The Spring Season

The Moon is staring upon me like a frenzied lover, stars blush as the rose blooms in the cheek of a young fair maiden. The night is ticking by- tick tock tick tock- but sleep is far away from these swollen eyes.

My beginner’s mind is like the brook drinking in its first drop from the dew of Grace which falls eternally from heaven. It often runs ever forward towards the One Ocean, seeking and spilling, meandering along over rocks and down falls ever searching for the why and how of This Path.  This time it is the rise of spring, the arrival of the journey’s naissance. The Message is in celebration of Diversity and Hope with a tinge of fullness in the lips of a lover showing that radiant face to me. There, in this rapt stillness, breathing down the stars with many young faces twinkling back to the Earth Mother I feel alive to be so included in this sacred dance. The fecund soil beneath my very feet breathes new life and life abundantly lifting me from earth to heaven and back again. For in this auspicious time when the Eternal Sun awakens all of nature around, under and through me, I stretch and throw off the cloak of winters work now completed and the Circle starts again.

In the mountains of Chitral, where I grew up, spring is usually overwhelming. A long chilly winter locally called ” Chillah” turns the whole valley grey with the chill of winter’s bone. At its depths when this dreary season wipes the mountains bare, hope is abandoned as the rays of the sun grow ever fainter in the shadows of the valley floor. 

Yet when spring returns each year, with it comes Hope painting wide swathes across the valley in lush strokes of her paint brush, creating yet again, another canvas of Divine Reality. With this new landscape, the smell of spring is on the air, with every plant and animal and person beaming with new found awareness. The wind, once harsh and corrosive, now caresses each growing radiant molecule of life.

With the kiss of Spring not only in Chitral but the entire northern hemisphere of earth is awash in many shades and colors. The azure sky above is filled with sparkling wine sharing its dew with the meadow washed with its Divine Glance. The flowers, eyes open, the willow tree is clothed once again, hence winter bows to spring like an elephant to a king. The birds migrate to fill the sky with a tapestry of undulating color and shapes. Bees and other insects awaken from hibernation to extract pollen in every pregnant flower to sow for future generations. Looking around, it appears that the entirety of nature has returned to rejoice in unison singing “Celebrate” to all who have ears to hear this Divine Symphony in all its names, shapes and forms seen and unseen to the world.

The sheer breathtaking beauty of spring is now enjoyed by the entire Universe, bringing the reign of Unity once again. There are signs for those with eyes which can see within this divine tapestry, asNasir Khusraw alludes to in verse “If you are not in need of the proof, the proof is not in need of you”.  

Spring comes with the message of diversity and hope; it reminds us to celebrate and “raise us above the distinctions and differences which divide” (HIK); also to appreciate the colors, to rejoice in the strength and vitality felt all around, with flower blooms to shadow out the weakness of barren fields, weeds and darkness.

I’m only student of the Cosmos, my eyes just started hatching out from the egg of breath brining Light to spheres of darkness and deception, I might be wrong, a so called genius. What have you done to the world and what enriches others to learn of this new found diversity as taught by the natural world?  Didn’t you know that you are the vicegerent of Allah to spread your heart strings far and wide” no wider than the heart is wide??”

 O you Mullah/Rabbi/Priest- what have you done to the people of the earth except barking at them? Your force is supplication to your ego self, not the will of Allah The One.

Now where should we seek thou hand O Allah?? A mixture of tulips, roses, daffodils and sun flower-all blend their colors with each other to give glory and a living, shining example of Your radiant face? But many humans bowing to their lower selves and lost the seed of the Soul- the direction of the blessed tree from where the oil lights the lamp of understanding.

According to a key verse in the Holy Quran- this is the one important aspect of the purpose of human diversity:

” O mankind, We have created you male and female, and We have made you into tribes and nations in order that you might come to know one another”-   Al Hujurat   ( 49:13)

We need to know that the real peace comes from accepting “ diversity as a source of nourishment rather than burden” (Imam Shah Karim al Husayni). Allah (SWT) does see colours. We need to understand that it was the idea of the Creator for the world to be a colourful place. So instead of being divided because of cast, creed and colours, we need to celebrate it like flowers. But first let’s seek out the very direction of the blessed tree for a continues guidance.

