July 19, 2010
Editorial note: The following has been drafted on the fly via berry. Pardon the mistakes and the non-coherency if I am a little all over the place…it is an inspired piece (thank you, Clay!).
I have been watching women fight for women’s rights since the day I knew how to watch, because it started with my momma.
Recently, there has been a surge in this fight for women’s freedoms. Specifically, it has been about our (female) right to choose.
Abortion. We possess the right to choose whether we will or whether we will not. The refusal to stand for a Government that attempts to tell us we can not make this choice.
When the prohibitions against forms of hijab in some parts of Europe came to the forefront, very few ‘feminist’ sisters said anything. In fact, some of them actually nodded in agreement with this prohibition, arguing that the prohibition is a means to ‘free’ women.
Sadly, no one drew the correlation between a woman’s right to choose what she ‘aborts’ from her body, and with what she chooses to cover her body.
But they are both choices, no?
(And last I checked, we defend the female right to choose, not the female right to choose what only some of us see fit.)
Choices that affect a woman’s body. Choices that affect society. Choices that are extremely private.
C.H.O.I.C.E.S.
And yet, amazingly, there has been very little blow-back from self-proclaimed ‘feminists’. (Or have I managed to miss it? And if I have, then please post links here to those organizations or individuals so that they receive the necessary accolades.)
Don’t get me wrong. I am turned off by both the niqab and the burka.
But I will support and fight for any woman’s prerogative to choose how she covers her body.
Additionally, and to the core of me, I loathe abortion.
But I will support a woman’s right to that choice, and I will fight for her right to make that choice in a safe environment.
I have zero tolerance for the sisters among us who actively engage in furthering only their idea of what a ‘free’ woman is. If you fight for rights, you best be fighting for rights for all, and equally so, even if you don’t agree with it.
So then, this begs the question: Where do we draw the line? (e.g. How far do we defend this freedom of choice; is it ‘anything goes’?)
Naturally, I have a few ideas that are developing still, and I would really love your input to help along this development. (Keep comments clean and respectful of all opinions, please & thank you.)
July 06, 2010
.1. A few weeks back, D told me that my m.o. is to cut. Her exact words were “You’re a cutter. You amputate. Someone fucks around, they’re gone and you’re lethal about it. Clean lines where you’re concerned. Like an emotional Jedi Master with one of those amazing lit up sabers, only you have emotions, not a saber. Know what I mean?”
The above paragraph was drafted in May of last year, 13 months back. Interesting that this is likely what Maxi refers to as “the shut off valve”. Others have noticed it, but he gave it the most interesting name; Maxi wins!
.2. Faith plays an enormous part in my life. Even when I don’t realize it, when I actively ignore it, when I am pissed off with it, when I am an idiot about it, when I am unaware of it, it is always present.
Conversations with friends have a way of eventually coming around to: politics, economics, relationships, Hollywood and faith matters. Naturally, there is too an element of Crack thrown in for good measure.
Someone the other day asked me what standards I would apply to choosing Islam on a daily basis. Because, no matter that I was born into Islam, no matter that my family is Muslim, but by me declaring myself a Muslimah daily, that is a choice made several times within a 24 hour period. I think, perhaps, this is why it is a component of prayer in Islam; a reminder that it is always a choice. That if you stop saying it, you cease choosing it.
So, then, why do I routinely and every day choose Islam (even when I am an idiot)?
It took me a while to pull together a very simple and coherent response. Finally this morning, en route to work, I realized the why of my choosing.
My starting point will be different from yours, but you may choose to engage in understanding your own process if for no other reason than pure awareness of your self.
I see Intelligent Order and Design and that to me is the starting point for Faith. Even in Chaos, I see that same Order. But this one’s easy; it can be any sort of energy as described by a number of faiths / philosophies.
So, the more important point then is that which draws me to an understanding of and existence in Allah.
Simply put, I can not believe that injustice can go unpunished; I can not believe that a child rapist will have the luxury of never being caught, and then dropping dead and not having to ever face the children they raped. Based on my political understanding and perspective, I must believe in Justice as it extends beyond the temporal. And so I believe there is a Judge in the divine sense, and that is what creates balance and order in my world. (Go ahead and call it a crutch. Or maybe opt for an imagination instead, silly. “Crutch” is so 1983.)
Those are my two simplest and clearest starting points.
Chime in as you see fit, please. (Too personal? Keep using the email addy…)
.3. When you have a daughter, be the first man to send her flowers. Do it on a random day and for no reason other than: She is yours, and you’re her Poppa. (Forget about the gender divide here; instead focus on the reality that she will be bombarded with the weird notion that the right man brings you flowers. We likely agree that this is awkward on many levels, so let’s leave it to another entry.)
.4. It is 42 degrees in my City tonight. I have soaked through all t-shirts, and am sticking to random objects passing by. My hair is a mess of curls and all I wish to do is lay around like a big carrot drinking ice-water. All of which makes me very happy.
(Tip & trick for those of you without a/c: run a towel under cold water; ring it out well; drape it over your fan; and, enjoy the cool breeze. You’re welcome.)
