British Muslim Magazine - Summer Autumn 2017

BRITISH

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

MUSLIM SUMMER/AUTUMN EDITION 2017 £3.99

Turkey A journey to Kusadasi

Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

M A G A Z I N E

Oxford

The City of Dreaming Spires

Honeymoon Getaway Luxury Villas & Spa

Scholar and Sufi Shaykh

ALSO

Relax at Bedruthan Cornwalls New Spa Garden

Top 10

Grooming Products for Men & Women VICTORIA & ABDUL - HALAL DINING CLUB - HONEYMOON GETAWAYS

ISSN 2056-3159

9 772056 315001

Go to work Help mum Go to school

Give the gift of education for

just £100

BRITISH

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

MUSLIM M A G A Z I N E

ww.britishmuslim-magazine.com

British Muslim Magazine is published by Syed PR & Publishing LTD Email: info@britishmuslim-magazine.com

Editors Letter Assalamu Alaykum and welcome to another issue of British Muslim Magazine.

I am excited to share some great news about a new collaboration in this issue.

We are always looking to expand the publication and to find support wherever we can, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank and to welcome on board our main charity sponsor - Penny Appeal.

In this issue we begin with a special feature on the extraordinary true story of Queen Victoria & Abdul; showcase some amazing new men’s grooming products, visit the gorgeous and amazing region of West Turkey, Kusadasi, and the eternal city of Rome as well as some local areas, focusing on museums to visit around Oxfordshire and why you should visit Portsmouth.

We speak to the Co-Founder of Halal Dining Club Saddika Jafar, who takes us on her journey through to success, and find out more about the life of Shaykh Hisham Kabbani.

This issue also takes you to the French theme park, Puy Du Fu which has a reputation like no other in the world.

We catch up with a creative all rounder and &TV’s Hajra Lallljee to find out what keeps her going in the media industry.

Buying the right camera for your holiday is always tricky but we give you an insider’s review on 5 of our highly recommended gadgets to use when exploring new places abroad.

Our luxury Ferrari cruising feature, found on pages 38 – 39, will take you on a ride through Italy’s stunning landscapes.

Our beautifully illustrated pages are devoted to family holidays, halal food, couples’ retreats, luxury products, spas and Muslim history.

We have some amazing fashion designers showcasing their collections in this issue so we hope that you enjoy the gorgeous designs.

Breathe and relax…. we take a quick trip to the Sensory Spa Garden in Bedruthen, Cornwall, to give you ideas on how to relax: With spectacular sea views and a deep luxurious spa pool.

Make sure you follow us on our social network channels, for the weekly news and reviews.

Shumaela Syed - Editor

British Muslim Magazine provides inspiration and advice for Muslims in Britain looking for unforgettable and luxurious travel experiences, the Muslim history and heritage to food, fashion and style.

Editor Syeda Shumaela Syed Senior Features Writer Tahira Khan Writers Lara Skingsley, Angela Youngman, Rabi’ah M, Natasha Syed, Dr Memoona Tariq Design MarcusMacaulay.com Publisher Syed PR & Publishing LTD CEO & Commercial Director Syeda Natasha Syed Managing Director Muk Rajah Event’s Director Abbas Syed Digital Production Manager Dene Conway Digital Marketing Co’ordinator Cherie Ann Conway

SUBSCRIPTIONS Email: subscription@britishmuslimmagazine.com British Muslim Magazine is a quarterly publication published by Syed PR & Publishing LTD in London, United Kingdom SOCIAL NETWORKS Instagram – British_muslim_magazine Twitter – @BRITISHMMAG Facebook – www.facebook.com/ Britishmuslimmagazine

OFFICIAL CHARITY SPONSOR

© Syed PR All rights reserved.

Text and pictures are copyright restricted and must not be reproduced without permission of the publishers. The information found in British Muslim Magazine is published in good faith.

However you are strongly advised to check prices, dates and opening times before making final arrangements. The opinions expressed by contributors to British Muslim Magazine are not necessary those of the publisher.

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

3

BRITISH

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

MUSLIM

CONTENTS

M A G A Z I N E

8

14

22

6 Victoria and Abdul The extraordinary true story

42 Hajra Lalljee A creative all-rounder

8 Turkey A Journey to Kuşadası

44 Puy du Fou French theme park

14 Shaykh Hisham Kabbani His story

48 DINOSAURS Rip roaring special effects

18 Harry Potter?

Secrets behind the films

52 The Bouchra Filali

Ksikesi Collection Stories from Morocco

24 Portsmouth A guide to the attractions

28 Oxford City of Dreaming Spires

34 Rome The eternal city

38 Ferrari Luxury cruising

40 University How to choose

4

6

54 Light Upon Light Event review

58 Halal Dining Club halal curated and verified

62 Culinary News Perfect for the Foodie

64 Weddings The Secret Wedding Experience

Our beautifully illustrated page’s are devoted to family holiday’s, couples retreats, halal dining, history, heritage, cultural art, luxury shopping, spa’s and more…

32

38

52

64

69

72

68 Honeymoon Getaway Luxury Villas & Spa

76

72 Holiday Shopping Travel Cameras

76 Spa Review Spa Garden at Bedruthan

78 TOP 10 GROOMING Product’s for men

80 Top 7 Travel Buy’s

81 Book Review Recommended reads

82 Setting up a

Halal business The global halal industry

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

5

Victoria and Abdul The extraordinary true story of an unexpected friendship in the later years of Queen Victoria’s remarkable rule.

Queen Victoria, also known as the Empress of India, was born in 1819 and had a life quite unlike any Queen before her. She reigned for 63 years, had nine children, one husband and two very dear companions - one of who was a man named Abdul Karim. Based on the book by Shrabani Basu and directed

by Stephen Frears, the new film Victoria & Abdul stars Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, and Eddie Izzard in the story of “History’s most unlikely friendship”.

Abdul Karim left India, his wife and family and travelled to England to work in the service of Queen Victoria in 1887 After suffering a melancholy childhood and an unhappy relationship with her mother, the newly crowned Queen Victoria began to enjoy living her life and soon after was married to Prince Albert, a man who she declared bought her “great happiness”. After many happy years of marriage Albert suddenly became ill and died aged 42, leaving the Queen in deep mourning. Those who knew her said she was never the same after he passed away. She found comfort and friendship in a servant called John Brown, and the two were inseparable until his unexpected and early death. The Queen was without a close companion once again - that is, until the arrival of Abdul.

Abdul Karim left India, his wife and family and travelled to England to work in the service of Queen Victoria in 1887, just after the her Golden Jubilee. The man who entered her service as a waiter became her clerk - and then her best friend. Their relationship became a subject of gossip, with some saying Abdul was exploiting her, and others doubting her ‘maternal affection’. She thought so much of him that she had his portrait painted, and made him the gift of land in India. They spent much of their time together at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, and this is the setting for Victoria and Abdul.

Despite widespread disapproval from Queen Victoria’s family, Abdul was her constant companion until her death in 1901.

6

Much of what we know about the Queen comes from her own written words - although many of her original 122 journals were burnt after her death, edited versions exist alongside the remaining originals, and her letters of correspondence continue to emerge as the years pass. Some of her thoughts are lost forever, like her correspondence to Abdul - which her successor to the throne demanded to be confiscated and destroyed. We know more about the private life of Victoria now than most others knew in her lifetime although she was considered open and honest, she was also discreet. Victoria and Abdul promises to shed more light on the everyday life of the much-loved Queen, and offers a closer look at the man who brought so much joy to the later part of her life.

Victoria and Abdul is released in cinemas on the 15th of September.

By Lara Skingsley

A Journey to Kuşadası in 8

Turkey

Kuşadası is a beach resort town on Turkey’s western Aegean coast

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

9

The House of Virgin Mary We arrived at TAV Istanbul Ataturk Airport and got a connecting flight to Kuşadası with Turkish Airlines, which was a very smooth transition.

The connecting flight from Istanbul to Kuşadası only took 1 hour and 10 minutes; there are over 50 connecting flights to the area, every single day: A great service.

Upon arriving at Kuşadası we were whisked away on our Coach to the hotel, the amazing KoruMar Hotel De Luxe, found in the heart of Kuşadası.

The journey from Kuşadası airport to our hotel was a quick 39 minutes.

KoruMar De Luxe hotel is situated in a beautiful, naturally landscaped environment surrounded by The Aegean Sea. The Hotel offers comfort and 5* quality. Upon arrival, the hotel staff were very friendly; as we checked in we caught a glimpse of the large swimming pool through the very large, tall windows of the foyer. We suddenly felt like we were on holiday.

We were eager to look around the hotel upon arrival, so after check in - we settled into our large double deluxe room, which had its own private balcony, then headed straight back down to check out the hotel. The rooms were all air conditioned with 5* facilities and 24 hour room service. We really couldn’t have asked for more.

The hotel was truly amazing, with its own private, sandy beach, blue flagged sea and peaceful gardens from which to watch the fascinating colours of the sunset.

10

KoruMar De Luxe Hotel has a lot of facilities to offer: fully qualified diving instructors, water sports and tennis, to name a few. There is a children’s playground for families who have children, but what is even more convenient is the inhouse hairdressers and salon. There is even has a mini shop to buy some last minute ear plugs or goggles for swimming in the sea. A great family group and couples hotel.

The hotel has four different dining experiences: Manzara Restaurant, Efes Restaurant and Orient Restaurant, Sedir, an A La Carte restaurant which offers seafood and Italian menus with the beautiful view of the sunset and Kusadasi. We were staying on a full board basis and thoroughly enjoyed our readymade breakfasts, which were served until 10am to diners, there were also drinks served from around 6/7pm. Every single day, the food was freshly prepared by amazing chefs and there was always a huge variety for everyone’s taste buds.

The history and heritage of Kuşadası Kuşadası is a beach resort town on Turkey’s western Aegean coast. A jumping-off point for visiting the classical ruins at nearby Ephesus (or Efes), it is also a major cruise ship destination. Its seafront promenade, marina, and harbour are lined with hotels and restaurants. Just offshore, on Pigeon Island, is a walled Byzantine castle that once guarded the town, which is connected to the mainland via a causeway.

Ephesus Archeological Museum

Kuşadası attractions to visit Feel the history at Ephesus Archaeological Museum Note to self….wear flat and comfortable shoes, as you will be walking for around 20 - 25 minutes. The Ephesus Archaeological Museum is an archaeological museum in Selçuk near İzmir, 95% of which is outdoors.

We went on a private/group tour, which was a great experience. It is a great way to discover the archaeological beauties of Ephesus with a local professional guide. Our group walked along the Terrace Houses, the Odeon, the Fountain of Trajan, the Baths of Scholastika, the Temple of Hadrian, Ancient Toilets, Agora, Hercules Gate, Domitian Square, the Library of Celsius and the Grand Theatre, where our guide whistled very loudly from the middle of the theatre to create an amazing echo. We were told that this theatre had staged concerts by Elton John and was available to hire for live performances and film shoots.

