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New organization sets to empower indigineous Muslims |
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By InFocus News Staff
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IRVINE, Calif. – A newly-formed national American Muslim organization focusing on issues and concerns that especially impact indigenous Muslims recently held a fund-raiser here. Around 100 people attended the Muslim Alliance in North America’s first event in southern California on Dec. 8 at the Chinese Cultural Center in Irvine.
Keynote speaker Imam Siraj Wahhaj, who is also the founder and head of the alliance, stressed that the indigenous Muslim community was very disenfranchised. They really need help and support from the entire community, he said. He added that Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X became revolutionary because they took care of their own people and made sure their needs were met. For attendee Sharaf Mowjood, 25, the advent of the organization was a welcome necessity on the American Muslim scene. "MANA brings attention and help to a Muslim community that is indigenous to America but is very often forgotten and overlooked," said Mowjood, who is of Sri Lankan background and lives in Upland. "It is very different than what we know as a ‘typical’ Muslim organization." The event, which raised $15,000, also included speeches by Dr. Ihsan Bagby, Imam Qasim Khan and Preacher Moss. On the Web: www.mana-net.org
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