These areas are of no strategic interest to anyone because they have neither exported terrorism nor do they have the ambition to join a fight against it.
Their only export to the world outside is onions, tomatoes, sugar cane, wheat and mangoes.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
BBC: Muhammad Hanif on Flood Victims and Terrorism
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/8931886.stm
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Comprehensive List of Charities helping in Pakistan
A comprehensive list of charities doing work in Pakistan. The list is taken from Rahber:
http://www.rahber.org/floodrelief/organizations.html
http://www.rahber.org/
Details of Organizations
Many organizations in different countries have started fund raising. [If you know more then please share with us at suleman.lists@gmail.com]
**NEW UPDATE**
PIA and Overseas Pakistanis (Overseas Pakistanis): All overseas Pakistani can drop relief goods/commodities in local PIA cargo offices. These items will be shipped free of charge to Pakistan. - click here for the call
PIA Cargo Offices in Europe - http://www.rahber.org/
PIA Cargo (official site): http://www.piac.com.pk/PIA_
//end
International
Islamic Relief - http://www.islamic-relief.com
http://www.islamicrelief.com/
UNICEF Internatonal: http://www.supportunicef.org/
Choose your country and then donate. All major countries are supported.
DEC and its Members: http://www.dec.org.uk/who_we_
UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal: http://www.unicef.org/index.
http://www.unicef.org/
Donate Now: http://www.supportunicef.org/
UNHCR: http://www.unhcr.org/
http://www.unhcr.org/
UN World Food Program: Appeal For Pakistan Flood Relief - http://www.wfp.org/
Donate here: https://www.wfp.org/donate/
CARE: Respond to Flood in Pakistan - http://www.care.org/
Donations: https://my.care.org/site/
Oxfam: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam_
Readers in the United Kingdom can send donations through text messaging as well. To donate by text message, text ‘DONATE’ to 70066 to give £5 Online
Donation Page https://www.oxfam.org.uk/
Online Donation Page for Oxfam America
Helping Hands - http://www.helpinghandonline.
https://www.helpinghandonline.
Concern Worlswide: Emergency Appeal for Pakistan - http://www.concern.net/
Updates: http://www.concern.net/blogs/
Donate here: https://www.concern.net/
Muslim Hands: http://www.muslimhands.org/en/
http://www.muslimhands.org/en/
Muslime Aid: http://www.muslimaid.org/
http://www.muslimaid.org/
International Medical Corps: http://www.
Donate here: https://www.
Action Aid: Appeal for Pakistan Flood Victims - http://www.actionaid.org/
Relief International: Pakistan Flood Emergency Response - http://www.ri.org/
Donate now: https://ri.org/donation.php?
World Vision International: http://www.wvi.org/wvi/wviweb.
Call for Donations for Pakistan Flood Victims - Details
Save The Children: Response to Pakistan Flood Disaster - http://www.savethechildren.
http://www.savethechildren.
Donate here: https://secure.
TCF - The Citizens Foundation - http://www.ftcf.org.uk/
Click here to see the full callFTCF Ramadan 2010 Flood Appeal:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.
FTCF Ramadan 2010 School Flood Repair:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.
International Rescue Committee: responde to Pakistan Flood - http://www.theirc.org/
Christian Aid: Call for Donations for Pakistan Flood - http://www.christianaid.org.
http://www.christianaid.org.
Mercy Corps: https://donate.mercycorps.org
Global Giving: Pakistan Flood Disaster Relief: http://www.globalgiving.org/
Donate here: http://www.globalgiving.org/
Doctor Without Borders: http://www.
Australia
UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal: http://www.unicef.com.au
Action aid Australia: call for Donation for Pakistan Flood - http://www.actionaid.org.au/
Canada
Islamic Relief Canada - www.islamicreliefcanada.org
https://www.
UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Appeal: http://www.unicef.ca/portal/
Donate now: https://secure.unicef.ca/
France
APPEC - Association of Pakistanis for Promotion of Education & Cooperation
http://www.durabledevelopment.
Email: treasurers.appec@gmail.com
Fund raising call - Click here
Donate here: http://www.durabledevelopment.
