A Beautiful Struggle

More on Hawai'i

2008-08-12T23:03:00.001-04:00

Hawaiian women chart their own path to power

Native Feminisms Without Apology

2008-07-03T23:24:00.003-04:00

Important stuff. Skip the dude in the beginning though.

Native Feminisms Without Apology Conference

US Muslim Film Contest: Glimpse

2008-06-29T21:52:00.000-04:00

I AM A MUSLIM!

2008-06-23T00:02:00.001-04:00

On being Muslim and talking too much

2008-06-22T10:33:00.006-04:00

I am thinking that maybe Islam is a religion where one shouldn't talk so much. Perhaps it is better to manifest the faith through one's action's primarily. I know this may sound obvious, yet I am becoming increasingly aware that many Muslims put too much energy into talking about Islam and what Islam stands for, rather then putting energy into exemplifying Islam through their actions. This creates a kind of anxiety or hyper-defensiveness that just isn't helpful when giving dawah. Just look at many of the comments on you tube for example for some Islamic videos. Some folks engage in arguments trying to defend the religion using profane language! This is just embarrassing and really misses the point. What are we really trying to defend, and does it need defending? Islam is what it is, and you either believe in it or you don't.

Yesterday I was thinking about the Prophet's (saw) marriage to Aisha, particularly as it pertains to her age. I had never heard of an explanation that made me feel completely at ease. So I texted some of my trusted Muslim friends to see what they had to say about issue--that is how did they reconcile or explain the Prophet's marriage to Aisha without glossing over the facts or sounding too apologetic. Among one of the answer's that I appreciated the most, was a simple "I don't know, because I don't understand it." Furthermore, the sister implied that she would not try to explain something that she didn't understand, from a paradigm that was limited by time, location, and cultural prejudice. I realized that it never occurs to some Muslims just to say that. That it may seem for some to be a defeat.

I would like to know: "When we are "defending" Islam are we really defending our own egos and need to be right? Are we guising our own insecurities about the religion? Do Muslims benefit/suffer? from a double consciousness-- a "second-sight in this American world,--a world which yields him [or her] no true self-consciousness, but only lets him [or her] see himself [or herself] through the revelation of the other world[? . . .] It is a peculiar sensation . . . this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity." (Excerpted from the chapter "Of Our Spiritual Strivings" in his book The Souls of Black Folk.) I think there is the feeling of needing to make things look pretty, not just for the supposedly monolithic (Western) world, but to those who doubt the religion or take issue with aspects of the faith or the character/practices of the Prophet (saw).

Post 9/11/ especially, there is this sense in the community that we must have a quick rebuttal for everything. Hence people may end up saying things that don't make complete sense, such as some explanations regarding the supposed benefits of hijab. I have actually heard some some people reference hijab as a means of protection against rape, implying that hijab does not entice a potential rapist in the same way that a "scantily clad" woman does. This is a really horrendous assertion, especially because many women (and one is too many) in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt etc. have been victims of sexual violence despite being completely covered. It is more helpful to be honest about this, then to perpetuate very problematic patterns of blaming the victim. Furthermore, it obscures the real reason for rape which is rooted in power. I explain my observance of hijab in terms of submission to Allah (swt), as well as it being a useful tool to purify by own intentions. For me it is less about "helping" men not see me as a "sex object" because this kind of thinking alludes to more profound gender issues then what a woman is wearing.

Coming back to the Prophet's marriage to Aisha, some other answers that I got included (abridged):

"Well I know for a fact that in that society at that time, age nine isn't what it is now. They lived relatively short lives, and nine was child bearing age. It wasn't unusual for that to happen in their society. Difference in culture. We may not understand why a foreigner does what they do; but it may make perfect sense in their society. Furthermore, the Prophet wouldn't have done it if it was incorrect. And if it is not a situation where someone is being oppressed, then who are we to judge? [References young people becoming pregnant in our society.] Society picks and chooses what is right and wrong according to what it feels like doing. If the enemy does it then its automatically the worst thing in the world though other's do it"

"As you know I do not take everything literally. The angels had wings of 2 & 3 & 4. Thus there is some symbolism to the number nine. Furthermore, she did not move with him until she was older. Trust me, there is so much more to the Qur'an and Sunnah then we will ever know. Islam is a perfect religion, but we have to study more."

"There is nothing to gloss over. Puberty was marrying age. Talmud preferred marriage by puberty. [She also references various ages of consent around the world in different times. Example: Today: Japan-13; Spain-12; 1900 USA-10 (Cali was 1st to up age to 14 circa 1889. . . Using culture over biology is illogical"

In conclusion I think that I am going to work on getting back to the basics or fundamentals of the religion if you will, and really seek to understand and implement this religion on a really organic level. I want to move from spaces of speculation and defensiveness to securing sound knowledge and the faith that come from knowing.

call to support the Native Hawaiian people!

