^ Northerner, I wouldn't suggest it honestly, from the point of view of a person who grew up with more than 6 different maids since the age of 5, if you have the option of one parent staying home with the children, its always preferable. My parents didn't and I always understood that and it wasn't a negative experience on the whole but no one can replace your own family. Haneefa, to be honest I am not sure what the logic around it was, but I remember clearly at some point in the 90's everyone decided to switch to Filipino maids. My family did it too, for one they spoke better English, which helped alot if you were trying to teach your kids the language and also they were seen to be more adaptable than the Indians. There can be an entire research study done on this honestly.

It is regulated in terms of their payrate, but thats where it stops, cases of abuse are increasing all the time. I feel for them, poor khaligees! slowly they will loose th prestige that comes with a filpino maid and driver and will have to settle for the cheaper bengalis..

Interesting.. I would advice you that you do not let your thoughts/emotions decide what is right or wrong. allowed or forbidden. If you are a believer, it is Allah alone who decides/dictates what is haram/ halal. For one, any intelligent person's thoughts would always undergo some critical analysis based on their inherent knowledge and one's understanding of "wrong" and "right" which is always built upon their moral and religious education. So through such a deduction...if I am following my "thoughts" and "emotions" they wouldn't be as as frivolous as you think, and would carry the same weight in my opinion if held against the arugments of Abu Salama's post. Which by the way is from a scholar who is not credited, and has some significant assumptions in his position. Such as this Therefore, what point is there in trying to "insure" yourself against "residual risks beyond your control" as a believer in Al Qadr, especially when our Deen make it compulsory to assist each other in those cases thus establishing strong reciprocal solidarity (much unlike in the West when even close relatives are unaware of each other let alone neighbours)? I will have to clarify that I am speaking from a personal perspective, I don't live in a country whose majority is Muslim. So it would be very difficult for me to go on about my life hoping that there isn't a flood that destroys my basement or a trailer-truck that would smash into my car, on the assumption that once these unfortunate things happen, I will have neighbors and family to help me out! Reality check too...which country populated by muslims does this "Scholar" live in? The post has some good points on consumerism and saving. The whole argument that having insurance, is source of unnecessary stress is strange to say the least... I would say any rational person has more stress when they know a small accident could make them homeless or without transportation, putting their lives and families at risk. In the societies that we live in today, you savings alone cannot cover the one and thousand things that can happen to you. In the words of Beck Ulrich...tis a effing "MODERN RISK SOCIETY!" lol By the way Faynus..I trust in Allah's and his prophets words and wisdom..but I am wary of blindly trusting any modern day man's interpretation of those words without a close and earnest look.

lol@ibtisam, they are addictive little stories aren't they...NGONGE you must go back to writing ...time or no time..make time! (thats meant with all possible politeness of course) meanwhile, I will go back to reading "Stuff White People Like" very insightful

Love Naomi Klein, in a few years she will be the new liberal goto scholar... agree with pujah though, if he took the matter head on now, he would be alienating alot of people. Even if majority of American's don't admit it loud enough and hide behind "war against terrorism" its against Muslims and he needs to speak to those people first. At the end of the day the miniorty won't put him in office.

Aha..that would describe a narcissist wouldn't it...just read underdog's reply...i hope he doesn't stare at his reflection too long and drown anytime soon. Ps. have you given up on your funny stories?

^ I don't get that logic...why then do we save money, or have scholarship funds for our children...or take care of our health...or one other million things that in some way or the other preserves our way of life? weren't we always told as children, that Allah Helps those that help themselves... so how then is insurance for your home or car haram...you have to think this one out Faynuus...before taking the word of your scholars Ps. Isn't it interesting that this is being introduced after all that roar with the archbishop's comments? bet you this won't make a stir since it benefits big business!

lool Ngonge...its simple everyone is determined to prove him wrong on the topic itself... Change your tone, why would anyone purposefully choose one of those insulting options to describe themselves?

^ not sure what that meant, but it certainly sounded very poetic Arabic poetry is beautiful, MBC radio use to have this program when I was kid, where a man with a smooth voice would recite poetry, understood 70% of what he was saying. Thats how I fell for Kathem El Saher's songs that are written by popular poets..not the one's he writes himself... checked out that programme, but its abit too khaligee for me Prefer this one

Aliyah thanks for the link, that was too funny.

