Faith in a Fruitful Conversation

Sulayman Nyang: OnFaith on washingtonpost.com

Assalamu alaikum, the above link was taken from the Seeker’s Digest blog.

Senegal Muslims show love of work in peanut-picking

News | Africa – Reuters.com

Insecticide Spraying a Must Against Malaria

VOA News – Insecticide Spraying a Must Against Malaria

Senegal: Arrests Raise Questions Over Safe Return of Mauritanian Refugees

allAfrica.com: Senegal: Arrests Raise Questions Over Safe Return of Mauritanian Refugees (Page 1 of 1)

Infertile Women Called To Register For Jammeh’s Treatment

..::The Gambia Journal Online::..
Infertile Women Called To Register For Jammeh’s Treatment

As Infant Mortality Goes Down, What About Maternal Mortality? Part 1 of 2

..::The Gambia Journal Online::..
As Infant Mortality Goes Down, What About Maternal Mortality? Part 1 of 2

Clarification on My Thoughts on the HLF Trial

Assalamu alaikum, as Umm Zaid points out, its not quite time to celebrate just yet! Although admittedly, I felt the impulse to do so, however, after I read the aritcel, I was kinda like “whoa, wait a minute, we’re not done just yet!” So while, yes, I maintain that it’s indeed “wonderful news” as I initially said, it’s “wonderful news” with a few grains of salt thrown in there. Especially considering that the prosecutors want to try this case again.

Just wanted to put that out there.

Grandmother Project Uses Elders to Help Educate Community on Health Issues

VOA News – Grandmother Project Uses Elders to Help Educate Community on Health Issues

Hmmm… Interesting…

Assalamu alaikum, a very interesting thing happened at work today, just a few minutes ago, in fact…

I was sitting here at my desk, and a lady walks up to me and starts speaking to me. I couldn’t understand her, and she says, “Do you speak Arabic?” I said, “No, not really, I can say Assalamu alaikum, and that’s about it.” Because she didn’t say salams to me and because I was already starting to feel silly/strange, I didn’t mention that I also knew *some* of the Qur’an, because, what I can recite is so miniscule that I don’t even like to mention it.

So anyway, she says to me, “you mean you don’t speak Arabic, someone told me you did”. And I said something like “hmm, that’s interesting, I’m not sure why they told you that”, while at the same time I was thinking, “who is this woman, why would anyone assume I know Arabic? Oh yeah, ’cause of the scarf I guess, and I guess all them “Mozlems” must know Arabic right?”

So anyway, she asked me if I was from “here” originally, or where I was from, I can’t remember which, and I said “originally, Indiana”. By now I was kinda giggling in a “I’m really feeling embarrassed/strange” kinda way.

And then the lady just stood there for a second, and then said “hmmm” and walked away. I thought to myself, “well, guess she doesn’t quite know what to think of me”.

And now I’m thinking, “should I have told her I was a Muslim”, but I don’t like to do that! I’m wondering what I could have done differently. I mean, it was just so unexpected, no greeting, no nothing, just Arabic, the assumption that I could speak Arabic, and how did anyone come to think that? I mean, I’ve never told anyone around here that I can speak Arabic, I mean, I’ve in fact told people who have actually asked, that I can’t speak Arabic.

And the fact that she didn’t greet me bothered me too, and the fact that when I said I could say “salam”, she acted like she didn’t know what I was talking about, which gave me a strange feeling. I mean, even if she was not a Muslim, she would have known, presumably, what that meant. I don’t know.

So I guess I’ll spend the rest of the day analyzing this. Oh, yeah, she did ask me what languages I could speak, I said “I can speak some Spanish”, I didn’t mention the few words of Mandinka, Wolof, etc., that I know as my knowledge of said languages is extremely negligible.

So anyway… I’m going to lunch.

The Consequences of No Spiritual Growth

The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture. » The Consequences of No Spiritual Growth

Assalamu alaikum, very interesting post! BTW, I wish I could see his pics! *smile* Mashallah.

