Monday, May 31, 2010
A slice of Pizza is worth more than human life
I took the time to have breakfast with my sis today. Her and I are on polar opposites on the personality spectrum. My sis doesn't take guff from anyone. Her role model is Mad Max, her favorite movie is The Road Warrior. need I say more. But, she is my sis and I care for her. We have had our disagreements and what not, but she has stood up to those who have attacked me for being muslim. She has gone so far as to even tell everyone at her work "the next person who knocks on my bro for being muslim will have a problem with me. I don't care if I lose my job". When I found out she said this, it moved me. I have to admit I love the little monkey even if she drives me up the wall.
But, today she told me a story that I could see moved her emotionally.
Apparently, during the week a man died at the food court where she works. Next to her job is mini food court where they sell hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs. You know, health food. There are usually alot of customers because it's the only cheap food joint in the area of all the businesses. On this particular day a man in line got to the counter and collapsed, hit his head and was unconscious. The fire department and paramedics were called, and two people tried to provide CPR. This held up the line. My sis was there with her manager. ok, so far it is a messed up situation. But, here is where it gets ugly. A woman in line tells my sister's manager "I have 4 pizzas I have to take to my kids school, this guy is messing me up by doing his thing here". ( note to self: be sure to inform people if you ever decide to do your thing and die in public ).
Suddenly, this lady is able to spark an uproar. Now, a majority of people feel it is alright to throw in their 5 dollars worth. The consensus by the people in the food line was "this guy is holding us up, we want to eat, get him out of here". My sis said the workers could hear all these things and many of the workers literally started crying. As my sis told me this story I could see it moved her to tears. All I could do was shake my head and think "A slice of pizza is worth more than human life". So much for a little human compassion
But, today she told me a story that I could see moved her emotionally.
Apparently, during the week a man died at the food court where she works. Next to her job is mini food court where they sell hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs. You know, health food. There are usually alot of customers because it's the only cheap food joint in the area of all the businesses. On this particular day a man in line got to the counter and collapsed, hit his head and was unconscious. The fire department and paramedics were called, and two people tried to provide CPR. This held up the line. My sis was there with her manager. ok, so far it is a messed up situation. But, here is where it gets ugly. A woman in line tells my sister's manager "I have 4 pizzas I have to take to my kids school, this guy is messing me up by doing his thing here". ( note to self: be sure to inform people if you ever decide to do your thing and die in public ).
Suddenly, this lady is able to spark an uproar. Now, a majority of people feel it is alright to throw in their 5 dollars worth. The consensus by the people in the food line was "this guy is holding us up, we want to eat, get him out of here". My sis said the workers could hear all these things and many of the workers literally started crying. As my sis told me this story I could see it moved her to tears. All I could do was shake my head and think "A slice of pizza is worth more than human life". So much for a little human compassion
Reviving the Islamic Spirit and you don't have to open your wallet
Reviving the Islamic Spirit and you don't have to open your wallet
As many attend the Reviving Islam convention and shell out a whopping $70 during these hard economic times and recession. And, I am sure the organizers will charge for food much like Disneyland does. So, much like many a muslim tells me that "having a beard doesn't make you more muslim and you should shave", well, attending an overpriced convention doesn't make one a muslim either. Shame on the organizers for charging those prices during these ugly economic times. As people lose jobs, struggle to put food on the table, pay bills, etc. These sleazy organizers (and I include those who are fully participating. considering they are fully aware of what is happening) ask people to open their wallets. Islam has hit the U.S. in full force. It has embraced capitalism and if my predictions are correct we will see the Jimmy Swaggarts of Islam popping up in years to come. Shameful.
So, if you want to revive the Islamic spirit look inside yourself.You don't have to pay someone to do it for you.
As many attend the Reviving Islam convention and shell out a whopping $70 during these hard economic times and recession. And, I am sure the organizers will charge for food much like Disneyland does. So, much like many a muslim tells me that "having a beard doesn't make you more muslim and you should shave", well, attending an overpriced convention doesn't make one a muslim either. Shame on the organizers for charging those prices during these ugly economic times. As people lose jobs, struggle to put food on the table, pay bills, etc. These sleazy organizers (and I include those who are fully participating. considering they are fully aware of what is happening) ask people to open their wallets. Islam has hit the U.S. in full force. It has embraced capitalism and if my predictions are correct we will see the Jimmy Swaggarts of Islam popping up in years to come. Shameful.
