Show gratitude to God. Any who is grateful does so to the profit of the soul; but if any is ungrateful, God is in no need; God is worthy of all praise. (Quran 31:12)
~~~~~
It's strange, but if put on the spot, many people seem to have a problem figuring out things for which they are thankful. Picture AIF's Thanksgiving/Eid dinner last Friday. We had a nice group of people and we decided to go around and tell a story that reflected thanks. Most of the people groaned and claimed they couldn't think of anything. However, as the conversation went on, everyone eventually discovered that their story came out very easily.
When I was going through a very difficult situation in my life, I used to have to force myself to think of five things for which I was thankful EVERY DAY. I had plenty to be thankful for, but was very caught up in my moment and pity for myself, so those wonderful things were seemingly few and far between. As I got into the habit more and more, I was able to find things to be thankful for all around me! I went from being a very negative drama queen to a much more positive, 'slightly less drama' queen. Perfection isn't my goal, but learning to see the good in the bleakest situation is.
When I find myself back in a situation where the things to be thankful for are once again pushed out of my line of vision, I look to inspiration to bring me back around to reality. One key tool is the Internet. Since I'm on the computer for a good chunk of my week, one of the easiest things to do is simply type in 'thankful' or some similar search term into my browser. One of my favorite sites, wikiHow, has a short, but nice guide on How to Be Thankful.
For what are you thankful?
How do you bring yourself back to reality when negative thoughts bring you down?
It's appropriate that Eid Al-Adha and Thanksgiving fall around the same time this year. Both holidays focus on giving thanks. As you celebrate one or both of these 'thanks-centered' holidays, remember to find something in your everyday to be thankful for, so you can have a thankful heart all year 'round.
~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Booklist Top 10 Religion Books for Youth Includes AIF Advisor's Book
Top 10 Religion Books for Youth: 2009
The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook. By Dilara Hafiz and others. 2009. Atheneum/Ginee Seo, paper, $11.99 (9781416985785). Gr. 7–12.
Casual, colloquial, joking, contemporary, and passionate, this interactive handbook by two Arizona teens and their mom talks about their faith, what it is like to be both proud Americans and proud Muslims, and misunderstandings and stereotypes.
Note: AIF has copies of this book in our library
Other books on the list (for a variety of ages)*:
Blue Flame. By K. M. Grant. 2008. Walker, $16.99 (9780802796943). Gr. 7–10.
This story, with both adventure and romance, is set against thirteenth-century Catholic-Cathar strife. An inquisitor arrives to cleanse the land of heretic Cathars, and the fear he breeds causes horrific betrayals. A nuanced, thought-provoking look at religious conflicts that will resonate today.
Breathless. By Jessica Warman. 2009. Walker, $16.99 (9780802798497). Gr. 9–12.Boarding school comes as welcome relief for 15-year-old Kate, who needs to get away from her dysfunctional family. She begins a tender relationship with Drew, a fellow swimmer and a devout Christian who wants to maintain his virginity.
Evidence of Angels. By Suza Scalora and Francesca Lia Block. Illus. by Suza Scalora. 2009. Harper, $19.99 (9780061243431). Gr. 6–12.
This alluring book is for anyone who thinks angels are real—or hopes they are. The framework story is really a vehicle for Scalora’s catalog of angels, made abstract by lush sunbursts or vivid smudges, as if readers were seeing these heavenly beings through a crystal.
Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret. By Freddi Williams Evans. Illus. by Erin Bennett Banks. 2008. Carolrhoda, $16.95 (9780822579656). K–Gr. 3.
Evans takes a little discussed topic—the faith practices of eighteenth-century slaves—and turns it into a moving narrative. Illustrated with extremely stylized artwork that doesn’t prettify its subjects, this picture book captures some of the fear and horror of slavery, along with slaves’ devotion to prayer and song.
Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story. By Hena Khan. Illus. by Julie Paschkis. 2008. Chronicle, $16.99 (9780811860628). K–Gr. 2.
The Muslim holiday of Ramadan gets a vibrant, visually exciting treatment here. Told through the eyes of a young Pakistani American girl, the story focuses on the celebratory aspects of the holiday. Jewel-like art has the look of enameled design work.
