2010 Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Kick-Off
We are so excited to host and launch the 2nd Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge from July 15 – August 15, 2010. Subhanallah, Glory be to God, today marks one year since we launched AmericanMuslimMom.com. Especially if this is your first time here, we hope that you’ll check out our past Archives to view our growth. We welcome your thoughts and feedback so we can better gauge your interests and further serve your currents needs and desires.
Alhumdulilah, we feel blessed that we’ve received numerous emails and even phone messages requesting if and when we’re going to host this Summer Reading Program again, so here it is! All you have to do is read at least one Islamic fiction or non-fiction book and share your honest review so we can post it online for everyone to read.
Objective:
- To read and review Islamic children and adult books from July 15, 2010 – August 15, 2010,
- Create a comprehensive list of recommended Islamic books, and
- Share the reviews with as many Muslim (and non-Muslim interested in Islam) children as possible, by publishing reviews on AmericanMuslimMom.com in our brand new channel just for Muslim Kids MuslimKids.AmericanMuslimMom.com [Today was officially launched!]
- All participants receive a prize.
*Participants may opt not to have their reviews published.
Rules:
- Participants must be make an official Intent to Participate, between July 15, 2010 and August 15, 2010,
- Any child from Birth– Senior Year of college/university, who is interested in reading Islamic non-fiction or fiction books (Non-Muslims welcomed),
- Participants must be a U.S. resident,
- Islamic books read should be at or near one’s reading level,
- Islamic books read aloud count,
- Islamic books can only be listed once,
- Only books read completely count, not partially read book,
- Islamic books must be read between July 15 – August 15, 2010,
- Use the Official Islamic Book Review Form and Reading Journal to review at least one Islamic book. A parent/guardian must sign the journal when it is completed.
- At least one Islamic book must be read and one Islamic book review form must be completed. Reading additional Islamic books are highly encouraged.
- While on prize will be given to all participants, additional Islamic books, games, gift certificates, etc. will be randomly selected.
- Limited to one additional award per child, per summer.
- The Founder/Owner/Publisher of AmericanMuslimMom.com and her family members are not eligible for prizes.
- Islamic schools. You are allowed to list the full-time, weekend or summer Islamic academy that you are a student of (you may only list one school). For homeschoolers, we recommend that you register as a local co-op, study group (youth halaqah). Whichever school has the most participants will receive a group of Islamic Books donated to their libraries.
- Deadline: Postmarked by August 15, 2010.
Instructions:
- * Register your child/ren from Birth – Senior Year of college/university, during the Reading Challenge period of July 15, 2010 – August 15, 2010 (details below)
- Print out the Official Islamic Book Review Form and Reading Journal * Children read books at their reading level, or read-aloud to by an adult
- Complete one full Islamic Book Review, and list additional Islamic books read on the journal with all sections completed. A parent/guardian must sign the journal when it is completed.
- Mail the completed review form and reading journal to the address provided on the Review Journal (one per child). Multiple children from the same household may send their journals in one envelope for your convenience.
- Each participant will be sent a certificate and a prize in the mail as promptly as possible.
- Special prizes will be awarded to different age or selected groups by criteria stated for that prize.
- Deadline: Postmarked by August 15, 2010.
How to Register:
[Purpose: We need to know the first name and age of each child to purchase the correct amount and appropriateness of prizes.]
- Participant must be officially signed-up on or before August 15, 2010.
- Participants can not register until the Official Kick-Off date of July 15,2010.
- Comment below on this Official Kick-Off webpage with your child or children’s first name(s) and last initial(s) and age(s).
- Having problems? Email: contact@americanmuslimmom.com
Children’s Design a Button Contest
Design a Button Coloring Contest Rules:
- Open the coloring page here.
- Design a Button. Create & Enjoy!
- Scan and email on or before 12 midnight EST August 15, 2010 to contact<at>americanmulismmom.com or postal mail it with your Official Book Journal.
- Email must state: (a) Child’s full name. Only the first name and last initial will be publicized. (b) Age and DOB (date of birth).
- Winning Design will be used for next year’s Summer Islamic Reading Challenge, inshaAllah.
