the sKy...mY giVen riGht to dReam and wRiTe

I'm in Techno

2007-06-09T00:49:00.001-07:00

a Life Less than Ordinary

2007-05-13T00:52:00.000-07:00

It's a come back for me after a very long time in hibernation. I've decided to dabble into writing about my own life! for a change. Speeding through the empty streets of Abu Dhabi, the heat slowly setting in, the scarce wind huffing and puffing to signal its departure, the large billboards that have invaded our streets, everything points towards the one thing you can do down here: Shopping. So I go on a shopping spree, in hopes of retrieving myself. I first go into a bookshop. I knew something was amiss when I felt the books staring at my back, fully realizing I was the odd one out. All books on positive thinking came right out at me. No, I can't buy anymore books! I have tons that need reading. I can't be an impulsive buyer anymore. Even my latest hobby, crochet, is not that interesting to me. I pick up Crochet World, whizzed through it, decide not to buy it and moved on. Oh! “Me” not getting a crochet magazine is a first! Next, Time Magazine, a little bit of politics can spring me right back to life. Then, Harvard Review. Then remember I don't have much time to read anyways so place it back, as orderly as I can. But then pick up the Economist. I have been feeling like I'm on free fall projectile and have missed on the world's affairs. Sarkozy is ascending. The big question is of course what matters to us: His foreign policies towards the Arabs (which are stinky!) So it does surprise me to see the general support he has from people in the Gulf region (I take that back, I'm not surprised!). So what will Nicolas Sarkozy and Gordon Brown bring to the world that their predecessors haven’t? Let's wait and allow the events to unfold, aren't we the experts at such passiveness?!? I left the bookshop with only two magazines. And one note book, don't even wonder why! That was definitely an impulsive move, one to linger and capture the essence of a past! I used to buy tons of note books! I have an issue now discarding them (That's one more title for me, Hoarder Queen, which makes a good title for a future blog).
I continue my shopping spree across the town.
Picked up some groceries.
Some yarns.
More and more beads.
Can't remember the feeling of beads between my fingers (when was the last time I made something?)
I arrive home, full of bags.
Yet, still empty handed!
I can feel the depth of my fall, the darkness that sears through my soul, once again. I find my self in utter desolation. I realize that only “Me” can help I get out of this misery. It doesn't help when the path is foggy and misunderstanding is all over the place. There ought to be a way out.
Perchance it's the next bend in the river that will be it!

(We don't always see eye to eye, but I have promised I'll always be there, come rain come drain, I'm there."

Al Quds

2007-02-08T12:12:00.000-08:00

It is a time of great sorrow in the Islamic World but perhaps not theArabic World, a.k.a the Middle East. Or just perhaps this is the "New Middle East" that everyone has been talking about making me look prehistoric.

The reason behind the sorrow: Al Aqsa is being slowly demolished by the filthy zionists and the world in general find it "nothing out of the norm". Why should anyone be alarmed?

The reason for the grief: The Silence!
I do get the hypocrisy of the world we are living in, the silence, not ever?
Al Aqsa is our first Qibla, remember Muslims, or did that elude your brains???
Al Aqsa is where our Prophet, sala Allah aluih wa salam, prayed with all the others prophets in the occasion of Al Esraa wal Miraj.
Al Aqsa is were the Prophet ascended too on that day.
Al Aqsa is what Omar ibn Al Khatab fought for and released from the gribs of the Romans.
Al Aqsa is Salah ul Din's mission in life.
A Aqsa is our heart.
Al Aqsa is my heart.

And what do we say?

If not the shameful silene we have those preaching let "Palestine be for the Palestinians"

At least have the decency to think if everything else fails I still have my prayers.

أتهزأ بالدعـاء وتزدريـه.... وما تدري بما صنع الدعاء

سهام الليل لا تخطي ولكن....... لها أمد وللأمـد انقضـاء

فيمسكها إذا ما شاءربـي... ويرسلها إذا نفذ القضـاء

الإمام الشافعي

Emirati ....Khaleeji 18!

2007-01-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

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Invest in UAE

2007-01-27T20:20:00.000-08:00

You don't have to be a millionaire
You don't have to put in a fils...
You don't have to move your self...
Just click here!

Save the Ghaf Tree

Invest two minutes of your time for a valuable cause...
Invest two minutes of your time to plant a tree in the UAE...
Invest two minutes of your time...NOW...

[The Ghaf tree, a cultural emblem of the UAE, is threatened due to overgrazing by the ever growing population of the UAE and animals. It is a slow regenerating tree albeit a powerful one, one that can withstand adverse and harsh environment, drinking little water. It is deeply embeded in the Emirati culture with stories woven around it....for more information]

For every 10 virtual sapling planted online, one REAL ghaf tree will be planted in the UAE
Contribute in planting one tenth of a plant
or invite 9 other friends, relatives, anyone you know to plant ONE ghaf tree:)

It's time you contributed in something worthwhile

and a million mabrooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooook to the UAE for making it to the finals:) at last

The Art of Blogging

2007-01-21T11:16:00.000-08:00

It’s not new but it’s all the rage. The Internet invaded every aspect of our lives and opened at the same time all the doors, windows and perhaps souls. It erased borders and brought people closer than ever. What's the new rage? Blogging.

Recently, the topic of blogging was raised in a couple of local newspapers. Internationally, blogging is just the norm of getting information. Why only yesterday Senator Hilary Clinton ran for presidency and the media wasn't the place she broke the news in, it was on her blog!

I think the concern stems mainly from fear that blogging will take over the media as a source of information. Blogging is as simple as ABC, anyone can create a blog given s/he’s got an e-mail account and some simple notions of internetting. The question then becomes how accurate blogging is. Some bloggers are really keen on what they do and the way they report matters, but on the other hand, some utter complete fallacies, are rude and report misguided facts.Some blogger's sole aim is to be kings and queens of controversy in similar manner in which a 2 years old throws a tantrum, both seeking to attract attention.

