The real issues for women
Pregnant Muslim Mother's brutal murder
I remembering going to the masjid one Friday afternoon on December 17th, 2004. I sat in the musalla while the imam gave his khutbah. As usual, he ended his sermon and the congregation prayed the Jumah prayer. We sat restlessly, talking and catching up with friends, as we waited for the imam to give the Friday afternoon announcements. But on this seemingly typical day, the Muslim community of New Orleans and the attendants of the Abu Bakr al-Siddique Masjid would receive the most horrible and heartbreaking news. One of our beloved sisters, Iman Muhanna Mohamed, was brutally murdered. She was stabbed 33 times; fatal wounds that ended her life and the life of her unborn baby girl. I remember hearing the imam, shock and grief laden upon his voice, as he announced this tragedy to our congregation. I remember the sisters who were crying and the silence of those so appalled that they didn't know what to say or how to react. There are many things I remember about that day and such things continue to stay with me.
I rushed home to watch the news to see what the reporters would say. What did the police know? Was it a hate crime or a robbery? Were there any possible leads? With much sadness I must report that since that day, we do not know who has committed this crime. Unfortunately, I did not have the pleasure of knowing Iman Muhanna Mohamed. Our paths never crossed and the sadness of our community is a reflection of what we have lost with her death. Through reports on the news, internet searches, and warm stories told by friends, I began to develop a portrait of a faithful servant of our community. She and her unborn daughter were survived by her husband and two children. She received her education from the Islamic University of Gaza and served as a teacher at the Muslim Academy of New Orleans. She taught the Qur'an, the word of Allah subhana wa ta'ala, to our youth. She was loved by many and she will not be forgotten.
Since the day of her murder, however, many of us have noticed the silence. It is the silence of the mainstream media. While her murder was covered by the local news, a local Islamic newspaper entitled "Iqra!" and various newspapers in the Middle East, the major television networks have said nothing. Even more troubling is the lack of coverage from Muslim publications and media networks. One would think that such a brutal murder would garner attention from Muslim and non-Muslim media outlets all over the United States. After all, the murder of Laci Peterson and her unborn child captivated the American audience for months. Perhaps it is because her husband is not a suspect and our anti-Islamic culture is used to hearing stories about the brutality of Muslim men towards their women. I suspect that if he stood accused, her story would have been plastered on every newspaper, television show and website across America.
Mahdi Bray and the Muslim American Society has made it their personal duty to make sure that her story is not laid to rest. He also noticed the lack of attention regarding Sister Iman's death, stating, "Frankly, I'm amazed at how little media attention this case has received. The murder of a pregnant women normally receives big nationwide attention by all major media outlets."
With the controversial woman-led prayer of Dr. Amina Wadud, there has been much talk about women's rights in Islam. There has been much debate and argumentation over hijab, female imams, and a new feminist discourse in Islam. Asma Nomani, author of "Standing Alone in Mecca," who is leading a Women's Freedom Tour throughout America, has not made any mention of Iman Muhanna Mohamed and others like her. Amongst all the bickering, one of our rights as women that is undoubtedly confirmed by the Qur'an, took a backseat to the media spectacle of Dr. Amina Wadud's prayer service. The right that I am speaking of is a woman's right to live. It is the right of every woman to live a life of safety, protection and honor. Our holy book says, "He who kills a human being is like killing the whole world." It was a right and liberty that was robbed from Iman Muhanna Mohamed and her unborn child on that December morning. It is a right that is violated continuously against women inside and outside of the Muslim community. And while debating these trendy, hot-bottom issues seem important, let us not forget what really matters-the health, happiness, and peace for all men and women.
For more information about this case you can contact the Crimestoppers and the West Bank Muslim Association that have raised a reward worth $45,000 dollars for tips leading to an arrest and conviction. If you have any information about her death, please call (504) 822-111 or 1-877-903-7867.
The author Kelly "Izdihar" Crosby is a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA and can be reached at [email protected] . Her blog can be accessed at www.izzymo.blogspot.com
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The media has forgotten its purpose. They no longer inform, they mislead.
I will do my part to keep her story alive, and to insure that she has not died in vain.
Rest assured knowing that the Muslims in the Dearborn, Michigan community will being aware of this issue, and Du'ah will be made.
Massallamah.
I am really sorry to read about the death of this woman, but I believe that it is very wrong of you to try to invalidate women leading mixed prayer and the fight for women's right with this tragedy. It is sickening.
How dare you turn a tragic death to sometype of political stepping soon? Grieve death with sincerity, not with motives.
Classic American hypocrisy and illogic in action.
As I said before, you're out of tune with reality so go back to sleep like a good ignoramus.
Grow up.
Sister Kelly, you mean you really don't know why why this story ain't all over the media? Who is having power over the media in the US? Muslims, Jews? Christians? Give us the break, please. Thanks to Allah for giving you the understanding to put up this article. It is a major step you know.
The muslims of the Americas have now a challenge amongst many of them ..GET SOME MAJOR CHUNK OF THE SHARE OF THE MEDIA..by all means! And you certainly have the means..if you 'see what I'm saying'.
Hudd, I'm enjoying all your rejoinders. Keep the good work.
Peace.
I am "consitently anti-Islam", obviously Ahmed, you havent read all my comments. When people dont have a strong and honest argument, they hide behind calling people names. And no guys, men in Arab countries are far more abusive to their women than Muslim men in India. Atleast, in India, the secular laws were a corrective to the excesses of the Sharia.
