Death has a way of reminding you…..about loving and living

I am boarding my bus to New York to join my mother and then fly to Shreveport, Louisiana to attend the funeral of her brother James Waller’s funeral.  As I look out the window I see a woman who looks like my uncle Joes’ wife, Jessie, who passed away some years ago.  Death make you see this in places and people that perhaps at another time I might have missed.

Death is an usual experience for me, not fear not grief.   I am moved by death but not externally – it’s a deep internal thing.  It’s the living in me that I grieve for.   As an imam, I visit the dying and the dead with equal ease as I visit the living.  I wash the bodies of those who have passed with compassion, like bathing a child who has fallen into a deep sleep with dirt and chocolate on their faces.

Yet below the surface the memories and dreams, the mistakes that will not be undone, the great things that they achieved but never really noticed and that I live only to die any day to this sleep that others might bath me for last time.

I have received so much from this life yet this life offers so little compared to eternity.  The sweetness here is a morsel, the love in this life so fallow.

I only wish for what I think everybody wishes for, what song writers pen in their collective lonely hours after facing the struggles of this life….to be truly loved in this life before I die….

“….not an earthy love but a love from above….a love that flows from from a very pure and perfect stream (Al-Kauthar).  I’m talking about a love supreme”  (Doug Carn).  The love of self -The of God and love reflected back from others….

I am on my way to the funeral of my uncle.  He LIVED life.  He achieved things in this life that others only dreamed of…coming from Growing Valley, Louisiana.  He raised his children, he had wives and women, music and song, HE was always the life of every gathering.  He taught me and the other younger men his secrets to MANHOOD.

He told us never marry a women if she lets you stay at her house overnight and leave in the morning while other people go to work.  If she will let you do it, then others have done too.   You want a women with pride and decency.

He called us all “Sarg” and he had a big belly laugh and his mouth would be wide open.  We knew that sometimes he did things that weren’t right in our minds.  But he always spoke in brutally uncompromising terms. – First class, drive the best, look the best, don’t settle for less.  I don’t think he ever didn’t get his way.  He was in all meanings of the word a BIG BLACK MAN, in size, in speech, in respect, in life and in death.  He drank.  But I never saw him drunk.  He always had authority even to a fault.

He was a leader in my eyes.  I hope he really was happy and felt loved in this life.  He always made me feel happy and loved.  I loved him for being my uncle.  Death has a way of reminding you…..about loving and living

Howard University Welcomes Muslim Quadruplets

On July 8^th 2009 Howard University Hospital hosted its first African-Islamic naming ceremony for Quadruplets born on July 1^st 2009.  The three boys and one girl were born healthy and in the tradition in Islam after seven days they were welcomed to the community and given their names.  The community gathered in their finest African dress for the celebration.  Imam Al-hajji Yusuf Jumah of the Nigerian Muslim Council officiated the naming ceremony along with the Muslim Chaplain of Howard University Hospital, Imam Johari Abdul-Malik.

The naming ceremony or “aqiqah” in Arabic is a tradition in Africa and in Islam.  Al-Hajji Yusuf welcomed the community and then turned to Imam Johari, the first Muslim Chaplain of Howard U, to give the international gathering of Nigerian Americans, friends and hospital staff an introduction to the tradition and meaning of the ceremony.  The Imam shared that the Prophet (pbuh) said that the rights of the child of are three, that the parents must choose a good parent for their child a good parent, give them a good education and select for them a good name.  Al-hajji Yusuf spoke in Yoruba language reiterating key points and offered blessing in the traditional way.

The unmistakable African cadence of the call and response of Al-Hajji’s supplication can be found in many African-American churches today.  Rev. Lanier, head of pastor services at the Hospital coordinated with the family and staff for a festive occasion held in the Founder’s Room and museum on the ground floor of the hospital.

“This is the first official African-Islamic naming ceremony in the history of the hospital”, said Dr. Alice Gullatee.  She felt it was significant in that, “this ceremony reconnects the historic African-American institution with traditions only now being regained from our African past”. as part of the ceremony the congregation as well as the CEO of the Howard University give charity – sadaqa on behalf of the children.

