Pass the Lantern to Malaysia!

I asked you to share your favorite Ramadan Memories from around the world and our first story comes from a Brother in Malaysia! This Brother even shared a great video of his family Iftar, you can view it at the bottom of this posting, God willing.  Enjoy reading in his own words about Ramadan with his family in his home country and please make sure to send your story to hassanandnicole@gmail.com

17 August 2011

Brief stories of our Ramadan Memories.

Malaysia is a multi-cultural and ethnic society. The majority of it's 28 million population is Muslim. Malaysian Muslims are from Sunni following mazahab Shafei. 1st Ramadan is a public holiday in Malaysia.

The coming of the Ramadan month can be noticeable in Malaysia. Many tents and outlets were set up for business selling assorted cuisines. Hotels too advertised Ramadan Buffets as well. It is a custom in Malaysia that the media will announce the starting day of Ramadan. Once it is make known, on that night most of us will go to the mosque to perform the 1st tarawih prayer. During Ramadan, offices change their operation time clock to end the work day at 4.00 pm instead  of 5.00 pm but they still maintain the 8 hour work schedule.

In the evening of 1st day of fasting, we can see flocks of people shopping, buying their likes on groceries as well as ready made foods and delicacies. The non-Muslims too enjoy the fun as they can have so many choices of different foods during the Ramadan months. Praying facilities are well equipped where you can find mosques as well as praying rooms at  commercial centers such as supermarkets and hotels.

Here, we would like to share with you our life style in Ramadan which it is quite common practice by most Muslims in Malaysia. We live in the city Seremban, about 50 miles south Kuala Lumpur, the capital city Malaysia. Ramadan is special to us and we are very anxious for it's coming. During Ramadan we have special tasks to perform, like practicing to discipline our selves in all aspects in life. Hunger and thirst is one of the test we have to go through. When it comes to food, we find that our desire to spend more is high but we always maintain as minimum as possible meeting our needs and budgets.

We usually cook our own foods and buy some desserts or fruits to add into the variety. The dishes are simple, they are comprised of rice, main dish of meat or fish with gravy, vegetables soup or fried, cut out fruits or fruit juices and sweet delicacies as the starters. Off course we change the menu daily so that we always feel a new beginning and don't feel bored eating the same foods. Some preferred to buy ready made either take home or break fast at outlets, especially those working and have limited time to reach home.

After eating, we rest for awhile and then take our wuduk and perform magrib prayers and doa. We usually perform magrib prayers at home unless there are special occasion where we go to nearby mosque. Next, if we want to perform the tarawih prayers at the mosque, we then dressed ourselves up and leave our home before Isha prayers. At the mosques we perform Isha as well as tarawih together with the jamaah. At the mosque we went, there are about 600 jamaah mixer of men and women. Here, we performed 8 rakaat tarawih and 3 rakaat witir. Some mosques in the country sides performed 20 rakaat tarawih and 1 rakaat witir.

Besides breaking fast at home, we also do 'pot-luck', bringing our foods to my mum's home and we share breaking fast together.  My imediate families also join in making the day more merrier. At the mosques there are also foods people bringing in where we can enjoy the midnight hours with friends while listening to Quran recited by the jamaah. The mosque is never quiet during the Ramadan nights!

At times we perform Isha and tarawih after midnight. Our sahur time is after the prayer. We usually eat light food such as egg omelet with toppings, bread, tea or coffee. Plain water is also added in as we need to prepare for the next day of fasting. Upon hearing azan subuh, we headed for our wuduh and perform subuh prayer plus reciting Quran verses a bit.

Alhamdullillah, for the past half month fasting and prayers we felt ourselves more healthier, energetic, peace of mind and cut loose all the unnecessary weight we had. With the Ramadan coming to the end, we felt that we are in the old track of life but with good values in our soul. Inshaallah Allah forgive us, looking forward for the next Ramadan and aim to do much better from what we have gone through this Ramadan.



