SA Blog Awards

Shukran to everyone who voted for www.muslimmums.co.za in the ‘SA Blog Awards 2010′ Contest,

With your support, we have been been selected as one of 10 finalists in The Best Parenting Blog category.

The vote phase is now open and you can vote every 24hrs.

All you have to do to vote for the blog is:

1) Visit www.muslimmums.co.za
2) Click on the ‘SA Blog Awards 2010 Finalist Vote Here’ badge located on the right hand side of the page
3) You will then be taken to a page where you will be asked to scroll down and vote for blogs in other categories, or otherwise just skip to the bottom to submit your vote.
4) Once you have skipped to the bottom, you will be required to enter your email address and the security code displayed and then click SUBMIT.
5) An email will be sent to you by ‘2010 SA Blog Awards’. Click on the link contained in the email, and you are done!

Hurry! Voting closes midnight 17 September 2010.

NB Each voter will be able to vote once every 24hrs, per unique email address if they so choose.

Kindly forward this information to your family and friends…

With appreciation

PS: May we suggest that you vote for the other Muslim finalists:
• Sana Ebrahim www.indiansinafrica.co.za
• Hamish Hoosen Pillay www.hamishpillay.wordpress.com – Most controversial
• www.Saaleha.com – Personal blog
• Khadija Patel – www.twitter.com/khadijapatel – Twitter category
• www.Nafisa.co.za – Design category
• www.thoughtleader.co.za/azadessa – Politics
• http://killa.co.za/blog/ – Exclusive Best Entertainment Blog
• www.karim.co.za – Ogilvy Media and Marketing
• www.almost-news.blogspot.com – Best Group Blog

IS IT OK TO FAST DURING BREASTFEEDING?

Press Release

It is the holy month of Ramadan and this means that Muslims are embarking on a month of fasting from dawn until sunset. It is a time for reflection and prayer and, although most activities are minimised, there are still many important actions that need to take place. One of these is breastfeeding. It is advised that breastfeeding women are allowed to refrain from fasting but if one is not inclined to take this route there are certain precautions that can be taken to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

It is always good to get advice from other family members or friends when making your decision, so talk to other women to find out their point of view, this is especially useful if they have gone through this before. Seeking advice from a doctor or Islamic sheikh can be beneficial too. Milk production is not hindered when cutting down on calories so there should be no harm done to your baby if you do decide to fast. Not eating for 24 hours will not change the composition of breast milk, the body adapts to the amount of calories it is receiving.

To ensure proper nutrition for yourself and the baby it is important to take plenty of liquids when you break your fast. Don’t forget to eat properly too as you need to increase the nutrient content in your body. Breast feeding can cause dehydration so be aware of this and gauge how you are feeling, if you begin to feel thirsty, faint, weak or develop a headache it may be a good idea to break your fast and drink some water as well as lie down for half an hour. If the symptoms continue contact your doctor.

The important thing is to listen to your body during this time, do not ignore warning signs and you and your baby should stay healthy.

For more advice on baby care visit the SABC Education Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba. Prayer rooms as well as private breastfeeding facilities will be available.

The Soweto SABC Education Baba Indaba will be held in view of the magnificent Soccer City in the MTN Expo Centre at Nasrec from 27-29 August 2010. Doors open at 10:00 and the show runs each day until 18:00. Tickets can be purchased at R30.00 for adults and children gain free access. Go to www.babaindaba.co.zato discover more of Baba Indaba’s inspirational and motivational ideas, special entrance price offers, as well as to subscribe to the visitors’ newsletter and receive information on special show offers and notification for upcoming expos

About Baba Indaba
The SABC Education Baba Indaba is South Africa’s premier baby, toddler and parenting expo. It is held annually in Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg, inspiring parents and moms-to-be countrywide to enjoy their baby, pregnancy and parenthood. Baba Indaba brings manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of parenting products together with parents, parents-to-be and even grandparents, to provide information and show specials – all with lots of fun. From 2010, a brand new event, Kids Indaba, will run alongside Baba Indaba, catering for 6 – 12 year olds. Also in 2010, the SABC Education Baba Indaba will be held in Soweto for the first time.
In November 2009, the Cape Town Baba Indaba won the EXSA Award for Top Exhibition of the Year, while the Baba Indaba experience secured the title of Most Memorable Event. In 2008, the Durban Baba Indaba won the EXSA Award for the best consumer exhibition of the year in its category for the second time. Naude is the recent winner of the Top Gender Empowered Company in the Emergent Companies and SMME’s Category in the prestigious Top Women Awards 2009.

