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.
Showing posts with label Muslim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muslim. Show all posts

Thursday, August 8, 2013

The last sunset of Ramadan: a photo by MWA's Saba N. Taylor

Eid Mubarak!!!!!!!! The last sunset of Ramadan May Allah forgive us all and grant us His mercy and accept our fast. Ameen.

This dua was posted by another sister on Facebook. It is read as the sun sets on the last sunset of Ramadan, marking the beginning of Shawwal:

"O Allah, the Lord of Ramadan, who revealed in it the Quran and ordained in it fasting, I seek refuge in You from that the sun of this day will set and You have upon me a sin that You wish to punish me for on the day I meet You. O Allah, grant us from Your Prophet Muhammad (s) intercession, and make awareness of You our most rewarding ware (possession) and do not render us in this our month from being of the people of waste and squandering, and quell our fears on the Day of Judgment with Your Mercy, O Most Merciful and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, his family and his companions."

Sunday, July 29, 2012

MWA's Aishah Schwartz shares her 28 July 2012 iftar

Roast beef in gravy with potatoes, milk and chocolate chip cookies for a snack. I'll use the extra portion of potatoes at suhoor with some eggs and toast, insha'Allah. :-)

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

MWA's Saba N. Taylor shares a Ramadan poem, 'Month of Mercy'


Month of Mercy
By Saba N. Taylor 

The sunsets
The new moon rises
All eyes gaze to the mountian's horizon

The month is new
The air is swift
As believers welcome the blessed guest

With vows of patience
And lips pressed sealed
Hearts are washed as heads are kneeled

Fasting by day and praying by night
Seeking guidance and closeness
to Allah the Most High

Moon waxing, moon waning
To the beginning and the end
The Month of Mercy will pass and come again

Ramadan Mubarik! 


Saba N. Taylor loves to travel, read, write and blog (and not particularly in that order.) She writes children's stories and book reviews of children's books. Check out her blog The Family-Ship Experience for picture and chapter books that engages, entertains and educates. You can also find more book reviews, author interviews, giveaways and updates of her own writing experience and works on her writing blog, Of Thoughts and Words. Saba's published works include three teacher study guides published by Muslim Writers Publishing, a fourth in the works. Saba's work has been published in three anthologies and an assortment of online magazines. She has been a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) since April 2010.
Facebook, Twitter @worddiaries, The Family-Ship Experience (blog)
Of Thoughts and Words (blog)

Monday, July 23, 2012

We're only three days into Ramadan but look what MWA members have already been up to!

Ramadan 2012 - Announcements
Ramadan 2012 - Photos
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW LARGER SIZE
Ramadan 2012 - Poetry
Ramadan 2012 - Journals
Established in 2006, 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, August 21, 2011

'Ramadhan Reads' compiled by MWA member Farzana Gardee

Ever wondered what writers will be reading this Ramadhan? Here is a list of reads from a selection of writers.

What are you reading this Ramadan?


In spirit of the first revelation sent to the Prophet (PBUH) instructing him to read and Ramadhan being the month of the Quran, SISTERS asks authors about their Ramadhan picks.

"Read, in the name of thy Sustainer, who has created man from a clot. Read, for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One. He who has taught men the use of the pen, and taught men that which he knew not." [96:1-4] (read more)


ABOUT MWA MEMBER FARZANA GARDEE
MWA member since September 2009, Farzana Gardee, of South Africa, received her Bachelors of Education degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of South Africa/Universiteit van Suid-Afrika. After working as an English teacher for Iqra English Pre-School she became a Section Editor for SISTERS Magazine. In April 2011 she was promoted to the magazine's Managing Editor. Farzana describes herself as a writer and hopeful educational reformist. She is married and resides in Qatar. You can find Farzana on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/farzana.gardee.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

MWA member Asma Zaman's Favorite Ramadan Recipe: Roasted Aubergine Dip


INGREDIENTS
- 2 roasted aubergines
- 1 tbsp. of butter
- 1 ½ red onions, finely chopped
- 1 ½ tsp. of salt
- 1 ½ tsp. cumin seeds, crushed between your palms
- 2 green chillies, seeded & finely chopped
- ½ tsp. garlic, crushed
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- Plain yogurt
- Fresh coriander, finely chopped

METHOD:
- Firstly roast both aubergines under the grill, turning them around frequently, until they both turn black on the outside and soft in the inside all over.
- Once the aubergines are roasted, carefully peel the skin off and put the flesh into a bowl and mash with a fork (do not worry if there is a lot of liquid coming from the flesh it will all be used later on)
- Melt the butter in a saucepan and fry the onions until soft and transparent.
- Add salt, garlic and cumin seeds and fry together for 2-3 minutes.
- Then add the chopped chillies and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Finally add the roasted mashed aubergine to the mixture and whilst continuously stirring the mixture, cook the mixture for a further 3 minutes.
- Leave the mixture to completely cool and then mix into plain yoghurt and stir in the fresh coriander, leaving some for garnish.

NOTE:
If you find at any time that the onions are sticking to the bottom of the pan then feel free to add a dash of water at any time.

TIPS:
- This dip can be eaten with or without the yogurt and is a great accompaniment to any bread, crackers, celery or carrot sticks and believe it or not mixed in hot pasta its delicious!
- The mixture itself (without the yogurt) can be kept in an air tight container for up to a week.

Happy Cooking & Happy Eating Everyone!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Isahah's Favorite Ramadan Recipe: Chicken Curry

As Salaamu Alaikum Sisters!

I pray that everyone's Ramadan is progressing blessedly, insha'Allah. This is a new favorite recipe of mine for Chicken Curry. I made some Saturday for the family and everyone enjoyed it, alhamdulilah. Enjoy!

Ingredients:
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast (4lbs) - cubed Madras Curry Powder Cilantro 2 onions 2 green peppers 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce Turmeric Garlic Powder Chicken bouillon Ground Ginger Ground Cumin Ground Black Pepper Chili Powder Cooking oil

Instructions:
· Chop onions, green peppers and cilantro
· Pour cooking oil into a large skillet, enough to cover the bottom of the pan
· Grill onions, green peppers and cilantro until soft
· Add cubed chicken breast to skillet; add turmeric, curry powder, garlic powder, ground ginger, ground cumin, chicken bouillon, chili powder, ground black pepper and cover
· Cook for 30 minutes over medium heat
· Add tomato sauce, cook for another 15 minutes
· Best when served with jasmine rice

ABOUT MWA MEMBER ISAHAH JANETTE GRANT
Isahah Janette Grant runs Mindworks Publishing and is in the process of completing her first work of fiction. She studied at Boston University in Massachusetts, majoring in print journalism. Her published works include one children's book, three anthology collections, a collection of poetry and numerous articles published online and in the Providence Journal Bulletin newspaper. She resides in Missouri City, Texas, with her son and husband.
Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/isahahjanette

Thursday, August 4, 2011

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.

VIDEO: MWA Member Nancy Biddle's First Ramadan 2011 Iftar


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.
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nancyebiddle

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!