The Lone Star Crescent by Melanz, LLC.

Azizah Stands Strong After 10 Years By aNum hussaiN Picture this: a group of diverse Muslim women gather for a dinner party; they discuss fashion, food, music, children, and even other Muslim women. Now imagine translating that same dialogue into words and images, and that is what you’ll find flipping through the pages of Azizah magazine, a publication highlighting the various identities of Muslim women in North america.” Tayyibah Taylor, the publisher and editor-in-chief of azizah, said the magazine mirrors who Muslim women are, covering women of all different ethnicities and levels of religiosity. The magazine represents Muslim women in the United States but is read around

the world, distributed to subscribers in Europe, canada, africa, Middle East, Far East, and australia. The women displayed on the monthly cover pages always sport a headscarf to identify the publication as a Muslim women’s magazine. although all Muslim women do not wear a headscarf in public, Taylor said their heads are covered when they stand to pray. as the magazine prepares to commemorate its 10 year anniversary on october 10, Taylor talked with The long Star crescent on her experience co-founding and running America’s first Muslim women’s magazine. Q:What exactly is azizah? a: azizah is the vehicle for the voice of Muslim women in North america. It’s a publication that celebrates their accomplishments, highlights their ambitions, features their concerns and issues.

Every article in azizah is written by a Muslim woman. This is the place if you want to hear her voice and find out what she’s thinking. Q: How did the publication start and get going? a: In the early ’90s, I attended a conference for Muslim women in chicago. There were Muslim women of all different schools of thought, all accomplished, all powerful. I was really astounded by the energy in the room and the expertise. I wanted to take that and put it on the pages of a magazine so that everybody could experience the energy in that room. Continues on page 10 >>

more inside  attorney Noaman azhar on the latest immigration memo .....................................................................  Message from Grier Raggio for U.S. congress .....................................................................  Community Briefings .....................................................................  Eid dinner at american airlines .....................................................................

Join Greg Mortenson

FOR A FULL-FLAVORED EVENING By keNa sosa

He’s at it again. The New york Times Best-selling author of “Three cups of Tea,” Greg Mortenson, is finding ways to make the impossible become possible for thousands of impoverished children in wartorn regions – he’s building them schools. With the help of the central asia Institute (caI), whose mission is to “promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and afghanistan,” Mortenson will be in Dallas on Nov. 13t to raise funds to build more schools for children starving for an education. In 1993, Mortenson climbed

a mountain to honor the sister he had just lost. He had no idea that reaching the top, or in his case, not reaching the top of his climb on K2, the second highest peak in the world located in Pakistan’s Karakoram Northern Range,, would only be the beginning of a great journey. He spent time in Korphe, Pakistan, recovering from his failure to climb the top of the mountain, and discovered that there was a higher purpose for his visit. Continues on page 05 >>

 Halimah Shaheed shares her thoughts on Marriage & ethnic bias in the Muslim “community” .....................................................................  Robert canright believes Harvard’s Godless education is also to blame for country’s leadership crisis. .....................................................................  Dr. Zubair Fattani, PhD on his latest hajj experience. .....................................................................  Eid & month of shawwal around the world. .....................................................................  Sonia Laflamme visits Horseshoe Bay, a perfect family getaway

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New USCIS Memo: Terminating Deportation Proceedings in Immigration Court By Noaman Azhar, Attorney At Law On August 20, 2010, John Morton, Assistant Secretary of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) issued a new memo that will help thousands of individuals and families currently in deportation proceedings. The “Morton Memo” affects those individuals who are currently in deportation proceedings and also have pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) a petition that would allow them to become a permanent resident. The purpose of the new Morton Memo is to increase efficiency and reduce the amount of cases currently before federal immigration courts, while also allowing those in deportation proceedings to more quickly and expeditiously receive immigration benefits that they are entitled to. Under the new Morton Memo, cases that are eligible would be fast-tracked through USCIS. If, however, the eligible applicants have mitigating factors negatively affecting their case (i.e. criminal records, public safety concerns, fraud issues, etc.) ICE prosecutors may decline to terminate the proceedings on grounds of prosecutorial discretion. Once the case is terminated in immigration court and moved to USCIS, if USCIS approves the immigration benefit for the individual, the person will be granted permission to remain legally in the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident. If, however, the immigration benefit is denied, ICE has the power to re-initiate deportation proceedings. A hypothetical example of the application of the new Morton Memo is as

follows: An individual is currently in deportation proceedings for having overstayed his visa or working without authorization. He has an upcoming immigration court hearing. He is married and currently has an adjustment of status application on file with USCIS on the basis of his marriage to a U.S. citizen. At his upcoming court hearing, his attorney can speak to the ICE government attorney about terminating proceedings, since the individual is eligible for an immediate immigration benefit with USCIS. Under the new Morton Memo, if the ICE government attorney agrees, and unless there are negative factors affecting the person’s case, the immigration judge should terminate removal proceedings so the individual can seek his permanent residency with USCIS. The attorneys at Azhar & Azhar Law firm have recently made arguments to immigration judges similar to the one mentioned above, and with great success. While this new policy is not an “amnesty” nor does it automatically grant legal status, it provides efficient immigration relief to countless affected individuals while also slightly unclogging immigration courts. ...................................................................... Noaman is an attorney and Managing Partner at Azhar & Azhar, PLLC. This article is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. As always, readers should consult with an experienced immigration attorney before making any immigration decisions on their case.

