Let me answer the last part upfront, you shouldn’t care! 
I just feel like sharing today and maybe just maybe, I can network with individuals on other levels outside of my general “American Muslim” ramblings.
I just finished watching the entire first season last week and just finished watching the first two episodes of season 2. So far so good, well actually I think it’s great! I have read every book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries, and count me among one of the Sookie Stackhouse fans. Now in order to truly enjoy the show, I had to let go of my purist leanings, because the show doesn’t only change a few things, but in some parts go in completely different directions. I was dismayed at first about some of these changes, but it seems that they are at least in keeping with the spirit of the books and the twists in the show are actually pretty good. As long as they follow some of the main plots of the books, I believe this show will be a hit for years to come. Two thumbs up HBO!
I have had the season finale in my DVR for months now and finally got around to finishing it a couple of days ago. Awesome, simply awesome, season. I happen to be a huge Jack Baur fan and think that 24 is a great show even with all the “controversy”. I even enjoyed the Muslim angle this season with the wise Imam. Maybe Fox was apologizing with that little tidbit, who knows, eitherway, I will be back next season as always, and watch Jack be Jack. The only think that’s driving me crazy is how some plot holes are often left wide open from season to season, or maybe I’m just not paying attention, but what ever happened to president Logan, his wife, and president Palmer? Why did we only get a glimpse of Regina King, only for her character to disappear? And speaking of Regina King, can we please get a new season of the Boondocks!
Books!!!!!
I have to admit, that I have been abusing audiobooks! Every since I got my first audiobook on iTunes for my iPhone, I have been hooked! So much so that I have read/listened to 33 books since the end of December! They include:
The Entire Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice (12 books) well 2 aren’t technically the Vampire Chronicles….
The Entire Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris (9 books) haven’t read the “in between” books yet.
The Entire Twilight Series by Stephanie Myers (4 books)
The Host by Stephenie Myer
The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King, I’m wrapping up book 4 of 7
Stuff White People Like: A Definitive Guide to the Unique Taste of Millions by Christian Lander
Buddha by Karen Armstrong
Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole
I immensely enjoyed all of these books and highly recommend them. I don’t want people to think I have abandoned physical reading because I haven’t, as I have previously mentioned on my blog, I have read and reviewed Mother of the Believers by Kamran Pasha, The Imperfect Enjoyment by Dewan Gibson, and I’m working on a review of both The 7 Great Prayers: For a Lifetime of Hope and Blessings by Paul and Tracey McManus, which by the way is a very well written and inspirational book that I recommend for any spiritual library and Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton, which is a compelling, inspiring page turner.
Let’s just say that I’m reading more now, than I have in a long time.
Moving right along,
Movies…..
After watching and thoroughly enjoying the Friday the 13th remake and boycotting X-Men Origins: Wolverine because Hollywood refuses to make an X-Men movie true to decades worth of comics and material. It’s been pretty dry for me, most likely due to the fact that movies cost way too much these days. The only summer movie I have seen so far is Star Trek and that one got a standing ovation! Yes, it was that good. Sunday I’m going to see Transformers: Revenge of the fallen and I don’t expect much other than good CGI and special effects, I grew up on the cartoon, so I can’t help but being a little cynical about the movie, which by the way, make me leery of going to see the GI Joe movie, I mean what’s next Thundercats, another He-Man disaster or worse? I just wish that when Hollywood decides to bring a cartoon, comic, or video game to the big screen that they would actually read and study the present material. Don’t they understand that the fans don’t care to see anything new story wise? We would just like to see the images we grew up viewing rendered in live-action with special effects. Hollywood could literally copy a comic scene for scene and flesh out the dialogue a little to account for being a movie and even though we know the entire plot and conclusion people fans will pay for a dedicated reproduction. I mean we are not stupid, we expect some changes, but come on Hollywood Venom dying in Spiderman 3, Deadpool with no mask and insane powers among other foolishness in X-Men Origins, and countless other blunders when it comes to translations such as the Street Fighter w/ Chun Li movie…….there should just be massive boycotts until Hollywood learns to make quality movies with such successes as Iron Man, Hulk, The Dark Knight, among others. Oh and lay off the books if your going to churn out horrible movies like Twilight!!!!! that are so horrible compared to the books it’s not even right!