Imam Johari shared that a name precedes a person as they travel through.  Al-Hajji Yusuf gave an overview of the meaning of each of the names followed by singing prayers in Arabic and Yoruba.  The parents (Saleh Adeleke Olorun-Tori and Bilqis Folashade Adeleke [Queen of Sheba, The Muslim wife of the prophet Ibrahim], have chosen noble names from their Islamic and Yoruba traditions.  Mubarak Abdullah – Blessed Servant of Allah, Amir Abdul-Azeem – leader and servant of The Magnificent, Khalifah Abdul-Azeez – Successor Servant of The Victorious and sister Amira-Saliha Adejoke – A female leader or princess, helper among women, now noble members of the Olorun-Tori family.  Howard University Hospital-Sankofa – The tradition returns and welcomes our children and our tradition lives.  The event concluded with African refreshments.  For more information about the birth of the quadruplets visit the website of HUH.

Marriage: Get A Pressure Release Valve

As-Salaamu alaikum,

This June and July I seem to be doing more weddings than usually.  To the newly weds and maybe to those of us who have been on the journey for sometime I have some advice.  Get a pressure release valve (PRV).

In every relationship things build up.  Issues are unresolved or at least by one of the parties not sufficiently resolved that the feelings fester.  When the two parties talk that can’t seem to agree about what happened, what was the plan, what did we decide or just what should we do now.  You have your opinion and they have theirs.  Who’s right? What’s right? What does our faith tell us to do? What do our values tell us to do?

Two people when disagreeing will have at least two opinions.  The power game gets played and no one is happy and we can’t move forward together.  The Qur’an invites us to find a person that we both have faith in to be fair.

My advice.  Get a pressure release vale.  Not sex, not a vacation or a visit to the spa.  When cooler heads are prevailing and this should be done ideally before you get married, identify someone  (PRV) that you each can call without permission or approval to get their perspective.  This person is you pressure release valve.

You should both agree who they are on the front end.  Choose wisely because they will be needed in the crisis.  These are people for whom their are no secrets, no honor or disgrace, only love, respect and mercy between you.  Keep them near to your family. Maybe they are your imam, pastor or rabbi, respected uncle or auntie in the community and maybe not your parents.

Respecting their authority:  having asked them to serve you in this role their advice should be taken seriously, believing that they have your families collective best interest at heart, whether you agree or disagree.   Sometimes you my feel that their opinion on a matter is bias toward one or the other.  You may not get YOUR way in the short run, in the long run each member of the group will be happier knowing that their is accountability.

If your pressure release vale fails to work.  Then mutually agree to replace them with someone who you feel will serve your relationship not just your side.

Thanks Khalil for being our PRV for over 20 years.

Imam’s Mother Makes World’s Best Macaroni and Cheese

Working on my look

Nii Mensah, from Ghana, is working on my look.  What an Imam concerned about “dunya”?  A few years ago I was a guest on the CNN-Paul Zahn Show.  I was being filmed in the Washington, DC studio and Paula was in NYC.  I came dressed in my uniform-Thawb, Kufi and beard (The international symbols of an Imam) and to top it off I worn one of my best Saudi Arabian Abiya-Black with the heavy gold embroidery.  Usually I get my thawbs in Mecca right off of Abu Sufyan St and always of the highest quality, Duffa Clothiers.  The Kufi purchased in Medina after finishing Hajj from a Nigerian street merchant selling from a very large bag.  My custom, when I arrive in Medina I am looking for those traveling Nigerian salesman to replenish my collection.  I sort through the bag of brightly colored crowns selecting everyone that will fit my big African-American head.  The writer Julius Lester has a theory that African-American have bigger heads than most West Africans because of natural selection during slavery times…..the big headed brothers where the ones caught because we were slower getting out of bed during the slaving raids on the villages. (Really – not funny). After buying my fill of kufis and designer thawbs I head back to America with a new working wardrobe for just a couple of hundred dollars.

Why am I concerned about my look?  Maybe it’s because I represent other people, including African-Americans, other American Muslims and ultimately Americans.  I don’t want Muslims to be disappointed at the frumpy or dowdy dress of their representative especially on TV.  So there I am…..The official Imam Johari….you would think with this effort brothers would be sharing the love.  Not long after I leave the studio I get a call from a brother that I know, love and respect, Dr. Amir Al-Islam.  He said, “Imam you did a great job, but you can’t go out representing us looking like an Arab!”.  I was alittle taken aback but I retorted in my defense that I do my best to look authentic.  He agreed, “Yes, you ARE always authentic”.

