ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Ack, usually bigots are good about keeping their opinions to themselves, but sometimes they just can't help splattering it everywhere. wacko.gif

Perhaps it's a sign to you from God, nudging you down the straight path. Did you listen to the SP lesson yet? The shaykh talked about how surah al fatiha is the gateway to the Qur'an. It's the first and most important thing we read, and what is in it? A prayer. It's all a prayer from the believer to her Lord. Ayah 6 of the surah speaks of this - Ihdina alssirata almustaqeem - "Guide us on the Straight Path"
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-18 15:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
QUOTE (Turia @ Sep 18 2008, 10:49 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That article was enlightening Rahma, thanks. I on the other hand have had a very rough week with fasting. I've cheated more than once and more than one day. I just seem to have a rough time when i'm alone. Its easier to do this when hubby is home!


It does help when you have support yes.gif Is there anything you can do to get out of the house? I know weekends are usually harder, since when I'm not constantly occupied with work, my mind wanders to food. I try to go out and take a walk, and do craft projects that involve my hands. I'm currently working on a cross stitch project. Can't put food in your mouth if your hands are full laughing.gif


QUOTE (Ash * Habibati @ Sep 18 2008, 10:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Take it easy on yourself, I said it before but god knows your heart!

My problem lately has been with my husband... some bad family problems going on and I don't know what's up with him (my family not his and they don't involve him ) and he has slacked off praying. I keep asking him if something is wrong and he said he is just being lazy and it doesn't feel the same as Ramadan in Tunisia did, but I'm still a bit worried about it. Has anyone else seen this happen? A DH who is praying a lot in their own country, start doing so here and then slack off ? I am worried about him all the time.



Hmm, maybe it's time to shake up his routine. If you guys don't pray together, try that. If he still won't do it, make sure to make a big deal about making wudu, getting ready to pray and then deliberately pray in front of him. Maybe he'll feel guilty and start innocent.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-18 10:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
My handy little book of dua is at home, so inshaAllah I'll check it when I'm done with work.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-18 10:47:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Alhamdulilah, we're getting close to the last 10 days of Ramadan. The first 10 days of the month are of mercy, the second 10 are of forgiveness, and the last 10 are emancipation from the hellfire. If you haven't gotten in the habit already, make a few rakat of prayer when you get up for suhoor, make some dua, make some dhikr, read some quran, do something for Allah (swt).

Maximize the last 10 days of Ramadan
IslamOnline's Last 10 days section
When is Laylat al Qadr?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-18 10:43:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
I'm here to continue the muslim olympics inshaAllah (for all you playing along at home, that is the proper usage of the word).

Got this on one of my NPR podcasts yesterday - Ramadan Tests First-Timer's Willpower - recent american convert married to an egyptian. I wonder if it's anyone we know innocent.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-18 07:49:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Hmm, could it be a result of not having a gall bladder? I know everything goes right through me after I break my fast, but that usually only means 2 or 3 times before I hit the hay.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-09 09:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Someone is having pancakes at their desk crying.gif Well, I don't know that for sure, but I can smell something very sweet and syrupy crying.gif

I'm usually pretty good about ignoring the lunch smells in the office, cookies abounding and people walking by my desk sipping a soda, but to have to deal with breakfast smells? wacko.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-09 08:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
I posted a note with the Milwaukee muslim blogger. I'll let you know as soon as she gets back to me inshaAllah star_smile.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-08 10:48:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
QUOTE (Turia @ Sep 8 2008, 10:13 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Aymsgirl @ Sep 8 2008, 06:42 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Terrie---Does your husband go to a local Masjid? I was thinking that he could speak to somebody there and let them know what is going on with you and maybe they can refer somebody to outreach to you.



No he don't. I've contacted the center in milwaukee, gotton a few email addys, and no response from one, and the other just hasn't contacted me after the first two intials contacts. I'm getting discouraged and a bit miffed. Like all my faith is just starting to fade away.



If my faith were based upon the actions of muslims, it would have been drained (or blown) away long ago. I learned about Islam online and rarely interacted with muslims in the real world before my conversion. Sometimes I say "thank God I learned about Islam before I met muslims," because sometimes the behavior of members of our community is attrocious.

In times of hardship, turn to God and ask Him to guide you. He's the one who brings people to Islam, not people at the masjid smile.gif

I'm sorry you're having a hard time getting in touch with people. I read the blog of a muslim in Milwaukee. I'll drop her a line and see if she can get you hooked up.

