ABOUT THE AWARDS  |  CONTACT US

2010/1431  |  2009/1430  |  2008/1429  |  2007/1428
2006/1427  |  2005/1426  |  2004/1425



Follow us on    and  




We'd like to thank the over 3,000 people who voted in the Eighth Annual Brass Crescent Awards! Voting was very close in most categories, and we would like to be the first to congratulate our winners and Honorable Mentions, as well as extend our thanks to all the nominees and voters for helping make this celebration of the Islamsphere a success. We also would like to thank everyone (including the nominees) who linked and tweeted to help publicize the Brass Crescent Awards.

We'll keep a permanent list of winners of the Brass Crescent Awards available at brasscrescent.org, as they represent a dynamic, creative, and powerful cross-section of Muslim thought on the web. Inshallah, we'll run the Awards again next year, so start bookmarking posts, series, comments, feeds, and blogs now!

Winners and Honorable Mentions may contact us to receive a badge announcing their achievement if they desire.

Let's not keep you waiting any longer - listed below are this year's Winners and Honorable Mentions:
BEST BLOG:
This category honors the most indispensable, Muslim-authored blog there is. Period.
Productive Muslim
This innovative site offers videos and articles that keep the reader connected to their deen, along with practical tips on how make the best of dunya.

WINNER
Zaki's Corner (Zaki Hasan)
Zaki Hasan offers observational humor in the vein of Mark Twain: witty, incisive insight on all things pop culture, politics, and film.

HONORABLE MENTION
Islam in China (Wang Daiyu)
When we think of Islam, many do not think of China. Islam In China tells a story unlike any other, and fills a considerable void in the history of Islam around the world. 		My Halal Kitchen (Yvonne Maffei)
Yvonne Mattei, an expert chef and food journalist, shares recipies for halal food and general cooking and kitchen tips.
30 Mosques (Aman Ali & Bassam Tariq)
Right when we thought they couldn't outdo themselves from last year, they did. In 30 days, Aman and Bassam navigated deeply personal narratives of Muslim American identities and received unparalleled national and international media coverage.

BEST MEDIA BLOG:
What blog is a pioneer or leader in audio podcasting, photography, or video about Muslim issues?
30 Mosques (Aman Ali & Bassam Tariq)
Right when we thought they couldn't outdo themselves from last year, they did. In 30 days, Aman and Bassam navigated deeply personal narratives of Muslim American identities and received unparalleled national and international media coverage.

WINNER
Abdullah J Abdullah
Abdullah J features many articles on film, motion graphics, and photography.

HONORABLE MENTION
Islamic Lyrics (Syed Mehdi)
The Islamic Lyrics website contains a comprehensive database of Islamic audio in multiple languages. 		Umar Lee's YouTube channel
Controversial and raw, the unique Umar Lee is always honest and principled.

BEST FEMALE BLOGGER:
The woman's voice in Islam is equal to the man's, and in the Islamsphere we seek to make sure the female perspective is highlighted and given its rightful due. Which Muslim woman's blog has done the most to explore the role that women play within Islam and society?
I Got it Covered
An inspirational blog that highlights the importance of hjijab without preaching or forcing it on the readers.

WINNER
Habibi Halaqas
Habibi Halaqas helps women to be the best Muslimah they can be while still balancing family and work.

HONORABLE MENTION
The Wood Turtle
A Muslim feminist mom, writing from a place of love for her faith and her family. 		Hijabtrendz
The Hijabtrendz team writes by and for Muslim women about deen, fashion and health.
Dear Little Auntie
Dear Little Auntie offers advice and humor aimed at solving the problems of young muslim women in everyday life.

BEST GROUP BLOG:
Which multiple group blog in the Islamsphere has the best diversity of writers and the most interesting debate on Muslim issues?
Productive Muslim
Videos and articles that keep the reader connected to deen, along with practical tips on how make the best of dunya.

WINNER
Muslim Matters
Winner of last year's Best Blog, Muslim Matters is worth visiting for its variety and depth, and is reaching new levels of recognition by the wider media.

HONORABLE MENTION
Muslim Youth Musings
Muslim Youth Musings is a literary journal committed to inspiring the Ummah through quality Islamic literature authored by Muslim youth across the world. 		Habibi Halaqas
Helping women to be the best muslimah they can be while still balancing family and work.
Muslimah Media Watch
Honorable mention in last year's female category, Muslimah Media Watch continues to offer incisive reporting on journalism and Muslim women.

FUNNIEST BLOGGER:
Which blog gets their point across by using humor in the most effective way?
Maniac Muslim (Hamzah Moin)
Jokes which do not make fun of Muslims or Islam, but ones which portray the funny side of certain situations which only Muslims can relate to.

WINNER
Muslim Medicine (Dr. O & Dr. Seuss)
Hilarious satirical outlooks on issues facing Muslim Americans and offers a small hint of life lessons coated in solid comedy.

HONORABLE MENTION
Dots Under Consonants (Abu Ilyas)
Intelligent and simply drawn collection of comics that often relates to the quirkiness of Arabic, English, and the process of learning those languages. 		Mr. Moo
The creator of 'muslim LOLcats' and 'Three Things' now has a new 'Vennsday' feature on Wednesdays. The innovation never ends.
Mehreen Kasana
Mehreen invites readers to think deeply on the topics she sheds light on with her humor, wit and generally pleasant attitude towards Islam and how it is perceived by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

BEST NEW BLOG:
Which blog is a true diamond in the rough, one that everyone should be reading but who most just haven't heard of (yet)?
Teaching The Kids Holy Quran (Mezba Mahtab)
A novel way to teach children the meaning and narratives of the Qur'an by using LEGO toys.

