tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17266006722886582702024-02-19T09:03:24.734-08:00Muslimah MeLeyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-87290257619677315552011-04-06T02:41:00.000-07:002011-04-06T02:41:25.432-07:00My Awakening<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMigcbAasoRpU_x_n0V7V6MsjacbGx231xzufDiwXD-tBld8VM0SRHydGUBRN_z0Hzi-Knj4O6FgahT-x1PU8vmG4i0rCTB51FY4aubi7q3qAs_5pw8PBAFEktfOmHO2FqsBs6P2S53OM/s1600/new5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMigcbAasoRpU_x_n0V7V6MsjacbGx231xzufDiwXD-tBld8VM0SRHydGUBRN_z0Hzi-Knj4O6FgahT-x1PU8vmG4i0rCTB51FY4aubi7q3qAs_5pw8PBAFEktfOmHO2FqsBs6P2S53OM/s320/new5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Over the past few days, I feel like I have come into a new Spiritual Awakening, a complete and total understanding. To keep this locked up inside of me would not service me, or whoever might be reading this.<br />
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For too long, I have tried to find “understanding” within the walls of religion. Recently, I had a comment from someone that was very negative in its very words, but in comprehending, pondering, meditating, and then understanding, I find myself sitting here tonight with complete understanding.<br />
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The individual who wrote to me accused me of having an “identity crisis”, they told me that I should have “gotten over” my identity crisis years ago. While my initial reaction was one of complete shock and hurt at the words, I now am grateful for those words because it caused me to open my heart and my mind to complete and total opening up to my Self.<br />
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Over the years, I have traversed many spiritual paths, gone on spiritual journeys, and tried very hard to find my sense of “belonging” within the walls of organized religion.<br />
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This started in my mid-teens when I was in a foreign country attending school in a distant location from the town I was living in with my Grandparents. Alone, lonely, away from “home” (the home that I had grown up in with my parents), and without the friends I had known most of my life, I was friendless in this town. The only people I could consider as “friends” from school lived in the city, a distance from where I was.<br />
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In that loneliness, I was introduced to the Mormon Church via members of the church who embraced me and accepted me as one of their own. At 16-years-old, it was no wonder that their complete, total, unconditional acceptance appealed to me and drew me in. Whether I actually believed in the teachings of the church, I felt that I had found my place of belonging.<br />
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After I was baptized in to the Church, I found myself leaving within 9-months. I began my true “journey” through many different paths and religions, returning often to the Church, but never staying long.<br />
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For so many years I could not understand why I was not “satisfied” to just give up my life and any other beliefs that I might have and remain within the bonds of the church; at the same time, I wondered why I kept being drawn back to the church.<br />
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So when I was finally “out” of the church, my name removed from their records as if I was never even in existence; in essence, wiping me away from the mind and the cognition of God, I felt freed and relief. Now, I was finally released to truly explore my own truth.<br />
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After my father died, I delved in to the religion of my ancestors, my father and my birth; Islam.<br />
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Initial study taught me that Islam was more a way of life; it was a spirituality where Allah (God) was everything, not merely IN everything, but actually WAS everything.<br />
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Removed was the belief and teaching that God was a mortal man, an image that I simply could not comprehend since first learning about this “white-bearded Deity”. My mortal conceptualization of an omnipresent being contained within a body of flesh and bone seemed overtly limiting to me. The idea of a Holy Ghost and Son seemed even more foreign to me.<br />
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So, as I delved more into the study of Islam, things began to make sense. And that is why when I was first harassed by what are known as “haraam police” (haraam meaning “forbidden”), I was shocked. These individuals claiming that their “correcting” me was “sunnah” and that if I was to be a Muslim, I had “better get used to it”.<br />
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Often, I felt like I was a mere child being scolded continually by individuals whom I had never met and whom I did not know; strangers, that were labeled as “sisters” simply because we were both Muslim.<br />
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I became increasingly frustrated and angered at these people who were correcting my every thought, my every belief, my every action, and most often these individuals were much younger than me.<br />
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A couple of times, I came close to giving up the entire aspect of Islam because of the nastiness that was spouting out of these individuals, followed up by the prevalent “I say this because I love you for the sake of Allah”. What the hell did that sentiment mean? They only “loved” me to keep in the ‘good graces’ of Allah; and that “I”, the “you” they were correcting, had no matter, no meaning, no worth?<br />
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I began to withdraw from a lot of the social and religious activities within the community as the offense of more than one unnerved me. I was told by the select few I confided in to just “ignore them”; but in my doing that, I was continuing to give them permission to act in such an abusive manner.<br />
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An individual with my background does not accept abuse by simply rolling over and taking it. I have long-learned to open my mouth, stand out strong and tall, and shout out against abuse.<br />
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In my frustration, I tried to understand why I kept delving back in to different spiritual paths. Why was I not simply satisfied with “me”? What was I truly searching for, and would I ever really find it?<br />
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In a moment of complete and sheer frustration, I unloaded on a dear friend, and divulged a part of myself to her. I let down my barriers and opened up to a secret I kept long buried. In my doing so, in her amazing response, and in my thinking about her words, I finally saw clearly the whole picture. I finally understood myself, my frustrations, my “need” to hide behind organized religion.<br />
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This was a process that first began last year, but I could not let myself go enough to be honest and truthful with who I was and “why” I was.<br />
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In this openness that I finally began embracing, I began to SEE and see for the very first time.<br />
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I began addressing issues that I had seen crop up time and time in religion, and especially what I had recently learned within the confines of Islam “the religion”.<br />
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One of the biggest issues was the idea of covering in the hijab. When I first covered, I did it for myself. I did for my own reasons and it had nothing to do with the common misnomer held within Islam. And I had often questioned myself if my own reasons for covering were “in line” with what was common thought within the religion itself.<br />
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The verse in the Quran says; “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty…” Qu’ran 24:31<br />
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And when I finally came to understanding, I realized that when God speaks, He speaks in the whole sense of the explanation and it is us mere mortals who understand in literal, and in so-doing, MIS-understanding.<br />
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“Guarding” one’s modesty is something that most of us do already. What is “modesty” in the true understanding of the word? In the online Princeton Wordnet definition it says that modesty is freedom from vanity or conceit. When we guard against this, we are removing EGO (Edging God Out) from our lives.<br />
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So covering the body in “modesty” as the literal translation has been interpreted, might not be what the original belief was.<br />
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When I meditated on “lowering their gaze”, I realized that this was not something that was also literal, but realize that this was the precursor to guarding modesty. Again, I finally understood it to mean that we need to be aware of our surroundings. When we lower our gazes as we walk, we are being cognitive of the path ahead of us. While this is indicated towards us as individuals, it has a much bigger meaning to it. A deeper, more spiritual meaning and not the literal translation that has kept so many women covered in cloth for so long.<br />
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I questioned why, if modesty was such an important thing, were we all born naked and emerging out of our mother’s naked vaginas. And then I understood the complete picture…<br />
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We are already “covering our modesty” as we emerge out of the womb, as we are forming IN the womb. Our “covering” is our physical bodies, and this covers that which “drives” our bodies, our soul.<br />
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In discussion with my husband, he asked “So does this mean that we’ll all be naked in heaven?”<br />
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No. We will not be naked; we will not have the bodies which we have now, because we are nothing but forms of energy.<br />
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We say Allah is everything, not just IN everything, but IS everything. How could that be? What is true omnipotence? The concept is difficult to comprehend on so many levels. But as we transcend in Spiritual awareness, it makes complete and total sense. Upon shedding of our mortal bodies, we too are omnipotent in that we can be in more than one place at one time because we are nothing more than energy forms.<br />
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Does this concept align us with Allah and “enjoin” us to him? Yes and no.<br />
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Yes we are aligned because if we truly believe that Allah is the creator of all things, therefore OUR creator, we hold a strand of His DNA within us. This is shown in the mere fact that we are alive, we are breathing and we are feeling. We have a soul, and in that soul, He holds a part of us. This is what is called Divine Connection. This is also what links each and every single person upon this earth to each other.<br />
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Does this mean that we are in essence “Gods”? No. However, we do hold a part of God in us through that Divine Connection, but we are NOT Gods, at least in my comprehension.<br />
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In answering my husband’s question, no we will not be “naked” because we will have no form to be naked with, but rather we are energy.<br />
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Someone asked tonight “how can God judge us, and why God would like some of us or dislike some of us when he doesn’t have a character and human emotions?”<br />
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I replied, “From what I have learned over my years (not IN religion), I have learned that this "judgment" is truly that Divine source in all of us (our soul connectedness) that will be responsible for judging us based on experience culminating with the intensity of Love on the Other Side, as well as complete and total understanding of the ages once removed from our physical form and limitations as well as human, earth-held, understanding. I have a very difficult time comprehending a "court" with the energy force that is Allah at the head handing down judgment and "sentencing".”<br />
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And I truly do believe this. It just makes complete and total sense to me. I suddenly “get it”, I understand and I feel completely freed in my understanding.<br />
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I no longer feel confined within the bounds of man-made religion. I finally can understand the concept of living and experiencing without the man-made rules and regulations.<br />
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Am I no longer “Muslim”? Yes I am, because I understand the meaning of Islam being “to submit” or “to surrender”, from the Arabic root word “Peace” (Salaam). Muslim means “one who submits”. But again, I do not believe that it means this in the literal sense, but rather in the limitless sense. <br />
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We all submit and surrender in so many aspects of the meaning, being “submissive” does not mean the same thing which many have come to understand the meaning.<br />
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As a tree bends in the wind, so to we bend with the winds of change. It is a natural process.<br />
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Life is as easy or difficult as we choose to make it. For me, I choose to make life easy, without all the confines of rules and regulations, rights and wrongs. I choose to simply Be.<br />
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The true purpose of life; is to experience, and in those experiences we learn, we expand our minds, and we live.Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-58608909620823131202011-03-17T02:20:00.000-07:002011-03-17T02:27:57.531-07:00A letter from Japan... beauty amidst the chaos.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FpUzCaVVZAyNAoSyxdQtFzv7x8prFVv-vQGsz-ozwK_u123_61KZexvprJ0CsWcigv_HLG0Jax1KHOhMP8rT1jXGE-jcj4R7B7YZmDUoj9izHrIblPobmpDIMXHi0IgBMRmrLzJ2zL7I/s1600/japanmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FpUzCaVVZAyNAoSyxdQtFzv7x8prFVv-vQGsz-ozwK_u123_61KZexvprJ0CsWcigv_HLG0Jax1KHOhMP8rT1jXGE-jcj4R7B7YZmDUoj9izHrIblPobmpDIMXHi0IgBMRmrLzJ2zL7I/s200/japanmap.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The letter that follows, was posted to Facebook. It is a testament that humanity truly is alive and well in the midst of devastation and destruction. The words described in the following letter, from a lady named "Anne" in Sendai (one of the worst hit by the tsunami), describe a true beauty amongst the chaos, destruction, and devastation.<br />
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Here, people are coming together as neighbours, as fellow human beings, and forging bonds like that of a family amidst disaster.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KQ0b8P3XFay5HN4juzfvmHRr0EmvEKstJlZevmBNjQmpEIw1NmO_QTbiCDOhnQXdkOVMaBsSk_Xf3oiIrRPxwH__dfrx0-6PXa4pLG0j_DjIDpCK7uMbSZs5rBTwPXd6zvbtwF5J_Rv8/s1600/japan-tsunami-5152382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KQ0b8P3XFay5HN4juzfvmHRr0EmvEKstJlZevmBNjQmpEIw1NmO_QTbiCDOhnQXdkOVMaBsSk_Xf3oiIrRPxwH__dfrx0-6PXa4pLG0j_DjIDpCK7uMbSZs5rBTwPXd6zvbtwF5J_Rv8/s200/japan-tsunami-5152382.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Please read on and share it everywhere. This woman is a survivor and, together with all the others who have lived through one of the worst earthquakes since records began to be kept, followed very soon after by the devastation of the tsunami that has literally wiped out entire villages and cities, they are heroes.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">*** ***</div><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/w26s37nRt84" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><br />
