I found the link to this video over at TheFlyingMufti.

An Interesting Exchange

The beginning of this video segment is a bit dull. Please watch to the very end.

Former Muslim...now Athiest...Speaks

Some will question why I am referencing this video

since the girl in question is not a Christian.

The main reason I am including this is to address

a topic that comes up time and time again when

Muslim converts tell their stories and describe

their fear of being "put away" for changing their

religion. That is the first reason. This fear is

very real and founded.

The second reason is to gently remind Christians

that Muslims are people too. They have doubts

and insecurities, just like normal people. Often

I am approached with the air that I am working

with people who cannot, do not, and will not hear

the Gospel. This fear is not real and not founded.

Muslims Seek UN Blasphemy Ban?

Here is a link to a recent article highlighted by the Associated Press:

GENEVA – Islamic nations are mounting a campaign for an international treaty to protect religious symbolsand beliefs from mockery — essentially, a ban on blasphemy.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that Algeria and Pakistan have taken the lead in lobbying to bring the matter to a vote in the U.N. General Assembly.

Such a ban would face great resistance in Western nations that enshrine freedom of expression as afundamental right.

The countries that form the 56-member Organization of the Islamic Conference are currently lobbying a Geneva-based U.N. committee to accept its plan, a first step for it to eventually be put before the General Assembly.

If that occurs, Muslim countries and their allies in the developing world would stand a decent chance of mustering the simple majority needed in the General Assembly to adopt such a treaty.

Read more...

Even in America

The following video is worth watching. The young lady in the video is an American citizen. Her parents are devout Muslims. Her father threatened to kill her after finding out she had become a Christian. If nothing else, just watch the first minute.

Share the Quran Campaign

CAIR is asking imams and community leaders nationwide to use Friday sermons and other upcoming events to urge community support for the campaign to distribute free copies of the Quran to 100,000 local, state and national leaders by the end of the year.

The “Share the Quran” campaign, which is designed to enhance understanding of Islam by opinion leaders and policymakers nationwide, was launched yesterday at a news conference in Washington, D.C. It was prompted by President Obama’s recent address to the Muslim world in which he quoted from the holy text and by data showing that anti-Muslim prejudice decreases as understanding of Islam increases.

To read more...click here

Spotlight: Event

Rev. Tyrone Brumwell will be conducting a brief bible study on Sunday Februrary 15th at St. Paul's Lutheran church in Fredericksburg, Iowa just after the 9am morning service. All supporters and church members are welcome to attend.

Sarkozy: “Arabic Is the Language of the Future”

French President Nicolas Sarkozy called Arabic the "language of the future, of science and of modernity."

"We must invest in the Arabic language (because) to teach it symbolizes a moment of exchange, of openness and of tolerance, (and it) brings with it one of the oldest and most prestigious civilizations of the world. It is in France that we have the greatest number of persons of Arabic and Muslim origin. Islam is the second religion of France," Sarkozy reminded his listeners.

Most estimates place Islam as the number one religion of France. However, it is uncertain because the French constitution prohibits the gathering of such religious statistics.

You may read more by visiting the Brussels Journal by clicking...here.

Bibles: Your Assistance Needed

This is the time of year that we get the most requests for foreign language Bibles. New immigrants to the USA are often intrigued by the celebration of Christmas and want to learn more. This is a wonderful opportunity to get God's word into their hands, invite them to Bible studies, and introduce them to the Christ.

This year, I am concerned that we will not have enough Bibles. We have been hit hard financially by the summer flood. Not only was Rev. Brumwell's house totaled, but donations dropped. We usually carry Bibles in about 16 different languages. Now we find ourselves with a very, very limited number of Bibles and several languages we normally carry are completely out. We are going to need around 50 more Bibles if we are going to meet what is needed. The Bibles we purchase are as inexpensive and basic as we can get. However, foreign language Bibles can cost anywhere between $10 - $120 each, depending on the language.

If you feel moved to assist us, you can send your contribution to the following address:

P.O.B.L.O.
1363 First Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405

We are a non-profit and a receipt for all donations will be sent to you.

Iraq: Two Christian Sisters Murdered

Mosul, Iraq -

Six days ago, in an attack on a Christian family, two sisters were killed and their mother was wounded. One sister was killed at a bus stop and the other sister was killed when their house was stormed by Muslim extremists. The mother wasn't killed, but she was wounded. After the attacks, the attackers placed a bomb to detonate upon arrival of the police.

In this month alone, police have found seven bullet-ridden bodies of Christians. Because of these attacks, over 3,000 Christians have fled Mosul. Leaders, both political and religious, have said the attacks are probably an attempt to drive out all Christians from Iraq's third largest city.

