In the name of Allah Most Gracious, Most Merciful
With the glorious month of Ramadan fast approaching, the Northend Agents Newspaper is publishing their 2nd Annual Muslim Edition. This year, the topic will be “Everyday Al-Islam”. The goal of this edition is to share with the reader the everyday lives of Muslims in our community. Hartford, CT has a unique relationship with Al-Islam dating back to the 1950’s when El Hajj Malik Shabazz aka Malcolm X established Temple No. 14 on Main Street in Hartford. During that time, African-Americans were introduced to the Muslim religion through the Nation of Islam(NOI). Over the years, in addition to the NOI many African-Americans transitioned to orthodox (Sunni) Al-Islam under the teachings of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad, the son of Elijah Muhammad (the previous leader of the Nation of Islam).
Out of the 7.4 billion people in the world, 1.5 billion are Muslims. Every day when you turn on the news, one of the stories that is presented will be about Muslims around the world often involved in some conflict. Currently, there are conflicts in Palestine, Myanmar and Syria not to mention the recent news about the Iran Nuclear deal. Muslims are persecuted, feared, disenfranchised, used as a pawns, overlooked and misunderstood by most; but Muslims are also in your community, living out their faith, adding to the culture, starting businesses, seeking education and their piece of the American Dream.
This issue of the Northend Agents Newspaper will hopefully provide the reader with a look at the everyday lives of Muslims from committing to our daily prayers, to attending Jummah and Taleem services, to fasting during the month of Ramadan. Speaking of Ramadan…Ramadan begins on or around May 15, 2018. Muslims all over the world will fast from sunrise to sunset for the mercy of Allah. Every night after fast breaking and prayer, there will be an Iftar (meal eaten after fasting). My People Clinical Services will be sponsoring an Iftar on May 30, 2018 at sunset. We will be at 224 Farmington Avenue, in Hartford, CT. All are welcome! We will also be showing the graphic work of E. Campbell called “The Young King Project”. For The Young King Project, E. Campbell took images of boys from the community and transformed them into Kings. I hope you are able to join us for the Iftar and I hope you enjoy this edition of the Northend Agents Newspaper.
As Salaam Alaikum,
Abdul-Rahmaan I. Muhammad
