veiled4allah

Brass Crescent Awards

I am serving as a judge for the Brass Crescent Awards this year. What are the Brass Crescent Awards? They are named for the Story of the City of Brass in the Thousand and One Nights. Today, the Islamsphere is forging a new synthesis of Islam and modernity, and is the intellectual heir to the traditions of philosophy and learning that was once the hallmark of Islamic civilization - a heritage scarcely recognizable today in the Islamic world after a century's ravages of colonialism, tyrants, and religious fundamentalism. We believe that Islam transcends history, and we are forging history anew for tomorrow's Islam. These awards are a means to honor ourselves and celebrate our nascent community, and promote its growth. The categories this year are as follows: BEST BLOG: This category honors the most indispensable, Muslim-authored blog there is. Period. BEST WRITER: Who is the most stimulating, insightful, and philosophically wise among us? This category is intended to highlight a blogger who may not post daily, but when they do post, they really make an impact. BEST NON-MUSLIM BLOG: Which blog writen by a non-Muslim is most respectful of Islam and seeks genuine dialogue with Muslims? BEST BLOG DESIGN: Which blog has the most aesthetically pleasing site design, appealing to the eye, evoking Islamic themes, and/or facilitating debate and discussion? BEST POST OR SERIES: Which single post or group of posts in the Islamsphere was the most original and important, above all the others? BEST FEMALE BLOG: The woman's voice in Islam is equal to the man's, and in the Islamsphere we seek to make sure the female perspective is highlighted and given its rightful due. Which Muslim woman's blog has done the most to explore the role that women play within Islam and society? BEST NEW BLOG: Which blog is a true diamond in the rough, one that everyone should be reading but who most just haven't heard of (yet)? BEST GROUP BLOG: Which multiple group blog in the Islamsphere has the best diversity of writers and the most interesting debate on Muslim issues? BEST HUMOR BLOG: Which blog gets their point across by using humor in the most effective way? BEST MIDDLE EAST/AFRICAN, EUROPEAN, SOUTH ASIAN, AND ASIAN BLOGGERS: The Islamsphere is truly a global phenomenon. In Iraq, despite the chaos and uncertainty, there is a sea change of free speech and expression, the vanguard of which are blogs. There are also bloggers in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Palestine, Jordan, and most other countries that host Muslims, all of whom have their own perspectives on faith, culture, and politics. The nominations phase for all 13 categories is now underway, so head over and start nominating your favorite blogs now! Note, that the Awards methodology is slightly different this year: 1. Nomination phase (Wed Oct 1 - Fri Oct 24). Anyone with a valid email address may nominate blogs to appropriate categories. Blogs may only be nominated once for any given category. We also encourage you to nominate your own blog! 2. Panel phase (Fri Oct 24th to Fri Nov 7th). The top nominees in each category will be forwarded to the judges' panel, who will review the nominees and select the finalists. 3. Voting phase (Fri Nov 7 to Fri Dec 1). 4. Winners will be announced at brasscrescent.org around Eid ul-Adha.

first Muslim Congressperson?

alt.muslim profiles Keith Ellison, an African-American Muslim running for Congress in Minnesota:

With his endorsement last week by the Minnesota DFL (affiliated with the Democratic Party), two-term state legislator Keith Ellison is well positioned to succeed retiring Congressman Martin Sabo in Minnesota's heavily Democratic Fifth District and make history as America's first Muslim member of Congress. Running on a progressive platform that some liken to the late Senator Paul Wellstone, Ellison doesn't emphasize his Muslim faith, but he doesn't shy away from it either. "It's good for people to see a reasonable, moderate face of Islam," said Ellison, who has worked with the local Muslim community to promote civic participation.

Ellison was also profiled in a diary at Daily Kos.

