Same God

By:  Shakiel Humayun

Professor Hawkins, a tenured political science professor at Wheaton College, was suspended due to a Facebook post.

The professor’s post stated, “I stand in religious solidarity with Muslims because they, like me, a Christian, are people of the book. And as Pope Francis stated last week, we worship the same God.”

Her critics would like to insist that Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God because their beliefs about God are different. Their claim is that the Christians assert a trinity while the Muslims do not.

However, the Jews do not believe in a trinity either. To add to that, the Muslims believe that Jesus is the Messiah, like the Christians, while the Jews do not.  Will the critics in the same breath say that the God of the Jews and Christians is not the same God?

The Quran, over 1400 years ago, has been promoting coexistence with the Christians by clearly professing that our God is one and the same despite the different theological interpretations of His attributes. The Quran states:

“And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are those who submit to Him.” [Quran 29:46]

After negating the worship of idols, the Quran describes whom it is that is to be worshipped:

“Say, [O Muhammad], “O people, if you are in doubt as to my religion – then I do not worship those which you worship besides Allah; but I worship Allah, who takes your soul. And I have been commanded to be of the believers.” [Quran 10:104]

Our Creator, who takes our souls upon death, is the one who is to be worshipped. It is evident that both Christians and Muslims worship the One who takes our souls at death.

Differing on the attributes of a being does not mean that two different beings are spoken about. Some may consider a President to be wise while others may call him foolish. One may believe that he was born in America while others may believe he was not. Despite the different attributes and beliefs, we are talking about the same being- President Obama.

“Eloh” is found in the old testament while “Elah” is found in the new testament, both referring to God while having great similarity to the word “Allah”. “Allah” is also the term used in the Arabic bible. Thus, Genesis 1:1 in the Arabic bible as shown below reads: “In the beginning Allah created the heavens and the earth.”

Instead of insisting on the idea that the God of the Muslims and Christians is different, a more productive discussion where we all share our convictions would promote understanding. This important communication should be possible even though our interpretations may be different.

- See more at: http://www.shakielhumayun.com/same-god/#sthash.y54RvMCn.dpuf

Family Safety Seminar - Radiant Hands

By:  Magda Elkadi Saleh

Alhamdulillah, the Radiant Hands' Family Safety Seminar on January 9 at Daarus Salaam was a very successful and was attended by over 90 people.  Renowned local and national speakers shared their knowledge and expertise with the attendees, and the seminar was well-received.  Very positive evaluations of the sessions were submitted with attendees stating that the speakers and presenters were well-prepared, dynamic, and the information they offered was both timely and useful.  The Self-Defense Demonstration was one of the highlights of the seminar.

Our sincere thanks to all who attended and to all of the presenters:  CAIR (Muaz Hassan & Thania Clevenger); Lailah Abdurrahim, Habib Fayiz, Inshirah Abdeljaleel, Salma Elkadi Abugideiri, Sahal Abdulaziz and Diana Mitwalli.  Our sincere thanks as well to all of the Radiant Hands staff and volunteers who were instrumental in putting the event together.

In the Aftermath of San Bernardino

http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20151207/well-wishers-gather-to-support-redondo-union-graduate-wounded-in-san-bernardino-shooting

By: Sumayya Saleh

It has been hard to watch the news in the last couple of months without feeling some anguish over the state of Muslims in the West, generally, and in America, specifically. Blatantly xenophobic, Islamophobic rhetoric has permeated the social sphere. Elected officials and presidential candidates alike have not shied away from making derogatory, hateful remarks about people of the Muslim faith.

            And then San Bernardino happened, altering the face of “Islamic” terrorism in America. Previously, this threat could largely be attributed to outsiders who had somehow managed to infiltrate the United States. But the alleged perpetrators of the December 2, 2015 attack in California did not, at first blush, appear to fit this profile. They were the average Muslims next-door, embedded in American society and leading nondescript lives. 

Immediately, the narrative shifted and the anti-Islamic rhetoric intensified tenfold. The American-Muslim community in its entirety suddenly became suspect. Accepting the government’s narrative as true (the veracity of that account is another discussion for another day, but let it suffice to say that the math does not quite add up and there are plenty of questions that need to be answered), Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik were radicalized Muslim extremists who managed to conceal this aspect of their lives and appeared to have blended into the fabric of American society without incident. In theory, then, San Bernardino could be replicated anywhere, as any average-looking American-Muslim fits the profile of the alleged perpetrators in this tragedy. The proposition is, of course, absurd. But there is no denying that this theory is being propagated.

I suppose there are two possible approaches that we, the American-Muslim community, can take to shield ourselves this escalating Islamophobic rhetoric. We could adopt what would essentially be a defeatist attitude, sticking to ourselves, worrying only about our own safety and managing our own personal affairs, and avoiding confrontation. Or we could proactively engage American society at large in an attempt to alleviate the plight we are currently experiencing. I submit that it is incumbent for us to adopt the latter approach as opposed to the former. For too long, we have been reclusive. And perhaps, historically, the isolationist approach has not directly operated to our detriment. But given the current climate, our failure to act will undoubtedly take its toll on the state of Muslims in America.

