Once again the Boston Globe, instead of asking the questions it should ask and carrying out proper investigations, whitewashes and dissembles. Ismail Abdurrashid is associate imam at the Mosque for the Praising of Allah in Roxbury, which was long attended by Usaamah Rahim, one of the jihadis who plotted to murder Pamela Geller for our AFDI free speech event in Garland, Texas. The Boston Marathon jihad murderers apparently went to this mosque as well.
The Globe would apparently have us believe that in planning his jihad, Rahim was not influenced in any way whatsoever by what he learned at the Mosque for the Praising of Allah. The credulous Bella English quotes Rahim saying, “Islam literally means a practice of peace,” without bothering to check on the veracity of his assertion (as she certainly would have done if she had been interviewing, say, Pamela Geller). The word Islam actually doesn’t mean “practice of peace,” it means “submission.” And nowhere in this sycophantic puff piece does English make any attempt to determine what the amply-zebibahed Abdhurrashid actually teaches over at the Mosque for the Praising of Allah, and what effect that teaching may have had on the Tsarnaev brothers and Usaamah Rahim. That’s “journalism” for you these days.
“Ismail Abdurrashid is all about second chances,” by Bella English, Boston Globe, July 24, 2015:
The instructor with a long, graying beard stood before a white board that had that day’s algebra lesson written on it: “Solving Systems of Equations by Elimination.” As Ismail Abdurrashid, attired in traditional Muslim dress and skull cap, wrote equations on the board, 11 inmates bent over their desks, scribbling.
Talk segued into the quotation of the day, from Marian Wright Edelman. It began: “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”
Some of the students at the South Bay House of Correction in Boston spoke, softly. “I got kicked out of school for fighting,” said one. “I made it to the 10th, then thought there was something better than school,” said another.
Abdurrashid, 46, had his own taste of the streets, and so carries street cred with his students, who call him “Ish.” He also carries scars and other physical reminders of how he almost didn’t make it — but for the grace of God, he believes.
Abdurrashid knows that his jailhouse work helps him as much as it does his students. “This has afforded me the opportunity to do some of the most powerful work I’ve done,” he says. “This is a team effort here.”
Every weekday, Abdurrashid teaches men and women, in separate classes, math, reading and writing. As the program coordinator and lead instructor for the College Connections program at the nonprofit College Bound Dorchester, he’s there to help them pass the tests for admission to community and four-year colleges.
The classes began 18 months ago at the medium-security prison, where inmates are serving sentences of 2½ years or less. Most are drug offenses. The men serve an average 12 to 14 months, women 6 to 8 months. They range in age from 17 to 27, and many have families they need to support upon release.
“The question is, how do you want them to return home?” says Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins. “I’d rather have people home with their families and taking care of their kids than having the kids come here and see their parents in jump suits. Education is key to improving their lives.”
That’s where Abdurrashid comes in.
In 2001, Abdurrashid started teaching GED students part time at the former Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, a multiservice organization. His natural teaching skills caught the eye of his bosses and when the agency morphed into College Bound Dorchester in 2010, he signed on full time. The nonprofit is based in the Bowdoin-Geneva neighborhood, one of the city’s poorest and most crime-ridden.
“We take the ones that get kicked out of other programs,” says Abdurrashid.
They’re “the Core Influencers,” neighborhood leaders who engage in disruptive behavior, leave school and join gangs. “We try to get them to use their skills not for the negative, but for the positive. A lot of them live the way they live because no one has yet shown them a better way,” says Abdurrashid.
The inmates, dressed in brown or green prison outfits, some with tattoos and scars, have a mix of education: a high school diploma, the equivalency, or neither. The jailhouse classes serve as a sort of gap year for the underserved to get up to speed academically before pursuing college.
The first group of 15 who went through the pilot program enrolled in community college and within two weeks, nearly all had dropped out. “Getting them there is one thing, getting them to stay is another,” says Michelle Caldeira, senior vice president at College Bound Dorchester.
Abdurrashid gets it. Their story is his story.
When he was 4, growing up in Jackson, Miss., his father was murdered at home, and the boy found his body. The crime was never solved.
Raised by his mother, a teacher, Abdurrashid ran the streets with friends. His neighborhood group fought with rival factions. Still, he was smart and got a full scholarship to Boston University’s science and engineering program. All he had to do was maintain a 3.0 grade-point average.
“But I was getting distracted by all types of stuff,” he says. “Gang-banging was becoming an integral part of the culture in Mississippi.”
His grades dropped, and he lost his scholarship. He returned to the street life, this time in Dorchester. Asked about an arrest record, he simply says: “Certain things were seen as ‘rites of passage,’ and arrests were one of those.”
