Dark Academia Vibes: Commence
Assalamu’alaykum! Welcome to the month of November. The air is the slightest bit chillier now, and the days are getting shorter! Finals season is just around the corner…
Today’s newsletter will be featuring:
The importance of voting as families of immigrants
An interview of Moulana Farhat Abbas
A review of Q’s Deli
Important volunteer opportunities!
Important Announcements
Enrollment appointments are now open! Be sure to register for next semester’s classes before spaces fill up
Daylight Saving Time ended this morning! If you haven’t turned your clocks back yet, do it now
Be sure to get your FAFSA completed ASAP
Get your flu vaccine!!
If you haven’t voted already, Voting Day is Tuesday, November 8th
Check out the schedule for upcoming ABSO events - next one is on November 8th Inshallah
The Immigrant Effect
By: Zahra Gokal
America is a “melting pot” of different identities as we are constantly told. You may be Pakistani while the person living down the street is Guatemalan, and the person further down the street is Turkish. Many of our parents moved to this country to have better opportunities with the belief that this government will care about us more than their previous one - and many times, they’re met with disappointment. They come into a place where the leaders don’t advocate for them, don’t provide jobs for them as newcomers, and don’t allow certain freedoms as in other places in America. Fortunately, we have a say in our leaders: by making our voices heard through our votes.
Click here to continue reading
ABSO Birthday Shoutouts
Leave a birthday message for everyone in the comments:)
October ABSO Highlights
By: Syeda Khan - ABSO President
This October we collabed with two organizations to bring two programs to UH. The first was our event on “What is Shia Genocide?” The event was in collaboration with Rice MSA, and we were so excited to be able to host our owl friends! Moulana Farhat Abbas spoke about the similarities between Sunnis and Shias. The program was then followed by a short informational video and a lead discussion. It was a great program and we wish to continue the tradition in upcoming years.
Our next event was the Game and Movie Night with Imamia Medics International. IMI had their conference that weekend so we hosted the participants. The evening started with salaat, then followed by a 2-hour session in the game room. Participants engaged in bowling, pool, arcade games, and ping pong. Games got heated really fast and it was a great time overall! We then moved over to SEC for a movie night, but due to technical difficulties we weren’t able to watch a movie and instead played Taboo, so I guess we still got a movie. Overall our October events were a blast, and we can’t wait to see how our November events turn out!
Islamic Trivia
Theme: “Muhammad and Fatima”
What is the first Quranic verse that was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saw)?
What is a name that Prophet Muhammad (saw) would call his daughter, Bibi Fatima (sa)?
What did Prophet Muhammad (saw) work as?
Why did Prophet Muhammad (saw) teach Bibi Fatima (sa) the tasbeeh?
What did Prophet Muhammad (saw) tell Bibi Fatima (sa) on his deathbed to make her smile?
Last month’s answers:
b) Jabir bin Hayyan
a) Hunayn ibn Ishaq
Alcohol
Alkali
Alembic
Algebra
Cipher (literally “empty”; nothingness; zero)
b) The bringing together of separate parts
b) Al-’Ijliyyah al Astrulabi
Drop a comment with your answers to this month’s trivia!
Pilgrimage pictures may be submitted to absosecr@gmail.com to be featured on the newsletter.
Ask an A’alim
Featuring: Moulana Farhat Abbas
Interviewer: Baqir Salim
What role does western media play in shifting mindsets?
Western media is playing a major role right now. Media is no longer just for news and entertainment, but for brainwashing as well. What is the need? So they do not have opposition; they are trying to influence the people’s opinion. They’re trying to show things from their lens. The media is very biased. It’s psychological warfare, and the battlefield is in the hands of the media.
How would you advise a brother to get better at his beard game, since yours looks so great?
It’s not my expertise; it grows automatically. I didn’t do anything (laughs). I don’t have a fertilizer or anything that makes it grow out.
Moulana is all-natural.
Yes, all-natural.
What’s your favorite dish?
That’s tough. I like all the desi dishes: biryani… yeah. Desi dishes.
But if you had to pick one for the rest of your life…
I cant do that! I’ll get bored after 3-4 days. But the Amroha guys make this really good pulao.
Who is your favorite student from 12th grade?
I’m not gonna tell them, come on! (laughs) No, it’s hard, it’s hard. The whole class is my favorite.
Each month, we’ll ask an a’alim/a’alimah questions you submit! Keep a lookout on our Instagram story.
Rec Reviews
By: Ali Gokal
Location: Q’s Deli
Recently I visited Q’s Deli in Sugar Land and it was truly an experience. Q’s Deli is a fully halal sandwich restaurant located at 13134 Dairy Ashford Road. This recently-opened deli provides remarkable customer service with a wide variety of sandwiches and burgers to choose from.
When I visited this restaurant, some of my first-pick items were not currently available due to the soft opening a couple months back. Instead, I decided to get the Reuben sandwich. The wait time was decent, and the clean and relaxed vibe of the restaurant provided a comfortable experience that was beyond impressive. The Reuben sandwich was impeccable as well. The flavor of the sandwich was enough to guarantee a return. Overall, this restaurant was an excellent experience, and if anyone is ever in the area, I would definitely recommend a visit to Q’s Deli.
Recommend a place to eat on Instagram and we’ll review it each month!
Creative Corner
The Orange by Wendy Cope
Recommended by: Anonymous
At lunchtime I bought a huge orange—
The size of it made us all laugh.
I peeled it and shared it with Robert and Dave—
They got quarters and I had a half.And that orange, it made me so happy,
As ordinary things often do
Just lately. The shopping. A walk in the park.
This is peace and contentment. It’s new.The rest of the day was quite easy.
I did all the jobs on my list
And enjoyed them and had some time over.
I love you. I’m glad I exist.
Creative pieces created or recommended may be submitted to absosecr@gmail.com to be featured on the newsletter. Features are not guaranteed, however all original work will be displayed on our website Inshallah.
Upcoming Opportunities
VOLUNTEERING:
Thanksgiving Volunteering
INTERNSHIP:
Important Dates This Month
November 6th:
Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 8th:
ABSO x ISA: Milad un-Nabi Event @ Lynn Eusan Park
Election Day
Lunar Eclipse (read Salat al-Ayaat)
November 11th-12th:
November 15th:
ABSO: Bake Sale
November 17th:
UH CCA: Cultural Explosion
November 19th:
AMYN: Revert Thanksgiving Dinner
November 24th:
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day Parade
November 25th:
Black Friday
November 29th:
Bibi Zainab bint Ali (as)’s birthday!
December 3rd:
ABSO: Event
ABSO Merch
The ABSO shirt is on sale for $10! Blue and green versions both available.
To purchase, visit the ABSO Shop
Links:
Thanks for tuning in, and see you all next month Inshallah! In the meanwhile, don’t forget to tell us your favorite part about this month’s newsletter :)