Mecca’s Royal Clock Tower starts ticking in Ramadan The Mecca Royal Clock Tower, the second tallest tower in the world, has started emitting 16 light beams to a height of 10 kilometers on the evening of Sunday, July 31, to announce the beginning of Ramadan.
HBO film explores Quran memorization bY Jack jenkins religion news service A new documentary follows three Muslim children as they travel to Egypt to compete in a tournament that requires young contestants to recite whole passages of the Quran, Islam’s 600-page holy book, from memory.
years to memorizing every word of the Quran -- even though they do not speak or understand Arabic, the language in which the holy book is written. “(The contest) is a window into the world that most non-Muslims or Westerners don’t see. It ... puts a human face on the religion,” Barker said.
Each year during Ramadan -- a Muslim holy month when believers fast, pray and read from the Quran -- 100 students from more than 70 countries flock to Cairo for the International Holy Quran Competition.
Quran recitations are a regular practice throughout the Muslim world, although they are especially auspicious during Ramadan. Muslims believe it to be the month when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Greg Barker, a former war correspondent and creator of films such as “Ghosts of Rwanda,” captured the contest in his new documentary “Koran by Heart,” which is set to premiere on HBO on August 1, the first night of Ramadan.
Much of the film focuses on the relationships between the young contestants and their families, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the broader Muslim world.
Barker’s film tells the story of three 10-year-olds -- two boys and one girl -as they travel to the competition.
“These kids are young, not really aware of the politics surrounding Islam, Barker said, “but we see through their families the larger issues that they’re grappling
All three dedicated most of their early
HBO continues on page 14 >>
more inside
` Ibtihaj Muhammad proves wearing
hijab won’t interfere with her fencing
................................................................. ` Ramadan gets a 20th-century boost
` Finding Quran reciters is always a challenge during Ramadan ................................................................. ` Break Ramadan down into three goals: mercy, forgiveness & freedom ................................................................. ` Muslim teen combines fasting with raising awareness about those going without water ................................................................. ` Briefs ................................................................. ` Ramadan & eating healthy is possible
The loud speakers installed at the top of the tower carried the sound of the adhan from the Grand Mosque to 7 kilometers far. The powerful lights in white and green blinking at the time of adhan can be seen from a distance of 30 kilometers. The lights are also helpful for people with hearing difficulties to know prayer times. The clock face is white and indicators dark during daylight and green and white at night. A trial run of the clock was held at the beginning of last year’s Ramadan. The gigantic Mecca clock project was constructed on top of tower number five of King Abdul Aziz Endowment project, which consists of seven towers. “All arrangements to receive Ramadan guests in the residential hotel, on which the clock tower is situated, have been completed. All rooms and suites have an Islamic style of interior décor that add to the spirituality of Ramadan,”
director of telecommunications and business promotion at the Fairmont Raffles Hotels International in Mecca, Khaled Yamaq, said. The Mecca Clock Tower Hotel, on which the clock is situated, is 601 meters high with 76 stories and 858 suites. It overlooks the Grand Mosque. “A large number of pilgrims of different nationalities will be visiting the tower to get a close look at the interior of the clock tower. Therefore, the hotel’s main banquet hall has prepared to accommodate 1,000 guests for iftar and suhur. It comprises menus of 15 countries, including local dishes,” he said. Ramadan cannon A cannon fired seven shots to mark the beginning of Ramadan in Mecca, said the Saudi Press Agency. Shots will be fired throughout the month to announce the time of breaking the fast, the time for suhur and the end of the suhur. The cannon will be positioned at the top of the highest hill, away from residential neighborhoods in Mecca, and is provided with sound-producing detonators. There are special security officers to take care of the cannon, CLOCK continues on page 14 >>
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National retail chain first to celebrate Ramadan
bY neal ungerleider fast company
Ramadan,” Saffron Road spokesperson Lisa Mabe tells Fast Company.
Whole Foods has become the first prominent supermarket chain to run a Ramadan marketing campaign -- and they're hoping Muslim customers will return the favor as they break fast. Even though Muslims traditionally forego meals during the day, evening Ramadan meals could mean big bucks for the natural foods giant, as well as brand loyalty from a demographic not traditionally courted by megastore advertising.
