ANTHOLOGY

Dear  friends,

I wish to compile an anthology titled " ISLAM- A universal religion, A mercy upon mankind"
I require stories of people from across the globe who have converted into the fold of Islam. I would like to know your trials and tribulations as you embarked on a journey that finally led to you accepting and embracing the Islamic faith.
Why did you become a Muslim? How did your family react when you made that decision? What does Islam mean to you?
The anthology can also incorporate stories of Muslim women who have now decided to wear the headscarf (hijaab) or be fully veiled (niqaab). What does the hijaab mean to you?Why have you decided to wear the headscarf? Have you been ostracized or victimized for adorning the headscarf?

I hope to compile at least 30-40 stories. I want a minimum of 1500 words to a maximum of 5000 words story to be written and sent to desertmoonsdiary@gmail.com by the end of March 2013. All submissions will be handled confidentially. If the story is chosen to be included into the collection, the author could choose to be profiled in the book or remain anonymous. All proceeds from the book will be given away to charity. This is your chance to make a contribution to those people out there who are less fortunate than all of us. Looking forward to reading the stories. I am sure that each story will convey a special message and be an inspiration to many people out there.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFO WITH ALL YOUR FRIENDS

http://islamicstyle.al-habib.info/publication/islam-unites-us-all-poster/ - picture

"Our education system is a wreck"

According to IOL news, education is South Africa's single biggest budget item, but schools are hobbled by poor management and low standards.Nobel literature prize laureate Nadine Gordimer has lashed out against the South African government's failing education system deeming it as a "wreck". The education department has failed to deliver textbooks to thousands of public schools. More than 5000 public schools have been without textbooks for more than six months in to the academic year. Speaking to SAFM radio Gordimer said,"“Our education system is a wreck. It's a shambles. I can't believe that three-quarters of the year have gone by and so many of our schools, especially in the rural areas, have been without textbooks.It is the (education) minister's responsibility to see that the books are ordered in time and delivered. How can you teach people to read if there are no books to read from?”As IOL news reports, the criticism by Gordimer, who had several works banned by the apartheid regime, comes after peace laureate Desmond Tutu said democratic icon Nelson Mandela would be reduced to tears if he knew the poor state of public schools.

Source:
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/our-education-system-is-a-wreck-1.1352928#.UFpzbrLiaos

HAPPY NATIONAL DAY KSA

Today is Saudi Arabia's 82nd National day or Independence day. According to a government website,on this day in the year 1932, history has recorded the birth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This came as a result of a long and hard struggle led by King Abdulaziz bin Abdurrahmaan al Saud within a period of 32 years after recapturing Riyadh city, the capital of his ancestors on the 15th of January 1902. King Abdulaziz chose the 23rd of September as the Kingdom's official National Day.

 It is a day where thousands of Saudi's take to the streets waving their country's flag, spray painting their cars green and also decorating their cars with green ribbons and stickers. For many Saudi citizens, National Day symbolizes a day where the public can renew their allegiance to the monarchy and the Saudi government in general. According to Arab news, many shops in the Kingdom have gone green by stocking  green flags,hats, T-shirts,hair accessories and other items a head of today's National Day celebrations. National day will also be celebrated at all Saudi embassies across the globe.Embassy and consulate functions are usually a grand affair offering the very best in Saudi hospitality and cuisine. Saudi students residing abroad will also host national day celebrations through the university student club. It is a day where these students can showcase their culture, traditions and heritage to the natives of that country.Within the Kingdom special programs are aired on television and various malls will organize a family event especially for the kids. Many local celebrities will also grace these events. Various parks within the city will also be decorated with flags, green ribbons and posters of the country's leaders. There will also be a fireworks display accompanied by traditional Saudi dances like the 3arda (sword dance).

Desert Moon would like to take this opportunity in wishing all Saudis across the Kingdom a very HAPPY NATIONAL DAY!!! May God Almighty protect the land of the two Holy mosques and may this land be blessed with peace and prosperity. May the Kingdom uphold all Islamic values and discard those that goes against the teaching of the Prophet (SAW).

Ameen!!

(www.ummah.com - picture)

Source:

http://www.arabnews.com/retail-shops-going-green-ahead-saudi-national-day

http://www.mofa.gov.sa/sites/mofaen/aboutKingDom/Pages/NationalDay54859.aspx

Vilifying religion in the name of freedom of speech

The anti Islamic movie produced and directed by Sam Bacile,an Israeli film maker now based in California has caused outrage throughout the Islamic world leading to mass protests as well a s sparking violence and claiming the life of one American security guard stationed at an embassy.The amateur movie has portrayed the Prophet Muhammed (saw) in a completely negative light showcasing the Prophet (saw) as being delusional as well as a feckless philanderer approving of child abuse.What the west fail to realize is that whilst many of the western governments are run by satanists that have no fear in God Almighty, the one billion Muslims across the globe value their religion. They take their religion seriously.Have you ever seen a Muslim person shout slogans against Jesus or Moses or Dawood. NEVER!! Because this is not what the Prophet Muhammed (saw) taught us. Islam teaches us to respect and have adoration for all of the Prophets that came and went.Islam teaches us to respect all people irrespective of class, colour, creed or religion. How can we resolve this issue? Killing innocent people or bombing up embassies is not the solution to the problem. It will only exacerbate and further strengthen an Anti Islamic cause.Muslims throughout the world are quick to take action when anything negative is said about the Prophet Muahmmed (saw). The west insults our Prophet (saw) with the things they say, but we as Muslims insult our prophet (saw) by not following his way, by not following his teachings and by not adopting his lifestyle.Muslims throughout the world need to start emulating and following the lifestyle of the Prophet Muhammed (saw). Secondly,Muslims throughout the world should boycott all Israeli and American products. Cripple these countries economies. Rather support other countries like China, India and of course local Middle Eastern products. A few years ago Muslims boycotted products manufactured in Denmark due to the publication of cartoons produced by a Danish cartoonist depicting the Prophet Muhammed (saw) in a negative light.. Many companies lost huge amounts of revenue causing them to retrench staff. When the Danish government finally woke up to the financial implications the boycott had on its economy,top senior government officials came out strongly in opposition to the cartoons. Many companies like Arla Foods tried to implement damage control strategies by placing ads in major Arab newspapers condemning the cartoons., a move that sparked as much approbation in Denmark as it did applause in the Middle east. Whilst so called democratic governments are hell bent on freedom of expression and allowing the press and media to publish any material, vilifying religion in the name of freedom of speech is just downright disgusting and threads on the path of irresponsibility with a complete lack of judgement on the part of the powers that be.

Sources:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/12/ant-islam-israeli-film-protests

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/04/world/africa/04iht-islam.html?_r=0

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2006-02/17/content_521276.htm