…as a big nerd.
I usually spend weekends at the local used-books store, browsing titles and covers in the dollar paperbacks section. Ten dollar; ten books; a trip to the nearest ice-creamery.
I’m simple.
I observe others;
Inhale and exhale existence;
making something out of nothing,
while writing in prose.
Maha
Maha Muslimah 
Maha,
I read the first of your posts that I saw (“Convert Orientalists”), and then I had to keep going. You write with great beauty and depth about your spiritual journey.
I am from a Catholic background myself, and I’m going through a period of searching and clarifying my beliefs right now (that’s the best way I can describe it).
I don’t believe I will ever convert to Islam, but I find that I can relate to many of the things you write about.
I’d like to add your blog to my bloglist, if I may.
Perhaps you could come and visit mine sometime (galateaindeep.wordpress.com)? It’s just new, only a couple of days old now. Wait a while, there’ll be more posts soon enough.
Peace,
Galatea Coolcat
Galatea,
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my blog. This blog is mainly a sketchbook of my personal thoughts on life and God that have been developed through my encounters with literature, the arts, nature and other human beings.
I am glad to hear that you are actively searching for a spiritual path that fulfills you. Try and remember that any choice you make won’t happen over night. It will take time, meditation and constant connection with your Creator. The spiritual journey is similar among all human beings who dare to question things. Sometimes the search brings confusion and frustration, but ultimately we are all working towards an enlightened sense of the Self.
In you journey, though, never rule out possibilities even if they are not attractive in the beginning. You never know what you can take from other faiths.
I am so glad you visited my blog and you can definitely add it to your bloglist.
Salams (Peace), Galatea!
I take everything I can from other faiths. And in fact, Islam was something I was considering briefly for a little while, there.
I don’t mean I was ready to convert for life. But I do tend to spend a period of time with a particular faith or spiritual path, usually a few months at a time at least. I like to experience it “from the inside” and hopefully come out of it a little wiser, more open, and with a richer spiritual life.
I particularly like a talk given by an America Islamic convert, Aminah Assilmi, called “Islam, the Liberator of Women”. You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSHZepZhy_0
Galatea,
Thank you for sharing the video. Sr. Aminah is definitely wise.
May your Creator give you the light that will lead you in the path set for you.
Salams,
I believe I already am on that path. I think it’s part of my calling go do precisely what I’m doing: to explore other faiths and points of view, in an effort to gain – and one day hopefully create – more understanding. Perhaps I can somehow help to facilitate inter-faith dialogue in this way? Maybe one day
In the meantime, I don’t mind not being sure. Not really. It keeps my mind more open.
Peace.
Galatea Coolcat
Galatea,
I agree with you. Spirituality is rarely a fixed state; The connection with God is the most important thing.
I wrote something along that vein in this post:
https://mahamuslimah.wordpress.com/2010/09/20/a-little-talk-about-prayer/
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Maha,
Yes, I saw. I actually sat down and read your whole blog tonight. Enjoyed very much. I can really relate to a lot of the things you talk about.
Peace,
Galatea
Sister Maha,
I chanced upon your blog will searching for Muslim blogs out of the blue one evening, and, I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed and inspired by your writing, so much so in fact that I decided to start my own. I read your entry about Said’s “Orientalism” and was hooked. Moreover, I read your “Potrait of a Blogger as…” (an ingenious formulation by the way) and decided to use your construction in my blog. I gave you kudos for it! Insha’Allah you don’t a copyright on it.
Anyway, I can appreciate your words and struggle, as I’m also a convert to Islam from Catholicism. Keep the eloquence flowing sister, like pristine water. Such thought is much needed in our community, as I’m sure you know. I got yo back sis…
Peace Itself and Peace to all
السلام
Anthony
Salams Brother Anthony,
I look forward to visiting your blog once it’s up and running, so please email me your link to miami.muslimah@hotmail.com. I think it’s really important for American Muslims to speak up and share their experiences through stories. We are really lucky to have internet mediums (blogs, forums, social networks, etc) where anyone can have their voice heard. Insha’Allah, the messages we send out are ones of peace and tolerance.
Brother, feel free to borrow or repost anything; but if it’s creative material, I’d appreciate a link back to my site 🙂
Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog posts.
Salaams
Can you visit my blog http://islamandmuslims.wordpress.com/
I need some advice and opinion how can I get more views and how can I more readers. I have tried a lot of things.
Salaamu alaykum,
I visited your blog and it’s nice, mash’Allah. I am not an expert in blogging and am still learning myself how to increase the number of visitors.
