Starting Afresh! A poem by MWA's Khudaija Nagaria for Hiba Magazine

Post by Muslimah Writers Alliance - MWA.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER KHUDAIJA A. NAGARIA
As a teacher by profession, with her MBA degree, Khudaija A. Nagaria found refuge and happiness writing, using her passion for serving Islam. Some of  Khudaija's work can be read in Pakistan’s prestigious Dawn Newspaper’s magazine section. She has also been published in Aailaa Magazine and on the Moments of Perfect Clarity website. Khudaija serves as a contributing editor for Muslimaat Magazine and is a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA).
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VIDEO: Book Release Event for the novel, Khadijah's Got Her Groove by MWA's F.A. Ibrahim

Post by Muslimah Writers Alliance - MWA.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER FATIMAH ASHAELA MOORE IBRAHIM
Fatimah Ashaela Moore Ibrahim received her BA in Advertising from Boston University. She worked in animation for a number of years before deciding to become a freelance artist where she could focus on projects for the Ummah. She began illustrating books for Creative Education and Publishing shortly thereafter. She is the Art Director and Lead Animator for her business, Aakifah Creative Multimedia Productions and has animated television programs like Hey Moni, O’Grady, and Home Movies with Soup 2 Nuts Productions. Fatimah is an author as well as a Visual and Performance Artist and has recently completed The Azurean Trilogy, her first novel and a project where she has been able to combine many of her passions into one work. She is also a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA).
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Interview of MWA's Laila Alawa at aMuslima.com

Post by Muslimah Writers Alliance - MWA.

MWA's Janice Tufte: Seattle, WA's Unsung Muslimah Hero

Post by Muslimah Writers Alliance - MWA.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER JANICE TUFTE
Janice Tufte lives in Seattle, Washington and has previously been published in Our Rising Sun and other resources in addition to being quoted in numerous publications. She has published Emergency Muslim Resource Guides for three Washington State counties in addition to providing publications for WarmforWinter and The Islamic Civic Engagement Project, both centered in the Puget Sound area. Ms. Tufte is currently working with HASSANAH Consulting in development of strategies to successfully ease barriers of persons living in poverty, both with the Seattle University School of Theology Faith and Family Homelessness Project and the Group Health Cooperative Medical Home Consumer Empowerment three year project.
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Congratulations to MWA's Asma Nadia: AssalamuAlaikum Bejing! In Theaters Now!

AssalamuAlaikum Bejing, based on the novel written by MWA's Asma Nadia is now a major motion picture that premiered in Malaysia theaters December 30, 2014. Congratulations Asma!! We couldn't be more proud of you!

Synopsis translated from Maylay to English via Google:

The day before the wedding took place, Asma (Revalina S. Temat) get a harsh reality that her lover, played by Ibn Jamil, apparently had an affair with her work colleague Anita (Cynthia Ramlan).

Prose or Poetry? A poem by MWA's Sa'diyya Nesar

ABOUT MWA MEMBER SA’DIYYA NESAR
A descendant of Pakistan, Sa’diyya Nesar is a writer born and raised in Hong Kong. She studied in an international English medium school receiving her BA in English studies at Hong Kong University. Sa'diyya intends to pursue postgraduate studies in creative writing. She is currently writing an autobiographical novel titled the ‘The Fortunate One,’ which depicts her life with physical disabilities after being diagnosed with non-specific myopathy and subsequently undergoing a life threatening spinal operation. Sa'diyya also writes short stories of encouragement, decoding lessons from history that could be applied in today’s life. She occasionally writes prose and poetry on her blog addressing issues in society while attempting encourage others to never give up. Her writing will also soon be available in SISTERS magazine and Hijab Day.
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MWA Member Latifah Hameen New Book TV Interview: Abuse Awareness: Removing The Cover

In MWA member Latifah Hameen's new book, "Abuse Awareness: Removing The Cover," she talks candidly about being a victim of domestic abuse, but she also focuses on what it took to get her out of that situation.

Watch VIDEO Here

ABOUT MWA MEMBER LATIFAH HAMEEN
Latifah A. Hameen has published five books, Abuse Awareness: Removing the Cover, Suffering In Silence: Breaking the Cycle of Abuse, Suffering in Healing: Creating a New Cycle, The Awakening of Your Soul, (a collection of poems) and Teens/Young Adults How-To Not-To Relationship Abuse Workbook, all are now available for purchase. Ms. Hameen is also the founder of Healthy Positive Choices (HPC) a newly formed agency used as a preventive tool in educating teens and young adults on the growing problem of teen relationship abuse. Ms. Hameen obtained her Associate of Arts Degree at Milwaukee Area Technical College, Bachelors of Science Degree at University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and Masters of Arts Degree at Amber University in Garland, Texas. In 2012 she was named Woman of the Year in Dallas, Texas. She is also a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA). Latifah's books can be purchased from Amazon.com.

