For a long time, I’ve often wondered what my contribution to the world could be in terms of helping others understand who I am and what I represent. First and foremost, I identify as a Muslim and that dimension of my personality is something which I hope is the salient aspect of my being thatContinue reading “To Be and not To Say”
Category Archives: ethnicity, diversity
Unwelcome Change
‘Change’ is a word that often carries positive connotations. People view it as a move on or away from antequated practices or beliefs. And sometimes it is that and it is welcome. However, I’ve been feeling that there are some changes I’ve been witnessing that don’t sit well with me. I’ve observed how my ownContinue reading “Unwelcome Change”
Soul-Searching in the Sahara
For so many reasons, 2025 was definitely the best year of my life. It had a lot to do with my travelling experiences to places I’d never been before – Prague, Shanghai, Switzerland and Austria to name a few. But it culminated in a charity mission in Southwest Algeria, to a refugee camp just outsideContinue reading “Soul-Searching in the Sahara”
Malaga Memories in London
I don’t normally post anything except on Sundays but the past few weeks have been unusually busy and the things I want to share today are already overdue. Therefore, I didn’t want to wait yet another week to write something. Last week, my sons and I welcomed our friend Dani, together with his parents, toContinue reading “Malaga Memories in London”
Lessons from My Mother
Looking back at my own mother’s life, I wonder about the parallels between mine and hers. In all honesty, the only thing we have in common is that we were both divorced in our 40s. Of course, we share other things in common given the common blood that runs in our veins. However, whereas myContinue reading “Lessons from My Mother”
Forging Family Ties
Whilst many people were tucking into turkey and a roast dinner on Christmas Day, my family and I were busy attending the wedding reception of my cousin – my mother’s brother’s son. It was a beautiful occassion where I managed to meet up again with so many extended family members who I have not seenContinue reading “Forging Family Ties”
Converging Lives
For a world where we can live in relative harmony and to understand one another better, I am convinced that people need to connect and converse more. Bigotry and intolerance are invariably born out of ignorance and dogma. Although there should never be any compulsion to agree with the other side, or feel the needContinue reading “Converging Lives”
An Albanian Adventure
In keeping with the promise I made to myself, I have just returned from a short trip to Albania with my sister and niece. When others asked, “Why Albania?” my reply was that I wanted to go to a place which none of us had visited before and was also within our budget. It turnedContinue reading “An Albanian Adventure”
Two in One
Sometimes, we have those days where things just seem to be a series of strange coincidences or perhaps the working of fate. This week, (on Thursday to be precise), I had two encounters in one day with people who reminded me of my past life. The first of the two was a brief conversation withContinue reading “Two in One”
In My Child’s Eyes
The world I live in today is not the same one my children live in. How is that even possible? I would argue it’s all about perspective. My reasoning is this: I see the world sometimes from my desk at home where I work; I see the world sometimes from my kitchen window when I’mContinue reading “In My Child’s Eyes”