I, however, saw a dramatic change in visitors (the daily number of visitors nearly quadripled) when I added “tags” to each post. Adding “tags” helps search engines, like google, direct people to your blog who are searching for relevant discussions.
Other things are: reply/comment on relevant blogs and include your link so that they can visit your blog; include your site on Muslim blog directories (like Muslim Bloggers directory and Top Muslim blogs); there are many blogs out there, so it’s also important to think about how to make it unique—In other words, what can people find in your blog that they cannot find anywhere else? I think it’s important to make blogs focused; lastly, this link has been really helpful: http://throughanewlens.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/why-your-audience-is-like-the-mogwai/
It basically talks about how bloggers can think about their audience when they design their blog, choose material/discussions to post, and in which ways you can build steady readership—in other words, an audience that is genuinely interested in what you have to say.
Again, I am still working on these things myself—I am constantly thinking about how to make my blog attractive and interesting to my readers, but it takes time and thought…
Thanks for stopping by and best of luck!
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Salaam Maha. Your blog is lovely and so are you. I love the photo of you in the hat. How chic! I also believe that life is a stage…and it seems for Muslims we are always being watched 😉
Keep up the great work. I especially appreciate you posting my blog as your marriage reference link.
Thanks for the support.
Take care.
TK
Wasalaams TK!
Thank you for stopping by my blog. “I also believe life is a stage”. This is exactly what my blog is about…my spiritual, personal, and intellectual development with the realization that we are constantly “performing”.
I am glad to share your blog link with others. I really enjoy reading your articles! Keep it up!
Take care,
Hi Maha,
I was just checking out MayAlHassen’s tweets and her youtube video in on “I speak for myself” then somehow found your review.
Well spent about half hour reading your stuff on this site and it’s very…. human. I liked a wholeload of the way you expressed your experiences. Keep it up.
I will check out the book you reviewed and come back again sometime.
Btw I finished Marables book on Malcolm X just today after reading a chapter a day. It filled a whole load of info that was missing in my understanding of him… though I thought it was futile to speculate on certain rumours.
If you have time you can check out various vids I have uploaded. Some dramatised.
Warm regards
Djamaluddin
DJamaluddin,
Salaams!
Thanks for visiting my page. Saying that my writing is very human is a huge compliment to me. I strive to represent myself and situation as it is–instead of embellishing it with idealism. I am not an idealist, but rather, a practical person. I only hope to improve myself through the help of Allah, but recognize my own errors through my writing.
I haven’t read Marable’s book in Malcolm X yet, but it will definitely be on my reading list. I always intend to read about him, but never get around to it.
I will check out your page soon, too.
Thanks for stopping by.
Maha
sorry this is my page:
http://www.youtube.com/user/djamaluddin
As Salaamu Alaikum Dear Sister,
I feel so blessed to have found your blog. FInding people who have the spiritual insight you do are few and far between here on the internet.
I read one of your posts after doing a Yahoo search: “I am Muslim and Christian and Jewish” and came upon your blog. It was awesome to read. Inshallah, I will be reading more as soon. The reason I was writing was because I just wrote an interfaith, spiritual Sci-Fi (or more accurately, Spi-Fi) novel, called “The Azurean Trilogy”, that is opening the dialog for interfaith discussion, and what it means to be human and a believer. I would love to send you a copy to get your feedback on it. Let me know, Inshallah, XOXOXOXO
(Links you might like to see:)
The Azurean Trilogy: Website
http://azurean.wix.com/azurean
The Azurean Trilogy: Mindworks.com Review
http://mindworkspublishing.webs.com/islamic-fiction
The Azurean Trilogy: Interview
http://bit.ly/HrQDUP
The Azurean Trilogy: on Amazon.com:
http://amzn.to/1ba28cs
Asalamualaykum Azurean,
Thank you for reading my blog and reaching out to me regarding your fictional novel, or Spi-Fi, as you said. I am excited to read your blog, read about your book and perhaps attain a copy if possible–just let me know how 🙂
I haven’t dedicated too much time recently to developing my blog over the last year and the birth of my first baby–that takes up a lot of time, but hope to do so over the months to come.
Much love,
Maha
Walaikum As Salaam, Maha!
I would love to send you a free digital review copy. You will be able to read it on your computer and/or phone. Just let me know what your email is and I can send it to you! My email address is azureantrilogy@gmail.com. Peace an Blessings and Much Love! I can’t wait to send it to you!
XOXOXOX Fatimah