NEW RELEASE! The Muslimah Speaks: Her Voice, Her Spirit

NEW RELEASE! Muslimah Writers Alliance - MWA's Janette Grant, owner of Mindworks Publishing, announces its newly released publication, The Muslimah Speaks: Her Voice, Her Spirit, collected poetry written by Muslim women, now available for purchase at CreateSpace.

Edited by MWA members, Janette Grant and Elizabeth Lymer.

Paperback on Amazon $24.29
Kindle Version - $5.99
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MWA's Zainab John Reviews Children's Book: Ramadan by Farah Kinani

Leila, the daughter of one of Kinani's friends, was the inspiration for this book. Leila told Kinani what happened one day at School when she told her friends she would not be joining them for lunch. Her friends who at the time did not know nor understand anything about Ramadan,the Muslim holy month of fasting, encouraged Leila to hide and eat or have something to drink, and some even thought Leila was being punished or on a time out. Kinani, shocked by the children's response, decided to visit Leila's school to give  a short talk about the holy month of Ramadan. Hence, this book is the author's attempt to educate and answer questions about Ramadan and to give mainly the non-Muslim reader, primarily children and teens, some idea of what Muslims do during Ramadan.

It is a well-informed piece of writing with several colourful illustrations, a glossary and Islamic calendar at the end of the book. The language and writing style is simple and very descriptive, making it easy for children to read and understand. Therefore, I  think it's a wonderful and smart choice of book for both Muslim and non-Muslim children alike to learn about Ramadan, its significance and the different rituals practised by Muslims during this month. I think it would also be very useful to teachers who wish to educate their class of majority non-Muslim children about Ramadan.

Zainab John on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/ladyzainabjohn 

Farah Kinani on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/farah.kinani  

Originally Published at Muslimah Voices

http://muslimahvoicesbookclub.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/book-review-ramadan-by-farah-kinani

Purchase "Ramadan" Online

http://creativeeducationandpublishing.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=61

ABOUT MWA MEMBER ZAINAB JOHN
Michelle Alicia John, also known by her Islamic name, Zainab John, is Guyanese by birth and born to parents who converted from Christianity to Islam. She migrated from Guyana, South America to London, England where she currently resides. She graduated from the University of Guyana with a Diploma in Social Work and Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) and is currently a Trainee Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). Michelle is also a wife, stay at home mum, blogger, parent mentor, child protection advocate volunteer and an aspiring author.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER FARAH KINANI 

 

 

عَائِشَة شوارتز-رئيسة تَحالُف الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات: الصُورَة السَّلْبِيَّة للإسْلَام مَسْؤولِيَّة المُسْلِمِين (Aishah Schwartz)

This is an article written in May 2013 featuring Aishah Schwartz and her work as Director of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA). It was compiled by a group of students in the Faculty of Mass Communications/Journalism at Cairo University. The article was included in a magazine titled Le-Ta'arafou – To Know Each Other, as part of the students' graduation project. In a competition between 14 groups of students, the Le-Ta'arafou project was awarded a prize for third place in the event.

عَائِشَة شوارتز-رئيسة تَحالُف الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات:
الصُورَة السَّلْبِيَّة للإسْلَام مَسْؤولِيَّة المُسْلِمِين
"لست في حاجة لِأنْ تكون مِثَالِيَّاً لِتُصْبِحً مَصْدَر إلْهَام لِلآخَرِين.. دَعْ الآخرين يسْتلهمون مِنْك طريقة تَعَامُلك مَعَ حقيقة أنَّك غير مِثَالِى." هذا الإقتباس هو ما جعل عَائشَة شُوارتِزْ -رئيسة تَحَالُفْ الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات- قادرة على التَّحدًّثْ لِلْحُضُور فى إحدى مُحَاضَرَاتِهَا التى أصابَهَا فِيهَا القلق والتَّوتُّر؛ تقول عائشَة: "...كُنْتْ خَجُولَة جِدَاً وشَعُرت أنَّنِي لاَ أسْتَحِق حتَّى دعوتِى لِلتَحَدُّث...كُنْتُ أُفَكِّر فِي أنَّنِي لَسْتُ هَذَا الشَّخْص ولاَ ذَاك ولا أيّ شئٍ آخر، ولَكِنْ بعد ذلك قرأت هذه المَقُولَة، أدْرَكْتُ أنَّ كُلّ مَا عَلَيّا فِعْله هُوَ ذلك الشَّئ الذي أخْبَرَنِي بِهِ زَوْجِي: {فقط كُونِي عائشة}. والآن بعد تَجَارُبِى، أُؤمِنْ أنَّ أي شخص -عادي مِثْلي- يمكنه أن يَتَواصَل مَعَ الآخرين؛ البعضُ يقول بِأنَّنِي حقَّقَتُ أشْياءاً عظيمة -حيثُ أنَّنِي شُجَاعة-، لَكِنَّنِي لا أرى ذلك على الإطلاق..{أنا فقط عائشة}."

