Stereotype- how we perceive a group of class of people to be- can be negative or positive.
Till the time it is positive it is good as all Chinese are supposed to be hardworking, all black people tall and good at basket ball, fine.
Now think of Pakistanis- what comes to a western mind- TERRORISTS! Well that is what we have done to ourselves, we bad mouth our own countrymen, portray a bad image of our own country and then how can we blame other people. They have a right to call us names; we need to put our image straight.
But this is not what has prompted me to write today.
When ever we see a movie and are being shown gulf countries, especially the Muslim world, if they are showing night life, they definitely have to show a belly dancer. When they show a coffee shop, its fine, when they show men smoking shisha, its true, but where the hell in Muslim culture does belly dancing enter? It is a part of the Egyptian culture and it is not at all related to the religious aspect of the place. It is more because these places were colonized by the French or the British and so the Egyptian, Jordanians, Syrians etc do dance to express their joy and these dances are mostly westernized- again nothing to do with religion but influence of the French and British rule.
Coming back to belly dancers- we the Muslims are so many times questioned by people of other religions and culture as to how as a contrast to the hijab and abaya our women are allowed to wear such clothes and how do they dance in this way?
Well they don’t! Belly dancing is not of UAE culture too but then we Muslims need to think. Are we depending on tourism so desperately that Desert Safari has to include belly dancing? This country has been blessed with a beautiful landscape, the sand dunes are really beautiful and see how nature contrasts the colours, the desert is lovely and so are the beaches. Is this not enough to attract people? Think O People, Think!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
back after a long, long time
It has really been a long time since I wrote.
I guess I was suffering from what they call an empty nest syndrome. You get fed up of the ever complaining children, whining about their teachers, exams, food which never changes, menu which keeps getting cooked, you get sick and tired of all this but when these same kids go away, in pursuit of education or work keeps them away from home, there can be one hundred and one justifications, this grumbling become one of your fondest memeories.
it seems now the same food, which the kids kept complaining about, has become a craving for them. i am now waiting for the time when we can all be together and we can once again talk and shout at each other, sing loud besurey songs, and eat those familiar, favourite things!
I am blessed till my little one is still here with me, but till when that will be there, only Allah has the answer to that!
I guess I was suffering from what they call an empty nest syndrome. You get fed up of the ever complaining children, whining about their teachers, exams, food which never changes, menu which keeps getting cooked, you get sick and tired of all this but when these same kids go away, in pursuit of education or work keeps them away from home, there can be one hundred and one justifications, this grumbling become one of your fondest memeories.
it seems now the same food, which the kids kept complaining about, has become a craving for them. i am now waiting for the time when we can all be together and we can once again talk and shout at each other, sing loud besurey songs, and eat those familiar, favourite things!
I am blessed till my little one is still here with me, but till when that will be there, only Allah has the answer to that!
Saturday, June 30, 2007
happy birthday KM
Happy birthday to you and may you have many more. May Allah bless you and lead you all the way.
Today i am constantly reminded of a little boy just five years of age who would accompany me to the fruit market and enthusiastically say, "mama we will buy all the kinds of fruits available" when asked who will pick them up, the reply would be, "Main, Aap ka bhaiya beta hai na, main utaoon ga" today you turn 20, and i miss you a lot, not only me but all of us. Have a fine day and have lovely year too!
Today i am constantly reminded of a little boy just five years of age who would accompany me to the fruit market and enthusiastically say, "mama we will buy all the kinds of fruits available" when asked who will pick them up, the reply would be, "Main, Aap ka bhaiya beta hai na, main utaoon ga" today you turn 20, and i miss you a lot, not only me but all of us. Have a fine day and have lovely year too!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Bon Voyage Karachi Mutant
It was like waiting for several long weeks, months, and the formalities seemed never ending; people it seemed were not bothered enough but then all the pieces kept falling into the correct places and then today it the day, my darling son bids us a farewell and departs to pursue his degree and takes his first step towards independent life, where we will not be there to guide him, more aptly shout at him for every misdemeanor rather mistake, today it seems we have really been very harsh with him but then sometimes bringing up children makes us take difficult decisions!
