POSITIVE ISLAM

NYT Books: Love Inssh'Allah

2012-02-04T11:15:00.001-08:00

The New York Times ( January 2012) has a review of Love Insh'Allah a new anthology edited by Ayesha Mattu and Nura Maznavi (Lifting Veil on Love and Islam):

The two editors, Ayesha Mattu and Nura Maznavi, sought to create a book that dispelled the stereotype of Muslim women as mute and oppressed. They gathered 24 portraits of private lives that expose a group in some cases kept literally veiled, yet that also illustrate that American Muslim women grapple with universal issues.

“We are thought of as being submissive and given in marriage to big, bearded men,” said Ms. Mattu, 39, an international development consultant, “while the reality is that a majority of American Muslim women are creative, funny, intelligent and opinionated.”

You can read the full review here.

British Museums Hajj Exhibition: Media Coverage

2012-02-04T10:43:00.000-08:00

The media has been covering the British Museum's newest exhibition Hajj: Journey to the heart of Islam, quite extensively:

The Guardian - Prejudices about Islam will be shaken by this show
Like Hindus, Buddhists, Jews, Christians, Sikhs and secularists, some Muslims have undoubtedly been violent and intolerant, but the new exhibition at the British Museum – Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam – is a timely reminder that this is not the whole story. The hajj is one of the five essential practices of Islam; when they make the pilgrimage to Mecca, Muslims ritually act out the central principles of their faith. Equating religion with "belief" is a modern western aberration. Like swimming or driving, religious knowledge is practically acquired. You learn only by doing. The ancient rituals of the hajj, which Arabs performed for centuries before Islam, have helped pilgrims to form habits of heart and mind that – pace the western stereotype – are non-violent and inclusive.

Daily Mail (26 January 2012) - Mysteries of the hajj revealed as British Museum opens exhibition on Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca
"A major exhibition devoted to the annual pilgrimage to Mecca aims to lift the veil on a ritual that has remained a mystery to many in the non-Muslim world.
'Hajj: journey at the heart of Islam' has arrived at the British Museum and curators hope an insight into the historical and spiritual journey will draw in both Muslims as well as non-Muslims.
I think what the exhibition does is to talk about the one facet of Islam we don't know much about and that it's very much about peace"

Financial Times (27 January 2012) - Pilgrims’ Progress
The British Museum’s new exhibition on the Hajj is the most complete such enterprise yet undertaken. In a story that stretches from ancient beginnings to modernity, many of the rituals are unchanging, even if the infrastructure surrounding the trip has transformed dramatically. What was once a perilous voyage with serious risk of illness or loss of life is today administered by specialist travel agents who offer packages with visas and vaccinations included. It is just as well: annual visitors are estimated to top the 3m mark in the next few years. It is a testament both to the enduring hold of the Islamic faith and to the ability of this remarkable event to adapt with the times.
The historical section of the show is a tale of progress forged by continuing devotion (and serves as a corrective to the western assumption that modernity and secularism go hand in hand). There are fabulous accounts of the journey that are, if nothing else, important documents of sociology. The pilgrims of the 19th century, for example, were the first to notice the disparity between their modest surrounds and the wealth, and growing imperial ambitions, of western powers.

Wall Street Journal (27 January 2012): The British Museum's Pilgrimage
A clearer understanding of Islam has become an urgent priority for the West. And this may very well be the closest guide to experiencing one of its central rituals—and, as the exhibition demonstrates, ideas of community, trade and shared knowledge—that any non-Muslim will be able to obtain, since the Hajj itself is reserved for the faithful.
As the exhibition shows, the practicalities of organizing the Hajj are astounding. While the manuscripts and etchings of the 19th century had already identified it as a marvel, the development of first steamships, and then the railways and air travel, made it what Mr. MacGregor calls "on a planetary scale, one of the more remarkable things humans do." A timeline on one wall points out that, while there were around 30,000 pilgrims in the early 1930s, almost three million people now visit Mecca for the Hajj each year.

The Telegraph (04 February 2012) - Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam, British Museum, review
The first thing confronting you as you step up beneath the old reading room dome is an extraordinary aerial photograph of the Ka’aba, the sanctuary in the centre of Mecca, surrounded by perfect concentric circles formed by hundreds of thousands of praying pilgrims, filling not just the immediate courtyard, but the surrounding terraces and vast squares. It looks at first disconcertingly like some huge piece of devotional performance art – if I can say that without being remotely offensive. And at the same time it brings home the fact that with its emphasis on unitary oneness, Islamic art is in essence abstract.
Among many intriguing exhibits, my favourite was an exercise book containing the Hajj diary of a London schoolgirl, written in a rounded girlish hand: “words cannot describe the emotions that are created when one looks at the Ka’aba, such a simple object structurally yet so majestic and awe-inspiring it is difficult to take your eyes off it.”
The sentiments are Islamic, the means of expression a product of the British education system. If this was Britain’s contribution to the vast culture of the Hajj, it made one feel oddly proud.

British Museum: Hajj Journey to the Heart of Islam

2012-02-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

The British Museum has an exhibition called Hajj journey to the heart of Islam. The exhibition is on from 26 January to 15 April 2012 and explores British Muslims hajj experiences. There is a page for people's stories:

"I was privileged to make the Hajj of 2011. The moment you enter the Harem Mosque and first lay eyes on the Ka’ba feels like the day you are truly born of life, your soul, heart and eyes soften and ease to the glorious sight. It’s incredible, so many Muslim around the globe pray towards and visualise this point before ever making the journey, now I have returned home I think it is testament to the faith."

"The highlight of my Hajj was to walk with millions of people wearing the same piece of simple cloth, saying same words here I am at thy service oh Lord, here I am, submitting ourselves to Allah. It was very uplifting to be united with people from all walks of life from all over the world as one umah (community) all for the sake of God Almighty. That sudden feeling of Joy once I completed all rituals of Hajj gave me the feeling I was reborn clean of sins and hoping that my Hajj has been accepted."

"I made my Umra 7 years ago and to this day the memories send shivers down my spine. It was magical; more magical than Disneyland!! Words alone can't explain the uplifting and exhilarating feeling rippling through myself! My favourite part was when we set foot inside the Haram and my siblings and I were going to lay eyes on the Ka'ba for the first time. We kept our eyes on the ground and only when we reached the courtyard did we look up. Wow. Gobsmacked. Amazing. I could only hear the birds singing and the general hum of people praying; I'd zoned out and no word in the entire dictionary will come close to describing how I felt. Pure, pure serenity :) The overall experience is very humbling. As I'm writing this, I'm smiling."

As well as hajj stories, the exhibition promises "beautiful objects, including historical and contemporary art, textiles and manuscripts". You can visit the websit to book tickets here.

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Hajj certificate (detail). 17th–18th century AD. Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art Khalili Family Trust (image source)

Huffington Post: The Last Sermon of the Prophet Muhammad

2012-02-04T09:26:00.000-08:00

Imam Abdullah Antepli, the Muslim Chaplain at Duke University writes for the Huffington Post (2 February 2012) on the Prophet's (PBUH) last sermon, describing it as "earliest declarations of human rights in written history":

"For those who can drop their 21st century cultural baggage and read this sermon in its own historical context, one can't help but admire it as one of the earliest declarations of human rights in written history. Almost everything he says in this prophetic sermon was almost unheard of and inconceivable prior to the arrival of Islam. The prophet of Islam addresses some of the core universal values in a society where those values are long forgotten and violated in a systemic basis. The prophet didn't only say but transformed his society, in a very short period of time, remarkably in all the values and lessons that he talks about.

All human beings are equal, racial supremacy is unacceptable, women have rights, socio-economic inequality is despicable and should be fought against and so on. In twenty three years he united a deeply divided and polarized Arabian peninsula, stopped the ongoing bloodshed, restored the dignity of women, minimized the gap between the poor and the rich and more. In his lifetime former slaves become governors of provinces and generals. Centuries old, deeply rooted primitive patriarchal and oppressive cultural practices were wiped out, racism and tribalism were defeated. There is hardly any other religious figure who has been as successful both in religious terms as well as in secular terms as Muhammad.

In this sermon of Muhammad, Muslims find their deep commitment to the universal human values such as sacredness of life and property, equality, justice, peace and more. Upon these high universal values, the religion of Islam was built."

You can read a translation of the semon and the full article here.

Liam Neeson on Islam

2012-02-04T00:27:00.000-08:00

Independent Film and Cinema (25 January) quotes an interview with Liam Neeson in which he shares his thoughts on Islam:

"He famously played a cleric in Cal, and was named after a priest, but Liam Neeson has admitted he is now considering converting to Islam.

The Ballymena raised star has told one British newspaper that Islamic prayer "got into his spirit" while filming in Turkish city Istanbul.

He said: "The Call to Prayer happens five times a day and for the first week it drives you crazy, and then it just gets into your spirit and it's the most beautiful, beautiful thing.

"There are 4,000 mosques in the city. Some are just stunning and it really makes me think about becoming a Muslim."

You can read the full article here.

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ISNA and Deaf Muslim Family Conference

2012-01-13T12:33:00.000-08:00

The Islamic Society of America recently co-sponsored the Deaf Muslim Family conference:

"As a part of ISNA's ongoing efforts to provide quality education to the community about Islam and create environments in our mosques and Islamic centers that are inclusive and empowering to all, ISNA co-sponsored the Deaf Muslim Family conference last weekend in Virginia. Current and past ISNA Presidents Imam Mohamed Magid and Dr. Ingrid Mattson both spoke at the event, organized by Global Deaf Muslim, and have been very active in their own communities to make them more inclusive.

Imam Magid stressed the importance for our leaders and communities to make it a highest priority to develop programs and accommodations, such as a sign language interpreter during Friday prayers, to better include our deaf community members. Many of them currently attend prayers without the ability to hear and learn from the knowledge that is passed along each Friday.

Dr. Mattson spoke about the Islamic perspective on deafness and the role that our community should play with respect to deaf Muslims. In particular, she notes our responsibility as people of faith to protect the diverse needs of our communities by reflecting that diversity in our leadership. Our ability to see the needs of others is limited by our own perspective, she says, therefore, if our leadership is not reflective of our diverse community, many people's needs will continue to go unnoticed and unfilled."

Learn more here.

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Some 2011 Round-Ups

2012-01-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

A few people have posted summaries of some of the Muslim good news stories from 2011:

Muslimah Next Door has posted "The Best ‘Good News’ Muslim Stories of 2011" (also posted at AltMuslim here)

Islamophobia Today has "My favorite 2011 Good News Stories About Muslims"

I hope 2012 brings plenty more good news for Muslim insh'Allah.

White House Honours Linda Sarsour

2012-01-13T12:07:00.000-08:00

Illume magazine highlights the acheivements of Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York (AANY) after she received the Champion for Change Award:

"Last Thursday, the White House honored Brooklyn activist, Linda Sarsour, and nine others with the Champion for Change Award for their advocacy work in their communities.

Linda Sarsour, 31, who was not drawn to activism as a student, is now the executive director of the Arab American Association of New York (AANY). She joined AANY in 2002 to provide guidance to a worried Muslim-American community in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Since then, her work has expanded to areas such as community development, youth empowerment, community organizing, civic engagement and immigrants’ rights advocacy.

Sarsour’s advocacy is far reaching, and has also led her to local Democratic politics. In the months leading up the 2008 presidential elections, she organized a large voter turnout initiative directed towards the Arab American community in Brooklyn community.

Most recently, Sarsour organized and protested at the forefront of two rallies held by the Muslim community in New York: the first was an Islamic prayer and protest held in Zuccoti Park to show solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement and the second was a rally and prayer to protest the NYPD surveillance of Muslims in New York.

The Champion of Change Award, which is part of President Obama’s Winning the Future initiative, is one of number of awards that Sarsour has received which includes the Brooklyn Do-Gooder Award from the Brooklyn Community Foundation."

You can see the original article here.

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A Few Good Muslim Men

2011-12-29T00:56:00.000-08:00

Human Rights Attorney Engy Abdelkader writes for the Huffington Post (27th December 2011) aboue the Muslim men who challenge the stereotype about misogynistic Muslims by giving numerous examples of men who have taken steps to improve the situation of women:

"A Few Good Muslim Men - Honoring Those Who Honor Women

If the stereotypical Muslim woman is an oppressed one, then the archetypal Muslim male is responsible for her condition. In news stories, popular entertainment media and even video games, the image of the violent, misogynistic or abusive Muslim man is present time and again.
To be sure, bad apples exist in every religious, ethnic and racial group. But there is a dearth of positive Muslim portrayals to counteract such negative images on TV or the big screen. As a result, your everyday regular Omars and Mohammeds are sometimes viewed with suspicion and fear.

As 2011 draws to a close, we take a moment to recognize the following Muslim men -- fathers, brothers, husbands, academics, advocates and religious leaders -- selected by others for their individual contributions to the lives of women and, thus, humanity at large:

Asim Rehman (36, New York): Asim is in-house counsel who volunteers his time representing domestic violence victims. Asim's wife describes him as a "fabulous" partner who encourages her intellectual pursuits. Asim has turned down professional opportunities requiring relocation so that his wife can remain in her NYC post, which she loves. The couple is expecting their first child and Asim "cooks, cleans and grocery shops without complaining." His wife says she "can't imagine a better partner than Asim."

Shyam K. Sriram (32, Georgia): A college professor, Shyam is known for his stance against violence against women and girls. In less than one year, he helped a fledgling initiative -- Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence -- become a viable one. Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence trains Muslim men how to teach others that violence against women and girls is Islamically impermissible.

Abed Awad (42, New Jersey): Abed was recognized by his colleagues for the work he has done on behalf of Muslim women both as a past Board Member of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights, and on the legal front. An accomplished attorney with his own practice, he has earned a reputation for defending women's rights in religious divorces and other family law disputes.

Davi Barker (30, California): An artist and writer, Davi's wife -- an activist, attorney and community leader -- described him in this way: "He is exactly what I dreamed of when I thought I wanted to marry a man who lived his life and marriage through his faith. Religion, and more specifically 'love and mercy' dictate everything he does in our relationship. His support is what makes my work as [head of a civil rights organization] possible. From being understanding when I have a difficult case or am coming home late regularly to helping with the graphic design for [my organization] and carrying more than a fair share of chores around the house ... I couldn't do this without him."

Imam Mohamed Magid (40ish, Virginia): Imam Magid is the Imam of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS Center) located in Sterling, Va. He is also President of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). Imam Magid was referenced by a congregant who characterized him as, "One of the biggest advocates out there for women's rights." He conducts domestic violence prevention training seminars for other Imams around the country and serves on the Board of Directors of Peaceful Families, a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence in Muslim families.

Omar Sharif (29, California): Omar was a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda who spearheaded numerous small business projects which placed women at the forefront.
Mohamed Tantawi (38, New Jersey): Mohamed's wife says of him: "He's a great pediatrician, he does most of the cooking (and well too), he sings at Carnegie Hall. Most importantly, he does all that is in his power to preserve our family dynamic, one in which he is an active partner."

Ahmad Hussain (28, California): Currently in Nashville, Tenn., completing his surgical residency, Ahmad was also suggested for inclusion on this list by his wife, a filmmaker in California. She remarked about the breadth of sacrifices Ahmed has made for her. For instance, when she indicated her willingness to sacrifice her filmmaking career which requires her to spend half her time in Los Angeles in order to stay with him in Tennessee, he was adamantly opposed to her doing so: "He said he wouldn't be happy with himself if he kept me from becoming a filmmaker. He said it makes him happy to see me doing these things. ... I know it kills him -- he's tired, he's lonely, he's hungry -- but he can't be convinced."

Abdul H. Abdullah (67, Georgia): Abdul is the Chief Financial Officer of Baitul Salaam Residence for Abused and Neglected Women and Children. In addition to contributing his time and money to the organization, he also allows battered women to seek refuge at his private family business when they are in trouble.

Taraq Chand (late 60s, New Jersey): A father of four daughters and one son, he has taught his children that Islam supports women's rights. As a result his daughters are all professionals: a doctor, chemical engineer, pharmacist and soon-to-be-lawyer.

Sheikh Abdala Adhami (Washington, D.C.): Sheikh Adhami is an Islamic scholar who has been serving the Muslim community in the U.S. for more than 20 years. A Washington, D.C. native, he was praised by several women including a New Jersey Muslim mom who described him in the following manner: "Simply a magnificent person, he spoke endlessly on women's rights in Islam, with the notion that women should know their rights and men should know in order to protect these rights, and any infringements on those rights are seen as a crime in God's eyes. He spoke of the many prominent women throughout Islamic history... and how men would travel far and wide to study at their feet. He lectured on how women, even at the time of the Prophet [Muhammed], owned their own businesses and how this money was solely theirs -- to be shared with her family at her discretion, and any money she gave to her family was a charity... [His message] was in stark contrast to what we hear from the Taliban. It brought a peace and comfort and nourished a true connection with one's Lord -- and that is what religion is supposed to do."

