After reading Qudosi's "Response to a Robert Reilly Interview", Robert Short offers an insightful comparison between Star Trek's Borg and Islam.

As always, a brilliant commentary. In re: your last paragraph, I quote the British Statesman, Edmund Burke: "The only thing evil requires to be victorious is for good people to do nothing."

My personal feeling is that the prevalent Islamist thought process only embraces the ideologies of jihad, dhimmitude, the caliphate, and Shariah. If Muslims today were to limit their beliefs to the 5 pillars and the oneness of God and further abandoned their belief in their own moral superiority, as is demonstrated by their self-imposed alienation and separatist attitudes, I believe we could truly live harmoniously amongst each other.

I like to compare the mainstream Muslim mind to that of the "Borg" on the television series "Star Trek, the Next Generation." These Borg were of a collective mindset, and their goal was universal control and domination.

When they discovered a new life form, they would immediately begin to assimilate that life form into their own collective, stating that "you and your culture will become one with the Borg. We will add your technology to our own. Your culture will be assimilated to serve US. Resistance is futile. Any attempt to resist us and you and your culture will be destroyed."

This grim message was given at each encounter with the Borg. The message was similar to the one Muhammad gave to those who opposed him: "you have 3 choices: convert, be subjugated, or die." Individuality and individual beliefs were not permitted. One had to join the collective or be killed.

In a later episode of the series, one Borg whose life had been saved by the compassion of the Enterprise crew, rejoined the collective with a sense of "self" and independence. He was named "Hugh" by the Enterprise crew. His sense of self began to permeate the Borg collective and internal warfare began to erupt. Borg who refused to share their thoughts and wanted to be independent began to fight against the Borg collective, much in the same way that reformist Muslims are fighting against mainstream Islamic ideology. There are so many parallels here, but you would have to see the episodes to really feel the impact of the message they convey.

Editor's Note: A similar comparison can also be found with the "Necromancers" in The Chronicles of Riddick.

Makeup and the Hijab:

A Study with Seven Muslim Women Explores Possible Contradictions

For the majority of women across the globe, makeup has almost become a necessity for them. Samina Akhter, a Muslim businesswoman has launched UK’s first “halal makeup” meaning that it is 100% free of alcohol and animal products. After reading this article on Muslim Debates I was left with questions.

I noticed that the women who were modeling the makeup were Muslimah hijabis which puzzled me. Doesn’t makeup defeat the purpose of the hijab or the traditional Islamic headscarf?

Makeup is used to emphasize the eyes, lips, cheek bones, and so on which ultimately cause more attention to be drawn towards the subject – in this case, it’s the hijabi. Frankly, makeup even when use to its lowest minimum can make a huge difference in a person’s appearance. I have witnessed women who are covered from head to toe with eyes darkened by kohl or eyeliner, lashes thickened and lengthened, lips darkened to a sweet rouge tint, a shy blush whisked across the cheeks and so on and the majority of Muslims agree with that not being the proper form of the hijab.

When stating the points above, I was told by Muslims that no-makeup or minimal makeup with hijab is “a too strict interpretation of the hijab.” I have been misunderstood as a female misogynist! A controlling, misogynistic dictator of a woman’s life. It surprised me to be called all of these names. I am a person who stands strong for human rights.

I recognize women rights and speak in favor of it every chance I get and when I explained that makeup can do the reverse action of the hijab, I became an evil tyrant. Furthermore, I’ve been told to “butt out” of this whole debate because I don’t believe in all of this.

I have once covered my hair and my body as I felt it was a commandment from Allah. I am not against a woman who chooses to wear the headscarf. It is her choice and if she strongly feels that it is for her and what she stands for, then I too will stand by her side as I want to be respected for not wearing the hijab any longer.

WHY THE HIJAB?

I interviewed seven Muslim females of different backgrounds on the hijab to see why Muslimahs felt compelled to wear it.

