Globe Girl blogs

I chanced upon a beautifully illustrated children’s book: Kids of the Ummah by Peter Gould and Inshirah. Peter Gould as many of you may know, is a very popular upcoming Muslim artist who Mashallah does amazing things with his God given talent. You can take a look at his website here. 

Perhaps I cannot call it a “book” as Kids of the Ummah is a quality children’s publication or digital download. Which means, you can directly purchase it on this link. Then you will receive an email with the PDF file. This file can be opened on your PC/Mac, iPad or similar  device with PDF capabilities. Oh and did I mention, it can be purchased for JUST $1?!! Yes, one dollar!

I think it is a must have for any Islamic Preschool and Kindergarten….a great way to incorporate some kind of technology in class. It’s perfect to have on the iPad for your own kids to run their fingers through the gorgeous pages when they are waiting in line at the doctor’s office. I personally found this to be a decent first time exposure to Muslim names as well as getting acquainted to Islamic cities around the world. I found that my 7 year old loved observing the architectural differences and similarities. She asked questions about the newly heard of cities too. Where as I am sure a toddler will be just as happy to listen to you read and point at pictures and stare at the cute little peek-a-boo faces.

I hope they come up with some more titles to make a whole series, Inshallah!

Globe Girl blogs from the desert sands of Africa

Who Doesn’t Like a Good Date? Nutrition and fun all in the same package? That’s what you get when you make these yummy date bars with the kids!

Originating in the desert oasis of northern Africa and southwest Asia, the date is thought to be one of the world’s oldest cultivated fruits.

The Prophet of Allah (SAW) is reported to have said: “If any one of you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates. In case he does not have them, then with water. Verily water is a purifier.”

Dates are rich in natural fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Fresh dates are easily digestible and are therefore good for supplying the body with quick energy. Dates contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which are all advantageous for health. And so the consumption of even one date daily can lend itself to a balanced and healthy diet. Pair the dates with a cookie, and you’ve got a winning combination everyone is sure to love!

Oatmeal Date Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted and chopped dates
• ½ cup water
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 ½ cups quick–cooking oats
• 1 cup all–purpose flour
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 egg white

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine the dates, water, and sugar. Cook and stir until the mixture comes to a boil.
2. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened, stirring constantly.
3. In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the butter and egg white until blended. Pat half of the mixture into an 8 inch square baking dish coated with non-stick cooking spray.
4. Carefully spread with date mixture. Gently pat remaining oat mixture over date mixture.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 – 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
6. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Source:  allrecipes.com

Globe Girl blogs

As I was trudging through the snow piled parking lot,  I viewed the groups of  teachers and children lined up in front of the Hall of Science Museum in Queens, New York.

Amidst the usual crowd, there were Muslim women with brightly colored scarves waving like the United Nations’ Flags. I gave salaam to all my beautiful sisters and waved to the children. “Which school are you from?”  I inquired. “Al-Islamia from Brooklyn,” ” Jamaica Muslim Center from Queens,” “Hamza Academy from Long Island.”  Mash-Allah! They were teachers from three different Islamic  Schools and from all tri-bourough areas of NY! All of them were waiting to see the 1001 Inventions exhibition, showcasing the long forgotten scientific legacy of Muslim Civilization. You could feel a sense of dignified pride in the students that they would finally see Muslim role models that ranged from scientists, explorers, thinkers, mathematicians, physicists, astronomers and scholars far more than what was offered in their science and social studies textbooks.

I have to really honor the Hall of Science Museum to allow this opportunity to bring Multi-cultural  perspective and allow different cultures to show case their history and its contributions. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted with a sign of “1001 Inventions” lighting at the front entrance as well as the posted figures of ancient Muslim Scientists. I was grateful to see that they even offered a prayer room next to the exhibitions.

