tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14989380259367057562024-03-05T19:02:54.518-08:00Scarf AceScarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-35385669718647703942014-08-05T09:03:00.003-07:002014-08-05T09:06:47.531-07:00From Russia, With LoveA friend posted a photo of traditional Russian dress and mentioned it was pre-Peter the 1st's reform. So I did a quick net search for more information and pictures, check it out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPLgquy0VUF_eGNc8wHGsL6aSaEaPRiSD0bN0fPHdg1o8k4y3kjgBeLITKqm93uSl_81q6JwiB5H1aUuT8lo2c2cxQDYYO7UztkBKS5r4FDMB5stRVpe7_LeQQoEiks5CGZ0iUgopU-M/s1600/photo+1+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPLgquy0VUF_eGNc8wHGsL6aSaEaPRiSD0bN0fPHdg1o8k4y3kjgBeLITKqm93uSl_81q6JwiB5H1aUuT8lo2c2cxQDYYO7UztkBKS5r4FDMB5stRVpe7_LeQQoEiks5CGZ0iUgopU-M/s1600/photo+1+(4).JPG" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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Quite interesting. Female dress was more modest, until the dude in power, hungry for more power, decides to 'MODERNIZE' it so he says, 'take it down, ladies, show 'em what you got.' Gee, thanks Peter. Not.<br />
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Ok, so pre-Peter:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkAF1IBM5kemr8rs5cDG29S77Q_B-JiDoWJeePvAa3dB6wceqoH5Ous5Uf6uUcxb2svCR6fbonYRvMVVBG3UZn4vPyi2ccjwOi7lFORf9KzLYrREdXcbspsYjJylD9aYNMwhPlylFc7I/s1600/photo+2+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibkAF1IBM5kemr8rs5cDG29S77Q_B-JiDoWJeePvAa3dB6wceqoH5Ous5Uf6uUcxb2svCR6fbonYRvMVVBG3UZn4vPyi2ccjwOi7lFORf9KzLYrREdXcbspsYjJylD9aYNMwhPlylFc7I/s1600/photo+2+(5).JPG" height="400" width="317" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD48b-_BZMvWVvOF7-4rOKQrnYbtQA1YLJXlLq6JE-TfvqfbgmzSVMHu0_dZsJKYAZXchck9YlarkPi4twZkrzHcC8Otsogd4lfdJUNWowiFfAEPedxPYaust2Xq0tOIrI3wxyHXRm0H8/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD48b-_BZMvWVvOF7-4rOKQrnYbtQA1YLJXlLq6JE-TfvqfbgmzSVMHu0_dZsJKYAZXchck9YlarkPi4twZkrzHcC8Otsogd4lfdJUNWowiFfAEPedxPYaust2Xq0tOIrI3wxyHXRm0H8/s1600/photo+4+(1).JPG" height="237" width="400" /></a></div>
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And yes, I hear the voices saying, "Hey, it's hot being covered up! And uncomfortable. What's wrong with letting go of some of these cumbersome garments?" Well, fine. But just cause it feels good, doesn't mean it truly benefits you or society. Plus, modern dress is full of uncomfortable crap and pain as well. So anyway, this is post-Peter, notice the plunging necklines:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Pney9W3Z8bTWApxBx5vJHsd824XjY3DhrYOzlqUSyW0ELQcdLrVW_iss-J4_35jeSPWSDFz6c_ifoXh6t19htmpVS4OYf45m1lk_hy2x59iX4oPNcKdiPGHpI0ChtR_MAgGeDCzTkrc/s1600/photo+3+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Pney9W3Z8bTWApxBx5vJHsd824XjY3DhrYOzlqUSyW0ELQcdLrVW_iss-J4_35jeSPWSDFz6c_ifoXh6t19htmpVS4OYf45m1lk_hy2x59iX4oPNcKdiPGHpI0ChtR_MAgGeDCzTkrc/s1600/photo+3+(3).JPG" height="400" width="260" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"In 1701 Tsar Peter the Great decreed that all residents of Moscow must abandon their traditional dress and wear European fashion. Those who produced or sold Russian clothing would face “dreadful punishment.” Peter’s dress decree, part of his drive to make Russia more like Western Europe, had a profound impact on the history of Imperial Russia." He also made the men to shave their beards or pay a hefty fee if they did not. To learn more, check out his book: </span><br />
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Here are some further links:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://historicaltidbits.blogspot.com/2013/03/1870-hair-fashions.html?m=1">http://historicaltidbits.blogspot.com/2013/03/1870-hair-fashions.html?m=1</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://local-moda.blogspot.com/2012/11/russian-beauties-of-19th-century-in.html?m=1">http://local-moda.blogspot.com/2012/11/russian-beauties-of-19th-century-in.html?m=1</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.academia.edu/4454661/Westernization_of_Russian_Women">http://www.academia.edu/4454661/Westernization_of_Russian_Women</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.fordham.edu/HALSALL/mod/petergreat.asp">http://www.fordham.edu/HALSALL/mod/petergreat.asp</a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-69639284680225979392013-08-06T19:29:00.003-07:002013-08-06T19:29:54.690-07:00It's On. <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Salams! Greetings! Peace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Alhamdulillah (Praise God), Since my last post--it's been on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This scarf, this beautiful hijab. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I LOVE HIJAB. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't think twice one bit. It's been almost 2 years without any hesitation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">God help me always. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Blessings for all who have guided me in this matter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm not worried about jinxing myself. I'm not superstitious (anymore). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Much love ! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sincerely, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Scarf Ace</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarf Ace</td></tr>
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Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-40661429556222492332011-10-07T22:49:00.000-07:002011-10-07T22:49:43.080-07:00And Again.Bismillahiramaniraheem...Salaam sisters! This is for you "wants to wear hijab" and "Edana" and "smith" who have left comments on my previous posts. Your loyalty and interest is all I need to start again, sharing my views on the topic of wearing a headscarf in America.<br />
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Let's see, about two weeks ago, I had a conversation with my husband. It was intellectual, empathic, personal, and psychological. I do not want to get into the specifics of the points that were made yet, for I fear that since it has been such a short time, I am afraid if I spill it all out, it will become overly stated as "IT IS DONE," in which case I feel hesitant to commit to that sentiment, I don't want to jinx myself as I have in the past. I do not want to go backwards, only forwards, InshaaAllah. Bottom line, since that conversation I have been wearing my headscarf in the most proper manner as I can manage, a huge leap from the half on, half off, completely off, confusing, anxiety provoking daily struggles with that loaded concept of hijabi life to one of solid clarity and integrity. Please say your dua for me in hopes that I can maintain this 2 week old behavior and let it grow and grow so as to root itself in my mind, heart, and soul so that I never return again to the worries, the dilemmas, the confusions. Alhamdulillah.<br />
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In a related topic, creating a hijabi styled wardrobe takes a lot of effort, time, and knowledge, and also expense...if one is wanting to create a proper yet diverse set of options. At this point I am struggling with the "hijabi essentials," which in short form would include the obvious need for headscarves, proper long sleeved tops and bottoms, skirts, stockings, shoes, arm sleeves, neck extentions, underbonnets, pins, brooches, and the overwhelming "hijab tutorials" that have invaded YouTube. These videos offer a lovely view of different styles, yet they have yet to meet my needs in terms of being what I can feel is my style of Hijab. Amenakin has a great following and a great style, yet I feel her designs are for the younger set of girls. I would feel overwhelmed with all the pins and drapes as I must rush to get the kids to school, wanting a slimmer look rather than a large flowing wrapped layered look. I spend hours online trying to find products to meet my needs in terms of body size, fabric options, scarf types, and my personal rules regarding the use of jewelry and make up and flashy blinged out scarves. I am a mother of 3, 34 years old, I am gracefully surrendering the things of youth, thus, I can no longer wear zebra print underscarves of shiny sparkling sequined hijabs. And my climate is one of extreme heat. I currently do not have a supply of modest yet ultra-cool options. I'm still learning, it is exciting, yet I am hesitant to get carried away. I want to take it slow. I have been wearing one black jersey scarf everyday, pinned at the neck and folded around shoulders and chest. Depending on the style of the top, some days I feel covered properly, other days when the skin of my neck or chest escapes my attempts at clumsily pinning the fabric together leave me feeling embarassed. These are just flying thoughts through my mind. I hope it finds peace as well as continue to excite me in its possibilities...so many positive options will open, InshaaAllah. And brooches, I need simple brooches for tying the scarf. And I need shorter cardigans. And I need long sleeve knit shirts in every color. And petite size yoga pants (those are the sweat pants of my generation), and I need scarves that are light and opaque and do not drown my petite frame in bulging fabrics. Abayas are not my style, unless they are slightly modified to fit in an edgy style, and will have to be customized to meet my short, post-3 c-section baby delivery body. Thank you for reading and supporting and joining me. May God the Merciful keep you in His favor!Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-18063453417914600612011-10-07T00:01:00.000-07:002012-01-06T15:38:21.052-08:00I'm Back.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz2i78E-pmywAtEeXCmHRsLE7MmGgbyanh9KMHe1TfepOsW-sdedFbg-PnrQPQDisvz01lczelRyOzDnJEf6qXXOmjCVW3EGQflaGdwhuiz1Z8_M61-WKhHQf-JH2XztYil68f8vQwHw/s1600/267377_10150279901534162_594499161_7587589_2300521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz2i78E-pmywAtEeXCmHRsLE7MmGgbyanh9KMHe1TfepOsW-sdedFbg-PnrQPQDisvz01lczelRyOzDnJEf6qXXOmjCVW3EGQflaGdwhuiz1Z8_M61-WKhHQf-JH2XztYil68f8vQwHw/s320/267377_10150279901534162_594499161_7587589_2300521_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Dear friends, I know at one point I had a handful of lovely followers. I am wondering if you are still here. If so, please comment. I want to continue to share my thoughts and discoveries on this. I'll do it anyway, but if I get some replies from you, I'll definitely do it sooner, inshaaAllah. Thank you for all your comments since the beginning.Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-21857898364010558722011-04-14T02:19:00.000-07:002011-04-14T02:19:35.059-07:00All My Secrets AwayI've had a couple of well-meaning persons give me their opinions and advice regarding the fact that I STILL struggle with wearing the scarf, that I STILL complain about wearing it, and that I STILL don't understand what it means to wear it.<br />
