stupid boys

Men are such Losers!! Evry single one of them. Whilst talking to fudge and Nad online yday some random person said Salaam. Me thinking it was someone i knew or someone atleast female replied. We both then enquired who we each were... to my shock it was a BOY astaghfirullah. This is what happens when you accept all ppl who add you onto their msn without looking at their address. And anyway, you couldn't tell it was a guy from his email add!! So, not wanting to chat to him or any male i politely asked him whether i could not chat to him- to me this is normal as i have said it to ppl before. Thinking he was a 'good muslim' cos he said salaam rather then hi i thought he would say ok that's fine. But instead he was like ' y did you ask, why not just block me?'. He went on and on about i should just block him rather then ignore him, blah,blah,blah....So i did! That was that. This stupid boy then decides to email me - again with salaam- and ask me why i don't want to talk to him, asking me whether i need permission from Bin Laden before i speak to men... such bollocks!! What?!! Can men not take rejection? Just cos i don't wanna chat to him doesn't mean other girls in the world won't- im sure he would find someone else to chat to rather then waste my time- he should go on hi5 (i think!) and find losers to chat to!!! Sheeshus!

Stupid men!! Plus the other day i kept getting texts from a random number. They were general texts and texts about my cousins so i presumed it was one of my billions of cousins(obviously female) somewhere in England. Then after Aps' wedding we went to an aunts house and thats when i got a phone call. It was some little girl who knew my name and called me Khala...she asked if i knew who she was. She was cute but i replied that i did not. Wanting to quickly put down the phone cos my family were giving me weird looks i pretended i was busy. Then a guy comes on the phone. 'Who is this?' he asks. He bloody rang me. It turned out to be a second or third cousin of mine. He is such a weirdo- he kept texting me during my Jan exams and even tried to ring. He got my number of his strange sister and played some stupid game with me trying to make me guess who he was- obviously i was not in a playful mood! so he gave up and revealed himself. He then kept emailing me....aaaagggghhhhhh and sent me videos of his 10th bday video with me in it. Freak! Told my brother who it was- he gave a smirk. My brother, like my mother, finds these things amusing. My mum loves my little stories of wierd men stalking me (not that it happens all the time). At times like this i wish i had an older brother to beat the shit of boys who bother me!!!

china: part 2

its fate!! just went to salaam.co.uk to check out the picture of me in the corner (you can't tell its me but i'm wearing a mustard coloured scarf) when i came across this post on China tours. I really have to go now!!!

http://islamic-chinatours.co.uk/2.html

OMG Eco- you know Farima aunti put me in contact with this woman at ABC...she's in the 'Who's Who Women' section on salaam.co.uk HOW COOL?!!

Nusrat Chagtai is a human rights lawyer and practicing solicitor who works with Paul Shiner in the renowned firm Public Interest Lawyers (PIL) based in Birmingham. The firm is acting in cases of Iraqis killed and tortured in post-occupation Iraq. It is also establishing a specialist Public Law and Human Rights Unit to meet the current needs of the Muslim community in the UK. A law graduate from University College London, Nusrat Chagtai also has an LLM in Human Rights Law gained with Merit. As part of the United Nations mission to East Timor, she assisted in the prosecution of serious crime cases and also in capacity building of junior East Timorese lawyers. She has represented the International Commission of Jurists in December 2003 as an observer at trials of Kurds in South East Turkey. Her other experience has included working as the advice and information officer for Liberty in the Human Rights Litigation Unit and as a legal officer on the Muslim Council of Britain's project to increase awareness within the Muslim community of the new religious discrimination legislation as it affects the workplace.

don't panic!!

So, things going according to plan- meeting all the people I want in London before I head back to Bham. Oopsie- forgot to tell Khulu that I’m going to be late so I ring her from Reena’s house at lunchtime to let her know. She thought I was Eco…I so don’t have that sweet innocent voice that Eco has!! After work I go to Reenas’, where her mum made the most amazing noodles for dinner. We then went to see her Masi (youngest aunt on her mum’s side) who has a one year old baby. He had the most amazing eye lashes in the world!! Then Reena decided to drop me off home- it was only around 9.30 but I guess I didn’t tell Khulu the exact time so they didn’t know what time to expect me.

Hey?...where’s the key gone?!! It’s usually there…okay, don’t panic! just knock and ring the bell like normal people. Okay, no answer. Ring the house phone…USER BUSY. Don’t panic. Keep ringing door bell. The lights in the living room and bedroom are on…can hear the tv. Keep ringing phone…USER BUSY. Ring bell…no answer. Think, think, think. Ah-hah, text Eco to get brother’s number. Oh, that’ll worry Eco for no reason but no other option!! In the meanwhile (after 15mins have gone by already) I’ll ring the police. Anything could have happened. *ahh! Stupid cat…OMG, that’s that woman’s cat…Eeek!! Definitely ringing the police now!*. After one min of being on hold by the police I explained what had happened- hope they could hear me through all that crying! They were on their way. In the meanwhile Eco texted back- rang Faiz. What was so funny?!! He found it amusing that I was locked outside and that Khulu or Eco’s dad couldn’t hear me…Reena and Fatima both ring me- can’t answer- too scared and emotional at the minute!! The door opens and Khulu is standing there. I hug her in relief. Try and explain to her in Urdu what had just happened. Eco’s parents were just sitting there in the living room while I was outside for a whole half hour worrying myself over what had happened to them.

The phone was busy as Khulu was on the phone. The key was removed because that day they decided to bring back in. The TV was too loud for them to hear me. That was the explanation. I’ve never been so scared in my life!! The operator on the other end must have thought I was stupid for crying over something like this- especially when I had to call back and cancel the police from coming. Eco’s brother must think I’m silly too- thank God I didn’t cry to him down the phone. Man- I need to get a grip!! Have become an emotional wreck- keep crying at the smallest of things. Cure: home for at least a few months. That’ll sort me out…stiffen me up!! I really did feel as though my heart was in my stomach and both about to explode! Think this is what it must feel like when parents lose children in the fairground/ shopping centre/airport… er, whatever. think i need to be alone for a while. All this caring smaring is doing nothing for my cold-heartedbitch image.

My other options were
1. to go to the neighbours house and let them know what was going on- so which Yahoodi house would I have picked?!!
2. to go to Hendon Mosque and find that brother (married with kids so don’t worry) who I work with and kinds knows Eco’s dad- dunno what he would have done?!!
3. call Mamu- he apparently doesn’t have the house keys

Thank God I didn’t carrying out any of them…would have worried a lot more people. Anyway, alhamdullilah everyone is fine- shall go straight home after work today!! Meeting Eco’s friends tmrw- Zara’s retake tmrw too, so after that we’ll hook up. Eco’s back today- will ring her tmrw too!! :D

China

Eco- something has come over me. Think I have become obsessed with China. I think it all started when I did that project/presentation at uni on China. Then read Wild Swans- now thinking that I’m some kind of expert. Then I brought that pretty umbrella….it’s not Japanese, is it?!! And now I’m wanting to buy 1421- the year China discovered the World and The Rape of Nanking. Both a bit expensive, due to p&p, on Amazon…shall have to raid charity book shops. Think I want to go to China too- I’ll get to see the Great Wall of China. Thus, fulfilling my ambition of eventually seeing all Seven Wonders of the World inshaAllah. Think I got two done- Taj Mahal and the Pyramids. Is Niagara Falls one of them?!!

Feeling a bit over emotional lately too- don’t ask!! I can’t even read Falling Leaves on the bus…it’s so sad :(

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
1. Great Pyramids of Giza, 2550BC
2. Hanging Gardens of Babylon, 600BC destroyed by earthquake after the 1st century BC
3. Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, 550BC destroyed by fire in 356BC
4. Satue of Zeus at Olympia, 435BC destroyed by fire in 5-6 century AD
5. Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, 351BC destroyed by earthquake in 1494AD
6. Colossus of Rhodes, 292-280BC destroyed by earthquake in 224BC
7. Lighthouse of Alexandria, 3rd Century BC destroyed by earthquake between 1303-1480AD

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wonders_of_the_World

Tourist travel wonders
The following list of the top seven tourist travel wonders was compiled by Hillman Wonders:
Great Pyramids of Giza
Great Wall of China
Taj Mahal
Serengeti Migration
Galapagos
Grand Canyon
Machu Picchu

Two of the seven done!! Niagara Falls is one of the seven NATURAL wonders of the world. These stupid lists- think i might just create my own... 168 Yardley Wood Road, 25 Deyne Avenue, 16 Dey.... Station Road...

Aps' wedding

never...ever...again! less then 2 hrs sleep the night before the wedding doing preparations at the venue...even then didn't manage to get things done completely till the first guests started coming. Things got done a little faster when this amazing family came and helped out ;D...dunno who they were but the dad was very handsome, with the very pretty wife mashaAllah, tagged along by 4 kids- they did cool stuff with the napkins, even though they got the wrong napkins for the mens side.

