Happy New You Issue

Dear Readers

Happy New Islamic Year! November 5th this year marks the first day of the year 1435 AH in the Islamic calendar. For Alayna Ahmad, it is a day of quiet celebration that deserves its very own traditions. How did you mark the Islamic New Year? Share your traditions and experiences with our readers by writing to me at [email protected].

We often mark the start of a new year by reflecting on the world and our place in it. What can we do to get the most out of our fleeting existence on Earth? Afia R Fitriati proposes a solution to the challenge of How to Live Life to the Fullest. Hint: it has to do with the most basic reminder of our very existence. Next up, we have Shireen Qudosi who shares her personal list of five women who inspire her in all sorts of things, from fashion to relationships, in A Happier You. Just as we put effort into keeping our bodies and minds healthy, we should do the same for our relationships, writes Fatimah Jackson-Best in Keeping Your Relationships Healthy.

They say you see the world differently through the eyes of your children. The truth cannot be closer to home for Klaudia Khan, who sees her childhood with new eyes now that she is a mother, in My Childhood with My Children. A Muslim woman dedicated her life to fighting for human rights – yet, it was her sanity that was questioned. Merium Kazmi tells the story of The Mad Courage of Shamima Shaikh. Aqilah Nizar – we love that her name sounds like our magazine! – knows that living by your principles isn’t always easy. She was asked to compromise her faith if she wanted to keep her job. Find out whether her defiance was worth it in A Picture of Principles (spoiler alert: it so was!).

In case you haven’t heard, you can now read Aquila Style magazine on your iPhone! And no, you won’t have to pay twice for your various Apple devices if they use the same account. Both new and existing subscribers can enjoy this wonderful flexibility. Download the app for iOS devices at the Apple Newsstand; more information is available here.

We are almost done with 2013. The next issue’s theme is Holiday, Celebrate where we look forward to sharing more empowering features and articles that are relevant to you!