Pakistani Abysmal Ramblings

Why ?

2011-07-14T03:21:00.000+05:00

Why in green fields turning gold again,
Each year as farmers garner grain,
The peasants toiling in the fields,
Utterly unrewarded must poor remain?

Why in lush fields laden with treasures,
Through evil ways and fulsome measures,
Only hunger grows for countless souls;
And a scheaming few gain all the pleasures?

Why in thriving towns each night and day,
Countless children age just slaving away,
When past their prime, milked of their best;
Left alone to die,in old folks homes they stay!

Why on this perfect planet in every age,
The ruler and priests joining with the sage,
And using God and state to justify war;
Our wealth they steal and our rights outrage?

Who more foolish then we like cattle who,
Ever herded to doom by a cunning few,
By baubles bought or fear enslaved;
Are perpetually denied what be our due!

Photography

2010-08-20T01:08:00.000+05:00

“A little garden in which to walk, and immensity in which to dream”

Appeal The month of Blessings and Charity

2010-08-16T02:23:00.000+05:00

Ramadan is the month in which we all come closer to God, it is a time to be thankful to God for all the blessings he has bestowed upon us. It is also a month to look out towards others less fortunate than us and open our hearts to their problems. As Muslims we are duty bound to help anyone in need to the best of our ability, especially in Ramadan people all around the world step up and help others as much as they can.

This is an Appeal of help for those in Pakistan suffering from the worst natural disaster in history. What was till today described as the worst floods in Pakistan’s history has now been termed as the biggest disaster ever to strike the country. Worse than the Earthquake in the subcontinent as well as worse than the tsunami that hit the region a couple years back. The floods that have submerged most of Pakistan have been the cause of over 1600 deaths, as well as the displacement of 18 million people who have lost almost everything.

Please Donate to this cause this Ramadan and help these poor people who have lost everything, following is a list of some reliable charities you can donate to.

Besides sending cash through the organizations listed below, you can support by providing following commodities (please do not donate old/expired stuff. Make sure edible items are hygienic and properly packed):
* Clothing: Clothes of various sizes, Bedding, Shoes
* Utensils: Jerricans (large plastic cans that hold 20 liters of water or other liquids), Crockery, Buckets
* Toiletries: Tissues, Soaps, Dettol (antibacterial cleaners), Towels
* Food: Rice, Sugar, Flour (Atta), Onions, Potatoes, Cooking oil, Tea, Milk (tetra packs or powder), Safe drinking water, Cooked Food
Medicines:
1. Water purification tablets.
2. Life saving drugs.
3. Vaccines for malaria, cholera, typhoid, influenza.
4. Pain killers including strong ones like morphine derivatives, tremadol, pethadine, kinz .
5. Antibiotics e.g. tetnus, amoxil, gentamycin.
6. IV cannulas
7. IV Drip sets
8. IV drips: normal saline, ringerlactate
9. Local anesthetics (injections)
10. Cotton bandages, cotton.
11. Surgical instruments: e.g needle holders, forceps, tweezers.
12. Suturing materials, Skin staples.

In Pakistan:

Edhi Foundation: Donate here

Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
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: Donate here

Pakistan Red Crescent Society (offices in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Muzaffarabad.

Pakistani Youth (facebook group)

Rescue & Relief Work ( Flood Survival)An independent group of students (facebook group)

The Volunteers/ Voice of the Civil Society: VOTCS – a registered (No. DSW 3369-K) welfare organization in Pakistan, operating as a Non-Profit, Public Charity in the North America, Inc. – 501(C)(3) Organization(Tax Exempted). Sending provisions to affectees with the help of Pakistan Army. For more info call: Hadia khan @ +92-3018245999 Sadia Haroon @ +92-3218251122 Irum Farooque @ +92-3002332142. (For donations: HABIB BANK LIMITED ACCOUNT NO: 1549-79001393-03)

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, to email you the Trust’s past activities, bank account details and other queries. They have reportedly done some pretty impressive work. (Account number: 00400101065364, account title: Khadija Nadeem; Askari Bank Chaklala Scheme 3 branch Rawalpindi). Khadija is the founding member, handling all donations.

International Charity Organizations:

UNHCR: Donate here. You can also mail your donations to UNHCR:
UNHCR - UNHCR Canada
UNICEF USA- Donate here
United Nation’s World Food Programme: Donations are tax deductible for number of countries. Donate here
Plan International ( Pakistan specific) donate here
International Medical Corps
IRC (The International Rescue Committee): donate here: http://www.theirc.org/news/irc-team-responds-devastating-floods-pakistan

A Heartfelt Letter to Mr.President

2010-08-16T00:57:00.000+05:00

I received the following in my email so I'm posting it here.

Fuck you, Mr. President
By Pakistan Seriously, fuck you.

Let us start with the basics. You are an asshole. A thief. An alleged murderer. And a scoundrel. And mind-blowingly incompetent to boot.

The only reason you matter is because your equally incompetent, currently delusional, then dysfunctional, mother-in-law thought that you were such a lowly piece of shit that you would never get in the way of your late wife, also delusional, whose dowry included the most popular political party in Pakistan. Why she had such elevated expectations of a two-bit thug is beyond us. But still.

After you had done your husbandly duties, the sensible thing for BB to have done would be to have had you shot. In fact, she should just had had your sperm frozen on day one and then had you tortured into the next dimension. But BB made many mistakes, marrying you being one class-fucking-A example.

So long as BB was alive, you were an embarrassment. You stole with great abandon, from old and young, from the rich and the poor alike. You were, and remain, a fucking genius at stealing. And, surprisingly modest to boot. The world knew you as Mr. 10 per cent. You were maligned. The SGS Cotecna deal only called for a 6% kickback (as did the Agosta submarines deal). But, since BB was busy leading the masses, she needed a Luca Brasi to handle her business affairs. Division of labour, we believe, is what economists call it.

In 1996, you went straight to jail and did not emerge for 8 years. Let’s give you your due. Eight years in jail is a bitch. But you sucked it up, took your torture with a straight face, and eventually scarpered off to Dubai as part of confidence building measures between BB and the General.

Then the General got into trouble and the doors to Pakistan swung upon for BB. You skulked along in her wake, hoping not to get noticed. But you were there, lingering like the bouquet of a garlic-laden fart.

In December 2007, Pakistan was blown apart when BB died. You played your cards right, fought for the Federation, faced down the Sindhi chauvinists and insisted that democracy was the best revenge. We began to have second thoughts about you. And BB’s mysterious will surfaced giving custody of her party, like a retarded teenager, to her darling husband. Most fucking convenient.

The sympathy factor got the PPP the next election. And all the chootiyas in the party decided that their bread and butter depended upon their kissing your ass. So it became your party. And in the spirit of brotherhood that then prevailed, everybody said, hey let’s just make the fucker our President. He seems to have changed.

Let us begin with the fact that you have not changed. You have always been corrupt. And you are still corrupt today. Let us now add to the corruption your amazing fucking arrogance, your oh-so-charming response to all opposition – mein unn ko lund pay likhta hoon – and your general I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. The funny thing is that we would still forgive you all of that because hey, you got elected President and let’s face it, nobody’s perfect. Deep down, we still felt that there was a part of your black heart which still cared about Pakistan.

We were wrong. You don’t give a fuck about Pakistan. Pakistan is simply put, your bitch, yours to screw whenever you feel like. Aggay, pichhay, whatever.

No person who gave a shit about Pakistan, let alone any sane person tasked with the job of pretending to be the symbol of the fucking Federation, would ever abandon Pakistan during the worst floods in its entire history. Something like 2000 people have died in those floods. Your only job is to care for them, to make sympathetic noises. And you failed to do your job for the simple reason that you don’t give a fuck about us.

On top of the colossal stupidity of fucking off to England at a time of national crisis, there are the additional fuck-you factors. First of all, this was not a good time to go to England. Their Prime Minister just got done telling us to fuck off so going staying in London in a $12,000 per night suite was not the ideal response. And second, there is the whole Normandy chateau thing which just takes the fucking cake in this entire stupid goddamn episode. What fucking planet do you live in if you think that taking a private jet to your private fucking chateau is a good idea when Pakistan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in its entire history. This was not work. This was just a giant fuck you to us.

And why, might we ask do you have to put out a press release telling everybody that the chateau has been in the Zardari family for the last 24 years. Oh really? So when your father was running the fucking Bambino cinema in Karachi in the mid-80s, he was also the owner of a 5-acre chateau in Normandy? Is there some secret Zardari clan which has been French aristocracy for decades? Seriously, how fucking stupid do you think we are?

We are out of words now. We cannot comprehend the depth and level of arrogance in you. We just can’t. What we can say is this: fuck you Mr. President

A sad time

2010-05-05T02:35:00.001+05:00

Pakistan seems to have been in a whirlpool since its independence. The nation is stuck between the devil and the deep black sea for ages. There is always someone at the helm of affairs for whom their personal interests are more important then that of the Nation. The people of Pakistan on the other hand have faced every adversity with hope and determination. What the world sees is a small minority of people bent on causing devastation and havoc, what they don't see is the silent majority fighting against all odds to give their children a happy and bright future, a future that our fathers fought for more than 50 years ago.

President like every other human being has been blinded and corrupted by power, "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely." this statement can be justified for every person who has ruled our country. Power goes into our heads, from Mr. 10% to Mr. 100% in a very short time. The president has brought the country to its knees. A sad era has taken wings in our young country, another blow to freedom and democracy. But we look forward to days where honor and dignity of every citizen will be protected by our state, we strive hard to get to where we should have been by now. God Bless.

Me and My Blog

2010-05-05T02:30:00.002+05:00

مین اور میرا بلوغ قبی قبی باتین قیا قرتی حین

I have been absent from the blogging scene for a long long long time, I have actually gotten very busy with other things and blagging has taken a back stage position in my life. I loved blogging and interacting with people, I loved writing about things that mattered to me and despite several comebacks I have been unable to regularly blog. I miss blogging so here is another attempt.

Great Gadgets of this year

2010-04-01T22:28:00.001+05:00

This year will see two of the greatest gadgets to come to the worldwide market, these two next generation gadgets by two of the best technology companies are iPhone 4g by Apple computer inc. & Playstation 4 by Sony, along with other great devices these two devices are sure to take the market by storm and entertain tech geeks from around the world. The iPhone 3G was able to capture a great chunk of the telephone market due to its innovative style and a user friendly operating system that made it easy for people to use the device, this phone was way ahead of its competitors and the highly secretive iPhone 4G will probably follow suit with yet another amazing device to capture technology followers hearts. Apple inc. intends to end its contract with AT&T this year and Verizon CDMA is a frontrunner as apple's choice for a carrier making a Verizon iPhone available to the users. Sony on the other hand is planning a surprise with their real world motion sensore technology enabled Playstation to join other great devices in the tech market. The technology market is eagerly awaiting the price and release dates for these two revolutionary devices which have not been officially announced.

