No way back!

A poem by Maham Shahbaz

She sat alone on her bed and looked out...

She saw the world go on happily, while she was breaking apart 

she saw children play , while she played with her feelings 

she saw little girls dance , while she danced with her sorrow 

she saw a couple walk , while she left the one she loved

she saw ppl with a choice , while she had none

she saw happines all around from her castle of misery 

she remembered how things were...

Whenever she was with u , she was happy contended complete

the moment u went away , she felt like a criminal and she was lost 

she was confused...in a storm 

in a storm where you would hold her hand and show her the way 

in a storm where she somehow lost the one she loved

in a storm she is lost , blinded by the dust 

but y is it all around her?

The wind mocks her every time and the dust in her eyes loaths her 4 losing u

she remembers how easy it was to luv u 

she remembers hw easy it was to feel imp 

she remembers...the thoughts sufocate her 

she wants to fly away

she wants to run away 

she wants to go back

she wants to smile again 

she wants to 4get ,let go

but her memories r too good to b hidden away , to b forgotten

the problem is , she cnt stp feeling 

because she remembers , she remembers it all...

Inspiring Story of Converting to Islam.

Published in Daily Express by Javed Chaudhry in his column Zero Point.


If you want to understand what Islam is read the stories of the people who have converted to Islam just recently. They will tell you such angles of religion which you wont find in books. They are on such high level and will teach you many things which your religious leaders won't be able to.

I was fortunate enough to meet one such Muslim in Spain. He belonged to one of the European countries and before converting to Islam, was a guitarist associated with a famous musical band. He also had a degree in Music but after converting he had a beard now, left music and traveled around the world to study Islam. He told me the story of converting to Islam which was amazing.



He had three hobbies. Playing guitar, Impress girls and drinking wild. He used to play guitar and collect money, Impressed a girl by taking her to a date, sitting in a pub and drinking until late night. The next day they were usually found in a park, beside a road, In a hotel's room or in the girls apartment. This was his usual life but then he made friends with another muslim boy who also loved drinking. He was from Egypt and came to europe for studying but fell in love with a girl who left him for another man. The egyptian guy could not take this and started drinking. He used to drink all night and sleep in his hostel's room all day. His father who was a rich man used to send hi money so his life was easy. The musician met the muslim guy in the pub. They both were not that religious. Musician thought all the religion were fraud, The egyptian guy said there must be no religion as it makes people fight and humanity was better served if their were no religious divisions.

They talked about religion everyday in the pub while drinking, during these chats the musician noticed something strange. The egyptian guy used to quote Allah, Koran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) without any hesitation at the start of the discussion but as soon as he started drinking he never uttered a single word about these three or any quote relating to it.  He used to change the topic toward other religions of the world. Musician tried his best to bring the egyptian towards Allah and Prophet but was never successful. Egyptian was so adamant that even when he was drunk at the best he never ever uttered anything about these.

One day Musician asked the Egyptian guy about it. They were at a coffee shop and were in normal condition. Egyptian guy gave an answer which he found really strange.

He said that after he is drunk his tongue becomes dirty as drinking is not allowed.  I can never utter the names of Allah and my Prophet (PBUH) with my dirty tongue? After drinking I wake up on the morning, brush my teeth, clean my face, mouth and tongue, only then I utter the names of my beloved Prophet, Allah and Holy Koran. This is my love for them and no matter how worse a muslim I am, no matter how bad I get I can never take the names or disrespect them in any way.

This struck the Musician deep inside the heart. He went to a book shop, bought the translation of Holy Quran. The moment he stated reading it he knew his life had changed, as he kept on reading he fell deep in love with it. He left music, changed his dressing and converted to Islam.

I asked him what Inspired you most about Islam, and he answered "Unconditional Love".

Islam is the only religion of the world which fills your heart with unconditional love for Allah and Prophet (PBUH) , it builds a fort inside your heart which can never be destroyed. A Muslim can be cruel, liar, drunk, cheater or anything, he can compromise on anything but when its the matter of Quran, Allah and Prophet (PBUH) he will forget everything, fight the biggest forces in the world, stand against the Pharaoh but never hear or say a word against them, that too just after reciting the first Kalima,  thats what Impressed me the most.

Happy Birthday Shahid Afridi.

Posted in KHELO PAKISTAN !

