tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71854669503951678022024-03-14T00:48:09.268+04:00UAE Caravan!Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-25806348771028009172011-10-21T10:08:00.005+04:002011-10-21T10:50:14.855+04:00Virtues of reciting Surat Al Kahf (The Cave) on Friday<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px; font-family:sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Surat al-Kahf "The Cave" is the 18th surah of the Qur'an with 110 ayat. It is a Meccan sura.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://773B38A1-65EF-4DDE-B87B-B3EDE503D7F9/5689_112491352283_97110392283_2459258_4711293_n.jpg" alt="5689_112491352283_97110392283_2459258_4711293_n.jpg" /></span></span></span></p><p></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: medium; color: rgb(153, 51, 0); "><b>People of the Cave</b></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', serif; font-size: medium; color: rgb(153, 51, 0); "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; ">Verses 9 - 26 of the chapter tell the story of the People of the cave (Ashabu Al-Kahf). Some number of young monotheistic men lived in a time where they were persecuted. They fled the city together, and took refuge in a cave where they fell asleep. God caused them to remain sleeping for 300 solar years, or 309 lunar years, and when they woke the surrounding area had become monotheistic as well.</span></b></span></p><h3 style="background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0.17em; border-bottom-width: initial; border-bottom-style: none; font-size:17px;color:initial;"><span class="mw-headline" id="The_story_of_the_rich_and_the_poor"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><b>The story of the rich and the poor</b></span></span></span></span></span></h3><p style="margin-top: 0.4em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">In verses 32 - 44 the surah discusses a Parable of two men, who one of them had been given blessings from God and the other was poor. The rich one wronged his soul and started showing off with his wealth and noble lineage.</span></span></span></p><blockquote class="templatequote" style="margin-top: 0px; "><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">And he had fruit, so he said to his companion while he was conversing with him, "I am greater than you in wealth and mightier in [numbers of] men."</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; ">At the end of the parable God destroys what he had given the man.</span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b>Moses and Al-Khidr</b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 72px; ">The third main story within the chapter (verses 60 - 82) is that of Moses traveling to gain</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 72px; ">knowledge from another servant of God who is never mentioned by name, but according to the tafsir of ibn Kathir is called Al Khidr.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b>Dhul-Qarnayn</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 72px; ">Finally, the surah mentions in verses 83 - 98 a man who traveled a great deal and reached the</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 72px; ">east and the west of the earth - namely, Dhul Qarnayn.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b>Virtues of reciting Surat Al Kahf on Friday</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; ">1.The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah al Kahf in the same manner in which it was revealed, it will serve for him as a light on the Day of Judgement, from his domicile to Makkah. And whoever recited the last ten verses, and it happens that the Dajjal should appear after that, Dajjal will not be empowered over him’. [Mustadrak al-Hakim]</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; ">2.Abu’d-Darda’ reported that the Messenger of Allah (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, “Anyone who memorises ten ayats from the beginning of Surat al-Kahf (Ch.18) will be protected from the Dajjal."</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; ">3.The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah al Kahf on a Friday, Allah will kindle for him abundant light to brightly illuminate the period between the two Fridays (the Friday on which the recitation was made and the next Friday)’</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></blockquote></span><h2 style="background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0.17em; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); width: auto; font-size:19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#993300;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">if you would like to listen to the reciting of Surat Al Kahf and read its translation, please see the published video on our facebook account <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#3333FF;">www.facebook.com/uaecaravan </span></span></span></span></span></h2><div><br /></div><blockquote class="templatequote" style="margin-top: 0px; "></blockquote>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-68694340693440575232011-10-19T14:29:00.005+04:002011-10-19T14:37:48.865+04:00Wednesday Debate!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1cPtlWETMIYFB0nsa9mI7DX4N8fiIsLGL7kBwkLTGFodU29HEQI7TJhdoq9n16OmgHrS_8FLH4EKN0x2D89LA4yM9O2jPfqLMTDtPMI8BxiiBHWE43a1xy9uLiVX8UXhOYVRShvX45o/s1600/different+cultures.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1cPtlWETMIYFB0nsa9mI7DX4N8fiIsLGL7kBwkLTGFodU29HEQI7TJhdoq9n16OmgHrS_8FLH4EKN0x2D89LA4yM9O2jPfqLMTDtPMI8BxiiBHWE43a1xy9uLiVX8UXhOYVRShvX45o/s320/different+cultures.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665150183315229698" border="0" /></a><br />What do you think of the variety of cultures living in one society?<br /></div><h6 style="text-align: center;" class="uiStreamMessage uiStreamPassive" ft="{"type":1}"> <a class="pronoun-link " href="http://www.facebook.com/questions/265813040123638/?qa_ref=qd" rel="dialog-pipe"><br /></a></h6>Participate in the Wednesday debate and post your opinion on our Facebook account. Be heard!Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-53470663376302876322011-10-14T07:43:00.004+04:002011-10-14T07:51:32.437+04:00ADFF Family Day<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">Hello everybody... Come along on Saturday (October 15, 2011) to 'on location' at Marina Mall (outside Paris Gallery) for Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) Family Day. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#454545;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">Family Day helps children</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"> explore cinema and the creative process. Kids can have fun painting a giant mural with Abu Dhabi-based artist </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;">Jennifer Simon, meet magicians and entertainers,</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"> experiment with green-screen technology – and enjoy fantastic films!<br />See attached flyer for further details or log on to www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae</span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6P-mo3_tmV0G7QKomWF2PpRXYn-ZuajQv0aZfxW4CU5r3XkVKzD4VtAwQqMppGv0s8Sy65fUQgfQt4Do8FxIvDFXLLHdbRQw0KniXBREfaWkTQnFpaCa0voiQcj9ZWyF1Y7E7F1o_JE/s320/ADFF+-+Film+Fund_0.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5663189921446510722" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#454545;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#454545;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-82910959113399279822011-03-22T10:50:00.001+04:002011-03-22T10:55:08.940+04:00A new website!Salam Alaikom!<br /><br />I hope everyone is doing great :)<br /><br />I would like all of you to visit UAE Caravan new website ( <a href="http://www.uae-caravan.com/">www.uae-caravan.com</a> ), where you can see and read a lot about the UAE and find more information about this beautiful country, its people, culture, heritage, etc.<br /><br />It still needs some work, but you are always welcome and I promise you'll like it.<br /><br />I would like to see your comments and feedback please.<br /><br />Best Regards,<br /><br />SarahSarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-83883566637261909022011-01-11T15:03:00.002+04:002011-01-11T20:29:32.125+04:00Welcome my new baby!!Salam Alaikom all,<br /><br />I hope you are all doing well!<br /><br />three weeks ago, my family and I welcomed my new baby girl to the world. We named her "Kadi" which means a scented flower.<br /><br />I wanted to share this beautiful moment with all of you as soon as my baby arrived, but I really couldn't and unfortunately I got the baby blues, but "Alhamdu lillah" I feel so much better now.<br /><br />I am still working on the surprise I told you all about it before and I think you are goingh to love it *_* so, just bare with me please.<br /><br />Have a great night allSarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-62356354170845566542010-10-11T12:00:00.002+04:002010-10-11T12:07:22.962+04:00It's been a LONG time !!!Salam Alaikom everybody,<br /><br />I have been away for a while, but I am working on a big surprise for "UAE Caravan" lovers and followers.<br /><br />I hope you will all like it once it's ready.<br /><br />May Allah bless us all,<br /><br />SarahSarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-32893933156352077242010-08-22T10:29:00.014+04:002010-08-23T10:49:41.622+04:00Ramadan IftarSalam Alaikom all...Hope everyone is enjoying Ramadan atmosphere! It's beautiful, isn't it?<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 336px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508122286552853106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDK8NH175w6CmWLxBMySSZtimuiMwtTNdIwX4YpxVoY-6MgQ93cxIOfp7hcJa1WDR9LszKJxwVK5kqCCx0abxPfM99ombMnaBvS5IiqAomzsWzl8ahR-BgsBWsf7ZV1i3SOPLaKILmhk/s320/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A9+%D8%A5%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA%D9%8A%D8%A9.jpg" /><br />Did you ever wonder how do we (Muslims) fast during the Holy month of Ramadan?<br />I'll tell you how in case you still don't know.<br /><br />First of all, it is worth mentioning that Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset.<br /><br />Muslims break their fast at Maghrib (sunset) prayer time with a meal named "Iftar".<br /><br />When we hear the Maghrib prayer we usually say a prayer first (Dua'a) then break our fast by drinking a glass of Laban (Yoghurt based drink) and dates.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0ch906-cP9ZhxNHwehJ0LfMq4EQaJcQi3YNOUre1Ep45MP99GMcslOOZStHhUNppB9RywXu6RBXGka5XQ0W45gnca2XQtS7t8bvyb-E2Wl5FjlRxvLvZ7iUO5cLQQZItQOmAuoM5NiU/s1600/%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1+%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508122512117052962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit0ch906-cP9ZhxNHwehJ0LfMq4EQaJcQi3YNOUre1Ep45MP99GMcslOOZStHhUNppB9RywXu6RBXGka5XQ0W45gnca2XQtS7t8bvyb-E2Wl5FjlRxvLvZ7iUO5cLQQZItQOmAuoM5NiU/s320/%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1+%D9%88%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86.jpg" /></a>After that, we perform Maghrib prayer then go back to eat the Iftar meal, whick contains a number of delicious dishes.<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508122710388896594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIPWYJmLsFS1XlPJGYqxqXmt9eAMmiQFUbMfPsARrTk91_gmHypaXIzFJfEuED2l1KzX8ADGPcNNRLTDGFbwut9LZjKTgWx4XNljYiocSOnJBFl7IiRh2-HEkfOAr4eri1DYdFoD2cE2I/s320/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%A9.jpg" /></div><div>The amazing thing about Ramadan is that the whole family (Grandparents, Parents, Children, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc.) gather and enjoy the holy time together. What is more amazing than having Iftar with the whole family?</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCu9F041cTlktcl3f1QQXmq0sZg-t95xBrTlM6e_5IIOP3n6Yc0yeml4d1-etVecQX0pNCLUX4Z_Yg2snGZhkmBbKMXJG11BbLpMdBOcLY8OgfEgJCDSBNKw5EjI2_HBvIVSQ0c5e7U4/s1600/%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 296px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508124857008495682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCu9F041cTlktcl3f1QQXmq0sZg-t95xBrTlM6e_5IIOP3n6Yc0yeml4d1-etVecQX0pNCLUX4Z_Yg2snGZhkmBbKMXJG11BbLpMdBOcLY8OgfEgJCDSBNKw5EjI2_HBvIVSQ0c5e7U4/s320/%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86.jpg" /></a></div><div>Ramadan is a time that brings family members together and closer than any other time.</div><div></div><div>Personally I enjoy cooking with my cousins and relatives. Each one of us decides what is she going to cook for Iftar. One says she'll cook the main dish, the other chooses the sweets and we help each other in every thing.</div><div></div><div>Not only women share these moments, but also men. For example, we always ask my elder brother to go and buy what we need in the kitchen, while my uncle helps us in exchanging dishes with neighbours and friends. It is such an amazing thing. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCu9F041cTlktcl3f1QQXmq0sZg-t95xBrTlM6e_5IIOP3n6Yc0yeml4d1-etVecQX0pNCLUX4Z_Yg2snGZhkmBbKMXJG11BbLpMdBOcLY8OgfEgJCDSBNKw5EjI2_HBvIVSQ0c5e7U4/s1600/%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div>One of the most DELICIOUS, FAMOUS and BASIC dishes in the UAE and the Arabian Gulf region is "Harees". It is nearly a "must" during the Holy month of Ramadan. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1yNvM_p2VOVdL0q0GYPBkFtzgQrCwG1tXVS0a3CeUTSJesoQngvdGQJg8_xXwBDXTb2y6DJfjyM5REjx9yRJn9fRiEYeFKunyZliC4NX6u7mt05-G0XCwy5TzE2mZrY1qeGaAC8kMI4/s1600/%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508125007390724114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1yNvM_p2VOVdL0q0GYPBkFtzgQrCwG1tXVS0a3CeUTSJesoQngvdGQJg8_xXwBDXTb2y6DJfjyM5REjx9yRJn9fRiEYeFKunyZliC4NX6u7mt05-G0XCwy5TzE2mZrY1qeGaAC8kMI4/s320/%D9%87%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%B3.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div>One other amazing dish that I love so much is "Thareed", which is a mixture of very delicate home made bread, which is named "Khobz Regag" with a mix of vegetables and meat or chicken broth.<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508125182341445778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt04SgmVqNplKpephoSAg4nRxCfG310I0gTbfdNXFs3twZ5s_c6C16st7tS9Rk_JVGD1w4vTsoZ13kQ7CmbOXA6NwFL-RiRvgLXyOlYjOkzXWVyjQC_TFZkqd8AJPYgk4nzR-lbaQ-O4/s320/%D8%AB%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%AF.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFxUSjh7xmt4gaHywpWJhPP0_e6n9QuJh1JdrQ9oqiOB6gv4RzkhdcViFDwR4aY2CYK4tGl8IM2nbKF4_eZDA7ijOM5iUaratiEbEK-gD2vCF71AaNx7cvAwz-r90MYUpiqLSL442kcE/s1600/%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508125303240507218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFxUSjh7xmt4gaHywpWJhPP0_e6n9QuJh1JdrQ9oqiOB6gv4RzkhdcViFDwR4aY2CYK4tGl8IM2nbKF4_eZDA7ijOM5iUaratiEbEK-gD2vCF71AaNx7cvAwz-r90MYUpiqLSL442kcE/s320/%D9%84%D9%82%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%AA.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />"Lugaymat" is another dish that is essential during Ramadan. It is part of the sweets or desserts. It tastes really good especially if you eat it while drinking Arabian Coffee.<br /><br /><br /><br />After praying and eating, a cup of Arabian coffee or tea would be perfect. You just sit, relax and enjoy drinking it.<br /><br />Normally, two or more "Dallah (s)" of coffee and tea are prepared before or right after Iftar.<br /><div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 251px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508126655669155730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi85sYdgkbE7vJXjcRCOJM9EVGFgnFheTKPO07rRCV1iNadnCCXlaFim0qd7XQTKIZsUix4otYJtsRuz9YWqMiqA2lfkpLXGBBKIxe5WXZFf70uz4TJtNgF64Dqzx5UY3MvqLFY3lONyh8/s320/%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%84+%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%8A+%D9%88%D9%82%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A9.jpg" />You can also indulge yourself with fruits, sweets or many kinds of different fruits. But put in mind that we don't eat much in order to maintain our health. Eating a little bit of everything is<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEu1Lt1Fy-661ii8iGMsEmpnzzDnqvAo2sanVy7z_kn7ReDiKOD3VCgu0IFD8WK6LoBd2afEhKQpLXTYDqaR7o83EBHO8ZYP71QuWN1D7VDlCLuDsOarMvJlMg1yWNj4tqvyV7ZTgvk0/s1600/%D9%81%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%83%D9%87.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 289px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508125503988910450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEu1Lt1Fy-661ii8iGMsEmpnzzDnqvAo2sanVy7z_kn7ReDiKOD3VCgu0IFD8WK6LoBd2afEhKQpLXTYDqaR7o83EBHO8ZYP71QuWN1D7VDlCLuDsOarMvJlMg1yWNj4tqvyV7ZTgvk0/s320/%D9%81%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%83%D9%87.jpg" /></a>a very good and healthy thing to do. </div><div></div><div>We should always remember that fasting is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility and spirituality. It is time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah and to offer more prayer.</div><div></div><div>I will post more information about the Holy month of Ramadan, but please do ask me if you have any questions or would like to know more about a particular issue.<br /></div><div></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-53523144930424426142010-08-20T13:51:00.003+04:002010-08-20T13:54:44.193+04:00Ramadan Kareem!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> UAE Caravan wishes you all a happy Ramadan!<div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvksz6PMNlAsVHrJDMqeJvcacB8iMXeL7eVY7cn0XGTUkRLzhoeh0S-sccFzhe9IlMa96p68FmRKR1dQIPkqoY1vQgdk_o2KofxdcZl8uXg92730WtbujtSbyj8qHikdJ2CoNan1fMC8o/s400/medium_ramadan1.2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507427963645339890" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Regards,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sarah Al Hanki</div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-39587027256586353542010-08-04T13:29:00.018+04:002010-08-09T14:02:47.473+04:00Summer in the UAE (Part 2)Hello everyone,<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div>Today I'll continue giving you options or suggestions on how to spend summer in the UAE, although it is burning hot!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Heat is not a problem anymore, thanks to air conditioners. And because the summer in the UAE makes it almost impossible for anyone to do any activities outdoors, so many indoor activities and places have been established, such as, shopping malls, exhibition centres where many events are being organized, museums, etc.<br /><br /><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503340491343329250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMij_Q-8VuHtzI30dasjEJYHXcoxGrFMiEaITmNrBZXWgaJ7irK2dA0REOf2pVwPd7ohj0inVhoRLnu0wvKNL2FMcD46ddE3735xt3QS8AS9ybxnCP2aYrb-KxJYvfLQQtZqFGihLeH8/s320/heritage-museum.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJYejxOJUIt2n4Wl1Cgd557sI2RB-PG3VuMIc3obbtu5KZMcySLgzPNCG-fAJ_wuM_lhR3Ynl7LZxQ5-x5p0hgljLJ_NhJGFMT_b5VbDy6RjNpkqGkB_n3WJUNoz1utGZ_yvAJrWg6-s/s1600/Arabic+Calligraphy+1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 189px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503338427281423906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJYejxOJUIt2n4Wl1Cgd557sI2RB-PG3VuMIc3obbtu5KZMcySLgzPNCG-fAJ_wuM_lhR3Ynl7LZxQ5-x5p0hgljLJ_NhJGFMT_b5VbDy6RjNpkqGkB_n3WJUNoz1utGZ_yvAJrWg6-s/s320/Arabic+Calligraphy+1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>If you are a fan of Arts, History, Arabic Calligraphy and Heritage, then the Emirate of Sharjah is "a must visit" for you. It has a number of amazing museums, such as, Al Mahatta Museum, Sharjah Archaeology Museum, Sharjah Art Museum, Bait Al Nahbooda, Sharjah Calligraphy Museum and much much more.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Also, if you have kids, want them to get some knowledge then have some fun, after touring any of the fabulous museums, you can take them to Sharjah Aquarium or Sharjah Discovery Centre, which is the perfect place for both adults and kids, because you can get the chance of learning and entertaining at the same time.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503340085001519026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHg7HSZlbQCtKQ90sC-6iLvW3CQ6FgUPTyNC0UVpXFUpaOyF1Vr3YJD3BX2PEOVNFIi5DT4G83EWFPn90wYiFOB4jtNDF7t_UUbdhFy-Kwb5KJ5QPzdeb9bh8MCtv3lwsggiWCyyqAjuE/s320/Arabic+Calligraphy+2.jpg" /></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><div><br />To read more about museums in Sharjah or get more information, please visit <a href="http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/">http://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/</a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>The whole family can also enjoy exploring Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, which is located in Al Ain city, UAE.</p><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503343421172513602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpTXI2G85gqExgxja3PEwKI9H29Zy7gWzaFKMlcO4qdGp-Vr6ycthuIj4hzGdu4nCMYsItHBSOgL85DmVoHBLxOxYjizgzfXl2i_h-3JvDoxYq93-qqLyy_c7IGWVtldvWre1qxywA_s/s200/Al+Ain+Zoo.jpg" /></p><br /><br /><br /><p>You can camp there too! there, you can experience and learn about wildlife and conservation in a unique natural desert setting.