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Editorial Forum
Muslim life in Whatcom County
Ask Monem and Iman Salam questions about their Islam religion and about their lives as Muslims in Whatcom County. They moved to Bellingham five years ago. The parents of three children, Monem is a financial manager and Iman is a homemaker. Their family is the focus of a new one-hour documentary, “On a Wing and a Prayer: An American Muslim Learns to Fly,” made by a Bellingham company, Hand Crank Films. More than an account of Monem’s effort to obtain his private pilot’s license, the movie explores the life of a modern Muslim family in small-town America.
Most Recently Answered Questions
Questions 11 - 20 of 36 (Page 2 of 4)
Submitted by Dave Willis from Bellingham, WA
Q: I was very rude and spoke very harshly to a man I think is a Muslim. He had made a simple mistake and I very much over reacted. I also made his family upset by yelling and swearing. I have gone to his door and apologized. Is there something more I should do so they understand that I truly regret my actions. By the way, my actions and thought had nothing to do with the idea that they are Muslim. But I do wish to bridge any cultural gap so they know my apology is sincere.
A: Dave, thanx for your question as it shows much sincerity in your wanting to be forgiven. It seems that you have done your best in trying to offer forgiveness. One other thing I might suggest is to invite him and/or his family for dinner as there is nothing better than "breaking bread together", in any faith tradition.
if you are unable to reach him to do this, then just keep trying, as only God knows your sincerity in apologizing.
Answered 06/07/10 16:07:53 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Julie from Bellingham, WA
Q: Asalam alikoum,
My fiancee and I are moving to Bellingham. My plane landed 2 days ago and his is due in a couple weeks. I am in the process of reverting and learning, and my fiancee is Pakistani. I have read your mention of the Sustainable Living Center perhaps being better for new reverts due to cultural issues (I have experienced more than my share, from the women especially). Would we be unwelcome at the Islamic center completely? Are there no Sunday school classes for me? And worst, where do we find someone to do our Nikkah once he arrives here?
I welcome any input you can give in this all.
Thank you, Julie
A: Wa Alaikum Salaam,
why don't you come for Jumma at the Sustainable Living Center this coming Friday... starts at 12:30pm. we can talk more then
Monem
Answered 01/27/10 21:25:29 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Kathleen Sparkes from Bellingham, WA
Q: I am interested in how you celebrated Aid al-Adha. I know the tradition is to sacrifice a sheep, however, I have read discussion recently about the need to change this tradition to fit with the living situations of many Muslims at present (in cities, no access to buying a sheep, no way to handle the entrails, etc.) One Muslim family said they donate the money they would spend on a sheep to charity and commemorate the spirit of the Aid.
Aid mebruk, Kathleen
A: Hi Kathleen,
that is a great question. Many Muslims, even in the US slaughter a goat or lamb during this holiday of Eid Al-Adha, which means Festival of Sacrifice. Many also donate to a charity that slaughters an animal on their behalf and gives them to poor on their behalf either here in the US or another country of their choice. This year I gave it in the form of a charitable donation, but last year, I sacrificed a goat on a farm in Whatcom county.
Eid Kareem
Monem
Answered 11/30/09 21:28:52 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Kathleen Sparkes from Bellingham, WA
Q: I greatly appreciate the information you are providing about Islam for the many people who are unfamiliar with Muslim beliefs. I have many friends in Morocco where I worked as a Peace Corps volunteer. I have been looking for someone who speaks Moroccan "darija" Arabic to converse with. Do you know anyone in the Bellingham area whom I could contact?
A: No, unfortunately I don't.
Answered 11/02/09 11:54:02 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Ann from Toronto, ON
Q: I have a friend who lives in Bellingham and tells me that there is only one Islamic Center opened up in a small apartment. She is very much interested in Islam but the sisters who go to that center stay away from her, avoid her and don't teach her anything. She wants to learn how to recite the Quran and also how to offer prayers. She wants to learn from sisters but they always refer her to the brothers. It is very hard for her to understand why the females can not teach her a simple thing. I have told her that it might be due to cultural or educational backgrounds but isn't it sad to think that there are people who want to learn and Muslims are hesitant in teaching them? My fiend is having conflicts at home with family due to it and no muslim is there to help her. Can you please come up with a solution? Is there any other Islamic center or some knowledgeable female you would know who can teach her? Please help her. I live in Toronto and know no one in Bellingham.