Kaleici Mosque The oldest mosque of Kuşadası, Kaleici, is a fine example of Ottoman architecture. Built in the 17th century by the grand Vizier Okuz Mehmet Pasha, it is still used today for prayers www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

and open to the public. The mosque was renovated in the 1830’s and is covered by a dome with a 12 sided frame and 16 beautiful windows.

Oleatrrium Olive & Olive Oil History Museum The museum was built within sight of an olive oil factory. It is a great historic attraction for families with children and there is the chance to buy some fresh olive oil at the end of the tour.

There is a farm next to the museum and a great restaurant called Degirmen Restaurant, which serves amazing Turkish cuisine: A highly recommended restaurant to try. The food is probably the best Turkish food we had ever eaten.

Castle of Pigeon Island The castle of Güvercinada (Pigeon Island), from which Kuşadası derives its name, is also the symbol of the city and was fortified in order to defend the harbour of Kuşadası.

The House of The Virgin Mary The House of The Virgin Mary is a Catholic and Muslim shrine located in Ephesus and is around seven kilometres from an area called Selçuk.0 Located at the top of the “Bulbul” mountain in Ephesus,

11

Turkey stands a building, not too large in size and situated amongst beautiful greenery – it is said to be The Virgin Mary's house, where she spent her final years. The building is a typical Roman architectural example, entirely made of stone. The original two-storey house, which consisted of an anteroom, a bedroom, a praying room (Christian church area) and a room with a fireplace (Where Muslims can pray).

Today, only the central part of the building and a room on the right of the altar are open to visitors. This, however, is still enough for one to get the sense that the building looks more like a church than a house.

Another interesting place is the “Water of Mary”, a source to be found at the exit of the church area and where a rather salty water, with curative properties, can be drunk by all. You can buy an empty bottle for 1.5 Lira, fill the bottle and take it home.

Kusadasi port is visible from KoruMar De Luxe Hotel and its one of the most important cruise destinations in the Mediterranean. In 2015/16 over 600,000 passengers visited Kusadasi port.

Ladies Beach Ladies Beach, which is known as Kadinlar Denizi in Turkish, is one of the most popular and busiest beaches in Kusadasi: It is a sandy beach around 1km long - it offers sun umbrellas, deck chairs, showers, cafes, restaurants and some great shops in which to browse. Ladies Beach is one of the most preferred beaches in the area and is very crowded on Sundays. It is also only a five minute walk from the town centre. It used to be a ladies only beach but is now open to all.

Take a dip in the cave of Zeus Hidden away by trees and flowers before the entrance to the National Park, you’ll find the secret and mystical cave of Zeus. It is often one of the last stops on a jeep safari, as the sparkling, clear, deep mineral water inside the cave makes it a

12

It is a great way to discover the archaeological beauties of Ephesus with a local professional guide perfect place to swim. It is very, very cold during the summer and is a really welcome relief from the searing heat.

Go on a day trip to Pamukkale Pamukkale is one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Turkey. The big attraction is a vast white cliff side with scallop-shaped basins of water and frozen waterfalls. It looks as if it is made out of snow, or cloud, or balls of cotton, it really is an amazing sight. It is a weird and wonderful experience to walk along the top of the cliff, where centuries of mineral-filled water spilling over the edge has left snowy white cascades. Take a dip in the enchanting thermal spring known as Cleopatra’s pool, with collapsed Roman columns at the bottom and a surrounding of beautiful blossoming flowers; it is a very relaxing experience.

Visit one of the Kusadasi Markets There are three markets held in Kusadasi *The Tuesday market is the fruit and vegetable market *The Wednesday market is the clothes and textiles market (the most popular market) *The Friday market is held in the same place as the Wednesday market and sells fruit and vegetables.

Useful information

London to Istanbul - 3hr, 50 mins Istanbul to Kusadasi - 1hr, 10 mins

Aqua Fantasy

4 stunning hotels in Kusadasi Turkey KoruMar Hotel De Luxe - Editor’s Choice

Great location for families and middle age couples. Great food, amazing spacious sea view rooms and a fantastic service.

Address: Türkmen Mah. Gazi Beğendi Mevkii Korumar Hotel De Luxe Kuşadası /Aydın, 09400 Kuşadası/ Aydın, Turkey Phone: +90 850 340 0102

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Kusadasi KoruMar Hotel De Luxe

Great location, one of the best hotel's in Kusadasi, amazing rooftop views, amazing food and a very lively atmosphere.

Address: Türkmen Mahallesi, Atatürk Blv. No:122 Karşısı, Yat Limanı, 09400 Kuşadası/Aydın, Turkey Phone: +90 256 633 60 60

Aqua Fantasy – Aqua Park & Club Hotel Resort

DoubleTree by Hilton Amara Sealight Elite

This hotel is a great hotel for families with children. The Club hotel has so much to offer, from an all inclusive Aqua Park to great prices for rooms.

With its own private beach, this venue is a top venue to visit with your family.

Address: Pamucak Oteller Bolgesi, D:26, 35920 Selçuk/İzmir, Turkey Phone: +90 232 850 85 00

Amara Sealight Elite Hotel

Compared to a cruise ship, the inside structure of Amara Sealight hotel looks glourious. This Elite hotel is a luxorius place to stay for business & pleasure trips.

Address: Yavansu Mahallesi, No: 40, Hüseyin Can Cd, 09400 Kuşadası/ Aydın, Turkey Phone: +90 256 611 22 22

Hisham Kabbani Born in Beirut in 1945, Hisham Kabbani is a scholar and Sufi shaykh By Lara Skingsley

. He lives in the USA, having moved to America in 1991, when he began opening Sufi and other religious centres.

He is active locally and internationally, meeting diplomats, politicians, scholars, and communities.

A respected religious leader, Kabbani attends a busy schedule of public events. With over 40 years of spiritual learning, his approach is traditional yet modern. He spent his childhood travelling Europe and the Middle East with Grandshaykh Abdullah ad-Daghestani and Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil. His studies and experiences have shaped his understanding of humanity. In videos like ‘Be Happy’ he expands on Qur’an teachings to deliver deeper

14

thinking and understanding. Kabbani exemplifies as well as explaining what it means to be a modern Muslim. He inspires students to deepen their own spiritual knowledge, and to live better lives. He states, “We are ignorant about spirituality! If we don’t know how many hairs we have, how do we even begin to know about our heart?”

He is predominantly known for his wisdom and his words, which open minds and soothe hearts. Like traditional Islamic principles, Hisham Kabbani promotes love, peace and acceptance. He is widely recognised for his efforts to counter extremism, teaching acceptance and promoting tolerance and hope; “If everyone will forgive each other, war will disappear!”.

A writer in, and contributor to, many books...

With violence linked to extremism generating attention worldwide, his words are increasingly relevant. His work with Mosques to counter extremism has been the subject of international focus. He explains that “Extremism is an unwillingness to accept any viewpoint but one's own...

Ideological extremism can result in an act of violence when an individual pursues his ideas to such an extreme that he thinks only his ideas are correct and must therefore be enforced on everyone else.”

A writer in, and contributor to, many books, his most recent publication ‘Illuminations’ (2007) is a collection of lectures.

Most of the time, Kabbani speaks directly from inspirations of the heart. This unusual collection provides additional detail to

16

his presentations on Shari'ah and Tasawwuf.

Sufi Science of Self Realization, one of his most popular texts, is a 10 step programme towards achieving purification of the soul: This book promises to unveil the six powers which lie dormant within every human heart.

Readers describe his books as easy to understand, and essential for those who want to progress to higher spiritual levels.

Other acclaimed publications include the ‘Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine and Beliefs’, and ‘Classical Islam and the Naqshbandi Sufi Order’.

His Facebook page is a great place to find regular inspiration and guidance, and his videos are available on Sufi Live.

Ever dreamt of being Harry Potter?

Now is your chance to find out about the secrets behind the films.

By Angela Youngman

Deep in the darkness of the Forbidden Forest, surrounding Hogwarts, something stirs and it is not just Ron Weasley who gets nervous. Arachnophobes beware! Thunder and lightning crash through the 12 foot wide trees and massive 18 foot legs appear, as the giant spider, Aragog, accompanied by her spiderlings, lurches into sight. Screams are almost inevitable, as these are very lifelike creations.

18

Venturing into the world of Harry Potter really does take you into a world of magic, where anything can happen, for this is the Warner Brothers’ Harry Potter Studio Tour in Watford. You can feel the anticipation in the air as you wait outside the great ornamental doors: As they creak open, the figures of Dumbledore, Hagrid, Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall can be seen at the end of the Great Hall.

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

19

One of the most eye catching exhibits, which never fails to leave every visitor in awe, is the breathtaking scale model of Hogwarts...

It is hard to know where to look first during the Harry Potter Studio Tour, there is just so much to see in every room. The amount of detail is incredible, even on things which may be considered less significant, such as the display of different costumes on models around the Great Hall, and the stunning lectern in front of Professor Dumbledore.

Subsequently you pass through yet more doors to reach the backlot, where countless detailed sets and props can be found. This is where you can explore at your leisure, taking as much time as you want. Among the many sets on display are the Gryffindor Common Room, Harry & Ron’s bedroom, Professor Snape’s Gloomy classroom, and Dumbledore’s Study. One of the most expensive props to

20

be made for the films was the working telescope, displayed high above Dumbledore’s desk – yet this was rarely seen on screen. Rare books seemingly cover the massive gothic arched walls; in reality these books are something much more prosaic; phonebooks covered in leather!

Other delights include a visit to Platform 9 3/4, complete with the original 78 year old steam engine billowing steam as you step onto the platform. Explore the shops in Diagon Alley complete with the Weasley Joke Shop and Ollivanders Wands. Take a look at Number 4 Privet Drive, or the triple decker Purple Knight Bus. New this year is the Forbidden Forest, complete with a full size Hippogriff and the opportunity of walking under the giant tree roots.

Everywhere you go there are massive amounts of props to be seen, piled up in cases or in use on the sets. There is goblin and house elf armour, swords, wands, boxes, trunks, time turners and potions, the heads of 200 mythical creatures and Hagrid’s favourite textbook, the Monster Book of Monsters. Every item is intricately detailed, bearing witness to the skill and determination of J K Rowling and the film crew to make the Harry Potter world as realistic as possible.

Looking at the gorgeous life-size model of Buckbeak, it is hard not to be amazed by the patience of the crew who inserted every single feather individually.

One of the most eye catching exhibits, which never fails to leave every visitor in awe, is the breathtaking scale model www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

of Hogwarts, which was used for all the exterior shots of the magical school. It is positively exquisite, from turrets to ramparts, fields, drawbridge and lake. This is definitely a school for the imagination.

