islamicate

Letter to the Prophet

Iqra.

Mercy for Schiavo?

I am really torn about this very sad Schiavo affair. As we get more and more advanced in medical technologies - these questions will keep up coming.  Is there an "Islamic" reponse to this episode?  Should there be an "Isalmic" response?  What do the people say?

Friedman on Sistani and the Nobel

See here. Friedman, like most commentators, acknowledges Sistani's Shi'ism, but fails to understand what that means. “People power” as he describes is what the Ithna'shari conception of the state was/is prior to Khomeinism taking center stage. The idea of jurists leading the state, vilayat-e faqih, is a relatively new concept, but it's already become normative for even op-ed writers who supposedly have the time to be able to think.

Music and Islam

Yusuf that is. Yusuf Islam decides that music and Islam are not incompatible. Welcome to 1400 hundred years of history and tradition. Hopefully this will signal a change and maturation in Mr. Islam's faith. I'm still working on my long post on Islam and music. I'm sure I'll get to it soon. Link via Maryam.

The true Islam.....

Reza has some interesting things to say about Islam:

The foundation of Islamic pluralism can be summed up in one indisputable verse: "There can be no compulsion in religion." That means that the antiquated partitioning of the world into spheres of belief (dar al-Islam) and unbelief (dar al-Harb), which was first developed during the Crusades but which still maintains its grasp on the imaginations of traditionalist theologians, is utterly unjustifiable. It also means that the ideology of those Wahhabists who wish to return Islam to some imaginary ideal of original purity must be once and for all abandoned. Islam is and has always been a religion of diversity. The notion that there was once an original, unadulterated Islam that was shattered into heretical sects and schisms is a historical fiction. Both Shiism and Sufism in all their wonderful manifestations represent trends of thought that have existed from the very beginning of Islam, and both find their inspiration in the words and deeds of the Prophet. God may be One, but Islam most definitely is not.
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WikiCity on Ismaili

I know we got a lot of people interested in Shi'ism, specifically Isma'ili Shi'ism, coming through this site. Myself, and several others, have an interest in this group, but don't want to make the blog about one particular interpretation. However, I have found WikiCities, and thought that might be a good place to continue a conversation on the topic. I can't run it by myself and would like to hear if others, Isma'ili or not, would be willing to help start something up before letting the Wiki have its way. You can leave notes in comments or email me at “islamoyankee at islamicate dot com.” A Navroz launch would be nice.

Good news for Gujarat

via Avari-Nameh. It looks like a good day for the US, because there is now declaration that ethnic cleansers are not welcome here, and for Gujarat, because it says Modi is not of the same tradition as Gandhi.

Go pray with your sisters in NYC

Yes, Alhamdulilah - today is a historic day for Muslims in America and the world.  If you are in NYC today - you may want to attend a Jummah service led by Dr. Amina Wadud.  Yes a sister!  She will be leading prayers and men and women will be side by side.  Congratulations on such a bold stand.  May Allah offer the organizer and attendees courage and protection.

Oh my

Talk about poor taste. Check and make sure they are not doing anything related to your faith tradition. I also found it funny that the acronym of the Hindu group is AHAD (one in Arabic).

Terror[ism][ist][ize]

On the (mis)use of language.