Axis of Evil Comedy - Dean Obeidallah

Dean Obeidallah a member of Axis of Evil comedy troupe in the U.S. speaks about what it is like being an Arab in the U.S. post 9-11.

Axis of Evil is a comedy performed by four Middle Easterners. Although a comedy, you will learn alot about stereotypes and cultures.

Where I have really been...

Assalamu'Alaykum,

It was the eve of 'Eid when I started packing our belongings to head to the place where time stands still - my grandma's house.

The usual - packing the whole house into the carboot and leaving my laptop all alone in the house. I told my husband that when we returned to his parents' we would bring my laptop along so that I COULD BLOG throughout the holidays.

Well, time really did stand still at gran's for two whole days. By third Shawal we were back and repacking for the longer trip up North. We really see my husband's family so we always make it a point to stay a little longer than usual.

I thought I would catch up with my work and would actually have more time to myself since my kiddies' grandparents would be around to entertain them.

Unfortunately, the Malaysian torrential rains had led to thunderstorms. Lightning had hit the phoneline in my inlaw's house. They too had just returned from their hometown and looked at the gaping hole in my brother in law's room with much curiosity.

Yes, there was a hole. At first, my brother in law suspected somehad tried to break in. After making some sense and a few attempts to log on to the net, he decided that the modem had gone kaput.

By the time the contractor was over to fix the connection it was time to leave. I guess everyone was on holiday for that week!

As much as I enjoy visiting (most) of my family, I was quite pleased to return home, smelly pillows and all. I had some pending assignments too and felt so "out of it" without an internet connection! Ever feel that way? We can't live without technology.

I unpacked my laptop the night we returned and was eager to check my email. That was the least I could do at that time.

Unfortunately my phone had been hit too! Astarghfirullah!

We could not call out and neither could callers hear our voices when we received calls.

After a few days of prodding the phoneline company finally paid us a visit. I told them it was useless to call us and keep asking us "is there something wrong with your phone? Hello? Hello? IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG. WITH. YOUR. PHONE?"

Our phone was fixed immediately by connecting to the net was still proving a difficulty. The broadband guy sauntered over after endless calls to the company. Turns out he was in the neighbourhood.

He could not get us connected though. It is weird that my laptop would have been affected. It was unplugged when I had left it at home and it was with me during the rains.

I guess I will never know why.

As I blog, my husband is getting it checked at his office, while I have set up a mini station at my mum's place. Time to check out of the dark ages already! Golly.

Insha'Allah things will get back to normal. It shows that we really are not in control of our plans, no matter how efficient or effective they may seem to be! Best thing is, is not to get wound up and take it in stride.

People were probaby were less stressed out living in non-technology-reliant times. More time to focus on Allah Ta'ala alone. I wonder. I wonder. I wonder. What would it have really been like without running after time, the way we do especially when hooked up to the rest of the world.

Nevertheless, it is good to be back and enjoy the privilege of blogging for this blog. Even after an eventful 'Eid!

YAWN!

Assalamu'Alaykum,

I have been away. Luckily Humanist has done a brilliant job filling in for my posts. It would be great if you could leave comments. We know there are plenty of readers that drop by and sepend time browsing our posts. But letting us know what you think of our mini-dawa action here would be great. Sorts of gives us a confidence boost to continue posting and helping out with the Muslim predicament that most of us face today

Well, honestly, it is not about the comments. Who blogs for comments? It's just nice to have a two-way communication once in a while *winks*

Anti-War Rally

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR OCTOBER 27, 2007, RALLY AND MARCH

Bill Barclay and Peg Strobel, Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice, are coordinating volunteers for October 27th. We need at least 150 volunteers to carry out the tasks listed below.

We need firm commitments from volunteers. Please use the form below so Bill and Peg can effectively coordinate the volunteers.

Or, to volunteer electronically, go to the website for the march-- http://www.oct27chicago.org/--and click on "Click Here to take survey".

QUEENS OF ISLAM

This is a nice clip of Muslim women. It shows a variety of Muslim women wearing hijab while being portrayed in different roles. There is also a show of diversity.

Islam is a truly a religion of liberation for men and especially for women!

Just Because...

Today over coffee, friends told me that they hadn't called me during Ramadan because they "didn't want to bother" me. I asked what do they mean?

They said "Because it was your holy month, Ramadan. We wanted to wait." I explained to them that if they had called, they wouldn't be disturbing me or my family. We don't go into our own little world during this time.

Yes, I know there are prayers and reflections, but that is not 24 hours per day, and seven days per week. We still function in this world.

