Independence Day: Fabous Fireworks Extravaganza

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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!

Green is Good, Sustainability is Key

My favorite khutba at the Masjid I attend in Portland, was about sustainability. The Imam spoke about the importance of being an environmentalist and taking care of the Earth. I knew that was a Mosque I would gladly revist.. and I have when I'm not busy at my University's Jummah service. (khutba=sermon, masjid=mosque, Jummah= Muslim Friday noontime services)

Sustainability... I was raised with it. My grandparents, uncles, aunts, and my parents had gardens. We recycled long before it was fashionable and we reused what we could without unnecessary waste. My Uncle started the University of Idaho's recycling programs way back in the 80's, and my gradfather as a professor at the same University protected the old arboretum and the new arboretum for future generations.

These days sustainability is so much more. There are some amazing new ways to practice sustainability, and save money too!
Buy Your Own Grocery Bags-
Cheap brands are usually $1 at your local grocery store, or supermarket.
The sexy-stylish ones are usually $5-$15 but they make shopping like SO fashionable!
For only $1, you usually get a $0.15 savings for bringing your own bags, therefore less trash (plastic bag trash is EVIL), and 8 trips to the store that you were already going to take... Also they break less than paper or plastic.

Plastic bags consumed this year:
.

Ya, it's that friggin much people.
Bag usage counter from reusablebags.com
greenupgrader.com has some sweet bags.




How about the blog "You Can Go Green"which has great suggestions, such as using TP from recycled paper... sure it sounds a bit odd, but according to this blog you can save 500,000 trees if everyone in America switched out TO from new trees for recycled products.
Of course, using a water container and the home-bidday Muslim style is really sensible too. If you don't know... let me fill you in:
If you have Muslim friends, or you go to a Muslim owned business and use the restroom it's likely you will find a watering can in the bathroom.
This is not for imaginary bathroom plants.
That saves on TP, you only use half of what you used before... and fresh and clean all day.
You Can Go Green also rants about rip-offs like carbon emissions credit trading, and the sensibility of baking soda as a fresh and non-toxic household cleaner.

See, everyone has to work on Going green :)

Also, because I love trees, and am a self-proclaimed tree-hugger, I present you with my new favorite green blog www.treehugger.com
I feel just like this... aw.

There's over 30 new articles daily, issues on sustainability, cool vegetarians, green vehicles and technology and more.

Trees take so long to grow.. and the Earth is a gift and our home.
Don't trash your home... sheesh.

The Accidental Ecomaniacshows we can't be perfect, but one step at a time!

Like bringing your own water bottle...
As the blogger www.thegoodhuman.com says "Don't Blow it, Good Planets are Hard to find" I want that on a bumper sticker. That article is old, but the website has the newest and coolest in Green-blogs.

Of course plastic is ok, but aluminum and steel are better choices. Like the Kleen kanteens my buddies in Green Portland are always purchasing.

Freeze Frame

Freeze Frame: A moment in life that exists like a snap shot in your mind. A lovely and touching picture reflecting the beauty of life, creation or a small snipet of the meaning of life... I swear it's lovely Masha'Allah.


15 pictures I just felt like showing off... As you can read on the subtitles... the photos are not all by me... but they're some sweet photos.

A photo of my friend Aseelah Shaynoona! This is how I feel when the sun comes out here in Rainsville, USA. I mean Portland.

Although it's rainy in Portland.. it is as sunny as the day in long in Sharqha (Sharjah) United Arab Emirates where this photo of Aseelah was taken. Proof positive by our friends Sa'id and Hamoud.


Evidently I missed another society chosen celebration holiday.

Dang.. we're half the population (ok, more like 52%).
I at least want a card and like a cool week long movie series. Black History month is so much cooler. My thanks to Muslimah Media Watch for tons of cool articles, and the above photo.

Serene photos of Masjids we visited. Freeze frame on spiritual serenity.





I love the Athan, the sights of lovely Masjids... oh how I miss it.

The Sunset (and Sunrise in photo 1), however is something I have stopped to love anywhere.

Sunrise in Contra Costa County California, over Mt.Diablo. It's really called that... and it's really pretty. My parter and I (on the ambulance) used to have the early shift and hope for this post to watch the sunrise.

In Oakland, California at Lake Merrit. My husband took this photo while running the lake front.


Sunset at Borru Budur in Indonesia


Sunset from the roof of a building in Bethlehem, the West Bank. The ladies on the Teen Missions team and I took this one from the roof of the building in 1994.


Bali Volcano Sunset.


Yellowstone National Park, my 16th birthday on a trip with my mom and brother.


Sunset over Twin Lakes Beach, Santa Cruz, California by my brother-in-law. He lives a few blocks from there.


Another lovely sunset over Santa Cruz looking over the beach at the Boardwalk.


Puget Sound sunset by my Uncle.



Moon Sightings.. the lunar calendar is based on it. We had a few lectures on the lunar calendar in UAE.
Suffice to say, it's a good thing I love the moon and sunsets because I'm a total insomniac.





And that's what I call my freeze frame series.