Huda's Islam Blog

The Hajj season officially opens after Ramadan. The worldwide embassies of Saudi Arabia will begin issuing Hajj visas later this month. You must apply for one through one of your country's approved Hajj travel agencies. If you plan to go for Hajj this December, you'll need to act quickly to find a travel group, as many are already fully booked!

More:

• When will the Hajj take place this year?
• Why are only Muslims allowed to visit Mecca and Madinah?

If you weren't able to call your loved ones on Eid, it's not too late to send a free E-card!

Sadaqa Al-Fitr (also known as Zakatul-Fitr) is a small amount of food to be given in charity at the end of Ramadan, before the holiday (Eid) prayers. The amount of Sadaqa Al-Fitr is one sa'a per person, an ancient measurement of volume which is no longer in common use. So how much is a sa'a and how should you go about making your family's donation?

Looking Ahead: Eid al-Fitr is expected to fall on Tuesday or Wednesay in most of the world.

It has come to my attention that over 28 million Americans are receiving free copies of a DVD inserted into their morning newspapers this month. The DVD in question is a copy of the 60-minute inflammatory, hate-mongering film "Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West." Why this film? Why now? Who is sponsoring the dissemination of this film to millions of Americans?

The answers to these questions are a bit shady. This film, originally released in 2005-06, is the work of filmmakers Wayne Kopping and Raphael Shore. Mr. Shore also happens to be the founder of the Clarion Fund, a "new non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about national security threats." The current multi-million dollar campaign to distribute the film through paid newspaper advertisements is funded by -- the Clarion Fund.

The Clarion Fund in turn is not very forthcoming with information about its history and benefactors. As a tax-exempt (501c3) organization, they have reportedly not filed any tax returns and are not listed on CharityWatch (the website of the American Institute of Philanthropy). No board of directors is listed on their website.

You will be offered your own free copy of the DVD only if you live in select markets. The paid advertising campaign is only being run in 14 states, which also happen to be battleground states in this year's Presidential election: Florida, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, etc. The picture of "why now" is becoming even clearer.

Despite the film's initial disclaimer that Islam is a peaceful religion, every image of the film is aimed to scare the average American into thinking that Muslims are trying to take over the world. The film's website sets the scene: "Today, we find ourselves confronted by a new enemy, also engaged in a violent struggle to transform our world. As we sleep in the comfort of our homes, a new evil rises against us. A new menace is threatening, with all the means at its disposal, to bow Western Civilization under the yoke of its values. That enemy is Radical Islam."

The true menace threatening the U.S. public today is hate-mongering propoganda for political purposes.

More about Obsession:

• GOP Dirty Tricks in the Swing States (Richard Silverstein, Guardian UK)
• Mass Distribution of 'Obsession' Raises Flags (Eric Young, The Christian Post)
• 'Obsession' DVD a Well-Planned Con (Judith Mohling, Colorado Daily Camera)
• Pro-McCain Group Dumping 28 Million Terror Scare DVDs in Swing States (Erik Ose, Huffington Post)

Muslims worldwide spend the last ten nights of Ramadan in solid devotion, retreating to the mosque to read Qur'an (i'tikaf), reciting special supplications (du'a), and reflecting on the meaning of Allah's message to us. It is during these last 10 nights of Ramadan that Muslims seek and observe the Night of Power (Leyla al-Qadr).

Saturday's suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan was a horrible tragedy. It is hard to imagine that anyone could try to justify such an attack under Islamic law. On the contrary, the Islamic rulings against such attacks are very clear.

It's hard to believe that Ramadan is already half over! As the end of the month approaches, we will enter the final ten days and Layla al-Qadar (Night of Power). Many Muslims may begin performing overnight retreats in the mosque (i'tikaf). If you haven't seen the Taraweeh prayers being broadcast from Mecca, tune in online!