In service to the Real,

Nooru

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Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy ‘I Salute You

In today’s society a country is valued by its women’s progress. Developing support to progress doesn’t occur naturally, it’s a concept that must be nurtured every day. It is necessary to replace  fear with hope and I think it is probably the single most powerful trampoline of progress; thence, it is a moral responsibility of every citizen to stand tall against injustice, brutality, and evil customs that provide a way to subdue women from progressing.

Pakistani journalist and documentarian Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy won the Oscar award for making documentary on women entitled “Saving Face”. The subject of the documentary sheds light against the inbuilt structural inequities. Throwing acid on a woman’s face is against the Divine Ideal and is at its heart anti social that ruptures the order and peace of society. Ms. Chinoy made the entire nation proud and arose as a liberating icon conferring rights on women that are unheard of in this a ‘ modern’ time.

I salute you Sharmeen Chinoy for standing tall against the mindset that accepts such barbaric customs and practice of such extreme forms of violence.

The description of atrocious crimes against women by HRCP (Human Resource Commission of Pakistan) fills my heart with horror and makes my hairs stand up. The one who ignores such acts of violence and cruelty certainly, do not have a single human drop of blood in their veins, nor  emotion in their heart.

What is there to my body?

Is it studded with diamonds or pearls?

My brother’s eyes forever follow me.

My father’s gaze guards me all the time,

Stern, angry.

Then why do they make me labour in the fields?

All day long, bear the heat and the sun,

Sweat and toil and we tremble all day long,

Not knowing who may caste a look upon us.

We stand accused, and condemned to be declared ‘kari’

And murdered.

(Atiyya Dawood’s translation into English of the course Sindhi dialect of an ‘illiterate’ girl).

It seems  some people who see tribalism as the only insidious path might discredit you for highlighting the abhorrent practice but I see the real whole heart Human in you.

Let us see the awareness brought forth  through the message of documentary change in the attitudes of our people. I hope her recognition would be a source of inspiration for an aspiring moviemaker, journalist, activist and intellectual to use the power of pen and lens for right causes.

God Bless You Chinoy

Published in The Asians UK

Nooruddin Jalal

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Charlie Chaplin’s Famous Speech

Charlie Chaplin has left something awe-inspiring  to the world, to ponder. He was  famous for his comedic monologues actually pulled off astounding powerful speech of all the time.

On Facebook hub – where so many stories in so many frames and sizes, hues and tones are coming together, suddenly my gaze happened to drift up to one of the video that got my attention ‘Charlie Chaplin famous speech’- as he was more famous of his comedic monologues.

I was dumbfounded when I saw this speech because he delivered the best message of rationality.

These words are crucial because they never get attention they deserve. Therefore, as a citizen of the world we have to identify and build upon things that bind us. We need to inject the message of love, peace and unity to shrug off the distances and to breed brotherhood and sisterhood.

However I salute Charlie Chaplin for delivering such a nice and motivating speech. I quote Charlie here:-

Let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfill their promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people! Now let us fight to fulfill that promise! Let us fight to free the world! To do away with national barriers! To do away with greed, with hate and intolerance! Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s happiness – Charlie Chaplin

Here is a link to his speech in written form. Take a close LOOK!!!  otherwise you will be under a watchful eye.

Nooru

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Social Networking- A boon or a curse!

First published in Chitraltimes on 6th April, 2011

With time we humans are able to build mega projects; huge highways, bridges and finally we reached the moon but our thinking becomes increasingly shallower each day. Our foresightedness becomes vagrant possibly because we are being enslaved by the secret societies. We are able to make bombs and UAVs but a large part of human societies around the world are still suffering from poverty:  lack of adequate food and clean drinking water, economic entrapment, intellectual and spiritual poverty are all part of the current human condition in so many parts of the world regardless of the wealth of a given nation..

We are able to make laws but the rights are smashed by politically and economic powerful elite.  We are enjoying having democracy, though in many places still new and disenfranchised and in other places where democracy has reigned for hundreds of years it is dwindling, under the watchful eye of the power elite.  They have various unethical ways of controlling our mind. The ever-increasing addition to technology is but one of them. It may be the addiction to technology is a threat to the human intellect as well as the human spirit. The more you depend on technology the less you will find time for the inner needs of connectedness to friends, family, faith and the natural laws of the physical body. The real bliss comes from knowing oneself and the unfolding layers of why each soul is born on this earth in its individual family and culture. It often seems there is a duality; to make a difference or to be in the caravan of donkeys.