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They say it's simple and should be easy if I just make up my mind once and for all. Funny thing is, I DO make up my mind, but my mind keeps changing. I wear it fine when I go out with other adults, but when I'm alone...it's not that I feel more free---it's the opposite--alone, I feel more scared and vulnerable, so I don't wear it just fine. I feel bad about that, I do. Still, I have to justify it to myself: my anxiety is too high, my experience is too difficult.<br />
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I get defensive. I get down. This blog is stupid. Why am I writing this blog? This blog is...done.Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-62289870750026440702011-03-15T23:49:00.000-07:002011-03-16T01:27:03.293-07:00Headcovering--It Ain't Just For Muslims!I find the history of headcovering fascinating. I came upon a website, <a href="http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/headcoveringmyths.php">Biblical Research Reports</a>, which discusses the edicts of certain Christian and Jewish views on the rule of headcovering, fascinating and comforting and validating. Covering the head is not something that just us "crazy backward weirdo" Muslims do...it's a historically religious act of devotion, respectable, reputable, and sensible (for those devoted to God at least). I admire the way Christians take their faith not only to heart, but into practice. Many follow the law of their Bible as given to them in 1 Corinthians 11: ...<br />
<blockquote><em>But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-28607"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span></strong></sup> For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.</em> <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+11&version=NIV">http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+11&version=NIV</a></blockquote><br />
Here is a fine article that discusses the application of this Biblical passage from writer Myron Dorst on the site, Biblical Research Reports, refuting the claim of other Christians who, according the Dorst and others, have distorted the meaning of I Corinthians 11: <a href="http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/headcoveringmyths.php">http://www.biblicalresearchreports.com/headcoveringmyths.php</a><br />
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<blockquote></blockquote><em>I began a study on the headcovering when I was in college to find a basis that God no longer required the headcovering for today. I did not see a need for it. As I have studied the head covering in depth, I have discovered that there are many myths about the headcovering stated as truth. These false teachings are in many of the commentaries. They have been preached from the pulpit and have been passed from one Christian to another to give a "clear" understanding of what they want the Bible to say, but they have no Biblical or historical basis. They have been repeated so often that people believe them to be true and don't verify it for themselves. After all, many of those repeating these myths have their PhD. As a result the church is teaching, acting, and reacting on the subject of the head veil based on faulty information. In general, I have found a lack of quality scholarly research on the headcovering. ...It has been amazing to me in studying the headcovering how much we have been told by Christian sources that is not true. It appears that despite the high level of education today among Christians, many people are relying on other people's research or opinions rather then studying things for themselves. I challenge you to study 1 Corinthians 11 and other subjects for yourself as if you were hunting for hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:4). It is amazing what you will discover. Don't ignore Christ's commands in 1 Corinthians 11 just because "everyone else" thinks the headcovering does not apply to today. </em><br />
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So, I , Scarf Ace, am drawn to such analysis of the use of religious scripture in explaining the use of headcovering. And I am drawn to the common worship of God, that is mentioned in the Quran, regarding Christians and Jews: <br />
<blockquote><em>3:113] Not all of them are alike: Of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (For the right): They rehearse the Signs of Allah all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration.</em></blockquote><br />
Of course, Islamic doctrine would differ on the details, e.g., Muslims women cover their hair at the command of God, and God only, not specifically Jesus Christ (May God's peace be upon him), simply put because we differentiate the role of Christ from the role of God. Also, the shaving of the head is not an option for a Muslim woman. Yet the common theme remains: Religious devotion is connected to female believers wearing a headscarf, of some sort, the type of which is of course in debate, but still the covering of the head remains a sign of worship of a single Lord, a rejection of the dismissive notion of modern "reform," or the call of the masses to just "get with times" and drop the commands of God which are clearly stated in the Biblical text for Christianity and Judaism, and the Quranic text for Muslims. <br />
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Read the entire article posted above, and peruse its other articles. It connects me to my fellow lovers of God, the People of the Book as referred to in the Quran. May God show us the clarity we all seek.<br />
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We all know what Catholic nuns often look like and how they forbid marriage and a life outside of their convent, but are we aware that there are several other Christian sects and communities who live typical lives of marriage, children, and housework, who love God but do not express this love by "marrying Christ" and entirely giving up a worldly life of wife or mother, or resignation to an order of Convent (not that I disrespect these Catholic sisters)? I am merely saying, that a "common" Christian or Jewish woman is bound to cover her hair in the same manner as a "common" Muslim woman is, to go about their daily lives with LIBERATION of the spirit as per use of their headcovering, to demonstrate and practice modesty and freedom from the shackles of pop cultural indoctrination of "beauty, sexuality, and the worldliness" of peer pressure and the industries that profit off of such exploitation of our dignity as women and our souls as human beings. To follow the law of their religious doctrine, not just in blind faith, but in earnest, LOGICAL, sensible, beautiful reason. Reason, the law of cause and effect, the distinction of active knowledge, and not the fog of following the man-made "feels" good attitude, or consuming the inundated values of the for profit beauty industries presented so "innocently" and seductively. Modesty is normal, and rational, and not weird. Not strange and NOT oppressive.<br />
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I send a cyber hug to my sisters, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and other faiths who believe that what they wear is an important choice that should have the support of the Divine Wisdom, rather than the support of whatever talk show or celebrity trend or fashion magazine. <br />
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Here is a site that sells common Christian headcoverings: <a href="http://www.christiancoverings.com/item_34/Sarah.html">http://www.christiancoverings.com/item_34/Sarah.html</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christian headcovering</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Of course, as in the Muslim world, there is strong debate among the Christian sects and Jewish sects as to whether headcoverings are necessary in our "modern times," and even if they are truly commanded by God's Word. The following text is from: <a href="http://www.covermyhair.com/">http://www.covermyhair.com/</a><br />
<blockquote><em>According to Jewish law, married women are required to cover their hair which is earlier referred to as the "law of the Jewish People", but subsequently it is known as the "law of Moses". Women usually cover their hair with a snood, wig or scarf, but some women use hats also for the same purpose. </em><br />
<em>However the practice of covering hair by women by any of the above practices is being debated vociferously. Some of the early Rabbis encouraged the use of hair coverings, but some have expressed their disapproval of the practice. Even orthodox modern women, who belong to a generation before, have left the habit of covering their hair except when they are in the synagogue. But the practice of covering the hair has been voluntarily opted by the present generation of women, which is quite unusual considering the hectic pace of modern civilization. They believe to convey modesty in their appearance, which is after all one component of moral attitude. It is left to the individual women living in a particular location and atmosphere to decide on whether to cover the hair or not. It is being insisted more as a symbolic gesture of feminism rather than anything else.</em> From the Article, <a href="http://www.covermyhair.com/jewish-women-wigs.asp">http://www.covermyhair.com/jewish-women-wigs.asp</a><br />
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</blockquote>And it is also noted in these communities, Muslim, Christian, and Judaism, that purity of the soul can not be attained by the mere act of covering one's head, which is a behaviour linked to belief, but is not the end all and be all to determine one's inner purity.<br />
<blockquote><blockquote><em>When we say someone is modest, it includes their attitudes towards other members of the family, community and strangers, appearance that will not provoke someone into doing physically outrageous things and the way of conducting life in the right sense of direction and purpose. </em><br />