Today I can only pray for him
May the road rise up to meet you.
traditional gaelic blessing
Today I can only pray for him
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
traditional gaelic blessing
Good bye Son and Good luck! May Allah guide you and bless you!
Monday, May 28, 2007
My beliefs
Reading Kaya's post today made me remember my much younger days.
My mother had an excellent taste, she liked to buy lovely household stuff, and all used to be kept in a cupboard to be used when some guests would be served. She had lovely sarees, and dresses which were kept neatly hung or folded away, worn for parties or whenever we did go to any ones place formally. Whenever she was told to get rid of some kind of glassware she would not be able to part from it. Over the years these things accumulated to an extremely size able amount and my mother's health deteriorated. I being the only child, when got married, also moved out. Time passed. Then after both of my parents passed away and i had to vacate the house, was sitting amidst a pile of plates and cups and other tremendous amount of glassware and wondering as to all these things which my mother collected, were they worth the effort?
'i was actually giving almost everything away to anyone who wanted something or to some deserving people we knew. Even her clothes many of them not even worn for a solitary time were to be given away, i did keep a few for remembrance sake. I was told that if she had given all these things away in her lifetime she would have earned the blessings but now all the blessings will go to the one who gives for charity.
All this may make someone feel that my mother was a miser who never opted for charity, this was not so. Point being, why do we collect all that we can never use, why not collect friends, blessings, happiness and save a lot of dusting time!
I, on the other hand use as soon as i buy, i do buy lovely dishes and stuff but use it for our daily use, not wait for someone to come, isn't my family special enough! i love good clothes but make as many as required.
Perhaps my mother would not agree but these are my beliefs!
My mother had an excellent taste, she liked to buy lovely household stuff, and all used to be kept in a cupboard to be used when some guests would be served. She had lovely sarees, and dresses which were kept neatly hung or folded away, worn for parties or whenever we did go to any ones place formally. Whenever she was told to get rid of some kind of glassware she would not be able to part from it. Over the years these things accumulated to an extremely size able amount and my mother's health deteriorated. I being the only child, when got married, also moved out. Time passed. Then after both of my parents passed away and i had to vacate the house, was sitting amidst a pile of plates and cups and other tremendous amount of glassware and wondering as to all these things which my mother collected, were they worth the effort?
'i was actually giving almost everything away to anyone who wanted something or to some deserving people we knew. Even her clothes many of them not even worn for a solitary time were to be given away, i did keep a few for remembrance sake. I was told that if she had given all these things away in her lifetime she would have earned the blessings but now all the blessings will go to the one who gives for charity.
All this may make someone feel that my mother was a miser who never opted for charity, this was not so. Point being, why do we collect all that we can never use, why not collect friends, blessings, happiness and save a lot of dusting time!
I, on the other hand use as soon as i buy, i do buy lovely dishes and stuff but use it for our daily use, not wait for someone to come, isn't my family special enough! i love good clothes but make as many as required.
Perhaps my mother would not agree but these are my beliefs!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
The simple pleasues in life
Life is so busy and a whole lot of times, very depressing. In such a time simple pleasures in life add meaning to life.
Among such pleasures are my biennial date with my husband. We spend a whole day together, go places eat out, we don’t think of the home, children and any other responsibilities. This is not any set day; it can be anytime during the year when we feel we both have the time and then we simply quit every thing and go!
We keep the romance in our lives very much alive.
Among such pleasures are my biennial date with my husband. We spend a whole day together, go places eat out, we don’t think of the home, children and any other responsibilities. This is not any set day; it can be anytime during the year when we feel we both have the time and then we simply quit every thing and go!
We keep the romance in our lives very much alive.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
So near yet so far away
Living in an area in UAE which is bang opposite the Etisalat building, can you imagine that I can not be connected to E vision or a broad band connection!!! Why you would ask? There is no cable in my area. Or if there is some other reason, the dear Etisalat ppl don’t tell us clearly. So frustrating!!