From that time I have been lecturing about American Muslim identity and have been struggling with my uniform.  And so I have been on a quest to develop a dress that will cause people to pause before they ask me, ‘What country are you from-originally?” Before speak they will think,  ”Maybe America”.

My Tailor, Nii Mensah

Tailor, Nii Mensah (sethnii@yahoo.com) is helping me to work on my look.  I got some designs from one of my former students and the first female MSA president at Howard University, Kamilla Munir.  She has a degree in environmental hygiene and fashion design.  Mensah’s job is to make the concepts work for the new and improved American Imam Johari look.  I went to one masjid to do an event and saw me an my suit and commented on the “Imam Siraj Wahhaj suit”.  I still have work to do to come out from under the shadow of the fashion statements made my Imam, Siraj Wahhaj and the brothers from Imam Muhammad’s community.

I am determined to represent Muslims in American in word, in deed and in fashion.

And for: menhajj@aol.com
http://sjsandteam.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/image_thumb360.png?w=360&h=260

Yes, my favorite food:  Halal Chinese, Thai, Caribbean and Ethiopian and I’m married to an African-American Muslima and my mother makes the best macaroni and cheese in the world.

So, this imam has some “N” in him, but beware not the bring it call it out.  It might not be the “N” your “looking” for……………

Scuba Diving: Roots Barbados

The Visionary and The Insane

Some people are enthusiastic but not organizers.  Organizing requires consistent and persistent relationship building.  It is not easy -

There is a similarity between the visionary and the insane

They both see a vision that other people don’t

There is a difference between the visionary and the insane

If you are a visionary people will eventually see the vision

If you fail to have them see the powerful vision well

people will say you are insane

Only true vision, time, relationship building and persistence will win the day.

May Allah grant us….

Why you should take your family to ISNA Convention: even if you’re local

As-Salaamu alaikum,

I struggle with this on an on-going basis, we are sooooo busy in our work lives, and running from on activity to another with the kids, if you have them, or running from place to place with your social network, that it all seems like work and then……..

ISNA rolls into town.  I didn’t order ISNA for dinner – pick-up or delivery.  If I had wanted to go to a conference I would booked tickets to Chicago, it would be like a family vacation, but not ISNA in my town.

Now I have to load up, halt work, stop networking, deadlines all around we, to drive, park, metro, parking lots, conference food or the nearby restaurant (China Town), then drive, unpark, metro it home to do it all over again, or rent a hotel as if I am going somewhere and taking a vacation-which I am not…..taking a vacation to downtown DC, subhannallah, I live here!

And to top it all off, it’s the July 4th weekend.  Free fire works on the Potomac (in some families like mine – a tradition).  If I spoke like this I could say, “For crying out loud, how is it ISNA weekend  in DC?”.

Well it is and I think you owe it to your family and friends to show up, at least for Saturday and then you’re hooked.  After you see so many friends and like-family folks.  In the crowd just like Mecca.  Seeing the Muslims in their finest hour walking nobly down the street eating ice cream or just walking.  To see just how well we are feeling in America….not just doing, but feeling validated by our own presence. Wow or Subhannallah!

All that and I still didn’t say anything about the lectures, workshops and seminars….that’s because I didn’t want to take my wife and kids to the bazaar.  My wife and I believe that these events like a mini-hajj have had a powerful effect on the positive socialization and worldview our children.

Come to ISNA.  You and your family will remember it for years to come.  Check me out at ISNA.

As-Salaamu alaikum,

Imam Johari

Attending ISNA Conference: Imam Johari

As-Salaamu alaikum:

This July 4th weekend The Islamic Society of North America will hosts its annual conference in Washington, DC.  If you are attending and want to catch up with me…here are some places you might find me.

I will be sending up some Blog-signals from the meeting.  Have a great weekend.

Stonewall Inn, Homophobia and Islamophobia

As-Salaamu ‘alaikum,

The day of the recent shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC I commented that we denounce this “racist, sexist, anti-semitic and homophobic” act of violence perpetrated against the guards at the museum.  The shooter was a self-proclaimed “White Supremacist”.  A few days after my comment an unknown individual sent me an SMS,”What Does Homophobia have to do with interfaith?”.  I was going to just let it go as one of those comments that people make and you just let go.  But on the 40th anniversary of the police raids on the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, NY, I am compelled to share the connections.