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May Allah's grace and blessings shower down upon all the people in Japan, and may we ALL do what we can to share in this love and this togetherness as one human race.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">*** ***</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH_EAZWKxXvvlP-bA2SmUTv0KIMRQdWoHwK30BScvylafDxPIGwaMzuX_mIMoTV6HliIgkQYypffN_GtvyGkFzWzjjqLGQl4ztGaSKHZSRdRXk568DHAPU_SVqHWISfVbFJpDinwk4Wrt/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqH_EAZWKxXvvlP-bA2SmUTv0KIMRQdWoHwK30BScvylafDxPIGwaMzuX_mIMoTV6HliIgkQYypffN_GtvyGkFzWzjjqLGQl4ztGaSKHZSRdRXk568DHAPU_SVqHWISfVbFJpDinwk4Wrt/s200/download+%25281%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Hello My Lovely Friends,<br />
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First I want to thank you so very much for your concern for me. I am very touched. I also wish to apologize for a generic message to you all. But it seems the best way at the moment to get my message to you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY7zj4Q6Z9zY6ABzh6H6ZEtoxyCjs1od5CSlRxDFeovniZAbNo3USpxF6tiUxzCbzK2THMBojYeU5B55w5EP8RA8MJ_QeOXrZ-OG77qVMpsY6Bg-On-45OD8JkTuhCb68AXOh-sQ47Xjg/s1600/Japan_Earthquake_02da5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY7zj4Q6Z9zY6ABzh6H6ZEtoxyCjs1od5CSlRxDFeovniZAbNo3USpxF6tiUxzCbzK2THMBojYeU5B55w5EP8RA8MJ_QeOXrZ-OG77qVMpsY6Bg-On-45OD8JkTuhCb68AXOh-sQ47Xjg/s200/Japan_Earthquake_02da5.jpg" width="131" /></a>Things here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to have wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even more worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend's home. We share supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep lined up in one room, eat by candlelight, share stories. It is warm, friendly, and beautiful.<br />
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During the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit in their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running in their home, they put out sign so people can come to fill up their jugs and buckets.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1A55FFXEICjxi0rriO89dtiVgeDLX8x7oJWOiEm_Y_NTGvuHqeBc1_M43vb7OYad69xTzSH8Z4jNtmtDU_vyt6RRubnoFCHhXHtV-lUY11GKNN0TY4U9Raj7nTvw67lxsMd5jat_h3MB/s1600/japan-earthquake-tsunami-nuclear-unforgettable-pictures-cars_33276_600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1A55FFXEICjxi0rriO89dtiVgeDLX8x7oJWOiEm_Y_NTGvuHqeBc1_M43vb7OYad69xTzSH8Z4jNtmtDU_vyt6RRubnoFCHhXHtV-lUY11GKNN0TY4U9Raj7nTvw67lxsMd5jat_h3MB/s200/japan-earthquake-tsunami-nuclear-unforgettable-pictures-cars_33276_600x450.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Utterly amazingly where I am there has been no looting, no pushing in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be in the old days when everyone helped one another."<br />
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Quakes keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens are constant and helicopters pass overhead often.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHP6ieJCbw89CNG5sWVX_o_ySQKaU0ca1S6PRaTF_SavnYchKX8S5spdIzcS7_-iXR8CQBvK8_MwOJ3Q9Ld1lPR5S6SVUO1gnNkqFf84aDWQVjhyphenhyphenHQENA4HlzRUBjSDhncdDViJA69XAT/s1600/japan_sendai_16nlh62-16nlh6i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHP6ieJCbw89CNG5sWVX_o_ySQKaU0ca1S6PRaTF_SavnYchKX8S5spdIzcS7_-iXR8CQBvK8_MwOJ3Q9Ld1lPR5S6SVUO1gnNkqFf84aDWQVjhyphenhyphenHQENA4HlzRUBjSDhncdDViJA69XAT/s200/japan_sendai_16nlh62-16nlh6i.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>We got water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition, of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the entire group.<br />
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There are strange parallel universes happening. Houses a mess in some places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun. People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking their dogs. All happening at the same time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-eAmeoL5DNPBnnFCROsL1IDz2mIyrZY5F5OlXmly35r7LW3BS72JFuX3VNORF_WDpo6_U42x2zmCWqFzWkVjA8I_iJjX2v3XiU03AWpC4qUFSAx739UjisLc6rp-BMVtqQun_cVjyobE/s1600/20110313141510493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-eAmeoL5DNPBnnFCROsL1IDz2mIyrZY5F5OlXmly35r7LW3BS72JFuX3VNORF_WDpo6_U42x2zmCWqFzWkVjA8I_iJjX2v3XiU03AWpC4qUFSAx739UjisLc6rp-BMVtqQun_cVjyobE/s200/20110313141510493.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Other unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars. No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The mountains are Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see them silhouetted against the sky magnificently.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby2cNlWYPJ4jWynVFtc0WnK27uQWbC3gr_cJOVJB500l_vCn3zPzgC5OdUZGU0q3gKOiUHd0y9T249X3nhI6bLzpDsy6Z2cRSeQ_XNDq5iudz7e4Hbu97-hZw193XVlgRrX00nCjJKL0w/s1600/bilde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhby2cNlWYPJ4jWynVFtc0WnK27uQWbC3gr_cJOVJB500l_vCn3zPzgC5OdUZGU0q3gKOiUHd0y9T249X3nhI6bLzpDsy6Z2cRSeQ_XNDq5iudz7e4Hbu97-hZw193XVlgRrX00nCjJKL0w/s200/bilde.jpg" width="143" /></a>And the Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom, but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic, no.<br />
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They tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls, shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that is a bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this area is better off than others. Last night my friend's husband came in from the country, bringing food and water. Blessed again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uX2kW-YlxTTM9kr0LZMtxBkNf3M_jBFKNMDORXsGxktbi2nUFKWoLhhfDb0Ieh4iKCAbvn0nr7W2lBCMH5ef-A3FqeGn25ydb_94zfJi3TrInXoo26CJ-NHzuPj18olAMNQXG6CdJooO/s1600/Japan-tsunami-A-boy-waits-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uX2kW-YlxTTM9kr0LZMtxBkNf3M_jBFKNMDORXsGxktbi2nUFKWoLhhfDb0Ieh4iKCAbvn0nr7W2lBCMH5ef-A3FqeGn25ydb_94zfJi3TrInXoo26CJ-NHzuPj18olAMNQXG6CdJooO/s200/Japan-tsunami-A-boy-waits-006.jpg" width="200" /></a>Somehow at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhP3lBOuZQ96KYz6c3vp8ObLdExRQ3DQw-3HEnWfUL50Ph6rZbhmX28uR45MryJbMyIbpnsYRXfD_T2ZoyUnEfZwHa35DxmkrTgcLQWooKUo-FQLPEhRdm5dMSJ_PWgxX8nDi5VrYPBTYX/s1600/Earthquake-and-tsunami-damage-in-Sendai-Japan-Fri-March-11-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhP3lBOuZQ96KYz6c3vp8ObLdExRQ3DQw-3HEnWfUL50Ph6rZbhmX28uR45MryJbMyIbpnsYRXfD_T2ZoyUnEfZwHa35DxmkrTgcLQWooKUo-FQLPEhRdm5dMSJ_PWgxX8nDi5VrYPBTYX/s200/Earthquake-and-tsunami-damage-in-Sendai-Japan-Fri-March-11-2011.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Thank you again for your care and Love of me,<br />
<br />
With Love in return, to you all,<br />
Anne.<br />
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*** ***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I saw this last night while watching CNN continued coverage of the earthquake and tsunami disaster in Japan. the video grasped at my heart, especially since both my husband and I are dog lovers... indeed animal lovers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The loyalty and love that is being shown in this video is once again another testament to the beauty that was shared above, only this time, in the animal kingdom. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">If you have not seen this video, it is amazing and I encourage you to watch it.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/J3TM9GL2iLI" title="YouTube video player" width="500"></iframe><br />
<br />
"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3TM9GL2iLI">Emerging coverage</a> from Japan offers a moving example of ultimate dog loyalty, and clearly illustrates the challenges faced by animal victims of the earthquake and tsunami.</span><br />
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The dogs were picked up after the video was shot, and are in the care of a local shelter. Stay tuned, we intend to bring you updates in the coming days:<a class="yt-uix-redirect-link" dir="ltr" href="http://www.facebook.com/lifewithdogs" rel="nofollow" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4272db; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="http://www.facebook.com/lifewithdogs">http://www.facebook.com/lifewithdogs</a>"</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">*** ***</span></div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-58513994702223631402011-02-24T20:06:00.000-08:002011-02-24T20:11:05.627-08:00"Nothing is normal in Tripoli."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">WARNING! CONTAINS GRAPHIC & </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">DISTURBING IMAGES!!! </span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijFUpfFfCLfwoeXL89CvTOn6kQik926Fwvwl52LIOQWRA4rps0ISj5hlZcHhgh07rz05UGrfLGr0QmqS427u4Yw_WPnJXu4riM9rC30zPSo3uz6uHC_8RHJ9ibtH61nfXX6hIaGUZhBPx/s1600/anti-government-protesters-shout-slogans-as-they-raise-their-shoes-during-a-protest-in-sanaa-pic-reuters-206131939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijFUpfFfCLfwoeXL89CvTOn6kQik926Fwvwl52LIOQWRA4rps0ISj5hlZcHhgh07rz05UGrfLGr0QmqS427u4Yw_WPnJXu4riM9rC30zPSo3uz6uHC_8RHJ9ibtH61nfXX6hIaGUZhBPx/s320/anti-government-protesters-shout-slogans-as-they-raise-their-shoes-during-a-protest-in-sanaa-pic-reuters-206131939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Nothing is normal in Tripoli." This was a statement that <a href="http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/">Anderson Cooper</a> introduced a phone conversation with a woman who has been stuck in her home for five days, terrified to leave the safety of her home. Even then, reports are of Gaddafi's mercenary thugs going from home-to-home kidnapping anyone whom they feel is trying to get word out to the world about the events that are taking place. Kidnapping, and executing innocent people who just want the world to see what is happening and hoping, against all hope, that someone, anyone will see and know, and do something.<br />
<br />
The other night, I viewed some horrific photos from a morgue in Libya, and my heart completely broke.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtK0IrZomBlo3UjsVSovdoM2qh2XwBRqghqV_72Nv-J5qFf4p5pT1UCpvpeQm8Hz3L19NQgqfHifQU2rpzWYnEm-F8pjocgp9q1rSLIRsp7wX0_bS446bCj9Rbluff9pzZ3sMd90TWnoZ/s1600/981-Libya_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvtK0IrZomBlo3UjsVSovdoM2qh2XwBRqghqV_72Nv-J5qFf4p5pT1UCpvpeQm8Hz3L19NQgqfHifQU2rpzWYnEm-F8pjocgp9q1rSLIRsp7wX0_bS446bCj9Rbluff9pzZ3sMd90TWnoZ/s320/981-Libya_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.81.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I have been Tweeting and updating like crazy in support of Libya as well as providing updates the moment I hear them. People have asked me "what good can this do for these people?" when I ask to please follow suit.<br />
<br />
I will tell you what the "good" is, some of these people do not know if the world is watching, if the world knows, or if the world supports them. Some of them wonder if they are fighting alone.<br />
<br />
But the truth is, so many around the world are not only watching, they are protesting in support of, and the entire world is watching closely and caring deeply.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcG_uq_XlxqaeaLH34t9DB3c9yzaOKDLPvHBr_MUwuF8a3b-E-55qVUQ6b_n458moL9Ls6DTccQ6SI3vaD9h6lY6zx4yAQZ9vIiajXJ6LEpHui7q8QfO7V4QLUE_XeIxR-p1QQ9eZmotL/s1600/South_Korea_Libya_Protest.sff.slideshow_main.prod_affiliate.80.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcG_uq_XlxqaeaLH34t9DB3c9yzaOKDLPvHBr_MUwuF8a3b-E-55qVUQ6b_n458moL9Ls6DTccQ6SI3vaD9h6lY6zx4yAQZ9vIiajXJ6LEpHui7q8QfO7V4QLUE_XeIxR-p1QQ9eZmotL/s320/South_Korea_Libya_Protest.sff.slideshow_main.prod_affiliate.80.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protesters in South Korea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Nothing happening in the Middle East and Northern Africa, has been about religion, it has been about the most basic of human needs, freedom and democracy. To live without fear, to walk down a street without concern about who is watching, who is hearing, and who is following.<br />
<br />
Muammar Gaddafi has been ruling Libya for over 42 years, keeping the people completely oppressed and living in terror.<br />
<br />
If anyone has watched his most latest, and bizarre, speeches, one will see that this man is not only deranged, but he presents as one who has severe mental illness. He is unable to keep his eyes focused and he speaks as if he in complete belief of the lies which spew out of his mouth.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv862JYDWi9RpW5aefL7z_HsnYs4XSiMUE5039G0fHDzEudJ-6BKpNmjONKAyef6of-qu8R6YJqkHGZGKvJnvjdcH2zmp3xO1HqmYtRQse_yb4wpMSESRzfpD5yl8y4bvPOVCb0xLrFAd/s1600/191-APTOPIX_Libya_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTv862JYDWi9RpW5aefL7z_HsnYs4XSiMUE5039G0fHDzEudJ-6BKpNmjONKAyef6of-qu8R6YJqkHGZGKvJnvjdcH2zmp3xO1HqmYtRQse_yb4wpMSESRzfpD5yl8y4bvPOVCb0xLrFAd/s320/191-APTOPIX_Libya_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.81.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benghazi is under control of the people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The terrifying thing is that someone as deranged as this, is dangerous. He is a mass murderer who has amassed tens of thousands of murders under his belt over the years.<br />
<br />
Benghazi has fallen to the people. ALHAMDULILLAH!<br />
<br />
Most of Libya is falling inch-by-inch, and the people are raising up.<br />
<br />
I can not express the amount of respect and honour I have for the people. To overcome their terror and put aside that fear, facing death with complete abandon in their plight for this most basic of human needs, it shows how this wave of people rising up and taking charge is most powerful and impacting.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CTbUDldsKN0dQ78Ua7P3oN5bejIwhFRLQpOrpVP3xwbLRqW03tdF3FJ7FO8KCzH-FbOTJas3cq0EzuGxuKLrilg8AuirFkQNTe19S4i3s2Pt8HW8i4hjRcYMbWKZ4shxXTLJyTjzDw0R/s1600/116-Japan_Libya_Protests.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CTbUDldsKN0dQ78Ua7P3oN5bejIwhFRLQpOrpVP3xwbLRqW03tdF3FJ7FO8KCzH-FbOTJas3cq0EzuGxuKLrilg8AuirFkQNTe19S4i3s2Pt8HW8i4hjRcYMbWKZ4shxXTLJyTjzDw0R/s320/116-Japan_Libya_Protests.sff.embedded.prod_affiliate.156.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Libyan protesters in Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I mentioned in a previous blog that a sleeping beast has awoken and it will not rest until it's end goal is reached, and we are seeing this more and more in countries like Libya and Bahrain. Iran and Yemen are also bubbling under the surface, they are activating, and they are watching closely. Once Libya completely topples and is freed from the grips of a complete lunatic and his family and cronies, it will only forge this tsunami wave of change stronger and more forceful.<br />
<br />
Gandhi said very poignantly "First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win." We have seen this in country after country, to be true. Peaceful demonstrators have toppled tyrannical regimes, and it goes to the old adage that good will always out-win and outlast evil.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa1Zm416Z4KXMlQhG7vP_OsMJ4K5kp8OvFSkXzOsNXciAdm6B1b0PhwQqll2Y2LTFG5wunGd0SZ9IoHyTUMcpt1U2ecQK0NaMEuJ02DCLjV-xOd_8Mm-VGU2lTVMIINgKs81TkmtmiDIY/s1600/769-APTOPIX_Libya_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipa1Zm416Z4KXMlQhG7vP_OsMJ4K5kp8OvFSkXzOsNXciAdm6B1b0PhwQqll2Y2LTFG5wunGd0SZ9IoHyTUMcpt1U2ecQK0NaMEuJ02DCLjV-xOd_8Mm-VGU2lTVMIINgKs81TkmtmiDIY/s320/769-APTOPIX_Libya_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.81.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funeral of a Libyan Protester</td></tr>
</tbody></table>In Tahrir Square it was said "fear has been defeated, there's no turning back" which Anderson Cooper quoted over and over during the days in Egypt, and now we are seeing this in Libya.<br />
<br />
