What's the UK like?

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What's the UK like?
bhaloo
05/24/01 at 11:48:49
slm

So I was interviewing with a company yesterday and they told me I would have to go out to Europe (I'm guessing its London) for 10 days each year. So I was wondering what's the UK like?  What could I do there?  Are there mosques fairly close by?  I know you guys have a lot more Muslims then we have out here and its pretty common to see Muslims.  
Re: What's the UK like?
BrKhalid
05/24/01 at 12:12:10
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

[quote]So I was wondering what's the UK like?  What could I do there?  Are there mosques fairly close by?  I know you guys have a lot more Muslims then we have out here and its pretty common to see Muslims.[/quote]


So how long you got? ;-)

I'm sure all the British sisters like Sr nehar etc are going to enjoy answering this one!!!


As for the tube Br Arshad, a lot of people will tell you its overcrowded and dirty etc etc but you have to realise that it’s the fastest way to get into Central London in the rush hour, and hence, its really just a victim of its own success.

One thing though: It has no air conditioning!!!!

On hot days like today its absolutely unbearable travelling home especially when you are crammed on to the carriages like sardines!!

No cows in London though Br Arshad…..dunno whether that's good or bad news for you ;-)
Re: What's the UK like?
bhaloo
05/24/01 at 13:06:18
slm

[quote]
No cows in London though Br Arshad…..dunno whether that's good or bad news for you ;-)
[/quote]

I'm so disappointed. :(  So I take it, its a good idea to stay away from the beef there (mad cow disease and all).  What's the probability that I could learn enough British talk in 10 days that I could pass your slang 103 class? :D
Re: What's the UK like?
BrKhalid
05/24/01 at 13:24:06
Asalaamu Alaikum :)

[quote]What's the probability that I could learn enough British talk in 10 days that I could pass your slang 103 class? [/quote]


My dear fellow, be not fooled by the petty foibles you witness on this board from time to time. To master the "English" language is no small feat, and, moreover, some would even be so bold to say that it is well nigh impossible. For it involves dear chap that knack, that ability, that certain something, no much more than that, that je ne sais quoi which transforms the simplest sayings into the most exquisite of prose.




And if you believe that you'll believe anything!!!

10 days? Nahh…..A week and you'll be down with it ;-)


[quote]So I take it, its a good idea to stay away from the beef there (mad cow disease and all). [/quote]



Most definitely. I've been off the beef for a long time. It shows doesn't it? ;-)
Re: What's the UK like?
chachi
05/24/01 at 19:31:58


London has a lot of islamic stuff going on..however london is not really a muslim community place ..individuals are too atomised

if you want to meet muslim communities you'll have to travel north Birmingham, Bradford, Dewsbury where although there are 100,000's of muslims you are sure to know somebody who knows somebody else

if ur in London i can give you the names of some friends and if i have the time show you around

if u come north i'll show you around myself !!
Re: What's the UK like?
bhaloo
05/24/01 at 23:56:54
slm

Jazak Allah khairen.  

I was just wondering if there is some sort of search engine like www.islamicfinder.org (we use this in the US) for the UK? ???  So if I am going to some place I can see if there are any Muslim organizations around.

p.s.
It sounds like I'm going to have to take a dictionary with me, as I had no idea what a "foible" is? ???

Re: What's the UK like?
chachi
05/25/01 at 11:45:08

hmm islamic organizations?!

pick the organization you like and then see if it has a uk address

theres loads of organizations have to be more specificv
Re: What's the UK like?
BrKhalid
05/25/01 at 12:19:42
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

[quote]I was just wondering if there is some sort of search engine like www.islamicfinder.org (we use this in the US) for the UK?   So if I am going to some place I can see if there are any Muslim organizations around.
[/quote]


[url=http://www.muslimdirectory.co.uk/]The Muslim Directory[/url] is probably the nearest thing we have


Gives you lots of information but it can't give you an English accent ;-)


