Boston Marathon Explosion-

A few hours ago, there were two explosions at the Boston Marathon. From the look of the video, it was pretty bad. Some reports are that the were a hundred injured by broken glass, three dead, and about 23 seriously injured.

For happy go lucky Americans this is pretty horrific. However, compared to this http://last-of-iraqis.blogspot.ae/, it was pretty minor. Never the less, I am sorry for those who were hurt and killed. I have a friend who is from there and I will be calling her later.

The think that was making me antsy has been the reportage, where although they have not directly mentions 911, they have the words of terrorism on their lips. So much so, that they tried to link an electrical fire at the John F. Kennedy library to the explosions.

I have no clue who or why this happened. And yet, reporter on NBC news suggesting that this is similar to something like those "Targeting those in uniform," is overtly suggestive. What is the point?

Three hours after the event, it went from a possible gas explosion to a bomb in a garbage can, to a "Great American Tragedy."
My first thought of the initial video was how lucky those who are in this awful circumstance are. The showed about 6 or more EMT trucks and fire trucks, along with gangs of emergency response workers,

They had all of the help the needed to get them the care or to the hospital as quickly as possible.

But thinking about Iraq and the bombings such as the one shown above, where just the ability to run and run fast is what made the difference between life and death.

So, now as I write this, and listen to the news live stream, of course they found and former veteran of Afghanistan who was running in the Boston Marathon, who said that the bombing was like and "IED"

Of course this jazzes it up a little, but it in no way compares to the drone droppings that killed the group of children last week or the several explosions that have happened these past few days in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

I would never want to experience anything close to a bombing, but I don't think linking it to the past wars or terrorist acts is responsible journalism.

We'll see how it further develops.

I tried to Vote for my candidate in this year's election but because of Sandy my vote was thrown out. Finally, something might get done about it. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 there will be a march on Washington to the Supreme Court to represent on the proposal by President Obama during his State of The Nation Speech about people not being able to vote due to long lines, but not mentioning that many votes were lost in the wind like mine which was supposed to be counted later in November once everything was back to normal. What a lie. 

They are doing the same thing with Education especially in cities like Newark, Chicago, and others. It's 1969-70 all over again. 

This little post I got from my Facebook Friend P. Bradford. 


Black History Month lesson: Folks are getting on the 

buses headin' to the Supreme Court on Wednesday, 

February 27, 2013. Their agenda is voter supression. 

Honestly - we are going to fight against oppression, but 

not do anything about our right that was taken to vote on 

our children's education in urban cities across this 

nation. Oh, my bad - it's not the same; it's called 

takeover huh?

Prayers for Our Leaders

  
UAE National Day celebrations 2011(video)

©Khadijah Nur bint Ismail

“When it comes to following our leaders, know that they have a wider vision then those who follow them. We don’t know how much work they put into making the best decisions for their people.” I wish I’d said it but these are the words of Muhammad Alshareef, founder of Al Maghrib Institute, during his Power of Unity lecture last week.

In these days of Mr. and Mrs. Know-it-all, criticizing leaders is a global pastime. However, has anyone ever considered how difficult it is to fill those shoes? It’s pretty dang hard. While watching my favorite historical soap, Hareem Sultan, to keep up with the political parts, I’ve been reading up on the Sultan Suleyman’s rule. It seemed like an impossible task not only to run Istanbul, but to have gathered the forces, brain power, and the will to manage an empire that spanned three continents all of which he began to do at the age of twenty five?  I dare you to find a young man of that strength these days.

Although he started a little later in life, it’s hard to find a leader who had a better and broader vision than the founder of the UAE, Shaikh Zayed.  He understood that creating a good character was more difficult than building a city. Which why he did all he could for the citizens of UAE to develop their talents. And now we can see the result of his vision, which has been built upon by his sons the leaders of the other emirates. Taking this land from desert to a dynamo was unimaginable to most, but they did it. InshaAllah, it will only get better. ‘Allah protect the Emirates’ is the prayer on the lips of everyone who’s shared in the niamah of this nation.

Emirati artist, Abdul Qader Al Rais, gave a tour and talk of his collected works at the Sharjah Art Museum in October. He has long been one of my favorite Emirati artists. I admire his agile use of water colors celebrating Emirati traditional architecture, use of calligraphy, and the calming effect of his harmony of pastel and muted hues. However, I learned that he has other styles and themes as well. Using his most powerful tool, in his painting of the placid rocks like those found in Hatta, he wrote, ‘Allah, protect my country.’ I asked Al Rais, about his rock painting. He said that it was a response to the Arab Spring, which he remarked, “Has turned into a disaster.” He went on to say, “There is a hadith that says, the best of leaders are those who pray for his people and his people pray for him.” Al continued, Shaikh Zayed, was a leader who prayed for his people and his people prayed for him.” So true. I remember the day Allah took him back. The nation was devastated; not just Emiratis, expats as well.

