Muslim Fashion - 3 Modest Ways to Wear Muslim Fashion

Muslim Fashion - 3 Modest Ways to Wear Muslim Fashion

Are you looking for muslim fashion which is trendy yet modest? With fashion do you know where to draw the line? What are the do's and don'ts for muslim clothing? This article will discuss some ways on how to dress modestly.

First of all, always remind yourself of the Islamic dress code. Your clothes should be long, loose fitted and not transparent. Muslim women should also cover their heads with a head scarf (hijab).

Islamic Women

If you prefer to wear traditional muslim clothing then you can chose to wear long abayas (long kaftan like dresses), which originate from the arab countries. There are so many designs to choose from. From the classic black and trendy urban styles to more western styles. You can even get designer ones; or you might like to wear the traditional shalwar kameez (loose tunic and trouser), which originates from India/Pakistan. You are spoilt for choice. So much to choose from!

One thing to remember is to keep the glitter and glitz to a minimum for everyday wear. Go for a casual and simple look for everyday wear, and leave the glitter and glitz for special occasions or evening wear.

If you live in the west and want to wear modest western muslim fashion clothes, there is still a lot to choose from. You could go for long full length dresses or long full length skirts with lose and full sleeved tops or long sleeved blouses. You could also wear shorter length dresses with loose trouser or jeans - This is a trend that has been very popular recently amongst the western fashion world. You could also wear long sleeved, knee length, tunic style tops with loose trouser or jeans. Again you are spoilt with choice. The key is to be creative and mix and match clothing items to give you a modest look.

Traditional and western designs can be brought from many shops; or nowadays there is so much available online. Just spend some time planning your outfits and soon you will be making your own trends in muslim fashion.

Muslim Fashion - 3 Modest Ways to Wear Muslim Fashion

Education and Islam

Islam is the religion of peace, and it is one of the most sacred and trustworthy religions, which has given us guidance in every aspect of life. Islam has given us education with knowledge which has no limits. The Holy Quran is the most sacred book of Allah revealed on Prophet Muhammad (SAW), for the upliftment guidance and enriched messages to the humanity.

Education is the knowledge of putting one's potentials to maximum use. Without education, no one can find the proper right path in this world.

Man Islam

This importance of education is basically for two reasons. Education makes man a right thinker. Without education, no one can think properly in an appropriate context you. It tells man how to think and how to make decision. The second reason for the importance of education is that only through the attainment of education, man is enabled to receive information from the external world. It is well said that

Education and Islam

"Without education, man is as though in a closed room and with education he finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards outside world."

Man Islam

This is why Islam attaches such great importance to knowledge and education. When the Quran began to be revealed, the first word of its first verse was 'Iqra' that is, read..

The reflective book of Holy Quran is so rich in content and meaning that if the history of human thought continues forever, this book is not likely to be read to its end. Every day it conveys a new message to the The humanity. Each morning gives us new ideas and thought ourselves bound to the boundaries of ethics.

Islamic education is one of the best educational systems, making it an ethical person cared for with all the qualities that he / she should have a human being. The western world has created the wrong image of Islam in the world. Do not you know that our tuition directly to us by Allah, the Creator of this world, is given by our Prophet.

Muslims around theworld are thirsty of acquiring quality education. They know their boundaries and never try to cross it. It is the West, which has created a hype that the Muslim are not in a path of getting proper education. They think that our education teaches us fighting, about weapons, etc., which is so false. This is true that there are certain elements, which force an individual to be on the wrong path, because as we will mould a child, they will be like that, but it doesn't mean that our religion teaches improperly to us.

Our Holy Prophet (SAW), said,

Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.

And:

Seek knowledge even [if it is to be found in a place as distant as China. At the battle of Badr, in which our beloved Holy Prophet (SAW) gained victory over his foes, seventy people of the enemy rank were taken to prison. These prisoners were literate people. In order to benefit from their education the Prophet declared that if one prisoner teaches ten Muslim children how to read and write, this will serve as his ransom and he will be set free. This was the first school in the history of Islam established by the Prophet himself with all its teachers being non-Muslims. The Sunnah of the Prophet shows that education is to be received whatever the risk involved.

