current events

Today is November 5th, Guy Fawkes Night. It marks the day when a plot to attack Parliament and overthrow the British government was foiled. Four centuries later, the night is known less for high treason and more for high spirits. Perhaps in four hundred years, we Americans will feel a little less shocked and betrayed than we do tonight.
Nidal Malik Hassan may have had motivations that extended beyond his own life and troubles; the coming days may reveal that the impetus for this attack was personal. Whether he sought a fantastical paradise or simply the end of his own troubles cannot be known as of yet. What is known is that he paid for such base treachery with his life. He got off easy.

Please join us on Saturday at Numi Tea Gardens in Oakland California for Poetry and Music and Art. Salma Arastu reknown artist of Islamic themes will be signing her new book "Lyrical Line" and reading poetry. Sufi musician Shirzad Sharif will perform music and have copies of his new CD "The Alchemist" available for purchase. Salma will also be showing her art.

This event is free to the public
Please join us

Ali Al Jarrah is a character right out of a spy novel. Living two lives. Two wives, one poor and one rich. the poor one a mask for his subversive activities for the Israeli's. In all those years even his best friends did not know that he was selling photographs and information to Massad. The white haired man is unassuming and looks like any Lebonese business man , but his work is oh so much more evil. He is sitting today in
a jail in Lebonon having been captured by Hezbollah and turned over to the Lebonese army.

There's a line in one of the greatest "Bollywood" classics, written by the scions of a couple of the greatest South Asian literary families--sons of Urdu poets, to be precise--and delivered by a minor but unforgettable character, "Surma Bhopali" that goes "Yahaan hamaaree kya zaroorath hai; yahaan tho waisay hee aap kay naam ka warrant nikla huwa hai." [Who needs me? There's already a warrant out for your arrest.]

And that's the thought that's being going through my head as South Asia spirals downwards, some folks caution against jumping to conclusions, and others rally for peace. And I include the arguments over "Islamists did it. No, wait! Let's not jump to conclusions; it could be home grown!..." in that

God forgive us, now a priest has killed himself because we are irrational. People, keep an eye out for public demands that a "Moderate Muslim" step forward to apologize for his suicide and declare that it is not a Qur'anic injunction to scare priests to suicide through our mere existence. Then keep an eye out for said "Moderate Muslim" to chastise the rest of us for not coming forward and speaking out against this terrible ontological crime!

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p> Germany ponders pastor's grisly suicide

By BRIAN MURPHY, AP Religion Writer 34 minutes ago

We know this much: The 73-year-old pastor's last sermon focused on his fear that Christian Europe would be overwhelmed by Islam.

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My fascination with this guy is both his background, his recent decision to become a Muslim, his naivete in getting himself involved this mess, and he's cute.

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Everyone remembers the foiled plot that unfolded last month, but what most people may not know is that Don Stewart-Whyte (Abdul Waheed), age 21, is the brother of British model Heather Stewart-Whyte, both of them the children of a former Tory party agent.

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A 60th birthday gala for the late gay rock star Freddie Mercury was canceled Thursday on the east African island of Zanzibar, where Mercury was born, after outraged Muslims threatened to disrupt it, Agence France Presse reported.

On Wednesday, organizers said they would continue with the planned Sept. 2 event despite fierce opposition from Islamists, who said the lifestyle of Queen's flamboyant lead singer was offensive to many on the overwhelmingly Muslim archipelago. Organizers said Thursday they have no choice but to call it off.

One common tactic to dissuade people from doing something, anything, is to argue that it's frivolous, that there are better things to do, that with all the human suffering out there, why in the world are you leading prayer/listening to music/talking about love, life, etc.?

I won't waste time talking about how idiotic that argument is, but I will ask why I've not seen that tactic used in another fashion. Why is it only used against folk who are working for more personal freedom, or simply enjoying life? Why not turn that "Don't you think you should be focused on the poor?" on the imam who screams for an hour about lipstick, MTV, or Naseeb? I don't hear anyone use those lines against the hateful characters calling for death to America/Israel/Asra Nomani/Irshad Manji/etc. We can't be pansies- I'm sick of progressives being pushed around. So, here's what I want y'all to do:

1. Next time you hear someone spouting hateful nonsense, just say: well, I'm sure that's very important, but we need to focus on poverty/public health/ education/human rights/just about anything else first.

2. As they sputter for a rejoinder, seize the reins of the conversation, and steer it towards your suggested topic, or one related. Bonus points if you can get people to donate to the charity of your choice.

3. Pass on this topic, and repeat when needed.

Good.

Now, I promised a little something on the Fashion Jihad, and I'm not one to break my promises. One of the stated goals of the Fashion Jihad was to make sure that all who participate in beautifying the believers are paid well and treated fairly. Since we're not going to get makers of "Islamic" clothing to go organic and fair trade anytime soon, I looked up a few places that do have organic, fair trade clothing, and weeded out those that lack the modest clothing us Muslims crave. I included some Islamic sites that have natural clothing, maybe we can work on them.

Key:
$ - downright cheap
$$- moderately priced
$$$ - slightly expensive
$$$$ - maybe if you mugged Madonna.

One World is Enough
http://www.one-world-is-enough.net/
Casual, some stuff for work (unless you're an accountant), some dresses for evening
$$

Mehera Shaw
http://www.meherashaw.com/boutique/HOME/cat/collections/fall-winter
Casual, some stuff for work (unless you're an accountant.), evening wear
$$$

Al-Farah
http://www.al-farah.com/
Casual, work (based in US)
$$

Primo Moda
http://www.primomoda.com/
Casual, work, formal
$$$

Artizara
http://artizara.com/webcart11/index.php
Casual, work, formal (based in US)
$$

Crescent Moon Boutique
https://www.crescentmoonboutique.com/default.aspx
Casual, work, formal based in US (they use black models!)
$$