Enough of that rant….
In other “news” I just completed Resident Evil 5 on the Xbox 360, remain the king of fighters in Street Fighter IV (email me for xbox live info if you think you stand a chance) and I am looking forward to buying Fight Night Round 4 this weekend.
I love video games, which is something I don’t think I have brought on the blog before today. I have owned every gaming system since the Atari 2600 with the exception of all Sony systems (I’m still bitter that they ran Sega out of the console business for the most part) and the Nintendo Wii (I’m just too busy with my 360) I have never been into handhelds, outside of the original Gameboy, I haven’t gone near them. Some of my recent favorites are:
The Sims 3 (I love the updates from the awesome Sims 2)
Resident Evil 5 (My only issue is you can’t run and gun like Halo)
Halo 3 (speaks for itself)
Street Fighter IV (I haven’t been really beat since the arcade days of the Street Fighter II, I can be beat just not that often. )
Mass Effect (Can’t wait for part II)
City of Heroes (good for a while but finally got old)
1 vs 100 (beta) when this game actually launches it’s going to be a hit. The beta on Xbox live has been one of the best ideas and games I have played in almost my entire life.
and too many others to name. I really can’t wait for Knights of the Old Republic, the trailer alone!!!!! wow, just wow,….
And I own many good games like Ninja Gaiden II, Fight Night 3, Assassins Creed (part 2 will be good), Marvel Ultimate Allaince (cant wait for MUA2), Forza 2 (the next one is going to be good) among others like Halo 3, Fable II, Superman (which I happened to like) and a host of other Xbox 360 and PC games.
What many may not know is that there is a lot more to “The American Muslim” than religious and political commentary.
I’m a video game, book, and movie junkie. Who especially likes RPG’s, MMORPG’s, Vampire books, and Horror Movies. I’m also, into building computers, and I’m a car junkie and am really into the tuner scene.
Last and certainly not least,
I finally decided to get back into Marine shape and ordered P90X. Let me tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart and I don’t even recall some of my PT sessions in the Marine Corps being this intense! I have been doing this program for about 24 days now and have taken pictures and measurements and all that good stuff, however, I will not reveal any of this info until the end of August so stand by for that! I recommend this exercise regime for anyone who is serious about getting themselves in shape, however, if you were never in shape, it may be a little too difficult for you. But check it out, it works!
That’s all for now, I will return to regularly scheduled programing soon. For instance, I have been noticeably silent about what’s going on in Iran…..
My next car Insha’Allah (God Willing)
Have you ever read something that just made you go slack-jawed? Well, for those who read my blog, this probably happens to you often, but this isn’t about me today….
So I clicked on a link to this article and after watching the video clip, I just went slack-jawed. Not because I have never seen stuff like this before (you wouldn’t believe some of the Churches I have been to!) but do to the controversial nature of the video and the topic in general.
Several thoughts rampaged through my mind over and over some I have been pondering for over a decade. For instance, I have seen many a preacher “lay hands” on people to cast out demons, and similar scenes I have witnessed. Now I never speak or discuss these things as far as the validity there of, but I have always wondered is it just an act or is “something” actually going on? I mean take this video for instance, let’s take the whole “gay demon” thing out of the equation, I have seen this done for many a “demon” or “unclean” spirit done in the past, with similar results, and I wonder if it is an act, shouldn’t these people get Oscars? I mean look at this kid in the video, he’s twisting, turning, and vomiting like nobody’s business… I have seen little old ladies do similar things, and I can tell you, if you want to get your kids in line, let them witness something like this at a Church, talk about scarred straight!