Visitors who want to learn more about the cinema magic that created this stunning world can do so via countless visual and special effects on display. Find out the secrets of green screen and how the invisibility cloak worked. You can watch the self stirring cauldrons, and the knitting needles constantly clicking in Ron’s parent’s home, or get up close to the real entrance to the Chamber of Secrets. Snakes slither along slotted tracks as the intricately carved door opens. Ever dreamed of flying on a broomstick dressed in

21

Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin robes? Then look no further. The broomsticks move, twist and turn as you desperately clutch on for security.

At Christmas time, Hogwarts takes on a snowy appearance, whilst Hallowe’en can result in more bats and spiders than usual. Dramatic, Atmospheric and impressive, the world of Harry Potter Studio Tour appeals on every level; whether you are seeking education, information or simply pure fun and entertainment. This attraction is not just for children – it has universal appeal.

Not surprisingly, the Warner Brother’s Harry Potter Studio Tour has become one of the most popular attractions in London and attracts rave reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor.

This is not a place that you can visit on the spur of the moment; tickets must be pre-booked for specific time slots, set throughout the day. If you are planning to go, especially during the school holidays, you will need to book well in advance. There is always more demand for places than there are spaces. This does have a distinct advantage, it means that the exhibition area is never so crowded that you cannot enjoy it or see everything.

With 2017 being the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first book in the series: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, demand for tickets is even higher than

22

One of the most popular attractions in London and attracts rave reviews on sites such as Tripadvisor

usual. This also reflects the continuing level of interest in this wizarding world. No one visiting this site can fail to be impressed by the sheer detail, the settings and the skill involved in turning these books into films.

Expect to spend several hours at this attraction, it can take five hours or more to explore and enjoy every aspect. It is a full day out experience. Be warned, however, once that you have left the exhibition, you cannot go back in. Other drawbacks are that there is only limited food and drink provided inside the exhibition area, and queues can be long as visitors wait to buy some butterbeer. Take some snacks and cold drinks with you as they will certainly be needed en route.

www.wbstudiotour.co.uk

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

23

The historic waterfront city of Portsmouth offers lots of things to see and do

24

Visit

Portsmouth

By Lara Skingsley

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

25

The historic waterfront city of Portsmouth offers lots of things to see and do, whether you are visiting for the day or enjoying a longer break.

With the Isle of Wight just across the water and the South Downs National Park north of the city, it's easy to make Portsmouth part of your holiday.

Portsmouth is the UK’s only island city, separated from the mainland by a small channel of water. Historically a great naval port which takes up only a small portion of the Island, it is now the most densely populated city in Europe. Walking is easy as the island is flat, and many of the main attractions are within easy walking distance of each other - and there's always something interesting to catch your eye as you wander.

To help you make the most of your time in this bustling city, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit:

The Spinnaker Tower

Enjoy breathtaking views of Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent and the Isle of Wight from the observation deck, 107 meters above the ground - then see if you are brave enough to move your feet across the Glass Sky Walk! Enjoy the tower at your leisure, take a guided tour, or enjoy high tea.

Far below you is Gunwharf Quays, a designer shopping outlet that also has a wide variety of restaurants. www.spinnakertower.co.uk

The Historic Dockyard

Walk the decks of the HMS Victory, the Royal Navy's most famous warship.

Best known for her role in the Battle of Trafalgar, Nelson’s flagship has been brought back to life for you to experience for yourself. Immerse yourself in history and visit the Tudor masterpiece of The Mary Rose, and discover the pride of Queen Victoria - HMS Warrior 1860, Britain’s first iron-hulled, armoured battleship. The Historic Dockyard also offers Harbour Tours and has two museums. The Dockyard will occupy a good part of your day, so if you have less time you can pick and choose tickets for separate attractions. www.historicdockyard.co.uk

26

The Canteen & Hotwalls

The best place to enjoy tea or coffee in Old Portsmouth, this cafe is housed in historic walls, and overlooks the entrance to the harbour. If it is raining outside you can shelter in the beautiful cosy stone hall, and if the sun is shining grab a spot on the deck above the sea blankets are always available so you can enjoy it whatever the season. Adjacent are the Hotwalls Studios, where you can watch local artists at work and pick up beautiful and unique gifts, with a whole host of handmade items on offer, including fine silver jewellery, paintings, soft furnishings and greeting cards. Old wooden doors frame views over the small beach into the sea, and cannons are dotted along the wall. If you climb the stone steps you can walk along the top of the old wall around the Square Tower to see the ancient Garrison Church as well as getting a wider view of the Solent. thecanteen.co.uk hotwallsstudios.co.uk

Portsmouth City Museum

Built in the 1890’s, this beautiful building had many uses before it became the City Museum, and it is a great place to spend a couple of hours. Perfect for couples and families alike, a large part of the museum offers a taste of Portsmouth through the centuries, with a special exhibition dedicated to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his most famous creation, Sherlock Holmes. Experience a gallery of rooms showing household life in different decades, learn more about the great ships that sailed from Portsmouth and see something new in the local art collection. www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk

The Tenth Hole

If you like cake, you will love The Tenth Hole. This tearoom is located on the seafront next to the pitch and putt golf course, and offers the best selection of cakes in town. Classics like Victoria sponge and lemon meringue pie are there, as well as more adventurous options - apple fudge cake and chocolate Crunchie pie are two favourites. They serve a high tea with sandwiches, scones and your selection of cakes, and offer a take-away option if you fancy taking your cake and coffee over to the beach. www.thetenthhole.co.uk

Southsea Castle

Built in 1544 during the reign of Henry VIII, this historic building is edged by a grassy moat on one side and the sea on the other. Open to the public 7 days a week between March and October, you can wander the walls of the castle, look at the exhibits inside, take a short tour and explore the hidden tunnels, or just relax in the Courtyard. The restaurant inside the ancient castle walls offers meals, light bites and drinks. www.southseacastle.co.uk www.thecourtyardsouthseacastle.co.uk

South Parade Pier & Clarence Pier

A walk along the seafront wouldn't be complete without a visit to the pier.

Portsmouth has two piers, and they each offer something slightly different.

South Parade Pier first opened in 1878 and has had an eventful history which includes fires and storm damage. The pier has recently re-opened and it is now possible to walk right to the end of the pier and watch the gulls soaring over the sea - or eating lost chips on the beach.

Clarence pier has a permanent funfair with roller coasters, candy floss and doughnuts – as well as being where you will find seaside rock and souvenirs.

The Rose Garden & Canoe Lake

A short walk from South Parade Pier, the Rose Garden has an overwhelming perfume on sunny days. The walled garden is the perfect place to enjoy a sheltered walk amongst a huge variety of blooms, with climbing roses arching over the paths. Canoe Lake is just next to the Rose Garden and is a great space for families, with play areas and pedal boats.

Southsea & Eastney Beach

Portsmouth is surrounded by the sea, but not all parts of the island have beaches. The best stretch of beach runs east from South Parade pier, with the seafront promenade stretching along the whole southern length of the city.

In summer the eastern end of the beach is full of wildflowers in bloom, and the western end is full of families and swimmers - this part of the beach also has a lifeguard.

28

The City of Dreaming Spires

By Lara Skingsley

Oxford is settled around the Thames and Cherwell rivers and is home to the University of Oxford and its associated museums, galleries and collections.

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

29

Enjoy spectacular views of the City skyline while travelling through the rolling countryside that surrounds Oxford, and take a punt on the river to explore the historic waterways where the hustle and bustle is interspersed by overhanging tree boughs and riverside meadows. With so much to see and do, there really is something for everyone here - this diversity is echoed in the variety of museums and collections open to the public.

The oldest museum in the UK, the classical architecture of the Ashmolean Museum offers a glimpse into the past, with an array of art and archeological artefacts. This is a chance to see original drawings by Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci, and paintings by - amongst many others - Picasso, Constable and Turner. Other exhibits in the diverse collection include the Alfred Jewel, a Viking hoard and English embroideries, alongside other exhibits from around the world.

The beautiful architecture of the nearby Bodleian Library

30

"Unmissable… a fascinating journey through the art of religions from India to Ireland" MARY BEARD

IMAGINING THE DIVINE Art and the Rise of World Religions

BOOK NOW 19 Oct –18 Feb

In partnership with

www.ashmolean.org

houses a huge number of books, with its collection growing at a rate of over five kilometres of shelving every year. The historic rooms are open to visitors as part of guided tours, including medieval Duke Humfrey’s Library - the building of which was completed in 1488 - and the Radcliffe Camera.

Founded in 1621, nestled in the city centre and bordered by the River Cherwell, The University of Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in Great Britain and was originally designed for research and teaching around medicinal plants. The garden and glasshouses now host the world’s most compact yet diverse collection of plants from around the world, from apple trees to waterlilies and wildflower meadows. The Walled Garden and Cafe are great places to relax, and there is a calendar of seasonal events to enjoy including fairs, workshops and art exhibitions. The gardens are open to the public all year round.

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History houses two main collections; The Life Collection offers an www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

The oldest museum in the UK, the classical architecture of the Ashmolean Museum offers a glimpse into the past

31

opportunity to see creatures that are extinct or endangered, such as the famous Dodo. There are beautiful butterflies and moths on show alongside over 1,000 other zoological and entomological specimens.

The Earth Collection offers a host of fossils to be fascinated by, alongside sparkling gemstones, meteorites and mineral collections, with the new Museum cafe situated in the upper gallery overlooking the dinosaurs. Keen fossil hunters might also want to visit Rock Edge Nature Reserve, a small nearby nature park in an area that was once a limestone quarry; those wandering the old track are likely to find fossils of ancient marine creatures The Pitt Rivers Museum, dedicated to Anthropological

32

and Archaeological specimens, is located to the east of the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and can only be accessed through that building. On display are a large collection of items including objects, photographs, manuscripts, sound and film.

Useful links Botanic Garden; www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk Natural history museum; www.oum.ox.ac.uk Pitt Rivers; www.prm.ox.ac.uk Ashmolean; www.ashmolean.org

The Eternal It is easy to see why Rome has gained this name

By Angela Youngman

Everywhere you go, there are reminders of its incredible heritage and the construction secrets that still amaze.

Just consider the subject of concrete. Modern concrete is struggling to survive the environmental effects of just a few decades. Roman concrete buildings are still as solid as the day that they were built. At the Pantheon, the world’s first concrete dome still stands in perfect condition, over two thousand years since it was built.

Hundreds of acres are taken up by the massive structures to be found on the Palatine Hill, whilst, elsewhere, Roman buildings have been given new functions. Take the Castello San Angelo for example; from the outside it looks like a very solid castle, but exploration of the inside leads to a remarkable spiral ramp which dates back to the time of Emperor Hadrian; the building was originally his tomb.

It is hard not to be awestruck when seeing the Colosseum

34

for the first time. The sheer size and architecture are positively jaw dropping. Although you can enter the Colosseum and explore it on your own, it is worth taking one of the booked tours, such as Rome Experience: Apart from enabling visitors to jump the long queue, the tours enable you to see areas not normally open to the public. The guides are extremely informative, providing lots of fascinating facts, some of which have only been discovered recently; such as the existence of numbers above each gate, making it easier for the Romans to find their allotted seats.

