Reflections in the mirror

Death = Death

2011-10-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

So I’ve just been scrolling through an endless list of facebook and twitter statuses rejoicing in Gaddafi’s death. People have taken to the streets, waving flags, singing songs, dancing...as if somehow true triumph and victory has finally been achieved because blood has equalled blood. The lack of humanity never ceases to amaze me.

The Quran teaches reverence for every life, even the most repugnant ones and Islam stresses that the death of a person should be observed in a respectful and solemn way for all people, not just Muslims.

Gaddafi was a monster. But do we really think that violence, even a ‘justified’ act of violence, has the capacity to heal the wounds inflicted by violence - or to end the cycle of violence? No! Returning hate for hate multiplies hate and we only end up in a vicious cycle. Through his death, through violence, we may have murdered the monster, but we haven’t murdered the ‘mentality’ and Libyan vengeance is far from served.

Its one thing to be relieved and glad that a threat is no longer, but its another thing to dance on someone's grave. There is a huge difference between holding someone accountable for their actions and being joyous in revenge. How can we tell people to stop taking lives, when we are celebrating deaths? Like an old Chinese saying goes: ‘In order to have power in an argument, you must first not violate any laws yourself.’ The way we react to the death of our enemy, says a lot about ourselves and what we stand for.

Resume!

2011-10-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

It's been quite a while since I last posted and I will write a new post describing the changes in my life and resume my weekly (or in some cases monthly!) ramblings of events occuring in the world, the news, people, culture and anything that I hold dear and close to my heart. I also plan to include a few of my photography in my upcoming posts!

So to start off I thought I'd post my writings on current events which to some may be a little old but in my opinion still relevant :) So here we go:

Britain’s youth must not be underestımated - The wrath of the tuition fee proposal

Contrary to the biggest upheaval in higher education in this country in a generation, I’ve been tentative and uncertain in gathering my own thoughts on the tuition fee proposals. In any situation seeking compromise, talking with other people about a conflict is usually an unpleasant and difficult experience. You have to be ever so careful in order to not offend and work hard to understand the other side. Observers representing all shades of opinion have filled the airwaves and column inches with warnings of disaster for UK universities and students. We’ve heard about “distressed” parents and “devastating blows” to higher education. We watched while Nick Clegg and his party wrestled with their consciences. And then, we witnessed the ‘cyber’ generation, the ‘apathetic’ ones rekindle the ancient spirit of youth activism, protesting in their thousands and leading the fight for free education. More importantly, we were then faced with demonstrations in the streets that occasionally bordered on the dangerous and damaging – the now infamous ‘Millbank Riots’ - and the debate over the limits of acceptable protest.

To put it into perspective, what we did see in the previous months was a return to early Nineteenth Century society – an embattled working class, and a middle class attempting to exert its control. While any sort of violence should not be condoned, it is easy to empathise with the students frustrations. It is all very well complaining about people protesting and getting angry, but it appears from the outset that the only way to be heard by politicians is to make a scene and this just seems like a failing in a ‘democratic’ country. The question that we should be asking ourselves instead is WHY they are protesting and WHY they are angry? It is important to consider that perhaps those committing the outrages are not ‘a few bad apples’ but decent, principled people driven to fury by the failure of our democracy?

One particular concern of mine was the introduction of a market in higher education in which students base their course choice on cost price alone – and where public funding for most subjects is removed. This would mean that while the arts and humanities face extinction, subjects with a self-evident ‘market value’ will be placed on a pedestal, in the understandable hope of a certain return for investment. After all, why should anyone promote the study of Shakespeare, Austen, the history of conflict and resolution or the philosophical meaning of life when there are more important issues that need our attention and require our money?

It is exactly this sort of thinking which will inevitably harm our education system as a whole and the ways in which we interact as a society. While humanities neither bring an end to war nor prevent disease and hunger, it can teach society WHY these miseries persist and WHY society continues to make the same mistakes over and over again. Hamlet isn’t an antidote or a recipe for how we should live our lives, but it can allow us to critically reflect on the relationship between justice and revenge. And while Jane Austen novels mainly revolve around the Byzantine machinations of suitors and hungry brides, even the briefest act or dialogue or the mere description of a character’s manner of dress is freighted with moral content.

