Brooklyn Bedouin

Farewell Noel King!

We, the contributors, the behind the mic'ers, the up early, bright eyed and bushy tailed... we the ones who recieve your frantic calls, listen to your odd laugh, who have been blessed to know that you hail from secret shires in Upstate... we will miss you!

May your adventures in North Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula, and in the Sham eliven in you a yearning to connect with your Creator and bring you to Islam. (hehehe)

And May you always find the best stories, convey them in the best way, and work harder and smarter than anyone else and reap the reward!

gonna really miss you kiddo! 

Earth, Sun and Moon will all be in a line during Hurricane Irene...

The positioning of the sun, moon, and earth are all going to play a major role in determining how much of an effect hurricane Irene has over the coastal areas of the east coast. See Below:

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"We have a unique situation in that we experience a bi-daily tide change of typically 6 ft on the average.  Hurricane and tropical storm conditions generally cause unpredictable tidal swelling. In this upcoming storm, it is compounded by the fact that we will have a “new moon.” (source)

When the moon is full or new, the gravitational pull of the moon and sun are combined. At these times, the high tides are very high and the low tides are very low. This is known as a spring high tide. Spring tides are especially strong tides (they do not have anything to do with the season Spring.) They occur when the Earth, the Sun, and the Moon are in a line. The gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun both contribute to the tides. Spring tides occur during the full moon and the new moon.

"Verily there are signs for those who reflect!"

40 Years of African Disapora Brooklyn

I know this is coming a bit late but this year I came out to festival for the last day and like that old village of Macondo, the usuals, the regulars, the usual suspects were there, in their full glory - making the present seem like the past and the past seem like the present. These are timeless peoples. Who make their homes in the land beneath their feet. They give charity effortlessley in the form of smiles and hugs. They remember you when you were little, see you as you currently are, and imagine you as you will be. This is the village of African Brooklyn. The descedants of the ones who got on the boat so long ago and arrived like a swirling storm, a hurricane, onto the sandy, green, and marshy shores. We call this land home because we walk upon it. Should we march a thousand miles north, south, east, or west, we shall call those lands home too.

 

 

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The Face of Black Love 2011

Here's to the beautiful black people who have started families, bought homes, trained themselves in permaculture techniques, and are bold enough to think outside of the box when they imagine the future they want to create for themselves. Here's to the Black Diaspora that finds yourself in Brooklyn carving a life out and making your dreams manifest. Amen. 

 

My Rent is Too Damn High!

Look who I ran into this summer! I was inspired by Jimmy McMillan's simple message for the gubernatorial race in NYS last year. He really tapped into something that, although he may not really be a viable candidate, expessed the feelings of many of us living here. The rent is too damn high. That is why many people of my ilk - African-American and people just starting out, are opting out of the City in search of more space, less rent, and less craziness. I guess you can manage the crazy if your pocket is more full - that's right - the Rich are NOT leaving NYC. 

 I know one thing is for certain, MY RENT IS DAMN SURE TOO DAMN HIGH!

M-E-T-S METS! METS! METS!

I know that Faiza Ali will love this one so I am making it publc knowledge. About a month ago Fatima and I were fond of getting out as much as possible since we figured that since she is pregnant and the baby could come anyday now that eventually our movement will be significantly curtailed. Anyways, we took in a Mets game at CitiField, a place I affectoinately call: Jackie Robinson Stadium. Thankfully, they won :)

 

This Photo is Priceless

I know some people in my life that are very much “over” New York City. They have moved here some time ago and the luster of that arrival has faded. Well, The Onion recently wrote a piece that is absolutely hilarious that really captures the “over New York” feeling. Out of that article was an amazing picture that I thought was priceless and figured I would share here.

'Nuff Said

A Jummah Mubarak in Ramadan Message

This Ramadan I have neglected writing many blog posts because I have been very busy. Not that many people are paying too much attention because there are many serious things going on in the world which demand a lot of our time and focus.

Among the most serious of occurrences is the current dire situation of many of our brothers and sisters in the Horn of Africa - Somalia. We should all be looking into whatever resources we have support to these folks while they are homeless, wandering, and without sustenance. Many people think of this as an opportunity to get blessings. Yes, that may be true, but is that the best motivation? Only Allah truly knows. (PS- Come to the MCN / Islamic Relief Fundraiser to support East Africa)

There are a few themes to this Ramadan that I have ben mulling over in the first ten days that I would like to share. Prior to the start of Ramadan I was in a few spaces where the more learned people reminded us that the best actions of worship are those which are consistent. This has become a theme of mine and it has prompted me to make consistent a number of small acts of worship which I truly hope that Allah will accept.

Another theme is that of being thankful. It connects back to the reflection of what is happening in Somalia and our responsibility but it also relates to what we see here, right here in New York City, right here in Brooklyn, right here on Myrtle Avenue, Right here at the Mosques we pray in. Right now, in New York City, there are 1.8 million people on food stamps. That means that there are 1.8 million people in a city of 8.5 million that are in a state of food insecurity. This means that they make difficult decisions daily about what to prioritize - food or transportation is one example. Right now, in Brooklyn, there are people who are drunk and high and then beg for money and then, when people do not give them money, are ready to fight because they feel entitled to other peoples money. I am not lying, this happened outside a mosque in Brooklyn just last night - a man without a shirt, was loud, belligerent, and crude, and asking all sorts of fasting Muslims for money, yelling and carrying on at the door of the mosque and when he was told to calm down he got belligerent, rude. Eventually he had to get knocked out. It’s like it’s the 1980’s again. People are desperate.

Here’s another take on the thankfulness theme that I have been rockin’ with for the first ten days of Ramadan. Riding on the train one day I was remarking the sorrowful state of the people and how we need help. We need to discharge, we need to have more attention for one another and allow ourselves to listen and feel and to let one another cry and let go of the hurts that we have accumulated over time. I asked my wife if i should feel pity for people. She responded, “perhaps it’s a sign for you to be deeply deeply grateful”.

And I am grateful for her presence.

 

Amen. 20 Days is just a Little Bit of Time

 

MCN Iftar Dinner with Dr. Esposito benefiting East African Relief Efforts

 

 

Muslim Consultative Network Second Annual Iftar 

Communities of Faith Unite!
Promoting Diversity and Exchange in NYC

 

When:  Thursday, August 18th, 6:00-9:30pm

Where:  Dervish Restaurant

146 W 47th St (between 6th & 7th Avenues)

 

Guest speaker: 

Dr. John Esposito

University Professor & Founding Director

Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal

Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding

Georgetown University

Advanced Purchase                At the door

    Professional: $50                 Professional: $60

              Nonprofit/Student: $40      Nonprofit/Student: $50

 

For more information and to purchase tickets, please

visit HERE