Baba Indaba Soweto and Southern Suburbs!

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 2010

SOWETO AND SOUTHERN SUBURBS GET READY FOR A GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT AT THE INCREDIBLE SABC EDUCATION BABA INDABA AND KIDS INDABA!

Soweto was a hub of activity during June and July, things may have quietened down around those parts for the moment but Nasrec will soon be alive with the joyful sounds of babies and kids when the SABC Education Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba make their debut appearance in the area! For the first time since their inception, South Africa’s biggest baby and children’s expos will be delighting Soweto and Johannesburg’s southern suburbs. The show will be taking place from 27-29 August 2010.

Parents and grandparents will be treated to the wide and wonderful world of SABC Education Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba which offer everything one could need, in terms of parenting, under one roof. Whether you are looking for funky maternity clothes, beautiful baby outfits, toys, books, accessories or something new and exciting to make your life easier, it can all be found under one roof. Simplifying your life is what this show aims to do! There really is something for everyone – Kids will be entertained and educated by the many wonderful stage shows including Takalani Sesame, granny can have a cup of tea while she keeps them company, mom can ooh and aah over the beautiful jewellery and teddies while dad checks out the latest in parenting gadgets.

As always parents will have access to changing stations, private feeding rooms, expert advice in the Woolies Littleworld Speakers corner and the safety of knowing their child won’t get lost with Kiddy Tags. There will be giveaways galore, with the ultimate prize being the newly introduced Bump & Beyond competition! The show specials and competitions are sure to make even the most sleep-deprived parent beam with delight so get on down to Nasrec!

Not only does this show give all residents of these areas the opportunity to experience the vast mix of education, entertainment and products that the shows have to offer; but it also allows for exhibitors to tap into a new and diverse market. With a population of 1.3 million in Soweto alone and adding to that those who live in the southern suburbs, this is an extensive and previously untapped area that will allow for further brand extension and promotion for exhibitors.

There may be a population of 1.3 million in Soweto but add to that the large amount of young families who move closer to the city for work but who make their way ‘home’ on the weekends. According to recent research, a large number of young people consider Soweto, where they grew up, to be their actual home and they often return there to do their shopping, chores and family outings on the weekend. Don’t miss out on your chance as an exhibitor to talk to a new and varied group of people who are family oriented and wanting to find out more about your product!

The floor at the SABC Education Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba is a great place to launch a product as it offers one on one interaction with interested parents as well as scouts from large retail stores. These shows offer the possibility of planting the seed of your hard work and watching it grow while entrenching your brand in the market. On the back of a record show in Cape Town, which saw 40 000 feet through the door, the inaugural Soweto and Southern Suburbs SABC Education Baba Indaba and Kids Indaba promises to be a huge hit!

Doors open at 9:30 and the show runs each day until 17:00. Tickets can be purchased for R30.00 for adults and children get in free. Go to www.babaindaba.co.za to discover more of Baba Indaba’s inspirational and motivational ideas, special entrance price offers, as well as to subscribe to the visitors’ newsletter and receive information on special show offers and notification for upcoming expos

-Ends-
Issued By: The Lime Envelope
On Behalf Of: Baba Indaba
For Media Information: Sarah Martin / Dominique Brown
Telephone: 011 704 7770/1
E-mail: sarah@thelime.co.za or dominique@thelime.co.za

About Baba Indaba
The SABC Education Baba Indaba is South Africa’s premier baby, toddler and parenting expo. It is held annually in Durban, Pretoria, Cape Town and Johannesburg, inspiring parents and moms-to-be countrywide to enjoy their baby, pregnancy and parenthood. Baba Indaba brings manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of parenting products together with parents, parents-to-be and even grandparents, to provide information and show specials – all with lots of fun. From 2010, a brand new event, Kids Indaba, will run alongside Baba Indaba, catering for 6 – 12 year olds. Also in 2010, the SABC Education Baba Indaba will be held in Soweto for the first time.
In November 2009, the Cape Town Baba Indaba won the EXSA Award for Top Exhibition of the Year, while the Baba Indaba experience secured the title of Most Memorable Event. In 2008, the Durban Baba Indaba won the EXSA Award for the best consumer exhibition of the year in its category for the second time. Naude is the recent winner of the Top Gender Empowered Company in the Emergent Companies and SMME’s Category in the prestigious Top Women Awards 2009.

