Ilma Magazine Sept/Oct 2013 | Issue 3 by Ilma Magazine

Ilma magazine

Sept/Oct 2013 | Issue 3 www.thedawahproject.com

Live, Learn & Inspire

SSUE

I HAJJ

Sheikh Yusuf Estes

Rebiya Kadeer

Sheikh Yasir Qadhi

Malailai Joya

23rd & 24th

November 2013 Zain Bikha

Baba Ali

Native Deen

Colin Nell

INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS • NASHEED CONCERT • SOUK FASHION SHOW • ISLAMIC BOOK FAIR • HAJJ & UMRAH SYMPOSIUM

MUSLIM MARRIAGE EVENT • AWARDS & COMPETITIONS

Have you booked your tickets? Take advantage of our early bird discount offer ends 31st July 2013. To buy tickets call

0844 844 0444 or visit www.theglobalunity.com/tickets/types/

ExCel London One Western Gateway Royal Victoria Dock London E16 1XL

Contents

The Fifth Pillar Editorial Special Hajj Edition

Reflection Rahim Jungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hajj Journey

Tips for a Productive Hajj How to utilise your time during Hajj

Your Hajj Schedule Time is precious

Food Bites Explore our delicious recipes

Travel Explore Saudi Arabia

Islam Channel Programmes on Islam Channel

Get Involved Reap the benefits of volunteering

The Fifth Pillar In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Compassionate. Editorial Media is a very powerful tool for delivering information to a mass audience and if you combine Dawah (making an invitation) with media, it is a powerful combination! The Dawah Project is able to aid various media outlets such as TV, Radio and Literature that provide Islamic Education. For instance, Religious Programmes on Islam Channel like IslamiQA and Footsteps of Ibrahim convey to Muslim and non Muslim viewers the Islamic beliefs and practices. Ultimately, communicating about Islam to curious non-Muslims and to further educate Muslims. In this special extensive edition we explore the Hajj; one of the Five Pillars of Islam that must be carried out by every able Muslim at least once in his or her lifetime. Over two million Muslims from all over the world visit

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Saudi Arabia to perform this spiritual journey. Hajj recalls a sense of connection with Allah, the most High and His Prophets (peace be upon them), from Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) who built the Kaabah, to our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Islam Channel will be broadcasting the annual Live Hajj programme as well as the follow up programme series Footsteps of Ibrahim sponsored by The Dawah Project. For those who are not present at Hajj, Islam Channel viewers have the opportunity to see the live Hajj coverage and In shaaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Allah (God willing) feel inspired and learn a thing or two! Jazakhaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Allah Khair The Dawah Project Team

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LIVE HAJJ COVERAGE

Reflection

Rahim Jung: Experiences of Hajj How does one even begin to describe the emotion, the struggles, the joy and the privilege of participating in the world â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest annual gathering of human beings. Where the dreams and the devotion of millions of people from every possible corner of the world come together upon a small piece of land for just a few days ; the once in a lifetime journey that has been made every year for the past 1433 years following in the footsteps of The Most Praised and beloved man that has ever lived, as he in turn followed in the footsteps of Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him); that is The Hajj.

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It was during my last Hajj in 2012 that I found a new, profound symbolic meaning to the rituals of the Hajj that had an impact in my heart that had eluded me in my previous journeys to the House and yet all of a sudden appeared so clear and unambiguously before me. A psychological journey that each and every Hujjaj would pursue. A lesson in life and a lesson in true humility. This psyâ&#x20AC;&#x153;On my first Hajj in 2003, it was about feeling chological pursuit begins when we part of a worldwide brotherhood. I had never leave our home and imagined that Muslims and Islam could have our families behind and with them the been so diverse an ummah.â&#x20AC;? security and comfort that we have built around ourselves. This is the first step in a series of movements that will incrementally and without doubt pull and guide us lower and lower as we stand before our Lord and attempt to turn to Him in sincere regret and gratitude. But how do we find such deep and elusive emotions.....as sincere regret and sincere gratitude? Well, it seems that Allah, The Most High, has a plan for the Hujjaj to assist them in their search.