You can read more about this by clicking...here....and here.

Law & Gospel

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." -Romans 6:4

On September 12, 2006 my step-father Kevin Lee Opheim died. More than anyone else I have ever met, Kevin understood what is meant by the Law. He understood that he was a sinner. He understood that there was no way he could measure up to the perfect obedience that God requires. He saw that he was a poor, miserable sinner needing God's forgiveness. Kevin felt the weight of his sinfulness every day of his life.

What Kevin had a hard time grasping was Grace. That God could love him, a poor wretched creature, enough to die on a cross. He knew it was true. He believed it, and he clung to it. He wanted nothing other than to be with his Saviour and King. On September 12th, the Lord held back no longer. He laid hold of Kevin with both hands and completely embraced him. Kevin now rests in the arms of God. Now he understands Grace, fully, completely...like no other man I know.

Afghan Girls Burned

Kandahar,
Afghanistan --

Fifteen girls and teachers were on their way to school when it happened. Men on motorcycles used water bottles to douse the girls with acid. Some of the burns were superficial, others will last a lifetime.

The very next day, no one showed up for school.

In this part of the world, acid attacks are not uncommon. Sometimes it is a jealous suitor. Sometimes it is a relative who thinks the family honor has been smirched. Sometimes one feuding family will use it to attack another.

Most victims of acid attacks are girls and young women. When a girl is scarred from an attack, who will marry her? In a community where marriage and family are expected, necessary duties...what will happen to these girls? To whom will they turn? It is not uncommon for these victims to commit suicide.

When times are dark and all hope seems lost, who will show these girls 'the way'? Who is going to give them a Bible? Who is brave enough to share the Gospel in a place like that? By what means are these brave people able to work?

I think you know.

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?" -- Romans 10:14-15

Update: Mohammad

It has been a while since you last heard about Mohammad. Mohammad was the pseudonym for a young man who came to faith and was baptized four days before returning to north Africa. The last thing I told you was that Mohammad had been thrown out of his house because he refused to fast for Ramadan.

Some very serious news has come to us. As you know, Mohammad didn't have much time to be taught the Bible before he had to leave for home. Now, the news coming to us reports that he has fallen into drugs, and other vices. He is severely hurting both inside and out.

Please pray for Mohammad.

Update: Christians Killed in Turkey

"For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." - Psalm 44:22

Ankara, Turkey -

Last year, international news reported that three Christians were murdered in Turkey. Since that time I have found an update. It turns out that, prior to their deaths, these Christian men were brutally tortured for three hours. The picture above is of one of the arrested perpetrators.

The complete details can be found by clicking...(here).

In times like this, many people become enraged. That's understandable, it was a horrific event. However, we must remember something. Christ died for all. That includes the men responsible for this atrocity. If these men come to faith, then they will be our brothers and sisters. If they do not, no one would wish that on another.

"And Jesus said, Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." - Luke 23:34

New: Lutheran Study Bible

St. Louis, MO. -

"Give me life, according, to your Word." Psalm 119:25

The Lutheran Study Bible is the first Study Bible in English to be developed from the ground-up with notes that are exclusively and distinctively Lutheran, prepared by Lutheran theologians, scholars, and pastors from over twenty Lutheran churches around the world.

The Lutheran Study Bible is absolutely unique, and combines the very best current Lutheran scholarship and commentary of the Church Fathers with rich personal application and devotion. The result? A study tool that provides meaningful perspective for both young and mature Christians.

Engage in a conversation that has been unfolding within and around God’s Word throughout the centuries.

Available October 2009. Pre-order your copy in March 2009.

Visit the Concordia Publishing House website: click...(here).

Muslim Woman First State Representative

Southfield, Michigan -

Rashida Tlaib is the first Muslim woman to be elected to the Michigan State Legislature. Tlaib has a Palestinian heritage.

Tlaib is also on President Elect Obama's short list for the new Director of Muslim Outreach.

You can find more about Tlaib by visiting the following websites:

1. Tlaib's personal election site...(click here).

2. Yalla Vote...(click here).

3. News report...(click here).

Families in Crisis

Sitting down in a living room, an older Christian lady told me a story. She is Pakistani, a nurse, and had immigrated to the USA some ten years earlier.

One day she told me she overheard a young Pakistani doctor on the phone with his parents back in Pakistan. In the ensuing conversation, it became obvious that he had married this young American girl in order to get his citizenship. After telling his parents that she was pregnant, he told them to get ready for him to send his son to them to raise. After the young doctor hung up the telephone, the nurse confronted him about what had just transpired on the phone.

His response? Everybody does it.

What is your response?

