To Be Or Not To Be

Not "He"

I had written recently, because I am not the eye that sees everything, or know the unseen, that I thought someone who commented as "Libyan" was my husband. Later, I think the next day, when he called me, he told me that wasn't him - because he doesn't comment on my blog, actually, but he does get emails whenever I publish something. I should have been forewarned by some "premonition" which women get, that he would bring it up, which he did immediately, "I'm not 'Libyan'". "Oh", I said. And for a moment something "awkward" happens. I feel an invisible process,  like a force field suddenly erected by a gigantic spaceship to capture the Earth or the pull between two planets, or the gravity of a bigger planet drawing in a smaller planet, maybe. I am like a satellite, an object with no resitance and feel the need for some air. Then the feeling is gone - we start to discuss our plans for the coming week.

Stay Tuned

Something exciting is happening, which I won't discuss right now. It is kind of a top secret matter around here, I was told the other night when I had dinner with someone. I am good at keeping secrets, so I am bound by an oath. Or I wouldn't have been trusted with this in the first place. Also, being a blogger, I suppose I should always look at the bigger picture - I will report on this again later.

Last night, I talked to K again trying to smooth over the logistical problems for him to come home in time for the "big day", but it is touch and go right now. I am keeping my legs crossed, lol. That means of course (not what you might think) that I am at my desk today again, typing away. I am not ashamed to admit the detox program I mentioned last week on Twitter has me jumping to the bathroom quite a lot - so in more ways than one, time is of the essence this week. Does he think he can make it, or is he trying not to let me worry about it? I tell him I don't completely believe that things will "magically" or otherwise, work out. It is like booking a ride to the moon, unless you are stinking rich, it ain't happenin'. I have a nervous feeling; butterflies which soon will be a large pit in my stomach, if I don't know we can manage to solve the timing problem.

A Man on a Mission

When I went to Juffair the other night, my husband sent five or six SMS checking up on my progress; did I take my son as well? Don't forget to close the car door? Take one of the girls with you! What???

He was worried; I said I will be fine, why would he worry so? I then wondered if he'd had a bad dream, which made me worry - but I pushed that thought out of my head.

K

 If I know him, already the thought crossed his mind to ask other people to call to find out where I am. If I knew how to use one of the applications to pinpoint my whereabouts on a map, I would, just so he could be sure; In fact I think that’s a good idea for all couples. What’s wrong with being able to find one’s spouse on Google Maps™ or Wat’sApp™? And parents should do the same thing with their kids. But there should be agreement that we are going to share our locations anytime, anyplace, because we care – it’s the same as asking your teenager to “call [you] when [she] get[s] there”.

 

He was in stealth mode - probably his own sense of well being depends on my physical well being. As internet service would have it, I couldn't connect for a few minutes, and had to leave - in the car there was no chance of messaging him again. I was relieved, I have to say, because I was afraid he might tell me to stay home, which I would have to do then. To other people, non-Muslims and also many Muslims, this sounds archaic and ludicrous. But I don't care what anyone thinks.

A Room of One's Own

Being on the same page with my husband is paramount. And, though my life isn't perfect, Islam is one of the constants that makes my life worth living, without which I think I would rather be just another form of creature, like a bug; bugs have no worries, I mean, how big are their brains? I don't think something that small knows much about anything, not even what it looks like. They don't have feelings or problems - certainly not the drama human beings experience almost all the time. It's nothing less than biology (but proof of the irrelevance of theories about human evolution) that we don't all have an instinctive urge to jump like lemmings do, considering some of our's deep seated neroses, volatile relationships, jobs that don't pay enough, or careers that don't make sense - what does a stock broker really do? Our lives are always careening towards some danger, or we are always trying to cope, trying to make sense, or trying to forget. That is one side of the story, then there is the good stuff, which would take another five minutes to think about; and I don't have the time.  