The people no longer have that same fear. They simply don't care anymore for anything other than the end goal of ridding themselves of Gaddafi and enjoying a life of freedom and democracy.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo20zFl1Fq1rPjdvQiAVdGs5ogtyXMKQtQe1WAloBb0rmjEl6Y2fBc82p10tnwGXFlgoD02QnpD9TzoZRf24c7wbu_vEZXelnQqV8iY5CbJwO6hQdJaP9fFVCQtGMEOewba1DWe7gVxf6d/s1600/180028_148490465212610_138209256240731_290018_4177812_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo20zFl1Fq1rPjdvQiAVdGs5ogtyXMKQtQe1WAloBb0rmjEl6Y2fBc82p10tnwGXFlgoD02QnpD9TzoZRf24c7wbu_vEZXelnQqV8iY5CbJwO6hQdJaP9fFVCQtGMEOewba1DWe7gVxf6d/s200/180028_148490465212610_138209256240731_290018_4177812_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>If you are reading this post, please take a moment to reflect on your own feelings. If you are not quite aware of what is going on, turn on the news, Google, turn on to <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/watch_now/">Al Jazeera (English)</a> and watch a live stream online. And then, tweet, update on Facebook, change your Facebook, <a href="http://twitter.com/imafreedomlover">Twitter</a>, My Space, etc profile photo to something reflecting your <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/binnyhur*">support of Libya </a>and Libyans, speak about it among your peers, involve yourself, because it DOES make a difference. It IS impacting. Don't do this for Gaddafi to hear and hope that it will make a difference with him, because it won't do a thing if that is the reason. Do it for the people. Do it to educate because the more we ALL get involved and we EACH keep it alive, it WILL filter back over there. And it will empower the countries that a bubbling under the surface.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLggcn1SMDZfaBCAwx6F0H2nGgW-FwLZLrGdjaSSsetsBG4wH5VMbi-6g4e1CVQE8UJxi42QcUYAS2Kv_YvqDhQRL4G6hEJlNnT8XDID9SPKnWLmVFO2UKjJWG03YILWsfjNe3-mff-dYy/s1600/182024_148490545212602_138209256240731_290021_2692918_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLggcn1SMDZfaBCAwx6F0H2nGgW-FwLZLrGdjaSSsetsBG4wH5VMbi-6g4e1CVQE8UJxi42QcUYAS2Kv_YvqDhQRL4G6hEJlNnT8XDID9SPKnWLmVFO2UKjJWG03YILWsfjNe3-mff-dYy/s200/182024_148490545212602_138209256240731_290021_2692918_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Now is the time in our lives where it is our moral duty as human beings to stand up and stand out to help create a difference, and yes, even in your small corner of the Universe, YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!<br />
<br />
We MUST stand together with our brothers and sisters who are out in the streets dying. I have posted a couple of the photos I viewed from the Libyan morgue here, not to glamorize them, but to impact you and reach you deep inside to turn to action. This is real and it is horrific that these dictators have no qualms about killing their own people. So now, we, citizens of the world and members of the entire human family, must act, stand up and do our part to help.<br />
<br />
democracy, and regime change.<br />
<br />
As'salaam alaikum / Peace be upon you.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">* * * * * * </div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-79662384288325574512011-02-19T12:17:00.000-08:002011-02-19T12:17:18.489-08:00What YOU Can Do to Help Bahrain!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpXHpuSRF5LJqRuhO1vOo6eDSj2-3KaeFfbCnutJJQlTK1mahdmnBveYCUtqkpRcNehVC3VLuH5J2rYpCcma-dJYg6BfrWc_pxOCv6-xNsOlE1G3s_FCc3fZcpnFP83FM0-yjHCsFaNNw/s1600/Bahrain-Protests+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpXHpuSRF5LJqRuhO1vOo6eDSj2-3KaeFfbCnutJJQlTK1mahdmnBveYCUtqkpRcNehVC3VLuH5J2rYpCcma-dJYg6BfrWc_pxOCv6-xNsOlE1G3s_FCc3fZcpnFP83FM0-yjHCsFaNNw/s320/Bahrain-Protests+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>First, there was Tunisia, and the world listened but did not realise the impact; and then... The entire world stayed glued to their television sets as Egypt took the baton and created an amazing, and peaceful, revolution that lasted 18-days, and finally won.<br />
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Now; Bahrain, Libya, Yemen, Algeria, and other Arab-nations have taken up the cause and are demonstrating peacefully and loudly to gain their own freedoms.<br />
<br />
But...<br />
<br />
Governments who supported and praised the Egyptians, are now singing a different tune since the wave of revolution and change has hit their shores.<br />
<br />
Instead of allowing the people to raise up and act in a God-given freedom, they have instead opened fire and spilled blood, and killed.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZODgCjHFo7isrnHZFwJytk8X7JFMx2VdqxwMnOYp9qlFzr9YbA68fWQAlqmydzIyUNnxoYIoyScyCDs3UgDgoyRln1HOy7X2RaUWFswYMqkXK9mfFu9fbzGIHkx1slfhybKlqAVFynzL9/s1600/bahrain1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZODgCjHFo7isrnHZFwJytk8X7JFMx2VdqxwMnOYp9qlFzr9YbA68fWQAlqmydzIyUNnxoYIoyScyCDs3UgDgoyRln1HOy7X2RaUWFswYMqkXK9mfFu9fbzGIHkx1slfhybKlqAVFynzL9/s320/bahrain1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Shot in the head while raising arms up in surrender <br />
calling out "Peaceful! Peaceful!" </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last night, I turned on to watch Anderson Cooper (CNN) and saw my <i>brothers</i> in Bahrain being shot at and laying in the streets with bullet holes, one was shot in the head with blood pouring from his head, covering the street. <br />
<br />
These men were not throwing rocks. They did not have any kind of weapons. They were simply marching in peace yelling "Peaceful! Peaceful!", arms up to show their "surrender", exercising a right that every man, woman, and child upon this earth was created to have, "freedom". <br />
<br />
But instead of allowing these peaceful demonstrators to march in the ways of Gandhi and exercise a freedom in the act of peaceful uprising, they were viciously mowed down.<br />
<br />
When I think of my brothers and sisters living in Bahrain going through what they are going through in the name of freedom, and doing so in a peaceful manner,<br />
<br />
My heart aches and shatters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jRIjqXEJQ4zP-QyRVipkf8mCAdbDAchOcIS3YAc1b-CbD4p_f0bfXz-weMAnLyDQnPXWrj1_wpQE6ygw8YetZcjbrXAUdtrbiqaVvSdZEONzUgTXPkAUz7DyxMIS_okMGOq5XshOceFy/s1600/495-APTOPIX_Mideast_Bahrain_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_jRIjqXEJQ4zP-QyRVipkf8mCAdbDAchOcIS3YAc1b-CbD4p_f0bfXz-weMAnLyDQnPXWrj1_wpQE6ygw8YetZcjbrXAUdtrbiqaVvSdZEONzUgTXPkAUz7DyxMIS_okMGOq5XshOceFy/s320/495-APTOPIX_Mideast_Bahrain_Protests.sff.standalone.prod_affiliate.58.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While I can not do what I desire most... Swoop down and remove the perpetrators to these murders, the leaders who ordered them and have oppressed the people for so many years, the ONLY ACTION I can take, is this:<br />
<br />
Tweet the Bahrain Ministry of Interior @moi_bahrain [Bahrain Ministry of Interior] and tell them that they MUST STOP THIS VIOLENCE ON PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATORS!!!<br />
<br />
I tweeted them yesterday and I told them that the WHOLE WORLD <i>WAS </i>watching what was going on and what they were doing to the people and that they must stop.<br />
<br />
I live in a country where I have the freedom to express myself, and because I am blessed to live in such a country, I exercise that right... my God-given right, to do so. I do not fear "secret police" coming and grabbing me in the night, or fear torture or even death, for exercising my right.<br />
<br />
Do I take that liberty as it is given? Absolutely.<br />
<br />
THIS is why it is important that you write... FLOOD the Ministry of Interior with Tweets and let them know that they can NOT shut down progress and human beings natural right to live free! That the world IS watching, and they are being seen for what they truly are. That any semblance of "explanation" or LIES that they are "acting in accordance with the situation at hand" is just that, LIES because we are <i>all seeing </i>them murdering innocent people. These people do not even hold a single rock in their hands, and they are being killed for raising their voices.<br />
<br />
Some have asked me "What can <i>I</i> do? I am not there and can not take to the streets." So here is my answer, <i><b>this </b></i>is what you can do! Tweet and Facebook and pass the word out, let the blessings of social media work for us and work for our brothers and sisters who are trying <i>so </i>hard to gain the freedoms so many of us take for granted.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzSbn8xEJD97LBf8mcqhhtPS3BtEqWQ_iy1rFOAeqpIYyEayDI2vJDzNyBYhXE863Q-7fSQeZo7S6zlWCtDofC8o_sVcOlXgBOOeW1RpvNZiOlEoYaM4OFlXWGuR2LrTdF1qmsfzOcBxe/s1600/lib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzSbn8xEJD97LBf8mcqhhtPS3BtEqWQ_iy1rFOAeqpIYyEayDI2vJDzNyBYhXE863Q-7fSQeZo7S6zlWCtDofC8o_sVcOlXgBOOeW1RpvNZiOlEoYaM4OFlXWGuR2LrTdF1qmsfzOcBxe/s320/lib.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>While I have been focused mainly on Bahrain in this post, please remember that our brothers and sisters in Libya, Yemin, Algeria, and other areas are also rising up and creating a stir. Libya is creating a media "blitz" in their favour, showing Moamer Kadhafi flanked by supporters as he parades himself down a street. But, look closely and you will see how many children the crowd makes up, and how many of the adults are paid by his government because they work for him. It is a farce, a joke, and his 40 + year rule must end.<br />
<br />
<br />
Kadhafi's government are trying to stop any real stories and truth from getting out. But, like Egypt, its not working. The marvels of the modern world can't stop it from leaking out. It may trickle, but the trickle has the impact of a tsunami wave.<br />
<br />
Our world is changing, social media has created something where we can all take part in this change. So, in this post, I encourage all of you reading, to make a difference, help our brothers and sisters in the Middle East create the change that they <i>need </i>to make and live in the freedom that they all so desire, and that we take for granted.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><i><b>NOTE: I would suggest any sisters and brothers IN Bahrain DO NOT TWEET the Ministry, for your own safety, but those of us outside, we can write and tell them without fear for our own safety! Let US help our brothers and sisters in Bahrain have the SAME freedoms that we have in simply being able to write to our government and express ourselves without fear of consequence or retribution!</b></i>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-12479347524794411492011-02-11T13:40:00.000-08:002011-02-11T16:28:10.135-08:00EGYPT IS FREE!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X7HOG6nDOpzPzZwzzs6ZakzU8ed6fAcP20UqDegSU7rRw2SStgQiZ3UvLSlKH5GpWdqNdxQo0wbIOyktOn56qItu4UER39QLdkIIN9V42pKCGg1OMWwDUy4YjNbqZ7FMr_PTlO9mvcDP/s1600/en_egypt_families_20110210-00209_620x350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X7HOG6nDOpzPzZwzzs6ZakzU8ed6fAcP20UqDegSU7rRw2SStgQiZ3UvLSlKH5GpWdqNdxQo0wbIOyktOn56qItu4UER39QLdkIIN9V42pKCGg1OMWwDUy4YjNbqZ7FMr_PTlO9mvcDP/s320/en_egypt_families_20110210-00209_620x350.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Families celebrating victory in Tahrir Square</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Today marked a moment in history which many, around the world, have been holding their breath for. Hosni Mubarak stepped down, and in so doing, the Egyptian people were liberated from 30 years of tyrannical and dictatorial rule.<br />
<br />
The Egyptian Revolution was such an amazing moment in our history. Through it all, the people remained peaceful in their determination, only defending themselves when hit upon. The past 18-days showed the world exactly <i>how </i>a revolution should be played out, with peace, persevering, and determination.<br />
<br />
As I watched TV and internet reports for the past 18-days, I felt that this was almost reminiscent of Gandhi's plight for independence from Britain for India. It was done with peace and long-standing. While this did not take as long, the message was an equally strong one.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf_ZsBDZhtcSDcxy1cfNuOkABJxqcYqozQP2Ab3Zuri22VWl7afUp4zB9zpF42uZKUpbaz21kIYdWb3md5kGPLHmF3FQ4EgrWVlWue_l7OKn085d7H0LPxPvGWDvbexNY1dAeabcF9gmH/s1600/167836_1429728762056_1797984900_806592_6673919_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFf_ZsBDZhtcSDcxy1cfNuOkABJxqcYqozQP2Ab3Zuri22VWl7afUp4zB9zpF42uZKUpbaz21kIYdWb3md5kGPLHmF3FQ4EgrWVlWue_l7OKn085d7H0LPxPvGWDvbexNY1dAeabcF9gmH/s320/167836_1429728762056_1797984900_806592_6673919_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sharing determination</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The entire Egyptian Revolution showed that people <i>can </i>make a difference without raising a sword or a gun, and without mindless violence. This revolution was intelligent and it was diligent, it was organized and it showed the entire world just <i>how ready</i> the Egyptian people are for change.<br />
<br />
We are entering a new era, and what we have witnessed has shown this and will pave a way. This is not only a new era in life for Egypt, but a powerful and strong message to the rest of the world that resolve can truly be met with by peace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJJr1kOBj6ruLQENk3BYflWmrVsUWR-tA9eWnW133TA27kWFvqdNINs9CXHyxN2xEuK_uUcHOMcBG7Ea5dYXFs7R23BozCqJAFKss6NOAUMjfvC5YuQV5Z7v6qQHlu-YYJH5qmQ8ZCH7A/s1600/180168_1428992783657_1797984900_805718_7150551_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJJr1kOBj6ruLQENk3BYflWmrVsUWR-tA9eWnW133TA27kWFvqdNINs9CXHyxN2xEuK_uUcHOMcBG7Ea5dYXFs7R23BozCqJAFKss6NOAUMjfvC5YuQV5Z7v6qQHlu-YYJH5qmQ8ZCH7A/s320/180168_1428992783657_1797984900_805718_7150551_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While we will all be watching over the next few weeks and months with what will happen in Egypt, from what I have already read in comments and updates on Facebook and Twitter, the entire world is in complete awe of this momentous occasion and accomplishment.<br />
<br />
The Egyptian Revolution started 18-days ago. It took a mere 18-days to oust a dictator who has ruled for 30-years. We saw Tunisia accomplish their goal in 30-days, and now we will watch and see who will be the next country to rise up and create positive change, using the greatest weapons ever created; determination, perseverance, and above all, peace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX3agVZDanHkEsgvjW3MbxfNnUmcnylMwLS0_dt-_FVEJLNi6lXw-kJsPFRHrBPy0hVmv-PwHvaLGR1-T7x516WaVFA8Kooy_qBs1RdednLVgSzwuXZlwoTa_DtYa7492lULxsSk0gJut/s1600/Day+18+Tahrir+Square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSX3agVZDanHkEsgvjW3MbxfNnUmcnylMwLS0_dt-_FVEJLNi6lXw-kJsPFRHrBPy0hVmv-PwHvaLGR1-T7x516WaVFA8Kooy_qBs1RdednLVgSzwuXZlwoTa_DtYa7492lULxsSk0gJut/s400/Day+18+Tahrir+Square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tahrir Square on Day 18, numbers swelled in response to Hosni Mubarak's <br />
speech saying he was stepping aside but not down. Millions flocked to the <br />
square in continued defiance and in peaceful demonstration calling for Mubarak<br />
to step down and leave. And then, finally, the message sank in and VP Suleiman read a statement that Mubarak had stepped down. The Egyptian Revolution was won.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-48746878741447525522011-02-09T23:17:00.000-08:002011-02-09T23:20:16.250-08:00Tahrir Square, A First Person Experience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhs941S_6K8wzXkfDbOe93pp5QmY5A0HCBSO1cK8d7t69Btt2n15inqfgFUdBcqxaYQJF33n0nL0-WQPTlPJ7rwuKg5mi3OUgwxUAUqKCTJV9FqOcDykc1hYzwLpkPside84qt1O7HeYI/s1600/167579_1424882840911_1797984900_798613_2016492_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhs941S_6K8wzXkfDbOe93pp5QmY5A0HCBSO1cK8d7t69Btt2n15inqfgFUdBcqxaYQJF33n0nL0-WQPTlPJ7rwuKg5mi3OUgwxUAUqKCTJV9FqOcDykc1hYzwLpkPside84qt1O7HeYI/s320/167579_1424882840911_1797984900_798613_2016492_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A couple of weeks before the uprising in Egypt, I became friends with a young lady who lives in Cairo. We formed a very fast bond in the messages we sent back and forth to each other, getting to know each other, and a feeling of sisterly love and comradry formed between us.<br />
<br />
During the government induced communications black-out during the first few days of the uprising, my heart was in my throat constantly as images filtered in over breaking news via CNN and Al Jazeera online.<br />
<br />
Where was my friend? Was she in the square being <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><em style="font-style: normal;">pummeled</em><em style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;"> </em></span></span>by rocks, shot at by government thugs? Was she alive? Was she dead?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Bm8ARXAvRIdJK_7jy3Nua44rt_HCO8gnlUsfzbfBDOIk5u1PSOK8_2sd9xwLQR5d7PydYL1wUzsNYSojWxpkBgM9ieeL-NfDYm1pdUw8oJn52AZkhOjwbnJoAuRntZQvj_7_SM10CvS/s1600/168763_1424886561004_1797984900_798631_7759116_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0Bm8ARXAvRIdJK_7jy3Nua44rt_HCO8gnlUsfzbfBDOIk5u1PSOK8_2sd9xwLQR5d7PydYL1wUzsNYSojWxpkBgM9ieeL-NfDYm1pdUw8oJn52AZkhOjwbnJoAuRntZQvj_7_SM10CvS/s320/168763_1424886561004_1797984900_798631_7759116_n.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>My mind whirred as the days grew in to nights into days and still no word. And then finally, I received an email from her. She was safe, she was at home, and she was feeling useless while her brothers were dying in the streets during the government ordered violence that arose.<br />
