Izzy Mo’s Blog

A Time to Breathe and a Little Mawlid

I know my last post sounded like a downer. For that, I apologize. I was just venting some various frustrations. One of them is the particular problem that sometimes when people realize that you are dependable, helpful and reliable, they might abuse you. Some where along the line, some folks decided that I was the various words above…not that I mind it. My only beef is when favors become dependence. I think some people have actually gotten angry with me because I couldn’t/wouldn’t pick them up and drop them off somewhere. Could they get their own cars? Sure but why should they if they call up the chauffeur with the good driving record and nice car? I don’t mind helping people out with rides. I caught the bus for 12 years and New Orleans is not a very easy city to get around in by bus.

And there was also the issue of me being the director of the Muslim Student Association’s Arts Society. Well, last year, someone decided that I would be prefect for the job. This year, however, the job was given to someone else with no explanations to me. Mais mes amis, ce n’est pas tout! They asked me to help out since I am the artsy girl. I figured why get upset about it since I am a busy graduate student and full time health educator. I went back to my old newsletter design, tweak it and submitted it. But I noticed that I was doing a lot of work, if not all. The Arts Society has only produced one “artsy” thing—my newsletter. So they want me to do the work without the recognition. Yeah, right. I don’t know if it is because I am a girl or what and I really don’t have time for weak egos who can’t handle active Muslimas. Alhamdulillah, the Prophet (may God bless him forever) never felt inferior or inadequate with his wives. But not all men can be as secure and confident unfortunately. I am putting more time into developing projects outside the cliques and organizations in this city. I’ve said before that I don’t mind working with groups but when the group is going nowhere, you sometimes have to light a fire under them. If that doesn’t work, find some active folks and work with them.

Oh! There was a Mawlid-ish event at Loyola University (my old school, bleech!). The Jesuit college hosted an event with Atlas Interfaith to celebrate the life and virtues of the Prophet (may God bless him and keep him). Atlas Interfaith is about the closest thing that we have to an organized Sufi group here in New Orleans. They also are a group of young Turkish medical students who are very sweet and here to promote Islam and Turkish tourism. These were the same guys that performed at my Islamic arts show in October 2004. There were three speakers for the event—a professor of liberation theology, a Catholic professor who does a lot of work with Atlas Interfaith and someone who I think was a graduate student.

They all had very wonderful things to say about the Prophet (may God bless him and keep him). The liberation theology professor talked about how he strived against a materialistic society that was bent on self-gratification and nihilism. The Catholic professor discussed his treaties with the people of the book and revealed many alliances with Jews and Christians in early Islamic history. The graduate student talked about his kindness and fairness towards women and the Mothers of the Believers (may God bless them). They had their wonderful baklava and free books by Fethullah Gulen. One thing stuck with me, though. Why weren’t there any Muslim speakers at the event? I wonder if it because we have gotten used to the idea of non-Muslim confirming Islam for us. I love all the praise that they were giving him but there could have definitely been some Muslims talking about why he is so important to us and why he is such a wonderful role model. Yeah, I’m asking for too much. J I’m just glad that they put it on. I’ll still trying to find the time to finish reading Martin Lings’s Sirah. Next event: A Lecture by Sheikh Yusuf Estes! Can’t wait.

Now Read This…New Bloggy Stuff

I put some new works on Izdihar’s Atelier.

Please check out the new posts at Hijabi Madness.

Also Love (of the Sheikh) Will Bring Us Together (a masha’Allah post).

And I’ve been a good Muslima artist by posting new stuff on Rendering Islam.

Writeous Sister’s Kewl!!!!

And Voice for Islam….

Tired…

Do you ever get the feeling that you are getting involved in too many projects or that you are stretching yourself too thin? I’ve been feeling that way lately. Sometimes, I get so excited about wanting to help people, especially Muslims, that I volunteer not knowing if I can handle the job. Or usually, my job or schoolwork would prevent me from getting involved as much as I would like to so I just help out when I can. I guess I am at a point where I think I need a break.

