Layali Webzine Vol. 2 Issue Two

LAYALI Ainee Fatima ON FEMINISM

Volume 2, Issue 2

winter fashion

+ Seeking Guidance e u s s i h t 6

editors’ letter Salam,

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

With a new year comes a new you. As cliché as the saying is, we like to think we can become a new, more reformed version of ourselves, and we can.

No, we aren’t necessarily talking about making a long list of resolutions that will only make you feel bad when you don’t accomplish all of them. But instead, come up with ONE thing that you would like to change, or enhance. Chances are, if you focus on this one goal, you will be encouraged enough to attempt your other goals.

Taking the initiative to be active in your own life pursuits and goals isn’t easy, but it can still be done. Ainee Fatima, (on the cover and on pg. 20), is an activist in her own kind of way. As a poet, feminist, student and a self-proclaimed rebel, Ainee doesn’t wait for others to define who she is. Instead, she leads social media movements like #LifeOfAMuslimFeminist to let Muslim women themselves, define who they are.

Although as Muslim women we have similar goals, like improving our prayers or reading more Quran, we also have different, more specific goals. Some of us may want to clean up our LinkedIn profiles to find our dream job (pg. 12), or try to overcome jealousy (pg. 74).

The point is, no matter what goals we have -- whether it’s putting a stop to rape culture (pg. 64), or eating healthier foods (pg. 26) -- we should make this year the year to reach at least one of those goals.

Keep faith, Omama Altaleb & Rawan Elbaba

@omama_altaleb & @roelbaba

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LAYALI Editorial Editior-in-Chief Omama Altaleb

Executive Editor Rawan Elbaba

Contributors: Deen & Spirituality- Zainab Alwani & Hallima Ibrahim In School-Sharmin Shanur Career-Zohra Alnoor The Wife Life-Samirah Nabbus Motherhood- Sumayya Sahin Nutrition & Health- Leena Asad Fitness- Rawan Elbaba Fashion- Somayyah Ghariani Food- Nada Ibrahim & Noori Ali Travel - Ainee Fatima Exploration- Masouna Kochaji Linked In-Lena Nour Reviews- Anwar Omeish, Sarah Mohideen, Rehnuma Majid Beauty/Tutorial- Dhefaf Alwazir Advice Column- Najma Khorrami, Mahvish Danka, Sameen Bozai We invite any of you Muslim 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 or email us at contribute.layali@gmail.com.

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

Just a reminder: The views expressed by the contributors in this Webzine are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Layali, or Layali Webzine.

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CONTE Deen & Spirituality Why Allah’s mercy is transparent Tafsir Corner

Life -- In School Getting Settled in high school

Life -- Career 5 tips to build a better LinkedIn profile

Life -- The Wife Life A year of compromise

Life -- Motherhood 5 easy ways to care for daddy after baby

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7 10 12 14 16

ENTS 26 28 30 44 48

Health

Healthy chocolate chip banana muffins

Fitness Can exercise affect our mood?

Fashion Modest runway Winter wonder Layali picks

Food Carrot ginger soup Spiced creme brulee Maple brown sugar cookies

Travel & Exploration

India Exploring the past with the Vintageista

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CONTENTS Linked In Rape culture is a real issue

Reviews Les Miserables The City and the City The Maze Runner

Beauty/Tutorials Contour 101

Advice/Self-help How to overcome jealousy The social life 10 life lessons

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64 68 72 74

SPIRITUALITY

Why Allah’s mercy is transparent G

by: Hallima Ibrahim

rowing up as a child, I was raised to believe that everything I struggled with was a test from Allah. From the struggles of my mother being homeless, to learning to cope with post 9/11 bullying, I had grew up with struggles my entire life. I found it comforting to constantly remind myself of surah Sharh: “For indeed after hardship comes relief”’ (94:5). This particular verse had become my backbone of faith, creating a comfort in times of need. However, as a I grew older, my mind began to understand that Allah creates many mercies around us.

Allah’s mercy lives through everything that Allah has created. For example, our mothers, families, teachers and our friends are there for us when we need someone to talk to during difficult times. The sunset by the ocean, our books that we read, are there when we need comfort and time alone. I’ve come to this realization that praying alone does not solve all your problems, but still gives you comfort. However, actively caring for yourself and seeking out the resources Allah gives you everyday, is an act of faith and through that, you may find yourself closer to Allah.

How did I come to this realization? Well, as a person who chronically suffers from mental illness, such as depression, anxiety and PTSD, I found that praying alone wasn’t enough for my mental health. The constant, “Just pray it away” didn’t work for me and it weakened my faith. But when I talked my local imam who suggested counseling, I found that my therapist had become an antidote to cope with my illness. Through therapy, I realized that praying and discussing my problems was a source of healing and that Allah had been guiding me all along through the mercy He has granted us.

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TAFSIR CORNER:

Seeking Guidance by: Zainab Alwani

photo courtesy:latinabroad.com

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n this age of globalization, technology and the vast spread of information, we as Muslims need a model to better capture dimensions of Muslim reality more effectively. We need guidance. As it was well stated from the first surah, al-Fatihah the Opening. “You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path, the path of those who have received your grace; not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.”

(1:5-7). Surah al-Fatihah teaches us the attitude of a seeker-after-truth and to recognize the fact that the Lord of the Universe is the source of

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all knowledge. God continues revealing his love and mercy upon us by teaching us where to find the guidance. The Qur’an is Huda (guidance), as stated in the second surah 2:2-5, “This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who are cautious and mindful of Allah.”

Therefore, after reading the Quran in its entirety several times, I asked the question: How do we increase in guidance? I found it in surah alKahf, the Cave, one of the earliest revelations in Mecca. This does not mean surah al-Kahf is the only place in the Qur’an where we find guidance, rather, the Qur’an as a whole is described as Huda, guidance. However, I will focus on this section

only -- the story of the sleepers of the cave. My intention is not to give tafseer word-for-word of the surah, but to explain how the sleepers in the cave were seeking and receiving guidance. Allah almighty describes them in the Qur’an: “They were a few young men who believed in their Lords, and We increased them in their guidance.

We strengthened their hearts, when they rose up, and they declared, “Our Lord is the One Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. We will not invoke any other deity than Him. It will be the most improper thing if we do so.” (18:13-14)

First: the Islamic view of knowledge starts with the concept of tawḥīd. Getting to know Allah is the first step in the process of finding the true guidance. The central theme in surah al Kahf, to which all its accounts and ideas relate, is to cleanse faith of all alien concepts.

This is determined both at the introduction and conclusion. The sūrah begins and ends with declaring God’s oneness, rejecting any concept that associates partners with God, accepting revelation as true, and making a clear and absolute distinction between God and other beings.

Second: seeking knowledge and asking for evidence. Believing in Allah must be based on profound knowledge and evidence.

The sleepers in the cave, called their Creator by saying: “Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never shall we call upon any deity other than Him. If we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity!” (18:14). The sleepers announced to the world that their belief in Allah is not a blind belief. It is based on profound evidence. That is why they were surprised about how their people accepted to believe in something without proof. “These people of ours have taken for worship deities other than Him, without being able to show any convincing proof of their belief.” (18:15).

They beautifully continued their dialogue among themselves about their Lord describing their view of tawhid. “When ye turn away from them and the things they worship other than Allah betake yourselves to the Cave: your Lord will shower his mercy on you and dispose of your affair towards comfort and ease.” (18:16). Those young believers in the story of the Cave who sincerely asked for Allah’s guidance and put their complete trust in Him. As a result, He guided them, protected

DEEN

them and made them as a model for humanity beyond their time.

The epistemological aspect of tawḥīd is manifested through God’s attribute of absolute knowledge and His teaching humanity all that which it did not know. In this case, revelation is taken as a creative source of belief, thought, worldview and conceptualization. It encourages critical thinking and also gives the necessary order to establish human concepts, clarifies the relationships between God, humanity and the universe. It regulates these in such a way as to develop an integrated tawḥīdī-based society.

Here, we have to be honest with ourselves and examine our heart and mind, in terms of tawhid.

The establishment of clear and accurate thought and reasoning is manifested in the rejection of the claims of all those who associate partners with God, because they assert what they do not know. They have no evidence to prove what they claim. Sūrah al kahf also directs human beings to make their judgment only on what they know for certain. What they do not know, they should leave to God to determine. Thus at the beginning of the sūrah we have the verse stating: “It warns those who assert, ‘God has taken to Himself son.’

No knowledge whatever have they of Him, and neither had their forefathers” (Verses 4-5).