<br />
With tears streaming down my face in relief and in complete and total sorrow at the images that were flashing before my eyes, I wrote to her and asked her to "please continue to be 'useless'" as my concern for my new friend grew.<br />
<br />
Maybe it is the "mother" in me that I have grown in to as age is creeping up in me, but as I said this, as I sat and I watched, the photojournalist and activist in me was wishing that I was right there, capturing images, and lending my voice and my support to my brothers and sisters in Egypt.<br />
<br />
On February 4th, my friend wrote to me again. This time she relayed an experience she had in Tahrir Square. It was so moving and so touching, I asked her permission to please share it here. She gave me full access to do so. The following is in her words. I will only call her "Maha".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgXzN0nc6h4WpNbBl7Za7GuhmUpFg1vWxYjIN8gUVJt0qwsp6Gwhn-39owyc9yjPC7xw9DsViMJg3-C2hlf-BUAln8Wt5cvcZmFaqsY_i-XnNgPh6smoj5aefDx4NXfcU4NQRyILrtd2a/s1600/166806_1426348237545_1797984900_801424_1483993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgXzN0nc6h4WpNbBl7Za7GuhmUpFg1vWxYjIN8gUVJt0qwsp6Gwhn-39owyc9yjPC7xw9DsViMJg3-C2hlf-BUAln8Wt5cvcZmFaqsY_i-XnNgPh6smoj5aefDx4NXfcU4NQRyILrtd2a/s320/166806_1426348237545_1797984900_801424_1483993_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"I just got back a while ago from Tahrir Square again. While I've been hesitant before to write about my experiences, today I have come back overfilled with emotions that I just can't not share it. I pray Allah accepts it from me and I remind myself that this is solely for Him.<br />
<br />
It was beyond words can describe. Getting there took us some good 20 minutes walk because all the entrances except that one were closed. Every 10 meters or so you are stopped for a security check, and my sisters always say, "We apologize." Such good people. In the square, there was these big speakers and everyone in the square could hear, it felt ever so united. It was so different from Tuesday because on that day, there were different groups composed of hundreds of people together each saying their different chant against Mubarak. There was one group that had speakers but it wasn't large enough for everyone to hear. Only a few thousand people who are nearest to the speaker. But today, everyone was chanting in the same breath, praying at the same time, and making dua together. It made me reminisce on Hajj.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOwcLAlj5qCbCjjQMSf-1ZevgHsNLN1g53yFxF4CnGBlsUNz7p5uuHP1vA_yCRvBZSwyCnkIazdx90H3faPT2YAcU-Cxp7ccMozflPIgAsgtJp3p43PfJ-lp1Y68TjJnjNbqChe8w1S_k/s1600/166633_1426308916562_1797984900_801358_286677_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOwcLAlj5qCbCjjQMSf-1ZevgHsNLN1g53yFxF4CnGBlsUNz7p5uuHP1vA_yCRvBZSwyCnkIazdx90H3faPT2YAcU-Cxp7ccMozflPIgAsgtJp3p43PfJ-lp1Y68TjJnjNbqChe8w1S_k/s320/166633_1426308916562_1797984900_801358_286677_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
A short while after we arrived, the men were running in the opposite direction like something had happened and the person with the mic said that they need 30 guys to go to the Talat Harb entrance because the thugs are trying to get in. At that moment, my heart skipped a beat but I also felt very safe at the same time. He then added that our numbers are much more than them and that we are those who are right and all those inspirational words that we won't leave until he leaves and that no one should be afraid of anything.<br />
<br />
I cannot even begin to explain how crowded it was, we were MUCH more than Tuesday! I am guessing like 3 million or more. I couldn't move!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDL4oDAw6VMPhfRqpQcoxlh6vRTLJ7NESwLUmXnunWP_24lAuTk4fwYIw1E8eqG0yyBg-8u0BN8Uj7zjPyiu_XzMzpaWS6eHcpCkZIbzcmBllRnnYEJipSrBYaDlkEdZ33a-W2NFvboLA/s1600/167395_1429390473599_1797984900_806211_4348483_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDL4oDAw6VMPhfRqpQcoxlh6vRTLJ7NESwLUmXnunWP_24lAuTk4fwYIw1E8eqG0yyBg-8u0BN8Uj7zjPyiu_XzMzpaWS6eHcpCkZIbzcmBllRnnYEJipSrBYaDlkEdZ33a-W2NFvboLA/s320/167395_1429390473599_1797984900_806211_4348483_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It was time to pray, and as all the millions were praying hand in hand I could hear the thugs' voices and chanting really near and I thought it was really low of them to try to do anything while we are praying. Really low! But many guys passed in front of me (the square couldn't accommodate everyone praying at the same time, so we were split into rounds), going in that direction I guess, and I know they had the situation under control right from the start because there were many people already at the entrance. How wonderful my fellow Egyptians are. Everything was organized. There was only one entrance you could enter from, all the others were closed so that the thugs won't be able to shoot from the top of the bridge as they had done before.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs8ld1WoIQ_Ackw8A1xf52eba2Ede-52gCpCA9A2Dmj5gEgpeitksXgm4VUj44Lqorqkq1vPaO-ZQzreHTt_yzmGXLE70hnxIIReo29cJdDpGdK22UT0OjoDi-fFl1hzh2Z9w7FI6y-vs/s1600/167154_1429316751756_1797984900_806173_965448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVs8ld1WoIQ_Ackw8A1xf52eba2Ede-52gCpCA9A2Dmj5gEgpeitksXgm4VUj44Lqorqkq1vPaO-ZQzreHTt_yzmGXLE70hnxIIReo29cJdDpGdK22UT0OjoDi-fFl1hzh2Z9w7FI6y-vs/s320/167154_1429316751756_1797984900_806173_965448_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Shortly afterward, there was this huge cloth that they had put up on one of the buildings and they were airing Al Jazeera news channel on it as kind of a projector. Everyone sat down on the floor to watch. I got up to take a better picture of how many we were since everyone was sitting, and I was amazed! We are SO many! And I had already gone there quite late, at Maghrib, so I can't believe what it must have been in the morning.<br />
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After a while, I needed to get water, so I exited the square and headed to the nearby streets. While I was passing, I saw that people had made first aid corners in the streets and were helping injured people (I think the government is not allowing ambulances to enter). I thought those must be the brave men that fought off the thugs. But there were many injured people, and I couldn't help feel more hatred for the government. I got water, and I remembered the people who were distributing free water and gave me one last Tuesday, so I got an extra one to try and pay it forward. I walked for a few meters and sure enough, someone asks me if he could drink so I gave it to him. It was really cool how it was okay to ask a stranger for food or water, I loved how warm that was. And how everyone was giving. The guy sitting next to me was eating this Egyptian dish, and he had finished eating but there were some leftovers, so he was offering it to people. Another guy I sat next to, gave my dad I from the candy he had. And I saw a girl passing biscuits.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RbEU_zthIMq_oQds3TiJoXscvYuKPMRlwtuha-6uneFAKD8FnyDM9OWs3h77e4qf2toSYNZFz61B6QrBDdPCEypkUnGXw3y1Epa7WZ7yxrAamHLGmo0d9Rxm6hyNvZ1rtlIJqihJzBk9/s1600/167558_1429557077764_1797984900_806455_1824533_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RbEU_zthIMq_oQds3TiJoXscvYuKPMRlwtuha-6uneFAKD8FnyDM9OWs3h77e4qf2toSYNZFz61B6QrBDdPCEypkUnGXw3y1Epa7WZ7yxrAamHLGmo0d9Rxm6hyNvZ1rtlIJqihJzBk9/s320/167558_1429557077764_1797984900_806455_1824533_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
While I was leaving to go home because my dad got tired, I couldn't help but wish that I'd be in Tahrir with everyone the time they announce he'll leave, so as much as I hope for it actually happening, as much I want to be there when it does. Inshaa Allah! I'm so proud to be Egyptian!"<br />
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Maha wrote to me again on February 6th:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHF3anTC4IJFWHkwSIaU3d9K4n82gdUY59H89JNebVhEQezn_Cziw2cP1WnxKeWBv8SI1G872RzmydO_Hl6jk0-0rnubm6lqF6jPcQ1Qn48Hs2BJVt5S9lMhJBoTavBisLashYruJl6sH3/s1600/166886_1427510746607_1797984900_803344_4057231_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHF3anTC4IJFWHkwSIaU3d9K4n82gdUY59H89JNebVhEQezn_Cziw2cP1WnxKeWBv8SI1G872RzmydO_Hl6jk0-0rnubm6lqF6jPcQ1Qn48Hs2BJVt5S9lMhJBoTavBisLashYruJl6sH3/s320/166886_1427510746607_1797984900_803344_4057231_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Today was a really emotional day. It was named the "Day of the Martyrs and Coptic Sunday". It was in memory of those who lost their lives, most of whom all died on Friday the 28th and who the government sill won't even make a decent memorial and say sorry for their deaths. So the memorial was done in Tahrir square, and by the non-national TV channels. Such young and innocent people. We saw their photos hung all over the square, and aired by the decent! TV channels, and their relatives came to talk on TV of what happened to them exactly, all of whom killed by the police. Heck, even one person from the ARMY was killed by the police, so it would look like the citizens are the ones who killed him so that there would be a fight between the citizens and the army! And a ten year old child.. I don't know how I expect the police to protect me in the future. I think if I see one I don't know what I'd do.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8NAR4RlVzJ8VQVnuFG5plAAp9Zv1OR5gzSbVu5YoffCCKpTGhse5ORocIsJukyn204KPjLiatw9ZaIsUaw6eRTPxt8yi8SnQ646yTm6pJ_Ol-0qnWq_1NgHdLfuL-N_02VXd0UHr_LAu/s1600/167527_1425131167119_1797984900_799139_6249410_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8NAR4RlVzJ8VQVnuFG5plAAp9Zv1OR5gzSbVu5YoffCCKpTGhse5ORocIsJukyn204KPjLiatw9ZaIsUaw6eRTPxt8yi8SnQ646yTm6pJ_Ol-0qnWq_1NgHdLfuL-N_02VXd0UHr_LAu/s320/167527_1425131167119_1797984900_799139_6249410_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Other than that, I quote the news: the Christians pray Sunday mass under the watch of the Muslims, Christians wake up Muslims for Fajr prayer. So beautiful. The Egypt they have for so long tried to hide.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZluh6e6c_Qzoh2CqDn3ZyifIjkicHJlDzz_8vvXXePd0p4cZbMABAGGkIEAjHBTNOh_S-bZPEqffyLZErFxqy4NzIIJeUsLj6ze3a79bgoU97NaqZs8u8z3H5E_BRFQAs3gRWc_HgLHSf/s1600/168382_1429771003112_1797984900_806625_6820953_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZluh6e6c_Qzoh2CqDn3ZyifIjkicHJlDzz_8vvXXePd0p4cZbMABAGGkIEAjHBTNOh_S-bZPEqffyLZErFxqy4NzIIJeUsLj6ze3a79bgoU97NaqZs8u8z3H5E_BRFQAs3gRWc_HgLHSf/s200/168382_1429771003112_1797984900_806625_6820953_n.jpg" width="144" /></a><br />
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<br />
At the square, our numbers were less than before and the streets were starting to get busy like everyone was going back to their lives, but for sure the ones in Tahrir Sqaure were not moving. I am staying steadfast until I smell the freedom with my two lungs that have probably gone black now by the pollution Mubarak has made with his own hands. Smell the freedom, and continue what the martyrs have started. Half an hour after we arrived at the square, we hear gunshots. Live gunshots from a distance, loud and clear! It lasted for like 30 seconds. And I could hear my heart beating so loudly. For a few minutes, there was clear panic. I shrugged off any thought for my faith in my brothers securing the entrances. Sure enough, they had everything under control and the guy in the mic asked for a big number of people to go there so nothing happened."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRcOFVabB3Xge8kyEZ556IN6_7i7NV_foKMz_IpOT_U68EPN7Z5wvf87YUAQNNEVfcxuqHaCGpvUQFwrO2uT9udKPnyvGATfQBBVbzi5hTpVBhKZjCgyPqs0ALnZMh4r6nF6eQ3iR7QLm/s1600/180435_1424883840936_1797984900_798618_5613351_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRcOFVabB3Xge8kyEZ556IN6_7i7NV_foKMz_IpOT_U68EPN7Z5wvf87YUAQNNEVfcxuqHaCGpvUQFwrO2uT9udKPnyvGATfQBBVbzi5hTpVBhKZjCgyPqs0ALnZMh4r6nF6eQ3iR7QLm/s200/180435_1424883840936_1797984900_798618_5613351_n.jpg" width="153" /></a>I was so moved by Maha's experiences and the peace she felt and the raw emotion that is reverberating through Tahrir Square, this was told in the first person, her own experience. It is a different side to the stories that are shown on the news and online, it is a story of peace, of love, of pride, and of the dignity that each Egyptian is fighting for.<br />
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I am not Egyptian, but I am proud of my sisters and brothers over there for what they are doing. May their fight continue until the last tyrant is gone, and may they enjoy the freedom and democracy that they are all striving for.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDPsLYdbkiC4MiL8KLfsglTUjuRUHAyVBSV9AW3-bQiVMtl8qNgbkKPxWKUUVco4oFYyT7SH6Pnd7H0Gs7p4Xl1_EdW77ishoXyLilkUFBlJvTLa6kWTVXmXyn31VJmueYliyBhXTJLny/s1600/WSE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDPsLYdbkiC4MiL8KLfsglTUjuRUHAyVBSV9AW3-bQiVMtl8qNgbkKPxWKUUVco4oFYyT7SH6Pnd7H0Gs7p4Xl1_EdW77ishoXyLilkUFBlJvTLa6kWTVXmXyn31VJmueYliyBhXTJLny/s400/WSE.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-70174438134449816802011-02-04T21:01:00.000-08:002011-02-04T21:04:37.787-08:00Standing Strong with Egypt - After Friday Prayer Rally in Tempe, Arizona<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arizona is STILL standing strong with the Egyptian people</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and <i>we will continue to do so</i> until Mubarak and his </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">dictatorship is gone!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;">On a beautiful afternoon after (Jummah) prayers on Friday, a group of Egyptian / Middle East supporters walked from ICC Tempe (Masjid) to Mill Avenue and University shouting slogans, waving flags and holding up signs. Once again, car horns blared in support as it fueled our fire to shout louder and stand taller.</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
<div style="font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;">Our demonstrations will continue until Mubarak steps down, and then I can believe we will take to the streets in celebration and jubilation. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Until then, we keep praying, we keep speaking up, and we keep supporting.</span></span></div><br />
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<center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-M29wP3SK80" title="YouTube video player" width="520"></iframe></center>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-8873330384602897202011-02-01T00:40:00.000-08:002011-02-01T01:01:47.877-08:00Solidarity and Freedom for Egypt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5WfGDFi46BjaB6PmV-8rm1SIO7d6SX7OXRraKqPpcjkW2XxHWPHyUTUm16qC6jqWN70rZIPet7ZFQ69WyJUQSBd67zyxQf3SPNN3k4hPNgF6NBrK7_tUYR6yIGhtUh81hF5By8fP5k5T/s1600/DSCN5022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv5WfGDFi46BjaB6PmV-8rm1SIO7d6SX7OXRraKqPpcjkW2XxHWPHyUTUm16qC6jqWN70rZIPet7ZFQ69WyJUQSBd67zyxQf3SPNN3k4hPNgF6NBrK7_tUYR6yIGhtUh81hF5By8fP5k5T/s320/DSCN5022.JPG" width="240" /></a>For the past several days, I have been glued almost 24/7 to CNN and Al Jazeera (English) online with continual breaking news from Egypt.<br />
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The situation in Egypt is something that has my interests peeked, not just because I have several friends who are currently living in Egypt, and a handful of Egyptian friends; but for me, Egypt brings back memories of Anwar Sadat and his assassination.<br />
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Granted, I was only young, 8 years old to be exact, but I was at a stage in my life when the events that flashed before my eyes on the nightly news, actually had meaning to me.<br />
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I remember the news reports about the Camp David Peace Accords between Menachem Begin, Jimmy Carter, and Anwar Sadat. The warmth in the handshake between Begin and Sadat, the prospect of peace and change.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuk3Qcg1_vPpN0WKmxRrKQL_R9Uh-ldLCxnU2PxbbtD6FI8e_qEWq7j7T9TC1JjeYUVtV8iF31EKx8c46XZh5JfsdHpbQT9otKrR22IluBvF7kT5TT18a-czFT1VlUiM2hdRnawtY6Z9X/s1600/DSCN5055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRuk3Qcg1_vPpN0WKmxRrKQL_R9Uh-ldLCxnU2PxbbtD6FI8e_qEWq7j7T9TC1JjeYUVtV8iF31EKx8c46XZh5JfsdHpbQT9otKrR22IluBvF7kT5TT18a-czFT1VlUiM2hdRnawtY6Z9X/s320/DSCN5055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Then, I remember the horrible day when the radio announced that Anwar Sadat had been assassinated. At school, I excitedly told my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Richards and was telling her how terribly sad it was. I remember even asking her what this would mean to the Camp David Accords and the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel? She was obviously baffled and taken completely aback; but that was how I was brought up, listening (and paying attention) to the news and current events. It has long been a part of my life, a part of who I am, ingrained in me.<br />