So, if you want to revive the Islamic spirit look inside yourself.You don't have to pay someone to do it for you.
Muslims Killing Muslims. For those who died in Salat
I have trying to make sense of yesterday's killing of 80 Muslims who were praying in a Masjid in Paskistan. Muslims killing Muslims?? it is beyond my comprehension. It's a sickness. Nothing can justify it.The Ahmadiyya are a truly misunderstood and maligned group from what I have learned. Either way, no one has the right to kill someone while they are praying. No one has the right to legislate who is allowed to be Muslim or not. I have learned the Pakistani government had made it illegal for anyone adhering to the Amahdiyya group to call themselves muslims. Sad, very sad when a government can legislate who is Muslim and protects only those they feel fall under the banner of Islam. I had a met a few Ahmadiyya muslims when I first converted and they treated me with kindness. We ate together, talked and laughed. They were much nicer than a majority of "true muslims" I have met. This song is for those who were killed while praying. May Allah forgive them their sins and welcome them to Jannah.
When the Angels Sing
at last we meet again, dear God
when the angels sing
The funeral's are nicer, when we know you're there
when the angels sing
sometimes I try so hard to understand the things you do
who am I to question you when it all comes down
when the angels sing
chorus:
stand up strong feel the pain
when the angels sing
love and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
the prisoners pray when they're on death row
when the angels sing
the junky cries for love, but its all run out
When the angels sing
the sins of the world, and its cold on the streets when you're all alone
And the tears they start to fall when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing
chorus:
stand up strong feel the pain
when the angels sing
love and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
little by little, day by day
I watch the children play
'cause life and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
when the angel of death, comes a lookin for me
Hear the angels sing
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be
when the angels sing
There's gotta be a heaven, cause I've already done my time in hell
and a little baby's born, when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing
When the Angels Sing
at last we meet again, dear God
when the angels sing
The funeral's are nicer, when we know you're there
when the angels sing
sometimes I try so hard to understand the things you do
who am I to question you when it all comes down
when the angels sing
chorus:
stand up strong feel the pain
when the angels sing
love and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
the prisoners pray when they're on death row
when the angels sing
the junky cries for love, but its all run out
When the angels sing
the sins of the world, and its cold on the streets when you're all alone
And the tears they start to fall when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing
chorus:
stand up strong feel the pain
when the angels sing
love and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
little by little, day by day
I watch the children play
'cause life and death don't mean a thing
till the angels sing
when the angel of death, comes a lookin for me
Hear the angels sing
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be
when the angels sing
There's gotta be a heaven, cause I've already done my time in hell
and a little baby's born, when it all comes down
Hear the angels sing
Radical Muslims, Cowabunga dude, surf's up!!
The terms Radical Islam and Radical Muslim are in vogue these days. Whenever I open a newspaper or magazine with an article on Islam there is always use of the word Radical. It is a term on par with calling someone a racist or nazi. Its intent is to marginalize and silence.
When I was a kid I used to surf and the surf lingo included such words as: dude, boss, soup,kook,stoked, bra, bodacious, dawn patrol, and radical. To hear the use of the word Radical as a negative is strange to me.This new usage makes no sense. People have forgotten the essential element of all the Prophets and their followers.
That all the Prophets were hated men. These guys shook the status quo. The prophets weren't bending over backwards to fit in. They weren't trying to hold conventions to show how "their religion" was compatible with the state. The early Christians were hunted down by the Romans. They weren't waving flags and saying "oh hey guys, we''re patriotic Romans too, you know". The early Christians spoke out against the state. They spoke out against the ruling class and religious leaders who were complicit with the state. It was the same with the Prophet and the the Sahaba. They weren't running a popularity contest. They were run out of town because of their views. These early servants of God were hunted down and killed for believing in God and speaking out against injustice in all its forms. These guys weren't being rewarded with loads of cash, big houses, BMW's and worse, SUV's.
So, it's funny when I hear the word Radical Islam. I mean, is there a non-radical Islam? To me radical means awesome, cool, out of the ordinary. Great. The other day a friend of mine said to me "you sound like a radical muslim". My response: "Cowabunga dude, Surf's Up!"
When I was a kid I used to surf and the surf lingo included such words as: dude, boss, soup,kook,stoked, bra, bodacious, dawn patrol, and radical. To hear the use of the word Radical as a negative is strange to me.This new usage makes no sense. People have forgotten the essential element of all the Prophets and their followers.
