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Saturday, July 10, 2010
My Husband's Faithfulness Led Me to Islam
This article is based on an interview with Patricia Sharief, who converted to Islam in 1994; she is married and has three children.
Patricia Sharief is an Austrian who embraced Islam more than 13 years ago. She credits her acceptance of Islam to her husband, who never forced her to follow the religion. Instead, she was impressed by Islam through her husband's dealings and manners.
About her acceptance of Islam, Sharief says, "I was born in Austria and grew up in a Christian family who did not practice regularly. Neither one of my parents showed interest in performing prayer in Church. Also, speaking of religious issues was rare in our house."
She goes on to say, "And in this environment, I began to learn about Islam for the first time in high school through dealings with my colleagues of Turkish origin. I also came across many Turkish colleagues at work. However, what I learned about Islam was through my desire to learn about another culture and religion, and not from a real desire to learn about or convert to that religion."
And on learning about the teachings of Islam, Sharief says, " Destiny led me to meet and marry a Muslim Egyptian man. From our first day together, I noticed that he faithfully practices his religion. My husband always prayed and performed other acts of worship such as fasting and giving money to the poor. Yet, he never spoke to me about Islam, unless I asked him."
"This intrigued me even more and caused my questions to increase. His true commitment and steadfastness in following his faith made me even more determined to learn about the magic of this religion and its influence on its followers."
She adds, "However, my marriage was put to the test with our first Ramadan together. I was shocked to find a complete change in our daily routine. I never imagined that someone can endure an entire day without food or drink, which infuriated me and almost cost us our marriage. However, my husband asked me to calm down and tried to explain to me the reasons behind the various rules pertaining to Ramadan. And although at the time I was not entirely convinced of those reasons, I found myself looking forward to learning more about Islam and its teachings."
Sharief points that with the help of her husband, she began to grow closer to Islam. She was reading more and often asked her husband whenever she had a question. Her husband, despite his busy schedule, was very generous with his time whenever she approached him with a question or concern in order to facilitate her understanding of Islam.
She says that whenever she used to ask him a question that he did not know the answer to, he would then go with her to a Muslim scholars in Austria for discussion.
Sharief continued on her journey until she felt a strong urge to embrace Islam. When she told her husband of her feelings, he advised her to take her time and carefully think about her decision. He also asked her to thoroughly examine the issue from different perspectives, especially the effect this may have on her relationship with her family. However, in time she became more determined to embrace Islam, especially when she observed the closeness and kindness among Muslims and the magnificent environment that engulfs their social life, particularly in Ramadan.
Sharief then adds, "My husband took me to Al-Azhar Mosque in Egypt for my declaration of faith; there I received a document announcing that I have become a Muslim. Upon our return to Austria, I underwent the process of changing my faith on all my documents and certificates."
As for the reaction of her family and friends to news of her conversion to Islam, she says,"We have had our ups and downs for many months until they accepted the religion I chose for myself. Having my first child may have influenced their decision as well."
"As for my friends, some stayed away, while others stayed close; some of whom have even embraced Islam as well. My social life is still active, with the exception of rare occurrences due to the hijab."
Unfortunately, harassment of women wearing the hijab is common in Europe whether in the street or at work, especially since many assume that any woman wearing the hijab must be a foreigner. As a result, many people are shocked when they realize I am Austrian. Meanwhile, I receive many questions about why I chose Islam and wore the hijab and whether my husband forced me to do so among several other stereotypes that I try to disqualify.
Shariefstresses the positive changes in her life as a result of becoming Muslim when she says, "I learned that my life has a purpose; one that is higher than physical pleasures that rob humans of their intellect and occasionally their souls and hearts; the purpose of my life is to worship God, Glorified be He."
"The five daily Prayers bring me closer to God, giving me greater self-confidence that lead me to more stability and success in life."
"Currently, my husband and I are trying to implant the spirit of Islam and its teachings in the hearts of our three children, which, for me, represents a greater challenge than my conversion to Islam."
