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Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Anonymous
06/24/03 at 17:05:40
Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction By Khalid Baig Posted: 21 Rabi-u-Thani 1424, 21 June 2003 As expected there was much frenzy around the latest Harry Potter book. Bookstores and clubs around the world arranged special midnight parties and other events in celebration of the launching of the long-awaited fifth book in the series. A grandiose countdown was held in Times Square for the coming of the fifth book. The book was set to break many old records. Online bookseller Amazon had already received one million pre-orders of the new book, its largest pre-order ever. Scholastic, the American publisher had ordered 8.5 million copies as the largest first printing ever. Worldwide, 13 million copies of the book had rolled off the presses in a massive print run. The other books in the Harry Potter series have been translated into more than 55 languages, including Urdu, Persian, and Turkish. Nearly 200 million copies of the first four books have been sold in 200 countries. What is all this craze about? The series chronicles the growing up of a young orphan wizard named Harry Potter who attends a secret magic boarding school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry is a very unique wizard. His parents are killed while he is a baby by a wicked powerful wizard named Voldemort, but generally called "you-know-who" or "he-who-must-not-be-named". Voldemort fails in his attempt to kill Harry and instead is nearly destroyed when his magic rebounds on him. Harry is left with a lightning shaped scar on his forehead. Harry is sent to live with his "muggle" (non-magical people) relatives for the next ten years. He lives a miserable life, tormented by his aunt and uncle and his spoiled cousin. They attempt to keep him from knowing that he is a wizard. Then, suddenly a letter arrives from Hogwarts on his eleventh birthday, changing his life completely. Harry finds out he is a wizard and rather famous for his encounter with the evil lord Voldemort. Despite opposition from his aunt and uncle, Harry goes to the wizard boarding school where he meets new people, including his best friends Ron and Hermione. Harry discovers that he has both admirers and enemies. Each book details the events of one school year. The main characters in the story have few noble qualities; they lie with impunity, use profanity, don't respect their elders, break rules regularly, and are unrepentant. While the books are characterized by most people as innocent fantasy and entertainment, they contain many evil messages - not all of which are subtle. The books glorify magic and sorcery. Harry and his classmates regularly cast spells, brew potions, learn to tell the future, communicate with the spirits of the dead, train magical animals, and ride brooms. They study astrology, crystal gazing, numerology, transfiguration, and divination. Darker things occur as well such as murder, human sacrifice, drinking of unicorn blood, etc. The fight between good and evil in this book is actually a conflict between "good magic" and "evil magic", both of which are evil. The books are in effect promoters of paganism. They glorify magic and paganism while non-magical people, called Muggles, are despised and portrayed as boring, narrow-minded, and paranoid of magic. Not surprisingly, the main characters in the story have few noble qualities; they lie with impunity, use profanity, don't respect their elders, break rules regularly, and are unrepentant. And for all these qualities and more, the books are popular and are having an effect. It is the "in" thing to purchase the book. And not just the book. Children have gone crazy over Harry Potter memorabilia, surrounding themselves with Harry Potter T-shirts, posters, toys, costumes, wands, hats, etc. The media has been glorifying the book that glorifies sorcery. Welcome to the world of capitalism and paganism, where superstitions and the occult reign supreme in the hearts and minds of people, and where the twin forces have forged an "alliance of the willing" that is doing its "magic" on a global scale. Capitalism is all about maximization of profits and if that requires appealing to the lowest instincts and the darkest recesses of human nature, so be it. Millions of dollars have been spent on advertising the latest craze on billboards, buttons, bumper stickers, and posters etc. U.S. publisher Scholastic alone has planned a $4 million marketing budget for this single book - among the largest advertising budgets ever for a book. The media machine --- equally adept at political, cultural, and commercial propaganda --- has been doing its part faithfully, paying a great deal of attention to the smallest events relating to the coming of the fifth book. It has been glorifying the book that glorifies sorcery. Even if it were innocent entertainment (which it is not) the extreme devotion would be unjustified. But this culture is given to extremes and incidents of mass craziness are nothing new in it. The cabbage patch dolls craze in the 1980s was similar to current craze over the Harry Potter books. The Cabbage Patch Dolls were the fad of the 1980s. The most distinctive feature about them was that each doll looked a bit different from others and came with its own unique name and birthday, "adoption papers," and a "birth certificate." Marketing gimmick and television coverage combined to make sales explode starting in 1983. Chartered planes were used to bring the dolls from the overseas manufacturing plants to meet the ever increasing demand. Fist fights among eager customers often broke out in retail stores when a shipment of dolls arrived. In 1985, Coleco posted record sales of $600 million, thanks to their Cabbage Patch Kids. When life has no higher purpose, entertainment and fun become the over-riding goal in life. When there is no belief in or clear concept of God as Creator and Master of the universe, superstition, sorcery, and the occult become fascinating. When life has no higher purpose, entertainment and fun become the over-riding goal in life. It is a reflection on the state of the society that there has been scarce opposition to this series that promises to become darker with each new release. The Role of Muslims In this current state of hysteria, Muslims should have played an important role in opposing this book and exposing the flaws of this culture. It is the duty of Muslims to guide the world, rather than blindly follow the ignorant masses. The Qur'an commands us in Surah Al-Kahf, "And don't obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires, whose case has gone beyond all bounds." [Al-Kahf 18:28] Yet, unfortunately, we find very little opposition or reflection from Muslims, many of whom have chosen to blindly follow the pop culture. Many Muslims have assured themselves that the books are harmless fiction. Others even claim them to be beneficial because they encourage reading. Reading what? It does not occur to them to ask that question. Islam prohibits both pointless entertainment (lahw) and sorcery. But countless Muslims seem to be unaware of that. And they are the ones fascinated by Harry Potter.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
a_Silver_Rose
06/25/03 at 00:57:41
[slm] Have to admit I do like harry potter. But when I read it I see how harry and his friends are brave to fight evil  and how they stick up for each other. And its also very funny

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
eleanor
06/25/03 at 10:36:23
[slm] that's rubbish that it promotes sorcery - ever heard of FANTASY  ??? ::)

