Opinion Ate It

Why I really love the Emirates... The Happy Birthday Edition

2011-11-26T15:29:00.000-08:00

Happy 40th Anniversary UAE!

As the Emirates is gearing up for National Day *Happy Birthday UAE you just turned 40!* the quaint desert town where I live (Al Ain, Abu Dhabi) been transformed into a land of lights, decor and local cars covered in murals of the country's benevolent leaders.

Seriously, I'm not sure how safe it is, but people here paint over windows because they are very patriotic for the 40th National Day.

Emiratis love cars and their founding fathers

So in honor of it's birthday, here are my top 10 favorite reasons I love UAE:

1- Hospitality to the highest degree: Emiratis have impeccable manners to welcome guests, often involving coffee, tea and sweets.They value charity, helping strangers, or assisting those in need.

2- Multiculturalism abounds here: There are various faiths, everyone can have their own church, chapel, gudwara and temple; there is strictly no proselytizing. People from over 150 nationalities live here.

3- Great winter weather... It's currently 80 degrees F/ 27 C in the winter and sunny.

4- Amazing architecture, from universities, to Dubai's famous Burj AlArab and Burj Khaleefa (tallest building in the world)

5- Education is free for Emiratis.. and that is awesome

6- Healthcare is affordable, and easy for all residents (required now too). They have started expanding care for people with special needs as well.

7- Extremely patriotic nationals, but then again as they make up less than 20% of the population, they should be proud... People here are extremely proud of their nationality, their country, their rulers... and since it's the 40th anniversary it really shows. Can you be too patriotic? Perhaps, just ask the guy who painted these fish with the Emirati flag; he's selling them at the university.

8. Moderate religious views. They are predominantly with the Maliki school of thought. There is a lot of allowances made for non-Muslims in this country (they don't go by Muslim law for things like marriage). The country champions women's rights, and has shelters and outreach for victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence. Birth control is readily available.

9. Really nice public bathrooms. I know that's odd but no one will make you buy a soda to use the restroom and the gas station bathrooms are spotless with attendants to check everything. If you're Muslim or French you'll also appreciate the bathroom hose. Let's face it, everyone uses bathrooms. I have been around the world and camping in Idaho (sans bathrooms)... so I appreciate the little things.

10. Styles and fashions are interesting: There are fancy abayas, plain abayas, high fashion under-abayas, popular fashionable hand bags, shoes and clothes everywhere at my university and in Dubai. Men and women have blinged-up and name-branded their national dress (black abaya for women and the dishdasha for men.. see my next post). It's a fascinating blend of culture, marketing, commercialized products, and all around interesting combinations (e.g. the Arab men's clothing with a baseball cap). There are also varieties of Muslim dress found from all across the world and region. Westerners can wear generally as they choose.

UAE.. Thanks, and Happy Birthday!

Emirati Adventures, a Practice in Patience and Cultural Competence

2011-11-11T04:31:00.000-08:00

Note: I wanted to write this after a few visitors to the country said they didn't know what to wear or how it "would be" here in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)...

Here's a little "what not to wear" and the famous "hijab" info.
Women: cover knees to shoulders
Men: cover knees to shoulders

Below is a picture of locals in their cultural dress, but shops sell the usual Gap, H&M, Stratovarias, Mango, zara and all the awesome styles....

For further info read my expanded information about cultural clothing below...

Common cultural misunderstandings regarding the Muslim world, or cultural practices is Arab countries:

Hijab: Wearing a hijab in the US means many of my friends or colleagues ask about why Muslim women cover our hair.
#1- Many Muslim women do not wear it, and this does not make them better or worse Muslims. Although, there is certainly a movement among women to wear hijab in increased numbers, and a majority of Muslims (maybe 65%) believe hijab is a part of religion and required by God as a standard of modesty.
#2- Hijab is not required in all Arab countries- In fact, it is required only in Saudi Arabia, and Iran which is technically not in the Middle East at all. In many cultures it is expected, highly valued, and a personal statement of identity as Muslim, devout or pious.
#3- Wearing hijab as a form of oppression. Women choose to wear hijab in most places. It is certainly a standard among many, but it is presumptuous of the West to assume everyone is more "free" in a tanktop and short skirt. Clothing is not that important among standards of equality that women share with men. In fact, some would point out that our obsession with naked and barely clad bodies of women in the West, like the USA, is not "freedom" it is rather a flip side of the oppression of women. To tell young girls that they need to wear makeup and "look sexy" since very young ages is not a freeing idea. It makes us slaves to diets, opinions of others about our bodies, and many other negative ideas which are oppressive as well.

Yet in many places, like the UAE there are a plethora of reasons behind such cultural phenomenon as the style of hijab found here.

Men's clothing here can be found in many forms: average western dress with jeans and baseball caps, the Emirati and Arab style dish dasha or the famous white male one-piece, other male ethnic wear (like the Pakistani, Bangledeshi region pants & top) and the youth in whatever the kids are wearing these days.

The dishdasha is often white here is a yellow dishdash.. and some local in a mall.

Here's another few cultural keys to understanding UAE:

1- Sabr this is Arabic for patience. You need a lot of determination and yet the ability to be patient here. The concept of time in UAE is a bit different, so people may arrive late, or call late, and the process for government documents (Emirates ID, license, etc) take a few more steps here which to time-sensitive Westerners seem extraneous.
   Good news: learning patience is a key in life and will help you be happier in the long run
   Bad news: until you learn it here you will be perchance a bit put-out by the amount of time (or # of visits needed) to get things done. For example, I visited the DMV/ license bureau here 5 times before I had my license completed.

2- Hand gestures differ across the world. Please don't use them here in cars.
   Good News: the thumbs up is often still interpreted as "way to go"
   Bad News: Sometimes in the Middle East it means the middle finger
   Other common hand gestures here include the hand chop to the inside of your elbow, this means "card" for some reason. As in, "where is your entrance card, ID card?" etc. while motioning to the underside of one's antecubital space (the place they draw blood on the inside of your elbow) with the pinky down in a chop-like motion.

3- Clothing laws vary. Don't be a rude American mmmmkkkk? You can go anywhere you want here without a scarf on if you are a lady. However, if you are wearing clothing above the knees outside of Dubai, people will stare like you are wearing a bikini in a snow storm. So for the sake of everyone, and to avoid traffic accidents of passersby please just wear knee length everything... In surrounding Emirates (not Dubai or Abu Dhabi, but the rest of them) it's best to choose to cover shoulders and cleavage. Again, it's fairly legal, but why not just chill and save the mini skirt for the Dubai mall, and back home?
   Good News: Really, people covering knees to shoulders are covered enough.
   Bad news: If for some reason you believe it is too hot for this (although I bet the temperature difference between Sookie-stackhouse shorts and knee-length shorts is pretty much nothing) you will receive inordinate amounts of stares. If you believe the US has no standards, then you've never tried to walk naked in town... we have standards they are just different. Even Santa Cruz, California and San Francisco require covering of lower, frontal genitals.... And let's face it we've all seen "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Service" here they sometimes just include knees and shoulders.

Abu Dhabi, Touring and Meeting Local Emiratis

2011-10-21T14:38:00.000-07:00

The last four weeks have been excellent...

We traveled to Abu Dhabi, stayed in the lovely and upscale Intercontinental Hotel. Amazingly plush and fancy hotel... visited the Abu Dhabi Film Festival (viewed Death For Sale a Moroccan film, and Sacrifice a Chinese film)... and so much more

Abu Dhabi Marina, viewed from the Intercontinental Hotel

Downtown Abu Dhabi, from the Corniche and heritage Village near Marina Mall

Abu Dhabi Sunset at Abu Dhabi public beach

   Research has been slow, but I'm keeping that fairly close to the cuff for now. I've read myriads of papers regarding Emirati women, culture, and history. There have been long nights of reading and a few inquiries into a more developed survey regarding Emirati women leaders and community development.

I've loved Al Ain, and spent many weekends elsewhere. The United Arab Emirates University has been wonderful, and I've met so many amazing young ladies.

This week's story of cultural kindness from Emirati ladies:

   During a week of attempting to get my license, I ran into a few difficulties. First, one must have the Emirates ID if living on a work visa within UAE. This is, generally speaking a 2 step process of the application through the proper center, and processing with an appointment at Emirates ID office. After securing the Emirates ID, one must get a certified copy of a driver's license from back home. In my case, this part was proving more challenging.
   After being told there was a translation office near the post office (there wasn't), I went inside to the information desk staffed by, perhaps, the kindest ladies in town. Two local ladies, in stylish post-office abayas, and another Sudanese women were kind enough to go far above and beyond their jobs. While we chatted in Arabic and English, they brought me Turkish coffee, cake, dates and more. They called around, found the correct translation office, found their hours and called ahead for me. In fact, they then drew me a map (I'd actually attempted to find the very same translation office already once before, to no avail) and gave detailed instructions in both Arabic and Engish for my would-be cab driver.
   Thankfully, I am now licensed... but it may have taken much longer without the help of my new friends at the post office in Al Ain.

Welcome to Al Ain... The new campus and a legendary desert town

2011-09-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

The view of the desert from highest point in UAE, called Jebel Hafeet or Mountain Hafeet.
Below is the town Al Ain, where I reside.

The park Mubazzara, a green park below Jebel Hafeet.

Hey all, I have been in the United Arab Emirates for 2 weeks, and has it ever been interesting!

My flat is excellent, furnished with cherry wood furniture and grandiose. If you can rely on anything here it's the generosity and kindness of others particularly the Emirati culture which is rich in architecture, culture, education and wealth... Check out the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) new Maquam campus, and a few famous city sights below.

Pools of water between buildings on campus

My building: The College Humanities and Social Sciences... My office is here

Touring Al Ain Oasis - the town I live in is an ancient oasis,
named "Al Ain" means "spring" instead of eye

Mubazarra Park outside of Al Ain from the nearby mountain, Jebel Hafeet

Malls here are SO lavish- this is a waterfall (the lines are water- not strings) around a pearly-gold elevator

The last 2 weeks have been interesting, challenging, and a test of patience... because it always takes time to get things done, or find one's way around a new place. Now I am settled into my sweet flat (apartment), and today I finally got cable and TV hooked up. I've got keys to my new office and everything, including my research is starting off slowly. However I will keep you updated.

With all the difficulties I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for the generosity of the university UAEU... and the lovely young Emirati women I meet there. Some of them are the most determined, fashionable and above all, friendly people I have had the pleasure of meeting.

For example my first quirky ethnographic story:
   Last week, in my many attempts to find the easiest way to get home, I jumped on a bus I thought would take me near home to facilitate taking a cab. However, it was a bus headed for a city one hour away. When the young ladies some me board the bus, they stared a bit... so I greeted them "Assallam Alaikum" (usual Muslim greeting of "Peace be upon you"). They replied, and all began asking why I was on their bus.
   When I explained how confused I was, and the difficulties of finding a cab in the isolated student's exit point, they insisted on speaking to their driver on my behalf. As the driver approached the bus, these women basically talked him into a detour through town to drop me at my flat.
   They used their privilege, and their kindness to help a total stranger... although it was a minor inconvenience for them... it meant the world to me.

Fulbright on The Horizon- A Chance to Study Women's Leadership in UAE

2011-06-02T23:23:00.000-07:00

As of a week ago... I officially was granted a research and study Fulbright grant. For those of you who are unfamiliar, it's a grant given by the US State Department and international nations to fund students (or scholars at the masters and PhD level) to travel abroad. The opportunity is fairly selective, and I feel very blessed to win this study and research grant.

My project: Studying women's leadership in Emirati urban planning, community development and sustainability. This will entail studying various urban planning and leadership classes at United Arab Emirates University in Al-Ain, Abu Dhabi. That's in the United Arab Emirates.

During my studies I will research women who aspire to leadership, often through the lens of Islam, culture and family values.

Women in the UAE are aspiring to a plethora of roles in the changing world. The minister of import, export and finance is a woman named HH Sheikha Lubna Al-Qasimi, and a new female judge was appointed in Dubai, while scores of women lawyers are graduating from Islamic Law School.

I am looking forward to studying in the UAE, and getting to know a plethora of women leaders. Since my major is Community Development and Communication, this will include women in many different fields.

Target Population: Emirati Women in leadership roles from non-profit organizations, to government, law, healthcare, journalism, business, and urban planning because volunteerism, business, and the built environment also shape societies. An estimated 49,000 Emirati women are employed in fields from science and technology to humanitarian aid and politics; the goal is to find leaders among women and interview them for their inspirations, what empowers them, and any particular barriers they face.

Grant Duration: 10 months to attend 2 semesters and perform a case study

Personal Goals:

Write about Muslim women and how they negotiate their roles as leaders, particularly our Emirati sisters who are excelling in many fields. An ethnography based on research respecting privacy of women leaders there, but presenting the culture and leadership qualities driving Emirati women to leadership.
I hope to share some of my experiences as well to increase cultural appreciation. There are a number of misunderstandings about what Arab, or Muslim women aspire to, and conversely about the state of being Muslim in America. I've been a privileged student, to advocate for policy change and addressing the needs of Muslim students in local Oregon government, an at my university, PSU.
I also hope to improve immensely in the Arabic language, since I've studied Arabic for 4 years at PSU I'm ready to move on and study abroad.
In order to stay in media writing, I intend on finding a monthly way to contribute to written, and published news or preferably an English language magazine in the region.
Complete a case study about women's leadership in UAE

Why UAE? In terms of community development, the UAE is a highly industrialized nation which keeps culture and innovation together as they experience growth in economy, urban growth, and an education boom. Additionally, the nation of the UAE supports the advancement of women, and explicitly funds consortiums for women's training and capacity building. I also visited UAE in 2008, check out some blogs from my last visit... and more info about Abu Dhabi...

The following quote is from HH Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the founder of Abu Dhabi General Women's Union. "Access to Education and Employment are the most important achievements of UAE women."

HOLLA! MSA at PSU voted "Best Student Club of the Year"

2011-06-02T22:59:00.000-07:00

That's right folks, only at Portland State University, can the Muslim Student Association be voted best student club of the year during the student leadership awards! I'm so proud of my fellow student leaders!

We've come a long way from tiny meetings, and small events or panels to a fabulous Islamic Awareness Week, a new interfaith prayer and meditation place with Muslim prayer rugs.... It has been fun working on capacity building, and networking to increase the number of students attending events. We have a regular 250 students for Friday prayer, and our events range from group cosponsorship to lecture series.

