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Author: taskeentm
Ramadan Activities – awesome links to save you time!
I have been scouring the net on your behalf, to find amazing resources for activities suitable for my 3 year old.
To save you time, here are some brilliant ideas I found with really useful and with beautiful content:
1. Talking to Allah with Thank You, Sorry, Please: Parenthood Muslim Style
2. Crafts and Printables from Happiness is Homemade
3. The Greeting of Peace -ebook from Muslim Central
4. Playfully app – great games to play with your baby up to toddler. Love it, practical and evidence based.
Save this post to your Bookmarks tab on your browser so you always have it on hand!
Productive Muslim Mom
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Welcoming Ramadan with delightful decor!
This is my first year doing real Ramadan decorations with my kids, as Ilhaam is finally old enough (aged 3) to participate and appreciate, so I’m super excited! My intention is to create a positive and loving environment at home to celebrate this special month as a family, and to teach Ilhaam the important practices we do as Muslims we are fasting in this period – such as showing extra kindness, sharing, prayers…
I decided to keep it simple, and age appropriate using mostly what I already have at home. So if you’re looking for beautiful and quick ideas that don’t break the bank, here’s what I have being doing this year.
✨Elements:
1. Ramadan Corner – notice board with Good Deed Tree & 30 day gratitude challenge (see below), printed Ramadan book, and Iftaar display items.
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| Ramadan Notice Board |
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| 30 Day gratitude challenge |
2. Ramadan sign in living room (will share pic when I put it up closer to the time so kids know Ramadan is near).
3. Ramadan art & crafts – paper plate moon & sun, colouring pages.
✨Links:
Everything I used were free printables from amazing sites- I just had to click “Print”. And since I did all the research already, here are the quick links:
- If you like browsing, and checking out many sites for resources Ayeina has the Ultimate Ramadan list.
- If you just want ONE place for everything: try Qamar Designs.They have banners, duas, colouring, ramadan book. The Good Deed Tree idea is from here. Just brilliant stuff.
- Ramadan 30 day gratitude challenge. I plan for us every day to talk through this as a family while the kids have dinner.
It’s easy to get caught up in the Instagram rush of fancy Ramadan decorations, but let’s stay focused on our intention – and use our time and energy productively Insha Allah.
Please share your home decor and we’ll love to feature it in our Productive Muslim Mom Instagram stories!
Welcoming Ramadan soon, one activity at a time!
Productive Muslim Mom
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Getting ready for Ramadan….Beyond stockpiling the freezer!
With two weeks to go before the start of Ramadan, I began some planning for this special month of mercy and forgiveness. Planning involving taking actions to be in the best space for maximum gains. As given are already self isolating, being home and with no distractions about going out – I feel we already have a headstart!
For many years, I found that I would consider myself ready for Ramadan once I had containers of savouries in the freezer, and a pantry filled with ingredients to make traditional desserts and dishes we especially enjoy in this month (sometimes to the extent of mandating it!)
But if the purpose of this month is to develop Allah Consciousness (“taqwa” in Arabic) as Allah says in the Quran (2:183)
“O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn Taqwa”
Taqwa includes Allah fearing, piety, and self restraining. An opportunity to turn things around. To become closer to Allah and to learn more about ourselves by learning more about Him. It involves doing lots of good to please Allah. And to exit the month with more than we entered – physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
Which is why I drew up this chart – to remind myself about adopting a “holistic approach” to welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan. Looking at all ACTIONS necessary to make the month as productive as possible. Here it is:
For many years, I found that I would consider myself ready for Ramadan once I had containers of savouries in the freezer, and a pantry filled with ingredients to make traditional desserts and dishes we especially enjoy in this month (sometimes to the extent of mandating it!)
