This blog is published for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and the thousands of Muslims raised or reverts, or even non-Muslis, who might be living in areas where they are not able to experience Ramadan in a Muslim community; so we, at MWA, invite you to be a part of our community in Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong) Al-Baqarah 2:185

Established in 2006, Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) is an internationally-based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working together to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions regarding members of the Muslim community and the Islamic faith.

Sunday, July 31, 2011

MWA Member Welcomes Ramadan with Taraweeh at Islamic Da'wah Center

By Janette Grant for the Houston Islam Examiner
SOURCE

The Islamic holy month of fasting begins tomorrow, Monday August 1, 2011 with the start of Ramadan.

The first night of taraweeh starts tonight and the Islamic Da'wah Center will be holding Isha prayers at 9:45pm cst followed by taraweeh.

The Taraweeh prayers will be led by Qari Ahmad Siddiq and Iftar will be served daily.

For more information or to contact the Islamic Da'wah Center email info@islamicdawahcenter.org or visit www.islamicdawahcenter.org.

A Glimpse of Ramadan from Aishah's Balcony

From the third floor balcony of my flat I peered down the other night to glimpse the first visible sign of Ramadan in my neighborhood. The owner of the coffee shop had, for the second year in a row, hung the Ramadan lantern I bought four years ago. It was a welcoming, familiar sight, subhan'Allah. Enjoy.
Ramadan in Egypt 2011
Click on image to view full size.

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Ramadan! by Aishah Schwartz

(Background: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grinch)

Reflecting on Ramadan's of the Past

From a Muslim land far, far away
a little Muslimah waited day after day
For a greeting; an invite
a single Muslim to share one bite
In a time known for its charity
there was no sign of familiarity
She pondered and prayed;
puzzled that their goodwill should be delayed
Oh Allah, Oh, Allah! How can it be?
there is not even one to share of their tea!
Eid morning is here and she strains to hear
but there is not even the sound of Eid morning takbeer!
Oh Allah! Oh Allah! I give thanks to Thee!
for with my two cats; together we make three!
And this afternoon while they're all at their feasts
my two cats and I will share our roast beast!
Eid Mubarak.

COMING SOON! (Insha'Allah) "I Love Islamic Fiction" via MWA Founding Member Nancy E. Biddle

A Community Hub for Authors and Readers

I Love Islamic Fiction is for:

The Reader Who:

- Reads for the sake of Allah,
- Seeks halal content,
- Wants to make every good act count,
- Hungers to learn and experience vicariously other Muslims' lives
- Thirsts for expression of their own convictions
- Loves to curl up with a good book.
- Wants a fountain of good quality books

The Writer Who:

- Writes for the sake of Allah,
- Explores, exemplifies and gives a voice to halal content,
- Make every good act count, and puts them into action,
- Provides vicarious experiences of how other Muslims live as Muslims
- Hungers for expression of their own convictions
- Loves to provide engaging books for reader to curl up with.
- Is a fountain of good quality books.

Website http://www.facebook.com/iloveislamicfiction

An Oh-So-Tempting and Favorite Recipe of MWA Member Rukhpar Mor

Fried Oreos?! If you have never had these, you are sure in for a treat! They are NOT healthy, they are NOT low fat, but they sure ARE yummy. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:
Vegetable oil for your deep fryer
1 1/4 cups of milk
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 eggs
a pinch of salt
1 tsp. of baking powder
1 tsp. of cinnamon
Pack of Oreos
Powdered Sugar (optional)

Other things you’ll need:
A deep fryer or something similar
A big sweet tooth
Someone to console you after you’ve indulged yourself!

What you do:
Whisk the milk and eggs together.
Mix the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a separate bowl.
Beat the flour mix into the egg mix and beat until smooth.
Toss an Oreo in the mix, coat it well on both sides
Place the Oreo in the deep fryer.
When the Oreo is floating and golden brown (2-4 minutes) remove from the oil and place it on a paper towel lined plate.
Continue this until you have your desired amount of Oreos. I usually drop 4-5 Oreos at a time.
If you want, sprinkle the powdered sugar on top and eat them while they’re still warm.
Enjoy!

