Strange

Source: CBC News

Labels: Humour, News

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posted by Faraz @ 12:22 PM Your opinions: 6

Sometimes, you just need to stop and smell the dead bugs that have been sitting on that windowsill for the last two years

A few days ago, my feed reader led me to a fairly bad article that caught my attention.  I read it before heading off to work, shortly after it was published, but did not have time to share my comments at that time.  I thought to myself, by the time I get home, dozens of other people would probably say the same thing.  If not, maybe I'd leave a comment - it had been a while that I'd been an active contributor to the Muslim blogosphere.

"Dozens" was an understatement.  The response was angry, constant, unforgiving.  I briefly considered adding a comment to echo the overwhelming majority opinion against the article, but stopped myself - what more would I be contributing?

Unfortunately, that question has been popping up all too often of late, holding back my erstwhile love of writing - the idea that I have to be contributing something amongst the millions of other voices out there.  When I evaluate the odds, I feel outnumbered, and busy myself instead with local endeavours, finding my place in the urban community that is slowly becoming home.

The plight of my city has given me tonnes of material to write about - never before has the Ottawa Muslim community been under this much public scrutiny. My recent travels have opened new worlds to me.  My new family life has filled that void that pervaded much of my earlier writing and life.  So why, then, am I holding back my thoughts?

The most memorable feedback I've ever received about my irrelevant opinions came from an anonymous e-mailer who I don't believe was even one of the regular commenters here.  After searching my rarely-used Hotmail account, I was reminded about other occasions where blogging lost value to me, but how I came back in the end. Their words:

"... and Allah has given you the gift of writing.  Use this gift to remind people of what is important, or maybe just to pay attention to things we tend to take for granted.  With the right intention, this blog could be your ticket to acceptance by Allah."

So perhaps there is room to contribute to the world, at this little corner of blogspot.com?

Labels: Irrelevance

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posted by Faraz @ 1:43 PM Your opinions: 5

Galloway Refused Entry into Canada

"Canadian officials have denied outspoken anti-war British MP George Galloway entry into Canada on grounds he poses a threat to national security."

Via the Toronto Star.

I recall attending a lecture by Mr. Galloway in Ottawa several years ago, and was impressed by his charisma and strong principles.  This was years before he was a household name within the Muslim world; since then, he has gone way up in my esteem after his incredible efforts in the Viva Palestina convoy.  Blocking his entry into Canada this time around is an unfortunate sign that Canadian leaders are still under the influence of the old US administration, where criticism of Israel is tantamount to treason.

It is a frightening sign of the times that the ones who are truly calling out for peace are considered to be "threats to national security", whereas those who support oppressive regimes and illegal invasions are considered to be advocates of peace, justice, and freedom.

Some day, we'll be saying that war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength.

Labels: News

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posted by Faraz @ 4:11 PM Your opinions: 5

Design Proposal for the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Labels: Hajj

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posted by Faraz @ 12:00 PM Your opinions: 1

Resolution

A lot is going on these days - it is amazing how many things have been changing and will change in the coming months. Insha-Allah, the challenges will be met and things will go smoothly. I just have to promise myself one thing:

Do not let the depressing hockey scores put you in a bad mood. Do not dwell in the misery of Montreal's losing streak.

Update: Oh, and I also intend to write more. Sometime, eventually, maybe.

Labels: Hockey, Life

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posted by Faraz @ 10:36 AM Your opinions: 3

Les Poissons

Les poissons, les poissons
How I love les poissons
Love to chop and to serve little fish!
First I cut off their heads,
Then I pull out the bones
Ah mais oui, Ca c'est toujours delice!
Les poissons, les poissons
Hee hee hee, Hah hah hah!
With the cleaver I hack them in two
I pull out what's inside
And I serve it up fried
God, I love little fishes
Don't you?

Here's something for tempting the palate
Prepared in the classic technique
First you pound the fish flat with a mallet
Then you slash through the skin
Give the belly a slice
Then you rub some salt in
'Cause that makes it taste nice

Zut alors, I have missed one!

Sacre bleu, what is this?
How on earth could I miss
Such a sweet little succulent crab?
Quel dommage, what a loss!
Here we go in the sauce
Now some flour, I think, just a dab
Now I stuff you with bread
It won't hurt 'cause you're dead!
And you're certainly lucky you are
'Cause it's gonna be hot
In my big silver pot
Toodle loo, mon poisson
Au revoir!

credit: Disney's Little Mermaid, and a lengthy fever that has unlocked some unpleasant childhood memories

Labels: Irrelevance

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posted by Faraz @ 12:39 PM Your opinions: 6

Tribute to the Pilgrims

In the last few weeks, I have been congratulated quite often for my recent marriage. Marriage certainly is a big step in life, and is worthy of celebration. But is it really that special, in comparison to other accomplishments in life?

My closest friend is leaving for Hajj in less than a week. Thinking about the journey he is about to undertake, I can't help but think that his journey, and that of every other pilgrim, is far more worthy of celebration than any marriage. We put so much emphasis on marriage, forgetting about the more important things in life.

1. Hajj is mandatory (fardh), while marriage is sunnah. Completing Hajj is establishing a pillar of Islam; it is the very foundation of one's deen.
   
2. Both marriage and Hajj are once-in-a-lifetime experiences for most people, but Hajj is such an experience that cleanses a person spiritually and can change a life completely. Generally, marriage will also change a person for the better, but it occasionally brings out the worst in people. There is no guarantee that marriage will provide the spiritual renewal that Hajj provides.
   
3. Hajj is a privilege that very few get to experience. Assuming an average adult lifespan of seventy years, and an average of two million new pilgrims per year, approximately 140 million Muslims will go for Hajj during the life of an average person. This makes up only 10% of the entire Muslim population - meaning 90% of the Muslims of the world do not get such an opportunity. On the other hand, most people get married eventually, and it is not even something exclusive to Muslims. Most people get married eventually.
   

Of course, they are not mutually exclusive, so the pursuit of one should not prevent the other. Those who have experienced both are truly lucky. But we must not forget what a privilege the experience of Hajj is, and must confer the appropriate respect and honour to the Pilgrims. They are far more worthy of respect, and deserve all the recognition we can give them.

Labels: Hajj

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posted by Faraz @ 10:07 AM Your opinions: 6