Those who prepare evening meals during Ramadan are often looking for something new right about this time. Looking for some inspiration? Try the delicious Ramadan dessert recipes offered by the About.com Guide to Middle Eastern Food.

Maintaining your health is important year-round, and keeping hydrated is especially important during Ramadan. The About.com Guide to First Aid has some other ideas about taking care of your health while fasting.

Remember that Ramadan is a time when reaching out to the needy is especially blessed. If you're not sure where to turn, check this list of Islamic Charitable Organizations that would welcome your support.

The American Muslim community lost a historical figure this week with the passing of Imam W.D. Muhammad of Chicago. The son of Elijah Muhammad, Imam W.D. took over leadership of the Nation of Islam upon the death of his father in 1975. Along with Malcolm X, he had embarked on a spiritual journey which led him away from the black nationalist teachings of his father. Imam W.D. subsequently influenced most African-American Muslims away from the controversial teachings of the Nation of Islam, to embrace mainstream Islam.

Living in the Chicago area, Imam W.D. became a well-known leader of the Muslim American Society, with affiliated mosques, schools, and grassroots social centers. In 1992, Imam W.D. Muhammad became the first Muslim to recite a prayer at the invocation of the U.S. Senate. He met with Pope John Paul II in 1996, and participated in two interfaith breakfasts hosted by President Bill Clinton (in 1993 and 1997).

Another high-ranking member of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, rejected his reforms and has continued to lead followers in the Nation's original black separatist teachings since the late 1970s. In recent years, Imam W.D. Muhammad participated in several reconciliation or "unity" meetings with Minister Farrakhan. Pictured above, Imam W.D. Muhammad prays at the conclusion of a reunion conference, with Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan standing behind him (at left). (Photo by Tim Boyle / Getty Images - Chicago, 27 February 2000.)

Upon the death of a person, Muslims remember that our life on earth is limited and that one day we will all pass on. "To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return." Funeral prayers will be held on Thursday in Villa Park, Illinois. A public memorial service will be held on Saturday in Markham, Illinois.

More about W.D. Muhammad and the Nation of Islam:

• History of Islam in America (About.com Guide to Islam)
• Muslims vs. Nation of Islam (About.com Guide to Atheism)
• Biography of Malcolm X (About.com Guide to African-American History)
• Muslim America's Rebellious Son (obituary from the Chicago Times)
• Farewell, America's Imam (CNN)
• The Anointed Son - the story of Imam W.D.'s break with his father (Beliefnet)

During Ramadan, smokers must refrain from cigarettes during the daylight hours. What a great opportunity to break the addiction for good! Many Muslim scholars believe smoking to be forbidden, as it causes such harm to your body. However, cigarettes are addictive and you may need some help kicking the habit once and for all. If you want to quit smoking but need help, About.com's Prepare to Quit Smoking is the place to start.

A few years ago, I wrote an article here about the many benefits of Ramadan. I mentioned that the spiritual focus of the month stands in contrast to the commercialization that surrounds the "holiday season" of other faiths. This year, I find myself questioning that assessment.

In recent years, there seems to be an increased media emphasis on Ramadan sales, Ramadan TV programming, and Ramadan travel. It seems to have become a month of consumption rather than a month of sacrifice.

This is particularly apparent on the Arabic satellite channels, which offer special Ramadan programming. In past years, these shows largely consisted of historical dramas, documentaries, and talk shows. Last year I remember watching a daily program where a young man traveled the Arab world and pointed out vices -- prejudice, dishonesty, even littering -- and encouraged people to change bad habits.

This year, however, the programming seems largely focused on soap operas and commercials. One program I watched yesterday had over 12 minutes (!) of commercials in a half-hour show: for such items as soda pop, tea, jewelry, clothing, and mobile phone service. The most memorable was a commercial which showed a man breaking his fast with a huge buffet of food around him. He ate so much that he got sick. You can guess -- the commercial was for antacid medicine.

What do you think? Has Ramadan commercialism gone too far?