Assalamu alaikoum wa rahmatAllah. Today I went to Suq Sharq, I thought it would be a market but it turned out to be another mall. On the way I saw the Persian Gulf in the day light for the first time. It is soooo beautiful. The water is a beautiful turquiose color. We bought some baklawa in the pastry shop at the supermarket that was connected to the mall to give to my friend for inviting me to her home for Iftar dinner and then we went to the mbarakiya. That is more like a real marketplace. It was amazing. So many interesting people and things. We saw many perfume oils and foods and spices and clothes. It was a lot of fun. Insha Allah we will go there often. It is my favorite place in Kuwait so far.
Later that afternoon, my friend Sofia picked us up. She was the lady that the professor at Kuwait University referred me to. She is soooo nice. Her children are incredibly cute. She has three. She took us to her home where I prayed maghrib with the children. We had a wonderful iftar dinner, my first time eating Mechbous Diyay in Kuwait (btw, u can find my recipe for this on my recipe blog; mimisrecipes.blogspot.com). We had a big feast on the floor traditional Kuwaiti style. Then we had shai and gehuwa and pastries after. Then the girls took me to pray taraweeh for the first time in the mosque. It was great. Then she took me to her sister-in-law's home. It is absolutely beautiful. When I walked in to the welcome room, there were about 5 beautiful ladies in their dura3as and intricate eye makeup and nice scarves having gehuwa. We all sat and chatted for a while. I really liked them all. They were so feminine and so nice. We stayed there for a while and they fed me even more treats. Then they brought out bukhour and a tray full of beautiful perfumes and oils. We tried them all. I think we will smell good for the rest of our stay after that!!! It was a nice ramadhan day, alhamdulEllah. Today was my first real experience with traditional Kuwait culture within the household. I better sleep now, it is late and i had a long day and I'm sick and I have my first day of school tomorrow. I wanted to write now so I wouldn't forget the details. I will be sure to let you know how school goes insha Allah. Salaaaaam!
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful....
Introduction
This is a journal of my experience in life as as a Muslim convert. I share about the things I learn, question, reflect upon, achieve, and experience on the path of Islam. [96:1-5] Read! In the name of your Lord who created - Created the human from something which clings. Read! And your Lord is Most Bountiful - He who taught (the use of) the Pen, Taught the human that which he knew not.
About Maryam
- Nickname: Mimi
- I study Islamic Studies and International Business at the university, and enjoy studying political science and languages as well. On my free time I study Arabic, Hebrew, and religion. I am Guatemalan and American.I am also Spanish, Italian Scottish and German. I also speak Spanish, Japanese, and Italian. I love to learn about other cultures. I also love to learn about nutrition and fitness. I am very active in sports, outdoor activities and exercise, and flamenco dance class. I am fascinated with my country, Guatemala, it is such a beautiful place, full of variety and rich culture and history, especially the Maya. I LOVE to cook and I try to have a well-balanced diet. Someday I also hope to learn Amharic, Persian (Farsi), and Aramaic and I hope to travel to all of the middle east and Ethiopia, Japan, and Sicily.
Knowledge and Understanding
[2:269] He [Allah] grants wisdom to whom He pleases; and he to whom wisdom is granted indeed receives a benefit overflowing. But none will grasp the Message except men of understanding.
[20:114] High above all is Allah, the King, the Truth. Do not be in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to you is completed, but say, "O my Sustainer! Increase my knowledge."
[3:190-191] Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day - there are indeed signs for men of understanding; Men who remember Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the creation of the heavens and the earth (with the thought) "Our Lord! Not for nothing have You created (all) this. Glory to You! Give us salvation from the suffering of the Fire."
[39:9] ...Say: Are those equal, those who know and those who do not know? It is those who are endued with understanding that remember (Allah's Message).
[58:11] ...Allah will raise up to (suitable) ranks (and degrees) those of you who believe and who have been granted knowledge.
Sheikh Mishary Al Afasy
He came to my mosque in the USA to recite from the Qur'an recently and when he prayed salat he cried. My first time to pray the late night prayer during Ramadan was when I went to Kuwait in the Grand Mosque and Mishary was reciting Surat Maryam! Sub7anAllah... Here is a video of nasheed (Islamic poetry) from him. He has been blessed with a beautiful voice for praising Allah, masha' Allah. You can see some of his recitations of the Qur'an at my mosque at this site - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg2QYHmRfY0&mode=related&search=
Saturday, September 15, 2007
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2 comments:
ARABIAN GULF????????? I think U spelled it wrongly. u can google it:
http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&q=arabian+gulf&btnG=Google+Search
or read about it here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabian_Gulf
or more completely here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Gulf_naming_dispute
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