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Rabi' al-Awwal 2 ,1435/January 4, 2014 # 1
Canadian Bosnian researcher responds to Weisenthal Center's
denial of Serebernica Genocide.. V. Important.
Scroll way down.
A young American woman's journey to Islam. A delightful,
inspiring story.
Scroll to the end.
Breaking News: Bangladesh
On January 5, an election farce will be enacted in
Bangladesh. Both the Nationalist forces led by Khalida Zia,
and the Jamaate Islami Bangladesh under terrorist attacks by
the regime have boycotted the elections. So the pro-India
Awami League will easily "win" the elections.
On January 3 and 4, the widespread nationalist protestors
burned down 100 polling booths across the country.
Breaking News: Egypt
On Friday, January 3, unarmed protestors came out in cities
across Egypt to oppose the regime of General Sisi and to
support President Morsi who was illegally arrested by the
General.
Security forces tried to crush the protest marchers. At
places they opened fire. At least 6 of the protestors were
killed, 42 injured and 122 arrested. One of those killed was
a woman.
Breaking News: Iraq
January 4, 2014: After intense fighting on January 2 and 3
between ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq & the Levant], and the
US-installed regime's forces. the later withdrew and
Islamic forces supported by local tribes took over the major
towns of Fallujah, Ramadi and Termiye. The fighting began
when the Baghdad Shia forces disrupted a peaceful protest
camp set up in Ramadi against the policies of the Baghdad
regime. [The regime forces are firing right now long range
artillery and preparing for a counterattack.]
[See photo of ISIL victory parade in Fallujah.
Please scroll to end.
]
Breaking News: Syria
January 3 and 4: ISIL [Islamic State in Iraq & Levant]
forces in control of important areas of Aleppo were suddenly
attacked by a coalition of rebel groups, including the
West-oriented coalition. Some of the smaller groups say that
ISIL is too strong and harsh in its behavior.
Similar fighting has broken out in Idlib.
As the fighting continues, it could open up the way for
Assad's forces to re-take Aleppo. ISIL is suffering losses
and may have to retreat,
Jubhat al-Nusra is holding on to its positions around
Damascus, Adra and Maloula.
Breaking News: Lebanon
January 4: Majid al-Majid, commander of the al-Azzam
Brigades died suddenly probably under torture while being
"interrogated" by Lebanese security forces. He was a Saudi
on the most wanted list of Saudi security and was said to be
responsible for the recent attack on the Iranian
embassy.
January 2. There has been another bomb attack in the
Hizbullah stronghold in south Beirut with at least 5 killed
and various injured. ISIL has taken responsibility. More
than 12,000 Hizbullah fighters are in Syria helping to save
the tyrant of Syria, Assad. Hizbullah's invasion of Syria
has seemingly resulted in revenge attacks on Hizb
strongholds in Lebanon.
Breaking News: Somalia
January 4: A hotel where westerners and regime officials
were meeting in Mogadishu was blown up by al-Shabab
resulting in heavy casualties, including a senior security
officer and several troops killed on the spot.
January 1, in nearby Kenya, at the resort town of Diani
south of Mombasa [known for its soft sandy beaches] , the
Indian drinking bar known as Tandoori was hit with a
grenade while revelers were still drinking and dancing for
the New Year party. There were numerous serious injuries but
the attackers escaped.
[According to BBC, southern and central Somalia are in
control of al-Shabab although they retreated from
Mogadishu..]
New Trend's Humble Web Site is doing Quite Well, Thank
you!
In December 2013, New Trend's web site received 53999 hits
and 12461 visitors.
The total number of hits in 2013 was 786,991, a big
improvement over a little less than half a million in
2012.
Special thank you to Br. Rich in Nebraska. A very special
brother. So much volunteer work. It's a record. Well
done.
[In addition, New Trend is sent to several thousand people
by email.]
Also, hard copies are mailed to those who want hard copies,
as well as those in prison.
