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A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Kathy
04/18/02 at 09:18:09
[slm] Yesterday the Press called and wants to do a feature on me about a day in the life of a Muslim Woman. It is a regular feature. They want to follow me around ( catch me if you can!) like most moms I am incredibly busy! Board meetings, School, Dawah classes, Karate, Working out at the gym, my flower garden,- and then all the "homemaker stuff". My sister is really concerned that too much of my personal life would be written and that I may have problems with wierdos and psychos. What do you think?, and if I choose to do it- should I mention my hour everyday here- and give you all a plug?
04/30/02 at 10:33:41
Kathy

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
M.F.
04/18/02 at 09:56:41
Assalamu alaikum What a great opportunity!!! It would be so amazing if you did that, you'd just show that your life as a Muslim woman was just like anyone else's, except structured around salat and da'wa... you'd show that we're NORMAL!!! WOW!!! imagine that!  :D :D Do it Kathy do it!! :) just don't let them make your address and phone number available so you don't get the psychos calling you at home or stalking you  ;) And definitely let us know how it goes :) I'm so excited!!

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
eleanor
04/18/02 at 09:57:46
[slm] Cool... your own official stalker...  8) Reminds me of the Kia-Ora ad.. "I'll be your dog..." okay.. anyway back to the topic... How much input do you get into this? Is it a written feature or on TV? Do you get to view/read it before it is released? Will your house be shown or will your address be revealed? These are questions that I would ask before going ahead. Never mind the fact that weirdos and psychos may recognise you in the street (if there's a photo of you or if you are on TV), I would also make sure that the slant is okay.. ie not negative. If you are clear on all the above, then I am sure it would be excellent da'wah, Insha Allah,  and why not mention jannah.org? Give the whole website a plug along with the message board. It's worth it, Alhamdulillah. okee that wuz mah 2 ... wasalaam eleanor

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
mujaahid
04/18/02 at 13:20:59
[slm] Kathy is it gona be a video or a newspaper feature?  And what station are they gona show? CNN? FOX? DISCOVERY? HBO? BBC? If its a video, make sure you tape it and get in put onto the net so that we can see a day in the Life of the Mama.

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
M.F.
04/18/02 at 14:20:53
Assalamu alaikum The board's part of your daily life (and a very important part I know) so I don't see how you could leave it out  ;)  just make sure it can handle the hundreds of people who'll want to check it out!

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
Julie
04/18/02 at 14:21:34
I think it's a great opportunity!  The media hadly ever shows a positive image of Muslim women. I don't think you need to worry too much about phychos.  Just make sure that they don't show your street name or address on TV.  And if they get a shot of you doing karate, nobody's going to want to mess with you! ;D :-)<--- Kathy, Madina citizen and TV (or is it newspaper?) star in the making! Julie :)
04/18/02 at 14:23:40
Julie

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
Maliha
04/18/02 at 15:26:09
[slm] I am so excited to hear that Kathy representing to the fullest  8) Inshaallah it will go great :) Be ya self and offer them a  [] if they get too annoying ;) I am looking forward to reading/seeing "A Day in the Life of Mama Mod"  ;D Maliha  :-) [wlm]

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
arielsharon
04/18/02 at 16:46:05
my only question would be is this supposed to be a friendly representation or one that has malevalent intent. it is so easy to be cheated into believing that the reporter has good intentions whilst misrepresenting you and your life.

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
Kathy
04/18/02 at 17:55:31
[slm] It is for the newspaper. Arshad was unable to get the last article pasted on this site. If you want to see it- e-mail me, Insha Allah this one will make it to thier website- so we can copy it easier- or at the least give a url. I did talk to the writer and read alot of his previus stuff- Allahwho allum. Arielsharon welcome to the Akwhat site- introduce yourself in the Bebsi section . Interesting name - tell us why you choose it!

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
arielsharon
04/18/02 at 18:10:49
[slm] kathy, id be pleased to read the articles if you care to share. im just a bit wary about these kind of things..they tend to be superficially about islam/muslims but have a subtext which is rather unpleasant...though there are genuinely positive write ups too. thanks for the welcome...and ill email you as id like to read some examples.

