All about Izzy Mo’s Blog
Salaam alaikum,
My first description of my blog from my older account from Blogger.com was “musings on Islam, art, culture, beauty and other random tidbits from a Southern-born Muslima and Artist.” And, dear readers, it’s still like that but with a few exceptions. This is also the home of the Southern-fried nomad, Katrina evacuee and resident Blogistan artist from N’awlinz better known to friends and fam as Kelly “Izdihar” Crosby.
(Yes, that’s my real name. No, I’m not Bill Cosby’s long lost daughter @@).
Most folks don’t call me Izdihar since they can’t really pronounce it. I had to be all difficult by choosing a unique and uncommon “Muslim” name. It is iz-DEE-har. It means flourishing in Arabic and I chose it because I want to flourish and succeed as a Muslim, as an artist and as a human being and insha’Allah, I will. So where does the Izzy Mo come from? Well, if I was planning on changing my name, it would probably change it to Izdihar Mohammed. So, you just take Izdihar (or Izzy for short) and you take Mohammed (or Mo) and put them together and you get…well, you know.
But as you have guessed, I’m an artist (duh, you’ve said it enough) and more recently, a published writer and some would say, an activist. You can read some of my work in Q-News, Azizah, the Muslim Link, and Islamicity. I’m also planning on publishing an Islamic arts magazine in the near future. Insha’Allah, in May 2007, I will have my masters degree in arts administration from the University of New Orleans. I have a small business selling my art, particularly my decorative boxes and Arabic calligraphy paintings, which is, alhamdulillah, growing. :-) This website will be the new domain of my online gallery as soon as I update it. All design work is from the talented blogger and web designer Shazia Mistry.
Y’all already know that I’m a single Muslima trying to navigate through the mirky waters of the American umma and the American community at large. I am African-American though since I started wearing the hijab, folks swear that I’m not. I’ve been confused for Saudi, Pakistani, Indian, Turkish, Indonesian and my personal favorite, Turkmen.
You are from America, sister? Where your family from? Here!? No, no, you must have family somewhere else. I can’t believe you from here! You really American?!
You’re Black! Oh, I thought you were Creole! (A word to the wise. Most Black Louisianians do not refer to themselves as Creoles anymore. Creole is most often used to describe New Orleans cuisine and architecture, not people. Most of us are simply known as light-skinned Black folk.)
Nah, ah, girl! You must be mixed!
Yo daddy can’t be that dark if you this light!
(Insert me pointing out my dark-skinned father) Oh, okay.
I try to make the entries here as interesting as I can. I’m Sunni and would label myself as a “traditional” Muslim who follows Hanafi fiqh and I have great respect for real tasawuuf–you know, the real Sufism that college professors and celebrities hate to talk about because it adheres to Shari’a? While firming sticking myself into these boxes, I believe quite strongly, that there’s enough room for our various schools of thought, sects, and cliques and what’s important to me are Muslims who strive for God’s pleasure–period.
Now, onto the commenting policy. :::Insert wicked cackle:::
If you are commenting here for the first time and you are rude and sarcastic towards me or my readers, you’re getting deleted and banned. Call me a fascist or whatever but you’re getting deleted. I don’t remember our founding fathers including acting like a jerk as a divine and human right.
Slam Islam (especially you ignorant folks who think we’re all Ay-rabs), slam the Prophet (alayhi salatu wa salaam) or scholars, you’re getting deleted and banned. If you don’t like Imam This or Shaykh Whoever, that’s your business. I don’t want listening to trash talk about scholars be on my list of bad deeds on the day of judgement.
Please, be polite. We can disagree but let’s be polite. I’m pretty tolerant of most things but don’t push my spam button for me.
See out there in blogland…….
Surma said,
November 8, 2006 at 6:44 pm
Hi,
How are u doing ? This is me Surma .I am from Bangladesh but currently I am staying in USA . Is it possible for u to email me because I need a Muslim sister .Actually I need help . I am trying to find my inner peace . I am doing everything ok , but still I am not feeling good .I feel empty .I think , I need to be spiritual . Would u be my friend ? Thanks again .
Ahmed Kandil said,
November 9, 2006 at 12:48 pm
Dear Sir ,
you have a nice site , i hope that we can cooperate in the field of writting Arabic Calligraphy , i’m a Calligrapher from Egypt , i like this art very much .
you can see my works at my web site http://www.freewebs.com/ahmed-kandil
i think its a nice service .