We have to stress the significance of reviving the subsequent use of ijtihād as an intellectual and creative exercise to understand revelation, creation, the universe and human life.

This process of thinking states that ‘aql human reason and the five senses are responsible for exploration, examination, inductive reasoning and decision making. The Muslim mind should once again undertake ijtihād, in its broader sense, and offer humanity the knowledge and science that engages the transcendence of knowledge.

The Qur’an asserts that no knowledge can be considered worthy of acceptance if there is no corroborating evidence from waḥy (revelation) and wujūd (the physical universe). Revelation provides humanity with some knowledge about ‘ālam al-ghayb (the unseen world), which is beyond the reach of human perception, and ‘ālam al-shahādah (the perceptible world).

Therefore, humanity is expected to use ‘aql and the five senses to understand the main sources of knowledge: wahy. ‘Aql and wahy are not contradictory, but are complementary to one another.

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LIFE

freshmen advice: by: Sharmin Shanur

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magine strolling down an austere hallway in the midst of new faces- some look at you with delight, while others sneer at you as they hide their faces among the heads of their clique. Picture your newly purchased books making way into your locker, only to fall humorously onto the floor inciting the laughter of students far "cooler" than you.

Imagine.

Being a freshman in high school can be extremely mystifying. Meeting new people, integrating into a new culture and studying new subjects are all daunting experiences freshmen inevitably encounter. However, as frightening as those experiences may seem, they are easy to overcome once an individual, or in your case a high school student, discovers oneself through their community.

Discovering yourself commences with finding the right group of friends, who are conducive to your progress and education, not to your demise. In most cases, you can find friends that share the same interests and outlooks as you through clubs and social events hosted by your school. For example, if you enjoy acting and the arts, you might want to join the art or genesians club at your school.

You could also audition for seasonal plays and submit art pieces to your school’s art gallery.

These events inevitably lead you to encounter people that have the same hobbies as you; whereas, if you were averse to join the art club or audition for a play due to your fear of high school, you would not have met another art fiend or phenomenal actor. For that reason, it is imperative to explore all the clubs and events that your school offers. Now you might ask, what do I do if I do not know my hobby or passion, how am I going to integrate myself into my school? Well, the answer is not difficult to find. All you need to do is explore the different clubs at your school by joining the debate team, writing an article for your school newspaper, running in your school’s cross country team, playing water polo… the list is endless. After your explore the many clubs at your school you are bound to find something that interests you, and if you still are unsure about your passion, go to events in your community. You just might find someone who is as unsure as your and nothing is wrong with that. Hopefully you and your friends

IN SCHOOL can help each other find a niche or a hobby.

Essentially, finding people similar to you can be extremely consoling in high school. It is always comforting to know that after all the stress you experience at school, there is at least one person you can always talk to and relate to.

Another method by which you can overcome your freshman fears is by getting to know your teachers, who, like friends, are great individuals who are willing to help you overcome your troubles. With the first semester coming to an end, your teachers have already learned your name, however they are still getting to know you as a person. As a student, you can help your teachers familiarize themselves with you by approaching them after class, asking them questions about the lesson they taught you and discussing internship essays and resumes they can help you write. All the conversation you have with your teachers is a way to build towards your teacher recommendation letters. By the end of your four years in high school, your teachers will be better able to advocate for you if you conversed with them often and shared your successes and aspirations. Also, by getting to know your teacher and allowing them to become familiar with you, you give them an opportunity to help network you with different professionals or even internships. This can lead to great opportunities that help you find your niche or build your experience.

Overall, high school can be difficult, but if you find the rights clubs, understanding friends and helpful teachers, it can be the best four years of your life. Nevertheless, receiving the perks of high school will not come to you passively, rather it will require you to overcome your fears and indulge in new experiences.

With determination and a desire to explore, any high school student can integrate into their school without feeling as if they lost a piece of their identity. Essentially, high school is a time to discover and investigatewithout these two aspects, high school would not have been a transitional period from most youth. For that reason, you should always bear in mind that you should fear nothing in high school and instead express yourself by finding your identity though your passions and relationships.

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[CARE]ER

tips to build a better LinkedIn profile Story by: Zohra Alnoor

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first joined LinkedIn when I didn’t even have a job. A friend had told me it would be the next Twitter, (boy were they wrong), so I joined early to try and get the best username out there…definitely didn’t want to get stuck with ‘Zohra8967100.’ The early bird gets the worm! Well little did I know, this was NOT like Twitter and definitely didn’t use usernames.

Take from it whatever you want and build upon it from there.

Number one: Go to www.LinkedIn.com and sign up….hahaa jk. This article will not be THAT detailed.

Signing up for LinkedIn, I realized that it was a social networking site for people with (or looking for) professional careers. I was part of the latter.

After years of being on this site, I’ve networked and built a “connections” list of more than 500 people, I’ve been offered jobs, and asked to write recommendations. Below is, in my opinion, some tips to building a better LinkedIn profile.

I can probably write an entire article about posting the correct photo, but I’ll keep it short and simple and to the point. Your photo is the first item on your page that people see, and those people can be a potential boss, don’t ever forget that. Don’t post a selfie, or a photo that you would post on Facebook because you like the outfit you’re wearing or the high angle of the

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Okay… here’s the real first tip...

1) Post a professional photo of yourself.

photo makes your face look thinner. Take a photo that’s straight on, have a genuine smile that’s not too big or too small and make sure you’re wearing something that’s work appropriate and doesn’t have a garish color or print to it.

platform with employment information you shouldn’t be afraid, embarrassed or worried of anyone seeing. Remember, people see whatever you want them to see, which means you can be as quiet or as vocal as you want to be on LinkedIn. It was only after I started adding everyone that invited me to connect that I got a job offer from a friend of a friend of a friend – not that I accepted it – but it was something I almost considered.

Don’t let your photo be distracting. A photo could either draw people in or push them away from your profile. Don’t allow anyone to think you’re not professional enough for a job all based off your photo. Unfortunately a lot of the With LinkedIn, the whole point is to build a time, people DO judge a book by its cover, so be bigger network of people. If you think the person mindful when deciding on the photo you post. inviting you won’t benefit you and your career, then don’t add them back, simple as that, but 2) No job? No worries! don’t be afraid to add them if you think both of you may be able to help one another.

Many people join LinkedIn before they are even finished with school or have a job for that matter. 5) Join LinkedIn groups.

I was in this boat for quite some time. Many people I know say they don’t have a LinkedIn This is a way for you to network with people who profile because they don’t have a job yet, but are employees in your field of interest but are in that only means LinkedIn is even more vital no way connected with any of your contacts. For for you. Instead of putting your work info, you example, I’m part of a ‘TV and Film Professionals’ can fill your page with your education, skills, group that has a network of more than 200,000 endorsements from your connections, and you people. Within this group, I’ve been invited to can even message your professors asking them for connect with PR representatives, photographers, recommendations for your profile. Add “Seeking special effect makeup artists, directors and more.

New Opportunities” where you would normally From there, I’ve been invited to different events, type in the name of your position at work, this from fashion shows to fundraising dinners. way anyone searching through LinkedIn looking People within your field want to meet you. They to hire someone may contact you. want to spot out new talent and see if there’s untapped potential in people who are new to the 3) Do not lie. field. All it takes is one message, one event or one meeting that can change your life and spur your There’s no reason to put anything on your career in the right direction.

LinkedIn profile that’s false. The truth always comes to the surface. I’ve heard one horror Tips to improve your LinkedIn profile could go story of a person who created a whole history on for days, but the advice above is what I’ve of employment on LinkedIn that wowed an come to focus a lot on when it comes to my own employer enough to hire them right through the profile. Keep your profile as professional and site. A couple weeks and a background check detailed as you possibly can, and keep it updated later, they were fired. Do not lie, it’s not worth it. as soon as anything in your career changes. Don’t be afraid to message other professionals with 4)Connect,connect, connect. questions or comments because you never know where the conversation could lead you. Now go Many people think that connecting with random on and convert your LinkedIn profile to the level users on LinkedIn is weird, I used to be one of of greatness it deserves! Good luck out there and them. But, after constantly receiving invitations feel free to add me on LinkedIn (I add everyone, from people who had a mutual connection remember? ;D)! with me, I started adding everyone back. My reasoning: this isn’t Facebook where random For any questions or comments, feel free to people can see your family photos and what you contact me on LinkedIn (just search my name) did over the weekend. This is a professional or Twitter @MotherOfTootie

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The Year of compromise story and photo by Samirah Nabbus

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s we celebrate our third anniversary, I think back to our first year. There's a great deal of learning and compromise taking place in marriage, especially during the first year. As two lives merge into one, couples work to figure out how they want things to be. When you've never lived with someone, you need to find a middle ground, a place where you both agree. Even establishing small things becomes important.