This year's cosponsoring groups were: Association of African Students, Student Leaders for Service, Student Veterans Association, the Jewish Student Association, Arab Persian Student Organization, the Saudi Student Club, and more!

Events this year include: Islamic Awareness Week, sponsoring "Wear a hijab day" at PSU and George Fox University in Newberg, OR, Islamic Trivia, Brothers' Basketball, Know Your Rights, Muslims in America- a panel, Stand Up For Peace, Sisters Talk Back Session and more....

Student outreach, and dawah tables have really helped inform Muslims about events, while telling our fellow students about Islam to get past misunderstandings.

We tackled issues to advocate for our fellow Muslims, women, prayer space, through collaboration and understanding with the help of faculty and students.

Panel Speakers: Muslim in America Fall term 2010

MSA best Student Org of Year with our advisor Rachel

Wear a Hijab Day at Portland State University

Wear a Hijab Day at George Fox U

Libya & the No-Fly Zone

2011-04-04T01:06:00.000-07:00

My article from the Spectator magazine at Portland State University. Download the entire April issue here: Download the issue.

Photo from AFP

Why Libya? Why Now?

April 3rd, 2011 in All Stories / Opinion

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As long-time rulers stepped down in Egypt, the masses in Libya began to assemble. It took only few weeks to escalate from street protests, to General Muammar Gaddafi and his sons threatening to take Libya back, “house by house” and “inch by inch” from rebel forces.

Erica Charves

The nation is sandwiched between Tunisia and Egypt, home of the last two deposed long-term Arab dictators. Is the U.S. involvement necessary, and will exit be swift or will another conflict be added to tax payers’ pocketbooks? Why Libya, when there are other nations oppressing their populace in Syria, Bahrain, Yemen, the Ivory Coast and other African nations.

The U.S. military complex is larger than any other in the world, and its might was brought from a distance to bear on Gaddafi. After two weeks of discussion, a U.N. resolution to enforce a no-fly zone resulted in French planes firing the first shot, while U.S. naval ships launched 120 tomahawk missiles. Enforcement lasted more than a week including Arab nations, and other U.S. allies claiming to support opposition and prevent a mass killing in Eastern Libya.

How did the situation escalate so quickly from absence of protests in January, to siege of rebel strongholds and threats of mass killing? Initially, Gaddafi attempted to dissuade opponents and reassure the public—when the protests began, he claimed al-Qaida was responsible.

Cities as far west as 120 miles from Tripoli saw protests of citizens in early March, including young women and families. After Gaddafi sent out troops to squash the protests, people were shot down in streets and hospitals filled with the injured.

As the military dictator marched on Benghazi, a rebel stronghold, international forces intervened to stop a civilian massacre. President Barack Obama said he would not stand by waiting to see “mass images of slaughter” appear as they did in the Bosnia 1995 Srebrenica genocide.

U.S. as World Police or Humanitarian Security?

With nations like Bahrain enforcing military rule to jettison demonstrators, along with increasing crackdowns in Yemen, Jordan, Syria and other Middle Eastern nations, why did the U.S. and the UN decide to jump into Libya’s conflict?

Bahrain and Syria differ because of sectarian interests between Sunni and Shia Muslims. The majority of citizens in Bahrain are followers of the Shiite branch of Islam, while the ruling family are followers of Sunni Islam.

Yemen is home to the Middle Eastern branch of al-Qaida, and direct involvement there could inflame the same branch of terror which bombed the USS Cole, and trained the underwear bomber.

North Korea, another repressive regime on America’s watch list, has taken this opportunity to remind the world of the reason they have nuclear capabilities. Ruler Kim Jung Il stated recently that the Libyan intervention would not have transpired if they had nuclear weapons. Gaddafi agreed to part with his chemical and nuclear weapons in 2004.

International Aid or Punishing Gaddafi?

Gaddafi is not like previous leaders who fell in Egypt and Tunisia—he has proven this through actions such as purposeful targeting of civilians back in the 1980s. President Ronald Reagan, in fact, famously called Gaddafi the “mad dog of the Middle East” at a time when the Libyan leader was inciting people across the region to kill Americans and Westerners. He remained at odds with the U.S.; eventually,  Reagan sought Congressional input and bombed Libya from air and sea in response to his bombing a disco in Germany where American soldiers died.

Obama has taken a different approach by leading the charge militarily, by relying on resolutions supported by the U.N. Security Council and the Arab League. With support of Arab nations, Obama has reinforced the multilateral and coalition style response to Gaddafi.

On March 28, Obama spoke to the American people about U.S. involvement in Libya. Obviously, people are wary, with military enforcement in Iraq and Afghanistan still underway. The last thing the U.S. needs is another military engagement in the Middle East. The president attempted to allay fears by declaring the no-fly zone was necessary for humanitarian reasons.

Republicans and Democrats alike worry about the cost, and financial investment may already be high as each tomahawk missile costs $1 million. If Obama keeps his word, and there are no U.S. “boots on the ground” perhaps the cost is a worthwhile investment in order to avoid a slaughter of civilians as promised by Gaddafi. The most important part of an exit strategy is the leadership of no-fly zone enforcement transferring to NATO with nations like UAE, Qatar, and Libyans themselves to oversee their advance.

The time to ask “Is it right?” has passed. Libyan airfields have been bombed, and coalition planes patrol the skies. America should now step back and play the supporting role.

Muslims on Trial: Congressional Fearings

2011-03-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

The most challenging and hurtful moments in CSpan history...

Now American Muslims are on trial, for allegedly not doing enough. Can we really be willing to have Congressional Fearings, I mean Hearings about the radicalization of Muslims in America?

Thank God for our Muslim Representatives & to the black community for not remaining silent.
I can't write about it now, but here are 3 videos summing it all up:

Rep.Keith Ellison (D- Minnesota) speaks out & sheds tears for the targeting of our communities.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) calls the panels for the discrimination they show

Rep. Laura Richardson (D- California) reminds us that Muslim Americans have been cooperating with law enforcement and are concerned citizens as well. She also brings up the white supremacist domestic terrorists & others who OUTNUMBER the accounts Muslims are accused of.

Protests Increase.. and Why we need AJE in the USA

2011-03-16T02:28:00.000-07:00

This month I wrote map updates about unrest and protest in the Middle East: Click here for my latest updates...

UPDATED: Youth in Revolt – Embargoed News

I also wrote an article about the exclusion of AlJazeera English on American cable TV...
You can find the entire article and magazine at www.portlandspectator.org

On the Other Hand: Al Jazeera Missing on U.S. Cable TV

March 8th, 2011 in All Stories / On the Other Hand

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Millions of Americans sought news of protests in Egypt, and many of them turned to Al Jazeera English online. This channel broadcasts daily from the US, yet it is missing from every major cable and satellite provider.

Erica Charves

Free press should be a human right, along with free speech and rights of safety and basic welfare. Al Jazeera’s Arabic and English channels report across borders, covering the region with local reporters as correspondents. Because they operate from Washington, D.C., London, Malaysia and Qatar, the channel can bypass strict regulations across the world, particularly in the Middle East, thus increasing freedom of the press.

Media plays a key role in wartime, during elections, and during political protest—it is even key to saving civilian lives. Nevertheless, many regimes in the Middle East have responded to political unrest with media blackouts and restrictions on press freedoms. Reporters were even banned in Libya, which has a Press Freedom Index rating of 160 out of 178 from Reporters Without Borders. This is in stark contrast to Egypt, where reporters were already present to act as international observers, and publicize the reaction of the government.

When Egypt revoked press freedoms in the wake of the protests, Al Jazeera’s signal was jammed, and its reporters were harassed, jailed and interrogated. That did not deter AJE from reporting, and even outshining CNN with on-the-ground coverage. The events in Egypt turned the eyes of America toward the Middle East, even with the absence of AJE on U.S. cable TV.

U.S. viewers make up half of its new online viewers, according to Al Jazeera, whose online presence has increased dramatically since the recent uprisings that began in Tunisia, and spread to Egypt, Libya and other nations at the beginning of this year.

America Versus Al Jazeera

As Al Jazeera’s U.S. viewership increases, it is important to consider how the ”shut out of American viewers” transpired. During the invasion of Iraq, President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called Al Jazeera Arabic “vicious, inaccurate and inexcusable” after it broadcast pictures of captured U.S. troops and video messages from Osama bin Laden. U.S. news channels later rebroadcast portions of those videos shown on Al Jazeera Arabic.

The English broadcast, however, is not the same as the Arabic version. It is more of a Western-educated cousin to the original channel. It hosts English-speaking journalists, often from the BBC, as well as interviews with world leaders such as President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Foreign State Media or Rogue Reporting?

Until 1996 the Middle East had mainly state-run television, and BBC Arabic had just begun when the Emir of Qatar funded the emerging Al Jazeera Arabic. The English language channel was launched in 2006, with broadcasting studios in Malaysia, Qatar, London and the U.S.

Its news coverage includes criticism of policies in nations across the Middle East. Historically, Al Jazeera has been extremely critical of the U.S., particularly during invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2001, its office was the only international news agency with a presence in Afghanistan, and it was bombed Nov. 13, 2001.

The benefits of another media channel are not limited to an insider’s view on news from the Middle East. Al Jazeera covers news from the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, along with documentaries ranging from political to environmental. Notably missing from Al Jazeera programming is celebrity gossip and amusing animal clips disguised as “news.”

Although it represents the views of many Arabs, regarding widespread distrust of Israel, Al Jazeera also interviews Israeli speakers such as Mordechai Kedar. This willingness to present Israeli viewpoints is unique among Arab news agencies. In fact, it shows a true professionalism and independence in not allowing the government of Qatar to control information.

Creative Commons and Social Media

Al Jazeera’s broadcast channels now include sports, children’s programming and documentaries in Arabic. It has become the first mass media outlet to allow free use of its images and video through Creative Commons Licensing, asking only to be given printed credit, as it did during exclusive coverage of the bombing of Gaza in January 2009.

The use of Creative Commons and social media has given AJE an advantage over CNN and other international news programs. In fact, during the Egyptian protests, Creative Commons was only a stepping off point—Al Jazeera also used Twitter and Facebook to pass along the brand name as key in understanding the region.

“I Want My AJE”  the phrase was coined on Twitter to promote AJE in the U.S., and is reminiscent of the 1980s “I Want My MTV” used to promote the emerging music channel.

This has paid off. Since Al Jazeera employed a social media strategy, a greater number of Americans has heard of it, or watched clips from its website. In fact, this year AJE launched a campaign in the U.S. with advertisements in major cities and newspapers, such as the New York Times. It facilitated “meet ups” for viewers who organized over 300 meetings scheduled across the U.S. on Feb. 10, according to  meetup.org.

Feb. 10, the Portland group “I Want My AJE” met at Stumptown Coffee, and planned a simple outreach and call-to-action campaign. A next meeting is planned on the PSU campus at Loco Locos Burritos, March 10 at 7 p.m. The group may find victory quickly if a meeting with AJE and Comcast held in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 26 pays off.

Students Stuck in Egypt- a Spectator Article

2011-03-16T02:21:00.000-07:00

Another article regarding PSU students in Egypt who I interviewed via Facebook (such a social media driven revolution).

Even though Egyptians have been victorious in overthrowing Mubarak, there is much work to be done to restructure the political motif of Egypt and allow people more say... that is what the people called for.

الشعب يريد إسقاط النظام‎

pronounced (or rather shouted) "Ashaab yurid esqaatt an-nitham" The people want to overthrow the regime...

Students on the Ground in Egypt

February 5th, 2011 in All Stories / Features

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One student is free to travel again, one is stuck in Cairo and another sets the scene in the Egyptian streets

Download the full issue

Erica Charves

In the Streets

Former Portland State student Wessam El-Baz is still on the ground in Egypt. During a brief return of Internet service, the Spectator contacted El-Baz for comment on Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. Cairo time. When asked about the status of citizens in Cairo he said, “The Cairenes and the Egyptians are so worried. Yesterday’s presidential speech divided people into two parts. Those who are pro-Mubarak, believe his words and they believe that he is going to leave after September 2011. The anti-Mubarak group believes that he could be lying and he might be working on setting things up for his son Gamal as a successor. They believe that he is going get revenge on people who set up the protest.”

Wessam El-Baz is an Egyptian citizen who studied mechanical engineering at PSU winter and spring terms in 2009.

He stated the last few days were very dangerous with thieves and killers roaming the streets.

On Feb. 3, Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Gamal Mubarak would not be taking over his father’s presidency.

“In my area, Nasr City, some cars were passing fast in the streets, firing guns in the air to terrorize people so that they wouldn’t go to the protest.”

El-Baz related a disturbing story of police beating protesters. On Jan. 29 in Aswan, Egypt (south along the Nile River) he said, “I found almost 500 policemen preparing themselves for the protesters, then 50 meters after them, a street fighter with sticks and knives, then more police after him, waiting for protesters [sic].”

Yet he remained positive when asked how long it could take Cairo and Egypt to recover.

Thus far, the military has held an important moderating role, unlike police who have long-standing distrust from residents.

“The city could come back in two weeks only,” El-Baz said. “Egyptians are hard workers and can do it easily. Nobody is sure of anything but we are sure that we don’t want this dictator and the longer he stays the harder we work to kick him out.”

Stuck in Cairo

A second former Portland State student, also an Egyptian citizen, fears retaliation and declines to allow her name to be used.

She is trapped in Cairo, due to highway closures meant to stop more protesters from entering the city, and the student is unable to contact her family because of interruptions in cell phone and Internet service. She related that criminals had stopped train service across the region by removing some of the rails.

When asked about her safety she stated, “Egyptian streets are secured by the local people—each neighborhood delegates its men to stand in the streets from about 5 p.m. to the next morning to stop any stranger, ask for his ID and make sure he does not have any kind of a weapon. We call these ‘local inspection points’ and they were very effective,” she added. “They caught many of the thieves and criminals and delivered them to the army.”

She studied engineering at Portland State. The student is an Egyptian citizen living there full time.

Regarding claims in U.S. media that the Muslim Brotherhood may have a hand in this revolution she replied, “For the Muslim Brotherhood, they are absolutely nothing. The government likes to say that they are the ones calling for protests in order to justify the attacks against protesters.”

She reiterated the use of social media by Egyptian youth in the beginning of this movement.

“The main call for the protests were made through a very famous Facebook group, which was made in the memorial of one of the young youth in Egypt who was tortured to death by the Egyptian police last summer.”