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
ann
04/18/02 at 19:53:02
I think it would be a great thing to do. The world can see that Muslim Women are as normal as anyone esle. Thats really cool  :-* Ann

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
imaazh
04/19/02 at 04:21:03
[slm] :-[ It sounds like a great idea, sr Kathy, one that I could use in my class perhaps?  I mean, the kids would be absolutely fascinated by an American Muslim Momma who does Karate.  Stereotypes *hiyaah!!!*  ;) Wassalaams imaazh

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
Kathy
04/19/02 at 08:36:12
[slm] Momma Mod doesn't do Karate- well except for the yelling! ;D I take my son to the Karate class and work out in the Gym while he is there. I remember on an Oprah show they filmed a Muslimah working out in a compromised hijab outfit. Alhumdulllillah I am able to do all of the machines- fully hijabbed. Please everyone make dua that I portray a Muslimah who just wants to please Allah swt. They are coming Thursday.

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
Muslimah17
04/20/02 at 13:13:58
assalam-o-alikoum can we read your interview after it`s done? when is it going to be in the enwspaper? which newspaper? walaikoumassalam

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
stap
04/22/02 at 18:24:11
The "press" is the Washington Post, right? They followed Imam Anwar Al-Awlaki around too a while back. You can see that featurette [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/mmedia/liveonline/111801-1v.htm]here[/url]

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
Kathy
04/25/02 at 18:04:13
[slm] It will be in the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin on Tuesday. The writer was with me all day today. He followed me from walking Ali to school right up until the "end" of the day at Karate Class. I was pretty impressed with him. All of his questions were intelligent, thoughtful and never demeaning. They all were about our prayers. Insha Allah this will be a true reflection of our religion. Gotta admit tho- it reminded me alot about what will happen on the day of judgement in regards to our tongues. For almost 8 hours I had to choose my words very carefully- knowing they will be repeated. As you all know I am a pretty down to earth kinda woman. Knowing that your words will be recorded and measured by others was very daunting.  It made me ponder about the two angels reording- not only todays words- but everydays!

Re: A Day in the Life of a Muslim Woman
gift
04/26/02 at 05:16:06
[slm] inshallah you gave a positive picture of islam Kathy, and Ali masha'allah seems a wonderful example of your strength as a Muslim woman  ;D  :-X please please please can someone post the interview on the board when it's printed it will be really  cool inshallah  8) [wlm]

Re: A Day in the Life of Kathy!
Kathy
04/30/02 at 08:25:29
[slm] Here is the Link- It will probably be only good for today. http://www.pressconnects.com/today/news/index.shtml Perhaps Se7en or jannah can post it.... i have no clue on how to do it! As you all know, I would never pledge alliegence to a flag!- I stood still while the classes were pledging- but never raised my arms or said it!..something always goes wrong when doing these articles.
04/30/02 at 08:38:19
Kathy

Re: A Day in the Life of Kathy!
eleanor
04/30/02 at 08:46:05
I liked it :) (apart from the pledge of allegience bit)  :P It's good to finally be able to put a face to the posts  8) I was hoping maybe there would be a picture of Ali, I  bet he's really cute.  :-X Congrats - oh and I especially liked the way they put all the prayers down... so now people know what all that "arabic reciting" means  ;) and what was with "local" message board...   ::)   more like INTERNATIONAL message board   8) wasalaam   [] eleanor   :-*
04/30/02 at 08:47:11
eleanor

Re: A Day in the Life of Kathy!
Dawn
04/30/02 at 08:50:13
Too bad about the pledge bit.  Maybe a letter to the editor can at least get a quick correction in tomorrow's paper (or the next paper if it isn't a daily).  But I thought it was a good article and I really liked the way they incorporated the prayers right into the schedule!  Nice!  :-*

Re: A Day in the Life of Kathy!
Kathy
04/30/02 at 08:54:33
[slm] Yeah, I was pretty surprised about how much prayer they put in. Our town is very conservative. There were alot of errors- but minor- but Alhumdullillah- we got the prayers in! The last person who interviewed me for the woman of faith article ran by the article before it was printed- we cleared up the errors then, I am kind of surprised that this writer didn't do it. Notice the second picture- add a beard and they would get the crazy Muslim they so love to get!- I was telling a story and using exaggerated faces- as the children just love an animated story.... unfortunately it just makes me look crazy!- or in pain....

