Ummah Films

New Ummah Films Video - "Half Our Deen"

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

Updates: Alhamduillah we got like around 6,000 views in about 1.5 days. Although YouTube is a non-Muslim website, it amazing that the videos even get the number of views and honors that it does:

#88 - Most Discussed (Today)
#17 - Most Discussed (Today) - People & Blogs
#81 - Most Discussed (This Week) - People & Blogs
#50 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Australia
#11 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Canada
#27 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - United Kingdom
#49 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Ireland
#93 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - India
#59 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs
#86 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Netherlands
#97 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Sweden
#9 - Top Favorited (Today) - People & Blogs
#83 - Top Favorited (This Week) - People & Blogs
#26 - Top Rated (Today)
#6 - Top Rated (Today) - People & Blogs
#28 - Top Rated (This Week) - People & Blogs

New Ummah Films Video - "You won't hear that at Jummah"

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

YouTube has moved over to widescreen and now accepts HD so I decided to make the new Ummah Films video in HD. The video was filmed pretty late (which explains why I look so tired) but the message was important so I wanted to make sure it gets out. Being that today is Jummah, I figured I release the video today.

The audio from the Half Our Deen intro was put together by Takbir Productions (www.takbirproductions.com) and the video was put together by Iman Studios (www.imanstudios.com).

I'm not much of a Nasheed fan but when I came across the song "How can they deny?" from Takbir Productions, I was amazed. The song is not only unique but more importantly the lyrics have weight to it so I had to buy one of their CD. I wanted a unique sound for the Half Our Deen intro so asked the bros to put something together. Let me know what you think

Please help me spread this video by posting it on websites, blogs, facebook, myspace, etc...I really hope that it reaches the minds and hearts of those who have mic during Jummah InshAllah.

JazakAllah Khair

Marriage Interviews - Season 3 Ummah Films Video

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

InshAllah my next project will be www.halfourdeen. My goal is to put a unique spin on the way Muslim Matchmaking has been done in the past and to develop a site like no other Muslim Matchmaking site. Just like my past projects, I have no plans to make just another parody of what is out there for Muslims but rather to take the current awkward process to the next level InshAllah. I've pitched my ideas to teams of programmers and some have said its too difficult while others have given me crazy quotes ($25,000).

Honestly, it would be pointless to come out with something similar to what is out there but it seems like taking a leap of trying something new comes with a big price tag. Nevertheless, I'm motivated and I think its something that will change the way the current websites do things. If you are interested, please put in your email address at halfourdeen.com inshAllah and I'll inform you once its live so you can try it out.

Update:

I guess people seem to like this last video on YouTube (as of 11/18/08 at 3:19pm)

#13 - Most Discussed (Today) - People & Blogs
#64 - Most Discussed (This Week) - People & Blogs
#36 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Canada
#17 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - United Kingdom
#60 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Ireland
#57 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs
#79 - Most Viewed (Today) - People & Blogs - Sweden
#9 - Top Favorited (Today) - People & Blogs
#59 - Top Favorited (This Week) - People & Blogs
#56 - Top Rated (Today)
#4 - Top Rated (Today) - People & Blogs
#19 - Top Rated (This Week) - People & Blogs

New Video: Ummah Films Season 3 Begins

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

Season 3 of the Reminder Series has begun. This first video was made for a large group of Muslim School Teachers in Chicago.

One Nation Film Contest - $50,000..yeah 50k!

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

Link TV is not only giving young filmmakers the opportunity to change the Muslim Stereotype with their new One Nation Film contest but they giving away $50,000 worth of cash prizes to people who can do it.

The deadline is Dec 31st 2008 so that gives you 3 months to put together a short movie (5 minute or less). Not too many organizations are out there trying to break the stereotypes so when we do see such programs, we should try to support it InshAllah.

Although the success is only in the hands of our Creator, we must put in the effort if we want to make a positive difference in the world

For more information about the contest, please visit: www.linktv.org/onenation

Countdown to New Season starting Nov 7th 2008

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

I decided to do another season of the Reminder starting Friday November 7th 2008 InshAllah. I'm sure Ramadan has kept us all busy Alhamdulillah. Starting Oct 4th, I'm going back on the road again to perform at events and the bulk of the shows should be completed by the end of October. In November, I'll be back in the Reminder chair InshAllah.

As far as the upcoming film, JazkAllah khair for everyone's support thus far. I haven't spoke too much about it because we're still in the script writing phase. By sometime this week, the first draft of the script should be complete. It has been taking quite a bit of time because the film is actual feature film (about 90 min movie) so as you can imagine, it can takes a while to type up 90 pages.

I've also been busy working on my next project (Matchmaking Program) which has kept me very busy Alhamdulillah. Anyways, I'm excited about making another series of videos again.

Ramadan Mubarak everyone!

Bismillah ar-Rahmaan ar-Raheem,

The sighting of the moon for the blessed month of Ramadan yesterday (Saturday night)has not been confirmed, so Sunday will be the completion of 30 days of the month of Sha’ban. Monday will be the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan.

Bukhari and Muslim reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibnu Omar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Messenger of Allah (saw) mentioned Ramadan and said: "Do not fast till you see the new moon, and do not break fast till you see it; but if the weather is cloudy complete it (thirty days)."

“The Month of Ramadhan, in which the Qur’an was revealed, is guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadhan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on in a state of traveling, then the missed days must be made up from other days. Allah intends for you ease and not difficulty. (He wants that you) complete the number of days and glorify Him for having guided you, and that you may be thankful to Him.” [Al-Baqarah: 185]

“Whoever witnesses the crescent of the month, he must fast the month." [TMQ 2:185]

In the narration of Muslim, the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: "The month of Ramadhan may consist of twenty-nine days. So do not fast until you have sighted it (the new moon) and do not break fast, until you have sighted it (the new moon of Shawwal), and if the sky is cloudy for you, then complete it (thirty days)."

Muslim also reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibnu Omar that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “The month of Ramadhan may consist of twenty-nine days; so when you see the new moon observe fast and when you see (the new moon again at the commencement of the month of Shawwal) then break it, and if the sky is cloudy for you, then calculate it (and complete thirty days)."

O Allah, allow us to complete Ramadan and do not exclude us from its reward; O Allah, make us amongst those saved by You on this month of forgiveness; O Allah, allow us to witness the night of Al-Qadar and honor us with its reward; O Allah, unify the Muslim Ummah and gather us under the shade of the flag of the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, Ameen.