Most people in my parent’s generation seemed to have a fairly traditional approach to parenting. It was the same as their parents and the many generations that came before them. It generally consisted of “do what I tell you, listen to what I say, my word is law”. The consequences for breaking that law were […]
To me the best moments of happiness and joy are the ones which are least expected. Every now and again amongst the chaos and daily distractions you suddenly find yourself in a moment of bliss. Like this evening.Some food in my stomach after a long day of fasting, standing on my prayer mat, peace and […]
I had a challenging evening this week. Too much to do and the day going by in a flash. Study and homework for my Arabic course, visiting the new baby in the family, housework, and kids were enough to handle without one of the boys blocking the toilet and creating a whole lot more work […]
There are so many beautiful hadith about Ramadan, but my favourite is the Prophet’s (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sermon on Ramadan delivered on the last Friday of the preceding month (Shaban). It is full of so much good advice and makes so many beautiful promises: “O People! “Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah. A month […]
I got an interesting e-mail a few weeks ago, rebuking me for being a bad Muslim because my family have big weddings and for wasting money when people are suffering across the world. Basically, saying I have no shame and should set a better example. I haven’t got around to replying yet…but where do I […]
Hijab and Basketball is the story of Amina, a young girl who is moving to a new school and is anxious about how her people will perceive her hijab. On arriving Amina makes friends and joins the basketball team, but she also finds she is teased about her headscarf. Finding courage in the story of […]
The Mediterranean biodome at the Eden Project is possibly one of my mum’s favourite place in the country. It recreates the look, but also the feel and temperature of the Mediterranean as well as plants from South Africa, California and Western Australia. The plants are beautiful, in contrast to the striking and unusual plants of […]
Red Nose Day falls during this month in the UK. In honour of this my children’s school decided to hold a bake sale and requested contributions. The kids were keen to help. The first batch both overcooked and collapsed. I racked my brains and realised I put the wrong quantity if butter. I added more butter and tried again. The second time […]
I haven’t seen much of my family, but still have been grateful enough to talk to them daily and see them now and again from the end of their front gardens. I miss my parent and siblings and my uncles who I am close to. This week my sisters have been dropping of treats: cake, […]
A child’s education is always on a mother’s mind and it is something that has crossed my mind intermittently since before the birth of my first child. Of course we want the best for them and we are blessed to have so many options available to us. But how do we ensure we are making […]
The last fortnight or so has seen me in a strange mood with my husband being his patient and sensible self and trying to quietly support me through it. I’ve been thinking a lot about my past and how it has affected my future, how it has affected my life chances and my children’s chances. […]
Today was the vernal equinox, or spring equinox as it is also known, the time when night and day are about equal and spring starts in the northern hemisphere as autumn arrives in the southern hemisphere. We don’t celebrate it in any way, it is just such a nice thought that spring is here and […]
What part of the day are you grateful for? There are moments throughout the day that you look forward to or that you find pleasure in. In Ramadan we fall into such a strong routine, that this is even more the case. For me there are a few times during the day. If I am […]
These cards are created from parts of old wedding invites. I love the pink and orange paper which remind me of saris’s made from Benarasi fabrics.