Today, the Muslims are acquiring good ideas, thoughts, knowledge, and skills, from all corners of the world. The world is moving very fast, and in this industrialize world, It is the duty of the teachers to give quality ethical integrated education to the Muslim students worldwide, because children are invaluable assets of future generations.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) encouraged all Muslims to acquire knowledge and share it. He said:

"Acquire knowledge, for he who acquires it in the way of Allah performs an act of piety; he who speaks of it, praises the Lord; he who seeks it, adores Allah; he who dispenses instruction in it, bestows alms; and he who imparts it to others, performs an act of devotion to Allah." (Bukhari, Muslim)

All the teachers of either secular or religious education should give more attention to the pupils inside the classroom. It is necessary that in the Islamic system that we should consider these dear children as our own children, and put aside all other considerations, and rise above all such things and realize our duty and our mission. We should raise the standards of education and attend to the needs of these children. We should realize our duties with earnestness and awaken to the sense of responsibility. It has been seen that there are certain teacher who are not fulfilling their duties with keen interest. I would like to request all the teachers that for the sake of God, for the sake of your revolutionary duty, teach the children with devotion and dedication.

It is important that we advance our work through discussions, debates, studies, and through proper distribution of work among ourselves.

We must never forget that we are living in an Islamic State, and our aim should be simultaneously to create both an independent as well as an Islamic culture in character. Independence and richness of content are indeed among the characteristics of the Islamic culture. Our system is an ideological system.

We should make our child enthusiastic, dynamic, and this search should pervade every corner of our society. We should aspire them to be truthful and sincere.

Self-sacrifice and generosity, love of freedom, the resolve for resistance and headstrong perseverance, the courage to welcome martyrdom-all these are the new values of the new generation, which should be taught according to the teaching of Islam.

The doors of the school should always be kept open for the sake of Islam, for the sake of the Muslim Ummah.

Education and Islam

Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir in Books - Analysis

For decades, Iran has the center of controversy. This week the titles of Iran could invoke the image in my head bursting of a boiler with tank vapor oppressed religious rage through the seams.

Here are some examples of titles:

Islam And Marriage

Clashes break out as Iran celebrates anniversary of the embassy siege

Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir in Books - Analysis

Thousands rally in Tehran

Islam And Marriage

In Iran, anti-government protests rival anti-American rally

"Death to America Day ': How Iran-trained youngProtest

Iran, the police "to deal with strong" rally on November 4

Iran warns of protest against the suppression of any opposition

The tank could explode at any moment, gives way to the pressure of pent-up hatred, threatening any opposition to his furious way.

I recently read the memoir, Reading Lolita in Tehran for myself the importance of these titles has opened. The author, Azar Nafisi paints a painfully beautiful portrait of his life as a professor of English literaturestruggling to teach a subject which is in contrast to the oppressive rule of the theocratic government in power. Its doctrines of literary works of James and Fitzgerald and Nabokov easily challenge the Islamic Republic and its fundamentalist beliefs with evidence of independent thinking and individualism, a strong contrast with the image of the ideal Muslim, an ideal that describe the mystery of Nafisi and her students as "irrelevant." Read his memoir has piqued my interest to learn morewhat lies behind the headlines.

If you peer into the past you will see that these headlines are just a continual reincarnation from decades past. Since as early as the sixties the controversy has been boiling in two pots; Moujahedin's modernism and the totalitarian, anti-American ideologies of Khomeini. The intrinsic difference behind the two ideologies is democracy and human rights.

Up until 1979 Iran was a monarchy; that is until that monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was overthrown and Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was given status of Supreme Leader. Since that time these headlines have dominated many newspapers throughout the world. The reason is because of the totalitarian principle of velayat-e-faqih, the basis upon which Khomeiniism stands. Velayat-e-faqih is the principle of absolute theocratic rule. Khomeini believed only in the religious rule of the clergy or Islamic government.

Khomeini earned the support of many Shi'ite Muslims by earning the title of Ayatollah. The title itself, Ayatollah means "God's exemplar on earth", and Shi'ite Muslim fundamentalists believe this literally. This religious fervor and emphatic support made it easy for Khomeini to create an atmosphere that forced his opposition to acquiesce.

