RPS Studio: the art of making games that connect us and nurture our imagination
Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) is a games company co-founded by Rola and Rafah. Since I first discovered their charades game in Virgin Megastore, Dubai, it has been one delightful encounter after another. Virgin has always been the “it” store to see interesting concepts from around the world come to life …
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Manya Jewelry: A unique approach to art and creativity
I saw that my friend Manya had an incredible gift with jewelry making from the moment I set eyes on her work with its signature flair and variety of textures. Immediately, I recognized that I had found a gem. So, I set up the interview with gracious Manya, and what …
Continue ReadingThe Spiritual Treasures of Bosnia: Old Mosques in Old Town Sarajevo and Beyond
The old mosques of Bosnia are jewels of Islamic heritage that had to be gathered in one post to be seen and admired together! I am enjoying learning more and more about them, and it’s a pleasure to share what I know with you here! If you have further insights, …
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Holiday Bosnia: A Journey of the heart
I count myself as a well-traveled person and it is by the grace of God that I was blessed to be so. Therefore, you can imagine my sense of wonder at discovering not just a way, or a person, but a whole travel company that is trying to bring together …
Continue ReadingWaqfs in Old Town Sarajevo: A beautiful legacy that still runs strong in the Muslim community
It was quite something to walk into Old Town Sarajevo on that first day with the Cambridge Muslim College (CMC) Tour in 2018. They gave me my initial introduction to Bosnia and to the astounding collection of waqfs in Sarajevo, coming across them one after another. A waqf means to: …
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The Bosnian War: The Tale of Bravery and Faith that Survived it
When one thinks of Bosnia, one of the most important things about it is that it survived such a vicious and violent war with people who were part of its own fabric of society, and even nation at some point. It is something that I think of often and find …
Continue ReadingThe magical world of Majd Kurdieh – A Syrian artist
Every once in a while, a creative soul and their work comes into my life and heartens me, gives me hope and makes my heart energy stronger and greener. One such soul was Majd Kurdieh. I love the story that brought him into my life as it is as random …
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For the love of the Prophet ﷺ and the city that welcomed him – Al-Madina Al-Munawwara
I am blessed to be writing this post inside The Prophet’s Mosque in Al-Madina, Saudi Arabia, as I await my turn to visit Al-Rawda Al-Shareefa, which is cited in a Hadith from the Prophet ﷺ as being, a part of heaven on Earth. It’s right there, where the Prophet ﷺ had …
Continue ReadingA state of being – Australia and New Zealand
This post is about a way of being. In Islam one is born into, and is meant to return to, and maintain throughout life; the primordial state which is known in Arabic as “fitra”. When one is connected to Divine Truth, one is in a state of fitra. It is …
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The Mecca Retreat
The ultimate Muslim experience is a visit to the Ka’bah (1). I began my annual Umrah visit at the age of 14 and continued until 3 years ago. When I returned this year, I could feel the gap since my last visit. I pray that
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