Islam Blooms in Panama
OnIslam & News Agencies
Thursday, 23 January 2014 00:00
The establishment of Al Haqq mosque by two native women has drew
criticism from some members of the Panamanian Muslim community.
CAIRO – The number of Muslim reverts in the
Central American republic of Panama has been growing rapidly over the
past years, laying the basis of their community in the country’s first
native mosque.
“This is the first time we have a place for Panamanians,” Bianca Chanis, a Panamanian Muslim revert told Religion Dispatches magazine on Wednesday, January 22, while describing the nation's first worshipping house for Muslims.
“And everyone’s welcome.”
For years, a growing number of Muslim reverts in the Central American republic has faced challenges towards establishing their first mosque.
Their dream came true last November after the community opened Al Haqq mosque, nine years after the first call was made in 2005 by Josefina Bell-Munajj and Khadijah Jackson.
The mosque, though not the first Muslim worshipping house, was praised as catering to the native Panamanians reverting to Islam.
Moreover, the mosque would serve as a haven for people interested in getting more information about Islam or spearheading interfaith initiatives in the community.
The mosque was not the only challenge facing the growing Muslim community in Panama.
Muslim parents have been struggling to offer Islamic education to their children.
“We try to teach him Islam, but school confuses him," said Anais Gobea, a Panamanian mother who reverted to Islam four months ago, about her son who attends a public school and get confused with the Catholic education.
Campaigning for mosque was not the only effort spearheaded by Bell-Munajj and Khadijah Jackson.
In 2011, they started religious classes for a small group of women in a room they borrowed from a local Muslim dentist. They started with ten people in 2011 and increased to thirty by the next year.
"We started feeling the urgency to get a new space because we were bursting out the room,” Bell-Munajj, Al haqq co-founder, said.
Islam reached Panama in the mid-16th century through the African Muslim slaves who came to work in mines at that time.
Muslims from Lebanon, Palestine, India, Pakistan, and West Indian countries started to influx to Panama in the twentieth century.
Cultural Differences
The diverse Muslim community in Panama has brought different practices of Islam to the Central American country.
The establishment of Al Haqq mosque by two native women has drew criticism from some members of the Panamanian Muslim community.
"Islamic culture says that when men are around, women should support them," said Abdul Kabir Malik, one of the first Panamanian Islamic leaders in the country who reverted to Islam in the 1970s.
A different opinion was shared by Walid Handauz, an Arab leader in the Centro Islamico Cultural mosque, who asserted that Islam has united different cultures in Panama.
“We try to gather everyone in one basic road,” Handauz claimed.
The Number of Panamanians joining Islam is rapidly growing, according to Ahmad Bhattay, a leader at Panama City’s Jama Mosque.
The diverse Muslim community in Panama comprises Muslims from different origins and cultures.
The thriving community started recently to draw native followers besides the Muslim immigrants who are mainly from Lebanon, Palestine, Indian and Pakistan.
Bhattay claims that more than 500 Muslims attend the Friday prayer at Jama Mosque, besides two or three new converts attending the mosque every week.
He refuted allegations about discrimination inside the Muslim community in Panama.
“Maybe ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, there was,” Bhattay said, adding that people are open to attend events at whichever mosque they prefer.
According to the latest tallies released in 2009, Muslims make less than 1% of Panama's population with 24,000 Muslims who are concentrated in Panama City and Colón.
Most Muslims in Panama live in the major cities of Panama City and Colón, with smaller numbers in other provincial cities.
“This is the first time we have a place for Panamanians,” Bianca Chanis, a Panamanian Muslim revert told Religion Dispatches magazine on Wednesday, January 22, while describing the nation's first worshipping house for Muslims.
“And everyone’s welcome.”
For years, a growing number of Muslim reverts in the Central American republic has faced challenges towards establishing their first mosque.
Their dream came true last November after the community opened Al Haqq mosque, nine years after the first call was made in 2005 by Josefina Bell-Munajj and Khadijah Jackson.