2008-04-06T14:55:00.006-04:00

Greetings Everyone,

So I will not front, my introduction to Hawaiian culture and the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, came as a result of my five year stay in Hawai'i, as a child of a soldier in the US military (industrial complex). I can not distinctly remember what my expectations were of Hawai'i prior to coming, however I very soon developed a great respect and reverence for the people and culture of Hawai'i. Furthermore, reading Haunani-Kay Trask's From a Native Daughter: Colonialism & Sovereignty in Hawai'i, changed how I thought about Hawai'i in relation to tourism and the military industrial complex, not to mention colonialism, imperialism, white supremacy, and genocide. Even before reading this book, I also had a sense very early on that something was not right. When we would go to different tourist attractions like Germaine's Lu'au and The Polynesian Cultural Center, I always wanted to separate myself from the obnoxious white tourist, because I knew deep down that tourism was indeed a very blatant form of "cultural prostitution," as Ms. Haunani-Kay Trask so eloquently puts it. I was also bothered by the fact that other people of African descent (although fewer in numbers) were in fact partaking in this cultural prostitution as well. I knew that what was being presented was either an exploitation of the sacred and/or a perversion of the authentic; and I felt in a very profound way that I was not supposed to be there.

At the age of 13 or 14 I began dancing hula. My deep and profound attraction to hula kahiko (ancient Hawaiian hula) in particular, was always difficult for me to reconcile with the fact that I was not Hawaiian. This was not due to any explicit opposition or resistance to my dancing hula, in fact there were many Hawaiians who recognized not only my talent but my perceived spiritual connection to hula. Furthermore, dancing hula with a hula halau (or hula school) gave me access to other spaces that I would otherwise not have had access too. I also perceived that there were some parallels between Hawaiians and people of African descent, although I will admit this is not a popular discussion (black folks just know). For an example, when performing hula kahiko (ancient hula) the girls with straight hair had to braid their hair in small braids and leave it in for a few days, after which they would unbraid their hair and brush it out presumably to get the kinky texture of their ancestors. When I saw pictures of King Kamehameha and Queen Lili'u'okalani I was really hungry for some discussion around the "African"-Hawaiian connection. However, I had only encountered one public television program that dedicated an episode to discussing the possible connection between Africa and Hawai'i. However, in the context of sovereignty, I don't' think that this is the most important discussion. I only mention it to talk about the connections I was making based on what I saw as some phenotypical and cultural similarities.

Despite my feeling "connected" to hula, as a more informed adult, I want to avoid any form of blatant cultural appropriation, even if it is not my intention to appropriate aspects of another person's culture or spiritual system. Hawaiians historically were and are a generous people, which has in turn made people think that their land and culture are for the taking. This is not the case. Hence, I will in addition to spreading the word about the struggle of the Native Hawaiian people or the kanaka ma'oli, return my hula implements to Hawai'i as well as a very special collection of Hawaiian songs that I have, including the very beautiful He Hawai'i Au. I feel that hula, along with the aforementioned items, are the cultural property of the Hawaiian people.

I am in essence writing this because I want to bring light to the injustices and crimes committed against the Hawaiian people. I ask that you read the following article (when time permits) by Hawaiian sovereignty acitivst Ms. Haunani Kay-Trask:

Tourists stay home, native Hawaiians want their land back

I also highly recommend Haunani K. Trask's book:

From a Native Daughter: Colonialism and Sovereignty in Hawai'i

Some other links of interest include:

Hawai'i Nation
Perspectives on Hawaiian Sovereignty
Na Maka O Ka 'Aina

I would like to leave you with a few excerpts from the book color of violence: the incite! anthology Edited by INCITE! WOMEN OF COLOR AGAINST VIOLENCE in which Haunani K. Trask contributes her essay The Color Violence where she describes the "peaceful or quiet violence" perpetrated against indigenous women:

"These settlers have no interest in, or concern about, our Native people. Settlers of all colors come to Hawai'i for refuge, for relaxation. They do not know, nor do they care, that our Native government was overthrown by white sugar planters in 1893 with the willing aid of the American troops; that our islands were [illegally] annexed in 1898 against the expressed wishes of our Native people; that our political status as Hawaiian citizens was made impossible by forced annexation to the United States. Many non-Natives have said that we should be grateful for the alleged opportunity of American citizenship even if this has meant termination as an independent country" (82).

"During the course of little more than a century, the haole [white foreigner] onslaught had taken from us 95% of our Hawaiian people, 99% of our lands and water, and the entirety of our political sovereignty. As the twentieth century dawned, we were but a remnant of the great and ancient people we had once been" (84).

It is my hope that you all will be moved to become allies in the struggle of the Kanaka Ma'oli (Native Hawaiian people) for justice and sovereignty. According to Haunani Kay-Trask, there are now 45 tourists to every Native Hawaiian. Perhaps we can as allies keep this in mind when we make plans to travel for a vacation or honeymoon.

Remember:
"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." --quote belonging to the Aboriginal movement

Looking Back

2007-12-24T18:25:00.000-05:00

It’s interesting how throughout our lives we deal with the same issues manifested in different ways. I was going through some of my old journal entries and discovered similar themes: the ardent search for religious truth, the desire to strive towards a spiritual ideal, and dealing with my own feelings of guilt. I also discovered that I am a great fan of new beginnings (aka “starting over”). As I was reading the thoughts of a 9 year old; 16 year old; 22 year old; I began to have a deeper appreciation for my mother because I was such an “intense” child as she would say. Thanks mom.

