Mental Health: Cupping

Live, Learn & Inspire
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November/December 2014 / Issue 10
STIGMA OF
MENTAL ISLAM
HEALTH CHANNEL
Part 1 Programmes
The Culture
of Bullying FOOD BITES
JAPANESE
You Cannot Seperate
CUISINE
the Message from the
Messenger
THE ART OF
CUPPING
KNOWLEDGE FOR THE SOUL
“Be like a flower that gives its

fragrance even to the hand that
crushes it.”
Caliph Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RA)
Management Editorial Team
CEO: Mohamed Ali Harrath Managing Editor: Anjuma Choudhury

The Dawah Project Manager: Azma Gaffar Content Editor: Thoiba Choudhury
Religious Content Editor: Raiyyan Clemenston
Copy Editor: Aseel Saif
Creative and Visual Director: Muhammad Abdulmateen
Writers: Thoiba Choudhury, Aisha Ahmed, Nasrine Abirachid, Yasmin Khatun,
Amna Mahmood, Aseel Saif
Contributors: Misba Beg and Fatema Begum
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CONTENTS
Editorial: Stigma of
Mental Health (Part 1)
06
The Dawah Project
Reflection
By Yasmin Khatun
08 06
36
18
36 Caught up with the Hajj
Crew 2014
12 Feeling Blue?
Mental Health Overview 32 You Cannot Seperate the Message
from the Messenger (pbuh)
By Thoiba Choudhury
By Aseel Saif
18 An Interview on Dealing
with Psychotic Depression
By Thoiba Choudhury
60 Get Involved
Become a DP Representative
The Culture of Bullying
By Amna Mahmood
22
26 26 What have you got to

be sad about?
By Nasrine Abdirachid
58 Islam Channel
Programmes
Showing in December 2014
44 48
48 A Traveller’s
Guide: Japan
By Aisha Ahmed
44 Body, Mind
Soul 54 Food Bites: Japanese Cuisine
By Aisha Ahmed
The Art of Cupping

By Aisha Ahmed
42 Reminders: Supplications
for a Peaceful Mind
Editorial
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Compassionate.
Stigma of Mental Health: Part 1
Assalamu’ alaikum
Dear Readers,
The final edition of Ilma Magazine description and character. We also caught
2014 Issue 10 explores ‘Mental Health’, up with Islam Channel’s Hajj Crew and got
a matter that affects if not all, most of us their feedback on Hajj 2014, we give tips
either directly or indirectly. The word on how to help a depressed person, look
‘stigma’ defines our current status quo at the benefits of Hijama (cupping) and ex-
of how people generally perceive Mental plore some of the wonderful delights and
Health. cuisines of Japan.
Mental Health is a lengthy discourse and It has been an eventful year Alhamdu-
in Part 1, we identify the different emotional lillah and we want to thank everyone for
and physical illnesses faced by patients. their continued support - CEO Mohamed
With a formal consent, we conducted an in- Ali, staff at The Dawah Project and Islam
terview to explore the reality of depression Channel, hardworking volunteers, donors
sharing a person’s experiences on dealing and supporters. It is with your generous
with psychotic depression. We also explore contribution that we are able to fund the
the culture of bullying and how this behav- projects that we all believe in. It is an ab-
iour affects the human psyche. The Mental solute privilege for The Dawah Project to
Health topic will continue again in Issue 11: reach people from all walks of life who are
Part 2 where we go into more depth on is- learning about Islam.
sues including abuse, bereavement, post
natal depression and financial hardship. May we continue with this mission for the
sake of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala).
Please do not despair, there are some Keep on reading Ilma!
enlightening articles in this issue such as
the description of the Prophet Muhammad Jazakumullah Khair
(peace be upon him) where we discover
wonderful knowledge about his physical The Dawah Project Team
Ilma Magazine / Issue 10 06

By Yasmin
Khatun
Islam Channel
Journalist &
Producer
Reflection
M
ental health is an aspect of our wellbeing we, far too often, end up ignoring, maybe because
we cannot physically see the havoc that it wreaks, and maybe because sometimes we do not
want to. It is only when the symptoms reach deadly peaks many of us are willing to pay atten-
tion and in reality we allow ourselves to do so because it is an illness that is not so easy to quantify.
Mental illness can cause the breakdown of relationships, families and most importantly oneself. Men,
women, young and old, sometimes we are completely surprised by the people in our lives who can
fall into such states of difficulty, so many of whom will not reach out and ask for support.
The financial crisis in the Western world and poverty in other regions may seem incomparable on the
surface, but each individual faces their own demons. Pressures to fit in, pressures to be beautiful,
pressures to be intellectual, pressures to make money; we cannot encompass the difficulties of an-
other, but we can encompass the promise of Allah, the Exalted. It is on this note our readers should
comprehend this issue, understanding that mental illness is a real and alive issue and not one we can
bury. When you see people around you, whether you know them or not, be a cause for happiness and
contribute to the wellbeing of others, society and yourself.
Follow Yasmin on Twitter @Yasm1K

“And remind, for indeed,

the reminder benefits the
believers.”
[Qur’an, Surah Adh-Dhāriyāt: The Winnowing Winds, 51:55]
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By Thoiba Choudhury

Allah is the Most Merciful, the Most
Compassionate; Allah is the One who Sustains; it is
He who Protects, Provides and Helps when in times
of great difficulty.
D
epression. It is more than feeling a and rich. Human beings are at risk of suffer-
little blue. It is an illness that is still ing from depression at one point in their life.
taboo. If you were to delve into the There is not a single cause for it as there are
world of a person suffering from de- many contributing factors; from a child suffer-
pression, what do you think it would be like ing due to the separation of parents, a teen-
and how do you think that person would feel? ager being bullied and neglected at school,
Anxious, empty, hopeless, lonely and sad; the loss of a loved one, to elderly people who
these are some of the feelings a person suf- spend long periods of time on their own and
fering from depression will experience. even genetics. It varies for each and every
person.
At this very moment in time, imagine you
were left in the middle of a big, blue, dark According to the Mental Health Foundation,
ocean, stranded on a boat. Whether you im- ‘about a quarter of the population in England
agine it to be Daniel Defoe’s castaway Rob- will suffer some kind of mental health prob-
inson Crusoe or Yann Martel’s Pi Patel, it re- lem in the course of a year, with mixed anxie-
ally is your choice. Right now in this moment ty and depression the most common mental
you have been submerged by the ocean’s disorder in Britain’. To add to this, it has been
darkness with the night sky slowly edging estimated by the World Health Organisation
in and simultaneously comes the harrowing ‘that approximately 450 million people world-
winds and torrential rain. In the same way, a wide have a mental health problem’.
depressed person, metaphorically speaking
is swallowed and submerged by darkness. At this moment, you might be asking your-
For a depressed person, it is a state in which self this question...can a Muslim really be de-
a person goes into emotional decline; from pressed? Firstly, you must remember that to
being left in the middle of an ocean, to being be a Muslim you must submit your will to Al-
submerged by complete and total darkness lah (swt) alone and to no one else. You must
and eventually drowning. From this moment, believe and trust that He will take care of your
the all-encompassing darkness is ever in- every need no matter what happens and you
creasing. must keep your relationship with Allah (swt)
healthy and renew your faith each and every
Depression is a serious illness that many day through daily prayers, recitation and
people fail to recognise. A person who suf- contemplation of the Glorious Qur’an. As a
fers from depression becomes despondent Muslim, you come to the agreement that hu-
in their daily activities; it affects a person’s mans are limited, so you should go through
thoughts and behaviour, which leads to vari- each and every stage of your life positively
ous problems whether emotional or physical. worrying only about your duties and what-
Furthermore, depression is not limited or re- ever is in your knowledge, and all complica-
stricted to a particular age or gender; it af- tions which is beyond your capacity should
fects the young and old as well as the poor be left with Allah (swt).

