Creativity & The Spiritual Path: Kuala Lumpur

For the first time in Malaysia and hosted by the one and only 

PETER GOULD 

an Australian graphic designer, photographer and artist who has worked with the likes of 

Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Sami Yusuf and Usama Canon. 

Creativity and the Spiritual Path (CSP) is an ongoing series of events designed to nurture and cultivate creativity among Muslims around the globe, both individually and collectively. CSP has been described as “a gathering of conversations” reflecting a renewed interest in artistic and creative endeavors undertaken by Muslims everywhere. The intention of CSP events is to facilitate dialogue and activities relevant to Artists, Designers, Musicians, Directors, Writers, Thinkers and creative types. The specific format for the events involves a series of presentations, discussion panels and spiritual talks from culturally-relevant Islamic scholars. To date five events have been held in Australia, Canada and the United States. They have helped to showcase both experienced professionals and rising talents across a spectrum of creative disciplines in the global Muslim community, offering unique opportunities to learn, share and connect.

Creativity & The Spiritual Path: Kuala Lumpur

 Venue: Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, Jalan Lembah Perdana, KL 

Date: Saturday 7 April 

Time: 8.30am - 5pm 

Price: RM70 (forum only) / RM100 (forum + lunch)

Creativity & The Spiritual Path Dinner 

 Venue: Sime Darby Convention Center, 1A Jalan Bukit Kiara 1, KL

Date: Sunday 8 April
 Time: 7 pm 

Price: RM150 (dinner) / RM200 (forum with lunch + dinner)


Clearly an exclusive event not to be missed. Tickets are selling fast. Register online today!

Ticket enquiries: info@taatfoundation.org / 03 2166 6300 / 016 2258 311 (Amie)  

General enquiries: sharifah@crescentcollective.org - 017 6164020

For other information please visit Creativity and the Spiritual Path: Kuala Lumpur 

A Wedding in Jakarta

Salaam all,

I just got back from a 6-day holiday in Jakarta, Indonesia.

I am exhausted! *phewh*

 Did all sorts of things and even attended a wedding.

I know weddings are meant to be happy occasions but I couldn't help but feel a bit sad. 

The groom's parents recently passed away. 

Innalillah wa inna ilayhi rajioon. 

His late mother was a family friend and it was her final wish to see him get married. 

Before she passed away from breast cancer she was hospitalised. 

Even though she wasn't well she would find any opportunity to go out of the hospital to buy things for the wedding preparations. 

To think that she wasn't able to be there on the day itself made me feel so sad even though the atmosphere was joyous.

But who's to say she wasn't there in spirit, right? 

The bride was stunning, mashaAllah. 

Thought I'd share some photos to show you her beautiful dress. 

May God grant them a blessed and happy marriage and children who will be the coolness of their eyes.

   And May He grant the groom's parents a place in Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.

xoxo, Sha

You are What You (Don't) Eat

An interesting perspective on why Muslims fast{IbnPercy.com}

Colourful Sunday with Dian Pelangi & Wardah

The Scarflets and I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting the gorgeous Indonesian fashion designer, Dian Pelangi, and the founders of Wardah Beauty Cosmetics last weekend. I first knew Dian through HijabScarf and then Dian's blog, The Merchant Daughter. As a Malaysian, I have to admit Indonesians are very creative and naturally, Indonesian hijabis are very stylish. They're not afraid to be different, that's for sure! That's why I was stoked when I received a message from Ami Schaheera who co-ordinated the meet-up. I wasn't able to attend Dian's boutique opening on Saturday but I was more than happy to meet her and the Wardah team on Sunday. (You can read Shea's and Ami's posts about the boutique opening in Kuala Lumpur. Or check out Ami's Facebook album here. Plenty of browse-worthy pictures!)

Here's a little fun fact for you. Dian Pelangi translates to 'Dian Rainbow'. Pelangi is not her actual name but she was given that nickname because her parents have been in the tie-dye textile business for 20 years. And  tie-dye fabric is called 'kain pelangi' (rainbow fabric) in Indonesia. Didn't know that? Now you do ;) 

We were the first few to arrive Chinoz in KLCC. So we did what we do best: eat and take pictures. 

Yummy triplets. Their desserts, I mean. 

Fira, Shea and Lyna decided to try the creme brulee. 

with Jezmine, designer of Old Blossom Box 

My delicious Chinoz Cured Beef sandwich (I think that's what it's called)

Jezmine's pizza. Don't know what kind it is but it's lamb and I love the fact that pomegranates were sprinkled on top.

