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On behalf of both altmuslim.com and City of Brass, we'd like to thank the 1,350 people who voted in the Seventh 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, 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.
Muslim Matters
Runner up for last year's Best Blog, Muslim Matters is "worth visiting" for its "variety and depth." "I just open it and there is always something of interest to me."

WINNER
Suhaib Webb
Winner of last year's Best Blog award, Imam Suhaib Webb has a "very diverse set of bloggers who are also very qualified" and has "really helped me in uplifting my Imaan."

HONORABLE MENTION
Zaki's Corner
Zaki Hasan's mix of "quality entertainment writing and objective, reasonable and thought-provoking politics make it worth having a broad readership." 		Loonwatch
Finding its way into the blogosphere at just the right time, Loonwatch makes this list "because it is awesome" and because of spectacular analysis by writer Danios.
Muslimah's Oasis
Newcomer Muslimas Oasis is run by "an incredible writer and web designer," producing an "all inclusive" blog that is "always informative."

BEST MEDIA BLOG:
What blog is a pioneer or leader in audio podcasting, photography, or video about Muslim issues?
30 Mosques in 30 States
A simple idea from Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq became a sensation this Ramadan, described as "pure amazingness" and "really powerful dawah for non-muslims" and "really insightful ideas for Muslims."

WINNER
Muslims Wearing Things
A late entry for this category, but the brilliant Muslims Wearing Things captures the zeitgeist of the worldwide Muslim landscape, documenting every sort of "Muslim garb" imaginable.

HONORABLE MENTION
LeechOn
An official blog for a media company, Belal Khan's LeechOn does an excellent job of getting feedback for and raising interest in his projects. He also offers useful and excellent insight as a content creator. 		Muslim365
Hijabman's unique "Muslim a day" series of pictures "inspires" readers - and "what better way to convey the diversity of Muslims than through photos?"
Al Maghrib TV
Recently launched, AlMaghrib TV is an excellent resource for videos, audio files and lessons in fiqh and aqeedah. "The variety of speakers means it's accessible to everyone."

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
The group blog I Got it Covered was nominated by readers because of its focus on "the most prominent symbol of a Muslim woman." "Truly inspiring and one of a kind!"

WINNER
Muslimah Media Watch
Winner of last year's award in this category, Muslimah Media Watch is here "for its comprehensiveness and its incisive, brilliant, no-holds-barred feminist commentary."

HONORABLE MENTION
hijabtrendz
Mariam Sobh's fashion blog Hijabtrendz offers "great fashion news" and "provides a wide range" of designs with "different Muslim perspectives." "Interesting stories and friendly writing style." 		I Am Sheba
Readers who nominated Heba Alshareef's blog I Am Sheba felt that it inspires women "to release their inner Queen of Shebas." "Amazing."
My Halal Kitchen
The popular My Halal Kitchen by Yvonne Maffei is "a wonderful food resource" by a "wonderful writer" and a "really great blog!"

BEST GROUP BLOG:
Which multiple group blog in the Islamsphere has the best diversity of writers and the most interesting debate on Muslim issues?
Muslim Matters
Winner of last year's Best Group Blog award, Muslim Matters is "one of the few group blogs which you have to check into".

WINNER
Muslimah Media Watch
Group blog powerhouse Muslimah Media Watch is a "solid effort" that is "one of the most refreshing, newsworthy, unbiased and informative" blogs out there.

HONORABLE MENTION
Muslimas Oasis
Many readers find Muslimas Oasis helps "gain better understanding and knowledge" without "that funny feeling that usually comes along with reading more intense religious blogs". 		Ink Paper Mosaic
Newcomer Ink Paper Mosaic is a "great group of bloggers" that "showcases real American Muslims" with a "great diversity of opinions.. some secular and some religious."
Muslimness
Past nominee Muslimness continues to make its mark as "a unique diverse website dispelling Muslim stereotypes" and "promoting iconic Muslim leaders".

FUNNIEST BLOGGER:
Which blog gets their point across by using humor in the most effective way?
Maniac Muslim
The recently revived Maniac Muslim, with posts such as "Burn a Qur'an Day Fails Miserably" are "hilarious, as well as providing a powerful satirical reposte to Islamophobic discourses."

WINNER
Mehreen Kasana
Pakistani-American Mehreen Kasana combines wit with hilarious illustrations detailing the absurdities of Pakistani life and its diaspora.