Here is a great video of this Malaysian family iftar! Enjoy!

 

I would personally like to thank this Brother for sharing his Ramadan Memory with all of us and I hope to one day visit this beautiful country!

Would you like to see an article about Ramadan in your country? Then please Pass the Lantern to us by sharing your story! Send your story to Hassanandnicole@gmail.com

Day of Dignity in Dallas

Day of Dignity Dallas, TX!



Check out this amazing article from Br. Zeyad Masaarani, who works directly with Islamic Relief.  I truly loved taking part in the volunteer efforts of Day of Diginity.  The line was all the way around the block and buses were bringing people all the way until 2:30 that afternoon.  Then the challenge of fasting really hit as we all broke down all the tents and boxed up the left over clothing that wasn't needed.  There is no greater feeling than to give hot plates of food to needy people, while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.  Appreciate what you have, appreciate all your beautiful clothing, your large family iftars each night, and the beautiful home that keeps you sleeping cozy.  We only saw a small part of the needy\homeless population in Dallas that day.   It's a wake up call for those of us here in Dallas, to be aware of the needs of people in our own back yard.  


I can't wait until next year's Day of Dignity! I'm going to start putting aside clothing and shoes already!  

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Day of Dignity in Dallas: Helping People Survive Another Day

The sun was blazing. But that didn't stop the hundreds of underserved and vulnerable people in Dallas from lining up hours before the gates opened at Masjid al-Islam. Many of them were hot, hungry and thirsty.

Starting from 8 a.m., scores of volunteers began rushing around, readying hot plates, carefully arranging distribution stations, and laying out heaps of clothing in hopes of helping the less fortunate in their neighborhood.

With Ramadan in full swing, many of the volunteers were observing the daylong Ramadan fast and the scorching heat was audibly parching their throats.

It was Islamic Relief USA's Day of Dignity – a day characterized by love, compassion and sacrifice.

For people in need, the warm meals, fresh fruit, socks, shirts, caps, hygiene kits, and all the other items available for distribution at the Day of Dignity are a beacon of hope. One less worry for mind plagued with the most basic of stress: "Will I survive another day?"

"Every day is a challenge," 45-year-old Glenn Black told me as he munched on some rice and beef provided at the event. He balanced an Islamic Relief tote bag full of clothes between his knees. "I need these clothes because it's getting close to wintertime," he said. His skin was thick and calloused, probably from sleeping in the street.

Another beneficiary told me just how much events like the Day of Dignity impact his community. "It helps out the neighborhood a lot," Alfred Burney told me, “Especially the kids.”

The 54-year-old was impressed that Muslims were spearheading the cause. “I’m surprised that it’s Islamic Relief,” he said.

Dennye Mills, a 55-year-old homeless widow, was there for the fresh fruit because it was easier to eat than the food she was used to receiving at food banks. "God bless Islamic Relief," she said between bites.

"The need here is huge," said Islamic Relief USA’s Domestic Programs Coordinator, Karim Amin. Amin is a strong supporter of helping fellow Americans in need. "Islamic Relief USAorganizes the Day of Dignity because you must help your neighbors first before you help people afar," he said.

To learn more or to donate to Day of Dignity, click here.

-- Zeyad Maasarani

Here are additional photos compliments of Zeyad Maasarani

http://www.flickr.com/photos/irusa/sets/72157624724237637/with/4944841537/

To Wear…or Not to Wear?…That is the Question.

 
The following is an article from my dear friend Elif Kavakci.  I thought this was a great article to share during the blessed month of Ramadan.  You can check out more of Elif’s articles on her blog:
click to see:
 
 

 
I wanted to share with you a few thoughts...  First of all, we formed this blog so that it could provide a support system and a fun environment for hijabis and those who choose to dress modestly. 

Over the years, through my writing, I have been able to reach millions of readers.  Before I started writing for HijabiTopia, I was a fashion writer for ZAMAN - the Turkish daily news, and then transfered over to Kadinhaberleri.com, where now I have a weekly column.

