Packed Malls and Road Rage: Hajj Break in Kingdom
ABU MOHAMMED: Many of us on the Hajj break are slaves to our cars, busy transporting our loved ones from beach to mall to play center
Oman’s Eid Holiday Furore: It’s Time to ‘Get Real’
DHOFARI GUCCI: It used to be ‘holiday heaven’ in Oman. Not any more and it’s no bad thing really.
This Ramadan ‘A Miserable, Painful Time’ For Syrian Families
MICH CAFE: This is the third Ramadan where conflict has wracked Syria and it’s the toughest one yet for many families there
The Trials of A Moroccan Cab Driver in Ramadan
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It’s Ramadan, it’s hot, concentration is not what should it be so inevitably accidents happen and tempers are frayed.
Message to Myriam – ‘You Have Plenty to Be Modest About’
Lebanese singer Myriam Fares' latest television appearance has left viewers less than impressed.
RACHEL MCARTHUR: She’s made plenty of headlines this week but she would do well to reflect on the word ‘modesty’ in all its senses
“One Day’s Enough For Me”: Foreigner Tries ‘Ramadan Fast’
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It seemed like a relatively straightforward challenge but fasting for one day proved to be much harder than expected
A Rainy Ramadan in Salalah: Of Caffeine, Vimto and Tourists
Six days down and approximately 23 more to go if the moon cooperates! Once again Dhofar has been blessed with cool temperatures and a heavier-than-normal monsoon drizzle to help us get through the holy month of fasting. To be honest, I am not necessarily looking forward to a couple of years from now when Ramadan […]
‘Wadjda’ – A Beautiful, Nuanced Evocation of Saudi Life
STEVE ROYSTON: It’s the story of a young girl’s everyday life in Riyadh. How many Saudis, though, will give up the chance to see the latest CGI blockbuster to view it?
Ramadan Rant: The Pure Silliness of Mr A.N. Wilson
There is Islamophobia, and then there is silliness. When I first skimmed A.N. Wilson’s rant in last week’s Daily Mail about the UK’s Channel 4’s plans to broadcast the first prayer call during Ramadan, I thought oh oh, here’s the Mail doing its usual bit to rouse Middle England against the creeping erosion of our […]
A Lost Ramadan Tradition: Where Have the Drummers Gone?
MICH CAFE: It’s a feature of Ramadan that I grew up with – the M’tabeel passing through the neighbourhood beating their drums. Not any more however.
Ramadan Training: It’s Time to Kick Those Bad Habits
SHELINA ZAHRA JANMOHAMED: Sometimes our behaviour can be less than perfect during Ramadan. We shouldn’t, though, simply make excuses for this.
Children’s Books ‘A Powerful Way’ to Explain Islam
HENA KHAN, CGNEWS: As an author of children’s books that seek to explain some of the key precepts of Islam I’ve found they make a profound impact
Definitions: What Exactly Is Islam and What Is It Not?
ABU MOHAMMED: There is a great deal of misunderstanding concerning the nature and practice of Islam. Here are some key points.
Restoring the Glory of Fez: A ‘Capital Idea?’
THE VIEW FROM FEZ: It has enjoyed a glorious past but faces a very uncertain future. There’s a case to be made for restoring Fez as Morocco’s capital city.
Challenge of the Faithful: Sacrifice and Fortitude
ABU MOHAMMED: The fear of losing everyday comforts induces fear and leads to hypocrisy among those who claim to live a good, faithful life
The Salalah ‘Invasion’: Some Planning Please
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: We’re all suffering from post-invasion stress in Dhofar following the unprecedented influx of tourists during Eid.
Analysis: Does the CIA Step Up Drone Strikes During Ramadan?
TBIJ: Last week witnessed some of the most intense bombing by the CIA in many months. But are drone strikes more frequent during Muslim religious holidays?
Ramadan Epic Tale Rekindles Familiar Ire
DANIEL M. VARISCO: In its depiction of the life of the second caliph a television epic has touched a nerve while attracting huge viewing numbers
The Great and Not-So-Great About Ramadan
SUSAN AL SHAHRI: As the Holy Month draws to a close I find myself contemplating the various aspects of a modern day Ramadan
Sweden’s Muslims Tough Ramadan Test
VIDEO: Refraining from food and water is a challenge for many, but it is more difficult in countries like Sweden where the days are longer.
