THE FIRST VEILED MUSLIM WOMAN IN THE WHITE HOUSE

Dalia Mogahed was propelled into the international spotlight when she became President Barack Obama’s advisor on Muslim affairs. (Photo: now.mmedia.me/lb)

The first veiled Muslim woman in the White House - President Barack Obama’s advisor on Muslim affairs

“We can thrive even when we are a minority.”

Dalia Mogahed was propelled into the international spotlight when she became President Barack Obama’s advisor on Muslim affairs. Born in Egypt, she is the president and CEO of Mogahed Consulting, a consulting firm specializing in Muslim societies and the Middle East. She co-authored the book “Who Speaks For Islam? What a Billion Muslims Really Think”, based on six years of research and more than 50,000 interviews. Mogahed has been widely recognized as one of the most influential Arab women in the world.

Cosette Karam Al Andary from NOW online media, Lebanon (now.mmedia.me/lb) talks to Dalia Mogahed, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential Arab women in the world.

AUSTRALIAN MUSLIMS CELEBRATE EID AL ADHA AMID ISLAMOPHOBIA SWEEPING THE CONTINENT DOWN UNDER

Australia’s Immigration Minister Scott Morrison joined Labor leader Bill Shorten and New South Wales Premier Mike Baird in addressing Eid al Adha Congregation in Lakemba Mosque, Sydney. (Photo: abc.net.au)

AUSTRALIAN MUSLIMS CELEBRATE EID AL ADHA AMID ISLAMOPHOBIA SWEEPING THE KANGAROO COUNTRY

by Syarif Hidayat*

Thousands of Australian Muslims gathered to celebrate Eid al-Adha, as the country politicians pushed for unity and denounced bigotry. Eid al-Adha, also known as 'Festival of the Sacrifice' is a Muslim holiday that celebrates the Prophet Ibrahim for his willingness to sacrifice his own son, Ismail at the order of Allah.

Political and religious leaders have used an Eid celebration in Sydney's west to call for respect and peace amid growing tensions.  About 20,000 people gathered in Sydney's southwest to mark Eid al-Adha, which also celebrates the end of the annual pilgrimage, known as hajj, to Mecca.

Prayers rang out through Lakemba Mosque in Sydney's west on Saturday, October 4, 2014, when the Muslim community gathered to worship and feast at the end of the annual Hajj. While politicians from both Australia’s major parties stood among the colourful hijabs and the white thobes donned by men to preach a message of unity.

HAJJ IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MANIFESTATION OF ISLAMIC FAITH AND MUSLIM UMMAH UNITY

HAJJ PILGRIMAGE IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT MANIFESTATION OF ISLAMIC FAITH AND MUSLIM UMMAH UNITY

Al Haram Mosque, Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

by Syarif Hidayat

The Hajj, is the fifth pillar of Islam and the most significant manifestation of Islamic faith and unity of Muslim ummah. Performing the Hajj pilgrimage at least once in a lifetime is a duty for Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The most important part and the core of Hajj pilgrimage is the Day of Arafah. The Day of Arafah (Arabic: يوم عرفة) is an Islamic Holy Day, in which the verse of the Qur’an was revealed which explained that is said that the religion had been perfected.

The Day falls on the 9th day of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic Calendar. This happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan. It is the second day of the Hajj pilgrimage and the day after is the first day of the major Islamic Holiday of Eid ul-Adha. At dawn of this day, Muslim pilgrims will make their way from Mina to a nearby hillside and plain called Mount Arafa and the Plain of Arafa. It was from this site that Muhammad gave his famous Farewell Sermon in his final year of life.