JAHAANE JAHAAN .... SCENESCAPES by Seema Sayyidah Ahmad in Scenescapes on Alwaan e Seema

JAHAANE JAHAAN .... SCENESCAPES by Seema Sayyidah Ahmad in Scenescapes on Alwaan e Seema

Ramadan and Pakora's craving Dilemma

Pakora is not only everyone’s favorite food item in Ramadan, traditionally, in Indo Sub Continent the season of rain or spring is celebrated by serving deep-fried potato and onion Pakoras!.” Pakoras are crispy batter fried vegetables. The batter is made out of "Chick pea flour” which is very versatile because you can dip almost any vegetable even chicken bread or paneer to make the most delicious of Pakoras.

Pakora has been rated as the most popular food item at Iftar every Ramadan.As one of my friend remarked once, while discussing the Ramadan menu. “I wonder what Ramadan would be like without my Pakoras!.”The table set for Iftar would look empty without its presence. The reason for its popularity is that it takes relatively less time to prepare; its ingredients are few and simple, available at any local market; and it is very economical. It is probably one of the most affordable fried items you can have at home. Also after fasting all day people like eating fresh and crispy food at Iftar time.

A typical Pakora is simply a slice of potato or a bunch of onions coated in a mildly spiced, turmeric colored batter made of chickpea flour Besan, and then deep fried. Variations include using chunks of potatoes, spinach, onions, broccoli, cauliflower floret, or even slices of eggplant!

Pakora Recipe:

•          1 cup chickpea flour [Besan]

•          1/2 teaspoon chilli powder

•          1 teaspoon salt

•          1/2 cup water

•          2 finely chopped green chillies,

•          1 tablespoon coriander, finely chopped

•          1/2 teaspoon baking powder

•          oil for frying

•          An assortment of vegetables: Onions, cut into rings or sliced, potato

1. Stir the flour, salt and chilli powder into a bowl.

2. Pour in sufficient water to make a thick batter and beat well until smooth. Leave to stand for at least 20 minutes.

3. Stir the chilies, coriander and baking powder into the batter.

4. Drop in the potatoes/onions to coat with batter.

5. Heat the oil in a deep pan, drop in the battered potatoes/onions and deep-fry until crisp and golden.

6. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon, drain on kitchen towel and keep warm.

7. Serve hot.

Portrait of a Jalebi

One of the most popular sweets Zlebia or Jalebi  is a Middle Eastern and North African fried sweet introduced during Muslim rule of South Asia. It boasts of a history which is around 700 year old. It is known as Jalebi or Zalebi in Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi. In Bengali, Jilapi; Persian, Zoolbiah In Egypt, Lebanon and Syria it is known as "Zalabia." In the Maldives it is known by the name "Zilēbi". In Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia this sweet is known as Zlebia or Zlabia.

It is made by deep-frying batter in a kind of pretzel shape then soaked in sweet syrup. Jalebi is a hot favorite on any special occasion be it a birthday, wedding or festival. Jalebis though mostly eaten by itself, can also be soaked in warm milk.

Ingredients:

•          2 cups self raising flour

•          1/2 tsp baking powder

•          1 cup yogurt

•          cooking oil for deep frying

•          1 cup sugar

•          Few strands saffron

•          1/4 tsp cardamom powder

•          2 drops orange food color

•          2 tbsps rose water

Preparation:

•          Mix the flour, baking powder and yogurt into a batter and keep aside for 24 hours to ferment.

•          Pour batter into a ketchup dispensing bottle.

•          To make sugar syrup: Melt the sugar with the rose water and boil to get a one thread consistency.

•          Turn off fire, add the saffron strands and cardamom and stir well.

•          Heat the oil in a deep wok-like dish.

•          Now hold the ketchup dispenser over the hot oil and squeeze the batter into the oil into a wiggly, randomly coiled circle. Squeeze out several at a time.

•          Fry till light golden and then remove and put directly into the sugar syrup.

•          Allow to soak for 2-3 minutes and then remove.