There are approximately 1.8 million Muslims living in the United States. Of these, Arab Muslims are a distinct minority; the bulk of the population consists of African American converts to Islam and South Asian (Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan) Muslims. And 45% of Muslim immigrants report annual household income levels of $50,000 or higher--placing them squarely in Whole Foods' demographic.
Whole Foods is teaming up with Halal frozen entree brand Saffron Road (who sell a variety of Indian-, Thai- and Moroccan-flavored dinners) to host several promoted blog items on Whole Foods' website along with sponsored giveaways of Saffron Road food and supermarket gift certificates.
Whole Foods' marketing campaign might earn them customer loyalty, but it is taking place in a market that sometimes exhibits anti-Muslim sentiment. Extensive Ramadan advertising campaigns have existed in Europe for years, but the Ground Zero Mosque controversy remains a sore point in many parts of the United States and large chains have been caught in the crossfire between Muslim- and
The "campaign focuses on reaching Muslim consumers online where they are already having conversations about halal foods, grocery shopping and preparing for
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WHOLE FOODS continues on page 6 >>
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Eating protein at Suhoor will help curb day’s hunger
bY michelle gelok the national During this month of Ramadan, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you remain healthy as possible during the daily fasting and feasting. Slow and steady Suhoor is crucial to providing essential energy, nutrients and fluids for the day ahead. It also plays a role in preventing some of the common side effects of fasting, including dehydration and fatigue. When Ramadan falls during the summer months when the days are longer, as is the case this year, foods eaten at suhoor are especially important for keeping energy levels up throughout the day. For that reason, foods eaten at the morning meal should provide a source of energy that is long lasting. When it comes to foods that release energy slowly, some are better than others. Protein is a mainstay when it comes to long-term energy. Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast that is high in protein increases feelings of fullness and reduces hunger throughout the day. Examples of protein-rich foods include meat, fish and poultry, nuts and nut butters, dairy products, such as milk, yogurt as well as beans and legumes. Eggs are another high-protein food that can help ward off hunger during periods of fasting. One study, published last year in the journal Nutrition Research, found that when men ate an eggbased breakfast, they reported feeling less hungry later in the day. In fact, researchers found that when men ate a protein-rich breakfast that contained
three scrambled eggs and one and a half pieces of toast, they consumed 100 fewer calories at their next meal, and a whopping 400 fewer calories over the following 24 hours. That was compared with when they ate a carbohydraterich breakfast that contained a bagel, cream cheese and yogurt. It is thought that protein helps suppress ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger. Some carbohydrates also fit the bill when it comes to slow and steady energy. Studies show that carbohydrates with a low-glycaemic index, meaning they break down slowly and cause a gradual increase in blood-glucose levels, are effective at prolonging feelings of fullness. On the contrary, foods with a high-glycaemic index cause a rapid increase followed by a just as rapid decrease in blood-glucose levels and can trigger feelings of hunger. Low-glycaemic foods tend to be whole and unprocessed and include whole grains, such as barley and brown rice, as well as fruits and vegetables, including cabbage, tomatoes, apples, cherries, grapefruit and peaches. Foods with a high-glycemic index contain a lot of sugar and tend to be processed and refined, such as white bread, cookies, pastries and other sweets. Break the fast gently Once the sun sets, iftar provides an opportunity to break the fast and is essential for restoring energy levels. Traditionally, the daily fast during Ramadan is broken with dates and water - which, from a nutrition standpoint, is an excellent choice. FOOD continues on page 6 >>
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Briefs . . .
