“Straight Outta Brooklyn” with Imam Siraj Wahhaj

Emdad Rahman

AS PART of a festive UK tour, Muslim Aid presented “Straight Outta Brooklyn” – an evening not to be missed with the renowned Imam Siraj Wahhaj from Brooklyn, New York. The event took place at the Mayfair Venue in London.

Siraj Wahhaj is an African-American imam of Al-Taqwa mosque in Brooklyn and the leader of The Muslim Alliance in North America. He was also the former Vice President of Islamic Society of North America. Imam Siraj Wahhaj is a household name in the USA and has led efforts for social change through tackling social issues such as crime, domestic violence, drugs and harassment within his community in Brooklyn – issues which he says continue to affect all communities. The five-city tour across six venues has provided a chance for people to hear about the hard reality of these issues from someone who has dealt with them first-hand.

Imam Siraj took to the stage at the Mayfair venue and spoke of social ills which affect communities all over the world and addressed modern day issues and how to use a positive approach to dealing with these matters under a united banner. He underlined the importance for communities to be vigilant, caring, alert and working closely to engage each other and achieve positive outcomes.

He said, “I’m really pleased to be here and London has always been warm and welcoming to me. I’m so glad that we have all been able to highlight what charity is about. Humans have the capacity to do extraordinary things. The people here today are doing great things for the wider community here in the UK and I hope tonight we have also opened up to the suffering of the less fortunate around the world, namely the Syrian people.”

Guests were also treated to a Malaysian Martial Arts performance as well as a three course meal. Muhammad Abul Kalam, Acting Fundraising Manager, Muslim Aid, added, “It’s a very cold evening in London today and I applaud everyone who has attended. Muslim Aid is dedicated to ensuring that we are serving those who are the most needy. We thank Imam Siraj Wahhaj for his presence here tonight and as always we are immensely grateful for the support received tonight.”

•To get involved in Muslim Aid’s latest campaigns, go to:
www.muslimaid.org

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