March 08, 2010
Love this. Love him. Thank him.
Watch. Think. Learn. Share. Thank you.
Comments closed.
December 11, 2009
That at this same time of the years spanning 2005 – 2008 inclusive, there were moments of deep sadness in my life. Each year, there was a particular thing, for lack of a better word, which I had granted entry into my life (be it an individual or a situation), the consequences of which always ended in some sort of emotional blueness.
This year, nothing. No sadness and no drama, and most definitely no emotional upheavels.
It’s the fkng holidays and I am happy and satiated beyond expression.
Yay.
Also, I hope you are as well – and if I am any measure, trust that it will get better. It really, really, really and truly does…even if it takes a few years.
Comments closed.
September 23, 2009
Awesome.
Above is a portion of a greater screen cap someone sent to me.
It is from a German message board which is currently discussing my opinion about Twilight rape & abuse.
I’ve cut out the name and photo of the woman who wrote the above sentence.
In a nutshell, she was hating on the opinions expressed in the piece. This isn’t a problem – obviously, when one posits an opinion, you expect a counter.
But there are rules of engagement to the counter, no?
And the rules dictate that you don’t respond to an argument about the validity of red vs blue as a favourite colour by saying “Well. Your mum’s black, so you’re wrong”.
Or do you?
Was there a news bulletin sent out indicating Exceptionally Racist Asshattery = Gold Star?
This particular woman? rather than engaging the opinions, instead attacks Islam. Loosely translated, the not-too-bright female ends her rant (not counter) about her distaste for the opinions expressed here by saying “She’s a Muslim…that says everything.”(1)
Amazing, no? Amazing the complete and total asshattery of this individual. Amazing that she is too stupid to focus on the arguments and counter them one by one, and instead chooses to turn around and focus her hate at me and my faith.
As previously established, I am a cheating slut rather than a racist idiot. Lucky because had I been a racist asshat, I would have responded to the mired-in-filth comment of hers with possibly an equally offensive comment about the German history of peace and love.
But. I am neither asshat, nor racist. I am, though, laughing at the collective stupidity which she represents. (Note: I was also sent one woman’s response who called her out on her racist asshattery – saying that [me as] a Muslimah, was allowed to have an opinion. Thank you intelligent not-asshat.)
The end.
**********
(1) I dare you to tell me that by me labelling her personal (ergo rendering it a personal attack on her…person) racism as an expression of complete ignorance, I am therefore as guilty as she of the claim I make against her above. (Go ahead. I’d love it. And I really need more dumbtastic emails – I get way too much love as is.)
P.S. Twilight is SHIT.
September 18, 2009
The good news is that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
The bad news is that I discovered mama hides her large squash-like homegrown vegetables in the basement. This is not sexual innuendo, but rather is a fact I discovered moments ago when mama went downstairs empty-handed and came back upstairs carrying what is called a spaghetti squash, grown by her, the size of her bum.
As I type, she is showing off her back garden (again, not sexy innuendo) via web-cam to our family in Gaza. She is also wearing pistachio green sweater to “matching” lime green socks (yes, with pants; no, not any shade of green). She is as happy as a squirrel with nuts amongst her squirrel friends who have less nuts on which to feast and so is gladly sharing said nuts.
Everywhere I have looked recently, I have felt defeated, usually beginning all thought with ‘I hate people; why are they so useless?; why do they care so much that some pop singer’s small pet died / was carried away / is lost?; why aren’t they reading about Palestine?; paying attention to Darfur?; seeking out more info on the women in the Congo?; Why so mean?; Why such bullies?; Find balance outside of pill-aw-tees, you entitled useless twat, SHUT UP!’ Then I look at the eccentric weirdo with whom I live and I am made better.
And I recently realized that when she is gone, she will take 95% of the love I feel in this often-times grotesque and hurtful world, and that turns me into a sad sobby creature with mascara around her nose. But in the interim, I get to appreciate her weirdness and her bizarreness and love every bit of it and for that I am grateful.
So, most especially for those of you who have had a tough Ramadan and who were trusting enough to share their experiences with me, I thank you and hope that you too have at least one person whom you are able to turn to and who is capable of swallowing you up in their innocence and kindness. If it is your mama, then get up and hug her, high five her, kiss her, tell her you love her before you wish her Eid Mubarak.
Peace and love to you all, including you asshats.
September 18, 2009
Note: this is an objective entry and that means this may or may not be my perspective (a perspective that is none of your business). By posting this particular perspective, I am not extending your way the right to speak about either my state of iman or my personal perspective.
This is meant as merely food for thought and contemplation, and to help us all become aware of the different sides of the argument, so that we may then accept the conclusions most rational to us. It was sent to me by an Al-Azhar University graduate who frequents this blog and who read the ass-hatery re hijab in the comments of the post titled Tell me about Ramadan.
It is in Arabic and so only accessible to those of you who can read and understand Arabic (sorry!).