Then we needed to get changed- a two minute job obviously!! Well, not quite as my saree took ages to put on, then the make-up...which i think i put on a bit too much but noone was saying anything. Everyone looked nice- mainly all in pink.

Oh i forgot...the mehndi, firstly, was really nice. Fudge did the unexpected and splattered the bride with turmeric (i think)- bad idea!Hehe The kids did a few dances- they were so good and were very energetic compared to this 'wannabe' who went bright red after doing Nimbooda dance for 5mins54seconds. The kids (plus a few big kids) did a play about how the couple met, etc- it was really funny. They then did a few more dances...then i went home to number 25 Deyne Ave.

The wedding went smoothly i guess alhamdullilah, expect for the few men who walked in and got shouted at! :s The bride looked amazing mashaAllah- showing a bit too much teeth for my liking (where have all the shy brides gone?!!) but i guess they've been married for over a month for her not to be shy. The food, the reason for making an appearance rather then staying in the bedroom, was delicious. I mean, i could have stayed in the bedroom and got room service- Pink's mum was already paying for the breakfast that we so happily thought was free- if i had known then i would have had more for breakfast!! Couldn't eat that much though- saree really was not stable! We ended up leaving fairly early...dunno if i even had any cake :'( But for those who saw the cake on close inspection i take all the credit for the groom sat on top. Did wanna take my man home but think he's staying with the couple. Did anyone notice how the bride doll was taller then the groom...hope it doesn't signify that Aps is gonna be domineering in the marriage?!! LOL

We then ended up going to Ashton-U-Lyne to see relative. They tried to get us to eat but we just had nasta at their house and left after magrib. We watched the video for the London wedding we were both at 2 weeks back- was crazy! My cousins are so funny...all the brothers were there and their little sister and they kept picking on their two bhabis, who were so nice. Then my aunt kept going on about my dad and about his real mum and how my dad was so kept in close-eye range at all times as he was her only child. Dad wasn't even allowed to go anywhere after school...had to come straight home every day. If anyone wanted to see him they had to come round to my grandmas. She was a clean-freak! This was back in the day when they didn't have fairy liquid or domestos, and especially not in Bdesh!! This is so where i get my clean-freak nature from. She didn't even let kids come into her house if they were dirty. You can't actually tell that my dads an only child- maybe its cos he married mum, who's one of eleven?!! That's it- mum sorted him out!! My perfect little mother. Dunnno how mum coped- would have been bad enough marrying an only son never mind an only child. God forbid. I guess dad did have his half bros and sisters- who are coming back from holiday in Bdesh this friday! Can't wait!! Get to see my dhadi after 9weeks. But prob have to wait till Monday cos going back to Mcr Saturday for Ninja's wedding :D. Hope we don't have to help- not that i mind or anything *secretly i enjoy it* but i really don't think i can run in my white heels (the thinest pair i own!). Oooh Ayesha will be there to do my make-up so i don't look like a clown...yippee!

anyway, stress has caused 'auntie to visit' early by four days so gonna now catch up on sleep to reconstruct my bags under my eyes.

'off the boat'

Shipping disasters timeline
The BBC News website looks at the world's major peacetime shipping disasters over the past 20 years.

2006
3 February: About 1,000 people - many of them pilgrims returning from Mecca - die as the al-Salam Boccaccio '98 ferry, travelling from Saudi Arabia to Egypt, goes down in the Red Sea.

2005
16-21 May: Three ferries sink in Bangladesh's rivers within one week, killing at least 148 people.
19 February: At least 116 people die after a ferry, the MV Maharaj, goes down in the Buriganga river near Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka.

2004
23 May: The MV Lighting Sun ferry sinks in Meghna river, south of Dhaka, killing at least 61 people with some 100 others reported missing.

2003
8 July: Bangladesh's MV Nasrin-1 ferry sinks in the monsoon-swollen Meghna river, killing up to 400 people in what is believed to be the country's biggest shipping disaster.

2002
26 September: Senegal's state-run overcrowded ferry, the Joola, sinks off the coast of Gambia, killing more than 1,800 people.
22 April: More than 100 people die in two separate ferry disasters near Dhaka, Bangladesh.
3 May: At least 450 people drown when a Bangladeshi ferry, the MV Salahuddin-2, sinks in a storm in the Meghna river.

2001
19 October: Nearly 400 people die when an overcrowded ferry with mostly Indonesian asylum seekers sinks off the Indonesian island of Java.
29 June: Indonesian ferry the Cahay Bahari goes down near the island of Sulawesi, killing more than 500 refugees.

1996
21 May: More than 500 people die when the MV Bukoba ferry sinks in Tanzania.

1994
28 September: More than 850 people die when the Estonia ferry sinks off in the Baltic Sea en route from the Estonian capital, Tallinn, to Sweden's capital, Stockholm.
29 April: A ferry capsizes near the Kenyan port of Mombasa, killing 272 people.
20 August: An overcrowded ferry sinks in Bangladesh's Meghna river, killing more than 300 people.

1993
10 October: An overcrowded ferry, the Seohae, capsizes south of South Korea's capital, Seoul, killing 292 people.
17 February: A heavily-overloaded ferry, the Neptune, sinks in stormy seas off the coast of Haiti, killing hundreds of passengers.

1991
16 December: Egypt's Salem Express ferry hits a coral reef off the Red Sea port of Safaga, killing 470 people.

1988
27 December: At least 200 people die when Bangladesh's ferry, the Haisal, sinks after a collision with a cargo vessel.
24 October: The Dona Marylin ferry sinks near the Philippine island of Leyte, killing 250 people.

in conclusion: do NOT travel by boat/ferry/ship in Bangladesh!!

Tea drinkers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/5281046.stm?ls

Tea not only rehydrates as well as water does, but it can also protect against heart disease and some cancers, UK nutritionists found.

They found clear evidence that drinking three to four cups of tea a day can cut the chances of having a heart attack.

Some studies suggested tea consumption protected against cancer, although this effect was less clear-cut.

Other health benefits seen included protection against tooth plaque and potentially tooth decay, plus bone strengthening.

She said it was an urban myth that tea is dehydrating.

"Studies on caffeine have found very high doses dehydrate and everyone assumes that caffeine-containing beverages dehydrate. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid.

"Also, a cup of tea contains fluoride, which is good for the teeth," she added.

There was no evidence that tea consumption was harmful to health. However, research suggests that tea can impair the body's ability to absorb iron from food, meaning people at risk of anaemia should avoid drinking tea around mealtimes.

one more week

Eco’s parents are the cutest. What do old people do when their kids have all moved out, and are faced with a random girl lodging in their home? Her mum cooked ‘tahiri’ (yellow-colured-pilau-with potato-kind of thing) for me cos she knows how I don’t really enjoy roti quite as much. It was the sweetest thing. Plus, she made this chicken tikka fried vegetable thing. Didn’t tell her I’d already eaten and eat what she had made especially for me. Alhamdullilah, I have a big appetite! We then watched Geo (pronounced in an Asian accent gee-yo)…the advert for ‘George ka Pakistan’ is so funny. Think you have to watch it to appreciate it. Then I started talking about random things with them in Urdu. Eco- you should have been there. It was flowing amazing and I wasn’t making any gender mistakes!! Talked about my daily bus journey so it wasn't that hard.

Earlier I met up with Rukaiya and went to eat at Kebabland. It was ok I guess- a bit posh for a kebab joint!! Practiced a bit more BSL…think I’m getting the hang of things…I may have found my skill…inshaAllah. The way you sign isn’t the same as the way you speak - sometimes the words are jubbled up in the sentence, it can be very confusing. Only have one more week of London left so can probably only meet up with Rukaiya one more time…along with the rest of Eco’s friends.

Monday (day off work/ bank holiday)- go see bhabi et family in Hampstead
Tuesday evening- see Reena. She wants to take me out for ice-cream or something *does she not know I don’t like ice-cream!*
Wednesday evening- see Lydie. Feel bad for only having spent one day with her.
Thursday evening- see Eco’s friends
Friday evening- spend the last few hours with Eco’s parents before catching the train home.

phew.

a few upcoming events

BACK 2 DE ROOTS ISLAMIC CONFERENCE
Date: Sunday 27th August 2006
Time: 2.30 pm
Venue: Sparkbrook Islamic Centre Community Hall, Sydenham Road,off Anderton Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham, B11 1ND

Speakers include: Shaykh Shady Suleiman (Australia), Shaykh Hasan Ali(Islam Channel / UK), Shaykh Zahir Mahmood (Birmingham), Mufti Naeem(Pakistan / UK), Imaam Uthman Lateef (Syria / London), Shaykh RafiqSufi (Humanitarian Aid Worker & Scholar), Junaid Jamshed (FormerPakistani Popstar), Saeed Anwar (Pakistani Cricket Player)

An international speakers conference covering topics related to ourpresent day situation, be it global concerns such as the issue ofPalestine or local issues such as the increasing involvement ofMuslim youth in drugs. This is guaranteed to be a heart touchingand thought provoking day packed with talks, nasheeds, food andstalls. The entire event is free of charge and is open to both brothers and sisters.