هذه هي عائشة شوارتز - رئيسَة تَحالُفْ الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات Muslimah Writers Alliance" التي تحولت إلى الإسلام في عُمر الحادى والأربعين- هِىَ ناشطة حُقُوقِيَّة تُرَكِّزْ عَلَىَ حُقُوق الْمَرأة المُسْلِمَة، ودَاعِمَة لثوَرَات الرَّبيع العَربِى والنِّضَال السُّورِى.  وعملت على "قضيَّة الشَّعب الفَلسْطِينِى" لِسَنَوات قَامت خِلَالهَا بتوفير فُرص تَعْلِيمِيَّة لِلْطُلَّاب فِي غَزَّة. كَمَا تهتم شوَارتز بالكتابة والأعمال التطوعية، وهَذَا مَا دَفَعَهَا إلَىَ إنْشَاء اتِّحَاد الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات فِي أمِرِيكَا، وقَامَت بإنتاج فيلم بعنوان "الجهاد ضد الإرهاب". وتمَّ تَصْنِيف مُدَوَّنَتها – التي أُنْشِأت فِي سِبْتَمْبِر 2009- كواحدة من أكثر المدونات الإسلامية زِيَارَة.

حَجَر الأسَاس

تَتَحَدَّث شُوَارتِز عَن بِدَايَة إنْشَاء "تَحَالُفْ الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات" قائِلَة: "أسَّست التَّحَالُف فِي عام 2006 في موطني – آنذاك – واشُنْطُن، حيثُ أرَدّت أنْ أصْنَع شَيْئَاً يَجْمَعْ الكَاتِبات المُسْلِمَات  بطريقة تُتْبِت قُدْرَة النِّسَاء عَلَىَ العَمَل مَعَاً فِي تَنَاغُمْ مِنْ أَجْل قَضِيَّة الإسْلاَم وفِي سَبِيل الله -سُبْحَانَه وتَعَالَىَ-. والآن أشْعُر أنَّ الهدف قَدْ تَحَقَّق." وعَن أنْشِطَة التَّحَالُفْ، تُخبِرنَا شوارتِز بِأنًّه بالإضَافَة إلَىَ "الكِتَابَة"، فالتَّحَالُفْ يَقُوم بِمُنَاقَشَة القَضَايَا العَامَّة؛ وقَد انْضَمَّ التَّحَالُف إلَىَ "مُبَادَرَة الوَعي العَالَمِي" -التَّابِعْة لِلأُمَم المُتَّحَدَة- لإنْهَاء العُنْف ضِد النِّسَاء والفَتَيَات مِنْ خِلاَل حَمَلات "أورانج داي Orange Day" الشَّهْرِيَّة أوْ "اليوم البُرتُقَالِى"، والتي بدأتها "الشَّبَكَة العَالَمِيَّة لِلْشَّبَاب Global Youth Network". وعَنْ مُشَارَكَة عُضْوَات التَّحَالُفْ فِي المُبَادَرَة، تصف شوارتز الفَعَالِيَّات بأنَّهَا تَتِم مِنْ خِلَال "ارْتِدَاء الحِجَاب البُرْتُقَالِي يَوْمَ الخَامِسْ والعِشْرِين مِنْ كُل شَهْر". وتُضيف شوارتز أنَّه قد تمَّ إنْشَاء صفحة على موقعى التَّوَاصُل الإجْتِمَاعِى "فيس بوك Facebook" و"تويتر Twitter" لِلْتَروِيج لِلْحَمْلَة. ومِنَ الأنْشِطَة الأُخْرَى التِى قُام بِهَا التَّحَالُفْ العام الماضِى 2012، ذكرت شوارتز أنَّه تمَّ تنظيم الحملة السَّنَوِيَّة لِشهر رمضَان Annual Ramadan Buddy Campaign" لِدَعم المُسْلِمِين مِمَّن لَيسَ لَدَيْهِم نِظَام دعم مجتمعِى أو أُسِرِى. وتشْرَح شوارتز قائلة: "في حملتنا لِعَام 2012م أضَفْنَا عُنْصُر الإقْلاَع عَنْ التَّدْخِين لِلْحَمْلَة، وتمَّ الإعْلان عَنْهَا فِي إذَاعَة "صَوْت أمِرِيكَا Voice of America" و"إنْدُونِيسِيَا ريبابليكا أون لاين Indonisia Republika Online"، كَمَا أنْشَأْنَا مُدَوَّنَة باسم "إحْتِفَلَات تَحَالُفْ الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات بِرَمَضَان MWA"، بالإضَافَة إلَىَ إنتاج فيلم وثائقي موجز عن أعمال عُضْوَات التَّحَالُفْ، مِنْ تأليف رَانْيَا مَرْوَان – عُضْوة بِالإتِّحاد-، وأُذِيعَ على قَنَاة "الجَزِيِرَة" بِاللُّغَة العَرَبِيَّة وأيضاً على موقع "يوتيوب YouTube".