Best regards
Mr Ahmed Kandil
marcnahhass said,
December 23, 2006 at 5:13 am
As-sallaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmahtullah Wa Barakatuh,
I am a Muslim sister launching an online store soon, insha’Allah. Please support my blog, I’m new to this blogging thing and I’m sure what to do.
mirza naim beg said,
January 9, 2007 at 9:56 am
Please elaborate why people think women in islam cant be imam or give Azan.Where does it deny or accept it in Holy Quran
sindbad said,
February 11, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Sorry Izzy, but I want to answer some :):
Salaam alaikum,
Mirza Naim Beg, a great example of a place where you have female imams is China in the Hui Muslim community, where you have women-only mosques. What is not allowed is a woman imam in a male mosque or a general mosque where either the men and women are separated or women pray behind men (a matter of convenience and not inferiorty). In Islam, women are the spiritual equals of men and both of them are superior to each other in different roles. For eg. a mother is superior to a father, and a husband is superior to a wife in matters of duty.
sindbad said,
February 11, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I hope I haven’t said anything incorrect.
my about page is done « Izzy Mo’s Blog said,
February 12, 2007 at 6:52 am
[...] http://izzymo.wordpress.com/about/ [...]
Abu Maimuna (John Jofe) said,
February 12, 2007 at 4:24 pm
In The Name Of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
As salaam ‘alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh
http://www.esinislam.com
Non-Profit Making African Muslim Website For Knowledge About Islam And Propagation Of Islam In Association With AWQAF Africa http://www.awqafafrica.com
As salaam ‘alaykum,
Under the sure shade of Allah’s Speech:
“Say: “Are those who know equal to those who know not?” It is only men of understanding who will remember (i.e. get a lesson from Allâh’s Signs and Verses” [Surat uz Zumar:9]
And
“Thus We have made you [true Muslims] a just (and the best) nation, that you be witnesses over mankind and the Messenger (Muhammad PBUH) be a witness over you” [Surat ul Baqarah: 143]
We at http://www.esinislam.com are pleased to know about you.
This, therefore, is to invite you to become of our volunteer regular articles contributors who post their writings on Islam, Muslim Affairs, and Literatures regularly to our website http://www.esinislam.com
“Successful indeed are the believers: Who are humble in their prayers. And who shun vain conversation. And who are payers of the poor-due. And who guard their modesty…” Q23:1-6.
The Prophet (s.a.w.) said: “The world is cursed, and cursed is all what is in it except with worship and remembrance of Allah (s.w.t.), and except he who upholds to the worship of Allah (s.w.t.) and His remembrance or he who teaches about Allah (s.w.t.) or he who learns about Allah (s.w.t.).” [Reported at Tirmidhiy & Ibn Majah (declared Hasan by at Tirmidhiy)].
Your contributions are gratefully welcomed. We love Muslims like you for Allah’s sake. May Allah reward you for all your efforts to fight for Islam through your wise and informative pens.
To have your article posted and published on our website is easy. Simply forward your articles to us at articles@esinislam.com
Thus, I suggest you feel free to contact me if you may want to engage me in a further brotherly contact regarding your writings etc. contributions.
We look forward to your availing the entire Ummah via our website as well as your articles posted to us.
May I congratulate you for Al Basirah endowed upon you! May Almighty Allah continue to guide you and ourselves.
Ma’ as salaam
Cherrie said,
March 11, 2007 at 11:49 pm
Hi Kelly! This is Cherrie. How are you doing? Give me a holla when you get a chance! I always enjoy reading your blog. Your art is absolutely beautiful! Could you do something that says… “God bless this home?” Are you in Mississppi? Anyway, e-mail me! Take Care Girl! Peace
sheepoo said,
June 12, 2007 at 9:00 pm
You’ve gto something cool going here. Mind adding my blog to your blogroll?
Jazak Allah!
proggiemuslima said,
July 9, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Salaamu alaikum — i added you to my blog roll last night.
proggiemuslima (aka pearl)
Hasina said,
July 20, 2007 at 8:52 am
Hello Izzy mo,my name is Hasina and i am from uk,at the moment ia m doing my alevels and have i chosen to study Islamic art for my next project A2 and have found your work intresting .I would like to study your work, i would like tou to help a me by emailing me some of your famous islamicart work and information about it, this will bve used as part of my research work of differernt Islmaic artist.
Thank you
Khaled Bouchafaa said,
August 24, 2007 at 10:07 am
I love your site, its another great source of Art and info for Muslims.
tajweedinenglish
Milos said,
September 7, 2007 at 4:55 am
Nice
Coral Qadar said,
October 2, 2007 at 10:37 pm
As salaamualaikum! I happened upon your page and was compelled by your writing style. Refreshing, straight forward, thoughtful, authentic. May Allah continue to bless you my sister! And please keep on “Rightin.”
Sincerely,
Mrs Coral Qadar,
Author of “for Sakinah” Collected Notes and reflections for the Muslim Bride.
luloah said,
December 27, 2007 at 2:40 am
Great Blog!