It is only possible to visit the Hypogeum, the underground area, by guided tour. Even today, this is a very atmospheric area, dark and chilly, despite the high summer temperatures outside. The narrow corridors and the constant aura of fear would have made it a gloomy, depressing place. In fact, it would also be a dark, noisy hell on earth for the slaves who

City

worked the machinery which brought the wild animals up from the depths of the Colosseum, the gladiators preparing for their next bout, and those awaiting public execution in the arena.

The technological skills of these ancient Roman engineers were amazing. Whatever the problem, they found answers.

Sailors from the navy were brought in to use their skills in drawing sail-like canopies over the spectators, shielding them from the hot sun.

Not far away are the stunning mosaics and paintings to be seen in Nero’s Golden House, the temples, Colossus, Julius Caesar’s tomb, the Forum, market and houses of the Capitoline Hill.

A short train ride takes you to Ostia Antica, where the remains of the ancient port of Rome can be explored. These stretch for miles, much of them still underground. This is very much an archaeological site, as most of the walls have disappeared over the centuries. Strolling along the long avenues, it is easy to see the layout of what would have been a very busy port. It is the unexpected elements that make you aware of the sheer scale of this site. Climbing a flight

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

It is hard not to be awestruck when seeing the Colosseum for the first time.

35

of steep steps one suddenly emerges, standing on the top row of a large semi-circular amphitheatre. People talking many rows below, on what would have been the stage, can be heard clearly, highlighting its superb acoustics. Not far away, entrance through a quiet gateway reveals incredible mosaics of Neptune and his horses, caught permanently galloping across the floor of the Temple of Neptune.

Coach trips can be booked to take visitors to Tivoli, a site in the mountains some 45 minutes drive away. This is a town well worth a visit, since it contains two World Heritage sites, both connected to Ancient Rome. Hadrian’s Villa is the largest Roman villa in existence. It originally covered over 100 acres, now only 15 acres remain. Built between 117

36

and 138 AD by the Emperor Hadrian, who designed it to reproduce all of the most beautiful places he had seen during his travels. When new, it must have been an incredible sight.

Slaves and workers had to travel through a purpose built, covered tunnel to the entrance. Everything was on a grand scale. Hadrian and his empress even had their own private bathroom – an incredibly rare feature at that time. One of the prettiest parts of the site is the Colonnade, representing the Nile and the Tiber. This was used as a dining room during hot summer evenings. Food was brought by boat across the water, and guests simply had to lean over and choose what they wanted.

Water features prominently in the nearby Villa D’Este,

This is a town well worth a visit, since it contains two World Heritage sites, both connected to Ancient Rome.

built during the sixteenth century. Virtually all of its building materials were sourced from Hadrian’s Villa, which was used as a personal quarry. The builders took all manner of items – mosaics, wall paintings, columns, roofs and stones.

The result is an amazing combination of Renaissance luxury with Ancient Roman artifacts!

No visit to Rome can be complete without a visit to one of the most incredible sites of all – Pompeii. Although situated just south of Naples, it takes only an hour and a half to get to by train: You can also get coach tours which take you from Rome to Pompeii. No imagination is needed to envisage the size of the buildings, or the community that lived there: Walls stand proud and tall, and the decorations www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

inside are as clean and bright as the day that they were made; streets stretch out in every direction, and it is very easy to lose your way amid the confusion of street numbers.

Maps do not match up! Want to cross the road? Then be ready for steep drops onto the roadway, or wait until you reach a Roman crossing point with stepping stones several feet high. The ruts caused by carts delivering their loads to shops and houses are clearly evident. The houses open to the public vary from day to day, some in the morning, others in the afternoon. Saddest of all the reminders of this ancient civilization are tucked away in a distant garden – the agonised, crouching figures of people caught in the eruption and fossilised forever in lava.

37

Luxury Ferrari Cruising Throughout Italy’s stunning landscapes

Would you love to explore some of Italy’s most breath-taking scenic routes in a classic Ferrari? Combine your Italian holiday with a Ferrari tour around the Italian Lakes, Rome, Florence, Tuscany or Umbria.

Discovering Italy’s stunning coastlines, chic hillside villages, winding cobbled streets, rolling hills, and cypresslined driveways, all behind the wheel of a Ferrari, is the ultimate travelling experience. Worldwide Dream Villas

38

& Holidays combine this exclusive offering with some of Italy’s finest hotels and farmhouse villas, plus classic Italian experiences such as visiting monasteries and stunning Italian gardens, as well as enjoying exquisite dining experiences.

Tours range from a simple half-day Ferrari hire to 4 days, touring an area of your choice. Each tour is tailored to suit individual needs, helping to create the ultimate holiday of a lifetime.

The Ferrari tours are expertly organised and have maximum safety procedures in place

The Ferrari tours are expertly organised and have maximum safety procedures in place; guests are connected by radio with a designated professional driver who travels ahead, working out the route and acting as a guide when the speed picks up! Arrangements are made to have regular pit-stops at places of interest, allowing guests the maximum opportunity of enjoying the spectacular sights of the Italian landscapes.

For true Ferrari enthusiasts, the renowned Rome & Mille www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

Miglia Ferrari Tour can be arranged; even a drive in the new Ferrari Spider 488.

Prices start from 2,400 Euros for a 4 hour Roman tour for 2 people in one Ferrari. For more information please visit: www.worldwidedreavillas.com

By Tahira Khan

39

Choosing a University

By Lara Skingsley

If you, or one of your family, are planning to go to University, you will realise that there is a lot to consider. That it is not merely what you choose to study. Choosing your course is probably the simplest decision to make, depending on your interests and career plans. Be sure to check entry requirements for courses which you are interested in.

Individual institutions have specific requirements, and these may differ significantly.

Once you have picked a course, you will then need to start thinking about where are going to live. Is commuting an option? If not, you will need to be look at Halls of Residence or privately rented accommodation. Universities have departments dedicated to housing, which will be able to help you to find a place.

Getting around campus might involve a short walk, but in some cases the campus can be split across a city. Some campuses and accommodation do not offer student parking, though you might have little use for a car. It is useful to find out where your course is based, and to work out how you might get to lectures, shops and elsewhere.

Exercise can help reduce stress and increase concentration, so take a look at facilities on campus and nearby. See what’s on offer, and whether there are classes and activities separated by gender. It is important to be able to exercise comfortably.

With student accommodation offering limited space for socialising, you’ll want somewhere to relax after a day of study.

Find out about University social spaces, and whether there are alcohol-free ones. Are these places open after lectures?

Many Universities offer dedicated prayer rooms; it might be helpful to find out where they are located and about their availability. Find out if the spaces close during exam periods, specific events and holidays.

40

If you already have a family, it’s a great idea to look at childcare facilities at your choice of University. Some institutions offer on-campus nurseries and dedicated accommodation.

Exercise can help reduce stress and increase concentration, so take a look at facilities on campus and nearby

How can you find out about these things before you visit in person? Universities have useful websites offering lots of information, and you can contact them via email. Most are on Facebook and Twitter too. The Student Union is also a good place to start. They can link you to relevant Societies whose members have incredible local knowledge.

With so many courses and locations to choose from, thinking about day to day student life may help your decision. University open days start in October, so consider the above ideas to help you to find a place where you can feel at home.

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

41

Hajra Lalljee A creative all-rounder

Words: Rabi’ah.M

She is best known as the “Place to Eat” TV presenter on &TV Channel but Hajra Lalljee stretches way beyond the norms of a typical presenter; she is an extraordinaire who rejoices and believes in fostering creativity across different platforms.

At first glance, Hajra Lalljee appears to be a chirpy, funny and energetic individual, who is a famous face in the British Asian media industry and has managed to gain success with her ventures in Pakistan. She is a true talent who shares her vigour for presenting, hosting, and acting; and more recently as a fashion designer for her brand: “Denim by HL”. From her humble beginnings as the T.V. presenter for Pakistani TV channel ARY Digital in London, Hajra stands out as a confident, out of the box person who has passion for exploring different aspects of life. Soon after she appeared in prominent advertisements online and offline; followed by an endless string of acting as host for many famous events in the U.K, the U.S, and in Pakistan, as well as in other

Hajra stands out as a confident, out of the box person who has passion for exploring different aspects of life countries; whether it be the annual Pakistan Fashion Week or the spice of Bollywood shows. In her recent quests, she has managed to land herself the role of “Anisa Yazdani” in HUM TV’s drama “Nazre bad”. This was an interesting challenge for her because her role was that of a villainess who transpires to seek revenge through a sorcerer. However, her list of fame does not end here; what has truly made Hajra popular is her famous “Place to Eat” show on &TV channel.

Hajra points out: “It’s been over 10 years now since I began presenting. Place to Eat is a food show where we pick a restaurant every week and the chef of the restaurant recreates three popular dishes from the menu. You not only get to see the different restaurants and cuisines in London, but choose the place to eat.” She manages to keep all her shows fresh by “being herself ”; she explains: “The day I am bored, you will not see me on T.V”. Defining herself as an individual, Hajra says she is a strong and focused individual who is open to learning and believes in improvement. The Denim by HL

42

is a brand new project which has kicked off in a positive manner for Hajra, she comments: “My love and the never dying trend for denim motivated me to take embellished denim to another level. I embellish denim jackets and jeans with pearls, crystals and charms to create statement pieces which can be worn with anything during the daytime or the evening.” As challenging as it is for her to remain exceptional as a designer, to her it is about “contributing” rather than “competing with others”. One can only imagine how she approaches juggling so much originality and creativity, but it seems Hajra is naturally creative, as she has her own secret ingredient to enable her to stand out. Working in the media industry is certainly not an easy task, as Hajra puts it: “You need to keep yourself in shape and look presentable. I love my food but I hate working out.” For her, it is all about broadening her horizons and learning new things, which is possibly what keeps her on the go; challenging the norms in creativity and thinking in an artistic way

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

43

Puy du Fou

A french theme park like no other in the world When you think of French theme parks, Euro Disney and Asterix are the ones that immediately come to mind. Yet there is another which has won countless awards and offers something totally, utterly different. This is a theme park like no other in the world, providing an unforgettable experience.

Just imagine sitting in an arena as countless vultures, falcons, eagles, owls and lots of other birds circle overhead, twisting and twirling; circling in and out amidst an incredibly beautiful aerial ballet: Music soars as the sky seems to be filled with nothing but birds. A flock of geese follow a microlight across the sky, whilst yet more eagles descend in ever increasing circles from a balloon moored high above.

44

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

45

Once inside the theme park itself, the hardest part is choosing which activities to go for...

This is Puy du Fou in France, where nothing is quite what you expect. It is a theme park like no other. There are no rides, no screams and no long queues. Yet, amazingly, it attracts over a million people a year. There are ‘spectacles’ retelling legends or aspects of French history, as seen through the eyes of the people of the Vendee. Each spectacle can seat an audience of several thousand people, but you do not realise that there are so many present; so smooth is the access and departure.