Certainly, on an individual level, many of us have worked to shift the lay American’s perspective on Islam, be it through our daily interactions with colleagues at work or with the cashier at our local Publix. But while it is important for us to have positive interactions with individuals unacquainted with the true meaning of Islam, this alone is not enough. We need to be brave enough to have candid conversations with people, to address the elephant in the room that our coworkers are not likely to bring up of their own volition. We need to have conversations about anti-Muslim hatred and the various agendas that have cultivated these bigoted and harmful sentiments. We need to create safe spaces that allow for such uncomfortable conversations to take place. And most importantly, we need to band together as a community – both locally and nationwide – in order to shift the tides that threaten to overwhelm us. Further, it is imperative that we find allies in other marginalized communities across the United States, as their struggles and their interests often intersect with our own.

Reclaiming the American-Muslim narrative is certainly not going to be an easy feat. In fact, it may seem downright impossible at this particular moment in time. But one thing is for sure: the ball is in our court, and if we do not have the impetus to take action for ourselves, no one else is going to come in and defends our rights as Americans.

Frequently Asked Questions - with Answers - When Terrorism Strikes

By:  Shakiel Humayun

Here are some questions you may encounter when there is a terrorist-related incident. I have added answers that I usually use as a response.

1. Why don’t you call the attacks “Islamic Terrorism”?

Simply because terrorism is un-Islamic. Many Islamic texts clearly forbid terrorism, violence, and ordain the sanctity of life.

The terrorists would like people to see their actions as “Islamic” in order to recruit people from the Muslim world. Calling it “Islamic Terrorism” would be aiding the terrorists in their marketing and recruiting efforts.

2. The attackers did it in the name of Allah and Islam, so why shouldn’t we call them “Islamists” or “Islamic Terrorists”?

Muslims do almost everything in Allah’s name and invoke His name for blessings. Muslims invoke the name of Allah before and after eating, traveling, sleeping, entering a home, embarking on endeavors, opening businesses, purchasing and selling houses, etc. This devotion is mentioned in the Quran: “Say: Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.” [Quran 6:162]

Misguided people will also do their incorrect actions in the name of Allah. This does not mean their actions are actually condoned by Allah or Islam even if they seemingly perform some of the rites of Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad informed us that there will be people who will display great devotion in prayers and fasting that will surpass that of his own companions, but these people will have nothing to do with Islam:

“They will read the Quran but it will not go beyond their necks, they will leave the religion…they are the worse of people and character…they will call to the Book of Allah, but they will have nothing to do with it.” [Sahih al-Jami]

Muslims open businesses in the name of Allah. Have we heard anyone labeling them “Islamic businesses”? The Syrians and Kurds are fighting ISIS at the frontline in the name of Allah. Why don’t we call them “Islamic Freedom Fighters”? Being selective with the term “Islamic” for violence or a super minority amongst the 1.6 billion Muslims only seems to be an effort to tarnish the image of Islam in favor of the terrorists.

3. What about the term “Islamic Radicalism” or “Islamic Extremism”?

The terms suggest that radicalism or extremism emanate, or come, from Islam where in reality Islam clearly forbids them. The Prophet Muhammad stated, “O Mankind! Beware of extremism in religion. It surely has destroyed those before you- the extremism in religion.” [Ibn Majah].

4. Are these attackers extremists?

Yes, they are extremists. They have left the teachings of Islam to become extremists. Calling them “Islamic extremists” would be an oxymoron, a term that contradicts itself.

5. Why are there so many Muslims as terrorists?

It may seem that way since the media coverage of a Muslim terrorist is much greater and in-depth than the coverage of Christian, Jewish, Atheist, etc. terrorists. The terrorists who are Muslims are only a fraction of the 1.6 billion Muslims.

Data clearly shows that most of the terrorist acts committed on American and European soils are done by Christians, Jews, and others, not by Muslims. Furthermore, 95% of the victims of ISIS terrorist actions are Muslims.

6. This is a fight for the soul of Islam.  Why don’t Muslims fix this problem once and for all?

Muslims have been dealing with the concept of extremism for decades. However, this is not just a fight for the soul of Islam. It is also a responsibility of those who have contributed to the creation of these terrorists through misguided foreign policies. Ideologies alone do not create terrorists. Terrorists need the right socio-political environment to sprout. Misguided foreign policies have provided such environments.

Peer Pressure

By Sundus Alsharif

When you hear the words peer pressure, what comes to mind?

Defined straight from Webster’s Dictionary, peer pressure means “influence of one’s friends on morals”. That being said, peer pressure can be both positive and negative. However, I am going to discuss the negative sides of peer pressure in the Muslim community. In addition to looking at the dark side of peer pressure, we will explore how to avoid peer pressure and what to do if you have already endured peer pressure.

From the outside looking in, it is so easy for all of us to look at our Muslim friends that are engaging in haram activities as “bad” or “sinful”. But what we fail to understand is that our friends did not end up this way overnight. They did not just wake up and say “Today, I feel like displeasing Allah (SWT)”. Changes in behavior, whether they are beneficial or malignant, take time. I remember reading somewhere that shaytan whispers to people to engage in small sins first, then he works his way up to the larger sins. This is a very dangerous tactic. In our minds, it is only a small sin, right? But to shaytan, and some of our friends, it is a plan that leads us to bigger sins.