In endorsing the Brown review, the government has also agreed to transferring the whole cost of tuition through a loan system that will lead to massive levels of debts. This would mean young students from more privileged backgrounds are more likely to participate in higher education than their working class peers. It would mean returning to the time when only the rich, the privileged and the powerful were able to attend university, to maintain their elite status. Surely it is only right to assume that education should be right at all levels, a right which is earned by ability and not by the size of one’s wallet. No one should be a victim of their Post Code.

While it is important to discuss the shortcomings of the tuition fee proposal, any arguments are considered cyclical and pointless without a credible alternative. If no one puts forward a worthy counter strategy, then UK may be forced to accept these changes and the potential social stratification they entail. But no amount of misfortune should be allowed to obscure one fundamental truth: that the protest at Millbank is only the beginning of the seething discontent that has accumulated as a result of the cuts. The movement of the students marks the initial steps in the class struggle, a prelude to the awakening of the British working class and proof that Britain’s youth must not be underestimated.

Changes

2010-10-28T01:39:00.000-07:00

I’ve always struggled when it came to using a ton of will-power to make changes in my life. I hated taking risks. I hated the unexpected; the not knowing what came next – the ‘not planning’.

Yet here I am, in a different country, miles and miles away from home - as an intern at a well established newspaper agency. Having taken the risk to travel alone, to meet people I’ve NEVER met, to accustom myself to a culture I am not VERY familiar with and for the first time to depend on myself at its entirety.

At this precise moment, the only word that comes to mind is self-efficacy, a term invented in the 1970s by Albert Bandura as part of his theory that ‘the beliefs we have about our abilities affect our actual outcomes. In other words, ‘if you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right,’ emphasising the fact that your belief system determines what you can accomplish in life if you BELIEVE in it.

I was never more reminded of this fact till I watched a YouTube video of an inspirational speaker, Nick Vujicic, who despite being born without any limbs was able to motivate and inspire people from all walks of life. It would be very easy to understand how a person like this could spend his entire life in a wheelchair, being taken care of, and not having a very productive life. But what he lacked in his limbs, he compensated for in unbelievable spirit and belief in himself. He went on to pursuing his education, obtaining a double Bachelor’s degree, majoring in Accounting and Financial Planning. Now at 27, he has accomplished more than most people accomplish in a lifetime. He has his own motivational speaking company, is the president of a non profit organisation and has travelled the world, sharing his story with millions of people.

It’s shocking how easy and quick we are able to undermine our abilities and take this life for granted. Life has interesting twists and turns sometimes – and we often allow our dreams to shrink to fill in the small corners around the ‘big uglies’ in our lives, rather than giving them center stage and allowing them to bloom.

So whenever I catch myself complaining about life, about my abilities, about the petty injustices of an average day, I think of Nick Vujicic. Whenever I think of something I want to do in life is out of my reach, I think of ‘the man without limbs’.

If Nick Vujicic can accomplish what he has accomplished with no arms and no legs, we don’t deserve to have any excuses about why we can’t do something.

Part time Muslims or Full time Muslims?

2010-09-13T13:12:00.001-07:00

In the absence of better words for the occasion, a late Eid Mubarak!

Wow what a month! So yet another Ramadan has past us by, yet another Ramadan we find ourselves bidding farewell to. Farewell to the month of good manners, farewell to the month of kindness, farewell to the month of generosity, farewell to the month of mercy, farewell to the month of discipline.

When we actually contemplate on the good we have achieved in this month and the spiritual calmness we felt within ourselves, do we really understand the purpose of ramadan. The reality is, ramadan to us was nothing but a school and a teacher. We all attended this school whether we wanted to or not. Some of us achieved great marks during it, some accomplished average marks, and some unfortunately failed.