Also being an Islamic Fashion designer, I've had many ladies contact me about changing the way they dress, and leading a more Islamic life style.

Writing has allowed me to get to know so many new faces, and beautiful ladies, some who wear hijab, some who are in search of how to wear hijab, and others who know exactly what to do but can't take the first steps.

It has been fun to share experiences and support each other through spiritual changes in our lives.
I will now share with you some of my thoughts on hijab. For those of you who may not personally know me, I am not an extremist Muslim, and could never be one. I like to follow the sunnah of our Prophet (peace be upon him) about having balance in my religion. So therefore when I tell you my thoughts on this topic, I don't want you to think that I am some fundamentalist. I'm just sharing my thoughts on the way I feel.
I feel very passionate about hijab.  Alot of Muslims will state that it is an option to wear hijab. I am not one of those Muslims. I believe it is Fard (obligatory), because it is clearly written in the Qur'an that believing women must dress Islamically.

When people say it is a choice, it makes my blood boil. There is no question! To wear or not to wear hijab is not an option. If you love Allah and want to please him, you wear it. If you don't wear it, that is a decision you make as a Muslim, not a choice.

Now having said that, you are probably thinking "she hates all non hijabis, she sounds so extreme". Absolutelly not. I have many friends, those who wear hijab and those who don't.  Those who are Muslim, and those who are not.  I love them all equally. Whether they wear hijab or not does not affect my friendship with them.  But my closest friends are always the ones whose lifestyles, goals, and dreams are closer to mine.  I am encircled by those friends.


I'm not going to tell you that wearing hijab is easy! Untill it becomes a complete part of you, it's difficult to carry. Yes, we get hot! Yes, it gets itchy. Yes we would love to just tie our hair in a pony tail, throw on a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and flip flops and walk out the door. But do we, NO! And why don't we? To please Allah!
This Ramadan, I would like for you to think about that. If you haven't started wearing hijab, just imagine yourself in hijab. Imagine how happy it would make you feel to submit to an obligatory rule from the Qur'an.
Ramadan uplifts our spirits. It's the same kind of feeling when you wear hijab, except it's on a daily basis. Imagine what you would feel like in the beauty of hijab. When you close your eyes, try to get beyond your image, and how other people might react to it,  try to think of Allah, and try to think of all of us who are right there with you. Just like when you fast. You do the act  yourself, but millions of Muslims are doing it as well.
I could go on and on about this topic. We will have many discussions, and I would love to hear your comments, and your stories, whether you wear hijab or not. We love to have you as readers. Anybody and everybody is welcome.


Elif Kavakci for HijabiTopia

“Journey into America”- The Challenge of Islam

I want to take a moment to share my thoughts (humbly) on this unique and ground breaking book, just released in July.  If you are reading this blog (I’m honored), stop whatever it is your doing and enlighten yourself with the first “good read” for all who desire understanding and acceptance of society, faith, and culture in the beautiful U.S.A.  After reading this I truly felt “proud to be an American” as well as a sense of pride in my faith of Islam (if the two could ever be bridged).  As a matter of fact that’s what this journey is all about, bridges…