Nabile Safdar (35, Maryland): An accomplished doctor who recently returned from a volunteer mission to Haiti where he provided much needed medical care, Nabile is a father to three young daughters. He delivers religious sermons to his local community preaching against spousal abuse while urging men to treat women with dignity and respect.

Ezat Yosafi (Connecticut): Born in Afghanistan, Ezat was recognized by his daughter, posthumously. She attributes her professional accomplishments as an attorney to her father's guidance and advice. He passed away in Connecticut in 2008.

Furqan Ahmed (27, New Jersey): Furqan's wife says that he is "someone who has made law school a more tolerable experience. ... It is not easy to be married to a law student as law school ... involves such a dedication of time and effort. But he really pushes me to do more and presses me to follow up with law firms. ... I think it is really helpful to have someone who is a partner in all aspects."

Ali Hussain (63, Massachusetts): Ali's daughter notes, "He's coached me in multiple ways with my career, helping me overcome hurdles, to be confident in new situations, maintain integrity, be bold yet gracious in asserting my needs. He also encourages [my sisters and me] to dream big and sometimes dreams for us even bigger than we do."

Prophet Muhammad (posthumously): He is considered by Muslims to be the seal to a long line of God's prophets and messengers beginning with Adam. The Prophet Muhammad's private relationships were based on open communication and mutual respect. He never asked anyone to wait on him and participated in household chores and childcare; he used to mend his own clothes, play with children and perform chores around the home. He promoted and nurtured the education of women (e.g. Aisha bint Abu Bakr). He never raised his hand against anyone in his household. He chastised the Muslim men who dared to strike their wives. In the words of the woman who praised him, "He was kind and respected women and asked men to do the same."
While the Muslim men included above are deserving of our collective support, recognition and accolades, this list is by no means an exhaustive one. Rather, these men are representative of many more Muslims whose names are not included here but whose lives and contributions are similarly noteworthy.

If I may humbly suggest, perhaps this year Hollywood can make the following addition to its collective list of new year resolution: more positive portrayals of the American Muslim community. After all, an image of the Muslim advocate effectively representing the rights of his (or her) female Muslim client in a religious divorce or the imam educating his congregation of Muslim women's equal social status is a truer realization of art imitating life.
On the subject of accolades, a note about Muslim culture. "Mashallah" is a word frequently heard used between Muslims. It literally means "whatever God wills." And it is often said in response to hearing about a person's good deed or impressive accomplishment.

Mashallah."

The original article is here.

America's Dark Age of Islamophobia - "Un-American"

2011-12-28T01:34:00.000-08:00

The Philadelphia Enquirer carries an article by Tony Norman called "America's dark age of Islamophobia" which discusses Islamaphobi in America (and the fact that it is un-American):

"Muslims really thought they were doing the world a favor by pulling Europe and its mostly illiterate Christians out of the Dark Ages. But just because they foisted algebra, trigonometry, optics, astronomical charts, the classics, Arabic numerals, advanced surgical techniques, perspective in art, the lute, and artichokes on the world - while the Christian kings of Europe were smothering free inquiry - we're not about to give them any credit a thousand years later.
Particularly in America, we remain ignorant of Islamic contributions to Western life. We suffer from a profound cultural amnesia when it comes to remembering our millennia-long debt to our Muslim brethren. But as the song goes, what has Averroes done for us lately?

Americans are so used to thinking of Muslims as an exotic "other" that many fail to realize they're an inextricable part of who we are and have been since the nation's earliest days. Unfortunately, too many non-Muslims see them as Manchurian candidates crouching in the shadows with explosive vests, waiting for the signal to wage terror on America's malls. If you ask the average American citizen about Islam's role as an incubator of Western ideas, expect stares of incomprehension.

If this ignorance were restricted to the margins of society, it wouldn't be half as embarrassing. But Islamophobia, like its twin brother, anti-Semitism, has a way of injecting itself into the cultural discourse. Contempt for Muslims remains an acceptable prejudice for millions who continue to equate the religion with terrorism."

You can read the full article here.

American Politics and Islam-Baiting

2011-12-28T01:23:00.000-08:00

Guernica magazine has an interesting article by Stephan Salisbury called "Islam-Baiting Doesn’t Work: It Failed in Campaign 2010 and Will Do Worse in 2012"

During the 2010 midterm election campaign, virtually every hard-charging candidate on the far right took a moment to trash a Muslim, a mosque, or Islamic pieties. In the wake of those elections, with 85 new Republican House members and a surging Tea Party movement, the political virtues of anti-Muslim rhetoric as a means of rousing voters and alarming the general electorate have gone largely unchallenged. It has become an article of faith that a successful 2010 candidate on the right should treat Islam with revulsion, drawing a line between America the Beautiful and the destructive impurities of Islamic cultists and radicals.

But as the 2012 campaign ramps up along with the anti-Muslim rhetoric machine, a look back at 2010 turns out to offer quite an unexpected story about the American electorate. In fact, with rare exceptions, “Islam-bashing” proved a strikingly poor campaign tactic. In state after state, candidates who focused on illusory Muslim “threats,” tied ordinary American Muslims to terrorists and radicals, or characterized mosques as halls of triumph (and prayer in them as indoctrination) went down to defeat.

Far from winning votes, it could be argued that “Muslim-bashing” alienated large swaths of the electorate—even as it hardened an already hard core on the right.

The fact is that many of the loudest anti-Muslim candidates lost, and for a number of those who won, victory came by the smallest of margins, often driven by forces that went well beyond anti-Muslim rhetoric. A careful look at 2010 election results indicates that Islamophobic talking points can gain attention for a candidate, but the constituency that can be swayed by them remains limited, although not insignificant."

The article goes on to analyse how Islamaphobia as a campaign tactic has been largely inneffective. You can read the full article here.

Call to Action to Eradicate Domestic Violence

2011-12-28T01:02:00.000-08:00

The Canadian group Young Muslims has made a "Call to Action to Eradicate Domestic Violence" in which they list six ways that Muslims can help to end this problems:

"Prominent Canadian Muslim organizations, community leaders and activists have joined together to issue a Call to Action to Eradicate Domestic Violence. This Call highlights six ways Canadian Muslims can intensify their efforts to abolish all forms of domestic violence.

As Muslims, we base our ethics and behaviour on the teachings of the Quran and the authenticated example of the Prophet Muhammad, who never hit a woman and taught the men that “the best amongst you is he who treats women the best”. The Quran unequivocally emphasizes the sanctity of all life, forbids all forms of coercion in matters of religion, and reminds us all that each of us is accountable for our actions directly to God, the only Judge.

There is no room within these teachings for any person, by virtue of gender or position within the family, to seize control over the life and bodily security of another. Domestic violence and, in the extreme, practices such as killing to “restore family honour” violate clear and non-negotiable Islamic principles, and so we categorically condemn all forms of domestic violence."

The webiste also lists all of the Muslim organisations and Imams and community leaders that have signed up to the pledge. You can see the details of the campiagn here.

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Nobel Peace Prize Winner Tawakul Karman: Islam No Threat to Democracy

2011-12-12T13:29:00.000-08:00

Reuters (9 December 2011) carries a quotation from the Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakul Karman of Yemen:

"Islam and other religions do not threaten democracy, Yemeni activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakul Karman said on Friday.

"All the religions, they respect democracy. They respect human rights, they respect all the values that all of us carry," said Karman, 32, who will jointly receive the Nobel award on Saturday with two Liberians, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee.

The problem was not with religions themselves, said the Islamist journalist, but with the intolerant interpretation made by some of their followers.

"The only problem is the misunderstanding from the people who act -- Islam, Christian, Jewish or any other religion -- (as if to say) 'this is the religion."

You can read the full article here.

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64th International Islamic Congregation in India

2011-12-12T13:05:00.000-08:00

Indian newspaper The Pioneer reports on the 64th Alami Tablighi Ijtema or International Islamic congregation:

"Around 10 lakh people across the world participated in the three-day congregation considered to be the third biggest annual Islamic congregation after Haj pilgrimage and a meeting in Bangladesh.

During the Ijtema, world famous Islamic scholars like Moulana Saad-ul-Hasan, Moulana Ahmad Laat, and others delivered sermons on the life and practice of Prophet Mohammad and Islamic Shariat (law). They urged devotees to improve their lifestyle adopting the path shown by Prophet Mohammad and Islamic Shariat, which provides total life style.

Atique-ul-Islam, member of the organising committee said that around 10 lakh people, including about 20,000 Jamaats (groups) from all over the country and 300 delegates from more than 20 countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Afghanistan, England, Australia, Russia, Poland, Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Iran, Canada, America, Sri Lanka and China participated in the Ijtema."

You can read the full article here.

Tufaan: Muslims and the Hurricane Katrina Experience

2011-12-09T13:45:00.000-08:00

Tufaan is a documentary about the Hurricane Katrina experience. It talks about Muslims who experienced it and who were involved in the relief work after the disaster.

The website for the documentary states:

"Muslims are portrayed in the media as people who cause disasters. What they don’t portray are the Muslims who are always in the forefront of relief efforts whenever disasters strike. Tufaan wants to shed light on stories that were never covered in mainstream media.

Tufaan, which is Arabic for “Great Storm” is documentary relating personal stories from some of the survivors and relief workers of Hurricane Katrina. This documentary tells their stories of loss, despair, confusion, happiness and hope starting from the events leading up to the hit of the hurricane, to the destructive aftermath.

Tufaan will be the first of its kind– highlighting the different Islamic values that can be learned through these difficult situations.

Meet the heroes who helped the people and the stories they had to tell. And most of all, prepare for tomorrow."

You can find out more information from http://tufaanmovie.com/.

Ameena Matthews and The Interruptors Documentary

2011-12-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

In its "Top 10 of Everything 2011", at No.5 The Times magazine has the amazing Sister Ameena Matthews from The Interrupters documentary:

"Do-gooder groups, no less than Hollywood movies, benefit from star quality; and CeaseFire, the group of reformed criminals that intervenes in Chicago street disputes to prevent violence, has Ameena Matthews, a petite charisma machine in a Muslim headscarf. To Steve James' horrifying, inspiring documentary, she lends her magnetic watchability. Her job is to stanch the impulse in some kids to go, as she says, from "zero to rage in 30 seconds." When one young man tells her he fights every day, she smiles and says, "You're too handsome to do that." The daughter of the notorious gang leader Jeff Fort, now serving a 155-year prison sentence on a domestic-terrorism conviction, Matthews channels her father's seductive eloquence into crisis management. The Interrupters, which, like James' Hoop Dreams, was preposterously denied an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary, has a full posse of heroic figures trying to stop crime on the spot. But Matthews is the prime galvanizer. Addressing mourners at the funeral of a teenager who died in gang violence, she says, "We got a responsibility to bring up our community to be vibrant. Whatever it is that's going on, cease the fire, call the truce."

See the original article here.

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Female Role Models in Malaysia

2011-11-26T23:45:00.000-08:00

The New York Times (21 November 2011) reports on a new contest in Malaysia to find female Muslim role models:

"While official religious leadership in this predominantly Muslim country has traditionally been male, women in Malaysia are carving out new roles, including that of female preacher. Now, television has taken up the theme, starting rival preaching contests on separate channels: “Solehah” (pious female in Arabic), and “Ustazah Pilihan” (ideal female preacher in Malay).

“We need women preachers, rather than men,” said Siti Adibah Zulkepli, 21, after her appearance on “Solehah.” “Because they don’t face what we are facing — health problems, how to manage the house, how to manage the children. The woman knows better.”

Women in many Muslim countries have been engaged in religious education behind the scenes. In Malaysia, where women are on the rise in business, politics and academia, the new television shows have shone a spotlight on women’s growing role in religious leadership.

Contestants on “Solehah,” who are selected by auditions around the country, study Islam and get coaching in public speaking and personal grooming. During one recent episode, the women produced videos on high school drop-outs and acid attacks and were then asked to comment before a live studio audience on how these issues could be addressed, using Islamic references.

“Ustazah Pilihan” focuses more on a search for “muslimah,” or female Muslim role models. Modeled on a popular TV contest for male imams that premiered last year, it eliminates one contestant a week. Publicity material for the show stresses the “importance of assuming responsibilities as a Muslim woman, not only as a wife or mother but also as an educator, who can shape and nurture potential leaders of the future.”

Read the full article here.

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PBS Documentary: Cities of Light - The Rise and Fall of Islamic Spain

2011-11-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

Cities of Light: The Rise & Fall of Islamic Spain, a two-hour documentary film, journeys into one of World History's most fascinating and important periods. With a fresh focus on the many contributions to Western civilization made by Islamic institutions and culture, the film also consistently cleaves to an even-handed presentation of the triumphs and shortcomings, achievements and failures of a centuries-long period when Muslims, Christians, and Jews inhabited the same corner of Western Europe and there built a lasting society that was both part of Christian Europe and the Muslim Middle East.

From the days of Charlemagne to Christopher Columbus, Islamic Spain represents one of the most productive intercultural relationships in Western history down to the present day. The lemon tree, the water wheel, the astrolabe and Aristotle's lost philosophy all arrived in Europe through Islamic Spain. Churches and temples that strongly resemble Muslim mosques, the pinnacle of Hebrew literature's Golden Age, the roots of modern medicine and mathematics, and the transmission of Greek philosophy into Western Europe are just a few of the collaborative achievements that form the legacy of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim cultures interacting on the Iberian Peninsula over seven centuries.

Cities of Light was produced by Unity Production Foundation and Gardner Films.
For more information on the documentary go to http://www.islamicspain.tv/

Thank you to Tayyib for the link.

Muslims Proud to be British

2011-11-23T14:07:00.000-08:00

The Guardian (23 November 2011) carries an article on a new report from think tank Demos:

"The finding in Demos's report A Place for Pride that 83% of Muslims said they were proud to be a British citizen, compared with the national average of 79%, has been met with surprise in some parts of the press. Clearly many British citizens have both a strong religious identity and a strong national identity. Yet it also seems clear that many people see these identities as mutually exclusive. Why is this the case?

That 83% of Muslims are proud to be British does in fact make sense. Many British Muslims come from families that have sought the opportunity and refuge offered in this country. The Demos report suggests that "People who are religious are more likely to be patriotic than are those who self-define as atheists or nonbelievers"; 88% of Anglicans and Jews agreed that they were "proud to be a British citizen". Many British Jews have a family history of refugee status and it follows that this leads to a sense of pride in their British identity. People with a strong religious identity are also often part of a strong community, and benefit from the co-operation and collective goodwill that can come with this. Patriotism, the report suggests, isn't only concerned with Queen and flag, but also with community values.

There is a lot of misinformation about the British Muslim community. In 2009 the Gallup Coexist Index found that only 36% of the British public thought that British Muslims were "loyal to this country" as opposed to 82% of the British Muslim community. The surprise at the findings of Muslim pride in Britain is rooted in a prejudice that leads people to believe that it is paradoxical for someone to hold both their religious and national identities as important. Lazy caricatures of Islam as contradicting many of the rights and values that are seen as quintessentially British – particularly freedom and democracy – only exacerbate this problem."

You can read the full article here.

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OBE for Dr Musharraf Hussain

2011-11-21T13:46:00.000-08:00

The Muslim Weekly reports on the OBE received by Dr Musharraf Hussain:

"A Halifax man who is director of an Islamic school has been awarded an OBE for his services to community relations.

Musharraf Hussain, pictured, won the gong in the latest honours list and will be invited to Buckingham Palace to receive it.

Dr Hussain, who was born and lived in Halifax until the age of 18, now lives in Nottingham, where he is a member of the Muslim Council of Britain, an iman and the principal of an Islamic school.

Dr Hussain was picked to be part of a team sent to Iraq to try to help when Liverpool man Ken Bigley was taken hostage in 2004.

Dr Hussain is director of the Karimia Institute in Nottingham – a centre for worship, education, training and self-development that works on projects ranging from community development to adult classes and interfaith work."

You can read the full article here.

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Swiss Minarets Politician Now Muslim

2011-11-21T13:39:00.000-08:00

The Muslim Observer (17 November 2011) reports:

"Renowned Swiss politician Daniel Streich, who previously campaigned against Swiss minarets, embraced Islam a few years ago.

A member of the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and a well-known politician, Daniel Streich was the first man who had launched a drive for imposition of ban on mosques minarets, and to lock the mosques in Switzerland. The proclamation of Streich’s conversion to Islam created a furor in Swiss politics, and caused a tremor for those who supported ban on construction of mosques minarets.

Streich had propagated his anti-Islamic movement far and wide in the country, sowed seeds of indignation and scorn for Islam among the people, and paved the way for public opinion against pulpits and minarets of mosques.

But now Streich has become a servant of Islam. His anti-Islam thoughts finally brought him so close to this religion that he embraced it."

You can read the full article here.

