Islam

Islam Misunderstood

mdmuslim — Fri, 27 May 2016 19:25:21 GMT

Originally posted by mdmuslim at Islam Misunderstood

Today Islam is misunderstood in Western Nations to the point that it is seen as a religion of bloodshed, war and inequality. But, why and who is to blame? the Media? Muslims? Leaders? Allah? You? What if we all play a role?

First, i'll begin by trying to answer the question: why is an idea or a thing misunderstood in the first place? There are many reasons for misunderstanding. One is misrepresentation of the idea or thing, by someone with ulterior motives. A second reason might be because of lack of research by the person or people discussing the idea or thing due to ignorance and laziness. Another reason might be a simple misinterpretation or lack of complete understanding of the idea or thing by the person learning about it. Anything that is misunderstood can be traced down to these three reasons.

Islam is the victim of all these criteria.
Its misunderstanding is first and mostly attributed to The Muslim. The Muslim who misinterprets the Quran. The Muslim who doesn't attempt to understand the Quran. The Muslim who doesn't stand up against the radical Muslim. The Muslim who doesn't find peace in the quran, “There is no compulsion where the religion is concerned” (Quran 2:256). The Muslim who does not practice tolerance. The Muslim who thinks he is superior because he practices Islam. The Muslim who imposes his religion on others. The Muslim who does not spread peace.

Its misunderstanding is to be attributed to the media, which doggedly shows a negative perception of Islam. The media that portrays a very minority of terrorists as a majority in the religion. The media which does not portray the Muslims who try to spread peace and the true teachings of Islam, "Love for all hatred for none." (http://www.muslimsforlife.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGAMK0kjT5Y). The media who does not do its research to find and learn the true teachings of Islam. The media who has its own agenda and not the agenda for the community.

Its misunderstanding is attributed to the leaders who interpret and teach Islam with wrong intentions. With intentions that solely benefit them. With intentions to gain power and wealth. With intentions to mislead and hurt others.

Its misunderstanding is attributed to the viewers and to the ignorant who blindly believe what the see in the media.

Allah has simply provided us the laws and rules to follow in the Quran. Interpret the Quran with peace, love and harmony in MIND.

Cranky Muslimah tells it like it is.

crown_of_ice — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 07:42:46 GMT

Dear Mona Eltahawy,

Salaam,

You don't know me, and I don't know you, but golly you sure seem to think you do. Look, let's be real with one another for a few minutes. No posturing, no hyperbole, no judgement, let's talk as sisters not only in faith but simply as women. Just two grown up women having an overdue discussion. You seem to have a great many opinions on how I should be allowed to dress, the life I should want to lead and the things that I should want. I'm not exactly sure where you got the idea that I needed someone to speak for me or tell me what to do but somewhere along the way I think you forgot something important.

Being free means being free to make my own choices. Even if those choices are something you don't approve of or indeed, something you find personally abhorrent. You choose not to wear Hijab, in any sense of the word. Okay, that is your decision to make. Do you, it's not my problem and frankly I couldn't give a fiddlers fart in a windstorm about what you choose to do with your life or your faith. Your religion is between you and God. In the end, when all things are said and done and our time on this earth has flown away, we stand alone and naked before the one who made us, clothed only in those acts of kindness and piety which we have performed in our time here on earth.

On that day there can be no excuses, no untruths, no prevarications, we are weighed and measured and can only hope not to be found wanting. When that day comes for me I want to be able to stand there before he who made me and say, look. Look at this woman that you have created, at this soul that you have fashioned in your infinite wisdom and have held like a pearl in your great hand. She has remembered you. She has tried to be kind, to be patient. She is not perfect but she loves you with an open and honest heart. She has tried, even if she has not always succeeded.

