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December 28, 2008

Aishah on FaceBook Steroids *lol*

Okay - tried Yahoo 360, got started on MySpace to keep up with my daughters *lol*, graduated to Blogger (it's been a positive experience), work in WordPress as part of my job (no thx on a personal level), but recently I fell into FaceBook...and it's been a roller coaster ride from there! Wow! How cool is FaceBook? I'm rockin' it for sure! *lol* And for those concerned about the situation in Gaza, I'm doin' my homework on that front as well. See you there, insha'Allah!

December 26, 2008

Muslim Voice in Washington

TO LISTEN TO THE DECEMBER 21, 2008 PROGRAM FEATURED AT ISLAMONLINE COPY AND PASTE THE TEXT BELOW rtsp://stream.islamonline.net/strm/d/English/news/2008-12/25/sound/01.rm
THE SOUND FILE USES REAL PLAYER FOR PLAYBACK: Get it here! http://www.download.com/RealPlayer/3000-2646_4-10073040.html
By Mukhtar A. Khan, IOL Correspondent
"This is a step forward in advancing independent Muslim media," Bray told IOL. WASHINGTON (IOL) Dec. 25, 2008 — Recognizing the importance of the media, American Muslim community leaders have launched a live radio talk show from Washington to give an accurate image of their community. "We are the only Muslim voice on a popular radio – New World Radio WUST 1120 AM – from the nation's capital," Crescent Report host Mahdi Bray told IslamOnline.net. The 30-minute radio show titled, "The Crescent Report", Bray's brainchild, targets the over 1.5 million listeners in the greater Washington area. Starting on Sundays from 11.30 am until 12.00 noon, The Crescent Report aims to give an accurate image of the Muslim faith to the American listening audience. "The mission for broadcasting this show is to give an authentic voice to the Muslim community in the United States and present the true image of Islam before the wider world," stated Bray, who also serves as executive director of MAS Freedom, the civic and human rights advocacy entity of the Muslim American Society. The radio show, returning from a brief hiatus after its original 2004 launch, returned to the airwaves Sunday, December 21, 2008 with special guest Keith Ellison, America's first Muslim Congressman, who spoke about prospects and challenges facing American Muslims, now estimated at nearly seven million. "Audience participation was exhilarating," Bray added. Bray said the show will focus on current events but also invites the listening audience to talk about issues such as current affairs, politics, Islam, cultural events, civic and religious rights and responsibilities, Islamic economics, and even fashion. Guests will not be restricted to those residing in America, "They can be from anywhere," noted Bray. Bray added, "This is a step forward in advancing independent Muslim media, and we hope to expand the program from thirty minutes to a full hour in the months ahead." Much Needed Co-host Ibrahim Abdil-Mu’id Ramey, MAS Freedom’s Civil and Human Rights Director, said the radio show is an effective tool to reach out to the diverse Muslim and non-Muslim community in Washington D.C. "It is both our social and religious responsibility to let people know of the great treasure of Islamic religion." Jameel Hussain, a 34-year-old cab driver, says he is proud of listening to a Muslim-hosted show in the heart of America. "So far, we have been only hearing on mainstream media that Muslims are terrorists. But this will certainly change the image of Muslims as a civilized nation and Islam as a religion of peace," he told IOL. Since the 9/11 attacks, American Muslims have become sensitized to an erosion of their civil rights, with a prevailing belief that the U.S. government was targeting their faith. Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the largest Jewish movement in the United States has accused mainstream media and politicians of demonizing Islam and portraying Muslims as "satanic figures". "The Crescent Report is a landmark step in the right direction," Hakeem Khan, a 45-year-old shopkeeper, told IOL. He hopes the duration of the show extended to one hour. "Without a vibrant and independent media outlet, Muslims will continue to struggle for a reasonable and just place in American society." MAS Freedom VIP