سَائِق التَّاكسِى

ونَعُود مَعَ شوارتز إلى عام 2002 حيثُ تسْرِد لَنَا قِصَّة إعْتِنَاقِهَا الإسْلام، فتقُول: "تبدأ التَّجْرُبَة عِنْدَمَا انْتَقَلت إلَىَ وَاشُنْطُن بَعْدَمَا عِشْت ثَمَانِيَة عَشْرَ عَامَاً في مدينة صغيرة فِي الجنوب، وهُناك عَمِلت بِالْمُحَامَاة.  وفِى إحْدَى مَرَّات عَودَتِى مِنَ العمل استقليت سيارة أجرة للعودة إلى المنزل، وسرعان ما بدأت فى حديث مُطَوَّل مَعَ السَّائق، ونظراً لِظُرُوف عملى التى كانت تضطرَّنِى للبَقَاء فى العمل لوقتِ مُتَأخِراً، فقد كان يقلنِى يوميّاً. ونشأت بينى وبينَه عَلَاقَة صَداقة، وتبينَ لِى بعدها أنَّه مُسْلم. وكان لدي فُضُول لمعرفة المزيد عن دين صديقي الجديد؛ لذا مكثت في العمل لساعات أطول أجوب شبكة الانترنت بحثاً عن معلومات عن الإسْلام. ولم أكتفِ بذلك بلْ تواصلت من خلال البريد الإلكتروني مع بعض الأشْخاص الذين أعرف أنَّهُم اعتنقُوا الإسْلام مُؤخَّراً.  وتوصَّلتُ من خلال هذا البحث إلى حقائق أثَّرت فيىّ، ودفعتني لمعرفة المزيد عن هذا الدين. وقد كان مَا قرأته عن الإحترام والعدل في الإسْلام خاصةً في مُعَامَلَة الرِّجَال للنِسَاء هُوَ الدَّافِع الأقوى لإعْتِنَاقِي الإسْلام."

وعَنْ تَأثِير ذَلِك عَلَى رُؤيَتِهَا لِلْحَيَاةِ، تَقُول شوارتِز: "مَنْ هُمْ على دِرَايَة بِالثَّقَافَة الغَرْبِيَّة يَعْلَمُونَ أنَّه دَائِمَاً مَا يُقَال أنَّ "الْوَقْت هُوَ المَال". وعِنْدَمَا أصْبَحت مُسْلِمَة زَادَ تَقْدِيِرِي لِلْجَانِبْ الرَّوْحَانِي، حيثُ تَعَمَّقت فِي فَهْم الإسْلام فَأيْقَنت أنَّ الوقت ليسَ مُجَرَّد مَال، إنَّمَا "الوَقْتُ هَدِيَّة". ومِنْ هَذَا المُنْطَلَق حَاوَلت إيِجَاد تَوَازُن بَينَ أُمُور الدُّنْيَا ومَا هُوَ مُهِمْ لِلْنَجَاح فِي الآخِرَة. فَمُنْذُ بِدَايَة حَيَاتِي الجديدة كمُسْلِمَة دَعَوت الله -سُبْحَانَه وَتَعَالَى- فِي صَلَواتِي ألَّا يَقْتَصِر اهْتِمَامِي على العَمَل الدُّنْيَوِي ولَكِنْ يُسَخِّرْنِي لِخِدْمَة مُعْتَقَدَاتِي الدِّينِيَّة. وفِي يُونْيُو 2003 – بعد اعتناقي الإسلام بِعَامٍ وَاحِدْ- استقلت من عملي بالمحاماة، وفتح لِي الله باباً آخر؛ حيثُ اسْتَخْرَجت جَوَاز سَفَرِي الأول وذَهَبت فِي رِحْلَة لَمْ أَكُن أَتَخَيَّلَهَا بَدَأَت بِقَضَاء عام فِي المَمْلَكَة العَرَبِيَّة السُّعُودِيَّة، ثُمَّ إلَىَ مِصْر – حيث أقيم بها منذ عام 2007-  وبَاكِسْتَان والمَغْرِب والُأرْدُن وغَزَّة وتُونُسْ.

