Project26 have just launched their new music video for the often-requested, ultra-popular song: Always.
See the video page here: http://tv.muxlim.com/video/IS8C7hu3XtC
Check it out on YouTube: Project26 – Always.
If alternative rock ballads are your thing, share it with your friends. Share it with your friends of other faiths as the song talks about a universal emotion: LOVE.
The world needs more love.
Rock on.
Guitarist and songwriter, Ali Qazi, of Project26 pinged me the other day informing me of the following good news:
This is by far the biggest opportunity we’ve had since we banded a few years ago. In a way we also want to think of it as a major pay off for all the hard work over these years. So we want to take this time and opportunity to thank all our friends and family that helped us get this far, and hope you continue to lend your support to us.
So here it is……..(drum roll)……….June 21st…..Anaheim California…..Project26 opens for OUTLANDISH!!!
Yeah, you heard it right, YOUR Project26 and OUTLANDISH on the same stage.
This show is part of an effort by the youth segment of the Muslim American Society. MASyouth introduces “Voices for Change”, to create means of artistic expression that is nourishment for the soul and good conscience.
For tickets and other information visit: http://www.masyouth.net/voicesforchange
Project26 was elected as winners of a talent contest put together by MAS youth to determine the opening act for Los Angeles show. We will be featuring our usual partner in [rhyme], the phenomenal, MANIFEST ONE! www.manifestone.com
Brother Manifest and Project26 are cooking up something very special so please get your tickets before they run out so you can come, sing along, and make some noise with us.
Rock on! See our Project26 interview and rocking article for more information about the band.
Background info from Imam Tahir Anwar: A meeting was called to gather the leaders in the Bay Area Muslim community. The meeting was held in the downtown San Jose masjid location of the South Bay Islamic Association (SBIA). It is well-known that there are many ‘communities’ within our larger San Francisco Bay Area Muslim community. We are so busy with our own groups and activities, we tend to forget to reach out to other communities and groups. After sending and receiving many email messages from community leaders and activists, Imam Tahir was inspired and blessed by Allah to host a face to face meeting.
Here are my notes of what transpired.
Muslim Unity & Leadership Meeting – May 24, 2008
MC: Brother Dawan Muhammad
Hosts: Imam Tahir Anwar & Imam Bilal Muhammad
After Brother Dawan welcomed the participants, Imam Tahir spoke briefly and outlined today’s goals and objectives. The main goal was about getting to know each other personally. Also, he hopes we can break barriers within organizations. He stressed that this is not a onetime event; he hopes to see regular meetings. Imam Tahir also mentioned that he does not want to form another organization.
Next, Imam Bilal greeted everyone and he did it with his well-known flair and style.
Thereafter, Brother Dawan informed us of today’s mission: To provide an opportunity and a forum for Muslim leaders to break bread and have a fellowship gatherin. Furthermore, to have free and open discussions with each other. To look at the cross-cultural perspective within our communities.
He also mentioned the agenda for today’s meeting. We would break into small groups to discuss the following: Discrimination between the different demographics within the Muslim community. The main topics for the discussion would be:
We were grouped with our dear friends: Sayyid Fouzi Husaini and Zakariyya Twist. In our group, we were blessed with Benjamin Ahmad from the Palo Alto community, Iftekhar Hai from United Muslims of America and Javed Ellahie (lawyer). Due to the short time, we were not able to cover the third topic. We each shared our thoughts on the first topics. As we ended our discussion, I suggested that everyone should read the Autobiography of Malcolm X, the American Muslim martyr. This is a must-read in order to consider yourself an American Muslim. Sayyid Fouzi half-jokingly said that it should be Fardu-’ain for every Muslim living in the US.
These are some points that each group shared with everyone:
Group 1: We need to be more educated so we can represent an Americanization of Islam. Wealth is the basis of racism. The wealthier are able to oppress the less fortunate. We should be willing to give what we are asking. If we are asking for justice, we should able to dispense justice.
Group 2: (Presented by Dr. Rajabally). The main issue of Americanization of Islam is the madhhab issue. There is tremendous pressure from our cultural baggage trying to correct what we think is right. Youth issue (trying to give our youth an Islamic identity while our youth were trying to be American), education issue (school system for Muslims). Living in America is like a Hajj everyday (seeing people of different nations everyday). Racism: we have to acknowledge racism if we want to eradicate it. Indigenous imams do not get the respect even though they have as much knowledge if not more than immigrant Muslims. We need to learn our history – Timbuktu, what were the contributions of African Muslims, do we know Mansa Musa? Culture is dominated by media.