Date with Dates Ramadan update

During the Holy month of Ramadaan 1.6 billion followers throughout the Muslim world break their fast following the tradition of our Beloved Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him]
 Dates, olive, pomegranate and water have a special place in the holy book Quran, so Muslims feel closer to God when they have these first. Today's date admirers and experts will tell you that Prophet Muhammad had a reason for breaking his fast with dates, because hunger comes not from an empty stomach, but from low blood sugar. Thus, eating two or three dates quickly restores blood sugar, quelling hunger, and prevents overeating after fasting. “Subhaan Allaah” for his insight wisdom and knowledge 1400 years ago.And he did not even have to Google for that information.Amazing!
The history of date cultivation can be traced back to the period of ancient Egyptians but it was the Arabs, who introduced this fruit to most of the other regions across the globe. The mention of Dates appears frequently in the Holy book of Qur’aan, as well as in Christian Bible and Jewish scripture. In one Quranic chapter Soorah Mariam about Bibi Mariam,[Alaiehis Salaam] it is mention  when she is in the pain of child labor, a voice advises her to shake a date palm and replenish herself with the fruits that fall. Dates are also frequently mentioned in many hadees,stories and sayings attributed to our Beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad.[Peace be upon him].
Dates are among the most indispensable ingredients in both Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines since Ancient times. Today, dates are used in such Middle Eastern dishes such as stuffed dates, date nut bread, ma’amoul, and haysa al-tumreya, a popular dip for dates. Dates contain a unique blend of glucose and fructose and have very high potassium content. Apart from its sweet taste, the fruit is highly nutritious as it is rich in vitamins A1, B1, B2, B3, B5 and has around twenty essential amino acids. Which is a soluble fiber that has health benefits and can increase the feeling of fullness.
Date trees are so similar to palm trees. The main difference between a date tree and palm tree is that palm tree has no fruits and the other difference is their leaves. Leaves of date tree are so thin and sharp while palm tree has flat and softer leaves. A date palm can grow to a height of 25 to 30 meters and possesses a crown of green leaves. The date is a single seed bearing fruit from the date palm tree which can take up to ten years to produce enough fruit for harvest. When unripe they can be bright yellow or red in color, and when ripe are brown and shriveled, similar to a prune. There are several different varieties of dates grouped together into three main groups based on their sugar content - soft, semi-dry, and dry.
There is a special species of dates in Madinah, the tree of it was planted by our beloved prophet Muhammed,[Peace be upon him] so it’s known as date of prophet. Prophet Muhammad used to consume all varieties of dates but was said to prefer the variety called Ajwa

Morrocco -Exploring the Heritage of Marrakech

 ISLAMIC Art by Seema Sayyidah please visit......




Located in the central part of the North African country of Morocco, Marrakech is the fourth largest city in the country. It is filled with a history that dates back to its founding in 1062 by Sultan Youssef ben Tachfine.
School trips to Marrakech will teach eager students how this once imperial city sits at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, which is the highest mountain range in North Africa, and has a variety of flora and fauna that are indigenous to the area. While you are in the city, you can experience a huge range of history and culture and should take the time to explore the Ali Ben Youssef Mosque and the Medina of Marrakech. To relax, head to the Majorelle Garden to see some of the city's plant life.
Ali Ben Youssef Mosque - School trips to

Islamic Jewellery is Mixing Old With the New

Cultural Art Gems -Ethnic touch

Jewelery has always been an important feature of different cultures and civilizations. It has been used as a form of personal adornment, currency or even as a display of wealth. Whatever it's purpose, jewelery is one of the oldest forms of body adornment; recently found beads made from Nassarius (sea snail) shells are estimated to be 100,000 years old and are thought to be the oldest example of jewelery. Historically, jewelery has also been worn as religious symbols in Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
In recorded traditions of Islam the Prophet Mohammed permitted women to wear jewellery for personal adornment but prohibited gold jewelery for men. Furthermore, any kind of depiction of animate objects in art and jewelery was also prohibited.
Middle Eastern Jewelery in the pre-Islamic era was heavily influenced by the culture and rituals that were prevalent at the time. For example, jewelery design in Ancient Egypt was based on the superstitious belief that certain symbols could give the wearer a positive effect. Some common symbols in Ancient Egyptian jewellery included the beetle, serpent, falcon, and the eye. The beetle, also known as scarab, was a symbol for good luck. Another symbol, the 'Ankh' represented eternal life.

Tour to Turkish and Islamic Art Museum is a Must After Istanbul Flights!

This building was constructed by Ibrahim Pasha, the first grand wazir to Suleiman Magnificent in 1524. This museum is proudly displaying almost all periods and all types of Islamic art. one thing must be cleared that Islamic art does not only describes the art created specifically in the service of Islam, but it also characterizes secular art produced in lands under Islamic rule or influence, the artist's or the patron's religious affiliation does not matter. People from all over the globe take flights to Istanbul to see some out class exhibits of Islamic art here. The displays in the museum are collections from different periods and regions. The notable collections include; Islamic calligraphy, tiles, and rugs as well as ethnographic displays.
Today it also holds a superb collection of ceramics, metalwork, miniatures, calligraphy, textiles, and woodwork as well as some of the oldest carpets in the world.