<em>There is no doubt that women occupy a special place in the family and every one looks to them for support. The conduct of women will have a bearing in the bringing up of children, which does have a lasting effect on the society. When women veer off course without any modesty, there will be no controlling factor in the family and it goes to ruins quite quickly. In this sense, it is important that women must be physically and mentally modest, to offset the pressures of life and act as a fulcrum around which the entire family revolves, which is necessary for the whole society.</em></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote>And from the same article, it is conveyed that being modest is not so difficult, it takes a bit of true THINKING and resolve. These following passages are from a Christian website, but express a line of thinking that is clearly in line with Muslim thought on the same subject.</blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><em>The pressures of life and the temptations around us make it difficult to lead a modest life. When we observe life around us, we see fall in moral values, money doing things which was earlier not seen and so many things unheard of in the earlier years. To keep out of these so called pleasures is difficult, but not impossible to surmount them successfully. When we say women have to be physically modest, it does not mean that women have to be frugal without any pleasures or enjoyment. It means they have to stay in moderation within the limits and never fall for things that lead them to destruction. It is agreed that peer pressure and family pressures will be huge and demanding, but you have to find ways to keep within limits, which is good for both the family and society. It is easy to fall prey to temptations, but the after effects will be more on the women than men. That is why, it is important that women must show more maturity and moderation. The scars that befall women after undertaking unnecessary or voyeuristic pleasures take a long time to heal and hence prudence must be maintained at all times. </em></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><em>Women can be modest with the available means. When you hanker after things beyond your means, you will have to face the consequences. Businesses in order to capture or expand their business portray or show women in a demeaning manner by showing their body without any remorse. When we see some of the advertisements in the papers or television, women seem to canvass for products meant for only men, which is mere physical exploitation of women. They are not promoting the sensible capabilities of women and are under the mistaken notion that when women bare all, the products can be sold quickly which is foolish thinking. </em><br />
<em>Women can utilize the clothes meaningfully and alter them to suit their body measurements in a dignified manner. People always look in awe when women are dignified and will be naturally afraid to pass comments on them. When women present themselves in an attractive but pleasant way, nobody will have inkling to harm them or offer unsolicited advice to them. We can infer that our mannerisms will have an impact on the minds of the onlookers and it is up to us to present ourselves creditably. </em><br />
<em>Women can use headgear to sport an attractive look without demeaning any religion or culture. Some of the headgear available in the market is simply superb and you can use them to your advantage. After all, any form of clothing should enhance your appearance in the right way and not arouse sexual feelings in men. It depends on our choice and when we make the right choice, there is no way women can be looked upon down. </em><br />
<em>Women can be physically attractive with clothing or make up, but care must be taken not to arouse negative feelings. You can make use of beauty enhancement techniques to uplift your appearance, but doing it with physical show of skin will attract comments from all quarters. When women are within their family values, no trouble visits them and they can lead a peaceful and happy life. </em><br />
<em>When physical appearance is outrageous or flashy, naturally it will invite things which are not necessary. It depends on your mental make up and when you are mentally strong, you will not fall prey to pleasures of life. This does not mean you have to be without any pleasure, but your pleasures must not be demeaned by others. When women show moral values, nobody dares to touch them or heap insults. <a href="http://www.covermyhair.com/physically-modest.asp">http://www.covermyhair.com/physically-modest.asp</a></em></blockquote></blockquote>These ideas go to show that my fellow People of the Book can share the idea that those in our Western media who consider a woman's right to dress as she pleases, from the likes of Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, to the so-called "tasteful" use of cleavage and booty inhancing jeans, or lushious colored lips and sexy hair is not as liberating as it seems, and is rather a form of slavery and exploitation, causing the woman to chip away at her precious soul. But I guess that only matters to those who actually bonder the workings of the soul and its connections to our daily choices, our fashion "mistakes," and our search for true worth as it is judged by others, by ourselves, and by God.<br />
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<blockquote><em>Quran 33:59] O Prophet! say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they let down upon them their over-garments; this will be more proper, that they may be known, and thus they will not be given trouble; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.</em></blockquote>That is not to say that for my part I condemn the young and old women who are drawn to the pleasure of displaying their beauty through artificial means, who wish to display it for whatever reasons, for self-esteem, for self-acceptance, for the sake of enjoyment, for I too, did and do those things, I, too, struggle with my vanity. To those of you who seek to be free of this struggle, I send you a cyber hug as well. As the final Divine Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.s) said: <br />
<blockquote><em>Deal gently with a people, and be not harsh; cheer them and condemn not. </em></blockquote>Still, I pray that God gives me time to follow the clearest, most noble path, and gives me a long life in my search to do as pleases Him, The Most Beneficient, The Most Merciful.<br />
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</blockquote>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-84352937481172620672011-01-20T10:56:00.000-08:002011-03-16T01:32:45.314-07:00Feel So Different<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuIRHpmGHZUNuEjdqha6YTbTfg91pYa6xeSZ6YaZe3x6mOD0WpNPUKiqv10WE19xYZfCteY2u5z-3xkS65SWKgSNFBVFgDbJ4__GB8ze4NcB0K9niYgRShkGUWNXq97xxDUjtdd9olNI/s1600/hijab-mychosice1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuIRHpmGHZUNuEjdqha6YTbTfg91pYa6xeSZ6YaZe3x6mOD0WpNPUKiqv10WE19xYZfCteY2u5z-3xkS65SWKgSNFBVFgDbJ4__GB8ze4NcB0K9niYgRShkGUWNXq97xxDUjtdd9olNI/s320/hijab-mychosice1.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
I feel a lot more connected to and confident in wearing my headscarf now. So many good people sacrifice so much for standing up for their truth, why can't I let go of my past, my "bad experience" in high school and suffer my bit of social anxiety and/or possible misunderstanding and discrimination, and be near to those I wish to stand with---those other women I see at the stores who wear their scarves with ease, the few at the park who wear it at the swings with their kids, the tall elegant woman I saw walking in full black garb with such dignity and bravery--those who have died for the honor of their beliefs of Islam--shouldn't I think of them when I fearfully step out into the world--them, instead of thinking of the ones who will wonder, question, stare, assume, or hurt me? <br />
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Instead of feeling judged and misunderstood by the non-Muslims at my kids' school, or the ones who shop where I shop, or the ones who sit parked at the stop light next to me--instead of assuming they DON'T LIKE me, why not feel that they might feel compassion for me, admiration for me, a human connection to me, think that they, in fact, may go out of their way to be friendly to me to show me their kindness. And even if these kind strangers are few and far between--shouldn't I now feel that they, along with my fellow Muslims, are more important than the ones whose eyes shoot arrows of bigotry and judgement. I should. I should feel better about my scarf, I should feel different about wearing a headscarf in America. <br />
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And though I may have bad days, or months, when I lose touch with my resolve, when I sheepishly and desperately want to blend in and therefore let that scarf slip down, just for the sake of a few carefree breaths, maybe I can THINK clearly, and FEEL better, and GET better. By God's Grace.<br />
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This song by Sinead O'Connor sums up the bit of courage and insight I've developed by God's Grace, and sums up my feelings nicely... <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="youtube-player" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xrp3oo79qIg?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" type="text/html" width="425"></iframe><br />
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change <br />
Courage to change the things I can <br />
And the wisdom to know the difference <br />
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I am not like I was before <br />
I thought that nothing would change me <br />
I was not listening anymore <br />
Still you continued to affect me <br />
I was not thinking anymore <br />
Although I said I still was <br />
I'd said "I don't want anymore" <br />
Because of bad experience <br />
But now I feel so different <br />
I feel so different <br />
I feel so different <br />
I have not seen freedom before <br />
And I did not expect to <br />
Don't let me forget now I'm here <br />
Help me to help you to behold you <br />
I started off with many friends <br />
And we spent a long time talking <br />
I thought they meant every word they said <br />
But like everyone else they were stalling <br />
And now they seem so different <br />
They seem so different <br />
They seem so different <br />
I should have hatred for you <br />
But I do not have any <br />
