Filmmaker sees lessons in Iranian history

Does Iran really hate us for our freedom? Hmmmm...

Iranian artist Shirin Neshat plans to shoot a film about the United States overthrowing a democratically-elected government in Iran to gain control of the nation's vast oil supplies.

Ripped from today's headlines? Not quite.

The project is not based on the West's ongoing standoff over Tehran's nuclear program but rather on the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency's first overthrow of a foreign government, 53 years ago.

(snip)

"Iran was the first coup d'etat, then Guatemala, Congo and Chile," she said. "When the Iranians attacked the U.S. embassy (in the 1979 revolution), Americans were at a loss where the anger came from," Neshat said. "If they only understood the history behind that."

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Karen Armstrong on the Veil

While I don't agree with every detail of her article, I find Karen Armstrong's take on the recent backlash against hijab in Europe very thoughtful:

In Victorian Britain, nuns believed that until they could appear in public fully veiled, Catholics would never be accepted in this country. But Britain got over its visceral dread of popery. In the late 1960s, shortly before I left my order, we decided to give up the full habit. This decision expressed, among other things, our new confidence, but had it been forced upon us, our deeply ingrained fears of persecution would have revived.

But Muslims today do not feel similarly empowered. The unfolding tragedy of the Middle East has convinced some that the west is bent on the destruction of Islam. The demand that they abandon the veil will exacerbate these fears, and make some women cling more fiercely to the garment that now symbolises their resistance to oppression.

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This is so stupid...

I just read this article in which the author takes it upon herself to declare that Muslim women who wear niqab should uncover their faces when others don't like it. Now, I'm no fan of niqab myself, but give me a break, lady.. It's not all about you!

Given that polite behavior is required of schoolteachers or civil servants in other facets of their jobs, it doesn't seem to me in the least offensive to ask them to show their faces when dealing with children or the public. If Western tourists can wear sarongs in Balinese temples to show respect for the locals, so, too, can religious Islamic women show respect for the children they teach and for the customers they serve by leaving their head scarves on but removing their full-face veils.

click here for full article

Oh, Lord....

NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than one in eight U.S. adults finds it hard to stay away from the Internet for several days at a time and about one in 11 tries to hide his or her online habit, according to a study released on Tuesday.

(snip)

It said signs include a disregard for health or appearance, sleep deprivation and decreased physical activity and social interaction with others, as well as dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive motion injuries of hands and fingers.

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Islamic-safe finance grows in the West

It just goes to show you... whoever has the money calls the shots in this world. Those with an anti-Semitic bent might say that the Jewish community has "too much control" because they figured this out a long time ago. I say they have their act together and Muslims don't! Whose fault is that, I wonder??

Now, maybe we ARE getting our act together, at least a little... according to this article, businesses are starting to realize that there are a whole bunch of Muslims with money that they don't know where to invest. There's now a Dow Jones Islamic Index of halal businesses, and more businesses are jumping on the bandwagon by making sure their operations are halal.

When Caribou Coffee went public last year, sharp-eyed investors noticed some unusual promises in its prospectus. Caribou, the nation's second-largest coffeehouse chain, said it would never sell pork or porn. It wouldn't charge or receive interest, either.

By following financial rules that are part of the Islamic code called Shariah, Caribou is among a small but growing list of Western businesses looking to make themselves as attractive as possible to Muslim investors. Some, like Caribou, are motivated by principle, while others see Muslim investors as an attractive new source of money.

click here for full article

I have never heard of Caribou Coffee, since they don't have one here, so I looked it up on the internet. What I found was a bunch of websites demonizing Caribou Coffee for being Shariah compliant. Of course. And there's apparently a chain letter going around to that effect as well. Click here to read the facts about that.

modest swimwear!

You know, one thing I have been kind of sad about since I converted to Islam was the fact that I'm not really sure how I can ever go swimming or go to a water slide or anything like that, due to swimsuits being a *tad* too revealing for my taste. I'm not terribly modest compared to many Muslims (I won't name any names, HijabiApprentice), but that's way too much nekkid-ness for me!

Good news! Today, I found out about a WONDERFUL website that has (relatively) modest swimsuits! They will definitely not suit more conservative Muslims, but it would totally work for me! Check out the capri pants in particular: Ohana Swimwear

This will also be useful for when I have kids. I could never look my daughter in the eye and tell her "You can't go swimming, because you're a GIRL! .....but your brother can go."

7 Tips for a Healthier Ramadan

http://www.soundvision.com/info/ramadan/healthier.asp

SoundVision Staff Writer

1. Eat Suhur

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, highly recommend eating this pre-dawn meal before a day of fasting. While you may want to pass to catch some more sleep, remember that you can always take a catnap while you're fasting, but you won't be able to eat or drink. To make it easier, set out utensils and dry food on the table before going to bed so you can quickly eat and go back to sleep after Suhur.

2. Limit fat intake

That's right, limit it, don't cut it out. Otherwise, you'll have to get rid of what's considered "traditional" Iftar food in most Muslim cultures. If you're not sure what kind of food is being referred to, think fried, greasy and/or super sweet.

3. Follow the Prophet's golden rule of one-third

This especially needs to be said in Ramadan. We should strive to have no more than one-third food, one-third liquid and one-third air in our stomachs when eating.

4. Encourage dip-dunking

Fruits and vegetables get left to the wayside during regular days, let alone at Iftar time. But you can whip out those carrot sticks if you've got some tasty dips to eat them with. Check out some healthy recipes.

5. Walk after Iftar

Before you fall over from exhaustion after Iftar and dinner, take a short walk around the block or just around your building. The change of environment and exposure to fresh air may just wake you up in time to go for the next activity listed below.

6. Pray Tarawih

More great exercise, not to mention a wonderful way to build concentration, stamina and brotherhood/sisterhood.

7. Take a short afternoon nap

Experts say you don't need more than a 15-minute siesta to really refresh you. During lunch hour, find a quiet spot, set the alarm on your watch/cell phone and nap. This can help your body adjust to the daily Ramadan schedule that requires early waking for Suhur.