Basma Masri, Co-Founder Superhope, an organisation geared to mindfulness/yoga practices in Arabic
What does mindfulness mean to you?
Its meaning has changed as my understanding of it having evolved over the years, stemming from my own healing journey as well as the journey of my yoga students, and from the children we work with at Superhope.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
Yoga for sure. After co-initiating Superhope and meeting with incredibly powerful children, a part of the experience made me realise that I did not know how to process pain constructively, and that snowballed as I encountered different events which triggered an anxiety attack one day. I was then determined to find a tool to get me out of it and to never experience it again. The tool was yoga, and with yoga comes deep breathing, journaling, and paying attention to what I fuel my mind and body with.
What three things are you most grateful for?
Right now, my health, my family’s health, and my yoga community that I’ve built on YouTube.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
Well, even though we are in isolation already, I would like to isolate myself even more during the day so that I could go inwards and listen to my inner dialogue. When we surround ourselves with a bit of silence, it’s amazing how loud it gets on the inside, and by journaling that dialogue, I get to release some of that noise and learn what it’s trying to tell me, and why. The aim here is to truly try to become a better version of myself in 30 days, even if just a little better.
Zahra Lari, Emirati figure skater
What does mindfulness mean to you?
To me mindfulness is very important. It shows that I’m in control of my thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness is the ability to focus only on the present and not on the future. I try to do this in my everyday life and during my daily training. This doesn’t mean I don’t set long-term goals, but I focus on day-to-day actions to slowly get me there. This will help me focus more and reduce stress and pressure.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
In my opinion the best way to bring peace and help you remain strong and focused is by meditating every day. Meditation will help your body remain calm yet focused on what needs to be done. I’m trying to do this every morning even if it’s only for five minutes be- cause it helps my mood and gets me ready physically and mentally for the day.
What three things are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful for my family, my health and my strength. These three things are the most important foundation to my success and happiness. Without my family’s support and guidance, without my good health, and without my strength to push through struggles I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
This year Ramadan will be different for all Muslims around the world. We’re all in the same situation of self-isolation but stand united to get over this difficult time. I will spend this time with my family and continue to do exercises at home to stay healthy and active. I recommend this for everyone not just for their physical health but also for their mental health and wellbeing.
Enjy Kiwan, presenter and MC
What does mindfulness mean to you?
I have spent all my life dwelling on the past and planning for the future. And for the first time with all that’s happening around us, I realised that I need to be present, be mindful of the little things that took away the most important thing for me which is living and enjoying the moment.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
Being with my kids brings me peace beyond words. Being with them fully with no distractions. Their innocence brings me so much joy and purpose, spending time with them makes feel useful. Their unconditional love makes me feel that the world is still okay.
What three things are you most grateful for?
I am so grateful for my family, health, and optimism – at times like this has proven to be very important.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
Ramadan this year is going to be tough. Not only because we won’t be having the usual Iftar gatherings, but I have been finding comfort in my morning coffee, I’m hoping that I will get in touch with my spiritual side as I’ll have more time for that. I’m hoping to spend less time on social media, more time praying and reading. Having said all of this, I have been in a very good place with all that’s happening. I got to know myself better and pinpointed the weaknesses I can work on.
Hanaa Ben Abdesslem, Tunisian model
What does mindfulness mean to you?
For me mindfulness is fully experiencing a moment. If my mind has wondered to the past or the future or the stresses of the present I bring myself back to the moment using all my senses.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
It is about not only being where you are right now but experiencing it as well. Not thinking about the past, the future, all the things happening in the world. Asking yourself questions to come back to present moment, meditation, practicing yoga and workouts and train your mind to see the positive. I also surround myself with people who have good energy and who also think positively. This helps me have peace of mind and stay strong.
What three things are you most grateful for?
My health, family and the people I love are safe and how much I have been able to accomplish in my life and my career so far.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to celebrate Ramadan with my family this year because of the situation. I will still be celebrating with a few friends and my husband on a Caribbean island.
Ameni Esseibi, first plus-size model in the Middle East
What does mindfulness mean to you?
Paying attention to the signs, being thoughtful of the little things in life. Taking things slowly, diving into the things I love and being aware of my feelings and my thoughts.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
Reminding myself why I’m doing what I’m doing, counting my blessings, gratitude, listening to meaningful music, talking to my life coach and therapist and playing with my dog.
What three things are you most grateful for?
My health, my family and my best friends.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
Unfortunately, I won’t be able to go to the mosque or tents for Iftar and Suhoor. Instead I’ll be spending my Ramadan by fasting and having Iftar with my family and I’m counting my blessings and thanking God for it. Honestly at this point we all have to be grateful for our health and that we have access to food and a house.
Waad al-Kateab, Filmmaker & Creator of Oscar-nominated film ‘For Sama’
What does mindfulness mean to you?
For me, mindfulness is about enjoying the peaceful times and taking time to feel grateful for where I am right now. It is very important. I am happy to have a busy life with many different work projects but this can be a lot and it is sometimes overwhelming so I also try to spend time with my family.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
I have to spend lots of time inside on my laptop so I enjoy being outside for a walk or playing with the kids in the fresh air and sunshine. At night every day Hamza, my husband and I sit on our sofa watch movies and series – this has become our nice routine where I feel some peace. Also, one of my favourite things to do is to cook. So, when I am focusing on the ingredients and the recipe and making the food, I find that I can switch off my mind from work.
What three things are you most grateful for?
Family, friends and my work.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
Unfortunately, there is no real feeling of Ramadan in London where we live, but every year we try to make our own. We will do crafts with the kids to decorate the house and we will cook lots of traditional meals as well as trying through ‘Action For Sama’ to support amazing campaigns for people in need.
Fatma Al-Otaiba, founder of Odeem
What does mindfulness mean to you?
Mindfulness to me mean being aware of the present and appreciate being in the moments – it’s something I remind myself of constantly and try my best now more than ever to always be mindful.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
My faith is my strength. I also stay active physically, as it is when I feel most energetic and focused. Painting also is peace to me – it’s when I’m my most calm.
What three things are you most grateful for?
My family: they are the love and happiness in my life. My health: it is the most important currency. My country: it is our safe haven.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
We will be keeping our Ramadan rituals as normal as the past years, within what we are able to practice given the current circumstances. We will stay connected with our loved ones, family and friends, by calling them. I hope we will be able to celebrate Eid with our loved ones.
Nujoom Al Ghanem, Emirati Artist & Filmmaker
What does mindfulness mean to you?
To me it is a state of mind when you feel that you are in total control of your brain and the current moment. It is the ability to be able to observe things without judgment or pre-assumptions. I’ve always tried to be mindful in looking at things and when making decision.
Which practices bring you peace and allow you to remain strong and focused?
I like to paint because I can be in total peace while doing so. The process also helps clear the mind and heals the body of emotional trauma. I also meditate and pray on a daily basis.
What three things are you most grateful for?
I’m so grateful to be part of a loving family; to be healthy and strong; and to have my profession.
How will you be celebrating Ramadan this year?
In Ramadan I like to read historical and spiritual books. So, I’ll have my selected books for this holy month. In addition, I’ll continue working on some visual projects including video art, painting and editing old footage.