That is what I had explained to my friends, but in a nice tone. In my opinion, no question or thought is too stupid unless people don't really want to learn.

So, my dear Arab and Muslim friends, I strongly encourage you to be open with your non-Arab or non-Muslim friends, so that they may learn from you on how Arabs and Muslims really are.

Careful How You Type!!

Salaam and greetings everyone.

Today, as I went to type the URL for this blog, I had accidentally typed http://www.thingstoknowaboutmuslimsandarabs.blogpsot.com, it leads you to a "Mega site of Bible studies and information." I was shocked that someone or some people would actually do that.

See the different between http://www.thingstoknowaboutmuslimsandarabs.blogspot.com and http://www.thingstoknowaboutmuslimsandarabs.blogpsot.com ? The answer is blogspot (correct) and blogpsot (incorrect).

Does anyone know if there is action that I can take?

Arab population grows

This is an interesting article on Arab population growth.

By Mike Wilkinson
Detroit News
Posted on Wednesday September 26, 2007
2006 U.S. Census data estimate 123,400 in region but community leaders say number is 300,000.
Michigan became the second-largest state in terms of Arab population—passing New York but remaining behind California, according to the profiles released today.
In the state, the population is at about 147,000. New census data show the Arab community in Metro Detroit has grown substantially since 2000, but community leaders continue to question whether the numbers should be higher and the details are valid.

click on the link to read the rest of it: http://www.aaiusa.org/press-room/3317/arab-population-grows.

What's the Difference between Al Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock?

Lately it is in the news again. Israelis are digging underneath Al Aqsa Mosque. Many people around the world assume it is the Dome of The Rock the Israelis are digging underneath. That is not true. Jerusalem is the third holiest city after Mecca and Medinah, Saudi Arabia. Jerusalem has two important mosques: The Dome of the Rock and the other one is Al Aqsa Mosque.

It is unfortunate, many get the two mixed up. Many believe the Dome of the Rock is Al Aqsa Mosque. I have posted pictures of what the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque looks like.






This is the Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem.




This is Alqsa Mosque, Jerusalem.


Al Aqsa Mosque is actually mentioned in the Qu'ran, Surah Al Israa. It is one of the oldest mosques in the world. Both mosques: the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque are important mosques for the Muslim world.

It is vital to know the difference because a lot of time the media does a poor job showing what Al Aqsa Mosque looks like. Know the difference, so that you may be an informed reader and critical thinker.

Eid al Fitr (Holiday Feast)

Depending on where Muslims are located throughout the world, they may have celebrated Eid today, while some tomorrow, and the rest may even be on Sunday. Yup, you are not seeing a typo. For some reason, Muslims could never agree to celebrate the Eid on the same day around the world.

Declaring it an Eid, takes work. It is based on traditions (called Hadiths) that our prophet Muhammed did.

However, declaring Eid on different days is a controversial topic amongst Muslims, especially in the U.S. In one large city, you will find some Muslims celebrating today, the set of Muslims fasting today and will celebrate tomorrow. I guess it depends on the interpretation you take or follow.

Don't get me wrong, there were times when the entire Muslim population celebrated Eid on the same day.

Anyways, I want to shout out Eid Mubarek to all the Muslims around the world.

With Knowledge Comes Power

Now, who said that? Was it Uncle Ben in Spiderman? Or one of Kent's parents in Superman. I'm pretty sure Stan Lee used this line in one or more of his many lengedary comic books.

I am also pretty sure it is somewhere in the Qur'an and / or the Hadith. There are plenty of sayings by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to seek knowledge, and to even seek it to the depths of China (Bukhari). So, there is power in knowledge, and the opposite of knowledge is pure ignorance through and through.

Alot of misconceptions of Islam and Arabs in the non-Muslim world, is pretty much due to the mainstream media that easily lines up the "good guys" against the "bad guys." Not everyone is given the opportunity or makes that extra effort to read up on the other side of the story.

However, there is a fair segment of the Muslim and Arab society who sometimes encourage negative perceptions of the religion to be formed.

Personally I have found that many misuderstandings about Islam are due to cultural interferences in Islamic practice that give rise to the perception that the religion is tedious and embalmed in ritual practices without the sense of logic.

Some examples are such as wedding celebrations, funeral proceedings and even simple things like the 'Eid festival. While Islam makes everything really simple, without much weight on obligations, many cultures practice this differently and often forget that Islam frowns upon many of their superstitious traditions that usually translate into a waste of money, valuable time and energy. Some practices can even turn into shirk - associating partners with Allah. Astargfirullah....

