Federal judge: New Tennessee Mosque To Open For Ramadan

The Justice Department asked a federal court to clear the way for a Tennessee mosque to open in time for Ramadan.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• U.S. District Judge Todd Campbell orders Rutherford County to conduct a final inspection
• Campbell ordered the county to conduct an inspection by Thursday
• Campbell's ruling came the same day the U.S. Justice Department filed a lawsuit
• A fierce debate over the opening of the mosque began in 2010

(CNN) -- A federal judge ordered a Tennessee county to conduct a final inspection of a new mosque, clearing the way for worshippers to possibly begin using the building in time for the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Thursday.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Todd J. Campbell is the latest development in a two-year battle over the opening of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, near Nashville, that has been marked by legal challenges and anti-Muslim sentiment.

"If the building complies with applicable codes and regulations, the County shall issue, on or before July 19, 2012, the certificate of occupancy," Campbell wrote Wednesday in his order granting a temporary restraining order against the county.

Campbell's ruling effectively set aside a ruling by a county judge in June that reversed a planning commission's approval of the Islamic Center's expansion because of what he said was insufficient public notice.

Embattled mosque moves forward with construction

Attorneys for the county have said it followed the normal practice of publishing notice of the hearing in the local newspaper, but the judge said more should have been done because the mosque was "an issue of major importance to citizens."

The U.S. Justice Department and the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro filed separate lawsuits this week, arguing that Rutherford County officials violated federal laws when they denied requests for a final inspection and certificate of occupancy for the mosque.

The Justice Department is accusing Rutherford County of violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 by holding the mosque to a different standard than other religious institutions built in the county. The Islamic Center argued that it was being unconstitutionally blocked "merely because local anti-Islamic protests have made the mosque controversial."

The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro has existed for more than a decade, but the fight erupted in 2010 when planning commissioners approved an expansion project.

The construction site had been vandalized multiple times, including by an arson attack in 2010, and federal authorities have charged a Texas man with calling in a bomb threat to the center before last year's anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.

"Not welcome" was spray-painted by vandals on a sign announcing the construction of the project.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/19/justice/tennesee-mosque-lawsuit/index.html

The Blessed Month : Ramadan, رمضان‎, Ramadhan, Ramadaan, Ramazan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 to 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and submissiveness to God. Muslims fast for the sake of God and to offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar, the date's of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about 10 days each year depending on the moon.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouses is allowed after one has ended the daily fast, at sunset. During fasting intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, one is also encouraged to resist all temptations while you are fasting. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity.

It becomes compulsory for Muslims to start fasting when they reach puberty, so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss. 


Ramadan is an especially opportune time to reflect on the blessings of food and satiety. When we eat less, our stomachs shrink, and we feel full after a few bites at the end of the day. Fasting allows us to experience once a year what many throughout the world experience almost daily. Hunger, for them, is not a choice; it is simply a fact of life. Currently, Somalia and other parts of East Africa are gripped by a devastating drought, and the lives of millions of men and women — and sinless children — hang in the balance.

20 Ramadan Questions (FAQ) :

Q01 - What is Ramadan?
Q02 - What is the Islamic calendar?
Q03 - How long is Ramadan?
Q04 - Is Ramadan always in the same season?
Q05- What is special about Ramadan?
Q06 - What do Muslims do during the Month of Ramadan?
Q07 - Does God command Muslims to fast the month of Ramadan?
Q08 - What do Muslims achieve by fasting during this month?
Q09 - Who has to fast in the month of Ramadan?
Q10 - Who is exempt from fasting?

Q11 - Why do children fast during Ramadan?
Q12 - What are the spiritual benefits of Ramadan?
Q13 - Are there any physiological benefits in fasting?
Q14 - Are there any psychological benefits in fasting?
Q15 - What is ‘The night of Decree’ (Laylat Al Qadr)?
Q16 - What happens at the end of Ramadan?
Q17 - What should a non-Muslim be aware of , if they are working with Fasting Muslims?
Q18 - How can non-Muslim co-workers and friends help someone who is fasting?
Q19 - What should a non-Muslim be aware of if they are living around Muslims during the month of Ramadan?
Q20 - What can non-Muslims give as gifts when asked to join the celebration of Ramadan?

Why do Muslims Fast? What is the point of going without food and water everyday for one whole month?

An Act of Ibadah (Worship)

According to many sayings of Allah's noble

Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be

Upon Him), Ramadan is a great and blessed

month. Fasting during this month constitutes one

of the five pillars of Islam. It is an act of worship

which is done to please Allah. Like the other

pillars (Declaration of Faith, Salah, Zakah and

Hajj) fasting helps to produce and nurture a

whole range of positive values and qualities in

both individual and community life. In

particular, through fasting a person can

develop piety, strengthen their conviction in

God, and develop moral character. Let us see

how:

Building Taqwa (God-

Consciousness)

First, fasting helps to develop God-

Consciousness (Taqwa). According to Islam,

this is the seed to all good. A God-conscious

heart is in actual fact a driving force for

positive action. It is a fundamental

prerequisite for self-purification, selfinspiration,

self-motivation, and for selfless

sacrifices and contributions towards the

development and welfare of society. Taqwa

also brings peace and tranquillity to hearts, creates

energy in individuals for righteous action, forges brotherhood and sisterhood and

cultivates community spirit.