British Muslim admiral

Congratulations to Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, Royal Navy, the UK's first Muslim admiral:

The Royal Navy has appointed its first Muslim Rear Admiral, Pakistan-born Amjad Hussain, a British newspaper said Friday, April 14. "I count myself very lucky to live in a country where the opportunities have been beyond my imagination," Hussain told The Sun. Rear Admiral is the fourth-highest rank in the Royal Navy, equivalent to a major-general in the Army or an Air Vice-Marshal in the Royal Air Force. Hussain, who has become the highest-ranking ethnic officer among the 200,000 personnel of the British armed forces, said in the Navy one's work is what really matters.

positive Muslim news

For various reasons, including both busyness and laziness, I had stored up these links but not got around to posting them. 1001 Inventions - An exhibit about 1001 Muslim inventions that changed the world. Read reviews in British newspapers the Guardian and Independent, or blog entries at towards God is our journey and Daily Kos. A reminder again of a better time and of the good that Islamic civilization can contribute. Meanwhile, Juan Cole has been doing a series of blog entries on Quran verses about peace: 1, 2, 3, 4. Finally, Moroccans pay respects to Madrid bomb victims.

forum honors Arab businesswomen

Al-Jazeera reports on the Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards, an event held in Dubai (see, Dubai isn't evil):

Women from across the Middle East have gathered in Dubai to mark International Women's Day and recognise women's achievements in the region. On Tuesday, in the first of a two-day event, the Middle East Businesswomen & Leaders Achievement Awards will promote regional women's leadership and honour outstanding leaders. The event, now in its eighth year, is held annually on 8 March to commemorate International Women's Day... ...Sawsan Shadly, a Saudi businesswoman, told Aljazeera.net: "I think forums such as this one will offer new chances for Saudi businesswomen. "There are obstacles for Saudi businesswomen in the GCC. Previously, Saudi law meant that a woman could only run a business if she had a male wakeel or sponsor. But things are changing," Shadly said. "Changes in Saudi law mean that now a woman can run her own business independently of any wakeel." Shadly, who runs her own events management company, said: "Forums such as these can show Saudi women in a different light. It is our turn to give a good impression of who we are. It is our turn to show how successful women can be and that Saudis are not just terrorists."... ...Fatma ba-Uthman, an academic from Saudi Arabia, is another speaker at the event. Ba-Uthman will be holding a workshop on how to make decisions and negotiate successfully. She said: "Women are patient, good listeners and more, but we need to tap into these skills and implement them into the business world. "The importance of such a forum is getting women in the region to share ideas together. "The forum will help to bridge the gap between men and women. It is a chance to show the West that the Arab world also has educated, quality women."

We should be encouraging this sort of thing in the Arab world and reaching out.

Muslim woman running for mayor of Minneapolis

The Southwest Journal profiles Farheen Hakeem, a Muslim woman and activist who is running for mayor. She is endorsed by the Green Party. You go, girl!

Muslims care

CAIR's latest initiative is Muslims Care, a program to encourage Muslims to engage in volunteer activities in their communities:

Let us keep in mind that as Muslims, we are encouraged to assume a broad role in society by working to improve the communities in which we live. It is by translating our love of Allah into good actions that we strengthen our faith. Islam is a religion of deeds, and we need to put our faith into action by working to make the world a better place by making a life for ourselves by what we give.

Another good way for Muslims to get involved. What is serving God about if it doesn't motivate you to try to make the world a better place?

crescents among the crosses

Via alt.muslim:

If you ever visit Arlington National Cemetery, as many are doing on this Memorial Day, you may notice that every now and then, a crescent pops up among the field of crosses. Few Americans are aware that many American Muslims have fought and died in the US Armed Forces, including in Iraq. When you wander the cemetery grounds that overlook Washington, DC, you'll notice the grave of Army Captain Humayun Khan, who lured a suicide car bomb away from the men in his charge, saving their lives but giving up his own. You might also come across the grave of Army Spc. Rasheed Sahib, an American Muslim from Guyana who was killed in Iraq as well, under mysterious circumstances. And then there's Army Spc. Omead Razani, a son of Iranian immigrants who also died in Iraq. Also, Marine Staff Sgt. Kendall Damon Waters-Bey was killed in a helicopter crash on his way to duty in Iraq. In fact, you'll find the graves of fallen Muslim soldiers and Muslim veterans in military cemeteries all over the United States, from Hassein Ahmed (Army, WWII) to Ibrahim Muhammad (Navy, WWII), from Mahir Hasan (Army, Korea) to Abul Fateh Umar Khan (Air Force, Korea).