She concluded, “Many Egyptians are very tired of the current situation, as prices are going up, and all banks are closed, and no one goes to work. Life is nearly frozen for over a week now. So they say that what Mubarak offered in his speech is very good so far, and we need to stop demonstrations, in order to live, and rescue our economy before it fails permanently.”

Safely Away

Aaron Viengkhou, a current Portland State student, was studying at the American University of Cairo when violence erupted between pro-democracy protesters and Egyptian police.

Viengkhou is studying Arabic at Portland State and has been in Egypt since the beginning of winter term.

In an exclusive Spectator interview, he spoke of the U.S. government evacuation from the area.

“I know a lot of the other American students got on these enormous buses to take them to the airport so they could take a U.S. Embassy flight for elected repatriation, which dropped them off in either Istanbul, Athens or Cyprus.”

Although the airports are overcrowded with people exiting the city, Viengkhou was able to pay for a flight instead of using the U.S. emergency flights.

“As luck would have it, when I got [to the Cairo airport] I went to the airline desk and they asked me if I wanted a spot on a plane leaving for the same destination [as other evacuees] in two hours. I got on the plane and had a comfortable flight to Turkey. Now I’m enjoying this beautiful city that I’d always wanted to visit.”

When asked what his next step will be he stated, “I’m not exactly sure what my plans are for the immediate future, but it looks like I might apply to do the semester in Jerusalem.”

Editor’s note: Interviews have been edited for clarity. Due to inconsistent Internet connection and the dangerous situation, interviews were rushed.

Middle East- Unrest, Protest and Upheaval beginning with Tunisia & Egypt

2011-03-16T02:09:00.000-07:00

My articles about Egypt came out last month. The articles about Egypt were a 3 part series including interviews with students stuck in Cairo, Egypt's Revolution, and a map of affected regions.

Revolution in the Middle East

February 5th, 2011 in All Stories / Features

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Erica Charves

The world is watching Egypt fall to protests as the streets of Cairo and Alexandria fill with people calling for change.

The Middle East is on fire; in Tunisia, the president resigned after 29 days of rioting. This “Jasmine Revolution” has spread from Tunisia across North Africa to Egypt, Yemen, Algeria, Sudan, Jordan and Morocco. Egypt is front and center in this maelstrom.

Despite what some may say, this is not another Islamic revolution. There is nothing wrong with religious people acting for civic engagement and civil rights, but these protests are not religious in nature. Egyptians are fed up with a 30-year-old military regime that does not deliver economic prosperity with job security, is plagued by rigged elections and oppresses its political opponents.

Protests began in Egypt on Jan. 25 and have continued since, resulting in a near blackout condition in which Twitter and Facebook were blocked and people were subjected to a 3 p.m. to 7 a.m curfew. By Jan. 28, the entire Egyptian Internet was shut down, police were absent in Cairo, looting began and residents organized nightly neighborhood watch groups to protect one another. Tanks and soldiers filled the streets, while thousands of protesters gathered by day, and broke curfew at night.

We Didn’t Start the Fire

It is easy to understand the angst and desperation that ignited this revolution. In a country where the median age is 25, the average citizen has lived his whole life under the authoritarian regime of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who came to power in 1981.

The youthful obsession with social media, texting and video sharing has spread news of the revolt in Egypt, regardless of the media blackout Mubarak attempted. The Internet increased the heat placed on Mubarak and his administration, while crowds grew in the streets of Cairo, Alexandria and Suez.

The lawlessness and revolt reported by clandestine photos and texts in the streets will have a major

political effect on Arab nations, as well as the world economy. These protests have inspired youth from Morocco and Yemen to speak out against unchecked authoritarian power.

These are self-driven revolts, where citizens claim their own civil liberties, such as free speech and self-determination. Yet freedom is never without cost—the tradeoff should be analyzed.

Fanning Flames of Democracy or Religious Ideology

Meanwhile, Western powers, particularly the United States, fear that these protests contain the threat of Islamic radicalism. They fear that, should Mubarak resign, a faction like the Muslim Brotherhood would ascend to power. While the Muslim Brotherhood is Egypt’s largest opposition group, they have in the past won only about 20 percent of parliamentary votes.

The media shows pictures of prayer in the streets to imply that Muslim extremists are leading the revolt, but implication is unfounded. Communal prayer is essential to Muslim daily life, and in a time of turmoil, praying in front of tanks is an act of peaceful protest. Allegations that the Muslim Brotherhood was involved in promoting the protests are false. They did not become involved until a few days into the revolt when they encouraged members to take part following Friday prayer services.

Democratic reform will bring the vote of the people, and that may mean electing political parties that do not fit with U.S. interests. In recent years, elections in Palestine and Lebanon brought to power Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which the U.S. considers terrorist organizations. In Gaza, Hamas has a military wing, which has encouraged firing rockets into Israel and suicide bombings. However, it’s unreasonable to believe that when nations vote, they will automatically elect our allies, and not those who are critical of U.S. foreign policy and Israel.

Fear is no reason to exclude the Muslim Brotherhood, which is distinctly different than Hamas in history and practice. They did not begin as a military organization, nor do they deny the existence of Israel. They do strongly criticize Israel and its policies in relationship to Palestine, but that is not unusual in the region.

The Muslim Brotherhood understands the need for better national leadership, demonstrated by their choice of candidate endorsement—Mohammed ElBaradei, a secular Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of a democratic reform organization. He has returned to Egypt, and his resume boasts years of advocating for nuclear nonproliferation internationally, and lecturing at Ivy League universities while living in the U.S. for 15 years. He supports a free press and an independent legal system, which could balance out the fears of those who are wary of the Muslim Brotherhood. He has not declared any interest in the presidency, but rather of supporting the Egyptian people.

If Your Neighbor’s House is on Fire

Unrest and protest in the streets is a temporary situation, and although the U.S. Embassy advised Americans to leave Egypt, travel to one of the oldest and most well-known civilizations will resume once the current revolt is over. Nevertheless, the effects of these days of protest will be long lasting.

The U.S. government issued its statements close to the cuff by encouraging calm and respecting freedom of assembly, while avoiding statements that their associate, Mubarak, should leave. Although the government upholds citizens’ rights, a drastic destabilization of Egypt could affect relations with America, including Israel-Palestine peace talks, which previously took place in Egypt.

Economies worldwide will be affected because of the Suez Canal, a waterway running through Egypt which delivers 2 million barrels of oil per day and a large portion of ocean transport, key to trading goods. This direct route to Europe and the Mediterranean cuts out the costly 6,000-mile trip around Africa.

If Mubarak leaves, the situation will certainly spread to nearby nations who have already seen protests. Democratic reform, however, is not as simple as a mere election process, as we have seen in Iraq, Lebanon and other Middle Eastern nations. Democracy must include a framework and a solid foundation of respecting citizens’ rights.

If the U.S. values the spread of democracy, it should embrace a new era. The social media-engaged youth care about their civil liberties and the kind of government they live under, which will be responsive to their concerns while improving the economy and serving the public. The Internet allows the exchange of information with rapid speed, and also functions as a tool to remind the U.S. how connected we all really are. When politics can be impacted by young people who organize demonstrations online, the power structure in autocratic nations may face a difficult foe.

You can download the entire magazine here or find it online along with other articles at www.portlandspectator.org

Demand AlJazeera in the USA - I want my AJE

2011-02-06T23:27:00.000-08:00

I'm helping to organize a quick meeting with others in Portland, Oregon who want to see AlJazeera English on US cable Tv.
There are hundreds of these meetings going on across the US on Thursday! For more information see Demand AlJazeera English.

Portland, Oregon
When: Thursday February 10, 7pm

Stumptown Coffee

128 SW 3rd Avenue Portland, OR

To add yourself to the meeting with others in Portland.

For those who are less familiar, AlJazeera is based in Qatar, but covers news across the globe. Their English language version AlJazeera English has been in operation since 2003, but it has not been picked up by US cable news providers.

In my opinion, this coincided with the Iraq war, and Americans, as well as American cable news networks, were cautious or fearful of this Arab-nation-based news agency. However, they cover news of the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and more.

Over the last month, AlJazeera has played an important international observer role in Egypt. Their broadcasts are often live from Tahrir square, and they have better accessibility to the common Egyptian on the ground. Even when President Hosni Mubarak tried to ban AlJazeera journalists by revoking their journalist privileges, they persevered bringing important news to the Arab world and beyond. They serve to bring free press across the entire region!

Please join me and many others in contacting your local US cable company to demand AlJazeera English!
Go to http://english.aljazeera.net/demandaljazeera and input your zip code to find the contact info for your cable provider.

Egypt Uprising: Revolution in the Middle East

2011-02-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

The latest issue of the Spectator at Portland State University (PSU) is out!
You can download the entire magazine for free online- see all 3 of my articles including Students On the Ground In Egypt, and my Middle East Update with a map of nations affected in the latest protests and revolutions in the Middle East.

Check out my newest article:

Revolution in the Middle East

The world is watching Egypt fall to protests as the streets of Cairo and Alexandria fill with people calling for change.

Tahrir Square Photo by AlJazeerah English (I Want My AJE on US Tv!!!)

Egypt We Hear You

2011-02-05T16:30:00.000-08:00

Here are some Photos from the "Egypt We Hear You" rally in Portland, Oregon. I have a whole lot of opinions about Egypt & the situation there. I'm waiting for the articles I wrote for The Spectator, the magazine I write for at Portland State University. Until it comes out we'll probably have to wait for my stellar and thoughtful postings.

Until then, here are a few pictures from the rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Portland, Oregon Rally for Egypt

Proud Egyptians & Friends in Portland

Rally...Kids lead the Way

Chanting Supporters at Pioneer Courthouse Square

Opinionated Hijabi & Friend... Egypt We Hear You

Egypt supporters from PSU student Group SUPER
Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights

PSU Muslim Student Assoc Members... Egypt We Hear You!

Masdar City Fantastic Sustainable Opportunity

2010-12-17T04:20:00.000-08:00

This is a supremely sustainable idea, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi, a carbon neutral city is being built. Masdar city is engineering greatness, Arab sleek and stylish modern architecture, and sustainable goals of self-sustaining with water, solar power, and more. Artist and engineer Norman Foster explains in The National (English language UAE newspaper), the most official update via mastermind Norman Foster: Building an Oasis

The City of Abu Dhabi has a Planning Commission which has been involved in its planning, Masdar Institute Campus was recently officially inaugurated in November 2010 as construction continues on what will be a huge city, according to planners, by 2015.

Masdar City first buildings include a residence hall

Plenty of solar energy- Glad to see it, for a nation with average rainfall days 3-5...
Gulf states should fund solar power & reap profits like they currently gain from fossil fuels.

This 7 minute tutorial shows the initial idea of a carbon neutral & self sustaining city; there are students now living and attending the campus under construction.

I would love to check this out... while in the US it would be unfeasible to simply build a suburban area of this magnitude with no cars (gasp but Emirati's LOVE their sexy, expensive, bourgeoisie hot rods- first Ferrari Theme park in the world!), the Emirates may pull off another feat of engineering greatness paired with art and the built environment.

Although ideally even the carbon footprint needed to BUILD such an amazing environment, with retractable shades, outdoor cooling systems, electric cars, and the Masdar Science institute.

H.H Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan has encouraged growth in sustainable and environmental engineering. This seems to mean sensible investment into research, education, and sustainability. Surprisingly, the little bit of news since the economic downturn of early 2009 the schedule is still going ahead, although they are apparently rebidding some costs.

Portland, I love you...

2010-11-28T09:25:00.000-08:00

Just when the holidays were starting off well... we all gave thanks at home with our families for Thanksgiving. Friday during the evening November 26, 2010 in lovely Portland, Oregon families enjoyed the Christmas tree lighting.

I learned early into the night- as did many other Portlanders- the knowledge of a frightening affair that has surrounded news in my beloved home town of Portland.

First I was SO ticked... I was peeved. Who would want to ruin Christmas? Why?

I love Portland, I love Islam... and people who celebrate Christmas and holiday decorations. After speaking with other Portland leaders, the community gathered at Portland City Hall for a press release.

The Muslim community of Portland categorically and unequivocally condemns acts of terrorism.
We're waiting for due process and all that regarding the allegations about Muhamad Muhamud.
Thanks to Portland Police, and law enforcement for helping to keep our mosques safe.
A special thank you to Mayor Sam Adams, I totally admire him and the community should be meeting with him soon.

Well, the Mosque in Corvallis, was set on fire (click here), but thankfully police saw smoke and called the fire department. This was perhaps the easiest case that the fire investigator has had to state a case of arson.

The Muslim Student Association, and various organizations need to engage in some serious interfaith conversations and engage with the community. We need to support youth to succeed and stay in school.

To my beloved Portland, I love you. You'll always be beautiful to me. The people, the places, the smiling faces, and most of all the kind people who stick up for others... and for freedom, communication and understanding regardless of the alleged action of one person who espouses Islam.

I should be clear that in no way do Muslims support hurting innocent people, and innocent civilians.

Diversity and Eid World Wide

2010-09-10T04:32:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Diversity
A friend's tweet regarding Eid Celebrations in Prospect Mira Moscow inspired me to collect a montage of photos world wide showing Muslims during Eid.

My intent is to show the vast variety among Muslim populations worldwide as communities come together in prayer to celebrate Eid Al-Fitr and the end of Ramadan.

Russian Sister w/ prayer rugs Prospect Mira, Moscow

First 2 Photos in Russia taken in Prospect Mira, Moscow

It's amazing how many people show up in major cities for Eid prayer. In Moscow, apparently they shut down streets. Picture from the same Russian news source as prior 3 pictures.

From Gulf News Source: Eid 2010 in Sharjah UAE

The City of Sharjah in UAE is one of 7 Emirates (including Dubai & Abu Dhabi) . The UAE is full of lovely Mosques like this one near the lake. Eid prayer extends into the courtyard. This photo is from From Gulf News Source.

Click below to see more photos from Eid World Wide

Chinese Muslims praying for Eid

Eid in China these photos are from Xinhua
from a Chinese News Source

Muslims in Xinhua, China during Eid Al Fitr Prayer from a Chinese News Source

Eid Celebrations in Peshwar, Pakistan

The online Guardian.co.uk has a sweet set of Eid photos worldwide From Indonesia to Sudan and Bangledesh. This photo shows Jakarta, Indonesia at the boat docks.

These Sisters in Iran are a speckling of black, grey and white... who's that daring to wear color? You go girl. Eid prayer in Meshhad, Iran. Photo also from Guardian.co.uk.