I can't blame K for his overpowering need to know where I am and what I am doing - and occasionally refusing me permission to do something even if I am set on it. I understand it better now, after the events of this past summer; I was the one who "needed to know" - where he was, what he was doing, who he was with, who he was talking to on the phone. So I do understand - needing to know can be very unsettling and is much harder to ignore than needing to pee (this is something I know women understand more than men, so the metaphor is an apt one, lol) But he can also be unpredictable, which makes it harder on me, when I have thought something through, decided on a course of action and then find that he is putting up resistance.

Making things public

I timed the start of my blog well, he didn't have anything to say about it at first. Sometimes he tells me to be careful.  Now, he even gives me advice or comments. He liked the last post, though I felt he wasn't being completely honest about his thoughts. "Too personal?" I asked. But he said on his phone the paragraphs were mixed up - I said, no it IS mixed up, because I couldn't edit it; I might edit the post later (should but probably will not do it today), which will mean deleting it,  editing my copy on the pc, posting a new draft, and republishing; I can edit the labels then as well, if I think its necessary. I can't do anything about making the subtitles stand out, block lettering isn't an option. I am frustrated about this, but haven't found any solution to the problem yet. This one, is being written on the fly. I hope it meets peoples expectations, as per the title.

I don't like getting too personal, this is one of the times where I am hesitant, but also figure, WTH, it's only a blog afterall. Blogs are supposed to be journals. I write to tell people what I believe, and this maybe is just one of those attempts to explain a Muslim's perspective on a personal matter of little significance to others, but which impacts my life perhaps weekly or less than that. I hope other people who have struggles or their own little problems have a way to cope that is as simple as mine - the purpose of a journal is to let one's feelings and ideas flow, emerge, and maybe solutions will show themselves.



Use Your Memes, Ladies

@comments #comments #useyourmemes #AllYourBase #lollz  #lol #Amina

Reply • 6

I'm a Tunisian woman and this girl doesn't represent me in any case. She is totally sick. she already has a medical record in a psychiatric clinic. Being easily brainwashed by worldwide sluts I don't find any cause to be defended here other than "sluttery"



sluttery is correct :)


First of all, going to a psychiatrist is no matter to be ashamed.

Second, she was admitted AFTER she was arrested. They sort of forced her to see a psychiatrist because they believe she must be mentally ill for what she did

ps. it's slutty, not sluttery.


no sluttery is a noun here e.g. a case of sluttery, not slutty, an adj.

 why don't some women with breast cancer who had their breasts removed do it, then maybe I would believe it is for a worthy cause. like wearing pink ribbons on their boobs. At least they would be more covered than strippers.

I'm so sorry Arabs are sometimes so easily fooled to do what Americans and Europeans start. She should have thought about the consequences. #dontcontrolme #useyourmemes


Un coup de grâce pour la révolution tunisienne !

This will never happen again!

PARODY -- Who Won, Who’s Next, You Decide?

1 - Once upon a time, in the ghraib... if books could speak.

I’m a Book, Revelation, you cannot deny

If you read (pron. is "red") my verses you would surely cry.

If you hide the truth you will be led astray,

You will then regret your birth and choice, Judgment Day.

***

I’m the bible I’m a book, like you I’m written well,

Not by God but with help from Him, it’s just as swell,

If you know the Lord like me, then you will walk in light,

If you don’t, better believe me, then it’s Hell; it serves you right.


2 - Muslim vs Evangelical Christian

Your rap is nonsense, you’re a moron; you can’t even read

- (Like your brother David Wood) -

I think you were, you are, you’re taking speed.


But you’ll probably never get it, gonna regret it, cause your slow

Qur’an is truth and light and right and never wrong,

***

I’ll tell you what I know about Muhammad and Buraq

How did he go to heaven on a horse with wings, that’s crock?

No, the book isn’t right, its wrong, I have to mock.


Get to the real point cause I’m late for a discussion,

Called “Jesus in the Quran, Muhammad in the Bible".

