Layali Vol. 1 Issue Three

LAYALI ABIR

Volume 1, Issue 3

IjoiBnRAHI M ing the

Peace

Corps

&

TOTAL BODY TONE -UP

Tafsir corner

+

A GUITO IDE IMPROVI N G SCORES

+

fashion

TRENDS e u s s i d r 3

ediletors’ tter

Salam,

Growth doesn’t happen over one night, but over many.

Serving humanity is awe-inspiring.

Whether you’re joining the United States Peace Corps, like Abir Ibrahim (on the cover), or opening up a women and children’s shelter (p.54) serving your community has never reciprocated negatively. The idea of harmonious communal living defines the value of an “ummah.” Oneness or togetherness allows us the opportunity for better self-reflection and progress.

The various selflessness acts portrayed in this third issue of Layali Webzine has shown us that serving the greater good encourages positive change in others.

We call on the Muslim community to serve each other while also serving those around you, including your neighbors, your country, and your society. Only by helping our community will we become a successful and prosperous humanity.

Keep faith, Omama Altaleb & Rawan Elbaba @omama_altaleb & @roelbaba

2

layaliwebzine.com

Layali the

team

Editior-in-Chief Omama Altaleb

Executive Editor Rawan Elbaba

Contributors: Spirituality- Samia Mubarak, Zainab Alwani and Halima Ibrahim In School-Sharmin Shanur Career- Sana Mohammed The Wife Life- Yasmin Mogahed Motherhood- Reem Faruqi Nutrition & Health- Rawan Elbaba Fitness- Shamis Hussein Fashion- Somayyah Ghariani, Citra Style and Ahfif Food- Nada Ibrahim and Noori Ali Travel - Lubna Safi Community-Rawan Elbaba Politics- Laila Alawa and Wardah Khalid Beauty/Tutorial- Nadia Shahzad Book Reviews- Yousra Medhkour and Nesima Aberra

We invite any of you Muslim American ladies to contribute to Layali Webzine through your experiences, talents and skills. (For more information on contributing, please visit the Contribute page) at layaliwebzine.com.

Please remember, this is a Webzine for you, about you and by you.

layaliwebzine.com

3

CONTENTS Deen & Spirituality

6 8 9

6

Keeping Straight Spiritual Searching Tafsir Corner

14

Life -- In School

10

A Guide to Improving Your Scores

Life -- (Care)eer

12

Confessions of an Ex-Perpetual Procrastinator

16

Life -- The Wife Life

14

This is Love

Life -- Motherhood

16

What Motherhood Taught Me About Photogrpahy

Feature

18

Abir Ibrahim

Health

24 Body Image

4

layaliwebzine.com

18

28

Fitness

25 Total Body Tone-up Fashion

28 Winter Chic & Spring 36 Young Professional Wardrobe 42 Effortless Elegance

46

Food

44 French Toast 45 Crepes Travel

46 Travel Photos Linked In

58

54 Muslimat Al-Nisaa 56 Muslims & Petitions Reviews

58 Americanah 60The Book Thief

44

Tutorials

62 Buh-Bye Chapped Lips layaliwebzine.com

5

DEEN

Keeping

Straight

By Samia Mubarak

photo credit: Omama Altaleb

6

layaliwebzine.com

SPIRITUALITY

A

man named Sufyan bin Abdullah Athaqafi once asked the Prophet (PBUH) to tell him something so comprehensive about Islam that he would never have to ask anyone else for religious advice again. The Prophet replied "Say 'I believe in God,' and then keep straight."

When you think of the word istiqama you immediately think of straight. We ask God to keep us on the straight path everyday in the Opening Chapter of the Quran guide us the straight way and in this narration, we hear that same root-word uttered by the Prophet when asked advice on following Islam comprehensively.

Why is this word so important? What does keeping straight mean to our faith and our Islam? Think of a road taking you to a destination. Follow that road straight, all the way, completely, without veering off the road, and you WILL get there. The road doesn't have to be straight literally, but when you are straight with it, meaning you follow it to the dot, without veering off, then you're safe.

Now think of your life as a Muslim. How can you stay straight? Surely things will come your way that you never expected, making your path crooked and full of obstacles, but once you remind yourself of your destination, something will tell you to istaqim, stay straight, meaning deal with what you have keeping in mind that you need to stand firm and not veer off. Your focus is on God. He will get you where you need to be as long as you're straight with Him. Pray, supplicate, beg, ask, remember and be Godconscious in all your surroundings.

to the Prophet's saying. But there is a continuation. What is the reward of those who believe in God and stay firm?

"Angels descend down to them reassuring them not to be scared." Don't be scared for your future and what lies ahead down the road. Live in the present and rest assured.

"And don't be sad." Don't be sad for what has passed. Rather: "Receive the gladtiding of the Paradise that you were once promised."

What a beautiful verse full of hope and reassurance. And the next verse leaves you speechless. God then says: "We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter. In it, you will have all what your souls desire and all that you ask for!"

It is then no wonder that the Prophet himself was ordered to istaqim in such a direct way in the Quran by God Himself: Allah commands him in Surah Hud, along with those with him, to stand firm. Istiqama, or staying straight and steadfast isn't something you struggle with alone. We all need to work on it together, just as the Prophet and his companions were ordered to by God. This word istiqama and other forms of its root are not found in the Quran numerous times for no reason. It is for us to be constantly reminded of our obligation to stay straight and steadfast. So the next time you are faced with a trial, a hurtful word, an argument, an accusation, or the like, remember to stand your ground and keep straight to what He wants of you. Think of the road that will take you to your destination.

Don't veer off, but simply istaqim and remember Him and what He has promised once you do exactly that.

KS

One thing that is very interesting is that the prophet's saying to be straight and steadfast goes hand in hand with a verse in Surah Fussilat.

This verse says. "Those who said our lord is God, and then stood firm/straight."

The beginning of this verse is almost identical

layaliwebzine.com

7

“Spiritual Searching is Not a Sin ” DEEN

by Halima Ibrahim

I

t was a cold and dreary day on a mid­ February weekend in Massachusetts.

I sat down drinking a cup of coffee in a small secluded coffee shop area in the middle of Cambridge and as I was browsing through the internet looking for quotes to add onto my list, I came upon this quote

by Author H.P Craft: "If religion were true, its followers would not try to bludgeon their young into an artificial conformity; but would merely insist on their unbending quest for truth, irrespective of artificial backgrounds or practical consequences."

As I read the quote, I slowly put down my coffee as I re­read the quote over and over.

I eventually shut off the laptop and paid my bill. Throughout the rest of the day, I thought about the quote, already having it memorized because of my sudden obsession. I came to realize after having lunch, that this quote was perhaps the truest and holiest of words that belittled religion, but I liked it. I liked it because for once, my thoughts about the quote summed up my ideas of religion in a few words.

So what does this quote have anything to do with Islam? In some ways, it's not based on the institution of religion, rather with the community that follows it.

Islam is a perfect religion from

8

layaliwebzine.com

photo credit: Omama Altaleb the moment it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to this day 1400 later, but what's imperfect is the communities that practice the religion.

In our communities today there is an image created of what a perfect Muslim is and a lot of the times that would mean giving up your own identity and individualism in order to look "pious" in the eyes of Muslims. At a young age, our parents will tell us what is haram and halal, we pray and are told that Islam is followed in this matter.

As H.P craft says, we are bludgeon in some ways into the belief at a very young age and we are forced to conform into the Muslim community only. As we grow, however, the reality is we become individuals who begin thinking differently, we act differently and we become worshippers under Allah but what we don't become is researchers. Actually, it seems that doubt is unhealthy even though it leads to questioning that could lead us to find strengths or weaknesses in our faith. The reality is when

SPIRITUALITY question. The reality is, when I ask myself why I should follow a practice just because I was told to, I find answers through hadith or verse of the Quran even through friends who provided information and I may interpret or accept it as I please. I know I am feeding my soul information that was deprived of me.

