Re-opening the Muslim Tearoom?

[perfectlybroken]

Salaam/peace, I haven't seen a tea room thread for ages. Would anyone be interested in resurrecting it? Perhaps we could redecorate, and have a new range of yummy cakes!
The previous tearooms were places where all were welcome, and we could chat about parenting/marriage/Islam stuff. Visits from those we questions about Islam were also welcome.

“For the person who resorts to random killing in order to promote the honour of God, it is clear that God is not to be trusted. God is too weak to look after his own honour and we are the strong ones who must step in to help him. Such is the underlying blasphemy at work.”

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/22/terrorists-extremism-religious-terrorists-god

really great article here. i hate how people portray these psychos as the 100 per centers. they blaspheme and bastardise the religion in a hundred ways.

Salam, what's everyone doing today?
I've been pottering around, tidying up a bit, eating chocolate and watching movies.
The kids are so bored, I might go for a walk later, a few shops are open near mine.
Mumsnet is very distracting, I keep coming back to read updates halfway through trying to do something.
I might go Oxford st tomorrow and brave the sales I live quite near and have never been to the boxing day sales before.

Salaam all, and Happy New Year. Once again, sadly, I want to acknowledge the people affected by the attack in Turkey on New Years Eve. May Allah grant us peace.
Hope everyone had a nice school hols, and celebrations if you were celebrating!
labouroflove I'll have a read of that article, and yes, I completely agree how it's awful that these people are seen as somehow uber religious. If you look at the profile of some of the identified terrorists quite the opposite is true.
DH spent his whole childhood studying in madrasas and his adult life is completely taken up with learning and teaching the faith, and he wouldn't hurt a fly.

Afternoon to the Tea Room. Anyone around?
I'm wishing to talk about interfaith relationships IF anyone is up for a cuppa, some cake and a talk please?

Salams everyone

Hope you are all doing well. Happy new year.

Its started a bit rocky for me to be honest. Make dua for me please Im going through a tough time. But you know its waking me up abit to be more proactive in my ibadah and actively working to get what I want from life.

Pan im up for a chat if you are. I need a bit of distraction.

Afternoon needa! Thank you.

I've commenced a thread in Relationships, as I am in unknown waters and know no-one who can assist.
here

I don;t know what the views of the Tea Room may be so if there is an issue I will respectfully withdraw.

I am Catholic, male - she is Muslim, female. There will be no children.

Hi pannnn, I had a quick read of your other thread. Dh and I are same religion bit different cultures. Both families very accepting which has helped. I know that many Muslim families would bot be happy for a women to marry a man of a different faith, but it really depends on the individuals involved. I get the impression you may both be a bit older, and this may help.
Families aside dh and I find that no matter how much we talk, we both have a lot of implicit expectations that we don't notice until they are challenged! But we have managed to navigate this and there are many plus points.
I wish you all the best, and come to the tearoom any time!

Thank you for this. Yes we are a little bit older. I am hoping 'resistance' won't be too strong.
Yes we talk a very lot, and usually in tea rooms! So I'll be comfortable to visit. Thank you.

Salaam, is any around tonight? :)

Salam, I'm new to mumsnet : )

Hi all,
to say things are moving very quickly for us re relationship and I have commenced looking at converting. There is a v long way to go and it wouldn't be a panacea BUT I have walked into this with eyes wide open and loving her is something I won't be stopping doing.

If it isn't too much trouble does anyone have experience of someone converting? I have a grasp of the process but not the actual practice, and neither does she.
thanks

Hi Pannnn, I read some of your other thread. It's extremely easy to convert to Islam, however, one must be sincere. You must convert with the intention of living your life as a practising Muslim.

yes, thanks muhajaba - neither I nor her would have it any other way.

Thats great pannnn, so all you need to do is say the shahada, v easy, she can teach you, then you're done, you're Muslim. You might want to do it in a mosque with an Imam to make it more official but really it doesn't make much difference although the Imam can give you a certificate which you need for a hajj visa. You might be given or asked to chose a new Muslim name, this isn't necessary unless yours has a bad meaning. A lot of born Muslims, especially Arabs seem to like converts to change their names though. Converting to Islam is a big deal, most converts apparently end up leaving the religion which I can well believe. It should only be done for yourself and for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, not to please others. The first and most important thing to learn and practise as a Muslim is your 5 daily prayers, ask your DP to teach you just the obligatory parts first to make it easier for you

I have to have a talk with my two sisters who are Roman Catholic like me, and my dd who would be extremely curious, and a convo with the local parish priest in order to 'straighten my account' with the Church. And a friend who is a suspicious agnostic, but has met herself and understands the love.