*won't be able to go- at a wedding!*


Al Hikma Media Presents:
THE GLOBAL DAWAH CONFERENCE
Date: Monday 28th August 2006
Time: 2.00 pm - 10.30 pm
Venue: Muslim Resource Centre, Red Lane, off Stoney Stanton Road,Coventry, CV6 5EE

Guest speakers include: Shaykh Shady Al-Suleiman (Australia), SidiShabir Ally (Canada), Harun Yahya Representative (Turkey), ShaykhHasan Ali (Islam Channel), Shaykh Zahir Mahmood (Birmingham), ImamUthman Lateef (Slough), Shaykh Rafiq Sufi (Scholar & Relief Worker),Saeed Anwar (Former Pakistan Cricketer), Junaid Jamshed (NasheedArtist from Pakistan), plus others. The conference will be packedwith talks and nasheeds by internationally renowned personalities.A number of new and exclusive Islamic DVDs and CDs to be launchedon the day, plus Islamic clothing on sale. There will be food,fundraising for humanitarian aid, stalls and much more.

For more information please contact:
Tel: 07877 193 234
Website: www.global-dawah.co.uk / www.al-hikma.co.uk

*won't be able to go to this either- will be on the way back to London*

Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith invites you to:
THE TREMBLING HEART

Dates: Saturday 2nd September - Sunday 3rd September 2006T
ime: 1.45 pm (Saturday) - 10.30 pm (Sunday)
Venue: Green Lane Masjid, 20 Green Lane, Small Heath,Birmingham, B9 5DB

A two day Islamic conference on attaining inner peace in times oftrial. Speakers include Dr Bilal Philips (Qatar), Dr Suhaib Hasan(London), Tawfique Chowdhury (Australia), Murtaza Khan (London),and Abu Usamah (USA). Some of the lectures that will be deliveredinclude: Which of the Favours of Your Lord Will You Deny? TheWords of Ar-Rahman and the Call of Shaytan, Paradise on Earth?What No Eye Has Seen, Dhikr - the Seed of Paradise.

All lectures will be in English and both brothers and sistersare welcome. Free overnight accommodation available in themosque - please bring your sleeping bags

For more information please contact:Tel: 0121 773 0019

*...another wedding!*

SHAHADAH LAUNCH
Date: Saturday 9th September 2006
Time: 5.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Venue: Muath Welfare Trust, Bordesley Centre, Stratford Road, CampHill, Birmingham, B11 1AR

Shahadah is a service for new Muslim women which will be launchedat this event. There will be talks by reverts, exhibition of ourservices and a buffet lunch. Shahadah is a voluntary organisationbased in Birmingham that has been established to support andeducate women who are new to Islam or are rediscovering theirIslamic identity. Embarking on the journey through Islam can be adifficult and testing time. Shahadah aims to make this experienceeasier by providing guidance, advice and practical help. All arewelcome to attend the launch.

For further information please contact:
Tel: 07962 587 936
Website: www.shahadahworks.com

*ah-hah...i love this centre- gonna try blag a part-time job here inshaAllah.*

holiday!!!

think i need a holiday. i need to decorate my bedroom. need to sort out my masters.

holiday- either i go to Germany for a week in September or wait and go to Norway, with Eco(minus hubby), some time during the year. Yes, i am planning your holiday for you Eco- we can get Zzze to tag along too!! And i'm sure we can get cheap flights to Norway? How does January / February sound? Germany solves my mehram problem as my mama lives there. Plus, he'll take me to Belgium to see my nana/ nani- two holidays in one!!

bedroom- i can see it now...all my hard earned wages will be spent on buying stuff from IKEA. oh well. Bought the coolest lamp the other day from TK Maxx (will not reveal the cost)- its very 'victorian'. Anyone willing to help me paint my room?- am allergic to paint! will put you up with my family for about three days for FREE.

Masters- have applied to Loughborough to do MSc in International Banking. As of yet, no reply from them. will ring them soon cos i really want to do their course. make dua that i get in...


Eco this one's for you. I think Cuba is very cool.

Cuba currently has about 20,000 doctors working in 68 countries across three continents, without much being said about it.

…President Fidel Castro prioritised education and health as pillars of the new society, and the Caribbean island now has the highest ratio of doctors per person in the world, according to the World Health Organization.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4792071.stm

Eco's departure

Just for Zzze i shall never write in the tiny font- but now if my manager walks past he'll be able to read it!!

Anyway, yes! its all over. My life is all over! I feel so empty- the house is gonna be so quiet today when i go home after work. Decide to sleep in eco's room or not...still feeling so emotional! Think i'm going to cry again if i think about it...so i'm not going to write too much about it either. Just to say mashAllah Eco looked reallly beautiful, she was smiling all day...except when she had to leave and when we left her at the walima. The whole day was hectic but alhamdullilah well worth it. Don't know if i'd do it again...so no-one best be getting anytime soon!! Well, nobody close anyway...really have no energy to run about and help out!! Obviously i cried...just a few times during the day- 5 to be exact!

Nothing much to say- gonna miss the stupid cow :' ]

modelling

a few more hours...

should i or should i not leave work early? Manager isn't here so i can't go through what i have done...which is nothing really for the past few days. There is so much crap on the net that i'm having to filter through to get decent info on Dow Jones and FTSE. Any geeks out there reading this plz could you tell me how they work?!!!

*News alert* decided to ditch my masters/ any kind of studying and become a model. This has been one of my dad's dreams...well, he wanted me to be Miss Bdesh...and so this should make him happy!! Randa (girl siitnig next to me at work) deals with the layout of the site that im writing for. They needed a new image for the ramadan pages and decided to have someone reading the Qur'an, along with few other shots, on the site. It's only tiny and in the background of the site- but i'm famous, i tell you, i'm famous.

two days left...

could someone plz find me a nicer picture for my blog. Everytime i want to write something on my blog discreetly at work i get worried that the 'semi-harami'(to some ppl) pic of Princess Jasmine gives it away that i am not working. Not that they'd tell me off or anything but i should really be working hard to get this website finished. I have two weeks left of work...where have the past six weeks gone?!! Can remember my first day of work- was hoping it would come to an end but now i kinda like work. Maybe because im gettin to do my own thing...no-one's really on my case...researching something im passionate about...getting to stroll into work whenever i feel like it (10.15am the other day). ahh, getting paid tmrw so its all good.

Can't believe in two days time Eco would be on her way to Leicester...i prob d*p***sed with Zzze. Both of us prob with smudged eye make-up...beautiful. Anyway, no time to get upset... atleast its closer to me now then if she wasn't getting married, and living in London. Aneeka prob coming back- got married last week in Pakistan mashaAllah. She's gonna be close too...i so better get a car!! Gonna start a campaign to get ppl to move to the midlands- Ninja bests be willing to migrate from Hackney!!

you know what...this Jasmine looks at bit like my mum when she just got married. gotta go search for a more modest pic inshaAllah.

night out on the town...

this post may be very boring as it will prob be about my family that i do so desperately miss.

Went to a walima yday night- my dad's second cousin somehow (i do know how but may confuse ppl). This uncle, along with his brothers, have the best personality in the world. They are the most nicest guys i have ever met...and so domesticated!! My mum always goes on about then and how well mannered they are. Ladies- there is only one brother left so don't all come rushing at once.

I had to make my own way there and got there before my parents, who were lost somewhere in London. Typical! The venue was really nice and it wasn't like the typical Sylheti weddings i'm used to. WoW! Have things changed that much since the last time i went to a wedding- when was the last time i went to a wedding?!! Anyway, my uncle/aunts/gran/cousins were all happy to see me. Asked me where my parents were...enquired about my elder sister...asked why i'm on my own...whether i've graduated...blah,blah,blah. Then came the aunts and uncles who recognised me but i had no clue who they were!! Plus i was being introduced to ppl as 'Farhad-orr-furee' (Farhad's daughter- thats my dad btw)...and ppl were like 'ooooh', smile and then awkwardness. Then looking at me up and down- i looked like a tramp!! No really, i did- ask Eco. It was either my new jilbaab thing or my work clothes...atleast my hijaab matched my eyes!! I really haven't been to weddings in ages...or mixed weddings that is. I'd forgotten why single girls and boys (also their mothers) go to weddings- it was like a fashion shhow or something?!!! The amount of dollled-up girls that were there- mashaAllah some looked nice but really is there any need!! These girls wer staring at me too- obviously because they were thinking 'what rock she just crawl out of?'. I was made baby-sitter for everyone under the age of 7 as their own sisters or parents were too worried about getting food on their clothes... it wasn't too bad- they seemed to like me.