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The All-American Id

2011-11-09T13:01:00.000-08:00

The New York Times Global Editions blog India Ink (7 November 2011) posts on the "All-American Id":

"In countries with significant Muslim populations, Id-al-Adha—Bakr-Id, or Festival of the Goat, as it’s known throughout South Asia—is synonymous with qurbaani, or the sacrifice of animals. But you’d be hard-pressed to find Muslim families in the United States ferrying sheep home in the backs of their SUVs, securing them to their white picket fences and slaughtering them on their driveways. In the motherland, the ritual is as standard a practice as baking Christmas cookies is here, but most Muslims I know in America have never witnessed the practice themselves.
Instead, my family, like countless others, has outsourced our qurbaani to—where else?—India, where the meat is then widely distributed to the needy on our behalf. And then we eat doughnuts.

Id-ul-Fitr, at the end of Ramadan, is enthusiastically anticipated by hungry Muslims counting down the days to the finish line that marks the culmination of the month of fasting. But it’s harder for those of us not participating in the hajj pilgrimage to muster the same level of enthusiasm for this Id—ironic, considering it’s perhaps the greater of the two, and most symbolic of the very core of the faith. The word Islam means submission, and today we celebrate Abraham’s submission to the will of God when he was asked to sacrifice his son. When he agreed without hesitation, a lamb was sent in his son’s place; today, Muslims honor that devotion by sacrificing lambs, goats or cows.

For the full article and more on the writers take on Eid in America, click here

A Bialy Shop’s Unlikely Muslim Saviors

2011-11-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

The New York Times (3 November 2011) reports on the actions of two Muslims brothers to save a Jewish Bakery from the 1920's:

"When the owner of Brooklyn’s oldest bialy store, Coney Island Bialys and Bagels, announced last summer that he was closing up shop, fans began mourning the impending loss of a 91-year-old piece of Jewish culinary history.

But the shop has been saved, and from an unlikely corner — at least as far as geopolitics are concerned. The new owners? Peerzada Shah, 43, and Zafaryab Ali, 52, a pair of Muslim immigrants from Pakistan.

The new shopkeepers have a sanguine approach to their possibly groundbreaking foray into cross-cultural culinary terrain. “Not too many people in this business are Pakistani,” Mr. Ali said. “Just a few. So I am happy, very glad.” Jews and Muslims, he said, “live together in New York. We never have a problem.”

Minutes later, Marty Markowitz, the Brooklyn borough president, walked into the shop, crying, “Salaam Aleikum!”

“Brooklyn has the largest Pakistani population in America,” he told Mr. Shah and Mr. Ali. “We also have the largest Jewish population in America. So what could be a better Brooklyn story?”

“It’s a Brooklyn story of how the world can someday be at peace,” Mr. Markowitz said."

Read the full article here.

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New Vision for Islam at the NY Met Museum of Art

2011-11-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

The New York Times (28 October 2011) reports on a new exhibition at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art opening soon which displays some of the world’s most precious Islamic artifacts:

"Over the past decade, many Americans have based their thoughts and feelings about Islam in large part on a single place: the blasted patch of ground where the World Trade Center once stood. But a rival space has slowly and silently taken shape over those same years, about six miles to the north. It is a vast, palacelike suite of rooms on the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where some of the world’s most precious Islamic artifacts sit sequestered behind locked doors.

When the Met’s Islamic galleries first opened in 1975, they were presented as a cultural monolith, where nations and cultures were subsumed under one broad banner, as if Islam were another planet. Haidar and her colleagues have tried to emphasize the diversity of Islamic cultures across time and space. One result of that altered emphasis was the gallery’s new name. The “Islamic Wing” is gone, replaced by the “Galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia and Later South Asia.” It is a mouthful, but it makes a point.

“Not one world, but many; not another world, but our own,” Haidar said, repeating the mantra that has guided her thinking about the new collection over the years.

The collection is full of deliciously heterodox crossovers, like an image of the blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna that was painted for Akbar, the Muslim ruler of north and central India, in the late 16th century. There are Persian bowls alongside the Chinese models that inspired them. There is Muslim art from Spain and south Italy.

Last month, Haidar got a taste of public reaction when dignitaries in town for the United Nations General Assembly asked to see the new galleries. One of them was Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, who was a model guest, admiring the art and chuckling at a wooden panel from Tikrit, the birthplace of Saddam Hussein. But he stopped short when Haidar showed him a 10th-century Muslim prayer mat that was found on the shores of Lake Tiberias. The date suggested a very early Muslim presence in what is now Israel. Netanyahu asked if it was really that old, Haidar recalled, and she assured him that the carpet had been scientifically dated. But he kept staring at it quizzically. “ ‘I don’t know,’ he finally said, ‘it just doesn’t look that old to me.’ ”

You can read the full article here.
You can learn more at the Museum website here.

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Women & Islam: The Rise and Rise of the Convert

2011-11-08T13:53:00.000-08:00

The Independent (6th November 2011) reports on a new study by Swansea University for Faith Matters called "A Minority Within a Minority" which reports on reverts to Islam in the UK:

"As Muslims celebrate the start of the religious holiday of Eid today and hundreds of thousands from around the world converge on Mecca for the haj, it emerged that of the 5,200 Britons who converted to Islam last year, more than half are white and 75 per cent of them women.

In the past 10 years some 100,000 British people have converted to Islam, of whom some three-quarters are women, according to the latest statistics. This is a significant increase on the 60,000 Britons in the previous decade, according to researchers based at Swansea University.

Kevin Brice, author of the Swansea study A Minority Within a Minority, said to be the most comprehensive study of British Muslim converts, added: "White Muslim converts are caught between two increasingly distant camps. Their best relationships remain with other converts, because of their shared experiences, while there is very little difference between the quality of their relationship with other Muslims or non-Muslims.

"My research also found converts came in two types: some are converts of convenience, who adopt the religion because of a life situation such as meeting a Muslim man, although the religion has little discernible impact on their day-to-day lives. For others it is a conversion of conviction where they feel a calling and embrace the religion robustly.

"That's not to say the two are mutually exclusive – sometimes converts start out on their religious path through convenience and become converts of conviction later on."

You can read the full article and same case studies about the experiences of some reverts here.
The original research report can be found here (PDF).

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Letters in the Independent: Islam on Rights and Responsibilities

2011-10-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

The Independent (20 August 2011) published a letter by Professor Robert A Hinde of St John's College, Cambridge entitled "Islam has lessons on rights and duties, and our responsibilities":

The recent riots indicate that we have not got the correct balance between citizens' rights and their duties. Perhaps we have something to learn from Islam.

The Universal Islamic Declaration of Human Rights (1981) differs in some ways from the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) that are controversial. But one difference is highly significant in the present context.

Apart from a vague reference to acting in a "spirit of brotherhood" (Article 1) and to undefined "duties to the community" (Article 29) the UN Declaration has no reference to the responsibilities that must accompany rights.

By contrast, the Islamic Declaration mentions, among others, the duties to protest against injustice, to defend the rights of others, to protest against oppression, to search after truth and to respect the religious feelings of others. It also gives the poor entitlement to a share in the wealth of the rich and insists that all means of production should be utilised in the interests of the community.

For a harmonious society, citizens must recognise that rights cannot exist without responsibilities and that they, by enjoying the benefits of citizenship, carry responsibilities to the community.

Reciprocally, of course, the community has the responsibility to ensure that citizens have the opportunity to exercise their rights.

The original letter is here.

Islam a Closer Look

2011-10-07T13:28:00.000-07:00

Young Muslims Canada's latest project is "Islam a Closer Look". The site says:

"Islamacloserlook.com is a pilot project with a specific focus – to succinctly and creatively dispel common myths that are fueling Islamophobia. Our objective is to break the cycle of fear.

This sample site provides a glimpse of our approach and vision. We have created 2 professional videos, 4 web friendly articles as well as lists of useful books and websites. A fully completed website would feature 25 videos addressing widespread misconceptions as well as 50 articles and various online and print resources for further study. The content would also be fully accessible through social networking sites such as FaceBook and YouTube."

FBI Stops Islamophonbic Training

2011-10-07T12:47:00.000-07:00

The Independent (17 September 2011) carries an article about FBI training which was stopped because it was anti-Muslim:

"The FBI has announced that a lecture at the bureau's training academy that was critical of Islam has been discontinued.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation employee who gave the lecture contended, among other things, that the more devout a Muslim man was, the more likely he was to be violent.

An FBI spokesman, Christopher Allen, said that following the outcry about the lecture, policy changes had been made to ensure that all training was consistent with FBI standards.

Since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, the FBI has stressed the importance of working with leaders in the Muslim community as an important part of the battle against terrorism.

A federal law enforcement official said the bureau should have more carefully scrutinised the content of the lecture before it took place. The lecture was given on just three days in April."

Original article here.

9/11 Hate-Crime Victim Tries To Save His Attacker

2011-07-31T12:52:00.000-07:00

NPR reports on the story of Rais Bhuiyan, the Bangladeshi Muslim working in a Texas gas station who was shot in the face soon after 9/11:

"Just 10 days after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Rais Bhuiyan was working at a gas station in Dallas when he was shot in the face by a man named Mark Stroman.

Stroman was on a shooting spree, targeting people who appeared to be Muslim or of Middle Eastern descent. Stroman is due to be executed July 20; Bhuiyan, the only survivor of the attacks, is fighting to save his life.

When Stroman entered the gas station, Bhuiyan initially thought it was a routine robbery.

"I opened the cash register, offered him the cash, and requested him not to shoot me," Bhuiyan tells weekends on All Things Considered host Laura Sullivan. "In reply he asked me, 'Where are you from?' And the question seemed strange to ask during a robbery. And I said, 'Excuse me?' And as soon as I spoke, I felt the sensation of a million bees stinging my face, and then heard an explosion.

Bhuiyan required medical attention for years after the attack. The bullet hit him on the right side of the face, leaving severe injuries, particularly to his right eye.

"I had to go through several surgeries and finally the doctor could save the eye, but the vision is gone, and I'm still carrying more than 35 pellets on the right side of my face," he says. "Once I touch my face, my skull, I can feel it's all bumpy. It took several years to go through all these painful surgeries one after another one."

Despite the difficulties, Bhuiyan looked to his faith in order to find forgiveness.
"According to my faith in Islam, there is no hate, no killing. It doesn't allow anything like that," says Bhuiyan. "Yes, Mark Stroman did a horrible thing, and he brought a lot of pain and disaster, sufferings in my life. But in return I never hated him."

Bhuiyan has created a website called World Without Hate to educate others about hate crimes as a means of preventing them. He's also working with Amnesty International and Stroman's defense attorney, who has filed several appeals on Stroman's death sentence.

"I strongly believe executing him is not a solution. We will just simply lose a human life without dealing with the root cause, which is hate crime," Bhuiyan says. "In Islam it says that saving one human life is the same as saving the entire mankind. Since I forgave him, all those principles encouraged me to go even further, and stop his execution and save another human life."

You can read the full article here. Rais Bhuiyan's website World Without Hate is here.
Thank you to Sister Samana Siddiqui at Positive Muslim News for the link.

Stroman has since beeen executed despite Bhuiyan's efforts to help him, but the Huffington Post writes about the affect of Bhuiyan's actions on him:

"After a lifetime of bitter prejudice that drove him to kill innocent strangers, Mark Stroman died with a message of peace.

Before his trial in 2002, Stroman, an avowed white supremacist, dubbed himself the "Arab slayer" and called the shootings "patriotic" retribution for the terror attacks.

But by the time prison authorities at the Texas death chamber in Huntsville strapped Stroman to a gurney and prepared to execute him, he had undergone a remarkable shift in perspective.
"Hate is going on in this world and it has to stop," Stroman said in his final moments. "Hate causes a lifetime of pain."

A key inspiration for Stroman's radically altered point of view was the extraordinary effort made to spare his life by one of his victims: Rais Bhuiyan, a Muslim immigrant from Bangladesh who was shot in the face by Stroman while working as a cashier at a Dallas convenience store. Bhuiyan survived the attack, but was blinded in one eye.

Late last year, after undertaking a pilgrimage to Mecca, Bhuiyan realized that his devout Muslim faith called on him to not only forgive Stroman for the attack, but to attempt to spare him from execution."

The full Huffington Post article is here.

Jameel Award Announces Finalists

2011-07-31T12:37:00.000-07:00

The Jameel Prize is an international award for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition. Its aim is to explore the relationship between Islamic traditions of art, craft and design and contemporary work as part of a wider debate about Islamic culture and its role today. The Independent writes about the award:

"Ten artists, chosen from over 100 nominations, will be exhibiting their work at London's Victoria and Albert Museum this month.

Shortlisted by specialists with a knowledge of contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic tradition, the artists are competing for the chance to win the Jameel Prize, worth £25,000 which is only awarded every two years.

The Jameel Prize is an initiative of Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel with the aim of exploring the relationship between Islamic traditions of art, craft and design and contemporary work as part of a wider debate about Islamic culture and its role today."

The original article can be found here. Further details about the Jameel Prize can be found at the V&A Museum website here.

(all images sourced from here)

Missing Pages: Muslims Who Saved Jews During WW2

2011-06-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Missing Pages is a campaign by Exploring Islam Foundation to highlight the role Muslim's have played in helping Jews through the period of the Holocaust and before. The Missing Pages website tells the stories of Muslim's and their families who hid Jews and helped them to safety:

Isak Kormaku:
We lived in the town of Elbasan. I was twelve years old, and my two other brothers are younger. It was just a few steps from here that our father sheltered six Jews in a stone house much like the one we lived in.

It is in the Koran that in the name of God we help all humans. They were Raphael Cambi, Chaim Isaac and Leon Isaac with his wife and two children. The Isaac family spoke Serbo-Croatian, as did our father. In 1945, they all left for Yugoslavia.
Leon Isaac came back for a visit in 1948. He and his family were living in Macedonia. To show his gratitude for saving the lives of his family, he wanted to give my parents a restaurant in Macedonia and offered to pay all their expenses for ten years. Our mother did not want to live in Macedonia so we stayed in Elbasan. After 1949, we lost contact with the Isaacs. The communists then imprisoned our father.
We have never sought recognition, but we are glad for this opportunity to have our father remembered. It is in the Quran that in the name of God we help all humans.

Mehmet Yshref Frasher:

My father was a scholar. He owned a printing press and was well known in our country. My great grandfather was a member of the government before King Zog. Our family is well respected with a long tradition of learning.

All through the Nazi years we were never afraid to save lives. All through the Nazi years we were never afraid to save lives. In 1943, we sheltered Sebita Meshon Gershon, his wife Berah, and their two daughters Hana and Stela. They left for Yugoslavia at the end of 1944. We sheltered Jakov (Jasha)
Altarac in our other home in Kamez. He came from Poland and had escaped from an Italian camp in Burrel in 1943. We also sheltered Joseph Lazar Gertler from Germany who had likewise been interned in Burrel by the Italians. Our neighbours never knew.
My father received a warm letter from Joseph Gertler from London in 1956. In 1990 I made contact with Hana and Stela Gershon who were both living in Brazil, and with Jasha Altarac who was in Israel.
After the war, the communists arrested and imprisoned my father. He was guilty of being an intellectual. We lived the Quran’s teaching to take care of the other.”

Edip Pilku:
My brother and I were young boys during the war. My father, Njazi Pilku, was a devout Muslim who had designed mosques here in Albania. In 1942, my parents sheltered a Jewish family in our home in Durres, hiding them for almost four years between there and our seaside home. They were the Gerechters – father, mother, and daughter – from Hamburg, Germany.

My parents sheltered a Jewish family in our home for almost four years They had sought asylum in Albania after Kristallnacht. They had been interned by the Italians, and were later arrested several times by Albanian collaborators, before they were rescued by my father. My mother, Liza Pilku, was German, so the Nazis often visited our seaside home. We introduced the Gerechter family as our relatives from Germany. Naturally, they were terrified.
Once in Durres, the Gestapo cordoned off the streets and searched with dogs for Jews. My mother came out of her house and scolded the Gestapo in German. She told them never to come back, to remember that she was German too. The Gestapo left.
After the war we lost all trace of the Gerechters. The communists took power and forbade contact with anyone from the outside world. My father was arrested in 1944. In 1945 the communists killed him. Our seaside home was confiscated.
Since the fall of the communists we have made contact with the Gerechter’s daughter, now Johanna Neumann, who lives in America. Johanna gave written testimony of her family’s rescue, and my parents were recognised by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations.”

The wescite also features a book by Norman Gershman entitled ‘Besa: Muslims Who Saved Jews in World War II’ about the code of honour in Albania called Besa that instructeed Muslims to protect others from danger at all costs.

The book forms the basis for a moving documentary "Besa: The Promise"

Yoou can find out more at the website here or at the Gods House Film website here.

The Growth of Islamic Finance

2011-06-25T16:58:00.000-07:00

The Independent (15 June 2011) carries an article entitled "The specialist sector where the sky is the limit" about the growth of Islamic Finance, or more specifically the marketi value of an MBA in Islamic finance:

"The Islamic finance industry is growing rapidly. There are currently an estimated 270 Islamic banks globally, with total assets of $265 billion. The global economic crisis has encouraged its increasing popularity as an alternative financial system where risk is shared between lenders and borrowers, and any form of interest is banned.

