Hijab Tips and Fashions

Bismillahirahmaniraheem
So after my last post about the Burqa ban in France, soemhow I came across a lot of Hijab sites ranging from how to not let your Hijab thin your hair to very STRANGE hijab fashions. I just decided to link them here. Anyways I been meaning to tell everyone I have a Twitter now and you all can follow me from the side bar on this website or If you want to go directly to my twitter it is https://twitter.com/ghazzaliblogger

Links

If your Hijab is making you bald check this site out.
http://welovehijab.com/2009/03/17/my-hijab-is-making-me-bald/

The main homepage of the above site
http://welovehijab.com/

and some MIND BLOWING EXPENSIVE site who I have no idea why anyone would buy from.

http://www.artizara.com/

And MOST STRANGE OF ALL. A Hijab/Muslim Fashion show. DISCLAIMER: Some outfits are well not completely Islamically Correct so view at your own risk.

http://thehijablog.wordpress.com/category/hijab-on-the-runway/

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Sarkozy says burqas are 'not welcome' in France

Bismillahirahmaniraheem
So one of the things that the west always says about Islam is that it oppresses women. In France the burqa has been banned in public because it is a symbol of male oppression to women. Non-Muslims say that the burqa/hijab/niqab is a way that Muslim men keep control. However ask any feminist what RAPE is. Most of them say it is the ultimate form of men exerting control over a woman. Or they'll say Rape is a form of control. So when a man exerts this 'control' does he take off the woman's clothes or does he put more cloths on her? And what abotu the women who choose to wear it in the west? Is France not impeding on their rights? And for argument sake lets say women in France are being forced to wear the Burqa by their husband then law enforcement wants to women to take it off, the only person who suffers is the women. No matter which way you look at it it is best to let the Burqa be. Anway below is the article.

Article

PARIS – President Nicolas Sarkozy declared Monday that the Islamic burqa is not welcome in France, branding the face-covering, body-length gown as a symbol of subservience that suppresses women's identities and turns them into "prisoners behind a screen."

But there was a mixed message in the tough words: an admission that the country's long-held principle of ethnic assimilation — which insists that newcomers shed their traditions and adapt to French culture — is failing because it doesn't give immigrants and their French-born children a fair chance.

In a high-profile speech to lawmakers in the historic chateau at Versailles, Sarkozy said the head-to-toe Muslim body coverings were in disaccord with French values — some of the strongest language against burqas from a European leader at a time when some Western officials have been seeking to ease tensions with the Muslim world.

"In our country, we cannot accept that women be prisoners behind a screen, cut off from all social life, deprived of all identity," Sarkozy said to extended applause of the lawmakers gathered where French kings once held court.

"The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement — I want to say it solemnly," he said. "It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic."

Some Muslim leaders interpret the Quran to require that women wear a headscarf, niqab or burqa in the presence of a man who is not their husband or close relative.

France is home to Western Europe's largest population of Muslims, estimated at about 5 million. A small but growing group of French women wear burqas and niqabs, which either cloak the entire body or cover everything but the eyes.

Critics fear the issue of full-body coverings, which only involves a tiny minority of French Muslims, could increase discrimination against all Muslims who display their faith in any way.

Dalil Boubakeur, director of the largest Paris mosque, said Sarkozy's push to keep out the burqa is typical of French culture, but worried that he might inflame tensions with Muslims.

The president wanted to show that "the rules of life in France — and that you can just bring in unjustified traditions," Boubakeur said.

"But you have to hope — inshallah (God willing) — that there won't be any ill-feeling, controversies or incidents in this confrontation between an Eastern idea and Western life," Boubakeur told the AP in a telephone interview. "Or then eastern Muslims will have to return to the Orient ... completely unable to assimilate and uncomfortable in a Western system."

But Sarkozy also said immigrants face economic challenges in France, and the government needs to do more to help them.

"Who doesn't see that our integration model isn't working any more?" Sarkozy said. "Instead of producing equality, it produces inequality. Instead of producing cohesion, it creates resentment."

The unemployment rate for immigrants and their French-born children is higher than the national average. Many children of immigrants complain of discrimination, saying they get passed over for jobs because they have "foreign-sounding" names. Frustration of many children of north African and black immigrants boiled over in France's three-week wave of riots in 2005.

The burqa comments made up only a few lines of Sarkozy's speech, which focused on the global economic crisis and a Cabinet shake-up expected to be announced Wednesday. The address was the first by a French president to parliament in 136 years; the last was in 1873 — before lawmakers banned the practice to protect the separation of powers and keep the president in check. That ban was scrapped last year.