"Children are always in a need to understand what they hear and see, rendering the process of teaching them about religion a hard task that requires a great deal of time and patience."
"Meanwhile, the Western media project false information about Islam, resulting in anyone connected to Islam being treated with suspicion and doubt, causing tremendous psychological stress for Muslims."
Patricia Sharief is an Austrian who embraced Islam more than 13 years ago. She credits her acceptance of Islam to her husband, who never forced her to follow the religion. Instead, she was impressed by Islam through her husband's dealings and manners.
About her acceptance of Islam, Sharief says, "I was born in Austria and grew up in a Christian family who did not practice regularly. Neither one of my parents showed interest in performing prayer in Church. Also, speaking of religious issues was rare in our house."
She goes on to say, "And in this environment, I began to learn about Islam for the first time in high school through dealings with my colleagues of Turkish origin. I also came across many Turkish colleagues at work. However, what I learned about Islam was through my desire to learn about another culture and religion, and not from a real desire to learn about or convert to that religion."
And on learning about the teachings of Islam, Sharief says, " Destiny led me to meet and marry a Muslim Egyptian man. From our first day together, I noticed that he faithfully practices his religion. My husband always prayed and performed other acts of worship such as fasting and giving money to the poor. Yet, he never spoke to me about Islam, unless I asked him."
"This intrigued me even more and caused my questions to increase. His true commitment and steadfastness in following his faith made me even more determined to learn about the magic of this religion and its influence on its followers."
She adds, "However, my marriage was put to the test with our first Ramadan together. I was shocked to find a complete change in our daily routine. I never imagined that someone can endure an entire day without food or drink, which infuriated me and almost cost us our marriage. However, my husband asked me to calm down and tried to explain to me the reasons behind the various rules pertaining to Ramadan. And although at the time I was not entirely convinced of those reasons, I found myself looking forward to learning more about Islam and its teachings."
Sharief points that with the help of her husband, she began to grow closer to Islam. She was reading more and often asked her husband whenever she had a question. Her husband, despite his busy schedule, was very generous with his time whenever she approached him with a question or concern in order to facilitate her understanding of Islam.
She says that whenever she used to ask him a question that he did not know the answer to, he would then go with her to a Muslim scholars in Austria for discussion.
Sharief continued on her journey until she felt a strong urge to embrace Islam. When she told her husband of her feelings, he advised her to take her time and carefully think about her decision. He also asked her to thoroughly examine the issue from different perspectives, especially the effect this may have on her relationship with her family. However, in time she became more determined to embrace Islam, especially when she observed the closeness and kindness among Muslims and the magnificent environment that engulfs their social life, particularly in Ramadan.
Sharief then adds, "My husband took me to Al-Azhar Mosque in Egypt for my declaration of faith; there I received a document announcing that I have become a Muslim. Upon our return to Austria, I underwent the process of changing my faith on all my documents and certificates."
As for the reaction of her family and friends to news of her conversion to Islam, she says,"We have had our ups and downs for many months until they accepted the religion I chose for myself. Having my first child may have influenced their decision as well."
"As for my friends, some stayed away, while others stayed close; some of whom have even embraced Islam as well. My social life is still active, with the exception of rare occurrences due to the hijab."
Unfortunately, harassment of women wearing the hijab is common in Europe whether in the street or at work, especially since many assume that any woman wearing the hijab must be a foreigner. As a result, many people are shocked when they realize I am Austrian. Meanwhile, I receive many questions about why I chose Islam and wore the hijab and whether my husband forced me to do so among several other stereotypes that I try to disqualify.
Shariefstresses the positive changes in her life as a result of becoming Muslim when she says, "I learned that my life has a purpose; one that is higher than physical pleasures that rob humans of their intellect and occasionally their souls and hearts; the purpose of my life is to worship God, Glorified be He."
"The five daily Prayers bring me closer to God, giving me greater self-confidence that lead me to more stability and success in life."
"Currently, my husband and I are trying to implant the spirit of Islam and its teachings in the hearts of our three children, which, for me, represents a greater challenge than my conversion to Islam."