Along with the spread of Islamic finance comes a demand for graduates who are familiar with this specialised market.

Though there are just four Islamic banks operating in the UK, the leading auditing firms – PriceWaterhouseCooper, KPMG, Ernst & Young and Deloitte have established independent Islamic finance divisions, and HSBC, Deutsche Bank, UBS and other financial services companies are, meanwhile, entering the Shariah compliant market.

Thom Polson, a director of the Geneva- based Islamic Wealth and Asset Management consultancy, did a Masters in Islamic banking at Bangor Business School and has some advice for MBA students. “Do a taster course in Islamic banking if you have any ambitions to work globally. In the Middle East Islamic banking is growing almost as fast as the skyscrapers.”

You can read the full article here.

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Unity in Iraq

2011-06-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Local Iraqi leaders across the spectrum – Arabs and Kurds, Christians and Muslims – jointly pray with Christian Iraqis in a church in Kirkuk. The event was a public bid to reduce tensions in the disputed northern city of Iraq.

Photograph: Marwan Ibrahim/AFP/Getty Images (image source)

Muslim Dads in Utah

2011-06-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

The Salt Lake Tribune has a feature about Muslim fathers in Utah called "Utah’s Muslim dads lead by example, and stress choice, not force" which describes the family life of a number of Muslim fathers living in the state:

"Sometimes portrayed as unyielding disciplinarians, many American Muslim fathers say the opposite is true. Yes, many expect their children to pray and abstain from dating, alcohol and pork, but they try to lead by example rather than force. Above all, they aim to rear good people.

In Islam, every day is supposed to be Father’s Day and Mother’s Day in the sense that children should always honor and appreciate their parents.

Shiekh Maqbool Ahmed sits down to dinner with his wife, three children and daughter-in-law almost every night.His two unmarried children, ages 21 and 28, still live in his Kaysville home. The key to rearing successful children is setting a good example, Ahmed said. Forcing them to follow rules and customs doesn’t work. They must be taught to want to follow the faith. "We instill in the children that Allah is watching you," Ahmed said. "If I am not there to watch you, if your mother is not there to watch you, if your friends are not there to watch you, Allah is watching you."

Sajid Faizi and his son place caps on their heads and his wife and daughters don head scarves, or hijabs. The 47-year-old Cottonwood Heights father kneels in front of the family, leading them in prayer for about 10 minutes, facing toward the home’s large front window, toward Mecca.

Though Sajid Faizi is often working, he couldn’t be more dedicated to his family, says his wife, Shazia, who started Utah’s first Muslim Girl Scout troop. "The kids and us and me," Shazia Faizi said, "that’s his first priority."

When Ahmed, an Arabic language instructor at the University of Utah, prays, his 2-year-old daughter, Laila,is usually "kind of floating around." "She kind of knows what’s going on," said Ahmed, 35, "but I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know it’s a prayer." She just thinks it’s "fun." That’s the same word Ahmed, who also has a 7-month-old son, uses to describe fatherhood in general.

"I’m enjoying being a father immensely because my role in the household is more of the fun role. I’m getting the better part of the deal," jokes Ahmed, who is also working on earning a doctorate from the U. in syntax."

You can view the full article here.

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Ride 4 Haiti

2011-06-06T15:28:00.000-07:00

Muslim hands is working with the Cyclists’ Touring Club to raise funds for Haiti by having cyclist Javed Saddique ride the 1,400 miles across the UK from Lands End to John O'Groats this summer.

The route will be covered from 4th July to 24th July with opportunities along the way for families and individuals to join in.

Muslim Hands teams were amongst the very first to reach Port au Prince in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, racing against time to supply food, water and medical aid to those most in need. The Ride 4 Haiti describes some of the work being carried out:

"Despite appalling conditions, distribution networks were secured: staff and volunteers hit the ground running and aid was being delivered within 2 days of arriving.

As most of the world’s media moved on, Haiti quietly struggled to cover even the most basic needs of survivors. Time for Muslim Hands to step up its operation:

The second team, focusing on Relief and Rescue is dispatched to the earthquake zone on 25th January 2010. Led by Captain (Dr) Sohail Nasti, a specialist in disaster relief and recovery, they work closely with the UN to provide vitally-needed aid to the worst-stricken areas. Here are his words:

Helping to create order from chaos was the key challenge: how best to provide the most appropriate aid to vulnerable families.

Supported by donors in the UK, the MH teams worked flat out around the clock coordinating aid efforts in different areas."

Find out more or download a sponsorship form here.

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Muslims donate $26,000 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository

2011-06-06T15:13:00.000-07:00

The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago has been supporting charities the city through a donation to the Greater Chicago Food Depository:

"Under the visionary leadership of Zakat Chicago, a committee of the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, on May 5, the Greater Chicago Food Depository received a check for more than $20,000 to provide supplies for food pantries across Chicagoland. The Northern Illinois Food Bank received another $6,000 for food for the needy in the collar counties.
"Zakat Chicago has been supporting local food pantries for three years, but this year we decided to take this route to ensure that all the money is spent on food and the system is more centralized," said Maqsood Quadri, board member of CIOGC who played an instrumental role in this project. "At a time when hate against Muslims is on the rise across the nation, it is crucial to be proactive in letting our neighbors know that Muslims are helping anyone who needs assistance."

Find out more here.
Thanks to Samana Siddiqui at Positive Muslim News for the link.

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Bernard Hopkins Becomes Oldest Boxing Champ

2011-05-26T10:43:00.000-07:00

Muslim boxer Bernard Hopkins became the oldest boxing titlist in any division in any era on Saturday with a unanimous decision over Jean Pascal in Montreal, Canada. Hopkins won the World Boxing Council (WBC) light heavyweight belt by winning all three cards after 12 rounds, by the scores of 116-112, 115-114, and 115-113. At the ripe old age of 46, no one had won a boxing title at such an advanced age since then 45 year old George Foreman knocked out Michael Moorer in 1994. Saturday's fight was a rematch of the first Hopkins-Pascal fight that took place this past December and ended in a draw.

Hopkins improved his record to 52-5-2. He is now likely to defend his belt against former light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson who won in a unanimous decision in Saturday's undercard against Adrian Diaconu. However, Dawson lost his title against Pascal in August. Another possible opponent is undefeated super middleweight champion Lucian Bute, who originally hails from Romania but now resides in Canada.

Article source here.

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Beautiful Recitation of Al-Fatihah

2011-05-20T07:10:00.000-07:00

I came across this beautiful recitation of the first surah of the Quran called Al-Fatihah by Shaykh Fahd al Kanderi, possibly at Masjid al-Kabeer in Kuwait ( I am not 100% sure on the masjid - correct me if I am wrong).

At Our Mothers Feet Campaign

2011-05-05T14:23:00.000-07:00

The Muslim Agency for Development and Enterprise have launched their "At Our Mothers Feet" campaign. The website states:

"Every day, 1000 mothers die during pregnancy or childbirth because they can’t access the healthcare and support they need. That’s 358,000 mothers dying every year. 99% of these deaths occur in the developing world. Yet 8 out of 10 times, it’s possible to prevent a mother dying. All it takes is access to free healthcare and assistance from a trained health worker during childbirth. Thousands more could be saved by communities supporting the rights of women – this means promoting education for all and empowering women and girls to make healthy choices.

Mothers have the highest status in Islam. They are the core of our families and our ummah. Without them, society would be unable to sustain itself or develop. Islam celebrates their central role in society and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us to serve and look after our mothers – ‘Be at your mother’s feet and there is Paradise’ (Ibn Majah).

Muslim communities have the power to make a difference. Our faith inspires us to take action, and our communities and charities have strong links with many countries where maternal mortality rates are highest, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Bangladesh. This means that we have the opportunity to influence attitudes, share life-saving knowledge and help provide vital healthcare to women around the world.

We want to show that we are at our mothers’ feet by celebrating motherhood and coming together to make our local and global communities aware of what needs to be done to prevent these needless deaths.

We want to show charities that we will support them in helping to provide the resources they need to make maternal health a priority."

You can visit the website here for ways you can do your bit

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Discussing Green Deen

2011-05-05T10:18:00.000-07:00

Guernica Magazine has published a conversation between Imam Khalid Latif, Imam of the Islamic Center at NYU and Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, authour of “Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet”. The conversation is an interesting and useful one, giving lots of good advice and food for thought about the importance of being a green Muslim. Below are a few excerpts from the magazine, I would definitely encourage readers to visit the site and read the full piece:

"What we know from our deen, the path or way of Islam, is that we are not the owners of anything in the universe.

The conviction that the earth is a mosque is rooted in some core, ethical Islamic principles that we should comprehend when attempting to live a green deen

The earth is 70 percent water, and the somber trust that we have with our creator, to be stewards, khalifah of the earth, means we will be held accountable for our actions. These actions include those related to water. If the earth is a mosque, then 70 percent of our mosque is water. Our mosque is oceans and springs and rivers, lakes and springs and wells. It is our right to benefit from water. Indeed, we need it for sheer survival. However, we negate that right if we contaminate, poison, or withhold water from plants, animals, fellow humans, all of whom also need water for survival.

I say, we can “turn your Green Deen ‘blue’ by setting up a water recycling station in your mosque so the water used for wudu,” wudu is a ritual ablution before you pray, “can be used to water the plants and grass outside.

So the other section that I want to jump to is waste. What I discovered when I was thinking about this was that, really, what we’re talking about is consumption and over-consumption and the patterns of consumption and how do we use things and let them go and, then, what we do with them? What happens to things? What happens to ourselves when we use and consume things? Because things define who we are.

Islam teaches that we come with intrinsic value, we do not need to produce or acquire anything to be valuable, we are innately valuable from birth to death. We all have the noble beginning and noble end, our soul has value because it is made by God. And when we recognize our own value and nurture the relationship with the creator, we begin to take better care of ourselves, we see ourselves as a beautiful part of creation."

You can read the full discussion here.

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CNN Documenary: Unwelcome: Muslims Next Door

2011-03-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

This documentary, presented by Soledad O'Briens takes us to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, a small, close-knit town of 104,000 people where there are 140 churches and 1 mosque. When plans for a new Islamic Centre are announced, a local campaign to block permission ensues leading to Court hearings. The documentary gives airtime to people from both sides, meaning that in this instance, Muslim's get the chance to speak for themselves.

Sister Ponn Sabra, of American Muslim Mom was invited to a private screening of the documentary and her thoughts are here.

Moroccan Craftsmen in The NY Met

2011-03-30T10:49:00.000-07:00

The China Daily carries an article entitled "An Islamic fantasia by authentic craftsmen" about the New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibition showing Moroccan craftsmen at work recreating a medieval Maghrebi-Andalusian-style courtyard in one of it's galleries:

"A group of highly regarded Moroccan craftsmen came essentially to take up residence at the Met. Beginning last December, they worked some days in their jabador tunics and crimson fezzes (known as tarbooshes in Morocco) to build that 14th-century Islamic fantasia, a courtyard with tile patterns based on those in the Alhambra palace in Granada. Above the courtyard rise walls of fantastically filigreed plaster, leading to a carved cedar molding based on the renowned woodwork in the 14th-century Attarin madrasa, or Islamic school, in Fez.

The courtyard has taken on an unforeseen importance for the museum; for the Kingdom of Morocco itself; and for a constituency of Muslim scholars and supporters of the Met. They hope it will function as a symbol of the fact that aesthetic and intellectual commerce remains alive between Islam and the West.

The Moroccans are in essence living historians who have carried on patterns and designs preserved in practice for generations. But they have never attempted a job requiring this level of historical attention or artistry."

You can view the full article here.

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Muslim Taxi Driver Returns $100,000 Worth of Jewelry & Cash

2011-03-26T14:08:00.000-07:00

The Muslim Observer (24 February 2011) writes about a New York taxi driver who returned $100,000 worth of jewelry and cash after left in his cab:

"Muslim taxi drivers across the US continue to be the best ambassadors of Islam by living out their faith. This is evident by the number of recent cases where they have returned expensive items left behind by their passengers. In the latest instance New York taxi driver Zubiru Jalloh returned $100,000 worth of jewelry and cash after they were left in his cab.

John James forgot his bag with the valuables in the backseat of the taxi last week. Zubiru Jalloh was able to reunite with James the next day to return the goods. For his honesty, Jalloh was given $10,000. James said the taxi driver reluctantly took the money.

James John, who thought he had lost his valuables and his family’s jewelry, told the New York Times: “He is just a quiet citizen doing his business, earning his leaving and respecting his family, and I intend to entertain him and his children and his wife when I return from Maryland.”

You can read the original article here.

Muslims in the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament

2011-03-26T13:49:00.000-07:00

The Muslim Observer (17 March 2011) reports on the NCAA Men’s College Basketball Tournament and the number of Muslims taking part:

"First, in the most difficult region, the East region, there is the largest collection of Muslim players. One of the toughest teams in this region is Syracuse, and they rely on the services of freshman big man Baye Moussa Keita from Senegal. Their fellow Big East Conference teams in this region, West Virginia and Villanova, also sport players from the Muslim world: Villanova with center Maphtao Yarou from Benin and West Virginia with Turkish forward Deniz Kilicli. But the team in the East Region with the most prominent Muslim representation is the number seven-seeded University of Washington, with guard Abdul Gaddy and seven-foot center Aziz N’Diaye.

In the West Region, Turkish guard Dogus Balbay is an important player for the University of Texas who are considered dark-horse favorites to reach the Final Four. University of Cincinnati center Ibrahima Thomas, from Senegal, plays a prominent role for his team. And French-Muslim forward Mehdi Cheriet plys his trade for number two seed San Diego State University.

The Muslim presence is most sparce in the Southwest Region, with Louisville center Gorgiu Dieng, from Senegal, being the only one in this region. And two more Muslims will be competing in the Southeast Region, with Nigerian center Talib Zanna for power-house University of Pittsburgh, and Mathis Keita for Gonzaga. Keep an eye on these teams and these players as the main rounds of the tournament get going."

You can read the original article here.

Muslim Charities Assisting Japan

2011-03-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Muslim charities are moving to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Islamic Relief is working with a local Japanese NGO in Aoba, Wakabayashi and Miyagino (estimated to have the largest number of evacuees from the tsunami). So far the charity has distributed cooked food, hygiene kits, sanitary goods, vegetables, rice, and water tanks) benefiting 1,200 people. You can donate here.

Muslim Hands volunteers are based in Nagata (near Tokyo) and are conducting aid missions to the destruction zones near the areas of Isinomaki and Iwaki. You can donate here.

Muslim Aid is monitoring the situation closely and has been in contact with partners in the region to discuss the needs of the affected people. You can learn more and donate here.

Bengali Innkeeper assists Japanese

2011-03-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Japan Times writes about about Akter Hossain, owner of the Hotel Asian Garden and Hotel Lake Garden in Tochigi who has offered to house up to 400 Japanese made homeless by the recent earthquake:

"Akter Hossain, owner of the Hotel Asian Garden and Hotel Lake Garden in Tochigi Prefecture, contacted the Foreign Ministry on Friday, offering completely free accommodations and food for quake evacuees at his two hotels.

"The Japanese government has helped the people of Bangladesh so much in the past," Hossain, 44, told The Japan Times. "As a Bangladeshi, I have seen many natural disasters and this time, I wanted to do something for Japan."

Hossain, a 25-year resident of Japan, said he had canceled all reservations at the two hotels in Nikko and was on his way to Tochigi Friday night, bringing 200 kg of rice with him. He said he hadn't set any time frame and believes the people will leave "when the crisis has passed."

You can read the full article here.
(Thanks to Samana Siddiqui of Positive Muslim News for the link)

TED Talks: Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf: Lose your ego, find your compassion

2011-03-17T14:30:00.000-07:00

Carly Fiorina Speech: "There was once a civilisation"

2011-03-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

The Hewlett-Packard website carries the transcript of a speech by Carly Fiorina, Chief Executive of the company from 1999 to 2005:

"There was once a civilization that was the greatest in the world.

It was able to create a continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and ethnic origins.

One of its languages became the universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China, and everywhere in between.

And this civilization was driven more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for space travel and exploration.

Its writers created thousands of stories. Stories of courage, romance and magic. Its poets wrote of love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of such things.

When other nations were afraid of ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive. When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and passed it on to others.

While modern Western civilization shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo, and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.

Although we are often unaware of our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of tolerance and civic leadership."

You can read the full transcript here.

Muslim Superhero: Silver Scorpian

2011-03-14T11:24:00.000-07:00

Time magazine (8 March 2011) carries an article about a new superhero. The differeence this time is that "The Scorpian" is Muslim and disabled:

"A collaboration between Los Angeles–based comic-book company Liquid Comics and the Open Hands Initiative — a nonprofit stemming from President Obama's pledge to extend America's "open hand of friendship" to the rest of the world — the Silver Scorpion is the brainchild of a group of young disability advocates from the U.S. and Syria. Brought together at the first international Youth Ability Summit in Damascus in August 2010, the attendees, who are all disabled, were asked to create a superhero who reflects what they have always wanted to see in a comic book. The kids had never met before. They spoke different languages and came from different cultures and backgrounds, but they immediately clicked.