Sadly, I am finding myself realising a disturbing trend amongst us Muslims where we take astonishing steps forward during Ramadan. Our manners improve without borders; our worship is both increased in amount and in sincerity and our generosity is unsurpassed. But as we take these great steps forward during the month, we seem to end up taking far more steps backwards as the year progresses. I find it particularly interesting how people immediately go back to their old ways once ramadan is over with facebook being filled with status's saying 'back to shisha' or 'back to my non hijabi days' and so on. Why must there be going 'back' to our old ways, when instead we should be moving 'forward'. Why is it that for every positive step forward during Ramadan, we’ll take two negative steps backwards during the rest of the year. We become the ramadan Muslims! Yes, even THEY have labels!

So I can’t help but take it as a personal obligation to remind my brothers and sisters to use the good we have gained during Ramadan as a training month for the upcoming year. Being a Muslim doesn't stop here, it continues amidst all the trials and tribulations we face throughout the year. So regardless of the month, regardless of where you are, who you are and your situation...don't let the end of Ramadan stop you from continuing to practice your religion as it SHOULD be practised. Rise in the night and pray like you prayed in Ramadan. Fill the Masjids like you did during Ramadan. Read the Quran the same strong-willed conscious effort as you did during Ramadan. Let your heart be filled with serenity and calmness like it did during Ramadan. And always, always, remember that you may not live to see the next Ramadan.

Ramadan came to us as a school, as a teacher - one to renew and recharge our Emaan. Now that it has completed its objective and given us a graceful and beautiful uplifting of spiritual awareness, it is now upon you and I to remain constant upon what it has given us. There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

So start and go all the way! ;)

A reminder

2010-08-18T08:38:00.000-07:00

There were times in my life, especially moments when I was wowed by the beauty of a mountain view or a sunset over the ocean, that I genuinely felt grateful for being alive. But I never really thought about it until I heard about the flood in Pakistan, over 2 million people left homeless and at least 1,600 killed. The floods have severely affected ALL of the provinces of the country and even worse, the MAGNITUDE of the devastation cannot be compared to the other recent natural disasters. And despite the funds collection, only a fraction of the SIX MILLION Pakistanis desperate for food, water and medicine were receiving help!

I realised that despite our constant reminders, it has become very easy to see in life only what is broken and needs fixing and ignore the good in our lives and the things we are blessed with. To truly be grateful takes some reflection. By paying attention to the ‘small stuff’ in life and by seeing the beauty, wonder and goodness available to us in each moment, we often find the 'small stuff' is really the ‘big stuff’, and in fact the ‘only stuff’. If you get my drift....

In doing this, we might begin to remember the beauty that surrounds us everyday, the awe inspiring universe, the majestic mountains and the wild sea. We might begin to appreciate and enjoy the moment of hearing a bird sing or watch a golden leaf float gently to the ground in the breeze. We might be grateful for being able to experience the gift of life with its joys and adversities. For having realized the full capacity of the mind, body and soul and understanding that happiness lies within. We might realise that there's someone somewhere in exactly the same situation as us but without any arms, legs or in the middle of a war zone or famine. And the greatest fruits will come when you begin to feel grateful, even on days that are more difficult and challenging, reminding ourselves that our ‘negative’ experiences often bring to us the greatest teachings of our lifetime. Sometimes the challenges of our lives help to build character and I strongly agree with the phrase: ‘whatever doesn’t kill us, only makes us stronger.’ These are our initiations just like the doctor slapping the newborn so it will take its first breath. Maybe sometimes life needs to slap us awake so that we could go in a new direction or travel a new path. Our tough experiences and the hardships we face are invaluable lessons which make us the person we are today and appreciate all the ‘good’ things we have in our life.

Thus, I began a daily meditation practice focused on gratitude. Every night, before I went to sleep, I tried to come up with a few specific events that occurred that day for which I felt grateful for. Some days, it was easy. Other days, it was more of a challenge and over time, I began to notice that I felt happier, in general. I observed a sense of calm within myself and the ‘little annoyances’ that would have bothered me in the past, no longer disturbed me. I realised that in life there were no ordinary moments and gradually I began to see the magic of everyday life.

Our lives are truly only lived moment to moment and how present and aware we are in each of those moments is often a great measure of the joy we experience. Constantly reminding ourselves for the good in our lives and being grateful for what God has given us would not only make us happier people, but it would be a step towards us using our physical and mental faculties for doing good. It means learning to live our life as if everything were a miracle and being aware on a continuous basis of HOW MUCH we’ve been given. It means to appreciate simple pleasures and constantly look for the good even in unpleasant situations. It means shifting the focus from what our life lacks to the abundance that is already present. And it means ‘knowing’ that a struggle today may be a gift tomorrow.