Have been meaning to write for quite some time but really how time flies. The past few days passed like a whirlwind. There was a syllabus to complete, deadlines to meet, at all times the feeling that I can still do a better job at passing my message through and hence extra practice sheets had to be made. And then when all this concluded, came to know that there was a staff meeting, with a question mark in my mind as to the reason of the meeting for now the exams were just round the corner, I was sitting on my chair engrossed in my thoughts, when suddenly we see some certificates being arranged on the table and then it is declared that some awards are being initiated to appreciate the staff, the first was
The Prize for Distinguished Teaching, I say, ok, and Then I look at the projector screen, What! No way! My name is the third one in a list of six names, all being awarded!!
With an expression of dis-belief, I walk up and receive my certificate and cash reward. Back on my seat, I look around, I see people congratulating me, I thank them, the ceremony proceeds, a lot of more certificates of appreciation are given out, then came the worst time of all, I see a lot of tearful faces, people with questions on their face asking why not us???????
I was very happy, just a moment ago and now I am feeling bad, why does this happen to me, I did work very hard, I know I did deserve recognition but then when it upsets other people around me, I get disturbed! Why does this happen to me?
Have been meaning to write for quite some time but really how time flies. The past few days passed like a whirlwind. There was a syllabus to complete, deadlines to meet, at all times the feeling that I can still do a better job at passing my message through and hence extra practice sheets had to be made. And then when all this concluded, came to know that there was a staff meeting, with a question mark in my mind as to the reason of the meeting for now the exams were just round the corner, I was sitting on my chair engrossed in my thoughts, when suddenly we see some certificates being arranged on the table and then it is declared that some awards are being initiated to appreciate the staff, the first was
The Prize for Distinguished Teaching, I say, ok, and Then I look at the projector screen, What! No way! My name is the third one in a list of six names, all being awarded!!
With an expression of dis-belief, I walk up and receive my certificate and cash reward. Back on my seat, I look around, I see people congratulating me, I thank them, the ceremony proceeds, a lot of more certificates of appreciation are given out, then came the worst time of all, I see a lot of tearful faces, people with questions on their face asking why not us???????
I was very happy, just a moment ago and now I am feeling bad, why does this happen to me, I did work very hard, I know I did deserve recognition but then when it upsets other people around me, I get disturbed! Why does this happen to me?
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Party time!
Thursday was party day!
It was a female staff party at the principal’s house. It was a pleasant evening, it was occasionally drizzling very slightly, and so eating out in the garden was mostly a nice experience. The menu was great and cooked and served well. Now that’s all for the goody goody part.
The party was shocking after every few minutes. Our school staff consists of all nationalities but all are definitely Muslims. As the abayas and face coverings kept getting removed, what unfolded between the layers of black sober materials, was outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!
So many times our response would be, Who is this? Is this ………. No, no way!
So what if it was a ladies party, you must still not be indecent! Why are we so predominantly influenced by the western society, why do we want to take up their dress codes? And if west is so good then why don’t we adopt their good points, why can’t we become punctual like them, why can’t we be as hard working as many of them are?
I was mostly shocked to see some of the Pakistani young staff members dressed in off shoulder and off much else too robes!
A night to remember!
It was a female staff party at the principal’s house. It was a pleasant evening, it was occasionally drizzling very slightly, and so eating out in the garden was mostly a nice experience. The menu was great and cooked and served well. Now that’s all for the goody goody part.
The party was shocking after every few minutes. Our school staff consists of all nationalities but all are definitely Muslims. As the abayas and face coverings kept getting removed, what unfolded between the layers of black sober materials, was outrageous!!!!!!!!!!!
So many times our response would be, Who is this? Is this ………. No, no way!
So what if it was a ladies party, you must still not be indecent! Why are we so predominantly influenced by the western society, why do we want to take up their dress codes? And if west is so good then why don’t we adopt their good points, why can’t we become punctual like them, why can’t we be as hard working as many of them are?
I was mostly shocked to see some of the Pakistani young staff members dressed in off shoulder and off much else too robes!
A night to remember!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
so back to the pavilion
I am back to the time of my life which I completely and absolutely hate! I am on a diet again!
