15 Things You May Not Know About ... HH's Noor Suleiman, Community Manager!
Community
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Sep 3, 2019
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6 MIN READ
It's hard to imagine one creative aspect of Haute Hijab that Noor Suleiman, our community manager, doesn't have a hand in! Her primary role is organizing all the Changemakers events across the country plus developing charitable (and other) partnerships with masajid and a variety of Muslim organizations. However, we all look to her in the office for her incredible brainstorming capabilities and innovative ideas for any and all HH creative projects!
Noor is a person who can do it all – or at least most of it! Prior to focusing on HH's community engagement, she managed the blog and social media work as well! All this coupled with parenting two adorable children, Malek and Liana. Did you also know that she is expert at roasting people, or that as an extrovert, she thrives on the company of others and deep and stimulating conversations? Get to know Noor as she answers 15 fun (and a few deep) questions in our ongoing summer (now fall) team-focused series – "15 Things You May Not Know About ... "
The ever-creative, ever-friendly Noor Suleiman!
1. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
It depends on my mental state. If I have free time after a hectic few days, I like to unwind at home with a good TV show (which is so rare to find these days, what's up with that?!), some chocolate (I'm an addict) and just disconnect. Otherwise, NOTHING beats good food and good company. I'm an extrovert, and being around friends and family or just a group of wholesome and fun people in general feeds my soul. Bonus if there's tons of laughing involved, but I crave deep conversations as well.
2. What are your hobbies? What are your dream hobbies?
I honestly don't have time for hobbies right now. ('Tis the season – mamas of young babies, I'm sure you get me!) I have tons of dream hobbies though … horseback riding, Arabic calligraphy/painting, traveling, archery, yoga. Maybe being a food critic so I can endlessly eat good food.
3. What is something you hate doing?
Mopping. You couldn't pay me to mop. And math, omg MATH!!
4. If you could eat something on an endless loop, what would it be?
Oooh tough question, because I love eating. But I would say homemade Arab food is my go-to comfort food. It would be great if I didn't have to make it though. ;)
5. What feeds your soul/when are you at your happiest/best?
When I am with my family or best friends. Or, when I'm traveling! I am the best version of myself when I'm learning and being intellectually stimulated. Being in the presence of palm trees always makes me happy too. Lol!
6. Who do you look up to the most and why? (living or dead)
I don't have one person I look up to per se. It's more that I look up to different characteristics people can have.
7. If you could go back and change something in your life, what would it be?
It's funny because Melanie asked me the same thing in a truth or truth session that she, Mona, Emma and I had in California this summer. I'd probably just focus more on building small daily habits that I'm struggling to stick to now as an adult. It's something I've been working on, but it would make my life so much easier now had I done that earlier on – I've always been a procrastinator.
I also would have gotten my master's degree before I had kids – not that it's not doable now, but it's obviously much easier to do before they come along :) Had I done that though, my path would probably not have led me to working here at HH … so … not sure. Everything always falls into place in the end, alhamdulillah! You live and you learn, and you move onwards and upwards!
8. What is your biggest challenge in life?
Hmmm … I'd have to say my tendency to be all-or-nothing. I like to go all out and do things perfectly, but I can cripple myself with the notion of achieving perfection and end up not doing anything at all. It's a work in progress, but I'm learning to embrace the "baby steps." Also, I have an addictive personality (see my chocolate comment above), so it can be really hard for me to break a bad habit. I guess it goes hand in hand with the "all or nothing" thing.
9. What is something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I'm obsessed with the sound of rain at night, especially if there's super loud thunder and lightning! It's the most calming, soothing time for me, and just makes me feel at peace. People think I'm weird for loving that, but it's seriously one of my favorite times ever. Nights like those I tend to stay up a little after everyone's fallen asleep and just have some alone time. It's akin to watching snow peacefully and quietly fall in the middle of the night. But, it always makes me remember my blessings, that I'm privileged to even have shelter from the rain to be able to enjoy it.
10. What is that big dream thing you want to accomplish in life? Or if not one thing, a few things?
My dreams change every few years, but I think something that will forever remain is for my husband and I to be able to raise our babies successfully (with the help of Allah (S) of course) and see them grow into happy, healthy adults who have a good, strong faith in God and good character above all else. Another dream of mine is to make a significant difference in people's lives – be it through community work, large-scale charity work or friendship. I just want to bring love, peace and happiness to everyone! I always pray that Allah (S) blesses me with the means to always be able to do that in life.
11. For the Muslims at Haute Hijab – what is your favorite or not-so-favorite thing about working at a Muslim-owned company?
So many things!! The best thing would be the values and principles that are at the core of every single decision we make as a company – from faith and God-consciousness, to cleanliness, to emphasis on continuously learning and growing, to being valued as a human and not just an employee, and just doing every possible thing with ihsaan. I love that we have a prayer room. I love that we're able to seamlessly weave Islam into work life. Alhamdulillah.
12. What does a typical Friday night look like for you?
Friday nights we hang out with my in-laws – either a low-key family dinner at home, or we go out when the weather's nice!
Noor and her children at the beach.
13. What’s the strangest or most fun family tradition you have?
Sunday nights at my parents house! We usually get together for a fun family dinner and end up roasting each other for much of the time. Also, we love a good party, so anytime we have a special occasion in the family, we end up partying at my parents’ house (weddings, engagements, graduations, etc).
14. Cat person or dog person (or some other kind of animal)?
Horse. Go big or go home! ;)
And no, I don't have one. Haha, I have two little children, I think they're enough as is to take care of for now.
15. If you were to create a slogan for your life, what would it be and why?
"It is well with my soul." – It's just a constant reminder to trust my gut instincts (they come from fitrah, after all!) and that if something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't right. It helps me stay in tune with myself and with Allah (S) and try and always be conscious of what I'm doing and if it aligns with what He wants me to do. Anytime I'm not in tune with this or I ignore my gut instincts, it never ends well.
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