Zakaria, Zachary, Zachariah and More

I was wondering about my name which by virtue of being in the Bible and the Quran has spread into many languages. So I tried to find the original Hebrew version. This is how it is written I think…

Drive to Atlanta

I have driven between Jersey and Atlanta a number of times, taken the outer route (NJ Turnpike to I-95 to I-85 through Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina), the inner route (I-287 to I-78 to I-81 to I-77 to I-85 through Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina), and the scenic route… Continue reading Drive to Atlanta

Presidential Election Polls

I am a kind of data junkie. I follow lots of polls and watch (or follow on the net) election night coverage for quite a few countries. I used to stay up all night to watch election results trickle in during the elections in Pakistan in 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1997. I watched all the… Continue reading Presidential Election Polls

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A Survey About Muslim Americans

Zogby has done a survey of American Muslims for Project MAPS. Here are some poll results I found interesting: 82% of American Muslims are registered to vote this year. The top reason for not registering is not being a citizen (59%). Some vocal, conservative Muslims have the view that voting in a Western country is… Continue reading A Survey About Muslim Americans

Handedness and More

Via Political Animal, here are a few tests to check whether you are left-handed or not. I got the following expected results on the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Using the rating method of Oldfield, Laterality quotients range from 100 (right handed) to -100 (left handed) This subject’s laterality quotient is: -50.0 Placing this subject in the… Continue reading Handedness and More

Women and Islam

Maryam of A Dervish’s Du`a’ has a Powerpoint presentation titled “Is Your Masjid Sister Friendly?” It is worth viewing as it has photographic evidence of the difference between the facilities for men and women in some mosques. In another post, Maryam says: [S]exism in mosques […] is not a new idea, nor is it a… Continue reading Women and Islam

Electoral College Modifications

I have said before that I am no fan of the electoral college and that statement would stand irrespective of the results of the 2000 presidential election. Unlike Unqualified Offerings, I am more of a small-d democrat than a small-r republican. One of the most exasperating things about the electoral college is that different states… Continue reading Electoral College Modifications

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Ramazan and Breastfeeding

Ramazan, the month of fasting, is starting or has already started based on where you live and who you believe. Since Amber is breastfeeding Michelle nowadays, what better topic to discuss for Ramazan than pregnant and breastfeeding moms? Let’s start with some amusement from an Islam-Online chat. Question: My question is : “Is it allowed… Continue reading Ramazan and Breastfeeding

Voting Rights History

Since the election is only 3 weeks away, I was wondering about the history of voting rights in the US. As I understand it, in the early days of the United States, voting was limited to white men who also held property. However, as today, the laws then also varied by state. So the first… Continue reading Voting Rights History

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Missing Her

I am watching the debate right now, but instead of live-blogging the debate, I am missing my daughter. Since Michelle was born, I haven’t been away from her for more than a few hours. But now I am out of town for 2 days. So I am missing Michelle a lot. Amber tells me Michelle… Continue reading Missing Her