We must remember that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) would meditate before the revelation of the Quran.

Also, the Prophet Muhammad found God by questioning and doubting the faith he was raised under and God connected with him. Currently, I do admit that I am spiritual (not practicing yet) but I do meditate and talk to God, building my relationship with my existence and soul. Therefore, if I sin I no longer beat myself up to the point where I lost faith but I connected with God. We worry that by questioning and having doubts can almost be a sin, but

TAFSIR Corner

T

he question of Qur'anic interpretation is at the heart of any juristic interpretation.

Some of the questions are ones that have been debated among scholars throughout Islamic history.

Other questions, however, are a product of the unique circumstances that face the

reality is soul searching is not learning to be self-sufficient.

Curiosity is truly a beautiful and essential part of faith in our religious journey. God created us from several of colors, heights, features, and weight yet unified with the same religion. That does not mean to stop embracing our individualism and questioning.

Who knew H.P Craft's quote would be able to sum up my thoughts, although I don't find it to be a question of religious institution, but rather of those who follow it.

At the end of the day, when you're done praying or lying in your bed, just asking yourself "Why?" can lead to endless answers that will free yourself of an ideal to become comfortable with your own existence. So why are you Muslim? Do you have a comfortable relationship with God? And lastly, what is your own journey to God?

The Qur’an: The Arbiter of Diverse Interpretations

by Dr. Zainab Alwani

This is a two-part topic. The secon part will be featured in the next issue of Layali

Muslim-American community in the twenty-first century.

Who possesses the authority to interpret the Qur'an? What are the limits of Qur'anic interpretation? If the Qur'an is universal, then how do its interpretations continue to be relevant for every age and society? When there is a multiplicity of interpretations, how do we determine which

interpretation best reflects God's intention?

Muslims regard the Qur'an as the last divine Speech revealed by God. The Creator (subhanahu wa ta'ala) pledged to safeguard the Qur'an when He said: "We have, without doubt, sent down the message; and We will certainly guard it from corruption" (Qur'an 15:9). The

layaliwebzine.com

continued on pg 61...

religious communities do this, they begin excluding converts, the mentally ill, and many countless individuals who feel unwelcome to the Muslim space because they do not conform to this idealistic version of a Muslim.

However, I believe it is time to question, as born Muslims or even converts, our existence and why we follow the faith and about how our God given talents. The reason why I say spirituality isn't a sin is because one part of following a religion is the practice but spirituality is when the soul itself is practicing. Yet today we believe doubts of our religion is challenging God, but in reality, it is helping us build an individualistic comfortable relationship with Allah.

I have been in a spiritual stage in my life and throughout my lifetime has a Muslim where I always had doubts of why I followed the faith and felt it was sinful to not

9

LIFE

improving

W

By Sharmin Shanur

ith finals so far behind for most high schoolstudents, some are thinking "Gosh I did amazing last semester" while the remaining groups are cringing at their mediocre grades. Despite this dichotomy, they are all thinking of ways to improve this semester or even find ways to maintain their scores.

Thankfully, I am not like the latter group of people mourning; however I am try=ing to maintain my grades without suffering a drastic drop, considering that college is not too far away.

However, my experiences with my semester finals have given me the ability to efficiently maneuver through the year and acquire the utmost amount of knowledge and points. One quality, that I have learned to grasp in my few years in high school, is to STAY ORGANIZED! I do not believe I can stress it anymore than my bold fonts, but a very miniscule amount of students

10 layaliwebzine.com

scores

2

Aguide

truly understand the beneficial nature of staying organized. It is never good to suddenly remember that you lost the worksheet your teacher gave you in the beginning of the year as an overarching study guide for your finals. By this time you will probably stress far more than necessary and begin to hyperventilate.

That is to say, your emotions will become like my friend Courtney who misplaced the maps given to her in her astronomy class. She immediately began to feel nauseated and quickly approached her teacher crying about her unpleasant situation. Unfortunately, Courtney's teacher could not assist her because it would require her to remap the many stars mentioned in her class.

Courtney received a 50% on her final.

This story extends the importance of staying organized and documenting every "petty" worksheet. In my opinion, every high school student should designate a place in his/her room to simply store any completed worksheets

IN SCHOOL or projects; it is also a good idea to run this habit will not be beneficial in group school work according to subjects retaining past information because and chapters so mix-ups do not occur. mentally, you have already disregarded it. So once these students near their Another method in which one can finals, they will crunch 5 months worth excel this semester is simply by paying of information in a few weeks, resulting attention in class. Teachers usually speak in extreme fatigue right before the with purpose and no statement should testing date. They best way to dodge be taken lightly. Whenever you hear "cramming" is by casually reading you teacher say "This is important," or through notes and homework two even "This is a good essay topic," take to three weeks after you've learned it note of it on your planner or notebook. instead of throwing it away or stashing By the time your finals approach, you it in the closet. This allows your brain to will have a good hand on the main be reminded of past information and,in ideas of each chapter and possibly the turn, escape the stress that a couple

“At the end of the day, all high school students should enjoy their time as youth and not get caught in the few mistakes that are made along the way.� information your teacher is sure to test you on. Nonetheless, although listening to key words are helpful on the finals, you should remember that gaining knowledge is part of our deen, so do not simply study to get an A+; instead study to grow knowledgeable as a person.

Finally, the last bit of advice that will help you flourish this semester is simply reviewing classwork. High school students often disregard old class work as something of the bygone era; after a test they immediately stash loose papers into a trashcan and completely forget about them. However, in the long

large chapter tests and quizzes cause.

Also, if you continually go over former assignments you will make quicker links with current chapters and become more aware of the ideas presented in class.

A+

At the end of the day, all high school students should enjoy their time as youth and not get caught in the few mistakes that are made along the way.

So, instead of worrying about your class scores, discover new methods in which you can improve academically and then, you too, can created effective rubrics to excell in any academic year.

layaliwebzine.com

11

Confessions of a Procrast

54

Fifteen hours to go and I still had nothing.

I stared at the blank screen in front of me, unable to even process where to start. My mind was completely empty, and my heart started racing. If I wanted to sleep at all tonight, I had to finish this paper, I reminded myself. But I just couldn't seem to get myself to start.

It was like clockwork. I would spend hours fretting over what to write, and in an effort to convince myself that I was being productive, I would do anything and everything under the sun that would allow me to delve in this allusion for just a little bit longer.

Yet, right around midnight, it would suddenly dawn on me that I had less than maybe 8 to 10 hours until my paper was due. Panic would set in, and I would focus all my energy on the task at hand and get it done. I'd walk into class the next morning sleep-deprived, frustrated and relieved repeating one promise to myself: I will never procrastinate again.

Yet, one way or another, I found myself repeating this same process before almost every paper in college that semester. All the while, I would venomously argue that I did not have a procrastination problem. I would blame my last minute tendencies on a lack of motivation or an overwhelming workload.

3

Strangely, I only had this problem when it came to writing papers. If I had a project or a test, I would create a schedule and, besides the rare few exceptions, follow through with it pretty well.

Why were papers so different then? What about papers made me so illogical and unreasonable that I would not - I could not - get myself to start early?

At the time, it didn't seem to matter much. Everyone in college procrastinates. It's not a big deal.

I reasoned with myself. Plus, I happened to fair pretty well in spite of this bad habit, so no harm done.

Flash forward to my current post-grad, working life. I've had multiple close calls on key projects because of these procrastination habits. The repercussions could have been terrible for my career and costly to my company. Worse yet, I was behind on achieving many of the post-grad goals I set for myself. I felt like life was passing me by, and that's when I finally realized the root cause of my procrastination.

I procrastinate out of uncertainty, self-doubt, and most of all, fear.

When I'm unsure of how to proceed or unsure of myself in general, I shut down. My fear paralyzes me. I can't think straight. I don't know what to do, so I default to the most logical thing.