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Continued... from our home country, yet We journey on to the next level where we travel away venture on towards the foragain, leaving behind us another level of familiarity and t these days they are more eign lands of the desert. We arrive at our hotel and whils often than not e on Ear th! com for table “Mina is like no other plac and safe, yet This is the first time that one really begins to again, piece comprehend the staggering wonder of the by piece Alry continent, lah, The Most Hajj, as representatives from eve high, is peel- colour and creed arrive to spend the next few ing away the g in the world’s largest city of tents.” layers of our days livin and secure queues, with discomfort and familiar surroundings and testing us with heat, with patience begins to be testhunger, the inevitable companions of the Hujjaj. Our and night ahead. days ed yet we are only at the very start of the uncertain to the 8th day of Dhul-Hijjah The unstoppable tick-tock of time draws us closer s and the inconveniences when yet again, having just got used to the challenge again. But this time, as well of being away from home, we are required to move are now required to leave as leaving our surrounding comforts behind us, we shed our clothes. Our soft the most intimate of comfort behind us too. We must soles and dare I say, even cotton socks, our breathable shirts our air cushioned d. Two crude pieces of the most personal of undergarments must be relinquishe the journey onwards . But if thin un-tailored cloth will be all that we will wear for into public barely clothed we are to wear this humble garb and dare to step out ago, may we at least have in a manner we could never have imagined just days e of some soap, perhaps the comfort of our most beautiful scent, the reassuranc no more layers of anything. our favourite cream. Oh no! From here on there are the surface and yet I must Its just me. My near nakedness and fear so close to rds to Mina. go on towards the next station in my journey. Onwa time that one really begins Mina is like no other place on Earth! This is the first representatives from every to comprehend the staggering wonder of the Hajj, as few days living in the world’s continent, colour and creed arrive to spend the next ng in these few hours. All largest city of tents. The millions upon millions all landi bathing and toilet facilities. needing to be fed. All needing shelter. All needing discomfort and a further lowMina is a miracle in itself! But it is also a new level of gs. Most will be sleeping ering of the self into unfamiliar and simple surroundin from the sun and the night on the floor, some on a thin mattress, albeit, protected few of us, especially those of cold by a simple tent, yet a degree of simplicity that us in the West, have ever encountered before.

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As the 8th of Dhul-Hijjah draws to a close, the anticipation of the approaching day is almost tangible. Each and every person has come for the same reason. To beg for forgiveness and hope, just hope, that the Lord of all the Worlds may hear our pleas and answer our supplications. The moment that all have travelled for, saved for, sacrificed and gone without for many years is almost within touching distance now. The 9th of Dhul-Hijjah....The Day of Arafat....The Hajj itself! The day when more people are saved from the torment of the afterlife than any other time. The move to Arafat demands, yet again, that we leave behind the simple comfort of our tents and venture forth towards the open plains of Arafat. It will be a while now before we know the comfort of a tent or a bed again. Our humble clothing is often dirty, sweaty and uncomfortable by now, but with the excitement and anticipation of the day of Arafat ahead, we forget what would in any other time in our life be utterly intolerable discomfort - and we journey on. One must tread the plains of Arafat between Dhuhr and Maghrib. The prayers are shortened and joined and it is the Sunnah to stand, with arms raised towards the heavens and plead for mercy. These precious hours are spent in the blistering midday heat. In the dust created by 10 million feet. Cramped and perspiring like never before, still wearing only a fraction of clothing, not even a hat to shield oneself from the relentless heat....yet millions of souls push themselves beyond their known limits and somehow find the strength to put all this aside and stand....... and stand...... and stand and stand for hour after hour pleading for The Most Merciful to hear and grant that which they seek. Before long, the sunset of this momentous day approaches, and with it the growing realisation that soon the journey must go on. Preparations are made to make ones way to Muzdallifah. At any other time in oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, the mere thought of walking for several hours, sometimes more than 6 hours, amid thronging crowds after having slept in a tent and then stood for hours in the baking sun, would be un-thinkable. Yet on this day, at this time, hitherto unknown strength is summoned and the march to Muzdallifah is completed.

