Gardening 2009

Green bean seedlings - came up in less than a week! My gardening assistant, Hawaa, is keeping a close watch!

Three of my 12 tomato plants. Our new house has a mesh fence all along the rear of the backyard. No tomato cages this year, Alhamdulilah. I can tie them to the mesh fence.

Above is what I put in so far: squash, broccoli, cauliflower, green and yellow peppers, and a load of different herbs (chive, sage, coriander, basil, and more).

The extra space is for the green beans, Insha Allah!

Say dua that the rabbits don't "visit"my garden!

Okay, perhaps flower pics later!

Hijab and Little Girls

This is my friend's daughter. Isn't she adorable, Masha Allah?

My friend is a new Muslim. She said the Shahadah a month or so ago, Alhamdulillah. While my friend is adjusting to life as a Muslimah, her children are also adjusting to having a Muslim mother. What an adventure it must be for a child to all of a sudden be exposed to a whole new way of life compared to what they are used to living!

They all visited me about a week ago. We decided to walk around the way for ice cream. When my friend and I got ready to go, putting on our hijabs, her daughter asked me if I had one for her, too. So I let her wear one of my short amira-type hijabs.

Little Muslim girls are not required to wear hijab. But any little girl wants to copy what mommy and mommy's female friends do.

I think that it's never too early to let a little girl get used to wearing a hijab. We should never force them, but we should encourage them as they show interest.

If we don't do this, how can we expect them to be receptive to hijab once they reach puberty? How can we expect them to love hijab as grown women if they don't love it as children?

I know Muslim sisters who tear their hair out behind their teenage children. "Amir won't pray." "Ahmad doesn't want to go to Sunday school at the masjid." "Fatima wants to wear sleeveless shirts." and on and on.

Do we expect our children to all of a sudden become pious Muslims if we don't encourage it when they are young? The job of raising a Muslim child to be a righteous believer starts early.

Encourage your children early to love and please Allah (swt).

Reason #33 to Wear Niqaab

Swine flu!

Vaad Tznius

To see these poster more clearly and learn about tznius laws in the Torah, go here:

The news media will have you believe that the Muslim world is the only place where religious police (muttawa) roam the streets looking for sin. And lately, we have been seeing a lot of news pieces about men in Afghanistan throwing acid in the faces of women and girls.

The media suggests that this type of religious fanaticism is exclusive to Islam.

But do you know that there is an equivalent to the muttawa in the Jewish world?

They are called "vaad tznius" or the "modesty patrol."

They are mainly active in the ultra-orthodox areas of Jerusalem. However, if you follow the link to the poster above, you will be shocked to learn that the poster is part of a tznius campaign in New York City Jewish neighborhoods. Will we be seeing "modesty patrols" in New York City?

Notice how similar the Hebrew word "tznius" is to the Arabic word "zinna."

Tznius are the Jewish religious laws that govern the dress of women, and the conduct between the sexes.

Enforcement of the tznius laws go in this order:

1. father

2. community rabbi (if no father)

3. husband

4. community rabbi (for divorced and widowed women)

The rabbi can elect another man or a group of men to enforce tznius if he chooses.

Any father or husband who fails to enforce tznius laws is accused of permitting his women to be promiscuous, or encouraging them to commit adultry.

The "modesty patrol" has been known to attack both Jewish women and Jewish female children for being "off the derech," meaning off the path of the religious way of living. This is similar what Muslims call being "off the deen."

The tznius patrol has been accused of throwing acid on a teenage girl in Jerusalem. One Jewish woman was beaten by the tznius patrol for refusing to sit in the back seat of a bus.

Worse yet, even Jewish women have gotten into the act although they technically are not responsible for enforcing tznius laws. One woman reports walking out of a store in Israel wearing a dress she had just purchased. Another Jewish woman approached her and threw paint on her dress.

In the Spring 2009 issue of Lilith magazine, one woman describes her encounter with the "modesty patrol."

"When Michal, 28, opened her apartment door one Saturday night in June, she was expecting to find a client for her hair design business. Instead the Israeli divorcee, who left the Orthodox fold some three years earlier, found several ultra-Orthodox Jewish men. They threw her on the floor, gagged her, kicked her all over her body and questioned her relations with men, according to official accounts. After they beat her for at least 10 minutes, they warned her that this was 'just the beginning' and that if she continued to live there she would be killed."

Charges were filed in the attack, but Michal is still trying to deal with her ordeal according to the Lilith article:

"If I was doing something that was not OK, God has enough ways to punish me. They don't have to take the law into their own hands. Who made himself God's policeman? Who has God given the right to come and beat someone in His name?"

Hips Stimulate the Economy

(Are these wide hips?)

I saw a TV piece this morning about how what Michelle Obama is wearing has been stimulating the clothing sector of the economy.

Designers tout how "everyday" and "every woman" Michelle's choice of clothes are.

Inspired by Michelle's hips, one designer said that he is "specializing" in a line of clothing that is a little bit more "generous" in the hips.