The best way to avoid peer pressure is to avoid any situation that makes it easy for haram activities to occur. What do I mean by this? If you are invited to a party by people that are known to drink, and you think / know there is going to be the consumption of alcoholic drinks there, simply do not go. Come up with an excuse as to why you cannot go. If you keep making excuses and not showing up, the people inviting you will eventually get the message in a kind way that you do not want to be around risky environments. Even if you think you can handle going to a party where risky behavior is going on, there are no guarantees. Once you are in that situation, it does not matter how religious you are. It does not matter how much Quran you have memorized, or how many Sunnah prayers you make. Human nature is human nature. This is perfectly illustrated when we see the most religious family turn out to have kids that are addicted to drugs, partying, and more. This could happen to anyone, and it does not happen overnight. I am not saying you will be able to avoid every situation that could lead to haram. Why that would be impossible! All I am saying is that it is essential we avoid all the situations that could lead to haram as much as we can. That way, if we have to battle one or two situations every once and a while, it would not be as difficult as avoiding that situation every time you have an outing with friends.

Now that I have discussed how to avoid peer pressure, it is imperative we look at what to do if you have already given into negative peer pressure. If you have already been affected by peer pressure, the first step is recognizing it. Most people who have been affected by peer pressure do not even realize it. Or, they convince themselves that they are doing these haram activities out of their own wishes, and that other people have nothing to do with it. The question you must ask yourself is, “If I was living alone on Earth, only with the purpose of serving Allah (SWT), would I be engaging in this haram activity? Anyone that is a true Muslim would answer no to that. We all want to please Allah (SWT) and have the reward of the hereafter.

The second step is having patience when making change. As I said earlier, the changes made in life happen over a span of time. None of us makes a change completely correct after the first attempt. Change at a pace that you are doing something, but not too slow that nothing gets done. A quote I find really helpful for destroying habits is “There is no need to fight old habits. Start new ones. It is the resisting of an old habit that puts you in that trench. Starting a new pattern is easy when done with childlike disregard for imagined difficulties. You can prove this to yourself by your own experience.”- W. Timothy Gallwey.

The third step is making the change for Allah (SWT) only. When you try to change for your parents, friends, or strangers on the street, the change does not last. The reason it does not last is because those people are not always with you. If you are changing for other people, you will go back to your old ways as soon as no one is looking. This is between you and Allah (SWT), no one else. Making a change can be difficult. Not only do you have to deal with the personal struggle between you and Allah (SWT), but you also have to deal with what everyone else says about you. You have to deal with people scorning, saying things like “Oh so you want to change now, after all of the bad things you have done?!!!” You have to deal with saying goodbye to the friends that used to put you into haram situations. The way to deal with it is to focus on you. People are going to make hurtful comments, especially if they are not following the way of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Remember, this is not about them. It is about following Allah (SWT) and trying to make new, Islamic choices. And maybe, just maybe, you will stumble upon some people that know how to give advice Islamically. If you do, hold on to them. It is rare to find a person that gives advice with gentleness, which is what we all need in times when we are engaging in haram activity.

Before you think you are alone, remember, this could have happened to anyone. Even if we all are not facing your problems exactly, we are all struggling in this religion to obey Allah(SWT). It is something worth struggling for.

Weathering the Storm

By Magda Elkadi Saleh

I was in 8th-Grade when the Iran Hostage Crisis began:  November 1979.  My sisters, my mother and I were the only hijabis in the small, southern town we had recently relocated to.  There were only a handful of Muslim families there, and there was not a real mosque. We used to meet for Jumuah in a part of a local Muslim doctor’s office.

As the only hijabis in our Middle School, my sister and I were targeted as Iranians (pronounced “eye-ray-nee-uns”).  We were taunted and told to “go back to where we came from.”  There were actually Iranian students in our school [we are from Egypt], but, because they did not identify themselves as Muslim, they were never the target of the taunting, the finger-pointing and the vicious remarks.

We survived, undamaged, and stronger in our faith Alhamdulillah.

We also survived, undamaged, and stronger in our faith after 9-11.  Insha'Allah, we will survive these latest attacks as well; attacks by so-called Muslims which lead to attacks on the real Muslims in our communities.

As I write this article, I am in North Carolina visiting family.  As I waited for my flight to leave the St. Pete airport for NC, I wrote a post on Facebook about how pleasant my experience was in the airport as a hijabi and how pleasant everyone on the plane was.  When I landed in NC, I was very happy to see that many of my friends had commented about their very similar pleasant experiences on trips in the few days following the California shootings.

I write this not to suggest that we should let down our guard and feel that all is good, and that everyone loves Muslims and will treat them (us) as their equals.  I write this to affirm to everyone that there are more good people than bad, and that we must stand strong in our Islam and be confident of who we are.  We must continue to truly LIVE Islam in the best way that it was meant to be lived.

I write this to remind everyone to be wisely careful and carefully wise.

I write this to remind everyone of the efforts of the Muslim individuals and organizations that work so diligently day in and day out to help ensure that WE can live peacefully in this country as Americans, and to ensure that we are afforded the same rights as every other American citizen. 

We have weathered the storms, because we have stayed true to our religion and to our convictions, just as a ship weathers a storm by staying true to its course.

This is neither the first nor the last storm we will weather.  We must simply keep this in mind as we stand strong as one by supporting each other and by supporting the efforts of those who strive to defend our liberties.  And remember:  Hold your heads up and smile a smile that comes straight from your hearts. 

Fitness Tip of the Month: Squatting

By:  Sarah Llanos - Fit City Cross Fit

There is no movement more functional than squats. From senior citizen to toddler and everyone in between, we all squat. How many times a day do you use the toilet? Pick something off the floor? Grab a container from a bottom cabinet in the kitchen? Load the laundry into the front loader washing machine? Get in and out of a chair or the car? If you do any of these things daily, then you are already squatting. All day. Every day. So how can we ensure our independence as we age? How can we prevent injuries or falls? Training your body to squat properly is one huge step in the right direction. Squats help build strength in your legs, glutes and core along with burning fat, regulating hormones, and when done properly, reducing injury.

