MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS) called today for the immediate release of "Jena Six" suspect Mychal Bell, who was originally arrested and charged with a felony related to the alleged Dec. 4, 2006 assault of a white teenager in the racially-charged case in Jena, Louisiana.
The case against the group of African-American teenagers, known as the "Jena Six", has drawn international media and activist attention to what many perceive as racial disparities in the dispensation of justice, not only on the South, but throughout America.
Before the original felony charges were dropped, and the case transferred to juvenile court last Friday, Bell had been incarcerated as an adult. However, District Attorney Reed Walters may re-introduce new charges against Bell within the next two weeks.
Bell's defense attorney has called for the judge in the case to be recused.
Major civil and human rights organizations plan a massive rally and demonstration in Jena on Thursday, September 20.
MAS Freedom founder and executive director Mahdi Bray, indicated that members of the Muslim American Society will be represented at the rally, and will join with others throughout the nation in demanding the immediate release of Mychal Bell from incarceration.
"Our position is clear", said Bray. "The prosecution of these young men is a transparent indication that the dispensation of justice for Black people is separate and unequal, not only in Jena, Louisiana, but throughout the United States. Young people should not face prison sentences for minor altercations, especially when there is overwhelming evidence that race is a factor in judicial outcomes."
"We will join with the African- American community, and all people of conscience, in demanding freedom for Mychal Bell and justice for all of the Jena Six."
Monday, September 17, 2007
Friday, September 14, 2007
MAS Freedom and Antiwar Leaders Hold Press Conference to Announce Plans for Sept. 15 Mass March and Die-In
Rally to Conclude with MAS Freedom Sponsored Ramadan Iftar
WASHINGTON, DC – September 12, 2007 (MASNET) This afternoon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), together with the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, Cindy Sheehan, Iraq War Veterans and other anti-war leaders, held a press conference to discuss the September 15, 2007 March on Washington and Die-In.
On September 15 MAS Freedom encourages you to join tens of thousands of people for the March on Washington to End the War in Iraq and to participate in a "Die-In" - a large-scale civil disobedience led by Iraq War Veterans.
"These will not be like other antiwar demonstrations, but the initiation of a campaign of nationwide protest and resistance," said MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.
Today's press conference included the following speakers and supporters of the March on Washington to End the War in Iraq:
Cindy Sheehan, Co-Founder, Gold Star Families for Peace; mother of Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, KIA in Sadr City Baghdad on April 4, 2004
Mahdi Bray, Executive Director, MAS Freedom
Tina Richards, CEO of Grassroots America and Mother of Marine whose son was selected to be reactivated & sent to Iraq for third tour and while fighting against it, she had a chance encounter with Congressman David Obey where she gained national media attention
Adam Kokesh, Co-Chair of Iraq Veterans Against the War who recently gained national media attention when the Marines threatened him with discipline for his anti-war advocacy
Carlos Arredondo, Gold Star parents whose son, Alex, died in Iraq in 2004
Eugene Puryear, Howard University student, Youth & Student A.N.S.W.E.R.
Mounzer Sleiman, Vice-Chair, National Council of Arab Americans; TV Commentator
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, attorney and co-founder, Partnership for Civil Justice; National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Committee
Brian Becker, National Coordinator, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
In addition the speakers listed above, those speaking at the September 15 will include:
Ralph Nader
Malik Rahim, Founder, Common Ground Collective, New Orleans
Cindy Sheehan, Co-Founder, Gold Star Families for Peace
Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general
Etan Thomas, Washington Wizards Basketball Player
And many other veterans, family members, anti-war, student and community leaders!
Additional activities in support of the antiwar movement will continue throughout the week, beginning on September 15 through September 21 all on conjunction with demanding the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. Learn more about how you can participate or help here or by visiting Sept15.org.
The September 15 March on Washington to End the War in Iraq, also happens to mark the third day of Ramadan (the Muslim month of fasting). At the conclusion of the rally, MAS Freedom invites you a massive Ramadan Iftar (breaking of the fast) in Lafayette Park across from the Whitehouse.
"We will break our fast with dates and water, feed the homeless and hungry, and pray for the homeless and hungry in the USA, Gaza, Iraq, South Asia, Africa, and throughout the world who are in need of bread not bombs," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.
