Appalled

If you've been reading this blog,You'd know about the Sisterhood of the Traveling Hijab. If not, you can read about it Here. Anyways, the traveling Hijab has been going on for almost 2 years now and Alhamdulilah so far it's been a positive experience. Sisters from around the world have joined and shared their stories with us, and InshaAllah, more sisters can join in the future. Unfortunately, I recently had the most utterly shocking exchange with the sister who presently has the hijab and in my opinion is holding it hostage. I would never publish these messages if I thought for a minute that this girl was legit, I truly think that something went terribly wrong. She also has a blog that can be found here She received the hijab on July 8th 2010 and I've attached all our exchanges, so you can understand where I'm coming from. While you're reading, please note the dates and contents of each message:

From Hijabee, June 10th, 2010

Salam sister,

I read that you were interested in the SIsterhood of the traveling hijab. Please send me your email so I can send you an invite to the blog. Thank you


From Sumaya Rose Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab

xxx@yahoo.com (edited for privacy reason)


From Hijabee, June 11th 2010
I sent you an invitation. Lemme know if you have any questions. Also send me your address. Thank you- Heejabee

From Sumaya Rose
My address is (edited address for privacy reasons)

Thanks and Salam

From Heejabee, June 29th 2010
Salam Sumaya,

Funny you have my daughter's name :) The hijab will be on your way this week inshaAllah. Lemme know if you have any questions. Thank you!


From Sumayah Rose
salam alakum sis,

Mashallah! I am so excited! This is so wonderful. I cant wait inshallah I have it by this weekend. I am going to Bush Gardens, the everglades and Miami. I think that will be so much fun to wear the traveling hijab on my trip.


=D

From Hijabee, June 29th, 2010
Sounds so cool & exciting! I'm sure you will have a lot of fun. I hope you get the hijab by then and enjoy your time with it. Have a good one!
Cheers! :-p

From Sumaya Rose. July 8th 2010
salam alakum sis,

INshallah your good. I still have not recieved the traveling hijab. Do you have a tracking number for it? That way I can or you can track it down.

From Hijabee, july 8th 2010
Waleikum Salam Sumayah,
Lujain had some issues sending the hijab that's why it's late. Because of the 4th of July holiday, she said she had to go to the post office twice before she was able to send it. I just tracked it and it was delivered today. Are you sure someone in your house did not sign for it? Thank you
The tracking number is as follows:

USPS
0496 9002 0330 2109 8578

From Sumayah Rose
Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
salam

i got it sis.

From Hijabee, July 19th 2010
Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
Salam Sumayah,
How are you? I haven't heard back from you and was wondering if you're ready to send the hijab to the next sister. I sent you an invitation to the blog a few days ago so you can post up a pic and story . Let me know how things are going. Thanks!

From Sumayah Rose, July 19th 2010
Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
salam sis things are crazy i need a bit longer to uplaod my blog and pic.


sis I need some prayers, major prayers, pray ALLAH protect me and help me!


Salam

From Hijabee, July 21th 2010
Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
That's fine. I hope all is well with you. May Allah protect you and help you in anything you're going through. Allah is always there for you and He listens when noone is listening so talk to him and he will hear you. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
( no response from Sumayah)

From Hijabee, July 28th 2010
Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
Salam Sumayah,
I hope you are feeling better sister. Any updates on the hijab? Thank you
Salam

From Sumayah Rose, July 29th 2010
Salam I plan on doing everything tomarrow, pic and all. INshallah. Nope not feeling better in fact my doc was trying to get me to go get a blood transfusion yesterday. I didnt listen- cant afford it right now. I am making dua thou...notice how white I look in my last video adn how blaa. Humdulilah I have ALLAH, inshallah tomarrow and then inshallah next week I can send it.

From Hijabee, August 3rd, 2010
Salam Sumaya,
How are you doing? Hope you're better and back to normal. Anyways, I am still waiting on the Hijab as the next sister has emailed me twice about it and I told her you were going to mail it this week, so please keep me posted. Thank you!