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And it is here and now that we are, yet again, reduced a further level in our poverty. For now we must find a place to sleep, not as we are used to in the comfort of our home, not in the relative safety of our hotels and not even in the tents we left behind what now seems like ages ago, but on the street, in the open air and in most cases next to complete strangers on any old bit of concrete or dusty sand that we can find a space. How Allah, The Most High, has reduced us, layer by layer to this new state of humility. We find ourselves exhausted like never before. Filthy, dusty and sweaty. Hungry and tired. And now, wearing almost nothing we bed down for the night with nothing, absolutely nothing. How close we are to the life of a wretched beggar at this moment. We throw ourselves group of strangers and we sleep. I a of middle on the floor in the ask you. When else in the life of most of us, will we ever find ourselves in a state like that? Sleeping on the streets with unknown people, wearing just a piece of dirty cloth. Now we have been truly humbled. Now we begin to feel our rightful place in front of our Lord. We are indeed in desperate need of His mercy, His kindness, His blessings. Having spent the day asking for His Mercy, is it not befitting that we should find ourselves in this humbled state in front of Our Creator? For truly we are nothing and He is everything. We have nothing and He owns everything in the Heavens and the Earth. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sleeping on the streets with unknown There are few times in life cloth. dirty of piece when we will be more acutea just wearing people, ly aware of our need and His Now we have been truly humbled...â&#x20AC;? Grace. Having slept until the sunrise at Muzdallifah, to have been reduced to this lowest of states, we awaken to the soul inspiring hope of seeing the greatest sight on Earth. For now we will make our way to the first house ever created for the worship of Allah alone, The Kaaba. To see the Kaaba at Hajj time is a sight one will never forget. With the blur of the crowds circulating it in their hundreds of thousands, it appears to the onlooker as if it sits in the middle of a galaxy, with everything in the universe circling around the Kaaba at its centre. But now, having experienced such humility, our hearts are softened like never before and we find that we are able to make dua with a new intesity and hope.

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and Marwa are comOnce the circuits of the Kaaba and the traversing between Safa that we left behind, pleted, the time comes to make our way back to Mina. The tents time has now come which at the time felt so basic, now feel like sheer luxury. But the almost nothing, we to Allah before to stand before our enemy. Having been reduced a way that was not in are able to see our flaws, our faults, our sins and our weakness at, where we are possible just days before and now as we make our way to the Jamar to face our innermost demons head on. seven categories, Is it merely a coincidence that sins are often described as falling into that we will throw at yet as we approach the Jamarat we hold in our hand seven stones ce that his whisinfluen the the devil in the hope of chasing him away? Chasing away e, the greed and pering has had upon our hearts. Chasing away the jealously, the avaric The facets of our gluttony, the backbiting and the lies. The harshness and the pride. re of our Lord, hampersonalities that have been standing between us and the pleasu before the Jamarat pering our progress back to our home in the heavens. As I stood to glimpse just how last year, I genuinely felt that Allah, The Most High, had allowed me I needed His mercy. impoverished I was in spirit and in my soul, and just how much each stone at the threw I At that moment I longed to be rid of my character flaws. As Rejected One, I felt as if I had finally arrived at the realisation “Having been reduced before Allah to of just how much I wanted to almost nothing, we are able to see our be free of those flaws and just faults, our sins and our how badly they had impeded flaws, our my progress towards the Light weakness...” of Allah, The Most High. ed of the filth of For three days, again and again we confirm our resolve to be cleans stoning we each with and our lower self as we repeat the action of stoning the devils ty imweigh these entertain the hope that we might be returning home unsaddled by perfections. reward for the acAfter all, isn’t this what the Hajj is all about? For as we know, the And who amongst cepted Hajj is to return to our homes like the day we were born. as we fumble and us was born with the unwanted character traits that we acquire hearts with the instumble through the darkness, staining our souls and infecting our erer? The truth exorable force of our desires as they find a fickle friend with the Whisp , in these days is that none of us were born in that state and that maybe, just maybe , the All Seeing All the of humility and hope, there may have been a moment when been have ity to Hearing, the Most Merciful might have bestowed upon us the sincer and begin again... accepted by Him so that we can indeed shed our dirty old skin may Allah make it And e. cleansed, lightened, aware and grateful for another chanc so, Ameen.