Folks. Puuuuleeeese! Does Michelle Obama have wide hips! OMG! Those are NOT wide hips, lol. If you want to see wide hips, come around to my neighborhood.

Anyhow, go to the Prisoner's Wife's blog to read a beautiful poem by Lucille Clifton - "Homage to My Hips"

Online Fundraiser for Imam Siraj Wahaj

Please help Imam Siraj if you can. He has helped so many of us.

Just think if all of the Muslims in cyberspace gave even $1 toward this cause!

Muslim Crew Member of the Maerst Alabama

Zahid Reza - AP Photo


The crew members of the Maersk Alabama ship that was attacked by the Somali pirates are returning home.

And they are talking about their ordeal.

As I was passing by my TV this afternoon, one particular interview on CNN stopped me in my tracks.

At least one of the crew members is a Muslim. His name is Zahid Reza.

Zahid Reza was telling the news anchors that he intended to stab and kill one of the Somali pirates.

The pirate's name is Abdul.

Part of Zahid's conversation with Abdul went something like this:

"Trust me. We're both Muslims. I'm from Bangladesh, but we are brothers."

Shortly after that, Zahid was able to stab Abdul, but he didn't kill him like he intended. He stabbed him in the hand.

I can't imagine being placed in the position to have to make a decision whether or not to hurt or kill another Muslim.

I also can't imagine having to ask another Muslim for his trust knowing that my intention is to betray him.

Now, I know - you will say that he was defending his ship, that the pirates were in the wrong, that perhaps the pirate was going to kill him, etc. etc.

I'm just saying that the conflict would be major for me.

As some of you know, I work in a prison. I am always at risk to be hurt or taken hostage by an inmate - including a Muslim inmate.

What would I do?

I don't know.

Islamic Writers Alliance: Poetry and Short Story Contests Begin Today!

IWA CONTEST!

This Year EVERYBODY Can Write!

Announcing the Islamic Writers Alliance
5th Annual Poetry Contest

ALSO NEW THIS YEAR:
The Islamic Writers Alliance Short Story Contest!

Both contests begin April 1, 2009 to midnight April 30, 2009 Pacific time

~Both Contests have CASH prizes~

The THEME for both contests is Open so whether you are a poet or a writer or a combination of both, there is an opportunity this year to write what you believe is a winning poem or short story and show the world you believe in what you write.

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart." ~William Wordsworth

CLICK HERE for SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Hablando Contigo

Flight 93 Temporary Memorial

All images in this post are mine except the above one which is from: http://www.donnan.com/Flight_93.htm

(Be sure to visit this site; it contains detailed information and more photos.)

On Tuesday, I went to Somerset, PA, for a business meeting. I arrived there late afternoon, so I decided to visit the Flight 93 Temporary Memorial.

See the little American flag in the center of the above photo?

Flight 93 crashed there on September 11, 2001, in the area between the American flag and the trees.

Visitors to the site are not permitted to go down to the ground where the plane came down; that honor is reserved for the family and close friends of those who died that day.

A visitor to the temporary memorial drives up a little hill, and I dare to say that not many people are prepared for what they will see. Once over the hill, the visitor is greeted by an expansive open field. The whole sky is wide open before you! I'll bet that one can see for hundreds of miles.

I am glad that I got to visit the temporary memorial before construction begins on the permanent national memorial. I also was fortunate to see "Ground Zero" in New York City in 2003.

But I got really choked up seeing the site in Somerset. I was thinking about how merciful Allah (swt) is. For real, if that plane would have gone down anywhere else except in that field, there would have been a lot more injury and death. For example, there are two state prisons in Somerset. Imagine if the plane would have crashed there? Or in the town? Ya Allah.

Below are some pictures I took. I was only able to take these before my camera battery died. We are scheduled to have a conference near there in October, and Insha Allah, I will visit the memorial site again and be prepared with extra batteries.

Many people have left numerous items and momentos at the site.

I left a tasbih.

Muslim Bernie Madoff: Is It Possible?

I've been real busy and haven't been blogging much lately. I also haven't been visiting and commenting on blogs like I usually do. So, if you've been missing me, know that it's nothing personal.

I've been spending practically all of my days editing a novel for a traditional publishing house. I'm very excited about this as it's my first professional editing opportunity.

I am usually sitting on my bed with CNN or some other news program playing in the background. Lately, the cable news channels blather on all day about the Ponzi scheme swindler, Bernie Madoff.

Most of Madoff's victims were Jewish people and Jewish charity organizations. I can understand how this happened. Honestly, I can.

I remember when my mother died. I was Jewish at the time. All of a sudden, I found myself on the fortunate end of a large inheritance. After a few weeks, my rabbi called me. He said that he was aware that I had come into a large amount of money. He said that he wanted my money to be safe and suggested someone from our synagogue that he said could be trusted to help me invest the money. I took him up on his recommendation and, Alhamdulillah, the man was straight up and did right by me.