Salam

From Sumayah Rose, August 3rd 2010

Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
salam sis I will I am so sorry jazakallah kiron............please pray for me.

From Sumayah Rose, August 5th 2010
salam sis I cant figure out how to post a message on the blog???

From Hijabee , August 6th 2010
Re: Sisterhood of the Traveling HIjab
I sent you an invitation on July 14th to be an author, that invitation hasn't been accepted. I resent 2 invitations just now, one on your yahoo address, the other one on your gmail address. Once you accept the invitation, you will be able to post on the blog.

From Hijabee, August 10th 2010
Salam Sumaya,
I still haven't seen your post on the blog nor have you mailed the hijab. You have been holding the hijab for a long time now and so far I have been very patient. Please remember that there are many sisters waiting and you're holding the sisterhood up at this point. The rules of the sisterhood are clear in the sense that you can't have the hijab for more than 1 week and I have let you slip on that one but please be considerate of other people waiting, so could you please mail the hijab to:
xx....../ ( address edited for privacy reasons)

Thank you.

From Sumayah Rose, August 17th 2010
Salam It is being mailed Thursday, inshallah. That is my day off and I have time to do it then.


From Hijabee, August 21th 2010
Salam.
I would like to know if the hijab was mailed and if you could provide me with the tracking number. Thank you

From Hijabee, August 23rd 2010
Hello,
I need to know the status of the hijab. You are the first person Im having issues with regarding this hijab. This has been going on for over a year without any issues. People are waiting, so please reply to my messages.

I still haven't received any messages from Sumayah Rose on September 1st, 2010,and realized she blocked me from sending her messages on Youtube so I emailed her today this message:


From: Umm Sumaya
Subject: Sisterhood of the Traveling Hijab
To: candacemetcalf@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2010, 6:19 PM

Candace,
You have ignored my previous messages. I would like to have the hijab back. You are unbelievable, you've been having the hijab for 2 months while you are only allowed to have it for one week. I have been very civil with my previous messages to no avail. I also know that you have blocked me from your youtube channel I guess not to be bothered by my messages. The only reason you were part of the sisterhood in the first place is because we trusted that as a Muslim you would be honest enough to follow the rules like everybody else before you! This is MY LAST email to you and after this if I don't hear back from you I will have to go public with this on my blog and all the sisters blog so they can be warned. I also have your address in Orlando and I will have to send someone there to get the hijab from you if I don't hear from you and if that person can't get the hijab we will have to recourse to the law . Sisters have not worked on this project for over a year to have it stalled because of one person. This was supposed to be a beautiful experience for everybody but I guess there is a bad apple in every group! Pleas reply at your earliest convenience

And Finally she replied with this:

candace metcalf
to Umm

show details 9:59 PM (1 hour ago)

salam alakum,

I just want to let you know that I will not have any more emails from you sister. First because of your disdain for me being your sister. Second because of you not treating me like your sister. And third of ALL because islam does not require such things as a traveling hijab. Thanks For being so considerate when I lost all my family sister, you know who was there for me not a stupid sister with a traveling hijab to comfort me, now when I lost my children were you there for me sister, and when I got so sick that I cant even stand up were you there sister. DId you even ask me how I was or even pray for me I dont think so, may ALLAH SWT forgive us all and sister, I blocked you for your inconsideration and yes I have been busy with lossing my family and my health. Thanks For ASKING. MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU TOO>

Salam


Umm Sumaya
to candace

show details 10:09 PM (57 minutes ago)

You are such a liar. May Allah forgive you for all your lies. How many times did I send you messages asking you how you were doing and Prayed for you? If Islam doesn't require a traveling hijab, why are you part of it? Each one of us deals with their own issues, were you considerate when other sisters were going through what they are going through? Do you know whats going on in my life? I have all the messages that I sent you asking you how you were and what was wrong with you which shows that you are a liar. By this Ramadan, this night, May Allah judge between us!