Germany
Red Cross Germany - Pakistan Flood Emergency - Click here
https://www.drk.de/spenden/
Aktion Deutschland Hilft - [SMS/Call] Option as well
Flut & Überschwemmung in Pakistan Jetzt spenden:
Aktion Deutschland Hilft Spendenkonto: 10 20 30 BLZ 370 205 00, Sozialbank Köln Stichwort:
Flut Pakistan Mit einer SMS helfen:Stichwort Pakistan an die 8 11 90 senden (5 € zzgl. üblicher SMS-Gebühr, 4,83 € gehen direkt an Aktion Deutschland Hilft)
Islamic Relief Germany- http://www.islamicrelief.de/
There is no official call yet but we will update once it is there.
The Netherlands
Red Cross Holland- http://www.rodekruis.nl/
For Further detials - Click here
For donations - Click here
Islamic Relief NL- http://www.islamic-relief.nl/
There is no official call yet but we will update once it is there.
Pakistan
Edhi Foundation: http://www.edhifoundation.com/
More Details about Edhi (national/international)
Pakistan Tahreek e Insaf: Flood Relief Fund - Donate via Bank/Credit Card or Paypal
http://www.insaf.pk/Welfare/
Al-Khidmat Foundation: http://al-khidmatfoundation.
Aaj TV - Sayed talat Hussain/Kashif Abbasi : http://www.aaj.tv/donations/
Account Details for Flood Relief
Title of Account: Syed Talat Hussain/ Kashif Abbasi
Account No: 0516616341000689
Bank: Muslim Commercial Bank Branch: Stock Exchange Branch, Blue Area, Islamabad Branch Code: 1390
Swift Code: MUCBPKKAA
For further details: Tel: +92-51-111010010 begin_of_the_skype_
RONAQ-E-QAINAAT
Young doctors are in the process of arranging a series of free medical camps in the flood affected areas. First Camp is at Nowshera.
Please Contact Ms. Alina Akhyar at alinaakhyar@yahoo.com, who will email you the Trust’s past activities, bank account details and other queries. They have already done some pretty impressive work.
Account number: 00400101065364 begin_of_the_skype_
UM Healthcare Trust: http://umtrust.org/
https://spreadsheets.google.
Sarhard Rural Support Programme (SRSP): Aid for the Flood Victims
http://www.rspn.org/news/
Gulberg II Lahore Pakistan Postal code: 54660
CONTACT: Umar Agha 0321 842-2425, email: ua2121@columbia.edu
Pakistan Red Crescent Society: http://www.prcs.org.pk/help.
Khubaib Foundation: call for Donations for Pakistan - http://khubaib.org/
They also went to Ghaza (with freedom Flotilla) for relief work from pakistan
Diya Pakistan - joined the relief efforts - http://www.diyapak.org/
Mission Rescue Pakistan: http://www.
Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation: http://www.oakdf.org.pk/
Here is the information required to make a donation: Title of Account: Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation Account #: 0030445261000455 Name of Bank: MCB Bank (1028), Super Market, Islamabad-Pakistan Swift Code: MUCBPKKAMCC Tax Exemption: 6043/ATD/2008-09
Sungi Developmental Foundation:
http://sungi.org/emergency_
(Aamer Abdullah) Allied Bank limited, university town branch, Peshawar
The following are account details.
Account number: 1353-8, Account title: Akhuwat e Sarhad
Bank: Allied Bank limited, university town branch, Peshawar, Branch code: 0321.
The above details are for those inside Pakistan. For those donating from outside, we advise to pool the donations with one single person and then transfer in bulk. This will reduce transfer charges.
Switzerland
Islamic Relief Switzerland- http://www.islamic-relief.ch/
There is no official call yet but we will update once it is there.
United Arab Emirites (UAE)
"Pakistan Association Dubai" - Contact on following local telephone numbers:
Anas: 04-3373632, 3377678; Inayat Rahman: 050-6317131; Ayub Afridi: 050-4545106; Khayal Zaman Aurakzai: 050-6287655; Ghazi Marjan Aurakzai: 050-6469910; Asam-u-Din Aurakzai: 050-7144992.
http://www.rahber.org/
UK
UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal:http://www.unicef.org.
