EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA!

And on this day in June of 2008 let it be known that this girl has talent. Update time! MAS National got word about what happened in Dallas, they said they loved my audition tape and although I was no longer the first place contestant that I was indeed 'note worthy'. Basically they asked if I would MC not one but two of the concerts.

Meaning not only would I get to display my talent BUT I would have a larger portion in the production than originally offered. AND I would be the ONLY contestant nation-wide offered such a slot. When faced with family/friends, graduations galore, and weddings however I had to resign. That's right, I said "no thank-you". I mean talk about an Outlandish decision. I also donated my tickets and Sound of Reason dinner opportunity. As sad/bitter as I am however, I feel like it was the right choice. Family and friends are everything. I would be nothing without them. Here I was so excited for my dreams and yet so ready to abandon them.

The Muslim youth need a new voice, doesn't mean it has to be mine though. I would be the only female and youngest contestant to open. And, that speaks volumes. Maybe the entire Muslim nation won't get to hear my performance/material. Maybe I missed my 'big break'. But, there are some great Muslims out there that hold the same values and opinions as I. The Muslim youth need a new voice, and they have it. And that's all I ever prayed for. So let it be known that on this day in June of 2008 I officially endorse Zain Shamoon and Abdullah Dahduli the Detroit, Michigan & Dallas, Texas opening acts. I know them personally and although we don't talk [ever] we share a dream, a voice for change.

And I Know I'll Think I'm Satisfied But, It Won't Last...

No, not the dream where we all unite as one nation, under god--that's scheduled for next Thursday @ 5pm right after the 3pm 'learn to fly' appointment. The other dream, the dream that I held so true. The dream where the Muslim youth of North America realize they are no longer the voices of tomorrow; for tomorrow exists in the children of today. The same dream where I stand on stage one foot in front of the other, mic in hand vision in voice.Well, as of Friday May 22,2008 at 8:45 pm right along with Sir Martin Luther King Jr. my dreams came true. And, as quickly as they were fulfilled they were taken away.

The Jum3uah sermon I attended whilst in Dallas, Texas that very evening blared in my mind,"If you don't have the attitude for gratitude Allah (swt) will surely replace you and it with a person more grateful."Sometimes it seems it's so easy to forget how much we have as humans, as Americans. So easy it is to forget where we came from, who we came from, and what we are here for. I regretfully forgot.

I, the simple Midwest blogger, with ambitious dreams of unity thorough diversity am a part of Voices for Change. Yes, Voices for Changes. The very contest I hoped and prayed for so very long ago. Muslim youth standing for their deen yet not lacking talent. I was selected out of 100's maybe 1,000's in the nation to become the opening act for Outlandish and The Sound of Reason.

Excited?

So was I. And I think that's where my problem lies.

And, maybe it is just another test. Maybe, something will happen to him (the newly named current winner) and I will again regain my position as #1. Or, maybe there is a hidden meaning in the fact that I was named 1st then 2nd. Maybe, I lost sight of my vision....my purpose. I entered as a humble southern girl with an attitude for change. I wanted to inspire,motivate, and drive other Muslims especially the youth to see the beauty not the curse in being an American Muslim. We have a voice. We have the power. And, though this closely resembles a Barack Obama speech it's not. It is determination. And, I lost sight of all of that.


"But, if you pray 5 times a day....everyday....how could you ever forget your lord?", spoke the 12yr old with hazel eyes and pig tails. If at every interval of our lives, every fragment of our beings we are truly giving thanks to Allah (swt) for what we have, and, who we are how could we ever forget? Welp, in all the excitement of the phone call, the free tickets, and overall glory I forgot the most glorified of all. And, even more amazing is that it took 3 days, 15 hours, and 21 students from a Catholic elementary school, at an inter-faith dialog to ask "how could you" before it even occurred that Allah (swt) was sending a sign.

"True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes."

~Edward Frederick Halifax

Lesson in humility learned. And so here, I sit 4 days, 29 hours, 16 seconds after that fateful 'win' realizing that if I had took but a second to thank the one entity that granted it all, it might still be mine.

It Won't Be Soon Before Long....

"And The World Lies In Your Hands Little One..."

And she had a dream,

"I could never convince the financiers that Disneyland was feasible, because dreams offer too little collateral."

-Walt Disney.

Ok, so maybe I don't exactly want to design a destination ruled by a big-eared, musically talented, talking mouse. No need for whimsical creatures fueled by laughter, magic, and imagination. What I do need though is a chance.

I've deiced that when I die I hope the poor, youthful, and ignorant miss me. And due to a recent occurrence at a youth seminar; I found myself forced on stage. And with mic in hand I spoke. This performance later became known as my 'comedy routine' for apparently Allah made me funny. I disagree with the audiences thoughts of my comical abilities for I feel I have none....but so the story goes. After such allegations of me being a Muslim comedian I did a little research. What is a 'Muslim comedian'? What I found was a little discouraging. In my results I found about 21 established 'Muslim comedians' [[or those of such nature (UmmahFilms). ]] And of those 21, I found only about 6 of which are actually entertaining. Of those 6 I found 0 that are female.

I've decided that the people need something. That something is me. Maybe it's wishful thinking OR the fact that the majority of my day was spent watching Azhar Usman and various MYNA/MSA skits from the past and thus, I feel inspired. OR Maybe it's the fact that I think the world is afraid of Islam and Muslims. Maybe my comedy can ease the tensions between the Muslims and Non-Muslims ...or better yet, tie the common blood between Israelis and Palestinians. Oh wait that's Facebooks' job. (Bad timing..I know)Either way, we need a voice. We are people and need to heard. So here I go one foot in front of the other, mic in one hand ...deen in another onto the stage of life. I'm willing to speak but, will anybody listen?