HOUSTON – Imam Abdulla Dibba is a minister of religion for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His duties consist of youth leadership, leading prayers and presenting just to name a few. As a full time, devotee of the community, he serves wherever and in whatever capacity he is needed.
This can range from public speaking, training, teaching scriptures and leading regular prayers. Both of his parents became members of this community. His father became a member when he was 16 and his mother joined after being married to his father. “I was born as a Muslim as someone who adopted my parents’ faith, and I grew up to learn it myself. I’ve been in it from birth,” expressed Imam.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are Muslims who believe in the latter-day Messiah Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian. They believe him to be the fulfilment of the great prophecy of the second coming of the Messiah. There are three missions he must fulfill: to unite the whole of mankind under one banner of peace; revive Islam because Islam is going through a lot of challenges not only from today’s society, but for the past few centuries, Islam has been misrepresented.
According to Imam, “People who call themselves Muslim are committing heinous crimes andare doing things that are not really part of what Islam essentially stands for.”
The last mission is the reformation of Muslims. Muslims who are acting in ways they shouldn’t be acting by reforming them and making them better people.
There are many challenges that the Muslim community faces on a day-to-day basis. According to Iman, “Muslims in general do face a lot of challenges in terms of people being misinformed of what Islam is about. That is generally a struggle that Muslims are facing, which is to be seen as terrorists, to be seen as a threat to society, and to be seen as a race instead of a faith that anyone can accept and adopt.” Imam expressed that this mindset is ignorance because this is not what Islam is about in the first place.
Secondly, specifically regarding The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, they face challenges both internally and externally. Externally is the overall challenges as being labeled as bad people, killers and terrorist. Internally comes from other Muslims labeling them as infidels and disbelievers because of their faith in Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian who came to reform Muslims and revive Islam.
According to Imam, one of the main differences is that many other Muslims believe in the concept of Jihad to be fighting and physical, but their belief is that true Jihad that Islam teaches is not necessarily fighting. Imam stated, “Striving is what Jihad stands for. Striving to stop yourself from what your instincts and your ego would put you towards. That struggle that you go through to stop yourself from doing anything bad or evil or anything discouraging. That is what the first step of Jihad is.”
He further stated, “It is an internal battle. Those true interpretations that they teach is what other Muslims do not like about us. The reason we are more acceptable is our belief in the Messiah who has come to bring back the true teachings of Islam.”
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes they can resonate with everyone across the world, which makes them truly global. “We’ve become persecuted for that reason even amongst Muslims,” Imam said.
As a follower of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, Imam reflected on one of his missions, which is the unity of mankind. Imam stated, “The way he wants to do that is not by everyone becoming Muslim but recognizing the humanity that we have amongst ourselves. Regardless of you being Black, White, Asian or whatever faith you may be- long to or no faith at all. That is the central theme of that aspect of his mission.”
Even though the Muslim com- munity may face persecution, they still represent peace and unity. Imam illustrated “Whenever we become persecuted it is because of ignorance. If someone persecutes me…I know it is primarily because that person doesn’t know what my faith does to me. My faith teaches me love for all hatred to none. “When they are persecuted, what they do in return is to try and educate people. They turn around and show those people that, that is not what they deserve because their mission is to
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October 16, 2023, HOUSTON, TX – Congressional Candidate Amanda Edwards has raised over $1 million in less than 4 months, a substantial sum that helps bolster the frontrunner status of the former At-Large Houston City Council Member in her bid for U.S. Congress. Edwards raised over $433,000 in Q3 of 2023. This strong Q3 report expands on a successful Q2 where Edwards announced just 11 days after declaring her candidacy that she had raised over $600,000. With over $829,000 in cash-on-hand at the end of the September 30th financial reporting period, Edwards proves again that she is the clear frontrunner in the race. “I am beyond grateful for the strong outpouring of support that will help me to win this race and serve the incredible people of the 18th Congressional District,” said Edwards. “We are at a critical juncture in our nation’s trajectory, and we need to send servant leaders to Congress who can deliver the results the community deserves. The strong support from our supporters will help us to cultivate an 18th Congressional District where everyone in it can thrive.” Edwards said. “Amanda understands the challenges that the hard-working folks of the 18th Congressional District face because she has never lost sight of who she is or where she comes from; she was born and raised right here in the 18th Congressional District of Houston,” said Kathryn McNiel, spokesperson for Edwards’ campaign. Edwards has been endorsed by Higher Heights PAC, Collective PAC, Krimson PAC, and the Brady PAC. She has also been supported by Beto O’Rourke, among many others. About Amanda: Amanda is a native Houstonian, attorney and former At-Large Houston City Council Member. Amanda is a graduate of Eisenhower High School in Aldine ISD. Edwards earned a B.A. from Emory University and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Edwards practiced law at Vinson & Elkins LLP and Bracewell LLP before entering public service. Edwards is a life-long member of St. Monica Catholic Church in Acres Homes. For more information, please visit www.edwardsforhouston.com
As September 13th rolls around, we extend our warmest birthday wishes to the creative powerhouse, Tyler Perry, a man whose indomitable spirit and groundbreaking work have left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment. With his multifaceted talents as an actor, playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director, Tyler Perry has not only entertained but also inspired audiences worldwide, particularly within the African-American community, where his influence and role have been nothing short of powerful. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1969, Tyler Perry’s journey to stardom was a path riddled with adversity. Raised in a turbulent household, he found refuge in writing, using it as a therapeutic outlet. This period of introspection gave rise to one of his most iconic creations, Madea, a vivacious, no-nonsense grandmother who would later become a beloved figure in Perry’s works, offering a unique blend of humor and profound life lessons. Despite facing numerous challenges, including rejection and financial struggles, Perry’s determination and unwavering belief in his abilities propelled him forward. In 1992, he staged his first play, “I Know I’ve Been Changed,” which, although met with limited success, was a pivotal moment in his career. Unfazed by initial setbacks, Perry continued to hone his craft, and by 1998, he had successfully produced a string of stage plays that showcased his storytelling prowess.
Calling all teenage student-athletes! If you have dreams of playing college soccer and wish to represent an HBCU, the HBCU ID Camp is your golden opportunity. From 8 am to 5 pm on November 11-12, Houston Sports Park will transform into a hub for aspiring male and female soccer players. Coaches from HBCUs across the nation will be present to evaluate, scout, and offer valuable feedback. Moreover, they might even spot the next soccer prodigy to join their collegiate soccer programs. This camp is not just about honing your soccer skills but also a chance to connect with the HBCU soccer community. You’ll learn the ins and outs of what it takes to excel on the field and in the classroom, which is crucial for a college athlete. The HBCU ID Camp is an excellent platform to network with coaches, learn from experienced athletes, and take the first steps toward your college soccer journey. To secure your spot at this incredible event, don’t forget to register [here](insert registration link). Space is limited to 120 participants, so make sure to reserve your place before it’s too late. It’s time to turn your dreams of playing college soccer into a reality.
