last time I checked, Hamza Yusef, Ingrid Mattsen, and many others are not African American. And the fact that you would have a problem with that points to your sins - RACISM!
Salaams,
So many comments caught my attention but I’ll just address the 1st one made by MR.
Why is there a distinction between muslim and black muslim. The event says muslim and it is attended by muslims. You imply that ‘black’ muslims are somehow different from ‘regular’ muslims.
Your comment illustrates a huge problem in this ummah!
Thank you mikadee. This was my point exactly! And coincidentally, it appears the the “black” muslims are the primary ones participating in US governmental affairs at all, and therefore, are the only ones with a voice. Others have to write on blogs all day…
Also, I think some Muslims fall into the Christian mentality of “people worship”. This event is not to worship a man - he is not our saviour, but rather to celebrate a shift in the American paradigm. The world sees that America is not just for one group anymore. Can’t Muslims see the bigger picture?
@ Joy and everyone else
You’re missing the point. Show me anywhere in Islaamic history where the Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu alayhi wa salam), the Sahaaba (radiyyallaahu anhum), the Tabi’een (rahimahumullaah), and anyone who was righteous after them; threw a party!?! Or, ordered the people to throw a party to raise money.
Anyone of you, bring the narration!!!!!!!!!!!
This is nothing else but following evil desires. Anyone who attends a gathering like this is an open sinner.
@ Daud
you do realize that we do not worship YOU right? Whatever man to all what you say
I think Daud’s comments are ignorant. This Gala is about Networking, and a fundraiser for a Muslim School. There will be no dancing I was told. How is this an “innovation” when it will not be an annual event. If you are too cheap to support a fundraiser just say so! EXTREMIST!
Just like I thought; you people will come with a lot of “rap”, but will not even attempt to bring one proof that says it’s permissible for Muslims to throw parties.
@ Tahirah
RE: “There will be no dancing I was told”
If there will be “no dancing” as you say, then what’s the purpose of having the “Black Eyed Peas” playing music? Besides, the people who this event targets, and the attendees mentioned have no history of forbidding the evil.
Allaah knows best; if I took a video camera there, there would be people dancing, intermingling etc. Some of the BAM Masaajid where this event is promoted themselves have thrown “White Parties” with live bands, where the Muslims were dancing; as well as sponsoring line dancing in the Masaajid. You call me an extremist because I call to adhering to the Sunnah, and demand proofs from the Book and the Sunnah!?! Subhanallaah, I’m not the extremist, anyone who agrees with this affair is the extremist–extremely ignorant of the Deen and extremely lax in practicing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BLAH BLAH BLAH
LOL @ Black Eyed Peas. Where does it say that they are performing?! HAHA. You don’t know what you are speaking of.
May Allah forgive us for our sins and transgressions that may have come out regarding the above comments by our brothers and sisters and also anything that I say that may be correct.
This event is not about worshipping a man or to pay tribute to a man, but more accurately put; it is acknowledge that anything is possible. It is “to commemorate the historic election” NOT ‘to commemorate President Elect Barack Obama’. I am a Native Born citizen of this country and I have seen racism first hand, and unfortunately much of it has been from my beloved brothers and sisters. As Muslims we should relish this as a sign for what is possible for us in the country. Not even 40 years African Americans were treated a less than human and now one has been elected to the highest man appointed office on the Planet. Today as Muslims, we are often treated as less than human, this can change…
To my knowledge, as I can recall, the African American political leaders at this event are the biggest Muslim Politicians in US out there, Two Muslim Congressmen, Alhumdulilah. If a brother or sister from Saudi Arabia, Bangaldash or Cuba was a in Congress or a Governor; they would have been invited.
That is the case with the Imam’s and other leaders. They are of all backgrounds: Imam James “Yusuf” Yee, Imam Zaid Shakir, Imam Humza Yusef, Ingrid Mattson. All very well know People of the National Muslim community, non of these believers are African American.
