My Experience in Germany: 2013 Tübingen/South Africa Programme

The beautiful city of  Tübingen
Photo Credits: Michelle Nowers

On Sunday 6 January 2013 a group of sixteen students met at Capello in O.R. Tambo International Airport ready to embark on a journey of a life time. I was honoured to be the representative from the University of the Witwatersrand for this Cultural and Language Programme in Tübingen. This trip was an incredible opportunity for every individual who attended.

There are many aspects that stood out about this trip and there are many things that I learnt about myself, the world and the amazing group I was blessed to be a part of. Meeting people of a different calibre and from different walks of life have assisted in broadening my horizons. This trip taught me patience and tolerance to the differences that make us individuals. It has taught me about diversity and a country so rich in history, politics and tradition.

I had my fair share of hurdles on this trip; some of which were: lack of Halaal food, not many practicing Muslims, being away from home for the first time for such a long time and having to do everything for myself, almost always missing the bus home and being punctual; however as I look back I am grateful for every experience lived! Living in a city that is not vigilant to Islam made me stronger in my faith, being away from home gave me a renewed sense of independence and showed me that indeed I can fend for myself, missing the bus taught me to stand on my own two feet, speak to people and find my way home, and lastly my long lived problem with being punctual is hopefully sorted out, where better to learn punctuality than in Germany.

Every excursion was insightful and something to look forward to. There were many comparisons and contrasts that could be made between South Africa and Germany. I hope once we all get back into our daily routine we will try and instil a bit of German culture into our realm, for example recycling. Germans are huge on recycling, South Africans not so much. If we as South Africans start recycling we will be one step closer to creating a world which we are proud to live in; one which we will be glad to bestow unto future generations.

I end this post with the following: “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend” Melody Beattie. First and foremost I thank my University for nominating me. Thanks must go to the organisers from Stellenbosch and Tübingen University and most importantly every individual who played a role in making this trip a possibility for me. And lastly thanks to the rest of the group for making the 4 weeks an incredible journey, "after the experience is only as good as the company you're with".

In case you're wondering how I managed to get nominated my piece of advice would be work hard in your academics but play hard too. Don't be so preoccupied with living your own life and fulfilling your own dreams that you forget about your community and the problems that face us. Be an active participant of society. Love life and have fun! Most importantly grab every opportunity that comes your way and if you want something go out there and get it not forgetting your manners and morals. And always stay true to yourself!

The lessons learnt, experiences shared and bonds formed will be carried with me for years to come, if not forever. I am filled with pride and gratitude for the amazing opportunity experienced.

At the Mercedes Benz (Daimler) Factory in Stuttgart

Outside Staatsgalerie, Stuttgart

The walk down from Hohenzolle Castle

  

For information on the Tübingen/South Africa Programme visit: http://www.uni-tuebingen.de/uni/qzl/isp/sonder/southafrica/Kurs2013/welcome2013.html

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