And I have always loved you <br />
Oh you have taught me plenty <br />
The whole time I'd never seen <br />
All you had spread before me <br />
The whole time I'd never seen <br />
All I'd need was inside me <br />
Now I feel so different <br />
I feel so different <br />
I feel so different <br />
I feel so different <br />
I feel so different<br />
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above image found <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.islamicpoet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/hijab-mychosice1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.islamicpoet.com/blog/%3Fp%3D262&usg=__eaSQwpa5KfNBv5t6JKNlxh9Bw0Y=&h=500&w=372&sz=81&hl=en&start=17&sig2=JBvDXWamRfai2tAgSY5bLg&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=YQMwMtiPXefVWM:&tbnh=130&tbnw=97&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhijab%2Bis%2Bour%2Bright%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*%26rlz%3D1I7SKPB_en%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=mYc4TZeKKoH58Aabp42QCg">HERE</a>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-2427993755089908452011-01-19T10:44:00.000-08:002011-01-19T10:44:23.452-08:00Knowledge<blockquote>After you have brought knowledge in line with your intellect, try and give it to your heart; when it goes to the heart, it will be the promoter of affairs (affect your actions). This will be the knowledge that moves you. When you don’t send knowledge to your heart and just learn it, it becomes a box that you have stored memories in, like a library, and this knowledge itself will become a veil.” </blockquote>- Imam Khomeini (r.a.)<br />
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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QpUC45vugdY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QpUC45vugdY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-90592186455783605292011-01-19T09:49:00.001-08:002011-01-19T09:49:58.060-08:00<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUQJ8oi1BEk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUQJ8oi1BEk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QpUC45vugdY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QpUC45vugdY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-78146041854865171822010-11-10T14:01:00.001-08:002010-11-10T14:01:41.206-08:00<a href="http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/iraq" _fcksavedurl="http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/iraq"><img src="http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/images/iraqdeaths.gif" _fcksavedurl="http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/images/iraqdeaths.gif" alt="Iraq Deaths Estimator" border="0" /></a>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-10772267172356938992010-08-25T12:09:00.001-07:002010-08-25T12:09:38.341-07:00Losing My Religion<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/643PDZne5LE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/643PDZne5LE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-37338594009751486852010-08-21T13:18:00.000-07:002010-08-21T13:32:47.068-07:00Yeah, I Know.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4hqHLn6qffGqye9jR9TCJ3XChipcbnSz8HzvadywLH827T3KyodmJ3_9nBxI1-aHQ9Wf0g4KuPEkyWoPUoZBkeCNszinMPnP8_QvfmYpDkebM0LfHzQKhrCpFsOJPbFmPes49ALyYbs/s1600/American_Idiot-Green_Day_480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4hqHLn6qffGqye9jR9TCJ3XChipcbnSz8HzvadywLH827T3KyodmJ3_9nBxI1-aHQ9Wf0g4KuPEkyWoPUoZBkeCNszinMPnP8_QvfmYpDkebM0LfHzQKhrCpFsOJPbFmPes49ALyYbs/s320/American_Idiot-Green_Day_480.jpg" /></a></div>It's all good. I get it. Yeah, I know. Seriously. Wearing a headscarf seems strange to some people, all kinds of people (including moi at times). Islam is weird to some people, all kinds of people (including yours truly at times). People like to fight to be right. I know, man. I hear ya. I got nothing else smart to say. Still.."There is no poverty quite like ignorance." Imam Ali (a) <br />
Ahh...hmm. <br />
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"Living is easy with eyes closed. Misunderstanding all you see. It's getting hard to be someone but it all works out. It doesn't matter much to me." John Lennon, Strawberry Fields Forever.<br />
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I'm personally really done with this blog. But there's always one last bit to share. "Nowadays everybody wanna talk like they got somethin' to say but when they move their lips it's just a bunch a gibberish..." Eminem<br />
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And yes, that includes me. Sick of my inner monologue, sometimes we all need to just sit by the beach sippin' some pink lemonade. Of course not <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7935485/Pakistan-floods-disaster-is-the-worst-in-the-UNs-history.html">all of us </a>can, but hey, I get that. There's a lot of suffering in the world. Uh...yeah. But I got my <a href="http://www.counterpunch.org/bageant07172009.html">middle-class mojo</a> to maintain, y'know?<br />
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Here's something I like. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dXFo0UUACM">Click here.</a> Keith Olbermann is keepin' it real, yo.<br />
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Here's something else I like. <a href="http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-august-10-2010/municipal-land-use-hearing-update">Click here.</a> Jon Stewart is da' man!<br />
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I may look strange sometime with my brown skin, ethnic features, and sometimes-wearing headscarf--but I like to shake people up when I open my mouth to talk and out comes this very American accent, dotted with young-style, hip-hoppin' tones and words, or other times with down-home Southern Texan charm. Yup Yup. I was made in the U.S.A. fo shizzle! Like it or leave it, ya'll.<br />
<br />
I like my home. People are nice in my part of the world. But I can still criticize America, right? I mean there's just so much good material !!! Just read the "comments" section under any online article about Islam or Muslims or Iran or Pakistan. Actually, no, NO. Do not read that poison unless you want to get a peek into the dark mind of mindlessness. <br />
<br />
Um. Well, that's it. I hope. <br />
<br />
Oh, wait, one more gem to share witcha as I bow out! <br />
<br />
American Idiot by GREEN DAY"<br />
Don't want to be an American idiot.<br />
Don't want a nation under the new media<br />
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?<br />
The subliminal mind ---- America.<br />
<br />
Welcome to a new kind of tension.<br />
All across the alien nation.<br />
Where everything isn't meant to be okay.<br />
Television dreams of tomorrow.<br />
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.<br />
For that's enough to argue.<br />
<br />
Well maybe I'm the ------ America.<br />
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.<br />
Now everybody do the propaganda.<br />
And sing along to the age of paranoia..."<br />
<br />
P.S. You should watch Michael Moore's "Capitalism: A Love Story." It's good.<br />
P.P.S. You should watch "Inception." It's fun!Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-47489714878251152882010-06-01T21:14:00.000-07:002010-06-01T21:14:14.064-07:00Alone in Kufa (Muslim bin Aqeel)My husband wrote this and sings this:<br /><br /><object style="background-image:url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/FUWWUFdVmE0/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUWWUFdVmE0&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FUWWUFdVmE0&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="425" height="344" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-41831573200435004722010-05-28T12:15:00.000-07:002010-06-19T12:11:33.909-07:00Sweet Story<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3zjUsv0bl_l5NhyLI7Lfdz7u08pMX2Tu8B-DP4ZTIEkgeMWDOqA3On-iBtu3wpSVw4oB0enqh4RnHUztpnwyyslz97MdRSACF2gLxvuDQx6cWCQxYvohGhqHaU2QmSGIxOhTZivyPMM/s1600/blog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA3zjUsv0bl_l5NhyLI7Lfdz7u08pMX2Tu8B-DP4ZTIEkgeMWDOqA3On-iBtu3wpSVw4oB0enqh4RnHUztpnwyyslz97MdRSACF2gLxvuDQx6cWCQxYvohGhqHaU2QmSGIxOhTZivyPMM/s320/blog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476404393362308626" /></a><br /><br />Here's a sweet story I found on Oprah.com about a non-Muslim mother, Karen Bremer, dealing with her "half-Muslim" daughter's wish to wear a headscarf:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Choosing-to-Wear-the-Muslim-Headscarf">Cover Girl by Karen Bremer</a><br />"Nine years ago, I danced my newborn daughter around my North Carolina living room to the music of Free to Be...You and Me, the '70s children's classic whose every lyric about tolerance and gender equality I had memorized as a girl growing up in California. My Libyan-born husband, Ismail, sat with her for hours on our screened porch, swaying back and forth on a creaky metal rocker and singing old Arabic folk songs, and took her to a Muslim sheikh who chanted a prayer for long life into her tiny, velvety ear. She had espresso eyes and lush black lashes like her father's, and her milky-brown skin darkened quickly in the summer sun. We named her Aliya, which means "exalted" in Arabic, and agreed we would raise her to choose what she identified with most from our dramatically different backgrounds. <br /><br />I secretly felt smug about this agreement—confident that she would favor my comfortable American lifestyle over his modest Muslim upbringing. Ismail's parents live in a squat stone house down a winding dirt alley outside Tripoli. Its walls are bare except for passages from the Qur'an engraved onto wood, its floors empty but for thin cushions that double as bedding at night. My parents live in a sprawling home in Santa Fe with a three-car garage, hundreds of channels on the flat-screen TV, organic food in the refrigerator, and a closetful of toys for the grandchildren. I imagined Aliya embracing shopping trips to Whole Foods and the stack of presents under the Christmas tree, while still fully appreciating the melodic sound of Arabic, the honey-soaked baklava Ismail makes from scratch, the intricate henna tattoos her aunt drew on her feet when we visited Libya. Not once did I imagine her falling for the head covering worn by Muslim girls as an expression of modesty.