Seriously? I'm appalled. I have been nothing but civil with Sumayah/Candace since our first exchange. To be honest, I started being annoyed in July when she was giving me excuses after excuses about why she couldn't mail the hijab but still I stayed civil and polite in all my messages. She dares saying that I never asked her how she was doing,.... Well if you read what I posted on top, you can see how that is just a big fat lie. Also, she said she lost her entire family and kids "sigh" so I guess I should've known that Sumayah/Candace was the sole survivor in her family, though she still posts daily videos on Youtube at her channel ( Sumayah Rose Youtube Channel) where she discusses regular normal every day topics like Tattoos, Religion and Guerilla, all of that I guess while mourning the death of her entire family. Where was I, cruel inconsiderate me when all of this was going on? I guess I didn't get the memo, I was just too busy with my so insignificant life.... Needless to say, I don't believe anything she is saying and I don't believe she's truthful. I know thats a big assumption to make about someone and I hate making assumptions about people, I give them the benefit of the doubt till all doubt is erased in my mind. Let's say that in this case, I have as much doubt as a mouse in front of a cat. There is only one solution for the mouse, Run and Hide, no doubt about that. I also find it very hypocritical that she said she doesn't believe the traveling hijab is part of Islam, but at the same time, she is part of it and even made a video that you can see here praising it and wearing the Sisterhood's hijab.I'm sure you are all wondering where Im getting at, but I wanted to get other people's perspectives as I think I am a very fair person and the least conflict averse person I know. Unfortunately, I seriously think this girl is mental and I am sorry I ever trusted her. It's really not about the hijab or the scrapbook, it's about the principle, you can't just take things that you've been trusted with and disappear. This is the end of my rant. Have a good end of Ramadan everyone

Muslim Scam, Beware

I don't know if she's Muslim or just posing to be one, but apparently she seems to know a lot about Islam. I received this email last week from a certain Sister Aisha Ojo and she used the email newtohijab@gmail.com . First, I was a bit perplexed when I started reading her long email but the more I read, the more I doubted someone would actually make up this story swearing by all Allah's names. At the same time, I was questioning the fact that she had time to read my blog, find my email address and write this long letter if her condition was in fact true. A part of me told be I should not be suspicious of Muslims and that maybe there was a tiny little chance that her story was true and she was in dire financial needs. My husband did not buy the story, googled her name and found another letter coming from the same Aisha Ojo where she has a different story. Here's the link to that letter:Scam Letter #2

I'm also attaching the email she sent me. Beware, just because someone is swearing by all the names of Allah doesn't mean they're truthful. You have to read the whole thing to understand how sick this person is! So,Stay on alert, and don't believe everything you read.


IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE BENEFICENT, THE MERCIFUL



Asalam Alaykum Waramotullah Wabarakatuhu,



All Praise is due to Almighty Allah, the Lord of incomparable Majesty, I bear witness that is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Prophet Muhammad [SAW], is His Servant and Messenger. I bear witness that my Salah, my sacrifice, my living, my dying belong to Almighty Allah the Lord of the Worlds.



I greet you in the best of all greetings, ASALAM ALAYKUM WARAMOTULLAH WABARAKATU. May Almighty Allah, accept all our good deeds. With Tears, Deep Sorrowful Heart and severe frustrations but with all Hope I am sending this mail to you. I have almost renounced all hope of life even to the extent of attempting Suicide, all hope lost and this is the Last hope I have. I am extremely confused and perplexed. I don't know who to call that is why I have conatcted you.

I TESTIFY THAT THERE IS NO DIETY WORTHY OF WORSHIP EXCEPT ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND PROPHET MUHAMMAD [SAW] IS HIS PROPHET AND MESSENEGER. PLEASE, THERE ARE NO WORDS THAT I CAN USE BETTER THAN THIS BUT I WANT YOU TO BEAR THIS MESSAGE WITH ME, I AM UNDER SEVERE SICKLE MOON, I AM EXTREMELY TIRED OF LIFE, I DON'T KNOW WHOM TO CALL THAT IS WHY I HAVE CONTACTED YOU, SAVE MY SOUL.