My family made an entrance- missed them so much. And then my parents did the rounds avec all of us. I hate being introduuced to random long-distance relative ppl. They were all shocked that i wore hijaab...some couldn't believe that there were now 6 kids. Apart from random ppl i did get so meet ppl who were actually my relatives- it was really nice. Because we were kinda close to the groom + family we were at the front and there was so many of my family that were just chilling throughout the night. It was great- we just chatted and joked and talked about random stuff. OMG, think i am becoming what i have been dreading my whole life- socialable with family!! Well, WHY stop a good thing?!! Me and my bro Obz just know how its done- thnk we'v picked that part of personality from our parents. Amani's fairly good too and Nabi's learning. This wedding got me thinking that mayb i shouldn't have a segregated wedding. I mean i don't care about me cos i'm not going anyway!! But its so nice seeing family mingle like this - i no it's harami!! and families shouldn't be like this anyway but be segregated ...this is what made my sisters wedding crap. If it were mixed atleast ppl could have sat with their whole families and just chatted...i dunno! Also the 1,500 ppl didn't help- too many ppl to segregate!! I'll think about the logistics nearer the time or when i am actuallly getting married...i'm enjoying single life too much at the moment!! Now having trouble of how i'm going to get to Moona's wedding and mehndi- promised my uncle/aunt that i'll stay with them that weekend... Dilemma!! If only i had a car.

They had a one-man-band there too. He was actually alright- he just played and SANG indian song. Harami- but it was nice. They also played two of my fave old Indian songs- had to resist from nodding my head. This wedding also had a chocolate fountain- ILo was dying to have some so she was at the front of the fountain when they switched it on!! Bless her- she did manage to get some for all of us. May get her one for her 16th Bday do in December- everyone is invited to that btw. My whole family are going to Bdesh so the house is free over Christmas...stay as long as you like!!

All in all, the food was standard, the service was ok, the dessert was ice-cream ( i don't eat ice-cream) and there was TEA!! The wedding was civil and thats only because there was prob about 400 ppl.

funny ppl

check this out Eco...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4793463.stm

"The study reveals humour is not inherited but is moulded by our individual experiences."

family, community and ENVIRONMENT

FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
21st October 2006 3-5pm

St Paul's Church, 346 Foleshill Road, Coventry, CV6 5AJ

A lecture on the theme of family, community and the environment from an Islamic perspective, delivered by Hajj Fazlun Khalid (Director of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences) and Hajjah Saba Khalid (writer and broadcaster).

Entrance fee is £1 for adults or 50p for children. Light refreshments available. All welcome regardless of faith, age or gender. For more information please contact: Tel: 07724 619 435 / 07956 365 553
E-mail: info@coventrycitycircle.org

check it our here http://cyclerelief.com/

weekend at realtives

is it bad that i scived work yday?!! I just woke up and felt that i wasn't able to spend a whole day at work, even though i have loads to do and i wanna get the website finished! The weather didn't help. Plus, other things on my mind didn't help matters either...

had a great weekend (including Monday)- went to my Fufu's house (dad's first cousin on his mum's side) in Hampstead on the Friday night. Went all by myself and when i got to their station my cousin picked me up- told me how dangerous it is to travel on tube by myself blah,blah,blah but i took no notice. He is a bus-driver and told me stories of women in hijaab who have been attacked. Shall have to be careful on the 183. It was only my Fufu at home- all my cousins are married with only the younger two sons at home (both recently married too with only the bus-driver's wife living with my aunt). Actually went to see my new bhabi- they've been married a year now but couldn't go to the wedding cos i was at another wedding in Macr last summer. And when she's come to my house i was in Mcr anyway :( That weekend she went 'bak home' to Carlisle so i waited for her patiently till Saturday when she was due to return.

Friday night i just watched both the wedding tapes- interesting i guess. The bhabi i came to see just keeps smiling- i think i might just like her!! On Saturday the whole family comes to my Fufu's- she told me that's the only day that she doesn't go anywhere because all her kids come round. It was so nice as i got to see my cousins and their kids (who all started calling my aunty and made me feel old!). I felt as though i was home- the house was so noisy with all of us around the kitchen table eating, drinking and eating some more!! My mum obviously rang to see what i getting up to... she knew i'd be having a good time so left me to it. We just chatted about loadsa stuff...mainly my family. My cousins are a lot older then me- the eldest cousin sisters being nearly my mums age but minus the grey hairs caused by having 6 kids! They told me stories about my parents that i never knew- Fufu told me stuff about my dad that he never talks about. Told me about my real dhadi too- she died just before my parents got married. My dad never talks about his past or about his homelife or how he grew up- i guess this secretive nature of mine comes from my dad!?!! It was nice to hear what he was like...my cousis and Fufu and everybody else i came across love my dad. Kind of got me to look at my dad in a different light- he is one cool dad!! They also went on about my mum (nothing new there!) and how amazing she is. They proper went on about how 'perfect' she is and how they fell in love with her from the moment they met her. I guess my mum still has that nature...ppl just love coming to ours cos of my mum. Made me realise how important the 'lady of the house' is- if she doesn't make visitors welcome then there's no hope and ppl won't come after that. May i be a wife like my mother and find a husband just as good as my father ameen. Then they went onto yukky stuff about how they can tell that my parents love each other and how they'r the best couple ever...Yuk,yuk,yuk.

Also realised loadsa other stuff over the weekend- man, my family are tooooo funny!! Funny in the sense that we joke about everything and anything...mayb except death (death itself is fine but not someone's death). Realised that the reason my bro-in-law is loved by my family is the fact that he was so chillled out and takes the piss anytime he can!! This is my dad's side of the family...my mum's side are just as funny! We play pranks all the time!! Realised that i couldn't marry someone who wasn't funny or chilled out (definitely not someone serious!)...even if he wasn't funny, atleast he could have a laff with my family, especially with me...being the funniest of everyone!!LOL
My eldest bhabi (Paki-bhabi) was telling me how when she first married my cousin(10 years ago now) she used to go to her room and cry because, even though she knew they were all joking, she just thought we joked too much! And now she jokes just like the rest of us! She just wasn't used to joking about things like that... she also wasn't used to the 'open-house' situation that most Sylhetis (generalising i think) have. This is where relatives will pop round whenever they're free and for how ever long they feel. They may even stay for long periods of a time. This can also be without prior notice via phonecall. I love it becasue i'm used to it. But it took me three years away from home to realise...i guess im sylheti at heart. Don't think i could have a home when im older and not have random ppl walking in and out whenever they feel.

My horrid bro-in-law (cousins hubby) was there too. Me and my sister avoid him like the plague!! Ever since they were married we'v always thought he was weird. He jokes about with us as its bengali tradition that the bro-in-law jokes about with his sisters-in-law. Anyway, since we started wearing the hijaab he picks on us even more. We've been avoiding him ever since but there was no getting away fromhim now!! But, what do you know, he's changed. SubhanAllah. never thought he would ever change- not that he's practicing but he's become more accepting that i wear hijaab and left me alone really...had conversation rather then him pick on me!! Whilst i was just itting in the kitchen they were all just staring at me- Fufu then came out with how i looked like my dhadi. All i know about my dhadi was that she had the most darkest complexion ever!! adn personality wise she was very strict and firm, and obsessed with cleaning. Maybe this is where i get alot of my personlity from... my bro-in-law also said that i have always been the mayaar/ pyari(sweet) one out of all of us *blush...shy*. They all agreed in unison except my Fufu who said we were all nice- yeah, whatever!! My Ritu chacha had also chnged- he used to take piss out of the fact that we were practicing!! But now he was encouraging his 7 year old daughter to wear hijaab when she's older. SubhanAllah. Ritu chacha and i had 'intelligent' conversation- you had to be there Eco, you would have been proud. Plus, you'll get to meet him today at the walima! He's actually the funniest out of everyone- and watch how he picks on my mum cos that's his sister-in-law! But my mum can give it back just as good!! He also picks on me cos i used to get upset that he always used to pick on my mum...but he's the only person who can diss my mum and get away with it cos i know he's joking! Can't wait to see my family, after 3 weeks, tonight...oh, nabeel and amani :D My nieces and nephews are so cute...there were so many of them to name- hopefully they'l be at the walima today inshaAllah. My deaf cousin was pleased that i could sign a few things to her- just the basic though. Plus, she had to correct little mistakes i was making- bless her. Next lesson on Wednesday with Kai...

Anyway, better get back to work. Decided to do masters instead of actuary. Make dua for me evryone.

wish list...oops, sorry... rich list

omg!!I have too much spare time on my hands- NO, really. this is what happens when it hits 4pm...i just switch off and just surf the net. Its usuallly something to do with Islamic finance and most of the time not! Don''t ask me why i was on this site...but to be a billionaire at 22. She didn't even earn it herself....inheritance, my arse! http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/10/9IAT.html

Her brothers a bit of a dog otherwise someone looking to make money quick could have married him?!!- just lend me £10,000 thats all i want http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/10/F5B7.html.