That is what I want, but the path to reach it is long and frustrating, and difficult to navigate. Yet, that path is mine to choose. I'm not married, I didn't choose Islam because I married a Muslim man. Or because I was born into a Muslim family. I didn't choose it to be cool or trendy or avant garde. I chose Islam because I was on my knees alone in the dark and there was nothing left in me but sorrow. When all hope had slipped away like sand through my fingers ....there in the dark I found a tiny flicker of light. It was small, as fragile as a butterflies wings...but it was there and I might never have seen it if my mettle had not been tested by the fire of life. Slowly , inch by inch I nurtured that flame as best as I could. I made mistakes along the way, I'm human. Of course I did. I lost patience, I let the world around me pull me away from that light, but each time I fought my way back. Along the way, I found things that gave me comfort. Small things to be sure, but precious to me none the less. The day I put on hijab was the first time in my entire life that I was satisfied with the woman looking back at me from my mirror.

My body is mine. Mine to expose or conceal as I deem appropriate, what I choose to do or wear is choice alone to make. Look at me, oh my sister and understand that my decisions are only mine and while you chose a different path, this one was the one that called to me. My path to Jannah is mine to walk. You're not doing me any favors by trying to shame me for simply choosing a different life than yourself. You say my veil and abaya are oppression. Perhaps they are for you, but for me they are peace, they are joy, they are comfort in the dark. They are a reminder that I am loved. That I am precious to he who made me. That my worth is not measured by how fair my face or body is, but for the content of my character. Stop making up my mind for me. Stop speaking for me, I have a voice of my own, thank you and I will use it when I see fit to do so. Not an instant before. By judging me you only prove yourself to be a hypocrite. You say you are for women's rights, yet you're trying to take mine away from me..how's that for irony. Just stop it, because you do not speak for me. You will never speak for me. If you want to do something sensible about women's rights, try fighting for us to simply have the right to choose what path we take, no matter which one it is.

You have to stop trying to manage other people's religion. It will only end in tears eventually. I'm not stupid, nor am I guided/oppressed/controlled by anybody but myself. Every religion has its fruitcakes. I love the works of Allah's hands but I totally admit that his fanclub can get crazier than a thirteen year old girl at a Justin Beiber concert. Anyway, just...think about it. If my veil makes me happy, who are you to take that away from me? If it comforts me and gives me peace who are you to judge me?

I wish you the best, my sister. I truly hope you find whatever it is in life that brings you joy. I found mine, and though it was a long time coming it was worth it in the end. Look at me, my sister, just look past your own expectations and distaste for what I wear for a moment and see me for who I am... instead of as a cause to be championed.

Sincerely,

A Cranky Muslimah.

Kenya

destroycreate — Thu, 26 Sep 2013 09:23:09 GMT

Why don't more so-called "moderate Muslims" condemn terrorist attacks that basically have Islam at their root. Yes, extremists manipulate the wording from the Qu'ran, but the concept of Jihad didn't come from nowhere.

I've noticed every time there's terrible events in the world caused my muslim extremists, so-called "moderate Muslims" stay silent. They aren't marching down the streets advocating gay marriage, equal women's rights, or protesting these crazy terrorists. Just silence.

Why is this? It's disappointing.

Ramadhan/Ramadan

pepsquad — Tue, 09 Jul 2013 20:40:24 GMT

I hope your Ramadan is going well. I recently found this (html hates me today not sure why:http://www.listen2quran.com/default.aspx ) recitation of the Qur'an I find very soothing while i do my online grading work. thought I would share.

I received some flack on my facebook feed from a friend who freaked when i mentioned Ramadan, ignorance like that makes me so tired sometimes.

A few questions

hakucho_cygnus — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 19:22:34 GMT

because I'm strange like that. Actually, I have a hunch that others have been wondering the same things.

1) Do animals go to heaven, even if they're man-eaters or kill out of malice (some actually do - it's thought that crocodiles do this, for once). Some of us have lost beloved pets, and it would hurt to believe that they won't go to either heaven or hell, which a number of Muslims say happens to animals after they die.

2) Which pharaoh was it who met the prophet Joseph and asked him for help with interpreting his dreams?

