I’ve worked for many clients before, but none compare to Bayyinah. There is a certain barakah in the organization that subhanallah draws you so deep into your work.

In a recent survey, it was discovered the, least trusted professionals between various markets were found within the media profession; this included journalists, people in advertising, public relations and marketing. Six out of ten people said they don’t trust people in these professions. Ouch.

There’s this notion out there that if you’re in one of these fields, you’ll do anything to help your client, even if it means becoming a “spin doctor, a “deceiver” or even a “liar.” It’s that idea that says a person in one of those fields will say just about anything to serve their own interests. I guess it goes triple for someone like me who is in three of the four fields listed above.

I remember an article I wrote a little while ago that was posted on Muslim Matters about Bayyinah and the “Divine Speech” class. I’m sure anyone who has taken any classes with Bayyinah attest there is something different about this organization than others; something that you can hold dear to your heart.

Someone commented by saying, “Has anyone attended one of the classes? Please honest critique, I don’t want a marketing spin. Jazakum Allah kheir.”

I’m generally not a sensitive person, but I took offense to it. Even though the brother has somewhat a point to be skeptical, I guess I was just so sincerely writing the article out of the love I have for the organization, I indeed forgot I’m the public relations specialist.

This poses a problem for me. Press releases are great, mostly because editors of newspapers take what the want from the release and use their own names to write the article. For blogs and Muslim publications it’s a little different. They usually publish the article as it was sent, and accredit it to the original author. That’s great too, but it somehow tends to put this tint on the glass when people are looking through, so to speak. People now see the articles and see that it’s written by the marketing director and automatically think it’s no good.

When I started my PR firm, Minbar Media, I did so with the intention of only servicing clients I truly believe in and clients I could be proud to help out and bring with me on the day of judgment.

I’m going to remain true to my intention, inshaAllah.

The staff is so sincere and the volunteers I work with are all amazing, subhanallah. Currently, I’m working on a campaign to better acquaint the public with our other two instructors, Sheikh AbdulNasir Jangda, an Imam in Dallas, TX and AlHafidh Wisam Sherif who is currently studying in Egypt until the end of summer.

If people knew their work/style, they would love it. So be on the lookout for that campaign, inshaAllah.

More later, bi’ithnillahi ta’ala. I’m definitely extremely busy, but I’m hoping to update my blog often.

I think I might have to watch some of the things I write from now on, now that I’m not only representing myself but others who are pretty public figures or entities. Wallahu alem.

There’s this common perception among some sisters their photos on Facebook are “safe” because only sisters can see it.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite work that way. One of three scenarios are bound to occur:

1. Your friend’s brother, father, uncle just happens to walk by the computer and sees your pictures.

2. Your friend isn’t really the great friend you thought she was and she passes your pictures along to others without your approval.

3. Your friend is trying to play match-maker and shows your picture to a brother who may or may not be interested in getting married to you. — This is the most common scenario, in my opinion.

Perhaps it’s not a new phenomenon, but it’s definitely something that needs to be talked about.

Sisters, please use some common sense.

It’s the youth girls that probably fall into this the most, but then again, “shaadi” pics are pretty common as well.

We know you’re beautiful, OK? We know that when a girl wears make-up she can be very incredibly gorgeous…. or look like a clown, but I’m just sayin’.

Shaadi pictures are a phenomenon on their own. It’s like shaytaan loves weddings not because he’s happy for the bride and groom, but because he knows he can really get sisters to do acts they normally wouldn’t do.

This notion that says “I can take off my hijab on my wedding day because it’s only one day out of the year.”

Wrong! It’s everyday a picture of you not wearing your hijab gets pass around to friends, family and a million strangers.

Sisters, don’t let other sisters take pictures of you, even if you are wearing hijab. Trust me I see pictures all the time of sisters who I know wouldn’t want their pictures passed around. And who knows you may want to wear niqaab one day.

I needed to rant. It’s been a long time.

Egyptian Gumbo is on Mardi Gras break, what do you expect .