Eid Mubarak Texting

AA

Belated 'Id (Eid) Mubarak to all...

As always, mashaAllah, Eid was a beautiful day. I enjoyed it with family and friends. We had a number of family friends and family come and go in the house. Visited my main homie AJ (see pic above) and his brother Aamer. And, of course, I had my phone go crazy with "Eid Mubarak" texts every 10 minutes as I'm sure you did as well.

This relatively new phenomena - Eid texting - has done wonders for the Muslim world. With one sweeping text blast, you can wish everyone you know a joyous Eid. Technology has never been better, I tell ya.

With Eid texting, the individual brother or sister no longer has to waste deplorable time talking to people to wish them happiness, baraqa, peace, blah, blah, blah. We can now streamline our previously normal and, let's face it, burdensome task of talking to Brother Fulan (Arabic for so-and-so) or Sister Fulan by simply taking one minute of our obviously invaluable time and oh-so-important lives to say Eid Mubarak. We can cover the different levels of friends we have (i.e. acquaintances, people we are fake with in person and really don't care about, people that we are content to only talk to once a year), extended family, and of course in-laws with a single "Eid Mubarak!!" text.

In fact, Eid texting has replaced the equally cumbersome and cheesey process of sending eid cards via EidMubarak.com, which was revolutionary at its time because it replaced paying money for postage - astaghferAllah - to send paper-based Eid cards. MashaAllah, our inboxes are not filled (not as much, at least) with that annoying Naseeb caricture and President Bush e-card where Bush greets us by saying "As salami..." I still have nightmares about that one (While innocently grocery shopping, Bush jumps out from behind the dairy products section throwing salami slices at my head while trying to get me to endorse muslimsforbush.com. The scary thing was that he had the Naseeb guy's fobbish voice.)

There are only two forseeable issues with Eid texting: 1) Accidentally including a non-Muslim on the text or 2) Getting a response from someone.

Regarding point 1: Not a huge ordeal as I really hope that most of your non-Muslim friends will realize that you are, mashaAllah, a Muslim. So you can easily explain their text message reply of "WTF are you saying?" by saying, "Oh, don't worry. It's a Muslim holiday today."

Hmm, on second thought, that could freak the hell out of them. I don't think non-Muslims know we have holidays and have "fun" and things of that obscene nature. So instead be "honest" and say, "Dude! Someone totally stole my cell phone for like two minutes, but then returned it back to me, so ignore any Arabic-sounding text messages" to which your friend Billy Bob will surely reply, "LOL. Crazy times, huh, buddy? Don't worry about it, Moe. Say hi to Mary for me."

Regarding point 2: Okay, this is when it gets complicated. Say you, Brother Muhammad (or "Moe" as you like to call yourself, you fricken sellout), included Brother X (no, he's not black, you presumptious desi) on a text and he replies back to you. What do you do? You had no intention of having any further interaction with him, and now, in a blatant act of brotherhood (and on Eid, no less), he has the heart to either return your text msg and say, "Eid Mubarak to you, too! How are you, man?" or worse yet actually call you back! I know, I know, folks! It's a little tough to swallow, but it is possible. My simple solution to this is that you don't reply back at all. While you're returning his message or answering his phone call, someone at your house is taking another bowl of kheer without any humanly regard for you! This is Eid! Eat, drink, and focus on collecting your Eidy, my dear brother! Brother X was only trying to be nice to you because he likes your sister, man...

Anyway, getting back to the bright side of this matter: Eid texting allows you to connect to all the people you really care about without actually having to have a live conversation with them.

Great times are head of us, Muslim Ummah. First we let the world know we are beautiful and now we use technology to stay and not stay in contact at the same time. Figure that paradox out...

Fi Aman Allah

Istanbul's Tradition Coming to Light

AA

The mashaAllah brilliant shaykh and professor TJ Winter (Abdal Hakim Murad) on Ramadhan in Istanbul (with his amazing writing, you'll feel like you were there):

Istanbul's Illuminated Ramadan Nights
http://www.q-news.com/EidSpecial.pdf


Allah'hafiz

Australian Muslim Cleric on Rape

AA,

This is really sad to see such a mindset amongst religious "leaders." May Allah guide and protect us all. Allah huma salay Allah Muhammad. Ameen.

Links below taken from Sh Gibril Haddad:

"Down under, you said?

