Islam
Wade Michael Page: Islamophobia Unleashed
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How much longer will we tolerate politicians who stoke bigotry like that which drove Wade Michael Page to kill?
Islam
By Us, For Everyone: A Muslim American Declaration
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We are Muslim Americans. We are American Muslims. We live as your neighbors, friends, doctors, lawyers, police officers, soldiers, cab drivers, newspaper vendors, teammates, co-workers, and family — seamlessly and without conflict. We are fully immersed in the American mosaic, and we are proud. Our Muslims forefathers have been here since the founding of this country and we proudly continue upholding our legacy of investing in and contributing to America’s successes from culture to politics, medicine to business, law enforcement to philanthropy. As Muslims, we believe there is only one God, the God of Adam, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Noah, Moses, Joseph, Jesus and Muhammad (God’s peace be on them all).
Inter-Culturalism
The Post-Osama Muslim American
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One of the global architects of terror responsible for inspiring the 9-11 tragedy was finally killed this week. Osama bin Laden, who violently hijacked the faith of 1.5 billion to rationalize his perverse criminal actions, is permanently seared into our collective consciousness as the 21st century boogeyman. Sadly, in the eyes of many Americans, bin Laden has also become one of the most visible icons of “Islam” alongside Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X. Furthermore, 10 years after the 9-11 tragedy, nearly 60% of Americans say they don’t know a Muslim, and the favorability rating of Islam is at its lowest ebb. Muslim Americans, like much of the world, still cannot escape the overbearing shadow of the fallen towers. There is a permanent fork in the timeline of the Muslim American narrative: Pre-911 and Post 9-11.
Politics & Society
Muslims react to news of Osama Bin Laden’s death
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Crossposted from the GOATMILK Blog
“As an American, a Muslim and a Republican, of states right’s and original polity, I give this:
How is it that we as Muslims have come so far from the aristocracy of yore, yet find ourselves consummately subservient to the political aims and whims of Muslim elders who nod wisely and speak stupidly. The ferment of ire that is the baseline of the “Osamas” is a a sad state of affairs where modern Muslims will not question their leadership but will find their deen questioned by people of unscrupulous nature. Every living thing that Al-Qaeda stood for is an affront and idolatry to both Allah (SWT) and Islam as a construct. OBL is hopefully the last bastion of folk who seek to pervert Islam in the name of militarism. May we now be at a turning point where conversation and humility can overshadow the sadness of yore that allowed OBL’s ilk to pervert religion and bend it to suit his wholly un-Islamic aims.”
Politics & Society
Mubarak’s Valentine’s Day
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In honor of Valentine’s Day and the removal of Hosni Mubarak, here is a link to an insane but hopefully amusing and perhaps even educational parody-satire about Mid East Dictators and their complicated relationship with the U.S.
“Mubarak’s Valentine’s Day”
It’s done in the spirit of The Godfather and Fatal Attraction. There is no boiling bunny but something equivalent, kind of. It stars Mubarak, Obama, Clinton, President Zardari, Gaddafi, Tunisia’s Ben Ali, President Assad of Syria, Shimon Peres, King Abdallah of Saudi Arabia and Blackberry Messenger. Hope you enjoy. – hope all have a lovely and wonderful Valentine’s Day…unless you’re in Malaysia, in which case I simply offer you a “good luck.”
Gender and Sexuality
Can a Muslim Woman Marry a Jew? Or Other Non-Muslim? from The Goatmilk Debates
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“THE GOATMILK DEBATES” is an ongoing series featuring two debaters tackling an interesting or controversial question in a unique, irreverent manner. Each debater makes their opening argument. They can elect to post a rebuttal. The winner will be decided by the online audience and judged according to the strength of their argument. The motion: “Muslim Women Should Be Able to Marry Non-Muslim Men”
For the motion: Nadia B. Mohammad
Against the motion: May Alhassen
For the Motion – Nadia S. Mohammad – “Muslim women should be able to marry non-Muslim men”
When Huma Abedin, aide to Hilary Clinton, married Anthony Weiner, New York Congressman, it sent tongues wagging in the Muslim community.
Islam
Barack Obama, Muslim President
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Exhibit A: Barack Obama dressed as a Somali elder during his 2006 visit to Kenya. The photograph was circulated during the presidential election campaign in 2008, regarded by Democrats as a smear. Photograph: AP. One wonders why only 20% of Americans believe President Obama is a Muslim, considering the overwhelming evidence conclusively proving his slavish allegiance to Islam and utter disregard for Christianity. After Obama’s wishy-washy defence of Muslim Americans’ freedom to build a community centre, which includes a mosque, two blocks away from Ground Zero, a poll from the Pew Research Centre reveals that nearly 20% of Americans – up from 11% a year ago – consider him a Muslim, and nearly 43% are unsure of his religion.
art
The Power of Storytelling: Creating a New Future for American Muslims
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Originally published in Patheos.com
WAJAHAT ALI
In 7th-century Arabia, the storyteller was valued more than the swordsman. The audience sat on the floor surrounding the gifted orator as he captivated the eager listeners with beautiful poetry narrating their history. In the 21st century, the art form may have evolved to include motion pictures, TV shows, theater productions, novels, and standup comedy, but they all serve the same function: storytelling. Ideas and principles are most effectively communicated and transmitted when they are couched in a narrative. Stories, whether they concern the etiquette and biography of prophets or the trials and tribulations of America’s founding fathers, inform and influence a cultural citizenry of its values and identity.
General News
Ramadan Blues – A Short Story
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http://goatmilkblog.com/2009/01/22/ramadan-blues-a-short-story-by-wajahat-ali/
A child prepares food for Iftar (evening meal) before the breaking of fast on the first day of Ramadan. (REUTERS/Athar Hussain)
The story originally appeared in the anthology, POW-WOW (Da Capo Press, 2009). “I promise.” The young boy – ashamed, dishonored, and fearing the wrath of a vengeful, omnipotent Allah – promised his Pakistani immigrant father with conviction and resolve. “I promise not to eat during my fast.
Gender and Sexuality
“Muslim Americans Should Support Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage” – Michael Muhammad Knight for GOATMILK DEBATES
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“THE GOATMILK DEBATES” will be an ongoing series featuring two debaters tackling an interesting or controversial question in a unique, irreverent manner. Each debater makes their opening argument. They can elect to post a rebuttal. The winner will be decided by the online audience and judged according to the strength of their argument. The motion:””Muslim Americans Should Not Oppose Legalization Of Same Sex Marriage””
For the motion: Sabir Ibrahim [Read his post here] and Michael Muhammad Knight
Against the motion: Mahdi Ahmad[Read his post here] and Sister A. [Read her Opening Argument here.]
MICHAEL MUHAMMAD KNIGHT: FOR THE MOTION
First things first: this is not an attempt to reconcile the Qur’an, Prophetic tradition, or classical Islamic thought with the cause of LGBTQ rights.