Bray added, "It is most appropriate that during the blessed month of Ramadan, we contemplate on the Divine by standing for justice against occupation and oppression, and that is what this war is all about. We call upon the Muslim community and all people of conscience, to join us in fasting and prayer in Washington, D.C. on September 15."
WASHINGTON, DC – September 12, 2007 (MASNET) This afternoon at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. MAS Freedom (MASF), as the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society (MAS), together with the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, Cindy Sheehan, Iraq War Veterans and other anti-war leaders, held a press conference to discuss the September 15, 2007 March on Washington and Die-In.
On September 15 MAS Freedom encourages you to join tens of thousands of people for the March on Washington to End the War in Iraq and to participate in a "Die-In" - a large-scale civil disobedience led by Iraq War Veterans.
"These will not be like other antiwar demonstrations, but the initiation of a campaign of nationwide protest and resistance," said MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.
Today's press conference included the following speakers and supporters of the March on Washington to End the War in Iraq:
Cindy Sheehan, Co-Founder, Gold Star Families for Peace; mother of Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, KIA in Sadr City Baghdad on April 4, 2004
Mahdi Bray, Executive Director, MAS Freedom
Tina Richards, CEO of Grassroots America and Mother of Marine whose son was selected to be reactivated & sent to Iraq for third tour and while fighting against it, she had a chance encounter with Congressman David Obey where she gained national media attention
Adam Kokesh, Co-Chair of Iraq Veterans Against the War who recently gained national media attention when the Marines threatened him with discipline for his anti-war advocacy
Carlos Arredondo, Gold Star parents whose son, Alex, died in Iraq in 2004
Eugene Puryear, Howard University student, Youth & Student A.N.S.W.E.R.
Mounzer Sleiman, Vice-Chair, National Council of Arab Americans; TV Commentator
Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, attorney and co-founder, Partnership for Civil Justice; National Lawyers Guild Mass Defense Committee
Brian Becker, National Coordinator, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition
In addition the speakers listed above, those speaking at the September 15 will include:
Ralph Nader
Malik Rahim, Founder, Common Ground Collective, New Orleans
Cindy Sheehan, Co-Founder, Gold Star Families for Peace
Ramsey Clark, former U.S. attorney general
Etan Thomas, Washington Wizards Basketball Player
And many other veterans, family members, anti-war, student and community leaders!
Additional activities in support of the antiwar movement will continue throughout the week, beginning on September 15 through September 21 all on conjunction with demanding the immediate withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. Learn more about how you can participate or help here or by visiting Sept15.org.
The September 15 March on Washington to End the War in Iraq, also happens to mark the third day of Ramadan (the Muslim month of fasting). At the conclusion of the rally, MAS Freedom invites you a massive Ramadan Iftar (breaking of the fast) in Lafayette Park across from the Whitehouse.
"We will break our fast with dates and water, feed the homeless and hungry, and pray for the homeless and hungry in the USA, Gaza, Iraq, South Asia, Africa, and throughout the world who are in need of bread not bombs," stated MAS Freedom Executive Director, Mahdi Bray.
Bray added, "It is most appropriate that during the blessed month of Ramadan, we contemplate on the Divine by standing for justice against occupation and oppression, and that is what this war is all about. We call upon the Muslim community and all people of conscience, to join us in fasting and prayer in Washington, D.C. on September 15."
Thursday, September 13, 2007
From the Desk of Imam Mahdi Bray: Ramadan Reflections on World Hunger
WASHINGTON, DC - Sept. 13, 2007 (MASNET) We at MAS Freedom (MASF) would like to take a moment to extent our warmest Ramadan greetings to the community. As we pass through this sacred month of Ramadan, let our hearts turn to those who are living in war zones, under oppression, and suffering silently, every single day, in poverty and hunger.
Let us also reflect more deeply on the true meaning of Ramadan; that time when we are are reminded that all Muslims are enjoined by our Creator to abstain from all eating and drinking during daylight hours. This month of fasting and spiritual reflection brings us closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and more attuned to the needs and suffering of other human beings.
Indeed, we experience the temporary discomfort of hunger and thirst each day, but the magnitude of chronic hunger in our world is truly staggering.