I saw half of the Ohio debate by MSNBC. Dear lord, is Clinton ever nasty and repetitive. The moderator, at least to the part I watched online, was presenting her with valid points on her stance on NAFTA and her responses were far from impressive. Obama's point on her experience was also very good, he didn't put it down nor did he agree with her. And at no point did he complain or bash her. At least in terms of class, he's certainly got more...policy wise who I am not sure. Ps. What was that pillow talk about??

ouh, in that case I think i will have more a stomach for it when i am bit older...for now I will stick with Doctor Who and Dexter

^ those little treats are evil!...to the hips that is Today I am determined to not waste time

^ lool...insecurities of a height challenged man. The Wire seems to gritty, thats the only thing that keeps me from watching it. Can you compare in anyway to third watch?

Iranis are simply strange...they justified their argument on analogy that compares HUMANS to FLOUR!

^ That is a good point that I forgot to mention, he didn't appeal to me, but my young cousins and siblings certainly found him very interesting. He relates to young people who are still going through that classical internal struggle of "Who Am I" I am sure if he was around when I had that similar experience I would have found him very easy to related to and interesting. To that end, the man is very good. Ps. any comparisons to Adel Imam..are uncalled for!

LOL@Cara, I have to admit Recess was pretty good Grenchen(sp?) is the kid I always wanted to be. Cartoons are something you always watch, I catch myself these days following the Avatar or the Weekenders with my little cousins. Geel! *High Fives!* glad you liked it, Dex is addictive

Ms DD, good stuff it was the billboards around Toronto that got me curious with that dead hand. let us know what you think once you watch it found this funny commercial for the show on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGM6QqMXbx0

I actually had the opportunity to see him speak live twice, and at both times..I wasn't at all impressed with the man to be honest. But I suppose I am in the minority, the last time I saw him speak he brought my friends to tears, and I just do not understand his charm...his speeches lack in content in my humble opinion...give me Tariq Ramadan or Shaykh ‘Abdallah Bin Bayyah or Imam Zaid Shakir any day. He is still young though, and has a long way to go. maybe he sounds better in arabic.

Oh man, and I thought the New York transit system was confusing.

Cara ! good idea, but SOL has a timer on edits...but looks like its getting through. Marcas nice link, for those who are hearing of it for the first time, click on the link and graduate from Dexter's Laboratory and Deedee for heaven's sake

She obviously has serious psychological issues... Ps. she's not ugly, at least nothing a little makeup and appointment to a hairdresser can't fix

Oh god, people please do not compare.."Dexter-crime show" to the 90's children's cartoon...seriously Caanon Geel..you didn't watch a single episode did you? or you could one of those mad CSI and 24 Fans.. Naden..god forbid ! lol Rita shall live long, I am betting she's too thick to ever find out what Dexter does. Doakes was so sad, I half hated him and half liked him, but I think the Captain will be Dexter's new enemy...I am quite sure he lied about Harry's death. Are we like the only ones connected to modern tv culture??

lool@dexterizing...life would be easier with dexter running around wouldnt it? That outfit is HOT. But did you notice his hair got bigger in the second season..not sure if I like it Its really nice to find someone who has heard of it too, my attempts to get my friends to watch it failed once they saw the blood..bunch of squealing school girls who fall head overheals for Dr Mcdreamy from Greys Anatomny...he's got nothing on Dexter! (don't get me wrong..I like that show too..hope he dumbs Meredith and maries Rose) I knew Lila was trouble once she confessed to killing her ex-boyfriend...I personally admit that I am glad those horrid sex scenes with her will not be repeated...felt like every eposide was about that...specially disappointed in that one episode in the second season where he breaks into a house for her ! but really Rita a snake...she had a tough time raped and beaten up by a junkie...how could you not be needy with a hunk like Dex? I really liked her even more when she accepted that Dexter framed Paul for her and the children and when she kicked out her psycho mother. She has her priorities straight. I had the same experience with season one saw it all in one day online. Its abit retarded on CBS..can you imagine Doakes saying Motherfreaker or Freaking psycho lol its too strange. Season three is set for the first weekend of Oct, can't wait...Dexter Without the Code and Harry's lessons scarier than ever!

oh my god! lol finally someone who actually heard of it. Naden your like my new bestfriend!! Na, I meant season one on regular tv, thought more people would have seen it now since its been taken on by CBS. But Season 2 has already aired..you will be able to find copies online, it was such a good season. The acting is amazing, the writing is amazing and its one helluva morale quandary for anyone watching it for the first time, the main question is how do we so freely support someone who breaks the law for his own benefit...is it only that this benefit happens to have a beneficial externality...killing of dangerous undesirables...well...its obvious, I LOVE it...and I think I am one of the few people who watch it that loves his relationship with Rita, I really hope they get married or at least engaged in Season three What did you think of Lila?