Giveaway: Double tickets to the Baby Expo in Durban

Write a story/article/list your top tips for publication on this website and stand a chance to win tickets to the expo as well as a ‘Meet and Greet’ with the shows stars.

Please note that submissions must conform to our editorial policy. For details and to submit your entry email info@muslimmums.co.za.

Our children in Ramadaan

From Darul Ihsan

Generally speaking, children are not required to fast Ramadan until they reach the “age of maturity.” However, scholars believe that parents should train them to fast a few days or so, until they become ready to fast when they reach that age. Similar to praying, the Prophet ordered parents to train their children to pray starting with the age of seven. The question remains, how does training to fast begin? Dr. Abala Khlaiwi from the faculty of Islamic Studies at Al-Azhar University was posed this question. The reply was that children should be trained to fast gradually. They differ in their realization of the environment around them, especially parents avoiding eating or drinking due to the fact that they are fasting. If children begin to realize that, becoming aware of the advent of Ramadan, and start to ask questions, parents should answer their questions and tell them about the holy month. For example, they ask them to fast an hour or two, saying that Allah will reward you for one hour. The parents explain to the child that Allah will reward them more for each hour they fast. Then they should be asked to fast for a day and so on, according to Dr. Khlaiwi.
Simultaneously, youngsters should be asked to give or share their candy with orphan neighbors, because this teaches them how fortunate they are to have their parents around. It also teaches them that they live in an environment where they all should take care of each other’s needs. Ultimately, it teaches them to be conscious of Allah, and the feeling of community. These values usually are imprinted in the minds and hearts of children and remain with them throughout their lives.
Dr. Khlaiwi recalls when she was 6 years old, she fasted a whole day and felt so happy, so accomplished. She was proud of herself and her religion. Another important aspect of Ramadan and other Islamic rituals is that parents should involve their children and ask for their participation. Thus, children are to take part in the rituals parents are performing. When the father goes to the mosque, he should take his children with him and not leave them to waste their time watching TV and other friutless activities. If the mother prays, she also should ask her little one to stand beside her so she gets to know the prayers.
It’s also recommended that parents take their children to break the fast with handicapped children, as well as orphans. Again, it teaches them to feel how fortunate they are and to be sympathetic and understanding to the needs of others, especially handicapped members of the community.
Children should also be involved in making the Ramadan dishes so they taste the joy of Ramadan. Toward the end of the month, parents should take their children to spend Eid time with their relatives in their hometowns.

Source: everymuslim

Balance: Scheduling your time in Ramadan

Mum Loves Me is an excellent Canadian website with lots of resources for parents including online seminars and discussions.

With Ramadaan only days away, they published this article:

Scheduling your time in Ramadan

During Ramadan the demands on your time are increased. Between chores, family, kids, and cooking, your time can easily get mismanaged. In some parts of the world the days of fasting are extremely long. For a mother who is fasting it is easy to end up feeling drained and exhausted if you do not put in place a proper schedule. If there is one time of the year you should have a schedule for it’s for the month of Ramadan. Having a schedule insures that you will not miss out on the blessings of this month. Obviously being a mother and having such responsibilities does not allow you to do everything you want to do during Ramadan but setting priorities and striving hard will make a difference.

In Ramadan, everyone is always making the extra effort to do something, whether it is waking up for tahajjud everyday, going for taraweeh regularly even though they have work the next morning, finding the extra time to read Quran and the list goes on. While you may not able to do some of the things listed you need to look at yourself as an individual and see what is your capacity and how much effort you are able to put forth in striving to worship Allah. So you might wake up earlier than usual, stay up later than usual, shift some duties around, whatever it is that works for you, you need to put in that extra effort. Not everyone achieves the same goals during Ramadan, but one thing for sure is that everyone is doing more than they usually would on a regular basis outside Ramadan.