One night, he witnessed a man slapping a woman in his apartment building and intervened. The abuser fled, but returned with five friends. Abdurrashid was stabbed in the spine and paralyzed from the waist down. He was 20 years old.
On his 19th birthday, he’d been given a copy of the Koran, which he began to read. After the stabbing, he made a deal with God: “If you see fit to give me back the use of my legs, I’ll change the direction of my life.”
Today, he laughs: “Be careful what you ask for.”
He says he could feel the nerves repairing and within weeks, was walking again. “God answered my prayer,” he says, “but he left me with a reminder.” A quarter-century later, he still walks with a limp.
Abdurrashid moved to Brookline and worked two jobs to support his wife and young son, eventually becoming a GED teacher for the Urban League through contacts who knew him at his mosque.
He is also associate imam at the Mosque for the Praising of Allah in Roxbury, and he has seven children ranging in age from 7 to 19. As he speaks, he exudes a preacherly bearing, sometimes settled into a zen-like calm, other times gesturing and raising his voice to make a point.
The mosque recently emerged in the news in connection with Usaamah Rahim, who was shot and killed by federal antiterror investigators in Roslindale in June after allegedly lunging at them with a knife. Rahim, who periodically attended the mosque, had been under surveillance as a terrorism suspect.
Officials at the mosque, including Abdurrashid, have been quoted as saying that Rahim had been devout in his religious practice and that they saw no signs to support allegations that he had been radicalized.
Islam, Abdurrashid says in an interview, “is grossly misunderstood. People have made a sweeping indictment of us all. There is nothing un-American about being Muslim. Islam literally means a practice of peace.”
While he credits Islam for his personal turnaround, Abdurrashid doesn’t talk religion in class. He’s there to teach. Back in the classroom he and his students talk about the future after the math equations are solved. “Having this sentence is not the end game,” he tells them. “Eventually, you’re all going home.”…
Stephanie says
typo: 9:22 > 9:33
My Shari'a Moor says
Stephanie,
Thank you for your informative posts re: the Koran’s REAL contents.
It’s ALWAYS a pleasure to read your comments!
God bless you!
Alboocat says
“My Shari’a Moor” – Oh wow, that is the best username here. Wow. Kudos.
Judi says
Ditto! What a clever use of words.
mortimer says
Ismail Abdurrashid assures us ‘Islam means peace’, but what does Mohammed say?
-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 44: Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to Allah’s Apostle and said, “Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad (in reward).” He replied, “I do not find such a deed.”
-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 45: Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Somebody asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! Who is the best among the people?” Allah’s Apostle replied “A believer who strives his utmost in Allah’s Cause with his life and property.”
-Bukhari,Volume 4, Book 52, Number 268 “War is deceit.” (Mohammed speaking about jihad)
Ismail Abdurrashid is practicing VERBAL JIHAD…lying for Allah. What a cunning trickster.
Papa Whiskey says
Ismail Abdurrashid, jailhouse imam:
There is nothing un-American about being Muslim.
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, former secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation:
The Muslim Ummah, means the ‘community of the faithful’. It is a unique bond that has no similar example under any other political or religious system in the world. It is a belonging to ideals which bring Muslims together in an eternal brotherhood lock which transcends all other consideration of allegiance or loyalties or barriers of nationhood, ethnicity, geography or language.
A cunning trickster indeed.
particolor says
Islamic Cooperation ? Oxymoron !
Hell Awaits says
“It is a unique bond that has no similar example under any other political or religious system in the world.”
Actually, there is: The 3rd International.
—————————–
We Are Guardians of Asgard!
Goat Pimp says
Wow! Islam sounds so fantastic! Baseball, hot-dogs apple pie and Islam! (sarc)
medaber_emet says
Let me translate you in one sentence what he means
he means that when all infidels are dead then they will have peace
the Christians and Jews will RIP
is that clear?
john spielman says
the “house of islam” will NEVER be at peace because it is evil and evil is not united. Even now the “house of islam” is tearing itself apart from within with Sunni vs Shia, and ISIS against everyone
mortimer says
ISLAM literally means ‘SUBMISSION’. No one is as submitted as a slave. Islam means ‘SLAVERY’.
The worst slavery is that of the mind…where you may only think the thought of the tyrant.
Edward says
“The worst slavery is that of the mind…where you may only think the thought of the tyrant.”
The Jihad Movement best weapon of choice: “The Mind”
“We have to do our best in using God’s greatest gift to the human being: “the mind” in responding to the continuous change: “and that which is of benefit to humankind abides on earth” [13:17].”
http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/articles/jihad-struggle.php
Reference: No Thanks to the Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement
Location: University of Southern California
A Partnership between the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion,
Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation, & USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
Would you believe the Liberal Jews here in the states are indorsing mind control advocacy for use against the Middle East Israelis!
