Islam

I just completed reading the graveyard of empires and have came to the conclusion that we can't win in Afghanistan; we have two choices stay there for the long haul or make a deal with the Taliban. So the only way for us to exit the war are two hard choices. Make peace with the enemy or stay until the Afghan security forces are capable of holding their on. I don't honestly believe in the next thirty years the Afghan security forces will be able to take control and protect their people from the Taliban and their allies. Speaking to my dear friend who is there fighting, I can only repeat what he told me about the AGSF which is that they are either high on drugs or can't shoot straight nor does the Kabul government have the funds to pay for a large enough Army/police force which can operate on their own.

Whether spoken or unspoken the gist of the objections over the construction of Cordoba House, a community center geared toward the Muslim population in Manhattan, is that the acts of terrorism which lead to the destruction of the World Trade Center's twin towers were acts of Islam carried out by Muslims. Therefore, anything having to do with Islam or Muslims should be kept far away from "ground zero", the area where the towers once stood, because this might somehow affirm or endorse that which caused the terrible destruction and loss of life. The analogy would be akin to not wanting to grant a neo-Nazi the right to build a headquarters next to Auswitch.

But does the analogy fit?

I usually don't bother replying to this crap but I've had a rough few days and I didn't feel like offering the other cheek, bent over or otherwise.

Still, I thought I was pretty polite. Click on the thumbnail to embiggen.

That was polite, right?

The Psyche of a gay Muslim By Bashir Al-hamim for my friend

I first saw him and was struck by his soulful eyes, he a round melancholy face
He wore an 80’s porn star style moustache back in the 50’s
He was the silent type never talking always observing the world
He was a fierce man of passion; we loved but never committed the act of love with me
He was afraid he’d burn in hell for being true to himself
He was drinking Coco in Paris when I first saw him, ahh those round brown lips
I think back to that moment and repeat to myself on how beautiful he was
Once a year for forty years we met in this small musty smelling café and loved
He was a poet of sorts a fellow truly never at home in this world
For years we always stayed in a damp cold hotel, for years I begged him to hold me for years he refused, but he did love me thou he never spoke the words
When we first met he was a chain smoking fool with suicidal thoughts

I feel a sense of frustration and like a failure because everything that has happened over the course of my marriage. (I start to cry as I right this) I feel like a batter in World Series that has struck-out for the final time with two teammate on base and two outs. I went into marriage ill prepared for the true difficulties that arises and how to handle them. In my marriage their were so many demons that rose from two broken childhoods; my wife and I battled the buried ghost of abused and neglected children which took their adult form in us. I suppose I didn’t truly have a great example in my own father who many years was a great dad then who turned into a drug user and deadbeat in time I became him in my own way. Thou I did gain a great father figure in the form of an uncle who I love and call “pops”, he’s the father I hope to be! I could just copout and blame a broken childhood for everything but I am a big believer in personal responsibility for ones actions.

Let's party like it's 1431! Because it, you know, is.
What's with the no celebration of the new year thing? I've always wondered about that. The eidayn are great, really, but they lack the frivolity one needs to really have a good time. With the obligations, the recommended sunan, etc it's definitely more rite than party. And everyone needs a good party.

With the eidayn, one must rise and get all gussied up early in the morning. I don't know about you, but if I must be presentable before seven, I'm out cold by noon. Not exactly conducive to hitting the party circuit. And the whole eating sweets, making sure you've paid zakat-ul fitr, and mapping out different routes to and from the eidgah? I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but the only thing I want to map out for a party is the shortest route to the dance floor. And before you ask, Schenectady does dance with his mama.

As an American Muslim I celebrate national holidays thanksgiving, Veterans Day, and secular Christmas. I was wondering when the opportunity arises how should I spend and introduce it to my son? (I’d like some suggestions) I was raised in a spiritual Christian family; where we celebrated both the religious and secular xmas. What I have in mind is teaching him about the greater Christmas spirit of giving unto others and volunteering. I also want to introduce him to the Christmas meal, picking a tree and decorating it, the gathering of family, gift giving. I’d tech the Quranic version of the Isha story while teaching him to respect the differences between the verious traditons. Is there anyway to put an Islamic spend on xmas?

As-salaamu alaykum

I had completely forgotten I use to post here. My life on the Net waned and died, focusing on little else but Second Life. It was a demise reflecting the fact I was suffering from severe Vitamin D defficiency, unbeknown to me, for which I was self-medicating with codeine, until I eventually became addicted. Last Summer, I went cold turkey, had lots of tests, got a medical diagnosis (instead of being dismissed as a looney), plus we finally got help looking after my disabled son. Nine months on, and I am beginning to feel human again. The world is drifting back into focus.

The book

From the back cover of “Mother of the Believers: A Novel of the Birth of Islam”

Deep in the heart of seventh-century Arabia, a new prophet named Muhammad has arisen. As his message of enlightenment sweeps through Arabia and unifies the warring tribes, his young wife Aisha recounts Muhammad’s astonishing transformation from prophet to warrior to statesman. But just after the moment of her husband’s greatest triumph – the conquest of the holy city of Mecca – Muhammad falls ill and dies in Aisha’s arms. A young widow, Aisha finds herself at the center of the new Muslim empire and becomes by turns a teacher, political leader, and warrior.

Novelized Islam

By his own admission, Kamran Pasha thinks this book is going to be controversial. “I have no doubt,” he writes in a recent article, “That the book WILL generate controversy and create a passionate debate among both Muslims and non-Muslims, as there are aspects of my novel that will offend people in both communities.”

Promoted to the front page

I get home to my apartment, turn on my computer, check my e-mail, and see that I have a comment on one of my Facebook pictures. I look at the comment, and it says the following:

إنشاء الله تهترئ بنار جهنم يا شاذ
you don't have the right to talk about islam. not ever! read about 'قوم لوط'.

Now, before I even saw the message, I knew it was gonna be some homophobic stuff because I've gotten messages like this from this guy before. Who, for some odd reason, friended me on Facebook...and one day left a message on my wall that said "homo" and nothing else. Incidentally, this guy is also friends with two other (gay) FB friends of mine.