Almaha

Lily's Disneyland Surprise!

2011-10-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

You have to see this. It's so funny and cute! lol

مقتطف لمحمد أسد

2011-10-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

"إن هناك مناظر طبيعية أخرى كثيرة في العالم, و لكن احدها لا يمكن في اعتقادي ان يصوغ الروح الإنسانية بمثل هذه الطريقة السامية إلى ابعد الحدود. ان الصحراء بخشونتها و عريها تجرد رغبتنا في ان نفهم الحياة , من كل الخدع و المراوغات, من كل الأوهام و الأضاليل المتعددة المتشعبة التي بها يمكن لطبيعة اكثر سخاء وجودا ان تخلب عقل الإنسان و تجعله يسلط تخيلاته الخاصة على العالم من حوله. ان الصحراء عارية نظيفة لا تقبل إنصاف الحلول. إنها تجرف من قلب الإنسان كل النزوات و الأوهام المحببة التي يمكن ان تستعمل كقناع للتفكير الراغب, و هكذا تجعله حرا لكي يسلم نفسه إلى "كلي" مجرد لا صورة له: ابعد من كل ما هو بعيد, ومع ذلك فهو اقرب من كل ما هو قريب.

منذ ان بدأ الإنسان يفكر, كانت الصحراء و لا تزال مهد كل اعتقاداته بإله واحد. صحيح ان البشر حتى في بيئات اقل خشونة و أجواء اكثر اعتدالا كانت لهم لمحة عن وجود الله و وحدانيته, ولكن هذه المفاهيم الاولى لم تكن قط اكثر من حاصل شعور غامض مبهم, وتكهن لامعرفة أكيدة, الى أن انبثقت المعرفة بيقين يبهر الأبصار لأهالي الصحراء و من الصحراء, فمن عليقة شوك مشتعلة في صحراء مدين دوى صوت الله الى موسى, وفي قفر صحراء فلسطينية تلقى المسيح رسالة "مملكة الله" و في غار حراء , في التلال الصحراوية قرب مكة نودي لأول مرة على محمد العربي.

لقد جاءه النداء في ذلك الشعب الضيق الصدر الجاف بين التلال الصحراوية, ذلك الوادي الذي تحرقه الشمس: النداء إلى توكيد الحياة الروحية الجسدية معا. النداء الذي كان مقدرا له أن يهب كيانا و هدفا للأمة من القبائل لا شكل لها و لا كيان, و أن ينتشر, عن طريقها, خلال عقود معدودات, انتشار النور و الأمل, غربا حتى المحيط الأطلسي و شرقا إلى سور الصين العظيم, و أن يبقى قوة روحية حتى يومنا هذا."

من كتاب "الطريق الى مكة" لمحمد أسد / Leopold Weiss

Sami Yusuf - The Source

2011-09-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

A beautiful song.

Bahrain: Shouting in the Dark

2011-08-05T03:09:00.000-07:00

Bahraini protesters were abandoned by many Arabs, especially the ones from the Arab Gulf, because the majority of Bahrainis happen to be of a different sect. Unlike other Arab countries which are dominated by Sunni Muslims, Bahrain is dominated by Shi'a Muslims. And out of ignorance, many Arabs assumed Bahraini protests were to back the Iranian Shi'a influence in the Middle East.

It's really sad to know that people can be denied their God-given rights because they are of a different religious background, and it's a shameful fact that the Bahraini movement for freedom and justice was crushed by people in the Arab Gulf.

This is a must-see documentary on forgotten Bahraini protests.

Vittorio Arrigoni, Staying Human

2011-07-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Some people risk their lives for strangers because they see these strangers as fellow human beings. They follow their conscience and sense of humanity to fight with others for justice, freedom, and equality.

Vittorio Arrigoni gave his life for Palestinians. He left his comfortable life in Italy to join Palestinians in their fight for freedom and justice, and despite difficulties and obstacles he faced , he kept going on till he was killed for what he believed in. It is tragic when the world loses someone like him. He was a hero, and a hero's death is painful.

This is a film about him made before his death. I watched it today, and thought of sharing it here.

Words by Mohammad Asad

2011-07-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading an abridged biography of Mohammad Asad (formerly Leopold Weiss) , and I intend to get his book " The Road to Makkah", inshaAllah.
Some of his words quoted in the book made me feel sad about the state we Muslims are in.

