Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-27

February 27, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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Freebie Friday – Nabisco cookies, Febreze & Swiffer kit, Truphone SIM card

February 26, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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  • Free cookie alert by Nabisco. Free cookies will be offered each Monday in March by becoming a Facebook fan of Nabisco cookies. Starting March 1, there will be a new savings offer posted every week for a free package of Nabisco Cookies (when you purchase a package of Nabisco cookies and a gallon of milk). Click here to go to the Nabisco Cookies Fan Page
  • Sun-Maid Recipes for Healthier Eating Booklet - Free download or order free booklet.
  • uni-ball Super Ink Pen - the uni-ball Super Ink TM formula forms an unbreakable bond with paper fibers and helps prevent check fraud. Only available to 48 contiguous states, first 10,000 offers per day.
  • Febreze (R) & Swiffer (R) trial kit - For registered pgpro.com members only. It only takes a minute and once you’re registered, you’ll have access to samples, special offers, and rebates for the entire Procter & Gamble family of products!
  • Truphone Local Anywhere SIM card – Promo Code: ezy482 Value $7.50 USD. Free worldwide shipping. Truphone Local Anywhere works on nearly all unlocked mobile phones. Offer ends March 19, 2010.

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    A True Confession from a New Homeschooling Mum

    February 25, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    Hope Home Schooling is going on well. Let me make a confession to you:

    I am enjoying every bit of homeschooling, including the preschooler’s “drama”, the Kindergartener’s whining and the first grader’s “all-of-a sudden” independence. Besides, I am learning a lot! I never took Geography in Nigeria, never!

    I had the option of choosing Geography or English Literature. I chose the latter without qualms. And I enjoyed every bit of Literature.

    But it is now, in my old age, that I am beginning to appreciate the beauty in Geography, through reading and activities in my first grader’s books. Subhanallaah.

    Through educating my kids at home, I have discovered that I am also re-educating myself and gaining cultural competency about other countries in our world.

    Last December, my kids and I attended a kids’ pre-exhibition on Timbuktu in Mali. The pre-exhibition took place at one of the ten public libraries in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was an eye opener not only for my kids but for me.

    I knew from the on start that Mali is a Muslim country. But one thing I was ignorant about was the fact that Mali is one of the countries on earth that has a wealth of Islamic scholarship in terms of education and life enriching experiences. Besides their local languages, they also speak French, which is one of my favorite languages. Just in a day, my knowledge about Geography increased and my horizons were definitely expanded.

    In life, there are challenges here and there. We cannot hide from there.

    It is not the challenge that actually matters though. It is how we see it and tackle it that matters most.

    Yes, homeschooling can pose its own challenges, upon the challenges of motherhood and parenthood. However, it can be very successful, refreshing, and enjoyable when it is not seen as a strenuous daily chore but as a privilege and gift that Allah has blessed us with.

    What keeps me going is the flexibility in our home, the joy I see in my kids’ eyes, the ability for me and my hubby to do this homeschooling, and most importantly, the legacy my late parents laid down for me and my siblings. The legacy is nothing but education.

    So, keep up the good work and stay refreshed.

    Past articles by Maryam include:

    Maryam Funmilayo is a homeschool mum of four (ages 7, 5, 2.5 years old and an 8 months old), pursuing a Master of Science degree in Nutrition. An accomplished freelance writer, Maryam particularly enjoys writing on-assignment because she loves the challenge of impressing her clients for repeat business. Please comment below to share your views on today’s post, or email her directly at mfunmilayo<at>yahoo.com

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    Why Debate When We Have the Qur’an and Sunnah to Lead Us?

    February 24, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    Washington Post shares another article about Muslims, “In U.S. mosques, a debate over English” by Associated Press Rachel Zoll . What’s most disappointing about this article isthat main stream media is highlighting some of our biggest flaws as a Muslim ummah (community): We are unorganized, petty, uncompromising, and frighteningly uneducated in our own deen (way of life, or religion).