The Eyes of the Future

2007-06-02T16:29:00.000-04:00

The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our time.--Terry Tempest Williams

Oprah, Hip-hop, and "the poets"

2007-05-30T23:07:00.002-04:00

While I greatly respect Oprah Winfrey for what she has accomplished and what she represents, I generally do not connect with her show as an African US American woman, concerned with issues pertaining to social justice and self-development. I am not insinuating that she does not address or care about these issues (how could I given her immense contribution to South Africa and the like?), but I often get the feeling that within a one hour span of time (with plenty commercial time) she is appeasing or explaining things to a largely middle/middle-upper class audience of white women who are subconsciously assumed to be the norm. So that even if there are shows highlighting topics of importance to me, like the recent post-Imus controversy inspired hip-hop forum or the self image of children of color it is presented in a matter that barely skims the surface for me.

My fellow Spelmanites, our ADW indoctrination left me feeling a little more than enlightened. My standards are incredibly high. And most attempts at race or gender talk on tv leave me wanting.

When Oprah hosted a sort of hip-hop forum a while back, I wish that she would have included folks like Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, MC Lyte, Kevin Powell, and Jean Grae to name a few. Not to mention those super articulate Spelman alumnae like she who fights misogyny with poetry, she who dismantles interlocking systems of oppression, she who keeps it real cool, or she who has the ovaries to cut Oprah off if interrupted (Oprah, I love you but I'm talking . . .). I would have also changed the seating arrangements by not putting women on the periphery.

pe·riph·er·y from dictionary.com
1. the external boundary of any surface or area.
2. the external surface of a body.
3. the edge or outskirts, as of a city or urban area. (oh ye gentrified spaces . . .)
4. the relatively minor, irrelevant, or superficial aspects of the subject in
question: The preliminary research did not, of course, take me beyond the periphery of my problem.
5. Anatomy. the area in which nerves end. (hehe!)

So maybe we could have heard more critical thinking about the matrix of domination and how analyzing hierarchies of oppression can awaken us to our own personal responsibility, instead of stupid stuff about poets reflecting social ills. Russell please.

Owwwww mami's body is banging, man, she got it, man, she does it all
She gets it popping with no hands, I'll make it pour
I'll make it rain on 'em I'll lay a game to 'em
I'm gassing misses to tattoo my name on 'em
Gotta get that baby love, gotta get my paper up
Gotta suspect me, exactly test this crack and want a ring on us
And you know what it is, yo, it's them powder kids
And we know how 2 bizz, so we don't give a shit.
--excerpt from Make It Rain (on dem hoes dat iz)

Yes Fat Joe and Lil'Wayne are as profound as Neruda, Rumi, Marti and Hughes. More on the self image of children show later. Till then Rain on dem hoes y Viva la revolucion!

Hula

2007-05-19T18:36:00.000-04:00

I have always been infatuated with the ancient and sacred. I remember falling in love with Hula Kahiko (Ancient Hawaiian Hula), when I first moved to Hawai'i and visited the Polynesian Cultural Center. I soon joined a Hula Halau (Hula School) named Hula Hui O Kapunahala in Nu'uanu at the age of 12 (I think). My respect and awe of hula was coupled with a sympathy for the Hawaiian sovereignty movement, which many people think is a losing battle.

As an African-American, it was sometimes difficult for me to reconcile my powerful attraction to this ancient dance, with the fact that I was not Hawaiian. Although there were many non-Hawaiians who danced hula, it represented something greater than a beautiful dance for me. My intention was never to appropriate Hawaiian culture, but to express my passion and respect through my dedication/perfection of the art. And despite the many problems that the Kanaka Ma'oli (Native Hawaiian people) faced, I think that as an African-American I envied Hawaiians for at least being able to live in their homeland, having access to ancient rituals, language, and genealogy. The African-American experience is unique. I believe that we have a culture, but there is less retention of or access to the ancient due to nature of slavery in the United States.

However, as a former student of Spelman College and a world traveler, I have become more appreciative and aware of my culture as an African US American, and I feel inclined to share "our" story with others in all of its complexity.

The Merrie Monarch Festival is an absolutely magnificent hula festival held every year. Hula Halau (Hula School) from all over Hawai'i and beyond compete in the male and female divisions of Hula Kahiko (Ancient Hula) and Hula 'Auana ("modern" hula). There is also a Miss Aloha Hula division.

The picture above is of the 2005 Miss Aloha Hula, Maile Emily Kau'ilaniona'opuaehi'ipoiokeanuenueokeola Francisco of Halau Na Mamo O Pu'uanahulu.

2nd place winner Miss Aloha Hula of 2006,Makalani Franco-Francis of Halau Na Lei Kaumaka O Uka. She is dancing Hula Kahiko with the 'ili'ili

The following videos feature the members of the renowned Halau O Kekuhi explaining the significance of hula.

