No Pink Ribbon For Me

Breast Cancer, Mamograph, Camila Sayf, pink Ribbon

When I went in to get that scar, I remember, it was cold & they gave me an extra blanket. They wore green robes & masks. But I saw one, who took her mask off & then put it back. Beautiful smiling Irish face, she told me that my scar is on his way & we gonna be just fine. I have a flash-back, my GP calling me & telling me to sit down...Mammos came in, something strange, looks like calcifications, lots of them, but they couldn't get a clearer picture. They want them removed. I am concerned. I have a good reason for being that way. My dearest friend, my mom, had been tried with a stage two. She has a scar now. And she has a wig somewhere in her closet - a small reminder of her big ordeal. Well, my masks were concerned too. Remember that - truth is out there..somewhere? So they went in to search for that little personal truth of mine. Bye-bye, sweety pie, mommy will be right back! She couldn't walk back then, she crawled at my cart right before they were about to pull me through the doorway. Kisses, hugs...I love you, sweet heart! And you, my brave man, I LOVE YOU TOO!!!

AMERICAN ISLAMIC FELLOWSHIP

American Islamic Fellowship, Islam, American revolutionaries

On October 18th, we filed for incorporation with the state of Georgia as the "American Islamic Fellowship," an organization dedicated to providing a safe and supportive community for the diverse voices of Muslim Americans. The Islam I have embraced is one that protects the rights of women, is tolerant of multiculturalism, promotes peace among mankind, and encourages spiritual enlightenment through religious practice, critical thinking, and the quest for knowledge. The Islam I practice is egalitarian and just and is not a religion of blind followers, but of conscientious believers. Kelly and I have committed to developing a community through the Fellowship that will encourage studying, discussion, and diversity of thought. We hope to promote cooperation between faith groups and charitable organizations.

Reflections on “Engaging Islam…”

Islam, Sharia, Feminism, Islamic Law, Engaging Islam

Islam has been defined by some as ‘engaged surrender,’ an active definition which points to the way which one approaches submission to divine reality, to the practice of the din or religion of Islam. Perhaps no time is this vigor more apparent than during the month of Ramadan. This past Ramadan I attended a conference entitled: “Engaging Islam: Feminisms, Religiosity and Self-Determinations,” at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. This conference consisted of a five day submersion within an environment of listening and learning about Islam as a religion, a social code, a mode of governance and law. What emerged from this experiment was a picture of an Islamic religion which contains a multitude of perspectives, inspirations and judgments. As one of the guiding principles of the conference, scholars brought the rigorous interrogation characteristic of feminist critique to every topic, most especially towards a definition of Islamic feminism.

Reflections on “Engaging” Islam…

Islam, Amina Wadud, Religion

Islam has been defined by some as “engaged surrender,” (Wadud, p. 19) an active definition which points to the way which one approaches submission to divine reality, to the practice of the din or religion of Islam. Perhaps no time is this vigor more apparent than during the month of Ramadan. This Ramadan I attended a conference entitled: “Engaging Islam: Feminisms, Religiosity and Self-Determinations,” at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. This conference consisted of a five day submersion within an environment of listening and learning about Islam as a religion, a social code, a mode of governance and law. What emerged from this experiment was a picture of an Islamic religion which contains a multitude of perspectives, inspirations and judgments. As one of the guiding principles of the conference presenting scholars brought the rigorous interrogation characteristic of feminist critique to every topic, most especially towards a definition of Islamic feminism.