A Brief Review of 3 Spanish translations of the Quran
From: www.soundvision.com
By Alejandro Hamed
It used to be really difficult to find an English translation of the Quran. That has now changed, as various translators and publishers work to regularly improve the quality of their translations of the Book of Allah.
Today, Spanish translations of the Quran are where English ones once were. They are few and far between. However, with the growing number of Spanish-speaking Muslims, mostly converts to Islam, this is changing.
Br. Alejandro Hamed is one of these Spanish-speaking Muslims. He has reviewed three current translations of the Quran in Spanish. Here are his thoughts.
I have obtained the following three translations of the Quran in Spanish: the revised third edition of 'El Noble Coran' (Darussalam, Riyadh, December 1997), the Spanish translation of the Quran by Abdel Ghani Melara Navio (a Spaniard who converted to Islam in 1979) and the third US edition of "El Coran" (Tahrike Tarsile Quran, New York, 1992), the Spanish translation of the Quran by the Spaniard Julio Cortes.
For many years, I have had a copy of "El Sagrado Coran" (El Nilo, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1953). This is a translation by two Muslims of Argentinean background, Ahmed Abboud and Rafael Castellanos.
I have compared a number of the verses of the Quran as given by these three different translations.
Before I give you some of my impressions, let me quote a couple of other opinions.
Thomas Irving, in his introduction to Julio Cortes' edition writes: '...Another translation has been published in the Argentina, which has not reached my hands. The translator is a Muslim.......Up to now, the best version is that by the Spaniard Julio Cortes....'.
I presume that the other translation Irving is referring to is the one by Abboud and Castellanos.
Muslim-American author and educator Yahiya Emerick, in the chapter Hispanic-Americans of his book 'How to tell others about Islam' writes: 'The most widely available (Spanish translation) is that of Julio Cortes, although many native speakers dislike the style Cortes used. The translation of Rafael Castellanos, El Sagrado Coran, is more appealing.'
Here are my impressions.
Aboud and Castellanos' translation
This translation is far superior in style, elegance and eloquence to the other two.
It takes more liberties in constructing sentences in Spanish, but it remains true to the meaning of the Arabic original (to the extent possible, of course). This translation is often easier to read and grasp than the other two.
Aboud and Castellanos' translation is preceded by a brief biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), a list of short Hadiths, and an account of the great spiritual and material advances that humanity owes to the Quran.
This translation does not contain an analytical index.
Abdel Ghani Melara's translation
This is an acceptable translation. The somewhat plain Spanish he uses lacks the force and eloquence of the version by Abboud and Castellanos, and it is sometimes less clear.
On the other hand, I believe it tries to remain closer to the original Arabic text on a word-by-word basis.
It provides commentaries to some verses of the Quran. However, the commentaries are brief and few in number.
Melara's translation contains a glossary but no analytical index.
It is readily available in different sizes and in Spanish-only or in a Spanish-Arabic version.
Julio Cortes' translation
You can add me to the list of native Spanish speakers that dislike this translation.
The choice of words, the construction of the sentences, the rhythm of the text, they all leave much to be desired.
However, it does contain a glossary and an analytical index.
QURAN HELP & TOOLS TO LEARN AT SOUND VISION:
Learning Tools Syllabuses AlQari Plus New Quran Page at Sound Vision A Survey of English Translations of the QuranYour Quranic Journal: Why & How The Quran Against Racism 6 tips for improving your relationship with the Quran
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Hispanic Converts to Islam Say They Feel Closer to God
Posted 11/21/2007 4:53:00 PM
Olé! Allah! Most people would guess that these two words are worlds apart, but they're actually not. Surprisingly, nearly 200,000 Latinos in the United States identify themselves as Muslims, according to the American Muslim Council.
Across the United States, many Latino communities are in close proximity to Muslim centers, especially in states like Florida, Texas, New York and California. As Latinos learned more about Islam, they became more connected to the Muslim heritage, making their religious transition easier.
Both Latino and Islamic culture share a deep appreciation for religion and family. Alex Robayo, who has been Muslim for over a decade, was drawn to the same values in Islam that he grew up with. "There are a lot of similarities with our culture, with the way our families are. It's almost like if you replace the religion and the language, the families would be almost the same," he said of his attraction to Islam.
Women have historically been drawn to Islam and Latino women are no different. Sixty percent of Latino converts are women, estimates Latino American Dawah Organization.
Irene Abbasi, a native of Puerto Rico, has been Muslim for more than 30 years.
"When they say Islam deems women as second class citizens, I find that ridiculous," she said. "In Islam, if you're in a miserable marriage, you have the option of getting a divorce and getting your rights … right now it's called a prenuptial. Well, Islam had this in the 13th century."
Olé! Allah! Most people would guess that these two words are worlds apart, but they're actually not. Surprisingly, nearly 200,000 Latinos in the United States identify themselves as Muslims, according to the American Muslim Council.
Across the United States, many Latino communities are in close proximity to Muslim centers, especially in states like Florida, Texas, New York and California. As Latinos learned more about Islam, they became more connected to the Muslim heritage, making their religious transition easier.
Both Latino and Islamic culture share a deep appreciation for religion and family. Alex Robayo, who has been Muslim for over a decade, was drawn to the same values in Islam that he grew up with. "There are a lot of similarities with our culture, with the way our families are. It's almost like if you replace the religion and the language, the families would be almost the same," he said of his attraction to Islam.
Women have historically been drawn to Islam and Latino women are no different. Sixty percent of Latino converts are women, estimates Latino American Dawah Organization.
Irene Abbasi, a native of Puerto Rico, has been Muslim for more than 30 years.
"When they say Islam deems women as second class citizens, I find that ridiculous," she said. "In Islam, if you're in a miserable marriage, you have the option of getting a divorce and getting your rights … right now it's called a prenuptial. Well, Islam had this in the 13th century."
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Reverts to Islam unite......
PIEDAD is changing its faceplate so to speak. We can no longer direct ourselves to Latino women without giving other reverts to Islam a support group. Our sisterhood is strong because of a few strong Caucasian sisters who study and have the same fervor as we do. We are not here to divide but to strengthen our ummah. These sisters are quenching their thirst for Islam just as we are. Therefore and until further notice PIEDAD will be an organization for American/ Latino women. Al hamdulilah
Islam is ever growing in the USA and every single major city has felt it. Latinos are reverting here as in Latin America and their families are joining in. Recently I was contacted by a world renowned Photo journalist who was hoping to capture its immersion on film. Mashallah. We are a vital part of this revolution , just as the African Americans in the Sixty's during the time of then called, Malcolm X. Yes , this is our time and we are ready.
Reverts have many hurdles to cross internally e.g. family, friends, and lifestyles . Only another revert can understand or support them without sounding condescending. I love Islam and strive to live it daily. I am imperfect but completely immersed in it. I can help others to understand its beauty because I too had to search for it , discover it and then EVOLVE within it.. Khadijah
Islam is ever growing in the USA and every single major city has felt it. Latinos are reverting here as in Latin America and their families are joining in. Recently I was contacted by a world renowned Photo journalist who was hoping to capture its immersion on film. Mashallah. We are a vital part of this revolution , just as the African Americans in the Sixty's during the time of then called, Malcolm X. Yes , this is our time and we are ready.
Reverts have many hurdles to cross internally e.g. family, friends, and lifestyles . Only another revert can understand or support them without sounding condescending. I love Islam and strive to live it daily. I am imperfect but completely immersed in it. I can help others to understand its beauty because I too had to search for it , discover it and then EVOLVE within it.. Khadijah
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Dawah happening in Tampa Bay!
Stand back, the numbers on Non muslims that attended the Open House
are NOT in YET! All I know is that there were many MORE Non muslims
attending than last year!
MANY cheers to our speaker list: Imam Siddiqui , Saleh Mubarak ,
Mario Nunez and br Alinshira it was truely an OPEN INVITATION to
islam.
Thanks to all the students at UAF who came in shifts to volunteer with
setup and as student ambassadors. They were enthusiastic and ever
ready to assist at all times.
SPECIAL Thanks to Imam Md Sultan for all the coordination and extras.
It was so exhilirating seeing the Dawah Happening. I saw lots of mini
"sound bytes" going on among the visitors. Muslims of all walks of
life were actively engaged with non muslims and spreading the CALL TO
ISLAM. I stopped several times just to look at my surroundings and
silently said. AL HAMDULILAH..
Nothing mattered but that the atmosphere was of UNITY and peaceful
understanding. I had invited people from Orlando and they attended and
were so happy to have come. Our PIEDAD sisterhood was there to lend
support and gave away free books to disseminate Islam among Latinos .
We have a total of four NEW shahadahs in our community . ALL of them
Latino! There is a mini revolution happening in the USA and few are
aware of it. With 75,000 and going strong islam will surely spread
among the Spanish speaking.
Our Homeless friends from down town got medical checkups , lunch and
lots of friendly smiles from us. They felt welcome and comfortable to
be among us.
I did not hear ONE solitary complaint from anyone. The food court was
awesome and the Islamic Medical gallery was the most interesting
exhibit there.
Project Downtown had two wonderfully friendly faces that visibily
stole the arena. Their photo display was awesome.
Our steering committee worked hard and is eagerly awaiting a final
"Lessons Learned" meeting. We need to sit down and discuss failings
and triumphs! We need to make it even better NEXT YEAR!
May Almighty Allah bless all the hardworkers including the Lecturers
to the cooks who supported this effort!
Wasalam, sr K
are NOT in YET! All I know is that there were many MORE Non muslims
attending than last year!
MANY cheers to our speaker list: Imam Siddiqui , Saleh Mubarak ,
Mario Nunez and br Alinshira it was truely an OPEN INVITATION to
islam.
Thanks to all the students at UAF who came in shifts to volunteer with
setup and as student ambassadors. They were enthusiastic and ever
ready to assist at all times.
SPECIAL Thanks to Imam Md Sultan for all the coordination and extras.
It was so exhilirating seeing the Dawah Happening. I saw lots of mini
"sound bytes" going on among the visitors. Muslims of all walks of
life were actively engaged with non muslims and spreading the CALL TO
ISLAM. I stopped several times just to look at my surroundings and
silently said. AL HAMDULILAH..
Nothing mattered but that the atmosphere was of UNITY and peaceful
understanding. I had invited people from Orlando and they attended and
were so happy to have come. Our PIEDAD sisterhood was there to lend
support and gave away free books to disseminate Islam among Latinos .
We have a total of four NEW shahadahs in our community . ALL of them
Latino! There is a mini revolution happening in the USA and few are
aware of it. With 75,000 and going strong islam will surely spread
among the Spanish speaking.
Our Homeless friends from down town got medical checkups , lunch and
lots of friendly smiles from us. They felt welcome and comfortable to
be among us.
I did not hear ONE solitary complaint from anyone. The food court was
awesome and the Islamic Medical gallery was the most interesting
exhibit there.
Project Downtown had two wonderfully friendly faces that visibily
stole the arena. Their photo display was awesome.
Our steering committee worked hard and is eagerly awaiting a final
"Lessons Learned" meeting. We need to sit down and discuss failings
and triumphs! We need to make it even better NEXT YEAR!
May Almighty Allah bless all the hardworkers including the Lecturers
to the cooks who supported this effort!
Wasalam, sr K
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Hispanics embracing islam
Hispanics Embracing Islam
By Azadeh Ghahghaei US Congress in 1968 for the first time designated the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. But in 1988 that was amended to make it a whole month, thus at the moment Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. Having such a month seems necessary for a country like United States having a great number of Hispanics spreading over the states. President Bush’s insistence to fence the US- Mexico border in order to prevent illegal immigration of Hispanics from Mexico to US during this period signifies the importance Hispanics and generally immigration has to US government. The total cost of this 700 mile fence is estimated from $2 billion to $9 billion. However, US government is disregarding Mexican officials’ grievances of this issue. The Mexican government expresses its strong rejection of the construction of the wall … This decision damages the entire bilateral relationship, is contrary to the spirit of cooperation that must prevail to guarantee the security of the frontier,” Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. The news raised lots of controversies inside and outside US; border communities, religious groups, advocates and lawmakers were among serious opponents inside the country. “Critics have also argued that it would make the border more violent; would force illegal immigrants to take more dangerous routes through the desert; would harm trade and relations with Mexico; and still wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal immigration.” Simultaneous to this news, another issue came up regarding Hispanics in US which I was always concerning about. The news was published in New Mexican website on October 6, claiming that the number of Hispanics leaning to Islam is increasing. It explains the life of a Muslim Hispanic who was born in Colombia and is now living in US. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000- although it is still very few in comparison to the number of Christians in US- since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. This growing trend to Islam by Hispanics may be assumed as a consequence of 9/11 terrorist attacks and also the collision between two burgeoning minority groups, means Muslims and Hispanics. It is important to notice that there are several similarities in faith between Hispanics and Muslims such as family- orientation, being religious, poverty, health care and issues regarding immigration. The previous ruling of Muslims in Spain can not be ignored as a crucial reason for this tendency of Hispanics to Islam. Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky indicates: Many Hispanics who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense.” Another point to be mentioned is that the number of Hispanic Muslim growing is very high in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. The number of Hispanics attending mosques is ascending gradually, the need for Spanish books especially Koran is a reasonable proof for this claim. Hispanics as a very significant and influential minority in United States bear a very important role in coming US elections, both Congress election in 2006 and 2008 presidential elections. Among the total registered people of voting, more than 2.7 million voters have Hispanic surnames, an increase of about 560,000 since 2002. Of the 85,000 additional voters this year, about 77,800 were people with Hispanic surnames, Williams’ office reported. It is interesting to know that for example there are about 8 million Hispanics in Texas, and of those 3.4 million are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. To conclude the discussion of Hispanics, their intention for Islam and Hispanics’ role in political decisions by voting, I would like to conclude that a country like Iran which is facing severe conflicts with US should be clever enough to make use of these conditions; current dissatisfaction of Hispanics of US government, Hispanics’ inclination to Islam and their role in US elections. Iran is said to be a driving force in preaching Islam, thus it should equip itself with qualifications that grant it opportunities to be able to contact Hispanics in States and direct them more to Islam. In this way, Muslims and Hispanics can unitedly protest for unjust rules treated to them since earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. Islamic Republic of Iran can build a constructive relation with the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City and increase its policy supporters inside the land of US. One of the ways by which Iran can improve its relation with this center is to hold joint conferences and research projects. References:
- www.bbc.com
- http://magic-city-news.com
- www.star-telegram.com
- www.newmexican.com Currently, MA Student in American Studies, university of Tehran. I did my BA in English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, university of Tehran. I am mostly interested in American history, foreign policy and Hollywood. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azadeh_Ghahghaei http://EzineArticles.com/?US-Hispanics-Embracing-Islam
By Azadeh Ghahghaei US Congress in 1968 for the first time designated the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. But in 1988 that was amended to make it a whole month, thus at the moment Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. Having such a month seems necessary for a country like United States having a great number of Hispanics spreading over the states. President Bush’s insistence to fence the US- Mexico border in order to prevent illegal immigration of Hispanics from Mexico to US during this period signifies the importance Hispanics and generally immigration has to US government. The total cost of this 700 mile fence is estimated from $2 billion to $9 billion. However, US government is disregarding Mexican officials’ grievances of this issue. The Mexican government expresses its strong rejection of the construction of the wall … This decision damages the entire bilateral relationship, is contrary to the spirit of cooperation that must prevail to guarantee the security of the frontier,” Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. The news raised lots of controversies inside and outside US; border communities, religious groups, advocates and lawmakers were among serious opponents inside the country. “Critics have also argued that it would make the border more violent; would force illegal immigrants to take more dangerous routes through the desert; would harm trade and relations with Mexico; and still wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal immigration.” Simultaneous to this news, another issue came up regarding Hispanics in US which I was always concerning about. The news was published in New Mexican website on October 6, claiming that the number of Hispanics leaning to Islam is increasing. It explains the life of a Muslim Hispanic who was born in Colombia and is now living in US. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000- although it is still very few in comparison to the number of Christians in US- since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. This growing trend to Islam by Hispanics may be assumed as a consequence of 9/11 terrorist attacks and also the collision between two burgeoning minority groups, means Muslims and Hispanics. It is important to notice that there are several similarities in faith between Hispanics and Muslims such as family- orientation, being religious, poverty, health care and issues regarding immigration. The previous ruling of Muslims in Spain can not be ignored as a crucial reason for this tendency of Hispanics to Islam. Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky indicates: Many Hispanics who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense.” Another point to be mentioned is that the number of Hispanic Muslim growing is very high in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. The number of Hispanics attending mosques is ascending gradually, the need for Spanish books especially Koran is a reasonable proof for this claim. Hispanics as a very significant and influential minority in United States bear a very important role in coming US elections, both Congress election in 2006 and 2008 presidential elections. Among the total registered people of voting, more than 2.7 million voters have Hispanic surnames, an increase of about 560,000 since 2002. Of the 85,000 additional voters this year, about 77,800 were people with Hispanic surnames, Williams’ office reported. It is interesting to know that for example there are about 8 million Hispanics in Texas, and of those 3.4 million are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. To conclude the discussion of Hispanics, their intention for Islam and Hispanics’ role in political decisions by voting, I would like to conclude that a country like Iran which is facing severe conflicts with US should be clever enough to make use of these conditions; current dissatisfaction of Hispanics of US government, Hispanics’ inclination to Islam and their role in US elections. Iran is said to be a driving force in preaching Islam, thus it should equip itself with qualifications that grant it opportunities to be able to contact Hispanics in States and direct them more to Islam. In this way, Muslims and Hispanics can unitedly protest for unjust rules treated to them since earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. Islamic Republic of Iran can build a constructive relation with the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City and increase its policy supporters inside the land of US. One of the ways by which Iran can improve its relation with this center is to hold joint conferences and research projects. References:
- www.bbc.com
- http://magic-city-news.com
- www.star-telegram.com
- www.newmexican.com Currently, MA Student in American Studies, university of Tehran. I did my BA in English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, university of Tehran. I am mostly interested in American history, foreign policy and Hollywood. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azadeh_Ghahghaei http://EzineArticles.com/?US-Hispanics-Embracing-Islam
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
El sagrado mes de Ramadhan.. por Yudeslye
En el nombre de Dios Clemente, Benefactor y Misericordioso.
