Faith and sexuality are hand in glove concepts of life
I MUST congratulate writer Nazma Muller, d.d 23/12/08, for taking up such a challenging topic as religion and porn.
What I would like to point out is faith and sexuality are hand in glove concepts of life; it's religion that makes it look alien and taboo. Just as soul mates don't just happen - they're wired to evolve into a feeling of intimacy and connection, so too the public must be educated that commercial sex is not the same as a love based relationship. I hate when people lash out that Caribbean men aren't romantic; couldn't all that sand and sea do something?
If you just look at the Prophets they were in fertile unions, note the S, hence not against sexuality and unabashedly they spoke of it openly in their sermons - the Scriptures bear testimony to this faithful tenet, referring to it as a blessing without any reproduction strings attached.
So having workshops on sexuality and youths is a prime priority that faith leaders must concern themselves with, not only for the younger congregation but all devotees - enough of the rights and wrongs and dos and don'ts and time to listen what challenges our faith professed flock are irking about; drawn into a new mystically erotic era beyond their grannies' fantasies.
Maybe with a more satisfied sexual encounter, where both respect and pleasure remix like parang and hip hop aloud, our congregations will grow and faith will become more apparent like your sunshine island, who knows?
Please also remember Bill Cosby's cynical comment, it works: “Sex education may be a good idea in the schools, but I don't believe the kids should be given homework”
One Love!
HABEEB ALLI
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS- MY DAYS!
I grew up on the precious memories of a warm rainy Christmas in Guyana where mommy's cooking of pepperpot and baking of back cake and friends partying all night Christmas Eve sticks to my happy face like a Santa tattoo! In those days my going to Sunday school and being left with my black catholic neighbors was no mere prank-although it was sheer fun- maybe it was for exposure to interfaith in a more experienced way than a philosophy- I still rememeber the music chair at the kids chirstmas party and yes we made our own masqurade bands going aroung the hood receiving money and plenty sweet mouth to eat!
Jesus I learnt later was really the baby whose birth day is being celebrated and leven ater that Muslims believe in Esa the son of Virgin Mary with deep love and respect. I wish we could make the world understand that Jesus is not the source of hatred and religion is not the source of violence- if we could only celebrate again- this world will be better! Oh how those days were filled with family and friends- sharing and enjoying!
That's why I have decided since last year to donate our EidulAzha meat donations to the Yonge Street mission, Toronto, since I saw the face of a needy man being advertised in the newspaper by the mission seeking a Christmas gift for the needy. Merry Christmas! oh I was at my kids school concert and they mushed all the hoildays of December into a holiday of lights concert- man what hapnedd to good old christmas concert? Is this PC tinge going too far?!
Happy Holidays
Jesus I learnt later was really the baby whose birth day is being celebrated and leven ater that Muslims believe in Esa the son of Virgin Mary with deep love and respect. I wish we could make the world understand that Jesus is not the source of hatred and religion is not the source of violence- if we could only celebrate again- this world will be better! Oh how those days were filled with family and friends- sharing and enjoying!
That's why I have decided since last year to donate our EidulAzha meat donations to the Yonge Street mission, Toronto, since I saw the face of a needy man being advertised in the newspaper by the mission seeking a Christmas gift for the needy. Merry Christmas! oh I was at my kids school concert and they mushed all the hoildays of December into a holiday of lights concert- man what hapnedd to good old christmas concert? Is this PC tinge going too far?!
Happy Holidays
dont beat kids!
I think beating children is haram and for learning Quran it's even more dumb- I think I maybe far from being a Qari because the trauma of entering tajweed clases still resonate withing my psyche- I saw boys tied and beaten and I was sickened so I tried hard to move out of that 'boot camp' only to feel further fear- until my freedom escape to Deoband! Gosh I remember those of daily phobia- was it to revere or was it to simply be scared to death?! Anyways people say don't air your dirty laundry but these ustads don't learn- after many workshops and meeting with the Toronto Police these metropolitan villagers are still murghing and pitaing our future sons and daughters of Islam- Ibn Taimiya has compiled 12 ahadith in his tarbiyatulawlad about how forbiden this practise is yet some asaatiza would say beating is barkat for learning- how much more dumb and khurafati can it get?
As a trustee of a Darulullom I have been able to ban beating and its like to any student but from time to time some teachers get mad and slap the kids- so we have done disciplinary alternative workshops- some things work like tellling the parents and some don't like writing lines and making extra nawafil or punishing the whole class! So for academic education the system spends millions studying child psychology but for divine education we depend upon the stick although it's absolutely non sunnah- it's domestic violence at its best rather those who say the hadith says beat the kids when they are 10 to pray are far from any fiqh of hadith- how can brutalisation and opening the doors of of making our children hate Islam be anything close to this insightful naseha. DARB also means pampering with love- I know one hafiz would get chocolates and money for doing his saback not a mouthful of venom and fistful of head bangs!
