Category Archives: Islam

The Saint Movies

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Marahm

Even before I became a Muslim, I was never Catholic. I knew very little about Catholicism or the lives of the saints, nor was I interested. Now, I am interested. Several years ago, I stumbled across a movie entitled, “Papa … Continue reading →

Posted in art, Islam, Italian, Learning Italian, Life, Movie Review, Religion | 2 Comments

Pronounce Your Name Correctly, Please

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Marahm

The Muslim families in my community want to build a mosque. They are tired of driving thirty minutes to the central mosque downtown; they want a mosque in their neighborhood. They convened and bought a piece of land, drew plans … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabic Language, Cross-Cultural Relationships, Islam, Life, Politics, Religion | 10 Comments

Book Review– The Butterfly Mosque

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Marahm

Book Review The Butterfly Mosque by G. Willow Wilson To say that this book was written by an American woman who went to Egypt, explored Islam, became Muslim, married an Egyptian, and spent a year assimilating into Egyptian society, would … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Literature, Book Review, Egypt, Islam, Life | 4 Comments

Confession– Envious of Evangelicals

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Marahm

My mother worships at an evangelical mega-church, one of those “born-again” organizations that have sprung up across the United States in recent years. Her church, like others of its kind, has attracted thousands of members and their dollars, keeps growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Life, Religion | 6 Comments

No Pooping on My Property!

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Marahm

Yesterday morning, I noticed a man lingering at the end of my driveway. I went to the door for a better look, and saw that he held a leash, at the end of which a little dog was poking its … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Home Life, Islam, Life | 7 Comments

A Difference of Degree, not Substance?

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Marahm

With the approach of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, we are seeing many programs on TV, on the Internet, and in print media, programs that honor the lost lives as well as try to heal the residual emotional trauma felt … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Life, Religion | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Are You Fasting?

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Marahm

“Are you fasting?” I hate that question. My friends in Riyadh used to ask each other that question all the time. The appropriate answer was, “Yes.”  An answer of, “No,” meant that the woman was menstruating or that she was … Continue reading →

Posted in Islam, Life, Ramadan, Religion, Saudi Arabia | 8 Comments

A New Perspective on Islam

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Marahm

I’ve been ruminating on my waning connection with mainstream Islam. Ever since we came to the United States, I’ve been slipping away from ritual practice. The events of 9/11 pushed me to the brink of apostasy. I’ve been sitting on … Continue reading →

Posted in "Muslim reform", Islam, Progressive Islam, Religion | 17 Comments

The “Bismillah”

Posted on October 8, 2010 by Marahm

One of the joys of living in Saudi Arabia was seeing Arabic calligraphy, especially the “bismillah” and other  renditions of  verses  from the Qur’an,  expressed artistically  in various media.  “In the name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate” … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabic Language, art, Islam, Saudi Arabia | 5 Comments

More to the Kingdom and to Me

Posted on September 14, 2010 by Marahm

Monday, September 13, 2010 There is More to the Kingdom, and More to Me Judging from many comments made on English language blogs about Saudi Arabia, one might conclude that the Kingdom is nothing but a hell-hole– a prison for … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogging, Islam, Life, Rant, Saudi Arabia | 9 Comments