The idea was to come up with a character that readers from East to West could relate to. And so the Silver Scorpion was born. He's the alter ego of teenager Bashir Bari, who comes from a fictional Arab city and loses his legs in an accident triggered by gangsters. Confined to a wheelchair and consumed with anger and grief, Bashir retreats into isolation — until he witnesses the murder of a mysterious metalsmith and is unknowingly chosen as the new guardian of an ancient power that allows him to manipulate metal with his mind. As the series continues, readers will be introduced to various other superheroes — some disabled, some not — who must join forces to combat an evil force that threatens the peace and stability of their world. To do that, they learn to overcome adversity in the face of physical, social and gender limitations. The message is simple: just because we're different doesn't mean we can't work together toward a common good."

You can read the full article here.
You can also see Time magazines article on Muslim Superheroes "The 99" here.
Finally, there is the Niqabi Muslimah superhero created by Marvel Comics for the X-Men called Dust (real name Sooraya Qadir) - wiki page here (I really don't know what to make of this one)

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Islamic History: The Camera

2011-03-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

This week's edition of Friday Nasiha touches on the invention of the camera:

Like many eminent philosophers and mathematicians, Ibn al-Haitham was a keen observer. While in a room one day he noticed light coming through a small hole made in the window shutters. It fell onto the wall opposite and it was the half-moon shape of the sun's image during eclipses. From this he explained that light travelled in a straight line and when the rays were reflected off a bright subject they passed through the small hole and did not scatter but crossed and reformed as an upside-down image on a flat white surface parallel to the hole. he then established that the smaller the hole, the clearer the picture.

In later stages, his discoveries led to the invention of the camera obscura, and Ibn al-Haitham built the first camera, or camera obscura or pinhole camera, in history. He went on to explain that we see objects upright and not upside down, as the camera does, because of the connection of the optic nerve with the brain, which analyses and defines the image.

During his practical experiments, Ibn al-Haitham often used the term al-Bayt-al-Muthlim, which was translated into Latin as camera obscura, or dark, private or closed room or enclosed space. Camera is still used today, as is qamara in Arabic which still means a private or dark room.

Many of Ibn al-Haitham's works, especially his huge Book of Optics, were translated into Latin by the medieval scholar Gerard of Cremona. This had a profound impact on the 13th century big thinkers like Roger Bacon and Witelo, and even on the 15th century works of Leonardo da Vinci.

Compiled From: "1001 Inventions: Muslim Heritage in Our World" - Salim T S Al-Hassani, pp. 268, 269

Illustration of Camera Obscura, from 1001 Inventions book (source)

Prince Charles Speech: Islam and the West

2011-03-11T10:30:00.000-08:00

Excerpt from speech by Prince Charles at the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford on the occasion of his visit to the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (27 October 1993):

"We in the West need also to understand the Islamic world's view of us. There is nothing to be gained, and much harm to be done, by refusing to comprehend the extent to which many people in the Islamic world genuinely fear our own Western materialism and mass culture as a deadly challenge to their Islamic culture and way of life. Some of us may think the material trappings of Western society which we have exported to the Islamic world - television, fast-food, and the electronic gadgets of our everyday lifes - are a modernising, self-evidently good, influence. But we fall into the trap of dreadful arrogance if we confuse 'modernity' in other countries with their becoming more like us. The fact is that our form of materialism can be offensive to devout Muslims - and I do not just mean the extremists among them. We must understand that reaction, just as the West's attitude to some of the more rigorous aspects of Islamic life needs to be understood in the Islamic world. This, I believe, would help us understand what we have commonly come to see as the threat of Islamic fundamentalism. We need to be careful of that emotive label, 'fundamentalism', and distinguish, as Muslims do, between revivalists, who choose to take the practice of their religion most devoutly, and fanatics or extremists who use this devotion for political ends. Among the many religious, social and political causes of what we might more accurately call the Islamic revival is a powerful feeling of disenchantment, of the realisation that Western technology and material things are insufficient, and that a deeper meaning to life lies elsewhere in the essence of Islamic belief.

Ladies and gentlemen, if there is much misunderstanding in the West about the nature of Islam, there is also much ignorance about the debt our own culture and civilisation owe to the Islamic world. It is a failure which stems, I think, from the straightjacket of history which we have inherited. The mediaeval Islamic world, from Central Asia to the shores of the Atlantic, was a world where scholars and men of learning flourished. But because we have tended to see Islam as the enemy of the West, as an alien culture, society and system of belief, we have tended to ignore or erase its great relevance to our own history. For example, we have underestimated the importance of 800 years of Islamic society and culture in Spain between the 8th and 15th centuries. The contribution of Muslim Spain to the preservation of classical learning during the Dark Ages, and to the first flowerings of the Renaissance, has long been recognised. But Islamic Spain was much more than a mere larder where Hellenistic knowledge was kept for later consumption by the emerging modern Western world. Not only did Muslim Spain gather and preserve the intellectual content of ancient Greek and Roman civilisation, it also interpreted and expanded upon that civilisation, and made a vital contribution of its own in so many fields of human endeavour - in science, astronomy, mathematics, algebra (itself an Arabic word), law, history, medicine, pharmacology, optics, agriculture, architecture, theology, music. Averroes and Avenzoor, like their counterparts Avicenna and Rhazes in the East, contributed to the study and practice of medicine in ways from which Europe benefited for centuries afterwards.

Islam nurtured and preserved the quest for learning. In the words of the tradition, 'the ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr'. Cordoba in the 10th century was by far the most civilised city of Europe. We know of lending libraries in Spain at the time King Alfred was making terrible blunders with the culinary arts in this country. It is said that the 400,000 volumes in its ruler's library amounted to more books than all the libraries of the rest of Europe put together. That was made possible because the Muslim world acquired from China the skill of making paper more than four hundred years before the rest of non-Muslim Europe. Many of the traits on which modern Europe prides itself came to it from Muslim Spain. Diplomacy, free trade, open borders, the techniques of academic research, of anthropology, etiquette, fashion, alternative medicine, hospitals, all came from this great city of cities. Mediaeval Islam was a religion of remarkable tolerance for its time, allowing Jews and Christians the right to practise their inherited beliefs, and setting an example which was not, unfortunately, copied for many centuries in the West. The surprise, ladies and gentlemen, is the extent to which Islam has been a part of Europe for so long, first in Spain, then in the Balkans, and the extent to which it has contributed so much towards the civilisation which we all too often think of, wrongly, as entirely Western. Islam is part of our past and present, in all fields of human endeavour. It has helped to create modern Europe. It is part of our own inheritance, not a thing apart."

You can read the full transcript of the speech here.

California Protests and the Muslim Response.

2011-03-08T13:38:00.000-08:00

Kari Ansari, writer and co-founder of America's Muslim Family Magazine writes for the Huffington Post on the recent protests outside of a Muslim-run charity event in Orange County, California:

Families who had given up a relaxing Sunday evening at home to attend their community's chicken dinner fundraiser were forced to walk past an angry mob that had gathered hours earlier in protest of their banquet. Shouts of "We don't want you here! Go back home! Go back home! Go back home!" and awful insults to the Prophet Muhammad were yelled as Muslim parents and their children entered the community center. Local news covered the protest, and a video was made of the ugly scene.

Many have commented on the poise and dignity displayed by the Muslims at the Yorba Linda event. They marvel at how those children and teenagers walked through that line of screaming maniacs without responding in kind. I think I know why they were able to do it so gracefully.

Muslims have the Quran and the example of the life and words of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad. Like all of God's Prophets, he suffered greatly while delivering God's Word to the people in the early days of being a Messenger of God. The Quraish of Makkah, Muhammad's own friends and relatives, turned on him after he began to receive divine revelations of monotheism. Muhammad had been a well-respected member of one of the society's most prestigious tribal families, but when he declared that God forbade idol worship his place in society disappeared. Many people in the city turned on him with spite and malice. People threw rotting offal onto his back while he was prostrated in prayer; they threatened his life and those lives of his followers. He eventually had to flee from his oppressors in the night to save his life.

His early companions suffered greatly as well. One well-known example is of Bilal, a young Abyssinian (from modern day Ethiopia), who was tortured and dragged through the streets and then laid out on the hot sands while heavy rocks were piled on his chest in the effort to get him to renounce his belief in One God. It didn't work. Bilal was a constant companion to Muhammad thereafter, and he was Islam's first muezzin, the one who calls the faithful to prayer. The early Muslims remained strong, and did not compromise their beliefs, nor did they respond to the hate from the lowest depths of their character. Instead, they held strong to the words of God and drew their resolve from His message, and His Messenger. The accounts of persecution are many; we relate them to our children as they learn about Islam.

We teach our children that if those early Companions of the Blessed Prophet Muhammad could withstand physical torture, exile from their homes, and severe condemnation from family and neighbors, we can withstand a few idiots with signs and a bullhorn. We talk about how the early Muslims were a small minority among a majority of people who didn't understand them, and who often hated them. We celebrate the stories of those faithful who stood firm in their belief in One God.

You can read the full article and view a video of the protest here.

Bridging Communities Programme

2011-03-08T13:33:00.001-08:00

Following the wave of ongoing anti-Muslim sentiment after the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks, members of the American Japanese and American Muslim community joined together to develop the "Bridging Communities" programme. The programme's website describes it's origins as follows:

The Bridging Communities program was established as a proactive response from JACL, NCRR and CAIR to a number of incidents of hate and intolerance incurred by the Muslim American community in the long aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. Recognizing the similarities that Japanese Americans faced in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor ultimately resulting in Japanese American incarceration, Bridging Communities was meant to build solidarity and partnership between these two communities.

You can find out more baout the work of the Building Communities programme here

Japanese American's Voice Support for American Muslims.

2011-03-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

The Washington Post (8 March 2011) reports on the support Muslim's in America have received from the Japanese community at what is becoming a difficult time for people. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (New York) is launching a series of hearings on radical Islam in the US saying that the Muslim American community has not always been cooperative with the FBI and other law enforcement authorities in countering the growth of radical Islam. The Washington Post describes one of the outcomes of the alliance:

During the chaotic days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Basim Elkarra was passing by an Islamic school in Sacramento when he did a double-take: The windows were covered with thousands of origami paper cranes - peace symbols that had been folded and donated by Japanese Americans.

Amid the anger and suspicions being aimed at Muslims at that time, the show of support "was a powerful symbol that no one will ever forget," said Elkarra, a Muslim American community leader in California.

Spurred by memories of the World War II-era roundup and internment of 110,000 of their own people, Japanese Americans, especially on the West Coast, have been among the most vocal and passionate supporters of embattled Muslims. They've rallied public support against hate crimes at mosques, signed on to legal briefs opposing the indefinite detention of Muslims by the government, organized cross-cultural trips to the Manzanar internment camp memorial in California and held "Bridging Communities" workshops in Islamic schools and on college campuses.

As King's congressional hearings have drawn near, Japanese American groups have condemned him. Last week Mori co-authored an op-ed with Deepa Iyer, executive director of South Asian Americans Leading Together, that said the hearings "will do nothing but perpetuate an atmosphere of alienation, suspicion and fear."

You can read the full article here.

Daily Star and Islamophobia

2011-03-08T10:36:00.000-08:00

For those people who think Muslim's are paranoid and wrongly blame the media for all of their ills, the following article in the Guardian (4 March 2011) might be of interest. The Guardian write about the resignation of Richard Peppiatt, a Daily Star employee who cites false anti-Islamic reporting as one of the reason's he can no longer work for the ahem...newspaper (it actually hurts to call it that):

The Daily Star has been accused of printing fictional stories by a disgruntled reporter who has resigned over its "hatemongering" anti-Muslim propaganda.

The reporter, who was once made to dress up in a burqa, now accuses the paper of inciting racial tensions and Islamaphobia. "You may have heard the phrase 'the flap of a butterfly's wings in Brazil sets off a tornado in Texas'," Peppiatt wrote to the proprietor, Richard Desmond, in a letter seen by the Guardian.

"Well, try this: 'The lies of a newspaper in London can get a bloke's head caved-in down an alley in Bradford.' If you can't see that words matter, you should go back to running porn magazines."

The EDL story is one of a number of prominent articles published by the Star that Peppiatt claims were made up, including some of his own. The reporter was recently involved in stories claiming Rochdale council had spent taxypayers' money on "Muslim-only squat-hole loos". In fact, the toilets were neither paid for by the local authority or "Muslim-only".

"I was tasked with writing a gloating follow-up declaring our post-modern victory in 'blocking' the non-existent Islamic cisterns of evil," Peppiatt wrote. The Press Complaints Commission later ruled the story was inaccurate and misleading.

You can read the full article here and the see the text of the resignation letter here.

Who's afraid of Islam? - Episode 3

2011-03-07T10:39:00.000-08:00

'Who's afraid of Islam?' is Irish RTÉ journalist Mark Little's journey across the globe in search of a clearer understanding of Islam. It sets out to provide a better appreciation of what it means to be Muslim. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world with well over a billion followers in every corner of planet. As the world witnesses a global Islamic resurgence the series asks questions such as; What lies behind the current Islamic revival and where will it take us? Why do Muslims seem to hate Western life? Do the radicals we see on the news represent all Muslims? Or, are Muslims just misunderstood?

To answer these questions, Mark Little spent six months travelling around the world meeting a diverse range of Muslim people, seeking the broadest range of views and opinions. "Who's afraid of Islam?" goes beyond the simplistic views of radicals and apologists. In doing so, Mark Little travels to 10 countries on four continents to get to the heart of the religion and importantly, its people.

Who's afraid of Islam? - Episode 2

2011-03-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

Who's afraid of Islam? - Episode 1

2011-03-07T10:29:00.000-08:00

One More Muslim for Peace

2011-03-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

video source

Halal Trends in the West

2011-03-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

Zahed Amanullah writes for AltMuslim.com (23 February 2011) about the introduction of halal foods into the mainstream and about the negative reaction of some towards this as a kind of "sharia law by stealth". I can recognise this as my children's non-Muslim school in London serves halal meat, which has lead in the past to complaints from non-Muslim parents. Amanullah explores some of the trends emerging in Britain and America:

Campbell’s Soup is an American icon, embedded in the American culinary subconscience long before artist Andy Warhol featured their soup cans in his most recognized work. So when the Canadian branch of the Edison, NJ food producer started offering halal versions of its popular soups, many people hostile to Muslims proposed a boycott of the company, a situation (along with others) lampooned on late night show “The Colbert Report” in a segment titled “Radical Muslim Snacks.”

In spite of controversies such as this, the number of halal food products and services offered in the West by mainstream companies is growing. In Britain, Tesco and Sainsburys, two of the country’s largest supermarket chains, sell fresh halal meat and frozen halal products in dozens of their stores, largely resisting the occasional tabloid frenzy over halal products allegedly sold by stealth. “There are all kinds of other products - not just halal or kosher - that groups would rather we not sell,” says a Sainsbury’s spokesman.” As long as products confirm to our safety, quality, and provenance standards, we will continue to sell (halal products).” The same resilience can be found in British Subway and KFC restaurant chains, each of which maintains well over 100 halal-only versions of their stores throughout the country.

Other food producers also see promoting a holistic definition of halal as an opportunity to meet the desires of Western consumers, rather than just Muslims. “Most food products aimed at British Muslims tend to be marketed heavily from an ‘Islamic’ perspective, using Arabic names and Arabic script extensively” adds Zia Choudhury, founder of boutique British food producer, The Serious Sausage Company. “It’s fine for appealing to the target audience, but the approach may alienate non-Muslims. Our branding and marketing is designed to portray taste and quality first, as these are leading and universally appreciated benefits of a food product.”

Part of the strategy is to convey the aspects of halal meat production that go beyond the widely known aspect of reciting the name of God before slaughtering an animal with a sharp knife. Saffron Road describes it as tayeeb, “the sacred tradition of respect for the land, fair treatment for farmers, humane treatment of livestock, and clean, healthy food to eat.” All of the company’s meats come from animals that are “sustainably and humanely farmed, and free of anti-biotics and hormones.” The Serious Sausage Company takes a similar line, saying they “believe halal means more that just correct slaughter techniques. We strongly believe that an animal has to have led a decent life, from start to finish.”

You can read the full post here.

Islam and Healing in Rwanda

2011-03-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

This is an old article, but one about an issue I recall reading about in an English newspaper which I could nott locate again, butt which was a pertinent example for me about the way Islam can transcend race and nationalism. This article comes from the Washington Post (23 September 2002) and is about the way many Rwandan's turned to Islam following the genocide that occurred in that country:

We have our own jihad, and that is our war against ignorance between Hutu and Tutsi. It is our struggle to heal," said Saleh Habimana, the head mufti of Rwanda. "Our jihad is to start respecting each other and living as Rwandans and as Muslims."