About the Host:
AmericanMuslimMom.com started as a family blog in 2005 and is now a family-oriented online magazine that encourages Muslim Moms in America and American Muslim Moms living abroad to share their tips, tools and resources as they raise Mu’minyn (true believers) based on the Qur’an and Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him). The community benefits from Islamic, motivational, educational, practical, and fun articles, reviews, videos, contests, giveaways and much more. To participate in the 2nd Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge and/or receive free gifts and prizes, logon to http://AmericanMuslimMom.com today!
AmericanMuslimMom.com is founded by Ponn M. Sabra a best-selling author, writer, columnist and internet marketer, homeschool mom of three girls, and past administrator of an Islamic weekend school, and full-time Islamic elementary learning center and daycare.
Comment Below to Read & Review Islamic Books.
Please help spread the word by sharing this article and/or posting our button on your blog.
Fox61 Mommy Minutes – Making the Adjustment to Back to School Fun for the Whole Family
As for follow-up to yesterday’s interview, ” Fox61 Morning News – Mommy Blogger Shares Back to School Tips…Not Religion, we will share some fabulous brain boosters to help them get adjusted back to being in the classroom and make learning fun:
•You and your kids can dig into agricultural science: Visit the Ellsworth Hill Orchard & Berry Farm in Sharon, Connecticut Ellsworthfarm.com so kids can get a hands-on introduction to agricultural science! From great orchard tours to a corn maze, there are fun, educational activities for little ones of all ages.
Get your little ones excited about math, science, and a lot more: The Stepping Stones Museum for Children SteppingStonesMuseum.org is a great way to get your young ones just entering school excited about all the subjects they are about to learn. The Museum has great exhibits and programming for young kids and it’s a great, hands-on introduction to academics!
We attended their monthly free admissions night, which is the last Thursday of every month between 5 – 8 pm. We had a blast!
- For the full list of 25 FREE Family-Fun Day-Trips in CT, click here.
- Learn how to find even more FREE admissions to Museums, Factories, Farms, etc.
- Are you over 62 years old? Get into State and National Parks for FREE.
•Get the grade schoolers into environmental conservation and learning about new cultures: Kids can travel the globe, learn more about environmental causes and new cultures by using their imagination and the click of the mouse. HabitatHeroes.com, the first online social networking site for young eco-warriors includes games that teach children about endangered species, the environment, healthy eating, and cultures around the world. [Click here for our review.]
•Teach creative writing during the car ride to grandma’s house: Venerable publisher Rand McNally has recently developed a line of five games, which they call The Boredom Breakers, as a refreshing alternative to portable player and handheld video games many families use to pass time on long road trips or while shuffling around town. One of the Boredom Breakers, “Story Starters,” is an interactive CD packed with 72 minutes of funny stories, mysteries and games. [Click here for our review.] Story Starters combines the best of classic radio-style drama and audio effects to get families telling stories together.
Many thanks Beth of DKC and Beth of RoleMommy for their help and support. My girls and I are enjoying working with both of you very much and look forward to building our relationships.
Please share your experiences, tips and thoughts below.
Fox61 Morning News – Mommy Blogger Shares Back to School Tips…Not Religion
Fox61 News anchor, Rebecca Stewart’s article School Tops List Of Kids’ Worries in today’s Hartford Courant, prompted her to share her top tips to help with Back to School Jitters in today’s Mommy Minutes:
This “Mommy Minutes” segment was a perfect transition for anchor/reporter Sarah French to introduce me as a CT author and mom blogger with tips to help make the transition from the flexibility and fun or family vacations to the classroom setting a better one.
Due to the breaking news of the California wildfires, we we cut off and I wasn’t able to share the Rand McNally Boredom Breakers car game series. So, here’s our review, if you missed it earlier this week.
I really enjoyed my time with Sarah French. But, our time right before our interview was absolutely insane. We were rushing during a commercial break updating my intro, putting on microphones and trying to find the producer all while hearing people yelling 2-minute countdown…30-seconds, etc.
The Producer informed me in a rush, that I was not aloud to bring up my association to American Muslim Mom blog, although I’d be introduced as a mommy blogger. She kept stressing that I can’t discuss religion, and the title of my website alone denotes religion and the network can’t promote it.
But, I informed her that I’m not a part of any other mom blog. I even asked if they found my Empower Women Now for women entrepreneurs…but, she said no, it’s something else.
Anyways, I didn’t have the number of my publicist, to find out which blog I was supposedly “a part” of. Knowing my introductions to the products and DKCNews was from RoleMommy, I mentioned it to the producer when she was rushing by and she said ‘yes, that’s it’.