SAUDI ARABIA TO SEE INCREASE IN DURING RAMADAN TO 5 MILLION VISITORS
MUSLIM
PILGRIMS
Saudi Arabia expects to receive a record five million pilgrims during Ramadan this year. According to figures released by the Agency for Umrah Affairs at the Ministry of Haj, the number of Umrah visas issued until 16 July (15 Shaaban) reached more than 4.6 million. This figure is 1.1 million more than the total visas issued in 2010. Umrah (the ‘lesser pilgrimage’) is undertaken to Mecca at any time of the year outwith that set aside for the Hajj (the ‘greater pilgrimage’) which takes place in the final month of the Muslim calendar. Ramadan is typically the peak Umrah season. There has been a gradual increase in Umrah pilgrims over the past few years but the current rise is unprecedented, claims Dubai-based Gulf News. According to 2010 figures from the Madinah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pilgrimages generate more than 30 billion Saudi riyals (circa US$9.3 billion) in annual revenues for the Kingdom. Though the contribution to the economy is dwarfed by Saudi’s immense oil profits, Umrah and Hajj visits contribute a fifth of the country’s non-oil GDP. It is estimated that each pilgrim brings around $3,000 into the Saudi economy. SIGNAPORE MUSLIMS GET TECH-SAVVY FOR RAMADAN
This Ramadan, Muslims will be able to check the times for breaking fast, listen to Koran verses, and even look up sermons on their smartphones, using an app developed by Muis, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore. The application was launched last Saturday as part of this year’s Ramadan festivities. It is aimed at engaging the younger and tech-savvy Muslim population. The council’s new-media initiatives include a revamped Web site, Ramadan. sg, a Ramadan Twitter account and a Facebook page. So far, @ramadansg has sent 1,600 tweets about the upcoming Ramadan festivities and has 144 followers. The Facebook page has been “liked” more than 3,000 times since its soft launch last Ramadan. “Various new media platforms are used to create a viral impact,” a Muis spokesman said. “We hope to develop a higher awareness level and mass participation so that Ramadan can be more meaningful.” YAHOO MIDDLE EAST LAUNCHES RAMADAN SPECIFIC SITE
Yahoo! has launched an exclusive website for Ramadan, which contains a lot of information on Islam, news and entertainment among others. Addressed maktoob.ramadan.yahoo.com, the website provides among others accurate prayer times in different cities and countries for those fasting during the holy month. Ahmed Nasif, Vice President and director general for Yahoo Middle East, said as a leading global digital media Yahoo has set up the unique website to provide necessary information on Ramadan. “Ramadan is an important time for worship in the Muslim world and also a time to connect with families and friends. BRIEFS continued on page 5>>
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BRIEFS continued from page 4 >>
The website also contains a lot of information concerning food, TV programmes and serials for people who want entertainment. The website will provide about 500 hours of videos including famous TV serials and religious programmes and cooking programmes for ladies which include more than 16,000 menus. It also includes games for children as well as interesting quiz and a whole list of serials and programmes to be introduced on all Arab channels this Ramadan. Another feature of the website is free SMS to send greetings to families and friends. Users are allowed to send three free SMSes daily. Users may also participate in Ramadan competitions which encourage them to share their Ramadan experiences and how they celebrate the holy month through writing, photos and videos.
NEW JERSEY LANDS ITS FIRST MUSLIM JUDGE
New Jersey’s first Muslim American Superior Court judge, Sohail Mohammed, a former engineer from Hyderabad, took his oath of office on June 30. “I am deeply, deeply honored to be representing the two greatest democracies in the world: India and the U.S.,” said Mohammed, adding that he hopes to create a process in his courtroom that upholds people’s dignity intact. However, Mohammed’s climb to the Superior Court judge seat was not easy. On Jan. 14, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie nominated Mohammed for the post, and the expected fast-tracked confirmation process became laborous. At his June 29 confirmation hearing, Mohammed was grilled extensively about his ties to radical Islamist groups, and his opinion of Shariah law. Republican State Sen. Gerald Cardinale asked Mohammed about the organization Hamas - defined by the U.S. as a terrorist group - and also asked him to define the term jihad. In an editorial in the local paper, columnist Bruce Lowry likened Mohammed’s confirmation hearings to a “witch hunt.” Jolsna John, president of the North American South Asian Bar Association, said the accusations levied against Mohammed were ridiculous. “Just because your name is Mohammed does not mean you’re a terrorist,” she said. “Sohail has done some really great work for our community.” She added that Mohammed, post 9-11, had worked to build bridges between law enforcement and the Muslim American community. Mohammed is a board member of the American Muslim Union and an executive board member of the New Jersey Bar Association. Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Mohammed represented more than 30 undocumented immigrants who were not affiliated with the attacks, but caught up in sweeps by federal agents. The father of three boys has trained the FBI on Islamic culture and arranged a job fair in New Jersey where young Muslims could apply for jobs with law enforcement agencies. BRIEFS continues on page 6 >>
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Drinking soup after breaking your fast can help keep your calorie intake low naturally high in water, such as melon, cucumbers, tomatoes, leafy greens and oranges.
