The Journey Begins...

The main text in Islamic religion is the Qur’an.

Allah is God in Islam belief.

Unlike Christian belief there is no counterpart (like Jesus or the Holy Ghost/Spirit).

The prophet Muhammad is known to be the messenger of Allah; he is who brought forth the Qur’an.

Branches in Islam: Sunni and Shi’a

Five Pillars

The five pillars are mandatory for all followers in this belief.

-          Prayer

o    Prayer five times a day (before the light of dawn, mid-day, afternoon, before the set of the sun and evening.)

o    Prayer mat as well as other things are required.

-          Fasting

o    During Ramadan (the 9^th month in the Islamic calendar), one must fast for 29/30 days. Fasting includes food, drink and intercourse.

o    Ritual fasting is meant to bring one’s self closer to God.

-          Offerings/Zakat

o    A percentage of monies earned given as a donation to a charity.

-          Pilgrimage to Mecca

o    One must travel to the holy city of Mecca, dress in traditional clothes and follow the ritual of Hajj. This pillar is accepted at least once in one’s life. Meaning Muslims don’t have to travel to Mecca each year.

And

-          Ritual of Faith/Testimony

o    Reciting a prayer, this signifies the acceptance of Muhammad as God’s messenger.

o    In English, “I profess that there is no god except God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.”

Christianity:

A religion where people have accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.

Christians believe:

·         In the Holy Bible as their main text

·         Jesus is the messiah and has his first coming

·         There will be a second coming of Jesus where everyone will be judged

·         In heaven

There are many branches of Christianity some include:

·         Catholicism

·         Protestant

·         Baptist

·         Methodist

·         Lutheran

·         Quaker

Throughout world history Christians have broken off from churches and have practiced Christianity in the way they believed was right. Christianity is one of the most diverse religions because there are so many smaller sectors within.

Jay Beretta is a 19 year old hip-hop artist from Detroit. He released his first mixtape while he was in high school. Jay’s latest work, an EP titled “Life Behind Bars” covers most bases from tracks about haters to the city of Detroit. Jay Beretta definitely pushes the limits of young hip hop and you feel an old soul in his music and despite his international buzz he manages to stay humble to any and everyone he meets.

When did you know that music was what you wanted to do?

When I was 8 years old I wrote my first song, Diamond Angel. I remember singing it for Aaliyah… She told me that I had a gift and to never let it die, “Don’t ever give up”. That day music became me.

What’s your favorite lyric?

In Maxwell’s song, Lifetime, he sings “I can let my life pass me by or, I can get down and try. Work it all out this Lifetime, Lifetime”. In life we all have a choice, and as human’s we are birthed and we all die. We all don’t get the chance to live during our lifetime, I chose to try.

Who/what inspires you?

I’m inspired by my parents that work so hard; they are genuinely good people at heart. I owe my life to them.

Being a young artist in a much older industry, have you had any hardships?

Doubt, Skepticism from family, Criticism from my peers to name a few. Because so many people pursue music for the wrong reasons, it’s hard to shed light on the right. The hardships I face are meek to the message I hold in my existence. That message is my destiny; I won’t stop until it is fulfilled.

How do you stay focused on your goal?

I remember every day that if I lose focus there will be no one to help me regain it. “ I can let my life pass me by or, I can get down and try/ Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime.”

How do you feel when you hear people say, “Our generation is lost”?

We are lost, but no blame or judgment can help us be found. Only WE can, and until we realize that as a people we will stay lost

Is there ever a time where you want to give up? What keeps you from giving up?

When I first began my career officially four years ago, I gave up music. My mind was poisoned with the thought that I wasn’t good enough, that I didn’t have what it took. For that moment I was defeated, until a friend of mines helped me gather myself. I never gave up music again after that day, and I am forever grateful to that friend.

Jazzmin Basnight is 17 years old. She likes fashion, painting her nails, gossiping about boys and enjoying time with friends. She comes from a diverse background: African-American, Puerto Rican and she is Jewish. She has an abundance of love surrounding her with her parents, sibling, nieces and nephews. Jazzmin may seem like the poster child of normalcy, but when she was 14 she was struck with a tragedy she will never forget. She was raped. Instead of letting what happened to her turn her life into complete despair, Jazzmin released a video telling her own storytelling the world ‘rape is not okay’. Jazzmin now plans on turning her situation into a way to help others.

What inspired you to speak out against rape and share your story?

Well, I finally feel like I’m in a good place and that I don’t want this to have control over my life.

What are your plans for your sexual abuse/rape group?

I just want to make every person… man, woman and child to understand that they are not alone. I want them to know that any type of sexual abuse: molestation, incest, rape, sexual harassment, is NOT okay and it is NOT your fault.

Who are your biggest influences in life?

My grandmother… She has overcome many struggles.  She was sexually abused by her father from the ages of 7 to 10.  She had four kids by 18. She’s overcame alcohol and drug abuse and yet she managed to become a special education teacher.

What are your plans after high school?

I plan on going to college, majoring in Education and Social Studies, minoring in Spanish. I want to teach either U.S. History or World History.

In one word describe your life…

My life in one word would be…resilient.

What advice do you have for people who are going through what you went through?

Everything will be okay, one day. I’m not saying that it will be okay next week, next month, or even next year… It took me three years to finally share my story, “That it wasn’t my fault. I’m a good person.”.

Project Reach Out started in April 2010 by Chantel Watkins.

We started as a summer campaign to better the city of Detroit, but turned into a non-profit organization due to the commitment to the community the members had.

PRO has now evolved from not only helping the city of Detroit, but also helping many other organizations whose outreach is across the world. PRO has also started holding events.

PRO has helped an array of organizations from Habitat to Humanity to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

PRO has 13 members and many volunteers.

To join or donate to Project Reach out email us at projreachout@yahoo.com

Project Reach Out is putting together a mixtape of Detroit songs. The songs can be remakes of popular songs about the city.

Detroit artists are welcome to participate.

If you’d like to have a song on our P.R.O Presents Mixtape email: ashley_projreachout@yahoo.com

Check out our website: projreachout.org

Follow us on twitter: @projreachout

Project Reach Out’s Annual Garage Sale is this weekend.