British Blogger, Desi Dreamer, Mad Muslimah
// December 10th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Blog
This short transcript of a debate in the House of Lords, titled, “Community Relations: Muslims” is worth a read. The fact that such a matter is being discussed openly, at high levels, says a lot in itself.
Some highlights:
// November 14th, 2008 // 8 Comments » // Blog
I assigned myself the somewhat derogatory title of “The Leech” during my PhD years, when I noticed a potentially annoying personal behaviour.
When faced with a problem, I used one of two 'extreme' paths in my search for a solution.
Where I suspected that I knew enough to fix the problem myself, I was very secretive, independent, and head strong. Even if someone offered me advice (though it would not have been requested), I'd politely listen to them, but in my head I was thinking:
“Yeah, yeah, I already knew that.
“No, that won't work.
“Please, just let me get on with it!”.
I think it had something to do with trying to 'prove' myself; either to my supervisors, or just as an ego rush. This behaviour lead to me wasting six months on an experiment, that never yielded any results. I kept repeating and repeating the assay, and I would report my work regularly, but I never actually thought to sit down and talk to someone about why I was failing so consistently; I was that determined to solve the problem myself.
One supervisor openly chastised me for this, and I think the embarrassment from that experience, combined with the frustration of having clearly wasted so much time, caused me to swing the other way completely. Thus, 'the Leech' was born.
Now, every time I had a problem, even a tiny one, I would seek human intervention. It didn't matter whether there were manuals written on the subject, or in-depth how-tos posted online; I still needed reassurance from someone more experienced in that field, to make sure that I didn't mess up to that extent again. I am surprised no-one ran away from me in the hall ways, screaming:
“Noooo… I have given all I have to give! You have sucked my brain dryyyy!”.
// November 7th, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Blog
Copy and pasted from Londonistan Islamic Events and Notices, Week Beginning Friday 7th November 2008
CAMPAIGN TO STOP HAJJ AGENTS RIPPING US OFF
For years many of the 'agents' who take us for Hajj and Umrah have been taking advantage of our uncertainty and apprehension. But now it's time to stop them from profiteering from us. Many people have to save for years if not a lifetime to go on this once in a lifetime journey, and yet the agents just seem to want to squeeze us for more and more.
This year in particular, even though the dates for Hajj fall outside the peak Christmas travel period, most operators are charging over £800 per flight. Yes, that's over £800 of our hard earned money for flights which they have most certainly blocked off months in advance when the prices were quoted at £450 or similar for the same airline earlier in the summer. The Hajj operators know how many people they will be taking, they know when they will be taking them, and it just seems very strange that they all quote the same fares.
We are not against people making a profit but what we do stand against is profiteering at the expense of poor Muslims who are in a vulnerable position. We are looking for people to support our campaign by providing details of the extortionate airfares they have been quoted together with dates of travel and airline. The information will be collated and examined and then referred for investigation by the appropriate authorities. If you are a member of your own e-group feel free to pass this information amongst your friends. If we do not take a stand now the prices will keep going up higher and higher until many are unable to make the Hajj.
For further information please e-mail: hajjripoff[at]hotmail.co.uk
// October 31st, 2008 // 10 Comments » // Blog
The comment exchange on my very short MM post regarding the Global Peace & Unity event 2008 is a clear illustration of the exact reason why the organizers need to stop using music.
Sadly, not because of its impermissibility… or even because I may have lost a good percentage of my hearing over the weekend… seriously, what were the sound engineers thinking by putting the volume so loud?
No, because the issue of music – and how ridiculous is it that it has this ability? – divides the Ummah clean in two. In fact, if I am subjected to one more “Is music permissible in Islam?” debate, I may hurt someone.
Dear GPU people: if you are really all about the unity, you need to stop using music… so we can have some flippin' peace!
Else, you may want to seriously think about a name change.
May Allāh help me; that this of all things should be placed on my priority to-do list. Sigh…
// October 30th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Blog
May Allāh bless Imam Webb, and make him better, and better, and better, and have a long life! Āmīn. And may He give us many more of his kind. In fact, may He make *us* the Imam Webbs of our own communities. Āmīn thumma āmīn!
So, what's your idea(s) for making your Islam more socially relevant? Write them in the comments. Be anonymous if you wish; let's get those brains working! No point being inspired, if we don't use the inspiration, right?
Then let us help each other to translate those ideas into action, inshā’Allāh.
// October 28th, 2008 // 21 Comments » // Blog
After a disastrous first day at the GPU 2008, I have to say, Sunday was a only, oh… a million times better! Alhamdulillah.
If you were at the GPU yesterday, and spotted a mad sister interviewing some “strange” people on camera – that was me! I can't say too much, mainly because I want to save the juicy details for the article I plan to write, inshā’Allāh.
I took photos, and also met some interesting folks, including a couple of the MM shuyukh (link to my MM article to be inserted here within 24 hours, inshā’Allāh now LIVE).
I have to say, although the Islam Expo 2008 was so much more fun, in so many more ways, I did learn just as many lessons from my GPU experience, both from a professional and personal perspective.
Professional lessons
// October 25th, 2008 // 5 Comments » // Blog
Islam Expo 2008: no media pass, no contacts, pretty much no clue! Yet a whole lot of fun and productivity.
GPU 2008: press passes, media contacts, insider shayookh, great equipment, simply: everything you'd need to rock this joint. Yet I have spent most of the day sat around waiting to be called for interviews that don't transpire. I have to say, this really is the definition of “anti-climax”.
I wonder: is my intention off?
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Read the update to this post: GPU 2008: A Follow Up
// October 14th, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Blog
Jazakallah khair brother Yusuf (not Hamza Yusuf; though thanks to him too!). I really needed this.
// October 13th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Blog
Because another wonderful, Muslim male has been snapped up, off the market – Alhamdulillah! More specifically, my fellow Ijtema editor, and dearest bro in Islam, Faraz bhai.
Let us join together in offering our sincerest congratulations and prayers to the new, and inshā’Allāh, happily-ever-after, couple!
Not here, silly… on his blog. {grins}
// October 9th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Blog
The Brass Crescent Awards are here again. I'm not sure who to nominate, except of course…
BEST GROUP BLOG: MuslimMatters.org!
We received a 'special mention' or something last year, but this year we must win, inshā’Allāh. New look, new writers, new competitions – a whole new MM!
Ijtema.net is not really a group 'blog', plus we have our own plans for blogosphere domination, inshā’Allāh. So I'd rather peeps nominate MM (if you even care about my opinion, that is!).
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They have a BEST FEMALE BLOG category, which I think my dearest sister, Organica (previously known as Organic Muslimah) should totally win. Vote Organica!
But the description for that category irks me somewhat:
! Announcement !
