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Rekindling the lost art of letter writing

A couple of weeks ago, I received a letter from a friend of mine who I studied with last year. He made the effort to write out a physical letter and send it my way in a bid to check up on how life was going and also rekindle the lost artform of letter writing. It struck me when I was working on my reply that it had been a very long time since I wrote a personal letter to anyone at all. We tend to express ourselves and convey messages to one another within a restricted space of either 140 characters on Twitter, or a few lines on Facebook.

It could be just a regional issue, however I wanted to pose the question anyway – When was the last time that you either sent or received a personal letter to someone? Are you emailing more than sending letters these days?

Let us know by leaving a comment below >

The hunt for married couples

Hello all,

As you might have already heard, we are currently workng on the Eid issue (it’s a little strange like that, we work over a month ahead). Our editor (Sarah) has sent our messages in the past asking people to send in stories that we are looking for. Right now, we are hunting for stories from couples to go into our marriage section.

Come back, don’t run away yet!

The marriage feature is written in the first person format, with each spouse taking about -

The lead-up to the marriage - The feelings and emotions prior to the marriage, how it all came about, what each person was looking for

What each person was looking for - Any advice for others, any unusual points, funny and unexpected events or occurences that happened and how life has changed since the marriage?

If you want to look at some good examples of how the stories read, check out our marriage section on the site here

Ask your friends and family members if they are interested in being featured. It’s a popular part of the magazine and the website and sets out to inspire people looking to get married, as well as young couples.

When they are interested, drop us an email at editorial@emel.com and have the subject header as MARRIAGE and leave us your contact details.

Thank you once again!

Robi

Friday Round up> Ramadan issue teaser and resisting meringues

The Ramadan issue has just come into the office and it is looking amazing! We don’t want to spoil it for people but we think that you’ll really like it :)

cleverly hidden under a bunch of emel business cards :)

cleverly hidden under a bunch of emel business cards :)

Our Facebook page has become quite popular recently as we are trying to interact more with our readers. The page is seeing a lot of hot debates, discussions and competitions on there. If you haven’t joined by now, please do so here, and invite your friends over too. We have a lot more in store in the coming months.

A lot of people are now out for their Summer holidays. We have compiled a number of top places to go with friends and family and a list of things you can do. We really think you should check that out here and then let us know how it went by leaving us a comment or two below.

This coming Monday, Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford will be hosting a major conference on the global Muslim Market. We ran a feature on it for the current issue when Allen Lai discussed with us on what trend spotters are calling ‘the next big thing’. You can read the feature here. Our editor, Sarah will also be speaking at the event too. She’ll be talking on ‘Reaching the Muslim Market – Opportunities and Challenges’. We’ve asked her to tweet throughout the day to let us know what is going on, and you’ll be able to listen in by following her @SarahIJoseph.

Anyway, Fatema, Steven and Tamsin are about to do the food shoots for our Eid issue and we are being told to stay away from the meringues! Could you have resisted? :)

yum :)

yum :)

origami boxes

origami boxes

Narges, one of our designers created these very awesome origami boxes out of crafted paper for the food photoshoot. We are hoping to shoot a small video tutorial on how you can do that in time for the issue when it comes out. Watch this space.

Competitive Internship Programme at emel

Are you a dynamic, fast thinking, hard working individual with a passion for media? Then emel’s Competitive Internship Programme could be for you. The Programme will potentially lead to paid work / a full time editorial position.

emel is a Muslim lifestyle magazine. Based in North London, the small but dedicated and friendly team put together this high quality glossy magazine with a global reach.

Task wills include writing text, research, interviewing, assisting in photo-shoots, obtaining press images and dealing with PRs.

The role is varied and requires a candidate who is flexible, committed, competent, and who pays attention to detail. The candidate is required to have an open-minded approach and be willing to undertake whatever task requires completion.

The successful candidates will be able to meet strict deadlines, have an eye for detail, write with fluency and able to cope with pressure.

Training in the relevant Design packages will be given but you will be expected to be conversant with standard Office packages including Word and Excel.

If you want your foot in the door of media, then come to us for your internship, but be warned: it looks glamorous, but it is very, very hard work!

This internship will involve coming to our Swiss Cottage office for five days a week for three months.

We will offer expenses of up to £250 per month for this internship and there is the potential for paid work and a full time position for the right candidate.

 

 

We have four internship openings beginning 2nd August 2010.

Successful candidate(s) for the full time position will begin 1st November 2010.