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Tips for a Productive Hajj Sep/Oct 2013 / Issue 3

Before you travel • Photocopy all your official documents. Make extra copies of passports and photos •

Keep both your national currency as well as Saudi Riyals in your wallet

• Have your agent check in for all the bookings, hotels, foods, agreements beforehand • Ensure you pre-pay your monthly bills so you do not fall behind

Seek knowledge • Familiarize yourself with the Hajj plan so that you know what to do, and know where to go when you are there. • Study the biography of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessings be upon him) before you go • Follow everything that is mentioned in Quran and Sunnah please refrain from NEW INNOVATIONS (Bidda), shirk or incorrect practices. • Remain with ‘scholars who can explain the rituals correctly. Find a group that organizes daily motivational reminders & guidelines on how to practically perform the various rituals • Learn common Arabic vocabulary and phrases needed during Hajj so that it eases communication.

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Lavatory related gear • There are only squat/floor toilets at the Hajj sites. Rather than causing yourself hardship, wasting time, and risk ending up with unclean clothing for prayer, it is best for women to wear light cotton long dresses (or jelabiyyas are perfect) underneath their outer garments. These can be easily lifted for bathroom visits and will be far more comfortable. • Keep elastic bands for holding your pants and sleeves up when making ablution to prevent them from getting wet. • Keep an emergency kit of plastic bags, small bottle of water for washing oneself and Wudhu, toilet paper, and even a small bucket or container if needed. This can be used for emergency bathroom needs and making Wudhu rather than standing for hours. Regardless of the number of toilet stations available, there are long queues at all of them and sometimes it is hours between leaving Arafah and arriving at Muzdalifah. • Take (perfume-free) liquid soap rather than a bar which becomes difficult to re-package once wet. For instance, Simple has a fantastic range of unisex skin care products that are perfume free.

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Supplications • Take a du’aa book and learn relevant du’aas to be recited when doing Hajj • Have a du’aa diary: keep a notebook or a diary with all the names of the people and their du’aas which they would like you to make for them. It is also a great idea to pen down one’s own duas in the notebook. Start before you leave and write down your du’aa list for Arafat. • Plan ahead the conversation you will be having with your Lord! You will be prepared to converse with your Lord and weep to your heart’s content. • Pray for the people that are working during Hajj for your safety: police, doctors, cleaners and guides. Make du’aa for the oppressed, including your brothers and sisters in Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Myanmar.

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Focus • Stay unplugged! Only keep a mobile for emergency use, but stay AS FAR AWAY from your life back home as you can; no email, no phone. Immerse yourself in the experience so that you can focus solely on your purpose: to do this act for the sake of Allah alone. You are among the select few whom Allah chose to visit His Mosque. • Do not get too distracted with all the shopping there as it is easy to do so and concentrate on the real reason you are there. • Dear Hujjaj, don’t worry about your money, children, spouse, parents, brothers & sisters because you will be away. Just forget everything and do your Hajj faithfully and sincerely and Allah surely will keep them all safe. Feel your Hajj as it’s the first and last Hajj you will be able to do in your life because, generally, it’s not too easy to go to Hajj again. • Simply submit yourself to Allah as the journey begins. Stay away from the worldly pleasures and sorrows. • Travel light (open-minded and clean heart) and stay focused on your destination. • Make talbiyah (reciting labbaik) throughout and keep in mind your purpose here: you are working for the hereafter. • Refrain from all negative talk (anger, hurtful words, slander, lies, etc.) from the moment that you have the intent to go on Hajj, from the days leading up to it till the day you leave, and every single day thereafter during Hajj. • Because of the long periods of time without bathroom access and on buses, eat less. Nothing is more distracting to ‘worship and prayer than urgency to go to the bathroom. So minimize your eating; it’s the Sunnah! • Say Bismillah (in the name of Allah) whenever you begin to do something and always make du’aa.