Hundreds of copies are distributed every month by our
activists at selected mosques.
Finally, New Trend is posted on three pages on
facebook.]
Our sister web site:
hadithandwomen.wordpress.com
has received 19,210 hits.
It is about Dr. Siddique's writings discussing women in
Islam.
Beautiful Islamic graphics.
GOD IS GREAT. Better late than never! Sis. Lynne is
Free!
She fought for the rights of the Blind Shaikh pro bono:
America's greatest attorney.
by Robert Solano [Jamaat al-Muslimeen leader, Texas]
https://improxy.benchmarkemail.com/http://i.huffpost.com/gen1540870/thu
(above): Lynne Stewart
DYING LAWYER LYNNE STEWART'S JUBILANT RETURN HOME AFTER
WINNING COMPASSIONATE RELEASE -
Our America: University of Maryland, College Park
From Solomon Commissiong
Black Intellectual takes on Obama's Drone Policy.
Obama allegedly stating, "I'm really good at killing
people", only surprises the large community of Obamites who
continue to unconditionally support a man who executed more
drone attacks in his FIRST year as president than did Bush
in his 8 years. Even if Obama did not say this (however he
probably did), his actions speak much louder than any words.
His actions have been flat out deadly, especially to the
thousands of innocent civilians murdered by way of his
direct orders and authority. Pathetic is those who make
excuses for these kinds of actions. Pathetic and does not
bode well for humanity...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_x-RTI1kyA
Our America: Baltimore
Obama forgot those who voted for him
by David Wiggins
Black unemployment in Baltimore was twice that of whites in
1965 it is triple that of whites in 2014. Black infant
mortality in Baltimore was twice that of whites in 1965, it
is still twice that of whites in 2014. Black home ownership
in Baltimore was less than half that of whites in 1965 it is
still less than half that of whites in 2014. In 1965 Black
median income in Baltimore was less than half that of
whites, it is still less than half that of whites in
2014.
Our America: Atlanta
America's leading Muslim activist for the needy: Baitul
Salaam
Helping the hungry, the cold, the homeless in this great
country!
$1500 are urgently needed plus the supplies listed here.
Islamic Food Pantry Needs to be Restocked
From Sis. Hedayai Majeed
Here is our wish list:
-
Hot and Cold Breakfast Cereal
-
Canned Halal Meat, fish, chicken, milk, soups
-
sauces, spices
-
canned juice or any other shelf stable juice (Hawaiian
Punch is not juice)
-
rice, beans pasta (one and two pound bags are the most
popular sizes) we take larger sizes for larger families
however we usually end up repackaging.
-
Spring water and distilled water
Non food items:
Bath soap, deodorants, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion,
shea butter, dish washing detergent, bleach, feminine
hygiene products, products for bladder leaks, floor
cleaners, batteries all sizes AAAA to 9 volt, crank radios,
battery operated radios, blankets, sleeping bags, small
tents, first aid kits, alcohol wipes, hydrogen peroxide,
white medical tape, gauze, anti-septic for burns and cuts,
etc.
Call 770-255-8500 Monday-Thursday 7 am-10 pm, Friday 9 am-1
pm, Saturday and Sunday 10 am-4 pm if you get a recording
leave a message.
Prisoner of Conscience
Abu Qatada committed no crime: British & Jordanians want him
to Shut Up!
Sheikh Abu Qatada urges Syrian Mujahideen from courtroom
to abandon disagreements and unite
A trial of Islamic scholar Abu Qatada al-Filistini is held
in Jordan. According to Al Jazeera, Sheikh al-Filistini said
about his innocence during a new "hearing". "I am not
guilty, and you are a dishonest judge", the Qatari TV
channel quotes the 53-year-old Sheikh Abu Qatada, who had
been deported from England in July after a nearly
decade-long legal battle.
