Mosque of the week: Märcani Mosque

Maybe some of you might know the city of Kazan because of the football club FC Rubin winning the national league in 2008 and 2009. But did you know that one of the oldest mosques in the region is situated in that city? The Märcani Mosque was constructed in 1766 by Catherine the Great’s authority and financed by donations from the local people. It was built in traditions of the Tatar medieval architecture and currently named after named after Tatar scholar Şihabetdin Märcani who worked there as imam in 1850. The two-storied mosque with two halls even escaped closure during the Soviet period. The city of Kazan is capital of the Republic of Tatarstan which is a federal subject of the Russian Federation and a Muslim-majority area.

Some cool drink for a hot day

It sure is hot. Humid, too. I’ve found the perfect way to cool off without ever having to get out of the house by making my own fruit coolers. You can really do this with any fruits, but this is what I had on hand. Cool off, enjoy the sunshine and relax. This recipe serves 2, so share it with someone special to you. Read recipe on My Halal Kitchen…

Mosque of the week: Eyüp Sultan Mosque

This week we present the first mosque of the week on the European continent. Constructed in 1458 The Eyüp Sultan Mosque situated near the Golden Horn in Istanbul was the first mosque built by Mehmet the Conqueror following the siege of Constantinople. It is said that the mosque was built over the tomb of Halid bin Zeyd Ebu Eyyûb. the standard bearer for the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). The area is often crowded due to a small bazaar nearby and people relaxing next to the fountain. In addition many pilgrims visit the tomb and various personal belongings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Due to an earthquake in 1766 the mosque was party demolished. Sultan Selim II later rebuilt the mosque that was opened to public in 1800.

The Top 5 Western European cities with Islamic history

Ever thought of exploring the Islamic roots of the so called old continent? halaltrip presents the Top 5 cities in Western Europe still shining with the old Islamic legacy that shaped the continent. Maybe you’ll find your next holiday destination as summer is about to come.

5.) Vienna: The Ottoman Empire tried to capture unsuccessfully the Austrian capital in 1529 and later in 1683. Beside the military siege both countries exchanged various cultural aspects of life within the last centuries. Today Vienna is famous for its great coffee shops, the “Wiener Schnitzel” and the “Stephansdom”, where the bells of the church were made out of the left behind guns from the Ottoman. The architecture of the city is partly based on oriental designs like flat roofs or the similar like a mosque built “Karl Church” with its kind of minarets. Moreover you’ll find some wall paintings remembering the sieges. You’ll even find a Yunus-Emre-Fountain located in the Türkenschanzpark that was a gift from the Republic of Turkey to Austria in 1991.

4.) Algarve: Derived from the Arabic word “al gharb” meaning “the west” this southernmost region of mainland Portugal was once the west border of the Moorish empire. Various architecture aspects are mainly affected by that time. Especially the twisting and narrow streets protecting people from the hot sun and many small minarets on houses are one of the most famous Islamic legacy. Also many Arabic words have influenced the Portuguese language.

3.) Sevilla: Once the capitol for the Kings of the Umayyad Caliphate and important centre of Al-Andalus Sevilla is still a beautiful city in the heart of Spain. As a prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site the Moorish aesthetic and urban influences continued and are very present in contemporary Seville. If you do check out this great city, visiting the Cathedral of Sevilla is a must. Once known as The Great Mosque with its beautifully ornamented and world famous minaret called Giralda the church is one of the biggest in the world nowadays.

2.) Cordoba: In 766 Cordoba was elected as capital of the independent Muslim emirate of al-Andalus. At that time nearly half a million people lived in Cordoba not only making it the world’s second largest city but one of the most advanced in the world. The city acted as cultural, financial, economic and political heart of the Muslim empire. Also the construction of The Great Mosque of Cordoba dates back to this time once being the largest library in the world. Today the Christian Mezquita is one of the most famous tourist hot spots in the region. This incredible building is without a question one of the most impressive in Europe.

1.) Granada: Only the massive area of the Alhambra would be worth to visit this great city. Built during the mid 14th century the Alhambra acted as a palace and a fortress complex today it is one of the most viewed hot spots in the world. Travellers are waiting hours standing in line only to purchase some tickets. So please visit the official website before visiting this historic monument.

Corrallini Pasta with French Beans & Cherry Tomatoes

This is such a light pasta, perfect for warm early spring or summer days. Bring home fresh vegetables from the garden or farmer’s market and come hone to enjoy cooking a quick and easy meal. If you can’t find corrallini pasta, which is a tiny, bite-size pasta, you can use ditalini or any small noodle instead. Read recipe on My Halal Kitchen…

Mosque of the week: The Huaisheng Mosque

This week we are going to the Far East looking on one of the oldest mosque in the world. It is thought to be built in the 630s by the Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) uncle Abi Waqqas but other more reliable sources claim it was a little later constructed during the time of the Tang Dynasty. The mosque was firstly rebuilt in 1350 and again in 1695 after being destroyed in a fire. The Huaisheng Mosque is the main mosque in Guangzhou located in southern China. The minaret is 36 feet tall and also served as a beacon for boats as the complete complex covers an area of about 3,000 square meters. For further information check out an article on ArchNet.

Arab low-fare airlines you should have on your mind

Travelling through the Middle East doesn’t have to be that expensive. Within the last couple of years dozens of low-fare airlines started their business in the region. Most of them do offer a wide range of destinations even to Europe. Let’s have a look on three promising companies you may book in future when you are planning to go to the Middle East.

Air Arabia

Based in Sharjah Air Arabia is the largest low-fare airline in the region flying to more than 55 destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa. Founded in 2003 by the Ruler of the Emirate as the first low-fare airline it was profitable within one year and internationally awarded in 2009. Meanwhile Air Arabia established several subsidiaries in Egypt and Morocco. Once on board you may enjoy a wide variety of Halal food, alcohol-free drinks and newspapers starting from one U.S. Dollar to ten U.S. Dollar per item. http://www.airarabia.com/

Flydubai
Established in 2008 flydubai is heavily supported by the Emirates Airline Group and already operating in more than 15 countries including Turkey, Egypt, Kuwait, Syria and Azerbaijan. Currently the fleet consists of seven Boeing 737-800 aircrafts another 54 aircrafts have been already ordered. On board guests may purchase branded snacks, hot food on international flights and soft drinks, while alcoholic drinks are available too. http://flydubai.com/

Jazeera Airways
Starting operations in 2005 Jazeera Airways has grown rapidly and already offers one out of every four take offs at Kuwait International Airport. Owned by government and venture capitalists Jazeera Airway operates with eleven Airbus A320 to 12 countries and 23 destinations. The airline is focusing primarily on the Gulf region but do also operates in Pakistan and Egypt. On board complimentary food and beverage service are offered as alcoholic drinks can’t be purchased. http://www.jazeeraairways.com/

Travel Guide Malaysia: Do’s and Don’ts

Just a couple of weeks ago we’ve published a short list on how to behave in beautiful Thailand. Today let’s have a look on Malaysia, a fast developing country with its multicultural society and awesome beaches. As the country is more and more focusing on Halal Tourism you should definitely check out our Do’s and Don’ts.

• Don’t take coral and shells with you.
• Do smile a lot.
• Wait until someone is offering you to shake hands.
• Place your right hand over the left breast when greeting someone.
• Use your right thumb to point to something.
• Try to avoid pointing the bottom of your feet at anyone.
• Don’t touch the head of an adult.
• Avoid talking about political and social aspects of life.