Closing Date

26th July 2010

Salary

Expenses of £250 per month, with a chance of full time employment at the end of the three month programme

Contact

Please send your CV, a brief cover note, and an example of your written work to info@emel.com with “emel Competitive Internship Programme” in the subject line

Website

www.emel.com

The Rise of the Paywall

Picture 1

The Times, one of the UK’s largest and oldest newspapers, has finally raised its much speculated Paywall today. The Paywall will only allow selected users to read articles from The Times website. This could very well bring out the dawn of a new age in online experiences. Rupert Murdoch promises us that the scheme will help readers pay for ‘quality’ content as opposed to what’s already available online.

Would you be willing to pay for online content if you knew you were getting more?

We want to know what you think :) Leave your comments below >

Interesting posts relating to the story -

The GuardianPaywall? What paywall? Times site still free

BBC article – Times begins charges for online readers

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The quest for your favourite abaya’s

Hey all,

Just thought I’d drop you a line this lovely Monday morning. I’m looking ahead to… Ramadan!! Thinking about all the things I want out of this beautiful month, and reminiscing of previous years.

I’m also working towards the Ramadan issue of emel, looking at the lifestyle aspects. Here at emel, we thought we’d look at some elegant Abaya’s and hijabs, from timeless cuts to edgy newer designs. What are some of your favourite stores? Where did you buy your favourite abaya from?

With summer upon us, I’ve also started wearing more colourful floral scarves and figured, what better time to feature an array of different prints, colours and styles of hijab than in this issue. So what are your favourite colours or styles, and why? Where do you buy your hijabs?

Back to work… Over and out

Fatema

Exclusive ‘I Love Muhammad’ t-shirts available – limited time only

Greetings All,

After the popularity of Sarah’s post last month on 10 tips to show our love for Muhammad (PBUH), we have been inundated with emails and calls from people who have requested for the idea to be extended to printed t-shirts.

We are pleased to say that we are launching our limited edition ‘I love Muhammad’ t-shirts.

The t-shirts cost £10.00 plus postage and packaging* for advance orders. Orders must be made by 5pm GMT on on the 23rd of June 2010.

For orders placed after this date, t-shirts will cost £15.00 plus postage and packaging*.

To order yours, drop us a line at +44(0) 207 328 7300 or email us at info@emel.com with your name, preferred shirt size and telephone number.

Get yours now, whilst stocks last!

 

 

 

 

* For UK deliveries, postage and packaging will be at the cost of £1.50. For international deliveries, postage and packaging will be at the cost of £4.00. Orders must be paid for in advance. T-shirts available whilst stocks last.

Calling Student Writers

emboxlogo

This summer sees round two of embox hit the shelves. We’re looking for enthusiastic writers to join our team. Are you a young Muslim and think you know a thing or two about student life? We’re looking for you.
embox covers many of the issues important to new students, from health to finance to simple everyday lifestyle tips such as ‘what to wear’, and ‘where to eat’…embox covers it all.

To have a look at the last issue, click here.

If you want to join the team, all you have to do is to respond to the following question below -

If we were developing ‘A quick guide to Muslim student life’, what would be your one essential tip for a Muslim student?

Drop us an email to info@emel.com, (FAO:embox), 100- 150 words.
Deadline: 23rd June 2010.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!!
Good luck!

Inspired by Muhammad (PBUH)

Have you spotted these posters all over London?

Have you spotted the posters across London?

Have you spotted the posters across London?

Inspired by Muhammad is a brand new campaign launched by the Exploring Islam Foundation that is designed to improve the public understanding of Islam and Muslims. The campaign sets out to demonstrate how Muhammad inspires them to contribute to society, with a focus on women’s rights, social justice and the environment. emel’s editor, Sarah Joseph is an Ambassador of the campaign and you can see a clip of her discussing animal welfare in Islam here -

Friday Round-Up > Fashion Shoots, Zain Bhikha and iPads

Salams and Greetings All,

First of all, Jummah Mubarak and we hope that you have a blessed day today! The weather so far appears to be holding up here in London as the sun has come out to welcome us to the weekend.  Ayman (our Assistant Editor) has brought in a few things for Fatema (our Lifestyle Editor) to use today for a day of photoshoots that are going into the eco-special July issue.

bits and bobs

The June issue of emel has just hit the stores and you can find out more information about it in our monthly e-zine here. In this month’s issue of emel, we interview  Zain Bhikha who is touring the country with Families Relief, plus cover a feature on a summer of sport that includes interviews with Anelka and other Premiership footballers.