La paz de Dios este con todos ustedes.
Queridos hermanos y hermanas hispano parlante.
Ahora que se celebra el sagrado mes de Ramadan, quiero compartir con ustedes su significado e importancia, a todos los musulmanes o no musulmanes del habla española.
El mes de Ramadan es el noveno mes del calendario lunar musulmán, es decir, que se calculan los días siguiendo las fases de la luna en vez del ciclo del sol; este sistema es también usado por los Judíos, coincidiendo este año con la festividad Judía de Rosh Hashanah, el cual son dos días en la que el Judío se prepara en ayuno, oración y penitencia al día de perdón (Yom Kippur). El mes de Ramadan es de gran importancia para el musulmán, porque fue durante el mismo cuando nuestro creador, Dios de las alturas comenzó a revelar el mensaje del Coran a nuestro bendecido profeta Muhammad (Dios bendiga su persona). La observación del mismo, es también el quinto pilar de la fe musulmana. El profeta Muhammad fue un hombre justo y temeroso de Dios, y una misericordia de Dios para el mundo, y buenas nuevas para la humanidad, Dios, Sabio como es, le dio la profecía de la culminación de las revelaciones de Dios en la historia de la humanidad, corroborando lo antes revelado a otros profetas del Altísimo, en La Torah (antiguo testamento) y el Evangelio de Jesús, el Ungido, hijo de Maria, a la descendencia del hijo de Abraham: Ismael (que Dios le dé paz a sus personas). Mucho antes de que Dios lo escogiera para transmitir su mensaje, el profeta era querido y respetado tanto como sus amigos e inclusive sus enemigos. Era una analfabeta, es decir, no sabia leer, ni escribir y se dedicaba al comercio. Él era tan justo en sus negocios que en su pueblo lo llamaban “el justo” y “el de confianza”. El profeta en su época estaba rodeado de una generación quien adoraba a imágenes y practicaban la idolatría y otras prácticas aborrecidas por Dios. Era una pesada época, en donde la corrección era común y corriente. El hombre estaba sumido en la mas bajas de las condiciones humanas, razón por la cual este hombre Muhammad pasaba largas horas en solicitud en una cueva, buscando el recuerdo de Dios. Él era un hombre casado y con hijos. A la edad de cuarenta años de edad, estando el profeta sumido en su interna contemplación de la naturaleza, una voz con una fuerza poderosa le pidió: “lee” a lo que el profeta confeso, “no sé leer”. De nuevo la voz ordeno, poniendo mas fuerzas en el cuerpo del profeta: “lee” y así por una tercera vez cuando la voz extra terrestre le ordeno: “lee en el nombre de Dios creador, que creo al hombre del polvo y después de un pedazo de coagulo de sangre y que enseña con el lápiz al hombre lo que no sabe”. Coran 95: 1-5 (Alabado sea Dios). Era el ángel Gabriel quien ordenaba tal sublime labor, y el profeta asustado por este hecho improcedente salio corriendo a contarle todo a su esposa Khadijah (que Dios este complacido con ella).Fue ella la primera creyente que su esposo en si era un profeta bendecido de Dios, predicho en la Torah, en los libros de Moisés, el profeta a quien Juan el Bautista referís “no ser digno de atar sus zapatos” y el mismo Jesús, el ungido, predijo que “el consolador” vendría después de el. El profeta esperado por todos, después del advenimiento de nuestro profeta Jesús( Dios bendiga su persona). Cubriendo a su espantado esposo le dijo: “no temas que Dios esta contigo y nunca te pondrá en desgracias”. Desde este sublime momento y siguiendo el mandato de Dios, el profeta dedico el resto de su vida a llamar a la humanidad a la adoración de un solo Dios, a la religión del profeta Jacob y Abraham (Dios bendiga sus personas) pidiendo a los suyos dejar atrás la idolatría y volver a los caminos de la salvación. “NO HAY DIOS SINO DIOS”. Y con la guía de Dios, el Sabio, el Conocedor de lo oculto y lo revelado, hasta hoy en día la palabra de Dios ha continuado a llevarse de generación a generación, con el Coran, la única de las sagradas escrituras que se ha mantenido inalterada, y sin corrupción humana, llevando la salvación, luz y paz a toda raza y tiempos. NO HAY DIOS SINO DIOS, LA ILLAHA IL LA ALLAH, como se dice en árabe, lengua natal del profeta, una de las más antiguas y puras en su gramática. “No adoraras otros dioses, porque tu Dios es uno”, el creador, el sustentador, a quien le pertenecen los nombres más puros y sagrados y los confines del universo son de su propiedad, es en todo caso el primer mandamiento de la ley divina de Dios reveladas al profeta Moisés (que Dios bendiga su persona). Se nos fue prescrito desde los tiempos de Abraham, adorar a un solo Dios, decir Tres o trinidad de Dios es una aberración y solo falta para que los cielos se tiren en pedazos, por nuestra blasfemia. Ahora bien es entendido que el profeta era una analfabeto, vivía en el medio de unas tierras áridas, en medio de un desierto sin civilización ni educación, hacen aproximadamente 1500 años atrás, por lo que el Coran es el milagro de Dios para el y el mundo. Su sabiduría sola puede provenir de Dios el omnipotente y su claridad es una guía para el hombre en sus quehaceres domésticos, las ciencias, el entendimiento de Dios y la salvación. No existe hoy en día en el mundo “un libro”de sagradas escrituras de tal magnitud y potencial espiritual, a diferencia de la Biblia y otras sagradas escrituras que han sido corruptas por el hombre a su antojo. ¿Quién es mas pecador que aquel que inventa una mentira en contra de Dios? ¿Es que no tienen criterio? Dios tenga misericordia de todos nosotros. Lo que siguen y veneran no es mas que conjeturas mitológicas de los ignorantes.
Hoy billones de musulmanes en todo el mundo conmemoramos este mes dedicándonos al ayuno, la oración y la caridad, el ayudo es en todo caso el tercer pilar del Islam (estilo de vida en el cual el musulmán vive su vida y lo definen como la religión del profeta Abraham, que no era de los asociadores). A través del ayuno y la oración el musulmán recuerda de las mercedes que Dios tiene para con nosotros, y también sufre de las calamidades que sufren los menos afortunados, lo que nos da mas firmeza de carácter y fe. También durante este mes, tanto el hombre, como la mujer musulmana hacen un esfuerzo consciente de limpiar nuestros corazones de todas las impurezas humanas del hombre, tales como la ambición, los celos, la envidia, la lujuria, etc. El mes se conjuga en un ayuno diario por treinta días, desde antes de la salida del sol hasta el ocaso, seguido de una pequeña comida, compuesta de frutas, jugos y agua para romper el ayuno y después de la oración de la noche, las familias se reúnen, por lo general en las mezquitas para compartir la cena que se adentra hasta la noche. Durante el día el Coran es recitado y muchos lo leen de principio a fin y se dedican a la oración y la caridad. Dios bendice al buen dador, y la caridad hecha durante este mes, Dios las multiplica mil veces. Muchos musulmanes toman un pequeño desayuno antes de la salida del sol, y también se abstienen de relaciones sexuales con sus parejas para dedicarlos a la contemplación de las maravillas de nuestro creador. Algunas parejas, en todo caso no son pecado de unirse carnalmente durante horas de la noche y la madrugada, pero es más benéfico si las relaciones sexuales se detienen por ese tiempo. El ayuno, no solo alimenta el alma, sino también que ayuda al hombre de limpiar su organismo de las impurezas de algunas sustancias. La oración constante a través del día y su diario ayuno es de gran sufrimiento al cuerpo humano. El mismo Jesús (que Dios bendiga su persona) ayunaba, para alabar a Dios, ¡por cuarenta días y cuarenta noches!,Cómo en la Biblia se especifica, (¿quien de los seguidores del profeta Jesús hoy hace ese sacrificio?. El ayuno nos hace débil el cuerpo pero fuerte en el espíritu. Todo por la complacencia del creador, adorando su nombre y rindiendo culto a su majestad. Los últimos 10 días del mes son de gran cumbre en poder divino. La noche del poder (Laylat al qadr), una de las más poderosas de las noches de gracias, en donde se cree que Dios llevo al profeta desde Arabia hasta Jerusalén, levándolo al séptimo cielo, en donde la guía celestial del profeta le presento a algunos de los antiguos profetas incluyendo el padre Abraham, Moisés, Jacob, Elías y al profeta Jesús, es de gran significado. Esa noche muchos musulmanes se quedan hasta muy entrada la noche, rayando en el amanecer, en oraciones y leyendo el Coran. Es una de las noches más sagradas para el amante de Dios el altísimo, también se cree que en esa noche en particular el espíritu divino de Dios se acerca a su creación en forma más intima. En el tercer tercio de las noches, el creador acerca su oído a todo humano creyente, quien busca de su complacencia, en todo caso, pero en esta noche en particular las bendiciones de Dios al hombre en petición se multiplican, es de allí su gran importancia. Al final del mes y al comienzo del próximo, entonces se celebra el rompimiento del ayuno Eid ul Fitr o el final de Ramadan. Ese día las familias musulmanas se visten de sus mejores galas y se reúnen en las mezquitas para dar gracias a Dios por las bendiciones y las mercedes recibidas, es un día de gran festejo en la mezquita, pero también de tristezas porque durante el mes de Ramadan el corazón del hombre se ha acercado mas íntimamente a su creador, fuera maravilloso que nosotros nos mantuviéramos tan conscientes de Dios por el resto de nuestras vidas, aunque siempre se debe mantener la lucha constante en la búsqueda de la salvación. El día del rompimiento del ayuno, algunas personas dan regalos a otros, especialmente a los niños y niñas y después de la oración, que se hace en la mañana, las familias se reúnen en sus casas como en día normal, o por lo general se prepara una comida especial. También los diezmos son dados a los pobres o cualquiera institución o personas de su preferencia, por lo general los diezmos son repartidas por la misma mezquita, y se colectan durante el mes, aunque muchos esperan por los últimos 10 días, para recibir mayor bendición. Ramadan es un mes muy especial y querido por los musulmanes, muchos no ven el próximo, porque fallecen, de allí es que se pone todo su corazón a la alabanza de Dios, por si no estamos el próximo año. Es cuando se establece una reunión intima entre Dios y sus criaturas, lo que acrecienta la fe y la esperanza de la resurrección.
Querido hermano, querida hermana, el mes sagrado de Ramadan trae a nuestros corazones a la paz infinita de Dios, así también como nos llena de bendiciones y añoranzas de nuestro Dios. Nos da bendiciones en esta vida, y en la vida próxima es mucho mejor. Este año el mes de Ramadan comenzó el 13 de septiembre, cada año cae en diferentes meses del calendario Gregoriano, es decir, el que usamos regularmente. También coincidió con la celebración de nuestros hermanos los judíos, Rosh Hashanah y Yom Kippur. Es propicio que nos unamos en oración. Yo lo invito a que hoy usted se acerque al camino de la salvación, a la proclamación monoteísta de Dios (gloria a su nombre).Vaya a la mezquita más cercana a usted. Deje atrás a la idolatría, la cual es aborrecida de Dios, nuestro Dios es celoso de su creación, y no comparte sus dominios con nada, ni con nadie. Por ahora los hispanos somos una minoría en el camino del Islam, pero con la guía divina del Dios de las alturas, muchos hispanos llegan a la verdad, al advenimiento de la salvación que esta prometida a todo creyente que trabaje rigurosamente en los caminos del bien, mantienen un contacto íntimo con Dios y prohíben el mal. En todo caso es bueno recordarnos como nuestras familias y hermanos han sido destruidos por la forma de vida actual, el temor de Dios es algo del pasado y la sociedad esta nuevamente al borde del precipicio, como cuando el profeta vivía hace unos 1500 años atrás. Ahora mismo, quizás tenga algún familiar enfermo, una hija preñada, sin estar casada y nuestros hijos haciendo sexo ilícito( lo cual es la norma actual), usando drogas, la prostitución, el adulterio, la promiscuidad del hombre, la fornicacion, y todo tipo de aborrecimiento sexual es lo común y lo esperado, el robo y las matanzas es lo que nuestros hijos e hijas atestiguan. Hasta el pudor menos perdido y vemos como el vestido se ha reducido a través del tiempo. El Satanás, verdaderamente ha mantenido nuestros corazones ocupados con las cosas de este mundo, y Dios promete que llenara el infierno de rocas y de hombres, pero también Dios nos promete la paz eterna y una morada celestial. Hoy lo invito al Islam, la forma de vida escogida por Dios a la humanidad, perfeccionada a través de los tiempos por Dios y la forma de salvación de nuestras bajezas humanas y perfidia de la carne. NO HAY DIOS SINO DIOS, Y MOHAMMAD ES SU PROFETA, corroborando en el Coran lo revelado al profeta Jesús, Moisés, a Abraham, Jacob, Noe, etc., y no hay privilegios en ellos, sino lo que Dios de las Alturas le otorga. Si quieres mayor información comunícate a través de tu mezquita local. Que Dios te bendiga y te proteja del Satanás rechazado. Sin mas su hermana en el Islam del grupo Piedad:
Yudedsy Córdova de Mikalinis y Aissam
Grupo Americano/ Latino:
Piedad
Dirección electrónica: vpiedad99@yahoo.com o Khadijah Rivera
La paz de Dios este con todos ustedes.
Queridos hermanos y hermanas hispano parlante.
Ahora que se celebra el sagrado mes de Ramadan, quiero compartir con ustedes su significado e importancia, a todos los musulmanes o no musulmanes del habla española.