If you struggle with squatting it may be one of the following reasons:

• Knee Pain
• Back Pain
• Difficulty balancing, fear of falling
• Not enough strength

All of the above issues can be resolved with proper squat form and routine squatting

• Feet under hips, hand extended for balance
• Hips back and down. Knees out on the descent.
• Feet flat, knees pushing out, chest tall. Hips below knees, if possible.
• Stand up tall, belly tight.

Squatting should not cause pain or injury if done correctly. Faults to avoid:

• Knees collapsing inward as you descend/ascend
• Knees collapsing inward in bottom position
• Heels rising off the ground
• Rounded back

Tips:

1. Video yourself squatting. Does your squat look like the pictures above? Can you determine which fault may need to be addressed?
2. Squat often, preferably daily.
3. Stretch your hips.

Rights of the Muslims

By:  Ridha Mohamed, Gr. 5 - Bayaan Academy

A Muslim has many of rights toward another Muslim. Here are five main rights.

One of these rights is returning the greeting of Salam. For example, if someone says “Assalamu alaikum”, then we should reply properly, by saying “Wa alaikum al-salaam”  or “Wa alaikum al-salaam wa rahmatullah”. We should not say : “What’s up YO?”.

Another right is visiting the sick. For example, if a Muslim is sick, we should go visit and help them. We should definitely make du’aa for them, if we are unable to visit them.

The third right Muslims have over each other is attending funerals. When a brother or sister Muslim dies, we should attend the funeral. We should help the family deal with the loss, cook for them, visit them and pray for them.

The fourth oneright is accepting invitations. If someone invites you to a EID party, GO!

Last but not least, you should say YARHAMAKUM ALLAH to one who sneezes, and says “Alhamdulillah” after the sneeze.

These rights are very basic.  If we practice them in our communities, maybe we will improve the bonds between the Muslims; at least we will follow the sunnah of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.                              

Revival by the Thousands

By:  Shakiel Humayun

Soft occasional sounds of a helicopter flying overhead ripple through the clear skies. Millions of people have gathered in the afternoon desert air. Wherever you turn, people are engrossed in prayer communicating to the Lord of the universe. This is Arafah.  We are at Hajj.

Hajj is a series of acts of worship that have profound symbolism. The symbolism is multi-dimensional. It encompasses place, time, and enactment. Place, like the actual place where Ibrahim built the kabah or where his wife, Hajar, walked in search for resources. Time, like in one of the four sacred months, Dhul-hijjah, which also happens to be the last month of the year - a perfect time for making resolutions. Enactment, like the temporary stay in Muzdalifah without accommodations that symbolizes our temporary stay in this world, since we also come into this world and leave it without any accommodations.

It's important for the pilgrim to focus on these many symbolisms and avoid being distracted by the weather or other matters. Allah instructs us to look deeper into the acts of Hajj and not take them as mere rituals. Regarding the sacrifice He says:

"Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good". [Quran 22:37]

The enactment is a unique form of worship not done anywhere else. It also remedies desensitization of important events in our history. From childhood, Muslims read about the struggle of Hajar for resources for her son Ismael. However, when one actually walks between Safa and Marwa seven times, one gets a greater appreciation of this great woman's dedication and reliance on Allah.

The enactment also serves as a visual of the many messages of Hajj . Take for example the stoning of the wall, which symbolizes the repelling of satan. Everyone could have stoned a wall or a mountain close to their tent, but instead Allah draws out millions of pilgrims to come to a specified location for this stoning. This displays that the repelling of Satan is not to be just an individual effort but also a communal one. We see the concept of repelling Satan in numbers in the words of our Prophet when he spoke about riders on a travel:

"One is a satan. Two are two satans. Three are riders." [Sahih al-Jami]

As pilgrims walk up close to the wall they hear hundreds of pebbles being pelted towards the wall. Pilgrims become cautious not to be hit by a flying pebble, some even cringe, as they get closer. The pilgrim with this behavior is reminded to remain at guard against satan just as they are at guard against the oncoming pebbles, and to not fall for satan's sneaky traps. Allah mentions this phenomenon:

"O you who have believed, do not follow the footsteps of Satan." [Quran 24:21]

Even after stoning, walking out of the area, the pilgrim still keeps the guarded disposition as pebbles are still flying towards the wall. One should not declare victory if they have repelled satan once, but should always remain guarded. Since satan may attempt to attack again, the pilgrim after the first stoning continues to walk to the next wall for another stoning to complete a total of 3 walls per day.

The pilgrim begins his rites of Hajj with a Tawaf and ends the rites of Hajj with a Tawaf. As the pilgrim circles the Kabah at both times, he realizes that his life is to revolve around the worship of Allah from its beginning to its end.

While Hajj in recent decades was considered by many to be an action done at an older age, recently many younger people have embarked on this journey indicating a spiritual revival in the ummah. The successful pilgrim, however, is the one who absorbs the messages and symbolisms of Hajj where it causes a real change in his or her life.

Muslim Refugees in Tampa

By:  Magda Elkadi Saleh

On October 18, Radiant Hands addressed over 100 attendees at the New Tampa Masjid Community Forum about the Muslim Refugee Crisis in Tampa Bay.  The Forum was planned after many people started asking questions about the “Refugee Crisis,” and how they could help.