Meanwhile, according to the AP, Abu Qatada addressed the
judge with the following words: "You listen: Do you think
you are a fair judge?" The Islamic scholar was sentenced to
death in absentia by the Jordanian regime in 1999 - he was
accused of "conspiracy to carry out terror attacks",
including that on an American school in the Jordanian
capital of Amman, but the sentence was immediately commuted
to life imprisonment with hard labor, writes UmmaNews.
In 2000, Sheikh Abu Qatada was sentenced in absentia to 15
years for allegedly "plotting to attack tourists in Jordan
during millennium celebrations". Sheikh al-Filistini came to
England to obtain political asylum in 1993, and in 1994, he
was granted a refugee status. However, in October 2002, the
scholar was arrested by English police. During the search of
apartments of Mujahideen involved in attacks on America on
September 11, 2001, police found videotapes of sermons by
Sheikh Abu Qatada, in which he called English Muslims to
Jihad. And this was served as the "proof of guilt".
He was actually named as a "representative of Sheikh Osama
bin Laden in Europe" and by a court's ruling he was sent to
dreadful London's Belmarsh High Security Prison to serve a
three-year sentence. After his release in August 2005, the
scholar was again arrested on suspicion of aid to the
Mujahideen who carried out a martyrdom operation in London.
In April 2012, the Brits decided to release Sheikh on bail,
but on very stringent conditions. Then he was arrested
again, and then again released from a prison of English
democracy. According to The Guardian, Abu Qatada was
harassed all times not only by the Brits, but by Americans
who kidnapped two of England's residents: Jamil el-Banna and
Bisher al-Rawi during their stay in Africa.
Then the Americans took them to their Bagram Air Base in
Afghanistan (they also were imprisoned in Guantanamo), where
testimony against Shaikh al-Filistini was knocked out from
them under American tortures. Abu Qatada's deportation
became possible after conclusion of an agreement that
evidence obtained under torture would not be used against
him.
This summer, the plane with the sheikh on board flew from
England to his native Jordan which he did not visit for
almost 20 years. It is reported that during the beginning of
the hearing on December 10, Sheikh Abu Qatada and his lawyer
protested against the presence of a military judge in the
hall, which is inconsistent with the agreements between
England and the bloody Jordan regime
It is reported that the court permitted relatives of the
Sheikh - four sisters, three brothers and son - to attend
the hearings. The AP claims that in the courtroom he was
asked about the Syrian Mujahideen. Abu Qatada said that they
should abandon all disagreements and unite under one leader.
The newspaper Al-Hayat specifies that the Syrian issue was
raised by its correspondent after the first court session.
First, the journalist asked the opinion of the Sheikh on a
recent interview with the leader of the Jabhat al-Nusra, Abu
Mohammed al-Joulani, to the TV channel Al Jazeera. Shaikh
al-Filistini has praised al-Joulani. Then the reporter asked
Islamic scholar's references to the disagreements between
the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra, to which Abu Qatada replied:
"Explanation will take long time, but I encourage the
leadership of the ISIS and al-Nusra for unity, I urge on
necessity to listen and obey as requested by Dr. Ayman
al-Zawahiri". As reported, the judge adjourned the "trial"
of Sheikh Abu Qatada. "You know all well I am not guilty and
that this accusation is false", said the Islamic scholar in
the courtroom.
[Department of Monitoring Kavkaz Center]
Jews Committing Blasphemy & Desecration against Prophet,
pbuh & Islam:
So open that Israeli Paper is alarmed!
Via Mark Glenn
Mosque in Israel defaced by anti-Muslim graffiti
Local officials decry attack as 'despicable' and 'racist,'
urge police to crack down on 'price tag' attacks.
Haaretz
A mosque in the Israeli Arab town of Baqa Al-Gharbiyye was
defaced before dawn on Sunday, and windows were shattered on
several cars parked nearby.