    My dear brothers and sisters, in our very own book–The Qur’an states

    It is He Who has sent down to you (Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him) the book (this Qur’an). In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments), Al-Fara'id (obligatory duties) and Al-Hudud (legal laws for the punishment of thieves, adulterers)]; and others not entirely clear. So as for those in whose hearts there is a deviation (from the truth) they follow that which is not entirely clear thereof, seeking Al-Fitnah (polytheism and trials), and seeking for its hidden meanings, but none knows its hidden meanings save Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: “We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord.” And none receive admonition except men of understanding. (Tafsir At-Tabari).
    (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #7)

    • By debating which language an Imam should use in the masjid (house of worship), we are creating al-fitnah (trials, problems, harmful issues, and conflict) amongst ourselves and to others. We need to follow the Qur’an, as shown here:

    And this is a blessed book (the Qur’an) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah (i.e. do not disobey His Orders), that you may receive mercy (i.e. be saved from the torment of Hell).
    (Surah Al-Anaam, Chapter #6, Verse #155)

    • Regarding this unnecessary debate, our glorious Qur’an states:

    And We sent not a Messenger except with the language of his people, in order that he might make (the Message) clear for them. Then Allah misleads whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. (Surah Ibraaheem, Chapter #14, Verse #4)

    As noted numerous times in the Qur’an, we must also follow the Sunnah (actions and words of) Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

    Subhanallah, Glory be to God, in this fatwa regarding using another language besides Arabic in our khutbah, the sheikh shares,

    And the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded Zayd ibn Thaabit to learn the language of the Jews so that he might send letters to them in their language and establish proof against them, and so that he might read their letters when they were sent, and explain to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) what they said. And when the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them) attacked the Romans and Persians, they did not fight them until they had called them to Islam by means of interpreters. When they conquered the foreign countries they called the people to Allaah in Arabic and commanded the people to learn it. Whoever among them did not know Arabic, they called him in his own language and made him understand what was meant in the language that he did understand. Thus proof was established. Undoubtedly this is the only way, especially at the end of time when Islam is like a stranger and every people is clinging to its own language. There is a very real need for translation now, and the daa’iyah cannot convey his message without it.

    The khateeb should do that which best suits the interests of the people he is addressing. If the best is to give the khutbah part by part, in Arabic and then translated, then he should do that. If the best is to translate the entire khutbah, after giving the khutbah (in Arabic) or after the prayer, then he should do that. And Allaah knows best.

    Another disheartening part of this article is how the khateeb did not show his knowledge of these verses in the Qu’ran, Sunnah or fatwa to support his decision to use both Arabic and English in his khutbah. With all due respect to Imam Hassan al-Qazwini, May Allah be pleased with his efforts, accept his good deeds and reward him, Ameen; if all Imams simply used these known facts, the debate would end.

    To end the article by sharing that other Muslims think he’s “too Americanized” and “We have to be realistic”, he (a religious leader) is showing lack of knowledge. Meanwhile, opening the doors for non-Muslims (and Muslims like me) to find this needless debate laughable. The solution to this problem is a no-brainer, even to my little girls who witnessed khutbahs in dozen of European languages before.

    We must stop using the excuse that “our” issues are significant to our own time, location and circumstances here in the U.S., especially since more than 70% of all the Muslims in the world are not Arabs.

    We must stand with a forceful voice that this is time to return to the fundamentals of our religion by following the Qur’an and Sunnah; regardless where we live, where we come from, or where we’re going!

    Since we live in such a tumultuous time right now; we need to trust our scholars as they debate areas that are not entirely clear, and leave the rest to Allah, as He knows best.

    So, let’s stand together on issues that already have answers; such as speaking English in American masjids, and move on.

    We’re always curious what you have to share, so please comment kindly below.

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    Washington Post – Muslim homeschooling population growing

    February 23, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    washingtonpostlogo
    Below is an interesting article that appeared in the Washington Post regarding Muslim homeschooling. As a mom (or dad), you always want what is best for your child, so that as they grow older they can make decisions of whether they wish to attend university or do a course found via eLearners (http://www.elearners.com/) or neither if they so wish. So, reading more about the growth of Muslims homeschooling may interest you greatly.

    “Muslims turning to home schooling in increasing numbers” by Tara Bahrampour was published on Sunday’s Washington Post with a nice photo gallery for one homeschool mom of six. I agree with their observation that the delay in Muslims homeschooling may be due to the fact that many Muslim immigrants are unaware and/or not confident to explore this righteous option. But, by helping two immigrant Muslim families towards the happy and healthy lifestyle of homeschooling, I agree the number will very soon increase, inshaAllah (God willing).