"...in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect"
(1 Peter 3:15-16)

Young Girls, Islam and You

What do you do when a young woman renounces God and the grace that was given to her in Jesus Christ?

I was recently contacted by a woman who was distraught over the actions of a friend of her daughter. She was very sad, despaired and dismayed. Apparently this young woman had recently become a Muslim in order to please her new boyfriend.

"How could this happen?" she asked me.

"Quite easily," I replied.

This was not the first time I have been approached on the subject of young Anglo women becoming Muslim. In fact, I can say it will not be the last. This type of thing happens all the time. Seriously. I can think of almost a half-dozen cases, and all but one turned out bad.

Here is a likely scenario. A young Lutheran girl goes off to college. She has been taught from the Bible, she can find her way around scripture, and she doesn't take her relationship with God very seriously. Then, along the way, she meets a young Lebanese boy. He is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. He is a Muslim, but in name only. He doesn't attend the Mosque. He doesn't fast on Ramadan, and he might even eat pork. She lets herself fall in love thinking that he may become Christian later on. She even asks him if it's OK to raise their children as Christian. He says, "Sure, after all, we all worship the same God anyway, don't we?" So, over the objections of her parents she marries, Mohammad. Things go well for a while, until she becomes pregnant. Then, while thinking of his children, he begins to attend the Mosque every Friday and starts to pray at home. Suddenly, the carefree guy she married has changed. What then happens to this young woman and her children? As a good friend of mine says, "This is a major problem facing the Lutheran church today".

How are we to respond? Can we respond? Are we ready to respond?

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
(2 Timothy 4:1-4)

Converts to Islam

I thought many people might be interested in visiting an article on Wikipedia.org.

Scrolling through the list, you will find a number of names that will be familiar to you. Others, you might not have heard of before. All, I believe, are worth a quick glance.

If you happen to visit the discussion page, for this article, you will regularly find disagreement about who is Muslim and who is "no-longer" Muslim. This stems from the commonly held Muslim belief that no one converts from Islam to another religion.

You can read the Wikipedia article by clicking...here.

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."
(2 Timothy 4:3-4)

Afghanistan: Missionary killed in Kabul

Gayle Williams, a Christian working with handicapped Afghans was killed at 8am today in Kabul.

The militant group that claimed responsibility said it targeted Gayle because she was spreading her religion. The gunmen, who were on a motorbike, shot Gayle in the body and leg with a pistol.


The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (official name) is a conservative Islamic nation. Proselytizing is prohibited by law, and other Christian missionaries or charities have faced severe hostility. In 2001, eight international aid workers, including two Americans, were imprisoned and charged with preaching Christianity. Last year a group of 23 South Korean aid workers from a church group were taken hostage.

To read more, click....here

"...for your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
(Psalm 44:22)

Noah? Never around when you need him.

No TV.
No newspapers.
No radio to speak of.

No, no, no. That was life before the flood. Back then we were blissfully ignorant. Because of that, you could say the summer flood caught us by surprise.

The first I heard of the flood came in the form of a phone call. It was my mom. Usually, when she calls, she says things like, "Just checking to see if you're alive" or "Do you have a mother named Patricia? Oh, I have a son named Tyrone I haven't heard from in a while. What a coincidence!" This time, however, her call was different.

"Did you know you have water outside your house?"

The question kind of threw me aback. Water? I walked out the front door and looked down the street toward the river (we lived one block from the river). Much to my amazement, there was water. There were also construction crews busy piling up sand bags along the river's bank.

I remember thinking, hmmmmm. Did a water main break?

(This was our living room.)

I assume it's pointless for me to tell you it wasn't a water main break. Because it wasn't. What it was, was a cataclysmic diluvium of biblical proportions. But i didn't know that. I called my mom back and asked her if she thought I might get water in the basement. I heard a long, drawn out, "Yeeeeaaaaahhh" and then a click.

Hmmm. I wonder if I should get our books out of the basement?

Books, what can I say about them. I love books. If I think a book might be useful to have at some point, then I keep it. If you would have seen it before the flood, you would think you were in a used book store. Boxes and boxes of books were piled two high. It had taken Gretchen and I hours and hours and hours to organize and mark these things. Ever try to lift a box filled to the brim with hardcover books? Those babies are heavy. What I needed was a dolly to move those books. And it just so happened that I didn't have one.

At this point I actually turned on the radio. I have a love/hate relationship with the radio. On one hand, I love music. On the other hand, I don't want to hear someone singing about sex. Too often the stuff that comes out of the radio is bad news. This time, when I turned the radio on, that ear-piercing screech of the Emergency Broadcast system came out. Their message? They are shutting off my electricity and gas. I just looked at the radio.