The main purpose of this reminder is to strongly urge everyone to unite and show their support to the victims in

Pakistan

by raising money, however we can, to purchase much- needed medication, food and clean water to drink! It is extremely difficult to truly appreciate what God has blessed us and our families with until we come face to face with the reality of what so many people are experiencing. And with the presence of Ramadan, I would urge everyone to make the most of this opportunity and hasten to increase your good deeds Inshallah.

Butterflies

2010-07-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

The much-anticipated Graduation day has finally come. Tomorrow I will be walking on stage, most likely tripping and tumbling on my gown, making an embarrassment of myself, and finally receiving my long awaited certificate.

Understandably, I am quite anxious. This is a very big step to take. Throughout the next year, everything around me or what I’ve been USED to, will be radically changing. People, lifestyle, routine and responsibilities. I'm saying goodbye to student hood, farewell to full-time education for the very last time (or not). ;)

Tomorrow, I'll have left Queen Mary. The past three years here have been very good to me. They've shaped me into someone yearning to get the most out of life: motivated, optimistic, and enthusiastic and I couldn't be more thankful for this. I’ve learnt a lot about myself, my deen and what I aspire to do in the future. I have made friends with wonderful people who I will keep in contact with and met the most amazing sisters who have taught me a lot and who have shaped me into who I am today. My two close friends who have made my university life all the worthwhile, with the jokes we shared and the moments we cringed at. And then there’s the blue shop…the famous PFC! WHO could forget PFC? Or meds? Come to think of it, I probably have a record for being the customer who orders the same meal every time!

And then there are the memories of my final year and living out with the girls. My sisters. Sure we can call each other on the phone and talk, but it's definitely not the same thing. No more late night watching movies on our laptops (half the time spent trying to find the correct movie and the other half trying to upload it), and laughing at the stupid things that seem funny at two in the morning. No more last minute rush in the mornings, queuing for the bathroom and shouting at each other for being late to class. No more waking up for fajr altogether and praying. It was real sobering to walk into our house and see all the boxes lined up against the wall. There's no going back now, we're all ‘grown up’ and shouldering true responsibility - unemployment. :p

Being a student really wasn't all that bad. Sure, sometimes it got to be annoying and tedious and hard work, but with friends by your side it was a real good time that left us with a lot of memories Alhamdulillah.

So, now with all that off my mind, here's to a suspenseful summer full of anticipation and uncertainty. I embrace the butterflies.

Zombie land!

2010-07-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

Unlike many football fans (including my brothers), I can’t get on board with this utopian vision of the FIFA world cup evoking ‘a collective sense of English identity and unity, infused with positive energy’ – in fact I despise it! Flags everywhere, nationalism left, right, and centre, people screaming for their players to score that most important goal whilst they stay glued to the couch for an entire season! I refuse to get excited about some wealthy misogynists tossing a ball around in the name of patriotism and product endorsement. As I walk contentedly along a quiet street, I refuse to see the point of cars jam packed with oversized people thrusting themselves out of the windows and roofs, waving scarves and yelling triumphantly….as if…..as if…..something huge and significant had been accomplished. Would I see these very same people screaming with joy if a child had been saved from starvation in Darfur or if the convoy ships full of aid had reached successfully to Gaza? They wouldn’t even notice let alone be happy about it!

Everything about the world cup is exaggerated. It’s cry baby million dollar worth players, joyless managers, its blokish supporters, its whistle-peeping referees and excitable commentators and - perhaps most of all - its unpluggable ‘analysts’ who seem to find satisfaction in sitting and examining a players every move. Argh! And what’s even more depressing, all this excitement, this glory and support, ends with a MASSIVE crash as England fails to beat Germany with an embarrassing score of 4:1.