Time • Use the time in the mosque to complete the recitation and the meaning of the Qur’an. • Carry Islamic books with you. You get lots of time to spare during the three Mina nights. You may be too tired to read or do other ‘worship, best option is to listen to something that will help your Emaan. • Ensure you maximize your time productively as much as you can in Arafat. If possible, try to get a space on a hill and keep to yourself in prayers as much as you can. • Don’t waste time collecting pebbles in Arafah because it’s the most important day of the Hajj. Pebbles can be collected after reaching Muzdalifah. • Take cereal bars and breakfast biscuits. Don’t bother with the fast food outlets in the malls. You will waste your time queuing and lose precious time you could use for ‘worship. • Don’t just sleep after sunrise, use that time wisely.

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Patience • Hajj is a test, not so much a physical one, but a test of patience, piety, and faith. From the time you make the intention to perform it, different aspects of the test will arise. Learn and use these two phrases when anything testing comes up: “Alhamdulliah Alaa Kulli Haal” (all praises to Allah in every situation) and “Qadr Allahi wa maa shaa fa’al” (it is Allah’s Qadr and He does as He wills). • Have trust in Allah. Any time you face a hardship during your travels or throughout the journey (for instance, if you get lost, left behind, weak or sick), DON’T PANIC! Breath, renew your intention and know that Allah will get you through, In Shaa’ Allah! • Make sure to leave your ego or temper at home before you travel to Hajj. Since there are always thousands of people wherever you go, there will be many incidents that may provoke you. Do not let any of those things get to you or else your Hajj will turn from spirituality and productivity into simply watching who or what next is going to provoke you and your rising temper will blind you from enjoying and experiencing Hajj.

Purification & Reflection • Prepare your heart before you leave for Hajj. There is nothing worse than a hard heart! • Exercise humility. Just because you are on a VIP package does not make you VIP. Hajj means we are all the same, equal in the eyes of Allah. Treat everyone with respect, we are all brothers and sisters. • Make Istighfaar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) and reflect on how weak you are, how insignificant you are, and how supreme Allah’s mercy is. • Take a Diary along and keep a record of your Hajj trip, experiences, new friends, du’aas, resolutions, etc. It’s nice to look back at this once in a life time memorable journey.

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Dress Code When undertaking the pilgrimage, Muslims shed all signs of their wealth and societal distinctions by wearing simple white garments, commonly called ‘Ihram’. The required pilgrimage uniform for men is two white cloths, one of which covers the body from the waist down, and one that is gathered around the shoulder. Women usually wear a simple white dress and headscarf, or their own native dress. The ihram is a symbol of purity and equality, and signifies that the pilgrim is in a state of devotion. While wearing ihram, there are other requirements that Muslims follow in order to focus their energy on spiritual devotion. Harming any living thing is forbidden, no hunting, fighting, or vulgar language is permitted. Vanity is discouraged, and Muslims approach pilgrimage in as natural a state as possible: excessive perfumes and colognes are not used; hair and fingernails are left in their natural state without trimming or cutting. Marital relations are also suspended during this time, and marriage proposals or weddings are delayed until after the pilgrimage experience is completed.