In the mean time, as Aymsgirl said, pull up a chair and ask here.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-08 10:38:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
To build off what HisLittleMasriyah said:

Abu Huraira (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (saws) as saying: If anyone forgets that he is fasting and eats or drinks he should complete his fast, for it is only Allah Who has fed him and given him drink. (Muslim)
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-08 07:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Ooo, Jackie, I'm jealous. No one in my family is remotely interested in the deen sad.gif






19 part class by Imam Zaid on the Blessings of Ramadan available for free at zaytuna

http://www.zaytuna.org/multimedia.asp

Only the first 2 parts have been released thus far. He does use a lot of islamic terminology in arabic without translating, so if you're wondering about anything, write it down and inshaAllah I can translate it.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-07 11:53:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Ramadan talks by Imam Suhaib Webb

Ramadan Spiritual Revivalism and Q&As
Ramadan 101

The Fast of Ramadan and the Furious Shaytan Part One and Two
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-06 10:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
QUOTE (Turia @ Sep 5 2008, 05:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (rahma @ Sep 5 2008, 12:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>


Download a dua pamphlet with important dua for this month.

QUOTE
Gate of ar-Rayyan is a pamphlet with all of the duas from the authentic Sunnah for Ramadan. All the supplications that you will need throughout the month will be within this pack. Presented in a very unique and beautiful design, there is no excuse for you not to learn these duas. For THIS Ramadan (and beyond) and to share it with others. Make your fasts, your iftar's, your suhoor come to alive with these powerful duas.




Rahma-this link is not allowing me to download it. I'm not sure what to do.



If you click on this link - http://duapower.com/...let_version.zip - you should be able to download a zip file. When you unzip it, there are the pages to print.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-06 10:12:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
With very few exceptions that usually only take place at progressive muslim gatherings, women do cover their head when they pray even if they don't usually cover.

If you don't have a scarf handy, I know the target by me usually has some around. If not, the mosque will most likely keep some on hand for women who forget to bring them along star_smile.gif

For other clothes, pants that aren't too tight and a long sleeve shirt that isn't too tight would work just fine. American mosques are usually pretty diverse in dress, so you'll have women wearing a wide variety of clothes. Just so long as you're modestly dressed, no shorts, no skirts that are above the ankle, you should be a-ok good.gif

Don't get too nervous over it. You're a newbie, and inshaAllah people will be understanding.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-05 12:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008


Download a dua pamphlet with important dua for this month.

QUOTE
Gate of ar-Rayyan is a pamphlet with all of the duas from the authentic Sunnah for Ramadan. All the supplications that you will need throughout the month will be within this pack. Presented in a very unique and beautiful design, there is no excuse for you not to learn these duas. For THIS Ramadan (and beyond) and to share it with others. Make your fasts, your iftar's, your suhoor come to alive with these powerful duas.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-05 12:16:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
QUOTE (Melly 2 @ Sep 2 2008, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Assalamu alaykum and hello smile.gif

I have not been around in some time but I just wanted to drop in and say Ramadan Kareem to everyone. May Allah grant you every success and make the month easy for you, ameen.

Oh, it's Melly btw. Couldn't think of anything better for a name so I just picked Melly 2. tongue.gif

I hope everyone is in the best of health and spirits.

rose.gif


Hey girl! Drop me a line and tell me how you are star_smile.gif
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 15:59:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008


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UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 15:33:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
QUOTE (Nawal @ Sep 2 2008, 11:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Rahma...the no computer part will be so very hard. I can try to cut down but seeing that work requires I be on all day long and at home we contact family overseas...It's been a trial.


I know. It's also freakin addictive!

QUOTE
What are you doing? Just cutting down or will you be offline from now on?


While I greatly respect sh. Hamza, I don't think I"ll be able to follow his advice this month, lol. I'm definately reducing the media all around, but to give it up completely? I've been trying to give up TV for a year, and I'm a complete and utter failure in that department.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 15:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Oh man, if I had been in Ohio, I would have been all over ISNA. Granted, it's mainly a bunch of young desis macking on each other, but there were some awesome speakers (as always). I think next year it's in DC, and then the year after that it's back in Chicago. I've always been too poor to afford going, but I think if we save up these next 2 years we can go inshaallah.

Here is some Ramadan advice from Sh. Hamza:

http://www.hahmed.co...kh-hamza-yusuf/

Alhamdulillah, ISNA 2008 Convention Over… and not only is it time to get back to work, but Ramadan is here! Inshallah ill try to post some pics/vids/notes from the conference over the upcoming days if not weeks.