Khomeini preached the strict adherence to the Islamic government or "God's government". His word was absolute, and disobedience was considered a "revolt against God". In a talk at the Fayzieah School in Qom, August 30, 1979, Khomeini warned opponents: "Those who are trying to bring corruption and destruction to our country in the name of democracy will be oppressed. They are worse than Bani Ghorizeh Jews, and they must be hanged. We will oppress them by God's order and God's call to prayer." This threat of oppression wasn't just aimed at Bani Ghorizeh Jews, but targeted Iranians as well. An example is Azar Nafisi's expulsion from the University of Tehran after years of teaching because of her refusal to wear the veil. No longer were women in Iran allowed a choice; the religion became law. (Wikipedia, 2009)

Reading Azar Nafisi's memoir changed my perception of Iran. How Azar Nafisi remained passionate about literature before her expulsion was my first step to understanding the unrest in Iran. Imprinted on my mind is the tornado atmosphere that Nafisi managed to dodge for so long. She seemed to weather the storm up to this point by standing in the calm-eye of the storm, a calm which she created by immersing herself and her students in the fantasy world of Lolita, the honest world of The Great Gatsby and the passionate world of Daisy Miller. All the while, fundamentalist banners were being hung all over the walls of the university, protests were resonating from outside the classroom windows and the worst image, a student who set fire to himself running through the halls. Our most humble respect must go to Azar Nafisi for persisting to teach Western literature in such a convulsive climate where the leadership considered those teachings to be "of the devil". Nafisi held on longer than any other self-respecting free person could expect.

Even more etched in my mind is the reason why immersing herself in Western literature would surround her in calmness amidst the turbulence of a revolutionary Iran, and strike such a universal chord with her readers and her students. To illustrate this point we must go into Nafisi's class where The Great Gatsby becomes controversial enough to be put on a mock trial. Representing the book itself Nafisi defends Gatsby against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its trouble with the novels morality. Nafisi's response:

"You don't read Gatsby...to learn whether adultery is good or bad but to learn about how complicated issues such as adultery and fidelity and marriage are. A great novel heightens your senses and sensitivity to the complexities of life and of individuals, and prevents you from the self-righteousness that sees morality in fixed formulas about good and evil." (Nafisi, 2004)

The message I take home from that is the attribute of empathy. All of the books Nafisi studies with her students have one thing in common. The characters are all flawed. There is no clear hero or a clear villain. Their portraits are in watercolor, blurring the hero and the villain. You have empathy for both. Zarrin, Nafisi's student, after very ably defending Gatsby in the mock trial said to Nafisi: "This is an amazing book. It teaches you to value your dreams but to be wary of them also, to look for integrity in unusual places." Zarrin has no sense to act immorally after reading the book. Instead she sees through the characters eyes and learns from their flaws. And reading these books under the context of a revolutionary Iran seems to awaken Nafisi's students to the fact that morality cannot be forced upon people. These books do not have some mystical power to entrance someone into acting out evil as the revolutionaries claim. I am convinced that the reason why these books strike such a chord with the reader is because of the characters freedom to choose. Ideals and religious laws are not things that can be forced upon an individual because the truth is they will never be accepted, just as with Humbert or the blind censor. It's ironic actually that these books are considered by the Khomeini supporters to be powerful enough to force the ideals of its characters on the reader. Ironic because that is exactly what the revolutionaries are doing, enforcing "morality" on its subjects with its Revolutionary Guards. It is in true narcissistic form, accusing your enemy of what you are guilty of. But the individual cannot be fooled.

"Neither Humbert nor the blind censor ever possesses his victims, they always elude him, just as objects of fantasy are always simultaneously within reach and inaccessible. No matter how they may be broken, the victims will not be forced into submission." (Nafisi, 2004)

Nafisi's memoir is a call to every man and woman that Iranians want democracy. They want the freedom to choose without the fear of death and oppression from the Khomeini supporters. She wants us to know that despite Khomeini's death in 1989, his ideologies and oppression rage on. In fact his death only shows how much of a hold he had on his supporters. "Iranians poured out into the cities and streets to mourn Khomeini's death in a "completely spontaneous and unorchestrated outpouring of grief." Since then, the Islamic Republic of Iran has tried to stay faithful to his ideology. (Wikipedia, 2009)

There is a majority that does not agree with absolute theocratic rule. Today their anti-government protests play out on the streets of Iran. The most active opposing anti-government group Moujahedin, seek democracy, human rights, liberty and grace and compassion versus violence and vengeance; a stark contrast to the oppressive and absolute theocratic rule in place now. We can read the result of their efforts in the declaration of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. A summary of the declaration can be found in Chapter 15, Modern, Democratic Islam: Antithesis to Fundamentalism of the book Islamic Fundamentalism - The new Global Threat:

"The program of the National Council of Resistance of lran recognizes the "individual and social rights of all citizens as stressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights." It guarantees general freedoms, including freedom of association, thought and speech, the media, parties, unions, councils, faiths and religions, and professions. The NCR program also calls for "the abolishment of military and extraordinary tribunals, the investigation of political offenses in civil courts with juries present," and guarantees the "right of the accused to defense and to the choice of the defense counsel, and the right to appeal" It emphasizes "the banning of torture under any pretext,"' and stresses "the judicial and professional security for all citizens and abolishment of Komitehs and the Guards Corps." (Mohaddessin, 1993)

This National Council of Resistance of Iran has given hope to the many Iranian's, especially women, who suffer the oppression from the absolute rule of the Republic of Iran. But will we ever see the end of this battle? Will Iran emerge from the clutches of Khomeini's terrorist-religious tyranny? The Mojahedin believe so; in fact they believe it is a necessity. Perhaps it may be in your lifetime, or perhaps not. As for now one can only cast a glimpse into the future to see what Iran will become (should the democratic liberating Islam triumph) by reading the words of the Mojahedin's Massoud Rajavi:

"We shall live in peace and coexistence with our neighbors. Democratic Iran will not recognize any place for vengeance, blind hatred, or Khomeini's tribunals or brand of anarchy. We are responsible enough not to be involved in internal and international adventurism. We do not want an antidemocratic theocracy like Khomeini's. Instead of "exporting the revolution," we shall invite our country's experts to return to Iran. In democratic Iran no one will be persecuted for his ideology or religion. Tomorrow's Iran will be free of repression and religious hypocrisy. Women, workers, peasants, religious and ethnic minorities will not be oppressed. Kurds, Turks, Jews, Muslims, Armenians, Christians, Zoroastrians, and non-Muslims will enjoy equal rights. Iran will become a symbol of peace, stability, and friendship in the Middle East." (Rajavi, 1982)

Reading Lolita in Tehran, A Memoir in Books - Analysis

Clothing of Asia

Clothing of Asia

Asia is the largest continent in the world with its 17.3 million square mile area. The continent consists of a number of countries and each country is from the others in terms of culture, habits, traditions and fashion. It is a Herculean task, but impossible to Asia and its culture to bring under a single roof. It 'so big and diverse that all words would be too short for it. Must be smart enough to only one aspect of the purpose, focusBy selecting only a few countries. When we think of Asia, the country names are lurking in our mind, Japan, India and China. So let the traditional clothes of these countries to concentrate and find out how these costumes have always crept into modern fashion trend.

India: How the Indians know that I was better, the Indian culture and tradition than any other country. So I would definitely like to talk before our traditional clothing. India is a country with soas many as 29 states and each state has its own way his clothes. But what about the costume is concerned, is identified with "saris". There are clothes for women. A 'Sari' is nothing but a long rectangular piece of cloth about 5-9 meters in length. And 'worn without closure, pins or buttons. The blouse worn under saris tightly as is "choli" is known, and the final length of the saris hanging from the shoulder of the woman is known as 'Pallu'. The style, color, texture varies from a sarianother. It can be printed, embroidered, embedded in stone and Spiegel et al. The material of the sari may be cotton, silk, artificial so many other things. In addition to color and design the most striking feature of the sari and fascinating is not cut or tailored for a particular size and suitable for all women. There are different ways to wear the sari, and their type of coverage and the color and texture to show status, age, profession, region and religion of a woman.

Islamic Women

NextSari, there are many other clothing of Indian women as 'salwar kameez', 'lehanga', Churidar, etc. A 'kameez' in a long tunic "pajamas", which are worn as a trouser worn loose. A tight pants are equipped with "Churidar" to be known. A pleated skirt is called "lehanga." Some traditional clothes for 'kurta' men, 'far', 'dhoti "and" pajamas "." kurta "is like a long top, and 'Far' and 'dhoti' pieces are made of fabric that is wrapped around his waist." Pyjama'is pants worn below the'kurta'. A collarless khadi jacket is also popular among men. But most of the India men, unlike women, wear the conventional western clothes. A majority of women in India wear 'sari' though some urban women love and feel comfortable in western dresses.