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
theOriginal
06/27/03 at 04:21:40
[slm] Honestly...people have wild imaginations...so do I... Why is it so wrong to turn it into a piece of FICTIONAL writing?  How can it be wrong to be creative? I totally disagree with the article.  Books like this show the sheer ingenuity of human beings.   Harry Potter r0x. Wasalaam.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
theOriginal
06/27/03 at 10:55:14
[slm] So as a question.... Is it debatable whether literature such as Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis books (eg: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) are halaal? I'm not asking you to provide me with a fatwa...but is there actually debate on this matter?  (Seems a little odd to me). I don't know where I would be without these books.  They really molded me into who I am.   I still disagree with the article.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
bhaloo
06/27/03 at 21:07:23
[slm] I can see where the article is coming from, especially with this topic of magic and sorcery.  I'm kind of amazed at how popular witchcraft and witches have become in recent years, and one wonders if books and movies like this have encouraged this behavior.  Is that such a hard concept to comprehend?  To say that the article is rubbish is really odd.  I know one brother whose into watching this stuff, enjoys it, but he's not going to publically discuss it and go on about it, for the very reasons the article mentions.   Do you think movies and books that promote lying and being disobedient to one's parents are good and acceptable?  What about ones that have bf/gf and their haraam relationships?  Or ones that have senseless violence and killing?  At some point your going to draw the line and say ok, this is acceptable and this isn't, and I'm curious how you arrived at what is acceptable to view.  Or maybe you take the view that its not as bad as the other stuff out there, but then is that really a valid criteria?  If you watch this stuff, should you be openly telling others? J-O was asking if this material is even debatable, so I thought I would put up what some scholars of Islam said on the matter: Question of Fatwa: I love to watch American Movies. Is it haram?   Name of Mufti Muhammad Al-Hanuti   Content of Reply It depends on what you watch. If it is good, that's good. If it not good, then you are wasting time and energy. The Prophet (saw) says "two bounties of Allah a great many people cannot act to acknowledge them -- health and time." ;=========================================== Sheikh Munajjid's opinion: Question: Is it OK to read books on Science fiction where a mad scientist creates a human being or a hybrid between a human and an animal? Answer: Praise be to Allaah. If these stories include lies, such as Darwin’s theory (evolution), and other things that are contrary to the facts stated by Islam and the facts of natural science, then the Muslim should avoid them, and keep himself busy with something that will be of use to him, such as learning good things or doing righteous deeds or reading true stories and historical accounts and so on. Many of the movies and novels that are known as “Science Fiction” include a lot of kufr, such as putting life and death in the hands of some created being, giving creatures the ability to create from nothing, saying that scientists in laboratories can create from nothing, making inanimate things come alive, creating life from a fossil that has been dead for many millenia, or travelling to the future then coming back to the present. All of this is impossible, and no one knows the unseen except for Allaah. Some of these novels and movies also include clear contradictions of historical facts that are mentioned in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, such as man’s creation and his life on earth. When the Muslim indulges in reading these books or watching these movies, it shakes his belief or at the very least wastes his time and keeps him busy with something that is of no benefit to him. Some people claim that this is just entertainment and a way of passing time, but entertainment is not permitted if it is haraam, and the Muslim’s time is too precious to be wasted on such trivial things. The Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “One of the signs of a person being properly committed to Islam is that he leaves alone that which does not concern him.” (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 2239, and others. Also in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 5911). And Allaah knows best. ;========================================== Another from islam-online.net Question of Fatwa: Dear scholars, As-Salamu `alaykum. I have been working in the retail and wholesale movie business for the last 20 years. But now sometimes I wonder if this business is halal or not. I want a satisfying answer. If this business is not halal, I'll close or sell my business to make Allah happy and will start some new business. Jazakum Allah khayran.   Name of Mufti Sheikh Muhammad  Iqbal Nadvi   Content of Reply Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger. Dear brother in Islam, we really appreciate your enthusiasm to commit yourself to the teachings of your religion, Islam. May Allah reward you abundantly and help you to abide by Islamic teachings. First of all we'd like to stress that Islam does not go against beautiful art. On the contrary, it always encourages art that agrees with pure human nature. Art is an effective tool that can be placed at the head of the good deeds in our world only if it is perfectly used. That is why Muslims should not ignore this field, leaving it to enemies of religion and humanity. Movies, plays and artistic works are permissible as long as they do not present, as we see today, what is contrary to Islamic teachings. Movies that provoke vices and Fitnah (temptation) are prohibited. Having stated this, comes the issue of dealing in movies or the movie business: is it halal or haram? In his response to the question in point, the prominent Muslim scholar Sheikh Muhammad Iqbal Nadvi, Imam of Calgary Mosque, Alberta, Canada, and Former Professor at King Saud University, Riyad, Saudi Arabia, states: "As for the business of the movies, two things need to be pointed out: a. Movies are not haram due to them being movies, but rather due to the message they give. The message could be good or bad, and according to this, the status of selling movies will be good or bad. However, most of the movies today contain contaminated messages. Therefore, if a seller has a collection of Islamic and educational movies or any other good movies, it will be halal to sell them. b. Almighty Allah says, "Indeed those who love (to see) scandal published broadcast among the Believers, will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows, and ye know not." (An-Nur 19). He also says, "But there are, among men, those who purchase idle tales, without knowledge (or meaning), to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah and throw ridicule (on the Path): for such there will be a humiliating Penalty." (Luqman 6) Those verses do not name movies, but when it becomes a source of evil then it comes under what the verses are talking about and the warning covers the people of that act as well." Allah Almighty knows best.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
a_Silver_Rose
06/27/03 at 21:33:38
[slm] I hear that religious christians are sueing author of harry potter...? Honestly I hear that many people who are against it havent even read it. It honestly seems that it shows respect to adults and how everyone is protecting the other. majic is wrong in harry potter just as it is wrong in cinderella. But is the books main point to tell you that majic is a good thing or is it to show you that evil is bad? I think its a pretty harmless book and if they want to sue something they should go after something like simpsons ect. This book does not teach you anything bad! Is it because of its popularity tha tpeople are attacking it? honestly i think this is pretty unreasonable. I think it has better morals then cinderella which is showing a little girl that 'how a man can save her from her evil stepfamily} [quote]The main characters in the story have few noble qualities; they lie with impunity, use   profanity, don't respect their elders, break rules regularly, and are unrepentant. [/quote] wait a second where is the profanity and disrespect for elders??? I dont remmeber this quite well. yes some kids that were considered the 'bad kids' said some things (no cussing at all), but it is discouraging that... [quote]The books are in effect promoters of paganism. They glorify magic and paganism while   non-magical people, called Muggles, are despised and portrayed as boring, narrow-minded, and   paranoid of magic. [/quote] If one reads the book then they will know that only the evil magical people think that the muggles are narrow-minded, ect. but the good ones are facinated with them such as Rons dad. [quote]The books are in effect promoters of paganism. They glorify magic and paganism while   [/quote] thats not true ..if one read the book then they can see how majic is just causing trouble for all of them. Anyway the main theme is not that 'majic is good' but its more 'good v evil' honestly ignoring the majic and 'sorcery' when I read it I see the good morals and the bravery... and the strong bond of friendship. If I would have to ban this then I would ban any other type of cartoon first. where did it talk about God in a nother cartoon? I would definately rather have my child/sister read this than read cinderella or snowwhite which is all about being saved by a prince.. that is what causes trouble for girls today who are always wanting to look good for men ect...