I SWEAR TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH WHOSE HAND IS MY SOUL!

I SWEAR TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH WHOSE HAND IS MY SOUL!

I SWEAR TO ALMIGHTY ALLAH WHOSE HAND IS MY SOUL!



I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT ISLAMIC ORGANISATIONS HERE, NO COULD HELP THAT IS WHY I HAVE CONTACTED YOU.




I AM REALLY TIRED OF LIFE AND NEEDS YOUR EXTREMELY EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, JUST FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH. I want to repent vehemently to Almighty Allah, I am really tired of life, SAVE ME. I don't know who to call that is why I have cried out for help.





I have to beg for money before I can send this mail at the Internet Shop, because I don't have access to telephone or computer. I don’t know who to call that is why I have contacted you, SAVE ME FOR THE ALMIGHTY ALLAH. I have found you through your blog, SAVE ME, I don't know who to call.


I am 27 years old, I am Nigerian and live in Nigeria, I was the only daughter and child of my parents, I was a Muslimah but nurtured as a Christian but later revert to Islam with the help of the Islamic Propagation and Dawah Center, South Africa, which was established by Late Sheikh Ahmed Deedat . I read many books written by Late Ahmed Deedat. These books made me concluded that Islam is the path to paradise. My Parents were born as Muslims not Practical Muslims, I grew up finding them converted to Christians, my Mother precisely, though it is a very long story, her conversion was a result of poverty and Nonchalant attitudes of the local Masjid and Muslims on matters that concern other Muslims, it was a very long story. After my own revert, in the year 1990, I went to Quranic School to learn the Quran, my parents loved me very much because I am only child.



With the little experience I had, I started propagating Islam, ALLAH BEARS ME WITNESS, I preached Islam in Mosques, Markets Streets, Buses, at Dawn before Solatul Fajr and every where I go.



I lost my beloved father in ghastly motor accident in 1996, his death was a great damage to my life and life of my mother, the news of my father's death led my mother to stroke, because she was having Hypertension, when she heard the news of my Father she collapsed immediately, I rushed her to the hospital, she was in the hospital for about three months but later took her home because she was not responding to the treatment, her left leg and hand got paralyzed, she got stroke, and since then, I was the one responsible carry her and there even whenever she wanted to go to the toilet and took her bath, because she could not walk.



The death of my father, was a disaster to my life, I was in the secondary school when he died, no one to help, I was bearing the burden alone, my mother could walk again after the school hours, I would have to engaged in several usual trades, to feed myself and my mother, everyday she cried.



I completed my High School in 1996, I was given a Certificate of Recognition as the best student of the year, since then I have been facing the most difficult Turning Point of my Life. Since the Completion of my school, I was unable to continue my Education because there is no one to help, I tried all what I could to Further my Education into the University but all effort is a Bunch of Failures, I am brilliant but my Brilliancy couldn't be Manifested, I searched for work I could do but no one is ready to employ Secondary School leaver into any industry even in the Muslim Owned Businesses not even hijab as a prejudice, since I could not help myself, I started Hawking Table Water just to Gather Money for my Education but the Money I get went for Food for myself and my mother because there was Less Profit and Much Stress and no one is ready to Employ School certificate Leaver into any Industry, then I had to start varieties of odd jobs and finally started hawking, I hawked for four Years .



In the year 2000, it was a year of great ordeal of my life, I lost my mother, I cried and wept bitterly, I was all alone, no one to talked to, no one was there to comfort me or console me. I fell sick after the death of my mother, I suffered to much I couldn't continue the Hawking due to the severe Depression and Illness I encountered. It was this year it began a Turning point of my life. I lived as society which was predominately Christian's environments, only few Muslims and few Islamic Centers, even there were many Muslims that you cannot call Muslims because, they do not practice Islam, Mosques and Islamic Centers are mere buildings.



