1. Religion & Spirituality

Islamic Calendar 2012 (1433 H.)

Ramadan now falls in the middle of summer, and the Hajj (pilgrimage) begins in October. Check the dates in order to plan ahead.

Holiday Dates
Islam Spotlight10

Summer Fun: Islamic Swimwear

Friday May 25, 2012

Summer is fast approaching! Active Muslim women have nothing to fear in their search for healthy, outdoor pursuits. Even for swimming, many women turn to the growing number of companies that offer modest but safe swimwear. Some of the fashions seem a bit strange-looking at first, but the variety and style of the available designs is rapidly expanding.

In California, one such swimwear company was founded by a marine biologist who wanted to continue scuba diving after she began observing hijab. Another is based in Australia, and sells not only to Muslims but to people of other faiths and lifestyles who want more coverage in a swimsuit. The Australian company offers a style called the "burkini," which is used by female Muslim lifeguards in that country. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The goal of the "Islamic swimwear" industry is to help and encourage more Muslim women to become physically active. Many women refrain from swimming or other water activities because of the lack of clothing alternatives. Swimming in street clothing is unsafe and unsanitary, and in most places not allowed for these reasons. Unless the pool is private for women only, Muslim women who observe hijab will not wear any type of swimsuit that does not cover the body fully. These "Islamic" swimsuit companies open up a door for such women to participate. Full-coverage swimsuits offer a compromise which is acceptable to many. If it means that more women become physically active in outdoor water sports, it can only be for the best!

Interested in other modest summer-wear alternatives? Check the spring and summer collections at these online clothing stores.

Twitter "Blasphemous"?

Sunday May 20, 2012
Twitter Homepage

News agencies such as CNN are reporting that Pakistan has blocked all access to the social networking site, Twitter, amid allegations that it has been used to spread blasphemous information against Islam. In a claim reminiscent of the 2006 Danish "cartoon controversy," Pakistani authorities say that Twitter failed to remove links to a Facebook competition to post images of the Prophet Muhammad. Yet Facebook itself is not banned; nor are other sites which may contain "blasphemous" information such as YouTube.

So why only Twitter? Interestingly, the Christian Science Monitor points out that national elections are coming up, and that many see the ban as a convenient excuse to control public conversation and silence opposition.

Twitter is a communication tool, just like the telephone and online forums, part of everyday life now. Where do we draw the line? Should a line be drawn at all? We ask ourselves again, "What would Muhammad do?"

Sunday's Solar Eclipse

Thursday May 17, 2012
Solar Eclipse

On Sunday, an unusual solar eclipse will be visible from eastern Asia to the western part of North America. Called a "ring of fire" eclipse, the sun will appear completely covered by the moon, except for a blazing ring of fire around the rim. If you fall in the viewing zone between China and Texas, learn more:

Islamic Summer Conferences 2012

Monday May 7, 2012

With Ramadan falling during July and August this year, many major Islamic conferences in North America are being planned for earlier or later in the summer. Among them:

Do you know of others? Please post a comment below with details.

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