Throughout the country there are many religious and regional variations in the costumes, such as Rajasthani women wear embroidered, mirrored and the tie-dye materials while in Arunachal Pradesh women are found draping home-spun long woolen skirts.

Indian dressing style is thus marked by many variations-both religious and regional; and one is likely to witness an abundance of colors, textures and style in garments of India.

Japan: The clothing of Edo period (1601-1867AD) comes into one's mind when asked about Japanese traditional clothing. This consists of the basic pieces like 'kimono', 'obi' and 'hakama'. The Japanese clothing is as simple as it is complex and elegant. The building block of Japanese traditional clothing begins with the "kimono'. During Edo period, this become an outer garment and was made up of all kinds fabrics. Before and during Edo period, fabric was class oriented, silk was reserved by the for the upper class people. All adult 'kimono' are cut into 8 pieces from 1 roll of cloth about 36cm, 14 inches wide and 11m long. The seams are cut straight and always the same width regardless of the wearer's size, so cloth is left over. Any extra length was tucked under or over the 'obi' depending on the gender. 'Kimono' is simple in design and there is no fasteners used to hold the 'kimono', close. 'Kimono' is designed according to age, social status and gender. Just as a married woman would wear a 'kimono' made out of darker fabrics and with shorter sleeves than a young unmarried girl. Under the 'kimono', the lighter 'kimono' is called 'Nagajuban'. An 'Han-eri'(a scarf like collar) is worn between kimono and neck. Some other dresses worn by them are 'Yukatabira'(light and loose fitting robes), 'Happi'( a short coat), 'Kamishino'(two piece costume), "Kataginu' etc. "Hakama' is like pants and has 7 folds that signifies 7 human qualities such as courage, humility, justice,chivalry, honesty, loyalty and prestige. During monsoon they wore jackets made up of straw. 'Cording', 'sashes' and 'obi' are used to close different types of jackets.

All Japanese clothes are wonderfully embroidered and crafted with beautiful fabric works. Clothes are highly decorative that includes family crests, animals, bamboo, flowers, branches etc.

China: The 'Pien-fu' is an ancient two piece ceremonial garment of a tunic like top extending to the kneesand a skirt or trousers extending to the ankles. In China, clothing indicated not only class gender difference but also ethnicity. Han Chinese and Manchu were two major ethnic groups in China who wore different cloths. The decorative band, appliquéd borders and richly variegated embellishment and embroidered design is one of the unique features of the traditional Chinese dress. 'He ch'ang-p'ao' is one-piece garment extending from the shoulders all the way to the heels. "Shen-I' is a cross between the 'pien-fu' and the 'ch'ang-p'ao'. It consists of a tunic and a skirt or trousers like the, 'pien-fu' but the tunic and the skirt are sewed together and essentially one piece like the 'ch'ang-pao' .Chinese clothing is not only an external expression but also an internal symbolism. Darker shades of color are preferred to lighter shades. Dresses with lighter color are worn by the people for daily use. Chinese associate few colors with seasons such as red stands for summer, black for winter, white for autumn and green for spring. They can be said to have fully developed a system of matching, coordinating and contrasting colors: and shades of light and dark in apparels.

Chinese clothing has a vitality of its own. It reflects a woman's modesty. Chinese traditional silk clothing almost varies with consistency which was roughly established by the era of the Yellow Emperor and the Emperor Yao and Shan. Remains of woven silk and hemp articles and ancient ceramic figures further demonstrate the sophistication and refinement of clothing in the Shan Dynasty. Orient dresses almost vary with a woman's figure. Mature women, in such attire can display their graceful and refined manner. In the 17thc in North China, a collarless tube shaped dresses were developed; they were the old ancestors of new dresses.

But this traditional Asian Clothing is seen slowly infiltrating into the modern and trendy fashion of the day. Various fashion designers have taken the approach of making dresses that people can wear everyday from the exotic treasures of Asian traditional attire.

'Saris', besides being the traditional attire of India, has become an inseparable part of today's fashion. Women worldwide now are experimenting by draping this elegant designer's creation of India. In many grand parties, women from other countries also, are seen wearing a gorgeous sari. Apparels like lehenga, choli, salwar kameez are already in the trend.

Black Japan printed floral Kimono wrap top, georgette geisha kimono, geisha blossom kimono top, Asia flutter top and so on are some of the other imports to modern fashion from Japan.