3) Which pharaoh was it who was so evil during the time of Moses, that he set his own wife to death for monotheism?

An important petition to help save our brothers and sisters in Burma!

inkedfeathers — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 19:45:58 GMT

Asallamu 'alaikum wa rahmatulLahi wa barakatuh

Regarding the ongoing racial cleansing/genocide of the Muslim minority of Burma, they're making another petition to urge EU leaders to press the issue when the Burmese president visits. Please sign it! There are no graphic images on the page and only nondescript mentions of some of the cruel acts to the right— you don't have to read it if it will disturb/upset you, just please sign it!

Remember to keep our struggling brothers and sisters in Burma, Syria, Yemen, Masr, and everywhere else in the world in your du'a. May Allah keep them steadfast and save them from further harm, bring them victory over oppression, and spare the innocent and the children of all this suffering.

The invitation to the community islam_eu

ibra_inger — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:57:47 GMT

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim!

Dear friends, brothers and sisters!

I invite you to join the community islam_eu in which, InshaAllah, will contain articles, photographs and other materials relating to Islam in Northern Europe, as well as the situation of Muslims in all other EU countries, including the regions of the North-Western part of Russia.

The working languages of the community are all Scandinavian languages as well as English and Russian.

WELCOME!

Бисмилляхи ар- Рахмани ар- Рахим, Во имя Всевышнего Бога, Господа Миров, Милостивого и Милосердного!

Дорогие друзья, братья и сёстры!

Приглашаю Вас присоединиться к сообществу islam_eu в котором, ИншаАллах, будут публиковаться статьи, фотографии и другие материалы касающиеся Ислама в Северной Европе, а также положения мусульман во всех других странах Евросоюза, включая регионы Северо-Западной части России.

Рабочими языками сообщества являются все скандинавские языки, а также английский и русский.

Добро Пожаловать!

Muslim Woman Houseshares in London

evasearchin — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 23:57:35 GMT

I'm not sure if this type of post is allowed.
I am looking for a room to let in a house with other Muslim sisters in the London area, or a flat to share with one other Muslim sister in London. I am looking for a long term place.

I've been looking on Gumtree, Muslim roommates and Muslim Ads and have had no luck.

Does anyone on here know of anyone looking for a house mate? Or have any other suggestions on where to look.

Muslims are being killed for their religion and (almost) nobody knows

inkedfeathers — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:16:04 GMT

Please sign this petition to provide help for the persecuted Muslims of Burma! They're being burned alive and chased out of their homes, killed, and driven out of the country with nowhere to go because of their religion alone! And even if they escape the bloodbath, they're denied help.

And the media is virtually silent.

So, it's up to us to sign and spread the word!

ramadan graphics!

ex_faunes — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 04:40:31 GMT

13 icons & 5 banners: HERE @ treesofthewood
post will be public for a while.

Do not be intimidated

zippadeedooda — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:30:21 GMT

Originally posted by zippadeedooda at Do not be intimidated

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem.

Insha'Allah this small note finds you and your family in good health and happy times.

So I was in downtown Seattle today, across the street from Westlake center, taking advantage of the Christmas sales (hey, just 'cause I don't celebrate the holiday doesn't mean I can't enjoy the bargains, alhamdulillah!). They have a little mini-carnival set up there, with a merry-go-round and some fried food stands. I strolled over and stood watching the people on the merry-go-round, since it's one of my favorite rides and the people on it are almost invariably smiling - it's a nice sight to see.

As I'm standing there this security guard comes up to me and asks me what I'm doing there. Given that I'm holding a giant Daiso bag in my hand it's pretty obvious that I've just done some shopping, but I answer him politely anyway 'Just taking advantage of the Christmas sales'. He looks at me skeptically and walks off to talk to another security guard, I go back to watching the merry-go-round (and, I'll admit it, enjoying the smell of the funnel cakes cooking, haha!).