Re: What's the UK like?
se7en
05/25/01 at 15:12:10
[quote]My dear fellow, be not fooled by the petty foibles you witness on this board from time to time. To master the "English" language is no small feat, and, moreover, some would even be so bold to say that it is well nigh impossible. For it involves dear chap that knack, that ability, that certain something, no much more than that, that je ne sais quoi which transforms the simplest sayings into the most exquisite of prose. [/quote]
that's so cool :)  I wish I could do that :)

bhaloo, dude, a foible is a minor fault or weakness... don't you remember english class!! you've been chillin with techie geeks for too long, go read a book or something :P
Re: What's the UK like?
chachi
05/25/01 at 16:44:35

Ok whilst in London NEVER do anybody a favour

A) they'll assume your some kind of nut

B) they'll alert the police

C) you'll scare them to death

D) they'll expect you to ask for payment

man i gave a women on the tube my seat and she stood there and wouldn't take it..left in the ridiculous situation of us both standing  :D
Re: What's the UK like?
bhaloo
05/25/01 at 17:08:18
slm

[quote]bhaloo, dude, a foible is a minor fault or weakness... don't you remember english class!! you've been chillin with techie geeks for too long, go read a book or something :P
[/quote]

English was my worst subject and I took it for 12 years.  I don't understand why.  I've never come across that word, what book did you see it in? ??? That reminds, an interview I had 2 weeks ago, the dude asked me what the last non-technical book was that I read.  My mind drew a blank, I didn't know what to say.  I couldn't very well have said some Islamic books, cause this guy could have been prejudice.

[quote]
Ok whilst in London NEVER do anybody a favour
[/quote]

lol, that doesn't seem right.  they can't be that cold.  what about haaris, kashif, abu khaled, and br. khalid ???  they seem like they would do someone a favor and they are from London. :)
Re: What's the UK like?
BroHanif
05/25/01 at 19:51:48
A.W.W.

E bye eck, its grim up North, bonnie lad, its nowtin but rainin bucketfuls of wahter, days are long and nights are cold, ee shiver me timbers mee bonnie lad. A young man like you would have nowt to do up in the North of Aingland, its best if yah stick to your EastEnd bros like Bro Khalid. He'll show yah the delights of London and tasteful they r indeedy my fellow american.

[quote]Ok whilst in London NEVER do anybody a favour [/quote]
As a muslim your supposed to help others so I don;t know what the above statement means

[quote]A) they'll assume your some kind of nut[/quote]
Actually they'll take it quite good and not all people are cold hearted and selfish, some of the best people live in London. My friends travel 40-60 miles just to see each other and be good to each other.

[quote]B) they'll alert the police [/quote]
For what doing them a favour...??? C'mon your not selling drugs or anything illegal but your doing sadqah

[quote]C) you'll scare them to death [/quote]
How by being a sincere muslim ?

[quote]D) they'll expect you to ask for payment [/quote]
Don't think so, they'll thank you for it and in a place where people are rushed off thier feet and are always busy, by you doing them one favour, they'll remember it in their heart. And in the UK there are more people becoming muslim in London than anywhere else.


[quote]London has a lot of islamic stuff going on..however london is not really a muslim community place ..individuals are too atomised [/quote] Care to explain Brother Wahid what you mean here...??? Bros and Sis in London are the best, if you want to know about projects and whats really happeing in the UK to muslims, London is the place to be. Just look at the Muslim Directory and over 80% of Islamic activity/stuff is conducted in good old London.

[quote]if you want to meet muslim communities you'll have to travel north Birmingham, Bradford, Dewsbury where although there are 100,000's of muslims you are sure to know somebody who knows somebody else[/quote]

Birmingham, Shiekh Riyadul Haq, a top scholar and one who tries very hard to bring Islam to the current youth
Bradford, there is a good scholar by the name of Moulana Ahmed Ali, his done quite a lot for the youth
Dewsbury, Moulana Faruk, Mufti Zubair, Moulana Bhum, another couple of scholars who are trying their best to revive Islam amongst the youth.

I live in Dewsbury and belive me, some people can't even get their act together, they are too far behind and only have one sort of mentality to preach Islam.

In Dewsbury/Batley there isn't much Islamic activity happening apart from the major Tablighi Jamat work. There should be other Islamic activities as well, but sad to say these are not being conducted.