Islam, when observed intelligently and with an openness to reason, has a great place in society. In India, it freed people from the oppressive Hindu racial heirarchy. In Iran, it saved the masses from being crushed by feudal elites. In many parts of the world, it upheld the dignity of masses. However, the reality is that the treatment of women remains the worst in Islamic nations. I am personally glad I live in the US where laws protect my rights in a way no Muslim nation does and most of all, I am glad I am not stuck in a society where I would be surrounded by Muslim men. Its really nice to live in the US where I have to access to men (NOT MUSLIM) who have a reasonable thinking and a capacity to be a true companion to a woman.
And Sameena, if you don't like to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah of our Prophet, why are you even a muslim? Just wait until your children turn on you and repeat the same disrespectful rebellion after you birthed and raised them. Maybe then you will understand obedience to your Creator.
I love Louisiana. And by that I mean to say that I love the people who live there. Honestly said however I never actually felt completely at ease in New Orleans proper.
I think there are so many people in traditionally confined spaces that they might perhaps at least care to consider putting a little extra effort into encouraging goodwill among the city's residents. Admittedly it's been ten years since I was last in New Orleans but on reflection I wish that I myself had tried harder in that regard.
Perhaps simply hoping to make people feel good about merely doing their jobs might somehow have positive effects that would remain unperceived, by the parties involved, until the Day of Recompense. To put it perhaps another way, until you happen to learn who is responsible for these terrible murders, why not at least try being a little nicer than usual to even just a few of the millions of people who didn't?
May Allah provide for the comfort and protection of you, your family and your neighbors. Ameen.
Perhaps you think that Asra Nomani or Amina Wadud is your knightess in shining armor coming to rescue you while riding on a horse called the imperial US corporate media. She (Nomani) was on nightline the other days - and said "the US is spreading social justice all over the world..." --- yeah OK --- slaughters of muslim women in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine - they don't count. So long as Amina Wadud and Asra Nomani and their mentor Omid Safi and Ahmed Nassef (of "progressive muslim union") have their 15 minutes fame. Time to wake up sister Sameena and smell the coffee or tea - or something...
This is an excellent article that discusses the case of an individual but identifies important concerns for Muslim woman's right to life - and yes that is a real concern for Muslim women... in times of war, the women are the one's who suffer the most.
1)"I been try to tell everyone for a long time that is time for the MUSLIMS to HIJIRAH back to DAR_ISLAM."
a)You tried to do what? Tell Muslims to go back? First of all, Islam lives by example, if you live in the USA how on earth can you take the liberty to advise Muslims not to? What you do is hypocracy, remember that!
b)For a lot of Muslims in North America there is no "back home" aspect of their identity. Some Muslims are second to fifth generation of born Americans. Others are so called 'Nation of Islam' or at least starting from that and reverting to orthodox Islam, they were brought to USA against their will sold as common merchandise and wiped their origin and identity entirely, that's the reason of "X" in Malcolm Little. Last but not least are the new comers from every walk of life, blacks, hispanic, orientals, whites. These people together with the rest of the Americans, own America! They have their homes in America, their careers, their lives, their dreams, their faiths,their shortcomings and fortunes as well! Where do you want to send these people to? You want them to renounce what they own and go as destitutes to be servants to totalitarian regimes of the Middle East, Asia and Africa? Who in his right mind would do such a fabulously stupid thing?
c)Dar Islam? Are you kidding me? Dar Islam was finished with the death of Muhammad,pbuh, and the assassination of the last of the Rashideen, Ali ibn Aby Talib,ra! Where is dar Islam in your opinion? In the kingdom of Saudia? Since when are there kings in Islam? In Egypt? One of the last dictatorships still reigning in Africa together with that of Libya, Sudan, Algeria,etc. In Indonesia or Malaysia? Think before opining,or name that dar Islam! I would happily emmigrate there, where is it, though? Talk is cheap!
I will share your piece with others so that they may know. May Allah reward you for taking this responsibility unto yourself to share this information.
Inna Lillah wa Inna Elayhe Rajeoon. we belong to Allah and to Him we return.
it is very sad story, it is time for muslims to live together in America and watch each one on the Other, the way the Prophet taught us.
MUHAMMAD RASULILAHI (SALLA ALLLAHU ALAIHI WA SALAM)said that in the last days things like this would happen this is already common place here in "uncle sam's" backyard.
If "things" continue on it's present course it will not be safe to be a "MUSLIM" in this country.
The #1 cause of death amongst pregnant women in amerikkka is M U R D E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL ONE OF OUR PRECIOUS MUSLIMAHS PREGNANT WITH CHILD WAS MURDERED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muslims are not intrested in any issues unless they hear or read them at Newseek, Time.... CNN, BBC which they regularly watch inbetween other entertainment shows.
And more so Muslim intrest in issues is very limited to arguments and sweet talk. No sense or remedial action is sought. But some get charged by provocation and start defensive khutbahs or mantras.
We are from Allah and to Him we shall return.
May Allah (swt) make her life after death easy and elevate her in ranks amongst the beloved servants of Allah (swt|).
May Allah (swt) give patience to her family and friends, Ameen.
May Allah (swt) bring severe punishment to the murderer(s) and criminals in this world and here after, Ameen.