Tagged

I was tagged by Karachiwali to do this:

The McCains own 13 cars, eight homes and have access to a corporate jet. If you were as insanely rich as them, where would your eight homes be and why?

The only rule is: The homes must be within the borders of the country you live in, so as to utterly emulate the McCains.

When you’re done, tag 8 people, so that they may join in the self-indulgence, forgetting about the crappy property market and the equivalent of The End of Pompeii on Wall-Street.

The only rule I won’t be following [Which is also the only rule :p] is that of limiting myself to one Country.

1 – Yemen – Sana’a

I love Yemen, in fact I am obsessed with this Country. The culture, the people, the language, the religious revival. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always wanted to go there. They have some of the top Ulema and religious Universities which specialise in Islam, Classical Arabic [Fus'ha] and other such arts. I naively asked my Dad if I could go there to study ilm for a year alone, Yemen isn’t so far from here and I’m in the region, but my Dad being the usual overly protective father didn’t think it was a ‘good idea’. I think I’d fit right in! Some of my favourite Islamic scholars are of Yemeni origin. I’d love one of my houses to be placed in the still preserved traditional housings. Yemen has some of the most beautiful historic architecture in the World.

Also check out these pictures: [For some reason I can't upload them here]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyphotos/2330631585/in/set-72157603913412055/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/meriem/89343642/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/-lucie-/2224027352/

2 – Pakistan – Azad Kashmir

I went for a tour of Pakistan in 2006 with my siblings by the urging of my Dad who thought we should see the Country once in ours lives properly, let’s just say I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. We had the privelige of staying in Bhanjoosa, Azad Kashmir for three/four days, it was the most beautiful experience ever. I’d love to have a house in one of the valleys.

At night, there would be no electricity and there was actually no need for any electricity because it would get cool although it was in the middle of Summer. The Men there would do Jama’ah at the balcony of the highest house, and I can still remember till this day how the Imams voice echoed through-out the valley, without any electricity what so ever.

This is a picture we took, please don’t copy/use without permission:

[This was our view!]

3 – Scotland

Sometimes I wish I could be transferred to ancient Scotland. Scotland consisted of Castles, Horses, Ballards, Warriors and Princesses! [Okay, maybe I'm reading too many fictional Novels]. Anyway, Scotland today still retains some very beautiful places, not to mention I find the Scottish burr exceptionally funny and interesting. I had a Scottish friend once and I’d make her repeat some of the words because it sounded so cute. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, google or youtube, ‘Scottish Burr/accent‘. Whenever she’d come back from visiting Scotland, her accent would become heavy again and we’d have a ball picking on her half british/scottish accent.

4 – United Arab Emirates – Fujairah

I already have a house in the Country, but I wouldn’t mind another one in Fujairah! Mountainous and a stark contrast to the some of the inner main cities, Fujairah still makes you feel like you’re in a traditional Arab Muslim Country. I’d love to have a house somewhere in the desert, [It won't technically be a a house, more like a tent] living the ‘traditional’ way.

5 – Palestine – Jerusalem

Okay, so you’re probably thinking, ‘is she crazy? That place is War-torn!’ But I’d still love to live in the blessed land. The land where all three religions of God come together, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The Palestinian struggle and history is etched in time and will not end until Allah wills it. Palestine is a Country where martyrdom is celebrated and where living everyday is a Jihad in and in of itself and where the beloved Al Aqsa Masjid lies.

6 – Afghanistan – Kabul

Afghanistan, the land where the ‘black flags of Khurasan will rise from‘, as the Propeht [sallalahu alayhiwasallam] has narrated in a Sahih Hadith. Afghani culture is rich, beautiful and interesting. The People fascinate me with their strength, war after war has invaded their Land, and yet they are still undefeated. I would love to be there, speak to their Women, live with their people. Find myself a little home in a cave. Khaled Hosseini also helped in making my imagination go wild in his books.

7 – Saudi Arabia – Medina

Who wouldn’t want to have a house in Medina? The city of the Prophet [Sallalahu alayhi wasallam]. InshaAllah one day!

8 – Morocco – Marrackech

Morocco is the Spain of the Arab World. It reeks of romanticism. [Not the love sort of romance, but romanticism as in art, culture, historic architecture and poetry]. For some reason I always parallel Moroccan with rich culture, hot tea and moments of laughter. I love, absolutely love the way the Women wear Hijab, it is so colourful and elegant. If I wasn’t living in a Khaleeji country where black is the norm, I would’ve indulged in some very beautiful colourful Hijabs, jillabiyas and Niqaabs! They have some exceptionally gorgeous dresses, next time my Moroccan friend goes there, I’m sending her a list.

I know I didn’t follow the rules, but oh well.

[No tags, the people I would've tagged are already tagged.]

However, if you haven’t been tagged, please tag yourself and leave me a comment here!