INTERVIEW OF IMAM W.D. MUHAMMAD 
1985

By Imam Fareed Munir , Representative Of The National Majlis

IFM: Bisrcillahir Rahmanir Rahiir..  First I want to thank you for this opportunity to interview you, once again, and I know your time is very valuable, so we1re going to do this as quick as possible, on my end.  Brother Imam, as I explained to you before, these are some questions that came out of the meeting with the Imams, in Cleveland, Ohio on 7/27/85. Now, I must say that some of the questions were, and could be answered by others. However, the Imams wanted your comment, as the leader. They wanted your comments about these particular things here.

In reference to...this first question, I'm sorry to ask you really a legal question, but it would be good if you could give us something concerning this question. And that's about the National Exempt Tax structure that came along with being the AMM, which meant that we received a National Tax number from the federal government, under the auspices of the AMM.  Do you have any ideas as to how now, we should go about exempting ourselves? What about tax exempt credit, etc. or tax guidelines that identifies tax deductions for Imams? One thing we do know is that we have been encouraging all the communities to Incorporate. However, could you make some comments on that?

IWDM:  Yes.  I think it's best to see the local (people) and, see how the religious organizations register for tax exempt, and it maybe the same tax exempt status they had before.

IFM:  Could you just talk a little bit louder, Brother Imam? Your impetus is coming in kind of low.

IWDM:  Whatever tax exempt status they had before, I don't see why it can't continue that way.  If they want to change their name or something, I don't think it would make that much difference. It wouldn't make that much difference. 

IFM: Yes Sir. 

IWDM:  But what I've suggested to Imams; to ask the same questions that they see how the churches apply for (local exemption), and how they register, for just registering as a religious house of Worship. And whatever tax status they give the churches, that should be the one that we should receive.

IFM: Question #2:  Imam's study class, where the Imams come together, along with yourself. Could we do this? When? Would you suggest one or two times a year, or 2 or 3 times a year for a number of days?

IWDM: Just give me good notice, like maybe, at least about 3 weeks or a month's notice, when you would like to do it. And I can meet at a convenient place, or whatever. Once or twice a year wouldn't be too much, it'd be okay.

IFM: And when we do it, about how long? 2 days? 3 days? It would depend on the time...

IWDM: That's right.  I would say a weekend would be okay.

IFM:  A weekend?

IWDM:  Say Saturday, a Sunday, or maybe Friday, a Friday afternoon, Friday evening and Saturday, Saturday morning.

IFM:  That's fine.  Also, could you define, Brother Imam, the position of trustee, that was instituted some time ago, if there's such a position, and the relationship that the trustee should have with the believers and the resident Imam.

IWDM: Actually, there is no position of trustee.  But whoever holds a position of trust, that responsibility is one of trust. So they can be called a trustee.  I find on the Council that I have (been entrusted with) for the MACA and the charities that come into the MACA Fund, I sign all the accounts, as a trustee.  I let the bank know that I'm the trustee.

IFM:  Once you had mentioned something to this effect, if I may paraphrase you.  That there was no such need for ratification of Imams, as long as there was a v/ay for the community to show their support for the Imam.  Could you give me some comments on this, if this is correct, Brother Imam?

IWDM:  The only thing necessary, in my opinion, is that the people have the chance to vote on the Imam continuing in office yearly (if they require it). But as long as the support is good and the people are not requiring it, that the Imam be affirmed in his position, that his position be established again, I don't think it's necessary.  We did it a while back, but of course, there were conditions that made me think that it should be done.  But now

IWDH:  from most of the Kasjids, I know, and the Imams, I think their relationship with their people is such, that if their people have problems, their people would bring those problems to their attention. And it's not necessary in my opinion (to have that idea of ratification).

IFM:  There seems to be some confusion about the sighting of the moon for the Bids.  To be specific, which sighting should be accepted, local or distant? As you know, every year that's a question.

IWDM: Well, according to the Hadith, the local sighting is the one you should go by.  But if someone at a distance sights the moon, and you get news of it, if you haven't sighted the moon yourself, then you should go on and fast.  I mean, you should go on and observe whatever that indicates, the completion of the fast, or the start of the fast, or observance of the holiday, whatever. But local people should try to get that information locally.

IFM: The difference between National Majlis and the old Council of Imams. Then I have an A and B to this Just to give you some idea of what we're saying here. A.  Is there a need for a Majlis to incorporate itself?