Zain Bhikha and Friends – Families Relief UK Concert Tour

Zain Bhikha and his friends will be kick starting the first leg of his UK concert tour for Families Relief. He is in Manchester tonight and emel are attending as media partners at the event. If you will be attending the event, come over and say hello to us. We will also be attending the rest of the events in London, Bradford and Birmingham and you can still catch us there. Click here if you haven’t booked tickets yet.

The dawn of a new age?

Apple’s acclaimed iPad went on sale in the UK today, with many industry experts calling it the dawn of a new age. I still have my personal reservations on the product, however I can’t help but imagine the possibilities -

emel_ipadWill you be lining up to buy an iPad soon? If you did, how would you like to read emel? Would you download and read an emel iPad or iPhone app if we offered one?  Please leave your thoughts and comments below :)

Ramadan Soundbytes

 

Happy Ramadan from the emel team

Happy Ramadan from the emel team

 Ramadan sound bytes from around the office….

Remona Aly; Deputy Editor
I’m a big food lover, but I plan to stay really focused this Ramadan – feeding my soul rather than my stomach is top of the list!

Somaiya Khan-Piachaud; Features Editor
Ramadan is a time to slow down and contemplate; as I fast I pray for the billion people around the world who go hungry every day.

Tajkia Misbah; Administrator
Ramadan to me is a time of new beginnings, a time to better oneself, a time to change. My hopes for this Ramadan are to do exactly that!

Shakera Mohammed; PR & Marketing Manager
“I haven’t got TIME” – My usual slogan! I think of this month as a mental detox and training for the rest of the year.  Forgetting about the daily rush and focusing on our devotion to Allah and each other.

Robi Chowdhury; Web Editor
Ramadan is a time of year that teaches me self discipline in my behaviour  and moderation in all aspects of my life. I try to use what I learn in Ramadan for the rest of the year.

Ayman J Khwaja; Editorial Assistant
I’m praying internally to Allah every day – from the tube station, to the
walk to work, as I pass every bakery and sweet shop, every milkshake bar
and sushi joint – ‘Dear Allah, please make my eyes see coal instead of
doughnuts in the shop window!’ I’ll be fine, inshAllah – I must channel my inner-Oliver and NOT ask for more, Sir! But settle for less and be greedy for spiritual bliss!

Tasnim El-Naggar; Editorial Intern                                                                  My Ramadan will be a bit different than usual – I will miss my friends and family who are at home in Germany. Fortunately I am living together with a few nice Turkish girls, and I am sure we will have a faithful time, breaking our fast and praying together. And of course I am really curious how Ramadan is practiced here. Is it different from Germany?

Hira Rana ; Advertising Consultant                                                                Ramadan for me is simply about the following: The doors of heaven  are opened up on the first night of Ramadan and not a single door is closed until the last night of Ramadan.”

From Issue 1 to 61

Issue 1 to 61

Issue 1 to 61

 It is six years and 60 issues ago that we launched the first issue of emel. The creation of that first issue is imprinted onto my whole being and I can remember it like yesterday.

Taking the idea for a high quality Muslim lifestyle magazine from concept to reality was a serious challenge.  It took the creative brilliance of a lot of people; people who shall forever remain in my heart.

There were many sleepless nights; and the lack of sleep became more acute the closer to deadline we got. What little sleep we did achieve was often on the floor of the emel office. For me personally, I would arrive home at dawn, sleep for an hour or two and then have my three children bound into the room energised by their full night’s sleep.

Read the full story – Issue 1, In the Making>

Media Interns Wanted

emel magazine is looking for media interns to help upload content onto our new website. The job will span 6-8 weeks, and media interns will be able to take part in morning meetings and see the magazine being put together. The job will mainly centre around extracting text from the archives and cropping images for our website. Knowledge of Paintshop, Photoshop or InDesign software is preferred. Any interested parties should send their CV and cover letter detailing their interest to info@emel.com, FAO Features Editor Somaiya Khan-Piachaud – Thank you.

————————————————————————————————————————

Important information about emel internships:

Salary and Benefits

Internships provide a supplemental learning experience for the student. All internships with emel media are unpaid and on average last for six weeks. The average workday is from 9am-5pm each weekday, with an hour for lunch between 1-2pm. However, we can be flexible and working hours can be tailored to accommodate university schedules.