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
eleanor
06/28/03 at 07:38:01
[quote author=bhaloo link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=0#7 date=06/27/03 at 21:07:23]  To say that the article is rubbish is really odd.  I know one brother whose into watching this stuff, enjoys it, but he's not going to publically discuss it and go on about it, for the very reasons the article mentions.   [/quote] I assume you are referring to me here? I never said the article is rubbish I said (and I quote): [quote]that's rubbish that it promotes sorcery [/quote] And as a matter of fact I do read the HP books but I don't go around "promoting" them. I made the mistake of doing that last year and I won't be doing it again. I agree 100% with a silverose. You have to have read the books to make a judgment on them, so if you don't want to read them then that's fine, but that means you also have to keep quiet about things you don't know about.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
BrKhalid
06/28/03 at 20:04:02
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) You mean I waited in front of the bookstore at midnight for no good reason? ;) No I wasn’t one of those who got my latest edition last week and in fact the whole HP phenomena seems to have passed me by but this thread has raised some interesting issues. Like Sr Eleanor says it would be wrong to make judgements on a book when one hasn’t actually read it so I’ll limit myself to a more general argument. I don’t think anyone would disagree that a book which dealt with illicit relations would be unsuitable to read whether it be fact, fiction or fantasy!! Likewise a story condoning drink and drugs would be unacceptable. If that’s the case with these clear cut Haraam activities, why is magic [which is universally agreed to be Haraam in Islam] any different? As with wine and gambling we have been told in the Quran about the benefits of magic but that the disadvantages far outweigh these and as such we should avoid it altogether. [See verses 102 & 219 of Surah Al Baqara] If this is the case where does that put our opinion on HP? I can totally empathise with those who say this is harmless fiction and fantasy. But as the Shiekh says above: [quote]Some people claim that this is just entertainment and a way of passing time, but entertainment is not permitted if it is haraam[/quote] Having said all the above, there is also a more subtle point which often gets overlooked. I have no doubt that HP is on the side of good in his battle against evil. As Muslims, we can differentiate between reality and fantasy quite easily but what about all the 11/12/13….year old non muslim children who are reading these books? What impact does HP have on them? How more difficult will it be to convince them of the harms of magic when they have grown up in a mainstream culture which sees magic as perfectly acceptable. If we as Muslims struggle with the concept of HP what do you think your average 11 year old non muslim is going to think?That’s the real point which I wanted to make. The fact that sometimes something becomes such an engrained part of our culture that people no longer see it as harmful but harmless. Homosexuality and pre/extra marital sex being the two greatest examples that I can think of. In such an environment how are you going to get your message through? PS Apologies if this post sounds a touch harsh (it’s not meant to be) but just merely a few thoughts for discussion. ;-)

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
AyeshaZ
06/29/03 at 00:07:43
[quote author=BrKhalid link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=0#10 date=06/28/03 at 20:04:02]Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) I have no doubt that HP is on the side of good in his battle against evil. As Muslims, we can differentiate between reality and fantasy quite easily but what about all the 11/12/13….year old non muslim children who are reading these books? [/quote] Asslamu alykum, Subhan'Allah, I just had the opportunity  to sit through one of Imam Suhaib Webb's lectures and he shared a very interesting story with us. He was at a grocery store and this young muslim girl saw him and greeted him etc. And then whispered Amo ( uncle).. I am here to get some stuff to make potions.. I just learned them from HP!!! Imam Webb exclaimed how shocked he was to hear that and the mother was clueless. So its better to monitor what our kids are reading!! They are at a very impressionable age! May Allah(swt) protect the young one's. ameen Wallahu A'lam

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nabila
06/29/03 at 06:08:57
[slm] My lil cousins read them in Saudi - they seem to be ok... so far ;) Forget Harry Potter, get your kids a bunch of Roald Dahl books, they are funny, witty, and have wonderful plots that children identify with. The fact of the matter is, kids dont want to ready abt good little children who eat apples for snacks and agree that 6 30 pm is a good bedtime because its certain to keep them healthy wealthy and wise! No conflict, no drama. They wanna read about children like George in Georges Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl - who makes his evil granny a *special* medicine to teach her a lesson. Lets face it, every kid has had negative feelings about this relative or that relative at some point, and they identify with a character like that. Not very Islamic, I know :D but keep in mind that kids arent stupid, generally they can differentiate between right and wrong, and its all the better if you can discuss these books with them when theyve finished, even if it is to be clear in your own mind that little Khalid isnt going to make a soup of a bunch of spices and household detergents for his grannie the next time she orders him about :P JustOne - the lion the witch and the wardrobe; am completely with you on that! ma asalaamah and take care

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
lucid9
06/29/03 at 09:41:17
[slm] Muslim children should be encouraged to read.  Just read period.  So many muslim children are not fond of reading and suffer academically because of this.  Most muslim families do not emphasize reading, are not willing to pay money for books, but curiously enough are willing to pay gobs and gobs of money for say private school.  My aunt yesterday refused to buy my cousin the Harry Potter book because it was too expensive, but she is willing to pay $8,000 for private school!?  My cousin is not a good reader. You should now that muslim in parts of Europe (Pakistanis and Bangladeshis in Britain, Morroccons and Algerians in France) do substantially worse than other students on standardized exams at the end of high school.  And you cannot explain this fact by simply saying that this is because they are poor.  Look at the Vietnamese in America.  They were dirt poor when they came to America, but their children are among the best students. How shameful.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
theOriginal
06/30/03 at 08:36:30
[slm] Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!! REEEEEEEEAD......... When I was 6, you couldn't hand me a newspaper and expect me to read it... Oh and the whole Roald Dahl thing....yeah man...the BFG was my bestest friend.  I think I have read that book at LEAST 20 times.   Wasalaam

