Illume Magazine

Blacks & Cali's Gay Marriage Ban

Tue, 18 Nov. 2008 09:30:36 PST

I must admit that I'm a little taken aback at the blame game that much of the White gay community is placing on Blackamericans for the recent passing of Prop 8, which banned same sex marriages in California.

My Naughty Loves

Sun, 16 Nov. 2008 12:57:00 PST

I love Vogue magazine, What Not to Wear and America’s Next Top Model. I also love India Arie, Lila Downs and Shakira, and Bob Marley is my all time favorite music. When it comes to reading, I still dig into a good Stephen King horror story, anything by Alice Walker or Ana Castillo, and Latin American greats like Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez. Oh, wait… I forgot that I was writing on a Muslim site, for Muslim readers. It slipped my mind that I’m supposed to toe the Muslim line that I have no interests in anything that isn’t distinctly Islamic in flavor.

Contribute To A Complete Sensory Experience

Sun, 16 Nov. 2008 02:11:13 PST

With precise vision and the right lens, a picture says more than a thousand words. The editors of Illume Magazine are searching for freelance photography for our thriving periodical. Pictures will be used in both print and electronic media to complement narratives, news, essays, op-ed and interviews.

The Political Legacy of Imam WD Mohammed

Wed, 12 Nov. 2008 09:08:21 PST

In the wake of the historic election of President-elect Barack Obama and the MANA conference quickly approaching, I have been reflecting on the importance of the legacy of Imam Warith Deen (WD) Mohammad (May Allah Have Mercy Upon Him) in regards to the current level of Muslim civic engagement in America.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Mon, 10 Nov. 2008 08:36:33 PST

For the last week I’ve sat before a blank page, preparing to write this week’s post and searching for profound words on the election. Others have written quite eloquently about the stunned joy of witnessing the first Black President-elect, and the hope for real change in this country. Still others have continued to remind us that this is not an Islamic system we live in and cautioned us to be realistic about the amount of change-for-the-better that we can really expect. I want to write about what I personally experienced that was touching about the elections, but the truth is that I am a cynic. Even as I too am happy to see a Black man win and understand the historical implications of this, I also fear complacency and expecting things that one man cannot do in his position. I fear that we, as citizens, think our responsibility is met in full by marking a spot on the ballot.

On Faith And Understanding

Mon, 10 Nov. 2008 00:33:27 PST

The Great Way is not difficult
for those not attached to preferences.
When neither love nor hate arises,
all is clear and undisguised.
Separate by the smallest amount, however,
and you are as far from it as heaven is from earth.

If you wish to know the truth,
then hold to no opinions for or against anything.
To set up what you like against what you dislike
is the disease of the mind.

Presenting - President - Elect Barack Obama

Wed, 05 Nov. 2008 21:10:15 PST

Of course, anyone and everyone will be blogging, writing, speaking, and thinking about the victory of President-elect Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America. I'd like to begin by congratulating you all. Last night's victory was truly a historic moment and it opened up the doors of the presidency to a people who have been systematically discriminated against throughout the majority of their history here in the United States.

Yes We Can

Wed, 05 Nov. 2008 15:46:49 PST

The American people have spoken in a resounding voice, “YES WE CAN!” and with that refrain echoing into the night history was made as Senator Barack Hussein Obama was elected to serve as the next president of the United States. Senator Obama’s election as the first African American president illustrates that the politics of hope can trump the politics of fear, that every vote can and does count, that the youth of this nation are not a group of apathetic hedonists, and that the promise of peace is stronger than the prospect of war.

The Race Issue Did Not End With The Election Of Obama

Wed, 05 Nov. 2008 08:10:08 PST

I must say that I personally have mixed feelings regarding the triumph of President-elect Barack Hussein Obama in our recent National election

When Unity Goes Awry

Mon, 03 Nov. 2008 03:10:05 PST

The last year or so has seen an upswing in discussions about the unity of our Ummah, and calls for Muslims to unite. In fact, I thought this was a rather old discussion that we were finally moving away from, but it has recently been revived in the blogosphere. Unfortunately, it seems whenever unity is discussed, specific instructions are given by random Muslims on what other Muslims “should” do to create unity. It makes me want to shout, as I did last year after the “Unity Pledge”, that I am tired of the very word unity!