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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Are we still living 9/11? |
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| Trustworthy |
| 06/07/05 at 16:30:21 |
| [slm].... Are there still people out there holding a grudge with me for the 9/11 tragedy that I did not have anything to do with? I thought that was over and done with. I thought that it was understood by the mass that I had nothing to do with 9/11. Today, I had to turn in a Botany project I created in a binder cause that was the preference from the professor. It was due yesterday but due to work, I could not make it to class. Professor understood and gave me instructions to leave it with the admin in the natural science dept. Well, I just came from there and I still have my project with me. I gave up after standing there for 20 minutes arguing with the admin about leaving my project with her so that the professor could pick it up. Appearantly, the mailbox is too small to fit my binder so she asked (not suggest) if I could put it in a folder. Sarcastically I almost said, “Yeah sure. Just give me a few seconds while I get the folder out of my pocket and rearrange my project so that it would be fitting to have it in a folder. I’m sure there is way for me to break up all of my dried specimens.” But I didn’t cause I know how sarcasm works, it doesn’t. So instead I asked her politely, “What’s the difference in the size of the folder and the binder?” “It will not fit in the mailbox.” “Oh OK.” “Does the professor come to the office to pick up their mail. May be I can leave it here for her to pick up.” “It will not fit in her mailbox.” “OK. So you won’t take it unless I put it in a folder?” “The binder will not fit in the mailbox.” “I understand that, but the professor wants the project in the binder because of the dried specimens.” “It will not fit in the mailbox.” I’m thinking this sounds so much like the Canada situation. “I know, but the professor gave me direct instructions to leave my project here with you.” “It’s not going to fit in the mailbox.” Now mind you, I’m still calm and patient though a little “P”ed off. “Understood, so then could you date stamp it and give it back to me so that she knew I tried to leave it here but you refuse to take it?” “Yeah, I can date stamp it for you.” So she takes my binder and proceeds to do the date stamping thing and then stops, “but after I date stamp it, I can’t give it back to you.” “So then you’ll be sure she gets this?” She shakes her head, “It will not fit in her mailbox.” So now she’s got on my last nerve, “What’s the point in having you date stamp it when she’s not even going to get it?” So she hands it back to me, “You know I’ve been able to leave project binders before with you guys. Why not now?” “It’s just not going to fit in the mailbox.” “You should let the professor’s know of this change so that us students don’t waste our time driving all the way down here, skipping lunch from work. I’ll tell her myself.” And I gave up because I had to make it back to work. And not once did she apologize about the mailbox being to small or the change in accepting school work or for the inconvenience or for just breathing. Now the thing is, there were other admins there for the different divisions who were watching us argue. None of them intervened or jumped in to take my side or her side. They just watched because you can tell that they were looking at us. Who wouldn’t? I’m not mad anymore since I was able to vent this off to you guys. But if I don’t get an “A” because it was late….I’m going straight to the dean and she’s going to get fired. Do you guys still experience something like this? This has never happened to me before at school. Jazakh….for listening. Allah (SWT) bless… Ma-assalaamah….. |
| 06/07/05 at 16:33:08 |
| Trustworthy |
| The Mailbox |
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| Medo |
| 06/07/05 at 17:14:32 |
| [slm] Ah, the mailbox. I think it's too small to fit the binder in. Hmph! Trustworthy, what you have experienced is somewhat a 9/11 thing. However, to me, it seems like the admin. is jealous about you. I mean - your the one going to University and having this binder of the subjects you study. Which makes you seem much smarter than she who can only say the words, "It cannot fit in the mailbox and etc." Those who give a hard time with you, and you experiencing these things make me want to strive to be a better muslim. Your probably thinking, "Why?" It's simple, because the binder doesn't fit in the mailbox. lol..j/k No, that's not the real reason - the real reason is, you two are human beings and that out of the two, she is the only one who gave you a hard time because of your great iman you have to this deen. If a person gives you a hard time because of this - it's too obvious. Many people know the truth - the righteous way - the way in which Allah has revealed to us - and yet, they are jealous of us because we know better and we chose - the best way. Allah's way. Later in life, that person who gave you a hard time because you pay respect to Islam and to your Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Will realize what they did was wrong and if they don't, they will realize it in their graves. [wlm] |
| 06/07/05 at 17:18:04 |
| Medo |
| You made my day.... |
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| Trustworthy |
| 06/09/05 at 13:45:50 |