<br /><br />Last summer we were celebrating the end of Ramadan with our Muslim community at a festival in the parking lot behind our local mosque. Children bounced in inflatable fun houses while their parents sat beneath a plastic tarp nearby, shooing flies from plates of curried chicken, golden rice, and baklava. <br /><br />Aliya and I wandered past rows of vendors selling prayer mats, henna tattoos, and Muslim clothing. When we reached a table displaying head coverings, Aliya turned to me and pleaded, "Please, Mom—can I have one?" <br /><br />She riffled through neatly folded stacks of headscarves while the vendor, an African-American woman shrouded in black, beamed at her. I had recently seen Aliya cast admiring glances at Muslim girls her age. I quietly pitied them, covered in floor-length skirts and long sleeves on even the hottest summer days, as my best childhood memories were of my skin laid bare to the sun: feeling the grass between my toes as I ran through the sprinkler on my front lawn; wading into an icy river in Idaho, my shorts hitched up my thighs, to catch my first rainbow trout; surfing a rolling emerald wave off the coast of Hawaii. But Aliya envied these girls and had asked me to buy her clothes like theirs. And now a headscarf.<br /><br />In the past, my excuse was that they were hard to find at our local mall, but here she was, offering to spend ten dollars from her own allowance to buy the forest green rayon one she clutched in her hand. I started to shake my head emphatically "no," but caught myself, remembering my commitment to Ismail. So I gritted my teeth and bought it, assuming it would soon be forgotten. <br /><br />That afternoon, as I was leaving for the grocery store, Aliya called out from her room that she wanted to come. <br /><br />A moment later she appeared at the top of the stairs—or more accurately, half of her did. From the waist down, she was my daughter: sneakers, bright socks, jeans a little threadbare at the knees. But from the waist up, this girl was a stranger. Her bright, round face was suspended in a tent of dark cloth like a moon in a starless sky. <br /><br />"Are you going to wear that?" I asked. <br /><br />"Yeah," she said slowly, in that tone she had recently begun to use with me when I state the obvious. <br /><br />On the way to the store, I stole glances at her in my rearview mirror. She stared out the window in silence, appearing as aloof and unconcerned as a Muslim dignitary visiting our small Southern town—I, merely her chauffeur. I bit my lip. I wanted to ask her to remove her head covering before she got out of the car, but I couldn't think of a single logical reason why, except that the sight of it made my blood pressure rise. I'd always encouraged her to express her individuality and to resist peer pressure, but now I felt as self-conscious and claustrophobic as if I were wearing that headscarf myself...<br /><br />C<a href="http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Choosing-to-Wear-the-Muslim-Headscarf">lick here to read the rest of the essay.</a>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-70335227857502047742010-05-18T03:21:00.000-07:002010-06-19T12:16:45.165-07:00These are Dangerous Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-paooaOOiu0GGS_uvY5PwcYzxeRtOEZv6_Ahb-hb4puh8y0_RV_JLmCnxRts125aORvqoWS7dL_Rd__2FVqsXrIjJKO2MPRonyRfcazGttioMLs5J44eZbDFQB8Y6M5ZpBuaX8irX0xI/s1600/sinead-o-connor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 263px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-paooaOOiu0GGS_uvY5PwcYzxeRtOEZv6_Ahb-hb4puh8y0_RV_JLmCnxRts125aORvqoWS7dL_Rd__2FVqsXrIjJKO2MPRonyRfcazGttioMLs5J44eZbDFQB8Y6M5ZpBuaX8irX0xI/s320/sinead-o-connor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472562401574809762" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've been reading whatever articles about Muslims show up on MSN.com and Slate.com such as pieces about the Burqa ban in France and a couple of spreads about individuals such as the American hikers and a Newsweek reporter who broke Iranian law. After reading the articles, I make the mistake of reading the "comments" section. Ugh. There's a lot of Muslim bashing going on those comment sections! I sometimes can not stop myself from reading the comments because I have a desire to know what other people think, especially about Islam. A couple of my impressions is that all Muslims are lumped together, and I don't just mean the 'crazies' who practice terrorism or wife beating, but all sects and interpretations of Islam as well. I'm all for the unity of Muslims, however, it is important to acknowledge the differences in Muslims so that a wider view and understanding can be established when evaluating the world. Of course there's no point in dwelling in the differences either---even among practicing Muslims there is a notion that 'so and so' is NOT a Muslim because he or she drinks alcohol or dresses against the dress code or doesn't have a beard! I saw that on The View and on Yahoo.com there were some discussion about the new Miss USA. She's an Arab Christian (from what I gather) with mixed heritage including--wait for it--Muslim relatives--which has lead to some "talk" about how she must be a supporter of Hezbollah and/or how she and the beauty pageant circuits must now clarify: She is NOT Muslim people, so relax and enjoy! Sort of like when President Barack Obama and his peeps had to go around and keep saying, Don't worry people, I AM NOT A MUSLIM, okay?!! And don't even get me started on the comments section of YouTube videos about Islam. Yikes, that's scary and saddening stuff.<br /><br />Anyhow, I still got a good feeling about people in the real world when it comes to relating to me as a Muslim. Most people are cool. Still, I do not wear my scarf all the time these days because, well, I'm still not comfortable with it. Sometimes I wish I was like some other 'hijabi' females that I know of who feel very connected to the scarf and wear it with passion. <br /><br />Still, back to the top. After reading and responding (yes, I often submit my comments in reply to the others) on those articles about Islam, I come away with some thoughts and feelings. Perhaps I feel paranoid and too sensitive afterwards, but I start worrying about the future, if somehow the environment will get too hostile to anything resembling Muslim or Arab and that me and my family will just have to move away to I don't even know where! Since I'm a Shia Muslim, I've thought about moving to Iran---a statement that I type with hesitation--not only because I don't want to leave America--but just because the mention of Iran strikes "terror" into the minds of most. But I've studied a bit about Iran and it is not the evil empire that is presented in the media. Still, I almost did not want to type this idea up for fear that someone in the FBI or what not would blacklist me or my blog or start tapping my phones. That wouldn't happen right? Seriously, I'm not one of those hyper-conspiracy people. But apparently the FBI has started a so-called "community outreach" program in which agents go around and question Muslims. My husband was questioned. Can you believe it? This was last year and I couldn't believe it! They asked him about his involvement in our Muslim community center and about his knowledge of the then resident Alim/Imam/Minister person. Gladly, my husband passed with flying colors so they have not 'contacted' him since, but the whole thing did scare me a little. This reminds me of a song by Sinead O'connor, "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14lwdpYkAA">Black Boys on Mopeds</a>." It's a beautiful song. It just makes me want to cry right now. She sings, "These are dangerous days, to say what you feel is to make your own grave...Remember what I told you, If they hated me, they will hate you." I love Sinead, and oh how sad I would be to find out if she holds a negative view of the giant umbrella that is known as Islam. But I still hold out hope that she doesn't...<br /><br />hear it here: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14lwdpYkAA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14lwdpYkAA</a>"<br /><br />Margareth Thatcher on TV<br />Shocked by the deaths that took place in Beijing<br />It seems strange that she should be offended<br />The same orders are given by her<br /><br />I've said this before now<br />You said I was childish and you'll say it now<br />"Remember what I told you<br />If they hated me they will hate you"<br /><br />England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses<br />It's the home of police who kill black boys on mopeds<br />And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving<br />I don't want him to be aware that there's<br />Any such thing as grieving<br /><br />Young mother down at Smithfield<br />5 am, looking for food for her kids<br />In her arms she holds three cold babies<br />And the first word that they learned was "please"<br /><br />These are dangerous days<br />To say what you feel is to dig your own grave<br />"Remember what I told you<br />If you were of the world they would love you"<br /><br />England's not the mythical land of Madame George and roses<br />It's the home of police who kill blacks boys on mopeds<br />And I love my boy and that's why I'm leaving<br />I don't want him to be aware that there's<br />Any such thing as grieving.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n14lwdpYkAA"></a>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-64408817746264308082010-02-09T17:01:00.001-08:002010-02-10T08:44:50.355-08:00BARNEY is a dinosaur<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3GCV2pO83ngnZOQeOpgCMN-4jCtrEwnqNfU52ljJJOMzUA6hw8KXNVK4-Nk9IgWigKU3Ih7bsBD5CSb5rd6Cf5-JU_kvsUoKFGti_gnkD7poXts58lIp0tBHoGav1uqwfIj-npxj6uo/s1600-h/m.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3GCV2pO83ngnZOQeOpgCMN-4jCtrEwnqNfU52ljJJOMzUA6hw8KXNVK4-Nk9IgWigKU3Ih7bsBD5CSb5rd6Cf5-JU_kvsUoKFGti_gnkD7poXts58lIp0tBHoGav1uqwfIj-npxj6uo/s320/m.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436653862810840850" /></a><br />I was watching <a href="http://barney.com">Barney </a>today with the kids. The Barney crew were imagining they were in Lebanon. A woman with a full headscarf and abaya walked by so Layla, a young friend of Barney, said:<br />"Barney, is she wearing a costume?"<br />"No, Layla, lots of people in Lebanon dress like this. It's their tradition."<br />"What's a tradition?"