In France, the terms "burqa" and "niqab" often are used interchangeably. A burqa is a full-body covering worn largely in Afghanistan — with only a mesh screen over the eyes. A niqab is a full-body veil, often black, with slits for the eyes.

Muslim groups and government officials say it's hard to know how many women wear burqas and niqabs in France — though estimated to be at least in the hundreds. They are far less prevalent than simpler Muslim head scarves.

A 2004 law banned wearing the Muslim head scarf at public schools, along with Jewish skullcaps and large Christian crosses. That law sparked fierce debate both at home and abroad.

In a visit to Normandy earlier this month, President Barack Obama addressed France's headscarf ban, saying countries handle such issues with their national sensitivities and histories in mind, before adding: "I will tell you that in the United States our basic attitude is, is that we're not going to tell people what to wear."

The French government has been divided on a burqa ban. Immigration Minister Eric Besson said a ban would only "create tensions," while junior minister for human rights Rama Yade said she was open to a ban if it was aimed at protecting women forced to wear the burqa.

The burqa has come under criticism in some parts of Europe. In 2003, Sweden's National Agency for Education gave schools the right to ban pupils from wearing burqas if it interferes with the teaching or safety regulations.

The Dutch government last year described the burqa and other clothing that covers the face, as "undesirable," but the ruling coalition stopped short of attempting a ban amid concerns of possible religious discrimination. But the government did say it would work toward banning burqas in schools and among public servants, saying that they stand in the way of good communication.

Later Monday, Sarkozy hosted a state dinner with Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Al Thani of Qatar — a Persian Gulf state where women often wear niqabs. The emir was joined by one of his wives, Sheika Mozah, whose head was covered in an elegant turban.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_france_sarkozy_burqa

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List of Dua's from the Quran

Bismillahirahmaniraheem
Sorry I have not been updating. I was trying to figure out what to post and also I was busy with other obligations. However I hope you guys will forgive me because of this great post you're about to read. I'm geting them out of a book and have not checked them. I have highlighted the ones I like and will be sure to memorize inshAllah. The ones with stars are the oens i REALLY want to know.

