Sign below & Share WHY you signed our Pledge using #ISupportUniTea:
UMF: Intra-faith Unity Statement:
‘Verily, this brotherhood of yours is one brotherhood, and I am your only Lord. Therefore serve Me. Men have divided themselves, but to Us they shall return. He that does good works in the fullness of his faith, his endeavors shall not be lost: We record them all.’ – Holy Qur’an, 21:92-94
Muslims must work together as brothers, to translate our intra-faith conviction into fruitful action serving the communities in which we live, while building bonds of compassion, trust and friendship amongst each other.
ISNA: The Washington Declaration
We, the undersigned, with the guidance of the holy verse, “And hold steadfastly to the rope of Allah collectively and do not be separated,” and taking heed of the advice of the holy Prophet, his holy household and noble companions to the pilgrims of the sanctified house of Allah who said,”…For your blood and wealth are sacred to you as is the sanctity of this day in this month in this land of yours,” as well as his other statement, “The believer is the brother of another believer, together they are like a strong building, one supports the other.” Therefore, based on our religious and ethical responsibilities towards our religion, communities and nations, we announce the following:
1) All Muslims are one nation, even if the schools of thought are diverse. Such diversity is a source of intellectual enrichment and should not be the cause of accusations of disbelief, murder, and the desecration of sanctities. For the main reason for the manufacture and escalation of what has been come to be known as “sectarian violence” is not holding steadfastly to the rope of Allah Almighty through holding onto the rightful leaders and the pious and insightful religious scholars, but instead following those who misinterpret the holy Qur’an and leave the authentic (Saheeh) traditions of the honorable Sunnah, hence passing false verdicts.
2) It is forbidden by Islam to use unethical and unjustified methods of negative propaganda in the name of religion or school of thought, such as name-calling which fuel sectarian discontent leading to the persecution of others through acts of terrorism which include violence, the desecration of their sanctities, murder, rape and looting. For all of this is forbidden in Islam according to the holy Qur’an and the Sunnah. Whoever does otherwise is guilty of inciting such atrocities.
3) It is forbidden by Islam to support such acts financially, with weapons and with media coverage.
4) It is forbidden to violate man’s rights, those things sanctified to him, and to indict others based on religious beliefs, sect, and thought. It is also forbidden to attack others by name-calling one Nasibi, or the other Rafidhi, or even Kafir, and so forth. For such judgments are Allah Almighty’s to make and no other. In Islam there is nothing more sanctified than life, family, and property. For Allah Almighty has graced mankind with dignity and has forbidden the slightest of offenses against it, both physically and emotionally.
5) It is important to understand the role of religion in public life. The role of religious scholars is to spread knowledge, tolerance and brotherhood within society. This is the best method of creating a secure and peaceful coexistence within humanity. Religious scholars are expected to rise above the petty politics. Rather, they are expected to speak the truth, guide and admonish its politicians and workers. It is no one’s right, without exception, to make religion a servant to politics, personal agendas or the goals of its beneficiaries.
6) It is important that Islamic organizations and centers be attentive to the youth by raising them and guiding them both religiously and intellectually to be pious, ethical, knowledgeable and moderate without negligence or excess. The youth must be shaped to love their countries, to coexist peacefully, to be tolerant of others by embracing an ethics of mutual respect and cooperation for the common good. This will ensure human brotherhood, which is not only in religion, but also in humanity. This in turn will safe-guard the nation, society and its future.
MPAC: The Intra-Faith Code of Honor
1) No group or individual shall use, propagate or tolerate the rhetoric of takfir (charge of unbelief) for anyone who believes in the oneness and supremacy of Allah, in Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the seal of the prophets and the last receiver of a divine scripture, and in the viability and authenticity of the Glorious Quran, and who faces the qibla (direction of the Ka’bah) in prayers.
2) All forms of hate and condescending speech and literature shall not be allowed in our midst.
3) We shall respect each other and the personalities, places and events that any group among us holds in esteem, even if our respective reading of history leads us to agree or disagree on the importance or role thereof, all of which can be expressed in language which is neither inflammatory nor insulting.
4) With respect to the minor differences in performing Ibadat (acts of worship), it is only prudent that the interpretation and style of the majority in any given Mosque or institution should be respect. As such, if a person visits a majority Shia Mosque, he or she shall not impose their manner of worship on the current local Imam of such Mosque in the observance of Jama’ah (congregational) prayers, and vice versa.
5) We shall use all reasonable measures to prevent the dissemination to the public of local or imported literature that is divisive, inflammatory and irrelevant to the future of Islam in America.
6) Specialized and objective academic halaqas (study group) should be formed for the qualified scholars that need to study in depth issues of Muslim history, creed and jurisprudence for the sake of knowledge, academic research and reconciliation, and not as a tools of propaganda and division. If a problem were to arise than a joint body of prominent Muslim scholars, representing both schools of Islam (Shia and Sunni) should be consulted to evaluate the issue and render a balanced and constructive solution.
7) Above all, we shall emphasize areas of commonality, the virtue of compassion and empathy and the awareness that Allah is closer to us than our heart and veins and He Almighty is recording our thoughts and intentions, as well as our words and deeds.
My signature below, affirms that I have read and pledge to uphold all the above intra-faith declarations as I sign on to the ‘UniTea Campaign’.
UniTea Campaign 
Go back to the basics and ask WHY?
Ameer al-Mu’mineen, Imam Ali (a), says:
Allah’s mercy is upon…the one knows: where he is from,
where he is now,
and where he is going!
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