Don't BOYCOTT your Intelligence!

*yay*

For the longest time, Blogger would not open on my laptop, so I had to write all my entries at work.

Ok --- so it is Friday and the working class everywhere should be rejoicing yet I find it difficult to be happy today. Im upset and it has nothing to do with work, but rather a project that I have been working on for awhile now. The program is the product of two non-profit organizations coming together for a good cause and because I am one of the listed persons to contact, Ive heard (and had) just about enough of desi (un-)punctuality and ignorance (all in the name of Islam of course).

Ive had people accuse me of being an agent working for one (or both) organizations for pay. (HELLO? What part of NON-PROFIT is unclear to everyone?) and the latest complaint: The State Dept is using the group as puppets to act as vehicles of peace when really they're dropping bombs left and right! (RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Ive seen this movie before, havent you?

Whats wrong with the Muslim community? The biggest thing: LACK OF UNITY, followed by IGNORANCE and ARROGANCE, and topped off with sarcasm.

This one project was to send a group of 20-25 people to the Middle East so that they may exchange cultural (NOT POLITICAL) information and for a few minutes learn and experience the beauty of being raised in a Muslim country. We're not being fueled by anyone's agenda, certainly not America's foreign policy. We are people of peace going to another territory in hopes of opening up communication between American Muslims and the Muslim world on the other side.

For this we are ridiculed?

Nersey Sardar Jee pumping my gas: you're punjabi? Where are you from?
Me: Guru jee, Amreeka'ch pullay paray'an, usse te kithay de vi nai!
(Born and brought up in America, we're not from anywhere!)

Its true. Its hard for us American Muslims to pledge loyalties to a country who supports Israel. But its not like we dont have a choice to leave. For all its bad qualities, and EVERY government is corrupt and has its fair share of skeletons, America still remains a country which allows us to practice Islam, Hinduism, and Aetheism along with Judaism and Christianity.

Is it so hard for us to step back and look at each other not as followers of a particular religion, but as humans that were all created by Allah (swt)?

We have a whole website dedicated to bringing down ISRAEL by promising in blood that we will boycott Starbucks and Estee Lauder beauty products, but did anyone think to put living and paying taxes in the US? Tax dollars that support Israel? What Islam warns us of most is being hypocrites, because then you're truly neither here nor there.

Muslims, our hatred will consume us, and we will amount to nothing and never live up to the fact that our religion is a peace-loving religion and has one of the most number of followers, regardless of sects. If we came together in unity, imagine what Islam could be.

Think of it this way: Whatever we do as children is a direct reflection on our parents' teachings. Agreed? Whatever we do as a group, is reflective of its leaders' teachings.

Pool together all the knowledge of Islamic leaders, Imams, and other educated people in medicine, politics, law, engineering, etc. and you want me to believe the ONLY method we have come up with in all these years to affect World policy and views of Muslims is to BOYCOTT Nestle?

To each his own, do what you can. If thats all you feel you can do to help out your fellow Muslims, then so be it.

Wouldnt it make more sense to form a Peace mission from the US that is backed by the State Dept to go to Palestine and speak with US and Israeli and Palestinian officials on changing their minds and attitudes?

I dont mean to offend anyone with this serious issue, Im no scholar I have little knowledge but I strive to change that each day by reading different varieties of opinions and historical facts.

Don't trust everything you read: Agreed
You can challenge things as you see fit, but dont challenge them with a hard heart but rather with an open mind and maybe you will see things someone missed somewhere that could change lives forever, for the better, iA. We are Americans. This is our country and our heritage. We should make it reflect our views as much as possible and iA Allah (swt) will be pleased.

DISCLAIMER: I am not judging the website for boycotting Israeli goods, I am merely pointing out that we should see that bet and up the ante and pledge to find other resources, create alternative goods (If Thomas Edison created the light bulb, we dont suddenly stop using electricity but rather find other means).
This is aside from the point that I think the website iteself serves as advertisement for the Israeli goods, in fact having the OPPOSITE affect. Think about it: you're using the media -- much of the media is Jewish owned -- to promote boycotting THEIR products when really that space and time should be used to either promote ISLAMIC ideals/principles/theories/programs or dhikr.

:)