Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution

Salman Ahmad is the founder and lead artist of South Asia's biggest and longest-standing rock band "Junoon". He is also the author of the recently published "Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution". He is well-known as an international rock star, UN Goodwill Ambassador, and advocate for peace. In his book, Salman Ahmad explores the many influences and experiences which lead him to a life of uplifting music and dedication to peace. Salman Ahmad will perform as well as sign his new book during this event at the Claremont Colleges which none of you should miss!

Who: Salman Ahmad, Author of "Rock & Roll Jihad: A Muslim Rock Star's Revolution"
When: Wednesday, March 24th, 4:15-5:30pm
Where: Board of Trustees Room, CGU. 150 E. 10th St., Claremont, CA 91711

Check out one of his videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_rFC0veN5g

This event is sponsored by the School of Relgion and the Transdisciplinary Studies Program at CGU and the Claremont Colleges Muslim Students Association.

Bits and Bytes from the Life of the Prophet

Amir is a 26 year old living in Southern California. He graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business and Marketing and a Minor in Digital Media. Amir has been involved in the Muslim community since he was 14 and has been active with organizations like the Muslim American Society, Cal Poly Pomona’s Muslim Student Association, MSA West, Why Islam and other local Mosques. He currently holds the position of Committee Chair for Why Islam Southern California where he enjoys his passion for spreading the message of Islam. Amir works at the largest county fair in the nation, the Los Angeles County Fair, where he is the Advance & Group Sales Manager. Amir is also involved with an online radio station, OneLegacyRadio.com, where he hosts a weekly show called “The Boiling Point.” His show addresses taboo issues in the Muslim Community and presents them in a fun and provocative manner.

Amir will be presenting clips from the life of the Prophet Muhammad, his society and his companions in an informal setting and answer questions from the audience.

Date: Wednesday, 10th of March 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30PM
Location: CMC Bauer Forum. 900 E 9th Street, Claremont, CA.

Refreshments will be served.

Letter of Support to BSU UCSD

This letter is in response to the recent noose incident at UCSD:UCSD Racial Tensions

Dear BSU of UC San Diego,

On behalf of the officers, advisers, and delegates of Muslim Student Association West, we want to express our support and solidarity with you in these times of hardship. As Muslim students, we understand how it feels to experience hate crimes and face death threats. The African American community is an important part of the American social fabric, enriching our history and culture. Moreover, African Americans are an integral part of the Muslim American community, forming about 25% of Muslims in the United States.

Regardless of these facts, these hate incidents affect all communities across the nation. As Muslim American students and activists who believe in justice for all, it is our duty and obligation to stand with those who are facing blatant and racial injustices on campus. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, "Whoever of you sees an evil must then change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then [he must change it] with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, the [he must change it] with his heart, and that is the slightest [effect of] faith" (Narrated by Muslim). It is a shame that hate crimes and racial slurs and threats are still issues we face today, but it is not a reality that we will accept; rather, we will fight it until justice is established. MSA West would like to extend it's hand of support and stand with you in solidarity.

Incidents of hate are not new to the MSA at UCSD. Last year hate graffiti appeared throughout campus, hate emails were sent to board members, and one of the UCSD MSA members had her tires slashed. To the disappointment of the MSA, the administration and the police took little action. The Muslim Student Association of San Diego understands the pain of these hate incidents and fully supports all those who undergo similar harassment.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." If we stand silent in the face of injustice, then we become complicit with the perpetrators. Throughout American history, there have been many acts of hate and brutality towards African Americans and other minorities; this is our opportunity to stand united and mobilize against these injustices. It is crucial that we take a very stern stance against these hateful criminal acts by any means necessary.

“You don't stick a knife in a man's back nine inches and then pull it out six inches and say you're making progress" -Malcolm X. It's time for us to make some real progress.

In Solidarity,

Claremont Colleges MSA
in association with MSA West

MSA survey

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Haiti Fundraiser

Islamic Relief
In coordination with Shura Council of Southern CA
presents
HAITI HUMANITARIAN CRISIS
EMERGENCY FUNDRAISER

Sunday, January 31, 2010 | 5:30pm

Guest Speaker:
Dr. Maher Hathout, Chairman, Shura Council of Southern CA
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, Religious Director, ISOC

Sheraton Park Hotel Anaheim
1855 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 750-1811

Tickets: $35 ($40 at the door)
Table of 10 seats for $350

Dinner & Children’s program provided

For Tickets & Volunteer Info Contact:
714-676-1309 | 888-479-4968 | sw@irw.org | www.IslamicReliefUSA.org

Sponsored by: CAIR-LA, MPAC, MAS-OC, COPPA (more to come)

Imam Zaid Shakir

Responding to the Fort Hood Tragedy

Imam Zaid Shakir is among the most respected and influential Muslim scholars in the West. Born in Berkeley, California, the second of seven children, he embraced Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. Teaching regularly as the Imam of Masjid al-Islam, writing numerous articles for various magazines, journals, and newspapers, and lecturing frequently at many of America’s largest Muslim conferences and conventions, he soon emerged as one of the most popular and sought-after American Muslim leaders. In 2003, he moved to Hayward, California with his family to serve as a scholar-in-residence and lecturer at Zaytuna Institute, where he now teaches regular courses on Arabic, Islamic law, history, and Islamic spirituality. He has since lectured at many of the Bay Area’s top institutions, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley. He is widely regarded as an articulate voice on Islamic and African-American issues and as a visionary leader in the emergence of an Islamic community and tradition that is indigenous to America.

Imam Zaid Shakir will be presenting a talk to the Claremont College community to address the Fort Hood tragedy: the events asssociated with it as well as those ensuing from it. He will also explain how and why the crime perpetrated by Major Nidal Malik Hasan can not and should not be attributed to Islam.

Wednesday December 9th
Pickford Auditorium, Claremont McKenna College
900 E 9th Street, Claremont, CA 91711
7PM - 8PM

Brought to you by the Claremont Colleges MSA in association with the Arabic Studies Department CMC and International Place.

Dr. Jonathan Brown Lecture

How We Know Early Hadith
Critics Did “Matn” Criticism and
Why It’s So Hard to Find

Dr. Jonathan A.C. Brown has published numerous books and articles about Islamic law and Hadith. He has studied and conducted research in many countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Morocco. Among his research interests are conflicts between Sunni and Salafi Islamic thought and historical criticism of Hadith.

In Islam, the doings and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad are preserved through an oral tradition known as the Hadith. These narrations must pass stringent tests of accuracy before being taken as credible. The Isnad describes the chain of narration, while the Matn is the actual content of the Hadith. Scholars have generally held that early critics only evaluated the authenticity of Hadith based on the Isnad. However, Dr. Brown’s research suggests that the Matn was also considered.

Saturday October 17th
Galileo McAlister, Harvey Mudd College
4PM - 7PM

Brought to you by the Claremont Colleges MSA in collaboration with the HIKMA foundation of Southern Claifornia.