The human being is “Ashraf-ul Makloqat” (the Supreme Creation of God)Qur’an says. Intellect makes us ‘Ashraf’ and creative from the other forms of life in the mineral, plant and animal kingdoms.  To increase an awakened heart with an enlightened mind, contemplation is necessary which comes from solitude. One way that our technology has surpassed our humanity depriving us of real-time connection to one another and ourselves is the insidious charm and deception found in Facebooking/Twittering/Googling.  Due to social networking people have stopped spending time with their families, friends, creative pursuits and spirituality; cultivating the garden of mind and harnessing the power of thinking.

On a group discussion class at the university where I attend, I notice that some of my friends and classmates were busy with their cell phones, texting, facebooking and gaming. It is one of the reasons I chose to speak up. . Their absent mind and addiction of technology makes causes me great dissonance.   It happens with so many people we see and come into contact with on a daily basis.  The phone rings, in the middle of dinner, in the middle of sharing ideas and people go away like the President is calling.

I realize that time is moving too fast; addiction is very seductive, and minds may well not find much success in life due to their constant distractions by technology. . We need to discover ourselves, who we are and our place in the world without Googling. Google has become so all-pervasive so fast but it won’t assist us on our journey within to discover the purpose of life. It’s a barrier.  Knowledge is not necessarily learning. If one becomes dependant on it. .  Yes, it may be of some use in a limited scope of reference however, the pervasive use of Google rather than using ones own mind is a threat to oneself. Humans are born with amazing talents so go and seek information from ideas and thoughts and feelings from real people, rather than a machine whose algorhythms are based on a few key words coming up with a myriad of possibilities pointing to endless searches of data.  Data is not learning. .

The Facebook phenomenon is perhaps even worse in this regard as it deprives us from the benefits of physical contacts and social interactions as we waste our time pursuing virtual relationship and friendship. Is it possible that humans can have 500 friends? I think we have become primitive hunters and gatherers.  The founders of Facebook and the concomitant culture may think this is unfair and simply not true.  Facebook would have us believe that replacing real connections, face to face, with our fellow human beings and society can easily be replaced by a virtual world and insidious advertising.

Sometimes I think that Social  Networking is designed to scatter our attention. It is difficult for me to understand and now have come to the realization that as we adapt the intellectual environment of the World Wide Web and what it has to offer our thinking and understanding of self and others becomes shallower. Often, when people are alone their thoughts and emotions become more vivid, given the insight of introspection.

In conclusion, I’m not against any networking be it  Facebooking/ Twittering /Googling. My concern is to share the situation which I have felt arising and growing stronger as I said before that our technology has outpaced our humanity. Addiction to anything makes one a slave. So as we mature we must first and foremost underscore our freedoms to think and feel as human beings and not be seduced by a potentially dangerous digital world.

Grow up and shrug off the digital nut and put double lenses on the eyes to foresee better than the only eye….!

© Nooruddin Jalal

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Family Fun Fest!

“ Religion  is to do right. It is to love, it is to serve, it is to think, and it is to be humble.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I’m always entangled and influenced by my surroundings. The people who endure me say that I’m a sufferer of wanderlust in the desert of thoughts because I deeply observe everything around me.

A Family Fun Fest program organized on 6^th of March 2011 by The Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board Area Committee Khadijabad Clifton for seniors, youth and kids. The purpose of the event was to involve all the participants in various activities, to entertain the seniors who live in senior housing and to bring smiles to their wrinkled faces.

During the program I was very much involved with the seniors of the Jamat to fulfill and to take heed of their innocent wishes. Helping others realize real happiness taught me much about hearts connecting to hearts. True happiness comes in serving  humanity with kindness. If you are the seeker of the true happiness go and help those who are in pain and bring smile to those faces that are forced to live a separate life. In my eyes leaving your parents to cleave to your spouse is an awe-less attitude which is being shaped in our society.

My observation of the days surroundings convinced me that parents suffer more pain from the rudeness of their children. Indeed a positively and graciously courteous manner towards parents is a thing rarely seen in an average daily life; particularly in so-called urban societies or among the digital generations. Remember! We all have to leave this materialistic world one day. No buildings, no jewelry, no cars, no earthly securities will accompany us in the grave. Nothing will help us except good deeds towards human beings thereby showing our love for Allah.

