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A Muslimah's Voice
A Muslimah's Voice
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Writing a Book / Academic Research - Muslim Women
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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


Why Diamonds are NOT this Girl's Best Friend

Diamonds, I hear are a girl’s best friend and rappers too...LOL. I have sported many diamonds in my short lifetime, and like many young women, I have showed off my rock(s) to anyone who would take a peek. My husband knew that I loved diamonds and would always say “whatever shines is not always a diamond...” or something likes that. As a young woman I was on a mission. I dreamt of being in bling heaven. I knew my thing when I walked into a jewelry store…the four Cs rule…Cut, Colour, Clarity…Carat. I felt like a queen, and a smart one at that.

What I didn’t know was the history behind diamonds and the pain and suffering that my precious gift could possibly and has caused many individuals. I could go into the Very long history of diamonds/wars/ and colonialism, but I am too lazy right now. Instead I will focus a bit on Sierra Leone.

There is a long history leading up to the civil war in 1991, however, I would like to take a different approach. This post is about diamonds, something we see as priceless, the definition of love to our husbands and wives. Things, (and I say things) because they are nothing until we place a value on them. However, in reality they have no inherent value. Sierra Leone, like many other colonized nations, sought only for their wealth in lands and minerals has seen widespread death, destruction and misery, to them diamonds was a source of despair, they knew nothing of the worth of diamonds in the Western world.

POLA90H3 Politics, Corruption and Violence is one of the best courses I have taken at university so far because it provided a lot of material I would have never gotten my hands on otherwise. I only received a 73%, but didn't feel so bad when I saw that the class average was a C.

My love has always been development, politics and law in the international arena, so I was excited to get into the course. Unfortunately, I entered the course 3 weeks into the semester, at another campus. Lasting only from September to December I thought I would "just get it over with". As I had gotten into the course, my fellow students were doing mid-terms...huh(?). My professor put off the test for me of course; but while preparing for the coming test the following week, guess who came down with the flu? By the finals in December guess who had bronchitis? I stood no chance at all. Thus, technically I missed the course altogether. Interestingly enough the three classes that I made it to really made a difference. And I still love to read the interesting politics of law and corruption.

The highlight of this course for me was the viewing of Sorious Samura's documentary “Cry Freetown”. Hailed as bringing to light the brutal reality of what happened in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone in January 1999, the film has succeeded in making the horror of Sierra Leone’s sad massacre and the lack of interest in the civil war (at that time) an issue that could no longer be ignored.

Samura shot the film at great risk for his own life, he saw horrors (as we saw as viewers) that were unimaginable. I was in complete shock as I sat in the front row of the lecture hall, yet I could not take my eyes from the screen.


Synopsis: Cry Freetown

In the 1960s and 1970s, Sierra Leone was an emerging democracy. Never fully developed, or able to reach it potential, it was destabilized by tyranny and state-sponsored corruption. Economic decline and military rule followed. The rebellion that began in 1991 was characterized by wreaked primarily on civilians. Between 1991 and 1999, the civil war that broke out claimed over 75,000 lives, caused half a million Sierra Leoneans to become refugees, and displaced half of the country's 4.5 million people. Many argue that the point of the war may not actually have been to win it, or even to fight for “true” change, but to engage in profitable crime. Thus under the guise of peace and unity a brutal violence soon emerged.

Foday Sankoh's RUF (Revolutionary United Front) entered Sierra Leone in March 1991, having been formed abroad, possibly as early as 1982. In a country with pressured by unrest, it is not hard to see why Sankoh’s RUF attracted a wide range of frustrated intellectuals and youths, who simply wanted education and social justice. Something that was considered so far out of reach in a place like Sierra Leone, because the government had simply denied them this.

In 1996, foreign and domestic pressure forced the NPRC National Provisional Ruling Council) government to hold general elections. The government's publicity campaign slogan for the election, 'The future is in your hands’. In an attempt to undermine the voting process, RUF rebels began cutting off the hands and feet of men, women, and children…the youngest being a two month old boy.

In the film, we see ECOMOG (Economic Community of West African States monitoring group); a group of soldiers mainly consisted of Nigerian soldiers and also included Ghanaian and Guinean troops. One particular scene that stands out is when a little boy, mute and terrified for his life. You have to watch the film.

“While I was shooting, I had no idea how many people I was killing. I chopped off hands, I killed. While I was doing this, I wasn't myself. Again, if I had refused, they would have killed me.” A young boy spoke about the horror in which he survived. Yes, I say survived, because Sankoh fed these children drugs…cocaine of all things and sent them to fight. In fact, I remember there being mention of thousands of syringes being found at one of Sankoh’s “mad houses”. Why do I say mad house? Because this man terrified and stripped young boys and girls of their sanity. I am shaking now, just thinking about that film.

My synopsis does not cover what happened in Sierra Leone's civil war, it simply cannot. And as we go through more wars…Afghanistan, Iraq and Allah know where else, we really cannot deny why wars are being fought. Whether it is oil, gold, diamonds or land there is a continued delayed reaction (ignorance) to human suffering. I just don’t understand it. In an interview, Samura pointed to the fact that even after realizing the brutality of the lives of the Sierra Leoneans few broadcasters would broadcast his pictures because they considered them too violent. Imagine something like war considered too violent…very sad. Even after Sierra Leone has emerged from that dark days of Sankoh’s butchering, it is worth watching, so that we can see what human beings are capable of.

The struggle for control of Sierra Leone's wealth has scarred a generation of the country's youth. Young boys and girls were kidnapped, the girls used as sex slaves and the boys were forced into the RUF. As Sankoh's foot soldiers, they committed terrible atrocities, including maiming, raping and killing in cold blood.

If we look at what is happening now, we cannot deny that the same atrocities are going on. Yes, the guise plays a different picture…weapons of mass destruction and saving young girls from patriarchal society (sending them to school)…o.k. sure that’s the story today...tomorrow it is a different one depending on what materials are needed. Perhaps, a few year from now we will all watch the horrors of what is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq and kick ourselves, who knows?!

Lastly, Sankoh was indicted on war crimes in 2001 (if I'm not mistaken), but had the time to marry a lawyer of all things. While awaiting trial, he died on July 29 2003. I say good riddance. Does choosing to not wear diamonds make the world a better, more peaceful place? Even I am not that gullible. But I simply cannot do it now…


What YOU Can Do:

Buy Conflict Free Diamonds & Share this Information with your Loved ones.

What Are Conflict Diamonds

While RUF rebels controlled the diamond trade, the people remained among the poorest on Earth. Thus, as consumers, we cannot simply turn a blind eye to the source of our goods, and the means by which they are extracted.


Conflict diamonds are diamonds illegally traded to fund conflict in war-torn areas, particularly in central and western Africa. The United Nations (UN) defines conflict diamonds as "...diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognized governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council." These diamonds are sometimes referred to as "blood diamonds."

Links:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1065898.stm

www.iansa.org/issues/conflict-diamonds.htm

http://diamondfacts.org/conflict/index.html

http://www.stopblooddiamonds.org/

http://www.onesky.ca/diamonds/

August 19, 2008 | 4:08 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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