The mosque was scrawled with graffiti declaring "Mohammed is
a p..," "mutual responsibility," and "regards from Boaz and
David Chai", referring to two settlers against whom travel
restrictions had been imposed by the commander of the Israel
Defense Force's Central Command.
Baqa Al-Gahrbiyyeh Mayor Mursi Al Muh called the vandalism
"a detestable act, a crime we cannot ignore".
The mosque's imam, Sheikh Khiri Askander, who is affiliated
with the Islamic Movement, denounced the perpetrators as
"clearly racists who have grown accustomed to committing
such acts, since no one is deterring them. We've heard of
dozens of such cases on both sides of the Green Line, and
there have been no arrests or prosecutions."
The Pagan Year 2014 is here! Let's try to be better
Muslims!
[This message has been circulated through various channels.
Here it is for NT readers,]
[While others drink, party and dance, here is our mission &
our message.]
asalamu alaikum
Dear Muslims
In 2014, let's try to be diligent about our FIVE obligatory
daily prayers. Let's pray them on time and with full
acceptance of the Will of Allah.
Fast! Non obligatory fasts on Monday and Thursday are sunnah
& good for us.
Zakat. Spend very carefully for the most important Islamic
causes.
non-Violent Jihad: Strive with the pen, email,
demonstrations, rallies, speeches, conversation and by
speaking against great evils like liquor, gambling, drugs,
fornication and homosexuality.
Travel in the world and educate ourselves. Go for Hajj if
you see the possibility
Stand against Zionism, racism, dictatorship, male dominance
and oppression of all kinds.
Take care of your health. [I am eating a big apple right
now!]
I need your support for Jamaat al-Muslimeen, New Trend and
Masjid Jamaat al-Muslimeen.
Educate Americans about the crimes of Bashar Assad in Syria,
General Sisi in Egypt, Hasina Wajed in Bangladesh, India in
Kashmir and all other tyrants & oppressors.
Oppose police brutality in American cities.
Help Muslim political prisoners and their families. The
great attorney Lynne Stewart has "compassionate release."
Inshallah, all political prisoners should be released.
Support Muslim minorities like the Rohingyas in Burma,
India's Muslims, Chechens in Russia, Sinkiang Muslims in
China and the mentally enslaved Muslims of America.
Best wishes and salaams from
Kaukab Siddique,
Ameer
Jamaat al-Muslimeen
American Woman, Ms. Caroline, warns of New Betrayal of USA
by Jewish International.
Preparing to Release Israeli spy Pollard in Spite of
American Patriots.
George Tenet, former CIA Director, told Bill Clinton (who
wanted to release Pollard upon Clinton leaving office, that
he would resign.) Pollard was the most dangerous spy in
U.S. history, sending massive amounts of Pentagon papers to
the Israelis who forwarded the information on to the Soviet
Union, back in the 1980's, in exchange for the release of
the Soviet Jews. (Several U.S. spies were killed as a result
of this.) Reagan then sent Ambassador Strauss over to the
USSR to start the mass exodus, which the U.S. taxpayer
fronted the bill. (A nice reward for the Israelis who should
have been punished.) Those "refugees" going to Israel were
given a check for $65,000, the ones coming to America got
total care..housing, food, medical, full Social Security if
over 65, PELL grants for full tuition at any university,
plus a network to get jobs for them. There are millions of
them in the U.S. thanks to Jonathan Pollard.
Why in the world would our government release the most
notorious spy in U.S. history to a country that benefited
from his actions and put out country in danger (back in the
1980's..or even today.)
Here it is:
Kerry reportedly says he will consider freeing Jonathan
Pollard as part of prisoner swap
Published December 29, 2013
Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to the Middle East
in the first week of the new year amid a flurry of reports
in the Israeli press that he has said he would consider
freeing convicted spy Jonathan Pollard.
Israel's Channel 10 TV station first reported Friday that
Kerry offered to free Pollard as part of an exchange for the
release of a fourth group of Palestinian prisoners from
Israeli jails as peace talks resume between the two sides.
