Also included was a pilgrimage during the last 10 days of RAMADAN and attending the Jumuah (Friday Prayer) at Masjidul Haraam where each prayer is as if 100,000 had been made. We enjoyed an Iftar (break fast meal) and felt the spirit of Ramadan.

In one of the pictures below, you will also see Imam’s Talib Shareef and Abdul Rahman Shareef at The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Television and Broadcasting station in Riyadh. Appearing as guest for a one hour program with Host Khaled Alalaiwi. Addressing Islam in America during RAMADAN and in general, as well as their goals and wishes for their time in Saudi Arabia. Accompanied by American Embassy officials. Additional photo with movie actress Mariam and Sara at the studio.

The trip served as a dynamic platform for much needed conversations; in the areas of peacebuilding, representation of the good of beauty of Islam, citizenship, what it means to be Muslim (here and abroad), shared efforts to manage conflict, and much more. We look forward to follow-ups from our efforts and additional resources.

The LLSP is specifically designed to provide training that addresses the unique challenges facing Muslim women today, while, at the same time, emphasizing individual’s talents and opportunities available to participants. It is a unique program diverse in ideas and cultures, but unified in its commitment to developing Muslim women’s understanding of Islamic Law, Leadership, and Conflict Resolution.

It was eighteen years ago when Imam W. Deen Mohammed first met Focolare Movement founder Chiara Lubich. Now 18 years later, a delegation led by Imam Talib Shareef traveled to Italy in an ongoing effort to further strengthen the bonds of interfaith dialogue. Lubich traveled to Harlem, New York in 1997 to met with Imam Mohammed and his association.

During that meeting, the two leaders established a pact, committing themselves and their followers to work for unity and peace. “This trip is about sharing and getting closer to the Focolare community, a group Imam Mohammed calls our family,” said resident Imam of the Nation’s Mosque Talib Shareef. “We’re moved by their commitment of love. We know love is dominant in Islam, but we hadn’t been really focused on it,” said Shareef. “The Imam (W. Deen Mohammed ) knew  that our connection would be important, because love is fundamental for all human life.”

According to the teachings of Islam, it is reported that Prophet Muhammad said, you will not enter paradise until you have faith and you will not have faith until you learn how to love one another. The 13 member Muslim delegation toured Lubich’s home and visited the Chiara Lubich Center, near Rocca di Papa,  which was established shortly after her death in March 2008. Imam W. Deen Mohammad died in September of the same year.

Roberto Catalano said the visit of the Muslim delegation will  continue to improve relations. “We can revive the great desire Imam Mohammed and Chiara Lubich had; the common friendship working for the good of humanity,” said Catalano, co-director for the center of interreligious dialogue of the Focolare Movement. “Your visit is crucial to continue to promote this in Washington, D.C and here in Rome.” In 1999 when Imam W. Deen Mohammed met with Pope John Paul II in St. Peter’s Square, he asked  Pope John Paul II to bless the beautiful working relationship of he and Lubich.

Pope John Paul II agreed. In 2000, the two met again in the nation’s capital for one of the largest interfaith gatherings among Christian and Muslims. According to a report from Muslim Journal over 7,000 people attending the gathering. “I feel the hope (of our efforts) is already a reality, said Co-director for the Center of Interreligious Dialogue of the Focolare Movement Rita Mossalem. “We’ve known each other and we’re brothers and sisters; this visit gives me a very big comfort piece particularly with the world suffering, she said.

Lubich’s longtime nurse, historian and personal assistant Anna Paula Meier said the house tour would have been something Lubich would have enjoyed. “It’s a great joy to have you, becuase it’s clear we’re already walking together, said Meier, who lived with Lubich for 22 years. “For Chiara, she would have wanted this meeting to see we’re on a journey together, she said. The delegation get a chance to hear intimate stories from Meier about Lubich’s personal life up until her death. During Lubich’s last days of her life she requested to be home among close friends and family. Lubich spent 40 years of her life at the home in Rocca di Papa.She died in her bed.

Persevering the history of Imam W. Deen Mohammed is something that Abdul Rahman Shareef said should be a focus. “If we want to persevere our (W . Deen Mohammed)  knowledge, it’s important that we publish it and share, ” said resident Imam of the Tauheed Islamic Center in Wilmington,  North Carolina who traveled with the delegation. “We need to have a museum or centers  dedicated to persevering the knowledge and impact of Imam W. Deen Mohammed in the world” he said. “If we don’t share the knowledge, we’ll lose it and the best way to lose it, is to hide it.” Khafi McDowell, who also traveled with the delegation to Rome said the visit was impactful to her. “It assisted me with understanding why the Imam (W . Deen Mohammed) wanted us to meet this community, “said McDowell. “When they say love, it’s not a superficial thing, that’s the piece we’re missing as a community,” she said. McDowell believes that healing is a necessary part of the solution the  community’s growth.”They organize themselves by keeping love out front. We can’t  love one another unless we’re respecting one another, she said. “Love has to be ahead in our efforts.”

