Darzah – Bringing Palestinian embroidery to modern day life
How I found this gem is a story of how one good thing leads to another. In a recent blog post, I spoke with Afshan Khan about her and her sister, Drakshan’s heartwarming work with women in the Multan region of Pakistan. They do gorgeous embroidery under the brand name …
Continue Reading
Numi Tea- When Excellence and Community Matter
There are some businesses in this world that show us that anything can go way beyond the literal impact of their product, if done with the excellence of Ihsan. It’s a profound joy for me to discover them and bring them to you. Numi Tea is one such venture. Created …
Continue ReadingMiddle East Children’s Alliance – In Solidarity with Palestine
Some non-profit organizations just buoy the spirit with how their intention and process is so authentic and true to what a non – profit ought to be. It’s my utmost pleasure to introduce the gem Middle East Children’s Association (MECA) and it’s Executive Director, Zeiad Shamrouch. A gem within a …
Continue Reading
A visual treasure- Peter Sanders on Everyday Lives of Muslims in China
I saw Peter at the exhibit of “Heaven, Earth & The 10,000 Things, Moments in the lives of Muslims of China”. Now those photographs were something else for me, because as the name of this blog suggests, I am very much a traveler and explorer at heart. My understanding of …
Continue ReadingMaking the leap of talent and passion- A Palestinian Restaurant
This post is dear to my heart for many reasons. Firstly, because it is a proactive example of what the Bint Battuta blog is about – honoring, preserving and evolving Arab and Muslim culture. Secondly, because it demonstrates a talented and courageous individual who jumps right into a task without …
Continue Reading
Purple Impression 2 – Ethical and Artisan fashion from Pakistan
In the first part of this post, I spoke to Drakshan, one half of the sister partnership behind the ethical clothing brand, Purple Impression and I’m delighted to be able to now bring to you, the conversation I had with Afshan, Drakshan’s partner and sister. The way the two interviews …
Continue ReadingPurple Impression 1 – Ethical and Artisan fashion from Pakistan
This is my first two part post, because the story of each founder of this gem is worth telling alone in tribute to their cause, and to their incredible integrity and bravery. I will start with the story of Drakshan, because, as it happened I spoke to her first, although …
Continue Reading
Rimal- A promise of a better world one book at a time
This post is about a gem of a publishing house called Rimal. I found it in one of my favorite events in the United Arab Emirates, the Sharjah International Book Fair. My sister and I have been going to it mostly together since the beginning of our idea to do …
Continue ReadingFood not Bombs – A shining example of service in response to local need
I consider feeding people to be one of the most profound acts of love. I have always thought that part of its power is that it’s done time and again with care in buying, preparing, and cooking the food while keeping up a ‘happy-to-do-it-with love’ state of mind and heart. …
Continue Reading
In Between Wars- Daily life in Gaza Exhibit
Gaza is a sore point in my heart as, in essence, it is an open air prison. It is one of the most densely populated areas on Earth and is cut off from any steady supply of the simplest needs. I saw 2 documentaries that brought into sharp focus its …
Continue Reading