Donate here: http://www.unicef.org.uk/give/
Disaster Emergency Committee: Pakistan Floods Appeal - http://www.dec.org.uk/
Donate here: https://www.donate.bt.com/dec_
The DEC's automated donation line is 0370 60 60 900
British Red Cross: Appeal for Pakistan - http://www.redcross.org.uk/
http://www.redcross.org.uk/
TCF - The Citizens Foundation - http://www.ftcf.org.uk/
Click here to see the full callFTCF Ramadan 2010 Flood Appeal:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.
FTCF Ramadan 2010 School Flood Repair:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.
Muslim Hands: http://www.muslimhands.org/en/
http://www.muslimhands.org/en/
Islamic Relief UK- Pakistan Flood Emergency: http://www.islamic-relief.org.
http://www.islamic-relief.org.
Action Aid UK: Appeal for Pakistan - http://www.actionaid.org.uk/
Muslime Aid: http://www.muslimaid.org/
http://www.muslimaid.org/
Christian Aid UK: Call for Donations for Pakistan Flood - http://www.christianaid.org.
http://www.christianaid.org.
USA
Islamic Relief USA - www.islamicreliefusa.org
http://www.islamicreliefusa.
https://www.islamicreliefusa.
UNICEF: UNICEF's Pakistan Flood Children's Appeal: http://www.unicefusa.org/
UM Healthcare Trust: http://umtrust.org/
https://spreadsheets.google.
SA Relief: Flood Relief Campaign for Southern Pakistan - http://www.sarelief.com/
Action Aid USA: http://www.actionaidusa.org/
http://actionaidusa.org/what/
OXFAM America: http://www.oxfamamerica.org/
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/
Shelter Box USA: http://www.shelterboxusa.org/
No official call yet
Organizations
What is NEXT...
Relief agencies have now warned that there is a risk of disease in the flood-affected areas. "There is now a real danger of the spread of waterborne diseases like diarrhea, asthma, skin allergies and perhaps cholera in these areas," said Shaharyar Bangash, the head of operations in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa for the aid charity World Vision.
Call for further updates:
Netherlands (0031 620 517 696), Germany ( ), France ( )
Monday, August 16, 2010
August 16 Pakistan Flood Update
Inshah'Allah for the next little while this blog will be dedicated to flood relief awareness in Pakistan. I am trying my best to stay updated on this tragedy regularly. Today I was watching a TV show from Pakistan where the anchors Kashif and Talat were talking about the different problems resulting from the flood as they have both visited the affected areas. Here were some of the problems they mentioned:
- People moving to camps are still facing problems. Most tents are not water proof and this is a big problem when it rains. Also water snakes are very common in some area which are a danger to children and adults.
- There is not enough space to set up camps in some areas. Visuals of camps being forced to set up in graveyards were shown.
- Families with disabled males or deceased males are suffering. A lot of males (being stronger, etc.) get first dibs on the aid being distributed leaving the helpless women/children without male support suffering even more.
- We imagine floods being standing water and not really doing any structural damage. However, in a lot of cases floods in Pakistan was the flow of water at high speeds which swept people's homes, livestock (i.e. their means of living, food, etc.), etc. and some times swept away entire villages.
The crisis is grave. Every penny we donate is crucial, so please donate to any charity which you feel is doing good work. I have listed some below:
More on Pakistan Flood Relief
The situation is desperate in Pakistan. About 15 million people have been affected (half the population of Canada!). As is the case with these crisis, the poor are at the worst end of it. There is a lack of basic food, shelter and clothing for millions of survivors and evacuees. The politicians in Pakistan are generally inefficient and corrupt and are not doing a great job of helping the people in need. The role of the international relief organizations in Pakistan is critical and any help they get will potentially save many lives. Maurizio Giuliano, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, told The Associated Press has said“ It looks like the number of people affected in this crisis is higher than the Haiti earthquake, the tsunami or the Pakistan earthquake, and if the toll is as high as the one given by the government, it’s higher than the three of them combined”
Here are some moving pictures which show the impact the disaster is having:
Please donate anything you can (even $1!) and encourage friends/families to donate as well!
