'Wonderful day': Journalist Carroll freed in Iraq

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- American hostage Jill Carroll, the freelance journalist who was kidnapped in Baghdad in January, has been released unharmed, U.S. law enforcement officials and The Christian Science Monitor said Thursday.

"This is a wonderful day," said David Cook, Washington bureau chief of the Monitor, the paper for which the reporter was freelancing. Carroll, 28, called her father, Jim, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to let him know she was safe, the officials and newspaper said. (Watch details on Carroll's release as she makes it into 'safe hands' -- 1:05)

A security source in Baghdad also said Carroll was "in safe hands" and "has spoken to her parents."

READ MORE AT: http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/03/30/carroll/index.html

The Full Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/01/09/iraq.main/index.html

© 2006 Jennifer Fayed Authorization is given by author to share and use for purposes of dawah (invitation to Islam)for non profit publications. If use is for other than non for profit purposes please contact author for other rights which are reserved.

Hijab a Gift from Allah

By: Jennifer Fayed

Hijab is the easiest decision that I made in Islam next to my reversion. I thought that starting to wear the headscarf would be difficult, but Alhamdulilah it was not. I remember how I first started to wear hijab. I was living alone for about a month in a room which the landlords were Indian Muslims. They were very sweet and kind people. I had made my decision to go attend the mosque for the first time, but first I needed to know how to wear hijab so I wouldn’t disrespect the Muslims in their place of worship. One day, I went knocking on their door not knowing the Islamic etiquette and I asked the woman, “Do you know how to wear the scarf?” She smiled and said, “Its easy just pin it under your chin”. I then told her, “Isn’t there a different way of wearing it?” insinuating that I liked the style of how some Muslim girls would wear it. She further told me that she didn’t go out much so when she did wear it, she would just pin it under her chin, but didn’t know other stylish ways of wearing hijab. I went home and had a big black pashmina made out of cotton, and did as my landlord suggested. I looked at myself in the mirror and thought I looked really silly. I spent hours in front of the mirror trying to figure out how to wrap this piece of cloth around my head. I just didn’t know the secret, “agh…” I thought let me go shopping and see if there are easier scarves out there. It was going to be a more challenging search than what I had anticipated.There were square, rectangular, bright, solid, patterned all kinds of scarves. I searched everywhere and not knowing any practicing Muslims I was left to fend on my own. I didn’t know how to begin in wrapping the scarf. I was so confused.

I finally entered a store where I think the salesgirl knew I was perplexed. I told her I needed a Muslim scarf the easiest one that they had available. She looked at me weirdly and told me this is what we have. She showed me a two-piece hijab that was white with lace on the trimming of the two pieces. So I said “Thanks, how much?” I was so ecstatic when I walked out the store I had bought my first hijab. I couldn’t wait to get home and figure out how to put it on. How difficult could a two-piece hijab really be? When I got home I took the package out of the bag. I ripped the plastic open, and I was very excited to see how it felt and looked out of the plastic. I was facing the room mirror when I put it on. The thing was that I didn’t know that the lace part goes on my forehead not behind my head. I put it on excited I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I thought I looked so pretty in my new hijab. I looked at the lady on the package and realized that I was wearing it the wrong way. My first of many trials in Islam, good thing I was alone and no one was there to laugh at me. That same day I went to the mosque, and I loved how hijab made me feel. I remember walking in the street and people giving me hateful stares. I jumped on the train and noticed that almost everyone in the train cart was looking at me (talk about the pressure). My favorite thing about wearing hijab was the feeling of security and freedom.

It was the first time in my life that a man didn’t yell and holler on what a hot babe I was. It was as if I were invisible to the opposite sex. I honestly had this sense of liberation in my heart. I didn’t know what a beautiful feeling I would have while wearing hijab. I very shortly discovered that hijab was a blessing from Allah (swt) His divinely wisdom in protecting the woman.

Allah (swt) says (Interpretation of meaning): 33:59 “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

One of the purposes of hijab is to protect women and to elevate us from being viewed only as sexual beings. I saw this everyday when I wore hijab. If I had to talk to a man he wouldn’t see me anymore as this piece of flesh. I was seen as an equal and they would be captivated by what my mind possessed. I was so proud of this achievement. I was taught in the past by my society that feminism was the capacity to do things better than men, and that there was nothing wrong in using my sexual appeal to attain my personal ambitions. After discovering hijab, I realized that these concepts that western society has, only inhibits women’s true beauty and intelligence.Western society has cast this veil over women to promote their ideology of what women should be. Everywhere you look in the west you are constantly bombarded with the idea that sex sells and some women naively fall into this trap. This is one of the astonishing concepts of Western society. It connects political oppression with moral negligence. This relationship has been brought about by many rulers both past and present. It’s a means to keep people preoccupied with their own desires and vain obsessions. They do this in an effort so the people won’t be interested and would be very distant from public affairs. In my opinion, I feel that the prophet (pbuh) had predicted or seen what women would be consumed with centuries later.

There’s a hadith that Abu Hurairah narrates that the messenger of Allah peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said:“I will not be a witness for two types of people who are destined for the Fire: people with whips, like the tails of cows, who beat the people (i.e., tyrannical rulers who are the enemies of their own people), and women who, although clothed, are yet naked, seducing and being seduced, their hair styled like the tilted humps of camels. These will not enter the Garden nor will its fragrance even reach them, although its fragrance reaches a very great distance”.

