Letters to the editor

The True Meaning of Sacrifice in Islam

What is sacrifice? Big or small, it is something we all have had to experience in some form or another. It is an act of giving up something precious in lieu of something even more valuable. Regardless of where we are from, what we look like, and what religion we practice, the concept of sacrifice is universal .

The Islamic teachings related to sacrifice are deemed very sacred. Eidul-Adha is a Muslim holiday celebrating the completion of the pilgrimage to Mecca. The pilgrims, as well as all Muslims around the world, are expected to offer the sacrifice of an animal. This tradition dates back to the story of Prophet Abraham- one that has been narrated in the Bible as well as in the Qur’an.

When Prophet Abraham dreamt of sacrificing his son, Ishmael, for the sake of God, the decision for both father and son was clear. Ishmael was wholly willing to give himself up. The preparations to sacrifice were underway until God halted them. To commemorate the dedication and the readiness for God on the part of Abraham and Ishmael, all Muslims are expected to sacrifice an animal annually on Eid-ul-Adha.

Today, September 1st, Muslims all over the world will perform a ritual to celebrate Abraham and Ishmael’s devotion to God and their sacrifices as a way to spiritually and morally uplift themselves in their lives.

To disprove the common misconception that Muslims condone violence in the name of Islam, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has organized a nationwide blood drive called “Muslims For Life” which is usually held on or around September 11th to remember the extended family we lost on 09/11/2001. We humbly request you to locate one of our blood drives around you and donate to save life. Every year we hold the same blood drive at the Capitol Hill requesting our Honorable Members, and support our campaign spreading the message of the true Islamone that accentuates the importance of saving lives, even if it requires personal sacrifice.

For more information, visit www.trueislam.com.

— Kanita Tariq, Sparta, NJ

Labor Day

This Labor Day, employers and employees have reason to be grateful: The union-backed campaign to eliminate starter jobs is failing.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has spent at least $90 million since 2012 fighting for a $15 minimum wage. Thus far, the campaign has generated few organizing wins for the union—but plenty of embarrassing headlines. In east- and west-coast locales that have embraced the cause of labor’s wage warriors, small businesses have been forced to scale back or shut down entirely. (Over 100 stories are available online at www.Faces-Of-15.com .) A recent study from a team of economists at the University of Washington determined that Seattle’s minimum wage experiment left many employees worse off—when the mandated bump in hourly pay was offset by a loss of workplace opportunities.

Economists of all political stripes have denounced $15, and even policymakers in left-of-center locales such as Cleveland and Baltimore have rejected it. It’s no surprise, then, that the SEIU has slashed funding for the campaign. That means less money for labor’s campaign, and more opportunities for those doing the laboring.

— Michael Saltsman, Employment

Policies Institute