Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Do Not Eat Pork

Bible & Qur'an Say:
Do Not Eat Pork

Both the Bible and the Qur’an prohibit the eating of pork. Muslims are aware of this prohibition and observe it strictly. However, most readers of the Bible say they do not know where they can find this in the Bible.

In the book of Leviticus, chapter 11, v. 7, it is recorded that God declares the pig to be unclean for believers. Then, in verse 8, God says: “You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you”. This command is repeated in Deuteronomy 14:7-8. Then, in Isaiah 65:2-4, and 66:17, God issues a stern warning against those who eat pork.

Some people are aware of this prohibition from God, but they say that they can eat pork because St. Paul said that all food is clean in his letter to the Romans 14:20. St. Paul said this because he believed (as he wrote in his letter to the Ephesians 2:14-15) that Jesus had abolished the Law with all its commandments and regulations. He seems, however, to have misunderstood what he heard about Jesus. In the Gospel According to Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus is reported to have said quite the contrary, as follows: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law . . . ." Jesus then went on in that passage (in verse 19) to denounce anyone who would break the smallest commandment and teach others likewise. He also praised his true followers who will practice and teach even the smallest commandment. One of the commandments, as we have seen, is to stay away from pork.

This is why the true followers of Jesus, holding on to his teachings, did not let unclean food such as pork enter their mouths, so that Peter, the chief disciple, can say, “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean” (Acts of the Apostles, ch. 10, v. 14)

Five chapters later in the Acts of the Apostles, 15:29, we find that the original disciples still differentiate between clean and unclean foods, and this time Paul is in agreement with them. Six chapters later, in ch. 21, v. 25, their decision to impose food regulations on believers is mentioned without regret, and this time Paul is challenged to prove that he is in agreement with them; and he demonstrated his full agreement with them.

What remains, then, is that Jesus, on whom be peace, upheld the prohibition against pork. His disciples also upheld it, and so must all his followers. Those who fail to uphold it need to be informed and reminded of this rule from God. This is one reason why God sent His final messenger, on whom be peace. God says:

“O people of the Scripture ! Now has Our Messenger come unto you, expounding unto you much of that which you used to hide in the Scripture, and forgiving much. Now has come unto you light from Allah and a plain Scripture.” (The Meaning of the Glorious Qur’an 5:15)

Masjid Adresses in USA

The following directory contains Masjids and Islamic Centers in the United States, believed to be orginally compiled by ISNA, and since has been extensively updated by MSA of the USA and Canada. (Note that the contact info for over 600 masajid were updated in first nine months of 1996, alhamdulillah). The Directory has been prepared in alphabetical order according to state, and in order of zip codes. This directory is about 7000 lines long and 138000 characters. Just Islamic Organizations based in the U.S., are listed here. The values (2/94) to the right on the first line indicate last update time in (month/year). Information in []'s indicates outdated information, check if irrelevant.

EAST ZONE --

--- Massachusetts --- East Zone --
Islamic Society of Western Massachusetts Masjid (12/95)
?????377 Amostown Rd.
West Springfield, MA
01105
Phone: 413-788-7546 (Dr. Mohammad Ali Hazratji)
Notes: Postal Address: P.O.Box 784, Holyoke, MA 01040
Notes: Out of date?
Islamic Center of West Massachusetts
?????57 Chaplin Terrace
Springfield, MA
01107
Phone:
Notes: Moved?
Masjid At-Tawhid (9/96)
111 Oak St
Springfield, MA
01109
Phone:
Masjid Al-Baqi (9/96)
495 Union St
Springfield, MA
01109
Phone: (413) 732-9288
Islam Society of Greater Worchester
57 Laurel St
Worchester, MA
01604
Phone: 508-842-8242
Phone: 508-752-3437
Islamic Center of Boston
126 Boston Post Rd
Wayland, MA
01778
Phone: 508-358-5885
Selimiye Jamii (Masjid) (10/96)
105 Oakland Ave
Methuen, MA
01844
Phone:
Islamic Center of New England (9/96)
74 Chase Drive
Sharon, MA
02067
Phone: 617-784-0434
Masjid AlHamidulillah (10/96)
724 Shawmut Ave
Boston, MA
02119
Phone: 617-442-2805
Phone: 617-562-1433
Masjid Al-Noor (10/96)
28 Circuit St
Boston, MA
02119
Phone: 617-427-1542
Masjid Al-Quran (11/96)
35 Intevale St Boston, MA 02121
Phone: 617-445-8070
The Islamic Multi Service Organization (10/96)
7 Long Ave Allston, MA 02134
Phone: 617-562-1433
Islamic Society Of Boston (7/96)
204 Prospect St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-876-3546
Phone: 617-776-5769
Fax: 617-576-6268
Email: sameh@cdsp.neu.edu (Sameh Ahmed)
Notes: Postal Address: P.O.Box 131, Cambridge, MA 02142
Notes: Different activities in ISB include, daily 5 prayers, Friday
Notes: prayer, Daily Iftar in Ramadan, Organizing Eid Prayers,
Notes: Weekend Islamic School (Al-Bashaar), Muslim News (Weekly
Notes: news letter), Friday night lesson, Differnt halaqas and
Notes: lessons through the whole week for Arabic/English speakers
Notes: on Fiqh, Sierah, Tajweed, islamic manners and so on.
Notes: There is also a bookshop on premises. ISB relief committee
Notes: also collects Zakah and spend it on the needy Muslims locally
Notes: and abroad. Inshaa Allah The Full time Islamic school will
Notes: start on 1996/1997 school year. ISB is affiliated with ISNA,
Notes: MAYA and ICNE (The Islamic Council of New England).
Notes: Imam's address: 142 Prospect St.
Muslim Prayer Room (10/96)
MIT, Religious Activities Center, Building W11, Room W11-110, 40 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 258-9285
Islamic Association of Massachusetts (I.A.M.) (12/95)
P.O. Box 535 - Everett, MA
02149 Phone: 617-381 6666/ 617-381 9555
Fax: 617-381 0002
Email: ImanMosque@aol.com (Imam Sheikh Ahmad)
Notes: Physical Address: 536-538 Broadway Ave (Route99)
Notes: The Building is under remodeling. Friday Prayer starts
Notes: at 1:00 P.M.
Islamic Center of New England (3/96)
470 South Street
Quincy, MA
02169
Phone: 617-479-8341
Phone: 617-784-0434
Fax: 617-471-9526
WWW URL: http://cns-web.bu.edu/pub/aab/icne/icne.html
Wentworth Islamic Society (9/96)
131 Coolidge Ave #526,
Watertown, MA
02172
Phone: 617-581-3193
Jamaa Masjid of Boston (10/96)
1380 Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA
02215
Phone: (617) 961-4563
Mosque of New England (9/96)
P.O.Box 222, Seekonk, MA
02771 - Phone: 508-336-9040
Islamic Society of Greater Lowell (2/99)
131 Steadman Street - Chemsford, MA
Phone: 978-970-5552
Notes: From 495 North Take Exit 34. Bear right. At the first light
Notes: (Steadmen Street) make Left. (There will be a Best Western
Notes: on your right). Stay on Steadmen Street for about 1-2 miles.
Notes: After you pass a highway over pass you will the entrance to
Notes: 131 Steadmen Street.