Why did I do it? Why did I entrust a huge sum of money to someone I didn't know from a can of paint?

Because my rabbi suggested it.

I trusted my rabbi.

I had trust in Jewish people.

As I watch all of the Madoff coverage, I found myself wondering whether there are any Muslim Bernie Madoffs out there.

You know, a Muslim brother or sister that we would trust if they were recommended by our imam or masjid director. After all, Muslims are not supposed to be suspicious of each other. All Muslims are out for the good of other Muslims. Right?

This is just my personal experience, but I can't tell you how many times I have been ripped off by Muslims, Astirghfallah.

And not just for money, but also for other things - like my heart, my reputation, my safety, my trust, etc.

I get nauseated when I receive emails in my inbox from so-called Muslim brothers and sisters in Africa telling me how much they want to "share" fortunes with me if only I would help them to resolve a temporary banking snag - like letting them use my checking account or Social Security number, lol.

What do you think? Will we hear about a Muslim Bernie Madoff in the near future?

Ishmael Khaldi: Voices From The Israeli Muslims

While we hear and read many opinions about the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, mostly from the Muslim or Zionist perspectives, it is fascinating to hear a voice that is seldom heard. That is, the voice of the Muslim Israeli.

The article below originally appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. It was reprinted on Aish.com.

The author of the article is Ishmael Khaldi. He is the Deputy Consul General of Israel for the Pacific Northwest (USA).

His perspective is interesting. After reading the article, tell me what you think.

A Muslim's Letter to the Organizers of Israel Apartheid Week by Ishmael Khaldi

For those who haven't heard, the first week in March has been designated as Israel Apartheid Week by activists who are either ill intentioned or misinformed. On American campuses, organizing committees are planning happenings to once again castigate Israel as the lone responsible party for all that maligns the Middle East.

Last year, at UC Berkeley, I had the opportunity to "dialogue" with some of the organizers of these events. My perspective is unique, both as the vice consul for Israel in San Francisco, and as a Bedouin and the highest-ranking Muslim representing the Israel in the United States. I was born into a Bedouin tribe in Northern Israel, one of 11 children, and began life as shepherd living in our family tent. I went on to serve in the Israeli border police, and later earned a master's degree in political science from Tel Aviv University before joining the Israel Foreign Ministry.

I am a proud Israeli -- along with many other non-Jewish Israelis such as Druze, Bahai, Bedouin, Christians and Muslims, who live in one of the most culturally diversified societies and the only true democracy in the Middle East. Like America, Israeli society is far from perfect, but let us deals honestly. By any yardstick you choose -- educational opportunity, economic development, women and gay's rights, freedom of speech and assembly, legislative representation -- Israel's minorities fare far better than any other country in the Middle East.

So, I would like to share the following with organizers of Israel Apartheid week, for those of them who are open to dialogue and not blinded by a hateful ideology:

You are part of the problem, not part of the solution: If you are really idealistic and committed to a better world, stop with the false rhetoric. We need moderate people to come together in good faith to help find the path to relieve the human suffering on both sides of the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Vilification and false labeling is a blind alley that is unjust and takes us nowhere.

You deny Israel the fundamental right of every society to defend itself: You condemn Israel for building a security barrier to protect its citizens from suicide bombers and for striking at buildings from which missiles are launched at its cities - but you never offer an alternative. Aren't you practicing yourself a deep form of racism by denying an entire society the right to defend itself?

Your criticism is willfully hypocritical: Do Israel's Arab citizens suffer from disadvantage? You better believe it. Do African Americans 10 minutes from the Berkeley campus suffer from disadvantage -- you better believe it, too. So should we launch a Berkeley Apartheid Week, or should we seek real ways to better our societies and make opportunity more available.

You are betraying the moderate Muslims and Jews who are working to achieve peace: Your radicalism is undermining the forces for peace in Israel and in the Palestinian territories. We are working hard to move toward a peace agreement that recognizes the legitimate rights of both Israel and the Palestinian people, and you are tearing down by falsely vilifying one side.

To the organizers of Israel Apartheid Week I would like to say:

If Israel were an apartheid state, I would not have been appointed here, nor would I have chosen to take upon myself this duty. There are many Arabs, both within Israel and in the Palestinian territories who have taken great courage to walk the path of peace. You should stand with us, rather than against us.

My Twin Soul!

Oh my goodness! Here's a Muslim chaplain like me: he has a Jewish father and a Christian mother! And he's a revert to Islam:

MUSLIM CHAPLAIN TRAVELS PATH OF COMPASSION

First published: Saturday, February 28, 2009

Nur Tiven: Pastoral care intern at Albany Medical Center Hospital
Background: 30, born and raised in the Berkshires. Studied divinity at Suluk Academy, New Lebanon, with focus on Islam and interfaith. Lives in Albany.

What is your religious background?

I wasn't raised overtly religious. My mother was Christian and my father Jewish. I converted to Islam in my early 20s.

What drew you to chaplaincy?