Now in all seriousness, one has to wonder about the allegation of abuse. I mean granted, this is a very freaky and weird video (but I’ve seen worse) but the question begs, did this individual (teen or not who knows?) volunteer for this “exorcism”? I mean if they did, then in my opinion, can we really get mad at this weird ritual?
Now I get why people are mad. It’s common sense. Basically, what’s being stated is that homosexuality is really just a demon or unclean spirit that can be exorcised. For many homosexuals, that infers that somehow who they are isn’t real, they are just possessed by Satan. For many, their sexuality is just as much a part of them as their skin color, so I get that.
Now Christians will ask, well did it work? I have to admit having read commentary from Christians on the issue, my morbid curiosity has me wondering as well. I mean, if it’s a scam (and that’s where I leaning on the issue, although grandad would wash my mouth out with soap) then Gay Rights groups need to get a hold of this young man and expose this church.
Personally, I don’t have a dog in this hunt, but it’s definitely interesting to watch from the sidelines. The only thing that really got under my skin outside of the general sideshow antics of the video in general, is this idea that the minister involved is calling himself a Prophet. I have to admit and this is totally off topic, but why do Christian ministers have the need to call themselves a Prophet? Granted as a Muslim, I automatically think that anyone calling themselves such after Prophet Muhammad (saw), is either arrogant or mad, but just for the sake of the argument, I would like to see these “Prophets” part the Red Sea, Walk on Water, or Produce new scriptures that produce a billion adherents. Other than that, stop with the isanity.
On another off topic tangent, why is that Christians have the enterprise on exorcism? I never see or have heard of other religions doing such. Now I could give a serious response to my own question, but in jest, I have to admit that I wonder what I need to do if one of my children wake up one day like Linda Blair in the exorcist? Maybe an Imam can answer that one, because my first response will be unless told otherwise,… “The power of Christ compels you….” ….
Related Article:
Conn. church creates stir with gay exorcism video
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) – A Connecticut church has outraged gay rights advocates by posting a video of members performing an apparent exorcism of a teen’s “homosexual demons.”The 20-minute video was posted on YouTube before it was taken down.
Gay youth advocate Robin McHaelen (mih-KAY’-lehn) says the video appears to show abuse. She says she plans to report it to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families.
//The boy confirms he is 16 but otherwise has declined to comment.
The Rev. Patricia McKinney of Manifested Glory Ministries in Bridgeport says he is 18 and came to the church on his own seeking help.
She denies the church is prejudiced and says it took care of the youth.
I have been out of the loop recently at least as it relates to blogging, but I received this article in an email today and I must admit that the first thing I did was laugh, then shake my head.
Some things just never cease to amaze me. What will such a ban accomplish if not only to score cheap political points? You can tell by the remarks of the French President and the reporting of the journalist that they continue the stereotype that non-Muslims are just clueless as it relates to Muslims.
First of all a Hijab is not a Niqab or a Burqa and vice versa. Most Muslim women wear a Hijab, fewer wear a Niqab, and even fewer wear a Burqa. Of all these different styles and or forms of dress, the only one universally considered “Islamic” is the Hijab. The jury is still out on the Niqab and the Burqa is cultural, being relegated primarily to Afghanistan.
Considering these facts, one has to “wonder” why the writer and the French President can’t seem to understand how minuscule this is on the “Islamic” radar. To the writers credit, they did mention that in France out of about 5 million Muslims those who wear Burqa’s is barely numbered in the hundreds, and this is why I have to question the intent of the French President.
However, given the way things are done in the media and in politics concerning Muslims, anything representing the “fringe” minority of Muslims must be reported on or made in to political debate concerning all Muslims. Maybe that’s why this is so “important” to the French President, I mean we have to police those hundred Muslim women who wear a Burqa right?
I haven’t checked and I won’t because I don’t want to throw up today, but I’m certain this issue and story is all over Fox “News” and associated websites and “Conservative” blogs and message boards. They are probably exited and think that they are on to something.