But if the purpose of this month is to develop Allah Consciousness (“taqwa” in Arabic) as Allah says in the Quran (2:183)
“O you who believe fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you so that you can learn Taqwa”
Taqwa includes Allah fearing, piety, and self restraining. An opportunity to turn things around. To become closer to Allah and to learn more about ourselves by learning more about Him. It involves doing lots of good to please Allah. And to exit the month with more than we entered – physically, spiritually, emotionally and mentally.
Which is why I drew up this chart – to remind myself about adopting a “holistic approach” to welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan. Looking at all ACTIONS necessary to make the month as productive as possible. Here it is:
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| Holistic Approach to preparing for Ramadan. Please SHARE |
Physical and Practical
This is usually my starting point. I would look at the key dates such as when do we start fasting and when is Eid and jot them into my calendar and diary. This would give me an indication of what else is going on around Ramadan (for example any appointments, meetings etc). It also gives me a good jolt into how much time is left for preparations before the start of the month!
Next step is to plan what food preparation is needed. Without the convenience of abundant home made savouries and delicious chutney dips like we get in South Africa, if I want anything like what I am used to back home (such as samoosas or pies!) here in Istanbul, I better make it all myself (or do without it as I have in some years. Borek will have to do!). So this year where I could I used two evenings to do some preparations and I’m calling it a day.
A tip I learnt from my dear mother was to also do any Eid shopping such as clothes and gifts before Ramadan. That way you are not using precious Ramadan minutes running around with these activities! Also you can avoid the crowds. This year given the lockdown situation, I really don’t know what Eid will be like so holding on with any gift planning till things are more clear.
Lastly in this area is setting up the environment at home – putting up some exciting decorations, involving the kids in some crafts- all with the intention of creating a positive spirit and love for this beautiful month for the whole family. We have already started talking about Ramadan parties, so my little one is amped!
Mental Readiness
Setting a real focused intention immediately puts me in the right space. Reading up on the benefits of fasting, and listening to a few great speakers on the blessings of this month are great reminders about why I need to maximise on stacking up reward.
If there are any habits I want to change, I might start working on them now, weeks before we start fasting. This year, I aim to give up on junk shows (at least!) on Netflix. I actually enjoy documentary style shows so I have already started switching to that instead. In Ramadan, I would aim to watch nothing at all. It always amazes me how I am able to detox in this way so easily, and occupy my time with extra prayer -or just rest.
Closer to the start of Ramadan I would begin my “fasting focus”, and do my best to clear my mind of all other peripherals – binge chats, binge Instagram scrolling, anything else taking me away from the sole purpose of this month – worshipping Allah and gaining closeness to Him.
This mental focus is so important as it sets the tone for the last pillar. We cannot pray in the sincerest way we are meant to if our mind is still cluttered with other things. I mentally put on hold anything extra that can wait for after the four weeks- so my mind has clarity and space.
Spiritual
The focus of the month will be on my soul- to uplift myself in a deep spiritual way Insha Allah. Usually this involves goals for completing recitation of the Quran, listening to tafseer, revising previously memorised surahs. I really enjoy understanding what I read in Quran so for this I have begun at least listening to (and often making notes though I do need to revise more so its more entrenched), the tafseer from leading scholars on the verses of Quran we read most often – for example starting with Surah Yaseen, Surah Kahf, and the last 20 surahs in Quran which are the ones I would read in my Salaatul Taraweeh every night.
Other great resources I have come to love has been the daily 20 minute lectures that some scholars give live after Taraweeh salaah. My favourite being Ramadan Gems and Ramadan Nightly Reminders (Mufti Menk). These are all available on demand on YouTube if you miss it live. It is centred around a theme such as Stories from Quran, or Stories about the Messengers, making it compelling listening to complete the full picture. Great learning.
So as you can see, if we start to break down all the aspects to consider in preparing for this month Insha Allah, there’s so much more beyond hanging up decor or stock piling the freezer!
How far are you with preparations for this beautiful month? And which aspects do you focus on?