FOOD continues on page 3 >>
Not only do dates contain natural sugars that act as an immediate source of energy for the body, they’re also high in potassium - a mineral and electrolyte that helps maintain the body’s fluid balance. Having some dates and water is also an effective way to fill the stomach and take the edge off your hunger before sitting down to a larger meal. While the urge to overindulge after daily fasting may seem appealing when you’re hungry, it’s advisable to tread carefully to avoid weight gain during the month of Ramadan. The food offerings at iftar can be a minefield of calories and artery-clogging saturated and trans fat-filled foods, including fried foods and sweets. Enjoy these in moderation and if you must reach for seconds, do so with the healthier options at the table. If you have trouble reining in your appetite after the daily fast, try starting off with a bowl of soup. One study from researchers at Pennsylvania State University found that when people ate a bowl of low-calorie soup before a meal, they reduced their total calorie intake for that meal by 20 per cent. Researchers warn, however, that not all soups are created equal, and some may actually increase the overall calorie content of a meal. They recommend choosing broth-based soups instead of thick, creamy soups that tend to be laden with both calories and fat. Another added benefit of eating soup during Ramadan - it helps boost your daily fluid intake.
And when it comes to filling your glass, it’s important to choose carefully to avoid unnecessary calories. For instance, fruit juice, a mainstay at many iftar buffets, can be a concentrated source of calories. Beverages with added sugar can certainly be enjoyed as part of the festivities, but should be consumed in moderation.
Drink up There’s an increased risk of dehydration when Ramadan falls during the hot summer months, so it’s critical to drink plenty of fluids when you’re not fasting. According to the Institute of Medicine, men need to drink about three litres of fluids per day, while women need about two litres. Unfortunately, fluid requirements don’t change when you’re fasting, so that means you need to make an extra effort to stay hydrated before dawn and after sundown. Drinking fluids before, during and after meals can help boost your daily fluid intake, as can eating foods
BRIEFS continued from page 5 >>
HOUSTON CAIR CHAPTER LAUNCHES BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN
In early June, the Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Texas held a news conference to launch a billboard campaign designed to help challenge growing anti-Muslim sentiment in American society. The billboard depicts diverse representatives of the state’s Muslim community, with the headline “Proud Americans, Proud Texans, Proud Muslims.” Other billboards in the CAIR-Houston campaign will stress interfaith understanding. “This pro-active campaign is designed to promote mutual understanding and to highlight the contributions of American Muslims to our society,” said CAIR-Houston Executive Director Mustafaa Carroll. WHOLE FOODS continued from page 3 >>
nonMuslim consumers in the past. A 2009 Best Buy Thanksgiving circular acknowledging the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha (which occurred in the vicinity of Thanksgiving) drew the ire of right-wing bloggers, newspapers and television networks. So, knowing that Muslims usually fast on Ramadan and wanting to know more about why a supermarket chain would advertise during a fast, we reached out to the expert -- Aman Ali of the must-read mosque-hopping project 30 Mosques in 30 Days: Ramadan is the Islamic holy month of purification, where Muslims fast (abstaining from food, drink, etc.) from sunrise to sunset. As far as the foods that are generally served at the meal, the cuisines are usually reflected by the cultures taking part in the meal. On our trips we've eaten everything from Indian food, to Arab food, to Pakistani food to good ol' fashioned $5 foot-long Subway sandwiches. The only WHOLE FOODS continues on page 14 >>
Most healthy-eating guidelines, including Canada’s Food Guide and the new MyPlate from the US Department of Agriculture, recommend keeping fruitjuice servings to 125ml - equivalent to a small juice glass. To avoid unnecessary calories, fill your glass with unsweetened beverages more often, such as water, milk, tea or coffee, and if you are reaching for juice, try to ensure it is pure and unsweetened. Bottom line The best way to approach your diet during Ramadan is much the same as you would during the rest of the year - eat balanced, healthy meals with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. Being mindful of how you prepare for, and break, your fast can help you identify unhealthy eating habits - just the information you need to make positive changes for the year ahead.