Australia is agog over its most-senior Muslim cleric's Ramadan sermon, in which he blamed women for inviting rapes and suggested they'd be better off staying home or wearing the hijab.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20646437-601,00.html

He has since apologized:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6086374.stm

(Non-Muslim) Commentary:
http://www.pierretristam.com/Bobst/Archives/CN102706.htm

Allahumma Sallim."

Obviously, there is an emphasized idea in our deen for men and women to dress modestly (and for good reason, may I add). But to essentially say that a woman wearing revealing clothing invites men to become rapists is unbelievable. It allows for twisted men out there to think that rape is somehow "okay" because it's the woman's fault for dressing seductively. Such a mindset can only come from the shaytan. Azubillah! I would agree that in western areas of the world, Muslim men and women (please note inclusion of men in this) are not dressing approriately. And by doing so, it does bring attention to their bodies whether they realize it or not; or want it or not. Needless to say, on a societal level this is inherently problematic and can encourage promiscousness creating loads of issues. If that's what the imam wanted to say, he totally messed it up...

The link from the Non-Muslim commentary is definitely an interesting read. Well, more so depressing than interesting. When you have imams say something so distasteful, it nearly begs for Non-Muslims to use it as a foundation for, if you will, raping our true and compassionate Islamic beliefs.

Salaam

A Techy Moment :: Top 10 Open Source Apps

Hi,

Some pretty cool applications on there to use...

http://www.lifehacker.com/software/open-source/geek-to-live-top-10-open-source-windows-apps-208909.php

Later

Do You Google?

Hi

From the Official Google Blog:

The introduction of the word "Google" to the dictionary...
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/do-you-google.html


Cheers

My Iftar - 2006

Iftar 2006

AA,

Last Saturday marked the continuation of a three-year Ramadhan tradition: an iftar shindig at my crib.

As always, Alhamdullilah, my momz did it real big by cooking a great feast. I still think that the iftari she makes is sufficient enough as the meal itself. The food also seemed to be a big hit with the guests of honor.

So...This year a lot of my time was spent on my cell. It seemed as though most people were nervous about venturing deep into Plainfield and so they kept calling to confirm directions. Badie called me up at one point when getting directions and said, "Sorry we're running late, but there was a hold-up with 'them' asking for my passport..." As you could imagine, that wasn't the first time I heard the "Passport to Plainfield" joke. When my man Sami settled in, he had the a picturesque deer in the headlights look: "It really feels as though I'm in another country" he said with all deliberate seriousness. Faisal Raja, who came from the city just so he could get in one of my Google Videos and NOT because he likes me, was the first of the guests. For Faisal, he was quite the tame Punjabi, which is quite odd. Often times he'd huddle up underneath his coat (seemingly in the fetal position, too). He, too, must've felt like he was in another world...

I think I lost track of the Plainfield jokes after joke # 331. But I can't blame my niggaz. The average travel time seemed to be around an hour. As Ali said to me later, "Man, you can say that these people really are friends, Imran, if they came all the way out here." Yes, that's true, but what I was more concerned about here was the fact that Ali also acknowledged that we live in Bufu, Illinois. Punk!

Anyway, despite everyone's supposed long trek, we had a great time, mashaAllah. The yearly Aladdin-Imran Depantsed and Baseball Bat story was of course told. Arabs vs Desis jokes were made. And, most importantly, boo-ing Fahad Siddiqui after every joke (or was it every thing he said). But the best way to tell what the 2pac Iftar 2006 is via pictures, so enjoy:

Eveyone was too busy eating to care about the pics. Except Fahad. Go figure, eh?

Meraj looking like a white dude drinking a nice cold one. Badie thinking that Fahad is his desi slave (throw this away, desi). Fahad never happier. Aladdin...WTF? What kind of pose is that to have during this month?! Hot, nonetheless.

Omar "Riyality" being himself. Mike, Hani, and Sami looking on passively (realizing that Omar was the star of this pic).

Faisal, A-Moose, Nomair. Why when all us DePaul brothers are together must we always be touching each other [see Nomair's hand]?

Omar, Me, Tariq. Okay, so I'm not an exception to the previous statement. It's brotherly love. [Thanks to Ali for ruining the pic -- one day, you'll learn the art of pressing the button on a camera, my brother.]

