Discover Islam Week and Malaysian Night
A few hours ago, I had yoga classes and then we had Pancakes Dinner :) There were grapes, blueberries, pancakes, waffles, bananas, tea, coffee, crisps and all the topping you can imagine. There was a new yoga instructor today and I've been practising this meditation for 2 terms now ^^
Last week, I even went for Pilates because it was Discover Islam Week and yoga classes were at the same time as the special talks. Both on Tues and Thurs last week, we had a speaker from Canada and Birmingham (if I'm not mistaken) who gave a very inspirational talk. The title of the talks were: Happiness and Is Life Just a Game? There were even non-muslims, Chinese, British, Europeans who attended the talk and took part in the exposure last week. Then on Friday, they had free dinner ! It was a full course Mid-Eastern cuisine meal with lamb, baked chicken, basmathi and beriyani rice as well as couscous- an Egyptian crushed rice kind-of thing that I wasn't very familiar with. The 2 speakers who came that night were amazing. One was a Priest who converted to Islam and the other was a British girl around early 20s who was a Medicine student in UCL and recently converted to Islam. Their stories were really touching and the man who gave the speech pointed out how much he respected Christianity because that is the religion that he grew up with but he decided to search for the truth. And speaking generally to everybody, he said something that really really made sense: You are not living in this world for your mom or your dad or your friends, yes they are a big part of your life but you are here for God, He sent you here for a reason and it is your duty to search about religion and find out the truth.
He continued: Every religion brings peace but which one is the truth? Can this world be created by so many different Gods? There is one and only one God. Some people argue that the world was created by coincidence which doesn't make much sense. How can something so magnificent, well-organised and beautiful like the universe be created on its own? There must be a Creator and a very Great One.
Both of the speakers said that the media shows that Islam is violent, too-conservative and that is not true. Everything in the Quran has a logical reason if you search and study about it. If people spread rumors about you would you like it? I'm sure not and of course you prefer that people ask you personally and directly instead of making assumptions. Same goes with this case. People often make bad assumptions about Islam because they are just agreeing with the bias news they see and little information they have. Islam is a peaceful and beautiful religion and the terrorism portrayed is mostly an act of extremism, most of which is disagreed in Islam because our religion taught us to create peace unless you are in a situation that you need to defend yourself. Both Islam and Christian are quite similar until the part of Jesus. Islam believes Jesus did not die on the cross ( yes we believe that it happened but God protected him and brought him up and he will return to this Earth when the Day Of Judgement draws nearer, the man who died there was someone else-I could go in the details but then this post would be a few chapters ;) while Christians believe that he died and is the son of God. The man who gave his speech mentioned that this is a wonderful idea but it is not true and God couldn't possibly have a son because then all his descendents would be 1/4 god and then would God need a son- what is the significance and then why did God decide that His son dies? In Islam, he is a Prophet and there is a final Prophet after that which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Most people in this world are too absorbed in worldly materials that we forget about the truth and reality in hereafter. Our parents religion does not necessarily represent the truth, as hard as this is to believe.
The story of the girl was more involving social network. She was on Facebook and she saw a conversations between 2 Muslims and they were talking about the fasting month. They were saying how since Ramadan falls in the summer and sunset is pretty late, they will be fasting for long hours even though they were having sports practice. She thought it was stupid and didn't make sense and began to research and read about the reasons why Muslims fast. As she slowly gained more knowledge and hidayah, she realised how everything made sense and had logical reason, most of which were beneficial to us, as human beings. She said that, God didn't put you in this world and then let you be and leave you stranded here, not knowing what to do. He has written it all in the Quran for your guidance in this world- Islam is very easy and lenient, you can do as much as you can and you will be rewarded for as much good deeds and faith you have in the One and Only God, He doesn't ask for anything else, just believe in Him and follow the Quran ( the holy book he sent down).
I am not a perfect person myself and that is why I always enjoy listening to these talks, I find them motivating and at the end of that night, I felt so happy and contented in my heart. Its not that crazy happy- wooooo baby ;) Its more of like you heart feels so light, happy and you feel safe that God is watching you insyaAllah.
They also mentioned that the Arabic meaning of God is Allah but you can choose which word you prefer. Just like Jesus is also Prophet Isa (in Arabic) its the same name, depends which you choose.
Discover Islam Week was a great success I have to say and they even gave free English Quran translations! If you are interested to have one, do let me know k? They had the booth for girls where they could try henna and the hijab. Also they had a Charity week end of last year and managed to achieve 69000 pounds, that's written in one of the weekly emails they sent me. Wow.
And if you're improving or just about to start or even not sure, always pray and search for the truth. God promised that He will guide whoever seeks for His help. Prayers are always important and always ask God for the good things you wish, may the truth be with you :) Amin
Malaysian Night
There's nothing much to say because there wasn't a talk of course but very amazing performances! It was more professional than I thought ;) and there was free nasi lemak sponsored by Rasa Sayang restaurant. The show was mainly an act of 2 kingdoms- Bolehland and Kiasuland (you definitely know what countries they are talking about right?) and how they wanted to achieve peace and there was my favourite shadow dance in the beginning and also dances in between the scenes related to the drama. It was like a musical theatre in some ways. Then there was a dikir barat performance with traditional and modern music. It was soo entertaining and I even saw a few familiar faces, friends of friends from different unis in UK. During my interview last night, I met a few people (locals, Eurasians) who told me that they went for MNight and how they loved it and when they went on Saturday, they persuaded their friends to go for the Sunday show. Yup there were too many people that the show was held for 2 nights- The Great Hall can only fit 500 people. Oh and I can't believe we won the lucky draw- number 18! I don't remember the last time winning a lucky draw. Lucky night ^^
Tomorrow and next week I will be getting my new coursework then at the end of this month I have 2 major events ----> submission of independent essay project 3000 words and geology fieldtrip to Dorset! Omg yup I'm about to be busier but will be having Easter holidays in a month and that time I'll have loadss of stories to tell.
