Muslim Writers

Comment

Comment by John Nashid on February 7, 2010 at 1:12pm

ASA, Aisha
Congradulations! I read your article on, domestic abuse,good job. I do beleive you will
have a long and productive career as a writer. I also plan to make some comments
about " International purple hijab day" on my weekly radio program. Check out my GROUP, New Mind Development Project. On- line: wvox.com, "A Focus on Issues of concern." john nashid

Comment by Aisha on February 6, 2010 at 5:15pm

Assalamu alaikum wrwb,

I've just started writing for the Examiner DC mashaAllah. Please check out my first article. It's focusing on Purple Hijab Day. Ma'salaam.
http://www.examiner.com/x-37847-DC-Islam-Examiner

Comment by Rufus & Jenny Triplett on January 6, 2010 at 7:51am

Would anyone like to have their book highlighted on a global internet radio network? Check us out @ www.prisonworldradionetwork.com. Also looking for poetry for our new POETIC JSUCTICE show.

Comment by Bill O Muhammad on January 5, 2010 at 1:19pm

The Significance Of The Writer


As Salaam Alaikum Muslims,
I was in a meeting once with Imam WD Mohammad; he sent out a call for all the writers in the community to come together. And I attended. In the meeting He explained just how important the writers were to society. On one occasions he gave us this analogy. We had to use our imagination. I'm trying to tell some of it. Others can add additional information if they like. He said this, and he was speaking of himself as a welder, and we know he was a welder by trade.

We also know he was an accomplished author, a writer. He said as a welder, my hand is down here; now this is where we were to use our imagination, so I’m asking you to follow me. Picture all of us kind of assembled. We’re being tallied, or we're taking or forming a kind of roll, or taking inventory of our stations in life, or what we do in community life; what our unique responsibility is. Now imagine all the different professions and trades are being called off; and your life's endeavor, or what you enjoy doing,.. imagine that field being called. At that moment, you are to put your hand on the pile.

So the Imam is saying that when the profession of "welder" is called, his hand would be "down here (and he lowered his hand) simulating placing it on the pile. I hope you are following me. But he said (and this is what I'm getting to).. when the call for the profession or work as "writers," .. when this profession or endeavor is called; he, the Imam said at this moment when he put his hand on the pile as an author,.."that hand would be way up there"...and he reached up high simulating placing his hand on the pile as a “writer.”.

Now this is what he is making reference to if you are following me. This is what he was saying. The writer’s world, or work is so important because his tools are not the welding torch, the finely calibrated oscope, or vom meter,.... but his (the writer), his tools are words, concepts, ideas; he build worlds! So I'm trying to encourage everyone to continue to write. The written word can reach over generations and touch souls who perhaps aren't as corrupt and skewed as the condition of the people during your time. Don’t you know that they trace much of what they’re calling Islamic terrorism today to a much earlier writer that produced a small pamphlet really back in the 50’s perhaps name Ikbol. He had visited the West and was complaining about their lack of moral consciousness in society.

As a child in Texas, you could see tornadoes forming on the flat plans at some times in the year, in many cases almost daily. But the interesting thing about tornadoes is that they will bounce; or they skip. They'll jump right over you. And many a day we would see those tornadoes simply bounce right over our poor neighborhoods, and touch down in those mean Caucasians communities and tear them to shreds.

It is when they touch down the real problems start.

This is my point; Truth, Al Islam works the exact same way. Generations from now can read a writer's work and be moved to do great work; and it can very well touch down and inspire generations. My point is that we should and must continue to write concerning the Tafsir of Imam WD Mohammed (Raa). We must write books!

And this brings me to my second point as we discuss the young; the new generations.

I first noticed it about a year ago. I know I'm not the first to see it. But I invite you to look it up, do some research. Acquire from the Clara Mohammed school in your city,and/or the Islamic instructions people that are suppose to advance Islamic instructions in the school; find, or request a copy of their visionary documents; get their "Mission Statements;" their Vision Statements." I’ve done this and I know it to be the case in some cities. What is strange is that no where in these documents will you read, or is it mentioned, or the words used "Tafsir of Imam WD Mohammed" (Raa); and as a learning objective, that there is to be a deliberate effort to get the students to become more familiar with the Imam’s great work; And it should be.