To you non Muslims who live here – Although you can not read the Arabic, I would like for you to take the following away from this entry: As Muslims, we are required to read / investigate / consider / and then choose (that which is most logical to us) of the varying scholarly opionions presented on issues such as this one. We are never to follow blindly – and the choices we make to bring things in to / expel them from our lives is in fact one based on the idea of open discussion and questioning and dissent. It is a thought process epitomizing the idea of democratic free thinking.
Additional info, sent to me by the same Al-Azhar University graduate: This was published in Rosa El Yousef – one of the most credible periodicals in Egypt – by Dr. Mostafa Mohammad Rashed about the Hijab. One of the attached files is a copy of the PhD certificate that Dr. Rashed had obtained from Al-Azhar University with an “Excellent” grade. (Read: Dr. Rashed’s credentials.)
[...]it is identical to my understanding of the subject from my studies at Al-Azhar University, and from my own private readings. The writer’s approach is logical, rational, and is rooted in Quranic and historic evidence. Dr. Rashed states his conclusion very clearly that the Hijab is not an Islamic “Fareeddah;” i.e. it is not a requirement from any Muslim woman.
You may wish to read it and get the benefit from this scholar’s research on one of the most controversial subjects of our time. Feel free to circulate to others, if you believe that they would benefit.
Comments closed.
September 16, 2009
Hi!
How are you?
My father and uncle received the letter (photographed here) from Rogers Cable Inc., detailing your special offers specific to the Muslim celebration of Eid.
I don’t have cable and I currently use bell for both my mobile as well as internet services. But guess what, Phil? Because your company is amongst the first to respectfully acknowledge that there is a demographic of creatures called Muslims – who celebrate rather than explode – you have just gained a new customer (that’s me, Phil).
Also, it is exceptionally cool of your communications team for having properly included both “Eid Mubarak” as well as the crescent moon (which is – to those who do not know – the symbol of Islam).
With thanks, and looking forward to eventually buying a rogers product,
Maha
P.S. To those of you interested, please find Rogers’ official press release here.
P.S. to the P.S. Here is the Rogers site.
September 10, 2009
And I just fired this off, and thought to share with you, spelling and grammar mistakes well intact. Enjoy:
As per Ramadan – I would LOVE to!
- ‘Ramadan’ is the name of the month (like October or November) and the Muslim calendar is a lunar one and so the beginning of Ramadan preceeds its last year’s beginning day by 11 days.
- In Islam, there are 5 pillars of faith: (1) Declaration that there are no gods but God and that his final prophet is Muhammad (which, intrinsically also means that as a Mulsim, you must believe in all prior Prophets beginning with Abraham, and believe that there are over 250,000 Prophets who came down to mankind and whose names have been lost. This to me is God’s way of asking Muslims to respect all faith traditions, no matter what or who they come from since we can never be certain whether that individual (i.e., Buddha) was a Prophet whose message was lost / skewed by mankind over time); (2) Paying an annual tax to either the needy or the needy (they do not have to be Muslim and it most definitely does not have to be to a Mosque). Specifically, one must pay 2.5% of the value of their *unused* assets; (3) Fasting during the month of Ramadan; (4) Prayer five times a day; and, (5) Performing Hajj once in your lifetime if you are able and have the money. Where one has neither, then the *intent* to perform Hajj is considered enough before God.
(Re the other 5 articles in which we must believe as Muslims, they are: (1) Belief in God (obviously); (2) Belief in Judgement Day; (3) Belief in the books of revelation (Torah, Bible & Qur’an); (4) Belief in God’s archangels (Gabriel, Azrael, Michael); and (5) Belief in the messengers (Prophets).)
- Specifics of Ramadan >> We are not allowed to ingest anything from dawn until sunset (nothing that can enter into our bloodstream, so not even water or cigs if you’re a smoker). You’re also not allowed to have sex during these same hours – but this isn’t really generally what people mention, but it’s a part of the deal.
Women who are pregnant, menstruating or anyone who is ill or travelling may not fast.
This is the only one item of the 5 pillars for which God did not give Muslims a clear “why” to. The others were all explained; fasting is said to be done for Him. Full stop. To the inquisitive and curious that may not be enough of a reason – for me, specifically, I understand it as a means to
- hone my self discipline (fasting is no easy matter – but at the end of the 29 or 30 days, you wake up and think: I can do *anything*) and self-control; and
- understand that it is a *luxury* to walk to the sink and grab a glass of water when we’re thirsty. That it is a blessing to feel hungry and run out and grab a burger or a pizza or a fruit, etc.
When we consider the levels of poverty and death from starvation that occur at a sick rate on an hourly basis – this understanding is untouchable.
And yes – people can tell me that they ‘understand’ hunger while they’re shoving a piece of chocolate cake in their mouths and not fasting…but the reality is, we don’t really understand until we walk in someone else’s shoes.
Fasting grants us this amazing opportunity to put our money where our mouth is. Literally.
And that, sir, is your very first blip of info on Islam.
Questions?
(p.s. I LOVE talking faith matters – love love love it!) 
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