Why Islamic Fiction?

Nour Tagouri and The Sell-Out Culture Within Some Immigrant Muslim Communities.

Nour Tagouri is a young Libyan-American Muslimah Journalist and she is all the talk today. I actually heard about Ms. Tagouri a couple of years back around 2012. She made headlines after posting a picture of herself covered in hijab sitting at the anchor desk at a news station. She labeled her picture with "my dream". Muslims and non-Muslims alike shared the picture thousands of times and helped her picture go viral. 

I remember thinking how great it was to see a young Muslimah from an immigrant American community with goals that were non-typical of her culture. Many African and Middle Eastern families heavily guide their youth towards STEM subjects. Grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and even neighbors take great pride in boasting about their family and friends who go off to America, England, and other Western countries to become a doctor or engineer and lawyers, too. It is almost as if other professions don't exist. For many African and Middle Eastern families, other professions outside of the STEM field are not valued.

So again, it was really refreshing to see a young Muslimah from an immigrant background with a unique dream (to her community) and her chasing after it. Since 2012, Nour has made her run around Muslim American organizations, started writing for Huffington Post, spoke at TED, and the list of amazing "kick down the door and let me in" accomplishments go on and on.

As a born Muslim Black American writer, I have watched her rise and felt pride. Nour Tagouri is the next generation representing Muslimat everywhere in an industry that is super hard to crack into for women period. Being a hijab wearing Muslim woman just triples all of the obstacles. So yes, I watch her, I smile and I continue to pray for her success. 

But there is a down side of success. The higher you go, the more out there you get, the more temptation, culture vultures, "frenemies" and struggles you encounter. We, American Muslims, have sat back and watched Muslims in high places, too often from the first and second immigrant Muslim communities, endorse George W. Bush, appropriate narratives of American Muslims, exclude and or refuse to address the needs of indigenous Black, Latino, and White Muslims, create prayer spaces with collective Muslim money that ends up resembling country clubs for specific ethnicities, buying and operating liquor stores in minority communities, using Jumu'ah (Friday) sermons to pander to local law enforcement and politicians and the list of cringes goes on. 

Some times I can find excuses for the aforementioned behaviors. Then there are times when you see an immigrant Muslim make it really high some where - like become a politician or a writer or an actress or they come into some money and the spotlight is draped all over them. Then they say or do something that is so far to the left, weird, or just crazy careless to the plight of Muslims. Your heart sinks, your eyes roll, you suck your teeth and you turn off all social media and you exhale. Disappointment happens. It always happens. And yes, it hurts a little. But, we're humans and so are they. At the end of the day, we are a community, so we deal with the hurt as best as we can.

Nour Tagouri has had her moment. She climbed the mountain, she swung up to the top, she grabbed the spotlight and then -bam- she gave an interview (fully covered) to Playboy Magazine?!? Now, now, Muslims! Hang-on, you say! Playboy is a highly read magazine and it will of course give Miss Tagouri a ridiculous amount of exposure, and it will garner more awesome opportunities, enshallah. Focus, Muslims. It's JUST a magazine.

I gotta keep it 100.  I gotta call it like I see it. It's a sell-out!   It's her saying, "by any means necessary for my career!" It's that liquor store owned by immigrant Muslims on that avenue in the hood where drunks hang out and get stuff on credit because the immigrant Muslims are just striving to pull themselves up by their boot straps and claim their American dream. It's saying to heck with what Playboy represents or how they have historically objectified and victimized women. It's saying I am a Muslim woman, but I am really just like you (Playboy readers). I want to be like you even though everything this magazine represents is against my way of life. It's saying I value my fame, more than I value those little Muslim girls and boys in America and around the world looking up to me. It says don't worry about my standards, I can do this and win my own way. It's a sell-out.

Maybe I am overthinking this. I don't think I am though. I grew up in a predominately immigrant Muslim community in Western Massachusetts where indigenous Black, White, and Latino Americans are the minority. It is a city where the majority of Muslims first language isn't English. Where the board members were doctors and ....more doctors. Biryani, kunafa, and baklava were sold after Friday prayers, and undercover police officers and the mayor often stopped by to "answer community members concerns" and look for informants. 

 I am very certain that there is a sell-out culture within some immigrant Muslim communities. Miss Tagouri will be covered and supported by this community and many other Muslims who deem selling out acceptable because she has the spotlight. She is carving her own way they will say. She isn't a doctor or a lawyer. She is a journalist with the world's eyes in her hands. That's kinda like a doctor, right?

