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An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English

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An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
AbdulBasir
05/03/04 at 17:07:51
[slm]

Just wanted to spread the word on this newly released book of original Islamic ghazals written in English. Check it out [url=http://www.freewebs.com/ghazals]here[/url]. There are some samples from the book [url=http://www.freewebs.com/ghazals/inthisisasign.htm]here[/url] and[url=http://www.omspublishing.com/audience_of_one.htm] here[/url].

I have been honored by Allah to have known the author for many years, and mashallah he is an awesome brother. All proceeds go to charity. Please make du'a for him and his efforts.

[slm]

Below is the press release for the book:

________________________________________________

[url=http://www.freewebs.com/ghazals]www.freewebs.com/ghazals[/url]

Olive Media Services would like to announce the publication a book of Islamic poetry entitled, “An Audience of One”

The title refers to how a Muslim can be true to him/herself only when conscience of One Being (Allah swt).  The book contains a collection of original Islamic Ghazals written in English.  This format takes a piece of our literary legacy and re-presents it with an appeal to a modern audience, namely Muslim Youth.  The publication of this book is part of a larger grassroots project to encourage more Muslim writers to come out of the woodwork and showcase their talents.  The book also features artwork by two artists (watercolors) highlighting Islamic Art and Architecture.  So support this effort!  You can visit the website and order books from www.freewebs.com/ghazals  . Proceeds go to charity.
05/03/04 at 17:10:06
AbdulBasir
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
jannah
05/04/04 at 17:10:43
[slm]

It looks cool. I think I remember the bro from MSA days. But is it his own poetry/ghazals or are they translations??
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
AbdulBasir
05/05/04 at 16:22:12
[slm]
They are all his own poems, as far as I know. They are structurally ghazals, but written in English, so they are not translations.

The brother told me that the major point behind this work is to hopefully encourage other fledgling contemporary Muslim poets and artists, particularly those in the West, to come out of the woodwork and help contribute to a renaissance of Islamic-themed artistic expression on both the Muslim and non-Muslim cultural landscape.

[slm]
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
se7en
05/06/04 at 04:20:46
as salaamu alaykum,

At ISNA I was so excited to see books of poetry written by Muslim authors, so I bought a bunch of them.. honestly, I won't mention them by name, but they were.. not good.. at all.  Example:

Love me
in your own way

Love me more
day by day

Or just miss me
Or miss my smile

Think of me
Once in a while

??? ??? ???  I was so disappointed.. I couldn't figure out *how* these people got published, when there are people on this very board who could do a 100x better job.. and then I realized.. it's cuz all these amazingly talented Muslim writers don't submit their work or try to get published.

So.. if you have been blessed with literary skill.. in whatever form.. think about publishing your stuff.

wasalaamu alaykum
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
jannah
05/06/04 at 05:01:00
*cough* maliha *cough*

at least we finally have jaihoon publishing!! yay

inshallah i'll check out br majid's book soon.. he seems like a talented fella'

[wlm]
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
lala
05/06/04 at 09:52:28
[slm]
For real..brother Jaihoon has skills as do so many of you all on this here board. Get stepping guys..get your works out there...you all are much more talented then those that are out there already with mediocre pieces!

And hey, if you need help to get your work compiled etc..there are many of us willing to help...Ask me away I have free time!

peace n love
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
humble_muslim
05/21/04 at 15:44:32
AA

Am I the only one who finds poetry boring? (big yawn...)
NS
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
jannah
05/21/04 at 23:32:53
[wlm]

hmm the people who find it boring usually don't understand it.. like people who see nothing in great paintings or artwork.. it really takes some time and effort to understand what's really going on and within the layers. but once you do, you'll taste it's sweetness and enjoy it :-X
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
bhaloo
05/22/04 at 00:07:52
[slm]

[quote author=jannah link=board=kabob;num=1083614872;start=0#7 date=05/21/04 at 23:32:53]hmm the people who find it boring usually don't understand it.. l[/quote]

That's what artists say when their works are dissed.   :D
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
Trustworthy
05/22/04 at 01:37:56
[slm]...

Masha-Allah....hold while I get a tissue... :'(

See why can't I be that good.  I once let someone read my poetry journal and the comment was...why does all of your work have the word "blood or bleed" in it?

It's my passion.  I tried to write one without bleed or blood and it just sounds bad.  A sister read my poetries in here and she told me that she hopes I find peace within myself someday.

I'm really not an angry person.  I just don't like the people of the world.  They don't appreciate Allah (SWT) goodness.  And that just pisses me off.  Like I said, I used to think that peace was possible.  I'm not that niave anymore.

Hmmm...my poetry just makes people angry.  So it shouldn't be published.  Imagine a Muslimah poet publishing her work and everyone of it has an angry tone.  yeah....not good.

But I know many of you on this board do beautiful work and I'd love to have a hard copy so that I could share them with freinds.

Ma-asalaamah....
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
timbuktu
05/22/04 at 07:58:33
[slm] [quote author=Trustworthy link=board=kabob;num=1083614872;start=0#9 date=05/22/04 at 01:37:56] ........ I'm really not an angry person.  I just don't like the people of the world.  They don't appreciate Allah (SWT) goodness.  And that just pisses me off.  Like I said, I used to think that peace was possible.  I'm not that niave anymore.