When we were in, we sat  down to watch a 15 minute movie “The Library of Secrets”,  and Oscar winning  actor Ben Kingsley plays a mysterious librarian who takes the school children to an enlightening  journey to meet different scientists in the Muslims Golden Era of the Middles Ages. Even little Pre-K and Kindergarteners were sitting quietly enchanted by Aladdin and Genie like figures explaining their contributions. They especially liked Abbas Ibn Firnaas who made an attempt to fly but … did not land too well!

The highlight of the exhibition was the large Elephant water clock invented by engineer Al-Jazari from the 12th century.

The exhibition had several different minaret structures which were divided into different zones (home, school, flight, hospitals etc.) that represented the different types of inventions that led other technological inventions we use today. In the school zones, students rushed to touch buttons that light up the angles in a series of numerals, revealing the reason why we write the numbers the way we do today. In the home zone, they watched a video on Ibn Al-Haytham and how he discovered the working of the eyes, which lead to the idea of ‘camera obsecura’. Some students went to view the admiral ship that a Chinese Muslim Zheng who made the world’s largest fleet, while other children admired the large scale reproduction world map made by  Moroccan scholars Al-Idris in the World Zone. I especially love the lit up poster of pictures and names of scholars from all faiths working together to advance science technology during the height of the Muslim Civilization.

My little group of Muslim girls seemed to be wowing a video of Merriam Al-Lilliyah. They were no older than 4 years old, but found a new super star besides Dora the Explorer or Princess Cinderella. They kept pushing one another to hold the phone and  listen to how she constructed astrolabes for the ruler of Aleppo in Northern Syria in the 10th century. Whether they understood it or not was not the point. They were just excited to see a beautiful woman in a colorful traditional Muslim scarf holding the scientific tool that she created. I asked them which Muslim scientist they liked the most, and they all shouted “Merriam-I want to be an astronomer like Merriam!”

I walked out of the Museum feeling “enlightened” that Dark Ages were not so dark after all, and there were more tales than the crusades, war, and blood shed in this time period. This exhibition really lit a passion in me to study the Muslim Civilization and all the famous scholars of all faiths. Maybe we can learn from this golden period of Islam to build a better inter-faith world with peace through Science and Education. Maybe it would not be so bad to take an astronomy course although I’m not too keen on math-and yes…Merriam Al-Illiyah is my new heroine!

For more information on the 1001 exhibition,you can go to http://www.1001inventions.com.

For the museum trip and fees you can go to  http://www.nysci.org/visit/events/1001

Globe Girl blogs

As we began brainstorming, the biggest challenge was finding a baseball field that would be well-lit with flood lights late into the night. But our late night drives in bohemian hopes of ‘just happening upon’ such a spot soon became epicurean escapades! Since we couldn’t really find a suitable place we began indulging our pretended sorrows in well-deserved (or so we thought) breaks at Taco Bell, White Castle, and Dunkin’ Donuts …

‘The Spot’ was ultimately our driveway that was lit up by an interesting assortment of lights; some purchased at Home Depot and the rest borrowed from a friend, who hails from a cricket crazed family with its own cricket pitch in the backyard! My husband’s mom has a tradition of hosting a scrumptious family iftari that brings the entire tribe together for fasting and feasting. Ridiculously overjoyed at this happenstance, the date for the night match was easily set! Soon after the Iftari ended and Maghrib prayers were offered, the men disappeared to set up stage. I haven’t seen that much excitement even amongst women on the night before Eid! Even the fact that it was drizzling did not weaken their resolve to play.

The best part of the match was that as it started late, all the fasting players trickling in after late hours at work or Tarawih could join in. And the piece de resistance of the evening? Precious little cousin Adiya being taught to keep score by my husband’s sister, and my little nephew as the perfect prop playing cricket with tennis rackets and balls, so as not to be left behind…

Since the game was not too regimented, the spirit of camaraderie prevailed over competitiveness, which was in keeping with the spirit of the Holy Month. And as the game slowly ended and the sporadic “oohs,” “aahs,” and yells of “howzzat!” subsided the troops marched in for thirds and fourths of the remaining iftari…and then headed to their prayer rugs for some late night ibadah!