"Children are always in a need to understand what they hear and see, rendering the process of teaching them about religion a hard task that requires a great deal of time and patience."
"Meanwhile, the Western media project false information about Islam, resulting in anyone connected to Islam being treated with suspicion and doubt, causing tremendous psychological stress for Muslims."
Make Your Special Day Out Of This World
I love you - those three words have my life in them.
So you’ve decided to get married and as the initial excitement has ebbed away the reality of planning and organising your dream day washes over you.
Imagine endless to-do lists, choices to make and many helpful suggestions and continuous advice from well-meaning family and friends. Gradually the dream starts to become a nightmare...
Yet your day can be a world away from this. For something different, utterly romantic and forever memorable hold your wedding on the stunning Suffolk coast. Miles of unspoilt coastline and a wonderful calm and tranquil setting provide an amazing backdrop and unforgettable location as the fresh coastal breeze blows away all the stress and invites an invigorated new approach.
The key to making your wedding day as perfect as possible has to be in planning and preparation, and the staff at a small, individual group of hotels in the pretty resorts of Thorpeness and Aldeburgh are on hand to help in any way possible.
From arranging canapés for the arrival of the wedding party to the menu for the full wedding breakfast, choosing locations for the all-important photos or booking rooms for the guests, the professional and friendly staff will assist without taking over – just helping to take away the stress and leave nothing to chance.
For a cosy autumn or winter wedding look to the White Lion Hotel. With warm oak beams, roaring log fires and a pretty setting in the charming town of Aldeburgh, this attractive hotel could just be the ideal choice. They all have a well-deserved reputation for good food, great service and attention to detail – what more could be needed for that dream wedding by the sea.
Just a stone’s throw away lies the quirky resort of Thorpeness with its quaint mock-Tudor buildings and curious House in the Clouds. Set right on the beach, Thorpeness Country Club can be used for everything from the ceremony to the evening’s disco. With a fresh atmosphere and space for over 100 guests this is another serious wedding venue contender.
A final option, situated in a peaceful hideaway location is Thorpeness Hotel, an attractive choice where the emphasis is on individuality, warmth and flexibility. Ideal for smaller wedding parties, this hotel has many great backdrops for your wedding photos including the picturesque landscaped gardens.
So for more than a touch of romance mixed with individuality have a look at the Suffolk coast hotels for a wedding venue – you might just find the perfect solution.
So you’ve decided to get married and as the initial excitement has ebbed away the reality of planning and organising your dream day washes over you.
Imagine endless to-do lists, choices to make and many helpful suggestions and continuous advice from well-meaning family and friends. Gradually the dream starts to become a nightmare...
Yet your day can be a world away from this. For something different, utterly romantic and forever memorable hold your wedding on the stunning Suffolk coast. Miles of unspoilt coastline and a wonderful calm and tranquil setting provide an amazing backdrop and unforgettable location as the fresh coastal breeze blows away all the stress and invites an invigorated new approach.
The key to making your wedding day as perfect as possible has to be in planning and preparation, and the staff at a small, individual group of hotels in the pretty resorts of Thorpeness and Aldeburgh are on hand to help in any way possible.
From arranging canapés for the arrival of the wedding party to the menu for the full wedding breakfast, choosing locations for the all-important photos or booking rooms for the guests, the professional and friendly staff will assist without taking over – just helping to take away the stress and leave nothing to chance.
For a cosy autumn or winter wedding look to the White Lion Hotel. With warm oak beams, roaring log fires and a pretty setting in the charming town of Aldeburgh, this attractive hotel could just be the ideal choice. They all have a well-deserved reputation for good food, great service and attention to detail – what more could be needed for that dream wedding by the sea.
Just a stone’s throw away lies the quirky resort of Thorpeness with its quaint mock-Tudor buildings and curious House in the Clouds. Set right on the beach, Thorpeness Country Club can be used for everything from the ceremony to the evening’s disco. With a fresh atmosphere and space for over 100 guests this is another serious wedding venue contender.
