#1 | March 2026
Welcome to our monthly newsletter
A Mighty Intro
Welcome to the first Notes of Noor themed newsletter! This month, of course, Ramadan and our lessons learned.
For many of us, Ramadan is an anxiously awaited turning point in our years. We feel the dips in our iman and long for a motivation to turn to Allah and a reminder of what is important.
While we are aware of what is right and what is wrong, what we need to do and what we need to avoid, Ramadan forces us to confront what we know. It reminds us of our ability to survive purely on iman, it shows us that the things we long to do during the year; reading Quran, wearing hijab or even regularly establishing our salah, are all things we are capable of. It is a glimpse and a trial run of the life we know we can live if we continue to devote ourselves and our time to Allah the Almighty.
Our Ramadan Wrapped is a small collection of moments that we felt were special and worth remembering. From Quranic verses, to sunsets and food that have filled our hearts with gratitude, we have taken the time to assemble these into a post so you may browse through and read on what was an incredibly beautiful month.
Smaller favourites
Somewhere to Eat: Arcade in Battersea Power Station
Arcade at Battersea Power Station was one of our favourite places to grab iftar this Ramadan.
The ease of having multiple restaurants available in one seating area is great, and the QR code menu filters all halal options for you, so all you have to do is feast!
Arcade boasts a perfectly full menu with everything from pizza to Middle Eastern and even Taiwanese food — there's something for everyone.
We opted for the gorgeous halal pepperoni pizza from Gracey's, along with the house fries. Crispy and cheesy (you can't go wrong with pepperoni!), hot honey and a refreshing pineapple juice to cool down with!
Battersea Power Station is a must-visit for any Muslim in London looking for a place to eat and pray. The dedicated prayer space on the ground floor is perfect, with plenty of room for brothers and sisters as well as wudhu facilities.
Been there yourself? Send us your photos and we may include them in our upcoming editions!
Something to Cook: Victoria Sponge
Ingredients:
225g self-raising flour, 225g caster sugar, 225g margarine, 3–4 eggs (depending on size), 5g baking powder, 2g salt.
Method:
Preheat the oven to 170°C (fan/convection) and line two 8-inch cake tins.
Cream together the butter and sugar, then whisk in the eggs one by one, followed by the dry ingredients.
Once combined, divide evenly between the tins and bake for roughly 18 minutes, until the cakes are golden brown and a skewer comes out clean.
Cool, then assemble with whipped cream, jam, or any filling you like!
Photo submission of the month
Submitted by: Ilwad Mohamed
Surah Ad-Duhaa
Surah Ad-Duhaa is one of the most widely known and loved surahs for many reasons. Below we have pulled some of the lessons and virtues we have taken from reading this beautiful surah.
Surah Ad-Duhaa was revealed during a time when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had not received any revelations from the angel Jibreel for six months. The Prophet was despondent — he thought Allah hated him and did not want him to be a prophet anymore. And so Allah revealed the surah during this time in the Prophet's life.
The first and second ayahs swear by the light of the morning and the stillness of the night — a hopeful beginning. This is followed by the third ayah, a reminder that Allah has not abandoned the Prophet, nor become hateful of him. An ayah that brings comfort to the soul of any Muslim who reads it.
The surah continues with promises and reminders from Allah that He has not abandoned us, that He found us misguided and guided us to the right path. These are reminders to be grateful and to look inwards, to remember that there was a time for many of us where we were misguided, where our hearts did not rest in the love of our faith as they should — but Allah's love brings us back each and every time.
When we turn to Him, He provides. As Allah asks in the eighth ayah, did He not find us needy and then satisfy our needs?
The surah closes with a heartwarming reminder to consistently proclaim the blessings of our Lord — a clear message to turn to Allah in every moment of our lives, to hold onto His rope, and to remember that it is only through His mercy that we are blessed.
