A Mothers Tears of Joy

Please enjoy this article, shared from www.hijabitopia.com!

Elif writes below about the joy she feels as she learns that over the summer her beautiful daughter Jannah has decided to make one of the biggest and most beneficial decisions of a young girls life. Elif is one of 3 sisters, raised by her amazing parents to love allah above all else. Her mother, a teacher and hafiz of quran and her father, the imam of Richardson masjid, raised all of their daughters to be strong, pious, intelligent leaders of women in islam. elif in turn is passing that torch, spending her nights helping her daughter memorize quran, teaching her daughters about the beauty of islam and most importantly the strong chaste role of women in islam. Jannah practices memorizing quran while most other girls her age are watching tv after school and now at her mothers surprise and amazement read below as jannah makes another grand leap towards allah on her own free will. there is nothing more important and rewarding than raising your daughter the proper way, always having time for them, and putting education of allah and society before things like television, toys, and whatever else most parents throw their children in front of, just to QUIET them. always remember, children are given to parents with a blank slate, clean and pure, and what they become is completely molded by their parents. If you want your children to follow islam, have strong independence, and make the right choices as muslims...you must raise them within this type of atmosphere now...not later after they have developed their own bad habits, or yours. Raise them close to Islam now, for their own sake and for yours. congratulations elif, on being a successful hijab wearing woman, with amazing pious daughters who dream to follow in their mothers footsteps straight to allah.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010

Tears of Joy

Tonight I'm awake. 



I'm awake in New York, the city that never sleeps.

It's unlike me to stay up so late, but I'm overflowing with emotions. It seems impossible to put my head down on the pillow and fall asleep. I have no control over the tears that fill my eyes. I have no control over the excitement, the joy and the worry all at once.


In New York, schools start tomorrow. I feel like the young child that I once was, staying up with excitement the night before school starts. Worrying about new friends, new teachers and a new year of homework, tests and projects.


Yet, I'm not that child. I'm a mother whose daughter will start school tomorrow. Going on to 4th grade. 


I'm up because I feel like tomorrow will be the beginning of a new life for my daughter. I'm up because I don't know what tomorrow and the days to come will bring for her. 


My 9 year old daughter, Janna has decided to start wearing Hijab!!! She decided to start wearing it on the first day of school!


Why am I so shocked? I'm shocked because as a mother I can't remember how and when she grew up. I remember her as a baby, I remember her as a toddler, but as a young girl so determined to start wearing hijab? I thought that day was far away.


Interestingly, I'm also shocked about her decision to start wearing the Hijab so young, so soon! 


This summer in Dallas, she asked me so many questions about the hijab, read books and articles. She heard me speak with my new convert friends about Hijab. I discussed with her when a young girl becomes responsible for her actions in Islam, and when it would be required for her to start wearing hijab. But I still didn't think she would start so soon.


I've asked her over and over again. Had long mother and daughter talks. Long discussions, with lots of questions to see if this was just a phase. But every time I got the same smart answers. 


She said " I want to start wearing it at the beginning of the school year mom!" in a tone that merely translated into "Duh! Don't you get it mom? If I become responsible in the middle of the school year, that would be way more difficult!"


Well, I got it alright. But it just didn't register. During all of the discussions I had with my friends, about beginning to wear hijab, Janna would eavesdrop into our conversations, while she seemed to be playing. Afterwards in a casual tone, she would ask me questions about wearing the hijab.

When she first told me she wanted to start wearing it, casually sitting at the breakfast table, I sat there not knowing what to say. Just sat and listened. "Aren't you happy for me Mom?" she asked. 

"Well, of course dear, but do you realize that this isn't like getting a new pair of glasses that you are excited about every single day till it wears off? Do you comprehend what you are committing to? This is a serious decision you know! I just want to make sure this is not a childish phase you are going through."


She would roll her eyes at me, like I was the one being childish. 


But of course, she was right!


Think about it. When is it too early to follow Allah's orders? Is piety for the elderly? Isn't it more precious and more rewarding when we are young? 


You might think, she's just a kid, what does she know? To that I say that she is a courageous kid, who loves Allah and wants to please Him, and only Him. She is a mature girl who knows that she will soon need to take this step and is taking control and making her own choice with the timing.


I'm awake with tears, because I'm so proud of her. I look at her and think, WOW, when did you become so mature and smart. I want her to enjoy this journey. I want her to know that each and every struggle will make her a stronger Muslim. Being the only hijabi, the only Muslim girl, in a school of 500, standing up for what she believes, in order to only and only please her Lord, is what makes her special!

May Allah keep all our children on the right path, and let them become good, strong Muslims.

With lots of tears of joy, I'd like to welcome my own daughter Janna to HijabiTopia!!!