El mes de Ramadan es el noveno mes del calendario lunar musulmán, es decir, que se calculan los días siguiendo las fases de la luna en vez del ciclo del sol; este sistema es también usado por los Judíos, coincidiendo este año con la festividad Judía de Rosh Hashanah, el cual son dos días en la que el Judío se prepara en ayuno, oración y penitencia al día de perdón (Yom Kippur). El mes de Ramadan es de gran importancia para el musulmán, porque fue durante el mismo cuando nuestro creador, Dios de las alturas comenzó a revelar el mensaje del Coran a nuestro bendecido profeta Muhammad (Dios bendiga su persona). La observación del mismo, es también el quinto pilar de la fe musulmana. El profeta Muhammad fue un hombre justo y temeroso de Dios, y una misericordia de Dios para el mundo, y buenas nuevas para la humanidad, Dios, Sabio como es, le dio la profecía de la culminación de las revelaciones de Dios en la historia de la humanidad, corroborando lo antes revelado a otros profetas del Altísimo, en La Torah (antiguo testamento) y el Evangelio de Jesús, el Ungido, hijo de Maria, a la descendencia del hijo de Abraham: Ismael (que Dios le dé paz a sus personas). Mucho antes de que Dios lo escogiera para transmitir su mensaje, el profeta era querido y respetado tanto como sus amigos e inclusive sus enemigos. Era una analfabeta, es decir, no sabia leer, ni escribir y se dedicaba al comercio. Él era tan justo en sus negocios que en su pueblo lo llamaban “el justo” y “el de confianza”. El profeta en su época estaba rodeado de una generación quien adoraba a imágenes y practicaban la idolatría y otras prácticas aborrecidas por Dios. Era una pesada época, en donde la corrección era común y corriente. El hombre estaba sumido en la mas bajas de las condiciones humanas, razón por la cual este hombre Muhammad pasaba largas horas en solicitud en una cueva, buscando el recuerdo de Dios. Él era un hombre casado y con hijos. A la edad de cuarenta años de edad, estando el profeta sumido en su interna contemplación de la naturaleza, una voz con una fuerza poderosa le pidió: “lee” a lo que el profeta confeso, “no sé leer”. De nuevo la voz ordeno, poniendo mas fuerzas en el cuerpo del profeta: “lee” y así por una tercera vez cuando la voz extra terrestre le ordeno: “lee en el nombre de Dios creador, que creo al hombre del polvo y después de un pedazo de coagulo de sangre y que enseña con el lápiz al hombre lo que no sabe”. Coran 95: 1-5 (Alabado sea Dios). Era el ángel Gabriel quien ordenaba tal sublime labor, y el profeta asustado por este hecho improcedente salio corriendo a contarle todo a su esposa Khadijah (que Dios este complacido con ella).Fue ella la primera creyente que su esposo en si era un profeta bendecido de Dios, predicho en la Torah, en los libros de Moisés, el profeta a quien Juan el Bautista referís “no ser digno de atar sus zapatos” y el mismo Jesús, el ungido, predijo que “el consolador” vendría después de el. El profeta esperado por todos, después del advenimiento de nuestro profeta Jesús( Dios bendiga su persona). Cubriendo a su espantado esposo le dijo: “no temas que Dios esta contigo y nunca te pondrá en desgracias”. Desde este sublime momento y siguiendo el mandato de Dios, el profeta dedico el resto de su vida a llamar a la humanidad a la adoración de un solo Dios, a la religión del profeta Jacob y Abraham (Dios bendiga sus personas) pidiendo a los suyos dejar atrás la idolatría y volver a los caminos de la salvación. “NO HAY DIOS SINO DIOS”. Y con la guía de Dios, el Sabio, el Conocedor de lo oculto y lo revelado, hasta hoy en día la palabra de Dios ha continuado a llevarse de generación a generación, con el Coran, la única de las sagradas escrituras que se ha mantenido inalterada, y sin corrupción humana, llevando la salvación, luz y paz a toda raza y tiempos. NO HAY DIOS SINO DIOS, LA ILLAHA IL LA ALLAH, como se dice en árabe, lengua natal del profeta, una de las más antiguas y puras en su gramática. “No adoraras otros dioses, porque tu Dios es uno”, el creador, el sustentador, a quien le pertenecen los nombres más puros y sagrados y los confines del universo son de su propiedad, es en todo caso el primer mandamiento de la ley divina de Dios reveladas al profeta Moisés (que Dios bendiga su persona). Se nos fue prescrito desde los tiempos de Abraham, adorar a un solo Dios, decir Tres o trinidad de Dios es una aberración y solo falta para que los cielos se tiren en pedazos, por nuestra blasfemia. Ahora bien es entendido que el profeta era una analfabeto, vivía en el medio de unas tierras áridas, en medio de un desierto sin civilización ni educación, hacen aproximadamente 1500 años atrás, por lo que el Coran es el milagro de Dios para el y el mundo. Su sabiduría sola puede provenir de Dios el omnipotente y su claridad es una guía para el hombre en sus quehaceres domésticos, las ciencias, el entendimiento de Dios y la salvación. No existe hoy en día en el mundo “un libro”de sagradas escrituras de tal magnitud y potencial espiritual, a diferencia de la Biblia y otras sagradas escrituras que han sido corruptas por el hombre a su antojo. ¿Quién es mas pecador que aquel que inventa una mentira en contra de Dios? ¿Es que no tienen criterio? Dios tenga misericordia de todos nosotros. Lo que siguen y veneran no es mas que conjeturas mitológicas de los ignorantes.
Hoy billones de musulmanes en todo el mundo conmemoramos este mes dedicándonos al ayuno, la oración y la caridad, el ayudo es en todo caso el tercer pilar del Islam (estilo de vida en el cual el musulmán vive su vida y lo definen como la religión del profeta Abraham, que no era de los asociadores). A través del ayuno y la oración el musulmán recuerda de las mercedes que Dios tiene para con nosotros, y también sufre de las calamidades que sufren los menos afortunados, lo que nos da mas firmeza de carácter y fe. También durante este mes, tanto el hombre, como la mujer musulmana hacen un esfuerzo consciente de limpiar nuestros corazones de todas las impurezas humanas del hombre, tales como la ambición, los celos, la envidia, la lujuria, etc. El mes se conjuga en un ayuno diario por treinta días, desde antes de la salida del sol hasta el ocaso, seguido de una pequeña comida, compuesta de frutas, jugos y agua para romper el ayuno y después de la oración de la noche, las familias se reúnen, por lo general en las mezquitas para compartir la cena que se adentra hasta la noche. Durante el día el Coran es recitado y muchos lo leen de principio a fin y se dedican a la oración y la caridad. Dios bendice al buen dador, y la caridad hecha durante este mes, Dios las multiplica mil veces. Muchos musulmanes toman un pequeño desayuno antes de la salida del sol, y también se abstienen de relaciones sexuales con sus parejas para dedicarlos a la contemplación de las maravillas de nuestro creador. Algunas parejas, en todo caso no son pecado de unirse carnalmente durante horas de la noche y la madrugada, pero es más benéfico si las relaciones sexuales se detienen por ese tiempo. El ayuno, no solo alimenta el alma, sino también que ayuda al hombre de limpiar su organismo de las impurezas de algunas sustancias. La oración constante a través del día y su diario ayuno es de gran sufrimiento al cuerpo humano. El mismo Jesús (que Dios bendiga su persona) ayunaba, para alabar a Dios, ¡por cuarenta días y cuarenta noches!,Cómo en la Biblia se especifica, (¿quien de los seguidores del profeta Jesús hoy hace ese sacrificio?. El ayuno nos hace débil el cuerpo pero fuerte en el espíritu. Todo por la complacencia del creador, adorando su nombre y rindiendo culto a su majestad. Los últimos 10 días del mes son de gran cumbre en poder divino. La noche del poder (Laylat al qadr), una de las más poderosas de las noches de gracias, en donde se cree que Dios llevo al profeta desde Arabia hasta Jerusalén, levándolo al séptimo cielo, en donde la guía celestial del profeta le presento a algunos de los antiguos profetas incluyendo el padre Abraham, Moisés, Jacob, Elías y al profeta Jesús, es de gran significado. Esa noche muchos musulmanes se quedan hasta muy entrada la noche, rayando en el amanecer, en oraciones y leyendo el Coran. Es una de las noches más sagradas para el amante de Dios el altísimo, también se cree que en esa noche en particular el espíritu divino de Dios se acerca a su creación en forma más intima. En el tercer tercio de las noches, el creador acerca su oído a todo humano creyente, quien busca de su complacencia, en todo caso, pero en esta noche en particular las bendiciones de Dios al hombre en petición se multiplican, es de allí su gran importancia. Al final del mes y al comienzo del próximo, entonces se celebra el rompimiento del ayuno Eid ul Fitr o el final de Ramadan. Ese día las familias musulmanas se visten de sus mejores galas y se reúnen en las mezquitas para dar gracias a Dios por las bendiciones y las mercedes recibidas, es un día de gran festejo en la mezquita, pero también de tristezas porque durante el mes de Ramadan el corazón del hombre se ha acercado mas íntimamente a su creador, fuera maravilloso que nosotros nos mantuviéramos tan conscientes de Dios por el resto de nuestras vidas, aunque siempre se debe mantener la lucha constante en la búsqueda de la salvación. El día del rompimiento del ayuno, algunas personas dan regalos a otros, especialmente a los niños y niñas y después de la oración, que se hace en la mañana, las familias se reúnen en sus casas como en día normal, o por lo general se prepara una comida especial. También los diezmos son dados a los pobres o cualquiera institución o personas de su preferencia, por lo general los diezmos son repartidas por la misma mezquita, y se colectan durante el mes, aunque muchos esperan por los últimos 10 días, para recibir mayor bendición. Ramadan es un mes muy especial y querido por los musulmanes, muchos no ven el próximo, porque fallecen, de allí es que se pone todo su corazón a la alabanza de Dios, por si no estamos el próximo año. Es cuando se establece una reunión intima entre Dios y sus criaturas, lo que acrecienta la fe y la esperanza de la resurrección.
Querido hermano, querida hermana, el mes sagrado de Ramadan trae a nuestros corazones a la paz infinita de Dios, así también como nos llena de bendiciones y añoranzas de nuestro Dios. Nos da bendiciones en esta vida, y en la vida próxima es mucho mejor. Este año el mes de Ramadan comenzó el 13 de septiembre, cada año cae en diferentes meses del calendario Gregoriano, es decir, el que usamos regularmente. También coincidió con la celebración de nuestros hermanos los judíos, Rosh Hashanah y Yom Kippur. Es propicio que nos unamos en oración. Yo lo invito a que hoy usted se acerque al camino de la salvación, a la proclamación monoteísta de Dios (gloria a su nombre).Vaya a la mezquita más cercana a usted. Deje atrás a la idolatría, la cual es aborrecida de Dios, nuestro Dios es celoso de su creación, y no comparte sus dominios con nada, ni con nadie. Por ahora los hispanos somos una minoría en el camino del Islam, pero con la guía divina del Dios de las alturas, muchos hispanos llegan a la verdad, al advenimiento de la salvación que esta prometida a todo creyente que trabaje rigurosamente en los caminos del bien, mantienen un contacto íntimo con Dios y prohíben el mal. En todo caso es bueno recordarnos como nuestras familias y hermanos han sido destruidos por la forma de vida actual, el temor de Dios es algo del pasado y la sociedad esta nuevamente al borde del precipicio, como cuando el profeta vivía hace unos 1500 años atrás. Ahora mismo, quizás tenga algún familiar enfermo, una hija preñada, sin estar casada y nuestros hijos haciendo sexo ilícito( lo cual es la norma actual), usando drogas, la prostitución, el adulterio, la promiscuidad del hombre, la fornicacion, y todo tipo de aborrecimiento sexual es lo común y lo esperado, el robo y las matanzas es lo que nuestros hijos e hijas atestiguan. Hasta el pudor menos perdido y vemos como el vestido se ha reducido a través del tiempo. El Satanás, verdaderamente ha mantenido nuestros corazones ocupados con las cosas de este mundo, y Dios promete que llenara el infierno de rocas y de hombres, pero también Dios nos promete la paz eterna y una morada celestial. Hoy lo invito al Islam, la forma de vida escogida por Dios a la humanidad, perfeccionada a través de los tiempos por Dios y la forma de salvación de nuestras bajezas humanas y perfidia de la carne. NO HAY DIOS SINO DIOS, Y MOHAMMAD ES SU PROFETA, corroborando en el Coran lo revelado al profeta Jesús, Moisés, a Abraham, Jacob, Noe, etc., y no hay privilegios en ellos, sino lo que Dios de las Alturas le otorga. Si quieres mayor información comunícate a través de tu mezquita local. Que Dios te bendiga y te proteja del Satanás rechazado. Sin mas su hermana en el Islam del grupo Piedad:
Yudedsy Córdova de Mikalinis y Aissam
Grupo Americano/ Latino:
Piedad
Dirección electrónica: vpiedad99@yahoo.com o Khadijah Rivera
Saturday, October 20, 2007
The Significance of Eid
© Imam Ali Siddiqui, 1982
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EID:
Unas (ra) reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (saw) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked the Ansaar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) told them: 'Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.' (Hadith)
EID-AL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
EID-AL-ADHA is celebrated on the tenth day of Zdil-hijjah, the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is also very joyous day; it is a feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. It commemorates the great act of obedience to Allah by the Prophet Ibrahim (as) in showing his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (as). Allah accepted his sacrifice and replaced Prophet Ismael (as) with a lamb. Although Hajj has no relation with the Eid-al-Adha, but the five days long rituals of Hajj are also done during this month culminating on 9th of Zdil-hijjah. Many rituals of Hajj are enactment of the struggle of the family Ibrahim (as) specially his second wife Hajirah (as) and her son Prophet Ismael (as).
THE SUNNAH OF EID:
1. Wake up early.
2. Offer Salat-al Fajr.
3. Prepare for personal cleanliness take care of details of clothing, etc.
4. Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
5. Brush your teeth.
6. Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
7. Use perfume (men only).
8. Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On Eid-al-Adha, eat
breakfast after Salat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
9. Pay Zakat-al-Fitr before Salat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
10. Go to prayer ground early.
11. Offer Salat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not
permitting like rain, snow, etc.
12. Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.
13. Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salat and until the beginning of
Salat-al-Eid. On Eid-al-Adha, Takbir starts from Mughrib on the 9th Zdil-hijjah and
last until the Asr on the 12th Zdil-hijjah:
Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.
(Allah is greater. Allah is greater. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater. Allah is greater. And all praises
are for Allah).
HOW TO OFFER SALAAT-AL-EID:
Ibn Abbass (ra) reported: 'I participated in the Salat-al-Eid-al-Fitr with the Messenger of Allah (saw), Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra), and all of them held Salat-al-Eid before Khutbah, and then the Prophet Muhammad (saw) delivered the Khutbah (sermon)'. Hadith, Muslim
WHO SHOULD GO TO THE PRAYER GROUND AND OFFER SALAAM-AL-EID:
Umm Atria (ra) reported: 'The Messenger of Allah (saw) commanded us to bring out on Eid-al-Fit and Eid-al-Adhere, young women, Hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaam but participated in good deeds and Dual (supplication)'. I (Umm Atria) said to the Holy Prophet (saw): 'O! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment.' He replied: "Let her sister cover her with her garment." Hadith Muslim.
On the Eid day, every believing man, woman and child must go to the prayer ground and participate in this joyous occasion.
STRUCTURE OF EID-AL-EID:
Eid-al-Eid is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakat (units) with six or thirteen additional Taskbars. It must be offered in congregation. The Eid is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large and the feelings of sacrifice and struggle for Allah should be aroused in the community.
At the conclusion of the Salat the Muslims should convey greetings to each other; give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture.
SACRIFICE AND EID-AL-ADHA:
Those who have enough wealth to pay Zakat must offer the sacrifice for Allah. It is the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and a strongly recommended Sunnah. A lamb, sheep, goat, cow, buffalo, or camel can be offered as the sacrifice. There are seven shares in a cow, buffalo and camel. The sacrifice should be accomplished by slaughtering the animal after Salat-al-Eid. The sacrifice also called Udhiyah or Qurbani last for three
days from 10th Zdil-hijjah until the sunset of 12th Zdil-hijjah. The meat should be divided into three shares: one for the family the second for relatives and friend and the third share is for the poor and the needy.
(Imam Ali Siddiqui, California Muslim Institute, 7153 Twinspur Ct. , Corona Valley , CA 92880 , Phone: 951-734-4599, email: siddiqui@aol.com) (©Imam Ali Siddiqui, 1982)
This article is also available on the internet on various sites. Just Google: “Imam Ali Siddiqui†in French, Indonesian, Malay, German and Tamil.