NIDA: Nida, a college student of the United States started wearing her hijab in 6^th grade when she was first transferred to an Islamic school her father enrolled her in. She later transferred back to public school within the next year because she felt the Islamic school in the US wasn’t any different than a public school; it didn’t meet up to Islamic standards however, Nida still strived to wear her hijab. In her very words, Nida felt the hijab was “cool and interesting” at that time. She stated “The hijab is who I am, it is my dignity. It is stated in the quran. I feel secure when I please Allah.” Furthermore, she went on with the saying that most Muslim females have came across – “Women are jewels. The hijab shines and polishes them.” She believes in the Islamic faith a women who dresses modestly and wear the obligatory head cover will be a million times more beautiful and elegant than the hoor (untouched women) in heaven which was another reason as to why she covered.

RIMA: Rima is a Masters graduate who lives in Lebanon. “I started wearing the hijab in the year of 2001, so basically nine to ten years so far… I was in a Christian school where they didn’t allow anything religious like beards, hijab, etc.” It was something forbidden at her school which just made it more desirable and stirred curiosity in her. Rima believed that the hijab was obligatory and she had no problems with that.

“Once you see a sister wearing the hijab you would know she is a Muslim. It covers a lot of things. In other words, hijab makes me feel peaceful, beautiful, comfortable, modest, and proud. Allah has a great reward for hijabis so why not wear it now and get the reward later on?”

MERYEM: Meryem is a college graduate who is currently in Turkey. She’s been wearing the hijab for approximately thirteen years. “I’ve been wearing it since my period – I take it off only around the permitted people.”

“My hijab is an important part of my Muslimah identity. It is the signature I put under the contract that I signed with God, proof of my love for Him. If He wants me to be that way, I do that just because I love Him. I know whatever He orders me to do is for my own good…  It helps me to shape my behaviors. It says to person across to me that ‘I respect your right to not be bombarded about me, me, me. I give you space to ask me the things you want to know…’ Having a piece of cloth on hair doesn’t make a person modest, but immodest people definitely do not wear headscarves. “

AYAH: Ayah is a high school student in the US and has been wearing the hijab for two years.

“No, my wearing of the hijab wasn't mandatory at all. I woke up one morning and decided that I wanted to wear it. I wanted to become more 'Muslim' and felt that this was the way to show to people that I am a Muslim. After I wore it, I realized that the hijab truly doesn't represent me being a Muslim, and that it was the way I acted and such.”

FERESHTEH: Fereshteh is a current college student in the US and has never worn the hijab. She still considers herself a Muslimah.

“If you look at the quran it says nothing about the hijab. It just says that you have to cover you bosoms and privates. The word ‘hijab’ is not even mentioned in the quran! I dress appropriately and my hair shows. I don’t feel a scarf over my hair is necessary. I have yet to be disrespected by men.”

RANIA: Rania is an American Muslim and a mother of two.  She says, “Hijab is not a fashion statement. It is my duty. Allah has commanded me to wear it and I love Him so much. It is my way of letting Him know that I appreciate all that He has given to me, aside from making salat (prayers). Modesty makes a woman a true woman.”

JAMEELAH: Jameelah is a high school student of the US and wears her hijab proudly. She enjoys applying makeup not only on herself but for other women as well. She would like to major in biology but has serious talent in makeup.Jameelah has been wearing her hijab since she was about 13 years old – it was her family’s choice but she embraced it later on.

“The hijab is a commandment and is my right. It is what I am and what I stand for. I will never remove my hijab. Allah is first and foremost. At first my family told me to wear the hijab and I didn’t like it because my parents didn’t explain the hijab to me. They told me that it is compulsory and no questions to be asked. I wore for about a year because I had to but I began to ask other  girls why they wear their hijab. It surprised me how beautiful the hijab is and I feel ashamed for never being able to see it in the first place. I thank my family for enforcing the hijab on me now. No regrets, just lessons!”

MAKEUP AND ISLAM

When asked if makeup is permissible for Muslimahs to wear, four of the young ladies said it was fine but under certain conditions.

