Coronavirus and Information

And just like that the whole world has come to a standstill. Schools are closed, businesses shut down, jobs made remote, while we all wait at home for answers. We're at a point in time where information is available instantly, but knowledge is lacking. News is spreading faster than people can keep up with. But with this comes lack of research and truth. Instant info leads to instant fear and panic. There was a time when journalists had time to process information, question sources and make sure it was valid before publishing. Today, anyone can click a button and publish anything they want and it has the potential to go viral within minutes if not seconds. This is very scary. And part of the reason why things are happening the way they are around the world.

Coronavirus, or COVID-19. Nobody really knows the truth. Where it came from, why or how. What it does to the body, how it spreads, or how to stop it. But there is limitless information on the internet and social media. Stores have run out of supplies overnight. Case in point, toilet paper. Why or how that's related to the virus is a mystery in itself. But panic and fear has set in to the public as they hoard supplies. We're advised to stay home and self-isolate, but everyone ran to the local stores in mass crowds. What's the leader of our country doing? The president of the strongest country in the world. One day he's saying it's not a big deal, it's just like the flu and it will go away. The next day he's declaring a national emergency. There aren't enough test kits available in the most advanced country in the world. It's 2020 and we don't have real numbers for anything.

As I sit here reflecting on all of this, I can only draw one conclusion as a believer in God, a Muslim. It just shows the power of God. The whole world is at a standstill over something so small that cannot be seen with a human eye. No matter who you are, how much money or power you have or don’t have we’re all the same at this point. Everyone is equally vulnerable. No matter how big or small your house is, everyone is trapped inside of it. Nobody has any answers. Except for God. And whenever He wills, it will all disappear. That is pretty remarkable.

The only thing we can do is pray. Pray for forgiveness for all our wrongdoings. Pray for God to send answers and send the utilities and knowledge needed to create a solution. And in the meantime we have to thank all the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who are working countless hours helping those in need. It's time to reach out to our friends, family and neighbors. If you have to make a trip to the grocery store, ask them if they need anything, especially those who are elder and offer to deliver to them. It's time to behave the way God wants us to be- as one Humanity.

Islamic Center of Malibu!

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the opening of the Islamic Center of Malibu!! Just in time to visit during the beautiful month of Ramadan! Bring all your friends!

Crazy Cabo

Have you ever traveled to a place where every person from the moment you land in the airport looks you in the eyes and lies to you? Well, welcome to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico! A place that thrives off of tourism and timeshares, and offers beautiful beachfront resort vacations for incredibly low prices. (And we all know I'm the number one fan of the ocean)

As soon as you pass customs at the airport, dozens of people approach you in trying to sign you up for a timeshare presentation. Here, they will offer all kinds of activities at no charge in an effort to sign you up. From this moment on, be aware that every person you talk to until your last day will be telling you a different story, to the point where you don't know who works for who or who to believe anymore, including your hotel staff. The vouchers for the activities will be given to you, but the timeshare presentations are ruthless. Just keep in mind that it will take at least 3-4 hours of your day. 

However, once you pass all that your vacation will be amazing. You can indulge in unlimited exhilarating water activities or just relax by the ocean and enjoy the magnificent views. From jet skis to parasailing to banana boats...this is the place for it! 

All in all, Cabo is a great place for a quick getaway. It has beautiful beaches and nice all-inclusive resorts for great prices.

But, be careful because unfortunately too much fun can lead to this...

Until next time...Safe Travels! 

Sunny Seattle?

Mount Rainier- one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes- from 40,000 ft....spectacular! 

Being Grateful

Happy New Year!

May the new year bring lots of love, peace and happiness to all. We all have so much to be grateful for. Time passes by so quickly that we should embrace every moment. So laugh often, give lots of love, breathe deep, practice peace, see the beauty in all situations, don't worry about the little things, and stop comparing. But if you must compare, compare your life to those who have less than you, rather than those who have more. Maya Angelou once said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." So, make your new years resolution to bring a smile to someone's face everyday. Wishing everyone a prosperous and healthy new year!

Inspirational Quote

"Talking with quiet confidence will always beat screaming with obvious insecurity." I don't know the source of this quote, but as soon as I read it, it touched my heart. It has so much meaning. I loved it and had to share it. Please reflect on it and share any thoughts...

Love is in the Air

Love. How can one simple word be so powerful? What does it even mean? The answer to this question has been researched for centuries. And yet is there one answer to it? 