'Uli'uli by Halau O Kekuhi

Redemption

2007-03-21T02:19:00.000-04:00

Being a Muslim revert/convert is such an interesting and sometimes complex process. From the time you first take your shahada, to your periods of great religious zeal, to your spiritual lows, to the time where you understand the value of balance and that its ok to be yourself (actually essential). I am thinking about self-denial in two different ways. The self-denial that many religions require in order to transcend ego--thus reaching God, and the denial of self that so many religious people interpret as being necessary to their religious success. The problem is that your self almost always wins. I am not speaking of doing things that are blatantly haraam, but I am speaking about the ways in which we (especially) women interpret piety to our own detriment. We try to present ourselves with this facade, we get married assuming this facade, and we almost inevitably approach a moment of crises when reality becomes undeniable.

Spirituality transcends culture, but i am a product of my culture. i am not my body, but i am in my body. i pray in arabic, but i think and speak in the language of the "oppressor". i aspire for the hereafter but live in the dunya.

In striving for my ideal i still have to recognize where i am. Trying to be perfect comes with the burden of maintaining an image of being "nice" all the time, needless, and "together"-->Reality suggests something different-->Passive aggressiveness gives way to resentment. But it is ultimately my fault and no one else's. It is time to take your life back. Punkishness is both a time consuming and expensive endeavor. Hopefully I will change this time. Hopefully i will truly overstand that eloquently narrating my issues is no substitute for concrete action. And remember to not concern yourself with the opinions of creation. sigue el jihad

All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself. ~Ralph Ellison, "Battle Royal"

Me Voy

2007-03-19T07:57:00.000-04:00

i've been living in Atlanta for about eight years now. although I am not actively excited, i think that this new move is good for me and will definitely contribute to my overall growth, as i have felt a bit stagnant since graduation. my mission is to real-ize my potential, so that i can make the kind of contribution to humanity that i have always hoped to give. when you frequently allow yourself to be swayed by other people's opinions, needs, and wants you can lose your sense of direction and grasp on your own needs and wants. so i look forward to the opportunity to be detached, having the space to focus on my own self-development. sometimes growth requires you to leave your comfort zone and go elsewhere. i say alhamdulilah for the opportunity and for a sense (despite a bit of sadness) of being in the right place.

2006-07-23T13:37:00.000-04:00

Officer Faces Court-Martial for Refusing to Deploy to Iraq

Iraqis' daily lives

2006-04-08T21:02:00.000-04:00

Iraqis' daily lives

What do we do as Muslims?

The Crusades?

2006-03-18T09:48:00.000-05:00

I dont know what to say . . .

Father Loses Taste for Revenge in Iraq

Be yo' self

2006-02-02T22:59:00.000-05:00

"Most people live only for their image: that is why whereas some have a self, a starting point, most people have a void, because they are so busy projecting themselves as this or that. Wasting, dissipating all their energy in projection and conjuring up a facade, rather than centering their energy on expanding and broadening their potential or expressing and relaying this unified energy for efficient communication, and so forth. When another human being sees a self-actualizing person walk past, he cannot help but say. "Hey, now there is someone real!". - Bruce Lee

Allah is your Provider

2006-02-01T21:53:00.000-05:00

Do not seek sustenance from people. God is the real Provider. If He wills a certain person to be the means of your livelihood, do not consider that person to be in control of your destiny. Have faith and be certain in the knowledge that your daily bread does not depend upon any mortal, but upon God who created all.

-Al-Hajwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
From "The Bounty of Allah," translated by Aneela Khalid Arshed. Copyright 1999. All rights reserved. Used with permission of The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York.

a quote from Mr Pryor

2006-01-28T00:19:00.000-05:00

"A lie is profanity...A lie is the worst thing in the world. Art is the
ability to tell the truth, especially about oneself." --Richard Pryor

ms. hill

2006-01-20T02:27:00.000-05:00

Excerpt from Essence Magazine
February 2006

"Essence: I’m interested in what you expressed as the need to be a whole woman. I find that for many Black women, it’s a struggle to be accepted in a society that seems to be incapable of making space for our intelligence, beauty and strength. It’s almost expressed as a liability. Like you’ll never find happiness because you’re too dope.

Hill: It’s really about the Black woman falling in love with her own image of beauty. I know that I’ve been in a fight to love myself and experience reciprocity in a relationship. I thought that a perfectly reciprocal relationship was an impossibility. That’s that “Black woman is the mule of the world” thing. It says she can’t get what she deserves, no matter how dope she is. And, you know, you have to go through the fear. You do have to do something with the insecurity, ghosts and demons that have been programmed in us for centuries. You have to master the voices, all the insecure and inadequate men who put garbage in a woman’s mind, soul, spirit and psyche just so they can use her. You’ve got to break free of that crap. I didn’t see many of the women who came before me fight that war successfully. And when you don’t see it, you don’t know if it can be done. But that’s what faith is for."

sister are you married? 'cause i know this brotha . . .