It is hard being a world cup loather, an unfan. I sometimes feel as lonely as the sole survivor in the last reel of a Zombie movie, as, one by one, old friends reveal themselves, with their blank lifeless stares and outstretched arms, to have succumbed to the lure. They too are infected with the world cup disease!! People I had always assumed were strict anti world cup football supporters suddenly start jabbering incoherently about how Rooney should have shot that goal or writing up ‘viva la Algeria’ status’s on facebook. And then one look at them as they utter those words, I suddenly realise that it’s too late, that all is lost! They too have caught the deadly world cup virus! It’s crazy how the most unexpected person pops out to be a football fan!

The fact remains, however, that there are more pressing things to worry about over the World Cup season than the state of Beckham’s unexpected injury and consequent withdrawal from the World Cup. This country is in crisis! The world is in crisis! The reality is, there’s a lot of money expended in constructions for the World Cup – A LOT of money. How can we support the notion that people may invest more in 'fun' of a ball game then things like misery, hunger and many other things? No wonder the world is in this state.

Inspired quotes

'If a man like Muhammad were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems that would bring it the much needed peach and happiness.'

- George Bernard Shaw

''Improvement begins with I''

2010-06-18T15:35:00.000-07:00

My mum has planned a graduation party for me in order to celebrate the end of student-hood and a new beginning, a new chapter in my life. She's excessively organised everything, invited a number of people (most of whom I haven't seen for many years or didn't even know existed!), booked out the venue, arranged what to eat, what to wear and to top it all, she did this in a matter of 1 and half weeks! Seriously, never underestimate my mum's organisation ability - the woman is gifted! I am absolutely grateful and love her for her efforts to make it an enjoyable day for me and my friends, but the reality is, the entire event has actually got me worried about the future.

Even when I handed in my final assignment it never occurred to me that my student days were officially over. Years of being a student - sleepless nights - tears shed before exams - parents consoling me that 'it's all going to be alright' - coursework's and essays- it was coming to an end. 6 years ago the idea of graduating and wearing the cap would have caused goosebumps to ripple on my arms but now, everything seemed........unreal.......like I was living in a different time zone and that life had passed me by so quick. I never did sit down and reflect. What was I going to do with my life now? Mixed feelings, mixed thoughts - I was happy, sad, worried and glad at the same time.

Up to this point, I always worked to my full potential to get the highest grades during my student years. I was a perfectionist in the sense that everything I did I would give my 100%, to the point where I would go on for 3 consecutive days without any sleep. I was never satisfied with a piece of work that I had completed and thinking back now I realise that I was too hard on myself. I never did give myself a 'break' since getting top marks in an exam or in my coursework's was enough to keep me happy. But the reality was, I never stopped to think WHY I was studying and WHAT I was working so hard for? What did I want to achieve in life? What was my aim? Instead all I would get is a sheet of A4 paper with my name and a shiny emblem on it.

So I decided to list a number of things that I aspire to do in the near future and the things I consider myself to be generally good at. I love writing and plan to publish my own book in the future, but I know that this can only happen with time and experience. I also want to gain a lot of experience in the field of journalism next year, whether it's voluntary or paid, it doesn't really matter. As much as I enjoyed my years of education, I did have to cut down on my social life. Now that University is over and I'm out in the real world, I realise that experience is just as much important as that A grade on your record. Without contacts, without any extra skills...I'm just like any other University graduate. But I don't simply want to do work for money. I mean’s money's great, right? It’s no use pretending that it’s not important. It is. Very much so. But, money’s not everything. To me, the key element in a life’s work is passion. Why would would I spend days without sleep over my education if I didn't feel passionate about the outcome? What exactly was I working for? I love being able to pursue work that empowers me to carry out such passion. And creativity. And meaning. And joy. I love empowering people through my words, whether its written on paper or whether it's by speech. I love helping people and generating ideas and contributing to society as much as possible. I love voicing my own opinions and combating injustice. I love to travel and as much as I have a desire to backpack around the world and see different places and experience new cultures, it's something I can't do on my own. Maybe in the future.

Looking at my scribbles of writing on the piece of paper, I realise that while half of my plans may seem a little to idealistic, it's not impossible. And, while the thought of getting out into the real world scares me, I’m also really, really excited!

So, will I be able to achieve my dream and become a successful author and freelance journalist? Well, you never know since with determination and a passion to succeed, anything is possible!