A few minutes later the two security guards come over and ask me what's under my jacket. 'A sweater and a turtleneck'. They step away for more talking, one of them says something into his radio. By this point it's clear they're going to make a thing of my apparently dangerous looking jacket, so I'm watching them now instead of the merry-go-round. The two come back and ask me to take my jacket off. Given that 1) it's 40 degrees and raining and 2) they have absolutely no legal standing to make me do a damn thing, I say 'No'. They then tell me to take my jacket off. I more forcefully reply 'No. What you are doing is illegal. I want to talk to your supervisor.' They inform me that he is already on his way. Interesting. By this time some of the people on the merry-go-round and at the food stands have noticed what's going on and are watching. Especially the little kids, who keep whispering questions to their parents.

Five minutes pass, with me staring at the security guards and them staring right back, then the supervisor shows up. He goes up to the two, they talk, then all three come up to me, with the supervisor in the middle and the two flanking him behind. The supervisor says, in a rather gruff and very loud voice, 'Ma'am, you're not cooperating with us. Either take your jacket off or we will call the police'. Clearly this man is trying to embarrass and intimidate me, the fool. In an even louder voice (and I do admit to taking pride in my theater training, so I can actually project instead of having to shout) I reply 'Do it. If I had a cell phone I would have called them already. What you are doing is illegal. Call them. Now.' I only realize after I'm done talking that I've stepped forward and am nose-to-nose with the supervisor. I can practically feel everyone else watching us.

The security guards just stood there a good two minutes, staring at me, the supervisor trying to maintain a gruff face, though I can see his dismay. He wasn't expecting me to stand up to him. He was expecting the stereotype - a demure, passive, easily bullied little girl. I'm thinking 'Dude, it takes faith to wear the hijab in this country, I'm not going to be cowed the likes of you'. I didn't back down, eventually they said 'Fine, but we're watching you'. I pointed to the people on the merry-go-round, specifically the kids with their wide eyes and confused looks, and said 'Good, because they are watching you'. The security guards just walked off, though true to their word they did watch me for the entire 10 minutes I was there, despite getting several dirty looks from some of the adults in the area who'd overheard what happened.

To my brothers and sisters reading this, do not be discouraged by this story. This is a story of hope, of perseverance, of success. Do not let bullies and oppressors intimidate you, do not let ignorance and bigotry stop you. There is strength in our Ummah, in our Iman, in the Deen, which we can rely on. Every time something like this happens it is not an attack, it is an opportunity from Allah to grow stronger, to gain more understanding, to make dawah.

"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil); but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere." 2:155

"You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if you are patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the matters [worthy] of determination." 3:186

"And with Him are the keys of the Invisible. None but He Knoweth them. And He Knoweth what is in the land and the sea. Not a leaf falleth but He Knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record." 6.59

"Do men think that they will be left alone on saying “We believe” and that they will not be tested?" 29:2

"Anyone for whom Allah intends good, He makes him suffer from some affliction." Bukhari

"When Allah intends good for His slave, He punishes him in this world, but when He intends an evil for His slave, He does not hasten to take him to task but calls him to account on the Day of Resurrection." Tirmidhi

Anything good here is from Allah, anything bad is my own mistake. Allahu alim - God knows best.

Tired

zippadeedooda — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 06:49:34 GMT

Originally posted by zippadeedooda at Tired

Subhan'Allah, I’m tired of being the one that people come to when something happens, to ask why. When a bomb goes off. Why? When politics become harsh. Why? When a woman dies. Why? When a religious leader is corrupt. Why? I’m tired of being expected to explain motives that I can’t even begin to understand, that don’t even match with what we’re taught. Why? Why? Why? Most of all, I’m tired of being asked only about the bad things. There are so many good things that just go ignored, and when I bring them up I’m accused of self-promotion, or taqiyya. Of course we’re self-promoting, no one else is going to defend us. And if I say we’re all human, some of us are flawed more than others, I’m accused of being apologist, or dodging "responsibility", or some other inane, bleating, clinging attempt to turn me into a scapegoat for someone elses’ sin. Nevermind that everyone else is allowed to be human.