About the author
Imam Ali Siddiqui with 35 years of service, is a Friday Khatib, Islamic teacher, Muslim Chaplain, youth advisor, family counselor, educator, poet and writer with a vision who has been involved in the teaching Islam, history, comparative religion, contemporary issues to Muslims and non-Muslims. He is actively involved in the community service including spiritual/educational development, service to the sick and the incarcerated. He has been on speaking tours to the Belgium , Canada , Germany , Great Britain , Switzerland , India , Iran , Pakistan , and across the USA . He frequently presents Islamic Prospective and Muslim Point of View on current affairs to Non-Muslims and Muslims. He has been very active in organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, and teach-ins to promote Islamic awareness and inter-faith understanding. He has received numerous commendations for his work, service, and scholarship. Presently, Imam Siddiqui is the President of California Muslim Institute; Vice Chair/Director, Peace with Justice Center of the Pomona Valley; and member of the Board of Directors: Corona-Norco Interfaith Association, and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles. For additional information about author’s involvement, please Google: “Imam Ali Siddiquiâ€
(Permission is given to any individual/organization to use this material for teaching, Dawa and publication with proper credit to the writer)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EID:
Unas (ra) reported that when the Prophet Muhammad (saw) migrated from Makkah to Madinah, the people of Madinah used to have two festivals. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) asked the Ansaar (the Muslims of Madinah) about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) told them: 'Instead of those two days, Allah has appointed two other days which are better, the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.' (Hadith)
EID-AL-FITR is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. On this day Muslims show their real joy for the health, strength and the opportunities of life, which Allah has given to them to fulfill their obligation of fasting and other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
EID-AL-ADHA is celebrated on the tenth day of Zdil-hijjah, the 12th and the last month of the Islamic calendar. It is also very joyous day; it is a feast of self-sacrifice, commitment and obedience to Allah. It commemorates the great act of obedience to Allah by the Prophet Ibrahim (as) in showing his willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael (as). Allah accepted his sacrifice and replaced Prophet Ismael (as) with a lamb. Although Hajj has no relation with the Eid-al-Adha, but the five days long rituals of Hajj are also done during this month culminating on 9th of Zdil-hijjah. Many rituals of Hajj are enactment of the struggle of the family Ibrahim (as) specially his second wife Hajirah (as) and her son Prophet Ismael (as).
THE SUNNAH OF EID:
1. Wake up early.
2. Offer Salat-al Fajr.
3. Prepare for personal cleanliness take care of details of clothing, etc.
4. Take a Ghusl (bath) after Fajr.
5. Brush your teeth.
6. Dress up, putting on best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones.
7. Use perfume (men only).
8. Have breakfast on Eid-al-Fitr before leaving for prayer ground. On Eid-al-Adha, eat
breakfast after Salat or after sacrifice if you are doing a sacrifice.
9. Pay Zakat-al-Fitr before Salat-al-Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr).
10. Go to prayer ground early.
11. Offer Salat-al-Eid in congregation in an open place except when whether is not
permitting like rain, snow, etc.
12. Use two separate routes to and from the prayer ground.
13. Recite the following Takbir on the way to Salat and until the beginning of
Salat-al-Eid. On Eid-al-Adha, Takbir starts from Mughrib on the 9th Zdil-hijjah and
last until the Asr on the 12th Zdil-hijjah:
Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. La ila-ha ill-lal-lah. Allaho-Akber, Allaho-Akber. Wa-lilahill hamd.
(Allah is greater. Allah is greater. There is no god but Allah. Allah is greater. Allah is greater. And all praises
are for Allah).
HOW TO OFFER SALAAT-AL-EID:
Ibn Abbass (ra) reported: 'I participated in the Salat-al-Eid-al-Fitr with the Messenger of Allah (saw), Abu Bakr (ra), Umar (ra) and Uthman (ra), and all of them held Salat-al-Eid before Khutbah, and then the Prophet Muhammad (saw) delivered the Khutbah (sermon)'. Hadith, Muslim
WHO SHOULD GO TO THE PRAYER GROUND AND OFFER SALAAM-AL-EID:
Umm Atria (ra) reported: 'The Messenger of Allah (saw) commanded us to bring out on Eid-al-Fit and Eid-al-Adhere, young women, Hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women. The menstruating women stayed out of actual Salaam but participated in good deeds and Dual (supplication)'. I (Umm Atria) said to the Holy Prophet (saw): 'O! Messenger of Allah, one does not have an outer garment.' He replied: "Let her sister cover her with her garment." Hadith Muslim.
On the Eid day, every believing man, woman and child must go to the prayer ground and participate in this joyous occasion.
STRUCTURE OF EID-AL-EID:
Eid-al-Eid is wajib (strongly recommended, just short of obligatory). It consists of two Rakat (units) with six or thirteen additional Taskbars. It must be offered in congregation. The Eid is followed by the Khutbah. The Khutbah is part of the worship and listening to it is Sunnah. During the Khutbah, the Imam must remind the community about its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, fellow Muslims and the fellow human beings. The Imam must encourage the Muslims to do good and ward off evil. The Muslim community must also be directed to the state of the community and the Ummah at large and the feelings of sacrifice and struggle for Allah should be aroused in the community.
At the conclusion of the Salat the Muslims should convey greetings to each other; give reasonable gifts to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes. Muslims should also take this opportunity to invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to expose them to Islam and Muslim culture.
SACRIFICE AND EID-AL-ADHA:
Those who have enough wealth to pay Zakat must offer the sacrifice for Allah. It is the tradition of Prophet Ibrahim (as) and a strongly recommended Sunnah. A lamb, sheep, goat, cow, buffalo, or camel can be offered as the sacrifice. There are seven shares in a cow, buffalo and camel. The sacrifice should be accomplished by slaughtering the animal after Salat-al-Eid. The sacrifice also called Udhiyah or Qurbani last for three
days from 10th Zdil-hijjah until the sunset of 12th Zdil-hijjah. The meat should be divided into three shares: one for the family the second for relatives and friend and the third share is for the poor and the needy.
(Imam Ali Siddiqui, California Muslim Institute, 7153 Twinspur Ct. , Corona Valley , CA 92880 , Phone: 951-734-4599, email: siddiqui@aol.com) (©Imam Ali Siddiqui, 1982)
This article is also available on the internet on various sites. Just Google: “Imam Ali Siddiqui†in French, Indonesian, Malay, German and Tamil.
About the author
Imam Ali Siddiqui with 35 years of service, is a Friday Khatib, Islamic teacher, Muslim Chaplain, youth advisor, family counselor, educator, poet and writer with a vision who has been involved in the teaching Islam, history, comparative religion, contemporary issues to Muslims and non-Muslims. He is actively involved in the community service including spiritual/educational development, service to the sick and the incarcerated. He has been on speaking tours to the Belgium , Canada , Germany , Great Britain , Switzerland , India , Iran , Pakistan , and across the USA . He frequently presents Islamic Prospective and Muslim Point of View on current affairs to Non-Muslims and Muslims. He has been very active in organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, and teach-ins to promote Islamic awareness and inter-faith understanding. He has received numerous commendations for his work, service, and scholarship. Presently, Imam Siddiqui is the President of California Muslim Institute; Vice Chair/Director, Peace with Justice Center of the Pomona Valley; and member of the Board of Directors: Corona-Norco Interfaith Association, and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles. For additional information about author’s involvement, please Google: “Imam Ali Siddiquiâ€
(Permission is given to any individual/organization to use this material for teaching, Dawa and publication with proper credit to the writer)
Eid al-Fitr - a true Thanksgiving Day
Eid al-Fitr - a true Thanksgiving Day:
A very joyous day for the 1.9 Billion Muslims of the world
© Imam Ali Siddiqui, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Press release to announce Eid al-Fitr - a true Thanksgiving Day by Imam Ali Siddiqui, California Muslim Institute, 7153 Twinspur Ct., Corona Valley, CA 92880, Phone: 951-734-4599, email: siddiqui@aol.com)
1.9 billion Muslims of the world will celebrate their joyous holiday, Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, October 13, 2007 (and some on October 14, 2007) depending on the visibility of crescent. The new moon is on October 10th this year. The possibility to witness the crescent, Hilal is on Friday, October 12, just after sunset on the western horizon. Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. It will evident on their faces the day of Eid-al-Fitr. On this day Muslims show their real gratitude for their health, strength and the opportunities in life, which Allah, God has blessed them with to fulfill their obligations including fasting and accomplishing other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
Historic Significance of this Day:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also wanted to develop a distinct identity of Muslims, culturally and ideologically. When he migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he found the people of Madinah celebrating two holidays. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) inquired the Muslims of Madinah about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. On that he told them: “Instead of these two days Allah, God has appointed two other days which are better: the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.†Unas (ra) reported this Hadith.
Salient features of Thanksgiving, Eid-al-Fitr:
The holiday of Eid-al-Fitr begins with Muslim men, women, and children dressing up and putting on their best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones and going to the Eid congregation. Remembering the poor by giving a special charity, Zakat-al-Fitr, before the congregation of Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr). Proclaiming God Almighty by offering prayer in an open and inviting place for any one to participate and receive the joy of the holiday. They use two separate routes to and from the prayer to spread the joy by reciting and glorifying the Lord on the way to the congregation and until the beginning of the congregation, Salat-al-Eid: “Allah is great! Allah is great! There is no god but Allah. Allah is great! Allah is great! And all praises are for Allah.†Eid congregations are very large gatherings of Muslim men, women, and children across the country. You can witness these gathering at local Convention Centers, Fair grounds, Community Parks and/or at local Masjid/Islamic Centers.
A Gathering of men, women and children - the whole family and the community
Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Messenger of Allah commanded the Muslim community to bring out on the day of Eid-al-Fit and Eid-al-Adha, young women, Hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women and participate in this very joyous day by participating in the prayer and festivities of the day. When one woman asked Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “O! Messenger of Allah, if one does not have an outer garment?†He replied: "Let her sister cover her with her garment." Umm Attia (ra) reported it in Hadith Muslim.
It is indeed a gathering of the whole community; and every believing man, woman and child participate in this joyous occasion.
At the culmination of prayer, Imam reminds the community its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, God, the members of the community, and the fellow human beings. Imam also encourages the Muslims to proclaim good and ward off wrong and evil. It is also the time to become aware of the state of the community resulting in the Spirit of sacrifice, community and struggle.
At the conclusion of the congregation, Muslims convey greetings to each other with hugs and handshakes; give reasonable gifts (usually cash) to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes and hold lunches or dinners for family and friends. They also invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to share the joy. Don’t be surprised if you are also invited to an Eid dinner or a celebration by your Muslim neighbors or friends. Please do accept such an invitation. The hospitality, friendliness, and variety of international Muslim cuisine will pleasantly surprise you.
Greetings of Eid, Eid Mubarak!
©Imam Ali Siddiqui, 2007
About the author
Imam Ali Siddiqui with 35 years of service, is a Friday Khatib, Islamic teacher, Muslim Chaplain, youth advisor, family counselor, educator, poet and writer with a vision who has been involved in the teaching Islam, history, comparative religion, contemporary issues to Muslims and non-Muslims. He is actively involved in the community service including spiritual/educational development, service to the sick and the incarcerated. He has been on speaking tours to the Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, India, Iran, Pakistan, and across the USA. He frequently presents Islamic Prospective and Muslim Point of View on current affairs to Non-Muslims and Muslims. He has been very active in organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, and teach-ins to promote Islamic awareness and inter-faith understanding. He has received numerous commendations for his work, service, and scholarship. Presently, Imam Siddiqui is the President of California Muslim Institute; Vice Chair/Director, Peace with Justice Center of the Pomona Valley; and member of the Board of Directors: Corona-Norco Interfaith Association, and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles. For additional information about author’s involvement, please Google: “Imam Ali Siddiquiâ€
Eid al-Fitr - a true Thanksgiving Day: Please send it to your local press, city council and schools.
(Permission is given to any individual/organization to use this material for teaching, Tabligh and Dawa and publication with proper credit to the writer)
A very joyous day for the 1.9 Billion Muslims of the world
© Imam Ali Siddiqui, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Press release to announce Eid al-Fitr - a true Thanksgiving Day by Imam Ali Siddiqui, California Muslim Institute, 7153 Twinspur Ct., Corona Valley, CA 92880, Phone: 951-734-4599, email: siddiqui@aol.com)
1.9 billion Muslims of the world will celebrate their joyous holiday, Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, October 13, 2007 (and some on October 14, 2007) depending on the visibility of crescent. The new moon is on October 10th this year. The possibility to witness the crescent, Hilal is on Friday, October 12, just after sunset on the western horizon. Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shaw'waal, at the completion of Ramadan. Shaw'waal is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.
The Eid-al-Fitr is a very joyous day; it is a true Thanksgiving Day for the believing men and women. It will evident on their faces the day of Eid-al-Fitr. On this day Muslims show their real gratitude for their health, strength and the opportunities in life, which Allah, God has blessed them with to fulfill their obligations including fasting and accomplishing other good deeds during the blessed month of Ramadan.
Historic Significance of this Day:
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also wanted to develop a distinct identity of Muslims, culturally and ideologically. When he migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he found the people of Madinah celebrating two holidays. On those two days they had carnivals and festivity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) inquired the Muslims of Madinah about it. They replied that before Islam they used to have carnivals on those two joyous days. On that he told them: “Instead of these two days Allah, God has appointed two other days which are better: the days of Eid-al-Fitr and Eid-al-Adha.†Unas (ra) reported this Hadith.
Salient features of Thanksgiving, Eid-al-Fitr:
The holiday of Eid-al-Fitr begins with Muslim men, women, and children dressing up and putting on their best clothes available, whether new or cleaned old ones and going to the Eid congregation. Remembering the poor by giving a special charity, Zakat-al-Fitr, before the congregation of Eid (on Eid-al-Fitr). Proclaiming God Almighty by offering prayer in an open and inviting place for any one to participate and receive the joy of the holiday. They use two separate routes to and from the prayer to spread the joy by reciting and glorifying the Lord on the way to the congregation and until the beginning of the congregation, Salat-al-Eid: “Allah is great! Allah is great! There is no god but Allah. Allah is great! Allah is great! And all praises are for Allah.†Eid congregations are very large gatherings of Muslim men, women, and children across the country. You can witness these gathering at local Convention Centers, Fair grounds, Community Parks and/or at local Masjid/Islamic Centers.
A Gathering of men, women and children - the whole family and the community
Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Messenger of Allah commanded the Muslim community to bring out on the day of Eid-al-Fit and Eid-al-Adha, young women, Hijab-observing adult women and the menstruating women and participate in this very joyous day by participating in the prayer and festivities of the day. When one woman asked Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “O! Messenger of Allah, if one does not have an outer garment?†He replied: "Let her sister cover her with her garment." Umm Attia (ra) reported it in Hadith Muslim.
It is indeed a gathering of the whole community; and every believing man, woman and child participate in this joyous occasion.
At the culmination of prayer, Imam reminds the community its responsibilities and obligations towards Allah, God, the members of the community, and the fellow human beings. Imam also encourages the Muslims to proclaim good and ward off wrong and evil. It is also the time to become aware of the state of the community resulting in the Spirit of sacrifice, community and struggle.
At the conclusion of the congregation, Muslims convey greetings to each other with hugs and handshakes; give reasonable gifts (usually cash) to the youngsters and visit each other at their homes and hold lunches or dinners for family and friends. They also invite their non-Muslims neighbors, co-workers, classmates and business acquaintances to Eid festivities to share the joy. Don’t be surprised if you are also invited to an Eid dinner or a celebration by your Muslim neighbors or friends. Please do accept such an invitation. The hospitality, friendliness, and variety of international Muslim cuisine will pleasantly surprise you.
Greetings of Eid, Eid Mubarak!
©Imam Ali Siddiqui, 2007
About the author
Imam Ali Siddiqui with 35 years of service, is a Friday Khatib, Islamic teacher, Muslim Chaplain, youth advisor, family counselor, educator, poet and writer with a vision who has been involved in the teaching Islam, history, comparative religion, contemporary issues to Muslims and non-Muslims. He is actively involved in the community service including spiritual/educational development, service to the sick and the incarcerated. He has been on speaking tours to the Belgium, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, India, Iran, Pakistan, and across the USA. He frequently presents Islamic Prospective and Muslim Point of View on current affairs to Non-Muslims and Muslims. He has been very active in organizing seminars, workshops, conferences, and teach-ins to promote Islamic awareness and inter-faith understanding. He has received numerous commendations for his work, service, and scholarship. Presently, Imam Siddiqui is the President of California Muslim Institute; Vice Chair/Director, Peace with Justice Center of the Pomona Valley; and member of the Board of Directors: Corona-Norco Interfaith Association, and Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice, Los Angeles. For additional information about author’s involvement, please Google: “Imam Ali Siddiquiâ€
Eid al-Fitr - a true Thanksgiving Day: Please send it to your local press, city council and schools.