The Mirror of Me

2010-06-02T15:26:00.000-07:00

In a dream I looked into a pool and what I saw was me,
But in a gentler version of what we really see.

I was then shown, this pool really does reflect,
Every one I chance to meet, in all things that exist.

As I go about my day, do I see the piece of me,
that lives in everyone I meet, in every bird and tree?

It's hard some days to see myself in beggar and in thief,
In Gossip and in Poverty as I pass it on the street.

Compassion is the key, how would it be if it was me?
Would I hope to get a smile from everyone I see?

Or would I like them to scorn and scold me for my mistake,
and pass me as so many did, leaving judgment in their wake?

Since I am a piece of God, and walk the Beauty way,
I must help myself up off the street and give encouragement away.

To give a smile.. ... You can do It... I can understand,
I can help...what can I do...give a helping hand.

For in the ripples of the pool the reflection is You I see.
It's hard to tell but I now know that you're a part of me.

God has a Great Reflecting Pool, and as he looks Within,
In His Great Wisdom sees me inside of Him.

He treats me gently like a child, no matter what mistakes I make,
And all He asks in return is that I might do the same.

Marianne Goldweber

Your blood reached the shores of Gaza before your aid

2010-05-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

Just like millions of other ordinary people, when I switched on my telly this morning, I came across horrific pictures and videos of a Palestinian convoy being shot in cold blood by the Israeli army at the instruction of the Israeli government. I simply couldn't believe my eyes! My heart sank and I could feel tears streaming down my face. It all seemed impossible. Anger filled up inside me as I came to the realisation that not one thing was being done to stop these massacres from taking place. What was this 'so called' war based on? War against innocent civilians? War against sticks and stones? War against children, women and elderly? War against a humanitarian ship? War against PEACE?

Yet at that specific moment, the only word that came to mind was - why do they think they could get away with it?

Why?

Our government talks about international community, talks about the moral of law, but then allows Israel to do EXACTLY what it wants...year after year? We watch these crimes take place right in front of our eyes, half of the news being completely ignored by the media and swiped under a carpet, the truth hidden, curtains placed right in front of our eyes and our voices ignored. Where is the justice? Where are the serious sanctions against the government?

But hold on a sec, we then hear that the UN has decided to call for an enquiry. Enquiry of what? 20 people have been brutally murdered on the ship and all the government can do is call for an enquiry? We don't need an enquiry. The truth is out there, right in front of our eyes. We KNOW what's been done to the people of gaza. We know about the bombings. We know about the blockade. We know about the illegal immigration. We know about the settlements on the west bank.

Attending today's protest in front of the Israeli Embassy is not just to express sadness and send our condolences to the families of the people who have died - that is only one part of it. We want to show the government that WE are angry. We demand justice. It is time for people to reccognize the injustice made against the Palestinian's. It is time for peace and harmony to prevail. It is time our voices were not just heard but LISTENED. This must be accomplished without violence. Blame needs to be replaced with cooperation. We can despair and curse, and change nothing. We can choose evil, just like the zionists, and create a world based on hate.

OR, we can try to make things better, since 'Justice denied anywhere diminishes justice everywhere.' (Martin Luther King).

Bugünün işini yarına bırakma

2010-05-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

Don't leave today's job for another day

As the title suggests, I've been putting off blogging for a while. The constant excuses seem to keep popping up - 'I have too much work to do' - 'I have to clean the house' - 'it's too late now' - 'I have to read xyz.' Of course there can be good reasons for putting things off since timing is important and I can’t do everything at once – but if you’re anything like me there are things that you know you probably should be doing that you’re simply procrastinating about. IN FACT right this minute my brothers are calling me too watch Shutter Island with them and ditch blogging. It seems that I never get a 'me' time, where I could simply sit and reflect on my life and its daily ongoings. Even when I am alone, I always seem to find myself occupied with other things, whether it's cleaning the house, reading a book or simply watching something on telly. Every time I sit down to writing something, I never get past the 'title' stage (I have notebooks with about 10 different plans that never eventuated).