The Revolution is here!

2009-12-08T03:41:00.003+05:00

Who says Pakistan will have an islamic revolution in the future, the Revolution is already here, it started a while back and it is taking its toll by spilling innocent blood on the streets of Pakistan every day. Make no mistakes this is the revolution, and I predict there is no stopping it.

Back to square one

2009-11-09T22:52:00.002+05:00

I have been away from my blog for a long time, during this time a lot has changed in my life. Change is all around us our country is going through tough times this have been bad before but this is worse then ever, what will happen, where will we go from here? I have decided to try and start blogging actively again and inshallah I will be writing about the state of affairs in this land which has given us so much, this land that we should be wholeheartedly giving back to.

Gaza Fundraising in Lahore

2009-01-07T05:10:00.001+05:00

Many youngsters from the Pakistan Youth Alliance have started a campaign under the banner of “Pak Palestine Solidarity Movement” they have been holding a Charity drive in Lahore, Their offices are in Defence near Masjid Chowk, and they will be putting up booths at the following places.

Friday: 3:00 PM after Jumma Prayers @ Main Market Opposit Jalal Sons.
Saturday: 12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM @ Regal Chawk The Mall Near Masjid-e-Shohada.
Saturday: 06:00 PM - 11:00 PM @ Main Market Opposite Jalal Sons.

They are looking for Volunteers to man their booths and more importantly Donations, Their Collection will go through Muslim Hands.

You can contact the following for further Information
Maryam Kanwar: 0346-5084265 & 0331-5105916 & Ahsan Tariq: 0346-4117787

Direct donations to
Muslim Hands: http://www.muslimhands.org/en/gb/
IFRC: http://www.ifrc.org/

Go Obama

2008-11-04T21:00:00.000+05:00

Pakistani Abysmal Ramblings Endorses Barak Obama for President

A right to Dream

2008-11-03T23:39:00.004+05:00

The entire world is riveted by the US presidential elections, but none more then a people living 7000 miles away from Washington DC. Here reside a people with more then enough problems of their own; chronic food shortage, rapidly rising inflation, sharply depleting reserves, power shortages for more then fourteen hours a day; more over a nation ravaged by a global war waged over it’s soil –and in it’s very cities -by some of it’s own people against the nations defense forces and it’s allies. Facing an erosion of internal stability along with severe economic, political, social crisis; one would have thought that the US presidential elections would have been far from their thoughts. The entire nation of Pakistan is following the news avidly as it breathlessly awaits the outcome of the US elections now approaching the finish line; an election in which the center of attention for both campaigns with respect to foreign policy issues has been Pakistan. So much depends on this American election that it is frightening to learn only half of Americans eligible to vote will do so.

Pakistan has been a US ally -some would say a client state- for a long time. It has paid the price of its loyalty in the form of a drug and gun culture born amidst the throes of the Soviet-Afghan War. Daily it counts the cost as radical Islamist terrorists strike in the country’s alleys and streets. These are the very same “mujahedeen” trained and armed by the US (and their willing ally Pakistan) to bring the Soviet empire to its knees, and then abandoned when the purpose was achieved. Both the American people, as well as the people of Pakistan, have paid dearly for this mistake in the shape of a global goliath of terrorism now stalking our dreams.

Truly our dreams drive our decisions-as well as our delusions. And assuredly they have shaped the love-hate relationship that has characterized Pak-US relations. Thus while many of us have hated Americans for our perceptions about the fickleness of their government’s promises or the over riding greed and ambition of their politicians and capitalists; none of us has ever failed to be inspired by the ideals of its peoples. Despite the roller-coaster state of our relationships, many in Pakistan still stand by America because for them the ‘American Dream’ is their dream. And while we have yet to attain it here, we all have heard of a great America, where anything is possible, where dreams come true.

This US election is for many Pakistanis another manifestation of that dream. The people of Pakistan like many in the US are looking for change; we have had some very tough years, and will surely have tougher years ahead. But after bleeding and suffering together with the American people for so long, we are hoping to see a friend in the White House. A friend who sees our sufferings and limitations along sides the dreams and opportunities to forge a bright future for our two great peoples.

It is in this context that the US elections are so vitally important for us. America’s polices here effect us as much or more then they affect the Americans. The war is being fought in our streets, in our backyards; it we who have to look over our shoulders every few minutes to make sure we will not be butchered in cold blood for dreaming the American dream. We therefore hope for an intelligent American President, who will understand our culture, our feelings, our issues; and work with us to solve the problems that have risen from years of misunderstanding, miscommunications, and cooperation.

This is why the people of Pakistan are so intrigued by this American election. We are glued to our TV screens, watching C-Span on our computers- and staying up nights to catch the live debates. We accept the fact that as Pakistanis whatever we say or do will not make a difference to the outcome; yet all of us here are hoping for a president who save us from our common night mares –and help achieve our dreams.

So we display support banners and buttons for our candidates on our persons, on our blogs, our web pages and on our facebook profiles. We await the outcome of this American election as anxiously as anyone in America. It makes us acutely aware of the fact that voting the right person into office is a global responsibility thrown on the shoulders of each American. Each American must know that his vote not only affects his neighborhood but also those around globe.

Global Ramadan Blog

2008-09-10T17:39:00.002+06:00

Wishing everyone a very happy Ramadan.

Join us at the yearly running Ramadan Kareem Blog for pictures, views, polls, recipees and discussions on everything Ramadan in different parts of the world!

www.ramadankareem.blogspot.com

Tribute to Dr. Afia

2008-08-06T01:11:00.005+06:00

Guest Post by Mr. Hassan Abbas.

A note from Hassan: I ask readers of this poem to please join the cause to get her release by signing (this petition)and doing anything else to protest this monstrosity- if you so wish. May I request you to please give this appeal the widest circulation. We may yet save the U.S. forces in Afghanistan from disgracing themselves and the American people even further .

A Glorious Dawn…And A Better Day

To Dr.Afia Siddiqui - prisoner # 650 in American custody

Another dawn …another day,
Disgrace; insult is thrown our way;
Yet shamelessly on their golden perch
The spineless look - Oh how they sway!

As if there is no Lord above,
They with the devil-hand in glove;
Selling our dearest values and souls,
For gold and power – push and shove!

This crime you saw they so denied,
To filthy scum they sold the bride;
Yet the mighty Creator seeing it all
Unveils the gruesome act they hide!

Amongst ravenous wolves the fair one lies,
As from brutish hands she helplessly flies;
A suffering sister sane no more,
Her anguished screams - they rent the skies.

And this is all the pride you boast,
Our tormentors you daily host !
Comrades but yesterday we shared the cup,
- And today so far apart we coast ?

When comes a ‘Qasim’ to stem this rot?
Of Almighty Allah and His Messenger forgot!
Of cheaply selling our heritage which -
With submission and sacrifice was dearly bought.

And yet the strong will go their way,
As an ‘Iftikhar’ keep the monsters at bay;
Afia! Our elders pray, while our braver fight ,
For a glorious dawn…….. and a better day!

Geert Wilders "Fitna" Released Online

2008-03-28T02:49:00.005+05:00

Dutch politician Geert Wilders' anti-Muslim short film "Fitna" has been placed online amid an uproar from muslims all over the world, The video shows passages from Quran and graphic images of terror attacks. The video was supposed to be releaed in a press conference which was cancelled due to security fears. It is now hosted on liveleaks.com in both english and dutch (youtube had only dutch but loads faster) . The Dutch government is having meetings to discuss the impact of the film and surely there will be an impact once more people around the world find out about the release.

Link to Video I have provided a link for educational purposes, unreasonable comments will be deleted.

Living our dreams

2008-03-26T02:44:00.003+05:00

I have been around the world and met a lot of people from all walks of life, all over the world and I have come to a realization, most people simply dream their dreams, very few actually work to turn them into a reality, and a time comes when we lose touch with our dreams or feel that our dreams are impossible and once we do that we resign to fate and start living a life thats just ok instead of one that we might love.

Politics or Family Business ?

2008-03-22T02:59:00.000+05:00

Although Pakistan can still be considered a young country, and people can and do claim that we need some time to adopt a true democratic system which will take everything into account and be perfect for the betternment of the country, Pakistan has yet to take a single step on the highway of democracy.

In its short 60 year history, Pakistan has been ruled by either the strong military or one of the few ruling families who control Pakistan's few political parties. How can these political parties claim that they are the beacons of democracy when the parties themselves have no democatic principles guiding them. Out of Pakistan's 3 biggest political parties, Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League and MQM, 2 (PPP, PML) are directly controlled by 2 families with no room for anyone else to take the helms and the 3rd MQM is in the firm grip of Altaf Hussain who sits in exile in the UK and yet can get his popular party leaders in Pakistan to follow his every command.

Pakistan People's Part is in the lime light these days since the assasination of Benazir Bhutto, the "Life Time Chairperson" of what she claimed to be the biggest democratic force of the country. On her death the helms of the party that she inhetreted from her father did not go to one of the loyal party leaders who guided the part while Benazir and her familyy were in self imposed exile in the UAE. The leadership of the Party was "willed" to her 18 year old son. What kind of a democracy is this? In a swift and well planned political move her son was "renamed" Bhutto and made the co-chairperson of the Party to take command after his education was completed, in the mean time her husband Asif Ali Zardari also known as Mr 10% (on account of his taking hugs kickbacks while his wife was the Prime Minister) was to be at the helm of affairs. These types of politics will never lead to a democratic country. There is a power struggle going on within the PPP which can turn bad and derail the whole political senario in the country and no matter how much Mr Zardari uses the sympathy card if he continues with his stupidities he will ultimately suffer. There was a news item in Pakistan today that Bilawal "Bhutto" Zardari the son of Benazir has just arrived in Pakistan to announce the choice of PM in the new Government, lets hope its a wise choice and doesn't lead to disintegration of the democratic process. Family run politics have to give way to a true and realistic democracy within parties before democracy can be established on a wider scale.

"Tears" - Another Bomb Blast

2008-03-16T03:40:00.003+05:00

This is the third consecutive blogpost I have done and all three have had a mention of a suicide bomber or a blast. Enough is enough. This is getting ridiculous, with no claims of the atrocities by any terror group, no specific targets, this is just being done to induce a sense of terror in the general mases, innocent lives are being lost, we can only hope for a safer tomorrow, may God bless the departed and put some sense excuse my language into the impotent bastards targeting innocent civilians.

The heart consumes I clearly see
Every fiber of my soul and me
That’s when the pain begins to grow
And yes the tears begin to flow.

