Super Tuesday: Some Thoughts

Hi

A historical Super Tuesday awaits us tomorrow especially in light of the Democratic ballot. For the first time in history, we will have either an African American or woman as the frontrunner of one of the two major, dominant political parties in the US. To be honest, though, I am quite surprised that we have made it to this point in our history. I would even be more surprised if I see either one of them sworn in as the next President of the United States of America. But, with the recent call for change, is this not so unrealisitc anymore?

Well, on the eve of this politically historic night, I thought I would ask a couple politically-minded friends for their thoughts about Super Tuesday and the candidates. I haven't heard back from one of them (Aref ), but fortunately I have from the other. On that note, here's some insightful and witty commentary by a man.myth.legend.sufi.lover.fighter.punjabi first time guest writer (first time having a guest writer, in fact) - Summy Huck (alias):

"As the super upset from this past Sunday's Super Bowl comes to a rekindling end there's a new super event approaching that has maybe just as much hype behind it. Super Tuesday is a collection of a series of states coming together, viewing self promoting - perfectly placed commercial ads, the yard signs that were pushed in on your own lawn w/o permission, the email fwds you receive about not voting for Obama because he's Muslim, are all events that have a desire to persuade your vote to the truth. But the truth is anything but what has been spoken. As Republican Ron Paul can prove - or better stated, his approval ratings will prove - honesty will do little as ambiguity will bring in votes.

I'm a firm believer that history shows a person's strengths and overall attitude for the future. So let's explore the history of the four main candidates: Obama, the not fully but half Black man from Hawaii who has stated, relentlessly, that he's not Muslim and loves Jesus. Second we have the habitual agreer, Hilary "my-tears-show-my-love-for-you, don't-you-remember-the-economy-while-my-husband-was-in-office" Clinton. Third, virgin pina colada Mitt Romney whose campaign reminds me of the documentary, Jesus Saves. Last and most certainly least is Purple Heart, park-in-the-handicap-spot McCain.

Obama stands for change more than any other candidate because he stands for everything opposite of the old white man politics we're used to. Here's a colored man that posesses every color in his family like he's related to Brad and Angelina. He admits to having smoked pot, putting his hand on the knee of his now wife on their first date, he's charming, he's witty, and as we all saw a few months back, he looks better in swimming trunks than even our good friend Imran Shakur [blogger's note: I resent that]. Obama speaks levels to generation YouTube, which is exactly what America needs after eigh years of Bushism.

Hillary, born and raised next to Potter Masjid and MEC, mashAllah, graduated top of her class and was on the side of everyone's favorite rebel president, Bill Clinton. Hilary lacks character - she seems like that really hot Muslim girl you see at a family party who's 23 and single but you think, there's no way this girl is this hot and does all the right things until you notice that green thong hanging from her bedoorm door knob. Hilary is sneaky and fake (as seen with that sinister smile while Obama spoke about her during the last Democratic debate) and flip flops through her ideas more than that horse looking Democrat from four years back.

Mitt Romney, as we all know, is a Morman and holds very Christian values. Marrying his highschool sweetheart, Mitt puts his family first. Although he wants illegal immigrants out, he's open for many of them to finish up the academic year if they're in school or to make it a comfortable transition. With a good set of hair and a strong backing, this Utah man stands a good chance against McCain

Lastly McCain. A man that was born in 1936 when racism was a common practice, McCain graduated in the bottom of his class. Son and grandson to Navy Seals, McCain joined in the family values of war and earned a Purple Heart as a Seal for majority of his life. Now, 115 years old, McCain, a man that lives and breathes war wants to add another 4 years of terror to our lives.

When voting tomorrow at the primaries, think about change. We're near a recession, unemployment is low, the dollar won't get you much more than a double cheeseburger, oil prices makes you want to own a Prius even if people will think you're gay, more money has been spent killing innocent civilians overseas than education here in our country. Let's think about change. We've lived 8 years this way, let's ask for a change...we deserve it."

