Sunday September 16,

Today was a tiring and good fast, but it was very hard to get through. I woke up at around 11 am and then I went back to sleep unintentionally missing Dhur. I woke up and then immediately prayed and then I passed time on the internet. At around 5 o'clock my grandmother came over and we had iftaar with her -- but I had it in my father's room, there wasn't enough space for all of us. Anyway, as I was trying to pass time for iftaar I read Surat Yunus, Yusuf, and Had. Masha'allah they were eye-openers. A little afterwards I studied for a test I have the next day and now I'm still kind of hungry. My grandmother is leaving back for London. Insha'allah I will get to see her again.

September 16, 2007

Just finished praying Esha and about to go to bed. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow - going back to school and wasting my time staring at the teachers surrounded by those people when I could be home reading the Quran and praying. School gets in the way. Heading to bed now - gonna wake up in like 4 hours for seheri. After that, gonna get ready for school. I can't wait till this week is over so that I can relax at home again.

17sept
fasting has been good, alhamdulilah. the only thing iam craving is a glass of water.

Fasting is going great Alhamdulilah. The only problem is juggling my school work, Taraweeh and my sister’s home school courses. I’m struggling to keep up with my university classes at this moment. I have exams coming up. Seems like the day goes by so fast. I can’t finish my work.
I have problems with women who come to the masjid during Taraweeh with their little children. These sisters do not pray, they just sit the in the back and chit chat while their kids make so much noise inside and outside the Masjid. It’s so frustrating to pray and concentrate with these commotions. If someone says anything to them they say we are being racist. They have no respect for the Masjid and for the people praying. May Allah forgive all of us. We can’t complain to the imam because he already warned us that if he hears any problem from the sister’s side this year he is going to take drastic actions. Every year we have the same problem. Last year a woman decided to bring her cat in the Masjid. Please makje Du’a for us.

Wasalam
-SI-

Selam aleykum,

17. September 2007, 9:48 a.m. Finland.

Been fasting the last couple of days, it went OK elhamdulillah. But school! I feel I can manage at school when I'm there, but when I return home I ain't able to do anything, no homework or projects nad I've got masses of them, which is bad.

I feel during Ramazan I'm nevr able to manage my time well... I have to time do do things, but can't for whatever reason I don't know. Ya Allah help me.


I'm preparing to go to school now inshaAllah.

Have lots of other trouble going on too... Is it all my fault? Maybe. Everyone else says it is. All I know is fasting makes me forget everything else... I only think about if I'm hungry and when's iftaar.

InshaAllah I'll soon get back on track.

Selam aleykum.

Sept 17 08:18 UK
ramadan has been good so far.. at times very challenging. i hope inshallah our duas come true inshallah. today i m going to uni inshallah , hopefully it will be a productive day.. i understand about not studying / finding it difficult to study and manage time in ramadan.. last year i remember not reali focussing in lectures.. likely to fall asleep in them .. hey am not recommending it!
i hope inshallah allah makes us all strong throughout this blessed month inshallah

17.09.2007 3:35 PM - Kulim, Malaysia

Just came back from Alor Star, nearly 100 km away to the north from Kulim. So tired, Alhamdulillah it's cloudy and not so hot.

It's was raining with scattered thunderstorms from Friday till Sunday all over the region, some areas were flooded.

Thanks to God that it's not raining today. If not, I might be stranded somewhere as the paddyfields along the highway are getting flooded sooner.

Someone asked about non-muslim accounts of Ramadan. Well, here I am !

This year, I decided to observe the fasting done in Ramadan. I got to see what someone fasting does (last year) and so this year, I thought I would give it a try myself. I have many reasons for my decision (religious, spiritual, self-bettering, personal tests, etc etc etc).

This is day #5 and so far, so good! I generally don't feel hungry, maybe just a bit thirsty and I am beyond paranoid about my breath!

I'm actually fighting off a bit of a cold in the meantime (I've been feeling a bit sick since day one: sneezing, scratchy throat, but it never materialises into a full-blown cold).

My only complaints:
1- I usually eat alone. I don't like eating alone - food tastes better when you share it with someone.
2- As a non-muslim, I don't get to celebrate Eid at the end of this month. :-(

But so far, it's a great experience and it makes me more thankful for what I have and I talk to God more often than before.