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So this new wave, the "revolution" as some are calling it, has once again peeked my interest. But its more than that, especially now. Now, I have friends there, I have Egyptian friends here, I am Muslim, I have a vested interest in what is going on over there.<br />
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Hosni Mubarak has created a monster in the people with his oppressions and lack of freedom. Most of my friends have never known anyone as ruler but him, and grew up under his rule, and his rules. But this experience goes to show that after a period of time in oppression, poverty, lack of food, the beast will tear off the shackles and fight back. Enough is enough, and the people are rising up.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTz9YF23TEeMngkrGI-QOB0uhy4uVxRLYTUI7-S3T39YijL6R28Tr5Y5aGzbzu59r6U-I6Kpn4BB-XkZqOd_w1KjqeZRWitC1NYiZYGANTD9A4cLntAsLWvv5UzENkVfJSZYejDcqQKWT/s1600/DSCN5057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTz9YF23TEeMngkrGI-QOB0uhy4uVxRLYTUI7-S3T39YijL6R28Tr5Y5aGzbzu59r6U-I6Kpn4BB-XkZqOd_w1KjqeZRWitC1NYiZYGANTD9A4cLntAsLWvv5UzENkVfJSZYejDcqQKWT/s320/DSCN5057.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light of the future</td></tr>
</tbody></table>As I watch this, I have memories of scenes from Tienanmen Square. When the army rolled in to Cairo and Alexandria (and other areas) on Friday, I held my breath. Was this going to be another massacre like China? And of course, news came out that this weekend, China shut down any social media and banned any posts with the word "Egypt" in it; I guess they don't want the beast to rear its ugly head in their capital again, 22 years later. Many of my more recent friends, were either infants when this occurred or they were not born yet. But most don't remember this as experiencing history in the making as I did, for them, it is a blurb in a text book. For them, this, Egypt, the uprising, the beast being unleashed, this is their Tienanmen, this is their history in the making. In 20 years, they will be remembering it as clear as day, while the youth of the moment will be coming to experience their own "history" being created before their eyes.<br />
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It does seem that this happens in cycles, every couple of decades... Tienanmen, Vietnam, Korea, WWII...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8menxdtcsfwLhDVUvldX9zbprWNFHZV5pNxkBSAWfWAnhGH8mfTl5nWlrNOF4-klS3ZqzLRpsjC0dJWnsSzfq_z99B339Z6pGxX1IcpE6AUvevaHHFPh5AC7qwNS0QVAXlncZ27JNot8/s1600/DSCN5035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8menxdtcsfwLhDVUvldX9zbprWNFHZV5pNxkBSAWfWAnhGH8mfTl5nWlrNOF4-klS3ZqzLRpsjC0dJWnsSzfq_z99B339Z6pGxX1IcpE6AUvevaHHFPh5AC7qwNS0QVAXlncZ27JNot8/s320/DSCN5035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>And of course, since I have a vested interest, I am not content to sit at home and simply view history happening on my TV screen before me. Maybe it is my innate desire to be a journalist, to be in the "thick of the action", to get the word out and inform others; or maybe it is the "activist" in me, but when this began, I felt pumped up, motivated, I felt a strong need to be a part of it, to be in the thick of it.<br />
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Barring getting on the next plane to Cairo, and join my "heroes" in the journalism field, I could do the next best thing, join in the local protests that were occurring here in Tempe.<br />
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One of my friends was one of the organizers of today's rally to support Egypt, Tunisia, and egging on for the rest of the Middle East to rise up and create a "revolution", creating a positive change; so of course I had to go, and lend my voice.<br />
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The email said to arrive "on time", as most in the Muslim world know, there is in actual fact "two sets of time"; regular time that most of the world sets their clocks by, and then there is "Muslim time", which tends about 30 [plus] minutes late.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ86cDpRHPy7ircNlvw8fIv9rj1HUb8bXgS_ltg8Wh3LNRoMxsfeGwAIqMtVoNHXtFWNfqb5-zRwppITjNXiWaYi8_EJRmv00t_9udb6MPVYyCGPrKPiW-6PLUXgmy4p3l39A-xxa3PlTz/s1600/DSCN5039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ86cDpRHPy7ircNlvw8fIv9rj1HUb8bXgS_ltg8Wh3LNRoMxsfeGwAIqMtVoNHXtFWNfqb5-zRwppITjNXiWaYi8_EJRmv00t_9udb6MPVYyCGPrKPiW-6PLUXgmy4p3l39A-xxa3PlTz/s320/DSCN5039.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protester getting riled up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I guess I must have been Muslim for my entire life, because I have been living on "Muslim time" for eons!<br />
<br />
Because we were not sure how extensive parking was going to be, and being disabled without the ability to walk too far, we needed to arrive on time, if not early to ensure we had parking.<br />
<br />
As we arrived, there were about 20 people already there, holding up signs and others choosing which sign they were going to hold up. While the turnout began a little disappointing, it was not long before more and more people turned up.<br />
<br />
As I stood on the street corner with my sign proudly posted towards the cars at the intersection, a young American lady walked up to me and greeted me in the Islamic way "As'salaam alaikum" she said. I was taken aback slightly as this was the first time I have been greeted as such by a non-Muslim.<br />
<br />
"Wa'alaikum as'salaam", I responded. She looked a little confused by my answer, I think she might have wondered if I spoke English, with my sun glasses on and hijab, maybe I don't quite look like I do. I mean I do look to be an anomaly anyway, and people are always baffled, but with large sunglasses, it must double confusion.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkrAbnYjPcoVxlhhm8GqU7FMLvZETXD_5kMRExq-cuoSAM1uXQQRuEWkJ1ytpESFc5HI_puNBfz0CsGe9Teb_H7IAWLZVN0Cp_nkwhjjzn6Ms65weG0K233gflCUjzuirS-tEJA0mTbDS/s1600/DSCN5025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkrAbnYjPcoVxlhhm8GqU7FMLvZETXD_5kMRExq-cuoSAM1uXQQRuEWkJ1ytpESFc5HI_puNBfz0CsGe9Teb_H7IAWLZVN0Cp_nkwhjjzn6Ms65weG0K233gflCUjzuirS-tEJA0mTbDS/s320/DSCN5025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady in pink shirt asked me if anyone could join in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>"Is this an organized event... I mean, is this an organization?" She asked.<br />
<br />
"Well, it's an organized event by word of mouth and social media, but not an organization only." I responded.<br />
<br />
"Oh, so can anyone join in?" She asked.<br />
<br />
"OH SURE!" I answered really eagerly. I was thinking "How cool is this? Just some random person coming off the street wanting to join in."<br />
<br />
"Go ahead and grab a sign over there and join us."<br />
<br />
She smiled sweetly and disappeared into the crowd of people. I caught sight of her later with her file folder, standing just a little away from the crowd, observing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorGIlMwxfnGIdKYQ-Ucagz1A4ctAG4kYZnLkCgYPGP4Vq26crcdsq0YIH9W9rC6c0Ei1HyxHriowOtvPYsvpEdATHQro-WNnpmbjf2vKtV6lMffJZ3pvv-u2jO4tpX0_hxXqS9rQgHXh0/s1600/DSCN5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorGIlMwxfnGIdKYQ-Ucagz1A4ctAG4kYZnLkCgYPGP4Vq26crcdsq0YIH9W9rC6c0Ei1HyxHriowOtvPYsvpEdATHQro-WNnpmbjf2vKtV6lMffJZ3pvv-u2jO4tpX0_hxXqS9rQgHXh0/s320/DSCN5051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Today was an awesome day. It was amazing to stand together with brothers and sisters (of the human race), Muslims and non-Muslims, people who just joined in off the street, shouting out loud our support for "Freedom in Egypt" and "Down with Mubarak".<br />
We were one human race, with one agenda; solidarity.<br />
<br />
To stand there as one people, and to hear the amount of support from those in cars driving by. And then; a fire truck rounded the corner, and the next thing a loud, blaring "honk" from the fire truck, in support and solidarity of us, of Egypt, and of freedom.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwwY57p47oTP8u85aZnoMBGacsxDPQd6dltGKA7S9okvze0D-7jg7qTJ7oD_2o8VrZFaFNutb1pDpLRco9G3kr3LiaPXUJ0ub0iqhHDXNrj6LdNLU8HEeU8S7ZXgybrF-BWFRD4-c6MFe/s1600/DSCN5071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwwY57p47oTP8u85aZnoMBGacsxDPQd6dltGKA7S9okvze0D-7jg7qTJ7oD_2o8VrZFaFNutb1pDpLRco9G3kr3LiaPXUJ0ub0iqhHDXNrj6LdNLU8HEeU8S7ZXgybrF-BWFRD4-c6MFe/s320/DSCN5071.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We are currently in a spectacular time. The outcome in unknown, but the solidarity and the beast is rising stronger and louder. When will it end? Where will it end? No one but Allah knows. But what will forever be remembered is that the beast was unleashed, and once unleashed, it may quiet, but it will never sleep again.<br />
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<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Photo Montage </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmcGYxTjl8caBmmO1Y8ITTA0goN1RGja9N5gxp_Xt4wONWRBWOQvWGEYUgqDqltRXm4cY69eG2NmxR0kELmbs1O-N-K2paef24SZ-LRbP0BL4zXTHIwEiru6aY00EKHqOatys9SzWOJp8/s1600/DSCN5016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmcGYxTjl8caBmmO1Y8ITTA0goN1RGja9N5gxp_Xt4wONWRBWOQvWGEYUgqDqltRXm4cY69eG2NmxR0kELmbs1O-N-K2paef24SZ-LRbP0BL4zXTHIwEiru6aY00EKHqOatys9SzWOJp8/s320/DSCN5016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Jamie Steele, of San Carlos Apache Reservation</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRxa_y758qrZD3rcI6zZY4Sipvm83FEYfmX6NNMlJZYkmBtyHnqetf_glLl3n28G7xj6Dkn8JFPZQ4rdzOfGdZVDuRkPT1iNdkMQbCu6Qu_PC5Qv0seC80lievlnJbE17lqEBj9pDx65b/s1600/DSCN5020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmRxa_y758qrZD3rcI6zZY4Sipvm83FEYfmX6NNMlJZYkmBtyHnqetf_glLl3n28G7xj6Dkn8JFPZQ4rdzOfGdZVDuRkPT1iNdkMQbCu6Qu_PC5Qv0seC80lievlnJbE17lqEBj9pDx65b/s320/DSCN5020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8XkDaOC09ATjq_Xmix_5C2jEqtJuYKneH6ipq7HZnIro5uvNvac35qxK9gSOIWFbsGZkOMuVigi27S53MHfv6RbKblJ31-uQkQffEBSsQhOQThINTDzd9wQpobnYj76jvMwSls3s5K0n/s1600/DSCN5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8XkDaOC09ATjq_Xmix_5C2jEqtJuYKneH6ipq7HZnIro5uvNvac35qxK9gSOIWFbsGZkOMuVigi27S53MHfv6RbKblJ31-uQkQffEBSsQhOQThINTDzd9wQpobnYj76jvMwSls3s5K0n/s320/DSCN5038.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Muslim young ladies taking the advantage of the rally to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">protest against Israel's bombing of Palestine</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtVCZxf_BEG3Ey2UAU7uB4nTPWnHZBSpz7t3ovrswfBxn9MwjD5T-JMK_H44sm91BSazR1QWcQH0Vtfwo-sY93_KRT1G3E3E4SI4D6R_U59sRQkwKkN1Av9KSLnwlNXpUlmKm8143YTfb/s1600/DSCN5047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtVCZxf_BEG3Ey2UAU7uB4nTPWnHZBSpz7t3ovrswfBxn9MwjD5T-JMK_H44sm91BSazR1QWcQH0Vtfwo-sY93_KRT1G3E3E4SI4D6R_U59sRQkwKkN1Av9KSLnwlNXpUlmKm8143YTfb/s320/DSCN5047.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mothers and their children came out to rally</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcvjkqDWgDY-_4ygtSeIAwsZnaE4rU5djfdIgEc5hz_HBOPYGpD6HBGAVgmJxZoye5NbzwF_k0tLJXPes0i3mHkx-Al6YgZ8BYFJPrdeSrCgjI57ShehthrSqPjRx8FsRA_9iUkMZuV78/s1600/DSCN5058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcvjkqDWgDY-_4ygtSeIAwsZnaE4rU5djfdIgEc5hz_HBOPYGpD6HBGAVgmJxZoye5NbzwF_k0tLJXPes0i3mHkx-Al6YgZ8BYFJPrdeSrCgjI57ShehthrSqPjRx8FsRA_9iUkMZuV78/s320/DSCN5058.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Usama Abdallah, of Chandler, along with his 5-year-old son Adam, wave a flag during the protest at a rally on the corner of Mill Avenue and University Drive in Tempe.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYMMwpmPhz-yqk4b7JKzuAyfgjwPm9Fnd4duyNDpBMZN-p4KhKlhel-CJ6f7NmeMgfPflDkCCnqCwvqeEzFZyQtAKYjBPqU-wHQE3M4tw0Cn4mdE_9Z_B01SgAz-MwFxpi5DSHI5zfoND/s1600/DSCN5062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrYMMwpmPhz-yqk4b7JKzuAyfgjwPm9Fnd4duyNDpBMZN-p4KhKlhel-CJ6f7NmeMgfPflDkCCnqCwvqeEzFZyQtAKYjBPqU-wHQE3M4tw0Cn4mdE_9Z_B01SgAz-MwFxpi5DSHI5zfoND/s320/DSCN5062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Ayah Ahmed (left), 19, and Amanda Elgamal, 15, <br />
protest during the rally .</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLgO9cgJxW5FG61nQt4yafv5oJD3DLoNebP4DtRh6GP302yJZX827N2jyPpJz7Z4ugZNgMnr92ik4XDnVBsfQOxIgffdCZFeZDI8uqkHgSnqRKqD1DSRDpAIAdMuQ4hyFiRTknfJIprN1/s1600/DSCN5063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLgO9cgJxW5FG61nQt4yafv5oJD3DLoNebP4DtRh6GP302yJZX827N2jyPpJz7Z4ugZNgMnr92ik4XDnVBsfQOxIgffdCZFeZDI8uqkHgSnqRKqD1DSRDpAIAdMuQ4hyFiRTknfJIprN1/s320/DSCN5063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OaOpt3Jkv-Qw4xT_GNzygl_vAPZZDzbi-XWLfBXs95p290oBu9k8OTifU9E1JlRaKK5qRXZBfME04LxqSv5MnWaunANDqvqo7H_RWrcRja24bZ6heLziUWJGk_6u4AIcPMppAURh0qV4/s1600/DSCN5064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OaOpt3Jkv-Qw4xT_GNzygl_vAPZZDzbi-XWLfBXs95p290oBu9k8OTifU9E1JlRaKK5qRXZBfME04LxqSv5MnWaunANDqvqo7H_RWrcRja24bZ6heLziUWJGk_6u4AIcPMppAURh0qV4/s320/DSCN5064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvuQqKCW0EnFO73HwVtdbAqQda8oVOenDJP3WlmET5dyVSou6snJDBT47I1tDDxRWXiqUSMueir_XVujtcghd8gPvO4njfbxeTYoXXX-2V3icpu0NSgpn_YKXbm-x0HOS38bdFicFy4ON/s1600/DSCN5065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvuQqKCW0EnFO73HwVtdbAqQda8oVOenDJP3WlmET5dyVSou6snJDBT47I1tDDxRWXiqUSMueir_XVujtcghd8gPvO4njfbxeTYoXXX-2V3icpu0NSgpn_YKXbm-x0HOS38bdFicFy4ON/s320/DSCN5065.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsBQftQuUm0i0mL-ARWmO9EdZw612NgU01510ZAyqRozaTJzD4BahMDHKF9SWzaBe6UHMFLM6If-B0PX-86abGlkO08k479_43YVw9PZgiTqymSQkZyDf2DkZ1J4vI44VVkL2fvpRpOXo/s1600/DSCN5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsBQftQuUm0i0mL-ARWmO9EdZw612NgU01510ZAyqRozaTJzD4BahMDHKF9SWzaBe6UHMFLM6If-B0PX-86abGlkO08k479_43YVw9PZgiTqymSQkZyDf2DkZ1J4vI44VVkL2fvpRpOXo/s320/DSCN5067.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mike Watkiss from KTVK 3 in Phoenix covered </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">the event live. KTVK 3 was one of five news</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">stations that covered the rally in Tempe this</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">afternoon.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6OuyEq1JMM_qrGmQD4vehtPfIA0o31JR7I_Dv4TE-DO-Z43bWW3RQ0uXCx-t7fUsbsQ2z22z1ztSoiFlY-EBhqPkSc9-Vz55Lxuv_Uves8CUvLDEmc-IKct6jaDo7KK0j-3VI4aphAgd/s1600/DSCN5082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6OuyEq1JMM_qrGmQD4vehtPfIA0o31JR7I_Dv4TE-DO-Z43bWW3RQ0uXCx-t7fUsbsQ2z22z1ztSoiFlY-EBhqPkSc9-Vz55Lxuv_Uves8CUvLDEmc-IKct6jaDo7KK0j-3VI4aphAgd/s320/DSCN5082.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_je9qvVOQRuLArYldUHE1CLyrO1kQ9igbtlobKJK84xub4-J8OkRqDDFSNcxby4iT6t0iOBA3ftGp54TZyzCs-OLYpp8e8ZORtkIrHZRUohTNQ_1kjW2pqujKLm24CfSw7UQJZba1Gow/s1600/DSCN5041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_je9qvVOQRuLArYldUHE1CLyrO1kQ9igbtlobKJK84xub4-J8OkRqDDFSNcxby4iT6t0iOBA3ftGp54TZyzCs-OLYpp8e8ZORtkIrHZRUohTNQ_1kjW2pqujKLm24CfSw7UQJZba1Gow/s320/DSCN5041.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 15px;">Omar Hassan, 12, makes a definite statement <br />
as he protests during the rally.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-29248496440372934312010-11-24T15:04:00.000-08:002010-11-24T15:04:37.082-08:00No ThanksgivingThis Thanksgiving is going to be practically none-existent for us, but that is alright because we actually have LOTS to be grateful for, and we certainly don't need a turkey and all the trimmings to remind us to give thanks.<br />
<br />
So that actually leads me to ponder... Why do many wait around until the day of Thanks-giving to give thanks? Should we not be giving thanks on a daily, even moment-by-moment, basis? <br />
<br />
As Muslims, we are told that we need to be giving thanks and showing gratitude continually. I remember our teacher told us several weeks ago in class that we must always remember that even how great our hardships are, there is another who has even greater hardships; and for that reason, we must be grateful and give thanks to Allah (swt) that our struggles are not as difficult.<br />
<br />
