Amenakin & Sh. Abdal Hakim Murad on Beauty & Modesty

I adore Amenakin. I can relate to her in so many ways. In fact, she's one of the first few women who inspired me to wear hijab, alhamdulillah, and I'm so happy she interviewed a Muslim scholar I truly admire, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter). He is a Shaykh Zayed Lecturer of Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University and the Director of Studies in Theology at Wolfson College. I love listening to his intellectual and insightful lectures on spirituality and Islam and I'm glad this particular interview took place.

Je M'appelle Baghdad

Tina Arena is one of my favourite singers of all time. She's one of the most beautiful women I've seen and has a painfully underrated strong, smooth and crisp voice that takes me to another place.  I found her song called Je M'appelle Baghdad (My Name is Baghdad) this morning and was stunned that I didn't know about it earlier. It reminded me of my Iraqi friends whom I've had the pleasure of meeting in New Zealand.
C'est belle chanson et vidéo. 
Can you hear the adhan (Muslim prayer call) at the beginning? This is for you, my friends, and to the beautiful people of Iraq.
We may not see you but you are never forgotten. 
(Lyrics and translation can be found here.)

Faith Friday: The Muslim Prayer {Part II}

Man prays beside a desolate road, Muslims Praying in Amazing Places

In 'The Muslim Prayer - Part I' I said that I would go through some FAQ's. After receiving feedback from my readers I've decided to break down this series in various parts because the purpose of The Muslim Prayer series is to help both Muslims and non-Muslims. Whenever I read books and listen to lectures I find myself learning things I didn't know before and I think it would be great for me to share with my readers.

Vivy's Picture Perfect Bridal Shower

Engagement ceremony ☑  Bridal shower  ☑  Cute little girl stealing Vivy's spotlight  ☑

 Nikah and wedding reception ☐  In 2 weeks' time inshaa Allah! 

I shouldn't be blogging right now but before I forget to blog about it, here's a post about Vivy's bridal shower last Sunday. I know you guys will love the pictures! 

(Photos are courtesy of Ireena. Thank you so much!)

Stop Being So Negative and Suspicious!

A quick post to say 'Hello and have a great Monday!'

Get rid of negative feelings. Be positive. Stop judging people you don't know. Think positively of others.

If you can't do that, then approach the situation with positivity and leave the rest to God. 

Can't stay! Gotta go and get some work done ;) 

Petals

Even when you tear its petals off one after another,

the rose keeps laughing and doesn't bend in pain.

"Why should I be afflicted because of a thorn?

It is the thorn which taught me how to laugh."

Whatever you lost through fate,

be certain that it saved you from pain.

~ Rumi, Petals

Sweet Like Candy: Ratu Adinda's Aqiqah Ceremony

Phewh! What a weekend it has been with wedding receptions and various invitations. After being out all day today I finally found time to update my blog. On Sunday, one of my closest friends, Ella, invited me to her niece's aqiqah and cukur jambul ceremony. If you've been reading my blog for a while you would have probably read my post about Nikky's wedding. Yup, she's a proud mama to 2 kids now! This aqiqah ceremony was held for her newborn daughter, Ratu Adinda. 

Sweet like candy: The theme was inspired by cotton candy. By the way, isn't she such a gorgeous mama?