'How has it come about that you Muslims have lost your self-confidence - that self confidence which once enabled you to spread your faith, in less than a hundred years, from Arabia westward as far as the Atlantic and eastward deep into China - and now surrender yourselves so easily, so weakly, to the thoughts and customs of the West? Why can't you, whose forefathers illumined the world with science and art a time when Europe lay in deep barbarism and ignorance, summon forth the courage to go back to your own progressive, radiant faith? How is it that Attaturk, that petty masquerader who denies all value to Islam, has become to you Muslims a symbol of "Muslim revival"?
'Tell me - how has it come about that the faith of your Prophet and all its clearness and simplicity has been buried beneath a rubble of sterile speculation and the hair-splitting of your scholastics? How has it happened that your princes and great land-owners revel in wealth and luxury while so many of their Muslim brethren subsist in unspeakable poverty and squalor - although your Prophet taught that No one may call himself a Faithful who eats his fill while his neighbor remains hungry? Can you make me understand why you have brushed women into the background of your lives - although the women around the Prophet and his Companions took part in so grand a manner in the life of their men? How has it come about that so many of you Muslims are ignorant and so few can even read and write - although your Prophet declared that Striving after knowledge is a most sacred duty for every Muslim man and woman and that The superiority of the learned man over the mere pious is like the superiority of the moon when it is full over all other stars?" Mohammad Asad

If you don't know who Mohammad Asad was , click here

الشعب الليبي يختار الحرية

2011-02-21T17:46:00.000-08:00

ذكر علي عزت بيجوفيتش في احد كتبه ان " جوهر الروح هو الحرية" والإنسان ليس جسد بل هو روح , لذا نراه يتعذب و يختار أن تترك روحه جسده عندما تسلب حريته.هذا ما اختاره الشعب الليبي اليوم , إما الموت أو الحرية و الكرامة الإنسانية

هذا فقط ما يفعله الأبطال لكن موت الأبطال مؤلم , وهذا ما أحس به لا اجل هذه الأرواح البريئة التي قتلها و لا يزال يقتل فيها هذا المجرم القذافي . لكن شئ واحد اعرفه أن ذكرى هذه الأرواح الشجاعة ستبقى ذكرى خالدة في التاريخ الإنساني كما بقيت ذكرى المجاهد الليبي المسلم عمر المختار , ذكرى مشرفة و بطولية للشعب الليبي

انني اؤمن بحقي في الحرية، وحق بلادي في الحياة، وهذا الايمان اقوى من كل سلاح، وحينما يقاتل المرء لكي يغتصب وينهب، قد يتوقف عن القتال اذا امتلأت جعبته، أو أنهكت قواه، ولكنه حين يحارب من أجل وطنه يمضي في حربه الى النهاية. ان الظلم يجعل من المظلوم بطلا، وأما الجريمة فلا بد من أن يرتجف قلب صاحبها مهما حاول التظاهر بالكبرياء. عمر المختار

To the Tyrants of the World

2011-02-02T03:44:00.000-08:00

Ela Tughat Al Aalam (To the Tyrants of the World ) is an old Arabic poem written by Tunisian poet Abdul Qasim Alshabi. It's what Arab protesters in Tunisia and Egypt have been using as their slogans and chants. It's powerful and beautiful.

إلى طغاة العالم

ألاّ أيّهــــا الظـــالمُ المســـتبِدُّ حــبيبُ الظــلامِ, عــدوّ الحيــاه

ســخرتَ بأنّــات شـعبٍ ضعيـفٍ وكــفُّك مخضوبــةٌ مــن دمــاه

وســرتَ تُشــوِّه سِــحْرَ الوجـودِ وتبــذرُ شــوكَ الأسـى فـي رُبـاهْ

رُوَيـــدَك! لا يخــدعنْك الــربيعُ وصحـوُ الفضـاء, وضـوءُ الصبـاحْ

ففـي الأفُـقِ الرحـبِ هـولُ الظـلام وقصـفُ الرعـودِ, وعصـفُ الريـاحْ

حــذارِ! فتحــت الرمــادِ اللهيـبُ ومـن يبـذرِ الشـوك يجـنِ الجـراحْ

تــأمل! هنــالك.. أنّــى حـصدتَ رؤوسَ الــوَرَى, وزهــورَ الأمـلْ

ورويَّــت بــالدمِ قلــبَ الــترابِ وأشْــربتَه الــدمعَ, حــتى ثمِــلْ

ســيجرفُكَ الســيلُ, سـيلُ الدمـاءِ ويـــأكلُك العـــاصفُ المشــتعِلْ

To the Tyrants of the World

Unjust tyrant , lover of the darkness , enemy of life
You have mocked the wounds of the weak people