I have three children, two of them were less than three. The idea of

It was at this point that Gretchen asked me what was going on.

To be continued

"Islam is the Light"

Owasso, Oklahoma - When Gary R. from Owasso heard there was a baby doll on sale at Target and Wal-Mart stores that said, "Islam is the Light," he didn't believe it.

So, he went out and bought the Little Mommy Real Loving Baby Cuddle and Coo doll to see for himself. Sure enough, he was suprised to hear the words, "Islam is the Light".

To read the whole story, click....here.

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
- John 8:12

Britain Adopts Sharia Law

Suprised?

You shouldn't be. Canada adopted Sharia law a couple of years ago. Greece, too. I have not been able to locate an index of other democratic countries that have adopted the same.

Britain, Canada, Greece and Nigeria are just some of the countries that now operate under dual justice systems.

Click...here...to read the full story.

"...many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
(Matthew 24:11-14)

Mastermind of 1st Twin Towers Attack Claims He has Become a Christian

Ramzi Yousef is claiming he has become a Christian.

Yousef, known for never leaving his cell and always praying every hour, told reporter Scott Pelley he has become a Christian.


Excerpt from wikipedia:

Biography:
His nationality is disputed, but Ramzi himself said he was born in Kuwait. Ramzi's father was a Pakistani engineer who worked for Kuwait Airways, is believed to be from the Baluchistan province of Pakistan, same as Yousef's uncle, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. This same uncle was one of the masterminds of the September 11th attack. You may recognize this photo of his uncle.

He speaks Arabic, Baluchi, Urdu, and English, graduating in 1989 with a degree in electrical engineering from Swansea, Wales--where he joined a chapter of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. Yousef, in his home in Jersey City, began assembling a 1,500-lb bomb. Yousef rented a Ryder van and on February 26, 1993, loaded it with explosives. The van was driven into the garage of the World Trade Center, where it exploded. He fled to Pakistan hours later.

In the summer of 1993, he allegedly took up a contract to assassinate the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto. The attempt failed.

Yousef soon began planning his unsuccessful Bojinka plot. The Bojinka plan involved assassinating the pope during a visit to the Philippines by placing bombs inside toy cars. His co-conspiritor lost his nerve when it came time to act, and later turned Yousef in to the US governement for a $2,000,000 reward.

Yousef also boarded a Philippine Airlines Flight 434; he pretended to be an Italian man named Armaldo Forlani. Midway through the flight he disappeared into the toilet, took off his shoes to get the batteries and assembled his bomb which he tucked into the life vest under his seat, seat number 26K. The plane flew on to Cebu where Yousef got off. Haruki Ikegami, a 24-year-old businessman, took Yousef's old seat. Two hours later, the device exploded, killing Ikegami. The blast blew a hole in the floor and severed the cables that controlled the plane's flaps. The jet's steering was crippled but the captain made an emergency landing at Naha Airport on Okinawa (southern Japan), saving 272 passengers and 20 crew. After this "test" Yousef then increased the amount of explosive in his devices and began preparing at least a dozen bombs.

If this report is true, it validates what I have been telling people for a very long time. I believe that people like Osama bin Laden and Yousef may be closer to becoming Christians than you think.

"And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."
- Mark 10:52

Islam: Radio Ad Blitz

Currently, in 15 major cities in the USA, radio ads are playing. These are not your nomal advertisement for hamburgers. What these ads are selling is Islam. It is done very professionally. The organization putting these ads into effect is www.WhyIslam.org. However, that organization is subsidy of the ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America).

Click here to listen to the ads.

Return of the Hidden Imam

Have you ever heard about the hidden Imam in Shia Islam? If you would like to read a Wikipedia article, click....here.

CNN Report: Afghanistan

The following report by CNN speaks about the life of women in Afghanistan.

To watch the video, click...here.

Spotlight: Iran

TEHRAN, Iran — With the arrival of spring, Iranian police have launched a crackdown against women accused of not covering up enough, arresting nearly 300 women, some for wearing too tight an overcoat or letting too much hair peek out from under their veil, authorities said Monday.

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The veiled woman to the left is an undercover Vice policewoman.

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You can read the entire article from the Associated Press by clicking...here.

Turkey: Three Christians Murdered at Bible Distribution Center

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Eleven suspects in the slayings of three Christians at a publishing house in eastern Turkey were charged with murder Sunday, court officials said.

The three victims -- one German and two Turkish men -- were tied up and had their throats slit on Wednesday at a publishing house in the town of Malatya that was at the center of protests by some nationalists because it distributed Bibles.

You can read the full story on CNN by clicking...here.
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"For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." - Psalm 44:22

Spotlight: Iowa Politicians

Who is Swati Dandekar?

