Thanks to Youtube and Google Video, I have been able to bask in the sun of a wonderful comedy.
Little Mosque on the Prairie, which is now in its second season, will for sure hit your funny bone, but it will also hit a raw nerve; Muslims in North America after September 11th.

What do you see when you look at me
Do you see someone limited, or someone free

All some people can do is just look and stare
Simply because they can’t see my hair

’Haj (pilgrimage) being a significant entity of the foundation of Islaam, it is important to understand its history in order to reflect on its value today.

Pilgrimage was established during the time of Prophet Abraham (P.B.U.H.). Allaah says in the ’Qura~n: “And remember when We showed Abraham the site of the [Sacred] House [saying]: Associate not anything [in worshipping] with Me and purify My House for those who circumambulate it [i.e. perform ’tawaaf] and those who stand up for prayer and those who bow down and make prostration [in prayer].” [Chapter of Al’haj: 26].

The term “minority” is thought-provoking and complex. What exactly is a minority? Do numbers or percentages contribute to a minority status? Or are minorities simply those at a disadvantage in a society?

Women in the West today are viewed as minorities. This is not due to sheer numbers, for women constitute more than half the population. Women are viewed as a minority simply because they have been at a disadvantage historically. They have faced much turmoil in the West with respect to attaining rights and privileges, and are at the forefront of challenging sexual and gender discrimination.

On the occasion of this past ’Haj season, I could not help but recall my own ’Haj experience, including my path towards Islaam.

I have come a long way, and after having explored the many dark and evil sides of temptation, greed, and ignorance, remaining absurdly blind and insensitive to the consequences of my actions; I finally came to realize I was wasting my life and hurting others, and I lost all respect for myself.