Ashura (The Day of Atonement)

Ashura is a day that usually falls on the 10th day of the Month of Muharram( The January of the Islamic Calendar). Its history goes back to Moses's time and it commemorates the day that the jews were freed from Egypt, Moses (A.S) fasted on this day and told the people to fast. Muslims remember this day by fasting on the 9th and 10th day of the month of Muharam. It is also a day observed in mourning, as it is the day the grandson of prophet Mohammed(S.A.W), imam Hussein ibn Ali (R.A) was killed in the Battle of Karbala. So let's try to fast on the 9th and 10th of Muharam, in order to fully participate on this day of Atonement.

Verse of the Day - Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterian)

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace.

Na waja wa Mwenyezi Mungu,ni wale wanaokwenda ulimwenguni kwa unyenyekevu, na wajinga wakisema nao(maneno mabaya) huwajibu (maneno ya) Amani.

(Qur'an 25:63)

Wiki njema wadau!

For the Love of Water

Water is an essential element for the survival of mankind.This documentary explores water like never before, it talks about how the big corporations exploit this natural resource by trying to profit from it.Personally, I like the part where a village in India harvest water and turn their dessert village into a green lush farm land. Sometimes, the people have their own solutions, they just need a little funding and help to make it happen. The video is long, so prepare yourself, but if you haven't watched it, please do, it is a must see for all.

Direct youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvGQJsWbES4
Rainwater harvesting is such a cheap alternative to huge damns, that even communities can do it themselves. Its such a simple process of capturing, accumulating and storing rain water into large pits for future use. Why aren't we all doing it? It will solve so many of our problems and also lower that water bill huh? As I said before we are getting there.

Solar Tyre Oven for under $5 - How to make a cheap solar cooker - Tire Oven

One of the many problems we have in Africa is deforestation. How? We simply need wood to fuel everything, especially the villages, cooking, heating water etc. Women are usually left with the burden of having to go and hunt for this fuel. So in order to keep with the times and try to go green so as to preserve our planet and of cause to ease on the labor work for the women. I found a little educational video from our brother Moses in Uganda, showing us how to build our own solar oven, from; get this, an old worn out tire, some newspapers, foil paper, glass cover and some tape. Top this off with the Power of the Sun and viola it's magic.

Now getting foil paper, glass and tape might be a problem for folks in the village. Also, some folks might not be into the do it your self bandwagon, so below is a more, factory properly designed and made for a little more mula, but better quality solar stove.

I love it when we use our brain as it was designed to function. Hey! we are slow as hell, but we are getting there. 

Verse of the Day - Surat Al-'Isra (The Night Journey)

Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.

Anaye ongoka basi anaongoka kwa ajili ya nafsi yake. Na anaye potea basi anapotea kwa khasara yake mwenyewe. Wala habebi mbebaji mzigo wa mwengine. Wala Sisi hatuadhibu mpaka tumpeleke Mtume.* (Qur'an 17:15)


* Mwenye kufuata njia ya Haki basi anajifaa mwenyewe, na mwenye kuiacha basi anajipoteza mwenyewe. Wala hapana mwenye kubeba dhambi zake akambebea dhambi za mwenginewe. Wala haitufalii kumuadhibu yeyote kwa kutenda kitu kabla hatujampelekea Mtume kutoka kwetu amwonyeshe njia ya Haki na kumkataza maovu. 

Ijumaa Njema Wadau!

Happy Islamic New Year!

As we welcome this sacred month of Muharram in the new year of 1435, let's reflect on our lives in the past year, and pray to Allah that he blesses our coming years.

Happy New Year!

May this coming year be filled with peace, love and Be Free of Greed.

Jumaa Mubarak from Dodoma, Tanzania

Today's Jumaa Greetings come from Muammar Gaddafi Masjid in Dodoma, Tanzania. This mosque was funded by the former Libyan president Muammar Gaddafi and it is the largest mosque in the city, if not the whole country.

Alhamdullilah! We are grateful to Allah and the late Gaddafi for funding this beautiful Mosque for us.May his soul rest in peace.