Believers, uphold justice. Always bear true witness, even if it be against yourself, your parents, or your relatives—and regardless of whether the person against whom you are speaking is rich or poor. God is close to people regardless of their material circumstances. Do not be led by emotion, as this may cause you to swerve from the truth. If you distort your testimony, or refuse to testify, remember that God is aware of all your actions. (4:135)

If then they run away, We have not sent thee as a guard over them. Thy duty is but to convey (the Message). (42:48)

“Help your brother whether he is an oppressor or an oppressed person”, said the Prophet. A companion asked: “Messenger of Allah, I will help him if he is an oppressed person, but please tell me how I am to help if he happens to be an oppressor”. The Prophet answered: “Check him from doing injustice, because preventing him from committing aggression is a help to him”. (Ibn Malik)

world_beliefs — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 04:18:38 GMT

Hi! I'd like to invite you to complete a survey of beliefs about the world, which I'm conducting as part of my doctoral research in psychology at the University of Oregon.

I'm especially looking for people who have strong opinions about our role in the world, as citizens and as human beings. All responses are welcome.

To participate in the survey or receive more information about it, click here: World Beliefs Survey.

This link will take you to the Qualtrics survey site, where you will read a statement of informed consent that will explain the survey and your rights as a study participant. If you decide to complete the survey, it will take you about 20 minutes to answer the questions. Your participation would be completely anonymous.

If you have any questions about the research or about your potential participation, please contact me, Laura Akers (Lakers1-at-uoregon.edu), or my advisor, Dr. Gerard Saucier (gsaucier-at-uoregon.edu). You are also welcome to post a comment on my world_beliefs account, anonymously if you wish.

If you'd like to learn more about the purpose of the study, or its findings, I'll be sharing that information after I've finished collecting data. You can get updates either by “friending” this LiveJournal account, or by “liking” the survey on Facebook, here: World Beliefs Survey Facebook page.

Based on the feedback of people who have completed the survey, I’d also like to add that (a) religion is not the primary focus of the survey, and (b) if you agree with only part of complex statement, then please indicate that you do not entirely agree with it.

So far, most of the people who have taken the survey are undergraduates at my university. They’re generally moderate liberals, from the United States, age 18-22. Although their input is valuable, I doubt that they represent the breadth of important perspectives and experiences that play such an important part in today’s political discussions. I am sure that members of this community could help.

Thank you very much!

A burning question

chobitschii — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 06:23:07 GMT

Assalamualaikum and hello everybody. This is Diyana from Malaysia. Lately, I've stumbled upon a few articles how do guys detect whether a girl is still a virgin or not by just looking at her. For example, bouncing breasts when running, sagging buttocks, fine lines and dark circles on the eyes and when you press a girl's heel and if it doesn't bounce back that means that the girl is not a virgin. Is this true?

There are many sites where such articles are posted but they're in Malay language.

For example:

http://iamapat.blogspot.com/2010/06/petua-melihat-si-dara.html

This has been in my mind for a while. I've consulted my brother who is well-verse in Islam and he told me that it's rubbish. However, most Malay men (and women) tend to believe those articles saying that only the wise are able to see those signs. So, is this true?

Thank you :)

cla22ire — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:39:29 GMT

Hi eveyone
How r u ? hope u ok

I have an Eid booklet in Arabic & English which was designed in a beautiful way
to make read and enjoy it :D

Download : @cla22ire

Call home for Eid

hushdawg — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:49:40 GMT

Salaam Alaikum,

We are now in the last half of Ramadan and Eid is rapidly approaching. Many times this is the only chance we have to talk to loved ones in other countries.

VoIP telecommunications solutions have been growing every year for quite some time and are an affordable way to talk internationally.

My recommendation is to use MOBIP from BiP Networks.
It works on 3G/4G and WiFi networks (hence doesn't use your airtime or data plan on WiFi)
It will install on iPhone, Android, Nokia Symbian touchscreen phones and Windows Mobile 5&6
There is a one-time charge for purchasing the application but no monthly fee or call connection fee.
The minute rates are very low.
Calls from one MOBIP device to another are completely free and unlimited.

