Assalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
I found this "Muslim Tag" while watching videos on Youtube and I thought it would be fun to bring it on over here!
1) Are you a convert or born muslim? How about your parents?
Alhamdullilah, I am a convert to Islam. November 2, 2008 I took my shahada and have been just as in love with Islam ever since (although I do have difficulties practicing at times). My parents are both Catholic which is how I was raised as well. If Allah did not guide me to Islam I am certain I would have seriously considered becoming a nun. I find the Catholic faith very beautiful although I do not agree with 100% of its teachings.
2) What's your ethnicity and how did it relate to how you were raised?
Italian-American. Growing up I was raised more American than Italian, sadly. I did get the chance to live in Italy for 5 years, however. It was an amazing period of my life, but sometimes I wish I could go back and change some things. Like, for example, traveling more. I was so caught up in high school life and hanging out with my friends that I didn't take the opportunity to travel outside of Sicily (except once when I got to go to Venice, Rome, and Aviano). Oh yeah, I was also raised with AMAZING Italian home cooking :-) I really had the typical American life growing up.
3) Where are you from, and if not the Middle East, have you been there? For how long and why?
I like to consider myself a native of the world! No, seriously though, I was born in Washington State, but moved around my entire life (Navy brat! What! What!). At the moment I am in the south. . .the dirty south. HaHa I'm serious.
4) What's your favorite Arab/Middle Eastern dish?
Okay so my top favorite dishes would be shawarma, Moroccan chicken and olives, this other Moroccan chicken and onion dish. OMG! I'm craving it now! Yeaaaah, so I would say just about anything Moroccan and Lebanese! Yum! Anything that's not seafood.
5) What's the most interesting or funny Islam/Arab related saying you use day to day?
I don't use any funny Islam/Arab saying each day. However, so other clever things I say on a daily basis would be "word," (when in agreement with something), "potassium," (instead of saying 'K'. . .look at the periodic table of elements), and, uh. . .brain freeze. That's all I can think of at the momento.
6) What's the most attractive and unattractive thing you find toward a Muslim or Arab man/woman?
Muslim man, Attractive: someone who strives in practicing his faith. It's not important to me whether he succeeds or not on a daily basis, but I truly love when I see a man striving for it as best he can. Oh, also I must admit I love to see a man in typical "middle eastern" clothing.
Muslim man, Unattractive: a man who does NOT even try to practice Islam. When he doesn't care about Allah in any way and it shows. Ew.
Muslim woman, Attractive: Once again, same as stated above under attractive man. And I especially love a woman who wears hijab. It's just so beautiful.
Muslim woman, Unattractive: Same as unattractive man.
7) Whats the thing you love most about Islam? What do you dislike the most?
I love EVERYTHING about Islam. I really can't choose just one thing. I don't dislike anything about Islam, but I do dislike people who claim it to be something it's not.
8) What's the most interesting/embarrassing/funny thing in your house that's related to Islam or Arab culture, excluding the Quran?
I can't say there's anything interesting, etc. in my home in relation to Islam. My mother-in-law sent us a package last year with a prayer rug, beads, a thobe for my husband, zam zam water, and two silver statues that says Allah in Arabic and Muhammad in Arabic. So yeah, that's about it.
9) Do you speak Arabic? If you do, then say something.
La. HaHa. No really, I don't speak it fluently, but I've picked up on a bit with my husband and during the class I took in the Spring.
10) Name of all the Islamic Prophets you can remember at the top of your head. No Cheating!!
Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammad, David, Joseph, John the Baptist, Elias. . .
I tag you, you, and you! Please, please, please do this! I would love to read your answers :-)
Wow Italy! I'd love to hear more about that!All the amazing food you eat and you still stay skinny, not fair! ;)
ReplyDeleteDo you think you will ever wear hijab? I'm just wondering not being pushy in any way. Obviously it is a personal decision and only one to undertake when you feel truly ready.
Skinny? Me? Pshhhhhh! Hahaha Maybe I just hide it well in my pictures! LOL No seriously though, I was a chubster growing up, but I have finally come to a weight that I am happy with, alhamdullilah. It took a LONG time to finally get here though! Oh, maybe I can dedicate a post to my time in Italy :-) It truly was an amazing time in my life!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, you are not pushy by asking me that! I want to say Yes to your question. In fact, it is a yes. I will wear it one day. Insha'Allah. I want to soooooooo bad, but right now I just feel I need to work on other, more important aspect, of the deen and then start thinking about hijab. It's such a big step for me to take, mostly because I hate to make my parents feel uncomfortable (especially my dad). May sounds terrible, but it's true.
May you have a BLESSED day!
salaams lovely,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing more about yourself =) Do you speak Italian fluently? Italy is on my top 10 list of places to visit inshaAllah =)
As for hijab, why dont you try wearing it for 1 week and see how you feel after the week is over. You could have a heart to heart with your dad and ask him what about the hijab makes him uncomfortable. Sometimes the only way to do something is to just do it =) May Allah make it easy for you and for your family, ameen.