List

- To be guided on the Straight Path, to be safeguarded from the path of those with anger on them (Qur'an, 1:5-6)
- To have a place of safety to live (Qur'an, 2:126)
- To be provided with crops (Qur'an, 2:126)
- To have their deeds and prayers accepted as good deeds (Qur'an, 2:127; 3:35)
- To be submissive to Allah (Qur'an, 2:128)
- For their descendants to be submissive to Allah (Qur'an, 2:28; 14A0; 25:74; 46:15)******
- To be taught rites of prayers and good deeds (Qur'an, 2:128)
- To have their repentance accepted (Qur'an, 7:156)
- To be given good both in this world and in the hereafter (Qur'an, 2:201)
- To be safeguarded from the punishment of the fire (Qur'an, 2:201; 3:16, 3:191)
- Steadfastness and firmness against hardships (Qur'an, 2:250; 3:147; 7:126)
- Not to be taken to task if they forget or make a mistake (Qur'an. 2:286)
- Not to be loaded with a heavy load like the one placed on past believers (Qur'an, 2:286)
- Not to be tested with a trial that they cannot withstand (Qur'an, 2:286)
- To be pardoned, forgiven and safeguarded (Qur'an, 2:286; 3:16,
3:193; 7:23, 7:151, 7:155; 14:41; 23:118; 28:16; 38:35; 60:5)
- To be helped against those who do not believe (Qur'an, 2:286)
- Not to be turned aside (Qur'an, 3:8)
- Mercy from Allah (Qur'an, 3:8; 18:10)
- To be one of the righteous believers (Qur'an, 3:53; Qur'an, 5:83; Qur'an, 26:83)
- To have their excesses forgiven (Qur'an, 3:147)
- To die as believers (3:193; 7:126; 12:101)
- Not to be disgraced on the Day of Rising (Qur'an, 3:94; 26:87)
- To be given what is promised to Messengers (Qur'an, 3:194)
- To have their wrong actions erased from them (Qur'an, 3:193)
- To be rescued from wrongdoers (Qur'an, 10:86; 28:21; 66:11)
- Not to be made a trial for the unbelievers (Qur'an, 10:85; 60:5)
- For the wealth of those who lead in disbelief to be obliterated by Allah (Qur'an, 10:88)
- For the hearts of those who lead in disbelief to be hardened (Qur'an, 10:88)
- For the unbelievers to incline towards the religion and to be provided with fruits for this purpose (Qur'an, 14:37)
- For their parents to be forgiven (Qur'an, 17:24; 14:40)
- To have their deeds performed in the way that pleases Allah most (Qur'an, 17:80)
- Helpers in transmission, struggle and remembrance (Qur'an, 17:80; 19:5; 20:29-34)
- For Allah to open the way for them to right guidance (Qur'an, 18:10)
- To be continuous in prayer (Qur'an, 14:40)
- To have their prayers answered (Qur'an, 14:40)
- For all believers to be forgiven (Qur'an, 14:41; 59:10; 71:28)
- To have their breasts expanded— peace and serenity to be sent down upon them. (Qur'an, 20:25)
- To have their tasks made easy for them (Qur'an, 20:26)
- To be given decisive speech (Qur'an, 20:27-28)
- To be rescued from hardships (Qur'an, 21:88)
- Not to be left on their own (Qur'an, 21:89)
- To be helped against those who do not believe (Qur'an, 23:39) - To be safeguarded from the goading of satan (Qur'an, 23:97)
- To be one of the righteous believers (Qur'an, 3:53; Qur'an, 5:83; Qur'an, 26:83)
- To have their excesses forgiven (Qur'an, 3:147)
- To die as believers (3:193; 7:126; 12:101)
- Not to be disgraced on the Day of Rising (Qur'an, 3:94; 26:87)
- To be given what is promised to Messengers (Qur'an, 3:194)
- To have their wrong actions erased from them (Qur'an, 3:193)
- To be rescued from wrongdoers (Qur'an, 10:86; 28:21; 66:11)
- Not to be made a trial for the unbelievers (Qur'an, 10:85; 60:5)
- For the wealth of those who lead in disbelief to be obliterated by Allah (Qur'an, 10:88)
- For the hearts of those who lead in disbelief to be hardened (Qur'an, 10:88)
- For the unbelievers to incline towards the religion and to be provided with fruits for this purpose (Qur'an, 14:37)
- For their parents to be forgiven (Qur'an, 17:24; 14:40)
- To have their deeds performed in the way that pleases Allah most (Qur'an, 17:80)
- Helpers in transmission, struggle and remembrance (Qur'an, 17:80; 19:5; 20:29-34)
- For Allah to open the way for them to right guidance (Qur'an, 18:10)
- To be continuous in prayer (Qur'an, 14:40)
- To have their prayers answered (Qur'an, 14:40)
- For all believers to be forgiven (Qur'an, 14:41; 59:10; 71:28)
- To have their breasts expanded— peace and serenity to be sent down upon them. (Qur'an, 20:25)
- To have their tasks made easy for them (Qur'an, 20:26)
- To be given decisive speech (Qur'an, 20:27-28)
- To be rescued from hardships (Qur'an, 21:88)
- Not to be left on their own (Qur'an, 21:89)
- To be helped against those who do not believe (Qur'an, 23:39) - To be safeguarded from the goading of satan (Qur'an, 23:97)
- To be made a leader of those who guard against evil (Qur'an_
25:74)
- To be highly esteemed among later peoples as well (Qur'an, 26:84) - To enter paradise (Qur'an, 26:85; 66:11)
- To be inspired to be thankful for the blessings bestowed on them
(Qur'an, 27:19; 46:15)
-To be in spired to perform good deeds that please Allah (Qur'an,
27:19; 46:15)
- To have good sent down from Allah (Qur'an, 28:24)
- To be helped against the people of corruption (Qur'an, 29:30) - Right-acting children (Qur'an, 37:100)
- Wealth in order to remember and be thankful to Allah (Qur'an.
38:32)
- Not to have any rancour in their hearts towards believers (Quin".
59:10)
- Destruction of those who do not believe (Qur'an, 71:26, 71:281
- To be made a leader of those who guard against evil (Qur'an,
25:74)
- To be highly esteemed among later peoples as well (Qur'an, 26:84)
- To enter paradise (Qur'an, 26:85; 66:11)
- To be inspired to be thankful for the blessings bestowed on them (Qur'an, 27:19; 46:15)
-To be in spired to perform good deeds that please Allah (Qur'an,
27:19; 46:15)
- To have good sent down from Allah (Qur'an, 28:24)
- To be helped against the people of corruption (Qur'an, 29:30)
- Right-acting children (Qur'an, 37:100)******
- Wealth in order to remember and be thankful to Allah (Qur'an,
38:32)***
- Not to have any rancour in their hearts towards believers (Qur'an,
59:10)
- Destruction of those who do not believe (Qur'an, 71:26, 71:28)

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Obama in Cairo

Bismillahirahmaniraheem
So usually whenever I talk about politics I do not use other people's articles and rather rigth my own opinions, like when Obama was elected or when Isreal invaded Gaza. However today I was sent an article that agrees with my stance on Obama and it is so clear that I rather not write my own post about it but rather just plagiarize.

