June 1, 2012

In response to a youtube video: “Is Islam a Better Guide for Life BBC The Big Questions Jan 2011

(Photo from flickr by (¯`·.¸¸.¤*¨¨*¤.๑۩۩۩๑Zeyneeep!)

Going along with whatever is fashionable isn’t freedom. You are in fact giving in to the pressures around you to conform. And with respects to Islam, some of the issues that keep arising are an overall “concern” that Muslimah (Muslim women) are giving up their human and civil rights by covering up. This isn’t true. Life is convoluted and not as simple as the explanations being offered by non-Muslim women. For instance, Islam is a faith that permeates every aspect of life for its believers. Therefore, in the interest of keeping that faith within the community, it isn’t unreasonable that Allah would impose rules that recognize the culture, socialization and, of course, the nature of people therein.

So attempting to simplify 14 centuries of culture, intermeshed with faith, cannot be accomplished by merely living as a foreigner for a few years in an Islamic country. Nor, can it be simplified by drawing a comparison between it and ones’ own culture. This is neither sound nor rational. One is not qualified to truly comment on the status of women in Islam until you have actually read the Qur’an, made note of the laws of shari’iah and lived it.

Furthermore, focusing on the dynamics of a single culture that recognizes Islam and has questionable or harmful practices with respects to women should not be turned into a case against Islam. This would be unprofessional, if not poor journalism, irresponsible reporting, and a blatant, misrepresentation of facts.

For instance, there is a group in the deep southern part of America that proclaims to be Christian and performs their services and worship centered on the handling of poisonous snakes as a testament of their faith. Consequently this handling has resulted in more than a few bites – some of them fatal. Should I film this then spread it throughout the Islamic world as a testament of the dangerous habits of the Christian? Of course not, there is a collective behind it; a culture to this methodology of ritualistic belief in snake handling that does not define Christianity or its believers as a whole, as many a Christian would attest.

So be careful in your presumptions based upon superficial or circumstantial factors. And take care in what you perceive, so that you are not mistaking modesty for oppression, active faith for fanaticism, or active solutions to the afflictions of human nature as degradation of women’s’ rights. You would be sorely mistaken. And as a believer in Islam, I stand firm that the Qur’an confirms this. Inshallah you too should come to know peace and the truth about Islam and its Muslim people – Inshallah.

11:11am | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yMZJzUo

(Notes: 1)

Filed under: Islam Musli Muslims in the UK Journalism Middle-Eastern Issues religious essay Intereligious respect International Perspective tolerance conceptual essays conceptual commentary conceptual journalism media studies cultural theory philosophy

May 30, 2012

“…I’m really a Jew that believes she’s Muslim.”

K. So I had a brief interruption during my afternoon prayer at the library (private little nook not withstanding) when one of those cuckoos that gets sent to follow me around & talk nonsense says that I’m crazy, because I’m really a Jew that believes she’s Muslim. That’s funny, why just last month, I was 100% Mexican, 100% Puerto Rican, “yellow and Black,” “yellow and red,” etc., etc., etc., the list just goes on … Since my conversion to Islam and subsequent re-establishment of my sensibilities, I find myself wondering why you don’t tire of being jerked around by shaiton (satan). Well for whatever it’s worth, I sure get tired of watching (and listening) to you submit like you do. Inshallah (god willing), you should know the peace and truth I’ve come to know.

1:25pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yMS00Mk

(Notes: 3)

Filed under: Islam Muslim religious agendas religious intolerance religion news middle-easterm Islamic journalish International Perspective Intereligious respect conceptual essays media studies cultural theory philosophy conceptual journalism conceptual commentary non-fiction

May 24, 2012

Muslimah in America and telling it like it is

I’m watching these great videos on YouTube about American women like myself that have converted to Islam, and I think about how great it would be if I had the luxury of staying near my children and grandchildren. But in reality, America is a hostile place towards women. And as a Muslim woman, it’s twice the hostility and some. No thanks. I’d take an Islamic country over the US any day knowing that as a woman I have some inalienable rights that can’t be taken away by hate, homosexuals, and those that would harm women for the sake of greed.

6:06pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yM5enAM

Filed under: writing conceptual essays conceptual journalism Islam Muslimah Musl;ims Journalism middle eastern Intereligious respect tolerance edia studies cultural theory philosophy

May 22, 2012

In response to Saudi Solutions, a YouTube video: In light of women

In response to YouTube video - Saudi Solutions (Bregtje van der Haak, VPRO 2005) -

http://bit.ly/7VPISB

First of all, living in this environment, I would feel protected from the ills that plague western society (I’m a westerner so I can only speak for myself and my territory). Allah has made this possible and it includes an emphasis on good family values.

Living in a state of constant disrespect and expectations per beauty given by Allah is a reality for women in the US. The more beautiful you are the more you are expected to debase yourself at the hands of men. If you don’t, you become an image of ridicule by brutal men and less-beautiful women who would gladly change places with you to be treated with “respect.” This type of living is deplorable. Living in a society that has “no rules” is oppressive to those with rules – read values.

The Led Backlight Company (Saudi Arabian light-fixtures) implemented a project a few years ago that was sublimed, despite cheap labor, for employing women at nearly 50% the cost of employing men. And, although this may be deemed terribly unfair in the west, these women are orphans and widows with no male to care for them. Muslim men are responsible for caring for the family financially and Islam deploys fulfillment of religious obligations at 50% being marriage – the institution of family is steadfastly important to practicing Muslims - by which Saudi Arabia upholds most conservatively.