HONORABLE MENTION
The Gori Wife Life
Last year's runner up in this category is described as "White American Girl meets brown Pakistani guy. Hilarity ensues." Says it all, really. 		Abu Pokemon
New nominee Abu Pokemon "sheds light on Muslim community issues in a funny, understandable way" and is "the site I most look forward to reading every day."
Mr. Moo
Musab Bora's "Three Things" comics up the ante from his LOLcats series from years gone by. Mr. Moo was last year's winner in this "cat"-egory.

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)?
1000 Good Deeds
A "very inspirational" new blog, 1000 Good Deeds documents the Islamic ethos behind charity in theory and practice. "The 1000 Good Deeds masjid makeover is also inspirational."

WINNER
philosufi
Neman Syed and Deborah Birkett's blog philosufi is described as "fresh, relevant & irreverent" with "topical, timely, and well presented" content. "Courageous!"

HONORABLE MENTION
Shafii Fiqh
A new blog that explores the complexities of, well, Shafii Fiqh, Abu Layth's blog is "an amazing accomplishment in a short amount of time." 		Abdullah Puppet
"There's nothing like it out there right now," is how readers see Abdullah Puppet, a blog focused on Muslims children and parents with videos and more.
Cairo Caprices
The Cairo-based Shazia Ahmad impressed many readers with her writing in Cairo Caprices."Hope to see/read more from her!"

BEST NON-MUSLIM BLOGGER:
Which blog writen by a non-Muslim is most respectful of Islam and seeks genuine dialogue with Muslims?
Loonwatch
Relatively new on the scene, Loonwatch has made a splash in the fight against Islamophobia, taking on the big names and deconstructing the lies about Muslims they tell.

WINNER
His Peace Upon Us
Dustin Shramek's blog "does a great job of connecting Muslims and Christians without painting one side or the other as heros or enemies" and "really works to understand Muslims".

HONORABLE MENTION
Richard Silverstein
Known for his popular blog Tikun Olam, Richard Silverstein's well-written analysis on Israel/Palestine is "informative" and "bridge-building". 		Islamophobia Watch
An unparalleled, up-to-date repository of anti-Muslim bigotry in the West that readers find "amazing" and "comprehensive".
Glenn Greenwald
One of the most widely cited non-Muslim bloggers, Salon.com's Glenn Greenwald is "a passionate defender of the dignity and civil liberties of Muslims in America and around the world".

BEST POST OR SERIES:
Which single post or group of posts in the Islamsphere was the most original and important, above all the others?
How to Taste the Sweetness of Prayer
Readers find this exhaustive series on prayer by Jinan Bastaki "beautiful, deep, spiritual and richly educational".

WINNER
Day 1: New York, Ground Zero Mosque
With masterful timing, Bassam Tariq and Aman Ali's Ramadan blog, 30 Mosques, 30 States, begins its journey in the epicenter of controversy, the Ground Zero Mosque.

HONORABLE MENTION
Somebody's Always "It" in America
Readers found this post by Safiyyah at Shaalom2Salaam "a fascinating look at U.S. attitudes towards minorities, especially post WWII." 		Muslim Marriage Tips
From the group blog Muslimness comes a series on women's rights in marriage that readers found "amazing" and "definitely award worthy."
Remembering a Good Friend
Author Wael Abdelgawad "really opens himself up to reveal a painful and important life lesson that he learned over the course of a decade." "I think it's a message that needs to be heard."

BEST EAST OR SOUTHEAST ASIAN BLOG:
Islam in China
Wang Daiyu's indispensable Islam in China won this category last year with its historical look at a widely unrecognized minority community.

WINNER
Hot Chocolate & Mint
From Indonesia, Diana Rikasari's well-designed fashion blog Hot Chocolate & Mint pushes the boundaries of couture in ways you never expected.

HONORABLE MENTION
World Halal Quest
Singapore-based Putri Berendam takes you on a culinary journey of Southeast Asia and beyond with a blog that is now available in iPhone apps. 		Bin Gregory Productions
A perennial favorite, the Malaysia-based Zayn Al-Abideen bin Gregory offers an "informative blog about many different concerns of living outside of America."
Dove Grey Matter
A previous nominee in a new home, Alicia Izharuddin (aka Cycads) discusses "faith, gender, race, class and sexuality" and "covers all these in an interesting and thought-provoking manner."