In the Words of Ali Abunimah

Once you strip away the mujamalat – the courtesies exchanged between guest and host – the substance of President Obama's speech in Cairo indicates there is likely to be little real change in US policy. It is not necessary to divine Obama's intentions – he may be utterly sincere and I believe he is. It is his analysis and prescriptions that in most regards maintain flawed American policies intact.

Though he pledged to "speak the truth as best I can", there was much the president left out. He spoke of tension between "America and Islam" – the former a concrete specific place, the latter a vague construct subsuming peoples, practices, histories and countries more varied than similar.

Labelling America's "other" as a nebulous and all-encompassing "Islam" (even while professing rapprochement and respect) is a way to avoid acknowledging what does in fact unite and mobilise people across many Muslim-majority countries: overwhelming popular opposition to increasingly intrusive and violent American military, political and economic interventions in many of those countries. This opposition – and the resistance it generates – has now become for supporters of those interventions, synonymous with "Islam".

It was disappointing that Obama recycled his predecessor's notion that "violent extremism" exists in a vacuum, unrelated to America's (and its proxies') exponentially greater use of violence before and after September 11, 2001. He dwelled on the "enormous trauma" done to the US when almost 3,000 people were killed that day, but spoke not one word about the hundreds of thousands of orphans and widows left in Iraq – those whom Muntazer al-Zaidi's flying shoe forced Americans to remember only for a few seconds last year. He ignored the dozens of civilians who die each week in the "necessary" war in Afghanistan, or the millions of refugees fleeing the US-invoked escalation in Pakistan.

As President George Bush often did, Obama affirmed that it is only a violent minority that besmirches the name of a vast and "peaceful" Muslim majority. But he seemed once again to implicate all Muslims as suspect when he warned, "The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer."

Nowhere were these blindspots more apparent than his statements about Palestine/Israel. He gave his audience a detailed lesson on the Holocaust and explicitly used it as a justification for the creation of Israel. "It is also undeniable," the president said, "that the Palestinian people – Muslims and Christians – have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than sixty years they have endured the pain of dislocation."

Suffered in pursuit of a homeland? The pain of dislocation? They already had a homeland. They suffered from being ethnically cleansed and dispossessed of it and prevented from returning on the grounds that they are from the wrong ethno-national group. Why is that still so hard to say?

He lectured Palestinians that "resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed". He warned them that "It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered."

Fair enough, but did Obama really imagine that such words would impress an Arab public that watched in horror as Israel slaughtered 1,400 people in Gaza last winter, including hundreds of sleeping, fleeing or terrified children, with American-supplied weapons? Did he think his listeners would not remember that the number of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians targeted and killed by Israel has always far exceeded by orders of magnitude the number of Israelis killed by Arabs precisely because of the American arms he has pledged to continue giving Israel with no accountability? Amnesty International recently confirmed what Palestinians long knew: Israel broke the negotiated ceasefire when it attacked Gaza last November 4, prompting retaliatory rockets that killed no Israelis until after Israel launched its much bigger attack on Gaza. That he continues to remain silent about what happened in Gaza, and refuses to hold Israel accountable demonstrates anything but a commitment to full truth-telling.

Some people are prepared to give Obama a pass for all this because he is at last talking tough on Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. In Cairo, he said: "The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop."

These carefully chosen words focus only on continued construction, not on the existence of the settlements themselves; they are entirely compatible with the peace process industry consensus that existing settlements will remain where they are for ever. This raises the question of where Obama thinks he is going. He summarised Palestinians' "legitimate aspirations" as being the establishment of a "state". This has become a convenient slogan to that is supposed to replace for Palestinians their pursuit of rights and justice that the proposed state actually denies. Obama is already on record opposing Palestinian refugees' right to return home, and has never supported the right of Palestinian citizens of Israel to live free from racist and religious incitement, persecution and practices fanned by Israel's highest office holders and written into its laws.

He may have more determination than his predecessor but he remains committed to an unworkable two-state "vision" aimed not at restoring Palestinian rights, but preserving Israel as an enclave of Israeli Jewish privilege. It is a dead end.

There was one sentence in his speech I cheered for and which he should heed: "Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail."

• Ali Abunimah is co-founder of The Electronic Intifada and author of One Country, A Bold Proposal to end the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jun/04/barack-obama-middleeast

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