The Aga Khan Youth and Sports Board is always committed to uplifting, healthy activities among the people of all backgrounds, where no race, no creed, no caste counts.

It was one of the most rewarding days of my life when I saw smiles on the faces of participants. Sometimes some smiles keep flashing in front of our eyes for the rest of our lives and make us melt. I just want to thank YSB members and every individual who helped us in the event.

Naureen Kabani, Sohail Rahim, Tahira Ali, Nirmal Sheikh, Nazia Jalal, Farzana Aman, Haseena Ameer, Aziz Rahim, Rozina Rahim, Inzamam Jalal, Asif Gaba, Atiq Jindani, Kiran Dossani, Anil Punjwani, Rahim Ashiq Ali – thank you for your support!

Keep smiling and spread it all around like sunshine.This is the thing we are lacking in now a days:)

In service to the Real

Nooru

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Be Volunteer Not Valentine

I awoke early in the morning and noticed the lovely blue sky, saw the beauty of the Arabian sea. “How peaceful it is”, my sister said. I was having a cup of tea reading Sunday newspapers and finished reading with many questions in my mind.  It is too depressing to read newspapers. The headlines reek of mass murders, hypocritical politics, senseless wars,  tragic accidents and WHAT NOT. In another side, Hallmark reports how lavishly people spending money on Valentine’s Day.

So tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.  A day to express emotion. To some this day is to celebrate love but to me it’s a way to give money to card industry. It makes me laugh sometimes realizing how marketers operate.

Fulfilling each other’s egos is not love.There is a fixed line between desire and love. Love is not a desire but an immortal flame. The feeling we call romantic is nothing more than a biological selfish urge where only outer eyes are open. I didn’t research on valentine’s day but penned down my own ideas. If it’s to uplift love among each other, I can accept that, however, if it is a one day of love, then I must differ. I don’t believe there needs to be a particular day marked on a calendar to express my love. This is commercialization of love. For me, love is a never ending journey. Love is everywhere, everything flowing through times, hopes and lives. Love is mom, love is family, love is universe, love is humanity, love is spirit and love is God. Love is forever.Everyday you should appreciate the one you love, not just for the one day.

As I mentioned hallmark reports people lavishly spend more than $188 Million on this day. Last year, Pakistan suffered from a devastating catastrophe resulting in disparity. At such crucial times, members of Pakistan Youth Alliance, an independent youth based forum; served people by leaps and bounds. People are still suffering from hunger, lacking of basic needs, and having no shelter in the cruel winter. How must these people feel? How so they keep warm? Far in the horizon, there is a flood of lights as if two worlds exist in close proximity: heaven and hell on Earth.

Let us dedicate all our joyous days to people, let’s join in construction of the country. Be not a valentine this time but a volunteer and put the “Fun” in Fundraising. Support in building schools and class rooms, throw your own happy hour or party and donate the proceeds to charity. The disasters in Pakistan are in need of much support. Reach out to those who are suffering from pain and disparity. Be a hope for them, lit the flame in your hearts, feel the pain. And if you cannot change the circumstance, change your attitude towards it. Trust me, it works.

Have a forever Valentine’s Day.

Nooruddin Jalal
Karachi, Pakistan 2011

It has been Published in The AsiansUK

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Democracy-A Revenge From Whom?

My friends call me fortunate when I tell them that I live in Clifton, Karachi. I live in Karachi’s most secure area, close to Bilawal House. They think I live in peace, serenity and placidity yet hardships are faced daily. When  the infamous President is in town, especially traveling from university, my life gets more hugger-mugger when he blesses us with his visit.

It came as surprise when I saw public property had been seized with height barriers at the main roads prohibiting any vehicle.  They were permanently sealed a few days back.  All road cuts leading to the apartments and commercial areas were blocked with concrete barricades forcing residents to go all the way to the end of the main road or to use Ziauddin hospital Road to enter the lanes leading to their houses. Every day hundreds if not thousands are directly or indirectly affected with roads blocked by tankers, tables, barricades and bricks.

We the taxpayers humbly request our President to spend his spare time in Islamabad. If you are really eager to visit Bilawal House you can use Chopper which can pick and drop you off right at the entrance of the Bilawal house. You can probably ask the Pakistan army to provide you with F-16 fighter jets which can escort your helicopter safely to and from any where you wish to go.

