MuslimVillage.com’s 2011 Top Ten stories of 2011 showed us that despite a year that witnessed world changing events like the Arab Spring and the assassination of Osama Bin Laden, our readers were more concerned with matters of the heart. Our Google stats showed that we had 1.4million visitors in 2011 that viewed over3.5million pages, with the most popular being the lifestyle stories.
This was reflected in our Top Ten most popular articles of 2011. So what were they?
Here they are, starting with number 10 (click on story titles to read the articles):
10 – A Ramadan guide for non-Muslims
In the next few weeks, you may come into work and find your co-worker taking a power nap at 9:30am. At break time, you’ll notice she is missing in the discussion about Harry Potter over at the water cooler. At the staff meeting, you will be shocked when she is offered coffee and cookies and refuses ! By lunch time, your concern about her missing at the water cooler compels you to investigate the situation.
“Fasting breath”, wheres your lunch?, the sudden need for power naps – non Muslim friends, family and work mates sometimes have a hard time understanding what Ramadan is all about. To make it a little easier on your non Muslim friends, here is some handy hints – A Ramadan guide for non Muslims!
9 – Are you married yet?
One minute, you’re an invincible 21 year old fending off oh-so-lame marriage proposals, and the next minute, you’re 28, single, and wondering what happened.
For those quick to accuse single sisters of being “too picky”, I’d like to offer a reality check: none of the single sisters I know choose to be single because they feel like it. It’s either a lack of good proposals, or good proposals that just haven’t worked out. Many of these amazing women are women of deen and adab, women who contribute to our community in their chosen field. They’re doctors, dentists, teachers, academics, researchers and yet, they continue to receive scathing rebukes for not settling down and starting a family ASAP, as though the fabric of reality would tear apart if they didn’t just get on with it. Ladies, we should start up a a club: Not Yet Wives Clubs. God Grant Me Contentment Club. Get Them Off My Back Club.
8 – Mecca is “turning into Vegas”
Over the past 10 years the holiest site in Islam has undergone a huge transformation, one that has divided opinion among Muslims all over the world. Once a dusty desert town struggling to cope with the ever-increasing number of pilgrims arriving for the annual Hajj, the city now soars above its surroundings with a glittering array of skyscrapers, shopping malls and luxury hotels. To the al-Saud monarchy, Mecca is their vision of the future – a steel and concrete metropolis built on the proceeds of enormous oil wealth that showcases their national pride. To many others, often to frightened to speak out, it is a disaster that disrespects the special status of Mecca.
7 – Today Tonight’s false depiction of Muslims exposed
EXCLUSIVE: In this MuslimVillage.com investigative report we expose the tabloid TV current affairs show Today Tonight and it’s depiction of Australian Muslims. What we found goes beyond a lack of fairness and balance. It is more into the realm of pursuing a deliberate policy of portraying Muslims and Islam in a negative manner.
The current global phenomenon of having an irrational fear of anything and every thing Islamic is without a doubt most prevalent in the mainstream media depiction of Muslims. In fact it has reached such a level that it is now rare to find fair and balanced reporting of issues affecting Islam and Muslims in mainstream Western media. Even more concerning is that with some media outlets it goes beyond a lack of fairness and into the realm of pursuing a deliberate policy of portraying Muslims and Islam in a negative manner.
6 – Chinese Muslims banned from fasting in Ramadan
Some Chinese Muslims in the Xinjiang province of China have been forced to sign “letters of responsibility” promising to avoid fasting, evening prayers, or other religious activities. Restrictions have also been put in place on praying in Mosques in the latest government crack down on China’s Muslim population. Communist Party members were not allowed to fast for Ramadan, and neither were civil servants. As for private companies, Uighur Muslim employees were offered lunches during fasting hours. Anyone who refuses to eat could lose their annual bonus, or even their job. Officials have also targeted Muslim schoolchildren, providing them with free lunches during the fasting period.
5 – EXCLUSIVE: “I will never forgive them” Interview with the victim of the ‘Sharia whipping’
EXCLUSIVE: MuslimVillage.com managed to secure an exclusive interview with Chris Martinez the Muslim convert who was the victim of a savage vigilante style attack misguidedly attributed to Sharia Law by a group of 4 offenders. AK: Firstly, thanks very much for granting us this interview in these very hard circumstances. Can I start by asking you, how long have you been Muslim for? CM: About 3 years, I’ve been reverted to Islam. AK: I understand that one of the guys that was allegedly involved in the attack was someone that you knew? CM: Yes that’s true. Full interview, audio + pics. MuslimVillage.com managed to beat all other media to this story. It even lead to the News.com.au website running with the headline “Islam is a beautiful religion, it’s a great guideline to life” .
4 – Ramadan demanding for NZ All Blacks first Muslim player
All Black and Muslim convert Sonny Bill Williams is getting support from Australian boxing legend Anthony Mundine to help him through the month of fasting for Ramadan. Williams converted to Islam two years ago. He is the first Muslim to wear the All Blacks jersey. Mundine confirmed that the rugby star was following the rules of the Muslim holy month, which means he should not eat or drink water between sunrise and sunset during August. It was harder for athletes in non-Muslim countries to adhere to the fasting because in Middle Eastern nations event times were changed to suit Ramadan.
3 – Sharia law in Australia already a reality
The debate about Sharia law in Australia is, as with most public debates on Islamic issues, more based on hysteria than actual facts. Those against the introduction of Sharia law aspects fail to recognise that is it already being used on a daily basis. From Halal food and soon Islamic banking, to marriage and divorce – Sharia law is already being used and is here to stay. Strong anecdotal evidence suggests Australia’s Muslim population – 400,000 and growing (about 40% of whom were born here) – are increasingly turning to sharia to resolve their affairs in areas such as marriage, divorce, custody and inheritance. Research suggests most Muslims marry under both Islamic and Australian secular law.
2 – Apple guru Steve Jobs and his Syrian Muslim father
Steve Jobs, who was arguably the most influential CEO in the world, is the biological son of an Arab American who was born in Homs, Syria, and studied at the American University of Beirut. With accolades that include CEO of the decade and person of the year, Steve Jobs was routinely voted one of the most influential and powerful people in the world. He catapulted Apple to the world’s leading technology company through the iPod revolution and innovations that followed such as the iPhone and the iPad. What most fail to realize is that his living biological father is of Syrian origin.
1 – 10 ways to avoid marrying the wrong person
This story was by far and away the most popular story of 2011. Published in Oct, it resurfaced again in mid December and started going viral – and in fact still is! Amazingly it has had over 180,000 views, and is still going strong. US, UK, Singapore, Egypt, Malaysia…. who knows when or where this story will cease circulating the globe. Who can resist that cute couple! The advice given is excellent and everyone will benefit from it – married and unmarried.
There is a right way and a wrong way to get to know someone for marriage. The wrong way is to get caught up in the excitement and nuance of a budding relationship and in the process completely forget to ask the critical questions that help determine compatibility. If you or someone you know is in the “getting to know someone” phase, the following guide offers advice on exactly what to look for and avoid….