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
eleanor
06/30/03 at 11:13:07
[slm] BrKhalid you raised some interesting points. But the whole thing with the HP books is that any kid who reads the book will *know* that it is make believe. Because if he/she were capable of doing magic they would have found it out very early, according to the rules of the magical world of HP. Okay, even if they believe that HP and magic exist, then they have to accept that they are a Muggle (non magical human) because they show no magical tendencies and have not been invited to Hogwarts (magic school). Speaking for myself, I am way way older than the average child  ;)  That said, it is also well known that JK Rowling never stated that HP is a children's book. That's what the publishers promoted it as. (easy market). If parents think that their kids are easily swayed then they should have a chat with them. Ask about the books and see what the kid thinks. Make it clear to them that it is just make believe/fantasy. [quote]I am here to get some stuff to make potions.. I just learned them from HP!!! [/quote] Oh honestly. I bet she was trying to wind him up. For starters you can't get the ingredients for any potions in HP in the grocery store. Unless you have seen dragon liver or lacewings in the refridgerator there recently. As far as I am concerned there is no difference in reading Harry Potter and reading Roald Dahl. There is as much fantasy there as anywhere else. How about any typical nursery rhyme or fairy tale? What about Humpty Dumpty or the cow jumping over the moon? Why not ban all cartoons too? Whoever heard of a talking mouse driving a car? And let's get rid of Superman while we're at it. And the X-Men. To be honest, and maybe this is going back to my pre-Muslim days, I really think that if you are doing something essentially wrong, such as sleeping around/murdering people/stealing etc, then you need to worry about what's going to happen later. But to read FANTASY books, fairy tales and watch cartoons -  are you sure we're going to hell for that?

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Fozia
06/30/03 at 16:42:17
[quote author=JustOne link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=0#4 date=06/27/03 at 10:55:14] [slm] So as a question.... Is it debatable whether literature such as Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis books (eg: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) are halaal? [/quote] [slm] Probably a completely pointless fact (which I'm full of as it happens). The Lion the witch and the wardrobe was CS Lewis trying to teach children Christianity. Hence Aslan is slain and then rises again (supposed to tie in with the whole Jesus (PBUH) dying on the cross and rising again thingy), it's done subtly but that's what he's doing. Wassalaam

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
muahmed
06/30/03 at 18:03:19
[slm] ;-) From Aladdin with his genie to the prince who was turned into a frog, most stories for kids involve fantasy, fairies, giants, magic and/or myth. I used to read a lot of fantasy books when I was a child because I found them interesting. My grandmother used to tell me stories about princes who went and fought evil magicians and witches. The only affect all this had on me was my language skills improved early from reading books. As I grew older I moved to mystery, detective and spy books, and then later to history and non-fiction. You can't expect your 12 year old sister to read Jane Austin, or your kid brother to enjoy Charles Dickins. Most Muslims I met in university who had any interest in reading had read fantasy books at some point in their life. Sorry to surprise you, but none of them believes in magic or has pagan ways. To write off books that contain magic, because it is haram, would be to write off the entire genre of fantasy books, and thats a pretty inane idea. The whole point of a story book or a fiction book is that it is a STORY and it is FICTION! We all know the chances of our kid coming in contact with a REAL magician who could teach him black magic and make him into a wizard. We also all know the benefits that could arise from our kids having an interest in reading books at an early age. The decision should not be hard to make. We should encourage kids to read books that they find interesting, even if they contain magic, for in these times we can safely say that our child will not grow up to be a wizard and hence have a haram profession.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
panjul
07/01/03 at 01:27:01
The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe) are halaal? I loved the series! My siblings and I started out reading fantasy too. I still think they beat Harry Potter. but i like harry potter too. or actually, liked the movie, never read the books. my sisters read them and they are ok too so far. :) The Christians that want these books to be banned are the same ones that promote free speech for Salaman Rushdie's Satantic Verses. Interesting, eh?

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Anonymous
07/01/03 at 02:18:04
"But to read FANTASY books, fairy tales and watch cartoons -  are you sure we're going to hell for that?" i think the question is, are you sure we won't go to hell for that?  say my deeds were pretty even, bad and good, but then i read these books, will they push me to the other side?  if i don't have to read them, i'd rather not take the chance.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
BrKhalid
07/01/03 at 06:01:24
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) Good points all ;-) Nice to have an interesting discussion without people going AWOL and casting spells everywhere ;) Completely agree with those who say we need our children to read more. Guess it also means we need a few more Muslims out there writing suitable stuff for our kids. Who’d be a Muslim parent huh? ;-)

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nabila
07/01/03 at 14:28:13
[slm] CS Lewis - as a kid growing up in Saudi, reading those books, the Christianity metaphor never occured to me! I only figured that out after I read them much later  [] Guess it also means we need a few more Muslims out there writing suitable stuff for our kids. As Hamlet or someone said, ''Ay, there's the rub!'' Meaning - exactly! But has anyone even been to an Islamic bookshop and picked up a book for kids lately? Booooooring! Heavy handed, preachy, bursting with stern moral instruction-- bleuch. The characters? The plot? Don't even go there. Muslims must concentrate more on the arts, right now we give a disproportionate amount of attention to the sciences (guilty as charged :P) and the Arts suffer because of this. We need programmes, writers' circles, that teach people the importance of reading. My friend wanted to study English Lit at Uni, her parents insisted on her learning a 'useful' subject, something directly related to a defined, well paying career :P It reall was an uphill battle for her, and its a shame it had to be so. In Saudi, it is common practise after the school year to rip up your textbooks and throw them away. Ok, maybe once, but *every* year?! Not selling them, not giving them away to those less fortunate, but [i]ripping them up[/i]. What a waste. We need, more importantly, to communicate with our children - too often, the adult child communication line is based on overly respectful, distanced relationships, rather than one of friendship and love. Once, the Prophet  [saw] remained in prostration for a long time when he was leading the prayer. When the salaah was finished, his companions asked him about it - ''Were you receiving a new revelation, messenger?'' The Prophet explained to them that when he prostrated, little Hussain climbed onto his back, and he didnt want to disturb him in his play! Its being able to remember ones own childhood, and being able to connect with children that made Roald Dahl, Dr Seuss etc such sucesses. Just because you are a Muslim, don't mean you cant have some fun! ma asalaamah and take care
07/01/03 at 18:29:47
Nabila