    Having said that, I have found that most of the Muslim homeschoolers I know are American reverts, like myself. We have first hand experience of the many vices of the American schooling system, as previously explained in my “Creating the Ideal Islamic Educational System in America” series with the following articles:

    4. What are Personalized Learning Centers?

    3.We don’t need School Reform we need an Overhaul
    2. Education of Muslim Children – Challenges and Opportunities (Problems with Islamic Schools)
    1. Failures of Modern Schooling – Islamic Perspective

    While started in 2008, I never finished the series by stating that

    “Homeschooling is the most ideal Islamic educational system in America, with a healthy mix of coops, classes, field trips, group projects and academic-themed events (such as Spelling and Geography bees, Art galas, Science Fairs, Invention Convention, etc.) and of course, domestic and international travel”.

    As for Meena the 15 year old who said she missed the “Harry Potter club” in this article, subhanallah, Glory be to God, her parents took her out of such an impressionable environment before it was too late. For example, when my daughters (younger than her) read her statement, they immediately winced at the thought of her liking, reading and participating in a club for a series of books not acceptable in Islam.

    As always, we welcome your views and thoughts in the comments below.

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    Thanks Western Union – Targeted American Muslim Consumer Marketing

    February 22, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    While a long time since Ramadan & Hajj, I came across this receipt–just in time to do our taxes. But, I couldn’t let this opportunity pass without thanking Western Union for their targeted marketing campaign to me as a consumer, who happens to be an American Muslim Consumer. While much has occurred positively and negatively since the first American Muslim Consumer Conference, I have to applaud Western Union because they did surprise my girls and I as we went to send some sadaqah overseas.

    Ingeniously, they reached out by systematically ‘targeting’ me as a Muslim American Consumer. Be it a ‘test trail’ or ‘planned targeting’ they reached me, while not reaching the non-Muslim. Targeted campaigns always give a more personal-touch to marketing, hence they’re ROI (return on investment) is much higher.

    For example, Western Union’s competitors offer services at a nearby grocery store–and, yes, we’ve used them a couple times too. But, guess what? After receiving this personalized message, I’ve gone out of my way to drive further down the street, just to express my loyalty to Western Union.

    westernunionhajj

    The bottom of the receipt says,

    Congrats! You are now entered  for a chance to WIN an air travel voucher for you to visit anyone, like family back home for Ramadan & Eid, or Mecca for Hajj. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Visit westerunion.com/FlyHome for Rules.

    Truth be told, I never went to the website to check things out..but, my girls were so elated and felt noticed during a special time during the year.

    Maybe other major companies and corporations should adopt something similar to Western Union–or better yet, contact me and my girls for our savvy marketing tips and insights ;-)

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    Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-02-20

    February 20, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    The Growth of Muslims Around the World

    February 20, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    This video with Arabic subtitles shows the inevitable growth of the Muslim ummah (community of believers) as shared in our blessed Qu’ran,

    It is He who has sent forth His Messenger with guidance and the religion of truth to uplift it above every religion; no matter how much the mushrekens (idolaters) hate it. (9:33)

    The creators of the video are magnifying the phenomenon in the video but the basic idea is true. Subhan’Allah, the Almighty plan is working even while the Muslims themselves are are sleeping.

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    Freebie Friday – Natural sleep aid, Burt’s Bee Natural Toothpaste

    February 19, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    Don’t Disturb Me! Sample – Natural sleep aid.

    Burt’s Bee Natural Toothpaste – New multicare with fluoride formula.

    Sun Vibes Shower Gel Sample – Handcrafted, pure and natural shower gel.

    Progressive Elective Lava Lamp Night light – Be the first 10,000 to get your very own!

    SeaPak Shrimp Company’s Cook Book     – Free Recipe Book Code is E1M2A3L

    Mom’s Got a ‘Latte’ Do Day Printable – An adorable Mama’s to do list. Thanks Skip to my Lou.

    Emergency Preparedness Guide -  Helping families become better prepared for an emergency.

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    Create Your Dream Kitchen with Schumacher Homes Contest!

    February 18, 2010 by Ponn Sabra

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    Schumacher Homes is launching a fun new contest beginning tonight and kicking off with the #SchumacherHomes Twitter Party right now, which started 9:00 p.m. EST. One entrant into the Schumacher Homes contest will win an iPod Touch by clicking here and filling out the questionnaire.

    There are many elements that make up a complete kitchen design including counter material, flooring, cabinetry, and more, and Schumacher Homes wants to hear what you’d like to see as your dream kitchen.

    No purchase is necessary and a purchase will not increase your chances of winning.

    Now, I just got this information a bit late, so I’m going to rush to my first twitter party hosted by ResourcefulMommy. Hope you’ll join us too.

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