The Crescent Report – Straight from the Source – with Imam Mahdi Bray

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MAS Freedom Welcomes ISNA Attendees to Nation’s Capitol

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on July 3, 2009

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Congratulations on 46th Annual Convention!

WASHINGTON, DC (MASNET) July 3, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), extends a warm welcome to those who have travelled from near and far to attend the 46th Annual ISNA Convention, July 3-6, at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, right here in the nation’s capitol!

Over the course of the next few days there are 20-pages worth of programs, sessions and activities designed to engage one and all in this year’s annual event, under the theme: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

legislative_agenda_cover_460MAS Freedom encourages attendees to participate in the special political session, “Stand Up and Be Heard: Effective Strategies for Muslim Political Advocacy, Friday evening, July 3 from 9:00 PM through 10:30 PM, in Hall 4D of the Washington D.C. Convention Center.

Session panelists, including Congressman Keith Ellison, Congressman Andre Carson, Councilman M.J. Khan, Abdul Malik Mujahid, and Suhail Khan. The discussants will provide their opinions on strategies that have proven successful in getting our community’s concerns and perspectives to the top-most levels of local, regional and national political power. Panelists include elected officials, political party officials, Muslim Political activists and lobbyists, who will share ideas on how your community can effectively engage in political advocacy.

The session will be moderated by Khurrum Wahid.

Political advocacy session attendees can prepare for Friday evening’s discussion by reviewing MAS Freedom’s 12-Point, 4-Year Legislative Agenda distributed to members of Congress, public officials, policy groups, and is available for the general public online (here).

For directions to the Washington, D.C. Convention Center visit: http://www.dcconvention.com/directions.aspx.

Parking information available here: http://www.dcconvention.com/parking.aspx

In addition to MAS Freedom’s 12-Point Legislative Agenda, other MAS Freedom initiatives include, “Let Gaza Live”, Voting is Power (VIP), Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), Homeland Security Fusion Center Monitoring & Ending CMU Unit, Flying Six Imams Lawsuit, Upgraded MAS Chapter In Service Training, and Immigration Legal Clinics. Your generous contribution to MAS Freedom helps insure these ongoing efforts on behalf of the Muslim community right here at home and abroad.

To learn more visit http://www.masnet.org, http://www.masfreedom.org, or http://www.masfreedomvip.com.

Make a pledge to support MAS Freedom today by mailing your check or money order made payable to MAS Freedom to the following address:

MAS Freedom

1325 G Street NW, Suite 500

Washington DC 20005

Or Donate Securely Online Here

RELATED:
MAS Freedom’s 12-Point 4-Year Legislative Agenda
http://masfreedom.org/campaigns/mas_freedom_2008-2012_legislative_agenda.pdf
SECURE ONLINE DONATIONS CAN BE MADE HERE:
https://www.maskansascity.org/MASKC/Support/support.asp?ID=PL

————————————————————-
MAS Freedom (MASF) is a civic and human rights advocacy entity and sister organization of the Muslim American Society (MAS), the largest Muslim, grassroots, charitable, religious, social, cultural, civic and educational organization in America – with 55 chapters in 35 states.
————————————————————-
MAS Freedom
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
Phone: (202) 552-7414
or (703) 642-6165
Toll Free: 1-(888)-627-8471
Fax: (703) 998-6526
MASF on the Web
Contact MASF by Email
TO DONATE CLICK HERE

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

MAS Freedom Executive Director Receives Veiled Death Threat From Extremist Group

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on July 1, 2009

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Extremist Group Referenced Robert Spenser’s Website in Threat Letter, Law Enforcement Contacted

threatening_letter_cc_version

Click to view full size image.

WASHINGTON, DC (MASNET) July 1, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), reports that its Executive Director, Mahdi Bray, recently received a letter containing a veiled death threat from the Jewish Task Force (JTF), an ultra right-wing extremist group with ties to the Extremist Cleric, the late Rabbi Meir Kahane, who’s views have been condemned by the Southern Poverty Law Center and mainstream Jewish organizations.