I only have two weeks left of school so soon that will be some pressure off of me. Even though I will probably do a little internship at a African-American art gallery this summer as a marketing liasion (yay!), that’s fun so I really don’t consider that stressful stuff. There’s just so many problems here in the New Orleans Muslim community. The biggest problem is that no one wants to address them. It’s as if they think they can let this problems exist and somehow they will just go away.

That’s why, often times, I would prefer to work with people online or smaller groups of people. There is also a laziness that comes with being a native of this town. We *are* the city “that care forgot. You can rely on that fact that most people will not come on time to an event–unless there’s food involved. Or that no one will get involved in the building of a foundation but would prefer you and others to do all the work while they watch (or sometimes wait to see you fail). So I know that because of personal demands and diffucult personalities, I will be pulling out of some groups and projects. It’s frustrating to put your time and effort into something only to be held back by others, or worst,
not appreciated.

Oh, but don’t worry. The magazine is still on. As soon as school is finished, I can concentrate on that. I will still keep blogging cuz I just love it so much. I guess I need to take a psuedo-sabbatical where I can have sometime to think about my future in this city and where I need to go from here, literally. I am sorry if this post sounds very negative but I just needed to vent. From now on, I only want to work with pro-active people who really want to do something rather than talking, talking, talking.

Muslim American Society 1st Annual Conference—New Orleans, Louisiana

Salaam alaikum,

So yesterday was the conference. Unfortunately, I did not make a lot of money on the paintings. Even tough they were ten dollars, my main competition was a table that sold machine-made Qur’anic/Arabic stuff for about five dollars. There were these neon blue Kaa’ba lights that were selling like hot cakes. I thought they were a little tacky but that’s just my taste. So many people complimented on my work but I just didn’t make the amount I expected. Maybe another conference in another city will be more profitable. I have to give credit to the brothers who pulled it all together. All the sessions and food was free so I know they put a lot of time and money into the project. The speakers were Dr. Souheil Ghannouchi, Imam W. Mahdi Bray, Dr. Mahmoud Sarmini and Dr. Main Al-Qudah. Some of you may not know the last two names because Dr. Sarmini and Dr. Main are based in New Orleans and have served as imams at various masajid.

Dr. Ghannouchi gave a great talk about leadership and how Muslims need to get in the game and stop standing on the sidelines. He made some wonderful points. What’s the point in getting all excited and riled up about the injustice that our brothers and sisters are facing overseas but you don’t lift a finger to do anything about it. Or why complain about the media bias against us while you won’t write an article for your local Islamic newspaper. I know that if every Muslim in this nation would put forth at least 5% of their efforts towards Islam, we would not be in this condition. I pray that I am not a whiner but a participant in the improvement of this umma and this nation that I love, despite its problems. Mahdi Bray was excellent as usual. I heard him speak some years back and was impressed by his optimism and dedication. He had talked about interfaith dialogue and how Muslims can make alliances with other faith groups without compromising the deen.

Of course, not everything is perfect. One of the speakers displayed a general lack of adab that gave me a splitting headache that I am still trying to overcome. He went on about how Muslim women should only leave the house when there is a strong need. So what does he consider a “strong need”? Going to school or when your house is on fire? And why only women? I know it’s not proper for a woman to just hang out all night but a man shouldn’t either. Shouldn’t a man come home after work and other important places to be with his wife and children? It’s that general heavy handed emphasis on women that angers many people. This speaker managed to annoy both the men and women in the audience. One sister tried to express her opinion to which he replied that she was wrong and that she needed to read more. Goodness, you don’t have to agree with a person but you don’t insult them in front of an audience. But it was very nice to see the brothers AND sisters taking issue with his opinions and attitude. And all this stuff about Muslim men and women not being able to interact on campus—well, sorry MSA, I guess we’re gonna have to disband since MSA has been rendered haram. Oy! Sisters please guard your modesty but let’s not address some of these brothers who fornicate with their non-Muslim girlfriends. Last time I checked, modesty was incumbent on both genders…but maybe I need to do more reading. One angry brother came to my table and said, “That man has no idea what he is talking about!”