NPR and the Associated Press present international smatterings of photos from around the globe. There are a fair share of awesome European photos like this Paris, France photo where pedestrians walk by and the Mosque overflows onto the street. Where's the sisters? Hijab all up in your street France.

This lovely photo is also from NPR's Eid around the globe photos. It's a packed Masjid in Duisberg, West Germany...

On Mosques in America: WTC to Anywhere USA

2010-08-12T19:19:00.000-07:00

Mosques in America are on a list of controversial subjects in the news since the application for a Mosque to be built in New York near the world trade center.

American Mosque in Dearborn, Michigan

Freedom of religion is a bedrock of American law. Our beloved Constitution of the United States of America grants freedom of religion in a very important amendment to respect free speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Now the problem continues
For those who believe it is an insult to those who died on September 11, I ask what about the Muslims who died that day?
What about the Atlanta Olympic bombers who were a part of the Christian fundamentalist group "Army of God". They harrass families of dead soldiers, bomb abortion clinics and are homegrown terrorists. Should we ban all churches from building because of them?

Some supporters of the proposed community center site (it will contain a prayer-room/mosque-like area along with exercise rooms, class rooms, a pool, etc) include some wonderful interfaith allies.
Jewish vigil supporting Muslim cultural center in Lower Manhattan by Rabbi Arthur Waskow is perhaps one of the sweetest and most thoughtful articles I have read regarding building the community center, and addressing the issue from an interfaith standpoint.

Another awesome blogger outlines "Park 51: Much Ado About a Mosque"

Park 51, the community center and Mosque is bringing people who had latent Islamophobic tendencies regardless. Now these people are making news, being rude, and harrassing Muslims across the US:

Bridgeport Connecticut: "Operation Save America" stands outside a Mosque with signs saying "Islam is a lie", shouting on bullhorns. Mosque members requested police presence for safety. News by the Connecticut Post. In fact they are planning on harassing and intimidating Muslims during Ramadan according to another article by ABC Connecticut.

Murfreesboro, Tennessee: According to the Associated Press:
Foes of proposed mosques have deployed dogs to intimidate Muslims holding prayer services and spray painted "Not Welcome" on a construction sign, then later ripped it apart.

Temecula, California- The folks in California give me hope! Really you folks in Temecula, California organized a counter event to welcome the growth of the Muslim community in Riverside County. Special thanks to TPM (TalkingPoints Memo) for not only outting the haters before their proposed prostest... but for writing an article and titling it "Bigotry Fail"

Finally, on Foreign Policy in Focus, the argument is laid out with a bit of snark... and I agree. The thinly veiled threats and bigotry are coming to light across the US. Thank God for decent people who believe in freedom of religion, and that that Mosques and community centers actually help decrease radicalism by increasing community interaction.

While I try not to become to saddened over the bigotry of my fellow Americans, I see opportunity for people to stand up for the rights and freedoms of one another. I am grateful for the individuals, who, like my beloved Aunt in Seattle, gathered her friends and went to ensure the local Mosque was safe when anti-Islamic backlash gathered the following day after September 11, 2001.

More Mosque Hate:

In Staten Island: Where residents and Muslims spoke out... and it ended with a rude Q&A and police protection for Muslims

In Florence, Kentucky: A Mosque is scheduled to be built on land owned by local Muslims who currently pray in a rented space. Locals have handed out fliers and requested town leaders stop the construction.

News, Journalism, & News Pet Peeves

2010-08-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

Journalism should be a sacred trust...

Journalists investigate, uncover, and travel to sensational stories so we don't have to. They cover court cases, human-rights violations, gross stories, and much more. In hopes of being a part-time journalist someday I have loved and enjoyed magazines and reporters commentary on TV and in books.

5 Journalists and Commentators I enjoy:

Fareed Zakaria- This gentleman is well educated, well traveled and has seriously amazing people as guests on his show. He's had many ministers of finance and diplomats on his show as well as Presidents of other nations. He is well informed, and has amazed people by stating he does his own research (gasp)
He recently returned an award from the Anti-Defamation League because of their stand against the Mosque built near the site of the twin towers. His show Fareed Zakaria GPS is Sunday CNN 10am, and he writes articles for Newsweek in addition to being an author.

Amy Goodman- The co-founder of Democracy Now, and main commentator this lady is fearless and loves to ask difficult questions. She can be found usually on public access TV early in the morning. "She's a little more confrontational, I think, than the typical reporter," said Fred Melo, reporter with the St. Paul Pioneer Press. That is exactly why I think she's awesome. She now also blogs/writes for Truth Dig, an online news source.

Anderson Cooper- It turns out Mr.AC360 on CNN is a seriously in depth character. His mother was Gloria Vanderbilt and he had an interesting youth according to his memoir

Dispatches from the Edge: A Memoir of War, Disasters, and Survival.

He has traveled to many locations to report onsite including: Bosnia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti and more. I appreciate his candor and his tagline "Keeping Them Honest". I really want that as a bumper sticker btw.

Christiane Amanpour- She wears awesome business attire and travels to diverse places. She always gives Islam and world religions a fair chance. Her show This Week with Christiane Amanpour features very interesting guests.. an excerpt from her online bio states: She has since reported on and from the world's major hot spots including Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Somalia, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Rwanda, the Balkans, and the U.S. during Hurricane Katrina. She has interviewed other world leaders from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including Iranian Presidents Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as well as the presidents of Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, and Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat among others.

Vanguard- Featured series on the cable channel Current TV. Thankfully for me, it's also available as a podcast. The entire series of journalists Mariana Van Zeller, Adam Yamaguchi, Kaj Larson, Christof Putzel are interesting, indepth, and informative.

Vanguard Reporters- Internationally fearless reporting

For example, Mariana Van Zeller reported on the homicidal bill in Uganda allowing MURDER of gay and lesbian people, Adam reports on the lack of access to toilets worldwide. I find Adam's choice of the word "shit" instead of "feces" as offensive as the smell of fecal matter, but the fact that he chose to say shit about shit... really reflects the grossness of open defecation.

3 news habits that burn my buttons

1- Twitter on the news- Please turn live twitter feed screen updates OFF. I never wanted to know what people in no-where's-ville-USA thought about the news anyways. Really, I want news not viewer opinion.

2- Celebrity News Gossip- That's what TMZ is for, you can stay current on dumb celebrity news and bad photos. They're online, on tv & maybe in print too. So "news" please stop with celebrity gossip.

3- Sponsor plugs in the news- Starbucks was featured prominently in the news on FOX last year. I thought sponsors had commercials for promotion. Don't look so cheap; it's like you wore a Christian Dior dress and costume jewelry.

Loving Hijabi Styles

2010-06-15T19:15:00.000-07:00

Urban hijabi styles are totally awesome... because we don't, in my humble opinion, have to wear a plain abaya and dark colored scarf.

Now I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the classic black abaya and scarf combination. It's a hijabi classic like jeans and a t-shirt for many of my friends. Some people like the simplicity.

This sister is a fashionista as are many hijabi bloggers out there.

Here's her BBC Arabic interview and article.

She's got great style! Check out her blog. http://www.stylecovered.com

الجمع بين مواكبة أحدث خطوط الموضة في الغرب وبين الحجاب

Muslim Professional, Professor and Journalist: Meeting Dr.Reza Aslan was awesome

2010-05-15T02:11:00.000-07:00

By far, one of the best things this year was meeting one of the top 10 people I admire the most in this world, Dr.Reza Aslan.

Below is the original article I wrote before my editor at The Spectator, a magazine at Portland State University, modified and shortened it.

Discussing Terrorism and Islamic Radicalism

Dr.Reza Aslan transforms discussions of global terrorism from Iran to Israel and Palestine into narratives that inform and interest the reader.

In How to Win a Cosmic War, Aslan wanted to outline religious radicalism and terrorism in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, while focusing on how various groups use Islam to justify their actions.

Dr.Reza Aslan looks every bit like a youthful professor or a GQ model, instead of a writer giving a lecture to a conference of teachers and intercultural businesses; he is dressed in a black pin stripped suit with a matching mauve collared shirt and tie. A smile brightens his face as he jokes, and strolls across the lecture platform as he addressed the audience. While he appeared formal, his casual lecture related to an uncomfortable topic: Global terrorism and the series of religious “cosmic” wars worldwide which he describes in detail in his book How to Win a Cosmic War.

His talent for discussing that which is unspeakable has landed him guest lectures on everything from The Daily Show with John Stewart to CNN for frequent political commentary; he has written for the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and the Chicago Tribune in addition to regular commentary regarding Iran in online magazine The Daily Beast. In his most recent book, he describes the need to strip conflicts of religious contexts, because a war with cosmic and religious consequences cannot be lost, nor will people back down from religious wars. He relates this idea to terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden, Mohammed Sadiq Khan (one of London’s 7/7 bombers) and the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

In the midst of his speaking tour this month after his lecture in Spokane, Washington, Aslan granted an interview with The Spectator. This year he is on sabbatical from his full time job as a professor of creative writing at the University of California Riverside. His scholastic achievements include degrees in religious studies, creative writing, Arabic, and more.

His first book No god but God, published in 2005 was a response to a need for more comprehensive information about Islam; as a professor of Islamic Studies, at the time for the University of Iowa, Aslan watched the number of students interested in his class about Islam skyrocket from 35 students prior to September 11 to over 200 students. His intention was to write a book, not only to inform Americans about Islam, but also Muslim Americans who seemed to not know enough about their own religion.

In How to Win a Cosmic War, Aslan wanted to outline religious radicalism and terrorism in Christianity, Judaism and Islam, while focusing on how various groups use Islam to justify their actions.

Such a dry, confusing topic becomes enthralling as Aslan chooses a narrative form of storytelling to unveil the world of Islamic fundamentalism. In fact, the Spectator asked how a professor of creative writing came to produce such serious non-fiction. Aslan stated, “Creative non-fiction is similar [to fiction]; it’s all about storytelling- only, the images are more tethered to reality.” He gave advice for students in essay writing, “If you can tell the information in form of a short story, not only will people react better, they will remember it. If you wrap the issue in small universal stories you communicate with more depth.”

Throughout his books, Aslan tells historical stories of significance found in the Islamic faith and recent history of global terrorism. The stories range from the history of Shia and Sunni conflicts in No god but God, to the baffling estrangement of a Londoner of Pakistani decent turned suicide bomber in How to Win a Cosmic War.

His point remains that the conflicts against the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the ever-newsworthy Palestinian and Israeli conflicts should be stripped of their religious content. From the American political view of Hamas and Hezbollah or the Islamic Republic of Iran, Aslan addresses it all with the art of a descriptive narrative, a dash of humor, and a dose of his opinion regarding possible solutions to current military engagements and the ongoing rise of terrorism in the face of reasonable Muslims across the world.

He argues that governments in the Middle East use the plight of Palestinians as a rallying cry for “us vs them” mentality while ignoring the actual suffering of refugees or residents of Gaza. For example, he mentions a giant billboard seen on a recent trip to Iran, depicting an infamous and tragic picture of a Palestinian man holding his dying 10 year old son with a caption “yesterday Palestine”, next to a revolting picture from Abu Ghraib showing an Iraqi man in his underwear, hooded with electrodes on his hands. Beneath the second picture it said “today Iraq”. The country of Iran and Iranian politicians have not been historically in favor of either Palestinians, Hamas or Iraq. Yet these images are being fashioned in a way to promote hate for America, Israel and the West. In this way Aslan establishes that the Israel and Palestine conflict is the biggest threat to U.S. security.

The epilogue tells more about us as Americans than perhaps any other country. He relates, “Undoubtedly, the single most significant factor in allowing American Muslims to comfortably reconcile their faith and traditions with the realities of American life is the core American belief that there need be no conflict between one’s religious and national identity.” The Spectator asked, “What makes this possible in our democracy?”

Aslan’s answer says a good deal about not only American ideals, but those of other western nations and Muslims across the globe.

He replied, “Frankly, the historical account of this country states that it was founded by religious outcasts who refused to allow religion of a national church to dictate their lives. Britain still pays taxes to the national Anglican Church. The founding moments [of America] involved a forced sense of religious pluralism that the government should encourage religion to take part in public realms such as politics and economy. This attitude is certainly one we don’t see in Europe. While it gives certain religious groups such as Christian Evangelists enormous political influence, it also allows people of different faiths to express themselves. Muslims especially take a very all encompassing view of religion which affects how we look at clothing, prayer, food and daily life. In America sallat [Muslim prayer] is still recognized as prayer no matter how different it may seem unlike in Europe where public religion is seen as anathema. This gives American Muslims recognition and a feeling of belonging.”

Ultimately, if you are a Muslim, a non-Muslim, an American, an international student, a veteran, a politician or an individual interested in history of Islam the book How to Win a Cosmic War addresses global terrorism and Islam in a way that is thoughtful and engaging. Thanks to Dr. Aslan’s books, anyone can study the history of Islam and global terrorism taught by a journalist, renowned author and professor for the price of a book.

For more information on Dr.Reza Aslan, check out his website with tons more links to his essays, articles, news appearances and online commentary.

American Mosque bombed in Florida... American national news silent

2010-05-15T01:46:00.000-07:00

Will the following news agencies please stand up: CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, UNIVISION, Telemundo, CNBC, HLN, Times Magazine, NY Times, Wallstreet Journal... the American Muslim civil rights organization CAIR has called you out... can I get a witness?

If someone had bombed a church, a synagogue, a temple... they would have replayed clips and showed guesses as to perpetrators with hours of commentary interspersed with touch-screen close-ups and iPad use.

However, someone has bombed a Mosque in Florida, and instead only Florida stations have carried the news. CAIR (the Center for American Islamic Relations) has spoken out about the lack of media coverage.

Thanks First Coast news (local ABC affiliate in Jacksonville, FL) for giving the news coverage over the last four days. Their first article titled, FBI:Suspect in Northeast Florida Mosque Fire Used Pipe Bomb and other updates are few articles found in a quick google search. Sadly I found out through twitter and a CAIR press release.

Thanks CAIR for standing out there and paying mind to speak out for American Muslims, as well as the Jacksonville Masjid seen on the left. Photo from First Coast News, Florida.

Magazines from Hijabis to Science, Nature and Seriously Informative Articles

2010-04-09T01:22:00.000-07:00

I have huge purses that act like backpacks on a daily basis. These purses stretch to hold giant school books, notebooks, my netbook laptop, day planner snacks, a coffee cup and water bottle but most of all I always like to have a good magazine. Magazines are perfect on breaks at work, on the train, waiting for coffee, on the treadmill and more...

