2019 Celebration Marathon

The Town of Celebration is located five minutes from Disney World and twenty minutes from the Orlando International Airport with easy highway access.

Celebration Marathon is considered one of America's prettiest neighborhoods (as selected by Forbes Magazine) on what may be the flattest course you will ever run! The course is certified with USATF, so it is a Boston qualifier.

Celebration is where I ran my first marathon in 2014, the town’s inaugural race. I just completed my 5th Celebration marathon and 7th overall race on January 27, 2019. Since that inaugural run in 2014 and discovering the joy it brought to my life, I’ve been hooked. I enjoy the challenge of growing my abilities and testing my limits and I like to choose races whose entry fees benefit charities and good causes. The Celebration Marathon helps fund scholarships for high school seniors across Osceola County.

Last Sunday, however, was more challenging than usual because of the “cold” weather (by Florida standards). It was 50 degrees give or take a couple degrees and raining the entire day. This made the course slippery; in some places I had to be extra careful not to go so fast - but it was still fun. Despite poor weather, dedicated runners and compassionate spectators were still driven to do their best, pressing on toward the finish or cheering others to the finish. The warmth of the enthusiastic cheers from the latter definitely helped to ease me along those wet, windy 26.2 miles.

My wife Sarah was very supportive, calling me several times during the race to see if I was ok. She, along with my Mom, other family and friends were very encouraging. Even my big brother Wafik was also cheering for me all the way from the UK. My in-laws were concerned about me going through with the race since they know I don’t like being rained on in the cold. It was certainly challenging and not the most pleasant feeling to be soaked, but I wouldn’t trade the experience as it helped me learn better what I can accomplish with prayer, determination and support.

My advise to all runners remember to have fun! Cheer on the person next to you, talk to the volunteers, wave to little kids , encourage them to be the next generation of future runners.

Fulfil your dream and never give up- even on rainy days.

The danger of disrespecting your parents

The Holy Prophet (S) said. “One who displeases the parents, (it is as if) he has displeased Allah. One who angers both his parents (it is as if) he has angered Allah.” Elsewhere, it is mentioned, “One who hurts his parents, hurts me and one who hurts me has hurt Allah. And the one who hurts Allah is accursed.” Āq al-Walidayn is Not Eligible For Divine Forgiveness The wretchedness of the Āq al-Walidayn is sufficiently evident from the fact that the trustworthy Jibrīl (a.s.) has cursed him and said, “One who is blessed with parents but does not fulfill their (his parent’s) rights will not be forgiven (his sins) by Allah.” 3 When Jibrīl (a.s.) said this, the Holy Prophet (S) uttered, ‘Amen’! DONT disrespect, shout, ignore, annoy, disobey, disregard, disturb our parents. They were looking after us when we were nothing but an easy prey to anything around. They were awake during the nights to make us sleep and feel us secured. We may not remember a thing in the childhoo...

Medical, Scientific and religious Reasons for not Eating Pork:

People ask me all the time, Why don't you eat pork? ...Is it for religious reasons? ...Are you vegetarian? Are you a Muslim or a Jew ? Do you know that pork taste good ? Honestly, just today I was even asked for sound scientific evidence affirming the danger of eating pork. I will share a few findings with you. Medical and Scientific Reasons for not Eating Pork: This is a direct quote from "What the Bible Says About Healthy Eating" by Dr. Rex Russell. He attended Baylor School of Medicine in Houston, Texas and did his residency at the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minnesota. Let us watch this short video , let the conversation begin: "One reason for God's rule forbidding pork is that the digestive system of a pig is completely different from that of a cow. It is similar to ours, in that the stomach is very acidic. Pigs are gluttonous, never knowing when to stop eating. Their stomach acids become diluted because of the volume of food, allowing all kind...