I have to take long routes around, sometimes cops stopping me to stare at my face (probably trying to match it with any terrorist hit-list) with both main roads permanently cut off from traffic. Supreme Court of Pakistan has to take notice of this strange phenomenon.

Democracy is for the people, of the people and by the people. But this definition doesn’t go with the current situation in Pakistan. Muhtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto used to say that democracy is the best revenge.We should not forget that democracy in the present time of Karachi is not easy for “aam Admi.”  We are paying heavily for this new democracy.  Mr. President, I humbly ask you is this the democracy we were fighting for?

Nooru Jalal

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People Who Have Influenced Me The Most

“When we seek to discover the best in others,we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.”

(William Arthur Ward)

My influences are not bounded one, it’s all around me, all I have to do is to look and pay attention.  I believe that to have an influential character in life is very important; it gives you direction and motivation.    

As I have said, my influences are not  limited , I’m influenced by the homeless person sleeping in doors, wondering where the next meal come from and I’m further influenced by the  dignity of the one  who offers a few coins to the homeless person. I’m also shaped by the single  rose on a rosebush. It  teaches  me that  it’s all right to be alone, it prompts me that standing alone can be a thing of beauty.

People who have  inspired me are  great leaders, philanthropist, beautiful voices, entrepreneurs, brilliant writers, prominent healers and scientists; the list doesn’t end. I’m not as impressed with their achievements as I am influenced by their decisions that have a tremendous impact on their own lives as well as the lives of those around them.

• Imam Shah Karim ul Husayni ( His Highness The Aga Khan IV)  

His Highness the Aga Khan IV, the 49th Imam of Shia Imami Ismaili Muslims was born in Geneva on 13th December 1936. He Graduated from Harvard University in Islamic Studies. On 11th July 1957, he inherited the Imamate from His grandfather His Highness Sir Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III. He has built many schools, universities and hospitals around the world. His institutions are working in the third world countries to improve the quality of life of people around the world. He is the direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad through Imam Ali (The first Imam of Shia Muslims).

After 9/11 When Islam entered into such a dilemma, that the word Islamphobia increased in the west, many leaders of Islam were hiding their heads in the sand saying that they are achromatic. At such critical time I don’t see anybody in front to articulate the true message and essence of Islam to the West except His Highness. He happens to be the only voice of Ummah.  Islam is a religion of peace and it stands for diversity and pluralism. Islam encourages its followers to seek knowledge and to open ways for others to understand  the creation of Allah. His Highness stands for these cherished goals. He is establishing Islamic centers around the world to engage scholars from all faith to come together and to form unity on common issues. By doing so he has emerged as Imam of Humanity. He is a voice for a reason; he has influenced many souls from His thoughts and his works and dedicated his entire life to establish peace and harmony, to literate the world, to heal the pain of human being and to better human society.

He is 74 now, but still works by leaps and bounds to improve the quality of life, to establish a peaceful society, and to create harmony in the world.

“World and faith are inseparable in Islam. Faith and learning are also profoundly interconnected. The Holy Qur’an sees the discovery of knowledge as a spiritual responsibility, enabling us to better understand and more ably serve God’s creation. Our traditional teachings remind us of our individual obligation to seek knowledge unto the ends of the earth – and of our social obligation to honor and nurture the full potential of every human life.”(Aga Khan IV, May 20th 2008, Dhaka, Bangladesh)

• Movlana Jalaluddin Rumi  

He was born in bulkh and known as one of the greatest mystic of poet of Islam.  Moulana Rumi’s first teacher was his father. He was greatly impressed by Shams Tabriz. He is considered by both East and West one of the greatest influential poets a master of love, the world has ever seen. I’m impressed by his poetry. I’m not sure of his exact birth date, it is mentioned different in various books majority says He was born in Afganistan on 1207 and produces master piece Masnawi which consist of 60,000  poems before he died on  1273.  He was gifted man who changed the spirit of many souls.

The light which shines in the eye

is really the light of the heart.

The light which fills the heart

is the light of God*, which is pure

and separate from the light of intellect and sense.