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A Personal Note From Grier Raggio My name is Grier Raggio. What is going on in Washington angers me! The current representative of our district, Pete Sessions, has become addicted to power and

Publisher Melanz, LLC. P.O. Box 851764 Richardson, TX 75085 Editor Marium Mohiuddin| T: (512) 657-7819 marium@myCrescent.com Layout & Graphics Hazrat Amin Business / Marketing Inquiries Tel: (214) 843-1593 E: ads@myCrescent.com Community Programs Coordinator Azim Ansari | T: (972) 375-6154 azim.ansari10@gmail.com Insurance / Financial Advertising Madaline E. States | T: (214) 951-0770 ruhullaha@yahoo.com Ad Sales Consultant Rachel Rendish | T: (903) 355-4579 Editorial / Writing / Events / Feedback marium@myCrescent.com CONTRIBUTORS

Kena Sosa, Zubair Fattani -PhD, Sakina Al-Amin, Halima Shaheed, Naeem Randhawa, Maryum Shaheed, Sonia Laflamme, Anum Hussain, Ruqayyah Khalifa, Komal Khan, Sonia Laflamme, Omar Usman, “Hazrat” Amin, Hassan Usmani, Jamal Saqib, Yasmin Turk, Robert Canright, Dr. Keisha Shaheed, Moazzam Ahmed The Lone Star Crescent is published monthly by Melanz, LLC. We welcome and encourage readers’ feedback and opinions. All materials, articles, photos, comments or samples submitted to the The Lone Star Crescent and/or via www. myCrescent.com will become property of the publisher and may be published at our discretion. The publisher paper takes no responsibility of claims made by advertisers, financial, legal, family and/ or educational advise in its content. Readers must check and inquire themselves. Join free online at www.myCrescent.com.

perks and he will do anything it takes to get re-elected. I see the job of a congressman as representing “All the People”, not the special interests. I’m running for Congress because I’m tired of the “Culture of NO” and this is no time to sit on the sidelines. We need more pragmatic problem-solvers to come together without the corrupting influence of special interests to build a better future for Dallas County. I am a small business owner, family lawyer, father, and grandfather; not a career politician. I am committed to representing the citizens of my district, not the special interests. Creating jobs and getting people back to work are my top priorities. To grow our economy, we must invest more in public education and make higher education affordable. I am committed to eliminating our dependence on foreign oil by the end of this decade. I will pursue comprehensive ethics reform to ensure that our leaders are held to the highest standards of integrity. I am committed to preserving our constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and protection of property rights. We must also build a national consensus around the principle of fiscal responsibility. Pete Sessions has voted for tax cuts without spending cuts, for unfunded wars, and for the TARP bailout of big banks. These votes helped turn record surpluses into record deficits, and now he wants to place a 23% tax on everything we buy. This is not acceptable. We have many challenges, but America has always overcome its challenges. My father was part of the greatest generation who fought and won a world war. My mother and grandmother successfully fought to expand women’s rights. I was a civil rights worker committed to ensuring equal opportunity and tolerance. Overcoming challenges and achieving big things is core to the American spirit. It’s in me. It’s in you. We need more of it in Congress. Together we will overcome our many challenges. Join me in our fight to curb the corrupting influence of the special interests and restore a broken Washington. You will be proud that you did. ...................................................................... To volunteer, contact Mira Jones at (972) 243-2835 or mira@raggioforcongress.com.

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From Page 01>> He vowed to build a school for the local children. Most people would have had this on their to-do list for ages, and will most likely never fulfill it. This is what makes Mortenson stand out between those people who have a heart and those who let their heart guide them. To date Mortenson and those who support him have built 146 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, educating more than 50,000 children, 38,000 of which are girls. Yet there are still so many

community report

more that can benefit from such efforts. Along with the Dallas fundraiser, other fundraisers also will be held in San Francisco and Chicago. The Dallas gala is expected to draw more than 1,000 people and will be at the Hilton Anatole Hotel at 6pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are expected to sell out quickly. The VIP reception will kick-off CAI’s event at 5:30 p.m., followed by the official program welcome and video at 7. The much anticipated Mortenson will give the keynote address, followed up by a

Q-&-A session. More than 100 VIP patrons will be invited to a private reception and book signing with Mortenson following the event. The evening’s festivities also include an auction and other fundraising activities. Finally, the entertainment for the evening will be the renowned Sufi Qawwali group singing their mystical poetry, Fanna fi-Allah. This music promises to enrich the soul, and it is one of Mortenson’s favorite types of music. The food and fun will make guests feel as if they were in Pakistan themselves, and organizers promised the

attendance of a surprise celebrity guest. Prior events have raised more than $500,000 for school children, and organizers are hoping that Dallas’ gala could raise even more. Funds raised will go toward building more schools in these rural and desolate areas, which are continuing to build peace through education. Interested parties can learn more through Central Asia Institute at www.ikat. com or www.threecupsoftea.com. You can also email Sadia at sadia@ikat.org.

