NY???

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NY???
Mahmoodah
06/27/01 at 14:34:12
salam
ok bros n sisters fr New York,wat can u do there thats fun n islamic???
coz i'm goin with my family, aaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!!
thats 1 nite mare cumin true;)
Actually, i got a feeling that i'll b stuck their bored!!!!

wa-salam
da cit-ay.............
se7en
06/28/01 at 01:40:09
wa alaykum as salaam wa rahmatAllah,

You're talking about New York City?  I love nyc..

Lemme start with the (infamous) Jackson Heights in Queens.  It's sometimes referred to as "little india/pakistan/bangledesh" etc..  It's a neighborhood of south Asians with a whole bunch of desi stores.. that sell gold, clothing, mithai (sweets), bootleg indian movies, bhangra cd's etc*.. they have some indian movie theatres and some salons that are women only (if you're brave enought to trust them)... on the streets they have some Muslim brothers with table set up, that sell prayer rugs, hijabs, islamic plaques etc..
they also have awesome restaurants though you need to ask if the meat is zabiha or not.. I highly recommend Afghan Kabob House #4.. all halal.. get the chicken kofka kabob :) oh yeah 8-)

it's a great place to buy lenghas and such.. you should definitely bargain there though or they'll try to rip you off (just like 'back home') -- if you have your mom or someone with you that speaks the native language, get them to bargain for you because they'll get a much better deal than you..

They have a masjid.. honestly, it's not very clean and if you are a sister and try to go in for salah, they'll look at you like you're a woman of ill repute.. don't let that faze you because there aren't too many other places to make salah.. they'll stick you in a little back room but pray towards the door and you'll be all set :)  I would recommend you pray on your jacket though because I saw some little things creeping around last time I was there..

I would *seriously* recommend not walking by yourself anywhere in Jackson Heights if you are a sister, especially at night time.. being female you're going to be harassed or at the very least gawked at by bhangra-muffin types.. it was really interesting to see ABCD's with gold chains, do-rags, and tommy hil talkin about their "kutas".. night time brings out the players, black jeeps with full tint blasting bhangra, and basically the youth taking to the streets to hook up.. so just don't make eye contact with *anyone*, try to stay close to a big brother, and you'll be all set..

Every sister I know who's been to jackson heights has *stories*..

also on the other side of the train is a hispanic area.. so you can cross over to that side if you're looking for some latin flavor...

In Manhattan itself...

last time I stayed was right outside of chinatown, so we mostly chilled in soHo (very artsy boutique/gallery kinda stuff), little italy, and I think greenwich village (which has some... interesting people).  Chinatown basically has tons of bootleg stuff on the streets.. you can get anything designer brand - watches, bags, shoes, sunglasses, jewelry etc for crazy cheap.  If you do purchase things there, make sure you bargain and test out the stuff you get.  You shouldn't pay more than $15 for a bag, $20 for a watch, $8 for a silver ring, $10 for sunglasses.  Don't buy cd's from the street without testing them out first.

All these places - soHo, chinatown, lil italy, etc are in lower manhattan.

Central Park is in the center of Manhattan.  Immediately below it is mid-town - where rockerfeller center, times square and other "touristy" spots are.  In times square and around that area there are lots of souvenier shops.. there are some "adult" places near that area as well so be careful.  The Empire State Building has a long line but it's an awesome view.  Also in that area is Broadway.. if you're interested in seeing a play find out about TKTS, you can get tickets from it for a lot cheaper than from anywhere else.  Also in the times-square area is Kabul Cafe, another Muslim-owned restaurant with halal afghani food.. so you might wanna check em out..

The museums on the.. upper west side is it? are cool as well. Definitely hit the Metropolitan on the upper east side, check out their exhibit on Islam.. absolutely amazingly beautiful stuff mashaAllah.

I don't know much about harlem, spanish harlem, washington heights, or basically anything north of columbia.. maybe some other ppl (laboogie?) can enlighten us on that stuff..

all the dudes at the hot-dog stands are Muslim, they'll usually hook you up with a discount if you're relatively polite to them.. and if you get lost or anything like that they're the ppl you should talk to.. same with the taxi drivers..

don't buy anything from anyone who is not standing by a table.. don't buy anything from a brief case or inside someone's jacket :)  Bring some antibacterial hand wash.. wear shoes and clothes that are comfortable, and bring a bag that you can wear across your chest, not only for security reasons but because it's comfortable..

to take the subway *get a map* and look at it.. it's pretty systematic but you need to figure out the lines yourself, because people will tell you all kinds of wierd things.. buy the transit cards, they make your life easier than looking for cash each time you need to get somewhere and buying subway coins..

on the subway there are some *freaky* people.. one time there was this dude who said, with utmost seriousness, "I'm a squirrel!"  hahahah.. just be careful, don't look too interested in what other ppl are doing.  the subways are actually an awesome opportunity for daawah because everyone is so silent.. we always have fake conversations like, "and then I told him that, ISLAM literally means peace and submission to God, and that we as Muslims are not advocates of violence but in fact believe that if anyone takes a life, it is as if they have taken the lives of all mankind.." and then my bro's like, "really? well what do you say when people ask you if Islam oppresses women?" hahaha ;)

one of the most beautiful masjids in Manhattan is on 96th and 3rd, if you get a chance, definitely check it out..