Clothing of Asia varies from one country to another. More importantly in a country from one region to other it varies significantly. But if you are closely following the trend across various Asian countries, you will find a certain pattern is followed everywhere. In one type of clothing a piece of cloth is draped which may be sari in India or kimono in Japan. The same trend is followed in Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and other Asian countries. In other trend a loose trouser like attire for lower limbs and a closed-chest coat like things for upper part are followed. Sometimes this top goes upto knee like kameez in India or ends at belly region. People who are near hilly region generally wear colorful and embroidered garments, while people in plain land prefer to remain simple. Asian clothing is wide, vast and has enormous ranges. Like the people of Asia these are colorful, smooth, silky and comfortable. And above all these are as attractive as Asian land.

Clothing of Asia

Love Without Apology - Halle Berry's Relationship With Gabriel Aubrey

Love Without Apology - Halle Berry's Relationship With Gabriel Aubrey

Halle Berry has a baby by Gabriel Aubrey, a white man. Since he released his statement to the media and the black community was a buzz. The media have applauded her pregnancy because she wanted a baby for some time. However, many in the black community have focused on the race of the "Baby Daddy". Many have said that the "White Boy" room has been towed, because the men had hurt many blacks.

While Hall was unlucky in love with men, blacksit need not necessarily follow that it is easy to Gabriel because he is white. As a black woman who has dated outside my race. I would like to offer a different perspective.

Man Islam

One of the greatest lessons in life is to love openly, where they are. A relationship with a white man taught me to know that five years ago I had an absolute rule that I only dated men blacks. I did not have the rule of respect for my heritage. Rather, I had the rule because I do not feel likeIf I have no choice.

If this article could speak my dialect, and make my voice would be difficult to identify my race. All my life I have integrated into environments that were sometimes challenging. In junior high, I was ridiculed by the students black / drama "White." During the prank was concluded from the high school, I never felt like I deserve true enough "street cred". So I was very careful with my decisions.

In my eyes from a white boy wouldcalled my "Blackness" into question again. So, I refused to do it. I also judged the Black guys by the same standard. I thought that those who dated interracially were "less Black". I also interpreted their decision as a rejection of me and all other Black girls.

Right after college, I developed a friendship with a White co-worker. We were attracted to one another and enjoyed each other's company. However, instead of dating him, I made sure that we remained "just friends" because I was still being influenced by the voices of the past.

Admittedly, Halle Berry's story is uniquely her own. I do not know her. However, I do know that she is bi-racial, the product of a union of a Black man and a White woman. Her childhood was tumultuous, in large part because of the chaos that her father's presence (and frequently absence) brought to her life.

Her life has been filled with great opportunity and success, but she has been unlucky in love. She dated a famous Black actor (rumored to have the initials W.S.) who beat her and caused her to lose her hearing in one ear. She married David Justice, an athlete whom she met through publicists. He cheated on her with prostitutes. She married Eric Benet, a struggling singer who was a sex addict. Because of her rather public relationship failings, many in the Black community have concluded that she is with Gabriel because she ran out of patience with "the brothers". I think that view is overly simplistic.

I imagine that like me, Halle felt pressured to prove that she was "Black enough". Being bi-racial, her need to prove her "Blackness" would have been even greater. Since she has a White mother, she may have feared that having a White boyfriend might have been perceived as the ultimate denial of her Black side.

Based on her interviews, it appears that she has now opened herself up to true love.

A few years ago, a White man challenged me. He expressed an interest in dating me. I responded by feigning ignorance about his attraction to me and trying to fix him up with a nice White girl. Still, he persisted. Finally I told him, "I'm sorry, but I don't date White men". He responded rather sheepishly, "I'm sorry, but I can't do anything about my color." His response made my rejection of his advances seem so silly and racist. I was attracted to him. I was also interested in getting to know him better. However, I was refusing to date him because I was still haunted by the voices. At that moment, I decided to silence the voices once and for all.

Because I am completely incapable of doing anything halfway, I went from not dating white men to passionately kissing one while standing in a restaurant parking lot in a matter of twenty-four hours. We remained involved for the better part of two years.

That relationship changed my life--not because he was White, but because it was the first time in my life that I allowed myself to be completely authentic. I was involved with him because I admired him, respected him, and was attracted to him. We were able to connect on a very primal and spiritual level. It was real. Before then, I had been involved in many relationships simply because I thought they were "appropriate".