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
muahmed
07/01/03 at 14:44:10
[slm] ;-) An infinitude of fiction and historical works, of great literary quality and good Islamic messages exist in arabic, urdu and farsi. Maybe we need to start learning other languages besides or in addition to English  :P

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
se7en
07/01/03 at 19:26:21
as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, speaking of Lord of the Rings.. I just got this in my in-box Just Arrived!!! Alchemy in Middle-Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings The Significance of The Lord of the Rings in the Islamic Context Popularly voted on Amazon.com as the most significant work of fiction of the 20th Century, The Lord of the Rings is replete with imagery and symbolism from traditional Islamic sources. All of this and more have been elaborated eloquently in Alchemy in Middle-Earth by Mahmoud Shelton, a contemporary scholar of Islamic history and traditions. Covering topics such as Islamic Spiritual Chivalry, the Last Days, the Arrival of Armageddon, Purification of the Self, and much more, Alchemy in Middle-Earth is an enlightening and motivating read. Drawing upon traditional Islamic sources, this excellent book will but serve to awaken the mind to the deep and pervasive influence of Islamic Spirituality. For those of you who knew there was more to The Lord of the Rings than was obviously apparent, this is the book for you! On sale now for only $19.95! http://www.isn1.net/cosoalinmisi.html

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Fozia
07/02/03 at 15:11:04
[slm] OK before anyone reads the following post, know that I am not condeming anyone for reading I absoloutely love the pastime and as a little girl my parents would threaten me with confiscating my library card if I was naughty (sad but true). Below is the following extract from Islamweb net which I thought is relevant to this thread. Wassalaam ---------------------- Harry Potter and Beyond Part 3: Distinguishing Reality and Fantasy (Islamweb) By Lynn Jefferies     People keep saying that "kids know the difference between fantasy and reality. But since so many children "need" to live in a fantasy world due to worldly pressures and being lost in their relationship with their Creator, it is easy to fall deeper      into this world then ever imagined. With both parents working, children spend hundreds of hours alone unsupervised. There is a deep hole that exists in these kinds of kids, a hole needing to be filled with something. Fantasy is a "great" escape/coping tool for them.     "I get letters from children addressed to Professor Dumbledore [headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the books' setting], and it's not a joke, begging to be let into Hogwarts, and some of them are really sad. Because they want it to be true so badly they've convinced themselves it is true." (The Return of Harry Potter)     This so called "bright new world" is set with traps that children have no ideas what they are getting themselves into. Below is an excerpt from BBC News online discussing the various holes that the Pagan Federation is filling? Even though they boast about their "parental consent" this is leading children and adolescents into a dangerous and dark road. A road that they have no idea where they are going. But when there is no place to attach the heart to (or that they do not understand Allah and His great care for His creation) the heart is left empty and wandering, searching for something to make it feel better.     Who's hailing this bright new world? Who are the beneficiaries to this new world? The Pagan Federation is thrilled with movie like Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc.     Popular TV programs like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch encourage an interest in witchcraft among children, it is claimed. The Pagan Federation, which represents druids and witches, says it has been "swamped" with calls following teenage programs featuring good witches.     Speaking to BBC News Online the Pagan Federation's Steve Paine, the high priest of a coven, said the hit US drama, Buffy, and the highly successful Harry Potter books were popular amongst practicing witches. "They are taken as fantasy entertainment. But they do encourage people to agan Federation's Steve Paine, the high priest of a coven, said the hit US drama, Buffy, and the highly successful Harry Potter books were popular amongst practicing witches. "They are taken as fantasy entertainment. But they do encourage people to think about different forms of spirituality", he said.     The Pagan Federation, which deals with about 100 enquiries a month from youngsters who want to become witches, does not allow anyone under the age of 18 to become a member. Most of the enquiries are from 14 to 18 years old, and are dealt with "reactively" by a specially-appointed youth officer, an Essex based schoolteacher. The officer seeks parental consent before issuing basic information leaflets and does not proselytize, according to the Federation. "He explains things like the principle ethic of witchcraft - that you should not cause harm to anyone - and that it's not just an easy way to get a new boyfriend", says Pagan Federation media officer, Andy Norfolk.      'Dangerous dabbling'     But the trend is described as "worrying" by John Buckeridge, editor of monthly Christian magazine, Youthwork. Mr. Buckeridge said: "The growing number of books and TV shows like Harry Potter and Sabrina the Teenage Witch encourage an interest in magic as harmless fun." However for some young people it could fuel a fascination that leads to dangerous dabbling with occult powers. So what starts out as spooks and spells can lead to psychological and spiritual damage." But pagans say teenagers have always been fascinated with paganism and the Christian Church has failed to satisfy the demand for spirituality in young people.     In Norfolk's view paganism involves "direct communication with the divine" and is not to be confused with cults or devil worship. Arguing that their beliefs should be recognized as a religion, pagans have worked closely with organizations such as the LSE's Inform, set up to provide families with information on cults. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/864984.stm)      Harry Potter is not 'evil'     Harry Potter novels will be allowed back on Arkansas library book shelves after a judge ruled that the story did not promote witchcraft. The novels had been banned from school libraries by the Little Rock school board, which claimed they prompted children to disobey authority and pushed occult messages. But the board's ruling was challenged by Billy Ray and Mary Nell Counts, who said their daughter Dakota might be stigmatized if she were identified as someone who read books the district considered "evil". US district judge Jimm Larry Hendren ruled in favor of the Counts and ordered that the books be put back in circulation.     Magic is considered Kufr (disbelief) in Islam. Without a doubt this is an unforgivable sin. "Verily we are a test and a trial so do not commit disbelief" (Holy Quran 2:102 )     From the beginning of time from Bani Israel to this day we have been severely warned about being involved with any kind of magic. Now days people want us to believe that magic can be good or bad depending on our intention and how it is being used. Movies like Harry Potter start to "normalize" (for lack of a better word) magic and those who use it. Just like other sins: pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, promiscuous dressing, etc. Seventy-five years ago people were ostracized for these acts. What made them more and more acceptable was the media. Millions of satellite channels keep shaytn kicking back on his throne, letting the humans take themselves down the road to hell.     The Prophet of Allah Mohammed (May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) said; "Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which (religious) knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and general ignorance will spread…"(Bukhari)     Around fifty years ago a divorced woman was looked at like she had the plague. People were afraid to get "too close" as though it would rub off on their families. Now we are in a completely different universe, a place where wrong is considered "normal" and morals are considered "strange". For us to stand up and say "We are not going to let our children be sucked down the rabbit hole" of this age/time" we are considered the strange minority.     "The Prophet (May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him) said: "Surely you will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e. inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a lizard, you too would follow them, ….." (Bukhari)     It is easy to conform truth when mixed with multicultural values. It is easier to be "comfortable" than to be the isolated few holding on to the rope. We have been told over and over again to abhor evil, but until we see where these kinds of movies are taking us, our ignorance is very dangerous. It has even gotten so bad that parents who don't allow their children to read the books or watch the movies have been coined the phrase "mugglees"     The mainstream media uses the word "muggles" to deride those who don't want children to read Harry Potter books.     I am waiting for the day to come wherein Children's Services Division will be called to take children away from their parents if they forbid them to read books. Never could we imagine that parents would be stereotyped and branded for having morals! We were warned about this kind of fitnah coming by our beloved Prophet Mohammed (May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon him): "The day of Judgment will not come until the very lowest people are the happiest" (Tirmithi)     To be continued     Photo by AP Photo/Larry Crowe       Saturday : 28/06/2003 www.islamweb.net/pls/iweb/misc.Article?vArticle=40659&thelang=E

