Sarah E.'s Comments

Do I know diversity? by Sarah E.

Mar 14, 2006 | rating: 5.5 | comments: 3

Sarah E. Dec 18, 2006, 1:17pm EST

Thanks, Gil! Things have been busy, to say the least. I did get into law school, so I haven't had a chance to develop any of the story ideas that pop up. But soon, I promise!

BEHIND THE HIJAB - My personal experience by Rossie Indira

May 19, 2006 | rating: 8.8 | comments: 108

Sarah E. May 24, 2006, 6:45pm EDT

Thanks for sharing such a personal story.
Please join my group on gather & re-post this article & more like it to the group:
http://discussislam.gather.com

Media to Law by Sarah E.

Mar 14, 2006 | rating: 9 | comments: 4

Sarah E. May 24, 2006, 6:41pm EDT

My LSAT score was rather horrible, to be honest.
I'm surprised I got into the schools I did. Now I'm just trying to figure out which ones will be the best for me in the long run.
Perhaps you should have given law school a go. That's what I'm doing, at least. Why didn't you?

Peter Tork article: the G-Rated version by Laura Serena aka AstroGirl

Mar 15, 2006 | rating: 9.5 | comments: 8

Sarah E. May 24, 2006, 3:28pm EDT

Hilarious.
Well done!

I NEED HELP RIGHT NOW- Do you like to read? by Sarah E.

Jan 22, 2006 | comments: 9

Sarah E. Mar 14, 2006, 2:27pm EST

I'd like to thank everyone for the helpful comments & constructive criticism during my hellish ordeal. In addition to finally finishing all of my admissions requirements, I have posted the three short essays here on Gather:
-Do I know diversity?
-Media to Law
-Mission in Law

As always, your comments will be greatly appreciated. Just know that I can't make any major changes now that they have already been sent off!

Here's to crossing my fingers, eyes, legs, and toes in hopes that I get in somewhere...

Thanks again,
*Sarah*

All-Star Band by Sarah E.

Nov 25, 2005 | rating: 10 | comments: 4

Sarah E. Feb 23, 2006, 12:19pm EST

Yes! I hope more people answer this one too!

On a desert island... by Sarah E.

Nov 25, 2005 | rating: 5.5 | comments: 10

Sarah E. Feb 22, 2006, 9:52pm EST

Sean,
That was the best, most thorough commentary I've ever received from a post.
Thanks again.

I NEED HELP RIGHT NOW- Do you like to read? by Sarah E.

Jan 22, 2006 | comments: 9

Sarah E. Feb 18, 2006, 6:22pm EST

Finally done with the essays...I appreciate all of the help everyone has offered and already given to me. I'll keep you posted on how I do.

USE THIS CODE TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT GATHER... by Sarah E.

Jan 17, 2006 | rating: 6.2 | comments: 2

Sarah E. Feb 7, 2006, 2:58pm EST

Thanks for the heads up, Jim.

I've updated the above URL and it seemed that the one that was having problems was getting cut off because of the gather.com url.
Since I made GATHER in all caps, it's not getting cut off anymore.

As long as you input your screenname where appropriate, the html will work.

Thanks again.

I NEED HELP RIGHT NOW- Do you like to read? by Sarah E.

Jan 22, 2006 | comments: 9

Sarah E. Feb 1, 2006, 12:23am EST

Sure, I'll take it.

Floating Down the River by Sarah E.

Nov 25, 2005 | rating: 9 | comments: 4

Sarah E. Jan 30, 2006, 12:22pm EST

I guess I should mention that this story is somewhat Non-Fiction and yes, that really is how my friends talk.
If you want to know what really happened that day, my friends decided to go tubing on the Willamette River in Eugene, Oregon where we grew up and they still live. They weren't planning to go very far down the river, but the current was unexpectedly stronger than usual so they all got swept away.
In the REAL story, they got swept away so far down the river that it soon became dark and their parents got really worried about them and called the police.
Once they decided that they had enough tubing, the guys ended up having to climb through sticker bushes wearing only swim trunks and no shoes on the side of an embankment because there was no other place to climb out of the river.
They ended up on the private property of one of Eugene's famous car dealer's home where their parents, police, and an ambulance eventually found them.