I had a longing to be of service to humanity so we are not doing things just for ourselves. The goal is to be a servant of God and serve whatever need presents itself ­— the poor, the sick. Previously, I had been doing a "bouquet of things" — teaching as a youth mentor, artist, musician. The longing to focus welled up in me. Chaplaincy has become my vocation.

Read the rest here.

Cool Companion Award

Umm Hasan created the beautiful Companion Awards that you see above, Masha Allah. She says:

"The essence of the awards was to show my appreciation for all those who visit, and comment on my blog. So I would request that as you put the award on your own blog please, do a post passing the award to the people who visit your own blog, or on your blog roll so its your choice, even if you just pass by and like the award, take one and enjoy it insha'Allah :). Share the sister/brotherhood of Islam."

Jazaka Allahu Khayrn Umm Hasan for offering this award to me as well as to others!

And to anyone who passes by here and reads this, please do choose an award for yourself. And don't forget to make a post such as I have here as Umm Hasan has requested.

Our Messenger (saw) said, "Man is on the religion of his friend, so let every one of you examine who he befriends." (Abu Daawood and Others)

Umm Hasan, I am blessed to know you as my Companion!

Cell Phone Vs. Qur'an

I received the below in my email inbox. I'm not sure who the author is (not attributed) but I thought it was very motivational.

So, in the interest of "Fair Use", I share it with you:

CELL PHONE VS. QURAN

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Quran like we treat
our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several time a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Quran?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Quran being disconnected.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

P. S. DO WHAT YOU THINK GOD WOULD WANT YOU TO DO WITH THIS EMAIL. Trust in the Lord and "ASAP" (Always Say A Prayer)

Is This A Moth?

Does anyone know what kind of insect this is?

I think it's a species of moth.

We moved into this house last June but I have been seeing these things most of the winter. It surprises me; I thought they are supposed to hibernate?

Can anyone identify it? I'd like to know so I can look up how to get rid of them.

One thing I can tell you is that it has a hard shell.

This one is deceased - on the end of my fly swatter.

The Prophet's Methods of Correcting People's Mistakes

One of the most important duties of a Muslim prison chaplain is to correct mistakes.

Many Muslims in prison have re-verted to Islam while incarcerated. Just because they say the Shahadah doesn't mean that they are automatically a pious Muslim!

They lack basic knowledge and information about Islam. They depend upon the Muslim chaplain to provide them with correct Islamic knowledge. Often they make mistakes because they act upon information they have been given by other inmates, incorrect information, although it may have been given with sincere intention. After all, if one is taught incorrectly, they will teach others incorrectly.

Yet other inmates may have been Muslims on the "streets" but may not have been "deening" out there as they call it.

To be an effective amirah (leader), a Muslim prison chaplain must develop effective methods for correcting mistakes that do not compromise the already fragile ego of most inmates. One of the most important goals of the Muslim prison chaplain is to help and educate the incarcerated Muslim. Not to destroy or shame her.

Who better to look to for examples, no matter what the situation, than our beloved Messenger (saw)!

Sh. Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid, may Allah (swt) reward him, has written as excellent book that will help the Muslim prison chaplain. The title is The Prophet's Methods for Correcting People's Mistakes.

His methods can also help us as individuals: parents, teachers, friends, etc.

And especially THE BLOGGER!

How many times have we gone to the comments section of someone's blog only to stumble into the flames of fitnah!

In this post, I will highlight some of the methods that the sheikh has compiled. Insha Allah you will buy his most beneficial book for your library and to obtain detailed reference from Quran and Sunnah for the methods:

1. Hastening to deal with people's mistakes and not putting that off.

2. Dealing with mistakes by explaining the ruling (hukm).

3. Referring people back to Islam when they make mistakes, and pointing out to them the principle that they are breaking.

4. Correcting misconceptions that are due to something for being clear in people's minds.

5. Dealing with mistakes by repeatedly reminding people to fear Allah.

6. Showing compassion to the one who is making a mistake.

7. Not hastening to tell someone he is wrong.

8. Remaining calm when dealing with people's mistakes.

9. Explaining the seriousness of the mistake.

10. Explaining the harmful effects of a mistake.

11. Practical teaching of the one who is making a mistake.

12. Offering a sound alternative.

13. Guiding people to what will prevent them from making mistakes.

14. Not confronting people directly with their mistakes and addressing the issue in general terms may be sufficient.

15. Provoking public opinion against the one who has made the mistake.

(Disclaimer: I would be very careful with number 15. Insha Allah when I get some more time, I will expound this method from the sheikh's references.)

16. Avoiding helping the Shaytan against the one who is making the mistake.

17. Asking the person to stop doing the wrong action.

18. Explaining to the person who is making a mistake how to put things right.

19. Denouncing only the mistake whilst accepting the rest.

20. Restoring rights and preserving positions.

21. Addressing both parties in cases where the blame is shared.

22. Asking a person to forgive the one who wronged him.

23. Reminding a person of he good qualities of the one whom he has wronged, so that he will regret what he has done and will apologize.

