Tag archive for ‘Society’
Who Speaks for Islam? Part 3b: Jihad, Religion & Politics
To most Muslims, jihad implies honor and sacrifice for others, even when interpreted military, it comes with many conditions, including the writ against targeting civilians. Using jihad and terrorism as synonyms is wrong and counterproductive, and the meaning of Jihad to Muslims is much more nuanced than what many Western commentators invoke.
Obedience to Parents: The Test of Our Generation?
Most immigrant parents came here to go to school, to work, or open businesses. While some studied engineering, others studied business, some opened up gas stations, and yet others came for the ultimate prize of Medical School. In all of these cases though, they left home at a young age and went overseas. After studying, establishing themselves as professionals, buying a car, and buying a house like good Muslim children, they went back home, got married, and brought their wife over here. Then they lived happily ever after. … Then a funny thing happened.
Who Speaks for Islam? Part 3a- What Makes a Radical?
Against the backdrop of this bleak world situation, the West desires stable, secular democracies in the Muslim countries it deems as “supporting terrorism”, believing this to be the ultimate measure of victory in the “war against terrorism”. But a number of challenges exist in this battle of hearts and minds, and data is ever-important to understand the people we wish to move.
Who Speaks for Islam? Part 2- Democracy or Theocracy
The reality of the Muslim world is that most of the countries are not democracies, and a number of the ones that are have elections where the ruler somehow manages to win about 90% of the vote in every election. It is no surprise then, that George (lowest approval rating of all time) Bush made democratization a key goal of his foreign policy. While the surveys show that most people admire the West’s freedoms, they do not feel that the US is actually serious about promoting democracy in Muslim lands.
Who Speaks for Islam? Part 1
Most people are not aware of anything regarding Muslim demographics. For example, the percentage of African American Muslims in America, the population of Muslims in China, or even the ethnic makeup of Muslims across the globe spanning countries such as Indonesia and Nigeria (as opposed to just Saudi Arabia or Egypt). There are approximately 1.3 billion Muslims in the world, with about 57 countries having at least a substantial Muslim population. Each of these places also has its own unique culture, and is not restricted to the sky-blue burqa imagery so prevalent in Western media.
Who Speaks for Islam? Introduction
The survey sample represents over 90% of the 1.3 billion Muslims in the world with a +/- margin of error of 3%. There is nothing else of its kind out there. So if you want to really find out what Muslims think, then you must read this book and look at its findings. … Dream Jobs: When asked to describe their dreams for the future, Muslims don’t mention fighting in a jihad, but rather getting a better job.
Hookah / Sheesha (Shisha) Smoking: Safer than Cigarettes? Haram or Halal?
As if our youth didn’t have enough distractions and bad habits readily available to pick up, we now have the hookah fad. Step aside cigarette smoking, there’s something cooler in town (for our youth to destroy their bodies with)! Different flavors, different settings, a “Muslim export”… how cool is that?Actually not cool at all. And […]
Women Only Gyms: What’s all the fuss about?
There’s nothing like the thought of a gym or swimming pool running women-only sessions (at the request of Muslim women) to get some men all worked up. Take the recent ‘controversy’ surrounding one of Harvard University’s gymnasiums. Andrew Sullivan rushes to denounce it as “shariah at Harvard’; Jihadwatch says they have submitted to Islam; and […]
Rolled-Up Couture
I never thought there would be a follow up to the Muslim Man’s Guide to Style but I have good news for the brothers. Mullah fashion is finally high fashion. According to Style.com, Rolled-up pants are officially “in” for Fall 2008. Things are really starting to look up, first the big beard caught fire as […]
Letter from Ismail Royer to all MM Readers; Feedback Requested
I participated in the campaign to send eid cards to Muslim prisoners started by Umar Lee. A few weeks ago I received a response from Maaz Shah, which I plan to also type up soon. And one from Br. Ismail Royer.
As I read the letter from Royer, I could not but feel for the […]
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