IWDM:  I don't think there's a need, but that would be , I think, probably decided by the members of the Majlis.

IFM:  B. And the difference between the National Majlis and the old Council of Imams?

IWDM:  That would have to be decided by the members of the Majlis.

IFM: The whole thing? Yes sir.  Okay, fine.

Can communities incorporate Sister Clara Muhammad Schools? Did we make up the guidelines as of yet? You spoke to me about that some time before, but then ...

IWDM: Yes, they can be incorporated.  But I think to incorporate all of them, then it becomes a national incorporation.  So I don't know. I think maybe it's best, I would prefer to incorporate locally. And we are incorporated here.

IFM:  Remember, this is away from my questions here. You remember what we talked about before, after the "10 Years of Progress", that you wanted...I think you spoke to myself, Imam Hafeez and another Imam that was there, about using Chicago Masjid as the example, as far as standards is concerned. And then comparing those standards with of course, standards and values around the country. And if certain schools don't measure up, they can't use the name Clara Muhammad School.  Is this still an interest, Brother Imam? Because I know, as far as our school here, that's what we're doing. We're using the school there in Chicago as the model. But I mean, we've done that locally as an individual community. What about the rest of the communities?

IWDM: If there's some way that we can form a, like a board or a, not a school board in the same definition that we have in the public school (system).     But a board in the sense of an organization.  Board directing an institution, an organization.

IWDM:  (Do) you understand?

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM:  Just in the general sense "a board11. Not in specific public school terminology.  If a board could be' formed, that would help a whole lot.  Then we could appoint one member from each Masjid, or Masjid and school to represent SCMS on that Board or kind of Majlis.  It could be a Majlis, couldn't it?

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM:  In fact, the Majlis that we have already accepted, that Majlis could serve that purpose too. We could have principals, you know, from the schools, as invited guests or auxiliary members or something like that. Some kind of way that you can give them some kind of status, where if it's necessary to have principals come in and sit with the Majlis to ask them questions or to share, take minutes or get information, or whatever, briefing or whatever, they would be there.  They would have some kind of status, you see. So I think that would be the Majlis to take care of it, I believe.

IFM:  I believe we could, too, Brother Imam.  Is it maybe possible, I don't want to belabor this, is it maybe possible that we can get maybe a couple principals or people that have really been pushing for education in our community, on the whole, and maybe get them to come to Chicago or something, and with a couple of people that you recommend, maybe begin the process. I mean, just to give us some kind of outline or idea of how things are functioning in Chicago.

IWDM:  I'd be happy to do that.  I' d be happy to meet with any persons that would be selected, and we could just look at the whole problem and see can we come up with solutions for all of us, so that we can keep to some kind of form for all the schools.

IFM:  Okay.  Praise Be To Allah.  I'll get on that right away, Brother Imam.  I know this is a very broad question, but this is one of the questions.  Explain the concept of Sharia.

IWDM: My opinion is this; Sharia is the interpretation of the law (from)   Quranic scriptures, of scripture from Quranic text and the Hadith, the sayings of Prophet Muhammad.  The law is extracted or to be applied to situations and problems.  The law, the Sharia differs from geographic regions, from time to time, because of the different kinds of situations and problems that come about or develop in different regions at different times.  So, I would say "Sharia" is an extraction of principles and laws, etc. to be applied to problems that will arise in the life of the people.  And it requires a person with a good understanding of the word of God, Quran and the Sunnah, the life and Hadith, the teachings and sayings of Prophet Muhammad. Persons with knowledge, with thorough knowledge, of Quranic teachings or very good knowledge, sound, based in Quran and in the teachings of the works of Prophet Muhammad, to extract from that the instructions and laws to be applied in given situations, at given times.  I would advise against just taking the Sharia that have been formed by the   (schools of thought).    Just taking it without any reservation, I would be strongly against that.

IFM:  Yes sir.

IWDM:  I hope that in time, a school of thought in sharia will develop here, in the west, in America.

IFM:  Insha Allah, yes sir.  It's already started, Brother Imam. In fact,  to deviate       for a minute.  I was in Bermuda this weekend with the believers there and they told me to give you the greeting.

IWDM:  Thank you. Return the greetings to the them.

IFM:  Yes sir.  And one of the things that were brought out... We met with some people there and they had some problems and what have you.  And that was one of the things that we explained to them.  They talked about the four Imams, be ready for a fifth . Imam.

IWDM:  Insha Allah.

