This is a good case of smoke and mirrors. Instead of dealing with the fact that it’s haram for her to be an Imam she tries to make it into a race issue. This is offensive to me on so many levels being a Muslim woman who is African-American. I’m not going to make it seem like there isn’t a race issue at all but there are many Imams who are African-American. In my city alone there are 3 out of the 5 Masjids. Looking at the Masjids in cities I’ve been to spread among 10 states I’d say a good number had Imams who were african-american.

I think deep inside she knows she’s wrong on the issue of being Imam so all she can do is point out the only tangible although still way off issue she could find. In a way she is hurting her own campaign by causing people to tie the two issues together. That being Lady who is African-American but wants to be an Imam. It really doesn’t help to end any ill perceptions for those who have issue with african-americans.

I guess this insanity shouldn’t be shocking coming from a a person who thinks it’s ok to pick and chose from Qur’an.

Also, the fact that the “race card” was used in the article bothered me, and Amina Wadud use of the “n” word bothered me also. Some African-Americans say it’s OK for * them * to use the word, becuase when * they * use it, it means something different than when * white people * use it. But I, myself, don’t think * anyone *, black or white, should use that word. Every time I heard it, I have this very negative gutt reaction to it.

I think that Amina Wadud’s use of the “n” word was a way of silencing people, or purposefully making people feel uncomfortable and / or on the defensive. I have a problem with people who purposefully try to push people’s buttons or push envelopes, or just try to make a scene.

It would seem to me that Muslims who are striving to please Allah, and to live this deen of Islam as completely as possible would not do things like that. But mabye it’s just me.

TF, to my memory, has quite a long history of attempting to play on — or in some cases, exaggerate — racial issues and biases (especially when the bias is on the part of a White or Arab) in order to push his agenda or points down people’s throats.

In this case, the race card (which even Ms. Wudud is now saying did not occur quite as he claims it did) is being used to distract from another issue, IMO. Not that she will be leading a so-called mixed gender jama’at. Yawn. But that MWU / PMU have no relation to the Muslim community in NY (and elsewhere?) If you read about the so-called jumu’ah, it’s not taking place in a masjid… just as their launch party did not (it took place at the US’s most liberal Christian seminary instead).

Is it annoying? Yeah. But things without real substance fly away like dead leaves in autumn, and without a true anchor to the Diyn, so will “progressive” Islam.

Two problems spring to mind.

1.Can a person who openly states that she rejects a part of the Quran still be considered a Muslim?

1. Can a woman lead a mixed congregation in prayer?I know that the proggies quote a few Hadiths in support but Leading Ulema say they are spurious.

The other pretender Asra Nomani is also being accorded a lot of publicity on MWU.She is the agent provacateur in Morgantown and claims to be leading a fight for women’s rights in Mosques.And this from a woman who has written a book on Tantric sex and has not expressed any remorse that she chose to have a child out of wedlock. And wait;visit her website.She has stated that women have the ISLAMIC RIGHT for exemption from punishment for consensual sex between adults.Astagfirullah!She plays with the words of Allah and his beloved Messenger(pbuh)And we have a few misguided souls who still look to her for guidance!

And these are the kind of people who are being raised on a pedestal.Some objected to my posting these thoughts on another website saying that none of us can pass judgement;that argument is specious for what they have done in their own way has been to clearly transgress the Shariah.And when they aspire to leadership they need to set their houses in order so that a good example is set to others.Otherwise they simply do not have any locus standi.

And yes DRM Tarek Fatah is not only a charlatan but an enemy of the community.He has gone on record stating that his mission is to oppose the use of Shariah in Voluntary arbitration and to ensure that the law pertaining to same sex marriages is passed.With muslims like these……..

Suhail