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503342740473483538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8ouSTpp5MwKcARWe5eufHB0KGecetGKT_CKlszDeFxqyEIFGt4l8ooDB5r1t6FkPHIAgPhoJ-ahl9aJqi19vgAJajZexfeyHKUNilo2XrJpMCT7gDpc3tu99PDYZXdphyphenhyphenYmoQFndEdI/s200/Al+Ain+Zoo+2.jpg" /><br />for more information, please visit: <a href="http://www.awpr.ae/">http://www.awpr.ae/</a></p></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><strong><em>Other suggestions:</em></strong><br /></p><br /><br /><p>1- Have fun in one of the Paintball parks all over the UAE (<a href="http://www.paintballuae.com/">http://www.paintballuae.com/</a>)</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503346467488462450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3LWDL82iqPsW5TpUuFKaVo9dJXHjr5NzPSjfMyzCS1MdVbD9JqqQw8zBYtTdPqhRJONvHfLoG8GeEEMQl6yNMmfljdABzveE86_fFqusKEq7MxhhxptphtvJlcwPGInWXY8lT20i2G94/s320/Dubai+Paint+ball.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>2- Dive in the Arabian Gulf, basikly in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (<a href="http://www.arabiandiver.com/">http://www.arabiandiver.com/</a>)</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRaanf-J8qlRNTNdJCxEHgoGg58EDljZpGwwDtpvqxjakDc7DYzqW5ZlwibMmn1foGckDGX7Ekvq6HgYFyl5MM64NKS2SECs2DHmj4-R47ItHmfH-364O-LvclEwOGPtdr3Z_KidL9VU/s1600/Scuba+Diving+in+RAK.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503346620904854594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRaanf-J8qlRNTNdJCxEHgoGg58EDljZpGwwDtpvqxjakDc7DYzqW5ZlwibMmn1foGckDGX7Ekvq6HgYFyl5MM64NKS2SECs2DHmj4-R47ItHmfH-364O-LvclEwOGPtdr3Z_KidL9VU/s320/Scuba+Diving+in+RAK.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>3- Enjoy a desert safari and SKIING on the golden dunes! (<a href="http://www.desertsafaridubai.com/">http://www.desertsafaridubai.com/</a>)</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygTHX8DPWwxOnAjCmBcAkG1Qag067IDS-kQLdXq_MHpyAPlrTBX57lb1TjKaN83-OYiGfSUUIYd8n_Qm99X7A94mcirmow13UCzOgQssm1G8ymJqFwpvlFJINKPFHfENC0R3OVzwi2ZU/s1600/desert+safari+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503346290195523826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygTHX8DPWwxOnAjCmBcAkG1Qag067IDS-kQLdXq_MHpyAPlrTBX57lb1TjKaN83-OYiGfSUUIYd8n_Qm99X7A94mcirmow13UCzOgQssm1G8ymJqFwpvlFJINKPFHfENC0R3OVzwi2ZU/s320/desert+safari+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p>There is much much more to do in the UAE during Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring. So, don't miss the fun!</p></div></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-70988412291417301602010-07-18T11:39:00.023+04:002010-07-18T13:10:36.283+04:00Summer in the UAE (Part 1)<div>Good Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen,<br /><br />Many of you (especially foreigners) might wonder, how am I going to spend summer time in the UAE? What if, for any reason, you can't travel and runaway from the heat?!<br /></div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495150677860759282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibS85R43b8e_simBbLY5dagdHmaa9O555WoDH1cjxCexN4Jf3Q9AAfykUTmpTScahdXqmVyQsN-uLdhzY38DUK6bvXAPlrrQX30BupWmZZ4dhQgPwTc6XFvT9vFE_TN7t-fe55IZNyVXk/s320/Flying+away.jpg" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL8U8exG08-OfX7Irt4cDHK0irAQHKDvBmEGhDv7bVdef5n9mQ2koS4-Z9XzLd4mASvWdm1pf0WS6F4Hf8_eIWMUd79XvgHNq1_5vg0SSu0g2n5Y1PNRZNFJGnTsKzGi_xtTS8-fEJT4/s1600/Summer+Sun+fun.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495170718908940050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKL8U8exG08-OfX7Irt4cDHK0irAQHKDvBmEGhDv7bVdef5n9mQ2koS4-Z9XzLd4mASvWdm1pf0WS6F4Hf8_eIWMUd79XvgHNq1_5vg0SSu0g2n5Y1PNRZNFJGnTsKzGi_xtTS8-fEJT4/s320/Summer+Sun+fun.gif" /></a><br />Will you still be able to enjoy the summer and sun</div><div>in the UAE?! The answer is definately YES!!!<br /><div>The good news is that people can enjoy their </div><div>summertime without having to travel to a cooler </div><div>country. Many activities and events have been </div><div>organized all over the UAE to keep its people </div><div>(with different ages) entertained and give them </div><div>the chance to enjoy every day of their summer vacation.<br /></div><br /><div>One of the great events that is organized in the Capital, Abu Dhabi is "Summer in Abu Dhabi Festival" that is being held in Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort, Abu Dhabi Mall, Marina Mall and Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, as well as Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain Mall and Bawadi Mall in Al Ain.<br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ5OQl-7OnACOGzDBkFRvzH2qEatX9xiqQZpumpMVFgX2iJybL6Jin_PvvakA4CgwYejaF-HDhIVvZAjoPpfCJNXu_TnkL0G-pk1CwDSnyI6Rd6mISRUaVDj_Y3-_PqcjLLyqynISaEo/s1600/Summer+in+Abu+Dhabi.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495153236859492834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJ5OQl-7OnACOGzDBkFRvzH2qEatX9xiqQZpumpMVFgX2iJybL6Jin_PvvakA4CgwYejaF-HDhIVvZAjoPpfCJNXu_TnkL0G-pk1CwDSnyI6Rd6mISRUaVDj_Y3-_PqcjLLyqynISaEo/s320/Summer+in+Abu+Dhabi.jpg" /></a>This great event is a family carnival where once in a lifetime experiences happen every day! </div><br /><div>It has a wide array of activities to appeal to all age groups and interests.<br /></div><div>For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.summerinabudhabi.com/">http://www.summerinabudhabi.com/</a><br /></div><br /><div>One of the events included in this friendly event is the "Big Apple Circus" that I am dying to attend (Maybe this coming weekend).<br /></div><br /><div>It's a 90 minutes show that will start on the 23rd of July and will last until the 3rd of August. It should be so much fun!<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495154872012051074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiisIwJqZLAvCdhF8ga4gQ6DDczJ1UoZgKOzD9TSaBuKs0iUWl32nDjM6Y42u-FrnQdr1bozPA0S-FazZ16AaFT1whBEfKtWO7JSjVj2oHqHUNZ1pyCWLzmgy1VkC85eO885vAWQQTMbaE/s320/big+apple+circus.jpg" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Also, if you would like to explore the city but be PROTECTED from the heat of the sun or the high humidity, you can take a hop on hop off tour by the air conditioned Big Bus and enjoy viewing the city and its famous spots and amzaing places.</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 465px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495155961640765378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlXm_yo3U8y1wKbJ_eBzBZ6u-NvPwN438lW_ZsHoGGksZbLNSzMQTcbKVTrwHiNumNySmzgG5xMGpoxaZoWi5UxxsTCMDdiFkcAA9CqDt2DkRD2oddYQ0VIwpGGE15UOhO_qURE53GY4/s320/Big+Bus+Company.jpg" /><br /></div><div>Having FUN can not only be achieved in Abu Dhabi, but also in Dubai. You and your family or friends can enjoy the "Dubai Summer Surprises" Festival that also includes a wide number of activities for all of the family members.</div><div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiias2D5fl22cZL1iPoCZ5by4FPLu05eNzLBP87a2-4ccQSlef9KkgzfI8z5wB9nzbxhbBxNUjvTcQqJyEfrP2r6BzNRm6Xc7YuxPAHTs8CIrkXZ24UPa4Ar8FYEwKcsR64RTFSjE1NT-k/s1600/mall-of-the-emirates.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495157359236645218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiias2D5fl22cZL1iPoCZ5by4FPLu05eNzLBP87a2-4ccQSlef9KkgzfI8z5wB9nzbxhbBxNUjvTcQqJyEfrP2r6BzNRm6Xc7YuxPAHTs8CIrkXZ24UPa4Ar8FYEwKcsR64RTFSjE1NT-k/s320/mall-of-the-emirates.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div>You can go shopping in one of the many malls in the city, such as, the Mall of the Emirates, have a delicious meal in one of the restaurants there, and enjoy some of the shows that take place in the mall most of the times during the festival. </div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmztFtcj_8YLXVFdLrhPF-m55a_F87oV6Eft1TrDV89tviiFp7kjBbWg2h4zFqX1X4SO1UPnMAWlKQhijYgbQxkvtVKFSB-ymK_c3fVZzXIUur6qHUVfJwi6Y-WXJj4gTCQnEaqAQj2U/s1600/ski_dubai.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 223px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495159818077377890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmztFtcj_8YLXVFdLrhPF-m55a_F87oV6Eft1TrDV89tviiFp7kjBbWg2h4zFqX1X4SO1UPnMAWlKQhijYgbQxkvtVKFSB-ymK_c3fVZzXIUur6qHUVfJwi6Y-WXJj4gTCQnEaqAQj2U/s320/ski_dubai.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Also, you can spend some time SKIING in Ski Dubai! isn't that a good idea where you can experience Summer and Winter in the very same time?!!!<br /></div><br /><div>For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.skidxb.com/">http://www.skidxb.com/</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you have kids and you don't know where to take them, consider the following:<br /></div><br /><div align="center">1- Dubai Dolphinarium ( <a href="http://dubaidolphinarium.ae/">http://dubaidolphinarium.ae/</a> )<br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 92px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495163409405593458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyuEOBQGBRtFZwp9Zyk_ONMX8g0wgfyFMmYtEp1JsEwhDruBo7YfLnS9QjiIDKqwOlys2L95E9KOuQi_rphnWCrh17xqblu0aIsdN9FHAkMUt3K5zl05XXtbvZkCmF72V5tMBkuiEHlOU/s320/summerCAMP_dolphinarium.jpg" /><br /><br /><div align="center">2- Dubai Modhesh World ( <a href="http://www.modheshworld.com/en/">www.modheshworld.com/en/</a> )</div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 158px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495164322139059074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqQpB-S8h4oKqmSN0o0QpMu05WrN7bJ37Zu4EhXyVlAbewSEzCR6DcGLcxxc8nrNGqwJ-H1UJOOvIj66gZGqFIvOiVPresCT1NM2WJxshshfzVgqyW1SWYWHL-PVIqEAuCO4w4Ajt_5o/s320/Modhesh+World.jpg" /><br /><br /><div>And if you are a group of adults who want to have great great time, you should spend a day in Wild Wadi Dubai. It is a MUST VISIT water park. </div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495166651888778306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTpInr_zAIuWQL4DO3qB_vlPANJcG3TjjC2-KydgGKC629fbRnvaAZsoNJxKziWSQcm3fg7iaVVMyZ-e-bmUYfb1ODojedpLqJho_2qKc9wPKUqHlZyDP_nbbq9PWhMJBpW8IQJlA3qA/s320/wild-wadi-water-park.jpg" />They have a SPECIAL LADIES NIGHTS too ^_^ so women who cannot swim, wear swimming suits or uncover their heads in front of men can have fun too. My sisters, relatives and I usually go there during weekends and we really have so much fun.</div><br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 460px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 167px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495168341666116770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOrE8VMWVNg0RASaiaH_uNQ17PeS72nU0ezcvVv713zRJVQ4z1Bo6YCYT5oDUl6v6S7-MV02BFfanfFf8t8haOh4w0xO-VVS9GrclVXFJim7dFwBvqJvVRHhtQtP0L1JUlaTh-yOxddg/s320/ladies+night.jpg" /></div><br /><div>To be continued...<br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-7085684101802817142010-07-07T22:06:00.007+04:002010-07-07T22:35:26.453+04:00Foreigners in Traditional Costumes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQ6d11_HTDXFecMS9ocM-rPntcmJx_PLl4jOUeNqXPX-xkQdVDxqZS-0LhwnrzydABiNFybC6bmK4CnrmhR8gh-907xn-Cy0l23ED8tM00xy-CQJQDVh4yHnRCkNQShqxe6pTQwBGikI/s1600/niqab.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQ6d11_HTDXFecMS9ocM-rPntcmJx_PLl4jOUeNqXPX-xkQdVDxqZS-0LhwnrzydABiNFybC6bmK4CnrmhR8gh-907xn-Cy0l23ED8tM00xy-CQJQDVh4yHnRCkNQShqxe6pTQwBGikI/s400/niqab.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491233569798804194" /></a><br />Salam All!<div><br /></div><div>I hope you are all doing GREAT ^_^</div><div><br /></div><div>I have received an e-mail from a lady asking me this question on behalf of her friends:</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b>Hi Sarah,</b></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b>Some foreigners love Emirati clothes and want to wear it, but they are shy and think that maybe this will offend Emiratis.</b></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYsh2gOv_1x8v-WiM4QDJpz91mpjb_sHyytEHTfvn0_NqUblEa8vBToXnTGbJnDWugDJEMCwvOZQbTjaVjR2uZ4tHbOka8QeZJxkoVT9iAJhPFwz0ty-FA5O2H3FwrODm8OEnLO2Z2SA/s400/niqab0face.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491233852818652530" /></b></span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b>Do Emiratis consider it disrespectful to their culture if foreign men and women want to wear abayas or shailas, kanduras, ghutras, eqals or even niqab or burqa? </b></span></i></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#660000;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div><div>Here is the answer to the question from my point of view:</div><div><br /></div><div>First of all, it is our pleasure as Emiratis to know that foreigners love our clothes and would like to wear it. And personally I don't think that it will or may offend us as locals unless a foreigner disrespected our traditional costumes.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think any Emirati will or might get offended by seeing a foreigner wearing the traditional UAE costumes wether it was a man or a woman. On the contrary, we respect who respect us, our traditions and costumes and we are a very friendly and welcoming nation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some of us might get offended IF a person uses the UAE traditional costume in a wrong way and ON PURPOSE. For example, wearing the Abaya above DISRESPECTFUL clothes just to attract men "as many women do" or to make fun of Arab culture or traditions. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last week, I was shopping in Dubai, and while I was inside one of the shops a foreign couples entered the shop. The lady was wearing a short skirt and a lovely shirt, and the man was wearing a Kandura (Dishdasha), Ghutra and eqal! at first I was surprised because he was very confident and acted as if he was a real local, but his blue eyes and his yellow hair that I could see from under the ghutra made me know for sure that he is a foreigner who loves our traditional kandura.</div><div><br /></div><div>I smiled to him, he smiled back and I felt that he was so happy that I liked what I saw.</div><div><br /></div><div>So, everybody feel free to wear our costumes but make sure to respect it, and I am sure you will.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-11520562845831741882010-07-06T10:20:00.006+04:002010-07-06T10:54:48.202+04:00Prohibition of Selling Dogs in IslamGood morning everybody, <div><div> </div><div>I am sorry for not publishing this post last night, but I had to do some research about the prohibition of selling dogs in Islam before publishing the post.</div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675129786612738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA32vQLU-IEUczdMHBFnfprQnaJgYtGPHZup-6T_1bXNbZnNoKA6hJRAgFEaLmnRYTunha5afD79StMuM-xqiPaUhkMVtdbstKrrdfQMlz21RmOnYcuEjB76J0DkMO1YrRjhKEBhDphjY/s320/dog+1.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>In my religion, it is undesirable to keep dogs, and that the one who keeps a dog will have two kirats deducted from his reward every day, except for dogs that are kept for hunting, guarding livestock and guarding crops, which are permissible to keep.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZPVNyxqxwv2dfj5_34JGG33IMnIwIueXxURkinJw7BdagfhqLpQ87cD4FyVc-8ch0C-JagJhoy-oDyT6gAdnxH8DjDVOp7-9omLSVNFYPbvRCkhgAyxsHOu9uMQvIJPfWaUVZFP_wrg/s1600/dogs+2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675532999563330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZPVNyxqxwv2dfj5_34JGG33IMnIwIueXxURkinJw7BdagfhqLpQ87cD4FyVc-8ch0C-JagJhoy-oDyT6gAdnxH8DjDVOp7-9omLSVNFYPbvRCkhgAyxsHOu9uMQvIJPfWaUVZFP_wrg/s320/dogs+2.jpg" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZPVNyxqxwv2dfj5_34JGG33IMnIwIueXxURkinJw7BdagfhqLpQ87cD4FyVc-8ch0C-JagJhoy-oDyT6gAdnxH8DjDVOp7-9omLSVNFYPbvRCkhgAyxsHOu9uMQvIJPfWaUVZFP_wrg/s1600/dogs+2.jpg"></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>There are many "ahaadeeth" narrated from our Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him), which state that it is forbidden in Islam to sell dogs <span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>BECAUSE THEY ARE ENTIRELY IMPURE (NAJIS).</strong> </span>The general meaning of these "Ahaadeeth" include all kinds of dogs, those which are permissible to keep and those which are not permissible to keep.</div><div> </div><div>The transaction of selling a dog is not valid and the price is not "Halal". </div><div> </div><div>What did some of the Muslim Scholars Say:</div><div> </div><div>-Some said that the sale of dogs which bring some benefit is permissible.</div><div> </div><div>-Others said that it is permissible to sell a hunting dog but not any other kind.<br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490675295857882370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRUQsCZRH7UhugH1jwg8ZcHWMS9jAJoeWuajClvsVXl8-C7t-OrQpeRLBNwj9Tfv9iN65dhU54b5ch69AtBU-8Acs1aGD4qXsMyjZpClmfjXpS6H4KptngnJ9dF6eP_AgPsa1_VjyIHM/s320/dog+3.jpg" /></div></div><br /><p>- The majority said that it is not permissible to sell a dog at all wether it is a hunting dog or a herding dog or any other kind. If a person is in a desperate need to have a dog and cannot find someone to give him one, then he may buy it. </p><p>As a conclusion, it should be mentioned that Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) forbade the price of a dog, the wages of a prostitute, and the fee of a fortuneteller. </p><p>I hope the post is useful and please do not hesitate to ask me any question regarding this topic or any other topics that are related to my religion or to my country, the United Arab Emirates.</p><p> </p>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-40324414868675374532010-07-05T12:40:00.004+04:002010-07-05T12:55:17.431+04:00Puppies in need for new homes!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcR2TFzrKbTCQ3t6_xK3nWzCHW14J0YZD4H8Ir05A02Gg9R7xQhgRk46WFzryyO26eYkqMxdcPRzwOKy2rAUAaOo1TkDOqDh7wBf7bAY20vqpx_2k_TEj2-QeBjdVt8emUm1UgQld924/s1600/puppies+2.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490342830751550370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcR2TFzrKbTCQ3t6_xK3nWzCHW14J0YZD4H8Ir05A02Gg9R7xQhgRk46WFzryyO26eYkqMxdcPRzwOKy2rAUAaOo1TkDOqDh7wBf7bAY20vqpx_2k_TEj2-QeBjdVt8emUm1UgQld924/s320/puppies+2.bmp" /></a><br /><div><div>Salam everybody,</div><br /><div>My Aunt has six beautiful cute little puppies (2 females and four males) that are in a desperate need for new loving homes.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490342516937273602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqTDGL6ouPgoBhvIjobc867_ypZDTX8Ib6Q68rQKYXkSwW7pfVJghCqu3PUDW0kQ9mzBiuK98-jI5PG8Jb3jFn0RhGDqA9KX0jorjvAtvZnMdZY2MgMv60D7278YPUU_tASsDQBcpkzA/s400/puppies+1.bmp" /><br /><br /><div>They are very friendly, very beautiful and are two months old. They will ONLY be given to serious dog lovers.</div><br /><div>My aunt is not asking for any fees or money. She just wants someone to take good care of the little puppies. The reason for not asking for any money is that we "Muslims" can not sell dogs. It is forbidden or "Haram" in Islam.</div><br /><div>For more details, please contact my aunt on: 050-5668830</div><br /><div>P.S: I will explain why "selling dogs" is haram in Islam in a new post. So if you would like to know or read more about it, check my blog in a couple of hours because I am in a hurry now.</div><br /><div>Thank you very much.</div></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-5958823947566486762010-06-21T12:19:00.004+04:002010-06-21T12:35:17.009+04:00Fabulous Paintings from Your Photos!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-FeejYZDwh5Hpbua7WXBKS_jnW3gxLcYqvLRmbVrxy37NySfUqWckeTeI7CdaADMrzBZKAWbu75bqs6cZEcrsw-8DF_yiZGnvDjdal139Cen8EyYPN7SRPZhp8ltat7hr4Iom7j1w14/s1600/brush+and+palette.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485142477904634194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-FeejYZDwh5Hpbua7WXBKS_jnW3gxLcYqvLRmbVrxy37NySfUqWckeTeI7CdaADMrzBZKAWbu75bqs6cZEcrsw-8DF_yiZGnvDjdal139Cen8EyYPN7SRPZhp8ltat7hr4Iom7j1w14/s400/brush+and+palette.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div>Good afternoon everybody,</div><br /><div>How is everyone? hope you are all doing great!</div><br /><div>Today I've got a great offer for all of you and I hope you like it.</div><br /><div>Why don't you let me turn your photo into a 100% handmade painting and add a traditional UAE touch on it?! Like change your costume into an Emirati dress "Jalabiya" or instead of having green mountains on your background, I'll change it into golden dunes, sunset in the desert or Abu Dhabi's adorable corniche for instance!</div><br /><div>Once you receive your painting you'll be proud to hang it on the wall or make it a unique gift for your loved ones!</div><br /><div>Don't hesitate and give your eyes the chance to see my magic. Believe me you'll be amazed!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485142241410324226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGK7NvIwzwisq302Ah67hrMVdKTwKUeDYWEoOxCCGUKnTTqJA2iwGGsyzIYgdKJlb9oODrVlEDrrF9J95ViANQM92HC3CYmQ02gk8hpSgIER8RaePp4LJ9ycoxKRX-yg8YxAfaN3iJLfg/s320/amazed.jpg" /><br /><div>Your child or relative can also have his/her photo painted with a beautiful Emarati touch!</div><br /><div>If you are interested, please send me an e-mail: <a href="mailto:sarah.alhanki@yahoo.com">sarah.alhanki@yahoo.com</a></div><br /><div><strong>* * * P.S: The first 3 photos will receive a gift from UAE Caravan! So don't miss it! </strong></div></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-74538308534565047662010-06-09T10:23:00.014+04:002010-06-09T11:05:22.697+04:00A new morning scented with Arabic CoffeeGood morning (Sabah Al Kheir in Arabic)<br /><div><div><div><div><br /> </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 419px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480663101465237186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_hcCRGansM3xJ7GK-_5E69pV7f3ZCQnzwWV6iFTwE1wNBi2OZx5knhHcwlrL19mLcwBet_lcCcFJBImOjwb-r5lsuO42btrbYGQLbbJMU0q-fXVluoM0RKOHR23kNxeUJzWflWrhmHY/s320/Arabic+Coffee+pot.jpg" /><br /><div>Every morning at work, the office boy offer us Arabic Coffee (Qahwa). And, one of my colleagues is a gentleman from Pakistan, asked me today to write for him the recipe of Arabic Coffee since he fell in love with it, and his wife would like to prepare it at home.