MAS Boston at the State House
posted by aishashilling - 03/20/08
MAS Boston participates in coalition against legalizing gambling in Massachusetts
Wednesday, March 19th 2008
Boston, MA
The Muslim American Society, Boston Chapter, testified yesterday in front of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies. The committee heard over 12 hours of testimony from lawmakers, union workers, religious leaders, and others, to reach a recommendation regarding Governor Deval Patrick's proposal to boost the economy by legalizing gambling and establishing three casinos in Massachusetts.
A vote by the committee today could send the issue to the full House as early as Thursday, with either a positive or negative recommendation. Traditionally, a committee vote carries great weight on the floor.
Ahmed Elewa, Outreach Coordinator for MAS Boston, addressed the committee as follows (summarized):
Thank you Mr. Chairman. I would like to start by expressing my great respect for this committee who has endured over 10 hours of testimonies to ensure that everyone's voice is heard. This has been a truly inspiring experience for me.
My name is Ahmed Elewa, and I direct the Outreach Center at the Muslim American Society in Boston. The Boston Globe estimates that there are around 60,000 Muslims in the Greater Boston Area. Last September we organized an event that attracted 10,000 of them. I am here today to represent the Muslim community.
I would like to start my testimony with a verse from the Quran. This verse was revealed when the Prophet Muhammad was asked about gambling.
[Recited in Arabic]:
يَسْألُونَكَ عَنْ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ قُلْ فِيهِمَا اِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَناَفِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَاِثْمُهُمَا اكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا
[Translated in Enlish]:
"They ask you [O' Muhammad] about intoxicants and gambling. Say, 'In them is great harm, as well as benefit, but the harm outweighs the benefits".
I beg to differ with the Governor, who stated that the decision that needs to be made is about tolerating the little harm that will result, for the interest in the greater benefit. No, but rather, the harms will outweigh the benefits.
That is what most of the testimonies today were all about, weighing the benefits and the harms. This testimony is not about disputing the benefits, for they are acknowledged, but it is a strong reminder of the harms that will result.
20,000 jobs may be an attractive benefit, but how many thousand others will go bankrupt as a result of gambling?
Providing thousands of households with income may be an attractive benefit, but how many thousand households will be devastated due to the negative side-effects of gambling?
Millions of dollars in revenue may be an attractive benefit, but how much will the State have to spend in law enforcement, prevention programs, rehabilitation and other remedies?
We fear that this bill will become a classic example of a short-sighted policy that will cause more harm in the future, than the immediate benefits it may provide.
I would like to end with the verse I began with: "They ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say, 'In them is great harm, as well as benefit, but the harm outweighs the benefits".
Thank you.
Today MAS Boston learnt that the bill to legalize casino gambling was voted down. This is a great success alhamdulillah for all those who believe that the harms of gambling do indeed outweigh the benefits.
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For more information:
http://www.masboston.org
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2008/03/patrick_fights.html
