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. 

Songkran: Thailand Water Festival.

Songkran means 'astrological passage' and is the event which announces the new Thailand year. In the modern calendar it is celebrated every year from 13-15 april. Interestingly enough these three days are common new year starters in the Southeast Asia.

A Brief History:

The date of the festival was originally set by astrological calculation, but it is now fixed. Until 1888 the Thai New Year was the beginning of the year in Thailand; thereafter 1 April was used until 1940. 1 January is now the beginning of the year. The traditional Thai New Year has been a national holiday since then. Mostly this festival was celebrated in India and is thought to be originated from the Holi festival as previously in the 1900's color was used. It was just recently that water took over colors and it was given a separate identity by the Thailand people.

How is it celebrated:

The most obvious celebration of Songkran is the throwing of water. Thais roam the streets with containers of water or water guns (sometimes mixed with mentholated talc), or post themselves at the side of roads with a garden hose and drench each other and passersby. This, however, was not always the main activity of this festival. Songkran was traditionally a time to visit and pay respects to elders, including family members, friends, neighbors, and monks.

Mostly Thai people have the pictures of monks and dummies in their homes which they consider a sign of good luck so on this very day, paying a visit to the monks and temples is also a common tradition. 

From where has it originated:

In the past when the monks used to wash the buddha dummies, the water which flowed afterwards was saved by some of them and they used to wash themselves with it, considering that it will help them earn a place in heaven and will wash away all their sins.  Among young people the holiday evolved to include dousing strangers with water to relieve the heat. Nowadays, the emphasis is on fun and water-throwing rather than on the festival's spiritual and religious aspects, which sometimes prompts complaints from traditionalists.


Traditional Greeting:


The traditional greeting is "sa-wat-di pi mai"  basically "Happy New Year". Sawatdi is also used for "hello" or "goodbye". Pi and mai mean "year" and "new" respectively in Thai. Another greeting used is suk-san wan pi mai" , where suksan means "happy".

Cheating and Caught!

I was talking with a friend on twitter, Laraib Asif and she told me that she never cheats in exams, In my life this was the second person telling me this, all others used to answer "Ohh yar cheating tow fashion hai, Ohh yar normal baat hai, sab kartay hain tow ham kyun nahi" ... I told about this girl to Papa and he instantly reminded me of something, of the bad old memories :D

I was in the 10th grade and my board exams were in progress. It was my Mathematics exam and there was no concept of choice with 70% of paper constituted objective questions. I attempted the objective part quickly and waited for the examiner to collect the paper when the boy sitting behind me started asking the solution. I refused, refused again, refused thrice. on the fourth time I stood up and told the examiner that the boy wants to cheat! 

After 5 minutes, one of the examiner came to me and asked me to pass my objective paper to the boy sitting behind me. I was shocked and I refused instantly.

When the subjective part started, the boy started to bug me again. I ignored him for an hour or so, the invigilator stood beside me, trying to see what I was writing so that he can help that boy, but I hid my paper. This went on for 30 minutes but when the examiner saw his tries were unfruitful he asked that boy to leave the paper and write his phone number on the answer sheet and go. He also told me rudely "Tum se ziada number na aay iskay tow mera naam bhi ***** nahi ".

My exams finished and I passed with good marks. Just one day after the result while reading the news paper I came across a strange news. When I read the description I couldn't believe my eyes.

There was the news about a boy who had written his phone number on the answer sheet. A week after the exams finished, he got a phone call, someone asked him to visit a particular place with 20,000 rupees. He went there with his father. It was an old shop. He entered and the shutters were put down, he was asked to fill the subjective paper, which he graciously did. 

Result was out and the boy got 25/30 in the subjective part, but thanks to his poor show in the objective part, still failed the exam. His paper while on rechecking, was caught and he was disallowed to appear in the board exams for the next 5 years. 

Mysterious Yonaguni Island !

Yonaguni Island is one of the few Islands which tell us about the early Japanese Civilization. These are situated 68 km away from the Eastern Taiwan coast.

This Island is 10 km long and 4 km wide. Its atmosphere is clean and gives a refreshing feeling and thats why people from all over Japan visit this place often.
When you visit these Islands you will see these are still surviving in the old way manner, away from the busy city life. Its population is only 1684 and most of them are the old traditional Japanese tribesmen who are very welcoming, even though they don't have much resources, they are famous all over the world for their welcomeness.

These Islands are also famous for their natural and strange monuments. These are near the southern coast of the Island and are hand made ones which makes them even stranger. with the dimensions of 100*25*50 meters, this art craft is a wonder in itself as over all these years it is standing in the exact and correct mathematical dimensions.

These rocks are estimated to be 8000 years old and without a doubt it is difficult to imagine how could people in those times build something with such precision without the modern instruments and techniques.  There are many theories about who created this masterpiece.

Some historians say these rocks are the remaining of the MU civilization, while the others say that these rocks have originated due to the natural disasters over the period of time. But when we see the rocks closely it is obvious that these rocks have been carved technically and no natural disaster can originate such precise rocks with equal dimensions.

These rocks are still under research and will take lots of time to discover the truth about them. 

Overconfidence cost Pakistan.

" Before you attempt to beat the odds, be sure you could survive the odds beating you. " Pakistan were clearly overconfident when the ODI series between England and Pakistan started but forgot that overconfidence precedes carelessness. Perhaps they underestimated the English side as did everyone else, they lead the four match series 2-0. Who would have thought things will turn around within a week.


For Pakistan the problem lies with the team selection and poor planing. England didn't bring drastic changes to their team for the ODI's. Just including the specialists Ravi Bopara and C. Kieswetter while one all rounder  Samit Patel. 

