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This is the ultimate planning tool for Ramadan!
Presented by MWA's Saiyyidah Zaidi. The ebook and videos will give you psychology inspirations, simple intervention to make you happier, Islamic inspiration as well as a short discussion of an ayat of the Qur’an.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR FREE COPY!
‘There is no tool like this anywhere, I have seen a pre-release copy and its awesome!’ –Sarah, USA
‘Saiyyidah always produces books and courses that are unique and visionary. I would recommend all her material.’  –Umm Nusaiba, Columbia.
AND CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE RAMADAN COUNTDOWN WIDGET FOR YOUR BLOG OR WEBSITE! 

How reflective writing gave my Ramadan renewed meaning by MWA's Nouran Emad

Two Fridays before the start of Ramadan 2013, at Jummah prayer, the Imam spoke about how the true purpose of Ramadan had become forgotten. He spoke of how people fast every year because it had become merely a "tradition", rather than because there was a religious purpose intertwined with wisdom behind it.

I went home that day thinking about what the Imam had said and found myself asking a series of questions. Have all my past Ramadan's been the exact same? No, of course not, there is not one Ramadan the same as the one before or the one to come. Each Ramadan has this one special unique vibe to it that makes it memorable, but then what did the Imam mean by "don't let this Ramadan be another forgotten purpose", and how can I not let this happen?

10-Top-Tips for a Happy Ramadan by MWA's Eren Cervantes-Altamirano

In the past few years I have realized that the one-Ramadan-arrangement-fits-all actually fits none. The Ramadan experience is as individual as each one of us, and in order to be successful we need to identify what works and what does not. These are things that I have learned in the past four years. (Read More)

ABOUT EREN CERVANTES-ALTAMIRANOV
Eren Arruna Cervantes is a University student in Canada. She specializes in gender politics and feminist religious movements, particularly Islamic Feminism. She is a convert to Islam since 2009 and hopes to become an Islamic scholar in the future. In addition to being a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance, Eren also writes for Muslmah Media Watch and hosts a travel blog.
 

VIDEO: A poem by MWA Member Nancy E. Biddle 'Out of the Wouldwork for Ramadan'

This video poem is a little sharp. Humour is intended but also pointed. Al-hamdulillah for all the efforts Muslims make during Ramadan. May you all be blessed in the amazing month and may you continue your good works throughout the coming year, insha'Allah.



(c) cherenancy Poetess (Nancy E Biddle) 8/365 in the One Poem a Day for One year series.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER NANCY E. BIDDLE
Born in Montreal Canada in 1966, Nancy spent her first nine years raised in the quiet suburb of Pointe Claire until her father was contracted for a position that took the family to Singapore, Australia and Indonesia. It was through the transitional phases of each family move that Nancy formed a foundation of open-mindedness and a passion for world concerns. Nancy received her accreditation in Teaching English as a Second Language from Concordia University where she earned her B.Ed (TESL) in 1992. At the age of 35 Nancy found herself led to embrace the religion of Islam and is currently heading up three projects aimed at making a difference in the world: I Love Islamic Fiction (Branding Islamic Fiction with Fame and Prestige), Cherenancy Poetess (Power Dawah Poetess) and Nancy E. Biddle (Public Figure, Writer, Poet, Rabble Rouser: Tsunami Maker). She is also an award winning poet.

MWA Member Rukhpar Mor shares 'Mom's Ramadan Chhole'

What you need:

2 cans chickpeas, drained and washed
3 tablespoons oil
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon yogurt
1 tablespoon tamarind paste
Salt, to taste
Water, as required
Optional: 1 cubed potato

For garnish:
Chopped cilantro
1 sliced tomato
1/4 sliced onion
1 chopped green pepper

How to make it:

In a small bowl, mix the turmeric, salt, red pepper, ground cumin powder, and 3 tablespoons of water.

Heat oil in pan on low heat. Add above mixture and stir well. Keep adding 1 tablespoon of water every 30 seconds for 3 minutes while stirring (so that the mixture doesn’t dry out). Finally, add potatoes with another 2 tablespoons of water and stir. Add chickpeas and 2 cups of water. Cover and simmer on low heat.