(Permission is given to any individual/organization to use this material for teaching, Tabligh and Dawa and publication with proper credit to the writer)
Thursday, September 27, 2007
« Tongue of the Power/US Hispanics Embracing Islam
By Azadeh Ghahghaei
US Congress in 1968 for the first time designated the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. But in 1988 that was amended to make it a whole month, thus at the moment Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. Having such a month seems necessary for a country like United States having a great number of Hispanics spreading over the states. President Bush’s insistence to fence the US- Mexico border in order to prevent illegal immigration of Hispanics from Mexico to US during this period signifies the importance Hispanics and generally immigration has to US government. The total cost of this 700 mile fence is estimated from $2 billion to $9 billion. However, US government is disregarding Mexican officials’ grievances of this issue. The Mexican government expresses its strong rejection of the construction of the wall … This decision damages the entire bilateral relationship, is contrary to the spirit of cooperation that must prevail to guarantee the security of the frontier,” Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. The news raised lots of controversies inside and outside US; border communities, religious groups, advocates and lawmakers were among serious opponents inside the country. “Critics have also argued that it would make the border more violent; would force illegal immigrants to take more dangerous routes through the desert; would harm trade and relations with Mexico; and still wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal immigration.” Simultaneous to this news, another issue came up regarding Hispanics in US which I was always concerning about. The news was published in New Mexican website on October 6, claiming that the number of Hispanics leaning to Islam is increasing. It explains the life of a Muslim Hispanic who was born in Colombia and is now living in US. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000- although it is still very few in comparison to the number of Christians in US- since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. This growing trend to Islam by Hispanics may be assumed as a consequence of 9/11 terrorist attacks and also the collision between two burgeoning minority groups, means Muslims and Hispanics. It is important to notice that there are several similarities in faith between Hispanics and Muslims such as family- orientation, being religious, poverty, health care and issues regarding immigration. The previous ruling of Muslims in Spain can not be ignored as a crucial reason for this tendency of Hispanics to Islam. Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky indicates: Many Hispanics who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense.” Another point to be mentioned is that the number of Hispanic Muslim growing is very high in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. The number of Hispanics attending mosques is ascending gradually, the need for Spanish books especially Koran is a reasonable proof for this claim. Hispanics as a very significant and influential minority in United States bear a very important role in coming US elections, both Congress election in 2006 and 2008 presidential elections. Among the total registered people of voting, more than 2.7 million voters have Hispanic surnames, an increase of about 560,000 since 2002. Of the 85,000 additional voters this year, about 77,800 were people with Hispanic surnames, Williams’ office reported. It is interesting to know that for example there are about 8 million Hispanics in Texas, and of those 3.4 million are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. To conclude the discussion of Hispanics, their intention for Islam and Hispanics’ role in political decisions by voting, I would like to conclude that a country like Iran which is facing severe conflicts with US should be clever enough to make use of these conditions; current dissatisfaction of Hispanics of US government, Hispanics’ inclination to Islam and their role in US elections. Iran is said to be a driving force in preaching Islam, thus it should equip itself with qualifications that grant it opportunities to be able to contact Hispanics in States and direct them more to Islam. In this way, Muslims and Hispanics can unitedly protest for unjust rules treated to them since earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. Islamic Republic of Iran can build a constructive relation with the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City and increase its policy supporters inside the land of US. One of the ways by which Iran can improve its relation with this center is to hold joint conferences and research projects. References:
- www.bbc.com
- http://magic-city-news.com
- www.star-telegram.com
- www.newmexican.com Currently, MA Student in American Studies, university of Tehran. I did my BA in English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, university of Tehran. I am mostly interested in American history, foreign policy and Hollywood. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azadeh_Ghahghaei http://EzineArticles.com/?US-Hispanics-Embracing-Islam&id=443987 buy fioricet rx
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US Congress in 1968 for the first time designated the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. But in 1988 that was amended to make it a whole month, thus at the moment Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. Having such a month seems necessary for a country like United States having a great number of Hispanics spreading over the states. President Bush’s insistence to fence the US- Mexico border in order to prevent illegal immigration of Hispanics from Mexico to US during this period signifies the importance Hispanics and generally immigration has to US government. The total cost of this 700 mile fence is estimated from $2 billion to $9 billion. However, US government is disregarding Mexican officials’ grievances of this issue. The Mexican government expresses its strong rejection of the construction of the wall … This decision damages the entire bilateral relationship, is contrary to the spirit of cooperation that must prevail to guarantee the security of the frontier,” Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. The news raised lots of controversies inside and outside US; border communities, religious groups, advocates and lawmakers were among serious opponents inside the country. “Critics have also argued that it would make the border more violent; would force illegal immigrants to take more dangerous routes through the desert; would harm trade and relations with Mexico; and still wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal immigration.” Simultaneous to this news, another issue came up regarding Hispanics in US which I was always concerning about. The news was published in New Mexican website on October 6, claiming that the number of Hispanics leaning to Islam is increasing. It explains the life of a Muslim Hispanic who was born in Colombia and is now living in US. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000- although it is still very few in comparison to the number of Christians in US- since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. This growing trend to Islam by Hispanics may be assumed as a consequence of 9/11 terrorist attacks and also the collision between two burgeoning minority groups, means Muslims and Hispanics. It is important to notice that there are several similarities in faith between Hispanics and Muslims such as family- orientation, being religious, poverty, health care and issues regarding immigration. The previous ruling of Muslims in Spain can not be ignored as a crucial reason for this tendency of Hispanics to Islam. Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky indicates: Many Hispanics who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense.” Another point to be mentioned is that the number of Hispanic Muslim growing is very high in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. The number of Hispanics attending mosques is ascending gradually, the need for Spanish books especially Koran is a reasonable proof for this claim. Hispanics as a very significant and influential minority in United States bear a very important role in coming US elections, both Congress election in 2006 and 2008 presidential elections. Among the total registered people of voting, more than 2.7 million voters have Hispanic surnames, an increase of about 560,000 since 2002. Of the 85,000 additional voters this year, about 77,800 were people with Hispanic surnames, Williams’ office reported. It is interesting to know that for example there are about 8 million Hispanics in Texas, and of those 3.4 million are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. To conclude the discussion of Hispanics, their intention for Islam and Hispanics’ role in political decisions by voting, I would like to conclude that a country like Iran which is facing severe conflicts with US should be clever enough to make use of these conditions; current dissatisfaction of Hispanics of US government, Hispanics’ inclination to Islam and their role in US elections. Iran is said to be a driving force in preaching Islam, thus it should equip itself with qualifications that grant it opportunities to be able to contact Hispanics in States and direct them more to Islam. In this way, Muslims and Hispanics can unitedly protest for unjust rules treated to them since earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. Islamic Republic of Iran can build a constructive relation with the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City and increase its policy supporters inside the land of US. One of the ways by which Iran can improve its relation with this center is to hold joint conferences and research projects. References:
- www.bbc.com
- http://magic-city-news.com
- www.star-telegram.com
- www.newmexican.com Currently, MA Student in American Studies, university of Tehran. I did my BA in English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, university of Tehran. I am mostly interested in American history, foreign policy and Hollywood. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azadeh_Ghahghaei http://EzineArticles.com/?US-Hispanics-Embracing-Islam&id=443987 buy fioricet rx
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Friday, September 21, 2007
US Hispanics Embracing Islam
September 21st, 2007 by graciagawargy
By Azadeh Ghahghaei US Congress in 1968 for the first time designated the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. But in 1988 that was amended to make it a whole month, thus at the moment Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. Having such a month seems necessary for a country like United States having a great number of Hispanics spreading over the states. President Bush’s insistence to fence the US- Mexico border in order to prevent illegal immigration of Hispanics from Mexico to US during this period signifies the importance Hispanics and generally immigration has to US government. The total cost of this 700 mile fence is estimated from $2 billion to $9 billion. However, US government is disregarding Mexican officials’ grievances of this issue. The Mexican government expresses its strong rejection of the construction of the wall … This decision damages the entire bilateral relationship, is contrary to the spirit of cooperation that must prevail to guarantee the security of the frontier,” Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. The news raised lots of controversies inside and outside US; border communities, religious groups, advocates and lawmakers were among serious opponents inside the country. “Critics have also argued that it would make the border more violent; would force illegal immigrants to take more dangerous routes through the desert; would harm trade and relations with Mexico; and still wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal immigration.” Simultaneous to this news, another issue came up regarding Hispanics in US which I was always concerning about. The news was published in New Mexican website on October 6, claiming that the number of Hispanics leaning to Islam is increasing. It explains the life of a Muslim Hispanic who was born in Colombia and is now living in US. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000- although it is still very few in comparison to the number of Christians in US- since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. This growing trend to Islam by Hispanics may be assumed as a consequence of 9/11 terrorist attacks and also the collision between two burgeoning minority groups, means Muslims and Hispanics. It is important to notice that there are several similarities in faith between Hispanics and Muslims such as family- orientation, being religious, poverty, health care and issues regarding immigration. The previous ruling of Muslims in Spain can not be ignored as a crucial reason for this tendency of Hispanics to Islam. Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky indicates: Many Hispanics who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense.” Another point to be mentioned is that the number of Hispanic Muslim growing is very high in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. The number of Hispanics attending mosques is ascending gradually, the need for Spanish books especially Koran is a reasonable proof for this claim. Hispanics as a very significant and influential minority in United States bear a very important role in coming US elections, both Congress election in 2006 and 2008 presidential elections. Among the total registered people of voting, more than 2.7 million voters have Hispanic surnames, an increase of about 560,000 since 2002. Of the 85,000 additional voters this year, about 77,800 were people with Hispanic surnames, Williams’ office reported. It is interesting to know that for example there are about 8 million Hispanics in Texas, and of those 3.4 million are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. To conclude the discussion of Hispanics, their intention for Islam and Hispanics’ role in political decisions by voting, I would like to conclude that a country like Iran which is facing severe conflicts with US should be clever enough to make use of these conditions; current dissatisfaction of Hispanics of US government, Hispanics’ inclination to Islam and their role in US elections. Iran is said to be a driving force in preaching Islam, thus it should equip itself with qualifications that grant it opportunities to be able to contact Hispanics in States and direct them more to Islam. In this way, Muslims and Hispanics can unitedly protest for unjust rules treated to them since earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. Islamic Republic of Iran can build a constructive relation with the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City and increase its policy supporters inside the land of US. One of the ways by which Iran can improve its relation with this center is to hold joint conferences and research projects. References:
- www.bbc.com
- http://magic-city-news.com
- www.star-telegram.com
- www.newmexican.com Currently, MA Student in American Studies, university of Tehran. I did my BA in English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, university of Tehran. I am mostly interested in American history, foreign policy and Hollywood. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azadeh_Ghahghaei http://EzineArticles.com/?US-Hispanics-Embracing-Islam&id=443987
By Azadeh Ghahghaei US Congress in 1968 for the first time designated the week of September 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. But in 1988 that was amended to make it a whole month, thus at the moment Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. Having such a month seems necessary for a country like United States having a great number of Hispanics spreading over the states. President Bush’s insistence to fence the US- Mexico border in order to prevent illegal immigration of Hispanics from Mexico to US during this period signifies the importance Hispanics and generally immigration has to US government. The total cost of this 700 mile fence is estimated from $2 billion to $9 billion. However, US government is disregarding Mexican officials’ grievances of this issue. The Mexican government expresses its strong rejection of the construction of the wall … This decision damages the entire bilateral relationship, is contrary to the spirit of cooperation that must prevail to guarantee the security of the frontier,” Mexican presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. The news raised lots of controversies inside and outside US; border communities, religious groups, advocates and lawmakers were among serious opponents inside the country. “Critics have also argued that it would make the border more violent; would force illegal immigrants to take more dangerous routes through the desert; would harm trade and relations with Mexico; and still wouldn’t solve the problem of illegal immigration.” Simultaneous to this news, another issue came up regarding Hispanics in US which I was always concerning about. The news was published in New Mexican website on October 6, claiming that the number of Hispanics leaning to Islam is increasing. It explains the life of a Muslim Hispanic who was born in Colombia and is now living in US. The population of Hispanic Muslims has increased 30 percent to some 200,000- although it is still very few in comparison to the number of Christians in US- since 1999, estimates Ali Khan, national director of the American Muslim Council in Chicago. This growing trend to Islam by Hispanics may be assumed as a consequence of 9/11 terrorist attacks and also the collision between two burgeoning minority groups, means Muslims and Hispanics. It is important to notice that there are several similarities in faith between Hispanics and Muslims such as family- orientation, being religious, poverty, health care and issues regarding immigration. The previous ruling of Muslims in Spain can not be ignored as a crucial reason for this tendency of Hispanics to Islam. Ihsan Bagby, professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at the University of Kentucky indicates: Many Hispanics who are becoming Muslim, would say they are embracing their heritage, a heritage that was denied to them in a sense.” Another point to be mentioned is that the number of Hispanic Muslim growing is very high in New York, Florida, California and Texas, where Hispanic communities are largest. The number of Hispanics attending mosques is ascending gradually, the need for Spanish books especially Koran is a reasonable proof for this claim. Hispanics as a very significant and influential minority in United States bear a very important role in coming US elections, both Congress election in 2006 and 2008 presidential elections. Among the total registered people of voting, more than 2.7 million voters have Hispanic surnames, an increase of about 560,000 since 2002. Of the 85,000 additional voters this year, about 77,800 were people with Hispanic surnames, Williams’ office reported. It is interesting to know that for example there are about 8 million Hispanics in Texas, and of those 3.4 million are eligible to vote, according to the Pew Hispanic Center. To conclude the discussion of Hispanics, their intention for Islam and Hispanics’ role in political decisions by voting, I would like to conclude that a country like Iran which is facing severe conflicts with US should be clever enough to make use of these conditions; current dissatisfaction of Hispanics of US government, Hispanics’ inclination to Islam and their role in US elections. Iran is said to be a driving force in preaching Islam, thus it should equip itself with qualifications that grant it opportunities to be able to contact Hispanics in States and direct them more to Islam. In this way, Muslims and Hispanics can unitedly protest for unjust rules treated to them since earlier this year, Muslims joined Hispanics in marches nationwide protesting immigration-reform proposals they felt were unfair. Islamic Republic of Iran can build a constructive relation with the Latino American Dawah Organization, established in 1997 by converts in New York City and increase its policy supporters inside the land of US. One of the ways by which Iran can improve its relation with this center is to hold joint conferences and research projects. References:
- www.bbc.com
- http://magic-city-news.com
- www.star-telegram.com
- www.newmexican.com Currently, MA Student in American Studies, university of Tehran. I did my BA in English Language and Literature at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, university of Tehran. I am mostly interested in American history, foreign policy and Hollywood. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Azadeh_Ghahghaei http://EzineArticles.com/?US-Hispanics-Embracing-Islam&id=443987
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Different Kinds of Iftar at Different Masjids
Sunday, October 23, 2005
I have made iftar at many different Masjids over the years in many different cities. The crowds that you see at the various Masjids differs depending on what kind of a Masjid you are at.
For sake of simplicity I will divide the Masjids that I have made iftar at over the years into these categories; the African-American Sunni Masjid, the WD Masjid, the bourgeois immigrant Masjid and the ghetto immigrant Masjid. Each Masjid has its own unique method, flavor and cuisine but some things are usually in common. For example; most will have a large number of single brothers who cant cook and don’t have anyone to cook for them, poor Muslims who cant have a good meal at home and those Muslims who will at a big meal at the Masjid and then go home and throw down at the dinner table. Of course at some Masjids you always have the homeless brothers who come in and are like “Assalamu alaikum akhee where is the food.”
