Jum'ah Journal--Celebrations in USA

 Every country/civilization have their own days of celebration What should Muslims celebrate in USA?
 Well to begin with the prophet PBUH allowed the Muslims to celebrate the two Eids in Madina Munawwara, in preference to the Pagan celebrations of those times. So is that it for Muslims today?
Some strict Muslims will say yes that is all and Muslims should not celebrate 'Pagan', or preferably speaking non-Muslim customs even if they are not necessarily religious like "Thanksgiving". Every holiday season there is that question discussed in Masajid and Islamic centers where all the rules are re-iterated why the Muslims should not join in celebrations because "they worship other God/Gods etc." so joining them means you commit 'shirk'
 Yet I clearly remember one Muslim leader in New York wanted to put up crescent and star to join the celebration of Christmas where there were Christmas emblems as well as Jewish Menorah. If you recall the crescent and star was vandalized. He said we as Muslims have as much if not more right to celebrate prophet Jesus's birthday than Christians.
On the whole I tend to agree with the Islamic concept that we do not 'celebrate' human beings but we do celebrate 'events' or happenings. that is as far as the 'religious celebrations' are concerned. However the holidays with no religious connection and/or related to a country's cultural aspects need not be given the same negative attitude by Muslims.
 The problems are usually encountered on the greatest celebration of the West, that is Christmas. the Muslims have to hide themselves to some place to avoid answering "Merry Christmas" greetings. Some may take an attitude of saying "Season's Greetings" to their Christian friends instead of saying Merry Christmas. Others have some other excuses made for not responding but on the whole it is really very awkward to live in a Christian country and not offer bonuses or presents to your Christian employees on such occasions (I am only mentioning some of the problems). I have personally lived offering such greetings and Christmas presents to  hospital wards, colleagues, nurses etc. and so technically speaking I have committed 'shirk' so many times but my employees and colleagues knowing that I was Muslim and did not celebrate Christmas still offered me presents and how many could I get excused from?
 Some of the things have been aginst my own convictions like
 "we should not call non-Muslims as brother" or 'sister' I had difficulty subscribing to such suggestions for I had grown up and always believed in Sa'adi Shirazi's teachings:
بنی آدم اعضائ یک دیگر اند
کہ در آفرینش زیک جوہر اند
چو عضوے بدرد آورد روزگار
دگر عضوہا را نماند قرار
(Children of Adam are like limbs of each other. For they are all born out of single 'essence'. When one limb gets pain, all others become restless)


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Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving to all
 This has been quiet one Children having their own get-togethers so parents are not much priority any more. I wonder if they still consider this as their home or the ones they have acquired for their spouses and kids. Maybe we did not 'celebrate' thanksgiving with the required American Zeal with them when they were growing up, we cant complain now. It is too late. We wish them happiness nevertheless. I am not writing this on FB which they follow more often and rarely visit my blogs, so it is safe, they wont know the 'complaint'. I will however send email thanksgiving wish


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Sunday Surkhi--Pakistan&Bangladesh

 There is news about Bangla Desh asking Pakistan Government an apology.
 Seems OK but the actions taken by the then Pakistan Government were aginst the rebellious elements in East Pakistan that were wanting to separate from their mother country so the action by itself was not wrong as there was no Bangladesh at that time.
 The atrocities that the Military committed however are a different matter. These were crimes against humanity and totally UN-ISLAMIC and need to be condemned openly which the proposed "apology" does not cover. These actions were committed by Muslims against their Muslim brothers and sisters and they need to be assessed and recognized, because this was too much brutality and over the needed force required for suppression of "mutiny' if you will. I feel that condemnation is more important than apology. I do not wish to go into what our Bangla brothers did wrong
because that is now pointless to talk about. It needs to be recognized that 'Brotherly relations' between the two 'brother' countries are already overdue

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Jum'ah Journal-Shariah in America?

I guess many more better qualified writers have done justice to that subject but I continue to have this complaint because some people (Non-Muslism) never fail to surprise me by writing that Muslims are up for introducing Sharia Law in USA.
 Are you kidding?
There is NO Muslim country currently where Sharia Law is promulgated and there has not been for centuries.
 O yes may be some present day Muslim countries make claims they have sharia but THEY ARE TELLING LIES. I do not know which one but some"stoning" for  some woman for Adultery was touted as example but that is just the point, some selected sharia-recommended punishment in one or other selected case does not mean that law is functioning there. No.
 Now why or how any Muslim can think of Sharia in a non-Muslim country is beyond me. Muslims are at best trying to make themselves understood and accepted here and no matter how much some people say Obama is a Muslim he is NOT and has no intentions to be as far as I can see. Even if a Muslim does in some unforeseeable future becomes president of USA I doubt he would know much about Sharia Law. I do not claim myself that I know enough and I would like to challenge any scholars here who may claim to know enough to promulgate that law here, whereas they could never be able to do it in any Muslim country even Taliban-operated one.
 Now that is off my chest

