June 16th

June 16th, commonly referred to as Youth Day in South Africa. A day that marked a milestone in South African history.

As children marched to fight against the brutality and unfairness of the Apartheid government. One kid, Hector Peterson was shot and killed. This story and the famous picture made headlines world wide.

They fought for a better future for us!

I ask all those how well have we used our privileges?

We have come a long way, however, the road ahead is even longer. Though the ANC is in power there are major battles for us as a country to overcome.

I list them:
- Education
- Unemployment
- Living conditions
- Water
- Sanitation
- Public Health
- Crime
- This e-toll thing
- Food prices
- Petrol prices
- Salary of public servants
- CORRUPTION

Most of us live a comfy lifestyle, therefore we often fail to think about what's affecting those below us; the disadvantaged ones. Indeed Apartheid is over, yet 18 years into democracy, the people that were living in a squatter camp without water and sanitation during Apartheid are often the same people living there today. It can be debated that the government has made progress in some areas. However, in most instances they have failed us as a country and a nation.

It's time for us, the youth, to take an active stand in politics and fight for the South Africa we want to live in. Can we really say that this is a country that we are proud of and can bestow unto future generations with pride?

PS: I have yet to figure out HOW we can change this country, but thinking and talking about it is a step in the right direction, I believe.  

Live & Let Live

Today I realised that very often we're more worried about what our friends or society may think about us, so we hide things from them so as to not feel ashamed or judged. Not that anyone has the right to judge you of course.

Remind me again, why do we care?! If we're not ashamed to do it when our Creator is always watching then why are we ashamed of mere mortals finding out, they won't decide our fate....

I also feel we hold back on being our true selves and doing what we want because we're afraid of what others might think and say about us. I ask again, why do we care? Why do place so much of importance on the thoughts of others? Why do we allow ourselves to be defined by others?

. . .
 

As my friend Tasneem would say:
"Live and Let Live" people

We judge too much & Accept too little

This post is sparked by something my cousin said to me.

From 5 years ago I've been complaining about my Somalia neighbours. They're not smelly, rude or dirty. Yet, they're are noisy! Noisy on the level that sometimes I feels as if I'm in their house hehe.

In general many of us South African Muslims, besides my dad & cousin who attend their functions & chat to them "haven't really accepted them into our community". And that's a problem. Not only are they Muslims but they're good, honest, human beings who have great sense of Ubuntu & are just trying to make a living.

We did a bit of introspection 2 weeks ago, when my cousin's home nearly burnt down. The porch & lounge were on fire while my cousins, nephews & nieces were asleep. Before my family had time to realise exactly what was happening, Allah Ta'ala sent 2 angels; 2 Somali men, who forced the garage door open & put the fire out. Yes they saved my family, their home & did it way before the fire brigade arrived.

 
After everything was safe & the rest of my family got there, they took a cool walk off, without one of us even having the chance to thank them. How strong must one's Imaan be to do such a thing; something for the greater good & for the pleasure of Allah that saved a family & a home. Sometimes I feel ashamed of the Muslim I am when standing next to them.

All our Du'aas are with those 2 men. 

The crux of this post lies in the fact that I feel we as a community need to start being open minded & move past the barrier of race. All individuals are humans & if they're honest & sincere than why dislike them or not give them a chance. We, as Indians have tendencies to be way too judgmental & think a lot of ourselves & in my view we really aren't that great...

Let's take a moment to appreciate the beauty that lies within the world we live in...

 Click on the link to view these amazing photographs :)

30 Best Earth Pictures of the Week – April 24th to May 01th, 2012

Pick yourself up & Dust yourself off. Start all over again if you have to

"It doesn’t matter how many times you fail. It doesn’t matter how many times you almost get it right. No one is going to know or care about your failures, and neither should you. All you have to do is learn from them and those around you because... All that matters in business is that you get it right once. Then everyone can tell you how lucky you are."

 Mark Cuban

Life passes us by & we fail to enjoy the lil yet special things it has to offer

I'm sure many of us have read this story before yet I feel the need to post it. 

"A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that 1,100 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by, and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace, and stopped for a few seconds, and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping, and continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried, but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally, the mother pushed hard, and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money, but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the most talented musicians in the world. He had just played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, on a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste, and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?"

For full story:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/04/AR2007040401721.html

Humbled.

January 18th, 2012 I was blessed with the opportunity of visiting the holy city, Makkah for the very first time.

Seeing the Haram & the Ka'aba felt so surreal yet amazing (indeed we use amazing for everything but this was truly it) we were only there for a few hours due to our 18hr transit but it exceeded any wild expectations or images I've seen.
 

I've always known this, yet being in Makkah made me actually realise that Umrah & Hajj are really wonderful & humbling experiences. Everyone is dressed the same! There is no rich, poor, average or the millionaires. Males are dressed in a white cloth & females Abayas or anything long that covers.

It's the one time in which we truly realise that indeed we are all born & will die as equals, Allah Ta'ala knows no wealth nor looks, just sincere beings & hearts who live in the name of Islam & for HIS pleasure.

Everyone who enters the Haram Shareef is there for one common purpose; Ibadaat! Whether it be to request for something, plead for forgiveness or perform an Umrah or Hajj.

I pray that every individual be awarded the opportunity to visit the Haram & that we all experience that humbling moment that will last for a while if not eternally. I also pray that I be awarded the opportunity again, Insha'Allah.

 

That Time Of The Year Again ...

It's resolution time of the year again. That time of the year wherein we all promise to do or not do certain deeds. I often wonder how many actually remember & stick to their new year resolutions.

I've decided to let the world know mine so as to always remember it, but also be held accountable just before the world comes to an end of course ;) lol. It should be noted that I'm not really the New Year resolution type, I usually decide to do something & then go for it, however this year I'll do it differently, just for fun.

Ok so here goes my list:

1.   No more lies!! Yip, no more white lies. Take responsibility & accept the consequences (I totally broke this one on Sat night *sigh* but persevere I shall. Although I told the truth tonight, so it was like an interim lie if that makes any sense)

2.   Raise funds for the SRC Humanitarian Fund & lots of funds!! I have education to pay for.

3.   Graduate Insha'Allah

4.   Do the TESOL course

5.   Go over the sea :D

6.   Get into Honours, hopefully somewhere pretty & abroad hehe

7.   Be frank yet nice / polite :)

8.   No more tempers flying & pettiness

9.   No more complaining
10. Lastly take my interest in photography seriously. Yes Sabeeha Jhetam, YOU are my inspiration.

Uhm I think that's it for now, if I have anything else I'll be sure to add it on.

2012 let's do this...
*dam dam daam daaaaaaam*