I knock out any other task on my to-do list and leave the most daunting one, the one I'm too scared to touch, for the later. Tomorrow, or the day after. Any day but today. My productivity on other tasks may provide temporary comfort, but that's the problem, it's temporary and false. My problem -- the task that I've been dealt -- hasn't gone away. I still have to do it.

12 layaliwebzine.com

2

[CARE]ER

a Ex-Perpetual tinator

My fear is illogical. Leaving the most daunting task on my to-do list for later didn't somehow make it easier (or just make it disappear as I so desperately hoped). It just caused me an absorbent amount of anxiety - more than if I had just tackled the problem head on. I was only making my situation worse.

I may have been able to get by with A's in college on papers by waiting until the last minute, but that wasn't going to work in the real world. If anything, it was just going to get me fired. I knew I had to change this habit, so I embraced a mantra that I still repeat anytime I feel myself hesitating or even thinking about procrastinating until later - Just get started.

Stop over thinking it. Stop questioning your instincts. Stop doubting yourself. Just take the first step, and you'll figure it out from there!

Whether it's a goal you've been postponing to tackle or a personal situation you've been avoiding, don't run away from doing because of fear. Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of being wrong. Fear of messing up. Rid your mind of this uncertainty and these insecurities. Face the situation head on.

If you don't, you'll just regret it later because in the famous words of Ben Franklin, "You may delay, but time will not." The world doesn't run on your clock. It could care less about you, your fears and your apprehension. You may be paralyzed by your fear, but time keeps on ticking. One day, you'll wake up and realize that time has run out and it's too late, or that you've been left so far behind that it'll take you twice or three times as much work to achieve your goals.

2 1...

Don't put yourself in this situation. You're better than that.

Make it a habit to do what scares you the most first. Immerse yourself in the situation and take control. Create a plan to take it one step at a time, and you'll be surprised at how much easier reaching your goal becomes. Practice facing your most daunting challenges, taking on your riskiest goals, and finishing what causes you the most anxiety. Soon, you'll stop hesitating. You'll naturally start being comfortable with an uncomfortable situation, and you'll thank yourself later because success is not determined solely by intelligence, talent, or skill.

Success is achieved by those who have the courage to try, follow through, and just keep at it.

As for me, I've noticed a huge difference in my work performance, efficiency and satisfaction since I've adopted this philosophy. It's made me truly realize that as Dale Carnegie said, "Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy."

By Sana Mohammed

layaliwebzine.com

13

This is...

This is love.

L V

And so there are some who spend their whole lives seeking. Sometimes giving, sometimes taking. Sometimes chasing. But often, just waiting. They believe that love is a place that you get to: a destination at the end of a long road. And they can't wait for that road to end at their destination. They are those hearts moved by the movement of hearts. Those hopeless romantics, the sucker for a love story, or any sincere expression of true devotion. For them, the search is almost a lifelong obsession of sorts. But, this tragic 'quest' can have its costs -- and its' gifts.

The path of expectations and the 'falling in love with love' is a painful one, but it can bring its own lessons. Lessons about the nature of love, this world, people, and one's own heart, can pave this often painful path. Most of all, this path can bring its own lessons about the Creator of love.

Those who take this route will often reach the knowledge that the human love they seek was not the destination. Some form of that human love, can be a gift. It can be a means. But the moment you make it the End, you will fall. And you will live your whole life with the wrong focus. You will become willing to sacrifice the Goal for the sake of the means. You will give your life to reaching a 'destination' of worldly perfection that does not exist.

And the one who runs after a mirage, never gets there; but keeps running. And so too will you keep running, and be willing to lose sleep, cry, bleed, and sacrifice precious parts of yourself -- at times, even your own dignity. But you'll never reach what you're looking for in this life, because what you seek isn't a worldly destination. The type of perfection you seek cannot be found in the material world. It can only be found in God. That image of human love that you seek is an illusion in the desert of life. So if that is what you seek, you'll keep chasing. But no matter how close you get to a mirage, you never touch it. You don't own an image. You can't hold a creation of your own mind.

Yet, you will give your whole life, still, to reaching this 'place.' You do this because in the fairy tale, that's where the story ends. It ends at the finding, the joining, the wedding. It is found at the oneness of two souls. And everyone around you will make you think that your path ends there: at the place where you meet your soul mate, your other half -- at the point in the path where you get married. Then and only then, they tell you, will you ever finally be complete. This, of course, is a lie because completion cannot be found in anything other than God. But the lesson you've been taught since the time you were little -- from every story, every song, every movie, every ad, every well-meaning auntie -- is that you aren't complete otherwise. And if -- God forbid -- you are one of the 'outcasts' who haven't gotten married, or have been divorced, you are considered deficient or incomplete in some way.

The lesson you're taught is that the story ends at the wedding, and then that's when Jennah (paradise) begins. That's when you'll be saved and completed and everything that was once

14 layaliwebzine.com

.

THE WIFE LIFE broken will be fixed. The only problem is, that's not where the story ends. That's where it begins.

That's where the building starts: the building of a life, the building of your character, the building of sabr, patience, perseverance, and sacrifice. The building of selflessness. The building of love.

And the building of your path back to Him. But if the person you marry becomes your ultimate focus in life, your struggle has just begun.

Now your spouse will become your greatest test. Until you remove that person from the place in your heart that only God should be, it will keep hurting. Ironically, your spouse will become the tool for this painful extraction process, until you learn that there are places in the human heart made only by -- and for -- God.

O E

Among the other lessons you may learn along this path -- after a long road of loss, gain, failure, success, and so many mistakes -- is that there are at least 2 types of love. There will be some people you love because of what you get from them: what they give you, the way they make you feel. This is perhaps the majority of love -- which is also what makes much of love so unstable.

A person's capacity to give is inconstant and changing. Your response to what you are given is also inconstant and changing. So if you're chasing a feeling, you'll always be chasing. No feeling is ever constant. If love is dependent on this, it too becomes inconstant and changing. And just like everything in this world, the more you chase it, the more it will run away from you.

But, once in a while, people enter your life that you love -- not for what they give you -- but for what they are. The beauty you see in them is a reflection of the Creator, so you love them. Now suddenly it isn't about what you're getting, but rather what you can give. This is unselfish love.

This second type of love is the most rare. And if it is based in, and not competing with, the love of God, it will also bring about the most joy. To love in any other way is to need, to be dependent, to have expectations -- all the ingredients for misery and disappointment.

So for all those, who have spent their life seeking, know that purity of any thing is found at the Source. If it is love that you seek, seek it through God. Every other stream, not based in His love, poisons the one who drinks from it. And the drinker will continue to drink, until the poison all but kills him. He will continue to die more and more inside, until he stops and finds the pure Source of water.

Once you begin to see everything beautiful as only a reflection of God's beauty, you will learn to love in the right way: for His sake. Everything and everyone you love with be for, through and because of Him. The foundation of such love is God. So what you hold onto will no longer be just an unstable feeling, a fleeting emotion. And what you chase will no longer be just a temporary high. What you hold, what you chase, what you love, will be God: the *only* thing stable and constant. Thereafter, everything else will be through Him. Everything you give or take or love or don't love, will be by Him. Not by your nafs. It will be for Him. Not for your nafs.

This means you will love what He loves and not love what He does not love. And when you do love, you will give to the creation -- not for what you can get in return from them. You will love and you will give, but you will be sufficed from Him. And the one who is sufficed by God, is the richest and most generous of all lovers. Your love will be by Him, for Him, and because of Him. That is the liberation of the self from servitude to any created thing. And that is freedom. That is happiness.

That is love.

By Yasmin Mogahed, courtesy of yasminmogahed.com

layaliwebzine.com

15

What motherhood taught me about PHOTOGRAPHY

by Reem Faruqi

d

T

MOTHERHOOD

he cheerios are on the floor, the dirty sippy cups are stacked up the sink, and toys are scattered in every direction.

