Anyone who spends any time reading news or blogs on the Internet must have seen the term RSS thrown around, or seen this ubiquitous little icon: 
And yet, many are still unaware what RSS means, what it does, and why you should be taking advantage of it. It’s simple, fun, and can save you a lot of time in your daily dallying on the wonderful world of the Internet.
I don’t blame you for having a skewed image of me. Every day, it seems like there’s another story that undoubtedly affects your perception of the Muslim community. Whether it be the ridiculous response to offensive cartoons, or the nearly daily attacks that take place in our war-torn countries, it must be difficult for you not to think we’re just a little bit suspicious. The murder case here at home, which has dominated headlines this past week, certainly does not help our case.
I know that all of our condemning doesn’t change a thing. I’d like you to know how much I am sincerely saddened by what is happening. Whether or not our sister Aqsa was murdered for hijab or not is hardly even relevant to me; she was killed nonetheless, and this is something that cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Please don’t think we are lessening her death because the hijab link is, at best, tenuous. She was meant to be loved and cherished as any daughter should, and it pains us that we could not be there for her when she needed us.
I know, you’ve already read this. You’ve already heard us say how Islam means peace and that such actions have no place in Islam. I’ve heard you, when you sarcastically make mention of our “religion of peace”. You wonder how we can keep echoing this refrain, even when not a day goes by when this statement is not challenged. Continue reading
This is the first in a series of original content which will be posted exclusively on Ijtema.net by our editors. While Ijtema’s focus will remain on highlighting the best of the Muslim blogosphere, we hope to share our own thoughts with you on the process. Your feedback is much appreciated!
Just a few years ago, finding good content from Muslims on the Internet was a rather futile endeavour. Between the popular media and the emerging blogosphere, the image of Muslims on the Internet was distorted, polarized, and inaccurate. But in the last few years, the Muslim community has embraced the blogosphere wholeheartedly. Not just the youth who grew up on the technology, but Muslims from all walks of life have subscribed to the medium: scholars, activists, professionals, artists, the East and the West. And as more and more content is created every day, it is becoming harder and harder to find the best content. And as new bloggers join the fold on a daily basis, it is increasingly difficult to get noticed with everything else out there.