I know, I’ve been silent on this issue. I’m also sure that a number of detractors view my silence as a sign of my apathy towards the struggles of the people in Gaza and lack of sympathy for the civilians who have died or have been wounded. The truth is, I’ve been away from my computer living life. We muslims aren’t really supposed to take time to enjoy our lives, celebrate marriages, births, feel joy, happiness, or fall in love, when our brethren are suffering in some central Muslim land. We are supposed to be wracked with guilt, laden with heavy hearts, feel insecure because of our political impotence, and develop a heavy case of neuroses out of worry about the future and impending decline of civilization as we know it. I guess that’s the feeling I got from last Friday’s khutbah, and most khutbahs that I’ve gone to since well forever. This past week, I felt kind of guilty because I wasn’t reading every article on Gaza. Instead, I was celebrating this new chapter of my life, especially in light of some of the hardships and obstacles both me and my husband went through over the past year. Although we were able to steal away from our everyday troubles and enjoy a few moments of marital bliss, Gaza reached us. I don’t think anybody can escape the news coverage of the bombing, the protests, and the friday sermons where every imam across America calls on American Muslims to sympathize with the plight of the people of Gaza, and Iraq, and Kashmir, and Somalia, and Sudan (notice how they don’t say Darfur). So, in my obligatory, and likely at this time superfluous, post I will state clearly that I think what’s happening to the people in Gaza really stinks. I feel bad for the Gazans, and I am with them in solidarity. The whole blockade thing was a bad idea, because squeezing the Gazans would only make Hamas look better, similar to Hizbullah in Lebanon. Like the invasion of Lebanon, I don’t get why the international community can let this happen. But my concern for Gazans is not about a Muslim thing, but a humanist concern. My empathy for their suffering does not mean that I can hang up my ethical framework and demonize Israelis and Jews. Nor does it mean that I forget the suffering in unjust wars like Congo, Cote D’ivoire, and Nigeria. In fact, there is so much suffering in the world and everyone is fighting their own personal battles. I guess it is a careful balance of looking for hope, of accepting God’s will, of being grateful, of feeling for your brothers and sisters who are suffering and recognizing that we all have our moments of joy and sorrow. I’m not saying that our community centers shouldn’t take a stance against unjust wars. I guess I want to go to my friday sermon and not feel like I’m at a political rally. Maybe that should be reason enough to develop a lobby, some political coalitions, and effective political organizations that represent the interests of American Muslims. Maybe then the minbar can be used to focus on spiritual and moral life, as opposed to always reflecting on the political conditions of Muslims throughout the world. It seems like as long as there is war, occupation, and oppression, all of us Muslims can look at the enemy without, while ignoring the enemy within.

…to receive honorable mention for Best Female Blog at the Brass Crescent Awards. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me. Congratulations to Umm Layth for Best female Muslim blog. You can check out this year’s winners, including Tariq Nelson for Best Blog and, as most of you know my future husband, Marc Manley, for Best Design. here.

Ga. judge jails Muslim woman over head scarf

Valentine’s husband, Omar Hall, said his wife was accompanying her nephew to a traffic citation hearing when officials stopped her at the metal detector and told her she would not be allowed in the courtroom with the head scarf, known as a hijab.
Hall said Valentine, an insurance underwriter, told the bailiff that she had been in courtrooms before with the scarf on and that removing it would be a religious violation. When she turned to leave and uttered an expletive, Hall said a bailiff handcuffed her and took her before the judge.

I am outraged! She wasn’t even in court, she was turning to leave and the bailiff handcuffed her!!

She’s serving 10 days for observing her religious rights? I’ve been to Georgia, but I wasn’t aware of a law that bans head covering in court. Islamaphobes have tried to depict this case as some sort of attempt to impose Islamic law. They continue to demonize the only organization that defends the civil rights of Muslims in America, CAIR. Muslim women in America want the right to practice their religious freedom and enjoy their civil rights. The fact that they court will not accommodate Muslim women who observe their religious code is a clear violation of this country’s principles. How can we be full participants in this society if we cannot even go before a judge? CAIR should not be the only group involved, NAACP, ACLU, and any other organization that cares about equal rights for all citizens.

