My First Day in New York - by Ifti Nasim

MY FIRST DAY IN NEW YORK

At the Kennedy airport I told the cab driver
About the YMCA
He dropped me off in front of the door.
A woman checked me in
I dropped my luggage in the room.
Came out of the room looking for a toilet.
I saw few men standing in front of the urinals
I stood in front of an empty one and released
Myself. Suddenly I noticed someone is watching me.
I looked over my shoulder.
A sailor was standing next to me
Half-mast.
I was very impressed by the warm welcome
And American hospitality.
Being an Eastern and newly arrived in this country,
I did not want to be rude.
So I told him very politely
"Thanks but I am vegetarian."

Muslims in America - Washington Post Special Report; 10 Years after 9/11 - http://ping.fm/M2qu1

Happy Pride San Diego!!

American Federation of Muslims of Muslims of Indian Origin Condemns Mumbai Blasts - http://ping.fm/Gtlhu

Indian American Muslim Council Condemns Mumbai Bombings - http://ping.fm/gZsrV

You know you travel too much when you're cleaning your room and find transit cards and can't remember what city they're from. :-)

Prayers and thoughts to residents of Bombay. 3 explosions during evening rush hour. Many reported dead and injured.

Khushiali Mubarak to all Ismailis. Today marks the 54th anniversary of the current Aga Khan's leadership. It is also known as Imamat Day and is celebrated by Ismailis across the globe.

I'm happy for (Prince) William... I really am... NOT!! Painting on skid row and night out with J Lo? Jealous of Kate? Nah!! Puke!! Bleh!! He was mine you *****!! MINE!!

Back from the bar and thinking about the politics of sex, desire, internalized racism, white privilege, sexual race dynamics, leather culture... Wish I could turn my brain off sometimes. Once an activist... Will write more about this soon...

So some FOBs dance as bad as the white people. Hehe. No offense to FOBs or white people. But this isn't a Bollywood movie or a Ricky Martin video. :-)

RIP Betty Ford

Awww. Young gay couples' hands almost touching on BART (train) and close personal contact. Oh wait... They're just German. Never mind. ;-p

Enjoying a beautiful July 4 BBQ in Oakland Hills at the home of a black/white gay couple who've been together for 35+ years! :-)

Pakistan's Transgender Community Voice Disappointment Over Budget That Discludes Support for Their Community http://ping.fm/Aqb7u

Saalgira Mubarak Amreeka! Happy Birthday America! :)

Many of the sessions at MPV retreat were recorded on video. Join the Muslims for Progressive Values Facebook group to keep updated. MPVRetreat

Yarehk Hernandez and Ani Zonneveld presented 3 yr strategic plan for Muslims for Progressive Values. Donors and volunteers needed. See www.mpvusa.org MPVRetreat

Dr. Amina Wadud discussing "How the fundamental principle (Tawhid) of Islam demands equality and justice." MPVRetreat

Ani Zonneveld did call to prayer and Dr. Ghazals Anwar led congregational prayer with 30+ progressive Muslims and allies. MPVRetreat

Ani Zonneveld did call to prayer and Dr. Ghazals Anwar led congregational prayer with 30+ progressive Muslims and allies. MPVRetreat

Dr. Ghazala Anwar speaking about historical vs sacred biographies of Muhammad and his first wife Khadijah. MPVRetreat stuffyoineverlrarnedinsundayschool

Correction: American Islamic Fellowship's twitter account is @americanislamic MPVRetreat AmericanIslamic

Progressive Muslims + Beautiful Berkeley, CA + Delicious Persian Dinner and Italian Gelato = Amazing Community MPVRetreat

Ani Zonneveld, Co-Founder of Muslims for Progressive Values interviewed on local Bay Area radio station. 25 mins in. www.kpfa.org/archive/id/71188 MPVRetreat

Yarehk Hernandez presented on progressive Muslim education in Sunday school curriculums today. Participants used art supplies to visually represent their childhood perceptions of God. MPVRetreat We are the future of Islam.

Follow Kelly Wentworth, Chair of American Islamic Fellowship, progressive Muslim org in Atlanta @americanislam. Live twitter updates from MPVRetreat.

LGBTQ 101 and Being An Ally - presented at MPV retreat today. Straight Muslims learning about diff betw sex, gender and sexual orientation and intersections of identities. And how to be allies to queer people. MPVRetreat

Tears, love, community - we are the future of Islam folks. Revolution begins from within ourselves and from within our own communities. MPVRetreat

Ani Zonneveld, Chair of MPV recited call to prayer for Zuhr and Dr. Amina Wadud led 25+ progressive Muslims and allies in congregational prayer. MPVRetreat

"We searched high and low and found halaal food that also had gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options." Sara announcing lunch at MPVRetreat

We are building a home together, decorating the interior.. and create the best feng shui - Sara Farooqi at MPVRetreat

Islam was founded because of issues of inequality. - Sara Farooqi, Vice Chair MPV at opening of MPVRetreat

Cultivating Spirituality and an Ethos of Justice in Everyday Life - theme of MPVRetreat at beautiful Pacific School of Religion - 70 degrees beautiful sunny day!

Live updates from Muslims for Progressive Values retreat in Berkeley, CA - on FB, blog (faisal-alam.blogspot.com) and Twitter hashtag MPVRetreat.

Happy Pride Toronto and London. Salaam Canada and Imaan will be marching! Good luck and Pride Mubarak! ;-)