The problem (as I anticipated) happened when I sat in the studio, with lights and camera on us. Their own anchor, Sarah French, told me she’ll introduce me and give me an opportunity to talk about any thing I wanted about my mommy blog. She said to tell her where my tips can be found, etc.
I was confused yet again.
She showed me what the TelePrompter wrote as my introduction.
So, we began to rush, change and even update misprints in her notes, while looking for the producer. Then, finally we heard a staff person yell,
“she said, she can’t say anything about American Muslim Mom”.
So, in 3-2-1…I offered to go right into my 3 tips instead of having an intro [we're on the air]
- Making more family fun day trips with your kids for free,
- Playing educational car games, and
- Playing free educational online games.
Now, there was nothing religious about our pitch to be a mommy blogger who has tips to help transition kids back to school.
Nonetheless, here are some positive thoughts to share:
- I’m happy about the wonderful relationships I built with RoleMommy and DKCNews because of this opportunity.
- I liked being called a “Mommy Blogger” to show that we are educated professionals, and do have a purpose to educate and share wonderful tips and resources on and offline.
- I’m proud to be a Muslim Mom who blogs, and has newsworthy information to share beyond “promoting” any “assumed” religious message.
- Being on Fox61 News with a hijab was great! I’ve been on TV and the news many times in my previous careers (real estate, public health, and as an entrepreneur), all prior to my covering for the sake of Allah (may He be Glorified).
- By far, this is the best title and role ever: Being a Muslim Mom (my life) Blogger (my new growing passion)!
While there was a ton of confusion surrounding the minutes before the interview, I believe Sarah and I did very well in sharing our main points of back to school tips–which had nothing to do with religion in the first place.
It’s obvious that I was excited & happy to share my tips. I wasn’t even nervous–actually, it was painfully funny.
Regardless, all the chaos prior to going on the air may have been the culprit to my head bee-booping happily throughout the interview. I know I’m an animated speaker, but have I always been a head bopper, too!? Leaving today with a laugh! 
I would LOVE to hear your thoughts and input. Please comment below.
Follow-up Interview Tips (with available links) available here.
Help Support Positive News Reporting of Muslims in America (Associated Press)
Special Note to David Grant: I enjoyed a motivating and reflexive conversation yesterday. Thank you for publishing an interesting article about Ramadan as practiced by Muslims here in America. I hope you’ll keep my cell phone number handy for future opportunities to work together!
Alhumdulilah (Praise to be to God), one 20-minute conversation with Associated Press’s David Grant of Detroit, turned into over 50 media placements in reputable media outlets, such as LA Times, Chicago Tribune, Yahoo News! Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), this news coverage forced us to debut our “Press” page. 
While we discussed much more than the 2 tiny lines shared in this story, the full article shares the fundamentals of fasting in Ramadan and shares an interesting perspective of one of our beloved pillars in Islam.
To support *good news* being reported about Muslims in America, we at American Muslim Mom graciously urge you to comment on individual articles, share the links via email and/or social networking or bookmarking sites, and/or even write letters to the editor thanking them for their time and efforts. If the media outlets see our concerted effort to thank them for their good reporting, rather than complaining about poor-media-images; inshaAllah, more wonderful opportunities may arise and bless us for working in the name and sake of Allah (May He be Glorified).
Linked below are a fraction of the articles published.We’ll keep updating the Press page as new articles are published, inshaAllah.
We’d love to hear your thoughts, please comment below as well.
August 21, 2009 As the holy month of Ramadan creeps into summer, US Muslims plan to stay up later, fast longer
August 20, 2009 Longer, Hotter Days Strain Islamic Holy Month
American Muslim Mom & Islamic Relief USA Ramadan 2009 Qur’an-A-Thon Sadaqah Drive
Ramadan Kareem! Happy Ramadan!
The 1st Nationwide Ramadan Qu’ran-A-Thon Sadaqah Drive officially begins today, Ramadan 1, 2009 (Saturday, August 22, 2009) throughout the month of Ramadan.
Our goal is to encourage correct Qur’an recitation & memorization, and offer charity for the sake of Allah (May He Be Glorified) during our blessed month of Ramadan by our youngest Mu’miniyn living in America.