Topics on blogs range from hilariously funny to down right repulsive and rude. Some blog about very personal topics, like the latest shopping endeavor and plaster all the recent photos of her Mac lip gloss and Chanel bag or his latest jeans and trip to a hotel.
Some are dire with criticism.
Some are provocative and eye openers.
Some are simply rude, in a so-called challenging way.

For the longest time, media, in all its forms of broadcating, has been a reflection of the “street”, what is going on. I see blogging completely taking over. Only instead of a reporter running around to find the “pulse of the street”, on the internet the people themselves become the players, or the "pulse".

Comments on a blog are totally a different matter. Sometimes I think it’s a matter of survival, who can hold his breath longer whilst bantering goes forth and back. In the UAE, sometimes discussions escalate to arguments to heated ones and sometimes to huge fights where no-sense is the only sensible talk that goes around, especially with the use of vulgar terms and profanity. And matters can really escalate getting out of control, resulting in bans.

What we need to remember and understand is that blogging is a one-man / one-woman show, meaning, it reflects the sole ideas, thoughts, perceptions, dreams, aspirations, dejections, assumptions, prejudices, of the author. Be wary as a reader from formulating ideas and quoting bloggers. After all, it is really a virtual world.

Blogger is the noun.
To blog is the verb.

(Originally written on November 27, 2006.Revised and updated January 21, 2007 )

Once Again..my Story rolls on!

2007-01-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

So it is a new year or so I am told. And I am back.
Happy new year.

Like the rest of you I have my resolutions:
Live more!

First thing I'm going to bequeath my title as Queen of Procrastination!!! Hopefully.

So, I am to finish off about 24 of my unpublished thoughts and articles. Hopefully.

I'll actually put my thoughts in writings this time and won't memorize them anymore. Hopefully.

I'll be adding my list of favourite readings, my current readings and my books in general. Thanks for being too patient.

I do intend to have a layout makeover, but doubt anything will come out soon. So it is better not to make any promises.

Give it your best
Give it your all.
Don’t leave a day unlived
Hold on to the fleeting second
And let it go when its time
Has come to be claimed
Live. No regrets.

...sPace...

2007-01-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

a space...to breathe
a little bit of fresh air
to gain valuable perspective

the need to pull
into yourself;
reset your compass and rise again

a space to be born again
a space to re-evaluate your choices
a space to reclaim your senses

a space is all what I need.

Adieu

Thoughts under development

2007-01-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

We are always running
Wishing for a better tomorrow
a happier ending

We count a new beginning
Never realizing there was an ending
and build upon the ruins

The past
continues to form the present
which meshes into weaving the future

We are a continuum
...Extensions
...Beings

We are yesterday's child
Today's adult
and tomorrow's elderly

We huddle the same dreams
We cuddle the same memories
We straddle the same hopes

Don't count your days
Make your days count.

Oh White!

2006-12-26T21:55:00.000-08:00

White,
Oh how I hate
You White.

White, so pure,
So normal
So rancid.

White so bland,
So many characters
Intermingled within your layers.

White houses all colors,
Oh white! Why such
Timidness makes you.

You house them all
Try to make peace
The end result
Such unforgivable blandness

Why can’t you shine?
When will I know the true you?

Oh white!
Forgive me,
For I can not withstand your cowardice.

Emirati...Watani Al EmaraT

2006-12-02T01:32:00.000-08:00

It is today that a dream
Was conceived, born out of
A vision
A need for a better tomorrow
A need for a chance to rise up
It is on a day as today
A day that will change
My life, though I was
Not yet conceived.
It is today that we celebrate
The passage of 35 years
Of wonders
Of trust
And of faith
Of resources put to the maximum use
Of people living up to the dream

I will not wrap myself in a flag and celebrate a day meaninglessly.
Everyday I strive for my country’s excellence
[With our hands, we build our country]
These are not empty words
I will translate them into actions

I am a proud Emirati.

It is not the end.
It is a humble beginning to
A very long road that
Lies ahead, more challenges arise
More dreams are born
More and much more.

What Bush Sr. Had to Say!

2006-11-21T23:45:00.001-08:00

Venue: Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2006

Event : Abu Dhabi World Summit of Leaders

Didn’t anyone notice that every other participant apart from Bush was a valuable addition to the summit?

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak: is a young dynamic member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, serving as a Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority of the Government of Abu Dhabi providing strategic policy advice to the Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Council, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. In addition, he is involved in education reformation and healthcare sector in the emirate of Abu Dhabi among other posts.

Lee Kuan Yew: Singapore's first-ever prime minister and long-time government head. During the three decades in which Lee Kuan Yew was in office, Singapore grew from being a developing country to one of the most developed nations in the world, despite its small population, limited land space and lack of natural resources.

Lubna Al Qassimi: first woman in the country’s history to assume a cabinet position as Minister of Economy.

Gerhard Schroder: is the first of a new generation of vibrant German leaders. He took on the newly reunited Germany as Chancellor in 1998, and boldy ushered the world’s third largest economy into the 21st century. A charismatic and powerful national figure, Gerhard Schröder did more to modernize Germany’s economy than had been accomplished in decades.

George Bush: is the instigator of wars, more bloody wars, and money extortion. And now, he is officially/unofficially spokesperson/lawyer/defender of his son’s actions and presidential liberties /fallacies and social blunders.

Had he been a real man, and his son one too, I don’t think the father would’ve jumped to his son’s defense to justify his every move in what I think most Americans will come to realize as the worst reign ever in their history.

Bush added: “How come everybody wants to come to the United States if the United States is so bad?”
I’ll start quoting you, sir, err Ex. President.

To answer your cute bomb question, because we have major idiots in the Arab world with distorted notions of what freedom is and what is offered on your land. Crumbs. Freedom of speech, clearly the reaction towards the Dixie Chicks statement regarding the war in Iraq is the best example to illustrate the fallacy of freedom of speech.