Swati is the first Indian born American citizen to win a state legislature post in the United States of America. She represents Iowa House District 36 (Marion, Linn-Mar, and a section of Cedar Rapids).

You can find more information on Ms. Dandekar by reading her bio.

Her bio can be found by clicking...here.

Event: Speaking Engagements

12 April 2007: St. John's Lutheran Church (Homesead, Ia)
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21 April 2007: St. John's Lutheran Church (Oskaloosa, Ia)
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28 April 2007: Concordia Lutheran Church (Burlington, Ia)

Spotlight: Iowa Campuses

Muslim Student Associations are active on several campuses in Iowa. -Among those are the following:

Luther College
Drake University
Kirkwood Community College
Iowa State Univeristy
University of Northern Iowa
University of Iowa
Maharishi University

Time Magazine: Quote from Jermaine Jackson about brother Michael

"I think it is most probable that Michael will convert to Islam."

— JERMAINE JACKSON

Jermaine Jackson converted to Islam in 1989. This quote is from a British Muslim newspaper where he told a reporter that his brother is interested in converting to Islam.

You can go to the page by clicking...here or here.

Department of Education to Open Arabic Public School

The Department of Education says that it will open a public school next fall dedicated to Arabic language and culture. The Khalil Gibran International Academy will open its doors next September in Brooklyn, NY.

For the complete story, click....here.

Not the Same as Being Equal

A recent article on Al-Jazeera caught my attention. It is about the life of women in the current Afghanistan.

It is written by Ann Jones, who was a humanitarian aid worker in Afghanistan periodically from 2002 to 2006. She is also the author of Kabul in Winter: Life Without peace in Afghanistan (Metropolitan Books, 2006, and soon to be in paperback). The New York Times described her book as "a work of impassioned reportage… eloquent and persuasive." That's journalese for: What she saw in Afghanistan really made her mad.

This article was pulled from Al-Jazeera, but you can still read the entire article if you click...here.

A Homeless Shelter for Muslim Women

A recent article, by Farkhunda Ali at the Muslim Link Paper, stresses the need for the creation of a shelter for homeless Muslim women in Washington, D.C..

j

This project is spearheaded by Asma Hanif, an owner of a holistic health and wellness center for Muslim women. She has gathered over 200 signatures and letters from Muslim institutions to attest to this need. Here is an excerpt from one of the letters:

“Have you seen or heard of Muslim women being without a home? Well, if you haven’t, I have here in Baltimore City. Currently, there are three Muslim sisters living in one of the local Masajids (mosques) here in Baltimore City because they have no home, no money, and no family to turn to".

As Christians, have you been looking for people to help...people in need? There are people in every community that need to be shown not only kindness, but also to be introduced to the love of Christ.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

(Matthew 25:34-35)

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To read the article in full, please click...here.

The article has moved. When you click the above link, find the search box at the top of the page. In the search box type, "homeless shelter". Several articles later you will see an entry talking about Homeless Muslim women.

Georgia Mayor Becomes Muslim

Macon, Georgia (USA)--

Mayor Jack Ellis converted from Christianity to Islam two months ago. He celebrated his conversion to Sunni Islam in the African country of Senegal in December. He is currently in the process of changing his name to Hakim Mansour Ellis.

You can read the full story by the Associated Press by clicking....here.

Presentation: St. John's Lutheran Church--Homestead, Iowa

Date: January 23rd, 2007
Time: 7:30 pm
Location: Homestead, Iowa

St. John's Lutheran Church in Homestead, Iowa will be hosting a one day session of "In the Shadow of the Cross: The Bible study on Islam". Addmission is free and is open to the public.

"Little Mosque on the Prarie" TV Show Draws 2 Million viewers

To check out the full story, click here...

Spotlight: Iowa Muslims

Located in Des Moines, Iowa, the New Horizons Academy is a private Islamic school. The school, an offshoot of the Islamic Center of Des Moines, opened their doors in August 2005.

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"The school ethos is formed on a desire to learn, to participate, to complete at the highest levels and fulfill ones potential while it provides Muslim childrenwith an environment in which they can learn and live Islam. The students at New Horizons Academy are encouraged to achieve in the classroom and to combine this success with the involvement in sporting andother activities. The students develop a strong sense of belonging to the Muslim Ummah. They not only preserve rich Islamic heritage, but contribute towards development and progress of the Muslim Ummah in general."

(Aida Mackic - The Way to the Future, vol. 1, Issue 1, August 2005).

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It has been brought to my attention that there is a second Islamic school situated in Ames, Iowa. This school is located at the Darul Arqum Islamic Center. It is pictured at right. This school, however, does not appear to be full-time. Classes in Arabic, Islamic studies and Qur'anic memorization only appear to be offered only one day a week.