That all the Prophets were hated men. These guys shook the status quo. The prophets weren't bending over backwards to fit in. They weren't trying to hold conventions to show how "their religion" was compatible with the state. The early Christians were hunted down by the Romans. They weren't waving flags and saying "oh hey guys, we''re patriotic Romans too, you know". The early Christians spoke out against the state. They spoke out against the ruling class and religious leaders who were complicit with the state. It was the same with the Prophet and the the Sahaba. They weren't running a popularity contest. They were run out of town because of their views. These early servants of God were hunted down and killed for believing in God and speaking out against injustice in all its forms. These guys weren't being rewarded with loads of cash, big houses, BMW's and worse, SUV's.
So, it's funny when I hear the word Radical Islam. I mean, is there a non-radical Islam? To me radical means awesome, cool, out of the ordinary. Great. The other day a friend of mine said to me "you sound like a radical muslim". My response: "Cowabunga dude, Surf's Up!"
Souplantation Muslims, coupons included
Today I had the honor of being talked to by "Progressive/liberal" Muslims. I was scolded for having a beard and wearing kufi. Apparently, there is a contingent of "Muslims" out there that feel wearing a beard, kufi or hijab (for women) is equivalent of tattooing 666 on your forehead. Today's roast "Liberal Scampi" served with a nice Chianti.
So, I am minding my business at Border's bookstore. As I peruse the fiction section I hear "salam". So, I turn and say "Alaykum Salam" to a guy and girl about in their late 20's.The usual social banter begins. How are you? what's your name? where you from? (always answer with: "PLUTO, but we lost our planetary status. We're a freakin moon now. How is that for a charmed life?". I've used it. a mind bender. always worth a giggle.)
Then the question gets personal. "why you wearing a kufi?". So, I was as honest as I could be. I said "I'm muslim, proud, not ashamed, and not hiding". To which I get, "but you have a beard too and you know it's too much. just too much". Now here is where it gets fun.He says " I make prayer only during ramadan. Why are you all serious carrying sajada?" Well, thinks I, this lad just pulled the plank out and is ready for a deep sea dive. He began to lecture me, mind you, in public, on why wearing a beard, kufi, and carrying a sajada is not good for the Business of Islam. As I listened I thought, wow, these two sound more like they hate Islam more than anything. Closet haters.
There was so much I wanted to say, so much I could have said. But, in the end I decided less was more. Before I said anything further He said "we are progessive muslims, not old fashioned like you". And there it was. I couldn't believe he said it. He called himself a "Progressive". And, labeled me "OLD". He actually pulled the plank out from under himself. Deep sea diving must be his past time.
So I said, "well, you are Souplantation Muslim then. You pick and choose what you want to practice when it is convenient for you. I actually have a coupon for buy one get one free. you take it?" At that I walked away with the rumblings of "rude radical" behind me. Now, radical is a fun word. I will leave that for another day.
So, I am minding my business at Border's bookstore. As I peruse the fiction section I hear "salam". So, I turn and say "Alaykum Salam" to a guy and girl about in their late 20's.The usual social banter begins. How are you? what's your name? where you from? (always answer with: "PLUTO, but we lost our planetary status. We're a freakin moon now. How is that for a charmed life?". I've used it. a mind bender. always worth a giggle.)
Then the question gets personal. "why you wearing a kufi?". So, I was as honest as I could be. I said "I'm muslim, proud, not ashamed, and not hiding". To which I get, "but you have a beard too and you know it's too much. just too much". Now here is where it gets fun.He says " I make prayer only during ramadan. Why are you all serious carrying sajada?" Well, thinks I, this lad just pulled the plank out and is ready for a deep sea dive. He began to lecture me, mind you, in public, on why wearing a beard, kufi, and carrying a sajada is not good for the Business of Islam. As I listened I thought, wow, these two sound more like they hate Islam more than anything. Closet haters.
There was so much I wanted to say, so much I could have said. But, in the end I decided less was more. Before I said anything further He said "we are progessive muslims, not old fashioned like you". And there it was. I couldn't believe he said it. He called himself a "Progressive". And, labeled me "OLD". He actually pulled the plank out from under himself. Deep sea diving must be his past time.
So I said, "well, you are Souplantation Muslim then. You pick and choose what you want to practice when it is convenient for you. I actually have a coupon for buy one get one free. you take it?" At that I walked away with the rumblings of "rude radical" behind me. Now, radical is a fun word. I will leave that for another day.
