1. Please give a brief introduction to yourself and your blog.
Salams. My name is Zainab Dokrat, I am 21 and I live in Botswana. Southern Africa. I am studying Child Psychology and I am also a blogger, I focus more on food blogging. I love to read and my cats are my world.
I started Spicy Fusion Kitchen last year, and made it official towards the end of the year (2014) alhamdudillah. I aim to fuse different cultures and spices with Indian cuisine with easy recipes.
2. What made you start blogging? Did anyone inspire you to start blogging?
I’ve always wanted to get into the blogging world, I just didn’t know where to start, what would I focus on and all those details. I wanted to get into beauty, makeup and hijab blogging. But being where I am from, my budget, and so on I couldn’t so I chose food. I do dabble here and there in hijab and makeup blogging but my passion and focus is on food, and I am glad I decided to go with that.
I was inspired by Shima from @shamshom11 , Ruba Zai @hijabhills and @nabillabee They do Hijab, beauty and fasion blogging, but they’re amazing women, that just made me want to get into the blogging world and my main inspiration my amazing mother (Aysh Dok) who is a perfect storm in the kitchen and is quite popular in Facebook cooking groups.
3. What made you start blogging? Did anyone inspire you to start blogging?
I’ve always wanted to get into the blogging world, I just didn’t know where to start, what would I focus on and all those details. I wanted to get into beauty, makeup and hijab blogging. But being where I am from, my budget, and so on I couldn’t so I chose food. I do dabble here and there in hijab and makeup blogging but my passion and focus is on food, and I am glad I decided to go with that.
I was inspired by Shima from @shamshom11 , Ruba Zai @hijabhills and @nabillabee They do Hijab, beauty and fasion blogging, but they’re amazing women, that just made me want to get into the blogging world and my main inspiration my amazing mother (Aysh Dok) who is a perfect storm in the kitchen and is quite popular in Facebook cooking groups.
4. What future plans do you have for your blog?
Inshallah I want to keep growing my audience and just to continue to make my blog a success. I think a major goal would be publishing a recipe book Inshallah (If Allah wills) maybe start cooking videos. I don’t know exactly what goals I have to set or how I will achieve them, but this has been such an amazing year with reaching over 100k views in less than a year to winning this award I just wish that what ever happens is for the best.
5. How do you feel about winning the award?
I feel amazing alhamdudillah (Praise be to Allah)! I really wasn’t expecting it, especially to win an inspirational blog award so this really makes me feel good, happy and as cliché as it sounds that anything is possible.
6. Do you feel motivated as a result of the award from MB?
Extremely motivated! I won’t lie lately it’s been difficult trying to grow my audience and keep working hard especially when you have no idea if it’s even worth it. When it comes to blogging there’s no manual in what is good or what is bad, and you’re basically winging it in the hope it works out. So this really has motivated me; showing me I have a strong following; my subscribers, members, followers and everyone that even nominated me makes me feel like I am doing good alhamdudillah.
7. How do you feel MB has helped you if at all?
MB has helped a lot. Before I joined the group I found it so difficult promoting my blog when it was starting out, I didn’t have anyone to turn to for advice or motivation and I found MB and really it helped so much. The women that are apart of this group are amazing, they are so supportive and really I feel my blog has grown so much because of them.
8. Would you recommend MB to others? Why?
I would recommend it to Muslimahs that are looking for advice and help when starting out in the blogging world, or just generally to be apart of. I think one can always learn more, and it’s always nice to have support in this ‘industry’ because it can be extremely difficult. Helping others and getting help makes these things so much easier, and it’s great to help people out.
9. Any last words you want to add about blogging in general?
Blogging is not easy, and there will always be so many bumps in the journey to making a success. But if you have the passion anything is possible. You don’t have to be rich or have the best camera or equipment just be stubborn to not give up. For me there’s a lot of bad days, but the good days make everything so much worth it. Don’t let people’s let downs and negativity stop you, I get told no a lot but I still got this far and Inshallah I will go further and so will you. Also never stop praying, because anything is possible with hardwork, passion and prayer.
I want to thank everyone who nominated me, voted for me and also Muslimah Bloggers for hosting this award. I was up against amazing women and I really appreciate everything.
Love Zainab Dokrat
Spicy Fusion Kitchen
http://www.spicyfusionkitchen.com/
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- December 2020 Featured Blogger – Not Another Mum Pod - December 29, 2020
- Muslimah Bloggers Awards 2020 Winners - December 22, 2020
- Muslimah Bloggers Awards 2020 Nominees - November 19, 2020
Jazakallah so much for hosting this award, and doing an interview. I really appreciate how MB has helped me so much and for all the love and support I recieve 🙂
Wa iyaaki and well done on winning again. Look forward to seeing your blog progress further in sha Allah