For 30 DAYS. Ramadan Mubarak… Ramadan Kareem… Ramadan Mabrook.
Islamic Ramadan 7 KEYS are FAITH, Discipline, Mental Strength, Reflection, More Compassionate, SUPPORT and CHARITY.
RAMADAN is the MONTH the QURAN was REVEALED.
Ramadan FASTING acts as a profound, physical reminder of human dependence on God and fosters deep solidarity with the POOR by requiring Muslims to ABSTAIN from FOOD and DRINK from DAWN to SUNSET.
By experiencing HUNGER , believers develop SYMPATHY, Empathy, and Gratitude, Increased Generosity and Charitable actions to help those LESS fortunate.
Muslims be THANKFUL to Allah, expected to WORSHIP more and do more, GOOD DEEDS.
Allahi Yubarak Feek (May GOD BLESS YOU and FAMILIES)
All Praises to ALLAH.. DUAS for PEACE in the Middle East and Globally… Insha Allah
MASJID versus MOSQUE
MASJID is more ACCURATE and preferred by many Muslims, as it is the ORIGINAL ARABIC term meaning “place of prostration” and relates to the purpose of the space.
MOSQUE is the accepted ENGLISH term derived from the Arabic, BUT some PREFER to AVOID IT due to perceived, though HISTORICALLY inaccurate, DEROGATORY origins.
KEY DETAILS:
Definition: MASJID literally translates to “place of prostration” (sujud), reflecting the physical act of worship.
Usage: MASJID is the accurate, preferred term, while MOSQUE is the English equivalent.
Context: BOTH refer to the same place of worship, BUT MASJID holds deeper, more specific cultural and religious connotations.
Origins: The word MOSQUE evolved through MULTIPLE Languages (Arabic to Spanish to French to English).
3 Holiest MASJIDS in ISLAM
Photo. MASJID AL HARAM, Mecca, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The MASJID-al-HARAM (The Sacred MASJID) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is considered the NUMBER ONE MASJID in the Islamic World. It is the HOLIEST SITE IN ISLAM and the World’s LARGEST MASJID , with a capacity to hold up to 4 MILLION WORSHIPPERS. It surrounds the KAABA , the structure toward which Muslims WORLDWIDE FACE during prayer.
TAWAF (Circling the KAABA)is the act of walking around the Kaaba itself.
Pilgrims circle the KAABA SEVEN TIMES in a counterclockwise direction.
Start/End: Each round begins and ends at the BLACK STONE (Hajar al-Aswad).
Symbolism: It represents the UNITY of BELIEVERS and the CENTERING of one’s LIFE AROUND ALLAH.
Significance: It is the final resting place of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar.
Significance in Worship: Prayer in this mosque is considered to have special merit, equivalent to 1,000 prayers elsewhere.
Wearing a TIE in the GULF & Middle East is considered INAPPROPRIATE.
Wearing A TIE in the Gulf and Middle East is often considered INAPPROPRIATE because it is viewed as a symbol of WESTERN cultural imperialism, colonialism, and, in some contexts, A SIGN of THE CROSS.
It is seen as UN-ISLAMIC, representing “DECADENCE” or submission to FOREIGN INFLUENCE rather than traditional modesty and cultural pride.
KEY Reasons Why TIES Are Less Common:
Cultural Symbolism: TIES are heavily associated with Western, non-Muslim culture.
Religious Objections: Especially following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, ties were seen as un-Islamic or a symbol of the Christian cross.
Cultural Identity & Comfort: In the Gulf, the thobe (or kandura) is the standard, formal, comfortable attire suited to the climate, making Western suits feel out of place.
Political Expression: In some areas, forgoing a tie is a way to reject Western influence.
While BUSINESS SUITS are common in INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS settings in the region, A TIE is generally NOT FAVORED , particularly in more CONSERVATIVE or TRADITIONAL contexts.
NEW ZEALAND “GOLDEN VISA” Programme.
“Wealthy Americans top ‘golden visa’ surge in New Zealand and applications from China double” Eva Corlett The Guardian
“US family who were 100th to be granted residency under investor scheme say they want to give back to ‘amazing’ New Zealand.”
Courtney and Jim Andelman, a couple from California who run a venture capital firm, were, alongside their twin daughters, the 100th family to be granted a visa.
The visa provided an opportunity for the family to spend more time in New Zealand – a country Courtney fell in love with during a backpacking trip 30 years ago, while being an opportunity “give back” to the community, she told the Guardian.
