Christmas and the muslim dilemma

Living in a non-muslim country it’s hard to avoid certain holidays, one of which that is very much in your face is Christmas, how do you avoid the secret Santa’s, Christmas parties and all the other things that go with Christmas. How many of us are asked on a daily basis at work, have you done your Christmas shopping yet? Do you be honest and say that no I don’t  celebrate Christmas to which a response is complete silence or a few who are a bit more brazen take a sneaky look at your hijab and say oh you’re not allowed to do that are you because it’s against Islam. Or do you just to keep the peace and avoid the uncomfortable silence and say that yes I’m done didn’t have many to buy for this year.  

Is it me or is it the sheer ignorance of people who believe that just because it’s a national holiday that everyone must partake in it.

I don’t know about others but for the last couple of years I have not been scared or embarrassed incase i didnt fit in. I just be honest and say that we have just had two big celebrations, one was Eid at the end of Ramadan and the other Eid at the end of Hajj and we have given and received many presents, so I wont be celebrating Christmas. I usually continue with, however I am looking forward to the time off work and I hope to grab a few bargains in the sales and without any hesitation they just happily move on to the sale shopping issue.

If I’m perfectly honest no one gets in to a big conversation about the why not’s because most of my colleagues have no religious interest in the festival they openly admit it has no religious significance to them or to their families, they claim it’s a multi million pound industry and it has become so commercial that they cant escape it even if they wanted too. Its also what has been drummed in to them from a young age so the tradition has continued. Basically it’s something to do and many of them hate the presents they get, but also admit that it’s the only time they have real family get togethers. Oh and I do have the odd few who claim that all it means to them is they can drink as much as they want and not have to go to work the following day.

I don’t want any of my non-Muslim readers to get annoyed with my comments about christmas, I am not at all generalising I’m just talking from my personal experiences.

CHANEL

I just love Chanel the clothes and the eye watering priced handbags, so I thought I’d share with you there most recent show, what you may think I don’t know but I really  like the inspiration behind Chanel’s Paris Bombay 2011 show, everything came together so beautifully for the designer, the sheer extravaganza just blends right in with the Indian culture and Bollywood drama. I know a lot of designers like to take inspiration from India and Karl Lagerfeld did exactly this with the glorious collection for his latest pre-autumn/winter 2012-13 collection. The Tables where laden for high tea and there was a no expense spared décor, it was simply breath-taking and my favourite part apart from the clothes which I must say looked so elegant and many a pieces that could be hijabi friendly- was the Chanel decorated steam train running along the tables. If you haven’t seen them already I shall leave you with some photographs- 

Chocolate Lovers Winter Treat

I am not really what you would call a chocoholic, I like to have the odd chocolate treat every now and then and I’m partial to a slice of chocolate fudge cake once in a while, as a general rule if I had a choice I would always pick a savoury treat over chocolate except when winter sets in and its freezing cold I like to treat myself to a warm mug of indulgent HOT CHOCOLATE.

It all started last year when I discovered these chocolate sticks from Marks and Spencer’s; basically it’s a ball of chocolate at end of a lollipop stick which you stir in milk turning your milk in to gorgeous cup of hot chocolate. I loved the idea so much I wanted to try and find a recipe to have a go at making them and I must say they turned out really well.  I found this recipe on the internet on www.candy.about.com if you put “hot chocolate on a stick” in your search engine you will find many recipe’s on making them and and ideas how to present them as little gifts. The image in the bottom is from a food blog and looks really beautiful I would love to receive such a gorgeous looking gift. Infact I  would cheat and buy some halal marshmallows, as the girl has done there and give them as little Eid gifts I don’t think I’m brave enough to attempt homemade marshmallows though.

Cooking time  10 minutes

Total time 10 minutes

Makes 25 pieces

Ingredients

·         1/2 cup heavy cream

·         14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

·         18 oz (about 3 cups) chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chips

·         4 oz (about 3/4 cup) chopped unsweetened chocolate

·         25 lollipop sticks or more if you want to make the smaller in size

Preparation:

1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chopped semi-sweet and unsweetened chocolates in a large heat-safe bowl.