The African-American Sunni Masjid can be anything from a hardcore Salafi Masjid like in East Orange, NJ or Germantown Philly to a Jamil al-Amin joint to a place like Masjid at-Taqwa in Brooklyn where Siraj Wahaj is imam. At these Masjids stuff is usually more regimented and you better not go for seconds before your turn or the brothers from security will be ready to put in work. You can find a lot of fried fish and chicken usually with some form of bread and some spaghetti. Some Masjids have more than others; one poor Masjid I was at brothers only had cinnamon rolls and Ramen noodles (what they call Crackhead Soup in prison). One other Masjid only had chicken McNuggets and Snapple. The brothers and sisters will be completely separate here.
WD Masjids (those that follow the leadership of Imam WD Mohammed) tend to have the same kind of cuisines just with more greens. You always have some old pioneer sisters cooking in the back and you listen to the brothers coming in and swapping stories about Saviors Day in 1972. But when it comes time to pass the drinks these brothers always have the all-natural fruit drinks on hand like Omar on the Nile and that ilk. Whereas in the black Sunni Masjid you will sit on the floor at the WD joint you will sit at a table and there is a good chance you will have to pay for the plate and that the proceeds will go to the building fund. There will be free mixing of brothers and sisters and you may even get a sister run up to you and give you a hug or slide you the digits on the low.
If you go to the bourgeois immigrant Masjid you will find that iftar is given out in a very organized fashion ( unless you are at Dar al Hijrah in VA where there is a buffalo stampede after the Maghrib Tasleem), but the South Asian Masjids tend to be the most organized. You got your iftar samossa, dates and whatever else they will give you in a nice little box with a plastic spoon or fork and some bottled water. It feels more like Starbucks than a Masjid. You pray Maghrib at this Masjid and the imam usually recites two of the last ten surahs (the shortest) and then it is time to grub. You get a nice plate of food, that will include some salad, and it will be quite tasty; the only thing on the cheap is the ghetto soda they get which depending where you live could say Vess, C-Town, Tropical Fantasy or Bubbas on the side. You will notice that most of the Masjid leaders, or wealthy Muslims who sit on the shura and probably run it is a social club, are nowhere to be found as they are retreating to their McMansions for a big meal. You can expect meat and rice every night and if it is a South Asian place expect food that could heat up Alaska. The sisters are normally close to the brothers and if you are here, like I have been in the past, you may have some single brother sitting next to you and tapping your shoulder every three minute and asking you to check out the sister walking by. “Is she married brother?” Hijabs will vary at these places but you will see a lot of the Benazir Bhutto convertible hijab. Now of this is an Arab run Masjid then there will probably be a greater separation of the sexes.
The ghetto immigrant Masjid has a lot of variance. One Masjid that is attended by refugees primarily used to have dates and crackers for iftar. BTW, I’m not talking about gourmet crackers from some yuppie store; I’m talking about those big boxes of crackers you can get for 50 cents. Some of these Masjids are the recipients of a lot of saddaqa during Ramadan so you always have a lot of meat as wealthy doctors drop off half a farm worth of meat as a Ramadan ritual. Here it is hardcore and you may not be able to find any eating utensils as brothers go straight Sunnah and eat with their hands. I have also noticed that there is a shortage of beverages at these places and that most of the brothers don’t drink anything with their food so I usually bring some soda or juice for everyone to drink. At these Masjids food will be good like twice a week, when the rice and vegetables are fresh, but then you will get like two or three days in a row of stale rice.
Posted by Umar Lee at 5:30 AM
Labels: Ramadan
I have made iftar at many different Masjids over the years in many different cities. The crowds that you see at the various Masjids differs depending on what kind of a Masjid you are at.
For sake of simplicity I will divide the Masjids that I have made iftar at over the years into these categories; the African-American Sunni Masjid, the WD Masjid, the bourgeois immigrant Masjid and the ghetto immigrant Masjid. Each Masjid has its own unique method, flavor and cuisine but some things are usually in common. For example; most will have a large number of single brothers who cant cook and don’t have anyone to cook for them, poor Muslims who cant have a good meal at home and those Muslims who will at a big meal at the Masjid and then go home and throw down at the dinner table. Of course at some Masjids you always have the homeless brothers who come in and are like “Assalamu alaikum akhee where is the food.”
The African-American Sunni Masjid can be anything from a hardcore Salafi Masjid like in East Orange, NJ or Germantown Philly to a Jamil al-Amin joint to a place like Masjid at-Taqwa in Brooklyn where Siraj Wahaj is imam. At these Masjids stuff is usually more regimented and you better not go for seconds before your turn or the brothers from security will be ready to put in work. You can find a lot of fried fish and chicken usually with some form of bread and some spaghetti. Some Masjids have more than others; one poor Masjid I was at brothers only had cinnamon rolls and Ramen noodles (what they call Crackhead Soup in prison). One other Masjid only had chicken McNuggets and Snapple. The brothers and sisters will be completely separate here.
WD Masjids (those that follow the leadership of Imam WD Mohammed) tend to have the same kind of cuisines just with more greens. You always have some old pioneer sisters cooking in the back and you listen to the brothers coming in and swapping stories about Saviors Day in 1972. But when it comes time to pass the drinks these brothers always have the all-natural fruit drinks on hand like Omar on the Nile and that ilk. Whereas in the black Sunni Masjid you will sit on the floor at the WD joint you will sit at a table and there is a good chance you will have to pay for the plate and that the proceeds will go to the building fund. There will be free mixing of brothers and sisters and you may even get a sister run up to you and give you a hug or slide you the digits on the low.
If you go to the bourgeois immigrant Masjid you will find that iftar is given out in a very organized fashion ( unless you are at Dar al Hijrah in VA where there is a buffalo stampede after the Maghrib Tasleem), but the South Asian Masjids tend to be the most organized. You got your iftar samossa, dates and whatever else they will give you in a nice little box with a plastic spoon or fork and some bottled water. It feels more like Starbucks than a Masjid. You pray Maghrib at this Masjid and the imam usually recites two of the last ten surahs (the shortest) and then it is time to grub. You get a nice plate of food, that will include some salad, and it will be quite tasty; the only thing on the cheap is the ghetto soda they get which depending where you live could say Vess, C-Town, Tropical Fantasy or Bubbas on the side. You will notice that most of the Masjid leaders, or wealthy Muslims who sit on the shura and probably run it is a social club, are nowhere to be found as they are retreating to their McMansions for a big meal. You can expect meat and rice every night and if it is a South Asian place expect food that could heat up Alaska. The sisters are normally close to the brothers and if you are here, like I have been in the past, you may have some single brother sitting next to you and tapping your shoulder every three minute and asking you to check out the sister walking by. “Is she married brother?” Hijabs will vary at these places but you will see a lot of the Benazir Bhutto convertible hijab. Now of this is an Arab run Masjid then there will probably be a greater separation of the sexes.
The ghetto immigrant Masjid has a lot of variance. One Masjid that is attended by refugees primarily used to have dates and crackers for iftar. BTW, I’m not talking about gourmet crackers from some yuppie store; I’m talking about those big boxes of crackers you can get for 50 cents. Some of these Masjids are the recipients of a lot of saddaqa during Ramadan so you always have a lot of meat as wealthy doctors drop off half a farm worth of meat as a Ramadan ritual. Here it is hardcore and you may not be able to find any eating utensils as brothers go straight Sunnah and eat with their hands. I have also noticed that there is a shortage of beverages at these places and that most of the brothers don’t drink anything with their food so I usually bring some soda or juice for everyone to drink. At these Masjids food will be good like twice a week, when the rice and vegetables are fresh, but then you will get like two or three days in a row of stale rice.
Posted by Umar Lee at 5:30 AM
Labels: Ramadan
El Mes Sagrado de Ramadan 2007
PRESS RELEASE..
Date: Thu, 13 Sep 2007 01:36:14 -0400
Lanzamiento de prensa para anunciar Ramadán por Imam Ali Siddiqui, 7153 Twinspur Court; Corona Valley, CA 92880, Phone: 951-734-4599.
1.9 billones de musulmanes en el mundo celebrarán este mes, que es el más sagrado; llamado “Ramadánâ€. Empezando el 13 de septiembre de 2007. Durante este mes, los Musulmanes adultos y sanos observarán el ayuno durante el dÃa. El ayuno de los Musulmanes es una abstinencia total de comer, beber y tener relaciones sexuales a partir del amanecer hasta la puesta del sol por 29 o 30 dÃas del mes de Ramadán. Además, evitando el comportamiento inmoral, ira y enseñando compassion es una parte de los requisitos del ayuno. El propósito
del ayuno es múltiple. Allah (El Dios todopoderoso) lo mencionó, en el Libro Sagrado de los musulmanes, “El Corán†que dice: “Que el ayuno está prescrito para los creyentes como estuvo prescrito para la gente antes de ellos, para que adquieran autocontrol y conciencia del Dios†(Corán 2:183). Por lo tanto, el propósito del ayuno es para desarollar autocontrol, la conciencia de Dios, la mejora de salud para reducir o eliminar las impurezas del cuerpo, para llegar a ser consciente de la situación dificil de los pobres, los hambrientos, los enfermos, encarcelados Etc. Ramadán es un mes de conciencia espiritual y un sentido alto de responsibilidad social. El cumplimiento de sus obligaciones durante este mes está guarantizado y recompensado 70 veces.
El Ayuno es uno de los 5 pilares del Islam incluye:
El testimonio de Fe
Salaat (rezando 5 veces al dÃa)
Zakaat (el derecho de los pobres sobre la gente que tiene solvencia económica)
El ayuno durante el mes de Ramadan
El Hajj (una vez en la vida se hace una peregrinación a la Kaba)
Es una obligación sobre cada adulto musulmán en buen estado de salud ayunar
en el mes de Ramadán. El mes de Ramadán es tambien el mes en que el Corán Sagrado
descendió desde el nivel séptimo del paraiso hasta el primer nivel desde donde fue revelado al Profeta Muhummad (la paz y benediciones sea con él) en partes, durante un periódo de 23 años en vida del Profeta. Es una ocasión muy feliz para los Musulmanes del mundo. Ellos Ayunan durante el dÃa, rezan y leen el Coran durante una parte de la noche. Hay una noche especial se llama “La Noche de Poder†que está mencionado en el Corán (el capitúlo 97) como una noche de misericordia y luz. Adorando durante esta noche es mejor que adorar el trazo de 1,000 meses. Durante esta noche, Muhammad fue elegido por Allah como “el Mensenjero y ultimo de los profetas de Allah†y el Corán descendió al primer nivel del paraiso.
Durante esta noche Allah (el Dios todopoderoso) manda un ejercito de
angeles especiales bajo la dirección del Arcangel Gabriel que vayan a
todas partes del mundo para rezar para la misericordia de Allah ( el Dios
todopoderoso) y la salvación de los creyentes.
A diferencia del calendario comun que es Solar, el calendario Islamico es Lunar;
No es decir que los Musulmanes adoran la Luna sino es otra manera de contar los dÃas del mes y del año. Como todos de los meses Islamicos, Ramadán, es el mes Lunar noveno, empieza tras ver el halo de la Luna pero no la Luna nueva.
La probabilidad para ver el halo de la Luna por Ramadán es el 12 de Septiembre de 2007 justo tras la puesta del sol sobre el horizonte al Oeste.
La población de los musulmanes en E.E.U.U. está calculado a 7 milliones, de lo que alrededor de 1 millon vive en California del Sur. Todos los adultos musulmanes sanos incluso las amas de casa, los niños en colegio alrededor de la edad de 13 años, los obreros, los ejecutivos, y los demás como ellos ayunarán. Tus vecinos musulmanes se levantarán muy temprano para tomar su sahoor, una comida antes del amanecer y de empezar sus ayunos. Asi que no se preocupe si usted oye mucho ruido al lado.
El personal de educacion tiene que mostrar entendimiento y consideración hacia
los estudiantes musulmanes que estan ayunando durante el mes de Ramadán a
partir del 13 de septiembre de 2007 hasta el 11 de octubre de 2007. Ellos deben de tener actividades alternativas asignadas en lugar de los ejercicios enérgicos de gymnasio. Los medicos tambien tienen que entender que sus pacientes pueden estar ayunando. Ellos deben de prescribir la medicina de manera que pueden tomarla con sus comidas antes del amanecer o después de la puesta del sol. Además, si la vida del paciente puede correr riesgo, los médicos lo explican a los pacientes o buscan ayuda de un capellán musulmán
en un hospital, (por ejemplo Imam Ali Siddiqui, 951-734-4599, Siddiqui@aol.com, un capellán de hospital en California del Sur) o un director o Imam de un centro islamico local o una mezquita local. Según a los médicos musulmanes, hay algunos beneficios fisiologicos del ayuno musulmán (la abstención total de la comida y los lÃquidos) incluso
descendiendo los niveles de insulina, Colesterol, y tensión arterial Sistológica.
Al final del mes de ayuno, los musulmanes de todas partes del mundo celebran
su fiesta del Eid al-Fitr. Es la fiesta la más grande que hay. Es un momento
de agradecimiento verdadero para un creyente musulman para tener la
oportunidad para obedecer Allah (el Dios todopoderoso) por haber observado
el ayuno. Sigue la celebracion el primer dÃa del mes lunar décimo primero,
Shaw´wal. Este año, será el 12 de octubre de 2007. En esta fiesta los musulmanes se visten preferible con ropas nuevas y van a las congregaciones de fieles de Eid. Las congregaciones de fieles de Eid son reuniones muy grande de hombres, mujeres y niños musulmanes a través el pais. Usted puede
presenciar estas reuniones a los centros de asamblea locales, los parques
atracciones, y los parques en la comunidad. Después, la gente se saluda con
abrazos y apretones de manos. Los niños reciben regalos de dinero y jugetes.
Tras las congregaciones de fieles, los musulmanes se visitan en sus casas y
tienen almuerzos o cenas con sus familias y amigos. No se sorprenda, si
su vecino o amigo musulmán le invita a su casa para tomar una cena o para participar en una celebración de Eid. Por favor, acepte una invitación tan amable. La hospitalidad, simpatÃa, y variedad de la cocina internacional Musulmana le sorprenderá agradablemente.¡ Saludos de Ramadán, Ramadán Kareem!
La policÃa y otros agentes de autoridad deben de tomar más precauciónes
durante este mes alrededor de las Mezquitas, los Centros Islamicos y lugares donde congregaran los fieles en Eid y por la seguridad de los
musulmanes en general. Las comunidades musulmanas a través de la
nación agradecen a la policÃa y otros agentes de autoridad por
garantizar la seguridad. Las comunidades musulmanas tambien están
agradecidos a todos los voluntarios que con fe han dado su apoyo y
vigilancia ¡Gracias!. Allah, el Creador, nos protege en su tiempo de
necesitad. ¡Amen!
Por último, los musulmanes deben de llamar por teléfono a la Mezquita la más cercana al principio y al final de Ramadán.
Si deseas contactar Imam Ali Siddiqui para más información: Correo electrónico: siddiqui@aol.com
Sobre el autor:
Imam Ali Siddiqui con 34 años de servicio, es Khatib de Jummah, Profesor Islámico, Capellán Musulmán, Consejero de Juvenil, Consejero de Familia, Instructor, Poeta y Autor con una visión de quien ha estado envuelto activamente en la enseñanza del Islam, Historia, Religion Comparativa, temas contemporaneos a los Musulmanes y no Musulmanes: Está envuelto activamente en el Servicio Comunidad incluso en el Desarollo Espiritual Instructivo y el Servicio a los Enfermeros y los Encarcelados. Ha dado conferencias en Bélgica, Canada, Alemania, Inglaterra, Suiza, India, Iran, Pakistán, y a través de E.E.U.U. El presenta a menudo la Perspectiva Islámica, desde el punto de vista Musulman sobre los temas de actualidad a los no Musulmanes y Musulmanes. Ha sido muy activo en organizando seminarios, talleres, conferencias, y enseñanzas para promover la consciencia Islámica y el entendimineto entre los creyentes. Ha recibido premios numerosos por su trabajo, servicio, y erudición. Hoy en dÃa, Imam Ali Siddiqui es vice presidente de “Corona-Norco Interfaith Association†y es miembro de la junta directiva de “Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justiceâ€.
