The Queens College Muslim Students Association hosted an event on Nov. 23 for Sheikh Yusuf Estes to impart his philosophy about Islam to students. Estes was born in 1944 as a Christian in Ohio. Born Joseph Estes, he converted from Christianity to Islam in July 1991 in Egypt. His name was changed from Joseph to Yusuf. He has been a Muslim Chaplain of the United States Bureau of Prisons through the 1990’s. He also served as a Muslim delegate to the United Nations World Peace Conference for Religious Leaders, which was held at the UN in September 2000. Estes is currently an American preacher from Texas and is active in…
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MSA chapter at QC helps during Charity Week
The Muslim Student Association’s chapter at Queens College raised the most money for Charity Week, which provides funds for people in need. Charity Week is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization that functions under Islamic Relief and unites young people to raise money. In late October, more than 20 volunteers organized events like a tennis tournament and a competition with the FIFA video game series. Khalida Jalili, organizer with MSA, learned about Charity Week from Dr. Muhammad Wajid Akhter. “I was inspired that university students in various parts of the world were enthusiastically and diligently cooperating together in raising money for their little siblings around the world,” Jalili said. Since Charity Week began in 2000,…
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Students remember those lost at Chapel Hill
Queens College students honored the lives lost at Chapel Hill, North Carolina in a candlelight vigil on Feb. 18 with a wide attendance of students and faculty members. Groups such as the Muslim Student Association, Project Sunshine and Amnesty International helped organize the event. Guest speakers included Afaf Nasher and Ibrahim Mossallem, both members of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “Our parents came to this beautiful country to establish and give us opportunities they didn’t have from wherever they came from,” Mossallem said. “Now it’s on us, you’re all doing the right thing—educating yourselves. Don’t stop whether you’re 15 or 62, keep on educating yourself and understand how to make a difference in this world.” Deah…
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Muslim students dispel myths about Islam and extremism
The recent attacks in Europe led to a resurgence of the role of Islam in relation to extremism. On Jan. 7, gunmen, all Muslims, attacked the office of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, a French satirical magazine, which published controversial cartoons that concerned Islam. Twelve people were killed. On Feb. 15, a shooting occurred in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, which resulted in the deaths of a security guard and a director. Mahrukh Ahmed, secretary of the Muslim Students Association at Queens College, said the shooters involved in the attacks in Europe did not truly follow the faith. “In the Koran, God says that when you face the ignorant people, when you face those who…
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Climate of fear still exists as new report details extent of NYPD surveillance program
Two years ago, The Associated Press released numerous stories of the New York Police Department’s surveillance of Muslims and controversy erupted as to whether the NYPD could be trusted as a result of this evidence made public. A report by a coalition of civil liberty groups has detailed the impact of the surveillance program by the NYPD on Muslims not only after the 2011 AP reports, but after Sept. 11 as well. The report, “Mapping Muslims: NYPD Spying and its Impact on American Muslims,” was released in February and examines how the NYPD sent informants to mosques, organized groups and even the CUNY schools, to spy on Muslims. The report…
