AlBalad Souvenir: A magical window onto the Historical Area of Jeddah
This gem is about two things that I value deeply and which bring a lot of joy and hope to my heart. One is the magic that happens when someone dreams of something beautiful and makes that dream come true by the grace of God. The second is the kindness …
Continue ReadingRPS 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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Kees Chic: A journey of one conscience stepping up and making a difference
Diana Rayyan the founder of the project “Kees Chic”, was trained as a pharmacist and her first job had her attending every event related to ‘Green Environment’ in Jeddah. One day, a speaker held up a plastic bag and spoke of the enormous harm a single piece of plastic can …
Continue ReadingManya 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 …
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Dish Dash: A journey of Love, Excellence and Service through Middle Eastern Cuisine
This gem is beautifully layered in a way that honors age-old values and relationships and is therefore so inspiring and close to my heart! It’s about the hero’s journey of answering one’s own calling, even if it is very different from the norm. It’s about a work ethic that involves …
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 …
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