Once again I will cook tempting food ( it seems even more tempting now) and serve to the family and eat a plate of salad which although is definately tasty but how can it match a piece of fried chicken or even "Aaloo gosht" (meat and potato curry) for that matter!
There are things that I cherish (except food) and these are mostly the memoies I share with my family! Such a recent memory can be the Mother's Day I received from my youngest one!
Thanks darling! I love you!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Society and Us
Are we at liberty to decide what is best for our selves and our family, should we take religion as our guide or does society always has to take over?
Why is it so that we decide that we don’t want to marry our daughters young and it seems all the world is turning against us? We are constantly advised to become more social, to keep contact with good families.
May I ask what a good family is? A “Mota Murga”( a rich guy)? Is money the solution to all the issues? I think not.
What is a suitable marriageable age? -as per the Pakistani society today, the preferable marriageable age for girls is 17 years onwards and the moment they turn 25 they seem to be considered to be old, too old. Modern science says that the development of the human brain goes on till 25 years of age, this girl who is getting married at 17, is she mature enough, perhaps looks wise yes but mentally she is a child and you want her to reproduce!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am asked how on the earth could you allow your daughter to shift out of your house, to stay in an apartment alone away from you, don’t you feel odd, what will the people say, well people aren’t you saying and does that effect me? No, not at all! She has to stay in her own company provided apartment as commuting from our home to her office is a highly tedious task, she needs to stay at close proximity to her office, and then aren’t we always in touch, there is something called phone. I trust her but why is this so difficult for people to understand?
People, it is time to grow up! Trust your family and have firm belief in your upbringing and leave the rest to Allah!
He never lets us down.
Why is it so that we decide that we don’t want to marry our daughters young and it seems all the world is turning against us? We are constantly advised to become more social, to keep contact with good families.
May I ask what a good family is? A “Mota Murga”( a rich guy)? Is money the solution to all the issues? I think not.
What is a suitable marriageable age? -as per the Pakistani society today, the preferable marriageable age for girls is 17 years onwards and the moment they turn 25 they seem to be considered to be old, too old. Modern science says that the development of the human brain goes on till 25 years of age, this girl who is getting married at 17, is she mature enough, perhaps looks wise yes but mentally she is a child and you want her to reproduce!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am asked how on the earth could you allow your daughter to shift out of your house, to stay in an apartment alone away from you, don’t you feel odd, what will the people say, well people aren’t you saying and does that effect me? No, not at all! She has to stay in her own company provided apartment as commuting from our home to her office is a highly tedious task, she needs to stay at close proximity to her office, and then aren’t we always in touch, there is something called phone. I trust her but why is this so difficult for people to understand?
People, it is time to grow up! Trust your family and have firm belief in your upbringing and leave the rest to Allah!
He never lets us down.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Me and My Life!
After a long absence I am back. Life will always be busy but then I need to take a few moments out for myself and my little accomplishments which though insignificant for the rest of the world are very important to me.
Life has been good to me, after every few days my frustrations and grumbling become pointless as Allah showers me with His blessings. One of those accomplishments being the graduation of daughter dearest! Although daughter dear is still gearing up for further education my happiness all the same is not abridged.
All is really well that ends well, and this is actually ending well, Sonny boy gets into the “Uni in Malaysia” I thank the Lord but my happiness all the same needs to be expressed. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I will miss him a lot when he goes away, who will I keep shouting on, then that is another story!
The last but not the least in the family is busy like a bee, why? Well she is making something that will only be revealed on the 21st of this month, what’s that? A Mother’s day Card what else. I really love getting these cards she makes them really well and she has a mountain of patience to be able to make such detailed stuff with the minimal art supplies let alone anything specialized.
At home grounds hubby dear is always busy and I try my level best to help him with his work but many a time I fall short, this only proves that I am not a super mum but a good one never the less!
I am confident about that!
At school scenario I am happy with the creativity I am able to express with my bulletin boards. This has had two effects on my life, pleasure to have achieved many certificates of appreciation and on the other hand more work to be done. So now another deadline has been given, redecorate the boards!!!!!!
