iMuslim.tv

Happy Valentine Palestine

// February 14th, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Blog

Let's forget the halality or haramity of Valentines Day for a moment. Today, true love was in the air at Hyde Park.

That was the departure point for the Viva Palestina convoy, who are now all on their way to Ramsgate, from where they will begin their long journey to Gaza.

I didn't expect it, but I was quite overcome by emotion at times: both with joy, as well as a happy kind of sadness. My heart was genuinely moved by the people around me. We should all thank Allāh for allowing us to witness such devotion and selflessness. Alhamdulillah. In fact, such were my feelings, that I was sufficiently motivated to come down to the Apple Store, just so I could blog about it!

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Snow Whitechapel

// February 1st, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Photos

I attended a poetry reading in Whitechapel today (that's in East London, for you non-Brits). It had been snowing on and off all day, but it finally decided to settle as I made my way home. Canadians will not be impressed, but us Londoners so rarely get to see proper snow, it must be blogged about!

Click for full size photo

Bring On The Trumpets

// January 31st, 2009 // 10 Comments » // Blog

Something to remind us of the simple pleasures.

An Evening in East London

// December 21st, 2008 // 9 Comments » // Photos

SimSim and I went on a little 'adventure' last night in our efforts to find an ice rink in East London.

First, we went on the bus towards Stratford – the future home of the 2012 Olympics, inshā’Allāh. On the way, we got stuck in traffic on Green Street, one of the main districts for S.E. Asian shopping in London. However, it is also the home of West Ham United football ground; so Saturday nights tend to bring out the footie fans.

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Brass Crescent: Best Group Blogs

// November 30th, 2008 // 16 Comments » // Blog

I am so happy to see that both MuslimMatters.org and Ijtema.net have been nominated under the category: Best Group Blog, of this year's Brass Crescent Awards. Alhamdulillah!

I can't take any of the credit of course. Other than being group efforts, I have not devoted enough time towards either of these sites for the past few months, because of newer projects that I have undertaken. They are like the middle children who have been neglected after the new baby enters the household!

But these nominations are proof that they are still growing well, under the care of other devoted family members, māshā’Allāh.

I am now in a sticky situation: which 'child' to vote for? Sophie's Choice, much?! Help!

Rocks

// November 8th, 2008 // 12 Comments » // Blog

Sometimes, it feels like there sits a rock where your heart should be…

But God says:

Even after that, your hearts became as hard as rocks, or even harder;

For there are rocks from which streams spring out,

And some from which water comes when they split open,

And others which fall down in awe of God:

He is not unaware of what you do.

Holy Qur'an 2:74

Perhaps emotional anguish creates the cracks within a stony heart,

from which purifying rivers burst forth?

Perhaps it is the only way for rocks,

caged within steel ribs,

to be humbled;

that they may fall down,

prostrate,

in awe of their Lord.

If so…

Allahu akbar for a broken heart.

GPU 2008: A Follow Up

// October 28th, 2008 // 21 Comments » // Blog

After a disastrous first day at the GPU 2008, I have to say, Sunday was a only, oh… a million times better! Alhamdulillah.

If you were at the GPU yesterday, and spotted a mad sister interviewing some “strange” people on camera – that was me! I can't say too much, mainly because I want to save the juicy details for the article I plan to write, inshā’Allāh.

I took photos, and also met some interesting folks, including a couple of the MM shuyukh (link to my MM article to be inserted here within 24 hours, inshā’Allāh now LIVE).

I have to say, although the Islam Expo 2008 was so much more fun, in so many more ways, I did learn just as many lessons from my GPU experience, both from a professional and personal perspective.

Professional lessons

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Romancing The Scholar

// October 18th, 2008 // 9 Comments » // Blog

It seems Muslim scholars of old knew how to make the ladies swoon… Seriously, if this doesn't get you singletons sighing wistfully, and you marrieds gesturing blissfully at your spouses, I don't know what will!

AE: She Was Asleep. I Kissed Her. She Awoke.

Name Power

// October 17th, 2008 // 7 Comments » // Blog

My lesson for this evening:
The power of words;
More specifically,
Names.

My own name;
An identity of my own making.
A cause for new opportunities.
Now reduced in its capacity.

An old name;
Once a reason to be joyful,
But after a season of much angst,
Is unwanted and ignored.

A new name;
Cuts deep into tender underbelly,
Each time it's flaunted at me.
An unknown taunt that haunts me.

A special name;
The kind that is kept secret,
Between two who love eachother,
For the sake of their Creator.

Truly there is a lesson
In the power of these words;
More specifically,
Names.

What's your name power?

Female, Muslim & Single? Look Away Now!

// October 13th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Blog

Because another wonderful, Muslim male has been snapped up, off the market – Alhamdulillah! More specifically, my fellow Ijtema editor, and dearest bro in Islam, Faraz bhai.

Let us join together in offering our sincerest congratulations and prayers to the new, and inshā’Allāh, happily-ever-after, couple!

Not here, silly… on his blog. {grins}