Housing and Transportation

Interns are expected to find their own housing and transportation to work, however you may apply for £5 a day to go towards these expenses and claim the amount at the end of the week. Our offices are based near Finchley Road Underground station.

Beyond the Internship

Interns are not guaranteed employment after their internship period. However, interns may apply for any available full-time and part-time positions.

Where can I find copies of emel in the UK?

Spotted in a Sainsbury's by Robi

Spotted in a Sainsbury's

If you’re not yet a subscriber of the magazine, don’t fret! There are various places where you can pick up copies of the magazine. A company called MMC distributes emel and they have devised a way that will allow you to input your postcode and find out the nearest outlet to purchase the magazine.

Searching for emel

Searching for emel

1) Find emel in the drop down menu

2) Input your postcode

3) Select distance to destination

Click here to go to the MMC website or type in http://availability.mmcltd.co.uk/ into your browser

Sales and Marketing Interns Wanted

Looking for an exceptional development opportunity?

A chance to be mentored by a senior sales director?

Dynamic enough to fit into an intimate inspired media company?

Motivated?

Organised?

Confident communicator?

R U Cr34t1v3?

Ready?

Go!

———————————————————-

emel Magazine is looking for sales and marketing interns to contribute to, develop and implement its sales and marketing strategy. The job will span 6-8 weeks, and successful interns will have the opportunity to develop in a dynamic media environment as well being mentored by a senior director. The job will mainly centre on researching and indentifying potential clients leading onto initial contact and subsequent meetings, administration, database development, researching and attending networking events. Preferred skills: excellent communication, motivated, self starter, dynamic approach, well organised, creative, target driven.

Any interested parties should send their CV and cover letter detailing their interest to info@emel.com, FAO Features Editor Somaiya Khan-Piachaud – Thank you.

 

Important information about emel internships:

Salary and Benefits

Internships provide a supplemental learning experience for the student. All internships with emel media are unpaid and on average last for six weeks. The average workday is from 9am-5pm each weekday, with an hour for lunch between 1-2pm. However, we can be flexible and working hours can be tailored to accommodate university schedules.

Housing and Transportation

Interns are expected to find their own housing and transportation to work, however you may apply for £5 a day to go towards these expenses and claim the amount at the end of the week. Our offices are based near Finchley Road Underground station.

Beyond the Internship

Interns are not guaranteed employment after their internship period. However, interns may apply for any available full-time and part-time positions.

Press Coverage of War Memorial Campaign

The war memorial campaign gaining momentum in the press -

A trip down memory lane with issue 3 revival

blast from the past

We’ve been busy at the office recently compiling the back issues so that we can feature them on our website. It’s a difficult task that will take months to do and we’re getting a lot of help from a number of interns who are helping out at emel.

The lastest issue to go up on the site is the Issue 3 (December/January 2004).

The magazine features Native Deen (relatively new to the Muslim music market then) along with an interview with Yvonne Ridley right after her capture by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Read the full articles online here

Join emel’s House Party (LAST DAY TO SIGN UP)

join the emel team this Friday

join the emel team tomorrow

This is your chance to network with the emel team – Sarah Joseph – the Editor, emel Writers, Lifestyle Editor, Art Director, Web Editor, the sales team etc will all be on hand to mingle and answer your questions. You will also get behind the scenes access into what is coming out over the course of the year and have the opportunity to give feedback and suggestions.

Scrumptious snacks are available on the day, including Nisa’s Homemade Recipes -
(Meat and Veg)
Samosas
Spring Rolls
Cutlets
Kebabs

Healthy and wholesome tidbits will also be available for the calorie conscious.

All attendees will receive an emel goodie bag to take away with them.

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What is World House Party Day?

The focus of World House Party Day is to raise a minimum of £100,000 to fund a national Islamic Awareness campaign in Ramadan.

The money raised will be used to go into :

* Distributing 10,000 packs of dates to the general public through city centre events.
* Catering for up to 5000 People (Muslim & Non Muslim) to break fast together in the UK’s 3 major largest cities.
* Distributing toys at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital for Eid Ul Fitr with celebrity support.
* Putting up posters on three famous high streets with the hadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
* Decorating 150 buses with The hadith of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

How to Register -

1) Register on our justgiving page here

2) Drop an email to info@emel.com expressing your interest to register. Add ‘emel House Party’ in your subject line.

3) Call us on 020 7328 7300

 

Where and When?

Friday the 14th May 2010

1 Canfield Place,
Finchley Road,
London,
NW6 3BT

You can pop in any time between 5 and 8pm.