–Mathnawi 1:1126-7, tr. Helminski

• Nasir Khusraw- ‘ The Ruby Of  Badakhshan’   

            Nasir Khusraw famously known as “The Ruby Of Badakhshan,”  and was born in Khurasan 1004 C.E. He ranked among the greatest mystic of Persia and was the early link in the chain of meta physical poetry, which was continued later by such figures as Rumi, Attar, Sa’di and Hafiz.

Divan-e Khusraw is full of wisdom, each time when I open the Divan, it blossoms. Perhaps it is my intense curiosity and restless wandering heart that have instilled love of Khusraw’s theology. During the study of his Divan I acquired an almost physical picture of him and if I’m questioned, how Khusraw influenced me? Almost every time when I hear his Qasidas( devotional songs) I can imagine him singing and dancing to praise and please the beloved in the valley of Yamgan.

Nasir says:

“O Beloved! When I proclaim your name

 Roses spring up from your blessings

When your servant speaks your name

 The vale of Yamgan feels with dancing stars”.

• Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah     

Bulley Baadshah is believed to have been born in 1660 in the small village of  Punjab Pakistan. His ancestors were from Uzbekistan. Some facts about his life have been pieced  together from his own writing. Bulhey Shah’s poetry and philosophy  strongly criticize Islamic religious orthodoxy of his day. Many people have put his verses to Music , from humble street singers to renowned Sufi singers like Nusrath Fathe Ali Khan and Abida Parveen. In one of his poem he says:

Maybe the Dogs are superior to you…

you wake up at night to say your prayers
The dogs are awake the whole night throughout
Maybe the dogs ae superior to you

The dogs in the night would never stop howling
Sitting on the dung-hill as they do
Maybe the dogs are superior to you

Nor would they leave their masters door
Even if they are beaten blue
Maybe the dogs are superior to you

Bulleh Shah, its time you took the cue
Lest the dogs prove superior to you
Maybe the Dogs are superior to you

In another piece of poetry he says;

Learning through the rote of books you call yourself a scholar
Grasping the sword in your hand you call yourself a warrior
Having visited Mecca and Medina you call yourself a pilgrim
Bullah, what have you accomplished if you have not remained true to your friend!

 

• Sayyidna Hasan Bin Sabah   

Hasan bin Sabah was born on 1034 in Iran. He was very intelligent man with a lot of other Gifted qualities. I have learned from his life that how to be remain strong in your Faith. His philosophy of life was Freedom of practices.  Why are we trying to crush those who think different from us? Why we do not tolerate with others faiths?

He has played crucial rule in safe guarding the Ismaili State in Iran and protected many significant souls from Seljuk and Crusaders.  In such  crucial time the man help the community with his gifted tactics and strategy and face the Army.

While, in another face he was the most misunderstood person in the history of the Islam and world. Enemies of Hasan bin Sabah have joined him with unbelievable stories and sayings which tell the reader that those stories were nothing else behind except defaming Hasan bin Sabah. A good reader can feel the malign intentions of the historian. The allegations against him was totally untrue. His only purpose was to protect the Ismaili state from the foil of destructive enemies and attackers.

In short, during his life period he achieved the aims of his life, like freedom of faith, Protection of Ismailite State from destruction and stable peace between his enemies.

• Abida Parveen   

She is the Queen of mystical singing, she is the voice of wandering souls.  I love to hear her healing voice which mad me to want to beg her to never stop. Born on 1954 in the land of Sufis, Sind Pakistan. She considered one of the finest Sufi Vocalist of the modern era.  The Queen of wandering souls!

• Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan  

He was the greatest devotional singer of the millennium. His voice inspires many souls in the world. He was born in the city of Faisalabad Pakistan on October 13, 1948. He holds Guinnes Book Of World Records as a Qawal (Qawwali is the devotional singing of Sufi Islam, expressing their love for God). His voice is always alive. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan died in 1997 because of  kidney failure.

• Anwar Ali Aman   

A man who has more significant influence on me is none other than my uncle Anwar Aman.  He currently reside in Memphis TN, was born in Chitral  on October, 1974. His influence on my life impacted me and helped to develop as a student and individual. He has been the driving force behind my character building. Everything I have been able to accomplish I have him to thank for.

He is my mentor and my family hero. The value of voluntary service is what I have learned from him. He is an active supporter of voluntary service in rural areas. The lesson I have acquired from him is that nothing can stop a man with right mental attitude from achieving his goals; nothing on earth can help the man with wrong attitude.