Well said, Sami. Particularly your point on how honesty doesn't win the Big Game (see NE Patriots); but talk does. And so on that front, the most unique and perhaps fresh talk/perspective from the group of candidates (let's not forget Huckabee-fin) is undoubtedly Barack Obama. He is eloquent and polished and knows how to move a crowd. Though a part of me is worried what he may do to Pakistanis and Muslims worldwide (perhaps moreso to garner the support of Red States and alienate himself further from being a Muslim), it is silly to think that the other candidates wouldn't take similar (or worse) stands. At least Obama's multi-cultured background can offer a more universally American representation than your typical WASP candidate. Also, you have to give credit to Obama and his invention of the word "change." Seriously, ever since he won in Iowa and promised to bring about change ("We are choosing hope over fear, we are choosing unity over division and sending a powerful message that change is coming to America" - Obama), all the other candidates used it like it was going to send them instantly to the Oval Office. Let's see what he can do with it, if destiny works in his favor.

As for Hilary: Sometimes this woman annoys me, but often times she completely astounds me with her smart, quick responses. Clearly, she has some talents here, folks, and for a woman, I could actually see her looking presidential at times. Jeez, I can't believe I said that. And, yes, I did say "for a woman," you ultra liberal fem nazis because of the cold hard fact is that there has not been a woman president in the US...like, ever (ok, maybe Hoover with his cross dressing). But I could see her set the precedent for future women presidential hopefuls. Anyway, Hilary has been doing a pretty effective job since she found her "voice" just about a month ago. Women and many others have come to her beckoning just as many African Americans have come to Obama's. Let's see who wins the fight.

So even though I am not voting tomorrow (ok, don't get angry, I just didn't get around to registering), I am of course anxious to see the results. A bit paradoxical, I admit, as I'm not participating in the particular political process; but no matter what your level of involvement is, you cannot deny that the historical implications are fascinating relative to our American history.

May the best man win.

God Bless America

Halal Mix Tape

AA

This is a good find by my man Taha. Apparently, these guys made this video a few years back; it was also a big hit during ISNA a couple years ago. Definitely some classic, halal humor here...



I can't pray..witr without you...!

cheers

Brrr!

Hi

Ok, so that's my car's current read of the temp outside. Yep, a frigid zero degrees, folks!

Thank God for my desi fob uncle coat (you have to see it in person to know why Taha dubbed it that). All I have to say is that when I wear it, I can't tell that it's really that cold. This is no slight exaggeration either; just ask me to let you hold or wear it the next time you run into me.

Alhamdulillah for what we have. Just keep in mind those that are homeless or without heat in their homer during such harsh weather. Guaranteed you'll feel much warmer with or without a huge fobby winter coat...

Cheers

Fasting; Aashoorah

AA

Well, I should have posted this a couple days ago, but in case you were not already aware, it's encouraged to have fasted yesterday and today or today and tomorrow to observe Aashoorah.

This is a brief, but excellent article from Shaykh Amin on the merits of fasting:
http://www.darulqasim.org/articles/FastingInMuharram.pdf


FiAmanAllah

Ghani vs The Shakur's: The Basketball Showdown of the Ages... [preview]

Hi

Long has there been a battle of words between Taha and The Shakur Brothers on a match-up in the game of basketball. Taha, hailing from an honorable Punjabi family, has recently reignited a challenge between two dominant households of Punjab: The powerful Shakur's against the fearless Ghani's. Or rather, the singularly fearless Ghani. The so-called “challenge” that has been issued is one that calls upon the three musketeers (Ali, Umar, and me) – not to be confused with the three stooges – to play a 3-on-1 match-up against Taha. Yes, you read that correctly, a 3-on-1 match-up.

For the sake of my good friend and brother Taha, I ask that you refrain from your laughter and continue reading for there is some basis for such a match-up, as much as it pains me to admit...

A long time ago, in a place far, far away, T-Wade had challenged Umar and me to a two-on-one basketball game at the Ray Meyer Recreational Center at DPU. Umar and I laughed about it, but Taha's deadpan, stoic expression indicated that he was in fact serious. (In hindsight, perhaps those were the early stages of his Hulk-like personality and demeanor...) After he called us out, we obliged and played him for fear of getting pounded by his massive naak (nose). After all, the only thing bigger than Taha’s nose is his ego; which this challenge makes evident.