What to wear • Wear comfortable, durable sandals or shoes. • Keep in mind that you will put your slippers in a bag when you go to Masjid al-Haram. The floor of the haram is granite and may be hard on sensitive feet. Take a pair of home slippers or anything that has some padding to ease the hardness of the floor and pain on the feet. • Keep a spare Ihram while in Mina in case it gets dirty. • Place a damp hand towel under your cap; it will keep you fresh and energized, In Shaa’Allah

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Doing

HAJJ

on behalf

others

A woman came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and said, “My mother vowed to perform a Hajj, but died before doing Hajj. Shall I now do Hajj on her behalf?” The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, “Yes, do Hajj on her behalf. Wouldn’t you settle a debt if your mother had died before being able to settle it? Pay Allah back, for Allah deserves more to be paid back.” (Sahih Bukhari)

“Labbayk-Allahumma labbayka bi-Hajj” (O Allah! I answer your call to perform Hajj) Hajj can be performed in three different ways: Ifraad, Qiran and Tamattu’.

1. Tamattu Pilgrimage (Enjoyable Hajj) A pilgrim wears Ihram for Umrah only during the months of Hajj, which means when the pilgrim reaches Makkah, they make Tawaf and Sa’ee for Umrah. A male pilgrim then shaves or clips his hair and a female pilgrim may shorten her hair. On the day of Tarwiya, which is the eighth of DhulHijja, the pilgrim puts on their Ihram for Hajj only and carries out all of its requirements.

2. Ifraad Pilgrimage (Isolated Hajj) A pilgrim wears Ihram for Hajj only. When reaching Makkah, he performs Tawaf for his arrival and Sa’ee for Hajj. The male pilgrim does not shave or clip his hair as he doesn’t disengage from Ihram. Instead, he remains in Ihram till after he stones Jamrah Al-Aqaba on Eid day. It is permissible for him to postpone his Sa’ee for Hajj until after his Tawaf for Hajj.

3. Qiran Pilgrimage (Accompanied Hajj) A pilgrim wears Ihram for both Umrah and Hajj or wears the Ihram first for Umrah, then makes intentions for Hajj before Tawaf for Hajj. The obligations on one performing Ifraad are the same as those on one performing Qiran, except that the latter must slaughter whereas the former is not obligated to do so. The best of the three forms is Tamattu’. It is the form that our Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged his followers to perform. Even if a pilgrim makes intentions to perform Qiran or Ifraad he is allowed to change his intentions to Tamattu’; he can do this even after he has performed Tawaf and Sa’ee.

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Your Hajj Schedule

DAY 2

Second day of Hajj 1. You are in Mina 2. After Fajr go to Arafat 3. Offer Dhur, Asr prayer in Arafat 4. Stay in Arafat till sunset do not offer Maghrib prayer 5. Go to Muzdalifa after sunset 6. Offer Maghrib, Isha prayer at Muzdalifa 7. Pick up 49 pebbles or very small stones 8. Stay overnight in Muzdalifa 9. Second day of Hajj is completed

START

First day of Hajj If you are performing Hajj Tamattu’

DAY 1

1. Proclaim the intention for Hajj 2. After Fajr put on Ihram 3. Two Rak’at nafl prayer at Masjid al Aisha/Miqat 4. Tawaf Ka’ba seven circuits 5. Go to Before Dhur 6. Recite Talbiya prequently 7. Offer Dhur, Asr, Maghrib, Isha in Mina 8. Stay overnight in Mina 9. First day of Hajj is completed

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If you not performing Hajj Tamattu’ 1. Tawaf Ka’ba seven circuits 2. Go to Before Dhuhr 3. Recite Talbiya prequently 4. Offer Dhuhr, Asr, Maghrib, Isha in Mina 5. Stay overnight in Mina 6. First day of Hajj is completed

DAY 3

Third day of Hajj 1. You are in Muzdalifa 2. After sunrise go to Mina 3. Go to Jamaratul Aqaba (last pillar) 4. Hair cut (If you are performing Hajj Ifraad) – Sacrifice animal (if you not performing Hajj) 5. Take off Ihram put on usual dress 6. Go to Masjid al Haram in Makkah 7. Perform Tawaf seven circuits 8. Drink water from zamzam 9. Sa’ee* (seven runs between Safa & Marwa) 10. Two Rak’at near Muqam-aI-Ibrahim 11. Go back to Mina do not stay overnight in Makkah 12. Third day of Hajj is completed