You should also take advantage of the acts of worship that are easily forgotten. Spend the time you are preparing dinner in dhikr to Allah (swt). Play Quran while you fold the laundry and recite a long. Prepare a little extra food and give it to a family that is not as well off. Teach your children about the blessings of Ramadan. Discuss a hadith a day as a family and strive to implement it together. Work on manners and lead by example. There is reward to be found in almost everything we do each day. Even if you are not able to do what you did before having children find comfort in the acts of worship that we usually deem as “small”. For small and consistent adds up quickly.

Taking this into consideration, you must plan out a tentative schedule for yourself which involves all aspects that affect you daily. Once you put things into perspective, then only will you be able work towards your goals which you have set up for Ramadan. It’s easy to feel that spiritual disconnect when you have other duties to attend to and children to look after. But remember, that if you did something consistently and are unable to do due to a particular reason, then you are still rewarded for the deed as if you are still doing it. Isn’t that just awesome?! So remember it’s not necessarily about how much you can do, but how much you are striving to do to maximize on the rewards of this blessed month.

The question now is: How will you schedule your time?

Source: Mum Loves Me

ABSA ISLAMIC BANKING TEACHES SOUTH AFRICA’S CHILDREN TO SAVE

Absa Islamic Banking today joins hands with the national Teach a Child to Save South Africa (TCTS SA) campaign, the initiative to equip South Africa’s children with basic financial literacy skills.

The Islamic chapter of TCTS SA will be launched today at the Central Islamic School in Laudium, west of Pretoria. Absa Islamic Banking will also visit two schools in Lenasia , the Al Aqsa Primary School in Sirkon Avenue and the Al Aqsa Primary School in Duck Avenue.
TCTS SA is an initiative of the Banking Association of South Africa, as well as the South African Savings Institute, and it is supported by the Department of Basic Education. Since 2008, it has coincided with Savings Month in July.

Absa Islamic Banking is involved with the Islamic chapter of TCTS SA, which rolls out nationwide between today and 10 August, shortly before the Holy month of Ramadaan, a month of contemplation, self-sacrifice and fasting for Muslims the world over. The Islamic chapter lesson plan has been structured specifically to reflect the concept of money in Islam, and incorporates the following teachings:
• Money (or resources) is the bounty of Allah
• Money has no intrinsic value, and is merely a means of trade
• Ownership of money ultimately belongs to Allah, and its use has been entrusted to us
• Hoarding and wasting of money is prohibited
• It must be lawfully earned and spent
• Paying of Zakah (obligatory religious levy if one is eligible), in which a portion of one’s wealth is given to the poor, which represents the third pillar of Islam. Zakah purifies one’s money and uplifts the community
• Sadaqah and Lillah donations (voluntary charity) safeguard one from calamities and misfortunes

“We expect to reach at least 10 000 children with our Islamic chapter lesson plan this year, which is aimed at learners in Grades 4-7. By teaching our children to save money, we are investing in the future by equipping the next generation to prudently handle their finances and not fall into debt,” says Absa Islamic Banking managing director, Amman Muhammad.

“The lesson will teach children to learn the difference between needs and wants – and to identify which is more important, what it means to save money, where and how to open a bank account, how to draw up a budget and how to start a savings plan. Learning all of these aspects of saving will provide them with a solid foundation for their future financial wellbeing.”
Absa Islamic Banking’s participation in the TCTS SA campaign is one of the ways that it can serve the communities in which it operates, says Muhammad.

“Our faith advocates charity, and this initiative is a valuable contribution that we can make to the communities that have helped to make our bank a success. In addition, Muslim employees of Absa will also be approaching schools in communities all over South Africa as part of the TCTS SA campaign. We are proud to be associated with TCTS SA, and to play a role in securing the financial future of our children.”

ENDS

Issued by Marcus Brewster Publicity on behalf of Absa Islamic Banking.

Contact:
Zubeir Shah
Tel No: 011 022 9711

Bittersweet: A Spiritual Perspective on Special Needs Parenting

by Abez
MuslimMatters.org

I’ve tried several times to begin this article and this is my third attempt. I’m supposed to be writing about special needs parenting from an Islamic/Muslim/Spiritual point of view, and the challenge is finding a balance between the bitter and the sweet. I have had some experience, my son Khalid was born with autism, a neurological disorder with complex genetic causes and no known cure. He woke up crying every two hours from the day he was born until he was almost three. He learned how to talk just last year and he occasionally still freaks out if you laugh too loudly in his vicinity. He used to bang his head against windows and walls and cry until he threw up. He’s made wonderful progress, Alhamdulillah, but at the end of the day, he still has autism, and we still have our daily challenges.

