A reminder to myself: A Time for Healing

Fatwa condemns terrorism

Terrorism is terrorism. Violence is violence. It has no place in Islamic teaching. ~Tahir ul-Qadri , author of fatwa against terrorism

New jihad codes

"Jihad has ethics and morals because it is for God. That means it is forbidden to kill women, children, elderly people, priests, messengers, traders and the like. Betrayal is prohibited and it is vital to keep promises and treat prisoners of war in a good way. Standing by those ethics is what distinguishes Muslims' jihad from the wars of other nations."

Quoted from CNN's Investigative Report

Graphics from Islamization Watch

Fasting and Ramadan: Patience and Misconceptions

On our way to our fasting break, I asked Ary why he had a flight schedule when it will be a holiday on Monday. Our driver, upon hearing, asked me why it would be a holiday this Monday. I told him some influential person died and will be buried on Monday. I regretted having informed him. We were literally bombarded non-stop, for about 15 minutes, of his anger towards Gloria Arroyo. Puro na lang ta holiday ani sa Pilipinas natapulan na ta. These holidays made us lazy Filipinos.

Patience, in moments like this, is a virtue.

Which reminds me to use my patience again when asked about my fasting during Ramadan. Until now people still ask. I give my answer.

I found out that we are still biased against our Muslim brothers and sisters. Many times, we smirk at the thought of Ramadan because we Christians believed fasting is unnecessary and only for show especially when Muslims overstuff themselves during the night. Magpista man na sila inig ka gabii. They are having a fiesta during the night. And when Filipinos say the magic word FIESTA, we are reminded of anything in excess. Pork, food, liquor.

I found this shocking and not true.

For one, when you are fasting, the thought of stuffing yourself in excess (food, to be specific) after the break, would find you in a terrible state. Although the thought of food is a welcome relief, it would do you no good to overeat. In my case, I barely have the energy to eat after the break. I have to eat for nourishment and for me to survive another day.

I am an incessant drunk, but having a bottle of beer after dinner made my head ache and my stomach upset. So the thought of them Muslims stuffing like it is the end of the world is purely fabricated.

When you are hungry, you will learn a lot of lessons in life. Your spirituality, your connection with God and other beings, your relationship with other people, your fragile life. You even won't mind people trying to destroy you. You live your life. You pray. I know I am too preachy and I know I would only be jeered. That is called life. Patience, my dear.

Today is my 16th day of fasting. I shall make it to the 21st of September. And I will. But this fasting stuff won't make me a saint. Promise.

In conclusion I share with you this prayer from a Muslim-

May your blessings be too many to count. And your worries too few to matter. May your days be full of sunshine. And your nights in comfort. May you never go hungry. And be able to share your bounty. May God bless and protect you. And strengthen your faith. May you be free from oppression, hatred, persecution and fear. Please remember those who go hungry all year long. Ramadan Mubarak to all.

(pic from in-gender.com)

Fasting and Ramadan: Gun Shots

I was cowering in fear and was perspiring a lot. Felt so cold and yet perspiring.

I was riding this tricycle driven by a brother I did not know. The trike has a machine gun mounted on it. But suddenly the machine gun was directed at me. Before long a bullet could burst and tore me in pieces, I jumped out of the trike and took cover. I ran, fell, ran, fell and ran. I saw my mother and I took refuge in her comfort. But still the powers of the invasion excused no one. So I ran again and fell again. I could not use my phone because it was traceable. But even if I use my phone, I did not kow whom to call. I ran.

Sudden burst of machine power took over the whole place where I was in. Even the powerlines were quivering in its power. It was like an alien invasion. Doomsday! I sensed a ringing. In my head. In my ears. The ringing was within my ears. It was too loud. I shouted in fear.

And then I woke up to the sound of the alarm clock. It is 3.30 in the morning. Time to prepare for my fast.

Today is my seventh and I could not think of anything in my prayers. I just sat there. Empty!

(Pic from soulpretty.blogspot.com)

Fasting and Ramadan: Hauntings

Today marks my sixth day of fasting. I am very glad I made it through.

Everyday I jot down notes and make blogs, recording my spiritual journey through fasting during the Ramadan. This is a feat I will surely treasure.

I am grateful for my friends who supported me this far. My family did not know this. Had they known they would surely say I am doing a silly thing.

The past days made me walk on a thin line. Everything I do made me vulnerable and emotional. At times, involuntary (and unnecessary) crying precedes prayers. I just don't know why and how this happens. It's like a free-flowing sort of activity. Like it's a part of the process. Sissy stuff.

But then again, prayers and support and a little bit more of an extended patience up to its very limit, I think, made me survive.

Actually, I hate the spirituality crap of this journey. I am not a religious person. Honestly. My friends asked me and even said I am preparing for my inevitable death hence this fasting. Truth be told, that's what old people do. Pray and pray and pray and make indulgences, fasting being one of them. As if prayers and acts of kindness could erase all the sins they have done when they were younger. Some even adopted priests and nuns to make up what they have lost. Kind of silly, actually.

But no matter how much I deny this fact, I could not refrain from putting theology side by side with my activity. This fasting and all. The ultimate answer leads to God, Allah, Jehovah, Yahweh, eternal peace.

And peace indeed I seek.

During this times, my dead ancestors (I hope they rest in peace) paid their nocturnal visits this past days during my fasting. They came as part of my dreams. Which leads me to ask, are they bothered with my observance of "Ramadan"?

My grandparents, my uncles, my neighbors, appeared in a rewind, like an old movie, always reminding me of the past. My grandparents came to me and took me back to the days when they were alive. Awfully happy and without a trace of sadness. My dead uncles visited me too. My neighbors smiled at me too. My favorite auntie is the only remaining dead person who have not made me dream of her. Am I crazy or what?

Whatever these reminders meant, they haunted me through the day. Maybe they are the reason why I am a bit emotional. Maybe they wanted me to discover things. Maybe they are leaving me a message. Maybe they were bored out there and making fun of me. Whatever that is, I am willing to uncover them. I still have about 23 days more to do this. But no! Please, don't leave messages that say it is already the end of the world!

May He will grant us peace and make us all stronger. Alhamdulillah!

(How I wish I could quote a Koran passage here but citing sensitivity to our brothers in Islam, I would not do that since I am not a Muslim.)

(Picture from here and here.)