Red Cross
OxFam/Save the Children
Islamic Relief Canada
regards,
Hammad
P.S> this attached video shows the desperateness of the situation in Pakistan
Pakistan Flood Update
As-salmua alaykum,
As you all probably know, several areas in Pakistan are suffering from severe flooding. Entire villages have been washed away and people are struggling to find food, shelter and clothing. Today there are confirmed reports about the outbreak of cholera in some areas. (A lot of the people suffering struggle to make their ends meet in normal times, so one cant imagine how hard it is for them right now).
A gentle reminder to all of us to donate what we can. Even $1 will help someone! Islamic Relief is active in Pakistan and has posted appeals on its website:
Islamic Relief (Canada Site)
Islamic Relief (International website)
W'salams
Hammad
P.S.
This Video shows some scenes of the devastation caused there:
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Simple Wedddings: Hello and Goodbye
I really agree with what this pastor is saying on BBC. Growing up in Pakistan, weddings were simpler and humbler (in most ways , other than food). People came, conragulated, ate and left. It was simple. It was more natural. No speeches, no presentations, etc.
But it isn't just about the money. For the problem with the modern wedding is that it's too often a glitzy stage-set overly concerned with the shoes, the flowers, the napkin rings and performing to the cameras. I'm delighted for Chelsea Clinton and her new husband Mark. But judging by some press reports, the most important thing about the wedding was her two Vera Wang dresses. And yes, I blame the media here, not the happy couple. For the pervasive influence of the media on the look and feel of weddings - not least those weddings that are featured in celebrity magazines - has encouraged an atmosphere of narcissism and self-promotion to work its way into the very fabric of the modern wedding celebration. Little wonder that, at their worst, some weddings can feel like an overblown vanity project, all justified by foot-stomping references to "my special day".
Saturday, July 31, 2010
: "This is Us" -Pakistan Plane Crash Reflections(Translation of an urdu article)
Just like the earthquake in 2005, the recent air crash in Islamabad hit home as it happened in the same hills which I had grown up looking at. I could also relate to the crash as I land at the same airport every time I go to Islamabad. I was fortunate to read a piece by a leading columnist from Pakistan named Javed Chaudhry ( of Express News) who shared some pointed reminders and reflections about the crash. The original article was in urdu but I have made a (half-decent) attempt at translating this article as I thought it may be of some benefit to non-urdu readers.
______________________________
Adnan's seat was confirmed but he was getting late because of traffic and he knew that the check-in counter was about to close. His bag was in his hand as heran briskly, breathing heavily He reached the check-in counter) where he put put his (plane) ticket in front of the smiling customer service represtative lady at the Air Blue counter. The lady looked at the clock and saw that there were still three minutes till the check-in time expired. She took a deep breath and printed Adnan his death's boarding card.Adnan picked up the boarding card and the tag for his bag and thanked the customer service lady before heading towards the (waiting) lounge.Another passenger (from the waiting list) missed his chance to get on to flight A321 from Karachi to Islamabad because of Adnan Qayum's last-minute checkin. The flight was not only booked full but there were thirteen passengers on the waiting list. These thirteen people really wanted to reach Islamabad and had surrounded Air Blue's Ground Staff and wanted to get on the flight at every cost. Amongst these passengers there was Jamshed Dasti an MNA from Muzafar-Garh, former MNA Mir Mehran Khan Bukhari and his son Mir Sulayman Khan Bukhari.Amongst the passengers there was was FIA Immigration Karachi's shift in harge Inspector Rehmat Allah Domki. Mr. Domki was coming to Islamabad with his family but there was something that came up at the last minute. He stayed in Karachi and sent his family on to the flight. Out of all these people (mentioned), Adnan's story was especially sad.Adnan Qayum got first position in his MBA in University. Thereafter, he (recently) applied to National Bank (from Islamabad) and got a job in Karachi. He went to Karachi to obtain his (employment) letter and was returning to Islamabad on July 28. On his way to Karachi airport from Karachi City, there was a lot of traffic which caused him to be late and he feared that he would miss his flight. Adnan looked at his watch repeatedly and told his drver to drive faster. As soon as he got to the airport he ran to check-in counter before it closed and got there three minutes before it closed and got his boarding pass. If at that moment Adnan had known that this journey (flight) was going to be the last one of his life and that he would not reach his loved ones in Islamabad, then would he have acted differently? The reality of our lives is hidden in this question. We are all people like Adnan Qayum. Adnan Qayum's last day was July 28 but Jamshed Dasti, Mr. Bukhari, Inspector Domky (all on the waiting list) and our last moment (in this world) is still to be determined. Lets think for one moment if any one of the 152 passengers had known that the ill-fated plane would not land in Islamabad airport but would instead crash, break and burn on the Margala hills, they would not have boarded that flight and perhaps never flown in their lives again. Alas, death is a scarey reality which man does not percieve till it is staring him in the eye-till man's soul is taken out of body like a silk thread. Its the biggest reality in our lives but we don't realize we will die till our frail bodies are placed in coffins and buried by our loved ones. Nature has put the desire of living in our cells to such an extent that we dont get rid of the desire to live even after we die. This desire still eminate from our hearts and other organs (stomach, liver, kidneys, etc.) which have a few hours of life in them (when we die) and plead with hope to people passing by that the people passing by will help revive our dead bodies. The desire to live stays in our dead body's DNA for millions of years. What is this? This is the un-tiring desire of life that keeps our desire to live vibrant till we are 60-70 years old and in fact stays with us even after we die. Therefore we are inter-twined with this desire to live and think we are are in dispnesable in this world. We think that death will overtake all living things except us. We will escape the trap of death. This wishful thinking makes us into tyrants, unjust, treacherours, fraudsters, promise breakers and power lovers. We wake up as Firaun and spead our legs like Nimrud while sleeping. We are thinking that all other flights in this world can get destroyed but our flights can never make a bad landing. Everyone else can have heart attacks but we cant have one. Everyone else can have a brain hemorage but we cant have one. Everyone else can have kidney failure but our kidneys cant fail. Everyone else can go blind but we cant go blind. Everyone else can have thier legs broken but us.. Everyone else can have deadly diseases like cancer, aids and TB but we will be saved. Our delusions are the real distraction in this world. These delusion stop us from knowing our bearings and doing the right things.Close your eyes for one moment and imagine you are Awais Khan and Romia Khan, Asim Shahad and Aisha and you just got married a few days ago. Your resting on each other's shoulders and holding hands and landing (in your flight) in Islamabad. Your honeymoon will be in this city. You are Austria's professor who had come to lecture Pakistani students from Vienna or you are a big powerful bussiness man who many are scared of. But your time (in this world) finished when your plane crashed into Islamabad's Margalla Hills. Your honeymoon-bound hands are separated, your relationshp with life ended, all your appointments, your importance, your property, your posessions, your business, your factory, your bank balance all left your comapny in 10 seconds. Your mobile phone got lost in a jungle, credit cards, identifty cards insurance cards, passport and all related doucments all got destroyed in a few seconds . All your wishes, all your plans, all your hates, all your sadnesses, all your fears, all your schemes and all your victores- all disappated with your drops of blood that got attached to the trees, shrubs, leaves and grass (on the Margalla Hills). Your meat, bones got mixed with all the rubble. Your legs are with somene elses legs . Its also possible that your body parts are strewn and getting wet in the jungle and getting eaten by wild animals. The same body parts you kept which you so carefully kept away form bad odors and dirt. Its the same body which you fed with injustice, opeersion and hate. But where are you now? Where is your hate and where are your victories? They are nowehere. Your surrounded by the baggage of the deceased passengers , their blood and their bodies. On this rainy dark wet night, our helpless dead bodies await the footsteps of the rescuers,This is us. This is our reality. But despite this we dont forgive people, We dont thank Allah for our bessings in this lfe. How foolish and naive are we?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Seekers Guidance: The Laws of Love: The Keys to a Spiritually Transformative Ramadan, in Toronto
The Laws of Love: The Keys to a Spiritually Transformative Ramadan, in Toronto
Date: Saturday 24th July 2010
Time: 11 - 7
Venue: Room 108, Koffler House (The Multi Faith Centre), 569 Spadina Ave
Speakers:
- Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
- Shaykh Yusuf Badat
- Mufti Umer Esmail
- Shaykh Zahir Bacchus
- Ustadha Shireen Ahmed
Register now!