Sami Haque. Looks good, drinks chai like it's a 40, and XBOXs. Sami "Renaissance Man" Haque. Oh, and Harris Lakhani in the background giving his ceremonial peace sign. Love the socks, man.

Tariq: In a state of mast. Me: Trying to get Tariq to wake up and representin my team. Asghar: Looking hot. Baseer: What the hell are you smiling at?

Nomair, Me, and Farooq. Much love.

Well, there you have it, folks. Good times. Good food. Good people. Alhamdullilah. I hope that the baraqa from the night goes to my mom and my brothers inshaAllah.

Attendees included: Aladdin (3 years running), Badie Ali (2nd year), Meraj (1st), Eyad Alwawi (1), Omar Riyal(-ity) (1), Harris (3), Fahad (3), Tariq (3), Nomair (1), Faisal (1), Asghar (1), Sami (2), Hani (1), Mike (3), Omar (1), A-Moose (1), Farooq (2), and Baseer (1).

Notable Non-attendees included: AJ, Taha, and AH. For AJ, the reason he didn't come was because of something called itikhaf. For Taha and AH, it was something called family. Shady bunch, huh?

Until next year, inshaAllah...!

Muslim Homecoming Queen

AA

Let's not kid ourselves, shall we? Every Muslim girl out there has had fantasies of being a homecoming queen. To no exception would be women like Jessica (remember her, ye faithful blog readers?), Zareen, and many of my cousins. In fact, we can expand this axiom to apply to some men. Examples include Farooq, Taha, Ali, and Umar.

Well, I am pleased to let the world know that right here in my stomping grounds of southwest suburbia a Muslim desi girl at Nequa Valley High School in Naperville has defied tradition and was named homecoming queen. The "special" thing about this chick is that she is a hijabi. Can I get a "Takbir!" up in here?

Needless to say, crowning a Muslim teen as somehow beautiful is a tremendous break through - albeit shocking - for Muslims throughout the world. Think about it, will you? With this crowning achievement and undoubtful hallmark in Muslim civil liberties, we are letting the world know that we are beautiful and - admitedly a more liberal interpretation - hip. The need to communicate to the West that we are moderate, peaceful, and contributing members of our society has now become, at least to me and I hope you as well, secondary. The fact that this epic story that will of course resonate in our hearts and minds for years to come was broadcasted on CBS News (Ch. 2) is a true sign of imminent victory...

Somehow and in some way the Muslim community has come together to assertively let the world know something that has been questioned for so long: "We are attractive. Inside and out." Establishing this message is paramount to our success in fostering a positive Muslim-American identity. Make every effort you can to spread this news, my brothers and sisters. Let's show them how American we are by addressing what is absolutely mundane and essential to our lives: Beauty. No longer is beauty skin deep. No longer is beauty in the eye of the beholder, but in the lens of a news camera. Or the color of a girl's hijab and and a guy's kufi.

http://cbs2chicago.com/video/?id=26810@wbbm.dayport.com

J Z K

Justin Timberlake - My Love

Hi

My nigga JT (aka Neo-Michael Jackson) is, as we all know, sick. This song is no exception. Yes, I do dance like that, too. In my dreams. I'm really good.



holla back

The Great Bears Iftar Video

Hi

In a recent post [Da Bears Iftar] I talked about the amazing Bears Iftar on MNF (that's Monday Night Football for you ladies out there). I mean, my words did a decent job of the hysteria and happiness that broke out, but what will undoubtedly also do the trick is the video clip Aladdin took:



BEARS IN MIAMI inshaAllah!

Longing for the Divine...

AA WR WB

I just witnessed the conclusion of taraweeh in Makkah courtesy of Geo TV. At the end of the last surah (An Nas) the imam made a long, beautiful dua. The intensity of the dua was inspiring and sublime.

The people praying seemed to be no longer in this duniya. Their hands were lifted to the skies longing for our Creator. Their hands shooks with fear and veneration of Allah'ta'ala. Their need of Him and His Guidance, Forgiveness, and Mercy was never made more clear. In a sense, they were lost. The imam himself seemed to be in another state. At times, he couldn't complete a dua; he was lost in tears and all you would hear were Ameen's or other supplicators crying.

I cannot possibly imagine the actual atmosphere and feelings one would have there, but I do know that it has invoked a deep need in me to be closer to Allah inshaAllah and to also visit the home of our ruh's -- Makkah.

May Allah Guide us all. Ameen.