At each one the atmosphere is full of anticipation, as you wonder just what is in store this time. Fireworks, sword fighting, explosives, fire, a Round Table that emerges from a lake as knights watch, magical swords, a 360° degree screen, Andalucian horses cavorting in the water around barefoot flamenco dancers, ghostly dancing dresses moving across a ceiling - and that is just for starters. Puy du Fou appeals to the senses; this has to be one of the most imaginative and captivating theme parks in the world.

Located at Les Espasses, just one hour south of Nantes; Puy Du Fou is sited within the heart of the French Vendee.

You can stay on site within the Cite Nocturne. There are a range of unusual hotels – choose from a medieval citadel, a Roman themed logis, a hotel on stilts, reminiscent of a fifth century Frankish village, or as we did, in the stunningly beautiful Drap D’Or medieval tents. Although atmospheric in style, the tent design hides a very solid building containing period furniture as well as four poster beds, and some more modern comforts.

Once inside the theme park itself, the hardest part is choosing which activities to go for: One day is definitely not enough. Every spectacle lasts for between 20 and 45 minutes – and your attention is kept throughout. There is no chance of anyone being bored, simply because there is so much happening in every single minute of the display. Language is no problem, translation devices are available free of charge at the information centre within the park, ensuring you understand every word spoken during the displays. It is also worth obtaining an Emotion pass, as this provides access to guaranteed seating in the best positions at all the top events.

The range of spectacles is vast: Each one has its own storyline, often appealing to the emotions, telling tales of love and magic. Typical of these spectacles is Les Musketeers, performed on a massive stage with 70 metre curtains. Set in the seventeenth century, it tells the tale of Cyrano de Bergerac, who is searching for his girlfriend, a gypsy girl called Serafina, who has run away to Paris.

There are dramatic battles with Cardinal Richeau’s troops, Andalucian horses galloping across the stage, flamenco dancers dancing in the water while the horses encircle them.

(Water, too, is the theme at Les Grand Eaux, sporting dramatic, coloured water fountains, set to music. A musician appears from the lake playing an organ, there are fireworks and a light display, set against the rippling waters. There are

46

animated characters to watch in the Bourg, entertaining walks amid disappearing fountains/) Watch Roman games in the massive arena; see Vikings attacking a Norman village or Joan of Arc saving people from the attacking English army. Stroll through the darkness of The Lovers of Verdun, based on local letters between a First World War soldier and his girlfriend. It is impossible not to feel the sheer horror of trench warfare, with water dripping, guns firing and the inevitable sad ending. A very different era is evoked in the Renaissance Chateaux where a long avenue of knights slowly dip their lances as you walk past, before you encounter ghostly, dancing dresses, caught up in an eternal dance.

One of the most stunning of all the spectacles is Le

Dernier Panache. It occupies a 360 degree auditorium, and circles around as you watch the story of Francois Charrette de la Contrie amid the horrors of the French Revolution.

During the summer, Puy du Fou is home to an incredible evening spectacle known as Cinescene. Tickets for this event have to be purchased separately from the normal theme park entry. Cinescene changes every year, but always sets out to retell aspects of the Vendee’s history. This is spectacle in a big way – over 3,500 volunteers take part, together with hundreds of animals. There is music, fireworks, light shows, drama, illuminations; all set against the panorama of a lake, chateau and houses. It is positively mind blowing!

What is surprising about the Puy Du Fou, compared to any other theme park, is that it is a completely non-profit www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

making business. All income is immediately reinvested into making Puy Du Fou even better. Every aspect, including the artisan shops, seamlessly fits into the setting; here there are crafts people making jewellery, ice cream vendors, illuminators, and blacksmiths.

One word of warning – be prepared for the weather while all outdoor performances go on regardless. On the evening that we saw Les Orgues de Feu (organs of fire) it started off a little overcast but quickly developed into a deluge, complete with thunder and lightning. These natural forces merely intensified the sheer drama, as forks of lightning sliced down through the fountains, as the organist played on.

www.puydufou.com

47

DINOSAURS 48

Rule this summer, whether it be through rip roaring special effects, theme parks, or by discovering their awe inspiring heritage.

By Angela Youngman

Remember the TV series ‘Walking with Dinosaurs’? The team behind that incredible programme has now launched a totally immersive event in which visitors join time-travelling scientists at a scientific research station, TimeBase 67, ‘built’ 67 million years ago in the late Cretaceous Period. Accompanied by the scientists, participants travel through herds of dinosaurs, witness baby Triceratops moving inside their shells and come eye to eye with an angry Tyrannosaurus Rex. Careful weaving of live sets, using cutting edge computer generated imagery and animatronics creates a very believable prehistoric world.

Among the adventures awaiting the time travellers is a visit to TimeBase’s pathology lab, packed with features used by the scientists, to study dinosaurs. An array of over two thousand vials and jars contain amazing items such as: dinosaur tissue samples; eyeballs; brains; teeth; and claws. There is even the heart of a huge Alamosaurus in a glass cylinder, allowing visitors to see how much energy it took to drive blood up the five metre long neck of the giraffe-like giant.

Visitors can also handle dinosaur poo to discover the difference between carnivore and herbivore droppings, as well as examine prehistoric parasites and dinosaur skin under the microscope. Virtual reality also provides an opportunity to see life through a dinosaur’s eyes.

Nine different dinosaurs feature in the experience, including the terrifying Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, the gigantic Alamosaurus and the club-tailed Ankylosaurus, plus non-dinosaur prehistoric creatures, such as the whale-sized Prognathodon and the flying Quetzalcoatlus. One of the most haunting participants is a human

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

49

ancestor, the tiny squirrel like creature called Purgatorius, which lived in the trees in the Late Cretaceous period.

This family adventure includes a thrilling drive across the Cretaceous plains, surrounded by herds of dinosaurs, and incredible views of the wildlife through the huge windows of the research station’s lookout.

The entire programme has been designed to incorporate the most up to date knowledge of dinosaurs and their period in history, as well as using the most recent scientific and animation techniques. As Tim Haines of Dinosaurs in the Wild points out, “We wanted to create an immersive experience that takes visitors back in time, using the latest in technology to portray the incredible detailing of the creatures and their surroundings. It will truly change people’s understanding of how dinosaurs looked”.

‘Dinosaurs in the Wild’ begins its UK tour this June at the NEC, Birmingham before moving to Manchester’s Event City at the end of September. Tickets start at £25 and must be pre-booked.

If your imagination is really caught by these amazing creatures, head next to Nottingham, where Wollaton Hall is hosting a once in a life time opportunity to discover the world of Chinese dinosaurs. Between 1 July and 29 October, an incredibly unique exhibition is being held there. ‘Dinosaurs of China’ is a world exclusive. None of these fossils and dinosaur specimens has been seen outside China before – and there are no plans to take this exhibition anywhere else. Amongst the highlights to be seen is the Gigantoraptor, which at four metres high and eight metres long is the longest feathered dinosaur ever found.

50

Stop off at the Jurassic Coast for a very different perspective on dinosaurs and the prehistoric period.

It is accompanied by other dinosaurs such as the flying Microraptor, a relative of the Velociraptor, and has wing feathers on its arms and legs. Not only does this exhibition include the best-preserved dinosaur fossils from anywhere in the world, it also has some soft parts on display, including skin and feathers. Many of the species to be seen here are totally new to science, having only been discovered and named within the past twenty years, some as recently as 2015. A satellite exhibition at Nottingham Lakeside Arts shows how dinosaurs evolved into modern day birds.

All kinds of dinosaurs can be found at theme parks across the UK. Take a walk in the woods at the Dinosaur Adventure Park in Norfolk, where life sized dinosaurs lie in wait amongst the trees – their roaring can be heard long before you reach them. Visit at Halloween for an even more scary experience, when zombies, ghosts and witches roam through the deep darkness of the woods!

Over in Wales, at the National Showcaves in Abercrave, one of the largest dinosaur parks in the world, there are models of over 220 life sized creatures to be found. Paultons Park, Hampshire, has an immersive attraction called ‘Lost Kingdom’, perfect for younger visitors, complete with adventure rides through dinosaur territory. Whilst at Torquay Dinosaur World, an interactive indoor exhibition provides an opportunity to see a full size Sinornithesaurus, and put your head inside a life sized T-Rex skull!

For those wanting a slightly wider family experience, the Coombe Martin Wildlife & Dinosaur Park in Ilfracombe allows interest in dinosaurs as well as other animals to be combined. Lurking amongst the tropical trees are animated www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

dinosaurs, such as the ferocious Spinosaurus, a family of Triceratops and a British dinosaur, the vicious Neovenator.

Powered by compressed air, the dinosaur movements are extremely realistic! Elsewhere on the site a dinosaur nest waits to be discovered, a complete Megalosaur skeleton plus more familiar animals like wallabies, grey wolves, penguins and baboons.

Stop off at the Jurassic Coast for a very different perspective on dinosaurs and the prehistoric period. The rocky cliffs along this spectacular coastline, stretching from East Devon to Dorset, record over 185 million years of history. Not surprisingly, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of considerable importance. Fossils found here by Mary Anning and her brother back in the early nineteenth century led to discovery of the first complete Ichthyosaur.

Such fossils helped to define the concept of dinosaurs and provoked interest in the subject worldwide. Along the Jurassic Coast are countless visitor’s centres and museums containing thousands of fossils that have been found in the area. Typical of these museums is Seaton Jurassic, which enables visitors to discover ancient landscapes, and what mass extinction looks like, after you have been shrunk to the size of a shrimp and travelled through Jurassic seas!

Discovering dinosaurs this summer is definitely not for the faint hearted, and offers incredible, unforgettable experiences.

51

Stories From Morocco Stories from Morocco is an exciting two-day festival that celebrated haute couture Caftan fashion. During London Fashion Week, the catwalk showcased the stunning collections from contemporary designers as they reinterpret and reimagine the traditional Caftan. The BritishMoroccan team - comprising of Jalila Elmastouki, Khalid Dahbi and Jamal Boujrad - wish to bring forward their home country’s rich and diverse heritage to a London audience, aiming for the event to become a significant annual addition to the international fashion, culinary and cultural calendars.

Chef Khalid Dahbi is a renowned chef who not only organised the Stories from Morocco event but even managed to feature his gastronomy skills by producing and presenting outstanding dishes at this event.

