Choosing Leaders: Separating Faith Values and Secular Responsibilities - Maulana Syed Muhammad Rizvi

Friday Juma KhutbaNovember 14th, 2025- Emphasizes long-standing guidance to engage politically for community benefit, choosing the “lesser of two evils” since no party fully aligns with Islamic values.- The core standard is supporting candidates who uphold justice for all, especially minorities.- The first migration to Abyssinia illustrates prioritizing a just ruler, even if he is not Muslim.- As a minority, justice must remain the central value in socio-political involvement, regardless of a candidate’s faith.- Ideally, Muslims hope for leaders who proudly maintain their Shi‘a identity- Discussing the recent victory of the New York City mayoral race, with Zohran Mamdani.- Mamdani faced opposition from MAGA supporters and anti-Palestinian groups but gained support from Democrats, left-leaning groups, and minorities for his stance on justice.- Support should go to anyone who stands for equality and justice for minorities, even if they are not Muslim.- Concerns about a candidate’s personal lifestyle or family practices should be distinguished against the nature of the position being elected for.- Religious positions require imān and taqwa; secular political positions require fairness, justice, and administrative capability. These are two different roles, for different people, and should not be mixed together- In a liberal democracy, support must be selective and purpose-driven, focusing on a candidate’s ability to deliver justice, not their lifestyle.- The Qur’anic message stresses that justice must be established and enforced for society to function.- A civil society depends on choosing leaders committed to upholding justice for all.- Engagement with broader society includes dialogue and participation in multicultural initiatives.- Local programs such as school visits, teacher training, police recruit orientations, homelessness initiatives, and food banks help educate the community about Islam.Donate towards our programs today: https://jaffari.org/donate/Jaffari Community Centre (JCC Live)