Wishing everyone a pleasant week ahead. Take care :)
He continued: Every religion brings peace but which one is the truth? Can this world be created by so many different Gods? There is one and only one God. Some people argue that the world was created by coincidence which doesn't make much sense. How can something so magnificent, well-organised and beautiful like the universe be created on its own? There must be a Creator and a very Great One.
Both of the speakers said that the media shows that Islam is violent, too-conservative and that is not true. Everything in the Quran has a logical reason if you search and study about it. If people spread rumors about you would you like it? I'm sure not and of course you prefer that people ask you personally and directly instead of making assumptions. Same goes with this case. People often make bad assumptions about Islam because they are just agreeing with the bias news they see and little information they have. Islam is a peaceful and beautiful religion and the terrorism portrayed is mostly an act of extremism, most of which is disagreed in Islam because our religion taught us to create peace unless you are in a situation that you need to defend yourself. Both Islam and Christian are quite similar until the part of Jesus. Islam believes Jesus did not die on the cross ( yes we believe that it happened but God protected him and brought him up and he will return to this Earth when the Day Of Judgement draws nearer, the man who died there was someone else-I could go in the details but then this post would be a few chapters ;) while Christians believe that he died and is the son of God. The man who gave his speech mentioned that this is a wonderful idea but it is not true and God couldn't possibly have a son because then all his descendents would be 1/4 god and then would God need a son- what is the significance and then why did God decide that His son dies? In Islam, he is a Prophet and there is a final Prophet after that which Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Most people in this world are too absorbed in worldly materials that we forget about the truth and reality in hereafter. Our parents religion does not necessarily represent the truth, as hard as this is to believe.
The story of the girl was more involving social network. She was on Facebook and she saw a conversations between 2 Muslims and they were talking about the fasting month. They were saying how since Ramadan falls in the summer and sunset is pretty late, they will be fasting for long hours even though they were having sports practice. She thought it was stupid and didn't make sense and began to research and read about the reasons why Muslims fast. As she slowly gained more knowledge and hidayah, she realised how everything made sense and had logical reason, most of which were beneficial to us, as human beings. She said that, God didn't put you in this world and then let you be and leave you stranded here, not knowing what to do. He has written it all in the Quran for your guidance in this world- Islam is very easy and lenient, you can do as much as you can and you will be rewarded for as much good deeds and faith you have in the One and Only God, He doesn't ask for anything else, just believe in Him and follow the Quran ( the holy book he sent down).
I am not a perfect person myself and that is why I always enjoy listening to these talks, I find them motivating and at the end of that night, I felt so happy and contented in my heart. Its not that crazy happy- wooooo baby ;) Its more of like you heart feels so light, happy and you feel safe that God is watching you insyaAllah.
They also mentioned that the Arabic meaning of God is Allah but you can choose which word you prefer. Just like Jesus is also Prophet Isa (in Arabic) its the same name, depends which you choose.
Discover Islam Week was a great success I have to say and they even gave free English Quran translations! If you are interested to have one, do let me know k? They had the booth for girls where they could try henna and the hijab. Also they had a Charity week end of last year and managed to achieve 69000 pounds, that's written in one of the weekly emails they sent me. Wow.
And if you're improving or just about to start or even not sure, always pray and search for the truth. God promised that He will guide whoever seeks for His help. Prayers are always important and always ask God for the good things you wish, may the truth be with you :) Amin
Malaysian Night
There's nothing much to say because there wasn't a talk of course but very amazing performances! It was more professional than I thought ;) and there was free nasi lemak sponsored by Rasa Sayang restaurant. The show was mainly an act of 2 kingdoms- Bolehland and Kiasuland (you definitely know what countries they are talking about right?) and how they wanted to achieve peace and there was my favourite shadow dance in the beginning and also dances in between the scenes related to the drama. It was like a musical theatre in some ways. Then there was a dikir barat performance with traditional and modern music. It was soo entertaining and I even saw a few familiar faces, friends of friends from different unis in UK. During my interview last night, I met a few people (locals, Eurasians) who told me that they went for MNight and how they loved it and when they went on Saturday, they persuaded their friends to go for the Sunday show. Yup there were too many people that the show was held for 2 nights- The Great Hall can only fit 500 people. Oh and I can't believe we won the lucky draw- number 18! I don't remember the last time winning a lucky draw. Lucky night ^^
Tomorrow and next week I will be getting my new coursework then at the end of this month I have 2 major events ----> submission of independent essay project 3000 words and geology fieldtrip to Dorset! Omg yup I'm about to be busier but will be having Easter holidays in a month and that time I'll have loadss of stories to tell.
Wishing everyone a pleasant week ahead. Take care :)
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