One of the events that made the day so nice was that someone became a Muslim. Of course, I missed the whole thing. I came back and they said, “Yo, someone just became a Muslim”. Everytime I see it, it amazes me. Allah subhana wa ta’ala is great. Mahdi Bray informed us that so many people are converting that the dawah centers are running out of Qur’ans and they are desperate need of Qur’ans in Spanish. With every conference, you’ve got your membership forms. Am I joining? Probably not. The guy who gave that awful lecture is the president of the local chapter. Their magazine is okay but they need to change some things first before I give them anymore of my money. Insha’allah, next year’s will be better…and maybe they’ll have a female speaker next time.

Mawlid Contoversies

The Mawlid is here and on various blogs there are many posts about our beloved Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa salaam). But this is a highly controversial topic which brings up many different opinions. The debates over the Mawlid can become downright hostile and cause yet another argument that divides rather than unites this umma. I will post some different legal injunctions from trusted sources (ex: Sunni Path) on this subject in another post. I would also like to take the time to explain what this time means for me.

I became a Muslim on Eid al-Adha, February 2004. Few months later of course, was Rabi’ Awwal. As a new Muslim (which I believe I still am) was still trying to familiarize myself with the basics and trying to learn what was halal and haram. I read Islamic websites and Muslim blogs and I came across blogs talking about the Mawlid. I had no idea what it was. I thought Muslims only had two holy days. But I later learned that the Mawlid was not really a holiday, festival or party of sorts. It was a time of remembrance of the Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alayhi wa salaam). It occured to me that I didn’t really know the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa salaam). I knew the basics–young orphan, trustworthy youth, honorable and hard-working merchant, devoted husband, gentle father, and prophet of Islam. But did I really know him?

I remember watching a lecture by Shaykh Hamza Yusuf where we talked about loving the Prophet (sallalahu alayhi wa salaam). He also said that many people who are not moved by the words of the Qur’an cried tears when reading the Sirah. I knew I had to learn more. I was still studying Islam like a skeptical student and not like a Muslim or mu’min. Alhamdulillah, my sisters bought me two books on the Prophet’s (sallalahu alayhi wa salaam) life by M. Fethullah Gulen. I also went to the library and checked out Martin Lings’ Sirah.

Although, I never got the chance to read Lings’ Sirah last year, I read Gulen’s. It’s was so fascinating to read about his life–even the very minute details like his favorite foods, nicknames for his family members and a whole tradition of his sayings. All this learning and reading was cultivating a love for him who loved Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) so much that he would suffer anything to bring His word to the world.

Maulid is a time to remember Habib’Allah and our debt to him and what we owe him. I have heard him described as the servant with the most perfected worship. Mawlid is not a “Christmas.” We don’t attribute godhead or superhuman qualities to him. That is a trangression of everything Islamic, an abomination, and a great shirk and puts a person out of the fold of Islam. It just a time to remember his Sunnah and know that whatever challenges we face, we can always look as his life as a reference and for guidance.

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Al-Baqi (The Deviser) done in a sherbet swirl. Man, I’m having some kind of sweet tooth craze or somethin’.

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Al-Aziz (The Mighty) done in sunburst colors.

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The name of the best of creation in a mirrored style in what I call “spearmint” colors.

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Okay, these are some of the pictures that I am selling for the conference on April 23rd, 2005. Of course, the calligraphy says Muhammad sallalahu alayhi wasalaam. Interestingly enough, I did it in Mardi Gras colors. It wasn’t intentional but I just love the purple, green and gold combination.

Random Thoughts Interruppted for Dr. Max’s Questions


Where do you see American Muslims going spiritually?

Insha’Allah, I hope that all this pressure that we are under will force us to look inward rather than blame our spiritual and social problems on everyone else. I hope that we are turning to the Qur’an and Sunnah for our spiritual needs and not letting the distactions of this culture blind us to what is really important. Alhamdulillah, “traditional” Islam (or Islam, as it is) is growing and I can see some Muslims getting tired of khutbahs with heavy political or reactionist rhetorhic but there’s no food for the soul. I was happy to hear that many Muslims started coming back to the masjid and many people converted after 9/11 and continue to do so. (Allah subhana wa ta’ala is amazing).