Notice how Maliki didn’t even flinch…wow…. American pundits are busy trying to elaborate on the significance of the shoe. Funny, but one of the worst insults you could call a woman is bint gazma, daughter of a shoe!
Now you can throw your own shoe too:
Sock and Awe!

Posted using ShareThis

Jamerican Muslimah wrote a post titled, “Where do Grieving Muslims Go?” Her post was not just thought provoking, it is seriously a call to action in the Muslim community. We really need an army of psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, and social workers to deal with the host of problems that, for the most part, our community leaders sweep under the rug.

I started asking myself, where do Muslims go when we’re suffering? Have I ever attended a masjid that had a support group for me; as a convert (being the only Muslim in my family), as someone who has experienced divorce, the murder of my older brother, financial loss and so much more? I know sisters who have been homeless, on drugs, near prostitution, suffering from tremendous grief as a result of divorce or the death of a spouse or family member. I also know sisters who are single parents. They’re struggling to make ends meet, raising kids by themselves as the righteous brother moves on to his next victim wife.

I really encourage you to read the post in its entirety here. But I wanted to highlight some things that came to mind as I have dealt with some major losses, upheavals, and struggles over the past 15 years. Outside of my mentor who has often given me important insight to understand the spiritual meaning of my struggles and given me assurances that in my evolving outlook that I am maturing, I received very little spiritual and emotional counsel in the Muslim community. B
Kwame Madden related a really sad story about a suicidal brother who lives in isolation. He wrote:

Mental health issues are serious .This a much needed post. Imams are not all time the solution.Professional men and woman trained in this type of work should be able to adminster it our communties.

Where is the support for this brother? Who can he call who understands the social and religious context of this brother who is struggling to get by. Are there any social workers or counselors that can help this brother empower himself and rebuild and refashion a fulfilling life for himself?

So often the Muslim communities lack the kind of support systems that would be beneficial to its members. Even worse, I’ve seen MALE perpetrators of crimes (legal, Islamic and moral) continue to work in the Muslim community, sometimes occupying prestigious positions. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people say things like, “It’s not my business”, or “He’s a good brother he just has some personal problems” or “No one else is willing to do what he does for the masjid.” Too often nothing is said AT ALL. People just pretend everything’s fine. Unfortunately, by choosing not to address perpetrators of crimes (again, legal, moral and Islamic) we’re sending a message to the victim(s) that their behavior is acceptable.

I’ve been in some long standing discussion online, through list groups, and in person with academics, activists, and community members at large who have expressed similar concerns about the predatory nature of some rock star imams and community leaders. What is sad is that often the most vulnerable members of the community are more likely to fall into their hands. Not only do they lack the clarity of vision to distinguish between healthy relationships and abusive ones, but they often lack the foresight and counsel to make sound decisions about their futures. Married sisters are often wrapped up in their problems or day-to-day affairs or fearful that the newly single sister with emotional needs will be a threat. So, a grieving divorcee or struggling single sister with kids becomes prey to a predatorial member of the community. This is why the MANA marriage initiative is very important, that we find community leaders who will not officiate marriages irresponsibly.

We need community leaders and spiritual guides who are equipped to deal with local issues. This is why I think it is important that we move away from the movement type mentality and the cult of personality. We have to think about functional communities. We need to think about providing real services that can uplift our community. This takes a different type of vision, and a different type of investment in our future. Otherwise, we will continue to limp along, highly disfunctional and prone to blaming everyone else for our problems.

What makes it difficult is that both the Black American community and the Muslim community are suspicious about mental health professionals. But both have their share of trauma and difficulties in coping with the challenges of this society. For years, I’ve seen Muslims join some group, some movement, throw themselves into some cause in a hope to fill some void or deal with some pain. We have to address these issues, by training social workers and therapists who can work with Muslims, developing wellness programs, establishing grief support groups, and help lines for Muslims in crisis. Otherwise we are not only encouraging social pathologies, but fostering a culture of denial which further exacerbates the psychological and emotional ills that our people are suffering from.

