Rumman and Lisa’s Gaye Holud…

One of the fun things about being married to someone from a different culture is all the strange wonderfully different cultural events you get to experience, and that you probably wouldn’t otherwise. And no wonder, as Allah azza wa jall said:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ وَجَعَلْنَاكُمْ شُعُوبًا وَقَبَائِلَ لِتَعَارَفُوا ۚ إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلِيمٌ خَبِيرٌ

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

Surah Al Hujurat, 13

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ICI Dawah – Department of Grocery Services

The Islamic Center of Irving dawah department collects dry goods to distribute to needy people in the DFW area. Most of the collections go to local relief organizations, and recently a small portion is set aside to distribute directly to the local population.

We distributed bags of groceries today, and may Allah make them nourishment for the needy, a means of forgiveness for us and, if He wills, a means of guidance for the people. Continue reading “ICI Dawah – Department of Grocery Services”

The After Shahada Project walks Lake Carolyn

Better late than never, InshaAllah.

About a year ago, the Islamic Center of Irving hired a new outreach director, and one of his first acts was to start up a class to teach converts and reverts about their religion. We meet every Sunday at 4 upstairs in the old part of the Islamic School of Irving. Come and join us!

Two weekends ago, some members of the After Shahada Project and I went for the first (of many, InshaAllah) after-Fajr walk/hikes to try to build some sort of community together. It was a pretty good time, All praise and thanks be to God. Continue reading “The After Shahada Project walks Lake Carolyn”

All Strength and Power belong to God

Last weekend, after a string of hired lawn care professionals, I decided to retake the reigns and start getting some honest exercise again. So on my way home from work last Friday, I stopped by the Home Depot and grabbed some 40:1 oil for the weed eater, came home, fetched the gas can and went to get some fresh fuel for the mower, and then got to work… Continue reading “All Strength and Power belong to God”

stretch it out some

A reminder/exhortation to myself first:

Somehow I just can’t help but think that life is a lot more varied than what is typically the subject matter for so much of Fine Art [and my] photography. And I can’t help but think it’s a real shame if that is the case simply because we’re [I’m] such a shy lot.

Brooks Jensen, LensWork Podcast #962 (officially behind a paywall; available here)

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