What do you do and who do you visit on Eid? What will your traditions be? When will you visit your family and in-laws? These are all things that come up, especially during the first year. It's also necessary to be honest with your spouse about important traditions your family may have and that you would like to continue or incorporate into your new lives. All of these are decisions that are made together, compromised on.

Random things will come up including how to best organize your kitchen, closet, garage and anything else that needs to be organized.

If you're both doing the cooking, then you have to agree on where things should go! Lots of agreements are made when decorating your home. I've made plenty and so has my husband. Our styles are completely different and it was hard to find the happy medium.

For example, I would choose the color scheme

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THE WIFE LIFE and my husband might pick the furniture style.

Before you're married, you may be imagining the perfect home and what you would like in your home, but your spouse may have different taste and different opinions. My house is not as rustic/country as I imagined, but alhamdulilah we compromised and I love every piece we have! There's also a great story to share behind how we agreed on the pieces in each room of the house. Sometimes one person needs to compromise more than the other, and it works out well for both people. Marriage is truly the best blessing!

When you're married, you really learn to choose what's worth fighting for and what doesn't matter as much as you thought. You begin to look at the bigger picture; it's no longer about you. It's about the both of you and what you both want. Decide what's really worth putting your energy into and forget it if it isn't. If you have your heart set on something, then fight for it. If not, ask yourself if it's really worth it. Both you and your spouse will remain happy and your love will continue to grow. It seems like simple advice, but it’s vital advice during the first year of marriage, the year of compromise.

When you're married, you really learn to choose what's worth fighting for and what doesn't matter as much as you thought. layaliwebzine.com

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easy ways to care for daddy after baby Story by: Sumayya Sahin

MOTHERHOOD

Photo courtesy: Sumayya Sahin

MOTHERHOOD

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hether you’re a new mom or have years of experience under your belt, it doesn’t take long to realize how easy it is to become swept up in the health, wellbeing and happiness of your kids, often causing you to lessen the care and attention to your husband.

In Islam, our spouses have rights over us, and it’s important to be aware of them and to try our best to fulfill them. Luckily, men are generally pretty simple in their needs and it doesn’t take much to make them feel loved, appreciated and taken care of. When a man feels respected and cared for by his wife, he will increase in love and care for her as well. Here are five fairly simple tricks that can be used anytime during your marriage, but helpful to keep in mind when your life is so busy taking care of your children.

1. Date Night If leaving your baby with a babysitter or family

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member makes you anxious, consider creating a date night at home. After your baby’s bedtime, do something fun together that you both enjoy.

Watch a show or movie, play a board game, or hang out over tea and dessert. As your children adapt to better schedules and you find yourself with more free time, you can pre-plan date nights by choosing something to wear, freshening yourself with make-up or perfume, and picking up a special treat beforehand.

Another idea that works well is to plan a coffee or lunch date during naptime (that is, if your baby is a good car seat/stroller sleeper).

2. Check In You don’t always have to plan an entire night to express your love. Maintaining the care comes down to daily habits as simple as occasionally checking in on him. Even if you have a few minutes to spare between changing the baby’s diaper and feeding her a snack, ask if he would

like something to eat or drink as well. To make it easier for yourself, keep the question specific to something you have the time to actually make. Example: “Would you like some tea/ chips/apple/glass of water?” Even if he doesn’t want anything, he will be happy that you asked.

3. Keep Allah in Your Life One of the best things you can do as a Muslim couple is to keep the presence of Godconsciousness in the home. Depending on your lifestyle, this could mean taking frequent trips to the Masjid, attending a family-friendly weekly halaqa, praying together in jama’a, reciting Quran in the home and sharing reflections on teachings from the Quran and Sunnah.

You will not only receive the barakah from your efforts, but you will also experience the peace in your heart, which will translate to your home and marriage.

5. Take Care of YOU This should probably be #1, since the most important part of caring for others, is taking some time out to care for your self. This includes the basic things such as brushing your teeth and hair, showering, and wearing clean clothes… anything that makes you feel fresh, clean and good about yourself. There are also things that are specific to your needs such as giving yourself daily or weekly facial care, getting waxed/ threaded, exercising, putting on make-up, treating yourself to a special drink or snack, and watching your favorite show. Not only will your husband appreciate coming home to you happy, fresh and stress-free, but you will also have to give yourself sufficient care in order to properly care for others.

When a man feels respected and cared for by his wife, he will increase in love and care for her as well.

4. Pay Attention to His Needs Generally speaking, men need few basic things to be happy: food to eat, clean clothes to wear, pleasant wife, etc. But there are many other things that your husband might have strong preferences for, such as a bed that is made daily, freshly pressed clothes, fresh coffee in the morning, or tea after dinner. Pay attention to your husband’s 1 or 2 extra likings and try to fulfill them as often as you can. Even if you’re not be able to do all of them daily, trying your best will show him that you are listening to his likes and dislikes, and that will make him feel cared for.

As with establishing any new habit, give yourself time to figure out what works best for yourself and your marriage. Also keep in mind that every new baby, move, travel, visitors, job brings a new period of adjustment, and during that time, you may find that you have to drop your care down to the bare minimum for a while before building it back up again. You might find yourself needing to take some time out to talk to your spouse about the changes going on so that he has an understanding of what you’re going through, and can be more patient during that time.

Above all, the most important thing to do before serving yourself or anyone else is to begin every action for the sake of Allah, Most High, and inshaAllah—God Willing—everything you do will count as an eternal reward for you.

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AINEE FATIMA story and photography by Rawan Elbaba

FEATURE You may know her as the first hijabi featured in Seventeen magazine, butAinee Fatima, 23, is a poet, feminist, student and a selfproclaimed rebel. I had a chance to sit down and talk to her about her name, her studies, feminism in Islam and social media at the 13th annual MAS ICNA Convention in Chicago.

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I was caught in a sea of Muslims at the Hyatt convention center, scouting around for Ainee. “I’m wearing a yellow cardigan and my map hijab!” she told me over text. Soon enough, she was the one to find me as we headed on our way to find a quiet place to sit down and have a conversation.

Only a 20 minute train ride from the convention center, Ainee has lived in the suburbs of Chicago since she moved here with her parents from India at the age of two. As the oldest of five kids, she had a lot of responsibilities growing up, but claims the title of the “eldest” didn’t fit because she was always the “rebel one.” Originally to be named Qura-tul-Ain, or “refreshing to the eyes,” her parents decided to go with Ainee because it was easier to pronounce. As a term of endearment, the name “Ainee” was hard for her to accept in the beginning.

“It took a lot of time for me to accept it.

I guess because growing up post 9/11, I would change the pronunciation to Annie to just fit it in,” Ainee said. “It was a self-hate kind of thing… identity crisis. I didn’t want to be brown, I didn’t want to be Muslim.”

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Later she realized the uniqueness of her name, forcing people to pronounce it correctly in public settings.

“It has such a beautiful meaning, why butcher it? I’m more proud of it now,” Ainee said.

As a senior at DePaul University in Chicago, Ainee is majoring in Islam and World Studies and minoring in political science. She admits that convincing her parents of her major was difficult because of the skepticism studying Islam in the United States can cause. Soon enough, with a poli-sci minor under her belt, she carried on studying Islam in all different types of contexts.

“Islam was something I could never get bored of learning about. Everything else I got bored of. Everything else fell flat to me,” Ainee said.

“Learning about religion in an academic environment is so different than growing up or even at your mosque.”

She found that learning Islam at her local mosque as a young child was often very patriarchal, with most of her teachers being older Desi men.

“At DePaul, the head of the Islamic Studies Department is a woman, a African American

woman, an African American Muslim woman, so you would not expect that,” Ainee said. “In Chicago, it’s not surprising, but in the realm of Islamic academia that’s not something you would expect given the very real racism and antiblackness that exists in our community which is something that I’ve also had to constantly unlearn over the last couple of years. It has really been an honor to learn under Dr. McCloud who is a pioneer for young Muslim women like myself.”

Later, we got onto the topic of feminism in Islam, something she is incredibly passionate about.

She admits her disdain for the label of “feminist” at first.

“A lot of people are turned off by [feminism] and at first I was too, because it’s perceived as just man hating and this sort of Lady Gaga feminism, you know the whole get naked slut walk movement. That’s just not my concern as a Muslim and woman of color,” Ainee said.

After learning more about feminism in Islam through her Gender and Sexuality in Islam class, taught by Professor Aminah McCloud, and her Transnational Feminism class, she became aware of the different types of feminism.