Coupled with the fact that all of this done without knowledge, stress and anger quickly settle in. For example, dealing with debt after and elaborate wedding, not having to hold "follow up" ceremonies after a funeral, or wasting time on the night of 'Eid baking cookies until 4 in the morning and missing the 'Eid prayer.

If you are a Muslim and you reading this, you would probably know what I'm talking about. Islam outlines the complete way of life without any hardship upon us, but we always manage to find ways to complicate matters.

When in doubt of traditions, it is probably best to consult the Qur'an and / or the Hadith, to ensure what we are doing does not violate Islamic teaching. :)

The last thing a Muslim wants to do is to displease Allah Ta'ala and it is obligatory for every Muslim to make that extra effort to read His side of the story.

A Friend Told Me...

Photobucket Album

Today, I went walking with my friend as part of our daily exercises. She was telling me excitedly that anthropologists were going to be sent to Iraq to teach soldiers about cultural issues and sensitivities. She was very excited, "That should make things easier in Iraq."

Really? I'll believe it when I see it. Readers, what do you think?

Kids Still Teach Us

Today, I took my four-year-old son to the park to play. There another four-year-old child came up to him and said that she would play with him. They played Tag. They played Hide-N-Seek. They played Follow the Leader. They played like they had known each other for ages. As I was watching them play, I looked over to see the child's mother standing far away from us.

As I observed the children playing, I realized that they did not discriminate between each other. So what if my child had a "different" name than his park buddy. She didn't care. My son even corrected her on how to pronounce his name. She tried and came close until he accepted her pronunciation.

These children have no clue about diversity, race, ethnicity. I found it interesting. Why is it harder for adults to make friends with people other than their own culture? I think we have a lot to learn by watching how children interact with each other.

By observing these innocent children playing, I realized that hatred and discrimination are learned traits.

So, I dare you my friend, to go make friends with other people than your own culture, race and religion. Do it.

Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minkum!

Something I love about Islam.

After a month's fast and worship worship worship... we finally skip along happily to the Masjid for the congregation we have all been waiting for. Though, during Prophet Muhammad's (SAW) time, he would hold the prayer in the outdoors, many Muslim communities pray within the compounds of the MAsjid or Islamic centre.

That's fine, as long as your heart is there. I mean, baring your soul to Allah for a sturdy month is enough to bring tears to your eyes and swell up your heart. Not only did your body undergo changes (for the better), you are also reminded of so many less fortunate Muslims who may not even be able to perform 'Eid prayers without the echoes of gun fire. May we all pray for them.

But like I said, something I so love about Islam is about how, in the end, it comes down to the ummah.... building a strong ummah.

Turns out your fasting, dzikr, Tarawih, Qur'an-reading and charity that you had done during the month is to be celebrated by all of whom you meet during the 'Eid prayer. "Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minkum," you say to each other, imploring that Allah accepts all good deeds from you and your comrad in faith.

There is no merriment in celebration unless it is to please Allah. There are no cheers unless a good deed is done. There is no happiness unless a fellow brother or sister is standing next to you in line for prayer.

So to you My Dear Reader, since we are on the home-stretch, Taqabbal Allahu minnaa wa minkum, I hope this Ramadhan was the most meaningful Ramadhan you had ever had!

Ramadan routine change?

During the month of Ramadan, do you stick to your same schedule, or do you adapt your schedule to be a little lenient?

I tend to stick to my same schedule because I incorporate Ramadan in my lifestyle. I may not hold to that theory once fasting takes place in the summer (check back with me in a few years from now). I do think fasting in Ramadan also has to have a mental discipline to it, so that you may continue doing the same tasks and activities you were doing before Ramadan.

For example, a non-Muslim friend asked me if I could exercise three times a week, and if I wanted to wait till Ramadan over, my friend would wait as well. I told my friend, "I exercise during Ramadan. It's not a big deal." My friend was encouraged to begin exercising because exercise buddies are an important task for many people.

I exercised this morning, and I feel fine--a bit thirsty, but I tell myself "I am not thirsty" works for me.

I am curious what you do during Ramadan. Do you have no energy? Do you keep your same routine? Post your comments.

The Midi Market of the Future

In a general 3-stage guide, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) advised his followers on how to treat their children in accordance to their age group.

"From birth to the age of seven, play with them; to teach them thereafter, until the age of 14; and to be their friend throughout the teenage years, until they reach 21."

To any parent, these guidelines are extremely wide and have many dimensions of interpretation, yet they come with undeniable wisdom and allow us to develop our parenting skills with relentless care and sensitivity.

