Allah

Allah

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Please Support Me and Get Fair Representation in the Media for ISLAM

http://www.examiner.com/x-51223-Baltimore-Islam-Examiner

Salaam wa alaikum,

I have just been asked to be the Islam Examiner for Baltimore al hamdililah. However I need your help to make this a success and to keep representation of Muslims in the media.....PLEASE SUBSCRIBE OR COMMENT ON MY ARTICLES insha'Allah....
the more comments/ subscribers the more they will allow me to write...therefore the more Muslims will be represented...thanks and I hope this is a success insha'Allah....

Baltimore Examiner


Katie

Monday, May 24, 2010

Dr Mohammed Tahir ul-Qadri and his Ruling on Religious Freedom

Dr Mohammed Tahir ul-Qadri recently released his ruling on terrorism and jihad. His fatwa discusses jihad and fiqh of violence and force. The 600 page fatwa from the popular Pakistani sheikh, uses the Quran and other Islamic sources to detail the facts in Islamic law towards violence and suicide. As most Muslims know, suicide is considered haram, or forbidden in the religion, as well as unprovoked violence, and the killing innocent people. His detailed and extensive writing quotes numerous, and credible sources dealing with Islam. Hopefully this will clear up some of the misconceptions of Islam that is prominent in the media today. Most Americans have the idea that terrorism and Islam are synonymous; or that blowing up people is something in the Quran. This is simply an unfounded opinion that one can only hope will go the way of the dinosaur.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skVWAiTecKk

Friday, May 21, 2010

Awesome Article masha'Allah

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pulitzer.org/imported-data/year/2007/feature-writing/works/0301.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pulitzer.org/archives/7140&usg=__YWGBoMYOLLVRlIkty-gSwPKlv1s=&h=294&w=445&sz=159&hl=en&start=20&sig2=3AwtJlzggQej8OQkWXgvkg&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Rv7nAFRh1NQgSM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmuslim%2Bbabies%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=Cfv2S-iKKoH98AbH55i3Cg


   Article

This is Another Article I thought was Interesting Article by City Hijabi

 I thought this was a great article (masha'Allah) posted by City Hijabi available at her blog  

http://hijabiinthecity.blogspot.com/2009/07/hijabi-killed-ina-lil-ahi-wa-ina.html

 

 

 

HIjabi Killed (Ina-lil-ahi-wa-ina-lilayhi rajioon)


Egypt mourns 'headscarf martyr' (BBC article)

The body of a Muslim woman, killed in a German courtroom by a man convicted of insulting her religion, has been taken back to her native Egypt for burial.


Marwa Sherbini, 31, was stabbed 18 times by Axel W, who is now under arrest in Dresden for suspected murder.


Husband Elwi Okaz is also in a critical condition in hospital, after being injured as he tried to save his wife.


Ms Sherbini had sued her killer after he called her a "terrorist" because of her headscarf.
The case has attracted much attention in Egypt and the Muslim world.


German prosecutors have said the 28-year-old attacker, identified only as Axel W, was driven by a deep hatred of foreigners and Muslims.

'Martyr'
Medics were unable to save Ms Sherbini who was three months pregnant with her second child. Her three-year-old son was with the family in court when she was killed.


Axel W and Ms Sherbini and family were in court for his appeal against a fine of 750 euros ($1,050) for insulting her in 2008, apparently because she was wearing the Muslim headscarf or Hijab.


Newspapers in Egypt have expressed outrage at the case, asking how it was allowed to happen and dubbing Ms Sherbini "the martyr of the Hijab".


Senior Egyptian officials and German diplomatic staff attended the funeral in Alexandria along with hundreds of mourners.


Media reports say Mr Okaz was injured both by the attacker and when a policeman opened fire in the courtroom.

I Saw This Article about Niqab Posted on Someone Else's Blog I decided to REPOST

By Jonathan Montpetit, The Canadian Press


MONTREAL - After months of balancing a woman's religious beliefs with her desire to learn French, the Quebec government stepped into her classroom to offer an ultimatum: take off the niqab or drop the course.