“I think when people are talking about feminism, they’re introduced to the word thinking

of western feminism, that’s the first thought they go to,” Ainee said. “They don’t understand that there are different types of feminism.”

She argues that the mainstream media misconstrues the word “feminism” to simply mean one type of feminism, when in fact, there are several forms of the word.

“When you find the women who are talking about destroy the man, don’t shave and get naked, reclaim your body and sexuality and stuff like that, that’s what I think throws people off,” Ainee said.

I brought up #LifeOfAMuslimFeminist, a hashtag that Ainee and several others participated in that ended up on Buzzfeed and the Huffington Post. Originally started by Noorulann Shahid, the hashtag was meant to allow people to understand that Islam and feminism go hand in hand.

Ainee does admit, however, that responding to the critical messages through that hashtag was difficult.

“People don’t understand that that was one of the hardest battles or the hardest things to react to in terms of the hashtag,” Ainee said, “because not having that space to discuss something without having it used against your community.”

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She also received harsh criticism from the social media world in general on using the label of a feminist to identify herself. She disputes that although Islam is inherently a feminist religion, there is a plethora of Muslims who do not practice gender equality.

“Everyone’s trying to say what’s the point of these labels? Just because you’re Muslim doesn’t mean you need to say your feminist because Islam itself is feminist, [it] insinuates that every single Muslim out there practices gender equality which is not true,” Ainee said.

With her thoughts on feminism in mind, we discussed solving the issue of orientalizing women, especially women who don the hijab, in the Muslim community.

“I’ve seen it so many times in the community…women getting recognition solely for the fact that they wear hijab and their nonhijabi counterparts in the community don’t get any recognition, because you know it was just another person doing her thing,” Ainee said.

She argues that to get the rest of the world to stop orientalizing Muslim women and reducing their issues to the issues of hijab and body coverage, we ourselves as Muslims need to stop oversimplifying these problems.

“We need to stop holding hijab as this sort of marker of excellence in terms of achievement,” Ainee said. “There is a real problem in tokenizing oneself as a “first hijabi” in a specific field because Muslim women are much more than what they may or not wear on their heads!”

Ainee holds the hijab to simply be a form of obedience to God. She claims that she was at the other end of holding famous muslimahs in the highest of ranks because of their hijabs.

As the first hijab-wearing woman in Seventeen magazine, people grew very excited.

“I think it’s a dangerous thing because it puts it into the young girls’ heads that they need to wear hijab in order to get recognized when that

shouldn’t be the case,” Ainee said.

On the topic of her appearance in Seventeen magazine, she admits that hijabi women who receive recognition are often commodified for their bodies and asked to promote other companies.

“Seventeen inspired a lot of people, but at the end of the day, there was no concrete change being made from what happened,” Ainee said.

“I’m just a poet who won a couple of awards, no big deal.”

Although she received an overwhelming amount of supporting messages from the Seventeen feature, she still calls it “a humbling experience” that created a hard-to-keep-up-with image.

“I still binge on Netflix, sit on the computer, watch TV, I’m not traveling around the world having photoshoots, it’s not something I aspire to be,” Ainee said. “More girls need a regular girl role model.”

As she finishes up her undergraduate degree this spring, Ainee hopes to further her studies, but is still unsure as to what the future may hold.

“I’m considering law, or take my Islamic degree and go into a more structured environment like Bayyinah,” Ainee said.

Thinking ahead toward the message she wants to send out, Ainee’s learned that keeping a public image is difficult and can get in the way of your private life. However, she continues speaking out about issues in the Muslim community, more specifically the issues that Muslim women often face.

“I get called a cynic; people are like ‘well, you complain too much,’ and I’m like well there’s a real problem being projected toward Muslim women and how they should be or how they should aspire to be in order to be deemed successful,” she said.

“There’s a real problem being projected toward Muslim women and how they should be or how they should aspire to be in order to be deemed successful.”

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FEATURE

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I

t seems like everywhere you turn there is another sweet treat calling your name (especially during the colder months!).

Whether it’s holiday cookies and other desserts, or pastries paired with your warm cup of coffee on chilly mornings, it is sometimes hard to resist these sugary indulgences. I wanted to share with you my recipe for gluten, dairy and processed sugar-free chocolate chip banana muffins.

They are loaded with protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied while giving you great nutritional benefits! My entire family loves them and I hope you do too!

Ingredients 3 cups raw almond flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoons sea salt 2 tablespoons coconut oil 4 tablespoons of any nut butter 5 eggs 4 very ripe bananas 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3/4 cup honey 1/2 cup chocolate chips Makes 24 muffins

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H

HEALTH

HEALTHY Directions Chocolate 1 Chip Banana 2 Muffins 3 Mix all ingredients together with an electric mixer.

Then, stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

by: Leena Asad, Student nurse and blogger from With Love Leena

Use paper lined muffin tins and bake for about 20 minutes on 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can actually create so many different kinds of muffins with this recipe if you substitute the bananas and chocolate chips with other ingredients! I suggest you use 1 whole cup of honey instead of 3/4 if you use a recipe that does not have ripe bananas for added sweetness. Try canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice for delicious pumpkin muffins, or add any other extras such as chia seeds for added fiber or blueberries for antioxidants. The possibilities are endless. I hope you enjoy!

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PHOTO CREDIT: MALIKAH PHOTOGRAPHY

FITNESS

Does Exercise Affect Our Mood?

W

henever we’re feeling down or stressed out, we’re told to run it off. But, can exercising really affect our ability to be happier?

“There is a lot of research that has shown aerobic exercise to be mood lifting. There is increased oxygen to the brain, as well as increased circulation,” said Mary Schumann, PhD, a clinical psychologist and professor who teaches Psychology of Sport at George Mason University.

Essentially, if it gets our blood flowing, it’s good for you. Increased blood flow can also help release endorphins (feel-good brain chemicals).

For those who do not enjoy the high energy workouts and long hours at the gym, there are still activities you could do to help improve your mood and wellbeing as well. Yoga, or even simple distance walking, is a great way to stay relaxed, but also get you moving.

“Some people prefer only moderate exercise such as walking or yoga or dance, and these too have been found to be helpful to mood. Often introverts prefer to do exercise alone, whereas extroverts like to do things in groups,” said Schumann. “There is also a body of research that has looked specifically at yoga and there are classes that specifically focus on yoga

BY RAWAN ELBABA

for depression or anxiety. Most important is for people to find something they like and to try to incorporate it into their routine. A few times a week makes a big impact over time.”

Aerobic exercise is just a fancy word for cardio, which is a fancy word for exercise that raises your heart rate. So, if you’re wondering just how much cardio exercises you should do throughout the week, follow these simple rotations that Dr. Schumann suggested to lower anxiety. · Just one incidence of exercise for 2o minutes lowers your anxiety for approximately 24 hours · One a regular basis, however, exercising for 30 minutes 2-3 times per week can lower general levels of depression and anxiety So remember, if you’re running on the treadmill at the nearest gym with your most upbeat music blasting, or striking concentrated and quiet yoga poses at home, your blood is flowing. With the constant rate of blood flow, you’ll be a happier, healthier person in no time.

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FASHION

Stella McCartney pre-Fall 2015 www.vogue.com

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Maison Martin Margiela Spring 2015 Couture www.vogue.com

2

Roksanda 2015 www.vogu

ue.com

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Gucci pre-Fall 2015 www.vogue.com

Modest Runway

pre-Fall

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onder

winter 30 layaliwebzine.com

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FASHION

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Alas! Th its way e bitter col say that to our clos d of winte season, winter m ets. I can r has mad explorehowever, thaay be my lecaomfortablye cozy. My colorful w t doesn’t st favori concoctiogo-to wintae ys to staymean I cant’e arm and t from timn of a blackr look resuw the temp e to time -on-black lts in som richntaestison of fa,llbiunt I cannoet nrsemble e of a dar g in love esist k color p with the Story by alette.

Photogr: Somayyah aphy: Sa Gharia rah Pix ni ley

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One of my favorite colors this winter is a rich, dark wine color, wearing it in leather pants, a winter coat, or even as a lip or nail color, sets the tone of dark elegance to any look.

I have also shared my favorite INGLOT nail enamel color in 636 as well as some raved about products to get that perfect dark winter lip.

FASHION

Leather pants are Trouve from Nordstrom Rack, and Jacket is from Banana Republic

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FASHION

I have come to find that some of my fashion obsessions carry on through the seasons. A monochromatic look will always resonate a sense of class to me.