This is not an article advocating interracial relationships. Everyone has to live their own journey. However, this is an article advocating love and authenticity.

My interracial relationship taught me to be open to love wherever I might find it. That was a very powerful and necessary lesson for me to learn. It has enriched the quality of all of my subsequent relationships, all which have been with Black men.

I hope that Halle Berry has finally found someone with whom to share her life, someone who appreciates her and cherishes her. I pray that she is with Gabriel, because she allowed herself to be open to love, and that she found it with him. That is really the only thing that matters.

Love Without Apology - Halle Berry's Relationship With Gabriel Aubrey

What is the Difference Between Indian and Pakistani Wedding Dresses?

Here is a good question. What is the difference between traditional Pakistani wedding dresses and traditional Indian wedding dresses for a bride? Well both are impressive. The traditional wedding dresses worn by both countries are rich in red colour. It denotes love and happiness for the couple. The bride appears so elegant and beautiful and the colorful appearance just leaves one speechless.

Many of the features of the dress is minutely observed while making. These are made by professional designers. The material is mostly chiffon, silk and some brides also prefer cotton zari, georgette, or crape material. They have a lot of embroidery work done on them. This may be mirror, bead and cutwork. As for the designs there are many to choose from. The cost is very high depending on the material and design. Some times it is a hard decision to be made. It is not strange that family and friends often get involved in this decision and help the bride to chose an appropriate dress. Those with money to throw around spend a huge amount on a bridal dress. But one can buy a graceful dress at a very reasonable price. After all bride is considered to be the main attraction of her wedding.

Muslim For Marriage

A traditional wedding dress is a must for the bride of Indian or Pakistani wedding. These are mostly saris, gaghra choli, and salwar kameez. Brides are expected to have their faces hidden in the veil. Some muslim brides prefer to wear a burkah. Sometimes it can take not days but months to order, design and finish the dress. Indian and Pakistani wedding dresses are very different from other cultures.

What is the Difference Between Indian and Pakistani Wedding Dresses?

The bride is supposed to wear gold, diamond and other jewellery. She wears a lot of make up too. Also it is desired for the bride to decorate her hand and feet with mehndi or henna. These are mostly floral patterns created by professional artists. If you ever attend these weddings you will realise that it was a memorable event indeed.

Muslim For Marriage

There is no difference between Indian and Pakistani wedding dresses.

What is the Difference Between Indian and Pakistani Wedding Dresses?

Free Christian Dating Sites: A Gateway To Find Your Companion

A large number of Free Christian dating sites have come up over the last few years. The reason behind the growing number of free Christian dating sites is the preference of Christian youngsters for a companion who believes in the same values as them. In absence of these websites, Christians find it very difficult to find other deserving Christian singles. They only have access to a select group of Christians whom they already know.

Significance Of Christian Sites

Marriage In Islam

Free Christian dating sites are a perfect platform for young boys and girls to get familiar with each other and plan a meeting in near future if their likes and dislikes are similar. The free Christian dating sites are exceptional, as they give enough possibility for the members to take pleasure in dating. Most of the people opting for free Christian dating sites want to stick to their religious values. They want their partner to respect their feelings and hold similar beliefs and follow a certain code of conduct during the courtship period.

Free Christian Dating Sites: A Gateway To Find Your Companion

Process To Find A Date

Marriage In Islam

Free Christian dating sites do not charge for access. Their earnings come from the advertisements posted on the site. The interested people sign-up to become members and are required to provide some basic information about them. They can also post a picture of theirs. Their information is accessible to other members and likewise, they can access the information provided by other people. If they feel interested in each other they can initiate conversation through e-mails or phone calls and ultimately decide to meet.

Special Features

Free Christian dating sites offer free counsel for Christians to date within the realms of Christianity. These websites also contain anecdotes from experienced people regarding their dating experience on subjects like marriage or staying single. You can also find analysis of books on the subject. Some of the free Christian dating sites also provide space for chatting, web-blogs, instant messaging etc., so that people can get to know each other very well.

However, some people mistake these sites for live chat sites and visit these for the sole purpose of chatting. One should understand that the chat feature is provided at these sites to help the members know each other better.

Free Christian dating sites are a great source of getting to know and meet your prospective life-partner. Keeping the basic Christian guidelines in mind will surely result in a memorable and happy experience in which you will take pleasure all your life.

Free Christian Dating Sites: A Gateway To Find Your Companion