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.
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.
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
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...
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 facingMuslim 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.comSoul On Islamis 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
Have you ever thought about quitting your job so that you can
travel the world chasing your dreams? Many of people do, but so few ever reach
out and grab up enough nerves, opportunities, cash, and faith in their dreams
to make those types of moves. For some it can be that traveling the world
sounds too far-fetched and unstable. Others think it is too costly. While some
even see it is as frivolous and thus unIslamic! Moving away from your families,
communities, and even our cultures can be very scary and pose many new
challenges. Yet, migration orhijrah*is indeed embedded into Islam. Allah
says in the Qur'an about hijrah (what means):
“The ones who have believed, emigrated
and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater
in rank in the sight of Allah . And it is those who are the attainers [of
success].” Surat At Tawbah: 20
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many
[alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an
emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him – his reward
has already become incumbent upon Allah . And Allah is ever Forgiving and
Merciful.” Surah An Nisaa: 100
Since the time of Rasululllah
(sallallahu alyhi wa sallam) Muslims have been traveling the world for
safety, dawah but also for their dreams as well.
These days though if you live in the West there are a lot of reasons to have a
tag sale, quit your job and get out of dodge! From Donald Trump's quackish
politics to Hilary Clinton's big business schemes to the escalating conflict
between Russia and the Ukraine to the terror attacks in Paris to Southwest
kicking off Muslims for just invoking Allah's name to hijabs being pulled off
Muslim women - to - well, the list of discriminatory behaviors against Muslims
is expanding quickly. That said these are interesting times that have inspired
Muslim Baby Boomers, Generation X & Y, and the Millennials to travel the
earth and go find and catch their dream.
These four Muslim women have done just that - picked up and moved away
for safety, Islam, and to chase their dreams.
1) Susanne Rechlin, a German native, is a mother, and a
preschool principal who runs her very own puppet theatre in Kuwait.
Susanne works as a preschool principal in Kuwait. But something
especially creative and interesting about her life in Kuwait is that she is
also puppeteer and TV host. Ms. Susanne has been running her very own puppet
theatre for the last eight years. She tells us at #MuslimGirlsRead, “I was part of a children’s
TV show in the role of puppeteer, in addition to hosting a 30 episode Islamic
talk show which was aired during Ramadan. I am currently recording season 2 of
this program.”
Susanne moved to Kuwait at the age of 15 with her family. At 18
she married and moved to America with her husband and embarked on her college
education. However, she was unable to complete it. Back during those times,
furthering her education as non-Kuwaiti, was not possible. Susanne had her
daughter in 1988 and then when she was two Kuwait was invaded by Iraq. So she
and her family escaped to Lebanon. She explained, "... I decided to take
up sewing and knitting and make some pocket money doing [just] that. During my
first two years in a Lebanese village, I opened a tiny sewing supplies store.”
After her son was born, she moved back to
Kuwait and opened a daycare. Though it was small and her start-up funds were
little, she gave it her best and took great care of the little ones she
entrusted with. Moreover, Susanne made friends with Western Muslimat from all
over and they formed their own small but supportive group. It wasn’t long
before a teaching position opened up for Sister Susanne at a top preschool in
Kuwait that provided her with more opportunities and stability.In regards to
the blessings of hijrah, Susanne states, "When traveling [back] overseas
to non-Muslim countries, including Germany, I realize the blessing of being
able to live in Muslim land. Wearing hijab is not an exception but the norm,
places of prayer are available everywhere, the atmosphere in Ramadan is
special, among many other pluses."However, she cautions that there are
trials for Muslims to ponder and prepare for as well. She told us that, "Being
single or a divorcee means that Kuwait or any other Arab country will not be
home forever.
2) Taeah Rashim, a seventeen year old from Philadelphia, PA, who has completed
the memorization of the entire noble Quran while living in Egypt.
“To memorize the Quran you need to work hard. Nothing worth
having in life comes easy. Just like nothing that is valuable can be bought at
a cheap price.”
Taeah completed memorizing the Quran in December of 2015 and has
received her Ijaazah (authority certificate). She studies Arabic, Nahu (Arabic
grammar), Tajweed and Fiqh and hopes to complete all ten qira'aat (modes of
recitation) one.
Taeah is the first hafithath in her family and talked to #MuslimGirlsRead
about how she accomplished this great goal. She told us, “When I first
began my Islamic studies, I wasn't really applying myself as much as I was
capable of. I was studying and I was learning, but I wasn't putting forth my
absolute best. Then, one day I ran into a sister whose daughter I had known.
She told me that she had finished her memorization of the Quran at the age of
eighteen. This made me ponder on my own progress. It made me think to myself,
‘Well, what have I accomplished?’ At the time I was about fourteen and it made
me say to myself, 'I could do that if I tried. If I put my mind to it I might
be able to finish as young as she did". By Allah's mercy I was able to
finish even younger.”
Taeah inshallah would like to be a lawyer and is currently taking
business law courses while in her last years of high school. She would like to
continue law when she gets into college. But with all of her studies and
obligations I asked her how does she balance everything and what sacrifices
does she have to make to keep her grip on her memorization on the noble Quran.