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
sabeena
07/03/03 at 22:17:29
i agree completly. i am (or was) a big fan of harry potter, but i think what the article says is true, whether people acceptit or not. i thik one of the reasons they dont is cuz they have been encouraged in schools and other places to read it cuz itll help them become a better reader. as if there is nothing else to read besides the fairy tales and fantasies we are all acustomed to! u just have to be willing to find the alternatives.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
bhaloo
07/04/03 at 14:34:47
[slm] Well said Br. Khalid.   Hey guys what do you think of this alterntative to Harry Potter? ???  I know its a little brief but I'm sure I could develop it a lot more.  Is there a publisher in the house?  :P The Adventures of Bro Hanif and his Sidekick Nomi : The Book of Friendship Chapter 3 After the incident at the airport Nomi was glad he was able to finally make it to Bro. Hanif's home.  "Yaar, I tell you man, those custom agents don't know anything about me or my bata chaapals.  They treated me like a criminal.", yelled Nomi.  Bro. Hanif sensing the pain his friend was in, looked at him and nodded his head in agreement.  "Yaar, how do you do it?  How do you keep yourself so cool like that? ",  said Nomi.  "Laddie, its all about control and looking at the bigger picture.  Aye, that it is.   If I was in that situation and yelled out, "Bloody Fools" what good what that would have done?  Nothing.  Have patience and trust in Allah (SWT)."  Nomi's eyes started to fill with tears and he said, "That was beautiful man. "   Bro. Hanif said, "Come on laddie, I have a manly day planned for us.  Why don't you get changed and we'll have some fun."   This was a chance of a lifetime for Nomi.  He was finally going to see how a real man like Bro. Hanif lived.   /SNIP/ Fast forward a bit to after they are ready and are outside Bro. Hanif's place /SNIP/ Nomi wonders what Bro. Hanif is doing with baby Fatima and her baby carriage.  "Ummm, excuse me bhai, but does she have to come along?  I thought we were going to do REAL men stuff.", said Nomi.  Bro. Hanif smiled and said, "We are.".  Nomi looked a little puzzled but he figured Bro. Hanif knew what he was doing.  "Oh Nomi can you carry the diaper bag as well", said Bro. Hanif.   Nomi was speechless he couldn't believe it.  Never before in his life had he seen a Pakistani man carry a diaper bag.  He felt humiliated, but he felt maybe Bro. Hanif was testing him, so he carried the bag but made a face.  They walked for about half a mile and that's when they decided to rest at a local park.  "I have prepared for you one of my finest meals", said Bro. Hanif as he took out his Jam Sandwiches.  "Yaar, you've got to be kidding me.  Come on man, where's the real food, the chaawal, daal, keemah.  This can't be it."  But unfortunately for Nomi, who had been to all the finest eating establishments in Karachi, this was all he was going to get.  Bro Hanif then started to play with Fatima.  They played peek-a-boo, and where-are-you.  He held her in his arms and kissed her forehead.  Nomi had enough and couldn't stand it anymore and started to yell, "NO PDA, NO PDA, NO PDA!!!!"  "Are you some nutter or what, she's just a child, and we're supposed to follow the example of the Prophet (SAW) and show love and compassion to children."  Nomi calmed down and realized what he had done, the Jam sandwiches had affected his mind temporairly and he apologized.  Bro. Hanif said, "you want to know what its like being a real man?  This is what its all about.  Here hold her."  Nomi held her and his heart began to melt and gave her a hug.  "Yaar your so right", she's beautiful.  I think I'm beginning to understand.   Bro. Hanif handed Nomi a piece of paper.  Nomi said, "Wait a minute what is this.  WHAT?  Why are you giving me this?"  Bro. Hanif said, "Its my will I want you to have it in case something happens and so you can tell others". --------------- TO BE CONTINUED ????  ---------------------------------------

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
salaampeaceshalom
07/04/03 at 16:00:22
[slm] hahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!!  :D That was so hilarious!!!!!!!!!! And u know what, that's how the two of them would probably behave in real life!!  That was sooooo good mash'Allaah.  U have to continue it!!  Or hey maybe, everyone can start adding their own stuff to this or write stories about other board members!! Then later we could get them published and distribute them to all the lil kiddies out there  ;D THat was great bro bhaloo.  I'm hoping u've just inspired the creative juices in everyone else now. lol, wa'salaam

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nomi
07/04/03 at 16:43:15
[slm] Hey!! what are you people cookin in here. Show some mercy Arshad bhai, yaar if you continue i'll be embarrassed to death :P
07/04/03 at 16:44:26
Nomi

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
jannah
07/04/03 at 19:58:05
[quote]Never before in his life had he seen a Pakistani man carry a diaper bag. [/quote] [wlm] LOL, That story has got to go in the Madina Hall of Fame... good work.. who knew arshad was a writer?? ;D

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nomi
07/04/03 at 20:17:11
[slm] [quote author=jannah link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=15#27 date=07/04/03 at 19:58:05] LOL, That story has got to go in the Madina Hall of Fame... good work.. who knew arshad was a writer??[/quote] Few dialogues made me want to think that some pda activists might have bribed him...Thats not good i'm telling you.... guess i'll have to hire someone for counterattack :) [slm] Captain Attack !
07/04/03 at 20:19:58
Nomi