The mosque, though not the first Muslim worshipping house, was praised as catering to the native Panamanians reverting to Islam.
Moreover, the mosque would serve as a haven for people interested in getting more information about Islam or spearheading interfaith initiatives in the community.
The mosque was not the only challenge facing the growing Muslim community in Panama.
Muslim parents have been struggling to offer Islamic education to their children.
“We try to teach him Islam, but school confuses him," said Anais Gobea, a Panamanian mother who reverted to Islam four months ago, about her son who attends a public school and get confused with the Catholic education.
Campaigning for mosque was not the only effort spearheaded by Bell-Munajj and Khadijah Jackson.
In 2011, they started religious classes for a small group of women in a room they borrowed from a local Muslim dentist. They started with ten people in 2011 and increased to thirty by the next year.
"We started feeling the urgency to get a new space because we were bursting out the room,” Bell-Munajj, Al haqq co-founder, said.
Islam reached Panama in the mid-16th century through the African Muslim slaves who came to work in mines at that time.
Muslims from Lebanon, Palestine, India, Pakistan, and West Indian countries started to influx to Panama in the twentieth century.
Cultural Differences
The diverse Muslim community in Panama has brought different practices of Islam to the Central American country.
The establishment of Al Haqq mosque by two native women has drew criticism from some members of the Panamanian Muslim community.
"Islamic culture says that when men are around, women should support them," said Abdul Kabir Malik, one of the first Panamanian Islamic leaders in the country who reverted to Islam in the 1970s.
A different opinion was shared by Walid Handauz, an Arab leader in the Centro Islamico Cultural mosque, who asserted that Islam has united different cultures in Panama.
“We try to gather everyone in one basic road,” Handauz claimed.
The Number of Panamanians joining Islam is rapidly growing, according to Ahmad Bhattay, a leader at Panama City’s Jama Mosque.
The diverse Muslim community in Panama comprises Muslims from different origins and cultures.
The thriving community started recently to draw native followers besides the Muslim immigrants who are mainly from Lebanon, Palestine, Indian and Pakistan.
Bhattay claims that more than 500 Muslims attend the Friday prayer at Jama Mosque, besides two or three new converts attending the mosque every week.
He refuted allegations about discrimination inside the Muslim community in Panama.
“Maybe ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, there was,” Bhattay said, adding that people are open to attend events at whichever mosque they prefer.
According to the latest tallies released in 2009, Muslims make less than 1% of Panama's population with 24,000 Muslims who are concentrated in Panama City and Colón.
Most Muslims in Panama live in the major cities of Panama City and Colón, with smaller numbers in other provincial cities.
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Published on 30 Dec 2013
A Role Model in Leadership for Muslim Youth - Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah radiya Allahu anhu - Abdullah Hakim Quick
____________________
ABOUT THE SPEAKER -
Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick is a historian, social activist and religious leader of African and Native American descent. He has travelled to over 58 countries doing research and delivering lectures to various communities. His qualification in Islamic Studies comes from a BA from the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia and his history background is shaped by an MA and PhD from the History Department of the University of Toronto, Canada.
Dr Quick has served as a special advisor to the Toronto Board of Education, the Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum as well as a regular columnist in the religion page of one of Canada's leading daily newspapers, The Toronto Star. He has initiated and developed special classes for the hearing impaired of Canada and the underprivileged of Southern Africa. He has been a guest lecturer at York University (Toronto), McGill University, the University of the Western Cape (South Africa) in the Departments of History, Women's Studies, Geography and Middle-East Islamic Studies and African Studies as well as member of the Chaplains Association of the University of Toronto. He has also developed and facilitated workshops and training sessions for diverse organizations such as Children's Aid Society, Metropolitan Toronto School Boards, Family Service Association of Metro Toronto, Canadian Museums Association, Canadian Institute for International Affairs, the Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries, Elementary Teachers Association of York Region, Metro Toronto School for the Deaf, the Scarborough Public Library Board, and Al Wagah, Muslim Deaf Society of Cape Town.