The letter mailed to the MAS Freedom’s national office in Washington, D.C., contained aspersions towards Islam and passages from the Quran taken out of context.

A reference to Robert Spenser’s website, Jihad Watch, was included at the end of the letter, the back side of which included a hand drawn picture of a rifle scope’s crosshair.

Also included in the letter’s message were statements including, “Freedom Forever, Sharia Never”, “Every Jew a .22″, “Viva IDF”, and “Death To Jihad Scum”.

As a matter of standard procedure, the letter was reported and turned over to Federal law enforcement.

“I have received threats of this nature before. I am neither unnerved nor deterred by such actions, however, I think that the faith community and members of the media have a responsibility to expose the unhealthy relationship between groups openly flaunting violence and bigot propagandists like Robert Spenser, Steve Emerson, and those of their ilk,” stated Bray.

Bray added, “It is my feeling that the recent shootings at the Holocaust Museum and the incident of surrounding the abortion doctor in Wichita, Kansas, bring home the fact that the likes of Spenser and Emerson, who’s organizations and activities peddle hate information, serve to add fuel to the fire of violence perpetuated by extremists willing to act out their hatred. More Americans need to speak and stand up against these merchants of hate.”

If anyone in your organization or religious institution has been the recipient of threatening letters, phone calls, etc., similar in nature, please contact MAS Freedom at (202) 552-7414, (703) 642-6165 or 1-888-627-8471 or send an email to: info @ masfreedom.org.

Letter here: http://masfreedom.org/images/threatening_letter.jpg

Posted in Extremism, Islamophobia | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

MAS Freedom Protests Israeli ‘Act of Piracy’

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 30, 2009

Humanitarian Shipment Bound for Gaza Intercepted in International Waters

let_gaza_live_color_460x601WASHINGTON, DC (MASNET) June 30, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), has sent a vigorous statement of protest to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to this afternoon’s interception of the ‘Spirit of Humanity’ as it sailed through international waters on a humanitarian mission to Gaza.

After departing from the Cypriot port of Larnaca on Monday, bound for Gaza with three tons of medical supplies, the Spirit of Humanity was later surrounded by Israeli Navel ships whose personnel boarded and detained its passengers, including Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire, former U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate, Cynthia McKinney, and other activists from Britain, Ireland, Bahrain and Jamaica.

MAS Freedom Civil and Human Rights Director, Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey, called the act both a flagrant violation of international law and an act of aggression against a civilian population.

“The Israeli authorities must release the Spirit’s crew without delay, and allow the ship to complete its mission of delivering life-saving material aid to the people of Gaza.”

It has been reported that those detained would be handed over to immigration authorities on arrival in the southern port of Ashdod, and the humanitarian cargo would be trucked into the Gaza Strip after a security check.

According to United Nations and international relief agency reports, some 80% of Gazans live below poverty level. Malnutrition, fuel shortages and medical emergencies are everyday occurrences within among Gaza’s 1.4 million inhabitants.

————————————————————-
MAS Freedom (MASF) is a civic and human rights advocacy entity and sister organization of the Muslim American Society (MAS), the largest Muslim, grassroots, charitable, religious, social, cultural, civic and educational organization in America – with 55 chapters in 35 states.
————————————————————-
MAS Freedom
1325 G Street NW, Suite 500
Washington DC 20005
Phone: (202) 552-7414
or (703) 642-6165
Toll Free: 1-(888)-627-8471
Fax: (703) 998-6526
MASF on the Web
Contact MASF by Email
TO DONATE CLICK HERE

Posted in Humanitarian, Palestine, Politics, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

MAHDI BRAY SPEAKS: TODAY AT 11:30 AM ON THE CRESCENT REPORT! Dr. Muqtedar Khan and Preacher Moss ON WUST 1120 AM RADIO

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 28, 2009

sunday_june_28_promo

Posted in American-Politics, Muslim Issues, Politics | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

MAHDI BRAY SPEAKS: The Crisis in Gaza is Far From Over and the American Humanitarian Convoy to Gaza Launches July 4, 2009