That is what I'm seeing; and that is not right. Because more than anything else, it is the Imam that is responsible for this clear and progressive environment for all to contribute to community life. Why take the credit, or give credit to those that did not earn it? In the Islamic philosophy department, they don't want to mention the Imam's Tafsir. That is wrong! We should research this and point this out to the entire community and see if we can get support in putting back the language that was there previously. They all use the Imam's name to get the support from the believers for the school; but now look at how they try and leave the Imam's Tafsir out of the language that forms the vision statements of the school. They try and make us think that the Imam’s Tafsir is irrelevant now. We should not stand for that.


"The thinker eventually thinks himself out of the myth"
Imam WD Mohammed

Comment by John Nashid on November 5, 2009 at 8:48pm

ASA
Two good books which may be useful to you are: "Open Veins of Latin America;
five centuries of the pillage of a continent"...By Eduardo Galeano (this is the book Pres.Chavez gave to Pres. Obama) also" A Peoples History of the United
States."..By Howard Zinn
Also check out: WRITERS GUILD of AMERICA,east...555 W.57th ST. NY,NY
10019....website: wgaeast.org.......212-767-7800

I wrote an unpublished book on, The history of gangster live in America and it's
influence on the African Amer. community and a book of Poems. Just like you,
feeling my way. Do'nt RUSH, stay with it. Allah will guide you. I wish you the best....John

Comment by Hussain MUHAMMAD on November 4, 2009 at 4:12pm

ASA
I am writing a book at the moment...I have been working on it for two years...it is a book based in Latin America and in the united states. I hope to dialogue with other writers,.,,perhaps I can get some tips...smile

Comment by Hadayai Majeed on October 9, 2009 at 9:05am

Join us live on blogtalkradio.com/baitulsalaam or call in at 646-716-9850 Saturdays at 11 am.

Comment by Kalimah Annisa A. Muhammad on September 16, 2009 at 3:48pm

Assalaamu Alaikum Ummah, I am currently writing a book on the questions that should be asked of ppl before getting married and the importance of the questions. Insha Allah

Comment by Bill O Muhammad on September 16, 2009 at 2:25pm

As Salaam Alaikum, Ramadan Mubarik!
Follwoing is a small phamflet I've written. What do you think? Please feel free to critize.


The Importance Of Dawah In America

Bill O Muhammad



And let there be from you an Ummah which invites to goodness… Al-I Imran: 104


“Is It Our History and Tradition As Muslims in America to Protest Whether Perceived or Other Wise, the USA Government:” Do We Really Have The Need To Pray On The White House Lawn?

If we review the 60 plus years of the indigenous Islamic movement in America, we will not find support for an assemble on the White House lawn for anything. And as a 30 plus year active membership in this Muslim society borne in America, I am in no way comfortable with assembling on the White House Lawn as some Islamic groups are proposing. I’ll explain!
The question must be asked; “Where are we getting these leads to assemble at the White House from? If it is not in the tradition and history of the Muslim movement in America to move in the direction of seemingly protesting the USA government, then I respectfully ask, where are these ideas to proceed in this directions coming from? It seems to be coming from Islamic communities indirectly outside of the US. Muslim prognosticators more interested in empty antics than in real and lasting political and cultural investments in America as it relates to the Muslim world; elements that are really trying to initiate hostile contact with the government as opposed to joining hands with the government in common goals that will lead to better and well meaning efforts on both sides.
These Muslim policy makers have to do more research on the multi community progress that Muslims are making and have made in this country and they would make much better decisions as it relates to contact with the American government. You can’t possibly fully understand, nor can you appreciate the dynamics and culturally challenging social environment of America if you are not interested in a long term investment in the future of this country; especially, if you refuse to listen or take Shurah with other Muslim communities as Allah instructs us in Quran.

