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.
Showing posts with label Families. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Families. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thanks!
First of all, I'm thankful for enough time to write a blog post!
I'm thankful for these developments in the world.
As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock - Robert F. Worth
18 female suicide bombers turn themselves in to U.S. troops - China View
and bittersweetly, I'm very thankful the main troubles in Mumbai came to an end.
A Day of Reckoning as India Toll Tops 170 - Somini Sangupta and Keith Bradsher
I'm thankful for happy news.
Even in tough times, blessings abound - Jay Bookman
Atlanta Institutions Come Together to Honor Human Rights Efforts - Center for Civil and Human Rights
Here's some good news -- for a change - Robert L. Jamieson Jr.
I'm thankful for people working together.
Thanksgiving Together - Christina Kremer
And creatively using talents (and technology) to help people.
Peace in our time? Turning virtual swords into ploughshares - Cara Bonnett
Whether one is religious or not, finding things one is thankful for can provide the basis for making the day the best it can be. Every day, no matter what, no matter the situation, I look for 5 things for which I am thankful. Not just around Thanksgiving, but every day. It has given me much comfort in very dark times.
I can always be thankful for my belief that God provides in good times and in not so good times.
I am thankful for family and friends.
I am thankful for waking up every day.
I am thankful for the beauty and love I can find everywhere in the world.
I am thankful for the ability to constantly find something to learn.
I leave today with this thought from Abraham Lincoln.
"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
I'm thankful for these developments in the world.
As Taboos Ease, Saudi Girl Group Dares to Rock - Robert F. Worth
18 female suicide bombers turn themselves in to U.S. troops - China View
and bittersweetly, I'm very thankful the main troubles in Mumbai came to an end.
A Day of Reckoning as India Toll Tops 170 - Somini Sangupta and Keith Bradsher
I'm thankful for happy news.
Even in tough times, blessings abound - Jay Bookman
Atlanta Institutions Come Together to Honor Human Rights Efforts - Center for Civil and Human Rights
Here's some good news -- for a change - Robert L. Jamieson Jr.
I'm thankful for people working together.
Thanksgiving Together - Christina Kremer
And creatively using talents (and technology) to help people.
Peace in our time? Turning virtual swords into ploughshares - Cara Bonnett
Whether one is religious or not, finding things one is thankful for can provide the basis for making the day the best it can be. Every day, no matter what, no matter the situation, I look for 5 things for which I am thankful. Not just around Thanksgiving, but every day. It has given me much comfort in very dark times.
I can always be thankful for my belief that God provides in good times and in not so good times.
I am thankful for family and friends.
I am thankful for waking up every day.
I am thankful for the beauty and love I can find everywhere in the world.
I am thankful for the ability to constantly find something to learn.
I leave today with this thought from Abraham Lincoln.
"And in the end it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Saturday, November 1, 2008
My "Hair-Raising" Halloween Tradition
One of our family traditions is to get together on Halloween and spend time with each other. My grandmother, mother, sisters, husband and I all gathered to eat pizza and hand out candy to the neighborhood kids. My husband surprised me by decorating the front lawn. I hadn't expected it because we had decided to limit our spending to candy this year because of finances. He had gone to the store before I got home and found several great deals on simple decorations. It was something little, but meaningful.
It may seem strange to some to have a family party on Halloween, but it has been a part of our family for my whole life. It started with my grandmother. Halloween was another time to gather with family and friends and to help neighbors. She would not only give candy, but little things, like school supplies, that neighborhood children might need.
We carry on this tradition at my home now. We hand out candy, but still give some basic school supplies. This year we gave out erasers. The kids loved the decorations and were so excited about the erasers that some of them came near the end of the night to politely ask if they could have some more. It was fantastic. I never thought about erasers being so valuable, but it put a smile on the kids' faces. My grandmother and mother got excited with seeing all the costumes and some, who for various reasons, did not dress up and just came to get candy.
It is possible my family started this to make sure we stayed home with them on Halloween instead of going out to party with our friends and to save us from the potential trouble kids get into sometimes on such a night, but I don't mind. I have such fun hanging with them that I never thought I was missing anything by being with my family. I hope I can carry on this tradition with my own children and impress on them the reasons why it is so worthwhile.