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 24, 2009

support_letter

Posted in From the Desk of Imam Mahdi Bray, Palestine | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

MAHDI BRAY SPEAKS: George Galloway and MAS Freedom Prepare For July 4th American Humanitarian Convoy to Gaza

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 23, 2009

viva_palestina_july_4_640

WASHINGTON (MASNET) June 22, 2009 – MAS Freedom (MASF), the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS) and British Parliament Member George Galloway’s ‘Viva Palestina’ campaign, together with a coalition of American advocacy, peace and faith based groups, have teamed up for a massive American humanitarian convoy scheduled to set out on July 4, 2009 to deliver badly needed supplies to the people of Gaza.

The initiative has been launched in response to the Israeli imposed embargo that denies the people of Gaza the basic necessities of life such as food, medical supplies, and building materials to rebuild homes destroyed by the brutal and lethal December 2008 Israeli invasion of Gaza.

The American Humanitarian Convoy to Gaza will set out on July 4, 2009 from New York on its journey to Egypt. With massive trucks, the convoy will carry its precious cargo of badly needed supplies through the Egyptian border of Rafah into Gaza.

MAS Freedom is providing a container of medical supplies and equipment for the mission through its ‘LET GAZA LIVE’ campaign which focuses not only on responding to the embargo on Gaza, but to applying political pressure on the U.S. government to end the embargo as well.

MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray stated, “The Israeli imposed embargo is medieval in nature and transgresses all norms of human decency. The people in Gaza may eat only one meal a day and that meal is often provided by them forging through garbage heaps.”

galloway_bray“Regardless of varying political perspectives concerning the embargo, no one in the 21st century should have to live like the people of Gaza. MAS Freedom is determined to do its part to end this atrocity and inhumane form of barbarism,” Bray added.

George Galloway, a renowned human rights activist and member of the British Parliament, began taking trucks loaded with supplies to Gaza in February 2009.

Through the Viva Palestina program, Galloway has continued to provide the basic necessities of life to the people of Gaza with truck convoys from the UK traveling through Egypt to Gaza.

On March 29, 2009, MAS Freedom accepted Galloway’s challenge to provide an American convoy to Gaza at a fundraising event held for the Muslim Link Newspaper where Galloway served as key note speaker.

Recently Galloway and Bray have travelled to Orlando, Florida and Dallas, Texas to promote both the July 4th ‘Viva Palestina’ American Humanitarian Convoy to Gaza campaign and MAS Freedom’s ‘Let Gaza Live’ campaign.

galloway_podium3_236Galloway stated, “The responsive support we’ve received from Muslim community leaders, MAS Orlando, MAS-Youth Dallas, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP) and the American Muslim community, has been phenomenal and greatly appreciated. I am certain that the spirits of the people of Gaza will be lifted by knowing that there is such concern, compassion, and activism on their behalf by their brothers and sisters in America.”

To donate to the American Humanitarian Convoy to Gaza or Let Gaza Live campaigns mail your check or money order made payable to MAS Freedom at 1325 G Street NW., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 or donate securely online here: https://www.maskansascity.org/MASKC/Support/support.asp?ID=PL.

Contact MAS Freedom at (202) 552-7414, (703) 642-6265 or 1-888-627-8471 for additional information. Email inquiries can be sent to info @ masfreedom.org.

Learn more at www.masfreedom.org; www.masfreedomvip.com; or www.masnet.org.

RELATED:

MAS Freedom Sponsored George Galloway Event Photo Albums
MAS Freedom Let Gaza Live & End the Embargo on Gaza Campaign
VIDEO: George Galloway Calls for 500 U.S. Trucks for Convoy to Gaza May 26, 2009
VIDEO: George Galloway’s First Speech From Inside Gaza March 9, 2009
VIDEO: George Galloway Viva Palestina Gaza Convoy February 14, 2009
MAS Freedom Commends Congressmen Ellison and Baird on Call for Immediate Relief and Policy Change in Gaza
SIGN THE LETTER: President Obama: We, the American People, Seek A New Policy Toward Palestine