No my friend. You will be celebrating Eid with much more sincerity than some of us who call ourselves Muslim. Celebration of acknowledging the mercy and justice of Allah(swt) is not an act. It is an intent to recognize love of Allah(swt) and to be thankful for what He(swt) has given. You may not see yourself as partaking in the physical aspects of the Celebration, but your heart and intent will celebrate.

With that said, if you know any Muslim families, perhaps you can express your desire to share the joy of Eid-ul-Fit'r.

Another option, check with the Imam at any nearby Masjid. I am certain you will find yourself very welcome to come, observe and enjoy. No obligation and no strings attached.

Sept. 17, 2007 Austin, TX

I do not know why. But this morning I woke up with an overwhelming feel of joy and awareness of the beauty of creation. I watched the Sunrise, and saw the beauty of the planet Venus lighting the sky long before sunrise. Venus was shining so bright and so much like a guiding light as to what the day will bring. Venus was visible for long after daylight. I could not resist taking a picture.



Tomorrow morning I will try to take a picture before daylight while it is at it's brightest just before the break of dawn.

sept. 17th

I woke up late for sihoor today had exactly 15 minutes.. like yesterday a couple of kitchen appliances mal-functioned ( thankfully this time nothing blew)... you can't apparently use a toaster and a coffee maker w/out having a power outtage... drank, ate and took two sets of pills all in one shot.. brushed my teeth, made fajr prayer than slept for sometime.. woke up wanting to make some serious phone calls.. none of the people I called fulfilled their civic duties, I am always left wondering.. if people hate their job so much, why did they apply for it (but I digress).. I was starting to get frustrated.. and was succumbing to this state of general lassitude ... just wanted to lay there and do absolutely nothing..

but my sister called... my two year old niece starts 'school' tomorrow... she wanted to get her new shoes and clothes.. we took the car as neither of us was up for walking or grabbing a cab.. although in hind sight we would have saved a fortune on a cab than that midtown parking garage.. was chilly today.. and I am feeling really under the weather...I don't know if I am mal adjusted to change in temp or I am coming down with something but was feeling not myself.. we went from store to store... something about clothes on racks gives me a feeling of claustrophobia.. there were so many people out like bees swarming... my mind always wonders of their purpose and where they are headed or coming from, but I didn't feel like allowing myself the opportunity to reflect or get too philosophical...

it was getting late, almost time for maghrib, so sis decided to get pizza, while I went to drug store for some sundries... she dropped me off and headed home.. saw my good friend Ann in the elevator.. it is always so nice to see her.. she is a professional cook and does some home catering.. I have known her since I was a little girl.. she always has something wonderful to say...

Anyhow, broke my fast on two slices of sis's pizza, some soda and prayed Maghrib.. watched the LBC.. the lebanese version of the BBC... which sucked (I hate all news) but the lebanese one is exceptionally pretentious.. they tune it down a bit for Ramadan thankfully.. no weather babes to lay it on thick.. I guess they finally figured ppl in NY don't care what the weather is like in ba3labak and don't need to see a mahdome in a micro mini to evoke the sensation of just how hot it is.. Again I digress so forgive me.. now I got for tarawi7 insha'Allah and with any luck call it a night... if you have read this so far I commend you and ask you keep me in your prayers especially these up coming three weeks pls..

Monday Sept 17, 2007 23:22hrs

the last few days of ramandan went very well, starting to get use to wearing hijab, only me and my mother in law wear it out of whole family but its been ok...my husband whos more westernized then me is starting to follow my footsteps a bit, hes starting to pray and have better habbits and ive never been more proud...i guess trying to pushing someone to do something is never good rather setting a good example.

Im really enjoying ramadan it reminds me of how good i have things in life compared to alot of people.

can't wait for eid

September 17

My day was okay. Hated getting up for school but what can you do? Missed Zuhr because of it, and I didn't feel right after that...sort of guilty. It was the first prayer I missed since Ramadan started. It kind of depressed me. I was having pains in my leg after school, I don't know why. Iftar came along, and clumsy me drops a whole glass of water right into my lap, as soon as I start eating! Not one drop hit the floor, all into my lap. And I was sitting next to an open window and was cold enough as it is. I kept my cool, though. Didn't say a word, just squeezed it and kept eating, and changed before I prayed. Ehh, Inshallah tomorrow will be a better day. I sincerely hope everyone is having a wonderful Ramadan =].

Find a group of Muslims and ask them to join your iftaar...

Lots of Non Muslims (Who dont fast) celebrate Eid by visiting Muslim homes on Eid.... FREE FOOD!!!