52

Bouchra Filali Ksikesi collection range from ÂŁ3000 -ÂŁ4000 per dress www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

53

The Light Upon Light Event review Words: Rabi’ah. M Location: The Excel London Date: 6th August, 2017 Organiser: The Eman Channel

54

Sunday 6th August, 2017 was an exciting day. It was the much awaited annual event of Light Upon Light, which took place at the Excel London. Organised by the Eman Channel, it featured world renowned Muslim speakers, including the likes of Mufti Menk, who is best known for his simplicity and the humourous touch in his lectures. The highlight of the event was when Sheikh Nayef and Sheikh Mansour collaborated with Mufti Menk whilst he interpreted their lecture from Arabic into English. Interestingly, the trio not only delivered their respective lectures in an excellent

A mini bazaar was set up with different stalls, displaying such things as candies, perfume

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

55

manner, but added humour that cheered up the audience. In addition to this, there was the kids show with Farooq and Jawad; followed by an all guest panel discussion.

In terms of the attendees, there was an overwhelming crowd, which demonstrates a positive relish and admiration for such events. Positive vibes were flowing as everyone seemed to enjoy the day out, some alone, others with friends and family. A mini bazaar was set up with different stalls, displaying such things as candies, perfume, Qurbani and plenty more to keep the crowd amused, and featured Islamic vendors. The overall atmosphere was certainly excellent; one could define it as a celebration of brother and sisterhood.

Truly a spiritually refreshing and enlightening occasion which made one question their purpose in life; battling through one’s demons; valuing family; reflecting upon their behaviour; and thinking about the Day of Judgment: These were the principal themes discussed. The event concluded on a positive note, however, it was the first session with Mufti Menk and Sheikh Nayef and Sheikh Mansour,

56

There was an overwhelming crowd, which demonstrates a positive relish and admiration for such events.

which perhaps could be regarded as highly informative, entertaining and attention grabbing. There is no doubt the Light Upon Light event was a tremendous success which will be coming back later this year, sometime in the winter.

In Solidarity with Future Generations Solutions for the Health of our Planet

Girls in Noakhali, Bangladesh

WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF LOCAL CHANGE. That a practical, focused and grassroots approach can provide vital support for people working tirelessly to keep the planet healthy for future generations.

Such as Mama Aleta in Indonesia, who received a grant to sustain her peaceful protest against the mining industry destroying her native Timor island, and succeeded in putting a stop to their destructive activities. Or the Khoj Society in Pakistan who received support to campaign for pesticide-free agricultural practices leading to improved health of their children. Or the 300 indigenous youths in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh, who planted 4,500 trees to counter the impact of climate change.

“The Earth is green and beautiful, and Allah has appointed you his stewards over it.” (Hadith) Global Greengrants funds communities working for a better future. We believe the best solutions to environmental harm and social injustice come from the people whose lives are most impacted. Every day, our global network of people on the frontlines and donors come together to support communities to protect their ways of life and our planet. Because when local people have a say in the health of their food, water, and resources, they are forces for change.

Since 1993, Global Greengrants has supported more than 10,000 grassroots projects in 167 countries finding local solutions to environmental harm and social injustice.

To support a healthy planet for future generations, please visit www.globalgreengrants.org.uk to donate or return the slip below.

Photo: Abu Amin

#

£25 pays for 10 people to plant 100 trees in Bangladesh. £50 educates 50 families on how to keep drinking water safe in India. £100 provides 100 farmers with organic seeds for one year in Pakistan.

I enclose a cheque/CAF/charity voucher for the amount of £ I would like regular e-updates about Global Greengrants Fund I would like information about future events

I would like to increase my donation by 25%.

Name: Address: Postcode: Email:

Please return this form to: Global Greengrants Fund UK Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street London EC2A 4LT 020 7065 0927

info@globalgreengrants.org.uk

www.globalgreengrants.org.uk

I would like Global Greengrants Fund UK to treat this donation and any donation I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years as Gift Aid Donations. I am a UK taxpayer, and I understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference.

UK Charity reg.: 1151527

5 minutes with Siddika from the Halal Dining Club With the largest halal curated and verified database in the UK, this lady is out on a mission.

Where did the idea come from and when was Halal Dining Club established?

We actually just celebrated our 2nd Birthday on the 6th May. I was doing my Masters in Innovation out in Singapore and we were taking in a module on design thinking. The principal was to think about problems that people live with, or adjust to, as there is no other good solution. We went out into the mall to observe people’s behaviour and such, we realised that people were pausing before entering a restaurant, looking at the menu, perhaps speaking to the waiter. It struck us that dietary restrictions were a major factor in deciding whether a restaurant was suitable and we observed people would go

58

from restaurant to restaurant to find something suitable for them. Being a halal diner myself, the light bulb went off and I realised that here in Singapore there appeared to be a lack of transparency about the range of halal options and this can be really frustrating, especially when you are not familiar with the country.

The situation we encountered in Singapore was one where there was an apparent confusion in the same restaurant about whether it was halal. One of the staff may tell you that it was not halal then the manager might tell you that it was halal then you might speak to the chef who said, yes absolutely, it is halal. So people in the same restaurant didn’t know whether it was halal or not. In this day and age this seemed to be ridiculous.

There are other apps out there but I used to get really frustrated with them because they did not keep their databases up to date, so when I was in the U.S using them, I would end up driving for hours, as the distances were not short; You might turn up to a place which was shut down, or worse, it could be a really awful dining experience.

So it was apparent that there was actually a massive dietary need which needed filling?

We noticed that there are lots of bloggers, Facebook groups and directories, so how could we make sure that we built something that was truly different. A lot of business models are based on advertising, if you look at Trip Advisor for example - they make 80% of their revenue from advertising which is fine for them, as they reach mass audiences, as anyone can go on it. We, however, are a niche segment.

We focused on what challenges restaurants have; what they are struggling with, and that was when we realised that

restaurant owners struggle with understanding who their customers are, and finding an efficient way of getting returns on advertising and marketing. The typical restaurant owner will spend lots of money bringing in new customers but do very little to build a relationship with them digitally once they get them through the door.

So we created a platform for diners and restaurant owners, providing them with a digital marketing platform: It is a way for us to help them manage their businesses.

Something that is really important to me and the team is how we can help to alleviate poverty by supporting charities, this way we can help them to focus on food and water related problems. This was also another reason that we established Halal Dining Club.

Tell us about your membership service Even though we started in May, we didn’t do a great deal of marketing. We launched the first version of product in August last year and at the end of January 2017 we launched the website. We have completely overhauled that now.

The new version of the app was launched in May for both iPhones and Androids and our Android app reached the top of the Playstore and was a trending app which was a fantastic achievement for us.

All of our followers are based in the countries that we target, such as Singapore and the UK, predominantly muslim countries.

Users can use the website and apps for free.

Halal points?

We wanted to do our bit to alleviate food poverty so we wondered how we could reward our users for being loyal; we wanted to create a community. On our website we have a charity section where people can see how the halal points scheme works. They are awarded points for registering, writing a review or making an online booking with us. The

60

more they contribute to the community, the more they get back to donate to one of our charity causes.

Team Halal Dining Club, how did you come together?

When we first started I put the money in myself and I had two team members who had studied on the same masters course. So we initially worked on it as our university project.

We won an award for it and ended up pitching the idea to investors.

In 2016, we raised funds on Crowdcube, the equity platform where you can give people shares in your company.

Fortunately we did really well. In one week we were overfunded making us the first halal food tech company ever to have raised a round on an equity platform. One of our investors told us that we were one of the fastest funded business of last year.

Are you looking to develop the concept?

We have been working behind the scenes on a loyalty programme for restaurants to join up. The user can get cash back for the restaurants which are signed up with us. This is all digital and we hope users will enjoy the benefits of promotions and rewards from their favourite restaurants.

How can restaurants get involved?

We have a merchant page and contact us tabs on our website.

The restaurants can get in touch and we can arrange to meet them and demonstrate how we can help them bring in new customers and repeat customers.

Follow us - www.halaldiningclub.com Instagram - halaldiningclub_

Brought to you by Chef Abdul Yaseen, Darbaar offers the best of modern Indian cuisine built around the flavours and feasting traditions of India’s Royal Courts. Darbaar is a minute from Liverpool Street in buzzing Broadgate, offering fresh, fast and delicious lunches, luxurious dinners and a unique cocktail bar in a regally relaxed surrounding. For a truly special occasion guests can dine like royalty in Darbaar’s 20-cover private dining room or 12-cover Chef’s Table.

www.darbaarrestaurants.com @DarbaarbyAbdul

@darbaarbyabdul

@DarbaarbyAbdul

Culinary News and Delights Perfect for the Foodie - a taste of the British Seaside, as new restaurant makes waves in Dorset By Tahira Khan

Welcoming sandy feet, windswept dogs and weather-beaten walkers who have worked up an appetite, The Seaside Boarding House in ‘Burton Bradstock’ is a unique destination with a timeless feel, now serving up two scoops of quintessentially British summertime to its visitors.

Its distinctive style, featuring lovingly renovated furniture and fittings from the early 1900s to the present day, with a playful nod to marine life and coastal heritage, is a thoughtful combination of the old and the new, echoing a simpler time through far-reaching seascapes that live long in the memory of those who visit from far and wide.

62

A delicate drizzle shipped straight from the kitchen, The Seaside Boarding House’s sea salted caramel sauce offers just a taste of what lies within.

A distillation of this most elegant and charming of coastal escapes, the salted caramel sauce is made to a closely guarded recipe and marries perfectly with the handmade vanilla ice cream that keeps the ramblers, swimmers and sand castle builders coming back for more.

An ideal retreat for everyone from passers-by to dinner guests sampling a menu that champions produce from Dorset’s fishing boats, farms and smallholdings, this is a place to soak up the views and enjoy long walks along the

Lentil Lites- Perfect for staying light

neighbouring South West Coastal Path.

No halal meat is served, but if you enjoy vegetarian food or fresh fish, this place is great, not only for that but also for great yummy desserts along the seaside.

Basil Sugar anyone?

Why not have a little bit of something that’s not only delicious, but beautiful too? And if that thing can be made purely from real fruit, herbs, spices and unrefined cane sugar? Well then… surely that’s a good thing?

The Sugar Tree is putting sugar back on the pedestal it deserves. It’s something that should be appreciated, aspired to and enjoyed, but in much smaller quantities and much more consciously than we do presently.

We’re going to choose to eat sugar again; the good stuff, but only on occasion.

Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea Wonderfully indulgent and beautifully presented, the St. Ermin’s Hotel’s Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea is available now, for just £40 per person. www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

Located just around the corner from St James’ Park tube: Arrive under the twinkling fairy lights of the lush courtyard, and be wowed by the fantastically festive and opulent lobby – complete with sweeping staircase, chandeliers and stunning mezzanine balcony; drop your shopping bags, sit back and relax with a delectable afternoon tea.

The Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea is served daily in the pretty and intimate Tea Lounge, in the Crystal Ballroom; with live music on Sunday 11th & Sunday 18th December, 12:30pm – 6:00pm at £40pp.

deliciously fresh – buffet at its best

Kids Eat

FREE

*

DISCOVER AUTHENTIC DISHES FROM

CHINA - THAILAND INDIA - ITALY AND ENJOY AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE FOR ONE SET PRICE

*Two free kids meals with a purchase of a full price adult meal. Available evenings only.

www.kitchinn1.co.uk 8 Caledonia Street • Kings Cross • London N1 9DZ 020 7713 8777 • bookings@kitchinn1.co.uk

/Kitchin_N1

/KitchinN1buffet

63

A Secret Wedding Experience: Â By Tahira Khan

64

The brand new ‘Secret Wedding Experience’, is the first of its kind to be celebrated in the Maldives and designed especially for couples who wish to celebrate their marriage in the most intimate setting possible.

Surrounded by Gili Lankanfushi’s sparkling, turquoise lagoon waters, couples can secretly ‘tie the knot’ and will receive a special blessing from a local Maldivian cleric, which is optional and can be precluded upon request. Afterwards a traditional Bodu Beru Band will sing personalised love songs, before the couple sail off into the sunset aboard the resort’s stunning traditional Dhoni boat.

The Secret Wedding Experience has been designed to minimise stress completely. In advance of their arrival, the team at Gili Lankanfushi will consult with the couple about the exact details, and then manage a bespoke itinerary for the duration of their stay, meaning that they do not have to worry about arranging anything when they arrive.

Steven Phillips, General Manager at Gili Lankanfushi said: “We have created a simple, private and relaxing alternative. Our Secret Wedding Experience is perfect for www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

those looking to say ‘I do’ privately, in the most peaceful and luxurious settings – letting us do all the hard work, so they can simply relax and enjoy every moment with us.”

Each couple will be matched with their own Mr./Ms. Friday - a personal assistant, friend and secret wedding planner - who will be on hand to tend to the couple’s every need, and to provide a calm, clear and flexible schedule for the wedding day and throughout their stay.

The Secret Wedding Experience includes: •

Bridal hair and make-up: Beauty specialists at the resort are on hand to ensure that the bride looks exactly as she would like to on her special day

•

Wedding ceremony: Couples can tie the knot in Gili Lankanfushi’s Lagoon Champa – the most private pavilion in the resort, far from view, and reachable only by boat. Other locations around the resort are also available

65

•

Music: Captivating local all-male Bodu Beru Band will perform love songs for the couple before and after their wedding ceremony

•

Canapés and cruising: The couple can sip champagne and eat exquisite canapés aboard the resort’s beautiful Dhoni boat as the sun sets around them (optional alcohol can be excluded upon request)

•

Photography: An expert photographer will capture the day and package the images into a digital or printed photobook upon request

•

Wedding ‘breakfast’ dinner: Gili Lankanfushi’s expert chefs will create a bespoke menu for the couple, based on their favourite dishes, and this is served on One Palm Island – the resort’s most iconic and romantic destination - surrounded by 1000 candles and glistening lanterns

•

Sleeping under the stars: For a wedding night to remember, the resort will set up a special bed on the rooftop of the couple’s private accommodation, so they can spend the night underneath the stars

Additionally, throughout the time of their stay, couples will experience the most romantic aspects of this incredible resort including: •

Couples post wedding pamper: A 90 minute massage in the award-winning and recently upgraded Meera Spa

•

Wine pairing experience: Exquisite private wine dinner in either the Underground Wine Cellar or up in the trees at the 360 table in the Organic Garden (optional)

•

Jungle cinema experience: A private screening of your favourite movie with a chocolate fountain and strawberries

•

Couple’s Surf or Scuba Discovery: Learning a new skill together by taking a lagoon lesson with Tropicsurf or do a scuba diving introductory course with Ocean Paradise

Secret Wedding Experience couples are hosted in Gili Lankanfushi’s standalone overwater Crusoe Residences – the perfect location when it comes to providing complete privacy, including private overwater hammock, overwater sundeck and rooftop terrace with daybed for complete relaxation. The properties have the best views of the sunset and can be accessed by private motorboat.

The resort accepts all special requirements that can be accommodated, it should be noted, however, that international weddings are not legally-binding in the Maldives, so couples are advised to conduct a civil ceremony beforehand.

66

The Secret Wedding Experience has been designed to minimise stress completely.

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

67

68

Honeymoon Getaway The Makanyi Private Game Reserve & Zanzibar White Sand Luxury Villas & SpaÂ

By Tahira Khan Home to unrivalled wildlife viewing and one of the world's most impressive coastlines, there is no better place to combine a beach and safari trip than Africa. What could be more special www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

than combining a South African action-packed wildlife adventure with the gorgeous beaches, water sports and laid-back atmosphere of Zanzibar?

A safari and beach honeymoon really

is the best of both worlds; like having two amazing African holidays rolled into one. First, you'll spend your days at Makanyi Private Game Lodge in the wild and wonderful Timbavati

69

reserve; waking up to the sounds of wild Africa and taking exhilarating game drives through the bush to spot the 'Big Five' in their natural environment.

Then, just when you think life couldn't get much better, you'll be transported to Zanzibar, where tropical talcumpowder white sand beaches and azure seas invite you to totally unwind. You may prefer something a little more adventurous: to master a new skill on Paje beach, the home of kite surfing. It's the perfect holiday, offering an unbeatable blend of excitement and relaxation.

SAFARI Your adventure will start at Makanyi, located in the southern sector of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve; an area dubbed as, “The place where something sacred came down to earth”. Here guests enjoy a truly vast game viewing area, which is not only home to an abundant variety of wildlife and birdlife but also to the famous ‘Big Five’ and the extremely rare and world-renowned white lion. Newlyweds will be spoilt for choice with activities including: action-packed game drives; guided bush walks; fishing in one of the many dams, accompanied by wallowing hippos; romantic picnic lunches in the bush; and mesmerising night-time star gazing.

There is a choice of seven open-plan luxury suites and some of the largest rooms to be found in the bush. All suites have extra-large beds, sitting areas with fireplaces and spacious bathrooms with showers and separate freestanding

70

baths. Outside there are private decks which overlook the bush, with outdoor showers and inviting sun loungers. Two of the seven rooms are luxury pool suites and most suited for honeymoon retreats. These are located furthest from the main lodge offering more privacy, as well as romantic four-poster beds and wonderful private plunge pools on their decks.

BEACH Couples will enjoy seclusion on one of Zanzibar's most stunning beaches. The stylishly designed villas are spread over a personal area with separate bedroom and sitting room units and a large plunge pools, all enveloped in colourful, lush exotic gardens.

With your very own butler at your beck and call, you will be free to think about the important things, like whether to while away an afternoon sunning yourselves or hop on a paddleboard and explore the shoreline? Should you head to the Spa for a his-and-hers massage or maybe make the most of the fact that you're in one of the top kite-surfing destinations and hone your skills at the neighbouring watersports club? With its steady year-round winds, calm shallow waters protected by a coral reef and its paradise sandy beach, Paje is well known as one of the top kitesurfing destinations in the world. www.makanyilodge.com

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

71

Holiday Shopping Travel Cameras

We rely on our cars daily to get around, they make getting from A to B that much easier, but with so many cars on the road, you want to feel safe and protected. Whether your main use of your car is for a daily commute, the school run or running errands, you cannot deny that having an extra safety precaution in the background would help to watch over you.

By Tahira Khan Images : Pressloft

Phillips ADR810 Dash Cam – A great road companion The Philips ADR 810 Dash Cam offers peace of mind when you need it most, in a sleek modern design to fit in with your car’s interior. The automatic recording means there is no need to spend ages setting it up each time, simply switch it on and drive, it’s as simple as that. In case of a collision, the Dash Cam automatically saves the recording to secure your evidence and prevent it being overridden. It’s an extra level of security that means whether you are driving alone, or have a car full, there’s no argument about what happened, making the whole event that much easier to handle.

A wide-angle lens (156 degrees) allows the Dash Cam to capture more of the road. It provides the sharpest detail with its 1080p Full HD Camera during the day and an optimised night view when it is dark. If the weather is bad, or it is pitch black outside, you

72

can rely on the DR 810 to pick up any details that you missed. This little gadget is easy to install, simply choose where to place it using the mounting bracket and plug in with the provided cable. Once you have set it up, you won’t even know it is there, then you can carry on with your day knowing that the Dash Cam has you covered.

If you are one for travelling around the country (or further) with your caravan, or simply love driving to your destination, the ADR 810 is a must.

No one wants a bad driver to spoil their next adventure. The Dash Cam has an instant replay function so you can quickly clarify responsibility there and then, with proof of date and time. This device does the work for you and takes the hassle out of driving so you can carry on and enjoy the drive.

The Philips ADR 810 Dash Cam is £139.99and is super lightweight at only 83 grams. Though it is small, with dimensions of 106.7 x 50.0 x 32.5mm it is fairly powerful. To get started all

you need to add is a Class 10 MicroSD card, which is offered separately, or with a bundle. This high-quality recording device will become your new best friend, keeping a watchful eye on the road, to keep you and your loved ones feeling secure, remaining silent in the background.

User rated: Excellent **** www.drive safe and legal.com.

Konstructor - Construct Your Own SLR Camera Description Sitting by the sea or on a trip to a theme park with your mates, the day your baby was born, or maybe it was your wedding day – whenever the best moments of your life happen, you want to make sure you have photographs that do those moments justice.

Now, you could just go out and buy a regular SLR camera – one with fancy bits on and lots of different buttons that do things you don’t really

Phillips ADR810 Dash Cam

Konstructor

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

understand. Or you could buy yourself one of these awesome Konstructor cameras. With your Konstructor camera you will understand everything that it does, and the function of every single button, because you will have

put it together! That’s right, your Konstructor camera comes in a kit, and you make the camera yourself !

Using the screws and easy click formula that come included in your kit, you can figure out exactly what each bit of your SLR camera does as you are assembling it. From the light reflectors to the lenses, everything will make much more sense when you’ve assembled it yourself (and that can only mean better photos!). Then, once you’ve put it together, you can head off and start taking photographs straight away – making sure you are ready and able to snap the milestones (or just your dinner, if that’s what you like to take photos of !) in your life.

Whether you are a photographer or just a lover of all things technical; this Konstructor kit is for you – best of all, it only takes around two hours to complete before you’re ready to snap away – less time that it takes to choose a camera in the shop!

www.prezzybox.com

73

Selfie Remote Become a selfie samurai with this Bluetooth Selfie Remote and Camera Shutter for Apple and Android devices.

A blurry selfie is the bane of every selfproclaimed selfie enthusiast, so make sure yours are razor sharp. Whether it’s the Grand Canyon or the Ancient Pyramids in the background,, simply couple up with your phone camera and click with your remote to snap an image that is sure to go viral.

They’re so small and compact that you can fit them almost anywhere, or clip them straight to your key ring.

With a range of up to 10 metres (30 feet) this shutter remote is also great for taking group photos with friends and family, because no one has to act as cameraman! Take multiple photographs quickly and easily at the touch of a button, to ensure that you capture that precious moment.