Weekend on the farm and More blasts

2008-03-11T19:16:00.008+05:00

This weekend I figured getting away from the city might be a good idea, It turned out to be quite a lot of fun and some relaxation, came back last night and went to sleep late. This morning i woke up to the news of three suicide blasts in Lahore, 2 bombers struck the office of the FIA and 1 a school in a residential neighborhood of Lahore, over 25 dead and hundreds injured. Now I'm thinking maybe living in Pakistan is not that good an idea, but afterall people are living here and if everyone "runs" away how will things change, I came here fo a reason, I have a worst case senario backup, so what the heck, have faith in God and keep at it. Some pictures from the farm and Sialkot are posted below.

Update: There were apparently 3 explosions in the FIA building, the dead include several innocent children.

Update: The suicide attack in the residential area of model town was not at a school but rather at an advertising agency.

A Field of Mustard on the Farm

Endless fields of wheat

Standing in the Guava Orchid

Wild flowers

Holy Trinity Cathedral Sialkot

Another Suicide Bombing

2008-03-05T00:44:00.003+05:00

After the recent suicide bombings in Rawalpindi and NWFP, a couple of suicide bombers struck closer to home today. Blowing themselves up at the Naval War College in Lahore. Seems like there is no end to this, not in too much of a mood to blog about it right now but I'm really getting sick of it.

Bilawal Bhutto needs help, Anyone?

2008-03-04T12:40:00.005+05:00

Of all the email scams to hit me this one was by the far the funniest.

From: "Mr. Bilawal Bhutto" mr.silva07@yahoo.fr

Dear Sir/MadamMy name is Bilawal Bhutto the son of Benazir Bhutto who was murdered inPakistan by the present Pakistan Government on Thursday, 27 December 2007,Ms Bhutto was leaving a rally of her Pakistan People's Party(PPP)supporters in a park in the garrison town of Rawalpindi whenattackers Opened fire. Then a bomb was set off by the same attacker whichleft my mother dead and some 20 other people. You can find details of thekilling of my mother on this website below:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6653475.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2228796.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7165892.stm

Life has become unbearable since she was shot dead. Since then, my familyand I have been Living with shock and uncertainties, the Government ofMusharaff has made life difficult for us by ensuring that we are notdisposed to our finances and other properties that is owned by my motherand this has made life difficult for us. Just before my mother died shecalled my attention to the money she deposited in foreign account andcharged me to look for a foreigner who would assist me in the retrievingof the funds abroad which she wanted to use for the election, So l wouldbe very grateful if you could accept to help me achieve this greatobjective. For now, let all our communication is by e-mail because my lineis right now connected to the Pakistan Telecommunication Network services.I will give you details after I have received a response from you. Pleaseget back to me via this email bbhutto@jmail.co.za
Thank you very much.
Bilawal Bhutto

Blogspot Blocked Again?

2008-03-01T00:22:00.002+05:00

Is is possible that the government of Pakistan or individual ISP's have blocked blogger again? since late last night I have been unable to access any blogger website. I have had no problems with othe sites, in the evening I called my ISP which is Wateen and they claimed there was nothing wrong fom "their side", just now I tried another blogspot website which has a non blogger domain forward on it and it opened, tried opening blogger sites through https tunneling and they seem to be working, its just when its a blogspot domain in the url they dont work, anyone else having the same poblems please let me know?

Saints and Shrines

2008-02-27T00:13:00.020+05:00

The city of Lahore in Pakistan is known for its rich culture, Forts & Grand Mosques, its food and music are world famous, Also famous are the sufi saints who hailed from this city or came here to live and were burried here, among the more famous shrines of Lahore are Data Darbar the Shrine of Hazrat Ali Hajweri Syed Abul Hassan Bin Usman Bin Ali Al-Hajweri the famous Sufi saint of Persian origion, The shrine of Gamey Shah, The tomb of Baba Shah Jamal and Bibi Pak Daman.Although I'm not very religious I decided to go visit Bibi Pak Daman as the legend behind this particular shrine was quite interesting. Bibi Pak Daman is famous for being the shrine of 6 Ladies from the household of the Prophet Mohammed, Including Ruqayah binte Ali the daughter of Hazrat Ali the forth caliph of Islam the othe five graves are said to be those of hazrat Muslim bin Aqeel's sisters and daughters. Legend has it that these ladies were traveling alone after the events at karbala and when the reached Lahore the ruler at that time tried to arrest them because the were gaining a following and not wanting that, Bibi Pak Daman prayed to God and asked him to open the earth and take them in, when the soldiers came to arrest them the earth split into two and they went in only a little of the Dupatta (scarf) of Bibi Ruqayah remained and when the lead soldier tried to get hold of that it too slid into the soil, Thus the name Bibi Pak Daman meaning even the scarf of the lady was pure and thus could not be touched.

The Mazar is the end to a busy and colorfull street full of shops selling religious literature, multimedia and prayer beads among other things.

Pakistan Heritage 1 - Hiran Minar

2008-02-25T16:54:00.010+05:00

Pakistan and Pakistanis are not very good at remembering or respecting our heritage, even though we have a rich and vibrant history with monuments and architecture from the Mughal and British era which could very well generate millions for the coffers of this country, the Government has done nothing to maintain or present these amazing chapters from our history to the world at large, and the general public has had no shame in engraving their worthless names over piceless frescos. Hiran Minar complex is one such wonder.

The origional Minar (tower) was built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir in 1606 in memory of his favourite deer "Mansraj", the grave of the deer is in the tower. The water tank, baadari(pavilion) and causeway connecting the baradari with the mainland and hiran minar were constructed by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1620 and used as a roal residence during hunting trips. The complex is supposed to have been surrounded by a forest and had extensive well maintained gardens, currently the whole complex is in bad shape, the lawns and gardens are badly in need of maintanace so are the buildings which need protection from the people who pride themselves in writing their names over ancient frescos. If something like this was located in a country that honored and respected their heriatage, it would be a place worth seeing, it would be the site for events and functions, and people would flock to it to see the architechture, the paintings and the gardens through which Emperors once walked.

The only painting found intact probably because it was too high to deface.

ps. These pictues and obsevations are from a weekend trip to Hiran Minar a popular heriatge site open to public, I hope to post pictures of another building and its grounds from the british era which still has its glory because it is the residence of a government official, unfortunately that is not open for the public's enjoyment.

Pakistan Election in Pictures

2008-02-18T17:02:00.004+05:00

A young couple happily pose for a post-voting picture, proudly showing their inked thumbs as proof of their vote.

Party wokers assisting thier voters in finding their names on the voter lists.

A deserted polling station at 1:00 pm.

Various politicals patries had their booths setup in front of a shrine near a polling station.

Clogged traffic leading to a poling station around noon.

Party booth for a National Assembly Candidate next to a polling station.

Another party booth near a polling station.

Pakistan General Elections 2008

2008-02-18T15:47:00.005+05:00

Today the people of Pakistan voted for another time in the hope of a better tomorrow. Hope afterall is the only things the 170 million people of pakistan have. Since independence 60 years ago Pakistan has had a troubled past with numerous untimely elections and military governments running and plundering the country. The last puppet government mostly run by Genereal Pervaiz Musharaf and his puppeteers was the first one to complete a term in office amid allegations of rampant curroption and nepotism.

A country of poor folk where neccessities like cooking oil, flour, water, electricity and gas have become a rairty rather then norm has once again voted for another batch of people with empty promises who openly used and abused their povety for a vote. Political candidates used everthing the could think off to get the votes of the people, reportedly people have been promised/delivered bags of flour, tins of oil and fresh fruit among other neccesities but the most blatant disregard for ethics and morals has perhaps come from the incumbent party which has promised in some cases and sent money orders in other to the amount of Rs.1500/- for a vote.

Even though the atmosphere was tense the voter turnout seemed to be mediocre, it was noticed that educated people who seldom went out of their houses in past elections went out to vote for their favourite candidates, I went to 3 polling stations in the vicinity of DHA Lahore to observe and photograph. One of the stations had a good amount of people while the other two seemed rather quite, political parties had set up booths to assist their voters and I noticed a few complaints of names missing from the voters lists but in geneal things seemed to be running smoothly.

Painter of Clouds

2007-11-28T20:49:00.000+05:00

It was a sunny day with no clouds in sight, the birds were chirping, the bright yellow buds had blossomed into beautiful wildflowers harnessing the sun as if it would never come out again for a long time because that was an undeniable fact the sun was a rare thing in those parts. The painter was sitting on the porch of the log cabin he had recently rented from the frail old man who claimed to be a writer, a writer of dark stories most likely because the atmosphere in the village was always dark and gloomy and there could not have been much inspiration for anything else. The painter didn’t much appreciate the lively weather for he had forgotten to appreciate all things because of his past pain and sufferings. He was an outsider in the small village where everyone knew everyone else and the only companion of his empty soul was the little Sheppard boy Corsair who used to sometimes stop and talk to the painter while tending his flock. Hoping and waiting for Corsair to come he observed the scene around him with a painters mind, He tried to imagine what was making the wildflowers blossom so gaily, why most of the birds were sitting on a certain tree, why one passing villager was smiling to himself while the other was trying to hide his tears, for even though the man did not have any tears the painter could see the anguish in his eyes. Although he looked at things around him and reasoned he never did that with himself. He never gave any thought as to why he had forgotten to be happy, why he was bitter and lonely and lived a dark life in total isolation from everyone else even though he liked Corsair’s company. He never thought why he a famous painter was sitting idly waiting for dark clouds when he could paint the rare amazing landscape of light and shadow and give it a different life on his canvas.

The lone companion of the painter, Corsair, had noticed in his innocence that this strange young painter who had just moved to his village was full of darkness, but he also noticed a glint of light in the painters eyes which to him showed that not all was lost, hope was the seed the boy wanted to transform into a blossoming tree. He wanted to turn the painter of dark stormy clouds into one who could not only see and paint the light but could also transform and give a positive spin to the darkness. On that particular day when Corsair saw the painter sitting sullenly he decided that he should force the painter into submission and have him paint the amazing colors that were taking shape because of the light. He knew the painter would be reluctant but in his naïve wisdom he also knew that he was the painters only companion and the painter would think hard before isolating himself totally. The boy conspired with the elements and the sun along with the lush green grass, the tall leafy trees, the bright yellow wildflowers, the birds as well as the squirrels all conspired to provide a landscape which could be brought to life again on the painters canvas.

The painter who had forgotten how to paint light finally agreed to at least try. The painter’s hands even with all the colors and life around him could not as much as he tried paint a picture because his heart was cold and his mind turned the prettiest picture into a nightmare. It wasn’t the painter’s fault he tried but his life as far as he could remember was dark and he had forgotten all about light. He had forgotten how to paint a happy picture because the only recent recollection of any happiness that he had was time spent with Corsair who was also trying hard to push the darkness out of the painter’s life.

The painter kept trying, the boy kept trying, even the elements were curious and wanted to see the outcome of the boys effort, clouds shied away for a long time, the birds and butterflies fluttered their wings cherishing every moment of sunlight they could get. Every morning the boy would come and help the painter paint the picture he had forgotten to paint, and finally the painter finished one of his most beautiful paintings ever. The boy loved it, the bright sun set happily behind the mountains, not knowing that the happiness he had witnessed was short lived, the painter who had not seen such vibrant colors, such life and who was not used to it put the painting in his attic and told the boy never to mention it again and never to ask him to paint another one.