Few months after the death of my mother, I could not pay for the house rent, it was then the Landlord threw my luggage and property outside, I went to the nearby Islamic centers for assistance but no one heard my cry, even among the Muslims men I met, they said they would only help if I could sleep with them. I could not just comprehend what was happening, I became tired of life, I did not know where to go, I became helpless and hopeless, as Muslims who were to be my helper consigned me to oblivion.


After some months, I found a work in a shop where I work as a Cleaner, since then I have been working as a cleaner in that shop with just little money. And have worked in many places but always end up with Sack letter due to the DEADLY ILLNESS I have been suffering from since I was a child




The main purpose of sending this mail to you is that I have been sacked from the different shops because of the severe illness I have, I lost consciousness every time and was actually affecting the sales of the owners that is the reason why I was sacked. I have been suffering from EPILEPSY just before the death of my parents, and since there is no one to help the little I was getting from the job, I was using it to buy RETRO-ACTIVE DRUGS, which actually suppressed the sickness but now there is no money to buy the DRUGS anymore, and I have tried to get another job but all effort is a bunch of failure. I have turned to street beggar, I hate to do this, and all my ibadah is affected, there, everyone run away from me even in the mosque. I don't know who to call that is why I have cried out.




I always have temporary confusion, complete loss of consciousness, a staring spell, and uncontrollable jerking movements of the arms and legs.



To eat now was another problem, I cannot pay for my room rent and the Landlord is frustrating me to leave the house that is why I have cried out for the your FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF ANY AMOUNT YOU CAN AFFORD ON THE FOLLOWING THINGS.




a. TO BUY THE DRUGS FOR THIS DISEASE

b. TO PAY FOR MY HOUSE RENT, I MUST NOT BE SENT OUT AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO.

c. I DON’T HAVE MONEY TO EAT, I AM IN SEVERE HUNGER.

d. I WANT TO START A LITTLE TRADE OF MY OWN BECAUSE NO ONE IS READY TO EMPLOY ME WITH THIS KIND OF DISEASE.




Without a Tranquil heart, one would be too worried to attempt anything, too scared to risk doing something which one has never done before. Worried heart can actually bring life to halt. A tranquil heart overcoming Depression and Sins.



I have tried several Islamic Centers, Mosques and Institutions for Assistance they are not helping, that is one of the problems we are facing here in NIGERIA, Mosques, Islamic Centers are just places for Solat not on the affairs of the Muslims. Allah bears me witness, many have left Islam because of the Neglect and unconcern attitudes of the Muslims even my mother when she was alive.


Without a Tranquil heart, one would be too worried to attempt anything, too scared to risk doing something which one has never done before. Worried heart can actually bring life to halt. A tranquil heart overcoming Depression and Sins.

No man is ready to marry as sicked Muslimah, I have renouced all hope of life, I don't know what to do, I I BEG YOU IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, SAVE ME.


I am using this Medium to sincerely beg you in the Name of Almighty ALLAH, the Lord of incomparable Majesty and the ruler of the Ultimate Dominion of the Heavens and Earth and for the sake of His and our Noble Prophet Muhammad, to send ANYTHING YOU CAN AFFORD JUST TO SAVE FROM THIS SITUATION.




Allah Says


"The believers are but a single brother" Q49:10



Almighty says: "By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love; and whatever ye give, of a truth God knoweth it well", (Quran, 3:92}



The Prophet of Allah said



"The Muslims are brother of one another, he does not wrong neither does he hand him over to his enemies. One occupies himself in fulfilling the demands and redresses the Difficulty of another Muslim, will get ALLAH'S help on the Day of Judgment" Bukhari & Muslim



"Whoever saves the life a Muslim as save the life of the whole Humanity"



"Anyone who occupies himself in relieving the trouble of a Muslim will find his trouble relieved on the Day of Judgment" Bukhari & Muslim



I know a Muslim is Helper of another Muslim"



"The Muslims in their mutual love, Kindness and compassions are like human body, where one of its is in agony, the entire body feels the pain, both in sleeplessness and fever" Bukhari and Muslim.