<br />"It's something passed down from one generation to the next." <br /><br />UGH. NO BARNEY! WRONG! <br /><br />First, I cringed when the little girl asked if it was a costume. Does it really look that much out of place? I guess so! <br /><br />And then to boil it down to a tradition. Well, Barney, yes, for some people that's what it is. But there are some women who dress like that while their mother, and their mother's mother do not. So then what is it? It's not a tradition then, huh? Well, whatever, I'm glad Barney tried to tackle the subject, but it sure was darn right simplistic. <br /><br />Anyway, on to other stuff...<br /><br />I was watching "The View," the other day and the ladies were all discussing why a young 22 year old would get 10 plastic surgery procedures in efforts to look better. Hasselbeck got all up in arms, pointing her finger and hyperventilating about how it was a serious problem in our country (what isn't?) and we should "get to the guts" of why this young woman and people like her go to these extremes to look beautiful. My first thought was, "look in the mirror, lady!" Then I thought, "well, ladies, Islam has a cure for this problem!" and imagined them going, "oh no no no not that." To get to the guts of it, just turn on the TV, ladies! Watch a commericial. Not to mention the Britney, the Beyonce, and the Lady Gaga. All of whom appear on the Oprah Show or some such and get lavishly praised for their "talents," which apparently must be dressed up in provacative nudity. It's so gross.Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-84481217476714048562010-01-14T08:45:00.000-08:002010-01-14T08:48:19.440-08:00Go, Team, Go!Is there ONE absolute truth?<br />Yeah, I think so.<br />Is there anyone on earth today that knows the entire absolute truth?<br />No, I don't think so.<br />Is there anyone that is close to the truth?<br />Well that depends which team you're on.<br />How do you pick a team?<br />Does it pick you? Do you find it, follow it, look for it?<br /><br />Hmm...Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-37731862290433039142010-01-13T18:38:00.000-08:002010-01-14T08:58:11.429-08:00Oprah<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFbZf7srbOi73xjLLpbIaDZPEnFP0PAGQtnOWNA6LAODOUbL-2DqCyA4s-HiemXA2Z0hitAMKJbDpSJmY2igD5msaEwXRCxFN8kHEFM8RNlU38P6Ykar5HFpy8vdfInpOTG8ZuI3Sqv8/s1600-h/20100113-tows-egypt-women-300x205.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfFbZf7srbOi73xjLLpbIaDZPEnFP0PAGQtnOWNA6LAODOUbL-2DqCyA4s-HiemXA2Z0hitAMKJbDpSJmY2igD5msaEwXRCxFN8kHEFM8RNlU38P6Ykar5HFpy8vdfInpOTG8ZuI3Sqv8/s320/20100113-tows-egypt-women-300x205.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426426680399245042" /></a><br />Today there was an interesting Oprah show about women in Egypt, Ukraine, and India. I wish the Oprah website still had the entire transcript of the show, however, there were just bits of it as of now. So I'll have to recall my thoughts which is NOT going to be easy here! <br /><br />The Egyptian women were discussing the use of wearing a scarf, one not wearing it and one wearing it. It was one of those times when I was fascinated and listening to every word, but now as time has passed I feel like it was not that new or special. Okay, maybe a little special. I did enjoy how Oprah asked about the scarf and really attempted to learn about it. The main thing I took away from the show is that people sure like to pick each other apart. The non-hijabi implied that the hijabi was narrow-minded and the hijabi implied that the non-hijabi was not truly religious enough. Each side defended itself pretty well. <a href="http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/What-Marriage-Means-Around-the-World/2">http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/What-Marriage-Means-Around-the-World/2</a><br />It's really difficult to attempt to illustrate what life is like for someone by generalizing it to an entire country or religion. If you watch the 'After the Show' clips, you'll see that the Ukrainian women in the audience did not agree on the presentation's accuracy, that some of the Muslims disagreed wholeheartedly on the method of Muslim divorce, and there was a lot of self-riteousness floating around. <br /><br />http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Women-Around-the-World-Debate-their-Differences-Video<br /><br />http://www.oprah.com/relationships/Marriage-Around-the-World-Continues-After-the-Show-Video<br /><br />BUT STILL, I like shows like this. They can slowly chip away at ignorance, prejudice, and condemnation of others, however cliched that may be. <br /><br />There was one part in which the hijabi explained that although she does not mind if a man finds her attractive, she does not go out of her way to create lust or sexual desire from men in following Islam. Then Oprah said that most of the women in America try to create that lust and desire from the moment they wake till they go to sleep. I think, in essense, that's a clear description of the secular vs. religious difference right there. Refreshing point.Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-1096422835966032562009-07-28T21:45:00.000-07:002010-01-14T08:58:39.758-08:00Under The LabelI must now label myself as per The Hijabi Code: Half Hijabi. Meaning, I wear it here and there but not everywhere. I tried to wear it tight and pinned with full coverage when my husband was around mainly to avoid his questions and also because I feel a lot less anxious when going out in the world with him. When I do feel anxious, which is usually whenever I am alone, I wear the scarf loosely on my head, and even a few times sans scarf. I kept this wishy-washy practice <em><strong>under the table</strong></em>, but I recently "confessed" to my husband who declares that he thinks I should not wear it at all if not 100%, i.e. the scarf can never be half empty or half full. Half and half is not a good choice for a good brew. Ok, I'm rambling. Hmm. Is that the same advice someone would give as far as doing our 5 daily prayers-- if you skip one of them, just forget the remaining ones? Of course ESTABLISHING prayers as a regular never miss no matter what habit is more important than getting them done here and there, now and then, but still, isn't a little better than none? Hmm. Here's a funny quip from the Facebook group, "<a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=2204765316&ref=search">DA HIJABI CODE</a>": <br /><br /><em><strong>HALF HIJABIs: These lovely ladies are the ones caught in the Limbo between Hijab or No Hijab. "to be or not to be" is the question for these girls. With thier Hijab half on thier head and half off...u never know what they will do next! On the bright side though guys dont have to wonder whats hiding beneath those hijabs cuz these half hijabis give everyone a sneak peak 24/7. We say to ya'll with nothing but frustration..MAKE UP UR MIND! (ur confusing the kafirs.)</strong></em><br />I tend not to fully BELIEVE in anything. I usually just go with the idea that it SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA. The problem with my approach is that it is a candle in the wind. Easily snuffed out when the going gets tough. But I wonder why I am like this. Lack of faith? Lack of trust? In what? Of what? For example, I think breastfeeding is GOOD IDEA, but do I BELIEVE in it? Not really, not if it causes too much trouble (which things that require belief usually do). Another example, I think parents should force their kids to eat veggies, brush teeth, and stick to a bedtime is a GOOD IDEA, but do I BELIEVE in it? Not really. Not if I'm too sick and tired of nagging them to get 'er done. Is eating healthy and getting excercise a GOOD IDEA? Yes! Do I do it all the time? Hardly. I must not really BELIEVE IT.<br /><br />So what do I believe in? My husband says if I don't decide to BE something, then I'll end up BEING something even if I'm not aware of it. If I do not commit to some belief, some belief will attach itself to me regardless. <br /><br />So, yes, being a believer is a choice that requires self-discipline and clear thinking and commitment and stamina and bravery and dare I say...SUBMISSION. yup. Perhaps I'm too arrogant and full of pride to have 100% faith in something, because at least 10% of faith has to be blind, doesn't it? No questions asked, no doubts entertained. I envy that type of belief. <br /><br />So again...what do I believe in?!!! Must think. No more feeling. Just thinking. Belief must require more thought and less feeling, I think.Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-6064953283030955572009-07-13T20:25:00.000-07:002009-07-13T20:27:46.546-07:00Hi ThereHi Lily, I got your comment, and I appreciate it! I've been thinking about updating the blog, but I've been very busy (new house, new baby, etc). But I do have some things to say, so, I plan (God willing) to update soon. Thanks again, and regards to all!<br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Scarf AceScarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-40061907666469169482009-01-06T09:08:00.000-08:002009-01-22T17:42:53.761-08:00Old News, No News"The world's on fire, it's more than I can handle, take it to the table, do what I am able..." --- Sarah McLaughlin<br /><br /><a href="http://www.therealnews.com">http://www.therealnews.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.presstv.com">http://www.presstv.com</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb1U97Hc8mBw2FXwPBWMF6czmxqVUkrhedtmmhCW6_F-2u5Oa_29MAv0ZNAH8pSnfamIy9vtKmh2V7JZBNuLtQ__WAu3t3oOCnksjzalABnFaTD02Bxm8qJ2rlWNB5m-WsbiiEFo9Ass/s1600-h/n702450130_5294495_3050.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUb1U97Hc8mBw2FXwPBWMF6czmxqVUkrhedtmmhCW6_F-2u5Oa_29MAv0ZNAH8pSnfamIy9vtKmh2V7JZBNuLtQ__WAu3t3oOCnksjzalABnFaTD02Bxm8qJ2rlWNB5m-WsbiiEFo9Ass/s320/n702450130_5294495_3050.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288236358529291570" /></a>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-24388267843304048142008-11-23T14:28:00.000-08:002008-11-29T13:04:10.244-08:00BeautifulWell folks, I've been to hell and back. Well, maybe. Long story. Depression. Anxiety. Hormones. NO sleep. Bad stuff. Anyway, back to the blog. Oh, and thanks to all of you who have left comments while I've been "gone." I'm sorry I have not yet had a chance to reply to them yet. <br /><br />Recently, I've come to wear the scarf loosey goosey style. The kind of oblong on top of head, wrapped around neck, maybe neck or "bangs" showing. And one day I went to the mall without it on at all. I felt more at ease, confident, and friendly. Still, for the most part, I feel comfortable with a scarf on my head, "Benazir Bhutto Style," as my husband calls it. It's the the kind of scarf wearing that would lead the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4jQi0Gjy3M">UMMAH FILMS </a>guy to get up in my face and say, "Um...That's not hijab." And then that would lead me to punch him in the chest. Just kidding. I'd say, "please move out of my way." And that would mean all sorts of things. <br /><br />Anyhoo...I saw this <a href="http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081024_tows_beauty/1">episode of the Oprah show </a>which "discussed" in general, what BEAUTY means across the world. Here are some highlights:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6VnOq2-TRtMSvXYQCq9sBiSQsJh9ZSBz2vVTYoO7WnArM87ruE5n1BLY0Iq0z9TofjrlfTccbDkjdQqsBaOWCML47SKpOWvovh_KLKbISZL9ItC-kRIHNHsY5FwAoQ1Y2_6A6wwsnt0/s1600-h/20081024_tows_beauty10_350x263.