Even the Non Muslim Non African American Governor Howard Dean of -VT is expected. He is a white man. Azar Usman from the Comedy group Allah Made Me funny will also be there among many other prominent people who we would just like to refer to as Muslims not as a race.
Allah (SWT) says in the Quran:
“O people! Behold, we have created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes to that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware.” [Qur'an 49:13]
As to if one thinks Muslims should be political active in this country or just be sheep that follow is a different debate.
Btw – there no dancing, we are also planning having an area for sisters only. This event is not an innovation in islam because we are not saying it is part of islam. It is not a religious event. Infact a celebration like this is part of the culture here, please reference the below hadith which directly relates…
The story of the “sons of Arfida”—a familiar Arabian linguistic reference to
Ethiopians—provides a telling illustration of the place of culture (here, of
course, Black African culture) within the Prophetic dispensation. In celebration
of an annual Islamic religious festival, a group of Black African converts
began to beat leather drums and dance with spears in the Prophet’s mosque.
Umar ibn al-Khattab—one of the chief Companions—felt compelled to interfere
and stop them, but the Prophet intervened on their behalf, directing Umar to
leave them alone and noting to him that they were “the sons of Arfida,” that
is, not his people. The Prophet invited his wife A’isha to watch the dance, took
her into the crowd, and lifted her over his back, so that she could watch them
clearly as she eagerly leaned forward, her cheek pressing against his. The
Prophet made it a point to dispel the Ethiopians’ misgivings about Umar’s
intrusion and encouraged them to dance well and, in one account of this
authentic story, reassured them to keep up their drumming and dancing, saying:
“Play your games, sons of Arfida, so the Jews and Christians know there is
latitude in our religion.”8
Related in Bukhari and Muslim,
As Salaamu Alaikum
Tahir – MSN Director and Event Planner of the Muslim Inaugural Gala
Wallahi, this dialouge is so disheartening. So much self righteous condemnation of an event whose purpose is to establish an Islamic oriented school where young men can benefit from a high quality education.
Honestly, what are these nay sayers really contributing to the establishment of Islam in this society besides sitting back and criticizing those who are out and about trying to make things happen, fi sabilillah!
The least the you could do (Daud) is have your facts straight! Admit it, you went on a campaign to condem an event that you knew nothing or very little about armed only with assumptions and your prejudice. Why, because of your narrow mindedness in the deen. Don’t worry though Bro, when the school is established (bi ithnillah) you can still enroll your children, because its not their fault that their dad has no vision to be able to produce a school for them.
@ tahir
you don’t need to explain yourself to these self appointed Lords.
@ tahir
did you all call consult with the ulamaa on the permissibility of such an event or did you all just decide to do this on your own desires? you are saying that it is part of islam but at the same time calling it a MUSLIM event. What kind of ignorance is this?
@ Mr Muminun
who would want to go to a school organized by people so ignorant of the Qur’an and Sunnah
This entire strand of discussion is obsurd. Here is the tip, if you do not listen to music, don’t go. It is information and strands like this that the enemies of the beautiful and simple way of life “Islam” use against the new believers. I would hate to think of the punishment on the day of judgement to those who spew such ugly confusion which can result in turning people off of the deen.
As a revert to the deen, I find my family use word just like these to tell me that this way of life is for non-blacks. Lets get back to the book that is sure and true without doubt. Lets concentrate on being examples of good Muslims so that the beauty of the deen will shine through. It is sad that there is racism and classism in the deen by people who claim to be knoledgeable.
Go if you want and do not go if you don’t want. Leave debating for those who have perfected the basics.
@ Umm Aminah
Music is haraam. This is agreed upon by the ulamaa of Ahlus Sunnah. Please refer to http://www.troid.org for information on PROPERLY following this deen
There is no confusion when you follow the Quran and Sunnah. The Muslims have one way of life and that is the Sunnah…period
There is not “freedom of choice” in this deen. The sinful will go. Those who are trying to protect their deen will not go to such evil
For those concerned, we have consulted with at least a dozen Imams, all leaders of the DC Metro or National Community, non of which objected, all of which will be there.