community report

Briefs... By Marium Mohiuddin

Islamic Relief hopes to inspire with 5th annual conference Islamic Relief (IR) USA is hosting its 5th annual “Evening of Inspiration,” with proceeds from the benefit concert series going to support IR USA children’s projects around the world. Boasting a strong lineup that includes renowned Washington, D.C.-based Muslim group Native Deen and Sweden’s rising star Maher Zain, organizers are spreading the entertaiment across five cities during the month of October: San Diego; San Jose, Calif.; Dallas; Rahway, N.J.; and Washington, D.C. Attendees are encoured to purchse tickets now, as last year the concert was sold out in several cities. Maher Zain is a singer/songwriter who gained recognition and acclaim for his meaningful songs that aim to inspire and enterain people, while sending a message of peace and compassion. Zain said his first musical inspiration came from his father, who also was a singer. Fascinated by music at an early age, Zain got his first keyboard when he was 10 years old, and said that since that time he has dreamed of touching people’s hearts through song. Native Deen is a trio that features Joshua Salaam, Naeem Muhammad, and AbdulMalik Ahmad. They have successfully merged the art of “lyrically-potent hip-hop” and the soothing rhythm of R&B. The trio recently released an album, “The Remedy.” With so many calamities occurring in the world, the “Evening of Inspiration” gives attendees a chance to be part of a meaningful and inspiring event that promises to be a fun-filled evening while supporting worthwhile projects for children in need. In past years, more than $1 million was raised for IR USA’s projects during concert tours For seven years, IR USA has been recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, its highest rating. The Dallas concert will Sunday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. at the Charles W. Eisemann Center. To learn more about the concert or to buy tickets, visit www.eveningofinspiration.org ...................................................................................................................................................

Shaykh Hamza Yousef joins blogging world. After spending much time resisting joining the social network, Shayk Hamza Yousef has started his own blog. “I am beginning my blog, though it was something that I had actually been resisting for a long time because I am not really a ‘computer person,’ ” Yousef said. “And I am troubled by a lot of the so-called social networking: Facebook, Twitter, and all of the other social networks because I am committed to and believe in real community, not virtual community—in actually interacting with human beings in conversations.” Hoping to address some of the issues affecting the American Muslism community, Yousef said he hopes the blog also will let him reflect publically on his experiences. “For instance, I recently had a horrible experience at San Francisco airport that resulted in a formal apology and an on-going investigation sparked by Sen. [Dianne] Feinstein’s response to my letter of complaint. Part of his first post, Yousef listed the books he is reading: Robert George’s “The Clash of Orthodoxies,” Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” with my two older boys, and in Arabic, Sidi Ahmad Zarruq’s biography of his teacher Abu al-’Abas al-Hadrami, as well as a new commentary of Sidi Khalil’s Mukhtasir in Maliki fiqh. Go to http://www.sandalaproductions.com/Blog.aspx if you’re interested in following Shaykh Yousef. ...................................................................................................................................................

ICNA dedicates October to fighting hunger The Islamic Circle of North America is launching a month-long National Campaign Against Hunger during the month of October 2010. The National Campaign Against Hunger aims to tackle hunger from both a social service and social justice perspective. This initiative follows “Save Family Save Society,” a grassroots national family campaign successfully held by ICNA in October 2009. Less thatn 15 perecent of U.S. households struggle to put enough food on the table. More than 49 million Americans — including 16.7 million children — live in these households. Nearly one in four children is at risk of hunger. Along with Islamic centers nationwide, ICNA divisions and units will volunteer at soup kitchens, mobile food vans, food pantries and food drives. These activities will help strengthen grassroots social services headed by ICNA Relief. The National Campaign Against Hunger follows in the footsteps of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, as he was known for his compassion towards the needy of society. The campaign is also inspired by ICNA’s charter which dictates a “strengthening [of] the bond of humanity by serving all those in need anywhere in the world, with special focus on our [local] neighborhoods across North America.” ...................................................................................................................................................

Muslim Yellow Pages Announces Business Luncheon The Islamic Services Foundation, publisher Muslim Yellow Pages (MYP) in Dallas will organize a business luncheon on Sunday October 31, 2010 from 2 - 5 pm at the Richardson Masjid (IANT) Multipurpose Hall. The event provides an opportunity for local businesses to meet with each other, network, and meet with the team at MYP. Each MYP client will be given an opportunity to introduce themselves on the microphone during the program. For questions, sponsorships call (972) 414-5466. ................................................................................................................................................... Submit your announcements or events information to us at dallas@myCrescent. com. Must be emailed by 15th of the month for following month’s issue. Announcements must be brief, to the point, and may be edited for space and punctuation.

community report

American Airlines Hosts Eid-Al-Fitr Dinner

By Hazrat Amin (AMR -FORT WORTH, TX) The hallmark of the evening was Monte Ford’s sincere comments about the struggles and challenges faced by American Muslims on a daily basis. “We cannot ignore the reality

for American Muslims that things are difficult outside,” Said Ford who is the Chief Information Officer at AMR, American Airline’s parent company. The program organized by Muslim Employees Resource Group (MERG) at AMR, was attended by an estimated 120 employees and guests.

Ford confessed that he attends this dinner every year because he “loves” the food. He said that American Airlines has created a culture where diversity is valued and appreciated. Although the program is for celebration of Eid-Al-Fitr and Muslim employees enjoy a rewarding environment at AMR, he felt like it was important to talk about current atmosphere of Islamophobia outside. “My wife said, don’t do it,” however, he affirmed his belief that Muslims should and must be given equal rights and respect “to practice their faith” in this country. Notable guests also included Lauri Curtis, VP Diversity & Leadership Strategies at AMR, , Bayyinah Institute’s CEO Nouman Ali Khan, Colleyville Masjid’s imam Nasir Jangda, Irving Masjid’s imam Zia Sheikh, Cetner Masjid’s imam Hasan Khalil.

