ISAIAH News
The Minnesota legislature is working hard to enact a budget for the next two fiscal years. The goal is to complete its work by the end of the legislative session by May 19. If a budget is not enacted before then, the governor will need to call a special session in June to accomplish the task, since the 2025-2026 fiscal year begins July 1.
ISAIAH is a multifaith organization. The Muslim reflection, published in the May 19 e-news, Building a Beloved Community, speaks to the funding for a future that works for all Minnesotans.
It begins with a quote from the Qur'an 5:2 "Help one another in acts of righteousness and piety, and do not help one another in sin and aggression” and goes on with commentary: “As Muslims, we are called to build societies rooted in justice, compassion, and collective care. Taxes are one of the ways we live out this calling today. Through them, we contribute to the common good — supporting schools, hospitals, roads, and programs that uplift the most vulnerable among us. Paying taxes with sincerity can be an act of worship, recognizing that our wealth is not truly ours alone, but a trust from Allah meant to benefit all of creation. Islam teaches us that caring for one another is not optional, it is a duty.
“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reminded us that we are all shepherds, responsible for those under our care. In this spirit, taxes can be seen not as a burden but as a form of zakah, which is the purification of our wealth and souls. Just as zakah ensures that the needy are not forgotten, a just system of taxation reminds us that our prosperity is tied to the well-being of our neighbors…. When everybody pays their fair share, we honor our faith and help create a society where mercy, dignity, and justice are possible for all.”
Let us work together for the well-being of all – a when taxes are levied fairly and revenue is distributed to the benefit of everyone.
(If you would like more information about ISAIAH and its initiatives, or to join the ISAIAH-NUMC Team, please call the church office.)