Beginning with the Nation Of Islam under the Honorable Elijah Muhammad’s days to the present, we were never encourage to attempt to force our will on the American government, or to protest the government in any way. You will not find that practiced, neither encouraged nor implemented as a policy by the African American Muslim movement in America. This would be consider and aberration and frowned upon in the Nation Of Islam as well as those that followed Imam WD Mohammed. Under the leadership of Imam WD Mohammed when he was with us, any that identified with his leadership will concur that we continued in that tradition in that we did not go to Washington in mass to demonstrate or rally at the White House at any time during their leaderships.
This is why I won’t participate in this empty antic to pray on the White House Lawn. This kind of behavior is something one would expect from a group of African American Christian Ministers; behavior that is no more than empty symbolic gestures.” Theatrics is not what we as sophisticated and progressive Muslims borne in this country and strongly conscious of the political and social mine fields that lie in way for the foolish are accustom to. I guarantee that this idea of “praying on the White House lawn was hatched, or originated from among the foreign Muslims. These are the camps setting the agenda for a lot of these young but very inexperienced Muslim youth. What they don’t take in account is the fact that if we would promote or advance our concerns together in a multi Muslim community approach, we would be much more successful. A lot of these young people in America, Muslims included aren’t making progress, and as a result are getting impatient. This would not be the case, this inclination on the part of young Muslims if they would better prepare themselves for the future by going to college, taking up a trade, or going into business. And it all is just a ruse on the part of foreign leaders to embarrass our country while at the same time essentially putting needless pressure on the Obama administration, and possibly orchestrating political conflict in the streets. And these older Muslims that know better are simply practicing the strategy of “finding a parade” and getting in front of it. Suppose Right Wing groups would assemble at the same time in Washington and there is conflict. The press would have a field day with negative publicity on hard gain political empathy all of this caused by a perceived need for empty and symbolic antics having no real substance, or no real essences. It is differently a real possibility. Americans haven’t forgotten 911.

These projects to “pray on the White House Lawn” epitomizes the struggle of mostly foreign Muslims in America who are trying to prove, establish, and institute themselves as the “sole spokes persons and group” for all the Muslims in America when in fact they are not. That is why we have to clearly set ourselves apart from elements in the Muslim world out to force conflict with Americans and play it off as thou it is the position of all Muslims in this country. We have to be much wiser than this, and not allow short sighted people to push nor manipulate us into a bad situation. Some of these foreign Muslims are really mad because the American people won’t categorically denounce all Muslims. Because these foreign borne Muslims refuses to listen to Muslims borne in this country as it relates to their activities, they are making big mistakes. Why don’t they ever approach us with some kind of business plan where we all can benefit? They only come to us, to the weak and inexperience among us when it is something involving taking risk as it relates to anti American activity. Islamically speaking they never consult with other Muslims in America before they do things that threatens all of our peace with other Americans. They go forward regardless as to how ill conceive and poorly thought out their plans are, even thou what they proposes will affect all the Muslims in this country. Had we been contacted regarding this prayer day in DC, we clearly would have told them that this is not the best way to proceed in expending hard gained and valuable political capital on what amounts to nothing less than a ploy for publicity, frolics, and nothing more than empty antics.

If you want things to contact our government with, or about, I could give you a laundry list of reasons that I possibly could support. But this will simply boil down to hollow gesture, photo ops of kuffee wearing Muslims, prayer rugs, and thobs. And even in that, we would proceed by trying to sit down with policy makers by scheduling appointment, respecting their position and time then expressing our concerns. It would never be a free for all in the streets. We would proceed from a position of caution and preparation. A program to simply pray on the lawn is long on empty symbolism and very short on substance. And we in America have to look at this, or label this as “Negro Christian Church” conduct and behavior. Others have gotten together from among the African America and marched on Washington; and for what reason did they go there? They went to the Capitol to talk about a a “Dream.” They had a special “Dream” that they wanted to share with the people. So they shared their Dream and that was the end of it. They are not the only ones. Others have followed in that tradition. Years later, they called for a million Black men to come to the District of Columbia, to march on Washington; Million Man March. And a million men is reported to have come; for what reason? A “pay day for some;” speeches, and nothing essentially changed in these cities for hundreds of thousands of African American men!
From all the money collected that day in Washington DC during the “Million Man March” (not to mention all the money spent to get there,’), not one single factory opened in a major city where hundreds of plants have closed and are devastated by people out of work, and especially unemployed African American men? What typified, or what is common to all these “march on Washington,” projects; what is common is that they are high on rhetoric; empty on real solutions, and leaving us more disenchanted than we were before. And none are “bottom up strategies.” The endeavor to pray on the White House lawn is in that tradition; in the tradition of these Preachers. The intent is to never make light of prayer, but you can pray to Allah two miles under the ocean, or moving 17,000 mph in space and G-d will hear you just as clear. You don’t have to be at the White House! My concern is by staging these for the most part symbolic gatherings that are essentially short on real solutions and high on empty rhetoric they are self evident that a new approach should be under heavy consideration. We pray every day and there is absolutely no need to go to Washington DC for that. One can only imagine what the people in Washington are saying in regards to this request to pray on the lawn; “Is that all you people want; to pray on the lawn.” Why of course Negros, pray all you want. These people aren’t interested in trying to get involved with the government to cause any real or meaningful lasting changes; but are simply satisfied with symbolism. Do you think the Jewish community is interested in symbolism? They’re looking at Congressional appropriations making sure their plans aren’t under funded.

