Even an empty plastic bottle can be charity: a journal entry by MWA's Aishah Schwartz

I'm a collector of few things having learned the hard way over the years that becoming too attached to things of this world brings more heartache than anything else. But one of the things I collect is emptied plastic bottles.

You see, back home in the United States we have a rather sophisticated and quite successful recycling system that is supported by local governments across the nation and widely used. However, here in Egypt the recycling system is somewhat different.

MWA's Lonna Amira Bowen shares her collection of Ramadan journals

Day 1 Ramadan: Subhan Allah loved that crazy thunderstorm, took the temp down nearly 20 degrees…little thunder, power driving wind that literally moves you and the beautiful copious amounts of rain to soak you to your bones…thank you God! Later, I was out and saw all the damage from the possible jericho and praying for the family who lost their young son that was killed when a tree fell on him as he made his way home out of the sudden storm.

Day 2 of Ramadan: I walked out of the masjid to go home early (as I had to work early the next day). My husband was standing by my car with a teen boy from Burma. As I approached, I could see two beautiful children with smiles beaming at me from inside my car. They were not my children, but two Burmese refugee children. My husband told me to drop them off at their home. We drove off and they pointed at different things and tried out the English that they have learned since arriving only a few months ago. I listened to their giggles and Hindi in between their outbursts of English words to describe what they saw in the night life of the city. The smiles and joy on these kids faces although they are in a foreign land, trying to learn a new language, having survived a genocide in their homeland made me grateful and blissful. (Read More)

ABOUT MWA'S LONNA AMIRA BOWEN
Lonna describes herself as a light that encompasses being a Muslimah, wife and mama of five. Yet, light has many more dimensions than a prism. She was born and raised in Kentucky to a clan of hillbillies that she loves and adores. Lonna grew up listening, singing and dancing to Bluegrass music and old timey hits. Her papaw used to pay Lonna's twin sister a quarter each for every tune they could "sing" that sounded more like yellin'. Her grandfather and dad made sure Lonna knew how to shoot guns, swim in creeks and rivers, rappel off natural bridges and ride horses. All of these lessons taught Lonna more than just those actions, but more importantly how to be strong and use her voice. Over the years of living for everyone else and forgetting herself, Lonna lost her essence and so blogging became a way of letting herself resurface by belting out her "song" on the keyboard.
 

MWA asks: what is it about Ramadan and fasting that you particularly enjoy?

[If viewing from the "Home" page, be sure to click on the "Read More" link after the introductory text to read...the rest of the story!]

I'll kick-start the post, and as some of you may already know, I oftentimes lean toward a touch of humor, so this is something silly that popped into my head one evening in Ramadan as I started to peel the toppings off a pizza that just arrived for suhoor. One of the reasons I might particularly enjoy the fasting aspect of Ramadan is that: I have food issues to start with! lol

Food. It bothers me to spend money buying it. It bothers me to spend time putting it away. It bothers me spending time to prepare it. It REALLY bothers me having to clean up after preparing it! And it UBER bothers me that all of that money, time and effort are consumed within 5-10 minutes from the start of eating it! AND THEN!!! And then we flush it down the toilet!!!! WTH?!?!

In the first week I was trying to make iftar and suhoor a little more photo-op-ish (lol) (for the MWA Ramadan blog's photo section), but as Ramadan rolled along this month, iftar's began to slim down to a mug of tomato or lentil soup, a handful of jelly beans (what! no dates?!), a cup of coffee and a tall glass of water (or two) before jumping out the door to pray Isahah and taraweeh. For suhoor, now maybe I'll eat a little more since I went light on the iftar, but light is the pattern that seems to be working best for me going into the second half of Ramadan.

On the serious side, subhan'Allah...it seems I have enjoyed listening Quran more than ever, and I have particularly enjoyed visiting different masjids for taraweeh prayers.

Last, but not least, helping maintain the MWA Ramadan blog has really helped keep me focused on the essence of this Holy Month. Al-hamdulillah. And I'm so grateful for the contributions of MWA's members. Salute!

On Kinship and Quran: a journal entry by MWA's Aishah Schwartz

16th Century Quran.

I think it was like two years ago that I passed through a familiar local souvenir shop whose management has been somewhat of a heart-adopted family to me during my time here in Egypt. As with many friends these days (especially if they're not online in one way or another), we don't see or hear from each other often, but that doesn't diminish the sense of Muslim kinship we share when I make one of my impromptu visits to their shop.