There is only one mosque in Dewsbury where the women can go and pray.

Only two mosque which has dedicated computers for the youth. And how many mosques are there in Dewsbury/Batley...??? over 20.
Many of the mosques don't have activities for the youth which is quite sad considering there is such a high intake of drugs, alcohol and prostitution.
You would have thought that people would get together and combat this great evil, sad to say people just want to push it aside and not address the real problems that are facing our youth.

Believe me Bro there is so much backwardness and no forward thinking to allow Islam to grow that its unbeliveable.

Anway thats enough of me ranting. If you do decide to pop by please do visit us.
If your in down South I can hook you up with a couple of me Bros.

Your bro in the North of England
Bro Hanif
Re: What's the UK like?
BrKhalid
05/25/01 at 20:14:05
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

[quote]E bye eck, its grim up North, bonnie lad, its nowtin but rainin bucketfuls of wahter, days are long and nights are cold, ee shiver me timbers mee bonnie lad. A young man like you would have nowt to do up in the North of Aingland, its best if yah stick to your EastEnd bros like Bro Khalid. He'll show yah the delights of London and tasteful they r indeedy my fellow american.[/quote]


lol :D

Oh dear! I don't think our American Brothers & Sisters will quite realise how funny that is!!!

Just one point though Br Hanif....I'm a North London bro so this would explain why I'm not down with that East End vernacular all the time ;-)


As for doing favours I think Br wahid was talking about the exception as opposed to the general rule.

Giving up your seat on the tube or helping the blind is probably the easiest and most practical piece of dawah you can do.


Re: What's the UK like?
nehar
05/25/01 at 20:20:43

[quote] Ok whilst in London NEVER do anybody a favour

A) they'll assume your some kind of nut

B) they'll alert the police

C) you'll scare them to death

D) they'll expect you to ask for payment[/quote]

[slm]

lol, man that is so true about london, u get so many weirdos there.

[wlm]

Nehar

Re: What's the UK like?
Kashif
05/25/01 at 20:31:10
assalaamu alaikum

Lots of things to comment on.

So I was wondering what's the UK like?  
Tough one. Apart from the spiralling costs of everything, i find it relatively ok...... RELATIVELY.

What could I do there?  

If you were only spending a week or two here, there is enough in London alone to keep you busy, although i would recommend a sight-seeing day to Cambridge if you had the time.

Are there mosques fairly close by?
It depends where you are. I would recommend either East or West London. But since you would most likely stay in a hotel, West London would be more convenient. On that side of town, you will find a good mix of Arabs and desis. There is quite a bit of activity in West London too.

East London has the most masajid, most Muslims, and more activities than other parts of London.

But da'wah in the US is much more dynamic than da'wah in the UK.

The best resource to find Masjids and other organisations is the Musim Directory.

[quote]Ok whilst in London NEVER do anybody a favour

A) they'll assume your some kind of nut

B) they'll alert the police

C) you'll scare them to death

D) they'll expect you to ask for payment[/quote]
That advice is quite wrong in my opinion. Educated Brits & others are appreciative of kindness. Why, just this morning i carried a heavy bag for an elderly gentleman across train platforms and he expresed his thanks more than once.

[quote]man i gave a women on the tube my seat and she stood there and wouldn't take it..left in the ridiculous situation of us both standing[/quote]
You did it in the wrong order man. What you need to do is:

1> Stay sitting
2> make eye contact with the person
3> offer the seat
4> if the person accepts, get up and vacate the seat
5> if the person doesn't accept, stay sitting.

Most people who i offer my seat to, accept.

Kashif
Wa Salaam
NS
Re: What's the UK like?
nehar
05/26/01 at 09:57:53
[slm] again

i never read the replies again, opps, lol.

I didnt know there were more ppl from the north here.  Im from the north east and its gr8 here and so is the weather!!!

Br.Bhaloo, exactly where do u plan 2 visit??  i can tell you what i would visit, but its not really islamic centres and stuff, but not bad palces either.

U can visit kew gardens, planeterium and other places in london, but i cant think right now.