Muslims, let’s not indulge them with anything other than the truth, which is that many Muslims would love to see the Burqa go away too!
So Much for shock and awe…..
Transcript: Remarks By The President On A New Beginning
Obama In Egypt Reaces out to the Muslim World
(courtesy CNN)
President Obama delivered his long-awaited and wide-ranging speech Thursday on American and Muslim relations, offering a hand of friendship to Islam and addressing an array of quandaries and conflicts dividing the two cultures.
“I know there are many — Muslim and non-Muslim — who question whether we can forge this new beginning,” Obama said, emphasizing that “it is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward, to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share.”
“In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam.
“We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security — because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women and children. And it is my first duty as president to protect the American people.”
“They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity and a state of their own.”
“Resistance through violence and killing is wrong, and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation,” he said. “It was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding.”
Yesterday I was a critic. I wondered if it was a good thing for President Obama to give a speech to the Muslim world. I wondered if it was necessary and if so, why Cairo. I wondered many things, mostly in the negative, but today I am a believer.
I have not heard the full speech yet, but I heard some great excerpts on XM Radio’s POTUS, and from what I heard, plus having heard the President in the past, I have to say that I’m not only truly impressed, but very proud. Proud to be an American with this President, and proud to be a Muslim American.
President Obama for me, said all those things that needed to be said. I believe he touched on every point from recognizing Israel, to Human Rights, to Women Rights and he did it all in a rational way and wasn’t afraid to invoke our religion the entire time.
What I pray is that these words that were spoken have the same effect in the East as they had in the West during his campaign and motivated young people to get involved and seek change.
Many critics may state that words mean little, I happen to believe that words have power. I believe words have the power to call things into existence. I believe that these words have the ability and if it be the will of God, will manifest and plant the seeds of change.
President Obama Thank You,
As Salaam Alaikum
Obama: U.S. ‘not at war with Islam’
President Obama spoke Thursday of the tensions between the United States and Muslims, saying “the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.”
“Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001, and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile,” said Obama, delivering what the White House billed as a major speech to the Muslim world in Cairo, Egypt.
The president reiterated a point he made in an April speech in Turkey: “In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam. We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security.
“Because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women and children.”
The King is Dead
Michael Jackson remembered
The headline this morning on the DC Metro paper “Express” said it all: “The King is Dead”.
When the texts came rolling in at first yesterday I wondered why people were playing such a horrible joke. It wasn’t until I turned the TV to CNN that I realized the truth. It’s so surreal that words escape me right now.
I like many others across the world are shocked and dare I say devastated. I have been feeling a range of emotions. To me, Michael Jackson was to music and popular culture what Leonardo Da Vinci was to art. It wasn’t until yesterday that I finally understood all the Elvis fans who even today celebrate his birthday, impersonate him, and visit Graceland.
I’m not going to say I’m Michael Jackson’s biggest fan or anything like that, but like many of my generation as well as the generation before and after me, Michael Jackson was a part of my life in some shape or form. As my mother recalls the first time I heard “Billy Jean” I was in pampers trying to imitate his moves. I remember the first time I saw the “Thriller” video, I remember how MJ videos were like movie premiers that everyone tuned to MTV to see. Who could forget Wesley Snipes in the “Bad” video, or Iman, Eddie Murphey, and Magic Johnson in the “Remember The Time” video? Remember the Pepsi commercials, everyone wearing the MJ jackets, hairstyle, and even some with the glove?
