Hello friends,
My name is Rana and I am from Madinah, Saudi Arabia. I want to share little bit about my life here, because many people they don’t know how is daily life in Madinah.
Madinah is very special city for Muslims, because here is the Prophet’s Mosque. Every day, many visitors come from all over the world. Sometimes when I walk in the streets, I hear so many languages, and I feel like the world is coming to my city. It make me proud and also curious to learn more languages. That is why now I am learning German. It is not easy language, but I try. Sometimes I mix the words, but I hope one day I can travel to Germany and speak with people there.
My normal week is busy. I have three kids, 16, 11, and 9 years old. They always have homework, and I sit with them to help. Sometimes I feel like I am student again! After school, I go to the gym two times in the week. It is important for me to keep strong, because life with kids need energy. In the gym, I meet other women, and we talk about our families and sometimes about cooking.
Of course, prayer is big part of my day. In Madinah, the call to prayer (adhan) is everywhere, and it remind us five times each day to stop and connect with Allah. For me, prayer is like pause button in busy life. Even when I am helping kids with homework or running to the gym, I stop, I pray, and I feel peace. On Friday, we go to the mosque for Jumu’ah prayer, and it is very special time. The city feel different on Friday, more quiet, more spiritual.
Friday night is also very special for me. In Saudi, our weekend is Friday and Saturday, not Saturday and Sunday like in many countries. Every Friday evening, me and my husband and kids we go to my mother’s house. My brothers and their families also come. We eat dinner together, usually big meal with rice, chicken, sometimes lamb. After dinner, we drink tea and talk. The children play together, and the house is full of noise and laughter. For me, this is the best time of the week. Family is very important in our culture, and we always try to keep this tradition.
As tour leader, sometimes I take visitors to see Madinah. I show them the old markets, the mosques, and also the modern places. Many people think Saudi is only desert, but in Madinah we have gardens, shops, schools, and busy life. I like to explain to visitors that our city is not only history, but also future.
I hope in the future I can travel more. I want to see other countries, learn how people live, and also share my culture with them. For now, I write postcards and stories, so maybe you can feel little bit of Madinah through my words.
Thank you for reading.
Sending you peace, Rana