Building Brotherhood

Second, fasting nurtures brotherhood and sisterhood, which is essential for the development

of a strong community life.

Fasting is such an act that brings people together a number of times a day; at sahoor (predawn

meal), iftaar (sunset meal), and Tarawih prayers (special night prayers), in addition to

the normal five prayer times. Also Ramadan is a month of sharing, of giving Sadaqah

(voluntary charity), of paying Zakah (compulsory charity). 

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

" If someone gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his

fast, it will provide forgiveness for his sins."

Through all these means a strong sense of purpose and community is cultivated. 

Building a Relationship with Qur'an

Third, Ramadan is the month in which the Glorious Qur'an was revealed. Thus, fasting in this

month brings the Muslims closer to the Qur'an. In many parts of the world, Muslims aim to

complete at least one reading of the Qur'an in this blessed month, especially during the night

prayers (Tarawih).

The Prophet (PBUH) said:

"He in whose heart there is no part of the Qur'an is like a deserted house."

This helps to remind the Muslim community of the message contained in the Qur'an and their

purpose and mission in life. This is therefore a powerful means for revitalising the Muslim

community.

Building Patience & Steadfastness

Fourth, fasting cultivates Sabr (i.e. patience and fortitude) amongst the Muslims. Through

fasting Muslims learn to be patient and to endure hunger and thirst. This also helps them to

understand the sufferings of the poor and needy people in our world thus generating

compassion and a feeling to help others. Sabr is also an essential quality required for pursuing

the mission of Islam - a mission to enjoin the good and forbid the wrong; to establish peace

and justice in society and the world for all people.

Building Self and Social Discipline

Finally, fasting during the month of Ramadan produces discipline and order in the life of

Muslims. The waking times, prayer times, time to break the fast, and

so on, all help to create order and coordinate the actions of the

Muslim community. Again, like Sabr, discipline is also an important

ingredient for pursuing the mission of Islam.

Community Relationships

The above points highlight how fasting, together with the other

pillars of Islam, act as a powerful glue that keeps Muslims together

in a community. Each pillar, if understood and practiced properly,

can contribute in the purification and development of the inner self

as well as in social development. They bring community members together (rich and poor), aid

in the cultivation of a strong relationship with Allah, affect attitudes positively and strengthen

relationships between members of the community. All these are the seeds for effective

community development.

The Importance of Knowing Why?

Every year during the blessed month of Ramadan, we see Muslims flock to the mosque in

great numbers. During this month the mosques get filled, the feeling of piety and Godliness is

generated; hearts become soft, people engage in Zikr (remembrance of God), in reading of

the Qur'an, in prayers, tears flow before God as people earnestly seek His Forgiveness and

Mercy, acts of Ibadah increase with more sincerity, devotion and humbleness, etc. However,

soon after Ramadan is over, the feeling of piety weakens, hearts become negligent of God,

mosques become empty, contact with the Qur'an is reduced, and God is little remembered.

None or very little change occurs in our family and community life, our problems continue and

worsen, life carries us on in pursuing our own agendas, ambitions, careers, interests, etc.

All that we achieve during the great month of Ramadan seem to

completely vanish. This happens because many Muslims have

forgotten why they fast. For too many it is staying without food and

drink. This is why once Ramadan is over, many feel that the

objective has been achieved and that they can now continue with

their normal routine of life. They have not fully grasped the whole

purpose of fasting and its relationship with the general body of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reminded Muslims:

"Whoever fasts during Ramadan with faith and seeking reward from God will have

their past sins forgiven; whoever prays during the night in Ramadan with faith and

seeking reward from God will have their past sins forgiven; whoever passes Laylat

al-Qadr (night of power) in prayer with faith and seeking reward from God will

have their past sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim).

"Many are the tasters who get nothing from their fast except (hunger) and thirst,

and many are those who pray during the nights but gain nothing from their

prayers except wakefulness". (Daarimi).

"If one does not give up falsehood and actions in accordance with it (fasting), God

has no need that he/she should give up food and drink. "(Bukhari).

It is therefore important not to lose sight of the real purpose of fasting and the great

qualities that can be produced in people through this act of worship. Sincere and real fasting

should directly affect our lives. It should strengthen our relationship with Allah and motivate

people to strive for building a God-centred society. Fasting should not be seen as an

objective in itself, but as a powerful means for fulfilling the Islamic purpose in human life

and society. Ramadan is a springboard which energises Muslims for the rest of the year. It is

a powerful month of spiritual, moral, physical and social training - equipping the Muslim for

the many struggles ahead - indeed for the ultimate struggle

to bring society to the worship of God.