Sr. Magda Elkadi Saleh, President of Radiant Hands, along with Br. Bilal Saleh, representing the Masjid, and Ms. Amira Salama, representing Coptic Orthodox Charities, helped clarify to the attendees:  the nature of the crisis, how the community has been addressing it, the role that Radiant Hands would play, and the role that the sponsoring agencies play in resettling and integrating the refugees into the community.  Br. Adeel Karim also addressed the attendees on the technology structure that would help support Radiant Hands’ and the communities’ efforts. 

Since the date of the forum, Radiant Hands, with the assistance and support of many generous donors and volunteers, and in partnership with the local masaajid, has been working diligently to provide much-needed services to the refugees:  Transportation; Counseling; Referrals to Physicians; Food and Monetary Assistance; Drivers Ed; Resume-Writing and Job Training and Placement; and Donations of Furniture, Clothing and Household Goods.

The refugee populations are very diverse and come from Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Burma and Pakistan, among other countries.

To stay abreast of the needs of the refugees and of Radiant Hands’ activities, join the Tampa Bay Cares group on  Facebook.  To contact Radiant Hands, please email refugees@radianthands.org or call 813-983-1700.  You can also visit the Radiant Hands web-site:  www.radianthands.org.​ 

Values

By:  Gr. 7 Students @ Bayaan Academy

Students in Grades 6/7 have looked at some of the great values that were the foundation of America in their Social Studies Class.  Those values are : justice, valor, perseverance, purity, innocence, hardiness, vigilance.  We have found that these values are timeless and are also values shared in our Islamic tradition.  The students were asked to come up with a sentence expressing these values from an Islamic perspective. 

Islamic Values

“Without the foundational values of Islamic justice, the world would be very chaotic.” ~ Tehman Mobin

“The valor of the Muslims when they fought The Battle of Badr was so powerful that their enemies described them as tenacious lions.” ~ Muhammad Husayn Totten

“In order to be careful not to make sins, one must have perseverance.” ~ Ebru Tuzcu

“When one’s thoughts are pure, his heart achieves the highest state of purity.” ~ Ammaar Mohammed

“Many ayat in Surah Noor are about the innocence of Hadhrat Ayesha (RAA).” ~ Hana Khan

“Muslims all around the world should have hardiness. We should be patient in all conditions, because we have to have strong faith in Allah (SWT).” ~ Fabiha Nasir

“As Muslims in America, we must maintain vigilance about the things we do, because we need to give a good impression of Islam due to the incorrect depictions of Islam in the media.” ~ Amr Rhazi

Justice

By:  Sundus Alsharif

There are moments in time that I will

never forget.

Like the smell of fresh grass, laughter of friends,

Or the sky before it’s about to rain

Like the rain I always blocked with an umbrella, I saw the world through

rose tinted glasses—

of flowers that grew through cracks

smiles that shined on

even the most shattered of mirrors.

A breath of innocence that children have.

The kind of wonder I used to have.

I want to know what happened when I lost my passion.

I think it was when

I forgot how to feel my fingers making prints in the warm sand.

My heart lost its beat,

I was sleeping and awake.

What a horrible place my mind must have been—

a mind trapped, afraid to think. 

My words paint thoughts I never think:

A canvas of beautiful words that don’t live in me. 

They flow off of my lips, 

putting me asleep, and never waking me up.

I think next time, when I brush my fingers across the warm sand, I have to feel a little closer. 

Speak a little louder. 

Dream longer. 

Act even stronger. 

Because I remember a man who had still had a dream despite every person who told him he was wrong

I know of a woman who said “ I will not” when asked to give up her seat to a white man.

I remember a man who spoke words of peace to those who mocked him.

I remember a sea being split in two. The blind opening their eyes. A baby being able to speak.

I know of a book that has the same letters, words, and pages now as it did 1400 years ago.

A beautiful canvas of words that don’t just live in me, they encompass my entire being.

Now, when I brush my fingers across warm sand, each granule runs through my heart

I used to look for justice in rose tinted glasses.

Now I find justice from inside of me

Every soul born in goodness, I know that this justice comes from You, oh God.

It’s inside of me, and us all.  

There are moments in time that I will

never forget.

Like the smell of fresh grass, laughter of friends,

Or the sky before it’s about to rain—

I finally trashed my umbrella, and started to

dance in the rain.​ 

Dental Health Advice

By:  Dr. Omar Mubarak

We’ve all heard the saying, “You don’t truly appreciate something until it’s gone,” many times before. This can apply to many different things, from your eyesight to a loved one. However, there is one truly overlooked and underappreciated body part, and that is your teeth. We are constantly enjoying many different types of food, but the real star of the show is not your mom's cooking, but your teeth. Without them you wouldn’t be able to chew your food, which can lead to a myriad of different problems. People who have multiple missing or fractured teeth are commonly diagnosed with reflux disease, malnutrition, and other diseases.

So you can imagine my frustration when somebody comes into my office and doesn’t value their teeth.  Instead of spending a little bit of time and effort into preserving and maintaining their teeth, they would rather “yank them out.” However, this is a problem that started many years ago, when they were still young. Instead of being taught the importance of preserving their teeth and maintaining a healthy diet, they were drinking soda and eating caramel candy.