“Verily, with hardship
comes ease.”
[Surah Al-Sharh, Solace or Comfort, 94:5]
As soon as a person delves into existential fulfil their temporary, worldly and consumerist
questions such as, Who am I? What am I? desires; this is a major factor, which contrib-
Where is my life heading? What is the point of utes towards the feeling of emptiness or be-
living anyway if I am going to die? – it creates ing unhappy. What we also need to remind
many problems. If one studies the religion of ourselves is that each and every Prophet of
Islam intently, he or she will find answers to Allah (swt) also endured hardship; whether
all of these basic and fundamental questions. it be Prophet Yunus (may Allah be pleased
What happens over the course of a Muslim’s with him) being swallowed by a whale, Proph-
lifetime is that individual becomes resistant et Ibrahim being commanded by Allah (swt)
to existential emptiness. A Muslim’s trust and to slaughter his son Ismail (may Allah be
faith in Allah (swt) is meant to fulfil and satisfy pleased with them both), Prophet Muhammad
every need. Although people are constantly (pbuh) who was orphaned from an early age,
reminded of the blessings, which surround mistreated and persecuted by the Quraysh in
them such as the ability to walk, talk, eat, pray Makkah, pelted when he went to go and give
and sleep, these general and basic blessings ‘dawah’ (spread Islamic knowledge) in Ta’if,
which Allah (swt) has bestowed upon us are and even suffered from the death of his most
sometimes forgotten, especially when a per- dearest and beloved wife Khadijah (may Allah
son is troubled and feeling the big blues. The be pleased with her). We should take lessons
greatest test is to endure, seek guidance and from these true stories of how the Prophets
to repent to Allah (swt) for He has said: “Verily, persevered, and implement within our daily
with hardship comes ease.” [Surah Al-Sharh, lives their positive God-conscious attitude.
Solace or Comfort, 94:5] Going through hardship is a test from Allah
(swt) and it should only create a path for us to
Even though Allah (swt) has prescribed us with get closer to Him, for Allah (swt) loves nothing
the right and beneficial medication, which is more than to see His slave down on his knees
faith, prayer and worship, a Muslim at the time begging for mercy when in times of great diffi-
of great difficulty and distress might become culty. Subhan’Allah!
susceptible to the ‘Waswas’ (whisperings) of
Shaytan. This then leads to forgetfulness of Removing the darkness of worries, distress,
Allah (swt), which can cause depression. depression and grief is a very important mat-
ter to which Islam gives serious attention to.
What we are discovering, particularly in the Thus, we should all strive to help others to the
modern age, is how people are shifting away best of our abilities. May Allah (swt) help every
from spirituality and God-consciousness to individual enduring hardship. Ameen.

Types of Depression • Indecisive dramatic and only need to take
• Difficulty concentrating medication to cure the illness.
• Restlessness There is no cause for bipolar
There are different • Suffering from insomnia (a disorder, however a family his-
types of depression lack of sleep) or hypersom- tory of the disease means the
nia (excessive sleeping) person is more likely to get it.
and they range in • Diminishing interest or pleas- With the right combination of an-
severity. One of the •
ure in every activity
Appetite disturbance – most
tidepressants and antipsychotic
medications the symptoms can
most severe forms of characteristically this is a be reduced which allows bipolar
loss of appetite but some in- disorder sufferers to have nor-
depression is ‘Major dividuals eat excessively mal lives.
Depressive Disorder’. • Weight loss or weight gain
• Recurring thoughts of death Schizophrenia
or suicide at which case you
should consult your doctor Like many other mental illness-
immediately! es, schizophrenia is often mis-
What is Major understood because it can look
Depressive Disorder? It is very important for individu- different depending on how ex-
als suffering from any of these treme symptoms are and differs
If you constantly feel hopeless, signs or symptoms to get an for every individual. It can go
in every moment of your life, evaluation with a psychiatrist from one extreme to the other,
this could be a sign that you so that they can start treatment from the poor to even the rich
have major depression. Major early to prevent the worst con- who are highly successful in life
depression affects the way you sequences of these symptoms. where they have distressing and
work, study, sleep, eat and in- disruptive symptoms.
teract with people. Some people Bipolar Disorder
may encounter major depres- The symptoms of schizophrenia
sion only once in their lifetime, There is a lot of social stigma sur- can be grouped into two areas,
while others may experience it rounding the word bipolar. Bipo- which is known to be positive
more than once. It can even af- lar Disorder is a serious chronic and negative symptoms. ‘Pos-
fect a person who has no family mental illness where a person ex- itive symptoms’ comprises of
history of depression. periences severe mood swings hallucinations and delusions. A
and drastic changes in energy hallucination is when the person
It is normal to feel sad or low levels. A person who suffers is able to hear voices and a de-
occasionally, for instance, if you from bipolar disorder endures lusion is when a person has an
have recently had a relationship long periods of clinical depres- entire break with reality. These
breakdown or suffered from sion, which is followed by short are the positive symptoms of
the loss of a close family mem- spells of mania, which can be schizophrenia and ones that are
ber, relative or friend. However, experienced by euphoria or irri- noticeable. However, negative
the difference between normal tability. The person experiences symptoms often times can go
sadness and major depression extreme periods of highs and unnoticed for some time until
is that you feel sad for most of extreme periods of lows. These full diagnosis is made. Negative
the day, lose an interest in nor- high and lows act as metaphors symptoms ranges from social
mal activities and become de- for human emotions such as isolation, gradual detachment
spondent about everyone and happiness, anger and sadness from the world and from people
everything around you. to name a few. and reduction in thought pro-
cess. The positive symptoms
Below are some symptoms The severest form of the disease usually lead to a diagnosis.
which are signs that you may be is ‘type 1’, in which a person that
experiencing major depression. is experiencing mania, spells The peak times when these
Symptoms range from: of psychosis and delusional symptoms occur, are during the
thoughts needs to be hospital- teenage years, early twenties
• Feeling lethargic ised. A person that suffers from and mid thirties.
• Feeling worthless and guilty ‘type 2’, their symptoms are less

Dysthymic Disorder
(Persistent Depres-
sive Disorder)
Dysthymic disorder is a depres-
sion, which does not fully meet
the entire criteria of major de-
pression but has elements of it.
This depression persists for a
long time at least for two years of
symptoms without a lot of relief.
Typically the person can func-

tion but they do not feel well,
they do not feel happy, or they
do not enjoy the normal things in
life.
Psychotic Depression depression is a type of depres- Atypical Depression

sion that women face after giving
Psychosis is in general a break birth to their child. It is the moth- Atypical depression is a type of
in reality, an example would be er’s physical separation from the depression that is associated
delusions – so people might be- child, which affects one of the with excessive appetite where
lieve things are not true despite supposedly happiest moments the person has cravings for car-
being shown facts that would in her entire life. Some women bohydrates, has unexplained
argue against their belief. It is encounter the baby blues for a exhaustion, the absence of ex-
when a person encounters hal- few days, some weeks or even ercise, restless sleep, feeling of
lucinations and delusions with- months; the length in time varies cloudiness and poor concentra-
in their everyday life. It can last for every individual. Prenatal and tion during the day. People with
from weeks, months to even Postpartum depression does Atypical depression also tend to
years. Hallucinations can be au- have similar symptoms. Women be very sensitive to rejection by
ditory, visual, olfactory (smell), encounter both emotional and others.
or haptic (touch), affecting any physical changes.
of five human senses. With the Seasonal Affective
combination of hallucinations Symptoms range from:
Disorder (SAD)
and delusional thinking it can
severely damage and disrupt • Anxiety
Seasonal Affective Disorder is
your way of thinking, your emo- • Irritability or hypersensitivity
a type of depression that has
tions, behaviour and even your • Difficulty concentrating
a seasonal pattern. This type
perception of life. • Being teary
of depression usually occurs at
• Negative feelings such as
the same time of the year, during
For more information on some of sadness
the winter season. As with all the
the symptoms of psychotic de- • Hopelessness
other symptoms of depression,
pression, please read the case • Guilt
a person suffering from SAD
study on page 19. • Loss of interest in activities
usually has a low mood and lack
she usually enjoys
of interest in everything they do.
• Anger
Prenatal and Postpar- • Insomnia
tum Depression As there is no exposure to sun-
• Fatigue or exhaustion
light during the winter days this
• Changes in appetite
Prenatal depression is a clinical can have an adverse affect on
• Headaches
depression which women expe- the mind and body, which can
• Stomach aches
rience during pregnancy. Post- weaken the immune system and
• Muscle or backaches
partum, also known as Postnatal increase blood pressure.