“I can’t begin to tell you the pride I feel in my two sons,” Bush said.

So true, in your place sir, err ex. President I would hide behind mama’s skirts for the monsters I’ve created for the world, or I would take an early retirement to my grave.

Finally, when a young audience member attributed the American monstrous invasions of other countries towards its aim to globalize its market, very realistic reasons from an economist point of view, the Bush had this to say:

“I think that’s weird and it’s nuts,” Bush said. “To suggest that everything we do is because we’re hungry for money, I think that’s crazy. I think you need to go back to school.”

I too think you’re very weird, definitely nuts, and sir, err Ex. President, ain’t you just as hungry for money as you are thirsty for blood? And oil?

We say, and I quote the infamous saying here in the UAE:
GO BACK HOME!

qUOTED aRTICLE cLICK hERE

Catch the Liar if You Can

2006-11-13T22:29:00.000-08:00

Catch a liar from his eyes.

Some useful tips to navigate life for you are bound to meet a liar at least once in your life.
Before we jump in, I’d like to clarify some common traps:

Unless you are a pro, there is a slim chance you’ll catch a seasoned liar.

You cannot catch someone who doesn’t want to be caught, so with a seasoned liar, physical evidence like hand gestures and eye movements will be minimal to nil. Well how did you think he/she ever perfected the role? Thus, external evidence will probably incriminate the person, because no matter how much you probe this person they have their story straight. For this kind of liars, you better watch Monk and read Agatha Christie’s books.

Now down to business, shall we.

As a rule of thumb, the human brain is made up of two hemispheres, the right and left one, each with distinctive functions and usually are called-
Right brain: the creative one
Left Brain: analytical one
That says MUCH.
What is a lie but an elaborative story woven with very fetching details? So which part do you think is associated with lying? A lie is an imagined truth.
Guessed right? It’s the RIGHT brain. The creative one. Makes sense?

Beware though; young kids who are constantly being accused of lying are nothing but very creative kids whose creativity is not channeled in the right directions. If you have a kid who you accuse of lying and is brilliant in it, you better read more on the topic or else you are killing a budding, creative genius.

The first sign a liar reveals is by looking UPWARDS and to the RIGHT. Be very attentive, as this may take only a fraction of a second. Do not however judge a person from the first glance. Many times other factors interfere, like if the person is thinking of other things at the same time. To get a better portrayal of the truth always ask questions and come from different angles. A child is the easiest to catch, so innocent and transparent. Ask for specific details, colours, time, etc…and repeat the questions twice or thrice but in different wordings. A liar will hate to repeat the story many times for fear of falling in a trap and will get very very flustered. I remember a kid from my childhood whom we knew whenever he lied the instant he started crying. It always worked. When you are questioning, always track the eye movement (upwards to the right). A liar will shift and fidget A LOT for no obvious reason (unless they’d wanted to get to the loo). A liar’s face usually flushes red or pink depending on the intensity of his/her experience. A liar will usually avoid direct eye contact at all expenses, so maintain eye contact, but do not stare, for that scares. Last point and most important, you have to know if the person is right or left-handed for that will make all the difference. The above-mentioned works with a right-handed person. If the person is left-handed, the opposite applies: a liar will look UPWARDS but to the LEFT.

Practice makes perfect. See how many liars you can catch for the day.

NLP-- Neuro-linguistic Programming is a fascinating new discipline that helps in every aspect of life. For More Information!

Personal Notes...from my world

2006-10-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

I'm in my cacoon today...retreating from the world, yet the world insists on joining me...I'm determine to purge some of it off my delicate system!

Did you know Israel had a President? No. Plain truth. Yes, his name Katsav, he's now being charged for rape.!

Did Sharon die, yet? I don't know why I even care, but I always keep asking. I'm sure his will be very slow to come.

I love reading, but some posts just drag on and on. I hate having to read everything to come with one line that' useful. Here's my new way of reading blogs, i usually read controversial ones, if it's rather a long post, i head straight to the comments and skim for info! Tried and tested, it works.

I want to learn all about the british and portuguese invasion/occupation of the UAE! Occupations usually leave behind, remnants of their cultures. I found terms like: cancel, time, light, but then there are other terms like seeda, which is urdu, meaning straight, the local term being jidam but most don't know it,thanks to our taxis (another post!)

McDonald is changing its look to match the tempo of todays's world, a.k.a. steal your money by giving you extra fats to live with/more guilt! Today's life tempo: SLOW~~~~so, following StarBucks tradition, Mc is losing its flashy red-yellow-orange colours to more alluring and relaxing hues and replacing its indoor small tables with cushy sofas. What is the world coming to.

*****I can see the lies, lying dormant in your eyes
yet I believe you, you lie, I believea stupid notion, maybe the lies will reach a number and one day you will tell.
the truth I don't seek, your integrity I pray.
it's a stupid notion******

Lebanon, what have become of us?

I'm listening to, mind drifting away and away....i wish oneday I'll pray in the AlAqsa mosque in the Quds and see the place where the Prophet Muhammed prayed with all the other prophets behind him. To forget myself there....

Contemplating the UAE's progress. Will it be a sad story?

Missing my grandma who taught me the greatest prayer, she'd alway say: الحمد لله حمد الشاكرين
I long for her hands to wrap me and drown me with her voice and prayers.

i small, I capital?

(DG I'm counting on you to spot any broken links.....with all my gratitude)

حوار جميل و صادق

2006-10-24T17:46:00.000-07:00

I came upon this dialogue and could'nt resist sharing it until I gather the wit to finish my writings (patience is a virtue someone claims).

