BismilLah al-Rahman al-Raheem

Dear brothers and sisters in humanity,

I write to you from the honorable city of Cairo. Cairo is a city where, from one block to another, you will encounter thousands of years of history. The city is now witnessing another historic moment.

As you all know, the brave people of Egypt are standing and asking for one thing: their basic freedom and right to live under the shade of justice. Sadly, there are those in the Middle East, as well as Washington, who are irresponsible enough to question such a right. How can we be satisfied with exporting everything from iPhones to MTV, but fail to share in exporting the foundations of our own country? Foundations we claim to hold as dear?

As a global community, we can all relate to the cry of the Egyptian people. It is a cry for justice. A cry for fairness. A cry for democracy, and a just system of rule. This call rings even louder since it has corresponded with Black History Month. I witnessed the two Million Man March yesterday. I have not felt such love for humanity captured in the mass movement of people, except for the day Martin Luther King Jr. gave his important “I Have a Dream” speech.

Muslim scholars agree that a person is allowed to use his good deeds to draw nearer to God and seek divine aid. Thursday is a commendable day to fast for Muslims, as we believe good deeds are presented to God. I am asking everyone who can to fast this Thursday. At sunset, the time for breaking the fast, we can all say a special prayer for our brethren in Egypt – Christians, Jews, Muslims and all other brothers in humanity. In the Qur’an we find the following verse,

“O you who have believed, seek help through patience and prayer. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.” (2:153)

Most commentators of the Qur’an say that “patience” here means fasting. I hope you will join me in this call. I will be traveling but still hope to observe the fast, seeking God’s help and peace for the beloved people of Egypt.

May God bless us to be agents of peace, freedom and love for our fellow brothers and sisters in humanity.

Yours,
Imam Suhaib Webb

Cairo, Egypt
February 2nd, 2011