Importance of Community – Building the Beloved Community E-News
Hebrews 12:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Both a pandemic and the bitter cold have given us good and healthy reason to not gather together physically. Yet, Minnesota’s legislative session where budgets, policies, laws and legislation are being created to declare who we are and what we mean to one another are the perfect reason to collectively work together.
It’s been hard. But thank God for technology and a democracy where we all have a right to our agency and voice. Leaders of ISAIAH, like yourself, have been lifting up your voices on Zoom meetings with neighbors and legislators, on social media like Facebook and Twitter, in local newspapers through Letters to the Editor, and at committee hearings and press conferences about this session.
We do not forsake the gathering of God’s people, nor the power we can wield when we work together with the common cause of love, justice and equity for all. This legislative session will most certainly be a powerful one, because despite all odds, we will (virtually) come together, encourage one another toward love and good deeds, and advance an ultimate victory for our families, communities and state.
Qu’ran Reflection
“Ibn ‘Abbas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) said: ‘Allah’s Hand is with the Jama’ah.’”
Time and time again, we find examples in the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet emphasizing the importance of community. There is a special type of blessing on those who gather together for the sake of Allah. And we find this when we gather to pray side by side, or when we sit in a circle knee to knee learning our Islam.
Jama’ah refers to the Muslim collective, and Allah’s Hand is with them. Allah’s Hand is not a physical manifestation of Allah but rather the blessing and support given to us by Allah. As Muslims, we must always seek out our brothers and sisters for the sake of assembling together. As a collective will, we must do collective good. We must be comfortable leaning on each other and sharing in the work to spread all that is good and just in the world.
There are entire pillars in Islam that can only be performed as a collective. The wisdom in this is that Allah wants to teach us the power of coming together and building something great together. So, whenever you have a chance to work with your fellow Muslim sister or brother for the sake of Allah, seize upon that chance. It is not only a duty but an honor to be part of a collective, for that is where Allah’s Hand will be.
Capitol Updates
A few weeks ago, over 3,000 of us showed up for ISAIAH’s We Make MN Launch. It was powerful to be with one another and our state and local leadership, including Gov. Tim Walz.
As we navigate this legislative session, we are crystal clear about our priorities – Minnesotans. We won’t be divided by race, place or class. Instead we are standing together to get all the things we know we need to create a beautiful future – including our collective resources that have been hoarded by the wealthy few for too long.
Now through May, we will give short updates about what’s happening at the Capitol, and more importantly, how you can shape it. We are also sending out weekly emails every Monday called The Show Up. It will give you a clear path on how you can “Show Up” and how you can be the most engaged, effective and powerful in making more possible for your family, community, and state.
Climate Action Week Recap
As Minnesotans, we care for each other and know how interconnected our lives are. Part of that connectedness is our shared environment. Building a better shared future includes bold climate action so that generations to come can continue to make the earth a thriving place for all. This week, leaders took to social media, printed media, and the Capitol on MN Climate Lobby Day to demand the climate future we deserve.
Safe Communities Without Exception
No matter what we look like or where we live, we all deserve to exist and move through our communities without fearing for our lives or the lives of our loved ones. Representative Mariani has introduced a bill amendment that would hold law enforcement accountable for their actions during “public assembly response.” (ie., response to public protests).
But law enforcement lobbyists are pushing back because they would rather allow police officers to continue to act with impunity against the people they took an oath to serve and protect. We’ve seen last summer—and that’s far from the start—just how necessary it is that law enforcement be accountable to the communities they serve. We’ve experienced how far they will go when unchecked and unaccountable.
Together, we the people get to envision and determine what communities where all of us are safe look like. We get to shape that together, and Rep. Mariani’s amendment is a small but important step forward. #WeMakeMN
Paid Family and Medical Leave
We ALL deserve to thrive, and that requires the ability to care for ourselves and others without financial penalty. Pastor Javen Swanson testified this #MNLeg session to this very fact.
“Don’t just do it because it’s good policy. Do it because we have an obligation to protect the ‘least of these.’ Do it because it’s the right thing to do.”
Building Democracy
This week, over 250 leaders across race, place, and creed gathered at issue briefings to build power around climate action, inclusive democracy, and moral budgeting. THIS is democracy in action!
Democracy Day of Action
In order for there to be dignity in our democracy, we must all be represented. We will come together Black, brown, and white declaring to our elected officials that we will not be pitted against one another. We will collectively support legislation that reflects our values and prioritizes our demand for an all inclusive democracy that accurately reflects the great state of Minnesota!
Muslim Day at the Captiol
Join your Muslim neighbors & leaders to show our power and diversity of the Muslim community in Minnesota. Participants in the MDAC will have an opportunity to powerful engage with elected officials to discuss issues relating to education, immigration, healthcare and affordable housing.
Freedom to Drive Press Conference
Minnesotans across race and region are virtually gathering for a press conference launching the 2021 campaign for Freedom to Drive! Every Minnesotan, regardless of immigration status, deserves to be able to connect to family, work and community.
Join us as powerful stories are told by community members, state legislators and leadership standing together, ready to advance this popular, moral and common sense legislation for all Minnesotans to thrive!