As fate (and sadaqa) would have it, Taha ended up winning the game. Ok, maybe not entirely sadaqa on our part since Taha is a talented baller. Just don't ask me how one man could possibly beat two in hoops. It just happened. But, I will say that T does actively take HGH; in fact, I'm convinced that he's the one that invented it, but that's another blog entry for another day...

After that happened, Tahiti naturally wanted to take it to the next level and test his balling abilities against all three of us. An ambitious pursuit by a talented man when it comes to basketball, no doubt, but one that will ultimately be futile. What you have to understand about T is that he’s a passionate man, or more accurately, a passionate brute. Some may even say a passionate buffoon. However you want to look at it, you must agree that he is passionate. Unfortunately, that passion can lead to whimsical challenges like this one. While I admire passion in anyone, I’m cautious against passion that leads to irrational decisions. At this point, maybe now you’ll understand where his Hulk-like personality comes from; it’s not just his physical prowess, but also the mental umm...“edge.”

So, the 3-on-1 challenge was resurfaced after Umar wished Taha a sal gira mubarak on his fb wall. Taha had replied back saying something along the lines of taking the Shakur Brothers down in the 3-on-1 match-up. The next thing we know, Taha was on speakerphone with Umar and me where the smack talking heightened. Hulk’s wit did not fail him with classic one liners like, “I’m gonna use you guys to set picks on yourselves…” Then Taha tried to get personal with me and tried attacking my blog: “Look, Pac, your blog has fallen off. You need to spice it up again.” Umar retorted, “What about your blog, Taha?” Without hesitation Taha shot back in stern fashion, “Look, guys, only dorks have blogs.” A collective “Oooooo” was followed, but Umar came through like the Shakur Clan usually does and said, “Yeah, but only losers read them…”

The shataaak was heard around the world. Taha fell silent.

Sadly, we expect much the same on game day...

Until then

Play on Playa

Getting ready for the camera flash lights. This is how the legendary Professional Pakistani Pimp Playa does it...

2008 New Year's Resolutions

Hi

Happy New Year!

Let’s ring in 2008, folks. 2007 is officially over with and that means that your 2007 New Year’s resolutions are to be refreshed in ‘08, because, after all, who really accomplishes their New Year’s resolutions anyway?!

Having said that, though, I think it’s important that we set forth the 2008 New Year’s resolutions so we can achieve some reasonable expectations in our lives; a motivation to improve upon strengths and weaknesses. And this year I’d like to take the liberty of doing it on behalf of people I know, so let’s start:

Ali: To at least think about leaving his laptop for a period greater than 1 hour. To write a blog entry more than 3 sentences long. Oh, and to write an entry that’s actually interesting, not something like, “This computer article on how to revamp your home network is really interesting. You should read it.” And to get married.

Umar: To possibly invest some time into investigating whether or not GH (growth hormone) pills could get him to break that ever illusive 5 feet mark. To get married, but first to stop running away from hot doctor chicks (note plural usage of “chick”). To improve upon in Madden by playing the local grade school kids first.

Taha: Ease up on the roids and the roid rage when he doesn’t get his choice of food. To officially give up allegiances to STL and to stop bandwagoning in sports. To relive the days of ghanishakur glory that once was.

AJ: To relive the days of glory where he came by my crib every weekend. To brush up on his Madden skills before I totally eclipse him. To at least think about not being so incredibly whipped (just give it some thought). To work on his family and wife accepting me (note: this is a repetitive resolution).

