BEIJING — Local governments in a Muslim desert region in western China have imposed strict limits on religious practices during the traditional Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began last week, according to the Web sites of four of those governments.
The rules include prohibiting women from wearing veils and men from growing beards, as well as barring government officials from observing Ramadan. One town, Yingmaili, requires that local officials check up on mosques at least twice a week during Ramadan.
Let’s boycott China! Oh wait…we can’t because everything (well a lot of thigns) are “made in China”.
Source: NY Times
- Author: MR
- Filed under: Islam, Ramadan
- Date: Sep 7,2008 | 12:04 PM
During Ramadan, many Muslims do not eat healthy nor are we environemetanlly friendly. During iftars we throw away many recycleable material such as cans and soda bottles. One brother sent me an email regarding conserving the water we use when we make wudhu:
One thing I started doing to “reduce” consumption, is to use a small amount of water for wudhu. Did you know that RasoolAllah Sallallahu Alayhi Wassalam used to use less then a 355 mL popcan worth of water for wudhu? (an Imam told me) Subhanullah!!! There are muslims out there who use atleast a gallon easy.
It’s pretty easy, just use your hand as an individual cup, (squeeze your fingers tightly) and the opposite hand to quickly turn off, and on, the tap, saving LOTS of water. This way the water isn’t running all the time even when it isn’t being used. I managed to only use half of a water bottle, which is about 250mL.
Note: To cheat a little bit, sniff some water in your nose ahead of time, and give it a big blow in some tissue, then use the tissue to clean the inside, THEN after your nose is already clean, make wudhu, it’s so much easier!
Also check out these articles:
Ramadan Mubarak to everyone!
Google has released their browser in comemoration of the holy month of Ramadan. Just kidding! haha
But still download it here!
Sorry for the darkness. I’m still new at this video blogging stuff. Below are some of the videos I recorded as I walked through the bazaar, hotel lobbies and throughout the convention center:
Read the rest of this entry »
- Author: MR
- Filed under: Islam, Ramadan
- Date: Aug 29,2008 | 04:08 AM
MuslimMatters.org Presents:
Co-Sponsors: AlMaghrib Institute & Texas Dawah Convention (TDC)
Nights of Power: Short Tales of Inspiration.
Ramadhaan is the best and most blessed of months, one in which we challenge ourselves to strive and improve in ‘ebaadah, emaan, and akhlaaq: an emotional month of soft hearts and tears of taqwa. Every Ramadhaan is a month of personal challenges, spiritual growth, learning experiences, and beautiful memories etched into our very hearts.
Now, MuslimMatters wants YOU to share a particularly poignant Ramadan moment with us. Make us laugh, make us cry, make us bow our heads in awe at the Mercy and Might of Allah ‘azza wa jal – in 1000 words or less!
- Type of stories: Inspiring Ramadan experiences/ moments (non-fiction). Ramadan in other countries… anything interesting and unique.
- Length: Maximum 1000 words.
- Deadlines: No later than mid-Ramadan or September 15.
- Exclusivity: Must be original, not previously published. Full copyrights will belong to MM
- Restrictions: Nothing that is of course haraam, or encourages haraam. Must have some quality of inspiring.
- Judges: Staff will choose best 3. Our Shayookh will vote for 1 through 3. The winning articles will be posted on MM, as well as potentially other non-winning articles (at MM’s discretion).
- Send Questions/Stories to: stories@muslimmatters.org
Prizes:
- 1st Prize ($350+ Value):
- $150 Cash + Anwar Awlaki’s “Hereafter” CD set + Book (title to be confirmed) + 1 Free AlMaghrib Registration
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- $75 Cash + Anwar Awlaki’s “Hereafter” CD set+ Book (title to be confirmed) + 1 Free AlMaghrib Registration
- 3rd Prize ($200 Value):
- Anwar Awlaki’s “Hereafter” CD set+ Book (title to be confirmed) + 1 Free AlMaghrib Registration
- Three Consolation Prizes ($50+ ea):
- Texas Dawah Adult Single Registration
More info here.
3rd Annual MR Online Qur’an Reading Competition
Ramadan will start in a week, inshaAllah. Like the previous two Ramadans I held a contest to see who can read the Qur’an first. So I’m officially starting this contest which will begin on the 1st day of Ramadan 2008/1429 and end on the last day of Ramadan 2008/1429. Check out the standings for Ramadan 2007/1428 here and for Ramadan 2006/1427 here.
How do I join?
Simply comment with an anonymous name, nickname, your name, or whatever name you would like to go by. This name will be publicly desplayed a long with everyone else. If you have a website, blog or an organization you would like to represent or promote along with your name, just include that also.
Confused? Here is an example:
MR – mujahideenryder.net
(Note: Please enter a valid email address when you comment. Also make sure it is one that you check frequently.)
How does it work?
Very simple. You read the Qur’an. Keep track of the number of ayat (verses) you recite daily. Contact me and let me know how much you have done by emailing me, IMing me (if you have my screename) or calling me (if you have my number).
Who wins? And what’s the prize?
Everoyne wins, because everyone is rewarded with blessings from Allah! That is the prize. For Ramadan 2007 we had Phatwa Factory sponsor the contest and award the top winners with free t-shirts. For Ramadan 2006 there was a surprise donated gift to the winner. Only Allah knows what the prize will be this year.
Rules
- Anyone can join.
- You can use anonymous names or your real names.
- I will not reveal anyones real identity.
- Contest officially begins on the first day of Ramadan, whatever day that you start.
- No lying. If you lie, you got some serious issues with yourself.
- Recitation in prayer doesn’t count. You must actually read from the Qur’an during your free time when your not praying salah.
- You must read the Qur’an in Arabic only. (English doesn’t count towards the contest, but you should still read the English).
- You must calculate the number of ayat including Surah al-Fatiha which is 7 ayat.
- Only include the number of ayat you read from the front to the back. (Example: Do not include the number of ayat if you read Surah Yaseen every day or Surah Kahf every Friday. They do not count.)
- Holding the Qur’an in Taraweeh salah and following the Hafidh does not count.
- You must recite out loud or enough so that your lips are moving and your ears can hear. No silent reading or reading from you mind.
- I have the right to change the rules anytime I feel like to.
So join already! Here is a list of people who have joined already.
Why start off Ramadan on day 1, when you can get a head start? Ramadan is like a race. A race to get blessings and forgiveness. Most people start the race on the 1st day of Ramadan, thus the day before they are still in there ready position. Ready to jump off and start running. With the start of the 2008 Olympics in China, I thought it would be appropiate to compare the two. Specifically the running races. If one was to get a head start running say 10-15 feet before the start line and begin running, as they pass the start line, the would already have a head start then those who jumped from there ready position. They would theoretically win the race since they were already running. Although this is illegal in the Olympics, it’s not illegal to get a head running start before Ramadan.
Start reading more of the Qur’an (practice for MR’s Online Quran Reading Contest coming up), fast a few days, and pray that extra sunnah and nafl prayers. This is your head start in the 2008 Ramadan Olympics. Why settle for bronce and silver when you can get gold? Have you ever seen how the participants of the Olympics cry and are extremely happy over a gold medal? Our gold medal is even greater and is ever lasting. Our gold medal is given to us by our creator and it is not man-made. Our gold medal is greater than all those gold medals the Olympics has. Our gold medal is heaven.
The month of Ramadan is the best month to increase your chances of winning the gold medal. So let us all try to get running start and beat the rest of the participants while they are still in the ready position.
Bismillah, let’s go!