Check out Ambassador Akbar Ahmed talking about his new book, "Journey into America" on The Daily Show!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Akbar Ahmed
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Tea Party I was lucky enough to be involved in this “Journey into America” when my dear friend Elif Kavakci (blog: HijabiTopia) invited me to photograph for an interview she was doing for Turkish publication, Zaman News. The article featured an America girl who was on an anthropological study of Muslims in America and also life in Muslim countries. Hailey was her name, and the curious tendencies of human beings are her game.  Hailey is a star pupil of the famed Professor\Ambassador Akbar Ahmed, of the American University in Cairo, and traveled with him and the rest of their group across several Muslim countries and then across her own homeland here in America.  Elif Kavakci interviews Hailey Woldt   After photographing Hailey for Elif’s article, I was invited for dinner at the Kavakci home, where Hailey in turn would like to study into my own humble brain for the secret life of an American convert to Islam.  The Professor also attended and it was truly an inspiring evening to top all dinner invitations (in my book).  Elif Kavakci, Hailey Woldt, Nicole Queen The next day I met Hailey and Elif and the Professor, along with another star student manning a small camera, at a high end mall in Dallas.  Hailey wanted to perform a sort of anthropology experiment where the three of us would dress in all black conservative garments, looking like what most Americans view as extreme Muslims, with simple black scarves around our hair, and heavy black abaya’s.  This was an experiment she had tried before in a small town on her own (braver than me!) and was able to see a lot of shocked reactions from people, based on merely her clothing.  Honestly, I told Hailey “Hey this is Dallas, people aren’t shocked to see Muslims shopping in the mall, the mall is always full of Muslim women blissfully shopping. Elif and I only know this because it’s what we have heard…LOL”.  We continued on anyway just to see if we could catch a few uncomfortable glances from passersby, curious at our choice of garments.  Later that day I met with Hailey at the hotel they were staying at nearby and we engaged in conversation on camera, for their documentary, “Journey into America”. Which later, was further inscribed into the pages of this challenging novel, “Journey into America-The Challenge of Islam” I’m not going to spoil it but this book is not your “run of the mill” political or social writings… “Professor Akbar Ahmed turns his intrepid approach to cultural dialogue and inter-faith understanding onto American society, in this brilliant follow-up to “Journey into Islam”. His insights should be required reading for anyone grappling with national security, national identity and national cohesion in today’s complex era.” Colonel David Kilcullen, author of Washington PostBestseller and Economist Book of the Year, The Accidental Guerrilla “I have not read a work as insightful, erudite, and innovative on the challenge of American identity since Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America. Akbar Ahmed sets a new paradigm in the ongoing debate on defining American identity.” Melody Fox, Berkley Center at Georgetown University   In this book, you will follow the adventures of a group of enlightening students, as they themselves discover what it’s like to be a Muslim in the U.S., post 9\11. You had me at Chapter 1…it’s exciting right off the bat.  Un-Expectantly adventurous and even a little frightening, but only enough to keep you wanting more.  Here is a small preview: Muslim Odyssey "I had walked into an ambush. An aggressive sniper was positioned directly in front of me, with two equally effective sharp-shooters to my left and the obvious leader of the group facing me from the back row. Having been in charge of some of the most battle-hardened tribes in Afghanistan and Pakistan, I knew something about war tactics.  One lesson I had learned was to keep cool under fire.” Showdown in a Mosque “Where does one begin a search for American identity and it’s Muslim component?  The answer seemed obvious: in the nation’s heartland.  But what could be learned about America’s founding principles of freedom of speech and religious tolerance in a nondescript, almost shabby mosque in Omaha, Nebraska, where I now was?  Especially in the midst of a verbal ambush by an African American man wearing a typical Arab red-and-white checkered headdress, or kufiya, who looked as if he had come straight out of an orthodox mosque in Saudi Arabia. Hearing my call for interfaith dialogue with Jews and Christians, the man stood up in a startling breach of mosque-not to mention Muslim- etiquette to challenge my interpretation of Islam.  “Good Muslims” could not talk to nonbelievers, he almost shouted.  The salvos continued, despite my well-founded explanation: Muhammad, the holy Prophet of Islam, had himself paved the way for such dialogue.  