American Muslim Consumers – Higher Education, Younger and Make More Money
While I’ve shared the incredible purchasing power American Muslim Consumers play nearly a year ago, major media outlets are finally asking key questions and starting interesting conversations. Yesterday, TIME shared recent poll results, CNBC quickly had a follow-up interview with Mostapha Saout, CEO of Allied Media Co.
Common Misconception: Muslims are All Arabs
In this video, I want to draw your attention to one particular slide at 3 minutes and 16 seconds. It shows the breakdown of American Muslims by Heritage. It shows that roughly a quarter is either Arab American, South Asian, African American, and Other.
Biggest Opportunities for Big Business
Additionally, Mr. Saout shares the first three major sectors that has the biggest opportunity for big business are
- Financial sector,
- Food sector, and
- Packaged goods.
- My addition: Beauty Industry as noted earlier this week and caught by TodayShow.com too.
- New: 8/22/2010: Fashion Industry.
Require certain type of financial services.
Halal Does Not Mean Kosher
A Notable correction to the above video interview: Halal does not Mean Kosher. The halal diet is similar to the Kosher diet, with Major differences shared here and here.
Why it’s critical to take note of the Muslim Consumer
- Islam is the second fastest growing religion in America (and the world), and
- Islam is the second largest religion in America (and the world).
(My additions in parentheses).
We’re curious what you think of these news updates. Please share openly below.
Amazon Back to School Savings – Special College Student Page with Sign-up Gifts
Looking for some great Back to School Savings on the web? As happy, loyal customers of Amazon.com, we’re happy to share that Amazon.com has sales on everything you need — whether your child/ren are going to kindergarten or college.
College students can shop at their new Amazon Student page, where they can sign up to get FREE Two-Day Shipping for one year with a free Amazon Prime membership ($79 value). This page also features one-stop shopping for the dorm or apartment dweller with laptops, textbooks, clothing, bedding, electronics, and more.
And on the Back-to-School Savings page, parents can find backpacks, uniforms and other clothing, healthy snacks, and every classroom supply that ever made it onto a teacher’s list.
We’d love to hear where you find other Back to School Savings on the web! Please share your finds by commenting below.
Why Debate When We Have the Qur’an and Sunnah to Lead Us?
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)
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.
Washington Post – Muslim homeschooling population growing
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.
Thanks Western Union – Targeted American Muslim Consumer Marketing
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.
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 
My Kid Bloggers/Vloggers and I won–Thanks!
Jazaka Allahu Khayrun (May God grant you goodness) for voting for our video clip “Top 10 Reasons MomWebs Web Hosting Rocks!”. We won 2nd place and got all these great business blogging resources to help grow the American Muslim Mom online community.
My girls and I experienced quite the learning curve this past week, and I shared many Online PR lessons & aha! moments in my post here.
Alhumdulilah, Praise be to God, we feel extremely blessed at our house for having gone through this experience.
What started out to be an opportunity to teach my girls some writing and video producing skills, which I myself haven’t exactly acquired (this being only our 2nd vlog/video log), we actually gained many new friendships with the contestants, and renewed our relationships with long-lost family and distant friends through FaceBook, twitter, and my numerous email lists–even the ones that are not Muslim or mommy related.
And, can you believe the timing of it all!?
I never needed Scott, MomWebs superb support specialist, as much as I did this past weekend–a Sunday of all days. We were back and forth for nearly 5 hours because I actually lost one of my blogs while I attempted to add a new blog just for my girls. Now, tell me a web host who’d do all this?! So, Scott gets 2 Thumbs up now!
Last, this amazing one-week experimental journey brought me to where I want to see American Muslim Mom going: a hub of solid, useful, regular content helpful to Muslim Moms and their Kids, while involving their kids in the process.
By allowing my girls to be my assistants, they are now equal partners invested in our success. They have designated duties and goals of their own. They’re determined and focused, and their energy is what’s bringing life to this already lively community, mashaAllah.
We thank you for making this journey with us and supporting our growth.
For at the end of each day, we give thanks to Allah, subhana wa Tala (May He be Glorified) for all our blessings he bestowed us…and one, is our friendship with you!
At the advice of Marie, the contest winner, we’re joining her Tuesday Toot meme to praise our efforts and thank you in the process! Love to hear your thoughts below.