So the most important aspect of maintaining your teeth is not brushing, but education. I commonly see people in my office who are in tears because they regret not maintaining their teeth. They regret getting their teeth extracted many years ago, when they could have saved them. They now see that dentures don’t truly replace teeth; they only have about 20-30% of the chewing force of teeth. A professor of mine once told me that dentures are not a replacement for teeth, they are a replacement for no teeth. Nothing we can do for you will ever replace what Allah (swt) gave you.

So what can we do as parents to help instill this importance value in our children? First off, we need to instill in them the importance of taking care of their entire body. A healthy person will usually be healthy in all aspects of their life. Make them realize that what they put in their mouth affects their entire body. Eating junk food and candy will turn their body (teeth and otherwise) into junk. It is also important to make sure that you, as the parent, are brushing and flossing their teeth for them. I’ve seen parents tell their 4-year-old child to go and brush their teeth. A 4-year-old cannot effectively floss and brush; that is something we need to do for them until we are confident that they can and will do it on their own. We also need to begin getting our children used to going to the dentist from an early age. So many people make the mistake of waiting until their children’s teeth are heavily decayed before bringing them to the dentist. As Benjamin Franklin said, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Regular cleanings and checkups will not only usually prevent issues from cropping up, but allow us to find and address the issue before it becomes a major issue. A filling is a lot easier and cheaper than a root canal and crown.

I always try to minimize intervention, especially in children. I truly believe that the less that we have to do on you is better for you. However, one exception is sealants. I recommend that all children have sealants placed on their molars as soon as they can. Sealants are a very conservative treatment done in children that is inexpensive (usually covered 100% by insurance) that requires no anesthetic or drilling. The vast majority of cavities begin in the pits and fissures of the tooth, so a sealant simply “seals” those areas off and gives the cavity-causing bacteria less room to hide. See the attached picture to have a better idea of how sealants work.

Most people don’t like to see the dentist, and we understand that! We can be scary with our needles, drills, and expensive bills. So the best way to avoid seeing us is to maintain a healthy lifestyle free of sodas, junk food, and other processed foods. Not only will your teeth be healthy, but your entire body will thank you. And always remember that your friendly local dentist will always be there to put your mouth back together so you can go back to enjoying your mothers’ biryani. 

Annual Tampa Health Day

By:  Sayeef Mirza

This past Saturday, November 7, students from the University of South Florida (USF) and community partners combined their efforts and expertise to conduct a health fair for the Tampa Bay Community. This was the 3rd annual Tampa Health Day.

 Tampa Health Day began and still is a humble effort fully coordinated by USF graduate students. USF Health has always been about uniting the different health professions toward the common cause of health care and healing. Whether funded by churches or hospitals, health professional students are encouraged to dedicate time toward these fairs all over the community, for schools, for events, for even migrant workers. The Muslim Student Doctor Network has been at the forefront of organizing a similar public health outreach program to benefit not only the Muslims but also the non-Muslims in the neighborhood. By working with the Red Crescent Clinic, we were able to invite the community inside the doors of the largest mosque in Florida to attend this health fair. 

 This health fair was about giving out free services to the community. Patients were able to get their basic vitals checked, meet with medical students about their concerns, learn about preventative health care, and, finally, consult with licensed Muslim physicians. Many patients were recommended to follow-up at the Red Crescent Clinic for further care. Flu shots, optometry, and other resources were also provided.

 These primary care services are basic needs of any citizen. But with the high cost of health care, many people are forced to forego simple preventative measures. Speaking to a doctor is considered such a valuable thing, both financially and socially.  These health fairs serve as a means of increasing accessibility and feasibility. They also allow younger students to shadow and volunteer---to become a part of a greater cause. 

 That is the best da'wah---service to others. Actions speak for themselves. And, as medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, and undergraduate students, we are the future of health care. As Muslims, we are the future of Islam in America. We hope to intertwine our beliefs with our careers so that we live and breathe the essence of our faith within our workplace. This is the inspiration we garner to coordinate these events. This is the goal we hope to achieve. This is Tampa Health Day, and we hope to continue to benefit many more members of the Tampa Bay community in the years to come, in sha Allah.

A Local Hero - Ameena Khan

By:  Kanwal Malik Saba

As I gazed at the art work of the various artists that were present at the Wiregrass Art Show, I had to do a double take. Did I just see a hijabi artist displaying her work? I squinted and looked again and sure enough there was a beautiful hijabi talking animatedly to a group of people about her work. Subhan Allah!! I picked up my pace, and my son and I started walking towards her. As I said Salam and hugged her, I felt I had met a kindred spirit!  My forgotten journey towards the world of color felt light years away as I started talking to Ameena Khan. It turned out that Ameena Khan was a local artist and was pursuing her love for art by displaying her work.

I have taken the opportunity to interview Ameena Khan so the local community can take advantage of her talents and learn more about this significant artist who is highlighting the struggles of Muslim women through her work. Khan’s work was recently showcased by the USF Department of Women and Gender Studies and artist-led organization Art2Action.  Her work was displayed in the on-campus gallery “Dialogue in Color” (The Oracle, 2015). Khan is also currently holding an exhibition at HCC called “Loud Print”.

BIO:

Ameena Khan was born and raised in Gainesville, FL. She has a Bachelors, Masters, and PhD in Environmental Engineering, specializing in water chemistry. Also, she worked as a consultant with Jones Edmunds and Association for two years, designing water treatment plants and chemical delivery systems. Khan is married and became a proud mom of a daughter in 2008 and a son in 2010. During these years, she took a break.