Hear me when I say this: I am not angry or calling for Miss Tagouri's hijabi card to be pulled. I still love her passion. I am still going to support her. But as a writer and storyteller, I know it is my job to address issues, inconsistencies, drama and write what I see so that our community can think about and discuss them. A Muslimah writer needs standards, I believe. I also believe as a Muslim, how you win is just as important as the win itself. I want Nour Tagouri to win and inshallah she will. Hopefully, in the future she will think more carefully about who she works with and the impact it has on the Muslim community. We need Muslim women leaders, not just leading Muslim women in our community.

Come correct, sis or one of your sisters with pens will call you on it! 

The Public School & Muslim Parenting: Advocate for Your Children Webinar

As salamu alykum!

I hope you all are enjoying the last days of summer vacation or if your summer vacation has ended that you have gone back into school, work, and your life refreshed, grateful, and ready to take on what Allah has waiting on you this upcoming fall and winter.

Now, back during Ramadham I promised more webinars and I aim to deliver. On August 12th at 6 pm EST I delivered The Public School & Muslim Parenting Series. Part 1. It was good talk about how to effectively advocate for your Muslim children! This is a really important subject and as an educator who has worked in public schools and private schools for the last decade, I chose the topic because I wanted to share with you some tips to get parents started on the right foot this school year. Furthermore, within this current Islamophobia storm in America, it's crucial that we make sure our children are safe not only from their peers, but from the adults working inside of the school system as well. 

The good news is that the webinar is now up LIVE on Youtube, so if you missed it, you didn't miss it! Pour some tea, grab a notebook and whenever you have a chance, take a listen. You don't even have to listen to it straight through. Chunk it up and make a weekend out of it. Additionally, I am working  now on collecting the information and formatting it into a FREE email book for everyone to download right from this blog! So make sure you sign up on the blog and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and Instagram. I love questions and feedback - so hit me up!

Finally, don't forget to sign up for my next webinar: Muslim Girls' Issues! I'd had to push the date back just a tad because I will be traveling at that time, enshallah! So you still have time to sign up for the LIVE and FREE webinar. 

Deep Waters: Umm Juwayriyah On The Murders of Black American Men by Police

In the name of the Most High


This is the weekend right after Eidul Fitr, the celebration after the completion of Ramadhan. I am in America vacationing with my family. It should be a celebratory time. It is not. The lost of life, innocent lives of Black men, once -- again  --- always stops me in my tracks. The trauma of knowing and now seeing live feeds of Black Americans killed/murdered/executed for existing by has forever scarred my core, colored my vision, and agitated my breathing. The tears of our mothers have poured for over 400 years, the waters are so deep and the pain is unbearable...

When The Most High instructed the mother of Mousa (Moses) to cast her baby into the river to safegaurd his life..
When the natives ran deep into the forrest and left their baby boys to hide them from the colonists...
When the chained slaves on boats dropped their babies and kids into the ocean....
That was protection. That was sacrifice. That was freedom. That was a teaching. That was trusting and believing that the suns are better off with the One who created their light than to be subjugated, hated, villified, bastardized and murdered in broad daylight.

They will not stop. They will not change. They will not leave yours free and mines dead. Run! Run! Look to the sky. Read the smoke signals filled with the fresh scent of death. Hide your suns, prepare your moons.

‪#‎altonsterling‬ ‪#‎philandocastile‬ ‪#‎stopkillingmypeople‬

He Loves Me: A Ramadhan Journaling Entry

As salamu alykum! Ramadhan Mubarak! Alhamduleelah, today is the 15th day of fasting. We are at the half way mark. I always feel like it just zooms by. By now many of us who doubted ourselves because of the heat, work schedules, money issues, or children-husbands-wives-family issues have found that truly Allah is not only our Helper but that He also provides whatever we need. We can make it! We are knocking these days out, but more importantly we are fully submerged in that Ramadhan groove - soaring (enshallah).  This is the part of Ramadhan that I love the most. Allah reveals your weaknesses, your uglies, your beauty and your strengths and it just makes you want to bow down even more. Muslims we are a praying people, but there is no praying like that middle of night standing during Ramadhan prayer.  Even if you haven't prayed regularly during the year or haven't been to the masjid in years, have been engaged in things that you shouldn't have (we all do) --- this is OUR time to come back and seek Allah's forgiveness! He is waiting in these blessed days and nights to accept your prayers, repentance, your frustration, and disappointments because He Loves Me and You! Know that!

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Allah the Most High said, ‘I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it. If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari]

That beautiful and power hadeeth qudsi put me in the mood of writing some poetry in my journal the other night. Let me know what you think and if you feel like sharing one of your entries, I'd love to read it. 15 days to go! Keep writing, beloveds.

