Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Abu Dhabi, UAE)

A week before Rihanna's controversial visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, I decided to do some sight-seeing and finally drove to Abu Dhabi's most talked-about landmark.

Recently ranked by the world’s largest travel community TripAdvisor as among the world’s Top 25 landmark attractions, I had always been sceptic to visit after hearing about the opulence of the site. 

Instead, I was stunned by the Mosque's beauty and serenity upon my arrival.

I directly asked for a 'walk-in' group tour with a guide, which lasted around twenty minutes as he explained the meaning behind the Masjid's minarets, design, architecture and the principles of Islam. I learned a lot of interesting facts, such as:

"Muslims of the World": Lujayne's answer

Muslims of the World is a brand new Facebook page, dedicated towards taking a photographic census of Muslims around the world. The concept is to read their short answers on one simple, yet meaningful question. 


The question I was asked was ""What are you grateful for, and why?"

And my answer:

"Alhamdulillah, as a French convert I am grateful for my parents to have both embraced Islam. I feel like this is the deepest, strongest connection and support I could ever ask for.
I witnessed my own mother's shahadah (declaration of faith) two years ago and both my parents witnessed mine. These moments are forever carved in my memory."

What are you grateful for?

Best Ramadan ads & reminder..

I work in the field of marketing & PR and I just love the creativity of advertising masterminds.. especially when it comes to Islamic marketing!

Prophet Mohammed (Peace be Upon Him) taught us about business ethics and how false advertising - making incorrect claims about the product we want to sell - hurts the business. Even if it appears to be increasing sales, it is damaging in the long-run.

“Avoid swearing falsely in order to sell your goods. Apparently it appears to be promoting your business, but in fact it lets your business down and damages the goodwill of your business.” [Muslim]

I have selected a few Ramadan ads that I personally like.. I'll let pictures speak for themselves. Which one is your favorite?

 

Feeling disconnected? The post-Ramadan syndrome

Eid was a week ago.. and life is back in full swing.

My Muslim colleagues laugh about their nights out drinking, go back on their cigarette breaks, bars are back in business in the Middle East and the dress code is considerably 'shorter' and well, barer. 

Tonight, an acquaintance even told me she wishes she knew I was a Muslim earlier, as she likes to hang out with Muslims during the Holy Month. I asked, what about the rest of the year???

Feeling low?

Inspring Muslims Series: George 'Ibrahim' Green (New York, USA)

Ibrahim, you and I go way back. When we first met, you were on tour with Kanye West & Black Violin as I was promoting the concert in Dubai, UAE. Few years later, we both were on the same tour in South Africa with Akon, Fat Joe and Black Violin and would occasionally meet up whenever I visited NYC. I remember you taking me to Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial Center ; this was an incredible experience for me (I highly recommend visiting it).

It was a HUGE surprise to me when a year later, I found out you became my Muslim brother.. I feel so blessed to have witnessed your spiritual journey to Islam. Allahu Akbar!

I will focus on your new life as a Muslim, however our readers can listen to your recent interview on your background and the music industry on Saudi radio channel MIX FM here.

Can you tell us about yourself? 

I am from Harlem New York in New York City. My religious work background consists of giving dawah globally to Muslims and Non-Muslims, motivating the youth through my own journey. My religious work also consists of working with non-profit organization Muslims Giving Back and the Canadian Dawah Association (CDA).

Embracing Islam is obviously a long-term result of many years of soul-searching, but can you tell us what inspired you the most in your decision? 

I would have to say the beauty in the Adhan (call to Prayer) is what initially sparked my interest in Islam. 

Superheroes: Prophet-inspired?

People are fans of famous singers, sports players, actors, socialites, models and other celebrities.. I can't help but wonder: how do they all really contribute to our society?
Superheroes also have a strong following of their own and I couldn't help but to notice similarities in their man-made nature with... the Messengers of God (Peace Be Upon Them). And my question is, why aren't our Prophets our real Superheroes??

Iftar meals distribution (Dubai, UAE)

For the second year, DU joined forces with Emirati-run social media PR agency Think Up to distribute iftar meals daily in the UAE as part of their Mawaed Al Rahman campaign for the Holy month of Ramadan.

Introducing the "Suhoothie" recipe - Smoothie for Suhoor

My first Ramadan back in 2002 was a fun, exciting and highly spiritual experience I will always remember with a smile ; falling asleep on the prayer mat during fajr morning prayer (that's if I heard the alarm), somehow learning Arabic verses with the wrong pronounciation, breaking my fast with Diet Coke and chocolate (that was another year when I piled on the pounds), feeling lost during Taraweh, sleeping all day etc...

I also remember the incredible feeling after completing a full day of fasting and all five prayers for the first time. I was on top of the world and I felt full of radiance and light!

Over the years, I have worked hard on figuring out what works best for my health and diet during Ramadan. Year after year, I welcome Ramadan as a much-needed purification for the soul, mind and body.

This month, I developed and perfected my smoothie recipe that I whip up for the morning meal suhoor :
1) it is filling (but not heavy on the stomach) and provides the necessary nutritional values you'll need in the morning
2) it keeps you hydrated,
3) it contains vitamins, oils and fat (the good kind) that are essential to our well-being
4) the whey powder gives me the protein I need as a vegetarian, but also reduces hunger and improves the immune system

Basically, it boosts your energy for the rest of the day and brings countless health benefits to your body. I call it the "SUHOOTHIE"!

Interfaith Friendships : can we learn from one another?

A belated Ramadan Kareem to y'all!

This month, Good Taste magazine asked me to answer a few questions as a Muslim convert together with a friend of my choice from a different faith. The magazine's summer issue focuses on the Holy month of Ramadan, in which they raise an interesting topic of "Interfaith Relationships".

This made me wonder why it is hardly talked about, as Islam actually encourages interfaith harmony.

I chose my friend Amanda who is an Australian Christian Catholic (as I was before I embraced Islam) woman who has been studying religions for many years.