Your palm is stained with their blood
You distorted the charm of existence

And planted the seeds of sorrow in the fields

Wait, don't let the spring, the clearness of the sky

and the morning light fool you
For on the horizon lies the horror of darkness

rumble of thunder and blowing of winds

Beware, underneath the ash there is fire

And he who sows thorns reaps wounds

Look there, for I have harvested the heads of mankind
and the flowers of hope

And I watered with blood the heart of the earth

I drenched it with tears until it was drunk

The river of blood will sweep you
And the burning storm will devour you

The War You Don't See

2011-01-02T00:06:00.000-08:00

The War You Don't See is a must-see film by award-winning journalist and film maker John Pilger.
In this film, John Pilger draws attention to the sad and shameful reality of our world. He exposes how the media manipulates the public by investigating its role in war, and its relationship with corrupt governments.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Viva Palestina

2010-10-22T10:28:00.000-07:00

It brought tears to my eyes, watching on TV yesterday those beautiful men and women from different countries entering Gaza to help their brothers in humanity. It was beautiful!

Those pro-Palestinian activists, and among them were survivors from the Israeli attack on the Turkish aid ship on May 31 , arrived in Gaza yesterday in more than 100 cars and lorries carrying aid worth nearly $5m.

This convoy, Viva Palestina, was organized by George Galloway, a British politician . However, George Galloway was not with those activists yesterday because he was banned from Egypt by the Egyptian authorities.

George Galloway will always remain a great man, an inspiration to us all. And those pro-Palestinian activists did a GREAT job.

Fanaa

2010-09-23T20:26:00.000-07:00

Fanaa in Arabic means annihilation or death. The word is used in some extreme levels of Sufism to refer to the state a mystic reaches in which they have union with God. it's the state of Nirvana in which all in this universe is leveled down and reduced to one principle immanent in the world.
To extreme Sufis in this state, God dwells in every thing. As a result, dualities like God/man, and man/nature disappear. And the holy becomes equal with the unholy, the human with the nonhuman, the sacred with the profane , the relative with the absolute, the good with the evil, the above with the below, everything with everything else. Eventually, everything becomes nothing.
In this state of fanaa, God has no meaning, and humanity has no purpose or any essential value in this life. This state of Fanaa only leads to a nihilistic view of life.

Reference: http://i-epistemology.net/attachments/414_V14N1%20Spring%2097%20-%20Elmesseri%20-%20Modernity,%20Immanence,%20and%20Deconstruction.pdf

Muslims' Attitude Toward Differences of Opinion

2010-06-25T12:29:00.000-07:00

At the time of the prophet peace be upon him, there was a war between Muslims and Jews ( Banu Quraythah). The prophet instructed his companions to go and fight the enemy and he told them " Do not pray until you get to Banu Quraythah". On their way and when it was asr time, a dispute occurred between the companions. One group understood the prophet's order metaphorically .They thought the prophet meant 'hurry up'. So some of the companions prayed at asr time while the others prayed after asr time when they got to Banu Quraythah.

When the companions met the prophet peace be upon him again , they told him about what happened, and asked him which view was correct. Of course one of the two views must have been right but the prophet peace be upon him said " Whoever performs ijtihad ( interpretation) and errs will receive one reward. Whoever performs ijtihad and arrives at the correct answer gets double the reward."
This is a great example from the greatest prophet of how people can stay united even when they have different opinions.
In Islam, Muslims can have differences as long as these differences are not on definite matters. For instance, there is no difference of opinion on not performing prayer or not drinking alcohol. But differences on indefinite matters , those subject to ijtihad ( interpretation) , must be tolerated and respected.

Unfortunately, Muslims today divide themselves over matters of ijtihad. What I see on websites, forums, blogs is shameful. Muslims labeling, insulting, name-calling each other for their differences of opinion.

Such Muslims are ignorant about their Islamic history. Stories of the prophets and companions of prophet Muhammad peace be upon him are filled with great examples of people with highly civilized behavior. What stops Muslims from following these examples?

