As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

No person has to actually experience life on the streets to know the difficulties and challenges you'd have to face. Unfortunately there are so many who have no other choice but to go through these challenges. With tempretures hitting below -15°C, the streets of Toronto can be deadly.

God willing, our little contribution will make a difference for some, this winter.

note: Project due date is changed to February 4th, 2008

Details of project: Send in as many winter scarves as you can before February 4th. They can be crocheted, knitted, bought, and/or sewn (making sure they can be used in very cold tempretures). Please make sure they are adult size. You may also add a tag saying who it is made by.

Other ways to help:
:: Post the banner (on my side bar) on your site linked to this post.
:: Inform family, friends, co-workers, and classmates about this project.
:: Buy yarn for someone you know who knits/crochets and ask them to help out.
:: Pray for those who are less-fortunate.

How they are delievered: These will be wrapped and individually handed out to those on the streets of Toronto (Ontario, Canada), with a packed meal. This will be done through my dear brothers and sisters of "Feed The Streets". And 'extras' may be given to a homeless shelter for distribution. I especially encourage those who live in Toronto to participate!
Participants allowed: International

Ages allowed: All ages.

Cost Limit: None.




If you would like to help, please email (amtullah79@yahoo.ca) me for an address where you can mail the scarves.

Labels: help

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

It's just amazing how many extraordinary people I have met through my blog, alhumduliLlah. Thank you all for your comments, thoughts, ideas, participation, friendship and love. And to those who read but never comment.. my love goes out to you too!

One of those many special people, is my dear sister Gulnarita.

Labels: love

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Here is a not-so beneficial post for you..hehe
But I need some help with ideas, if you can please share your thoughts.

I'm looking for what words, sayings and/or images you'd like (buy) on clothing/accessories. More specific, on bags.

No.. you have no copyrights over what you post..hehe

I actually need it for bags (and maybe clothing) that will insha'Allah be sold, and all profits will go to charity.

Jazak'Allah.

Labels: ideas

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

To day is:

The Stolen Light

Sketched Soul

Sultana's Palate

A Wayfarer's Journey

Al-Miskeenah

The Rainstick originally came from South America, but are now popular in many other parts of the world. Traditionally, it is made from the dried stem of a cactus, the spines of which are pulled out, reversed and then pushed back in. Then a few small pebbles are filled in and when they strike the spines as you tilt it, it makes the sound of rain.

Used as a musical instrument for some, and a teaching tool for me, this lovely invention makes a great craft for children. Apart from building on their creative skills, you can teach them to be aware of the different sounds around them, encourage them to ponder over nature, and Who created the rain, etc.

They are many methods to make the rainshaker, I've included two methods here.

Materials
Potato chip canister or paper towel roll
2 circles cut out of a plastic bag
2 rubber bands (or masking tape)
White glue
Straight pins (or toothpicks or wire)
1/2 cup pebbles or dried beans or uncooked rice
Decorating material

Procedure
:: Decide if you are going to use a potato chip (Pringle) canister OR a paper towel roll.
:: If using a paper towel roll, cover one end with a piece of plactic (or wax paper) and close it off with a rubber band (or masking tape).
:: Fill with approximately 1/2 cup pebbles.
:: Glue plastic lid on chip canister OR close off paper towel roll as done previously.
:: Poke pins into tube. (An adult will have to do this.)
:: *option: poke toothpicks right through to other end of paper towel roll, place a little glue around toothpick, once dry cut off the part which is sticking out.
:: *option: if using wire, push them through and bend ends down and tape over using masking tape, this makes it easy to decorate.
:: Decorate! - either paint it, colour it, or stick tissue paper (with gluestick) around it. And then you can add other decorations like yarn, beads, stickers, feathers, etc.
:: Once all dry, lift upright and hear the rain.

I'd love to see pictures of how you and your children decorate their rainstick.

Labels: crafts

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

It was in 1954, when November 20th was officially declared as Universal Children's Day. A day to honour children, a day of worldwide fraternity and understanding between children, and a day of activities promoting the welfare of the world's children. Also known in Canada as National Children's Day.

In hopes of raising awareness of this important day, I'm asking all bloggers to participate by posting a child related topic on November 20th.

It can be a craft, a story, a children's book review, a recipe, a poem... whatever you wish.

Anyone willing to join in.. please let me know, so I can post your blog name and link here.

Labels: help, love, reflection

As-salaamu'alaykum wa Rahmatu Llahi wa Barakatuhu

Okay, I don't know if this lovely fruit is in season as-such.. but if you can find it in my grocery store, then it's in season! I thought I'll share some wonderful things about the pomegranate.
It is full of myths, health benefits, nicknames, recipes, medicinal properties, history and lots, lots more.

Anas bin Malik (radiAllahu anhu), narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu' alayhi wa-salaam), said: "There is not a pomegranate which does not have a pip from one of the pomegranates of the Garden (of Jannah) in it."

This beautiful fruit has been mentioned three times in the Qur'an. In Surah Al-Aníaam:99, Surah Al-Aníaam:14, and in Surah Ar-Rahman:68-69.

There are also several hadiths regarding its benefits, for example: Ali bin Abi Talib (radiAllahu anhu), narrated that the Prophet (salAllahu'alayhi wa-salaam), said: "Pomegranate and its rind strengthen digestion (stomach)."

Easy method to clean it: cut it in sections, place in a bowl of water and roll out the little seeds with your fingers. The pith (white part) should float to the top.. scoop out and discard. Strain seeds and use in your favourite recipe, or just enjoy as is.

Anyone who has a favourite recipe that uses pomegranates, please share.

So:
1) What does "pomegranate" mean?
2) One reason the pomegranate was mentioned in the Qur'an?
3) Name two health benefits of the pomegranate.
4) The fruit can been seen in which famous religious painting?
5) What modern weapon derives its name from this fruit?
6) How do you tell when the fruit is ripe??
Humm... maybe I should give the person who answers them right something.. what do you think?

Anyway..that's the pomegranate for you, enjoy.

Labels: reflection