MERYEM: Makeup for me is “highlighting the feminine beauty” not womanhood. And I relate my femininity with my privacy. Because of that reason, it conflicts with my understanding of hijab and I don’t have it on outside… I do not wear it, and I am not the one decide on the other people’s appearance, it is a choice…

RIMA: I believe scholars would advice a sister to wear heavy makeup to her mahraam (uncles, husband) or some sisters gathering. They are right because heavy makeup is catchy and might attract some men. I am not against make up. I do wear light makeup during events like weddings or graduation. Usually, I would wear it because I don't like to pay much on such beautification on myself.

AYAH: Personally, I don't like when I see anyone wearing tons of makeup. I think they are lowering themselves to society’s view of beauty, and I hate it. I think everyone can be beautiful without makeup. So when I see a Muslimah wearing makeup, I wonder how she can stand up to the society's way of dissing hijab, but she can't stand up to the society's way of dissing a woman when she's not wearing makeup. If it's a little bit, like some eyeliner, eye shadow, and that stuff, ok. But if she's got a whole bunch of that stuff on, nope!

RANIA: I don’t wear any makeup and I don’t plan on to. If I do wear makeup, it is only for my husband and at a private setting where it is just him and I. He is my husband and is the only one other than my family who deserves to see my beauty at its best. And I’m happy for not wearing makeup outside. Makeup does defeat the purpose of the hijab, even if it’s a little eyeliner or lip gloss. Sisters have to remember than men are so quick to be tempted. Hijab is more than just a cover on the head but it is your personality, your behavior, your style, and how you carry yourself. I hate saying “true Muslimah” but one who strictly follows the quran and hadith will know makeup in front of non-mahram men, no matter how low is an absolute no-no.

JAMEELAH: I am a hijabi and I wear makeup. You can say that I put a lot of makeup on but not on a daily basis. I enjoy makeup and every kind of it. I know natural beauty is important but makeup is nice too… Eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick, and all of that is more of an art (to me) than a tool of attraction. Most men prefer natural beauty anyways! I do my makeup for myself. It is my art and it is my face and I can do anything I want to it. Men can look at hair and the body and feel sexual attraction but makeup is a turnoff for the majority of men and also it’s a different kind of beauty they don’t appreciate as much. Makeup doesn’t make a man horny and that’s the bottom line.

NIDA: It is not our right to be loud, not our right to make it harder for the man; it is his nature to fall weakly over a woman’s looks. And we women have to do our part. A little makeup is OK but heavy makeup is for the husband and only at home. It’s not meant for some random dude.

FERESHTEH: I feel I shouldn’t be answering this since I don’t even wear the hijab but of course a woman who is wearing the hijab shouldn’t wear the hijab! Hello! Makeup can look very sexy if it is done the right way! And men dig light makeup.

CONCLUSION | A CONTRADICTION IN VALUES?

So I am left in the utmost confusion. Hijab has different meanings to each individual. The question that we are all left is what is the true “ruling” behind makeup when wearing the hijab? I personally feel that if a woman wants to wear makeup that is her choice just as Meryem said. However, remember what you’re standing for. You are here saying that you’re proud and dignified/modest but you are contradicting yourself in the end whether you want to accept it or not…

Why is it when Muslim men and women speak in favor of the hijab they always seem to refer back to images of Virgin Mary or nuns? What use is that? I have yet to see a nun wearing even a speck of blush and as for Virgin Mary I think we can all agree with her not looking like glamour queen. Nuns and Virgin Mary don’t look like they just stepped out of MAC. They are “modest” by covering their hair and I feel that they wear the headscarf (hijab if you will) better than some Muslimahs simply because they stick to their words.

Jameelah is only one of the hijabis I managed to interview who is a proud hijabi and a makeup lover. Most refused to be interviewed and I feel it is because they are aware that they are breaking their rules. And after all, Islam has derived from both Judaism and Christianity. Does the word “hijab” have a new meaning to it? Perhaps it has a different definition to each individual.