Whether it is a nude or pastel color, or even a pop of holiday season red, the statement of a put-together, monochromatic look will always keep you fierce this season.

Red pants are from H&M, Coat is from BCBG

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c i t a m o r h oc

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lace leggings

If you know me, you know that I am a layering queen during this season.

Fleece-lined leggings are a go-to for when the possible polar vortex 2.0 hits. For a night out, try a pair of lace or opaque tights underneath your pants, they work perfectly!

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CROP TOP The crop top is another statement piece that will still work throughout the season, I paired a lace sweater crop top with a wide leg palazzo pant instead of a skirt. With a heavier sweater type crop top, you can wear it on its own or with a loose button-down underneath.

Both items are from H&M To read about what happened behindthe-scenes, visit the photographer’s blog post at: http://www. trueiconmedia.com/ blog/ghariani.

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Fashion Blogger Find:@ Hanihulu

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By: Somayyah Ghariani

am a huge fan of Hanihulu. Not only do I adore her style, but I also have the honor of knowing her personally.

She is an Iranian born, Michigan raised, Philadelphia based, Muslim 24-year-old.

She likes to live her life breaking stereotypes as she thinks many Muslim women do.

She likes to prove we are not oppressed or less than others just because we are Muslim or because we cover. In reality, we are among the strongest women around. She is an accountant by day at PwC, one of the largest accounting firms in the world.

Check her out at www. hanihulu.com to see some of my favorite winter looks from her blog.

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FASHION

Layali P

THE LOOK

oversized coats

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PICKS! THE LOOK faux fur

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Carrot Ginger Soup

BY NADA IBRAHIM

Ingredients 5 cups carrots, chopped 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 tablespoons ginger, peeled and chopped 2 tablespoons oil, coconut 1/2 cup orange juice 4 cups vegetable broth 1 teaspoon salt

Directions 1. Over medium heat cook onions, ginger, and coconut oil until onions are transparent.

2. Add carrots, broth, salt, and orange juice and cover.

3. Cook until carrots are soft (about 30 minutes) 4. Allow soup to cool slightly 5. Puree soup using an immersion blender or a regular blender in small batches 6. Serve with some cilantro, crushed red pepper, or cashew cream sauce

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FOOD

BY NOORI ALI

Directions

Spiced Crème Brulee

This is a variation of crème brulee that I made for my family for Thanksgiving this year using spices that are commonly used in Indian dessertscardamom, saffron, and cinnamon. These spices are bold and warm, making this dessert perfect to cozy up with when the weather is cold!

Ingredients

1 quart heavy cream 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp saffron, crushed 4 tsp ground cardamom 2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 cup sugar, plus 3-4 tbsp for burning 6 large egg yolks 2-3 quarts hot water

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. 2. Place the cream, vanilla, saffron, cardamom and cinnamon in a medium saucepan set over mediumhigh heat and bring to a slight boil.

3. Remove saucepan from heat and allow it to cool for 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, in a medium sized mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup sugar and the egg yolks until the mixture is a light yellow and well blended.

5. Add the cream a little at a time to the egg mixture, stirring continually to combine.

6. Divide liquid evenly between 8 small ramekins or any small ovensafe bowls.

7. Place the ramekins into a large cake pan or roasting pan.

8. Pour enough hot water into the pan to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.

9. Bake just until the cremecrème brulee is set (Approximately 40 to 45 minutes).

10. Remove the ramekins from the roasting pan and refrigerate covered for at least 2 hours and up to 3 days.

TO Serve: 1. Remove the cremecrème brulee from the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes prior to browning the sugar on top.

2. Divide the remaining sugar equally among the 6 dishes and spread evenly on top to create a thin layer.

3. Using a blowtorch, melt the sugar, forming a crispy top layer.

4. Allow the cremecrème brulee to sit for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Serves 8.

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Maple BROWN SUGAR Cookies

BY NADA IBRAHIM

Ingredients 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. salt 1 egg + 1 egg yolk 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 1/2 tbsp. Grade A maple syrup 2 tbsp. brown sugar + 2 tbsp. white sugar (for rolling)

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Directions

c

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper 2. In a small pan (preferably lightly colored) heat butter, swirling until it becomes a golden brown color with a slightly nutty smell (this takes a few minutes).

3. Allow butter to cool until semi-solid, but still slightly liquid. (I placed it in the freezer for 10 minutes) 4. In the bowl of a stand mixer cream together butter and dark brown sugar until smooth.

5. Add eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup, and mix well.

6. In a separate bowl mix together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Add to the wet ingredients in batches until well combined.

7. Roll 1/2 tablespoon sized balls of cookie dough in sugar mixture and place 1 inch apart on cookie sheet.

8. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden brown. Cool and enjoy. layaliwebzine.com

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Taj M ind

On her recent stud to explore facinati

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Mahal, dia

TRAVEL

dy-abroad trip to India, Ainee Fatima had the chance ing cities and the Taj Mahal. The following are photos from her trip.

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TRAVEL

Jamah Masjid, New Delhi Taken on December 4, at Jamah Masjid, New Delhi - I was walking behind my group after the call to prayer was announced for jummah prayers. Praying was difficult as a traveler and especially in a group of non-Muslims, but the older gentleman who showed us around the mosque stopped me after his presentation and insisted that I pray two rakahs before I go off with my group. The view was already breathtaking, and it was great to be able to pray in a mosque with such an incredible presence in a historic city.

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Taj Mahal

FOOD

After a four-hour trip to the city of Agra, we arrived at the magnificent Taj Mahal just before sunset after spending a day in the city.

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This photo was taken as the sun was about to set and the men were beginning to gather to pray at the mosque that Emperor Shah Jahan built on the premises of the Taj. It is uncommon for women to join in public spaces of prayer in India so I stood over and watched as they began to get ready to pray Maghrib.

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TRAVEL

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REVIEWS

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e

en route

REVIEWS

The most convenient way to travel around the narrow streets of India is by either walking or taking a bicycle!

My roommate took this photo of me as we made our way to the Red Fort, the residence of the Islamic Mughal Emperor for 200 years in Delhi.

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This was my last look at the Taj Mahal as we left, there’s a myth that says whoever looks back at the Taj Mahal as they’re leaving, will definitely visit it again in their lifetime, which I hope is true because now it feels like it was a blur!

saying g

TRAVEL

goodbye

EXPOLORING THE PAST WITH THE VINTAGEISTA W

BY MASOUNA KOCHAJI

e live in a time where we constantly look towards the future to have great experiences, but sometimes looking back on the past can give us a whole new adventure. While the imminent future has so much to offer, perhaps it is our histories that can truly be inspirational. Exploring our pasts can be full of beauty, personality and adventure.

You can pull out an old photo album or call up relatives; any time spent discovering your past can be wholesome. One woman is exploring the past in a whole new way. Asia Frotan, also known as the Vintageista, has creatively, elegantly and beautifully brought vintage clothing back into style. In 2001, Asia began collecting vintage clothing, and by 2009, the Vintageista was born. Turning her passion into a business, she was able to share the beauty of the past with today’s fashionistas. She agreed to tell Layali her story while also sharing her love for vintage with us.

Why vintage, what is it about vintage that draws you in?

Q & A

EXPLORATION

The quality, craftsmanship, creativity and time it would take to create something mattered. It was a work of art. Not something made overseas, but quite possibly in your own neighborhood. There was a sense of pride that went into each piece. That’s exactly what draws me in:, the love behind the piece and the history.

What has working with vintage clothing taught you? Do you think others should explore the past (through vintage items) as well?

Vintage clothing, vintage jewelry and antique furniture have taught me to experience history in the material and physical form. I am able to, just for a moment; imagine stepping back in time, into a different era. It’s fun to pick up a piece and , do a little research. , You never know what you’ll find!

How does vintage clothing inspire who you are or what you do today?

It inspires me to constantly re-work what I currently have. It pushes me to be creative with how I dress and keeps me from shopping at any regular shop that every other gal may frequent.

What would you say to those who believe everything from the past should stay there (in the past)?

I would say that until they begin to appreciate what the past has to offer, in this case vintage fashion, they won’t truly ever appreciate what’s to come. Also, it’s the perfect way to stay ahead of the curve since it is know that fashion recycles itself, and, and to know that in your own way, you are helping the environment by wearing vintage.

Pros and cons of sporting vintage clothing:

Pros: you will never walk into a room and find someone else wearing what you have on. Cons: constantly staying on the hunt, vintage in great condition is very difficult to find…sometimes.