Here's a few magazines I love for information:

Hijabi Magazines and Muslimah Magazines:
Azizah Magazine- The PSU MSA has a subscription to this quarterly magazine and it is WORTH the $10 per issue ($30 a year subscription saves money). Stories range from poetry, news and informative articles to fun foods and household tips. Azizah has been around since 2001; the creator Tayyiba Taylor created a fun feminine and feminist magazine showing the strength of some seriously amazing writers.

Sisters Magazine- Is a fun and interesting magazine for Muslim women. It's articles like their interview with a Muslim Environmentalist that keep me interested.The magazine has only been out a few years and in print even less; however it's a great magazine by our Muslimah Sisters in the UK... and UK hijabi fashion is sweet!

News, World Events and Nature

TIME Magazine- Has been a simple, staple favorite for many years. We often subscribe to TIME because, it's one of those magazines that can simplify something complicated like the health bill, Somali Pirates, the Tea Party, on a national and international level. They have book reviews and movie reviews that are usually enjoyable. It's almost always in my bag.. unless I finished this week's and am waiting for next week. The best thing is it's only like $20 a year for 56 issues. That's an excellent deal.

The Economist- News for people who already know some world news. Don't expect the Economist to hold your hand and explain gently to you the history of Sudan's current dictator President and the current elections.. they start as if you know a little already and you just want an update. Concise, limited pictures and a really wide range of articles. The most expensive magazine on my favorites list... but they do have a student discount.

National Geographic- A classic magazine my mother subscribed to as a kid, she collected the magazines and passed on the maps to me with an appreciation of cool animals and places world wide. Really, kids should grow up knowing about mummies, flying squirrels, people across the globe and even the melding of technology and prosthetics. National Geographic gets my vote for magazine with the best photos. It's a monthy magazine at $15 a year... good deal.

Science and more Nerdy Science

New Scientist Magazine- It's the coolest science magazine... they can make complicated ideals like quantum physics seem fairly attainable. They have a more expensive yearly subscription ($75 or $69 for students- For weekly magazines... that's not so bad) Their articles are cleverly titled like

Look, no hands: Cars that drive better than you

Self-driving cars are safer, cleaner and make better use of precious road space – so what's stopping them?

THE HUMAN BRAIN

Picking our brains: Nine neural frontiers

The secrets of the human mind lie deep within our astonishingly intricate brains. Now neuroscientists are teasing them out

Hijabi in the Winter Olympics

2010-02-28T05:50:00.000-08:00

I know it's a bit late as the Winter Olympics in Vancouver are just wrapping up... however as with the Summer Olympic hijabis, I have to share information about the Iranian hijabi in the olympics. Yes, Iran has finally allowed a woman to compete in skiing, and although she finished last she was excited to compete. According to an interview she had with Reuters, she hopes to inspire more hijabi, and Muslimah Olympians.
Look for more hijabi Olympians in the next Winter Olympics!

Marjan Kalhor, according to an article in the Denver Post, grew up in the mountains of Iran skiing since she was 4 years old. The Denver Post also referred to some Iranian mullah who disapproved of women skiing because the knee movements look "more like dancing than sport". Does that mean the first hijabi snowboarder will get less flack?? I'm thinking yes, plus she could wear baggier clothes :)

The Denver Post also called her cute pink hijab under her skiing helmet a burka... but I sent them a nice letter detailing the proper names for hijabi wear.

For now we have our Winter Olympic Hijabi Hero... Marjan Kalhor

My past posts on Summer Olympic Hijabis can be found here:
http://opinionateit.blogspot.com/2008/08/olympian-veil-and-olympics-un-veiled.html

http://opinionateit.blogspot.com/2008/08/hijabis-in-olympics.html

http://opinionateit.blogspot.com/2008/08/olympic-fan-blogs-on.html

Apparently the London Olympics have been scheduled during Ramadan (supper lame of them) one hijabi blogger who visited the Vancouver Olympics had to say about hijabis, Olympics and the ill-timed London Olympics.

Oregon law to ban teachers with religious garb OVERTURNED!

2010-02-23T17:43:00.000-08:00

Oregon State Capital Building in Salem

Oregon Senators voted today to overturn the law banning religious garb. Although the bill must travel to Governor Kulongoski's desk for the final signing, we feel that this was worth the time, effort and is a success.

A million and one thanks to Saba, Representative Dave Hunt, his aide's and all of the Representatives and Senators who have taken part in this effort.

It's now time for my blog to be dedicated to other things I am extremely opinionated about.

I think this is an important win for Democracy, showing how with the right process democratic processes can protect the minority, and allow rights to all people. It shows the time and effort which must be put into making a change in law.

I love that the Constitution of the United States, the Title VII anti-discrimination laws, and Oregon's Workplace Religious Freedom Act can be employed to uphold freedom of individuals. The process is lengthy, and it takes a fair amount of lobbying, calling, letter-writting, visiting, etc; however, the process in itself is important to informing representatives and gathering information.

Thanks, and God Bless America... and freedom, and the democratic process.

Repeal of Ban on religious Garb passes in Oregon Senate

2010-02-10T15:29:00.000-08:00

Today we traveled to Salem!! We watched the process, and I love watching the democratic process at work. It makes me want to find an internship in Salem or Washington DC.
The 3rd floor viewing balconies were full of Muslims and Sikhs from Oregon, and we were OVERJOYED when the vote passed 51-8.
Thanks to our Oregon legislators who helped and gave so much of their time. Speaker of the House Hunt (D-Gladstone) was amazing.
We felt relieved, I'm on the news later today Fox Channel 12 at 4pm and 5pm...

Oregon live wrote about Taghrid Elmeligui, the Oregon area teacher who wears a scarf, and the passing of today's house bill.
You can a short clip on Fox 12 and KOIN 6 in a much longer 7 minute clip with a great speech from Rep.Dembrow.

Speaker of the House Hunt (D-Gladstone) presented the bill HB 3686 and spoke in favor. It was followed by the speech of at least 5 other members who were in favor of the bill and one opposed. Many lawmakers had different reasons to support the bill. One Senator spoke about his Jewish heritage and the fact that his teachers did not understand his differences. Another law maker spoke about his Christian Syrian grandparents and their positive interfaith efforts abroad while his father was misunderstood as a child. At least 2 lawmakers spoke that they were not necessarily in favor of the bill, but they agreed based on freedom of religion guaranteed in the US Constitution. They believed that the antiquated OR 342.650 was discriminatory and should be repealed on the basis of law alone.

The MSA Students, Muslims and Sikhs watch from the viewing gallery.

Call, write, email and FAX Oregon lawmakers to Vote YES on House Bill 3686

2010-02-04T23:55:00.000-08:00

In fact the Portland State University Muslim Student Association is one of the sponsors of the bill

Relating to unlawful discrimination in employment practices; amending ORS 659A.033
Repealing the Oregon law banning teachers from wearing religious garb.

Salem Lobby Day we'll visit Senators to ask their support in overturning Oregon teachers religious garb ban

2010-02-03T01:41:00.000-08:00

For all those who are in Oregon, there is time to call our Oregon State Senators and Oregon House of Representatives and ask them to support House Bill 3686

It's essentially a repeal of Oregon's law banning teachers from wearing religious garb. We're visiting Salem with a FREE BUS RIDE from Portland State University!!! Or meet us there in Hearing Hall 50 at 9:30am.
You can get driving directions on Google maps

There are new stipulations but the most important information to include with a letter to an Oregon Senator or Representatives:

-Please overturn this 89 year old biased law by SUPPORTING HOUSE BILL 3686
- Current laws prevent proselytizing to children and clothing with a religious message.

To write your Oregon representatives, look them up on the Oregon Legislative Website.

You can cut and paste the following letter there if you don't know what to write:

Dear Representative,

Oregon has a sort session legislature in February and bill regarding the rights of teachers to wear religious garb. Please give all Oregon teachers the right to wear religious garb. Oregon law is sufficient enough to protect children from proselytizing teachers.
Please vote Yes on House Bill 3686.

All Oregonians deserve rights under the Workplace Religious Freedom Act and FederalTitle VII.

Oregon Law up for a Change: Banning religious dress for over 80 years

2009-12-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

The Oregon law banning teachers from wearing religious garb has been a focus of mine for the last six months or so... and we're not done quite yet.

We really loved the response to Hijabi Monologues and there may be a chance for a repeat performance in early February.

It appears speaker Hunt will return to the House and Senate with a repeal to the 1921 law banning Oregon Teachers in public schools from wearing "religious garb".
The Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon plus many interfaith groups, and a few representatives of city officials were present to speak about the current situation.

Here's the skinny:
- The ACLU are the ban's biggest supporters- The American Civil Liberties Union opposes freedom for teachers and Title VII- The US Law protecting against discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin . They have written and circulated emails stating that delaying on the legislation is necessary. *they requested a delay in 2007 as well**
- Legislation in the Oregon State Senate will need strong bipartisan support
- Groups traveling to Salem with info. provided about speaking with legislator staff.

Title VII: Anti-discrimination law- The US Law protecting against discrimination based upon race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

The latest Oregonian Article regarding the overturning this 80 year old archaic law created to discriminate against Catholics.

PSU's Daily Vanguard newspaper wrote an article about the Hijabi Monologues.

We're really looking to build a better coalition of varying faiths, and people across Oregon.

The issue is first amendment rights, and free exercise of religion. Teachers should not prosthelytize, and honestly teachers who are Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Wiccen and more understand this and they merely deserve the right to be themselves at work, like The Workplace Religious Freedom Act guarantees all Oregonians- Except Teachers.

The US Department of Justice- The DOJ- has investigated situations such as this in the past, and they are not new to the current crisis in personal freedoms. I'm just saying...

Freedom isn't Free.. but boy I love it... That's a photo of some sisters in DC in a broad based coalition of Muslim Organizations visiting our Congressmen and Women in D.C.

Opinionated Posts By Yours Truly In the Past

Hijab Ban- Banner of Secularism or Abuse?

History of Oregon's Ugly Law

Oregon Law Update...

2009-11-23T22:54:00.001-08:00

Oregon may repeal the law banning teachers from wearing religious garb... We'll be discussing it at the Hijabi Monologues Tuesday November 24 @PSU...
Hijabi teachers may be able to teach in Oregon schools, as well as Sikh teachers and others...

Oregonian Live reports that Oregon House Speaker Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone announced:
Article in Oregon live by Betsy Hammond

Oregon's prohibition on allowing teachers to exercise their faith by covering their heads or wearing other religious garb dates to a shameful anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant period in state history and is overdue to be changed, House Speaker Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone, said Monday.

Hunt plans to introduce a bill to repeal the 1923 law and said he is optimistic it will pass, given the broad spectrum of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs who support the change.

Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and state schools Superintendent Susan Castillo sent every lawmaker a letter last week urging them to end the ban on religious dress for teachers.

The 86-year-old law has not been tested in court since the Eugene School District won a 1986 Oregon Supreme Court case that upheld its firing of a Sikh teacher for wearing a turban, or dastaar, as her faith requires.

Few Oregonians were aware the state had such a ban -- one of only three in the nation -- until the Legislature passed a law earlier this year allowing all workers except teachers to wear religious dress at work in most instances.

The 1923 law on teacher dress was passed when Kaspar K. Kubli, an open supporter of the Ku Klux Klan, presided as speaker of the Oregon House. It was included in the Alien Property Act of 1923, which prohibited Japanese Americans from owning property in Oregon, and was designed to prevent nuns and priests from wearing their habits or vestments in classrooms.

Hunt said the old law has a modern-day impact. Some Muslim and Sikh Oregonians have been told in recent years that they can't apply for teaching jobs or can teach only if they remove their head coverings, he said.

Hijabi Monologues: It's about being American. It's about being Muslim. It's about being a woman.

2009-11-18T20:29:00.000-08:00

By
Sahar Ullah

Hijabi Monologes: It's about being American. It's about being Muslim. It's about being a woman.

The Hijabi Monologues is about creating a space for American Muslim women to share their stories.

Many Muslim women share the experience of facing an entire set of assumptions about their faith, politics, preferences, education, class, etc. based on whether they choose to wear, or not to wear, a headscarf.

For this reason, The Hijabi Monologues never claims to speak for all Muslim women. All Muslim women are not American. All Muslim women are not hijabis.

Ultimately, story-telling is the beginning of a deeper conversation. Through the power of
storytelling, generalization and categorization are challenged. Through stories, strangers connect, and doors are opened for sharing more stories.

And most importantly, the story-teller – in this case the Muslim American woman - becomes a complex human being, instead of a one-dimensional stereotype.

Portland State University's Muslim Student Association Presents:
November 24th in the Smith BallroomDoors open at 4:30 pm, Show at 5pm with a workshop to follow
Entry costs: $10 general admission $5 students
A light meal will be provided.
Tickets available on ticketmaster and at the PSU box office
More info at: http//web.pdx.edu/~msapsu
We’re on facebook: msapsu
Email: msapsu@pdx.edu

Ridiculously Busy- Hijab Bans Remain, and we remain against

2009-10-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

السلام العيكم اصديقتي. انا مشغرلة جدا. اذهب الى جاميعتي ايام خمس و اعمل قي مستشقى ليلا. لكني كل يوم انا مشغولة جدا بالبرنمج اطلاب مسلامين

I have been working triple time with work and hilarious ninja style nights at the ER with a flu-mask on half the time at the front desk.

The second part of my week involves 5 classes (20 credits, yikes), one of which is Arabic... and some seriously reading intensive Community Development classes.

Finally I've got the Muslim Students Association which has been a serious labor of love. We have bought more sajadat, scheduled events, finally almost have the website up, and most importantly we will be hosting, InshaAllah, something I am very excited about: The Hijabi Monologues.

Hijabi Monologues

Buy tickets for the Hijabi Monologues

Tickets available:
Nov 1st, 2009
At the PSU Box Office

Events date:
Nov 24th, 2009
6-8pm

The Hijabi Monologues event is a combination of performance, workshops and conversation with the audience. The Hijabi Monologues is about the power of storytelling. It is about creating a space for American Muslim women to share their voices. It is a space to breathe as they are; a space that does not claim to tell every story and speak for every voice. Through sharing stories, strangers touch and connect. Through stories, we are challenged. Through stories, we are humanized. Hijabi Monologues is our stories and our words.

Senate Bill 786 (see Section 4 about teachers)
Contains an amendment making it possible to discriminate against teachers (and ONLY TEACHERS) for wearing religious head coverings. All other businesses and companies CANNOT DISCRIMINATE against people with religious head wear.