Without any statistical data, some Muslim writers claim that higher education leads to Muslims losing their faith (i.e. via apostasy or by becoming liberal Muslims). I think this viewpoint is dangerous and counter productive. Perhaps this view appeals to young people who resent their parents pressuring them to achieve academically and become responsible adults. It may also appeal to those who have to struggle through school. I’ve talked to a number of young Muslims who were discouraged by their peers from pursuing a college education because it was just dunyah. Many of these Muslims have sought alternative lifestyles by becoming “students of knowledge” or seeking a dead in career in hip hop. In reality, on college campuses many young Muslims developed a strong Muslim identity and a sense of service. In fact, that is where I discovered Islam and became Muslim. We were young and impressionable and slowly evolved out of that movement mentality that continues to be espoused by some Muslim bloggers. Over time, my peers began to see that living decent lives and providing a better future for their children was the best example they could set as Muslims. The American Muslims I knew on campus were charismatic and often gave dawah and attracted a number of quality converts to the religion. In the South Bay, I have seen a whole generation of young Middle class children of immigrants and the few American Muslim families grow up, go to college, graduate, get married, and begin their own Muslim families. They contribute to building institutions, give charity, and have much more to offer than those who had little foresight to think about building a better future. This perception that only working poor Muslims maintain their faith, while middle class and educated Muslims are losing their faith by assimilating, is not only false, but irresponsible. We should be all working for the betterment of our children by encouraging them to excel in school and in their professions. So much damage has been done after religious leaders in the 90s discouraged independent thought and encouraged a utopian escapism. Meanwhile, those who overlooked honest ways of making a living constantly look for hand outs by those bougie Muslims they resent so much. I am not saying that everyone is meant to be a scholar or an academic. I am an advocate of Muslims gaining various skills, The path to improving our condition can be through community college, university education, vocation schools, job training programs, and apprenticeships. In order to have functional communities, we need to think about a diversity of skills such as carpentry, plumbing, electricians, mechanics, architects, contractors, lawyers, journalists, entreprenuers, academics, etc. I’m not looking down on working class Muslims. I come from a working class background. But I’m really tired of those who try to glorify their limited perspective at the expense of other hard working Muslims who are also struggling to find their way.

According to census data and information provided by mosques and community centers, Muslims in America make up .5% of the total population in America. Keeping it conservative, that equals just under 2 million. Some estimates go as far to say that there are 5 million Muslims in America. I tend to stay on the conservative side because I don’t believe that boasting in numbers serves any cause.

Still, 2 million is a lot of people. And there have been multiple and contradictory narratives about American Islam. Who has the right to speak for American Muslims? Who are the real Muslims? Who will define the agenda for American Muslims? Last year, a huge debate exposing the immigrant Black American divide rocked the Muslim American community and we’re still reeling to recover from it. And when I speak of community, I talk about it in the broadest sense. I am not making any claims that Muslim Americans are a monolithic group. I’m not trying to be a downer, but the reality is that Muslim Americans do not vote in a unified way, have various political and economic interests that often conflict with their co-religionists, nor is there a central authoritative religious head that guides us all. Rather, this diverse group of people from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds with different political and social orientations comprises a community because we believe that There is no God but the one True God and that Muhammad is his prophet. Therefore, we share daily patterns of worship, rituals of birth, marriage, and death, etc. Mosques are also diverse, which contributes to a greater sense of community. And there are some national organizations that do work to defend Muslims’ civil liberties, foster community development, and create a forum for interfaith understanding.

I’ve written in the past and have been interviewed about the silencing of Black American Muslim voices in the past decade. Some national Muslim organizations have been critiqued for their failure to include issues of interest to Black American and other indigenous (I sort of cringe to use that word because I do have Native American relatives who might take umbrage with its use) Muslims such as white American and Latino/Hispanic Muslims. However, in many ways I don’t like how the public conversation has developed in the past year. I am troubled when some Black American Muslims use the same rhetoric and language that Islamophobes use to critique mainstream Muslim organizations dominated by first and second generation immigrants or those organizations that have an internationalist outlook. I am also bothered when I read or hear immigrant or second generation Muslims dismiss the tremendous sense of marginalization that some of us Black American Muslims have experienced in their communities.