State Agents Try to Drag Rambo Back to Court

State Agents Try to Drag Rambo Back to Court

Assalamu alaikum, wow, it’s not enough that they detianed this guy for over a year, ignorning the courts’ ruling that he be produced (and the only reason IMHO, that he was released was that Amnasty International, who themselves had people detained by the Gambian authorities, had come to investigate The Gambia). Anyway, it’s not enough that this guy was taken from place to place, could not get medical care and sometimes food, almost died of malaria, etc., etc., etc., but then the state wants to still take him to court for what? “Uttering statements that are detrimental to national security”?

Oh well, what can I say? The US has Guantanamo, the US governemtn doesn’t want toa dmit that they use torture, rendition, etc. They won’t even talk about what kind of tactics they use, won’t even tell the American people the kinds of thigns that are being done in their name, with their money, because “the enemy might use it against us”, I’m not kidding, I saw this on Charlie Rose last night!

I keep saying that there isn’t much difference between George W. Bush and Yahya Jammeh, it’s just that Jammeh gets to be a dictator whereas Bush doesn’t, although he would if he though the could get away with it. And I guess if you scare us gullible Americans enough, we’ll beg for that! Meaning, begging for someone to “protect us from those Moz-lems”, or whoever the evil boogieman is this week. Or month. Or year.

But anyway, people will say “Bush is no Jammeh”, well, maybe not, but there are similarities between the two, and I’ve maintained this for quite sometime. And yeah, the US has, suppsoedly the Constitution and the rule of law, but as long as you have people who think that those things should be thrown out int he name of “national security”, then so-called “rule of law” and “the Constitution” don’t mean anything!

Agreement signed for President’s HIV/AIDS Trust Fund – Daily Observer

Agreement signed for President’s HIV/AIDS Trust Fund – Daily Observer

Assalamu alaikum, you know, I’m having one of those moments where you’re watching a cartoon character, a movie actor, or someone else you admire, they’re about to go and do something, well, that you think is really stupid, doesn’t make sense, etc. And you’re like “don’t go and do it! Don’t do it!” And– well, they go and do it!

Oh, Thione Seck, waht are you doing! Composing a song about Jammeh’s AIDS cure!? Oh, my goodness! I had a feeling it was bad, but not this bad! I mean, was the career on the decline in Senegal or what! Not that any of us American listeners would know. I mean, Senegalese music probably takes a while to make it over here, kinda like how you go to Europe or Africa and people are still listening to songs from way back in the day like they’re new?

Maybe he could write a song *warning* people not to take the cure!? I mean, according to the Gambia Journal, there have been some reported deaths since people stopped their conventional treatments!

I also wonder why no one is making a fuss about this! When Youssou Ndour came to The Gambia shortly after the death of Deyda Hydara, the people, at least on the list I was on, were in an uproar! “oh how dare Youssou Ndour come so soon after Hydara’s death!” they said. But Thione Seck? Not a peep! Perhaps it’s because Seck is not as well-known as Ndour is, perhaps it’s because Seck has not positioned himself as much as the champion of human rights, etc., I don’t know!

However, if you’re going to hold one artist up to whatever lofty standards you have, then hold htem all up to those standards!

And oh, yeah, I know people aren’t perfect, people make mistakes, etc., but, well, whatever song comes out about Jammeh, I won’t be buying it!

Mistrial for most defendants in Muslim charity trial

Dallas Morning News | News for Dallas, Texas | Texas/Southwest

Assalamu alaikum, this is indded wonderful news!

Magical Unity Fades Under New Moon | Muslim Media Network

Magical Unity Fades Under New Moon | Muslim Media Network

Magical Unity Fades Under New Moon | Muslim Media Network

So How do I do this!?

Assalamu alaikum, so uh, like, once I find that cool moon graphic, or whatever else I wanna put on my blog, how do I get it there? Yep, I’m having one of those moments where I realize that I really don’t know what the Heck I’m doin’ half the time! (I think Chloe knows more what she’s doing that I do lol). But anyway. I think I need someone I trust and who can do this sorta thing to help me with this!