Imam Talib Shareef of The Nation’s Mosque meets with Rabbi Avraham Skorka, also called “the Pope’s Rabbi”, at the Argentina Embassy where he was recognized for his outstanding work with interfaith. Rabbi Skorka has been an advocate for interfaith relations and combating terrorist activities worldwide particularly in his home country of Argentina. More can be read about Rabbi Skorka here.

In the wake of the shocking terrorist attack last week in Paris on the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, Muslims reacted almost unanimously to condemn these attacks, characterizing them as antithetical to the teachings of Islam. The French publication known for its satirical approach to many religion traditions, has in recent years focused increasingly, almost relentlessly, on satirical representations of the Prophet Mohamed. This forum is design to go beyond condemnations and Islamophobic rhetoric to explore the religious, societal and geopolitical dynamics underlying recent events, moving beyond the superficial binary of Muslim radicals vs. free speech.

We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the people of France and the families of those murdered, and we stand with the world in strongly condemning the criminal, barbaric, cowardly terrorists attack. This attack which left twelve people dead and several wounded to include two policemen and eight journalists is an attack on all of humanity and freedom of speech globally.

We certainly thank, our Secretary of State John Kerry for immediately quoting an Imam in France who without hesitation condemned the attacks and honored the victims. It doesn’t matter who the attackers are or what they claim, their actions are criminal, inhumane, and not condoned by Islam, Christianity, Judaism or any of the other beautiful faith communities. Any person, no matter how desperate their situation, no matter how much their hearts are paining because of wrong that has been done to them, whether real or perceived, there is no justifica­tion for them to murder and make helpless, vulnerable, or innocent humans the target of their terror, the target of their hate or their violence. We must understand that everybody who picks up a gun and says “I’m going to defend my religious cause” is not necessarily an authority in the religion he or she claims.

While the facts reveal that the magazine company had been threatened and attacked in the past because of its derogatory references to Islam and its inaccurate depictions of the Prophet Muhammad, the actions of those identifying themselves as Muslims gravely misrepresent the beautiful religion of Islam. When Prophet Muhammad was attacked personally with physical harshness, he didn’t respond in any way close to how the attackers responded, rather he resisted and responded with prayers, kindness, mercy and forgiveness.

We urge radicals to stop inciting and carrying out hate and violence and instead work for peace, the betterment of humanity, and a better world. The enormous value and sacredness that God puts on human life should be caution enough to prevent these senseless acts of violence and killings.

It’s encouraging to see that the majority of Mus­lims all throughout this world are now standing up on the principle of Islam, the principle of peace, mercy, intelligent behavior, the conduct established for Muslims in the Qur’an and the life example of the prophet, and are letting the world hear us condemning those who are guilty. We have a responsibility to exhibit the best of our human and religious identity, by following the examples of Prophets Muhammad, Abraham, Moses and Jesus Christ, etc, peace be upon all of them.

Start at the 8:45 point to view Imam Talib Shareef’s remarks.

Nisa Islam interviews Imam Talib Shareef from Aalia Network on Vimeo.

(Washington DC – 9/8/2014) – On Wednesday, Sept. 10, American Muslim Imams, leaders, and organizations will hold a national summit and press conference with national and regional community leaders. We have also invited law enforcement to the National Press Club to address the escalation of violent extremism by ISIS and the community’s response to the potential for threats against the U.S. homeland.

On the eve of the 13th anniversary of 9/11, we remember the victims and families of the horrific terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of almost 3,000 Americans. We will reaffirm the Islamic principles of condemnation of terrorism, protection of life and religious freedom.

Imam Talib wrote:
“The world of the civilized has an obligation to neutralize the uncivilized and the Arab and Muslim nations should be among the first to respond. The inhumane actions of ISIL/ISIS have no place in human space. Their actions are far from humane and far from Islamic as they are not the actions of Muslims. They are killing innocent human life, people of faith, Christians and numerous Muslims. They are not the followers of Prophet Muhammad (saw) who taught and lived that we are never to the take the life of the innocent, not even the life of a COMBATANT prisoner, such as the Lebanese Muslim Soldier Ali Al-Sayeed, so certainly not the life of an innocent NONCOMBATANT. Our prophet taught that we are to respect and protect religious freedom, protect the life and houses of worship for Christians, Jews, and others, that we are to always seek peace over aggression and never be the aggressor, and that we are not to let the hatred of others cause us to swerve from just behavior to criminal behavior. The Holy Qur’an states: O ye who believe! Be upright firmly for Allah (G-d), as witnesses to equity and justice, and let not the enmity and hatred of others cause you to result to criminal behavior and depart from justice. Be just: that is close to G-d. and fear Allah. For Allah is well-aware of what you do”.