THIS is a Terrorist.

"A Muslim-hating Long Island man threatened to murder two women wearing traditional Islamic robes, then tried to run them over at a gas station, police said yesterday..." (click to read the rest of the article)

"She's lying... she's trying to fit in"

The other night my husband and I went to a masjid in the next town for Taraweeh salah. The masjid is dominantly Egyptian with some other Arabs and few Somalis. After the first 4 raka'at the Imam gave a short talk - in Arabic. Since I couldn't understand and no one seemed to be translating for the sisters (pshh, no one was even listening!) I took a Qur'an and sat in a corner reading.

A sister with her friend came and sat near me and after a while one of them tapped me on the shoulder, "Excuse me sister, I think your friend is trying to get your attention".

"My friend?" I asked her, thinking no one even talks to me when I go to that masjid... at least they do answer my salaams though. She pointed to 2 Indian women, a mother and daughter, sticking out like a sore thumb among a sea of Arabs. They were staring dead at me. They smiled at me, and I smiled back slightly shaking my head. They probably thought I was Indian. They must have been happy thinking they finally found someone of "their own kind" at the masjid.

After the rest of salah and witr during the mad dash to make it out the door they pulled through the crowd towards me. The daughter said salaam to me and then said "Aap.." something something in Urdu, probably asking, 'Are you from Pakistan?'

I looked at her and said, "I only speak English.."

Her mother asked, "WHY?"

"Because that's the only language I know.."

"Are you Pakistani?" the daughter finally said in English.

"No.." I said smiling. The daughter translated the 'no' to her mom, even though she understood. She grabbed her moms hand and pulled ahead of me before I could even explain that I'm technically from Guyana, but my ancestors went there from India.

"But she's look Bakistani!" the mother told the daughter.

"She must be. But look at her, she is trying to be like them!" She was refering to the Arabs. "See how she is dressing in their clothes, I think she doesn't want anyone to know she is really Pakistani!" And they were lost in the crowd before I could hear more.

Seriously? How can you have that attitude after standing in nafl salah for 2 hours? They couldn't even continue a conversation with me after they heard my answer? It really irritated me for a while but then I reminded myself that it's Ramadan and I should just focus on that fact and get over some people who I met for a couple seconds and had such a negative way of interacting with people. Sigh.. nice to see the spirit of Ramadan is really reflecting in peoples' attitudes!

Ramadan `09 - Pics from around the world!

A villager climbs up a date palm tree during the Festival of Dates ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, in Buraidah, north of Riyadh


A Palestinian vendor displays traditional pastries

A Muslim madrasa (Islamic school) student looks up while learning to read the Koran at the Muthurwa Mosque in the capital Nairobi

A vendor carries a tray of bread as he rides a bicycle past a stall selling traditional tin lanterns known as Fawanis, used to decorate during the fasting month of Ramadan, in Cairo

A Palestinian Muslim man, decorates an alley of Jerusalem's old city with festive lights in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan

Muslim women perform an evening prayer called 'Tarawih' marking the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia

Pakistani Muslims recite holy book 'Quran' as a worshipper cleans the ceiling of the Mohabbat Khan mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan

A boy holds sweets as he reads the Koran in a mosque during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, in Amman

A man prays on the side of a street during sunset in Kabul

Palestinian youth play with fireworks in Gaza City

A man sells dates in Amman, JordanA man sells dates in Amman, Jordan

A man takes a nap in between prayers at a mosque in Kabul

Muslim pilgrims are seen wearing medical masks in Mecca. The jump in swine flu cases and deaths across the Middle East has cast a cloud over Ramadan, with a plunge in the number of people undertaking umrah

Women look at a giant copy of the Muslim holy book, the Koran on display at a hotel in Jakarta

Men prepare food for breaking fast (iftar) on a street in Lahore

A physically challenged Muslim man walks outside a mosque before the evening prayers on the first-day of the holy month of Ramadan, in Jammu

A crescent moon is seen next to to the King Hussein Bin Talal Mosque in Amman, August 23, 2009

Female officers dress as Muslim women for a day

Police defend Muslim dress scheme

A police force has been accused of wasting time after three officers spent the day dressed as Muslim women in an attempt to improve community relations.

The officers dressed in traditional clothing and spent the day in Sheffield city centre with four Muslim women.

The scheme has been described as a "politically correct gimmick" and a "dressing-up game" by critics.

South Yorkshire Police said the scheme was designed to help police interact better with the Islamic community.

The officers wore brightly-coloured traditional Muslim outfits and a full-length black jilbab plus a niqab, which covers the face leaving slits for eyes.

South Yorkshire Police said the officers attracted "quite a few stares in the street, particularly from young children".

A group of Muslim women were also invited into police cells, a CCTV control room and shown other daily duties of a police officer as part of the "In Your Shoes" initiative.

I have gained an appreciation and understanding of what Muslim females experience when they walk out in public in clothing appropriate to their beliefs"
Sgt Deb Leonard

Matthew Elliott, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said: "This is an absurd diversion from real policing.

