Hamas-linked CAIR to hold symposium in Lansing, Mi on how Muhammad's companions dealt with "Islamophobia"

The "Sahaba" are Muhammad's early followers, his "companions." It promises to be a most interesting seminar: after all, how did men who are supposed to have lived in the 7th century deal with a concept that was trumped up in the late twentieth century in order to intimidate the perceived opponents of the man that both groups revere as a prophet?

We may surmise the answer from how Muhammad himself dealt with criticism. Abu ‘Afak was a poet who was over one hundred years old, and had mocked Muhammad in his verses. Muhammad asked the Sahaba: “Who will avenge me on this scoundrel?” One of the companions murdered Abu ‘Afak in his sleep. Likewise with another poet who mocked him: the poetess ‘Asma bint Marwan. Muhammad on another occasion cried out, “Will no one rid me of this daughter of Marwan?” One of Muhammad's companions, ‘Umayr ibn ‘Adi, went to her house that night, where he found her sleeping next to her children. The youngest, a nursing babe, was in her arms. But that didn’t stop ‘Umayr from murdering her and the baby as well. Muhammad commended him: “You have done a great service to Allah and His Messenger, ‘Umayr!” (Ibn Ishaq, 674-676)

Then there was Ka‘b bin Al-Ashraf. Muhammad again asked his companions: “Who is willing to kill Ka‘b bin Al-Ashraf who has hurt Allah and His Apostle?" One of the Sahaba, Muhammad bin Maslama answered, “O Allah’s Apostle! Would you like that I kill him?” When Muhammad said that he would, Muhammad bin Maslama said, “Then allow me to say a (false) thing (i.e. to deceive Kab).” Muhammad responded: “You may say it.” Muhammad bin Maslama duly lied to Ka‘b, luring him into his trap, and murdered him. (Bukhari 5.59.369)

Will Shaykh Aly Lela mention all this and recommend that Muslims similarly murder "Islamophobes"? Or will he explain why Muhammad is not actually the supreme example of conduct for Muslims after all, despite the fact that Qur'an 33:21 says he is? What a conundrum!

"Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) in Dearborn Organized by CAIR-MI," from the Islamic Society of Greater Lansing (scroll down), n.d. (thanks to Diane):

Please arrange to send your sons and daughters to the Dynamic Youth Leadership Symposium

The following details have been presented by CAIR-MI Executive Director, Dawud Walid There's an old cliché that the youth are our future.  In fact, I'd say that the youth are actually our present, which means they need to be prepared for the challenges of today and fill in the ranks of senior leadership when called upon.  Within the framework of understanding this reality, CAIR-MI seeks to coordinate with the talented professionals of our community to help train our youth. This will assist youth individuals and strengthen our community.

On Jan. 25, 2014, CAIR-MI will hold a dynamic Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium (MYLS) in Dearborn, Mich. to empower our youth with spiritual and intellectual take-away skills to become the leaders of today. The symposium is a combination of facets of best practices and training from CAIR chapters across the country with added components which assist our immediate demographics.

From the perspective of addressing the spirits and psyches of our youth, the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit's (IAGD) Shaykh Aly Lela will address how the Sahabah faced Islamophobia and threats to their identities and the remedies given by the Prophet (SAWS) to face those spiritual and psychological tests.
Complimenting [sic] this segment, Family Therapist Nadia Bazzy, will discuss conflict resolution and management when confronted both internally and externally.  Dr. Rami Nashashibi, the Director of Inner-city Muslim Action Network (IMAN) and Sociology professor at Chicago Theological Seminary, will hold an in-depth workshop on critical race theory and how to navigate intra and inter-racial differences in community organizing.

Some tangible skills that will be taught are coalition building around issues by Arab American Association of New York Director Linda Sarsour, and understanding the process of a legislative bill by Michigan State Representative Rashida Tlaib.
University of Michigan - Dearborn Professor Sally Howell will also discuss ways to better tell the community's stories within a historical and contemporary personal framework, and CAIR-MI President Haaris Ahmad will train activists on the art of public speaking.  I will be presenting on how to answer the most frequently asked questions and Muslims and Islam, insha'Allah.

These symposium will be a free interactive leadership training.  We encourage high school seniors and college students to attend.  Please visit our website, www.cairmichigan.org, for updates on time and location.

If you any further questions, please contact our office at (248) 559-CAIR or email info@cairmichigan.org