Program Materials:
- May be downloaded from the following files listed below:
- AMM-IFUSA Qur’an-a-thon Ramadan 2009 Intro letter (critical program details are listed below in this article as well),
- AMM Qur’an-A-Thon Registration Form (PDF), AMM Qur’an-A-Thon Registration Form (Excel file),
- AMM Qur’an-A-Thon Certification Form (PDF), AMM Qur’an-A-Thon Certification Form (Word doc), and
- AMM Qur’an-A-Thon Pledge Form (PDF), AMM Qur’an-A-Thon Pledge Form (Word doc).
- May be mailed upon request to:
Islamic Relief
265A Route 46 West, Suite 3A
Totowa NJ 07512
Phone: (973)890-1030
Notice of Intent
To purchase the correct amount and appropriateness of prizes, it is critical that you comment below with your Notice to Participate. Please state the number of children participating, their ages and genders.
Since this is our debut program, we are open to any and all feedback, recommendations and suggestions throughout the duration of this program. Please comment below and we will address the issues as best we can, inshaAllah.
Purpose/Objective:
Narrated Aisha: The Prophet said, “Such a person as recites the Qur’an and masters it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven). And such a person exerts himself to learn the Qur’an by heart, and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.” (Book #60, Hadith #459, Sahih Bukhari)
Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: Allah’s Apostle was the most generous of all the people, and he used to be more generous in the month of Ramadan when Gabriel used to meet him. Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan to study the Holy Qur’an carefully together. Allah’s Apostle used to become more generous than the fast wind when he met Gabriel (Book #54, Hadith #443, Sahih Bukhari)
To help young Muslims appreciate and live more closely to the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace & blessings be upon him) by
(1) Learning more ayats of the Qur’an by heart,
(2) Understanding and appreciating the act of earning money,
(3) Allowing children to gain a sense of pride by making charitable gifts to the needy, and
(4) Completing these generous acts in the name of Allah (May He be Glorified) during our blessed month of Ramadan when our rewards are multiplied by the number only Allah knows and wills.
Who may participate:
- Any Muslim child able to recite and memorize Qur’an based on the rules of tajweed up to 18 years of age.
How are the funds raised in this event:
- Each participating young Muslim will seek sponsorship from friends, family members, and others (Muslims & non-Muslims).
- Each sponsor will determine upon signing a pledge form to pay a predetermined amount of money (example 25 cents or $1) for each ayah (or surah) of the Qur’an that the participant reads with correct tajweed to an Islamic scholar or learned adult during the event*, OR
- The sponsor may also elect to pay a fixed amount of money as sponsorship for the participant regardless of the number of ayahs or surah he/she reads, recites or memorizes (for example: a sponsor may pledge to contribute one set price of $50).
- *It is recommended that each participating young Muslim describes the number of ayats (or surah) which is a realistic amount for that one participant to memorize with correct tajweed with in 30 days. Therefore, no one misleads the one is making a pledge. For example, its
Deadline Dates:
Ramadan 2009
- First 10 days of Ramadan [August 22 - 31, 2009] – Memorize as many ayats/surahs with correct tajweed as possible.
- Second 10 days of Ramadan [September 1 - 10, 2009] – Continue to memorize as many ayats/surah with correct tajweed as possible, and be tested by an Islamic scholar or learned adult, called the Examiner. The Examiner must use the enclosed form and acknowledge with his/her signature how many ayats/surah the participant recited correctly.
- Last 10 days of Ramandan [September 11 - 20, 2009] – Collect the pledge money.
- Last 3 days of Ramadan [September 18 - 20, 2009] – Send in your pledge form and money, bank check or money order (no cash)* of the total amount of pledges collected to:
Islamic Relief
ATTN: Ramadan Qur’an-a-thon Sadaqah Drive
265A Route 46
Ste 3A
Totowa, NJ 07512
*It is critical to collect and return pledges on or before the 30th day of Ramadan, so our children receive the greatest amount of rewards for their hard work and efforts, inshaAllah.
Summer Islamic Reading Program Mommy Kick-Off Winner
Mubarak (Congratulations)
Umm Nassim of Islamic Unit Studies! You won for helping spread the word about our country’s 1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Program. Umm Nassim posted about American Muslim Mom’s launch and our reading challenge, and we received the most referred visitors from her blog over the past few weeks. Jazaka Allahu Khayrun (May Allah bless you for your work and efforts).