WINNER
Muslim Medicine (Dr. O & Dr. Seuss)
Hilarious satirical outlooks on issues facing Muslim Americans and offers a small hint of life lessons coated in solid comedy.

HONORABLE MENTION
Islamic Experiences (Basheer Alebdy)
Focuses on the 'experiences' aspect of a person's religion rather than the 'knowledge' part, a place where Muslims and non-Muslims alike can share their stories. 		Cartoon Muhammad (Ahsan Khan)
Discusses important issues involving Muslim youth while teaching great Islamic principles to those that aren't familiar with Islamic practices.
Muslim Strategic Initiative (Imran Haq & Omar Usman)
The Muslim Strategic Initiative covers topics in professional and organizational development in order to raise the bar for Islamic institutions

BEST NON-MUSLIM BLOGGER:
Which blog writen by a non-Muslim is most respectful of Islam and seeks genuine dialogue with Muslims?
Glenn Greenwald
America's Conscience-in-Chief, Glenn has been the Obama Administration's first and foremost critic on civil rights.

WINNER
Crossroads Arabia (John Burgess)
An honest, even-handed look at Saudi Arabia from the inside, by someone with a real appreciation for its culture and people.

HONORABLE MENTION
Balloon Juice (John Cole)
Irreverent and scathing, John and his blog crew pull no punches even at their own side - but the real magic is in the comment threads. 		Project on Middle East Democracy Blog
The ultimate academic think tank promoting a true, grassroots freedom agenda, with a finger on the pulse of the Arab Spring.
Informed Comment (Juan Cole)
After all these years, still the blogsphere's most respected academic authority on the Middle East (and a really kind soul, to boot).

BEST POST OR SERIES:
Which single post or group of posts in the Islamsphere was the most original and important, above all the others?
Ramadan Reflections (Khalid Latif)

WINNER
Only Women Bleed: Menstruation and Prayer in Islam (Wood Turtle)

HONORABLE MENTION
Is Islam a Patriarchal Tradition? (Aasem Bakhshi)
 Spiritual Appetite (Wajahat Ali)
The Aga, The Architect, and the Mosque (Irfan Rydhan)

BEST REGIONAL BLOG:
Sana Saleem (Pakistan)
Sana Saleem is an activist and writer with an eye on Pakistan's politics.

WINNER
Islam in China (China)
Wang Daiyu is a pioneer in examining Chinese muslims lives, heritage, and history.

HONORABLE MENTION
Al Miskeenah (Saudi Arabia)
Full of love and longing for the Prophet SAW, from Madinah al-Munawarrah. 		Live/Laugh/Love (Sweden)
Photos, fashion and friendship from Sidra Saleem, a young Muslimah in Sweden.
Xinjiang Review (China)
Specializing in Xinjiang and the Uyghur Muslims, this blog fills a much-needed niche.

BEST DESIGN:
I Got it Covered
The title and header image serve a symbolic purpose in conveying the blog's overall voice.

WINNER
Muslim Youth Musings
Muslim Youth Musings is a literary journal committed to inspiring the Ummah through quality Islamic literature authored by Muslim youth across the world.

HONORABLE MENTION
Sana Saeed
Sana Saeed has put together a virtual magazine design that is both clean and visually striking in its simplicity.

BEST WRITER:
Who is the most stimulating, insightful, and philosophically wise among us? This category is intended to highlight a blogger who may not post daily, but when they do post, they really make an impact.
Loonwatch (Danios)
Powerful and poignant, bringing the fight to the Islamophobes.

WINNER
Gareth Bryant's Writing Page (Gareth Bryant)
Gareth Bryant writes honestly - sometimes brutally honestly - about the challenges of life as a Muslim (of 15 years) living in New York city.

HONORABLE MENTION
The Sandal (WB Abdullah)
The writing is intense, it pulls you in raw and personal, she shares her own experiences as a mother, a wife, and a human being. 		Mozaffar's Moments (Omer Mozaffar)
Omer Mozaffar is a profound writer with brilliant reflections on Islam and the world.
Aristotle's Lackey (Sana Saeed)
Tackles topics both controversial and mundane with sharp wit.

BEST TWEETER:
Who in the Islamsphere is a "must-follow" on Twitter, who provides the best retweets, links, and/or witticisms in 140 characters?
Mujahideen Ryder
Invaluable reference source for stories and links on Islamophobia and civil rights.

WINNER
MuslimHulk
Of all the Hulks on the Internet, this one is the most green.

HONORABLE MENTION
Manan Ahmed
Provides an essential academic, nuanced view of Pakistan.		 Ghazala Irshad
A journalist and student in Cairo, providing a grounds-eye view of the Arab Spring from Tahrir Square.
G. Willow Wilson
Award-winning author and comic book writer.

BEST NON-MUSLIM TWEETER:
Who in the Islamsphere is a "must-follow" on Twitter, who provides the best retweets, links, and/or witticisms in 140 characters?
Andrew Exum
Great analyst on foreign policy and the US military.

WINNER
Andy Carvin
Indefatigable compiler of all things Arab Spring.

HONORABLE MENTION
Lawrence Lessig
Champion of free speech, accountable and open government, and net neutrality.		 Blake Hounshell
Informed, insightful, and often snarky commentary on foreign affairs.
Rebecca MacKinnon
Passionate advocate of internet freedom, with deep knowledge of China.

The Brass Crescent Awards were created in 2004
by Aziz Poonawalla and Shahed Amanullah