Puppet. By Eva Wiseman. 2009. Tundra, $17.95 (9780887768286). Gr. 7–12.
When times are tough in a nineteenth-century Hungarian village, the townspeople blame the Jews. Based on actual court records, this searing novel dramatizes virulent anti-Semitism from the viewpoint of a Christian child, building to an electrifying climax.
So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother). By Micol Ostow. Illus. by David Ostow. 2009. Flux, paper, $9.95 (9780738714714). Gr. 8–12.
Ari, a Jewish day-school student, isn’t a likely candidate to start an indie band. But start one he does, and along the way, he must reconcile his musical ambitions with his religious beliefs. The comic-strip-style illustrations are showstoppers.
Something to Sing About. By C. C. Payne. 2008. Eerdmans, paper, $8.50 (9780802853448). Gr. 4–6.
Ten-year-old Jamie Joe Morgan must fight her fears in this fine, small story that harkens back to books such as Eleanor Estes’ Moffats series. This book, though, has a Christian bent and offers some opportunities to ponder the ways of the Lord.
Thank You, God, for Everything. By August Gold. Illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin. 2009. Putnam, $16.99 (9780399240492). PreS–Gr. 2.
When a young girl mulls over what she can be thankful for, she sees a world of wonderment and God as her friend. This intriguingly illustrated offering invites readers to find their own answers.
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowhsip.com
*While AIF supports reading all books of all kinds, AIF does not necessarily agree with all points of view related by the books in this book list. AIF does, however, believe reading books with many different points of view encourages critical thinking and a thoughtful approach to held beliefs.
The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook. By Dilara Hafiz and others. 2009. Atheneum/Ginee Seo, paper, $11.99 (9781416985785). Gr. 7–12.
Casual, colloquial, joking, contemporary, and passionate, this interactive handbook by two Arizona teens and their mom talks about their faith, what it is like to be both proud Americans and proud Muslims, and misunderstandings and stereotypes.
Note: AIF has copies of this book in our library
Other books on the list (for a variety of ages)*:
Blue Flame. By K. M. Grant. 2008. Walker, $16.99 (9780802796943). Gr. 7–10.
This story, with both adventure and romance, is set against thirteenth-century Catholic-Cathar strife. An inquisitor arrives to cleanse the land of heretic Cathars, and the fear he breeds causes horrific betrayals. A nuanced, thought-provoking look at religious conflicts that will resonate today.
Breathless. By Jessica Warman. 2009. Walker, $16.99 (9780802798497). Gr. 9–12.Boarding school comes as welcome relief for 15-year-old Kate, who needs to get away from her dysfunctional family. She begins a tender relationship with Drew, a fellow swimmer and a devout Christian who wants to maintain his virginity.
Evidence of Angels. By Suza Scalora and Francesca Lia Block. Illus. by Suza Scalora. 2009. Harper, $19.99 (9780061243431). Gr. 6–12.
This alluring book is for anyone who thinks angels are real—or hopes they are. The framework story is really a vehicle for Scalora’s catalog of angels, made abstract by lush sunbursts or vivid smudges, as if readers were seeing these heavenly beings through a crystal.
Hush Harbor: Praying in Secret. By Freddi Williams Evans. Illus. by Erin Bennett Banks. 2008. Carolrhoda, $16.95 (9780822579656). K–Gr. 3.
Evans takes a little discussed topic—the faith practices of eighteenth-century slaves—and turns it into a moving narrative. Illustrated with extremely stylized artwork that doesn’t prettify its subjects, this picture book captures some of the fear and horror of slavery, along with slaves’ devotion to prayer and song.
Night of the Moon: A Muslim Holiday Story. By Hena Khan. Illus. by Julie Paschkis. 2008. Chronicle, $16.99 (9780811860628). K–Gr. 2.
The Muslim holiday of Ramadan gets a vibrant, visually exciting treatment here. Told through the eyes of a young Pakistani American girl, the story focuses on the celebratory aspects of the holiday. Jewel-like art has the look of enameled design work.
Puppet. By Eva Wiseman. 2009. Tundra, $17.95 (9780887768286). Gr. 7–12.
When times are tough in a nineteenth-century Hungarian village, the townspeople blame the Jews. Based on actual court records, this searing novel dramatizes virulent anti-Semitism from the viewpoint of a Christian child, building to an electrifying climax.