IFM: Kasha Allah.  Number 8.  Should an Imam perform Janaza for people that haven't taken shahada, but are asked to do so.

IWDM: No. If they never took shahada and their relatives are requiring it and we don't have any verification that this person actually was Muslim, then we shouldn't do it.  But even though they didn't take shahada the formal way, we know they were Muslims, they were known as Muslim, they let it be known that they were Muslim, then we have to accept that.

IFM: What about a man that has a past, or died by drug overdose or some type of brutal crime. Say he killed somebody and in return he was killed, or something like that, but he claimed to

IFM:  be Muslim. and his parents want a Muslim funeral?

IWDM:  Well again, if it was known that he was a Muslim that he identified his self as a Muslim, we have to give him a Muslim burial.  But if he just had the name and we know he didn't attend Masjid meetings, he didn't pray, and didn't live the life, at all, of a Muslim, then we should refuse, even though he went in the name of Muslim.  We should refuse, cause he's a hypocrite.

IFM:  Should there be, or do you recommend a dress code for youth in reference to sports, etc.  And your opinion on youth's unities, dances?

IWDM:  In reference to sports? Yes sir.

IWDM:  I think we should follow the Sunnah.  That is, that in public the males, if they are 12 years or more, the males should have at least a cover going below the knee and up to the breast. That is covering the stomach too, it should be covered.

IFM: Yes sir, and what about the sisters?

IWDM: All the way covered. (Yes)

IFM: And your opinion on youth unities, youth dances?

IWDM: Yes, as long as they are supervised by Muslims that practice their faith, that practice their religion and they are known to be good Muslims by the local people.  Then if they have couples supervising them, it doesn't have to be a couple, just a man and a

IWDM:  woman supervising them, better if they are carried people, that would be good.  It's better to have, in my opinion, supervised entertainment and dances for the teenagers, than to have them going out in the street seeking all of their pleasures outside of this
Ummah.

IFM:  That's right.  What about adult dances or community dances, etc, things along that line?

IWDM:  I can accept that too, but I think it should just be married couples and if single people attend a function like that they should just observe, not dance.

IFM: Yes sir, and if you had a single social, forum for them to talk or ...

IWDM: Yes, there may be some games they could play.  I thought maybe ping pong, there's different games like table tennis and snuffle board, some kind of ...

IFM: Scrabble or something like that, things that they could come together on and conversation is created under that. I understand, yes sir.

IWDM: Yes, that's right.

IFM: For moral violations of members, what is the procedure, the "how to"? For example (the example that was given by one of the Imams): A sister was in the Masjid, she gets pregnant, leaves the Masjid, comes back with a baby, no husband, etc. - No excuse, she just has a baby.  Can something be done, or in fact, say, just

IFM:  moral violations in general, how do you approach that?

IWDM:  Well, if she goes away and comes back with a baby, then somebody should have knowledge of her and unless somebody has knowledge of her and established that she actually committed adultery, then there's nothing you can do.  So the people who look at her and actually they suspect that she has done wrong, but if she haven't confessed to it and it hasn't actually been proven there's nothing that you can do.

IFM: What about violations that have been clearly proven, say if adultery, or, again, I'm just pulling off the top of my head. Something as such, fornication or in other words, I guess the question directs itself to the "how to" the Imam wanted to hear.

IWDM: All I can do is tell you what I've been doing. 

IFM:  That's what we want to hear, Brother Imam. IWDM:  You all have to be the judge. 

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM: What I've done, if it was a crime against the religion and not a legal offense, in the terms of the law of the land, then what I've done is just bring it to the community's attention, and if it was serious, serious that is, if the person ... If I determined that the person was really not trying to restrain themselves and was really giving themselves to that kind of behavior, then I made strong statements against them and identified their, before the community, and let the people know that those such persons, till

IWDM:  they have sufficient time to establish a name or a record for themselves different from that bad one, that they will not be given any positions of trust and they should not be trusted in the community by other members.  The members should not trust them. That's what I've done.  But if I determined from the information that I had of that person, or the knowledge that I had of that person, if I determined that that person was not a person who gave themselves to the act or to that bad behavior, but was a kind of victim of circumstances, or confessed to it and had repented, and I thought that they would not likely get into that, again soon, then I'd try, if I could, if they would invite me to, I'd try to talk to them personally and privately.  