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
BrKhalid
07/05/03 at 01:16:23
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-) [quote]I have prepared for you one of my finest meals", said Bro. Hanif as he took out his Jam Sandwiches. "Yaar, you've got to be kidding me.  Come on man, where's the real food, the chaawal, daal, keemah.  This can't be it." But unfortunately for Nomi, who had been to all the finest eating establishments in Karachi, this was all he was going to get[/quote] JK Bhaloo ;-) And there we were wondering where the next line of Islamic Fiction was going to come from? lol

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
BroHanif
07/05/03 at 06:36:34
Salaams Nice one bhaloo!. Salaams Hanif

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nomi
07/05/03 at 09:59:08
[center][size=4]Madina News Update![/size][/center] Assalamo Alaikum and welcome to Madina News Update, this is Nomi Khan. First a look at the Headlines ** New technique to kick shaytaan at fajr time, bro Arshad talks about the best practices ** In sports we'll show you some highlights of the latest NBA Play offs ** And new research on shoes also included in this broadcast! [center][size=4]Now the detailed news[/size][/center] BHALOO our Madina Admin was expressing his views on how to kick shaytaan at Fajr time. He said its BETTER to put the alarm clock at a "fair distance" so that the knots by shaytaan can be untied easily on the way to push off the alarm. Last night when he "FELL out" (part of the technique) of his bed he landed right on that newly-purchased high-heeled shoe of his, OUCH!! (poor guy). After giving himself a massage he then proceeded to crawl to the clock but by the time he reached there fajr time was past!! Now Bhaloo is thinking to put that clock somewhat nearer. Time for sports update. After having a bad start Bhaloo decided to freshen up with a basketball game with Abu_Hamza, Bhaloo was eager to score against him but as usual Abu_Hamza was winning with a big lead to none and Bhaloo soon realized that this is again not his day so he started blaming Abu_Hamza for foul play. Abu_Hamza presented some good logical reasoning but Bhaloo insisted and said that he'll "Click the thread Close", this made Abu_Hamza crack up bad coz Bhaloo's "mouse" was not with him! SCIENTISTS and research workers are carrying out different researches these days, Dr. Bhaloo was seen running a research out on the streets on various brands of SHOES. Our special correspondent reported that Dr. Bhaloo was staring at people's shoes and was asking them about the "brand" that they were wearing. A man was observing him for quite some time and when Dr. Bhaloo asked this very guy about the brand of his shoe, he replied.... its called "life" go get one! Thats it for the moment from Nomi Khan. Next is the weather report, over to bro Bhaloo for a "thunder storm". :P
07/05/03 at 17:26:17
Nomi

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Maliha
07/06/03 at 23:12:47
[slm] OMG!!! How could I have missed this classic thread  :-/ :-/ :-/ :-/ Bhaloo that was hilarious:) The Madina Pulitzer Prize award is presented to you Mr. bear ;D May He continue inspiring you to weave tales of ze British Gents and Paki Dudes:) Sis, Maliha :-) [wlm]

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
humble_muslim
07/07/03 at 12:40:31
AA Hanif, I thought you called Jam ssndwiches Jam butties up North?  Maybe we should get into chip butties (not to be confused with chapattis). Back to the original thread.  I was at the ICNA conference this weekend (anyone else went there?) and met Sheikh Mokthar.  I asked him about Harry Potter, after explaining to him what it was.  He said that it was wrong, probably makhrur, and maybe haram.  (Note that this was just a couple of minutes rushing thru a corridor, not sitting with him for hours).
NS

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nomi
07/08/03 at 04:16:45
[slm] [quote author=Mystic link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=30#32 date=07/06/03 at 23:12:47] The Madina Pulitzer Prize award is presented to you Mr. bear [/quote] Wait a minute.... where is my prize. Infact there were only two contestants so isn't that already mine (by default) Asim Zafar :)

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
bhaloo
07/08/03 at 09:23:56
[slm] [quote]  That was sooooo good mash'Allaah.  U have to continue it!!  Or hey maybe, everyone can start adding their own stuff to this or write stories about other board members!! Then later we could get them published and distribute them to all the lil kiddies out there [/quote] Thank you. :)  It takes a little bit of work though, and although I think everyone is capable of writing really well, if they don't spend any QUALITY time on it, it becomes a mess and isn't very entertaining. [quote] LOL, That story has got to go in the Madina Hall of Fame... good work.. who knew arshad was a writer?? [/quote] I've got more hidden talents. ;) [quote] And there we were wondering where the next line of Islamic Fiction was going to come from? lol [/quote] BK, I know your definitely capable of writing well, its time you let others see your writing. :) [quote] The Madina Pulitzer Prize award is presented to you Mr. bear  May He continue inspiring you to weave tales of ze British Gents and Paki Dudes [/quote] Thank you, that's quite an honor coming from a writer of your caliber. :) [quote] and met Sheikh Mokthar.  I asked him about Harry Potter, after explaining to him what it was.  He said that it was wrong, probably makhrur, and maybe haram. [/quote] Interesting.  The Albanians are probably in total chaos after hearing this. Nomi, my advice to you on writing is to re-read over what you write at least 10 times, don't write something out in 5 minutes and expect people to go OOOOHHHHH, because they will only go  UUUGGGHHHH.   Think of it like being an artist creating on a canvas and all the detail spent on it.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nomi
07/08/03 at 09:55:07
[slm] [quote author=bhaloo link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=30#35 date=07/08/03 at 09:23:56] don't write something out in 5 minutes and expect people to go OOOOHHHHH, because they will only go  UUUGGGHHHH.  [/quote] Was just written in humor and not to get those OOHHs. I hope u didn't mind that post ! Peace Asim Zafar (never was a writer :) ).