I think that most people who were racist in the 60’s were probably sexist, and a person who is racist and sexist is more likely to be anti-semitic, and a racist, sexist, anti-semitic is probably homophobic and from my nearly 53 years in America I am pretty sure that if you are a racist, sexist, anti-semitic and homophobic…….I would put down good money that you are definitely Islamophobic!

Stonewall Inn Greenwich Village

Why am I so sure, because if someone has that going on really they just a bigot.  The White Supremacist is just anti-anybody that is not him, he is looking for somebody to lynch.  If they can’t find a Black to lynch they will abuse women, when they can’t find them well a semite means non-white, so they will do, well it a White Male Thing – so homosexuals will hang just as well as a Black and the “Sand Nig…..r” is just another kind of Black or semite so away we go.

So to answer the question what does this have to do with interfaith….Martin Luther King reminds us…’injustice anywhere is a treat to justice everywhere’.  I am not a homosexual or a promoter of homosexuality.  I am a Muslim, I am for justice, I am not for raiding bars and beating up people and my first priority is to serve God (~Allah), not my sexuality and to establish justice among people.

Check out my lecture on Islam and Homosexuality – delivered at George Washington University

Michael Jackson Reportedly Will Be Buried in Muslim Traditions

As-Salaamu alaikum,

I just got the link to this story.  I am glad to here the news, although it has been reported Michael Jackson will have a view of the body – which is not an Islamic tradition.  Please stay tuned.

Check this link:  http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00025411.html

A source close to the Jacksons has exclusively revealed to X17 Online that family will likely have a traditional Muslim burial for late Michael Jackson. “The family is considering following the Muslim burial traditions because they believe Michael would have wanted to be laid to rest in keeping with his new-found religious beliefs,” says the source.

“Michael’s brother Jermaine is educating the family as to the special rites because he feels it’s important to bury his brother according to the Muslim way,” adds the source. Despite earlier reports that both public and private memorial services for the late music performer have been set to be held this week, there has been no official confirmation just yet from Michael’s family on the location where his body will be laid to rest.

Michael Jackson was reported converting to Islam in late 2008, years after expressing his interest to join the faith. He later on changed his name into “Mikaeel”, which was meant as a reference to the name of one of Allah’s angels.

In Muslim burial, per X17 Online, someone’s body “has to be cleaned, but ideally not embalmed, and wrapped in a white sheet, and it must be buried facing Mecca. The Koran also dictates that the body be buried as close to the place of death and as soon after death as possible. There should be no tombstone near the grave.”

Michael Jackson and Jermaine: A Part of Muslim History in America

Muslims have been in America since the rule of Mansa Musa (Timbuktu) and the journey of his brother, AbuBakr II, in 1342.  Muslims have coming to the western hemisphere in waves of migrations, before Columbus, with Columbus as captains were Muslim, Martin Alonzo Pinzon (Captain of the Pinta) and  his brother Vicente Yanex Pinson(captain of the Nina).  Come and visit these extraordinary of the history of Muslims in America.

CSAM’s America’s Islamic Heritage Museum:  See the American Islamic Story June 29th – July 7th At The Historical Society of Washington, DC The exhibit “Forgotten Roots: Muslims in Early America,” highlights America’s Islamic history in a powerful and insightful exhibit. The exhibit validates the Muslim early presence in America from the 1600s to 1900s. Forgotten Roots: Muslims in Early America, will be on display at the Historical Society of Washington, DC at 801 K Street NW, Washington, DC from June 26th – July 7th open to the public 10:00am –5:00pm Monday – Saturday. There will be a daily exhibit discussion June 29th –July 7th from 2:00pm- 3:00pm.

On Friday, June 26 2009 – The Islamic Society of Boston opened its ISB Cultural Center and mosque in Roxbury (the neighborhood of Malcolm X).  Listen to the opening sermon (Khutbah) delivered by Imam Johari Abdul-Malik on Migrations of Muslims to America.

Jermaine and Michael are not the only pop stars of Islam check this out on Wikipedia.

Salaamu alaikum and Much Love!

Imam J.