Wishing you all a productive Ramadan, filled with barakah and blessings
Taskeen
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List of museums, zoos and other attractions from around the world to visit online while we self isolate!
Since we cant’ travel or pop over to the nearest museum during these challenging times, it is so amazing to have them come home to us!
Here is a handy list of museums, zoos and other tourist attractions from around the world to visit from the comforts of our home while we self-isolate.
Something for the children to enjoy, away from cartoons for a change!
If I MUST use the screen, I would rather spend time with these interesting sites where we can learn in a more “natural” way.
Something for the children to enjoy, away from cartoons for a change!
If I MUST use the screen, I would rather spend time with these interesting sites where we can learn in a more “natural” way.
Museums
• Anne Franke Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• British Museum, London
• Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain
• Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg, Russia
• Louvre Museum Paris
• MASP, Sao Paolo, Brazil
• Met Museum, New York
• Musée d’Orsay, Paris
• Musei Vaticani, Vatican City
• Museum Of London Docklands
• National Gallery Of Arts, Washington DC
• National Gallery, London
• National Museum Of US Air Forces
• Natural History Museum, London
• Palestine Museum 🙂
• Picasso Museum, Barcelona
• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Royal Academy Of Arts, London
• Salvatore Dali Museum, Figueres, Spain
• Tate Britain, London
• The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, United States
• The Museum of Flight
• The National Museum of Computing on Bletchley Park
• Uffizi Gallery, Florence, Italy
• US Holocaust Museum
• Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Virginia Living Museum –
• Women’s History Museum, Virginia, USA
• Yale Centre For British Art
Tourist Destinations
• Buckingham Palace, London
• Colosseum, Rome
• Machu Picchu
• Northern Lights
• Pyramids
• Stonehenge
• Street Art with Google
• Taj Mahal, Agra, India
• The Great Wall Of China
• Tour of Rome, Italy
General Sites
• AirPano
• Berliner Philharominker
• ExoPlanets NASA
• Legoland
• NASA, Langley Research Centre
• The Kennedy Centre
• Walt Disney Parks
• Wellcome Collection
Zoos
• African Animals
• Atlanta Zoo
• Cincinnati Zoo
• Dublin Zoo
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Explore.org Live Cams
• Flamingo Land
• Florida Aquarium
• Hirakawa Zoo, Japan
• International Wolf Centre
• Kansas City Zoo
• Melbourne Zoo
• National Aquarium, USA
• National Zoo, Washington DC
• Osaka Zoo
• San Diego, California, Zoo
• Smithsonian, Washington DC
• Yellowstone National Park
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Best of the Web : FREE Art, Crafts, Printables, Themes for Ages 2-4 (summarised so you can start here!)
Hello Moms!
There have been some amazing and plentiful online links being shared recently for free resources to keeping the kids busy at home during the recent self distancing we are all going through around the world. However, it can be overwhelming to go through the long list, and may even bring you to a halt before starting.
So to help you save time, I have summarised here the best links I found specifically for arts, crafts, printables, themes and ideas.
There are some incredible video and online resources like museum tours, e-books, online games and free movies but for now I prefer to do more hands on (non- screen) activities with my kids (aged 19 months and 3 years). So these links are more for grown ups to use themselves directly (for ideas or to print to use with the little ones).