The boy with tears flowing out of his eyes and the heaviest heart a boy his size could have, walked away into the misty night towards the sleeping village. The elements became angered, the next morning there was no Corsair, there was no life, there was only cold howling wind, dark gray clouds and unforgiving lightning, the clouds had overpowered the sun that only last night had set smiling, and the painter with no name sat in his den, looking at the embers from the fire in his fireplace, that was fed with logs from the young tree of hope the seeds of which were planted by Corsair and which had instead of blossoming with flowers, died and become firewood.

Absence and going ons

2007-11-24T14:21:00.000+05:00

Hey, just felt like droping in here and writing something today. Its been a while since I was here and I do not think any of the few readers that were here are there anymore, this is sort of an explanation as to where I have been for those friends who have sent me emails asking where I am. I have been in Pakistan for the past month and a half on account of several things including some problems with my business and my sister's aproaching wedding which is Inshallah soon.

Other than a few visits to my farms and some work for the coming wedding I have been relatively free and have had time to reflect on a lot of things, I have studied the option of doing a project/NGO I had always dreamed of doing in Pakistan and did some research regarding that. Visited my childhood home which brought back nostalgic memories of vacations spent there, salvaged a lot of artwork from the house which was in ruin on account of the house being shut down for the last 8 years. It seems only like yesterday that I used to run around the mango and leychee orchards and catch butterflies and fireflies from the grounds, sometimes a lifetime seems like a few days at other times a month might seem like an eternity.

I will be leaving back for Dubai inshallah end of December and then I will be writing here regularly, right now I have limited access to the internet with the house full of wedding guests, Hope to catch up with you all soon.

Independence day & Internet

2007-08-15T15:26:00.000+05:00

I finally had internet installed in my new home yesterday and so I should be back posting soon. A happy independence day to all my Pakistani and Indian readers.

Moving and Painting

2007-07-28T13:20:00.000+05:00

Hey everyone, I'v been a bit busy and will be for another couple of days because I'm moving into a new place, Here is the view from my new bedroom.

Also I figured I'd get some feedback from you folk, I started a new hobby in my old age, can't do the things I used to anymore, so here is my first oil painting ever that I did a couple weeks back, what do my readers think?

1. Base and starting.

2. A little progress.

3. The finished painting.

Ramblings

2007-07-23T21:01:00.000+05:00

I recently became a year older and I was just thinking of everything thats been happening in my life, how time is or has been passing me by, of the things I have achieved, things I would like to achieve or should have achieved till now. I’ve had some dreams, some ideas of what I'd like to do, some of those have been accomplished while some have been put at the back of the closet that is my life, this closet mind you is quite messy right now and needs to be organized in a big way.

I believe in fate and destiny, I believe that whatever happens, happens for a reason, sometimes fate knocks on our door with an opportunity and says "The ball is in your court lets play tennis" fate has a court, it brings you the balls and the racket too, it might even bring along the ball boy and you say no I'm not interested in playing right now, you walk away from that opportunity, close the door on fate. On the other hand you might be wanting to challenge fate at a latter date and try to go to its clubhouse with all the equipment, it might just not be interested in playing with you no matter how much you try. You try so hard you give it so much that fate at that moment will laugh at you and say "I’ve come playing so many times and you’ve said no, lets now see how hard you can fight". That is when you have to decide if you want to keep knocking fates door until your knuckles are raw and you're left with nothing but a wounded soul or if you want to go back and wait patiently for fate to come back to you when its ready to play. It is decisions like these that pave the way of our life, sometimes the judgment can be wrong and we have to be strong enough to face our own decisions.

Visa to Heaven . . . Don't educate your daughter

2007-07-22T14:09:00.000+05:00

Looks like "Maulana Fazlullah" a notorious cleric from Swat in NWFP Pakistan has setup his visa issuing counslate that has been making promises of heaven to the poor uneducated masses of the region. Maulana Fazlullah is another product of the Afghan Soviet War, the remnants of which to this day are haunting the lives of millions of people in Pakistan. A known terrorist who is wanted by the government on numerous charges has to date, eveaded arrest; he was the only voice of support to the Lal Masjid Clerics and has sicnce the operation gone underground.

Maulana Fazlullah has made headlines in media all over the world by his claims that the Polio Eradication Program of WHO is a "conspiracy of the Jews and Christians to stunt the population growth of Muslims" he claims that polio vaccines cause impotence and thus the villagers should not get their children immunized. His propoganda has been quite successful and thousands of people have stopped vaccinating their children, there have been several attacks on medical teams in the area that have gone in to vaccinate the villagers.

His Latest Cause:
The maulana has now taken upon himself to stop the region from educating its women, after 60 years of independence, education was just starting to spread to the region for their women, the first generation of girls had started school and this idiot announces that education for women is unislamic, he has illegal short range FM stations running in several villages, and he uses them to spread his word that he clains is the word of God. Not only does he spread his word but he uses simple pshycology to have villages compete among themselves for entry into heaven by taking more children out of school. His drive has been quite successful with the region again falling into the dark ages. He has been successfully able to extinguish to light of education from the lives of thousands of young girls full of potential.

This nation has been used and abused by everyone for their own vested interests, the people have lost their will to florish they are merely existing, Where is the voice of reason, who is there to say something about the situation and fight for a cause withour fear, Why is no one doing something to silence this voice of darkness and bring light again into the lives of these simple folk who don't know right from wrong, may God help us all.

Back

2007-07-19T16:19:00.000+05:00

Its been months since I wrote here and I did'nt think I would be back. Last few months have been quite heavy with work and family. Work had suddenly created a lot of tensions and though most of it is ironed out there are still a few things that are giving me headaches hopefully they will be sorted out soon. In the mean time I will try and keep posting on here. I just got back to the UAE last week after a 2 week break in Pakistan.

The whole time I was in Pakistan the "Red Mosque" saga was taking place, every TV station had the depressing scenes repeated every day 24 hours of the day. This was the firt time I was in Pakistan that I was'nt really happy about being there. Most situations in most countries improve with time but it seems Pakistan is drifting back in time, instead of things improving things are getting worse, whatever you look at, whatever you see is going bad like a crate of mangoes set out in the heat for a couple of days. It hurts to see where Pakistan is today and it hurts to know and feel that probably nothing is going to change. Those in whome we believe tend to let us down, I had hopes with General Musharraf when he took over, I had hoped that he would be the agent of change but alas he has like a million others fallen prey to the political and social culture that is Pakistan. I can only hope for a better tomorrow because hope is something that no one can take away from us.

Hey Everyone

2007-03-12T14:56:00.000+05:00

Hello to anyone whos around, I have been quite busy for a while with work and will be for some time in the future. I hoped I would be able to continue blogging regularly but it seems that isn't quite possible I dont have the time to blog, or comment on blogs of friends. I do read the ones I have been following for a while when I get the time. So I guess posts on this blog will be very rare if any. I'll leave you with a complete poem of which I had posted the ending a few days back (I did say it was long) . Take care everyone.

My Tears

Is it every seekers state
To suffer silently pine away
Hoping for what could be
While fearing what is today?
Yes things are never ever
The way they ought to be
And this is where it starts
All the heart ache that we see !

Is it our fate to live
In hopes of better days to come
When justice ,truth and rights prevail
And all to love and care succumb?
And yet come see where it all ends
Mans progress a merry go round
As seeking truth but pain protends
And pain and suffering hatreds found !

Is it our plight to never grow
Into the beings we can be
With truth,love and grace aglow
Happy, helpful ,content ,carefree.
For laden brows with devious mind At each step collide
With truths that hearts seek to find !

Is it our destiny to remain
Blundering barbaric blustering beasts
Swooning over songs society sings
Of love and rights and moral things
As madly materialistic men manage
To delay progress - cause drastic damage?
Oh nothing differs in this deadly game
Things for ever remain the same!

It is my right to hug this pain
As agonizing between myself and me
The mind gives up the chase in vain
And forlorn chains of many a thought
Seek refuge in a pulsating orb
And in that dungeon of the soul
By some mysterious alchemy
Pain is born,heart ache begot.

Mute silence as the storm builds up
Blood rushes to heart in feverish pitch
Thunder echos through the soul
As clouds of gloom they weigh it down
The heart consumes I clearly see
Every fibre of my soul and me
That’s when the pain begins to grow
And yes the tears begin to flow.

And flowing down my face as rain
Nourish the seeds of what I seek
Too often for it to be mere chance
They dim the lights before I dance
Cool the anguish of my soul
Renew the zest for my advance.
Though they make me look so weak
They are the spurs to all I seek !

International Women's Day

2007-03-08T17:03:00.001+05:00

Dedicated to an admirable lady of strength, wisdom, intelligence and beauty who inspires me and effects me in a positive way every passing day.

To all my readers out there a happy "International Women's Day". On this day women around the world rally together inspiring them to reach their full potential. It is understood that women have come a long way in fighting for their rights and place in a society which even to this day in a large part of the world does not accept them as equals. Let us not forget that a lot of issues remain that we have to fight for and continue fighting, especially in the third world countries. Rights of women around the world are suppressed by law, culture, religion and custom. Basic rights that every human being should have for example, right to an education, marital and parental rights, right to free speech, right to own property and in some places even a right to vote have been and are still being denied.

On this Day let us stand together and make every day an international women's day until the rights of every mother, sister and daughter are guaranteed.

BBQ

2007-03-08T00:04:00.000+05:00

Came home early yesterday and decided there should be a BBQ at home, the weather has been amazing in the UAE these past few days, so set out to prepare the "Tikkas" and the "Kabobs". There were Chicken Tikkas, Mutton Tikkas and Seikh Kebobs. (Click on Pictures to get hungry lol.)

All spiced up ready to go on the coal.

on the Coal.

All ready to be devoured.

Kheer to top it off.

Day to Day

2007-03-03T16:38:00.000+05:00

Life has just been so busy these past few days, work kept me on my toes and I have been having some problems here and there so havent gotten much time to blog. I guess I'll be the same way for the next couple of weeks at least so i'll just post some old works or gibrish.

Seek Not My Heart

2007-02-27T17:19:00.000+05:00

This is not mine, but its just amazing I had to post it.

Oh gentle winds 'neath moonlit skies,
Do not you hear my heartfelt cries?

Below the branches, here about,
Do not you sense my fear and doubt?
Side glistening rivers, sparkling streams,
Do not you hear my woeful screams?

Upon the meadows, touched with dew,
Do not you see my hearts a'skew?
Beneath the thousand twinkling stars,
Do not you feel my jagged scars?

Seek not my mournful heart kind breeze,
For you'll not find it 'mongst these trees.