My first interaction with Shahid Afridi lasted a couple of seconds. It was just a shake of the hands with a big smile on his clean shaved face, and why not. It was 16th March 2004 to be exact. Pakistan had beaten India in the 2nd ODI of the Samsung Cup and Shahid Afridi who had been recalled in the team after a long gap had played a big part in victory by scoring 80(58) and also taking 2 wickets for 57 runs.

Shahid Afridi back then was all about Carefree-ness. You could see it in his behavior, the way he talked, the way he moved, the way he had a smile on his face. Back then Shahid Afridi was all about passion. You could see it in his bowling and you could see it in his batting and the way he fielded. Back then he was a Super Star. You could see the way crowd chanted his name and wanted him to hit a six every ball when he came out to bat, you could see all the banners with his name written, you could see the crowd going mad when he fielded near the boundary ropes. His bowling was a bonus in those days.



My next memorable interaction with Afridi was during the 2005/06 series after he had smashed Harbhajan Singh for four sixes in an over and that too during a the first Test Match in Lahore scoring a magnificent 102 runs with 7 sixes. He still had that smile on his face with the slightest of beard now. "Autograph please" I said. My voice barely coming out.
" Idahar lao, naam kya hai tumhara? " He said. In his heavy voice. I handed him the tennis ball.
"Raafay", I said.
He signed the tennis ball. No words, nothing else written. I was disappointed, grabbing the ball with my hand and turning away.
"Left hander ho?" He said again.
"Yes" I said.
''Cricket kheltay ho?" He said again.
"Jee". I said.
"Shabash, good luck" He said.
I felt overwhelmed and ran away to tell everything that happened to my parents.

He went on to score another century in the next match with the same carelessness, same passion. By now religion was starting to play important role in his life, it was obvious. Praying five times a day even during the match days was a normal routine by now. His batting was more consistent than before his bowling was worth bowling him 10 overs during the ODI matches with four players all on the of side to stop runs. Crowd still wanted him to hit a six every ball and he was willing to oblige. Nothing much had changed about Afridi in the cricketing sense, he was still the same.

Last of my memorable interaction with Shahid Afridi was during the World Cup 2011. Pakistan had beaten Srilanka just two days ago. Shahid Afridi was man of the match with the figures of 4/34 in his 10 overs. His beard had grown thicker, He was more stronger now, Shaking his hands told you the power he had. Religion had its showing on him.
"InshaAllah" was a common word with most of the sentences he said. "InshaAllah we will reach the Semi Final if we keep on playing like this" He said.
That Smile was still on his face but you could tell he was a lot more measured in everything he did now, he wanted to lead by an example. His bowling had come of age in the past 2 to 3 years, easily the best leg spinner in the shorter format commentators would say. Taking a wicket with his hands aloft in the air, legs stretched wide, standing like hero is a familiar sight for cricket lovers now. His batting was sensible now. He still hits bowlers out of the park, not on the requests of his bowlers but at his own will. They still call him BOOM BOOM though.

As Cricinfo simplifies it "Of Shahid Afridi it can safely be said that cricket never has and never will see another like him. To say he is an allrounder is to say Albert Einstein was a scientist. " A complete Super Star, easily the most loved one in Pakistan and around the world. He became a heartthrob after his first cricket match, he still is all around the world, he will always be a heartthrob of millions until the day cricket is played. 


Happy Birthday SHAHID AFRIDI ! Long may you live, Long may you keep entertaining, long may you serve Pakistan. Ameen!

The Hajj as told by the British Museum.

A Post by Imogen Reed.


As participants in the hajj, Muslims are able to join in a journey to Mecca where they can practise one of the five pillars of their faith. It is both a spiritual and a physical journey, which is something that the British Museum, in London, has tried to capture in a much-acclaimed exhibition called Hajj: Journey to the Heart of Islam that has just celebrated a month since its opening and is open to visitors until mid April.

Audience
As non-Muslims are not permitted to undertake the Hajj, the Western world has always been fascinated by the mystery of this great Muslim tradition. The museum’s director, Neil MacGregor, says: ‘In
particular, the exhibition will allow non-Muslims to explore the one aspect of Islamic practice and faith which they are not able to witness.’ Improving understanding in a continent where many speak of Islamophobia is welcome indeed. Rather than sitting back and thinking about your need to order Propecia, renew your library books or send that birthday card, consider visiting the exhibit and immersing yourself in an aspect of another culture that has previously been closely guarded.