Want a super quick start? Here are my favourite go-to links:
1. Play and create The Imagination Tree
Why I love it: Simple, easy to do ideas. Beautiful friendly layout.Real
2. Toddler and preschool age ideas: Preschool Inspirations
Why I love it: There are themes as a starting point for activities
Why I love it: Simple, easy to do ideas. Beautiful friendly layout.Real
2. Toddler and preschool age ideas: Preschool Inspirations
Why I love it: There are themes as a starting point for activities
FREE Art, Crafts, Printables, Themes for Ages 2-4
✅Quick &easy at home projects curated for kids 2 and up Kiwico.com
✅ Preschool Education Activity Resource Ideas Preschool express
✅Free printables library with activities for children 0 -6 Little Sparks Company
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✅ Fun games, recipes, crafts, activities: Highlights Kids <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:””; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}
✅ Crafts, activities, mazes, dot to dot, etc All Kids Network
✅ Support others in their parenting journey Busy Toddler
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✅ Crafts, activities, designs, and finger plays for teachers and parents to use with kids. Red Art <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:”Apple Color Emoji”; panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 402653184 335544320 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:””; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}
✅Free Printables for PreK-2nd Grade : Teachers pay Teachers <!– /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Arial; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;} @font-face {font-family:”Cambria Math”; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;} @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:””; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page WordSection1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;}
✅Illustrated recipes designed to help kids age 2-12 cook with their grown-ups. Recipes encourage culinary skills, literacy, math, and science. Nomster Chef
✅The ultimate parenting toolbox.We offer ideas you can use to inspire and entertain your kids offline. Funology
✅Resource section includes free flashcards, colouring pages, worksheets, and other resources for children, teachers, and parents: Super Simple
Homeschooling Links:
– Hands on learning: 123 Homeschool4me
– Every course you could possibly want to homeschool preschool – 8 All in One Homeschool
– Online homeschool platform & curriculum for Pre-K to 12th grade. All main subjects are covered, plus extra curriculum courses. Discovery K12
– A quick start resource to help families pull together a plan for surviving the next 1-2 months at home with their kids, Preschool through 8th grade L A better way to homeschool
– Designed for teaching. Twinkl Limited time free offer for various resources. Split into Primary and Secondary
Other (non- screen)activities
✅Free at-home kids yoga lesson plans Little Twisters Yoga
✅Novel Effect makes storytime a little more fun for kids (and grown-ups too!) As you read out loud from print books (or ebooks!) music, sound effects, and character voices play at just the right moment, adjusting and responding to your voice.
✅Free Childrens stories online ages 3-12
✅A large selection of fun songs to help teach preschool and kindergarten students
I haven’t tried out all the links yet, so please do share your lovely creations with us on Instagram (@productive_muslim_mom)
Wishing you many happy learning moments
Productive Muslim Mom
(Taskeen)
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| Ilhaam, Aged 3 |
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Introducing my new title: Productive Muslim Mom
I recently started an Instagram account will be posting here on this blog from time to time InshaAllah as Productive Muslim Mom
I became a mother Alhamdulillah in 2017. Moving from the boardroom to the crib, I took with me everything I learnt from my days at the office around time management, multi tasking and organisation. Sure, raising two under two has been harder than any product or website launch project I faced in my ten years at Unilever. And I never knew that deadlines could get any shorter than when a crying baby means FOOD NOW! However, by keeping a clear mind, always having a plan in mind (even if sketchy at times), I have been able to manage some of the most difficult times whilst rearing my two kids (now aged 19 months and 3 years respectively).
I believe in that Lists Save Lives. Getting everything from your head to the paper is essential to managing a busy life with kids and Getting Things Done. So I will be sharing all my handy tips, shortcuts, recipe ideas, play, and enough motivation and inspiration to remind ourselves of who we are and that we can WIN at this busy mom game!
Stay tuned for more exciting ideas and posts coming your way soon Inshallah. Feel free to share any thoughts or requests for content either here or on Instagram.
Please do follow me on Instagram as well!
Productive Muslim Mom
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Creating the Ramadan Spirit : The largest Iftaar picnic in Istanbul
My dream came true this year Alhamdulillah, when I got to visit Turkey’s famous Blue Mosque during the Muslim blessed month of Ramadan.
