Assalamu Alaykum / Peace be upon you,

“Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.” [Quran 16:90]

“People, beware of injustice, for injustice shall be darkness on the Day of Judgment.” [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]

My Dear Community,

All around our country we are witnessing the unjust detention or deportation of legal immigrants and refugees coming to unite with their loved ones, return to their homes/businesses/studies, contribute to the economy of our country, and/or escape persecution and start a new life in a free United States of America. Our MAPS community consists of members from over 50 countries around the world, including those from countries affected by President Trump’s executive orders. Many in our community are concerned about their future and the future of their families. May Allah SWT reduce the fear and anxiety and bring peace and happiness. Ameen.

In light of the executive orders and travel ban, we strongly advise anyone who is considering travel outside the country (even to Canada or Mexico) to review the travel caution and important information posted by CAIR here. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should speak with an attorney or immigration advocate and verify the conditions under which you can travel outside of the U.S. Ensure you take all precautions necessary and avoid travel if you can for at least the next 90 days, especially if you are from one of the following seven countries:  Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Additionally, we witnessed yet another barbaric act that killed at least 6 innocent people (and left 8 critically wounded), who were peacefully connecting with their Lord in prayer, in a mosque in Quebec City, Canada. May Allah SWT grant them the highest places in Paradise/Jannat Firdous and give patience to the family members and loved ones. And may Allah swt give patience and strength to the community of Quebec City so they come out of the tragedy stronger than ever. Ameen.

While we go through these difficult times, we hope you will remember the following four points.

First, our faith and trust in our Almighty Lord is needed more than ever. Our faith teaches us to be hopeful and optimistic regardless of our situation, as everything is in God’s hand. Let us engage in extra efforts to connect with the Almighty and ask for His assistance, guidance and blessings. Ask Allah SWT to remove hardships from those who are unjustly detained or deported, those who are in refugee camps and those who are persecuted around the world. And ask Allah SWT to guide our country’s leadership to govern using the principles of justice, kindness and equality for all, irrespective of religion, color of skin, nation of origin, documentation status, gender, or lifestyle.

Second, while we strongly oppose the executive orders targeting Muslims, immigrants and refugees as contrary to our shared American values, our faith in our country and what makes it great is not shaken. This is evident in the incredible solidarity action happening across our nation to safeguard the values that make America a shining example in the world, including the outpouring of support for Muslims, immigrants and refugees and positive action taken by community organizations and elected leaders.

Third, we as Americans and as Muslims must be actively involved and work hard to protect and preserve our country’s foundational principles of equality and justice for all. Let us work together with our partners in faith and social justice to safeguard our country’s constitution and stand for justice, as the Quran commands us:  “O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.”  (Quran 4:135)

Finally, get to know each other. It has been said “The human being is the enemy of what he does not know and whom he does not know.” This is our time to overcome fear and animosity by reaching out to our neighbors, co-workers, and co-citizens – whether Muslim, Christian, Jew, Hindu, Sikh, or other – and getting to know them, and having them get to know us. Allah SWT even tells us:  “O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.” (Quran 49:13)

Let us remain steadfast in our faith, follow Quranic commandments of justice and getting to know each other, and unite on our shared American values of religious freedom, equality and justice for all.

Mahmood Khadeer

President

MAPS