So Punk Rock (and Other Ways to Disappoint Your Mother). By Micol Ostow. Illus. by David Ostow. 2009. Flux, paper, $9.95 (9780738714714). Gr. 8–12.
Ari, a Jewish day-school student, isn’t a likely candidate to start an indie band. But start one he does, and along the way, he must reconcile his musical ambitions with his religious beliefs. The comic-strip-style illustrations are showstoppers.
Something to Sing About. By C. C. Payne. 2008. Eerdmans, paper, $8.50 (9780802853448). Gr. 4–6.
Ten-year-old Jamie Joe Morgan must fight her fears in this fine, small story that harkens back to books such as Eleanor Estes’ Moffats series. This book, though, has a Christian bent and offers some opportunities to ponder the ways of the Lord.
Thank You, God, for Everything. By August Gold. Illus. by Wendy Anderson Halperin. 2009. Putnam, $16.99 (9780399240492). PreS–Gr. 2.
When a young girl mulls over what she can be thankful for, she sees a world of wonderment and God as her friend. This intriguingly illustrated offering invites readers to find their own answers.
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowhsip.com
*While AIF supports reading all books of all kinds, AIF does not necessarily agree with all points of view related by the books in this book list. AIF does, however, believe reading books with many different points of view encourages critical thinking and a thoughtful approach to held beliefs.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Honoring Our Veterans - AIF Friends and Family
The American Islamic Fellowship would like to salute the following friends and family of AIF who have served in the United States Armed Forces:
Kevin A. - Army
Abedelnasser Abushanab - Air Force
Sharon F. - Air Force
Brent Harlan - Army
Brian K. - Army
P.J. L. - Navy
Andrew L. - Army
Eric L. - Army
Keith M. - Army
Roger Phillips - Air Force
Richard S. - Marines
Words cannot express the gratitude to these people.
Please feel free to post your own tribute!
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
*If we have inadvertently left off friends/family of any AIF member, please send the name(s) to info@americanislamicfellowship.com and we will get the names posted.
Kevin A. - Army
Abedelnasser Abushanab - Air Force
Sharon F. - Air Force
Brent Harlan - Army
Brian K. - Army
P.J. L. - Navy
Andrew L. - Army
Eric L. - Army
Keith M. - Army
Roger Phillips - Air Force
Richard S. - Marines
Words cannot express the gratitude to these people.
Please feel free to post your own tribute!
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
*If we have inadvertently left off friends/family of any AIF member, please send the name(s) to info@americanislamicfellowship.com and we will get the names posted.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
What Can I Do? - Veterans Day
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the armed forces - in wartime or peacetime - in any capacity. The day is on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I. The armistice that ended World War I was signed at 11am on November 11.
How can you honor those who have helped to uphold our values and freedoms?
Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the armed forces - in wartime or peacetime - in any capacity. The day is on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I. The armistice that ended World War I was signed at 11am on November 11.
How can you honor those who have helped to uphold our values and freedoms?
- Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans website. From the website, you can find a wealth of resources, including programs, veteran organizations and even a kids page.
- Volunteer with Veterans through the Department of Veterans. The Department will match you based on your location and preference - http://www.volunteer.va.gov/apps/VolunteerNow/.
- Call friends and family who are veterans. You probably know someone who is a veteran. Talk to your friends and family to find out who they may be and simply say, "Thanks!"
- Email or send a letter to a veteran. Online sites, such as American Greetings, have thank you e-cards specifically for for veterans.
- Visit a museum with veteran volunteers and/or geared towards veterans. In Atlanta, the National Museum of Patriotism is staffed by many veterans. In Chattanooga, the National Medal of Honor Museum has volunteers who are veterans and Medal of Honor winners.
- Treat a veteran to a day out on the town. Many companies offer freebies and discounts to veterans on Veterans Day. Here is a list for the Atlanta area.
- Observe a moment of silence. Traditionally, a moment of silence is observed in many communities at 11am on November 11.
- Make a donation to the American Legion and/or the Veterans of Foreign Wars. On Veterans Day, these groups sell red, paper poppies made by disabled veterans. The poppies symbolize the memory of those armed forces lost in the line of duty. Proceeds from the sales of the poppies go to programs specifically for veterans.