Motherhood can be messy to say the least. As I look around at the mess, I feel the stress pricking my skin and wonder how I will ever be able to clean the mess. I take a deep sigh and reach for my camera instead of the broom.

As I quickly take a few shots, the camera's heavy weight reassures me and I notice that the camera is more forgiving than me. The camera makes the sippy cups look like a colorful chore and glosses over the imperfect kitchen. The imperfections add character to the photos and perhaps one day when my kitchen is sparkling clean, one day when my children have outgrown sippy cups, I may miss these times. Perhaps.

The camera captures images that aren't always Pinterest friendly, but they have appeal in other ways. I notice quirks like a tiny paint-spattered foot on a sunny day, rainbow chipped nail polish on a toddler's toes, and that scattered cheerios can actually look quite pretty. And that a tiny foot will always prevail over a sticky rice floor.

What I enjoy is that the camera captures the good, the bad, and the ugly and turns these emotions into art. When photographing my clients, I strive to share photos that they will love. My clients vary from brand new parents to experienced ones. My goal is to give these clients glossy vibrant images in which their

family bond shines through.

But I also want the photos that tell the truth gently, photos that embrace a new mother's life, tired eyes and all. Photos that say Parenthood can be hard.

For that reason my camera keeps clicking even when a baby wails at the top of its lungs or a toddler has a tantrum. It keeps clicking even when my kitchen is a mess.

And as each click goes by, my mood gets better. Because life and parenting can be sticky and grimy. And that it will get better.

Just look through the camera lens.

layaliwebzine.com

17

20 layaliwebzine.com

FEATURE FEATURE

ABIR I

ts 4:00 p.m. with the sun slowly descending over the halffrozen Lake Anne in Reston, Virginia. Sudanese-American, Abir Ibrahim, donning a hand-made Kenyan dress, is rubbing her palms together in an effort to stay warm as we snap her pictures before the sun sets. “Some people jump in the lake around this time of year to raise awareness for illnesses,” Abir says as she ponders at the thin sheets of ice covering the lake. She’s referring to the annual Freezin’ for a Reason Virginia Polar Dip, which raises money for people with life-threatening diseases every time there’s a plunge in the ice-cold lake. Layali sat down with Ibrahim to discuss her upbringing, traveling, the stigma surrounding infectious diseases and her decision to join the Peace Corps.

Story and Photgraphy By Rawan Elbaba

& Omama Altaleb

layaliwebzine.com

21

FEATURE

22 layaliwebzine.com

B

orn in Saudi Arabia, Abir spent the earlier years of her childhood in a sheltered family environment in Sudan.

"Where my mother came from they would consider themselves middle to high class so a lot of the conditions in Sudan is not something that we were exposed to," Ibrahim said.

After moving to the United States in 2001, Abir made it a point that she visited Sudan as often as she could.

"I made an obligation to go back and learn more about my own country. And for the longest time I thought Sudan was just what I

her family, Abir continually struggled to classify herself as one person or another. Also, there is already a complexity within the Sudanese community regarding culture, ethnicity, and language.

"Because we are Arab-speaking, but we're geographically in Africa, you find a lot of Sudanese people like myself struggle with that," Ibrahim said. "And some people identify as Arab, some people identify as African. And some people don't identify at all, and personally I don't. I grew to realize it's beautiful that I speak Arabic and I look African and I live in the U.S." (laughs) Aside from identity struggles, Abir found

“I love words and I feel like words can really heal people because it had done that for me.� grew up to know," Ibrahim said.

Growing up in a sheltered home environment, Abir found herself shocked at the unthinkable things happening in her own neighborhood.

"I learned there was a girl right down my street who went to my school who was sexually assaulted, for example."

Growing up in Sudan also had Abir question her racial identity. With an Egyptian grandmother, Ibrahim continually questioned where she stood ethnically.

"My grandmother has this 'Masri' background in her and going back there's always this kind of confusion like how come she looks different?"

Abir said. "always got the darker complexion from my father. So a lot of mothers family and my mother as well are all very lighter complexions so that kind of I always grew up to question 'how come?'

herself on a journey of faith as a Muslim in America.

"I grew up a habitual Muslim like many that I know and found that spiritual journey that I went on in college that helped me find my faith and I started wearing the headscarf," Abir said.

And like many other young adults, Abir's spiritual growth gave her the ability to connect with others through words.

"I started getting into the spoken word because I love words and I feel like words can really heal people because it had done that for me," Abir said.

Abir soon realized that her communication through spoken and written word, has the ability to open up dialogue on issues that are particularly important to her.

Even as she moved to the United States with

layaliwebzine.com

21

Follow Abir's journey in Tanzania through Instrgram @Aromaa_ and her blog at abiribrahim.blogspot.com "I realized that words were helping people but they were also helping me because when I go back and read my own poetry or my own writing I feel like it does something to me like 'wow,'" Abir said. "I feel like it also allows for a dialogue, so when I recite a poem in front of a crowd people come up to me and we start having conversations, some people reveal things to me and I find that it connects people.

Eventually as I got into it I started talking about things that were taboo."

A particularly important issue that Abir has written about is the role of women in society, particularly the society she grew up in East Sudan.

"The piece is entitled "Women" and I kind of just talked about personal things like circumsion, things like gender roles and when I out that it's kind of amazing the response I get from both men and women."

As a graduate of psychology from Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Abir's coursework eventually led her to pursue her love for global health.

"I always had interest in HIV prevention being from Sudan, there's a lot of tropical diseases. I had malaria twice as a child and I know of people who are diagnosed. So I was kind of

22 layaliwebzine.com

exposed to a lot of those diseases and they're preventable diseases."

With transferrable diseases, there come stereotypes and misconceptions on how and where the diseases get contracted in terms of geographical and socioeconomic standards.

Abir strives to break the silence on discussing issues like HIV and circumcision, especially in East Africa.

"The biggest stigma with malaria would be that it's more related to low socioeconomic status or families. And then with HIV, they feel like because you're promiscuous. And a lot of that is not true because one of the largest reasons people get HIV is just exposure to unsanitary areas," Abir said. "I remember growing up in Sudan and just walking to the market there would be needles on the ground. And looking back at that, I could've easily touched it and exposed myself to the virus. So that's not only in Sudan but all over. Things are happening all throughout the Middle East in Syria and Palestine and all those war zone areas, it's easy for people to get cut and expose themselves to other infections."

Q&A with Abir 1. Does serving others make you a more gratuitous and happy person?

Absolutely. Being able to live and serve in a community allows for so much personal growth and contentment. However, it is very challenging.

Serving people does not end with a charity or a fundraiser. It is a bigger responsibility. My first experience abroad taught me to not romanticize tragedies. The reality is this: you may not end poverty; you may not stop corruption, you may not combat infectious diseases, and you may not alone change the world. This is not failure. It is a breakthrough! This is reality. I ask myself "what can I do here, right now with my community to improve at least one person's life?" Accepting the challenges that come with it and giving your best, you will never be disappointed. You will give and learn and leave a legacy behind. You will always be grateful for it.

your patience, your priorities of what truly matters. It builds your confidence, broadens your outlook on life. You become a more independent, responsible, loving and compassionate individual. You become everyone you meet. Everyone you love. Every shared cup of tea, every conversation, every laughter; you are endlessly evolving as a person.

3. How do/can you get over the guilt of privilege?

There is definitely guilt of privilege that fills inside.

I am a piece of war torn land, history of conflict and family escaping into America for security, opportunity. Making home far away from where I come from. I recognize my privilege.

I recognize the people who helped pave the path for my family and I to be where we are today.

I cannot be ungrateful. It is my turn to pave the path for others toward a better future. It is only the least I can do.