Hmmm...my poetry just makes people angry.  So it shouldn't be published.  Imagine a Muslimah poet publishing her work and everyone of it has an angry tone.  yeah....not good. [/quote]

Nothing wrong with being angry. Islam is peace, and submission, true, but people make the mistake of thinking that Islam is peace, at any cost; and submission to anyone. Wrong they are wrong on both. Islam is peace with dignity and justice, and submission to Allah (swt) only.

There is a need for angry poetry. I think yours would have a place, too. But of course, do istikhara before getting it published.
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
se7en
05/24/04 at 14:13:28
as salaamu alaykum,

[quote]AA

Am I the only one who finds poetry boring? (big yawn...) [/quote]

:o :o :o

Hmm maybe its because you haven't found the right poet :)

If all you learned in school was like Tennyson, Shelly, Emerson, etc.. it may be because you don't like wading through all the language.  But there are so many different kinds of poems and poets out there.. it's not all foofy language and complicated metaphors.

for me, a well written poem is like one of those truffles from Lindt chocolate.. in the first bite, you're just getting accustomed to the taste and flavor; it's good, but you don't feel satisfaction, or like you fully know the taste of what you're eating.  The first time you read a poem -- you know it's eloquent, the words have  balance and rhythm, and you recognize there's a deeper message, though you have not yet understood it fully.

Then, as you continue on, you begin to fully appreciate and savor the delicacy :)  As you contemplate and think about the layers and shades of meaning, you appreciate the message imparted and the skill of the author.

so.. do you see why your post is distressing?  it's like you are someone who has never tasted chocolate!  think about what you're missing out on :P
 
05/24/04 at 14:14:49
se7en
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
humble_muslim
05/24/04 at 18:08:50
AA,

The way you described eating that Lindt truffle is the best poetry I've ever read!  Or maybe I'm just a Philistine (the cultural type, not the gepgraphical type).
NS
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
jannah
05/24/04 at 18:54:33
[wlm]

mmmmmmmmmmmmm lindt chocolate truffles...

for anyone who's never tasted any go out and try some!!

also cadbury's fruit and nut bar...

Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
humble_muslim
05/25/04 at 09:30:56
AA

I bought a dozen pack of WHITE CHOCALATE Lindt Truffles last night... and tried to eat one just the way Se7en described. Mmm, it was GREAT!

Now I know what your post means Se7en.  You're saying, and I agree with you on this, "Give me chocolate over poetry any day".
NS
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
jaihoon
05/25/04 at 14:18:57
[slm]

I read some of the posts on this topic.

Hope the new aspirants find this helpful/motivating

http://khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=theuae&xfile=data/theuae/2004/may/theuae_may548.xml
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
pakiprncess
05/25/04 at 15:18:47
congratulations, jaihoon!  :-/ mashallah, you really do have an amazing talent for poetry. ive read your work in the past before and its been deeply touching. im happy youre pursuing it. best of luck.
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
se7en
05/30/04 at 17:33:09

as salaamu alaykum,

[quote]AA

I bought a dozen pack of WHITE CHOCALATE Lindt Truffles last night... and tried to eat one just the way Se7en described. Mmm, it was GREAT!  

Now I know what your post means Se7en.  You're saying, and I agree with you on this, "Give me chocolate over poetry any day". [/quote]

*sigh* hopeless case  ::)
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
humble_muslim
06/04/04 at 09:38:30
AA

Maybe not as hopeless as it seems.  Actually, I, too, can write deep and meaningful poetry.

Drum roll please ....

A cool humble man from the States
Said that poetry was not to his taste
He was told as a hint
To compare poems with Lindts
So he went out and bought some chocolates

Please keep the praise down to one post maximum each, thanks.
NS
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
Abu_Hamza
06/05/04 at 02:53:24
Wah wah!

:D
Re: An Audience of One: Islamic Ghazals in English
AbdulBasir
06/06/04 at 14:29:33
[slm]
I am by no means a connoisseur of poetry (or chocolate for that matter), so I can sympathise with some sentiments shared in this thread. My own insipid heart, obtuse mind, and relative disinterest have precluded any real grasp and appreciation of poetry in general.

Alhamdulillah, despite my artistic illiteracy, I was impressed by the quality of this book. The author gives a helpful introduction to ghazals and their structure before presenting the poems, and there is a handy glossary included for terms that might be unfamiliar to most non-Muslims. The ghazals, organized according to the salah throughout the day, illustrate many core Islamic concepts; I particularly appreciated many of the poetic references to the anbiyaa and events in Islamic history. In addition to the ghazals, there are nice accompanying water color illustrations, most painted by the author's own brother (mashallah, they are a talented family). When I couldn't get past my poetic blindness, I just looked at the pictures. :)

The book is available on Amazon now, so for some more cultured reviews, check out the link [url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0970783132/ref=cm_cr_dp_2_1/102-6349424-1580144?v=glance&s=books&n=507846&vi=customer-reviews&me=ATVPDKIKX0DERe]here.[/url]

[slm]

[i]"From the minaret, the muezzin cries but he's just a voice-
Pointing to his heart, the wise man says, "within here rings the call."
-M. Mohiuddin, "An Audience of One"[/i]
06/06/04 at 14:39:09
AbdulBasir


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