Sadly, I am not able to provide you with a website address for these mosques. One site is apparently down (www.islamiccenterofdesmoines.org), and the other I am just not able to find. If anyone knows where I can find either of these websites, please let me know. In the mean time, i will provide you with a link to a page that speaks briefly about the Ames school. You can get there by clicking....here.

Highest Ranking Muslim in Bush Administration Set to Replace Bolton as US Envoy to the United Nations

Zalmay Khalilzad, an Afghanistan native, has been serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq since 2005. He has worked in the U.S. government since 1985.
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Khalilzad, who is the highest ranking Muslim in the Bush administration, is expected to replace John Bolton as U.S. Envoy to the United Nations.

If you wish to learn more about Mr. Khalilzad, click...here.

The original article by Robert D. Novak can be read by clicking...here.

A Snapshot of Africa

The above map represents Islam in Africa. The darker the color, the more Islamic influence in that country. At the seminary, in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, I have had the priviledge to meet people from Madagaskar, Morocco, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt, Kenya and Nigeria. Both their stories and their viewpoints have been invaluable to me in Iowa.
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If you can read German, you can read more about Islam's influence in Africa.

Click....here.

Little Mosque on the Prarie - TV Series

Eight episodes of a new television series entitled, "Little Mosque on the Prarie" have been purchased by the Canadian Broadcast Company (CBC). This fictional series revolves around a Muslim family living in rural Canada in the days following the events of September 11th. The pilot for this new show is set to air next year.
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To find more about this series, click....here.

Spotlight: Event

A second event, sponsored by the Muslim American Society (Iowa chapter), the Inter-Religious Council of Linn Coumnty Churches United, Temple Judah and the Philosophy and Religion department of Coe College gave Lutheran Christians another chance to learn about Islam and the way in which religious thought is watered down to be all-inclusive.

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"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"

(John 14:6).

Spotlight: Event

(university picture of event has been removed)

The University of Iowa hosted a special event on November 16th, 2006. This event was sponsored by the Iowa Muslim Student Association, an Iowa City Mosque and the Muslim American Society. Princeton scholar Hisham Mahmoud spoke in a lecture entitled, "Muhammad in the Bible".

Gov. Tom Vilsack Declares February 15th, Muslim Recognition Day

This year, both Gov. Tom Vilsack and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie announced that February 15th is officially:

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"Muslim Recognition Day".

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You can read more about the festivities that took place this year by referencing the story by Abby Simons in the Des Moines Register (February 16th, 2006).

Spotlight: Iowa Muslims

Midamar is headquarted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was organized in 1972 and is an internationally respected name in the Halal food market. They do business in the US, North Africa, the Middle-East, South-east Asia Midamar was also the first company in the USA to work with the USDA to develop an accredited Halal food program.

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In 1992, Midamar completed construction on a new facility. The facility encompasse 55,000 square feet. In 1999, due to the large increase in demand, they added an additional 15,000 feet of warehouse, 120,000 cubic feet of freezer space, and 50,000 cubic feet of chiller cold rooms.

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You can find more about the history of Midamar by clicking....here.

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You can also visit another website that displays some of their products by clicking....here.

Mosques Across America

I want to thank National Geographic for putting this map together. This map can be found in the February 2005 issue of the National Geographic. If the printing is too small for you, click on the title of this article and it will take you to a larger version.

The yellow dots = 1 mosque.

The orange dots = 2 - 10 mosques.

The brown dots = 10+ mosques.

Aren't Most Muslims Arab?

As a matter of fact, the answer is no. As you can see from the diagram above, taken from the National Geographic (Feb. 2005), Arabs only make up 26% of the total worldwide Muslim population, only 37% if you include Lebanese.

Are you suprised? Most Americans are suprised when they see these figures.

Now, can you guess what people group is the largest group of Muslims in the world?

The answer is...Indonesians.

First Muslim Elected to U.S. Congress

Political history was made this November when the first Muslim was elected to the the U.S. Congress. His name is Keith Ellison. You may be suprised to find out which state elected him.

Many people, when they think of Muslims, remember that Dearborn, Michigan has the highest population of Muslims outside the Middle-East. Although Keith Ellison grew up near there, he wasn't elected to congress by Michigan. Keith Ellison was elected from Minnesota.

One note of interest is that when he takes his oath of office, he will not be sworn in on the Bible, but on the Qur'an.

To learn more about Keith, you can visit his website by clicking.......here.

Or you can visit an online encyclopedia article on Keith Ellison by clicking.....here.