2. How does traveling allow you to learn more about yourself?

4. Why Peace Corps? Why volunteer?

Traveling shaped my character in ways I would have never considered. I have become aware of what makes me upset, what calms me up and motivates me to keep going. I learned that I have a tolerance limit for people's mendacity and to combat calumny with forgiveness. I learned to trust complete strangers. Traveling measures

For me, Peace Corps is acknowledging the sense of responsibility I owe to my people, to all people and humanity. An opportunity to utilize the experiences I have gained along the way, while challenging my beliefs, comfort and reminder to self how I am no different from third world struggle than the reality of family getting away.

layaliwebzine.com

23

HEALTH

Body Image:

MENVS WOMEN

by Rawan Elbaba

T

he issue of body image has been a prevalent issue in the last 20 years with the rise of technology and social media. Contrary popular belief, both men and women struggle with their own feelings about the aesthetics of their own body. As human beings, we feel the need to adhere to society's standards on the definition of beauty. For women, it's looking like the six-foot models in heels with a full face of makeup on magazine covers.

While for men, it's going to the gym and drinking protein shakes to look like the tough, masculine and facial-haired men in films.

"Men have a pressure from the media as well to confirm to these standards and when these standards are not met it brings about a lot if insecurity," said Andy Berger, a student at Northern Virginia Community College.

However, it seems to be a common consensus that women struggle more with body image because the media is harsher on women in terms of how they dress and how they carry themselves. Popularly, there is a double-standard when it comes to how the media portrays women versus men.

Although both genders struggle with body image, women tend to be more vocal and expressive about what they think of society's standards for women.

24 layaliwebzine.com

"In movies, the cool guys are a lot of times really grungy-looking, messy hair, big bellies, t-shirt and jeans and they're seen as really cool, whereas women have to be very madeup and fashionable in order to be seen as desirable," said Anisah Khan, a VCU alumna.

Weight is a huge contributing factor to the issue of a negative body image. Although it is a positive step to stay healthy and fit, some try to adhere to impossible standards set by society. Overworking your body and practically avoiding most types of foods harms your body both physically and mentally. However, if we take the positive steps towards achieving a health body image, we could be on the way to leading a happier, healthier life.

"Exercise increases self-efficacy, or our belief in and confidence in our ability to affect change in specific areas of our life," said Mary Schumann, PhD. "Even though we might not drop sizes or affect our bodies radically, people who exercise generate good feelings about themselves, possible through their ability to feel control over or self-regulate this part of their life."

TOTAL

FITNESS

BODY

tone-up T

hese simple moves will have so many muscles working, you'll forget you only did three moves! These moves will prove to tone and work your shoulders, chest, sides, core, glutes, inner thighs, hamstrings, back and arms...phew!

1Defined Arms Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart with your arms extended out to your sides. Rotate arms clockwise, then counter clockwise. Do 30-40 reps for each motion.

Model: Shamis Hussein

layaliwebzine.com

25

2Single-leg Kick Start on all fours, with your knees a little wider than your shoulders. Lift your right leg and extend it diagonally away. Do 30-40 reps.

3

Plank with Leg Lift

Start in the plank position. Raise leg away from body until it is higher than your back. Do 30-40 reps. TIP: You can also do this with one arm extended to tone your arms.

FITNESS

one cold win ...one promi

This Polar Vortex has taken quite the toll on us all this winter. Nothing should ever take a toll on us staying chic though! Here are my three go to guidelines to staying Winter Chic. .

Featured this season, is my elementary school girlfriend and fashion blogger Hassanah El-Yacoubi, check out her impeccable style on Instagram: @Hassanah

30 layaliwebzine.com

FASHION

nter... ising spring

With Fashion Columnist Somayyah Ghariani Photo Courtesy: Somayyah Ghariani

layaliwebzine.com

31

1

Make A Statement With Your Jacket. With below freezing temperatures, that plain puffy jacket quickly becomes a mundane routine for some of us! Kick out the routine and make a statement with your choice for a coat! Be bold with a bright color, be fierce with a fur color, or keep it classy with a tailored black coat. Experimenting with statement belts or adding collars is always an exciting way to switch things up!

30 layaliwebzine.com

layaliwebzine.com

31

fur 34 layaliwebzine.com

FASHION

2

With endless options of colors, cuts, and accessories, adding fur to your outfit can really finish your outfit off! Pairing a vest with a heavy sweater and military boots will give you an urban edge, or adding a fur collar to just about anything gives off just the right amount of sass. Always make sure not to overdue it, as always less is more!

layaliwebzine.com

35

3

When done right, layering will give you infinite options for staying warm and looking great! Take your favorite fall or spring dress and add a cropped sweater or fur vest to it!

36 layaliwebzine.com

layaliwebzine.com

35

FASHION

AHFIF PRESENTS:

5

From College to Young Professional Wardrobe Essentials for the transition

Building the basic weekday to weekend wardrobe starts with key (and affordable) pieces to mix and match with in order to maximize any wardrobe (and budget).

We have collected some classic wardrobe pieces that work great for those opting in for more coverage. Using neutrals are always a huge time and money saver, but go from classic to chic with some tips.

Check out our Instagram (@layaliwebzine) for the chance to win a $50 gift card to Ahfif’s online boutique!

38 layaliwebzine.com

FASHION

layaliwebzine.com

39

TUXEDO BLAZER A well tailored suit top with the extra length is a great investment piece to carry with you throughout interviews, work meetings or to polish up a weekend lo ok.

Go from classic to chic with a lace scarf by Austere Attire and gold embellished tote satchel by Tarb Online.

40 layaliwebzine.com

One button Tuxedo Blazer is available at Ahfif.com

FASHION

BLUSH OVERSIZED TOP

From casual Friday to your weekend lo ok, dolman sleeves and the length of an oversized top can provide just the right coverage for your day to day activities.

Find Blush Oversized Top at Ahfif.com

STAIGHT BLACK SKIRT It’s not complicated, but black skirts are eternal. The side and tail pleat design on this skirt gives it a touch of chic, while the jersey fabric feels nice through long days plus overtime.

Find Long Black Skirt by FluXus at Ahfif.com Alexandra Satchel by Tarb Online

layaliwebzine.com

41

WIDE LEG TROUSERS. Trousers work great in an office setting, but try a bright color that suits you for a change. If you like, tone it down with neutrals for a put together lo ok that doesn’t overwhelm your boss or coworkers.

Find Wide Leg Pompeii Trousers

by French Connection at Ahfif.com

42 layaliwebzine.com 44

BLACK SLACKS With a neutral color like black create almost any lo ok with your classic trousers.

For a touch of chic, lo ok for small details like front pleats and a tapered cut like these Jake the Pleated Trousers by BCBG at Ahfif.com Pair with pops of color like this Arena Satchel by Tarb Online.

layaliwebzine.com

43 45

EFFORTLESS

elegance

A seasonal Trend Report by Habibah Chbib, Co-Founder of Citra Style Grace, delicacy & beauty are common attributes between women and nature's splendid array of floral creations. It is no surprise then that we love to adorn ourselves with flower-y designs. And this season, it seems like spring has sprung early, to bless us with colorful sights of fauna. A dominating trend across the runways has predicted what you can now see in collections throughout the world: roses, blossoms and abundant bouquets.

Intricate floriated designs, an unbroken flow of spiral creations, harmonious symmetry - everything has played a part in defining Islamic art and architecture for eons now. Floral detailing, in particular, has been a defined element in most of what Islamic art comprises off. Take for instance, the grand and elaborate motifs that make up the prime element of the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque. The gorgeous detailing has beautified a vast number of buildings, manuscripts, objects and textiles produced throughout the ancient and modern Islamic world.

Translated into modest wear, this trend carries endless outfit options for all you lovely ladies to don. Floral hijabs, ranging from beautifully blurred pastels, all the way to intricate prints in darker shades, will add just the right amount of bloom, to your everyday ensembles. Like to top it off with a plain top? Then, opt for a floral design on a blouse, top or shirt and combine them with unicolor hijabs to complete the look.

