Illume Magazine

Mother of the Believers

Tue, 05 May 2009 04:35:08 PST

The premise of the new book Mother of the Believers by Kamran Pasha is a familiar one: the book is about one of the most beloved wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Aisha. There was a book last year that was released under much controversy, Jewel of Medina, which focused on Aisha's relationship with the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Watchmen

Sat, 14 March 2009 20:12:35 PST

This is no crowd-pleaser. And proudly so. Unabashedly, even.

Whatever enthusiasm the opening night audience may have had for director Zack Snyder’s mammoth epic Watchmen when the film began, it was barely palpable as the credits rolled. The throng quietly filed out of the screening room, attempting, no doubt, to puzzle together their own reactions. Certainly that was the case for me. I knew right away that I admired it. It was impossible not to. But I needed to sleep on it before I could figure out whether I liked it.

Al’ America: Travels Through America’s Arab and Islamic Roots

Sat, 07 Feb. 2009 20:32:51 PST

In Al’ America: Travels Through America’s Arab and Islamic Roots, journalist Jonathan Curiel explores the influence Arab and Islamic culture has had on the United States of America. Curiel provides Americans with an accessible book that forces one to look at America since its inception and recognize that we should not all fear Arabs and Muslims because in fact, many things can be traced back to these origins.

Big Love gets Big Props

Mon, 05 Jan. 2009 19:47:55 PST

HBO series Big Love gets big props

Boy in Striped Pajamas

Thu, 18 Dec. 2008 00:15:22 PST

I cried watching “Boy in Striped Pajamas,” a film directed by Mark Herman and written by John Boyne. But the uncomfortable truth is that most Muslims around the world, like myself, will witness something entirely different than mostwatching on the western side of the hemisphere. In fact, many of the director’s audience will construe what I saw as utterly blasphemous.

Pebbles and Boulders

Sun, 23 Nov. 2008 12:02:50 PST

A film review for Slingshot Hip-Hop with a quick glance at the large and small factors measuring the weight and influence of Hip-Hop in

Talking Elections With The President

Fri, 21 Nov. 2008 01:29:59 PST

Former President Jimmy Carter lives an illustrious life that can be traced from his beginnings in Plains, Ga. A career in politics surfaced after he spent time in the Navy and tended to the family farm. Carter served in the Georgia Senate and then became the Governor of Georgia before he was sworn in as the 39th President of the United States of America. After his term from 1977-1981, he has remained a dedicated public servant with his many humanitarian endeavors. In 1982, Former President Carter and his wife Rosalyn founded the Carter Center which, according to the organization’s website, “is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering”. To this day, he remains heavily involved with the work of the Center. In addition, he is also the author of 23 books.

Searchin' For WMDs

Thu, 20 Nov. 2008 09:25:09 PST

Guest Editorial: Zaid Shakir

Thu, 20 Nov. 2008 03:48:31 PST

Recently, 28 million copies of the anti-Islamic propaganda documentary, Obsession, were distributed free of charge in what are being considered the “swing” states in the current election campaign. This effort is clearly designed to leverage the idea in the minds of many Americans that Senator Barack Obama is a Muslim (he is not), and therefore, he is to be identified with the images and statements of Muslims portrayed in the video. These portrayals give the impression that Islam is a fanatical, bloodthirsty religion, whose adherents are hell-bent on destroying America.

Desperately Seeking Paradise

Thu, 20 Nov. 2008 02:09:13 PST

Ziauddin Sardar is a writer, broadcaster and cultural critic. He is considered a pioneering writer on Islamic science and the future of Islam.

A first glance at part of the book title Journeys of a Skeptical Muslim might give the impression that Sardar is someone who doubts the soundness or possibly the validity of the Islamic tradition—this is not the case. Desperately Seeking Paradise is the latest in a long line of over 40 books on various aspects of Islam and this is in some ways a semi-autobiographical account of Sardar’s journey within Islam—geographically, spiritually, philosophically.