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
paula
07/08/03 at 10:15:10
[slm][size=2][font=Verdana][color=Navy] MAN ….. Where have I been ??? (Worried about the 'Ummah' & Stuck in 'Isolation') this was absolutely hilarious !  :D I thought this morning…  :-[ boy that Harry Potter thread is sure lasting awhile … what’s going on in there ?? Oh man…. About 100 things I read over the past few days all make since now   :-[  …. Smile I had read the headlines & thought (hmmm) Uncle Hanif & Brother Nomi @ it again… I never invisioned this. Sister JustOne Brainstorming a writing contest & I thought   ::)     .. Something about that doesn’t seem right …. HaHa… after this I say... go for it !  :-* … lol…. Because this stuff was good. I don’t know how long it’s been since I laughed this hard  :D haha... Jazak Allahu Khairan you guys.... the smile was needed ! [wlm] [/color][/font][/size]

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Trustworthy
07/10/03 at 20:49:26
[slm] What can I say?  You guys are too cool.  I was also like what's the big deal with HP?  Then another HP began on another thread and Nomi was like don't read about HP on the Kabob forum.   That's like telling me, don't eat that jalapeno because it's very hot.  Or don't sniff that ammonia because it'll hurt you.  I still gotta do it.  I'm stupid like that.  One day curiousity will probably kill this cat. But Al-hamdulillah, when someone says, here eat pork bacon, it really tastes good, good doesn't thrill me so I haven't done that.  But if someone said, jump off the bridge, it will kill you.....eeeh...I don't know....no one has said that to me yet.  Probably because they'll think I'll do it just to find out if it's true like sledding down a steep hill with a tree stump in the middle.  Whew!!! What a thrill ride it was, especially when I flew like a bird when I hit that stump and felt like George of the Jungle when I hit that tree 3 feet away from where the stump was. Uhhh...where was I going with this?   Oh right.....so I had to come here to read this thread.  And glad I did because this stuff is awesome (yeah, I'm an 80's girl).  bhaloo, we're all waiting for the ending.  This like a morally good story.  Children's book, aye.  Better then HP.   Still don't know what the big deal is.  He's just a boy trying to fight evil with sorcery.  It's fictional....that's it.  But you know what though, I was once a child and loved fantasy books and fantasized about being in those adventures, but that was it...I knew it wasn't real and I knew sorcery is haram, but I still wanted to be like that.  Could you imagine the things I could do if I had magic?  Or if I was She-ra, Wonder woman, or the little mermaid?  Yeap those were the good old days.  I learned somemorals from them like evil is bad and good is good.  And be kind to others, stuff like that.  However, Islamic school and life taught me the same thing.   Uh...where was I going with this again? Oh yeah.....I'm an adult now and don't fantasize like that anymore.  You grow out of that phase.  Those stories of adventure makes the child's imagination grow.  My daughter for instance, I won't let her watch Harry Potter, I think it's an adult's book (really), but I did take her to see Finding Nemo.  I loved it myself.  And she can read Little House on the Prairie books but not Sweet Valley High.  You gotta be the parent. Odd I haven't outgrown Star Trek yet.  I still want to go where no man has gone before.  Hey bhaloo?  I'm not a good writer, maybe you can write something about Madina community having a Star Trek Adventure. Ehhhh....you guys have to stop me when I start to ramble.... Ma-asalaama....

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
bhaloo
07/11/03 at 00:09:34
[slm] [quote author=Trustworthy link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=30#38 date=07/10/03 at 20:49:26] Odd I haven't outgrown Star Trek yet.  I still want to go where no man has gone before.  Hey bhaloo?  I'm not a good writer, maybe you can write something about Madina community having a Star Trek Adventure. [/quote] That's an interesting idea, but it'll be a little challenging to try and figure out what characters go with which person.  Quite a few of the users on here have under 300 posts, so its hard to get a feel for what they are like and then comes the difficulty of matching them with a Star Trek character.  Jannah's a huge trekkie, and has kinda been given the nickname Captain Kirk.  I see myself as a Picard.  Maybe Hanif could be Warf the weapons officer.  Mystic could be the ship's councelor, Deanna Troy.  What about Nomi? ???  Maybe he could be the ship's doctor, McCoy (the irish-pakistani, lol).  Or maybe we could have a cross between different stories, Nomi could play the role of Ja-Ja Binks.  Mr. Sccott of engineering could be Bulwark of Islam or Abu Hamza.  What about Checkov and Mr. Sulu?  Who would be commander Data?  What about Se7en, Barrella, and White Somali?   Maybe they could be aliens from some planet that speaks Patootie.   Sure it has some possibilities, but it maybe quite challenging.

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nomi
07/11/03 at 06:28:32
[slm] [quote author=bhaloo link=board=kabob;num=1056485140;start=30#39 date=07/11/03 at 00:09:34] What about Se7en, Barrella, and White Somali?   Maybe they could be aliens from some planet that speaks Patootie.[/quote] lol, Arshad bhai i can see that you are gonna be in BIG trouble soon :P ... but i now have some faith in you when it comes to associating ppl with certain characters.. you know why ?? well i've got this cute lil niece (20 Months old) and she is the likes of sis trustworthy's daughter. Guess what her name is !!!!!! [center][size=4]~ ~ FATIMA ~ ~[/size][/center] Talk about coincidences........ and me is a pda when it comes to her or other kiddies...
07/11/03 at 06:39:46
Nomi

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
eleanor
07/12/03 at 10:47:59
[slm] didn't we have a trekkie type story here before where the cows got stolen from Albany by aliens and the brothers went to get them back? Or did I dream that  ???

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
BroHanif
07/12/03 at 13:50:27
Salaams, The more time I spend on this board the more it feels like I'm walking in the shadow of some of you guys and vice versa. [quote]Jannah's a huge trekkie, and has kinda been given the nickname Captain Kirk.  I see myself as a Picard.  Maybe Hanif could be Warf the weapons officer.  Mystic could be the ship's councelor, Deanna Troy.  What about Nomi?   Maybe he could be the ship's doctor, McCoy (the irish-pakistani, lol).  Or maybe we could have a cross between different stories, Nomi could play the role of Ja-Ja Binks.  Mr. Sccott of engineering could be Bulwark of Islam or Abu Hamza.  What about Checkov and Mr. Sulu?  Who would be commander Data?  What about Se7en, Barrella, and White Somali?   [/quote] You can't have Picard and Kirk on the same ship thats against Start Trek Fedaration Rules. I don't mind being Warf hmm intetresting role. But why make it hard, why can't you literate guys just write out a theme from a soap and insert the above names guys into the plot rather than associating it with Star Trek ? Salaams Hanif

Re: Harry Potter: Facts about Fiction
Nabila
07/13/03 at 06:27:25
[slm] But why make it hard, why can't you literate guys just write out a theme from a soap and insert the above names guys into the plot Umm - Eastenders, anyone? This could get interesting :D ma asalaamah and take care
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