Keynote speaker Nouman Ali Khan discussed misconceptions created by Muslims and others due to lack of linguistic understanding of the Quran. Khan said that Muslims are equally responsible for misinformation about Islam in the West, by not learning the Quran in Arabic and relying only on various translations. He emphasized the depth and excellence of Arabic and its crucial relation with understanding religious and Quranic text. MERG officials thanked AMR for providing equal opportunities and religious freedom to Muslim employees. ....................................................................... Comments? Email to dallas@myCrescent.com

Job Opening at Amoud Foundation irving, Texas Position Title: Executive Director Location: Irving, Texas

Closing Date: October 11, 2010 Minimum Requirements: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; minimum five years’ experience as a manager with proven leadership in developing and implementing organizational budgets, office administration, internal and external communication. Must have excellent knowledge of Islam and its guiding principles; must have proven skills as a motivational speaker; must be fluent in English and Arabic; must be able to work a fluctuating schedule based on the needs of a growing charitable organization; must be able to travel based on the needs of the foundation; proficiency in use of computers and office management applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint; proven experience in community engagement; ability to work with a diverse community of varying cultures. Compensation: A competitive salary that is commensurate with qualifications and experience. How to Apply? Interested candidates can send a current resume to amoudfoundation@ymail.com no later than close of business on October 11, 2010. Other: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); selected candidate will be subject to a criminal background check.

education

BIG Personalities in Little Bodies

What your preschooler says now can define who they’ll be in 20 years By Annie Ghazi By the time your child is heading to kindergarten she’ll have a good head on her shoulders – whether you’re attuned to it or not, because the basic characteristics of her personality are now well defined . What your child says, does and believes during their pre-schooling age can be a blanket preview of what’s to come twenty years down the road. This may seem rather abstruse, but decades of research and study have concluded that children solidify their underlying personality by the age of 6. Minor alterations in their behavior will arise along the way, but their raw judgment, values, and ideas have congealed. Parental influence during infancy & toddler years are precedent, but an overwhelming number of 3-6 year olds are engaged by some form of child-care service. Under compulsion several families must utilize such services, but many others find it imperative their preschooler is in an educational environment that nurtures good personality traits and prepares them for schooling. In fact, in recent years we’ve noticed a significant emphasis on preschool education on a national scale. According to the House of Representatives Green Book from 2000 there was a spike in the number of mothers who participated in the labor force within the last quarter-century, which accounts for the surge in child-care services. But this unexpected change in family dynamics converted the quantifying child-care needs into qualitative needs. This was due to parents increased desire for improved, more customized services inclusive of early childhood education. Now there are well

over a hundred thousand child-care centers with educational programs in 28 U.S. states alone (Green Book, 2000). So one may ask why schooling for preschoolers is necessary. And what preschool education does for my child? World renowned psychologists such as Erik Erickson and Sigmund Freud determined that human beings experience an array of developmental stages. During the preschool years, Erikson notes that play is a vital contributor to a child’s understanding of social exchange, value systems and more. Unlike a two-year-old who, within a circle of peers plays individually, a three-year old will begin associating with her classmates, offer ideas even adopt their standards.

These ideas formed a more holistic academia during a stage when the adoption of values, ideas, skills, and standards in children is instilled. With statistics presenting that a majority of children under the age of 3 are provided in-home care, it is more likely that the three years after children will spend between 35-40 hours in non-parent care outside the in a child-care center. Backtracking, as mothers within society spent more time in the workforce, experts like Dr. Maria Montessori intertwined anthropological and psychological ideas in education. These ideas formed a more holistic academia during a stage when the adoption of values, ideas, skills, and standards in children is instilled (Smith, 1912).

To ascertain how children exhibit their personal traits we asked preschool parent Uzma Khan about her daughter. “She is assertive, knows what she wants, and is not afraid to communicate (her thoughts).” Ayesha is fouryears old and spends nearly a third of her week in a Preschool Program at Good Tree Academy, where her parents feel, “(she) learns new things… socializes, and is (gaining) a good experience and foundation that will lay the grounds for conceptualizing education in years to come.” Ayesha’s mom feels that her daughter, by way of this academic experience, has assumed a strong sense of identity, which in many unfortunate circumstances children are deprived of due to the lack of a structured environment and peer interaction (policymanac.org, 2010). Although a child’s personality will be based on factors other than just schooling, a well-coordinated academic program affording spontaneity, respite, and achievement promise more wholesome development. In this scenario, it’s not that parents

play less of a role, rather it’s a different role – by supporting the educational philosophy – especially when it comes to boundaries, structure, roles, and responsibilities. When choosing an educational service at the preschool level, it is crucial to acquaint oneself with whether or not the program’s value system relate to yours. This synchronization will ensure your child flourishes emotionally, socially, and academically no matter how big their personality. ....................................................................... Brought to you in part by the Yusuf Ziya Kavakci Institute. www.yzkinstitute.org

azizah magazine 10 years

From Page 01 >> . I wanted some media where Muslim women are portrayed positively. When you see the portrayal of Muslim women in media, it’s usually negative; few are positive images or women that you want to emulate. They’re usually someone you want to pity or be afraid of or someone who’s oppressed. I wanted to create a publication where Muslim women could go to and have a conversation about their issues instead of others having conversation about them.