And when Shahid Afridi swung and missed at James Anderson, Pakistan's chase was over (Cricinfo 2nd ODI)

Pakistan on the other hand had to clue with the team selection. Shoaib Malik was included in the squad on the request of Misbah ul Haq, and to accommodate him Pakistan shuffled the whole team for the first ODI match. They went in with Umar Akmal as a wicket keeper, Dropping the inform Abdur Rehman, and Playing Wahab Riaz to make up for Malik's position as a spinning all rounder who was batting as low as number eight. 



Even if Malik had to play, Pakistan could have gone in with Abdur Rehman instead of Wahab Riaz, as England's vows against spin bowling were obvious during the test match series. Pakistan did play with five spin bowlers during the third ODI against Bangladesh, who looked playing spin better than England.


England scored 260/7 in 50 overs, Wahab Riaz was totally out of sorts, Shoaib Malik bowled just five overs and scored 7 runs of 23 balls, Umar Akmal came to bat with a backache and Pakistan lost by 130 runs.


For  the second ODI Pakistan dropped Wahab Riaz, Shoaib Malik and Asad Shafiq bringing in Aizaz Cheema, Abdur Rehman, and Azhar Ali. Last two were sensible moves which Pakistan should have taken during the previous match but they still went in with Umar Akmal as a wicket keeper.


With four top class spinners in the team, Pakistan played a nonspecialist wicket keeper who was poor behind the stumps, dropping two catches, one of Cook, who was at 28 but went on to score another century and the other of Eoin Morgan who scored a crucial 25 not out. 


While selecting the team Pakistan also forgot that they had Hammad Azam in the team who is a right arm medium pace bowler and a handy lower-middle order batsman and would have served well instead of Aizaz Cheema. Pakistan had 7 batsman, four pure tailenders but nothing in between. 


When Shahid Afridi was bowled by James Andersen Pakistan required 44 of 34 balls, but had no one to support Misbah ul Haq and lost the match by 20 runs which they could have easily won. 


Pakistani management for some reason has been hesitant to play Hammad Azam in the team, maybe because he is capable enough to take over the all rounder's slot which has been occupied by under performing Abdul Razzaq, Shoaib Malik and on some occasions Sohail Tanvir. They are a well balanced test side, but look totally imbalanced when it comes to ODI matches.


There are a few slots that need to be filled especially the opening partnership, they need someone who can stay there and play long. A young performing all rounder in the lower-middle order who could bowl economical overs and score precious runs, but more importantly and a quick genuine fast bowler who could rip through batting line ups on these slow low pitches.


All is not lost. They still have two ODI matches to go and can level  the series but this for sure is a wake up call for Pakistan. 

A Valentines Day Letter.

Please Note: This is not me wishing anyone a Valentines Day, In fact it is the way I would Imagine a sincere boy should wish a girl. Just random thoughts.

Dear Girl,

Never had I Imagined my life will change so much, Never had I thought I'll love you so much. You have changed my life, you have changed the way I see life. I LOVE YOU more than anything and everything, I love you without any conditions and relations.
Yes, you are the bestest gift I could have ever wished on a valentine. You are like a rose to me, red one, fresh one. whose fragrance makes my day. Without a doubt you are the most delicate and fluffy cotton like girl I have ever seen. Your voice makes my day, your laughs make me laugh, your smile makes me happy, your cuteness and beauty makes me feel as If I'm the luckiest person on this planet. Well In short, you are the BEST! All I want you is to stay happy and keep smiling forever. All I pray to god is that there be no place for sadness and sorrows in your life and I promise I'll try my best for that to happen and  be a part of it. Never doubt, I trust you more than anyone, I need you more than anything. I'm sorry If I've hurt you unintentionally or made you sad. To me you are all the good things in this world, call it a tasty strawberry, call it the most beautiful Princess, call it the tweeting bird of the morning, call if a garden full of colorful flowers, call it a Candy, call it a Doll, call it Sweetheart or maybe call it the sunshine, the morning time which makes me excited about a new day awaiting, or let me say it, call YOU mine. Stay the way you are and never change, with lots love, hugs, kisses, Happy Valentines Day!

Forever yours,

A sincere Boy.

Not Answered.

By Maham Shahbaz.

How more ironic could this life get?

Crying while smiling,

Dying while living,

Scared while boldly claiming,

Lying while telling the truth,

Blessed? yes , if that means cursed

Loved? Yes , if that means hatred

Noticed? Yes , if that means ignored

Cared for? Yes , if that means ignorance

I’m happy with you but that is wrong

I’m not alone , yet no one is around

I can see the light but its all so dark

I can see the white but its all so black

Why give the power to dream,

when its just a fantasy ?

Why make a dream world when

reality is where every one has to live ?

Why are we in this hell,

when we didn’t ask for it? Did we

do something wrong?

Ungrateful ? are we all not ungrateful?

For we were not given a choice,

Helpless we are , but there is no other option,

But who can question?

We don’t want to be called as traitors

Doubt no one while every one can doubt you.

Life changes, Life goes on !

There come such people in you life who change you forever. change you for good mostly! You try your best to resist, you try your best to keep a distance, you try your best to ignore the facts but then there is a time when you just can't.

Its a 360 degree change, Isn't it!

Life turns upside down, you can't stay away even for one day, all you want to do is to talk and talk with the person who has brought sudden, pleasant change in your life. The sweetness of their voice makes your day, All you do and think is them. All you wish for is that angel, all you want is their love, All you dream is staying with them forever.

Then two possibilities appear...

1) Your dreams turn true, become reality, and life goes on with a new spark.

2) Reality sets in, you wake up from your dream and life  still goes on, the usual way.

Which option does your life has?!