Yay! Everyone else arrived;

Ami Schaheera, Farah Ilyana & Farah Mislina (founders of Calaqisya), Nurul, Aimie (and lil Z)

Finally... Dian Pelangi arrived with her husband, family and the Wardah team. 

Tall, gorgeous and sweet! That's Dian, mashaAllah.

With Dian and the friendly and lovely Wardah girls - Citra, Dara and Andin.

Ain't it cool how our outfits blend so well? 

Love this photo of us! (courtesy of Farah Mislina)

And that was our Sunday at Suria KLCC, the iconic Petronas Twin Towers mall. 

We all had a blast. Thank you Dian, family and the Wardah girls!

Do come and visit us again in Kuala Lumpur. 

I love KL. It has bits of everything. It's amazing.

I think I forgot how much I missed it when I was in New Zealand.

I'm so glad I'm here now. 

Alhamdulillah! 

Twitterpated

In case a little bird hasn't told you yet....

I'm on Twitter now! 

@shaelaiza

Faith Friday: The Born-Again Muslim

Just the other day I was chilling out at my friend's house when one of our friends walked in and saw me without hijab for the first time in a very long time. "It's like the old Sha again!" she exclaimed. 

Lately people have been asking me why and how I decided to change and become a "religious Muslim". (By the way, I don't consider myself more pious or religious now. More dedicated, perhaps.) Some people assume that this change was motivated by a bad life experience. I understand why they would think so. Many people who go through this change usually went through something horrible to make them turn to God. That's not my story. Well not entirely. I did lose my Dad and it was life-changing but it wasn't enough to make me take that huge leap of faith.

My story began as I started learning about Islam purely for the sake of personal interest when I moved to New Zealand 8 years ago. Prior to that, Islam was something I learned to accept because I was born into a Malay Muslim family and studying about Islam was mainly done because I wanted to pass the Pendidikan Agama (Islamic Studies) subject in school. When I was a high school student in New Zealand I took advantage of my sister's access to her varsity's library and its vast collection of scholarly books about Islam. One of the first books I picked up was Islam: A Mosaic, Not a Monolith authored by Vartan Gregorian.  I was very intrigued by the title of the book.  After reading several books, attending Islamic talks by prominent scholars such as Sheikh Yusuf Estes and Abdurraheem Green, and befriending Muslims from around the world, slowly and gradually I gained an understanding of my faith that I knew wouldn't have if I had never moved to New Zealand. 

Although my knowledge and comprehension of Islam increased, it took me six years to whole-heartedly embrace Islam and commit to becoming a practicing Muslim. It wasn't easy but somehow it became easier with time, alhamdulillah. And I'm sure people wonder why I wanted to change in the first place. I did it for various reasons but they are connected to one very simple reason - I felt very thankful to God, Allah subhana wa taala (the Sacred and Almighty). It's true what Imam Suhaib Webb said: "The head of servitude to Allah is to be thankful." 

Have you seen this video of Beyoncé?

I asked myself the same questions too.

"Why did God give me this? Why did He give me this life?" 

A lot of good things started happening in my life. Long story short, after returning from an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca and Madinah I felt so grateful that God wanted me to be His 'guest' despite my lack of devotion to Islam previously. But my gratitude towards Him was so overwhelming I could not ignore it. I could not not do anything about it. I looked at myself differently. I looked at my life differently. I looked at the world differently. 

Yes, I do miss the old Sha sometimes as I know some of my friends do. But whenever I feel that way I  just remind myself that the old Sha is still there. She's saving herself for someone special. She is learning. She is struggling. She is growing. She is shifting her priorities in life. More than anything else, she is eternally grateful for the way God has orchestrated her life. 

And so today I ask you, what are you thankful for? Isn't it enough to make you wonder how it all came to be? Isn't it enough to make you want to change for the better? 

 "When you feel the need to turn back to God, this is the clearest sign that God has already turned to you." 

- Imam Suhaib Webb in 'Giving Thanks' (courtesy of the ISBCC)

Taken with Shaymaa on my first day of officially wearing hijab.

10th March 2010 - 10th March 2012

2 year hijab anniversary, alhamdulillah! 

Please pray for me to be steadfast in my deen. Your duas are greatly appreciated =) 

"O our Lord, do not suffer our hearts to go astray after You have (rightly) guided us,

 grant us mercy from You, for verily You and You (alone) are the ever Bestower." 

{Surah Ali Imran, 3:8}

Make Kony Famous

Just imagine if the same could be done for Palestine. It has been made "invisible" since 1948. 

Something Remarkable