Ubuntu 8.10 has been released.  I upgraded to Kubuntu 8.10 when it was still a released candidate, and I have many comments about the quality of packages and overall presentation.

Nevertheless, I will leave the idea of reviewing it for now and just enjoy the new release, codenamed Intrepid Ibex.

I am an author and have been writing for most of my life.  I am particularly fond of fables, short stories, and epic fantasy.  What I have noticed, and perhaps this is just because of my own ignorance, is a rather thin collection of fantasy and adventure novels with young adult characters of African descent.

One thing that has always turned me off from books like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and others is the complete whiteness of all of the characters and the Euro-centric locations and motifs.  It seems to be understood, without any questioning, that such characters are to be painted white, and the films based on those books seem to confirm that reality without fail.

To find fantasy books with African, Indian, and Middle Eastern motifs that are not polluted with stereotypical characters and plots is rare.  When I set out to write my book, I did not consciously insert such characters into it.  It was rather an expression of the type of fantasy that I had already envisioned in my head as a young adult and later as an author.

I think most authors write about what they know, and it is not unusual for white authors to write about white characters in white settings.  I can, therefore, only conclude two relative rarities:  1. A black author who writes about fantasy and adventure.  2. A black author who writes about fantasy and adventure and includes black characters without making the story a stereotypical “black issue”.

I’m hoping that I’m just making a generalization and there are at least a few exceptions out there.  If there are, please feel free list them in comments.

Day two (Saturday): We returned to the convention center a little after 1PM to catch the end of a session, which was a tribute to the late Imam W. D. Mohammed (may Allah have mercy on him).  It was very touching and enlightening to hear the wonderful stories people had to share about him.

We participated in several other sessions, two of which were about the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him and his family peace), a topic that never grows old and always softens the heart.  Imam Mohamed Magid, in particular, had beautiful stories to tell of the Prophet that nearly brought the crowd to tears at times and laughter at others.

My wife and I had a nice quiet dinner in the corner of the convention center while the wealthier Muslims among us dined with Congressman Andre Carson and other dignitaries.  At $40 per person for tickets to the banquet, we opted for some $6.99 Chinese food.

They ran severely over their time limit, and those of us who were not in the banquet went ahead and prayed Salatul-Isha without them.  Finally, after waiting at least another hour, the entertainment began.  It started with a Muslim comedian whose name escapes me and whose comedy was not particularly memorable.  That was followed by a nasheed band called the Travelers who seemed a tad inexperienced but nevertheless very soothing and reflective.

After four songs the main attraction, the premiere of Allah Made Me Funny began.  It was spectacular, side-aching humor that left us with a much better impression of the convention than we had the first day. If I can scrounge up some time, I’ll post a full review of the movie.  For now let’s just say that I highly recommend it.

Overall, the convention is still not what it should be.  The price of attendance is steep, $40 per person (or $60 for husband and wife), and the organization, which is supposed to represent the entire body of Muslims in Indiana, is still heavily populated with people from the subcontinent.  It was rare treat to see a african american face in the crowd, even on Saturday.  Despite that, it was a noble effort, and the jewels of prophetic wisdom that we collected from the people of knowledge during those few sessions made the trip not only worth it, but priceless.

I must be honest.  The first day of the convention was pretty disappointing.  Imam Zaid Shakir did lead the Jumu`ah prayer, and that was worth attending.  But it was not worth the price of admission, since that part was undoubtedly free.

The rest was disorganized, rescheduled, and pretty much boring.  The bazaar was bare and pathetic, and the people were mostly of one ethnicity, which certainly does not represent the body of Muslims that we have in this state.  There were truly only a handful of people there.

The part that could have been the best, the film festival, was late getting started (actually, for all I know, it never started).  My wife and I were tired and decided to just leave.  The only thing that could redeem this convention is the showing of “Allah Made Me Funny” today.  Let’s just pray they don’t find a way to screw that up too, insha’Allah.

I know I said I was going to write something this weekend, and it’s not that I don’t have anything to say.  It’s more like I have too much to say.  There are so many thoughts swirling around in my head.

Let’s just talk a little about this “financial crisis.”  It is truly amazing that the powers that be have the audacity to spend our money (and it is our money anytime it comes from the government) to bail out organizations that have been swindling us for every penny we own anyway.

The average American is suffering and will continue to suffer, because instead of bailing us out, they’re going to reward the snakes for their venomous bites.  I know all too well what it feels like to not be able to pay the bills, especially hospital bills.  We have been struggling for the past two years, and just one false slip could leave us out on the street like so many others who have lost their homes.

