Sunday, June 24, 2012

D Words

I will be posting writing terms every other week from the book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Creative Writing" (2nd edition) by Laurie E. Rozakis.

1. denotation- a word's exact meaning.
2. denouement- the resolution of a story. At the denouement, all the loose ends of the story are woven together.
3. description- a kind of writing that creates a word picture of what something or someone is like.
4. dialect- the way people speak in a certain region or area. In a dialect, certain words are spelled and pronounced differently. use dialects to define characters and setting more fully.
5. dialogue- conversation in fiction or drama. it is the exact words a character says. in a story or novel, quotation marks are used to indicate dialogue.
6. diary- a writer's record of his or her experiences, ideas, and feelings.
7. diction- word choice.
8. drama- a piece of literature written to be performed in front of an audience. The actors tell the story through their actions and words.
9. dramatic monologue- a type of poem in which a character speaks, using the first-person point of view.
10. dramatic poetry- a play written in poem form.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Media’s Message of Islam

My poem entry for the Islamic Writers Alliance 5th Annual Poetry Contest (2009)

Many false things have been said about the religion Islam and its followers, Muslims, by the unhelpful portrayal of the media. Do you let others think and judge for you or not?   

Why do you judge my people by looks?
We’ve all heard to not do the same to books,
You assume things by the actions of “Muslims by name”,
To some, when it comes to Islam, it’s all a game.

Maybe it’s because of what you’ve heard or seen,
The media is all for making Muslims sound mean,
You publicize the bad acts and even make up your own,
You start trouble to hurt Muslims both young and grown.

You hear of women covered from head to toe,
You call them oppressed but you really don’t know,
We do it to dress modestly, please Allah, and follow his command,
We won’t give in to your unfair and dirty demands.

Maybe you’ve seen men with kufis on their head,
“Going to the Masjid (mosque) to teach violence,” the media says,
Or, perhaps Muslim men growing a beard and wearing Islamic clothes,
Facing Makkah for prayers lined up in straight rows.

You call us dangerous, crazy, and lame,
But, in some ways it brought Islam great fame,
After 9/11 more people became curious of Islam and to learn the truth,
It even reached the ears of some of the youth.

Bringing reverts to Islam, believers of its message so true,
Since then, the numbers of Muslims worldwide grew,
InshAllah (God willing) Islam will rise like the past to see the light,
So, to the ones who slander Islam, please stop the fight!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

The English Plural according to George Carlin (1937-2008)

An email I received a while back that I think is worth sharing just for fun :)

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes;
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese;
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, & three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose;
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother & also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his & him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis & shim!

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;
Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.
English muffins weren't invented in England.

We take English for granted,
but if we explore its paradoxes,
We find that quicksand can work slowly,
boxing rings are square;
A guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
Why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing,
Grocers don't groce & hammers don't ham?

Doesn't it seem crazy that
you can make amends but not one amend?
If you have a bunch of odds and ends
and get rid of all but one of them,
What do you call it?

If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables,
what does a humanitarian eat?

Sometimes I think all people who speak English
Should be in an asylum for the verbally insane.
In what other language do people recite at a play,
and play at a recital?

We ship by truck but send cargo by ship
We have noses that run & feet that smell;
We park in a driveway & drive in a parkway.
And how can a slim chance & a fat chance be the same,
while a wise man & a wise guy are opposites?

You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language
in which your house can burn up as it burns down;
In which you fill in a form by filling it out,
& in which an alarm goes off by going on.

And in closing ....

If Father is Pop
how come Mother's not Mop?

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Know the Facts on Muslim Women

My first research paper I wrote (for my English class) in 2009. *Like most of my writing, revisions have been made to the online version, especially after I wrote the original. For this specific one, references to hadith, cutting off unnecessary material, works cited page, etc.