Some personal thoughts on being an Arab American... by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 8.9 | comments: 16

Sarah E. Jan 23, 2006, 4:32pm EST

Just wanted to add these links in response to Lee's comments above:

CAIR DELEGATION RETURNS TO U.S. FROM IRAQ - TOP

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) delegation that went to Iraq seeking the release of journalist Jill Carroll will return to Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:55 p.m. Monday, January, 23, on an Air France flight. Delegation members will be available for interviews at that time.

CONTACT: Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726 (CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad, who traveled to Iraq, will be available at 703-851-4051 after landing.)

SEE ALSO:

JILL CARROLL: CHORUS OF SUPPORT FROM MUSLIM LEADERS - TOP
Christian Science Monitor, 1/23/06
http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0123/p11s01-woiq.html

A delegation from the Council on American-Islamic Relations arrived in Baghdad Saturday, adding its voice to what is described as an unprecedented outpouring of Muslim support for the release of American reporter Jill Carroll.

"The kidnapping of Jill Carroll does not benefit the kidnappers," said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Washington-based group that represents US mosques and Islamic associations. "She has been friendly and respectful of the Iraqi people, not an enemy," he added. (MORE)

---

CAIR-TX: LOCAL MUSLIMS DECRY CAPTURE - TOP
KEVIN MORAN, Houston Chronicle, 1/22/06
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3604765.html

Leaders and members of Houston's Islamic community today condemned the kidnapping of journalist Jill Carroll in Iraq, called for her release and said threats to kill Carroll fly in the face of Muslin teachings.

"We all have the same feeling of outrage," Nabin Oladi, a Muslim resident of the Clear Lake area said. "It doesn't go along with our religion and we are praying and hoping that she will be released."

Oladi attended a news conference at the Islamic Dawah Center in downtown Houston organized by U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, and area Muslim leaders. The group spoke out as the world waited for word on whether an Iraqi insurgent group called "The Revenge Brigade" would carry out its threat to kill Carroll unless nine Iraqi women under detention in Iraq were released.

Houston City Councilman M.J. Khan urged people of all faiths and nations to pray for the release of the Christian Science Monitor freelance writer and urged Carroll's captors to heed international calls for mercy.

"In the name of Islam, I appeal to you to release Jill Carroll," Khan said. "It is the Islamic thing to do. It is the right thing to do. It is the human thing to do."

Tarek Hussein, president of Houston's chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Carroll's kidnappers are violating Islamic law.

"It is absolutely against Islamic teachings for any civilian to be targeted anywhere in the world," Hussein said. "It will not further their cause. She is a journalist who came there wanting to help a country in turmoil." (MORE)

I NEED HELP RIGHT NOW- Do you like to read? by Sarah E.

Jan 22, 2006 | comments: 9

Sarah E. Jan 23, 2006, 4:26pm EST

It is DEFINITELY a great way to "gather," Gil.
I'm sorry to hear about your surgery. I hope it and your trip go smoothly.
I received replies from Nancy "the grammar queen" and Henry.
I appreciate all the help!
Thanks.

Some personal thoughts on being an Arab American... by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 8.9 | comments: 16

Sarah E. Jan 20, 2006, 5:12pm EST

Lee, I just want to tell you how much I love having this discussion with you. I truly appreciate your comments and questions and am more than happy to clear up a few things for you:

1. An Ayatollah affiliates only with the Shi'a sect of Islam in Iran, and he will not be able to have an influence on the Sunni majority in the rest of the world. (I suggest you read my article "Sunni vs Shi'a" on the history of the differences between the two.) I guess in a way, Islamic Sheikhs release 'fatwas' (religious orders) regarding various things, but who's to say who can claim themselves to be a sheikh since there is no one / nothing else we ever have to answer to but Allah alone.

2. Al Queda can be seen to affiliate more with the Sunni sect of Islam rather than Shi'ia, but I honestly think their whole organization is an abomination as well.

3. Al Jazeerah is the Middle East equivalent of Fox News. By the way, the Al Jazeerah website found on the internet is tracked by the American government.

4. The US government CAN and DOES control the press since most major media outlets are supported through advertising sales from big business corporations that also spend millions lobbying.
Besides that, take as an example the media control of information happening in Iraq and their insistence/insertion of "positive" stories.

