Wham! Bam! Islam! The 99 Cartoon

Posted by marocmama on Oct 16, 2011 in Events | 1 comment

Watch Beware Evildoers: Here Come the 99! on PBS. See more from Independent Lens.

I don’t often share many of my political or social views on my blog only because I try to remain true to what I started this site as. However several months ago I heard an interview on Wisconsin Public Radios’ (my go to station that I’ve successfully converted my husband and mother to!) Here on Earth Show. The show was about The 99 a comic book series from Kuwaiti Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa. The series is rooted in Islamic culture. The books are based on a team of superheroes, each one exemplifying one of the 99 attributes of Allah. Such attributes include compassion, understanding and tolerance. Within the Islamic world, Al-Mutawa hoped these new role models would counter the growing tide of political and religious extremism. Most recently PBS Frontline (another favorite show of mine) presented Wham! Bam! Islam! a documentary about the creation of the comic and the controversies faced as Dr. Al-Mutawa and his team bring it around the world and to TV.

When I first heard about this comic I wanted to find it for my boys and for me. The premise was really very interesting, entertaining and educational. On watching the documentary there do however to be two polarizing sides to this argument. There is the camp who do not want this to come to mainstream because they view it as “Islamic propaganda”. To that argument I say it’s no more propaganda than the dozens of Christian based cartoons that exist both overtly and covertly. I fail to see the harm in a cartoon that features characters fully clothed sharing the virtues of understanding and tolerance. The other side of the argument comes from some in the Islamic world who claim the story strays too far from Islam. To that I have even bigger issues. Instead of degrading what has been created I feel these people should take a long hard look at what does exist in the comic and cartoon world for kids. Having just returned from Morocco where there are hundreds of satellite channels from around the Middle East there is a lot of bad programming for kids.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. On The 99 website you can download a free version of one of the comic books! Take a look and let me know what you think.

You can keep up to date with The 99 on their website, Facebook page, YouTube channel and Twitter stream.

I’m teaming up with American Muslim Mom to share this story and fight censorship in the media. Please visit their webpage as well to share your support. If you feel strongly about this issue consider sharing my post, writing your own post and showing your support through social media.

When Mainstream Meets Muslims

Posted by marocmama on Aug 11, 2011 in Ramadan | 3 comments

This Ramadan has been an interesting one.  I was very excited before the month began when I found out that Whole Foods would be doing a (even if small) campaign reaching out (I love the comments on this article) to Muslim communities.  I think that for many Muslims including myself is so refreshing to see mainstream businesses reaching out to Muslims instead of caving into the fear-mongers that would seek to condemn them.  I am so grateful to all of the sponsors this month that are doing giveaways with me especially for Ramadan.  Thank you so much!

I also learned about an opportunity from Western Union.  If you’re sending money to the Middle East or to other countries celebrating Ramadan you will be entered to win a match of the same amount you’re sending up to $1,000.  There is a new winner each day.  Check out the American Muslim Mom webpage for full details!

What are some companies or businesses you would love to see reaching out to Muslim consumers during holidays? (or anytime for that matter).

Tomorrows Meal Ideas:

Suhoor:  Strawberries with Yogurt and Pistachio Parfaits - Martha says this one is a dessert but  I think it would make a great suhoor with some whole wheat toast on the side.  You can easily cut down the size of this to a single or double portion.  Greek yogurt + pistachios will give you loads of protein which helps keep you full.

Iftar: I should come clean and tell you that Olga from Mango & Tomato is a pal of mine.  We met at Eat, Write, Retreat and she not only has a great personality but is a wonderful photographer with rocking recipes.  She’s Russian so this borscht (beet soup) is the real deal.  It’s something different and unique but I think you’ll like it!

Dinner:  I came up with this Beef and Broccoli over Barley recipe one afternoon when I had a ton of broccoli from my CSA box, not much else in the fridge and company coming over.

In a heavy bottom pan heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp crushed garlic, and 1 tsp ginger.  Slice a good cut of beef as thinly as possible and add to the pan.  You may need to add a little bit of water if it starts to dry out.  When the meat is about 1/2 cooked add as much broccoli as you like and a little more water and turn heat down to medium.  Cover for about 5 minutes then check.  In a separate pan prepare the barley according to package directions.  Once the broccoli is soften (but not mush) remove from heat.  Serve on top of the barley!

So I don’t like breakfast…so what?

Posted by marocmama on Aug 13, 2010 in All other posts | 4 comments

I don’t like breakfast, you might have noticed I don’t post a lot of breakfast recipes.  That’s because I usually don’t eat it.  Before you tell me that it’s the most important meal of the day and it’s the fuel that gets you going – hear me out.  When I wake up it takes me a long time to even feel like I’m hungry – it usually is about 11am.  So I eat “breakfast” then, lunch around 4pm and then dinner around 8pm.  Maybe my clock is off?  So when Ramadan rolls around I usually sleep through suhoor and then about 3pm I get really hungry.  This is a problem.  I promised myself that this year I would really try to get up and eat no matter what, even if I had to gag it down. 

First day of Ramadan, I slept through suhoor, bad start.  This morning thanks to some nasty thunderstorms I was up at 3am.  Score.  I had plenty of time to do a little wake up and then decided to give this tasty oatmeal a shot.  I overdid the peanut butter a bit and while it was good, it reminded me of a bowl of cookie dough and at 3am that’s just not going to work.  Next time…I might have to make some changes.  I went to the farmer’s market and picked up some organic peppermint the previous day and it smelled heavenly.  I mean this was real mint I felt like just smelling it was somehow breaking my fast because it just smelled THAT good.  I pulled off a few stems and threw it in a pitcher of water.  I drank at least 4 glasses of peppermint water with my oatmeal, so good. 

Tomorrow is a new day and maybe the morning will be better too.  I’m glad that I can make the choice to fast or not.  Give a read to this article from The Economist about the right to fast or not in Morocco.

Do you have some breakfast ideas to make mornings better?  (no smoothies please!)

Thinking thoughts…

Posted by marocmama on Oct 29, 2009 in All other posts | 2 comments

I have been a bit absent here and I apologize. I had gotten into such a good rhythm and totally fell off the wagon! I’ve been cooking but not Moroccan and I haven’t decided yet if I should include those recipes as well. We definately eat 95% Mediterranean food all the time but not always Moroccan. What do you think? Do you want to see other things as well?