Ten Tips to Show Our Love for Muhammad

ten tips to help you share your love of the Prophet and make the change.

ten tips to help you share your love of the Prophet and make the change.

So I went and viewed the Facebook, “Everybody Draw Muhammad” page, and I admit that I cried. Then I sat stunned for the next 15 minutes at my computer. You would have thought I would have known the types of images that people would have posted, but it was the vulgarity and debasement which so utterly shocked me. Why would anyone want to be so offensive and ugly about anything or anyone, let alone someone who is revered and loved by so many.

I posted to my Facebook status the Qur’anic verse “The servants of the All-Merciful are those who walk in the earth modestly and who, when the ignorant address them, say, ‘Peace’.” (25:63)

I am not sure this made me feel better or worse.  Was I just capitulating to a wrong? Or was I making a statement of faithfulness to God in the face of provocation. I needed a plan of action, and I thought I would share it with you.

Here are our ten tips to help you share your love of the Prophet and make the change.

  • Read a biography of Muhammad

If we become more acquainted with the life of Muhammad, his ways and his words, then we will feel closer to him, and will be better able to defend his character. In the English language, Martin Ling’s biography of Muhammad is one of the most eloquent.

  • Tell a child

Having read the biography we need to share that information. Our children are the first place we should start. If we ourselves do not have children, then tell your nieces or nephews anecdotes and beautiful stories from his life.

  • Facebook – hadith of the day/ week

If you are on Facebook or other social networks, share a beautiful hadith with your friends. Use social networks as a dawah tool. We have designed a profile picture that you can download and use for your profile if you wish.

Right Click to open, and save

Click to open, and save

  • Ask your library to buy in a good biography

Libraries are amenable to buying in books that are requested. Sometimes they need more than one person to request it, so get your friends to make the same request. Make sure they buy in books for the adult and children sections. If they refuse to buy books because of budgets restraints then offer to buy it for the library.

  • Buy a School’s Resource Pack

The Muslim Council of Britain have a good school’s resource pack (click here). Buy it for your local primary school. If it is too expensive (£250) then get together with some friends to buy it.

  • School Assembly

Make yourself available to your local schools to do an assembly on the life of Muhammad. If you feel you just cannot stand in front of an audience, then organise the event and get someone else to come in and do the talk. Organisations like ISB and Christian Muslim Forum can help you find someone to come and do the talk for you.

  • Hold an exhibition

This may seem like a giant impossible step, but actually schools, local libraries and town halls are very open and amenable places. Explain how we need to build bridges of understanding and that you would like to hold an exhibition. Islam Awareness Week in November is a recognised fixture in the calendar and many councils and schools will be open to having an event then – but start planning it now.
You can find professional produced exhibitions to buy and rent here.

  • Hold a cultural evening

Book a local hall and hold an evening of poetry, and songs that focus on the prophet and his life and deeds. Make it a free and open event. Local businesses may be open to sponsoring the event, your local Muslim restaurant may give free or discounted food, or make it a “bring-a-dish” do and get the community to work together to organise the food.

  • Mosque Open Day

Encourage your mosque to hold an open day. Mosques are often perceived as closed and scary places. Explain to the mosque committee that we need to open up to show people about the true character of Muhammad.

  • Interfaith

Visit your local Church, Synagogue or Temple and talk to them about building a society of mutual respect and understanding. Explain how the vilification of Muhammad (or any religious figure) undermines faith and thus people of faith and conscience should work together for the betterment of the whole of society.

Above all, make your life a living testament to the character of Muhammad. Being angry and abusive only reinforces people’s negative perceptions of the Prophet. Whilst being a living, walking testament to the fact that he was sent as a Mercy to Mankind will make people think again about their views of the Prophet.

3 Step process on how to get unstuck

Around a week or so ago, I was working on the emel Facebook fanpage, when I came across this very interesting new and quirky website called Productive Muslim. They are promising to be brand that sets out to inspire young Muslims to become productive through Islam by applying a range of tried and tested techniques. I love the ideas and suggestions that they have made so far and wanted to flag it for people to have a look at it if they haven’t already.

I also wanted to share with a guest post they published today on their site by Arif and Ali Vakil of vakil.org

With print week around the corner for us and the pressure of deadlines hitting us all, I felt that this post could not have arrived at a better time! It’s a three step process on how to get ‘unstuck’. Check it out here and let us know what you think.

Robi

The Web Editor