Also, in the last 5 mins of work i discover http://www.muslimfinance.org/ Muslim Fiannce Professionals Association in New York. Why the hell isn't there one of these in London?!! That shall have to be my business venture...
Seriously, check out the 'dating' section...hilarious!!! For those sisters not in Finance trust me you're not missing much!!

our rasheeda

"If the children want to play outside then I sit out and keep an eye on them to ensure they don't go anywhere near the railway lines"
Rashida Khatoon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4779419.stm

omg, look who was commenting on BBC news!?!!


[The Stepping-Stones Course]
A 4-day program with Imam Zia Ullah Khan (Canada)
Covering Ikhlas, Ibadaat, Dawah & Al-Quran

Mon 21- Thurs 24 August / 6-9pm / Madina Mosque (2 Barlow Rd, M19 3DJ)

Please register your interest at halaqa@ummah.org and get further details.

Note: Please bring pen & pad. There is a nominal fee of £2 per day or £5 for full 4-day pass.

Contact tel: 07970 099 55 4

www.islamicforumeurope.com

10/08

omg- they've already published the names of the suspects and their addresses. Is that allowed?- btw, its nowhere near me in Bham!! And no! it was not my brother on tv yday speaking to channel4 news saying that the only reason they were arrested was because they'r muslim... what pants?!! How many more times do we have to go on defending muslims when they do things like this?!! Eco i too am embarassed! Thank God i went to work late today i may have got more stares than normal....it doesn't help that im wearing jilbaab too. oh well.

Plus, my daily read of the bbc website at work is just full of the 'mass murder' plot on its front pages. Funny how the war in Lebanon has been pushed aside...it made a little appearane on the front page (if you come really close to the screen!!). Ppl better not forget whats happening out there...!!

better alternatives

Better Alternatives
"Allah desires to make clear to you and to guide you to the ways of the (righteous) people before you and to turn to you in mercy; and Allah is Knowing, Wise. And Allah desires to lighten your burden, for man was created weak.” Chapter 4: Verses 26-28

One of the beauties of Islam is that it has prohibited only such things that are unnecessary and expendable, while providing alternatives which are better and which give greater ease and comfort to human beings.
This point has been explained by Ibn al-Qayyim: Allah has prohibited seeking omens by drawing lots but has provided the alternative of istikhara which is a supplication for seeking Allah's guidance.

He has prohibited usury but has encouraged profitable trade. He has prohibited gambling but has permitted betting on forms of competition which are useful for their (the Muslims) religious striving, such as horse or camel racing and competing in marksmanship.

He has prohibited (to men) the wearing of silk but has given them the choice of other materials such as wool, linen, and cotton.

He has prohibited adultery, fornication, and homosexuality but has encouraged lawful marriage. He has prohibited intoxicating drinks in order that they may enjoy other delicious drinks which are wholesome for the body and mind. And He has prohibited unclean food but provides alternative wholesome food.

Thus, when we survey the Islamic injunctions in their totality, we find that if Allah limits the choice of His servants in relation to some things, He provides them with a still wider range of more wholesome alternatives in relation to other things of a similar kind. For assuredly Allah has no desire to make peoples' lives difficult, narrow, and restricted; on the contrary; He desires ease, goodness, guidance, and mercy for them.

someone please save me!!!!

need major saving somebody- preferably male, single, aged 25-30, muslim...anyone really!! Most people would love to be in my situation but not me. It's not like im hating it but 'i just want a 'simple life'!! I think the more i say it and the more i try and escape being 'career-orientated-dunya-obsessed' the more it gets offered to me on a plate!!A big f***ing platter actuaally!! Alhamdullilah, its just Allah (swt) testing me but i'd rather he tested me in something else- not career-stuff.

The dilemma goes as follows. Finished my degree, happily looking forward to doing my MA in Islamic Banking, Finance and Managament at Markfield Institute, Loughborough. Got myself a nice job in London for the summer in creating a website on Islamic Finance, etc- learning a lot...trying to look for a proper job or potential jobs for after i finish my masters...realised that i have to do 'conventional' finance-type jobs before i venture into the world of Islamic Finance. Ok, that's all fine- i'd just apply to conventional finance firms and work for 2/3 years and then work within Islamic Finance in the middle East or MALAYSIA. This is all good so far. I'm coping with the test... Then i met one of Eco's aunts- she works for Meryll Lynch Fund Derivatives dept. Don't ask me what she does but she just earns alot of money. This is where my dilemma starts- i have now decided to change my masters degree...she advised me to do MA in Banking or International Banking at Loughborough. She said its well renowned and it has a module in Islamic Banking and Finance. Sorted!! Spoke to my dad he was cool with it- he knows how i always do my own thing even if he doesn't approve anyway and somehow (alhamdullilah) always manage to do well.

Then, today at work i spoke to Iqbal (he knows anybody and evrybody in the Islamic Finance world- great contact to have!!). Was telling him my plans when he just eat it, chewed it up and spat it back out!! He recommended me to go do my Masters at Durham University. Issues!! Mehram- which i am lax on when it comes to studying (may Allah forgive me) and money...i know my dad will pay anything just for me to study but i don't want him to!! Plus, i wanna be home...i miss home...i've only been home for a week since after my degree finished! He also said that it would be better to do Actuarial sciences as i have a mathematical background, and then go into creating insurance and takaful products in Islamic Finance. Acturial exams are the hardest exams you can do in finance and it takes an average of 6 years to be qualified- he knows people who did it in 2 years!! The best place to do it is in London Cass Business School- where would i stay? how long for? He said it would be best to work whilst doing it- is he crazy!?!! Where is this simple life i crave?!! The best bit about studying actuary is that he promised that i could work in Malaysia for a whole year...the guy he knows there at a consulting firm is coming in 2 weeks time to the office so will chat to him then. Anyway, hoping i can do this acturial science degree thing in Bham so i can just stay at home...

my biggest issue is that they said they can get funding for me meaning that they are investing so much behind me! I hate all this pressure!! Plus, he said that once i qualify in 3 years time or so Islamic Insurance may take off here so there will only be a few people in Actuary so i will have no competition and be earning thousands- I don't want to earn a big salary. I'm gonna be this big-fly-flying chick that i am trying to avoid. SO someone please marry me asap and 'knock me up' otherwise there is no getting out of this!! Once i'm started on this there's no stopping me... what should i do people?

Eco- i promise not to be an investment banker...and thats it! send the Kashmiri doctor to my parents in September (should be home by 4th Sept unless im working at ABC)

Pants, just pants!!!

view on usury

what the hell is up with the weather? Its so freezing in the office- sutpid me decided to wax so now dont have a thick blanket to keep me warm! Do have the weirdest tan on my hand- you can slightly see it around where my ring is.

Since nothing interesting happened in my life yday...nothing mentionable anyway, i shall blog something educational. Forgive me if you think i am becoming obsessed with this job.

Jews- maybe i should mention them last so as you know how evil they are!?!!

The Hebrew word for interest is neshekh, literally meaning ‘a bite’ and is believed to refer to the exaction of interest from the point of view of the debtor. Jewish Scholars have explained this to mean that whoever ‘bites’ his fellow and causes pain to him will subsequently ‘eat his flesh’. In this understanding usury was forbidden in Judaism. Here comes the science...

EXODUS 22:25
[God says] "If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor, and you shall not exact interest from him…”

LEVITICUS 25:35-37
[God said] “And if your brother becomes poor, and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall maintain him; as a stranger and a sojourner he shall live with you. Take no interest from him or increase, but fear your God; that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. I am the Lord your God, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.”

DEUTERONOMY 23:19-20
You shall not lend upon interest to your brother, interest on money, interest on victuals, interest on anything that is lent for interest. To a foreigner you may lend upon interest, but to your brother you shall not lend upon interest; that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are entering to take possession it.

The first two quotes seem to only refer to giving money to the poor. But the last quote from their religious teachings there is a prohibition with money-lending based on interest but this prohibition did not apply to 'foreigners'. No, i dont mean FOBs- Jews mean anyone who isn't a jew i.e. gentiles! Usury upon others in their own community was prohibited, but usury upon non-Jews was acceptable. The Torah states that one cannot practice usury upon a brother, but can to a stranger. The double standard ethic was endemic to traditional Jewish teachings. Jews opted for their own perception of themselves as an elite group- God’s special Chosen People and their belief that Jewish law was of divine origin, whereas Gentile law was purely a human invention.

Christians, building on the authority of the Old and New Testament the Roman Catholic Church had by the fourth century AD prohibited the taking of interest by the clergy. Despite numerous subsequent prohibitions by Popes and civil legislators, loopholes in the law and contradictions in the Church’s arguments were found (what's new!?!!) and along with the growing tide of commercialisation, the pro-usury counter-movement began to grow. This idea of commercialisation and moving with the times was supported by the Judaic traditions as they felt that interest prohibition was no longer compatible with the economic needs of the community.

Bible tell us, “Jesus enjoined values of humility and modesty to his followers, teaching that ‘It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven’” LUKE 18-25. Jewish teachings on the other hand do not consider poverty noble. It rather encourages them to live for ‘this-world’ and feels that making money is considered a natural human endeavour.