The third of four groups is scheduled to be released Monday,
the Jerusalem Post reported.
Pollard, a former U.S. intelligence analyst, pleaded guilty
to passing national defense information to the Israeli
government in 1986 and was sentenced to life in prison the
following year.
The Channel 10 report added that the Israeli government
believes Pollard is unlikely to be released since Kerry's
statement was not approved by President Barack Obama. A
source told Fox News that Pollard's release was in play, but
it was unclear what price Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu would be asked to pay for it, or even if Netanyahu
would agree to pay it.
Many prominent Israeli politicians, including Netanyahu,
have called for Pollard's release since his imprisonment.
Those calls became louder after recent reports based on
documents leaked by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden
revealed that the NSA had tracked e-mail accounts belonging
to former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and former
Defense Minister Ehud Barak between 2008 and 2009.
Kerry will arrive in the region amid a series of violent
Palestinian attacks on Israeli targets in recent weeks. The
attacks are raising concerns about the possibility of a new
type of Palestinian uprising. Kerry, who became secretary of
state in February, has so far visited Israel nine times.
The recent incidents do not appear to be an organized effort
by militant groups, but rather a collection of individual
acts.
After years of relative quiet, Israel's Shin Bet security
service has reported a steady rise in attacks since Israeli
and Palestinian peace negotiators resumed talks in July.
In November, for example, there were 167 attacks in
Jerusalem and the West Bank, compared to 136 in October, the
security service said.
The State Department confirmed late Saturday that Kerry will
leave Wednesday for Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu, then go to Ramallah to meet with
President Abbas. He will discuss the ongoing, final-status
negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians, "among
other issues," the department said.
Israel and Palestinian officials agree that violence from
the West Bank is connected to the peace talks, though they
pin the blame on each other. The Palestinians say the
current climate is a result of brewing frustrations over the
perceived lack of progress in peace talks while Israel
continues to build Jewish settlements on land they claim for
a future state.
Others link the violence to the release of convicted
Palestinian killers as part of the deal to resume talks.
This logic goes that Palestinians are emboldened to carry
out attacks knowing that they will eventually be freed from
prison. A third group of prisoners is expected to be
released next week.
On Sunday, a pipe bomb believed to be planted by Palestinian
militants exploded on a bus in central Israel in the most
serious attack inside Israel in more than a year. The next
day, an Israeli policeman was stabbed outside a West Bank
settlement. And on Tuesday an Israeli civilian was killed by
a Palestinian sniper in a cross-border shooting from Gaza,
sparking a series of Israeli air strikes that killed a
Palestinian girl.
The West Bank and Gaza Strip, located on opposite sides of
Israel, are ruled by different governments. Israel and the
West Bank-based Palestinian Authority are engaged in peace
talks aimed at ending decades of conflict and establishing
an independent state for Palestinians. But Gaza's Islamic
Hamas rulers refuse to recognize Israel and call for its
destruction.
The situation in Gaza is far different.
Hamas opposes the peace talks and has engaged in several
rounds of heavy fighting with Israel over the years. For the
past 13 months, it has observed a cease-fire with Israel.
But extremist Salafist groups have carried out periodic
attacks in order to undermine the cease-fire. An Israeli
blockade and a tough Egyptian crackdown on Gaza's southern
border in recent months have created fuel shortages and
economic hardship in Gaza, creating a fertile ground for
extremists. Hamas was not involved in Tuesday's sniper
attack
Al-Qaida supporters' Victory March in Fallujah, Iraq,
[January 3, 2014]. Most are unarmed.
Courtesy Associated Press.
Bosnian Response to Jewish Denial of Srebrenica Genocide
Efraim Zuroff genocide denier
December 30, 2013.