**************************

حاورت الشيطان الرجيم في الليل البهيم

فلما سمعت أذان الفجر أردت للذهاب إلى المسجد

فقال لي :عليك ليل طويل فارقد

قلت: أخاف أن تفوتني الفريضة

قال :الأوقات طويلة عريضة

قلت: أخشى ذهاب صلاة الجماعة

قال: لا تشدد على نفسك في الطاعة

فما قمت حتى طلعت الشمس ...

فقال لي في همس : لا تأسف على ما فات فاليوم كله أوقات

وجلست لآتي بالأذكار

ففتح لي دفتر الأفكار

فقلت: أشغلتني عن الدعاء

قال: دعه إلى المساء

وعزمت على المتاب

فقال: تمتع بالشباب

قلت: أخشى الموت

قال: عمرك لا يفوت ...

وجئت لأحفظ المثاني

قال: روّح نفسك بالأغاني

قلت: هي حرام

قال: لبعض العلماء كلام

قلت: أحاديث التحريم عندي في صحيفة

قال: كلها ضعيفة

ومرت حسناء فغضضت البصر

قال: ماذا في النظر؟

قلت: فيه خطر

قال: تفكر في الجمال فالتفكر حلال

وذهبت إلى البيت العتيق فوقف لي في الطريق ..

فقال: ما سبب هذه السفرة ؟

قلت: لآخذ عمرة

فقال: ركبت الأخطار بسبب هذا الاعتمار وأبواب الخير كثيرة والحسنات غزيرة

قلت: لابد من إصلاح الأحوال

قال: الجنة لاتدخل بالأعمال

فلما ذهبت لألقي نصيحة ..

قال: لا تجر إلى نفسك فضيحة

قلت: هذا نفع العباد

فقال: أخشى عليك من الشهرة وهي رأس الفساد

قلت : فما رأيك في بعض الأشخاص؟

قال : أجيبك على العام والخاص

قلت : أحمد بن حنبل؟ قال : قتلني بقوله عليكم بالسنة والقرآن المنزّل

قلت : فابن تيمية؟ قال : ضرباته على رأسي باليومية

قلت : فالبخاري؟ قال : أحرق بكتابه داري

قلت : فالحجاج ؟ قال : ليت في الناس ألف حجاج فلنا بسيرته ابتهاج ونهجه لنا علاج

قلت : فرعون ؟ قال : له منا كل نصر وعون

قلت : فصلاح الدين بطل حطين؟ قال : دعه فقد مرغنا بالطين

قلت : محمد بن عبدالوهاب؟ قال : أشعل في صدري بدعوته الالتهاب وأحرقني بكل شهاب

قلت : أبوجهل؟ قال : نحن له أخوة وأهل

قلت : فأبو لهب ؟ قال : نحن معه أينما ذهب !

قلت : فلينين؟ قال : ربطناه في النار مع استالين

قلت : فالمجلات الخليعة ؟ قال : هي لنا شريعة

قلت : فالدشوش ؟ قال : نجعل الناس بها كالوحوش

قلت : فالمقاهي ؟ قال : نرحب فيها بكل لاهي

قلت : ما هو ذكركم؟ قال : الأغاني

قلت : وعملكم؟ قال : الأماني

قلت : وما رأيكم بالأسواق ؟ قال : علمنا بها خفاق وفيها يجتمع الرفاق

قلت : فحزب البحث الاشتراكي ؟ قال : قاسمته أملاكي وعلمته أورادي وأنساكي

قلت : كيف تضلّ الناس ؟ قال : بالشهوات والشبهات والملهيات والأمنيات والأغنيات

قلت : كيف تضلّ النساء ؟ قال : بالتبرج والسفور وترك المأمور وارتكاب المحظور

قلت : فكيف تضلّ العلماء؟ قال : بحب الظهور والعجب والغرور وحسد يملأ الصدور

قلت : كيف تضلّ العامة ؟ قال : بالغيبة والنميمة والأحاديث السقيمة وما ليس له قيمة

قلت : فكيف تضلّ التجار ؟ قال : بالربا في المعاملات ومنع الصدقات والإسراف في النفقات

قلت : فكيف تضلّ الشباب ؟ قال : بالغزل والهيام والعشق والغرام والاستخفاف بالأحكام وفعل الحرام

قلت : فما رأيك بدولة اليهود (اسرائيل) ؟ قال : إياك والغيبة فإنها مصيبة واسرائيل دولة حبيبة ومن القلب قريبة

قلت : فأبو نواس؟ قال : على العين والرأس لنا من شعره اقتباس

قلت : فأهل الحداثة؟ قال : أخذوا علمهم منا بالوراثة

قلت : فالعلمانية؟ قال : إيماننا علماني وهم أهل الدجل والأماني ومن سماهم فقد سماني

قلت : فما تقول في واشنطن؟ قال : خطيبي فيها يرطن وجيشي فيها يقطن وهي لي وطن

قلت : فما رأيك في الدعاة ؟ قال : عذبوني وأتعبوني وبهذلوني وشيبوني يهدمون ما بنيت ويقرءون إذا غنيت ويستعيذون إذا أتيت

قلت : فما تقول في الصحف ؟ قال : نضيع بها أوقات الخلف ونذهب بها أعمار أهل الترف ونأخذ بها الأموال مع الأسف

قلت : فما تقول في هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية ؟ قال : ندخل فيها السم في الدسم ونقاتل بها بين العرب والعجم ونثني بها على المظلوم ومن ظلم قلت : فما فعلت في الغراب ؟ قال : سلطته على أخيه فقتله ودفنه في التراب حتى غاب

قلت : فما فعلت بقارون ؟ قال : قلت له احفظ الكنوز يا ابن العجوز لتفوز فأنت أحد الرموز

قلت : فماذا قلت لفرعون ؟ قال : قلت له يا عظيم القصر قل أليس لي ملك مصر فسوف يأتيك النصر

قلت : فماذا قلت لشارب الخمر ؟ قال : قلت له اشرب بنت الكروم فإنها تذهب الهموم وتزيل الغموم وباب التوبة معلوم

قلت : فماذا يقتلك ؟ قال : آية الكرسي منها تضيق نفسي ويطول حبسي وفي كل بلاء أمسي

قلت : فما أحب الناس اليك ؟ قال : المغنون والشعراء الغاوون وأهل المعاصي والمجون وكل خبيث مفتون

قلت : فما أبغض الناس اليك ؟ قال : أهل المساجد وكل راكع وساجد وزاهد عابد وكل مجاهد

قلت : أعوذ بالله منك فاختفى وغاب كأنما ساخ في التراب وهذا جزاء الكذاب

"سبحانك الله وبحمدك أشهد أن لا اله الا أنت أستغفرك وأتوب"

Really, How Proud Are We?

