THOUGHTS OF A SOMALI GIRL

T he fact that Muslims are asking about rulings on whether they can support BLM or not...is ju st one of the many examples of racism against blacks within the Muslim community. Seriously, wtf. I've had enough of this crap.  Yes we should also protest against the loss of Muslim lives in Iraq, Somalia and all those other places but they're not getting killed for being Muslims. Muslims are killing Muslims. The same people killing the same people. Over here, Black people are getting killed by White police officers for being Black because of the colour of their skin. A different race killing those of a different race. That's the difference and hence the name "Black lives matter" because clearly they don't to many racist White police officers. The sheikh also says it's hypocritical for Muslims to support Black lives and not Muslim lives. He said this movement is something for "them" and not for "us". He is completely  ignoran...

Ramadan in Somalia Several things to say about fasting during Ramadan in Somalia. There's the good and the bad as with all things. The good thing about Ramadan in Somalia? It's easier to fast in Somalia than in Canada: the fast is shorter with the sun setting earlier (around 6 pm instead of around 9) and there is no temptation to eat; everyone is fasting and if they aren't, they're not open about it. In addition, all the restaurants are closed until it's time to eat so you won't see anyone eating when you go outside. Furthermore, there isn't any food in the house to tempt you - people buy fresh food everyday from the market. I also love hearing the multiple aathans (call to prayer) at every prayer from the mosques in the area. There's no need to check the time to see if it's time to pray or set an alarm to wake up for Fajr. I found that I'm able to pray on time more. On the flipside, despite being in a Muslim country, I don't feel...

Hello world. Peace be upon you all. So last night we went to visit my cousin's cousin (I know, a bit of a mouthful huh?). Her 6-year old daughter was sick. For 2 days, the little girl had diarrhea and was vomiting everything she ate or drank. We went into her room to see her. She was on a mattress on the floor shivering. When she saw us, she whispered hello and weakly lifted her hand for us to shake, despite her frail state. It was a strange sight to see her like that. Usually full of life and energy and a great help to her mother around the house, my cousin's niece was now quiet and aside from her shivering, lay still. When we were leaving, I shook her warm little hand and said, "Mac salaam, Illaahay ha ku caafiyo".   Goodbye, and may God heal you . She gave me a little smile and went to sleep. When the family was eating suhuur (meal eaten before dawn when fasting) her condition seemed to have improved and she had the strength to go to th...

Hello everyone! I saw something today that I just wanted to quickly share with y'all.  Humans are helpless when they are babies. We completely depend on our mothers. It  was an exhausting day and I was on my way home from class. I was on the bus. A young woman came in with a stroller. She didn't look much older than I. She sat down on the seat beside me. I watched her lift the edge of the blanket covering her baby's stroller so she could look through the small corner at her baby. Inside the stroller, underneath the canopy of a blue blanket, was an adorable little baby. He looked about 2 months old. The bus ride was rough and bumpy. Every now and then, the bus would be jolted and we'd all be jarred from our tired stupor. Each time, the young mother would lower her head to peek through the small corner. Checking on him. To see if he was okay. I'd look at the child each time his mother peeked in at him. He looked comfortable and kept staring at m...

Hi everyone! Sorry it's taken me so long to post this but it's finally here :) The following is a bunch of things I've put together on finding your way when struggling with your faith. I'm not an expert but the following is what has helped me and what I've learned from those who are knowledgeable. I'd like to share this so that I can help other Muslims. It may also be helpful to non-Muslims who are also on a spiritual journey. 1. Talk to God I think the first thing one should do whilst in the middle of a "spiritual crisis" is to talk to God. He sees and hears all. He knows your deepest secrets. You have to sincerely ask Him to open your heart and guide you to the straight path. Make constant dua (your personal prayers to God), He hears them all: It's easy to make dua. Raise your hands up and ask away.  "And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supp...

I must say that there's a bit of an ajanabi (non-Somali) craze going on these days especially among the girls. It's quite prevalent among many masaajid girls. Once a white man converts to Islam and becomes a regular in the masaajid (mosque) they're all over him! This bothers me. In addition, there a lot of stories going around about Somali girls who have been divorced by their ajanabi husbands; the parents like to say this happened because the husband wasn't Somali.  Now, before y'all start the accusations, let me inform you that I am not an ajanabi hater. Neither am I a person who strictly stays with their "own kind"; race and/or culture is of no concern to me. Rather, this post is my sincere advice to my abaayo, my sister in kinship, or even to any other non-Somali woman, who is about to marry or is interested in someone who is ajanabi. My advise is based on the experiences of others and myself. So. About to marry an ajanabi? Interested in ...