Meanwhile, mix yogurt and tamarind paste in a separate bowl and keep aside.

Once water has evaporated and potatoes are tender, remove from heat. Let cool for 5 minutes (the chickpeas should be tender as well, but not too soft).

Add tamarind and yogurt mixture to the chickpeas and mix well. Place in serving bowl and garnish as desired.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER RUKPHAR MOR
Rukphar Mor is a writer and blogger of fiction and non-fiction. She is planning to review books from authors on her blog and has covered topics like, how to eat with your hand (Indian style!), shadowing experience (with optometrists), how to use Twitter for Beginners, Islam/Muslims in general and mental health, depression, and stress. Visit her blog at http://rukhparmor.blogspot.com

MWA Member Ellen Keim shares her Ramadan story

Ramadan serves many purposes, but one of the main things is that it is a wonderful opportunity to practice Da’wa. I may not even have become a Muslim if it hadn’t been for Ramadan. One of my Muslim friends knew that I was interested in Islam and sensed that I was close to making a decision. But what I needed first was to see Muslims in action.

I was more than a little nervous when I went to her house. I didn’t know what to expect; I didn’t know if I was dressed properly; I didn’t know if I would be asked to participate in any way. I knew absolutely nothing about Islamic prayer and I had never seen Muslims praying except for brief glimpses on television.

I didn’t even know if I was late or early because I had no concept of waiting until after sunset to break the fast. I did know that Muslims fasted during Ramadan, but to me that just sounded hard. I had no idea how meaningful it could be. Read more

ABOUT MWA MEMBER, ELLEN KEIM
I’ve believed in God for as long as I can remember. I was baptized, raised and confirmed in the Lutheran church. When I was twenty-one I became what you might call a “born-again” Christian. I was a Methodist minister’s wife for ten years. I studied the Bible, taught adult Bible classes and became a lay preacher. And in 2009, on the last day of Ramadan, I said my Shahada and became a Muslim. I started I, Muslimah to help me, and maybe others, to grow in the faith.

MWA Member Aishah Schwartz shares her Ramadan menus - Suhoor Day 2

2 Ramadan - Well, lets start with iftar, which I did not photograph. See, the thing is, I don't like a heavy iftar. It makes you lazy for prayers. Comeon' admit it; it does YOU, too. ;-) So, to break my fast, well...I had a couple of huge swallows of an ice cold Pepsi. It's my drug of choice. lolz lolz Can't help it! Comeon' smokers...it's your fast breaker, too...(a cigarette) *cough* *cough* Then I sat down and finished what I didn't eat of the dates with milk from 1 Ramadan's suhoor. This satisfied me until about 10PM. Then I ate a tuna sandwich. From midnight to 2:30 I napped. And then for SUHOOR, I had a bowl of tomato soup sprinkled with crumbled wheat crackers, a two egg omelet, some diced peaches, a small glass of milk with dates, and a chilled cup of Ali Cafe (coffee). And, of course, plenty of water to wash it all down. Oh! And a side dish of cat. lolz lolz lolz It's a glass top table in my sitting room and Sakinah just happened to be sitting under it when I snapped the photo.

Tomato soup sprinkled with crumbled wheat crackers, a 2-egg omlet, diced peaches, a small cup of milk with dates, and a glass of chilled Ali-Cafe (coffee).

After the fajr prayer, around 5:30 I threw on an abaya and took a walk in the early morning fresh air, complete with a nice cool breeze. The light was perfect as the sun had already risen, and the streets were virtually empty except for a stray taxi here and there. It was so satisfying! Passed into the corner market beside my flat, picked up a few items, went home, took a nice long shower and at long last, booted up the laptop so say salams to everyone on Facebook.

Well, that's a wrap for Ramadan Day 2!