Mind adding my blog to your blogroll?
http://luloah.wordpress.com/
Ignatios said,
January 27, 2008 at 2:26 am
Nice…
izzymo said,
March 16, 2008 at 3:22 am
Hello Susan
First, you can take heart in the fact the majority of the world’s Muslims do not follow or believe in these imams. The extremists belong to a faction of Muslims who are not only against non-Muslims but they are also against Muslims who don’t follow their creed or intrepretation.
Second, you can purchase a copy of the Quran (Thomas Cleary translation is good) and the seerah (biography) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). (there’s a good biography written Yahiya Emerick that you can get on Amazon.) There’s also http://www.modernmuslima.com and http://www.islamfortoday.com are good resources to discover the truth about Islam and Muslim women. Also, read this article about wife beating in Islam written by a female Muslim scholar. http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=4863&CATE=121 This will help you to tell the difference between real Islam and person who is stating that his/her intrepretation is real Islam.
Third and last, you can help Muslims in the various battles you just mentioned. Find advocacy groups against female genital mutilation. You will discover that Muslim, Christian and Animist women suffer equally and the people responsible for these acts are other women. CAIR and ISNA often have interfaith meetings with Jews and Christians. There may be a local chapter of CAIR in your area. If you want more info, just let me know and I will email it to you.
Mystical Journey - personal photographs « Ismaili Mail said,
March 19, 2008 at 2:32 pm
[...] in AMJ, Art and Culture, Jubilee, North America, United States. trackback Artist/activist, Izzy Mo attended Mystical Journey tour. These are some of her pictures at her Flickr account. Do visit [...]
Maliha Zaamn said,
April 13, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Salaam Sista,
I noticed you had inspire magazine as a link. We have actually re-made our magazine and are completely online right now. Also, as part of our relaunch we have changed our name to ‘the Western Muslim’
Please check out our new website: http://www.thewesternmuslim.com
If you have any suggestions at all, please let me know.
Izzy Mo said,
April 27, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hello Susan,
I’m so sorry that you feel the way you do. I’m also sorry that my links and information have left you at a dead end. Of course, we disagree on intrepretation but we are both entitled to our own opinions. I hope that in the future you can connect with Muslim women on these issues because you seem very passionate about fighting gender injustice. But I must disagree on your decision to wait until the Lord returns to right all of our wrongs. God commands His creation to be proactive when we see injustice. That’s why He has given us minds, bodies and intellect in order to use them for His glorification, His work and to perform charitable acts towards one another. What better way to earn God’s favor and blessings than to unite with your Muslim sisters on these very controversial issues?
So….
I actually, I had the pleasure of meeting a wonderful Muslim woman activist from Australia. I volunteer for a Muslim women’s magazine called Azizah Magazine. We often meet women who are battling the very same issues that you are talking about. When I go back to work Monday, I will try to get her contact info for you. She’s an excellent scholar, on her way to getting a doctorate degree and I think she’s a principal at all female Muslim school. She informed me that at least a 1/3 of the teachers on staff are non-Muslim. She and other Australian Muslim organization should help you.
Thank you for contacting me and please, do not give up hope. Many times within my life, I have seen how education and activism can empower people to do wonderful things.
Izdihar
PS: I would check out this article on Kenya. It’s predominately Christian but many girls suffer from FGM..http://nairobi.usembassy.gov/speeches/speech_20070421.html
Izzy Mo said,
April 27, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Okay, umm, your commenting on my blog with the name Susan but ending with the name Jenny. ????? You want truth and facts but you’re using one name and then another?
So I can only assume that I was wrong. You weren’t sincere in trying to seek information. You could have went here for Muslim condemnations of terrorism.
http://www.islamfortoday.com/terrorism.htm and http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/muslim_voices_against_extremism_and_terrorism_2/.
But you didn’t.
You could have gone here for Muslim women’s issues. http://www.modernmuslima.com/ and
http://www.azizahmagazine.com.
But you didn’t.
You have elected to listen to the voices of wars instead of the voices of peace. And it seems to be lost on you that the majority of the people who suffer from this violence are primarily Muslims. I emailed you about different groups you could have contacted in Australia and was planning on giving you the contact of a great Australian Muslim woman activist who could have answered your questions face to face.
To say that the Taliban are rigthly guided by Islam is like saying the priests and ministers who condoned (and sometimes, blessed) the murders of the Holocaust were acting upon their Christian faith.
But you are seeing only what you want to see. Our prayers for peace, hope and justice mean nothing to those who listen to the zealot rather than the moderate. To you, your way, to me, mine.
So I have to end this discussion because it’s unproductive. May God Most High bless and guide us all to His truth. Ameen.
Ahmad said,
May 5, 2008 at 2:47 am
I would like to discuss something with you. Please email me at islamify [at] gmail [dot] com. Jazakhallah