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I grew up with this lady presenting music videos. I didn't know that she converted. Many thanks for posting the link.
Posts: 30135 | From: The owner of this website killed ES....... | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote:Originally posted by Miss_Tigerlily: I grew up with this lady presenting music videos. I didn't know that she converted. Many thanks for posting the link.
wondering what was your feeling when you knew she converted?
Posts: 173 | From: Egypt | Registered: May 2010
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I grew up with this lady presenting music videos. I didn't know that she converted.
I am surprised you didn't know that, it's been written about in the German press. And she's been in some talkshows where faith, or Islam were being discussed.
She's also one of the faces of the campaign I posted about in another thread:
As a host on the music channel MTV Europe, Kristiane Backer became an icon of 1990s pop music culture. In 1995 she converted to Islam. In this article, Backer shares some personal Ramadan experiences and reflects on the meaning of this Islamic month of fasting
My first Ramadan, when I was 30 years old and a relatively new Muslim, was a bit of a disaster. Since becoming a Muslim, I'd had an eventful year. I had been an award-winning television presenter on MTV Europe and host of the youth show Bravo TV in Germany. But my conversion had sparked a negative press campaign in the German media which led to me losing my presenting work almost overnight.
The many inner changes I underwent on my way to becoming a Muslim had led to my outer world cracking up and falling apart. In retrospect, having been stripped of everything I had identified with – my relationship, which ironically had been my introduction to Islam, had also ended – was a blessing in disguise. It allowed me to concentrate on what really mattered: my connection with God, learning about faith, and beginning to reorient my life and, most importantly, myself.
The evening before my first Ramadan, I made the mistake of going out with friends and drinking a glass or two of champagne. The next day I lay in bed dehydrated and with a pounding headache. Finally, at three o'clock in the afternoon, I gave up, saying to myself, Ramadan is not for me. May God forgive me.
A test of faith, strength and character
The following year I landed a new job, hosting a daily cultural programme on NBC Europe. Ramadan coincided with the Christmas holidays. In order to have a Christmas break, we needed to produce twice the amount of programs a day, which meant recording links and voice-overs from morning to night. I thought I would never manage because I always drink water in between takes.
But God made my mouth water by itself and I flew through the fasts. Of course it helped that by then I had given up alcohol. Many colleagues complimented me on how radiant and pure I looked. It was actually a wonderful experience. Since then I have fasted every single Ramadan for the last 13 years. In fact I look forward to it although I am always slightly worried about the long days coming up. But thankfully, God has endowed me with strength every time.
Last Ramadan I was on a filming assignment in Germany for the Travel Channel when I received numerous messages via e-mail, text, Twitter and Facebook from around the world wishing me a blessed Ramadan. I thought "I can't possibly be a wimp and use the excuse of travelling to avoid fasting". I asked the local hotel to prepare my breakfast at night so that I could have suhur, i.e. a pre-dawn breakfast before the daylight fast, just after 3 a.m. and drink as much water as I could.
I went back to bed and was ready at 9 a.m. to film all day. I only began to suffer from a headache in the afternoon, but luckily we were finished by then and I could rest in a comfortable seat at Frankfurt airport before boarding the plane. I opened my fast with a packed lunch just before landing and was lucky enough to be welcomed home by my girlfriends with a dinner.
I find the first day of Ramadan to be the most difficult. From then on, my body gets used to the new regime and I don't even really feel hungry; I just get tired earlier and slightly exhausted towards the end of the month. I enjoy the feeling of light headedness and slight weakness and feel fasting helps me tremendously to reign in my ego and feel close to God, to others who fast, and to the needy.
Ramadan miracles
According to one hadith, "the gates of hell are closed and the doors of Paradise open" for those who fast during Ramadan. I have felt this to be true and have sometimes experienced what I call Ramadan miracles.
I once suffered a slipped disk just before Ramadan. It was painful, but the worst thing of all was being told by my doctor that I could forget my plans to go on the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Thanks to intense physiotherapy and prayers, my disk healed without surgery during the month of Ramadan. A surgeon friend attested that this was indeed a healing miracle as mine had been a very bad case. So praise to God, I did go on the Hajj!
Of course work doesn't stop during Ramadan in London so it can be a bit tough when dealing with non-fasting people, but that is part of the challenge. I don't socialize or go to the movies unnecessarily. Instead I spend more time reading the Qur'an or religious books, praying and invoking God. And I try my best to fast from anger, impatience, gossip or any other negativity.
The community spirit of Ramadan
This year I may participate in the "Fast and Feed" project where Muslims invite homeless people to the mosque to share food and talk about the meaning of Ramadan. I may also attend an iftar, the Ramadan evening meal, with MPs and policy makers.
But what I really enjoy is breaking fast at my Arabic girlfriend's house; she often invites ladies round for iftar. This gives me a taste of love and warmth, the celebratory community spirit of Ramadan, and the sense of sharing, which we otherwise miss in the West, especially when one does not have a Muslim family, is single and works.
One time I was in Egypt the day before Ramadan started. I was moved to tears when I saw thousands of people in the main square near Saydna Hussain looking for the moon and crying out: Ramadan Karim, beautiful moon, where are you. When they saw it, it was like a party, a joyous community event.
