Washington Muslim Cleric Hate
The most disturbing question I asked a Muslim cleric in Washington was whether it was right for Indian Muslim girls to marry Hindu boys.
The answer, from Dr Abdullah Muhammad Khouj, was No.
I then asked if it was okay if the girl retained her religion while the boy retained his. The answer was "Al Haram, Al Haram (It's a sin)." Dr Khouj added that Islam did not permit Muslim girls to marry non-Muslims. The marriage was possible only if the boys converted to Islam. He did say, however, that Muslim boys could marry 'people of the book' like Christians or Jews, and that the girls could retain their own religion. Marrying Hindu girls was impossible unless they first converted to Islam.
My question was based on the fact that, as Muslim girls get educated and become economically independent, it is difficult for Muslim families to tell them not to marry non-Muslims. There are many cases in India -- including one in my family -- but the cleric said they were un-Islamic. He added that one ought to explain to one's sisters and daughters that there was life after death.
It is a question Indian Muslims will have to ask themselves and find solutions to. What will they do when such a situation crops up in their families? Will they be loyal to their religion or give in to demands of female family members?
Muslim cleric faces charges in
Washington
By UPI
Jan 23, 2006, 19:00 GMT
SEATTLE, WA, United States (UPI) -- A Muslim cleric, arrested last November, Monday faced charges in Seattle of giving false information to U.S. immigration officials to enter the country.
Abu Abrahim Sheik Mohamed, the imam of the Abu-Bakr Mosque in Rainier Valey, was arrested by the Seattle FBI`s Joint Terrorism Task Force as he got off a domestic flight at Sea-Tac Airport. His arrest had shocked Seattle`s Somali community which says he works to keeps children out of trouble, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
Hilary Han, Mohamed`s attorney, said government documents also contained 'hearsay allegations that he is involved in groups that they classified as militant,' the report said.
'In my opinion, it`s just inflammatory. He has no links to any terrorist group. He`s not engaged in any terrorist activity.' Han said.
The newspaper quoted a federal source that agents had not found information showing Mohamed participated in terrorist activities and that it was unlikely he would face any terrorism-related charges. One Somali community member said Mohamed is the victim of slander by tribal opponents of the cleric.