If any of the Pakistani cricketers............

In life, many things we do, in fact - most things we do, we do them and we do so mainly for our: parents or for  our spouses or for our families or for our countries. Or, we do them because of our religion, traditions or values. Good sportsmen, especially those who represent nations, are supposed to represent the nations they come from; they should be disciplined, honest and exemplary. As for cricket, one of the few games known to be a 'gentleman's sport', those involved in it should be even more honorable.

What is in a name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose.....By any other name would smell as sweet." Great quote. Very wise words. And how true. With people in mind: it's not a name that makes a person have a certain personality or character. It's not a name that creates an impression or impact on others. It is what that person is, that does. The small, fragile looking Mother Teresa, had she had any other name, would still be as famed and admired; or, had Pele Edison Arantes do Nascimento, had any other name, he would still be as revered and idolized by millions around the world just as he is now. A few weeks ago, my eldest daughter was about to have her first child; she asked me to propose some names for the child. I suggested  a few.

Sites Of Note: Reading Al'Quraan

Anyone who wants to read Quran Al Kareem online, can go to several sites; many of which have many errors, are unreliable or are wrongly translated. But there are two exceptionally good and user friendly websites: Tanzil.info and Quran.com. Both are easy to access, have translations by several renowned Muslim scholars, in several languages and have varying transliterations.

Book Of Note

With the Hijab, the Niqab and the Burqah receiving so much attention of late and in recent years, few or maybe no other book, is as absorbing  and eyeopening to read about the aversion in the West, especially in France, to the the 'veil' - as Joan Wallach Scott's 'The Politics of the Veil'. Masterfully and skillfully written, since it being published about three years ago, it has received intense attention and much critique - to the annoyance of the French.

Is Ramadhan the month for Excess, Extravagance and Wastage?

Each year, during this month of Ramadhan - Al Mukalla dramatically changes. During the day, especially before noon, it is a ghost town; with very few people and very little activity going on. Most people spend most of the day sleeping. Those at work, especially in public offices and institutions - simply yawn and laze around. The most difficult time to get any thing done here, is during Ramadhan. Come evening and all this changes.

Obama: the odd politician

Unlike Mr. Sarkozy, the French President, who would go to extremes and does not hesitate to advance his political fortunes - even if it means going against the much vaunted French 'principles' of liberty and freedom; Mr. Barack Obama does and acts as we would expect the leader of the Land of Democracy and Liberty to do. Even if it means his going against the wishes of almost 70% of his constituency:

Makkah Clock Tower Is Ticking

This is very refreshing: The giant clock of Makkah is all set to tick home a new time standard, as some scholars believe that it will be an ideal alternative to the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Many scholars are of the opinion that Makkah Time can provide the world an alternative to the GMT. These people have scientific arguments to back their contention, as Makkah is situated in the center of the world.

At a conference in Doha in 2008, Muslim clerics and scholars presented “scientific” arguments that Makkah time is the true global meridian. They said that Makkah is the center of the world.........

Indeed: We Are All Pakistanis

For the last few days, any one watching or reading the news on Pakistan's extensive and devastating floods - would find it very hard not to be moved into tears: the extreme suffering, the wretchedness and the despair displayed - in slow motion - are too stunning. For long, Pakistan has always been in the news; man made news. But this time, it is the power of Nature that is creating the saddest and most miserable situation that, that country has ever had in living memory.