Review more information at http://www.mymobip.net

Depends?

hushdawg — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 01:48:22 GMT

Do you know if there is any fatwa or discussion about wearing adult diapers to the mosque? I think wearing adult diapers should be okay as long as the wearer changes and performs wudu after every significant accident. A tiny leak shouldn't matter if there is no odor. What do you think?

PS: I'm not asking for myself. My bladder is totally halal. Ha!

krazykat88 — Tue, 10 May 2011 02:41:58 GMT

I've been researching (? I guess researching is the right word. :) ) Islam on my own, on-and-off for a while, and many aspects of it appeal to me (it seems, in many ways, more logical than Christianity, if that makes sense. Every time I've started to research it before, I've stopped as soon as its started making sense - I think in some ways, finding a religion that "fits me" would be just as scary as not. if that makes sense, I'm rambling.

I've thought about actually talking to a person, like at the local mosque - but I always get frightened - I'm worried that instead of sounding curious, I'll end up sounding like an idiot - so whats the best way to approach someone?
Lastly, does anyone have any book/internet resource suggestions? bonus if they've got to do with women's equality, and/or are written/by/for/about North American converts.

ETA - because I forgot a couple of questions
Music - some people say its allowed, some say its not - as someone who relaxes with a book, coffee, and some iTunes, I'm curious
Alcohol - I know you can't drink the stuff, but what about being places where its served (ie, a pub, or if you're at a festival that has a beer tent)

The Ever-Loving [The most beautiful names of Allah]

lecter_h — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:22:33 GMT

Do you worship Allah for his own sake? Or for the sake of heaven? الشعراوي Al-Sha'rawy

lecter_h — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 18:18:59 GMT

Japanese-Americans Condemn Anti-Muslim House Hearings as “Sinister”

happyhijabi — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:25:06 GMT

From the article:
“I’ll be damned if I’m going to stay quiet and not say something,” Honda said in an interview this week. “We have to show people that as Americans, we’re not going to put up with this kind of nonsense.”

Although the y...oungest who were interned are in their late 60s, Japanese Americans remember what it means to be targeted during wartime because of their nationality.

After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered that all ethnic Japanese along the Pacific Coast be sent to one of 10 isolated internment camps in seven states. Of those imprisoned, 62 percent were second- or third-generation Japanese Americans born in the United States. Most lost their property to the government.

In 1988, Congress approved legislation that apologized and distributed $1.6 billion in reparations, blaming the roundup on “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”

It was the memory of the camps that led the Japanese to reach out to their Muslim counterparts, said Kathy Masaoka, a high school teacher who co-chairs the Los Angeles chapter of Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress.

“It dawned on us that this is really something that could escalate among Muslims, the same things our parents faced,” she said. “They were being scapegoated.”

http://www.islamophobiatoday.com/2011/03/10/japanese-americans-condemn-anti-muslim-house-hearings-as-%E2%80%9Csinister%E2%80%9D/

Tafseer of Al-Samad - Nouman Ali Khan

lecter_h — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:35:38 GMT

Open Letter to my Congressmen

hushdawg — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:50:30 GMT

I pray that this letter reaches you in the best of health.
I lived in North Carolina for 30 of my 35 years. Spending only a few years in Chicago, IL and now currently residing out of the country. My parents still live in NC and I fully intend on moving back there when I return with my wife and child.

Unfortunately over the past few years there has been a growing surge of bigotry which makes me fear for the safety of my wife and young daughter.

You see, in 1999 I converted to Islam along with my parents (both veterans of the USAF and NCANG having served during Vietnam and both Gulf wars). For many people in America now that makes us enemies and quite frankly that scares me.

I tell my wife that she doesn't need to be afraid because in the US we have laws that guarantee our rights and that bigots who threaten to kill Muslims and immigrants are in the minority and shouldn't be paid any attention.

