Reaction From the Speakers on the United Against Malaria Event » United for Change
Reaction from the Speakers on the United Against Malaria Event » United For Change
“It was indeed an historic event! I LOVED the entirety of it. The articulation of the speakers was simply superb! I was blown away by the information given, and the profound commitment of the organizers for the cause of those with malaria. I don’t know if I have ever heard, and been more affected by a speech then that of the one given by professor Fatimah Jackson! I thank Allah for the organizers! Let’s do it again!” – Imam Siraj Wahhaj
“It was a great honor to be involved with the recent United Against Malaria program. The organization and execution of the conference were impeccable. The messages were profound, inspirational, and uplifting. This program was not the beginning of my involvement with the issue of malaria. I pray that the momentum built by the program will lead to more effective and focused action both by myself and others. I think it is fitting to point out the commitment of the volunteers of United for Change (UFC) and the staff of Islamic Relief for the commitment and vision they displayed in making such a potentially catalytic event a reality.” –Imam Zaid Shakir
“It was an informative program with inspiring steps towards Muslims engaging in global health issues.” – Imam Mohamed Magid
“It was my honor to attend the United Against Malaria launch in our nation’s capital. I was thrilled to join this unprecedented, formal effort by US-based Muslims to join the global movement against malaria. Indeed this work represents our greatest hope for the first humanitarian breakthrough of the century. The conference was well-organized and presented the diverse aspects of this cause as well as how the community can impact the movement. Many thanks to the coordinating committee, Imam Zaid Shakir and Islamic Relief for their tremendous commitment and remarkable leadership.” – Saleemah Abdul-Ghaffur
“The United Against Malaria event was one of the most memorable programs I’ve participated in or attended. It was significant not only because we raised almost $200,000 to combat malaria, but because there was a spirit of love, mutual concern, and a deep sense of the need for unity and cooperation that was manifest throughout. For me, the personal highlight of the program was going for a walk (and some ice cream) the night before the event with Shaykh Yasir Qadhi, in which we discussed some of the most pressing larger religious concerns of the Muslim community in North America–especially in terms of meaningful means of Islamic Finance, and some of the critical legal issues related to marriage–and how we must work together to address them. May Allah make this event the first step in our uniting for change, and in becoming of those who promote justice and good with excellence, in accordance with the radiant example of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).” – Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
“Words cannot do justice to describe the powerful combination of sincerity, knowledge, compassion, and collective concern exhibited during that blessed Saturday, September 5th, 2009, when fellow Muslims, scholars, philanthropists, and altruists gathered to teach and to be taught, to call and to answer the call, and to give and to be asked to give, so that together we would reach a milestone in Muslim American history and show once and for all that functional unity is not only possible but that it has been realized in the fight against Malaria. An ancient proverb of the Dakota tribe captures the essence of this nascent effort of ours, “We will be known forever by the tracks we leave.” Walking in the tracks of the scholars, the giants of our time who attended, spoke, captivated and motivated us to join the struggle against Malaria, we all insha’Allah will be known by the tracks that we have begun to leave and more tracks that we are sure to make, by the grace, mercy, and guidance of Allah, in the near future.” – Altaf Husain Ph.D., MSW
“Rekindling the inner spirit that the purpose of a Muslim is not limited to worshipping The Creator only, but also to serve, show compassion, and a genuine will to extend a hand to others”. – Shaykh Muhammad Ninowy
“Being part of the UAM event was a remarkable experience of living the Hadeeth of the prophet (peace be upon him) describing the believers in their mercy and cooperation as the one body that aches for any harm befalling one of its parts. It was my honor to have been part of this effort in the fight against Malaria along with such prominent scholars and activists. I urge all those who missed this event to still be part of this historic effort by contributing to the cause.” – Ghuydar Bashmaf
“United For Change is a long overdue initiative. It is the organizational manifestation of a realization that only enlightened leaders could have reached, that contrarian rhetoric is not only ultimately futile, but it drains us from time, energy and resources that are better used towards unquestionably positive outcomes. As for United Against Malaria, being a borderline survivor of this powerful disease, I would not wish it upon my worst enemy. My parents often recall how I went into convulsions when the temperature in my 9 year old body hit a whopping 107 F. I do have flashbacks of moments leading into it, but I have no recollection of being placed on a slab of ice and having ice-cold cold water splashed over me to bring the fever down. To this day, my mother prays for that Indian doctor in Bangalore who, with Allah’s permission, saved my life and eventually cured me of Malaria. To know that there are children with no access to the medicine or the treatment that I was fortunate enough to receive in my time of need, is disturbing, especially when we realize just how severe the death toll is, and just how feasible it is for us to make a difference. May Allah raise the ranks of our scholars and leaders for coming together for such an historic initiative, especially Imam Zaid Shakir for initiating and guiding the charge, and Br. Tariq Subhani, Sr. Asma Mirza, and Br. Amadou Shakur for tirelessly working to bring this vision to reality. I felt humbled to be involved in a minor capacity in this first event, and will gladly do so again in a heartbeat.” – Nader Khan
“Thank you so much for the invitation to be apart of this historic conference. We are so pleased by the vision of Imam Zaid Shakir to organize a conference during Ramadan in with which the Muslims could participate in helping a preventable disease that has an enormous global impact on the world. We are hoping that this event on Malaria will inspire scholarship from the Muslim community to solve these important problems, and eradicate unnecessary human suffering, remembering that Allah SWT says saving a life is like saving all mankind. We pray that Muslims will take a grassroots approach to being integral to solving issues through volunteerism with Islamic relief and United for Change, and be at the fore front of leading the way in bettering the human condition. We believe that this conference was the starting point of raising awareness, and trying to change the condition with our hearts, minds, resources and time, and we look forward to many more events that will continue to inspire us to pursue meaningful avenues to please Allah SWT. Thank you again, and may Allah SWT bless your efforts moving forward with success and barakah.” – Aisha Jackson
“The United Against Malaria Event is an example of vital, relevant Dawah that all Muslims should be involved in. United for Change is the Call of the Hour for scholars and Muslim leaders. May Almighty Allah bless these noble efforts and reward all those who strive in the cause.” – Shaykh Abdullah Hakim Quick, PHD
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