Category Archives: Islam

The Best of Both Worlds

Posted on January 28, 2023 by Marahm

I lived in Riyadh for twelve years, from 1986 through 1998— the first six in the King Faisal Hospital women’s housing compound on campus (men lived off campus), and the second six in the city, amongst working class expatriate Arabs. … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Life, Life Writing, Religion, Saudi Arabia | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Another Swing into the Fullness of Islam

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Marahm

December 21, 2022 I don’t know how or why I found myself looking for a stream upon which I could set my vessel for a slide back into Islam. Muslims would say Allah was guiding me. I don’t know. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Life Writing, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

My Conversion Story

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Marahm

I’ve been asked to write my story. Immediately, I thought about the day I said shahada in Anis’s apartment. Then I thought about the day I said it in front of a Saudi sheikh,  making it publicly official. Both accounts … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Another Ramadan

Posted on May 27, 2017 by Marahm

Ramadan begins today, another Ramadan. I’ve been a Muslim for maybe twenty Ramadans, but none of them have enriched me like those first ones in Riyadh. In fact, I actually dislike Ramadan in the United States, astaghfiruallah (may Allah forgive … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Ramadan | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Another Hallmark Occasion

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Marahm

Today is Mother’s Day. I am blessed to still have a healthy, in-her-right-mind, ninety-one year old mother with whom I live and share household duties and expenses. For many years now she has refused gifts, citing her plethora of possessions, … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Home Life, Islam, Life | Tagged , | Leave a comment

A Few Surprises

Posted on October 19, 2016 by Marahm

Nearly one year has passed since I’ve retired, and I haven’t travelled. I’d imagined that I would have gone at least to Italy by now, if not Riyadh, but I’ve become settled and even complacent.  Sharon and I still talk … Continue reading →

Posted in Depth Psychology, Home Life, Intensive Journal, Islam, Journal Writing, Jung, Life Writing | 2 Comments

Wearing my Faith on my Head

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Marahm

Women were not allowed to choose whether to cover or not in Saudi Arabia. In other countries, however, the practice became a personal choice. As such, women needed to give some thought to whether or not they would cover when outside the Kingdom, … Continue reading →

Posted in Hijab, Islam, Saudi Arabia | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

I Did Not Revert

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Marahm

When I meet Muslim people for the first time, they invariably ask me, “When and how did you revert to Islam?” I answer, “I did not revert. I converted many years ago while living in Saudi Arabia.” I wish Muslims … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

“…increasingly religious…” and Other Words

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Marahm

Several recent articles describe the Boston bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev as having become, “…a fervent Muslim…” and “…increasingly religious…” I want to scream, “NO! He was NOT becoming a fervent Muslim! He was becoming a fervent KAAFIR (unbeliever) and increasingly IRRELIGIOUS! … Continue reading →

Posted in "Islamic reform", "Muslim reform", Islam | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Another Friday Khutbah

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Marahm

The musullah I go to on Fridays is just a large room in the basement of a nearby hospital in which approximately three dozen Muslims work. The designated imam doesn’t always attend– it’s a hospital, and staff members are often … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Life | 2 Comments