Monday, October 1, 2007

THE ISLAMIC CENTER WASHINGTON DC

The Islamic Center, Washington, D.C.
The Islamic Center in the American capital, Washington, D.C., located at 2551 Massachusetts Avenue, has been a site for two simultaneous congregational prayers since March 5, 1983. There is a Jumu‘ah (Friday) prayer service that is held inside the mosque and another one outside the mosque at the same time every week for the past 24 years. This congregational division of Muslims also happens during the two major Islamic holidays (Eid al-Fitr and ‘Eid al-Adha).
Many people ask: but why?

Background Information

The Islamic Center (IC) in Washington, D.C. was established during the 1950's and registered as a trust. The reason for that, it is said, is to give the IC as close a description and “legal status” to a mosque as possible. Being that there is no such concept as waqf in American legality, a trust comes as close to waqf as is possible. From the 1950's until 1979 the administration of the IC was a function of the accredited embassies to Washington. And due to the political climate of those times, the Egyptian embassy was tasked with appointing the Imam to the IC. Other supportive positions were agreed upon by a committee of seven ambassadors who would rotate on a two year basis. During the 1950's and 1960's the number of Muslims in the Washington metropolitan area was scanty. But then during the 1970's the number of Muslims began to increase and multiply. And due to this demographic fact in addition to developments within the Islamic world (the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Islamic Uprising in Syria, the Camp David Accords, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the instability in Iraq, etc...) the Muslim community in Washington decided to elect the administration at the IC. The process of elections took almost two years of preparations and convincing. Finally, during the last Friday in the month of November 1981, the Muslim congregation in Washington held the first ever election at the IC after Friday prayers. And, as a result of that election, a new administration was now charged with the daily and occasional responsibilities of an Islamic Center/Mosque.

Following this election, the Saudi Arabian embassy began interfering in the internal affairs of the Islamic Center. It was due to this intervention by the Saudi Embassy that the Islamic Center would receive no more mail deliveries. Therefore, the IC had to obtain a Post Office address. The telephone number of the Islamic Center was also disconnected, and the IC had to obtain a new telephone number. But the elected administration was selfless in discharging its Islamic responsibilities and did so in the best Islamic tradition.
The elected administration (11 members) held regular shura meetings. They conducted Islamic classes in the masjid every week. They also welcomed other Muslims who sought Islamic study circle activities in the masjid. All in all, the IC had become a hub of activities that for the first time were generated by the peoples’ devotion and enthusiasm.

THE SAUDI SEIZURE
On the morning of Saturday March 5, 1983 just before salat al-fajr an assortment of law enforcement agencies and their functionaries forced the elected Imam, Mohammad al-‘Asi and his family out of the IC. The IC was locked and off limits to all Muslims. And the “justification” for that was (as announced by Saudi Embassy related personnel) that they had information that a cache of arms was in the IC; and in addition to that the IC had to be closed for a couple of weeks for repair work and renovations. The IC remained closed for over three months.
During this time period, Imam Mohammad al-‘Asi conducted all congregational prayers on the lawn of the IC. But that also became off-limits as the Saudi Embassy placed an iron fence around the IC making it impossible for congregational prayers to be conducted on the lawn in front of the Center. So the congregational prayers were now held on the side-walk.


A SERIOUS BREACH OF FAITH
On ‘Eid al-Fitr in July 1983 – without prior notice – the doors of the IC were opened early in the morning and all Muslims began streaming into the IC for ‘Eid prayers. During the time of the takbirat (leading to the salat) the Washington, DC metropolitan police entered the IC and arrested Imam Mohammad al-‘Asi and fifty other Muslims and took them to jail. They spent ‘Eid in jail and were released the following day. They were charged with two counts of “unlawful entry into the mosque” and “disturbing a religious service.” These are misdemeanor charges which would normally be prosecuted in a week or so. But this trial of these fifty or so Muslims continued for four long months. Every day the defendants were required to show up in court. And at the end of this extended trial the judge dropped the charge of “disturbing a religious service.” But the jury after one full week of deliberations came out and said that the Muslims are guilty of unlawful entry into the mosque! The Muslims had to pay a fine and do community service. And since then there has been a security arrangement at the IC to prevent these Muslims from entering the Masjid.
The decision was appealed but was not overturned. The appeal decision can be read here.
Since then, the outdoor Friday and ‘Eid prayers continue every week and every year – rain or shine, in the dead heat of summer and on the ice of winter.