I remarked to many yesterday how this whole “thing” was like an election night gone wrong, kinda like when Gore lost, I just kept starring at the screen watching the same tickers over and over with some of the same commentary, just saying to myself and aloud how surreal the entire thing was. The irony of the entire thing was just the night before, I was talking about MJ as I got a very good likeness of him for my Sims 3 game, and when the first text came through I was in my iTunes catalogue cleaning out duplicates and had just listened to a MJ song and was then listening to Janet Jackson…
Michael will be remembered for many things, some bad, but many more good. He was a Historic figure as Rev. Al Sharpton put it yesterday, but more importantly he was human. He was a human with many flaws, sides, joys, and pains. More than anything, this death along with those of Farrah Fawcett, Ed McMahon (Semper Fidelis), and many others should be a constant reminder that our time here is short. Every breath we take is a blessing from Our Creator and we should not only be thankful of them, but mindful of them as well. With every breath is a choice and an opportunity.
As Jermaine Jackson summed it up yesterday “May Allah be with him”….
إِنَّ لِلَّهِ مَا أَخَذَ، وَلَهُ مَا أَعْطَى وَكُلُّ شَيْءٍ عِنْدَهُ بِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى فَلْتَصْبِرْ وَلْتَحْتَسِبْ
Inna-lillahi ma akhatha walahu ma’a'ta. Wakkullu shaiy’in indahu bi ajalim-musamma faltasbir waltahtasib
Due is to Allah that which He has taken away and His is whatever He has Given. With Him, every-thing has an appointed term; so have patience and seek reward from Him
[Sahih al-Bukhari 2:80, Muslim 2:636]
اَللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَعَافِهِ وَاعْفُ عَنْهُ، وَأَكْرِمْ نُزُلَهُ، وَوَسِّعْ مَدْخَلَهُ، وَاغْسِلْهُ بِالْمَاءِ وَالثَّلْجِ وَالْبَرَدِ، وَنَقِّهِ مِنَ الْخَطَايَا كَمَا نَقَّيْتَ الثَّوْبَ اْلأَبْيَضَ مِنَ الدَّنَسِ، وَأَبْدِلْهُ دَارًا خَيْرًا مِنْ دَارِهِ، وَأَهْلاً خَيْرًا مِنْ أَهْلِهِ، وَزَوْجًا خَيْرًا مِنْ زَوْجِهِ، وَأَدْخِلْهُ الْجَنَّةَ، وَأَعِذْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْقَبْرِ [وَعَذَابِ النَّارِ]
Allahhum maghfirlahu warhamhu wa’fu ‘anhu wa ‘afihee wa-akrim nuzuluhu wa was-si’ mudkhalahu, waghsilhu bil maee wath thalji wal bardi, wa naq-qihi minal ‘khataya Kama yunaq- qath thawbul abyadu minad danasi, wa abdilhu daran Khayram min darihi, wa ahlan Khayram min ahlihi wa zawjan khayrum min-zawjihi, wa adkhil hul jan-nata, waqihi fitnatal qabri wa ‘Azaban nar
O Allah! Forgive him and have Mercy on him and give him strength and pardon him. Be generous to him and cause his entrace to be wide and wash him with water and snow and hail.
Cleanse him of his transgressions as white cloth is cleansed of stains. Give him an abode better than his home, and a family better than his family and a wife better than his wife. Take him into Paradise and protect him from the punishment of the grave (and of the fire)
[Muslim; 2:663]
Celebrity reaction to Jackson’s death pours in
Some of my favorites….
“Michael Jackson will always be remembered as one of the greatest performers in the history of popular music. As a child of the 80’s, I feel as though his music and his videos have been an inseparable part of my life and that of an entire generation. And the powerful thing about great music is that it will always live on. He was and always will be an icon. My heart goes out to his family, friends and countless fans for their tragic loss.”- John Legend
”I don’t know what to say. I loved him. Not just his music but “him” his idealism and openness and humanitarian heart, his understanding of the human family as one, the high spiritual nature of him and to juxtapose THAT, with a great worldy impact and success,….. He was TRULY a special soul. As a person in the music industry, I’ve seen a glimpse of how rewarding but also how hurtful it can be , especially for sensitive souls. I actually think he was too special and fragile for the world he was in. My heart goes out to every member of his family.” With love- India Arie
from → Commentary, Current Events