He had urged Muslims persecuted in Mecca to migrate to Abyssinia, a Christian country, because he anticipated they would be well received there once the natives of that land had met them and learned about Islam.  But, the man in Arab headdress snapped back, the Prophet had really intended those Muslims to convert the Abyssinians by force.” “The next day the team interviewed people about Omaha’s Islamic center and community.  The four who had challenged me, they learned, had posted a fatwa (pronouncement) in the mosque before 9\11 calling for the killings of Jews and Christians and praising the deeds of Osama bin Laden. All four were converts to what is known as Salafi Islam, in the United States, a fundamentalist version of the faith influenced by Saudi Arabia. It purports to be an unadulterated and “pure” form of Islam that is incompatible with any modern Western ideas.” I was honored to discover that excerpts from my interview with Hailey are featured in such an amazing collection of societal history.  I would have never had the pleasure of meeting Hailey and the Professor if it wasn’t for the selfless act of my dear friend Elif, mentioning to the group that I was also an American who had become Muslim…and that I had a story to tell.  I learn on a daily basis what true friendship actually means, it’s an ever changing definition, and one of my favorite addendums is “A real friend is excited to promote the smallest attributes in their close friends, even placing them before their own much more grand achievements.”  I thank God every day for my new “Friendship Philanthropists”, without I might have never seen it’s true meaning.  Below are a few passages from my feeble attempt at sharing something in this amazing book.  Once again I am so thankful to my dear friend for opening the door to conversation with Professor Ahmed and his star pupil Hailey.  Thank you to the Professor for hearing my words and illuminating them with such understanding and clarity. Muslim Converts:  Shame and Honor in a Time of Excess “Religious Conversion is a dramatic event in anyone’s life, no less than it was for Saint Paul on the road to Damascus.  It changes everything. Fashion photographer Nicole Queen of Dallas had arrived at just such a turning point, paradoxically, at the pinnacle of her career. She was standing next to Justin Timberlake, one of pop music’s icons, with cameras flashing.  The glare seemed to illuminate the world of vacuous celebrity that Nicole was part of.  Wasn’t there more to life than this?  At the suggestion of a Muslim friend, she watched motivational videos on YouTube and was impressed by Yusuf Estes, a white Muslim convert from Texas who was once a member of the Disciples of Christ Church.  Shortly after, Nicole converted to Islam. “One of the reasons for her conversion, Nicole explained, was the excessive behavior of women who appeared to be without shame or modesty, especially in front of a camera: “Girls took off their tops, exposed their breasts, they were making out with each other-and they aren’t lesbians, but if a camera’s there "I’ll do it if you put it on TV.”…Do you think their parents are proud of that?…They want to show that stuff because that’s what people want to see.  How low can a girl go?  That’s what sells here.  They know what everybody likes; everybody likes to see the lowest point that someone can go.  People just want to make a dollar out of it; these are the morals of our nation, whether we want to face that or not.” “For Nicole, conversion to Islam allows her to reaffirm her American identity. Once the heat and noise subside, it is American converts like her who can play an effective role in interpreting mainstream Americans and Muslims to each other.  By doing so, they are ideally placed to counteract the idea of a clash between the two.” Reading this treasure takes you on an indescribable journey that truly awakens your mind, clears out cluttered thoughts, and focuses much needed attention on the gripping relationship of Americans and Muslims.  I truly home you will embark on this contribution to the vibrancy of American Islam. Click below to get your copy of: “Journey into America-The Challenge of Islam”

It Only Takes One…How to Improve PR for Muslims in America.

If your in the Dallas area this Friday, please join me at EPIC Mosque, in East Plano, for my Halaqa on Public Relations and Islam in America. 
Currently Islam has one of the lowest levels of PR in America, explainable because of the increasing amount of violent and negative press released on Muslims.  It only takes one vile person, claiming to be a Muslim, to increase that negativity here in America, but it takes the efforts of entire communities to regain our actual representation of peace.  We complain that Muslims are being targeted in the media, yet we hide in our homes and communities, barely cracking a smile in the public eye.  Learning small steps that each of us can take, just in our daily routines, to create a larger more grand impact on the reputation of Islam, and Muslims in the US, is the granted duty of all of us.  Tired of seeing horror stories on TV about a religion that you know of being peaceful? Well so am I. 
Lets Do Something About It!