Shaikh Zayed al Nayhan was UAE a very prayer worthy leader. SubhanAllah.  I am a witness of the beauty and barakat of his time. When he was ill, we were sad. When he was well, people celebrated in the street. The radios were full of praise and best wished for his health and longevity. Even now, eight years after his death, people still read poems about him and sing nasheeds honoring him, and wish that he was here. These past few days, I’ve been missing him and praying for Allah’s mercy on him.

 It was his faith, Islam, helped be so successful in building the firm foundation of this nation that protects it until today. In the green of the date palm, we see the barakat in this land. The miracle of the metro, the serene splendor of Saadiyat Island, and the waves of the Arabian Gulf All of which makes many of us expats, shudder at the thought of leaving. For some this is the little corner of the Arabia means money, bling, and posh spots, but for many others this is the land of hudur, tranquility, friendship and brotherhood.

The random kindness of strangers, the care that we offer to each other, the worry we have for the poor, the sick, the haggared traveler, this is what protects this land and keeps it safe. The taqwa of the people who lead and live here, like that of Shaikh Zayed is what makes the Emirates so blessed and special. As it says in the UAE national anthem, “Islam is our way of life, Quran is our guide. InshaAllah, Al Rais’ pray will be answered, as long as we keep our faith, do good deeds and pray for our beloved leaders of UAE.

©Maryam Ismail

2012

 

50 Cent Role Model for UAE?

http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/us-rapper-50-cent-wows-dubai-students

50 Cent arrived in Dubai for GITEX to promote his new brand of headphones and his enery Street King, which he tried to tell his fans and the American School of Dubai about his venture, but they wouldn't listen. Instead, they just wanted to hear him rap.

Ok, let's just say that 50 Cent means well. But I can't believe that any Muslim parent in his right mind would want his son or his daughter being part of this scene? UAE has so many other local role models, do we need a 50 Cent when we have dirham billionaires?

The Street King official TV Commerical

African American Teachers Survey

This is a new survey to measure how African Americans view themselves as teachers in UAE it's short and only 3-5 minutes. I don't know how many African Americans in UAE look at this blog, but I'd thought I would put it here anyway.

Survey

YouTube: Please Respect Muslims

I don't know how that YouTube widget got on my page, but if any of you all know how to get it off please let me know.  I've always had this sneaky feeling that maybe YT did really didn't like aus. But now that even after the White House asked them and Google to remove that film, that I won't mention, it doesn't really care about Muslims or Arabs.

Ramadan Kareem

Just a short note to wish everyone a blessed and wonderful Ramadan.

I was actually thinking that it would be really hard, but it's ok after all.

:)

Well, finally the Muslim Brotherhood has their spot in the sun and I hope that inshaAllah they will do their best to bring Egypt to a new safe and secure life that will bring hope to all who live there.

I have to say Alf Mabrook to all of my friends who voted, even though some of them didn't want him, well, that's how this thing works. Look at the US.

And for those in the US who are wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth like the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are, believe me, it is all for naught. Egypt's democracy is not YOUR democracy. Let them do it their way and be happy with it.

Like Erdogan said two years ago, at the Davos meeting that made him the love of the Arab world, "We have to accept whoever wins, even if we don't like them." So there.

Accept and Believe, this is how it is.

I know it's hard. Looking on the Democracynow.org website, I found an eerie silence on the decision that Mursi won the election. And now I am curious how they will handle it on the MHP-Melissa Harris Perry show. However, my curiousity will not have me wasting my time watching her show which she calls Nerdland, but she means Agendaland. Really, I wonder, whose agenda is she pushing, her own, or the US's?

Anyway, win the tie between Mursi and Shafiq happened she along with Francis Fukayama, almost had a fit. What? The lamented, a Islamist and an old regimer? No Way!

Some had the same reaction with GW Bush won (the first and second time).

As for that crazy Insider program on Mursi and his presidency, it should have been called Outsider, especially from the wacky point of views coming from Darwish, the london reported. He was bring back stuff from the 1950's.

And to think that most of those people are dead and have died in the hands of the socialist, secular goverment with led to the rise of Mubarak.

Go figure. Anway, I am glad for my brothers and sisters. Al Hamduillah, Allah Ma'aki

AAAAALLLLLFFFF Mabroooook Ya Ikhwan and Saidy Mursi

Well, finally the Muslim Brotherhood has their spot in the sun and I hope that inshaAllah they will do their best to bring Egypt to a new safe and secure life that will bring hope to all who live there.

I have to say Alf Mabrook to all of my friends who voted, even though some of them didn't want him, well, that's how this thing works. Look at the US.

And for those in the US who are wringing their hands and gnashing their teeth like the monsters in Where the Wild Things Are, believe me, it is all for naught. Egypt's democracy is not YOUR democracy. Let them do it their way and be happy with it.