Posted in Humanitarian, Palestine, civil-rights | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Mahdi Bray & George Galloway in Dallas, Texas

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 19, 2009

EVENT PHOTOS

SLIDESHOW

Find more photos like this on MAS Freedom VIP – Voting is Power

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

To the Leadership of North Korea: the Worship of Power is a Form of Shirk

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 17, 2009

By MAS Freedom Civil and Human Rights Director, Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey

As one of 16 members of a delegation invited to visit the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) some 20-years ago, when it was under the leadership of North Korean state founder President Kim II-sung, I was keenly aware that as a U.S. “peace” activist, I had been invited to undergird North Korean opposition to U.S. nuclear weapons that were, at the time, deployed in South Korea. I supported the withdrawal of these nukes from the Korean Peninsula, and considered them to be a grave provocation and potential threat to the North.

Although not allowed to speak with political dissidents or visit the notorious labor camps in which they are confined, myself and my fellow delegates were treated to lavish receptions in villages and cities throughout the country as the DPRK strove to impress us with their accomplishments in science, architecture and industry.

That was then, as they say, and this is now; the nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula today is far more ominous – the DPRK has now embarked on its own nuclear arms race. (more)

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VIDEO: June 6 ‘Gaza Solidarity Day’ Rally – Israeli Embassy, Washington, DC – MAS Freedom VIP – Voting is Power

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 7, 2009


On Saturday, June 6, 2009, MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS) and America’s largest grassroots organization, the ANSWER Coalition and co-sponsors, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), the National Council of Arab Americans (NCAA), and others, hosted a spirited solidarity rally in support of the people of Occupied Gaza in front of the Israeli Embassy, in Washington, D.C.

In addition to demanding an end to the criminal embargo of Gaza, the protest also highlighted the need for an end to the allocation of U.S. tax dollars for occupation and war crimes.June 6th marked the 42nd anniversary of the Israeli “seizure of Gaza”.

“It is not only important that the violence ends, but the siege of Gaza must be lifted as well. This medieval-like siege, which has denied the people of Gaza food, medicine, clean drinking water, and basic necessities of life, is killing and wounding countless innocent civilians, including women and children,” stated MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray, one of the event’s principal organizer’s.

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MAHDI BRAY SPEAKS: MAS Freedom Joins Muslim Leaders On Capitol Hill For Historic Speech Of President Obama At Cairo University

Posted by Imam Mahdi Bray on June 4, 2009

mahdi_bray_collage_648WASHINGTON, DC (MASNET) June 4, 2009 – This morning American Muslim leaders and clerics assembled at the Capitol Hill office of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) to hear the speech of President Barack Hussein Obama given at Egypt’s Cairo University to the Muslim world. Representing MAS Freedom (MASF), the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS) was MASF Executive Director, Imam Mahdi Bray.

Members of the media photographed and covered the group as they watched President Obama’s speech and later took comments and questions at a press conference that was held at the conclusion of the President’s speech.

Bray stated to the media that he was “inspired by both the eloquence and tone of the President’s speech,” adding that he hoped the President’s speech marked a truly fresh start between not only the United States and the over 1 billion Muslims worldwide but also, the beginning of serious engagement on the part of the Obama Administration with the in excess of 8 million strong Muslim community here at home.

“Truly President Obama’s best opportunity for building a bridge of understanding and better relationship with the Muslim world must begin with the American Muslim community who are uniquely equipped to assist in building this bridge,” Bray added.

In conclusion Bray stated, “It was a good speech, however, quite frankly, I would have liked for the President to have spoken more about human rights in the Muslim world especially since he was speaking from Egypt, and more about civil rights and civil liberties for Muslims here at home – but again, it was a well delivered message. The challenge remains whether this President has the political capital to walk the walk.”

Click here to read a response from MAS Freedom’s Human and Civil Rights Director, Ibrahim Ramey assessing President Obama’s speech to the Muslim world.

Posted in American-Politics, Muslim American Society, Palestine, civil-rights | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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