Yet it is not just intended for Westerners and MacGregor says that the exhibition intends to reach to a ‘global audience’. Muslims are indeed among those visiting the exhibition and are invited to give their views on the experience of the Hajj on the museum’s website. Muslim visitors to the exhibition have praised the wealth of artefacts on show of the exhibition, which claims to be the first such exhibition about the Hajj on this scale.


Exhibits
The exhibition juxtaposes old and new. An eighth-century Koran which is thought to be one of the oldest surviving copies, on loan from the British Library, is on display. Yet the exhibition also hosts works by artist and Saudi national Ahmed Mater, who saw a resemblance between the gravitation of iron filings towards a magnet and the draw of many devoted Muslims to the Kabah and has illustrated this in his work – last year the pilgrimage is said to have numbered three million.


Centuries-old accounts of journeys to Mecca are displayed alongside Hajj certificates and tickets for pilgrims issued by Thomas Cook. Another highlight is a striking red silk tent that would have been the centrepiece in a camel caravan carrying pilgrims from Cairo to Mecca. These exhibits focus on the journey itself, reflecting the first of the three aspects of the exhibition, the actual journey that pilgrims had to make to reach Mecca. Other aspects comprising the exhibition are the rituals, experience and meaning of the Hajj to Muslims around the world and, finally, the importance of Mecca itself.


Backing
The British Museum worked in partnership with the King Abdulaziz Library in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to set up the exhibition and Saudi Arabia is among thirteen countries that have loaned artefacts.  For example, a seetanah that covers the door to the Kabah was carefully transported to London for the event. The library’s General Supervisor, Faysal Muammar, said he hoped the exhibition would be a source of ‘inspiration and enlightenment’ to all those who visit and attended its opening alongside Saudi officials.

The curator’s exhibition was Pakistan-born British-Muslim Qasira Khan, who actually undertook the Hajj last year as part of her preparation and has included some of her souvenirs in the cabinets. She said that the experience changed her view of the exhibition. She added: “They say that when you go on Hajj it is due to an invitation by God and my invitation must have been due that year.”


Groans
Visitors have complained about delays to the time they were allocated for their visit and that once inside the exhibition it was very crowded. Though entrance to the museum itself is free, tickets for this exhibition must be booked and paid for. At 12 British pounds (around 1,730 Pakistani rupees or almost 20 US dollars) the tickets are not cheap. Although this reflects the enormous expense that must have been involved in mounting such a display, it is also likely to put off many of the visitors it seeks to attract and teach about Islam.
Many of us are far from London and are more likely to participate in the Hajj than to travel to London. But the exhibition should be praised for its efforts to educate through various talks and school programmes and for shining a spotlight onto the enormously rich culture associated with this noble and holy experience of Islam.

Joyeux Anniversaire (Happy Birthday)

Post by Hameem, A friend from France :)

Onoccasion of a friend’s birthday, I proposed all my friends that we gather tohave a lunch and then go out tot see the city of love, Paris.

Icalled my four friends, who I was sure would want to participate. I textedPierre whose birthday it was.  Mathilde, my class neighbor and whoknows Pierre till high school.  David, his class neighbor wasthe third, and finally Sarah the smartest of our band.

“Heyguys! Are you free on this 21st? Let’s meet and wish a happy birthday toPierre!” After quarter -of-hundred of sms were agree for 24^th February.No birthdays of little sisters, no driving lessons… OUF! It was funny tobe the organizer, I thought, later I regret.

Thenwe considered the issue of activity? We said we’ll lunch near about our highschool (Our post-high school classes more commonly called post-bac classes arealso integrated some time in high school campus). But what to do after lunch,we had no idea. I suggested we went to all Paris’ famous places and tookpictures in order to make an album. Ma~  said it would be fungoing in front of Pierre and Marie Curie University and take a picture of himwith the signboard. But finally He proposed the idea of cinema. The idea waspleasant. We’ll be at warm together, see a good film and talk about it after.

Inmy opinion, Holidays are synonymous of annoy and disturb your internalclock. 

