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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 15 (Page 1 of 2)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?
Answered 10/13/08 19:29:31 by Monem Salam
A: Most Muslims here go to Seattle to get there halal meat.Submitted by Evan from Seattle
Q: Monem- According to the Qur'an, what is Islamic view toward Jews and the nation of Israel?
Answered 08/13/08 10:44:37 by Monem Salam
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.Submitted by Patti from Blaine, WA
Q: I see so many times where Muslim's are called Arabs. I thought if an individual was Arab that meant they were from Saudi Arabia. Am I right or wrong? Also do you watch the Canadian television show Little Mosque on the Prairie? Just wondering if it is funny or offensive in your opinion.
Answered 08/13/08 10:39:05 by Monem Salam
A: Traditionally, anyone who could speak Arabic was known as an Arab. In modern times, the "Arab World" stretches from Morrocco in the West, to Iraq in the East and Yemen in the South. Quite a large area, but by no means does it make up the majority of Muslims in the world. For example the most populous Muslim country is Indonesia, and hundreds of millions of Muslims live in South Asia, China, SE Asia, etc. Also, Turkey and Iran are Muslim, but not considered Arab either. On the Canadian sitcom, "Little Mosque on the Praire", it is not offensive to me at all, I think it is funny and great. Now if only I could watch it regularly and not on youtube!!!! :)Submitted by Interfaith girl from Bellingham WA
Q: What opportunities exist for those of differing faiths to reach out and connect with the Muslim community in Whatcom County? Are you interested in starting or has anyone started any social or issues groups where we can get to know who we are both through and beyond our religious identities?
Answered 08/01/08 11:29:30 by Monem Salam
A: To be honest, no much or even not enough. we are a very small community in Bellingham, and a bit bigger in Whatcom County as a whole. Always open to suggestions, but with a small community, everyone is busy doing something just to keep us together as a community!!!! :)Submitted by Hamster from Bellingham
Q: How do I respond to my dear co-worker and friend, a conservative Christian, who, in spite of our different beliefs I still view as person who is genuinely trying to live his faith... awhile back he saw a presentation in his church from either an ex-cleric or ex-government mucky-muck from Iran or some Arab country (sorry, my memory is not what it once was!). Anyway, unfortunately, this speaker is informing church congregations all around the U.S. that indeed, Islam preaches hatred and violence against the Infidel. My friend knows a Muslim family who lives in Whatcom County. When asked if this family was hateful, he said no, "They're not hateful because they aren't that religious." When I brought up all the violence done in the name of Christianity, like the Crusades and the Inquisition, he said, "They weren't real Christians." I was really at a loss for words, but worry that this view is spreading among some Christian churches, but thankfully, not all. How would you respond to this person? You can either respond on your blog or privately, whatever is best.
Answered 07/21/08 18:27:14 by Monem Salam
A: Unfortunately, these days, it is very easy to get popular by talking bad about Islam. Seems like if you can talk bad about it, then you are an expert. There are a few points that I would mention to counter this, but keep in mind that I do not know his specific arguments so can't obviously address him directly. 1) All Muslim organizations have denounced the violence that has been done in the name of Islam. one can visit www.isna.net for more information 2) If one reads the quran, God is speaking about how he will forgive sins, so believe in Him; it doesn't make sense that God would be talking about mercy and then tell people to be violent 3) similarly, there is a concept of "eye for an eye" in Islamic law, but that verse in the quran is directly followed up with one that says that if you forgive, it is better for you in the sight of God; again, we forgiveness if God wants us to hate 4) historically, Muslims have lived with others who were "infidels"; even to this day, India is a minority Muslim country; it has in the past been ruled by Muslims; couldn't they have easily wiped out the population of "infidels" or forced them to convert? I hope this helps answer your question. if not, do not hesitate to respond back, because I might be misunderstanding your question. MonemSubmitted by Brandon from No Longer B'ham
Q: A question that I have been curious about since seeing a Muslim Cleric from Canada speak on this subject on T.V. is this: do you think that it is time for Islam to go through a reformation, much the same way Christianity did several hundred years ago? The reasons the Cleric gave were many and poignant. Alot has happenned in the last thousand years. There are issues that, while pertinent then, really no longer apply. What are your thoughts?