Since the genocide, Rwandans have converted to Islam in huge numbers. Muslims now make up 14 percent of the 8.2 million people here in Africa's most Catholic nation, twice as many as before the killings began.

Many converts say they chose Islam because of the role that some Catholic and Protestant leaders played in the genocide. Human rights groups have documented several incidents in which Christian clerics allowed Tutsis to seek refuge in churches, then surrendered them to Hutu death squads, as well as instances of Hutu priests and ministers encouraging their congregations to kill Tutsis. Today some churches serve as memorials to the many people slaughtered among their pews.

In contrast, many Muslim leaders and families are being honored for protecting and hiding those who were fleeing.

Some say Muslims did this because of the religion's strong dictates against murder, though Christian doctrine proscribes it as well. Others say Muslims, always considered an ostracized minority, were not swept up in the Hutus' campaign of bloodshed and were unafraid of supporting a cause they felt was honorable.

"I know people in America think Muslims are terrorists, but for Rwandans they were our freedom fighters during the genocide," said Jean Pierre Sagahutu, 37, a Tutsi who converted to Islam from Catholicism after his father and nine other members of his family were slaughtered. "I wanted to hide in a church, but that was the worst place to go. Instead, a Muslim family took me. They saved my life."

Imams across the country held meetings after Sept. 11, 2001, to clarify what it means to be a Muslim. "I told everyone, 'Islam means peace,' " said Imiyimana, recalling that the mosque was packed that day. "Considering our track record, it wasn't hard to convince them."

At a recent class here, hundreds of women dressed in red, orange and purple head coverings gathered in a dark clay building. They talked about their personal struggle, or jihad, to raise their children well. And afterward, during a lunch of beans and chicken legs, they ate heartily and shared stories about how Muslims saved them during the genocide.

"If it weren't for the Muslims, my whole family would be dead," said Aisha Uwimbabazi, 27, a convert and mother of two children. "I was very, very thankful for Muslim people during the genocide. I thought about it and I really felt it was right to change."

You can read the full article here.

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American Muslim Mom Relaunched - Bigger and Better

2011-02-28T12:37:00.000-08:00

American Muslim Mum has been re-launched with a massive make-over by Sister Ponn Sabra. The current site has numerous giveaways and competition prizes for visitors, so it is worth heading over for a visit to find out how you can visit.

Sister Ponn has been busy herself, encouraging her children to succeed at their education. At the age of 6, 8 and 9, all Sabra’s girls were accepted to Stanford University's Education Program for Gifted Youth, testing into gifted classes and grade levels which far exceeded the standard for their age. By nine years old, Sabra's oldest had skipped most of high-school, tested into AP Physics and Honors Algebra 2, and was an award-winning inventor. However, unlike some mothers, she didn't force her children into those classes just to have impressive material on their transcripts.

Having already been published in magazines, featured on other blogs, and aiding in search engine optimization as they helped relaunch American Muslim Mom, through YouTube video production, blog publicity campaigns, and publishing content; the three Sabra have also launched their KidBloggerClub.com business, thanks to the support and encouragement of their mother.

The key to multifaceted parenting, Sabra explains, is remembering “There's a little flavor for every kind of Mom you have to be, but the unique spices come from Faith, Family, and every other “F”, like Friends, Fun, and being Fabulous.”

You can find free information on balancing a multifaceted parenthood from her recently available eBook, “Balancing Life as a Muslim Mom”, available at American Muslim Mom, where she also publishes her advice on being an active social-media mom, maintain a green and financially smart lifestyle, and more. AmericanMuslimMom.com is a diverse online community which hosts, on average, as many Muslim mothers as non-Muslim motherss in active daily discussions.

Ponn Sabra is a highly-prolific public health official-turned-best-selling author, internet marketer, and columnist who has been featured in the Associated Press, Washington Post, Fox, ABC News and other major media outlets.

Do head over to American Muslim Mom to see how you can benefit insh'Allah.You can find Sister Ponn's Youtube channel here and her Facebook page here.

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Undercover in Hijab

2011-02-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

Cassidy Herrington is a columnist in the Kentucky Kernel and last year she decided to find out what it is like to be a Muslim women and "take a walk in their shoes" by wearing the hijab for one month.

She details what the experience was like including at a Lebanese restaurant and whilst at work as a journalist:

"Responses to my hijab were subtle or nonexistent. I noticed passing glances diverted to the ground, but overall, everything felt the same. Near the end of the month, a classmate pointed out that a boy had been staring at me, much to my oblivion. The hijab became a part of me, and until I turned my head and felt a gentle tug, I forgot it was there.

For the most part, I carried out life as usual while in hijab. I rode my bike and felt the sensation of wind whipping under my headscarf. I walked past storefront windows, caught a glimpse of a foreign reflection and had to frequently remind myself that the girl was me. Hijab became part of my morning routine, and on one morning I biked to class and turned around because I realized I left without it. At the end of the day, I laughed at my “hijab hair” pressed flat against my scalp.

The hijab sometimes made me uneasy. I went to the grocery store and felt people dodge me in the aisles — or was that just my imagination?

I recognize every exchange I had and every occurrence I report may be an assumption or over analysis because few of my encounters were transparent. The truth is, however, very few of my peers said anything about the hijab. My classmates I’ve sat next to for more than a year, my professors and my friends from high school — no one addressed the obvious, and it hurt. I felt separated from the people who know me best — or so I thought"

You can read the full account of Herrington's experience here.

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Shelina Zahra Janmohamed on Marriage

2011-02-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed has written for the Guardian (25 February 2011) on the subjec of marriage. In the article she also mentions the Islamic stance on marriage:

"Marriage has a central place in religion, and Islam is no exception. So, to cover off the religious aspect, here is what Islam says: that marriage is a divine sign in order that the spouses may find peace and contentment in each other, and that love and mercy has been placed between them. In its essence, marriage is for the benefit of the two people involved, creating a tranquil and loving union. But it's more than that too: to get married is to complete "half your faith", it is part of fulfilling the human mandate and achieving spiritual perfection. And only then do we get to procreation as the reason for marriage. Islam is big on clear, solid family structure, and children knowing and respecting who their parents are. And it's also very firm on parents taking clear responsibility for the upbringing and long-term care of their children."

You can read the full article here.

Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN)

2011-02-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

The Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) is a community-based nonprofit that works for social justice, delivering a range of social services, and aiming to cultivate the arts in urban communities.

The network was formed in 1995 by Muslim students, community residents and leaders responding to inner-city poverty . IMAN sought to create a community organization driven by the spiritual ideals of community service, social justice and human compassion. A diverse network of students, residents and various institutions throughout the Chicago area has joined IMAN in working to develop a full-fledged community organization that seeks to embody the principles of these ideals.

Through direct services, IMAN provides key and often essential services that range from career development to medical attention. These services are facilitated through the Free IMAN Health Clinic and Career Development Initiative and collectively enable IMAN to meet community needs while building lasting relationships. One of the most effective and successful services IMAN has offered the larger community has been through its free Health Clinic. IMAN’s Health Clinic has become a leading provider in the community that delivers no-cost primary health care and support services to the largely uninsured population of Chicago’s Southwest Side. Operating out of IMAN’s new Health Clinic and Administrative Center, the clinic is staffed by a full-time Medical Director, Health Clinic Administrator, Lab Technician and over 25 volunteer physicians, nurses and rotating medical students who give their time and heart to the clinic.

You can learn more by visiting the website here.
You can also make a donation at the website.

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The New Cambridge History of Islam 2011

2011-02-26T22:42:00.000-08:00

Cambridge has just published the "The New Cambridge History of Islam" in six volumes.

The Telegraph (6 February 2011) carries a review by Noel Malcolm which describes the new edition as:

"...a work of breathtaking scholarship that does justice to one of the world's great religions"

He goes on to write that:

"I have spent nearly a month reading these volumes, and have learned a huge amount – not least, from the final volume, about the background to the various forms of present-day “political Islam”. And I finish reading them impressed by two things: the way in which Islam itself has held together as a religion, stretched across multiple states and cultures with no Pope or hierarchical Church to maintain it; and the way in which this team of scholars has condensed so much learning, with such clarity, into a mere 4,929 pages."

You can read the full review here.

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Everybody Draw Mohammed Day - A Muslim Response

2011-02-19T01:14:00.000-08:00

Muslim Response have creaed a video in response to "Draw Muhammad Day". The website states:

"You may wonder, why touch on an event over and done with? Muslim Response conceptualized during the furor of the “Everybody draw Prophet / Muhammed day” campaign. The fervour of the whole campaign left many bewildered, not completely sure why the Muslim population framed the event as “an attack” on an important personality of the faith. This video aims to bring clarity around the issue, giving you a crystal clear glimpse of the Muslim psyche, clarifying why this event was deciphered by Muslims as akin to being an attack on their identity. The purpose of this video is thus to aid as a deterrent for any future campaigns surrounding this topic."

Mehmed II's Oath to Franciscan Catholic Monastery in Fojnica

2011-02-19T00:50:00.000-08:00

Addressed to Angjeo Zvizdovic of the Franciscan Catholic Monastery in Fojnica, Bosnia:

"I, the Sultan Khan the Conqueror, hereby declare the whole world that, The Bosnian Franciscans granted with this sultanate firman are under my protection. And I command that: No one shall disturb or give harm to these people and their churches!

They shall live in peace in my state. These people who have become emigrants, shall have security and liberty. They may return to their monasteries which are located in the borders of my state. No one from my empire notable, viziers, clerks or my maids will break their honour or give any harm to them! No one shall insult, put in danger or attack these lives, properties, and churches of these people! Also, what and those these people have brought from their own countries have the same rights... By declaring this firman, I swear on my sword by the holy name of Allah who has created the ground and sky, Allah's Prophet Mohammed, and 124,000 former prophets that; no one from my citizens will react or behave the opposite of this firman!" (May 28, 1463)

The original edict is still kept in the Franciscan Catholic Monastery in Fojnica and is one of the oldest documents on religious freedom. Mehmed II's oath was entered into force in the Ottoman Empire on. In 1971, the United Nations published a translation of the document in all the official U.N. languages.

Ahdnama, 1463, kept in the Franciscan Convent in Fojinica - image source

Franciscan monastery in Fojnica - image source

Inspired by Muhammad

2011-02-18T23:17:00.000-08:00

The Inspired by Muhammad campaign is designed to improve the public understanding of Islam and Muslims. It showcases Britons demonstrating how Muhammad inspires them to contribute to society, with a focus on women's rights, social justice and the environmen. The people behind the campaign have now released a series of video's asking people how the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) inspired them:

The website is here and the Youtube channel is here.

Inspired By Muhammad - Environment - Timothy J Winters

Women's Rights - inspired by Muhammad - Sultana Tafadar

Women's Rights - inspired by Muhammad

Social Justice - inspired by Muhammad

Healthcare - inspired by Muhammad

Inspired By Muhammad - Environment - Kristiane Backer

Human Rights - inspired by Muhammad

Inspired By Muhammad - Animal Welfare - Sarah Joseph OBE

Inspired By Muhammad - Charity - Dr Hany El-Banna OBE

Education - inspired by Muhammad

Inspired By Muhammad - Coexistence - Imam Suhaib William Webb

Making Your Deen Green

2011-02-10T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hena Zuberi writes for Muslim Matters in an article entitled: "Make your Deen Green: Muslims and their Responsibility to the Environment". She highlights how caring for the environment is an important concept in Islam:

"Islam puts an emphasis on the environment like no other religion. It is not a foreign concept, a tree hugging fad or something to be done after we have acquired all other knowledge about Islam; it is an integral part of our deen.

If we believe that everything belongs to Allah and that we are just transiting then we have to treat the earth as His amanah – a trust of which we are the guardians, the khalifahs. Abu Sa’id Khudri reported that Allah’s Messenger said: “The world is sweet and green and verily Allah is going to install you as vicegerent in it in order to see how you act.” (Muslim) Does this make you think? We have been placed on earth for the purpose of taking care of it.

Dr. Soumaya Pernilla Ouis, a senior lecturer at Lund University, Sweden, coined the phrase Islamic ecocosmology. The idea is that nature in itself is Muslim; that we look around us and recognize every organism as our Muslim fellow being. That really changes the relationship, doesn’t it? We know that everything from thunder to ants hymn the glory of Allah, all beings therein, declare His glory; there is not a thing but celebrates his praise: and yet ye understand not how they declare His glory. (17:44)"

Read the full article here.

Image by Nino Jose Heredia (image source)

Bill O'Reilly, Islamophbia and Dylan Ratigan

2011-02-09T13:33:00.000-08:00

There is an interesting ideo circulating the internet of remarks made by Bill O'Reilly of American show "The View" that "Muslims killed us on 9/11" causing Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar to walk off of the show:

The Muslimerican blog picks up on this and has posted an interview of Dylan Ratigan speaking "candidly and powerfully about the (mis)treatment of Muslims in today’s media" on MSNBC's Morning Joe show:

Muslim Aid steps up to help residents in Queensland, Australia

2011-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

Muslim Aid's website describes it's efforts to assist the people of Queensland affected by recent flooding, made worse by a recent cyclone:

Muslim Aid called on the Office of the Agent-General for Queensland, London, on 2 February 2010, and presented a £10,000 cheque to Mr Andrew Craig, Agent-General for Queensland, for the flood affected people in Australia, raised through its Global Emergency Appeal.

The Agent-General for Queensland appreciated the efforts of Muslim Aid for raising the funds and said: “My Premier has asked me to pass on a message of gratitude and that the donations will go to all those individuals where the need is most.” He further added: “On behalf of all Queenslanders, we thank Muslim Aid very much indeed, it’s a most generous donation.”

The Chairman of Muslim Aid, Sir Iqbal Sacranie said: “We are happy to be able to help for such a large scale disaster. Muslim Aid are part of a global collective effort to help the people of Australia get back on their feet from the recent flooding. As an International relief and development agency our aim is to serve humanity and our first line of work comes in the form of providing emergency support and assistance to those affected by disasters. We would like to say thank you to all our donors and encourage all NGOs and Governments to lend their support to the people of Australia during this trying time.”

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Mercy Mission Australia

2011-02-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Muslim community bulletin Fresh Air blogs about Mercy Mission Australia:

"Mercy Mission Australia volunteers have released a video requesting financial, spiritual and physical support to their clean up work following Brisbane's recent flooding.

The video shows young Muslim volunteers busily cooking food and packing supplies for those in need following the natural disaster recently.

Mercy Mission are still recruiting volunteers to help support destroyed communities at the moment. Sheikh Taufique Choudhury reminds the audience that the Muslims have a duty to help everyone not just Muslims at times of distress."

TED Talks - Lesley Hazleton: On reading the Koran

2011-01-22T13:45:00.000-08:00

Journalist Lesley Hazleton gives a lecture at TED talks about her experience of reading the Quran.

TED's introduction to the lecture says: "Lesley Hazleton sat down one day to read the Koran. And what she found -- as a non-Muslim, a self-identified "tourist" in the Islamic holy book -- wasn't what she expected. With serious scholarship and warm humor, Hazleton shares the grace, flexibility and mystery she found, in this myth-debunking talk".

I certainly found it fascinating (and it is worth listening to just for Hazleton's wonderful voice alone).

Muslimah WW2 Heroine: Noor Inayat Jaan

2011-01-22T13:21:00.000-08:00

Earlier this month the Independent (4 January 2010) reported on Noor Inayat Khan, the Indian Muslimah who acted as a spy for the British in occuppied France during World War Two. I was dissappointed I had never heard of her, but the newspaper mentions her because of the launch of a campaign to raise £100,000 for a bronze bust of her in central London, the first memorial in Britain to either a Muslim or an Asian woman. The article describes how Noor Inayat Khan ended up in France:

"It may have been tales of his ferocity in battle told by her father, Hazrat, which steeled Noor to carry a pistol through the streets of Paris, but she was not a natural warrior. Suffused with Sufism's creed of non-violence, she studied child psychology at the Sorbonne and became a children's writer in the 1930s.

But when war broke out in 1939, Noor and one of her brothers, Vilayat, decided they had to travel to London, setting aside a fervent support of Indian independence which had brought their father into contact with Mahatma Gandhi and dedicating themselves to what they saw as the greater evil of Nazi Germany.

After she was rejected by the Women's Auxillary Air Force, her fluent French, quiet dedication and training in radio transmitting were spotted by SOE officers.

Despite being tortured by the Gestapo during 10 months of imprisonment, she had revealed nothing of use to her interrogators. Her last act was to shout "Liberté!". It is a tale of great courage which has long been recognised on the other side of the Channel, where there are two memorials and a ceremony is held each year to mark Noor's death. But in Britain, the contribution of this Anglo-Indian heroine who gave her life to defeat Nazism has been forgotten."

You can read the full article here.