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Muslim fencers finds her stride with hijab When Ibtihaj Muhammad fastens her headscarf, or hijab, around her chin, one of its purposes is to deflect unwanted attention. But when she wears a hijab in a sporting arena, it often has the opposite effect. The New Jersey native is currently ranked 11th in the world in women’s sabre, a discipline of fencing. Only one American ranks higher: Mariel Zagunis, the two-time Olympic and world champion. Both women competed this past weekend at a World Cup fencing event at the New York Athletic Club to earn points toward qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics. The International Olympic Committee and the U.S. Olympic Committee do not track athletes’ religion, but if Muhammad makes the Olympic team, she would likely be the first practicing Muslim woman to represent the U.S. at the Games. When she competes, photographers often zoom in on the name Muhammad on the back of her fencing jacket. Her mother, Denise, recently saw such a photo and said, “I realized: my God, she’s representing all of us. “You feel the pride. Muslim women are struggling around the world. She’s not on the front lines but when she stands up there, she’s making her mark for them, for freedom, to have their voices heard.” To make the ultra-selective squad — a maximum of two women per country will compete in sabre in London — Muhammad has been training 30 hours per week at the Fencers Club on West 28th Street in Manhattan and another three to four hours a week with a conditioning coach near her home in Maplewood, N.J. “I’m one of these people with tunnel vision,” said Muhammad, 25. “I’m convinced that I can do anything with enough practice and enough work.” Playing sports was a given for the third of five children growing up in an athletic household, but Muhammad always wore long clothing under her volleyball and softball uniforms to adhere to Islam’s emphasis on modesty. When Muhammad was 13, her mother drove past the local high school and saw fencers in the cafeteria who were covered from head to toe. Her mother turned to her and said, “I don’t know what that is, but when you get to high FENCING continues on page 13 >>
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Quran reciters are in demand during Ramadan prayers and good deeds are amplified. It’s the time when the Quran was revealed. But many Muslim Americans don’t understand Arabic, and Islam teaches that the poem-like Quran is only truly understood in that language. So the reciter’s transmission is essential. In addition to reciters with a melodic voice, mosques also seek a hafiz. Because the Muslim American population is small and relatively new, many American mosques have to hire a hafiz for Ramadan from overseas or elsewhere in the United States.
Joshua Salaam, Youth Director, ADAMS (All Dulles Area Muslim Society) Center, gives the athan.
bY michelle boorstein The washington post With Muslims coming to worship night after night during Ramadan, mosques aiming to enthrall their biggest crowds of the year look to one person in particular: their reciter. His is the voice chanting the Quran, leading worshipers in prayer. And during
the month of Ramadan, which began last Sunday at sunset, taraweeh, the special late-night prayers last two hours, which makes a beautiful singing voice and a powerful sense of soulfulness especially important.
where 3,000 people come each night of Ramadan to the mosque’s seven branches.
The Quran emphasizes the value of a sweet voice, said Hatim Yousef, one of the reciters at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in Sterling,
Even Muslims who tend to be less observant usually come to mosque at some point during Ramadan, a month when Islam teaches that the power of
“The Ramadan prayers are long, so it makes it that much nicer,” he said.
But the Washington region has one of the largest Muslim populations in the country, and leaders have focused in recent years on producing homegrown spiritual leaders. Part of the drive to get U.S.-trained clergy, including Ramadan reciters, is because of tighter, post-Sept. 11 visa restrictions, local Muslim leaders said. An increasing number of mosques that have in-house reciters are in the Washington area. Some are older Muslims who came back to study after establishing secular careers; others are U.S.-born youths who lead hundreds of QURAN continues on page 12
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Tips on avoiding common Ramadan mistakes Most Muslims who fast during Ramadan focus on the benefits and rewards of it. But in doing so, we often make mistakes that instead of adding to our experience actually detract from it. Insh’Allah the following serves as a reminder to myself first and to all Muslims.
3. Spending all day cooking
1. Taking Ramadaan as a ritual
4. Eating too much
For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that’s about all.
Some people eat a lot at suhoor until they are ready to burst because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day. Some people eat iftar as if there is no tomorrow, trying to ‘make up for the food missed.’ However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.
2. Too much stress on food and drink
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).
For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food, instead of concentrating on prayer, Quran and other acts of worship. The month of ‘fasting’ can become the month of ‘feasting.’ When we change our focus we are missing the purpose of fasting. “…..and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) ” [al-Araaf :31]
Some people spend all day cooking, so much so that they miss out in the blessing of Ramadan such as taraweeh or tahajjud prayers or even read Quran. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness.
Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) ‘sleeping away their fast’. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot ‘bear’ to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part. 6. Wasting time The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month “Ayyamum Ma’doodaat” (A fixed number of days. Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day. 7. Fasting but not giving up evil
Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship. It can make them lazy and also makes the heart heedless.
Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. Some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.
5. Sleeping all day
“O you who believe! Fasting is
prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al Baqarah 2:183] 8. Skipping Suhoor The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing.”(Bukhaari, Muslim). 9. Saying the intention to fast ‘out loud’ or saying a specific dua to start fasting The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. 10. Delaying breaking fast Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be ‘on the safe side.’ However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aa’ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) used to do. (Muslim) TIPS continues on page 12 >>
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11. Missing the chance of having your dua accepted The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al Albaani). 12. Not fasting because of work Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses to not fast. Pleasing Allaah is much more important. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do. 13. Mixing fasting and dieting DO NOT make the mistake of fasting
FEATURE with the intention to diet. Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. 14. Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh There is no specific number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. 15. Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights. 16. Taking advantage of the last 10 days The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to strive the hardest during the last 10 days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim). Let this Ramadan be a month of exercise, devoted worship and dua’s that you will remember for the rest of the year. Surely, Allah is the master of forgiveness and kindness.
QUARAN continued from page 10 >>
people during Ramadan. Yousef, 35, grew up studying Islam’s sacred music in Dubai and then English literature, focusing in graduate school on Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Now, he leads some of the regular prayers during the year at ADAMS and teaches Koran at the mosque’s school. Speaking in a soft, melodious voice, Yousef says his goal in leading prayer is for listeners to be engrossed in scripture. “I feel success if people have more presence of prayer, if they are more connected to God, if they sort of don’t focus or don’t mention or think about anything but the Koran,” he said in the
upstairs prayer hall, where his students sat on the green carpet before floor-toceiling windows, studying texts propped up before them on small wood stands. One of his students, a 14-year-old who has become a hafiz, will sit beside him during the Ramadan prayers and follow along to correct him if he makes any errors. Yousef’s regular work schedule will be shorter during Ramadan so he can practice for reciting during the nightly prayers, which run from about 10 p.m. until midnight, after the daily fast is broken at sunset. In the Middle East, Quran recitation is a profession, with people hired to sing at weddings and funerals. Here, most people have other careers. The roles of all Islamic spiritual leaders are in huge flux in this country as a largely immigrant population builds uniquely Muslim American institutions. While mosques and imams in Muslim-majority countries tend to be about meeting people’s basic prayer needs, their counterparts here are just starting to look more like American churches or synagogues and offering more. ADAMS, for example, now does a 10-minute lesson in the middle of each Ramadan night’s prayer, and during the year holds lectures and concerts of spiritual music. New imam-training programs offer preaching, including the first accredited program in the country, at the International Institute of Islamic Thought in Herndon, which began last year and has a preaching course taught by an Episcopal priest. But during Ramadan, the focus is on worship and, of course, the voice. One of the world’s most famous Quran reciters will lead worship this month at the Islamic Center Northern Virginia in Fairfax. Sheikh Mohammad Alraee is in the area from Saudi Arabia to get his PhD in systems management, and for the last couple years has been leading Ramadan worship at the center. “Once you listen to his voice, it’s a whole different spiritual experience,” said Muhammad Farooq, president of the mosque. Muslims aim to read the entire Quran during the month of Ramadan, and when Alraee gets to the end,Farooq said, “thousands of people are crying, listening to him.”
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school, you’re doing it.” Then, one day at practice, “Out of this mild young lady came a roar,” said her Columbia High School fencing coach, Frank Mustilli. “She got hit, got mad, and under that calm façade was a very aggressive individual.” At 16, she dropped epée for the lightning-quick sabre discipline, which targets everything above the waist (except hands) and allows scoring with the edge of the blade as well as the tip. As team captain, Muhammad helped her high school win two New Jersey state team titles. Later, her youngest sister, Faizah, became a two-time state individual champion in sabre. (Faizah, 19, will also compete at the New York World Cup.) At Duke University, Muhammad was a three-time All-America and graduated in 2007 with a double major in international relations and African American studies (and a minor in Arabic). Two years later, she began to work with the 2000 U.S. Olympian Akhi SpencerEl in Manhattan. “It completely changed my fencing,” she said. “This is the first time I’ve ever been taught to fence tactically.”