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AN INTERVIEW ON DEALING WITH
PSYCHOTIC
DEPRESSION
By Thoiba Choudhury
Thoiba Choudhury interviewed a person who is overcoming Psychotic

Depression in her early twenties. This is what she had to say about the
matter.
Did you know you were going through depression before being
diagnosed by your GP and what triggered your depression?
Sometimes, you cannot know the cause of mental illness: this is something,
which I have struggled to ascertain over the past year. Sometimes you
cannot receive an accurate diagnosis, which is again something which I
have not yet received. So I can say that I had an emotional and nervous
breakdown, a spell of psychosis, and an episode of depression, but I cannot
fully explain why these things happened. Was it because I was a Master’s
degree student, struggling with the workload? Was it because of the
domestic arguments which were happening at home? Major, bipolar,
psychotic depression? Schizophrenia? I don’t really know, and I can’t fully
explain the why or the what.

What has your experience of Psychotic Depression been like?
It is important to say that the psychosis preceded the depression, and that it came with many
symptoms, which are unique and different to major depression. Psychosis is an entire break
with reality, quite like a lucid dream, in which you believe many things, which are categorically
untrue.
I was experiencing auditory hallucinations, and I was living day to day within an on-going epi-
sode of my own television show. I was the lead character of this show, in which I believed that
my every action was being watched: that is the best way that I can describe it. I was living with
no fear of repercussions for my actions, and I would do things, which most people wouldn’t
do under normal circumstances. The voice that I could hear was the voice of a famous UK
magician, and he was giving me the opportunity to gamble with my life with no repercussions:
to go out late at night, alone, and walk for miles – with no rationale – and only the voice as a
guide. To cross roads without looking; to walk onto the driveways of peoples’ houses; to give
no indication of where I was going; to shout at my family – and to question my own genetic
heritage or ancestry – these were just some of the things that occurred within a two-month
period. I would hold a dialogue with the voice and question why I had to do these acts of ran-
domness. But the voice was all pervading, and was the only thing that I would listen to, really.
The depression was something entirely different. It is unique for different people. Mine was
very specific indeed, following the spell of psychosis (which happened in January 2013) and
my Master’s degree (from which I just about graduated in August 2013). I suddenly felt incred-
ibly low, I was crying a lot – until, for example, my chest would ache. I felt incredibly weak,
physically. I would spend a lot of time questioning my symptoms – of both the psychosis and
the depression. I spent a lot of time alone, in my room, lying down. I would be curled up in a
ball, and couldn’t really move because I felt very weak.
I would also stay up into the early hours of the morning, speaking to the voice, listening to it
intently, holding dialogues and planning for the next episodes of the show.
In retrospect, these acts seem bereft of reason. But because psychosis attacks the very part
of you that is reason, you believe that what you are doing is right. In other words, you have
what is known as a lack of insight into your behaviour.
Did you experience any physical changes?
I lost a lot of weight during the episode of psychosis. I was told by my GP that I had what is
known as anorexia. I had to note that this was not anorexia nervosa, which is an eating disor-
der and mental illness in its own right – because I wasn’t intentionally losing weight, and I was
eating. But I grew incredibly thin – to the extent where you could see my ribs – and my clothes
were hanging off me. Others could see this, and I could notice it too.
Were you prescribed any medication by your GP?
Yes. I take Risperdal 0.5mg at night. I have been taking this for one and a half years.

Did your GP give you any other advice to improve your mental state?
Yes, my GP prescribed exercise. However, when you are experiencing depression, the last
thing you want to do is to go for a run, or do a few squats… because depression feeds off itself
and, cyclically, you end up growing used to the feeling of despair and sadness.
What else helped you to overcome Psychotic Depression?
I would say finding a job was the most important thing. The job that I did, as a Learning
Support Assistant, was rewarding and turned my life around. It gave me structure, and I
suddenly felt ‘normal’.
How often do you go and seek medical advice?
I see an Early Intervention Team for Psychosis once a month and hold CPN reviews with a
psychiatric doctor every six months.
Did you receive any support from family and friends?
I felt unsupported; in spite of the advice they were giving me.
Other than family did you talk to people outside the home about the psychosis
and depression?
Of course I had to cope with a lot of bureaucracy – to disclose, or not to disclose my mental
illness – that was the question. I was unsure of what the outcome would be – whether I would
be the victim of prejudice. I was stressed for quite some time, contemplating whether or not
I should let others know about my mental health. (I still am). Under the Mental Health Act,
though, it is illegal to discriminate against employees and to give equal opportunities. So I
opted to disclose both the psychosis and depression, and liaised with an occupational health
team accordingly.
How do you feel now?
Months later, I would like to think that I am on the right track. Life is difficult, but times have
changed for the better. I still have my reviews, but I feel healthy – mentally – and I am feeling
much more positive about my future.

T H E C U LT U R E O F
BULLYING
By Amna Mahmood
There is a greater risk of anxiety or depression to form with

bullying. Although we hear about bullying and how prevalent it is in
society, we are often not informed of how to read the warning signs
and the potential and common side effects of someone who has
experienced bullying.
What exactly is bullying? what we often fail to realise is that bul-

lying not only affects children, but can
To simply define ‘bullying,’ it is the phys- also affect adults too as those who were
ical, verbal or emotional intimidation to bullies in childhood, in most cases, con-
abuse or aggressively dominate others. tinue to be bullies as adults.
It can be direct or indirect; both forms of
bullying are detrimental to children and One particular type of bullying that both
adults alike. In cases of indirect bullying men and women face is domestic vio-
the individual might not be aware of the lence. It is often assumed that women
harassment being committed. Though fall prey to victimisation by their hus-
the most common form of bullying is bands. The husband uses physical vio-
physical and verbal, emotional bullying lence and emotional blackmail in order
can have just as big, if not more, of an to change and control the behaviour of
impact on victims. his wife. While it is assumed that wom-
en predominantly fall prey to domestic
So what types of bullying are violence, their male counterparts on
the other hand, suffer just as much as
there and how can it affect a
they do. According to Denis Campbell,
person? a health correspondent from the guard-
ian newspaper, “More than 40% of do-
We tend to associate the word ‘bullying’ mestic violence victims are male.” This
with children, as we hear many stories means that more rehabilitation projects
about how children face dilemmas on in the UK need to be implemented in
an on-going basis, as has been con- order to prevent and support both men
firmed by many parents, stories online and women suffering from domestic vi-
and charities across the UK. However, olence.

Peer pressure is also another common type but is in fact mostly a very private thing to
of bullying; it is a strategy used especially the individual and a coping mechanism to al-
amongst younger people. It is when a peer low the individual to be able to deal with their
group exerts pressure upon an individual, to problems. Those who self-harm often feel over-
change their behaviour or attitudes in a way to whelmed by their own emotions. It is also used
conform to the groups own. People who are af- as a method of self-punishment; those who are
fected may be pressured into doing things that bullied may believe that they deserve to be
they do not wish to such as smoking, drinking bullied, or that there is something ‘wrong’ with
and even bullying others; they feel pressured them. Thus, the individual resorts to self-harm.
to do things that go against their morals and
beliefs. Although commonly associated to self-harm,
suicide is not necessarily linked. Suicide is
The affects of bullying can vary for each and seen by a victim as a means to an end, some-
every person; however there are common thing that will allow them to escape the hard-
trends amongst victims, such as a heightened ships they are facing. Often the issues these
risk of mental illness. One type of mental illness individuals are going through have exceeded
that has been repeatedly linked to bullying is what they can physically and emotionally han-
eating disorders. The most common type of dle.
eating disorder is known as anorexia nervo-
sa, bulimia nervosa, and EDNOS (a person We should not take any aspect of bullying light-
with eating disorder not otherwise specified). ly because of the potential affects it can have
Though one may think that these are directly on the individual. There are many solutions
linked to the eating habits of an individual, this available to bullying and depression in the Glo-
is merely a symptom. Eating disorders are to rious Qur’an and Sunnah (teachings and prac-
do with control – those who are being bullied tices of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh) as well as
may feel they have little control over what is other means such as charities and organisa-
happening to them and therefore seek it out by tions that can help. The most important thing is
other means, such as restricting their intake of to remember that if you or someone you know
food. is suffering from any form of bullying, seek help
from others and more importantly in Allah (swt)
An individual may also resort to self-harm or and In shaa Allah you will be free from your
even suicide, as a reaction to bullying. Self- hardships in due time.
harm is often mistaken as a cry for attention,