2. Pour the heavy cream and condensed milk into a medium saucepan and whisk until combined. Put the saucepan over medium heat.

3. Bring the liquid to a simmer, whisking frequently so that the condensed milk does not scorch on the bottom of the pan.

4. Once the liquid is simmering, pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it sit for a minute to soften. Begin whisking the cream and chocolate together, until the chocolate is melted and you have a shiny, smooth mixture. It will be fairly thick.

5. Pour the chocolate into the prepared pan and smooth it into an even layer. Allow it to sit and firm up overnight, or for 3-4 hours in the refrigerator.

6. Once the fudge block is firm, use a large, sharp knife to cut it into twenty-five pieces (five rows and five columns). For the smoothest cuts, rinse the knife in hot water and dry it between each cut. Skewer each block with a lollipop stick.

7. To make hot chocolate, heat a mug of milk (water does not work well in this instance) and add a chocolate block. Allow it to sit and soften for a minute, then vigorously stir until it is dissolved.

8. Store Hot Chocolate On A Stick in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature, two weeks in the refrigerator, or up to a month in the freezer.

Winter Love

I am really loving this season not only is it so easy to dress in, especially when you’re a hijabi as you don’t need to explain why you’re wearing several layers and long sleeve tops all the time but the fact that it feels so tranquil and cool it’s just a beautiful season, I wish it would snow when Im off work, as I love looking out the window with a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate when it’s snowing, I just hope it doesn’t snow when I go back to work as it’s  not fun to drive in the snow.

All images taken from the internet

PS  This may be controversial to some but I love the Christmas lights, not the tacky sorts but I just love the lovely decorated houses and no before you ask I don’t celebrate Christmas, I don’t send Christmas cards or take part in secret Santa’s , but I love the decorated shops and lit up streets and houses.





Work Drama

I have worked nonstop for last two months doing long hours some of it was appealing to earn more money and some of it was to keep busy so I don’t feel so depressed and I have hated every moment of it, don’t get me wrong I am greatful that I have a job and regular income when so many don’t have that and struggle to support families.

It is just that it used to be a job I could do with my eyes closed, a job that I could hit targets in and achieve highest output of casework with 100% accuracy on all audit checks, the same job has now become a chore- that I struggle to concentrate on that I struggle to get up for in the morning,  that I have next to no interest in. I end up doing the bare minimum and spend the rest of the day trying to pass time, I hate the fact that I feel like this and I hate the fact that I am wasting time. I detest the constant goal changing by management and office politics, sniping remarks not all directed to me but from an stressed and inefficient  managers at all al levels.

Oh how I remember those days that I loved working here, then thinking that this was just a passing role, one which when I have finished my degree I shall move on to greater things, bigger and better things (that was a long 3 years ago) Allah swt had other ideas for me, initially through my own laziness which has now turned in to lack of opportunities due to the current climate.

What is one to do but look for to the end of year break and hope that the opportunities come with the guidance of Allah swt and hope that the coming year gives me some peace in my heart and mind.  We all must at some time or another have days, weeks or in my case months when we feel that we are stuck in a rut.

Ya Allah swt please help me and all others in this situation and avert all our difficulties and fill our lives with ease. Ameen .

P.S As I was writing this post and getting distracted i was on a blog about Islam, I cant remember which one but as usual  I was feeling sorry for myself, then I read this paragraph and it made me feel so much better that Allah is always listening to you and giving you subtle guidance even if you think its hardship its a blessing a lesson. I shall share the words with you and you cant help but feel the impact of them -

“People are always ungrateful, and we are ungrateful because we don’t have sabr. Sabr and Shukr go together. When you’re not patient you start complaining. And the fact that you’re complaining is a sign that you’re not grateful.”