<br /></div><div>Therefore, I will post the recipe here in my blog, so not only my colleague and his wife could try it and enjoy drinking it, but also you all can do so.<br /></div><div><br /> </div><div><strong>First of All, you need the following ingredients:</strong></div><div><br /> </div><div>3 eight ounce glasses of water<br />1 teaspoon of rose water<br />3/4 cup of lightly roasted and ground coffee<br />1/4 cup of coarsely ground cardamom<br />1/4 teaspoon saffron<br />*Arab cup coffee - Approximately 2 ounces</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy9oDgZtpqflAN-6Evwv-yn-VUExf33QzyUu_6UiwdlYuANiVqd4ByZmmExvCZ2gJ8d859ltE7rRU_UEsWqSawFuXpIemscRr5WTWM_egHxfdnfWwCIJHwBc3K1VkpHs4X_u5MV3_15I/s1600/finjan.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480663544156758354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGy9oDgZtpqflAN-6Evwv-yn-VUExf33QzyUu_6UiwdlYuANiVqd4ByZmmExvCZ2gJ8d859ltE7rRU_UEsWqSawFuXpIemscRr5WTWM_egHxfdnfWwCIJHwBc3K1VkpHs4X_u5MV3_15I/s320/finjan.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong>Arabic Coffee Recipe:</strong><br /></div><br /><div>1. Boil the water in a pan</div><div> </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 260px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 208px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480658215833092898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAu70Fg5wgvkdpadqbMznvxTLbSqmh6sVtSeiTCgzMFBT5Cz_c-udVruu2HAfzCAsYXilEHeKdWRpFNdJJwlnQH-2p-GlFbHE-i7grbbJzDNgT35KVRw0KC0Eii0ip59QOSI58L_GmMA/s320/Pan.jpg" /> </div><br /><div>2. Add the coffee and let boil over low heat for half an hour<br /><div>3. Remove from the heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow the coffee to settle<br />4. Put the cardamom, saffron and rose water in a coffee pot, and strain the coffee into it</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjLy1szomW8S2-KnNHzLZPgj5MjcnnanFVYSwO1UEH5Q9Oz1T3ghTmMjWOaCHi04l1TZPVJX13Fr7x_9Gn3VPJyBrRUKhsyH2HB90bvtnzClMNv8ek6dN8Ji8x8BvXhpeIeCyjbLeJvY/s1600/Cardamom.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 206px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480659246948605874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTjLy1szomW8S2-KnNHzLZPgj5MjcnnanFVYSwO1UEH5Q9Oz1T3ghTmMjWOaCHi04l1TZPVJX13Fr7x_9Gn3VPJyBrRUKhsyH2HB90bvtnzClMNv8ek6dN8Ji8x8BvXhpeIeCyjbLeJvY/s320/Cardamom.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 264px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480660034355120930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OfI9qVNSFPx0j_oA9aAZhIqApYIloQsEHbp9wGla3EJ_TJU-bx_QI2LjcKVIMmW1WsqGtfKxJKptUwxN2w9yGDYRvJb6deJa0W_TD0vC7t0G4Bf2meUDPM5xlVyezve6Zir0C6mkx1c/s320/saffron.jpg" /><br /><p>5. serve and enjoy </p><br /><br /><p><strong>P.S: Arabic coffee (Qahwa) is a symbol of hospitality and honor. In the Arab Gulf countries and many other Arab countries, the ritual of serving coffee is a sign that a guest is welcomed and honored by his post. </strong></p><br /><p><strong>Qahwa is NEVER drunk with milk or sugar. However, they serve it with dates (Tamr), fruits and sweet things.</strong></p><p><strong></strong> </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 241px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480665343983498738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3arvqVoendhGD71OjG2gOOD3AR4LXbFlweWBA_y010Z7umlBOvqUKhyhCzH45BZasymA9JObUoIwUbGlhWbZWxmD23pHGZp5D6OkBMUBqPX47sdGk_Wbd3j2InCXk6zaqePw-edcNE4/s320/%D8%AF%D9%84%D8%A9+%D9%88%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%B1+2.jpg" /><br /><br /><p><strong>Rules and Etiquette of serving Arabic Coffee:</strong><br /></p><p>Rules of etiquette when serving the Qahwa require the host or hostess to personally hand each small cup (Finjan) to the guest with the right hand, after pouring the coffee from the pot (Dallah) with the left hand.</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480662397418889938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8gTjOarrKAkckfHd60RIdZmBK3bD45urge-C4kJFA8PJNUKGb8n58Hy94oLOo3qWyDBbPI0hqNjty8qTZNo4Jk4yqNwaZfV1tDThwaHr8oI_r0cTapCJvXkjpW42AYxJPuE1yxmBoFk/s320/offering+coffee.jpg" /><br />I hope you enjoyed it!<br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-58912088369034933972010-06-08T09:21:00.023+04:002010-06-08T11:11:26.632+04:00Death in IslamSalam all,<br /><br />My post today might be sad and heart aching, but it is part of life. It is about death and how we deal with it in the UAE and most of the Arab and Islamic countries.<br />On Saturday, I went to the funeral of my friend’s uncle who died in the early morning of last Friday (June the 4th, 2010). May his soul rest in peace, Amen. And, I would like all of you to have an idea about death and everything related to it in Islam.<br /><br />Death is simply a transition state from one world to another, as birth is. No one knows when and where he will die or knows how.<br /><br />Islam explains death in full detail, how it happens, and what Muslims should do before, during, and after the death of a Muslim. So let’s take it step by step:<br /><br /><strong>A) WHEN A MUSLIM IS AT THE POINT OF DEATH</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-T-Ljh6NAu1l7qEB7uLGVfFFFAlgqenl25En_DM2h4biWBFoqowcI4yOaEAIVsXIHrAkKNgG5WJCbxKQFY7tajCHWqFihlxnFaWbiG0lFA3COd8BK34nbEVX7jKztp99bO8FfHNw-3A/s1600/dying-person-with-family.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 225px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480269337734350594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-T-Ljh6NAu1l7qEB7uLGVfFFFAlgqenl25En_DM2h4biWBFoqowcI4yOaEAIVsXIHrAkKNgG5WJCbxKQFY7tajCHWqFihlxnFaWbiG0lFA3COd8BK34nbEVX7jKztp99bO8FfHNw-3A/s320/dying-person-with-family.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Family members of the dying person and his most pious friends should be informed and should be present at his side to help him turn his thoughts to Allah, encourage him very gently to repent, remind him about all the good deeds that he did, about Allah’s mercy, and Allah’s forgiveness so that he may anticipate Allah’s mercy and Allah’s favors.<br /><br />Those who are present near a dying Muslim should do the following :<br />• They should be kind and patient.<br />• They should never leave him alone.<br />• They should give him hope, not allowing him to collapse out of pain or panic.<br />• They should prompt him very gently (Encouragement without insistence) every now and then to say the Shahada: "La ilaha ella Allah", which means ‘There is no God but Allah,’ in a very kind and sincere manner as these may be his last words.<br />• They should make Dua’ (Supplicate) to Allah to help him go through situation easy, and forgive him.<br /><br /><strong>B) JUST AFTER DEATH HAS BEEN DETERMINED</strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI34sfaeOcV-Yp3fuReHDuKNK9C8lZgbAkOOM-pAMBihO4o6QWtQ6drCq9_v6chu4wxm064ZRD6TehEucLYANkcJWSs0E0aC2LWNgX_sGBee_oDqt1im_PH9T8RhFovTKGcfFBAQqacw/s1600/After+Death.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 344px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480269802360233362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLI34sfaeOcV-Yp3fuReHDuKNK9C8lZgbAkOOM-pAMBihO4o6QWtQ6drCq9_v6chu4wxm064ZRD6TehEucLYANkcJWSs0E0aC2LWNgX_sGBee_oDqt1im_PH9T8RhFovTKGcfFBAQqacw/s320/After+Death.jpg" /></a><br /><br />When the person is confirmed dead, family members or those who are present should :<br />• Close the eyes of the deceased.<br />• They should bind his lower jaw to his head so that it does not sag.<br />• They should cover all his body completely with a clean sheet.<br />• They should make Dua’ (Supplicate) to Allah to forgive him.<br />• They should hasten to prepare the body for washing, shrouding and burial.<br />• They should pay his debts from his money, or if there is not enough, then from any family member or any relative, this matter is important since the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) encouraged Muslims to pay the debts of the deceased.<br /><br /><strong>C) MOURNING THE DEAD</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9ITyZ6a7loHdruk1AxGlWXuKzgORPbwOc1oe9Gpy4t30QwZHrklQqir9Td39JiHagLPr7in-2a8QGPpro8vpkWV-zLw7uusLTr4T4xSxgIBUCPLoDlGEu-LfinEshSPLZXy6Kvqg7FQ/s1600/Mourning-relative.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480270121720422034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9ITyZ6a7loHdruk1AxGlWXuKzgORPbwOc1oe9Gpy4t30QwZHrklQqir9Td39JiHagLPr7in-2a8QGPpro8vpkWV-zLw7uusLTr4T4xSxgIBUCPLoDlGEu-LfinEshSPLZXy6Kvqg7FQ/s320/Mourning-relative.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Mourning over the dead is allowed in Islam. Grief at the death of a beloved person is normal, and weeping for the dead is allowed in Islam. What is prohibited is to express grief by wailing ( Bewailing refers to mourning in a loud voice), shrieking, beating the chest and cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, breaking things or scratching faces or saying phrases that makes a Muslim lose faith.<br /><br />All of this is totally prohibited, and the deceased may feel pain by these actions, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: "The deceased suffers when someone bewails loudly".<br />Some people let their beard grow to show their sadness, then after several days they shave it. Others wear black clothes, or black ties. All of this has no basis in Islam.<br /><br />It is a Muslim’s duty to advise gently those who do these things to stop doing so, since it is totally prohibited. No loss, however great, should lead a Muslim to sour his faith. They should however bear patiently and accept Allah’s destiny.<br />Relatives of a deceased Muslim may mourn him for three days only, but a widow may mourn her husband four months and ten days.<br /><br />This is due to Hadith (1) of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) who said : " It is prohibited for a woman who believes in Allah and the day of judgment to mourn any dead person more than three days except her husband four months and ten days ". This period is called the Edda (Waiting period) which is prescribed by Allah in the Quran.<br /><br /><strong>D) AL-GHUSUL ( WASHING THE DEAD MUSLIM )</strong><br /><br />When a Muslim dies, it is the responsibility of his family or other Muslims to wash him according to the Islamic rites of washing the deceased. Two or three persons may perform the washing.<br /><br />The person(s) who may wash the deceased should :<br />• Be a trustworthy, and honest adult Muslim(s).<br />• Know the Islamic way of washing the dead and be able to carry out the washing.<br />• Not make any comment on the body of the deceased.<br /><br />NOTE:<br />• If the deceased is a male, then ONLY males should wash him.<br />• If the deceased is a female, then ONLY females should wash her.<br />• For a married person, the spouse may perform the washing.<br />• For a child, either males or females may do the washing.<br /><br />PLACE OF WASHING :<br /><br />The deceased’s body should be washed in a clean, secluded, and private place where clean water and soap are available. Gloves or pieces of cloth are needed.<br /><br />The body of the deceased should be washed with water and, if available, lotus leaves, or camphor (To be used in the final wash).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA2StftNntpZPf_BqSniCYGjb4kTyClbjNm3tvyJH0MGPNqGqVJ22cCDFbQVm17Go8CnT7pDR0MBUP6lgpIdCArxngg8qKvEpIQscmbyQkEauco07gZsHXcOIELXBQh_tENwY75XpY3k/s1600/lotus+leaves.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480287893960052082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA2StftNntpZPf_BqSniCYGjb4kTyClbjNm3tvyJH0MGPNqGqVJ22cCDFbQVm17Go8CnT7pDR0MBUP6lgpIdCArxngg8qKvEpIQscmbyQkEauco07gZsHXcOIELXBQh_tENwY75XpY3k/s320/lotus+leaves.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The washing should be done three or five, or any more odd number of times if necessary.<br /><br />STEPS OF WASHING :<br /><br />The body of the deceased should be placed on a table or alike, the deceased’s clothes should be removed, and the body should be covered with a sheet of cloth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT16EnI3FBVEjqnhhzlMRUOR4VMZMw9DStdE-OV716j6supn0WR_Ygm3bd9XbCORTG8s4ZSSmuVrwKXBgmISCpGZ0WqP8EIP0v-iGI7xGDr0wHSFTv9CG1iGzguDZtapqW4K9AFAE34Ys/s1600/%D8%BA%D8%B3%D9%84+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 122px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480284967969915794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT16EnI3FBVEjqnhhzlMRUOR4VMZMw9DStdE-OV716j6supn0WR_Ygm3bd9XbCORTG8s4ZSSmuVrwKXBgmISCpGZ0WqP8EIP0v-iGI7xGDr0wHSFTv9CG1iGzguDZtapqW4K9AFAE34Ys/s320/%D8%BA%D8%B3%D9%84+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA+1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The head and the upper body should be raised slightly to insure the washing water with exudations from the body flows down and does not run back to the body.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJHtiOX_cHk_4KMv5uQIqJ0hlA7NY3b0ApysqpcbGM94n8O1O4NUfBH9NCBk5QAQ-LUKS4XOAvDYwC_1XXUScmIIVzfBoX62t-VVwRYXoTTrAmCFOALN92fYva_X9D8PzAxDxZe_dbTE/s1600/%D8%BA%D8%B3%D9%84+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 276px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480285308694020786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcJHtiOX_cHk_4KMv5uQIqJ0hlA7NY3b0ApysqpcbGM94n8O1O4NUfBH9NCBk5QAQ-LUKS4XOAvDYwC_1XXUScmIIVzfBoX62t-VVwRYXoTTrAmCFOALN92fYva_X9D8PzAxDxZe_dbTE/s320/%D8%BA%D8%B3%D9%84+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The Awra (Private parts) of the deceased should be covered with a piece of cloth. (I have explained in a previous post what “Awra” is for males and females.).<br /><br />The washer should start washing by saying:" Bismil - lah " which means " In the name of Allah".<br /><br />The washer winds a piece of cloth around his hand, and with this he cleans away any impurities from the body using water. Then he should dispose of this piece.<br /><br />The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand, press lightly the stomach of the deceased so as so to expel, if possible, any remnants from it, and then wash the body of all impurities using water. Then he should dispose this piece of cloth.<br /><br />The washer should take another piece of cloth around his hand (May use gloves), and wash the covered private parts, then dispose of this piece of cloth.<br /><br />The washer should perform Wudu ( Ablution (2) ) on the deceased without inserting the water in the nose and in the mouth.<br /><br />The washer should clean the body with water and soap (If available), starting from the head (hair, face and beard {Men}), then the upper right side of the body then the left side, after that the lower right side then the lower left.<br /><br />In the case of a female, her hair should be loosened, washed, combed, and be braided in three braids, and placed behind her back.<br /><br />The washing should be done three times, or five times, or seven times, as needed, providing that after washing the head, wash the right side before the left, and the upper parts before the lower ones.<br /><br />In the last wash, the washer may use camphor, or some perfume with the water. After that the body should be dried with clean towel. Then the body should be totally covered with a white sheet. Get ready to start the shrouding.<br /><br />SPECIAL NOTE : In case the deceased is a female in her menstrual period or have child birth bleeding, padding should be used to prevent blood from leaving the body.<br /><br />NOTE:<br />• It is recommended that those who performed the washing should take a bath.<br />• It is recommended that those who performed the washing should make Wudu (Ablution).<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran during the Ghusul.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of making special dthiker (Certain words to remember Allah) during the Ghusul.<br /><br /><strong>E) AL-KAFAN ( SHROUDING THE DEAD MUSLIM )</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj_3nRmMRtKPcivVMgI61sGvpPACHHsPIgFSkrSyKnSrxeJnVxTsf2ytFcriMM08sHqAbJxbR2BBPCOrMTMUCyhY_jfjoXISPKtefqfa5oBEkJ4gzMqJ6rdkmZI3guk0MQNuEOUAezgA/s1600/%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA+3.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480286513430822546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj_3nRmMRtKPcivVMgI61sGvpPACHHsPIgFSkrSyKnSrxeJnVxTsf2ytFcriMM08sHqAbJxbR2BBPCOrMTMUCyhY_jfjoXISPKtefqfa5oBEkJ4gzMqJ6rdkmZI3guk0MQNuEOUAezgA/s320/%D8%AA%D9%83%D9%81%D9%8A%D9%86+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Shrouding should start Just after washing the body of the deceased. It is recommended to use white sheets from inexpensive material. Extravagance is not recommended in the Kafan (Shroud).<br /><br /><strong>* * * THE KAFAN OF A MALE</strong><br /><br />The Kafan of a male should consist of three white winding sheets about {7 x 7 feet}, clean and large enough to conceal the whole body, after having been perfumed with incense. Use 4 tie ropes, each 7 feet long.<br /><br />The material of the sheet should not be silk, nor should any gold be used.<br /><br />STEPS OF SHROUDING :<br /><br />1. The winding sheets should be spread out one on the top of the other .<br />2. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on his back on the winding sheets.<br />3. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.<br />4. If it is possible the deceased’s left hand should be placed on his chest, then put his right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer).<br />5. The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way. The third and the largest sheet should be treated the same way.<br />6. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.<br /><br /><strong>* * * THE KAFAN OF A FEMALE</strong><br /><br />The Kafan of a female should consist of five white garments, (Two winding sheets, a long loose sleeveless shirt {From shoulder to feet}, a waist wrapper, and a head veil), these should be large enough to cover the whole body and may be perfumed with incense, a loin cloth may be used to bind the upper part of her legs, use 4 tie ropes, each one is 7 feet long.<br /><br />STEPS OF SHROUDING :<br /><br />1. The garments are spread out ( First: winding sheets {7 x 7 feet}, Second: the long loose sleeveless shirt {3 1/2 x 14 feet, with a hole in the middle line for the head}, Third: waist wrapper {6 feet x 3 1/2 feet }, Fourth head veil {a 4x4 square feet white sheet}, and Fifth: the loin cloth {12 inches wide x 4 feet long} ).<br />2. The deceased, covered with a sheet, is lifted and laid on her back on the shroud.<br />3. Some scent or perfume may be put on those parts of the body upon which one rests during prostration, that is the forehead, nose, hands, knees, and feet.<br />4. The loin cloth is bound round her upper legs (Acts like underwear).<br />5. The waist wrapper is tied in place.<br />6. Put on the sleeveless shirt (Long to cover the body from the shoulder to the feet) .<br />7. Put the head veil.<br />8. The deceased’s left hand should be placed on her chest, then put her right hand on the left hand like the way in the Salat (Prayer).<br />9. The edge of the top sheet is folded over the deceased right side, then the other edge over his left side. Then the second sheet should be folded the same way.<br />10. These sheets should be fastened with a piece of cloth {Tie ropes}, one above the head, another under the feet, and two around the body.<br /><br /><strong>F) SALATUL JANAZAH (THE FUNERAL PRAYER)</strong><br /><br />A divine service is held over the dead body of every Muslim, young or old, even of infants who have lived only a few minutes. When the soul leaves the body, preparations are made for bidding him the last farewell.<br /><br />It is highly recommended that, after washing and shrouding the body of the deceased, the body not to be kept long, but rather taken quickly, prayed for, and then buried.<br />Salatul Janazah is required to be performed in congregation to request pardon for the deceased and all dead Muslims, and to wrap them all in Allah’s Mercy.<br /><br />Salatul Janazah is a collective obligation. A Muslim should not hesitate to participate in it, whether or not the deceased or his relatives are known to him.<br />Salatul Janazah is said silently, except the Takbeer (3) and Tassleem (4). All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara (5) , Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah (6).<br />There is a reward for attending Salatul Janazah for both the deceased and those who make the Salat (prayer) according to the following Hadith:<br /><br />Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said : " Who ever attends the Janazah until it is finished, will earn a Qirat, and who ever stays until the burial, will earn two Qirats. Someone asked: What does Qirat mean ? , the Prophet answered :‘It means rewards as big as great mountain".<br /><br />There are specific times when it is prohibited to perform Salatul Janazah, unless it becomes necessary, due to the condition of the body, to perform it quickly and then bury the body.<br /><br />This is due to the Hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H.) who forbade us to pray, or bury our dead during these specified times:<br /><br />• From sunrise until the sun is fully risen,<br />• At the zenith of the sun (the sun at meridian), until it passes the meridian,<br />• From when the sun pales before sunset until it has set.<br /><br /><strong>STEPS OF SALATUL JANAZAH</strong><br /><br />All conditions for regular Salat are required in Salatul Janazah such as Tahara, Wudu, clean body and clothes, neeyah (Intention), and facing the Qiblah.<br /><br />Muslims should form a minimum of three lines facing the Qiblah. The one who leads the Salat is the leader or his deputy, or the deceased’s father.<br /><br />If there is only one Muslim with the Imam, he should stand behind the Imam.<br /><br />The body (ies) should be placed in front of the person who leads the prayer.