BEST EUROPEAN BLOG:
Hijab and the City
Founded by two sisters in 2008, the French style guide Hijab and the City has gathered a large following by being "a blog for girls who happen to be Muslim and not a Muslim blog for girls."

WINNER
Indigo Jo
Perennial winner Matthew Smith is back again with his indispensable blog that readers consider "always interesting".

HONORABLE MENTION
Wij Blijven Hier!
Past nominee Wij Blijven Hier is a group blog digging into the fast changing landscape of the Netherlands to see how young Muslims cope and thrive. 		Closer
Over 10 years old, Martijn de Koning's "nuanced and critical" resource documents relations between non-Muslims and Muslims in multicultural Europe.
Yalla Italia
This group blog comprising of second generation Muslim writers in Italy returns as a Brass Crescent nominee after garnering an international following with its unique insight.

BEST MIDEAST BLOG:
Al-Miskeenah
Past nominee, the Saudi-based Al-Miskeenah, is considered "sublime" by our readers, who "appreciate the quality of writing and the range of topics covered all under the umbrella of the Prophet's (saw) city."

WINNER
The Black Iris
Last year's winner, The Black Iris is considered by readers to be "still the most articulate voice from the Middle East blogosphere," showing "character and humor" and a "true understanding of the Middle East".

HONORABLE MENTION
7iber
This group of on-line citizen activists "can consistently be counted on to tell the local stories that the region and the world need to hear." 		Cairo Caprices
Shazia Ahmad's Cairo Caprices finds itself nominated in multiple categories for its "lyrical and poignant writing"
Trella
Called "courageous and insightful," Trella is a Lebanese blogger who manages "to retain impartiality in an age where almost everyone in the field is aligned one way or the other."

BEST SOUTH ASIAN BLOG:
All Things Pakistan
One of Pakistan's most widely read group blogs, All Things Pakistan goes beyond politics to cover culture, sport, and current events, such as the recent floods.

WINNER
Teeth Maestro
Dr. Awab Alvi's blog Teeth Maestro, which won this category in 2008, is back by popular demand for it's "comprehensive analysis" of Pakistani life.

HONORABLE MENTION
Indian Muslims
Past winner in this category, An Indian Muslim Blog provides an in-depth look at a minority Muslim community larger than that of most Muslim countries. 		Kabul Perspective
An in-depth blog from a Kabul-based journalist, Kabul Perspective's Abbas Daiyar offers a detailed look at the Afghanistan that mainstream media can't provide.
An Indian Muslim Blog
A substantive group blog (and former Brass Crescent nominee) from the subcontinent, Indian Muslims features commentary from notable writers such as Ashgar Ali Engineer.

BEST TWEETER:
Who in the Islamsphere is a "must-follow" on Twitter, who provides the best retweets, links, and/or witticisms in 140 characters?
Suhaib Webb
Taking time out from his busy duties as an imam and scholar, Suhaib Webb stays connected with his followers by dispensing advice on Twitter.

WINNER
Ghazala Irshad
Where in the world is Ghazala Irshad? She'll tweet about it and share her amazing photography with you as well.

HONORABLE MENTION
Kawthar
Tweets from Kawthar Muhaib come from what fans call "the person to follow if you're interested in the connection between Islam, human rights, and feminism." 		MuslimHulk
One of an emerging group of "Hulks" on Twitter, MuslimHulk smashes Islamophobia by using his anger for good, not evil.
Rami Nashashibi
The director of Chicago's IMAN project, Rami tweets about running one of America's most successful Muslim charitiable projects.

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.
Sadaf's Space
Homeschooling parent, Muslim activist, and amateur foodie Sadaf Farooqi gives a detailed look into her life. "I always take something new away from Sr. Sadaf's posts," comments one fan.

WINNER
Danios
One of Loonwatch's most proficient writers, Danios consistently gets under the skin of bigots seeking to tar all Muslims with the crimes of a few.

HONORABLE MENTION
Jehanzeb Dar
Jehanzeb is an "exceptional, thoughtful, and compassionate young writer" who is "talented and unbelievably prolific. Jehanzeb makes it look easy!" 		Nonskeptical Essays
Aasem Bakhshi, whose work often appears in major publications, is described by his readers as having "unique insights on traditional Islam".
Zaki's Corner
Award-winning blogger Zaki Hasan writes on politics, current affairs, religion, and more. Readers find him "artful", "knowledgable", and "thought-provoking".

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