I know that some of my Arab and South Asian friends are bothered when they are called privileged. This is not an easy pill to swallow because in American identity politics the only privileged people are supposed to be White Americans. However, there are many different types of privileges and some groups are more privileged than others. And in one community, one group can be dominant and marginalize or economically exploit another. The reality is that in America, there is fierce competition over resources. This competition has led to some voices getting silenced in deciding the agenda for American Muslims.

CAIR reports that the ethnicities of mosque participants can be broken down to 33% South Asian, 30% Black American and 25% Arab, 3.4% sub-Saharan African, 2.1 European (Bosnia, Tatar, etc.) 1.6% White American, 1.3% South-East Asian, 1.2% Caribbean, 1.1% Turkish, .7% Iranian, and .6% Latino/Hispanic.

Within mainstream media, the Muslim American experience is about the immigration and assimilation experience. I don’t see much press coverage or interest on converts or the multi-generational Black American Muslim families. You have some sunni communities dating back to the 60s. I don’t want to dismiss the struggles of Asian American, white American, and Latino/Hispanic American Muslims struggles. White American Muslim converts seem to be the darlings of the community, Latino/Hispanic Muslims exotic curiosities, and East Asian or Pacific Islander Muslims occupy some weird zone and most people can barely even believe they are Muslim.

If we Muslims in America believe in democracy and enjoy the privileges of democracy, then we need institutions that allow for more open participation in decision making. At the same time, democracy entails protecting the rights of minorities. I think before we start a discussion about exclusion or inclusion, we need to start to ground our understanding sociological, historical, and political data. I am not claiming I’m doing that in this article. Rather, I used a few statistics to make a point. In the past decade, there has been increasing integration between Black American Muslims and immigrant Muslims. But that integration has led to in some ways to that silencing that I’m talking about. And this had led to a divide in mentalities between Muslims. It is not so much ethnic anymore, but rather, Muslims in America whose primary political interests are foreign policy issues and those Muslims in America who want to focus on domestic issues and establishing Muslim communities in America. I personally don’t see them as exclusive categories. But it is jarring for converts to all of a sudden be forced to adopt some psuedo-marxist third world liberation ideology the minute they take Shahada.

This brings me back to the convert issue. According to the CAIR report, nearly 30 percent of mosque participants are converts. I think it is important to discuss the three major categories of American Muslims: 1. American converts, 2. immigrants, and 3. the children of converts and immigrants. There is a need to develop programs in order to meet the needs of these three categories. The challenging thing for us converts is that when we do convert, we often sever ties with traditional means of networking that assists in social mobility: the church, fraternities and sororities, masonic lodges, networking events and happy hours, etc. The conversion process can alienate converts from different avenues and so they do look to their co-religionists in hope of reconstituting and reconfiguring new networks of social support. Immigrant and second generation Muslims often have their ethnic networks in tact. They just have to navigate the treacherous terrain of assimilating without losing their Islamic identity. Converts, on the other hand, are challenged with becoming Muslim without losing their American identity. At the same time, the way they experience fellowship is through service in the Muslim community. But at the end of the day, they find that few of their “brothers” support them when times are bad.

A lot of converts burn out and become disillusioned after they become Muslim because they have the expectation of full membership in the Ummah. They are not making unfair expectations. These are universal ideals that are in Islamic texts. Plus, you won’t have to search too long in any Islamic bookstore to find a pamphlet on brotherhood in Islam, making promises of charity, trust, mutual respect, and support. And immigrant Muslims have also been inspired by the civil rights and black nationalism, which has some intellectual linkages with Third World liberation. Part of the anger and backlash you see from some American Muslims is that they feel like some of their co-religionists have fell short on their promises. Black American Muslims who were struggling to put themselves through school or raise a family using no riba became distraught when their immigrant co-religionists happily circulate money in their family and ethnic networks, but refuse to build economic ties with converts, let alone consider intermarriage. Immigrant Muslims are now distraught that Black American Muslims have started to say they’d rather vote for a Zionist who will promote universal healthcare rather than march in the streets and divest from Israel. Honestly, I think if you surveyed most Black American Muslims, you will find that they still sympathize with Muslims overseas, but they have developed a political pragmatism. I think Barack Obama’s election and the reaction to it is testament to shifting attitudes about politics. Even for upwardly mobile Black Americans and Black American Muslims, we are deeply aware of our historic legacy and our responsibility to make a positive contribution to our families and neighbors.