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6VnOq2-TRtMSvXYQCq9sBiSQsJh9ZSBz2vVTYoO7WnArM87ruE5n1BLY0Iq0z9TofjrlfTccbDkjdQqsBaOWCML47SKpOWvovh_KLKbISZL9ItC-kRIHNHsY5FwAoQ1Y2_6A6wwsnt0/s320/20081024_tows_beauty10_350x263.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271985762104883794" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>In the Middle Eastern country Oman, women turn to nature as their source of beauty. Hashima, an Omani, says women like to put dried rose petals into boiling water and rinse their hair with it. "This gives the hair a very fine smell of a rose," she says. <br /><br />Omanis even have an all-natural approach to dental hygiene. "The miswak stick is brushed on the teeth like a toothbrush," Hashima says. "It reacts with the human spit and gives an orange color to the lips."<br /><br />Hashima says the more color a fabric or piece of jewelry has, the more beautiful it is. However, the brightly colored dresses are often covered by a cloak like wrap called an abaya. "This is to cover up the woman's body, and it covers also if you had a bad hair day," she says. <br /><br />While it's not mandatory in Oman, some women also wear a burqa, which veils the face. "It's used as a sign of beauty," she says. "It's supposed to make your eyes look really sexy." </strong></em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBcjvSHuf_h_3eidG-4U9BCbpO8rfJi5j-_CvYFH6bDZKr6MQi7qB4FpYpfOnqiNr09-FLk47PC9z-YEiVnfDHu1ZaS7Qd__8ong9yMMmhhAjxJZqrXuOx2OIrd1C6W3mt91YRY_FySI/s1600-h/20081024_tows_beauty15_350x263.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBcjvSHuf_h_3eidG-4U9BCbpO8rfJi5j-_CvYFH6bDZKr6MQi7qB4FpYpfOnqiNr09-FLk47PC9z-YEiVnfDHu1ZaS7Qd__8ong9yMMmhhAjxJZqrXuOx2OIrd1C6W3mt91YRY_FySI/s320/20081024_tows_beauty15_350x263.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271985765420087874" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>Can you guess which country has been dubbed "the nose job capital of the world"? It's not image-conscious Brazil or even the United States. It's Iran—the conservative Muslim country with seemingly endless contradictions. In a place where women cover most of their bodies, business is booming for plastic surgeons—they're performing an estimated 60,000 nose jobs a year. <br /><br />While plastic surgery is kept hush-hush in many places, Iranian women like Naeimeh and Sahar are eager to talk openly about the procedure. "Here in Iran, women do have to cover their hair and the most beautiful part of their body," Naeimeh says. "They have to reveal their beauty out from a place which everybody can observe, which is the face."<br /><br />After surgery, nose bandages are worn openly like badges of honor. Sahar says the surgery is so expensive in Iran, women see the bandage as a status symbol. "I had a friend who had a nose job, and she kept the bandage, if I'm not wrong, after two years on her nose just to show everybody that she had nose job," Sahar says. Pharmacists in Iran say nose jobs are so desirable, people who haven't had the operation still buy tape for their noses. </strong></em><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qJ9bKUhDiMq2zj40a6LPej6FJL5xHa8HjWtusCBvafqCDznnBu-aAl1IEUvKOXOv7VDZDOpoidDgWFKd9OfnZnNJkJQaKR0PZOanSOVv09PgBspohFzs6lY8CO_Od7CJZW6-4nqWpqw/s1600-h/20081024_tows_beauty17_350x263.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qJ9bKUhDiMq2zj40a6LPej6FJL5xHa8HjWtusCBvafqCDznnBu-aAl1IEUvKOXOv7VDZDOpoidDgWFKd9OfnZnNJkJQaKR0PZOanSOVv09PgBspohFzs6lY8CO_Od7CJZW6-4nqWpqw/s320/20081024_tows_beauty17_350x263.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271985767289716738" /></a><br /><br /><em><strong>In the United States and many countries around the world, thin is the standard when it comes to beauty. But in a West African country halfway around the world, bigger is definitely better. Mauritania is a desert oasis that sits on the northwest coast of Africa. Here, a woman's beauty is revered—but thin isn't in. In Mauritania, plump is sexy!<br /><br />While it might sound nice to throw dieting out the window, it's not all pleasant. For generations, young girls were subjected to the practice of gavage—or force feeding—in order to fatten them up and make them more desirable. In Mauritania, many say the more you weigh, the better chances of you have of finding a husband.<br /><br />Although force feeding is now frowned upon by the government, old habits die hard in remote areas of the country. Some young girls spend hours each day in the stifling heat, forced to stuff themselves with couscous and high-fat camel's milk. Vomiting only leads to another helping of food.<br /><br />Even in Mauritania's more progressive cities, some women are willing to do anything for a fuller figure, including buying black-market drugs meant for animals.</strong></em> <br /><br />Interesting. All I know is I never have and never will go through all that trouble to "look beautiful." You should read and/or watch the episode <a href="http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/20081024_tows_beauty/1">here </a>to see what CRAZY stuff they do in other countries such as drink/eat collagen for clear skin in Japan or undergo plastic surgery in the slums of Brazil. What price oh beauty?Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-42715740129034864152008-09-24T21:15:00.000-07:002008-09-25T01:09:57.145-07:00Burden or Blessing<em>"Damn my situation. And the games I have to play with all the things caught in my mind. And damn my education. I can't find the words to say with all the things caught in my mind."--Oasis.</em><br /><br />Burden or Blessing? Burden or Blessing? That is the question! It's obvious from my last post that I am in a spiritual slump. Spiritually OUT OF SHAPE. And just with being physically out of shape, one can't just decide to run a 10K Marathon the next day. The person has to train to get in shape. So the same thing goes with spirituality in a way. So I do want to share some spiritual "excercises," that are good for starting the training, or at the very least, a walk in the park to stretch one's legs, get some fresh air, get the heart pumping. <br /><br />I find that watching videos on Islam and videos about Muslims, made for Muslims, made by Muslims are often inspiring (as opposed to going to the Islamic center, which often is not as inspiring -- at least on the ladies' side -- but that's another story). Here are a few that I like:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Frontline-Muslims/dp/B00008973X/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222316565&sr=8-1">FRONTLINE: Muslims:</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/ ">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/muslims/ </a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVINbRgQtaIbHjeuIJoufy4vEa6aY0G80M8fji7Xx2L5FOWnZ7cKpQ1MDR8j_TYUpPTcfqlhY3QyN2agBSsNkpmvBV_fgTCbMWWITX9cRMnqMAK-55OkAbK0GhUEGzTHXIP9ouuiRafvw/s1600-h/511N4DFR32L__SS500_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVINbRgQtaIbHjeuIJoufy4vEa6aY0G80M8fji7Xx2L5FOWnZ7cKpQ1MDR8j_TYUpPTcfqlhY3QyN2agBSsNkpmvBV_fgTCbMWWITX9cRMnqMAK-55OkAbK0GhUEGzTHXIP9ouuiRafvw/s320/511N4DFR32L__SS500_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249810422023297538" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Empires-Islam-Empire-Ben-Kingsley/dp/B00078XGP6/ref=pd_sim_d_1">EMPIRES: ISLAM--EMPIRE OF FAITH</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZALyTGqjgGMqTK0w2NSkD0YdlH5dDmfBjuXImC40MdzvJJZcGRwXS4ySaMLUz8M0QuQQkcGGS3c4XmmuLCf7JTDrdwZrczQoFztIVt0gwZzm02Ytu1WOcAE8NJFiMyz1p95qeTKmD18/s1600-h/51GSQ0J8VML__SS500_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZALyTGqjgGMqTK0w2NSkD0YdlH5dDmfBjuXImC40MdzvJJZcGRwXS4ySaMLUz8M0QuQQkcGGS3c4XmmuLCf7JTDrdwZrczQoFztIVt0gwZzm02Ytu1WOcAE8NJFiMyz1p95qeTKmD18/s320/51GSQ0J8VML__SS500_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249819417665820690" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Muhammad-Michael-Wolfe-Alex-Kronemer/dp/B000EBGF2W/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222328218&sr=8-1">MUHAMMAD: LEGACY OF A PROPHET</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOb1_WCCX32k5mQhyphenhyphenZoUkjepwtzOa9wn5biO3rPcC7FLPGf5mbzvIuswOiY9MhA-prk7Hkgws1kdnuiw9m5yppXxPuBdrQVg6jKzLJcmSEXGzeiKikAEP9eab0hSJyuAffQV1K-p3QqQ/s1600-h/5121TMWYFHL__SS500_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOb1_WCCX32k5mQhyphenhyphenZoUkjepwtzOa9wn5biO3rPcC7FLPGf5mbzvIuswOiY9MhA-prk7Hkgws1kdnuiw9m5yppXxPuBdrQVg6jKzLJcmSEXGzeiKikAEP9eab0hSJyuAffQV1K-p3QqQ/s320/5121TMWYFHL__SS500_.