Category Archives: Religion

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

New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on December 30, 2022 by Marahm

I have not made New Year’s Resolutions for years, simply because I have never been able to keep them when I’ve made them. Now, however, at the age of seventy-two, I’ve become aware that I may not have many years … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabic Language, Blogging, Health and Medicine, Horses, learning Arabic, Life Writing, Religion, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

My Conversion Story– Addendum

Posted on September 28, 2017 by Marahm

I forgot to mention a rather important event that pushed me towards conversion. It began in the months before I signed a contract to work in Saudi Arabia’s King Faisal Hospital and Research Center. As I was preparing to leave, … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Saudi Arabia | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

I Quit

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Marahm

Last week, I quit the Tajweed class I had joined. I attended half a dozen classes and learned– or, shall I say, re-learned– basic principles of Tajweed. The teacher is an Egyptian woman who knows her stuff and knows how … Continue reading →

Posted in Arabic Language, Depth Psychology, Family, psychology, Religion | Tagged | 4 Comments

A Singular Theory

Posted on August 12, 2017 by Marahm

Many people who are firmly committed to their religion are also firmly committed to the idea that those who belong to other faiths will be sent to Hell after they die. The concept of Hell exists as an absolute reality, … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Between the Opposites

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Marahm

I was talking to my cousin in Italy recently. He is an atheist. He says he cannot believe in a god who allows the pervasive suffering that lies inherent in the lives of human beings.  The God who is called … Continue reading →

Posted in Depth Psychology, Religion | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

A Disturbing Khutbah

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Marahm

Last Friday, the imam gave a  twenty-minute khutbah that can be reduced to just one sentence: “Those who use their brains will know that Islam is the true religion.” Well, I am surprised he doesn’t know that millions of intelligent … Continue reading →

Posted in Life, Religion | 21 Comments

A Sacred Trust

Posted on February 23, 2013 by Marahm

  Yesterday was Friday, and I went to jummah prayer with my grandson. The khutbah was about children as trusts from Allah. My heart squeezed a little when the imam said that children are Allah’s trust to us, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Family, Life, Religion | 4 Comments

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