The Rise of Arabesque: The Islamic Art

http://seemasart.weebly.com/floral.html

There are many forms of art in the world. One of them is formally known as "Arabesque", or the "Islamic Art". For decades, Arabesque patterns have been used to beautify the interiors of mosques and Islamic palaces around the globe. Basically, Arabesque is an art based on geometry and the use of the Arabic alphabet in artistic ways. Arabesque was developed, at least indirectly, due to Islam itself.
It is a well known fact that Islamic teaching came and prohibited almost all sorts of arts that were known back in the sixth century. The reason, we are told, is that only God can act as a "creator". In this context, for example, an artist who draws a picture of any living being, or a sculpture that sculpts a statue of a human being, is "guilty of creation" for a lack of a better term. It is fair to say, however, that this interpretation of the Islamic scripture and sunnah (the teaching of prophet Mohamed) are still being debated by progressive Muslims to this day and especially since the fall of the Ottoman Empire, the last truly Islamic State.
Yet it is interesting to note that those very peculiar teachings of Islam, or at least their strict and very conservative interpretation, have led to the development of such a wonderful new art, that of Arabesque, the Islamic art as it's officially known.

Tickets to Lahore: Why and When to Go For Them

Tickets to Lahore: Why and When to Go For Them
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shawn_Trelly]Shawn Trelly

"If you haven't seen Lahore, you haven't seen anything!" This is a famous local saying in Pakistan. Well, one visit to this cultural hotspot and you will know this aphorism is not much farther from the truth.

Incredibly beautiful, Lahore bursts at its seams with all the charming tourist attractions that take abode in this pleasant city! Museums, gardens, forts, mosques, bazaars - all find a place in the lively atmosphere of 'Heart of Pakistan'.

Badshai Masjid (Emperor's Mosque

Bangles Chooriyaan

BANGLES - CHOORIYAAN

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Chooriyaan

Bangles  or “Chooriyan” are part of traditional South Asian jewelry. Desi women love bangles - one of many accessories that are deemed necessary for all women in the Subcontinent. Even poorer women will wear them .These are ornaments worn mainly by women. The bangles are usually worn in pairs, one or more on each arm, and a single bangle is rarely sold. Bangles made from gold are considered the most expensive ones. They are made of numerous other precious as well as non-precious materials such as silver, platinum, glass, wood, ferrous metals, plastic, etc. Most women prefer wearing either gold or glass bangles or both in combination. Bangles made from plastic are slowly replacing those made by glass, but the ones made of glass are still preferred at traditional functions such as marriages and at festivals.

 Another factor that adds to the price of the bangles is the artifacts or the work done further on the metal. This includes embroidery or small glass pieces or paintings or even small hangings that are attached to the bangles. The rareness of a color and its unique value also increase the value. Bangles made from lac are one of the oldest ones and among the brittle category too. Lac is clay like material which in molded in hot kilns-like places to make these bangles.

Bangles always reminds me of Chaand Raat [The night before Eid].The most exciting part after keeping all those fasts [Roza] for a month was celebrating  Eid and going shopping  on Chaand Raat.

 

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/bangles-chooriyaan-saiyyidah-seema-z.html

My chilhood favorite...flower scene of my garden

One of my many favorite flowers…. The delightful Bougainvillea. This beautiful tree with its deep magenta flower was a favorite sight of mine of my childhood garden. I was literally very sad and upset to discover when I went to visit back home after decade of absence that my favorite tree  was washed away in one of the Monsoon flood.

But luckily my mother a lover of plants and an ardent gardener had saved the root of the plant in a flower pot, which was forgotten and tucked away among several flower pots in a corner of the well taken care garden.

About Me! Ghaliban Seema

What to write about “The Mystic in me”! The getting uses to high tech me! The wandering traveling,darveshi soul in me!

Ever since I was very little creativity, has been part of my existence, passionate existence. Other was reading, and writing. I would be day dreaming traveling in my thoughts to faraway places. Clouds as my vehicle and my pillow! I would be transported into my magical imaginary utopian world of perfection. The drudgery of home-work and daily monotonous affairs of the day was put aside to escape through the secret door of my imagination. These fascinating journeys of imagination derived it inspirations from the classics stories book of my childhood.

