Constantly Seeking Inspiration

A Belated Eid Mubarak!

The month of Ramadan has parted. We fasted, now we feast. Hope you all had a blessed Ramadan, and all your wishes come true. :) Pardon the tardy greetings! It's been a crazy few weeks...formal post to follow soon. Just wanted to make sure I got this in.

With Love,
Farida

Whispers of the Beloved: 35

Peaceful

is the one

who's not concerned

with having more or less.

Unbound by name and fame

he is free from sorrow

from the world and

mostly from

himself.

-Rumi

Whispers of the Beloved: 18

Are you searching for your soul?

Then come out of your prison.

the stream and join the river

that flows into the ocean.

Absorbed in this world

you've made it your burden.

Rise above this world.

There is another vision.

-Rumi

Whispers of The Beloved: 87

Today is such a happy day.

There is no room for sadness.

Today we drink the wine of trust

from the cup of knowledge.

We can't live on bread and water alone.

Let us a little from the hand of God.

-Rumi

Whispers of the Beloved: 37

You know what love is?

It is all kindness, generosity.

Disharmony prevails when

you confuse lust with love, while

the distance between the two

is endless.

-Rumi

Whispers of the Beloved: 36

The one who cuts off your head
is your friend.
The one who puts it back
is a deceiver.
The one who weighs you
with his troubles
is your burden.
But the one who truly loves you
will set you free.

Rumi

[Link] Going Green: A New Tradition for Ramadan

The suburban Chicago paper the Daily Herald reports that the council, which represents 50 area mosques with 400,000 members, has launched a "green Ramadan" initiative to encourage Muslims to use the holiday as a time to reduce their carbon footprints and become better environmental stewards by, for example, eating more local, organic food and less red meat; drinking tap water instead of bottled; planting a vegetable garden; recycling at home and promoting recycling at their mosques; carpooling to prayers, walking and using public transportation more often; and investing in clean energy.

"We want them to go beyond the fasting, go beyond just looking at Ramadan as something that is for Muslims and to really look at the broader implications of Muslim responsibilities toward humanity," says Junaid Afeef, the council's executive director.

via www.treehugger.com

photo

Video: Ramadan Message from the President & Greetings

Wishing all my friends a Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan)! Today marks the first fast. No food or water from sun up to sun down. A month of charity, fasting, worship,reconnecting, renewing our faith,  sharing, and sharing our gratitude.
The month of Ramadan is a month a Muslim looks forward to each year. It reminds us how blessed we are and how much humanity depends on peaceful coexistence and being mindful and respectful of our fellow human beings, of all faiths. I hope you all have a blessed, peaceful, loving Ramadan.
Continue to share the love, wishes and blessings.
Love,
Farida

PS: Here is a  write up by the Houston Chronicle about the Jalali family. Lovely people. Sweet story.

With that being said, here is President Obama's Ramadan Message. (Click HERE)

The video is accompanied by a post from Rashad Hussain, deputy associate White House counsel:

As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.

Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God's mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns.

This month is also a time of renewal and this marks the first Ramadan since the President outlined his vision for a new beginning between America and the Muslim world. As a part of that new beginning, the President emphasizes that our relationship with Muslim communities cannot be based on political and security concerns alone. True partnerships also require cooperation in all areas - particularly those that can make a positive difference in peoples' daily lives, including education, science and technology, health, and entrepreneurship - fields in which Muslim communities have helped play a pioneering role throughout history.

The President's message is part of an on-going dialogue with Muslim communities that began on inauguration day and has continued with his statement on Nowruz, during trips to Ankara and Cairo, and with interviews with media outlets such as Al Arabiya and Dawn TV.

As this dialogue continues and leads to concrete actions, the President extends his greetings on behalf of the American people. Ramadan Kareem.

Day 23 of 64 Ways: Prayer

23. Prayer:
“Prayer from the heart can achieve what nothing else in the world can,” said Gandhi. Begin and end the day with a prayer for peace. Let peace begin with you.
Feb. 21st

My first prayer of the day is at Fajr time; before sunrise. I try my best to make Fajr prayers. [even though it is a challenge for me-honestly.]I know if I make prayer at the start of the day, I feel more centered. I also feel when I begin my day with prayer, I have started my day with recognizing all the blessings Allah has blessed me with. I have also sought guidance. I pray for peace in all of the world. From Pakistan, Middle East to Africa and America.
Farida

This entry is a part of the "64 ways to practice nonviolence" series. Read my introductory entry here for more information.

Days 1 - 23 focus on Personal change.
Nonviolence begins by learning how to be less violent and more compassionate with ourselves. We learn by building courage to speak and act with a respect, honor and reverence for our own being.
Days 24 - 46 focus on Interpersonal change.
In order to create a peaceful world, we must learn to practice nonviolence with one another in our day-to-day interactions.
Days 47 - 64 focus on Community.
Nonviolence challenges us to stand for Truth by taking action that honors the dignity and worth of
every human being.

The Season for Nonviolence is January 30 through April 4th each year.

Emel Magazine: The Muslim Lifestyle Magazine

Emel Magazine is a magazine that I encourage you all to check out. It has beautiful Cover Art, illustrations and seriously great writing. They really do a wonderful job of sharing the Muslim Lifestyle in all facets.
Visit the Emel Magazine website HERE.
Get a paid subscription if only for the Cover Art! Of course the magazine is the total package. [Sept. 07 Cover seen here]

Publsihed on a new online magazine: Forgotten Journalist

Some of you have read my pieces, "Missing in Action" and "We are not that different". In case you have missed it or would like to check it out now, please visit the Arts and Culture section at www.forgottenjournalist.com. Please follow this LINK.

Let me know what you think of those pieces and your thoughts about this new site. The team at Forgotten Journalist is collecting more articles, photography and essays from you, the "Citizen Journalist". The site is just a newborn, but aims to grow into a dynamic site filled with voices and images from Muslim Writers and Thinkers from all over the world. Kudos to the team at FJ for jump starting a new venture and also a new brand of online journalism geared for the Muslim. I have good hopes for this site. I know there are already numerous online magazines for Muslims. Content is what I look for. This site aims to deliver content. Its also a great way to network with other Writers and Journalists.

If you have something to share, please do submit. Let's help this site flourish. Bookmark and spread the good word.

www.forgottenjournalist.com

Regards,
Farida Rafique