<br /><br />In case there are more than one dead Muslim (Males and females), then the female(s) should be placed in the first row(s) in the direction of the Qiblah, then the male(s) in the following row(s), then the Imam. For example : If there are : a dead Muslim male, a female, a young girl, and a young boy, then behind the Qiblah, first place the body of the young girl, then the adult female, then the young boy, then the adult male, so the bodies are arranged in a way that females’ bodies are first, then the males.<br /><br />There are NO Rukuh (7), Sujud (8), Athan (9), or Eqama (10).<br />Having the appropriate neeyah (Intention), raise your hands in the usual manner and say : " Alla-hu Akbar " which means “Allah is the Greatest”.<br />Fold your right hand over the left hand in the usual manner.<br />Recite the Fatiha silently.<br />Then say : "Alla-hu Akbar".<br />Then recite the Tashahood.<br />The Tashahood is :- ( Allahumma sallee ala Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama sallayta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, wa barik ala Muhammad wa’ala alee Muhammad kama barakta ala Ibrahim wa ala alee Ibrahim, Fil alameen innaka hamidun Majeed).<br />This means : " O Allah! Grant peace to Muhammad and his family as you did to Ibrahim and his family. O Allah! Bless Muhammad and his family as you blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly you are Most Glorious and Most Praiseworthy".<br />Then say : " Alla-hu Akbar ".<br />Then make dua’ (Supplicate) for the deceased.<br />Then say: " Alla-hu Akbar ".<br />Then make dua (Supplicate) for all dead Muslims.<br />In the case of a dead baby or young child, make dua (Supplicate) for his parents.<br />Then say : " Assalamu alykum ", like you say in other Salats. Tasleem could be said only once.<br /><br />NOTE:<br />• Salatul Janazah for the one who died far away is allowed.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of putting the picture of the deceased or some of his clothes or flowers in front of or around the Kafan ( Shroud).<br />• To use a coffin (Box) is not allowed, unless there is necessity to use it, such as the body of the deceased is damaged, or for health reasons, or when the grave is wet and cannot be dried.<br /><br /><strong>F) FOLLOWING THE JANAZAH</strong><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480294658809153266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN7zgPEyjxfANN_wufYUZdn3TTFNfXLR4EiVEDgj_gCKCWFQ6Sq1iw13ryMISk7Njy2mx8Ivjo9VxfLpToZ5oZEgJP0LxyZbGIeN5y0QoQUvB5u99XgUL0CUVimLrCZ0vuu-TjD50dOI/s320/%D8%AA%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%8A%D8%B9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%AA.jpg" /><br />After Salatul Janazah, the deceased should be transferred to the Muslim cemetery.<br />It is recommended for those following the Janazah on foot to keep behind or either on the right or on the left of those who are carrying the body.<br />They should walk calmly, quietly, and not crowd or push others who are carrying the deceased.<br /><br />Following the Janazah with incense or candles, mentioning Allah’s name loudly, weeping loudly or reading Quran, playing music, or carrying the body of the deceased on a military car, all are not allowed when escorting the body of the deceased.<br /><br /><strong>G) AL-DAFIN ( BURIAL )</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz_zhDSMprOL0IQISnHv8X3ryEJZ8DbXdkYr-gxeeDiwJl4sPo6b2BYWPwq-r6K7Z8GcCCylJs9Ws5JqRXuwt4Jraucpuatir7ajX8jyhZcptzhkG2YJClYCK1-kfcsnay3wHSI_Cohw/s1600/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D9%86.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 203px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480282855566529762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz_zhDSMprOL0IQISnHv8X3ryEJZ8DbXdkYr-gxeeDiwJl4sPo6b2BYWPwq-r6K7Z8GcCCylJs9Ws5JqRXuwt4Jraucpuatir7ajX8jyhZcptzhkG2YJClYCK1-kfcsnay3wHSI_Cohw/s320/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%81%D9%86.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Islam has a unique style of building graves and cemeteries that is characterized by simplicity and economy in costs and that avoids glorifying the dead with elaborate monuments.<br /><br />It is of great importance that a special cemetery be devoted exclusively for the use of Muslims. Muslims may not be buried in the cemeteries of non-Muslims, nor can non-Muslims be buried in a Muslim cemetery.<br /><br />The deceased should be buried in the locality in which he lived. It is undesirable to take the body to the person’s own country or to another city.<br />In Muslim cemeteries, there are two types of graves :<br />Al-Shaqq : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground.<br />Al-Lahed : is to make a deep vertical hole in the ground, then in the bottom make a side horizontal hole big enough to cover the whole body.<br />Both types are used, but it is preferable to use Al-Lahed if the land is solid.<br />The burial should be done as soon as possible after death, but the following times should be avoided :<br /><br />• At night<br />• From sunrise until the sun is fully risen.<br />• At the zenith of the sun (The sun at the meridian), until it passes the meridian.<br />• When the sun pales before sunset until it has set.<br /><br />During these times burying is prohibited unless there is an urgent necessity.<br />The grave should be always perpendicular ( Horizontal) to the direction of Qiblah. Only men are allowed to attend the burial.<br /><br />All Muslims who are present should remember death, the hereafter, and that one day he too will be buried. They should keep quiet (No talking unless it is necessary).The deceased’s male relatives are expected to put the body in the grave, putting the body in the grave should be carried out only by Muslim men. A female is placed in her grave either by her husband, her sons, her father, her brothers, or her uncle.<br /><br />The deceased’s body should be entered to the grave from the direction where his feet will be (From the rear of the grave).<br /><br />How to enter the body into the grave?<br /><br />• Those who enter the body of the deceased in the grave should say : (Bismil llah wa ala millati rasulil llah), which means : " In the name of Allah and in the faith of the Messenger of Allah ".<br />• The deceased’s body should rest on his right side, and should be close to the wall and supported so that the body will not fall back, the deceased’s face should be towards the Qiblah.<br />• Those who put the deceased in the grave should not have had sexual intercourse with their wives the night before.<br />• They should undo the tie on the head and the feet.<br />• They should put above the body a layer of wood or big stones, so that earth will not be put directly on the body when they fill the grave with earth.<br />• After the body is totally covered, it is desirable to throw three handfuls of soil into the grave.<br />• Then the grave should be filled up with sand .<br />• It is allowable to put a mark on the grave or a stone to know the grave.<br />Just after the burial all Muslims, including the deceased’s relatives, may stay in the cemetery for a while and make dua’ ( Supplicate ) for the deceased, since he is being questioned by the Angels.<br /><br />NOTE:<br /><br />• There is no Islamic teaching of transferring the deceased to another country.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of revealing the face of the deceased after putting the body in the grave.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of shouting with special dthiker (Certain words to remember Allah) before, during, and after burial.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of reading the Quran in the cemetery.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of putting flowers, food, water, or money around the grave that will benefit the deceased.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of putting anything in, on or around the grave that will benefit the deceased.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of slaughtering an animal during or after burial.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching of staying in a state of sadness for one year .<br />• There is no Islamic teaching that the relatives of the deceased should wear black clothes.<br />• There is no Islamic teaching that planting flowers on, or around the grave will benefit the deceased.<br /><br /><strong>* IMPORTANT RULES IN THE CEMETERY</strong><br /><br />• It is prohibited to step over, lean, or sit on a grave.<br />• It is prohibited to build any form of construction on the grave, or decorate the grave.<br />• It is prohibited to plaster the grave, whitewash the grave, or use cooked stones.<br />• It is prohibited to pray facing towards the graves.<br />• Women are forbidden from attending the burial.<br />• It is prohibited to slaughter animals around the grave.<br />• It is prohibited to cremate the body of dead Muslim, even if the deceased requested it before his death.<br />• It is prohibited to put candles on the grave.<br />• It is also disliked (Makruh) to pray in the cemetery.<br />• Performing autopsy on a dead Muslim is totally prohibited, unless it is requested by court order.<br /><br /><strong>H) SPECIAL CASES</strong><br /><br />1) Miscarried Fetus:<br /><br />If the fetus is less than four months old ( Mother was pregnant for less than four months ), then the fetus may not be washed; the fetus should be wrapped in a piece of white cloth and buried. Then there is no Salatul Janazah for this fetus.<br />If the fetus is more than four months old ( Mother was pregnant for more than four months ), then the fetus may be washed, shrouded (Using one or two winding sheets to cover the whole body), and then Muslims have the choice whether to perform Salatul Janazah or not.<br /><br />2) Children :<br /><br />A) Before reaching the age of puberty, a child may be washed by males or females. Shrouding a child for females use a shirt and two winding sheets and for males two or three winding sheets may be used.<br />B) For those children who reached the age of puberty, they should be dealt with as an adult { Female child like female adult, and male child like male adult}, but then Salatul Janazah be performed.<br /><br />3) Martyr :<br /><br />The body of a Martyr should not be washed, nor be shrouded but buried with the same clothes that people found him with.<br />The strongest opinion of Muslim scholars is not to offer Salatul Janazah for martyrs since Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) did not offer it for the martyrs of the battle of Uhud (11).<br /><br /><strong>I) CONDOLENCES</strong><br /><br />It is a Muslim’s duty to offer condolences, comfort, and sympathy to the family and the relatives of the deceased. This strengthens the relationships within the Muslim community.<br /><br />When offering condolences, words should be chosen carefully and said gently to convey sympathy and to encourage the family and the relatives of the deceased to accept Allah’s will and to help them to get back to their normal life.<br /><br />Condolences may be offered to the family and to the relatives of the deceased before, during or after burial for up to three days, but it may be offered even at later time if someone did not hear about it or he was far away.<br /><br />It is recommended to leave after offering condolences to give the family time to take care of their other affairs, assistance may be offered for anything the family may need, and one may stay to help.<br /><br />In the UAE and many Muslim countries, the family of the deceased do not cook or do anything at home. Their neighbors and other family members do everything for them all day long. They cook food in their houses and bring it to the house of the deceased’s family to offer it for people offering condolences, they bring fruits, Arabic Coffee, water, etc. People in the UAE are one big family and they become even closer in hard times.<br /><br />It is Sunnah (12) that friends, neighbors and relatives prepare food for the family of the deceased, for the loss of the loved one occupies the family’s whole attention.<br />Families of the deceased in the UAE and Muslim countries hold gatherings for three days or more, and sometimes hire people to recite Quran loudly.<br />Usually Males gather in a separate living room or many times (in the UAE) the family of the deceased have a very big tent built beside their house for men to gather in, while females gather inside the house.<br /><br /><strong>J) THE EDDA (WAITING PERIOD) OF MUSLIM WIDOWS (FEMALES)</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUu0_GBuZOu61pMJCD1wel1GKM-J1WRSLvHM-B9h47sqsKlkwaa6kUjB25X3Gn8aUZCi-2KtJjWGN1UU2OZLiiwoKa-Q6vF6uJiN1RKswfvtXUs2doROzYQvcaAAnxc_7a6NTs14LfVg/s1600/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 218px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480278352843521842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUu0_GBuZOu61pMJCD1wel1GKM-J1WRSLvHM-B9h47sqsKlkwaa6kUjB25X3Gn8aUZCi-2KtJjWGN1UU2OZLiiwoKa-Q6vF6uJiN1RKswfvtXUs2doROzYQvcaAAnxc_7a6NTs14LfVg/s320/%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%A9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A9.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Upon hearing the news of the death of her husband, a Muslim wife should be steadfast and patient. She should accept all that Allah plans for her and her family with sincerity and patience.<br /><br />It is prohibited to express grief by wailing, shrieking, beating the chest or cheeks, tearing hair or clothes, or saying phrases that makes a Muslim lose faith.<br />She may cry, as the Prophet did when his son died. He said :" The eyes are shedding tears and the heart is grieved, and we will not say except what pleases our Lord".<br />Allah in the Quran prescribed the Edda (Waiting period) for those wives whose husbands die : " And those of you who die and leave wives behind them, they (The wives) shall wait for four months and ten days "(Quran 2:234).<br /><br />Edda is prescribed for widows in order to mourn the death of their husbands, observe their memory, fulfill any obligations toward them, and to see if the widow is pregnant or not.<br /><br />A woman should not mourn for any deceased person for more than three days, except in the case of her husband’s death, which she may mourn for a period of four months and ten days. Such a woman in mourning is not to wear any fancy, bright clothes, but only plain clothes, not use any adornment or make-up, nor use perfume, nor die her hands or feet with Henna .<br /><br />If the widow is pregnant, then her waiting period ends when she delivers her baby, according to Allah’s command in the Quran.<br />So a widow during the Edda should :<br /><br />• Stay in her home, and only leave when it is necessary.<br />• Sleep in her home.<br />• Not wear fancy, bright clothes.<br />• Not wear jewelry.<br />• Not use makeup including eyeliners (kohol).<br />• Not use perfume.<br /><br />THIS TIME IS NOT TO DEPRIVE HERSELF FROM LAWFUL THINGS, OR TO SUFFER MORE THAN A HUMAN COULD BEAR. IT IS TIME TO REMEMBER ALL THE MEMORIES OF HER HUSBAND, MAKE DUA’ FOR HIM, THINK ABOUT HERSELF, AND PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.<br /><br /><strong>K) REWARDS AFTER DEATH</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYKVRTo_B4IeA6OasP1q5Y47pZA0xb_JvP_CExqkz-LkFBgVgSXlmmKsdtDnwzwechXikdAxhU2mb_rIf8IgP9_src7spDXxAXWKLVaSXEwm1HnRrqS54cXTmhEB8QkVkeGHRZpZPN2E/s1600/Rewards+after+death.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480279441300348082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwYKVRTo_B4IeA6OasP1q5Y47pZA0xb_JvP_CExqkz-LkFBgVgSXlmmKsdtDnwzwechXikdAxhU2mb_rIf8IgP9_src7spDXxAXWKLVaSXEwm1HnRrqS54cXTmhEB8QkVkeGHRZpZPN2E/s320/Rewards+after+death.jpg" /></a><br /><br />While the life span of a Muslim is short, and deeds and actions stop after death, a Muslim may continue to earn rewards for certain things even after his death.<br />Good deeds, such as perpetual charity, are the ones that follow him a Muslim (Get the rewards), even while the person is in the grave, such deeds like: useful knowledge, a good child that prays for him, a Mosque that he built, teaching Quran to another person, a house he built for public use, a water fountain or a river that he rented and made it free for people, or a charity that he gave during his life while he was in good health; all are rewardable even after death.<br />So, there are generally three things that benefit the dead:<br /><br />1) Charity; Continuous Charity ;<br />2) A knowledge left by the deceased from which some benefit may be obtained;<br />3) A virtuous son or daughter who makes Dua’ (Pray, supplicate) on the deceased’s behalf, or perform duties that the deceased did not do during his lifetime such as fasting missed days or Hajj, or pay his debts.<br /><br />People put flowers, candles, food, perfume, on the grave all of this will not benefit the deceased.<br /><br /><strong>L) VISITING THE CEMETERY</strong><br /><br />In the beginning of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) advised Muslim males not to visit the cemeteries, but after that he the Prophet(P.B.U.H.) gave them the permission to visit the cemetery to remind them of the hereafter.<br /><br />Most scholars say it is Makrouh ( Hated action ), while other scholars say it is permissible for Muslim females to visit the cemetery provided that the visit is not frequent and it is for the sole purpose of remembering death and hereafter.<br /><br />When Muslim females visit the cemetery, they should wear proper clothes, no make-up or perfume, they should not cry loudly or say words of discontent or behave unislamically .<br /><br />The purpose of visiting the cemetery is to remember the fact that everyone is going to die and that we must prepare for the day of judgment.<br />Visiting the cemetery benefits the dead too, since the visitors will make dua’ (supplicate) for the dead to forgive his sins and have mercy on him.<br />I know it is a topic that makes the heart beats faster but as I said it is part of life and we can not ignore it. We are all visitors in this world and I wish all of our last homes are in heaven.<br /><br /><strong>Vocabulary:</strong><br /><br />1- Hadith: or (Ahaadeeth –plural-) are narrations originating from the words and deeds of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.<br />2- Ablution or Wudu: is the Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water. Muslims are required to be clean in preparation for ritual prayers.<br />3- Takbeer: is the Arabic name for the phrase Allāhu Akbar (الله أكبر). Usually translated "God is [the] greatest," or "God is Great", it is a common Islamic Arabic expression, used as both an informal expression of faith and as a formal declaration.<br />4- Tasleem: is said to conclude the salah.<br /><br />You say: Peace be unto you and so will Allah's mercy<br />(In Arabic: Al-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatul Laah)<br />-Upon saying this, slowly turn your head to the right-.<br />السلامُ عليكُم ورحمةُ الله<br /><br />then you say it again: Peace be unto you and so will Allah's mercy<br />(In Arabic: Al-Salaamu Alaikum wa Rahmatul Laah)<br />-Upon saying this, slowly turn your head to the left-.<br /><br />5- Tahara: The act of being clean, pure and performing the Wudu(Ablution)<br />6- Qibla: the direction of the “Kaaba” in Mecca toward which Muslims turn for their daily prayers<br />7- Rukuh: Rukuh is the bowing part of salaah (Muslims Prayer).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_136D6LIPfroqWKgN7-IBoGN0EFFP8ggRzu6bF9BLF9ZYcmZOHkWh5_HTNFT8ImAUq3gM36HbaJwFeq7bnCUbWpW4WomQXAB88sdavt977ABDexj69s92YLs9DKPxavkhME00PKMOco/s1600/%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B9.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480282179266212802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_136D6LIPfroqWKgN7-IBoGN0EFFP8ggRzu6bF9BLF9ZYcmZOHkWh5_HTNFT8ImAUq3gM36HbaJwFeq7bnCUbWpW4WomQXAB88sdavt977ABDexj69s92YLs9DKPxavkhME00PKMOco/s320/%D8%B1%D9%83%D9%88%D8%B9.jpg" /></a><br /><br />8- Sujud: the position in salaah in which the person prostrates on the ground with his hands, knees, feet, and face touching the ground.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL-_O_8QTxK5wXnPIT0BNTLiDyQsLcTMDf7r7Z32ruFo8T2OTU0k4liZWDI8uvlUBmd5bd96VCEoQLEHEDkKYJ0C4I-qIIcF9NZzeYEefDV8_zp3Ty09A5IyTly3cIN8FHrhayUgUEXA/s1600/%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%AF.bmp"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 264px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480282424742323922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCL-_O_8QTxK5wXnPIT0BNTLiDyQsLcTMDf7r7Z32ruFo8T2OTU0k4liZWDI8uvlUBmd5bd96VCEoQLEHEDkKYJ0C4I-qIIcF9NZzeYEefDV8_zp3Ty09A5IyTly3cIN8FHrhayUgUEXA/s320/%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%AF.bmp" /></a><br /><br />9- Athan: is the Islamic call to prayer<br />10- Eqama: It is the second call to Islamic Prayer, given immediately before the prayer begins<br />11- Battle of Uhud: Please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Uhud<br />12- Sunnah: is an Arabic word that means habit or usual practice. The Muslim usage of this term refers to the sayings and living habits of Muhammad, the last prophet of Islam.Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-91006971732044132572010-06-01T11:26:00.010+04:002010-06-01T11:39:31.605+04:00Some questions and answers!Good morning everyone ^_^<br /><br />A couple of days ago, I have received an e-mail from a lady who had some questions related to UAE’s culture and people. This was her e-mail:<br /><br /><strong>Assalam alaikum sis!<br /><br />How are you? Inshallah everything is fine with you!<br /><br />I have few questions, maybe you know the answer...<br /><br />Is it true that local women in wealthy high class Emirati families have something like a "personal assistant"- a personal maid- ?. A personal maid that helps madam do dress and even wash her in the bathroom? One of my friends says in their family they have this kind of maids whom their families get good money for this, instead their daughters work as "personal assistants" in some wealthy families but can never get married- no time for that, "career".