It's time madressaS sign a convention in the r locality that all madressas- at home or at mosque or wherever that beating will not be allowed, police check is a must for teachers and twice a year workshops are mandatory before renewal of contract-and parents must also sign unto this. Islamically we know that when thing sget out of hand then a zero tolerance policy is perfectly acceptable- like cutting down the tree of Ridwan by Umar bin Kattab. Also children must never be taught to hide this absue and not call 911 as this is purely miseducation- if their house is on fire or someone is dying or even they were being bullyied by another shouldn't they call 911?
Once I was at a UN forum on child absue and the reality of our madressas' homos suddenly dawned- experts are saying that beating a kid especially benching may lead to homosexual tendencies! Well we know for sure girls sexuallly abused at young age can become hoplessly promiscuous. Love, patience, objective structuring of the course and being an inspiration makes a good teacher and a hence a great student- it can be but do we want to let it happen? Some teachers have been charged for this crime and it's good to let others know of such a painful consequence.
Children are precious gifts: we make them but we don't make their minds!
As a trustee of a Darulullom I have been able to ban beating and its like to any student but from time to time some teachers get mad and slap the kids- so we have done disciplinary alternative workshops- some things work like tellling the parents and some don't like writing lines and making extra nawafil or punishing the whole class! So for academic education the system spends millions studying child psychology but for divine education we depend upon the stick although it's absolutely non sunnah- it's domestic violence at its best rather those who say the hadith says beat the kids when they are 10 to pray are far from any fiqh of hadith- how can brutalisation and opening the doors of of making our children hate Islam be anything close to this insightful naseha. DARB also means pampering with love- I know one hafiz would get chocolates and money for doing his saback not a mouthful of venom and fistful of head bangs!
It's time madressaS sign a convention in the r locality that all madressas- at home or at mosque or wherever that beating will not be allowed, police check is a must for teachers and twice a year workshops are mandatory before renewal of contract-and parents must also sign unto this. Islamically we know that when thing sget out of hand then a zero tolerance policy is perfectly acceptable- like cutting down the tree of Ridwan by Umar bin Kattab. Also children must never be taught to hide this absue and not call 911 as this is purely miseducation- if their house is on fire or someone is dying or even they were being bullyied by another shouldn't they call 911?
Once I was at a UN forum on child absue and the reality of our madressas' homos suddenly dawned- experts are saying that beating a kid especially benching may lead to homosexual tendencies! Well we know for sure girls sexuallly abused at young age can become hoplessly promiscuous. Love, patience, objective structuring of the course and being an inspiration makes a good teacher and a hence a great student- it can be but do we want to let it happen? Some teachers have been charged for this crime and it's good to let others know of such a painful consequence.
Children are precious gifts: we make them but we don't make their minds!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Muslims convened in Winnipeg on social services
Muslims convened in Winnipeg on social services
Jumping out of your beach pants and sandals these days happens with a deep sigh but when it’s flying from Toronto to Winnipeg it feels as if you just left Barbados! Well not when it’s for the good of the thousands of Muslims fixed in endless social problems. The Islamic Social Services Association, Inc-Canada hosted a conference to deliberate, train and network with others in this field and it was indeed a resounding success.
Among the organizers and speakers was the famous Shahina Siddiqui, who founded this organization some ten years ago, with chapters in USA and UK. She believes this is the greatest need of the hour and Muslims can only solve their social woes if they combine the insight available in mainstream social agencies with the Islamic perspective. Well this type of fusion was surely in abundance this weekend- Nov 21st-24th 2008 at the Hilton Suites.
Dr. Aneesah Nadir from USA, inspired us with the story of a revert, after 30 years, struggling in the mill of acceptance. Moreso her position on premarital advisement is if you can’t figure it before marriage then you would hardly after- so Imams shouldn’t do the ceremony without couples first sitting for at least 6 sessions of advisement.
Salma Abugeideiri did a wonderful job of presenting issues on domestic violence within the Islamic framework of Quran and Sunna and coupled with her years of experience. This problem, no matter how much the community may be in denial, will not go away by wishful thoughts and few Khutba- it’s time to make it a national disaster as thousands of Muslims are victims, men and women, and the social workers are just a handful. She believes that help should not be at the battered stage but prevention education must start in school.
Attendees came from as far as Texas, Imam Yaseen Shaikh; Calgary in the West and of course Toronto from the East. The Canadian Council of Imams was represented by its secretary Habeeb Alli and the Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians by its executive member Hafiz Faizan. Another group represented there was 1866-NASEEHA - the toll free Muslim Youth Helpline that serves North American callers. Additionally, there was representation from the Jaffari Centre - who is doing an outstanding job with their fulltime staffed community support services. Others included Sister Noha, Sister Kameleh, Ommar, and Sayed Ali Adeli.
Among the other topics discussed were addictions, mental health, sexual problems, marriage and divorce, leadership, youths and gangterism, children welfare and new immigrant counseling, depression, gambling, etc.
This is an ongoing training organization and anywhere this is needed the personnel are willing to attend, organize, and consult.
One attendee stated: It prompted me to explore my options as to taking up marriage and family therapy, as it would help me as an Imam.