If you come up north, there is the metro centre, the biggest or one of the biggest shopping centres in europe (in there is metro land, but the rides there dont turn ur stomach insideout), there in the hancock museum, real nice parks and gardens (jesmond dene), the beach and the list goes on forever.

Oxford has some nice places 2, i went boating there last summer.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm let me think, well u can go 2 lightwater valley or flamingo land, they r gr8 2.

the only islamic place i can think of is zamzam in grn street and al-hidayah school in newcastle.  But i hear there is a beautiful mosque in london and scotland, dont ask exactly where cuz i dont know!!!

[wlm]

Nehar
Re: What's the UK like?
BroHanif
05/25/01 at 20:49:14

A.W.W.

Newcastle, by eck Irn Bru for breakfast, for lunch and for evening meal. Irn Bru to cure headaches, Irn Bru for this and that :)

Newcastle ain't so bad I've been up there, as for the weather, well hmm.

Scotland is beautiful, the sheer peace and tranqulity, man its awesome, now cows but plenty of fish in the lakes and Nessie as well.

Anyway nice to hear from yah Nehar.
Re: What's the UK like?
nehar
05/25/01 at 21:07:14
[quote]Newcastle, by eck Irn Bru for breakfast, for lunch and for evening meal. Irn Bru to cure headaches, Irn Bru for this and that :)

Newcastle ain't so bad I've been up there, as for the weather, well hmm.[/quote]

[slm]

br.hanif, u ok?? where did the irn bru thing cum from??  i havent had one since i was 12!!

wat do mean by its not bad up there?? its gr8!!!!

As 4 the weather, its gr8, we should appreciate what allah has given!!

[wlm]

Nehar
Re: What's the UK like?  
BroHanif
05/26/01 at 04:02:27
A.W.W.

U a Geordie and you don't know Irn Bru ???? We have an office in Newcasle and thats what they always go on about. Irn Bru this  and Irn Bru that. It's meant to be a joke akhi.

as for the weather same thing again, akhi. :)
And nobody is not appreciating what Allah has given. Its a joke Akhi to humour people, and its not like one of those vile ones.


Enjoy your day.
Re: What's the UK like?
nehar
05/26/01 at 10:00:17

[quote]U a Geordie and you don't know Irn Bru ???? We have an office in Newcasle and thats what they always go on about. Irn Bru this  and Irn Bru that. It's meant to be a joke akhi.

as for the weather same thing again, akhi. :)
And nobody is not appreciating what Allah has given. Its a joke Akhi to humour people, and its not like one of those vile ones.[/quote]

[slm]

haha, i do know irn bru, me was kiddin bro.  i cant believe u take me seriously at the wrong times, lol.

[wlm]

nehar
Re: What's the UK like?
haaris
05/30/01 at 06:52:31
Asalaamu aleikoum,

Bhaloo bro, if you find yourself in the west country (unlikely but you could) let me know and I'll be happy to show you around.

Bristol is one of the coolest cities that we have here in England.  Like London but smaller (a lot) and more friendly (a lot)!!

To be honest though, I'd second everything that brother Kashif has to say about London.  Although don't believe a word he says about football.

Salaam
Re: What's the UK like?
Mahmoodah
05/30/01 at 13:57:36
salam,
the best place to b in is the north east, neways i think u'll find plenty of places, its a gr8 place ;)
n bth, nehar is NEVA serious wen she sounds serious- lol

wa-salam
Re: What's the UK like?
Mujaahid
05/30/01 at 17:12:05
As salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
Akhee Arshad there are many good Islaamic communities here in the UK, from the north to the south, east to the west. It is safe to say that you will find the greatest diversity of Muslims in the major cities, London, Birmingham, Manchester etc. Inshaa Allaah you will always find our people to make Salaah with, or to get halaal goods from or just to sit down and feel comfortable with.

In London there are many people who are always busy, walking along in a rush wondering how to make their next penny, or how to impress the next girl/boy etc, but this doesn't mean you should not be nice or do them a favour, as was suggested earlier! I had seen a lot of non-Muslims walk into the da'wah area in our university after having been the beneficiary of a good deed done to them by a brother or sister. We should set an example of how Islaam covers a person with patience, compassion, modesty and a sense of justice :)

So akhee you must come here to us in the UK, if you come then I expect you to contact me so you can stay with me for a time and I will show you the places and take you to meet brothers, if you come and do not contact me then I will be very angry with you, okay? Your our guest here!