Can mmmmuslims have kids? yes, but only if you drop water on us or feed us after dark
last night while shopping at the market I got into a conversation with a couple. It was a cordial chat. The guy actually approached me and asked "are you a mmmuslim?" He said muslim in a hushed tone and stuttered nervously when he said "muslim". I found it a bit laughable. Anyhow, it was fairly harmless banter. He he and his girl wanted to know what muslims believed and stuff. They asked me "is it true you pray alot?". I said as muslims we pray 5 times a day. More is extra credit. Their response: "geez that's alot". I usually avoid these types of discussions because they are usually non-productive, and I have a tendency to throw in a barb if the opportunity permits. But, they were fairly friendly. Then it turned to the usual nightly news type stuff. "why you kill people?" "why you cover women?" , etc, etc. Unfortunately, I didn't have the time or the patience to give them an hour long lecture on Islam. So, I tried to answer as succinctly and thoroughly as possible. Then the guy leaned to me and whispered "are you mmmuslims allowed to have children?" Now, whispering this question in a hushed tone and stuttering the word muslim made me think "bye George, this guy really has some curious notions". So, I answered with the most humorous answer I could give. I said " listen, to tell the truth, you must not allow water to touch a muslim because water causes reproduction roughly equivalent to one new muslim per drop,
and, most importantly, we must never, ever be feed after midnight." He asked "really?" His girl started laughing. I could she she got the reference. I said to him yeah we can have kids and we can laugh too. We all got a laugh out of it, which I felt was quite nice.
and, most importantly, we must never, ever be feed after midnight." He asked "really?" His girl started laughing. I could she she got the reference. I said to him yeah we can have kids and we can laugh too. We all got a laugh out of it, which I felt was quite nice.
Friends ( Freunde)
I love this idea of what friends should be. I think people have lost this. true friendship transcends the material and social.
"Manche sind gestorben, andere gingen weg,
doch wir hier haben einfach immer alles berlebt.
Wir sind anders als die Anderen, auch wenns keine Anderen gibt.
Wir schwren uns immer wieder, dass das Beste vor uns liegt.
Die Jahre lieen Spuren man kann sie deutlich sehen.
Wir wrden uns das so nie sagen, weil wir Freunde sind
weil wir Freunde sind
Wenn wir verlieren, bauen wir uns auf alles weil wir Freunde sind.
Der Rest der Welt, wir scheien drauf alles weil wir Freunde sind.
Wir bleiben, wir siegen weil wir noch Freunde sind.
Nichts wird uns totkriegen weil wir Freunde sind" Die Toten Hosen
Some have died, others went away
But we've always survived everything
We are different from the others even if there are no others
We always swear again and again that the best is still ahead of us
The years left scars - one can see them clearly
We would never tell this to each other because we are friends
We argue and live in harmony again
Because we are still friends
We are always there even without reason
Because we are still friends
When we lose, we support each other - all because we are friends
The rest of the world, we don't care for it - all because we are friends
We stay, we win - because we are still friends
Nothing can kill us - because we are friends
true friends are a rarity. when we find them we should thank God and appreciate every moment.
"Manche sind gestorben, andere gingen weg,
doch wir hier haben einfach immer alles berlebt.
Wir sind anders als die Anderen, auch wenns keine Anderen gibt.
Wir schwren uns immer wieder, dass das Beste vor uns liegt.
Die Jahre lieen Spuren man kann sie deutlich sehen.
Wir wrden uns das so nie sagen, weil wir Freunde sind
weil wir Freunde sind
Wenn wir verlieren, bauen wir uns auf alles weil wir Freunde sind.
Der Rest der Welt, wir scheien drauf alles weil wir Freunde sind.
Wir bleiben, wir siegen weil wir noch Freunde sind.
Nichts wird uns totkriegen weil wir Freunde sind" Die Toten Hosen
Some have died, others went away
But we've always survived everything
We are different from the others even if there are no others
We always swear again and again that the best is still ahead of us
The years left scars - one can see them clearly
We would never tell this to each other because we are friends
We argue and live in harmony again
Because we are still friends
We are always there even without reason
Because we are still friends
When we lose, we support each other - all because we are friends
The rest of the world, we don't care for it - all because we are friends
We stay, we win - because we are still friends
Nothing can kill us - because we are friends
true friends are a rarity. when we find them we should thank God and appreciate every moment.