An Anglo Convert to Islam Tells How She Became a Muslim

Listen to the stoy of one girl's conversion to Islam. This video is about five minutes long. I want you to pay particular attention to the story of the individual who tried to save her from Islam. Think about the chilling effect it had on this girl.

The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love. What do you think would have been a better way to approach this girl?


"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Elkader, Iowa - The Only City in USA Named After an Islamic Revolutionary

When a small Iowa community chose to incorporate, they chose to name the town after an Islamic Jihadist, who was fighting French colonization in Algeria. The newspapers of the day called him El-Kader. His full name, AbdelKader, means "Disciple of the Almighty".

If you wish to find out more about El-Kader, you can visit the following link by clicking...here.

If you want to read more about how the city of Elkader got its name, click...here.

ELCA Video on Islam Features a Mosque in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

This video, produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is on the topic of Islam. Cedar Rapids holds the major focus of this video.

For those of you who have never dreamed of stepping into a Mosque, you will be able to see the inside of the largest Mosque in Cedar Rapids, which by the way, has just added on a million dollar addition.The Imam in this video was my first Arabic teacher. He is no longer the Imam of this particular mosque any more but has instead taken up a job with the Muslim American Society (Iowa Chapter).

This is a lengthy video. If the downloading is too long for you, click on the title of this article and it will take you to the YouTube video site that hosts this particular video.

Actively Seeking Volunteers

As many of you already know, one of our concentrations has been on teaching English to new immigrants. Now, we are actively bringing these immigrants into the churches to learn.

As of this week, we are recruiting church members to assist in teaching English in their churches. No specialized education is needed, but it really, really helps if you know English. =)

A short couple hour training session will be held as volunteers step forward.

We have now over 32 immigrants currently in the program, and we are regularly turning people away. Please join us.

Tyrone Brumwell
Missionary-LCMS

Change in Pakistan Rape Law

ISLAMABAD: The Musharraf government on Wednesday made good its long-stated promise to amend the infamous Hudood Ordinances when the National Assembly adopted the Women's Protection Bill 2006 amid denouncements by the religious Opposition that it would turn Pakistan into a "free sex zone."

Nonetheless, the new law will have far-reaching implications as it criminalises rape under Pakistan's civil penal code, taking it away from the purview of the Hudood laws that require complainants to produce four male witnesses or else stand accused of adultery.

You can read the full story by clicking here...

Afghan Women Seek Death by Fire

Increasing numbers of Afghan women are committing suicide by setting fire to themselves to escape difficult lives, according to NGOs based in the country. They say women forced into marriage or suffering chronic abuse are killing themselves out of desperation.

Although estimates are difficult to calculate, one group says cases of self-immolation in the capital have doubled since last year. Cases are said to be reported every day in the western city of Herat. In Kabul, some 36 cases of self-immolation have been recorded this year.

'Act of frustration'

"These are young girls at their most productive ages - between nine and 40 years of age," Ancil Adrian-Paul, a spokeswoman for NGO Medica Mondiale, told the BBC. "These young girls are killing themselves from frustration and because they feel that there is no way out of them." She said the choice of self-immolation may be influenced by the fact that many of the women sought shelter in Iran, where the practise is more common.

Campaigners say illiteracy and an incompetent justice system contribute to women deciding to their own lives, because they can see no way out of their problems. Women and girls are also often given away to settle conflicts in the country. A recent Human Rights Watch report said many gains made by women since the fall of the Taleban have since been reversed.



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Marjan, 13, has burns across most of her body.
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This story is taken from BBC News
news:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/6149144.stm

Missionary Alert: Mohammad

In the upcoming newsletter, you will read about a young man named Mohammad (not real name). Mohammad is from Morocco, a Muslim country. While he was visiting the USA last month, he was baptized. Four days after his baptism, Mohammad returned to Morocco with a Bible and a Catechism. This was a very heroic move for such a young Christian. Conversion from Islam is punishable by death in Morocco. To complicate matters, an uncle of his in the USA, angry about Amin's baptism, called Morocco and told Mohammad's immediate family that Mohammad had become a Christian.

At that time, we asked local churches to pray for Mohammad's safe arrival. Mohammad was told of these prayers. It appears that he has come to rely upon this knowledge, this knowledge that people are praying for him. Often he calls and asks that they be told, "Hi" from him.

Now, Mohammad has been thrown out of his house for refusing to fast during the month of Ramadan. Please pray for Mohammad, for Mohammad's uncle, and for his whole family.

The power of God is worthy to be praised.

Hijabbed

Hijab (Arabic: حجاب‎).

Hijab is the common name for the head covering worn by women. Hijab is different from the Burqa (which covers a woman from head to toe, or the Nikab, (the full facial veil where everything is covered but the eyes).