Ramadan Blessings: cancer remission confirmation and a movie for MWA's Isahah Janette Grant

MWA-NET (July 20, 2013) Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) is pleased to announce that Bridges Foundation has released the official movie trailer for its upcoming movie, Part III in The Fog is Lifting series, Islam in Women, featuring MWA founding member, Isahah Janette Grant. 

The documentary features the interviews of twelve revert Muslim women from Belgium, Britain, Greece, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Germany, USA, Netherlands and Sweden, discussing how their lives were enhanced by embracing Islam.   

Also included in the production, the interview of a non-Muslim woman, a professor from Al-Azhar University, and a professor in the Divinity School at Harvard University. The documentary reveals the secrets behind why Islam attracts more women than men, and aims to refute misconceptions about women in Islam.  
 
 
The July 19 trailer release marked a double celebration for Ms. Grant and her sister MWA members. After a prolonged absence of health insurance preempted her ability to seek medical attention, Ms. Grant announced receiving confirmation that her previously treated Hodgkins Lymphoma remains in remission. It was welcome news and an unforgettable blessing in this, the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan.

A.C. for Taraweeh Please! A journal by MWA's Aishah Schwartz

To be honest? This is a totally impromptu post. I have three other member posts to publish, two other personal journal posts to finalize and another one burning my fingertips to get off onto my keyboard! But I said to myself, "This is a quickie." Well...we'll see about that. Here goes. [Don't laugh. I didn't get this published until July 29...ten days later!]

I'm a collector. I collect mobile numbers, names and receipts; oh, and plastic bottles.

It happened when I started visiting my favorite masjid for taraweeh prayers, that I noticed the women's prayer hall, which has two large air conditioning units, was so humid because the units were not being turned on in time for the prayers.

Uthman ibn Affan Masjid, Hurghada. ©Aishah Schwartz

One evening, I think it was after my July 13 visit for taraweeh prayers, oh, yes! I wrote about that! It was the evening I took photos from inside the men's prayer hall.

Anyways! It happened that the masjid's Imam, Sheikh Ahmed (who snapped that fabulous photo of me standing beside his recitation Quran), invited me for tea (with a few other people, of course), and so, I collected his mobile number. #SansMotive

A Ramadan iftar journal entry from MWA's Saba N. Taylor: July 15, 2013

For the past few years, the some of the sisters in  my community have gotten together and hosted all-sister iftars. These iftars encourage sisters in the community to make new friends while strengthening their bonds with old friends. It is also a great way for converts and new sisters to the area to make new Muslimah friends. (See 'read more' link under photo.)

Ramadan Special: from MWA member Zabrina A. Bakar's Life is an Open Secret Series

Life is an Open Secret - Ramadan Special (2009)

 

ISBN: 9789834353858

Author: Zabrina A. Bakar

Publisher: Wise Words Publishing (June 2009)

Pages: 183 Binding: Paperback

Description from the publisher:

This book carries 25 motivational and inspirational stories specifically tailored for the month of Ramadan when Muslims worldwide are required to observe the act of fasting from dawn until sunset for a period of one month. This special month brings along with it many benefits and blessings that are sometimes forgotten. Thus, the stories in this book serve as a reminder as to what Ramadan is truly about. All stories are written in a simple, chatty, humorous and witty way that promises to touch your heart, tease your mind, soothe your soul and make you reflect along the way.

A lesson on patience and positivity in Ramadan by MWA's Saba N. Taylor

While reviewing Be Positive, a children’s book that introduces how to be positive, my mind immediately went back to an experience that happened the night before. 

At around ten in the pm, my sister and I left home to go to the mosque. It was as we were leaving that she remembered that our usual route would be closed due to highway construction. So, we were going to be a little late by taking an alternate highway. “Ugh,” she said in frustration. I chose to stay positive. “It’s going to be a one and a half hour prayer, we will get there in time to join in,” I reminded her and off we went.

Featured aMuslimah Interview: Redemption Song Collected Poems by MWA's Janette Grant

Click on image for larger view.

Article Excerpts 

Redemption Song – reflects her thoughts about things we all face at one point throughout our lives.  Although some of her writing is inspired from external situations, persons, circumstances deep down her inspiration and perspective is drawn much from what she or her family are going through. Which can range from severe health conditions to issues and scenarios her children or family member are going through.