2006-01-20T00:15:00.000-05:00

ive been thinking about marriage and how long i will possibly have to wait if i dont want to settle. some people say that my standards are too high, which is scary because they are basic standards for any self-respecting female. i used to say that i just wanted to marry someone who is Black (of color--which actually can be a lot of things) but i think i need to reassess what is important.

the plethora of hypocrites out there is frightening. the number of brothers using religion as a guise is too many. and i wonder if fidelity and no physical, emotional, or verbal violence is too much to ask--a good Muslim in the deepest sense of the word.

as a woman i feel particularly vulnerable because women are so often subjected to violence and abuse on multiple levels. i am not trying to be a martyr in that sense. i believe that "the strong Black woman" is sick and depressed. its not cute to me.

ive also been thinking about sex in the context of Islam and men in general. i do know that sex is a natural part of life, but i cant help but wonder how many brothers are primarily motivated by sex when it comes to marriage. it worries me, but i think a lot of people are more superficial than they'd like to admit. and its always more attractive to speak in religious terms.

i also wonder how many brothers take abstaining from premarital sex seriously. i know men who are very concerned about gender separation, partitions, hijab and such, but are having sex outside of marriage. some men do not want to look me in the eye or shake my hand but are having regular sexual relations with women that they are either trying to convert or will leave when they are ready to marry a "nice Muslim woman." i dont understand how one gets to that point given the strict regulations on gender separation. i know that people arent perfect, but Islamically there seem to be less room for excuses and more room for accountability. so many women tell me about their Muslim boyfriends, and how dedicated they are. and i am perplexed. even in the Bible the battle between the spirit and the flesh is the greatest jihad--one of which most Christians believe is a losing battle without the "blood of Jesus." but i digress

i understand grace in Islam, but i guess in regards to fornication, i cant understand why some Muslims are so offended by women not covering "properly" but still manage to find women to fornicate with. i wish someone could explain to me honestly. maybe there is something i dont understand as a woman. is it really virtually impossible for a man to wait till he is married to have sex? and im not suggesting that women Muslim or otherwise do not have sexual relations before marriage, but the standards for men and women are different, and you would sooner find a female who is a virgin than a male.

and if a man chooses a woman for more superficial purposes than religious (even if its like 51% to 49%) what happens if she gets sick or gets in an accident, how many men would stick around and be faithful at the same time? would that be an excuse to get another wife? im just not convinced that men are as loyal as women given how gender is constructed in many societies. many women think its "noble" to bear their burdens in silence enduring infidelity, abuse, and just plain disrespect. it seems like too many women are a slave to the male ego and think that that is synonymous with obeying Allah/God. many women tell me that things get complicated when you "love" someone. i dont want that kind of love

and you know, i have no problem with the man being the head of the household. i have no problem with the Qur'anic view of gender. but i feel like too many brothers want all the privileges and none of the responsibility. do we really want to be like the Prophet? really? ego is such a tricky thing.

Shine

2006-01-13T02:47:00.000-05:00

If you wish to shine like the daylight, burn up the night of self-importance. Dissolve the self like copper in the exilir; in Him foster all existance. But you are bound by the discord of "I" and "We." The cause of your ruin is this sad dualism.
Rumi, Mathnawi

patience grasshopper

2005-12-28T02:16:00.000-05:00

this space i am in is humbling, slow. humbling because it is slow. i want to move. i can see the vision but dont have the patience to wait. i want it now.

in all your haste you'll miss the blessing she said. respect the process. . . sigh, ok

Prayer of the Prophet

2005-12-15T02:37:00.000-05:00

"Oh You who created me,
show me truth as truth, and lead me toward that,
show me falsehood as falsehood, and help me avoid that,
and whichever way of life is most loved by You,
guide me in that best of ways so that I may love that way,
and make it clear for me."

excerpt from Untimely Meditations by Saul Williams

2005-12-10T07:45:00.000-05:00

". . .i swing from the tallest tree/lynched by the lowest branches of me/praying that my physical will set me free/'cause i'm afraid that all else is vanity/mere language profanity/i'd rather hum or/have my soul tattooted to my tongue/and let the scriptures be sung in/ gibberish/'cause words be simple fish/in my soulquarium/and intellect can't swim/so i stop combing my mind so my thoughts could lock/i'm tired of trying to understand/perceptions are mangled, matted, and knotted anyway/life is more than meets the eye/and i/so elevate eye to the third/but even that shit seems absurd/when your thoughts leave you third eye-solated/no man is an island/but i often feel alone/so i find peace through ohmmm . . ." from "The 7th Octave"

Freedom

2005-12-10T07:28:00.000-05:00

"They tell me: If you see a slave sleeping, do not wake him lest he be dreaming of freedom.

I tell them: If you see a slave sleeping, wake him and explain to him freedom."--Kahlil Gibran

a little Rumi

2005-11-21T02:39:00.000-05:00

Knowledge has two wings. Conjecture is one wing. Conjecture alone is lacking and cuts short the flight. The one-winged bird continues to struggle, hoping to reach the nest somehow with one wing. And then wisdom shows his shining face. Delivered from conjecture, the bird now spreads both wings (and soars once again).-Rumi, "The Life and Thought of Rumi"

from Afro News

2005-11-21T01:17:00.000-05:00

Islam united to stop female genital mutilation
The Cross and the Genocide
Christians, Muslims discuss Nigeria's shari'a laws
Muslims "disillusioned with Shari'a" in Nigeria
Half of Nigeria's women experience domestic violence
Nigeria adopts anti-Female Genital Mutilation Day
From Negritude to Realism

Who are the men of understanding?