‘But among them is he who says,

“Our Lord, give us in this world
[that which is] good and in the
Hereafter [that which is] good and
protect us from the punishment
of the Fire.”
[Qur’an, Surah Al- Baqarah: The Cow, 2:201]
By Nasrine Abdirachid
Actor, comedian and prominent household name,

Robin Williams’ unexpected suicide sparked up a much needed
open debate about a very common, but destructive mental health
illness; depression. His death shocked the entire world. As people
tried to come to terms with the cause of his death and his state of
mind, the question on everyone’s lips was “How could it be that
someone is seemingly happy on the surface, yet
suffering from such personal despair?”
Actor, comedian and prominent household But how do they feel and how is that different
name, Robin Williams’ unexpected suicide to what we think they are feeling?
sparked up a much needed open debate
about a very common, but destructive men- While unhappiness or sadness are feelings
tal health illness; depression. His death we all experience at some point in our lives,
shocked the entire world. As people tried to these emotions tend to improve with time.
come to terms with the cause of his death However when one is suffering from depres-
and his state of mind, the question on every- sion, these feelings are constant, day in, day
one’s lips was “How could it be that someone out.
is seemingly happy on the surface, yet suf-
fering from such personal despair?” • Emotions are heightened: your loved one
may appear sad, but feel utter despair
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with • Problems are magnified: reasons that
him) reported Allah’s Messenger (peace be appear small and insignificant, appear
upon him) as saying, “The Last Hour would massively life changing in their eyes
not come until a person would pass by a • Feelings are generalised: an issue that
grave of another person and he would say: I would impact only one area of life, might
wish it had been my abode.” [Sahih Muslim, be the reason they feel their world is col-
Book 41, Number 6947] Unfortunately, there lapsing.
are many people who feel this way. There-
fore, understanding the state of mind of a These examples cannot begin to describe
person suffering from depression is impor- the crippling emotions of those suffering from
tant in helping loved ones overcome the de- depression, but trying to understand, is the
bilitating feelings of low self worth, guilt and first step towards aiding your loved one over-
sadness. come the illness.

The illness sometimes manifests itself into your love for them. Depression, like any other
physical symptoms. If you do begin to suspect illness, is a test from Allah (swt).
depression, these could be the first things you
notice about a person A sudden change in
behavioral patterns and habits is a clear sign
“You have a family, a house,
that something is amiss. Perhaps you notice a car, a good job; are you
they are quieter than usual or displaying no-
ticeably fidgety behavior, or maybe you notice not grateful?”
your spouse is lacking the same intimacy as
before. Constant fatigue, increased sleep and Do not start listing all the things they have to
a lack of enjoyment in doing things, they usu- be grateful for, most likely they already know.
ally find pleasure in are among some of the Pointing them out does not improve their state
changes you might notice. of mind; rather it makes them feel ungrateful.
Along with all the other feelings, such as low
Having noticed all these things and armed self worth, low self confidence and guilt, feel-
with this information, what is the next step? ings of ingratitude is not really a feeling you
want to add to the mix.
Striking up a conversation about depression
with a loved one, who is displaying warning What to say:
signs, is never an easy task. A person experi-
encing depression might find it very difficult to Suggest seeking
seek help or may not be ready, so it is wise to
tread carefully. Expressing your love for them professional help
is highly important. Explain the fact that you
have noticed changes in them and would like Self-help is essential to recovery, particularly
to work things through with them. in depression. Encouraging a person suffering
from depression to see their GP is important
If a person confides in you and comes to you in getting diagnosed and receiving the right
for help, your initial response can be a make medical care. Visit your local GP for more in-
or break. formation on the procedure of diagnosis and
treatments available.
What not to say:
Provide comfort and a
“You’ll get over it” listening ear when needed
Do not make out like their feelings or problems Sometimes not saying anything at all is what is
are fleeting or irrelevant. They may have been required. Give your time and presence.
harbouring these feelings for a long time and
seeking help is a big step in the path to recov- Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him)
ery. Do not hamper this recovery by belittling reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be
their emotions. upon him) as saying:
“What have you got to be “He who removes from a believer one of his
difficulties of this world, Allah will remove one
sad about?” of his troubles on the Day of Resurrection; and
he who finds relief for a hard-pressed person,
Sometimes the causes of depression are Allah will make things easy for him on the Day
clear, such as a major life changing event, but of Resurrection; he who covers up (the faults
at other times there is no obvious cause. Wil- and sins) of a Muslim, Allah will cover up (his
liams’ suicide is example enough to show that faults and sins) in this world and in the Here-
anybody can suffer from depression. It is also after. Allah supports His slave as long as the
very important to remember that your loved slave is supportive of his brother.” [Sahih Mus-
one’s depression is not a reflection on you or lim, Riyadh us-Saliheen, Book 1, Number 245]

Suggest lifestyle changes Allah’s remembrance are the hearts set at
rest.” [Surah Ar Ra’d, The Thunder, 13:28]
Quitting smoking, taking up exercise, chang-
ing one’s diet and finding a hobby are just a After reminding them of Allah (swt), the most
few of the changes that could significantly re- important thing you have to make clear is that,
duce depression. Offer doing them together. despite their feelings of worthlessness, they
Channeling energies towards something else are worth a lot in your eyes. You have to un-
has proven very helpful in the treatment of and derstand that no matter how difficult they are
recovery of people suffering from depression. being and how hard it has been on you, this is
a test for you as much as it is for them. Their
reaction and response to you is not personal,
Your most important task, it’s not because of you they are suffering from
in aiding your loved one this illness, but it is your role as a Muslim to aid
a suffering person and relieve this suffering
overcome depression, is any way you can.
constantly reminding them Seeking professional help is paramount in re-
of Allah (The Most High) covery, so it is advised to visit a doctor as soon
as you notice signs of depression. Remember
Lead your loved one in prayer (or encourage that depression is an illness.
them to pray). Encourage them to make con-
stant ‘dhikr’ (remembrance of Allah). Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him)
reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) as saying,
• ‘Istighfar’ (seeking forgiveness) “There is no disease that Allah has created,
• ‘Tahleel’ (declaring the Oneness of Allah) except that He also has created its remedy.”
‘Takbeer’ (proclaiming the greatness [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Book 7, Number 582]
of Allah)
• ‘Tahmeed’ (giving thanks to Allah) Praise be to Allah, Knower of all ailments and
• ‘Tasbeeh’ (to glorify Allah) their hidden cures. May Allah (swt) give ‘shifa’
(cure) to all those suffering from depression,
Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an, “Those as well as other illnesses.
who believe and whose hearts are set at rest
by the remembrance of Allah; now surely by Ameen.