No country is perfect and every place has its challenges within its populace, but the Saudi solution is an effort to bring decency and dignity to women that have fallen to the wayside by no fault of their own. And Insha’Allah, decency and dignity for women will continue to be a right granted by Allah, and not a privilege in exchange for something haram and harmful to the status and self-esteem of women.

May 22, 2012

Saudi Arabia for women: less fluff more facts please

Trying to plan for my trip and recognizing that doing it alone is going to be next to impossible. Everyone wants to bash Saudi Arabia and any other country in the Islamic world that doesn’t agree with the western world’s approach to life and living - especially the pieces written by women. Instead of something useful for a female traveler on accommodations, I get a rant on having to use a guide, not being able to drive, etc. Subsequently, I find my time wasted reading articles like this, getting nothing I couldn’t have gotten chatting on the street with your average, insular, boob-tube watching all-American that seems overflowing with opinions based upon a deficit of facts provided by a biased media.

Quality journalism and travel pieces should be informative. They should state experiences that can help the individual coming after meet their basic needs and get something out of the journey. Nobody needs nor cares to hear an endless drone of complaints about how you don’t get all the familiarities of home and how decrepit another’s interpretation of humanity is because they do not think as you do.

Just state the facts, describe what you see, leave your personal bias at home and let me know where I can rent a room as a woman that is safe. Where I can find a guide if this is so required and where I can make the most out of my trip whilst following the rules set forth in the country I’m visiting. These are questions that may be answered by someone that has actually made the journey and are considered invaluable to readers. The rest is fluff, and just minimizes a writers’ credibility at best.

May 21, 2012

After conversion, thoughts on choosing an Islamic name

I read that choosing an Islamic name after conversion is neither necessary nor recommended, unless one has a name not very befitting of one’s new life. As it would appear, my name essentially means, “too rust” in English. And in Arabic, it is strikingly similar to a word that roughly translates into “boisterous show off.” Of course this knowledge came after my first jaunt to mosque last week, and I was thinking of funny names to take that may or may not exist, like “one who wears squeaky shoes,” or maybe “bright yellow underwear fiend modestly disguised. Or maybe stem, branch, tree-stump or trunk, because flower and leaf are all taken and retaken to death. Then it occurs to me that this is probably how my name got shuffled from one family member to the next throughout the generations and pinned on me; A perpetual family joke, evidence that a sense of humor can run amok in family lineage.

4:07pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvw0AT

(Notes: 1)

Filed under: Muslim Muslimah Islam conversion Islamic names converting to Islam

May 21, 2012

So adorable :) <3

waxwalan:

awe.

4:03pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvunWF

(Notes: 1,295)

May 21, 2012

Now listen to her say it and more! ;) http://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.html

vintageanchor:

“I recently spoke at a university where a student told me it was such a shame that Nigerian men were physical abusers like the father character in my novel. I told him that I had recently read a novel called American Psycho,and that it was a shame that young Americans were serial murderers.”

― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

(via elsi)

3:53pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvruD3

(Notes: 3,304)

May 21, 2012

ROFLMAO…Soooo true!

(Source: fuckyeahalbuquerque, via cleosvcrazyworld)

3:45pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvpcYo

(Notes: 95,552)

May 21, 2012

What, you’re surprised?

cleosvcrazyworld:

fuck ya cats!

(Source: cineraria)

3:37pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvnI-M

(Notes: 105,358)

May 21, 2012

Interesting….I bet they smell like pee.

did-you-kno:

Source

(via cleosvcrazyworld)

3:27pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvkJ8E

(Notes: 3,680)

May 21, 2012

[Flash 10 is required to watch video]

K. What is it about this man? I mean, he’s like the brother you wish you had, the boyfriend that would be so cool, the husband and father that would carry you into old age…Is he human? (hmmm. Could be more to this MIB thing than meets the eye!)

theknnowing:

swar0vski:

jac00b:

Will Smith and Gary Barlow Do ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ Rap

how can you not love Will Smith

this is the best thing ever

LOOOOOL.

(Source: vipvictor, via purplelillies)

3:20pm | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yLvi5-h

(Notes: 54,725)

April 29, 2012

Saudi Arabia Myths Busted

Now before I get all of the “imperfections” thrown into my face about Arab run nations, particularly for women, let me cover a few:

You can’t go to Saudi Arabia without an invitation if you aren’t of Islam: Visitors go there, there are ways. But keeping residents safe and secure in Islam is priority. If you don’t like it, don’t go to Saudi Arabia.

Women are oppressed because they are forced to wear the veil: Practicing modesty has nothing to do with oppression. Besides, many women in Arab states do not pretend to not recognize the nature of men.

In Saudi Arabia if you steal your hand will be cut off: Sure, so don’t steal.

Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death: Sure, so if you must have intercourse with the same sex, don’t go to Saudi Arabia. I think the law permits rehabilitation, otherwise death is the sentence.

Men can have more than one wife: Generally if they can afford them, sure. As opposed to what is more common in the west – mistresses and “illegitimate” kids that aren’t recognized by the fathers.

They live in the past and ride camels: Faith is timeless to many and Islam is no exception to this. As for riding camels, sure, sometimes, like in the desert – racing, small-towns, events - but many Arab states are exceptionally progressive with the latest technologies, building structures and yes, they also drive cars and have roads, highways and freeways.

9:42am | URL: http://tmblr.co/ZYHR7yKZPyQb

(Notes: 1)

Filed under: Islam Muslim Muslimah Allah Saudi Arabia UAE Arab States Arab Nations

April 21, 2012