Hassan/AH: Give up on turning tables so much before we start to think that he’s a waiter and not a “doctor.” Oh, and on the subject of his profession, in ’08 he should prove to people that he’s actually saving lives by working. He should also resolve to use his own money for once when buying clothes or taking people out to eat (not his sugar momma’s money). To get over himself by calling and emailing people. To surgically remove that blemish he calls a beauty mark (i.e. the mole). To free up his weekends for his friends, but prior to that, to remember who his "friends" are. To stop sending out text blasts to all his friends asking, “What are the plans tonite?” and then pick and choose from whomever is most likely willing to treat him out. To…you know what, I’m beginning to think that I could write a separate entry about his 2008 resolutions…

Farooq: While continuing his trend on being the King of Corporate America, to remember me on the way to the top. To call me or at least remember me in his duas (at least the duas). To also be nice to me at least once per month in emails, especially group emails, so people don’t think that he actually hates me (note: this is a similar resolution that Sayeed has, though we are still determining if he actually does hate me or not…). To extend that even further by being nice to Fahad, too. To get married ASAP, but go on another mini-vacation weekend trip with me (i.e. to not wait another 2-3 years or when he gets permission from Zubair/Sarfraz).

Fahad: To get married ASAP (maybe to The Predicament). To stop stalking random, hot women and sending them messages confessing his love (repeat resolution). To stop taking pictures of…well, he knows what I’m talking about. Stop calling himself “Masood.”

Aref: To stop fitting into Hassan’s back pocket so much. We don’t need another AH running about. This also includes a resolution to stop taking hundreds of pictures of AH when they’re at my house.

Tariq: No resolutions for 2008 for him as long as he continues to enjoy Frosty Fridays with me. His life is perfect, mashaAllah.

Taha/Hassan/Me: Not to take more than 45 minutes to decide where to eat.

Z: After talking to her fiancé, AH, he wanted me to communicate the following: “lose some weight before the wedding and stop being so sensitive.” I don’t know what he meant, but that’s what he told me so I thought I’d include it. In addition, Zareen is to be nice to Imran for once inshaAllah'ta'ala. Have Imran emcee the wedding. Stop micromanaging Hassan until at least the wedding.

Sana: Stop thinking that she has more rights over Taha than I do. To also come to terms with me sitting in between them during the wedding ceremonies. Also have Imran emcee the wedding. To treat Imran out for dinners (KFC doesn't count).

KR: To stop flirting with 12 year old hijabi girls during ISNA (and his speeches). To invite me to his house at least once to play Madden. To also stop breaking my heart by calling my brother Umar a heartthrob and not me.

Harris: To stop telling us that he’s willing to meet up for lunch or dinners and then sellout once he’s unable to secure someone being his personal chauffeur.

Sofia: To acknowledge that the AJ-Pac connection is unbreakable.

Baseer: To give serious on thought on renaming Zayd to Imran.

Sarosh: To give up on The Hate and welcome in The Love and a path to goodness...

Irfan: To take Zen classes so he can stop yelling all the time.

Awais: To stop fantasizing about being Arab. To call Imran at least once in ’08.

Beast (Anurag): To stop hammering his opponents while down in the post for basketball with an axe.

Most of my Arab friends: To recognize that, yes, desis can be Muslims, too, and that biryani is the international food of choice for all Muslims. That and SGPs from Italian Express.

Ye Faithful Blog Readers: To continue and increase blog reading and spread the word...

Oh, and last, but not least…

My future wife: To find me, dammit! What’s your problem! Where art thou?!

Props goes to my boy Aref for suggesting this epic idea. I think Aref would probably like me to get much more personal for some people (like Zareen, Hassan, or Mo Lester), but I chose to take the higher ground in 2008.

My own resolutions to come shortly, folks. But I encourage you to post any of your comments for suggestions. I also encourage you to finally “man (or woman) up” and achieve these goals in 2008. It’s a new year, people. Anything is possible.


God’s speed and Best Wishes in 2008

The Death of Benazir Bhutto

AA WR WB

Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajioon.
Verily we belong to Allah, and to Allah we return.

This morning I woke up to text messages from my friends, Zareen and Farooq, about the assassination of former Paksitani PM Benazir Bhutto. It was a relatively dramatic way to wake up on a lazy vacation morning. After getting ready, I headed downstairs where I not surprisingly found my nani ammi engaged in watching GeoTV. Geo confirmed the horrific news my friends had texted me; Bhutto was killed with a gunshot to the neck. Images of grieving and shocked Pakistanis filled the airwaves. From CNN coverage of the presidential candidates and their thoughts on Bhutto's death to GeoTV showing Pakistanis' reactions in both the homeland and the US.

