September 30, 2008
TO ALL WHO READ MY OPEN LETTER TO IMAM VERNON FAREED
Please know that all of the concerns that I expressed in my open letter to Imam Vernon Fareed have been clearly explained and satisfied. After posting this open letter to Imam Fareed I was informed that Imam Fareed, at the time of the conference call that he hosted was under a tremendous strain and was dealing with a most serious family problem concerning his beloved daughter being hospitalized. My comments were never meant to be mean spirited or unkind, they merely were addressing what I felt was the absence of the typical excellent and sensitive mindset that we all have come to know Imam Fareed by.
After learning of the gravity of the problem that Imam Fareed was faced with and carrying the weight of his daughter’s health challenge in his heart and on his mind, I asked myself, “how could anyone, under this type of pressure even attempt to accept to host such a forum, nevertheless, offer commentary and guidance spontaneously to a large diverse group of unknown callers, listeners and contributors? The moment that I was informed of what my brother Imam Fareed was faced with, my heart went out to him and it became crystal clear that he had given his best effort under a most trying and challenging situation. I immediately called him on the phone and expressed to him my sincere apology and let him know that our, (me and my family) sincere and heartfelt prayers were being offered for him and his most wonderful daughter and family.
Brother Imam Fareed, again I say to you and all who would read this letter from me, Please forgive me, you always have been a giant of a Muslim in this community and a bright honorable light in your living representation of Al-Islam, and I say that that light remains burning like a celestial star.
Sincerely, Your brother in Al-Islam
Brother Muhammad Siddeeq