And oh you might find the same Muslims who offend and insult others for their different opinions express their wishes and hopes for Muslims to be united :)

Good and Evil

2010-06-16T00:11:00.000-07:00

"Is the world divided into good and evil, and is man thus halved? I think that that is where lies the difference between a “romantic” and a “realist.” Romantics see the world as a battle arena between men, of whom some are good and some are evil. Realists see the same battle, but primarily within man himself. I think that the latter is closer to the truth." Alija Izet Begovic

Making Someone Happy Makes You Happy

2010-06-13T01:05:00.000-07:00

Even though our definition of happiness may not be the same, we know the feeling of being happy. Having a happy life and being happy is what we all seek. But how do we do that? How can we be happy?

There is a beautiful verse in the holy Quran that tells us how to be happy and have a happy life "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - We will surely cause him to live a good life, and We will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do." Quran 16:97

This is what happens when we do righteousness. We are happy and have a happy life. And this is what happens when we help people who need help.

Helping the poor, the needy, the homeless, or whoever needs our help brings happiness to the heart. There is nothing like the satisfaction that one feels when they see the joy that they have brought to the lives of others. Such unselfish work for the sake of Allah purifies the soul , softens the heart, and makes us share other people's joys. It also shows our love for one another. The greatest prophet peace be upon him said " No one truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself. "

If you want to be happy, help those who need your help. Making someone happy makes you happy.

The Human Soul

2010-06-07T20:56:00.000-07:00

My soul is the essence of my being. Without it , I'm dead. I see many people in my world biologically alive but spiritually dead. They have sold their souls for their whims, desires, and lusts like Faust who sold his soul to the devil for worldly pleasures and knowledge.

What do such people really gain when they lose their own souls?

Prophet Muhammad's, peace be upon him, Last Sermon

2010-04-08T07:52:00.000-07:00

This sermon was delivered on the ninth day of Dhul Hijjah 10 A.H. in the 'Uranah valley of Mount Arafat' (in Mecca)

"O People, listen well to my words, for I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Treat others justly so that no one would be unjust to you. Remember that you will indeed meet your LORD, and that HE will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (riba), therefore all riba obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital , however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. God has judged that there shall be no riba and that all the riba due to `Abbas ibn `Abd al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabi`ah ibn al Harith ibn `Abd al Muttalib.
O Men, the Unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which God forbade, and to forbid that which God has made permissible. With God the months are twelve in number. Four of them are sacred, three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Sha`ban. Beware of the devil, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain rights over your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are your partners and committed helpers. It is your right and they do not make friends with anyone of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste...
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God (The One Creator of the Universe), perform your five daily prayers (Salah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your financial obligation (zakah) of your wealth. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.
All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.
Remember, one day you will appear before God (The Creator) and you will answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or messenger will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I am leaving you with the Book of God (the QUR'AN*) and my Sunnah (the life style and the behavioral mode of the Prophet), if you follow them you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people."

Lilith

2010-04-03T20:25:00.000-07:00

According to Jewish folklore, Adam had a wife before Eve. Her name was Lilith which means night.

Lilith refused to be Adam’s wife, and rejected the fact that men and women are different . She revolted against God , and as a punishment for her revolt, she was thrown out of the Garden of Eden. She took revenge on God, men, women, and the world by killing new born babies which turned her into a demon that only lived to destroy.

Lilith’s view of men, women, and the world is no different from that of the radical feminists. She is only their symbol.

In his book “The Invisible Hand”, Elmessiri states that feminism is not a question of rights and it’s not a movement that calls for justice and women’s human rights. But it's a movement that bases its views on the notion that history is only an expression of male dominance over female. This dominance happened after battles between males and females when societies, characterized by peace and harmony, were ruled by females . But ever since males dominated, the world has been based on fighting and wars. Therefore, everything must return to what it was like . And that’s why war has been declared on men. Here, feminism is like Zionism in its view. For the Zionists, everything must return to what it was like. Jews must return to their homeland for they are the chosen people, the superiors, so nothing is found wrong with killing Arabs and occupying their lands!!

The author continues and says that the underlying view of feminism originates from an Immanentistic world outlook that reduces the whole universe to one level.At this level, God, nature, man, history are all integrated into a single entity, in an attempt to create a new world where boundaries are leveled with the locus, and where there is no male and female.Feminism rejects the differences between men and women, and distributing roles. So men become fathers and mothers, and women become fathers and mothers. This even extends to feelings. A man’s feelings must not be different from a woman’s.