Thione Seck Visits The Gambia?

Lamin’s Blog: The Smiling Coast in for A Treat

Assalamu alaikum, well, hey… My first reaction, after asking “so when’s he comin’ to the US”? Is to say, simply, this concert is “to thank Yahya Jammeh”? For what? How about having the concert to thank the fans for supporting him the DJ, and Thione Seck and Raam Daan the singer and band?

Having a concert to thank Yahya Jammeh, and then asking people to pay a minimum of 200 dalasis, when the majority of Gambians can’t even feed their families, let alone spend that kind of money to attend a concert is just, well, it just left a bad taste in my mouth!

Allah knows best, and I want to think the best of people but did anyone ask Thione Seck if he wanted to give a concert ostensibly praising Yahya Jammeh for giving the promoter of said concert a couple of awards?

Oh, yeah, and let’s not forget how Senegal, Seck’s native country, was snubbed at the very festival at which this same Lamin Cham received the awards that he is so wanting to thank Yahya Jammeh for presenting him with.

It’s starting to feel like deja vu all over again, remember Youssou Ndour anyone? I’m not saying that performers can’t come and perform in places where they know they have masses of fans who’d love to see them! Heck, I’ll say now that if I was in The Gambia, I’d go and see Thione Seck, however, I’d be terribly disappointed if Thione Seck seemingly had no problem if he was the headliner of a “thank-you” concert for a dictator, a murderer, and someone who’s stolen the Gambian people’s hard-earned money! And on and on and on!

And I’d sure hate to think that this is just another performer who seems to sing about human rights, liberation, etc., etc., yet when it comes right down to it, if the bottom line is affected, they’ll put all that to the side for a few dollars/dalasis/CFA’s or whatever currency.

Now, if I’m wrong, I’ll stand right here and munch on my words for everyone to see, but something about this really bothered me! And I just had to express my feelings.

Cool Moon Graphics!?

Assalamu alaikum, does anyone know where I can get one of those cool moon graphic thingies that shows the moon phase, percent of the moon’s elumination, and the next new moon? I’ve seen that on other blogs and I like it. Also, I’ve seen hijri calendars/dates on other people’s blogs/websites as well, how do you get that?

I’d also like to find some weather/news templates (preferrably from my area and also world news as well), but have to look for that.

Apologies

Assalamu alaikum, I want to apologize for once again reviving the moon sighting debate, both on this blog and on other lists. I’ve asked knowledgeable people about this numerous times, and have gotten an answer on it, so I should just stick with that answer and shut up, to be blunt about it!

Constantly asking the same quesitons, constantly bringing up”my opinions” or “I follow X organization” and then in the same breath proceed to say “well, I’m so afraid of causing fitna”, etc., etc., etc., while by saying that, I at least have a thought that what I’m saying might cause fitna and distress to some.

It’s like when you say “well, this might offend some” and proceed to say something offensive. And then get upset when an argument insues or when a negative comment is directed at you!

Anyway, we all know the various rulings/positions on the matter, and perhaps the best thing to do is asking someone you trust and follow what they say, say Alhamdulillah, and keep silent/not engage in debate about “who’s right and who’s wrong”. And I mean this for myself foremost, I’m not pointing fingers here!

Anyway, I just wanted to apologize for htat, and Inshallah, I’ll learn to bite my tongue on this!

Going Against the Tide

Assalamu alaikum, well, Ramadan is over, or at least almost so, and it makes me sad. Sad that I don’t feel I got nearly as much accomplished as I wanted to, or should have! The month goes by so fast, it reminds me of trying to grasp a handful of sand and try to hold onto it for as long as you can, but no matter how hard you try, it still falls away, time still moves on!

I feel a mixture of joy, excitement and yet, a tinge of sadness! That Ramadan has gone, and yet, I feel I did not use the time of this month as wisely as I’d wanted to. Didn’t read as much Qur’an, didn’t pray as much Tarowih and Tahajjud as I’d wanted, didn’t make as much dua and dhikr. And it kinda scares me a little. What if I never see another Ramadan, and I don’t get this chance again?