“Sit with those who love Allah, for

that enlightens the mind.”
Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab (RA)

DP Connect
We are wrapping up the year and planning for 2015 with new
concepts such as DP Connect – connecting with people through meet
ups organised by us talking about Islam, societal issues and changes.
We are targeting brothers, sisters and ISOCs in the UK. If you, your friends and family
want to get involved then please email us at events@thedawahproject.com with the
subject heading DP Connect.
You cannot separate the message
from the
Messenger
By Aseel Saif
T
here are many aspects of Prophet Mu-
hammad’s (peace be upon him) per-
sonality that are not only admirable, but
also exemplary. Despite his high status as the
last Messenger of Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala),
his personality and the way he carried out his
daily life represented the epitome of humanity
and modesty.
The Prophet (pbuh) was entrusted with an

amazing mission, since receiving the first part
of the final revelation from Angel Jibreel (upon
him be peace). Despite having an enormous
responsibility to convey Allah’s message to
mankind, through his time-consuming com-
mitments he maintained an admirable relation-
ship with his family and friends. He dealt with
people from different walks of life, whether they
supported him or were against him; he dealt

with them in a reasonable and appropriate
manner. From his virtues and characteristics
we learn that he was a loving husband, a per-
fect father and a caring grandparent. He was
also a great judge, statesman and religious
leader. But what made him so distinctive was
that he was a blessing to all in both his word
and deed. He brought together love, justice
and dignity for all those who were in his pres-
ence.
The Glorious Qur’an describes Prophet Mu-

hammad (pbuh) as being merciful and kind to
humankind. Allah the Almighty says, “Now hath
come unto you a Messenger from amongst
yourselves: it grieves him that ye should per-
ish: ardently anxious is he over you: to the Be-
lievers is he most kind and merciful.” [Surah
At-Tawbah, The Repentance, 9:128]

Physical description Modesty
The companions knew Prophet Muhammad Zayd ibn Talya (May Allah be pleased with him)
(pbuh) to be the most beautiful of people. One reported Allah’s Messenger as saying, “Every
companion said: “The Prophet (pbuh) was a religion has a character and the character of
person of average height. His shoulders were Islam is modesty.”
wide. His hair reached his earlobes. Once
I saw him adorned in a red garment; I never Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) lived a simple and
saw anything more beautiful than him.” [Sahih modest life, both in Makkah as a trader and
Al-Bukhari] in Madinah as the head of the state and Mes-
senger of Allah (swt). The change in his social
Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) status from that of a trader in Makkah to the
described him as follows: head of the state in Madinah did not bring any
change in his modest living. Umar ibn al Khat-
“He was of medium build, closer to being tall. tab (may Allah be pleased with him) reported
His skin was extremely white, his beard was the Prophet (pbuh) as saying, “Do not exalt me
black, his mouth was pleasant, his eyebrows as the Christians have exalted Jesus son of
were long, and his shoulders were wide.” Mary. I am just His servant, so call me Allah’s
Servant and Messenger.”
Anas Ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with
him) said: “I never touched silk or any soft fab- Doing Things for the Sake of
ric equal to the softness of his palm, and I nev-
er smelled a scent more pleasing than his.” Allah (swt)
Muslims continuously learn about Prophet The Prophet (pbuh) would always do deeds
Muhammad’s (pbuh) traits and personality in which he would seek the pleasure of Allah
through the Ahadith and Qur’an. Of the many (swt). He was persecuted when he invited and
traits we continuously read about, five can be called people to Islam; yet he was patient and
focused on, which Muslims should learn about endured hardship and hoped for the reward
and benefit from. of Allah (swt). Abdullah Ibn Masood (may Al-
lah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet

(pbuh) resembled a prophet who was harmed then Allah will elevate the believer’s position in
by his people. He wiped the blood from his this world and in the Hereafter, In shaa Allah.
face and said: ‘O God! Forgive my people, for
they know not!’” [Sahih Al-Bukhari] Politeness and Good Manners
Sincerity The Prophet (pbuh) showed good manners
and was courteous to everyone and even to
The Prophet (pbuh) was sincere and honest in children. Once when the Prophet was in a gath-
all his matters, as Allah had ordered him. Allah, ering, a drink was brought to him and he drank
the Exalted, says: “Say, Indeed, my prayer, my from it. On his right side there was a young boy
rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for and on his left side were elderly men. Feeling
Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. obliged by the respect of elders, and not want-
And this I have been commanded and I am ing to hurt the feelings of the child, he asked
the first (among you) of the Muslims.” [Surah the young boy: “Do you mind if I give the drink
Al-Anaam, The Cattle, 6:162-163] to them?’ The young boy said: ‘O Prophet of
Allah! By Allah! I would not prefer anyone to
drink from the place you drank. This is my fair
Good Morals, Ethics and share.’ The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) handed
the boy the drink.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]
Companionship
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), through his
The Prophet (pbuh) was a living example for all persona and actions, was and still remains to
humans to follow. His wife A’isha bint Abu Bakr be an example to every Muslim and individual
(may Allah be pleased with her) was asked in the world. As the popular saying goes, ‘you
about his manners and she said, “His manners cannot separate the message from the Mes-
were the Qur’an.” [Sahih Muslim] Implying that senger’. Therefore, it is important to study the
the Prophet (pbuh) followed what was revealed life of the Prophet (pbuh) through his manners
to him by Allah (the Most High) and command- and morals, of which in itself manifests what
ed the Messenger to be merciful towards the Islam is truly about.
people. Thus, Muslims should follow his great
example and connect to the Qur’an. It is only

CAUG H T UP WI T H T H E
HAJJ CREW
2014
Alhamdulillah for the eleventh
year, Islam channel viewers have
been blessed with the opportunity
of watching the Live Hajj Broad-
cast and the documentary series
‘Footsteps of Ibraheem’. In the
Islam Channel Hajj brochure, some
of the crew members shared their
thoughts and hopes, before
embarking on this incredible
journey and project. The Dawah
Project team decided to interview
the same crew members, again,
with the addition of a Satellite
Engineer after they returned from
‘The Heart of Arabia.’ Read further
about their fascinating
experiences.

Majid Khan
Producer
This was Majid’s first Hajj. He tells us about how he

balanced performing Hajj whilst working:
“I really enjoyed it! It was my first time so I didn’t know

all the rituals, I didn’t know what to expect of Hajj…. Of
course, you’re working in fifty degrees Celsius in Sau-
di Arabia. It’s a completely different culture with differ-
ent ways so you do struggle, but Alhamdullilah Allah
(swt) made it easy for us. I will never forget seeing the
Ka’bah for the first time; that’s the thing no one can ever
forget, I couldn’t believe it; it felt surreal.
I met one couple from India, the wife and husband were
both seventy years old, and they told us that they had
sold their little farm to come and perform Hajj. Then I
suddenly realised how important and big this journey
was. After hearing this, I felt blessed and more appre-
ciative of being able to perform Hajj.
I also overlooked the ‘Footsteps of Ibraheem’- a famous

religious programme shown during the Hajj season.
Basit Khan - the presenter is your average Londoner, a
normal guy and I kept telling him that he needs to de-
liver everything from the perspective of a normal British
born and bred pilgrim who’s been invited to his first
Hajj. That’s the angle I went with to make it not seem as
though it was coming from an Islam Channel presenter.
The viewers were the fuel that kept the team going dur-
ing the live shows through the continuous calls, tweets
and contributions to The Dawah Project. Because of
them we managed to carry on.”

Paul Wick
Multi Skilled Operator
Paul has been a Muslim for over eight months,

Alhamdulillah. Having converted to Islam
whilst working at Islam Channel, this was his
first Hajj. He describes the splendor of being
in the city of the Prophet Muhammad (peace
be upon him) and Makkah:
“It was an amazing experience because I

don’t think anyone could have prepared me
for how big it was or just the whole aura of the
structure of Madinah. We saw the Prophet’s
(pbuh) mosque and this was very emotional
for me. We just went crazy for a little while and
then we heard the call to prayer for Fajr.
After visiting the Prophet’s (pbuh) mosque we

made our way to Makkah. What can I say, the
moment I saw the Ka’bah I didn’t really know
what to feel, I can’t really put my finger on
how I felt, I had this overwhelming thing about
knowing exactly where I was and I just sort of
kept my eyes to the ground and then raised
them to the Ka’bah and it was just, how should
I put it in words - Wow! It was really amazing,
Subhaan’Allah the whole experience was in-
credible. Performing the physical rites of Hajj
was also very challenging. We did Tawaaf,
which is very difficult as you’re just trying to
battle everyone. Seven laps and then we got
out and did Sa’i, then shaved our heads and
went home. I surprised myself at how patient
I was. In fact, I’ll be honest with you as I was
worried about losing my temper. I think minus
one minor flare up I managed to hold myself
pretty well. I definitely learnt a lot of patience
out there.
As a Multi Skilled Operator the working part

was tough such as setting up a live studio in
forty five degrees heat. I think you find your-
self getting very confused at times when you
haven’t had enough water - so we had to
make sure we were hydrated to keep on top
of the work. I was fine with my responsibilities,
however I in all honesty I did struggle with the
physical aspect of Hajj.
I think it’s important that we keep doing it

and we keep up with the viewers’ demands.
If there’s anything the viewers want to know
about Hajj I think they should tell us.’’