مَرَّة أُخْرَى... نـُحـنُ وَهُــمْ

وَكَانت فُرصَة جَيِّدَة أنْ تَنقِل لَنَا شوارتز صُورَة الإسْلَام بِالغَرب، حيثُ قالت أنَّهَا حتَّى عام 2002 لَمْ يَكُنْ لَديهَا إنْطِباع عِن الإسْلام لِأنَّهَا لَمْ تَسْمَع عَنه قبل ذَلِك؛ "وأرَىَ أنَّ المُسْلِمِين الآن فِي حَاجَة مَاسَّة إلَىَ أنْ يَكُونُوا نَمَاذِجْ مُشَرِّفَة لِلإسْلام." وتُضيف شوَارتِز: "أعْتَقِد أنَّ غَير المُسْلِمِين شَدِيِدِي الحِيِرَة تِجَاهَنَا فَليسَ لَدَيهِم فِكْرة صحيحَة وتصورهم الوحيد عن المُسْلِمِين مُسْتَلهم مِنْ وَسَائِل الإعْلَام، وهِيَ فِي الغَالِبْ تعرِضْ أخْبَاراً سَلْبِيَّة." وأشَارت شوارتز إلى أحدث الأمثلة على ذلك وَهُوَ "ربط المُسْلِمِين بِتَفْجِيرَات مَارَاثُون بُوسطن بالوِلايات المُتَّحِدَة الأمْرِيكِيَّة" التى وقعت فِى الخامس عشر من أبريل من العام الحَالِى."

وعَنْ الصُورَة السَّلبِية للإسْلام، تَرَى شوارتِز أنَّه بالأسَاس "الجهل بِشـىء" يجعل تأثير مَا يأتينَا عنه عبر وسائل الإعْلام يبدو حقيقياً، ولِذَلك فعَلَى المُسلِمين أنْ يكونوا قُدوة. وتُضيف شورتز إلى ذلك أنَّه فى أحيانٍ أخرى يكون السَّبَب هُوَ "عدم الرَّغبَة" فِى فهم الثَّقَافَات المُختَلِفَة، وتُشير شوارتز إلى أهمْيَّة "السَّفَر" كعاملٍ فعَّال فى معرفة الأمَم منْ حولنا، ورؤية صورة واقعيَّة، ولذلك تنصح الجميع بالتَّخلِّى عَن أى معتقد سلبى تجاه الآخرين والإنفتاح على البشريَّة، وتُؤكد أنَّ "من رأى ليس كمن قرأ عنْ التَّجْرُبَة". وتُشِير شوارتز إلى أهميَّة تفعيل دور الأزهر الشَّريف فِى بِناء جُسُورٍ تَوَاصُل بين العالم الإسْلامِى والغرب وتقديم الصُّورة الصحيحة للإسلام بينَ الأمَم، حيثُ تقول: "أعلم أنَّ نُفُوذ الأزْهَر بينَ الأُمَم المُسْلِمَة هَائِل، لَكنْ ليس لدينَا مَعْلُومَات عَنْ دَوْرِهِ فِى الغَربِ تُسَاعِدْنِي على تَقْييم هَذَا الدَّوْر (كـ أعْداد الأمْرِيكِيين الَّذِينَ تَخَرَّجُوا مِنَ الأزْهَر وحَصَلُوا عَلَىَ وَظَائِفْ بالمُؤسَّسَات الأمْرِيِكِيَّة) بِإسْتِثْنَاء "الإمَام صُهَيب وِيبْ" -إمَام المُجْتَمَع الإسْلَامِى بِمَركَز بُوسطُن الثَّقَافِى، أكبر مسجِد بِمنطِقَة "نِيو إنْجِلَاند"-، الذى تمَّت الإسْتِعَانَة بِهِ فِى إحدى الوَزَارَات." وتستطرد شوارتز قائلَة: "لَكِن حَتَّىَ الدَّافِعْ وَرَاءَ اسْتِقْدَامِه لِلعَمَل كَانَ لِمِلْىء فَرَاغ وَظِيفِى يتَطَلَّب شَخْصَاً قَادِراً عَلَىَ جَذب الشَّبَاب." أمَّا بِالنِسْبَة لِلإعْلَام الإسْلَامِى بِالغرب - تحديداً القَنَوَات التِّلِفِزيُونِيَّة- تقول شوارتز: "لنكُن مُنْصِفِين، فَهِى مُتَخَلِّفَة {عَنْ العصر} فِي طَريقَة العرض التي تسْتخدمها، وكذلك مُستوى التكنولوجيا المُطبَّقَة، وأشْعُر بِالمَلَل مِنْ مُتَابَعَتِهَا، إلَّا أنَّ السَّبَب فِي ذَلِك هُوَ ضَعْفِ المِيَزانِيَّة."