Advice to readers about vintage clothing, living life, or reflecting on the past: If you love a unique way of dressing, but may be afraid to venture into vintage, take baby steps. Buy one piece that you like, see how many different ways you could incorporate this “new” vintage into your wardrobe and wait for the love to grow. Take time to research what you have. , it’s amazing how much you appreciate something once you know more about it.

Anything else you'd like to say about you, your work, or exploring the past through vintage items:

What I try to focus on most, in regards to The Vintageista as a brand, is continuously pursue my passion and not perfection. The idea of perfection is misleading and would take away the fun I have with what I love to do most.

Thank you Asia for proving just how present. If you are interested in following Asia Facebook &

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EXPLORATION

w beautifully the past can fit into our a’s journey, you can find “The Vintageista” on & Instagram. layaliwebzine.com

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COMMUNITY conversations

LINKED IN

Community Conversations is a series of articles that focus on topics that touch the lives of every community. Only through active dialogues can members of a community truly begin to grow and develop together Photo courtesy: Muskan Mumtaz

Story by: Lena Nour

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R

Rape C is a R iss

ape is not the same as consensual sex. Rapists are not always men.

Rape culture is a real issue hindering the progress of people emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Gender violence has been a prominent issue in many communities across the world, yet has only recently gained international headway on the global agenda. But what exactly is rape culture?

Robin Thicke, T.I and Pharell came out with a song in 2013 called “Blurred Lines” alluding to the blurred lines of rape and consensual sex when under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The lyrics state, “I know you want it, you’re a good girl.” Still don’t believe rape culture is an issue? The music video currently has 356.3 million views on YouTube.

In September 2014, President Obama launched the “It’s on Us” campaign encouraging men and women across the nation to make a personal commitment to step off the sidelines and be part of the solution to end campus sexual assault. In President Obama’s address launching the campaign he stated, “An estimated one in five women [have] been sexually assaulted during her college years.” Additionally, “Of those assaults, only 12 percent are reported, and of those reported assaults, only a fraction of the offenders are punished.” From 20102013, the United Nations, an intergovernmental

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BY LENA

organization focused on promoting international cooperation, conducted a multi-country study on men and violence. The study surveyed over 10,000 men specifically in six countries across Asia and the Pacific, but the quantitative findings serve as a reflective mirror of the current violence against women. According to the report, common explanations for rape were “boredom, fun, anger, punishment and alcohol intake.” In 2014, we have seen that rape culture is even more prevalent and ‘everyone knows someone who was raped.’

The statistics are hard to read. The stories are even harder to hear. Why do some men think they are entitled to women’s bodies? Why does it matter what she was wearing? Has rape culture become widely accepted as a cultural norm embedded into the fabric of every nation?

As my heart aches, I write this article pleading to your pathos. You are never entitled to anything or anyone. We are all human beings—untied by our God-given rights. If you see something, say something. We all have the inherent ability to be brave and only when we speak up, will justice truly be served.

At the college level, stories are finally coming to light about sexual assaults being swept under the rug by the very administrators that have sworn to protect the rights of students.

A controversial article written in Rolling Stone

Culture REAL sue

COMMUNITY

NOUR

Magazine titled, “A Rape on Campus: A Brutal Assault and Struggle for Justice at UVA” highlighted rape culture at the collegiate level.

The story depicted ‘Jackie’ a student at the University of Virginia who was gang raped by several men at a fraternity party. While the article has seen much criticism and lacks in credibility, the article instantly went viral bringing notions of gender violence, sexual assault, and victim blaming to center stage in the U.S. political arena. Students wrote to Rolling Stone sharing their sexual assault stories which got people thinking—‘Jackie’ wasn’t alone. One student commented, “Statistically speaking, you have almost definitely encountered a rapist on school grounds.”

The UVA community began to discuss the taboo topic of sexual assault on campus as media outlets quickly brought the scandal to center stage. Muskan Mumtaz, a sexual assault advocate and junior at UVA, organized a rally with her friends to help create a sustainable dialogue regarding rape on campus. During an interview, Mumtaz shared, “Growing up as the daughter of political refugees from Kashmir, I always learned about rape as a war tool used by occupying forces to humiliate and dehumanize natives. My parents described it as something soldiers used that was ‘worse than death.’

When I interned for Senator Warner this past

summer and sat in on briefings regarding sexual assault on campuses, I realized that our own government does little to protect women and men from rape.”

While rape victims are not always women, Mumtaz highlighted the different ways we raise our girls and boys. “We, as a community, do NOT put an equal amount of pressure on our boys to treat members of the opposite sex with respect.

We don't tell them: cross your legs, cover up, speak softly, and be careful. We entitle our sons and brothers—and this entitlement lays the foundation for rape culture.”

So what is the solution to combating the rape culture which exists within society today?

Mumtaz expresses that we all should, “be careful to the music we listen to, don’t let your sons objectify women, and take advantage of this moment to bring light this devastating issue” by talking about it with your circle of friends, both men and women.

“Call me idealistic, but I hope to raise my sons to treat women in abayas just as they treat women in booty shorts,” Mumtaz shares as she explains that pants or shorts, Muslim or nonMuslim, all women deserve to be respected. As a society, the only way to eradicate sexual violence against men and women is by creating inclusive communities fostering dialogue and action.

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Les MisĂŠrables by: Anwar Omeish

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REVIEWS

O

pening up the first pages of a large book is no small commitment. Not only is it the beginning of a lengthy and arduous relationship with the book’s cast of characters, but it is also an enormous time commitment.

So when I finally decided to pick up a copy of Isabel Hapgood’s translation of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, I was more than slightly intimidated by its 1,789 pages. I had seen the musical on stage and on screen, so I knew that I would enjoy the story in the end, but I had no idea how much depth the novel would add to my experience. Victor Hugo’s prose, so effectively translated by Hapgood, weaves together the stories of various different characters in a triumph of storytelling.

The story opens with Jean Valjean, an exconvict who had spent nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. Unable to find refuge because of his status as an ex-convict, Valjean finds a safe haven in the home of M. Myriel, the town bishop. Desperate, Valjean steals Myriel’s treasured silverware, and is caught by the authorities. Instead of accusing Valjean, however, Myriel tells the authorities that the silver was a gift, and allows him to leave with the promise that he would use the silver to become an honest man. Humbled, Valjean assumes a new identity and settles in a different town, ending up a wealthy businessman and mayor.

Meanwhile, Fantine, a young woman who had sent her illegitimate daughter to be taken care of by an innkeeper’s family, was unjustly fired by one of Valjean’s workmen. Valjean finds out about her misfortune and is determined to rectify the injustice. Dogged by the detective Javert and driven to assume yet another identity, Valjean sets out to build an honest life for Fantine’s daughter, Cosette.

Years later, the story shifts to Marius Pontmercy, a young lawyer infatuated with the memory of his father. This leads to his affiliation with a group of young men determined to spur revolution, the Friends of the ABC. In the midst of these plans, Marius and Cosette become irrevocably smitten with each other. Over the next several weeks, their epic love story unfolds with the backdrop of tragic revolution – forcing the entire cast of characters, particularly Jean Valjean, to make sacrifices that change their entire lives.

Les Misérables is a story of overpowering love, wrenching redemption, and heartrending tragedy, featuring a tremendous cast of characters, each as well-developed as the next. Not all of it, however, is driven by the same sense of suspense: Hugo intersperses his prose with lengthy philosophizing about various subjects – art, religion, even the sewer system of Paris. While these segments are often long and drawn out, they sometimes provide necessary context for the denouement of the novel. Be warned, however: if you choose to read the unabridged, complete novel, you will spend time inside Hugo’s sociological and political mind.

But not only is the tale one of immense emotional and literary value, its political message is also a striking one. Hugo himself, in a letter to his publisher, wrote, “You are right, sir, when you tell me that Les Misérables is written for all nations. I do not know whether it will be read by all, but I wrote it for all. It is addressed to England as well as to Spain, to Italy as well as to France, to Germany as well as to Ireland, to Republics which have slaves as well as to Empires which have serfs. Social problems overstep frontiers.” Ultimately, Hugo’s message is that the miserable ones are not simply characters in the novel, but rather, they are everywhere. Subsequently, it is our duty to better the societies in which misery is so pronounced. Hugo tells us, “I possess only the puny forces of a man, and I cry to all: "Help me!"”

So this story – in its resplendence and power – is Hugo’s cry for help in eradicating the misery that is everywhere. So why should you listen to – or, at least, read – his cry?

As a reader, for the beauty of its prose and of its characters.

As a member of society, for the rampant darkness that it brings to light, and for the ability to redeem that it promotes.

And as a Muslim, for the spirit of social justice that it (and the Quran) calls upon us to espouse.

