Eid Toy (Gift) Drive

ICNA Relief is organizing a "Eid Toy Drive" for Muslim children of low income families (indigenous and refugee) living in Chicago. The goal is to distribute the toys, goody bags, and other gift items on Eid-ul-Fitr and bring joy and happiness to the faces of the children that receive them.

In order to achieve this goal, the Muslim community is requested to donate the following items:

• Goody bags for children2 years to 12 years of age
• New or used (in good condition) toys for children 2 to 12 years of age (i.e. stuffed animals, dolls, car models, and etc)
• Scarves for young girls
• Caps (Kufi) for young boys
• Islamic Books
• Islamic Games
• And other items suitable for kids
  

To distribute these properly, we would like to receive all gifts no later than September 27th.

For more information, please contact us @1-800-662-ISLAM (4752) or relief@icnachicago.org.

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.

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.

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.

New and Improved Blog

Salaam and greetings to all of you. We have made a comeback at Things to know about Muslims and Arabs. I have added a co-blogger, named Maria. She will be blogging twice a week, occasionally one or two posts extra.

Our intention is to blog Monday through Friday with occasional Saturdays and Sundays. If you have topics that we should cover, feel free to leave a comment on our blog.

A Happy Ramadan to Muslims around the world!