Will the Real Mothers Please Stand up?

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It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and that is most certainly true in the case of this particular photograph that I speak of. The photo was of a mother kissing the cheek of her daughter with all the splendid affection of motherly love that touches human hearts. The only thing wrong here, however, is that this wasn’t your regular mother-daughter pair. This was the grandmother and mother of Aaliyah Johnson – the two year old baby that was brutalized to such an extent that her internal organs were lacerated, resulting in massive internal bleeding and her eventual death. Her mother, Candice Johnson, is now on trial for her daughter’s murder. I wonder if baby Aaliyah was ever favoured with such tender kindness by her mother? Continue reading

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The Nation of Islam and victimhood: On Mr. Louis Farrakhan’s recent visit to Trinidad & Tobago

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So what is the essence of this magnetic attraction to Mr. Farrakhan and his teachings? What makes people feel “uplifted” as opposed to thoroughly disgusted after listening to an entire discourse in which every other line contains the phrase “the black man”? Continue reading

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Carnival: National Pride or National Shame?

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Here we go again….close your eyes, hold your breath…we’re about to be thrown head-first into Carnival atmosphere! But is it something we should be proud of….or something we should, in reality, despise? Our author discusses the issue: “Oh how many of us have heard the older generation accuse the younger one for bringing Carnival to the absurdity it is today! But as the saying goes: show me what a people make as culture today and I will show you what their children will make as headlines tomorrow.” Continue reading

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Standardization Through Cultural Imperialism – Seeking to outlaw teen marriages in T&T

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Our first article for the year addresses the issue of the legality of teen marriage in Trinidad and Tobago and the views of Minister Verna St.Rose-Greaves who believes that religious laws concerning the issue are not sufficient to override the coming amendment.
“The government must be wary however that their decision to tamper with religious legislation surrounding a sacred institution which currently preserves our society’s morality and security may perpetuate further social ills, pulling the independent and liberal-thinking rug from under our own feet…”
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2011 in review

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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog. Here’s an excerpt: A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 7,800 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway … Continue reading

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‘Tis the season to be wary

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From company Christmas dinners, to staff gift-exchanges, to the schoolchildren’s Christmas treat, the abiding Muslim faithful finds himself/herself in a spot of bother around this time – year in, year out. The dilemma: How to decline participation without causing needless offence? How to function normally amidst the jubilation without serious compromise of principles?

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PM Assassination Plot: Does Islam allow such things?

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To insinuate that those who travel and stay in Saudi are likely to come back as “terrorists” is akin to saying that those who travel and stay in the US are likely to come back as abortion-clinic-bombers or secret Klu Klux Klan members. Yes, there are black sheep in Saudi Arabia, like every other place on the planet, but we have enough here in T&T to keep us busy (and the majority aren’t Muslim, by the way).
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Unpublished Letter: “Verily the Most Honored of You is the Most Righteous” -TML

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The following letter was sent by the Trinidad Muslim League (TML) to the Trinidad Guardian concerning Mr.Iqbal Hydal’s interview last Sunday 4th December, 2011 in which he misrepresented Islam in many issues generally, and made controversial statements regarding Afro-Trinidadian Muslims. However, the letter wasn’t published. Continue reading

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Afro-Trini + Muslim = Zealot

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It isn’t an easy thing being an Afro-Trinidadian these days. It seems like you’re either likely to be hauled before the courts charged with being a gangster under a wishy-washy anti-gang law, be turned away from certain primary schools because of your ‘lowly caste’, or even be stamped as a zealot if you just so happen to be a Muslim. Is it really such an unfortunate thing to bear the features of your parents whom you didn’t volunteer to have?

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PM Assassination Plot: Poof! It’s over…or is it?

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So it’s all over in a poof… nothing, nothing to see here, nothing to worry about. …But you know what, it is not nothing. People’s freedom was taken away for no reason and their families put through emotional distress that … Continue reading

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T&T PM Assassination Plot: Muslims, Please Keep in Mind

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We don’t know the facts concerning these accusations yet, but in the meantime, it’s important for Muslims not to be cowered into taking the guilty-until-proven-innocent approach that many take towards accused Muslims in recent times. The impermissibility of the plot itself should be clarified based on sound Islamic evidences and scholarship, but this does not necessitate defamation of the individuals without substantiated evidence Continue reading

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Muslims’ Plot Against Sweet Trinidad and Tobago’s PM?! For Real?

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Is this a political attempt by the government (and their comrades in the media) to create a bogeyman out of a religious minority in the country? Is it that this subset of society is the easy target because they are a minority? Or is it because of the fear drummed up by xenophobes in the international media creates an easy target? And all this in sweet T&T where “every creed and race finds an equal place”??
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A State of Emergency or a State of Oblivion?

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However, one question that needs to be asked here is whether or not the SOE will achieve its intended purpose (assuming that to be the purpose in the first place) i.e. social change for the better. Some of the more informed commentators have elected to adopt a ‘wait and see’ position on this question, but for a conscious Muslim the answer is pretty much a foregone conclusion: THE SOE BY ITSELF WILL NOT ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF SOCIAL CHANGE!

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Link: President Says – Guard Religious Freedom (Express Article)

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Take note of some very interesting and encouraging words from ‘MAX’, President of T&T: “”This freedom to pursue our daily lives without prejudice because of our religion or particular sects thereof, should inspire us to be ever more resolute in defending our country against those who would seek to introduce, subtly or otherwise, elements that would take us down a path of erosion of these very rights. Let no one change or impede our pursuit of peace.” Continue reading

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Eid Mubaarak From YouSpeakWeSpeak

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We say to each and every one, have a happy and blessed Eid with your family and friends and during this time of merriment, let us remember our lord and give Him thanks and praises for we do not know if this could be our last Ramadhaan and last ‘Eid. We hope that you enjoy your ‘Eid and that you make it home before the curfew!