Why didn’t I do it? Was it laziness…. or busyness….? If I’m honest about it, I’m sure it’d be a bit of both of those things – however I suspect it was also partly fear that held me back. Fear? Of what, you'd think?

Fear of writing and being misunderstood. Funnily enough, when it came to debating current issues, I've always been able to articulate myself in a good way. I've been outspoken with my friends, confident in my views and never refrained from defending what I honestly and truly believed in. But putting my thoughts on to paper seemed really difficult because THAT WAS IT, once you clicked the 'publish post' button, those words that you so easily constructed in your mind, would be displayed on the world wide web and perhaps even taken out of context. I had to rely on the words on the page to express meaning and ideas and this seemed far too restrictive and would require following a standardised form of grammar, structure, organization, and vocabulary. In the 'real world', speech was free from boundaries, I would use my voice and body language to communicate my message, emphasising on certain words or raising/lowering my tone when needed. I loved the spontaneity of speech, it was unplanned and free. And most importantly, I KNEW my audience and I had many opportunities to convey my opinion, even if misunderstood at first.

Actually – saying I was too busy might sound a bit better – I sound very conscious! But in the end – I knew that if I didn’t continue with my blog that I’d be kicking myself later. The time came for me to draw a line in the sand and just do it. I don’t have any secret strategies for getting over the hump of getting myself into gear really - well, except a change in attitude and a bold writing on my cupboard written with permanent marker!

''BUGUNUN ISINI YARINA BIRAKMA''

William Bernbach

2010-03-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

In the words of the renowned advertising pioneer, William Bernbach:

“The truth isn’t the truth until people believe you, and they can’t believe you if they don’t know what you’re saying, and they can’t know what you’re saying if they don’t listen to you, and they won’t listen to you if you’re not interesting unless you say things imaginatively, originally, freshly”

The rain of your eyes

2010-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:00

I’ve been sitting around this life for years
To tell you what’s in your heart
Trying to figure out a way to vent, a way to share those tears
But how am I to start?

You’re searching for something to go beyond
When all about you is black with gloom
Pushing and pulling…life’s tearing you apart
And all you feel is pending doom.

When all your bones are racked with despair
Picking and prodding an underused heart
When every breath is a gasp for air
You scream and beg for a fresh new start.

This dark velvet curtain that hides your soul
Black as the pit from pole to pole
You’ve loved, lost and feared the world
"Enough is enough" you cry uncurled.

For you are weak inside, full of pain
You are lost to reality, almost insane
Not enough laughs, and too many tears
Oh, what a waste of all these important years.

"I am only human!" You cry with despair
"Does no one understand me?" You shout unaware
You’ve lost it all, oh there’s just no use!
If you fall, it doesn’t matter – it’s only another bruise.

You look into the air, you have become fallen rain
You are dripping your past memories…old pain.
Confusion feeds like a savage inside you
You’re destined to walk this empty life….all the way through.

Alone, exiled, different and disdained!
There’s nothing left inside you that’s worthy to remain
Emptiness builds like a home within you
You’re in an eternal echo, a life in a tomb.

This is madness, you think in plaintive cry!
You’re here, on the cusp, of lay down and die.
You used to wish for a window, to see birds, trees and the sky
But you think you’re better without one….it stops you from aiming too high.

Simple void, is that what you’ve become?
Hide the pain, do carry on.
Eyes are open, hands are fisted
Deep inside… you are warped and twisted.

So here I am, walking down your memory lane.
Throttling…trying to understand…your feelings of pain.
Your eyes must do some raining if you are ever going to grow
In all things…. it is better to hope than to simply let go.

But HOW do you live with a time bomb inside?
HOW do you defuse without destroying its ride?
HOW do you quell the anger reaching beyond the brink?
And HOW do you stop the endless tears that flow in crimson ink?

Questions! Questions! Too many if’s and too many whys!
Sit back and contemplate….and let ‘hope’ advise.

Life is unexpected with its twists and turn
It’s easy to cry that you’re beaten…..and leave no room to learn.
But to fight and to fight and to fight when all hope is out of sight
To keep your trust in Allah and feel his immense might!

