Yep, now you can create your own Garfield comic HERE .
It’s so exciting, so creative and so cute. I really enjoyed it and I’m sure you all will.
Via: Sabbah’s Blog
Gemeinsames Fastenbrechen, Einladungen und das gemeinsame Gebet machen die besondere Atmosphäre dieses Monates aus. Die Tarawih-Gebete im Fastenmonat Ramadan werden von den Muslimen wegen ihrer dichten Atmosphäre und der besonderen spirituellen Erfahrung hochgeschätzt und das ganze Jahr über erwartet. Das Wort Tarawih kommt von der selben Wurzel wie das Wort „Ruh“, Geist, und wird daher auch mit der Bedeutung von Vergeistigung übersetzt, was auf die hohe spirituelle Bedeutung dieser zusätzlichen Gebete im Ramadan hinweist.
Das Gebet findet in beinahe allen größeren Moscheen in Deutschland statt. Nach dem Fastenbrechen geht man in die Moschee, betet dort das Nachtgebet (Salatu’l Ischaa, türk. Yatsi Namazi), und im Anschluss daran wird das Tarawih-Gebet verrichtet.
Die gemeinschaftlichen Tarawih-Gebete gehören zur Sunna des Propheten, sind also freiwillige, verdienstvolle Handlung. Diese Tarawih-Gebete müssen nicht in der Moschee verrichtet werden, sondern können auch zu Hause, allein oder mit der Familie, gebetet werden. Doch ist, wie auch generell, das gemeinschaftliche Gebet besser und segensreicher, und es wird zu den Sunnan des Ramadan gezählt, das Tarawih in den Moscheen in Gemeinschaft zu beten. Das Tarawih-Gebet ist das einzige Sunna-Gebet, das in Gemeinschaft verrichtet wird. Der Prophet, Allahs Segen und Friede auf ihm, selbst betete es mal in Gemeinschaft und mal allein, um es nicht als ein Pflichtgebet erscheinen zu lassen.
Die allabendlichen Tarawih-Gebete in der Moschee machen einen bedeutenden Teil der Spiritualität und der besonderen Atmosphäre des Ramadan aus.
Quelle: IZ
Sometimes the great and the good, rich and famous, get carried away. They say things that turn out to be radically wrong and later wish they had kept quiet. Or what they say is just plain stupid. Here are some examples:
Source: Said What.
I’m an Arab, and I’m so proud of it. But being proud doesn’t blind me to see some destructive facts in our countries, or watch some of the most annoying habits and really messed up mentalities.
While Arabs in Palestine and Iraq are dying, while they’re suffering from war, humiliation and all signs of destruction and injustice; while so many Muslims in other parts of the world are trying to survive injustice imposed by the countries they belong to day after day; while our societies have so many homeless members, so many sick people, and thousands of people who are in need for any kind of help, we, Arabs, are still concerned about looks and titles. Sad, but so true.
Differences in the social levels caused by financial differences in income or heritage is a fact that existed ever since the occurrence of mankind. No one can change that. People are not the same when it comes to money, whether we like it or not, there will always be someone to call rich and someone to call poor. But where’s equality? Equality in relationships, in how we deal with each other. Why do we still judge by how much a person’s “worth� why do we still base our treatment according to a person’s last name? Why do we offer extra service to those who pay more? Why are we proud of having rich friends? Why are we hypnotized with the sight of an expensive limousine, and captured by a glittering tux? Why are we in love a stuffed purse? Proud of a house we own in every country we like? Why do we long to shake hands with a VIP? Take a pic with a celebrity? Why and why and why?
Where did the great loving hearts of Arabs go? Why did they change?
War? No good excuse any more. Arabs should wake up and save what’s left to be saved.
Instead of making a fight if someone didn’t address you with Mr., Mrs., or Mademoiselle! Instead of getting all angry if someone forgot to mention that you’re a manager, a businessman, or whatever! Instead of hating the world if the invitation you got didn’t have “dr.â€, or “eng.†noted before your precious name! Instead of all this nonsense, why don’t you see that a person who believes his money is what buys him respect and attention, will lose everything the minute his wealth vanishes, the minute a richer person shows up. Enough is enough, I’m really fed up of watching people fighting over a silly thing such as “you call me MR. and know your limitsâ€, is that power? No. We can all shout, we can all raise our voice, we can all lose it and start creating excuses that make no sense. Actually most of us are doing this nowadays, but is it any good? Our lives turned into a battle, whoever has more money and connections wins! This MUST end. We should all stop complaining about our life styles and the way we’re treated. Each one of us should start the change from within.