Things to Get for a Night Match:

1. Flood lights

2. Cricket bats, ample tennis balls, and tape from home depot to cover the tennis balls.

3. Mosquito repellent, especially for the kids

4. Remind the playing guests to bring a change of sporty clothes

5. Band aids and burn ointment for cuts, bruises, and burns from the hot lights!

Globe Girl blogs

Beautiful Hajj pictures!

Check them out here.

Globe Girl blogs

This is my contribution to the wonderful Eid and Hajj posts that the others have been posting, they have inspired me immensely, Alhumdulillah…

Here is a beautiful link to Br Muhammad AlShareef’s Eid Slide Show:  EID 101

Enjoy!

Globe Girl blogs

Dubai has always been known for its great shopping, but I loved the fact that from times long ago, it was a port and a hub for people of different ethnicities. I came just as much for the market as to watch the people from all over as they poured out their strange and curious trinkets in the souks.

Now I have a new reason to make this my favorite stop in the Middle East. Sharjah has a new use for its old souk. It has recently been upgraded to the first ever Islamic museum in the UAE. Daggers from Islamic battles to coins used in ancient trade, pottery that whispers of times long ago to parchment with history altering details. They are all to be found in the first of its kind museum that encapsulates Islamic history.

Pains have been taken to create miniature replicas of mosques, rare manuscripts of the earliest Qurans have been preserved here and many scientific displays have been made interactive. Now children and adults alike can learn about the rich cultural influence Islam has had upon Medicine, Geography, Trade, Architecture and Travel in our world.

I can’t think of a better makeover for this water front property. Now every time I visit I’ll be doing 2 things at once. Taking in history …. In a place that is now making history.

Have you been anywhere that made you think about how the world was shaped by events after Hijri? Where would you plan a trip to if you had to take a class on Islam?

Pictures courtesy of  http://www.islamicmuseum.ae/

Globe Girl blogs

Prayer Mat      – check

Compass        - check

i- pod             - check

Headphones   – check

Sunscreen      – check

Camera          -  check

Sigh ……  what more does a girl need?  Especially one bitten by the travel love bug.  To travel by moonlight on a swaying camel, to taste spices in the markets of Marrakesh, to decipher colorful maps on the London tube, pray in the blue mosque in Turkey and then come home and scrap book about it all as you savor the memories.  This girl is one happy camper.  For those of us who couldn’t make it all around the world in one night …. here’s a chance to celebrate Eid with all those who did so in their own countries.   One God, One Book, One Faith.  One globe.  One very big smile

Meet the Characters of JannahSteps…

Globe Girl

Our Global info communicator seems to know a lot about this world. She’s learned a few fascinating facts on her travels with her husband that she loves to write about when she gets back home.

Experiencing different cultures and people give her a high. She makes friends easily as she bumps into them wherever she goes. She is a no fuss kind of girl. She can live out of her backpack if she has to, carrying with her only the bare essentials.

When she had accepted Islam three years ago, she had been to Mecca multiple times to perform Umrah. Now, she’s really keen on doing Hajj and has been praying and doing a lot of research about it in the hope that it will happen soon. InshAllah.

She carries her prayer rug at all times and enjoys praying in the open fields of Ireland or in the busy streets of Egypt or wherever her travels take her to. When she’s on the move, she turns to her ipod to listen to the soothing voice of Sheikh Jibril reciting the Quran. With the help of her ipod and the Sheikh, she memorized the last Juz entirely on the road.

She keeps herself in check with some discipline and health tricks. She is a serious health and fitness freak – who is extremely interested in the organic lifestyle around the world, whether it is acupuncture, yoga or tai-chi. She doesn’t leave home without her herbal first aid kit.

And if she’s not jet setting on a plane to the capital of Morocco or trekking on Mount Sinai for some spiritual connect, she’s surfing the internet from the comfort of her own living room…planning her next adventure!

Globe Girl is the voice of international lifestyle for Jannahsteps.