The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

Lonely Shoe, West Philly

I took the above image this morning with my camera phone while I was waiting for the trolley. I was thinking on what it’s like to live disjointed from any real Muslim community. This has been my condition ever since I left Michigan, almost seven years ago. Not a critique of the Muslim community here in Philly, but rather a personal observation. I have given some thought as to why I feel disconnected and how one’s community shapes one’s values, approach and religious practice. For me, this Ramadan has been the most solitary in my almost fifteen years as a Muslim. What follows are a few thoughts on how, why and what’s it mean. Read more this entry »

Street Scene, 17^th and JFK

If there was ever any doubt, it’s officially autumn here in Philadelphia. When I left the house today, I forgot to take my umbrella with me. But somehow I didn’t mind getting wet. There is something very comforting about fall. I feel we’d tolerate the rain much less if this were summer, for instance. Anyway, not much of post here. Just some scattered thoughts while I log into my terminal here at work. Upcoming posts on photography as well as some Ramadan thoughts. Stay tuned.

Just thought I might try a new look.

It’s been all work and virtually no play as of late. I had to take a break from work and “doodle” a little bit. Hope you like these. Enjoy.

Yuki, Edgewood College

Julia and Me, Madison

Sarah, Madison

Sarah, Madison

Käri and Shane | Makeshift Ego Shoot, Madison

Shane | Makeshift Ego Shoot, Madison

Anne, Ann Arbor

Lisa Neuman, Madison

Michelle, Ann Arbor

María, Madison

Don José, Boys & Girls Club, Madison

Children’s Chior, 9-11 Commemoration, Madison

Burned Car, Detroit

Boat, Lake Mendota, Madison

Julia Sleeping, Madison

I had a really long day and on top of it I was under the weather a bit. Snapped two of myself with the cell phone camera while waiting for the #13. Enjoy.

Waiting for the trolly #13

Waiting for the trolly #13

Another reaction paper from school. Part 1. Enjoy.

Aslan’s No god impresses upon one the immediacy of Makkah being a significant place of trade. Even in modern times, the word mecca is synonymous with an important place of gathering. Quraysh had carved themselves an important niche as the Keepers of the Keys to the Ka’bah. And yet Aslan also recognizes the questions of whether or not Makkah’s notoriety is legitimate. Most of the objections raised to this base their finds on the lack of non-Arab research. I have found it an interesting fact that many of the academics that Aslan sites, who have objections to certain facts about Islam, seem to be solely concerned with empirical, historical evidence. My question for them would be if there can be no significant evidence corroborated by non-Arab sources does this provide grounds for dismissing their proofs as false? I have found Patricia Crone’s work to be especially disturbing and myopic. Read more this entry »

As of late, I’ve spent so much time just concentrating on school that I’ve given little thought to shooting. So today, I decided to take a little time while I was setting up my computer again to go through some shots, recent and not-so-recent, and post a few that came to mind. Makes me really miss my Hasselblad. Oh, well. There’s still plenty more to shoot with my 4×5 (while they still make film for it). Enjoy.

Nick at Cleveland’s, Madison

Käri at Julia’s, Madison

Dave at the Caribou, Philadelphia

Dave at the Caribou, Philadelphia

Wyatt, Mom & Dad’s House

Michael Moore, Madison

Wedding, Monterey, Mexico

Sean Harrington, Madison [piece for The Isthmus]

Julia, Madison Area Technical College

Abe Groves, Madison

Boy, Boys & Girls Club, Madison

Erika, Boys & Girls Club, Madison

Friday Prayer [Jumu’ah], Philadelphia

Josephine Love, Detroit

Lady, South Madison Anti-Drug Coalition

Mother and Grandmother, Japanese-American Wedding, Detroit

Sarah, Washtenaw Community College