وعَنْ جُهُود "تَحَالُفْ الكَاتِبَات المُسْلِمَات" فِى هذَا السِّياق، تَقُول شُوارتِز أنَّه تَمَّ الإسْتِفَادَة مِن وسائل التَّواصُل الإجْتِمَاعِيَّة، وتمَّ إنْشَاء صَفْحَة على موقع "فيس بوك Facebook" تنقِل أخبار المسلمين بعيداً عن "فوبيا الإسْلام" The Non-Islamophobic Muslim News-- بحيثُ تَخْتَص الصَّفْحَة بِتَبادل أخْبَار المُسْلِمِين وإنْجَازَاتِهِم فِي مُجْتَمَعَاتِهم المَحَلِيَّة فِي جَمِيعْ أنْحَاء العَالَم، حتَّى تَكُون مَوْرِدَاً بَدِيِلاً لِلأخْبَار السَّلْبِيَّة التِي تُنْشَر عَنْ المُسْلِمِين. ولَدَيْنَا الآن مَا يَزِيِد عَنْ ثَمَانى مائة وخمس صفحات مثلها. بالإضَافَة إلَىَ ذَلِك تُشِير شوارتز لمجلَّة "المُسْلِم Muslim"؛ قَائِلَة: "طُوَال السَّنَوات السَّبعة الماضية كانت مجلة "المُسْلِم" عِبَارَة عَنْ مَنْشُورَات تصدر بِجِهُود الزُّمِيِلَات مِنْ عُضْوَات التَّحَالُفْ، وتَطْوِير مثل هذا المشروع مثَّلَ لَنَا تحدِيَّاً حَقَّقَنَا نَجَاحَاً بِالتَفَانِى والعَمَل الجَمَاعِى."  وتَطَرَّق الحِوَار إلى الإسْتِفسَار عَن "وَضع المرأة فى الغرب"، فتقول شوارتز: "الحمد لله، أنَّ المرأة فِى الغرب موجودة فِي مُجْتَمع إِذَا هُضِمَ فِيِه حَقَّهَا فَلَدَيها خَيَارَات عِدَّة تُمَكِّنهَا مِنَ الحُصُول عَلَيه، بِعَكس نظيراتِهَا فِى مُجْتَمَعَات أُخْرَىَ لَيسَ لِأصَواتِهنَّ أهَمِّيَّة، أو مجتمعَات أخْرَى حيثُ تكون المرأة - نفسَها- غَير مُهتمَّة بِمَعْرِفَة حُقُوقِهِا." وتُلَخِّص شوارتز وجهة نظرهَا تِجَاه القضِيَّة قائلَة: "تمكين المرأة يبدأ بإدراكِهَا لِحُقُوقِهَا."

يُذكَر أنَّ شوارتز شاركت في "الثَّوْرَة المِصْرِيَّة"، وحين سألنَاهَا "كيفَ تَرَى الثَّورَة بعد ُمُرُور ثَلاثَة أعوام" قَالت: "الفَرحة لمْ تدُم طَويلاً عَلَى الوُجُوه.. الأحوال تتدهور؛ البَطَالة والأسْعار والطَّاقة والكَهْرُبَاء، وضع المرأة، إخْتِفَاء الأمن مِنَ الشَّارِعْ المِصْرِى، وحتَّى الصَّحَفِيين يُواجِهُون المُلَاحَقَات القَضَائِيَّة." وتَعْتَبِر شوارتِز أنَّ الخُرُوج مِنَ الأزْمَة تتوقَّف عَلَى تحديد مَطَالِب المُواطِنِين مِن خِلال إجراء حِوار وَدُود. ومَازَال غير واضِح فى الأفُق، هُوَ قُدرة الشَعب بعد الثَّوَرَة على التَّواصُل والتَّغلُّبْ عَلَى إلإخْتِلَافَات فِيمَا بينِهِم، وخِلال الشُّهُور القَادِمَة أودّ أنْ أشهَد ذلك."

وفِى خِتَام الحِوَار وجَّهَت شوارتز رِسَالَة لِمَجَلَّة "لِتَعَارَفُوا" وقُرَّائِهَا قالت فِيِهَا:

"مُحَاوَلَة مَجَلَّة {لِتَعَارَفُوا} الوصُول إلَىَ قُرَّائِهَا لِتَشْجِيع احْتِرَام التَّنَوُّعْ هُوَ أمْرٌ جَدِير بِالْثَنَاء ونَحْنُ فِي أَمَسّ الحَاجَة إِلَيه- خَاصَّة وَأَنَّ مِصْر لاَ تَزَال تُكَافِحْ لإنْقَاذِ ثَوْرَتِهَا، والحِوَار هُوَ السَّبيل- وأنَا يُشَرِّفْنِي -لَيسَ فَقَطْ دَعْوَة "لِتَعَارَفُوا" لِي لِلْمُشَارَكَة فِي العَدَدِ الأوَّل مِنْهَا- ولَكِنْ أيضاً احْتِضَانِي مِنْ قبل المصريين وكأنِّي  واحِدَة مِنْهُم؛ فَمِصْر هِيَ حَقَاً بَيِتِي الثَّانِي. جَزَاكُمُ الله خَيرَاً. تَحِيَاتِى إلَىَ كُل واحِدَة مِنَ الأخَوَاتِ المُشَارِكَات فِي هَذَا المَسْعَى..أنْتُنَّ تَضَعْنَ النَّمُوذَج الذِي يُؤكِّد أنَّه عِنْدَمَا نَكُون مُتَّحِدين يُصْبِح بإمْكَانِنَا تَحْقِيق أهْدَافِنَا."

 غادة جمال- هناء العجمي

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MWA's Eman Shurbaji interviews for Illume Magazine

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE

Eman Shurbaji studied journalism at California State University, Bakersfield. She is a journalist and writer/editor. Ms. Shurbaji is passionate about her work as there are always stories to be told, and information to be dissipated. She was an intern/trainee at Aljazeera English in Doha, Qatar, further fueling her desire to speak to the masses.

Shurbaji feels as though she a citizen of the world, having traveled extensively. In addition to writing, editing websites/materials, she writes for several nonprofits. She has been a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance since July 2012.

MWA's Cisse Queen Supporting SayNO UNiTE on International Women's Day

Join the Int'l Women's Day conversation by following @UN_Women or @SayNO_UNiTE and the hashtag's #IWD2013 or #womensday on Twitter. And visit MWA on FB at http://www.facebook.com/MuslimahWritersAlliance 

Queen Sheba Cisse is President and Founder of Queen Sheba Village and is an aspiring writer, humanitarian and mother to many globally. She manages homes and families on two continents, America and Africa, and runs an online fashion boutique of African textiles and clothing, as well as Arabian essences for the body and senses, and crafted accessories from our African Motherland—home of our ancestors. Queen Sheba has just completed "The QSV Story (Chapter 2) Queen Sheba Cisse" in Collaboration with Tara Tappert.

Website: http://www.queenshebavillage.org

Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/QueenSheba Cisse

MWA's Janice Tufte: I am a Sister of Many Scarves

FULL ARTICLE HERE

Janice Tufte lives in Seattle, Washington, USA. She has published articles in Our Rising Sun and other resources, and is often quoted in mainstream media publications. Janice produced an Emergency Muslim Resource Guide for three Washington state counties in addition to developing materials for her WarmforWinter project and Islamic Civic Engagement projects centered in the Puget Sound area. She is currently working with HASSANAH Consulting in the development of strategies to successfully ease barriers persons living in poverty face, both with the Seattle University School of Theology Faith and Family Homelessness Project and the Group Health Cooperative Medical Home Consumer Empowerment's three year project. She has also been a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) since January 2007.

See also: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=345916745514754
See also: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=345934445512984

MWA's Saba N. Taylor interviews children's book author Asma Zaman

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It is a pleasure to introduce a new author to you all, Asma Zaman, author of Grandpa and Grandma Come to Stay.

Book Description:
Grandpa and Grandma are coming to stay and Muhammed and Musa are so excited! Mommy and Daddy say the twins must help their grandparents.

Why would grown-ups need any help? Can Muhammed and Musa really help Grandma and Grandpa?

INTERVIEW:

Welcome Asma, please tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Asma Zaman I’m a London based Law Graduate and currently pursuing theoretical and practical qualifications as a Psychological Counsellor/Psychotherapist. My aspiration of becoming a writer began at a very young age but only became a reality as a consequence of a long term condition I was diagnosed with about 10 years ago. From not being able to read and write, due to it effecting my neurological system, to now having my work published is a great feeling Alhumdolilah!  Now I actively raise awareness and provide support to fellow sufferers of M.E (Myalgic-Encephalomilitis (an auto-neuro immune condition)) and Fibromyalgia and their careers. (Read More)

MWA's Eren Cervantes-Altamirano shares a Ramadan memory via Muslimah Media Watch

Edmonton’s Al-Rashid Mosque. Image via Flickr.

The First Ramadan

By Eren Cervantes-Altamirano

Six years ago, I moved from Mexico City to Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada. Although I moved here to study, my trip to the north resulted to be a whole religious experience. Having grown up in a nuclear family that had left Catholicism and had sought dogmatic atheism, I was largely unfamiliar with religious diversity. Thus, coming to Canada quickly sparked my curiosity, and here I am six years later with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies.