RABBI MARVIN HIER Founder and Dean Simon Wiesenthal Center
Museum of Tolerance
Dear Rabbi Hier,
On behalf of Bosniaks in the U.S. and Canada and survivors
of the Bosnian genocide, we protest the comments made by one
of your activists Efraim Zuroff denying the genocide in
Srebrenica and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Serb nationalist
newspapers reported today that Mr. Zuroff publicly denied
that genocide took place in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
According to their media, he stated there was no genocide in
Bosnia-Herzegovina, thus reducing himself to a genocide
denier link (
http://www.nezavisne.com/novosti/bih/Zurof-U-BiH-nije-bilo-gnocida-224134.html) It is incomprehensible that someone who
works for such an important international organization whose
mission includes remembrance of the lessons of the
Holocaust, would allow themselves to be used by the Serb
nationalists to openly deny genocide against Bosniaks during
the war from 1992-1995.
In fact, it is shocking, hurtful, and disgraceful that the
victims of genocide and their families must again suffer the
anguish of genocide denial, not only by those who
participated and supported the atrocities and the ideology
of hatred, but now by those who are supposed to apply the
lessons of Holocaust to promote human rights and dignity,
and ensure genocide never happens to anyone anywhere.
Srebrenica Genocide is a legal fact, established by two
international courts; both presided by Jewish holocaust
survivors, who concluded that systematic executions of 8,000
Bosniak men and boys in Srebrenica alone constituted
genocide. In the Krstic judgement by the International
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, presiding Judge
Theodor Meron, a Polish-American Jew and a holocaust
survivor, concluded that Srebrenica was Genocide (numerous
other judgments found the same reasoning, including the
highest World Court): "The gravity of genocide is reflected
in the stringent requirements which must be satisfied before
this conviction is imposed. These requirements - the
demanding proof of specific intent and the showing that the
group was targeted for destruction in its entirety or in
substantial part - guard against a danger that convictions
for this crime will be imposed lightly. Where these
requirements are satisfied, however, the law must not shy
away from referring to the crime committed by its proper
name. By seeking to eliminate a part of the Bosnian Muslims,
the Bosnian Serb forces committed genocide.
They targeted for extinction the forty thousand Bosnian
Muslims living in Srebrenica, a group which was emblematic
of the Bosnian Muslims in general. They stripped all the
male Muslim prisoners, military and civilian, elderly and
young, of their personal belongings and identification, and
deliberately and methodically killed them solely on the
basis of their identity. The Bosnian Serb forces were aware,
when they embarked on this genocidal venture that the harm
they caused would continue to plague the Bosnian Muslims.
The Appeals Chamber states unequivocally that the law
condemns, in appropriate terms, the deep and lasting injury
inflicted, and calls the massacre at Srebrenica by its
proper name: genocide. Those responsible will bear this
stigma, and it will serve as a warning to those who may in
future contemplate the commission of such a heinous
act."
During Serb-led genocide policies in Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Simon Wiesenthal himself lobbied on behalf of Bosniaks who
were the victims of this aggression. See link
(http://bosniakandjewishfriendship.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/azi-hunter-simon-wiesenthal-demands-weapons-for-bosnian-muslms/). If Mr. Wiesenthal were alive today, we can only
imagine how he would have felt to learn that one of the
activists of the organization bearing his name, reportedly,
denies the use of the term genocide to refer to the heinous
crimes committed against Bosniak civilians. We respectfully
demand that your institute apologizes for the hurtful
comments reportedly made by your activist Efraim Zuroff, and
thus distance yourself from extreme Serbian nationalists who
are now perpetuating revisionist history based on genocide
denial. If these reports are somehow incorrect, then we ask
for a public explanation from Mr. Zuroff and the Simon
Wiesenthal center. We hope that you will take this matter
very seriously as we believe the members of your institute
understand the ultimate ramifications of holocaust and
genocide denial.