Mini Drone with Camera Get ready for hours of fun with the mini surveillance drone! It can record videos and take photos whilst flying through the air. It is highly recommended to limit its use to indoors, and not to fly it further than a 30 metre distance.

Specifications 0.3MP built-in camera, 4 channel gyroscope, Includes 2GB MicroSD card, memory card reader, USB charging cable and 4 spare rotor blades.

Drone charges via 3.7V 120mAh rechargeable lithium battery and USB charging cable (included). Remote control requires 2 x AAA batteries (not included)

www.yellowoctopus.com.au

www.gyrofish.com.au

The Camera Tin

This vintage style camera looks so realistic you may not realise at first that it is actually a tin! The tin has a removable lid, so you can also store

74

Snap Selfie Camera

a few little bits and bobs inside. A great gift for nostalgia lovers and photography fans!

Dark selfies will be a thing of the past when you discover the greatest little invention since the smartphone. This battery operated selfie light has an on/ off switch, a bright LED light, and doubles up as a headphone splitter, so you and a friend can listen to some tunes and bust those posing moves while you get your selfie groove on!

A cheaper alternative, and modelled on vintage cameras of yesteryear, the camera plugs neatly into your phone where your headphones go and the bright LED light enables you to take great photographs with the front camera.

The headphone splitters mean you and a friend can both listen to music simultaneously. It’s lightweight, and the key ring attachment means that you can always keep it handy.

www.oakroomshop.co.uk

www.yellowoctopus.com.au

Spa Review Sensory Spa Garden at Bedruthan

By Tahira Khan

I had the pleasure of visiting the opening of a brand new scenic Sensory Spa Garden at Bedruthan, the awardwinning hotel nestled on the hilltop above the sand and surf of Mawgan Porth in Cornwall.

With spectacular sea views, a deep and luxurious spa pool as well as the cleansing benefits of a cedar sauna, eucalyptus steam room and lavender caldarium which make Bedruthan one of the most restorative luxury spas in Cornwall.

The opening of the new Sensory Spa Garden is especially designed to invigorate all your senses in a one-hour experience, inspired by fire, earth, water, air and space.

Guests will be invited to move through the seven stages designed to detoxify and renew your body. Each stage draws on the sights, sounds, aromas and textures of nature and the

76

refreshing properties of the sea air, blowing off the Atlantic.

The one-hour Spa Garden Experience starts off ‘cool’, with a dry salt scrub in the gently heated stone room to exfoliate and prepare the skin. Then the experience moves towards heat in the group rainforest shower, to wash off the salt and prepare the body for heat.

Next, is moving to the sea-view cedar wood sauna: The heat of 80 degrees opens pores and slows down the mind, allowing one to sink into deep relaxation.

Next one needs to be brave, for the next option is a cold drench under the bucket shower or cold plunge in the small cedar wood tub. The bright fresh water will leave skin tingling and alive, with the body’s core still warm. Moving between the heat and cold as you desire, followed by sinking into the deep

Spectacular sea views, a deep and luxurious spa pool..

cedar wood hot tubs; enjoying the muscle-relaxing heat and the beautiful surroundings of the scented garden.

With a final wet-scrub using seaweed and some salt scrub in the shower room, the guest’s skin is treated to a full cleanse and left feeling soft and nourished, and the whole experience is topped off with a hot, herbal drink as you sit around the fire pit, with your feet immersed in a warm copper footbath.

Spa Director Steph Crosby explains how they developed the idea of a spa; “I wanted to develop an experience combining the traditional art of ‘spa’ing’ and the concept of nature bathing.

Thermotherapy, contrasting hot and cold temperatures is the therapeutic backbone to this experience, a more sharing www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

communal feel is also important, being inspired by the mother-land of spas, Scandinavia, where it’s part of a weekly community routine. We have purposely created a space that doesn’t feel like an indoor spa with the roof taken off but a spa within a Cornish botanic garden.

There are therapeutic elements in every corner of the spa garden, from the all year round scented flowers, to the laughter created when being brave with the cold water drench.

To describe the spa in a few words I would say; purifying, social, sense of adventure, daring to be different, enchanting, Magical and Vibrant.”

Visit: www.bedruthan.com

77

ure with P oster 8 ily Bo ed Da linique, £5 Press Fresh C 10% by C in Vitam

78

38

Shave Cream

by Tom Ford, £54

rry Bea rd Oil, £

Private Ble Bergam nd Venetian ot b y T om For d, £148

Stylin

Mr. Bur be

Blue Serum Moisturiser by Chanel, £81

Sonicare DiamondClean Smart Toothbrush by Philips, £360

y Braun, £10

9 y, £6.3

Series 3 Sh ave & Style b

TOP 10 GROOMING PRODUCT’S FOR MEN

Coasta l Cypre s s & Se Deodo a rant by Molton Fennel Brown , £20

Gu Toni & y b e g Fibr 0

Pro-Collagen Marine Cream For Men by Elemis, £55

PERFECT LIPS You’re never too old for crayons, as proven

by Bobbi Brown’s chunky Art Stick – the perfect hybrid between a stick and a liner.

Not only is it wonderfully fun to use, this hydrating, lightweight formula is enriched with nourishing Shea Butter for a supple smile all winter.

Bobbi Brown Art Stick, £22;

SUN-KISSED SKIN

It may be winter, but don’t settle for a washed out complexion. Editors and influencers alike raved about Tan Luxe all summer for its fuss-free, odourless fake tan solutions, for an effortless, natural glow. Take your tan into winter with the hydrating Tan-Luxe Butter, infused with organic oils, cocoa and shea butter for supple, sun-kissed skin.

A Tom Ford lipstick is another loyal and creamy companion that adds instant clout to any make-up bag. Opt for chestnut and mocha hues that sit warmly between nude and pink for a subdued and sophisticated lip colour that complements autumn and winter looks.

Tom Ford lipstick, £40

Tan-Luxe Butter, £24

YOUR GUIDE TO A WINTER GLOW: MAKEUP & SKINCARE DUAL ACTION POWDER

Add instant luminosity with By Terry’s Compact Expert Dual Powder. This lightweight, powerpowder both highlights and mattifies for a beautifully flawless veil of colour. The multitasking, sophisticated formula is enhanced with signature Intensive Mimetic Camouflage® technology that adapts to your complexion for a radiant, natural finish.

Available in seven shades; By Terry Compact

Expert Dual Powder, £38

MAGIC WANDS

Reach for Charlotte Tilbury’s new magic wands this winter, designed to gently enhance your cheekbones and sculpt your face. Part of the new Hollwood Collection, the Contour and Beauty Light Wands use a gel-like formula to gently hone your face shape and define your natural features for a Hollywood-worthy finish.

Bravo Tilbury, bravo.

Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand, £29 www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

79

ASPINALL OF LONDON

Compact trifold wallet - deep shine amazon brown croc, £95

www.aspinaloflondon.com

MONTBLANC

Meisterstück international passport holder, £145

www.montblanc.com

MULBERRY

Large clipper holdall, £695.00

www.mulberry.com/gb

Top 7 Travel Buy's

BURBERRY

Ombré Washed Check Silk Scarf, £325

www.uk.burberry.com

BOSTON BURNER

MASTERS OF MAYFAIR

Use the discount code BMM2017 to receive 10% off the discounted price - £30

The Sleep Mask - Navy Blue, £40

www.mastersofmayfair.co.uk

www.raniauk.com

ANKER

Powercorse 20100 ultra high capacity powerbank, £29.99

www.anker.com

80

Recommended books to read

Many people love to read, whether it’s about love, life, work, fantasy,… It could be anything. The next 5 books are about Islam or about well-known Muslims. If you’re someone who loves to learn a thing or two, grab these good reads today.

Science and Islam

by Ehsan Masood £8.99, Icon Books.

The Spiritual secrets to reach the heavenly oceans by Shaykh Adnan Kabbani To buy email: Naqshbandipress@gmail.com

The Unquiet Dead

by Ausma Zehnat Khan £3.99, Old Castle Books.

Great Muslims of the west Makers of Western Islam Kube Publishing, £16.99

Let Me Be Frank Frank Bruno - £20-£40

Modern Romance, by Aziz Ansari Amazon - £14.09

www.britishmuslim-magazine.com

81

Setting up as a halal business entrepreneur Often, we think of the term ‘halal’ as a set of Islamic rules about meat, when in fact the global halal industry incorporates everything from medicine and cosmetics to clothing. Indeed, the industry is growing fast. By Dr Memoona Tariq In Europe, the halal market is growing at an estimated annual rate of 10-20%, depending on the products (Morlin-Yron, 2016). There is a significant demand driven by a general desire for Sharia compliance among a growing population of Muslims. According to a report by Pew Research Centre, the number of Muslims worldwide is expected to have increased from 1.6 billion in 2010 to 2.8 billion by 2050 (Morlin-Yron, 2016). The aim of this article is to advise newly qualified entrepreneurs who want to set up businesses under Islamic law. Below are some tips to take into consideration when setting a halal business.

Make profit the secondary aim:

The first aim of a Muslim entrepreneur must not be about making profit. The goal needs to be implemented under the Islamic rules of honesty, trustworthiness, and behaving in an acceptable manner towards customers and clients.

Truthful and honest:

The teachings of the prophet Mohammed state that being truthful and honest is essential in any business. This means that Muslim businesses need to build a trust with customers and stakeholders, which cannot be achieved through lies and deceit.

Be open to scrutiny and criticism:

While this may be a bitter pill to swallow, being ready to have your product or service scrutinised shows willingness to work with the consumer(s), and this helps to build respect and trust. Some businesses may feel hesitant to accept, or downright plain angry with the consumer for questioning the acceptability of a given product or service; this should not be the case.

Aim higher:

Don’t just aim for minimal success, aim to achieve higher.

Improve the inventory of your business, as this will help to increase your profit margins, whilst providing other opportunities. This will also help to build strong, professional networks with other businesses.

Work with others in the market:

At times this can be really difficult, especially when you are competing with other businesses that provide similar products and services. Instead of worrying about this, try to look at it from a positive perspective. For example, having a committee which offers discussion; sharing of ideas and experiences will help your business to grow and expand in the future.

82

Avoid selling haram:

While there are more ‘Muslim’ businesses emerging, not everything they sell is going to be halal. At times it is difficult to find Muslim owned businesses that are selling only halal items, some may sell items such as pork, alcohol, or pornographic magazines. It is crucial for Muslim business owners to make all efforts to wipe out the haram items and sell only those that meet Islamic laws.

To conclude these are some of the vital points to consider when setting up a business under Islamic laws, which can be challenging at times but can also be very rewarding.

Memoona Tariq (PhD), her research lies in the area of gender, ethnicity, Intersectionality and Islamic businesses. She can be contacted on memoona.tariq@hud.ac.uk Further reading:

Morlin-Yron, S., (2016). Makeup, meds and sportswear: Why halal has become a big business. CNN, August 29. Retrieved from http://edition.cnn.com/2016/08/29/world/halalindustry/index.html