Behind Veils

*3* T-H-R-E-E brothers have now come out sharing their stories on how Yaser Birjas has violated their rights, engaged in deception, and provided guidance/rulings that are NOT in accordance with the sharī’āh. Despite this, the VRIC leadership team/boards refuses to investigate this and continues to try and shield/protect him from any form of accountability. His colleagues and peers, including Omar Suleiman, remain absolutely silent, despite the number of allegations that have been brought forth against him. This is a recurring pattern, where so-called imāms, leaders, and blind loyalists in our communities remain pin drop silent. In just the past week, another disturbing case surfaced as Imām Nick (former imām of the Islamic Center of Irving) spoke up for the first time, after 5 1/2 years, about the gross negligence of local and celebrity leaders (even meeting with Yaser Birjas & Omar Suleiman), and how they turned their cheek and gave it a blind eye. This was no ordinary case … it was apparently a case ridden with child sexual abuse at the masjid … yet every attempt was made to squash it and coin it as a “cultural misunderstanding.” This is the world we live in … one filled with corruption, paired with coverups. As Br. Malcolm X famously stated, “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.” The most disturbing part of his message, is that this now applies to our own communities and to our own leaders. We are not being asked to take sides or make decisions/determinations in this matter … we are being obliged to speak up and demand an independent investigation into the many allegations of wrongdoings by such leaders. The choice is yours … and know, with full conviction, that your choice will be taken into record … by Allāh the Almighty! “I heard Abu Bakr, may Allāh be pleased with him, say, ‘Oh you people! I hear you reciting this verse: ‘Oh you who believe! Worry about your own selves. If you follow the right guidance, no harm can come to you from those who are in error.’ (al-Ma’idah 5:105) But I heard the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ say: ‘Indeed when people see an oppressor but do not prevent him from doing evil, it is likely that Allāh will punish them all.'” [narrated by Qays bin Abi Hazm]