Jonathan Fletcher
Camera Operator
Having embraced Islam seven years ago, this was Jonathan’s first Hajj too. With
expectations of how the journey will turn out, coupled with a range of emotions
and excitement about fulfilling an obligation, Jonathan states that Hajj was re-
markable:
“It was a very good bonding experience because we got to do Hajj together as a
team. The first Umrah was so surreal, the whole time I just kept making du’a as we
were performing Tawaf. It was a very special moment. Every aspect of Hajj was
nice. However, I think Madinah was the highlight for me! It’s just a really beauti-
ful city. There was only two occasions when we couldn’t pray salah at ‘Al-Masjid
al-Nabawi’ but other than that the team felt blessed to have prayed every other
salah.
When you’re in Makkah you find yourself making du’a for all the other pilgrims,
this helped to keep my patience in check. You ask Allah to forgive them and to
accept their Hajj and not just your own. Making du’a was the key thing that helped
me greatly as I was able to control my temper and this allowed me to remember
where I was.
I was filming ‘Footsteps of Ibraheem’, going to places that not many people get to
go normally in terms of a first Hajj. This was probably the best Hajj anybody could
really have. Even with all the heat in Saudi Arabia we kept going – we had to!
I just want to say, I really hope the viewers enjoyed watching what we made, and
hopefully it was the best of what we could have done given the circumstances. I
hope that if I ever get the chance to go back, to make it even better, In shaa Allah.’’

Khalid Kthiri
Satellite Engineer
It was Khalid’s eighth Hajj with Islam Channel!

He was responsible for making sure the chan-
nel was on air continuously and to the highest
level of quality. Below he explores his career
in regards to Hajj:
“My first Hajj was in 2006. Of course we learn

a lot within eight years, every year we had
some difficulty and every time we go, we learn
something new. This year we faced some
problems with the Customs in Jeddah. We en-
countered many delays and had to go through
various procedures. It’s because we had the
broadcast equipment and with it we needed
letters from the Ministry to allow us to take the
equipment out of the airport. The letter arrived
four days later, thereafter we were able to take
our equipment and start broadcasting.
In terms of the technical set-up for an interna-

tional audience, location is key for the satellite
signal to come through clearly. When I set up
everything and get a signal, I then have to call
France every time to make a link with them,
making sure the quality of the signal is excel-
lent. Then I send the signal to the satellite and
the UK studio receives it. Both teams abroad
and in the UK send signals back and forth to
the satellite.
Finally, I just want to say that without The

Dawah Project subscribers it would be impos-
sible for us to go to Hajj every year, to do this
amazing job and so I want to thank them tre-
mendously for supporting Islam channel with
this Hajj Broadcast.”

Yasir Khan
Video Editor
Yasir runs us through his second experience of Hajj:
“I don’t know where to start… from day one we had an amazing time. Working
with a completely new team was a bit challenging, but I loved every part of it.
As it was my second Hajj with Islam Channel, I was ready for any upcoming and
unexpected challenges. Working with a new team helped me in developing my
leadership qualities. I was the one who was working on ‘Footsteps of Ibraheem’ as
a Video Editor and Producer. I was responsible for creating new content for each
and every episode from scratch.
All the donors of The Dawah Project are directly responsible for the Hajj operation.
After Allah (swt), without the viewers’ support we can’t do anything. Whatever we
are producing, there is a fruit of that tree which are the donations our viewers give
to The Dawah Project and I just want to say thank you.’’
To fund Hajj 2015 broadcast and to make a contribution

towards religious programming on Islam Channel show
your support by calling 020 7330 1744 or log on to

RE M I N D E RS
Supplications for a Peaceful Mind

Ways to Remove Stress, Worry and Anxiety
Stop stress-ing - it’s all about stressing out the correct way! There are many remedies to help
cure depression, which are found in the Glorious Qur’an and Sunnah (practices and teachings
of Prophet Muhammad, pbuh). Below are some tips to help you restore happiness in your life,
In shaa Allah.
People often forget the importance of the simple yet powerful du’a (supplication) - Istighfar i.e.
saying ‘Astaghfirullah’. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to recite ‘Astaghfirullah’ at least 100
times a day. The benefit of this beautiful du’a is that it gives relief and happiness; it takes away
anxieties; du’as are answered; it opens the door of sustenance, mercy and knowledge. It is an
effective method of calming oneself and definitely helps when in a depressed mood.

Du’as to Read for Oneself
“La ilaaha ill-Allah Al-‘Azeem ul-Haleem, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah Rabbi l-‘arsh
il-‘azeem, Laa ilaaha ill-Allah Rabb is-samawaati wa Rabb il-ard wa Rabbi
l-‘arsh il-kareem”
Translation: There is no God except Allah, the All-Mighty, the Forbearing; there is no God except
Allah, the Lord of the Mighty Throne; there is no God except Allah, Lord of the Heavens, Lord of
the Earth and Lord of the Noble Throne. [Sahih Al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
It was reported that Asmaa’ bint ‘Umays (may Allah be pleased with her) said: The Messenger
of Allah (pbuh) said to me, ‘Shall I not teach you some words to say when you feel distressed? ...
‘Allah, Allah, Rabbee laa ushriku bihi shay’an’.

Translation: Allah, Allah, my Lord, I do not associate anything with Him [Abu Dawud]
Du’a at the Time of Distress

“Hasbunallahu wa ni’mal Wakil”
Translation: Allah (Alone) is sufficient for me and He is an Excellent Guardian.
[Surah Al-Imran, The Family of Imran, 3:173]
On Seeing a Person in Difficulty, say to oneself

“Al-hamdu lil-laahil-ladhee ‘aafaanee mim-mab-ta-laaka bih, wa fad-dala-
nee ‘alaa kathee-rin mim-man khalaqa taf-deelaa”
Translation: All praise be to Allah Who saved me from this difficulty in which you are involved and
conferred on me special favours – above a great part of his creation. [Tirmidhi]
Du’a When Visiting the Sick

“Labasa tahurun in shaa Allah. Labasa tahurun in shaa Allah. Allahumash-
fi Allahumma afih”
Translation: Do not despair. This is a cleansing (of sins) – if Allah wills. Do not despair. This is a
cleansing (of sins) – if Allah wills. [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

THE ART OF CUPPING
By Aisha Ahmed
Cupping therapy also known as ‘hijama’ in Arabic, is a

form of alternative medicine in which cups are placed
on the skin to create suction. Muslims follow the cupping
therapy as it was reported from Anas ibn Maalik (may
Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and
blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever is treated with
cupping on the seventeenth, nineteenth or twenty first,
will be healed from all diseases.”
[Reported by Ibn Maajah, 3489]

Cups
The cups can be made from a variety of ma-
terials, including:
Glass
As the air inside the cup cools, it creates
Bamboo
a vacuum. This causes the skin to rise and
Earthenware
redden as blood vessels expand. The cup is
generally left in place for five to ten minutes.
Supporters of cupping therapy believe the
suction of the cups mobilizes blood flow
A more modern version of cupping uses a
to promote the healing of a broad range of
rubber pump to create the vacuum inside
medical ailments. Cupping therapy dates
the cup. These move from place to place on
back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Mid-
the skin and produce a massage-like effect
dle Eastern cultures.
which is relaxing.
During wet cupping, a mild suction is creat-

ed using a cup that is left in place for about
three minutes. The practitioner then removes
the cup and uses a small scalpel to make su-
Types of Cupping perficial skin incisions. Then he or she per-
forms a second suction to draw out a small
Therapy Available quantity of blood.
There are various types of cupping therapy, After the procedure, the site may be covered
including: with an antibiotic ointment and bandage to
prevent infection. Alternatively, you might
• Dry cupping relies on suction only. Dry like to try using black seed oil which is used
and massage cupping (hijama)  may be as an antiseptic and was regularly used by
administered any time of the day, any Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) for medicinal
day of the week or month. There are no purposes. You will notice the skin’s appear-
restrictions. ance generally returns to normal within 10
• Wet cupping is a combination of suction days.
and controlled medicinal bleeding.
Cupping therapy supporters believe that wet
During both types of cupping, the air inside cupping removes harmful substances and
the cup is heated with a flame. As the fire toxins from the body to promote healing.
goes out, the cup is placed upside down on
the patient’s skin.