Read Les Misérables. You won’t regret it.

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REVIEWS

THE CITY AND THE CITY

O

ne might be forgiven for assuming that “The City & The City” is a standard detective fare from its opening alone: an abandoned lot swarming with investigators, an unidentified corpse, the underbelly of a bleak and indifferent metropolis. However, the novel gradually allows us to realize that we are reading a novel unbound by genre; the city we are thrust into is actually one of two cities, superimposed upon one another in physical space and governed by a complex set of laws that keep citizens of each from intruding upon or even glimpsing the other.

The novel excels at creating two distinct cultures through realistic dialogue and vivid description. Linguistic ticks are dropped consistently, and the cadence of a sentence will change depending on whether the speaker is of Besz or Ul Qoman origin. Beszel’s Cold War grittiness is literally a world apart from Ul Qoma’s Byzantine modernity. While traveling between Beszel and Ul Qoma, the reader experiences culture shock right alongside the characters.

In this world, the line between real magic and the fantastic humdrum of everyday life in the two cities is so blurry that it is almost non-existent. The Breach, a shadowy organization that works to keep Beszel and Ul Qoma completely separate, looms like a specter over the narrative. It is seemingly omnipotent and all-powerful, but for much of the novel, we are never quite sure who Breach is or whose side they are on. And then there is the question of a third city, hovering somewhere between the two. It takes a skilled writer to successfully create incredulity at this idea when the reader is required to accept legally mandated unseeing as completely normal.

Equal parts police procedural, science fiction, and sociopolitical commentary, Miéville has crafted a story that keeps readers guessing long after the book is closed.

by China Mieville review by Sarah Mohideen

D

ystopian-esque films seem to be all rage as of late, and I can understand why.

There seems to be a level of relatability with the youthful characters who go through various trials and tribulations, while attempting to navigate past the unavoidable changes to their relationships and their personal beliefs. That struggle, to me at least, is what makes these films so exciting.

“The Maze Runner” provided just that. Originally a bestselling book by author James Dashner, the first book of the series was brought to the big screen back in September. Here we have a character who wakes up and finds himself in a grassy clearing surrounded by boys he does not recognize. He finds that the field is not as wide and free as it seems; they are closed in by towering gates, also known as “The Maze.” Initially, he can’t remember anything like where he came from, who his family is or even his name. He learns that this is a common occurrence from the other boys, but that, with time, his name at the very least, would return. And later that night, it did. He was Thomas.

A little more curious than the other boys and desiring to be proactive about leaving their caged-in home, Thomas explores the maze and become a runner, a select few who run and scout the maze in an attempt to look for a way out, while also memorizing the ever changing design of it. Thomas even runs into the maze at one point to help their injured leader, Alby, and another runner, Minho, survive the maze through the night. Through a combination of heroics and sheer luck, they survive the night. When they return the next day, Gally, who sees Thomas’s actions as a disturbance of their existing rules who also fears punishment from the maze (by way of the “Grievers”, giant spiderlike mechanisms built to destroy and kill), wants to him to be punished. But instead, Thomas gets his wish to be that runner, since one was killed earlier by a Griever sting.

Everything from the acting chops of Dylan O’Brien and the supporting characters, to the simplicity of the graphics (not overdone, which made the world more

believable) gave this film a high-energy pace which quite often, made me hold my breath, wondering what would happen in the next moment. This movie delivered.

I know I’m not the only one who’s tired of non-white characters who are put on the chopping block even before we learn their name. Forget a backstory, those who haven’t read the books wouldn’t even know who some of these characters. But despite that, there was Minho, an Asian character who was not only intelligent and resourceful, but he manages to stay alive through the whole movie. But even though he was by Thomas’s side through much of the excitement, Thomas was still morally superior (he stayed

by Alby during that first night in the maze while Minho ran to save himself, though he returned later to help the two) and more clever. He realized things about the changing course of the maze even though he was new to it, despite Minho having ran the course for months and mapped it out.

Was it not possible for O’Brien’s character to still remain the main focus, while also having supporting characters of equal moral and intellectual caliber?

Especially in an entertainment industry which typically typecasts Asian Americans into roles that are comical, often insulting, and downright eye-roll-worthy. I was pleased to see one who was more than capable of being a well-rounded onscreen individual. They made Minho more than the cliché, but why not keep him that way throughout the entire film? In the moments where Thomas used his ingenuity to hide Alby in the vines and not abandon him, why not keep Minho along with him? He could have been his equal, but in that seen, he became a deserter. And that didn’t have to happen. They did so many things right with his character and if they’d been consistent, I would have left the theaters thoroughly content. But instead, I got a movie that teased at a progressive Hollywood, one where people of a variety of ethnicities could have a shot of sharing the positive limelight.

THE MAZE RUNNER

by Rehnuma Majid

1 ep

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Moisturize your face!

Whether you have oily, dry or combination skin, you should apply at least one coat of moisturizer all over your face. This will help with the application of the makeup as well as the blending.

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ontouring is a make helps sculpt your fa features by placin areas. The most importa is to remember to alwa blend well, your makeup than fla Let’s get

Contour 3 p e t s

Apply the concealer. Use a concealer that is two to three shades lighter than your foundation color. The concealer should go under the eye in an upside down triangular shape, as well as the bridge of the nose and the cupid’s bow. This will help highlight and bring out the areas we want to emphasize. I usually like to use a flat concealer brush to apply the concealer and then go back to the beauty blender to blend it out.

Apply the darker concealer/ foundation. Use a concealer/foundation that is two shades darker than your foundation color. This should be applied on the hollows of the cheeks, below the hairlines, and the sides of the nose. I also use a flat brush for this part as well as going back to the beauty blender.

step 4

BEAUTY

eup technique that ace and define its unique ng emphasis on certain ant part of this technique ays blend! If you don’t p will look patchy rather awless. started‌

Use a foundation. When choosing a foundation color, pick the shade closest to your neck, and not your face. I prefer using the beauty blender for my foundation, but you can either use a foundation brush or your hands.

2 p ste

ontour 101

BY DHEFAF ALWAZIR

step 5

Add shimmer on the highlighted areas (optional).

Use a setting powder. This will help matt-ify and blend your makeup together. Use a bigger powder brush for this part.

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6 ep

ADVICE

Overcome jealousy by trying this one thing

BY SAMEEN BOZAI

J

ealousy is perhaps one of the oldest problems noted in human beings, it is as some scholars say, “the first sin that was committed when Iblis (Satan) refused to bow down to Prophet Adam and obey Allah’s orders,” and most importantly, it is a disease of the heart. However, despite all the negativity it brings, it continues to stay and cause trouble in our lives.

If we deeply think about the causes of jealousy, we will realize jealousy is found almost everywhere. It’s caused by pride and

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arrogance (not being able to watch others succeed), astonishment (not being able to accept someone possibly doing better), fear (not feeling comparable to others), desire for power and prestige (putting others down so one can gain), and thus goes against the teachings of Islam.

Jealousy lies deep down in the hearts of many people. Whether it is money, power, fame, or lust, all material things are finite -- temporary, and will be left in this world eventually. For this reason, we shouldn’t be seeking happiness from material objects. Happiness should be found

Photo courtesy: ficklefitna.wordpress.com in spirituality. Every individual can be fully equipped spiritually if they seek happiness through religion and through their relationships with Allah (swt).

In order to discourage envy, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “When it comes to materialistic things, do not look to those above you. Look to those below you, as it will more likely remind you of Allah’s favors bestowed on you” [Bukhari and Muslim]. On another occasion, he said, “If one of you looks at someone wealthier and better built than him, he should also look at someone of lower standard than himself” [Muslim].

Ultimately, we live in a society where competition is everywhere and in everything we do. We may compete against one another, but at the end of the day, the result is what we were sent down with in this world.

In the workshop on jealousy, a girl

in the audience asked the speaker what one should do if they feel jealous toward a friend for various reasons. The speaker answered, “First of all, we should know this is haram and jealousy displeases Allah (swt). However, since it is something that can arise naturally, one tip is to pray for that friend. Pray that he or she stays happy. Why? Because when you pray and make supplication for someone, you are also praying and making supplication for yourself. It’s a win-win situation.”

Fighting this disease of the heart isn’t difficult. Since jealousy is one of Satan’s works, fighting and going against it through prayer and good deeds can most definitely eliminate it. Every individual is blessed with unique blessings from Allah (swt). If we pray for one another, the community would grow closer together and people would feel content.

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ADVICE

THE

SOCIAL LIFE

BY NAJMA KHORRAMI

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR SOCIAL LIFE? If you’re looking for new relationships, or want to satisfy your social cravings, this is the article for you.