Could their possibly be a legitimate reason, in my opinion to come to the White House? Maybe, consider coming to the White House to investigate the seemingly aggressive nature of USDA agents or that agency. Maybe if we would consider asking our government to perhaps help in scaling back the role Unions play, or have historically played in the meat processing industry; the role these unions play in the Islamic Halal process in particular. In these slaughter houses, and meat packing plants around the country unions interfere with the Halal meat production, yet they have no problem supporting the kosher processes.

I could support us contacting or asking our government to get the USDA people that inspects, stamps for approval, and basically inspects meat products to “back off” some what; asking that they not be so aggressive in singling us out concerning our Halal meats production facilities ( and it has been reported that they do interfere). It is unfair in that they accommodate Jewish rites as it relates to Kosher meats and facilities and plants where Khoser foods are processed, but these same government agencies make it hard, or difficult with foods processed for the Islamic rites. It is reported that they tend to harass the Muslims personnel in their efforts to produce the Halal process. If we decided to approach the government with this kind of concern, or a concern along these type lines, perhaps I could support them.
We should insist upon the exact same treatment that the Jews and other communities get when they are striving to meet their scriptural requirements regarding their dietary laws, just as we are striving to meet ours. Any fair and sane person would see that there should be one policy for all. We should get treated the same. That would be something real and worth contacting the government about.

Every Muslim is suppose to eat Halal foods for every meal. All meats consumed by Muslims is suppose to be Halal. One could only imangine how large a potential business this endeavor could be. The Halal business represents potentially billions of dollars in possible revenue designed and generated for the Muslims in America, and we are missing out because we’re slow to take the initiative to establish it. It is in the Holy Quran that we are instructed regarding our diets. Every Muslim is required by Allah to eat Halal meats and products. This undertaking alone would be thousands of jobs for American Muslims not to mention the need for clerks in stores, truckers to get the product to market, mechanics to keep vehicles operating, ect.. This one industry could solve the unemployment problem in every city in America.