Top 10 Reasons MomWebs.com web hosting rocks!
MomWebs.com web hosting is the most affordable and reliable web hosting company. I should know because this is my 4th company in 7 years and I’m not planning to leave ever! We just found out that Kelly is running this Promo video contest tonight, so here’s my daughters’ and my video slideshow sharing the
Top 10 Reasons Mom Webs web hosting rocks!
This video clip was produced, illustrated, and narrated by me and my 9 and 8 year old daughters. The funny jokes were created by the girls, and the “dalmatians question” was really asked for clarification. Enjoy!
“Top 10 Reasons MomWebs Web Hosting Rocks” slideshow
Because we couldn’t upload our video clip to youtube due to its untimely maintenance last night, the quickest way we knew how to make a slideshow was through smilebox, a photo video sharing program we have, and we were too rushed to figure out how to make a video clip of a slideshow (MP4 file) with MS PowerPoint. But, we kept it, because we like it. It would be better without the Smilebox introduction though…
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| Make a Smilebox slideshow |
I love this banner because Mom Webs is MY Virtual life preserver and everything in my video is true. In the past, I had a web host that didn’t give me ftp access, another had *horrible* customer support, I didn’t get unlimited email addresses or domain and subdomains, and all the others were much more expensive! So, click here now to see all the different affordable plans –as low as $10 a month!
Trying to Simplfy My Life and Yours with a HP Mini
(Word count: 994) 
As a member of the Mom Bloggers Club, we have a chance to win a HP Mini 110 with Windows 7 through their “Simplify My Life” Sweepstakes. If you comment below you’ll have a chance to win too!
My Role as “Cooking Mom”:
While I’m only as good as the recipe directs me to be, I findmost of my recipes online.
Limitation: I write the recipes in my recipe book, or print it out only to lose it or get it ruined when I cook.
HP Mini Simplified Life:
I’ll bring my HP Mini into the kitchen, tweet the recipe right away, so it goes directly on my blog, so I won’t lose it again. I did this after I cooked last week here, not while cooking. I promise not to let my dirty fingers or messy ingredients near the HP Mini.
My Role as “Coupon Mom”:
Still a “Coupon-Newbie”, in my guest post you’ll see how the internet filled with critical frugal blogs and forums help me find all my deals.
Limitation: I can’t view unexpected competitor store’s savings while shopping.
I’ll be able to compare prices at the store–helping me save more money.
My Role as “Cleaning Mom”:
I research online for cleaning tips, cleaning supplies deals & freebies, and more.
Limitations: Based on the dates of the above posts, I don’t do it often enough.
HP Mini Simplified Life: I can find many more deals and cleaning tips for quicker and safer ways to clean my abode.
My Role as “Homeschooling Mom”:
My girls use Time4Learning and I co-moderate and lead some homeschool groups and coops.
Limitations: Presently, I have to kick one girl off at a time because they use my desktop, and their EEE PC. While I’m working with our 3rd daughter on hands-on projects, we often need to conduct research to better understand the lesson. I always need to wait to print, make lesson plans for our Math club, Science/Invention class, or even login to see the girl’s daily reports.
HP Mini Simplified Life: I will be able to conduct all the above limitations whenever necessary. I can also bring it to all our gatherings so I could better organize the event, rather than taking notes and wait to go home to transfer all the great stuff we just completed with the kids.
My Role as “Frugal Mom”:
Finding freebies, deals, coupons takes time to research and network.
Limitations: One example is: I’m behind in my Freebie Fridays, and everyone else’s.
HP Mini Simplified Life: I can work regularly while the girls are doing their school work, and during my outdoors downtime.
My Role as “Traveling Mom”:
We travel domestically and overseas often.
Limitations: Without my own laptop, I can not serve any of the many roles listed in this post today.
HP Mini Simplified Life: I will be a “Connected Traveling Mom”.
My Role as “Mom Blogger”:
Here’s my professional profile.
Limitations: Since going online in 2004, I’ve had to go offline for personal and health reasons and my work never gets transcribed or published, simply because I don’t work directly on a computer. Since my longest hiatus in 2007, my blogging is just a passionate hobby.
