Richmond Muslims

Virginia Islamic-food law takes effect

vcumsa — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:34:10 +0000

Muslims will be able to make sure that the food they buy conforms with the dietary laws of their religion under a state law that takes effect next Saturday.

The General Assembly adopted legislation this year that was known as the “halal food bill,” sponsored by Del. Kenneth C. Alexander, D-Norfolk. The bill requires businesses to verify that foods advertised as halal have been prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary requirements.

Businesses that advertise halal foods must include notice of a Web site and telephone number to verify their legitimacy, according to Musa Abdus Salaam, a local representative of the Islamic Political Party of America. The law will incorporate existing state law for foods prepared in the Jewish kosher manner.

Click Here for the Richmond Times-Dispatch article from June 24, 2006

Click Here for the RTD article entitled “Muslims recieve dietary help” from June 29, 2006

ISGR to seek permanent site

vcumsa — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 18:22:47 +0000

The Islamic Society of Greater Richmond plans to seek a new permanent facility. A message on their website reads, “Since opening its door to area Muslims, ISGR continues to add new services and activities to benefit the Muslim community and other Americans. After achieving the immediate goals, the long-term plan is to establish a permanent site for ISGR in the West End.”

For more information visit: http://www.isgr.org/isgrinfo.htm

VCU MSA to collect goods for relief efforts

vcumsa — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 18:50:35 +0000

The VCU MSA will be collecting goods for relief efforts going on in the Middle East. They will be collecting certain items until Friday, August 25th. These items include: diapers, water purification tablets (can be obtained at most camping stores), flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, powdered milk, lentils. Please donate only these items. The drop off location will be the MSA office located at 907 Flloyd Ave in the Student Commons.

MSA will be giving these items to Life for Relief and Development (LIFE), a 501(c)(3) organization that is registered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has agreed to receive the humanitarian supplies and deliver them those in need. SEE: Life for Relief and Development, http://www.lifeusa.org

After early morning fire, Petersburg Islamic Center is a total loss

vcumsa — Thu, 03 Aug 2006 18:27:36 +0000

Note: The fire occured July 28th. The following is an article from the Progress-Index

PETERSBURG — Fire officials have confirmed that an electrical short caused the fire that destroyed the Petersburg Islamic Center on West Washington Street early yesterday morning.

Petersburg Fire Marshal Charlie Moore said fire crews were dispatched to the mosque at 4:09 a.m. to find smoke and flames fully involving the one-story structure. They spent about one hour getting the blaze under control.

No one was injured in the incident.

The center, however, has been deemed a total loss, Moore said. Estimated cost of damages is around $85,000.

The building had served as a mosque since 1985, according to Ron Gholson, head of the center’s board of directors. About 50 people on average attend prayer services there each Friday. Yesterday, they prayed at a nearby home instead.

Gholson says the center must find a long-term solution to the lack of meeting space.

“We have no revenue to rebuild at this point,” he said.

Qahir Abdur-Rahman of Prince George, who has been worshipping at the center for eight years, said the center was an integral part of the Tri-City Islamic community. He came out yesterday to observe the damage.

“We come together here for social activities, for planning,” he said. “It’s where we organize and socialize. It’s a big part of our Islamic life.

“[The fire] is a tragic blow, not only to us but to our children and the community.”

Abdur-Rahman said several Qurans were lost in the fire, as well as reference books, computers and furniture. The building included a kitchen, office spaces and a large, open room where prayers were led.

“Devastating, just devastating,” Abdur-Rahman said. “ … But we believe God is testing each of us, and this is a test right here. All we have to do is keep marching forward.”

The fire started in the attic, Moore said, and had probably been burning unnoticed for a some time before the fire department was alerted.

“The fire had a head start in the attic,” he said.

Special agents with the Virginia State Police helped with the investigation. They used X-ray equipment to scan the building’s electrical panel boxes, where fire officials believe the short occurred.

BY JULIE BUCHANAN
PROGRESS INDEX