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Islam and Hip-Hop

Two articles by Ted Swedenburg on Islam and Hip-Hop. One on the 5% and one on the international context. Man knows his stuff, and it helps mark a new face of Islam that’s growing world-wide, the Western Muslim. No more gharabzadegi for us, we sit (un)comfortably in all worlds.

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Four more years!

Mother Jones has a great write-up on what we can look forward to in four more years of a Bush presidency. I really hope “our” Muslim organizations tell us to vote for him soon, otherwise we might to start to think he’s no good for us. [goes off to get sarcasm remover.]

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We can all just get along

I liked this CNN article because it blew away a few stereotypes I had. Also, today, I heard an Iranian girl recite a prayer in Arabic, and some South Asians recite poetry in Persian. I love Muslim prayer spaces. Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded we can all just get along. If only we’d let ourselves.

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Damn Them! [updated]

CNN is reporting that there have been several people detained for the Spain bombings, and it appears more likely now that they are killing in the name of Islam. Since they have chosen to use a thin veneer of religion to justify their blind, ignorant hate, allow me to respond to them with religious language. Damn them! May God take the people responsible for these attacks and burn them in the hottest hell-fires. May they feel the fear, pain and anguish they have inflicted upon others a thousandfold. Damn them! If they want to use religious language, let them. True…

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Australia, Muslims, Hate Speech

Did you know Muslim men can trade in their wives like used cars? Neither did I, but apparently it’s in the “Koran.” I’m not sure if mentions used cars specifically, or more like used camels. I’ve never seen this version of the “Koran” before, but anti-Muslim pastor in Australia says it’s in there, so it must be true. I don’t know if I like this idea of legislating tolerance to be honest, I struggle with hate crimes legislation in the US as well. This trial though is bringing me a great deal of comic relief as I realize what people…

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God Hates Shrimp!

One of the favorite topics of conversation amongst my friends and I is whether certain foods are haram (forbidden, like pork) or makruh (discouraged). Our case study is usually lobster, but it seems God hates shrimp. Glad to see we’re not the only ones contending with this issue. Like I said before, we can’t see the Muslim the community in a vacuum.

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WakeUp! Come to the best of all deeds!

So, our friends over at Muslim WakeUp! have instituted a new activity, a WakeUp! Call. Their first one is directed to the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA). ISNA is supporting a temperance society that believes the only way to salvation is through Jesus and all immigration should be stopped lest the hordes run us over. But the good news is, they will bring back prohibition. Didn’t we learn anything from the 2000 election? A single issue, at the ignorance [yes, I know it’s not the correct use of the word, but it really is a willful ignorance] of all…

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