Eventually she went back to work part time as the Associate Director of research and development for a company inventing new technologies for water and air purification in the power industry. She worked there for two years. Subsequently, her family moved to Tampa in 2012, so the kids could take advantage of the Islamic curriculum at UAF.

At that time, she decided not to work in engineering anymore and, instead, concentrate on her passion for art. This was a very difficult decision for her, but she believed it was the right one! After a year in Tampa, she had an offer to teach art at AYA, so she began there in 2014, teaching Elementary Art.

Khan has highlighted issues regarding hijab and other struggles faced by Muslim women. An excerpt of her interview from The Oracle states “One piece in particular, “No Need for Rescue,” depicts a fierce Muslim woman glaring at the viewer from the frame. Her lips pursed and eyes fixed, her face and clothes left unpainted on an indigo backdrop, the piece demands attention.

“With that piece in particular, it is addressing the idea of the Muslim woman being a victim of her religion, of the male figures in her family, because that’s a common perspective – that the men are controlling the women,” Khan said (The Oracle, 2015). As a response to such emotions, Khan started doing a series of sketches called “No Need to Rescue”. This depicted her beliefs that the Muslim culture is often misunderstood. Khan is mostly interested in displaying her work at universities, because it can give her a platform to deliver the message that Muslim women are powerful, liberated beings who choose their own voice and are not victims. This is a great opportunity to start a dialogue that can eradicate many questions people have about Muslim women being oppressed.

Do you have a theme or goal behind your work?

I believe art is an important means of communication. Sometimes people may feel shy to ask questions, or uncomfortable with certain topics. With art, you can address difficult or touchy subjects in an indirect way. More specifically, a non-Muslim may be uncomfortable or nervous to talk to a Muslim, so communicating through art is a great opportunity to reach across those communication gaps and connect.

Can you explain the "Beyond the Veil" project on display at HCC?

When I was invited to show at HCC, I knew my primary audience would be non-Muslims. I decided it would be an opportunity to share thoughts and feelings of Muslim women with them.

I had been considering the idea for "Just a peek, please?" for over two years, but finally had the opportunity to create the series for a show. It displays different hijabs and a statement of the Muslim woman who donated the hijab. The statements exude the women’s feelings about being a Muslim woman in today’s world.

It has generated a lot of questions and discussions, so the gallery has organized a panel discussion to answer relevant questions. It is being hosted by HCC’s Gallery 221 and FOCUS International. Two representatives from CAIR and I will speak on Nov 19th 2015 at HCC Dale Mabry from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Learning Resource Center.

What is your message to the local young artists of our community?

Everyone is an artist! You may not be a painter or someone who likes to draw, but maybe you are an amazing writer, or perhaps you build incredible inventions! Whatever it is that you like to do, never stop being creative. Keep trying new things and learning new skills. Making art is not easy, but the world needs creative thinkers and I can't wait to see what you make!"

Source:

The Oracle website (2015). Local artist shows strength of Muslim women.

Retrieved from: http://www.usforacle.com/news/view.php/867596/Local-artist-shows-strength-of-Muslim-women

Girl Scouts Update

By:  Manar Sarsour

Alhamdullah, the Muslim Girl Scouts have been busy these last few weeks with different learning experiences. The Juniors got very creative with writing individual opinionated essays then all contributed with writing a group fictional story. They even made their own percussion instruments using balloons, cups, rubber bands, beads, and other household objects. All the girls had an opportunity to go camping with other Girl Scouts in the area and had an amazing time learning archery, tie-dying, candle-making, and more! 

The Girl Scouts also participated in the Breast Cancer Walk hosted by Making Strides at Wiregrass Mall this year. The Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low, had breast cancer so it was great to see these girls make a huge presence at the walk to support breast cancer awareness.

 The Daisies and Brownies are finished with their 1st Journey Badges. The Daisies have been learning about composting and gardening. The Brownies have been working on S.T.E.M. activities, working in teams and learning about building structures and performing science experiments. The Cadettes and Juniors worked together to learn about a healthy lifestyle and did a fitness activity together. 

 We had a guest speaker, Sr. Ameena Khan- a teacher and a local artist that came to give the girls an art lesson. The beautiful artistic work from these girls was fantastic. They all had a great time learning a new way to express themselves by drawing.

 Masha’Allah we are very proud of these girls and insha'Allah this program will provide them with an amazing experience.

Oceans in Danger

By:  Gr. 4/5 Boys @ Bayaan Academy:  Awwab Azam, Muhammad Maarij Mustafa, Rayan Birjas, Rashid Shanvas, and Ahmad Dibo

In school, we learned that oceans are endangered. We would like to share with you some of the major reasons why we should be concerned about the oceans.   Allah Almighty says: "Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men's hands have done, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return."    Al Rum:41

There is a lot of lot of danger to the oceans, and we are all responsible for it, since we all want the products and services from the oceans.

One of the most dramatic dangers is an oil spill. Supertankers are giant ships that carry oil. When the sides of a supertanker crack open, the oil has nowhere to go but flood into the ocean. Oil is very dangerous to the oceans, because if a seabird or animal gets covered in it, it will get very cold, unless it is cleaned very soon. Also, animals can die from trying to clean themselves. Oil can also block sunlight, which may not allow plankton to survive. Plankton is very important to the food chain, so this could be hazardous.