And again I probably could consider summoning as an element in society seeking our full rights just as any other group or legitimate member in American citizenry, seeking some clarification or justice as to why they tend to skip over our community, or they tend to ignore the Muslim society, or qualified candidates as it relates to Muslim diplomats to represent America’s political interest with the Muslim world. Much of the pockets of tensions in the world could better be addressed and more plausible solutions recommended by Muslim diplomats. America has a cache of these type people that must and should be utilized. I just find it hard to believe that “white” Christians (not all but most) are more qualified to represent and understand the Muslim world and the social and political dynamics that goes on in the Islamic societies better than Muslims in this country. You’re telling me that the Jews are more qualified to represent our interest, (American’s interest) in the Muslim word than Muslims borne in this country can? I am here to challenge that notion and to state emphatically that they are not more qualified than we could be in carrying out US diplomatic policy in that part of the world. Why can I say this; Or what support do I have for this position? Because Prophet Muhammad (SAS) said there is a morsel of flesh that if bad, the whole body is bad. And he pointed to the heart. Their “hearts are different than ours. You may say well they know more about the problems than we do, or they’re more informed. I don’t think so. It’s more of a matter of being “briefed” than anything else. One of the problems that we as a country is having in our refusal to address this qualified Muslim population increase of young professionals is that we as a country aren’t interested in the long term relations with the Muslim world. You tell me who better to engage the Saudis, Syrians, the Palestinians, ect., than the American Muslims; people that know the religion, customs, and thinking of Muslim nations around the world and are dissatisfied with previous performances of policy makers in the state department in those areas of the world. We are people that know and follow the Quran ourselves. You tell me, who is more qualified than Muslim Americans; these far Right White Christian Americans that are presently and practically exclusively occupying the diplomatic core around the world? I don’t think so. And you wonder why we have such problems with the countries in the Middle East. Some of these people still remain under that same arrogant spirit that has historically clouded foreign policy as it relates to non Christian governments around the world where it is a dictatorial kind of relationship where they have little to nothing to offer, but are simply told what to do.
Every diplomatic corps at every embassy to these Muslim countries should be led, and heavily staffed with Muslims from this country. The perception of these Islamic Nations is that America’s strategic interests are fickle at best. Our attention span is like that of a child; Short! If we would get Islamic American diplomats into some of these positions this would go far in demonstrating good intent on our part, on America’s part in respecting and demonstrating good intentions towards our Muslim neighbors. We have tons of Muslims with just as much or more formal education and religious qualifications than the Jews and the Christians that are in these situation now , that really in effect are essentially antagonizing entire countries, spreading bad will, employing selfish and callous policy around the world and making it (the world) hostile to all Americans.
I wonder, does anyone really think that the diplomatic corps to Africa, the one in place as we speak, is more suited, more qualified, and more sensitive than people from the African American community can be, or would be. I guarantee the ambassador to Ireland has some Irish lineage
I guarantee you that the ambassadors to Israel from America are Jewish. And if for some reason that is not the case, it darn well should be the case. The ambassadors to Ireland are Irish. But when we get to Africa; when we look at the Muslim world, the natural logic in these matters tends to cease. No! The problem is that it’s nothing less than a sense of “White entitlement” operating in the psychology and spirit of those that make up, or those that formulate these diplomatic corps to various countries around the world inside the American government. And in this day an time with the world being so close to practically one united body, we have to get out of these old idea that you have to be Caucasian or for that matter a Christian to be an ambassadors for the USA. These are “limitations of the leadership” in our government. And this would enhance our image and posture in the world if this were the case.
The same psychology that exists or existed on Wall Street where there was no regulation and people thought they had an entiltiment to do as they please, they knew best mentality, and had convinced everyone else of this misnomer; this mentality put the country in dire striates and just about bankrupted our economy; this entire notion that “we know best what the solutions to world financial problems are because we are privileged, we are “blue blood,; and we are Caucasion proved to be a big mistake, and a gross misnomer, even to the point of insane thinking and it cannot and will not be tolerated any longer!

But I guarantee you Jewish people in many cases along with White Christians make up these entire diplomatic departments to the Muslim world around the globe and that’s just not acceptable any more.
These Muslim leaders are ignorant that ignore these larger and much more far reaching problems that we face as a community; especially when we consider America’s present relationship with the Muslim world. That political and social relationship can only be described as “hostile and distrusting,” and we need to change that. Muslim countries in the Middle East are syndical and distrusting of America because our record reflects one of hostility, abuse, and exploitation towards the Islamic world. But mainly it is an issue of “fickle” and ever shifting strategic interest in the regions. Where are the Muslims on the state foreign Relations Committee? People working for the state department aren’t political animals. Many, most of these people are appointed. One thing is certain, and that is we as a country must learn to “secure” hard fought for gains in these “pockets of tensions” around the world.
Muslim diplomats, or Muslim Americans in the diplomatic corps would go a long way in signaling and demonstrating good will on our part, on America’s part, a kind of shifting of the “winds” towards one of greater parity, justice, and equality in addressing these legitimate political sensitivities in that region of the world. This isn’t right, and must be addressed!
One of the main problems however, is these narrow and short sighted so call Muslim leaders who for some reason can’t or refuses to see any of these larger issues. There are Issues much more significant, in my opinion than simple a call to assemble on the White House lawn. Perhaps maybe it equally can be because they are simply afraid to demand an end to these practices of filling the diplomatic corps with non Muslim. We as Americans should sound a clarion call for movement towards fair and equitable consideration when staffing these embassies for diplomatic work!
Muslims in America that are taking their cue or leadership from foreign camps are making a serious mistake in thinking that they understand the social and political environment that we are in here in America better than we do. They should listen to us. We would have advised them that this was bad idea. And this project to go to the White House and pray on the lawn is simply spending hard won political capital foolishly! While they may getting pleasure out of these empty antics; they are running the risk of “back-lash.” They’re naïve and what they’re doing may very well back fire on them and set them back. These strategies are simply a mock roll-out to see who they can influence. However, we refuse to be led by the inexperience and naïve. What they are proposing can only be described as “ill conceived” shallow in there scope, and poorly thought out. And the sad thing is that they’re not following nor practicing Shura Beynihum. They’re not trying to see what other Muslim communities think about these antics. They are not following the Quran because it clearly instructs us , the Muslim Ummah in terms of how we are to conduct our affairs.