Psssst...what did YOU eat today? And did you pray for the starving in Somalia and Kenya? ♥

RELATED:
Ramadan 2011 - Egypt (Album on Facebook)
Ramadan 1432/2011 Suhoor & Iftar Album (Album on Facebook)

ABOUT MWA DIRECTOR, AISHAH SCHWARTZ
Aishah Schwartz, a Muslim American, is an internationally renowned human rights activist, writer and photo journalist focusing on the rights of Muslim women and the plight of the Palestinian people affected by the Israeli imposed illegal embargo on Gaza.
Biography: http://bio.prlog.org/mwa-net/50001433-aishah-schwartz.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aishahschwartz.activist

MWA Member Rukhpar Mor: Ramadan Season 2011 - Day 1

Today was the first day of Ramadan. Out of the 12 months in the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan is when Muslims are supposed to fast. Fasts begin at sunrise and last until sunset. My family starts their day by waking up really early and then fueling themselves for the day ahead. After the morning prayer, everyone goes about their day as they normally would, but without eating or drinking. About an hour before sunset, preparation begins for Iftar, the time at which we break our fast.

People usually greet each other by saying Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem. [Because of the recent events in the Middle East, many Egyptians are avoiding anything with the term Mubarak in it.] (Read More)

Welcome Ramadan 1432/2011!!

Here is a sampling of what MWA members ate for their first suhoor of Ramadan 2011

What did YOU have for the first suhoor of Ramadan 2011? Click on "Comment" at the end of this post to add your meal, insha'Allah!

Aishah: scrambled eggs with melted Gouda cheese, dates with milk, a glass of peach yogurt, a glass of apple juice and water. Al-hamdulillah. :-) Click on image to view full size.

Here is a list from MWA members and other friends from Facebook:

Sumaiya: I made indian bread! To eat with yogurt and then a banana and lots of water!! Alhamdollilah..

Jeanette: I am making a breakfast dish that will include dried herring in a spicy sauce that includes jalapeno, onions, ginger with apple cider vinegar and tomato sauce. I will boil some English dumplings and potatoes.

Cisse: I will have a bowl of cold cereal with a banana and butter a croissant with a glass or Tropicana orange juice and a jug of water in gear for Day 1, Monday August 1st in The Capital Washington DC, Praise ALLAH!

Isahah: We will most likely have scrambled eggs with cheese, turkey bacon and home-fried potatoes with onions, insh'Allah. Ramadan Mubarak sisters!

Nancy: Baloney sandwich, ensure drink, green tea, fresh mint (not in the tea), nuts and cheese on the side.

Jennifer: This year we went with something easy and lite, yet still nutritious...what did we have you say? Well. we ate vanilla yogurt sprinkled with a generous serving of Kashi's berry crunch (similar to granola) and the huge glass of H2O mashallah.

Facebook friends:

Mohamed: Egg with Tomato & Potatoes & Beans with Tomato & Yogurt ^_^

Mai: Fool... traditional here in Egypt..and yogurt..and a lot of things in between..:-)

Pai: rice with scrambled eggs and sardines..hot coffee..syukran..Alhamduli​llah..

Eli: I ate 2 eggs 1 piece Arabic bread and tons of water lol just ate 30 minutes ago... in Bahrain

Taryn: Were having eggs, bread, juice.

Lizzie: Eggs, porridge, juices and a vitamin tablet.

Nancy: Ramadan Mubarak! It's almost 11pm here in Virginia. I baked zaatar bread tonight that I plan to have with a schmear of yogurt cheese and some slice tomatoes, inshaAllah. I also made sherba, a cereal thing with cracked wheat cooked in milk with sugar, so people will have a choice in the morning :). I got an early start and ate some of the zaatar bread already :)

Abdussalam: Big salad, quinoa, pinto beans.. and steamed veggies.

Now...insha'Allah...I can report back later tonight to add their comments on how these meals carried them through their first day of Ramadan until the time of iftar (meal taken to break the fasting).

------------
RELATED:
Ramadan 2011 - Egypt (Album on Facebook)
Ramadan 1432/2011 Suhoor & Iftar Album (Album on Facebook)

ABOUT MWA DIRECTOR, AISHAH SCHWARTZ
Aishah Schwartz, a Muslim American, is an internationally renowned human rights activist, writer and photo journalist focusing on the rights of Muslim women and the plight of the Palestinian people affected by the Israeli imposed illegal embargo on Gaza.
Biography: http://bio.prlog.org/mwa-net/50001433-aishah-schwartz.html
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aishahschwartz.activist

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.

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).

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!