Her response was,“My main challenge [is] juggling school as well as Quran. To
memorize and review the Quran properly you need several hours a day. It did
help that I was home schooled, so I could do my school work on my own schedule,
but it was still very difficult.”
But Mashallah she said that she stays on top of her studies so
that the Qur'an does not slip away from. And for those looking to memorize the
Quran or really reach any goals she suggest that, “[p]eople may feel
discouraged when they first start memorizing because of the difficulties they
may face. You must keep going. In the end you feel so proud of yourself for
having come so far, by the permission of Allah.”
3) Andrea Wallace (Umm Halimah), representing East Orange, New Jersey, is a mother
of 3, holds a Master's degree in Special Education and works as college
professor in Boroma, Somaliland
Umm Halimah talked to #MuslimGirlsRead about her migration. She told us,
"for me I always wanted to make hijrah because I fell in love with idea of
being like the sahaba..I was looking for the Madina I would read about."
She went on to explain that after leaving the United States the reality of her
experiences were a lot different than the stories from the ahadeeth that
inspired her to pick up her family and board a plane out of the States. Umm
Halimah furthered told us, "It was difficult not so much being away from
home or family but because you are in the Muslim lands surrounded by the
Muslims and you are expecting that everyone is going to be like the had it you
read about. It is a test to be patient with your brothers and sisters and
adjust to how cultural differences sometimes interfere with the unity of
Islam."
Learning to have patience through your experiences and the people that you meet
and recognizing that common sense isn't always so common once you leave your
own soceity, is key. Also important while traveling throughout the world as a
Muslim is to remember Allah's favor on you and how much of a blessing it is to
be able to see the world, work with the Muslims, and be apart of a society that
worships Allah. Umm Halimah offered us this final reflection: "Now as I
will be approaching my third year and have experienced the beauty of Islam in
Africa, Asia and the Middle East, I can truly say I am appreciative of the
opportunity to experience the beauty and hardship of hijrah. To [be able] to
see and hear the adhan, [to be able to see] the different masjid and people has
given me a greater love for the Muslims and our differences because even
through our differences I still hear salaams - the duaa of peace. I feel the
unity of praying five times a day with an entire country. I am grateful for the
blessing and pray Allah continues to bestow His mercy on me and all the Muslims
that they can experience the same that I have or better.
4) Khadijah Abdus Sabur, hails from
Philadelphia, PA, is a homeschooling mother of five, and entrepreneur residing in Egypt. Khadijah
is also the mother of Hafithah Taeah Rashim.
Khadijah spends her time in Egypt teaching her children and helping them pursue
the memorization of the Qur'an. Khadijah told #MuslimsGirlsRead
that: "there are
opportunities to memorize Quran back home (in the United States) if you are
motivated, I think the environment here (in Egypt) does greatly aid in the
pursuit of learning the Quran. Having access to qualified teachers, Masaajid
and Quran schools in most neighborhoods, as well as the association with other
youth who are pursuing the same goal, has been very beneficial." When
asked about what advice she had for other Muslim parents in regards to hijra
and teaching their children the book of Allah, Khadijah assured us that she
believed that "there ARE opportunities in the West (increasing with every
generation) to learn Quran on a consistent basis, as well as many Arab and
African Quran teachers, who conduct classes via skype. It's really about
setting the intention, and seeking the means however Allah decrees it. I had
learning the Quran as a goal for my children before we ever moved abroad, and I
believe that Allah would have still facilitated it if we remained in the
States, Wa Allahu 'Ailem."
May Allah continue to bless all of these sisters to keep reaching
their dreams, solidify their hijrah with ease and provisions and allow others
to benefit from their stories.
* Hijrah: (migration) for
the sake of Allaah means moving from the land of shirk to the land of Islam, as
the Muslims moved from Makkah – before its people became Muslim – to Madeenah,
because it had become the city of Islam after its people had pledged their
allegiance (bay’ah) to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
and asked him to make hijrah to them. So Hijrah means migrating to join other
Muslims. Hijrah may also take the form of moving from one land of shirk to
another land of shirk where evil is less prevalent and there is less danger to
the Muslims, as when some of the Muslims migrated from Makkah, at the command
of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), to Abyssinia
(Ethiopia). And Allaah is the Source of Strength. May Allaah bless our
Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace. Fataawaa al-Lajnah
al-Daa’imah, 12/50
It's Women's History Month! But no, I will not be writing about Susan B.Anthony, Hilary Clinton, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, or Julia Alvarez. The American historical canon has been stuffed with stories of hardworking American women who have accomplished extraordinary accomplishments - but none of them ever represent me as an Muslim American Woman. As a avid reader and writer, I believe representation of organic narratives of American Muslims and especially Muslim women, is not only needed, but necessary! We are here - reverted, born and raised often, for generations and our sisters have always made their mark. Which is why creating this list was incredibly hard. There are so many Muslim women (and men, too!) out there grinding and writing and knocking down doors in the writing and book world these days and I am so proud of you all. I will definitively have to make a part two of this list, enshallah. That said, I think these Muslim women that I have chosen for part 1 have already made such an important impact in their fields, communities, schools, families and the writing and book world - the rest of the world needs to know about them now. The days of waiting for secular media outlets to highlight Muslims is dead! Here are 5+ Muslim Women Should Know About in the Muslim Writing & Book World:
1. Linda (Widad) Delgado
Sister Linda, a retired Police Officer, reverted to Islam after 50. Disgruntled by the lack of Islamic literature for children she founded along with a group of Muslim women writers from around the world: the Islamic Writers Alliance. The Islamic Writers Alliance is a non profit organization in the United States that helps to connect Muslim writers, editors, and illustrators together. Sister Linda later went on to establish the Muslim Writer Publishers (MWP), a traditional publishing company of Islamic Fiction and help to define guidelines for Islamic fiction for BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications). Sister Linda has written and published over 15 books. Check out Islamic Writers Alliance and Islamic Fiction Books (IFB).