I have been living in Istanbul for 2 years, but have yet to experience this special month, or Eid in Istanbul as I have been travelling each year during this month. Before I moved here, my husband visited the vibrant Sultanahmet area during Ramadan, and spoke excitedly about the buzzing atmosphere there, and all my dreams about what Ramadan would be like in Turkey centred around this! So this year, when I could not feel much of a Ramadan vibe, or even see any change in lifestyle like people around me fasting or preparing for iftaar etc I couldnt help but feel a tad bit disappointed. I understood it was probably mostly down to the fact that I live in a largely secualr part of Istanbul (Besiktas). I knew that if I wanted to feel the Ramadan spirit, I would have to inject it myself, and that is what I have done by takig on ccertain iniatives like iftaar picnics and attending mass community iftaars (Read all about it in my previous posts).
One of the most exciting events for me in Ramadan this year though, was the iftaar picnic we had at the Blue Mosque, in Sultanahmet. We arrived at least an hour and a half before Maghrib salaah (dusk prayers), and already the large square, grassy patchy areas outside the musjid courtyard were filling up with what must be several thousand people by the end of the evening. There was a massive stage set up with a beautiful set for some speakers who were hosting a programme (Didn’t get what it was about as it was in Turkish!), but there were also some captivating salawat being read at one stage, which was lovely to listen to – or just have playing in the background as a treat to my subconscious mind!
We met a bunch of our friends there, and found a great spot to lay down our mats and our food to settle down before it was time to open our fast. The kids had a great time running around, enjoying being outside. there were lots of families, some really geared up with fold up tables and pots to cook Turkish cay (tea). It seemed like this was a regular event in any Turkish families calendar – coming out here to break their fast together, in one of the most significant places in Istanbul- Sultanahmet square.
Before iftaar, I walked around the square to the pop up market that was set up – similar to the ‘Christmas Markets’ in most cities in Europe- this was Turkeys equivalent -the ‘Eid market‘ – rows of art/ craft stalls in wooden cabins as well as food stalls selling traditional Turkish Ramadan specialities such as “Ottoman sherbat” – a refreshing syrup drink made from a mix of flower extracts, fruits or herbs.
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| Eid Markets in Sultanahmet square |
A few minutes before Maghrib (dusk prayers), we settled down on our picnic mats in the open air, under the dark sky and when we heard the beautiful adhaan from the Blue Mosque, opened our fasts together, passing around dates, water and fruit.
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| Largest iftaar picnic in Turkey |
For the main meal, we shared around the dishes we brought from home (including being treated to delicious Indian food from a nearby restaurant!). Afterwards, we headed over to pray Maghrib salaah at the Blue Mosque. There was no jamaah (congregation) for Maghrib (now expected- see my previous posts!) and it was quite crowded (also expected!) so we prayed in the courtyard which had rows of mats laid out. Theres just something about musjid courtyards that I love – like Masjid Nabawee in Madinah – always so peaceful to pray or relax in.
To end the evening we walked around again this time to find some Turkish cay (tea) and I tasted “güllaç” for the first time ( a Turkish dessert made with milk, pomegranate and a special kind of pastry especially consumed especially during Ramadan). By now the Taraweeh prayers had started and we could hear the beautiful recitation through the loudspeakers. Families still milled around, relaxing during the pleasant evening. The sad tradeoff we made when choosing to have iftaar in Sultanahmet was that we would have to commute back home (1 hour journey) during Taraweeh prayers jamaah, in order to get our little one home at a reasonable bed time, and therefore pray our salaah at home instead of together at the musjid.
Nonetheless, this was a spectacular experience and for me, Alhamdulillah truly captured the essence of Ramadan – sharing, unity, enjoying fulfilling our islamic obligations, being spiritual together – and a bonus – experiencing a new part of Istanbul life!
Injecting Ramadan spirit, one magical instance at a time,
M4D
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Creating the Ramadan spirit: Iftaar Picnicking in Istanbul
Our days are busy in Ramadan, and especially with iftaar being quite late in Turkey during Summer, it’s usually difficult to meet up with people. However one weekend, my friends and I decided to arrange an iftaar together -and the idea was formed to join in the local Turkish community who partake in these “Iftaar picnics” at beautiful spots such as the Blue Mosque, or in our case we went to what seems to be everyone’s favourite musjid – Suleymaniye Mescit in Fatih.