Life has been good to me, after every few days my frustrations and grumbling become pointless as Allah showers me with His blessings. One of those accomplishments being the graduation of daughter dearest! Although daughter dear is still gearing up for further education my happiness all the same is not abridged.
All is really well that ends well, and this is actually ending well, Sonny boy gets into the “Uni in Malaysia” I thank the Lord but my happiness all the same needs to be expressed. Yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!
I know I will miss him a lot when he goes away, who will I keep shouting on, then that is another story!
The last but not the least in the family is busy like a bee, why? Well she is making something that will only be revealed on the 21st of this month, what’s that? A Mother’s day Card what else. I really love getting these cards she makes them really well and she has a mountain of patience to be able to make such detailed stuff with the minimal art supplies let alone anything specialized.
At home grounds hubby dear is always busy and I try my level best to help him with his work but many a time I fall short, this only proves that I am not a super mum but a good one never the less!
I am confident about that!At school scenario I am happy with the creativity I am able to express with my bulletin boards. This has had two effects on my life, pleasure to have achieved many certificates of appreciation and on the other hand more work to be done. So now another deadline has been given, redecorate the boards!!!!!!
Somehow work satisfaction is one thing I don’t have here, I am teaching but the teaching is sub-standard. The school wants parents to be happy and their happiness is only maximum marks for their children so no problem **** the standard, teach only that which can be absorbed, give easy tests and make everyone happy but then how do we answer our self, don’t we have a conscience, I have and I am not happy! Can my working harder than ever let me get out of this guilt, I hope and wish it does.
So till the next boards are decorated and I get another chance to write,
C ya!
Monday, February 5, 2007
well, I am back!
The vacation was good, the reason of going was basically nursing an ailing aunt, that was quiet well done by the Grace of Allah but i am then a human and most importantly a female! So what is a vacation without shopping!!!!!!! I have really had a blast. Shopping, shopping and more shopping and then all this within 30 hours. I have done this after a very long time and hence enjoyed to the fullest. Have really put on weight- in Karachi every one's show of affection is feeding- "have a little more", "why, is it not tasty, then eat nicely", "a little more will not make you fat" but it just did, and so now back to eating leaves which civilised world calls "Salad"
but then there is no way out is there so hello leaves here i come.
it is either i am too efficient or others aren't at all- My sons paper for admission to a university in Malaysia were sent almost three months ago, when contacted earlier, we were told that the process takes time and then now the uni people say they don't have the papers! in the mean time so many e-mails were sent which remained unanswered, now when we send the papers and bank draft again is it certain that it will again not be misplaced!
I wish people consider that their careless attitude can cost someone his future, any how all is not lost as yet, we can still pursue this process as we still have a few months in hand.
i hope all goes well at the end
bye for now
but then there is no way out is there so hello leaves here i come.
it is either i am too efficient or others aren't at all- My sons paper for admission to a university in Malaysia were sent almost three months ago, when contacted earlier, we were told that the process takes time and then now the uni people say they don't have the papers! in the mean time so many e-mails were sent which remained unanswered, now when we send the papers and bank draft again is it certain that it will again not be misplaced!
I wish people consider that their careless attitude can cost someone his future, any how all is not lost as yet, we can still pursue this process as we still have a few months in hand.
i hope all goes well at the end
bye for now
Monday, January 22, 2007
Off to a vacation!
Although i am off to a vacation after a long time but somehow i am not looking very forward to it.
All those familiar faces which i had been with, those people whom i had relied upon, some are not there anymore, no more in this world, one person who had always been a source of comfort and whom i had relied for any and every kind of wisdom, is now in a state where i don't know how i will even communicate with, one thing that hurts me even more that she seems to have forgotten her very own children, cannot even recall their names seems to remembers me every day and calls out to me, i never knew i was the centre of this much affection and can i really come up to the expectations that comes along this devotion?
Another bad news came on Friday, my lovely cousin with whom i had shared my sweet childhood has died, after suffering at hands of a cerebral cancer of some sort.
can still picture her as my never failing companion, a sister i never had, and now as i was gearing up to be able to meet her one last time she has already gone, with these things at hand can you anticipate a vacation, i know tearful days await me when i will choke and recall the times i shared with my loved ones, once again when i set foot in my homeland mum and dad you will not be there to welcome me with hand open wide and now even pyari you will not be there to comfort me the way you always did, all the same at least i will be able to hear your voice before i lose that comfort too!
i hope i will be there till my kids need me and then they put me at such a high devotional pedestal, i hope i will never disappoint my kids and my husband.