Elif Kavakci for HijabiTopia

Elif Kavakci and her daughter Jannah

Courtesy of QueensImage Photography
http://www.queensimage.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/

CNN: My Take-Ramadan a season of service and dignity

My take: Ramadan as a season of service and dignity

Editor's Note: Karim Amin is a domestic programs 

coordinator and humanitarian 

aid worker for Islamic Relief USA, 

based in Alexandria, Virginia.

By Karim Amin, Special to CNN

"I didn’t think anyone knew we were out here,” said the elder from the Crow Creek reservation as she humbly accepted a bag of food and clothing from me. “But you come back every year.”

She is known as “Grandma” on the Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Grandma is one of many Native Americans living in dilapidated conditions as joblessness and poverty continue to plague Crow Creek and many other reservations across the country.Too many reservations that were intended to give the Native Americans their own sovereign land have become outposts full of trailer homes and temporary housing - a place where the original people of the Americas have been sent to and generally ignored.

I had come to the Crow Creek Reservation with Islamic Relief USA’s (IR USA) Day of Dignity, an annual effort dedicated to alleviating poverty to thousands of people across the United States.

As Grandma talked to me about her and her family, I looked into her eyes and imagined all that she has seen - the pain, the neglect, the struggle.

“I am going to bring my grandsons to thank you and welcome you,” she said with a warm smile. “We really appreciate you coming here.”

I was moved but also humbled to see that a simple bag of groceries and supplies could make such a difference.

"It’s more than that," Grandma explained. Our presence there meant more than the aid and services we were providing–it was, she said, an acknowledgment of our common humanity.

Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit relief and development organization, began Day of Dignity eight years ago as a single event during the holy month of Ramadan. The idea was that since Ramadan is a season characterized by love, compassion and charity, American Muslims could use the day as an opportunity to act on their faith by helping those in need.

Today, Day of Dignity has evolved into an annual grassroots campaign that brings thousands of volunteers from all backgrounds together to distribute food, clothing, blankets, medical care, and other social services to homeless and underserved people. This year, the campaign’s goal is to serve about 20,000 people with the help of 2000 volunteers in more than 22 cities across the country.

At the Day of Dignity event on the Crow Creek Reservation this past June (the first one this year), Islamic Relief USA volunteers spent hours assembling and distributing aid packages filled with blankets, t-shirts, hygiene products, school supplies and food. Youth volunteers set up games and face painting for children who came to the event and health professionals were on hand to provide screenings.

But beyond the food, clothing and health services, perhaps the most touching exchange was that all day Crow Creek residents came and went, graciously accepting aid packages and stayed around to play games with the volunteers. Some of the elders sat with the volunteers to teach them about Native American language and culture.

One of the organizers of the event, Victor David, an American Muslim and long-time Native American advocate, said beyond assisting others, Day of Dignity’s’ goal is to bring diverse communities together in the spirit of giving.

“When we first came a few years back the people were hesitant first,” David said. “Now they look forward to us coming every year.”

We left hoping that we made a small a difference, if just for one day.

Islamic Relief USA will be hosting many other Day of Dignity events across the country during the holy month of Ramadan. It is my hope that American Muslims and people of all faiths will come out and join us as we extend beyond the comfort of our homes, mosques, churches, and communities to help those in need.

Almsgiving and helping those in need are major pillars of Islam and the basis of Islamic Relief USA’s work, but it is also the foundation for many other faiths.

As Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Do you love your Creator? Serve your fellow man first.”

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Karem Amin.

Posted by: Eric Marrapodi - CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor Filed under: Islam • Opinion

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! 

America the Beautiful

  Here in America, we are very privileged to live with so much freedom, wealth, and endless resources.  We are a nation that moves faster, works harder, and demands perfection right now.  These are the things we instill in our people. Be faster, smarter, better...right now. So we raise our children for this grande society. They are prepped for our demanding lifestyle...but no matter how much prepping you do, it will never be enough.

Women in today's society are not pretty enough, not smart enough, not talented enough.  We are not thin enough, not natural enough, and not plastic enough. 












 Everything about us needs to be replaced, smoothed over, tucked under.  You need to study more, love less, and sacrifice your soul to our society or you will never be "good" enough.  Sad...

What is "beautiful" any more?  Beauty has a new meaning now. You can purchase it, sell it, and recreate it.  Beauty is meaningless, worthless and yet everything.  What is the first thing we look at in a person?  We look for beauty, whether it be in their appearance or if you don't see them, then do they have a beautiful voice?  It's ok if you are not very beautiful on the outside, but if you have a beautiful voice, well that will make up for it. If you have a combination of both...well then you are a celebrity...Beauty will give you everything you want in this world, but will take it all away from you.  It's the ultimate indulgence for our society, this is what "beauty" has become.

I used to also be a slave to beauty...as most girls my age are.  Hell, it starts younger and younger as generations develop.  What will we become soon?  The far reaches we will go to obtain perfection grow further and further, until soon we will disappear as humans all together.  We will discard clothing all together, because if we analyze how much we have removed in the past 100 years, then it's a very short time before clothing is all together, "out".   

