- MECCAONE M E D I A / ISLAM / www.meccaone.org -

In September 2005, 12 cartoons of Islam's prophet Muhammad were published in a local newspaper in Denmark, as a result, a wave of negative feelings and actions followed on both sides; by mid January of 2006 a sever case of cross-cultural misunderstanding was apparent. Many level-headed people worldwide felt the need to do something positive in reaction. Sahar El-Nadi, Independent Culture Consultant from Cairo published an article explaining the cross-cultural lessons to be learnt from this clash and how to avoid similar situations in the future, she sent a short email to a small circle of her friends on 7 February 2006 explaining how multicultural and creative people should get together to encourage friendship and understanding across cultures. Soon many enthusiastic people worldwide responded to her call for constructive action. Thus a core volunteer group was formed, made up of young Egyptians in their 20's & 30's, all multi-lingual, successful professionals in many fields, with cross-cultural exposure, creative talents, and friendly nature. They were supported by many enthusiasts worldwide from various cultural backgrounds, ages, and faiths. Zero-Net was born: A unique Cultural Outreach Initiative under the slogan Don't Hate, Educate!

This talk was addressed to the Bay Area youth at MCA. With prom time fast approaching and the summer temperature on the rise, the pressures for girls not to dress modestly and young brothers/sisters to lower their gaze is even greater. This forum was to address the difficulties of this time period by reminding our youth to remain grounded in the obedience of Allah through this hard time, because this is the way they will eventually inshaAllah find the best spouse who they can spend the rest of their lives with in the dunya and in the akhira. Abdul-Malik Ali is an African-American convert to Islam and well known Islamic lecturer and activist in the United States. He is the Amir (leader) of the Masjid Al Islam mosque in Oakland, California and a graduate of San Francisco State University. Since the early 1990s he has been a frequent guest lecturer at several Muslim Student Association events and Islamic conferences. He is best known as a captivating public speaker whose oratory consists largely of lectures against Imperialism, unjust policies of the U.S. government, and the apartheid state of Israel. He is also a leading member of Imam Abdul Alim Musa's As-Sabiqun movement, which has Masjids throughout the US.

"I am a poet, writer, speaker. In many ways writing is my most signifigant means to self discovery. God willing, the people find benefit in it. I also give lectures and workshops on Freedom of Speech and the Artists Sacred Obligation, Art & Spirituality, and Manifest Liberation: Liberty of the Body, Mind and Soul"

I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I'm old). We attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was "Islam". Why? Good question. LISTEN TO THE PROGRAM FOR THE FULL STORY!

Black History Month should be of interest to every Muslim – especially here in America. It is estimated that upwards to 20% of the Africans enslaved in the Americas were Muslim. In some areas, such as the coast of the Carolinas, Georgia, and parts of Virginia, the percentages of Muslims in the slave population may have approached 40%. The fact that the search of a random African American, Alex Haley, for his roots led him to a Muslim village in West Africa is indicative of the widespread Muslim presence among the enslaved population here in the Americas. At this critical time in the history of our country, it is important for Muslims, whose legitimate existence in this country is being challenged in some quarters, to connect to our American Muslim roots. As Muslims, our story in this country did not begin with the coming of Syrians, Lebanese, Albanians, or Yemenis at the turn of the 20th Century and later. It began with those courageous African Muslim slaves whose blood, sweat, and tears were instrumental in building this country. Their struggle is our struggle, and our struggle should be a continuation of theirs.

"Allah Made Me Funny - The Official Muslim Comedy Tour" launched in June 2004 in Washington D.C and according to Moss, the tour embodies a progressive attempt to tackle negative post 9/11 stereotypes about Muslims through the vehicle of comedy. The tour features three of America's best known Muslim comedians including Preacher Moss, the tour's producer and a former writer for George Lopez, Saturday Night Live's Darrel Hammond and Damon Wayans. Moss shares the comedy stage with nationally recognized stand-up comedians Azhar Usman (nicknamed the Ayatollah of Comedy) who is an attorney turned comedian and Azeem, a stand-up comic, activist and founder of Azeem's Kids Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping children who are in foster and juvenile care.

