Unexpected Love

I always tell him he saved my life but he shakes his head and looks away.
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Make Me A Muslim

The other night I watched a documentary about UK women who’d converted to Islam. A convert myself, I was curious to hear their experiences and find out what people think when they hear of westerners converting… Continue reading →

Challenges of interracial marriage

Making an intercultural marriage work takes dedication and strength, but on the plus side, we have a super-strong family bond, a vast capacity for empathy and understanding and the confidence that comes from knowing you’ve forged your own path in the big wide world and you have the cojones to deal with whatever comes your way. No regrets, right? Continue reading →

What price a woman’s heart?

Ten years ago today, I stood corseted in sumptuous silk, satin and brocade and consented to be sold to the man I now call my husband for a “token sum” of thirty pounds… Continue reading →

Fighting To Be Heard

As Raheel welcomed the audience and the cameras clicked and flashed, I glanced around the auditorium; half an hour in people continued to arrive. There were no hijabs or “Islamic” beards, no segregated seating… Continue reading →

Who Are the Taliban?

As Malala Yousefzai lies in a Pakistani hospital recovering from a gunshot to the head, the Taliban have once again grabbed the headlines.But who are they? Once we start down the road of believing extremism to be a more devout form of Islam where does that leave the peaceful Muslim majority? Where does that leave Malala? Continue reading →

The truth about Islam

As someone who became a muslim by choice I look around sometimes and think “What have I done?” So much of what I researched and felt a connection with is misrepresented in the world. Did I misunderstand? Was there something I missed? Continue reading →

Once Upon a Time in the Hijaz

We’re now over halfway through the month of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. In countless homes across the globe, for more than two weeks, muslims have risen in the darkness before daybreak to eat a meal which must sustain them until sunset… Continue reading →

The Good, The Bad & The Hungry

On the last evening before Ramadan I get that feeling of quiet, happy anticipation that comes before the start of something you know is going to test you… Continue reading →

Muslim Day at Canada’s Wonderland

I’ve been exhorted to come and enjoy Muslim Day at Canada’s Wonderland. Why do muslims need a day all their own to go to the amusement park? Continue reading →

Beat the heat with Mango Lassi

My Punjabi in-laws may have been a hot-headed bunch but they knew a thing or two about keeping cool in extreme heat… Continue reading →

Daily Bread – our relationship with roti

When I married into a Pakistani family a wealth of new experiences opened up to me, but by far the most integral and enduring were those concerned with food… Continue reading →

It’s been a busy week…

It started on Monday with the news that our expat story was published in the UK’s Telegraph, a big broadsheet with international distribution. Then came the news that I’d been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award again… twice! Continue reading →

AND THE WINNER IS…

I’ve been awarded FIRST PRIZE in the Brave Little Blogger Contest 2012 with my entry CENSORSHIP – Muslims Caught In The Middle… Continue reading →

Censorship – muslims caught in the middle

Earlier this year I joined thousands of other websites and “blacked out” for the day to protest against PIPA & SOPA; laws being drafted to restrict freedom of expression. I initially thought this was my first direct experience with censorship, but in reality, I’ve been exposed to it for the past decade;

ever since I became a Muslim… Continue reading →