For over ten years, Dr Quick was Director of the Islamic Social Services and Resources Association, one of Canada's first recognized Islamic social service agencies. There he counseled hundreds people from all walks of life and various religions and developed one of Canada's first Muslim food banks. He has often spoken out against "gay bashing" and vigilantism
He has participated in interviews as an expert on African History and Islamic issues with major Canadian, Caribbean and South African media organizations, such as CBC TV, City TV, CFRB, Channel 47 (Canada) and the SABC, 702 Cape Talk, Voice of the Cape, Radio 786, Channel Islam, Radio Ansar (Durban, South Africa).
He has a number of scholarly presentations and publications but his recent focus has been on documentary films such as Timbuktu, the Empire of Knowledge, Untold Ethiopia and Reflections from the Western Sunrise (Quick Answers) that all aired on national television in South Africa.
Previously, Dr Abdullah was the Director of the Discover Islam Centre of Cape Town , South Africa and a special advisor to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Presently, Shaykh Abdullah is residing in Toronto, Canada and is the Head of the History Department of Al Maghrib Institute and the Director of Outreach for the Canadian Council of Imams.
____________________
ABOUT THE SPEAKER -
Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick is a historian, social activist and religious leader of African and Native American descent. He has travelled to over 58 countries doing research and delivering lectures to various communities. His qualification in Islamic Studies comes from a BA from the Islamic University of Madinah, Saudi Arabia and his history background is shaped by an MA and PhD from the History Department of the University of Toronto, Canada.
Dr Quick has served as a special advisor to the Toronto Board of Education, the Ontario Science Centre and the Royal Ontario Museum as well as a regular columnist in the religion page of one of Canada's leading daily newspapers, The Toronto Star. He has initiated and developed special classes for the hearing impaired of Canada and the underprivileged of Southern Africa. He has been a guest lecturer at York University (Toronto), McGill University, the University of the Western Cape (South Africa) in the Departments of History, Women's Studies, Geography and Middle-East Islamic Studies and African Studies as well as member of the Chaplains Association of the University of Toronto. He has also developed and facilitated workshops and training sessions for diverse organizations such as Children's Aid Society, Metropolitan Toronto School Boards, Family Service Association of Metro Toronto, Canadian Museums Association, Canadian Institute for International Affairs, the Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries, Elementary Teachers Association of York Region, Metro Toronto School for the Deaf, the Scarborough Public Library Board, and Al Wagah, Muslim Deaf Society of Cape Town.
For over ten years, Dr Quick was Director of the Islamic Social Services and Resources Association, one of Canada's first recognized Islamic social service agencies. There he counseled hundreds people from all walks of life and various religions and developed one of Canada's first Muslim food banks. He has often spoken out against "gay bashing" and vigilantism
He has participated in interviews as an expert on African History and Islamic issues with major Canadian, Caribbean and South African media organizations, such as CBC TV, City TV, CFRB, Channel 47 (Canada) and the SABC, 702 Cape Talk, Voice of the Cape, Radio 786, Channel Islam, Radio Ansar (Durban, South Africa).
He has a number of scholarly presentations and publications but his recent focus has been on documentary films such as Timbuktu, the Empire of Knowledge, Untold Ethiopia and Reflections from the Western Sunrise (Quick Answers) that all aired on national television in South Africa.
Previously, Dr Abdullah was the Director of the Discover Islam Centre of Cape Town , South Africa and a special advisor to the Ministry of Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Presently, Shaykh Abdullah is residing in Toronto, Canada and is the Head of the History Department of Al Maghrib Institute and the Director of Outreach for the Canadian Council of Imams.
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Shoplifting gran, 76, went on four-year crime spree 'because she was bored of being old'
June Humphreys, 76, travelled using her free bus pass, pocketing hundreds of pounds of goods by swiping them off shelves and hiding them in her shopping trolley
Yahoo News. – 28 January 2014 - 19 hours ago- View PhotoYahoo News./SWNS - June Humphreys, 76, admitted a string of theft offences in court. (SWNS)
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shoplifting great-grandmother clocked up a criminal record ‘like a
teenage heroin addict’ because she was ‘bored of being old’, a court
heard.