Group 3: (Presented by Ahsen Syed) 1. Islam takes a little culture, takes a little color wherever it landed. 2. Aqeedah is our strength which unites us. 3. American ideals that we should strive for: punctuality, honesty, trust. 4. Be aware of the evils of society. We should detest the evils. Where are the Muslims when talking about homosexuality, alcoholism, family breakups? Racism: fact of life and exists in our communities and culture. We need to deal with it via education. Within the culture there is a form of racism. We should remember the diverse cultures that the early Muslims brought. The first companions: ar-Rumi, Bilal al-Habashi. They brought the strength to Islam. Request: have a dialogue between organizations like Muslim Community Association of the Bay Area and the African American Muslim communities. Islamic Scholarship: we see the different forms of Islam (for example: how we pray), we need to educate each other so we recognize the different variations.
Group 4: Americanization of Islam – local fusion. Global phenomena – it has always happened and will always happen. We need to socialize with different communities. We should not stick to our own communities. Usually the second generation does not have the baggage like the first generation. Racism: Evolves from convenience. Mostly, it is unintentional. Solutions: cross- promotion of events. Mutual learning and understanding. Create opportunities of interaction, not necessarily have to be religious event. Intentionally work towards improving the situation.
Group 5 (our group): Iftekhar Hai: America stands for equality and justice, we should endeavor for this. Faith has been corrupted, we need to revive it. We need to refine Islam. Racism: We need to remove racism from our hearts. [Author's note: we discussed more issues that were not presented: Muslim hip-hop, understanding Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah's brilliant article: "Islam and the Cultural Imperative", excelling in our work and our interaction with society and so much more]
Group 6: Discrimination – on ethnic lines, nationality, race. Islamic Scholarship: too many rivalries. Leaders need to fix this problem. Set the expectation that we know discrimination exists, how do we address these issues?
Conclusion: Bring the message back to your own communities!
Challenge: Unity Eid Celebration
Organizations represented:
San Francisco Muslim Community Center, Yaseen Foundation, South Valley Islamic Community*, South Bay Islamic Association, All Muslims’ Islamic Communications Center, Masjid Waritheen, Muslim American Society, Muslim Community Association of San Francisco Bay Area, MeccaOne Radio, Islamic Networks Group, American Muslim Voice, San Ramon Valley Islamic Center, United Muslims of America, Rahima Foundation, World Business & Technology Television, ICNA Bay Area, Northern California Islamic Council, SEMAH, Zaytuna Institute*.
The Shia Muslim community were invited as well, however, they were unable to attend.
Notes taken by: Mikael Pittam
Photo credits: Susanah Pittam
* Represented by the Dynamic Duo.
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani has just announced (via the ever-popular Facebook status) that his new venture is SeekersMedia. After recently leaving Sunnipath, questions about where Shaykh Faraz would surface were rampant on our minds. Now we know.
What is SeekersMedia?
SeekersMedia is an online media portal for Islamic and inspiration, through downloadable media. There will be educational media, quality Qur’anic media (with translation and commentary), and inspiring Islamic songs available, insha’Allah. We will also offer some courses, such as the current courses on Islamic law (Mukhtar Dars) and beliefs (Kharida Dars)
We also have plans to give high priority to an Islamic Answers Service (SeekersAnswers.com) which will be forthcoming, insha Allah.
Source: http://seekersmedia.com/shop/index.php?main_page=page&id=26
More info can be found on their FAQ page. Their structure is very similar to the Zaytuna Distance Learning program (which the faqir manages, alhamdulillah): Register, login, access your weekly course file, additional files uploaded throughout the remainder of the course.
Shaykh Faraz informed us that this is just the beginning and that there are bigger things planned.
There are two current courses available:
Shaykh Faraz also teaches at The Razi Institute in Toronto.
Here is the video of the interview conducted on live television on May 12, 2008 at the Noor TV studios for the FALAH TV program. This is my abridged ‘conversion to Islam’ story.
To view the full interactive video, please click on the speech bubble icon next to the time code (00:21:49). You can add comments and tags at specific points on the video by mousing over the large white and gray circle. A green ‘plus’ icon will show, click on that to add your comments and tags. You can mouse over the small black and gray dots on the progress bar to see comments and tags from others.
Click here to see a larger version video: http://www.viddler.com/explore/islamcrunch/videos/1/
I would like to thank Sidi Feraidoon Mojadeddi for inviting me for the interview. I would also like to thank Sidi Fahim Mojadeddi for taking care of me during the interview. Most importantly, I would like to thank my wonderful Su for her support, patience, love and companionship.