The Amendment is ridiculous and contrary! The beginning of Senate Bill 786 is wonderful stating:
Section 2:
(3) An employer violates ORS 659A.030 if:
(a) The employer imposes an occupational requirement that restricts the ability of an employee to wear religious clothing, to take time off for a holy day or to take time off to participate in a religious observance or practice

SECTION 4. ORS 342.650 is amended to read:
342.650. No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher. A school district, education service district or public charter school does not commit an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A by reason of prohibiting a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~sorry for the hiatus.. links to more hijab bans, more hijabi monologues info...

Horrific Racist History and Oregon's bigotted law OS 342- I wrote about it

I wrote a while about hijab banner of secularism or abuse?

Belgium Is working its way to another hijab Ban... students have picketed.. no one cares, according to signs at the Rally "All others are free... except me. I'm on a holiday"

The best article I could find was an arabic article.
القرار بدأ تطبيقه مطلع العام الدراسي الحالي
الطالبات يتظاهرن أمام مدرسة "انتويرب" احتجاجا على حظر الحجاب Perhaps you can google translate it..?

Muslim Women of America Unite- and the importance of Interfaith networking

2009-10-01T02:55:00.000-07:00

I was blessed to attend the conference for the Muslim Women of America. I actually spoke about the Oregon ban on Teachers religious garb.
The importance of a group which acts as a broad based coalition is that it can advocate and act as a larger group representing so many of us and our Organizations across the US.

Every time I attend a conference of Muslim women I am reminded that together we can do so much.

There were speeches about community involvement, improvement, social and civic affairs, and so much more. We also campaigned on Capital Hill for Health care and HR 3200. Each delegation of women visited Congressional and Senatorial representative offices and spoke in support of the health care initiatives.

It was empowering, and we followed up with a meeting with the Congressional Muslim Staffers Association. These folks work hard to represent us by volunteering, alongside their very busy jobs on The Hill.

Washington DC's metro rail was a breeze... and I think I now love our nation's capital more than I did before. Sadly I didn't get to visit any Smithsonian museums or the amazing memorials our nation's capital holds.

Another sister activist and I met a person whom I admire greatly.. a lawyer and activist for the Sikh community. Their legal protection agency SALDEF protects the rights of Sikhs and monitors legislation as well as providing training pamphlets for government organizations. If it was not for SALDEF and the amazing gentlemen who work there, I would have been behind in the Oregon ban and many other legal issues. (They are just lucky we forgot to take pictures... well hopefully next time!)
It is so important to remember that networking to support our Muslim communities is important. We need to reach out to our brothers and sisters nationally and with interfaith outreach. We are not in this alone, and Thank God (Alhamdulillah) there are so many other individuals who give their time to help communities across this great nation.

Thanks to all the brothers and Sisters... what a great weekend. mashallah

Hijabi troubles & the US news

2009-09-03T00:03:00.000-07:00

Again President Obama has spoken about the hijab, lauding a woman for standing up for her rights to wear hijab.

Recently in US news, these hijabis have been fighting for our rights across the nation:

In the news, a Michigan woman is suing over a judge who forced her to remove her hijab in court. The article Muslim sues over hijab hoping to help others in Freep.com.
CAIR posted the video on YouTube, and a link is available through the online news The Examiner in an article Video of Judge Badgering Woman to take of hijab.

The video is significant, and perhaps the judge could have asked why she wore it, or if it was religious. She did not protest, and perhaps she was intimidated. Either way, the importance is in securing rights for others. Although USA Today's online blog/article emphasizes only the former points.

CNN and The Oregonian wrote articles lately about the hijab. CNN's article "Muslim Women Uncover Myths About Hijab" while well intentioned, seemed very lacking I agree with the online Muslim website altmuslim.com article in rebuttle.

The Oregonian's article actually gave me faith in the Oregonian again (I have been on a boycott since they published an Islamophobic-hate filled CD "advertisement) but I STILL will not be subscribing to their paper. Thanks to the author Tom Krattenmaker for an interestine article titled "Seeing beyond the Hijab"

I have been searching the news and blogs about "hijab America" and have found some seriously disturbed people ranting on news comments and blogs about how Muslims need to "take off the scarf or go home". They refer often to hijab as a cultural outfit... but as an American Muslimah I think "Really? Where do I go? Idaho or California?"
Plus the styles many sisters I know and love wear are American.. or Canadian... etc we just make it baggier, longsleeved and add a hijab.
I love the sister's style on one of my favorite hijabi style blogs http://hijabstyle.blogspot.com

How's that for all-American style.. I mean she could be British for all I know but stylish for sure!

Meditating on Improvement during Ramadan

2009-08-30T01:48:00.000-07:00

Lately I've been thinking about improvement, and thankfulness in Ramadan. I have been blessed to give a few speeches at local iftar and I spoke about the blessing of coming together, especially as Muslims in America, for iftar.

I was reading a few similar articles on one of my favorite Muslim websites Islamicity.com which has been my beacon of all-things-Islamic for my 9 years since Shahada. They have Quran search and Hadith as well as many articles.

A few of my favorites this holiday have been found on their Ramadan Info Center
Keeping the Ramadan Spirit Alive by Shelina Zahra Janmohamed
American Ramadan by Khaled Shakran
Ramadan Workout by Abdul Sattar

Another great site to read Quran online:

Silence is Golden~ I wonder what color sarcasm is?

2009-08-29T02:44:00.000-07:00

(photo from Max Dunbar blog)

They say, "silence is golden" I disagree... but I'm really not feeling updating my blog right now.

I'm enjoying Ramadan, community iftars and lots of reading.

Tonight however, I'm lounging watching MallRats, my favorite Kevin Smith movie. Well, I think it's my favorite. The rest of his movies are raunchy hilarious. I seem to just love his humor. I can't say I am a fan of spam-movies (as I have nick-named the bad mockery movies like Scary Movie and Not another cheerleader movie) or whatever) however Kevin Smith's sarcasm amuses me.

Sometimes sarcasm is just sitting on the tip of my tongue... and for Ramadan I have been working on being less annoyed, and therefore less sarcastic. Sometimes it can be quite challenging... especially during fasting. I figure, every Ramadan there are new bad habits which show even more (due to hunger, lack of coffee, etc)and it's time to work on sarcasm. Maybe watching Kevin Smith gets all the sarcasm and cussing out of the way so I can not...
hmmm

The other night my friend and I were at a cool late night street fair (last Thursday is the name). We were people watching, drinking coffee (glorious coffee... miss you) and some dude and his giggly chic walking right behind us in a thick crowd made dumb Muslim jokes.
dude- "whoa, why is she wearing all white?" -for the record it was a white shirt, white leopard print and shiny silver scarf with a teal skirt
giggly chic- "hheee, heee, maybe she's like more religious"
**more dumb muslim comments**
dude- "I'm surprised she's lasted so long, I'm waiting for the 'boom'."
giggly chic- "haha, wait do you mean it?"
dude- no it's sarcasm
giggly chic- "do you think we should walk behind her then?"

argh I WANTED to say, "No sarcasm is when I say..." and my friend and I tried to think of 5 hilarious things to say.
Ok, I slipped a little and said a little loud over my shoulder, "Oh, don't you just hate it when people talk about you and they walk right behind you. It's fabric not ear plugs people"

That's when I realized during Ramadan I really should work on being less sarcastic...

That seems so much nicer, just ignore it and move on. Thanks to the ninjabi cartoonist who writes for the Huffington Post.

If silence is golden, what color is sarcasm?
PS. Kevin Smith, your movies are like pepto... classic, makes me feel better and hard for some folks to swallow. But ya know some things are hard for snoods to swallow anyways. Haha.

History of law banning religious garb in Oregon

2009-07-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

Source Oregon Blue Book- History

Religious Freedom vs the Klan
July 22, 2009

The State of Oregon recently enacted a law called the Oregon Workplace Religious Freedom Act (WRFA ). Although this should have generated fanfare among religious minorities, for whom there is insufficient protection under federal employment discrimination laws, Oregon's WRFA has, in fact, generated enormous protest among Sikh Americans and a diverse coalition of religious groups and civil libertarians throughout the nation.

What is the problem?

The problem is that Oregon's WRFA does not apply to public school teachers who wear religious clothing in private adherence to faith. Although Oregon's WRFA undoubtedly expands workplace religious freedom for most Oregonians, the public school exemption was designed to preserve an archaic law—enacted with the support of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s—which forbids public school teachers from wearing any form of religious clothing. In effect, observant Sikhs, Muslims, Jews—and others who wear religious clothing in private adherence to faith—are shut out of the teaching profession in Oregon. With the possible exception of Pennsylvania, no other state in the country restricts public school teachers in this manner.

When did the Ku Klux Klan come into the picture?

Oregon’s teacher garb law was enacted nearly a century ago by sympathizers of the Ku Klux Klan for the purpose of suppressing Catholics. According to this Oregon History webpage which tells the story of Klan involvement to force children to attend public schools and strong-arm those who wore religious garb- priests, nuns and purportedly even rosaries.

For The source and other info check out the following excerpt from Oregon's history and this law: Source Oregon Blue Book- History

The Klan, FOPS, and Scottish Rite Masons sponsored a bill, passed in 1922 in the general election, to compel all children to attend public schools. The overtly anti-Catholic measure threatened to close all parochial schools and military academies. The state Supreme Court ruled the law unconstitutional in 1924 and the U.S. Supreme Court concurred in 1925. The Ku Klux Klan found a strange champion in the Oregon legislature. Kaspar K. Kubli, speaker of the House of Representatives, happened to possess winning initials and became a rallying point for efforts to drive through the Alien Property Act of 1923. The law prohibited Japanese from purchasing or leasing land in Oregon. The legislature also passed a law forbidding wearing of sectarian clothing, namely priestly vestments or nuns' habits, in classrooms.

Many thanks to friends over at SALDEF for the history behind this bill... and many of our resources regaring this issue.

Teachers Ban on Religious Dress remains

2009-07-22T02:05:00.000-07:00

According to a meeting Tuesday July 22nd, Governor Kulongowski signed SB 786.
Over all the bill protects the rights of Oregon Citizens to wear religious garb and take religious holidays off. Except teachers- Oregon law restricting teachers religious garb ORS 342.650
remains and is enforced in SB 786.

The PSU MSA will continue informing the public and networking with Universities and colleges across the state. We plan on keeping in touch with state senators, senators, congressmen and the like to request that this be addresses and the original statute ORS 342.650 be repealed.

Thanks to opinion columnist at Oregon Live, Anna Griffin who gave her opinion on the law now in effect.

Banner of Freedom and Rally #2

2009-07-20T00:41:00.001-07:00

The struggles of American Muslims have come again to the public view. While seaching for information about the Oregon hijab/ head covering ban there are a few critics who comment that restricting teachers makes sense and that the hijab is oppressive, etc. However the press coverage spreads nationwide and abroad.

Oregon residents and students from PSU are holding another Rally for teachers regarding Oregon SB 786. Our next rally will be Wednesday July 22, 4-6pm Pioneer Courthouse Square. Our goal is to inform the public and request that they follow up with the Governor and their state senators regarding the issue of granting all Oregonians rights to workplace religious freedom.

One intersting piece of information that we hope to follow up on comes from an article in the Examiner article by a hijabi journalist titled US Deparment of Justice lists enforcement efforts to protect American Muslims

The US DOJ article outlines actions

An online publication the Register Guard gives their opinion on the Oregon law.

The only local news media I have found (other than our paper The Oregonian) is www.katu.com who had a 2 minute media clip found here.

Oregon Discriminatory law against Teachers and MSA rally in The News

2009-07-16T20:20:00.000-07:00

Today's even was a success. We had over 30 people standing around, talking to passersby, holding up signs and getting to know each other.

We're sans pictures because many wished not to be in pictures for whatever reason. I was far busy networking, talking to others... even the few who could have allowed us taking photos were not pictured.

That said, THANKS ALL... there were posters, over 200 fliers passed out during Pioneer Courthouse Square's busy hours.

Thanks to CAIR the information has also spread through alternate media and internet news:

Yahoo covers the CAIR action alert titled Oregon Bill Enforces Ban on Muslim, Sikh,Jewish teachers

CAIR news and MSA Rally were found on PR Newswire a United Business Media

An internet news agency The Street Wire mentions the Oregon SB786, CAIR and the MSA event.

USA Today covered the Oregon law in their series titled Faith and Reason; the article "Muslims seek schools' OK for religious garb, holy days"

The Oregonian Editorial board wrote about the incident (online) and did not mention any local opinions. It sums up the OSB 786 information as follows:

The objection, taken up shortly afterward by a leading U.S. Islamic organization, is valid. Wearing religious attire, whether it be an Islamic hijab or a Christian cross necklace, is not the same as proselytizing. Oregon's decades-old law, similar only to one in Pennsylvania, is out of step with laws in the majority of states that leave it up to local districts to decide whether teachers may wear religious garb.

The answer, however, isn't a veto of SB786. That wouldn't gain a thing for Sikhs who want to teach in Oregon. The answer is a repeal of the old law that overly restricts teachers' freedom to practice their religion.

It's a hopeful sign that the strongest champion of SB 786, House Speaker Dave Hunt, D- Gladstone, supports that view. He told The Oregonian's Harry Esteve that all Oregon workers, including teachers, "should have the right to freely exercise their religion and do their job."

Unfortunately, the bill didn't have the votes to pass without the exclusion for teachers.

Hunt and his fellow Democratic leaders have a fresh opportunity to muster those votes in the Legislature's interim session next winter.

Rally Today Against Ban on Religious Headcoverings for Teachers

2009-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Rally Today (Thursday July 16 at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 4-6pm in Portland, Oregon)

IMPORTANT: THIS IS NEARLY LAW, THE FINAL STEP IS THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE

InshaAllah CAIR (Center for American Islamic Relations) will be sending out a press release today as well regarding this Oregon DISCRIMINATORY law.
Send a form letter from the official CAIR website

We Are Calling All the News Stations- Oregon Senate Bill 786 will protect the rights of Oregon citizens to wear religious clothing EXCEPT public teachers who can be fired and forced to resign for not removing a hijab, headcovering, turban, or oher religious head covering. (See Bill 786- especially section 4)

Governor’s Citizens’ Representative Message Line 503.378.4582

Please notify local news demanding they cover this issue!
Associated Press- 503 228-2169
KATU channel 2 503 231-4222
KGW News 8 503 2265-5000
Fox News KPTV 12 503 906-1249
The Oregonian 503 222-8100

More Info On Oregon's ban on teachers wearing religious headcoverings

2009-07-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

Below is information regarding our

Senate Bill 786 (see Section 4 about teachers)
Peaceful Protest to an amendment making it possible to discriminate against teachers (and ONLY TEACHERS) for wearing religious head coverings. All other businesses and companies CANNOT DISCRIMINATE against people with religious head wear.