This Thanksgiving also comes on the four-month anniversary of my Dad's passing. So I also have a few mixed emotions on that aspect. While it is still difficult for me, I give thanks and gratitude that I had my Dad as long as I did, when many lose their father's very young. I give thanks and gratitude that my Dad lived to see his 88th year, and that he lived a vibrant, amazing, and extraordinary life.<br />
<br />
I even give thanks and gratitude that he died in the way that he always wanted, without pain, without fear, at home, in the arms of his beloved wife (my mother), and in his sleep, quickly. So while my heart yearns for him, for his hugs, to hear his voice, to see his physical being; my heart also soars at the amazing amounts of blessings that Daddy had, and the gratitude and immense amount of thanks for the life he gave (and showed) us all, for shaping us to be the people we are today. And I pray that he will be regarded for all his amazingly loving, kind, caring, and good deeds and that he will attain Firdaus.<br />
<br />
My Dad used to tell us to always be thankful and grateful to Allah (swt) for all that we had. If we did not have something we wanted, we had to see was what we DID have; we had a home, our family, our love for one another, we had food on the table and in our bellies, we had our health; and most of all, we had the knowledge and the love of Allah (swt) - what greater gift could we, as mere humans, have? <br />
<br />
So, while there won't be a turkey gracing our table this year, or all the fixings that go along with it; we don't need to limit ourselves and our thanks-giving to just one day out of an entire year. I am filled with gratitude and thankfulness constantly. <br />
<br />
I wish all my friends, family, and readers a wonderful, blessed, Happy Thanksgiving; but I don't just limit those wishes to tomorrow, I wish this as a constant to you always.<br />
<br />
As'salaam alaikum.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1rw9pX0AwwJJ9ncgCnYsKYyCTUFX-c58glbLl1IEbVwOY22JgKUFdlqAZrqigiCzZ89OgA2eROIRObMQl3ZTjI66ZewJ_1MSy-_FDLteeIJ0EP4U6Xb_zAAZooMB2yQdz97TDunfaUJE/s1600/Happy-Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1rw9pX0AwwJJ9ncgCnYsKYyCTUFX-c58glbLl1IEbVwOY22JgKUFdlqAZrqigiCzZ89OgA2eROIRObMQl3ZTjI66ZewJ_1MSy-_FDLteeIJ0EP4U6Xb_zAAZooMB2yQdz97TDunfaUJE/s320/Happy-Thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-35988692143499977932010-11-22T20:05:00.000-08:002010-11-22T20:09:07.458-08:00Double Take, 'No Survivor'<center><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NMPpb5Z6V28?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NMPpb5Z6V28?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="440" height="385"></embed></object></center><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMPpb5Z6V28">Double Take, "No Survivor" </a><br />
<br />
A good friend of mine originally posted this to Facebook, and it was SO funny I had to share it here with you all. Its a great parody. And after the seriousness of my last post, a little light-hearted fun is always good. Enjoy! :) Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-54721862108902922832010-11-21T13:11:00.000-08:002010-11-22T20:53:21.860-08:00My Journey Out of The Mormon Religion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgG8xosvPCS_N0oXtD-TQR_H9PaOWVzR0PuYnEnQQrhk8rLGV_wA7xKoBvhBvblDb0TQWCEin8JaLUatpHP7w5RyhyphenhyphenKPUBL1JFjse2xsz7i-o3PC5YAp9_iRT-bZ7p1PfHduuvLKv0-Tg/s1600/CIMG5178.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgG8xosvPCS_N0oXtD-TQR_H9PaOWVzR0PuYnEnQQrhk8rLGV_wA7xKoBvhBvblDb0TQWCEin8JaLUatpHP7w5RyhyphenhyphenKPUBL1JFjse2xsz7i-o3PC5YAp9_iRT-bZ7p1PfHduuvLKv0-Tg/s320/CIMG5178.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><br />
Here is an update that is long overdue, and will explain things to a fair few people who have been asking. <br />
<br />
At the risk of continually repeating myself, I felt it more pertinent to write this blog post and make my explanations here.<br />
<br />
While I understand that this may shock and offend some reading it, it is not my intention to hurt anyone. This is simply my story, my experience. I still have many friends who are members of the church, and I love them dearly (even if they chose to no longer associate with me, my friendship will always be open to them); and to them I only wish love and happiness. <br />
<br />
To a fair few, I may be looked upon as a "traitor" to my faith, and an even greater sinner for "luring" my husband away from the Mormon religion, and thusly I will burn in the depths of hell for eternity. <br />
<br />
To you, I will only say that I wish you peace; and that if you decide to continue reading, you do so with an open mind and heart. This is nothing but MY story and MY experience. How I have envied those of you (over the years) who have your faith so firmly planted, who have not continually been seeking, how I have wanted to BE YOU, with your peace and your confidence steeped deeply in the church's teachings. But alas, that was not my journey. <br />
<br />
To start at the very beginning, I have to go back to the end of May/beginning of June 2010..<br />
<br />
Two weeks after we were sealed*, I fell into a deep depression which seemed to come from nowhere. I mean, we'd just been sealed in the temple right? It should have been the happiest time in our lives and I should have felt elated and on top of the world, in a new "honeymoon" period. But instead, I felt myself withdraw deep inside, I wanted to see no-one, I wanted to speak to no-one, and I became a literal hermit in the privacy of my home. <br />
<br />
As the time was leading up to our sealing, excitement was exchanged for almost dread and fear. These emotions were so incredibly far from the dream of the 16-year old girl who had first learned about being married for "time and all eternity". A dream I had held on to for 20 years, like some fairytale, and kneeling across an altar from my "Prince Charming" as we made a solemn and eternal vow to each other.<br />
<br />
I tried to dismiss the feelings as "pre-wedding jitters"; the only thing was, Ben and I had been married for 7 1/2 years already by that time. Then I dismissed it as Satan trying to step in between us, and the more I had these feelings, the more "right" I tried to make myself believe what we were planning to do was. I mean it had to be according to Heavenly Father and against what Satan wanted for it to be so difficult right? That's what I had always been taught in the church. This was going to be a "testimony building" experience, and that's what kept me going forward with it all. <br />
<br />
Originally, my dream was to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, I mean, that is the "princess - fairytale - castle/like" temple right? It is THE temple that is synonymous with the Mormon faith. So we tried every which way to make it up there, even having a huge garage sale over two weekends to raise capital to make the trip. But we fell way short. My dream of Salt Lake City was slowly dissolving into thin air. I exchanged my <a href="http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/saltlake/">fairytale castle temple</a>, for a "<a href="http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/mesa/gallery/">shoebox</a>" temple.<br />
<br />
I wondered if my disappointment was clouding the fact that I was going to be "sealed" to my husband for time and all eternity? Was I simply acting like a spoiled-brat in my mindset and protruding bottom lip? <br />
<br />
And we were fighting more and more often too. Neither of us were at a point where we even wanted to go through with this any more. We turned to the young missionaries who had practically made this their "second home", and were assured that it was nothing more than Satan interfering, but we had to persevere and once we were sealed, "everything would change".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ4f5aJ_g3s-d_UDh7gLVLG95BeDM4qQ9JNZrMUF6L51Lj1cHpkDsfzRboD-Z9WKu5ERDd7Xvamj5kPDxFznHuQLSsQB0U6BKd9RqVAZc0rAZ4-U_V_dDrXGOI3luTLd10myHlmFsAjt9/s1600/67611_1664114292056_1513210945_1636891_2311384_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZ4f5aJ_g3s-d_UDh7gLVLG95BeDM4qQ9JNZrMUF6L51Lj1cHpkDsfzRboD-Z9WKu5ERDd7Xvamj5kPDxFznHuQLSsQB0U6BKd9RqVAZc0rAZ4-U_V_dDrXGOI3luTLd10myHlmFsAjt9/s320/67611_1664114292056_1513210945_1636891_2311384_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>On the way to the temple the afternoon we were to be sealed, I was almost sick to my stomach, I did not feel like this when we married the first time; what was different? I had to wear my mask and dismiss the nerves as nothing more than excitement; show our guests a 'good face'. I was excited too, I can't deny it; but it just felt "weird". <br />
<br />
Afterward, we did feel the "glow" of the experience, and in realising that we had been connected and joined together as a husband and wife for all of time and eternity. That idea does still give me somersaults in my stomach, but I no longer believe that it is something that man can divide, and I know with every ounce of me, that we WILL continue to be together forever.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawDHG0-IR_TMCbFSijAX8Epk7jKCRs8MW0QKbmhFJXcrul8Bt6fV21rMzIs9ugoumITXXuFpsaQPAUCpV2nN8REGbnmzvjSGQSxVH8egSyVYtY8Ov1sz51qDZ_0w9PbM89ASM76ZPcmXD/s1600/73718_1664113612039_1513210945_1636887_3003181_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawDHG0-IR_TMCbFSijAX8Epk7jKCRs8MW0QKbmhFJXcrul8Bt6fV21rMzIs9ugoumITXXuFpsaQPAUCpV2nN8REGbnmzvjSGQSxVH8egSyVYtY8Ov1sz51qDZ_0w9PbM89ASM76ZPcmXD/s320/73718_1664113612039_1513210945_1636887_3003181_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I wanted to go back to the temple immediately and do a "session". To be with my eternal companion for the first time together in the celestial room, AS eternal husband and wife. But Ben kept pushing that notion away. He felt he was not "ready", and this lead to the fighting again... not even a week after we were "re-married", the honeymoon was "over". He told me that if I wanted to 'go to the temple so much' he'd drop me off, but that was not the point. I had worked myself into a place of that fairytale romance that would now (finally) begin our eternities and I wanted desperately to be together in the Celestial Room with him to experience that "sealing" of our eternal union. <br />
<br />
He could not understand his feelings, but he kept resisting.<br />
<br />
We never did return to the temple. <br />
<br />
After my Dad passed, the very next morning I had a most profound experience, which I learned later in the day, my Mother too had a most profound experience and that they both happened at the exact same time concerning the same thing - she on the east coast of Canada, and me here in the South-western part of the United States!<br />
<br />
It lead me to want to learn more about Islam and in it gain a better, and deeper, understanding of my Dad; and in doing that, learning about my history and who I really was. What I did not reckon on finding were the answers I had been seeking for most of my life. And therein, I found a deep seated peace and a belonging; I finally felt that I had found "Home". <br />
<br />
When I learned that Islam was more a way of life than a religion, that the word Islam simply means to "submit" and is from the Arabic root word for "Peace"; and a Muslim is simply "one who submits to Allah [God]", I felt every ounce of myself KNOW that this was truth. While man-made religion dictates so much, in Islam the relationship lays between an individual and God. In the end, it ONLY matters what is in a persons heart and Allah knows best.<br />
<br />
This began my journey into Islam and my "coming home". <br />
<br />
On September 13th 2010, I reverted back to the religion of my birth, the religion of my father, and the religion that is locked deeply within my very Be-ing. <br />
<br />
While the video of my conversion/reversion was posted to You Tube, and I have had 'witnesses' to my reverting from all over the world, I did not feel any need to go and tell people from the church, or my bishop. I was "inactive" and that was pretty much where I was happy to let it stay.<br />
<br />
After my husband's journey, and final reversion to Islam, the cards began to stack against us as far as friends from the church began to seep out and verbally, and openly, attack us. We kept our respect for one and all, and we kept a level head.<br />
<br />
This past Sunday (November 14th 2010), we received a surprise visit from the bishop of the ward; he wanted to know if the "rumours" he had heard were true in that we were studying about Islam and were we doing it for knowledge sake or the reason of conversion. While Ben did not tell him that we'd already reverted he did admit that he was looking at it for the reason of conversion. At which point, the bishop immediately demanded we turn over our temple recommends and when I came out to give them, he told me that we had to write him a letter asking for our names to be removed from the church records and if he did not hear from us, we would "hear from" him in no uncertain terms (in other words if we do not willingly resign as members of the church, he will convene a church court to excommunicate us). To which I responded "that's the only time we ever hear from you people".<br />
<br />
Over the years, we have had a myriad of issues with this bishop; and while some can be claimed to be misunderstanding, there is a definite "dislike" for us on the part of this man. And he has been trying for years to find ways to get us to "disappear" and out of the church/ward. <br />
<br />
He has burdened us with abusive words over and over again during our years with this ward. While he has been somewhat "pleasant" on the one hand, on the other, he has been emotionally, verbally, and psychologically abusive.<br />
<br />
In the past, we have gone inactive because he has pushed us away, and in the time that we were gone from the church (one was a 2-year absence), he only ever came to our door one time. I recall the date freshly in my mind, July 4th 2004. I had borrowed a sewing machine from the church and had not been at church to return it, so he came round on that day simply to pick it up. He did not bother to stay or to even ask how we were doing, seeking after our welfare as a bishop... the "father of the ward", should be doing as he "tends to his flock". This bishop would rather lose two of his flock than to search, seek, and bring those he has lost back. <br />
<br />
We have several Muslim friends who were born and raised Mormon, a couple have successfully completed full-time missions for the church and NONE of them have been asked to have their names removed from the church records. They have simply been allowed to be, and are classified on church records as being "inactive".<br />
<br />
While this week has brought a myriad of emotions, most of which have been anger at this person, and finally releasing and letting go of that which was deep within me; I am trying to also find the peace and harmony of this release. I have been a part of the church for 21 years, and I fought SO hard to BE a member and then to STAY a member, but I now have to look back and wonder what all that stemmed from and what was the "fighting" really for? Was it the need for a 16-year-old child to feel wanted and to be a part of something, to simply belong? Or was there more to it? <br />
<br />
It has been a week of learning, knowing, releasing, and then be-ing; only to return and complete the cycle once, twice, thrice more. <br />
<br />
The biggest feeling of relief has come in, for the first time in my life, finally feeling free to be me. No airs, no graces, no masks, no "double life"; no conforming into what those in the church deem to be appropriate. I have finally shed that thick layer of skin that I created in conforming to being the person that they dictated me to be. The burden is released, and the reaction has been fantastic on my psyche. <br />
<br />
Many have felt that the main reason we left the church has solely been because of the people and us having had a "bad experience" with the church. I have to make a correction here, while we have had a terrible and devastating experience with the WARD we were in, and the bishop; what I consider my "home ward" was/is wonderful. The people were true as we read in the wonderful "fairytales" that we are taught about in the history of the church, or in the monthly Ensign. The people in my ward in Ottawa, Canada are living the gospel as it is supposed to be lived. They are welcoming, inviting, engaging, and loving. You must understand that I have been seeking, for years, many answers to questions, and I could not find within the walls of the Mormon-faith. The people had a lot to do with how easy it was to look outside of the faith, and to continually push me/us away, but the only reason why we left had nothing to do with the people, it was much deeper than that. <br />