It’s hard to understand autism from the outside, and to be fair, no two people are affected in the same way. On the severe end of the scale, there’s our friend Dan, who does not talk, cannot walk properly and was in diapers until 13. His parents put him in leather gloves to prevent him from biting his hands to the bone when he is frustrated. On the other end of the spectrum is our friend Zaina, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a form of autism that Hollywood likes – she’s extremely intelligent, is physically normal, but so socially impaired that she barely talks, cannot make eye contact, and cannot even begin to understand the complexities of interacting with other people. My son Khalid is somewhere in the middle. He has his funny quirks, but he can pass for physically normal unless he’s spinning in circles or flapping his hands. He’s no genius, and his mental age may be behind his physical age, but he’s slowly learned his ABC’s and even attempts to play with other children.Alhamdulillah, his autism is moderate.

In the two years since his diagnosis, I’ve learned more about patience and trust in Allah than I had in my entire life before that, and having a child with autism has been a blessing that I cannot imagine living without. I’m sure there’s more to learn still, but I know that once upon a time, I thought waiting for an hour was a long wait. Until a few months ago, putting Khalid to bed took an average of an hour and a half every night – sometimes less, often more. I would sit next to him, or lie down next to him, and wait for the screaming, bouncing, kicking, pinching and crying to fade into silence. And I had to sit quietly, and not move or talk, and do my best to imitate some sort of maternal rock as the storm of Khalid battered against it.

I didn’t do a very good job at first, I would yell at him to lay down, and he would become scared and cry. So I would yell more, and he would scream, and I would yell more, and it would escalate until he would be shaking with fear and I with rage and at some point it occurred to me that my own son was genuinely terrified and couldn’t understand why he was being yelled out. And then, Allah gave me sabr, and then a diagnosis, and then the understanding that Khalid wasn’t disobeying, he just had no idea what was going on.
Even today, when Khalid is having a weird night and half an hour turns into an hour and a half, I just sit in the dark and do dhikr, or plan the next day, or think, and if he’s still not tired after about two hours, we just get up and go play for a bit. I’ll have a glass of water and maybe even a cookie. Khalid will get on the computer (yes, he uses the computer) and play games for as long as is takes for him to start looking tired, after which we’ll go back to bed again. And I’ll sit next to him in the dark, and he’ll roll around and count his toes, or sing quietly to himself, and occasionally he’ll sit up to make sure I’m still there, but eventually he will doze off and I can finally get to bed, sometimes three or four hours after we “went to bed.” And before you accuse me of being exceptional, Aal’s mother spends three hours just feeding him, three times a day. And he still hits himself.

Yes, I have a lot of stories. We autism moms tend to gravitate towards one another, not because we have a manifesto or a secret handshake, but because at the end of the day when your child took off their dirty diaper in the mall and got lost in the parking lot and wouldn’t eat their lunch because some of the carrots were too orange, no one else will understand you except for another autism mom.
Another mother, Noura, called me a few weeks ago, and she had that quiver in her voice that we all get from time to time when we need to break down a bit so that we can put ourselves back together. She had been trying to get her daughter into a school, and no school would take her. She had been trying to get her daughter into a swimming class, but when she went for her first trial, the instructor refused to accept a child with “such behaviors.” Noura had been running desperately from one place to another to get her daughter accepted into social and educational programs of any sort, because her daughter will be turning eight and has never been to school. She told me these things crying over the phone, frustrated and burnt out and just needing to hear something to keep her going. “I just don’t know,” she kept saying, “I don’t know what else I can do.”

I didn’t know what else she could do either, except for what I do, which is to ask Allah for help. We have been told that a child’s Jannah is beneath his or her mother’s feet, but in some cases, a mother’s Jannah may be beneath the feet of her special needs child. And perhaps the father’s too, Allahu Aalim. The tables get turned on both parents, and those who were relying on their grown children for care in their old age are instead preparing to care for grown children who cannot feed, bathe, or even clothe themselves. Instead of looking forward to retirement, parents dread the time when they can no longer earn an income to support their children.
If you want to see an adult cry, ask a father or mother what will happen to their special needs daughter or son after they die. If you could see inside of their head, you would see an exploding matrix of questions, fears, worries, and desperate plans. You would re-read every news story you’ve ever read of neglect or abuse, or even rape, of special needs adults by paid caretakers who take advantage of individuals who do not know how to defend themselves or even speak. You would hear the point and counterpoint of a mind divided between wanting more children who could potentially care for the child, versus not wanting to risk having another child with the same genetically linked condition. You would see mental excel sheets tallying savings and money spent on current treatments versus saved for future life-long care, and money not saved for the education of the other children, and you would see a lot of figures in red. Special needs parenting is expensive. And scary. But here’s something unexpected – it’s also beautiful, and humbling, and when undertaken with trust in Allah and faith in His decisions, it is the catalyst for spiritual evolution.

