On November 10th the historic Brooklyn landmark, Masjid Abdul Muhsi Khalifah, hosted a fundraiser called “Building Community Life for a More Vibrant Future.” I am pledging to raise 10,000 towards this effort. I, like you, don’t have 10,000 just sitting around but I do have at least 100 friends who can pledge 100 dollars to keep this landmark institution alive and thriving.
So far I’ve raised $2725! Still $7, 275 to go! Will you join me?
To Donate: I’m collecting donations via paypal.me/drsuad, cash app or postal mail (contact for address). You can also send directly to Masjid Khalifah via www.masjidkhalifah.com or cash app: $Masjid Khalifah.
Don’t forget to put “Khalifah 100” in your memo!
Donors (as of 11/23/18)
Imam Johari Abdul-Malik Amna Akbar
Dr. Rami Nashashibi Sham-e-Ali Al-Jamil
Hannah El-Amin Hadiyah Muhammad
Tahir Abdullah Sameera Fazili
Majida Abdul-Karim Zaheer Ali
Kareemah Abdul Kareem Muminah Ahmad
Huma Haroon Dr. Adnan Zulfiqar
Shannon McCray Blair Imani
Haroon Najam Sadia Nawab
Imam Khalis Rashaad Maryam Kashani
Dalia Mogahed Carmen Weeks
Jameela Flaherty Amina Amatul Haqq
DR. T.A. Bashir Syma Siddiqui
Precious Muhammad Sultana Ocasio
“Why Would you Join me? So Many Reasons!”
MASJID KHALIFAH IS JAZZ HISTORY
Portrait of Max Roach in NY Courtesy of the Library of Congress
It’s home to the renowned Sonia Ballroom, now Akbar Hall. From the 1920’s through the 1940’s, Jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Andy Kirk, and Max Roach, Jimmy Cozier, and others played there!
MASJID KHALIFAH IS RADICAL BLACK HISTORY
In 1929, the United African Legion, the Men’s Auxiliary of Marcus Garvey's United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), held a military ball.
See original source here.
MASJID KHALIFAH IS MUSLIM HISTORY
PHOTO CREDIT: Leonard Freed
RESEARCH CREDIT: Zaheer Ali
In the 1960’s it was purchased by MalcolmX/El Hajj Malik Shabazz and established as Temple #7C under the Nation of Islam and since 1975 it has flourished under the leadership and teachings of the late Imam W. Deen Mohammed.
Temple No. 7 Incorporation Papers signed by Malcolm X (Little) Curtis Kenmer and Umar Alamin (Ronald Calloway) Courtesy of Fatimah Dawan
MASJID KHALIFAH IS ON FRONT LINES OF TODAY’S STORY
PHOTO CREDIT: masjidkhalifah.com
The masjid is in the heart of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn NYC, which means the masjid is on valuable real estate.
“Brooklyn NYC where they paint[ed] murals of Biggie” has become known for high rents and pushing out all of the people that made Brooklyn what is. Khalifah is no different. This masjid is also under attack.
I had a conversation with an community elder who explained how it is being targeted for selective code violation. One example were awnings that you see all over Brooklyn but the masjid was cited and fined for.
Supporting the masjid is about preserving our collective history and taking our today back!
#BrooklynsNotForSale #BrooklynNoSeVende
MASJID KHALIFAH IS ALSO PART OF MY STORY
I remember being a Brownie Girl Scout there with Black Muslim troops from across the borough. My first summer job was there; I was a summer camp counselor at 13. I learned how to be an organizer there; I was a part of the youth group Muslim Youth on Move.
I gave my 8th grade valedictorian speech there when I graduated from another important institution Al-Madrasah Al-Islamiya.
I got married there.
PHOTO CREDIT:
I celebrated my mother there.
PHOTO CREDIT: Laylah Amatullah Barrayn
I prayed over my mother there.
PHOTO CREDIT: Nicole Najmah Abraham
PHOTO CREDIT: Nicole Najmah Abraham
Khalifah is me. I am Khalifah. Khalifah is You. We are Khalifah. Join me and pledge 100 dollars today!
To Donate: I’m collecting donations via paypal.me/drsuad, cash app or postal mail (contact for address). You can also send directly to Masjid Khalifah via www.masjidkhalifah.com or cash app: $Masjid Khalifah.
Don’t forget to put “Khalifah 100” in your memo!