A: Hi Ann,
thank you for your note. There is one official center in Bellingham which has a lot of cultural issues associated with it. That is why a group has separate prayer services and in fasting Month of Ramadan, are doing potluck every night. All are welcome. It is at the Sustainable Living Center at 2309 Meridian, 2nd floor. I would suggest that your friend come to this location and we can help.
Answered 09/08/09 11:29:20 by Monem Salam
Submitted by annie from america
Q: aslamualikum, my question is what if any muslim ate some food like pizza andd nuggets without knowing or paying attention that its from nonmuslim resturant, kindly let me know about this i m soo worried while i paid attention to that plz tell me can ALLAH Almighty forgive me for this sin.
A: Hello Annie,
anything done out of ignorance is not accountable. Also, even if you do a sin, God many times in the Qur'an says to not despair of His Mercy and that God answers the prayers of the caller who calls upon Him. My suggestion would be for you seek forgiveness in God, and move on while trying not to make the same mistake again.
One more thing: there is nothing wrong with Muslims eating from non-Muslim restaurants as long as they avoid what is forbidden to eat.
Answered 09/08/09 11:06:22 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Tiffany from Deming, WA
Q: What is the Belingham muslim community's opinion on those who follow the Quran, but shun the hadith and sunna as corruptions by people of the religion? DO you consider them muslims since they follow God alone, or unbelievers, or neither?
A: Hello Tiffany,
Couple of interesting points you raise that I would like to address. First and foremost, is that no Muslim can every judge your relationship to God since he only knows what is in your heart. That said, God, in the Qur'an, says that in order to be Muslim, you have to bear witness to 2 things: Belief in one God w/o partners, and belief in Muhammed being his messenger. if you fulfill this, you are Muslim. what you believe and do after that is between you and God. I or a community might think of you in one way or another, but in the grander scheme of things, who cares. We will not the Judge on the Day of Judgment, God is.
Answered 09/08/09 11:02:35 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Nathaniel Anderson from Bellingham, WA
Q: I am currently serving in Iraq with the Washington Army National Guard unit from Bellingham, and not to pull politics into any of it (touchy subject for anyone), do you think that members of the military treat Muslims and individuals of Arabic decent any different than any other American?
A: Hi Nathaniel,
thank you for your note. It is difficult for me to answer this question because I am not in the military. However, I do know of Muslims that are and some are friends of mine. I also know that there are Muslim chaplains as well. However, there have been cases of discrimination based on race; especially surrounding Gitmo.
Answered 09/08/09 10:55:35 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Rationallady from Bellingham
Q: Do you think Bellinghamsters are more accepting of Muslims when dressed in western clothing? For example, if you wear western clothes like most Muslim men in America, but your wife or mother or sister wears a garment such as the hajeb that lets others know she is Muslim, are you treated differently when alone or with a Muslim-attired woman?
A: As a Muslim woman, I follow Gods commandment to dress modestly, which includes, amongst other things, wearing the hijab to cover my hair. I choose to dress in western clothing and the only thing that distinguishes me as a Muslim is the scarf I cover my head with. Additionally, my face, hands, and feet are the only things that are usually visible. I don't feel like I am treated any differently because of the hijab, but I am definitely more visible.
I was worried about the way people would treat me when I first moved to Bellingham I knew I would probably be the only Muslim to wear a head scarf. Yet I was pleasantly surprised at how welcoming and open minded people are. I have never once felt out of place or made to feel like I did not belong. I lived in Dallas before moving here and felt more out of place among a huge cosmopolitan community than I ever have here in Bellingham. I am proud of my faith and I try to represent it in the best possible way and hope they will see Islam for what it really is.
Iman Salam
Answered 01/06/09 11:30:18 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Jay from Bellingham, WA
Q: This is my first time reading this forum, thank you for answering so many questions. I hope that one day we will be able to view our differences as just that, differences. I have two very good friends who are very devout Muslim women, wives and moms. I am a Christian, we don't agree on a lot of things, especially religion. But what we have found is as women, we are so much alike. Yes I talk of Christ, they of Allah and we don't leave each other angry. There is so much living to do, and hopefully our lives speak for us, as to who we are. Again, thank you for answering questions about Muslim life.
A: Thank you for your note, Jay. It is the differences that make us unique and if we learn from them, grow as human beings. It says in the Qur'an: "O Mankind, We have made you into tribes and nations so that you may get to know one another..." In another verse in the Qur'an, Allah (God) says that different languages and skin color are a sign from Him.
thanx
Monem
Answered 11/24/08 11:29:09 by Monem Salam