Re: A Day in the Life of Kathy!
eleanor
04/30/02 at 09:20:13
[quote author=Kathy link=board=sis;num=1019135890;start=15#20 date=04/30/02 at 08:54:33] Notice the second picture- add a beard and they would get the crazy Muslim they so love to get!- I was telling a story and using exaggerated faces- as the children just love an animated story.... unfortunately it just makes me look crazy!- or in pain....[/quote] yeah, I was mildly surprised to see this photo, but  when I read the accompanying caption it all became clear.. don't worry about it. And I *laughed so hard* when I read the bit about the beard, causing a ripple of raised eyebrows to run through this open plan office.. hee hee... wasalaam eleanor  :-*

Re: A Day in the Life of Kathy!
Mehak
04/30/02 at 10:05:19
[slm] everyone,  Kathy , that was really cute MaashaAllah!! :-) I am sure that it will affect a lot of people in more than one way. So,may Allah reward u for all u did. [wlm]

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Marcie
04/30/02 at 11:10:58
[color=Teal] [slm] Masha'Allah now I know what Momma Mod looks like.  I'm always trying to picture people in my head.   I think that you need to specify that you want to read the article before it is printed.  Masha'Allah it did turn out well though.  :-* Kudos to you. [wlm] Marcie  :-)  [/color]

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
M.F.
04/30/02 at 12:16:21
AWWWWW Kaaathyyyyyy Ma sha Allah that's SO sweet, and so well done!!! I thought the pledge of alleigance part was good because.... what would they have said if you'd ignored it and just walked out!!! Plus it was an intro to the part where you said you were proud to be an American and that it was your right as an American to wear the hijab. Ma sha Allah :) Al hamdu lillah it's so nice that they didn't try to twist something out of context and that they included so much of the prayer. May Allah reward you Kathleen Al Jallad  ;)

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
jannah
04/30/02 at 13:34:41
Here's the article in full in case they remove it. Good job Kathy :)  Can you tell us the caterpillar story too?? :-* Prayer permeates woman's day Muslim faith is her way of life BY WAYNE HANSEN Press & Sun-Bulletin <http://www.pressconnects.com/today/news/stories/ne043002s100361p1.jpg> Kathleen Al-Jallad of Binghamton, a Muslim, silently recites a prayer Thursday in the basement fitness center of Rexer's Tang Soo Do Academy in Endicott. One floor above her, her son Ali was participating in a karate class. WAYNE HANSEN / Press & Sun-Bulletin <http://www.pressconnects.com/today/news/stories/ne043002s100361p2.jpg> Kathleen Al-Jallad tells a story of a caterpillar's journey to become a butterfly in the Head Start class at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School. Praise and glory be to you, O Allah. Blessed be your Name, exalted be your Majesty and Glory. There is no God but You. I seek Allah's shelter from Satan, the condemned. Glorified is my Lord, the Great. So begins Thursday for Kathleen Al-Jallad of Binghamton. It's before dawn, and it's the first of five times throughout the day she will recite the Muslim prayer. It's not how she grew up. Raised a Roman Catholic, she converted to Islam 17 years ago. "I had finally found the religion that was a way of life, a way of worshiping Allah (God) at all times," she says. Shortly before 8 a.m., she walks her son Ali to second grade at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School on Binghamton's North Side. With a quick kiss and hug, she sends him off to class, but pauses briefly in the hallway to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, broadcast on the school's PA system. She then descends two floors, where she greets a sea of children making their way to Head Start. She has volunteered in the classroom since her son was a student there. She sits down on the floor with the kids to read them the story of how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, which she has committed to memory after reciting it so many times. A young boy points out that she's wearing a butterfly pin, which holds together the ends of her traditional Muslim head-covering, a Hijab. She wears traditional Muslim clothes, even though she questioned that decision after the events of Sept. 11. "At times, I feel that I blend into society, and there are times that I feel as if I am in a world that is so different," she says. The Hijab stayed put. "I'm an American; I'm proud to be an American," she says. "This is my right as an American." She returns home later in the morning and prays again. Allah listens to him who praises Him. Our Lord, praise be for You only. Glory to Allah, the Exalted. O my Lord, forgive me and have mercy on me. Glory to Allah, the Exalted. Al-Jallad returns to school later in the morning, this time arriving in her son's second-grade class to read stories on relationships and friendships to half the class. On her way out, she sees another Muslim woman who works as an aide at the school. "As sallamu alaykum," (May God's peace be with you), she says. Al-Jallad steps back into the rain and walks home. There, she will prepare dinner for her son and husband, Raed, moderate a local Islamic message board on the Internet, and try to cure a nagging headache. All our oral, physical, and monetary ways of worship are only for Allah. Peace, mercy and blessing of Allah be on you, O prophet. May peace be upon us and on the devout slaves of Allah. I testify that there is no God but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is his slave and messenger. Mid-afternoon, Al-Jallad and Ali board one of two BC Transit buses that takes them to Rexer's Tang Soo Do Karate Academy in Endicott. Ali is testing soon for his red belt. He retires to a locker room to recite his prayer and don his clothing for class. Al-Jallad walks downstairs to the facility's exercise room, where among various exercise machines, she again recites the prayer, her eyes closed tightly. O God, send your Mercy on Muhammad and his posterity as you sent Your Mercy on Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most Praised, the Most Glorious. O God, send your blessings on Muhammad and his posterity as you have blessed Abraham and his posterity. You are the Most Praised, The Most Glorious. The evening is spent with her family, helping Ali with homework and ironing clothes for all for Friday. The prayer is recited again just before bed. Our Lord, grant us the good of this world and that of the Hereafter and save us from the torture of Hell. Peace and Mercy of Allah be on you.
04/30/02 at 13:36:44
jannah

