They Say This Mosque is a Jewel, But How Would I Know?

By Joanne McEwan Staff writer – IslamOnline Enter the mosque of “Al Dhahar Baybars Al Jashenqir” in Gammaliyya, Historic Cairo, and you will feel solitude, peace and refuge from the dust, overcrowded streets and a vociferous thoroughfare of Vespas. The courtyard has a breeze of mysterious origins. How in this hot summer does it happen to be a haven from the heat of the sun? Birds nest above in the cloisters and the odd stray cat lazes about in the shade. Some elderly men are reading the Qur’an as they wait for the prayer to begin. It is a serene mosque with modest decoration and without any gaudy embellishments. But as it is time for prayer I, as a woman, have to step behind this musty curtain and my view of this modest masterpiece is blocked. Its unique cool microclimate has now changed to a stale claustrophobic one. (continued…) Direct Link http://www.islamonline.net/English/Views/2002/10/article02.shtml See Also: CAIRO — The removal of a wall separating male and female worshipers at San Francisco's largest downtown mosque left its 400-member congregation split down the middle. "It's one of those cultural things that many immigrants brought from overseas without giving it much thought," Souleiman Ghali, a founding member of the Islamic Society of San Francisco, told The New York Times on Sunday, June 25. "I am positive there will be an American Islamic identity that is separate from what you see in the Middle East and the rest of the Islamic world," he said. The debate raged after the slapdash, 8-foot wall across the back of the Darussalam mosque was demolished. "It's time to get rid of those bad habits," said Ghali, who was the main force behind the wall's removal. (continued…) See Also: Partitions in the Mosque What Do You Know About Women in Islam? Test Your Knowledge Here

Masajid's Still Have a Long Way to Go

The Muslim Link 2nd item on cover page June 23, 2006 Letter to the Editor I embraced Islam on April 19, 2002 after a khutbah at The World Bank in Washington, D.C. A short time later I endeavored to become involved in the local Muslim community through various volunteer efforts from which I retain many nice memories. However, when I read the June 9 article, I was disheartened to be reminded that four years later internal discord, dissatisfaction, and countless unresolved and neglected issues between the female population of our local masajid and management remains largely unaddressed. (continued...)

Bringing Awareness to Hunger - YOU can help!

(Washington, D.C. - June 5, 2006) In recognition of National Hunger Awareness Day 2006, a National Hunger Symposium was held on Monday, June 5, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A coalition of organizations in the anti-hunger community, agriculture sector, federal government, conservation groups, the food industry and the faith community came together on the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day to address the growing number of hungry Americans and chart a course for change for 2006. People invited to participate in the Symposium, engaged in an expert panel discussion with topics ranging from the role of faith-based organizations on ending hunger to the Farm Bill as a federal tool to address hunger issues. Aishah Schwartz, Founder & Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance, attended this year's symposium and presented for distribution MWA's Special Edition Newsletter offering selected essays bringing awareness to world hunger written by MWA members from Kenya, Florida, and Saudi Arabia. Established in 2006, MWA is an internationally based organization with a mission to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another for the sake of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and the common good of the Muslim Ummah, in addition to being of support to one another in fulfilling their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless enthusiasm, experience, and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are dedicated to one another's success. Check here for additional information on how you or your organization can still get involved in the effort to end hunger, insha'Allah. SEE ALSO: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) honours its first Saudi special ambassador Abdulaziz Arrukban, the first Saudi citizen to have volunteered to work with the agency to raise awareness about hunger issues and funds to help alleviate it. CLICK HERE Copyright © 2006 Aishah Schwartz Permission is granted to circulate among private individuals and groups, to post on Internet sites and to publish in full text and subject title in not-for-profit publications. Contact author for all other rights, which are reserved.