Like Erdogan said two years ago, at the Davos meeting that made him the love of the Arab world, "We have to accept whoever wins, even if we don't like them." So there.

Accept and Believe, this is how it is.

I know it's hard. Looking on the Democracynow.org website, I found an eerie silence on the decision that Mursi won the election. And now I am curious how they will handle it on the MHP-Melissa Harris Perry show. However, my curiosity will not have me wasting my time watching her show which she calls Nerdland, but she means Agendaland. Really, I wonder, whose agenda is she pushing, her own, or the US's?

Anyway, win the tie between Mursi and Shafiq happened she along with Francis Fukayama, almost had a fit. What? The lamented, a Islamist and an old regimer? No Way!

Some had the same reaction with GW Bush won (the first and second time).

As for that crazy Insider program on Mursi and his presidency, it should have been called Outsider, especially from the wacky point of views coming from Darwish, the London reported. He was bring back stuff from the 1950's.

And to think that most of those people are dead and have died in the hands of the socialist, secular government with led to the rise of Mubarak.

Go figure. Anway, I am glad for my brothers and sisters. Al Hamduillah, Allah Ma'aki

Nothing is on the Down Low: Lowkey Raps

I guess for those who read my blog, it must be confussing. Sometimes, I'm like REAL Muslim and then, I have this GHETTO tangents. Next add to it some funky languages like Turkish, Boriqua, and Arabic. However, this is just the time I live in I guess. I like weird things. Not on purpose, it's just how I am. If there is a theme in any of this, I guess its JUSTICE. I really care about this. Despite the searing unjustices that is swirling around us.



And here is one of my new favories of the moment, LOWKEY, a Real Artist Extraordinare. I don't even know how I foudn him. It was a speech that he made about the injustices of the wars in Iraq, Gaza, and Afghanistan, that attracted me to him.

Next, I found out he was a rapper, and to me that signals protest, the original purpose of hip hop, see my friend's book, Somebody Scream

hightlights this. Anyway, I hope you like it as much as me and I hope it inspires in the best of ways.

Salaam

Ya Misr, Ya Misr

I am so filled with butterflies as I wait for the latest results of the Egyptian elections. I really don't care who wins, but he better do a good job and return her back to her well deserved title, al Qahirah and Umma Dunya.

Soorrry, Blame it on Social Media

Salaamulaikum and Hello, my dear followers and readers:

Pleeeaaassee Forgive me.

I have been homeschooling and wasting time on the web with Twitter and Facebook, which I an slowly losing interest in. This is especially in the case of Twitter, because unless you have something to really advertise, it makes you neurotic. Also, on Twitter you get so many weirdos following you. When you got to someone and see that they have hundreds and thousands of followers, believe me a percentage of that are people who have just latched on to you just in case they'll need you for something down the road, or they're spammers, or what ever. I keep blocking them and more keep coming.

I am not snooty at all, but there were two who ended up on my feed that were so lude and disgusting that one I had to block and the other I reported to the police. Yes, I snitched and the social media world is a better place for it, at least on my block of social media. But is it really social? I've found that unless you are in agreement with some people or cheering them on, they don't respond to you. Hence, it becomes and virtual pat on the head session.


What's worst, is it's those people who know your phone number, you exact address including apartment number, and come to your neighborhood at least once a week that cry foul on the social media, that they haven't seen you.


In a way it makes people farther away from each other.

I used be a part time hermit, not with social media, I feel like I'm becoming fulltime.

2012 Life is So Confusing

First of all to those few but very special readers and followers of my blog, thank you for keeping up todate with me. Sorry for not being there for you. I've become a victim of distraction.

I just want to move to Hatta or something and just read books without any electronic media intervention. What about you guys? Here is one such episode that has me in knots. Here is a conversation about motherhood. One one side, women have the right to defend their kids and then, in the case of the two women who were poor and living in districts with poor schools or who sell drugs because they are homeless, then, here's a warning label: This is what happens when you don't have Birth Control, you have poor mothers, young mothers, and single mothers, all of which are bad things for America.

Also, these are bad for other places in the world. The worst thing it that they don't have any of these women who are there to speak about what it really feels like and why they did this.">

Ghadaffi: What do you think?

Ghadaffi
With the priviledge of hindsight, now what do you think is the next turn for this Arab Spring that is quickly turning cold and hard? Ghadaffi's speech to his brothers during an Arab League Meeting

Eid Mubarakum!

I know I've not been writing the way I want, but just to let my prestigeous 12 followers know, Sunday is Eid, the holiday of the sacrifice and also the last day of Hajj, so I want to wish everyone that their prayers are answered and that they have a blessed Eid with Family and Friends.

For those of you who don't know what Eid and Hajj are here's a video that might help

Eid Mubarak