My notes from the last UN session, "rights of modern women" will impress them.



3 - Muslim vs EDL - extreme debate...

Do you know why Jesus died?

- To forgive your sins -

God needs a sacrifice.

***

Don’t be daft, your EDL, your on a road to Hell (not Paradise)

you need a ticket to heaven, cause you’re weak,

You probably can’t even spell.


I on the other hand know what’s good for man and woman,

Don’t get me started on the role of women (in society);

It’s gonna be a long wait, better get your head on straight.

(Unfortunately for the Muslim, it appears he doesn't know the rights Islam gave to women, lol.)



4 - Spencer vs Nadir Ahmed (this is sad_)

Listening to Yusuf Islam, you think your smart, you’ve got it figured out

Your mother couldn’t love you, your own people are sick and dying,

If Islam’s so great, get the brothers and go stop people crying.


You can’t even find shoes to fit you wear sandals everywhere,

A nightshirt for breakfast, lunch and dinner is formal wear.

***

You people always judge the book by its cover, not the book,

You pretend to be smart, but it's not working out, you're racist as well.


Chapter 9 verse 29 gives you human rights,

You’d rather pay taxes, an arm and a leg, to stay six months in London

- and another six in Israel –



5 - Robert Morey vs a respected brother_ who leaves, after hearing the insults about the respected brother, S. Ali. Too bad, he could have won the debate, it isn't the end of the world, that comes much later...



I’m gonna finish this quick, Shabir Ali, I know about his ****

Our preachers are kinda funny and cool; they learned debate (from Deedat)

And they’re sometimes cruel, even accurate


If you don’t like freedom of speech, then go back to your desert cave,

Terrorists and Mullas, you should be ashamed;

Jesus was a man of peace, he loved to break bread,

Your prophet used a sword, he didn’t own a hammer, now he’s dead.


Who Won, Who’s Next, You Decide?

Ch: 9, V:6 [the Quran]

Religion With Culture

 

Religion with culture

                   Religion with culture

In Islam, religion and culture are  not  always  divisible; we don’t  look at  culture as independent of religion ; there  is no "one Islamic culture" per se. What  is religious and what  is culture are not always black and white; for example, what is called Arab culture, or Pakistani or Indian culture can be just as Islamic as religious worship; the purpose of “hiijab” is to cover, it doesn’t matter if it’s white or black, or blue as long as it meets the requirements for women’s dress (i.e. loose, not transparent, doesn’t have pictures of animates, is not attractive so as to cause distraction) It is necessary to dress “Islamically” (Islamically correct) to meet the requirements for prayer and modesty. There is a dress code for men, as well. Men’s clothing should not be transparent, should be loose, and should cover the private parts (the navel to the knees). One should be able to perform his/her duties and function with the clothing and accessories one wears. It is preferable for men to cover their shoulders (i.e. wear a shirt, or if one doesn’t have a shirt, a cloth, or sheet) while performing prayers. It is also preferable for men to wear perfume to the masjid/prayers, and to use a toothbrush in preparations for going out, whether to prayers or other, or after eating.

Some styles in clothing, and accessories, such as high heels, or additional hair (which would in any case be covered) are haram (forbidden). Hair extensions and beautification such as plucking of eyebrows are unIslamic, and were forbidden by the Prophet as unnatural, and things which cause the curse of Allah. There are many other things described in the traditions as being unnatural, deviations, or practices of non-Muslims. Muslim women should keep clean, but should not wear strong perfume in public places.

These are just some of the things which Muslims should know. We only convey these things to the non-Muslims to give them some understanding of Islam, and why Islamic culture takes precedence over unIslamic practices, or things foreign to Islam. They do not have to accept, but it is the duty of Muslims to remind and tell the truth about Islam. We don’t want to allow misconceptions in the media or internet without speaking out and clarifying the issues.

Jane Dughatir: Governments against Islam