The woman opted to keep her Islamic face-covering and has filed a human-rights complaint against the government.

In a province where the government frequently faces accusations of doing too much to accommodate minorities, these actions have prompted a fair bit of praise.

The woman began taking a French course designed for immigrants at a Montreal college in February but she refused to remove her niqab while men were present.

The college was initially willing to accommodate her, but eventually balked as her demands escalated.

According to a report in a Montreal newspaper, she was allowed to give an oral with her back to the class and asked men to move so they wouldn't face each other.

The breaking point occurred when the woman again refused to take off the niqab, though teachers had stressed it was essential they see her face to correct her enunciation and facial expressions.

In what appears to be a highly unusual move, provincial Immigration Minister Yolande James intervened. Officials from her department, acting with the minister's knowledge, met with the woman to discuss her options.

"The government has specific pedagogical objectives in its French courses," said James's spokesman, Luc Fortin.

"We couldn't accept that these objectives, or the learning environment in the class, be compromised."

Several groups, including several teachers' unions, applauded the government for drawing a line in the sand. So did moderate Muslim groups.

"When people come to Canada we're not coming to the Islamic Republic of Canada," said Raheel Raza, a Muslim women's-rights activist who has argued for a public ban on religious face coverings.

"We are coming here because we want that freedom, we want the separation of church and state."

But one Muslim group disagreed.

The Canadian Muslim Forum, which claimed the woman was intimidated by other members of her class, said the move amounts to a misreading of the situation.

"In Quebec people have the right to wear what they want," said spokeswoman Kathy Malas.

"It's not a question of reasonable accommodation at all. She was complaining about how she was being treated by other males in the class."

The woman's name is being withheld for privacy reasons.

The question of whether to accommodate religious or ethnic minorities, and if so how much, has simmered beneath the surface of Quebec politics for several years.

When tensions erupted in 2007 over a series of highly publicized controversies, the government commissioned a $5-million study to quell the matter.

But in recent weeks the so-called reasonable-accommodation debate has vaulted back into the headlines, much to the dismay of those who helped prepare the commission's report.

Since its release in 2008, they note, the Liberal government has failed to implement most of its recommendations.

In fact, critics have accused the Charest government of altogether avoiding any discussion of awkward, identity-based issues.

"The government is paying the price for its passivity," said Jocelyn Maclure, a philosophy professor at the Universite de Laval who served as a consultant on the Bouchard-Taylor commission.

The commission's suggestions included creating a public body to provide training on accommodations, and better informing immigrant women about Quebec cultural norms.

But others warned of the danger of reading too much into what is essentially an isolated case.

"It's not like behind this woman there are 2,000 other niqab-wearing women who are about to make similar kinds of demands," said Daniel Weinstock, who, like Maclure, was a consultant to Bouchard-Taylor.

"These cases don't reflect the reality of what's going on out there. For every one case like this, which is problematic, there are a hundred that are dealt with in a very reasonable manner."

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Burqa Ban in France

Express, a publication of the Washington Post, has published an article called "Dueling Views on Liberty" about the potential ban of burqa or niqab in France. This article states that France officials are wanting to ban "extremism" and "terrorism" and that the burqa is a symbol of those two things. It is Frances opinion that these women need to be "freed" from the oppression they are suffering and that banning their face coverings will do that. Belgium has already approved a nationwide ban, that is now being considered by the Senate. The Swiss government has discussed imposing a similar ban. In the Netherlands, an anti-Islam party has also become a fast growing political movement. It's leader, Geert Wilders speaks loudly against Islam and wants the Quran banned in their country. 

Where does all this hatred towards Muslims come from? Why all of a sudden in 2010, when these women have been living in these countries for years, being bothered about their relgious dress? Is anyone going to tell a nun she can't wear her habit? Are crosses to be banned??? Why is Islam being attacked left and right when other relgions are being left alone? Why are secular powers being allowed to take away the relgious rights of others? 