2006-10-21T21:09:00.000-07:00

We've made it.
Regardless of the hardships, and what we are putting up with, we made it.

The world knows us! Hoooray.

...And so the term dubai'd was coined. and how proud are we!

...Discovery channel made a documentray about the richest people in the middle east, and what do you know, out of the four featured gentle men, THREE are from the UAE (Dubai)!

...and now as proud as we are, we are featured on the NEWYORK TIMES in an article highlitghting the:
a. fear over local idenity
b. growing tension among different nationalities in the UAE

The article called Beyond Skimpy Skirts, a Rare Debate on Identity very fitting description, albeit misleading (rare-not). Is it about the skimpy skirts?

I first refered to the topic in an earlier post called Does Respect Have Meaning? because I truly think it winds down to respect, from one human to another human. It is lleged that an article on 7days titled Show Some Respect first broke hell loose. I suspect that. The comments on that article got very abusive of course with both sides uttering complete non-sense by the end of the day, but something very revealing came out too. The insolence of foreigners on this land (both westerns and otherwise--i call them wannebes--). Complete hypocrisy and ill-meant intentions came out flowing. It wasn't about Ramadan, or about curbing one's sexual needs, or watching one's mouth. It is about showing RESPECT when and where it is due. People come here knowing the cultures, and choose to ignore it and carry with their own ways. It was complete chaos particularly when someone asked for solidatory with muslims living abroad where they are taunted everday but excercise faith diligently. I am not in a western city, and I do not have to put up with someone else's entire culture in favour of mine. I do not have to be assaulted with nakedness and vulgarity everywhere I go. Had I wanted that, why, it is easy to go and live in their countries! At the end of the day, I think, where exactly am I living, in my native town or where?

I simply request few things.

I simply ask not to see your bulging, bare and hideous skin.
I do not want to smell your foul mouth in the morning when you've spent the night drinking.
I do not want to hear your racist comments about my culture and religion.
I do not want your civilised culture influencing or imposing my beliefs.

I, of course, exclude the wonderful and generous few non-locals whom I had the pleasure of meeting.

I will end quoting the author of the article (NYTimes), as he sums my shattered thoughts:
"Arabs celebrate it as a model of Arab accomplishment, and Westerners embrace it for its endless sunshine and luxury lifestyle".

How shameful.

Of course It's OUR Fault, whoelse?

2006-10-21T20:25:00.000-07:00

As muslims we' re always to be blamed for everything, from terrorism to ignornance.

Alright, so it was a good idea that the main scholars and mufti's of the Islamic world convened to condemn the atrocious allegations by the Vatican's and Christian head of authority, Benedict ..... who claimed (quoting someone else, "clearly can not even utter a sentene lest alone think a thought on his own") that the greatest and most humble being, the Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h., brought nothing but evil, etc...in his infamous speech.

Then, the Danish kids tried their luck again by protraying the Prophet as vile and vice as vindictive as they are, by arranging a contest to see who could defame the Prophet the most.

Who's fault is it?
The last time everyone blamed the Muslims for not spreading the word of Allah, for not showing the others what a true Muslim is and what Islam means.

You know what I'm so sick and tired of this mentality.
Why shouldn't the European one be to be blamed?
Isn't the definition of "cultured" comes from there?
Or is it because we can not see the beauty in degrading a woman and reavealing nudity that we are so backwards?
Why isn't it so clear that those who do not wish to acknowledge the truth are to be blamed?
And then they have the nerve to even speak about tolerance?
yes tolerance, exercised to the maximum when girls and women are forbidden from wearing their hijab in France, when women are openly critised for wearing niqab Britain, when aman with a beard is a suspect of terrorism, when all it takes to be jailed is to utter a word in arabic, and to even comfort onself by muttering a thikr one is assaulted as if one has utterd blasphemy. One of a kind of tolerance!

So I was rather enraged that the scholars who sent a letter to his royal H.H. thanking him for the stupid apology. Thanking him. So it becomes understandable that one never burn bridges but build them and keep open channels of communications.

But then, when they mention that the Prophet truly didn't bring anything new. Surely, was that a good and valid argument? In what context??????

Of course all Prophets called for Allah being the one and only.

What about what Prophet Mohammed p.bu.h. brought?
One thing I will mention: Human Rights
Particularly: Women's Rights.
Why, wasn't it only when Islam came that the atrocious and evil act of infanticide was abolished? Girls were murdred with bare hands, suffocated in their graves, and Prophet Mohammed p.b.u.h. came to eradicate this.