My first contact with Islam was when I was still learning English at the University of Alberta. Since Alberta is the centre of petroleum exploration and petroleum engineering education in Canada, I studied in classes where half my classmates were from Saudi Arabia and the other half from China. My first encounters with Saudi classmates, especially males, were quite frustrating. Many of them felt the need to show some kind of pious superiority, while others felt attacked in an environment where their religion was often being connected to 9/11. (Click here to read the rest at Muslim Media Watch)

ABOUT EREN CERVANTES-ALTAMIRANOV
Eren Arruna Cervantes is a University student in Canada. She specializes in gender politics and feminist religious movements, particularly Islamic Feminism. She is a convert to Islam since 2009 and hopes to become an Islamic scholar in the future. In addition to being a member of Muslimah Writers Alliance, Eren also writes for Muslmah Media Watch and hosts a travel blog.

MWA'S Janette Grant offers insight on children's book 'Ramadan' by Farah Kinani

By Janette Grant 

MWA member, Farah Kinani.

When a friend of Farah Kinani’s daughter, Leila, told her classmates that she would not be joining them during lunch one day, no one understood that Leila would not be eating with them because it was the beginning of Ramadan; the Muslim Holy month of fasting between sunrise and sunset, also known as one of the pillars of Islam. Leila's classmates, instead, implored her to hide and eat, or to at least drink. Some even thought she was being punished or given a time out.

Leila's mother, concerned about the confusing and stressful situation her daughter had fallen into – due to the lack of understanding among her peers – decided to prepare and deliver a small talk at the school on the subject of Ramadan.

During her presentation to the 4th graders at the middle school her daughter attended, Ms. Kinani answered basic questions about Islam, shared anecdotes about Ramadan's first-time fasters, and made a brief comparison between fasting traditions within various other religions.

The feedback Ms. Kinani received was both encouraging and inspiring. (Read More)

Reaching Out to Others by MWA member Jennifer Kabir

By Jennifer Kabir

When you have the opportunity to listen to someone speak on a topic several times you begin to notice a common thread running through what they say. I listened intently to daee Aminah Assilmi each time I had the pleasure of listening to her thoughts on this life, Islam and being.

After awhile I began to notice some questions she posed would seem to repeat themselves. Inquiries as to how many of us ever ventured outside of our Muslim communities to interact with others over any good cause was one such question that seemed to be posed at the end of every speaking event she headed.

The responses that seemed to allude to, "Oh yes…that’s me-I’m out there being a part of the grand scheme of things…" were illusive to say the least. (Read More)

ABOUT JENNIFER KABIR
Jennifer Kabir is a journalist, wife, and mother of two. She came to Islam a little over ten years ago. Raised in a traditional American family, Jennifer lived in Southern California for the majority of her life and later moved with her husband to Michigan. The story of how Jennifer came to Islam can be read here.

MWA Member Author, Fatimah Ashaela Moore Ibrahim Publishes Second Children's Book

"I Love My Hijab" is a useful learning and teaching tool for girls new to Islam in addition to being an informative explanation for young readers and others who may not have previous knowledge of Islam.

By Isahah Janette Grant, MWA Member Coordinator

HOUSTON, TX – Muslimah Writers Alliance member, Fatimah Ashaela Moore Ibrahim has written and illustrated her second children’s book entitled "I Love My Hijab", distributed by Creative Education and Publishing of Falls Church, Virginia. The first of five "True Heart Series" installments, "I Love My Hijab" is based on the true story of an experience Ms. Ibrahim's daughter had when she wore hijab (head scarf) for the first time in public school. (Read More)

MWA Member Spotlight: Ruth Nasrullah

Ruth Nasrullah, MWA Member since 2007.

As the debate about Muslim women's rights rages in many Islamic countries around the world, it is more important than ever for the modern Muslim woman to not only have a voice, but for that voice to be heard amongst the conversations taking place. One such voice local to the Houston area is that of Ruth Nasrullah, a freelance writer and blogger and a founding member of the Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) based in Washington DC. She has covered various topics in her writing, from fundamental issues exposing some of the flaws in American society to clever, informative essays about her experiences as a Muslim woman in America. (Read More)

Meet MWA Member Coordinator, Isahah Janette Grant

Isahah Janette Grant, Founding Member

Isahah Janette Grant is a founding member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), where she serves as the organization's membership coordinator. She also runs her own small business, Mindworks Publishing Inc., in addition to writing for the Houston Islam Examiner on Examiner.com. Ms. Grant is also the author of the children's book, Sameerah's Hijab and the First Day of School and is in the process of completing her first work of fiction. She also enjoys writing poetry. She studied at Boston University in Massachusetts, majoring in print journalism and currently resides in Missouri City, Texas, just outside of Houston, with her son and husband.

Ms. Grant can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/isahahjanette