Zooming in on the second age-group of children, the one he (peace upon him) relates to as the "learning age group" of 7-14, any parent would know that children this age learn quickly, absorb new lessons effectively and are able to rationalise on what they have learned.

Children this age look up intently for role models and tend to find comfort in the parent that shares the same gender. Parents in turn should pay alot of attention to these eager minds and nosy parkers because this is the right age to start teaching children right from wrong.

From age 14 onwards, children tend to grow into the wonky hormonal stage of puberty and teenage years and from then on, communicating with your child takes on a whole new meaning.

When Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) talked about teaching children, he did not only mean sitting down and looking over homework. Learning at this stage can stand is a daily activity for a child.

Bare in mind then, however conscientious we are at "teaching" our children, there is also the danger of them learning lessons subconsciously from our own carelessness.

Once upon a time, when I was in that age bracket of 7-14, (it was not that long ago really, lol), we had an opportunity to live in Brussles, Belgium. My siblings and I attended an International School, comprising mostly of European students, mainly British.

Being a Muslim family living in the West, the hunt for halal food was inevitable, and the one place in Brussels that Islamically slaughtered chicken and meat was available was in a place called Midi Market.

Midi Market was represented the home for the Morrocan community in Brussels. You would really feel different upon entering the marketplace. It was like standing on the border of Morroco, if you like, though I have never had the pleasure of visiting that country. There were no Belgian people there, just Morrocans and more Morrocans.

Unfortunately, there was a general sentiment amongst the locals, as well as other inhabitants in Belgium that these Moroccan people were really not that nice. Many Malaysians had encounters with them, the youth mostly, asking for money and mostly causing problems on public transportations. Many were also known to pick-pocket. One of my dad's friends had his coat spat on when he refused their requests for loose change.

No, Morrocans were not nice. This was what I was told, over and over again, through a series of many stories.

After a while, my siblings and I never ventured out to Midi market with my parents for their weekly groceries. Too many Morrocans, they would warn, as they drove across the city to the only place halal meat was available.

I would lie if I said I did not agree with them at the time. A few years later during my wonky teenage years I was waiting for a friend during a shopping spree and a Morrocan teenager came up to me. He asked for money, so I said "no." Then he asked again, and I persisted "no." Then he said I had a nice winter jacket and he had nothing to eat. I plonked in some coins into his cup but before I heard them jingle against the plastic, three other guys were advancing towards me, palms outstretch for change. I fled the scene.

After I nearly killed my friend for making me wait for so long I saw my Morrocan buddy chain-smoking at the corner of the street. I concluded he was an idiot.

That incident just fortified my dislike for the Morrocan community living in Brussles. To me, they were all trouble makers.

A couple of wonky years later, in an undisputed peculiar twist of fate and faith, I decided to wear the hijab. That is a different story all together. I was not living in Belgium, but had moved back to my home-country to study.

My family remained in Brussles and I would visit them during my study breaks.

Things were definitely different the moment I entered the country dressed as I was. I now looked like a Muslim.

Walking down the street malls a few years before, I would have never attracted attention - so I was Asian and short, no big deal. With my headscarf however, it was very differnt.

Women would hang on to their handbags and pull them around acorss their chests. Their husbands / boyfriends / friends would tell them to, yelling "hang on to your bag! Hang on to your purse!" And so they did. I would also notice how their pupils would make an indefinite turn to keep me in the corner of their sight, and no matter much shorter I was compared to them, it was actually possible.

Mothers would pull their kids out of the way... or in fact pull them out of my way... and then pull their bags out of my reach.

People would definitely stare and then pretend not to stare, and then stare again, palms around their valuables.

For many moments thereon, I felt like how it would have to felt to be a Morrocan from Midi market. The ones who were marginalised by everyone, except Muslims when their freezers ran dry of halal meat. But even that did not stop them from spreading the nasty stories about the one or two not very nice teenagers on the local tram.

I also realised that I had been taught during my years of learning that anyone who looked vaguely Morrocan was either a loose-change beggar or a pick-pocketer. I had been taught that Morrocans were just not very nice people. Now I was one of them.

The final embellishment came from someone still dawdling in the learning age group - my little brother. He said to me, "Maria, you look like an Islamic terrorist." Did I conclude that he was an idiot. Maybe, at that time, but now, years later I realise that he had been taught to think that way too.

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white except by piety and good action."
(Prophet Muhammad's (pbuh) farewell sermon).

You can't help to reflect that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) warned us against racism during his time as Prophet - he even reminded his followers to eradicate racial discrimination during his farewell sermon.