let's say you have an entire day in nyc and this is your first time there.. I would suggest you stay in the mid-town area, check out the met, times square, central park, fifth ave etc.. take in all the touristy kinda stuff.. and definitely visit the beautiful 96th st masjid..

check out this awesome site, [url]http://www.dizzycity.com[/url] - you can virtually walk through any block in Manhattan.. check out the corner of 96th and 3rd, you can see the masjid there..

aiite, I'm not from nyc, this is just what I've learned from the times I've been there.. will the real new yorkers please stand up?  give this sister some advice..


wasalaamu alaykum wrt :)





Re: NY???
Sonny
06/28/01 at 00:50:22
Salaam,

I can't picture myself going to NYC for any reason under the sun. I'm glad you will be with your family...you'll be safer, and have more fun. But I wanted to comment..."one guy (dude) said: "I'm a squirl," in total seriousness." ! He was only flirting with you. That expression is from the south, it means something like, 'I'm cute and funny, and I like to have fun.' That is the general gist of it...sort of a slang expression that didn't catch on all over the country, thankfully. I always thought it was dumb. Those southeners used to say that to chicks they thought were groovy. He must have been an old man? That slang is from my era, way back when. Oh, well. Mahmoodah, I hope you enjoy NY. Let us know what you think of it.  Patti
Re: NY???
Arsalan
06/28/01 at 01:29:44
[slm]
[quote]"one guy (dude) said: "I'm a squirl," in total seriousness." ! He was only flirting with you. That expression is from the south, it means something like, 'I'm cute and funny, and I like to have fun.' That is the general gist of it...sort of a slang expression that didn't catch on all over the country, thankfully. [/quote]That's right.  You hear that Ms. [url=http://www.jannah.org/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl/YaBB.pl?board=oasis&action=display&num=2917&start=18]Shaikha ... ul ... whatever ... slang ... whatever?![/url]

;)
Re: NY???
jannah
06/28/01 at 23:18:17
[slm]
wow that's a really good review on New York se7en... I think i'll add to to the International House of Kabob. One thing I would really recommend is definitely going to the Met's Islamic wing. There are some absolutely amazing things in there. Check out the pages of Qurans with the exquisite calligraphy on them... amazing subhanallah. A person could take a whole day and just wander around the Met.

You could even just plop down on the sidewalk anywhere in NYC and just enjoy yourself watching all the people. It is definitely an amazing place. I'd recommend it for everyone, because you truly see what the dunya is if you look. It's like everything in the world is jam packed in that tiny area. You can buy anything, you can see everything, every type of person is there. Sometimes you learn so much from these experiences. Today I sat in penn station for 45 minutes just sitting on the floor staring at people. It's absolutely fascinating and absorbing. Better than TV ;)

Re: NY???
se7en
06/29/01 at 02:37:27

[quote]Ms. Shaikha ... ul ... whatever ... slang ... whatever?! [/quote]
Akhi, the official title is shaykhatul usulul slang fil Albaniyyah. :)
Re: NY???
taueeya
06/29/01 at 03:42:16
Assalamu Alaikum,

           [quote]Chinatown basically has tons of bootleg stuff on the streets.. you can get anything designer brand - watches, bags, shoes, sunglasses, jewelry etc for crazy cheap.  If you do purchase things there, make sure you bargain and test out the stuff you get.  You shouldn't pay more than $15 for a bag, $20 for a watch, $8 for a silver ring, $10 for sunglasses.  Don't buy cd's from the street without testing them out first[/quote]


Isn't it unIslamic to buy such stuff? That's just a question. Because I really don't know what does our religion say about it, but I have been following my nerves in this case since we get a lot of smuggled stuff there in our country(PAkistan) and ofcourse for very cheap. But I dont buy it, because I dont feel comfortable buying them, the reason being that its MY OWN OPINION  that one shall buy the designer brand only if he can afford it or in other case shall not buy it..........Its like lying to yourself.

I just wanted to know, if there is any fatwa/view in ISlam, that allows u to buy such stuff.

Wassalam.
Re: NY???
BrKhalid
06/29/01 at 06:56:10
Asalaamu Alaikum ;-)

[quote]one of the most beautiful masjids in Manhattan is on 96th and 3rd, if you get a chance, definitely check it out.. [/quote]

Is that on the East side because I think that's the one I went to pray Jummah in when I was over there. If it is, I agree, really beautiful ;-)

I've only been to NYC once but its really funny how the Americans look at you when you speak with an English accent. It just seems to blow them away!!!

I mean the phrase "Can I have a cup of tea please?" should not be the source of much wonderment and laughter!!! Just give me the drink thank you very much ;-)

My poor brother found it tough when he asked for some biscuits one time!!! You guys really do need to learn to speak English!!!

As for life in NYC, I would say it wasn't much different from Central London just a lot BIGGER!!! Everyone seems in a rush to do something or go somewhere.