Be rich, but don’t base your treatment on showing off and scaring others if they fail to fulfill your wishes. Keep limitations while being modest. Raise your kids on the right concept of respect. Respect was never a letter put before your name, it never was a title called while addressing you, respect was never bought with money. Money can buy you a title, but can’t buy you respect. Because real respect is what others feel about you deep inside them, not what they show you out of fear or hypocrisy.
Respect is not what you wear, or where you shop. It’s not where you dine or where you live. It’s not in which hotel you stay in your vacation, it’s not which car you drive. It’s not your job, not your family name. It’s not the amount of money you left as tip, nor the jewelry covering your hands. Respect is much simpler than that. Respect is how you think, and how you treat people. Respect is how hard you work to win the love of others in the right way. Respect is who you really are.
Let’s clean our society from the useless titles, let’s live the freedom and equality that God granted us. Let’s forget about connections and money, and enjoy the taste of hard work. There are millions out there who could keep us busy 24 hours with their suffering and problems, let’s try to focus on them for a change. Let’s be the great Arabs we once were…
“My parents used to say: we don’t worry about your future son, in your youth, freedom and science will transform from theory to applicable facts, and this will offer you a better life… I can’t help wondering: would I be as lucky as my parents were, or would I have to survive my and my son’s future…†–a fellow worker.
Ramadan Mubarak – Gesegneten Ramadan!
Ob Winter oder Sommerzeit weltweit Milliarden von Muslimen
Die es gemeinsam durchziehen ich bin einer von ihnen
Die Teufel sind in Ketten und der Segen ist nah
Ich freue mich auf dieses Ereignis jedes Jahr
Der Lohn wird verdoppelt die Moschee voller Leben
Ich will mein Bestes geben nach meinem Besten streben
Ich mache es für Allah und hoffe er nimmt es an
Mein Fasten im gesegneten Monat Ramadan
Quelle: Ammar114.de
Behind all, is a constant One
His radiance pales the shinning sun
But we do not see Him through our veils
Our lower self’s winds fill our sails
We spend our days chasing the shadow show
From hence life came we do not know
But soon death will knock at our door
And we will have to look some more
At where we have come and where are we going
And what our actions in this life are sowing
Is what we are doing leading to know Him?
Or are we following every passing whim?
To witness His names and attain true being
Requires awareness, the true art of seeing
It takes remembrance of the reality
For knowledge, light and solemnity
To lift the veils of the shadow show
To see things as they are and come to know
So take the mantle of doing without
And restrict the self and have no doubt
That from denial comes relief
To see the truth behind every leaf
For hidden within us is the universe
The Qur`an unveils it verse after verse
So rejoice it is Ramadan take to the fast!
For this month of barakat will not last
Soon the month of fasting will fly away
And all the habits that we have kept at bay
Will come forward to have their appetites display
Without restriction of the Ramadan day
But for all those of subtle light
Those whom have attained inner delight
Will make their fast last all the year
Making their lives so precious and dear
For they are the true ones that have found the treasure
That all life comes in a clear balance and measure
So seek His knowledge and turn away from the plight
To rejoice in the splendor of His eternal Light.
-By Hajj Mustafa Ali-
Ramadan Kareem to all of you 🙂
I’m sure many of you have already heard the news of the 15 year old French Muslim girl: Cennet Doganay who shaved her head after being banned from classes with her headscarf on.
Respecting both the law and her religion, Cennet tried out everything to cover her hair without “violating†the new law of France that banned any religious symbols in schools. She tried berets and bandanas but still she was not allowed to attend classes. So shaving her head was the only solution she could think of.
Now whether shaving her head left a positive or negative impression by others, that’s not the issue, simply because no one would feel the paradox of loving her country and her religion at the same time, but the ones who are like her, the ones suffering from the same ban in their own country, the country which raised them on the courage of making a choice, the country which taught them to think and act freely…
Personally, I believe that since Cennet didn’t harm anyone, didn’t violate any law, didn’t cause any trouble by shaving her head, then her act should be respected. She stood up for her beliefs and tried to prove to the world that all she seeks is practicing her religion peacefully. She wanted the whole world to see that her will was never to show disrespect to her country, she never wanted to look different than her fellow colleagues, all she wanted is to lead a normal life, a balanced life that combines respect and love of religion and state. In return, she should be given freedom and respect, not humiliation and bans.