I am not trying to force my own narrative down anyone’s throat. Nor am I arguing that we should have just one narrative. Rather, I am saying that we have different interests and each Muslim in America has an obligation to follow his/her calling. If you are moved to join the Peace Corps in the Moroccan Rif, by all means, do your thing. If you want to start an interfaith dialog in your local community, do your thing. Or if your big struggle is putting yourself through school so you can take care of your momma, grandma, and be a positive example for your family, do your thing. For once, American Muslims who see their fates tied to the future of America are beginning to talk. I think we can come together and find common ground, but that takes real dialog. Some have been hurting over the past 5, 10, 15, 30 years as they existed on the margins. And yes, when you have been hurting that long, you are going to have some words that are going to sting. It may even get nasty. But if we are going to deal with the divide, I think we need to listen to how we have hurt each other and work to rectify the pain we have caused each other so that we can move on to the next challenge.

Sources:
Islam 101

The Mosque in America: A National Portrait

I was pleasantly surprised this evening to find out that my little corner of the Islamasphere, Just Another Angry Black Muslim Woman? was nominated for Best Female Blog in the Brass Crescent Awards. I am humbled and honored to be included amongst some outstanding blogs. Please vote for your favorite blogs here.

In between writing and stressing about papers, I got hooked on watching Atlanta’s so called elite society in The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The show broke some stereotypes and reified others. One of the stereotypes that it reified was the conspicuous consumption of Atlanta’s Entreprenegros. Honestly, I don’t think these women represent Atlanta’s elite society. Most of the women didn’t seem to come from old money, but appeared nouveau riche. Most were either wives or ex-wives of NBA and NFL stars. Contrary to the stereotype, many affluent Blacks gained their wealth and status outside of the entertainment industry and sports. And you have generations of families who attended Black colleges and do well for themselves. Despite the fact that the show gives us no insight into the lives of Black elites, I think overall it made a fascinating viewing. Basically, we get to see what happens when you put five narcissistic and materialistic filthy rich women in front of camera crews.

One of my favorite characters was Lisa Wu-Hartwell, a woman with boundless energy and entreprenurial ambitions.
She’s the ex-wife of singer Keith Sweat and current wife of NBA NFL player Ed Hartwell. On her website, Wu-Hartwell includes links to her corporations, Hart to Hart Baby which features t-shirts and baby socks, Hartwell & Associates Realtors which probably isn’t doing so well in light of the real estate crash, Wugirl jewelry designs, Closet Freak which features sexy t-shirts, and Sydney’s Adventures which promises to deliver education materials for educators and parents. Ms. Wu-Hartwell’s corporate empire got me thinking about the types of businesses Black folks like to start.

This list is not scientific, but here goes:

Soul food Restaurant or Fried Chicken Shack

What else shows your love for the community than clogging their arteries, giving them high blood pressure, and making them obese? Well, killing them softly with some yum yum soul food is a sure way of giving back. I know I’m not alone when I say that I love some soul food. Usually entreprenegros in their 30s to 50s start up this enterprise. The youth don’t have the capital or even the patience to go through the start up business loan process. Sweating behind that fryer is not too glamorous, plus a lot of young woman with an entreprenegorial spirit forgot how to cook

Fashion Line aka T-shirt business

This is likely the first business you will start, either in highschool of community college. It taps into the desire of the general public to be fashionable and original, without spending lots of money. It doesn’t require a lot of capital or even understanding about fashion. Just clever quotes or noticeable art. Plus, you can always guilt your friends into dropping $25-30 on a t-shirt with the promise that you will be the next Fubu.

