Eid Mubarak!

Image Source: http://www.viprasys.org

As Salaamu Alaykum wa Eid Mubarak! As the Holiday winds down and we return to work and our usual schedules, I just wanted to take some time out to say I hope your Eid was great and that you were surrounded by beneficial people and love everywhere! 

As a revert, it was strange for me at first to celebrate Eid, not because it wasn't a joyous occasion, but because I didn't know how. As strange as that sounds, I grew up celebrating Christmas and we don't have any Muslim family in the area; our friends are generally travelling or with their own families so in past years, at times, Eid has felt a little empty. I'm relieved to find that as the years go by, it's getting easier to incorporate fun into our holiday and to celebrate it "properly" so that it's something the kids look forward to with as much excitement as I used to Christmas. 

While it wasn't as eventful as I'd hoped, we still managed to enjoy ourselves. After Maghrib on Monday, technically the first "day" of Eid, the kids opened their gifts. We made Eid salah at the Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, MD, where they had moonbounces, games, candy and crafts for the kids to do. It cleared out much too soon for our tastes but on the upside it was nice to not have to fight the crowds. Afterward, we went to a delicious lunch with friends at an area restaurant. On Day 2, we had a lovely brunch as a family and kept things simple. Day 3, we frankly ran errands and rested- not exciting, I know, but necessary. 

As a consolation, we have three Eid parties coming up next week insha'Allah and I know the kids will absolutely love it! Plus, I look forward to spending that time with some of my favorite Muslim sisters.

So tell me, how did you spend your Eid? I want the good, the bad and the boring! I'd also love to have ideas for what to do next year with the kids, so please share them in the comments section below!

JazaakumAllahu Khayran!

Mimic Octopus, SubhaanAllah

Okay, so I saw this video and instantly my jaw dropped. This is absolutely amazing and totally awe-inspiring. Allah truly is the Greatest. So many of His creations/ayat force us to really ponder His Greatness and His Presence. I mean, as I say all the time, "Who, WHO, is that creative?!?!? How can they not see what is so evident?" SubhaanAlllah!

Which of Allah's ayaat have inspired you, or even brought tears to your eyes in their greatness? Please be an inspiration to me and to others and share your story below. JazaakumAllahu Khayran.

Beware, it's a scam: Complimentary iPad

If you've received a message similar to the following message, even if it's from someone you know, please beware that it's a phishing scam. Clicking on the link will allow the site to go into your address book and spam everyone in it and it apparently keeps a record of the email addresses so it can spam again later on at will, especially long after you've forgotten about it.

Here's a few articles/blog posts about it :
http://www.geeksugar.com/Testitandkeepitcom-iPad-Scam-7911272

http://impactanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/10/checktheappscom-is-phishing-scam.html

Also, if you've received messages from friends with no text and only a link, beware, it's probably a virus & all it needs is for your click on it to unleash the damage. When in doubt, pick up the phone and ask the friend if they recognize the message they sent, or just delete it altogether.

Stay safe online;^)

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Sent: Sun, October 31, 2010 12:56:12 PM
Subject: [ihsanHS] Sam Oleffson invites you.

Dear ihsanHS@yahoogroups.com,

You have been invited by your friend Sam Oleffson to participate in a research program. Currently there are
companies that are looking for individuals who are interested in reviewing and testing the new Apple iPad applications and games.
After the review the participants may keep the iPad.

For more details or to register to our program, follow the link below:

check the apps . com

(A Note from Me: I had to break up the link with spaces because it kept setting off Yahoo's anti-spammer security and I couldn't send the message-further proof of a scam)

Best Regards,

Sam Oleffson .
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This message was intended for ihsanHS@yahoogroups.com, and was sent on behalf of Sam Oleffson<samo@gmail.com>

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