He loves me

This

 I know

Every struggle, every fight, every tear to fall throughout this life

He’s been there

The Most High

His Grace is so ripe

Even when I fall, get lost, turned the other way

 It’s never been in vain

He always softens the pain

He

 loves me

This I know

They’ve called me horrible names

Picked on my faults and thrown flames

Hoping to dim my faith

Break my resolve

Scare my soul

His Mercy

 Is always prevailing

His rope

 Is always extending

His Love

 Is true and

So fulfilling

And I

I can’t even bow my head low enough for His praise

I can’t do anything

perfectly

Weak and sinful

Prone to error yet 

He

Chose me

To believe

 to pray

to fast

to give

His names

 Inspires and strengthens me

Closer than the jugular vein

Where would I be

Without His guidance in my life

It’s not a thought

 It’s a Nightmare on Elm Street fear

Wudu – that’s purification for the sincere

Seeking it five times a day because

It nourishes

It humbles

It shields me

 He hears and loves when I call on Him

And No one gives to me like Him

No one listens to me like Him
No one has ever befriended me like Him

No one Loves me 
like Him

The Most High

He Loves Me

This I know 
Alhamduleelah.

Journaling During Ramadhan: 30 Days of Ramadhan Writing Prompts

As salamu alykum readers. Ramadhan Mubarak! It's been a minute since I've posted. You know how it goes: prayers, babies, work, work, prayers and now Ramadhan is here. Alhamduleelah, I ask Allah to pardon us all, make our trials light, and to increase us in all of those things that brings about His pleasure and erase from our lives all of those things that brings about His displeasure, ameen. 

So last week I was able to accomplish my first webinar on Google hangouts! Ramadhan Journaling with Author & Educator was successful. So many of you signed up and came through. Despite the technical difficulties, I had a good time and I hope to host many more live events so that I can start interacting with all of you.  In fact, right after Eid, I plan to host a follow-up. So stick and stay for those details very soon, enshallah!

If you missed part of the live webinar or the whole thing, you can view it on YouTube here (please share, tweet, and pin):

Another reason why I have been so busy besides the aforementioned list of regular occupiers, is because I have been super focused on finishing up my next novel and children's book. Enshallah, I am so excited (and nervous!!) to share these new characters with you and discuss some of the issues that I written about in this book. Alhamduleelah, I just finalized the book cover for the novel and I am working with a really talented Muslim illustrator to design the children's book about an important issue plaguing Muslim world today. Enshallah, once I have both book covers finished and polished, I will post them on here and provide some more details (bi'ithnillah)! Pray for me. 

All right, without further ado, the following is the special 30 Days of Ramadhan Writing Prompts. My apologies for the tardiness. Let me know what you think of the list. If you have any great prompts you want me to add, feel free to send them to me: Ummjuwayriyah@gmail.com

1. Write about five goals that you have for Ramadhan 2016.

2. In the beginning of surah Al Baqarah, Allah says, "This is the book (that)....is guidance,". Think about the guidance that Allah has provided you in your life and write a paragraph reflecting on it. 

3. Giving sadaqah is an important part of Ramadhan. Are there any things that you are holding on to that you can give up or share with others? What are they? Who can you share them with or give them away to? 

4. Dhikr'Allah - Ramadhan is a time for reflection. Allah has many beautiful names that He uses to describe Himself to His creation. What are your favorite names of Allah? Why? Try to write for 5 minutes.

5. Submission to Allah means to me that I must....

6. I place my trust in Allah because....

7. I am pleased with Allah as my Lord and Muhammad (sallallahu alyhi wa sallam) as my prophet because...

8.  Fasting is not always easy, but Alhamduleelah...

9. I am thankful today for...

10. Oh Allah! Have mercy on....

11. Oh Allah! Pardon me and...

12. Reflect today on aya 153 from Surah al Baqarah, "O you who believe! Seek help in patience and As-Salat (the prayer). Truly! Allah is with As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.)" How can you use this aya to help through the remainder of Ramadhan and after?

13. Remember death is apart of the trials of this life. Allah says in Surah al Baqarah, "Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return." Write a reflection. 

14. Eating healthy foods to nourish you through your fasting hours is important. Make a list of some new, healthy fruits and vegetables to try this month. 

15. Write a recipe for success in Ramadhan. Include anything you want such as foods, prayers, and instructions.

16. Write a letter to yourself or a family member on how to benefit in Ramadhan.

17. Write a prayer for your spouse (or spouse to be or the spouse you are hoping Allah will send you, enshallah).

18. Write a prayer for a parent (or guardian). 

19.  Write a letter to a non Muslim co-worker, friend, family member or classmate explaining to them what Ramadhan is and why it is important to you.