The Holy Month of Ramadan. A time of spiritual transformation, of revival, of struggling to reach ranks that surpass those of the Angels. Lofty goals -- and ones which Believers can achieve with knowledge, effort and determination. So how do you actually attain such blessings? How can you to move toward perfecting yourself during this Blessed Month?
This full day SeekersSeminar in Toronto offers practical guidance to help you make this Ramadan a time of true transformation. Knowledgeable, accessible teachers will guide you through a deeper examination of the spiritual purpose and fiqh of fasting and worship, and will introduce you to the laws of love and how they can help you achieve a more meaningful relationship with Allah.
Make this Ramadan your best yet. Join us in Toronto on July 24th!
Featured topics include:
- The spiritual purpose of Ramadan and the fiqh of fasting (Shaykh Faraz Rabbani)
- An examination of what Allah says about Ramadan in the Qur'an (Shaykh Zahir Bacchus)
- The virtues of fasting (Shaykh Yusuf Badat)
- How to attain a socially meaningful Ramadan (Ustadha Shireen Ahmed)
- Connecting with the Qur'an during Ramadan (Mutfi Umer Esmail)
The way of the companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) was to prepare themselves for this blessed month, during the month of Shaban.
How prepared are you? Register now!
Help Spread The Word!
Spread the word via your Facebook page and Twitter, by posting:
"SeekersGuidance is holding a seminar on the topic of Ramadan, here in Toronto, on July 24th. With Sh. Faraz, Sh. Yusuf Badat, Sh. Zahir Bacchus and more great speakers. It sounds very interesting, register now"
Visit our Facebook event's page and don't forget to invite others to attend!
Interested in Volunteering?
If you are interested in volunteering to help with this seminar, contact us today at seminars@seekersguidance.org
Qurba: Detour Ahead: Staying on the Prophetic Path
Wouldn't it be nice if you had a GPS that took you to the Prophetic Path and kept you on it?
Well, you don't. And you might be taking detours without even knowing it.
Finding a spouse...
Dealing with student loans...
Excelling in your career...
These could be potential detours from the path if you don't know how to handle them.
Register for Detour Ahead: Staying on the Prophetic Path to learn how to spot detours from a mile away and stay firm on the Prophetic Path.
Healing hearts: Excerpt by Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad about an anecdote by Sayyidina Jalaluddin Rumi
From the Healing Hearts Blog:
(The below anecdote is taken from the lecture entitled ‘Reliance on Allah’ which is currently available for purchase on the Apple iTunes Store and on www.meccacentric.com. I was hoping to upload the short excerpt where Shaykh AHM narrates the story, but for some reason it doesn’t allow me to upload it here, therefore I’ve transcribed (to the best of my ability) what Shaykh AHM said. It’s more or less word to word, but I refrained from using speech marks in case I’ve missed a few words out! Jazaka’llahu khayran to the very kind soul who emailed me the lecture details!)
There is a story which Sayyidina Jalaluddin Rumi tells of an ant that’s creeping across the carpet in a mosque, and the ant complains to God saying: “what is this, these bumps,......READ ON
Monday, July 12, 2010
The Young Man And The Starfish
Read this in the book I Shall Not Hate.
Once upon a time there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his journal writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.
One day he was walking along the shore. As he looked down the beach, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean.
As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."
"I guess I should have asked, why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"
"The sun is up, and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach, and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"
The young man listened politely. Then bent down, picked up another starfish and threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said, "It made a difference for that one."
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift, we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future. We must each find our starfish. And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
Punjabi Wisdom 12: Being Greedy
Choee Kakh Dee, Choree Lakh Dee, Ik BraberIf someone can be corrupt for a few rupees , he will also be greedy for millions
This wisdom also shows how important it is to make sure our kids are learning to be honest when young. If they don't practice honesty when they are young (even when playing simple sports games), they may find honesty hard to practice later in life as well.