It seems as though the entire world, at least the political world, is absolutely shocked with each participant pondering the effects of Bhutto's death. More than ever, Bhutto is being hailed as a martyr of democratic principles and a woman of strength and tremendous character. She died for what she believed in, though she knew full well what returning to Pakistan could mean to her after being exiled for so many years.

If you're even slightly interested in politics or Pakistan, you can't help but to think about her death and the numerous implications of it. First, it is my hope that Allah grants her peace, forgiveness, and salvation. May Allah make it easy for her family and give them strength. Ameen. The death of any Muslim, or human for that matter, should never sit well with anyone regardless of personal opinion. The cowardice act of the man who killed a woman should bring our hearts and souls distress. We ask that Allah show anyone who has passed away compassion as we would wish it for ourselves. Let's not forget that despite the ease of which we can alienate or detach ourselves from political figure heads, she was in fact a person with a family. And aside from any political ramifications, her death and the impact on her family and friends is the most serious and grave one. Benazir Bhutto leaves three children and a husband behind and died at a very young age (54).

When looking at a public figure and what they represent, you must of course look at their political career - especially in this case - as that becomes the definition of the person in the mass' eyes. When Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan and was put back on the forefront of Pakistani politics and potentially its future, I wasn't exactly ecstatic. Quite the contrary, I would find myself getting frustrated as I heard her try to appeal to Western agencies by calling for democratic reform. Benazir was a well-educated person and more importantly a well-educated woman in a male-dominated society. She attended both Oxford and Harvard universities and was excellent, like so many politicians, at talking the talk. Based on her mix of Pakistani roots and Western education, plus being a symbol of reform for being a woman and a herald for democracy in a Muslim country, it is understandable why so many people worldwide would view Benazir Bhutto as a strong candidate for reforming an extremely instable and volatile country. But, from the little I remember of Bhutto and her family's history, extortion doesn't sit well for me or many other Pakistanis. In part, I can't help but to feel pessimistic about her agenda; about her wanting to get back into the Pakistani system to perhaps take advantage of it as she had done before.

I love Pakistan, let's be clear about that. But let's also be clear about the state of Pakistan: it is a politically corrupt cesspool. It almost seems that when we take a look at our "leaders" these days, we have to evaluate which one is the least corrupt. Upon identifying such an individual, we can tout him/her as our best representative. And so while Benazir Bhutto is being exonerated as a leader with a vision, I do in all honesty remain unsure and pessimistic about that. She may have been able to come to power and create positive, reinforced relations with the West and encourage development elsewhere, but who knows if the power would have weakened her again. One Newsweek writer put it like this:

"In the end, Benazir Bhutto could become in death the kind of hero for democracy in Pakistan that she never quite became in life. Dogged by allegations of corruption against her husband and her family, she never achieved the popularity that Sharif did in some quarters. But in recent months, as she readied her political comeback, she had shown consummate courage and presence of mind in stating the issues clearly." (http://www.newsweek.com/id/82139)

Out of any conflict, change can likely be achieved by learning and analyzing the differences in opinion; or at least a reasonable comprimise that can still effect reasonable change. If Benazir Bhutto is now going to serve as an image of democracy in Pakistan, then I would in fact support her despite it being after her death. If this tragic event serves as an impetus for change - and a democratic change - and awakens our people, I'm for it. Sure, as a Muslim, I would like to say that it would be great to have an Islamic state like the ones in our phenomenal history; but before reaching such lofty goals, the people themselves need to change. And perhaps with that thought, I can only reasonably conclude that there was in fact some sort of change in Bhutto – even if she was being used as a symbol – to bring about reformation. At least this is what we’re being told to conclude as many leaders are now speaking of her courage and commitment to democracy (http://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,,2232714,00.html.), which is to essentially say her commitment to bring about stabilization to my native, ethnic country.

So, how are we to view Benazir Bhutto, the politician? As a shaheed (a martyr)? A renaissance woman? Conniving? A leader that has been reformed after her exile? Or someone who tasted what absolute power is in Pakistan (i.e. Musharraf) during her tenure and simply wants to get that back, much like Nawaz Sharif?