ATTEMPTS AT RECONCILIATION
During the past twenty one years there have been attempts at reconciliation. Many Muslims who come to the Islamic Center in Washington, DC are frustrated and disappointed to see what is happening there every week. And some of them on different occasions tried to arbitrate this affair. And it would seem like a solution is near but it has always been the retort of the Saudi ambassador, Bandar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, (who incidently or not took over from his predecessor Feisal al-Hejeilan during the IC crisis in or around 1982), to rebuff any rapprochement. Therefore, the whole affair remains in its current deadlock.

SUGGESTIONS
If there is to be an amicable winding-down of this travesty of justice the current Saudi imposed administration and its superiors in the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington, DC have to realize:
1- Muslims have a God-given right to enter the masjid (the Islamic Center, 2551 Massachuset Avenue) without any conditions or stipulations.
2- Muslims have the God-given right to speak and listen to other Muslims at that premise without any conditions or stipulations.
3- Muslims have a God-given right to work for bay‘at and shura (elections and discussion leading to decisions) without any conditions or stipulations.
All of the above, of course, shall be done according to the Quran and the Sunnah.
4- Alternatively, the Saudi Arabian government may want to consider providing the Muslims whom they have barred and banned from the IC with an equivalent or commensurate Center for the purposes thereof.
THE HAJJ
Along with this Saudi Arabian interference in the internal affairs of Muslims in Washington, DC at the IC, the Saudi Arabian government has banned Imam Mohammad al-‘Asi from going to Hajj. His first attempt at going to Hajj was in 1984. He could only go as far as Italy; and there he was denied boarding the connecting flight to Jeddah. Even though he was issued a valid hajj visa from the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Washington, DC, and even though he had obtained a letter from the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Madrid, Spain (the transit point to Jeddah).
In the subsequent years (1985, 1986, 1987) the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Washington, DC refused to issue him a Hajj visa. Imam Muhammad al-‘Asi was finally told via the consular official who issued the first visa himself (Mr. Muhammad Abu al-Hamayel) that the Saudi Consulate in Washington, DC has instructions from the Interior Minister, prince Nayef ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz, not to issue any visa of any sort (hajj, ‘umrah, commercial, visit) to Mohammad al-‘Asi.

This has to stop. A Muslim should be able to go to hajj and ‘umrah without these types of harassments and unnecessary obstructions from Saudi diplomats and officials.

