Eid-ul-Adha 2025/1446

Eid-al-Adha is the second Eid of the year that Muslims celebrate and coincides with the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and honours Abraham’s (pbuh) promise to God. This Eid will be celebrated with a heavy heart, thinking of those that are oppressed, facing wars and of those without families. In these blessed days may all pilgrims’ prayers and ours be accepted. May the prayers of all those facing hardships be accepted and I pray they find ease.

Eid Mubarak. Taqabbal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum (May Allah accept it from you and us)

Colourful Bride

I was asked to take photos at a mendhi at the weekend. A mendhi or henna party is a South Asian custom where brides get their henna done before the wedding day and is celebrated by family and friends.

Bride in colourful outfit and green ourse

The bride to be hasn’t had her henna done on her hands yet but I liked the colours of her outfit and the embroidery and flowers that give extra detail. May the bride to be have a lovely wedding and a happy future.

Eid-ul-Adha 2024/1445

Eid mubarak written in colourful balloons and colourful flowers in front

Happy Eid to Muslims around the world. It’s another tough Eid for so many; facing wars, oppression and loss of loved ones. As we cherish times with our families and friends during this special time let us think of and pray for those that need reprieve, safety and happiness the most.

Eid Mubarak. Taqabbal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum (May Allah accept it from you and us).

Eid-al-Fitr 2024/1445: Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak everyone. The month of Ramadan seems to have gone by quicker than expected and while challenging it has also been rewarding God willing. It was a tough month seeing so many Muslims around the world facing war and harsh conditions, may Allah make it easy for them. It makes me and I’m sure many others grateful for everything we have. I hope everyone has a lovely day with family and friends and remembers those that can’t be part of our celebrations this year and those that are less fortunate.

Asian sweets in various colours and shapes

Eid-ul-Adha 2023/1444

large, laser-cut steel cube suspended from the gallery ceiling fills the space with elaborate floor-to-ceiling shadows

Eid Mubarak everyone. Taqabbal Allahu Minna Wa Minkum (May Allah accept it from you and us).

Happy Eid to all to Muslims around the world who are celebrating Eid-al-Adha which coincides with the pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and honours Abraham’s promise to God. In these blessed days may all pilgrims’ prayers and ours be accepted.

This beautiful Islamic inspired cube radiating light is at Kew Gardens.

Eid-al-Fitr 2023/1444: Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak to Muslims around the world. Ramadan as always has passed by faster than imagined, with the days shorter and cooler than they have been in recent years. I pray that Allah accepts our fasts and prayers and showers us with his mercy and blessings. I hope everyone has a day full of happiness and are able to spend time with family and friends. Let us also remember and pray for all those who continue to face difficulties around the world, may they find peace and ease soon.

Ramadan lights

London, for the first time, has put up Ramadan lights to celebrate the holy month. I was able to go and see them near Piccadilly Circus, and in the daytime the lanterns, stars and moons shimmered and sparkled. I wasn’t able to stay until dark when they light up but I was delighted to see these wonderful lights celebrate a special month in a city as great as mine.

Ramadan Mubarak 2023/1444

The month of Ramadan has started today for Muslims around the world. We fast from sunrise to sunset and this year the days are shorter and cooler than last. I pray that we can make the most of these special days and that this month is a beneficial one for us all. I pray that we are forgiven of our sins, are able to re-connect with God, find peace and receive blessings. I especially pray that people that are in hardship find ease and that we can all be generous in giving whatever we can. Ramadan Mubarak.

Goodbye 2022

Today is the last day of 2022. Reflecting back across the year, I didn’t have any grand plans at the start but it feels like it’s been an eventful one. I was finally able to travel abroad after a very long time and I managed to gain some new qualifications after a lot of hard work. There was also an addition to the family in my new little nephew. I hope the year was a fulfilling one for all of you, whatever you did.

Here are some of my favourite photos from the year gone by and as we move into 2023, I hope it’s a year full of good health and happiness, and everything we all want it to be. Happy New Year.

Chelsea in Bloom 2022

The Chelsea Flower show takes place in London every year, showcasing beautiful gardens. To coincide with the event, businesses in the borough of Chelsea and Kensington hold an alternative floral art show called Chelsea in Bloom. Shopfronts are decorated with pretty displays and this year’s theme was the ‘British Icons’, to celebrate all things British and the Platinum Jubilee. My sister and I went to have a look at what creative designs would be on display.

There were so many displays but here are some I liked the best. Some displays were truly creative, like this Spitfire one, and other’s really detailed like the emblem with the horse and lion.

I really liked the display outside the Royal mail, Postmen on ladders and a collection of the iconic red postboxes. And the biscuit Buckingham Palace was artistic.

One of my favourites was this Queen’s head outline in different colours, I thought it was simple but really pretty.

I thought the bus was iconic too, and I really liked this floral tunnel with top hats, pocket watches, teacups and cards. It was super busy so only managed to get a couple of photos.

These cakes on a giant cake stand was another of my favourites, I thought it was really creative and very British.

Here are some more icons, The Beatles and Elton John, and representing fashion, Vivian Westwood. I thought the upside down table, chairs and cakes was cool.

I really liked the giant 50p coin, simple and fun. Paddington bear made of flowers was lovely too.

Another of my favourites was the Mini Cooper on show. It was quite a big display with flower hearts surrounding it.

These are only some of the displays we saw, there were many more with floral archways and window displays. It was really nice to go and see these imaginative displays, especially after it was cancelled for the last couple of years. The winners have been announced on the website.