One plus point though is that the Subway has air conditioning, something which we could badly do with here in the Summer.

One thing I'll never forget is the view from the top of the World Trade Centre looking back up at Manhattan. You could see everything: the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, Central Park, even the planes landing at JFK and La Guardia.

Its absolutely amazing. Subhanallah
Re: NY???
Laboogie
06/29/01 at 12:53:22
[slm]

Ok, why we dissing the new yorkers, eh???whats up with that??

Anyways, i love NYC, b/c of course its my hometown...its the place that made me who I am (if you meet me you'll understand,  8-))     BUT I cant say that I would live there with my family...its toooooooooooooo crazy for me...Im more of a mellow type girl, you know...anyways going to the city you gottta hit (go to) the village...you got the best clothes...from trendy , urban to night wear (halal stuff---if you look hard enough)...you have the cheapest stuff to the most expensive(dont go the atrium---cool stuff but expensive stuff man)...urban outfitters is the place to be...you have to go to west 4st (take the A line) if you are into shoes (like I am) thats the place to go...there one block that has shoe store after shoe store (MAKE 10---is the place to go...good prices for good shoes)...in the corner theres a papaya's (hotdog stand...you will notice all the hot bikes and cars...you might even see Tyson Bedford (the model...ggrrrrrrr....conceited brother if you ask me)....ok thats enough of the village.....ok you know 42nd...everybody goes there (time square)....its a cool ...crazy ...happening place...just becareful...hold your bag tight (nah, let me stop...just make sure that you dont look like you dont know what you are doing, were you are aka dont look LOST b/c they target ppl like that)....ok 86st...were they filmed "You got mail"...I love that area...I use to work around there...its a cool, trendy area..sit down and have a drink at one of the cafe...COLUMBUS BAKERY is the place to be (thats were I use to work...I was the expresso girl...so if you need a latte...I can hook you up).
You have to go to HARLEM...not only is it the bomb BUT its historically...and please dont listen to those stereotypes that Harlem is bad...every place is bad if you ask me...anyways if you go stop at Ahirah's(spelling) restaurant for some gooooooooooooooooooooood soooooooooooooooooooooul food..uhmmm delicious... ok and if you are a risk taker...why not head up to Washington heights (mi barrio...my old neighborhood)...but I wouldnt recommended unless you are with someone who owns the area...b/c theres not much to see but its a cool place if you take out the igornat ppl. Anyways thats a  sm glimpse of Manhattan for ya...I'll post so more stuff later...

ok
[quote]I've only been to NYC once but its really funny how the Americans look at you when you speak with an English accent. It just seems to blow them away!!!

 I mean the phrase "Can I have a cup of tea please?" should not be the source of much wonderment and laughter!!! Just give me the drink thank you very much

 My poor brother found it tough when he asked for some biscuits one time!!! You guys really do need to learn to speak English!!! [/quote]

  First I have to say that I love the English accent (UK)......I think Im going to move over for a while so I can get it...I think its so cute...anyways, what blew me away was when I use to work in mid-manhattan and someone came up to me and was like "Do you have a toliet?" I was like a what...I love that man...that was funny...I use that all the time and I love "can I have a cup of tea please" its like something out of a movie...man Im moving to England...hey Jannah want to come with me?

 Now, whats up that us not knowing how to speak English that bothers me....I hear from both ends you guys dont speak proper English or proper Spanish ...what the heck...My thing is that every location has its own accent to the original language...everyone has its own style...thats what makes it unique..u dig

aight Im out

peace

La Laboogie Familia from NYC 8-)
Re: NY???
slime
06/29/01 at 13:15:14
woah!! i really wanna go to nyc now!! :( i wish we'd go there this summer, but its like some 'tradition' to go to flint, michigan and then to chicago :P
oo oo, let me try my 'british' language. k, here it goes: good day bloke :)
did i say it right??
Re: NY???
Lisha
06/29/01 at 15:56:22
slm sister,
[quote]good day bloke :)[/quote]
Make sure u dont say dat to ne of the sisters;)
Actually just stick to good day:)

w'salaam
Re: NY???
Mahmoodah
06/29/01 at 20:58:10
salam
thats gr8 advice on NYC, but it doesnt soun sooooooo gr8 to me!!!
i mean i still aint excited!!!!
:(
i'm really not lookin 4ward to this 4 sum reason!!!

wa-salam
Re: NY???
Lisha
06/30/01 at 06:32:52
slm,
Mahmoodah, u never look 4ward to hols, but u always enjoy it more then us when u get there;)
I'm sure its better then sittin at home:)

w'salaam
Re: NY???
salaam
06/30/01 at 13:43:24
as-Salaamu 'Alaikum,

You can also check out  http://www.IslamInNewYork.com/   They got good info on Mosques, Restaurants, and Islaamic stores.

[slm]
Re: NY???
meraj
07/01/01 at 16:14:02
slm,

what exactly is a 'bloke'???
Re: NY???
Mahmoodah
07/01/01 at 16:17:04

[quote]slm,

what exactly is a 'bloke'???[/quote]

salam,
thats a guy, man!!!

wa-salam


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