"و ما أرسلناك إلا رحمة للعالمين

Who's UR Hero????part 1

2006-10-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

Who was your hero growing up? Superman? Barbie?
What about children of this age? Pokemon? Power Rangers?
In the Arab world, this is especially a pungent issue. The lack of mystical heroes seems to weigh on the conscience of so many who are trying to salvage the problem by creating new heroes that conform with the major religion in the region, Islam. One such endeavor is by a young Kuwaiti chap, Naif Al-Mutawa, who is releasing a new comic book series called The 99, in which 99 characters portray the 99 attributes of Allah. As to how he managed to convince anyone to invest in his idea, it was rather simple enough: he revealed to his financial backers a newspaper story about a Hamas supporter in the Palestinian territories who was selling a children’s book with stickers of suicide bombers as heroes. "I took this around and said, ‘look, this is what’s happening in the vacuum’," he said. "I don’t want my kids growing up like that."

rEAD MORE:

I personally don't see any lack of heroes in the Arab world. We certainly don' need to revert to mystical, dazzling and fictional characters when true heroes do exist in our history. Why, we have the Prophet s.A.a.w.s, Abu Baker Al-Sadeeq, Omar ibn Al-Khatab, Othman ibn Afan, Ali ibn Abey-Taleb, Hamza bin Abuld-Moutalib, Kalid ibn Al-Waleed, Salah Al-Din Al Ayoubi, Al Sayeda Khadeeja, Ayehsa bint Abey Bakr, Khawla bint All-Azwar and many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many many more...

This post is especially dedicated to Skeptical.

a sound that make me CRINGE

2006-10-07T12:48:00.000-07:00

The sombre and serene atmosphere that greets me as I step into the mosque, takes me to an elevated state of being. A sense of relief overwhelms me and I don't seek to understand why. All my life, I leave it on the doorstep. I go in very light, and very humbled. I love this place. I miss it everyday and every minute of the year. I only come here for about 24 days, only during the Holy Month of Ramadan. I carry nothing with me only hopes and well wishes that Allah will bestow me with his everlasting forgiveness and grant me a place in Heaven next to the Prophet. When the mo'athen calls for the prayer, every soul and body stand erect and proud to be here, yet humbled as we stand between the hands of Allah, or at least that is how I feel and extend the assumption. Unfortunately, some women come with everything in mind but to pray!
I hate the way these women abandon their shoes at the mosque's doorstep haphazardly. It is most unsightly scene besides cause of many tripping accidents. I hate the way these women talk in "hush-hush" voices when everyone else hears. I hate the way these women bring their unweaned children who's shrieks tear at your soul. Kids under 7 should be left at home, out of consideration to everyone else's feelings. My "I hate the way these women" is long and maybe exhaustive but all is tolerable and excusable.

What I hate the most and can not fathom to understand is the nerve these women have bring their mobiles to the holy shrine of the mosque and letting it ring. The sound make my soul turn, Nokia Tunes, latest songs etc... It is so dispecable and utterly rude. Have no one ever showed them the "silent" mode?

Does Respect have Meaning?

2006-10-03T10:46:00.000-07:00

Life is Petty?

2006-10-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

After a small, petty fight I got involved in with family members, slowly, and very quietly I slid away to my tiny room while rage in me was building like crashing waves, as I wanted to be included withà (و الكاظمين الغيظ). I flicked on the T.V. with no desire whatsoever accept to keep my mind off the matter. As I stared blindly at the empty screen, I instantly grasped the gravity of the topic: mbc1- 5awa6er Shabab with A7mad Shogeery. There will be no more dense topic to a Muslim than the "end", in Arabic referred to more appropriately as {هادم اللذات} In an instant my body gave away to a queer shudder, as a young footballer, full of life, full of energy playing on the field, suddenly collapsed. Suddenly. There were three other clips of others who were taken by the suddenness of death but this first one shocked me to my roots.

Did you think, like me, that you're, like me, too young?? Or that there will be signs?? That you, like me, have time??

I urge you to watch the show and to think of it, deeply.
http://www.thakafa.net/5oater2/index.shtml

death is Eminent, how did you prepare for it?
http://www.thakafa.net/5oater2/index-waseh.shtml

Beauty Embodied (1)

2006-09-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

Currently engaged in this fabulous tale/story of the prophet Yousif, peace be upon him. Titled, The Greatest Prisoner in History, it had instantly grabbed my attention in the book fair. It's by Aiedh AlQarni, a great scholar.

I completely love this tale. I have read many books on it but it still and will always overwhelm me, particularly that I have a 'thing' for beauty.
The book is very simple in its direction. It engages the soul and draws similarities and conclusions from the story of Yousif, peace be upon him.

If you're yearning a good read, this should be a must!

Peace.

Colour my Life

2006-09-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

There are days, of certain bleakness, I shy away from them. I know they will pass, with little patience. Meanwhile I look around for shreds of colours to fill my void. Purple, blue or green. I look around. Sometimes to no vail. I remain stationary. I blink my eyes perchance the colour spectrum may be of jolly mood and cast me some of his. I fall back on a thought, of my dear one, who said: If I can stand in front of a mirror and rEsPeCt the person there, I know my life is not in vain.

Love to me, on a bleak day,
Was it a Sunday or Monday
When we last said goodbye.

في لحظات يقتلني الأمل، و يستبد بي الظلام

2006-09-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

من عالم الأشباح, يُنكرُنا البشر

ويفر منّا الليل والماضي ويجهلنا القدر

ونعيش أشباحًا تطوفْ

نحن الذين نسير لا ذكرى لنا

لا حلم, لا أشواقُ تُشرق, لا مُنى

آفاق أعيننا رمادْ

تلك البحيرات الرواكدُ في الوجوه الصامتهْ

ولنا الجباه الساكتهْ

لا نبضَ فيها لا اتّقادْ

نحن العراة من الشعور, ذوو الشفاه الباهتهْ

الهاربون من الزمان إلى العدمْ

الجاهلون أسى الندمْ

نازك الملائكة

A Joy to Come

2006-09-16T07:35:00.000-07:00

VatiCan: Clash of Civilizations!

2006-09-15T14:13:00.000-07:00

The recent accusations of that thing in the Vatican will surely lash out much more anger despite all the efforts to quench the rising tension.

"He began his speech by quoting a 14th-century Byzantine emperor, Manuel II Paleologus, in a conversation with a "learned Persian" on Christianity and Islam -"and the truth of both."

"Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached," the pope quoted the emperor."

It's worth mentioning that the Indian and Pakistani authorities seized all newspapers that printed the Vatican thing's allegations towards Islam for fear of retaliation. This has enraged me even further, so you people, who've been feverently attacking Etisalat's censorship, I hope you will find this humoring too.

Shaikh Khalid Al Jindi has just been interviewed on the MBC1, and said about this Vatican thing: it is one of two things, either this thing doesn't read, in which case it's a disastour, or he does read, in which case it's malicious. He thinks it is the latter. A very precise accusation wrapped in the gentle folds of quoting someone else.

Another source says: As the criticisms gathered force, the Vatican worked quickly to quell a potentially damaging confrontation with Muslims. It issued a statement saying that the church seeks to Âcultivate an attitude of respect and dialogue toward other religions and cultures and obviously also toward Islam.Â

So much for respect for other religions. Tell you what, when you starpracticingng what you preach, go on the limb and accuse someone else. Furthemore, if Islam has really spread by the sword, how come there were only 63 wars and the totally number ofatalitieses on BOTH sides was 386, all in the 23 years in which the PropheMuhammaded spread the word of Islam? I bring to your mind the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and the VaticanÂs relations with Nazi Germany, all attesting to the Vatican's BLOODY HISTORY.

He and his Vaticancan can scramble all they want for excuses, thank you: point taken. Hatred just spilled!
more:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/09/13/news/web.0913pope.php
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/14/world/europe/15papalcnd.html?hp&ex=1158292800&en=9744049177c86564&ei=5094&partner=homepage
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/5346480.stm

The Birth of Venus

2006-09-12T02:13:00.000-07:00

I was dissolved in the book..

Not to be published!

2006-09-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

It's weird how one year ago, I didn't have a job. Unemployed was my title. At this exact last year I was in a different realm, out of town, dreaming, hoping, and aspiring about the job to be. I knew that once I came back a job will be waiting for me, the alarm will have some company again, the sun will shine on my soul, and I thought of all the days that will be full. The job I had accepted, 8-5. That pretty well says it. No life!

For the last year I’ve been at work, miraculously I've gained about 6 kilos. I have less and less to do everyday, I browse the net every second, I check my mail very 30 second, I speak less to people, I have no patience or tolerance, I'm glued to the TV, and watch re-runs, I drink coffee every hour,

During my one sabbatical year, although I had nothing, zero, nada things to do, I could've slept throughout the day, and night for the matter, browsed the net all I wanted, slouched on the couch yet, everyday I slept nearly at the same time woke me nearly with the birds and the break of dawn, sometimes indulged in a big healthy-type breakfast. I had a routine I set for my self. I checked my mail only once a week, on one day at a specific time. Browsed the net daily, but only for certain time. I had so many allocated times: Family time. Me time. Book time. I had time for everything. There was a day for "luxury me". I had to choose my favourite T.V. shows so in total I spent about 4 hours per week on T.V.

It has been on that year that I started my first blog. Although I have long abandoned it, I stumbled across it by chance and decided to make a come back. I think I will go ahead and publish this. It will remind me of the days when... and perchance my dreams will cling to me somemore.

It seems like these two years will be very distinctive years in the book of my life. Had I been a tree, any one would see the formation of two distinct rings, as disparate as me and you, clearly indicating the happening of big thing. And they'll wonder.

I have long quit my current job. The lack of motivation and incentive burnt me alive. I'm waiting for the formalities to be over. I'm moving on.

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains

unchanged to find

the ways in which you yourself have altered."

- Nelson Mandela

Women Out of the Kaaba's 'sahn'

2006-08-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

Who said we are in the 21st century?
I have always assumed a negative stance from feminism and thought that just because my right of being is well protected by Islam, and since I haven't fought against any repression, I thought I was well. How wrong of me!

I have forgotten that at the base of all our problems as women is MAN!
Yes Man. At the beginning he degraded women and limited her life, then made her believe she was nothing. Her thoughts were worth nothing because according to them her brain is either too small to function or non existent. She is to bring shame to home and poverty.

I'm not going to declare all of a sudden that I am feminist (although a dear friend of mine tells me I represent what feminism in its heart wanted to achieve, perhaps) but I will also not take a non-active stance to what might be happening.

The report on the Emirates Today report calling for the segregation of women and men in the Holy Place, the Kaabah caught my attention and gripped my heart.

"Plans by the all-male committee overseeing the holy sites would place women in a distant section of the mosque while men would still be able to pray in the key space."
"The area is so small and so crowded. So we decided to get women out of the 'sahn' [Kaaba area] to a better place where they can see the Kaaba and have more space," said Osama Al Bar, head of the Institute for Hajj Research.

I think this committee has done mostly commendable work and their work pays off every Hajj where we hear less and less of "preventable accidents". But this move might revoke all of their past achievements. Is it discriminatory? Yes, yes it is. As a Muslim woman I will fight against this discrimination. I will fight for my right to be as near as possible to my beloved Kaaba.

Couldn’t there be any other more convenient solutions to this? I would suggest that they put fair timings for both men and women to pray there, given the severity of the problem. And if that is so, again I hope that the timings will not discriminate against women by allocating “down times” to them, like they have done in the alrawdah alsharifa in the almadinah almunawarah.

It does say that if such thing was to be approved, it will be the FIRST in history! A first in history, I'll let you ponder on that...

Source: www.emiratestodayonline.com
Emirates Today, August 29, 2006, p.37
Plans to restrict women praying at Makkah

Responses to the decision:
http://www.alarabiya.net/Articles/2006/08/28/26995.htm
http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3C4AF8A6-5B68-4140-9722-72624B945741.htm

my life and poetry

2005-06-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

Often I wonder why I dare not grab a pencil to capture a thought of mine
and wonder even more when I do summon the courage to allow my thoughts to peek around this world unsupervised...

and then I find comfort in Oscar Wilde thought:

He lives the poetry that he cannot write.
The others write the poetry that they dare not realise.