Walking out from your home, you notice your new neighbor, a Muslim woman, getting into her car to take her daughter to school. She is dressed in a black head and face covering and a gown-like outfit reaching her feet. You heard she even worked as a teacher. You stand there puzzled. Why do Muslim women cover their head, face, and body? Are they allowed to work and make money? Does Islam permit harsh treatment of women by men? Are they really oppressed or liberated? All of these ridiculous rumors you hear in the media spread negative beliefs about the life of a Muslim woman. In reality, Islam provides a positive way of life for Muslim women regarding self, social, economic, and support aspects that should be correctly known by the public.

Most importantly, the covering of a Muslim woman’s head, face, and body is the most misunderstood part of Islam among non-Muslims and even some Muslims. The media spreads ideas that are mostly false or true only within certain cultures or families, but really has nothing to do with Islam. Another way people with little or no understanding of Islam or Muslims get the wrong impression is by judging any Muslim and assuming Islam teaches what they are viewing or hearing. According to "Baba" Ali's video, That's Not Hijab, "Society uses a double standard when it comes to women covering their hair. Comparing a nun to a hijabi, they cover practically the same body parts, yet society labels the nun as one who is practicing her religion and as pious and a hijabi as oppressed."

The head covering (hijab in Arabic) identifies women as followers of the religion Islam, who are Muslims. By wearing hijab, a Muslim woman is saying, “Judge me by my faith, not my body” (Adam). Muslim women are seen as humans and not as objects as women are in today’s society or were before Islam.

“Hijab is worn by Muslim woman as a sign of faith, modesty, and chastity…” (Adam). Hijab is not just covering up of either just the head or body, but of both. Ones behavior, manners, speech, and appearance also plays a part. Wearing hijab properly means covering of all the hair, chest, neck, and ears, wearing loose clothes as to not show the body’s shape, and not wearing or putting on attractive items such as strong smelling perfume, jewelry that makes noise or might catch unwanted attention, and clothes/headscarf that makes one stand out because of color or material.

Putting up an earring fashion show displaying all the earrings owned (with hair still covered), wearing skin tight clothes that makes it look like the clothes are painted on, and “short sleeve hijab,” which means covering of the head until you get to the arms and realize short sleeves are being worn, are some hijab “attempts” made by some older Muslim women (That’s Not Hijab).

Many people think being forced to wear hijab or to please others such as their parents or wearing it for show is what hijab is about. “Popular belief to some Muslims and non-Muslims is that hijab is worn to keep men’s desire in check. It is not worn for that. Rather for themselves [women] and to follow God’s command” (Unveiling). Only God (Allah in Arabic) knows ones intention of why one does something and for whom.

And say to the believing women that they lower their gaze and guard their modesty, and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands… (Quran 24:31).

How many times do people think of Muslim women as being uneducated because of how they appear? The idea of Muslim women being pushed away from society, which includes not getting a proper education, is something the media tries to make the public believe. In Islam, women are equal to men in the quest for knowledge. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The seeking of knowledge is compulsory upon every (male and female) Muslim” (Ibn Maja). Nothing should stop one from learning what is beneficial for them in this life and the next. "Since it is also their obligation to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education to perform this duty in accordance with their own natural talents and interests" (Anjum). Education also plays a role in parenting because of the affects that it will have on the children. The way someone is raised impacts how they will be when they get older. "A woman having children must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent" (Anjum).

It is a privilege for a Muslim woman to be a wife and a mother. People assume being a wife or mother is not an important job as being a nurse, lawyer, teacher, etc. A wife and a mother are highly respected positions for a Muslim woman. A Muslim woman's rights before looking to get married include having a choice to approve or deny a proposal. Contrary to popular belief, Islam does not teach for its women to be forced to marry someone without them knowing and approving. A Muslim woman may only marry a Muslim man. "In Islam, the husband is the head of the house, so it would be hard for a woman if she was told to do something against Islam (Watson 58). As a wife, she also receives a marital gift (mahr) from the husband, which is part of the marriage contract.