Islam came over 1400 years ago to free us from this form of slavery that society has marketed. We no longer have to be society’s puppets. Allah brought and revealed hijab to safeguard us from many afflictions and adversity. Alhamdulilah, I am so honored and blessed that Allah (swt) has unveiled my eyes so I can see the true ways of society and see the virtues of being a Hijabi. May Allah (swt) guide and safeguard us from worldly desires and reward us with the gardens of paradise, Amin.


© 2006 Jennifer Fayed Authorization is given by author to share and use for purposes of dawah (invitation to Islam)for non profit publications. If use is for other than non for profit purposes please contact author for other rights which are reserved.

Muslimah Writers Alliance Launches Muslim Women Making History Project

Acknowledging the achievements of Muslim women making a difference in their communities, Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), in conjunction with March International Women's History Month, invites you to participate in its Muslim Women Making History Project.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) March 10, 2006 -- March is International Women's History Month and Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA) is interested in learning about Muslim woman living in today's world making tomorrow's history.

MWA invites you to participate in the Muslim Women Making History project by sharing stories about everyday Muslim women striving and excelling in making a difference in their communities.

To facilitate the launch of its project MWA has established the Muslim Women Making History blog where stories of exceptional Muslim women are already being posted.

On the Muslim Women Making History blog you will read about Muslim women setting precedents, launching campaigns or initiatives, teaching, writing, sharing, educating - shining brightly as examples of Muslim women living Islam and making their mark in history.

"Women's History Month is an annual event, but at MWA we believe women should be acknowledged every day for their efforts to make a positive impact in the lives of their children, families, and communities," said Aishah Schwartz, MWA Founder and Director.

If there is an extraordinary Muslim woman in your life or community charting her own course in history, visit the Muslim Women Making History blog to learn how you can submit her story (or link to existing story) and a photo, if possible, for inclusion in MWA's project. The blog address is MWA Muslim Women Making History.

In addition to being included in the Muslim Women Making History blog, selected stories may also be featured on MWA's website.

Established in 2006, MWA's mission is to inspire Muslim women to collaborate with one another for the common good of the Muslim Ummah, and to be of support to one another in fulfilling their aspirations to become established writers. Applying Islamic principles, boundless enthusiasm, experience, and resourcefulness to every project embraced, MWA members are dedicated to one another's success.

Contact: Aishah Schwartz
Founder & Director
Muslimah Writers Alliance
Contact via Web Form

Press Contact: Aishah Schwartz
Company Name: MUSLIMAH WRITERS ALLIANCE
Email: email protected from spam bots Website: http://www.muslimahwritersalliance.com/
More Information:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/3/prweb356017.htm


© 2006 Jennifer Fayed Authorization is given by author to share and use for purposes of dawah (invitation to Islam)for non profit publications. If use is for other than non for profit purposes please contact author for other rights which are reserved.

European Forum of Muslim Women Holds First Summit in Brussels

Launch of Women's History Month Draws Over 400 Muslim Women Activists

By: Aishah Schwartz and Jennifer Fayed

BRUSSELS, March 8, 2006 - More than 400 Muslim women activists convened in Brussels on Sunday for the first European Forum of Muslim Women (EFOMW) summit. The EFOMW, a registered NGO based in Brussels, is dedicated to defending the rights of Muslim women in Europe. The organization's first summit happens to coincide with March being International Women's History Month.

EFOMW goals include analyzing how to bridge dialogue between different religions, how to promote cooperation between Muslim women organizations, and how to battle discrimination against Muslim women in Europe.

The focus of this year's summit was on three key issues:

1. The involvement of Muslim women in the social society.
2. The obstacles to full citizen participation of Muslim women.
3. The contribution of Muslim women to the construction of European civil societies.

Participating in the forum were Muslim women from organizations across the globe representing Turkey, Sweden, Spain, Denmark, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Bosnia, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Romania, and Belgium.

Noura Jaballah, of Tunisia, EFOMW Coordinator, said that she hopes the forum "Can clear the misconceptions in Europe about Islam," adding, "western media has portrayed a false image of Muslim women which must be corrected."

Jaballah believes that the EFOMW could become the voice of European Muslim women, defining their problems, aspirations, and defending their legal rights.

This year's summit is a major milestone and historical stamp for European Muslim women, offering them a voice on social and political issues facing Muslim women in today's European society.

Sources: IRNA and www.islamonline.com

© 2006 Jennifer Fayed Authorization is given by author to share and use for purposes of dawah (invitation to Islam)for non profit publications. If use is for other than non for profit purposes please contact author for other rights which are reserved.

US Agrees to Pay 9/11 Detainee $300,000 in Damages

WASHINGTON, 1 March 2006 — The US government has agreed to pay $300,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by an Egyptian who was among dozens of Muslims detained after the Sept. 11 attacks, held for months and deported, The New York Times reported yesterday.

The settlement is the first the government has made in a number of suits saying that non-citizens were abused and their constitutional rights violated after the attacks.

Lawyers representing both Ehab Elmaghraby, an Egyptian who lived in the United States for 13 years and ran a restaurant in Manhattan, and Javaid Iqbal, a Pakistani, who is still pursuing the suit, described the outcome as significant.
Read more at: http://arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=78542&d=1&m=3&y=2006