Malik Ibn Dinar

2005-05-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

the following story is written using my words but is a non-fiction (real) story from my Islamic Heritage.
I have written it to my friend, who was facing a dillema with overpowering strings of the devil...
=========================================
i just have this nice story that i must tell u perchance it helps u in ur trial between sin and good and being weak:

Malik ibn Dinar was a well known and so much respected Imam and scholar. while in prayer, a certain "aaya" would always make him cry that people started to wonder what was wrong with him and one day got the courage to ask him what was with him and this aaya..so he told him his story..

he said, u know this man sitting here infront of you, who is talking to you, whom you pray behind each and every day..do u know what he was before now??? he was so corrupted that people kept away from him on purpose..he would get drunk that his smell was so foul..he used bad language..he comitted every sin u can and can't imagine...People were repelled by his behaviour that no one wanted anytthing to do with him. so at the end, he grew so lonely..

but one day came, when like all men on earth, he wanted to get married and settle down...no one decent woman would have him with his kind of history...he tried to sober up but couldn't..at the end he married from a prostitute..his heart was devoid of love and he couldn't love this women who is his wife..So, he went back to his sinful life..But, his life began too take a different toll when he had a daughter..with each growing day, this little girl became a centre piece in his life..he started to love her..

But not even that stopped him from drinking, although now it was less than before. After about 3 years, his daughter, so innocently, asked his to stop drinking as it bothered her to see him in that state and smell his ugly foulness. So, he tried for the sake of his daughter until he managed to stop it all together one day.

A while after that, Allah claimed his so much beloved daughter, and the man was devastated. He didn't know what to do or where to go. He abandoned his wife. To take away the pain, he started cursing and using his bad language again...to flee away from pain he went back to his drinking habits...he got worse than he was before..especially now that he didn't want anything..except his daughter...

One day he had a life-turning strange dream:
He dreamt that he was being chased by a huge ugly dragon who spit fire...the more he tried to run away the bigger and faster the dragon got...when he got so tired and was going to give up the running he saw a faint glimpse of an old man very far away..that gave him hope..perhaps that old man can save him..re-energized he started running towards that old man and away from the monestor..
"help me, please, give me directions to flee away from the scary dragon"
"there, go there, behind the mountain" said the old man..
so, the man started to run towrds that direction, behind the mountain ...
and there he finds the surprise...so many young boys and girls..all shouting his name to come to them...they can save him...he was filled with awe at their innocent breathtaking view...but the surprise came when he saw his daughter! she was there, among them, waiting for him...he hurried to her and took her in his arms..she started to comfort him..when he calmed down he asked him about what he saw..the dragon and the old man..

the dragon, she told him, was his evil work...he was so careless about it that it started to grow bigger and bigger...stronger and stronger..till it became so powerful that it could kill him..

and the old man, she said, was his good deeds...they were so little, that they came in the form of that fragile, old man...who barely could've saved him..
then, she recited the following verse from surat "al-hadid" -the iron-:

"Has not the Time arrived for the Believers that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed (to them), and that they should not become like those to whom was given Revelation aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors. "
and in another translation:
"Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah's reminder and to the truth which is revealed, that they become not as those who received the scripture of old but the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened, and many of them are evil-livers." Al Hadid-16)
..................
the dream ended with a promise from the father that from that moment he will be a reformed man, a man who will keep the dragon at bay, who will make the old man become young and powerfull..the moment he woke up, he was totally changed...he became the Imam whom everyone knew only as a respected man, the Malik ibn Dinar that we all know..
======================================================
that is the story of Malik ibn Dinar, and i think we all have a Malik inside of us...to me the stroy gives me strength against evil...

think about it..anything against the straight path is so easy to be taken..any deviation from the path can be easily undertaken..i think about it in terms of a going up the hill versus going down..how easy it is to fall and keep falling because it is with the gravity, in other words, with the flow..people around us have tremendous effect on how we behave...i might be a person who prays on time because it is a habit i got into coz of my house, i can be, without even feeling it changed by the people in my office. if they don't pray on time, or even not at all, I will eventually become like them...I might say we are all in the same boat..if they will go to hell, well, the heck with it, at least I'll have company!!!
from another stand point, going down is so easy..think of entropy...everything in the universe LIKES to deteriorate, to crumble down, to fade away...unless we PROACTIVELY WORK TO KEEP THINGS UP...to rebuild ourselves..and to keep ourselves on the right track..

if it helps: remember that Satan has packed a deal with Allah...to make all humans deviate from the right path until the last day...EXCEPT those who have strong faith....Take it as a challenge, to DEFEAT Satan at his own game..i luv this thinking..the challenge:)

the Past is Me

2005-05-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

In the sands of time,
Blur of the wind,
Nothing stands still,
or remains well.
When the past comes strong
to claim you as his,
"You are mine, I've moulded you,
For what you, in today, stand
You are mine
and I am yours".
No matter how fast
we run,or where we go,
what path we take, or who we meet,
The past claims parts of us
which remains ever so faithful
unchanged.
Slowly you grow,
painful experiences
joyful moments.
Yet your core,
the making of your past,
always the same,
purer than gold,
it withstands the pressure of time.
One day, soon or late,
One day, we always go back
to where yesterday we stood.
To the days which made us
who we, today, are.
To the days we call: the past
Wind blows,sun shines,
Sea cries and night howls.
The dust of time
clings to me,
the past intricatley woven into my being,
realization sets deeply into my soul.

ramblings--1

2005-05-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

forgotten dreams
broken arrows
awakening desires
hopeless muffles
rigid touches
unannouced visits
final tributes
desperate vows
true reflections
secret passions
unwanted scenes
soft gazes
.......a poem foresaken