His Eminence, El Sheikh Syed Ali Shah Gilani, is a Noble, Kindhearted, and Very Learned Guide to Muslims of the Americas.  Indeed, he is our Blessed Imam sent to us (By the Mercy of Allah the Most High, Creator of Heavens and Earth).  In a world chockfull of darkness and confusion, he is a beacon of wisdom and light.

He is a man of mystery and bravery, for he has done what none of the leaders in the Americas could do:  amass a struggling generation of African Americans ...young men and women who were left (in the absence the lights of Martin Luther King, Malcolm, Angela, Marcus, Sojourner, W.E.B. Dubois, Medger …and the list goes on) dazed and stumbling after these social reformers had passed away or succumbed to the status quo.

Amongst our humble and struggling Muslim community, Allah ta ‘ala saw fit to raise a Reformer.    Bi ithni Llah, Shah Gilani raised our level of dignity.  His light and guidance outshone any we had come to know in this century!

"For those who have *taqwa (firm faith which they put into practice), Allah will make a way."  Holy Qur’an -Suratul Talaq

El Sheikh Gilani's arrival gave us a hope that allowed us to find our roots, not just to the soils of Africa but to the Musk-laden, Jasmine-scented, Rose-enhanced pearly streets of Paradise.   BY MOVING OUT OF THE CITIES LADEN WITH DRUGS AND CRIME, WE ARE THRIVING TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN AND GENERATIONS OF MUSLIMS TO COME, A BETTER LIFESTYLE.

As to be expected, we have had challenges to face and obstacles to overcome (It is not easy to shake a slave mentality).  But as you pour over the many civil and cultural endeavors of the Muslims of the America, we have accomplished much since our exodus from the likes of Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island.  We were already New Yorkers or people who knew struggle. But that only made our determination stronger.   And nothing can compare to the sense of dignity and self-worth that El Sheikh Gilani has instilled in us. There came a movement in America, and it was real!!!  THIS IS THE TRUTH THAT IS SO DISTURBING FOR THE LIKES OF THOSE WHO SPREAD VICIOUS LIES AND PROPAGANDA ("disinformationalists"1 like Douglas J. Hagmann…more about him later.)   History was and is still being made.  Annals of history will record this to be amongst the most progressive and productive movements in American History.

Muslims, particularly the Muslims of the Americas, are people of conviction and they have no fear to stand for what is right.  And we know the truth.  Every day we pray "Ya Allah "Guide us to the Straight Path (the Siratul Mustaqim).  So even if we stumble, we believe (as do our Christian Brethren) in the Footprints on the Path …that keep us going strong each and every day!

...And did I mention love?  El Sheikh Gilani taught us how to love.  We love Allah, the One Deity and recognize Him in All His Majesty.  He is The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth and All in Between, (including the newly discovered -by our puny eyes- creatures of Mars and more)!  We love all the Messengers and Prophets, sent to give divine guidance and leadership to the people of their day. We love the Holy Last Messenger, the Prophet Muhammad. (Sall Allahu alaihi wa sallam)  (Peace be upon him).  We honor him (and all the Prophets) and we will defend his honor.

When it becomes a question of honor, and honor is that which is worthy of protecting, defending and loving, we understand it well. Read the old excerpts of history. Before fear-factor, there was honor ...a worthy treasure to have and to hold.  So understand that patriotism, defense of one's family, country, or Prophet, all fall into the same vein ...or one could say "flows in the veins of People of Honor and Dignity as it did in many of the Forefathers of America."

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu alaihi wa sallam) is a Mercy to All the Worlds, Bringer of the Divine Book, the Holy Qur’an. Both are guidelines for righteous living...one, the perfect, universal man, the other, the perfect, universal book …one, alive for you to follow …the other, alive for you to feel in your secret place...your spirit.  And El Sheikh Gilani has taken the Sufi art of the teachings of the Holy Last Messenger and The Great Knowledge of the Holy last Scripture and in this, the 15th century of Islam, (a time of contrast between the rising light of truth and the darkness of hate and destruction of the ungodly) and directed us to become a smarter, stronger, yet simple people.  Now we are educators, healers and reformers…noble American Muslims!  Yes, we are American citizens, and we are aware of our rights and duties.

And El Sheikh Gilani taught us to open our hearts and our eyes.  He has taught us to beware the trickery of cameras, spliced tapes and half truths used to fool an otherwise distracted, but normally good-hearted American Public. The devious master-minds use tools of deceit. Deceit produced by well thought out and so-called progressive devices such as  immoral movies, video games, drugs, fear-factors, etc. to seduce the American people into thinking that these pioneers, the Muslims of the Americas on a Quest for Truth- (your Muslim neighbors, relatives and friends) are suddenly all pumped up by al-Qaeda and about to ATTACK!   But ask yourself, when you have ever heard a Muslim person that you know ever say, “I follow al-Qaeda?"

In all the decades that Muslims have been in America, in your neighborhood, of whom have you heard them speak?  Perhaps you heard them when they were younger, speaking of loving God first of all, seeking freedom second of all, looking for leadership thirdly, and finally striving... better yet, thriving to be the leaders of their own destiny (within god-given limits and always with the help of Allah) as they matured and embarked on the new quest for Knowledge.  More than likely, you met them trying to decipher how best to practice Islam in a land where very little truth was known about Islam and its noble tenets.

Thus, for many, practicing Islam is our Amazing Grace and El Sheikh Gilani is the Gracious Host.  He has invited us to stand up, declare and believe:  “Islam is my Religion, America is My Country and Freedom is my Right!”   With this strength…the strength of truth, we will keep on living, giving, teaching, preaching, sharing and caring about our Faith, our People and Our Homeland Security.  For who is better to Protect Us than the Almighty?   Did He not protect a small boy against a seemingly mighty, unstoppable giant?!

Dear Reader, Muslims of the Americas are people of conviction and they have no fear to stand for what is right.   I invite you to investigate the truth for yourself, for everyone knows the truth shall set you free!  But use the eyes of your heart.  The time has come to stand for and recognize the values that are noble and American:  Belief in One Deity, honest & simple living, integrity, hard work, family love and unity, and honor.  Don't let lies and hatred pervade your hearts and minds; don't be fooled by the fear-factor or trick talk i.e. “We will take away your rights to protect you."  Ask yourself, "How could this be true?” This is America, your country and mine, but one does not have to be a part of the American nation or the African American, European, or Hispanic race.  Being part of the human race is enough ...seeing with the eyes of the heart is enough!  … And feeling with conviction in your spirit is definitely enough!  And acting on what you feel, see, and believe, if it is consistent with moral guidelines that have been Heaven Sent, will increase your faith and sharpen your entire being to enable you to discern truth from falsehood.

Please don't forget learning. Learning gives you the wings to fly.  Please accept this invitation to investigate for yourself, and then join other Lovers of Truth in spreading the good news that Islam is a religion of Peace and America is a country of Freedom.  Let's live in harmony to keep it that way.  Let us raise our hands and let us pray....

Lord, You are Great and we are small,
Forgive us Lord, sometimes we do fall.
Protect us Lord and guide us all

(WHO RECOGNIZE TRUTH AND ON YOU, DO CALL!)

THANK YOU ALLAH FOR SENDING OUR SHEIKH; HE IS A GIFT

......SHUKRALLAH!  LABBAIK!

-Aisha Begum Qadria