HEAR ME OUT: The Problem With Misrepresentation in Entertainment

THE DEVIL’S DEVIL’S GAME

Hania Jafri, 15

The world is black and white.

White pawns have no choice but to fight. Their king tells them, “Our cause is just and right. Go. Start the charge to spread the light.” They make their move to destroy the night. Black Queen turns to her people to dispel their fright. “Just because we’re dark, they call us the night. They proudly claim to be the light. God created us different but equal, yet they decided they’re better. Are we going to take this anymore?” Pawns raise their fists, bishops clap and rooks roar. “Are we going to allow a repeat of history? Will we let them call our freedom a felony?” Knights rise up on their hind legs and neigh like fire. “Well done, my queen,” smiles Black King. “You always inspire.” Black Queen stands tall, lightheaded and strange. To her soldiers she nods, “Be the change.” Thus rise her bishop, pawn and knight; The trusty triad, always ready to smite. Raising his head, Black Knight locks White Pawn in his sight. White King sneers when he sees her faithful stallion, dispatching troops from his battalion. “A small sacrifice,” he murmurs, “for the greater good.” “To such lengths you go,” Black Queen mocks, “to fortify your falsehood.” Blazing with anger, White Queen advances. She plays, she teases, with the black triad she dances, before putting an end to their hopes and chances. Black Queen, livid, rallies her troops. “No more holding back!

Hard and decisive our attack! Let them know, loud and clear, that the future is black!” They raise their fists and stomp their feet, “Black is victory. White is defeat!” While Black Knight tramples over a pawn, White Rook ends Black Rook’s song; White Bishop obliterates Black Knight; many fall on both sides of the fight. The White Queen sees a chance to surprise a distracted Bishop and ensure his demise. But Black Rook reaches her in a flash, Turning her into ash. A shout of triumph in the air, Black soldiers cheer, white soldiers stare. Black Queen laughs and proclaims, “Behold! Black Rook has changed the game!” Chaos unleashed as everyone fights harder, Death after death, martyr after martyr. Finally, White King is surrounded. Black Queen moves in; the trumpet is sounded. “No…” White King pleads. But she reminds him, “The harvest of your seeds.” She kneels on his neck, whispering, “Today we are freed.” “I…can’t…breathe…”

Checkmate.

EXERCISE & MENTAL HEALTH

Safa Khan, 13

Exercise, as we all know, is good for your body and brain. What benefits does exercise provide for our mental health, alongside our physical well-being?

Studies have shown the countless ways in which exercise can improve your mental health. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and help decrease addiction, to list a few. When you exercise and get your body moving, you increase the blood flow to your brain, which enhances your body’s production of more norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate stress. Exercise also helps to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. Anything that gets your blood flowing, like something as simple as taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can help reduce stress.1

Similarly, exercise may decrease anxiety or depression. Science has shown that when you exercise, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are natural hormones that make you feel good and help you feel less pain. When you exercise, you also increase your release of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that can help you feel happier. One particular study showed that when people either ran for 15 minutes or walked for one hour, they had increased self-reported happiness, which was correlated with less depression. 2

Exercise can also decrease addictions and temptations to various stimuli. You could be

Many people around the world struggle with their mental health, but educating people about the positive aspects of exercising could make a huge difference. “

addicted to anything—drugs, alcohol, maybe even chocolate! When your body wants that substance, it is looking for dopamine, which helps you feel relaxed or at ease. When you exercise, and your body is producing endorphins, that can give you the feeling you want. 3

In fact, one Hadith supports this claim. In this Hadith, Abu Hurairah mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings be upon him) said, “A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good.”4 This particular Hadith outlines the importance of being physically healthy and strong. In order to exercise, you do not need to put on expensive gym clothes or do a strenuous workout. You can do something as easy as going for a quick run or walking to meetings to strengthen both your body and Imaan.

Many people around the world struggle with their mental health, but educating people about the positive aspects of exercising could make a huge difference! If we start by motivating our family, friends, and neighbours to get up and do a simple physical activity, then, in the long run, we can get the whole city to be physically active! If we want to make change globally, we can start by acting locally.

1. 2. 3. YouTube. (2021). 7 Mental Health Benefits Of Exercise: How Exercise Improves Physical and Mental Health! 4. HalalTrip, A. F. (2018, August 3). Keeping Your Body Fit: What Does Islam Say About Keeping Fit?

DO WE NEED TO DEACTIVATE DEACTIVATE ACTIVISM?

Rahima Adeel

1. Sahih Muslim, 49 2. Allah: God 3. SWT: Subhanahu wa ta'ala (Glorious and Exalted is He) 4. Surah at-Tawbah: ninth chapter (Surah) of the Qur'an, titled 'The Repentance' 5. Qur'an, 9:71 6. Ayah: verse in the Qur'an I am writing this article in late August 2021. This year alone, we have globally witnessed: farmers’ strike in India, forcible evacuation of Palestinians from their own homes, the kidnapping of thousands of children in Nigeria, and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. How many horrendous events have not reached this list? By the time this article has been edited, free of grammar errors and improper sentence structure, and ready to send to the printer, chances are, an editor or two will have reached out to me to update the aforementioned atrocity list. Grim, is it not?

How are we to balance it all? How are we to think locally and act globally? How are we to balance mental and emotional well-being, personal goals and dreams, and obligations to self and others, all on top of social activism? Each day, news bulletins alert us of some new emergency, genocide, or civil uprising in another part of the world. It is difficult to enjoy our day-to-day lives with crimes against humanity taking place in the background. Not to mention the guilt of having ease while others have hardship, along with the guilt of not being able to do enough, or anything at all. So, this begs the question: do we need to deactivate activism?

We often hear of the old adage, “all things in moderation.” Can this be said for social activism? May we enjoy our day-to-day routines without the pressure of attending rallies, signing petitions, and/ or boycotting each and every product that supports war-funding corporations? Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said, “Whosoever of you sees an evil action, let him change it with his hand; if he is not able to do so, then with his tongue; if he is not able to do so, then with his heart, and that is the weakest of faith.”1 Muslims are social activists by doctrine. Allah2 (SWT)3 commands standing up in the face of evil and wrongdoing, being the voice of the voiceless, and the maintenance of a just and equitable society. Muslims must help everyone in need, irrespective of faith, class, gender, and more.

What do we do when we turn on our televisions and see thousands of displaced people, demolished homes, and destroyed livelihoods and dreams? By the time we address one calamity, it seems a half

1 dozen others arise. It is natural, and in fact, normal, to feel helpless. But, one must not be hopeless. Allah says in Surah At-Tawbah4, “The believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: They enjoin what is just, forbid what is evil, observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them, will Allah pour His Mercy: For Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise.”5 From this beautiful ayah6, we may deduce other forms of social activism. Social activism includes prayer and charity. Being blessed with safety, we can send our prayers and donations to the oppressed locally and globally.

I know the state of world affairs is distressing. I know you feel guilty, despondent, and helpless. I understand you may even feel afraid or ashamed about feeling these sentiments without being the one directly afflicted. Fear not. At the end of the day, as Muslims, we must remember Allah (SWT) tests us as He wills. So, while He is testing an individual with exile and hunger; perhaps, Allah wants you and I to show gratitude for our ease and do our parts by engaging in civic leadership and acts that will ease the plight of others on a local level. So, go easy on yourself and remember, it is okay to deactivate activism every now and then.

May we enjoy our day-to-day routines without the pressure of attending rallies, signing petitions, and/ or boycotting each and every product that supports war-funding corporations?

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