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| Suleymaniye Camii at Sunset |
This fitted well into my little movement to generate a special atmosphere in Ramadan as I was missing the strong ramadan ‘vibe’, living in a largely secular part of Istanbul (read my previous post), So I was really excited to get out of the house, meet my friends and have a new experience in opening my fast!
We arrived at the musjid (cami/mosque) about an hour before Maghrib (dusk), as the sky was slowly turning darker on a pleasantly cool Summer’s evening. Our setup was simple, we brought along picnic mats and a dish of food each, and laid out our picnic in the beautiful open grassy area outside the cami courtyard. The place was magical – entire families were sprawled on the open lawns with their iftaar ‘tables’ prepared, children were running around happy to be outdoors and meeting their friends. While we waited for the time to open our fast, we relaxed and chatted amongst ourselves, soaking in the atmosphere and really enjoying the spirit of everyone being at that place for the same purpose- to worship Allah in fasting in Ramadan.
I took a quick walk around to behind the cami, where another fascinating scene met my eyes- at the local restaurant located there, were rows of tables set up, with at least 400 people receiving the iftaar packs from a set menu that was offered that day. It was quite interesting to see such a large scale iftaar in progress, and everything seemed really well organised.
When the adhaan went off for Maghrib salaah (prayer), I went inside the musjid to pray. There were a handful of ladies only, and some kind women offered me dates to open my fast as well. This time, there was a jamaah for Maghrib salaah inside the musjid (read my post on what usually occurs in Turkey at maghrib during Ramadan) , however the loudspeaker was turned off and we couldn’t hear it – and therefore sadly couldn’t participate in prayers in congregation! Later I noticed some ladies who were standing closer to the males, not in the demarcated women section – and in this way they could join the jamaah- lucky them!
Each of my friends brought a super special dish to share in our iftaar -we were lucky to have xx, homemade scones, homemade South African chocolate cake and even a middle east speciality: ‘karak’ chai (milky, spiced tea) to finish. Being outside, in the fresh air and with enjoyable company was amazing – probably one of the best iftaar I have ever had in my life!
We were discussing how come the concept of these iftaar picnics donot seem to be present in other places- such as South Africa for instance. Some possible reasons we mulled over included the lack of safety meaning needing to be indoors when its dark, as well as the fact that musjid courtyards there aren’t exactly set up for socialising – they are usually just the means to enter the musjid so such kind of setup just wouldn’t work currently.
Anyway, it was an incredible experience, one that will stay with me forever I’m sure, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.
Injecting the ramadan spirit, one experience at a time
M4D
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Review: Sariyer Kadinlar Plaji: My first visit to a beach in Istanbul – yes it exists!
Being brought up in a coastal town (Durban, South Africa), I am fortunate to have beach hangouts as part of my lifestyle, especially during the Summer. Which is why, this summer in Istanbul, I was on the lookout for somewhere to escape to to swim in and relax in. I heard before that Istanbul does have beaches, but I had yet to discover for myself.
I took a taxi, which costed me 55TL for the 30-35 minute ride. The driver found the way easily and could drop us right outside the entrance. I actually spotted two other beaches right next door (Elma plaji was one of them), which appeared to be “family beaches”, ie mixed gender and I made a mental note to try to come back there with my husband on another occasion.
The beach sand was soft, which is lovely to walk and sit on pleasantly. Being a weekday, the beach was busy but not overcrowded and we found a spot to settle into fairly quickly. The water looked really inviting- there was some sea weed present, and its not crystal clear like on the Turkey turquoise coast, but really it was satisfactory to enjoy the beach without having to fly an hour or drive 4 hours out of the city. The waves were gentle and mostly just on the sea shore, with the deepest part of the water no higher than up to your shoulders. There was a female lifeguard present, as the website promised. The water was cool but also warm in parts, and after a few minutes felt very welcome to wade in or just stand around and enjoy.