This is your life and you can make a new start,
Let light slice through the darkness and follow your heart
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Your head may be bloody…but you’re unbowed
DONT wince… DONT cry….slice through that dark depressing cloud.
You are the master of your fate… you are the captain of your soul
So leave your trust in Allah, let that be your ultimate goal.

You learnt of a man who struggled from the start.
A man who’s mission was "La ilaha illAllah" from the depths of his heart.
His tears fell like drops off rain from his eyes
Yet, in the face of hardship, stood firm and wise.

So endure for this moment, the tests of this life
Hold to the unbreakable rope of Allah…so very tight!
Let the menace of the years find you…unafraid.
And don’t let that hope within you gradually fade.

RISE from the streets of lonely no more!
SLICE through the darkness, hopes washed ashore!
GLIDE like an angel…your futures open and wide!
And BELIEVE in Allah…the one who will guide!

You will crawl till you walk again
And you will walk…..till you fly through the pain.
No more are you a prisoner….free from the chain
Old friend… you are no longer the one who stands in the rain!

Khadijah Kubra

Dream

2010-02-09T16:01:00.000-08:00

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover

- Mark Twain

Against all odds

2009-10-31T11:45:00.001-07:00

Sometimes when you feel the entire world is against you, your first reaction would be to give up and accept the minimum. You limit yourself to what you THINK you can do, rather than having the passion and determination to fight for your dreams.

The fact is, YOU can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve. Instead of giving yourself reasons why you can't, give yourself reasons why you can. Be true to yourself and keep your dreams alive! ;)

Check out this extraordinary commercial. It may inspire you :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9KsrH377A

The cherry blossoms

2009-10-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

I sit here
Beneath the cherry blossoms.
I am at peace.

The soft pink blooms flutter.
The aroma lightens my spririts.
The wind calms my soul.

I sit here
Beneath the cherry blossoms.
My friends come along.

The flowers are so pale.
The scent is way too strong.
The wind is chilling this early.

I sit here
Beneath the cherry blossoms.
Alone again.

The blooms seem to be falling.
The scent reminds me of perfume.
The wind howls and rustles the tree.

I go inside
To join my friends.

They talk of troubles.
They talk of sadness.
They talk of hatred.

I sit here
With the ones I know as friends
and I wonder why I ever left the cherry blossoms.

Anonymous

Me, Myself, and I

2009-10-17T07:46:00.000-07:00

Now back to reality…………..

Hello, Salamun Alaikum, Merhaba…..it’s me Kubra. I am a 21 year old Muslim student born/bred in the United Kingdom and currently attending University. In this blog's infancy, I would personally write about my experiences and their solutions, my thoughts and my feelings and basically anything I hold dear and close to my heart.

I am someone who is positive about every aspect of life. I believe there is something to admire in every creature and something to learn from everyone and everything. I am willing to accept criticism but I cannot stand injustice. If I see something wrong I will do anything in my God given power to stop it from happening.

I have very simple pleasures, I don’t like expensive gifts, rather I’d prefer a hand made bracelet to a 24 carat gold. An ideal afternoon for me would be sitting on my couch, wrapped up in a warm blanket and reading my favourite novel whilst sipping a cup of hot chocolate. I love autumn – the colourful leaves and the crisp cool air. I adore the beauty of the weather and environment produced because it floats a strong current of optimism into the air…it feels like a fresh start….and a time to enjoy all aspects of life. For this, I am eternally grateful to my Almighty Allah (God). Thank you Allah for creating this awe inspiring universe, thank you for enabling me to see natures beauty in form of trees, plants, ocean, sky, stars, giant mountains and flying birds. Thank you for creating me.

In reality I am a pretty reserved person and I find it extremely difficult expressing what I think, finding the right words to say and how to say! I am one of those people who blurt out things without considering the consequences and I usually regret it later on. I am someone who prefers truth to custom, the better to the good, reform to revolution, solutions to goals and knowledge to awareness. My ambition is to be a writer and even though I have not (yet) written any books or given any opportunity to showcase my work, I am a firm believer that with patience comes victory ;)

This blog is a platform for me to lay down my opinions, a way for me to escape from reality, tune everyone and everything out, leaving only room for me, myself and I.

And so I begin, by unlocking the key and opening the doors to my life………