FINISH

DAY 5

Fifth day of Hajj 1. You are in Mina 2. After Dhuhr go to all three Jamarat 3. First Jamra (Jamaratul Oola) throw seven pebbles 4. Second Jamra (Jamaratul Wasata) throw seven pebbles 5. Third Jamra (Jamaratul Aqaba) throw seven pebbles 6. Before sunset must go to Makkah or stay in Mina 7. Before leaving Makkah must perform Tawaf-ul Wada 8. Now Hajj is completed 9. Now you may go to Madina

DAY 4

Fourth day of Hajj

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1. You are in Mina 2. After Dhuhr go to all three Jamarat 3. First Jamra (Jamaratul Oola) throw seven pebbles 4. Second Jamra (Jamaratul Wasata) 5. Third Jamra (Jamaratul Aqaba) throw seven pebbles 6. Must stay in Mina 7. Fourth day of Hajj is completed

Food Bites Saudi Arabian cuisine is strong flavoured with aromatic spices. Generally, the dishes contain meat , rice, wheat and vegetables.

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Starter: Falafel Preparation Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 22 Minutes Ingredients (Serves 3-4) For the Tahini sauce: 225 grams tahini (seasame seed paste) 113 grams canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1 lemon, juiced 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper For the falafel: 113 grams canned chickpeas, drained 3/4 pound ounces ground lamb 3 tablespoons green onions, white and light-green parts only, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 113 grams finely chopped fresh cilantro (coriander) 56.7 grams finely chopped parsley 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Large pinch cayenne spice 113 grams olive oil Preparation To make the sauce: combine ingredients in a food processor. As you purĂŠe, add 113 grams to the 170 grams of water through feed tube until mixture is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Sauce should be thinner than hummus. Tahini is a Middle Eastern sesame seed paste you can find in most grocery shops. For the Falafel, in a large ball, mash 113 grams chickpeas with a potato masher or fork. Add remaining ingredients and mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon. Form into 1 1/4 centimeter balls. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium high heat until simmering. Cook the Falafels in batches, turning occasionally until golden brown all over and just cooked through, 5-6 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Drizzle with sauce and serve immediately.

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Main Course: Kabsa Preparation Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 22 Minutes Ingredients (Serves 3-4) 2 1/2 kg lamb, large cubes 4 cups basmati rice 1/2 kg carrot, peeled and finely diced 1 green pepper, seeded and finely diced 1 kg tomato, peeled and diced 1 kg finely chopped onion 6-8 garlic cloves, minced 1 pinch ground cumin 1 pinch ground coriander salt and black pepper butter or olive oil (for frying) 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts Kabsa Spice Mix (can be bought ready made) 1/2 teaspoon saffron 1/4 teaspoon ground green cardamoms 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon white pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground dried limes Shattal Sauce 2 cups water 1 beef stock cube 1 large onion, finely chopped 14 ounces chopped tomatoes 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1/4 cup diced celery salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons butter

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Preparation Fry meat until browned on all sides. Add enough water to the saucepan so that it covers the meat by 1.5-2, bring to a boil then cook gently over medium heat for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until tender. Reserve & set meat aside. Soak rice for 15 minutes. Drain well, rise under running water. Add butter to a large saucepan: fry the onion, pepper, carrot & spices. Cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, or until tender. Add rice to vegetables in the saucepan, cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Add meat until covers rice (approx 1.5â&#x20AC;? above rice). Cover saucepan. Cook on low heat for 30 minutes or until tender - add a little more water if rice seems to become dry. Sauce Preparation Fry onion, garlic and tomato in the butter. Add tomato paste, celery, salt, cinnamon, water & stock cube. Cook on medium heat until slightly thickened and celery is tender. Serve in a large dish or on a platter. Place the rice first, top with meat & garnish with pine nuts. Serve the sauce in a jug with a spoon. Drizzle the Shattal sauce on your Kabsa.