I chose (the word) Azizah because of its classic Arabic meaning as the dearness and the strength, which I think is the epitome of the perfect women. She is both dear and strong. You also will find an Azizah in every single Muslim community in the world. Q: Has the mission of the magazine changed since its debut? A: Nope, it’s stayed the same. I think there are other results of the magazine other than connecting women, other than being the vehicle for voice. It also helped destroy some of the stereotypes of Muslim women, both inside and outside [the] Muslim community;, and it has taught people who Muslim women are. It’s not the mission we set out to do, but is some of the results and affects of the magazine. When we write an article it’s written for Muslim women; it’s not written for other people. However, that doesn’t mean when other people read it, they aren’t affected. We have Muslim men who are readers; we have readers who aren’t Muslim but read to find out who Muslim women are. Who the Muslim woman is? Q: What has the experience been like be-

ing all Muslim women writing for Muslim women? A: A very powerful one. We’ve met some phenomenal Muslim women who are doing amazing things. Part of our joy of creating this magazine is introducing these Muslim women to the world. The first woman in the world to go up into outer space as a private space explorer was a Muslim woman, Anousheh Ansari. There are Muslim women who are presiding over Muslim courts. We have a Muslim woman who was on President Barak Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partner-

ships. We have Muslim women who are scholars of American constitutional law, as well as Islamic law. We have women who are doing spectacular things, and it’s both our responsibility and our privilege to introduce them to other Muslim women, as well as the world. Q: You make quite a bold statement on the website saying “It’s more than a magazine, It’s a catalyst for empowerment.” What does this statement mean? A: It means that the magazine allows women to see the possibilities in their lives and gives them permission to explore those possibilities. Often times, we are limited by either ideas internalized from mainstream media about us to ideas internalized by the Muslim community about who we should be. Azizah demonstrates possibilities that we have as Muslim women and the power that we have as Muslim women. I think it’s a powerful combination – being Muslim and being a female in North America. On our American side, we have this legacy of freedom of speech and freedom of movement and academics. A legacy of critical thinking where we question things; those things aren’t always present in many Muslim countries. On our Islamic side, we have the legacy of spiritual agency and autonomy, and that combination is really powerful. We are these autonomous spiritual beings with agency and freedom of speech and freedom of movement to contribute to not only our community but to our country and the world. With that realm of possibility there really is a positive affect. Women pick up the magazine and will say ‘Wow, I didn’t know we had a Muslim

women archaeologists or Muslim women who are judges.” And they will be astounded because they never saw us in that light. Q: What is “Azizah?” A: We chose the name “Azizah,” because at the time that the magazine was launched, there was a trend in the magazine industry to name women’s magazines after women. There is Jane, Marie-Claire, Victoria, etc. I chose Azizah because of its classic Arabic meaning as the dearness and the strength, which I think is the epitome of the perfect women. She is both dear and strong. You also will find an Azizah in every single Muslim community in the world. In some communities, you only find ethnic centric names, but this is a name you find everywhere from China to India to Pakistan to Turkey to Lebanon to the United States. It speaks to the versatility of Islam and the Muslim women’s experience. ....................................................................... Anum Hussain is a sophomore at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts studying Broadcast Journalism. She joined The Lone Star Crescent as a freelance writer in July 2010. Anum’s family descends from Pakistan and she currently lives in Windham, New Hampshire.

opinion

Marriage & Ethnic Bias In The Muslim “Community”

By Halimah Shaheed As a young girl growing up a in Muslim American family, you feel as if you have options. As if there are choices for the type of boy or rather man that you will eventually marry. There is little doubt in a young girl’s mind that there is someone out there for you. In fact, a lot of the other Muslim families have boys in them, so for sure there will be matches made within your community or a nearby masjid. However, as you get older, you begin to see the separations and divisions within the Muslim “community.” Of course,

there is the obligatory separation of boys and girls, until the moment you step outside of the masjid walls, but that is not the separation I am referring to. There are the less obvious divisions between races, ethnicities, and countries

of origin. At first, I didn’t notice this because my parents were converts in the AfricanAmerican community, and pretty much everyone in our immediate surroundings were the same. When I was a teenager, we stopped going to the predominantly black masjid and joined the greater Muslim community. Our new masjid had much more diversity; Muslims from all around the world. One would think this would increase the number of choices for marriage. However, it didn’t really seem to work out that way. For the most part Arabs married other Arabs, Africans married other Africans, and

Pakistanis married other Pakistanis. But when I was a teenager it didn’t matter to me. I figured marriage would happen eventually, to a good Muslim man, regardless of ethnic background. When I was in college and in my early 20s, I felt as if being single was still by my own choosing. I thought there was no reason to concern myself with marriage prospects when I was focused on my college education. Granted there were Muslim girls and boys around my age getting married, but I was still young, so why worry? I didn’t realize there was anything to worry about. Then when I reached my late 20s; I looked around and the choice to be single or married seemed to have been taken out of my hands. When did that happen? I got on some marriage websites and talked to people for leads on single men. There were barely any around to be found, and the ones that were were single, were single for a reason. Of course, there was some non-single brothers looking for wives, but I digress. I couldn’t find any even for a meeting. Yet, there were still the same, Arabs marrying Arabs, African’s marrying Africans, and Pakistanis marrying Pakistanis; however, I was not raised that way. My parents would be happy for any good Muslim man to marry one of their five daughters. As it stands today most Imams encourage people to marry and live outside of these ethnic divides. After-all, isn’t that what