I respect her courage and admire her determination to follow both her religion’s instructions and her country’s law. Although, deep inside me I’m sure she’ll still feel the absence of democracy and freedom every single time she looks in the mirror, everyday she sits in the classroom being taught the meaning of democracy, the value of freedom, and the importance of respect. I know that shaving her head may not move the feelings of anyone, I know it may not result in any improvement she’s wishing for, I know she might be thought of as a careless teenagers, or even a silly girl, I know she might be even laughed at. But she knows she made her point, she sure knows the ones who really care about freedom, democracy and principles will respect her. She must know, that Muslim women from all around the world are proud of her, because she, in these difficult circumstances and in this young age did something that older women, in other less complicated and difficult circumstances wouldn’t even think of doing.
One last thing I feel obliged to say is: if a Muslim does not wear a headscarf, if a Christian does not wear a crucifix, if a Jew does not wear a skullcap, that wont change the fact that they are still Muslims, Christians and Jews. And governments should know, that not wearing a religious symbol wont hide the fact, a simple question like: “what’s your religion?”, will unveil the fact. Unless of course, you’re also considering than ban of religion-related questions. But even if you do, be sure that you can’t stop people from belonging to a religion they love, because religion, whether you like it or not, is a part of us, without it we’re lost. So instead of banning religious symbols, why not focus on teaching tolerance, love, peace and respect to other religions, because after all, this is what religion is all about.
I also encourage you to read Le Hidjab de Strasbourg , it’s in English.
We’ve just returned from the airport after saying bye to my older brother Mohammad.
Last Saturday, October 9th , my brother paid us a really quick visit. He called us few days earlier to ask us whether it was ok with us if he dropped for a 3 – 4 day visit on his way from Canada to Jordan. It was totally unexpected, we were thrilled. I haven’t seen him for over a year, and my husband hasn’t seen him for over 2 years. And the fact that he was coming a couple of days after his phone call was so overwhelming. I have been asking him to drop by ever since I came to Tunisia, but it never worked out. This time, it did, thank God for that.
To be honest, I really don’t know if I’m truly happy or not. Meeting him, talking to him about his life, about my sister in Canada and her family, remembering the old days, hanging out together, showing him my second country Tunisia…it was out of this world. I was really happy. But before I even knew it, he was off to Amman again. It’s such an annoying feeling you get when you start realizing that one of your dear wishes is coming true and before you actually taste the joy of it, you have to cope with the fact that it’s no longer there and you need to make a whole new wish and wait till it comes true…
I still need more time to talk to him, to listen to what he’s got to say, to be with him, and to reach a level in which I can really say: I met my bro, I spent time with him!
Now I miss him even more than I used to miss him before he came; just like I miss my whole family more with every passing day. I always think: time takes care of things like love and missing. But life is proving me wrong. The special spots in your heart, the dear pictures in your memory, and the delicious smells in your nose, they can never be replaced, they can never be deleted. They can get weaker, only if we let go. But they will get stronger, as long as they’re alive deep inside our hearts.
Yet life also taught me to be thankful for everything and appreciate even those few moments I get to hear a voice I miss, or see a face I love…
Thank you God!
Yep, just like today, one year ago, my one and only blog “AquaCool†was born 🙂 And on this occasion, I want to thank my dear husband Subzero Blue for encouraging me to create a blog of my own and for supporting me in everything in my life.
I must say that becoming a blogger made a difference in my life. First surfing the net was limited to certain sites, which I thought kept me connected with the latest news and what’s really going on in this world. But I must admit that I never felt satisfied and I always got bored easily. To me, surfing the net lacked something essential, I couldn’t really know what it was back then. But since I became a blogger and was introduced to this whole blogging world, I knew only then, that the things I was looking for were actually the personal touches of people just like me, reporting what’s going on in their part of the world, telling their side of the story, sharing their experiences, discussing their opinions, keeping in touch with their beloved ones, and giving their writings this special natural straight-from-the-heart flavor.
I can’t imagine -now that I have a 1 year old blog :)- the internet without blogs.
I love reading the blogs I read every day, I like the friends I made, and I respect the many people I got to know.
I want you all to know I’m glad I know you, I appreciate your comments, cherish your own writings, and wish you all the best in everything you do.
And finally I’ll quote a sentence from my very first post: “To me this blog is the Aqua that will quench my thirst for sharing my thoughts with you, and Cool the fire in my head every time I experience an unfair situation