There are so many levels of love. So many types of love. The love you have for God, for your parents, for your spouse, for your children, for your best friend, for your pet, for humanity, I could go on forever. But, in any case, your heart takes control and feels for another.

Valentine's Day is around the corner. You can't forget because every store you walk into, red and pink hearts are everywhere. It has become an incredibly commercialized holiday. What hasn't? Flowers are marketed 200% from original price. Jewelry businesses have taken over commercials. A regular $30 dinner at a restaurant now offers "Valentine's Day Specials" for $275 per couple. And there are more teddy bears in stores than there are people to accept them.

This blog is not about Valentine's Day. It's about love. To take a moment away from the red balloons and express that love to whoever is important in your life. And to simply say thank you. Not only on February 14. But everyday. "Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand."--Mother Theresa 

In Islam, love is emphasized in all aspects of life. The Prophet (pbuh) said, "None of you has (truly) believed until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." When reading the Qur'an, you can recognize the emphasis put on God's love, compassion, and mercy; and the love and bond between parents and children, between mankind, and the special love created between spouses.

"And of His signs is that He created for you from yourselves mates that you may find tranquility in them; and He placed between you affection and mercy. Indeed in that are signs for those who reflect." (30:21)

To me, love is faith. Whether it be faith in God, faith in a person, faith in an object, faith in an idea, or faith in a relationship...you can't have one without the other.   

Far out into the Ocean

Every time I see the beautiful Pacific Ocean in Malibu, my heart smiles. No matter what I'm feeling, no matter how hectic my day has been, no matter what my worries may be, I look at the ocean and I'm in awe.

Is there anything more beautiful? I think about the incredible world underneath, about the even more incredible world on the other side of the ocean, and suddenly I have the same feeling I get when I'm looking out my window in an airplane at all the little houses and lights. The feeling of how small my worries are in such a vast world.

If you've been following the news, something unimaginable happened in Ontario, Canada that has captivated so many. And quite a few people have asked me about it, so I decided to address it here. I'm talking about the honor killings that three members of an Afghan family were found guilty of for killing four female family members. I won't talk about the specific case, since it's available through any news site.

When I first heard about this story, I had the same reaction as everyone else, how is it humanly possible for someone to be able to commit such disgusting acts. I was horrified and in disbelief. I come from an Afghan family and have never come across any other Afghans that behave remotely close to these people. I am one of the happiest people on Earth.

The only message I would like to convey is that human beings are human beings. Put religion, race, gender, and all other forms of identification aside. In the end, we are all human beings. There are good human beings and bad human beings. One specific case, one horrifying story, does not represent the whole. We have to remember that news stories usually encompass the most dramatic cases. While the remaining 95% are not covered.

I remember the day in college when I chose to major in Journalism. Below is an excerpt from my thesis about that day, it's written in story form and it's a small part of a much larger memoir.

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October 7, 2001, the day when the United States officially invaded Afghanistan. I was a student at California State University, Northridge, at the time, majoring in computer science. One day I was sitting in Math class when a student next to me asked me where I was from.

“Afghanistan.”

Her eyes shot wide open as her eyebrows rose.

“But I was born here,” I said.

“Do you have family living in Afghanistan?” she asked.

“Yes.”

“Did they know ahead of time that 9/11 was going to happen?” she asked.

“What?” I responded. “What do you mean?” I didn’t know if I heard her correctly.

“Did they know that they were going to attack the United States?” she asked.

“No,” I told her. “They probably still don’t even know about it. In fact, they are wondering right now why airstrikes are killing them.”

I really thought a lot about why she asked a question like that. Where was she getting her information?

I have been asked a lot of questions about Afghanistan and Muslims my whole life, but this question did something to me. Something must be done, I thought to myself.

And only one answer came to mind: The news media.

That’s when I decided to change my major to journalism.

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One person, one act, one story cannot represent the whole picture. But, by learning from one another, by interacting with our community, we can slowly broaden the horizon.

Look far out into the Ocean...and your heart will smile.

Welcome to my World

Hi! I'm Homaira. I have traveled to more than 20 countries, worked for some amazing companies, hosted my own international satellite show, obtained my Master's degree, written all kinds of print, broadcast, and online content, and I'm a Muslim woman, who's closest friends are Jewish, really they are...Welcome to my world and my journey through my hyphenated life! It's going to be a fun ride so fasten your seat belts and hold on tight! This adventure promises laughs, tears, insight, fear, strength, friendship, charm, courage...but most importantly, lots of love.