But this immanentistic world view always fails to be right and possible. And as a result of its failure , a sharp dualism emerges that completely isolates the female from the male considering that what a female feels cannot be felt by a male, and that the historical experience of females is completely different from that of the males. Perhaps that’s why Men from Mars Women from Venus came into existence?

Here, we see a development in the issue of male-female relationship. From equalizing between men and women to completely isolating the female from the male. And when we get to this stage, we can’t speak of a reform program but rather of a destructive one in which the female male duality disappears, and the distinction becomes impossible. At this stage, feminism is coherent with other similar immanentistic movements like the lesbian movement ,for they all assume what is absolute does not transcend matter but it dwells in it. So everything to feminists is female and female is everything.

Elmessiri's Views on Immanence

Oneness of Man under One God

2010-03-20T11:13:00.000-07:00

Islam is submitting and surrendering to one God (Allah). He is the Creator and the Owner of all that exits.“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only! Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begetteth not nor is He begotten. And there is none like unto Him”. Quran 112: 1-4. This is what Muslims believe in. And believing and understanding the oneness of Allah leads to believing in and understanding the oneness of man that is we are all equal before Allah regardless of our differences in color, race, or nationality. “O Mankind, We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other. Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is he who is the most righteous of you” (Quran 49:13).
In His wisdom, Allah has made mankind into different peoples and tribes so that they may know one another, not so that they may despise one another. He tells us that our differences in color, language , and race are a sign of His greatness and power in creation. And to Him, all submit and surrender.This can be seen clearly in many aspects of Muslim societies. For example, in prayer, Muslims stand together before Allah without allocating any special place for a king, great man ,or scholar.In fasting, all people feel the same hunger with no favors shown to a ruler or rich man or noble.Also, in Hajj, Muslims of different colors, nationalities, and races wear the same clothes, stand in one place and do the same rituals. They are all one and worshipping one God.
Even when it comes to criminal laws, punishment is the same no matter who has committed the crime. It does not matter if it’s a king or even a weaver of clothes. They are all equal before the law.
A woman from the tribe makhzum committed theft at the time of the prophet peace be upon him and she was brought to him to be punished. This upset Quraish and they said ” who will intercede with us with the messenger of Allah so that she is spared the punishment?” Then they remembered that Usamah Bin zaid was dearly beloved by the messenger of Allah.. They spoke to him and asked that he intercede for that woman. So he spoke with the prophet but the prophet peace be upon him became very angry and said to him:Are you interceding concerning one of the haad punishments decreed by Allah?” Then he stood up and addressed the people , saying “Those who came before you were only destroyed because if a nobleman among them stole they would let him off but if one of the weak stole, they would carry out the punishment on him. By Allah, if Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to steal, I would cut off her hand.”
Some disagreement occurred between two companions of the prophet peace be upon him, Abu Dharr and Bilal. Abu Dharr said to Bilal, “You son of a black woman.” The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him was extremely upset by Abu Dharr’s comment, so he peace be upon him rebuked him by saying, “That is too much, Abu Dharr. He who has a white mother has no advantage which makes him better than the son of a black mother.” This rebuke had a profound effect on Abu Dharr, who then put his head on the ground swearing that he would not raise it until Bilal had put his foot over it.
Indeed, Islam is a religion of justice. It calls to worshipping one God without invoking anyone or anything besides Him.
“Allah is He, than Whom there is no other god;- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace (and Perfection), the Guardian of Faith, the Preserver of Safety, the Exalted in Might, the Irresistible, the Supreme: Glory to Allah! (High is He) above the partners they attribute to Him.He is Allâh, the Creator, the Inventor of all things, the Bestower of forms. To Him belong the Best Names . All that is in the heavens and the earth glorify Him. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. Quran 59: 23-24
.It’s understanding the oneness of God that leads to understanding the oneness of man.