It's scattered 'cross the moonlit skies,
Accompanied by heartfelt sighs.
It's drifting o're the gentle rain,
A symbol of my silent pain.

It's buried 'neath the meadow fair,
Conjoined with all the sorrow there.
It's lost among the stars this night,
Too far to ease my quiet fright.

No gentle winds, seek not my heart,
For simply ... it has torn apart.

Kit McCallum

Longing for his friend

2007-02-19T19:55:00.000+05:00

Suleman had been out and about the whole day, away from his friend. He did'nt like it out there, surrounded by obsure noices and structures. He liked to be in his haven with his friend "solitude". His friend had taught him a thing or two, and he wanted to spend as much time as he could with "solitude" to learn some more wise lessons, alas, it wasnt to be, no matter how hard Suleman tried he could not abandon his responsibilites to the world everyone else lived in. He had to leave his world and his friend the whole day and step out into the hell he hated. Where ever Suleman went there were worldly distractions always tugging him away from his friend.

He wasn't an idiot, he knew people looked at him strange, called him names, but he was above all that, it was as if he didn't care. Suleman was not always like this, there was a time in his short life of 32 that he cared for what people thought. In the short period you could call his life, he had experienced more than most people do in a lifetime. His past was full of experiences both good and bad. He had traveled the world, met a variet of people and seen amazing places, places that had made Suleman think about things he never imagined could exist. Only some things in his recent past had reinginted his lust to connect with his soul. He had always known he was different, how different he had yet to find out.

Judging a Book

2007-02-18T22:24:00.000+05:00

They say "never judge a book by its cover" how right it felt today. An interesting thing happened at work today, I was sitting in my office and a call came, one of the sales people took the call in the outside office, for 15 mins I overheard a conversation between a prospective client and my sales staff, he was asking for a discount of Dhms. 200 on a Price of Dhms. 600. The sales staff is not authorized to give that price and the buyer was not willing to go elsewhere, after being amused by the conversation for some time I asked the sales staff to transfer the call to me and figured might as well have some fun, what can I say it was quite boring today.

I tried to explain to the guy that the price he was asking was not worth it for me, but he was adamant that he wanted that price and he wanted that price from me. After another 15 mins of conversation, I figured he'd earned it, told him it was his and he would be picked up by the driver at the designated place. Hung up the phone, called the guy a "KANJOOS" (miser), and went on looking blankly at the computer screen. When the driver came back, he said he had been tipped Dhms 200. the amount the fellow had haggled over for half an hour. He wasn't Kanjoos after all.

Strange Street Signs

2007-02-12T01:29:00.000+05:00

Global Themes Photo Blog, for those of you who have missed out on its existence, has been revamped and updated. The past week the theme has been Street Signs, and we have displayed signs from Kabul to Cambodja and Bosnia. The latest publication from Dubai is particularly hillarious and worth seeing.

Join us over at Global Themes!

Post taken from Shaykhspeara Shaira

My friend....Solitude

2007-02-11T12:06:00.000+05:00

“My friend” can bring me close to my soul. This thought was echoing in the head of Suleman while he was sitting in a dark room. The room was filled with many voices, but nothing could be heard. The only sound was of the Longcase clock, which was announcing with every second that time is the most selfish thing and it is never going to stop. Suleman was feeling those words, but had no answer for the time he had wasted all his life. At the age of thirty-two he was still lost in the middle of nowhere. His only accomplishment was that he had learnt lessons from all the mistakes he made in his life. But this accomplishment always used to be short lived, by committing the same mistakes again and again and again. . . . .

. . . . . In order to find out what he was still missing, he wanted to turn the pages of his life, sitting in the dark room. And he was sure that he and his friend “solitude”, together would figure out where in his life he was holding the hand of his soul, without even knowing that he had the gist of his life with him at that moment. . . . .

. . . . .The knock on the door brought Suleman back into the world where he belonged. Firstly he tried to ignore the knock, as he just wanted to be with his friend “solitude”, but a constant knock on the door compelled him to say goodbye to his friend. . . . .

. . . . .His own world was much more beautiful. This was last thing Suleman thought before he locked his door and went for his work.

Wonder

2007-02-06T19:02:00.000+05:00

I often wonder why God gave people the power to dream. Why should you see a path in your dreams that you might never find? Why should you keep returning in your dreams to your forge, and then wake up lying on the sand near the sea?

Henning Mankell
Chronicler of the Wind.

I feel like a stone- a monologue

2007-02-06T18:43:00.000+05:00

I feel like a stone, in the path is love
Lovers go by, and some stumble above

I sit there laughing, seeing them fall down
And think of myself as a king without a crown

I’m there from dawn till dusk
I do whatever a stone must

I lay there waiting for a lover to stumble
And his love, destroyed and crumbled

If you think of blaming me
You should also blame the tree

Under which you felt the cool shade
Met your lover, and hearts’ you trade

And you think you are the only one forsaken
What about people who weren’t even taken

Taken by love, to show them the colors
To move them around and make them discover

The happiness hidden in the sense of belonging
The pain that comes around like a ring

So why not feel happy that you found someone
And cherish the love and the fun

That you gathered on your way to me
And thanked God for the satisfying glee

Now that you have stumbled you curse me
And forgotten how love made you feel free

I am a stone, I will still be around
For other lover to pass by and some left aground

Though I am a stone I will give you an advice
Fallen you maybe, but you should never stop to thrive

For you find love on every corner of this way
Also an angel, a devil and a mourner par se

You can choose to move on, or become a stone
And keep telling lovers of what not to mourn

Driving to work

2007-02-03T13:45:00.000+05:00

I had an interesting drive to work today, it takes me almost 2 hours to get to office which is in Dubai from my home. I'm driving and I suddenly see 3 boys walking in the middle of the Highway. The traffic was bumper to bumper and I was in the extreme right lane, now these three young fellows were walking between the first and the second lane. I figured why not move to the second lane and talk to the boys and ask them why they decided to walk.

Walked along side Ahmed, Khalid and their friend, Khalid was the most talkative and told me that it was faster to walk so they decided to hike. When Ahmed saw Khalid give his view he said "why would we pay for a taxi when it would take longer, thats why we decided to walk." I talked to them for a while and then . . . . .

. . . sure enough they were faster and overtook me.

Celebration

2007-02-01T15:07:00.000+05:00

One mans happiness could be another's sadness, I'm sure the Omani's were sulking while the UAE was celebrating their Gulf Cup victory as a Nation.

UAE has been on the streets for the past 2 nights celebrating their victory.

Update: Day 3 and day 4 were as busy as day 1 and 2. Today being the forth day it was the same, crowds everywhere, wearing the National colors, with decorated cars. Today also there was a huge organized rally starting in Jumeira going till Mamzar beach with police escorts and two helicopters.

I'm Back ....

2007-01-17T16:04:00.000+05:00

I'v been busy past few days with holidays, work and some other stuff. I will remain busy the next few days and hopefully start posting something soon. Had the best holiday ever, traveled a bit, had lots of fun. Since I got back I'v been busy with work, awfully busy. So hopefully will write in a bit.

Happy Holidays

2006-12-28T15:00:00.000+05:00

First of all I'd like to thank all the visitors to my site for the comments and encouragement they have been kind to give. In a little over 1 year of blogging I have come across some amazing people from whom I have gained a lot. Lately I have not been feeling like writing anything, I don't know if its the weather or something else. I am a bit confused these days with everything going on in my life. Also lately I have been mighty busy with my work and some other important things in my life. I will be busy throught the next few weeks as my work does not let me breathe these winter days of Dubai. I will probably continue to blog after a while, I may put up some old stuff if I get time.

For those of you traveling this holiday season I wish you a safe journey. A very happy new year and a happy Eid to all the fellow bloggers. Take care and happy holidays.

Dreams

2006-12-21T14:15:00.000+05:00

“The best thing about dreams is that fleeting moment, when you are between asleep and awake, when you don't know the difference between reality and fantasy, when for just that one moment you feel with your entire soul that the dream is reality, and it really happened."

Life

2006-12-17T23:12:00.000+05:00

In all his being he’ll fail to trace,

a single sign of a saving grace.
Blinkered eyes and a wrinkled face,
his trophies from this lifelong race !

New Blog: Global Themes

2006-12-13T19:22:00.000+05:00

Global Themes is finally launching its Photo Blog!

Contributors from all over the world, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Stockholm, Boston, Abu Dhabi and more, will post pictures on a weekly theme. This week's theme is Water.

This is a chance to see the world and different issues from diverse perspectives while global music plays in the background like "The Gypsy Girl" by Nikos Kypourgos.

Join us over at Global Themes!

Blogger Beta Woes

2006-12-13T14:45:00.000+05:00

Blogger Beta is giving me headaches. For some reason I can not log into my old blogger account when I want to leave comments on blogs that have switched to blogger beta. Lets see if the problem gets solved soon. I am not going to switch to blogger beta untill all these issues are ironed out.

Success and Happiness

2006-12-11T16:28:00.000+05:00

"Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others."
HH The Dalai Lama.

What is the measure of our happiness? in today's fast paced world we try and work hard, make money, achieve success in our workplace for what? because we think that it would make us happy, but does it ? I dont think so. Every time we keep looking for more. I think we should measure our happiness with what really makes us happy. The quality time we spend with friends, family and loved ones. Knowing that there are people who genuinely care about us. These things should matter more than money and work. These things bring more happiness than anything else. Sharing a moment of joy with a loved one is priceless and can not be bought. Hearing some good news about someone you care about makes your so happy sometimes that nothing else could compare with that.

I miss the times when people used to really know and care about people around them, when you knew who your neighbors were, when you were there for each other. Life was so much more personal and so much happier. Now we hardly know people and we hardly care.

What do you see

2006-12-09T18:10:00.000+05:00

Random Rant

2006-12-09T13:18:00.000+05:00

Everyone has priorities in their life the question is when a situation changes how is it that the things that were so important to you change too. I mean one day we sit and dream about a certain thing that we want and the next day something totally different comes into the spectrum and we no longer bother with our first priority. Our entire life takes a U-Turn and we now want something entirely different then we had ever imagined or planned. We as human beings constantly want and need, these wants and needs constantly change how we think and plan our days, our life. We will change our whole lifestyle, our perception of things our efforts for something we believe in, what makes us do things that a year back we never imagined we would do. But sometimes our priorities are too improtant for anything else to get in the way, sometimes our priorities stick till the end and that is when dreams come true. I guess thats why they are our priorities.

Did that make any sense?

16 Day Campaign

2006-12-05T22:25:00.000+05:00

" Women! Mighty Goddess of mans dreams and all that he admires!
Why did you consent to become a mere whim to his desires?
The Almighty decreed you a bearer and nourisher of life,
Why did you from your natural role so willingly retire?"

