Sunday, July 13, 2008

I just wanna say....




What are you doing to get ready???

12 comments:

Surviving said...

Just trying not to think about it!

L_Oman said...

Oh wow - since Ramadan is considerably easier over here, I'm not preparing much other than thinking about new clothes to be tailored.

Schools are let out early, work is let out early and we also go in late too, so it's 'cake' (other than the heat).

If your talking spiritually, I think the excitement of Ramadan starts to build up about a week before it is to start for me.

UmmLayla said...

Well, you know that I am in no-wheres-ville... So I have to think about it in time to order things and have stuff shipped if I need it. This years needs haven't been assessed yet... But I know I have some!LOL

xey said...

Oh my Allah, don't remind me! I didn't realise it was so soon... I guess I need to start trying to do some fasting to get adjusted to it. And make my coworkers aware that I will be a different person for a month. :)

Anonymous said...

I get like this a month before Lent. I think sometimes the thinking and preping is more stressful then the actual event when it comes.

Inshallah that everything will go smoothly for everyone leading up to Ramadan.

Christine

Hijabi Apprentice said...

I must admit I haven't done anything yet. I need to think of stuff to do with my step-kiddos and refresh my Qur'an reading skills.

Hmm now I have some thinking to do.

Jules UmmEmJoey said...

Asalaam Alaikum Sister,

Jazak Allah Khair for the reminder! I didn't realize it was getting so close. I need to do some planning this year as my daughter is 3 now and I should start getting her involved.

Ruqayyah

Anonymous said...

I can't wait!
Inshallah I'd like to do some crafts and decorations with the girls and make a big calendar. Don't you have some ramadan crafts? I also want to TRY and get the muslim neighbors together for an iftar. I am friends of Pakistani neighbors and Persian neighbors, so I hope to bridge the gap, and we can use the community room! Cooking---yargh! I am going to work on subtly implanting the idea of not eating so much lavish foods or having two dinners. It's Sunnah?!
I have been in dire need of an Islamic holiday, even if it involves 30 days of fasting! ;)
Oh yeah, new clothes... must save some dinero. It is so important here to make it feel like a holiday on Eid (the U.S.).

Umm Ibrahim said...

Assalaamu alaikum

Not long now! Alhamdu lillah I didn't have any missed days from last Ramadan to make but once we are back in Saudi will start on some sunnah fasts to get the old body back into the swing of fast. :D

Am so not looking forward to going back to UK in the next year or so as Ramadan is falling in summer now and maghrib will be laaaaate! At least maghrib doesn't get that late in Saudi.

Unknown said...

Well.. I'm currently in Germany where maghrib will be about 8 pm, working on my bachelor project and living alone for the first time.

Yikes?!

(PS I really like your blog, and if you don't mind, I'll be adding it to my blogroll)

Anonymous said...

I am Catholic and my husband is Muslim. We are raising the kids to follow their father's faith - only he doesn't do anything to encourage it.

Ramadan is important to him and I want to show him that I support him - can you give me some ideas of what I can do with our 5 1/2 year old boy to get him involved in Ramadan? I don't think he's ready to fast yet - plus it is too hot and he overheats and gets sick easily.

Anyway, I'd like to do some things - are there crafts or things I can or should do?

UmmLayla said...

ummallak, I do, I do, look in the archives of 2007.

Sara, of course I don't mind! JAK

Anon, I kinda feel a post coming on... But I will try to be brief. I saw your situation many times teaching in an Islamic school. Frankly, it makes me mad at the brothers who do this because you can't even expect your Muslim wife to take on the entire responsibility of teaching the kids the deen. But, you asked a question... So I will repress and try to answer it.

There is an entire book of Ramadan crafts (a few you can find on my blog) that I think is a great start:
http://tjramadan.talibiddeenjr.amanahwebs.com/ramadancrafts.htm

Otherwise, you will want to encourage understanding the reasons we fast and maybe little half day fasts. I like to wake my kids up for suhoor at least once a week during Ramadan since it is such an important time for those who are fasting. Of course there is the evening prayer at the masjid, and probably some community iftars that you might want to attend.

I think if you put your heart into this time you will learn something about Islam too. If you need the basics, I'm here. I would be happy to share with you any related info you need along the way in a private e-mail. Just drop me a line ummlaylagd@yahoo.com.