MCN members work to strengthen NYC Muslim communities by providing needed social services; promoting civic engagement, collaboration and interfaith dialogue; and developing sustained public education and outreach on issues that affect Muslim New Yorkers from diverse racial and ethnic, linguistic, and sectarian backgrounds.

Our community institutions and mosques must be further strengthened to serve the over 600,000 immigrant and indigenous New Yorkers.  MCN provides a much-needed platform for participants to share information, develop joint projects, and enhance mutual support. [ More ]

SPRING NEWSFLASH: MCN Recognizes & Congratulates New MCN Board Member Mik'hail De Veaux, who co-directs prisoner re-entry projects at his organization Citizens for Recidivism. The recent "Bronx plot" should suggest a need for preventative social support and education instead of only surveillance and police action. Recent efforts have resulted in several new volunteers working for our programs--Thanks, Samiur, Sammy, Debosh, Nady & Asmaa! And Neslihan's and Maegan's professional touch!

We are also already helping to plan interfaith events such as the June 11 Children of Abraham Peace Walk in Brooklyn, starting at 4 pm a the Al Noor School (Fifth Ave & 22 Street, Bklyn) which was co-founded by our Board Member Debbie Almontaser with Rabbi Ellen of Kholot Chienu and others. As member of New York Religious Campaign Against Torture we are also assisting with the June 26 Walk Against Torture in Manhattan, and urge you to attend both events!

MCN also recognizes MCN Board Member Robina Niaz who directs Domestic Violence related services at Turning Point for Women & Families, featured here in an interview on the horrific recent Bridges TV Tragedy see for her interview

 

HEALTH EDUCATION

In December 2008 MCN launched NAFIS SALAAM, an innovative, culturally tailored program for Smoking Prevention & Cessation in partnership with Islamic Medical Association of North America, funded by the American Legacy Foundation. Though over 400,000 Americans die each year from smoking related illnesses, our community is not immune to this addiction. MCN staff is currently working to measure rates of smoking in our diverse community, and reaching out through mosques, community based organizations, social networking and new media. see MuslimsAgainstSmoking blog for more information about this new project.

We have a current FIVE MINUTE COMMUNITY SURVEY ABOUT SMOKING--PLEASE FILL IT OUT at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=cNcsH9Z8s7PQkwwP_2bC7SPQ_3d_3d and  and for our recent survey results please see http://nafissalaamreports.blogspot.com/.

Please also look for various videos relating to Nafis Salaam on YouTube. To support this initiative, spoken word artist Tahani Salah performs her magic on Atlantic Avenue-- see NICOTINE DREAMS.

Also in support, Romna Begum speaks with great sensitivity about her father and her hope that he will quit: Romna's Dad

DISASTER SERVICES

MCN is working in partnership with Red Cross to reach Muslims in New York with more information, resources, education, training, and assistance for disaster mitigation, preparedness, and recovery. With the help of New York Disaster Interfaith Services, MCN has supplied MCN with a full time VISTA Volunteer to develop a community survey, organize community-based workshops at mosques and other community centers, and to develop culturally specific educational materials.

Our VISTA volunteer is Elyse Peters Arnold She has come from Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has studied Hindi and Urdu. Over the last year she has been working with MCN to develop a directory of community organizations, do needs assessments in Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan and Queens and organize disaster preparedness workshops around the city for Muslims. Her work and the VISTA project will strengthen both the MCN collective infrastructure and benefit the entire New York area Muslim community. Please contact Elyse regarding Home Safety and Disaster Prepareness workshops and more information about her VISTA role, which is available for Year Two starting July 2009; for more info on disasters, swineflu etc see Office of Emergency Management or see our blog at PrepareNY.

ADVOCACY FOR A MORE PEACEFUL, SAFER WORLD

January 2009 MCN must strongly deplore Israel's recent disproportionate response to Hamas provocations-- the cycle of violence can only make coexistence harder to envision. Moreover, MCN members are deeply troubled by the lack of balance on this issue shown by most US officials. Their silence on Palestinian suffering is counter-productive, to say the least: MCN supports efforts to meet with officials to promote a humanitarian response.See our statements.

Statement Regarding the Mumbai Attacks:Understood correctly, Islam teaches that the use of terrorism is unacceptable for any purpose. Therefore we at MCN wish to extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the Indian people at this tragic time. Peace and Justice will never be implemented through such cowardly actions against civilians. Regardless of background or affiliation, those truly responsible for brutal and immoral attacks should be brought to justice through swift application of the law. -- See Pictures of Nov 30 City Hall Interfaith Statement Against Terror"> See also: article by Matt Weiner of Interfaith Center of New York

 

Muslim allies also make statements against terror that are often overlooked by the media Denounce Al Qaeda Slurs

Like Terror, war often targets civilians, with tragic consequences around the world. On August 21, MCN issued a statement about the conflict between Russia and Georgia. See Russian version or English version

Thanks to Sheila Musaji of The American Muslim for compiling a list of Muslim Voices Against Extremism and Terrorism, Statements by Organizations .

Here in New York this Fall 2008 MCN is developing new ways to promote civil rights, such as this blog for Muslim American Civil Liberties Coalition (MACLC) During a press conference held November 20 on the steps of New York City Hall, the New York Muslim American Civil Liberties Coalition released its critique of a controversial report from the New York Police Department about the threat of domestic radicalization. see MACLC WEBBLOG

 

As a steering committee member, MCN endorses the work Communities in Support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy (KGIA) and deplores the attacks on MCN Board member Debbie Almontaser. Please see CISKGIA and a recent article on the struggles around this school: article

 

MCN's talented network members & partners are available to speak on a wide range of topics and issues of concern .

 

RAMADAN 2008 BRINGING US ALL TOGETHER

Ramadan in New York City offers many opportunities for community gathering. In collaboration with other Muslim and interfaith partners, MCN has planned a series of public iftar dinners to mark the Holy Month. (Click on photos to see albums)

September 10 Iftar with Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer View invitation September 14 MCN member, Turning Point for Women and Families Iftar View invitation	Manhattan Boro President Iftar	Union Iftar 2008
September 16 Iftar with Queens Borough President Helen Marshal View invitation September 17 Our Eighth Annual Interfaith Iftar View invitation:"Making Room at the Table: Hospitality and Immigration."   View Columbia Specator article.	Queens Boro President Iftar	Brooklyn Iftar 2008
September 24 the Fifth Annual Iftar with Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz View invitation

Looking for Prayer Times or the Islamic Calendar? Visit IslamiCity.com.   Interested in moon-sighting & the lunar calendar? Here is the Moon's Current Phase