2. Brooke Benoit
Brooke Benoit is a long time editor for SISTERS MAGAZINE, blogger, a workshop presenter, homeschooling Mama, and beading artist! She can be found behind the scenes working to push, shove, and guide Muslim writers along their journey to greatness. Brooke is a wonderful resource! Follow her blog A Cliched Life
3. LaYinka Sanni London's own says on her website, "I’m LaYinka Sanni -the Editor, the Writer, and the Teacher; three separate hats, intricately linked." LaYinka, also a long time writer, poet, and editor for SISTERS MAGAZINE and mother, has been working diligently with Muslim authors to put their best writing forward. She also hosts workshops (Young Story Weavers & Story Weavers) online and off in London for Muslim youth to help develop and inspire the next generation of Muslim storytellers. This is a sister to watch! Keep up with her on site, LYS
4. Emma Apple
Emma Apple hails from New Zealand but is based in the United States now and is a sister with many gifts. Her artistry is out of this world, but that is not to take a back seat to her other gifts. Emma is also an advocate for Autism Awareness and the creator of the Blue Hijab Day for Autism Awareness and Acceptance. Her children books blends science, Qur'an, and the Sunnah to help Muslim children think big. Make sure to sign up for Emma's newsletter on her site: Emma Apple
5. Layla Abdullah-Poulous
Layla Abdullah-Poulos is another hard working woman! She is a writer, book reviewer, student, wife, mother, and cultural theorist focusing on the intersections between religion. As the founder of NbA (Native-Born American) Muslims.com - a website "to gather information and analyze socio-cultural elements that comprise the developing native-born American Muslims," she engages in important research that helps clarify and redefine American Muslim culture and communities through an organic filter. Layla's site also hosts an extensive amount of research on NbA Muslim writers as well. Furthermore, Layla is a proud alumna of SUNY Empire State College’s Long Island Center with a Bachelor of Arts in Historical Studies and Literature and is presently a student in the School for Graduate Studies.
7. Dilshad D. Ali Dilshad D. Ali is the Managing Editor of the Muslim Portal on Patheos.com. She has covered Muslims and Islam in America for more than 10 years for a variety of media outlets, including Islam-Online.net (before it became OnIslam.net), Newsweek, AzizahMagazine, Illume Magazine, Altmuslim.com,Islamica magazine, and Beliefnet. She has also worked as an editor at Islamic Relief USA, the largest Muslim charity organization in the U.S. Furthmore, Dilshad's blog, Muslimah Next Door: Faith, Family, Autism - Not Always in that Order helps to highlight the challenges and bring awareness to special needs issues in the Muslim community.
8. Hend Hegazi
Hend Hegazi was born and raised in the USA and graduated from Smith College with a degree in biology. Her first novel, Normal Calm, tackles rape and abuse within Arab-American communities, which has not been done often. Normal Calm was published in January 2014 by FB Publishing. Follow Hend at hendhegazi.wordpress.com to stay up to date with her new books.
9. Aishah Schwartz Sister Aishah is an American Muslim revert to Islam, founder and director of the 2006 established Washington, D.C.-based Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) and a retired 17-year litigation legal assistant. She is also a published freelance non-fiction writer/journalist and internationally renowned human rights activist with a focus on the rights of Muslim women and the plight of the Palestinian people affected by the Israeli imposed illegal embargo on Gaza. MWA has helped many Muslim women writers find support and resources. Keep up to date with sister Aishah on Muslimah Writers Alliance
10. Margari Azizah
Margari Aziza Hill is co-founder and Programming Director of Muslim Anti-Racism Collaborative (MuslimARC), assistant editor at AltM, and co-founder of Muslims Make it Plain. She is also an adjunct professor, blogger, and freelance writer with articles published in Time, SISTERS, Islamic Monthly, Al Jazeera English, Muslimmatters, Virtual Mosque (formerly Suhaibwebb.com), and Spice Digest. The writing and advocacy that sister Margari engages in is long overdue within the Muslim community, but also laborious and heartfelt. You can find Margari's writing on her site: Margari Aziza
