Boston ‘Eid prayer:

All praise is to Allah [alone], we praise Him, we seek His help, and we implore His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides, there is not do misguide him, and whoever Allah leads astray, there is none to guide him. I bear witness that there is nothing worthy of worship [in truth] but Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad [may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him] is the servant and Messenger of Allah.

The importance of this event in the light of history:

Dear brothers and sisters: Allah says,
“So you will magnify Allah for Him guiding you and, that perhaps, you will show gratitude.”

We assemble today marking a noble accomplishment; praising Allah and magnifying Him for His assistance in completing this Fast. It is ironic that such a celebration should take place in a city known for its history and defense of American values, the city of Boston.

If the streets, alleys, harbors, and homes could talk and spill their contents what treasures would they reveal?

1. Old Griffin’s wharf, now a landfill, would recant the Boston Tea Party 1773
2. The roads from Boston to Lexington would tell with wonder the heroics of Paul Revere and William Dawes 1775
3. Breed’s Hill, located in Charlestown, would tell the tale of the battle of Bunker Hill 1775
4. The 19th century would witness the heroics of William Lloyd Garrison and his commitment to the abolitionist cause
5. The harbors and docks would witness to sea of immigrants who struggled for self definition and, most importantly, self recognition.
6. And it was in the 40’s that Roxbury witnessed the shenanigans of one of the greatest men to wear the mantle of social justice. The man whose name rests on the street signs which this new Islamic center lies, Malik al-Shabaaz and that takes us to today.
7. Today, here right now, these streets, alleys, parks would tell the tale of the struggle to build this masjid and this community
Contextualizing this Struggle

Through all the struggles to build, and these struggles will continue, this Masjid, the attacks and vicious slanders laid upon this community, it is important to put it into perspective, the American Perspective. After 9-11 our community faced an onslaught of attacks from every possible angle from John McCain to Hollywood, we’ve meet with some, what we could easily say, unfair and malicious opposition. However, what I would like us to do today is to put this in perspective. Is it all bad? Or, is there more to this than meets the eye? The Prophet sated that every affair of the believer is beneficial. Thus, what I would like us to do is to contextualize this experience into a narrative, the American Narrative.

You see, brothers and sisters, it is though Br. Malcolm’s name not only sits on the corner which this center rests [the mosque is on Malcolm X Blvd], but more than that, in the shade of this struggle it is though Br. Malcolm is passing the mantle on to each and every one of us here today. In the face of a violent fascism, which surprisingly wants to establish a theocracy in our beloved Homeland, destroying the pluralism that makes our country unique and vibrant and molest one of the world’s great religious expression, you and I have experienced something truly amazing, the American Experience. Or what I would like to call the American Narrative.

To stand up for justice, in the face of this onslaught, to rise to new heights and declare your right to worship, your right to self definition and your right to live in liberty makes you part of the historic fabric that binds this country and her people. And that is very important. For now, only after this struggle are you truly able to turn to your fellow Americans and say without a doubt, as the Prophets did, “Oh my people” And that is because you’ve experience the American Narrative. You are writing pages next to the great historical figures that make up this countries story. Thus, through this experience you can relate, at least partially, to:

The bravery of Harriet Tubman
The Genius of W.B DuBois
The Fearlessness of Rosa Parks
The beauty and eloquence of Malcolm
And the grief of Coretta Scott King!

Thus, through this challenge, you’ve not only gained confidence, but moved from pre-pubescent regarding your place in society to adult-hood. You lived, to some degree, the American experience. Thus, what I hope you will understand is that you are an American community. This experience and this community’s ability to overcome the odds, stand in the face of oppression and use the system to overcome such obstacles is a defining moment which forces the book open, places the pen in your hands and demands you to write! Write your narrative next to the Jews, the Irish, The Africans and the Catholics! Write and blossom! Stake your claim! Make your mark, and leave it for others to read. Because now, this struggle, this opposition and these hardships are what mold heroes, build communities and fosters self cognition and respect. In short, dear brothers and sisters, welcome to the American Narrative.

Other benefits of this struggle:

1. It is important to understand that this experience taught us that in order to survive we must leave the friendly confines of our masjid. As long as our parameters are the walls of our centers, the confines of our discussion forums and our little click who is the only one on the Haq, we will fail miserably in our attempt to make ourselves known. However, if we set our parameters to the North, the South, the East and the West we can truly admit that we have fulfilled, “And We did not send you except as a mercy to all that exists.”

2. You’ve learned to value and care for our Country. The idea of going back someone day for many of you is a distant reality. You’ve put up a fight and gained identity. Thus, you are no longer on the outside looking in, you are here to bring goodness and stake a claim in your narrative

3. We could not have done this alone. Allah sent us a number of friends across the religious and ethnic board. We would like to personally thank:

Workman’s Circle
Father Ray Helmick
ACLU
Jewish Voices for Peace

And we want everyone to know that:

1. We are not here to establish a theocracy in our homeland. But we are here, and more than happy to live according to the law of the land.
2. We denounce all forms of violence and intimidation carried out against the innocent anywhere on the globe and reject terrorism as a valid means of expressing dissent or frustration.

Thus, let us lift of the pens, dear brothers and sisters, and began to write our narrative within the context of our homeland, the U.S.A! And fulfill, “You are the best nation sent [for the benefit] of mankind.”

Second Khutbah:

As we look at our narrative we must ask, what shall we write? What will these pages say? What memories with they recant: our happiness and sorrows, our successes and our failures? What, are we going to write? First let us start with the different chapters that make up our narrative:

1. The individual- All of us here, as Allah says, are responsible and will be questioned about how we lived our lives. Allah says, “Save yourselves….. from the Hellfire.” Thus, each and every one of us must recommit to positive change and dedication to our faith and society.

2. The family- Fathers and mothers we need to realize that our children are not in need of DVDS, I-Pods and the X-Box 360. The best thing we can give them is DAD and MOM and there is no upgrade necessary. Fathers! Spend time with your children. Mothers! Do the same. Be the example that lights your community.

3. Youth- I believe that the greatest portion of this narrative will be written by you. Re-commit to the community, spend some time in the masjid and know that your role is the greatest in our community. You! You will be the first to fuse your American identity with your religious values.

4. To my homies in the hood who accepted Islam. Let’s remember that if we fail to portray our message in a correct fashion. The balanced civil fashion, then our people are going to hold use responsible.

I ask Allah to bless you all ‘Eid Mubarak
Although the khutbah was a little different, this was the original document that I had planned to use in my speech. Inshallah, the audio will be up soon
‘Eid Mubarak
Suhaib

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