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Aftermath of Ramadhaan Dawrah (Workshop) 2011!!!

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As promised (although 2 weeks ago, excuse us for our technical difficulties!), we finally present you with the AFTERMATH of the Ramadhaan Dawrah, 2011 @UWI. ENJOY!!!!!!

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Video: What this YouSpeakWeSpeak thing really about?!

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What’s better than someone explaining it ‘in person’?! At the recent Ramadhan Dawrah(Workshop) along with the UWIIS and MHIS @the University of the West Indies , there was an important presentation and further elucidation on what this blog (youspeakwespeak.wordpress.com) is about and what it represents. Be sure to tune in and spread to others. Continue reading

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Short Notice Announcement: Ramadhaan Dawrah This Weekend (23rd and 24th of July,2011)

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Ramadan Workshop July 23 & 24 2011 (click here for workshop schedule!) As Salaamu ‘Alaikum One and All, Youspeakwespeak will be presenting in part (along with  UWIIS and MHIS) a two-day workshop on the month of Ramadhaan which is just over … Continue reading

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Hang ‘em or Leave ‘em?- The Shari’ah’s Answer

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Last February, Trinbagonians tuned in anxiously as the Hanging Bill was defeated in Parliament. The outcome? The Opposition failed to give the necessary support for the Bill to be passed. In a study carried out by the Faculty of Law[1] at the University of the West Indies, while 26% of 1,000 Trinidadians favoured a mandatory death penalty, 64% favoured a discretionary death penalty. Our system of government failed to find a solution, but could it be that Islam is just what the doctor ordered? Sometimes the solution that you’re looking for is right under your nose! Continue reading

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Islam Arrival Day?

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Indian Arrival celebrations are in the air, and many Muslims of Indian descent, heady with pride in their Indian heritage, are enumerating the many contributions of Indian Muslims to T&T’s culture, economy and heritage. Undoubtedly, Indian Muslims have a lot to be proud of, as they’ve worked hand in hand with the rest of our country’s citizens to build T&T into what it is today. However, before we get too far ahead of ourselves we should ask, “Did Islam arrive on the Fatel Razack?” Continue reading

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Harold Camping: Oops! End of the World is Now October 21st, 2011…Sorry – An Islamic Perspective

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Where were you at 6:00 PM on May 21st, 2011, the time and date that Mr. Harold Camping predicted that judgement day would be upon us? Where were you on May 21st, 1988, and September 7th 1994? And where will you be on October 21st 2011 when he predicts the world will finally end…again?

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Really? Not so!…Putting Perspective to Muhammad’s Marriage to ‘Aaisha

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As for his reference to Prophet Muhammad’s marriage to ‘Aaisha, the author is, quite distastefully, attempting to smear the character of the most revered person to one fifth of the world’s population. This, just by appealing to a modern western reader’s current cultural norms and arbitrary conventions. Demagoguery at it’s best!… Continue reading

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Welcome Visitors, to YouSpeakWeSpeak T&T!

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Thanks for visiting us, please take the time to subscribe (see form on right side of page) so that you can be informed whenever a new article has been posted. Then, have a look at the “Contribute!” section. We want your voice to be heard! Lastly, don’t forget to bookmark us and leave a comment before you leave. Tell your friends, let’s get the word out! Continue reading

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Really? Not so! Clarifying Fractions and Inheritance in the Qur’aan

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Many of you may have come across a distasteful article in which the value of religions was derided, and misinformation (plain lies in some cases) was propagated to the Trinbagonian masses. It seems quite obvious that the author’s main intention … Continue reading

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Let’s ‘Race’ Past This Issue…

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…And so, when racism rears its ugly head in our melting-pot society our response should be as the Prophet of Islam has taught us. Our cry should not be for a superficial guise of equality based on numbers and statistics, but for justice based on merit. Even if it’s not in our favour. According to Islamic teachings, employees (or anyone else for that matter) are rewarded based on performance and merit only; no other criteria. Continue reading

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An Ever-Pertinent Topic…

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Some time ago many of you may have received an email titled: “Allah or Jesus”, containing an account of a ‘debate’ involving a Christian minister named Rick Mathes and an unnamed ‘Islamic imam’. The email is old news, but the same fallacies, untruths and outright concoctions found in that e-mail are still being circulated. So here’s our response (written a number of years ago) to Mr. Mathes chain e-mail. Enjoy! Continue reading

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Local Muslims Could Have Prevented the Coup?

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(Download PDF version of article here) In today’s Express (25/03/2011) an article was published under the title: “LOCAL MUSLIMS COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE COUP”. After first feeling aghast at the insinuations and wondering if this was another case of tabloid … Continue reading

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Shame on Us – Unpublished Letter

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Quite frankly, these days I read the newspapers, namely the more reputable ones, and on some pages I think I’m reading (or looking at) the Sunday Punch (which I don’t read by the way). I ask, why is there a pressing need to showcase and highlight what should, in reality, be scorned in a moral society? Continue reading

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On Women, Equality and Leadership.

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(Download PDF version of article here) This article actually dates to back November of last year (2010) when the issue of the firing (replacement…whatever you want to call it) of Fazeer Mohammed  (from CNMG) was at the forefront of the media. However, due to the highly … Continue reading

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Responding to ‘A Harangue on Homos’

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Oftentimes readers, articles such as this (‘A Harangue on Homos’) are published in newspapers without the general public being exposed to an appropriate response. The Express allows comments on all articles but we find them unfortunately removing valid and justified comments throughout … Continue reading

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