 Who can forget those classical Hans Christian Andersen classics fairy tales of long-gone days?

They kept me mesmerized with their wonderful colorful illustration, interesting tales, beautiful princess charming dashing heroes and perfect …..ending quote and“ they lived happily ever after.”

 Making us want to believe that one day after Cinderella, Snow White Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood hard time living. One would be rescued from getting lost in the forest, be save from the cunning wolf, the evil queen, and the wicked stepmother.

 The end pages of our situation in
dilemma could bring chivalrous knight, the wise king, the handsome Prince Charming riding the perfect horse in shining armor to rescue us from the danger, for that happily ever after ‘effect’.

 Other all-time favorite stories were from the book “One Thousand and One Nights", sometimes known as The Arabian Nights…. .The unforgettable Aladdin and his lamp and that smiling Genie….and many many more.

Oh! How I wished to have found that magical lamp before Aladdin. In my mind the lists of those three wishes have still not been deleted technologically speaking. I was and am always prepared with my list in case I found my magic lamp. With brasso and napkin in the bag all ready for the timely act of good rubbing just in case.I have stared for hours with pleading eyes at the Kashmiri carpet my father bought me many moon ago. Smoothing it edges after good vacuuming, in case it did fly after all ...... taking off in speed to distant galaxies to my dreamland's far beyond imagination.

We all go through our childhood enveloped in the world of love and protection of fairy tales, fantasy and make-belief world....... Only to grow up and realize that in reality life is lot different!!!

Princesses of nowadays need Botox treatment to keep up with Barbie look. Prince’s charming have lost their charm, hair, and gallant ness in their youth due to pressure, stress in today’s life.

Wolves are not seen in the forest anymore they are living a real life style in this world garbed as human beings living among us, driving and wearing designer clothes and car. Queens and step mothers are not the only one who are cruel mean wicked. ....and tyrant in nature.

  With global tension on it rise …..hearts are still apart despite the closeness of technological breakthrough of internet, iPhone's and i Pads in every one lives. Stress health issues, overflowing emails, tons of voice mails, heap of bills, rising prices, teenagers growing  pain, white hair, long lines wait, traffic, distances, hectic life schedules have taken its toll on present day Cinderella’s.....and Prince Charming, charming charm.

Sometimes make us wish that we had never grown up….the magical days of our childhood would stay with us forever.

 Lagtaa Nahii Hai Dil Meraa Ujre Dayaar Mayn

Kiss Kii Banii Hai Aalam e-Naapaaidaar Mayn

Umr-e-Daraaz Maang Ke Laaye Thay Chaar Din

Do Aarzuu Mayn Kat Gaye Do Intezaar Mayn

Kah Do In Hasraton Se Kahiin Aur Jaa Basayn

Itnii Jagaah Kahaan Hai Dil-E-Daaghdaar Mayn

Kitnaa Hai Bad Naseeb Zafar Dafan Ke Liye

Do Gaz Zameen Bhii Naa Milii Kue-Yaar Mayn

Rough English Translation

Cannot find solace harmony, in this heart of mine,

in this wrecked land

Who has succeeded in this

Ephemeral fleeting world

Having asked for a long life

I brought back four days

two passed away in yearning

and two in waiting

tell these desires

to go and settle down elsewhere else

There is no space

in the scarred heart of mine

How unfortunate is that

Zafar, for his burial

could not even find

two yards of land in the street of his beloved

My great, great grandfather from father side traveled from the Arab world through the Khyber pass in caravans.....hundreds of years ago to the Sub continent. 


After briefly staying in Sind they finally settle in India Muradabad.After 1947 war of independence my ancestors traveled to Karachi.In Karachi my father married my mother whose families have migrated from area which is now in Iran and Afghanistan. Their favorite child [that’s me!] was born...in a train well almost.I was born at a hospital near the train station.... on a journey when my mother was traveling from Lahore to Karachi.


 After spending my early childhood in Karachi, Ceylon, [Sri Lanka], Chittagong Bangladesh and Lahore Punjab I was married off to add the “they lived happily ever after” quote after my life. 

I migrated decade ago to United States after getting married, to settle in Crown Point Indiana minus the crown. 

 Presently living in Merrillville with three greatest inspiration of my life Sarah,Hamid and Samia and musing the moods of life as the life goes on......