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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 1 - 10 of 23 (Page 1 of 3)
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
Submitted by Dave from bellingham
Q: What's your take on Iran and its role with America's new colony, Iraq? Do you think Iran is eager to Nuke Israel as so many Right-wingers seem to suggest and want to use as a basis for an attack?
And to change the subject - what was the most difficult part of flight training for you?
A: Hi Dave,
rather not get into a political discussion as this is not the proper forum for that. However, as for the most difficult part of flying, I think it was balancing work/family/flying. with the hours I needed to go up, studying the material and the planes not starting, as I look back, I think that took a lot out of me.
thanx
Monem
Answered 11/24/08 11:25:58 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Raihan from Washington
Q: Hi Monem! I was just wondering .. since the Muslim Community in Bellingham is rather small as you mentioned, how easy is it for you and other Muslims there to get halal groceries? Are there stores there that cater to that? Is there a butcher that supplies halal meat? Where do you get your provisions from?
A: Most Muslims here go to Seattle to get there halal meat.
Answered 10/13/08 19:29:31 by Monem Salam
Submitted by Evan from Seattle
Q: Monem- According to the Qur'an, what is Islamic view toward Jews and the nation of Israel?
A: According to the Qur'an, Jews are considered "People of the Book"; as opposed to polytheists and/or pagans. Along with Christians, they have a special place in that they are a monotheistic religion to which God sent a Messenger(s). God says that over time the religions became corrupted with mistranslations, misinterpretations, an sometimes, intentional abrogation. Also, God says in the Qur'an that there are some of the "people of the book" that will be admitted into Paradise for their love for God and sincere belief.
As for the nation of Israel, since the Qur'an is much older than the current State of Israel, nothing is mentioned about it.
Answered 08/13/08 10:44:37 by Monem Salam
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