Ever since September 11th 2001, has branded Islam as a violent religion, anti-Islamic literature and protest has drastically increased. 

Muslims are constantly becoming more discriminated against and generalized as violent, radical people. 

Those French and Belgium women are CITIZENS of those countries and are being treated like visitors, foreigners, or worse! Just because they are Muslims? Why all of a sudden are they not granted the SAME rights as OTHER CITIZENS? All other French and Belgium women are allowed to practice their relgious beliefs or lack there of....why are Muslim women being targeted???

May Allah help those sisters be patient and strong in their Deen....

K

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

A Common Misconception about Islam

he media today spreads the misconception that Islam promotes "jihad" to spread Islam by the sword and kill all unbelievers. Unfortunately this claim is simply inaccurate and is causing a lot of friction between the Muslim and non-Muslim communities of the world. The word Jihad stems from an Arabic word which means "to strive". In some translations, Jihad is listed as a "struggle". Jihad simply does not mean "blow up the infidels". Jihad is a word that has been given a political and negative connotation; similar to other words in the evolution of our language. To say that one is involved in "jihad" is equivalent to saying "I am involved in a religious protest against abortion." However politically charged that statement might be; it is not considered dangerous, nor are you considered a radical. Jihad is simply pushing through a tough time in the name of Islam. Mohammed Ali was a participant in jihad, because he stood up for his religious beliefs and did not join the war effort, despite the consequences. The Quran, which is Islam's religious text, states that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2:190-193). Islam is a relgion just like any other, those who practice it have a right to defend themselves. If one is attacking innocent people, they are NOT practicing Islam, therefore one cannot look to them as an example of Islam. Terrorists might be killing people in the name of Islam, but they are not representing Islam, nor practicing it. Misrepresentation of Islam and its principles is something that causes much heartache to the people who know and love the true beauty of Islam.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Hijabi Haircut

http://baileysspa.com/

Bailey's Spa

This weekend in my exploration of Alexandria, I stumbled upon a hijabi friendly salon. As I made my way to Dunkin Donuts to get some iced coffee (yum)...I spotted a salon in the same shopping center. I walked in to get a brochure and check the prices; I was greeted by a lovely Egyptian woman. She exclaimed: "I was just about to go get you!". She had seen me parking and wanted to let me know that they had a private room for hijabis to get their hair cut. I was very happy however I have discovered in the past that spas that are hijabi friendly are also out of my price range. I smiled and grabbbed a brochure, willing to peek at it later. As I walked to get my coffee, I started to look at the prices. Very reasonable...$40 for a haircut.....$25 for a pedi......$15 for eyebrows.....I was sold. After getting my coffee and veggie scramble I went in to make an appointment for the next day for a haircut and an eyebrow waxing. As I arrived I was greeted by a lovely Pakistani woman. She said she was going to thread my eyebrows. As my heart jumped into my throat I protested that I wanted it waxed because of the pain. She said don't worry my hands are quick. She was so right....it didn't hurt very much at all, it was over in a few minutes, and the results were fantastic. This look could not be acheived by waxing. It is so clean and pretty! She then took me to the back to cut my hair. I then asked for a pedicure. Everyone took their time and made sure the job was done right. I also had great conversation with the owner's wife. I enjoyed visiting a Muslim owned salon and really can't wait for my next visit. I will try the massage next time! I'm so happy to have found a Muslim owned salon that is hijabi friendly and economical! :)

