In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful....

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

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=

Monday, February 18, 2008

Kuwait University (jam3atfilkuwait)

:) So fiiiinallly, akheeeeeeeeran I have made some progress in attempting to attend Kuwait University. Last semester I attended American University of Kuwait which was an amazing experience, but it is too expensive and I also wanted to try to experience a more authentically Kuwaiti cultural setting which I could find in Kuwait University. AUK is more liberal and more diverse but they both have their good and bad points so I am happy to experience both schools. From the time I came to Kuwait, actually even before that, I had tried to look into studying at Kuwait University but it was soooooo difficult to obtain information about the school. It is a national university and 90% of the students are Kuwaiti. They have a program for non-degree students, where they allow visiting students to attend for up to three semesters for credit classes but they cannot obtain a degree there. I finally found out about this through a friend that attends there. I found out they had many courses in English when I had heard the contrary before. I got the course catalog and was happy to see they had many courses related to my majors in English. I even discovered they have an intensive Arabic program that I would have taken last semester had I known about it. It is three hours a day every day. I also saw the book and it was just my level. But unfortunately I found out that I cannot take the intensive Arabic if I want to take other courses at KU. What a bummer. I had to walk all around the campuses trying to find the teachers for the courses I want to register for and get their signatures. It was a three day long process and three days into the semester. I didn't get why they would not let me register until the first day of the course when the process takes so much time. But thankfully I had a friend at KU help me obtain all the signatures and find my way around campus. AlhamdulEllah. I am almost registered but not quite, I need one last signature before they will let me. Insha Allah it will all work out.
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3 comments:

Mimi Cooks said...

really nice blog. i have to come back and read more. wish you the best of luck.

11:19 PM
Anonymous said...

hi maryam. when are u going to travell here? long time no talk with u khahar jan!

11:30 AM
Khadijah said...

When is the intensive Arabic course at KU?
I'm also in Kuwait.
Keep in touch! :D

6:01 PM

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