Why are Americans so stupid to allow this to continue?  How can anyone still support these corrupt tyrants?  I’ve lost all respect for the politicians and the people who elected them, and I have no sympathy for whatever happens to them as a result of this mess.  I’m tired of not knowing whether or not I’ll be able to afford to drive to work just so I can pay for more gas to continue driving to work.  Meanwhile, we can’t even afford health care or child care.

And I’m not on minimum wage.  I have what used to be considered a reasonable salary with “benefits”, but it seems not to be enough.

In the end, Allah is enough for me, and I know He will remove us from this condition. Nevertheless, it is sad to see a country I love go down the tube because of a greedy few.

Those greedy few, possibly about 400 people, have more money than the rest of Americans combined.  The world would be better of if the earth just swallowed those 400 people and their pet Zionist Regime along with them.  Yes, I’m an angry black man.  Do something about it if you don’t like it!

In times like these, the world could truly benefit from the wisdom of Islamic economics, ethics, and social values, but unfortunately, too many Muslims are part of the problem.  Leaders in predominantly Muslim countries are just as corrupted, and Muslim-owned businesses tend to deal in the same sinister financial practices.  Meanwhile, there are enough wealthy Muslims to support the weak and poor, but we do not see this either. Instead we see a glittering mosque to the north of the city and storefront mosques in the inner-cities.  There is little cooperation, even less compassion, and absolutely no shame.

The Holy Prophet [may Allah bless him and grant him peace] said: “There will come a time
for people that: they will not respect their scholars except for their
good clothing; they will not hearken to the Qur’an except for the
pleasant voice; and they will not worship Allah except for during the
fasting month; there will be no shyness in their women, no patience in
their poor ones; and no prosperity for their rich ones, they will not
be contented with a small (portion), and they will not be satiated with
abundance. They will strive (only) for their stomach; their religion is
their money (wealth); their women are their Qiblah (direction of
worship); and their homes are their mosques; they run away from their
scholars just as lambs run away from wolves.

We ask Allah to remove the suffering and oppression of those who have suffered and are oppressed.  We ask Allah to uplift the downtrodden and destitute, to heal the wounds of the weak inflicted by the tyrants, and to return justice to the earth.  We ask Allah to remove from the earth the enemies of justice and equality wherever they are, whoever they are, and however He pleases.  We ask Allah to hasten the reappearance of the one who will fill the earth with justice and equality after it had been filled with injustice and tyranny, the champion of the oppressed, the proof of Allah on earth, the beloved of our hearts, Imam Muhammad al-Mahdi.

…I have a blog.  I’ll get back to that this weekend, insha’Allah.

Many Muslims (myself included) have expressed concern that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has not met with American Muslims nor addressed their concerns, but apparently, on at least one occasion, he has.  This is actually old (from May), but it’s news to me.  I do not recall it being mentioned in the media at all.

Imam Sayid Hassan Al-Qazwini met on Wednesday May 14, 2008 with Senator Barack Obama, the democratic presidential candidate. The private meeting between the two took place at Macomb Community College – Michigan. In this meeting Imam Qazwini and Senator Obama discussed the upcoming presidential election, the Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East and the War in Iraq.

Furthermore, in the end of the meeting Imam Qazwini offered a copy of his newly released book “American Crescent” to senator Obama. Imam Qazwini also invited Senator Obama to visit the Islamic Center of America in Dearborn.

(alqazwini.org)

Well, I started a new job at a new school, and that is part of the reason why I have not been blogging much. The other reason is that I’m just a bad blogger. Shame on me!

Today I’m blogging on my new EeePC (more on that later).

Also, Ramadan is right around the corner — truly excited about that. I just pray my health will be better than it has in the past few Ramadans. I suppose that’s a sign that I’m getting old.

Anyway, back to this job. It’s a great school with a brand new building. The Library (media center) is huge with nice wooden shelves, soft new carpeting, plush lounge chairs, built-in media devices, including a projector on the ceiling, HP computers, as well as macbook laptops. The entire school is wireless as well. And my office, don’t even get me started. It’s large, complete with a refrigerator, sink, and a microwave.

I have large windows overlooking a green field and a forest near the river. I’m still getting adjusted, and that has taken more of my time than usual.

There are many issues to blog about, so expect to hear more from me soon, insha’Allah.