Benefits of Cupping health professionals. However, there are a
few potential side effects:
Therapy • Mild discomfort
The British Cupping Society says cupping • Burns
therapy can treat a variety of conditions: • Bruises
• Skin infection
• Blood disorders such as anaemia and
haemophilia According to the British Cupping Society,
• Rheumatic diseases such as arthritis cupping therapy should be avoided by peo-
and fibromyalgia ple in these conditions:
• Fertility and gynaecological disorders
• Skin problems such as eczema and • Pregnant or menstruating women
acne • People with metastatic cancer (cancer
• High blood pressure that has spread from one part of the
• Migraine body to another)
• Anxiety and depression • People with bone fractures or muscle
• Bronchial congestion caused by aller- spasms
gies and asthma
• Varicose veins You should not use cupping therapy on
• Reduces pain and inflammation areas of the body that have:
Supporters and users also say cupping can • A deep vein thrombosis
promote mental and physical relaxation and • An ulcer
well-being. • An artery
• A pulse that can be felt
Side Effects of Please note: None of this is proven and it all works differ-
Cupping Therapy
ently with different people but it just goes to show how an
old long alternative treatment has been carried on through
the ages; from the ancient Egyptians to the most luxurious of
treatment centres in the modern world.
Cupping is considered to be relatively
safe, especially when performed by trained

Recommended Reading
Reclaim Your Heart

by Yasmin Mogahed
This book is relevant to anyone who is
experiencing emotional pain, disappointment
and feeling a spiritual void. It is reflective,
thought provoking, beautifully written, heartfelt,
compassionate and an encouraging read.
Yasmin Mogahead’s words are clear, to the point

and they hit you hard. This book is definitely
worth reading over and over again!
A Journey to God:
Reflections on the
Hikam of Ibn Ata’illah
By Dr Jasser Auda
The ultimate yearning of the human soul is to
return to its Lord in a state where He is pleased
with His servant and the Servant is pleased with his
Master. Dr. Auda offers a unique insight to prepare
you for the journey to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta’ala)
through the wisdom of the great spiritual master Ibn
Ata’illah al-Iskandari as expounded in his
masterpiece al-Hikam. You will not be able to put
this book down; your soul will yearn for the
knowledge inside this gem.

A Traveller’s Guide:
Explore
Japan

Tokyo
Tokyo Camii
Japan’s Biggest Mosque
Takeshita Dori
Fashion Boutiques, Cafes and Restaurants
Nara City
Culture and History
Sanrio Puroland
Indoor Theme Park
Tokyo Tower
Tea Ceremony and Sumida River Cruise

A Traveller’s Guide:
Explore Japan
By Aisha Ahmed
Japan is a fascinating country to visit

and is a unique tourist destination, which
has a mix of lots of different cultures. It
is known as the land of cute mascots. In
fact, every town has a unique mascot; this
can be from something cultural such as
a Samurai (warrior) to the adorable ‘Hello
Kitty’ which represents modern culture.
Nevertheless, the Japanese culture is mul-
tifaceted. On the one hand it has carried
on strict tradition in certain prefectures of
the country; traditions which dates back
to thousands of years. On the other, it is
very modern with rapid development of
Tokyo Camii
technology and is setting trends in the Japan’s Biggest Mosque
fashion scene.
Mosques can be found throughout Japan’s major cities.
If you are looking for something different you There are around eighty mosques in Japan. The coun-
are sure to find it here. The country is made try’s largest place of Islamic worship is ‘Tokyo Camii’
up of unique towns hiding away different also known as ‘Uehara Mosque’ located in Oyama-cho
district of Shibuya ward in the capital, Tokyo. ‘Camii’
gems. It is more equipped for Muslims than
is a Turkish word which is derived from the informal
people assume. Food consists of seafood, Arabic ‘jami’ and refers to a central “congregational
noodles, sticky rice and sushi. Inside and mosque”. It is a major mosque where people gather
outside of the capital Tokyo, you will find an for ‘Jumu’ah’ (Friday Prayers). The mosque has space
array of Halal restaurants including Indian, for approximately 1,200 worshipers. Tokyo Camii’s im-
Iranian and Turkish. Most restaurants have pressive dome makes it stand out from the surrounding
Japanese and English menus too, so do ask architecture. The Mosque is annually revamped and is
for it. taken care of to cater for the 30 per cent year-on-year
growth in the number of Malaysian Muslim travellers
The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum has to Japan over the year-end school holidays. In total
160,000 Muslim Malaysian tourists alone go yearly to
been offering a Muslim-friendly menu, with
Japan.
dishes that exclude rice cooked with alco-
hol, pork and other ingredients which is not For more information about the Tokyo Camii, please
approved as being ‘Halal’ (permissible). To visit their official website:
add to their Halal initiative they also intro- http://www.tokyocamii.org/
duced a vegetarian menu. The Shin-Yokoha-
ma Ramen Museum also has free Wi-Fi ac-
cess points so people can Google Japanese
dishes to check what they are ordering. They
have also added to their menus an easy to
understand symbol list to their menus to in-
dicate non-pork, non-beef and vegetarian
dishes. What is even better is that they have
even introduced prayer rooms, which can be
used at any time during opening hours.

Nara City
Culture and History
Nara was once the capital of Japan and there-
fore remains a very interesting place to visit and is
completely the opposite of Tokyo. It is situated one
hour away from Kyoto. The shrines and temples of
Nara are on the UNESCO Heritage Sites list, and
though there is plenty to see and do here, all the
attractions are pretty much grouped together and
Takeshita Dori are within walking distance. It is extremely pleas-
ant and reconnects you with the beauty of nature.
Fashion Boutiques, Cafes and
Restaurants Everything is encompassed inside the Nara Park
and intriguing Japanese elements can be found
Located in the heart of Harajuku, a centre for Jap- every step of the way. The unique thing about
anese youth culture and fashion, this is the area Nara is that 1,200 Sika Deers roam freely all over
around Tokyo between Shinjuku City and Shibuya the place and are extremely tamed. Visitors can
ward on the Yamanote railway line. engage with them and even buy crackers to feed
them. If you are travelling with children or are a
The symbol of Harajuku and birthplace of many of massive animal lover this is place you must visit!
Japan’s fashion trends, Takeshita Dori (Takeshita
Street) is a narrow, roughly 400 meter long street If you travel with any Muslim friendly tours you can
lined by shops, boutiques, cafes and fast food also take a special Sakura tour package taking
outlets targeting Tokyo’s teenagers. Because of you to three popular areas outside Tokyo; Nara,
the street’s popularity, it becomes extremely busy Osaka and Kyoto which includes more activities.
and crowded on the weekends. Interesting shops You can visit the Nara Deer Park, and then en-
and restaurants can also be found along some joy the Sakura (the pink rose blossoms) in Kyoto.
of the side streets. Young travelers will enjoy this Next, would be to travel to Kyoto Mosque. This is
full experience of the diverse fashion trends and followed by the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Then
the large hundred year old Yen shop which sells you can stay overnight at Osaka City. This in-
practically everything. Shops along Takeshita Dori cludes two photo stops to capture beautiful photo
tend to be open daily from 11:00am to 8:00pm. moments without rushing.