When she finally does marry, she does not have to change her last name, she may keep her maiden name (Watson 56). Present and future income and properties even after marriage, are hers to keep. She also receives full financial support during marriage and the "waiting period" in case of divorce or widowhood (Malaekah). The wife also has the right to kind treatment. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "The most perfect man in his faith among the believers is the one whose behavior is most excellent; and the best of you are those who are the best to their wives'' (At-Tirmidhi).

In the news, we hear Muslim women are being abused, violated, and basically treated with disrespect mostly by their husband or by other men. Whether a man knows it or not, he is not allowed to act in any way which may cause harm to a woman. Such acts in marriage can lead to divorce. Islam allows divorce, but it is not encouraged to take place.

The Qu’ran tells us that our mothers went through hardships such as labor, feeding, and caring for us, so mothers come before fathers in importance.

A man came to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and said, "O messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship?" Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Your mother." The man asked two more times and the answer was "your mother." When asked for the fourth time, the answer was "then your father" (Summarized Sahih Bukhari, 952).

Since both the mother and father took care of the children when they were young, they are both to be taken care of by their children when they are unable to do so by themselves.

Your Lord has commanded you that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say generous words to them and act humbly to them in mercy, and say, “My Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small” (Qu’ran17:23-24).

In addition to rights of Muslim women, she has economic benefits. “She can work, be self supporting, and participate in handling the family duties as long as her integrity and honor are safeguarded” (Status). A Muslim woman can work outside her home if she chooses to as long as her family responsibilities are met (Anjum). This means if she can keep up with working outside her home and within her home for herself and family, no one can stop her against her will. Islam does not forbid a Muslim woman from seeking employment, especially in positions that fit her and where society needs her such as teaching children, nursing, and social and charitable work (Malaekah). With this said, the money she earns is rightfully hers. “Muslim women have the benefit to earn money. She can run her own business and no one has any claim over her earnings, including her husband” (Anjum).

Finally, a female Muslim receives overall support throughout her life by men. Men are the maintainers of women because God has made some of them to excel others and because they spend of their wealth for the support of women (Qur’an 4:34). Although males may inherit more than females, males are financially responsible for their female relatives such as their mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters. Females inherit less but get to keep their share without any legal obligation to spend any part of it even on their own needs if they choose not to (Malaekah). “As a daughter or sister, she is entitled to security and provision by the father and brother respectively” (Status).

Likewise, a husband is required to provide everything for his wife. "A husband is obligated to provide the wife with food, shelter, and clothing, despite her own personal spending. The husband is not forced to spend over his capability and the wife is not allowed to make unreasonable demands" (Anjum).

As to a Muslim woman's relationship with others, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "None of you has faith (Emaan in Arabic) until he desires for his Muslim brother (or sister) that which he desires for himself (or herself)" (Bukhari and Muslim). Similar to the saying, “treat others the way you would like to be treated,” both Muslim men and women are to act upon the Prophet's sayings. Muslim women are to communicate and keep in touch with their sisters in Islam, visit the sick, respect neighbors, care for the young and old, congratulate upon the birth of a baby, and work along the needs of her family.

With all this said, one would be mistaken to say “Muslim women are oppressed, treated like slaves of men, or has no importance in life.” Islam is a complete way of life, with answers to everything. Allah mentions in the Qur'an how the life of both Muslim men and women should be properly lived. Overall, Islam provides a positive way of life for Muslim women regarding self, social, economic, and support aspects that should be correctly known by the public.

Sources

The Veil Unveiled: The True Status of Women in Islam (part 1, 2, and 3)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/287/viewall/

Women’s Liberation through Islam (part 1 and 2)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/428/

Women in Islam (part 1 and 2)
http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/2132/viewall/

Status of Woman in Islam
http://www.whyislam.org/services/order-literature/#

That's Not Hijab
http://ummahfilms.blogspot.com/2006/11/thats-not-hijab-ummah-films-season-2.html

The Quran (Arabic text with corresponding English meanings) by Saheeh International

Hijab - Unveiling the Mystery
http://www.whyislam.org/services/order-literature/#

Veils of Dignity by Khadija Watson