Abou-Huraiyyrah, may Allah be content with him, has narrated about the prophet, prayers and peace of Allah be upon him, who said: "Allah accepts the charity and takes it with His right hand and raises it up for you, as you raise up your foal, even the fragment of a loaf becomes as huge as the mountain of Uhud", (Reported}



"Whoever wakes up in the morning without any concern for the affairs of the Muslims is not of them. And whoever hears the cry of a Man who shouts, O Muslim, come to my help and does not respond, is not a Muslim" AL KAFI Vol 3, Page 239



I BEG YOU WITH 99 BEAUTIFUL NAMES OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH



Al- Rahman, Ar- Raheem, Al Mulk, Al Quddus, As- Salaam, Al Mu'min, Al Muhamaemin, Al Azeez, Al- Jabbar, Al- Mutakabir, Al Khaliq, Al- Barriu,Al- Mussowir, Al-Gaffar, Al- Qahar, Al- Wahhab, Ar- Razzaq, Al Fattah, Al Aleem, Al- Qabbid, Al- Bassit, Al-Khaffid, AlRaffiu, Al Muizz, Al Mudhilu,As Sameeu, Al- Baseer, Al Hakamu, Al- Adil, Al- Lateef, Al Khabeer, Al Haleem, Al Azeem, Al Gafuur, Al Shakuur, Al Aliyy, Al Kabeer, Al Hafeez, Al Muqeet, Al Haseeb, Al Jaleel, Al Kareem, Al Raqeeb, Al Mujeeb, Al Wasiu. Al Hakeem, Al Wadood, Al Majeed, Al Baaeth, Al- Shaheed, Al Haqqu,Al Wakeel, Al Qawwiyu, Al Mateen, Al Waliyyu, Al Hameed, Al Muhsiy, Al Mubdiu, Al Mueed, Al Muhyi, Al Mumeet, Al Hayyu, Al Qayyum, Al Wajjid, Al Majjid, Al Waahid, Al Samad, Al Qadir, Al Muqtadir, Al Muqaddim, Al Muakir,Al Awwal, Al Akhir, Al Zaahir, Al Baatin, Al Waaliy, Al Mutaal, Al Barru, Al Tawwab, Al Muttaqim, Al Afuwwu, Al Raoof, Al Malik- Mulik, Dhal Jalaal Wal Ikram, A;l Muqsit, Al Jaamihu, Al Ghaniyyu, Al Mugniy. Al Manii, Al Dharru, Al Naafii, Al Noor, Al Haadiy, Al Badeei, Al Baaqiy, Al Wariith, Al Rasheed, As Sabuur.



I WANT YOU TO HELP ME WITH ANY AMOUNT YOU CAN AFFORD, THE SITUATION IS UNBEARABLE, IF YOU WOULD LOVE TO HELP ME, LET ME KNOW SO THAT I CAN SEND THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO SEND THE MONEY.



Please, anything you might want to use to help me, PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH. PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH AND HIS HOLY PROPHET [SAW]. HELP ME WITH ANY AMOUNT YOU CAN AFFORD.




I BEG YOU IN THE NAMES OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH I NEED YOUR EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. I AM DYING.



PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, I CRY!

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, I CRY!

PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! FOR THE SAKE OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, I CRY!




I AM DIEING, I BEG YOU IN THE NAME OF ALMIGHTY ALLAH, JUST HELP ME WITH ANY AMOUNT YOU CAN AFFORD. I AM REALLY TIRED OF LIFE.



Reply on these Email address: newtohijab@gmail.com






I wait for you earliest reply, as soon as possible. May Almighty Allah relieve your from all your difficulties, Amin.



Sister Funke Aisha Ojo,