<br /><br />Another question is about weddings. All weddings in the UAE are segregated, which means that women celebrate separately in a big wedding hall, thus a bride can wear an open dress and have all the make up, same for the women-guests- they can wear open dresses, no need for hijab (1). Yet again I heard that in some very wealthy UAE families- a social wedding party is mixed- men and women are present, while the bride wears an open dress and make up in front of strange men. But in life she has to wear an “abaya” (2) and “sheila” (3), sometimes even “niqab” (4). Then this is a contradiction. Is it true? do such weddings take place? Or I simply misunderstood? <br /><br />I'll be grateful if you could answer please.<br /><br />Take care!</strong>***<br /><br />Indeed, I replied and explained everything to her. I am posting my replying e-mail here in my blog so that everyone can read the answers and understand the whole idea. <br />Here is my reply and the answers:<br /><br />Wa Alaikom Assalam sis,<br /> <br />A1- Emirati families tend to be big families in very large homes or villas (Grandparents, Daughters, Sons, Grand children, etc). And usually every big house with an extended family has 2-4 house maids (depends on the size of the house and the number of people in it), a driver and a cook. <br /><br />Some wealthy Emirati families have nannies for their kids, specialized to help mums with their babies and children (other than house keepers). <br /><br />I have heard that some very wealthy Emirati Families have a "Personal Assistant" for some “women” members of the family, but I DON’T THINK that they wash their Madams in the bathroom because it is forbidden in our religion and culture that a woman sees the “Awra” (5) of another woman. It is unacceptable Not in Islam, nor in my Culture.<br /> <br />In addition to that, the "Personal Assistant" might not get married not because of her career, but because she chose not to. No one, no matter who he or she is, can force a house maid or a personal assistant to do something without her agreement. So, If she wants to get married and start a family, she is totally free to do that.<br /> <br />A2- Regarding weddings, they are all separated in the UAE (Women celebrate alone and Men celebrate alone in two separate Halls or Luxurious tents). <br /><br />Personally I have never heard of a mixed Emirati Wedding because it is close to impossible, but again, families differ in the UAE. But mixed weddings of Emirati families in the UAE are VERY VERY RARE (like 0.1%). <br /> <br />In addition to that, If the bride, her groom and both their families are ok with having a mixed wedding and showing parts of their bodies in front of strange men, then they shouldn’t have a problem not wearing the “Abaya” or “Sheila” in their daily lives. Again, no one is forcing anyone to do anything. <br /><br />As I said before, people are not the same, they are like the hand fingers. And in the UAE there are very strict families, mild families and very free or open minded families, but all of this is related to CULTURE not RELIGION and there is a difference between both of them. For example: Some ladies in the UAE do not cover their hair completely, they just wear the “Sheila or have it on their heads as a scarf”. Some other ladies cover themselves from head to toe, and some wear the “Niqab” or the “burga” (6) but might show their fringe or front hair. But, again, this is because there is a big difference between Religion and Culture. <br /><br />The UAE is a free country but the majority of us ,Emirati citizens, maintain respect of our culture, religion and traditions and we are proud of our customs, religion and country. <br /><br />Hope my answers made it much easier for you to understand. Please do not hesitate to ask.<br /> <br />Sarah<br /><br />*** Some Vocabulary:<br /><br />1. Hijab: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g2CtO7v6jV3_t1c_ewyO5OvlHCfs_fqp00rpUv2rg1KyXfI1H1VgbhmzSyvS6pfsPkdMJ_940jYXLwn05sngf7h0IWWI60NwwnqVrQCGzoeWH4IDBQlTYJ8cSWDLKjU4f_M07HpRiJk/s1600/%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g2CtO7v6jV3_t1c_ewyO5OvlHCfs_fqp00rpUv2rg1KyXfI1H1VgbhmzSyvS6pfsPkdMJ_940jYXLwn05sngf7h0IWWI60NwwnqVrQCGzoeWH4IDBQlTYJ8cSWDLKjU4f_M07HpRiJk/s320/%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477704634537575522" /></a><br /><br />It is the head covering traditionally worn by Muslim women and modest Muslim styles of dress in general. <br /><br />2. Abaya: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKY0ghkFqoe4EY7PTiHqcaX3n4htTL5rY0o82DjoZPUZJkTuPO7oF_QovlcyZzXmOVohEwmvzjpSK10ouliCU2GhNz-_waKwpR1dQmbvodrQGE_ICdx2tYn8PMTA9pUmn_dQQH_XvTB4/s1600/%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 305px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKY0ghkFqoe4EY7PTiHqcaX3n4htTL5rY0o82DjoZPUZJkTuPO7oF_QovlcyZzXmOVohEwmvzjpSK10ouliCU2GhNz-_waKwpR1dQmbvodrQGE_ICdx2tYn8PMTA9pUmn_dQQH_XvTB4/s320/%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%8A%D8%A9+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477705047195907106" /></a><br /><br />is long over garment essentially a robe-like dress, worn by some women in parts of the Islamic world. It is considered an Arabic cultural dress integrated into the hijab, or Islamic dress, for many countries of the Arabian peninsula such as Saudi Arabia or United Arab Emirates, where it is the national dress.<br />A traditional abaya is black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long caftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the face, feet, and hands. It can be worn with the niqāb, which is a face veil covering all but the eyes. Some women choose to wear long black gloves, so their hands are covered as well.<br /><br />3. Sheila: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2iQCuviLFVagaaFHINhHh_QVI9X1EBjU1IJYU-wZjazQV57ut0G5mTkA8At0eHNDrriG7bh9C7QqIFj6S2vb22WCS7OUP5EzEMEnLexNFI_lMHTnElWKs1AmknXo3Ro9NY-LV2FkATQ/s1600/%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2iQCuviLFVagaaFHINhHh_QVI9X1EBjU1IJYU-wZjazQV57ut0G5mTkA8At0eHNDrriG7bh9C7QqIFj6S2vb22WCS7OUP5EzEMEnLexNFI_lMHTnElWKs1AmknXo3Ro9NY-LV2FkATQ/s320/%D8%B4%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477705272080967970" /></a><br /><br />it is a veil that covers the hair.<br /><br />4: Niqab: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc972j_0wRRAedRfi00Q9gfsGhlHfK7usiU3YkMiyUTbxj4ITXsYGD70PK9wOTJhrM29denuQ0Fcl-gBOkS-YfkTifyKkgp5Jx5D_gei8vYE24-wL4tk34_sZR2KISWct6ZqftmsInygQ/s1600/%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc972j_0wRRAedRfi00Q9gfsGhlHfK7usiU3YkMiyUTbxj4ITXsYGD70PK9wOTJhrM29denuQ0Fcl-gBOkS-YfkTifyKkgp5Jx5D_gei8vYE24-wL4tk34_sZR2KISWct6ZqftmsInygQ/s320/%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477705761317406370" /></a><br /><br />It is a face veil covering all but the eyes.<br /><br />5: Awra: It is a term used within Islam which denotes the intimate parts of the body, for both men and women, which must be covered with clothing. Exposing the Awra is unlawful in Islam and is regarded as sin. The exact definition of Awrah varies between different schools of Islamic thought.<br /><br />Men’s Awra: The awra of a man refers to the part of the body between the navel and the knees which should be covered when in public and also during the ritual prayer. <br />Neither men nor women should uncover their genitals at any time except when in privacy. Men and women should at all times wear garments that are loose and the material is not transparent as to see the skin colour and shape of the other (male or female).<br /><br />Women’s Awra: Women's Awra changes according to the situation:<br /><br />• In ritual prayer: In ritual prayer, a woman should cover her entire body excluding her face and her hands from the wrist to the base of the fingers. She should also cover part of her forehead and the area under the chin.<br /><br />A woman should cover her hair and body while performing the ritual prayer- whether she is praying in presence of her husband or she is praying alone in her chamber, as the basis for covering in prayer is different that the basis for covering in front of people.<br /><br />• In front of her husband: There is no restriction in Islam on what body parts a woman may show to her husband in private. The husband and wife can see any part of each other’s body especially during sexual intercourse.<br /><br />• In privacy: It is recommended that a person covers his or her sexual organs even when alone in private. There are exceptions such as when taking a shower or going to the bathroom.<br /><br />• Among other women: The Awrah of a woman amongst other women is the same as the Awrah of men (from her navel to her knees). Awrah in front of non-Muslim women is a point of debate. Some scholars say that women should cover all but the hands and face, while according to the most preferred opinion, a Muslim woman can reveal in front of a non-Muslim woman as much as she would in front of other Muslim woman.<br /><br />• In front of a mahram: (close male relative that she can not marry, such as, Father, Brother, Uncle, etc.), a woman can show her face, head, neck, hands, forearms, feet and calves and she must cover everything else.<br /> <br />• In front of her male children: If the child understands what the Awrah is, then it is not considered permissible for a woman to uncover her Awrah in front of him.<br /> <br />• Awrah in front of unrelated men (either Muslim or non-Muslim) is also a matter of dispute.<br /><br />Most Muslims hold that entire body of the woman, except her face and hands, is part of her awrah, that is the parts of her body that must be covered during prayer and in public settings.<br /><br />Salafi Muslims (a Sunni Islamic movement that takes the pious ancestors, the Salaf of the patristic period of early Islam, as exemplary models) believe that a woman's awrah in front of unrelated men is her entire body including her face and hands.<br /><br />6: Burga: <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoyxlaK1fV8USETHVehjFZ4Pi88wEftsChR0AV71CSC-PYVHP0fiB1R0EJ-ezMbQGS70f42Alk1f6KzrqqaIo7loeDZjR5D7wpI6gMLtifxy_gXxWF6qzcUoEkBdyUlu3Jjgb_DW_L-w/s1600/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%B9+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoyxlaK1fV8USETHVehjFZ4Pi88wEftsChR0AV71CSC-PYVHP0fiB1R0EJ-ezMbQGS70f42Alk1f6KzrqqaIo7loeDZjR5D7wpI6gMLtifxy_gXxWF6qzcUoEkBdyUlu3Jjgb_DW_L-w/s320/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D9%82%D8%B9+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477706054404206002" /></a><br /><br />It is a traditional face veil that is worn by married women.Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-9595618982724241682010-05-19T09:26:00.022+04:002010-05-19T10:55:21.983+04:00History of the United Arab EmiratesGood Day all ^_^
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<br />Hope you are all doing fine for I haven't read any of your comments about the topics I post. Please feel free to ask me write about any topic that you would like to know more about.
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<br />Today, I chose to tell you a little bit about the history of my beloved country.
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<br /><strong>*** Origins:</strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6FI4UiflUdirbB0zlQwhweqDNV7RtPUkfYs1yZoAIJ1zP_L0iggNLbCfMjoYeQXHgypAhrqgsVe1_VjWod3_-eeTnIwklap1Tl2pPHg8dZ1-Vn4UYhFmFUp2-AhE-_Nnb9eNFxRkACY/s1600/origins+of+the+UAE.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6FI4UiflUdirbB0zlQwhweqDNV7RtPUkfYs1yZoAIJ1zP_L0iggNLbCfMjoYeQXHgypAhrqgsVe1_VjWod3_-eeTnIwklap1Tl2pPHg8dZ1-Vn4UYhFmFUp2-AhE-_Nnb9eNFxRkACY/s320/origins+of+the+UAE.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472860077237828434" /></a>
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<br />The United Arab Emirates was formed from the group of tribally organized Arabian Peninsula sheikhdoms along the southern coast of the Persian Gulf and the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Oman.
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<br />The earliest known human habitation in the United Arab Emirates dated from the Neolithic period, 5500 BCE. At this early stage, there is proof of interaction with the outside world, particularly with civilisations to the north. These contacts persisted and became wide-ranging, probably motivated by trade in copper from the Hajar Mountains which commenced around 3000 BCE. Foreign trade, the recurring motif in the history of this strategic region, flourished also in later periods, facilitated by the domestication of the camel at the end of the second millennium BCE. Once area of U.A.E administrated by Cleopatra of Ancient Egypt.
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<br />By the first century CE overland caravan traffic between Syria and cities in southern Iraq began, followed by seaborne travel to the important port of Omana (perhaps present-day Umm al-Qaiwain) and thence to India was an alternative to the Red Sea route used by the Romans. Pearls had been exploited in the area for millennia but at this time the trade reached new heights. Seafaring was also a mainstay and major fairs were held at Dibba, bringing in merchants from as far as China.
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<br /><strong>*** Advent of Islam:</strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-gkq2Rh1RfDAFJbXij15dEb4ajw6QB_4j7smdQltGN_RQz9mR2oXpchkHuyWq3FR30ZCPt_Z3PzdPQAlc8hrgaFIIabp7fwTnFGn3pe_MHnhSUX75qHlePiLThRTXRPjUic0lYx3sx4/s1600/Advent+of+Islam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-gkq2Rh1RfDAFJbXij15dEb4ajw6QB_4j7smdQltGN_RQz9mR2oXpchkHuyWq3FR30ZCPt_Z3PzdPQAlc8hrgaFIIabp7fwTnFGn3pe_MHnhSUX75qHlePiLThRTXRPjUic0lYx3sx4/s320/Advent+of+Islam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472860341580291730" /></a>
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<br />The arrival of envoys from the Prophet Muhammad in 630 heralded the conversion of the region to Islam. After Muhammad's death one of the major battles of the Ridda Wars was fought at Dibba, resulting in the defeat of the non-Muslims and the triumph of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula.
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<br />In 637, Julfar (today Ra’s al-Khaimah) was as a staging post for the conquest of Iran. Over many centuries, Julfar became a wealthy port and pearling center from which dhows traveled throughout the Indian Ocean.
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<br /><strong>*** Portuguese control:</strong>
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<br />Portuguese expansion into the Indian Ocean in the early sixteenth century following Vasco da Gama's route of exploration saw them battle the Ottomans up the coast of the Persian Gulf.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-TCH8suJoJztntmFqgv1GhOiJZfG3AM_WZ9neF2qrm91bnsZXG5iky7VzKNPjBaTzczpSTm0_5E6BNmO5y3S7gdzbkZJNpk8ns_7ygcE_6SKo3JmQLvz-7ElbVZIUTJIoT8yhENwAEw/s1600/Vasco+da+gama.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-TCH8suJoJztntmFqgv1GhOiJZfG3AM_WZ9neF2qrm91bnsZXG5iky7VzKNPjBaTzczpSTm0_5E6BNmO5y3S7gdzbkZJNpk8ns_7ygcE_6SKo3JmQLvz-7ElbVZIUTJIoT8yhENwAEw/s320/Vasco+da+gama.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472867566565684994" /></a>
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<br />The Portuguese controlled the area for 150 years in which they conquered the inhabitants of the Arabian peninsula. Vasco da Gama was helped by Ahmad Ibn Majid, a navigator and cartographer from Julfar, to find the route of spices from Asia.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxipOaA54AXIsNzMxkdo1M5fD43w6NJPxPtfZZjcuVXdFIFl1UQw4YnQxFCU84ts1DNL4I4Rj5omKWLDvGFKz-Gqt-O44me0ixaFq4NebtVNkdu_ukrZ7Yai1r2K1ZmGTBVYVpUNleDGE/s1600/Ahmad+Ibn+Majid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxipOaA54AXIsNzMxkdo1M5fD43w6NJPxPtfZZjcuVXdFIFl1UQw4YnQxFCU84ts1DNL4I4Rj5omKWLDvGFKz-Gqt-O44me0ixaFq4NebtVNkdu_ukrZ7Yai1r2K1ZmGTBVYVpUNleDGE/s320/Ahmad+Ibn+Majid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472867858678453186" /></a>
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<br /><strong>*** British and Ottoman rule:</strong>
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<br />Then, portions of the nation came under the direct influence of the Ottoman Empire during the 16th century. Thereafter the region was known to the British as the "Pirate Coast", as raiders based there harassed the shipping industry despite both European and Arab navies patrolling the area from the 17th century into the 19th century. British expeditions to protect the Indian trade from raiders at Ras al-Khaimah led to campaigns against that headquarters and other harbours along the coast in 1819. The next year, a peace treaty was signed to which all the sheikhs of the coast adhered. Raids continued intermittently until 1835, when the sheikhs agreed not to engage in hostilities at sea. In 1853, they signed a treaty with the United Kingdom, under which the sheikhs (the "Trucial Sheikhdoms") agreed to a "perpetual maritime truce." It was enforced by the United Kingdom, and disputes among sheikhs were referred to the British for settlement.
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<br /><strong>*** The Treaty of 1892:</strong>
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<br />Primarily in reaction to the ambitions of other European countries, the United Kingdom and the Trucial Sheikhdoms established closer bonds in an 1892 treaty, similar to treaties entered into by the UK with other Persian Gulf principalities. The sheikhs agreed not to dispose of any territory except to the United Kingdom and not to enter into relationships with any foreign government other than the United Kingdom without its consent. In return, the British promised to protect the Trucial Coast from all aggression by sea and to help in case of land attack.
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<br /><strong>*** The rise and fall of the pearling industry:</strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCNmrICD947hGK2QPXBmzwJoR8FAYVdy8MPbPy8acYKgUas8OC5vWoJepwczAqableh7OAErS9Z8tihJrtYQatpt-wP3qUq9yY-TO-6Tuc01iBGEY6aHWFzqoNBZIheNu4EQdCBTgVzM/s1600/Pearl+Diving.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitCNmrICD947hGK2QPXBmzwJoR8FAYVdy8MPbPy8acYKgUas8OC5vWoJepwczAqableh7OAErS9Z8tihJrtYQatpt-wP3qUq9yY-TO-6Tuc01iBGEY6aHWFzqoNBZIheNu4EQdCBTgVzM/s320/Pearl+Diving.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472860801727317058" /></a>
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<br />During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the pearling industry thrived in the relative calm at sea, providing both income and employment to the people of the Persian Gulf. It began to become a good economic resource for the local people. Then the First World War had a severe impact on the pearl fishery, but it was the economic depression of the late 1920s and early 1930s, coupled with the Japanese invention of the cultured pearl, that all but destroyed it.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSFYoagLAAgr09rAQ-yRAKSQzd9iPYLrjoFoigwZMYA-rIrwEm8HncnA5ASNaT0mnmeFoWp4S89ExfKsGNtoKq08CPqZ6RorehswT-mFydNIGLJpD1B6nkNBAOxmg_z1LkIoqFYhRH_s/s1600/pearl_diver.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSFYoagLAAgr09rAQ-yRAKSQzd9iPYLrjoFoigwZMYA-rIrwEm8HncnA5ASNaT0mnmeFoWp4S89ExfKsGNtoKq08CPqZ6RorehswT-mFydNIGLJpD1B6nkNBAOxmg_z1LkIoqFYhRH_s/s320/pearl_diver.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472861108065815954" /></a>
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<br /> The industry eventually faded away shortly after the Second World War, when the newly independent Government of India imposed heavy taxation on pearls imported from the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The decline of pearling resulted in a very difficult era, with little opportunity to build any infrastructure.
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<br /><strong>*** The begin of the oil era:</strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIGokPWSfNERCws9sg3fjFW0Sva0rwf1LeL84Zu8p7RpgDwSvvzGlqmED0RG0VUOhiXmPYEbCAL0oJ6i41m80Y0AVPfH6WCUxVJlLhOTlGh8avurDGDbzsRuUk04LVCJ04-C8n4vQQak/s1600/Oil+era.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIGokPWSfNERCws9sg3fjFW0Sva0rwf1LeL84Zu8p7RpgDwSvvzGlqmED0RG0VUOhiXmPYEbCAL0oJ6i41m80Y0AVPfH6WCUxVJlLhOTlGh8avurDGDbzsRuUk04LVCJ04-C8n4vQQak/s320/Oil+era.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472861429012174210" /></a>
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<br />At the beginning of the 1930s, the first oil company teams carried out preliminary surveys and the first cargo of crude was exported from Abu Dhabi in 1962. As oil revenues increased, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, undertook a massive construction program, building schools, housing, hospitals and roads. When Dubai’s oil exports commenced in 1969, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the de facto ruler of Dubai, was also able to use oil revenues to improve the quality of life of his people .
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<br /><strong>*** Border disputes:</strong>
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<br />In 1955, the United Kingdom sided with Abu Dhabi in the latter's dispute with Oman over the Buraimi Oasis another territory to the south. A 1974 agreement between Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia would have settled the Abu Dhabi-Saudi border dispute; however, the agreement has yet to be ratified by the UAE government and is not recognised by the Saudi government. The border with Oman also remains officially unsettled, but the two governments agreed to delineate the border in May 1999.