I guess I can't be an authoritative judge on the matter of Bhutto's stances and intentions as 1) I most certainly am not claiming to know all there is to know about Pakistani politics and her entire history and 2) who am I to critically evaluate a person's intentions? I do know this: The death of Bhutto leaves many questions and creates more problems for Pakistan, that is also something we should be clear about. Pakistan's reputation, already perceived as an instable country with a weak infrastructure, will now be under the magnifying glass along with all its political actors: Musharraf and the question of whether or not he was behind the killing (whether directly or indirectly due to poor security coverage) and Nawaz Sharif are perhaps the most notable actors. Nawaz Sharif, one of Bhutto's rivals, commented about her death: "This is the darkest, gloomiest day in the history of Pakistan."

Living in the here and now, I have to say that I agree (perhaps the only thing I could ever agree on with Sharif). The impact of a senseless death upon Pakistanis and Muslims should be strongly considered and discussed. Pakistan’s image is crumbling even faster than before. Questions on security and safety will outpour. Connections to terrorism will be reinforced and debated. The jihad (struggle) for hope will either be intensified or slowly man slaughtered. The western media will undoubtedly take any angle it can and provide any sort of leverage on misconceptions about Pakistanis. As always, I am fully expecting to hear dismal thing about my homeland. Some may be true; some may be taken out of context.

Regardless, my heart bleeds for the conditions that are in Pakistan. I love both my American and Pakistani roots and above that I hold to my Muslim identity. So if we chose to honor Benazir Bhutto, as either a politician, a woman, or a Muslim, then let's do so through discourse in an educated and an effective manner, not by riots. With that, I ask Allah to forgive our sins and to grant us ease and success. Allah huma sali Allah Muhammad. Ameen.

Pakistan Zindabad.

Muslims & Music (what's next?)

AA

Well, those crazy mumins are trying to get into just about everything these days. Now we're trying to get ourselves a niche in music. Ok, it's not totally out of the realm of possibility considering that we've been in the music world for a long time (i.e. qawwalis, naats, hamds, nasheeds), but there seems to be an increasing market for it right here in these United States of America as well as other major Western countries. And it's seemingly all right now on the DL; an underground movement and world of Muslims who are rocking out and getting down with their bad (in the good, halal sense) selves.

One of my friends - who I thought would be busy being a lawyer - has recently started his own record label out on the East Coast. The odd thing is that he's Bengali (i.e. East Pakistani). If the Bengalis are making a move on the music front, that alone deserves recognition on an intergalactic level. After all, I thought they were all farmers and fishermen. Guess not. Anyway, the name of his record label is TigerWolf Records (my explanation of the name: “Tiger” and Bengali – get the connection? “Wolf” because my friend, Tareq, has apparently watched Jungle Boy one too many times) and you can check out his label and the bands he promotes by going to his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/tigerwolfrecords

I should entitle this blog entry as an Ode to Tareq the TigerWolf Guy since he's the one that emailed me a number of links pointing out this “movement.”

The range of Muslims in music includes hip hop to dance (or something like that). The hip hop one isn’t much of a surprise especially when you factor in 5 percenters (i.e. Lauryn Hill, WuTang Clan members, Rakim) but those guys are kinda strange from the little I know of them. I think they’re some random offshoot of NOI (Nation of Islam). But you have notable Muslims in hip hop like Mos Def, Lupe Fiasco, DJ Khaled, Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest, Outlandish, and my brother Umar who aspires to be a lyrical freestylist master. But even outside of the mainstream well-known artists (and Umar’s fantasies), you have other Muslims in hip hop that are trying to create a name for themselves. You can get more insight into their world by checking out such links like http://www.myspace.com/muslimsinhiphop, a group that has been around for a few years according to their site.