It is called ‘Muslims Inaugural Celebration’ because this is our target market.
I suppose that IF we called It “Islamic Inaugural Gala” you may have a point…
take care.
as salaamu alaikum.
@ tahir
consulting with some ignorant imams in the US is not what I had in mind. I am speaking about REAL scholars of this deen in the Muslim world that are readily avaliable to answer the questions of hte ummah on several issues. but you ask a bunch of ignorant locals? the sin is on you
This is amazing, admit it!! You are all terrorist and all you do is fight. LoL. religion of peace? All yaw need Jusus.
see the last post about us fighting. That is my point exactly. What makes no US Scholars less studied than ones from the east? The point is…..on the day of judgement you will be judged on your deeds and actions and not that of others. Sounds like some of us need to make dua that the hate needs to be removed from our hearts and thoughts. This strand is pointless and futile.
@ Malim, Sheek, Umm Aminah, Mr. Munir, Hasin and everyone else, thank you for your input on the Muslim Inagural Gala. I prey all guide us all and forgive us if anything that may have come from this discussion or event that may be frowned upon by Allah. (SWT)
shukron.
*Allah
Since the time of slave uprisings to the time of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz to the present, the “establishment” has been trying to keep progress down. Unfortunately, the “Uncle Toms” and “Overseers” were and still are worse than the actual slave masters and this concept transcends the African American experience. We see in this dialogue that some of the toms are doing their job well. Br. Tahir presented clear evidence on the subject matter, yet Daud and Malik still reject the truth. Hmmm, I think there’s an Arabic word for those who know the truth, yet still reject it…anyone know that word? I’m just an abdullah (servant of Allah), not an angel (Malik). I’m done and I’ll see the other abdullahs at the event!
@ Joy
Are you implying that because ten ignorant imams in DC, who are following the rest of the people in their evil; is a proof!?! I tell what, you and Tahir go ask those ten “imams” to bring an Ayah from the Book of Allaah and/or the Sunnah that says it’s permissible for Muslims to throw parties.
The arguing comes because ignorant people speak without knowledge; and have no proofs from the book of Allaah, or any ahadith to back their wack statements. No one has yet to bring a proof that this event is permissible; instead you just a bunch of rhetoric from your desires.
This is the condition of the people who approve of the Muslims throwing parties. This will be an event for the sinners!
@ Mr. Mu’min
What good can you expect for the school when funds are raised in haraam manner!?! You can’t get haraam money and expect to get good results from it. All you’ll get is cursed!!!!
I am amazed that I have MUSLIMS trying to argue me down over the permissibility of throwing a party to raise $$$. Subhanallaah!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Tahirah
My bad, black eye peas or nappy roots; it don’t make no difference; listening to music is still haraam and this “gala event” will still be a gathering of evil
@ Tahir
I know that the hadith you’re citing says they were playing with spears, but I don’t recall it saying they were “dancing”; so Inshallaah I’ll have to get back with you when I find it.
In the mean time, the hadith does NOT mention the presence of a “live-band” in the hadith, so you can’t even make a comparison. You can’t twist the narrations to suit your purposes!
LOL, comments in this section are hilarious. Daud, while I agree with what you’ve said about music and partying (in the way you’re imagining it), I gotta tell you bro, your tone is just way over the top.
Since we’re talking about following the Sunnah and avoiding the bid’ah, my sincere and humble (very humble) naseeha is that even as we enjoin the good and forbid the evil, we must follow the proper method of enjoining good and forbidding evil, much the same way we pray and follow the proper method of prayer.
Keep the following advice in mind at all times when writing online to millions of people who don’t know you, don’t have your knowledge, and don’t see you or the scholars you follow as an authority: never does gentleness exist in anything except that it beautifies it, and never does harshness exist in anything except that it disfigures it.
Siraaj