Houstonian Corner, Vol. 8 Iss. 48

Special radio program for “revert” Muslims

The Islamic Society of Greater Houston (ISGH) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) have been doing since April 2000 an Islamic Radio Program called “Elements of Faith” in Houston, via AM-1560-KILE every Sunday between 4 and 5 p.m. The program can be heard worldwide via the internet at www.kile1560.com. Archives of the programs are available at www.whyislam-tx.org

Recently, ISGH and ICNA have introduced a new segment in the program, which is specifically for those Muslims who used to be non-Muslims and have reverted back to Islam. The idea is to gather their experiences as new Muslims; assist them with the new Muslim life-style and to develop better understanding between on the one hand people who were born in Muslim families and countries and, on the other, those who have just become Muslim.

ICNA also runs television Programs on Islam. The English program is called “The Islamic Perspective” and is aired on local Houston Public Access Warner Cable Channel 17, every Tuesday from 8 to 8:30 p.m, and in Spanish again on local Houston Public Access Warner Cable Channel 17 every Sunday 8 and 8:30 p.m.

ISGH and ICNA are always looking for new Muslim talent, and if you want to be part of Radio and TV Islamic Programs, call Samid AL-Khatib at 713-647-1369.

First Lawsuit on Red Light Cameras

The first group of ten red light cameras used to monitor red light running were installed in the Greater Houston Region earlier in Summer 2006 at the following intersections: Bay Area Blvd. @ El Camino Real – Bellaire @ Fondren – Bellaire @ Wilcrest – Bingle @ Pinemont – Elgin @ Milam – Hilcroft @ Harwin – Hillcroft @ Westpark – John F. Kennedy @ Greens Rd. – and – Richmond @ Dunvale, Travis @ Webster.

These sites were selected based on the number of crashes that occurred at the intersections and the number of crashes that occurred at the intersections where red light running was a contributing factor.

Now, a Houston man photographed by the red light cameras, has gone to court to contest his ticket. Michael Kubosh, who says he deliberately ran a red light in order to be photographed, is fighting the red light camera program in Houston. He said he did it because the cameras violate state law. Kubosh’s brother is representing him. The local bail bondsman said he ran the light at Milam and Elgin, so that he could receive a ticket and have grounds for a lawsuit.

Galleria & other business centers happy that janitor strike ends

For the past month, major commercial centers in Houston faced traffic blockades due to protesting janitors. There’s been some progress in the janitor’s strike: But as progress was being made, several allegations surfaced about mistreatment by law enforcement officers.

Now, hopefully, there will be no more random traffic jams in the Galleria or downtown, as the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) representing Building Cleaning Janitors and the Cleaning Companies have reached a preliminary agreement. Sources say Mayor White made many phone calls over the past several weeks to smooth things over behind the scenes.

SEIU Texas has issued this communiqué: “Hello everyone – What a difference a day makes! We have reached a tentative agreement for a 3 year contract for janitors – wages: $1.15 increase the first year, $1.00 the second year, and $.50 the third year – health care: The third year is when single payer health insurance will kick in and janitors will pay $20 per month into that plan– it is a plan designed and managed by SEIU and we are hoping to get all of our members nationwide on this plan–vacation: two weeks paid vacation per year–holidays: 6 paid holidays–hours: 1st year everyone must work a minimum of 4 hours a day, 2nd year everyone must work a minimum of 5 hours per day, 3rd year everyone must work a minimum of 6 hours per day–protection: we have a grievance procedure in place– We have protection for all of the striking workers to get their jobs back with no discipline–we have a disciplinary procedure in place so that no one can be illegally fired for no reason any more.”

SEIU is fighting for Service Industry Workers Rights in several States across the USA.

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