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Taqwa and Knowedge for Deaf Muslims

2011-01-21T11:57:00.001-08:00

The Uttrujj Foundation have tried to address the need for Islamic education and knowledge geared towards deaf Muslims through their "Taqwa and Knowedge" course which is aimed at supporting Muslims with sensory impairments.

This video asks some of the attendees of the course what they thought about it. It makes for insightful and moving viewing.

This course is taught by Shaykh Abdul Aziz Ahmed who is a teacher specialising in supporting children with Additional Support Needs in mainstream schools in Scotland. He has been involved in publishing, translating and editing Islamic journals and books.

The foundation are also trying to raise funds to run the course with their "Supporting Muslims with Sensory Impairments Appeal", you can find out more here and donate here.

An Islamic Approach to Banking?

2011-01-21T10:14:00.000-08:00

In the Guardian's Comment is free belief section (7 January 2011), Imaduddin Ahmed asks whether an Islamic approach to banking might have prevented the financial crisis that we find ourselves in:

"Imagine a world without a financial crisis. No moral hazard, so brokers won't sell mortgages without carrying out appropriate credit checks. Imagine banks not deliberately selling complex derivatives, knowing that they will be worthless. No short-selling speculation, so companies tinkering on the edge won't be pushed over. Imagine a world with Islamic finance.

"The practices that caused the financial crisis would not have passed muster with sharia boards – committees of religiously inspired legal scholars who conduct a religious audit of a bank's activities. Neither the securitisation of sub-prime loans nor credit-default swaps are acceptable in Islamic finance," says Ibrahim Warde, author of Islamic Finance in the Global Economy and a professor at Tufts University.

"Similarly, negative Islamic attitudes towards short-selling were vindicated by the role short-selling played in many aspects of the crisis and subsequent limits placed on short-selling in London and New York. Some old-fashioned principles such as the distrust of excessive leverage and of open-ended innovation proved well founded. As for the systematic vetting of new products by sharia advisers, it could be looked at as a system of checks and balances, a useful corrective to the groupthink that had overtaken conventional finance."

Islamic finance extends beyond its well-known characteristics: interest-free banking and the prohibition of investment in items or activities deemed un-Islamic, such as prostitution, gambling, pornography, pig farming and alcohol. In contrast to conventional loans, Islamic bank loans are confined to financing the purchase of physical assets, to which they have recourse in case of default."

You can read the full article here.

Co-operating with a Congress Investigation into Islamist Radicalism..

2011-01-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

Qanta Ahmed wrote recenty in the Wall Street Journal (07 January 2011) in response to New York Reresentative Peter Kin, the call for congressional hearings on radical Islam in America. Dr Ahmed writes about the responsibility of Muslims to engage and co-operate with the society's they live in:

"Similar to the Christian obligation to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar's," the Quran and the derived corpus of Islamic jurisprudence support Muslims' engagement with those to whom power is entrusted. Chapter 4, verse 59 of the Quran reads: "Verily, Allah commands you to give over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice."

In one verse, Muslims are instructed: "Let there be one community of you, calling good and commanding right and forbidding wrong" (3:110). Another instructs: "Believers, the men and the women, are friends of one another; they command right, and forbid wrong" (9:71). Impartiality is critical to fulfilling this duty. As it is written: "And let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice" (5:8).

The holy texts of Islam emphasize that one's greatest allegiance should be to justice—superseding family and co-religionist ties. "Be strict in observing justice, and be witness for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against your parents or kindred," the Quran says in chapter 4, verse 36.

Justice is the cornerstone of Islamic life—despite the appalling reality of many Muslim-majority countries today. Every faithful Muslim must contribute to the preservation of justice within their society. "

You can read the full article here.

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Reverts in Britain

2011-01-09T11:28:00.000-08:00

The Independent (4 January 2011) attempts to identify the number number of people reverting to Islam in the UK and speculate about their reasons why in an (somewhat sensationally-named) article entitled: "The Islamification of Britain: record numbers embrace Muslim faith"

It cites a number of sources for figures around how many people have become Muslim, but highlights a figure from the thinktank Faith Matters of as many as 100,000 reverts and as many as 5,000 new reverts each year. As to why, the article quotes a number of reverts:

"The fact that the Qur'an is the same now as it ever was means there's always a reference point. The issues of women's rights were shockingly contemporary. The more I read, the more I found myself agreeing with the ideas behind it and I could see why Islam coloured the lives of my Muslim friends. It made sense, really, I didn't and still don't want to be Muslim, but there came a point where I couldn't say that I wasn't Muslim."

"I was very ignorant to Islam for most of my life and then I went on holiday to Morocco, which was the first time I was exposed to Muslims. I was literally a racist before Morocco and by the time I was flying home on the plane a week later, I had already decided to become a Muslim."

"I liked the way the Muslims students I knew conducted themselves. It's nice to think about people having one partner for life and not doing anything harmful to their body. I just preferred the Islamic lifestyle and from there I looked into the Qur'an. I was amazed to see Islam's big emphasis on science."

"Everything is so consumer-driven here, there are always adverts pushing you to buy the next thing. I knew there must be something longer term and always admired the sense of contentment within my colleagues' lives, their sense of peace and calmness. It was just one of those things that happened - we talked, I read books and I related to it."

"I know it sounds odd, but one day I was Tracey the Christian and the next day I was Khadijah the Muslim, it just seemed right. The only thing I knew about Muslims before was that they didn't drink alcohol and they didn't eat pork."

You can read the full article here.

Muslim's Wearing Things

2011-01-08T12:03:00.000-08:00

Pictures of Muslim's Wearing Things may be a strange name for a blog, but it came about in response to comments by former NPR analyst Juan Williams during a discussion with Bill O'Reilly on the O'Reilly Factor:

"But when I get on the plane, I got to tell you, if I see people who are in Muslim garb and I think, you know, they are identifying themselves first and foremost as Muslims, I get worried. I get nervous."

The blog states that :

"Juan Williams, among other ignorant people, has an irrational fear of Muslims, and thinks you can identify them based on what they look like. Here I will post pictures of Muslims wearing all sorts of things in an attempt to refute that there is such a thing as "Muslim garb" or a Muslim look."

The blog is great fun - eye-catching, attractive, diverse and interesting. I like that it is a humurous response to something negative based on lack of knowledge.

You can visit the blog here and view a gallery of all of the pictures here.

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Pew Research Center Report: Muslim Networks and Movements in Western Europe

2011-01-02T05:22:00.000-08:00

The Pew Research Center has recently published "Muslim Networks and Movements in Western Europe" a report looking at the origins, philosophies and demographics of various Islamic groups and movements currently active in Europe. It covers Sufi orders, Tabhligi Jamaat, Gulen Movement and the Muslim Brotherhood amongst others.

The Pew Research Centre's website says:

"Over the past two decades, the number of Muslims living in Western Europe has steadily grown, rising from less than 10 million in 1990 to approximately 17 million in 2010.1 The continuing growth in Europe's Muslim population is raising a host of political and social questions. Tensions have arisen over such issues as the place of religion in European societies, the role of women, the obligations and rights of immigrants and support for terrorism. These controversies are complicated by the ties that some European Muslims have to religious networks and movements outside of Europe. Fairly or unfairly, these groups are often accused of dissuading Muslims from integrating into European society and, in some cases, of supporting radicalism.

To help provide a better understanding of how such movements and networks seek to influence the views and daily lives of Muslims in Western Europe, the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life has produced profiles of some of the oldest, largest and most influential groups -- from the Muslim Brotherhood to mystical Sufi orders and networks of religious scholars. The selected groups represent the diverse histories, missions and organizational structures found among Muslim organizations in Western Europe. Certain groups are more visible in some European countries than in others, but all of the organizations profiled in the report have global followings and influence across Europe"

The report is available on the Pew Research Centre site here and at the ISSUU site here.

There is more information at the Pew Forum here.

At first glance the report looks well researched - what do readers think?

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Help Sheikh Dremali

2011-01-02T02:38:00.000-08:00

The Dremali Foundation was set up by Sheikh Ibrahim Dremali to share his experience and passion for Islam, science, and education and to revive the value of knowledge.

In 2006 Sheikh Ibrahim was diagnosed with Hepatits C, and despite painful and invasive treatment, continues to suffer from the disease. The foundation, with the assistance of the wonderful Sister Zohra Sarwari, has been trying to raise funds for his treatment. The video they have put together makes a strong case for us to try and assist mash'Allah:

You can watch video's of the Sheikh teaching here.
There are useful PDF document's by the Sheikh on taharah (purity), salah and zakat (alms) here.
There are a number of useful audio talks by the Sheikh here.

Conrad Koch on Muslim Women and Hijab

2010-12-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

There is an interesting post on comedian and ventriloquist Conrad Koch's blog called "My response to @GarethCliff and his Eurocentric arrogance towards Muslim women".

The tweet that led to this article was from Gareth Cliff (no I have never heard of him either) and basically said:
“I feel dreadfully sorry for any woman who has to cover herself up for religious reasons in the heat of summer. Very cruel.”

Personally I didn't think this even merited a response it is so inane, but Koch's responsed by saying:

"You say you “feel dreadfully sorry for any woman who has to cover herself up”. The important points here are that you a) feel sorry for them, and b) see them as having to do this. I have never heard you feeling sorry for Western women who ‘have to’ pour hot wax on their genital area and legs to make themselves more socially acceptable, or feeling sorry for female Idols contestants who ‘have to’ have near anemic figures to fit into the tight clothing we prefer them to wear, or for African women who are forced into the cultural practice of genital mutilation, so I need to ask, why the special sorrow for poor suffering Muslim women?

The academics reckon the reason white guys like us are so obsessed with Muslim women is because they have come to occupy a special place in our symbolism. George Bush calls them ‘women of cover’ (at least his prejudice is mildly entertaining, Gareth). They form part of a discourse of how the West has justified its exploits in the Middle East… they are the primary example for how weird and oppressive these crazy Muslim men are, or in Chakravorty Spivak’s (1988 in Abu-Lughod, 2002: 784) words: “White men saving brown women from brown men”.

Your statement implies that these women would prefer to be uncovered. I think Abu-Lughod (2002: 788) says it best: “I have done fieldwork in Egypt over more than 20 years and I cannot think of a single woman I know, from the poorest rural to the most educated cosmopolitan, who has ever expressed envy of U.S. women, women they tend to perceive as bereft of community, vulnerable to sexual violence and social anomie [big word Gareth, get Fresh to explain it to you], driven by individual success rather than morality, or strangely disrespectful of god.”

As interesting as the article were the comments. One was from Nani-ma who wrote:

"I am a muslim woman. I write this letter from peace and to inform your readers why Islam is so beautiful and practical. Muslim woman do not wear hijaab(headscarf and modest clothing) for men but for themselves. It is their choice to wear hijaab to follow what God has instructed them to do, not their husbands, fathers or anyone else but God. My favourite story about modest dress was: One day a school girl asked a religious leader - Mufti Menk. Why are muslim women oppressed and wear a head scarf and dress like that and why do men have beards and wear robes? His answer was: "the same reason the mother of Jesus, Mary wears the head scarf in all your portraits and the same reason Jesus has a beard and wears robes in all your portraits, for the love of God." Why has God instructed women to dress modestly? At the time when Islam started women were treated the worst buried alive, etc. Islam came and liberated women. Many examples to numerous to mention here. A woman wears hijaab the same reason you lock away all your valuables in a safe. If you had the most precious stone in the world wouldn't you want to hide it from everyone and wrap it up safely. Hijaab is a women's security blanket. With her modest dress she feels safe to walk the streets without even being noticed and maybe even being respected for it. In these times where women are being sexually abused left, right and centre the hijaab is one of the best safety mechanisms she has, almost a shield of protection. With the hijaab all women are the same equal to each other and in retrospect equal to man. Fat, thin, tall, short. Woman are talking to each other, the person, not getting distracted by their assets or liabilities. The same goes with man communicating with woman. With the hijaab you are talking to HER not her looks. God is the most wise and knows best. I admire the father who is inculcating such beliefs in his children at such a young age. Religious freedom is a democratic right and one of the reasons I love South Africa and wouldn't choose to live in France wear the headscarf is banned. My only regret is I didn't ask permission to wear hijaab when I was the first muslim girl to attend my model c school in the eastern Transvaal way back then."

You can read the full article and comments here.

Muslim Women Do That

2010-12-26T00:35:00.000-08:00

Yasmin Diallo Turk has created a short video called "Muslim Women Do That" to challenge some of the stereotypes about Muslim women. Sister Yasmin explains on her project website:

"This documentary film will highlight American Muslim women doing 10 Things you may not anticipate if you are among the 62% of Americans who claim they have never met a Muslim. More than 1 out of every 5 people on Earth identifies as Muslim. They do not have one look, personality, or passion. Following 5 Muslim women in their 20's, 30's and 40's as they take on adventures introduces you to them as people rather than impersonal stereotypes"

Muslim School Assists Neighbouring Ailing School

2010-12-19T13:41:00.000-08:00

The Independent (10 November 2010) writes about how the Tauheedul Islam Girls' School in Blackburn,one of the country's first state-funded Muslim schools, is helping it's neighbouring secular school. Blakewater College has traditionally is in another part of the city and has been described as having a "chequered past", having problems with behaviour and exam performance:

"But now Tauheedul is helping Blakewater turn itself round. It is the first time that a Muslim school has been asked to perform a rescue act on a non-faith state school, but the experiment is already paying dividends.

After only eight months the percentage of pupils gaining five A* to C grade passes at Blakewater has risen from 11 per cent to 26 per cent.

Alan Chambers, head of Blakewater College for the past year, said the link with Tauheedul – led by its principal, Hamid Patel – had helped immeasurably. "Hamid is a Blackburn lad and there is no doubt that he wants to put something back into the wider community that both of us serve," Mr Chambers said.

The college now assesses the performance of pupils as soon as they arrive, giving them extra support if they fall short. It has also approached parents to get them more involved in the process – a tactic previously honed by their colleagues across the city."

You can read the full article here.

New York Times Feature: Muslims in America

2010-12-19T12:52:00.000-08:00

The New York Times has an interesting series of features by Andrea Elliott grouped under the theme of "Muslims in America":

Tending to Muslim Hearts and Islam's Future
Explores the Journey of Imam Shata as he becomes an America Imam:
"The bookish Egyptian came to America in 2002 to lead prayers, not to dabble in matchmaking. He was far more conversant in Islamic jurisprudence than in matters of the heart. But American imams must wear many hats, none of which come tailor-made."

To Lead the Faithful in a Faith Under Fire
Looks at the way Imam Shata has had to deal with questions from the FBI as Islam becomes a "religion under watch":
"In the Islamic world, imams are defined as prayer leaders. But here, they become community leaders, essential intermediaries between their immigrant flocks and a new, Western land. When Islamic traditions clash with American culture, it is imams who step forward with improvised answers. Outside the mosque, many assume the public roles of other clergy, becoming diplomats for their faith."

A Muslim Leader in Brooklyn, Reconciling 2 Worlds
Explores the wide variety of roles an imam has to play in America and the challenges he might face:
"America transformed me from a person of rigidity to flexibility," said Mr. Shata, speaking through an Arabic translator. "I went from a country where a sheik would speak and the people listened to one where the sheik talks and the people talk back."

Islam in the Suburbs - Audio Slide Show
Sheikh Reda Shata discusses his move from a storefront mosque in Brooklyn to a palatial mosque in Middletown, N.J.

A Cleric’s Journey Leads to a Suburban Frontier
Catches up with Imam Shata in the suburbs:
"To be a successful suburban imam, he found, meant persuading doctors and lawyers not to rush from prayers to beat traffic. It meant connecting with teenagers who drove new cars, and who peppered their Arabic with “like” and “yeah.” It meant helping his daughter cope with mockery at school, in a predominantly white town that lost dozens of people on Sept. 11"

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Lauren Booth Converts to Islam

2010-10-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

According to the Guardian (24 October 2010), Tony Blair's sister-in-law, Lauren Booth has converted to Islam:

"Journalist and broadcaster Lauren Booth, 43 – Cherie Blair's sister – now wears a hijab whenever she leaves her home, prays five times a day and visits her local mosque whenever she can.

She decided to become a Muslim six weeks ago after visiting the shrine of Fatima al-Masumeh in the city of Qom.

"It was a Tuesday evening and I sat down and felt this shot of spiritual morphine, just absolute bliss and joy," she said in an interview today.

When she returned to Britain, she decided to convert immediately."

Read the full article here.

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Lauren Booth: I'm now a Muslim. Why all the shock and horror? (Guardian, 3 November 2010)

PBS Documentary: Muhammad

2010-10-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

A beautiful documentary created for PBS by Michael Schwarz of Kikim Media and Michael Wolfe and Alex Kronemer of Unity Productions Foundation. Includes interviews with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Karen Armstrong.

BBC: The Koran Through the Ages

2010-08-17T14:42:00.000-07:00

The BBC has an article entitled "The Koran through the ages" by Razia Iqbal which looks at the origin of the Quran, how it has been preserved and memorised through history and how modern technology is making it accessible to everyone:

"A secular interpretation of any sacred text says, of course, that it's a human production," explains Tim Winter, also known under his Muslim name Abdel Hakim Murad, who lectures in Islamic studies at Cambridge University in England.

