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Appropriate answers !!

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Appropriate answers !!
AyeshaZ
03/24/03 at 22:03:57
Asslamu alykum,
Alhamdullilah, we had a Muslim health and culture conference couple weeks ago and I am still getting e-mails.. I know the questions seem pretty logical, however, how would u respond?.. especially the first Q.
JazakumAllahu khyran

P.S: sonya :)... :-X


Hi Ayesha!
Thank you for writing me back! I have two ?'s.
Is there a health condition that is primarily a condition  of the muslim culture?
and....demographically speaking, the muslim culture can be found on every
continent. Where would you say would be the greatest concentration of muslim people?
If you are muslim does that make you Islamic? If you are Islamic
does that make you Muslim?
Isn't Islam the religion of the muslim people?
I
hope these questions don't sound too stupid but i am really trying to
understand you culture..it is fascinating learning!!!!
thanks for all of your help!!
03/24/03 at 22:05:27
AyeshaZ
Re: Appropriate answers !!
Kathy
03/25/03 at 10:08:25
[slm]
[quote]Is there a health condition that is primarily a condition  of the muslim culture?
[/quote]

Yes, all practicing Muslims are toxic free. Muslims are very careful not to hurt their bodies with toxics such as alcohol, cigarretts or drugs. In fact Muslims fast often, which purifies their bodies. One month a year, during Ramadan, Muslims fast everday. This is not only a ritual purification, but as we know a body toxic cleaning.

All though I am fat, most Muslims are not. We are taught to not fill our bodies with too much food. Some of us, like me, need to work harder on this part of our faith.

Muslims are taught many health conscious ways in our laws. many of these were unheard of until recently by the general public. Things I am referring to is something as simple as hand washing to more serious guidelines like what to do when an epidemic, plague breaks out.

Because there are Muslims all over the world there is no one particular "condition" of them. Like in any country different folks suffer from different ailments.

So because of our teachings, and those whom follow them closely I would have to say the general condition of the Muslim Culture is very healthy.
Re: Appropriate answers !!
Kathy
03/25/03 at 10:16:24
[quote author=AyeshaZ link=board=madrasa;num=1048561437;start=0#0 date=03/24/03 at 22:03:57]If you are muslim does that make you Islamic? If you are Islamic
does that make you Muslim?
Isn't Islam the religion of the muslim people? [/quote]

[i]Unfortunately, I have been to too many dawah type talks, when the Muslim never lays down the basics.  Most people do not know the 4 basic qanswers to : What is Islam? Who are Muslims? Who is your God? and Do you worship Muhammad?[/i]


The term Islam is not taken from the name of a person, race or land. Islam is an Arabic word that means to surrender your will to God and a peace, a submission and an obedience to God.

A Muslim is one who submits, worships and obeys one and only one God.

So Islam is the religion of Muslims.
A Muslim is a follower of Islam.

Re: Appropriate answers !!
Dude
03/25/03 at 10:38:28
My father in law is a perfect example of the toxin free solution to life: 72 years old, looks like he 55. That is opposed to my old man (who has surpassed his life quota on toxins), who is 58, looking more like 68.

One interesting thing we've seen around here (Vancouver, BC) is that in the East Indian & Fijian communities, a lot of the landed immigrants that came over as younger men and woman are dying relatively young (50s) due to weight & heart problems. The popular theory is that back home, they had dairy rich diets (lots of homogenized milk), high in oily, fatty foods. Of course, this made perfect sense back in the homeland, because both the men and women were out working in the fields (like my in-laws, too...they had a farm), or doing some sort of manual labor for long hours every day. They burned it all off. They come here, and perhaps start a business of some sort in the commercial district, still work hard mentally (long hours), but not as hard physically...yet maintain the same sort of diet.

Anyhow, that was explained to me, and I thought it was interesting...more of a cultural thing than a Muslim thing, though.
Re: Appropriate answers !!
sofia
03/25/03 at 13:00:22
As-salaamu 'alaykum wa rahmatullaah,

Good point, Kathy. Not sure if the original question (in bold) is caused by a confusion with the terms Muslim and/or Islam (it can have a cultural connotation, but it's really a religion/belief system), but it's kind of like asking, is there a health condition particular to all of humanity, no?

But within certain cultures, as mentioned by Dude (nothing linked to Islaam, per se), there are definitely certain cultural practices that may be a health hazard. Like eating fatty/fried foods/sedentary lifestyles, leading to heart disease, obesity, diabetes, etc (although religion teaches us not to over-indulge).

Same idea, other public health epidemics like high blood-pressure, hypertension, and/or heart conditions, can exist amongst minority populations for social reasons. It's already an issue with the African-American community (not so much for Africans), and we'll most likely see a similar trend amongst Muslim minorities, in general, if health care practitioners don't already see it. Not that I'm a health care practitioner, but I'd recommend Muslims/minorities reduce their intake of the news/media.  :)

The larger issues of social inequalities still has to be dealt with, though, inshaa'Allaah.