Nonetheless, since it is the start of Ramadan I thought i would share some notes from Shaykh Hamza Yusuf’s final talk at the main MSA Session in which he gave some Ramadan Advice: (Note: These are only notes from my interpretation of his lecture, and any mistakes I may have made are solely my fault.)

- The Quran is our GPS on our road of life. It is the book that provides us with a map and clearly guided directions on how to live our life. The more we give to the Quran, the more it will give back to you.

- At the beginning of any struggle (mujahada) - you have to work hard. The harder you work the easier Allah will make it for you to do that work and gain benefit from it. Shaykh Hamza mentioned the account of a man who came to him who asked how he could develop the persistence of prayer that his father had (he would always perform many additional prayers (tahajjud) in addition to the daily 5 everyday) - and Shaykh Hamza mentioned that his father must have been doing this for years - and he didnt reach that state overnight. We have to continually struggle!

- And we will have ups and downs and change. The believer’s state will change 40 times per day whereas the disbeliever’s state stays the same for over 40 years. A child for example - always lives in the moment - because change quickly manifests in their state at that moment. We as Muslims need to make the most of each moment.

- Muslims feeling depressed? - Do more for the sake of God (Pray more, read more Quran, give more charity…)

- Know yourself. Understand your own personality and issues and work on self-knowledge. For he who knows himself knows his Lord. (Shaykh Hamza gave the example of the 4 classic temperaments: choleric, sanguine, melancholic, and phlegmatic.)

Specific Ramadan Advice:
1. No Television. If you have a TV - put it away in a closet for this month.
2. No Computer (sad.gif).
3. Cut Down all sensory stimulation

- He understands how many of us (This goes especially for me) are addicted to the internet and e-mail. He says if the first thing we do in the morning is check our email - we have problems. (I actually noticed myself reaching for my Treo to check my email as i was turning to shut my alarm off this morning - but stopped myself thinking of what Shaykh Hamza said!).

- The first thing we should do when we get up in the morning is be thankful and look forward to praying to Allah and say:




All praise is for Allah who gave us life after having taken it from us and unto Him is the Resurrection

- TIME MANAGEMENT. We all need to work on prioritizing our time. The Prophet Muhammad never wasted any of his time. Time is a limited gift from God. Shaykh Hamza never accepts the excuse that “I don’t have time”, for ALL WE HAVE IS TIME!

- One of the greatest tribulations facing this planet today is tribalism. Tribalism = Iblisism. No (insert race/tribe here) is better than any other race/tribe. In America - tribalism means nothing. One positive thing about the African American experience is that it removed tribalism.

- Some final comments about America. He realizes and condemns all the injustices committed by our country. Shaykh Hamza is anti-war and against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and torture (Guantanamo Bay). This universe is a moral universe, and Shaykh Hamza believes in cause and effect, and that the chickens do come home to roost! He quoted Thomas Jefferson who said that “[He] shudders for my country when I reflect that God is just, (that His justice cannot sleep forever)”. America needs to be redeemed!
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-09-02 07:36:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
This hadith was mentioned in my class this morning. Since today is the last or second to last day of Sha'ban (Allahu Alem), it's a good time to read it:

Salman (ra) reports, "On the last day of Shaban the Prophet Muhammad (saws) addressed us and said, 'O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made Fasting compulsory by day. And has made sunnah the worship (taraweeh) by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any supererogatory virtuous deed, for such person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a obligatory act in any other time. And whoever performs a obligatory act, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy obligatory acts in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Paradise. It is the month of sympathy with one's fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer's sustenance is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and emancipation from the fire of Hell, and for such feeder shall be the same reward as the one who Fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least."

Thereupon we said, "O messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast." The Prophet (saws) replied, "Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk."

"This is a month, the first of which brings Allah's mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings emancipation from the fire of Hell."

"Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Hell."

"And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. La ilaha il Allah) and make much Istighfaar (beg Allah's forgiveness with Astagirfirul-laah)." And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah, entrance into paradise and ask refuge in Him from Hell."

"And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from My fountain, such a drink where after that person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Paradise."

Ibn Khuzayma & Al-Bayhaqi
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-31 11:14:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Download Ramadan cards from deviant art!

http://artiki.devian...-a-r-d-96494549
http://rizvigrafiks....r-Pack-96448936
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-31 10:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
This looks pretty spiffy good.gif

HeartWheel Journal

Download and print a journal for Ramadan. Each day has a little theme, something to think on, and things to look up in the Qur'an and hadith. Then you can plan for tomorrow, reflect on what you did that day, and take a look at your salat.