Translated by vpiedad99@yahoo.com
Friday, September 14, 2007
Latino Activism in La Gran Manzana Nueva York
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Latino Activism in La Gran Manzana Nueva York
What is going on in the post-9/11, post-Young Lords, post-poverty programs, neoliberal New York? This is also the time that New York' Latino population has move from being a predominentelly Puerto Rican community to a vast and diverse Latino population. Once 116th Street in Manhattan's Spanish Harlem was the heart of the Latino community and now there are many heart's or Latino epicenters. Queen's Roosevelt Avenue is probably one of the biggest Latino neighborhoods. However, many of the struggles of the past still continue. While Latinos have made many strives in many area there has also been waning as well. Many of the important issues were racism, discrimination, drugs, housing, health, Latino Studies college programs, police brutality, education, jobs, and homelessness. These issues still exist and are very relevant. Certainly, we are not living in the 60s or 70s anymore and we cannot address these issues as we did in the past. Undoubtedly, the youth of today are not as concerned as those in the past. There is a great lack of concern for la comunidad. Assimilation is the name if the game. Hiphop is not even an indigenous culture that the youth produce. We were active participants, whereas youth now are passive recipients of the culture via MTV and BET. Alianza Islamica has died and there the Islamic alternative for Latino is not as vibrant (if it at all exists) as it once was. The days of East Harlems many poverty programs (often called povery pimps) are over. Where does on go to find the leaders of the communities? There are very few Latino radio or TV shows that talk about the community concerns. Even the progressive Pacifica station WBAI no longer has Latino Journal. Only a few music show on Sunday are there to "fill the gap." The technical divide between white American and people of color is ever increasing. How many of our youth really are skilled in modern technology, beside being about to go on the 'net to their MySpace account or being able to listen to there iPods?
Let me know your thoughts...http://khalilpr.blogspot.com/
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani
posted by Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani at 3:13 PM
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Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani
Okay, I am 30 years old. Muslim. I try my best to adhere to the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah mention him amongst the angels). My name is Khalil. I was born in the Bronx to New York Puerto Rican (Catholic) parents. During my teenage years I starting to learn about my history since of course they don't teach us that in school. By age 16 I was an activist. Being Latino in NY helped because we have a lot of interaction with African-Americans where Islam is well-known. So I took shahadah in my first semester of college. I went to one of the SUNY (State U. of NY, not a shii school) schools where I earned a degree in Arabic and Political Science. My concentration was in the Middle East and North Africa. In 2000, I was offered a scholarship to study at Umm Al-Qura University. I studied there for a number of years and was able to work on my Arabic. May Allah reward King Fahd (rahimahullah) for giving me that scholarship, Ameen. I currently live in Clarksville, Tennessee where I live with my beloved wife and three year old son, Ishaq. I work as a paralegal.
Latino Activism in La Gran Manzana Nueva York
What is going on in the post-9/11, post-Young Lords, post-poverty programs, neoliberal New York? This is also the time that New York' Latino population has move from being a predominentelly Puerto Rican community to a vast and diverse Latino population. Once 116th Street in Manhattan's Spanish Harlem was the heart of the Latino community and now there are many heart's or Latino epicenters. Queen's Roosevelt Avenue is probably one of the biggest Latino neighborhoods. However, many of the struggles of the past still continue. While Latinos have made many strives in many area there has also been waning as well. Many of the important issues were racism, discrimination, drugs, housing, health, Latino Studies college programs, police brutality, education, jobs, and homelessness. These issues still exist and are very relevant. Certainly, we are not living in the 60s or 70s anymore and we cannot address these issues as we did in the past. Undoubtedly, the youth of today are not as concerned as those in the past. There is a great lack of concern for la comunidad. Assimilation is the name if the game. Hiphop is not even an indigenous culture that the youth produce. We were active participants, whereas youth now are passive recipients of the culture via MTV and BET. Alianza Islamica has died and there the Islamic alternative for Latino is not as vibrant (if it at all exists) as it once was. The days of East Harlems many poverty programs (often called povery pimps) are over. Where does on go to find the leaders of the communities? There are very few Latino radio or TV shows that talk about the community concerns. Even the progressive Pacifica station WBAI no longer has Latino Journal. Only a few music show on Sunday are there to "fill the gap." The technical divide between white American and people of color is ever increasing. How many of our youth really are skilled in modern technology, beside being about to go on the 'net to their MySpace account or being able to listen to there iPods?
Let me know your thoughts...http://khalilpr.blogspot.com/
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani
posted by Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani at 3:13 PM
=========================
Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani
Okay, I am 30 years old. Muslim. I try my best to adhere to the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad (may Allah mention him amongst the angels). My name is Khalil. I was born in the Bronx to New York Puerto Rican (Catholic) parents. During my teenage years I starting to learn about my history since of course they don't teach us that in school. By age 16 I was an activist. Being Latino in NY helped because we have a lot of interaction with African-Americans where Islam is well-known. So I took shahadah in my first semester of college. I went to one of the SUNY (State U. of NY, not a shii school) schools where I earned a degree in Arabic and Political Science. My concentration was in the Middle East and North Africa. In 2000, I was offered a scholarship to study at Umm Al-Qura University. I studied there for a number of years and was able to work on my Arabic. May Allah reward King Fahd (rahimahullah) for giving me that scholarship, Ameen. I currently live in Clarksville, Tennessee where I live with my beloved wife and three year old son, Ishaq. I work as a paralegal.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
My Hajj experience..
My Hajj Experience
By Yusef Maisonet
I performed Hajj this year. It was the ultimate experience of my life. I am a merchant seaman by trade. I have been to London, Paris, Spain, Amsterdam, Italy, Albania, all of South America, Middle East, Far East, Africa, and all the Caribbean. One of my most memorable experiences was being a witness to the shahadah of an 80-year woman in Barcelona, Spain. I used to go to church but I could not fathom the 3=1 doctrine. I was expose to Islam by a Muslim poet. When he read Sura Ikhlas, I knew that I had found the truth. About two weeks later, I took shahadah at a mosque in Brooklyn.
My family is supportive of my Islam and so are my friends. I am married to a beautiful Muslim sister. We have been married for 23 years. I now live in Mobile, Alabama. Alabama is a beautiful state. I have a daughter who is 20 years old. Although I was born in Spanish Harlem on June 2, 1951, I was raised in Brooklyn and Hastile, Puerto Rico. I had a beautiful childhood. My friends were nice people. We enjoyed going to Coney Island. While living in Puerto Rico, my friends and I enjoyed going to the beach a lot. I also played a lot of basketball. I got my GED in the U.S. Army.
I’m a well travelled man but nothing could equal the joy of Hajj. Hajj is the 5th pillar of Islam. Hajj is required of all Muslims once in a lifetime who are financially and physically able. My first stop was Cairo. We went to a nice hotel in Cairo to have dinner. Dinner was delicious. From Cairo, we went to the airport. At the airport, we got into our Ikrams. Ikram means to be in ritual purity for performing Umrah, Hajj, or both. Ikram is also used to mean the two piece garment that pilgrims wear. One piece covers the upper body, and the other covers the lower body. We also made our intentions, or niya, for Umrah and Hajj. Then, we said a dua, or supplication, called Talbeeyah.
Flight time to Jeddah was two hours. Jeddah Hajj Terminal is an airport built mainly for pilgrims. The airport was packed with people from around the world. I was excited at the idea of performing Hajj with all these different brothers and sisters. Although we spoke different languages, we would soon be celebrating Hajj together. More than 2 million Muslims perform Hajj every year. Going through immigration took us a couple of more hours. But finally, we made it.
From Jeddah, we took a bus to our hotel in Mecca. Our hotel was four blocks from the Kabba. The Kabba is located in Masjid Al-Haraam. The Kabba is a cube-shaped building that Muslims believe was built by the Prophet Ibrihim (pbuh) for worshipping God. After getting our rooms, we went to make our Umrah. Whereas Hajj is required of Muslims, Umrah is not but it is recommended. Unlike Hajj, Muslims can go on Umrah any time of the year except during the days of Hajj. Many Muslims call Umrah the “little pilgrimage.” When we got to the Kabba, I almost fainted because of the beauty of the Kabba and the entire experience of being there. What I’ve been praying toward all of these years was right in front of me.
First, we walked counterclockwise around the Kabba seven times. Each time around the Kabba is called a tawaf. The first three tawafs are walked very quickly, and the last four are walked at normal walking speed. After the seven tawafs, we made two rakats at the station of Abraham, or “Maqam Ibrihim” which means Ibrahim’s stepping stone. Then, we drank water from the well of Zam Zam. Next, we went to the Mes’aa which is a stretch between the hilltops of As-Safa and Al-Marwa.
At the Mes'aa, we made Sa’yi which means we made seven rounds between As-Safa and Al-Marwa. Going from As-Safa to Al-Marwa is one round and returning is another round. Some parts of Sa’yi are walked, and other parts are run. At the end of each round, we stopped to say a few prayers. The Sa'yi commemorates when Hajar was looking for water for Ishmael. It took us about two hours to complete. Afterwards, we ended Umrah by clipping our hair. We were able to take off our Ikrams and get into some regular clothes. We stayed in Mecca for a week. We prayed every salat at the House of Allah.
We went to Medina next. We stayed at the Dallah Hotel. Our hotel was about four blocks from the Prophet's Mosque. After reaching the Prophet’s Mosque, we prayed two raka there. I almost fainted again at the mosque. We prayed salat there. We visited the Prophet's tomb, Umar's tomb, and Abu Bakr's tomb then we prayed at the Quba Mosque and visited Al-Baqee to visit Uthman’s grave. We also went to Mt. Uhud to visit the graves of martyrs like Hamza. We went on other tours, too. We stayed in Medina for a week. But it was tough because we were not getting any sleep. From here, we went to start our Hajj, which was something else.
We put on our Ikram again. Then, we went to Mt. Arafat where we would spend the day. The day is called the "Day of Arafat." The Prophet (pbuh) said his last sermon on Mt. Arafat. On Mt. Arafat, we prayed Talbeeyah, asked God to forgive our sins, and made other dua. At sunset, we left from Mt. Arafat to go to Muzdalifah to say prayers and to get our stone pebbles for the Jamarah. Before sunrise, we went to Mina to stone a Jamarah. Each of us threw seven stones one right after another at that Jamarah as a symbolic stoning of Satan. I will never forget this because the crowd lifted me up. I didn't have any control until the crowd eased up. After the stoning, pilgrims usually celebrate the beginning of Eid Al-Adha with a sacrifice slaughtered. This is done to remember Ibrihim's intention to sacrifice. Next, we walked to Mecca. Walking to Mecca took us about an hour and a half. Once there, we performed Tawaf and Sa’yi as before. After performing Tawaf and Sa’yi, we got our heads shaved.
We would stay in Mina for two more days. We stoned three Jamarah in the afternoon on those two days. After all this, we returned to the Kabba for the farewell Tawaf. Although that was the end of Hajj, it was not the end of our trip. We stayed in Jeddah for two days. We did a lot of shopping. Alhamdulila, I was able to perform Hajj this year. My goals in Islam are to be a good Muslim, a good father, a good husband, and a loving granddaddy.
Here I am. Can you guess exactly where this picture was taken?
Friday, September 7, 2007
SOY. LATINA e Musulmana
Che amigo, quiero caminar el ancho mundo, y Con los pueblos compartir, Sus lenguas, Sus costumbres, y La razón de su sentir.
De los chinos su pluma y su ciencia, De los negros su tambor; Del aborigen su amor a la tierra, y De los pueblos del desierto, Su contemplación.
Con sus ropas quiero vestirme, Con sus sudores quiero sudar, Que sus sangres corran por mis venas, Pues de ellos me quiero empapar.
Pero si me preguntas hermano, De qué esta hecho mi corazón, He de confesarte que de dos mitades; Dos tiempos tiene mi son.
No busques en mis recuerdos, No pienses que es ilusión, Porque con estas manos voy tocando, Un mundo nuevo de pan y sol.
Son éstas las dos mitades, Las dos patas de mi amor; El Islam de los pueblos árabes, y de Latinoamérica, Su Revolución.
De los chinos su pluma y su ciencia, De los negros su tambor; Del aborigen su amor a la tierra, y De los pueblos del desierto, Su contemplación.
Con sus ropas quiero vestirme, Con sus sudores quiero sudar, Que sus sangres corran por mis venas, Pues de ellos me quiero empapar.
Pero si me preguntas hermano, De qué esta hecho mi corazón, He de confesarte que de dos mitades; Dos tiempos tiene mi son.
No busques en mis recuerdos, No pienses que es ilusión, Porque con estas manos voy tocando, Un mundo nuevo de pan y sol.
Son éstas las dos mitades, Las dos patas de mi amor; El Islam de los pueblos árabes, y de Latinoamérica, Su Revolución.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Muslimah Rebel speaks
By Sultana Yusufali
Toronto Star Young People's Press
I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a ``rebel.'' I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of ``oppressed female.''
The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: ``Do your parents make you wear that?'' or ``Don't you find that really unfair?''
A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harbouring an Uzi underneath it. You never can tell with those Muslim fundamentalists.
Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab. There are many different ways to wear it, but in essence, what we do is cover our entire bodies except for our hands and faces. If you're the kind of person who has watched a lot of popular movies, you'd probably think of harem girls and belly dancers, women who are kept in seclusion except for the private pleasure of their male masters. In the true Islamic faith, nothing could be further from the truth. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today's society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewellery, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this?
Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today's society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being ``checked out''? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality. One of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is ``in'' or ``out.'' And if you have the ``wrong'' body type, well, then, you're just going to have to change it, aren't you? After all, there is no way that you can be overweight and still be beautiful.
Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the '90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mould. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves. When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don't give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females. My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say no comfortably when people ask me if I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality.
I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin colour. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them.
So next time you see me, don't look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous Arabic deserts. I've been liberated.
Toronto Star Young People's Press
I probably do not fit into the preconceived notion of a ``rebel.'' I have no visible tattoos and minimal piercing. I do not possess a leather jacket. In fact, when most people look at me, their first thought usually is something along the lines of ``oppressed female.''
The brave individuals who have mustered the courage to ask me about the way I dress usually have questions like: ``Do your parents make you wear that?'' or ``Don't you find that really unfair?''
A while back, a couple of girls in Montreal were kicked out of school for dressing like I do. It seems strange that a little piece of cloth would make for such controversy. Perhaps the fear is that I am harbouring an Uzi underneath it. You never can tell with those Muslim fundamentalists.
Of course, the issue at hand is more than a mere piece of cloth. I am a Muslim woman who, like millions of other Muslim women across the globe, chooses to wear the hijab. There are many different ways to wear it, but in essence, what we do is cover our entire bodies except for our hands and faces. If you're the kind of person who has watched a lot of popular movies, you'd probably think of harem girls and belly dancers, women who are kept in seclusion except for the private pleasure of their male masters. In the true Islamic faith, nothing could be further from the truth. And the concept of the hijab, contrary to popular opinion, is actually one of the most fundamental aspects of female empowerment. When I cover myself, I make it virtually impossible for people to judge me according to the way I look. I cannot be categorized because of my attractiveness or lack thereof. Compare this to life in today's society: We are constantly sizing one another up on the basis of our clothing, jewellery, hair and makeup. What kind of depth can there be in a world like this?
Yes, I have a body, a physical manifestation upon this Earth. But it is the vessel of an intelligent mind and a strong spirit. It is not for the beholder to leer at or to use in advertisements to sell everything from beer to cars. Because of the superficiality of the world in which we live, external appearances are so stressed that the value of the individual counts for almost nothing. It is a myth that women in today's society are liberated. What kind of freedom can there be when a woman cannot walk down the street without every aspect of her physical self being ``checked out''? When I wear the hijab I feel safe from all of this. I can rest assured that no one is looking at me and making assumptions about my character from the length of my skirt. There is a barrier between me and those who would exploit me. I am first and foremost a human being, equal to any man, and not vulnerable because of my sexuality. One of the saddest truths of our time is the question of the beauty myth and female self-image. Reading popular teenage magazines, you can instantly find out what kind of body image is ``in'' or ``out.'' And if you have the ``wrong'' body type, well, then, you're just going to have to change it, aren't you? After all, there is no way that you can be overweight and still be beautiful.