It only takes a moment, if a moment is all you have, to celebrate Veterans Day!
If you have any ideas, please share them with us!
~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
American Islamic Organizations Unite in Wake of Fort Hood Shooting
PRESS RELEASE
November 6, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kelly Wentworth
American Islamic Fellowship
press@americanislamicfellowship.com
Ani Zonniveld
Muslims for Progressive Values
pa@mpvusa.org
American Islamic Organizations Unite in Wake of Fort Hood Shooting
Organizations encourage education and community involvement
ATLANTA, GA; LOS ANGELES, CA - November 6, 2009 - The American Islamic Fellowship and Muslims for Progressive Values united on Friday in voicing their concern and condemnation of the shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. The organizations send prayers and love to those affected by the shooting.
While the religion of the alleged shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, has not been confirmed, his names are often associated with practictioners of Islam. Thoughtless and groundless violence cannot ever be justified by any religious or personal beliefs and actions such as the shocking events in Fort Hood go against Islamic teachings of love and respect for life.
AIF and MPV expressly encourage people to continually educate themselves about conditions that contribute to such tragedies and to work with those organizations, like AIF and MPV, who strive to help eradicate society violence through continuous community involvement and violence prevention awareness.
About the American Islamic Fellowship
The American Islamic Fellowship (AIF) seeks to provide an open forum and spiritual community based on Islamic principles for the diverse voices of people of faith and to become an integral part of the Islamic and Interfaith communities locally, nationally, and internationally through the implementation of critical thinking, scholarly study, spiritual awareness, community action, and educational outreach.
About Muslims for Progressive Values
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) seeks to bring together progressive Muslims and friends who share their values to work for a more humane world. We welcome all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for the implementation of progressive values - social justice, human rights, economic opportunity, and separation of church and state - as well as tolerant and inclusive understandings of Islam.
~~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanisalmicfellowship.com
November 6, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Kelly Wentworth
American Islamic Fellowship
press@americanislamicfellowship.com
Ani Zonniveld
Muslims for Progressive Values
pa@mpvusa.org
American Islamic Organizations Unite in Wake of Fort Hood Shooting
Organizations encourage education and community involvement
ATLANTA, GA; LOS ANGELES, CA - November 6, 2009 - The American Islamic Fellowship and Muslims for Progressive Values united on Friday in voicing their concern and condemnation of the shooting at Fort Hood in Texas. The organizations send prayers and love to those affected by the shooting.
While the religion of the alleged shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan, has not been confirmed, his names are often associated with practictioners of Islam. Thoughtless and groundless violence cannot ever be justified by any religious or personal beliefs and actions such as the shocking events in Fort Hood go against Islamic teachings of love and respect for life.
AIF and MPV expressly encourage people to continually educate themselves about conditions that contribute to such tragedies and to work with those organizations, like AIF and MPV, who strive to help eradicate society violence through continuous community involvement and violence prevention awareness.
About the American Islamic Fellowship
The American Islamic Fellowship (AIF) seeks to provide an open forum and spiritual community based on Islamic principles for the diverse voices of people of faith and to become an integral part of the Islamic and Interfaith communities locally, nationally, and internationally through the implementation of critical thinking, scholarly study, spiritual awareness, community action, and educational outreach.
About Muslims for Progressive Values
Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) seeks to bring together progressive Muslims and friends who share their values to work for a more humane world. We welcome all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for the implementation of progressive values - social justice, human rights, economic opportunity, and separation of church and state - as well as tolerant and inclusive understandings of Islam.
~~~~~~
Board of Directors
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanisalmicfellowship.com
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Media Spotlight - The Wayne Fishell Experiment
This month, AIF would like to spotlight The Wayne Fishell Experiment.The Wayne Fishell Experiment is the very best gay-acoustic-indie-folk-pop music in the world! Wayne Fishell and big.peaches are long time supporters of the AIF Interfaith Music Festival and of AIF's bridge building work. AIF applauds The Wayne Fishell's continued efforts to bring peace and love to the community through music.
Check out The Wayne Fishell Experiment at: http://www.ofishell.com.
~~~~~American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.
~Billy Joel
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