An open letter to Jehovah Witness :

A letter to Jehovah Witness by Rachidm: Dear Jehovah’s Witnesses: I would like to share with you some biblical research based upon my discussions with Jehovah’s Witnesses friends. My wife used to be a Jehovah Witness. When we got married, I, as a Muslim told her ; "you have the right to practice your religion". I even offered to give her a ride if needed to the Kingdom hall ( Jehovah Witness place of worship ) . With an open mind, I supported her and told her I would never mind her practicing and preaching her religion. During our first couple years of blessed and happy marriage together, I was privileged to engage with my parents in law (upon their request) in a comparative study between Islam and their beliefs. Although they were discouraged from dialogue since they believe their way is the only correct way, I always enjoyed a good open discussion about religion in general. My Mom in law offered me a copy of the New World Translation...

Jehovah's Witness converts to Islam

“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”. (Quran 35:18)

The idea of Jesus dying on the cross is central to the Christian belief. It represents the conviction that Jesus died for the sins of mankind. The crucifixion of Jesus is a vital doctrine in Christianity; however Muslims reject it completely. Before describing what Muslims believe about Jesus’ crucifixion, it may be useful to understand the Islamic reaction to the notion of original sin. When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree in paradise, they were not tempted by a serpent. It was Satan who deceived and cajoled them, whereupon they exercised their free will and made an error in judgement. Eve does not bear the burden of this mistake alone. Together, Adam and Eve realised their disobedience, felt remorse and begged for God’s forgiveness. God, in his infinite mercy and wisdom, forgave them. Islam has no concept of original sin; each person bears responsibility for his own deeds. “And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s bur...

Imam Abu Anas Abdulhadi of Masjid Al Furqan

THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN

Greetings of peace, This post is an answer to a new friend whom I recently met and respect , a devout Christian passionate about sharing his religion with others , who challenged me to provide some proofs regarding why Muslims don't accept the doctrine of original sin; a doctrine ( including the concept of trinity ) that was added by the Church at the Council of Nicaea some 325 years after Jesus left the earth. Notice I say left the earth ( meaning resurected alive by Allah ) and not died yet or crucify as some claims , but that is a topic for another day. Back to the doctrine of original sin. Are we born with so called Original sin or born innocent ? Is a Newly Born Baby really a Sinner? Islam Challenges The Concept of Original Sin. Let us found out why ? let's take a look at the following passages from The Bible: (Deuteronomy 24:16) “The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children...

http://rachidm.blogspot.com/2010/12/listen2quran.html

Allah is the Most Generous by Dr. EL Sayed Ramadan , PhD

Please tune in today to your weekly radio program Islam4mankind starting from 1:07 to 2 pm live from radio station Laprimira1220 am station Allah is the Most Generous : Main Points 1. The Oneness of Almighty in His Lordship, Godhood and Attributes. 2. Allah's Attributes are expression of His Greatness and Love. 3. What the Qur'an says about Allah's Attributes. 4. What the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said about the Attributes of Allah, the Almighty God. 5. Allah is the Most Generous as emphasized by the Qur'an and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) . 6. Manifestations of Allah's Generosity. 7. Our responsibility towards this great Attribute of the Almighty God. Was-Salamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakatuh Dr. EL SAYED RAMADAN, PhD Lecturer at Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt Department Of Islamic Studies In English Imam of Masjid Fresno Islamic Center ...

Imam Johari Abdul Malik will be guest speaker next Thursday Radio Islam4mankind

Imam Abdul Malik serves as the director of Community Outreach for the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Center. He was the first Muslim Chaplain installed at Howard University. The imam is the former chair of Government Relations for the Muslim Alliance in North America [MANA founded by Imam Siraj Wahhaj] and is the founding President of the Muslim Society of Washington, DC Inc. Known nationally for his fundraising efforts for masjids, schools and relief organizations, Imam Johari is a founding member of the Muslim Advocacy Commission of Washington, D.C. and “Muslim Men Against Domestic Violence” [MMADV] and has edited a book on “What Islam Says About Domestic Violence”. In his native Brooklyn community his mother kept the family busy with community service. From an Episcopal choir boy-who visited the deep southern Pentecostal “COGIC” holiness church during his summer vacations as youth-until at confirmation the teachings of the Ten Commandments exposed what he believed were contradictions wit...

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