24. Intervening to calm people down and put an end to the fitnah (discord) between those who are making mistakes.

25. Showing one's anger about a mistake.

26. Turning away from the one who has made a mistake and avoiding argument with him, in the hope that he may come back to the right way.

27. Rebuking the one who has made a mistake.

28. Blaming the person who has made a mistake.

29. Shunning the one who has made a mistake.

(Same as number 15)

30. Boycotting the one who has made a mistake.

(Same as number 15)

31. Praying against someone who stubbornly persists in making mistakes.

(Same as number 15)

32. Turning a blind eye to some mistakes and being content to just hint about them, out of respect to the person who is making the mistake.

33. Helping a Muslim to correct his mistake.

34. Meeting with the person who has made a mistake to talk it over.

35. Speaking bluntly to a person about the mistake he made.

36. Persuading a person that he is making a mistake.

37. Making a person understand that his flimsy excuse is not acceptable.

38. Paying attention to things that are inherent in human nature.

Among the sheikh's conclusion is that "correcting mistakes is obligatory ... part an-naseehah (giving sincere advice) and forbidding what it evil, but it should be remembered that Islam is not only about forbidding what is evil, we are also commanded to enjoin what is good."

So think of this next time another blogger tells you that you are being judgmental, lecturing, etc. As if it is YOU who is making the mistake!

He also said that along with educating and training, we must show "the basic principles of religion and the rules of sharee'ah" using various methods. The Prophet (saw) used different methods for correcting mistakes depending upon the situation and depending upon the person he was dealing with.

I have found that using the Prophet's (saw) methods in dealing with people helps. After all, everyone, including the Muslim chaplain, benefits when all the affairs are conducted according to Quran and Sunnah

Back in the Day!

I was going through some pictures today looking for some pics for Sister Brooke.

Ha ha ... I ran across the one above.

It's one of me, around age 3 or so, on a bench in the Bronx.

Notice I was "packing heat" even back then!

OK ... it was probably a squirt gun (my mom was to fill them with Kool Aid or juice).

Israeli Tennis Player Refused Visa to Play Tournament in Dubai

I think this story sucks.

And they waited until the last minute before denying this player's visa.

Heros and Heroines

This morning on CNN, I watched the mayor of New York City give the "keys to the city" to the crew of the airplane that landed safely in the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone on board.

The captain and crew have made their way around all the major news outlets, giving interviews, getting their pictures taken, and receiving all kinds of praise and gratitude.

The captain is being called a hero and the whole affair is referred to as the "Miracle on the Hudson".

Do these people really feel like heros and heroines though? Intellectually, I guess they do, but emotionally, it is clear to me that they are suffering. Perhaps they feel more like victims? Do they welcome all the attention lavished upon them?

I saw one interview where one of the flight attendants said that she has not been able to put on her uniform since the Miracle. She just can't. Others said that they haven't returned to work. They just can't ... yet. In most interviews with the captain, he appears to be on the verge of tears.

Something that happened to me recently made me feel sad for the crew of the Miracle as I watched them on television this morning.

As some of you know, I am a Muslim chaplain in a prison. Chaplains often see things and hear things that most correctional staff (except the guards) do not. Being a chaplain can be emotionally and spiritually traumatic.

A few weeks ago, I was making my rounds in one of the restricted housing units. Part of my job is to pass each cell and make myself available to any inmate who may want to "talk". For the Muslims, I hand out prayer schedules and Islamic articles. Mostly, I provide supportive counseling and encouragement.

One particular afternoon, I passed a cell in a section that houses the acutely mentally ill who are in a therapeutic community program. As I passed the cell, I saw the inmate laying on the floor with her neck suspended in a homemade type of ligature.

This type of suicide attempt in prison is technically death by strangulation because it is usually very difficult to "hang up" due to the construction of prison cells (i.e., removing anything they can swing from). So, it is common for inmates to strangle themselves by putting a ligature around their neck and then leaning forward. If undiscovered, the inmate will pass out in a very short time and eventually die.

This inmate had rigged up a shirt or a pillowcase to the metal frame of the bed in the form of a "u", then laid on the floor face down and slipped her neck through it ... and then I came along.

I immediately called the guard over and a team went into the cell and resolved the situation. The inmate, Alhamdulillah, did not die. In no time, she was cussing everybody out and banging her head on the cell door.

The staff told me that "she does this all the time." Apparently, she does these things when she knows that staff are in the unit. She knows that someone will intervene.

They were used to her suicide gestures that she does for attention. After all, for some people, negative attention is better than no attention.

But the purpose of my post ...

When I left the prison, I was extremely upset. You see, in all my years in corrections, I have never seen anything like that. I have seen plenty of things, believe me. But never a suicide attempt. Even if it was "just for attention". It was pretty traumatic for me.

I did share about it with my husband and with two of my best Muslim sisters. Everyone agreed that Allah (swt) placed me in that situation for a reason. "Alhamdulillah, that you came by when you did, Safiyyah" I was told. "She could have died."