Answered 07/14/08 19:05:51 by Monem Salam
A: Hi Brandon, I don't think that Islam needs to go through a reformation, but rather Muslims just need to begin practicing Islam. Remember that the history of Islam and not similar to Christianity. For example, at the height of the Christianity, Europe was living in the Dark Ages filled with ignorance, wars, etc. At the height of Islam, the Muslim world was at its peak in terms of scientific discovery, knowledge, arts, etc. That said, I think what does need to happen is that we go back to the original history of Islam where scholars answered questions of their time by debate and discourse and respected each other's conclusions, but not necessarily agreed with them. Nowadays, unfortunately, people spew off a legal opinion which is hundreds of years old and if you don't agree, they call you a disbeliever!!!!Submitted by Darlene from Bellingham, WA
Q: Do you have an email address that I can forward to a friend? Thanks, Darlene
Answered 07/14/08 19:00:26 by Monem Salam
A: Hi Darlene, in regards to what? thanx MonemSubmitted by Downtown girl from bellingham
Q: Hi, I saw the movie at the Pickford and loved it. Both you and Iman seem like incredibly intelligent and forward-thinking individuals. I also have step family who are Muslim and so when I hear ignorant hurtful words spoken about Muslims, I get angry. But I've also heard a lot of Muslim women defend the hijab and speak about how they're not oppressed as a fundamental part of the religion. They speak as if they are also liberated in their own way. I want to understand their concept of liberation as it would be compared to my experience of being a "liberated" American woman in a Westernized country with at least pseudo egalitarian ideals. What would be the incentive there for someone like me should they choose to convert to Islam?
Answered 07/07/08 13:32:22 by Monem Salam
A: Thank you for your comment. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you, I am traveling outside the country at the moment. I can't answer for others but I can tell you how I feel. Wearing the hijab gives me pride in my Religion, it gives me the chance to be identified as a Muslim woman which is something I cherish. I don't think I am any less liberated than a Western woman in America. Wearing the hijab does not restrict me from doing anything that I would want to do.I realize that when people see the way I dress they might have their own preconceived notion of what it is to be a Muslim woman, I'm more than happy to dispel those stereotypes. I can't imagine that your life would change very much by converting to Islam, and although the hijab is an obligation, it is not part of the five main pillars of Islam. I would love to talk to you more about this, it's such a huge topic. Take care. ImanSubmitted by Irish from bellingham
Q: Monem I so enjoyed the film "On A Wing And A Prayer". In the film, your wife was discussing your daughter's following the traditional garb of Muslim Women. As the Father of these girls what is your preference? As the Mother of teenage girls, I worry about the self esteem issues of the future Women of our country. Do you worry that the traditional garb of your life will make life harder for your girls if mainstreamed? By the way, your Wife stated she "Only home schools"???? Fulltime Mom to three kids plus homeschooling....Kudos to her!! Thanks for sharing your lives with us. Your family is adorable! Hand Crank Films did a great job! Irish
Answered 07/07/08 13:32:01 by Monem Salam
A: Hi Irish, thanx for your post. As a father, I hope and pray that my children, not only my daughters, grow up to be upright and outstanding American Muslims. Part of this Muslim identity is to be practicing the tenets of Islam, one of which is to wear the hijab. I do want my daughters to wear it but will never force it on them. In the end, they will have to answer to God as to what they did in this life. As for myself, I will only be asked whether are raised them and taught them according to God's teachings. I hope one day to be able to answer "yes" to that question. BTW, our kids are no longer home schooled. We tried it, and then came to a mutual decision not to do it any longer. MonemSubmitted by David Williams from Bellingham
Q: What portion of US imams do you think preach hate of Christians and Americans?
Answered 06/09/08 12:06:16 by Monem Salam
A: Hi David, just as a background, for work, I have visited over 400 mosques and given presentations around the country. None of them, those with Imams, have said anything like this to me or to the congregation. So I would say it is slim to none. One thing to keep in mind is that speaking of the ills of America is different than telling people to hate Americans. No justification exists for the later, but I can speak of the ills of society and do it because I love the society I live in and want it to get better.