| [slm]... Jazakh…Bro. You made my day. :) I received an email from my professor and she is going to send my complaint to the dean herself. After my exam yesterday, she was extremely nice to me like almost sympathetic nice. I was a little irritated because I wanted to leave but she wanted to know how I did driving down the mountain. We did a study visit at Mt Rainier and I can’t believe that there are no barricades along the cliffed road. It freaked me out. I was driving along the median all the way down. Someone had to drive my car on the way up because I started to freak out and if I freak out too much I could literally black out. Anyways, I stopped and discovered some wild gorgeuous lilies. Yes I stopped to smell the flowers all the way down the mountain to ease the knots in my stomach. I was driving myself because I wanted to get home earlier than 8. Anyways, did you know that in the nomenclature of plants, if you discovered that plant, your name would be added to it’s name and that it could be named after you (but you can’t name a plant after yourself – those are the rules) and that anyone, I mean anyone, can have the authority to name the plant. Like if I discovered an unidentified plant, I can have one of you guys to name it after me and you don’t need a PhD to do so. As you can see, I feel a lot better now. Jazakh…Bro. Allah (SWT) bless… Ma-assalaamah…. |
| The 9/11 experience |
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| Saffiya |
| 06/17/05 at 14:41:38 |
| [slm] This is my 9/11 experience... I was in a paper shop the other week, minding my own business when an old English non muslim man walks past me and looks at me in disgust. I thought it was my imagination. He then went up to the counter and said to the saleslady "Thats what they are all good for...taking our benefits and using shotguns!!" I was quite horrified by this comment and also very embarrased. I don't usually get angry but at that time my blood began to boil. He then kept on repeating these phrases saying, "They should be sent back, the whole lot of them..good for nothing etc." I thought about how to respond but then gave up when I saw him leave the shop. I then went outisde and saw him standing there. At that point I had to say something and I went up to him and said "Would you like me to use a shotgun on you?". He did not comment. I don't know whether I did the right thing but it certainly made me feel better. I don't think people should be able to get away with those type of comments. [slm] |
| wlm |
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| jannah |
| 06/17/05 at 18:38:40 |
| wlm, umm... Safiyya that probably was not the best thing to say at all. if you respond in the same manner then people's preconceptions and racism will always remain, then they have *more* reason to hate. it would have been best to say "why are you saying these things, we're here just to live our lives, just like you are" etc and start a conversation with him. this makes people seem like human beings to him and not animals. if he's abusive just leave, but to be abusive back makes things just worse! remember even when the enemies of islam were saying 'death be upon you' the prophet saw didn't say anything bad back to them |
| In Hindsight |
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| Saffiya |
| 06/18/05 at 02:08:34 |
[slm] Jannah, jszk Allah Khair for your advice. In hindsight, I do think I could have reacted more reasonably and told him all those things. As a matter of interest - he was not in the talking mood, he even refused to look at me directly. I think it was just making me angry and because this isn't the first time (on prevous occasions I have just remained quiet) things just got to me. I have thought of an alternative response if it ever happens again (which I'm sure it will). It is easy to give Naseeha like 'stay quiet etc' or 'respond appropriately' which I agree with, but it is soooo hard to do this when people are hurling abuse at you. I guess that is the test for us as believers. [wlm] :-) |
| controlling anger |
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| timbuktu |
| 06/18/05 at 05:12:40 |
| [slm] [quote]It is easy to give Naseeha like 'stay quiet etc' or 'respond appropriately' which I agree with, but it is soooo hard to do this when people are hurling abuse at you. I guess that is the test for us as believers. [/quote] It helps to remember any one of several things: We as believers also keep the fast, which isn't just abstaining from food and drinks, but also to control our anger. The prophet's [saw] own example has been given by jannah. There should be no need for another example after that, but this also includes what the prophet said. Some non-believer was rebuking Abu Bakr Siddique (ra) in the presence of the prophet [saw], and he was using vile words, but Abu Bakr stayed silent. After a considerable time, though, he could not tolerate it any longer, and replied back to the person who was using abusive language. The prophet [saw] stood up, and went away. When they met again, Abu Bakr complained that when he was being the subject of abuse, the prophet did nothing, but when he defended himself, the prophet got up and left. At this the prophet told him that as long as Abu Bakr had been quiet, there were two (?) angels replying on his behalf. When he himself started to reply, the angels left, and seeing them leave, the prophet also left. If one cannot rpely in a dawah tone, perhaps it is best to be quiet. Of course, there may be times when a strong reply is needed, but such times are not numerous. I pray that Allah (swt) may give me, and to us all, the wisdom to reply in an appropriate manner, that brings more people to islam. |
| Oh Sister... |
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| Trustworthy |
| 06/21/05 at 17:19:59 |