Salaam,

Katie

Monday, May 10, 2010

Hummus Battle between Lebanon and Israel

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8670473.stm

Sunday, May 9, 2010

A Positive Note

I did however have some support from some old friends of mine. I did think that these people had abandoned me and forgotten I existed because of my reversion. However this past week I received a facebook message from one of them asking why they hadn't heard from me and that they supported me no matter what and that they still loved me. I thought it was very surprising and it was heart warming. This weekend another old friend came and visited, and we discussed some things...catching up like nothing had happened. I was unconsciously avoiding them because I felt that they were rejected me for my changed religion and habits ( they drink/club/date etc...) and I just never asked the golden question, "Are we still friends?" I feel that one of my weaknesses is to avoid uncomfortable confrontations like that, and just avoid them. I feel regret towards this because apparently they were slightly offended I hadn't updated them about what was going on..I urge anyone who is reverting to Islam to confront the issue with people directly;they could surprise you. I really feel like we missed a lot of time because of this avoidance. I have known these people for 12 years, and I thought they would stop talking to me because I bettered myself???? I am just so stunned and ashamed at my behavior, and frankly a little embarrassed. I don't know why I am avoiding people I grew up with like the plague. I just feel so uncomfortable in hijab in my home town, and in front of people who knew me as a non muslim. I feel like I'm wearing a costume that they can see right through. Please pray that I will overcome this self conscious issue.

Salaam,

Katie

Hijabi in the Workplace

I'm really not sure what bothers me more this week at work; the comment that I "might be a terrorist", or the comment that at my job people might be "surprised" because of "how I look" (I talk to a lot of community officials/engineers and such), or the question I got from coworker that was just all around offensive "Does your face break out because of your scarf?"......NO IT BREAKS OUT because I'm 22 years old!...I mean do you believe these people?????? And they THINK they are being nice!!!!!! There is this one lady that CONSTANTLY asks me personal questions. I mean it would be ok if she didn't ask them in front of other people...and if she actually wanted to know about Islam...but I think she is just so damn nosy she has to ask...it makes me feel like she thinks Muslims are different kinds of people...I mean we all get off work, go to our families, eat dinner, wash, then go to sleep like anyone else. Al hamdililah I know this is my way of struggling for God's sake, but it is so annoying sometimes the absolute ignorance that people have towards other religions. All because of a piece of cloth that covers my hair. It is a literal barrier between me and other people. I don't understand how something as simple as clothing could cause such a reaction in people. If I wore hat on my head everyday would people ask me dumb questions like that?????

15th Annual Animal Welfare League of Arlington Walk

I went to this walk yesterday morning and I was very impressed with the event. I raised some money for this organization because they are a very respectable organization for the work they do. They take in animals that are abandoned or given up for adoption and care for them until they can find wonderful homes. I adopted my cat Cheeto from their and I love him so much and I feel like he was a life saver when I moved here to live on my own.

The walk was held at Bluemont Park, a stunning location. There are biking/walking trails, baseball fields, tennis courts, soccer fields and more. It also has an area to barbeque. I highly suggest coming here on the weekends for recreation. I will plan future barbeques at this park insha'Allah..


There were numerous vendors and I got a lot of free stuff! I can't wait to go again next year and I hope you will join me insha'Allah


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Hookah- Haram??

I want your opinions on Hookah in Islam....if you state your opinion please give references to back up your opinion.

Thanks,

Katie

Things to Do In D.C

http://click.bsftransmit1.com/ViewInBrowser.aspx?pubids=6824|07|73147&digest=LDccMlt%2fSHs4Jn1hjHUgtg


Camel Rides at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore! Rides are $5 a person!


Arts Club of Washington

2017 Eye St., NW Washington, DC 20006

(202) 331-7282 www.artsclubofwashington.org

Capacity: Seated dinners for up to 90 (in one room) or 130 (on one floor), house and garden receptions for up to 300, seated service in the garden for up to 150 guests (weather permitting or with a tent); ceremony and reception can be held inside.