Youbecome an owl. You sleep all day and “work” all night. Work like surfing oninternet, facebook, 9gag, seeing Japanese dramas, and listening music, in otherwords things which have no direct or indirect relation with your studies. Poorparents! Who think that their children prefer the calm of nights for studying?I have this constant problem with mine. They trust me. And sometimes I wantthey wouldn’t. All this to say, I thought that we’re already 23^rd Feb.and texted my friends if it was all ok “for tomorrow”. Ma~ replied: Wedidn’t set it on 24^th? I had a look on my calendar… we were 22^nd ahmince! Vive les vacances! The after exchange of sorry I redefined: 24^th,at 13h (13 heures comme dissent les français).

Itwas all going well until Sarah called me. She just checked her messagesand wondered if it was possible to meet tomorrow instead of day after tomorrow? Whatagain ?!?  I told her that it was already embarrassing mistakingdates. I won’t send other messages but if she took the responsibility to changethe date, the door was wide open. I had nothing to do tomorrow. Like all otherdays. I think she called all the tree friends. Bad luck Mathilde was busytomorrow. However, she said she’ll manage. And I believed. Nevertheless, I wasa bit furious about it, because she said it was ok for 24^th, and nowshe was saying it wasn’t. Oh common girl! Why didn’t u just said at once thefirst day? What’s the problem with you? She replied she misunderstood me.  Ihaven’t been clear enough… blablabla…

Shealso asked us to meet at 11h30 instead of 13h. That way, she could programother rendez-vous, I imagine. I texted David and Mathilde. Mathildewas ok, and David just didn’t answer. (Here’s another problem, how hecan’t be stuck with his mobile, because I am. I am addicted, level: ultimate).

TheD-day, 24^th feb, David messaged et 8h30. I can come at 11h30! Iurgently called Ma~, who surely was angry et me for my early disturbance,but she said ok. I tried to join pr, but his mobile was off. So I let smsand fb messages that we were meeting at 11h30 at train station in front of ourschool. And I prayed that he saw his messages at time. And he did. Butunfortunately, meanwhile DaÆ  sent another message: “We‘re going toski at 16h00. I‘ve a lot of things to do before, sorry finally, I can’t come”.What just I read? Why u didn’t realize that your departure was programmed to beat 24^th? Why didn’t u answer me seriously? You thought I was joking?But I kept all this for me and said what I said to ça-rat: Never mind J . 

Thiswords show that I forgive those who care about me and means indifference toother. That’s why I like this word that much. Mean while also, Ma~ calledme and said pr will never see it at time. So we must meet at 13h00. And Isent a message to pr on facebook. Just facebook. And he only checked hissms.

At12h30, when I was about to exit, I saw his message: “hey! I ‘m here from about20 min. message me when u come! J” 1143h it was.. That time Irealized how bad organizer I’ve been.

Anyhow,we had a nice day. We went to Mk2 cinema next to François Mitterrand Libraryand we saw “Dos au mur”. Happy birthday PIERRE!

Story of a brave 10 year old Yemeni Girl.

"My head was spinning. I had never ever seen so many peopleat one place. It was the front side of a court where many people were comingfrom different directions. Many of them were wearing the western dress; otherswere wearing the traditional Yemeni dress. People were crying, they wereshouting and talking in loud voices but no one was noticing me. I was a just akid. Around 10 years old. She took a deep breath and started again. People toldme that judges are all good people and are responsible for providing justice. Iwas also in search of one, I had been wandering around for 3 hours and reallytired, I was also wearing a black scarf which was increasing the summer heat. Iwas also having severe headache and at the same time was nervous. Suddenly a mandressed in white came to me; I thought he might be a judge or lawyer. "

"Excuse me Sir. I want to see a judge. "

"Go that way, see that way up the stairs." He told me without looking at me and hurriedly went away lost in the crowd. 

"I went up the stairs and reached a fully furnished room. There were guards outside it and I was afraid they'll catch me thinking I'm someone who has run away from her home. There was a woman in the room and I asked her If I can meet a judge."

"What type of judge you want to meet?" she looked at me in amazement.

"Just take me to a judge, I replied, any judge. "

"Come with me", she said. 

"She took me in an other room, it was filled with many people, there was one man sitting on the main chair with many people waiting for their turns. I sat on a chair waiting for mine."

"How may I help you?" I heard these words half asleep. It was such a sweet and caring voice and made me comfortable. The room was almost empty. "

"I want divorce, I replied. "

......................................................

