Farewells

People always come and go,

Hiding feelings they won't show,

Sadness, pain emotions so raw,

As days and time pass by slow,

Your heart cries and hurts you so,

But within you a hope that grows,

Makes your face smile and glow,

Feelings you thought you'll never know,

Fills your soul, heart and flow,

On your wounds words you draw,

One day they'll keep their vows,

And come back to end my woes.

Finding Islam on Chicago bus

Forteen Chicagoans embraced Islam this month alone thanks to the Islam ad campaign of GainPeace.
CHICAGO — Leslie C. Toole has been considering to embrace Islam for the past ten years. But when the Chicagoan teacher saw a simple, yet striking ad on a public bus, he knew the moment has come.
"I never truly committed and when I saw that sign I knew that was the final sign to complete my move," Toole, 45, told IslamOnline.
Toole had come across Islam on a street corner ten years ago when a man handed him a pamphlet telling him he'll find enlightenment in it.
"And I kept reading and reading and I wanted to make sure that I understand what I got involved in."
Just last month, an Islam advertisement rolled past him on one of the Chicago Transit Authority buses. The sign caught his eyes and eventually he called the number on the giant ad.
"How to become a member of Islam was my primary question."
Toole embraced Islam on Monday, September 29.
His story is similar to that of 13 other Chicagoans accepted Islam this month alone thanks to the Islam ad campaign of GainPeace, a Chicago area outreach project of the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).
The group spent $30,900 to place signs on 25 public buses serving across Chicago.
The ads direct people to a toll-free hotline, 800.662.Islam, and a website established to help those who are seeking answers to questions about Islam.
The campaign was initially to run from September 19 to October 20, but it has been extended till November 23 because of the massive positive feedback.
The hotline has received thousands of calls, in addition to up to 300,000 hits on the website.
When curious Chicagoans dial the hotline, GainPeace also provides them with an English copy of the Noble Qur'an, The Message magazine on Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as well as brochures and books on topics related to Islam.

I Am Blessed!

Count your blessings; that's what I try to do most of the time. One Blessing keeps coming up all the time... it's the bless of Islam. I was blessed to be born a Muslim and may I die so. Islam is a great religion and it doesn't need me to praise it, it praises itself. I really wish that people who are not muslims will take the time to read about it and learn something or two.Don't interpret the images and pictures the media show you without searching for the truth. Be fair and give it the chance, search! Maybe you'll find the answer to your confusion. Go for it! I am a Muslim...I am Blessed.