And if it was known throughout the community, then I would bring the good character of that person before the community and I would even say "We pray God, forgive them" and in this society and this part of the world we can understand being forced or being caught in situations, or being forced to commit acts unbecoming of a Muslim sometimes.  So, I've treated it that way.  If a person has tendencies that are bad and it seems that they are just giving themselves to those weaknesses, I took a strong step (against them). But if they didn't, if they were people whose tendencies were good and they looked like they were trying hard to live a good life and they made a mistake, then I tried to protect them and when I couldn't protect them, I then brought it before the community and showed the good side of that person to the community.

IFM:  Okay, Praise be to Allah.  That's beautiful, Brother Imam.

IWDM:  If it was a legal defense of a serious nature, then first quietly, if it's not brought to the attention of the law, and I feel that this person is a threat to society, quietly I would have somebody bring it to the attention of the law. We have an obligation to protect the law of the land.

IFM: Number 11.  Interest; banks, etc. What is your position on that?

IWDM:  Banks and interest, no way to avoid it.  I don't think we should worry about it that much, at all. We should just make sure that whatever interest we get, we're not using it for...not exploiting...

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM: Capital, using it for capital gain, in an exploiting kind of way. But interest in my opinion, now, is justified because of the changing values of your money, because of inflation, etc.

IFM:  In other words, are you saying it's more like the Quran speaks about "tijaara" trade?

IWDM:  It's justified, because if you don't get interest, in time you'll be losing your money.  Your money will be eaten up by inflation...

IFM: Oh, yes sir.

IWDM: And other factors. So the interest that they're giving now, in my opinion, is not that much for us to be worried about at all because it says, do not accept interest multiplied, that's "ribad". "Ribad" interest multiplied. Multiplied today, in my opinion, means excessive.

IFM:  Like loan sharking or something?

IWDM:  That's right, excessive, (where he's) getting a lot of money back, more than justified for the money that you've giving.

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM:  The little money paid for a service like holding this money for you, so if, are they going to use it to invest it...The bank will invest your money right?

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM: So, if they1re going to use it to invest, then they owe you something, because that is an investment.  So they owe you something, and most banks will invest your money. They won't just loan it out to somebody else, but they'll also invest.  Then, if they loan it out to somebody else...Banks won't loan money to you unless you're going to invest or buy something that you really need for your house or something.  So, I don't think this system can be seen in the light of "ribad" as this system existed in the time of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH).  I don't think the system, that the banking system in the world, now, can be looked upon as that kind of system. There is ribad, there is interest, but it's not nothing like in the degree that the Quran is referring to.

IFM:  We thank Allah for you, Brother Imam.  People are just so narrow minded, but the broadnesses...

IWDM:  I know, it's very sensitive...

IFK:  Oh yes, very sensitive.

IWDM:  ...kind of questions, but we have to take a position.

IFM:  Oh yes.  We don't have no problems with that.  Again, the idea, I guess, is just verification, re-verification, because what you're saying is just so true.  It's so clear. And a lot of that has to do with people not understanding America, and what's going on in America.(Imam Muhammad agrees) They think they do, because they just hear words and these words represent charge words from former teachers or whatever.

IWDM:  That's right.

IFM:  Okay. What role can Imams involve themselves in, in addition to his duties, without experiencing conflicts.  For example: Imam as a politician, Imam as an actor, or Imam as an entertainer, etc.?

IWDM: Well, I think, he should be careful and not involve himself in any that would reflect bad on his role as Imam, and I would think the entertainment world would stain his image.

IFM:  Sure.

IWDM: But business is good. A good business is good, and I would think politics, as long as he's not getting into dirty politics, that'll be good too. 

IFM:  Yes sir.

IWDM:  The only thing that I'd be a little worried about is that entertainment world.

IFM: Yes sir, okay.  We only have a few more to go, Brother Imam. What has been your position or policy relating to so-called Muslims: Ansars, Ismalis, Nation of Islam, Ahmadias, etc.?

IWDM:  Well, I think any group of Muslims, group of people that call themselves Muslim, that we know to be living the life or promoting that idea or competing against our religion, we shouldn't associate with them.  And if we know that many of their people are innocent, then we don't attack them we don't draw no attention to them, just know that they're not accepted as they are, and don't involve ourselves.

IFM: Okay. Yes sir.

IWDM: That's my position.  So I don't get involved with Ahmadias or Ansars or any of those people.

IFM: Yes sir, okay.  Is W.D. Muhammad publications available for publishing other books?

IWDM: Yes, but it would be accepted on individual basis. 

IFM: Yes sir.