"People want the police out catching criminals, not indulging in politically correct gimmicks.

"The police are overstretched as it is without officers being paid to do other things than their real job."

Douglas Murray, director of British extremism think-tank the Centre for Social Cohesion, said: "Like most people who have been a victim of crime, I am amazed and flabbergasted that they have solved all the crimes so they can spend a day playing dressing-up games."

A police spokesman said said the aim of the scheme was for police officers to "interact with the Muslim community, learn about the Islamic faith and better understand their issues and the perceptions of local people".

Sgt Deb Leonard, who wore some of the clothing, said: "I have gained an appreciation and understanding of what Muslim females experience when they walk out in public in clothing appropriate to their beliefs."

Shaikh Abdullah Hakim Quick's family's home was damaged by a fire this weekend!

I came across an article a friend posted on Facebook and it linked me back to Imam Suhaib Webb's website where he wrote that Shaikh Abdullah Hakim Quick's family's home was severely damaged by a fire. SubhanAllah, if anyone would like to donate I have a ChipIn account set up where you can donate via PayPal below inshaAllah, and I can have the money wired to their bank account up in Canada. I won't have it up for too long so don't wait a while to contribute, and even $1 will do! Ramadan is on it's way, let's get in the sadaqa spirit more than we usually are in!

Here is the email Shaikh Abdullah sent me:

Sister Umm Yusuf, wlsm Jazaakallahu khairan for your support. My Daughter and family have sustained major losses and have no insurance. Any support can be transferred to:

took out personal info in case there are any creeps lurking on my page ;)

May Allah accept your Zakat and Sadaqah
Hasbunallahu wa Ni'mal-Wakeel
Sh Abdullah Hakim Quick

Click here to check out the info at Imam Suhaib Webb's website

Funny article about hijab

I found this in my inbox from back in 2005. It's an article someone whipped up about their observances regarding hijab. I can't remember where I found it or why I even saved it by emailing it to myself, but I thought I'd share!

Article: The Observations of the Muslimah wearing Hijab

It has been my personal observation that some Muslim girls and women do not realize the significance of hijab. Hijab is Arabic for protection and cover. Some people put a lot effort into their hijab, yet it serves no purpose. I am referring to the pointless hijab that some girls wear.

The first pointless hijab is referred to as the headband hijab. It is a band of fabric approximately 4 inches wide. It covers the back of the head and allows all the hair to be exposed. It doesn't serve much in terms of modesty, but at least it comes in handy in case of an unexpected tennis match.

The second pointless hijab is the dupatta, also known as the Saran wrap hijab. It covers all the hair, but it is totally transparent. Again it doesn't serve much in terms of modesty, but it keeps the hair nice and fresh.

The third type of hijab is known as the Mickey Mouse Hijab. It is when a girl wears a black scarf and tucks it behind her ear, so that her ears stick out.

-We now move to my favorites: - The yo-yo hijabs. The first yo-yo hijab, is the scarf that keeps falling down and needs to be constantly pulled back up....up, down, up, down, just like a yo-yo.

The second yo-yo hijab is also referred to as the convertible hijab. This type of hijab is predominant at any type of social event, i.e. an Aqeeqah, Bismillah party, Ameen party, wedding, etc. This is when an Imam or Qari comes up to the microphone and starts to recite Qur'an. At this point, all the convertible hijabs come up...until he says "Sadaqallahul adheem" (saying Sadaqullahul adheem has NO basis in the Quran or Sunnah and should NOT be said after reciting a surah). I'm not sure, but apparently in some cultures that translates to "ok sisters, you may now take off your scarves".

I'm sure this may seem odd, but what's even funnier is when people do not anticipate the recitation of Qur'an at a social event, and are forced to be creative and use accessories such as a purse to cover one's hair. I was surprised to see a women hold her purse over her head as "hijab"...as if the multitudes of men surrounding her are not a good enough reason to wear hijab, but some guy reciting du'aa compels her to hold a purse over her head. Her friends were more creative...one friend used her dinner napkin. I was also laughing when I saw the communal hijab -- two or more girls draped under one dinner napkin during the recitation of Qur'an. Her other friend was still more creative. She used her coffee saucer on the back of her head. I wasn't sure if it was hijab or a yamaka.....

And, people should remember that hijab is not just a protection from guys, but from a girl's nafs (ego) as well. It should prevent girls from having to spend hours in front of the mirror doing her hair. But, unfortunately, you see girls in front of the mirror for hours doing their hijab as they would do their hair, with all sorts of elaborate braids and the like. I wanted to go up to a sister and say "Is your hijab naturally curly?” I also felt compelled to go up to another girl and say "pardon me, but is your hijab naturally that color, or did you dye it?"

Well, the point to remember is that some people make an effort to wear hijab, but it is futile, because it is not fulfilling its purpose. It's like using an umbrella with holes in it. Hijab is used for protection from guys as well as from the girl herself, and should not be used as an accessory or for beautifying one's self.