Apparently there's going to be a short program each night on Islam Channel to go along with the journal, but I'm not sure if it will be available for those in the US. I'll keep my eyes peeled and see if it will be on youtube or anything.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-28 13:39:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Hmm, I don't have theonlyword on my ipod right now, but I'll see about putting it back on and seeing how it works.



There are many rewards for interacting with the Qur'an. I once heard a shaykh say that the best way to read the Qur'an was to have the mushaf (text) in front of you, and to read it aloud. This way, you are interacting with the Qur'an with your hands (holding the text), your eyes (reading the text), your tongue (reciting the text) and your ears (listening to the text). On the day of judgment, our limbs testify for or against us. The more limbs you engage in your good deeds (in this case reading the Qur'an), the more witnesses you will have on the day of judgment.

You can even take it a step further, if you don't understand the arabic, to recite it in arabic, and then read the meaning, because there is extra thawab (reward) for understanding what you are reciting. Further contemplate on the meaning, and you're engaging your reasoning, bingo!

The Excellence of Reading and Reciting the Qur'an
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-28 08:41:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
Got this via email. It looks like you can't register til tomorrow. Sh. Faraz is a scholar of hanafi fiqh, and the 2 course texts are both hanafi fiqh books.

SeekersGuidance (www.SeekersGuidance.com) presents:

Fasting Explained
The Fiqh of Fasting, and Its Virtues
- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

COURSE FORMAT:
Pre-recorded downloadable lessons.

COURSE LENGTH:
A short course of pre-recorded downloadable lessons. The three lessons (total: 90 min) will cover the following:
1. The Virtues of Fasting
2. Fasting Defined: The Valid Fast
3. What invalidates the fast and is to be avoided while fasting.

COURSE TEXTS:
1. Imam Shurunbulali’s Maraqi al-Sa`adaat
2. Ala’ al-Din Abidin’s Hadiyya al-`Ala’iyya
Text translations, course slides, self study drills, and other related readings will be provided upon registration.

SUBJECT MATTER:
This course aims to inculcate students with a deeper understanding of why we fast. It will include answers to the most common situations and contemporary issues that arise when fasting.

This course is FREE!
Take advantage of this essential course as part of your
Ramadan preparation, and hit the ground running.

The first 25 registrants will also get a free copy of Mawlid al Hujjaj

Registration opens on Aug 27th 2008, from 9am GMT
Course to commence on Aug 29th 2008, from 9am GMT
www.SeekersGuidance.com

WHO IS SHAYKH FARAZ RABBANI?
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a researcher and teacher of the Islamic sciences, specializing in Islamic Law. He is the Educational Director of SeekersGuidance (www.SeekersGuidance.com); a teacher with The Razi Institute (www.TheRaziInstitute.org); a partner and legal advisor with StraightWay Ethical Advisory; and a columnist for Islamica Magazine.

Shaykh Faraz obtained a Bachelor’s in Economics & Commerce from the University of Toronto in 1997. Subsequently, he studied and taught the Islamic sciences in Damascus, Amman, and Karachi for ten years, under leading Islamic scholars, including Shaykh Adib Kallas, Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, Shaykh Muhammad Jumuah, Shaykh Akram Abd al-Wahhab, Shaykh Nuh Keller, and Mufti Mahmud Ashraf Usmani. Today he lives and teaches in Toronto, Canada, with his wife and three children.

WHAT IS SEEKERSGUIDANCE?
SeekersGuidance is an online Islamic educational portal that provides:
1. relevant, reliable, and inspiring Islamic educational courses and lesson-sets
2. reliable, clear answers to your questions on worship and life
3. uplifting and inspirational downloadable Islamic media–spiritual songs, children’s lesson-sets
… and much more.

WHAT IS MAWLID AL HUJJAJ?
Qur’anic recitation of 3:136-144 and the first two Chapters of the Burda, recited by Shaykh Diya’ Nasir.

IS THERE AN EMAIL LIST I CAN SUBSCRIBE TO FOR UPDATES?
Absolutely!! Subscription is just a click away at www.SeekersGuidance.com

For further information, please email us at: info@seekersguidance.com
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-26 12:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan 2008
I present to you:

rahma's ultimate ramadan linkage

which I put together for the recent Muslimah's Speak Up Ramadan Carnival.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2008-08-25 09:45:00
Middle East and North Africatourist visa for a friend from a MENA country
No one? Guess we'll be the pioneers then :)
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2010-08-12 10:16:00
Middle East and North Africatourist visa for a friend from a MENA country
Any old peeps in the house? Has anyone's SO successfully apply for a tourist visa to come and visit him here in the US?

