MANA Reviving Itself In the Washington DC Area

Community News - Community News

Written by Hodari Abdul-Ali, Chair, Social Justice Task Force, MANA

Thursday, 02 September 2010 10:00

A flurry of recent activities has signaled a revitalization of MANA, the Muslim Alliance in North America, in the Washington, DC area. These include participating in the “Reclaim the Dream” March and Rally led by Rev. Al Sharpton on August 28; moderating the Muslim Democratic Caucus of Washington, DC candidates forum at Howard University Law School August 20; meeting Rashad Hussain, the White House Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Conference at iftars on August 24 & August 19; and facilitating a historic broadcast on Muslim Issues on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, DC.

Recently, the top two MANA representatives in the Washington area resigned from their positions for different and unspecified reasons. Both Howard University Professor Dr. Altaf Hussein and Dar Al Hijrah Outreach Coordinator Imam Johari Abdul-Malik are no longer representing MANA. Both resigned months ago from the Diwan, MANA’s executive body. ADD: Both resigned for personal reasons and most importantly, both maintain friendly relations with MANA.

MANA is determined to continue to play an active role in enhancing our community both locally and around the country. Amir Siraj Wahhaj continues to lead workshops around the country and aid in fundraisers to help those in need and help masajid build and expand. One such effort was the “Emergency Fundraising Banquet” on August 20 to help Islamic Relief USA assist the people in Pakistan.

MANA’s Director of Special Events, Imam Qasim ibn Ali Khan held a successful meeting last week with the two remaining local members of the organization’s Shura council. Joshua Salaam, Youth Coordinator at ADAMS and member of the group Native Deen; and this writer, who has responsibilities that include Executive Director of Give Peace A Chance Coalition and Host of Freedom Sounds on WPFW, 89.3 FM, both committed ourselves to reaching out more to interested brothers and sisters in the “DMV “(DC, Maryland, Virginia) area who share a common vision of giving priority attention to those with greater needs in our ummah, particularly among the indigenous Muslims.

MANA was represented among the thousands who came across the country to Dunbar High School in Washington, DC August 28 to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the historic March on Washington when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. GPAC Outreach Coordinator Fitrah Muhammad and Media Producer Zarinah Shakir were among many others affiliated with MANA that attended the rally, marched to the King Memorial and networked with key organizers of the event. Although no Muslims were invited to speak at the rally, groundwork for this was laid for future programs. Flyers were disseminated at the event encouraging Muslims to become more involved in events like this so we will have more allies for our concerns and because it is the right thing to do.

MANA was also well represented at the historic Muslim Democratic Caucus (MDC) of DC forum held recently at Howard University Law. The writer was invited by MDC Chair Talib Karim to moderate the forum, and MANA made valuable contacts with local politicians and Muslim activists. A personal highlight was warmly meeting and greeting DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray, who received the MDC endorsement for Mayor of Washington, DC in the upcoming September primary election.

On August 27 a special broadcast on “Muslim Issues in the US” was aired on WPFW, 89.3 FM. MANA was represented both by this writer and Khalid Abdus-Samad of the International Council for Urban Peace, Justice & Empowerment. Enver Masud of The Wisdom Fund; Mahdi Bray of MAS Freedom; and Dr. Kaukab Siddique of New Trend Magazine spoke forcefully as well.

On September 25 MANA has scheduled a program at ADAMS focused on healing Muslim families. Speakers include MANA Deputy Amir Imam Talib Abdur Rashid; Imam Qasim Ahmed and Imam Qasim ibn Ali Khan.