2005-11-20T16:34:00.000-05:00

I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace.[Helen Keller]

Wise men are instructed by reason; men of less understanding, by experience; the most ignorant, by necessity; the beasts, by nature.[Marcus Tullius Cicero]

Muhammad Ali

2005-11-20T13:32:00.000-05:00

Home town mulls boxer Ali's legacy

Man gets what he strives for

2005-11-19T23:47:00.000-05:00

Volume 1, Book 1, Number 1:
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."

Some news

2005-11-18T19:09:00.000-05:00

Students look to religion after tsunami
Two paths back from tsunami
Sudan refugees on hunger strike
BBC: Sudan
Danish Muslims "Internationalize" Anti-Prophet Cartoons
UK Muslim Youth Give Blair a Piece of Their Mind
Africa's peace seekers: Lazaro Sumbeiywo

Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka `Aina I Ka Pono: The Life/Sovereignty of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness

2005-11-18T06:28:00.001-05:00

I had this on my old blog but I wanted to share it again. The struggle for Hawaiian Sovereignty is a cause that I think is important to share. Like the traditions of many indigeneous people, Hawaiian culture is being cheapened, exotified, and commodified by imperialist powers. Learn about sacred hula kahiko and 'auana (anci ent and modern hula, the state of ka 'olelo Hawai'i (hawaiian language), and the history of Hawai'i.

More Hawaiian links
Justice for Hawaiians
Overthrow of the Monarchy
Holo Mai Pele
Na Maka
Kanaka ma'oli Healing Practices
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From a Native Daughter

Fear not

2005-11-18T02:49:00.000-05:00

"Fear not the path of truth for the lack of people walking on it." - Arabic Proverb.

al-Qur'an 41:49-50

2005-11-17T22:18:00.000-05:00

041.049. Man does not weary of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair.

041.050. When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, "This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord, I have (much) good (stored) in His sight!" But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty.

Working for the children

2005-11-17T12:11:00.000-05:00

Crimes against children are all too common. What does this say about the societies that we live in? It is taken for granted that childhood is supposed to be a time of fun and innocence. But for many children, childhood is defined by abuse, neglect, and violence. I saw a movie called "Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids" which depicted the lives of children living in Calcutta's red light district, whose mothers work as prostitutes. Despite the movie's "western gaze" I did find it moving. And it hurt to know that many children, regardless of their geographical location are suffering everywhere. It seems as though nothing is sacred, when the abuse of children is tolerated and understood as a fact of life. In the movie an eleven-year-old boy named Avijit stated in so many words that we have to look at this suffering because it is the truth. One aspect of privilege is being able to turn the channel or look the other way. People seem to want to be self-deluded because the truth is too harsh, too difficult, or too ugly. I am inching my way deeper into understanding and seeing truth. But at times I get this overwhelming sense of powerlessness, especially when it comes to the suffering of women and children.

Suffering--thats what gets a whole lot of folks. It is the reason why some have renounced their faith in God. It is the reason why some are angry with God. "Why does God allow so much suffering?" we ask. The Qur'an says : 010.044. Verily God will not deal unjustly with man in aught: It is man that wrongs his own soul. What I don't understand is why do children have to suffer? Everything and everyone is connected. And the social ills that exist in our global community show what we are willing to tolerate.We are responsible for ourselves but also for the welfare of other people. I think that people dont fully realize the power of free will and what it means. And how much responsibility that gives us.

053.039. That man can have nothing but what he strives for053.040. That (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight:

013.011. For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: They guard him by command of God. Verily never will God change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls). But when (once) God willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back, nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.

I talk a lot about eradicating social ills, and the need to do something. But I fear that the energy that I've put into improving my community has been scattered. Its hard for me to focus because there is always a problem, many problems. There is always a plea for help and the implication that nobody cares or is doing enough. I dont think my efforts are focused enough. When I was little I wanted to be a nun, because at the time it seemed like the most profound sacrifice. One could literally dedicate ones life to service. There were no other obligations to work and family. Since then of course, my views have changed, but I still want to realize my purpose in a big way that is in alignment with my faith.

I have been watching Brian Tracy's "The Psychology of Sucess," and I realize that reaching my goals has to be a concentrated and disciplined effort. I have some cousins who have joined the ranks of corporate America. And although I criticize them for working for the man, they will probably be rich, because they have drive and purpose. Too many activists adhere to this notion (as Ive mentioned before) that it is somehow more 'bout it to be umm "not rich." Furthermore, non-profits are notorious for being disorganized and are most often struggling for funds.

What if we took that same zeal that people have for making money in the corporate field and applied it to our activism or even our practice? What do we dedicate our time to really. And what does that say about what we value? What people do rather than what they say is a true reflection of their values and character. Brian Tracey stresses the importance of , being disciplined, accepting responsibility, and stop making excuses. Simple words. Stuff we already knew, but still a challenge for most. Excuses are funny in the sense that even if they are "good" or "valid" they are still excuses. And in the end you are left with your excuses and nothing else.

Please make du'a for the suffering children in the world.

