The Ummah (Muslim Caucus)

[yunus]

There has been some discussion between muslims at occupy albany and with muslims in the greater capital region about Occupy Albany. We would like to have a Muslim Caucus in order to facilitate greater inclusion of the Muslim community at Occupy Albany. How do we go about making this a "legitimate" caucus aside from us just meeting one our own.

Thanks

[mikerancourt]

Nothing needs to be done to make it a "legitimate" caucus. It's legitimate as soon as it gets started. I would encourage someone from the group to make an announcement at a general assembly that the caucus has formed and the share with the group how others can get involved (meeting times, contact info, etc...). The facilitation WG has added a space on the agenda for Caucus Updates at the beginning of the assembly. That would be a good time for it.
Also, on a personal note, thanks for putting this together. Our group could use a little more awareness of inclusion/inclusiveness.

[yunus]

The first meeting of The Ummah (Muslim Caucus of Occupy Albany) God willing will be saturday at 2pim in Academy Park. This group is open to anyone whom considers themself a Muslim and to non-Muslim supporters whom wish to support Muslims civil liberties in Albany and elsewhere. We believe that it is important for Muslims to support this movement as our religion teaches us that these to big to fail banks and others in giving out interest is a huge sin called Riba in Arabic. Further we believe that this movement could provide Muslims opportunity to address the larger non-Muslim community and God-willing change the racist attacks against us at home and abroad by this government. We draw these beliefs from the Qur'an which states:

"Woe to every slanderer, defamer. Who amasses wealth and counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him abide. Nay, he will certainly be hurled into the crushing disaster. And what will make thee realise what the crushing disaster is? It is the Fire kindled by Allah. Which rises over hearts…."

"Hast thou seen him who belies religion? That is the one who is rough to the orphan, and urges not the feeding of the needy, so woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayer! Who do (good) to be seen, and refrain from acts of kindness."

"And those who hoard up gold and silver (dinars and dirhams, which was currency of those days) and spend it not in Allah's way - announce to them a painful chastisement."

These are just a few quotes. We believe in non-violence and do not support violent acts. We further believe that the Prophet pbuh to paraphrase stated that the Greatest spirtual struggle was to speak the truth in the presence of an unjust Ruler and we hope God-willing to engage in this kind of struggle through the Occupy Movement.

[Emma]

Cool idea.
None of the other caucuses are open to allies/supporters. As much as I, who am Jewish, would like to participate in a support role I would like to put out there that it might be beneficial to meet at least once (first?) as Muslims-only. Partly to discuss how much input and involvement you want from non-Muslims. Supporters can sometimes overwhelm a minority group's own agenda, and sometimes need to be reigned in. Just a thought. Let us know what you decide.