I was sick for the past week and a half, with a cold, and all I wanted to do was sleep! I also attended a family function last weekend, and maybe it was the spiritual state I was in, but I just felt completely out of place! For many, many reasons that I just won’t go into here. I would love to say that I wanted to be at home, praying, reading Qur’an, etc., but in reality, I just wanted to be in bed!

For some reason, it seems, I get a cold at some point during Ramadan, usually during the last part of it. I don’t know if it’s the fasting or what it is. I don’t know if illness duirng Ramadan means something or not. But whatever the case, I still feel like I have accomplished nothing during the month!

And the surprise that “Eid is tomorrow” for some, and my “discomfort” about that, also makes me sad. Sad becuase I feel like I’m just going to keep beating that perverbial dead horse, and sad because we just keep repeating the same sorts of things over and over and over again (myself included).

Tomorrow morning, I have to leave for work earlier than normal so my husband can get to the masjid for Eid prayers, and I didn’t take the day off, and I just feel a little glum about that. I’m just glad that I, well, let’s just say, that well, due to circumstances beyond my control, I won’t have to decide “which day to pray” this year, and I didn’t have to decide which day to fast.

I just feel badly going against my community, not because I feel they’re right, but I feel like by doing that, that act in and of itself is a road to the path of Fitna.

I’m just tired, feeling sad, because this month has so quickly passed me by. And I don’t feel I did nearly enough. And, and, and.

I feel like the rest of the world is going one way, but I insist on going another. I feel like I was the only person in Florida who decided to start counting their Ramadan days, or starting their Ramadan, on September 14th. Heck, I was probably the only one in the Southeast region to do so. And while I can write pages about the why of it, well, I still don’t like it, because I still feel like I’m doing something “bad”, like “following madhhabs” bad, or “tasawuf” bad.

I don’t know how to explain it. I feel as though there is someone just waiting to pounce on me and say “what’s wrong with you, you fitna-monger, why can’t you be like the rest of us and just follow” whoever?

And I want to say, because I read such-and-such, or I asked someone, or whatever. And then I’d say to myself “no, that’s not right, then you’re still causing fitna, because you’re engaging in argumentation”, etc. Does any of this make sense?

OK, so I’m rambling, it’s late and I should be sleeping. I know, I know, I know. It woudl just be so easy to just go with the tide, follow “what everyone else is doing” for the sake of “unity” or whatever, but I don’t know if there is some defect in my nafs or what, but it is just not in my nature to do that! I never was a “follow the crowd” type of person. Especially if everything we know tells us that said crowd, well, may not be correct.

I’d sure like to know how a moon that all the models said was 0% eluminated was seen! Must have been some moon! And why did we not see it here where it was said, again by the models, to be more eluminated at 1%?

What if, as has been reported in the past, Saudi comes back and says “oops we made a mistake”, and then people have to go back and fast that extra day? Is this even considered when things like the beginning and ending of Islamic months are decided? Just some questions?

Anyway, I’ll stop now. This is just my rambling, nonsensical thoughts, nothing more nothing less. Inshallah, everyone has a blessed Eid, and that is what I *really* should be saying! Not going on tirades about the “when” of it! If I could just learn to just keep quiet and do what I think is best, without inciting only Allah knows what, kind of drama no matter where I go?

Anyway, assalalmu alaikum, all, I think I’ll go now, I’m tired and it’s late and I have to work in the morning! *sigh*. Those of us who go against the tide, even if it’s deemed as “right”, well, it sure can get lonely and that’s I guess my point! If you’re the only madhhab-following, tasawuf-friendly, person who follows the local moon sighitn gin NOrth America or follows Zaytuna’s sighting, but the rest of your community seemingly does differently, I’m just saying it can be lonely! Everyone else in my community is having Eid tomorrow, and my Eid will most likely be on Saturday or Sunday. And that just makes me sad! Because I’ll be doing it all by msyelf, and that just doesn’t capture the spirit of it!

*sigh* OK, I’m really going now, assalamu alaikum.