HP Mini Simplified Life: If I had a HP Mini, I can work anywhere or whenever I’d typically work by hand. With a novel started and over 2 dozen blogposts waiting to be transcribed, I’ll have the convenience of turning my once passionate profession, turned hobby, back to at least a part time income.
My Role as “Mom with a Disability”:
Unfortunately my girls and I lost count how many times I was in the hospital during the past 3 months alone. Again, my trusty pen and paper are with me, alongside my du’a (supplications/prayer) book.
Limitations: My not-so-nimble, joint-deteriorating hands stay far away from my girls’ EEE PC.
HP Mini Simplified Life: The size and weight of a HP Mini is small enough that it won’t hurt my bad back, shoulder and neck; and big enough not to annoy my pain-stricken fingers and wrists. Oh, and for all the times I’m bed-ridden, a HP Mini would help greatly.
My Role as “Family Mom” aka Wife, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend:
Since all (except Papa) of our family lives out-of-state, and in dozens of countries, (Canada & overseas), we’re all connected by Facebook, Skype, and Yahoo messenger.
Limitations: Despite the fact that hubby and the girls are well connected in our wireless networked home, I use my “I’m busy” excuse as far as I can…which is never far enough 
HP Mini Simplified Life: With the built-in webcam, I won’t have anymore excuses to be out-of-touch or out-of-sight.
My Role as “Muslim Mom” living in America:
Most importantly, I find it critical to be connected to the internet for our own spiritual growth, since everything we need is available for free online:
- Learning Qur’an with the rules of Tajweed and it’s translation,
- Sunnah (actions and sayings the Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him),
- Sirah (biography) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him),
- Daily fatwas, ie., our roles as parents during the month of Ramadan,
- Teaching our children important Islamic Stories, Prophet stories, and
- Learning about the Sahabah.
Limitations: Besides the Qur’an and du’a book, it’s critical for our kids to use the interactive, respectable and authentic resources available on the web.
HP Mini Simplified Life: I can better equip myself in my multiple roles as a Mom more freely and conveniently, inshaAllah (God willing).
Special Thanks to HP , five-time Olympian Dara Torres and Mom Bloggers Club for helping me imagine how an HP Mini with Windows® 7 Starter could simplify my life as a busy mom.
So, now it’s your turn to comment for your chance to win your very own HP Mini!
New to Couponing? Easy Tips to Cut In Your Bill in Half
Many thanks to Tara & Mandi for DealSeekingMom.com for letting me share my tips on how I cut our family of five’s grocery bill in half in less than 2-months. The article is called, “From Confused Coupon Criticizer to Coupon Connoisseur (in the making)” . Believe me, if I can do it after years of trying and always giving up, because it my savings never made it worth all the time and headaches I bared…Finally by simply involving my 3 girls in the process–I’m finally capitalizing on some major cash saved!
There are some great conversations taking place in the comments section, so please hop over and share your input or ask questions. For example, based on Stephanie & Melissa of Serendipity is Sweet’s input, I’ll be posting some tips for saving money on specialty foods (such as halal foods) and how to transform cranky I-hate-grocery-shopping to grocery-shopping-spree-helpers!
The American Muslim Market is Rich, Educated, Growing Fast
The untapped $200 billion market of Muslim Americans is extremely wealthy and educated; and for a marketers and manufacturer’s dream: growing exponentially each and every day! To acquaint to you some background data, please refer to of these wonderful research pieces and media reports, complete list available at American Muslim Consumer Conference:
- New York Times video clip, Selling to Islam – Overture to an Untapped Market, April 28, 2007 [6-7 million, $170 billion buying power]
At least someone is trying to capture the market, as seen here:
Problems faced,
-
American-Muslims And The Advertising Agency Dilemma, October 21, 2006
What next?
American Muslim Consumer Conference
Media and blog coverage:
- NorthJersey.com: Soliman: Marketing to the Muslim-American consumer
Find them on these Social Network sites:
As an Online Partner, American Muslim Mom strongly supports the conference, and we believe you should too.
- The American Muslim Consumer Conference provides useful insights, information and opportunities to allow businesses and executives to understand and access the American-Muslim Market. Hear from leading marketing professionals, entrepreneurs and investors describe and discuss this fast growing, educated and affluent market segment. REGISTER NOW
Organizer
Knowledge/Marketing Partner Social Media Partner
As always, we’re curious what your thoughts are. Please share below.