Source: http://parentpalace.com/deep-fried-oreos

Aishah's Favorite Ramadan Recipe: Cheese Samboosa


CHEESE SAMBOOSA - triangular fried "eggroll"-like appetizers with a tasty feta cheese filling -- you can modify the recipe too adding your favorite meat filling, etc. It's really awesome and one of my all-time favorite Ramadan recipes!

Ingredients:

1 (500 gram) box of feta cheese
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil
1 clove of garlic, smashed
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
1/2 Maggi chicken bouillon cube
1 Tablespoon oregano flakes
Samboosa wrappers, eggroll wrappers, or filo pastry sheets
vegetable oil for deep frying

Go to fullsize image Go to fullsize image Go to fullsize image

Cut up the feta cheese into small cubes. Cover with in cold water and soak for at least a half an hour (to remove excess salt). In a skillet sauté the finely chopped onion in a few Tablespoons of olive oil. When the onion is translucent, add the finely chopped tomato and smashed garlic. Cook stirring for 2 minutes. Add 1/2 of a Maggi chicken bouillon cube and the Tablespoon of oregano flakes. Stir until the bouillon cube is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Drain the feta cheese and add to the onion mixture. Mix (smash together) well.

To roll: Lay out a samboosa wrapper (long and rectangular in shape) with a short edge of the rectangle directly in front of you. Place a rounded teaspoon of the feta cheese filling near this edge. Then folding away from you (towards the other short edge), enclose the cheese mixture in the wrapper by folding the wrapper in a triangular shape. On the side, make a paste of flour and water (1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup water). Moisten the final edge of the samboosa wrapper with the flour paste to cause it to stick and keep the individual samboosa in its triangular shape. Place wet ("pasted") side down on a lightly greased plate. Note: if using eggroll wrappers or filo dough, you must cut it into rectangles before stuffing with the meat mixture. For filo dough, use a thickness of two or three sheets. The rectangles can be cut 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 inches wide, depending on the desired size of the finished appetizer, and should be long enough to enable you to completely enclose the cheese mixture when folding.

When all of the samboosa have been rolled, fry a few at a time in a heavy skillet in one inch of vegetable oil until the outside is golden and crispy. Flip at least once while frying to brown both sides. Drain on paper towels. Serve warm.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Preparing for Ramadan 2011 by MWA Member Queen Sheba Cisse

Bismi ALLAH, The Magnificent.

Being prepared mentally and spiritually is a great start for I and my household. I often spend time reflecting on previous Ramadan's and have conversations with my family about our past experiences, sharing the excitement of preparing for Suhur and playing Quranic tapes.

Queen Sheba Zawiyah is a cozy haven located in our residence and we often invite guests and give dawah to others in the community seeking the truth of Islam. The doors are always open.

Back home in Africa we share similar experiences. The Shayukh teach about the life of Beloved Muhammad (PBUH).

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Muslimah Writers Alliance Announces 2nd Annual Adopt a Ramadan Buddy Campaign

Don't let the opportunity pass to make this Ramadan different and more rewarding from Ramadan's past. Replenish your spirit this Ramadan - Adopt A Ramadan Buddy!

Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), in association with Ramadan, which begins this year on August 1, 2011, insha'Allah, urges Muslim community members to join its annual 'Adopt A Ramadan Buddy' campaign.

What is a Ramadan Buddy?

A Ramadan buddy is your Muslim brother or sister living alone; the sick person who can't get out or that you haven't seen at the masjid in a while. The brother or sister with no transportation; the one suffering from a personal tragedy or grieving the loss of a family member. The sister or brother down on their luck due to the loss of a home or job. And yes, even the new Muslim brother or sister that you heard made their Shahada (profession of faith) recently.

Reach out this Ramadan; Adopt a Ramadan Buddy!

Preparing for Ramadan 2011 by MWA Member Isahah Jeanette Grant

Bismilllahir Ar Rahmanir Rahim

Quran 2:185

Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear Signs for guidance and judgment between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present at his home during that month should spend it in fasting.

Ramadan is easily my favorite time of the year.  As a mom, I often cook a warm breakfast for our family but preparing suhur during the month of Ramadan brings a special joy, even after the initial excitement of first few days of fasting has ebbed. My sister and I often prepare suhur together which is another part of Ramadan that I look forward to. We help to wake each other up every morning as we gather all of the ingredients that we will need, and between the two of us, we keep a close eye on the clock so that we have finished cooking with enough time to not have to rush through wudu for fajr.