5. I'm just curious whom you think is one of those "top muslim leaders" because keep in mind there is a subtle difference between politics and religion, which I would be happy to explain to you futher. Just because a leader of a country happens to be Muslim, does not mean he is automatically the spokesperson for the religion itself. Government leaders can be just as corrupt & hypocritical no matter what country he/she represents.

Some personal thoughts on being an Arab American... by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 8.9 | comments: 16

Sarah E. Jan 20, 2006, 4:24am EST

As far as not hearing more about condemning violence/murder/etc., do you really think the American broadcasting stations are going to air that? These companies are directly working for the government, whether or not they want us to know it.

Honestly, it's hard for me to understand also, Lee. But just as a clarification, in Islam there are no top religious leaders or spokespersons. We don't have a Pope to tell us what to do, what not to do, what should/should not be the standard.

I think that is why there is so much confusion in those regions, confusion that manifests in the form of violence and destruction.

As Muslims, who are we supposed to follow--some self appointed guy who at the time is actively organizing the local prayer hall (aka mosque)? Unlike Priests or whatever, a true Muslim knows that that guy can NOT re-write the Holiest of books or grant redemption for past sins. But without true knowledge of the religion, found only within the Quran and life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), people are blindly following anyone who seems to have put themselves in charge.

Al Queda is successful purely because they are ORGANIZED, something that is surprisingly (or unsurprisingly) RARE in those third world countries.
They were funded through illegal trades/drug smuggling. Their followers are lost, illiterate, vengeful, desperate. They have nothing to turn to/live for except for what they believe to be Islam.

Iraq is nothing short of a huge disaster. For decades there was ONE person in charge, and then he's gone---instantly they're all scrambling to try to fill that void power. If it were us (Americans, I'm included ;) we would do all that we could just to survive. But to them, what do they have to live for? Their country is a mess, who could blame them?
Unless hope is clearly shown to them, then nothing can stop them from committing the ultimate sacrifice. And the sooner people realize that, the sooner a solution can be found.

Egypt and The West by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 10 | comments: 4

Sarah E. Jan 18, 2006, 2:19am EST

If you haven't been to the Red Sea yet, I must urge you to get over there as soon as possible. I made my first dive there a couple summers ago and it was so beautiful. I've been dreaming to go back ever since. Something interesting I noticed about the Red Sea, I'm not a very great swimmer, but I think the salt content in the Red Sea makes you more buoyant and allows you to swim/float easier. Nevertheless, bluest waters I've ever seen.

Floating Down the River by Sarah E.

Nov 25, 2005 | rating: 9 | comments: 4

Sarah E. Jan 17, 2006, 3:52pm EST

Well, you've never hung out with my friends...

Perspective changes everything by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 9 | comments: 2

Sarah E. Jan 17, 2006, 3:43pm EST

I like to try to mix it up. If you have some time to kill, check out my story called "Rock Dreams," written entirely in second-person point of view.

Would you ever eat a camel? by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 8.5 | comments: 4

Sarah E. Jan 17, 2006, 3:41pm EST

Wow, thanks!

Some personal thoughts on being an Arab American... by Sarah E.

Jan 16, 2006 | rating: 8.9 | comments: 16

Sarah E. Jan 17, 2006, 3:32pm EST

Great points, Dennis.
If you are ever looking for more information, I would suggest checking out the Council on American-Islamic Relations at http://www.cair-net.org/

As for condemnations, think back to 9/11 and the Prime Ministers and Presidents of the world (Middle East & Islamic States included) condemning and grieving the attacks.
I specifically remember counting that morning the list of Arab countries who were not only denying involvement (because all fingers were obviously pointed towards them) but were also condemning the loss of so many innocent lives. Saudi Prince/Media Giant Alwaleed even wrote a check for $10 million dollars to former Mayor Giuliani for donation/charity relief, which ultimately was rejected.

What saddens me the most is the hundreds of Arabs/Muslims who also lossed their lives that day also that the media fail to recognize amongst the victims.

The main thing people seem to remember watching was the footage of the "Palestinian" woman and the young children celebrating the attacks on 9/11--footage which CNN *BRIEFLY* recalled later as being footage from an event years prior to 9/11. Funny how they failed to run that correction as intensely and repeatedly as they did before.