The visa was also good for business, she said.
“This is not just about fun and games and having a chance to live in one of the most amazing countries on the planet – this is also a really smart investment scheme. It’s smart for us.”
New Zealand was an “underserved” market with “incredible entrepreneurial habits, history and technologies”, she said.
The family has invested in various venture funds and is also eyeing up companies for direct investment. They are particularly interested in New Zealand’s “deep-tech” industry, including artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnologies.
The couple have decided not to buy a home in New Zealand, in part because the $5m price tag is too hefty, and because they do not want to add strain to the housing market. Meanwhile, they will split their time between New Zealand and Santa Barbara, where they live.
“Wealthy Americans are dominating applications for New Zealand’s “golden visa,” driven by a love for the country’s natural beauty and entrepreneurial spirit, as well a desire to escape Trump’s administration.”
“New rules for the Active Investor Plus visa came into effect in April 2025, lowering investment thresholds, removing English-language requirements, and cutting the amount of time applicants must spend in the country to establish residency from three years to three weeks. Successful applicants can only purchase homes in New Zealand worth more than $5m.
Immigration New Zealand said the new scheme offering RESIDENCY to WEALTHY FOREIGNERS has attracted 573 applications, representing 1,833 people. Before the changes, the visa attracted 116 applications over TWO-and-a-HALF years.”
“The most recent data released by the government showed that investors from the US made up nearly 40% of applicants, followed by China and Hong Kong. Since August 2025, the number of applications from China more than doubled, from 45 to 95.
The remaining top 10 countries in order included Germany, Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, and South Korea tied, and Great Britain.
There are TWO categories of “golden visa” in New Zealand. Most have applied under the “growth” category, which requires a minimum NZ$5M ($3M) investment over three years.
A smaller group applied under the “balanced” category, which sets a minimum investment of $10 Mover five years.
The previous scheme required an investment of $15 M.”
New Zealand’s new Active Investor Plus Visa was announced in September 2022, replacing its previous investor visas. Designed to attract valuable investors and encourage investment that delivers benefits to the local economy, the Active Investor Plus Visa allows applicants to live, work, and study in the country indefinitely, as long as they have met all the investment and time-in-country requirements.
BENEFITS of New Zealand Residence by Investment
Ambitious standards of living, multicultural population, and low population density
Residence applicable to a spouse and dependent children up to the age of 24
Excellent schools and universities. Henley & Partners Education can assist in securing the best educational opportunities for your family.
- Political, social, and economic stability
- Solid legal system based on English law.
- No gift, estate, or wealth tax, and no capital gains tax
REQUIREMENTS of New Zealand Residence by Investment
- Growth Category
Requires a minimum investment of NZD 5 million in managed funds and direct business investments, both of which must be approved by New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE)
Investments must be made for a period of three years.
Investors must spend at least 21 days in New Zealand over this period.
- Balanced Category
Requires a minimum investment of NZD 10 million across a broader range of eligible investment options, including equities, bonds, managed funds, direct business investments, property development, and philanthropy.
Investments must be made for a period of five years.
Investors must spend at least 105 days in New Zealand over this five-year period, though this requirement may be reduced with a higher investment.
Procedure for New Zealand Residence by Investment
Applications must include completed application forms and should be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents.
After maintaining the investment for the required period (three years for the Growth category and five years for the Balanced category) and meeting the physical presence requirements, investors become eligible to apply for permanent residence.
If families are included in the resident visa, they are required to go to New Zealand within 12 months of their visa being granted but are not required to remain in New Zealand for any minimum length of time.
A VISA HOLDER may accept residence anywhere in New Zealand and can study at all schools and tertiary education providers in the country as a domestic student. To purchase residential real estate, visa holders must be usually resident in New Zealand.
Those who spend only the minimum number of days in the country are likely to be required to obtain approval to purchase. This requirement is removed once they have lived in New Zealand and been physically present in the country for at least 183 days in the preceding 12 months and are a tax resident.
Acquiring Citizenship After the New Zealand Active Investor Plus Visa Program
Successful applicants may apply for New Zealand CITIZENSHIP after FIVE years of RESIDENCE.
The New Zealand passport is among the top 10 in the world on the Henley Passport Index and facilitates access to over 180 DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE.
Photo: Sheep and Mountains Near Glenorchy, Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand.