The Amendment is ridiculous and contrary! The beginning of Senate Bill 786 is wonderful stating:
Section 2:
(3) An employer violates ORS 659A.030 if:
(a) The employer imposes an occupational requirement that restricts the ability of an
employee to wear religious clothing, to take time off for a holy day or to take time off to
participate in a religious observance or practice

SECTION 4. ORS 342.650 is amended to read:
342.650. No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the
performance of duties as a teacher. A school district, education service district or public charter
school does not commit an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A by
reason of prohibiting a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance
of duties as a teacher.

The Original law governing Oregon teachers and religious clothing is Chapter 342.650 (see section .650) stating simply "No religious Attire" The new law states workplace religious freedom EXCEPT teachers.

The Oregonian covered the issue which has impacted the Sikh community for many years in an article Sikhs protest school exemption in Oregon religious freedom bill
by Harry Esteve, The Oregonian

So, our signs for tomorrow should read:

"Support Religious Freedom For All Americans"

"Workplace Religious Teachers Act- Muslim Teachers Need Not Apply?"

"Workplace Religious Teachers Act- Jewish Teachers Need Not Apply?"

"Workplace Religious Teachers Act- Sikh Teachers Need Not Apply?"

"Workplace Religious Teachers Act- Christian Teachers Need Not Apply?"

"Excluding Teachers in Religious Freedom is WRONG"

"Religious Freedom- Not for Teachers?"

"Mr.Governor Repeal Anti-Religion laws in Oregon"

We'll try to spread information with the public.

Oregon Law to Discriminate against Headcovering Teachers

2009-07-15T17:13:00.000-07:00

Urgent News!! PSU MSA organizing a PEACEFUL PROTEST RALLY Thursday July 16, 2009 at Pioneer Courthouse Square 4pm-6pm

The governor may soon be signing into law some legislation which will make wearing a religious headcovering BANNED for public school teachers.
A press release from the Sikh community (Many thanks to them as I found out through their information)

To call the governor's office: (503) 378-6548
To email the governor
Find the link on the following page:
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/contact_us.shtml

Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-

Governor's Citizens' Representative Message Line 503.378.4582

Please notify local news demanding they cover this issue!
Associated Press- 503 228-2169
KATU channel 2 503 231-4222
KGW News 8 503 2265-5000
Fox News KPTV 12 503 906-1249
The Oregonian 503 222-8100

Please forward this to as many people as possible and AT LEAST call the governor and KATU 2

A Quote from the Oregon Law.. it forbids religious discrimination EXCEPT by public schools

SECTION 4. ORS 342.650 is amended to read:
342.650. No teacher in any public school shall wear any religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher. A school district, education service district or public charter school does not commit an unlawful employment practice under ORS chapter 659A by reason of prohibiting a teacher from wearing religious dress while engaged in the performance of duties as a teacher.

SECTION 5. Section 2 of this 2009 Act shall be known and may be cited as the “Oregon
Workplace Religious Freedom Act.”
Passed by Senate May 5, 2009

Secretary of Senate

President of Senate
Passed by House May 29, 2009

Speaker of House
Received by Governor:

Thanks, jazekallaheir

Independence Day: Fabous Fireworks Extravaganza

2009-07-04T00:18:00.001-07:00

I'm a proud and loving American... and the 4th July is one of my favorite holidays.

There are quite a few reasons it's a sweet holiday:

Fireworks started as bonfires to celebrate the day the Declaration of Independence it was celebrated the following few years in surrounding areas. One President suggested that the day be celebrated across the states with bonfires. Eventually this became fireworks (Thanks China, the US imports over 300 million tons of fireworks from China).

The Declaration of Independence has been a standing pillar in American politics. It's very descriptive, rhythmic, and above all challenging. It begins:

When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

** Although ALL MEN and women were not free at the time, it turns out Thomas Jefferson's first copy included an omitted portion abhorring slavery and "selling MEN" . *** It was interesting that he felt that way as the US Historians know, Jefferson owned slaves and fathered a famous line of Jefferson's unknown children (DNA tested and found true). It was after a long and bloody Civil War that ALL Americans were free.

Fireworks are certainly my favorite. Yes, they're not really fabulous for carbon emissions. That's why city fireworks are great, everyone shares a viewing of a really fabulous display of pyrotechnics- the science of fireworks shows.

The History of fireworks comes from gunpowder and were first used in China. In US history the first 4th of July employed fireworks and Walt Disney World invented compressed air fireworks cutting down on fumes.

Washington DC, where the bonfires have burnt in remembrance and turned to amazing fireworks displays. The first Independence celebrations with bonfires AND fireworks was in Philadelphia (Check out more Independence History)

Today in Washington DC, our President Barack Obama gave a 4th of July speech, and included information about Iraq being turned over to Iraqis. I found that interesting.
I found it adorable that he mentioned his daughter Malia's birthday whose birthday is July 4th. He spoke patriotically about the military. The fireworks were lovely.
(This photo is WDC in July 4 2007)

It's also a great time for American cookouts, camping and BBQ-ing. There's a reason this nation loves its cookouts, and the food is tasty.
We went to a city park, ran into some friends and lounged under the shade of trees. Our friends had kids who played with squirt guns, new ball-games and basketball; they were invited by a near by family party to enjoy the pinata at their child's birthday party. Ah, America.. diverse and out door loving.
Here's a look up at the trees from our relaxing park lunch:

I also love dressing up in a ridiculous amount of all red, white and blue hijab and matching outfit.

Portland had an amazing fireworks display

I and a few friends went to the waterfront with a blanket 30 minutes early to get coffee and stake out a spot. We and eventually other groups and families trampled down 2 foot high grass next to the walkway along shops overlooking the Willamette River upon which a large pontoon boat wooed the onlookers with pyrotechnic feats of amazing light, sound and design. A portion of I-5 the highway bridges over the Willamette on its way North toward Seattle and Canada. Cars stopped in rows along the side of the freeway often totaled more than 20 cars. At one point cars remained pulled to the LEFT on a FREEWAY while a fire engine passed on the right en route to a call on the opposite side of the river. THAT WAS ridiculous, people really watched on the freeway. Oh Americans... we love our fireworks. The recession has taken its toll, many cities have scaled back or cut off their fireworks displays; however, it will be back again like bonfires across the Nation.

Sweet Styling Sisters on Street View

2009-07-03T01:16:00.000-07:00

Sweet stylish sisters in the Ummah are creative, modest, adorable and mashallah... diverse.

The diversity has always awed me. The sisterhood of hijabis is a creative bunch and a blogger conglomerate of Hijabs HighHijabs the blog states:

Hijabs High is inspired by the stylish and dynamic global community of Muslim women who fuse their identities and pronounce their place in the world everyday through beauty and fashion.

To the chic gang of Hijabs High photographers - you know who you are - thanks for doing it all with grace and panache.

She has stylish sisters from the UK, Cairo, Kuala, Denmark, San Francisco, Malaysia, Turkey and more!!

This Turkish sister thanks to Hijabs High is one of the cutest styles... but all the muslimahs are rocking their own styles.

Like this Singapore sister who merges a cloth with a history in Indonesian-Filipino Martial Arts like Silat. These skirts are modest and perfect, in act for practicing Silat. It's wonderful to see classic styles on hijabis with a smooth urban flow. Another example of this blogger's creative choices of photo-ops.

Sarong Stylish in Singapore

Our US sister from Birmingham, Alabama has a sweet outfit in modest and stylish simplicity. Head bands are a fun accessory!

As in this sister with my favorite so far, the Abaya Urban with the jacket and headband. This UK sister has seamlessly paired the classic and chic.

Thanks to sisters at Hijabs High and please keep it up.

Another thanks to The HijablogHijablog for posting about it in her tres chic blog.

Hijab Ban- Banner of Secularism or Abuse?

2009-06-19T16:41:00.000-07:00

This photo shows a silent protest of prayer for women's rights to wear her hijab in Turkey.

Currently 4 countries in Europe and Asia ban wearing hijab in schools, universities and public buildings. Why not tattoos or piercings or other unusual appearance statements?
In the West and most free countries around the world we can choose to go against social norms to define our character and this is not oppression. Who gets to choose the definition of oppression? I happen to think that the Cosmopolitan image and the obsession with being overly thin and flawless in media is not only sexist, but unrealistic and oppressive to young women. I'm not asking everyone to wear a hijab or dress modestly... but quit making young women feel fat and ugly for putting on a few pounds, being small breasted, or having a hook nose. Social mores (pronounced mor-ays if you don't know) are equivalent to societal values and morals. These differ widely. In San Fransisco, one is free to be openly gay and hold hands with one's partner. You are also free to go topless in Santa Cruz, California. However, I am free to walk with my tattooed up, pierced best friend while I wear a hijab. Sure, in our hometown in Idaho we get stares... but in Portland, San Francisco and Atlanta we are free to be. Social mores allow us to be different, weird or otherwise without more than a few looks or silent judgment.

This is in response to annonymous aka Emannuel and all those who decry Freedom but restrict the clothing a Muslim woman may wear. It is also my opinion, my pet peeve and my soap box... I stand on it a bit really. Sorry ya'll... but I did say I'm opinionated.

President Barack Obama surprised me in his latest speech in Cairo wherein he included the subject of hijab. For the short story (that parallels my opinion) check out Salon dot com's article" Obama befriends the hijab ". I think it was a kind thing to say, and overall quite true.

As President Obama said in his Cairo speech (entire text available in the Huffington Post), "Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one's religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state of our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That is why the U.S. government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab, and to punish those who would deny it."

Can we? Have we been denyed employment or the right to wear it before in the U.S.? Yes, and if it is provable, when taken to court U.S. courts uphold a woman's right to wear her hijab.

President Obama continued: "Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit - for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretense of liberalism."

Again, France, Turkey and Tunisia. AND MAY I ADD *drum roll please* Tajikistan with the newest member of Muslim countries banning hijab... As my anonymous reader stated... hijabs are not outright banned. They are banned in public schools, universities and public buildings; all the places we need to go for education and legal process.

A protest in Turkey: Photo from inminds.com and atrulyelegantmess.blogspot.com.

But if a nation bans hijabs in school, public buildings and universities as France, Turkey, Tunisia, and Tajikistan have... it IS a ban on hijabs. I'm a University student, essentially I could not wear hijab many hours of my day in public. I have worried about this before while working on an ambulance, but after my insistence they knew they could not legally restrict me (as Obama said... our courts don't allow these human rights abuses). What of my Sikh friends? These amazing, devoted men and women who grow their hair and cover it in deference to the Almighty? And my Christian covering sisters who likewise cover in modesty? What of nuns (although many orders have moved passed the wearing of the habit)?

While Tunisia, a majority Muslim country has long banned hijabis from school and court, this has of course been challenged by hijabi lawyers. The veil ban in public buildings, schools and Universities still stands.

In France, some sisters wear wigs over their hair... and many argue it's political in nature to slow immigration of Muslims as this Australian journalist writes. A UK journalist exposes the same feelings of Muslims over the French ban in the UK Star, a Guardian news company. Of course some in France are miffed over the Obama nod toward hijabies as written in an online article by New Majority.

In recent news, France is seeking to outright ban hijab and at least niquab (the face veil). In their striving for secularism, they are forcing others in Europe's largest Muslim minority to conform. According to this article, France is seriously considering further restricting the rights of Muslims. It's outright Islamophobia.

If a woman chooses to wear niquab, then so be it.

Turkey has reconsidered and re-upheld its ban frequently. They have considered loosening the ban according to the UK Star, but ruled against it. Here are some personal accounts of sisters who have refused to take off their beloved hijab to attend class very tragic. Although I would suggest ingenuity.. cancer-survivor scarves, hats with neck-scarves, wigs, etc.

TajikistanTajikistan (See story from 2005 and 2007.. I'm late on this one!)- Now has entered the line on all my hijab ban rants. I find it morally degrading that 3 of the 4 countries are Muslim. Some would argue that is why it's not biased and offensive. I would argue it's like black people telling black jokes or latinos telling Mexican jokes. It doesn't make it any better! It's still offensive and discriminatory. In their case they deny a women her education for a piece of fabric that to her may represent faith, modesty, submission to God, and some of the most wonderful of human emotions. All to prove the nation's moral superiority and "Western" ideals.

I have said for quite some time that, although it may be difficult, God Bless my country for standing up for my rights to wear hijab. In the U.S. courts have repeatedly upheld the rights of women to choose to wear hijab. Even in prison, in license pictures, at work, and especially in government jobs. God Bless America, really! Although some courts have ruled in favor of not allowing hijab in certain cases (a long hijab on a police woman) these cases have often been overturned.
While it is not perfect... thanks to CAIR who defends the rights of Muslim women, we're keeping our rights.
And God Bless OPBon their wide angle series- That's Oregon Public Broadcasting- for bringing a summer class for grades 9-12 about hijab.

For an interesting and dicey-opinionated and doubly bold blogger's history (or is it herstory) of hijab I recommend this post. However, she's quite kind and tame in language in this post. The rest um.. not so much. She swears like a sailor, is a feminist-opinionated-LGBT-loud mouthed lady. For anything that I disagree.. I like her even more. However, her herstory of hijab is pretty spot on with how I feel.
veiled contempt part 1 on the blog "Truly Elegant Mess".
She Sums up much of my ideals in her statement:
In conclusion, it is obvious that with the complexity of the practice of veiling it is foolhardy at best and completely ignorant at worst to make assumptions about a woman who veils or doesn’t and about her impetus for doing so. As far as my personal opinion on the practice, I feel that it can be an important form of identity assertion and a way to express oneself socially, politically and religiously. That being said, I support the practice, provided it is a choice. If it is forced it loses all meaning except the political and that does nothing but cheapen the religious and cultural reasons for choosing it. In the flip side of that argument, forcing a woman to remove it when she does not wish to shows the same disregard for her agency as forcing her to wear it does, and as a double strike, is able to be couched in supposedly progressive rhetoric which, under the surface, has very little to do with "progress" and has everything to do with control. "

I couldn't agree more.