Post a Comment
Abu Muhammed: Masha'Allah- this is soooooooooooooooooo refreshing. Finally there comes a person who can see through all the mess and fanaticism and say this is where sunnis are right and this infomation of theirs is a bit dicey; this is where the shi'as are right and this infomation of there's is a bit dicey.It will take a while, but insha'Allah the seed must sprout.What's from Allah is forever everything else must and will perish.Well done to an imam with a universal appeal to all Muslims- you remind us of Sayd Qutb.
Observer: What a joke?I think Chaudry should attend the Jum'ah and Eid outside the ISlamic Center to dispel his ignorance. He will surely find himself praying in the direction of the Ka'bah if he is following this jama'ah.
Abu Abdur-Rahman: If "Chaudry Imran" had any substance to what he's saying, howcome the Imam is referenced in the Qur'an and the Prophet's (s) sunnah. Howcome no one want's to engage in the discussion on the issue but rather slander?O Imam- Seeing the you're with Allah and His Prophet- we're with you.
Chaudhry Imran: The background information has concealed the faith/believes of Imama Asi. He is a HABASHI cult like nation of Islam. Their theology is conglomeration of Shiaism, Sufiism, Ibadiyaism and also Sunniism. They call Ali Ibn Talib (R) as Imam Ali like Shia. Their prayer Kiblah in America is Southeast direction, not as regular Muslims Kibla Northeast. They do not pray with Sunni Imam. There are so many reasons why Saudi took the control of IC from derailed Akhidah.
Imran: AssalaamualaykumCheck out these videos by Imam Muhammed Al-Asi on Hamashttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid =7142646595370043446and The Occupiers of Palestinehttp://video.google.com/videoplay?docid =1152224013316806488
Abu Abdurahman: thanx for those doing the textstexts on www.geocities.com/khutbahs
Abu Uthman: Can't agree more with nbdinz, but then again, you expect this type of behavior from the Saudis and their types who roam in Islamic gear but don't serve Islam.
nbdinz: An example of how Muslims should not treat one another. Ever.
anonymous: Salaams...may thisspread like wildfire, so that more Muslims will become enlightened. May Allah give us more Imams like this and more Jam'aat like this. Jazakumullah Kullu hair
Abu Muhammed: The Saudi rulers should be put to the sword even if they are "found behind the curtains of the ka'ba". This comments don't stem only and solely out of their atrocity against these Muslims outside the W DC IC, it stem out of the generations of treason that they have institutionalised against Allah, The Prophet (s) and the Muslims. Their policies have been to the detriment of Islam and to the construction of kufr.
Imran ibn Abdullah (Al-Imraat): Assalaamualaykum- it's not about thawaab only- it's a matter of consciousness and carrying the responsibility that Allahs Prophet and those who were with him carried into Makkah when it was occupied. I think that it's this shallow understanding of Islam by people that also distorts Islam and retards our development towards khulafa' al-ard lillah. May Allah guide us to his Qur'an and His Prophet's way so that we can straiten our thoughts so that we can straiten our actions.
Matthew: Why are Muslims maniacs and full of hate even to their own kind? So much for honor.God bless America!
azim: salaam alaikum!may ALLAH (SWT) accept your sincere efforts on continuing HIS message and not stopping at anything.may ALLAH guide us all and help us be on a straight path.
Mohideen Ibramsha: May I suggest that Imam Muhammad al-'Asi apply for a Hajj visa for every Hajj until Allah SWT takes him? Every time the Saudis deny him the visa, all that he needs to do is don the Ihram on the day it is donned by Muslims at Jeddah and offer his sacrifice anywhere he lives and shave his head. That is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammafd, peace be upon him, at Hudaibiyah. Inshah Allah Imam Muhammad al-'Asi would receive the reward of Hajj every year he does so.May Allah SWT restore the control of His house, Kabah, to the true believers. Aameen, Aameen, Ya Rabbil Aalameen.When you get time visit my web http://www.deentech.com/ and guide me if I am wrong.
Muntazir (Philippines): I have just happened to visit your site and couldn't hold myself but to shed tears for knowing the nature of jihad of Imam Muhammad al-'Asi and his faithful jama'ah for over two decades against the modern-day nakithun and qasitun.To Rahul:* I suggest you to include the context of what Zafar Bangash has said.* "I DON'T express those views in the mosque" is not identical with "I CAN'T express those views in the mosque". The former is a preference not to exercise or enjoy one's right while the latter is an inability (usually imposed by others) to exercise or enjoy the same.
Rahul: Your group states above that "Muslims have the God-given right to speak and listen to other Muslims at that premise without any conditions or stipulations". Yet one of your allies, Zafar Bangash of Toronto has told CTV: "I have certain views with respect to US policy or Israeli policy...But I don't express those views in the mosque. THE MOSQUE IS SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT." (Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, toronto.ctv.ca) Who is right? It can't be both of you.
Abdallah (SAR): AssalaamualikumMay Allah Reward all of you for the sacrifice and exposing to the world what you have exposed. The Imam is on a big catch- May Allah grant him success- you can easily take these khutbahs and apply it to other areas in the world and they will fit almost perfectly in describing the empty headed Masaajid that we have. I'm not in the USA, but the attitude and psychology that is expounded upon and exposed applies- i guess it all goes to show the influence of the rotten clan of Al-Saud and the effect of having so-called "Muslim" leaders, scholars, activists and "Ulema" who want to solve problems but cannot put their PRINCIPLES ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR STOMACHS.
anonymous: Salaamun AlaikumThese Saudis have to sort out the mess that they started and they have to sort it out in a manner that is acceptable to the oppressed party and not by trying to sweep it under the carpet.
Imran ibn Abdullah : AssalaamualikumI think buying another place won't solve the problem at it's root. May Allah reward this committed/principled group of muslims who probably along with the physical climatic harshness also have to deal with a lot of psychological harshness. I appreciate their sacrifice for it has been an eye-opener for me. If they just disappeared, as would be the easy thing to do, I'm pretty sure many Muslims would not know the hypocrisy of the USA who preaches global democracy but can't uphold it in its backyard as well as the Saudi hypocrisy that preaches Islam but can't uphold a tenet of Islamic governance called Shura or mutual consultation.Let's not forget that the Imam was elected by the Muslims- which fulfils the elemants of Freedom of Choice, Expression, Shura etc. AL-MUQAWAMAH MUSTAMIRRA; AL-MUQAWAMAH MUSTAMIRRA; AL-MUQAWAMAH MUSTAMIRRAALLAH-HU-AKBAR; ALLAH-HU-AKBAR; ALLAH-HU-AKBARWa Salaamualikum
Hafiz Abdul Mannan Akram Attari (California, USa): ALsalam Alaikum wrwb, America did tht all stuff and maked Saudi's to do tht. Its because the ISlamic center was in a major place and they dont want any ISlam or Musalmaan. so thts why they closed it. My advice is to buy some other place there and make another Islamic center !
© 2007 Islamic Center, Washington DC 2551 Massachusetts Ave, NW 20008

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