I had written some days back about the 16 days of activism against gender violence, and when I had written that post I had thought I would write a post a day on a related topic. But the fact of the matter is we think a lot and seldom act on what we think. I got busy with my life and did'nt bother to write a single post on a subject I feel about. Today after being absent from my blog for the past 5 days I looked up my stats and saw some one had ended up on my blog by searching for "How do Pakistani men treat their wives?". That got me thinking about the 16 day campaign and I figured I should write something about that.

Gender violence is not a religious or a geographic issue, its a global issue spanning all cultures and religions. From times long ago women have been reffered to as the "weaker sex". Even today, women are harrased at the workplace and beaten at home by their husbands, boyfriends, partners, siblings and parents. Abused physically, mentally and sexually by men close to them. This has got to stop but it won't untill we do something about it. Women should fight for their rights, they should not quitely take anything that comes their way.

Men on the other hand are usually the ones who use their physical strength to abuse the women around them. These men need to be stoped. And men should take steps to change the situation.

This should start by:

Mentoring and teaching young boys about how to be men in ways that don't involve degrading or abusing girls and women. Volunteer to work with gender violence prevention programs, including anti-sexist men's programs.
Men should approach gender violence as a MEN'S issue involving men of all ages and socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. View men not only as perpetrators or possible offenders, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers.
If a brother, friend, classmate, or teammate is abusing his female partner -- or is disrespectful or abusive to girls and women in general -- don't look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, try to talk to him about it. Urge him to seek help. Or if you don't know what to do, consult a friend, a parent, a professor, or a counselor. DON'T REMAIN SILENT.
If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.

This situation needs to be tackled and men and women all over the world need to work together to make amends.

I care. Do you ?

2006-12-01T14:41:00.000+05:00

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the global AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005 of which, more than half a million (570,000) were children.

The concept of a World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention. Since then, it has been taken up by governments, international organizations and charities around the world.

World Aids Day

Join Red

Bridging Cultures. Meeting Minds

2006-11-29T17:40:00.000+05:00

Bridging cultures, meeting minds, is the theme of the Dubai International Film Festival 2006, which is being held from December 10 to 17 of this year. The festival has an amazing lineup of films from all over the world. Last yeay I wanted to watch some movies but as usual did'nt find the time. This year I intend to. With different categories of movies from all over the globe, there is something for everyone to watch. check out the categories and the movie listings at DIFF website.

Some of the Note worth Films. Click on the Picture to get to the movie details and some trailers.

Stateless UAE Nationals

2006-11-27T14:13:00.000+05:00

There is an online petition that is asking for basic human rights for citizens of the UAE. It is asking the state to provide citizenship to Nationals who give their all to the country and still do not have an official identity. Please check it out and sign the petition.

Stateless UAE Nationals

Let It snow

2006-11-26T15:38:00.000+05:00

I used to love hearing "let it snow, let it snow", and several other "holiday" songs this time of the year, everywhere I went. And I used to look forward to the snow. But today I am grateful to God for a second shower in as many days here in Dubai. The weather is turning out to be really lovely. When I was little I always used to look for the rainbow after the rain, I dont rememeber the last time I did that, I wonder why we stop doing the things we used to love?

16 Days of activism against gender violence

2006-11-26T00:59:00.000+05:00

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign that was started by the Center for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL) in 1991. The 16 Days runs from November 25, International Day Against Violence Against Women to December 10, International Human Rights Day to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights.

This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including December 1, which is World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre in 1989, when 14 women students were massacred by a lone gun-man opposed to the affirmative action policies promoted by feminists at the University of Montreal.

Since it began, the 16 Days of Activism has been used as an organising strategy by women’s groups to call for the elimination of violence against women by:

Raising awareness about gender based violence as a human rights issue at the local, national, regional and international levels
Strengthening local work around violence against women
Establishing a clear link between local and international work to end violence against women
Providing a forum in which organisers can develop and share effective strategies
Demonstrating the solidarity of women around the world organising against violence against women
Creating tools to pressure governments to implement promises made to eliminate violence against women

Warrior of the Manual of Light

2006-11-20T00:18:00.000+05:00

No writing for a while, in a reading mood these days, am finally reading the "Manual of the warrior of light" by Paolo Coelho which was collecting dust on the shelf because I did not think I would like to read it. Now that I'v started I think I will finish and you all will be reading snippits of it on this blog.

The Warrior of light carefully studies the position he intends to conquer.

However difficult the objective, there is always a way of overcoming obstacles. He seeks out alternative paths, he sharpens his sword, and he tries to fill his heart with the necessary determination to face the challenge.

But as he advances, the warrior realises that there are difficulties he had not reckoned with.

If he waits for the ideal moment, he will never set off; it requires a touch of madness for the next step.

The warrior uses that touch of madness. For - in both love and war - it is impossible to foresee everything.

Thoughts

2006-11-19T16:38:00.000+05:00

I have learned so much from God
That I can no longer call myself
a Christian, a Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, a Jew.
The Truth has shared so much of Itself with me
That I can no longer call myself
a man, a woman, an angel, or even a pure soul.
Love has befriended Hafiz so completely.
It has turned to ash and freed me
Of every concept and image my mind has ever known.

Hafez

Caught in the Rain on My Way to the Sandy Lake

2006-11-13T16:49:00.000+05:00

Some words strike a strong personal cord in you, these by Su Shi did that to me, We always try and take the easy way out even if we don't want to, sometimes circumstances do that, obligations, expectations. Sometimes you wish things were different but by that time there is nothing you can do. I have realized that one should take chances, one should travel the road less travelled, find out whats at the end of that road, at least there won't be regrets whatever the outcomes and one can tell ones self that I tried.

Listen not to the rain beating against the trees.
Why not walk slowly while chanting at ease?
Better than a saddle I like sandals and cane.I'd fain
In a straw cloak, spend my life in mist and rain.

Drunken, I am sobered by the vernal wind shrill And rather chill.
In front, I see the slanting sun atop the hill;
Turning my head, I see the dreary beaten track.
Let me go back!Impervious to rain or shine, I'll have my own will.

Shameless

2006-11-12T23:36:00.000+05:00

We muslims shout about creating awareness in the western world about our religion, we first need to create awareness among ourselves. Most of the Muslim Ummah I'm sorry to say falls under the category that needs awareness, most of us do not know what the true religious teachings are and take advantage of rules that were meant for other reasons. We twist and turn the religious teachings to suit our needs. Even the educated among us fall under the "educated jahil" category, talking and preaching bullshit. They make their own rules when they want and change them when they want to.

The way most women are treated in the muslim world is a shame, the level of education of the muslim world is a shame, the amount of violence preached in mosques and madrassas around the muslim world is a shame, and here we are trying to create awareness in the world, trying to tell the world that we are moderate people, who treaure peace and harmony, who take care of the old and the young and who give women the place they deserve and should have in society, I havent seen any of these things happening around the world and I do not see them happening anytime in the near future. We are in complete darkness and untill we accept this fact nothing can change the situation.

Yesterday I read a post about polygamy on Arab Lady's Blog and it stirred some emotion. Muslim men mostly in the arab world and several other places will take on up to four wives because The Book says you can, Well The Book says a lot of other things too especially about equality among wives, how to treat them and a lot of other things. I know this idiot arab, must be at least 55 he got married a second time 2 years ago to a younger woman because he wanted some, really that was the only reason, the ass holes second wife developed a cancer of the ovaries and what does he do, he says "I have needs, that I have to fullfill, I go places see women, what can I do" the bastard divored his second wife and literally "bought" a third from Syria this Eid, this guy is educated and all. Is that what our religion teaches us. How can anyone justify these types of actions. What I don't uderstand is why are most muslim women still tolerating this shit. I personally know a woman who is encouraging her husband to marry another woman, probably because he is having an affair with her. What would drive a woman to do that to herself ? Muslim guys will go out and do whatever they want, they will cheat behind their wives, look shamelessly at other women infront of their wives and they are still tolerated, while if a woman does the same all hell breaks lose why? Men will have a past that could fill pages and no one is bothered, and those same men will have the nerve to bring up some minute affair that the woman might have had. Its ok for men to have had affairs and sleep with hundreds of women before they get married, but those same men want a woman with a clean slate. Don't you think the real awareness needs to be created inhouse before preaching others?

Update: Today I saw a news story on CNN.com related to this post check out "Matchmaking for Egypt's teen brides" on CNN.com main page.

Words

2006-11-12T01:24:00.000+05:00

This is an English translation of one of Nizar Kabbani's Arabic Poem's, very powerfull words, I don't know arabic, I'm sure it must have lost a lot in traslation but it's still beautifull.

He lets me listen, when he moves me,
Words are not like other words
He takes me, from under my arms
He plants me, in a distant cloud
And the black rain in my eyes
Falls in torrents, torrents
He carries me with him, he carries me
To an evening of perfumed balconies

And I am like a child in his hands
Like a feather carried by the wind
He carries for me seven moons in his hands
and a bundle of songs
He gives me sun, he gives me summer
and flocks of swallows
He tells me that I am his treasure
And that I am equal to thousands of stars
And that I am treasure, and that I am
more beautiful than he has seen of paintings
He tells me things that make me dizzy
that make me forget the dance and the steps

Words…which overturn my history
which make me a woman…in seconds
He builds castles of fantasies
which I live in…for seconds…
And I return…I return to my table
Nothing with me…
Nothing with me…except words

Nizar Tawfiq Kabbani (21 March 1923 – 30 April 1998) was a Syrian poet and publisher. His poetic style combines simplicity and elegance in exploring themes of love, eroticism, feminism, religion, and Arab nationalism. He is one of the most revered contemporary poets in the Arab world. He is known as one of the most feminist and progressive intellectuals of his time.

Canvas of Life

2006-11-09T22:13:00.000+05:00

One day she asked him, as he was preparing to attack a new canvas, "how can you be sure that the spot you choose will come out right on the canvas?"

Vincent thought for a moment and replied, "If I want to be active I must not be afraid of failures. When I see a blank canvas staring at me with certain imbecility, I just dash something down."

"You certainly do dash. I never saw anything grow as fast as your canvases."

"Well I have to. I find paralysing the state of a blank canvas which says to me, 'You don't know anything!' "

"You mean its a sort of a challenge."

"Exactly. The blank canvas stares at me like an idiot, but I know it is afraid of the passionate painter who dares, who once and for all has broken the spell of that 'you cannot.' life its self turns towards a man an infinite vacant, discouraging, hopelessly blank side on which nothing is written, Margot, no more than on this blank canvas."

"Yes Doesn't it"

"But the man of faith and energy is not frightened by that blankness; he steps in, he acts, he builds up, he creates, and in the end the canvas is no longer blank, but covered with the rich pattern of life."

*Taken from "Lust for Life" (1934) by Irving Stone a famous book based on the life of Vincent Van Gogh. This is an author that I recently discovered who mostly wrote beautifull biographical novels.

Image: Van Gogh "Cafe Terrace at Night."