Keep the faith

2005-11-14T00:06:00.000-05:00

sometimes news of terrorism and brutal violence against women and children (in the Muslim community especially) makes me extremely unsettled. as a Muslim struggling for peace, it is the ultimate test of my faith. i pray that i dont internalize the insanity of the world--its lack of spiritual soundness/insight . . . hysteria. i am tired of the secular media's oversimplified depictions of world issues. the media/government doesnt care that people dont operate within socially constructed dichotomies. Islam is a state of submission. it is more so a verb than a noun. "Islamic terrorism" says nothing about a person's intentions, history, desire for truth, or spiritual state. it is taken for granted that it is generally understood that the Ku Klux Klan for example, promotes a distorted interpretation of Christianity.

i am tired of Muslims feeling like they have to explain the socio-historical roots of the "Muslim world's" supposed insanity,repressed rage, and anguish. because sometimes in all of our defensiveness, we deny the truth. is the homogeneous West always to blame? is everything bad that happens the result of some Jewish conspiracy? where does personal responsibility come into play? sometimes when oppressed people are so worried about their image or the fact that they have been oppressed by "the other" they protect even the poison. the most important thing i have learned at spelman is the concept of interlocking systems of oppression: race, class, gender, etc. it is imperative that we look at oppression holistically. if truth really is our concern, we'd be willing to engage in an uncomfortable dialogue/debate about power, hypocrisy, and sin among other things.

i am becoming increasingly aware of how complex this world is. originally i thought that the worlds problems would be well defined and predictable. if you are fighting against "white" oppression, you dont expect your black brother to beat you, and implement a divisive class system once "the revolution" has been won. if you are defending the Ummah against oppression you dont expect your Muslim brother to subjugate you in the name of "pure Islam." who is the enemy really? and what are we defending? we know from Qur'an that good and evil lie outside our neat categories. Christian, Jew, Buddhist are labels that dont speak to one's true intentions and submission. i am comforted by the clarity of the Qur'an. problems arise when i dont focus on Qur'an or stay in prayer. one can easily get distracted by what other people are doing. Islam is a different kind of religion. it doesnt promise that everyone will get it. Allah guides whom he pleases. im still not understanding that yet. i thought that everyone was supposed to be convinced of the truth and be transformed by it. i dont understand how someone can have the truth in their hands and be inspired to commit such evil. adherence to truth should produce good right? are we reading the same book! is it really a matter of interpretation when it is so clear. if we all really desired truth, would we essentially come to the same conclusions? sociological analyses wont suffice alone. this is not just a matter of hermeneutics. in my efforts to understand, contain, and feel safe i oversimplified the matter.

the idol is nolonger the mute statue but the ego, ones own caprice, greed, misogyny and arrogance. shaytan is tricky like that. we are so busy burning the physical image. so busy covering every part of our body in attempts to be modest, forgetting that our ego makes us feel"holier than thou" or "better than." this is the messy stuff not everyone will see. and those who dont care, will exploit our mess for the purpose of discrediting the truth. what is their intention? why do Islam-haters infiltrate Muslim blogs, forums, and the like for the sole purpose of attacking and discrediting Islam? what do they expect to do? do they wish to inspire doubt into the minds of believers. for what purpose? we arent all ignorant, intolerant, and naive like they assume. but an unbeliever can never understand the world view of the believer. carnal verses spiritual insight differ greatly, and when you try to over-intellectualize spiritual matters you will fail, always going in circles. there will always be a "yeah but." always a good point. but no solution. thats the limit of human intellect, which is easily impressed with itself despite its own limitations. the world doesnt understand that. they bring "Islamic experts" to explain the current state of the "Muslim world." their Ph.D. in Religious/Islamic studies and study abroad to Morocco is supposed to give them an in depth understanding of Islam (submission to Allah) and Muslim (one who submits to Allah). they are supposed to simplify the complexity of culture, war, and religious diversity within a 15 minute segment on tv. the public leaves thinking that they at least have a general understanding of the issue and can therefore be more at peace.

i feel a sense of insecurity among the Muslim community as well. do we really believe ourselves? does Islam need to be protected in that way, or are we really protecting something else? this constant deflecting cant be healthy. God just is.

Jesus (PBUH) to my understanding came to address a society steeped in empty and excessive religious formalism which lacked love and spirituality. people--particularly religious elites were abusing the law. and still in this day in age we need to be reminded of whats important. Qur'an warns us not to make the same mistakes as those misguided people in the past.

i pay a lot of attention to the evangelical movement. and as much as some folk are bothered by christian missionaries proselytizing to Muslims in particular, i will say that i think they are appealing to this notion of grace that they feel Islam is lacking. "you dont have to follow all of these empty laws in order to win God's love. Jesus died for you. come as you are." imagine coming from a society that is supposedly Muslim and steeped in not only corruption but overbearing regulations. i have heard former Muslim Christian converts claim that they felt no closeness to God in Islam. a "personal relationship" with Christ was seemingly more spiritually fulfilling. i feel like Muslims need to understand this, whether they agree or not. religion is a business and people are hurting.

and this gets me to questioning. what are people's intentions. we will never know. what are the finer points of God's judgment. do people think that they are guided but are deceived? how are people supposed to see truth in the midst of confusion, hurt, and corruption. there is a lot of innovation that arises from "reactive religion" that responds to hypocrisy and corruption by going to the opposite extreme. religion is too often defined by (corrupt) people and not by scripture. it doesnt seem fair that some people are able to see through the muck, and others cant. the deceptions are crafty and unexpected and one must maintain taqwa at all times. i am realizing more and more the importance of guarding your heart and actions. it really is that serious. one brother last jumah said that we need to be meticulous about our faith. such simple words, but when you think of your life in terms of the day of judgment--having to account for everything one has done, it is that serious. do we really believe. or is this just a philosophy for us. do we really believe? how do our actions and mindset reflect this?

