Shia Muslim Council

Shia Muslim Council

Blog

  1. Home
  2. Latest
  3. SMC Statement on Executive Order
SMC Statement on Executive Order
January 30, 2017 | ,

SMC Statement on Executive Order

We appeal to the elected leadership, of an America that is already great, to do the right thing.   
President Trump’s decision on Friday to suspend the resettlement of Syrian refugees and ban people from seven Muslim countries is against the ideals of our great nation and contradicts the values of humanity. While the Executive Order does not explicitly mention any faith, by excluding Muslims, while giving the discretion to admit people of other faiths, it is unconstitutional. It becomes all the more ironic that the order was issued on Holocaust Remembrance Day where the world is reminded each year of the gravest lesson learned, when human values of love, compassion and equality of human creation are sacrificed at the alter of populism, intolerance and bigotry. Of particular concern to the SMC is the sentence “The United States must ensure that those admitted to this country do not bear hostile attitudes toward it and its founding principles,” We totally reject this false notion that all our fellow Muslims are to be viewed as a potential threat. This statement is not only patently Islamophobic but perilous as it is a threat to the security of our Homeland and our fellow Citizens abroad.  The extremist groups, bent on hurting America, will use this order to spread the false idea that the United States is at war with Islam and Muslims. This is downright dangerous and counter productive in our fight against these extremists. The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California (SMC) joins all upstanding citizens of our Country in asking the President to repeal this Executive Order.  Over the weekend the world witnessed the pain and anguish this ban inflicted upon families as they came to a land that has always welcomed people fleeing despotism in their homelands. The Legal Permanent Residents watched in shock and horror as they saw the potential disruption of lives of thousands of their colleagues, who have been living in America as lawful citizens, not only paying taxes but actively contributing to the well being of this nation. Families anguished, waiting for their loved ones at airports as their hopes faded of ever seeing them on US soil. In contrast, the best of America was on display too, when spontaneous mass protests at all major airports, against the ban were seen in various cities on Saturday. Then, as behooves our Justice system, a federal judge in Brooklyn issued an emergency stay, ordering that those stuck at the airports not be returned to their home countries. The efforts continue and the struggle is far from over. Now the SMC asks all upstanding citizens of this great Nation and all the Members of the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California, to continue to call, email and visit in person, our elected representatives to remind them that now is the time to show leadership and ask them explicitly to vote to reverse this Executive Order immediately. By way of this statement The SMC, on behalf of its members, directly calls upon our esteemed Senators, Hon. Diane Feinstein and Hon. Kamala Harris and each of the following Representatives to stand up for justice and demonstrate their compassion by unequivocally rejecting and rescinding this order: Pete Aguilar (D)
Nanette Barragán (D)
Karen Bass (D)
Ami Bera (D)
Julia Brownley (D)
Ken Calvert (R)
Salud Carbajal (D)
Tony Cárdenas (D)
Judy Chu (D)
Paul Cook (R)
Lou Correa (D)
Jim Costa (D)
Susan Davis (D)
Jeff Denham (R)
Mark DeSaulnier (D)
Anna Eshoo (D)
John Garamendi (D)
Jared Huffman (D)
Duncan D. Hunter (R)
Darrell Issa (R)
Ro Khanna (D)
Steve Knight (R)
Doug LaMalfa (R)
Barbara Lee (D)
Ted Lieu (D)
Zoe Lofgren (D)
Alan Lowenthal (D)
Doris Matsui (D)
Kevin McCarthy (R)
Tom McClintock (R)
Jerry McNerney (D)
Grace Napolitano (D)
Devin Nunes (R)
Jimmy Panetta (D)
Nancy Pelosi (D)
Scott Peters (D)
Dana Rohrabacher (R)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (D)
Ed Royce (R)
Raul Ruiz (D)
Linda Sánchez (D)
Adam Schiff (D)
Brad Sherman (D)
Jackie Speier (D)
Eric Swalwell (D)
Mark Takano (D)
Mike Thompson (D)
Norma Torres (D)
David Valadao (R)
Juan Vargas (D)
Mimi Walters (R)
Maxine Waters (D)

The sheer injustice of this policy can only be redressed by the Judiciary and Legislative branches of our government. To all our elected leaders, we wish to share the the following injunction of the great Muslim leader and thinker, Imam Ali Ibne Abi Talib, whose rule as Caliph has epitomized justice. As he dispatched his Governor, Maalik,  to Egypt, he cautioned: “Remember, Maalik, that amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: You brethren in Faith and your equals in creation. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to, they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realizing the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you” We place our faith in the elected leadership, of an America that is already great, to do the right thing, regardless of political expediency or personal interest. Millions of Americans are looking up to you for leadership. Please do not let them down at this time of crisis in America. As an individual who has pledged to serve your people and your country, that is your tryst with destiny. Muslim Advocates has issued an advisory letter on Muslims entering the U.S. which you may find here. Jazakum Allahu Khayran,
Shia Muslim Council of Southern California  
The Shia Muslim Council of Southern California is an umbrella organization of 15 Shia Islamic centers in the southern California area. It was established September 17, 2014. The current elected board members of the Shia Muslim Council are:   President: Imam Sayed Moustafa al-Qazwini
Vice-President: Dr. Hasnain Walji
Secretary: Hajj Khalil Dewji
Treasurer: Hajj MehdiReza Hirji
Councilor: Dr. Fatima Hakkak
Councilor: Hajjah Fatma Saleh
Councilor: Sayed Asghar Rizvi If you would like to make a donation to the Shia Muslim Council of Southern California Please click here. Please register to vote in the 2016 Elections here. Support Shia Muslim Council on Amazon! Start shopping here.