"But a traditional believing interpretation says that this is the word of God. It's not a work of co-authorship between God and the Prophet. God wrote it all," he adds.

One of the oldest surviving fragments of the Koran, dating back to the late 7th or early 8th Centuries, is at the British Library in London.

A page from Sultan Baybars' Koran at the British Library, written entirely in gold. Although the script slants to the right and looks unfamiliar to modern Arabic speakers, the text itself is almost exactly what you would find in a modern printed edition.

Soraya Syed is one of the few full-time female Arabic calligraphers in Europe.

Even though writing the sacred words is so closely bound up with the Islamic faith, she says she experiences her art as liberating and profoundly universal.

As she showed me how to write a version of the Bismillah - the declaration "In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful" - she revealed something astonishing.

"When you study calligraphy and read how the old manuscripts describe the letters and the proportions, they use the human anatomy to describe the letters," she says.

"So in order for you to understand the letters and how to write them, you need to understand the human form."

Read the full article here.

Obama and The Ground Zero Mosque

2010-08-17T14:29:00.000-07:00

The Independent (16 August 2010) carries a leading article supporting Barack Obama's decision to support the "Ground Zero" mosque which has had staunch opposition in the US:

"The very idea of building a mosque in lower Manhattan was bound to be divisive, and it has indeed been fiercely opposed. After a long planning battle, permission was finally granted only at the beginning of this month. Yet Mr Obama, with or without his uncommon family background, is right to have said what he said, and to have said it as forcefully as he did.

Religious freedom is one of the great strengths of the United States, and one that has facilitated its successful integration of many waves of immigrants. Nor, although it requires particular generosity of spirit after 9/11, is Islam the only religion that represents a challenge to the status quo in America, now and in the decades to come. The rapid increase in the Hispanic population, which is predominantly Roman Catholic, is also bringing change to many parts of the United States, even as the traditional White Anglo-Saxon Protestant establishment is in numerical decline.

Mr Obama's election as the country's first non-white President was an extremely positive sign of US voters' openness to cultural change. But there are still those who harbour suspicion and even hatred of the diversity that he represents. It is regrettable that Mr Obama felt he had to underline the need for religious tolerance as he did, but admirable that – despite the sensitivity of the mosque's location – he nonetheless went ahead and gave it the seal of presidential approval."

You can read the full article here.

CSM Ramadan Gallery

2010-08-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

The Christian Science Monitor has a gallery called "Scenes of Ramadan":

An Afghan man reads the holy Koran at a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan on Aug 11, the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan (Ahmad Massoud/AP)

A Musaharati, or dawn awakener, strikes his drum just before dawn on Aug. 11 to wake observant Muslims in Sidon's old city in southern Lebanon for their overnight 'sahur,' or last meal before the day's fast. (Ali Hashisho/Reuters)

Filipino Muslim students read the Koran inside an elementary school during Ramadan in Manila, Philippines, on Aug. 11. (Romeo Ranoco/Reuters)

Indonesian Muslim students march during a rally for Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Aug. 7. Ramadan, the holy fasting month, began Wednesday, Aug. 11. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation. (Achmad Ibrahim/AP)

An Egyptian vendor prepares the display of traditional lanterns for sale at his shop in Cairo on Aug. 3, in preparation for the upcoming Muslim holy month of Ramadan (Nasser Nasser/AP).

View the full gallery here.

CSM Ramadan Round-up

2010-08-15T15:21:00.000-07:00

The Christian Science Monitor (11 August 2010) mentions Ramadan:

“Ramadan 2010 USA started Wednesday as Muslims from Miami to Mecca began the month-long fast to mark what they believe was Allah's revelation of the Koran 14 centuries ago. This is the first time in nearly 30 years that Ramadan, whose timing depends on the lunar calendar, has corresponded with the hot summer months of the Gregorian calendar.

In addition to the heat, Muslims – who now comprise roughly a quarter of humanity – face unique challenges and perks depending on whether they’re celebrating in America, Arab countries, or as far north as the Arctic Circle.

In Jerusalem, considered the third holiest city in Islam, West Bank Palestinians will be allowed to visit the Temple Mount compound without permits. But there’s a catch to visiting the area, which is home to the Al Aqsa Mosque and the iconic golden Dome of the Rock: Men must be over age 50 and women over the age of 45. For married individuals, the age limit drops to 45 and 30, respectively.

Many Muslims in Morocco will be forced to congregate in makeshift tents after the government announced this week that it is closing 1,256 mosques. The move came after the religious affairs ministry inspected nearly 20,000 mosques for safety standards in the wake of a minaret’s collapse that killed 41 people in February.

Iraq is bracing for an uptick in attacks, as US combat troops withdraw by Sept. 1 and temperatures of 120 degrees F. – coupled with a dire lack of electricity – agitate an already tense situation.

Indonesia ushered in the holy month by banning pornographic websites, prostitutes, and firecrackers – “things that can distract Muslims from faithfully observing Ramadan in peace,” deadpanned the Jakarta Globe. (In addition to abstaining from food and water during daylight hours, Muslims are also to refrain from sex.) Some 80 percent of porn sites had been blocked by the government, said Communication and Information Technology Minister Tifatul Sembiring.

Egypt, meanwhile, is keeping time in a rather unorthodox way – turning the clock back an hour so that the Ramadan fast ends earlier in the day. Some Muslims worried that the special Ramadan time zone might violate Islamic law, reported NPR. But most carried on with preparations for nightly feasting that causes Egypt to triple its food consumption during the month – a tradition one Egyptian compared to 30 Christmas Eve dinners.

In New Jersey, school administrators decided to cancel classes on the culminating day of Ramadan – part of a controversial move by 10 of the state’s school districts to incorporate Muslim holidays into the school calendar.

To counter what many see as increasing anti-Islamic sentiment in America, such as that surrounding the ground zero mosque, Muslims at a storefront mosque in the Miami area have decided to broadcast their Friday sermons live.”

You can find the original article here.

Fasting for Non-Muslimas

2010-08-15T15:19:00.000-07:00

BBC Bradford explores what it means to fast during Ramadan for a non-Muslim:

“Eilish Bromley works with the youth service in Bradford. She's not Muslim but will begin fasting this year. She explains her reasons behind it.

She says: "I've got a lot friends who are Asian and they're fasting so I want to respect their religion and fast.

Eilish says: "I'm also trying to have a small understanding of what's going on around the world, people who are suffering in poverty, and I hope this will also help me gain more understanding about myself."

Eilish has fasted in the past and it's something she says she was glad she did and will be glad to do it again.

She explains: "I will try and eat the same amount I eat normally. I didn't notice any weight loss the last time I did it. I don't think you necessarily lose any weight. "It's about trying to gain a better understanding of people and what they are going through, which is why I want to do it."

You can read the full article here.

Mahya: Turkish Illuminations

2010-08-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Reuters (12 August 2010) carries an article on the Turkish tradition of Mahya:

“Yildiz is one of the few remaining masters of Mahya, a tradition unique to Turkey and for which Istanbul's Ottoman-era imperial mosques with their soaring minarets are ideally suited.
Suspended between the minarets, dangling lights spell out devotional messages in huge letters, visible from afar and intended to reward and inspire the faithful who have spent the daylight hours fasting.

While Yildiz's working conditions are hard -- he must mount the minaret's 250 narrow, dark steps every week of Ramadan to change the message and deal with dizzying heights -- his counterparts of previous centuries had it harder. They would have to light and suspend hundreds of oil lamps and wicks and carefully plot letters in Arabic's curving letters.

Today just a handful of Istanbul's mosques use Mahya, but they are the city's grandest, and the phrases, set by Turkey's directorate of religious affairs, are legible from afar.

"Fast, find good health," reads another of this year's Mahya, seemingly printed onto the night sky.

image source

Mahya are said to have their origins in the reign of Sultan Ahmed I (1603-1617), who was so pleased by a Mahya a muezzin had created as a surprise for him, he ordered that they be copied elsewhere.”

You can read the full article here.

UK Foreign Secretary Ramadan Message

2010-08-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

The UK’s Foreign Secretary William Hague released a Ramadan message on the 12 August 2010:

"As-Salaam Alaikum. As the Islamic holy month of Ramadan begins I want to send as British Foreign Secretary good wishes to Muslims across the globe.

This is a very important time in the calendar. It’s a time of fasting, of prayer, of introspection, of the gathering of families and I’m very conscious as a British politician of the huge contribution that so many Muslims in Britain make across the whole breadth of our society and that is something of course that we want to see even more of in the future.

So it’s a very, very important time of year celebrating what Ramadan is about, important values of selflessness, of charity, of compassion, of looking after people less fortunate than ourselves. And these are values of course that unite Muslims and non Muslims alike.

So at this special time of year I say to you, your friends and your relatives, Ramadan Mubarak."

The original video message is on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website here.

Prime Ministers Ramadan Message

2010-08-15T15:12:00.000-07:00

The UK’s Prime Minister David Cameron released a message for Ramadan (Thursday 12 August 2010) on the No.10 website:

“I want to send my very best wishes to all the Muslim communities in Britain and around the world as you start this hugely significant month of Ramadan.

I know one of the messages of Ramadan is the importance of charity and the act of giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. That tradition is not just a great Muslim tradition. It’s also a great British tradition, something we cherish right across our society, amongst people of every faith and none.

At this time of prayer and reflection, I hope that your prayers will be answered, your families and communities strengthened and that this Ramadan may bring you peace, happiness and every blessing.”

You can read the full briefing here.

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German TV Ramadan Reminder

2010-08-12T14:45:00.000-07:00

A German TV Channel, RTL2 is offering an on-screen reminder at sunrise and sunset to indicate the start and end of the daily fast during Ramadan. German English newspaper The Local comments:

"German television channel RTL2 said Tuesday it was launching a special service for Muslim viewers during Ramadan, letting them know when to begin and end the daily fast.

"You can theorise all you like about integration, but we wanted to send a clear signal," Carsten Molings, head of marketing at the channel, said in a statement.

"RTL2 makes programmes for all people and followers of all religions. Just as every year we reflect Christmas and Easter in our programming, we wanted to do the same for Ramadan."

The Central Council for Muslims in Germany (ZMD), representing Germany's roughly four million believers, welcomed RTL2's decision.

"This shows how successful integration is in this country," ZMD general secretary Aiman Mazyek said in a statement. "Actions like this are an example to all."

You can read the full article here.

Sister Alison Lake on Conversion, Hijab, Worship and Ramadan

2010-08-12T14:34:00.000-07:00

The Washington Post carries a series of articles by Alison Lake, one of their staff writers, on the experience of conversion to Islam:

1. Confessions of a convert to Islam
"Well before formally converting, I knew I wanted to be Muslim. I felt Muslim, and enjoyed spending time with Muslims. I began to avoid alcohol and eat halal (permitted) foods, changed my dating habits, and become more aware of how I dressed. As I continued to read, I became more aware of how our actions affect other people, and our futures. For example, Islam is centrally focused on community awareness and charity, so much that the entire month of Ramadan is devoted to good deeds and awareness of the feeling of hunger.

The word Islam means "submission." That is all: submitting to God and admitting your humility. I love the Islamic phrase insha'Allah, or "God willing." It admits that we (humans) cannot control everything. We don't know God's plan for us and should be humble to that and follow what we do know from Him. With that in mind, living my life according to what I believe is a little easier."

2. Converting to Islam today
There is much to admire in Islam, and Muslims should educate non-Muslims, as well as their own brothers and sisters in the faith, on the religion's nuances. There is a rich field for debate on subjects such as the meanings of the Quran, the implications of Prophet Muhammad's life practices today, the behavior of men and women in the public sphere, and what Islam shares in common with other religions. Islam is also in dire need of a better public relations campaign around the world, particularly in the West.

Islamic civilization was born in the Middle East but also has deep historical roots in India, Iran, central Asia, and Africa. Western textbooks and histories previously ignored Islamic civilization's rich history, which is slowly becoming more accepted in the European/American worldview. While Europe was in the bubonic depths of the Dark Ages, Islamic civilization produced great thinkers, writers, and inventors. Baghdad and Damascus were bustling, advanced centers of learning and commerce. Arab scholars (many of them Muslim) helped to launch the Renaissance in Europe with their scientific advances and translations of ancient texts for wider consumption.

Islam also shares many points in common with the histories of Judaism and Christianity, based on scriptures and the tradition of such prophets as Abraham, Moses, and Noah. This commonality in the Abrahamic faith tradition is a helpful foundation for interfaith studies, and for pursuit of greater understanding of Islam by non-Muslims. There are too many Muslims worldwide to ignore -- more than 1.5 billion. Hopefully more non-Muslims will take time to understand this religion and its people, and try to look beyond the crimes of terrorists and the stereotypes perpetuated in the media and in Western culture.

3. "Why don't you love Jesus?"
My recent first visit to a Muslim country demonstrated that daily practice of Islamic faith does not have to be cumbersome or a cause for social shyness, and further inspired me to challenge my own timidity about outwardly being Muslim.

The Quran instructed the Prophet Muhammad to "Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their garments [or veils, depending on the translation] close around them," so as to be known as believers and not molested. The Quran does not expressly instruct women to cover their hair and necks, but Islamic culture and faith practice surrounding the Prophet Muhammad led to use of the headscarf. These are known as hadith (sayings of the Prophet) and sunnah (practices of the Prophet), and are central to Islamic practice.

My trip to Morocco in June transformed my perception of what a day should look like for a Muslim. I observed how many Moroccans incorporate prayer into their daily schedule, and how easily women moved about, dressed modestly in extreme heat, stylishly, and without baring lots of skin.

4.Embracing new rituals
Prayer in Islam is beautiful, peaceful, and humble. The act of praying is powerful, especially when you do it several times a day. I feel closer to God the more often I pray, and my faith deepens. Somehow the greater frequency of prayer sharpens my spiritual senses. As a result, I approach life more in spiritual terms; think of God more often; and feel stronger emotionally, intellectually, and physically. I feel motivated to read the Quran, to reach out to people, and to thank God for all the blessings of life.

I look forward to the quiet reflection of Ramadan that comes every year, along with the pleasure of cooking certain meals and foods I can eat in the morning and after breaking fast in the evening. Knowing I am fasting changes the tenor of my day and gives focus. The daily routine throughout the year of dressing the part, reading Quran, and wishing salaam to other Muslims provides other comforting, predictable, and rewarding rituals.

Fasting is definitely challenging to learn if you don't grow up with it. I still struggle with it. My blood sugar rebels and I feel thirsty, even dizzy. I try to be easy on myself, because in Muslim families, children learn to fast slowly, short periods at a time. But I do my best because it is a mark of the faith and brings great rewards: understanding the feeling of being poor or starving; self-discipline; cleansing of the body; and spiritual closeness to God. In the Quran, God enjoins Muslims to fast. Those who are sick or on a journey are not required to fast, and should give money or food to someone needy. Also, women are not expected to fast after childbirth or during their monthly cycle.

I believe Islam is needed now more than ever, especially in our hectic society that seems to be regulated by television, fluorescent lights, commercialism, self-indulgence, and the 24-hour clock. Regular spiritual practice is calming and grounding. Islam expects more of us. Knowing that God is responsible for this world but also gave us brains and heart to use well is somehow freeing -- we can do our best and leave the rest up to God.

Click on the links to read the full articles.

Ramadan in Britain

2010-08-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Independent (8 August 2010) explores different individual's perspectives on what Ramadan means for them and how they prepare in "Ramadan and me: A month in the life of British Muslims":

Farasat Latif, 41 - Project manager from Luton

"I'm going to take some time off from my jobs – working with ex-offenders, and teaching business and English to overseas students – and use it to get closer to god. It is a spiritual time during which one abstains from things which are normally permissible, so we learn how to abstain. I will be fasting from dawn until dusk and praying five times a day, with congregational prayers in the evening."

Shelina Zahra Janmohamed, 35 - Author from London

"For the past three years, I've organised a dinner in Ramadan in which I get 10 or so friends to bring people they know who are not Muslim to break the fast with us. As British people, we tend to be quite reserved about religion, but I think we should be open. In a recession, people can understand the importance of stepping back from consuming and focusing on what's inside rather than what we have."

Ayesha Abdeen, 26 - CEO, Muslim Women's Sport Foundation, from London

"I adhere to everything, fasting from dawn until dusk. It is quite a long day, hard at the beginning, but the benefits always outweigh the difficulties. It is one month of being disciplined and a reminder, especially for those who are always busy, of our surroundings and those less fortunate. It is a month where everybody gets together, we visit friends and family. There is a sense of community."

You can read the full article here.

Ramadan Lights in Palestine

2010-08-12T14:13:00.000-07:00

Palestinians decorate an alley of Jerusalem’s old city with lights in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Photographer: Muhammed Muheisen/AP
Source: Guardian 12 August 2010