Words Can Hurt & Words Can Heal

The tears streamed down her face, as she sat silently, with her hand on her heart, wearing a red hat. She was among nine ladies that recently visited Islamic Center of Boise and call themselves “Red Hat Ladies”.

She wasn’t listening to a Pledge of Allegiance; she was listening to the English translation of few verses from the Holy Quran, the Islamic holy book. She wasn’t being proselytized either. The verses were being read to the group in response to one of their questions: “What do Muslims think of Mary, mother of Jesus Christ?”

The response to her question came directly from the Holy Quran and in particular from the nineteenth chapter, called “Mary”:

“Relate in the Book, the story of Mary. How she withdrew from her family to a place in East.” (19:9)

“She hid herself from them. Then God sent to her, His angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.” (19:10)

“She said: I seek God’s protection from you, God, Who is Most Gracious. Do not come near me if you fear God.” (19:11)

“The angel said: I am only a messenger from your Lord and have come to announce to you the gift of a holy son.” (19:12)

“She said: How shall I have a son when no man has ever touched me and I am a not an unchaste woman.” (19:13)

“The angel said: Your Lord has decided on the matter and it is easy for Him. He wishes to appoint him as a sign unto men and a mercy from Him. It is a matter that has been decreed.” (19:14)

“So she conceived him and she retired herself with the baby to a remote place.” (19:15)

The reader paused to see if anyone had questions. Some guests seemed a bit confused. One couldn’t take the suspense and said, “What happened next?”

The host at the Center explained that when Mary brought the baby Jesus to town, everyone was suspicious of her. They started to question how can someone like Mary, who belonged to a noble lineage, could have a child out of wedlock?

Mary pointed to the baby Jesus and stunned them all, when the baby spoke from the cradle:

“I am indeed a servant of God. He has given me revelation and made me a prophet.” (19:30)

“And He has blessed me wherever I may be. He has enjoined on me prayer and charity for as long as I live.” (19:31)

“He has made me kind to my mother and not overbearing or a misery.” (19:32)

“So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day I shall be brought back to life again.” (19:33)

There was an absolute pin drop silence in the room. The tears were flowing again. This time there were more than one set of eyes that were shedding them.

“How could we hate each other?” one lady asked. “Because we don’t listen to what God is saying!” another one responded. Another commented, “I never knew how close both of our faiths (Islam & Christianity) were?” The conversation continued for another hour. The atmosphere had totally changed; suddenly there was lot more in common, beliefs, lives, aspirations and concerns.

And I thought only in America can this happen.

Definitely words have a power to heal. But they have to be used appropriately and wisely. God’s words did absolutely that at the Islamic Center, that particular day.

However, if we have to exist like brothers and sisters, we have to do more than the words. The time to take action has come. We can’t be true believers as long as our hearts are burdened by doubts and fears about the others. Before we can tear down these walls, we must recognize the builder of these obstacles: the Satan, our common enemy.

Right now, Satan has convinced us otherwise. He has us deceived that we are each other’s enemies. Here’s a New Year resolution: Let’s kick the bad habit this year.

What Will The Terrorists Do Now?

President Obama within his first two days in the office has ordered Guantanamo Bay Gulag closed, banned use of torture, ordered troop withdrawal from Iraq, and taken positive steps forward to stop suffering in occupied Palestinian territories, in particular Gaza. Furthermore, he is sending former Senator George Mitchell to Middle East, to make sure that seize fire lasts between Israel and Hamas.

People all over the world are ecstatic about the wind of change that just swept the White House. This may not be very good news for the terrorists and their propaganda machinery. What will terrorists do now?

What will Cal Thomas write about next to instill terror in the hearts of his readers? What will neo cons like Carl Rove do to sell themselves to American audience? Would they actually have to find a “real job” for a change? Or would they join the other 1,500 employees of Clear Channel Media, the national chain of radio stations that carry propagandists like Rush Limbaugh and Michael “Sewage” Savage, that got laid off on President Obama’s inauguration day?

On the other side of the world, the other terrorists are also feeling the pain of their neo con brothers. After all, war on “terrorism” (a code word), and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were good for business. These wars brought millions of dollars in their coffers and gave them legitimacy that they never had. These wars also got rid of their competition, and provided them with safe sanctuaries. So safe that over one million innocent people were killed during last seven years, but none of the masterminds were ever harmed during these “operations”. They are still issuing audio and video messages from the safety of their “High Tech” caves.

There is a chatter of international collaboration of all Obama haters. A global convention of terrorists may be in works somewhere in a remote cave on Pakistan Afghanistan border. The topic: How to survive the slump in terrorism during Obama era? Given that the neo cons from here can actually find that “convention” cave there, it will be interesting to see what will these perverted minds come up with next?

Why Do They Hate US?

President Obama's inauguration as the 44th President of the United States produced a jubilant reaction from Muslims throughout the world. After all, this historical event places a man with a Muslim name in the most powerful position in the free world today.

Pakistan's private TV channel ARY showed images of young children on the streets of Pakistani cities carrying pictures of President Barrack Hussein Obama. This time, they weren't burning them or the American flag. On the other side of the ocean in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world, people celebrated the event as if it was their "independence" day.

Even in a so called "Axis of Evil" nation of Iran, Mullahs (religious leaders) offered prayers of blessings for the new American President for a change rather than holding rallies to throw shoes at his effigy.

So the question comes to mind, aren't these people supposed to hate America and Americans? At least, that has been the message given to Americans for past eight years.

IMPAC is putting up this question for the preachers of hate and fear mongers, who have for last eight years spread fear and suspicion within the United States: Why do you hate US? And we do mean "US" not "us".

The politics of fear, loss of civil liberties and draconian policies put in place targeting Immigrants, in particular Muslims and Arabs, have in fact spread terror and fear. It is a moral and a civic duty of every American, citizen or not, to work together to undo this web of deceit and help bring back the confidence in the rule of law.

The time has come to be the United States of America again. United once again, immigrants and natives, whites and people of color, believers and non believers, we shall overcome all barriers and bring greatness back to our nation, the United States of America.

Idaho's Muslim Population Welcomes President Obama's Encouraging Statements to Muslim World in Inaugural Address

Idaho's Muslim population congratulates President Obama and welcomes his encouraging statement to the Muslim world in his inaugural address. We commend President Obama for the overall positive tone of his address and thank him particularly for the statement "To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual respect."

We hope that this encouraging statement, coupled with a change in previous policies toward the Muslim world, will help improve our nation's image in promote a safe and prosperous future for all humanity.

Idaho's diverse Muslim community stands ready alongside American Muslims and our institutions, to work with President Obama's administration on any positive domestic or international initiatives.

Muslims in Idaho Respond to President Obama's Call to Service

When President Obama asked all Americans to respond to his call to service, Idaho's diverse Muslim community wasted no time to jump into action.

Southwestern Idaho is home to the largest and most diverse Muslim community in entire state. The Treasure Valley area is home to estimated 7,000 Muslims from over 23 different nations. According to a study, Southwestern Idaho's Muslim community speaks over 41 different languages and dialects. 90% of Southwestern Idaho's Muslim population consists of refugees.

Muslims' response to President's call to service includes volunteering at the Interfaith Sanctuary (Homeless shelter organized by Idaho's faith community), Idaho Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and holding yearly blood drives for American Red Cross.

Idaho Muslim Public Awareness Campaign is asking people of all backgrounds and beliefs to respond to President Obama's call to service.

Will you like to volunteer? Please send us an email at impaconline@gmail.com