Even in London I feel Ramadan is a very special and blessed time. I believe this annual spiritual discipline is a key to transforming and bettering myself as a human being – of course there is still a long way to go. I take stock of my life, think about what I want to improve, actively work on forgiving people who may have hurt me and dissolving any resentment in my heart, and pray to God for forgiveness.
A higher state
Through fasting in Ramadan I feel closer to God, clearer, more aware and more sensitive. Even my sense of taste is heightened. It is as if I am in a different, higher state. I always want this sensation to last as long as possible, but somehow everyday life sets in again once Ramadan is over.
I enjoy the communal Eid prayer tremendously; it is so beautiful and melodic and one feels truly united with fellow Muslims in faith and in God. I also feel an unparalleled joy that I am strong and in control of my body and my impulses – and not the other way around. May this strength we gain from fasting last for the rest of the year.
Kristiane Backer has undergone various transformations in her life but none as big as the move from a rock and roll lifestyle as MTV reporter, interviewing the Rolling Stones and Lenny Kravitz, to an Eco-Muslimah promoting the green message of Islam.
A fateful meeting with famous cricketer Imran Khan at the pinnacle of her success in the late ’90s, drew her attention to Islam and also the realization that something was missing in her life. Inspired by the message of the Qur’an, travel to Muslim countries and the beauty of Sufi poetry, she decided to become a Muslim. Kristiane, who recently launched a campaign which highlights the Prophet’s respect for the environment, took time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions about what it means to be an Eco-Muslimah.
You recently launched the ‘Inspired by Muhammed’ campaign, how do you feel that Islam’s green message will encourage a more positive and balanced understanding of Islam?
KB: Islam’s message is so strong and clear when it comes to preserving the environment and respecting nature, these are inherent values of our faith. I think knowing this will at least make people think because the ecological crisis affects everyone. And any set of ethical principles that encourage green living, has to not only be respected but also looked into and encouraged for the common cause of saving the planet or living a life pleasing to God.
Tell us some of the core green principles inspired by Islam.
KB: Nature is God’s creation and a sacred space so respecting it is akin to charity - it is a way of remembering God. There are hundreds of verses in the Qur’an that speak about the earth, nature and its resources which tells us that the earth is a trust and we are its stewards which is a role we must fulfill responsibly.
The Prophet Muhammad was sent as a mercy to all creation, including animals and plants. He had a very close relationship with nature. He taught us to observe the elements, to marvel and draw teachings from the nature around us. And he emphasized that we must be careful in using its resources, not to waste water even if standing next to a running stream and if the last hour comes and we have a sapling in our hand that we should plant it.
That means till the very last moment we need to have hope and be involved in the renewal of life.
People’s relationship with nature are governed by an ethical and spiritual understanding of nature as God’s Creation and must be based on contemplation and respect. Even in war he taught us to respect nature.
How does Islam influence your personal environmental-awareness and day-to-day lifestyle?
KB: I try to live as environmentally conscious as much as possible - I recycle, hang my washing out weather permitting and cycle around my area. For me green living is part and parcel of being a good Muslim - it’s a spiritual requirement.
Do you think that environmental awareness in the Muslim world is lagging in comparison with the rest of the world? What could be done to change this?
KB: Yes! I think there are many more efforts to develop renewable energy in Germany for example than in the Muslim world. I think Muslims are largely ignoring this part of our faith. I went to the gulf the other day and was shocked to see many empty sky rises with all the lights on.
I think we need to realize that a green consciousness is equivalent to God consciousness. Living green is living according to God’s commands. Once we realize this, insha Allah (god willing) the rest will follow.
There are certain environmental activists who argue that the practice of Hajj (air travel) and the Muslim world’s dependence on oil is incompatible with green principles. Would you agree?
KB: Well, the whole world is dependent on oil and urgently needs to develop sustainable energy as well as cutting its use of oil and other natural resources because it will run out. We are all in the same boat and need to collaborate for the common good, according to the Qur’anic principle: compete with one another in good deeds. I am sure ways could be developed to make the Hajj more environmentally conscious.
Finally, If you could get all Muslims to do one thing for the planet what would it be?
KB: Several things: Less pollution, more clean energy and much more respect and care for nature and animals.
Okay, so Kristiane slightly cheated and got more than one wish but who could blame her! Green Prophet want to thank her for taking part and hopefully we’ll be hearing from more Eco-Muslims across the world in future.
quote:Originally posted by Miss_Tigerlily: I grew up with this lady presenting music videos. I didn't know that she converted. Many thanks for posting the link.
wondering what was your feeling when you knew she converted?
Must be quite a shock, I imagine, especially as a teenager growing up with a certain identity with music/celebs/etc. and having it all turned upside down, inside out with one event, such as her reversion back to Islam.
Maybe she has experienced something in life that you have yet to experience, only God knows. Amazing how the people you least expect turn back to innate faith. Posts: 212 | Registered: Aug 2007
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quote:Originally posted by paradise_seekers: Must be quite a shock, I imagine, especially as a teenager growing up with a certain identity with music/celebs/etc. and having it all turned upside down, inside out with one event
A TV presenter converting will hardly be a shock that turns anyone's world upside down. Posts: 2803 | Registered: Feb 2007
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And she's been in some talkshows where faith, or Islam were being discussed. 
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