20. The religion is advice. Advise yourself! Make a list of five good actions that you aren't partaking in that you add to your life to benefit yourself. 

21. I know Allah love me because...

22. I am being tested daily, but...

23. Reflect on the following hadeeth from the 40 ahadeeth collection of Imam An Nawawi and then write a reader's response: On the authority of Abu Hamzah Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) - the servant of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) - that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said :"None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself."[Bukhari&Muslim]

24.  Reflect on the following hadeeth from the 40 ahadeeth collection of Imam An Nawaawi and then write a reader's response: On the authority of Sufyan bin Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:"I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, tell me something about Islam which I can ask of no one but you.' He (peace be upon him) said, 'Say "I believe in Allah" — and then be steadfast.'"[Muslim]

25. My favorite verse in the Qur'an is ....  because....

26. My favorite hadeeth is ... because it reminds me.....

27. In the morning when I get up for Fajr my first thought is...

28. In the evening when I break my fast, I am grateful for ...

29. I am blessed to be a Muslim and to fast in the month of Ramadhan because...

30. Oh Allah! Bless me to see another Ramadhan so that I can...

Muslim Author Spotlight: Ahmad Cleaver

Author Ahmad Cleaver

Soul On Islam - Published April 16th, 2006

Interview by Juwayriyah B. Ayed

Back in February the American television station PBS aired a documentary about the rise and fall of the American Civil Rights group, the Black Panther Party. The documentary was titled, "The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution​". Among the founding members that were featured was a young Kathleen Cleaver whose video clips and memes about Black power and natural hair pride had been circulating on social media millions of times. Mrs. Cleaver was the wife of the American writer, political activist, and also founding Black Panther Party member, Eldridge Cleaver. The documentary was wildly successful for PBS and uncovered quite a few new pieces of information for me that I hadn't already learned from my mother and grandparents. As usual, once I told my mother that I wanted to interview Brother Ahmad for our Author Spotlight series, she said, "I know him." After a bit of scheduling issues I able to speak with Brother Ahmad and take some notes. The following is #MuslimGirlsRead first Author Spotlight with brother Ahmed Cleaver from Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

~~~

How did your parents' activism affect your life (childhood and adulthood)? 

My parent's activism had on effect on me since my birth; born & lived in Algeria/sister born in N. Korea/lived in France visited China, Vietnam and many faraway lands as a child of revolutionaries in exile. Our children’s' books were about Malcolm X, Nat Turner, Denmark Vessey, Marcus Garvey, full of heroes and sheroes from Black history. We were directly taught to question, stand up for your rights, fight injustice, say the truth without fear & that slavery has modern forms which must be dismantled. As an adult, this background brings respect from many as well as fear & suspicion from the misled & oppressors of today.

Soul On Islam tells your personal journey into Islam and how your upbringing helped mold you and directed you towards your shahadah. Why did you feel it was necessary to share your narrative and open up to the world about your experiences? 

The consistent spread of Islamophobia and the popularity of misconceptions about Islam and Muslims have both been intensified by the war on terror and the effects of misled extremist groups. This dangerous environment has indeed been one of the reasons that helped to encourage me to use the word to try to shed light upon the beauty of Islam. Another reason is to dispel the pre-conceived notions and imagined half-truths that many people have been deceived by.  It is my small efforts to share the beauty of Islam's eternal principles.

Can you explain social justice from Islamic point of view? 

Equality is the servitude of God as said by Dr. Mbaye Lo, of Duke Islamic Studies Center at Duke University. The Prophet (May the Peace & Blessings of ALLAH be Upon him) said: “There is no superiority for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor for a non-Arab over an Arab. Neither is the white superior over the black, nor is the black superior over the white — except by piety." (Sahih Bukhari Hadith 1623, 1626, 6361) Justice in the highest & perfect form is to hold unto the principles of Islam & the example of the Prophet (May the Peace & Blessings of ALLAH be Upon him)  with sincere worship, revolving our lives around 5 prayers a day, treating your family, friends, neighbors & strangers in a fair, kind way. And not to lift your hand except to stop someone from doing wrong to others or yourself. The Prophet Muhammad (May the Peace & Blessings of ALLAH be Upon him) said: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is oppressed.” The Prophet (May the Peace & Blessings of ALLAH be Upon him) was asked: “It is right to help him if he is oppressed, but how should we help him if he is an oppressor?” He replied: “By preventing him from oppressing others.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 624)

As an educator living in the Muslim world what do you feel are some of the most pressing issues facing Muslim youth and specifically Muslim girls? Any tips on how we as Muslim parents and educators can work on them?           