The story of Nujood Ali is that of a brave girl who stood against the ferocious laws against women. She was eight when her parents arranged a marriage to Faez Ali Thamer who was in his thirties. She belonged to a village in Yemen where women had no rights at all. Her father was a poor man who could not earn much money to support his 16 people family. One day while he was playing cards with his street mates one of them asked him if he wants some help with the family. After talking more they agreed he agreed in no time to marrt Faez to her youngest daughter Nujood. He mother tried best to stop the marriage telling his husband Nujood was too young for marriage.

"What If someone rapes her some day?" he replied. The best way to help our daughter and make her more secure is to marry her.

Nujood was married according to the Yemeni tradition. Her mother advised her to stay covered as she is the "Izzat" of her husband now.  The day she entered her new home she new, life had changed. The In laws were not in favor of her studying in school so she was restricted to do so. She missed her school too much. She was not allowed to leave the house after evening prayers, always forced to stay covered in home as well. 

......................................................

"I had to change myself. I was forced not to leave home without permission, I was not allowed to talk with anyone, I was not allowed to say NO at anything, I had to cut vegetables, cook food, wash utensils, and everything my mother in law wanted me to. When I stopped to take rest, she used to pull my hairs. Once I asked her to let me go play with the kids, but instead of replying she started beating me. My husband always came late at night and without any reason beat me with a stick almost everyday. All my day was passed in fear of getting beaten and I used to cry a lot."

......................................................

One day while she was visiting her home, her stepmother encouraged and told her the only way she could get rid of her husband and all the beating was to contact a judge. She also gave her some money for that. You've heard the story up till she reached the judge, lets continue with the rest.

"I want divorce, I replied. "

..... "I want divorce, I replied. "

The judge was shocked. 

"You want divorce? you mean are you married?!" Judge asked.

"YES, I replied firmly." 

Judge asked me a few questions regarding about me and my marriage and what was the reason I wanted a divorce, I told him everything."

"I will help you", he replied. Abdur Rehman was his name. After much thinking he called some one. It was the chief judge Muhammad Laghari.

"My Child, we will help you as much as we can, but remember it will be a tough way ahead and no guarantee that you will win the case." Laghari Said.

......................................................

Its a long story after that. A famous social worker, lawyer was appointed for Nujood. The case began. The point of conflict was Faez had promised Nujood's father that he won't touch her before she is mature enough, but a total different story was the reality. After some negotiations Faez agreed to divorce Nujood on the condition that her father must pay the girl's price. Faez was proved a lier here as her father told he did not sell her daughter, after all the proofs against Faez, he divorced Nujood. 

She is spending a normal life now, enrolled in a school, staying with her family. Many NGO's have been funding her education and she wants to become a lawyer when she grows up. In April 2011, Yemeni parliament passed a law increasing the marriage age of girls to 17. One little girl, brought a change, a big one, saving the life of many perhaps. 

Taliban are Changing.

Five years ago Rahim Daad was forced to leave his native town and migrate to Kabul. He was the resident of Nawar, which is one of the regions of the Ghazni province. Actually the problem was that Talibans of that province had shut down the modern schools forcefully but Rahim Daad wanted his children to study the religious and well as the modern ways. For the better future of children he had to adopt Kabul as new home.

But now, Rahim Daad is back to his home, Nawar. It has been a few months and the reason he came back was schools of the city were opened again, and that too with the permission of Taliban. He was very happy to hear this and came back. Rahim Daad tells ..



"The leaders of the city and the wiser men requested Taliban, that they want to open the schools which have been shut down. After few negotiations Taliban agreed to open the schools. Now not only mine but the children of all the city are happy, it feels like their life is complete now."


Another such incident was of Ali Khan. He was a teacher in Tangi High School, which is situated in the Syedabad district of Wardak Province. Five years ago Taliban burned down the school after bombarding it. Ali khan had to run for his life and shifted to the other province. But now he is back, the school is opened and he is teaching the future of Afghanistan without any fear. He says ..

"The hate Taliban had against the modern studies is an old story now, they have understood the modern education is the basis of successful Afghanistan. In fact now Taliban themselves ask us to teach the children as much as we can, this is a big change."

Although Western media is of the view that Taliban are doing this on purpose and have hidden motives, but Taliban leaders themselves say they are not against modern studies anymore and want the future of Afghanistan to prosper.

This is indeed a big change from the past when any development project, NGO activity, music etc was totally forbidden. Things are changing, for now they are, for a brighter and positive Afghanistan.