News gives me the blues.. but I'm up all night reading it regardless

2009-06-18T02:43:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I read the news, I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I suppose it depends on the headline.

I've found the news I just can't quit checking recently is related to the crazy Iran elections. Through web-surfing to find the information I crave I've found my newest favorite The Daily Beast. Reza Azlan, the amazing writer of the book "No God But God" occassionally writes for them. There's pictures and a few commentaries plus blogs, and more posts.

photo from Getty Images
Another writer, who I often disagree with but respect and love dearly is the writer self-named "Ms.Missive" She's got a blog and recently she's been filling up the pages with Iran election/protesting information. http://patriotmissive.com She's currently writing on another website about her thoughts on Iran... I think it's a bit too conservative and biased for me. But no new news there, as I said Ms.Missive and I often disagree. But it's the clashing of opinions with RESPECT that I love. I can disagree, or even dislike what she has to say. I can also agree and applaud but we're civil and I find her endearing beyond all things adorable. Like a furry kitten hugging a teddy bear who writes about really well researched news. If you read this SisJ.. the cat would be like wearing combat boots too though ;) It's important to read alternative sides to stories.. and other viewpoints. Ms.Missive, now that it's summer and I have actual time... you're on my frequently read news list.

Really though, why does news have to be SOOOOO depressing. If I wanted depressing I'd call my family member who complains about everything. As in if they won the lotto they'd complain that it happened with bad timing.

Here in the lovely Pacific North West we have a few different kinds of news. The national news and occasional international news. Then there's local news and in true PNW fashion there's green news on oregonlive.com and happy-feel-good news. I like the weird news because all the normal headlines are frigging depressing. On today's news page a special olympics star was beaten up, a child of a firefighter died in a drowning, the economy sinks while shoplifting rises, also this week's forecast is cloudy. No shocker there. Thanks katu news for keeping me informed, and fairly bummed.
But... at least they keep it humorous with articles like "Tacoma crews busy fighting french fry fires" it starts with "Keep your eyes on the fries..." evidently Tacoma residents should microwave their fries instead... hmmm 6 fry fires in the last few months *gasp*.

For Muslimah news with a feminist slant (oh me too!) I read Muslimah Media WatchMuslimah Media Watch

And, now it's way too late... or early. Time for fajr and off to bed. The news will be the same old depressing stuff tomorrow.
I am reminded of a Biblical verse:
Ecclesiastes 1:9 (New International Version)

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.

Summer, Summer time.... By the way I missed you

2009-06-17T02:27:00.000-07:00

Summer time... lovely weather and days to read on the porch. Loving it... really. Yet, with a little more reflective time comes a plethora of meditation, reading and reflection.

This also brings back memories of childhood as we plan to visit my old home town in a potato state nearby. It reminds me of all the issues and complexities life has brought.

I'm Muslim, but I grew up in a conservative Christian environment. I've got family pastors who, thank God, have never disowned me. Although I am shy about seeing the old home town in a traditional hijab. It seems when I hang out with mom, my cousins and others I wear alterna-hijabs. The kinds I would imagine wearing if suddenly I lived in some wack place where hijab was outlawed (I'm pointing at YOU France, Tunisia and Turkey).

HAT hijab for example.. that's me and mom out for the night when she visited.

It's not that I mind being a hijabi, a leader... a Muslim... but sometimes I just feel bad. I feel bad because sometimes maybe it hurts my mom, or it's difficult for her. As in, she and I are somewhere between me, her good daughter... and her feeling as though she's failed as a mom (my not being Christian) or that God is punishing her (such an evangelist ideal).

That makes me reflect on why I hijab (yes... I'm now using it as a verb).
People ask that ALL THE TIME. I can't say I mind it... but my answers vary.
It's a symbol of modesty. It's because my sexuality is my business. It's because I want to be seen for my character and less for my body. It's my feminist statement against cosmopolitan society, and the ideal that judges women on our bodies.

However, when you break it down... I like to think it's between my feminist statement and my love of modesty for God. Some say it's required by the Quran... although I would argue that simply modesty seems to be defined as: that one should draw the cloak about the chest, lower the gaze and practice modesty. It's the symbol of the sisterhood so that we are known as believing women. It's like my Christian cousin who wears a cross necklace, doesn't swear, saves herself for marriage and listens to Christian music. The cross shows her belief but her actions are more reflective of her heart's intent. It's my physical reminder to remember (zhikr) Allah in all things.

Of course we can still dress modestly and be fashionable... so says the students and advisers at my University who voted this hijabi "Best Dressed" student leader.

Only at PSU can a hijabi win best dressed student leader... and as I say when the youth ask why I sometimes wear cute pins and matchy-matchy colors or flowers.

Because if you're gonna wear it, you might as well rock it.

Then I realize there's a whole big world out there.. it's been months since I've attended my Silat classes, I have to get an Arabic tutor for the summer. The bookshelves of our sun-room have accumulated a large number of books to read and there's a whole lot of ego in caring that much about myself... Wow. That sucks.

I'm reminded of what my beloved Shaykh Taner Ansari Al-Qadiri Ar-Rifai once said,
"Whoever made the mirror did a great disservice to mankind. Allah made our eyes facing out so we could not be focused on ourselves."
and a quote from a dream,
"I am the monster that keeps me captive in the desert of my own ignorance."

I hate that I haven't posted in months. We've had a hijabi fashion show, the Islamic Awareness week with lectures, movies and so much more. I've been writing for my school's conservative magazine. I see the amazing diversity of God's creatures and how every action can be done thoughtfully with intention for Allah.

But then I wrote about hijab.... again. Anyways.. here's a few fashion show photos. It was great because the non-Muslim ladies enjoyed being models as did the hijabi sisters. We came, we saw... we made a video.

Swine-ey whiney and the Sick People

2009-05-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

So after a fabulous weekend of work in the Emergency Room all I can say is the following message to every single news agency show which has a news special on the Swine flu (I really wish we could call it H1N1 as President Obama insisted):
when reporting the news, please let people know there is no magic "Test for the swine flu"

First you must have a high fever, a bunch of other symptoms, and then a sample is sent to a state lab. After the state lab runs a PCR (for those of you who have sequenced DNA before or taken Microbiology... you know this is not quick) it is a few hour ordeal to get a semi-specific set of genes which can be compared to current H1N1. Then if there is a 95% chance it may match (which really means thousands will show false positives) it is sent to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) who check it for a match.

It's not a pregnancy test, there's no two minutes and wait for a blue or pink line.

Tips to avoid H1N1 (formerly known as *cue scary music* swine flu)are the same tips to avaiod any illness and flu such as:
Don't touch your face, or eyes without watching your hands... and no matter who and where you are ALWAYS WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU EAT.
Clean doorknobs and surfaces with disinfectant and/or bleach.
Drink lots of water, get lots of rest and take care of yourself.

Antibiotics don't work... it's a virus. To make a long story short antibiotics work on bacteria... and antivirals boost your immune system.

Also you don't get it from pork... really. I wouldn't eat the stuff or touch it with a ten foot pole. But Jews and Muslims are not immune (although wouldn't that be cool) because we don't eat swine.

That said, I can hardly blame folks for coming to the ER, constantly using our hand sanitizer (I wish they'd do that ALL the time... not just with phantom flu outbreaks), and requesting to use masks if they are here or visiting a sick patient. In fact, some days I wish I could wear a mask... but my employer and the people of Portland are kind enough to accept me hijab and all. I think I'd scare off too many people with an additional face mask. Although I'd totally do it if it were more niquabi-matchy... like do you have this in my color?

That's a cool picture of a niquabi super-hero from the comic book Dust, you can find more info about the cool and modest superhero in an article in Muslim Matters.

MSA in the Uni Paper

2009-04-04T05:13:00.000-07:00

Sweet! First off I digg the Vanguard our University Paper... and it's not just because they've been student run since the 60's. It's not JUST because my friends work there and I occassionally like to loiter in there sub-basement dungeon.

They wrote a pretty nice article about the school's MSA... and big kudos to Charlie and our charming picture.

Here's the article!

Article on Vanguard Online
The Muslim Student Association makes it mark without much fanfare
Vinh Tran

Vanguard staff

Print this article
Share this article Published: Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Updated: Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Being a student at the largest university in the state can be difficult. Between the crowded classrooms and the hectic daily schedule, it can be hard to find a place for yourself on campus.

Some students however, have found that place on the third floor of Cramer Hall. Away from the crowd and the noise is a quiet lounge often use for meditation and prayer by Muslim students at Portland State.

The Muslim Student Association is perhaps the largest student group on campus that often goes relatively unnoticed. With membership numbering 130 students, the MSA has been an active participant in shaping the Portland State community, and they have done so without much fanfare.

MSA President Erica Charves explains that this is due to the Islamic culture of humbleness that put an emphasis on privacy and respect. Tad'a, or humility, is one of the important virtues in Islam.

As president of the MSA, Charves’ goal is to educate students and the community about Islamic culture. Along with Maha Razzaki, MSA event coordinator, they hope to promote a positive image of Islam that had been plagued by misconceptions and inaccurate portrayals in the media. [Editor’s note: Razzaki is a former Vanguard news writer.]

"I feel like the media have a lot to do with how Muslims are depicted, they usually take something and blow it out of proportion and that happens with a lot other minority races," Razzaki said. "They usually don't report on things that are going well, just things that are problematic."

Calling herself a double minority for her race and religion, Razzaki said what most people do not realize is that Islam is very diverse that encompasses people from Indonesia to Saudi Arabia to Africa. Born in Pakistan, Razzaki was raised in Singapore and moved to the United States when she was 12.

"Because Muslims are a majority in Pakistan, you don't think about it as much. In Singapore, there is very diverse population, and everything is accommodated—we get off days for Islamic holidays," she said. "It's different living in America, where Islamic holidays are not accommodated."

Taking on the task of promoting Islamic culture, Razzaki and Charves are currently putting together Islam Awareness Week, an event celebrated by many universities across the country. The celebration begins at the end of April, with this year's focus on the Somalian community and an Islamic fashion show.

"Some people like to wear the hijab for fun in the fashion show, because they can be very stylish. You can match it with your outfit," Charves said.

According to Razzaki, the Somalian community will be highlighted at this year's Islamic Awareness Week because Portland State has a large population of Somalian students.

"There will also be a lecture that discuss the negative images and stereotypes associated with Islam," she said. "We are very excited about that because a lot of what the media said about Islam is not true."

As a group, the MSA made one of their lasting achievement for Muslim students in 2006 when their president at the time, Mikail Ali, along with his brother and two other MSA members, secured a meditation and prayer space in Cramer Hall.

In the Islamic tradition, Muslims perform daily prayers five times a day: at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and nightfall. The act is meant as a personal communication with God.

According to Charves, Portland State has about 700 Muslim students and with that comes the need for a personal space to accommodate these students. The space is intended for prayer and meditation for all students, not just Muslims.

"It's a tiny space that is very useful and beneficial to students. Before we had that space, most students had to go to their dorm room to pray, some find a quiet spot in Smith," Razzaki said. "However, it's more convenient because a lot of people don't want to do it in a random spot and most universities usually have some kind of designated area.”

The effort to secure a quiet lounge was spearheaded by the MSA's president and members. According to Ali, the process was long and difficult. He and MSA members at the time meet with the school administrators for a series of meeting concerning how to find and maintain such space.

The MSA continues to meet with the school administrators every year to renew the rights of students to keep that space, Razzaki said.

Razzaki believes that the school administration has done well in supporting the Islamic culture at the university, however, she notes that they could have done more to accommodate students.

"One thing that I think would be nice is if we can have that area established as quiet lounge for prayer and meditation instead of having to come in every year to renew it," she said.

Sweet!

Hijaber-ific styles

2009-03-05T02:31:00.000-08:00

First off, making up words with your friends is always fun. They've usually got a secret meaning or goofy story. The word "hijaberific" of course is hijabi-terrific. Technically the word hijabi is a made up words as well (has OED- Oxford English Dictionary accepted it yet? They've accepted cyber-slacking.. when's gonna be our turn OED?)it comes from muhagaba the Arabic word referring to one's covering. This words now refers to the Muslim sisters and our head coverings.

I have my buddy Zachi to thank for nicknames like "hijaberific" and "ninjabi" (the hijabi martial-artist). Zachi... big ups to you bro. As always :)

My hobby of love is hijabi styles, and I am proud to announce that we're planning a Islamic Fashion Show for Sisters in our upcoming University event Islamic Awareness week. Check out information from MSA national(Muslim Students Association)for ideas as to Islamic Awareness week and an easy to follow planning and committee format.

Our second meeting is tomorrow... and I'm seriously excited.

We've selected some styles which reflect the blend of hundreds of hijabis around the area (many International students or immigrant students). We also want to honor the American and Urban styles which sisters in the USA, UK, Australia and other places have uniquely rocked.

International Styles- These reflect the diverse regional hijabi styles.
Saudi Style and Khaleegi styles are Abayas in their finest and simplest forms. These styles are specialy and beautifully embroidered, bedazzled, and monogramed on the wrists, shayla, and often on the scoop-next or chest.
There are Desi styles like Indian, Pakistani and Bangledeshi

you can do a lot with Sari fabric!

Sisters across the globe are loving the Turkish silk-scarf style this year.

Love those Indonesian, Malaysian South East Asian cap-styles but I have none in the collection for the show.

Bosnian, and long-time Russian, or Easter European Styles are certainly signature.
We also love the Plethora of African styles, Somali East African, Maghribi West African, Arab North African and the Central African styles which many W.D.C Masjids and sisters draw their styles from in the African American community.

Urban Styles:
Urban hijabi styles range from Egyptian street style to skirts over jeans, and a personal favorite.. department store "dresses" as hijabi shirts!

Here's some designs by Egyptian designer Reham

Finally, we'll do a sporty hijab, and various hijabi styles like Mona, Al-Amira, Shayla, Hoodie style and more
Sister Roqaya, the Olympic Hijabi (I blogged about her way back) was sponsored by hijahood who makes Ahiida trademark burquinis.

Another fun up-and-coming idea: Premade hijabs for the lazy

My thanks go out to the hijablog.wordpress.com Hey style pages are years of insight, issues and styles of hijabis across the globe.
I also borrowed some photos from other favorite hijabi style blogs hijabifashionista.blogspot.com
My favorite down under style bloghegab-rehab.blogspot.com
The UK style blog I loooove hijabstyle.blogspot.com

Modest and Beautiful a compilation of Hijabi photos... globally stylish!