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<br /><strong>*** Sheikh Zayed and the Union:</strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYQEF2ADqmWQWyPcRDQjv3dzlilu3quQakt0bEnJTEtfO0wres5vDaLuPNVCLAYJVZtaEX-ldmHkxf1u7uARXPKu7e1Ynw0xjhKFLeLIeAf-y7GNeDZQxaVuB6_Lp1fME8bU0xvrJKuA/s1600/Sheikh+Zayed+and+the+union.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYQEF2ADqmWQWyPcRDQjv3dzlilu3quQakt0bEnJTEtfO0wres5vDaLuPNVCLAYJVZtaEX-ldmHkxf1u7uARXPKu7e1Ynw0xjhKFLeLIeAf-y7GNeDZQxaVuB6_Lp1fME8bU0xvrJKuA/s400/Sheikh+Zayed+and+the+union.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472862682550618818" /></a>
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<br />In the early 1960s, oil was discovered in Abu Dhabi, an event that led to quick unification calls made by UAE sheikdoms. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan became ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and the British started losing their oil investments and contracts to U.S. oil companies.
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<br />The British had earlier started a development office that helped in some small developments in the emirates. The sheikhs of the emirates then decided to form a council to coordinate matters between them and took over the development office. They formed the Trucial States Council, and appointed Adi Bitar, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum's legal advisor, as Secretary General and Legal Advisor to the Council. The council was terminated once the United Arab Emirates was formed.
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<br />In 1968, the United Kingdom announced its decision, reaffirmed in March 1971, to end the treaty relationships with the seven Trucial Sheikhdoms which had been, together with Bahrain and Qatar, under British protection. The nine attempted to form a union of Arab emirates, but by mid-1971 they were still unable to agree on terms of union, even though the British treaty relationship was to expire in December of that year.
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<br />Bahrain became independent in August, and Qatar in September 1971. When the British-Trucial Shaikhdoms treaty expired on December 1, 1971, they became fully independent.
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<br />The rulers of Abu Dhabi and Dubai decided to form a union between their two emirates independently, prepare a constitution, then call the rulers of the other five emirates to a meeting and offer them the opportunity to join. It was also agreed between the two that the constitution be written by December 2, 1971.
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<br />On that date, at the Dubai Guesthouse Palace, four other emirates agreed to enter into a union called the United Arab Emirates. Ras al-Khaimah joined later, in early 1972.
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<br /><strong>*** Recent history:</strong>
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<br />After the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States the UAE was identified as a major financial center used by Al-Qaeda in transferring money to the hijackers (two of the 9/11 hijackers were UAE citizens). The nation immediately cooperated with the U.S, freezing accounts tied to suspected terrorists and strongly clamping down on money laundering.
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<br />The country had already signed a military defense agreement with the U.S. in 1994 and one with France in 1995.
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<br />The UAE supports military operations from the United States and other Coalition nations that are engaged in the invasion of Afghanistan (2001) and Iraq (2003) as well as operations supporting the Global War on Terrorism for the Horn of Africa at Al Dhafra Air Base located outside of Abu Dhabi. The air base also supported Allied operations during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and Operation Northern Watch.
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<br /><strong>*** Death of Sheikhs Zayed and Maktoum:</strong>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIV2wBcwquVgkU7kENnwFsXWHBaNak1UbC2BgS6eNNLGgmo20dvgaas6lWEibo9Z-z2GAupFxnrDqf-4yoKmydy88Pxzm7NZjv-OSoexJpGBRnXBCP6d4aojrCR7XM3jf2szlsHxbh74/s1600/Zayed_bin_Al_Nahayan.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIV2wBcwquVgkU7kENnwFsXWHBaNak1UbC2BgS6eNNLGgmo20dvgaas6lWEibo9Z-z2GAupFxnrDqf-4yoKmydy88Pxzm7NZjv-OSoexJpGBRnXBCP6d4aojrCR7XM3jf2szlsHxbh74/s320/Zayed_bin_Al_Nahayan.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472863496445318466" /></a>
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<br />On 2 November 2004 the UAE's first ruler, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, died. His eldest son, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, succeeded as ruler of Abu Dhabi.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1YgXk-7TEI6NW9-vs5-ANLOLk3eC6E0811zf4sxZU9l6MyqJYdnKSitb2V4w4w_BMX4xmkwn9hoF6g1hcqOwX_JhOvTQZHS4SCu8AAhJ3sqlyOjUV-A7BjapO2g-KzLPywPrXa_pIQk/s1600/Sheikh+Khalifa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 230px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1YgXk-7TEI6NW9-vs5-ANLOLk3eC6E0811zf4sxZU9l6MyqJYdnKSitb2V4w4w_BMX4xmkwn9hoF6g1hcqOwX_JhOvTQZHS4SCu8AAhJ3sqlyOjUV-A7BjapO2g-KzLPywPrXa_pIQk/s320/Sheikh+Khalifa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472864612086518946" /></a>
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<br />In accordance with the constitution, the UAE's Supreme Council of Rulers elected Khalifa as president. Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan succeeded Khalifa as Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
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<br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBpQAE-ATdmF9gdxOIHHfp5tnB5FKkBJffVXTCplc6q1JntQiLK0PT5sHFj_NctdR4eQNpwJN5AUp75HcfUxpp5JuRLTtoNSb5iOoi-3mnBBbxWGRrQTsnkL9WdvAIZhiHKtPzDK0RMg/s320/Sheikh+Mohamed+bin+Zayed.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866587773794482" /></a>
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<br />In January 2006, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister of the UAE and the ruler of Dubai, died.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay6xrNuJs6u8Sw7Fh_-_N-yDgbyWMKNZGKU-OOTThcGBy-CBDhdS7G8An23XnCTlfuLTwYSpeOr8KlxAHfwXvr7YvagbYjYfLvBkR4L2K6dtozQQJqDn9ze6GMFbfT58ogsjUyfcF9Pg/s1600/Sheikh+Maktoum.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay6xrNuJs6u8Sw7Fh_-_N-yDgbyWMKNZGKU-OOTThcGBy-CBDhdS7G8An23XnCTlfuLTwYSpeOr8KlxAHfwXvr7YvagbYjYfLvBkR4L2K6dtozQQJqDn9ze6GMFbfT58ogsjUyfcF9Pg/s320/Sheikh+Maktoum.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472863932437858274" /></a>
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<br />Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum assumed both roles.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQTE7CelN1KFZoGap2rCYC9OUeSc8Ng45m6leHkDhuUhpzWBmeyRKCMyGPqYKGM1Z1Alm7_AwwcghB-fcrhwUW-1nIsqj8-LKKbmc0PhdSq572TeniPmOeeACTJz_TJJny0Zb62BcpXw/s1600/Sheikh+Mohamed+bin+Rashid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQTE7CelN1KFZoGap2rCYC9OUeSc8Ng45m6leHkDhuUhpzWBmeyRKCMyGPqYKGM1Z1Alm7_AwwcghB-fcrhwUW-1nIsqj8-LKKbmc0PhdSq572TeniPmOeeACTJz_TJJny0Zb62BcpXw/s320/Sheikh+Mohamed+bin+Rashid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472866929619351170" /></a>
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<br />Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-31255235627325985842010-05-12T08:20:00.013+04:002010-05-12T11:04:47.975+04:00Expecting a baby in the UAE!Good morning everybody!<br /><br />Last night I was talking to my friend who is expecting her second baby. She sounded tired, exhausted and waiting for the majical moment to come!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv41IQZC2bGlLJHC9FDCfXIKYFHnX6q_CzRs-oFoCxa0Fn_R7e8Ghy20F9EWKBaBvhGMi_hJXwIS5G0ayy7aIUCMjsuZ1iAF3sQIxrdN_1c44Bqe1QA1M5k8iiLcmqFhS5TES4uWkBh0/s1600/pregnant-woman-alexia-lounds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmv41IQZC2bGlLJHC9FDCfXIKYFHnX6q_CzRs-oFoCxa0Fn_R7e8Ghy20F9EWKBaBvhGMi_hJXwIS5G0ayy7aIUCMjsuZ1iAF3sQIxrdN_1c44Bqe1QA1M5k8iiLcmqFhS5TES4uWkBh0/s320/pregnant-woman-alexia-lounds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470255798352064786" /></a><br /><br />I hope she gives birth to her baby son safely and soon because she feels that she'll explode and she is soooo anxious to see him!!<br /><br />Anyways, after talking to my friend, I thought of telling you a little bit about protocols of receiving a baby in the UAE.<br /><br /><strong>First:</strong> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6llGCYzIFzncEbSwSe5ciPixzrs613N-d8-mTPEUg4HmiWgBqMBT7hgH_owHAC5fOiJ8bUzsXXpowTY9J80OX9jW9K6zGCqLCbaSWT0JzqoxcMioA6n-zbR934t1yeDXZCj2kWj29yc/s1600/positive-pregnancy-test.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6llGCYzIFzncEbSwSe5ciPixzrs613N-d8-mTPEUg4HmiWgBqMBT7hgH_owHAC5fOiJ8bUzsXXpowTY9J80OX9jW9K6zGCqLCbaSWT0JzqoxcMioA6n-zbR934t1yeDXZCj2kWj29yc/s320/positive-pregnancy-test.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470257768264077666" /></a><br /><br />The mother founds out she is pregnant and shares this very happy news with ONLY her husband, parents and parents in law. Some women only tell their husbands until they completed their first trimester or the first three months of their pregnancy. After that, they tell their relatives and friends.<br /><br /><strong>Second:</strong><br /><br />Before the Due Date, or before giving birth to the cute little bundle of joy, the parents to be organizes something called "Tawzee'at", which means presents to distribute or offer to visitors who will visit the mother in the hospital. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBL43j10JMp6L_lw9ujZzqiEjg-fGtJO-LZFm815xQA3rAhv6c9ERXT2XRq-ZrL8dlrlleE2PPlVKgLm7pR04BTw6DHHXqQWnmFsQaeby0xkxgQWmKI2u2OvXfN47DT5gctRvPzHuE24/s1600/P1010823.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBL43j10JMp6L_lw9ujZzqiEjg-fGtJO-LZFm815xQA3rAhv6c9ERXT2XRq-ZrL8dlrlleE2PPlVKgLm7pR04BTw6DHHXqQWnmFsQaeby0xkxgQWmKI2u2OvXfN47DT5gctRvPzHuE24/s320/P1010823.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470260975693432018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMNqJs3Wn-GoBM93dkE-NyJKFwBKfWY6ygkX5RHJcaDRqNvRdC4ZokBhugbAQTcl1jWxn2fMA6tlF8hPcNMk38DFdg-VuavdmS7zyZCvb3CEFBtVoa4y16kVKehUuQJwcbQdK4qpW7ag/s1600/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+3.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMNqJs3Wn-GoBM93dkE-NyJKFwBKfWY6ygkX5RHJcaDRqNvRdC4ZokBhugbAQTcl1jWxn2fMA6tlF8hPcNMk38DFdg-VuavdmS7zyZCvb3CEFBtVoa4y16kVKehUuQJwcbQdK4qpW7ag/s320/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470258916439183570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDb5ddykkUcjsAfum9qVHbBwNTC5vX-MlAmPS-AK_X1DEGRh_BZH2MvodAFyoyb51lqDq9cOuH3cFi45XMXgMINrXRtwmjGFi7uYPteT1aRbngNgKuAaADUsqKU3a3s6t78s-pz0Z_9k/s1600/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDb5ddykkUcjsAfum9qVHbBwNTC5vX-MlAmPS-AK_X1DEGRh_BZH2MvodAFyoyb51lqDq9cOuH3cFi45XMXgMINrXRtwmjGFi7uYPteT1aRbngNgKuAaADUsqKU3a3s6t78s-pz0Z_9k/s320/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470258209481948098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc_sIW7G88ewlLvJ1EavJ2_Kw5QbCzPKVPIJ_lK_j7hIduMgOrhdCAT8ukQo3L7ajORFEgsH2XEcsmMQP6dyrx_QZqShEWUNoYZZFlKt3qESKsxZ2mLQp0W3GGYA4C8cI2-Nr7FbU19M/s1600/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWc_sIW7G88ewlLvJ1EavJ2_Kw5QbCzPKVPIJ_lK_j7hIduMgOrhdCAT8ukQo3L7ajORFEgsH2XEcsmMQP6dyrx_QZqShEWUNoYZZFlKt3qESKsxZ2mLQp0W3GGYA4C8cI2-Nr7FbU19M/s320/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470258451812061378" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Third:</strong> <br /><br />After birth, people tend to send text messages to all of their relatives and friends announcing the arrival of their new baby. Indeed, long time ago there was nothing called a text message ^_^ it is a new trend. <br /><br />The text message can be a simple line or a very unique poetry with the name of the baby (knowing that poetry is very very important in the Arab Gulf area and it is highly valued), or the picture of the new baby himself/herself.<br /><br />When people know this happy news, they visit the mother in the hospital. her family and friends gather and share this happy moment with the new parents. <br /><br />Of course her room should include:<br />Arabic coffee, tea, dates, choclates, sweets and all kinds of stuff to show good hospitality.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qBVm-V7DUgrTskyjUr9FRFxkl2NmsuIRkzNEL00UzNlAvEJEghZ5rEiKT08_iAwTt0QiBZ3cJTPTmxdQJ2vct_f5e8f2uOd4Vf-izqbsw1MPX_tw76nlTQ00Bw6Y_jjvJPKLMPfutlA/s1600/P1010819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qBVm-V7DUgrTskyjUr9FRFxkl2NmsuIRkzNEL00UzNlAvEJEghZ5rEiKT08_iAwTt0QiBZ3cJTPTmxdQJ2vct_f5e8f2uOd4Vf-izqbsw1MPX_tw76nlTQ00Bw6Y_jjvJPKLMPfutlA/s320/P1010819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470262853563619938" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgAheB8TqU6Eccr2156HdkBc4GJRyDWBnEiqDW1y829lsWsG3eu4bx47LXrN7adfiZqfo4IOHITjzpj5Igr_N7nPYopIb1GLKAes4wTunB9021BHQiMCok-X2NASPZFAXnVHVKny8L9s/s1600/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+3.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgAheB8TqU6Eccr2156HdkBc4GJRyDWBnEiqDW1y829lsWsG3eu4bx47LXrN7adfiZqfo4IOHITjzpj5Igr_N7nPYopIb1GLKAes4wTunB9021BHQiMCok-X2NASPZFAXnVHVKny8L9s/s320/%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B2%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA+3.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470263608490719202" /></a><br /><br />one of the things that Muslim Arabs do is let someone from the baby's relatives (The father, the grandfather, the uncle, etc.) to whisper the Adhan (Islamic call for prayer) in the right ear of the newborn and the Iqamah in the left ear directly after birth.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdmdP7PHOwrQwDB4M825cqPUm1jcSZqEODtBkeAnbM6BUV57v2boXWue7kkqziDKEhZaLvufclyKxRrF6fFLBkTXtGtlcXNE2J3uWcD6nEfGP4uRoJbNuMDSgGSM9_xhW-0jmqWvMLl8/s1600/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%86+%D9%81%D9%8A+%D8%A3%D8%B0%D9%86+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdmdP7PHOwrQwDB4M825cqPUm1jcSZqEODtBkeAnbM6BUV57v2boXWue7kkqziDKEhZaLvufclyKxRrF6fFLBkTXtGtlcXNE2J3uWcD6nEfGP4uRoJbNuMDSgGSM9_xhW-0jmqWvMLl8/s320/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D8%B0%D8%A7%D9%86+%D9%81%D9%8A+%D8%A3%D8%B0%D9%86+%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AF.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470268742830474882" /></a><br /><br />I have explained in one of my posts what is the Adhan and what is the Iqamah. but I am going to explain them again.<br /><br />Adhan is a call to prayer. It's longer and played loud so that people can hear it in their homes. Iqamah is a shorter “call to prayer” that is made immediately prior to each of the five daily Islamic prayers, to let people know that the prayer is about to begin. It is performed by one male in congregation.<br /><br />The words of the “iqamah” are similar to those of the Adhan, but it is said more quickly: “Allah is Great; Allah is Great; I bear witness that nothing is worthy of worship except Allah; I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; Come to Prayer; Come to Success; Prayer has begun; Prayer has begun; Allah is Great; Allah is Great; There is nothing worthy of worship except Allah.”<br /><br />The length of time between Adhan and Iqamah differs from place to place. In some countries it's 10-15 minutes (to give people time to come to the mosque).<br /><br /><br />You might ask, why do Muslims whisper the Adhan and Iqamah in the ears of a newborn?<br /><br />If you have noticed, When Muslims hear the Adhan, they prepare themselves for prayer, and when they hear the Iqamah, they start praying.<br /><br />But, whispering the Adhan and Iqamah in the ears of a newborn occurs or happens without performing prayer. So, you might ask, why? and I'll tell you that when a Muslim person dies, people perfom prayer without saying an Adhan or Iqamah. <br /><br />The whole meaning of this explanation is for us to realise and know for sure that life is short, and we should live it in a good way that will make us enter heaven Insha'Allah. <br /><br /><strong>Fourth:</strong><br /><br />After two or three days in the hospital (according to the mother's health condition), the newly mum goes back home, not with her husband, but to her parent's house. She stays with her parents for 40 days, where she can be taken care of and receives help with her new baby. After the 40 days, she goes back home with her husband.<br /><br /><strong>Fifth:</strong><br /><br />When the baby is seven days old (after a week of giving birth), the family organizes a kind of celebration called "Aqiqa", which means sacrificing or slaughtering one or two or more sheeps or goats in honor of the new baby. They then invite their relatives and friends, eat, celebrate and enjoy the moments together. Some parents shave their babies' hair and others don't.<br /><br />Also, if the baby is a boy, he should be circumcised after a week from birth. If he did not get circumcised when he is a week old, then he should be as soon as possible or before reaching the age of puberty. But the sooner the better. <br /><br /><strong>Seventh:</strong><br /><br />When the baby is 40 days old, the parents and the family tend to have a similar celebration called "Tuloo", when they distribute presents and sweets to their relatives and friends.<br /><br /><strong>Last but not least:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW7xDbVHpzuQdTZSCEwlfjYlB5ns3NDj2rOOF95JgYjD4k0GwX3ejPsDeNpU-RVYOVtJNBaYTn6eStdLL4iQnAvcR2mDlqe2JHF0cWuBEfz314M5Z3waAKnGsj6-_QYtFxresE0fYTpY/s1600/babys-first-steps.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 167px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW7xDbVHpzuQdTZSCEwlfjYlB5ns3NDj2rOOF95JgYjD4k0GwX3ejPsDeNpU-RVYOVtJNBaYTn6eStdLL4iQnAvcR2mDlqe2JHF0cWuBEfz314M5Z3waAKnGsj6-_QYtFxresE0fYTpY/s400/babys-first-steps.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470264495434564098" /></a><br /><br />When the baby grows up a little bit and takes his/her first step then start walking, parents enjoy this happy moment in a celebration called "Nuthoor". My friend for instance, celebrated her son's Nuthoor by inviting family members and friends with their kids, filled her backyard with balloons, brought a clown, a face painter, a pop corn machine, a bouncy castle and of course dinner and it was AMAZING!<br /><br />Having a baby is one of the happiest things ever...I wish every woman can feel its joy because it is a blessing from Allah.Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-39087284127233871682010-05-10T00:37:00.005+04:002010-05-10T00:45:10.200+04:00I wasn't feeling wellHello everybody,<br /><br />I am sorry for not publishing any new posts for such a long time, but I wasn't feeling well at all :( <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HXvge7P39hhQuIIh8xG_FW-jqhzC4q3dekRJ9Rw3mnAuagMaUh6H2AGwo6jJrk6kH6kzrxc7v1JEOM6YJoXez5gvh-h2DyD7G1Az5pfwYu3I7SmNJsCLAwmCROP_gHZcxhDFRimTJk4/s1600/not+feeling+well.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HXvge7P39hhQuIIh8xG_FW-jqhzC4q3dekRJ9Rw3mnAuagMaUh6H2AGwo6jJrk6kH6kzrxc7v1JEOM6YJoXez5gvh-h2DyD7G1Az5pfwYu3I7SmNJsCLAwmCROP_gHZcxhDFRimTJk4/s400/not+feeling+well.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469372805904772834" /></a><br /><br />But I promise you all, starting tomorrow I will be back to business ;) <br /><br />Have a good night sleeeeeeeeeeeep! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd-vK1X0WaCPqaM1EsZamqY5x_mrceIY9cMgDcdih6tcX7Uuh7ARQpqee_66VefRHor44PP1NdRV25tUPdMW0DPXNFEa53YaM8NAoF5WFqhf14BTVriubU3PwIAkGc3iYq9aW8PKflb0/s1600/two-babies-sleeping.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKd-vK1X0WaCPqaM1EsZamqY5x_mrceIY9cMgDcdih6tcX7Uuh7ARQpqee_66VefRHor44PP1NdRV25tUPdMW0DPXNFEa53YaM8NAoF5WFqhf14BTVriubU3PwIAkGc3iYq9aW8PKflb0/s320/two-babies-sleeping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469373393610924274" /></a><br /><br /><br />zzZzzzzzZZzzz!Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-60832358078080639972010-04-16T07:50:00.024+04:002010-04-16T10:40:27.443+04:00Friday Prayer (Salat Al Jumu'ah)Hello,<br /><br />Since it is Friday today, I thought of telling you a little bit about Muslims Friday Prayer (Salat Al Jumu'ah) as we name it in Arabic. (1)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbty4nQzG4QzeGSJWt9KKXgRkRdKFSEkjrMz_vuR42dsX-jEL9uk6cAvNjtBY451djb7j7AgaafsJey9DvfmRzfNSDdbKeKdM5PU6rqQPq7vurX6hn1cfjrGEMk-MygGRTsCV2eLV2Zg/s1600/salat+al+jumu%27a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbty4nQzG4QzeGSJWt9KKXgRkRdKFSEkjrMz_vuR42dsX-jEL9uk6cAvNjtBY451djb7j7AgaafsJey9DvfmRzfNSDdbKeKdM5PU6rqQPq7vurX6hn1cfjrGEMk-MygGRTsCV2eLV2Zg/s400/salat+al+jumu%27a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460618647926837234" /></a><br /><br />Jumu'ah, also known as jum'ah, Friday prayer, is a congregational prayer (salat) that we Muslims hold every Friday, just after noon in lieu of noon time (dhuhr). <br /><br />When the call is made for prayer on Friday, then people should leave off business; everything, and go to pray. That's why, on Fridays, Shops, Supermarkets, Shopping Malls, Restaurants and everything else opens after the Friday Prayer (Around 3:00 p.m).<br /><br />The jumu'ah prayer is half the dhuhr prayer, for convenience, preceded by a khutba (a sermon as a technical replacement of the two reduced raka'ahs (2) of the ordinary dhuhr prayer), and followed by a communal prayer, led by the imam (3). <br /><br />In most cases the khatib (4) also serves as the imam. Attendance is strictly incumbent upon all adult males who are legal residents of the locality, females are also permitted to go to the Mosque to perform the Friday prayers, and have a section that is separated from men in which they pray with fellow Muslim women, though it is only obligatory on all Muslim males.<br /><br />The muezzin (5) makes the call to prayer, called the adhan (the call for prayer), usually 15-20 minutes prior to the start of Jum'ah. When the khatib takes his place on the minbar (6), a second adhan is made. The khatib is supposed to deliver two speeches, stopping and sitting briefly between them. In practice, the first speech is longer and contains most of the content. The second speech is very brief and concludes with a du'a (7), after which the muezzin calls the iqama (8). This signals the start of the main two rak'at prayer of Jumu'ah.<br /><br />The prayers mainly have high attendance of worshipers, as compared to the ritual prayers. <br /><br />Abu Hurayrah reported that Prophet Muhammad said: "When it is Friday, the angels stand at every door of the mosque and record the people in order of arrival, and when the Imam sits on the pulpit for delivering the sermon, qutba, they fold up their sheets and listen to the mention of Allah, the speech."<br /><br />A person who goes to Friday prayer is said to have his sins between that Friday and last forgiven. <br /><br />(1)-- What is Salah or Salat?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7nalOiONOnSyKVnNJdJPOcz7Kq9Ng8R0sY4bXwkVxlFaYtnc5pF-kbhfJgN-Fi-kiNGNrrN__2hNyw4sV5qzKqbBU_gF0QK1afEiXNbeKppfOk9AWnuxR2mKb2J1RMkCfEpsU8rhIIA/s1600/Salat.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 380px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7nalOiONOnSyKVnNJdJPOcz7Kq9Ng8R0sY4bXwkVxlFaYtnc5pF-kbhfJgN-Fi-kiNGNrrN__2hNyw4sV5qzKqbBU_gF0QK1afEiXNbeKppfOk9AWnuxR2mKb2J1RMkCfEpsU8rhIIA/s400/Salat.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460620089301336210" /></a><br /><br />Salat is the name given to the formal prayer of Islam. Its supreme importance for Muslims is indicated by its status as one of the paradigmatic Five Pillars of Islam, which are:<br /><br />1- Shahadah (profession of faith)<br />2- Salat (prayers)<br />3- Zakat (giving of alms, specifically during Ramadan)<br />4- Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca, the place were the most famous islamic temple is located)<br />5- Sawm (fasting) <br /><br />and These five practices are essential to all Muslims.<br /><br />Salah is a ritual prayer, having prescribed conditions, a prescribed procedure, and prescribed times.<br /><br />Performing salah is obligatory on all adult Muslims, with a few dispensations for those for whom it would be difficult. <br /><br />To perform valid salah, Muslims must be in a state of ritual purity, which is mainly achieved by ritual ablution according to prescribed procedures. <br /><br />The place of prayer should be clean. In a few cases where blood is leaving the body, salah is forbidden until a later time.<br /><br />(2)-- What is rak'ah?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOreNkRQkIguR3ZvK30iJZmGcLkAz0GI-c95UvG64FJ6ZqIQA-iRyhsnP_-AiF9MexmToLw5Vy12TQeICYZymhVCfoho1RprnNuaL-znrHEtN8JS-tluPpc0mM2t7uIs4rmJfPev7k4Ic/s1600/Rak3a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOreNkRQkIguR3ZvK30iJZmGcLkAz0GI-c95UvG64FJ6ZqIQA-iRyhsnP_-AiF9MexmToLw5Vy12TQeICYZymhVCfoho1RprnNuaL-znrHEtN8JS-tluPpc0mM2t7uIs4rmJfPev7k4Ic/s320/Rak3a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460617159547869778" /></a><br /><br />Salah consists of the repetition of two or more units of a prescribed sequence of actions and words. One complete sequence is known as a rak'ah (pl. rak'at). <br /><br />The number of obligatory (fard) rak'at varies according to the time of day or other circumstances requiring salah (such as Friday congregational prayers). Additions to the fard rak'at can be made, again in different multiples according to the circumstances. <br /><br />These are not required, but are considered meritorious. There are also dispensations from some or all of the prescribed actions for those who are physically unable to complete them. The prescribed words of the prayer remain obligatory.<br /><br />Salah is prescribed at five periods of the day, which are measured according to the movement of the sun. These are: <br /><br />1- near dawn (fajr) <br />2- after the sun's noon (dhuhr) <br />3- in the afternoon (asr) <br />4- just after sunset (maghrib) <br />5- and around nightfall (isha'a). <br /><br />The Islamic day begins at sundown. Under some circumstances prayers can be shortened or combined (according to prescribed procedures). Prayers can be missed in serious cases, but they should be made up later.<br /><br />(3)-- Who is the Imam?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvFmenNttFwnZc22JbGaoiTkaRqGzmqy1YI5cZuLG6nF0BQiRgNa5axS7lKqtOT23dda4XRoQf_9krgh1b-cVBbIrWt7VYfrgIR05ZqM1_RY-RheRLOGYais-4_Z5IPTSauO9z_SxOxc/s1600/Imam.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvFmenNttFwnZc22JbGaoiTkaRqGzmqy1YI5cZuLG6nF0BQiRgNa5axS7lKqtOT23dda4XRoQf_9krgh1b-cVBbIrWt7VYfrgIR05ZqM1_RY-RheRLOGYais-4_Z5IPTSauO9z_SxOxc/s200/Imam.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460616120202332962" /></a><br /><br />An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the leader of a mosque and the community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads the prayer during Islamic gatherings. <br /><br />More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have an Islamic question. In smaller communities an imam could be the community leader based on the community setting.<br /><br />(4)-- Who is the Khatib?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RfqR4wMcC_ujT0HIFUNeTqsJAmd6uAfMARwrKtZR4lLQULfm2kleaGf3adFwQXKdYpfrD0YIWJHz_0xCiFPLSfeshceKHnEgoQODrbBAuF42NqJA2l6QH9n8VrBjdl1UVDc41WY8lfI/s1600/Khatib.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 187px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RfqR4wMcC_ujT0HIFUNeTqsJAmd6uAfMARwrKtZR4lLQULfm2kleaGf3adFwQXKdYpfrD0YIWJHz_0xCiFPLSfeshceKHnEgoQODrbBAuF42NqJA2l6QH9n8VrBjdl1UVDc41WY8lfI/s200/Khatib.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460615758874615138" /></a><br /><br />Khatib or khateeb (khatib) is an Arabic term used to describe a person who delivers the sermon (khuṭbah), during the Friday prayer or Eid prayers.<br /><br />The khatib is usually the Imam (prayer leader), but sometimes the two roles can be played by different people. There are no requirements of eligibility to become a khatib, although the person must be a male who has attained the age of puberty. It is also required that the khatib be in a state of physical purity.<br /><br />(5)-- Who is the Muezzin?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ9hEdpvfr2zhN7p1tHQTis-wj1gOGD_H6wBtUiRjgiohRTrWAm55TP_gwGE1TasdnemnQrEGjUOnIK0MXoRLCjh4QorzQEA-ereML4fwb8DkMA_J_-os9Hmt2s4CZd3OlX_-7JWwBss/s1600/Muazzin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJ9hEdpvfr2zhN7p1tHQTis-wj1gOGD_H6wBtUiRjgiohRTrWAm55TP_gwGE1TasdnemnQrEGjUOnIK0MXoRLCjh4QorzQEA-ereML4fwb8DkMA_J_-os9Hmt2s4CZd3OlX_-7JWwBss/s320/Muazzin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460610469411296866" /></a><br /><br />A muezzin is a chosen person at the mosque who leads the call (adhan) to Friday service and the five daily prayers (salat) from one of the mosque's minarets. In most modern mosques, electronic amplification aids the muezzins.<br /><br />(6)-- What is a minbar?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M4QWrqRNr_gqqKcn-zAhfFHvYWhtwJ2RVjkmPxGFeJ8kvRYFjNIRQ8yiudcD7SGzP9K4glJb_WSDcve2UjlvNJPx4HlG2rR5qJMd1uxzn_RKtrlqyULNgcXDTGK1DBoZbiy8z8fZW6U/s1600/Minbar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5M4QWrqRNr_gqqKcn-zAhfFHvYWhtwJ2RVjkmPxGFeJ8kvRYFjNIRQ8yiudcD7SGzP9K4glJb_WSDcve2UjlvNJPx4HlG2rR5qJMd1uxzn_RKtrlqyULNgcXDTGK1DBoZbiy8z8fZW6U/s320/Minbar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460611932466868034" /></a><br /><br />A minbar (also spelt mimbar) is a pulpit in the mosque where the Imam (leader of prayer) stands to deliver sermons (khutbah).<br /><br />(7)-- What is Du'a?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbqROb5Venoz716r2laZn0rJSdbsf7ToKl6uTwOXTyg5laox8O45pY4SJkcPOdm-86HM1obbtKIRKBMVfEerm86xgFgrvE1zjJH7zmhE2xTflqFV7Yrbs8KShv0IFWs3S47BR3usE25I/s1600/dua.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbqROb5Venoz716r2laZn0rJSdbsf7ToKl6uTwOXTyg5laox8O45pY4SJkcPOdm-86HM1obbtKIRKBMVfEerm86xgFgrvE1zjJH7zmhE2xTflqFV7Yrbs8KShv0IFWs3S47BR3usE25I/s320/dua.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460613549782010226" /></a><br /><br />In the terminology of Islam, Du'a is the act of supplication. The term is derived from an Arabic word meaning to 'call out' or to 'summon', and Muslims regard this as a profound act of worship. Our Islamic Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said "Dua is the very essence of worship," while one of Allah's commands expressed to Muslims through the Qur'an is for them to call out to Him:<br /><br />"And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)!" <br /><br />(8)-- What is Iqama?<br /><br />The word iqama refers to the second call to Islamic Prayer, given immediately before the prayer begins. Generally speaking, the iqama is given more quickly and in a more monotone fashion, as compared to the adhan. It differs from the first call to prayer, the adhan. <br /><br />In order to know hoe to perfom a complete correct Salat, pls visit: <br /><br /><strong>http://muslim-canada.org/salaat.html</strong>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-90681359341896412862010-04-15T17:47:00.012+04:002010-04-21T12:15:07.519+04:00Arab / German meeting in PSUADGood evening ladies and gentlemen,<br /><br />Last Monday I had one of the great experiences of my life. I was invited by Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) to attend a meeting at Paris-Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi "PSUAD". <br /><br />*** For more information, please visit <strong>www.sorbonne.ae </strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphmIAnhDHrwhaokBIIvQlZ5Qja-mqH_PhNXwY5EUFdpADrcBClkf4bqOyBXskoipc4gkBAr6ItA_BeoO0pmFLtZKl8vsWEky9y4RG-vrCDldFYTNRCGnV9vLGs2iWFvIxXu9HH3kTD1c/s1600/Paris+Sorbonne.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphmIAnhDHrwhaokBIIvQlZ5Qja-mqH_PhNXwY5EUFdpADrcBClkf4bqOyBXskoipc4gkBAr6ItA_BeoO0pmFLtZKl8vsWEky9y4RG-vrCDldFYTNRCGnV9vLGs2iWFvIxXu9HH3kTD1c/s320/Paris+Sorbonne.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460372094235158802" /></a><br /><br />Attendant were:<br /><br />*(In the Middle): Dr.Johannes Beermann, Minister of State, Chief of the State Chancellery of Saxony (who is a veeeeeeerrrry nice person)<br />*(On the right side): Mr. Philipp Mißfelder, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs of CDU/CSU (ruling party in Germany), the YOUNGEST deplomat I've ever seen, who is also a very nice person <br />*(on the left side): Mr. Thomas Birringer, Regional Representative of KAS to the Gulf-States, a number of students and officials and of course myself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB-ADNmIfYLQHbZbAnp1RtoD8cKdGLkRzWFMSm3Cu0JnLXYPJCW5ddSSc5kOaK8yid8wHIRs6QTcw1iJGT6IvlKtpuj_cN6ZJHkQfLBv3PGZTqGDM4Sss61dpaL-T70bJej1MX8GaV3Q/s1600/3+officials"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTB-ADNmIfYLQHbZbAnp1RtoD8cKdGLkRzWFMSm3Cu0JnLXYPJCW5ddSSc5kOaK8yid8wHIRs6QTcw1iJGT6IvlKtpuj_cN6ZJHkQfLBv3PGZTqGDM4Sss61dpaL-T70bJej1MX8GaV3Q/s320/3+officials" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460372381924976946" /></a><br /><br />At first we were welcomed by the director of PSUAD, introduced our selves, then the usual meeting took its time. After that, Dr. Johannes, an Emirati female student, an Emirati male student, a Mexican female student, a Palestinian male student (all studying at PSUAD), a German staff member at KAS, Pr. Ronald Perlwitz, Head of Business and Languages Studies and Professor of the German Literature at PSUAD and myself sat together and had a very interresting "Chatting time".<br /><br />We were from different nationalities, different cultures, different religions but still we made a good example of how civilizations could meet together and get along without any complications. Indeed am not going to compare the eight of us to the whole world, but I am just giving an example.<br /><br />We discussed a number of issues, such as, Values Vs. Politics, Liberal societies between advantages and disadvantages, Freedom and Responsibilities, Muslims Difficulties in the German Society, etc. We ended up by agreeing that "The more you respect your culture, the more people respect you", which is 100% true. <br /><br />I hope to have a similar "gathering" and "discussion" with young German people when I fly to Germany next October (Insha'Allah) to implement the second step of my project, and I hope to meet Dr. Johannes there as well for he promised to show me the Arab / Muslim small communities in Germany ^_^<br /><br /><strong>More Info:</strong><br /><br />Paris-Sorbonne university Abu Dhabi is now present at its permanent campus, in Al Reem island (1) with the completion of the first phase of the project. With a capacity that takes up to 2,000 students, as well as related faculty and support staff, the new campus makes the ideal university environment.<br /><br />A project handled by Mubadala (2) , and financed by a syndicate of international and regional banks, PSUAD new campus features approximately 93,000m2 of newly built, state-of-the-art teaching and recreational facilities, including accommodation for students, a library that accommodates 200,000 books, a 700-seated guest- auditorium, etc. <br /><br />It is worth mentioning that the DH 1.6bn campus comes to translate the shared vision of General Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and the government of France. In that regard, a special ground breaking ceremony was held on January 15th, 2008 at Al Reem Island, joined by Nicholas Sarkozy, President of France. <br /><br />Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi symbolizes a commitment to education between France and the UAE.<br /><br />For more information, please visit: <strong>www.sorbonne.ae</strong><br />__ __ __<br /><br />(1) Al Reem Island is a residential, commercial and business project on Al Reem Isle, a natural island 600 meters off the coast of Abu Dhabi island. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u-qzr_ZGVpAYNpg9ceO1GJdUQZpD8qhBJxDA3SdlJQWlCo_lANrNa0WSAH5Zm3ND0tAvjTs4D5v6IelqbANGi80Ag68Vfl35-itrq8f9Bi1_lt1kegFHK7VVPDUwukjtu6HNUGydaEM/s1600/Al_Reem_Island_Model.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_u-qzr_ZGVpAYNpg9ceO1GJdUQZpD8qhBJxDA3SdlJQWlCo_lANrNa0WSAH5Zm3ND0tAvjTs4D5v6IelqbANGi80Ag68Vfl35-itrq8f9Bi1_lt1kegFHK7VVPDUwukjtu6HNUGydaEM/s320/Al_Reem_Island_Model.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462500564918149938" /></a><br /><br />It is currently being developed by developers who quote the overall dimensions of the project as 6.5 million square meters and investment costs as exceeding $30 billion. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZphWT6n616E9GoW8pjvmyZFkal4qHfwmgFLT7B6f1TjGJAXq4NzjgJnbgmf61mf7tlSsGGud3GgUeo02I2_yIk74cpFlK4OCg4JDxz5sdRzQammHrHecJyoch0mPxJLVUGU2pFPbYG8/s1600/Al_Reem_Island_Model_Pict_7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZphWT6n616E9GoW8pjvmyZFkal4qHfwmgFLT7B6f1TjGJAXq4NzjgJnbgmf61mf7tlSsGGud3GgUeo02I2_yIk74cpFlK4OCg4JDxz5sdRzQammHrHecJyoch0mPxJLVUGU2pFPbYG8/s320/Al_Reem_Island_Model_Pict_7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462500778288504482" /></a><br /><br />The project has gained international interest as one of the first free zones in Abu Dhabi, where foreign nationalities can buy property as leasehold. In total, at least 22,000 residential units are planned (figures do vary significantly between different sources) with the first buildings that were completed in 2009, in Marina Square.<br /><br />(2) Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) is a catalyst for the economic diversification of Abu Dhabi. Established and owned by the Government of Abu Dhabi, Mubadala’s strategy is built on the management of long-term, capital-intensive investments that deliver strong financial returns and tangible social benefits for the Emirate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKToIfneUaxQuCHO7bY17kirKpNF2tEK8DtbE3El1khp2UkuWoYwJb0i0Iel88HnWqkw5DBS_Ynkj_oHz-PfOGv1wVd74fDNxVK3KkxIXRZaRbwbwNxLFxYYIUQBnK83cx7bAJ_9Lcv8/s1600/mubadala_logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKToIfneUaxQuCHO7bY17kirKpNF2tEK8DtbE3El1khp2UkuWoYwJb0i0Iel88HnWqkw5DBS_Ynkj_oHz-PfOGv1wVd74fDNxVK3KkxIXRZaRbwbwNxLFxYYIUQBnK83cx7bAJ_9Lcv8/s320/mubadala_logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462501066585624610" /></a><br /><br />Mubadala brings together and manages a multi-billion dollar portfolio of local, regional, and international investments. It partners with leading global organizations to operate businesses across a wide range of industry sectors including aerospace, energy and industry, healthcare, information communications and technology, infrastructure and real estate. By doing so, Mubadala accomplishes its mission to expand the economic base of the Emirate and contribute to the growth and diversification of its economy. <br /><br />For more information, please visit: <strong>www.mubadala.ae</strong>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-87419012363419788082010-04-11T11:23:00.024+04:002010-04-11T12:06:28.380+04:00Weddings in the UAEHello everybody,<br /><br />I have published a post recently about a multi cultural wedding that I've attended with my family in Dubai. So, I thought of giving you an idea about weddings in the UAE.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfc4XKIRhy3GiG-YxuHFgyk8pdcIsrBZpN2EbBeqyjctPWf91QKD0MT-6diAtGGMHsFDSsH-lNewBGUEkFrAvhiQjCLS5PMMsDJoMWYaVtn37xUsUkCBRyqjcT7sJh6OGwkb5o8sY3fI/s1600/%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%86%D8%A9.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfc4XKIRhy3GiG-YxuHFgyk8pdcIsrBZpN2EbBeqyjctPWf91QKD0MT-6diAtGGMHsFDSsH-lNewBGUEkFrAvhiQjCLS5PMMsDJoMWYaVtn37xUsUkCBRyqjcT7sJh6OGwkb5o8sY3fI/s320/%D9%8A%D9%88%D9%85+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%86%D8%A9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458783684079761618" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Facts:</strong><br /><br />• Arranged marriages have been slowly declining in the UAE. Individuals now have a greater chance to choose whom they want to marry.<br />• An Emirati man receives $ 19.000 from the MARRIAGE FUND if he marries a national. <br />• Many Emiratis are trending towards single family homes instead of with an extended family, which is still encouraged by many traditional families. But, when a young man gets married, he usually spends the first years of his marriage life at his parent’s house.