Then...talk seriously with herself about lots of things.

I would probs be keen to change name so that there is no confusion about life style and habits and I don't have to keep explaining myself.

I do get the impression you want to do this for your relationship? You speak about your friend understanding your love for your partner but the only legitimate reason to convert is out of love for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Sorry if I have got the wrong impression, I don't want to offend you. I used to run a group for new Muslims so if there's anything you want to ask me please feel free.

Well it's true that if she hadn't come into my life I wouldn't be contemplating this. As I'd said I have commenced looking at converting, just tentative steps. This would not be a 'conversion of convenience' - neither of us would find that accepable.

Hello Pannn, dont know whether you are still around. Just wondering how you are and whether you have the support network post conversion?

Yes Bonsai - I check in from time to time.
Things haven't really moved in the past days, thank you. We are so mightily respectful of each other we do not wish to tie each other in knots or make expectations we can't ultimately achieve. She is meeting all and the rest of 'my people' in the coming weeks and those who have met her so far adore her. and yet her family don't even know I exist, which is a massive tension for her. Conversion is 'on the table' and we are being realistic about likely reactions.
We both know "this is IT" for us and we need to manage things as best we can. It's just really tricky.

I do appreciate people's advice/comments, so thank you v much.

Pannnn If I can give you one piece of advice in regards to converting it would be to take your time I'm glad everything is going well

Hello Pannnn,

I guess the challenge will be moreso her side of the family and I am guessing the conversion will lessen the blow, so to speak. I would also reiterate what muhajaba says. explore what converting means to you, what Islam means to you. I must admit, I am intrigued as to whether you believe in Allah and His prophet Muhammad pbuh already at this stage, or whether that is an aspect that you are exploring? You dont have to answer if you wish not to - I only ask because I am fascinated by the ways in which people come to Islam.

Afternoon all,

Still here and still thinking and talking about conversion. I say talking, but I've had very little opportunity outside of my loved one, and she is uneasy about 'telling me what to do' as she says regularly it's got to come from me and not be 'directed' by her.
So..she has the numbers of a couple of imams and scholars and I will be meeting up with them as soon as is possible.
Bonsai, in answer to your question I am seeing the Catholic/Christian God as the same God Allah. That's pretty straight forward. I am also happy to believe Jesus as a prophet pointing the way forward at the time and Muhammed providing the word of God. I've kicked against the notion of Original Sin and the death of Jesus as a means of forgiving all our sins. I mean at the time of birth you are supposed to be grateful for forgiveness for things you have no action in or knowledge of and so start off life as a guilt trip. Thankfully Islam is free of such things.

It isn't such a great leap from RC to Islam, when you look at things carefully. I've never understood the need for a Trinity and an army of bureaucracy to 'support' the Church. I am MUCH more happy with the notion of speaking directly to God instead of a 1,000 intermediaries.

AND...I have no doubt that Islam is one of the reasons why my loved one is the person she is and for that I remain deeply thankful to God at all times.

Pannnn It sounds like you are on the path to Islam
Many people find it to be much more logical than Christianity.
Do you have a good translation of the Quran? I highly recommend the ones from quranproject.org They have other reading material too, including a fantastic little booklet about salah called 'Love of Allah - Experience the Beauty of Salah'.

Good morning muhajaba
Yes it feels like I am on a path and fairly well down it!
I am getting a copy of Marmaduke Pickthall' s translation in the next day or so though I will also visit the quranprofect too thank you.
There is a lot to understand though I do know that I am approaching God with an open heart and we are going to spend a lot of time talking about things.

In the last week's I have read so much it could send a person bonkers and not all of it is consistent but I'd expect that.
A problem is that I love sorry of semi rural and there is no islamic facilties as it were for miles. But I am sure I will adapt!
Many thanks for your interest and words.

??? That should say that I live sort of semi rural!