My trip to Istanbul:Fascinating city of Civilizations

Istanbul has a long and fascinating history which encompasses over centuries and three prominent eras. It starts with era of Bayzentine nation, followed by Romans and then era of Muslims ( othoman empire).In closer vicinity of meters only, you will find symbols of all these historical eras and you become deeply impressed by greatness of this historical city.

We reached Istanbul SAW airport around 11:00 clock in morning. SAW airport is around 51 KM from istanbul city and it took around 2 hours to reach our hotel which was located in Bayziat area of istanbul city. I was horrified by seeing traffic jams on road of istanbul but it is a fact that like all other big cities of world , istanbul also facing issues of traffic. They have both trams and metro in istanbul city , but still traffic jams are common in city.

Our hotel was small but clean. Main advantage was that it was very closed to main tourist attractions like blue mosque, hagia sofia , Grand Bazaarand Topkapi palace. We were able to reach all these places by walk , within 20 minutes.

We started our first day with a short visit to Grand Bazaar and istanbul university, followed by Bayzait Mosque. All of these locations were very close to our hotel so we took advatnage of that and visited all of them in same afternoon/morning.

Second day , we visited Blue Mosque and Hugia sofia. Both of these places are really wonderful.The only thing which i disliked about hugia sofia is that Government has converted it to Meuseum. I think they should retain it as either church or Mosque , but converting it to a meuseum makes no sense.

Third day , we went to Ayup Mosque to pray fatiha for our great muslim saint and close friend of our prophet (PBUH).

We then visited Topkapi palace which was constructed in Othmon period of muslim era. It is a fantastic palace with all its walls full of Gold. It is a memorable palace , and give you a memory of fantastic and glorious era of othmon empire.

Last day we went to Emunono port to catch a hour based ferry trip. They charged us around 9 lira per person. It was one and hour long trip but really memorable. I advice all travelers who visit Istanbul not to miss this golden oppurtunity.

A visit to Failaka island(Kuwait)

It is very hard to find some really good places to visit in vicinity of Kuwait.Last December, however i got an opportunity to find a very nice and peaceful piece of world named as Failika island.

Failaka Island is located in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. Springtime on Failaka Island is regarded as particularly special by Kuwaitis. Failaka has quite a different ecosystem to mainland Kuwait, and its budding flowers and changing temperatures are much appreciated. Although the island's infrastructure remains poor, Failaka is beginning to develop a local tourist industry; it provides fishing, boating, swimming, sailing and water sports.

Last December when my family was not in kuwait, i decided to visit Failika island with one of my friend. Tickets to Failaka island are available from back side of Marina Mall. You can find a small cabin , from where you can buy return tickets to Failaka island for around 12KD per person. It also includes intercontinental lunch at Failaka Village restaurant.

We started our journey at around 12:00 PM in afternoon. At the start of journey sea seemed to me very calm and quite. We both very happy to see and feel such calmness of weather.We spent some time at deck of ship ( Umm-ul-Khair which means mother of peace ) but soon asked by crew to go inside and remain be seated as sea was becoming rough.
And soon , we realized that it was a wise advice , as ship started to swing due to rough and huge waves of sea. It was expected to arrive at Failaka island in 45 minutes , but it took around 1:30 hours to reach there due to bad weather.Journey also cost me , at least three vomits , due to huge swings of vessel.

Once you reach the peaceful island of Failaka, you really forget tiredness of whole journey.I would suggest you to go to Failaka island in some pleasant weather.Better months to visit Failaka island would be from October to March, when there are little cold breeze and sun is not so warm . Although Kuwaiti Government has planted lot of trees in whole island , still there are places without trees.

You can hire a small sports car from Island for around 10 KD per hour through which you can ride through whole island. Proper cars are also available through rental services.

On the west side of island , you will find some ruins of Kuwait-Iraq war. Iraqi forces really destroyed whole island. There was a very big glass factory in island before war, but iraqi forces destroyed it completely before leaving island.

Govt has built a very beautiful but small children theme park. You can also visit meuseum and old houses of island.

A very few people now actually lives in island , although before war there were too many people. You can also visit their traditional houses and purchase traditional herbal medicines, iturs ( Arabic perfumes )and other gifts from them.

By the way , if you want to spend a peaceful and calm night in island , you can take double bed room in Failaka heritage hotel for 35 KD per night.

Travel to KSA for Umrah

Umrah means a holy visit to Suadia for all muslims all over the world. It is a spiritual visit which refreshes your body and soul. Believe me , you may have plenty of money , may be you would be living in a country nearby Suadia for many years ( like me ) and you have desire to visit these holy places as well, but you can not visit them until you are invited/permitted by Allah to visit these holy places.

I was planning to visit these places from last three years ( infact from day one when i landed in Kuwait on 26th April 2006),but got permission just recently to visit Mecca and Medina. I spent four days in Mecca and 3 days in Medina and came back to kuwait with sorrow heart but with refreshed heart and soul ...May Allah allow me again to visit them !!!

I felt a big difference between these two holy cities... In mecaa ,when you come for the first time in front of Holy Mosque ( we call it Haram ) , you will feel your heart greatly impressed with power and greatfullness of Almighty Allah!!

And when you see Khan-e-Kaaba ( Allah's first house , first built by Prophet Adam, and then by Prophet Ibrahim and then cleaned from idols by our prophet ,prophet Muhammd (PBUH)) , you will have the feeling which can not be described in words!!

I have seen muslims from all parts of the world ( Europe, eastern asia, Africa,Indo-pak subcontinent ,Middle east) wearing same clothes ( white and simple ) just circulating around khane-kaaaba and saying lubbek ( Allah, we are present in front of your house.. just for you)...


Around Meccaa, you will find big big black mountains ...this is a holy land of prophets ... I also visited Jabel-rehmat , a mountain which is said to be the place where Prophet Adam meets his wife ( Huwwa) for the first time ( off course million years ago), as he and his wife were the first human beings in this world...


Medina is around 5-6 hours drive from Mecca , by bus. I took a big private car for around 400 SR and we reached there in 4 hours only... As soon as you reach medina , you will feel peacefullness and calmness in your heart. Off course , it is city of our holy prophet Muhammad PBUH...so there is specail blessing of Allah on this city!!

Wheather of Medina is really very very good. People used to say that even in peak summer season , you will find the weather to be same..with quite cooler breezes all around in the city...

And off course , you have to visit Holy Mosque of Prophet and say salaam to him all the time , every time in the day... PBUH

May allah give us power , courage and willingness to go and visit these holy places , many times in our lives...

I wish for every muslim brother and sister that he may visit to Mecaa and madina .. Taqabul-Allah...

For our non muslims friends , i would say , have a look on pictures and you will also feel holiness greatness and peacefulnesses of these places....Our religion is only for peace !!! Believe me or not!! We are preachers of peace and love!!