Hope to see you soon?

was salaamu 'alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh
Mujaahid
Re: What's the UK like?
chachi
05/30/01 at 17:51:33

nope
disagree
experience is most ppl in masjids in London try to create arguments
because there are so many groups there..i think a lot of ppl mistake
group activity with taqwah which is no way true

in fact i would argue the opposite
the more groups the more problems

the other thing i've noticed is although we have barelvi-deobandi masjids in the north in the south they have maliki masjids (sho don't accept hanafi's) saudi masjids , anti-saudi masjids etc..the  atomisation is incredible which could be possibly why there are so many arguments

actually kashif i did motion to her to accept the seat

still stand by what i said..people in the south are INCREDIBLY nasty
i mean the police won't even give you directions

the only thing good is that due to the fact that 70% of the resources are poured into London they have more jobs..that includees £1 million from my local council which has been cut to send it to london..because after all what do the tourists see first?..and where do the labour hierarchy spend the majority of the time despite being created in my town as a party?!
Re: What's the UK like?
Lisha
05/30/01 at 18:42:48
[slm]
I hope u realy enjoy ur stay in the uk when ever u come!!!
I'm sure where ever u go, u'll find a muslim commuity to turn 2.
Ne ways da north east is da best, specialy da water. Da water in London is horrid so if u go there remember 2 drink mineral water;)

take care:),
w'salaam
Re: What's the UK like?
chachi
05/30/01 at 21:33:38

Lisha... :)
the water in the north is direct from the Pennines
the water in south is from the marshes of Northfolk

which would you choose?
Re: What's the UK like?
nehar
05/30/01 at 22:23:37

[quote]

the water in the north is direct from the Pennines
the water in south is from the marshes of Northfolk

which would you choose?

[/quote]

[slm]

i choose the north, the water down south tastes YUK!!

Ofcourse, north east have the best, lol

[wlm]

Nehar
Re: What's the UK like?
BrKhalid
05/31/01 at 09:17:41
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

I was casually minding my own business on the Tube last night when a Muslim brother sits down next to me and says "Asalaamu Alaikum" and I say "Walaikum Salaam".

I'd never seen him before in my life but can only assume he recognised me as being a Muslim. So we got talking and, woe and behold, it transpired that he had just sat his final exam for his Masters in Computer Science.

Needless to say I was quite pleased by these turn of affairs and made sure to ask him lots of questions. I mean, who knows when this sort of information may come in useful? ;)


Oh and if you're looking for a point to this post, there isn't one.

Just a timely anecdote which I wanted to share. ;-)
Re: What's the UK like?
Kashif
05/31/01 at 12:02:16
assalaamu alaikum

Khalid, that reminds me of this slightly annoying characteristic that i find in loads of brothers the first time you meet them (often on the tube). There you are having a pleasant conversation, when all of a sudden the brother looks up at you and asks "so, are you married brother?"

And inside i'm saying "here we go again.."

What is it with brothers who have to ask you whether you are married or not? Its got me so annoyed that when i meet a brother for the first time, i mentally start a countdown waiting for him to ask that question. And as sure as the sky is blue, that question will come.

Kashif
Wa Salaam
NS
Re: What's the UK like?
Barr
05/31/01 at 17:24:22
Assalamu'alaikum

Well, look at it on the bright side... he's totally concerned abt your welfare...whether his dear brother has completed half of his deen... and who knows, you could be talking to your future in-laws :) Its called sesseral, isn't it? in Urdu?

And if it really gets to you, wear a wedding band! Unless... that would trigger... "so how r the kids?" !

Besides... that can't beat this: a total stranger, some taxi driver, and who's not Muslim too who asked... U're not married? Y are U not married? accusingly like U've just shot the president... seriously.

And don't ask me how he came up with that question.