Realization

2006-11-09T17:37:00.000+05:00

I have realized one thing, I think more and better on less sleep and an empty stomach. Yesterday for example I hadn't slept a minute all night and did'nt have a morsel of food the whole day and on the lesiurly road trip (yes thats what I call the 2 hour drive from office to home) at 6 PM my mind was on overdrive, I had so many ideas for blogging, things I wanted to do etc. Today I'm thinking maybe I should experement, take a scientific approach to the theory I have had food but not slept so I'll stay awake find out if it was the lack of sleep, tomorrow I won't eat but will try and get sleep and that way I can find out what the factor is, wether it is sleep, hunger or a combination of both. Started or rather stopped something else today too but feeling weak right about now so won't boast about it atleast not for another couple of days untill I'm sure I can handle myself.

Antiques

2006-11-08T20:35:00.000+05:00

I have loved old things and antiques for quite sometime now and whenever I see one I get excited, I love the old and I would probably have loved living in ancient times. Here is something that I wanted to share with you people. I have heard stories of bath pool in ancient times heated by oil lamps and several other "technologies" this isn't exactly a technology but an innovative and usefull utensil for its time. It is basically a water flask said to be about 200 years old. Used by nobelmen when they used to go out for long periods, hunting etc. It is made of silver covered by cloth has a glass. The unique thing is the design, it incorporates a space in the middle of the flask so that "ice" could be put in it to keep the water cold for long periods of time. For those times it surely is a good thing and the look and the feel is amazing.

The Flask Made of silver, covered with cloth.

Complete with glass, cap and strap to hang the bottle with.

The hole to put the ice in to keep the water cold.

Another Night

2006-11-07T16:26:00.000+05:00

Another Night. . . . .

Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
Charlie Brown in "Peanuts"

Back Home

2006-11-06T20:20:00.000+05:00

I got back to the UAE last night from a 10 day trip to Pakistan. I had actually gone for 2 weddings and was sick most of the trip, was busy throughout and didnt get much time for myself as I usually do when I'm in Pakistan. Every trip I take to Pakistan brings up mixed feelings the likes of which one seldom sees, Its like loving something so much that it hurts and still you cant do anything about it. 1/3 of my life I have lived away from Pakistan and the 2/3 that I lived in Pakistan I saw so much that it is ingrained in me. What hurts is the state of affairs, the way people behave or have started to behave, the things taking place that I never noticed before, its like the country and the people are going down the drain. On the other hand you do see some improvement but its negligeble.

Every trip to Pakistan is bitter-sweet, I feel that I have changed so much that I don't think I would ever be able to live in the Pakistani society permenantly ever even if I wanted to. One hopes that things improve that people start making a difference, Pakistani people are rich beyond measure but they'd rather put that money on expensive cars and throwing Parties that would put a Frat house to shame. The weddings are so extravagant that you could feed a village for a month with the amount of money spent on them. And yet the same people spending so much money on worldly things will claim that they are not comfortable and want to make a difference but they need to get settled. When does one get settled in life? When is the right time to give back something, to help someone if you can, if we keep with the same mentality we will never break free of our life, of our work and will never do anything and the day will come when we will be dying and thinking if we did anything other then making money or trying to get settled.

Blog Holiday

2006-10-26T15:30:00.000+05:00

Hello Readers whoever are left, I have not been actively blogging during the month of Ramadan have I think I have lost all my regular readers. Today I am travelling and will be out of touch for another 10 days, when I return I will decide what to do with this blog, been blogging for over a year now and its been a good experience, I probably will change the template and put some new stuff. Life is becoming busy day by day, I don't know if I'll even be posting regularly when I get back. Hope to see you all soon. Take care while I'm gone.

Eid Mubarak

2006-10-22T19:42:00.000+05:00

Wishing Everyone a Very Happy Eid. May all your prayers and fasting be accepted. Hope you enjoy the festivities and Lets all think about the less fortunate who can not celebrate Eid the way we do, May we have strengh to change things for the better and help the people in need.

Diving pictures 1

2006-10-21T23:48:00.000+05:00

I know the quality is pathetic, but thats all I have for now. Hopefully I'll invest in a better digital underwater camera soon.

This cute little fish said to me, "Out of all the fish in the sea, You are the one for me."

Going down memory lane

2006-10-19T21:54:00.000+05:00

Pakistan and NGO's

2006-10-18T03:48:00.000+05:00

Pakistan is a country which suffers from a lot of problems suffered by any third world country, I preffer to call them developing nations. With a weak infrastructute, lack of education and oppertunity Pakistan needs a lot of help from where ever it can. In these days of need you would say where are the affluent who can help and where are the NGO's that are supposed to be working for the betternment of the people. I won't even mention the government because frankly they have been pretty much useless.

Pakistan has hundreds if not thousands of registered NGO's that have tax free status and are allowed to collect Zakat for their projects, but most of these NGO's are fronts for politicians who want to portray their dedication to the masses before elections or for businessmen who use these NGO's to save their taxes. I'v looked far and wide and have found very few NGO with resources who are genuinely working towards their goals, I wish there were more people out there who thought about others sometimes.
Here I would like to mention one NGO that I feel is really doing something worthwhile. I laud them for their efforts and pray that they can do more and better and I hope they become an example for others to follow. "The Citizens Foundation" is an organization that is using its resources to provide people with cheap and free education all over the country. They have already established 311 schools all over the country and increasing fast. The organization provides schooling, books and uniforms in installments for people who can't afford to pay it all together, they use the zakat funds to pay for the needs of students who cant afford and education. A very noble venture and I look forward to bigger and better things from them and others.

Photography

2006-10-12T21:19:00.000+05:00

Hello readers if there is any left. I have been meaning to write for quite sometime now but there have been several things going on my life right now. Getting more busy with work, the ramadan blog, I started diving and several other things. I'll write about all that soon but for now I will leave you with some photographs I took in the last few days.

Beach at the Al Aqah Beach Resort, Fujairah.

Candle In a Dark Room

Another Day comming to an End!!

Have you Forgotten? Oct 8th 2005

2006-10-08T16:10:00.000+05:00

October 8th 2005, changed Pakistan forever, at precisely 08:50:38 a massive earthquake struck the northern areas of Pakistan which devastated the entire country over 80,000 lives perished in a blink of an eye, thousands were displaced resulting in millions of dollars in damage. The entire country joined hands in unison to help the suffering, but even more needs to be done.

Pakistan is a poor country and the devastated areas have mostly effected people who are still in need, as winter aproaches and you are comfortable in your cosy houses with heating and blankets dont forget that there are people who dont even have a roof to shelter then in extreme cold. Don't forget and Keep helping.

Success & Happiness

2006-10-05T23:13:00.000+05:00

The children of the old rich and privileged are, if nothing else, polite. They are accultured early and know how to make conversations with adults. They'd rather not, of course, but they are learning early how to do things they don't want to do. They will be successful and unhappy adults.

Passage taken from "The Gold Coast" by Nelson Demille.

UAE Censorship

2006-09-30T02:49:00.000+05:00

Hey all you out there, does anyone know whats going on. Suddenly orkut is not blocked, flickr opened once so did stickam, Hi5 is not giving a blocked page but a network error page. Expatriates.com is working, craig's list is working. whats going on is our internet finally becoming an open domain. If anyone has any info do let me know.

Arise

2006-09-28T02:01:00.000+05:00

Shall I ever forget that moment when,
Heavens first revealed itself to me.
Angelic eyes just looking my way,
Like two moonbeams in the dark to say
Arise! For thy true love has come to stay.

Hello

2006-09-27T04:45:00.000+05:00

Hello Everyone,
I'm sorry I havent been posting, and I haven't been visiting other blogs or commenting. I'v been very busy the last few days with the Ramadan Blog. I am really enjoying working on it even though it is a one month project. You guys should check it out if you have not already done so.

Today I will leave you with some quotes to read:

"Blessed is the man who expects nothing, for he shall never be dissapointed."~Anonymous

"Love comes to those who still hope even though they've been disappointed, to those who still believe even though they've been betrayed, to those who still love even though they've been hurt before."~ Anonymous

"Dreams are at once fruit & outcry against an atrophy of the senses."~Jim Morrison

"It's weird...you know the end of something great is coming, but you want to hold on, just for one more second...just so it can hurt a little more."~Anonymous

"People love others not for who they are but for how they make them feel"~Irwin Federman

Ramadan Blog

2006-09-24T16:15:00.000+05:00

Hello Everyone,
As I mentioned day before yesterday that some of us were starting a Blog for Ramadan. Allhamdoulillah the blog has started and we have gained contributors from several countries reporting on their experiences of Ramadan. Its truly becoming a global blog with input from all over. If anyone of you would like to contribute to it let me know, otherwise please do visit and have a blast at the "online iftaar".

I do not think I'll be posting much on Pakistani Abysmal Ramblings for the month of Ramadan, so I'll catch you all at the Ramadan Kareem Blog.

http://ramadankareem.blogspot.com/

The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful

2006-09-24T05:25:00.000+05:00

My God,
as Thou hast fed us through Thy gentleness
and nurtured us through Thy benefaction,
so also complete for us lavish favours,
repel from us detested acts of vengeance,
and of the shares of the two abodes,
give us their most elevated and their greatest,
both the immediate and the deferred!
To Thee belongs praise
for Thy good trial and the lavishness of Thy favours,
a praise
conforming to Thy good pleasure
and attracting Thy great goodness and magnanimity.
O All-mighty,
O All-generous!
By Thy mercy,
O Most Merciful of the merciful!

*This is Part 3 and final part of "The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful"- The Psalms of Islam- I had promised I'd post this so here it is.

Blog for Ramadan

2006-09-22T21:01:00.000+05:00

Kaya suggested that some of us who can blog about Ramadan should so a separate blog or write about stuff on our blogs, initially I didnt think we should do a separate blog but I think that would be the best way to go about getting everyone on the platform. I was out of the city most of yesterday and today, just got in so I setup a basic blog for ramadan people send an email to destituterebel@gmail.com if you want to contribute to the blog so I can add you. Its a very good idea and we all will come out of it a little wiser.

http://ramadankareem.blogspot.com/

What to do with this blog ?

2006-09-21T02:28:00.000+05:00

I started this blog almost 1 year ago, with a totally different idea in mind, the blog has evolved into something totally different then what I had planned and lately I haven't even been posting regular and origional content. I can't seem to decide what to do with it any more, My evil mind has at times thought of killing it on its 1st birthday, but then I don't think i'll do that. There are several reasons I won't do that, I am able to express whatever I want anonymously not having to care about who reads it. It keeps me busy when I'm bored. I'v somewhat come to know a lot of wonderful people, other bloggers who visit the blog and give their feedback and support on what I post (yes you all who are reading this). Even though I dont know who's who I feel some how connected to other bloggers. I don't know what I'll do but it definately won't be deleting the blog. Might change the look or something lets see.