Allaahu A'lim.
03/25/03 at 13:05:41
sofia
Re: Appropriate answers !!
AyeshaZ
03/30/03 at 15:23:51


asslamu alykum,

Thanks for the answers.. i got some more now :)
Yeah, i agree kathy many dawah lectures and workshop are either too intense, or the basics are not emphsized enough etc..

Thank you very much for your input!!!! Could you explain the washing done
before payer. The method and the the process? Also, I know prayer is 6x a
day.. is there a specific hour in which it is done?  Is there a reason for
the bowing and the kneeling during prayer? do the symbolize different things
or represent different meanings? If you were a  mom new to a school system,
and I was your child's teacher, what things do you think would be important
for me to know re: Muslim culture and your child as it relates to your
child's education? You have NO idea how grateful I am that you are willing
to share these issues with me. I am very fortunate to have "run" into you at
CSU...Thanks!

**ahh so she just came to the program late... that explains a lot now :)...
Re: Appropriate answers !!
Kathy
03/30/03 at 21:10:23
[quote author=AyeshaZ link=board=madrasa;num=1048561437;start=0#5 date=03/30/03 at 15:23:51]If you were a  mom new to a school system,
and I was your child's teacher, what things do you think would be important for me to know re: Muslim culture and your child as it relates to your child's education? [/quote]

[wlm]

This is part of a letter my son brings with him the first day:

Here is a guide to my son's religiously - mandated practices as a Muslim. I have covered a little of each area to help you understand my son more. This is not an official guide for all Muslims. Some families have stricter guidelines, while others are more lenient.


Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag:
Islam discourages acts of reverence to anyone or anything but God. Therefore, my son does not pledge allegiance to a flag. This, however, should not be taken as a sign of disrespect to the symbol of our nation. He will not participate by saying the words, but he will stand in respect of his country. [i]I may change the sentance next year in lieu of the current events![/i]

Holidays:
He may be exposed to the holidays the school celebrates, but he is not allowed to celebrate them. These include: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, St. Valentines Day, St. Patrick Day, and Easter.  Please contact me regarding any classroom holiday celebrations so. that if needed, we can offer a suitable alternative for him.

Dietary requirements:
No pork or pork by products.
Some objectionable foods items include: bacon, pepperoni, sausage, and hot dogs containing pork. Animal Shortening- in some breads, cookies, cakes, donuts...Vegetable shortening is acceptable. Gelatin- in Jell-O, candies, marshmallows. Lard- in any product. Ali is very sensitive about this at lunch time.

Music:
If there is any involvement with instruments, he can only use drums. I would prefer not to have him join the chorus because of the holiday songs they are asked to sing.

Art:
You may see him placing an “X” over faces of animals and people when drawing pictures. This is part of his Islamic teachings. He is not allowed to make any images.

Gender Relations:
Muslim men and women observe personal modesty. Ali may be reluctant to touch girls. He may be reluctant to shake a woman’s hand, or touch a girl. Also, Muslims are taught, “a modesty of the eyes,” and will often keep their gazes lowered when speaking to the opposite sex. It is a sign of respect.

Skullcap:
Muslim men often wear a small head covering, called a kufi. He sometimes wears one.

Vocabulary:
Alla You will probably hear him saying this. It is the Arabic word for God.
Bismillah - He will say this before eating. It means "in the name of God"(it attributes all thanks to God for his food) Humdulillah- Praise be to God- He will say this when he sneezes, and at other times.

Fasting:
This is during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Observing a Ramadan fast means refraining from eating and drinking from the break of dawn to sunset. This will begin toward the end of October. Fasting is not required until children reach puberty. Still, he may want to experiment with fasting. This will help him learn self- restraint and it is a time for
him to empathize and reflect on those less fortunate than him and appreciate what one has. We do not expect him to fast but will support him if he chooses to.

Friday Prayer:
Friday is the day for congregational prayer, called Jum’ah. The prayer lasts about an hour and takes place at the mosque in the beginning of the afternoon. When able, my husband will take him. I will keep you posted.

Muslim Holidays:
The two major Muslim celebrations are called Eid. I will write you a note as the holidays approach. He will be taking off at least one day. Culturally, Muslims take three days to celebrate. I will contact you to see if this is possible when the time is nearer.  I am available to come to the class to tell the kids about our holidays.

Dailey Prayers:
Muslims perform five prayers a day and it is obligatory upon them. Once a child turns seven they must make their prayers. When  daylight-saving time will changes Ali will need to make his afternoon prayers during the school day. I will send you a letter in more detail as the end of October approaches.

     

     
03/30/03 at 21:10:58
Kathy
Re: Appropriate answers !!
Halima
03/31/03 at 05:40:18
Well done, Sis Kathy.  May Allah reward your efforts abundantly, INSHA-ALLAH.  Ali is a very lucky boy.

[wlm]

Halima


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