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249826105149434834" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.313themovie.com/">313 The Movie</a><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gBvjfl4ICdk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gBvjfl4ICdk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.redtears.co.uk/karbala.html"><br />KARBALA: When Eyes Wept Blood</a>http://www.redtears.co.uk/karbala.html<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zUJOk813XSM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zUJOk813XSM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Also, to marvel at God's power, just:<br />Read books & watch shows <br />about the <a href="http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html">anatomy of the human body and its systems</a><br /><br />about specific animals and how they function:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MB_GisVFboU&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MB_GisVFboU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />about <a href="http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/">natural disasters</a><br /><br />about space:<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x1w8hKTJ2Co&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x1w8hKTJ2Co&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />And my favorite: about the human development in the womb:<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wIYZ9HRKags&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wIYZ9HRKags&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aR-Qa_LD2m4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aR-Qa_LD2m4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Wow, that's amazing, MashaaAllah, Alhamdulillah! Still, I wonder why it is so easy for me to get lost in the haze of the mundane when staying home all day and dealing with housekeeping (constantly picking up THINGS, cleaning, scrubbing, sweeping, mopping, dusting, --and that's just if you can get to it all) and cranky kids and having little uninterrupted time to focus on "improving" oneself. Of course, Alhamdulillah, there are dozens of moments in the day when I just stare at my kids and say, MASHAA'ALLAH, ALHAMDULILLAH. THANK YOU ALLAH. Often, the things that are the most burdensome to me, are my greatest blessings. Such is life. Such is Ramadan. Such is the headscarf. It can seem a burden, but also a blessing. It takes awareness, and some fresh air, to experience the difference. My admiration goes out to all the <strong>stay-at-home Moms </strong>because it is truly a difficult and respect-worthy lifestyle that deserves recognition for its many blessings--and an acknowledgment of its real burdens--in order for its true experience to be a blessing. And subsitute the words <strong>HEADSCARF, HIJAB, WOMAN,</strong> AND <strong>MUSLIMS </strong>with stay-at-home Moms--and it's the same. It takes courage and confidence to do/be a SAHM, a Hijabi, a Woman, a Muslim. With some things, like the headscarf, it's obvious--one needs courage and confidence to do it--but with other things its less obvious--for example, when I think of fasting for 30 days, I think, "I CAN'T DO IT" and "WHAT IF?"--it's interesting that my lack of courage and confidence plays into my practice of Islam. And the more courage and confidence one has, the less miserable one will feel, the more successful they will be. It's difficult. It requires help... <br /><br /><em><strong>GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THE THINGS I CAN NOT CHANGE<br />COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN<br />AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.</strong></em><br />And, God knows, I need more time. I hope I have more time. <br /><br /><em>"Yes, I need more time just to make things right."--<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6K9JqR9dVE">Oasis</a></em>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-86311097354844715882008-09-22T13:15:00.000-07:002008-09-22T19:46:37.749-07:00Not to Mention<a href="http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/default.asp">Ramadan </a>is really kicking my butt this year. It wasn't so hard when I was a teenager. I'd fast for 2 weeks, then get my "monthly visitor" break for a week, then fast again for another week. Back then Ramadan was in the winter months, so the day would fly by in the distractions of school and work, taking long naps after school and on the weekends, then suddenly around 5:30 PM, it was time to eat. No big deal. <br /><br />Things are different now. I have two little kids with me all day, every day, rain or shine. Most of the time it's just me, no other adults around who are also struggling with fasting. And I'm sure as all stay-at-home Moms with little kids can understand--food and drink is a great comfort, pleasure, de-stresser, and necessity during the long days of childcare. Not to mention that Ramadan is now during the long days of the end of summer (and it's going to get deeper into the summer for the next few years!). Not to mention that while childcare (and double not to mention housekeeping) is demanding--it is often boring and tedious-- and mind-boggling in its frustration--so there is not much mental distraction to help tide the time. And let's not forget that with young kids---naps no longer exist for me--the MOM--who must keep working while Dad and everyone else can fall asleep like <a href="http://www.georgehernandez.com/h/aaBlog/2004/12.asp">kittens on couches</a>. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5qvOAvTOQvAZUkUE4FvdDz3_dE9aNJ1OMDOgppeu-ciP__cIzoKNQdp0htI1aFvdS9dCBFDvHyaepQ9sR-z4T1Vubb6HOKDk9VZCZpQZ3gG-H1lQvsarb58mPkOcujrwNFigCdS32jY/s1600-h/12-07_KittenSleeping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5qvOAvTOQvAZUkUE4FvdDz3_dE9aNJ1OMDOgppeu-ciP__cIzoKNQdp0htI1aFvdS9dCBFDvHyaepQ9sR-z4T1Vubb6HOKDk9VZCZpQZ3gG-H1lQvsarb58mPkOcujrwNFigCdS32jY/s320/12-07_KittenSleeping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249040313008126754" /></a><br />And let's not forget that often, people like me (anxious insomniacs with 2 kids who awaken at night) get litle to NO sleep at night either, so talk about feeling miserable--add on not being able to eat and sleep and I've got a recipe for a big time butt-kicking. <br /><br />All the above reasons (I know what you're thinking: <em>BLAH BLAH BLAH enough of your pity party, woman! My life is difficult too! Suck it up, Sister!)</em>do not validate skipping the fasts, although I would like to argue that the NO sleep is equivalent to being ill--but alas, my arguments fall on deaf ears. And what's the point of arguing with the rules? I may think that God has mercy on me, but the rules sure don't. Still, I've given into my misery and broke my fasts in the middle of the day several times this Ramadan. God Forgive Me, I just can't do it all the time. <br /><br />Makes me wonder. Maybe Islam is just too dang hard for me. I still struggle to get my 5 prayers done every day. Some days I don't. And we all know the trouble I have with the simple headscarf. <br /><br />Actually, it probably just means I can't hack it as a SAHM. If I had some kind of job out of the home, there would be structure all around me and thus, my Islamic demands could fit in schedule somewhere. I wouldn't have to depend on my own pathetically weak internal motivation and discipline to fulfil my religious duties.<br /><br />I think I am one of those so-called "moderate" Muslims--the ones that will espouse the "beauty and logic" of Islam, while still listening to music, watching TV even if it has "trashy" commercials every 30 seconds, and yes, even skipping a prayer, a fast, and a head-scarf. <br /><br />My husband scoffs at such "moderate" Muslims. They're not part of a "pure" Islam, a "true" Islam. Sure, we're all weak humans he'd agree, but that's no reason to give in to the temptations of the flesh--food, sleep, vanity. Lucky for me, he's too busy giving his time to the Islamic center and devouring scholarly Islamic texts to have time and/or interest in reading my simple, chatty blog, so the secret is safe with me. For now. Actually, I've told him before that I've skipped a fast due to my shear desperation--arguing that indeed it is bad for my health when coupled with the very unhealthy issue of NOT SLEEPING. He replied by telling me that's not really unhealthy--and an invalid skipping requires that I feed 60 hungry people. But then someone else told me it means I must fast 60 more days for each skipped fast. Well what's the rule for breaking the rule? I forget. <br /><br />So nowadays it seems like it's a more "don't ask, don't tell" policy. You don't ask me if I'm fasting, and I won't tell you that I'm not. I like that. Saves me from offering my pathetic reasoning up for dissection and judgement. Same goes for praying. He doesn't ask me if I've done all 5 prayers, and I don't tell him if I have. Same goes with the scarf. He doesn't ask me if I let my ear show when I'm out without him, and I don't tell him that yes, sometimes, I do. I'm all for being friends with your spouse, but what's the point of 100% disclosure that will just push both people's buttons and create bad feelings? I mean, it's not like I'm out living a secret, double life. Am I? Hmm. And if he or anyone were to ask me, then, yes, I would say, NO, I'm not fasting. Still--the thing is, he knows how I am, so we don't need me to mention it every single time when I fall short of the expectations--do I? Hmm. Of course, God knows all the details. I know HE knows. That's something I can't forget.Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1498938025936705756.post-53418884769617961092008-08-27T13:38:00.000-07:002008-09-25T01:33:08.681-07:00Iranian WomenHere's a picture from the July 14th, 2005 <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times </a>of women in Iran. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr0Gm9I42UoayQ1HyWqrM2YQE_MV82W6WEIwh9lHihb2EyI7S7YzSk5lmcIIKJiGFo_S6afPUJ4Fs8NhrWNf1qcyfrqs40zGOt38SoXAsbjtgRsSZ4sIg5ZK6TuzFnbva94eLGrVGpPE/s1600-h/17iran_3_650.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyr0Gm9I42UoayQ1HyWqrM2YQE_MV82W6WEIwh9lHihb2EyI7S7YzSk5lmcIIKJiGFo_S6afPUJ4Fs8NhrWNf1qcyfrqs40zGOt38SoXAsbjtgRsSZ4sIg5ZK6TuzFnbva94eLGrVGpPE/s320/17iran_3_650.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239302614650844722" /></a><br />The girl with the hat-scarf makes me smile cause that's something I would do.<br /><br />And<br />OH MY GOSH<br />I can't get over this clip from the Today Show on Iranian women. They interview Iranian female firefighters, a female race car driver, and several "educated, outspoken" females YET they still can't stop saying, the women are REPRESSED and SEGREGATED and WITHOUT THEIR RIGHTS! Ugh. Just watch for yourself, as soon as the reporters start talking about how GOOD the Iranian women have it, they TRY (weakly) to show how "bad" they have it. It's such spin. It just goes to show, we don't trust what we don't understand (the bit about 2nd wives and getting a divorce---PULEEEZE. If they truly took more than 4 minutes to explain, it would be clear that those issues are not AGAINST women's rights. Those issues are about preserving an Islamic society--the thing they don't understand). And while I don't fully agree with the idea that forcing hijab is the best way to "encourage" it, it is still so silly to me that showing off one's body/hair is considered a "woman's right," when clearly it is just "a woman's desire" to do so. Apparently, in America, UNLESS a woman has the "freedom" to show herself, to walk around half naked--then she's truly not free. How condescending. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/daaJjRIYy14&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/daaJjRIYy14&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Scarf Acehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14737623518023172219noreply@blogger.com6