 Most pressing issues facing Muslim Youth: Drugs and alcohol, the lack of Islamic modesty, [and] the need for Islamic Moral Guidance based on the Qur'an & Sunnah. [Also] accurately learning the Islamic Methodology of life & dispelling confusion of how to bring social change. And understanding real masculinity and the value of hard work and being responsible to family and to society.                

Most pressing issues facing Muslim Girls: The importance of Islamic modesty and a broader understanding of the Aqidah (beliefs). Qader (the Divine Preordination & that all that happens is by ALLAH's will & is already written) [this] includes who she will marry so [our daughters/sisters] don't need to fret or rush or flirt. Early Training in how to balance life between family, friends, children, marriage & career [is also needed].         

Parental Tips:  Open discussions are a must between parents and children. Giving guidance and direction is needed. Parents [need to] be approachable parents, affectionate and loving. Children need to feel in their home environment a sincere openness to be able to discuss with their parents any topic. Parents must be good examples and role models and consistently establish the prayer…al-Salat….al-Salat (the prayer, the prayer, the prayer).

Black American Muslims have had a long and rich history in the United States. What are your thoughts on Black History Month and in particular the history of Black American Muslims? Do you think that American Muslim youth would benefit from learning about prominent Black American Muslims and their struggles to establish Islam in their lives? 

Indeed, there is a history full of figures of morality, shining brave leadership echoing their sacrifices for justice and battling against a racist system and its continuing injustice. The history of the African-American Muslims goes back to the time before the establishment of the USA and still has not been completely accounted for, documented nor passed down to our next generations and to the larger American community [that includes] Black, Red, White, Yellow and Brown Muslim & non-Muslims. Some excellent works have recently been written such as "Servants of Allah: African Muslims enslaved in the Americas" by Sylviane Diouf and Aminah McCloud's, "African American Islam", Edward Curtis', "Islam in Black America: Identity, Liberation & Difference in African American Islamic Thought". As well as the book, "Islam & the Black American" by Sherman Jackson  However, still much of that history remains for our children, to become truly educated scholars to uncover it and then write it down to preserve it. There is a lot to learn about and benefit from in this special, unique history of the African-American Muslims.

What are some ways that Muslims can introduce literacy to younger generations?

Using stories from the Qur'an and in the Hadith (narrations from the Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him) and reading them as a family story time [helps to introduce literacy]. Then getting the youth to summarize and express themselves vocally [such as] what they learned and liked from the stories and what is the moral of the story is helpful also. Then, the next step is for them to express it in written form. Seek to introduce literacy in fun ways; fun learning for the youth is [necessary]. Read as a family the Qur'anic stories of Yusef Qur'an 12: 1-103,  Zulqarnayn 18: 83-101, the story of Essa 3:35-62, 19:1-37 the stories of Musa & his brother Haroun & the Pharaoh of Egypt 28:2-50, 20:9-99 & the stories of the life of the Prophet Muhammad (May the Peace & Blessings of ALLAH be Upon Them all) In addition to traditional Qur'an reading, memorization & recitation.

#MuslimGirlsRead is an initiative to help get Muslim girls and women reading, writing, and ultimately pursuing higher educational fields that would allow them to teach, control their narratives, and give back to their communities, enshallah. However, there are many hurdles for them to overcome inorder to reach those goals.  What naseehah would you give to young Muslim girls living in the inner-cities of America on how to rise above the Islamophobia and unIslamic trends in the media? 

My sisters: educate yourself with concise responses; learn how to refute the lies about Islam. Read the book, "Clear Your Doubts About Islam: 50 Answers to Common Questions", Compiled by Saheeh International." Purify your intentions; make your life and heart's intention to seek to please ALLAH, the Creator. He can with ease bless you to learn and then to teach, to give back and mold your story in your own voice. Raise the flag of the dignity of the Muslim woman! The beautiful modesty of Islam is far removed from foul speech, nakedness, promiscuity and sex outside of the divine bonds of marriage. Study, read, learn and follow the life examples of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, (May the Peace & Blessings of ALLAH be upon him), the Mothers of the believers, his pious wives, and the great female scholars of Islam. Walk a path of keeping yourself far away from mimicking the singers, the actresses and scantily dressed models who your mothers would not be honored to see.

For information on Brother Ahmed, make sure you pick up his book from Amazon.com Soul On Islam is available now! 

My mother, Author Umm Juwayriyah and I, would like to graciously thank brother Ahmed for taking the time to answer our questions and bring you, our readers Muslim Author Spotlight! If you're a Muslim Author and you would like your book reviewed and/or to be the next Muslim Author Spotlight subject, email us at #MuslimGirlsRead