When it comes to the trendiest cuts this season, I can easily sum it up in two words: comfort chic! Oversized cardigans, ponchos & batwing sweaters will keep you comfortably wrapped up in style. Sounds a bit too casual? Not if the materials are soft, shiny and extremely classy, adding that much needed panache, to a relaxed outfit choice. Complement your favorite cozy piece with an elegant maxi skirt, or a sleek pair of slacks, a matching hijab and voil you are all set to stun this season.

All in all, versatility is key to make the most out of your wardrobe, with minimum effort. Chose a range of basic color shades for your trousers and tunics, opt for bolder colors, when it comes to tops and hijabs and make sure to have that one knockout gown for that special occasion. This way, you can mix & match, until the modest fashionista in you is utterly satisfied.

At Citra Style, we have infused all these current trends into our collection of modestwear. Want to be a trendsetter, rather than a follower? Then check out the looks our stylists have created and pick up your favorites, for an en vogue wardrobe upgrade at citrastyle.com.

18 layaliwebzine.com

FASHION

layaliwebzine.com

19

F

rench Toast

Photo & recipe courtesy: No

You will need • Half a loaf (or four cups) of Challah bread • 5- eggs • 1/2 - cup sugar • 1-cup syrup • 1- cup whole milk • 1- tsp vanilla extract • Pinch of salt • 1- tsp cinnamon Directions 1.

Grease a 8x8 or 9x13 inch pan.

2.

Rip up the bread into chunks and place in greased pan.

3.

Mix eggs, sugar,milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.

4.

Pour wet mixture over bread.

5.

Top entire pan with syrup.

6.

Cover pan and leave it overnight in the fridge.

7.

Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for about 45 mins, or until the top is crispy and the inside has the consistency of a pudding/ soufflé.

Serve with whatever fruit you like, I prefer raspberries.

44 layaliwebzine.com

oori Ali

C

FOOD

Yogurt & Berry

repes

You will need • 2 tablespo ons butter,melt and then co ol slightly • 1/2-cup milk (I used almond milk) • 2 large eggs • 1/2-cup all-purpose flour • 2 pinches salt • 1 pinch ground nutmeg • 2 tbsp. honey Directions

Photo & recipe courtesy: Nada Ibrahim

1. Combine crepe ingredients in blender and blend until completely incorporated. Cover and refrigerate for one hour (up to two days).

2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease pan (I sprayed a light coat of Pam and didn’t re-spray before each Crepe) 3. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto skillet, swirling so you cover the entire pan. Allow to co ok until bottom and top are set, flip and continue to co ok for five more minutes or until evenly co oked.

Berry Filling Ingredients: • 1-cup berries (mixed blueberry and raspberry) • Juice half a lemon • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon • 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg • 2 tsp. honey • 1 tbsp. unsalted butter (I used coconut oil) Directions 1. Melt butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add berries and stir until warm (about 3-5 minutes). The raspberries will dissolve and become the sauce while the berries will hold their shape.

2. Add honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and toss. Turn off heat and let sit. Cover with foil to keep warm if you will not be using the mixture right away.

To Assemble: 1. Lay crepe flat on plate.

2. Spo on a small amount of plain Greek yogurt in a line down the center.

3. Spo on some berries with a little sauce over yogurt. Fold crepe.

4. Drizzle top of crepe with syrup from berry mixture and honey. Serve and enjoy.

layaliwebzine.com

45

BEIRUT, LEBANON: Travel photographer, Lubna Safi, portrayed her talent as she visited the exotic Middle Eastern country.

46 layaliwebzine.com

Photo 1 credit: Omama A

Altaleb

TRAVEL

Photo credit: Lubna Safi

layaliwebzine.com

47

48 layaliwebzine.com

TRAVEL

Photo credit: Lubna Safi

layaliwebzine.com

49

boys swimming in the Mediterranean Sea 50 layaliwebzine.com

TRAVEL

g n Photo credit: Lubna Safi

layaliwebzine.com

51

SEA CLIFFS

52 layaliwebzine.com

53

Photo Lubna Safi layalicredit: webzine.com

LINKED IN

Muslimat A on their shelter, homele

Muslim c

A

fter putting herself through nursing school and realizing that there was no place for Muslim-friendly health care, Asma Hanif opened Muslimat Al-Nisaa, a women's shelter catering, particularly, to the Muslim community.

Layali spoke to Sarah Mohideen, the social media manager for Muslimat Al-Nisaa, about the shelter's start and impact on the community.

L: What jumpstarted the Muslimat Al-Nisaa project? Did anything in particular spark the need for a Muslim women's shelter?

MA: Asma Hanifa noticed when she was in nursing school that women coming in for treatment felt alienated by the medical, for instance being asked to remove their hijabs when they came in for deliveries. She realized that Muslim women needed their healthcare provided in a space that was safe for them, that respected their religion and made room for it. With the help of other healthcare professionals, she established a clinic in Baltimore that gave everything from regular checkups to ultrasounds, run by Muslim women and for Muslim women.

As patients started to flood in, she noticed something. Many sisters would, when alone with the nurses and doctors, confide that they were victims of domestic violence. This was eye-opening for Asma, who was astounded at the frequency with which this happened.

Many of the women were also homeless. Once, at an outreach program hosted by a local

54 layaliwebzine.com

masjid, the sister who ran the masjid privately asked if she could have a food packet as she currently had no home. Homelessness in the Muslim community is not a visible problem.

Stigma surrounding this issue silences people from seeking help. It was at this point that Sister Asma and her co-founders realized that the clinic needed a permanent shelter. Getting started was hard, and getting donations was even harder, especially due to the tendency to minimize or hide instances of domestic violence and homelessness. This is where we are today. Homelessness, domestic violence, and lack of a support system for many poor, uneducated, or recently immigrated Muslim women is still a problem, but we hope to alleviate it as best as we can.

L: How does the shelter fit into the Muslim community that surrounds it? Mostly supportive? Is there criticism from the community?

MA: While our organization runs on donations from the community, often, the stigma surrounding the issues we tackle outweighs the tendency to help those in need. We survive on small-amount everyday donations, and unless these come in, we can't remain open. Many similar projects have folded because of a lack of day-to-day donations and support from the community.

L: Why do you think we need to become more involved and active in serving our community and our ummah?

MA: The Muslim community needs to recognize that issues like homelessness, domestic violence, and human trafficking affect women

Al-Nisaa essness, and stigma in the

COMMUNITY

community

Photo & story by: Rawan Elbaba here in the United States. People tend to donate to umbrella organizations that don't directly address problems, because donating to the organization itself would mean acknowledging that there is a problem in the first place. We need to support the members of our community that are down on their luck in a way that helps them directly.

L: What type of people are most likely to occupy the shelter?

MA:Some sisters occupy the shelter temporarily, and others longer term. We tend to get sisters without support structures, especially refugees or recent immigrants here on visa lottery. We also are routinely contacted by NGOs that have deemed our shelter as the best place for a sister and/ or her children. Victims of human trafficking also find safe harbor inside our walls, as a place to rebuild themselves.

L: How you find the responses from the people who occupy and use the shelter? Muslim and Non-Muslim? Women and men?

MA: We are a women and children centric shelter, and responses are generally good. It often takes a long time to get on your feet, and while they are struggling they also find the shelter to be a great help, especially since it is primarily run by women.

Please donate generously to Muslimat Al-Nisaa at http://mnisaa.org/donate.

layaliwebzine.com

55

LINKED IN

The Problem with Petitions: Muslim Edition I

f you’re a part of the Muslim American community, you have likely heard of the cause heard ‘round the world: a petition, put together by three homescho oled Muslim middle scho ol students in Virginia, asking the White House to have public scho ols recognize Muslim holidays. This is actually the second such petition to appear in the past several months, as the first failed to gather enough signatures to reach the White House. It reads as follows:

“With the growing population of Muslims in the United States of America (including first, second, third, and fourth generation) we believe it is high time that Muslim holidays are recognized by scho ols throughout this nation.

