There are two things that I like to promote on this blog, and promote shamelessly. One of them is small businesses, and especially those that are tailored towards the same demographic that I hope finds their way to this blog, i.e., any Muslim or anyone that knows and loves a Muslim. The second thing I like to promote is charity, which is something my Catholic Christian faith and Islam agree upon.
So when there's a site like Muslim Toys and Dolls, http://www.muslimtoysanddolls.com -- that is a small business dedicated towards charitable efforts around the country and the Islamic ummah, I can definitely get a bit excited. The owner, Debbie Al Harbi, is an American convert (or revert) to Islam that's married to a Saudi Beduoin man. Her store has many unique and awesome gifts for everyone in a Muslim family, from the things you think about (toys and dolls) to the things you might not think of, like jewelry, Halal perfumes (don't contain alcohol, which most perfume does) and prayer items for the entire family. Over half of the products are priced $10 or less, and there's always free shipping in the US, with free shipping included of orders $150 or more to Canada. International orders also will contain a free gift, in order to offset some of the shipping costs.
There are very few places to buy Fulla dolls (i.e., the Arab world's answer to Barbie), and this is one of them. The selection at Muslim Toys and Dolls is second to none when it comes to Fulla and related dolls. Most of the dolls come with more than one outfit, and there's also an area where additional Islamic clothes for Barbie sized dolls can be purchased.
But the thing I like the most about this site and its owner is not the wide selection of products, but the owner's commitment to charity. Debbie Al Harbi personifies the concept of zakat (charity), in being a founder of the National Eid Toy Drive. Through this fund, needy Islamic families receive gifts at Eid. Charitable foundations like this don't always receive very much attention, but America.org has interviewed Ms. Al Harbi, as well as the State Department, and hopefully, this brings this very valuable service to the forefront of American minds. Charitable organizations such as the Angel Tree wouldn't have gotten off of the ground without publicity.
Muslims are our neighbors, our family members, and our friends. Which means when Islamic holidays come around, there are going to be those that struggle with providing gifts for their families. Considering there aren't many organizations out there to help, the National Eid Toy Drive is a bright spot in an oasis of darkness. In addition to many Islamic gifts, the site also features Arabic stickers (which, considering I'm starting Elementary Arabic this next semester, I'll no doubt be ordering), magnets, wrapping paper, etc., which are valuable to anyone who has an appreciation of Arab culture.
In short, when you need or want a diverse and fun gift, whether it be for a Muslim friend, family member, or neighbor, or you want to diversify your own child's toybox, Muslim Toys and Dolls, http://www.muslimtoysanddolls.com -- is THE place to find that special and unique gift.
So when there's a site like Muslim Toys and Dolls, http://www.muslimtoysanddolls.com -- that is a small business dedicated towards charitable efforts around the country and the Islamic ummah, I can definitely get a bit excited. The owner, Debbie Al Harbi, is an American convert (or revert) to Islam that's married to a Saudi Beduoin man. Her store has many unique and awesome gifts for everyone in a Muslim family, from the things you think about (toys and dolls) to the things you might not think of, like jewelry, Halal perfumes (don't contain alcohol, which most perfume does) and prayer items for the entire family. Over half of the products are priced $10 or less, and there's always free shipping in the US, with free shipping included of orders $150 or more to Canada. International orders also will contain a free gift, in order to offset some of the shipping costs.
There are very few places to buy Fulla dolls (i.e., the Arab world's answer to Barbie), and this is one of them. The selection at Muslim Toys and Dolls is second to none when it comes to Fulla and related dolls. Most of the dolls come with more than one outfit, and there's also an area where additional Islamic clothes for Barbie sized dolls can be purchased.
But the thing I like the most about this site and its owner is not the wide selection of products, but the owner's commitment to charity. Debbie Al Harbi personifies the concept of zakat (charity), in being a founder of the National Eid Toy Drive. Through this fund, needy Islamic families receive gifts at Eid. Charitable foundations like this don't always receive very much attention, but America.org has interviewed Ms. Al Harbi, as well as the State Department, and hopefully, this brings this very valuable service to the forefront of American minds. Charitable organizations such as the Angel Tree wouldn't have gotten off of the ground without publicity.
Muslims are our neighbors, our family members, and our friends. Which means when Islamic holidays come around, there are going to be those that struggle with providing gifts for their families. Considering there aren't many organizations out there to help, the National Eid Toy Drive is a bright spot in an oasis of darkness. In addition to many Islamic gifts, the site also features Arabic stickers (which, considering I'm starting Elementary Arabic this next semester, I'll no doubt be ordering), magnets, wrapping paper, etc., which are valuable to anyone who has an appreciation of Arab culture.
In short, when you need or want a diverse and fun gift, whether it be for a Muslim friend, family member, or neighbor, or you want to diversify your own child's toybox, Muslim Toys and Dolls, http://www.muslimtoysanddolls.com -- is THE place to find that special and unique gift.
No comments:
Post a Comment