Oh yes.. back to the thread... My vote goes to Scotland... for the best tasting water in the UK... and my vote goes to Scotland too for cleanliness... my vote goes to Scotland, for the coolest accent, my vote goes to Scotland for it's highlands and lakes and my vote goes to Scotland too, for their strong spirit to free themselves from subjagation (I like Braveheart - gives me a bit of an inkling of what Badr might be like)... not sure whether present Scots have the same spirit as Wallace and gang, though.

So akhi, try and visit Scotland, when U're there, inshaAllah :)
London's too busy, take some time off for a slower pace up north... and have a breath of fresh air :)  
Re: What's the UK like?
nehar
05/31/01 at 17:36:55

[quote]

Khalid, that reminds me of this slightly annoying characteristic that i find in loads of brothers the first time you meet them (often on the tube). There you are having a pleasant conversation, when all of a sudden the brother looks up at you and asks "so, are you married brother?"

[/quote]

[slm]

lol.

I remeber this 1 time when i was on the underground, a guy smiles and slams his hand on the  glass bit at the side and it sed "call me on************", i just thought how desperate cud u get.

[wlm]

Nehar
Re: What's the UK like?
chachi
05/31/01 at 18:16:41
Agree with the Scottish accent Barr and the air is fresher up north...scotland and the lake district..even lake windermere..what has london got apart from a alleged river and a wheel that dosn't fit anything.. :)

[quote]Assalamu'alaikum


Oh yes.. back to the thread... My vote goes to Scotland... for the best tasting water in the UK... and my vote goes to Scotland too for cleanliness... my vote goes to Scotland, for the coolest accent, my vote goes to Scotland for it's highlands and lakes and my vote goes to Scotland too, for their strong spirit to free themselves from subjagation (I like Braveheart - gives me a bit of an inkling of what Badr might be like)... not sure whether present Scots have the same spirit as Wallace and gang, though.

So akhi, try and visit Scotland, when U're there, inshaAllah :)
London's too busy, take some time off for a slower pace up north... and have a breath of fresh air :)  
[/quote]

Re: What's the UK like?
BroHanif
05/31/01 at 18:19:00
A.W.W.

[quote]

Khalid, that reminds me of this slightly annoying characteristic that i find in loads of brothers the first time you meet them (often on the tube). There you are having a pleasant conversation, when all of a sudden the brother looks up at you and asks "so, are you married brother?"

[/quote]

Usually, following on from this, how long u been married for and then the BIG one oh so how many kids you got...??? And if you have no kids yet then oh, its been quite some time then. At this point in time, I've often felt telling the bro to mind his own business and go on producing kids like a production machine. Man that really winds me up :(. Anyway speak to yah laterz.





Re: What's the UK like?
Anonymous
06/01/01 at 10:39:50
I just sat my last exam in computer science for my masters a few
weeks back too! what did this guy look like and which uni was he from? My curiosity
has been ignited because there's this brother in my class who talks to complete
strangers and is very annoying it could be the same one!

A curious sister.
Re: What's the UK like?
BrKhalid
06/01/01 at 11:02:40
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

[quote]My curiosity has been ignited because there's this brother in my class who talks to complete
strangers and is very annoying it could be the same one! [/quote]

lol

Actually the brother was far from annoying ( He didn't ask me if I was married once nor how many kids I may have!! ;-) )

He sat his final exam on Wednesday, as opposed to a few weeks back, so I don't think he can be the brother you're thinking of.
Re: What's the UK like?
eleanor
06/02/01 at 13:52:17
slm

I get that all the time. Whenever I'm talking to wives of my husband's friends then they're like "how long are you married?" - five years - "how many children do you have" - none - "What??? Don't you *want* to have children???"

number one: yes I *do* want to have children, but only when we can provide for them properly, the way we want to..

number two: what if I was a sister who *couldn't* have children and desperately had been trying for years to have one? I'd feel so uncomfortable and embarrassed. (Insha Allah, I'll be able to have a baby when it's time..)

Then they go on to question me about my siblings, my family and everything else possible about my private life. It's a bit uncomfortable to say the least. Like I'm on trial. And I have to answer all this in the roughly 10 words in Urdu that I know.

sorry from digressing from the topic of the thread...just ranted at you all for no good reason...apologies

wasalaam
eleanor


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