The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful

2006-09-20T03:57:00.000+05:00

My God,
my thanksgiving is small
before Thy great boons,
and my praise and news-spreading shrink
beside Thy generosity toward me!
Thy favours have wrapped me
in the robes of the lights of faith,
and the gentlenesses of Thy goodness have let down over me
delicate curtains of might!
Thy kindnesses
have collared me with collars not to be moved
and adorned me with neck-rings not to be broken!
Thy boons are abundant -
my tongue is too weak to count them!
Thy favours are many -
my understanding falls short of grasping them,
not to speak of exhausting them!
So how can I achieve thanksgiving?
For my thanking Thee requires thanksgiving.
Whenever I say, 'To Thee belongs praise!',
it becomes thereby incumbent upon me to say,
'To Thee belongs praise'!

*This is Part 2 of "The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful"- The Psalms of Islam
I'll Post the Third and last part in a couple of days.

Bush State of the Union Speech

2006-09-19T21:43:00.000+05:00


Honest words from an honest man. Saw this on Adnan's blog. I wonder how they get this kind of quality on an edit, word for word lip movement is amazing. Watch and enjoy.

Tagged

2006-09-16T14:10:00.000+05:00

I was tagged By Sidrah last night, so here goes

I am thinking about...
too many things to mention here.

I said...
light and there was light- lol didnt know what to say.

I want to...
Dance in the rain, Play in the snow.

I wish...
Does it matter?

I miss...
The good old days

I hear...
loud noises

I wonder...
If this is how life was supposed to be

I regret...
almost nothing

I am...
trapped in an endless cycle

I dance...
seldom

I sing...
a lot when I want to torture people lol

I cry...
without tears

I am not always...
honest with myself.

I write...
to be read.

I confuse...
Myself a lot.

I need...
a big bowl of ice cream, covered with cholocate sauce, and lots of nuts, I won't even mind fruit with it.

I should try...
Doing more of what I want to do

I finish...
this tag

and I tag (this is the hard part who to tag)
Opinionated in Jerzee (coz she loves tags and has been AWOL from the blogging scene)
Dr Bongi (coz she needs a break from her exams)
Kaya (coz she also has been slow in posting for some time, I figured this might help)
Clayfuture (someone new on my blog)
Boo (My only old friend thats a blogger, lol)

There done and with explanations too.

The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful

2006-09-16T00:09:00.000+05:00

My God,

the uninterrupted flow of Thy graciousness
hast distracted me from thanking Thee!
The flood of Thy bounty has rendered me incapable
of counting Thy praises!
The succession of Thy kind acts has diverted me
from mentioning Thee in laudation!
The continuous rush of Thy benefits has thwarted me
from spreading the news of Thy gentle favours!
This is the station of him who
confesses to the lavishness of favours,
meets them with shortcomings,
and witnesses to his own disregard and negligence.
Thou art the Clement, the Compassionate,
the Good, the Generous,
who does not disappoint those who aim for Him,
nor cast out from His courtyard those who expect from Him!
In Thy yard are put down the saddlebags of the hopeful
and in Thy plain stand the hopes of the help-seekers!
So meet not our hopes by disappointing and disheartening
and clothe us not in the shirt of despair and despondency!

*Part 1 of "The Whispered Prayer of the Thankful"- The Psalms of Islam

Hudood Ordinance: Pleasing the mullahs or Scaring the west.

2006-09-15T22:57:00.000+05:00

Once again a government that claims to be progressive and enlightened has bowed to pressure from the mullah and backed out of making ammendments to a controvercial hudood law that is blatantly biased against women, or have they ? I will not go into the details of the Law which most of my readers will know, this law was enacted by Gen. Zia and I feel it was enacted to split his opponents and consolidate his power, some clauses in the law have nothing to do with religion but the Mullahs claim that the law is the word of God and it should not be messed with.

it is being said that the Government bowed yesterday to demands from MMA the alliance of the Mullahs and tabled the ammendments - Indefinately. I do not feel that is the reason the government back out of the ammendemet. My theory is that General Musharraf wants to stay in control as long as he can and for that he needs the support of the great powers. This ammendment got a lot of exposure in western media and everyone was looking forward to it being ammended. But by not passing the law the government has tried to prove to the powers that be that the mullahs are strong in Pakistan with a wide backing, which is not true. I feel the government wants to show that the Mullahs are strong and thus only a milittary government can keep them on a tight leash. For Musharraf to stay as the ruler of the country he has to use whatever tricks he has up his sleeve to keep the west on his site, and gain their sympathy. This action of the governemnt does that for him.

Banking in UAE

2006-09-13T03:11:00.000+05:00

Is it just me or is the banking scene messed up in the UAE. Please tell me what your experiences have been with banks in the UAE and if any of my readers is satisfied with a bank here please tell me which bank it is and all you UAE bankers out there, please explain how you guys do such great work.

I'v been here about 4 years and have changed as many banks in these 4 years. For a "booming economy" the banking sure is prehistoric. I mean come who ever heard of an online bank which does not have a toll free number, you have a problem you call our regular number hold for hours and you will be told that the issue will be dealt within 48 hours. after 48 hours you call again and hold for another couple of hours and you will be told "sorry about that, we dont see the problem in the system, why dont you fax us a complaint and we will respong within 48 hours". and the cycle goes on, and for doing that they charge another AED 10 to talk to you. I'm not kidding, you need a certified bank statement for anything sure they'll give it to you at the rate of AED 25 per page, yes per page, so a 6 months bank statement might cost you anything over AED 500. This is Higway robbery, and they don't tell you about any of these charges when you open the account, they say "free online bank statements", well if they are free why don't you certify them. You deposit cash into an ATM machine and it dissapears, happens, but to get the situation fixed you will have to call them a 100 times visit their brach several times and then you will get access to your funds. Your account relationship managers will stop responding to your calls once they realize that they have "misplaced" $50,000 in a branch to branch transfer and have no clue for 2 weeks where your money is.

I'm not kidding all of these problems are a norm, getting a checkbook issued can take weeks. There are charges for every freaking transaction. These are not just local banks, regional banks as well as huge multinationals all are eggs of the same basket. The banking system and how the banks deal with customers need to be changed in this country, even Pakistan has better well established banking and customer service.

Ben-Hur

2006-09-13T01:42:00.000+05:00

Who has not heard of Ben-Hur? Probably everyone of us has seen the movie. It started off as a book, was made into a broadway show and then a silent movie was made at 3.9 million the most expensive movie of its time. But most of us have seen the movie version made in 1959 which won 11 oscars, 1999 saw a music version and now a live show of the epic is being planned for 22 september in France. The production will run for 5 nights and I'm sure it will be one of a kind. It is planned that the production will do a tour and I hope it comes somewhere near us so we can see Ben-Hur in real flesh and blood.

Source BBC : Ben-Hur rides again in Paris show

Tooth Paste

2006-09-10T14:54:00.000+05:00

I'v used all brands and name for tooth paste, I'm usually never bothered what I use, I pickup whatever I can get my hands on or whatever someone has picked up for me. For the last 6, 7 days I'v been using a new paste, and everytime I use it I reminded me of something, some food, some taste. But in my laziness and haste I never bothered to see what it was, to check the brand or the flavor. Today I figured I should at least know what it was. Signal Apple Flavored. It was the granny smith taste that the paste was reminding me of. Good stuff, anything that can bring excitement and curiosity in my life I can stick too.

Lessons for Life- Khalil Jibran

2006-09-10T03:16:00.000+05:00

I recently read "The Prophet" by Khalil Jibran a Lebanese American Poet philosopher, it is a short book of poetic essays which give lessons for life and situations, pearls of wisdom. A must read. Here is a passage from the book dealing with Joy and Sorrow.

On Joy & Sorrow

Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

Light

2006-09-07T22:31:00.000+05:00

Sometimes I dream that I'm swimming with dolphins when suddenly I'm seeing through their eyes, perceiving things I'v never been aware of. We're swimming through a shining sea of light, yet there is a sense of danger, lurking off from the darkness beyond. And in the logic of my dream, only the light can save us.

Narrated at the beginning on Oscar nominated IMAX Documentary "Dolphins".

Blue Boy and Pinkie

2006-09-07T15:05:00.000+05:00

During my childhood I saw two portraits (reproductions) hanging on the walls of my house. They were supposedly very famous, but I always thought they were done by the same artist untill now. Today while browsing the internet I found out that they were done by different artists but have always been associated and confused as being done by the same artist. Today they hang together facing each other at the Huntington library.

The Blue Boy
The best known painting at the Huntington, Gainsborough's The Blue Boy, portrays Jonathan Buttall, the son of a successful hardware merchant, who was a close friend of the artist. The work was executed during Gainsborough's extended stay in Bath before he finally settled in London in 1774. The artist has dressed the young man in a costume dating from about 140 years before the portrait was painted. This type of costume was familiar through the portraits of the great Flemish painter, Anthony van Dyck (1559-1641), who was resident in England during the early 17th century. Gainsborough greatly admired the work of Van Dyck and seems to have conceived The Blue Boy as an act of homage to that master. Mr. Huntington purchased the painting along with Gainsborough's The Cottage Door and Reynolds's Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse from the Duke of Westminster.

Pinkie
Pinkie, facing The Blue Boy in the Main Gallery of the museum and often paired with it in popular esteem, is by Thomas Lawrence, one of the great portrait painters of his generation. It was painted about 25 years after Gainsborough's masterpiece and had no association with that work until they both were displayed in the Huntington in the late 1920s. Executed when the artist was only 25 and shortly after his election to the Royal Academy, Pinkie is an extraordinarily fresh and lively performance with the sitter standing on a hill, her dress blown by the wind. The movement of her dress in conjunction with her frank gaze gives a sense of immediacy to the composition and expresses the animation of the sitter. The young girl was the daughter of a wealthy plantation family in Jamaica, who came to England for her education. Called "Pinkie" by her grandmother who commissioned the portrait, she was only eleven when her likeness was taken. Sadly, Sarah died within a few months of the portrait's completion, probably of tuberculosis. Her younger brother Edward was the father of the poetess Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Pinkie was the last painting purchased by Mr. Huntington, who did not live to see it installed in the house.

Pictures and Information: Huntington Gallery

Weekend Change

2006-09-07T02:06:00.000+05:00

Today was the first Thursday night in the UAE that it was not a holiday. The UAE government had earlier announced that that from the first week of september the weekend would switch to Friday and Saturday from the old Thursday & Friday weekend. Last weekend we had three holidays thursday, friday and saturday. Now its gonna be friday and saturday so no off tomorrow. Even though I saw a lot of weekend traffic on the roads I'm guessing people forgot.

My Idea of Love

2006-09-05T19:27:00.000+05:00

Artwork: Rassouli

Fireworks

2006-09-01T15:12:00.000+05:00

Last night was the second time in as many weeks that there were fireworks on th beach . Luckily I had my camera ready to take some pictures from my balcony.