Hours: Tuesday to Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Decatur House

748 Jackson Place, NW Washington, DC 20006

(202) 842-0920 www.decaturhouse.org

Capacity: Courtyard--400 standing, 220 seated, 170 seated with dancing, 250+ theater style; Carriage House--250 standing, 150 seated, 100 seated with dancing, 180+ theater style; Entertaining Parlors--100 standing, 50 seated. Caterer required

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday, Noon to 4:00 pm

Meridian House

1630 Crescent Pl., NW Washington, DC 20009

(202) 939-5592 www.meridian.org

Capacity: standing reception 300 standing, seated with dancing 200; garden use with tent may increase standing capacity to 500.

Hours: Tours are offered Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm subject to house schedule.

Old Stone House

3051 M St., NW Washington, DC 20007

(202) 426-6851 www.nps.gov

Capacity: Small, limited approximately 35 capacity. Wedding ceremonies are held in the garden behind the structure. Contact Brenda Hynson (202) 895-6012 with Rock Creek Park for permits and information.

Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m. (garden during daylight)

Sewall-Belmont House

144 Constitution Ave. NE Washington, DC 20002

(202) 546-1210 www.sewallbelmont.org


http://www.mnh.si.edu/ Smithsonian Museum of Natural History


http://www.si.edu/imax/shows.htm IMAX Theatre Showing A Journey To Mecca


http://www.islamiccenterdc.com/ The Islamic Center


This center has recorded khutbas if you miss jumma, as well as discussion boards and interesting videos.



http://www.foodcornerkabob.com/ Food Corner Kabob House


I went here last night after praying at the masjid and got the gyro. It was a wonderfully delicious meal, no sides needed. I want to try the lamb kabob because the naan was amazing and they use halal meat. There are three locations, one I believe has hookah available? No alcohol served (I appreciate that so much! I always feel like Muslims that sell alcohol in their restaurants are sell outs lol).






Tuesday, May 4, 2010

US Botanic Garden

If you are looking for something awesome, Earth friendly and free in the D.C or Northern VA visit the US Botanic Garden! It is beautiful and it is a great thing to spend hours for free! http://www.usbg.gov/


Sunday, May 2, 2010

Oil Spills

Salaam wa alaikum,

I'm sure you all have heard about the tragedy with the oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. This is going to impact the Gulf fishing/shrimp industry and it will hit them very hard. I feel like this is a failure of responsibility on the oil industry's part. BP has still not stopped the tanker from leaking. If you are transporting/carrying something so dangerous.....over a medium of survival.....where are your safety regulations/precautions. Why haven't they stopped the oil from pouring into the Gulf? This is really making me sick to my stomach to think about. My environmental science department head ( who shall remain nameless) made a comment and prediction that if trends are to continue the worlds oceans will be empty in 50 years. Because of our lack of care for our resources....will it even last that long??????? Is making money so important that one would be willing to give up shrimp for the rest of eternity? Why aren't these people being prosecuted and held accountable???? If I was to ruin that many peoples livlihood, and destroy that much ecological treasure...I would be in jail!!! Why are these big companies not being held responsible for their actions. Just like banks....in this country banks are so corrupt. They use riba to become extremely wealthy....and the do not care about the people that are being evicted. I am so sick of the financial set up of this country. People are held responsible and fined for having garbage in their fenced in yard.....however if I dump a tanker of oil in the Gulf....I can get away with it????? If a doctor made a mistake that affected that many lives he would lose his license to practice......why should BP be allowed to be a business anymore if they cannot correct their mistakes. What is going on with this country????? I just don't understand the situation at hand, and why the big businesses are surviving in this economy...LET THEM FAIL! People work hard for their money and have it taken away by banks and big businesses. This corruption stinks.

Katie

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Attention All Reverts To Islam

I am currently doing research for my study on Islam. If you are a revert to Islam and you would like to be interviewed for a study about Islam please email hijabigeography@gmail.com with your contact information and a brief summary of your story stating what makes your story/experiences with Islam special. Or if you just want to share your story. Thanks you and I hope that I am blessed with your wonderful stories insha'Allah.

Salaam wa alaikum,

Katie