There are Masaajid literally blocks from the White house that we could pray in instead of the on the lawn. Allah will hear our prayer where ever we congregate for prayer. It doesn’t have to be at the White House. I remember being In Washington DC; We use to pray at the Egyptian Embassy there. One of the most beautiful structures you would want to see. Have they ever gone to that Masjids near the White house to pray? Allah says “The whole earth is a Masjid.” You don’t have to be in no one place to pray to Allah. Allah will hear your prayer where ever you are on this earth, or in space. Allah will hear your prayer.

And lastly, I would consider coming to the White House en mass provided we make an announcement that as the Muslim Ummat in this country in an effort to help the country come out from under financial difficulties we were proposing to come there in mass an make a collective effort, a kind of collective pack, form some kind of “coalition” with poorer Christians that share our interest to help reduce the national deficit by literally “burning” any and all FOOD STAMP vouches, WELFARE CARDS,” or federal subsidies that we or our families were under, or in possession of and vow to try to make it on our own account. Make that a conscious vow, to at least make that a conscious goal that we could work towards; now I could support that. We could go on to have a rally and at the end start a big fire on the White House lawn burning our food stamp vouchers and welfare cards saying that we are going to help the country reduce the deficit by refusing welfare for our families. That’s something I could come to Washington over.
With all of the Muslims in America, we could have brought, we should have attempted to buy the Chrysler Corporation if we only had the mind to establish ourselves in this country and to build and Islamic economy instead of trying to incite conflict and embarrass the government. But again these activities are primarily initiated by foreigners leading inexperience and disenchanted American Muslims. And why are they so pessimistic and cynical? It is because they won’t go to college so that they can put themselves in a better position in the future. Foreign leadership is not encouraging them in this direction. But it seems that they are much more interested in” Antics!” Empty Symbolism!

So, no I won’t be there at the White House for prayer on the lawn as these so call leaders has requested. It is not in the tradition of the Muslim movement in America that dates back some 80 plus years. We don’t march on the government. I won’t be coming to Washington no time soon, because I refuse to be led by the inexperience, the confused, and the “Doylin” (misguided, those that have lost their way) and those whose spirit is just one of malice out to embarrass and tarnish America’s image around the world and use the young and naïve to accomplish this. They are simply giving the far right fuel against President Obama and his administration. They ( the far Right) already call him names like “muslim Marxist,” “Socialist.” And to this day they still say that he’s really a muslim. And suppose he is? He is the best qualified. But he has repeatedly stated he was not a Muslim, but in fact Christian. But I guess to them that’s not good enough.
This whole thing about coming to the White House amounts to no more than theatrical garb, theater, and clearly does not help our cause; it hinders our cause. What they are seeking in reality is empty and shallow. It will hurt. But as a adult Muslim society, we don’t need empty kid antics to buoy our Islamic psychic and spirit. But make no doubt about the real issue hear. And that is the struggle of these various Islamic camps to hold themselves out as the legitimate spokesman for the Muslims in America. But they don’t speak for me. It is not the tradition of Muslims in America to protest, or conflict with the government of the United States of America. And this strategy is directly or indirectly led by foreigners.
May Allah guide us to the straight way. Ramadan Mubarik!



Bill O. Muhammad works in Dawah in the Metro Atlana Area.. This booklet is a fund raiser for those efforts.

Comment by Hadayai Majeed on September 11, 2009 at 10:00pm

Ramadan Mubarak!

This is off topic and I only do it due to Ramadan. Please forgive me. Check out the National Eid Toy and Gift Drive. We need your help.

ma salaam
Hadayai

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