Again with Christianity there is a lack of practice- plus, they change in accordance with time and the environment they're in so living in a fast-economic-money-driven world they feel they cannot trade or survive financially unless they deal with interest.

Islam on the other hand, the criticism of usury was well established during the time of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and reinforced by several teachings from the Qur’an. Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (The offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein (for ever). Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: For He loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked. Surat Bakarah V. 275-6.

The original word used for usury in this text was riba which literally means ‘excess or addition’. To make money on lending money is prohibited in Islam and the notion of interest marks a value on money, which as we know has no value whatsoever. The elements of gharar (uncertainty) and maisir (gambling), in addition to riba (interest), makes it a clear prohibition in Islam. Looking at societal issues further supports the ban on usury. It is mechanism by which only the rich can benefit; the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. It totally contradicts the principle of distributive equity practiced in Islam. The rich are able to watch their money grow by doing nothing whilst the poor have to work doubly hard to merely pay the interest payments on their debt. This interest-based system has fuelled Third World debt crisis which is escalating to dire conditions.

ISLAM is the best...nah, nah nah-nah.

gonna go see manager now :P

a couple of things:

• welcome to my two new readers- please feel free to comment whenever, don't just read it!!
• heard the greatest news ever on Friday but am not allowed to broadcast it yet- will let you know when i get the all-clear!
• changing m masters degree, i think....

Saw another crappy programme about Muslims yday. They do all just seem to be the same thing, and im sure with the same ppl (God knows where they find them?!!), and with the same message being portrayed about Muslims! The advert for it was bad enough- but the programme itself was just interviewing random ppl on their thoughts on being British. There were a mixed group of ppl ranging from the ones that 'only follow the Qur'an/ sunnah and believe that man-made laws are crap' to the ones that have managed (in their eyes) to balance (more like separate!) deen and being British. Just loved the auntiji who was teaching Qur'an at her home- reminded me of the mosque i went to as a child.

Don't know about you but i didn't feel like i was being represented- who the hell was in the survey?!! And according to their survey only 3/4 of the ppl asked believed that 'relationships' outside marriage was bad- what did the rest of the survey think about it?!! Can't remember the others but there were a lot of conspiracy theories thrown in too- loved the one about Princess Diana and how half the muslims surveyed believed that she was assassinated just because she was maybe going to marry Dodi Al-Fayed...

Shariah TV was on yday too- couldn't be bothered to watch. Plus, its fairly crap anyway!! Only weirdos go on... ahem, Eco.

congratulations

oopsie....forgot to mention it's my sister and Zaman bhai's wedding anniversary today...how time flies!! I did remember to send them flowers so that's good of me! Dunno if she's doing anything or if she agrees with celebrating but i know my parents want to take them and Zaman bhai's family out to dinner (well, not out somewhere different but to our restaurant). I like the way they're not gonna wait till i'm home?!!- bloody hate being away from home at times like these!!!

Hope you liked the flowers- hope they smell nice cos they're the scented type.

Eco's mehndi

I will try to remember the full events of the weekend but if i forget some bits please feel to fill it in Zzze and Eco. Finished work early on Friday- dunno what for except to go buy cans of tuna for our guests from Sainsburys (which we didn't make anything with at the end) and to go shopping to get Aischa Essafi's wedding present. It was nice taking the afternoon off as the morning went by really quickly!! Plus, didn't have much to do so spent most the time writing the previous blog...

Ayesha, Zzze and my middle-sister ILo/ Haifa came up on the friday. We then started to decorate for the mehndi party. Ayesha made these amazing flower things- they were just painted flowers on fabric but they looked amazing!! Before decorating we thought we'd watch Bride & Prejudice- what a crap film but Ash looks so beautiful so i thought i'd watch it again. Zzze practiced putting mehndi on F's niece and my sister while Ayesha put mehndi on my feet. They're both very talented mashaAllah...and creative... still need to find a skill!! Ayesha bought up the pink orchid lights which do seem to be present at evry one of our events this year- kinda like our little trade mark!! We ended up sleeping at 2am, having only decorated half the room.

Woke up at 7.30 on Saturday. And NO it wasn't to prcatice the dance...we had to get ready and trek it to Slough to get the Aischa's walima. Hendon to Kings Cross to Paddington to Slough...thank God i didn't wear my saree on the journey- it would have got ruined or would have come off! This is the bit i forgot to tell u Eco- we waited to Syra for like 5/10 mins so that wasn't too bad...then we had to wait for Lydie....for like more then half hour. Still, i wasn't p***ed off about the time delay cos we weren't gonna be late but we offered to help out so didn't wanna let them down. We ended up on a packed train but got to Slough in like 20 mins or so. Still keeping my cool considering i'm having to take loadsa people to a destination. Once we were at Slough station Lydie hadn't got a ticket thinking she could get one on the train. Instead of just quickly going through the barriers withme we decided to tell the guy the truth and hoped they would just let her buy a ticket off them... £20 single from Paddington to Slough(that's two stops btw on the overground train). We paid £10 from Hendon to Slough return!! She was p***ed off..i was p***ed off- you know how i hate people relying on me to get from place to place. *reminded me of Abu Ease class*...may Allah (swt) forgive me for thinking like this and stilll give me reward for taking them, Ameen. She had to pay anyway and since we were in Slough she might as well just go to the wedding!! She gave her old address so inshaAllah they won't charge her!!

Finally got to the venue- well, what we thought was the venue and where the taxi driver dropped us off. There were no cars to be seen and the door to the building was closed....i was so just gonna go back to Hendon, thinking i'd rather be at the demonstration with Eco and Zzze! Since none of us had the wedding card with us we had to ring Anisa to get the number written on it- it was Aischa's father-in-law that picked up. He then came into view across the road so we weren't that far from the hall. When we got there we changed into our sarees- Syra trying to decide whether her one was OTT and whether it would outstage the bride...the rest of us deciding whether it would be worth getting changed cos as far as Asian wedding go (the one's im used to that is) it is hard to segregate with every male realtive thinking they your 'uncle'!! Anyhow, we got changed...went to the bathroom to put on make-up. Lydie put it on for me since i have no clue how to and Ayesha was busy doing hers...then realised the women's loo was next to the mens eating area and it was getting fairly packed. Forgot to take my nikab so was a little embarrassing walking past. Managed to find the perfect seat...in the corner somewhere near the stage and good enough to see everyone. Aischa then came to the hall with Hubby- mashaAllah they make such a cute couple and WOW she looked stunning mashAllah. We eat, drank and took pictures (minus hijaab)...we only got to take hijaab off for like 5 mins as men just coming in. Bride was obviously p***ed off but Asians just can't get this segregation thing right!!!

Trekked it to Hendon and made it back by 5.30. We were all so nackered but had to get ready for the mehndi. The bride-too-be looked beautiful in her green attire- will let you read about it on her blog!! ;p We just started sitting around and singing mehndi songs (very badly) when i had to get changed into outfit no 2 to do the dance. Quickly put on my gorgeous (mashaAllah) outfit, plait in the hair piece, get Ayesha to do the make-up, put on the bangles.... then i became very nervous! I have never danced before in public- wel, i have but not on my own with evryone staring!! I have never done Bollywood dancing so this was my first (and definately not last) attempt- things i do for Eco!?!! Got into position and started my vey first move. 5 mins later, sweating like a pig and with evryone staring, i was done- it was all over!! I made only two slight mistakes- i hop nobdy realised. They wanted another song- but i only knew this one so i had to promise to do it again later. The rest of the mehndi was nice- not too many people and not to less. There were aunti-jis, kids, friends...and we had pizza!!! After eating we just put on music and it was onlt the kids dancing really as everyone was shy! Managed to get the bride to dance- will send it to everyone who wants to see Eco do her thang! ( i am so in trouble!!). Reena (my dance teacher extraordinaire) came and we all begged for her to do a dance but she refused saying she can't remeber full routines- did my dance in front of her...she felt so proud of me!! The party kinda died down once the kids stopped dancing (well, there were just two of them at the end)- they were so good. And one of then asked me for my autograph at the end... think she must have thought i was a Bollywood star. We were all so tired by the time we went to sleep- atleast we didn't have to wake up early the next day!!

Sunday- this will be a quick summary! Ayesha and Syra made breakfast (amazing omelette and toast) whilst we all got ready to go wonder London city. We dropped Syra onto a tube to get her to uncle's wedding and we got to Camden. Been here so many times now...its so does not appeal to me anymore. But am going to go next weekend as i want to buy this Batik painted frame for my new bedroom. We were there for quite some time with none of buying anything!! Amazingly none of us got lost... we then went to Regents Park mosque to pray, chilled in the park for a bit and then went to Camden again to eat. It does seem as though we didn't really do much but we were on our feet all day and got back at 8pm.