Recognizing that our special-needs children are a trial as well as an opportunity to earn blessings, we are able to change the stories we tell ourselves. When we look at our children, and Shaitaan whispers “Why you? Why your child? How could God do this to you? It’s not fair,” we can bravely answer back. Allah chose me for this because He knew I could handle it, and He never gives anyone more than they can bear. I am not Khalid’s Rabb, Allah is, and when I die, He will look after Khalid with a love seventy times greater than my own. I can only save so much money and teach his sister to look out for him only so much. Khalid’s care is with Allah. His rizq is with his Lord. And he may never learn how to work and he may never get married or hold a job, and he may die alone, or he may die before I do, but he will be raised as an innocent – one who will be exempt from the fear of judgment because he never knew what sin was. If he never had a job, then he will never be asked about his wealth. If he never speaks, he will not be asked about lying. And these things are terrifying for me to think of, to type even, but I know that Allah has given my son autism for a reason, and all of Allah’s reasons are good reasons.

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said,

“Allah `azza wa jall said: ‘Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by being inflicted with poverty, and were I to enrich him, it would surely corrupt him.
Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by wealth and affluence, and were I to deprive him, it would surely corrupt him.
Verily, from amongst My slaves is he whose faith cannot be rectified except by disease and illness, and were I to make him healthy, it would surely corrupt him.
Verily, from amongst My slaves is he who seeks worship by a certain act but I prevent that from him so that self-amazement does not enter his heart. Certainly, I run the affairs of My slaves by My Knowledge of what is in their hearts. Certainly, I am the All-Knower, All-Aware.‘”

[Reported by al-Tabarani]

Sometimes, when I look at Khalid I wonder what life would be like if he were ‘normal.’ He has the most enormous, beautiful brown eyes. He skin is a light olive, he has silky dark hair and a smile that could melt the polar ice caps. Perhaps normalcy would be too dangerous for Khalid. Or maybe he would be fine, maybe the autism is for me. I know with absolute certainty that if my son did not have autism, I would not have been a dedicated parent and a desperate Muslim. If I had not been pushed through fear for his future and hardship through the present, I would never have understood what it really meant to pray. My trust in Allah and acknowledgement of his Rububiyya (Lordship) would never have moved beyond the superficial. Can you dread for your child’s future without losing hope in Allah’s mercy? Is your taqwa greater than your fear?
It has taken me some time, but I can finally thank Allah for Khalid’s autism. It may save him from accountability , and it has definitely saved me from living in the unreal world – one where I care more about my child’s postgraduate degree than his iman. And while I have an entire lifetime of challenges to look forward to, I am keeping faith that Allah intends nothing but good for Khalid and I. If that means waiting until the resurrection to see my son as a normal young man, then so be it. Khalid and I will meet again at Al-Kauthar, and sit in Jannahwith an eternity of ease to make up for one small lifetime of hardship.

May Allah have mercy on all Muslims, and ease whatever difficulties they are facing, and strengthen their imanand increase them in sabr, and reunite them with their loved ones in the company of the righteous. Ameen.

http://muslimmatters.org/2010/07/21/bittersweet-a-spiritual-perspective-on-special-needs-parenting/

1st Muslim maternity home for SA

Voice of the Cape – 27 June 2010

A dream that started 15 years ago to create a space where women can give birth in a completely Islamic environment – where their modesty is best protected at a time when they are most vulnerable – is about to become reality. Coinciding with Women’s Month, the Al-Nisa Muslim Maternity Home at 7 Rokeby Road in Rondebosch East is set to open its doors formally on 1 August. It is the first Muslim maternity home to be built in South Africa.