Tokyo Tower
Tea Ceremony and Sumida River
Cruise
There are lots of locations to experience an au-
thentic tea ceremony. Why not indulge in a jam
packed day of sightseeing in Tokyo. You can
Sanrio Puroland travel from places such as the Imperial Palace,
Nakamise shopping street and Asakusa Kannon
Indoor Theme Park Temple. Soak up the views from Tokyo Tower, take
part in a traditional tea ceremony in a Japanese
The pretty Sanrio characters get together with Hel- garden and enjoy a relaxing 40-minute cruise
lo Kitty to give you a different kind of amusement along Sumida River.
park. Sanrio Puroland is the second theme park
in Japan located in Tama New Town. The Sanrio Your first highlight of the day is Tokyo Tower, which
characters enjoy worldwide popularity such as provides panoramic views of Japan’s capital from
Hello Kitty, Little Twin Stars and My Melody and the main observatory. Climb to the 476-foot-high
they even greet visitors. (145-meter) viewing platform in Japan’s second
tallest structure and be sure to stand over the
As it is an all-weather park, there is no need for an glass-floor ‘lookout window.’
umbrella even if it rains. It keeps the temperature
comfortable throughout the year so that even fam- Appreciating the tradition of Japan, the best
ilies with small children can spend time without place to start is taking part in a traditional tea
any concern. ceremony in the ‘garden of eight views’ called
Happo-en. Originally a tradition for girls coming
It offers a variety of live performances and at- of age, people admire the procedure of making
tractions. Visitors will be thrilled by the acrobatic and presenting tea and is sometimes demonstrat-
and gorgeous entertaining show. They are perfor- ed to guests in normal homes. You can sip tea
mances including Hello Kitty and popular guest and admire bonsai trees in the Japanese garden
performers. “Kitty’s House” is where visitors can in an Edo-style ambience. Then visit the Imperial
peep at Kitty’s room including the living room Palace, and cross the symbolic, double-arched
and the bathroom which is very popular. This is a Nijubashi Bridge, which many centuries ago led
place people of all ages can go to! to the famed Chiyoda Castle in the Edo period.

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we work closely with our clients to create bespoke events
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Food Bites
Japanese Cuisine
As the Japanese say ‘Tabete Tanoshimu’

which means enjoy eating!
By Aisha Ahmed

Savoury
Tempura Shrimp
/ Prawn Sushi
really fast. Since we would like to have them straight to fit
Preparation Time: 15 minutes our roll, fry them on a skewer.
3. Tempuring: There are many ways to make tempura batter

Cooking Time: 20 minutes from ready-made packets from your local Oriental super-
market.
Shrimp tempura roll is my all time favourite.
This is one of the rare sushi options that is If it is not available make it from scratch:
actually cooked. For sensitive stomachs or for
• Mix corn flour, plain flour and baking powder
people new to the world of sushi this is a great • Gently add iced liquid
fish to start with. • Briefly stir. Needs to be thick and it is fine to have a few
small unmixed lumps. Tip: Do not overstir the mixture
Ingredients (Serves 1 skewer, can
4. The Big Dip: Using a skewer, dip your shrimp or prawn in
be cut into 6-8 pieces) tempura batter. You can pour it on, dip it, drown it - anyway
you want as long it is perfectly covered with tempura.
Tempura Batter
5. The Deep Fry: Now covered with tempura, deep fry the
• 100g corn flour shrimp or prawn on a stick for 2-3 minutes until it turns a
golden brown.
• 150g plain flour
• 10g baking powder 6. Skewer Out: You must remember to take the skewer out
• Enough iced perrier or soda water to make after frying. Allow to drain on a cooling rack.
batter (should coat your finger)
Now your tempura shrimp or prawn is ready to serve with
any kind of sauce which tickles your taste buds!
Sushi Filling/ Casing
How to Make One Roll of Sushi
Fresh or frozen shrimp/ prawns (5 per skewer)
Metal or wooden skewers
1. Take a medium size bowl and put 1 tsp vinegar, 1/2 tsp
salt, 1/2 tsp sugar and 1 tsp sesame oil. Using a wooden
Seaweed/ Sushi Wrap
spoon, stir until all dissolved. Add 2 scoops of hot cooked
rice into a bowl. Stir rice until it absorbs all the liquid. Rice
• 2 scoops/ cups Thai rice or special sushi rice
should be sticky.
(cook with rice cooker)
• 1 tsp vinegar
2. Put one piece of sushi wrap, put the rice dough, flatten
• 1/2 tsp salt
throughout the leaf of seaweed. Put the shrimps or prawn in
a line.
Preparation
3. Then roll and condense it. Do it again for another roll. I
1. Chop Tails: Take five fresh, large shrimps or prefer to prepare one by one to keep the rice hot. For the
prawns. With a sharp knife cut off three of the rolling tool it can be aided by bamboo roll that is available
shrimp or prawn tails (do not cut too much, no in Korean or Japanese stores. If you do not have this, you
more than just the tail). The remaining two are op- can use aluminium foil to help you roll and condense the
tional, I prefer to leave two with the tail on so that at rice. Drain it first at room temperature and then put inside a
the end the tails stick out of the roll for presentation refrigerator for a few minutes.
purposes.
4. When it has slightly hardened, slice and put roll on a
2. Skewering Around: One major problem when plate. The sushi is ready and can be served with soy sauce
cooking shrimp is they tend to shrink and curl dressing or halal Teriyaki sauce.

Dessert Preparation
Dorayaki (Japanese
1. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar and honey until the
mixture becomes fluffy.
Red Bean Pancake) 2. Sift flour and baking powder into the bowl and mix all
together. Keep in the fridge to rest for 15 minutes.
3. Stir in ½ tbsp of water at a time to get the right consisten-

Preparation Time: 20 minutes cy. It should be a little bit thicker than pancake batter. (If the
batter is too thin pancakes will be too flat and not fluffy).
Cooking Time: 40 minutes 4. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over low to medium
heat. Now, dip a paper towel in oil and coat the pan with
it. The pan should be slightly oiled but the oil should not
Dorayaki is best described as a dessert be visible. That is the secret to getting a nice texture on
sandwich with red bean filling between two the surface of your dorayaki. With a ladle or table spoon,
slices of pancake. I grew up eating this drop the batter from 15 cm above the pan to create 8 cm
diameter pancakes. When you see the surface of the batter
dessert in Japan and packaged Dorayaki is
starting to bubble, flip your pancake over and cook the
usually sold in Asian or Japanese grocery other side.
stores. It is really easy to make at home and
much more delicious if you make it from 5. Transfer dorayaki to a plate and cover up with a damp
scratch. I hope you give this simple recipe towel to prevent from drying. Meanwhile, continue making
a try! the rest of your pancakes.
7. Now, make your sandwich filling with red bean paste. Put
more red bean paste in the centre so the shape of doray-
Ingredients (Serves 8) aki will be curved (middle part should be thicker). Wrap
dorayaki with plastic wrap before shaping. Pinch around
• 4 large eggs the edges gently so the bean paste does not come out and
• 140g (2/3 cup) sugar remove the plastic wrap until you are ready to eat.
• 2 tbsp honey
Can be served warm or cold and is perfect to have with tea
• 160g (1 cup) all-purpose flour as an afternoon snack.
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1-2 tbsp water Tips:
• 2 tbsp oil
If you don’t eat it on the same or next day (keep it in a cool
• 1 can Ogura-An or 18 oz/ 520g home- place). Wrap the dorayaki in a plastic wrap and put in a
made sweetened red bean paste sealed clear bag to store in the freezer for up to a month.

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Live, Learn & Inspire

November/December 2014 / Issue 10

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The Art of Cupping

Stigma of Mental Health: Part 1

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We live in a world that is diverse and globalised. As many communities

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Psychotic Depression depression is a type of depres- Atypical Depression

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What else helped you to overcome Psychotic Depression?

How often do you go and seek medical advice?

Did you receive any support from family and friends?

I felt unsupported; in spite of the advice they were giving me.

How do you feel now?

Ilma Magazine / Issue 10 21

There is a greater risk of anxiety or depression to form with

What exactly is bullying? what we often fail to realise is that bul-

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‘But among them is he who says,

Actor, comedian and prominent household name,

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“Sit with those who love Allah, for

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The Prophet (pbuh) was entrusted with an

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The Glorious Qur’an describes Prophet Mu-

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This was Majid’s first Hajj. He tells us about how he

“I really enjoyed it! It was my first time so I didn’t know

I also overlooked the ‘Footsteps of Ibraheem’- a famous

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