WVDM:  That is the individual would have to show me the book or present the material to me, and I would approve or disapprove, on an individual kind of relationship.

IFM:  Okay, yes sir.  A Muslim woman marrying a Christian man. What is our position on this and should the Imam perform this kind of wedding?

IWDM:  That's another touchy one. 

IFM:  Yes sir.

IWDM:  Now, most of the Muslims that I've talked to, Imams from immigrant Muslim communities, and overseas, they feel that a Muslim should never marry his daughter to a non-Muslim.  They believe that, they say that the people of the book, that are acceptable in marriage, only mean the women are acceptable.  But a man, a Muslim man can marry the woman and seems that their main reason for it, is that they believe that the man has the power and also the right of guardianship, or whatever, in case there's a divorce or something...

IFM:  Yes sir.

IWDM:  ...over the children.  But that's not the case.  Back in the past the courts have favored the women, not the man.  So I differ with them.  They say that the man will also inherit the wealth, but that's in their part of the world, not this part of the world. Over here, it's left up to the courts who'll get the money and who'll get the children and it hasn't been that the man gets the children and the money.  It's been just the other way around.

IFM:  That's correct.

IWDM:  So that may change, but I don't think that we should worry about that.  I think, as long as the sister believe that the man is a person who respects her religion and do not have any problems with her living her religion and profess to that and she feels that one day he may even become a Muslim, himself, there's some evidence that he may become a Muslim, himself, then I usually go along with it.

IFM:  Okay, yes sir. In fact, another thing they don't realize, Brother Imam, is that the woman, she has just as much influence to bring him to Islam, as the man.  I've seen it so many times.
What is the organizational structure for the American Muslim, as it relates to international questions or decisions: a) Foreign Muslims b)  Other nations c) Handling of dignitaries, ambassadors, etc.  d)  Islamic organizations; Muslim World League for instance, etc.

IWDM: Again, my advice would simply be to be very careful, in approaching relationships like that, but we need to have some kind of association with other Islamic organizations, immigrant Muslims, and all.

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM:  So just search among them and find those that would present the least difficulties or the least amount of problems for us, in being associated with them.  As for dignitaries, we extend to them respect and hospitality when they cone to our facilities. Or, if we know that they are coming to visit, a well established and respected personality from the Islamic world is visiting our city, we would like to let him know or his party know that we wish him well and welcome him to our city, and extend to them, again, an offer to assist them, to help make their stay comfortable. And sometimes an arrangement can be made with the local government people or state department, if they are guests of government.

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM:  Arrangements could be made where you would be a kind of a host. Muslims might be accepted, local Muslims mosque or community might be accepted as a host for that person, to help the government make him comfortable, provide for their while they1 re here.
We have had the government office notify us that certain people were here.  Not me directly, but we were notified, and that they were looking for Muslims because this person was a good Muslim. They were looking for Muslims that this person could visit while they were here.  So that happened several times.  So there is a desired relationship that we want with immigrant Muslims and its organizations and their institutions, and hospitality that we would like to extend to dignitaries coming from overseas or from other parts of the United States, into our local area. But we have to be very cautious, if we know that the people are not controversial figures that would present a problem.

IFM:  Sure, okay.  Y/e have four or five more, Brother Imam. National concerns in the USA government, can we consult you on serious masjid problems, as related to Quran and Hadith? How's this consultation done?

IWDM:  Sure, I'm available for discussion, because we're going to have similar problems, as you all.  Here, I'm going to have their, too and if it helps us to sit down and discuss these things, then I'm available to meet with you all, periodically, like we did once or twice a year.

IFM:  Yes sir.

IWDM:  And also by phone or mail, but it shouldn't be Just an open invitation because you know too much would put me back to work again.

IFM: Oh, yes sir.  I know that, Brother Imam.

IWDM:  So it's up to the convener of the Majlis.  So that I handle it, maybe, on a monthly basis.

IFM: And I want you to know, Brother Imam, I work hard to protect that too. We don't want to do that again, believe me.

IWDM:  I appreciate that.

IFM: Yes sir.

IWDM:  I'm free of some things, so I can concentrate on the work
that I think I do best. 

IFM:  That's right.

IWDM:  The work of Dawah.

IFM:  And we all need that.  Believe me, that's why I work to do that, too.
The best way to liquidate Masjid real estate holdings and distribution of funds?

