justice

The struggles of our past have shown that citizens have always moved America and the Ummah forward, whether it is poor people’s movements in America, or the Arab Spring. However, nothing can be achieved without risks and the willingness to sacrifice.

The following speech was given by United States Attorney General Eric Holder at the annual dinner for the organization Muslim Advocates in December 2010 in Milbrae, California. He was the keynote speaker at the event.

Imam Khalid Fattah Griggs accepted Islam in 1972. He is the Imam of The Community Mosque of Winston-Salem in North Carolina. This is a position he has held since 1984. He is also co-chairman of the North Carolina-based Black Leadership Roundtable of Winston-Salem-Forsyth County.

While Muslims love and deeply respect Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, others regularly heap abuse on him in ways that are very painful for Muslims to bear. This requires patience and fortitude.

Hate never limits itself to one stop. It keeps looking for the new targets. Just as KKK targets were not limited to African-Americans as it attacked Catholics, Jews and other immigrants, the current phase of hate, ethnic bigotry and religious intolerance is looking for new targets.

America's reaction to the torturous sexual abuse of Iraqi prisoners of war is a sign of a nation living its ideals. Although they are reacting to something extremely abhorrent and horrible, it gives me confidence in humanity and in America.

With wars around the world, occupations, genocides and refugees, the state of peace in the world looks very bleak. Here are some practical things Muslim communities, particularly Masjids can do, to promote peace and security in the coming days.