Monday, June 30, 2008

A few Fun Places

Below are a couple of fun places for the kids and a kids at heart, such as myself. I realize i listed the castle Bura'jon before as a women's place.














Famous or Infamous Manarat: Love it or Hate it

Manarat is both loathed and loved. Fact is, that it is (or was) a sorta refuge for many parents that want English, a decent education and an "islamic" environment. Not to mention it has been a stepping stone for many brothers and sisters (I suppose) seeking better employment here in the Kingdom.







This is an Islamic history project done by one of the students that was hanging in the hallway.

















This is the admin building.
This is my 6th grade classroom pre-overhead projector. The following year I was able to get the overhead projector and incorporate some multimedia into the learning process. :)
Close up photos!









Interesting mural in the hallway.




55th grade English teacher's writing contest. The boys were really enthusiastic about it.










Thursday, June 26, 2008

Ramadhaan's right around the corner

This is an email from fatwa-online I just wanted to share:

Anyone having an expiation (kaffaarah) to make, then refer to the following link:



http://www.ummahservices.com/feedthepoor.htm



...and avail the opportunity while you still have time!





…….

al-Hamdu-Lillaahi Rabbil-'Aalameen was-Salaatu was-Salaamu 'alaa Ashrafil-Anbiyaa.e wal-Mursaleen, wa ba'd:



as-Salaam 'alaykum wa-Rahmatullaahe wa-Barakaatuhu,



Considering the blessed month of Ramadhaan is just over 9 weeks away, we wish to remind any of our brothers and sisters who have any fasts remaining to be made up from the previous Ramadhaan to avail the opportunity still remaining.



Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan mentions in ((al-Mulakhkhas al-Fiqhee - Volume 1, Pages 271-272)):



"Whoever breaks his fast or is unable to fast during Ramadhaan due to an Islaamically permissible reason, then he is required to make up for this day; such as the one whose fast is nullified due to having had sexual intercourse or other than that. In that case, he is required to make up the fast for this day..."



For the full article, refer to the following link:



http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/worship/fasting/fas001/0011022_1.htm



Finally, anyone having an expiation (kaffaarah) to make, then refer to the following link:



http://www.ummahservices.com/feedthepoor.htm



...and avail the opportunity while you still have time!



Baarak-Allaahu Feekum...



Abu 'Abdullaah
Fatwa-Online
..........
Visit us at: http://www.fatwa-online.com
Mirror site: http://www.efatwa.com

Sunday, June 22, 2008

First Local masjid in Saudi

This masjid was a block away from our first apartment. I thought it was a temporary masjid like they normally build in a new area before erecting the 'real' masjid. But, five years later it is still standing. They have actually added on to it since these photos. Go figure!?

That large tan thing in the window is not an air conditioner, but it is a desert cooler. It works by blowing water into the air and somewhat cools and humidifys (spelling?) the air at the same time. Brits here love them and we (me and a friend) poke fun at them because it does not have the same a/c cold effect. Rather it cools.

Culturally, we joke each other about our differences.
Other cultural differences may include:
ice tea (southeren US) vs. hot tea (rest of the world)
ice in beverages (US) vs. beverages without ice(rest of the world)
bbq vs. curry
stroller vs pram
van vs people carrier.
Bare with me, as I know I am generalizing.

Once while marking papers after exams, I used the word 'fanny' and a british brother beside me became red in the face and started laughing. He was embarrased and amused at the same time. According to http://www.effingpot.com/index.shtml this is what fanny means in british english:
"Fanny - This is the word for a woman's front bits! One doesn't normally talk about anyone's fanny as it is a bit rude. You certainly don't have a fanny pack, or smack people on their fannys - you would get arrested for that! Careful use of this word in the UK is advised!"
I now understand the brothers response.

It is interesting observing, experiencing and learning how others live and do things differently, not wrong but just differently.