| [slm]... Oh Sr. Saffiya. I’m sorry you had to go through that and continuously go through that. But DANG Sis…you’re pretty brave to go and say that to the ignorant dumb*&%$#. You should be more careful because with a redneck like that, he might’ve had a shotgun in the back of his truck or something. Here is a great story provided by one of our Sisters about Isa (alaiyhissalaam) and the Jews who were doing the same thing as that man did to you and Isa said something nice back to them which his companions did not understand unitl he told them this: Eesa ('alayhi ilsalam) 's answer was that, 'everybody gives (infaq) of what he has; they have harshness, so that is what they gave; i have goodness and so that is what i gave'. There was this one time when I was at the gas station and this Caucasian man said to the Japenese cashier: “It’s ridiculous that our government would rather let those kind of people have my jobs. I’ve been applying for years and I have been rejected. Bush is so contradictive. He says that he is against all terrorists yet he lets them work for our system. I don’t even know why they’re still here. They all be sent back to their countries or at least in camps.” So I said, “You mean like how you reacted with the Japanese Americans? (looking at the Japanese cashier) How they only targeted the military while you guys wiped out 2 cities full of civilians including elders and children. The reason why you probably don’t have a job especially in government is that your character and attitude is not high standards. Or may be you failed the exam. Or may be Bush feels more confident in my work then he would with you thinking that you might bring America down. Or may be….may be….you weren’t just qualified. Before making judgment on others, you sir, should take a good look at yourself in the mirror and answer your own damn questions to why you didn’t get the job. You tend to forget that just because you are born in America, doesn’t make you an American. You remind me that all the time. My daughter is born at St Peter’s Hospital, but people like you still treat her like a foreigner. Your heritage looks Irish. What makes you think you belong here?” I had applauses and another Caucasian man comes up to me and says, “I’m sorry about that.” “You don’t have to apologize for something he did wrong.” “And you don’t have to apologize for 9, 11.” Don’t know why, but that brought tears to my eyes so quickly I said, “Thank you.” And walked away. Allah (SWT) bless... Ma-asssalaamah... |
| what happened to me... |
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| safa |
| 06/22/05 at 12:21:16 |
| [slm] I carried out my 4 month long project in this high security national aerospace organization (or at least they have the semblance of high security). During the penultimate week, this lady cop is at the gate (whom i never saw b4) asking 2 check my purse. After she gave it a cursory glane, my hindu friend offers her purse and the cop says no and doesnt look at it!! I was just so stunned and walked out of there in a daze (I have always been bad at kneejerk reactions). The next week when i was leaving the place, there she is again (she was never there when we were entering the place, it was almost as though they'd put her there 2 check me specifically when i was leaving). And she does the same thing - checks my purse and says no 2 my friend. And i stood there and asked why do u wanna check my purse. She says asks her superior said so; ask him (he was sitting right behind her). And i asked him and he says its a security check and that they do it 2 everyone. And i pointed 2 my hindu friend and i said how come u didnt check hers. And he tells the woman 2 check hers too !! And they r falling all over their feet trying 2 tell me how its 4 everyone (when i never saw them do that b4). And we left laughing our guts out and my friend says u shouldnt have made a fuss when we were just completing the project and leaving... Anyways we went there that afternoon again and when we left, the women asks 4 both my and my friend's purse, this time. :-/ |
| In my opinion... |
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| abdul_aziz |
| 06/22/05 at 14:18:40 |
| Ha ha.. That must have been a funny incident Safa... I guess you did the right thing by informing the guard of the 'loop-hole' in the lady's checking practices ;D. On a more serious note, this process of discrimination is reaching newer heights each day. Just yesteday i saw this new TV serial on a channel about Osama bin Laden and his (supposed) interest in attacking India and the Indian prime minister. I dont mean to condemn the serial, nor do i mean to express any views on the subject they have chosen for portrayal. What i wish to express here is the fact that, that very serial has protrayed Muslims in a very bad image. Its like, there's this cop who's just received news about some muslim guy who's stayin a hotel room. And he says to his colleague 'That's enough for us to pick him up and take him in for questioning'... They dont even know who he is, or what he's done, but since he's a muslim, they'r picking on him. It doesnt fail to strike one, that serials and movies like these are aimed at making people more 'anti-islam' and 'muslim-hating'. I believe its the media that has a MAJOR role to play in bashing the image of muslims all around the world. What else will justify their referring to terrorists as 'Islamic' rather than 'Muslim'? They are trying to make people associate Islam with terrorism. And trust me, its working to a great extent... If there are any non-muslim readers reading this post, i'd like to say this Dear bro/sis, Do not judge a car by its driver. Because of a few (misguided?) individuals, please dont form a bad impression about the religion they practice. Islam is a religion of peace. 'Islam' comes from the Arabic root word 'Salaam', which means 'peace'... That is why when we muslims meet each other, we use the obligatory salaam to greet each other. Please do not believe all that you see on TV is true... And even if it is true, trust me, its not the whole truth. |
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