For those who don’t know, former Muslim convert Umar Lee, is (or should I saywas) a well known blogger in the “Islamic” blogosphere. I must admit, I do not know “Mr. Lee” personally, but I have read some of his writings and heard about him from those who know him personally. First of all, I didn’t agree with most of what Mr. Lee said while he was a so-called “Muslim” because most of it was extreme “Salafi” or “Wahabi” methodology; ... Read more
Last year, I went to Pakistan after 25 years and to Lahore for the first time ever. My father was from Karachi, but since most of my relatives are here in the U.S. now, we did not have much reason to visit Pakistan. My wife’s family is from Lahore, so since we both had the time to go last year, we decided to make a last minute trip. This will be the first part in a series, chronicling my eye-opening... Read more
Recently I interviewed Amin Aaser, 24 and Mohammed Aaser, 27 – the Business school graduates and founders of “Noor Kids” books for Muslim children. They talk about how their passion, desire and hobby for creating an alternative educational book for their own children has turned into a full time job. 1. Why did you start “Noor Kids” My brother and I felt compelled to. Like it was something of a duty, given that nothing like it exists currently. Growing up... Read more
Recently, my wife and I had our first child, a baby boy we named Mustafa, on Nov. 20th, 2012. In the Islamic faith it is custom, but not a requirement to perform an Aqiqah or sacrifice of a goat(s) to thank God for the blessing of a new child in the family. In our tradition, 1 goat is sacrificed for a girl and 2 goats are sacrificed for a boy. These are only the suggested minimums set by our Prophet... Read more
There have been a lot of discussions going on lately online among Americans, including American Muslims on whether to vote in this year’s presidential elections. Many people, especially Muslims feel that President Obama has disappointed them, thus they will not vote to help re-elect him for a second term. Still others believe that it is no use for us to vote because either party will not help us American Muslims out and a few people also think that it is Haram... Read more
Recently I read Fawaz A. Gerges’ latest book, “Obama and the Middle East: The End of America’s Moment?” (2012). Gerges is a professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics & Political Science. I must admit, that I was skeptical at first, and did not think there would be anything new, but after reading it, I was shocked to learn some of the insights on US foreign policy over the past almost 70 years since World War II.... Read more
Islam and Muslims have been in the news often over the past 11 years. Ever since the tragic events of Sept. 11th, 2001, the US Media has been fascinated to know what the Qur’an – the holy scriptures of Islam, actually teaches and instructs it’s followers to do. Many Muslims, as well as Non-Muslims, unfairly take quotes from the Qur’an out of context and use them to justify acts of violence, ill treatment of people of other faiths, and oppression of... Read more
Here are some good recipes for EID day. These came from Cooking Fanatic Nyela G. in Mississauga, Canada. She can be reached via email at maplemasala16@gmail.com Sheer Korma (“Milk with Dates” in Urdu – it is a popular sweet dish eaten on the Morning of Eid) Ingredients: 5 cups milk 1/2 packet vermicelli noodles 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup blanched almonds 1/2 cup pistachios 4 small cardamom pods 1/4 cup raisins 1/2 cup oil Directions: In a pot, boil milk. Add... Read more
Does the first experience of Ramadan begin the same for everyone? It all depends on the time and where this all takes place. Consider the time to be during the year 1955 or early 1956, and the place was Oakland when I experienced my first month of fasting. I don’t remember for sure just what time of year it was since time has elapsed. The ordinary calendars said nothing about when Ramadan should begin. There was very little printed literature... Read more
Here are some good recipes for helping to recover from those long summer day fasts this Ramadan. These came from Cooking Fanatic Nyela G. in Mississauga, Canada. She can be reached via email at maplemasala16@gmail.com Suhoor (Pre-Dawn Meal): Figs with yogurt Ingredients · 1 cup full-fat yogurt · 1 orange · 1/2 cup of water · 2 cinnamon sticks · 5 whole cloves · ... Read more
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