I want to make it very clear that I have no objections with the hijab. In fact, I think the hijab can look very cute and can cause some serious thinking to men. The hijab is mysteriously beautiful and leaves men to wonder “what is under the veil?” As Rima has mentioned, the forbidden is desirable. Once upon a time I wore the hijab too and I always felt I contradicted myself and now I am strong enough to admit that. When I would brush mascara on my lashes, I would notice my hijab on and feel as if I am defeating the purpose. I wore it anyways. My intentions were good meaning that I only wore the makeup for myself. But now as a non-hijabi, I show my hair for myself as well. What does this all mean? Intentions play a significant role but the level of hypocrisy between wearing the headscarf and makeup challenges me and many others.

I agree with both Fereshteh and Rania. If the hijab is to be worn, it is to be worn with no makeup, no earrings, etc. The hijab represents “modesty, purity, dignity – so men don’t look at you.” I always heard this saying as I was going up – “A Muslim woman is a pearl and the hijab is her shell.” I guess makeup in front of non-mahram men opens the shell just a little!

QC Letters is an open forum for readers to express their views. To submit your letter, opinion or essay, email letters@qudosi.com. All submissions are protected by the First Amendment's Right to Free Speech. The Qudosi Chronicles is not responsible for the views held by readers and in the interest of free speech. The QC is open to posting submissions even if the arguments are disagreed with by the editors.

Squabbling and mistrust among those who share values and who recognized the depth of the radical Islamist threat to Western values is counterproductive. One of my tasks as San Diego Chapter leader for Act! For America is to build a coalition of like-minded Americans to protect our precious way of life from the imposition of Sharia and Islamist terrorist attacks. However, I am too often frustrated by unnecessary disagreements among those who should be working in common cause.

The most recent example of this kind of useless conflict has arisen over the issue of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) ads promoting Islam and the counter ads produced by Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer. Shireen Qudosi wrote an article critical of the counter ads. I will not rehash the details of this dispute.

The differences over outreach to “apostates” are of little significance when juxtaposed against the Islamists campaign. Geller, Spencer and Qudosi share a heartfelt concern for the threat posed by radical Islam. They further share a complete commitment to American Constitutional values. They recognize that we are at war and the global nature of this enemy. They have a common understanding that this war has both violent and stealth characteristics. The three activists harbor serious misgivings with the way the current administration is conducting this war. As such they should join hands while building a vast American coalition prepared to defeat the enemy and embrace all allies.

The dust up over the ads only benefits the enemy. In this same vain, I am troubled by a trend I regularly encounter among too many in our movement. Far too many on our side discourage and push away moderate Muslims because of issues of trust. There are those among us who will not trust anyone who identifies themselves as a Muslim. Because of the nature of those parts of the Koran that permit and encourage deception and other very troubling passages, genuine reformers like Shireen are the object of grave mistrust. This despite the fact that Shireen and others like her put themselves at considerable risk by openly criticizing Islam.

For whatever reason, some raised as Muslims prefer to find a path in Islam, rather than convert or abandon the faith they were born into, even as they recognize the deep problematic nature of the faith. They fully reject all those elements that I need not expound upon, that make radical Islam such a real and present threat to our way of life. Whether one feels that it is impossible or inconsistent to claim to be a moderate Muslims should be irrelevant. The only criteria we need to be concerned with are the values both spiritual and political of those on our side. Based on this standard, Shireen is a champion for American values and warrior against radical Islam.

If we are to win this war, we dare not marginalize allies. Shireen is indeed an ally. I urge Pamela and Robert to reach out to Shireen. She is very young, committed and courageous.

I urge the three parties to embrace one another’s sincerity and find ways to work together. We have enough enemies without creating divisions in our ranks.

RJC member Michael Hayutin is as a father, San Diego Chapter leader of Act! for America, compelled to write as an expression of gratitude for the good fortune of being a citizen of this wonderful country.

A Message from Shireen Qudosi:

I'd like to thank Mike for taking the time to share his thoughts. The issues faced here seem to be a trending perception of anyone who calls themselves a Muslim.  Spencer/Geller's quick reaction to label me as some sort of covert Islamist with some hidden 'agenda' isn't just laughable, but it also doesn't speak well for future efforts in combating genuine Islamist activity if those who claim to leaders in this area can't distinguish a secular Muslim from an Islamist.