<br />
But yes, my experiences here were devastating to me who had grown to know the members as being a strong foundation of what was my world, and my faith. <br />
<br />
It was devastating when the very first time that I attended the ward here, NO ONE bothered to say "hello" or "welcome", I was observed like a freak at a side-show. The woman with whom I shared a pew sat staring at me in a freakish way the entire Sacrament meeting (I only spoke with her for the very first time in 2009 when someone introduced us, and this after 6 years of being members of the same ward). Then, at the close of that first Sacrament meeting, she literally climbed over my lap/legs to "get out". As I got lost in the maze of corridors trying to find Sunday School, no one stopped to ask if I needed any help or was I new, I was left completely and totally alone.<br />
<br />
Later, in a meeting with a counselor in the Stake Presidency, I brought this experience up and suggested that more needed to be said from the Stake Presidency to the members of the Stake in making people feel more welcomed, and that members truly DID need to live by the motto of President David O. McKay "Every member a missionary". The counselor answered me by saying that my husband and I could be that example in leading the way as we attended our meetings. That there would be no address from the stake presidency and that if we wanted to <i>see </i>the change, we had to <i>be </i>the change and example for others to follow. <br />
<br />
As I sat amongst "my people" those who are supposed to by my "brothers and sisters", I felt more alone than I had ever felt in my life; and I would say that for me, this is when the first stirrings of questions began to enter my psyche. But, as a "member in good standing" Mormon, those questions had to be pushed as far away as possible. <br />
<br />
But the problem with opening Pandora's box is that the flow is continual. Not only was I now pondering, questions that I had lingering from years prior began to intermingle with new questions. <br />
<br />
When I sought answers to the questions, many were never answerable in the church. I was told over the years to pray more, fast more, read my scriptures more, go to the temple more. So when none of that gave me answers, I was then handed off the standard, "well we'll find out the answers when we die and are in the Celestial Kingdom."<br />
<br />
More and more I questioned my faith, my beliefs, the very things that I had held on so strongly to over the years and what eventually brought me back to the church time and time again from inactivity and seeking questions from outside of the religion.<br />
<br />
I wanted SO hard to believe and understand everything. I wanted SO hard to be a part of a religion that I loved, that I did fight so hard to join; that had embraced me, but also abused me; and eventually, abandoned me. <br />
<br />
It was a classic cycle-of-abuse, and it kept drawing me back time and time again. And each time, I wore down a little more and a little more; but I still could not find the answers I so desperately sought. At one point, I was even told that I had not found answers because I was not asking "the right questions" or asking them in the "correct way"! <br />
<br />
When Dad died, it literally took the ground out from under me. The morning after he died, I had a very profound experience. That experience was the beginning... Over that very busy, and emotion-filled week I had a very strong feeling that after the funeral and celebration of life service we were holding, I would start to look into, and study the religion of my birth in an effort to understand and know my Dad on a different and more deeper level, and maybe begin to understand myself more too. <br />
<br />
Through the week of planning, things came up that made this decision to learn become more solidified in me. I never expected that it would lead me to a new path and eventually finding my peace and my truth.<br />
<br />
It was almost as if Dad was orchestrating things from the other side, as more and more opportunities were presenting themselves to me. <br />
<br />
As I delved more into my past, learning, absorbing, seeking and then finding, I found ALL the answers that I had been seeking in Mormonism. I could deny it no longer, this is where I belonged. <br />
<br />
It was an amazing, and releasing feeling, stepping back onto the path that I had been born onto, but my inner-turmoil regarding the church did weigh heavily in me. I did not feel that I had to officially "leave" the church and never felt that I should write to have my "name removed from church records". However, interestingly enough, a friend of mine had contacted me and asked me how she would be able to do that. After some searching on the internet for her, I found her the information. I never thought that I would be the one having to use the information I provided for her. <br />
<br />
In speaking with my Muslim friends (sisters) who reverted from Mormonism, I found out that they never petitioned the church for their names to be removed from church records; and, like me, never wanted to. <br />
<br />
So, last Sunday, when this man stood at my door telling me that this was what he "required" of us to do, the sting was swift and painful. It was somewhat amazing to me that he so easily "let us go". There was no questions as to why, or what could they possibly do to work with us to help us come back, to ask what it was that caused us to want to leave the church, just simple cut and dry "you're gone". <br />
<br />
This bishop has wanted us out of the church for years, but he never was able to find anyway to do it, well now he has.<br />
<br />
In this action, if there was ever a remote possibility that we might potentially ever consider returning to the church, aside from the teachings which we no longer believe or adhere to, it has nipped it in the bud completely and totally.<br />
<br />
As the bishop stood outside our front door, in his overbearing and manipulative way, attempting to psychologically torment us in the manner that he is so good at; to make us feel "guilty" and chase back after them, plead and make our case for him to shut us down in a final, glee-filled slap-in-the face; something inside of me snapped and instead of the submissive person he had always dealt with, with each lash of his tongue, instead he met with "Me". ME who is filled with balls and who has NO problems speaking my mind (a person he has never met before because in the church's conformity, is not "proper"), and in a single sentence "That's the only time we ever hear from you people"; this foreboding man cast his eyes downwards and the small glimmer of defeat and shame crossed his face.<br />
<br />
To the counselor who requested a hug after my being kicked to the side like some dirty rag, came my reply; a simple, but absolute "NO", shock as he quickly followed up by telling me that he and his wife "loved" me, and my reply "that's nice". <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeXLYXk9jUk">It was an ending</a>. And they knew they had no more room to budge, wished me "the best of luck" as I unceremoniously closed the door on them and the religion, for the last time, forever.<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PDWG4n3Lrv4y1UKEsPKZmMZGUlKplCCWE4g-wOL_Oh_ifD8tMaD2AZn7lEL_z5HSLyU-3KsNGQuJwCq2EVYKNlTXcdOksmWOpVEeeg6Ox7XbAc4uQdV3pYS4qEvix-2n4lkuPviBW45C/s1600/CIMG5055.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PDWG4n3Lrv4y1UKEsPKZmMZGUlKplCCWE4g-wOL_Oh_ifD8tMaD2AZn7lEL_z5HSLyU-3KsNGQuJwCq2EVYKNlTXcdOksmWOpVEeeg6Ox7XbAc4uQdV3pYS4qEvix-2n4lkuPviBW45C/s320/CIMG5055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ben and I right after he had taken his Shahada and converted to the Islamic faith</span></div></div> <br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* In Mormonism, a sealing is an ordinance (ritual), performed in temples by a person holding the sealing power. The purpose of this ordinance is to seal familiar relationships, making possible the existence of family relationships throughout eternity.Sealings are typically performed as marriages or as sealing of children to parents. They were performed prior to the death of Joseph Smith, Jr. (the main founder of the Latter Day Saint movement), and are currently performed in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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Faithful Latter Day Saints believe civil marriages are dissolved at death if they are not later solemnized with a sealing, but that a couple who has been sealed in a temple will be married beyond physical death and the Resurrection if they remain righteous. This means that in the afterlife they and their family will be together forever. An illustrative difference in the marriage ceremony performed in LDS temples is the replacement of the words "until death do us part" with "for time and all eternity".<br />
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The LDS Church recognizes other monogamous, heterosexual marriages, both civil and religious, although they believe that such marriages will not continue after death because "Eternal Marriages" must be performed by Priesthood authority. However, "Eternal Marriages" are also performed vicariously for the deceased so that once all the prior temple ordinances are completed for a deceased individual, couples who were not sealed during their life may accept the proxy sealing to each other and their children. [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sealing_%28Mormonism%29">Source<span style="color: black;">]</span></a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span> </div></div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-65460022931553093522010-11-11T12:31:00.000-08:002010-11-30T01:08:19.019-08:00Making Waves in the Media<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfNZgRpG1RLYAxEflE1vFm0zOiddFI83q9VtvnPOKXmqEe45rlGPzAWLjOMhH-0BYdHjfOT5u2ggZJE7xAT5M5NGKg-7cz_muGiyfx_GfR9QXLmjgXC-vlkf4SF93gER4dtI6KcdTPgDW/s1600/Islam-is-peace-14309221578.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfNZgRpG1RLYAxEflE1vFm0zOiddFI83q9VtvnPOKXmqEe45rlGPzAWLjOMhH-0BYdHjfOT5u2ggZJE7xAT5M5NGKg-7cz_muGiyfx_GfR9QXLmjgXC-vlkf4SF93gER4dtI6KcdTPgDW/s320/Islam-is-peace-14309221578.jpeg" width="274" /></a></div>The other afternoon, I watched a very interesting documentary called "30 Days - Living As A Muslim". The premise behind the documentary is that people from all different walks of life in America, volunteer to live for 30-days in an environment that is completely different from anything they have known before. In this particular episode, a young married father, white, Christian, from West Virginia agrees to live 30-days as a Muslim and with a Muslim family in Dearborn, Michigan. <br />
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I won't go into a rundown of the show, and you can definitely view the entire episode in five parts on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IF3VDuj0950">You Tube</a>; the reason I am writing this is because there was something in the show that really bothered me. I felt overwhelming sadness at the ignorance to the truth of Islam. And the way that people react to Muslims and to our beliefs and way of life.<br />
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How badly we have been portrayed in the media that a single word association game will produce such images in the minds of those who simply know us (Muslims) as what has been portrayed to them in the media. So when a person mentions the word "Terrorist" in such a game, the first word that passes through their mind is "Muslim". And when the word "Muslim" is presented, the first word that crops into peoples minds is "terror", followed by "fear", and "scared" and then of course the ever present, "terrorist".<br />
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So how have we, people whose entire religion is one that is steeped in peace - the root word of Islam itself is Salaam, which we know means "peace"; how have <i>we </i>become to be known as a people who will strike fear and loathing into the hearts of complete strangers?<br />
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One word, Media.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB24FgaOpwMRKW1fD5jmc_hFE9TYUJn6EPOo6hXiEsF_1AProwgDKBVthrma9pj_jwAidflDUz9CxnJsyHRI7NeA5bQIECfDkobIvJctzsHPZeCZtdM57CXsWnJJgMhyllufPi66mPtRX6/s1600/Terrorism_by_q8_princess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB24FgaOpwMRKW1fD5jmc_hFE9TYUJn6EPOo6hXiEsF_1AProwgDKBVthrma9pj_jwAidflDUz9CxnJsyHRI7NeA5bQIECfDkobIvJctzsHPZeCZtdM57CXsWnJJgMhyllufPi66mPtRX6/s320/Terrorism_by_q8_princess.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Sadly, over the history of our most modern times, media has reported individuals who are Muslims, doing evil and extraordinary acts of cruelty, as being WHO we are, NOT acts perpetrated by men (and women) who are Muslim by religion and not our religion perpetrating that what they have done. <br />
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September 11th 2001 changed our world, and it took the notion of people who did things and who happened to be Muslim, to suddenly this radical belief that ALL Muslims have the potential to perpetrate such atrocities. While we, who live on the other side of that fence think that is a <i><span id="main" style="visibility: visible;"><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;"><i>preposterous</i></span></span> </i>notion, the media use of verbiage such as "Radical Muslim" and "Muslim extremist" keeps the association of Muslim together with the negative and therefore perpetrating us all to be cut from the same cloth.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3lj64Mjk2j16RJbCqlA6TGnLy1ggV8vy-wzo-0SVWDHFCeRLlQas7M6dPSD1I19b5UB74Mm6YVpsav4TkXFOGVpLk65HPAAxnA5L4IWO5LdEsuQx8Qg8C36iq7hmBEiCA4BM4IQ_hC2k/s1600/no-terrorism-in-islam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW3lj64Mjk2j16RJbCqlA6TGnLy1ggV8vy-wzo-0SVWDHFCeRLlQas7M6dPSD1I19b5UB74Mm6YVpsav4TkXFOGVpLk65HPAAxnA5L4IWO5LdEsuQx8Qg8C36iq7hmBEiCA4BM4IQ_hC2k/s320/no-terrorism-in-islam.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Does this make <i>me</i>, and every other Muslim sister who chooses to wear hijab and pray five-times a day, who chooses to live life in accordance with the teachings of our prophet Mohamed (PBUH) and the Quran; and who live a prayerful, spiritual, and peace-filled life in remembrance of Allah (SWT) suddenly mean we are now terrorists and someone to be taunted and spat at and abused in the streets?<br />
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How does it turn from who we truly are, peace-filled beings, to suddenly being labelled as "scary"? <br />
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I am a simple woman. I proudly wear hijab, I continually have a prayer in my heart, and I hold my head up high and look in people's eyes and I smile into their faces, and I say "Hello" with a friendly nod to people who stop and stare at me. Can I truly be seen as someone to be feared? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAlU1-kJJixKMD0ndTB8zu5z6oR61q3zYi_PY8qM6QftHvqREkfU74BWEQR-zFLDDDtIe1TP5T7D8uXGVuAD9n-JvdohnzEzeQG4-jWTnnax7THFRLKe_jw_ulFMs8A6fqV_UdmKEszlJ/s1600/Leyla+Hijab+6+B%2526W+Cropped+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAlU1-kJJixKMD0ndTB8zu5z6oR61q3zYi_PY8qM6QftHvqREkfU74BWEQR-zFLDDDtIe1TP5T7D8uXGVuAD9n-JvdohnzEzeQG4-jWTnnax7THFRLKe_jw_ulFMs8A6fqV_UdmKEszlJ/s320/Leyla+Hijab+6+B%2526W+Cropped+.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>In all honesty, since I began to wear hijab over the past couple of months, I have not once had, or felt, any discrimination. I may have had people stop and stare; one particular lady stopped dead in her tracks in Costco one day, and what was my reaction to that? I walked right over to her gorgeous child in the cart and said "Oh aren't you the most adorable little guy?!" To which her entire demeanor changed and we engaged in a simple conversation about her child. I guess her sense of "fear" had been diminished as we connected as women gushing over her child.<br />
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Is that something that is difficult for us to do? Being friendly, being kind, being charitable, showing love, and being human?!<br />
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If this is the case, what can we then do to begin to create fresh media reports of POSITIVE actions rather than negativity and reports that show us continually in a bad light?<br />