Even before the launch of one our new site, she supported our efforts & became one of the first families to register her children. Also, she’s the only blogger we could find who actually posted a Summer Islamic Reading Challenge button right on the top of her sidebar. WOW! Again, JazakaAllahKhir for your hard work and support. 
Alhumdulilah (Praise be to Allah), Umm Nassim won The Beautiful Names by Saaleha Bhamjee donated by Muslim Writers Publishing + $10 Gift Certificate to Dar-us-Salam Islamic Bookstore
Please email us with your mailing address to we can send your book to you.
Kid’s Coloring “Design a Button” Contest
Unfortunately,we did not receive any entries, inshaAllah (God willing) everyone is busy reading their Islamic books
Therefore, we are extending this contest until the end of the program, and inshaAllah the winning design will be used for next year’s 2nd Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge button!
Alhumdulilah (Praise be to Allah)
We have 27 children registered to read Islamic books during our debut reading program. While, we had some duplicate entries, and I thought we were over 50 already, alhumdulilah–this is a great start! My girls are excited to know that other families are choosing to read Islamic books in addition to all the Free Summer Reading Programs offered throughout the country.
Of our registrants, the youngest is 7-weeks old baby, and oldest is a 18 year-old. I’m so honored and proud that we reached children in all our age categories because we have fabulous prizes to share! But, of course, there’s nothing better than dedicating some extra leisure reading time with the family for the sake and pleasure of Allah (May He be Glorified).
Please continue spreading the word. With your help, I know we can reach 200 children, inshaAllah.
That’s it for now! Please comment below and share how your reading experiences are coming along.
1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge Kick-Off Event
A. Calling all Muslim Moms: Win The Beautiful Names by Saaleha Bhamjee + $10 Gift Certificate to Dar-us-Salam Islamic Bookstore
B. Calling all Muslim Youths & Young Adults: Win
1-day – 8 years: Grandma & Hijab-Ex Family Activity Book by Linda D. Delgado
9 – 14 years: Grandma & Hijab-Ex Family Activity Book by Linda D. Delgado
15 – 22 years: The Beautiful Names by Saaleha Bhamjee
Alhumdulilah (All praise is to Allah).
We give all praise and worship to Allah, and ask that He blesses us for any work that we do in favor of furthering our deen (way of life). We ask forgiveness if we intentionally by ignorance or unintentionally by mistake shall lead ourselves or others astray. Ameen.
Welcome to the new official home of American Muslim Mom – A family-oriented online magazine for Muslim Moms living in America, American Muslim Moms living aboard, or any Muslim mom living in the West or a non-Islamic state determined to raise Mu’min (true believers) despite any obstacles that Allah, the Almighty, may lay in front of us.
We proudly welcome our many non-Muslims family, friends, colleagues and homeschool buddies from around the world who are respectful of Islam, and stick around because they quickly find out that we’re really NOT that different after all.
Because, I believe that
- All American Moms love a bargain, and freebies are even better!
- All American Moms want to provide our children with the very best education possible, and homeschooling is only one option.
- All American Moms want safe, healthy, wholesome games, toys, learning aids, books and more, and we appreciate honest recommendations.
- All American Moms love family vacations and mini-weekend get-aways, so if we can find a deal, we love to share the tip.
- All American Moms want to community of acceptance, respect, honor and trust; so, when we share our recommendations and opinions, we know we’re being heard.
- All American Moms want security, peace, happiness, love, life and fulfillment beyond this life on Earth, and
- All Muslim Moms, our belief is “La illaha illallah, Muhammadan Rasullaha” (There is only one God, God, and Muhammad is His (last) Messenger)–the first part being widely accept by most Moms regardless of religion.
So, we have a lot more in common than not.
To help spread the word of our new and improved online presence and help promote our country’s very 1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge, we holding two Contests. Our goal is to have at least 250 children and young adults entering PreKindergarten to Senior Year of College read at least one Islamic book this summer and write an honest review recommending or not recommending this book to others.
Additionally, to run this campaign, the estimated cost is $1500. We’ve received approximately $300 in donated gifts thus far, but we still need approximately $1200 in gifts and aid (since we promised to mail gifts to every participant). Please help spread the love of reading Islamic books by supporting this program with whatever means possible. While this is a free program, estimated cost per child is $3. Learn how to Support Us here, or make a generous donation here.