In today’s world, relationships come in all shapes and sizes. From bonds with family and friendsto bonds in the professional workplace, there are a multitude of potential relationships. Managing these relationships requires patience, compassion, effort and a certain degree of emotional intelligence. Read on to find out how to be able to better satisfy your social cravings, no matter whether you’re going through a rough time in your life, simply have room for more relationships or just want to polish the relationships you already have.

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A

A concept dating back to the 1980s, emotional intelligence is a characteristic a person can have or gain through four skills: 1)Identifying emotions (yours and other people’s), 2) Using emotions appropriately to help you think in different ways, 3) Understanding the causes of emotions, and 4)Managing your emotions effectively. Don’t think you have emotional intelligence? It can be learned! While some of us have innate abilities to identify, use, understand and manage emotions, others may have more of “booksmarts,” which help us ace an exam or score high on a paper. Yet, there is still ample opportunity to learn emotional intelligence through practice and continued efforts.

For those of you who want to learn emotional intelligence in order to satisfy your social cravings: First, learn how the challenges that we face in our lives can build resilience even though stressful—they are blessings in disguise, and we, in some cases, can gain emotional intelligence through the sheer experience of them. Let’s learn how. If you are facing a difficulty in your life right now, may feel sad or negative, just go through the steps of attaining emotional intelligence and you’ll be happier that you turned your negative feelings into the new positive trait of emotional intelligence. ◊ First, identify that negative emotion— sadness, frustration, stress, you name it. ◊ Second, consider how you can use that emotion in a different way—channel energy through exercise, go outdoors and enjoy nature as a distraction, write down your thoughts and develop your writing skills, or just say hi to a close friend and ask how they are doing as a way of showing you care. ◊ Third, try and understand that emotion— write down why you may be feeling sad and try and rationalize the cause of it (you’ll feel smarter you did), talk to a friend about why it’s okay to feel down or frustrated, or even ask a parent for their emotional understanding of what’s bothering you. ◊ And finally, manage your emotions— the key, get yourself out there and be yourself as best you can be, no matter how hard it is to get out! By doing so, you are learning emotional intelligence! The sheer exposure and experience to social settings, whether a party, dinner, barbeque, birthday, or any event while you’re dealing with a challenging time in your life, will help you learn how to manage your emotions

effectively.

Maybe you’re not having a good time going out every time? How do you solve the problem of having a good time? Try to stick to routines.

Maybe you’ll enjoy your social events more after a long week’s work, or a month’s long endeavor. It will help to know you have friends and family you can count on when the events become a source of emotional release for you. All the events during the week become talking subjects when you hang out too. If you are having a good week, then you’re friends will know, and positive energy will rub off on one another to build a stronger and happier relationships with your network of friends. Quality friendships matter, so sharing stories, showing you care, or giving the gift of saying thank you will improve the quality of your relationships with your nearest and dearest.

Looking to increase the number of relationships you have and to get invited to more events that you actually want to go to? Trying to meet new people can become daunting if you see it that way, but when you’re looking to expand you’re social circle, it’s the best way to increase your network of acquaintances. Perhaps it’s possible to meet more people at work and ask them to hang out.

Or, you can try volunteering at a homeless shelter and find people who share similar interests. Or, you can join a yoga class or running club. No matter how you meet new people, remember to be gracious, kind and friendly when showing you care. Ask for their email or phone number, and follow up by asking them to hang out on a free weekend. Checking in from time to time will help you feel satisfied with your social network, but remember, don’t check in too often— just in moderation to show you care.

From emotional intelligence to friendly social networks—what else it left? Family bonds. Bonds in families are certainly the most important of all, and a good place to practice learning emotional intelligence by reflecting on examples of the changing emotions of your loved ones.

Remember, communication is key in supporting your loved ones, so asking how they are doing is important, but showing interest in what they are interested in is probably even more important because it shows you care. Love generously and stay committed to helping out each family member in times of need or when support is needed. Be happy and be joyful! Positivity will flow out, and you’ll find an endless support of social networks to satisfy all your social cravings.

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10LIFE

lessons

BY MAHVISH DANKA

L

ife is a rollercoaster, like most people like to say. It has its ups and downs, and it has its lessons. Below are some of the life lessons I learned and continue to learn through this ride.

1) Stop trying to be happy I borrowed this from Mark Manson. Happiness is a feeling and you have as much control over

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it as you do over your other emotions. You don’t try to be angry or upset. You just are. And much like love, the more you try to find happiness, the less successful you’ll be. Happiness isn’t a goal you can attain by doing pleasurable things or adopting the “always be positive” ideology. It’s a side effect of meaningful experiences. Set goals and do something about them. It doesn’t matter if you fail. Live and enjoy the experience.

ADVICE

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2) Falling in love is easy And this is the part where every girl reading this article looks at me like I’m insane. But hold your thoughts. It really is easy to fall in love. You meet someone cute and you guys start talking, maybe even go on a few dates. Before you know it, the only thing you can think about is this person. You have everything they've ever said to you engraved in your head. When you close your eyes, they’re the first thing you see. Every time your phone goes off, you’re hoping its them, and indeed when it is, the corners of your mouth start forming that oh so familiar smile. And whenever you fight, you go back to each other the next day, because you’re in love and nothing could ever change that. And according to psychological research, this whole process can go on for about two years before either of you realizes this isn’t love. Love isn’t excitement, it’s not eternal promise or kissing the night away. “Love is what’s left over, when being in love has burned away.”

Love isn’t about how much you love someone’s good qualities, but rather how willing you are to put up with their demons. Love isn’t found in words, promises, romantic dates or gifts. Love is found in someone’s presence.

better, you’ll start seeing their faults and you might become upset. You need a grave to bury that feeling away. One day, you might fight. You need a grave to bury the hostility away. They might mess up. You need a grave to bury their mistakes away. That’s the only way to maintain friends, to always be ready to forgive.

5) Your parents are human too The third and final installment of my series. I think we all grow up with this image in our heads of how our parents are supposed to be: kind, loving, doting, and our own personal superheroes ready to take on anything. But we forget our parents have lives of their own and their lives come with their own set of problems and they’re bound to mess up, maybe a lot. Our parents aren’t perfect and they never will be, but they try their best to take care of us and love us regardless of how much we might mess up. We always owe them our outmost respect nonetheless.

Remember: How people treat you is their karma.

How you react is yours. No matter what, show mercy and love to your parents, so your kids will treat you the same

6) Your secrets will make you prisoner 3) Never place your hope into a person Imam Ali (AS) once said, “Nobody can guard Human beings have this impeccable ability to your secrets better than you, so don't blame constantly disappoint and it’s not a fault, it’s just anyone for revealing your secrets for you couldn't a part of human nature. When we’re in trouble, hide them yourself. Your secret is your prisoner we look towards our friends for help. When we which, if let loose, will make you its prisoner.” want something, we ask others. And at one point or another, someone isn’t going to be able to grant 7) If you keep finding excuses for your wish, so you turn to God. But shouldn’t you something, you don’t really want to do it have turned to him in the first place? Nothing If you want something, fight for it. If you don’t happens in this world without his permission, want to fight for it, you don’t really want it. yet we set ourselves up for frustration and heart break by constantly placing our hope in people. 8) In every heart break, there’s God’s Place your hope in God and trust the One who calling knows everything to handle your affairs.

Whenever your heart breaks, see it as a way of God calling you back to him. Think about it.

4) For every relationship you make, Whenever life gets tough, you pray to him. Maybe have a grave ready for that person in he’s testing you, but maybe he chose to put you your heart in a certain situation because he longed for you This is the second part of my “People Suck” to pray to him. He could have left you astray, but series. Here’s the truth: Even your life long best he wanted you to come back. How incredible is a friend is going to hurt you one day. Anger will love like that? arise, someone will wrong the other. The best thing you can do is to prepare for it. Whenever 9) “You can do better than him” is the you meet someone, have a grave ready for that most ludicrous thing ever stated person in your heart. As you get to know them The minute you state that you can do better

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“

“ if you want something, fight for it.

If you don’t want to fight for it, you don’t really want it. ” than someone or you deserve better, you imply you’re better than that person, which implies a sense of pride. You are not better than anyone.

An alcoholic who’s never prayed a day in his life could have a better relationship with God and you would never know. Always be humble. We’re placed in each other’s lives for a reason and that reason may not be clear now, but in time it will be.

10) Wear your heart on your sleeve In a world that’s constantly taught to be on its guard, it’s refreshing to see someone who isn’t afraid to show a bit of their soul.

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