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I was spurned to action when I was looking for photos to share on my Facebook page and simple did a Google image search under the key words "Peace Islam". What turned up was something that was horrific, painful, and lasting that is now etched in my psyche forever. There were pictures of severed heads, terrorist madmen with covered faces holding up the severed head of an executed American, young childrens severed heads, severed heads in boxes; amongst these were radical hatred photos of Muslim demonstrators calling for beheading with the caption "Is THIS Islamic Peace?"! Intermingled amongst these heinous photos were a scattering of the beauty that I was seeking; but who sees those in a sea of hate, horrendous imagery, and negativity? <br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCnv2ywrXbM">My action</a>... my proposal is to unite Muslims throughout the world to gain much media attention for us doing GOOD WORKS, where we are shown serving our fellow-man, helping, being kind, loving; and doing it as HUMAN BEINGS as opposed to being Muslim. In other words, doing in with the intent of Allah (SWT) and zakat in our hearts, but <i>without </i>spouting off Quranic verses (which will fuel a fire) or trying to teach about our beliefs (unless specifically asked), but rather showing and proving to the world that we can be people... humans, just as they are with the same concerns, the same hopes for peace and brotherly love, acceptance, and the same potential for charity and giving as the next person. <br />
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I have read/seen/heard arguments from people who claim that the desire and goal of Islam is to create a global domination and force all of man-kind to be converted to Islam, or face the sword. They truly believe this! So, when we are out and spouting off our beliefs into crowds, people see us as being this stereotypical enemy who is seeking to convert otherwise the sword is going to be produced. It is an incredible "Paul-ine" way of thinking (ie Paul formerly Saul of Tarsus); convert or die. Maybe this is the Christian belief because it is so steeped in their teachings and has now been transposed over to us. However, when we do the kind of dawah where we are preaching in the streets, we are falling into the stereotype that the media and these so-called "Christian" ministers are making their flocks believe.<br />
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Wouldn't being known as a people who work to make peace, NOT 'force' peace, make a better statement and dawah? Wouldn't showing that we are just people who have a concern and a vested interest in humanity and the countries we live in, a better message for us to be embraced as Americans (or Canadians, or Australian, or English, or German... etc... etc...) better than as terrorists? <br />
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It seems to me, no matter how much we kick and scream and try to make people believe that WE suffered just as the next person in 9/11, no one wants to believe that WE are not all responsible for the atrocities that took place. We must now find find a way of re-creating ourselves and in the way that people view us.<br />
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Along similar lines as the world-wide "Free Hugs" campaign, I put forth an idea, which I pray insha-Allah will become a movement; that we organize a gathering of Muslims within our cities to rally together in providing service to those who are in need. Maybe that is donating time at a food kitchen, or a food bank, or making sandwiches and distributing them (and a bottle of water) to the homeless in your cities - or just to people in general. Maybe wrapped in the sandwich paper will be a little and simple note that says "You are loved" and left at that, NO long Quranic phrase or quote from Prophet Mohamed (PBUH), just keeping it simple. Do this during a lunch hour, you never know who may not have money to buy themselves lunch. <br />
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If we can gather together to make this happen, maybe if we were to organize it on the same day, throughout the world, it WILL be a movement. We are not doing anything other than giving.<br />
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The more we are PRO-PEACE and PRO-LOVE, and just "Pro" the more positives we will draw to ourselves.<br />
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I will end this with a quote from Mother Teresa: "I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there." <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_1nrjOVTVJqOLGu317knemYB_yFs1mThynjKIFdlTUkE1SWR9gR_q9tsE3gYCrTJ11HcQ3eh82DX1Xo2Sop6CXJxnu7eBUmSBmpwdDJvN-znsR9DS6gp6NTTMGS0yMpmN5WVVIFJcbzO/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx_1nrjOVTVJqOLGu317knemYB_yFs1mThynjKIFdlTUkE1SWR9gR_q9tsE3gYCrTJ11HcQ3eh82DX1Xo2Sop6CXJxnu7eBUmSBmpwdDJvN-znsR9DS6gp6NTTMGS0yMpmN5WVVIFJcbzO/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-45892832274257851642010-11-10T01:26:00.000-08:002010-11-10T01:27:09.017-08:00Virtues for the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah<center><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YY2KO1nSP-c?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YY2KO1nSP-c?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></center>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-68090672723100791632010-11-09T19:05:00.000-08:002010-11-09T19:06:26.921-08:00My Shahada VideoOn September 13th, 2010; in the privacy of my home, I made the decision to revert to Islam. OK so maybe it is strange for a person who is born into a Muslim family to be undertaking her Shahada, and to do it to a video camera, to be uploaded to You Tube and viewed by hundreds of witnesses around the world. Well, from the beginning, <i>I</i> have never done anything that could be perceived as "regular". So, this was not so unusual for me...<br />
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But <i>why </i>would a woman, born to a Muslim father and a revert-to-Islam mother be taking her Shahada? Quite simply, I was not brought up in the faith. My father was very private about his religion and while he was a very proud Muslim, he never enforced his beliefs on us. Rather, he left it up to us to decide our path. I know, for most Muslims, that is so unconventional, but we never were what anyone could consider "conventional".<br />
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So, that being said, it was such an emotional experience when I took my Shahada. Yes, even in the privacy of my living room, sharing a deeply private and spiritual emotion with the world, but yet being completely alone in the act; and maybe it was even more emotional in that environment.<br />
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I know that my father's prayer over the years were that we would come to find Islam and embrace it, but sadly he was not alive to witness it or experience it. I only pray, that Dad somehow found himself here with me that night, and that he witnessed the intensity of the moment, the beauty, and the joy that flooded me and seemed to seep out into the room and into the video.<br />
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<center><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bEa0VaEyi3g?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bEa0VaEyi3g?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="540" height="385"></embed></object></center>Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1726600672288658270.post-57219769383102375932010-10-24T02:38:00.000-07:002010-10-24T02:39:26.872-07:00Why On Earth Islam?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdBa4Te6-D6Fhur4Q4YtoyhQz2GukBTrpdcnMdLLA-tczClGUK12O6F51SgljEWpWblHLit3_DEPmw6syA8v8aKTn2s6G-Et42rziBdso_Jns5hYdPLxUfMt26ezNCb4oylmi3USmwicu/s1600/blogheader.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAdBa4Te6-D6Fhur4Q4YtoyhQz2GukBTrpdcnMdLLA-tczClGUK12O6F51SgljEWpWblHLit3_DEPmw6syA8v8aKTn2s6G-Et42rziBdso_Jns5hYdPLxUfMt26ezNCb4oylmi3USmwicu/s320/blogheader.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Very soon after I took my Shahada (conversion) on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEa0VaEyi3g">You Tube</a>, I received an email from an individual telling me how awful living under Iranian law was, that they were forced to live as Muslims or suffer death. This individual continued on to tell me all the horrible ways that life was for people over in "Islamic" countries, and "why on earth" would I "choose this life" for myself. Emphasis on "choose". They further asked what was this "new thing" that I found that I was calling a "peace" within Islam.<br />
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OK, so let me start at the beginning; I was born to parents who were Muslim. My father, and his father, and his, and his... so on were all Muslim. My mother, converted (reverted) to Islam prior to her and my father's marriage. So by all rights and purposes, I was a Muslim.<br />
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However, as life would have it, my father was not a strict Muslim and my mother also did not adhere to the teachings past her own conversion; so it was not something that was taught in the home, nor forced down my throat. In fact, as I entered my school years and had the day off for the Eid celebrations, I had no idea what or why I had the day off, just that I did and I was able to spend it together with the family. It was also the only times of year that we prayed together as a family. Something I loved, something I craved, and something I missed when, after attending high school, I was no longer taught to stay home and continue this tradition with my family.<br />
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Were my parents wrong? I don't think so, I think they may have been fraught with a belief that allowed me to find my own path in life and to follow it. <br />
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However, in this openness and permission to seek out my own path, I found a life filled with confusion as I traversed a path which I made very well-trodden, looking for religion and faith. <br />
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At 16, I was introduced to the Mormon church, and was baptized into the faith at 18. Within 9 months, I was "inactive" and stumbling through a darkness that was overwhelming me. Was I simply not "strong" enough to stay, or did I simply allow myself to fall in line with the religion to "fit in" and be a part of something that seemed "cool"?<br />
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I remember praying about the religion and receiving an overwhelming testimony to the truthfulness of the gospel, but if it were so true, how come it was just as easy to fall out of the religion? Of course, many would tell me that it was Satan and his cunning ways, but I also had a choice in the matter, and as staunch and stoic in my beliefs as I was, how then could I just as fast and just as easily, begin falling away?<br />
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Over the years, I studied and aligned myself with many faiths, yoga practices, kundalini, meditation, chanting, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Krsna, Hinduism, Mysticism, Kabbalah, Spirituality, Indian gurus, even going as far out of the realm as possible with Paganism. And intermingled with these years, I would return back to the church for a "stint" and then leave again.<br />
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I had questions, but the gospel, and the members, could not provide my answers. I wanted SO hard to believe; even going to the temple and expecting such an overwhelming clarification, but to be sadly let down. Each time I asked a question which was not on the "standard books", I was told to pray harder, to fast longer, to read the scriptures more, attend the temple more often; but still never an answer came.<br />
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When I married my husband in 2002, he had no idea that the next eight years would find him tossed and turned on the tempest sea of religion and faith finding, as I dragged him along on every roller coaster ride of emotion and faith-seeking. I felt that we shared this journey together, but what I did not take into consideration was the turmoil it was creating within him. <br />
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Then, on July 25th 2010, my Dad passed away suddenly and the pain of his loss was overbearing and overwhelming. I had already been going through a depression which started the week after my husband and I were "sealed" (married) for time and all eternity in the highest ceremony that the Mormon church offered its members. In being sealed, we were assured that our marriage would transcend and cross from this physical mortal existence, into eternity; where, if we are faithful and loyal members, that we would inherit worlds and reign upon them as Gods and Goddesses. <br />
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The day we were sealed, was a dream come true for me, since I was 16 years old and first introduced to this concept of "forever marriage" and "forever love". <br />
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So, one week after this beautiful ceremony took place, the fact that sudden questions were rising inside of me, and depression was taking hold baffled me. I no longer desired to go to church or be around the people from church. I hid myself away in a self-imposed exile of confusion and questions that seemed to have no answers.<br />
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After Dad died, and kind members offered their condolences and love and support by telling me how lucky I was to "have the knowledge of the gospel and the plan of salvation"; however, instead of feeling comfort, I felt increasing resentment towards them, and cynicism about their precious "plan of salvation" and their humanoid God. NONE of that would bring my Dad back, and the pain that it brought me, dug its heels in deeper and caused me further resentment towards the church, their teachings, and the people who followed so blindly.<br />
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The questions I had burning me so deeply were now finding their way to the surface, and for the first time I began to acknowledge them and ask them. <br />
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In the 24-hours that followed Dad's death, an experience that I had was one that would change my life and begin to set me on a path to finally understanding, finally finding and placing the pieces which had been missing.<br />
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Over the next several weeks, I began to embrace the teachings of Islam and found within the very answers to the questions that I had been on a lifetime journey seeking. <br />
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Eventually, there was no more denying the truth, or the path that I had to take. On September 13th, 2010; I set up my camera, and before it (and eventually the world) I took my Shahada and reverted to Islam. <br />
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When I received the email from the individual asking me "why", I had to answer honestly; I simply picked up the Qur'an for myself and began to read it with an open mind and an open heart. The message is so clear, so concise, and the message that the Qur'an brings is more often, NOT in line with the way that many countries living under Sharia Law and Ayatollah law, mis-guided law, and cultural diversity, teaches. <br />
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Islam itself stems from the root word in Arabic for Peace. In greeting one another, Muslims will utter "A'salaam alaikum" which translated means "Peace be unto you". <br />
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So in reading, in studying, in delving; I found an inner peace that I had never experienced before. If I felt the "testimony" I received regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was strong, the testimony and the witness I received about Islam, went even deeper. Inside of me, I found something awakening; whether it had been there all the time and was, for the first time experiencing oxygen and life, or whether it was something that had been there and then was placed aside by my self-consciousness, I don't know. But what I do know is that finally, I came home; I AM home. Alhamdulillah, the salaam (peace) I feel inside me, outside me, coursing right through me, is one so different from the experiences I have ever had on this long and arduous journey. <br />
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THIS is right, and it is right for me.Leyla Hurhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02602428401585578667noreply@blogger.com4