I wrote the article based on the chapter 'Human Tendency" from the book Civilization of Faith by Dr. As-sibaii

Farman Ali Khan

2009-12-25T16:04:00.000-08:00

Jeddah was afflicted last month by heavy rains that caused deaths of hundreds of people. What happened is Allah's will but what's shocking is a city like Jeddah in the rich country Saudi Arabia still has no sewage system and it has neighborhoods built arbitrarily.So when the rainstorm hit , the city became flooded.
It's the corruption we have in Arabia that caused this catastrophe. But this post is not for expressing my anger or talking about the corruption we have in Arabia. It's for sharing an article I've translated from Arabic into English.
Farman Ali Khan saved 14 people during Jeddah flood, and on his way to save the 15th person, he drowned.
Of all articles I've read about him in our newspapers, I only loved Maram Makkawy's "Let 'Farman' be against discrimination".

This is the translation of Maram Makkawy's article

Even though we know in our hearts that our country and the Arabian gulf have been built and still are by the hands of Asian workers who work under scorching sun , live in overcrowded and poorly ventilated places , and wait months before they are paid, some say they have come to our country out of greed and they don't do anything for free. And that they are the source of all evils in our angelic societies!. Some even shamelessly demanded their deportation of the two holy cities as if they are terrorists or invaders..
I can say the media has contributed a lot to the spread of this negative image. It focuses on their crimes and mistakes extensively but when it comes to their positives and the great services they provide for our country, it's almost nonexistent. Even when one of those ordinary workers is a victim of greed ,extortion ,or mistreatment by a Saudi citizen or an institute, it is not difficult for our conscience to justify their crimes and present them as exceptions and not worthy of attention.
Then Wednesday flood came and people showed their true colors. Some recorded their heroic actions in gold, others marked them with shame and disgrace.
Today I will talk about the first kind, about the hero of Jeddah.
I will talk about a man whose face exudes light as his picture shows.
He was 32 years old. He saved 14 people before the flood swept him away on his way to rescue the 15th person .Our hero's name is Farman Ali Khan, a hero from Pakistan. His mind was occupied with one thought when he saw people crying for help…what could he do to help them? He did not say I'm a foreigner and I don't care. He did not stand by as some of our men did only taking pictures by their expensive cell phones of people fighting when they could help. He did not even justify himself as many did by saying he had a house full of women and that he was their only breadwinner.
The need made Farman, the university graduate, travel and work in a grocery store to support his family financially. He has a wife, and three daughters Zubaidah (3 years ), Madihah ( 6 years), and Jarirah ( 4 years). He hadn't seen them for years to the extent that his youngest daughter does not remember him. And for this reason, his brothers insisted on having his body airlifted to his home so his family could take a good bye look at him after he died a martyr in a country far away from home saving his brothers in religion and humanity.
On the other hand, a few days after the disaster, a video showed us something that makes any Saudi ashamed .A clip of a Saudi man shouting at Saudi volunteers in Jeddah distributing humanitarian aid to people in affected areas and saying " Give to Saudis but not to foreigners".
Back to our hero, Farman. People in Jeddah agree that this man's memory must live on in the city. And here they are demanding a street or a square be named after him. They are also demanding that his family be taken care of financially for life. Others requested that his family be given the Saudi nationality in gratitude for his sacrifice. Is there anything more nationalistic than giving your life for your country and for your people?
Let our men be like a man with a lion's heart as Farman Ali Khan.
Let this sad occasion be an opportunity for us to rethink our treatment of expats both at the individual level in our daily interaction with them and at the state level with regard to their rights and sponsorship laws, etc.,
Let our appreciation of Farman's sacrifice be " Let 'Farman' be against discrimination".
Allah grant you paradise , Farman

The Injustice Has Become Justice

2008-12-31T00:56:00.000-08:00

It seems we have forgotten we are human beings. Our world has become value-free. The injustice has become justice, and only the fittest survive to us.
The world watches Palestinians being massacred in Gaza but they justify all these acts of terrorism ,violence ,brutality, and inhumanity the Israelis are committing in the name of self-defense. How could those Jews defend themselves on a land they occupied? Because the American government says so? Yes .The world belongs to the American government and Muslims and Arabs are not part of this world.
Muslims and Arabs are suffering and dying and if they try to fight against the oppression and injustice they are called terrorists. How just is that? So either they are slaves of the ones oppressing them or they are killed and called terrorists?
And what is worse is Muslims today see their own leaders betraying them to the ones killing them. Is there anything worse than that?
I do not know how cruel and brutal those people could be. I feel nothing but pain and betrayal like all Muslims and Arabs, but I do believe injustice does not last. What lasts is justice and freedom..