our religion teaches. That a person is to be judge by their righteousness and nearness to God. Nothing else. That no skin color or cultural background is superior to another. God doesn’t speak a certain language, wear certain clothes, and eat one type of food. So what is the need to “preserve” these traditions by having your daughters only marry within your ethnicity? Does having your grandchildren speak your native tongue equate to them being righteously guided? Is there an inherent benefit to being “pure” of race? Many preach about the oneness of this ummah, but not so many embrace it when it comes to allowing different muslims into their homes and families. It might actually be beneficial to expand your ties. Why not start in your own home? Breaking down racial divides and really finding the truth that we are all ONE people. Everyone on this earth. None better than another because of the language they speak, the part of the world they were born in, or how many generations of Islam they can claim. We will never be free of hatred and bigotry, if Muslims, the most enlightened people on the planet, cannot reject these things within our own “community.” Hmmm, so what’s a girl . . . ummm, I mean, woman in her 30s to do? People tell me to “put myself out there”. . . out where? I know some of the places women put themselves out in, and I’m not going there. But there has to be some middle ground. A place between desperately hooking up with any Muslim person’s relative who wants to marry you or wants to marry someone like you or would be willing to marry any woman with your stats and hooking up with a normal-seeming non-Muslim American guy. There has to be a better way. I just haven’t found it yet. But if you do, let me know, because I am still looking.

opinion

Harvard’s Godless Education Has Caused American Leadership To Suffer By Robert Canright To find our way out of our persistent economic recession, we must solve the riddle of the American Leadership Crisis that caused our recession. Harvard University has a conspicuous presence in the hallways of power. Harvard shares the blame for our recession because it educated the U.S. President and the Secretary of the Treasury who enabled Wall Street bankers to crash our economy. If we can solve the riddle of how Harvard succeeds in educating people to acquire power, yet fails in educating people to make good decisions, then we are one step closer to solving the American Leadership Crisis. There is no doubt that Harvard is the face of the American political establishment. Lawrence Summers, Director of the National Economic Council, and Ben Bernanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve, are Harvard graduates. Summers was Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton and was President of Harvard after that. Presidents Barak Obama and George W. Bush are both Harvard graduates. We forget that Vietnam was a Harvard war: Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and Gen. William Westmoreland both had Harvard M.B.A.s. Six of the nine justices of the Supreme Court graduated from Harvard Law School, the other three are from Yale University. There is no doubt that Harvard graduates dominate positions of political power more effectively that graduates from Yale or Princeton University, yet Yale and Princeton graduates do not fail as spectacularly as the Harvard graduates. We must understand why Harvard graduates stumble so often if we hope to solve the American Leadership Crisis.

The acquisition of political power by Harvard graduates is part of the New Religion of Harvard, described by its President Eliot in 1905 Studying the history of Harvard, we find it was founded in 1636 to educate ministers, primarily of the Puritan Christian sect. In 1805, a non-Christian group called the Unitarians took over the administration of the University. In 1838, Ralph Waldo Emerson, a Unitarian, delivered a distinctly anti-Christian speech to the seniors of the Harvard Divinity School. In 1905, Charles W. Eliot, the President of Harvard and a Unitarian, delivered a speech to the Harvard Divinity School on “The Religion of the Future.” In describing the religion of the future, Eliot denounced the idea of a creator God who is a source of salvation, denounced the existence of Satan, and denied there existed a god who listens to our prayers. Eliot said that god was just an infinite spirit permeating the universe, like the Chinese concept of Chi. One could say that Harvard lost its direction. Eliot said that the universe imparts more of this Infinite Spirit to influential persons: the powerful are superior souls. Eliot said the priests of his New Religion will be people “trained in the best methods of improving the social and industrial conditions of human life.” Eliot also said, “the devotees of a religion of service will always be asking what they can contribute to the common good.” So Eliot gave Harvard a clarion call to service, public service, which translates into political power. The acquisi-

tion of political power by Harvard graduates is part of the New Religion of Harvard, described by its President Eliot in 1905.

We can learn from what Harvard does right. We can develop an animating spirit to strengthen our determination as we wrestle control away from Harvard. In many contests I have seen superior will power and determination triumph over superior talent. The graduates of Princeton and Yale are just as smart as the Harvard graduates, but the Harvard graduates possess a superior drive to power based, I believe, on the animating spirit of the New Religion, a religion devoted to acquiring power. This animating spirit is what makes Harvard graduates successful in finding seats of power. But because the New Religion is a man-made affair, an exercise in the supreme hubris of putting aside the religions of the prophets for the New Religion of Harvard, Harvard graduates are doomed to exercise poor judgment at crucial times because God will never bless the works of men who believe they can replace God. We can learn from what Harvard does right. We can develop an animating spirit to strengthen our determination as we wrestle control away from Harvard. We can embrace our belief in Texas exceptionalism, the belief that Texas is a special state with a special destiny. We can learn from Harvard’s mistake and avoid falling into hubris by devoutly praying to God for wisdom and help. Texas can solve America’s leadership problem by working to displace Harvard from the hallways of power. The vision of Harvard exceptionalism described by Eliot is over 100 years old, so the contest for power might take a long time, but this contest for power is important for the survival of the American republic. It is important for our children’s future, and it is important for world peace because the world is not safe when America blunders badly. Among the fruits of a triumphant Texas will be: a more perfect union, establishing justice, insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity. What more can one ask for? .......................................................................

Robert Canright is a writer, educator, scientist, mathematician, and engineer. Canright has taught math in Texas public schools and taught circuit theory to engineering students at a university. He has done Research & Development at a Fortune 50 company, as well as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, and systems engineering. He has been a candidate for the Plano ISD Board of Trustees and has written a philosophy book: “Achieve Lasting Happiness.” Canright holds degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and mathematics. He is a licenced professional engineer in electrical engineering.