A. Mommy’s Promotional Campaign!
The one Muslim Mom who helps promotes AmericanMuslimMom.com and the 1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge the most will receive all the gifts listed above. All promotional acts comment below by 12 midnight, EST, Wednesday, July 22 29, 2009.
Please be as creative as possible. Listed below are the rules, and suggested methods of promoted AmericanMuslimMom.com. All entries must be written in the comments area with links supporting your promotional activity below.
RULES*:
- Contest is open to U.S. residents only. If you accept USD in a paypal account, international clients may apply.
- You must leave one comment telling us why you think a Summer Islamic Reading Program is important for our Muslim youth today.
- Write about the Summer Reading Program on your blog (you must make sure a trackback is logged, otherwise make an additional comment below).
- Post our challenge button on your website and comment below.
- Add this site to your blogroll for a minimum of 6-weeks (we’ll check the status by Technorati, but please remind us via a comment below).
- Sign up for our RSS feed (here) ideally by email, then forward the email to your family and friends. Every one person on your list will count as one promotional act. Proof of numbers must be provided. [Preference for email subscription having the same email address on the comment that you have in the RSS feed].
- Sign up for our optin eNewsletter (here) to receive your free eReports, and make an email recommendation to your family and friends. Every one person on your list will count as one promotional act. Proof of numbers must be provided.
- Post about the challenge at an appropriate forum and comment below. You must be the first in the forum to announce the challenge, or amend the forum post with a positive recommendation of the challenge.
- Post about the challenge in yahoo group, gmail group, or other listserve and comment below.You must be the first in the group to announce the challenge, or amend the forum post with a positive recommendation of the challange.
- Tweet about this challenge and comment below.
- Submit the challenge to your favorite social media site. Every submission counts as one promotional act.
- Bookmark this challenge page and comment below.
- Submit the challenge to linkedin, facebook, etc.
- Introduce the challenge to your local masjid, Islamic school (fulltime, weekend or summer programs) by passing out the challenge flyer, and comment below.
- Post our flyer at local Muslim markets, restaurants, businesses, etc. and comment below.
- Help target Muslim Student Associations, Muslim Youth Associations, Girls and boys halaqah and Hifz programs, and comment below.
- Invite us for a written or audio interview. Contact us at contact[at]americanmuslimmom.com
- Make a virtual introduction to Muslim media outlets, such as magazines, newspapers, periodicals, blogs, etc. Each introduction counts as one promotional act. For example, make 10 virtual email introductions equals 10-promotional acts.
- Make a virtual introduction to Muslim companies, corporations, and potential sponsors or advertisers. Each introduction counts as one promotional act. Any introductions turns into a sponsor or advertisers, receives an additional promotional act. For example, make 10 virtual email introductions and 2 becomes sponsors, equals 12-promotional acts.
- Recommend appropriate blog carnivals, such as your favorite mommy blog carnivals, or Muslim blog carnivals. Every one blog carnival counts as 1 promotional act, if we participate in any of the blog carnivals you receive an additional promotional act.
- Recommend appropriate blog directories, for example mommy blog directories, or Muslim blog directories. Every one blog directory counts as 1 promotional act, if we participate in any of the blog directories you receive an additional promotional act.
- Offer to volunteer to help publicize the challenge by emailing contact[at]americanmuslimmom.com
- Make a monetary donation (click here), or donate a gift or prize by emailing contact[at]americanmuslimmom.com
- Offer other promotional suggestions not mentioned above by commenting below.
*ALL past promotional acts prior to today counts, as long as you update your post with our new URL AmericanMuslimMom.com, and your comment below.
B. Children’s Design a Button Contest
RULES:
- Open the coloring page here.
- Design a Button. Create & Enjoy!
- Scan and email on or before 12 midnight EST Wednesday, July 22 29, 2009 Friday, August 15, 2009 to contest[at]americanmulismmom.com
- Email must state: (a) Child’s full name. Only the first name and last initial will be publicized. (b) Age and DOB (date of birth).
- Age groups: 1-day – 8 years, 9 – 14 years, and 15 – 22 years.
Have fun!
If launching a brand-new website was so easy…
Then, EVERYONE would be doing it!
Subhanallah, Alhumdulilah, La illaha illallah, Muhammadan Rasululah.
God is perfect, Praise be to God, There is Only One God-God, and Muhammad is His Messenger.