Unfortunately, as much as Muslims are being discriminated against by non-Muslims who are educated by mainstream media, this hate crime exists within Muslim societies of our own. To make matters worse, children, young children, have their ears peeled open and listen to our laments of "other Muslims" of "other ethnicities" with such distaste.

You can't get enough of a certain hierarchy within the Muslim world. Purple Muslims are better than Blue Muslims. Blue Muslims are smarter than Orange Muslims. Orange Muslims are more beautiful than Pink Muslims. Pink Muslims build better Masjids than Green Muslims. The lists goes on, and we are passing on that very same list to the next Muslim generation - that eager mind and nosy parker listening intently as you and your spouse complain about the Brown Muslim family living down the street.

I'm sure there were sour apples in one of the million baskets in Midi market. I had a run in with one of them, a memory that will stick with me forever. What I do not want forever though, is the lesson I learned of Morrocan people so horridly stereotyped that every Muslim would be known as thief or a scoundrel... let alone an Islamic terrorist.

Now that I am way above the age of consent in any country and addicted to the Internet - mostly for work - I find Midi markets everywhere, in every nook and cranny. In fact, I visit them all the time. I interact with them and I learn from them every single day.

I have met Muslim sisters who have reverted to the beautiful faith through their wonderful Morrocan husbands. I have learned how these families manage themselves and live in accordance to Islamic creed. I have met Morrocan brothers and sisters so steadfast in their faith, that any Muslim - Blue, Yellor or Magenta - would pause in awe, and say Masha'Allah.

Maybe that is something we would like to pass on to our eager minds and nosy parkers.

I feel horrible for the Morrocans who live in Brussels mostly because I had such a negative perception on all of them, even though there were many sweet apples in the baskets at Midi market.

With enough problems on our plates, Muslims need to hold steadfast together. This will not only stengthen the present ummah that is grappling dangerously with diversity and constant change with different Muslim societal infrastructures - it is also necessary for our children.

They learn from us every day and it is their right to be taught right from wrong - whether consciously or carelessly.

And hold fast, all together, by the rope which Allah (stretches out for you), and be not divided among yourselves; and remember with gratitude Allah's favour on you; for ye were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, ye became brethren; and ye were on the brink of the pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus doth Allah make His Signs clear to you: That ye may be guided. (Al `Imran 3: 103)

Muslim Women Speak Series

This is the first event in the 2007 Muslim Women Speak series sponsored by the Women & Gender Studies and Religious Studies programs and the Office of the Academic Dean.

For more information, contact: Dr. Debra Majeed, at (608) 363-2318; mubashsh@beloit.edu.

Oct. 2, 2007
Richardson Auditorium 7 P.M.
“Equality & The Inalienable Rights of Muslim Women”
Farzana Hassan, President of the Muslim Canadian Congress

Oct. 6: “The Nature of Dress,” a panel of local Muslim women,
1-2 P.M., WAC, South Lounge

Oct. 9: “The Cultures of Muslims in America,”
Dr. Aminah McCloud, Director of the Islamic
World Studies Program, DePaul University,
7 P.M., Richard Auditorium

Oct 23: “The Activist Call of Muslim Women,”
Laila Muhammad, Executive Director,
Ash-Shamsiyyah, The Umbrella Domestic Family Service;
and Sahirah Muhammad, International President,
International League of Muslim Women,
7 P.M., Richardson Auditorium

I should introduce myself...

Assalamu'Alaykum,
Dear Reader,

Humanist invited me to blog on in into Things to know about Muslims and Arabs.

Honestly, it sounded really intimidating at first. Firstly, I am not Arab, and have not even known 10 Arab people in my twenty something years of life. At the same time though, I am pro the embelishment of stereotypes. However, the more I entertained the idea of providing fair light to my Arab brothers and sisters, who are mostly also my brothers and sisters of faith, I decided that blogging here would expand my horizon and allow me to learn new things everyday.

Growing up as a Muslim with a Malay father, Chinese mother, with Indian "godparents" in Western Europe, attending a British School, I know more than enough I know about racism and discrimination to last me four and a half lifetimes.

I am glad you are reading this blog and would like to ask you to support this campaign to give Muslims and Arabs alike a rightful representation that they deserve, as opposed to general mainstream media.

As I blog though, I will make mistakes, so please do not hesitate to correct me, as I am also here to learn about different cultural upbringing and Muslims around the world.

Humanist has done a good job in setting this blog up and rolling out ideas already, masha'Allah, may we all partake in making it work for the sake of Allah.

All truth and beauty come from Allah and any mistakes are mine.