MWA's Eren Cervantes-Altamirano shares a Ramadan memory

Edmonton’s Al-Rashid Mosque. Image via Flickr.

The First Ramadan

By Eren Cervantes-Altamirano

Six years ago, I moved from Mexico City to Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada. Although I moved here to study, my trip to the north resulted to be a whole religious experience. Having grown up in a nuclear family that had left Catholicism and had sought dogmatic atheism, I was largely unfamiliar with religious diversity. Thus, coming to Canada quickly sparked my curiosity, and here I am six years later with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies.

My first contact with Islam was when I was still learning English at the University of Alberta. Since Alberta is the centre of petroleum exploration and petroleum engineering education in Canada, I studied in classes where half my classmates were from Saudi Arabia and the other half from China. My first encounters with Saudi classmates, especially males, were quite frustrating. Many of them felt the need to show some kind of pious superiority, while others felt attacked in an environment where their religion was often being connected to 9/11. (Click here to read the rest at Muslim Media Watch)

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.

Our Ramadan So Far by MWA's Jennifer Kabir

A few days before Ramadan officially begins our family engages in arts and crafts together.  My husband and I began doing this five years ago and now that our children are a little older they sit with us and add their creativity.  This year it was my youngest son who played nasheeds from the pc while we all listened and enjoyed our activities.  Around mid-month the boys enjoyed decorating cupcakes and handing them out to friends.  I find it’s best to just cook and prepare everything ahead of time and just let them enjoy the fun part!

(More Here) 

MWA's Saba N. Taylor asks: to Suhoor or Not?

On a regular day, I don't often take breakfast. I know, I know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but for some reason, I always feel iky if I have something on my stomach early in the morning. I usually don't take breakfast until around 8:30 or a little later when my stomach is actually awake! So Ramadan is especially hard on me when I have to get up before dawn to have suhoor. What makes it even harder is that now, suhoor comes in really early in the Northwest, like 4+ hours before I have to get up to go to work. After prayer, I usually have 3 hours and often go back to sleep. Not good on even on a remotely full stomach.

This Ramadan, I considered skipping suhoor so that I would not have to feel the iky effects of an early morning meal through out the day. But I was reminded of the importance of the suhoor meal by a few hadiths I read regarding fasting.

MWA's Eren Cervantes-Altamiranov shares a favorite recipe, Kibbeh Charola

Growing up in Mexico City, one of my first interactions with Arabs and Muslims was through the Lebanese community in Mexico. Although Mexico is a largely multicultural country and its cuisine has been largely recognized as a mix of different cultures, the dominant identity discourse these days is the mix between Indigenous peoples and the Spanish colonizers (mestizaje). (Read More)

    Kibbeh Charola
    Ingredients:

    500 gr. Extra lean ground beef or lamb

    1 cup of corn semolina

    Half an onion diced

    Salt (according to taste)

    2 table spoons of olive oil

    1/3 cup of pine nuts

    2 table spoons of pomegranate molasses (if you don’t find them just use one spoon of regular molasses and one spoon of pomegranate juice)

    ½ cup of fresh mint

    Black pepper to season

MWA's Saba N. Taylor shares her Ramadan day seven enchilada iftar recipe

Masha Allah, I love all things cheesy! Yesterday I was in the mood for enchiladas but did not have all the makings for it so I decided to stop by the store today after work to pick up some things. I have two different recipes that I go between, the more commonly version, meat/beans with cheese rolled in corn tortillas then topped with red enchilada sauce, cheese, olives and green onions. Then there is the newest version that I picked up from a friend that does not require enchiladas sauce. So Good! Masha Allah!

Before I add the recipe, I must admit, I lost the recipe my friend gave me so I kind of winged it from the last two times I made it. I also did not have enough corn tortillas so I stretched it a bit. Here is the recipe I used to make this tasty iftar dish tonight. :) Insha Allah I hope you enjoy it! (should you try it out :D)

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. :-)

Aishah's 7/24 suhoor; this one was, masha'Allah, just right!

Poached eggs, minus the toast because it had molded (ewww!), watermelon, date milk, anise/green tea (mix) and water. Actually, this meal was just right! Al-hamdulillah. :-)

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)

MWA's Aishah Schwartz shares her seaside iftar - July 23, 2012

Iftar on the beach (Red Sea).

Iftar on the beach (Red Sea).