I was kind of like a hero.

But like the crew of the Miracle, I didn't feel like one.

The mental vision of the inmate laying on the floor like that played over and over in my head, the horrible image intruding when I least expected it. I still think about it.

There are no keys to the city for me, no TV shows. My husband and two friends have not mentioned it to me since, no one has asked me how I am, how I'm dealing with it, wondering if I'm OK.

Perhaps it's the tough image I portray to people. Like I can take it. Like I can handle it.

After all, I'm a chaplain. Sometimes I think people think that I have a special pipeline to God, Astaghfurallah. I think they think I'm extra spiritual or something. But I'm not. I'm like everyone else.

Every airplane pilot and crew attendant is trained for the possibility of perhaps one day having to deal with the unthinkable emergency.

Likewise, everyone who works in corrections, including the chaplain, is trained for the unthinkable emergencies.

It's part of our job.

Gaza - Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children

Sister Laila at Raising Yousuf and Noor: Diary of Palestinian Mother has put up a very beneficial post about ways to continue to help the Palestinians. Her major point is that there is SOMETHING that EVERYONE can do for Gaza if they chose.

One of the awesome projects she posted about is the Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children.

From Atfaluna's website:

"Atfaluna is the main referral and resource center for most institutions, clinics, and hospitals in the Gaza Strip. The Society serves as the Gaza coordinator of the Community Development Society for the Hearing Impaired, a coordinating body of 21 member organizations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip working in the field of hearing loss."

How can we help this terrific organization?

Well, they have a fantastic online boutique. All these things are made by the Society and are of high quality. There's something for everyone and it's not too early to start your Eid shopping!

Please check it out and buy something. I know I'm going to, Insha Allah!

Lisa! I Found a Vakko Scarf!!!

Lisa! I found this one on Ebay! I bid on it and won it.

$10. Yes, that's right! $10.

I didn't want to say anything until I won the bid, lol!!!

It's an estate piece, silk with gold thread. Look how huge it is! I love turquoise and I have some brown jilbabs.

Jazaka Allahu Khayr, Lisa, for turning me on to these beautiful scarves!

Sleep is a Minor Death

Browsing through Imam al-Jibaly's wonderful book while doing some research, I read something that turned out to be an epiphany for me.

I'll admit something: before reading what I am about to quote below, I had a little bit of anxiety about death. I love Allah (swt) and want to be in Jannah. I am careful about my actions everyday because I know that my choices in this life will definitely affect what happens to me in the Hereafter.

We are told that "every soul will taste death" and we all know it's going to happen.

But I admit that sometimes the Shaytan whispers to me.

What I read liberated me from my little fears. Alhamdulillah. I am no longer afraid of death.

Why?

Because I have experienced "minor death" and at times it has been very pleasant!

Iman al-Jibaly writes:

"During sleep, our souls depart from our bodies in an obscure manner. The soul of every sleeping person is held by Allah, and He then releases it when it is time to wake up."

Allah takes the souls at the time of their (owners') death, and (He also takes) those that (their owners) have not died yet - during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect. (39:42)

Dear Readers: I remember learning this early on when I re-verted to Islam. But what I never knew (and if you know this, bear with me, don't laugh!) is:

Ibn Uthaymin (ra) said:

"When a person goes to sleep, Allah (swt) takes away his sould in a form of minor death during which the soul goes to wherever Allah (swt) wills." (Sharhu Riyadh is-Salihin, no. 841)

A minor death! We "come back" from the dead! Again and again!

Imam al-Jibaly comments:

"During the 'minor death', a soul gets to meet other souls of both living and dead people ... "

(How many times have you dreamed of a dear deceased relative or someone living?)

After Khuzaymah Bin Thabit (ra) told the Prophet (saw) that he had a dream in which he was prostrating upon the Prophet's (saw) forehead, the Prophet (saw) said:

"Indeed, a soul surely meets another soul (during sleep). (Ahmad and others)

Imam al-Jibaly says, "Seeing specific individuals during sleep normally means that Allah (swt) has created their resemblance in the dreamer's mind. However, there are times when the dreamer's soul actually meets other souls of living or dead people. It's interaction with these souls may remain imprinted in the dreamer's mind after awakening. There is no indication that the other souls would remember the encounter, especially because the Prophet (saw) did not indicate remembering encountering Khuzaymah's soul. The encounter of souls is an obscure matter of ghayb, and cannot be subjected to our worldly standards ... a person's soul travels very fast so as to meet other souls, angels, etc. Even if he sleeps for just a brief moment, his soul is taken and then returned to his body during that moment."

Alhamdulillah!

He also said, "We learned that Allah (swt) sends the soul during sleep on a mysterious journey that involves amazing visions and encounters. As for the souls whose terms in this life has not yet ended, Allah (swt) sends them back into their bodies - which is demonstrated by awakening. These released souls may then remember and relate some of what they experienced during their journey - dreams."

Alhamdulillah!