A final option, situated in a peaceful hideaway location is Thorpeness Hotel, an attractive choice where the emphasis is on individuality, warmth and flexibility. Ideal for smaller wedding parties, this hotel has many great backdrops for your wedding photos including the picturesque landscaped gardens.
So for more than a touch of romance mixed with individuality have a look at the Suffolk coast hotels for a wedding venue – you might just find the perfect solution.
Starting a Home Business Using the Internet
Directory Submission
Starting a home business I not an easy task and to make things harder there are so many myths attached to starting a home business that it can become quite confusing. Some people get an idea in their head and just take off. Starting a business for them is easy. The majority of people, however, end up having the desire to start a home business before the actual business idea comes to them. Once they begin thinking about actually starting a home based business they are overcome with many myths that make it seem next to impossible to succeed.
One of the biggest myths about starting a home business is associated with the internet. The internet has opened many doors to home business owners, but at the same time the complexity of the internet has caused many to give up and abandon hope that they can ever get a business to be successful. Many people believe that the internet is a vast marketplace that is too he to compete in. That is simply not true. There are many small home businesses that are doing great on the internet. It is all a matter of knowing how to run a business website. A person has to understand about marketing and setting up a website. Once they've established their online presence they can make great money.
Another internet related myth about starting a home business is that there is no help available for the business owner. Anyone who has went to a search engine and typed in business will now this is not true. There are online networks of websites that are all aimed at helping people succeed in internet business. These people offer free information and plenty of support. A person can find answers to almost any question they have and even talk to others who have started their own business. The internet business environment is one of helping others.
One myth that may hold some truth is that marketing online is impossible. While it is, obviously, not impossible it can be difficult for the beginner. Starting a home business online requires plenty of research into internet marketing. The marketing tools used online are very different from those used in the traditional environment. A person has to understand how to drive traffic to their website and how to catch the attention of their target market. As mentioned above, there are plenty of resources available to help a person get their marketing plan in order.
These myths about starting a business all make it look impossible to tap into the internet marketplace. These myths are quite untrue and should be ignored. It does take hard work and dedication to start any business, but using the internet just opens up a business to a huge marketplace and offers additional opportunities that a traditional, offline business does not have. It is worth it for every business owner to look into the internet when starting a home business.
Starting a home business I not an easy task and to make things harder there are so many myths attached to starting a home business that it can become quite confusing. Some people get an idea in their head and just take off. Starting a business for them is easy. The majority of people, however, end up having the desire to start a home business before the actual business idea comes to them. Once they begin thinking about actually starting a home based business they are overcome with many myths that make it seem next to impossible to succeed.
One of the biggest myths about starting a home business is associated with the internet. The internet has opened many doors to home business owners, but at the same time the complexity of the internet has caused many to give up and abandon hope that they can ever get a business to be successful. Many people believe that the internet is a vast marketplace that is too he to compete in. That is simply not true. There are many small home businesses that are doing great on the internet. It is all a matter of knowing how to run a business website. A person has to understand about marketing and setting up a website. Once they've established their online presence they can make great money.
Another internet related myth about starting a home business is that there is no help available for the business owner. Anyone who has went to a search engine and typed in business will now this is not true. There are online networks of websites that are all aimed at helping people succeed in internet business. These people offer free information and plenty of support. A person can find answers to almost any question they have and even talk to others who have started their own business. The internet business environment is one of helping others.
One myth that may hold some truth is that marketing online is impossible. While it is, obviously, not impossible it can be difficult for the beginner. Starting a home business online requires plenty of research into internet marketing. The marketing tools used online are very different from those used in the traditional environment. A person has to understand how to drive traffic to their website and how to catch the attention of their target market. As mentioned above, there are plenty of resources available to help a person get their marketing plan in order.
These myths about starting a business all make it look impossible to tap into the internet marketplace. These myths are quite untrue and should be ignored. It does take hard work and dedication to start any business, but using the internet just opens up a business to a huge marketplace and offers additional opportunities that a traditional, offline business does not have. It is worth it for every business owner to look into the internet when starting a home business.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
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