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my pilgrimage to mecca By dr. zuBair fattaNi, phd For centuries, millions of Muslims from around the world have made their journey to Mecca, literally the center of the world to perform the pilgrimage known as Hajj. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and is an obligation upon every Muslim male or female once in their lifetime. Hajj ceremonies occur during six days, between the eighth and the 13th days, of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah. Hajj is the largest religious gathering in the world, drawing Muslims from more than 100 nations. Every year, more than two million Muslims, who are financially and physically able, make their journey to Mecca to perform Hajj. Visa records from the Embassy of Saudi arabia show that about 7,000 american Muslims took part in the pilgrimage last year with the numbers steadily increasing each year, according to the council on american-Islamic Relations. During Hajj several ceremonies are performed that are symbolic of the teachings of Islam and date back to the trials of Prophet abraham and his family. according to the Qur’an, Prophet abraham and his oldest son Ismael built the Ka’aba, which is the qibla or direction Muslims face

in prayer five times a day. The rituals of Hajj were established by Prophet abraham (pbuh) and commemorate the trials in his life and that of his wife Hajar and their son Ismael. There are several obligatory and optional activities that are performed during Hajj. The first rite of Hajj begins when a pilgrim makes their niyyah, or intention to perform Hajj and enters into a state of self-control called ihram, during which it is forbidden to harm living creatures or even raise the voice in anger. a distinctive feature of the Islamic pilgrimage is that all male pilgrims are clothed in two pieces of unsown white cloths, also called the ihram in Arabic. There is no specific requirement for women, who usually dress in simple clothes. The ihram represents equality and purity and is not taken off until the pilgrimage is complete. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “He who performs Hajj and neither spoke indecently nor did he act wickedly would return free of sin as on the (very first) day his mother gave birth to him.” Upon arriving in Mecca, Muslims perform the initial tawaf, the circling of the Ka’aba, which is known as the house of God. The Ka’aba is viewed as the first sanctuary on earth dedicated to the worship

of one God. While circling, pilgrims say “Labbayka Allahumma Labbayk,” which translates as, “Here I am at your service, o God, Here I am!” another rite includes the sa’i, or hastening seven times between two hills As-Safa and Al-Marwa near the Ka’aba, to commemorate Hajar’s search for water to offer her son Ismael. Hajar had rushed between these two hills when she was looking for water for her son in the desert and then was blessed by God with a spring in the middle of the desert. During the second day, the 9th of Dul-Hijjah, pilgrims go to the plain of ‘arafat for the wuquf, the standing, the climax of the Hajj where pilgrims assemble for supplication to God. Some gather at the Mount of Mercy where the Prophet (pbuh) delivered his Farewell Sermon. The Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have asked God to forgive the sins of pilgrims who stood at ‘arafat, and his wish was granted. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “The Hajj which is accepted will receive no other reward than Paradise.” at Mina, pilgrims stone three pillars representing Satan’s temptation of abraham to disregard God’s command to sacrifice his son. Pilgrims throw seven stones at each of these pillars. The stoning indicates the pilgrim’s rejection of evil

deeds. according to some traditions, this practice is associated with Prophet abraham (pbuh). The completion of Hajj is then symbolized by the cutting of the hair. Men either shave their heads or cut their hair and women clip a symbolic lock. The culmination of Hajj is marked by Eid ul-adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, which is celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Pilgrims sacrifice an animal in remembrance of Prophet abraham’s (pbuh) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael at God’s command. Pilgrims sacrifice a sheep in reenactment of the story of abraham, who, in place of his son, sacrificed a sheep that God had provided as a substitute. The meat is distributed to help the needy and for family and relatives. The pilgrims return to Makkah to end the formal rites of Hajj by performing a final tawaf and sa’i. last year, I had the honor of performing Hajj with my wife through carvan e Haram. The experience has no mirror in terms of anything else in the duniya, world. I urge you to make an intention to preform this auspicious task with your parents, spouse, or children. I pray that allah (swt) grants you the privilege of performing Hajj at least once in your lifetime.

Around The World For Eid 2010 By aBooBaker eBrahim “o Mankind! we have created you from a single pair of male and female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other.” Quran (49:13) In a triumphant and tumultuous 2010 we saw the successful staging of the FIFa world cup amongst 32 nations by South africa in its colossal stadiums with Spain winning the finals, and the continent of africa was allowed to believe itself free from the monotony of war, famine, genocide and death. We also saw the freedom flotilla to Gaza and Palestine attacked on the high seas in violation of international law. We saw President Barak obama’s bold outreach to the Muslim world, and the Swiss vote against Minarets. We also witnessed Haiti emerging from the earthquake it suffered. We also saw the worst flooding in Pakistan in more than a hundred years affecting 20 million people. We saw the Deep Water Horizon oil rig exploding in the Gulf of Mexico, causing an environmental disaster. We saw the denial of a permit by a city in Florida to a pastor intent on burning the Holy Quran. We also saw the rise of Islamophobia on all levels and consequently an increased scrutiny and a growing hostility towards Islam in general. In an era of increasing amounts of negative media coverage causing much anxiety and reflection, we must all work at challenging how Muslims are portrayed. With marginal and extreme views gaining momentum, all assumptions should be challenged. It is the responsibility of all Muslims and those of other beliefs to lead by example in working to eradicate negative perceptions, prejudice, and hostility. The importance of interfaith dialogue and building coalitions with other faith groups continues to grow. The catalyst for building communal relationships and breaking down