AbuS' friend is a well establish dentist who owns his own clinic, is married and has 2 young children. What else would be good for him to do to show that he has ties to Egypt and doesn't intend to immigrate?

And what can we do on our side here to help?
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2010-08-11 12:44:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan
A free coming up event:

Posted Image
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2010-08-12 10:18:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan
2 different start dates for Ramadan are not unusual here in the US, as we have no central religious authority to dictate these things. People follow any number of ways to determine the beginning of the month.

Those who started on Wednesday did so because the calculations told them to, or because they relied on the (faulty) supposed sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia (where it wasn't humanly possible to be seen, but someone they managed).

Those who started on Thursday either waited for a true sighting of the moon anywhere in the world, or waited to see it in the US.

Both are fine, and par for the course here. No matter how many proclamations and conferences and discussions we have on this issue, the american muslim ummah is unlikely to ever start Ramadan on the same day.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2010-08-12 10:15:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan
Posted Image
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2010-08-11 12:37:00
Middle East and North AfricaRamadan & overbearing WASP family
Assalamu alaikum wr wb,

They're either going to be po-ed at your now, or po-ed at you later, so why not get it over sooner rather than later?

I'm one who didn't tell my parents about my conversion for fear of their reaction. But, they suspected something, snooped in my email, found out and we had a huge blow out confrontation. It's different for everybody, but I think in my case, if I had been more open and honest, things wouldn't have been so rough for me religion and marriage wise. I've been a muslim for almost a decade, and this is the first Ramadan my mother isn't actively discouraging me from fasting. It's also the first Ramadan that they're aware of it and taking an active interest - they found an article about Husain Abdullah, the Minnesota Vikings player who is fasting for Ramadan and shared it with me, which I thought was very sweet. Alhamdulilah.

If you can't bear to face them in person, write a letter and send it to the people you think will be most bothered. Emphasize you're not rejecting them, and that you will still always love and care for them. Lay everything out and invite only polite discussion and questions. Don't get into debates, and just say, yes, I'm muslim, alhamdulilah, and that's all there is to it.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2010-08-16 09:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaYou know your husband is ____ when...
Ok, gotta pump some life back into the board.

I came across this list on The Egyptian's Wife's blog. My husband and I laughed and laughed going through it.

Anyone else want to make up a you know your husband is ____ list?

You know your husband is Egyptian when...

he insists that if you don't wear slippers in the house you will catch cold.

you find yourself cooking fatah and stuffed grape leaves when you are happy with him.

you can't tell if he's yelling because he's mad or just yelling when he's talking to his family on the phone.

you think "insha'Allah" means "if I can."

the biggest threat he makes to the kids is "the slipper".

he has stories of his own parents and "the slipper".

every story from his youth involves someone named Mohammad.

he never eats fish when he has a cold.

he drinks tea upon waking, when getting ready, when working... Well, he just drinks lots of tea.

your closet contains a box of things from Egypt to use when you need a last minute gift for someone.

you have at least one cartouche in your jewelry collection.

he has a great sense of humor.

everyone says "I have always wanted to go there!" when you tell them where he is from.

he gets steamed up when all the American depictions of Egypt are the guys in Giza or upper Egypt wearing jilbab.

he never says Alexandria, always Alex.

you wear hegab in the masgid... not hijab in the masjid.

it isn't a meal if you don't offer your guest as much food and variety as the average American gets in a week.

almost everything you cook has cumin, coriander, onions, garlic, and bell pepper.

you have mastered the art of filo dough.

not only do you buy eggplant, you make more than one dish with it.

you know who Amr Diab is, and you actually have at least one CD.

you are truly loved by a man with a heart as big as the ocean;)


I added the following:

when someone asks where he's from, he launches into full tour agent mode and doesn't stop until they promise to visit Egypt at some point in their life.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-15 18:57:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids

Anyways, back to culture.. :P What is the most important non-religious tradition you want to pass down to you kids?

For me it's the tradition of making Ma'moul and Ca'ek (Walnut & Date stuffed cookies). This was always such a joy for me growing up. There would be several of doing it in an assembly line, similar to when a mexican family makes tamales. It's a long process but in the end you get to sit and enjoy your cookies..YUM



For Tamer and I, I think it will be music. I always wanted to be a concert pianist (darn fingers are too short to reach anything beyond a 9th made that near impossible) in addition to playing several other musical instruments, and Tamer had an unofficial career as a wedding singer back in Egypt. His dad was a jazz musician and a music teacher, and Tamer plays the lute as well.

