I always tell him he saved my life but he shakes his head and looks away.
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Category Archives: Bridging Cultures
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
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