I know some people focus on the negative aspects of certain holidays, but when a holiday brings together family, helps people, and puts a smile on someone's face, I believe there is nothing better.
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
It may seem strange to some to have a family party on Halloween, but it has been a part of our family for my whole life. It started with my grandmother. Halloween was another time to gather with family and friends and to help neighbors. She would not only give candy, but little things, like school supplies, that neighborhood children might need.
We carry on this tradition at my home now. We hand out candy, but still give some basic school supplies. This year we gave out erasers. The kids loved the decorations and were so excited about the erasers that some of them came near the end of the night to politely ask if they could have some more. It was fantastic. I never thought about erasers being so valuable, but it put a smile on the kids' faces. My grandmother and mother got excited with seeing all the costumes and some, who for various reasons, did not dress up and just came to get candy.
It is possible my family started this to make sure we stayed home with them on Halloween instead of going out to party with our friends and to save us from the potential trouble kids get into sometimes on such a night, but I don't mind. I have such fun hanging with them that I never thought I was missing anything by being with my family. I hope I can carry on this tradition with my own children and impress on them the reasons why it is so worthwhile.
I know some people focus on the negative aspects of certain holidays, but when a holiday brings together family, helps people, and puts a smile on someone's face, I believe there is nothing better.
~~~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Honoring a Father
My father is not particularly religious, but he has always been spiritual. A higher power has never been a question for him and he has never been apologetic to anyone about that one belief.
My dad is one of the reasons I was able to comfortably question everything around me, including my faith. It was always important to him that our family think about why we did things. Tradition was important, but it did not take the place of contemplation. Dad was one reason why I could comfortably move into Islam and be proud of the path I had chosen.
When I was a new convert and getting a lot of uncertainty from all sides, it was my father who helped hold onto my provervial bike seat and steady me until I was more sure of myself. He showed his support of my decision and told me to be sure of the decisions I had made, especially since it was clear to him I had done so through my own self. Dad kept reminding me of keeping my mind on my higher power and inspirations I found inside and outside Islam.
My dad even went as far as to show his support by stating he could be my "backsliding, Muslim father" who definitely believed in God and had no problem accepting Mohammed as a prophet. The other things involved in making Islam a religion, he said, were more than he was willing to step into and constituted his "backsliding" persona. As strange as this exchange may seem to some, this support gave me the ability to move forward from being stuck on my spiritual path to moving, once again, along that path.
The quirkiness of my father may be hard for some to understand, but he has an unwavering faith that has helped solidify my own spiritual foundation. His faith is an inspiration and something I hope I can pass onto my own children.
~~~~
"God has decreed you shall worship no god but God, and your parents shall be honored."
~Quran 17:23
~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
My dad is one of the reasons I was able to comfortably question everything around me, including my faith. It was always important to him that our family think about why we did things. Tradition was important, but it did not take the place of contemplation. Dad was one reason why I could comfortably move into Islam and be proud of the path I had chosen.
When I was a new convert and getting a lot of uncertainty from all sides, it was my father who helped hold onto my provervial bike seat and steady me until I was more sure of myself. He showed his support of my decision and told me to be sure of the decisions I had made, especially since it was clear to him I had done so through my own self. Dad kept reminding me of keeping my mind on my higher power and inspirations I found inside and outside Islam.
My dad even went as far as to show his support by stating he could be my "backsliding, Muslim father" who definitely believed in God and had no problem accepting Mohammed as a prophet. The other things involved in making Islam a religion, he said, were more than he was willing to step into and constituted his "backsliding" persona. As strange as this exchange may seem to some, this support gave me the ability to move forward from being stuck on my spiritual path to moving, once again, along that path.
The quirkiness of my father may be hard for some to understand, but he has an unwavering faith that has helped solidify my own spiritual foundation. His faith is an inspiration and something I hope I can pass onto my own children.
~~~~
"God has decreed you shall worship no god but God, and your parents shall be honored."
~Quran 17:23
~~~~
Kelly
American Islamic Fellowship
blog@americanislamicfellowship.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)