Letter from a reader/ update

Dear Readers, Sorry for the long delay in posting on this blog. A reader has asked me for an update, here is her request, and my response. There will soon be more updates about the Zaidi film project! w/salaam Zaida

Dear Sister, I live in the US and have on occassion come across your information and blogs regarding Zaydi madhab. At first I was hesitant to write. I am curious to know why there have been no further recent postings, discussions, or updates either on zaidiblogspot, anazaidi, salvationark or Zayddiyahwordpress websites? (At least for 2012?) Is this madhab dying out, like the muta'azili madhab did? I noticed it was mentioned on one of the zaidi informational websites that there are pockets in the west (western muslims), interested in its revival, however being that most who follow this madhab are in Yemen, which is in political turmoil and upset with the west politically, how does this affect any formal organization in the west regarding zaydi madhab? Can it be organized on the level that salafis/wahabis have done in terms of building Zaydi mosques and promoting zaydi madhab? And can immigrant (Yemen) politics stay out of the dawah of this madhab in western mosques? I think some western muslims are getting tired of immigrant fanaticism and immigrant politics entering into our spiritual life and masjids. I know plenty of American muslims who practice at home and only want to go to masjid on times of Eid, staying to themselves. Instead of speaking out about social ills, and how to address one another and help all humans out of love, someone wants to tell you about whether your skirt is long enough. I mean really? Immigrants are bringing their fanatical baggage and politics (not all immigrants) from overseas and causing disruption of peace for peaceful muslims here in the west! If you want that type of lifestyle, then I say go back to where you came from? Why even bother living in the west? Go back and stay in those fanatic environments conducive to their crazy interpretation. Sorry but it is frustrating. Sister, I hope insh'allah that this email finds you well and safe, in light of recent events regarding that disgusting film and the unecessary horrific violence and loss of life around the globe. A few months ago, I had emailed a brother wali @ salvation ark to ask if there was a zaydi mosque in a neighboring state. I never heard back from this person. I noticed on his site he had "Zaydi Associations" listed for California and Arizona. On www.salatomatic.com the Islamic Center of Erie, Pennsylvania lists its denomination as "Zaydi", but I think it may actually be Ithna Ashari. Well, thanks in advance. Again, apologies for my short "vent" and rant, but wanted to know of this movement was ever formalized/organized officially on the west? JazakAllah Khair, a Sister in USA

Here is my reply:

W/salaam Sister It's true o haven't updated the blog and the website and I really should! ...and I will soon in sha Allah. Here is what happened; because of the small number of people reading the blogs I decided to make a feature film about Zaidism, which has the potential to reach many more people. I spent months writing a script. Then I spent months trying to get funding from the wealthy Arab states,(UAE and Qatar) to make the film. I was unsuccessful, partly because I am not an experienced film maker. Also because they found flimsy excuses not to make a film about Zaidism. So, I have purchased film making equipment and I am making another film which isn't about Islam, in order to get experience. If this (training) film is successful, I might then get some funding to make the Zaidi film. I've been so busy I haven't had time to update the blogs.... but I will put your letter and my response on the blogs in sha Allah. Thanks for your email. w/salaam Sister Zaida (Australia)

Tarawih: A Zaidi perspective

Ramadan Kareem to all our readers!
Imam Rassi Society has just sent us a detailed article describing the Zaidi position on Tarawih prayers in Ramadan. Also, an article about Ramadan itself. To read these articles, please click on the link to our new website: www.zaidiblog.com

Important Zaidi Work Gets Translated to English

This post has been moved to www.zaidiblog.com
We are moving to www.zaidiblog.com over the next few months.
The new site will be organized under subject headings, and easier to navigate.
Most articles from this blog will be transferred to the new site.

British Sunni Discovers Imam Zayd

This article has been moved to www.zaidiblog.com
We are moving to zaidiblog.com over the next few months.

Zaidi perspective on Arab Pro-democracy Movements

Regarding the wave of anti-dictator protests in the Arab/Muslim countries of Tunis, Egypt, Bahrain, Libya and Yemen, the world’s 10 million Zaidis must be asking themselves what kind of leadership do these protesting Sunnis, 12er Shi-ites, Copts and atheists want once their corrupt dictators are banished? There doesn’t seem to be a plan or a vision for what comes next…just some vague idea about freedom and democracy. The trouble is, the West is all too aware of this and is already taking advantage of the situation with their oil-inspired invasion of Libya (under the guise of “helping” the Libyans shake off their nasty dictator.) You can bet the West is already making plans how they can use the wave of protests to their economic/strategic advantage, all the while pretending they want to “help” the long suffering Arabs.
It’s time for Arabs to consider their alternatives carefully and wisely, and the best form of leadership available to the Arab Muslim world right now is Zaidi leadership. We Zaidis say that leaders of the Muslim world should be descended from the Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.), they should compete for leadership roles according to stringent criteria as laid down in Zaidi political theory, and there is no reason why Zaidi leadership can’t be combined with a democratic system of representation for the masses.
Why Zaidi leadership? Sunni leaders will always oppress 12er Shi-ites, (e.g. like Saudi Arabia does), and 12er Shi-ite leaders will always oppress Sunnis (e.g. like Iran does). Either way there will be oppression, disunity, rivalry, possibly civil war. Worse still, even a war between the Sunni oil monarchs and their 12er Shi-ite rival Iran is on the cards. The West loves this division; it weakens the Muslim umma and makes it easy to dominate them. The only hope for a unified, peaceful, strong Middle East/North Africa/Asia is to restore the Prophet’s family to its rightful place, inspiring and unifying the Muslim masses. Until the world’s Muslims sort out their differences on the Sunni/Shia issue, which has divided them for centuries, and come to the compromise position, I don’t hold out much hope for peace and stability in the region. What is the compromise position? Zaidism.

Illustrated Zaidi Prayer Guide

as salaamu alaykum all!

Alhamdulillah!

Thanks to the efforts of all of us in the Imam Rassi Society (esp. Bro Ibn Zabara), we have completed our translation of Iqaama as-Salaat, which is a Zaydi prayer book that includes accompanying pictures.

It is available to preview at http://www.salvationark.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65:perform-prayer
It is a draft that we need to tweak but it is a great start for those who wants to view the Zaydi wudu and prayer.

Please continue to make dua for us!

IRS

Ask a Zaidi, 2011 edition

Over the past month, some new questions have popped up in earlier posts. Here they are, with the answers provided so far.
Please note that there is now an "Ask a Zaidi" page in English at the www.anazaidi.com website. I have posted one of these questions on that site as well.