IWDM:  Well, just to make sure, I would, if there was any doubt as to the ownership of the property, clear that up first.  Even if you need to discuss it with lawyers, you know, clear that up first.  Don't touch property unless it's sure that you're the legal owner.  And I would say (that you would have to bring) the financial situation so that it could be managed, reasonably, so that it can be managed in a practical reasonable way.  If you know you've got properties or investments that are draining, taking from the community, they are not bringing anything in, into the local Masjid or local area, then the wise thing to do is to sell them and re-invest (them), any possible way, or put that money where it's taking care of some real need that you have.  And I would think that the only thing you would need is the community, a meeting of (people),directly supporting members, to just convene and form a resolution. Make a resolution that these members, along with the Imam and whoever he wants to involve, have resolved to sell certain properties.  So that it would officially be put in some kind of record or minutes, and then, go on and do the practical and best thing for the members, for the (whole of the community).

IFM: A brother by the name of Abdus Salaam Muhammad, he keeps calling me, and also he's written and I told him the next time I talk to you I would ask you this.  He would like to know the condition of the farm, he said, chicken farm that was located in
Cassapolis, Michigan, and also he said Sister Vanada would like to talk with you.  You know whom I'm talking about?

IWDM:  No, I think I might know that brother, Abdus Salaam. 

IFM:  Yes.  Brother Abdus Salaam.

IWDM:  Yes, I think I might know him.  Tell him that the Cassapolis farm was sold.  It must have sold around '78 or '79, I believe. And like other properties that were a liability on us, that weren't bringing in nothing, just a liability, we sold them.  They were sold and the money was used to take care of national financial problems for the community.  Some of the money had to be put in escrow.  I think some of that money still is in... What you call that, trust?

IFM:  Yes.

IWDM:  Trust, right, in escrow, waiting on the decision of the courts.  I think two tracts of that land was listed as land belonging to Elijah Muhammad and his family,  at least one tract of it, I know.  And that money is in escrow, waiting on the decision of the probate.

IFM: Is that the same thing with the monies. . .Well I guess it would be... that were in the banks.  Like say, we have a believer here, she had something like $4,000 or $5,000 in the bank in 2 or 3 different accounts.

IWDM:  No, it had nothing to do with that

IFM:  It has nothing to do with that? Cause she had sent soi..e letters to Chicago, etc., but she never got anything, or any return on that, or any information on that.  Would you know...

IWDM:  I know everybody didn't get their money back, but I think a great majority did.

IFM: She has the bank books and everything, Brother Imam.  To...

IWDM:  She should bring them out here and send them out here. Maybe you could bring their, the next time you come out here.

IFM:  Yes sir.

IWDM: Bring them out here and show them to Mustapha and see if Mustapha can give her some kind of help.

IFM:  I see, okay, fine.

IWDM: The bank was taken over by another bank, and all the accounts were given to that other bank's accounts.

IFM: Okay.

IWDM: The savings were in that Guaranteed Bank, and when the Guaranteed Bank was sold, pardon me, wasn't sold, it was bought up.  The Federal reserve bought the bank.  It bought our bank to sell or to be taken over by another bank, and all the accounts were taken over by that bank.

IFM:  Imam W.D. Muhammad, how do we best help you in promotion of your evangelistic propagation programs in each region? Best times? Size crowd expected? Cost projection? V/ell you wouldn't have to

IFM:  worry about those particular concerns, just about how do we best help you in promotion of your evangelistic propagation programs in each region?

IWDM:  If we can have a regional program, a program where the region would invite me in say, once a year.  And have it regularly so that to get the other regions, so that, not to, spaced out over the year, spaced out nicely, possibly over the year. So not to have them too close together.  And invite me into the region and find a situation where the public, the neutral ground, kind of situation, so the public will have no problem coming there,
even if they had a problem with the Muslims, with the local people, (Muslims) cause many times they could have problems with the local people, and they disregard us, you know. But if they hear a National figure is coming in, then a lot of times, they come out and see what's happening.  

So if they can find a public building, and really schools are not good.  In my opinion, schools are not the best.  If a convention hall is too expensive most of the time, there might be cheaper places to get, cheaper public facilities, at a public rent.  Even places rented for entertainment is okay. And when we come and make a talk, if I know, if you've given me plenty of time to prepare for it, I can prepare a kind of  (written) address. And they can tape it, then use the tape to produce Dawah material.  Maybe, if the tape is the kind of quality that you expect it most likely will be, they can also have that tape reproduced right there on the spot and sell the tape to the audience.  That would help generate some money for the local area.