Another danger to the oceans is overfishing. A long time ago, people could fish as much as they wanted. They thought the supplies were endless. Today, the end may be in sight. People have overfished the oceans so much that the number of certain varieties of fish that were once numerous, such as sardines and cod, have now shrunk greatly.

Another reason the oceans are polluted so much is because of the vast amounts of waste and sewage in them. A long time ago, people thought salt-water killed germs. So they dumped human waste and sewage into the oceans. Now we know that this is not true. Thousands of people have died from diseases from germs in human waste washed up on the shore. Human waste contains germs that can cause deadly diseases. Some of these diseases are Cholera, Hepatitis, and Typhus. Today, many cities treat their human waste products to remove dangerous germs. Unfortunately, others do not. Our oceans pay the price for this neglect.

Another human activity that pollutes the oceans is farming. Farmers use fertilizers on their fields to help crops grow. They also use pesticides to kill insects. Some of these fertilizers and pesticides run off into rivers and streams. The rivers carry the chemicals to the oceans, where they harm sea life.

Did you know that littering could be harmful to sea creatures? When people throw trash into the sea, chances are it will harm something. Seals get tangled up in plastic netting or balloons. Fish swallow metal pop-can tops. Coral reefs can be broken by cans, and other garbage. Many kinds of litter do notbreak or go away.

How do we save the oceans?

There are multiple ways we can save the oceans. For example, you and your friends can team up and clean the beaches. Or you can write letters to the government. Whatever you do, be careful, be determined, and watch out for great whites!

Wuduu

By:  Fauzia Raza

وضو سے چلو
وضو سے پھرو
وضو سے پڑھو

وضو سے ہنس لو
وضو سے رو لو
وضو سے جی لو

وضو سے سو لو
وضو سے اٹھ لو
وضو سے جھک لو

وضو ہی تم ہو 
وضو ہی نماز ہو
وضو ہی قرآن ہو 

بلا وضو۔۔
نہ نماز ہو 
نہ قرآن ہو

وضو کی عظمت کو پہچان لو
اپنی نفسانیت کو پہچان لو
اپنی پاکیت کو پہچان لو

How to Stay Fit while Traveling

By:  Sarah Llanos

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You just got your rhythm of coming to the gym consistently. You’ve been hitting three to four times per week and feeling good. You know that when you are consistent in the gym, you make better food choices, creating a catalyst of positivity in your life. You have been able to balance work, family, responsibilities, nutrition and exercise. Right when you found your rhythm, you have an out of town trip scheduled. Is it work? Is it vacation with family or friends? All you know is this: you will not be able to get your workouts in for at least 3 or 4 days, maybe more. What is a healthy person to do?

Here are some tips for maintaining your workout routine while traveling:

• Join forces with a travel partner friend, family member or co-worker. Working out with someone keeps you accountable and bumps up the fun factor too! Commit to several days during your trip. Plan them into your schedule. Your body will thank you for it later.

• Utilize your unique environment. Visiting the mountains? Hill repeats, jumps on tree stumps or large boulders, handstand practice in the grass up or down the hills. The beach? Incorporate running and burpees in the sand. Does your hotel have a pool? Use the pool area for swimming laps, squats, and pushups.

• If you are staying at a hotel with a gym, get creative! It’s ok to do the things you enjoy. Feel like doing bicep curls? DO IT! Feel like spending 20 minutes on the elliptical? DO IT!! Feel like writing your own combination of movements and completing as much as you can in a given time? DO IT!!!

Our Coaches' and Members' Favorite Creative Workouts While Traveling

Below are some creative workouts our coaches and members have done while on vacation or traveling for work. If you would like personal coaching to learn how to execute these movements and many more, safely and effectively, either on your own or in our gym, contact us for a “No Sweat Intro”. Enjoy!

• 400m Run (Treadmill), 20 Pushups, 20 Sit-ups        3 Rounds AFAP (As Fast As Possible)

• Deck Of Cards (Diamond-Sit-ups, Spades-Pushups, Hearts-Squats, Clubs-Lunges, Joker-5 Burpees) Complete number of reps for each movement depending on card. Face cards equal ten reps. Ace is either 1 rep or 11 reps. Ex: Jack of Hearts= 10 Squats *20 minute time cut off if necessary

• 60 Burpee Box Jumps AFAP

• 10 Mountain Climbers, 10 KB Swings, 20 Jump rope AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible)

Open Letter of Thanks to the Community

By:  Nada Blassy, President, ISONET Youth Group

Assalamu Alikum wa Rahmatullahhi wa Barakatuh,

On behalf of the ISONET Youth Group, I would like to thank each and every single person who volunteered for,  attended, and/or funded our 3rd Annual Family Fun Day.   May Allah(SWT) reward all who helped make the event a success.  Without all of your hard work, dedication, and the will of Allah(swt), none of this would have been possible.  I definitely look forward to having many more events such as the Fun Day in the future.

It was an honor to help organize an event to give back not only to our beloved community, but also to the Syrian refugees.  In sha' Allah, through Islamic Relief USA, we will be able to donate about $6,000.00 to our brothers and sisters in Islam! Takbeer!

In this day and age, while everything seems to be falling apart, it is essential that we, as an ummah, stick together, and that's exactly what this event was all about. The Family Fun Day didn't just signify a youth event, it served as a way for us to proudly continue practicing Islam in America, having no fear of whatever the media or anti-Islam protesters chose to portray as our ideals.

We have every right to practice our deen, and it was truly inspiring to see Muslims from all across the world come together.

Wa Jazakumallahu Khairan