Some useful websites: issaservices.com, peacefulfamuilies.org, faithandmedia.org, newdirections.mb.ca, myselfhelp.com, www.getgamblingfacts.ca, canadiancouncilofiamms.com, www.naseeha.net, http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome
Jumping out of your beach pants and sandals these days happens with a deep sigh but when it’s flying from Toronto to Winnipeg it feels as if you just left Barbados! Well not when it’s for the good of the thousands of Muslims fixed in endless social problems. The Islamic Social Services Association, Inc-Canada hosted a conference to deliberate, train and network with others in this field and it was indeed a resounding success.
Among the organizers and speakers was the famous Shahina Siddiqui, who founded this organization some ten years ago, with chapters in USA and UK. She believes this is the greatest need of the hour and Muslims can only solve their social woes if they combine the insight available in mainstream social agencies with the Islamic perspective. Well this type of fusion was surely in abundance this weekend- Nov 21st-24th 2008 at the Hilton Suites.
Dr. Aneesah Nadir from USA, inspired us with the story of a revert, after 30 years, struggling in the mill of acceptance. Moreso her position on premarital advisement is if you can’t figure it before marriage then you would hardly after- so Imams shouldn’t do the ceremony without couples first sitting for at least 6 sessions of advisement.
Salma Abugeideiri did a wonderful job of presenting issues on domestic violence within the Islamic framework of Quran and Sunna and coupled with her years of experience. This problem, no matter how much the community may be in denial, will not go away by wishful thoughts and few Khutba- it’s time to make it a national disaster as thousands of Muslims are victims, men and women, and the social workers are just a handful. She believes that help should not be at the battered stage but prevention education must start in school.
Attendees came from as far as Texas, Imam Yaseen Shaikh; Calgary in the West and of course Toronto from the East. The Canadian Council of Imams was represented by its secretary Habeeb Alli and the Canadian Council of Muslim Theologians by its executive member Hafiz Faizan. Another group represented there was 1866-NASEEHA - the toll free Muslim Youth Helpline that serves North American callers. Additionally, there was representation from the Jaffari Centre - who is doing an outstanding job with their fulltime staffed community support services. Others included Sister Noha, Sister Kameleh, Ommar, and Sayed Ali Adeli.
Among the other topics discussed were addictions, mental health, sexual problems, marriage and divorce, leadership, youths and gangterism, children welfare and new immigrant counseling, depression, gambling, etc.
This is an ongoing training organization and anywhere this is needed the personnel are willing to attend, organize, and consult.
One attendee stated: It prompted me to explore my options as to taking up marriage and family therapy, as it would help me as an Imam.
Some useful websites: issaservices.com, peacefulfamuilies.org, faithandmedia.org, newdirections.mb.ca, myselfhelp.com, www.getgamblingfacts.ca, canadiancouncilofiamms.com, www.naseeha.net, http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome
I would like to express our deepest shock and disgust at the Bombings and taking of hostages in Mumbai, India. We the members of religious leadership of Canadian Muslims, strongly condemn these terrorist acts, resulting in loss of many innocent lives and injuring hundreds others.
Canadian Muslims join the international community in grieving this tragedy and strongly condemn these cowardly acts. We hope that the perpetrators of such heinous acts are quickly brought to justice.
Acts like these are an awful exercise of rationalization and must be condemned unequivocally.
Canadian Muslims join the international community in grieving this tragedy and strongly condemn these cowardly acts. We hope that the perpetrators of such heinous acts are quickly brought to justice.
Acts like these are an awful exercise of rationalization and must be condemned unequivocally.
poem on Abraham's love
Abraham to God: Je souviens!
But have we forgotten?
So thus the fear
Every heart trembles at
Whose love will survive
the tsunamis of hurt?
In relinquishing a part of us
The trauma
Erases even the sunshine
Off the summer face
Did Abraham love God and no other?
Was the passion for a son, his only
plus belonging to Hagar
Burnt him like a candle in his Lord’s displeasure?
In trying to loose Ishamel
He was to prove his love was divine and unconditional
And it belongs elsewhere
And never these two mortals
But the Absolute knows it
and so today we relinquish
Only a few kilos of lamb, a donation, maybe online
Calling it the souvenir of Father Abraham.
Yours too
I’m sure is a story
Of where you loved and share
And your anxiety is never be the sacrificial lamb!
Willingness is such
That in being prepared to sacrifice
But fearful of the loss
God will grant both loves, on His behalf!
Habeeb Alli
But have we forgotten?
So thus the fear
Every heart trembles at
Whose love will survive
the tsunamis of hurt?
In relinquishing a part of us
The trauma
Erases even the sunshine
Off the summer face
Did Abraham love God and no other?
Was the passion for a son, his only
plus belonging to Hagar
Burnt him like a candle in his Lord’s displeasure?
In trying to loose Ishamel
He was to prove his love was divine and unconditional
And it belongs elsewhere
And never these two mortals
But the Absolute knows it
and so today we relinquish
Only a few kilos of lamb, a donation, maybe online
Calling it the souvenir of Father Abraham.
Yours too
I’m sure is a story
Of where you loved and share
And your anxiety is never be the sacrificial lamb!
Willingness is such
That in being prepared to sacrifice
But fearful of the loss
God will grant both loves, on His behalf!
Habeeb Alli
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)