I did some online research, and had a few names of popular beaches popped up. I was especially intrigued by the “kadinlar/bayan plaji” – ‘women only beaches’, which had a double bonus of not being very far out from where I lived. This website provided clear information on opening hours (yes beaches here come with this!) and entry costs etc for “Sariyer Altinkum Kadinlar Plaji.” However, unfortunately, there didnt seem to be alot of reviews from visitors to these beaches – on TripAdvisor, Facebook groups etc. So I was left a little unsure about the quality of the beach and whether or not it would be suitable for my needs. But, I decided to take the plunge (mind the pun!) and go for it – how else would we learn for the future, and at the very least it would be a nice day out in the sun with my toddler.
So what was the Sariyer beach experience like? Pleasantly surprised -I found it amazing! I was thrilled to not be disappointed for once!
The beach is not as spectacular as the postcard ones you have in other parts of Turkey such as Cesme, or down south in Turunc, Marmaris etc. However, for a half hour ride away from Besiktas at least, it completely suffices for a day out to be in the water and enjoy the warm sun.
I took a taxi, which costed me 55TL for the 30-35 minute ride. The driver found the way easily and could drop us right outside the entrance. I actually spotted two other beaches right next door (Elma plaji was one of them), which appeared to be “family beaches”, ie mixed gender and I made a mental note to try to come back there with my husband on another occasion.The entry cost for Sariyer beach was 25TL for adults. You pay separately for beach chairs & umbrellas (25TL), or to rent a table and chairs to eat on for lunch. There is actually like a canvas curtain blocking the entrance to the beach, so everything is completely private to patrons only from the time you enter the beach. This for me was a first – such a thrilling experience as a hijabi to be so well secluded so you can really enjoy being in the outdoors, but not having to be fully covered. Honestly, standing in the cool water, and feeling the fresh beachy breeze on my bare arms was the highlight of my day!
The beach sand was soft, which is lovely to walk and sit on pleasantly. Being a weekday, the beach was busy but not overcrowded and we found a spot to settle into fairly quickly. The water looked really inviting- there was some sea weed present, and its not crystal clear like on the Turkey turquoise coast, but really it was satisfactory to enjoy the beach without having to fly an hour or drive 4 hours out of the city. The waves were gentle and mostly just on the sea shore, with the deepest part of the water no higher than up to your shoulders. There was a female lifeguard present, as the website promised. The water was cool but also warm in parts, and after a few minutes felt very welcome to wade in or just stand around and enjoy. The atmosphere was really enjoyable – ladies letting loose in their bikinis or anything they felt comfortable to wear, teenagers giggling with their friends, children shrieking in excitement as the small waves approached them. When there was music playing, women of all ages (and sizes!) happily danced around, including my little one who seems to like upbeat Turkish music!
There is a beach cafe there selling snacks likes crisps and drinks, as well as cooked food like kofte and potatoes or sandwiches at reasonable costs (between 6 and 20 TL). I had taken my own food so I didn’t taste anything from the cafe. The cafe also sells beach equipment like swimming gear, bucket and spades for kids and other beach bric ‘n brac.
There is an outside shower to dust off the sand, and there are change rooms and bathrooms (I didn’t use so cant comment on condition). I was so impressed to spot the “mescit”, which was basically a dedicated prayer room – what an awesome convenience provided. With facilities like this, it means you can spend the entire day out comfortably, knowing all your basic needs are covered.
To return, I wasn’t able to call a biTakis to that area, however the personnel at the entrance called a local taxi on my behalf (note the driver started the meter from where he was stationed in Sariyer, so it began at 12 TL).
Overall : If you are like me and crave a day out of the busy city to enjoy a beach day, I do recommend this spot!
Exploring Istanbul, one fun experience at a time,
MbyD
Truly Taskeen 