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Marriage Fund:</strong><br /><br />In 1992, under the directives of Late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a Marriage Fund has been set up in order to limit over-spending on weddings and celebrations. <br /><br />The fund aims to encourage UAE men to marry UAE women, assisting in covering the expenses of both the wedding and the setting-up of a family, increasing the birth rate, and discouraging men from marrying foreigners.<br /><br />The Fund provides around Dhs 70,000 (around $ 19,000 or 14,000 EUR) depending on certain criteria to young UAE nationals. In tandem with this, the government has launched a campaign aimed at persuading UAE fathers to accept lower dowries (the money paid by a groom to his bride). It has also built special wedding halls where receptions can take place without incurring the expenses associated with expensive hotel receptions.<br /><br />In order to curb soaring wedding expenses which burden the youth, the UAE’s Cabinet, on the 29th of September, 1997 approved a letter from the Justice and Islamic Affairs Minister outlining a draft law defining dowries, under Islamic Law, at Dhs 20,000 (around $ 5000 or EUR 4000) and divorce compensation at Dhs 30,000 (around $ 8000 or EUR 6000) and wedding parties should not exceed one day.<br /><br />As a tradition in the UAE, the setting of the wedding date marks the beginning of the bride’s preparation for her wedding. <br /><br />Although the groom is also put through a series of preparations, the bride’s preparations are naturally more elaborate and time consuming.<br /><br /><strong>Before the Wedding:</strong><br /><br />In preparation for her wedding, the bride is anointed with all sorts of traditional oils and perfumes from head to toe. Her body is rubbed with cleansing and conditioning oils and creams, the hands and feet are decorated with henna and the hair is washed with extracts of amber and jasmine. Of course nowadays saloons do everything for women to be so beautiful and glamorous.<br /><br />Traditionally, the bride is not seen for forty days except for family members as she rests at home in preparation for her wedding day. <br /><br />Fine pieces of jewelry, perfumes, silk materials, and other necessary items are presented to her by the groom and his family, from which she creates her elaborate trousseau called “Zehba”.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcB7XhYXbsBHQQ07UTGGNa6eeBHPj52jpyH62dqh0409OZuBHYYs54Hup8JUDSuJmsDjQCI8Q-lTGosYifAYDWCFuq4UsOAfnkZpgKCgpz1Q87uEbMt0vclNO2_5uynxjqVI9KKE_y-M/s1600/%D8%B2%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%A9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcB7XhYXbsBHQQ07UTGGNa6eeBHPj52jpyH62dqh0409OZuBHYYs54Hup8JUDSuJmsDjQCI8Q-lTGosYifAYDWCFuq4UsOAfnkZpgKCgpz1Q87uEbMt0vclNO2_5uynxjqVI9KKE_y-M/s200/%D8%B2%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%A9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458778763027473954" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Wedding Festivities:</strong><br /><br /><br />The festivities usually take about one week or at least three days before the wedding night. <br /><br />During that week, traditional music, continuous singing, and dancing take place reflecting the joy shared by families of both bride and groom. <br /><br /><strong>Henna night:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hkm9L4CE5X8MHRGb1Cl3lbi7NedZpp9mCnMCTSJx_ZppMV1td2kHugujpmoYOf0bHaPg0MvTLZbJI_BpBV27TagRYyCXPF2g5Xq3MJfngSRt7cLzm49JHPV4jjwBdhplq-4gcnrmw7A/s1600/%D8%AD%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hkm9L4CE5X8MHRGb1Cl3lbi7NedZpp9mCnMCTSJx_ZppMV1td2kHugujpmoYOf0bHaPg0MvTLZbJI_BpBV27TagRYyCXPF2g5Xq3MJfngSRt7cLzm49JHPV4jjwBdhplq-4gcnrmw7A/s320/%D8%AD%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458779094351132866" /></a><br /><br />A few days before the wedding night is the henna night. On this night, the bride’s hands and feet are decorated with henna, which is a dark brown paste made from the henna plant. When left on the skin for some time, the henna leaves a dark red stain.<br /> <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WFD_u7_3v0ZqJ5ePk3T4ukOBArqxW-0yZ6JVo_97H9So23l_9xwwfGql5RyYTok1xeQhqzCy4MilGu0aRQPpKpp7_JZr80AS91EsKz820JblI3lqRhNgXiz1VplaVROKfDc8wY1nzqs/s1600/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3+%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WFD_u7_3v0ZqJ5ePk3T4ukOBArqxW-0yZ6JVo_97H9So23l_9xwwfGql5RyYTok1xeQhqzCy4MilGu0aRQPpKpp7_JZr80AS91EsKz820JblI3lqRhNgXiz1VplaVROKfDc8wY1nzqs/s320/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3+%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84%D8%A9+%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%A1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458780878264746082" /></a><br /><br />The henna night is a time for all the bride’s sisters, female family members, and girlfriends to get together, sing and dance. All female family members and guests also decorate their hands with henna. The henna is not used for decorative purposes only but it serves also as a hair and skin conditioner as well as a medicament for some wounds, when mixed with special ingredients.<br /><br />The back-to-back feasts and celebrations involve both men and women who usually celebrate separately. <br /><br />Despite of differences in the living standards with progress of time, the social culture is preserved and treated as a heritage that should not be ignored. <br /><br /><br /><strong>Wedding night:</strong><br /><br />This is the night when the bride and the groom are OFFICIALY announced husband and wife and they go back home together after the party is over. The girl must preserve her virginity until this night or else she will dishonor her family and might even get divorced. <br /><br /><br /><strong>After the Wedding:</strong><br /><br />The next morning, family of the bride visit her (Usually the mother and the aunts). Later, the newly wed couple spend their honeymoon together in a place that they choose together. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QX1AFvwjhKixvRHNau3wBvaoQ2Tyu2VkBEjjFYD3Xz75ZvXeHgp9TfbqMarL_6Apw-48gyOzgdcbR-z-Colrd0yFcCZM9oDqNHwq00aV18ZYW4zBam18_6sh5C3lyYPtkO8-zPjrKs8/s1600/Etihad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2QX1AFvwjhKixvRHNau3wBvaoQ2Tyu2VkBEjjFYD3Xz75ZvXeHgp9TfbqMarL_6Apw-48gyOzgdcbR-z-Colrd0yFcCZM9oDqNHwq00aV18ZYW4zBam18_6sh5C3lyYPtkO8-zPjrKs8/s320/Etihad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458784678200654770" /></a><br /><br />Honeymoons can be spent inside the country or anywhere across the big world.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZgBF2WSsfhpzf1XJo8OhKk9Ye9GUukHXMXKF7n7n7YWp-bMezW24neI0GRY9p_GvIuoHhp_mJ-px6v0Oy2B0m_gpgKxX1DzEpn4TQw8nEFH0f-f_73MWsX3ADLQsF7rn_LhUGeHCzbE/s1600/honeymoon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZgBF2WSsfhpzf1XJo8OhKk9Ye9GUukHXMXKF7n7n7YWp-bMezW24neI0GRY9p_GvIuoHhp_mJ-px6v0Oy2B0m_gpgKxX1DzEpn4TQw8nEFH0f-f_73MWsX3ADLQsF7rn_LhUGeHCzbE/s320/honeymoon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458785070738521010" /></a><br /><br /><strong>** A Bride from the past ** :</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyl6lZYXdin_77cbhFAZTz9Q29VkYDBsxKfNyHi3Z9xOgP8DREfrSgpiFSLgMwJ6gZ_7SzRTxvjmJHupd3vGDyetw6f0NPUFrw6crM8r0GrT6lIC74okeYB1fLbAVcCEsPA7pwBVWWOs/s1600/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3+%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyl6lZYXdin_77cbhFAZTz9Q29VkYDBsxKfNyHi3Z9xOgP8DREfrSgpiFSLgMwJ6gZ_7SzRTxvjmJHupd3vGDyetw6f0NPUFrw6crM8r0GrT6lIC74okeYB1fLbAVcCEsPA7pwBVWWOs/s320/%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3+%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%85%D8%A7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458781595884072482" /></a><br /><br /><strong>** A Bride Nowadays ** :</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukyVsT8fRVWQ9fEGmfsbh5g3tuoZuI0BW4ksFBdJLlv-iDZ1V_UTWmrbxUUijVIiqC_CkCD1evHRszI6zAMCkTrjMQl-0TISpZFZThCyMceVOIqOMzWvMAsKb2Tt5At_lsjlQ238U_T8/s1600/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3+%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB%D8%A7+2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukyVsT8fRVWQ9fEGmfsbh5g3tuoZuI0BW4ksFBdJLlv-iDZ1V_UTWmrbxUUijVIiqC_CkCD1evHRszI6zAMCkTrjMQl-0TISpZFZThCyMceVOIqOMzWvMAsKb2Tt5At_lsjlQ238U_T8/s320/%D8%B9%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B3+%D8%AD%D8%AF%D9%8A%D8%AB%D8%A7+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458786793668374226" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>** The Groom ** :</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp6XJ3ortugWA6BeB76NdvDEt7zpepGT_a7Yhj6d4k-cYNTS7FAGMJNFwt0XuogwBFn6DipkuWs8eiiLquxKcUA1T_Zo0VZkbdF6cD962NTtn31D0bzDFwm4I4HhdgQdLMiQKVRys5sI/s1600/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%B3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZp6XJ3ortugWA6BeB76NdvDEt7zpepGT_a7Yhj6d4k-cYNTS7FAGMJNFwt0XuogwBFn6DipkuWs8eiiLquxKcUA1T_Zo0VZkbdF6cD962NTtn31D0bzDFwm4I4HhdgQdLMiQKVRys5sI/s320/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%B1%D8%B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458786299833149874" /></a>Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-74201721759170145492010-04-05T09:23:00.006+04:002010-04-05T09:56:22.911+04:00Multi Cultural Wedding ^_^Good morning everybody ^_^ ... I hope you are all doing fine.<br /><br />I would like to share a very romantic and funny story with you today. Last Friday, I attended a wedding with my family members in Dubai. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMjF9m0nP9wDS0XTHQ31lcTAVqXcWJdaWOMVsYLqnrfjI0vDBeBxva1fjBaHl_Z6t0fQGVe3URX-QOC_QQ5ukC-U_E2EiTKel5rES1tTyt2kJ_yWW2CDd9UFYv7yWW7e3tQbooEn82Nc/s1600/wedding+sculpture.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMjF9m0nP9wDS0XTHQ31lcTAVqXcWJdaWOMVsYLqnrfjI0vDBeBxva1fjBaHl_Z6t0fQGVe3URX-QOC_QQ5ukC-U_E2EiTKel5rES1tTyt2kJ_yWW2CDd9UFYv7yWW7e3tQbooEn82Nc/s320/wedding+sculpture.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456523148551946082" /></a><br /><br />It was like a very tiny international community...I felt like sitting in one of the "United Colors of Benetton" shooting studios, but with models wearing gowns and toxidos :)It was amazing and all of the guests were celebrating and enjoying their time in peace and harmony.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdhQPjV6n7yJnqg1Y3p2Pq9taHopZ1TVUpoN3lbu5KYeTCynAkaE_PORyStaew15sQUgxBVMcvEXadofUWoL684TXNopjgslTcijLDvI5VWPsUx0UzpZ8Dg1PHjMI3CWO7HaSnppnR90/s1600/benetton_titel_gross.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdhQPjV6n7yJnqg1Y3p2Pq9taHopZ1TVUpoN3lbu5KYeTCynAkaE_PORyStaew15sQUgxBVMcvEXadofUWoL684TXNopjgslTcijLDvI5VWPsUx0UzpZ8Dg1PHjMI3CWO7HaSnppnR90/s320/benetton_titel_gross.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456527890308617778" /></a><br /><br /><br />The Bride was GERMAN, the Groom was EGYPTIAN, the guests were from all over the world, knowing that each couple were not from the same country!!! <br /><br />The most amazing married couple were a man from the USA (Afro-American) and his Indonesian beautiful wife. Another were a Jordanian husband and his Phillipina wife, an Indian Lady and her British Husband, and of course my Emirati Father and his wonderful Egyptian wife, my mother.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhy_9vzfcQwN9N5tM4S_K5xADwXAjTBtF2z8I7DKGiHZfag2mY-MTKIibEme0L6xaNr-Cw-W_8B8w0kXo9xW3FEpbnUtwb427cWWoYYmd0qe3S6z8BB0uxPV24jnU4ZM18eQXkThyBK0/s1600/wedding-roses.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhy_9vzfcQwN9N5tM4S_K5xADwXAjTBtF2z8I7DKGiHZfag2mY-MTKIibEme0L6xaNr-Cw-W_8B8w0kXo9xW3FEpbnUtwb427cWWoYYmd0qe3S6z8BB0uxPV24jnU4ZM18eQXkThyBK0/s320/wedding-roses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456526058500892786" /></a><br /><br />This wedding was a very tiny example of how people of different nationalities live in the UAE as one big family, despite their languages, skin colors, religion, beliefs, etc. <br /><br />May God bless the UAE and the whole world.<br /><br />Amen.Sarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185466950395167802.post-14343886268086848612010-03-23T12:25:00.007+04:002010-03-23T13:35:45.379+04:00Yemen Women oppose raising marriage age to 17Good afternoon,<br /><br />Last night I was watching the 9:00 pm news in mbc TV. channel and I saw how women in Yemen were demonstrating due to raising marriage age to 17 years old. <br /><br />Personally, I do not believe in very young marriages, for "getting married" is not only about romance and having kids, it is much much more than that and it requires both husband and wife to be completely mature and responsible.<br /><br />Bellow, is the news as it was published:<br /><br />Yemen Women oppose raising marriage age to 17<br /><br /><strong>Yemen Women oppose raising marriage age to 17</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphekAYQFv7Iy0HpGc2Y7ygTQSOHRVy1E2a1PsSH4yqKH8MA4XdfDi44g07pHLP-HWEdR5VHU0Wpcd0EbfAfAVO_xzyjDgUtIKGRBmNNRmFtdNa3UsdTnNs1kbT2o7C4AFZdXNYtLpSWY/s1600-h/Yemeni_women.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 291px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphekAYQFv7Iy0HpGc2Y7ygTQSOHRVy1E2a1PsSH4yqKH8MA4XdfDi44g07pHLP-HWEdR5VHU0Wpcd0EbfAfAVO_xzyjDgUtIKGRBmNNRmFtdNa3UsdTnNs1kbT2o7C4AFZdXNYtLpSWY/s320/Yemeni_women.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451758469100981650" /></a><br /><br /><br /><em>SANAA - Thousands of Yemeni women, their faces covered in religious veils, demonstrated outside the parliament on Sunday to oppose proposed legislation banning the marriage of girls under 17.<br /><br />The protesters held up banners proclaiming "don't ban what Allah made permissible," or "stop violating Islamic sharia law in the name of rights and freedoms," an AFP correspondent said.<br /><br />Answering calls by Muslim clerics who oppose the proposal on grounds it goes against Islamic sharia law, the protesters arrived in organised buses.<br /><br />Proposed amendments to the civil status law stalled in parliament last August after severe opposition to a government proposal that would ban girls females 17 and males under 18 from marrying.<br /><br />Child marriages are common in impoverished Yemen, especially in rural areas, where girls as young as eight are known to have been married off by desperately poor parents.<br /><br />Last year a child marriage case in Yemen made international headlines after a 12-year-old girl died in childbirth, together with the baby.<br /><br />"Where will this... new law take us?" asked Umm Abdulaziz, a protester clad in black from head-to-toe.<br /><br />"Most rights groups have women who are over 40 and still not married," she added in an apparent taunt at unmarried activists in Yemen, whose largely traditional tribal society looks down on single women past a certain age.<br /><br />"There is a significant spinstership among female students in Yemen universities," she added.<br /><br />A handful of women's rights activists outside the parliament were seen leaving after being outnumbered by the demonstrators.<br /><br />"It is unreasonable to marry our daughters at the age of eight or nine. This is a serious problem," said Houriya Mashhour, deputy director of Yemen's Women National Committee.<br /><br />A delegation from the protesters met MP Sheikh Humaid al-Ahmar, the deputy speaker of the parliament, along with several Islamist MPs from Al-Islah, a powerful opposition party leading the campaign against the proposed amendments.<br /><br />"<strong>We consider those who call for limiting marriage age by law as enemies of Allah, his prophet and us</strong>," said one of the women delegates.<br /><br />Rights activist Ahmed al-Qorashi warned last September that a huge proportion of girls in rural Yemen are married off under age 15, mainly due to financial reasons.<br /><br />He was speaking after Fawziya Abdullah Youssef, a 12-year-old Yemeni girl who was forced into marriage, died during a difficult delivery together with the baby.<br /><br />In 2008, a Yemeni court granted a divorce to an eight-year-old girl whose unemployed father forced her into an arranged marriage with a man 20 years her senior.<br /><br /> </em><br /><br />I would like to point out that most young marriages in rural Yemen happens due to financial reasons. Also, many people think that it is possible to marry a very young girl, or let's say a CHILD because our Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him)married his wife Sayida Aisha when she was around 9 years old.<br /><br />The truth is most people do not know the difference and do not know the reasons behind our Prophet's marriages. We should not take Prophet Mohammed's marriage to Sayida Aisha as an excuse to let our children get married at a very very very young age. <br /><br />Aisha (which means "she who lives") converted to Islam when she was six years old. Our Prophet mohammed (pbuh)got ingaged to her when she was in Mecca(which is now in Saudi Arabia)and married her in Medina (also a city in Saudi Arabia now)when she was about nine years old. She was the only virgin wife among the wives of Prophet Mohammed (Pbuh) and she was the daughter of Abu Bakr Al Siddiq or Abdullah bin Abi Quhafah, one of the closest companions and adviser to Prophet mohammed (Pbuh).<br /><br />Aisha stayed in her parents' home for several years until she joined Muhammad and the marriage was consummated. Most of the sources indicate that she was nine years old at the time. The marriage was delayed until after the Hijra (which means "migration") to Medina, in 622; Aisha and her older sister Asma bint Abi Bakr only moved to Medina after Muhammad had already migrated there. After this, the wedding was celebrated very simply. The sources do not offer much more information about Aisha's childhood years, but mention that after the wedding, she continued to play with her toys, and that Muhammad entered into the spirit of these games.<br /><br />The issue of Aisha's age at the time she was married to Muhammad has been of interest since the earliest days of Islam.[citation needed] Early Muslims regarded Aisha's youth as demonstrating her virginity and therefore her suitability as a bride of the Prophet. During modern times, however, critics of Islam have taken up the issue, regarding it as reflecting poorly on Muhammad's character.<br /><br />References to Aisha's age by early historians are frequent. According to Spellberg, historians who supported the Abbasid Caliphate against Shi'a claims considered Aisha's youth, and therefore her purity, to be of paramount importance. They thus specifically emphasized it, implying that as Muhammad's only virgin wife, Aisha was divinely intended for him, and therefore the most credible regarding the debate over the succession to Muhammad.<br /><br />Child marriages such as this were relatively common in Bedouin societies at the time, and remain common in some modern societies worldwide. American scholar Colin Turner suggests that such marriages were not seen as improper in historical context, and that individuals in such societies matured at an earlier age than in the modern West. In modern times, however, the issue of Muhammad marrying and having sexual relations with a girl so young has been used to criticize him, particularly in the West, where there is heightened concern about child sexual abuse and related issues. In response some modern Muslims have argued that adding up other dates given in the traditional sources may indicate that Aisha was older.<br /><br />There is a religious reason behind Aisha's marriage in an early age. We say "Getting education while being young is like engraving on stone". What I want to say is that the young age of Aisha when she got married to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) helped her support Islam's journey and build the Islamic community. She quoted as source for many hadith, sacred traditions about Muhammad's life, with Muhammad's personal life being the topic of most narrations. She narrated 2210 hadiths out of which 316 hadiths are mentioned in both Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.<br /><br />To read more about Aisha, here is the link:<br />http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aisha<br /><br /><br />To read more about Abu Bakr Al Siddiq, here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_BakrSarah Al Hankihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17133245191981531950noreply@blogger.com1