Unfortunately many Muslim families are forced to cho ose between their children’s education and their religious obligations.”

“Muslim scho ol children and staff deserve the same benefits afforded to the followers of other faiths,” it continues. “We call on President Obama to support this petition and advance the inclusiveness of our great nation.”

Supporters of the petition have pointed to scho ol holidays given to Jewish children as evidence of the need for Muslim holidays as well. While this may be true, the fact is that these holidays are decided by the scho ol board, not the federal government. Frankly speaking, President Obama doesn’t have much to do with your neighbor getting Hanukah off because it is not technically a federal holiday. If you live in an area where there are enough Muslim children to warrant a scho ol holiday, then the scho ol board, not the White House, should be addressed.

A little political savvy couldn’t hurt, either. Democracy is a representative institution, but the proper channels must be utilized to make it effective. If everyone went straight to the top for their varying concerns, then it would be an autocracy, not a democracy. This absolutely goes for those Muslims who have argued that as American citizens, they have the right to petition the White House whenever they like and that there is no harm in trying to raise awareness. Yes, you are free to do that, but odds are White House officials will send you straight back to your local scho ol board to raise awareness there.

The wording of the petition is also evidence of the sort of “victim mentality” that Muslims are often accused of having, or the attitude that their civil, political, and social rights are constantly infringed upon by “the system” due to their religion.

While it is true that Muslims have been discriminated against in the past based on their faith, it does not mean that is necessarily why their holidays are being excluded from scho ol calendars. As Americans, we are afforded equal treatment under the law. However,it is sometimes up to us to enforce that equality. Jewish parents no doubt spoke to the scho ol board before their children were given holidays. Muslims will simply have to do the same. If, after pursuing that option, their requests are ignored, then it would make sense to bring it to the attention of those higher up in the system.

Let’s be real. We have a ways to go as a community before things like a national holiday can be requested - and subsequently fulfilled. It isn’t because we are a young community - not at all.

Rather,we as Muslim Americans are simply not involved enough. We have to become educated about the political

56 layaliwebzine.com

POLITICS

Photo credit: Omama Altaleb process and hold ourselves accountable to the responsibilities and role our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) placed upon us: to be contributing citizens to the society we are a part of.

Thus, it is in our inherent religious duty to get involved with the entire political process - not simply through signing a quick petition, but through voting, expressing our needs and desires to our representatives, running for office, and giving back to the greater American diaspora. And this should not necessarily be Muslim-specific issues, either. If we want to enjoy the right to petition due to our citizenship and tax contributions, we must accept the responsibility that comes with it.

There’s a saying that goes, “If you aren’t at the table, you are on the table.” As Muslim Americans, we are still for the most part being served up on the table. It’s up to us to make sure that we begin being at the table - for more than simply scho ol holidays. Stand up and get involved: America is your community, to o.

Follow Wardah Khalid on Twitter @YAmericanMuslim and Laila Alawa @Lulainlife.

layaliwebzine.com

57

AMERICA M

y first introduction to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was from her brilliant TED talk, "We should all be feminists." I was struck by her intelligent, bold revelations of her personal experiences as an educated African woman dealing with discrimination and prejudice from men of different races and ages. While reading Americanah, I could see a great deal of Adichie in the novel's protagonist, Ifemelu, a Nigerian immigrant to the United States and anonymous blogger on race in America. The blog, Raceteenth or Various Observations About American Blacks (Those Formerly Known as Negroes) by a Non-American Black, functions as an opportunity for Adichie (through the voice of Ifemelu) to reflect on the complexities of how race is treated in America and bring a new, provocative level of discourse to light.

The novel travels back and forth between the US, Nigeria and the UK for an honest (somewhat depressing) tale on race, immigration, gender, love, and politics.

Adichie opens the novel in a seemingly mundane point in Ifemelu's life: a trip to get her hair braided. She complains about the distance she has to go in order to find a place that caters to her African hair, remaking on the lack of ethnic diversity in the Princeton area where she is completing a fellowship. Ifemelu's visit to the hair salon creates a framework for the story as she shares her personal story and reflects on her decision to move back home to Nigeria, a decision that thoroughly confuses her fellow immigrant, African hairbraiders.

Ifemelu comes to the US after strikes in the Nigerian university interrupted her education.

She successfully gets a visa to study in Philadelphia but unfortunately, her life is nothing like the lionized American Dream. She is poor, lonely, misunderstood, unfamiliar with the American lifestyle, thereby sinking into depression. Ifemelu's heroic journey forces her

58 layaliwebzine.com

to discovers various sides of herself, as she struggles against society's expectations of Africans,women, and immigrants. She dates a number of men, and notes the various ways in which she is exoticized, tokenized, objectified, coddled, and adored.

The novel's parallel story follows Obinze, the doting, loyal Nigerian boyfriend Ifemelu left behind when she emigrated. Born to an educated mother, Obinze is a privileged, sophisticated man that complements Ifemelu's headstrong and impulsive personality. He tries to maintain consistent communication with her once she arrives in America but after having his messages mysteriously ignored, decides to move on with his life. Obinze has his own difficult journey, working illegally in London and struggling to establish a new life. His is a tragic story of how educated, ambitious people can quickly turn into unlucky members stuck in the shadows of society. Particularly in the UK, it seems that social mobility is much more difficult than in America, which is evident in the opposing life trajectories of Obinze and Ifemelu.

One of my favorite situations in the book takes place in a clothing store in Philadelphia, where Ifemelu is exasperated over a cashier refusing to identify another employee by her race.

"I was waiting for her to ask 'Was it the one with two eye or the one with two legs? Why didn't she just ask ? Was it the black girl or the white girl?'" Ifemelu asks.

Her friend responds, amused: "Because this is America. You're supposed to pretend that you don't notice things."

Ifemelu thankfully defies that tradition by blogging about what she notices about race to highlight the absurdity of racial discourse in such a progressive, developed country. As her confidence and time in American increases, her

ANAH

REVIEWS

politically incorrect blog posts become more bold and gutsy insights into conversations she overhears and people she meets in her daily interactions, often those that are close to her.

Some of her blog posts include:

*Understanding America for the NonAmerican Black What Hispanic Means

* Hispanic means the frequent companions of American blacks in poverty rankings. Hispanic means a slight step above American blacks in the American race ladder...

*Sometimes in America, Race Is Class

* In America's public discourse, "Blacks" as a whole are often lumped with "Poor Whites."

Not Poor Blacks and Poor Whites. But Blacks and Poor Whites. A curious thing indeed.

*They tell us race is an invention, that there is more genetic variation between two black people than there is between a black person and a white person. Then they tell us black people have a worse kind of breast cancer and get more fibroids. And white folk get cystic fibrosis and osteoporosis. So what's the deal, doctors in the house? Is race an invention or not?

The beauty of this novel is found in all the wonderfully detailed, colorful characters and watching the evolution of Ifemelu's self from her gradual assimilation into her newfound identity as an "Americanah" to her slow fall into self-doubt and uncertainty. I also appreciated Adichie's vivid descriptions of Nigeria to the point I was able to share the pangs of homesickness that Ifemelu would get. I only wish that Ifemelu, with all her humor and tenacity, had tried to do more than passively observe her surroundings. It

would have been more satisfying to see her actually try to change the negative stereotypes she encountered or advocate for racial and economic justice in America from her unique background.

Although many people like to boast that we live in a post-racial society, I beg to differ and I'm glad that Adichie did not hide that fact. Since I am not an immigrant, I didn't necessarily understand all of Ifemelu's racial analyses and critiques of America, but as an American woman of African descent, I related to a significant amount of her experiences regarding hair, skin color, culture, being a minority spokesperson and being a writer.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a refreshing take on a minority's experience in America, but if that's too serious, then please read just to enjoy Adichie's masterful prose and storytelling ability.