All those familiar faces which i had been with, those people whom i had relied upon, some are not there anymore, no more in this world, one person who had always been a source of comfort and whom i had relied for any and every kind of wisdom, is now in a state where i don't know how i will even communicate with, one thing that hurts me even more that she seems to have forgotten her very own children, cannot even recall their names seems to remembers me every day and calls out to me, i never knew i was the centre of this much affection and can i really come up to the expectations that comes along this devotion?
Another bad news came on Friday, my lovely cousin with whom i had shared my sweet childhood has died, after suffering at hands of a cerebral cancer of some sort.
can still picture her as my never failing companion, a sister i never had, and now as i was gearing up to be able to meet her one last time she has already gone, with these things at hand can you anticipate a vacation, i know tearful days await me when i will choke and recall the times i shared with my loved ones, once again when i set foot in my homeland mum and dad you will not be there to welcome me with hand open wide and now even pyari you will not be there to comfort me the way you always did, all the same at least i will be able to hear your voice before i lose that comfort too!
i hope i will be there till my kids need me and then they put me at such a high devotional pedestal, i hope i will never disappoint my kids and my husband.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Life is so busy
It is like you keep working, waiting for the time when you can have a break, a long earned vacation and then the long awaited vacation starts, you want to do nothing but then you did line up tons of things to do when you do have time and so you start cleaning and arranging, entertaining and then you have a long awaited, much anticipated vacation, a trip, so now another spree of shopping for the trip, then on the holiday what do you do? Again shopping!!!!!!!
Then ultimately you are back from an exhilarating trip filled with meeting people so you want to meet, some you can’t do without meeting and then back home what do you do again? Unpack and then rearranging the latest purchases so eventually the vacation is over and you are even more tired than ever before, and back to work, people expect you to work better but you are tired.
So was the vacation worth it, I feel, yes!!!! At least you got to have a change, a different kind of schedule.
The moral of the above is you can never escape from work, be glad till you can accomplish these tasks, God knows when all this will be completely unattainable.
So now in the next few days I will be off to my long pending vacation back home, I hope all ends well with not many controversies as some will definitely come up!!!!!!!
Then ultimately you are back from an exhilarating trip filled with meeting people so you want to meet, some you can’t do without meeting and then back home what do you do again? Unpack and then rearranging the latest purchases so eventually the vacation is over and you are even more tired than ever before, and back to work, people expect you to work better but you are tired.
So was the vacation worth it, I feel, yes!!!! At least you got to have a change, a different kind of schedule.
The moral of the above is you can never escape from work, be glad till you can accomplish these tasks, God knows when all this will be completely unattainable.
So now in the next few days I will be off to my long pending vacation back home, I hope all ends well with not many controversies as some will definitely come up!!!!!!!
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Endeavour!
As the title aptly suggests- this is my very first attempt to express my self. Although known to be a loud mouth i have been expressing myself in the past but as time passed, experience taught me that it is best to keep your mouth shut and it will definately save you from many problems.
the next thing to learn though is to decline. God why can i not say no to any request or demand made? and then i do my best, put all my energies and efforts to do it to the best of my abilities, and everyone who is willing to help me, their best abilities. the result is a fine piece of work but the price i pay, the time i spend and the energy spent is never acknowledged. It seems in this part of world appreciation is a quality never considered important.
Any how this is a first and lets see how many new things i will be able to learn to do.
the next thing to learn though is to decline. God why can i not say no to any request or demand made? and then i do my best, put all my energies and efforts to do it to the best of my abilities, and everyone who is willing to help me, their best abilities. the result is a fine piece of work but the price i pay, the time i spend and the energy spent is never acknowledged. It seems in this part of world appreciation is a quality never considered important.
Any how this is a first and lets see how many new things i will be able to learn to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)