003.186. Ye shall certainly be tried and tested in your possessions and in your personal selves; and ye shall certainly Hear much that will grieve you, from those who received the Book before you and from those who worship many gods. But if ye persevere patiently, and guard against evil,-then that will be a determining factor in all affairs.

005.048. To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;

005.077. Say: "O people of the Book! exceed not in your religion the bounds (of what is proper), trespassing beyond the truth, nor follow the vain desires of people who went wrong in times gone by,- who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the even way.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to." Matthew 23:13

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." Mathew 23:15

004.113. But for the Grace of God to thee and his Mercy, a party of them would certainly have plotted to lead thee astray. But (in fact) they will only Lead their own souls astray, and to thee they can do no harm in the least. For God hath sent down to thee the Book and wisdom and taught thee what thou Knewest not (before): And great is the Grace of God unto thee.

Thoughts and news on France

2005-11-10T15:52:00.000-05:00

avari/nameh Even the French Hate the French
a fistful of euros France: Some Perspectives
prof. Kim's news notes Why Paris is Burning: A Broken Social Contract
Tariq RAMADAN The Entire Political Class in France is Wrong
Christian Science Monitor Deep roots of Paris Riots
Znet Why is France Burning?
The Nation France, Racism and the Left
black looks Mort pour rien - Dead for nothing
Global Research French Ghettos, Police Violence and Racism
Islam Online French Unrest Sends Shockwaves Across Europe
Islam Online Poverty, Racism Blamed for French Riots

005.008. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

"You are making monters out of us; your humanism wants us to be universal and your racist practices are differentiating us."--Jean-Paul Sartre: Preface of The Wretched of the Earth

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:27-28

Letter to Sister Mukhtar Mai

2005-11-08T01:48:00.000-05:00

Assalamualaykum Sister Mukhtar Mai,
I send this letter in the spirit of peace, solidarity, and love for the sake of Allah. I recognize you as an incredibly brave woman who is courageously upholding the Islamic principle of justice, despite intense and dangerous opposition. You are an inspiration and I pledge my support to you and your cause. I pray insha’Allah that your spirit overcomes this horrible tragedy. Know that there are people: men, women, children, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Pakistanis, U.S. Americans, and others that support and love you. Please know that you are Allah's creation. Do not give power to the cowards that hurt you. All power belongs to Allah. You are whole and complete as you are despite what culture might dictate. Please “keep your head up” as we say—that is have faith in Allah and confidence in yourself. You are not “tainted” nor are you “dirty” and it is not your fault. Insha’Allah you will serve as the conscience of Pakistan and the world. Unfortunately it is hard for women everywhere. But ahamdulilah you are making things a little easier. May Allah bless you for your efforts.

Sincerely Your sister in Islam

http://www.muslimarights.org/mukhtarmaiappeal.htm
005.008. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all that ye do.

Real Faith (in action)

2005-11-05T14:24:00.000-05:00

"And that wasn't the end of it. There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence, were something weak and helpless. These people walk by a widow deformed by leprosy begging for a few paise, walk by children dressed in rags living in the street, and they think, "Business as usual." But if they perceive a slight against God, it is a different story. Their faces go red, their chests heave mightily, they sputter angry words. The degree of their indignation is astonishing. Their resolve is frightening. These people fail to realize that it is on the inside that God must be defended, not on the outside. They should direct the anger at themselves. For evil in the open is but evil from within that has been let out. The main battlefield for good is not the open ground of the public arena but the small clearing of the heart. Meanwhile, the lot of widows and homeless children is very hard, and it is to their defense, not God's, that self righteousness should rush." Yann Martel--Life of Pi

002.177. It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the God-fearing.

Mr. Intentional

2005-11-03T12:29:00.000-05:00

"We give rise to ego, by being insecure/The advice that we go, desperatly searching for/The subconscious effort, to support our paramour/To engage in denial, to admit we're immature/Validating lies, Mr. Intentional/Open up yours eyes, Mr. Intentional"-Lauryn Hill--Mr. Intentional

Collateral damage

2005-11-03T12:11:00.000-05:00

"There will never be any real progress in ending this terror war, until we realize that we have all become collateral damage, unacceptable collateral damage. That being the case, there is no they or we in this affair. We are they and they are we. When a child in New York never sees his mother again because she was crushed in a collapsed tower at the World Trade Center, we all have suffered an irreplaceable loss. When an impoverished family in Afghanistan is bombed from the face of the Earth by a misguided missile, something of our collective humanity is destroyed by the blast. When a child in Iraq is born with gross birth defects due to his mother’s exposure to depleted uranium, we have all been deformed. When London commuters fear ever again entering the underground, because of the ill-advised actions of a handful of desperate fanatics, their insecurity touches us all.”--Imam Zaid Shakir--USA