George S. says
Islam means peace????? Sorry, but this bearded wonder is talking through his beard, and the Boston Globe should be investigated by authorities for lying to the people of the USA.
From Wikipedia> Islam is a verbal noun originating from the triliteral root s-l-m which forms a large class of words … In a religious context it means “voluntary submission to God”. Islām is the verbal noun of Form IV of the root, and means “submission” or “surrender.” Muslim, the word for an adherent of Islam, is the active participle of the same verb form, and means “one who submits” or “one who surrenders.”
So, you ignorant bearded mullah: Islam + Submit —– Get it?
Stephanie says
Peace & LOVE allah, Q24:2 “(adulterers + sex BEFORE marriage) FLOG them with 100 stripes”
5:38(-40) “(thieves) AMPUTATE their hands” without anesthesia
10:4 “… But those who DISbelieved will have a drink of scalding water and a painful punishment for what they USED TO DENY..”
vs. German Constitution Art 2, 2
THANK YOU, DEAR ALLAH 🙂
Jay Boo says
Ironically Muhammad was a shameless committer of adultery himself.
it is a historical fact.
Don McKellar says
YES! Islam means peace — once everybody bows to Islam and converts or pays their jizzyha tax and moslems are given favored status in all public affairs, and may keep slaves, have multiple wives (which they may beat), and sharia law is the law of the land — THEN there will be peace! There will be peace — until even more devout groups of moslems rise up and enforce more strict sharia law — and then battle with other moslem groups who want it stricter on different points — and then… well, THERE WILL BE PEACE WHEN EVERYBODY IS DEAD!
particolor says
THATS IT ! YOUVE GOT IT !! Summed it right up !
Jaladhi says
Islam means submission to Mo/allah!! This idiot doesn’t even know the meaning of Islam and he is a an imam!!!
Oh, wait a minute is he practicing taqiyya – ten its alright – he is simply lying to fool our leaders and media and academia. And our paper of record will be first in line to propagate his lies!!
Voytek Gagalka says
“Practice of peace” or “submission.” They don’t see the difference because for them who submit is the one who is at “peace.” Ayn Rand would call these “floating abstractions.” They never really properly conceptualize what “peace” really is, meaning can shift at will, according to convenience of the moment, magically, as their flying carpets. For them it is one thing, for us something entirely different, hence all confusion, all (wrong) assumption in the west that “Islam is religion of peace.” Yea, peace between WHOM, and to what extend? Peace to unbelievers? NEVER!
mortimer says
Yes. Peace. Muslims have the PEACE of the graveyard between their ears. They no longer need to think for themselves because the mullahs have done all the thinking and they protect their monopoly with the help of braindead vigilante killer zombies who do their bidding.
Death to apostates and INNOVATORS! So PEACEFUL! No one talks back.
Ismail Abdurrashid is a cunning trickster.
AnnaK says
A cunning trickster following his beloved Allah who is “the greatest of deceivers ” ( surah 3:54)
AND : surah 7:99 :
“Are they then secure from Allah’s scheme (Makr)? None deemeth himself secure from Allah’s scheme (Makr) save folk that perish.” S. 7:99 Pickthall
AND : In “Successors of the Messenger” by Khalid Muhammad Khalid, p. 70:Abu Bakr says :
“By Allah! I would not feel safe from the deception of Allah, even if I had one foot in paradise.”
Wellington says
Practice of peace? Hell no. But practice of pieces, as in body parts? Hell yes.
mortimer says
Chop chop … normative Islam.
AnnaK says
i think they must just mean peaceful killing /chopping?
Something we still haven’t got the hang of, that’s all.
Angemon says
Yeah… If the first is a dud, grab another bomb vest. You know, second chances.
No Fear says
Nazism was an ideology of peace. Non-Nazis submitted to Hitler as slaves or they were killed. Once the world submitted to Hitler then world peace occurred.
Goat Pimp says
Exactly.
abad says
Oh really?
I was taught by my UA professor of Islamic Studies that Islam means “submission to Allah.”
Not that I did not know that before working on my degree in Near Eastern Studies.
You, Imam, are a liar. Oh and stop thinking the vast majority of Americans are ignorant about Islam because we are not. Give it up.
mortimer says
Submission. Submit your brain at the door.
abad says
Yep.
Moshe Akiva says
I actually agree with this statement: “Islam literally means a practice of peace.”
Yes, after they murdered everybody who disagree with them even the slightest way (including other Muslims as well) they will practice peace.