Respectfully, Professor Emir Ramic, Chair The Institute for
Research of Genocide, Canada
I Found What I Was Looking For
A Young American Woman's Journey to Islam
By Sara Bokker
Wednesday, 01 January 2014 00:00
A blanket of comforting peace embraced me. I felt so calm
and sure and full of joy. All of a sudden I had a purpose in
life, a reason to exist.
I grew up near a small town in South Dakota.
The only religions I was exposed to were various
denominations of Christianity.
My family and I occasionally attended a Lutheran church,
encouraged by my mother, and I was eventually confirmed
Lutheran.
I did believe in God, but did not believe in all that
"church stuff": singing, worshiping pictures of crosses and
Jesus, and eating "the body and blood of Christ." It just
did not make any sense to me.
For as long as I can remember, something was always missing.
There was this hole in my heart, this great sadness and dark
loneliness penetrating every cell of my body, mind, and
soul. Nothing could fill that hole, and the pain would not
go away. I turned to alcohol at a very early age to numb
that deep, agonizing pain, but it was only temporary, and it
always made me feel even worse after the numbness wore
off.
My distance from my family and everyone else around me only
increased as I grew older. I had so much disgust and hatred
for myself, which caused me to be absolutely horrible to my
parents. All I remember wanting was to escape — escape where
I was and who I was. However, I found that no matter how
hard I tried, I could not escape who I was. Therefore, I was
determined to do what I could to escape where I was before I
literally destroyed myself.
I dropped out of college and left South Dakota for Florida
by myself when I was 19. Able to make a fresh start in an
exciting new environment, I found a bit of happiness for a
brief period of time. But it was only superficial. That pain
and sadness, that hole in my heart, was still there.
I spent many years searching for something to heal myself. I
turned to psychology, self-help books and tapes and
exercise, all of which really did help me a great deal. I
was able to gain some strength in order to go on with my
life. I did get caught up in the Florida lifestyle
though.
My various jobs enabled me to gain some easy cash, so it
left as fast as it came, thanks to a lot of shopping and
partying. In order to keep up with everyone else, I got
credit cards — a lot of credit cards — and found myself
sinking deeper and deeper in debt, but not even caring since
I was just living for the day. I was also caught up in my
looks. It cost a lot of time and money to look good.
I found love, and that made me happy for a little while.
Then I began looking into religions
I became a slave to my looks. I was consumed by it all:
hairdresser, manicurist, gym, mall, etc. After all, I was
how I looked, or so I thought. And I just knew I would be
happy if everyone was looking at me, if I got a lot of
attention. And I did get attention, but I hated it. It made
me miserable.
So What Would Make Me Happy?
I was still searching.
I found love, and that made me happy for a little while.
Then I began looking into religions, all types and kinds of
religions. Interestingly enough, I discovered there to be
some "universal truths" in many religions. It seemed the
rest was different, but the essence was the same.
My love for all of humanity and the peace in my heart
increased greatly with my spiritual search and growth. I
came to be most interested in "metaphysical studies," and
some sort of Eastern-type meditation and yoga. I adhered
mostly to these. However, I wanted more. I wanted someone to
tell me exactly what to do and how to do it. I needed rules
and structure. And I just could not get that as this
particular field is very liberal, abstract, and free.
Eventually I went back to college, and that made me feel
much better about myself. I developed a passion for
international relations and after I learned the ugly truth
about "American History" and "US Foreign Policy," I was
horrified with all the injustice, racism, and oppression. It
broke my heart. I was so saddened by the suffering in the
world. I decided I must do something about it.
Looking for Justice and Human Rights
I began networking with and educating local high school and
college students about the injustice in the Middle East, and
eventually I began organizing local activists to travel to
Washington, DC, to protest the upcoming war in Iraq. During
this process, I met an amazing man — a Muslim — who was
doing this very same kind of work.
I had never seen someone who had dedicated his life to the
causes I cared so much for — justice and human rights. He
had started his own organization, which I volunteered for so
that I could learn from him and help in the struggle. As we
worked together, he shared with me the stories of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Companions, and the
amazing civilization of Islam — the only instance of a just
society on this planet. I was shocked to hear these stories,
as I knew nothing about this history. I became enchanted
with Islam and read all I could about it, eventually reading
the Quran.