I am seeing some Muslims waking up but the process is taking very long. September 11th was a sucker punch to American Muslims. I wasn’t a Muslim then but I knew…I just knew that it would change how people see us for years to come. We found ourselves completely unprepared but how could one prepare for such a monstrous act of violence and murder and have something meaningful and poignant to say? Yes, there are Muslims who are becomig more active, whether it’s women’s clubs, newsletters, food drives or deen intensives. But out of the rumble of 9/11 arose shady opportunists like our brothers and sisters at the MWU/PMUNA who are using our vulnerability to craft their careers and Americans’ perceptions of Islam and Muslims. But if we rely on Allah subhana wa ta’ala, these people who are spreading corruption in the land, will be that trial that makes us stronger and we will come out on top as more morally just, upright people who aren’t afraid to say, I believe in a life beyond this and I am accountable for what I do on this Earth. There’s my long winded answer!

How did I come to Islam? I know it’s a question that you get often.

Ha-ha! That’s not a question I get that often. I’m not sure why. Some people say it seems like I have been a Muslim longer. I was probably a Muslim some years ago but I didn’t confirm it publically until 2/3/04. It took me a year to finally see how all the pieces fit together but since that will require a blog entry of it’s own, I will answer it next time. Ha! Don’t worry, I promised so I’ll write it soon. Possibly by this Saturday or sooner insha’Allah.

What do you do when you are not writing great posts?

Jazak Allah Khairn! I must admit that blogging (and having Umm Zee as a role model/ writing diva) has improved my skills. When I am not teaching families about the dangers of lead poisoning in children 6 years old and under (by the by, any of you readers should have your kids 6 and under checked. The test is free but they have to stick their fingers for a blood sample. I just hate to see them cry)

I try to make beautiful artwork. I paint when I get a chance or when the mood takes me. I also like to read and when I feel like being annoyed, I try to design this magazine that I have been putting on and off for a while now. When I want to be annoying, I bug my little sister (11 years old) and tease her about boys and Hilary Duff (gag!). Oh, yeah…napping. I luv to nap.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Dude, I don’t know where I will be in ten days! Okay, in ten years I will be 3?. Well, I hope to be a better Muslim and human being. I would like to have my own business selling my art adn some kind of media outlet to promote Muslim artists and writers like an organization which may be an outcome of the magazine I am trying to develop. I hope to be an home owner because it’s a big deal to me and there’s nothing like having your own place. I can see myself getting a doctorate but that’s in the long run and I would study overseas in Egypt, possibly. Oh, and married happily, insha’Allah with at least two kids.

What are your marriage plans? What are you looking for in a marriage partner?

Good Lord! He said the dreaded “M” word! But honestly, I don’t have a plan. I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing. There are good Muslim brothers here in NOLA but people here tend to stick to their own ethnic group. Very few marry outside their race and there aren’t many available African-American Muslim men. Most Black Muslim men are in their 40-50s and married with grandchildren. Maybe I haven’t looked enough or I am just being pessimistic but my marriage plans are on hold until I move away from New Orleans…or maybe God will send someone my way here but I ain’t holding my breath.

Marriage partner potential? He must be a good Muslim who cares about Islam and who wants to grow as a Muslim. I would prefer that my husband be more knowlegdeable about Islam than me or we could both learn together. He should be sincere and kind. Educated, of course but not some know-it-all. I like modest people so vain men need not apply. He should also have a sense of humor because sometimes I take things too seriously and he can remind me to loosen up. I used to very picky about appearances to the point where he had to be a certain height, skin color, build. Let’s just say that a person can be attractive but when they have a wonderful sense of humor and character, they seem even more attractive so I’m not hung up on physicality anymore. At least, I don’t think.

Hope my answers weren’t too long.