Beautician or Barber

You already have a captive market because most folks don’t know how to do Black folks hair. It takes 9 months to 2 years of schooling, an ability to talk trash or gossip while your client is at your mercy while wearing that obnoxious looking bib. A key skill requires telling your client how much their last perm/cut/dye job sucked or how jacked up their edges/split ends are. In reality, the beauty parlor/barber shop is a social institution. It is such a figure in the Black community they’ve even made three movies about them, two of them starring Ice Cube.

Independent Record Labels

I’m not sure what came first, the chicken or the egg, the rise of Independent Record Labels or the decline of major labels. Either way, the vast majority of hip hop is terrible. Back in the day, every MC wanted to make that big record deal but sometime in the mid- to late 90s, folks moved beyond the mix tapes to starting their own labels. We can no longer blame white capitalists exploiters for profusion of crass culture and negativity. Instead, blame the free market! The internet has definitely facilitated the plethora of entreprenegrorial activities in the music industry. Myspace and youtube has allowed for even wider distribution of music that should never ever be listened to.

Club Promotions

Okay, tell me why would you ever want to go to this party? Well, there were a lot of fliers a lot worse, most of them entailing a nude female in a compromising pose. Club promoters are usually kind of shady. The key is to have an extra long line where people wait for at least an hour or have to beg to get in. But if you are a party person, being friends with a promoter has its benefits. No standing in those long lines or paying $20 for a disappointing night of creepy guys and ugly girls packed into a dimly lit place with a thoroughly disgusting bathroom as one of the major amenities. I frankly don’t understand club promotions. I guess it requires a location, insurance, a DJ, and really tacky fliers.

Incense and Oils

Just in case my Muslim entreprenegros think I’ve forgotten them: get your Egyptian Musk and Blue Nile on my brothas! Now, for many young brothas who have opted out of the capitalist system, but still desire to show that they are industrious, incense and oils street vending is the perfect solution.

So there are my runner ups:

Print or Online Magazine
Because we can all use another hip hop, Black, urban, or fashion magazine

Street Book Seller
The best ones specialize in Afro-centric or conspiracy theory books because Barnes and Nobles aren’t trying to carry those books that will guide you out of triple stage darkness!

Hair Products or Weave Shop
There still are a few struggling against the onslaught of better organized and better financed Korean owned beauty supply stores.

Motivational speaker
I could use a little right now!

Self-published author
You can read all about it in my book coming out next Fall!

Now, I’m not trying to make fun of the thousands of folks who show initiative and begin these businesses. A number of these enterprises are much needed services to the Black community. But there are many Black business men and women who serve a broad based clientele and are not limited to the Black community. We may not see these folks making it happen because they are busy making it happen and reinvesting in their future.

Developing a successful business requires doing your research, it probably will require taking classes or maybe even going to business school to get the requisite experience, and it will take a lot of effort. I don’t want to see anybody fail, whether you decide to open up the next 24 hour chicken shack or start your own clothing line. But we also need to think about the types of businesses we are creating and the long term effects they will have on our families and communities. I have a few ideas and prescriptives to thinking about revitalizing Black entrepreneurship. Maybe the fast and easy money from the entertainment industry and sports has blinded us from that old school entrepreneurial spirit that we used to have. Maybe some of our young ambitious college graduates need to gain a bit more experience before starting their endeavors and learn by working in corporate world. There are a lot of possibilities, from commercial clean up, construction, carpenters, inexpensive legal aid, microlending institutions, childcare facilities, academic coaching, mechanic and auto-repair, house painters, computer hardware supplies, grocery and produce stores, engineering and marketing firms… What I’m trying to encourage anybody who has a bit of entrepreneurial spirit is to use their ingenuity and think outside the box.

On my way to the Black Graduate Student Association meeting I learned that our campus community lost a Black Star. His loss was sudden and unexpected and I wonder how can a Black star who shined so bright with so much potential be extinguished so quickly. I can’t begin to express the loss I feel and a deep sense of the fragility of life. May God have mercy on him and grant him peace in the next life. Please make prayers for his wife, family, loved ones, and the Stanford community who will dearly miss him.