A great interview for all Muslim students in North America.

"For me the province of poetry is a private ecstasy made public, and the social role of the poet is to display moments of shared universal epiphanies capable of healing our sense of mortal estrangement—from ourselves, from each other, from our source, from our destiny, from The Divine."

Shaykh Sulayman completed his Hifzul Qur'an at the age of 14 in the year 1989, thereafter continued his studies for 7 years in the field of Tafseer, Hadeeth, Fiqh, Aqaaid, & the Arabic language. Sheikh is presently a Lecturer/Ustaadh in Johannesburg/South Africa where he resides with his family.

A medical doctor by professional training, Dr. Zakir Naik is renowed as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. Dr. Zakir Naik clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptionsabout Islam, using the Qur'an, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts. He is 37 years old. Dr. Zakir is popular for his critical analysis and convincing answers to challenging questions posed by audiences after his public talks. In the last 6 years (by the year 2002), Dr. Zakir Naik has delivered more than 600 public talks in the U.S.A., Canada, U.K., Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, South Africa, Mauritius, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand, Guyana (South America) and many other countries, in addition to numerous public talks in India. He has successfully participated in several symposia and dialogues with prominent personalities of other faiths. His public dialogue with Dr. William Campbell (of USA), on the topic, “The Qur’an and the Bible in the light of Science” held in city of Chicago, U.S.A., on April 1, 2000 was a resounding success. Sheikh Ahmed Deedat, the world famous orator on Islam and Comparative Religion, who had called Dr. Zakir, "Deedat plus" in 1994, presented a plaque in May 2000 awarded to Dr. Zakir Abdul-Karim Naik for his achievement in the field of Da’wah and the study of Comparative Religion with the engraving "Son what you have done in 4 years had taken me 40 years to accomplish, Alhamdullilah.” Dr. Zakir Naik appears regularly on many international T.V. Channels in more than 100 countries of the world. He is regularly invited for T.V. and Radio interviews. More than a hundred of his talks, dialogues, debates and symposia are available on video cassettes, video CDs and audio cassettes. He has authored books on Islam and Comparative Religion.

MeccaOne Interview with Robert Fisk, chief Middle East correspondent for the London Independent. He is author of several books. His latest is "The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East."

Middle East correspondent of The Independent, is the author of Pity the Nation: Lebanon at War (London: André Deutsch, 1990). He holds numerous awards for journalism, including two Amnesty International UK Press Awards and seven British International Jour

If a Muslim continues to have the patience to do righteous deeds after Ramadaan, this is a sign that his (fasting) has been accepted by his Lord, the Most Generous, the Bestower of blessings. If he fails to do righteous deeds after Ramadaan, and follows the ways of the Shaytaan, this is a sign of humiliation, meanness, lowly status and being deprived of the help of Allah Thank your Lord for making you complete the fasting of this month. Enjoy your Eid by remaining consistent on the those good deeds and keep away from undesirable things that are capable of removing Allaah’s favors from you. One of our righteous predecessors said:"Each day in which no act of disobedience to Allaah is committed is Eid and each day a believer spent in acts of obedience to his Lord is Eid”

The month of Ramadan is a golden opportunity for every Muslim to draw nearer to Allah. Only a few days left and the month will start. Have you asked yourself the following questions: Am I ready for Ramadan? How should I prepare myself for Ramadan? How should I welcome this month? What should I do to draw closer to Allah?

In each of our lives, our Emaan (firmness of faith) can vary in different levels. It goes from its highest peak, when things seem as if they couldn’t be better, to times when we feel down-in-the-dumps, at an all-time low. It is an aspect of our religion that we all should anticipate at one point or another, and it is something we should also prepare ourselves for. By understanding and acknowledging Eman (firmness of faith), we will ready ourselves for our own inner struggle when the time comes. It will give us strength, endurance and patience to ride out the storm. So then...Where Is Our Emaan? Tune in and find out!