Editor, Author at Muslim American

Building Bridges with Interfaith Relations

July 26, 2021December 31, 2014 by Editor

Duston Barto

On September 13, Masjid Ar-Razaaq hosted their annual interfaith banquet in conjunction with Mecklenburg Ministries. During this event, the gathered community of people was able to hear a brilliant keynote address by Imam Omar Shaheed from As-Salaam Islamic Center in Colombia, South Carolina. Following his keynote address, each religious leader from Baha’i, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jewish and Christian backgrounds (among others) were able to get up in turn and talk about misconceptions that people have regarding their religion and to answer questions. All of these events helped the community of Charlotte to blend closer together to find unity in our diversity.

Verses from the QUR’AN to Save Our Community

February 8, 2022December 31, 2014 by Editor

Samia Mubarak

Too often we hear how a city is so nice to live in, but “if only its Muslim community was more united.” Many of the main problems Muslims face today are: racism, prejudice, sexism, backbiting, rumors, and other diseases that cause communities to be disunited.

How can we save our communities? The Quran always has answers to our problems. What can our community learn from God’s book to be strong and united as one?

These four verses in Surah Al Hujurat explain how, individually, we each can help unite the Muslim community.

“The believers are a single brotherhood, so make reconciliation between your brothers, and be mindful of God so you can receive mercy.”

“O you who believe! Don’t let some men among you make fun of other men, for it may be that the (ones who are being made fun of) are better than the (ones making fun of them). And don’t let some women among you make fun of other women, either, for it may be that the (ones who are being made fun of) are better than the (ones making fun of them). Don’t damage each other’s reputations nor be sarcastic with each other, and don’t call each other by cruel nicknames. It’s terrible to use an insulting nickname for someone after he’s become a believer. Whoever doesn’t stop this practice is doing wrong.”

An Islamic View of the True CHRISTMAS

August 2, 2021December 31, 2014 by Editor

An Hour with Imam Khalil A. Akbar | Islamic Magazine | Carolina Muslims

Part 1 of the Muslim view on Jesus Christ

Imam Khalil Akbar

Christmas is a time of year where all of humanity can celebrate together in many respects. Muslims do not generally celebrate Christmas, but we must recognize the factual events of the virgin birth and the blessed nature of Jesus’s birth. In this article, Imam Khalil Akbar (a student of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed) expounds upon the Islamic view of “Christmas”.

During my 26 year career as an employed Clinical Chaplain for the North Carolina Department of Correction, I experienced occasions when I was asked to explain the beliefs and practices of Muslims. One such occasion was at Western Youth Center in Morganton, NC. The audience I addressed consisted of the Chaplain, Superintendent, Correctional Officers and other Staff members.

Carolina Muslims Imam Q & A

July 26, 2021December 31, 2014 by Editor

Breakfast and brotherhood | Islamic Magazine | Carolina Muslims

In the name of Allah the Merciful, the Compassionate.

Praise is to Allah and prayers and peace are upon our master Muhammad the Messenger of Allah.

Before answering the question, we must mention the rule and issues determined in our religion and clarify them:

1. Allah SWT created the human being, honored him, and preferred him over many of His creations. Allah SWT said: “And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.” (Al-Israa: 70)

2. Allah has created us in order to worship Him. The principal objective of our existence in this life is worshiping Allah solely: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Al-Thariyat: 56)

Encouraging our Children’s Identities as Muslim Americans

August 2, 2021December 31, 2014 by Editor

Isra Mohamed

Having school aged children in America has its own unique set of difficulties. Couple that with the onslaught of social media and technology, and you’ll find that the challenges parents face today have never been faced by prior generations.

Whether you believe that your child should only celebrate Eid Al Adha and Eid Ul Fitr and nothing else or you believe that certain holidays are ok (i.e. Thanksgiving), doesn’t mean that your goal as parents of Muslim children in America differs. We all want to raise children who are comfortable, confident, and proud of their Muslim identities.

Many of us were raised by first generation, immigrant parents who faced language barriers, cultural differences, and an all-around lack of knowledge about the melting pot of lifestyles that America consists of. We often came home with a variety of questions regarding practices that were altogether alien for our parent’s generation. “What’s Christmas got to do with trees and reindeer?” “What is trick-or-treating?” “Can we do an egg hunt on Easter?” “What is Easter?”

Fighting for Light, A moment with Hector Camacho, JR

August 2, 2021December 31, 2014 by Editor

Duston Barto :

On August 16th, 2014 Charlotte hosted its first major boxing event in over a decade. The blessing for the Muslim community is that the primary promoter for the fights, Brother Jonathan Nazeer, and the headliner for the event, Hector “Macho” Camacho, Jr are both Muslim. There have been many Muslim boxers over the years such as the great well-known Muhammad Ali, Henry Tillman who won the gold in 1984 Olympics, light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins and even the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of 1987 Mike Tyson converted to Islam in the 1990s while in prison. One of the burning questions that many people have is “How can people in an aggressive sport like boxing embrace the peace of Islam?” I can tell you that after having met Brother Hector; there is no aggression in his manner. His view of the sport may be unique, but it definitely shows how Muslims can happily participate in it.

Challenging the Ummah toward Righteousness

February 13, 2017December 31, 2014 by Editor

Interview with Imam Abraham Kamara of Masjid Keblataine in Charlotte, NC

Duston Barto

Originally hailing from the Ivory Coast of West Africa, Imam Abraham Kamara is at once imposing and welcoming. His physical stature towers over most but his demeanor is warm, friendly and inviting. Even though he has already completed a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Sharia at Al-Azar University in Egypt, he came to the USA in 1999 as a student for the sole reason of improving his English. He has since married and built a family with two sons and five daughters who all fill his life with happiness.

Reclaiming our Muslim-American Heritage

December 27, 2021December 31, 2014 by Editor

Imam Muhammad ibn Heshaam Jaabir talks to us about the Muslim American heritage.

Interview with Muhammad ibn Heshaam Jaabir

Duston Barto

A conversation with Muhammad ibn Heshaam Jaabir is like taking a trip through time as he enthusiastically reaches back to the deep roots of Western Sudan (Mali) to pull knowledge of his ancestors to help the Muslim American community of today. He even said that his favorite part of the Qur’an is Surah Al-Ikhlas because it reminds him that dawah is not yet done in America and that it will not be done until everyone in America understand the mercy and justice behind the message of this surah which represents the core and foundation of Islam, therefore every effort of the Imam is set on ensuring that the concept of Tauheed is expressed across the country. Currently Sheikh Muhammad is so busy with several projects that he does not have a fixed imam position, however he is constantly providing education to various communities and delivers khutbahs at any Masjid that asks for his time. As the president of BIMA (Bureau of Indigenous Muslim Affairs) he is constantly working on community building and expansion as well as fixing issues with various masajid. BIMA, which was begun by Muhammad Jaabir’s father Heshaam, provides counseling, social assistance and knowledge through its two mosques in NJ and Brooklyn, NY. Recently, Imam Muhammad moved back to Charlotte to help enhance local Islamic media, specifically to establish TV and radio networks to benefit Muslim American communities with knowledge and for dawah purposes. This is not a new concept as he’s had a great deal of experience with WBIE Muslim talk Radio in New York.