Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful Peace be upon you, Racism was in the US news recently. Racism is wrong and has its roots in ego. Satan was the first racist (Quran 7:12, 38:76), believing that his creation from "fire" made him superior to the humans who were created from "clay". God teaches us in the Quran that all human beings are descendants of Adam and Eve, so how can we be genetically "superior" to anyone else? Indeed, the only criterion for distinguishing among people is righteousness of the soul (Quran 49:13, 25:77). The Only Criterion For Distinguishing Among The People [Quran 49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant. Variations in skin color are among God's proofs, just as variations in languages are (Quran 30:22). God designed this diversity in humans, as He designed humans to marry and love (Quran 30:20-21) or to sleep and work (Quran 30:23). More Proofs [Quran 30:22-23] Among His proofs are the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colors. In these, there are signs for the knowledgeable. Among His proofs is your sleeping during the night or the day, and your working in pursuit of His provisions. In this, there are sufficient proofs for people who can hear. Should we not believe God when He teaches that skin color or gender (or any genetic manifestation) has nothing to do with being better or worse? We seek refuge in God to protect us from Satan's whispers to the contrary. References: Racism, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2000/aug/page1.html Universal Unity, http://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/1987/sep/page3.html Peace.