Consider, if you will, the following disturbing statistics:
· One in twelve people in the world is malnourished.
· Every year, 15 million children die of hunger - or more than 41 thousand a day.
· Nearly 1.3 billion human beings live on less than one dollar a day, while about 3 billion struggle to survive on less that $2 a day.
· A human being dies of hunger every 3.6 seconds.
· To satisfy the world’s sanitation and food requirements would cost only $13 billion dollars-about what the people of the United States and the European Union spend on perfume, each year.
Closer to home, right here in the United States, the wealthiest nation, some 37 million children live poverty line.
Additionally, the United States ranks only 23rd among industrial nations in child mortality.
Ramadan, to be sure, is a time of hunger for Muslims living in a suffering-and starving-world.
MAS Freedom, together with individual activists, are responding to the needs of our neighbors by supporting food pantries and soup kitchens in our communities, not only during Ramadan, but throughout the year. This is an example of meeting the 'neighborly needs' mentioned in Surah Al-Ma’un and incurring the favor of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala through charity and generosity.
"Do you see one who denies the Judgment (to come)? Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan with harshness, and does not encourage the feeding of the indigent. Woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers, but refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs." (Translation of the meaning.)
We encourage all Muslims, and all people of faith and conscience, to show compassion and charity to the poor and homeless.
It is important that we work together toward transformation of the domestic and foreign policies of the United States to insure that every human being on our planet enjoys the basic human right of freedom from hunger.
May our Lord accept our fast and sacrifice, and may He bring us closer to him through service to humankind.
Please also note that postal stamps commemorating the two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, can be purchased at your local post office or online here. Eid stamps may also be ordered by calling 1-800-STAMP-24.
Your support of MAS Freedom initiatives is crucial to its continued efforts on behalf of the Muslim American community. Please donate generously.
Let us also reflect more deeply on the true meaning of Ramadan; that time when we are are reminded that all Muslims are enjoined by our Creator to abstain from all eating and drinking during daylight hours. This month of fasting and spiritual reflection brings us closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and more attuned to the needs and suffering of other human beings.
Indeed, we experience the temporary discomfort of hunger and thirst each day, but the magnitude of chronic hunger in our world is truly staggering.
Consider, if you will, the following disturbing statistics:
· One in twelve people in the world is malnourished.
· Every year, 15 million children die of hunger - or more than 41 thousand a day.
· Nearly 1.3 billion human beings live on less than one dollar a day, while about 3 billion struggle to survive on less that $2 a day.
· A human being dies of hunger every 3.6 seconds.
· To satisfy the world’s sanitation and food requirements would cost only $13 billion dollars-about what the people of the United States and the European Union spend on perfume, each year.
Closer to home, right here in the United States, the wealthiest nation, some 37 million children live poverty line.
Additionally, the United States ranks only 23rd among industrial nations in child mortality.
Ramadan, to be sure, is a time of hunger for Muslims living in a suffering-and starving-world.
MAS Freedom, together with individual activists, are responding to the needs of our neighbors by supporting food pantries and soup kitchens in our communities, not only during Ramadan, but throughout the year. This is an example of meeting the 'neighborly needs' mentioned in Surah Al-Ma’un and incurring the favor of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala through charity and generosity.
"Do you see one who denies the Judgment (to come)? Then such is the (man) who repulses the orphan with harshness, and does not encourage the feeding of the indigent. Woe to the worshippers who are neglectful of their prayers, but refuse (to supply) (even) neighbourly needs." (Translation of the meaning.)
We encourage all Muslims, and all people of faith and conscience, to show compassion and charity to the poor and homeless.
It is important that we work together toward transformation of the domestic and foreign policies of the United States to insure that every human being on our planet enjoys the basic human right of freedom from hunger.
May our Lord accept our fast and sacrifice, and may He bring us closer to him through service to humankind.
Please also note that postal stamps commemorating the two Eids, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha, can be purchased at your local post office or online here. Eid stamps may also be ordered by calling 1-800-STAMP-24.
Your support of MAS Freedom initiatives is crucial to its continued efforts on behalf of the Muslim American community. Please donate generously.
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