Champ says
“Islam literally means a practice of peace”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They keep *saying* that, but they’re *doing* just the opposite …
EUCLID says
I didn’t know they also teach how to solve simultaneous equations as well as bomb making.
sidney penny says
Robert Spencer,why are you always hitting the nail on the head?
“The Globe would apparently have us believe that in planning his jihad, Rahim was not influenced in any way whatsoever by what he learned at the Mosque for the Praising of Allah. The credulous Bella English quotes Rahim saying, “Islam literally means a practice of peace,” without bothering to check on the veracity of his assertion (as she certainly would have done if she had been interviewing, say, Pamela Geller). The word Islam actually doesn’t mean “practice of peace,” it means “submission.” And nowhere in this sycophantic puff piece does English make any attempt to determine what the amply-zebibahed Abdhurrashid actually teaches over at the Mosque for the Praising of Allah, and what effect that teaching may have had on the Tsarnaev brothers and Usaamah Rahim. That’s “journalism” for you these days.”
medaber_emet says
when we ask our Arabs neighbors when there will be peace
they are honest and tell us that there will be peace
when all the Jews will Rest in peace (RIP)
this is the only peace that Islam can provide
Philip says
I should imagine that every mainstream media outlet in N.America has its Saudi or Gulf ‘media sponser/adviser’ who tips the wink to any editor as to which way an Islam related story should go. The media might be owned legally by anyone but it is controlled hook line and sinker by Saudi + Gulf. That has surely been obvious since 1974…
jewdog says
Islam means peace, imam means slick, jihad means tiddlywinks, and the The Boston Globe means dhimmi.
duh_swami says
Submission means..’ I give up, please don’t hurt me’…Peace means, you are reasonably sure they won’t hurt you, as long as you obey all their rules. That is a slave master relationship…They would have you believe that the Master is Allah/God and submission is to him, but that’s a smoke screen. The real masters are men who enforce these rules on you and take your money and your daughters, maybe your life…
Mahound set Islam up as sort of a Robin Hood operation, but instead of robbing the rich and giving it to the poor, it’s rob nearly everyone and keep it all except the 20% that belongs to Allah, payable to the Imam at the mosque.
There are other ways of explaining Islamic peace but, a complete explanation is a book, too much for a comment…
Edward says
So “Mahound set Islam up as sort of a Robin Hood operation”…..saying that he was both a prophet wannabe and a profiteer to boot, eh! A Theocracy cartel as well, during the Mohammad era!
Emjay See says
Further to my previous comments, IF, Islam means Peace, why have more Muslims been killed by other Muslims than us Kafirs
Dave Schwep says
They misspelled one word ; “Islam literally means a practice of ‘peace’ .”
Peace should be “pieces” ie “body pieces” – Then their statement would be true.
Arthur Hippler says
I doubt anyone who reads this blog needs the information, but of course the imam is lying. As you know the practice of taqiyya (strategic lying to put Islam in the best light) is almost a sacrament in Islam. It is one of the things that makes President Obama look so Islamic… he lies just as they do.
I don’t believe Obama is a Muslim, but he is sympathetic to them for two reasons: He hates Christianity and the entire Western cultural tradition, and more importantly, communist tactical considerations include at this stage in the work-up to the revolution, the necessity to increase the number of conflicting groups so as to weaken the solidarity of the country and provide the basis for intervention in the name of “peace’.
This is not the place for a fuller disquisition on communist techniques, but since the President has at least three full communist advisors (including Valerie Jarret who is his chief advisor) it’s best not to forget the main plan and Islam has no part of the outcome except as a victims after the takeover.
kay says
I will leverage this piece. ( Down the road. )
The Boston Globe will never live it down.
It was fun nailing Chomsky.
Edward says
It’s troubling enough to know that domestic mosques are accelerating the fact that Islam is the religion of peace and now America academia is putting out the same effort. The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA is one of the host universities. The Center for Muslim-Jewish Engagement is housed there and whose mission is to form a partnership between the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Omar Ibn Al Khattab Foundation, and The Office of Religious Life. This center was established in 2010.
Home link: http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/
This organization focus’ it’s attention to the Jihad movement and just by reading the Jihad content PDF one garners their thoughts that Jihad is a noble struggle for survival effort that is being considered by the Muslim majority and their collaborators, the American left!
Jihad movement info content webpage’s:
http://www.usc.edu/org/cmje/articles/jihad-struggle.php
http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/private/cmje/pluralism_issues/Chapter_9_Jihad__RD.pdf
My opinion: American Liberalism is really America’s most prominent in-house enemy ….they are promoting our demise of our freedoms in many ways and are the gatekeepers that allows the unwanted intrusion/destruction of our American sovereignty.
BTW, perhaps ‘We The Tax Payers’ are funding this malicious effort to boot!