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A Muslimah's Voice
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Writing a Book / Academic Research - Muslim Women
Translations available in: English (original) | French | Spanish | Italian | German | Portuguese | Swedish | Russian | Dutch | Arabic

Salam alaikum all,

I am in the process of putting together some sources for a new book that I am preparing to write. I'm in the first stages...annotated bibliography has got me screaming at myself from frustration. Insha'Allah, I will be able to get some good sources.

At this point I am doing an experiment on perceptions of Islam etc. I would like to hear from YOU about your thoughts on women in Islam, hijab and honour killing. You DO NOT have to comment on all three, unless you wish to.

1. a sentence or a paragraph will be great
2. DO NOT cut and paste web page ideas or articles here...I am looking for YOUR words, thoughts, feelings, experiences.
3. I will not include any personal information about the source...I am merely interested in what YOU feel.

Shukran,

Salma

August 25, 2008 | 12:28 AM Comments  0 comments


Sierra Leone Agency wants BAN on Blood Diamond film

Wow...I was shocked to see this in the headlines after I posted my blog a few days ago.
It turns out that many Sierra Leoneans are still crowding into theatres in Freetown to see the 2007 film Blood Diamonds. As I said, I have never seen the film. But it turns out that the state-run Sierra Leone Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SLIPA) believes the movie is giving Sierra Leone a bad rap, in turn making it difficult for the country to shake its (very recent) history of violence.

The article points out that the promotion agency believes that "while the movie awakened the world to the problem of conflict diamonds", it argues that it in turn "hampers its efforts to "rebrand" Sierra Leone to lure new investors."

I guess I can understand this issue, but what gets me is the fact that the world turned its back on SL when the brutality of the war was at its peak.
On the other hand, a movie such as Blood Diamonds, is a Hollywood-make your money and run spectacle. I would hope that some of the revenue is going back into the SL economy, but who knows. I do remember there being talk of Leo DiCaprio supporting the anti-blood diamonds cause.

Some say, actually many say that the world only paid attention to the plight of the SL citizens when it was ready, not when it was a grave necessity...this is true. But I am not sure if watching the film or banning the film is really going to change the landscape of the reality of what happened in SL. Men, women and children are walking around with their hands chopped off. Many, MANY young boys and girls are still being re-integrated back into the society. There are a host of problems that is a constant reminder of what happened in that country.
Any historical movie/documentary is going to speak truths that people would rather cover up. I am not a SL citizen, but, I would like to ask them their opinions on this.

When I posted the blog a few days ago, it was in reflection of my past admiration for diamonds, as well as the opportunity for me to see "Cry Freetown", in a time when I was still so vain and self-centered that I could not connect the dots of the idea of the global citizen..one who is to an extent responsible for all based on choices, and actions. I will never watch Blood Diamonds, but I do not want to forget that every day we participate in horrors that we cannot imagine, and that we simply turn away because it is not at our doorsteps.

HOWEVER: In order for the SL economy to grow, international investors are needed. Not "thieves" who are going to manipulate and take advantage of the politics. Thus, in defense of the agency, perhaps an effort could go into providing a different face of SL and its people. BUT really, how easy can that be, after what the world witnessed...(?)regardless of an over-rated (imho) Hollywood blockbuster. Secondly, how much do first world nations truly want a peaceful African nation(?) hmm...I can write volumes about this, so I will not go there right now.

The film Blood Diamonds cannot even come close to accounting for what happened to the millions of boys and girls who have suffered in ways we will never know. And it CANNOT account for what happened prior to the civil war. It is not as if, SL was a peaceful country that turned into hell on earth overnight.

What is interesting though is how fast Hollywood made a movie about such a recent incident. Perhaps, the release of and praise of the documentary CRY FREETOWN got the ball rolling...no one knows. Perhaps I could ask director Edward Zwick, this might be one way of finding out how this came about. Ed did a public service announcement on blood diamonds that I can't say I gave any notice to, because I believe it was for promotion of the film, rather than a real understanding of the issue(s)...that's another story. Anyways, I just find it interesting; I mean there is no Bosnia -Herzegovina Civil War epic, nor a Somalian /Sudan/ or Myanmar (Burma blockbuster(!!!?)