Feature In 2009, Muhammad won the U.S. national title. A year later, she made her first quarterfinal at a World Cup event (losing to Zagunis, 15-8, in Brooklyn, N.Y.). And in November 2010, Muhammad finished 14th in her world championship debut in Paris. All the while, observing her Muslim faith. Every day, Muhammad prays five times. The fourth prayer, Maghrib, usually coincides with training so she will say it at home later, or pray in a utility room. Last year, during the holy month of Ramadan when eating and drinking are prohibited from sun-up to sundown, Muhammad woke up at 90-minute intervals in the middle of the night to hydrate during a high-altitude training camp in Colorado Springs. (In 2012, the entire London Olympics will occur within Ramadan.) But what bothers Muhammad’s mother most is the fencing etiquette that entails shaking hands with male referees and seeing her daughter travel without a male guardian. At airports, fencers are always scrutinized because they carry on bulbous facemasks, metallic jackets and electrical wires. A hijab adds to the questioning. In Belgium this month, Muhammad was told to leave the airport if she did not remove her headscarf. Her father Eugene, a retired cop, taught
her, “The more you [protest], the more you have to take off.” Diplomacy eventually prevailed. Usually, Muhammad speaks her mind. She used to be an emotional fencer. Now she is more controlled, but retains her trademark feistiness. “On the strip, she’ll fight for every single touch and not budge,” Zagunis said. But ultimately the referee decides who scored the first touch and, early on, Muhammad sometimes wondered if her minority status affected the outcome of her matches. If so, she figured it had more to do with being African American than Muslim. “I have a hard time imagining someone would treat me different based on my faith,” she said. “So when I come across anyone being rude to me or anything of that nature, I attribute it to race. I guess that’s my first instinct.”
Six-time Olympian Peter Westbrook told her, “You cannot allow ‘because I’m Muslim’ or ‘because I’m black’ into play in fencing. The minute you put those in, you’ve lost.” “I have to remember my purpose,” she said. Few Muslim women have earned Olympic medals since Nawal El Moutawakel of Morocco ran to victory in the 400-meter hurdles in 1984 wearing shorts and a tank top. Muhammad hopes to add to that in hijab. “I’d love for other minority women and religious minorities [in the U.S.] to believe they can excel in something outside the norm — not just sports, anything where they’re breaking the barrier,” she said, “and not be deterred by what the image is just because they fall outside that box.”
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with.� Rifdha, for example, is from the Maldives and is one of only 10 girls in the competition. Although both parents want her to be educated, Rifdha’s father insists that she grow up to be a housewife; her mother encourages her to work toward a career. Nabiollah, from Tajikistan, receives widespread acclaim at home and abroad for his masterful recitation skills, but is virtually illiterate in his native language. Djamil, from Senegal, is asked to represent all of Africa at the competition, but must travel to Egypt alone without any family or friends to guide him.
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which will be sent back to the store of the Tasks and Duties Administration in Makkah after the last shots announcing the arrival of Eid Al-Fitr. A total of 150 shots will be fired in the whole month. In most Muslim countries, cannons are fired to announce the beginning of Ramadan and fast breaking time.
FEATURE WHOLE FOODS continued from page 6 >>
Systematic approach to investing may prove profitable bY YAMENA QUTUB
common item is breaking the fast with a date, something that was a tradition of Prophet Muhammad. Believe it or not, a lot of the major supermarket chains are starting to carry halal foods. Kroger carries Midamar meats, a major halal food supplier based in Iowa. And I believe Wal-Mart and Whole Foods carry halal frozen dishes from a company called Saffron Road. It comes in super handy for Muslim communities that dont have a local halal butcher but do have these grocery stores. A lot of my friends in college went to schools in the middle of nowhere and it was basically halal chicken nuggets became their breakfast, lunch and dinner. In places with large Muslim populations, like Dearborn, MI, there are Wal-Marts and Krogers that actually carry halal butchered food there.
