A Sad Day for Central Ohio Muslims

Central Ohio Muslims continuously grow in numbers, and some estimate that the number of Muslims in Central Ohio has more than doubled since 1996 due to the influx of Somali refugees. These refugees were welcomed by the Muslim Community in general and a very small number of established Somali individuals who lived in Central Ohio since late 1970’s. One of these original Somalis in central Ohio, Br. Mohamed Bashir, May Allah SWT shower him with His mercy, passed away last Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

The body of the deceased brother was taken for Salatul Janazah on Thursday April 8, 2010 to Masjid Ibn Taymiyah which is run by some of the Somali refugees that Marhum Mohamed Bashir welcomed to Central Ohio. [note: 'Marhum' is a short dua' for forgiveness for the deceased. It is used like a title before the person's name.]

Those who attended the Janazah including the Marhum’s children, other family members and hundreds of friends, who witnessed the most humiliating, shocking and embarrassing action in the hands of someone who claims to be a learned Islamic Scholar, Imam Sheikh Aden. First, he refused to allow Marhum’s coffin to enter the Mosque and then refused to lead or take part in the Janazah prayer; claiming that he was told that the Marhum never prayed, and changed his name from Mohamed to Albert. This statement was challenged immediately by a community elder who has known the Marhum and attested that the Marhum was a Muslim and the Marhum was seen praying in the past. When he heard this, the Imam fled the Mosque.

What happened on last Thursday April 8, 2010 will be remembered to be one of the darkest days in the history of Central Ohio Muslims and I hope and pray to Allah SWT that the leadership of Majid Ibn Taymiyah will come to their senses and apologize first to the family of the Marhum and then to the entire Muslim community of Central Ohio. The most important lesson that we, as Muslims, should learn from this instance is that passing judgment is not something that is acceptable in Islam and that the level of faith a man has in his heart can only be measured by his Creator.