Then I read about congressmen and other elected officials participating in anti-Muslim rallies and saying things like: “I know quite a few marines who will be willing to help these terrorists to an early meeting in paradise” in reference to American citizens attending a fundraising dinner in Southern California to help the homeless.
By the way, that was Republican Councilwoman Deborah Pauly but the rally was also attended by Congressmen Gary Miller and Ed Royce who participated in their own brand of hate-speech against Muslims.

I know that I don't have to remind you of the first amendment of the constitution which you have sworn to uphold as an elected official. However I want to cite this passage from our state constitution (which echoes passages in state constitutions across the USA) as it more succinctly describes what Freedom of Religion is all about:
"Section 13: Religious Liberty - All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience."

Almighty God is a sovereign title for the creator that we Muslims hold very dear, which is why we refer to him as "Allah" rather than "god". You see the name of "Allah" is actually an Arabic title for God indicating "THE" God which exists above all else. So in reality "Allah" is an Arabic form of "Almighty God".

I ask you to defend and uphold our civil rights to worship the Almighty God as our consciences guide us. I ask you to remind your fellow Congressmen and women that as elected officials their words imply much deeper meanings than individual thoughts, to those who rally behind events like the one in Southern California, their words give permission to assault and fight against other Americans who are exercising their civil rights.

Secondly, I ask you to spread the word that anti-Shariah laws will not be tolerated.
Why?
Because Shariah law is not the boogeyman that it is made out to be. Shariah law does not supersede the secular law of the land for Muslim-Americans.
What Shariah law does for us is define the way that we live our lives within the religion of Islam. It describes for us how we pray, conduct business, marry, divorce, divide property in our wills... it is a social and ethical code of conduct. To ban it would be in effect to ban the free exercise of religion entirely.

It frightens me that I left NC to come to the Philippines and live with my wife in 2007 and that now I sincerely fear returning to my beloved home. I have nightmares of my wife and 10-month old daughter being beaten to death on the street by anti-Muslim mobs.

Your fellow congressmen have added fuel to the bigoted fires of these anti-Muslim mobs by giving them legitimacy.

Hate should never have legitimacy in America.

Please tell me there is still a land of the free and home of the brave for me to return to and raise my daughter in.

Sincerely,
Duston Barto
Patriot and Muslim

cc: Representative Patrick McHenry, Senators Kay Hagan and Richard Burr

Anti-Sharia movement

hushdawg — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 12:13:01 GMT

So how many of you have seen the flurry of laws set to make Shariah law illegal in certain states?

What do you think the proper response should be of Muslim-Americans?

What specifically would you encourage your own community to do?

Do you think CAIR is the proper organization to tackle this issue or do you have another on mind or perhaps a grassroots movement?

Discuss!

So I'm kind of curious (question for women/feminists of either gender)

krazykat88 — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:37:43 GMT

I've got a question, I suppose its kind of directed at women/female converts who identify/identified as feminist.
I have been curious about Islam on and off for a few years, and I find many aspects appealing -(and not just what I;ve written here, theres a couple things I can't really explain well)
-covering and modesty- I'm always somewhat icked out by the "positive" (LOL) attention I get from men who stare at my breasts when I'm talking (and this is when I'm wearing jeans and a zip up hoodie.)
- (correct me if I'm wrong on this) Jesus being a prophet, but not the son of God. never really understood how God could have a child....this has been my fundemental problem with Christianity

However, I run into problems in some areas. Like, I'm a pro-choice, pro-LGBT rights feminist. AFAIK, these kind of views don't really...uh. mesh. (except the feminism one).. So uh. is anyone else here pro-reproductive rights/LGBT rights? - (edit) do you find there is a contradiction?
(ETA - for what its worth - my own thoughts on abortion/sexuality issues is that it is between that individual and their concious/God/whatever their belief system is. but then again, If I currently had to label my spiritual beliefs, they would be agnostic)