The other night, I had a dream where my soul went on an amazing journey dear readers. My soul went to Mecca! I remembers pieces of my dream, but I clearly remember being with a bunch of other Muslims on top of one of the surrounding hills of Mecca. Someone said to me, "Look! It's over there!" I looked down but all I could see was a valley. But I knew "it" was there. In my dream, I knew that it was the Kabah that someone was trying to show me. I was so excited in the dream. And then I woke up. I didn't see it that dream.

But, Insha Allah, next time ...

I leave you with a dua that the Prophet (saw) taught us to say before we sleep:

"With Your Name, my Lord, I lay down my side, and by You (i.e., Allah's (swt) permission and help) I raise it. If You hold my soul (by death), show it mercy, and if You release it (i.e., keep it alive) then protect it as you protect your righteous servants." (al-Bukhari, Muslim)

Ameen! Ameen!

In The Museum ...

Conversation overheard at the museum premier of Safiyyah's digital art:

"I don't understand it. Why don't those people just stop shooting rockets into Israel?"

(digital art plug-in courtesy of http://www.dumpr.net/)

Gaza Screams!

Sis Noona: Below is the original photo. I love what the software did with the kafeeyahs!



If anyone wants to join in on this fun, you don't need fancy software. You don't even have to download anything to your computer. Everything can be done at the site. Go to http://www.dumpr.net/.

The first screen is "select an effect to begin"

Choose "amazing circles"

Then the screens will move you through the process. It is VERY easy. I put the photograph into "amazing cirles" and got Gaza Screams! on the first try! You can try a variety of photographs that you have on your computer. Apparently, it does great things with faces. Also, having good colors and strong contrast in your original photo is also helpful.

You can save the result to your computer.

That's all there is to it.

Try it and post yours to your blogs, create a link back here or otherwise let us know, so we can all celebrate the creative fun!

Of course, if you want to work your result with some other PhotoElement software, you can do that, too!

Another cool "effect" is the ability to make a jigsaw puzzle from your photo. I'm going to try this, Insha Allah. I take photos of my students at Sunday School at the masjid (they are ages 4-7). This age range loves puzzles. Imagine their surprise, Insha Allah, when I bring them puzzles made from their very own photos!

Again, shutter-tip to Sister Marahm for turning me on to this software.

Negro y Azul

44th President of the United States of America!

(Obama and His Grandmother in Kenya)


"There is a way to be good again." (The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini)

Digital Art

Impressed by the awesome images over at my dear Sister Marahm's blog, I emailed her and asked her to give me some help so that I could start making my own awesome images from my photographs.

My first attempt. Drum roll ....................................................

This image is created from a photograph of a monarch butterfly who was visiting my garden (flowers at the bottom).

Sis Marahm: is there a way to get the butterfly (upper half, to the right with orchard color on his wing) to stand out more?

Jazaka Allahu Khayr sis! I am really excited to improve with this art form! I was like a kid on Christmas morning (ermm ... Eid morning) going through the 400+ filters!

I will be emailing you often, Insha Allah :)

Lilith Magazine

Even though I am now a Muslim, I still receive one of my favorite women’s magazines from my “former life” before my reversion to Islam from Judaism, called Lilith.

Lilith, “independent, Jewish & frankly feminist,” reminds me of Azizah Magazine for Muslim women. Both magazines overflow with religious and secular nourishment for the Jewish and Muslim female soul.

I eagerly devour each issue of Lilith from cover to cover, savoring the articles, essays, poetry, fiction, and book reviews that touch an aspect of my ethnic Jewish character that will never change even though I am now a Muslim.

One of the book reviews in the winter 2008-09 (vol. 33, no. 4) issue jumped right off the page at me. In a section that unfolded “what young adult fiction talks about now,” a review of Does My Head Look Big in This? by Randa Abdel-Fattah was predominately featured among those of seven Jewish authors.



A review of a book written by a Muslim woman about the religious coming out of a Muslim-Palestinian teenager being included in a magazine for Jewish women?

In this political climate?

What?!

After I recovered from my initial astonishment, I thought to myself, Why not?

I spiraled into a daydream where I visualized a Jewish teenager, her interest piqued by the review, going to Amazon.com and ordering Randa Abdel-Fattah’s book. Like the Muslim teenager, Amal, in Does My Head Look Big in This?, perhaps the Jewish teenager also prayed for peace. Maybe she, like Amal, dreamed of the time when both Palestinians and Israelis would one day enjoy the same rights, freedom, and dignity.

There is so much hate coming from both sides at the current time. Jewish women may not understand how much they have in common with Muslim women. I think that all women want pretty much the same thing. Peace and security. A safe environment for their children. Thriving communities. Good neighbors.

Reading stories and magazines about each other, learning more about each other as women, sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, grandmothers, wives - well, it may be a start, Insha Allah.

Lilith has once again succeeded in living up to its “independent, Jewish & frankly feminist” distinctiveness.

Mazal tov Lilith!