The next genre of music includes a fusion of sorts. In fact, I’ll let the Muslim artist explain it in his own words, “Celt-Islam uses a fusion of music from dub/electro/drum and bass-breaks and collaborates it with Islamic/world grooves to create this dub driven dance crossover.” Ok, sure. I believe the first part, but I’m really not following his “Islamic/world grooves” bit and how this can be likened to Sufi mysticism (on his myspace, some critics draw that comparison). In its own right, it’s sure as hell mystic, but putting that “sufi” terminology before it is problematic to me because it gives Sufism an eerie, or laughable, or even intimidating outlook. Sufism is not about “music from dub/electro/drum” influences, but rather is a deeply spiritual science in Islam influenced by the love of Allah and The Prophet (sw). I am aware that there are those who would argue with me saying that music is spiritual, and while in some aspects it may be (though I am hesitant to fully claim that); this music does not bring me closer to Allah. Some of it can make me feel relaxed and subdued with the laid back but intriguing flow, but it’s not “sufi” enough to make me feel close to God.

But, I’m semi-digressing here. So the name of this group that I’m speaking of is Celt Islam Soundsystem (http://myspace.com/celtislamsoundsystem) and they like to associate themselves with a larger Muslim music organization called Tawheed Is Unity (http://tawheedisunity.com/news.html). The best way I can describe tawheed in my own words is that it means the oneness of Allah. This organization is using it to describe unity, as made evident by its name, and I do kinda like what they’re trying to do: basically, give hip-hop minded Muslims an outlet. That’s better than going to other sites like MTV where you’re eventually just looking for some haram-ness. Getting back to Celt Islam; the more I listen to some of their music, the more I’m liking them, though you do definitely have to be in a spiritual-like (musically speaking) mood to truly appreciate it (I’m listening to Celt Islam’s Marifa right now; FAKIR is also very solid).

One thing to note with Tawheed Is Unity is what essentially could be likened to their mission statement: “Tawheed Is Unity was launched in June 2006 with the intention to create a home for all things that young Muslims living in western countries could want but not find anywhere else. Beginning with clothing and soon to be expanding into music and art, our aim is to develop a definable urban Muslim culture. A culture that draws on the best of western society but is unashamedly Islamic in its basis.” Tight, my brothers. In this day and age, that works with me (take a look at the clothes they sell). A Muslim music identity and especially one more so in hip hop – a branch of music that I have grown up listening to and loving.

Now comes my favorite part; introducing you to Hayam Nur as Sufi (formerly known as Deadly Kristin). She is an artist that puts out dance/techno-like/gothic/Aegis-like music. You can check her out (not like that) at: http://myspace.com/deadlykristin. Apparently, she’s a Muslim revert/convert in Sweden. How hot is that?! I mean, listen to her music and tell me that you would’ve guessed that this artist is a mumin! I also respect that on her myspace page, she’s specifically mentioned that she doesn’t want any flirtatious people contacting her, which almost immediately ruled me out, sadly. But I am definitely curious to hear about her conversion process. One website posted an interview with her, and though I’m not sure about the website’s credibility because I’m not a metal head, it definitely looks legit: http://www.hailmetal.com/gate.html?name=MReviews&op=show&rid=192
According to that website, it seems that she has an affinity towards Sufism, though she did say that she’s not a part of any particular Sufi order (tariqa).

Well, that’s all I have for now on Muslims & Music. On a side note, my man Tareq is also busying himself with a management company he started called Midnight Skies Management (my explanation of the name: “Midnight” because as a desi Muslim, he can only get away with doing this stuff after midnight and “Skies” because that’s where his head is). Right now he’s managing two rap artists (not necessarily Muslims either):
http://myspace.com/gdashuno [he’s pretty decent, actually]
http://myspace.com/barakyalad [I really like his style]

I gotta say that when I got Tareq’s email about these new endeavors of his, I was shocked because I would have never imagined that this type of stuff was his cup of tea, but I guess it is. I hope it works out for him and I will watch with eager anticipation to see how this develops for him. And, for the record, I knew him before he was Tareq the Desi P-DIDDY Music Mogul.

Good luck, my brother. Keep those links coming.

Eid Mubarak!

AA WR WB

EID MUBARAK!!!

Remember my family and me in your duas and I hope that your Eid was blessed!

Here's our Eid greeting card courtesy of my brother, Umar:


Cheers