Since the 2008 stock market crash, investors left questioning how and when to get back in. It boiled down to two approaches: a lump sum comeback or a gradual systematic approach. The data suggests that investors who pursued a systematic investment approach, in a diversified portfolio with a lengthened holding period, produced greater returns during this 3-year period. According to Morningstar, in 2008, the return of all U.S. equity mutual funds was about -38%. In 2009, that changed dramatically with the average one-year return about 33%. By the end of 2010, the average return was about 20%. However, even with two straight years of strong bullish stock returns, most U.S. equity funds were still in negative territory for the period ending 2010. However, Craig Israelsen, an associate professor at Brigham Young University, said investors who systematically invested in equity funds fared better than investors who jumped in all at once. In other words, how your money was invested during this three year period affected whether or not you made money. Another factor, besides systematic investing, that can affect your returns is portfolio diversification. The data suggests that you
increase your chances for poor returns when you take a lump sum investment approach and combine it with an account exclusively invested in one asset class. On the other hand, investing in an account diversified across different asset classes increases your chances for positive returns. By periodically contributing to a diversified portfolio, you reduce your risk. Finally, another way to minimize risk is by increasing your investment holding period. By increasing your time horizon, you’re more likely to give your account time to recover from any short-term losses. Investors with 10, 20 or 30 years until retirement, have the advantage of time. Retirees or those close to retirement (with less than 10 years) should be more prudent. At the end of the day, like all investment strategies, systematic investing (or dollar cost averaging) and diversification cannot guarantee that you will not lose or make money in the stock market. Investing inherently involves risk. We advise clients to seek the help of a financial adviser to better understand how to invest their money and to gain a better understanding of what to expect in the long term, 888-862-9923. Past Performance Cannot Guarantee Future Results.
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Divide Ramadan into three goals: mercy, forgiveness, freedom
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Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the fire.” - Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
The first one third of Ramadan (10 days) is MERCY from Allah 1. Can we expect to receive mercy if we only deprive our bodies of food and drink? Of course not. Because Ramadhan is meant for SPIRITUAL development through fasting. Physiologically, by fasting the body eliminates toxins efficiently and the mind becomes clear for “power thinking” so that one may ponder on the meaning of the Qur’an, Hadith and the necessity of Zhikr. One must also do some self-analysis to monitor and correct one’s behavior if necessary. With meditation the mind becomes quiet and so should our tongues! 2. Allah is looking for a sincere commitment from us and not just
physical starvation till sunset and then returning to the status quo. Ramadhan does not end at every iftar. It ends only on sighting the hilal of Shawwal. So the hard spiritual work must carry on for the whole of the month. 3. One must plead for mercy and sincerely cry to receive it because without it, we are stuck at stage one and our prospects of “freedom from fire” will be bleak. 4. Therefore this stage one is for sincere confession to Allah that we are weak and sinful and that we desperately need His mercy. We have only about 10 days to qualify to stage two. The second one third of Ramadan is
----- FORGIVENESS 1. We must now beg for Allah’s forgiveness because we have broken so many of His rules and covenants and disobeyed His commands during the year, both knowingly and unknowingly. We must say istighfaar day and night and ask in every sajda for forgiveness. We must be afraid that if Allah does not forgive, we will surely be among the losers. Here again, Allah will be assessing the degree of sincerity in our repentance. He looks not for lip service but for soul service! 2. We must also be forgiving to other people’s mistakes and tempers. The last one third of Ramadan is ......... FREEDOM FROM FIRE These are our last ten days or so. Instead of just focusing on Laylat Al-Qadar (the night of power) one should intensify supplications for the whole last third of Ramadan. At the completion of the last fast, be optimistically hopeful that you will be alive to give similar pious worship during the forthcoming Ramadhans. And if you remain
guided in your life then you will be admitted to Paradise, insha’Allah, by the Ryan gate of Paradise! Indeed Allah swt does not break His promise to his slaves. NOTE: The month after Ramadan is Shaw’wal. Those who fast just 6 days of this month, get the reward of fasting the WHOLE of the year! So if one has missed fasting for 12 yrs of his/her life, just 6 days ( in any order) of Shaw’wal fasting gives one an opportunity to make up for our past deficiency of fasting days. SubhanAllah, isn’t Allah SUPERMERCIFUL? Dr. Zubair Fattani, PhD, received his Master’s in Business Administration and doctorate in economics from the University of Texas at Dallas. He is from Karachi, Pakistan, where his parents still live. His wife, Shazia, is a hafiza and studying to be an alimah.They have a 3-year-old daughter, Zakia, and a 3-month-old son Zain. For questions and comments, please write to him at dr_fattani@ hotmail.com. For religious inquiries, please visit www.islamicacademy.org.
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community report