For Dr Anver Adam (65), the dream was born during his childhood in Transkei when he first saw nuns manning a Christian-based maternity home in Ixopo. “I looked at these women who were so beautifully dressed and created such a serene environment within which women could give birth and it always stayed with me,” he related. Then 21 years ago, at the birth of his youngest child, he realised anew how vulnerable pregnant women were at the time of giving birth.

Modesty

“At that time, he had a patient who had done everything possible to guard her modesty leading up to the birth. She made sure she only saw female doctors and specialists, but on the day of the birth, a male nurse entered the room at a critical moment and there was nothing she could do about it. It made him realise how many other women were in the same position and that gave birth to the idea of a maternity home that would cater for the ethical needs of Muslim women or any other woman concerned about modesty,” Dr Adam’s wife, Fazila, explained.

But it was not until 15 years ago that the dream took a step into reality and in 1996 the land was purchased. “One reason why it took so long to be completed was funding. I wanted to make very sure that it was not built with riba (interest). Much of the funds came from family and close friends,” Dr Adam said.

The project became a family initiative which saw the physician’s six children each play a role. One of them, Adila, an acclaimed architect with international experience, was responsible for drafting the plans, while a second daughter, Amina, is using her legal experience in acting as administrator for the project.

She hastens to explain that while the home is registered as a Muslim home, it will serve the need of all women. “An-Nisa refers to women, so any woman of whatever faith is welcome at this facility. Our sole intention here is to cater for the ethical needs of women that could not otherwise be met by state or private hospitals or clinics. We wanted to create an environment that is serene and nurturing, but also completely Islamic,” she said.

Special needs

As such, do not expect music or television to be played in this home. “There are many surah in the Quran which are recommended to recite at the time of birth. We also know that the duas of a woman experiencing the pains of labour are extremely powerful. These are things we want to maximize at Al-Nisa. We want to ensure that this new life comes into the world in the best manner possible so that we lay the foundation for a good life,” Dr Adam explained.

Among the services that can be expected is an alim on call to ensure that the athan is recited immediately after the birth. “There are also specific needs like the care of afterbirth and circumcisions that will be done on site almost immediately, in partnership with the Islamic Medical Association (IMA),” Amina explained.

While the home is not profit driven, it puts a sharp focus on quality care. “For us this is about offering a much needed service at the level of a private facility, but at a much more affordable cost. Our advantage is that unlike MOU’s, we are not bound by regionality. However, as a start, we are only focusing on low risk pregnancies and hope to expand this as we grow,” she said.

Additional services

The home can handle up to eight births at a time and with a confinement period of five hours per birth, it could handle up to 30 patients a day by appointment. Besides delivery, it will also offer pre- and post-natal care, paediatric care with plans to include woman and baby wellness clinics to look at pap smears, family planning and vaccinations.

“Our aim is to care for the patient in a holistic manner with regards to maternal and infant care at an affordable rate. We envisage excelling in services geared towards the wellness of women in order to uplift the community at large. More than that, we believe in providing care to both mother and child in a safe environment by staff skilled in midwifery and evidence based practice. At the same time, we envisage working in partnership with government and private practice to serve the community,” Amina stated.

At present the nitty gritty is being completed, but the Adam family is almost ready to heave a sigh of relief. “It has not been easy. There had been many obstacles and lots of red tape, such as having the area rezoned for use as a medical facility. But alhamdulillah, we are nearing completion. We have always believed in the need for such a facility to meet the unique needs of Muslim women and with everyone’s duas we are hoping that it will prove to be a success, Insha Allah,” Dr Adam said.

More details on Al-Nisa is available at 021-696 8892/083 303 5177 or by email at fbahmed@alnisamaternityhome.co.za. The website at www.alnisamaternityhome.co.za is in the process of being set up. VOC

http://www.vocfm.co.za/index.php?&section=news&category=&=&article=53823

New book on the shelf

Salaam.

My name is Zaid. Im from Durban, South Africa. Ive recently written a book entitled “Salaam from South Africa”. Go check out the link…

http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/salaam-from-south-africa/11257301?productTrackingContextsearch_results/search_shelf/center/2

Cool hey? Theres a downloadable version as well if you find the price to be a bit too steep… many of my friends have purchased the hard-copy though…

It touches on marriage in particular and a host of other various Islamic issues.

Enjoy!!!

More info >> zaid@hbzbank.co.za

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