I originally posted about Humayun Khan here. Added: Check out A Muslim on Memorial Day by Hesham Hassaballa.

standing up for justice

The BBC reports:

One of Australia's most senior Muslim leaders is heading to Iraq to help secure the release of an Australian man held hostage by militants. Sheikh Taj al-Din al-Hilali has already appealed on Arabic television for Douglas Wood's captors to set him free... ...Sheikh Taj said he regarded Douglas Wood as a "brother, a fellow Australian and an innocent man" who should not suffer because of politics. The sheikh is one of the most influential figures in Australia's Muslim community and has met members of Mr Wood's family. Late last week, he contacted senior Sunni clerics in Baghdad urging them to do what they could to secure the hostage's freedom. Sheikh Taj is expected to hold talks with government officials on his arrival in Iraq.

Bravo! It's good to see prominent Muslims standing up and doing this sort of thing. Update: In the latest news, Hilali has offered to exchange himself for the hostage so that the kidnappers will hold him instead. Update 2: The Australian hostage has been released. alt.muslim has some further background.

Tariq Ramadan is still making trouble (but maybe not what you expect)

Is this the kind of talk that ought to be barred from the U.S.? Tariq Ramadan argues for a moratorium on "shari'a" punishments like stoning in the Muslim world:

The application of the Islamic penal code - known by the widely misunderstood term sharia - in Muslim societies is one of the most controversial subjects in the dialogue between the west and the Muslim world. The imposition of corporal punishment, stoning and execution in the name of religious texts on an entire society cannot be accepted. We must condemn such repressive applications, which are carried out without due legal process. The Islamic world, for its part, sends contradictory messages: strong condemnations of such punishments are made by a minority of intellectuals, prominent figures and Muslim activists, while some governments try to legitimise their Islamic character by applying repressive interpretations of religious texts and sources. An important discussion on sharia is taking place in the Muslim world, but a fruitful debate has yet to materialise. Muslim populations from Nigeria to Malaysia claim to strictly apply the sharia and yet the majority of ulama (Muslim scholars) insist that these penalties "are almost never applicable" because of the difficulty of establishing the necessary conditions. But they avoid expressing themselves clearly so as not to lose credibility with the masses... ...A proposal for a moratorium on corporal punishment, stoning and the death penalty generates opposition from all sides. Voices from the west assert: "This is unacceptable, is not enough!" While the Muslim world exclaims: "This is unacceptable, it is a betrayal of our sacred texts." The call for a moratorium is necessarily addressed to the Muslim world from within its own terms of reference. We are convinced that an evolution in mentality is only possible on the basis of an internal social dynamic. Today, in the name of Islamic principles, we are launching a call for an immediate moratorium in the Muslim world. We argue that, first, the ulama are not in agreement on the interpretation or authenticity of texts referring to such injunctions, nor on the political and social contexts in which they would be applicable. Second, the application of the sharia today is used by repressive powers to abuse women, the poor and political opponents within a quasi-legal vacuum. Muslim conscience cannot accept this injustice. Third, Muslim populations, without direct access to many of the relevant texts, tend to believe that devotion to Islam requires a strict and visible display of punishment, partly an opposition to "the west". It is necessary to resist such a formalistic drift. The ulama and socially engaged Muslims recognise that an internal debate is necessary and injustices carried out under a religious guise are unacceptable. The call for a moratorium has a double advantage: it would mean the immediate suspension of these practices in the name of justice in Islam and a beginning of a process of reflection on how to apply the sharia today. Evolution of thinking cannot occur without this debate. It would allow the Muslim universe of thought to reconcile itself with the essence of its message of justice, equality and pluralism, rather than being obsessed by the formalistic application of severe punishments in the name of frustration or feelings of alienation perpetuated by the domination of the west. It is necessary to open the debate and reply with the Islamic imperative of ijtihad (critical exegesis of religious texts).

Some "Islamist radical"! Added: An excellent piece at alt.muslim about this.