Perhaps, there will be a film about the atrocities in Iraq and Afghanistan...but don't hold your breath.

August 21, 2008 | 9:08 AM Comments  0 comments


Health Alert: Dark-Skinned and /or Veiled Muslimahs.

I just found out something interesting that I am hoping that some of you already know. But if not, then I am happy to share it. Sisters like me with dark skin are at a risk that I am sure we were unaware. The melanin in dark skin protects against ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet light causes mutations in skin cells, which in turn cause skin cancers.O.k. maybe we were aware of this. If not, now you know.

What dark-skinned sisters, and women who veil, or cover their bodies completely, may not be aware of, however, is that we have a very high risk of being vitamin D deficient.
Vitamin D is unique among vitamins in that it can be provided to your body through food or from exposure to the sun or tanning bed. We all know that sunshine is a significant source of vitamin D because UV rays from sunlight triggers vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Vitamin D functions as an important hormone by sending a message to your intestines to increase the absorption of calcium by as much as 80%. Another thing is that vitamin D is responsible for maintaining normal calcium levels.

According to the sites listed below, and confirmed by my doctor, the major function of vitamin D is to maintain normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, helping to form and maintain strong bones. It promotes bone mineralization along with a number of other vitamins, minerals, and hormones. Without vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, soft, or misshapen. In other info that I found, Vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, which are skeletal diseases that result in defects that weaken bones.

The issue is two- fold. A sister like me with dark skin has a natural protection from the sun,thus, less likely to get skin cancer(s). BUT, dark-skinned and veiled and believing that I can spend hours outside in the sun actually has little benefit to me. Thus, as a dark-skinned, veiled , lactose intolerant Muslimah, I was desperate and scared to find this out. O.k. maybe it doesn't go that far, not yet, but I was kind of shocked that I had never heard of this before. Sure, my mom takes vitamin D supplements, but she never told me that I should, she`s never even hinted the benefits, or in our case, the need. Anyways, I ran as fast as I could to the pharmacy to pick up some vitamin D supplements.
_________________

Below is an incomplete guide to Vitamin D food sources. I am trying to give you an idea of what you need to eat, however, it is always wise to speak to a health care professional.


Pure Cod liver oil, 1 Tablespoon
(My Dr. says that most refined cod liver oils had the vitamin D removed! Don`t ask me why...check the labels before buying!

Cooked salmon - 3½ ounces..I do eat a lot of salmon, I love it.

Mackerel, cooked, 3½ ounces

Canned tuna fish canned - 3 ounces is enough...love it with a bowl of pasta

Canned sardines in oil -1¾ ounces...I hold my breath, but I do try to eat this at least once a month

Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D fortified, 1 cup. I am lactose intolerant, but I do take lactaid tablets to help me digest dairy (sometimes). But, I have found that it doesn't always help me.
I have tried soy, but seem to have problem digesting as well...my body hates me.

Margarine -1 Tablespoon...I don't have a problem with margarine and I'm sure we use more than 1 tbs on the regular.

Ready-to-eat cereals fortified with vitamin D - ¾ cup to 1 cup servings (servings vary according to the brand) keep an eye out.

1 whole Egg (the vitamin is in the yoke...yuck!! But I do try to eat it with a salad.

Liver, beef - cooked (of course) ..I don`t know if I can do this...Liver, no way.

Cheese, Swiss - 1 ounce

***The DV (daily value) for vitamin D is 400 IU for adults. I take a 1000 UI supplement due to my body`s inability to digest dairy.

ii.

Many of us are moms so I want to include some basic info about kids and vitamin D deficiency.

What Causes Rickets:

Most cases of rickets are caused by a lack of vitamin D, but rickets can also be inherited. Vitamin D helps the bones absorb calcium and phosphorus from food. When your child does not get enough vitamin D, his or her bones do not get those necessary nutrients that makes bones strong.

Children ages 6-24 months are at the highest risk of rickets because their bones are growing very rapidly during this period.

Your child may also be at risk if he or she:
  • Has dark skin
  • Doesn't get moderate exposure to sunlight
  • Wears sunscreen at all times when outside
  • Doesn't eat foods containing vitamin D
  • Breastfeed child without a vitamin D supplements.
*Don't you dare say Dr. Salma told you to take vitamins or to feed your child a certain way...a health care specialist is best suited for answering questions, concerns.

