   If you're into Myers Briggs, I'm an INFJ. Born in Toronto, raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, of South Indian, Urdu speaking background.

I work in IT for a financial services company.  Alhamdullilah,  and have been in the field for almost two decades. I have a side passion/interest in international development, and architecture (I dreamt of being an architect when I was a kid).

Shy at first, but can turn into a firecracker with the right people, and leave folks in stitches with my deadpan humour. I'd call myself an undercover goofball. Beginner ice skater - can't stop without crashing into something. 

I'm an introvert, It takes a long time for me to open up, and therefore to know me. I've gotten better at being comfortable in my own skin, but still have work to do. I'm a listener more than I am a talker. I've been told by colleagues that I have calming effect and have the ability to diffuse tense situations. Another colleague at a previous workplace literally said I have the ability to "talk someone off from a ledge". While that might be flattering and probably true, the underpinnings of those seamingly supernatural abilities have dark pasts.

Things I'm passionate about: travelling, the Rockies, anything British Columbia, yogurt, Persian and Lebanese food, technology, helping those in need, psychology, praying daily prayers on time, recycling, picking up litter (I do this ritually every weekend in my neighborhood), minimalism (in theory - not quite there in practice), The Discovery Channel + NatGeo whenever I can. 

I took Ballroom dance lessons once upon a time, and still remember how to box-step. I've been to a couple of Broadway shows while in NYC for work, and really enjoyed them. I've taken piano lessons as an adult and can kinda play from music sheets, but would recommend earplugs for everyone else around. You might also catch me at random times, not realizing that I'm humming despacito too loudly.

Things I don't do or have no interest in (yet): Netflix, watching sports, arguing, killing insects that happen to sneak inside (I catch them and then toss them out). I believe in building experiences and memories rather than accumulation of material things. Not sure if I'd call myself a minimalist, but the I like concept.

I am looking for someone who holds faith, and the practice of it dear to heart. Having said that, I'm looking for someone who has it internalized through character, rather than appearance. Praying on time whenever possible. I do the bare minimum, and don't always get things right and I think that's ok.

I'm not rigid about the Hijab. I think it's a wonderful thing, but feel it's a personal choice and one that can only come from within. I don't feel its right to judge others based on appearances. I am ok with my partner not wearing one. Both my sisters and mum practice the hijab.

Think of the verse in the Quran about spouses being garments for one another. Nice clothes are comforting and the closest thing to caress your skin and protect your from the raw elements. They also make you look good and can bring your A-game out, but they also hide a lot from others, such as our vulnerabilities and idiosyncrasies, putting up a façade in front of others on our behalf. I believe we as spouses act as garments for one-another in that respect. I'm an idealist in that I believe spouses should have each other's back at all times.

Like with all things, we go through ups and downs and depending on what's going on, we might not always make the right choices. We've all experienced those moments in the past and it'd be silly to think we're past them and gonna hit home runs every time from now on. I believe a true partnership between spouses is getting comfortable with each other's individual journeys and giving and accepting support as we fall and rise.

The Myers Briggs stuff seems to suggest that my personality type would go well with ENFP/ENTP types, but there is definitely more than just personality at play. I'd like to get a cat one day, so someone who is ok with that would be nice.

A few people have asked me if I've been married before. The answer is no, I haven't. This naturally leads one to ask why not. The only thing I can say without unravelling everything upfront is that there have been a number of factors, early heartbreak, a breakdown of a marriage of a close sibling, and having to be there for support, and then more expanding family responsibilities.

I would like a spouse who is educated. I am a little traditional in the sense that I believe its a the husband's responsibility to carry the financial burden of the family. In my ideal world, I wouldn't want my spouse to have to deal with the pressures of earning a livelihood. While I would want a spouse that would consciously prioritize family while children are in their formative years, I would also want someone who would like to use their skills and abilities for the betterment of society, rather than upkeep of a material lifestyle. Again, thinking ideally, what if marriage opened a new world of possibilities to pursue a passion rather than an 9 to 5 occupation? Allah swt tests us in different ways, my dua to Allah swt is to not test my family in a way that requires my wife to have to shoulder the financial burden, and keep her happy and free to pursue things that will help her make a difference.

I live with my family, which includes my parents and two sisters. My elder sister is divorced and lives at home with us, along with her daughter - my niece. My mom has always been a home-maker, and my Dad retired recently after a long 35 year career in semi-government job in Saudi Arabia. Now that he has retired, I have assumed much of the financial responsibilities of the household, which has introduced some complexity in my ability to go off and live on my own. It is my hope and plan InshaAllah pay off a mortgage debt that we current have (in about 2 years, InshaAllah) after which I will InshaAllah have much more flexibility to live on my own. I intend to continue to support my parents and family, but feel I will be able to balance my own family's needs with theirs.

When it comes to personality, as I mentioned earlier, I am introverted type. I don't like large gatherings and have a handful of close friends. In a professional setting, I prefer to be work behind the scenes, rather than in the spot light. Some of that is changing as I take on more and more senior roles at work, but requires a lot of effort, coaching, and conditioning which doesn't come naturally to me. I have a high level of agreeableness, which means I tend to be a people pleaser. This is a double-edge sword as it helps me build rapport quickly, but I can often get caught not telling people what they should hear, and instead tell them what they want to hear. It is for this reason that I am becoming more forthcoming in my profile with details, especially with things I have found difficult to express in person.

For those who are knowledgeable in the field of Psychology, I have traits of what is know as Codependency. This is a learned behaviour of always trying to solve people's problems and make their problems my problems, and manage other peoples emotions because you very strongly feel others emotions within yourself. You tend to put everyone else's needs before your own. You can probably see alot of that from what I have already described.


Other Personality Specific stuff:
Big Five Personality Test Results:
Full Personality Assessment: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1P2jtZG9y0bVVFhWIC3t5uEg0_K1H-2xU
Neuroticism - High (81/54) 
Agreeableness - High (73/63)
Openness - Moderate + (67/58)
Conscientiousness - Moderate + (60/55)
Extraversion - Low (15/51)

MBTI Test Results:
Type: INFJ-T
Full Personality Assessment: https://www.16personalities.com/profiles/56ae2ee3d228e
Breakdown:
Mind -  Extraverted 16% /  Introverted 84%
Energy - Intuitive 69% / Sensing 31%
Nature - Thinking 16% / Feeling 84% 
Tactics - Judging 57% / Prospecting 43%
Identity - Assertive 38%  / Turbulent 62%