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From: newislamicdirections.com
As we daily witness President Barack Obama making history as the first American president of African descent, it is critical for us not to forget the giants whose sacrifices have made his ascent possible. One of the those giants is Muhammad Ali. Here is a poetic reflection I penned regarding his significance both inside, and more importantly, outside of the ring.
Part One: Ali the Fighter
He floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee,
the greatest fighter the world has yet to see.
... Read Full Story
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This poem is written by Hasna Abdul-Majid, the daughter of a longtime family friend, Saida Abdul-Majid. We first met them in Washington DC while I was a student at the American University. Hasna was born during those years. When we moved to New Jersey, I was pursuing a Masters Degree at Rutgers University, Hasna’s family stayed briefly with us as they were making their way to settle in Jersey City. One of the memorable experiences from those days was when little Hasna picked up a pair o... Read Full Story
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"I AM...” is a poem by Hamza Abdul Malik who is one of our young scholars. Hamza, has memorized the Qur’an in both Warsh and Hafs and has studied Arabic and Shari’ah in Syria, Yemen, and is currently studying in Egypt. He wrote this poem after his wife’s eighty-year old grandmother took Shahada!
I AM…
I am who I am because..
Allah made me who I am
I am that dirty vagabond who sleeps in the alley,
but if it wasn’t for my prayers…
God wou... Read Full Story
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The following comment is by a sister who responded to one of the postings we made concerning our visit to Mali. What she mentions here is applicable to all of the Muslim parts of Africa, with the possible exception of Egypt and some other parts of North Africa. Generally speaking, as Muslims we are grossly neglecting Africa, the first Muslim majority continent, while our coreligionists are covertly and overtly being robbed of their religion and cultural heritage. May we be blessed to be more ... Read Full Story
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They see no death, no blood, no pain;
too blinded by an ancient claim.
So take the land, destroy the man,
and bomb the babe in mothers’ hands,
Uproot the olive, kill the dove,
to Hell with charity and love.
When those twain die, so too does hope,
a victim of the hangman’s rope.
And who is there to fear the Reaper
when no one is his brothers keeper.
Our tribe we must ourselves protect
with murder, which we must perfect.
So goes that atavistic claim,
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This article is reprinted here from my book Scattered Pictures: Reflections of an American Muslim. It is hoped that it will add a new dimension to the evolving debate concerning the idea that the only strategic option available for Muslims, regardless of their strategic strength or weakness, or their status as a majority or minority population, is armed struggle.
Jihad is Not Perpetual Warfare
One of the fundamental ideas underlying the argument of those who advocate a clash of civiliza... Read Full Story
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As I pen these words, the people of Gaza are suffering a terrible fate. We pray that God brings them relief and replaces their state of insecurity and war with one of security and peace. As of yet, I have not found the words to write anything meaningful and intelligible about the situation. Perhaps, in the coming days, after I have returned from the current trip that has entered its third week, and I am in a more stable situation, personally, I can begin to make some sense of it all.
In th... Read Full Story
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The American people have spoken in a resounding voice, “YES WE CAN!” and with that refrain echoing into the night history was made as Senator Barack Hussein Obama was elected to serve as the next president of the United States. Senator Obama’s election as the first African American president illustrates that the politics of hope can trump the politics of fear, that every vote can and does count, that the youth of this nation are not a group of apathetic hedonists, and that t... Read Full Story
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Go forth romantic warrior,
to slay the beast of self.
Go forth into the field of life,
and relish in the wealth.
Go forth romantic warrior,
transcend the chains of time.
Go forth beyond this world of strife,
to learn of life sublime.
Go forth romantic warrior,
no more shall your heart bleed.
Go forth to find your love so rife,
intention is your deed.
The Road Home
If the road endures for one more bend,
or twist, before we reach the end.
If our hope endures for one more day,... Read Full Story
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The blog entry I wrote several days ago in defense of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf was based on my misunderstanding of the events leading up to Shaykh Hamza’s participation the malaria eradication program sponsored by the Tony Blair Foundation in Los Angeles, September 25, 2008. In reality, it was a lot of misunderstanding and a breakdown in communication that led to Shaykh Hamza’s participation in that event and not any treachery or deceit on the part of the organizers. The organizers trie... Read Full Story