The term "Hijabbed" is a title of a short film. One of the most obvious symbols of Islam, that people see everyday, is the Hijab. This short film, well written and directed by Muslims, for non-Muslims, is a classic. I encourage you to take nine minutes and watch this short film. Before your very eyes, watch Hijab become chic.

You can view Hijabbed by clicking on the play button in the center of the picture above.

New Documentary: Obsession

I just received an email from a friend warning me about a new documentary that is coming out this year about Islam and the West. The name of the documentary is "Obsession".

Perhaps you have alread heard of it? Apparently, it was featured on CNN and other radio shows. If you know more about this film, please email me at TyroneBrumwell@Gmail.com.

Is the documentary accurate or is it simply a fear-monger. I don't know yet. I am interested in speaking to someone who can attend one of the screenings. Interestingly enough, apparently one of the screenings is at a church in Wisconsin.

You can reach Obsession's website by clicking here...

You can view the movie trailer by clicking here...

Screenings for Obsession can be found here...

Spotlight: Iowa Muslims

Muslim Youth Camps of America (MYCA) is a non-profit organization that is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.




Recently, they have been in the news because they are creating the first permanent Muslim youth camp in the United States. Although Muslim youth camps have been operating for years in the US, they have moved from location to location each year. This project, once completed, will be the first and only permanent camp of its kind.

Negotiations are completed for MYCA to lease 114 acres of federal land from the Army Corps of Engineers in North Liberty, Iowa. The camp will include a 2,400 square-foot lodge, a beach, cabins, places for tents and a system of trails.

The new MYCA camp will be right across Coralville Lake from another youth camp, Camp Io-Dis-E-Ca (LCMS).


If you would like to visit MYCA's website, click here...

If you would like to read news articles concerning this project, click here...and here...

Pictures of youth at a MYCA camp are available here...

This Day in History:

September 29th, 1923:
British mandate in Palestine

Set in motion by the Balfour Declaration of 1917, the British mandate for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine was finally approved by the Council of the League of Nations, and came into force this day in 1923.

--Encyclopedia Britannica

Spotlight: Iowa Muslims

Islamic Services of America (ISA) is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Founded in 1975, ISA provides Halal, Muslim kosher, certification for consumers and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. Their Halal trademarks are one of the most recognized world-wide.

For the past several years, the Halal market had been growing at an annual rate of 35% a year. Since 1991, however, that market has dramatically increased.

Islamic Services of America is socially active as well. ISA has contributed to the the funding of "over 100,000 academic and educational materials, Islamic books and Qur'ans."

Want to learn about the history of Islamic Services of America? Click here...

Want to learn about Halal? Click here...

If you wish learn more about Islamic law (Sharia), click here...

Did you know?

September 24th starts the begining of Ramadan this year.

The word Ramadan is derived from the word ramd "to burn". The entire month is spent fasting (from dawn to dusk). The name comes from a time before the Islamic calendar, when the month of Ramadan fell in the summer. Fasting during this month is often thought to, figuratively, burn away all sins. Muslims believe that during Ramadan, the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad began.

Muslims believe that fasting conditions believers to the "fear of Allah". This is why Allah says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.” (Sûrah Al-Baqarah: 183). -- Wikipedia

To learn more about Ramadan, click here...

To learn more about Ramadan traditions, click here...

Visit the official 'Iowa Muslims' website to learn about Muslim disagreements concerning the fast, click here...

Islam: the fastest growing religion on Earth

This article in the National Geographic has been quite the eye-opener for many people. You will find several interesting facts about Islam in this article, the least of which is its amazing growth. Feel free to peruse the article by clicking on the title of this entry or by clicking on this link...

If this article intrigues you, why not have your congregation host In the Shadow of the Cross (the bible study on Islam)?

Did you know?

The word mosque derives from the Arabic masjid, which means a place to prostrate oneself.

There are no formal requirements to build a mosque, and the Koran gives no details about a special ceremony for consecration. After the Prophet Muhammad’s death, his place of prayer in Medina (a spacious courtyard surrounded by clay walls) served as a model for the structure of mosques. Mosques must be oriented so the direction of prayer is facing Mecca. The minaret became a defining feature early in Islam’s history, and it was from this tower that the call to prayer was offered. Today many such calls are made over loudspeakers. As the world of Islam grew, much of the time simple structures were built. The distinct look of a domed mosque wasn’t developed until the 14th century, during the Ottoman Empire.

While Islamic law forbids the taking over of churches or temples to be transformed into mosques, this did happen—perhaps most famously with the Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

—Michelle R. Harris


The picture above is of the Hagia Sofia.