Dessert: Qatayef Preparation Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 20 Minutes Ingredients (Serves 10) 1 tin NESTLÉ® Cream (double cream) or 170 g 2 cups milk or 500 ml ½ cup corn flour or 60 g 1 tablespoon blossom water 20 large ready-made qatayef slices 2 cups oil for deep frying 3 cups sugar syrup or 750 ml 2 tablespoons ground pistachio nuts, for garnishing Preparation In a saucepan mix NESTLÉ® Cream, milk liquid and corn flour. Bring to boil with constant stirring until it thickens. Stir in the blossom water and set it aside to cool into room temperature. Place one full tablespoon of the cooled prepared cream in the middle of each Qatayef slice and seal firmly. Deep fry the qatayef in hot oil until golden brown. Remove from the oil using a slotted spoon to remove any excess oil and dip them immediately in the syrup for few seconds then remove and place on a strainer. Garnish with ground pistachios. Cooking tips: Sugar syrup must be at room temperature to maintain the crispiness of the Qatayef.

Sep/Oct 2013 / Issue 3

Explore

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Arabia

National Museum Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Kingdom Tower Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Naseef House Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Al Tayibat City Museum for International Civilization

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Radisson SAS Hotel Private Beach Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Green Island Restaurant Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

National Museum Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The state-of-the-art National Museum is without question one of the best museums in the Middle East. Its eight floors contain well-designed, engaging and informative displays on Arabia’s history, culture and art, including beautiful, original rock carvings, models and even a full-scale reconstruction of a Nabataean tomb.

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Films (in English via headphones) showed on 180° screens complement the exhibits, as do virtual visits to sites and other excellent interactive displays.

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It’s great for a sneak preview of the Kingdom’s attractions, a sum-up, or a virtual visit if you don’t have time to get to places. Don’t miss it.

Kingdom Tower Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Riyadh's newest landmark, the Kingdom Tower is another stunning piece of modern architecture. Known as the 'necklace' for its unusual apex, it's particularly conspicuous at night when the upper sweep is lit with constantly-changing coloured lights. Rising 302m above the ground, its most distinctive feature is the steel-and-glass, 300-tonne Bridge connecting the two towers. High-speed elevators fly you (at 180km/h) to the 99th floor Sky Bridge. If you're feeling peckish, the tower is also home to some reputable restaurants, including Spazio 77.

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Naseef House Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Sadly, Jeddah's old coral houses are in a very sorry state. Almost unique among the sea of dilapidation, however, is the restored Naseef House, which once belonged to one of Jeddah's most powerful trading families. It's set back from souq al-Alawi. Look out for the wide ramps installed by King Abdul Aziz in place of staircases so that camel-mounted messengers could ride all the way to the upper terrace in order to deliver messages. The house is also home to the General Directory for Culture and Tourism in Jeddah.

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Al Tayibat City Museum for International Civilization Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Don't be put off by the grandiose name: Al-Tayibat City Museum for International Civilisation definitely merits a visit. The vast palace contains over 300 rooms crammed with a collection built over a local merchant's lifetime.

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The four-floor collection ranges from exquisite Islamic manuscripts and old coins to stunning furniture and pottery (some of it bought from international art houses). Exhibits are accompanied by good captions and information panels, as well as a few dioramas. Note that, unfortunately, it can't open for less than 10 people; try and form a group or telephone to join one.

Radisson SAS Hotel Private Beach Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Some five-star hotels have their own private beach. The Radisson SAS Hotel allows nonguests to use its beach and facilities for around SRIs50 per person per day.

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Restaurant Green Island Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Spread across the water in the form of little chalets on stilts (complete with glass floor panels that reveal the fish and the water beneath), this is the place to come if you’re after a final splurge or a romantic revival. The menu is a fusion of Arab, Asian and Continental cuisines. Try the locally loved rock lobster bisque, or go for the all-out ‘seafood platter Green Island’.

Sep/Oct 2013 / Issue 3

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Jeddah

Islam Channel

Programmes for Hajj

The Call to Hajj

Hajj Coach