Islam Made Sense to Me
I found in Islam the truth I was searching for. Finally it
all made sense. However, I realized I had so many
misconceptions and stereotypes I was not even aware of.
First of all, I was not keen on the women issue and did not
yet understand why they dressed so differently.
I said resolutely, "I could never dress like that," as I
still had the mindset that "how I look is who I am." So if
people could not see how I looked, then I would not even
exist. Also, what about "the woman stays at home and just
takes care of the kids and the household and listens to her
husband"? This was too much for me! There was just no way
that I could understand why a woman would stay at home. Who
is she if she is not "out there" climbing her way to that
glass ceiling? And why should she be so obedient to her
husband?
I did find the beautiful answers to these questions, which
are very logical and amazingly functional. You see, Islam is
not just a religion. It is a complete way of life. In it,
you have the guidance and the answers to even the smallest
of details, like how to eat and sleep. It is amazing!
Honestly, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my
shoulders.
However, I still was not willing to commit to Islam. It
seemed too tough for me; it was too much responsibility and
I was just too strong-headed to submit the way one must in
order to be a Muslim. Then one cool January night in 2003, I
was on the bus ride back from another antiwar rally in
Washington, DC, I was at a crossroads in my life. I hated my
job and had recently left my husband as we had grown apart.
I had had enough of organizing the antiwar people.
I was 29 years old and had no idea what I would do with my
life. I broke down and started crying. I said to myself,
"What can I do? What can I do? I just want to be a good
person and make the world a better place. But how? What
should I do?" All of a sudden, the answer came to me: Be a
Muslim. That's it! A blanket of comforting peace embraced
me. I felt so calm and sure and full of joy. All of a
sudden I had a purpose in life, a reason to exist.
One week later, I said my Shahadah (testimony of faith) at a
public groundbreaking for a new mosque. As soon as I said
it, two rainbows appeared in the sky! Everyone who witnessed
it was very touched and all the Muslim sisters came up to me
afterwards hugging me. I was crying from so much joy, as
were most of the people there, happy to have me in the Ummah
(community of Muslims).
The next day, eager to show the world I was a Muslim, I went
to a local Middle Eastern store where they sold beautiful
hijabs (headscarves) and dresses appropriate for the
required Muslim dress. I bought many dresses and scarves,
and from that day forward, I dressed properly. Ah ... free
at last! I had broken the chains of fashion and physical
enslavement enforced by a superficial society.
Honestly, I felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my
shoulders.
I no longer felt the pressure to dress and look
better than everyone else. I finally respected myself and no
longer based my self-worth on the reactions and attention of
others. While many looked at me strangely — some with pity,
some with anger, and some with curiosity — I really did get
so much respect like never before.
Al-hamdu lillah (all praise be to Allah), the wonderful man
who introduced me to Islam married me exactly one month
after I became Muslim. Since then we have continued our work
together against injustice throughout the world. We have
traveled throughout the Middle East and moved from America
to Egypt to be with my husband's mother and to live in an
"Islamic" environment. Al-hamdu lillah, I am blessed with a
beautiful family, in addition to the larger family — the
Ummah — I gained when I became a Muslim.
Life is still life: It's not easy, but now I have a
guidebook, a structure, a foundation. My heart is complete.
The sadness and loneliness are gone. I now feel I belong. I
am somebody.
And I am home, at least for now, in this millisecond we call
dunya (worldly life), until I am in my final, eternal home,
in the akhira (afterlife), in sha' Allah (if Allah wills),
near to my beloved, the Creator and Lord of the Worlds,
Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He.
http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/my-journey-to-ilam/contemporary-stories/414169-beauty-and-the-east.html
2014-01-05 Sun 22:20:12 cst
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