Tell Obama What You Think About Israeli-Gaza Issues

The President-Elect has a website called Change.Gov.

There is page with all kinds of issues related to Israel, Gaza, and most importantly, aid to Israel.

Go here to see the issues and be sure to vote and make your voice heard.

Jewish Editor Fired For Publishing Article

The below article, by Judith Stone, was sent to Debbie Ducro, a Jewish editor at The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle. She published it and was fired the next day:




Quest for Justice by Judith Stone

I am a Jew. I was a participant in the Rally for the Right of Return
to Palestine. It was the right thing to do. I've heard about the European holocaust against the Jews since I was a small child. I've visited the memorials in Washington, DC and Jerusalem dedicated to Jewish lives lost and I've cried at the recognition to what level of atrocity mankind is capable of sinking.

Where are the Jews of conscience? No righteous malice can be held against the survivors of Hitler's holocaust. These fragments of
humanity were in no position to make choices beyond that of personal survival. We must not forget that being a survivor or a co-religionist of the victims of the European Holocaust does not grant dispensation from abiding by the rules of humanity. "Never again" as a motto, rings hollow when it means "never again to
us alone."

Read the rest of Ms. Stone's article here.

Ironically, the newspaper, The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, polled its readers about the situation in Gaza. Notice the questions and the interesting results:

Poll Question: What do you think of Israel's actions in Gaza?

Israel was wrong to respond this way. It will increase anti-Semitism. 37.9%

Israel was too restrained before and needs to hit Hamas hard now to restore its deterrent power. 28.8%

Israel had to do something, but the suffering in Gaza saddens me. 22.7%

Israel should have tried diplomatic talks with Hamas first. 9.1%

Israel's response was good, but it should listen to international calls for a cease-fire. 1.5%

Number of Voters
: 66
First Vote
: Thursday, 08 January 2009 17:12
Last Vote
: Saturday, 17 January 2009 01:16

Perhaps an email to The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle is in order to appeal to them to restore the editor, Debbie Ducro's job? If you write, remember to be respectful, and encourage them to be receptive to balanced journalism.

Friday Evening Reflections

Yesterday morning, I turned on the TV and saw a scene similar to this:



The Israelis had hit the UN main relief agency facility in Gaza. It appears that the Israelis had a Steve Urkel moment. Remember him? He's the guy that was always having little clutzy accidental moments. Afterwards, he would look around and say, "Did I do that?" And everyone would laugh. But what the Israelis did isn't funny. And probably wasn't an "accident".

Neither is this.

CNN also said that they finally managed to get a crew into Gaza yesterday. They entered Gaza through Egypt. Why couldn't they have entered through Egypt before yesterday? Were the Egyptians helping the Israelis in keeping journalists out of Gaza just like they helped them by closing their border to the Palestinian people? Since when do the Israelis control the Egyptian border?

Today, CNN claims they were able to see what three weeks of air strikes and ground assaults has done to the innocent civilians in Gaza.

Well, CNN. Now you are in. Where is your extensive coverage?

What CNN (and other American networks) has been covering non-stop is the US Airways Flight 1549 accident over the Hudson River in New York City.


The plan had left La Guardia and was destined for Charlotte, North Carolina.

However, they are speculating that some birds, possibly Canadian geese, were sucked into the plane's engines causing the pilot to have to "ditch" the plane into the Hudson River.

Imagine: you wake up in the morning planning to take a flight somewhere, possibly home, maybe to a business appointment, or to play some golf as one passenger said, and then suddenly you find yourself an actor in a strange play. Instead of enjoying a nice flight and arriving at your destination, you find your plane crashing to the ground and end up having to be rescued from the freezing water. You then go to the hospital and maybe find yourself giving interviews to the media. If you're like one of the passengers, you may even find yourself being a guest on the Larry King show that evening. Talk about a change in plans.

Allah (swt) is the Best of Planners, Alhamdulillah. We never know what He has planned for us on any given day.

Reminds me of a video of a khutbah given by Imam Siraj Wahaj that I saw one time. He was talking about one of the victims of the DC Snipers.

The victim was killed as he was coming out of a convenience store. Imagine, Imam Siraj said, one minute you're walking out of the store and scratching off your lottery ticket and the next thing you know you are in the grave being questioned by the Angels.

Alhamdulillah!

One never knows!

Having a powerful airplane being brought down by birds also reminded me of the power of the Almighty Allah (swt). And I remembered what He told us about birds in the Qur'an:

"Do they not see the birds held (flying) in the midst of the sky? None holds them but Allah (none gave them the ability to fly but Allah). Verily, in this are clear Ayat (proofs and signs) for a people who believe (in the Oneness of Allah)." An-Nahl, 79

and

"Do they not see the birds above them, spreading out their wings and folding them in? None upholds them except the Most Gracious (Allah). Verily, He is All-Seer of everything." Al-Mulk, 19

I wonder if there were any Muslims on that plane?!

Alhamdulillah! We should never take life for granted.

Insha Allah you all have a nice weekend.