To clarify, an Islamist isn't someone who is Muslim, or even a terrorist. Rather, an Islamist is that well-spoken, well-dressed Muslim moderate in appearance but who uses 'the system' to push an Islamic agenda. For example, those groups or individual who claim victimization and demand special privileges, who use our system of laws to push sharia law, who demand one set of special codes for Muslims despite the fact that we all live in a common land - those people are Islamist and those people are arguably more dangerous to our liberties than outright jihadis.

But to come back to the point at hand, it's crucial that extreme right wingers fringing on clearly Islamophobic agendas begin recognizing that 1) just because we're Muslims doesn't mean we're nut jobs out to blow up America, and 2) you soap box preachers peddling 'news' mixed with half truths and exaggerations, you NEED moderate Muslims to help fight radical Islam. Marginalizing those VERY few of us who'd otherwise agree with you on the threat of radical Islam, doesn't do your agenda any good.  We're ultimately on the same side. It's time you recognized it.

And if you're going to be 'experts' in this field claiming to know of the very real threat of radical Islam, it'd serve you well to familiarize yourself with all facets of Muslims. This weekend I finally met someone face to face who not long ago told me to go 'crawl back in a cave in Afghanistan', clearly assuming I was another extremist, not surprisingly too considering he hadn't taken the time to research my work or position. The individual was astonished to find a Muslim who looked just like any other American.  I shook his hand, and asked him to notice that I wasn't shrouded in black like some sort of missile cover, nor was I strapping a belt of bombs.

My advice is this - if you want to fight radical Islam, it's time you started recognizing you're not the only players in the game.  Continued racism isn't going to push those of us in the faith out to the sidelines.  And if you want to win this game, you need to start being able to see the difference between your opponent and your team mate.

Photo Credit: Illume & Ridwan Adhami. "November 2008 Magazine Cover - ILLUME. Photographer: Ridwan Adhami"

QC Letters is an open forum for readers to express their views. To submit your letter, opinion or essay, email letters@qudosi.com. All submissions are protected by the First Amendment's Right to Free Speech. The Qudosi Chronicles is not responsible for the views held by readers and in the interest of free speech. The QC is open to posting submissions even if the arguments are disagreed with by the editors.

NASA's Top Chief Says "Muslim World" the Next Frontier
source

NASA's top priority is to improve relations with the Muslim world?! I think President Obama is confused, and thinks that the phrase "Muslim world" refers to another planet. This is the sort of absurd misuse of government power that makes people suspicious and cynical.

Want to improve relations with the Muslim world? Note - I'm NOT saying to do this, but these are the only things that "the Muslim world" (as if 58 countries and all of their people all agree on one thing - try assigning NASA the mission of improving "the Christian world" or "the Buddhist world" and see how well that works out) would find showing serious intent. Note that "Give a speech in a Muslim country" is not on the list.

1. Stop the Gaza blockade.
2. Create a Palestinian State and allow for the right of return to the Palestinian diaspora.
3. Stop subsidizing Israel
4. Pull out of Iraq
5. Pull out of Afghanistan.

Let's see...does NASA have anything to do with any of those things? No? Well, then NASA isn't the agency to have the priority of improving relations with the Muslim community here on earth, and it's sort of condescending and silly to imagine that it is.

Alex Lightman is the executive director of H+ (aka World Transhumanist Association) and chair of the H+ Summit. He's also the writer of the "Forever Young" column in H+ magazine, and the author of Brave New Unwired World. Follow Lightman on Twitter @lxlightman

QC Letters is an open forum for readers to express their views. To submit your letter, opinion or essay, email letters@qudosi.com. All submissions are protected by the First Amendment's Right to Free Speech. The Qudosi Chronicles is not responsible for the views held by readers and in the interest of free speech. The QC is open to posting submissions even if the arguments are disagreed with by the editors.