Packed my bag for Haifa to take home while Ayesha was experimenting on Eco's face to see what would match her outfit. Between all of us (well, just me and Ayesha really) we thought we could get the right colour to match her wedding outfit- how wrong we were. I only had glittery ones that didn't match at all!! It didn't help that we decided to do it when ther was no natural light at all!?!! Anyway- will inshaAllah get it sorted in two weeks time!!

Best get back to work....

interest-based mortgage/ loans

Following many questions that I have been asked about Islamic Finance, and the job that I am doing at the moment, I thought I’d write about it. Sorry, it will be a short summary as I can’t be bothered to go into so much detail, plus it’ll take forever and plus I do not have extensive knowledge into Islamic Finance. Hence, I am doing my Masters in Islamic Banking, Finance and Management starting from September. (I do obviously know more then your average Joe and can maybe convince you that it is better to get an Islamic mortgage or loan then a conventional one).

Please note- I am not a scholar/sheikh/mufti and am not giving a legal ruling!

There are three things that make the conventional modes of finance prohibited in Islam- Gharar (uncertainty), Maisir (gambling) and the most obvious Riba (interest). Interest has been mentioned several times in the Qur’an and its severity clearly stated. It is the one issue that, if you take part in it, you will wage a war against Allah (swt) and His Messenger (pbuh)!

O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers. If ye do it not, take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger. But if ye turn back, ye shall have your capital sums: Deal not unjustly, and ye shall not be dealt with unjustly. If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew. And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly. Surah Baqarah v. 278-281

Interest, like alcohol, does not restrict prohibition to just the actual user. The one who has any kind of dealings with interest, such as being the middle person in a transaction or transferring it into a someone else’s account for example, will be accountable just as much as the person who has direct dealings with interest. This hadith confirms that….

From Jabir (peace be upon him) - the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the receiver and payer of interest, the one who records it and the two witnesses to the transaction and said: "They are all alike in guilt". (Reported in Muslim, Tirmidhi and Ahmad)

There is also a hadith (which I can’t find) that states that dealing with interest is like fornicating with your own mother.

Charging interest on borrowing is prohibited as you are charging someone extra for lending to them. This act has clearly been condemned by the Prophet (pbuh) as He said if someone gives you a one sar (a form of measurement) of date then you should return it with one sar of date…or something along them lines. *Man! I’m losing the power to sustain information in my ‘ickle brain!!*. This is what banks are doing- they are charging you interest payments for borrowing a certain amount from them. By doing this they are therefore placing value on money- and at the end of the day money is nothing but a piece of paper (with really no nominal value at all). Making money from doing nothing at all is prohibited in Islam- some sort of risk must be involved!! It is mechanism by which only the rich can benefit; the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. It totally contradicts the principle of distributive equity practiced in Islam. The rich are able to watch their money grow exponentially by doing nothing whilst the poor have to work doubly hard to merely pay the interest payments on their debt. This interest-based system has fuelled Third World debt crisis which is escalating to dire conditions.
Placing value on a tangible good, like a house, or a commodity, like metal, is permitted.

Now, I shall go onto Islamic mortgage and loans (I will not be using any Islamic terminology so as to not confuse you and cos they all sound pretty similar!!). The way conventional mortgage works is by the bank lending you money and you purchasing the house you want and then you paying back the amount borrowed with interest payments over a period of about 20+ years. The way is which these Islamic Financial institutions works is by them going into partnership with you. Instead of just giving money to buy a house- they go into a joint partnership and assist you to purchase a house. They will pay approx 90% of the purchase price and you will pay 10%. You will then pay monthly to them to buy their portion of the house to make it fully yours. The house is in their name as they have paid for most of it and you then pay rent to them for living in their house. This makes sense, yeah?!- like you would if you were to rent a house or live somewhere that wasn’t yours!! This is how the bank will make its money- through rental payments. I know what you’re all thinking- the rent payment is probably the same amount as interest payments, or maybe even more so it’s really just interest but renamed. Well, no its not!! As interest is putting value on money and charging for borrowing….here the bank is charging you for using something that isn’t yours- who the hell paid for most of the house?!! (btw, there is another way mortgage works- say a house costs £100,000 the bank will tell you to pay £110,000 over a pre-agreed period. This form isn’t so common and is permitted as there is no uncertainty. Plus, anything pre-agreed in a contract is permitted in Islam). Many ask me this question about the amount being the same…this is the reason they doubt the whole Islamic Banking method. Well, let me use this analogy (I made this one up myself- I am so proud!) and make the situation clear! It’s like two chicken on a farm, both came out the same mother, fed the same food, treated the same way, etc, etc. When it comes to sacrificing the chicken one is done the halal way and the other the non-halal way. Which would you eat...it’s the same chicken isn’t it?...NO?…thought not. You’d obviously eat the halal chicken (even though if you ask a non-Muslim to taste them both they will probably tell you it tastes the same) as it has been killed by means that have been set down by Allah (swt). In this same way the amount you pay to the bank for your house may be the exact same amount but in principle islamically they are two different things!! Dude…this is going on abit!! The bank, in this way, is trading- which is allowed (making money and a living is also allowed in Islam!). It’s like saying when you go to buy something from a shop that you don’t know that the seller brought it for real cheap and is selling it to you for a profit!?!!

Those who devour usury will not stand except as stand one whom the Evil one by his touch Hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury," but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (The offence) are companions of the Fire: They will abide therein (for ever). Surah Baqarah v. 275

Your relationship with the bank is also different. As the owner of the property, the Bank faces risks associated with property ownership. This is quite different from conventional mortgage as the Bank never owns the property or has anything to do with the risks involved. If we were living in an Islamic world then this would work tremendously as each partner would be honest to one another and if payments couldn’t be made then the bank would lend a hand somehow. We do not however live in a perfect Islamic World…this is what people don’t seem to understand either!! Islamic Finance isn’t a new concept but it is a growing concept with scholars and Islamic finance/ economic intellectuals continuously working towards improving the products on offer. At the moment it’s the best on offer and probably the lesser of two evil in that sense. At the end of the day interest is haram!- so if Islamic mortgage doesn’t appeal to you you can always rent!!! So there isn’t any reason to take out a conventional mortgage. In terms of Fatwa- there was a fatwa given 20/30 years back for those in the west who had to buy a house (due to wanting a home and stable living conditions for them and their kids) that getting interest-based mortgage was permitted. But with certain conditions…you could only buy a house that was within your means, only get a mortgage to buy a house, monthly payments should be within your means too, and only purchasing one house. People obviously took advantage of this fatwa and brought houses that were well above their means and started buying a few houses at a time…now the ulema have gotten rid of this fatwa and do not permit interest-based mortgage as they can see the alternative. Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani has given the fatwa so don’t even think about messing with him…

Since it would be hard to get in contact with him directly you can ring Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam (plug). His website is on my links- he is a student of Mufti Taqi Usmani and is very knowledgeable on finance and especially Stocks/ Shares (I have no idea about anything to do with this topic!). That’s another thing that p***es me off- ppl with no knowledge about the fiqh of finance or the financial world speaking and slating the work done by these great scholars. I must admit I, as well as the scholars, don’t believe that the Islamic financial alternative presented to us is 100% halal but it is continuously being developed and improvements in products are constantly being available. Again this is because of my lack of knowledge in fiqh… It’s also because we don’t live in an Islamic world and also because the financial world is very complicated- dealing with equity, bonds, stocks, insurance, etc, etc, etc… this must be very boring for those who have read up to here!

Can you guarantee that the chicken you are eating in 100% halal?...not just the way its cut but also the way its treated?! *You know what they say about Nandos* In the same way give Islamic Finance a chance. The more people invest in it the quicker it will grow and the quicker we will take over the world!!

I think I shall stop writing now…I’ll write next time about what Christian/Jews say about interest…

last plug of the day

even if i was free this weekend which one would i go to...Riyadh ul Haq and Khalid Yasin vs. Ziaullah Khan, Ahmed Ali and Salim Al-Amry. Why would they have two great events on the same day?!!

AN EVENING OF ISLAM 2006
Date: Saturday 26th August 2006Time: 4.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Venue: Brent Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley, Middlesex, HA9 9HD

Guest speakers include Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq, Shaykh Khalid Yasin,Sister Yvonne Ridley and Hajj Ahmad Thomson.
Recitation by HassanRasool, Nasheeds by Shaam, Martial Arts Demonstration and a funcharity auction.

Seperate seating for sisters and there will beprayer facilities.

A quality restaurant dinner is included inthe ticket price.
For more information please contact:Tel: 07739 352 552 / 07930 219 016
Website: www.totallyislamic.com

conference at harvard

aww, i love my job. will blog another day about it...but have to get back now. This reminds me of Legally Blonde...anyone willing to pay for me to go?!!

V International Conference on
Islamic Legal Studies"Lawful and Unlawful Violence in Islamic Law and History"

Friday, September 8, 2006 - Sunday, September 10, 2006

Attendance and RegistrationIf you would like to attend the conference, please e-mail your name, affiliation (university, company), and work or home address to ilsp@law.harvard.edu.