I can NOT begin to explain HOW frustrated I am to be at the disposal of others andtechnology.
Being a non-techie prohibits me greatly, then add my busy mommy-life which prohibits me to even have time to learn myself…
Then, top it off with the “code broke our test site”…URGH!
Sabr/Patience…my last name: Sabra….Patience…
Delegation is one major key to success, peace, happiness…more time…more efficiency…
All these words have been repeated in all my prayers over and over again.
So, first I don’t understand how-to -do-it…then, it breaks…
Then, there’s shipping misunderstandings…
If anyone (which we know many have) visited the new domain, one can see things go up & down…since the “code was breaking the test site” I finally approved to use our new domain and start working directly on it.
Then, shaytan wants to make me crazy…with little whispering debates…”due to lack of time: do I post the contest here so I don’t upset the audience, and to assure that the program and our site is legit!?!? Do, I keep all our great new fresh content for the new site??
Forgive me God the Almighty.
But, I didn’t let shaytan infitrate my head…because this site is dedicated to Allah…I have MORE reason to keep Him and Only Him on top of my mind.
So, I’ve been leaving the computer! Hey, I can’t do anything anyways
I have over 2-dozen books to read and review with my girls–we each have 2-3 different books going on at the same time.
Even if we read for the “other” Summer Reading Programs, we also read Islamic books, Arabic elementary books and the Qur’an each day.
Our librarian was impressed by all the girls’ reading.
So I shared that we (all 5 of us, including hubby) sit down daily for 90-minutes to read–this is only English books (secular & Islamic).
These 90-minutes do not count Arabic books, Qur’an, or any independent reading they do on their own throughout the day and night.
Remember, we always have books in the car, at doctor’s appointments, and even in grocery lines now…not ever place has the convenient self-check-out lanes that we love.
Anyways, the librarian remarks, “you must not let your girls watch TV”.
We discussed another homeschool family that reads a lot too; and that we’re the only 2 families that read a lot. But, she says they don’t even have a TV in their house.
I continued, “Me!? No Way! The girls CAN’T watch TV until they read 90-minutes. They can’t even pay on the computer until they read.” [Again, this is our summer routine. But, because it's so relaxing, peaceful during this time, it may be our year-long new habit, inshaAllah/God willing].
So, we continued to discuss all the benefits (at least for us) for the TV. It’s an educational must-have in our homeschooling lives!
Anyways, we chuckled when she was rest assured that I’m not one of those “extreme moms”"…
So, I shared…”come one…you know me…oh, and by the way as Muslims, and Everything we do is in Moderation“.
She looked at me…and we sighed in silence…hmm….”that makes sense”.
Alhumdulilah, Praise be to God. Allah is always in all that we do.
But, unfortunately, I’m told often–instances like this “learning lesson” come into my dear sisters’ days–but, rarely do I hear them finishing the story of how they shared little food of thought, or words of wisdom when Allah gave them a perfect opportunity to make dawaa (introduction/education to Islam).
It’s these little opportunities to shed light of Islam that makes our deen beautiful and approachable.
I have so many stories of “approachablility” from non-Muslims when total strangers come up to me and my girls, asking us questions.
They continue to share that they never felt comfortable “approaching” other Muslim women (obvious in their hijab/head scarf) before.
Then, they just felt like we would definitely answer their questions.
Subhanallah/God works in perfect ways.
I can literally say this has happened almost 50-60 times in the past 4 years of wearing a hijab.
Alhumdulilah/Praise be to God. Every single time we were welcomed with geniune interest, sincere desire, and the most-kind curiosity to learn more about who we are and what we believe.
So, I’m curious, since I have not heard many positive stories, PLEASE share any of your positive stories below:
- Sharing Islam openly in a daily conversation such as mine above with our librarian, or
- Non-Muslim stranger(s) just walking up to you (with OR without your kids) interested in finding out more about Islam.
Tomorrow, inshaAllah (God willing)…
We’re ever-so-close to launching the new and permanent home of AmericanMuslimMom.com and the 1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge…please make du’a for us.
AmericanMuslimMom.com Coming Soon, inshaAllah
InshaAllah (God willing), the new website will be up as soon. We are working diligently behind the scenes and greatly appreciate your continued patience and support.
Please feel free to start reading Islamic books, in preparation for the official launch of the 1st Annual Summer Islamic Reading Challenge.
