Thoughtful gift for muslim friend?

[Psuedoshoes]

There's a colleague at work who I've never met, but through work phonecalls and emails we've become close and I consider her a friend. She's had an awful awful time of late and I want to send her a thoughtful gift just to remind her I'm thinking of her. She is a proud Muslim and I want the gift to represent her culture - normally I'd send flowers to friends but I hear they're not a popular 'thinking of you' gift in Muslim culture!

Apologies if I sound completely ignorant here - I've not had close Muslim friends before, purely because the area I live in is the least culturally diverse area you could imagine (yes, it's as bad as it sounds!) - I really just want a gift that says I'm thinking of her but also something that reflects her culture that she is proud of.

Why is living in an area that is not culturally diverse bad?

The majority of the world population lives in homogenous areas.

@pinkcally Thank you for your post xx

Op it's very kind of you to be thoughtful and trying to get something relatable to your friend. I'm a Muslim and I love receiving flowers. My mother who's a very very devout person ADORES getting a nice bouquet. It just makes her very happy. We love to gift and receive the same thing as everybody else. Would it be flowers, chocolates, tins of biscuits or sweets, make up, skincare, scarves ...etc
Just make sure it's free from alcohol or animal fat.
Gifts don't have to be from the same culture. I love getting presents from other cultures as well. My Hindu colleague gave me an amber necklace from India and I love wearing it. I also have a copper Easter bunny from a Christian neighbour and it's sitting proudly next to my TV.

You're clearly a very kind person and there is no harm in asking.

You sound like a very kind and thoughtful person. What sort of things do you like to receive? Perhaps share with her something that brings you joy.

Thank you all for the nice comments, I apologise if I came across as insensitive. I've ordered flowers to be delivered Monday. I overthought it, I will admit thank you lovely people x

Flowers are fine. She’ll be happy with them. It’s always the thought which counts, remember!

(Im Muslim)

The flowers sound lovely OP, and you sound a nice friend

Can’t see what’s wrong with flowers .

That’s really thoughtful of you! Flowers are always a lovely gesture, but if you want something different, maybe a scented candle, a mindfulness book, or a small gift set. Some people also like keepsake books or something useful for Umrah or Hajj. Whatever you choose, it’s the thought that counts!