religious stereotypes is dialogue, and this is a shared responsibility. Because of current events pertaining to building a Mosque at Ground Zero, Park 51 or the cordoba Initiative, there is a national debate going on which involves citizens, organizations, the faith community, politicians, the media, municipal and administrative boards, mayors, congressmen, senators, and now even the president. all of this because Imam abdul Rauf is propagating peaceful coexistence and proposing to establish an Islamic center in New york. Muslims want to live in peace and harmony, with respect for all faiths in this great nation. They want to construct an Islamic center to promote interfaith dialogue. The United States of america was built on religious freedom. It must be remembered that discrimination against different religious and ethnic groups dates back to the founding of the colonies. However, under the constitution, Muslims have the right to practice their religion and construct places to worship, as does everyone else. our constitution does not favor one religion over another and the values and traditions expressed in the First amendment stipulating Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Religion must endure. Islam in america has a broad spectrum of believers representing one of the most diverse communities in the world. Muslims and Muslim organizations strongly condemned the 9/11 attack on the World Trade center and sympathized deeply with all of the victims of that tragic event. We thank President obama and Mayor Mike Bloomberg and others who support their stance on the Freedom of Religion and the separation of church and state. Together with the Major Muslim organizations and the Islamic leadership council which announced their support recently, we should also support Imam abdul Rauf of New york and others involved on the establishment

of an Islamic center dedicated to interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence. ...................................................................... Aboobaker Ebrahim is a former islamic Association of North Texas (iANT) Board member and has been its member for the past 30 years. he may be reached at abaker7861@yahoo.com.

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travel

HORSESHOE BAY IS A PLACE FOR A FAMILY TO PLAY By Sonia Laflamme When our family decided it was time for a break, we headed to the Texas hill country. Known as the natural playground for Texans, the hills and the lakes are beautiful with every sort of outdoors activity at a visitor’s fingertips – be it hiking or fishing. Four hours away from Dallas, Horseshoe Bay was a welcome trip that we eagerly anticipated. Too bad it was only for two days. We booked a room at the luxurious Horseshoe Bay Resort Marriott, which sits on the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ). Our excitement mounted as we saw the surrounding scenery. When we arrived, we first settled into our hotel room, which was equipped with a king-sized bed. It was comfortable, and we had a rollaway bed for our son, Zakaria. As guests of the Marriott, we had full access to all of the resort’s amenities; however, one of the best features didn’t require being part of the resort’s package – the fabulous view of the lake as it shimmers in the sun. It was soon clear why the resort is described as first class; it has everything a tourist needs, including three championship golf courses. Golf Magazine cites it as one of the best golf resorts in the country. Whitewater, the 18-hole, Bermuda-grass putting course, has waterfalls, and a flock of flamingos call it home. If you want to relax at a spa, there’s a wide range of body treatments and massages with eucalyptusscented steam rooms. The resort also has 16 tennis courts, plus three courts designed for children. Fishing also is availale on Lake LBJ, and the gorgeous marina is the place to rent kayaks, wave runners, ski boats, and other kinds of watercrafts. We were blessed with gloriously sunny weather, and our first thought was to splash around in the Paseo Pool, which is outside the hotel. Pool toys, such as floaters and pool noodles, were provided at no extra cost. There is a hot tub, too, and a fitness center next door. We enjoyed the breakfast buf-

fet at the Latana Grill & Bar, which is the main restaurant at the hotel, though there are plenty of others. The buffet was more elaborate than your standard continental spread, and the menu included an American breakfast, a Tex-Mex breakfast, as well as a Cajun one. Diners also can order eggs benedict, pancakes, or Belgian waffles. We ate on the terrace overlooking the pool, surrounded by fountains and palm trees. The resort organizes activities for children through their Kids’ Club. Catering to children aged 4 to 12, it was perfect for Zakaria, and it kept him entertained. We took him to Arts & Crafts where, for a small fee, parents can leave their kids. Our budding artist proudly showed us his picture of a lizard when we returned.

The Texas Family Fun Package Deal is a terrific value. Along with the accommodations, there are some extra additional discounts, including a 50 percent one for the Kids’ Club. The resort has other packages including deals for golf, romance, spa, and one with room only rates. There are four swimming pools in total, with the the hotel’s indoor pool is heated and lit up with fiber optic lights. One of pools, the Cap Rock Pool, has a 30-foot cascading waterfall; however, we spent most of our time at the Yacht Club Pool & Beach where we relaxed on the deck in the shade and watched Zakaria play on the white sand beach by the lake. The outdoor pool is a lagoon design with a large whirlpool, and we enjoyed our long cool drinks

and snacks from the pool cabana. The location of the Marriott is ideal for visiting nearby small towns and the countryside in the “Golden Triangle” of Texas. Marble Falls, with its scenic waterfalls and lakes, is just minutes away. The Hill Country is also popular for its many events, festivals, and live music concerts.

Though, we only had a couple of days at Horseshoe Bay, we anticipate our return for a longer vacation. The Marriott has put a lot of thought into the resort and spa. You can’t beat Horseshoe Bay for a relaxing break – fantastic countryside, wonderful comfort, good food and sunshine are a combination that suited us fine. Another reason to return is that it doesn’t break the bank. It’s so kid friendly and perfect for families, particularly if parents are in need of a rest! ....................................................................... For more information about the Horseshoe Bay Resort & Spa visit their website at www.hsbresort.com.

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