Registration for non-Harvard affiliates is $30. Please send a cheque made out on a U.S. bank or a money-order to Harvard University to the following address:

Islamic Legal Studies Program Harvard Law School 125 Mt Auburn St., 3rd Floor Cambridge, MA 02138 USA

The pre-registration fee allows us to prepare conference materials for your attendance. Without pre-registration, you will not receive conference materials. Your cheque will be returned to you if notice of non-attendance is given to ILSP up to August 15, 2006. Registration on site, to cover coffee and tea breaks, will be $15.

JIMAS

why oh why is it wedding season this year?!! I can't believe Pink's sisters wedding is on the same weekend as JIMAS... wedding or a chance to see Ziaullah Khan and Ahmed Ali and Salim Al-Amry?!! Decisions, decisions, decisions... :(

JIMAS 13th INTERNATIONAL DA'WAH CONFERENCE
Dates: Friday 25th August - Monday 28th August 2006 Time: 11.00 am (Fri) - 11.30 am (Mon)
Venue: Gilbert Murray Halls Conference Facilities, University ofLeicester,
Manor Road, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 2LG

This year's theme will be Improving the Manners of a Muslim - Makingour Actions Match our Guidance.
Topics: Manners Seen by Allah and Felt by People, Be a Muslim -Your Country Needs You, Differing with Justice - Maintaining OurGrace, A Journey of Worship in 24 Hours, Marital Life - How toEnjoy a Blessed Life, Restoring the Honour of Women, FindingFavour with Allah by Upholding the Ties of Kinship, Beware!We are on His Majesty's Service.

Invited Speakers: Shaikh Sohaib Hasan, Shaikh Hamza Yusuf, ShaikhJaafar Idris, Ustadh Tawfique Chowdhury, Shaykh Ahmad Ali, ImamYasir Qadhi, Br Shabir Ally, Shaikh Salim al-Amry, Imam ZiaullahKhan, Dr Mamdouh Mohamed, Dr Hesham Al-Awadi and Br Kamal El Mekki.

Seminars: Muslim Youth - Our Hope for the Future, Dawah - Projects,Professionalism and Variety
* There will also be a Youth Programme of education and sports* All lectures will be delivered in English*

Register early as places are limited

For more information and to book a place contact:Tel: 01473 251 578
Website: http://www.jimas.org/conf05/index.html

Regets Park...Regents Street

I hate this weather...i hate it when its too sunny too!! My trousers are soaked while i sit here at work trying to think of soomething to do today since my manager isn't here. Been doing my own thing this whole week, and most of last week, but now need a little guidance as to whether what i'm doing is right...

Yesterday was nice- wasn't with Eco yesterday. That's not the reason why it was nice! I met up with my mates who came up from Birmingham. Just two of them came to stay with my mate who works at Westminster Uni as Education Officer. She lives in Archway but for some reason this whole year i thought she lived in Angel...thank God i didn't say that i'd meet her at her place!! We met on Oxfod Street and went to this pizza place on Goodge Street- alhamdullilah the Muslim League Centre or something is next door so got to pray Asr in a prayer room. Did have my travel prayer mat and Eco's compass with me so it wouldn't have been a problem praying anywhere.

With the grey clouds above our heads we weren't sure whether we wanted to go see A Midsummer Nights Dream in Regents Park Open Air Theatre... but we thought it would be an experience if it did start pouring it down. As we were all so broke we ended up getting the cheapest tickets- £10. For that price you get to sit on the grass area on the side!(Actually the best seats!!) I wouldn't exactly call it grass as there was no green patch but it had to do. 10 mins before the start it started to rain...badly! And because we really didn't want to get wet we brought these plastic covers for £3.50. We looked hilarious- the way we were all sitting we look like a poached egg...3 of us were in white plastic and 2 of us in yellow (Eco you can borrow the yellow for your mehndi outfit)...guess you just had to be there!! Took pictures on my phone otherwise i would put them up :(

We then started getting into an argument about whether me and Tasha had read this in Year 8 or 9...i was certain i'd read it at school otherwise i wouldn't have known what it was about.....but then i think i was getting it mixed up with Twelth Night- that can't be right?!! What play is Viola in?- is there a Viola in any of Shakespeares' plays? Anyway, we concluded that Tasha had definitely not read it as she was lost most of the way through the first half! So there was a running commentary next to me with Kiran explaining to Tasha what ws happening. I would tell you what happened in the second half but there was no second half!!! Pissed off!!! They got a msg from the Met Office, apparently, saying it wasn't going to stop so the show had to be cancelled!! No worries- we could use the tickets again for another show. *I wonder whether i have to go see A Midsummer Nights Dream again or whether i can watch another play...*

We then went to this cake shop cos Tahsa was hungry- never known anyone to eat as much as her!!MashaAllah that girl can eat! Caffe Concerto or something on Regents Street. It was so amazing- they had the most delicious looking cakes in the whole world. It really gives Moonlight a run for its money. LOL Really wanted the strawberry cheesecake but the guy said it had alcohol in- how nice of him to let us know. Opted to have the chocolate mousse cake- it was a fairly small slice but i could finish it! The chocolate was so rich after the first bite i was full man. The guys were foreign who worked there- not asian FOBs but some European breed. He kept smiling...maybe because he couldn't speak that much English....it made me feel awkward, so i kept smiling too. BAD IDEA. He asked whether we were on holiday? dunno if that was his way of asking where i was originally from cos he seems confused when i told him we're all from England. He probably wouldn't have known where B'desh is anyway...

Bushra's flat is so nice and cosy- two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathrom. Her cousin, Afroze, now lives with her- hadn't seen her for atleast 5/6 years. She was telling me what she's been up to...make-up/ beauty course degree thing in Canada. How kool is that?!! She now wants to work for MAC or somewhere similar and eventually go work for Vogue. She showed me her work- not my kinda style but it was interesting. She came top of her class in Canada so her work, i presume, is really good. Modern rather then traditional. She then came out with that she would like to use me in some way- well, not me just my eyes. She said they were strange but interesting and would be fascinating to work with... shall have to consult my Mufti about that, as well as Eco. She'd also hav problems cos i don't shape my eyebrows- she said she'd fill them in or something. We then talked about about school and how her and her mates knew me as 'the girl with the eyes' and thought i was stuck-up!! Could you believe it- how wrong she was...and she obviously doesn't think im stuck up now. Stayed up till 3am and now i am falling asleep at the keyboard... MAN, i can go on abit about crap!!!!

halal

Dilemma.

Going for lunch at work is always an issue. The place where i work doesn't really have many places to eat (wel, it does but not that great places). The first week i was here, and a bit of the second week, i took food from home but then had issues with where i should go and eat my lunch. The only place i found was this bench by the bus stop facing the facing the traffic- how scenic.

After the period of packed lunches was over i started to explore the food establishments on Pinner Road. I first tried this Iraqi cafe. It looks the type that builders go to to have a full English Breakfast in the middle of the afternoon. I thought i'd try it cos the guy was like 'i am muslim...you are muslim'. I ordered tuna salad sandwich thinking it was the safest option in this run-down cafe. How wrong i was- im sure the bread was stale!! Anyway, a couple of days later i stumbled upon CHICKEN COTTAGE- felt as though i was back in Manchester. Had my usual Lamb Burger meal. Disappointment. That is how i would describe my experience. Tried this fish&chip shop where i only had money for a regular portion of chips and couldn't be bothered to trek it to the cash machine!! Tried another fish&chip shop and they gave me too much- and it wasn't like chip-shop chips!but the plaice was nice. LOL (can u tell that i love chips?!!)

A couple of times Reena tookk me to her home and fed me. With five more weeks of work i had to do something about this lunch issue. I can't even go out to lunch with anyone in the office cos either they's in their early-30s, or they're men or they're FOBs. Don't mind eating on my own anyway.

So this is where the dilemma begins. I thought id try this burger place a bit further down. No sign of it being Halal anywhere but the owner seemed Muslim. So i asked, like a stupid person that i am, whether the food was halal. Of course they're gonna say YES cos if they say NO i probably wouldn't have brought anything. So i ordered a 1/4 pounder with chips. It wasn't even that nice- i guess thats Allah's(swt) way of punishing me for trusting this Turkih man. Never going to this place again. So today i thought i'd try this small and pretty cafe- and it looked clean!! But the queue was really long and the place was packed that i tought id try it another day. Went to the Iraqi cafe again and this time didn't order any sandwich but that only left me with chips....but what would i have it with. The salad didn't look nice and there only seemed to be sausages there. So has chips and beans. Once the meal was over the lady did say that the sausages were halal and asked whether i wanted some....i refused and then pondered whether she was telling the truth. She couldn't speak a word of English but managed to tell me earlier that the chicken wasn't halal... and the sausages are?!! Confused...are we supposed to believe 'muslims' when the tell us that the food they're serving us is halal?