December 2011
3 posts
A rut
rut
1 [ruht] noun, verb, rut·ted, rut·ting.
noun
1.
a furrow or track in the ground, especially one made by thepassage of a vehicle or vehicles.
2.
any furrow, groove, etc.
3.
a fixed or established mode of procedure or course of life,usually dull or unpromising: to fall into a rut.
The Future
While the American Muslim community is relatively young, children comprise a small portion of the America Muslim community, with just 13.1% under the age of 15, compared with 20.2% in the broader population. Women make up 46% percent of the adult Muslim community and roughly half of all American Muslims live with at least one child under 18. The focus in our communities seems to be on creating...
September 2011
14 posts
Taj Mahal and the Islamic Principles of Wealth →
A very thought provoking khutbah on the use of wealth for ostentatiousness and prestige.
“Abu Hurayra reported Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) as saying, “Among the actions and...”
2 tags
Watchmarcmanley:
The spiritual benefits of being active.
Home is where the Heart is: An American Muslim... →
My Obligatory Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 Post →
The Waqf/Religious Endowment →
Why Don't Our Mosques Pay for Themselves →
I found this article by Muhammad Ashour cross posted on Steven Zhou’s blog. Hat tip to Steven Zhou for his thoughtful analysis on issues pertaining to Canadian Muslims and the Middle East. Ashour’s article is definitely a timely read and something that supports what I’ve been saying about the new mosque leadership. Ashour brings up important issues of transparency when it...
My Bibliography of Race and Slavery in Muslim... →
While in graduate school, I did a lot of work trying to unpack the meanings of ethnicity, construction of race, servitude, and slavery in Muslim societies. I even had the honor of teaching a class. Sometimes people ask me for references, so I decided that I would create an ongoing bibliography where I could post books that were relevant to the topic. It is by no means exhaustive, but it is a good...
WatchVideo by the founder of Cease Fire, Gary Slutkin.
The Interrupters’ Ameena Matthews: Anti-Violence... →
“Some of the film’s most compelling moments came when the film looked at the personal lives of the interrupters and how it intertwines with their work. In Ameena’s instance, this included her daughter’s birthday party at a rollerskating rink (where she invites the youth she mentors to no avail), prayer at the mosque where her husband is the imam, and participation of mosque members in her...
Muslim Habitus →
Some thoughts on Habitus and Islam. I love Bourdieu! This is by no means a good explanation of his sociological theories. But an exploration of inculcating Islamic principles into our daily life so that we move from just verbally saying we submit to having sincere belief.
Muslims in the West: A Photo Journal →
4 tags
August 2011
13 posts
The Critical Thinking Muslim →
My latest piece on critical skills for the Muslim community.
Battered But Not Beaten →
“Then I go into the community asking for help and all I hear is ‘No.’” This is really a shame. But I’m touched by these women’s spirit to persevere.
Abu Hurayra stated, “The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘The most perfect of believers in belief is the best of them in character. The best of you are those who are...
Koran by Heart →
This documentary was a very thoughtful work following the triumphs and heart break of three of the youngest participants in the world’s oldest Qur’an memorization competition held in Cairo, Egypt. We were in tears last night listening to these children recite. They are truly special and I hope that they continue to thrive and that all their dreams and things that they aspire to come to...
Survey on Women and Mosque Leadership →
Towards Thinking of the New Imam →
My most recent ruminations on the cultivation of the next generation of American imams, a project that is very close to home :)
3 tags
Peculiar Case of the Black American Islamophobe →
Very thoughtful and timely piece by Su’ad Al-Khabeer, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and African American Studies and at Purdue University.
Web Series Spotlight: "Chrysalis' Delivers... →
This is an interesting web series, might be more appropriate after Ramadan since there is profanity and some sexuality. But since I stumbled across it, I think it might be worth pointing out that the director wanted to show that Black American Muslims are not immune to crime and violence. This is the type of reality I’ve seen our youth go through in Philly. In fact, not just youth but...
Alchemy of the Heart, Self, and Soul →
A collection of my writings on emotional, psychological, and spiritual well being.
23 traits of good leaders →
Something to think about before trying to lead others. Sometimes you should be a follower and learn through mentorship. As for those of us with a lot of good ideas, but not tried and tested leadership abilities, we might look at organizations that take a lead in something and work with them. By joining a good folks we might also find our own leadership qualities in teamwork and collaboration. I...
GreenFaith: Interfaith Partners for the... →
Self-Inventory (Al-Muhasabah) →
My Ramadan reflection on personal assessment and steps to implement personal improvement.
July 2011
12 posts
Productive Muslim →
I stumbled across this site when I was looking for some tips for Ramadan goal setting. They have a Ramadan course, which I find very interesting. I’m always on the look out for new and innovative ways that Muslims use technology to assist in devotional learning. But what I like about this is that it goes beyond learning, but into task management. Their project is about the actually doing,...
My Kids Are Multi-Racial. They’re Not A Social... →
This was a thought provoking piece by an African American mother of multi racial children.
How to Help Somalia →
Feeding America and Fidya for Ramadan →
Whether they assume that state agencies will take care of America’s poor or the poor in America are not deserving of charity, giving to charitable organizations in America is often not the top of the list in many national Muslim organizations. Many Muslims think that in America, Land of the Plenty, that people are not starving.
Free Online Math and Statistics Classes →
I definitely need to brush up on my math, as I begin my career change. Here are some free courses for others who might be interested.
"Al-Muhasabah" from Yusuf Qaradawi →
Each day, we are given a chance to start anew. This is a good time to do some self inventory, before Ramadan. I’m collecting resources on Self Inventory within the Islamic tradition in preparation for my Ramadan essays. I pray I’m up for the challenge.
Muhasabah →
“To take account of oneself, that is, to undergo honest selfcriticism, is part of the Muslim practice al-muhasabah, or self-inventory.”
Very interesting article that I found after talking with my mentor about my recent writing blog entry on virtue. She’s in the Naqshabandi tariqah and said that they practice writing 70 things you did good and 70 bad deeds each evening and...
Don't take it personal →
On blogging and facebook
A Virtuous Life →
My first in depth blog entry in the longest time!
June 2011
1 post
Anti-Latina Racism in Transformers
I’m still recovering from my headache after watching the special effects overloaded Transformers 3 in 3-D. Women were sexualized throughout the entire movie, especially with Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s paraded around scantily clad or wearing painted on skinny jeans. But that was okay, because she represented the current ideal of white feminity: blonde, thin, the current fad of white...