Lets take a look at how much beauty has changed over the years...and how much our self-dignity and respect as become as small as the clothing we wear today.   

  There was once a time, when women didn't leave their homes without covering their bodies and their beauty, such as their long hair, was never displayed for strangers to gawk at. They were truly respectful to themselves, and at this time in society, they had very little to be respected about, besides their virtuosity...They hoped to one day earn their place and their rights as equal to men, if they could only see what we have done with those rights...

A decade later, we see a beautiful Bride.  Brides used to show very little on their wedding day, saving their beauty for their soon to be husbands eyes...Well now we cover very little.

  

Style continued to evolve in the 50's, 60's 70's...I say evolve, but it was more like evaporate...

Skirts get shorter...

as we become more free, we become more of a slave to our new role as Women...

Show me everything you have and then I will decide if I love you...
This is the natural "rule" of things now, if your looking for love.  First you have to "hook em" and then you reel them in...what do we use as bait?  Oh just our flesh...nothing important.  Since when, do we consider our bodies and our self-respect unimportant?  When did we become just pieces of meat and why hasn't anyone noticed?  Are we so used to this way of life that it's just normal now?  Since I became a Muslim, and living my life in dignity, it feels like I woke up from this nightmare where women on a daily basis just walk around half-naked, clueless, and snarling as they lash out to lunge at the next mindless Man who looks like he has a couple of bucks.  

WOW...it has become normal now...so normal that the type of clothing that used to be worn by "loose women" is now the normal attire a Mother wears out to do some shopping...WOW...that little girl looks pretty mortified...




This new found "self-expression" is happily passed on to our daughters at a very early age.  Little girls learn to judge each other based on appearance very quickly and sadly they are very talented at bringing on this kind of pain.  Forget about Barbie dolls...now at age 5, daughters across the US are more interested in the latest "teen sensation".  When I was 5, I didn't even know what a teen was.  




Innocence is something society urges out of their children all too quickly.  Hurry and grow up, be independent so that I don't have to pay as much attention to you, and I can pay more attention to myself. 




Children are thrown into dance classes to teach them to move their bodies in "desirable" ways, ...but awwwe, it's so cute...They are shoved in front of our satellite TV's, so they can watch "Toddlers & Tiara's" and beg their own Mommies to ruin them like those little girls Mommies do. "Gee officer, I don't understand why a pedophile would go after my daughter?"  

Go play "play station", instead of go play outside. Go play on the internet, instead of play with "real" friends.  Why is there a huge spike in Autism? Hmmm...I don't know?  For your 6th birthday lets have a party where you dress up like a street-walker and ride around in a pink limousine so you can pretend your shallow and famous, while scantily clad...like your favorite pop star.


Happy Birthday Mommies little "Lolita"...


So what do we do about this?  All I can say is look around you, look in front of you, look behind you. What do you see? Are you a part of what is described above? Are you a contributor to this type of existence?  If you are, it's OK. You can stop anytime...just find something better to live for. Like maybe God? 


 Developing a better relationship with God leads to looking at life through a different pair of eyes.  Learn how to feel shame in displaying yourself, like your something for sell.  Remember what it used to be like when a Man stepped out of a Woman's path, tipped his hat to her and greeted her formally?  Of course you don't remember, it's been too long! Now the greeting you will get today is based on who you present yourself. Either you will get "Damn Girl!", or "Whats up sexy?"...or if your lucky he will just eye-ball you up and down as you walk by and not voice  his thoughts out loud.  Why can't we have a modern society where Men treat you the respectful way again? The reason you do not have this anymore is because of how many Women have "given it up".  Women who don't have God in their lives, seem to only live for the "worldly things". They don't have much value for themselves and treat others accordingly.  We have to get back our sense of CLASS.  Value yourselves, know that you are worth more!  You don't need someone to tell you this, or to make you feel this...God thinks your worth more. This is why God told Women to have shame for their bodies. Guard themselves, keep themselves pure and chaste until they marry.  
God thinks your worth it, not Loreal.  God commanded Men to lower their lustful gazes...He knows how they look at His beautiful Women.  If that Man doesn't think your beautiful, guess what! God does! He thinks your so beautiful that it's dangerous. He warned us all, that beauty is dangerous to society and wow, it looks like He was right again! Women...you can do this! You can realize your true nature is that of epic royalty and that of a diamond buried in the rock.  Work on it! Make that rock harder to break, in order to get to the diamond inside.  Do it for the Women before our time, who sacrificed so much for the rights we toss out the window today.  Do it for your Grandmother who never thought you had enough clothing on. Not to mention, do it for your daughters, give them the most beautiful gift of all, VALUE.  





Sure it doesn't happen immediately, but one day you can "wake up" too. I did...