• Nelson Mandela   

He is the man who influenced many souls around the world because of his unyielding will power and determination. He is a living legend and a proof of a true leader. He was born in South Africa on July 18, 1918 and widely accepted as the most significant balck leader in Africa. He was very tolerant political leader as I have seen in the history. I have read his autobiography “ The Long Walk to Freedom”. This book is one of the most inspiring , reinforcing books I have ever read.  Mandela’s life has been a great incentive to me  as he says;

But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

• Paulo Coelho  

Paulo Coelho- such an inspiring person . He helped to change the spirit of people. He is an  influencing writer we have today. I love his  books specially “The Alchemist” –My whole family loved it.   Don’t forget to follow the omens:)

All you have to do is contemplate a simple grain of sand, and you will see in it all the marvels of creation. Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there.”  - The Alchemist

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New Year Is the beginning!!!

“Everyday is a new day for a wise man” Dale Carnegie

I look back at the years gone by; recall some moments that made me laugh and think. Sitting alone in my room at mid of the night I was recalling some moments, some memories.I promised to myself “No Tears On New Year’s” because The New Year Is the beginning. I ended the year with some wonderful memories.

A thought to Share:

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. The New Year is just around the corner. Each time a year ends with harbor the hope that the coming year will be much fruitful than the last one. A new day is a new hope, new opportunity, new beginning and ofcourse a new life. I want to focus on beginning not on ending because all these endings could cast a pale of depression over us.

“ Everyday is a new beginning . Treat it that way. Stay away from what might have been, and  look at what can be”. Marsha Petrie Sue

Beginning require that we let go of yesterday to live today. If we hang onto yesterday wishing we had lived it differently, we reach the sunset of today only to realize that we have  compounded over regret for not having lived another day. We sit in despair not beginning because we could not let go of ending of yesterday. Whatever we cannot live the day over again. Nor we can make someone else do what we wished or changed what happened. However, we should not forget to live our present with full potential.

“ We will open the book . Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them, our selves. The Book called Opportunity and Its first chapter  is New Year’s Day.” Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Today is the beginning of another day of life. It is up to you to leave yesterday’s pain and hurts behind, which hinder your own ability to plant seeds of new growth and discovery. Life is short, spring into action and live today’s beginning. Who knows what the next ending will mean for your next new beginning.

Just don’t forget to live for TODAY.  Say YES to Change , to New Hope and to  Life. Wishing  all of you  a Very Happy and Blessed Year 2011:)

It has been published at The Asian UK-2012

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Realization: Why are you crying?

Cross-posted from Paulo Coelho.’s Blog:

A man knocked at his Bedouin friend’s door to ask him a favor:

“I want you to lend me four thousand dinars because I have a debt to pay. Can you do that for me?”

The friend asked his wife to gather together everything they had of value, but even so it was not enough. They had to go out and borrow money from the neighbors until they managed to get the full amount.

When the man left, the woman noticed that her husband was crying.

“Why are you sad? Now that we’ve got ourselves in debt with our neighbors, are you afraid we won’t be able to repay them?”

“Nothing of the sort! I’m crying because he is someone I love so much, but even so I had no idea he was in need. I only remembered him when he had to knock on my door to ask me for a loan.”

Paulo Coelho- such an inspiring person . He helped to change the spirit of people. He is influencing charisma we have today. I love his many books specially “The Alchemist” –My whole family loved it. I want to thank you for the help you have been, reading your blog helps me in my every day life, so much knowledge and wisdom.

Above I have shared you his blog and this is something we need in today’s world. That Realization.  A soft corner in your heart for everyone. Please come out and help your brethren who are in need today. Withholding the money and not giving it to the poor and the needy of our society thinking what will this penny do. Ah! You’re wrong. Please remember that every drop that is poured into ocean makes it an ocean. Otherwise it would be nothing. Pour whatever you can. Giving a large sum of money doesn’t matter unless you feel the urge and the willingness in your heart . Spend in His way, but generously!

Here you are – those called to spend in the Way of God, yet among you there are some who withholds (out of their own greed and miserliness). And whoever withholds, only withholds from his own self. God is Self-Sufficient (Ghaniy), while you are needy (fuqara).
- The Quran 47:36-38.

In service to the REAL,

Nooru Jalal

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