So, I'm hoping that we'll be able to get our kids music lessons and give them a love and a ton of knowledge for music from both cultures. It would be wonderful if I could teach the kids piano and Tamer could teach them the lute and singing. But, knowing my luck, we'll have kids who hate music. Bah.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-24 19:02:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids

I myself plan to pass down the same traditions to my children that my mom did to me. Sitting together and making stufted grape leaves (dawali), lebeneh, date cookies (ma'moul) are just a few of the things I want to pass on. Our heritage is so full with culture and tradition, I don't want them to lose one ounce of it. :star:



First I'd have to learn to make mashi (egyptian version of grape leaves) and other egyptian food :lol: If I learn arabic inshaAllah, when we go back, I'm going to spend 12 hours a day in the kitchen with my mother in law until I learn how to cook egyptian food, even if it kills me.

Sending kids to the ME for the summer seems like a good idea too. I know the week I spent with my grandparents each summer were some of the best times I had. I'm sure grandma would love that too. We're hoping to have her over on a visitor's visa after our kids are born, so she can spend time with them and impart her mothering wisdom.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 19:46:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids
Could I make a teensy tiny request as the thread starter? Could we perhaps create two seperate threads to discuss these two issues? One specifically focusing on bi cultural issues, and one focusing on interfaith issues?

:help:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 19:30:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids

Samir is very religious but, he aslo respects my religion. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY RELIGION. Samir isnt any less religious becuase he would allow our children to be raised christian. He has never said he would allow it but i am saying i want it. Samir and I wont hve a problem cos of respect. I want my children to know Jesus. If Islam says thats wrong then there is something wrong with that. I can raise my children with good morals and values in christianity. I wont let it become a war between us. Thats why the world is the way it is. People get cuaght up in the RELIGION thing. Samir loves God I love God and my kids love God. That is what matters. Also we have talked about this many times. He wants his kids to be muslim but he said we will talk about it when the time comes. We have a very loving relationship. As far as i am concerned, I dont owe Islam or christianity anything. I answer to GOD not religion.



Shannon, I don't think anyone has said that there is anything wrong with your religion. I hope that you just look at our advice for what it is, advice based on experiences. We only want the best for you and Samir, and we hope that you get it.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 16:27:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids

Do most of you plan on using Arabic names for your children or more American sounding names?

If we are blessed with children, I want to select Arabic names (actually have a few picked out).

Rebecca



Definately arabic names. I'm blessed/cursed with a very popular name (Jennifer) and I always wanted to have a name that no other kid in class had. Husband and I had a boy and girl name picked out oh 3 years ago, but it's still up for debate once the kids come along.
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 16:25:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids
All righty, I started a book list for my future kids inshaAllah. If anyone has any suggestions on good books aimed at bi cultural kids or books that highlight arab and/or muslim culture, please let me know!

I already have a box of like 200 books from when I almost became a teacher and 500+ from when I was a kid. Husband also has several boxes of books back home from when he was a kid. My kids are going to be so darned well read it's not funny.

http://reader2.com/rahma_kidsbooks
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 16:22:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids

Rahma - It is more important for you to raise your Children as Proud Good Muslims that in a Cultural way. I myself refuse anything that is said to be "cultural" and follow what I believe to be good. They can take the good of each culture and dispose of the bad.


Oh, it's already a given that they'll be raised loving the deen, Allah (swt) and the Prophet (saws). I've already started collecting muslim oriented kids book :luv: That's my numero uno identity and inshaAllah will be our kids' as well.

I just don't want them to loose touch with the good I see in Egyptian culture, or the good I see in American culture. Kind of a mix of shwerma and pizza after salat is what I'm looking for :lol:
UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 16:05:00
Middle East and North AfricaRaising bi-cultural kids

but as far as religion goes.... we disagree. It will work itself out when the time comes, but, my children are baptised as christians and i intend for our baby to be baptised a christian also. He knows this , and doesnt like it, but he knows i am honest and just say how i feel.


May I make a small suggestion? Work it out ASAP and get the agreement in writing. I've seen a number of interfaith marriages go kaboom because this issue was never resolved. It can work out, but I don't think I've ever seen it work itself out, especially when a muslim man is involved (F)

Edited by rahma, 21 July 2006 - 03:23 PM.

UmmSqueaksterFemaleEgypt2006-07-21 15:21:00