The Bottom Line: Vitamin D, calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin found in food, but can also make its way into the body after exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun. So, even if you are not dark-skinned, if you are veiled, there is still a chance that you could be susceptible to being deficient.

Links:

August 20, 2008 | 11:08 AM Comments  0 comments


Verily, in the rememberance of Allah do hearts find rest

Salam Alaikum Sisters,

I am officially done with this semester (masha'Allah). I have been really stressed out lately, and have been trying to unwind. I've got to find a way to cope with the stress of working, studying, and being a wife and mother. I know that there are many sisters like me, who can't seem to catch their breath before the next issue pops up. With Allah's help it gets easier...I know.

Anyways, this is a short note to let you all know that I will not be posting on Blogspot until further notice.

Thanks for reading my blogs and insha'Allah upon my return I will be more focused.

Masalam,

سلمى

August 11, 2008 | 8:08 AM Comments  0 comments
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The Comfort Zone

The key to my husband's heart...chocolate cake.


I baked this cake today and I could not help but think of my A. I also found the pleasant memory of Omy's kitchen equipped with gas stove and the sweet aroma of Middle Eastern food. I used to be nervous in that kitchen because I did not know how to use a gas stove, and I was not sure if they (my in-laws) would like my cooking. Well, I overcame that hurdle, but still functioned as I did in my kitchen at home, mindless and carefree at times.

Thus, to A's horror, I often neglected to pay attention, at times leaving the gas turned on, as I fidgeted, became distracted or searched for matches. I became much more relaxed as I soon became aware of how to maneuver myself not only in the kitchen, but under the watchful eye of Omy, who was curious to see how I made some of my husband (her son's) favorite dishes.

When I visit Cairo I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. I am not usually awake to prepare or eat breakfast, however, the mid-after-noon is best spent learning all the Arabic terms for kitchen items, foods, and compensating for a lack of mother/daughter time in other areas of the house throughout the day(s).
Omy and I compliment each other in the kitchen because we cook different meals. And while A, having grown up with his mother's meals, love to eat my meals, which offer an added twist to his daily menus. I often feel disappointed when she does not cook. There is something to be said about someone who cooks, not someone who merely prepares a meal. When Omy cooks, she is meticulous. Her meals are rich and spicy, like the Jamaican meals I grew up eating. Aby, was often surprised that I liked those meals, but I explain to him that these foods were not foreign to me; and besides, I love anything spicy. Being of Ethiopian origin, he was even more shocked to find out that I had not only eaten Ethiopian food, but it was my favorite.

One evening, after we had eaten at various cafes and restaurants during the week, we had gone to visit them. I was growing tired of the food in these places, as they were in my opinion far from authentic. I had not gone to Egypt, to eat, what I could eat in Canada. I was disappointed. Omy had prepared Ethiopian food during the day, having no knowledge that I knew of it, or had ever eaten it. When she placed it in front of me, I was in heaven. At our favorite Ethiopian restaurant (in Canada), they serve all the meals with serviettes only; no cutlery. Thus, when she saw me eat it as she usually eats it, injera between my fingers, folding pieces of meat dipped in berbere sauce into my mouth, she was shocked. Of course, this is all A's account, because she never told me these things.
When I am in Cairo, I am the resident baker. I bake about 3 times a week. Chocolate cake usually tops the list of must have desserts. I usually put the cake aside to cool while we distract ourselves with other activities. A, like the children is very impatient, and continuously ask me when it will be ready. Eventually, I take it from the freezer or cooling rack and sneak to the kitchen to ice it and surprise them. This is rare though, as they usually follow and watch as I prepare their dessert.

This is one of my favorite things about being away from home, or being in my second home. There's a beautiful picture in my mind of us (sometimes with the kids), sitting on the bed with a chunk of chocolate cake between us, crumbs falling on the sheets. In these moments I don't feel guilty for indulging. Rather, I consider it a moment in the comfort zone...with my family.

August 2, 2008 | 9:08 AM Comments  0 comments
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