Book Review: I Shall Not Hate
I just finished an amazing book " I Shall Not Hate" by Dr. Izzeldin Abulaish who lost close family members (including three daughters) during the Gaza War early last year. He talks about why he did not go towards the path of hate and decided to make a difference in other ways after the death of his daughters.
The book also gives details about life in Gaza and how it was tough growing up in a refugee camp. Further he mentions the difficulties faced in crossing over to Israel for many Gazans who need to get there for medical and employment reasons. The strength of the book amongst manyother things is Dr. Abulaish's unique ability to look at the issue as a "people issue"and not merely a political issue. He is in a unique position as he has observed life on both sides of the wall in Gaza/Israel and has friends on both sides.
He has started an organization called Daughters for Life for promoting education health access for girls and women in Gaza and the middle east. Its a must read book for sure as it gives unique perspectives on what is happening on the ground beyond the cameras and the focus of the media.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Prophet (Peace and Blessings be upon him) and his companions
He said our communities need to be like this and be more inclusive of the youth so that we can be closer to the Prophetic community and have an impact (as a community) that closer to the impact that the Prophetic community had.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
Book Quotes:A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future
Just finished reading an interesting book called " A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future" by Micheal J. Fox (the actor who got diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in the early 1990s). The following quote from the book probably sums up the most useful points (for me) and point to the islamic concepts of Shukr, Rida and Sabr.:
"Its all about control. Control is illusionist. No matter what university you go to, no matter what degree you hold, if your goal is to become the master of your own destiny, you have more to learn. Parkinson's is a perfect metaphor for lack of control. Every unwanted movement in my hand or arm, every twitch that I cannot anticipate or arrest, is a reminder that even in the domain of my own being, I am not calling the shots. "and he says at another place:
"Because Parkinson's demanded of me that I be a better man, a better husband, father and citizen. I often refer to it as a gift. With a nod to those who find it hard to believe, especially my fellow patients who are facing great difficulties, its a gift that keeps on taking..but it is a gift"
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Punjabi Wise Sayings 11: Two
Taree ik hath naal nai wajdee
It takes two to clap
It takes two to quarrel. If one person is calm and collective, it is likely that that the quarrel will not happen.
Also, this speaks to the fact that there are usually two sides to every story. If you just hear the story from one hand, then it will likely be biased.
Saturday, May 08, 2010
Habib Ali on schedules
In the live session for the highly recommended Seekers Guidance's Marvels of the Heart course, Shaykh Yahya quoted Habib Ali as saying (about making schedules, etc) that one can make schedules for oneself, however, one should not rely on them.
Muslim American Goat Farmer!
An interesting story:
Mukit Hossain, who was a senior executive and civil rights activist in Northern Virginia, has given it all up to raise halal goats — goats raised and slaughtered by Islamic rites................Some folks think I have completely lost it,” he said. “A friend said, ‘Why would you get a degree from Duke if you were going to become a farmer?’ ” Even his wife, Sabrina, an accounting student raised in Kuwait and Canada, wondered whether it was a good idea. (There was some precedent for Hossain’s decision: His grandfather, a prominent lawyer in Bangladesh, had at the height of his career given it all up to become a farmer. Everyone thought he had lost it, too.)..............
“I think that here, there’s not as much sense of keeping up with the Joneses,” Sabrina Hossain said. “I think this is the healthiest decision we’ve made.”
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Imam Abu Hanifa and His neighbor
It is well known that Abu Hanifa (radi Allahu 'anhu), did tahajjut every night. He would spend his night reciting the Quran. He had a neighbor who was an alcoholic, and he used to drink a lot and sing love poems. This used to bother the imam.
But one day, the imam did not hear this man's revelry, so he went and asked about him. They said, "Oh, so-and-so. They took him to jail." So, the very well respected imam went to the jail. He was the most respected imam and qaadi at the time in that place. When the ruler found out the imam went to the jail, he asked for the reason and was told that the imam was concerned about his neighbor who had been arrested. So, the ruler said to release the man, and he was released.
The neighbor then asked Abu Hanifa why he did that, and he replied, "Because you have a right upon me as a neighbor, and I have not been neglectful of that." That was the reason that the neighbor made tauba to Allah subhâna wa ta'âla [that is: embraced islam]."
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