June Humphreys, 76, travelled using her free bus pass, pocketing hundreds of pounds of goods by swiping them off shelves and hiding them in her shopping trolley.
The pensioner stole clothes, alcohol and even a breast pump during a four-year crime wave because she needed to ‘fill her time’ while living alone.
Humphreys, who has seven children, had shoplifting convictions between 2011 and 2014 and even travelled 100 miles from her home to carry out offences.
On Monday, Humphreys, from Crewe, Cheshire, was hauled before North Staffordshire Justice Centre where she admitted a string of thefts.
After arriving for court pushing her trolley Humphreys pleaded guilty to stealing from four shops in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, on the same day.
But she walked free after being sentenced to one month in prison suspended for a year and was warned if she shoplifts again she will be sent to jail.
June Humphreys, 76, travelled using her free bus pass, pocketing hundreds of pounds of goods by swiping them off shelves and hiding them in her shopping trolley.
The pensioner stole clothes, alcohol and even a breast pump during a four-year crime wave because she needed to ‘fill her time’ while living alone.
Humphreys, who has seven children, had shoplifting convictions between 2011 and 2014 and even travelled 100 miles from her home to carry out offences.
On Monday, Humphreys, from Crewe, Cheshire, was hauled before North Staffordshire Justice Centre where she admitted a string of thefts.
After arriving for court pushing her trolley Humphreys pleaded guilty to stealing from four shops in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, on the same day.
But she walked free after being sentenced to one month in prison suspended for a year and was warned if she shoplifts again she will be sent to jail.
JPs were told Humphreys had previous convictions for shop theft in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and January this year.
Her probation officer Darren Vernon told the court: 'She has travelled around Staffordshire and Cheshire on public transport and committed offences.
'She knows what she is doing is wrong, she says she is bored and needs to fill her time.
'The main reason for her doing this is boredom. She lives alone.
'She has seven children but the only one she has contact with lives above her.
'She has acquired the record of a heroin addict in his late teens.'
The court heard she nicked confectionery worth £2 from Iceland, baby clothes worth £69 from BHS, baby clothes worth £24.98 from B & M, and a breast pump from Boots.
Humphreys, from Crewe, Cheshire, also admitted stealing alcohol, coffee and confectionery worth £30.42 from Aldi and two pairs of boots worth £94.50 on December 18.
The
court heard Humphreys' offending took her on a journey of over 100 miles
as far as Leek, Macclesfield, Stafford, Whitchurch and Stoke-on-Trent.Her probation officer Darren Vernon told the court: 'She has travelled around Staffordshire and Cheshire on public transport and committed offences.
'She knows what she is doing is wrong, she says she is bored and needs to fill her time.
'The main reason for her doing this is boredom. She lives alone.
'She has seven children but the only one she has contact with lives above her.
'She has acquired the record of a heroin addict in his late teens.'
The court heard she nicked confectionery worth £2 from Iceland, baby clothes worth £69 from BHS, baby clothes worth £24.98 from B & M, and a breast pump from Boots.
Humphreys, from Crewe, Cheshire, also admitted stealing alcohol, coffee and confectionery worth £30.42 from Aldi and two pairs of boots worth £94.50 on December 18.
Prosecutor Giles Rowden said: 'The defendant has convictions for shop theft in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and on January 14 this year she was fined for shop theft at West Cheshire Magistrates.'
The court recommended she was given one last chance after hearing the pensioner was being treated for breast cancer and also suffered from osteoarthritis.
Andrew Bennett, defending, added: 'My client does not want to go to prison. She wants to stop doing this. She wants to stop stealing from shops.'
JPs revoked a community order which had previously been imposed for theft but ordered her to pay £45 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
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