Review by Nesima Aberra

layaliwebzine.com

59

REVIEWS

TheBookThief T he Book Thief, written by Markus Zusak, is beautifully tragic--the epitome of an oxymoron. Zusak's brilliant creative writing style makes itself known through the story's narrator--Death.

Taking place in Nazi Germany, the story works with having a narrator such as Death. That period of time claimed many people's lives.

More importantly, many people died by the hands of their own people. Under Hitler's reign, there is a little girl named Liesel who learns to hate Hitler, despite what she is taught in her school. As the story begins, Liesel is sent off to live with adoptive parents because her mother is a communist. Communists at that time were sought after just as much as Jews; therefore, Liesel's mother gave away her child for the sake of protecting her from any harm.

Under this arduous life style, Liesel finds hope in books. The only problem is she can't read.

Regardless, she obtains books by thievery, hence the name of the book. Eventually, Liesel learns to read with the help of her adoptive father Hans Hubermann.

The novel then takes a sudden twist when there's a knock on the door in the middle of the night. A Jew has come to seek refuge in their home. The family takes the onerous task of protecting and hiding him. In doing so, Liesel not only keeps the secret that is in her basement, but also becomes friends with him. Through him and Hans Hubermann, Liesel begins to understand the immense power of words. Therefore, despite a war raging on outside in their country, Liesel develops through both her reading and character. This development alongside the war gave me a new profound love for words and books. While Hitler uses words like persuasive poison, Liesel steals back the words andrights them in the book she writes, which explains why she says, "I have hated words and I have loved

60 layaliwebzine.com

them, and I hope I have made them right."

Whether you have read Brave New World by Aldous Huxley or not, it is in this book that the sarcasm in John's words, "How beauteous mankind is," from Brave New World resonates.

The Book Thief expressively portrays how mankind is beastly and inhumane. We destroy our own kind selfishly, but then again, we truly are beauteous in a way. Small and great acts of kindness, like teaching a girl how to read and hiding a Jew, convey that humanity is not entirely corrupt. We are flawed, but we are not hopeless. For all of the above and more, I find that The Book Thief is a five star read.

If you wish to buy or read the particular edition that I reviewed, I purchased the hardcover edition from Barnes and Noble for $17.99.

Review by Yousra Medhkour

continued from pg 9...

Qur'an has never been altered and transcends personal or modernized. The purpose spirituality. By contemplation behind the command to we mean reciting the ayah, preserve the Qur'an in its reviewing it, and dwelling on original language was to its meanings. This is done in ensure that the Book would an attempt to understand remain able to establish the the possible interpretations, way of life that God wished and allowing one's thought to for humankind. There is wander unhampered through profound wisdom in the it, in order to arrive at the fact that millions of Muslims meanings that Allah discloses read and recite the Qur'an to people who are seeking the in its exact original words truth. and in the form that it was

A consistent feature revealed. of Qur'anic interpretation The Qur'an defines its own throughout the last fifteen specific qualities and explains hundred years of Islamic that it embodies a complete history has been its multiplicity Revelation which responds to of interpretations. Even the all situations throughout all the Companions of the Prophet ages past, present, and future. (pbuh), who learned Islam This remains the foundation directly from the Prophet, who on which all Muslims agree, received divine guidance, however much their paths understood the Qur'an in may differ. different ways. Scholars have

The Qur'an encourages made no attempt to limit, the readers to ponder its or restrict the number of rhetorical and suggestive interpretations that could exist. passages and arrive at the Every human being will bring spiritual truths on their own, his/her own background to essentially awakening its his/her reading of the Qur'an. readers from a metaphoric Muslim or non-Muslim, poor stagnation. Implied here is the or rich, male or female, child contention that the intellect or adult, black or white, every should not be constrained by human being will read the a limited understanding of Qur'an based upon his or her the Qur'an that imprisons its beliefs, education, conditioning, meaning in a particular period, culture, and a variety of other or ties it to a given generation. factors. Further, as a message Indeed, one of the most that addresses all of humanity, effective ways of bringing the Qur'an allows room for a person closer to his/her a myriad of readings, as Creator is to read the Qur'an long as they do not conflict and contemplate constantly the Qur'an's main principles. on its ayat (verses) and their It is therefore impossible to meanings. Purifying one's heart impose a single authoritative and soul is required before reading upon the Qur'an contemplating the Qur'an, in without violating the Qur'an's order to arrive at the meaning. own description of itself as It is a process of building universal, and for all people. taqwa (God-consciousness), There is a consensus among

the scholars throughout the history of the Ummah that interpreting the Qur'an through the Qur'an is the most accepted method of interpretation. This requires a comprehensive reading of the Qur'an in every meaning.

The Qur'an criticizes a reading that is decontextualized and selective. The Qur'an emphasizes reading it holistically, hence intratextually, which also emerges from its praise for those who say: "We believe in the book; the whole of it is from our Lord" (Qur'an 3:7).

The Qur'an should be understood from within itself, through its unity of structure and its own Divine language and discourse.

Muslims should read the Qur'an from beginning to end in order to formulate their questions, issues, and answers. It is important to consider that tracing a certain Qur'anic concept or principle throughout the Qur'an in order to attain a better understanding of the word, its relevance, and meaning is a valid scholarly approach.

Scholars/readers should search for various references to the same word/concept and its meaning in each context. This research method requires the reader to give his/her intellect its due role as a partner to the text. This method, in addition to the two combined readings (viz., the Qur'an and the universe), should be the methodology that guides the process of reading and understanding the Qur'an.

layaliwebzine.com

61

Say Buh-Bye to Chapped Winter Lips I have never met someone who doesn't suffer from chapped lips during the winter weather. Yes, they can happen year round, but the condition of your lips gets worse when temperatures and humidity go down.

However, it is possible to combat chapped lips, and below are ways to get rid of the tightness, dead skin flaking, and general discomfort of chapped lips. These tips will only work if you are conscious and don't neglect the state of your lips!

1Exfoliate Like your face, you also need to remove the dead skin on your lips. There are two ways you can achieve this that I am aware of, and one is simpler than the other. The first way is to use a toothbrush to scrub away the dead skin accumulated on your lips, I personally like to do this with water after I brush my teeth. The second way is by making a homemade lip sugar scrub with sugar, honey, olive oil, coconut oil and a few drops of food coloring (optional). Combine these ingredients in a small jar while eyeballing the ingredients as you go; there should be more sugar used than any other ingredient. Pinch it to make sure it's just moisturizing enough; you don't want it to be extra creamy. It is best to store the scrub in your refrigerator. An option for you lazy girls out there is to buy e.l.f. lip exfoliator, which is very inexpensive and easy to use. Now scrub away!

1

62 layaliwebzine.com

TUTORIALS

2Moisturize Apply your lip balm often to avoid chapped, dry lips.

This is an obvious one, and most people think of lip balm for moisturizing those lips, but what many people do not know is that lip balms can also dry out your lips.

The key is to choosing the right lip balm by reading to see if it has properties such as beeswax, vitamin E, or aloe vera. You can also moisturize by applying Vaseline generously to the lips before you go to bed, so you wake up with baby soft lips and trust me, it feels so good and stays soft like that for the whole day.

3Apply Lipstick

2

Applying lipstick can be tricky in the cold weather, but it doesn't have to be. Choose a moisturizing formula to protect it from the cold wind, and make sure you apply lip balm before applying your lipstick. Allow the lip balm to absorb into your lips before applying that lipstick though, otherwise it will just slide right off.

3

by Beauty columnist Nadia Sheikh

layaliwebzine.com

63

LAYALI

Facebo ok

connect WITH Instagram

Twitter

layaliwebzine.com