Look at any advertisement. Is a woman being used to sell the product? How old is she? How attractive is she? What is she wearing? More often than not, that woman will be no older than her early 20s, taller, slimmer and more attractive than average, dressed in skimpy clothing. Why do we allow ourselves to be manipulated like this? Whether the '90s woman wishes to believe it or not, she is being forced into a mould. She is being coerced into selling herself, into compromising herself. This is why we have 13-year-old girls sticking their fingers down their throats and overweight adolescents hanging themselves. When people ask me if I feel oppressed, I can honestly say no. I made this decision out of my own free will. I like the fact that I am taking control of the way other people perceive me. I enjoy the fact that I don't give anyone anything to look at and that I have released myself from the bondage of the swinging pendulum of the fashion industry and other institutions that exploit females. My body is my own business. Nobody can tell me how I should look or whether or not I am beautiful. I know that there is more to me than that. I am also able to say no comfortably when people ask me if I feel as though my sexuality is being repressed. I have taken control of my sexuality.
I am thankful I will never have to suffer the fate of trying to lose/gain weight or trying to find the exact lipstick shade that will go with my skin colour. I have made choices about what my priorities are and these are not among them.
So next time you see me, don't look at me sympathetically. I am not under duress or a male-worshipping female captive from those barbarous Arabic deserts. I've been liberated.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
My Scarf.. by a Latina Muslimah
They stand there with shorts, so short, excessively short,
shorts that so deceptively capture from them all they know
of modesty...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
They stand there, face lost in a sea of make-up,
make-up that so ruthlessly captures from them all they know
of freedom...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
They stand there, hair raining with gels, colors -
chemicals that so menacingly capture from them all they know
of purity...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
They stand there, so close, so very close to their "lover",
devoted to them, the devotion that so mercilessly captures
from them all they know of individuality...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
And they stand there, talking of getting new shorts, new gels
and colors, new boyfriends, materialistic things
that so wrongfully capture from them all they know
of God and love...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
For my scarf is my protector, my lover, my devotion,
my pureness, my beauty, my rememberance of God,
And I proudly pull it over my hair knowing that when I wear it,
I so rightfully thrust away all the things that the devil
brought about,
And when I put it on, I am
Free...By "natasha clulow
shorts that so deceptively capture from them all they know
of modesty...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
They stand there, face lost in a sea of make-up,
make-up that so ruthlessly captures from them all they know
of freedom...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
They stand there, hair raining with gels, colors -
chemicals that so menacingly capture from them all they know
of purity...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
They stand there, so close, so very close to their "lover",
devoted to them, the devotion that so mercilessly captures
from them all they know of individuality...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
And they stand there, talking of getting new shorts, new gels
and colors, new boyfriends, materialistic things
that so wrongfully capture from them all they know
of God and love...
...and I proudly pull my scarf over my hair
For my scarf is my protector, my lover, my devotion,
my pureness, my beauty, my rememberance of God,
And I proudly pull it over my hair knowing that when I wear it,
I so rightfully thrust away all the things that the devil
brought about,
And when I put it on, I am
Free...By "natasha clulow
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Latina's Shahadah journal
Footprints in Islam
This section is dedicated to my Islamic journey. As we all know, shahada isn’t the end of our salvation, but the beginning. This is a path that is followed by triumphs and obstacles we sometimes face in this life.
A memoir that traces how I learned Islam, the struggles to stay on the straight path, and the steps that I take in trying to grow into a strong believer.
2 Responses to “My Footprints in Islam”
carimuslima Says:
June 2, 2007 at 9:12 pm
By: Jennifer(Sumayah)Fayed
There comes a time in peoples’ lives that you are compelled to think, why am I here what is my purpose in this life. These were my thoughts during summer of 2001. I had been married to my first husband for about 3 years. The marriage was going downhill. There was no ambition in my former husband, and with two children barely old enough to take care of themselves finding out I was pregnant; I started to ponder my purpose in this earth. Yes, I was a wife a mother a daughter; however, the same thought came passing through my mind there has to be a reason for my existence. My family had recently moved to the Dominican Republic I felt abandoned. Abandoned you might ask, she’s married with children how can she feel abandoned? I was 21 years old and my parents were the base of who I was who I strived to be. They were my example.I was sleeping, when I got a frantic call from my former mother-in-law screaming “there was a plane crash a plane crash in downtown Manhattan” confused I said “what, what are you talking about!” I turned on the television only to find out that the second tower of the world trade center was being hit by the second aircraft. I was shocked! Who could’ve done this, who was capable of such atrocity? I was in disbelief on what I saw on the news. Was this real I kept thinking to myself, it was must be a movie please, please tell me this was a movie. I had just been in the world trade center the day before. I saw this as some proof that it wasn’t my time to die and I hadn’t completed my purpose in this life. I didn’t know what purpose, but it wasn’t my time. There was chaos in New York City that day; little did I know this day among other events in my life would only be the beginning of drastic changes that were about to happen.Soon after the attacks of September 11th I went to Dominican Republic to visit my parents. I was about a month pregnant and no soul other than my mother-in-law, my former husband and I knew about the pregnancy. How was I going to break the news to my parents I mean I got pregnant with my first child out of wedlock and soon married as to make things right. So here I was pregnant with my third baby and I thought well at least I can think things through while being in the Caribbean. I left on American Airlines flight 587. This was the first time I was in an airplane so soon after the attacks of the world trade center. The security in the airport was intense, and people in the airplane kept praying some even during the whole flight. I started to laugh within myself. If we’re going to die well then it’s our fate. I kept thinking about my pregnancy. I didn’t want this pregnancy it was unplanned and a third mouth to feed I could barely support two children let alone three. I was so confused. I spent time with my family trying to tell them about the baby. I couldn’t bear to tell them that there first born daughter was yet again going to bring another major disappointment to them; therefore, I decided well I’ll terminate the pregnancy and no one has to even know I’m pregnant. Easy solution, I thought to myself but at the same time I came from a strong Christian family and to even fathom having an abortion was a sin and taboo. After my quick trip to the Caribbean I went back to New York and finally called Planned Parenthood to set-up the appointment to terminate the pregnancy. I asked them if I could take the abortion pill and I was devastated to find out that I would have to go through a full abortion because my window for the abortion pill was one week past the time to end the pregnancy with a pill. I was so depressed; I thought to myself oh my God their going to rip this baby out of my womb. What am I doing? I really didn’t know if I could go through with it; as a result, I decided to pray to God not using the rosary or going to church but for the first time I was going to pray directly to him like a friend, someone who I felt had to help me it was my last resort. I cried while I continuously supplicated, oh God please I don’t know what to do I want this baby, but my marriage is on the rocks and we don’t have money to bring another baby into the world. I will put my full trust in you my Lord, please if it’s your will for me to have this baby then I will accept that and if it’s your will to end the pregnancy I will accept that too. I emptied my sorrows unto a God, a God that I worshipped my own way not the way I was taught to do. A God; one that to me had no partners and no son but just a being that I knew created me. I was at my wits end thinking about the pregnancy and just went through my usual daily routine. A few days past, I was watching television when a program was interrupted by a special report. I said oh no not another attack what happened next blew me away. I soon found out another plane had crashed, this time in Queens where I am originally from in New York. I was so worried I thought it must have been brought down by one of these terrorists yet again. I was astonished when they mentioned the flight number and its destination. It was American Airlines flight 587; yes the flight that I was on but only a week ago and it was headed to the Dominican Republic. I got chills up my spine. I was numb all over thinking that this could’ve been me on this flight at this time. I saw this as a message from God that he was trying to tell me something. This wasn’t the first time in less then a month that I came close to death. I thought to myself God is trying to tell me something. A week after that supplication I started to have cramps, these cramps were different from the usual first trimester cramping. I brushed it off like no big deal. As the weekend continued the cramping got more severe and then I started to have bleeding. I was so frightened was I having a miscarriage? I hurried to the hospital and they put me on strict bed rest. I went home that evening and stayed in bed the cramping got better. Once asleep there was this shocking pain and with this pain I felt that something came out. I didn’t know what to do; I went to the bathroom only to discover a piece of round flesh on the pad. I was devastated. I never saw anything like this I lost my baby I was two months pregnant. I went back to the hospital and they confirmed to me that yes I had a miscarriage and they were sorry for my loss. The next day was the day of my abortion appointment October 15, 2001. I had the miscarriage just a day before this appointment. They called me from Planned Parenthood and asked me why I missed the appointment. I told them that I had a miscarriage a day before. It was so surreal, was it a miracle from God, did God answer my prayer, and what did he have in store for me. I felt that God was telling me that my life was going to change. How was it about to change? I had no idea but I did know that I couldn’t stay married any longer to someone who didn’t want to work and had no ambition in life. So I made a conscious decision toward getting my degree and taking steps to divorce my first husband.
I saw how badly Muslims were being treated in New York. The aggression that played out so soon after the September 11 attacks, every other day there was a report on the news about a Muslim hate crime. It was horrible; I would literally see people walking on the opposite side of side walks if they even thought a person was a Muslim. Muslim businesses were empty people refused to buy from them. People would yell out horrible things to them in the street, “Go to your country, Terrorist, Taliban!! Why are people saying these things to innocent people? I agree the people who did this were horrible people, but why blame people who didn’t have anything to do with the attacks. It felt like a witch hunt. I was curious about what these people really stood for my interest grew larger everyday. I soon enrolled in college and I would meet Muslims and anxiously ask them questions about Islam. Why do you wear a scarf? What do you believe in? Who is this Mohammed who you always talk about? Some had answers but on the most part people didn’t know how to answer me. Most of the Muslim girls I did know didn’t wear the scarf and would say it’s a choice and I’m not that knowledgeable about Islam. I felt that no one was able to give me answers so I turned to the internet for answers. There I found out about Islam. I couldn’t believe that God (Allah) had sent another prophet after Jesus (pbuh). I knew God couldn’t have put me and everyone on this earth without answers to our many questions. Why we are here? Why do people say God is three when in fact it only confirmed what I personally had believed in since I was fourteen years old that God was one with no partners. I was seeking the truth to my questions and Islam answered all of them. This was amazing prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was the last prophet the last one God had sent to reveal is final message unto us. His favor upon us was done. Then I decided to do more research on this Mohammed (pbuh) was he a real person did he actually exist? To my surprise he was a real person and not only was he our messenger but his whole life had been documented. I was stunned, this was my religion I thought, the faith I have been searching for many years and it’s called Islam. I attended my first Ramadan that fall of 2002.
The mosque was full of people. It wasn’t like a diocese in that generally one kind of race or nationality attends a specific church. The mosque had people of all different spectrums of the rainbow. They were all so friendly and kept saying salaam walakium, at the time I didn’t know what that meant but I would just nod in embarrassment. It was time to perform the salah (prayer); this was my first time ever to pray like the Muslims. I had no idea what they were doing but a friend of mine at the time just told me “do what they do” so that’s exactly what I did. I would mumble what I thought they were saying and perform the prostrations not knowing the significance or reason for it. I did enjoy it. I was amazed that all the Muslims face the Kabah in Mecca, Saudi Arabia at the same time for every prayer no matter what part of the world they come from. We didn’t have this in Christianity, not at all. The Muslims had an unspoken code that unified them to Allah the Most High. I wore a scarf that day in respect to them. I didn’t know how the women would put the scarf on so I bought a two piece scarf that I just slid on. I felt so wonderful and warm inside when I wore the scarf. I could walk the streets without men looking at me as a sexual object. I did get stares, but that didn’t bother me at all. After that day in the mosque I made a conscious decision to wear hijab all the time. People kept emphasizing to me that I didn’t have to wear hijab because I wasn’t Muslim. I would just comment that it’s my decision and it’s none of their business. When I wore hijab there was this feeling of security, warmth in my heart and soul that I was pleasing my Lord. I didn’t care about the stares or the negative remarks. I felt in my heart that I wasn’t doing enough to worship Allah. I was fasting some days during that Ramadan. Then I started to ponder how I would tell this to my family. I had told my father that I was reading about a religion that comes from the east, all he told me was “it’s good to gain knowledge in different cultures and religions” I think that one flew by his head by a long shot. When my mother arrived from the Dominican Republic I was seriously considering declaring my shahada. I just didn’t know how I would tell all of my family especially my mom considering she was so critical of me. I was wearing hijab already so I didn’t feel good taking it off just to please her because my duty was to Allah then my parents. As a result, I decided to get it passed my younger sister Catherine. She and I are five years apart but I thought to tell her first as to see what might be the response of my parents. I called her and said, “Hey Catherine I did something” She wasn’t shock as I usually did things that were out of the norm. She told me “What did you do this time Jennifer?” I bluntly told her that I was considering becoming a Muslim and that I already wore the headscarf. She went ballistic in laughter. She told me that now I had definitely done it and that my parents would kill me figuratively, and that she couldn’t believe that I was one of those terrorists. She quickly followed with you’re my sister and I love you no matter what religion you become but that our parents would probably go into an attack of some sort. The funniest thing though was that telling my younger sister you can only expect some form of sibling rivalry. She soon remarked “Don’t tell mom and dad without me being there so I can see you go down with a laugh”. I knew she was joking, and to my surprise I couldn’t believe how mature she had become during that year. As you can expect, I told my parents and my dad took it well I guess most men would if it means that their daughters would cover their bodies. My mother on the other hand, was furious and shocked. She kept trying to convince me that I was in the wrong and that Islam wasn’t the right religion. The thing that bothered her the most was that I was wearing hijab. It took them about two weeks to calm down with the whole idea that I was changing my religion. They soon accepted me after that, however my mom kept persisting that this was only a phase and that I would come to my senses. One week later, I had made my decision to declare my shahada.
I woke up on the first Friday of January with the feeling that this was the day, this was the day I was going to say my shahada. I was going to make my declaration that there is no true god (deity) but God (Allah) and Mohammed is the Messenger (Prophet) of God. I took my shower and jumped on the train and went to the mosque to make my declaration. I saw the sheik and told him I want to make my shahada today. He looked at me with a smirk and said “Are you sure, is this what you really want to do?” I was so excited I told him “Yes, Yes, this is my decision” and so that day all my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam joined with me to witness my reversion to Islam. All and all I felt normal that day so many people congratulated me on my reversion and told me if I needed anything they would help me. I felt so lucky; here I was with a new family a nation of people from all different parts of the world. On that Friday night I went to sleep. My first night as a Muslim I thought, later that evening around fajr time I had the most beautiful dream a blessed vision. I was in a valley, full of beautiful green grass and gorgeous hills nothing I have ever seen in this life, and I was walking there towards a man. The person came towards me also, he was dressed in a white galabiya his face was like light not a humanly face but bright like the sun. I felt so warm and safe. He held my hand and we walked together to a big round rock which he sat on and I sat on the grass. He then told me “Welcome to Islam”. When I woke up I had this wonderful feeling in my heart. I thought this was the Prophet may the blessings of Allah be upon him. He came to welcome me to Islam. I later found out that in Islam dreams come from either of three sources: ourselves, Allah, or Shaytan. Allah knows best which source it was from but I do know one thing for sure and it’s that I felt so special from that day forward. Allah had allowed me to live long enough to be able to discover Islam and embrace it. Allah’s religion my religion, the faith that I so eagerly craved from a young age, Islam the one true religion.
carimuslima Says:
June 5, 2007 at 9:01 pm
If you have read my post from today. I believe this is definitely in my opinion a milestone in my islamic journey. It amazes me how Allah works in so many beautiful ways and reveals deeper understandings of things in our lives. Mashallah and he reveals it to us when the time is “just right”.
Allah’s decree is an article of faith that makes us believing Muslims. There are times that bad things happen to us and don’t know why they occur. This life is nothing more than a test for each of us. When they happen to us during the moment some of us think of it as a misfortune (astaphrallah) and are discontent due to our lack of understanding the situation at the moment.
As time drifts into the future, it may take several days, weeks, or years and we realize the wisdom of Allah(swt) inshallah. And view that moment of hardship as a blessing because we have a deeper understanding and reflection of that past situation.
Our lives are already decreed for us by Allah (swt). It’s our choices that makes us successful or losers in this life and the hereafter. I like to give an example of Allah Al-Qadr (decree) that I learned from my Tawheed teacher.
It’s like a mother who puts a nice succulant cake on the table and watches her children going to the cake. She knows they will take a piece of it, but didn’t choose for them to do it. She just knows that htey will take the cake. I hope inshallah you understand Allah’s decree a bit better with this example. See…Allah knows everything we will do but he doesn’t choose it for us because we were given something that only man and jinn posess and that is “free-will”.
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