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
gift
05/01/02 at 04:48:34
[slm] it was a nice article masha'allah - but i missed the photo of mamma mod - they'd removed the link.  i still don't know what you look like  :'( [wlm]

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
se7en
05/01/02 at 08:28:29
kathy rocks  8)
05/01/02 at 11:04:42
se7en

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Mohja
05/01/02 at 12:48:58
[slm] :-) Kathy  have a  [], you've earned it  8) I really liked the article,*especially* that cute photo when you're telling the story to the kids :-* It just shows what a lively and caring person you are :) That's the best form of da'wah i can think of! Mad props to you [img]http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/thumbs.gif[/img]

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Barr
05/01/02 at 20:39:54
Assalamu'alaikum! :-) MashaAllah! Kathy! That was cool! Now.. I get to see you in colour!  :-* You guys should have seen her in another newspaper article.... that was super too, mashaAllah... I'll try and get it up.. with the help of my sidekick ;) And yup, too bad they didn't show Ali... and sharky too ;) Here's a link to the article at it's 7 day archives. I think it's only available during this week. http://www.pressconnects.com/tuesday/news/stories/ne043002s100361.shtml Wassalam! :-)

;DRe: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Julie
05/01/02 at 20:56:19
Nice. :-* The caterpillar picture is great ;D  (The caption makes it clear that you're not in pain.) Julie :)

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Supa_Star_Sista
05/02/02 at 00:05:37
[slm] so they did that with me AND I CAME ON THE NEWS "  ;D CHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSE ;D " and yah the news reporter was wearing hijab too :) [wlm]  :-)

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
gift
05/02/02 at 03:56:57
[slm] yippee  :-X i got the link to work - man i want to hear that caterpillar story  :-/ [wlm]
05/02/02 at 03:57:18
gift

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Kathy
05/02/02 at 08:24:43
[slm] Smooches smooches Barr! I never got my Hubby to save it- I thought I would never get to see me! ([i] Ha ha!- I hate mirrors- just look at me![/i]) The story is about food...... It is The Very Hungry Catepillar by Eric Carle- you can find it at any library- it is a popular preschool book- and most Kindergateners and First Graders love it too! ( Ali still likes it- but too cool now....) I made a feltboard and the items- it is really interactive. There is one part in which the tiny catepiller eats sausage and salaami. You shoud see the Muslims in the class when I wink ;) and call it Halal Salami and Halal Sausage!

Re: A Day in the Life of Momma Mod!
Shahida
05/02/02 at 08:44:37
[slm] Kathy, what can I say, this is just one more thing for us to admire you for!  MashaAllah alayki...:) Well done, may Allah always keep you the beautiful practicing Muslimah you are, and increase your Imaan with every passing day! Wasalaam Shahida :-) p.s. was GREAT finally having a *real* pic of you to replace the one we all conjoured (sp?) up in our minds:)
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