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Sunday Surkhi- Piyara Zayd

 I had started my blogs with birth of Musa (5 yrs ago) and now Ayesha my piyari baitee gave us the Eid tuhfa of Zayd. He was supposed to be born on 14or 16th November, but he started making his move on Arafat day and I got suspicious. (he had already been named Zayd) I think this lad was anxious to see what is all the hullabloo about Eid-al-Ad-ha so he decided to join us on Eid day  (November 6 )  He did not care that his nana and nani had to hurry and to drive to Maryland (from Raleigh) just after salat-el-Eid to welcome him; he was quiet and composed, not bothered about all the difficulty he had put the older folks like us in .
 It was so nice to see him though. He made everybody double happy on this Eid day--our Eidoo baita. May God make him a good person a good Muslim, a good son, a good brother. Surkhi is of course not new by now however it is worth reporting to all of you.

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Jum'ah Journal-Unique day

  Yes, whether you see it from right or left, in British way or American way etc. today the month and the year and the day is the same. Every year such a day has been coming last year it came on the last day of my 76th year.
 BUT this is also Veterans Day.
 I never knew its meaning un til I started working in the VA hospital.
My hat-tip to the Veterans.

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Jum'ah Journal- Principle of Sacrifice

 Day after tomorrow (Sunday when I may not find time for my usual "Surkhi") all over the Muslim world animals will be sacrificed and plenty of meat will be available for all those poor who cannot afford meat much. Is that all what sacrifice means though?
 God clearly says:
 "It is not their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches him............." (S Al-Hajj Aya 37)
So what is being given to us as a lesson? piety which briefly means staying away from the prohibited and doing what is pleasing to god.
 A prominent Urdu poet said it nicely
دل کسی کا ہاتھ مین لے حج اکبر جان لے
 Literally meaning take someone's heart in your hand that would be equal to Great Pilgrimage. It can be interpreted as helping some in who is poor, giving a helping hand to a needy person, spending time giving company with some one lonely, sacrificing one's time for the benefit of another less fortunate. Sacrificing one's ego and forgiving a person who may have done wrong to you. That is real sacrifice-that of 'self'Of course there are more meanings to 'sacrifice' that for example I have not even mentioned sacrificing the most beloved thing in your life (Like Prophet Ibrahim did of his only son, what is being 'commemorated'.)

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Sunday Surkhi-Ahmedis/Mirzaies

 I sometimes look at Dawn news. Most news are dis-heartening. This one was refreshing, a news about prejudice against Ahmedies deplored, mostly by young writers.

 My own take.
 I prefer to call them Mirzaies because strictly speaking we, the ordinary Muslims are better suited for that name-Ahmadi. I believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmed was schizophrenic or too much of knowledge of Islam got to him. His teachings initially showed he  had correct understanding but within 10 years period he claimed himself to be a prophet on his own accord. He had followers all along and many continued with him and thus a 'religion' was born which was initially a sect of Muslims "Ahmediyya movement in Islam" and by the time in September 1977 they were declared minority (thrown out of the pail of Islam) the hatred that had appeared over the previous 3-4 decades including some bloody clashes (and I was in Lahore at that time), increased.  Fighting was started by Mirzaies from the railway station of Rabwah (which ,BTWwas clearly a mistake of the new Pakistan Government in 1947).
 I personally have had no respect for the Mirziae sect or religion but I am not against the Mirzaies who I do  NOT consider  Anti-Pakistan. They had established themselves well in Pakistan from the times of Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan and have been loyal citizens of Pakistan. They deserve the same respect as is given to other non-Muslim citizens if not better. Although they are not considered Muslims now but the Muslims need to approach them like they did before that legislation or even better. I know they made mistakes but such things like expelling a student from a teaching institution because of being Mirzaie is ridiculous and deplorable. I believe that the Government should take action against such activity to restore the full rights of these citizens. The Ulama need to do the same and invite these people to mutual understanding rather than continuing polarization which does not serve any purpose. Many of such Mirzaiees believe in Prophethood of Muhammad (SAWS) as the last prophet. The prejudice against the Mirzaies needs to come to rest and bond of mutual cooperation needs to be developed


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I Doc, Mairajunnabi and Wahi

 I wrote some aspects on these two subjects when discussing Sura Najm (My blog of November 2008)

 Here I'll concern myself with some hearsay, misinterpretation or exaggeration that took hold in the non-Muslim perception. I shall quote just the one instance which prompted this blog. Dostoevski's epilepsy is well-known and studied by neurologists. What was picked up by the non-Muslim writers (mostly non-neurologists) is his clever description of his aura that he sometimes felt"supreme exaltation of emotional subjectivity"-- he goes on to say that "probably it was such an instant that the epileptic Mahomet was speaking when he  said that he had visited all the dwelling places of Allah within a shorter time than it took for his pitcher full of water to empty itself" (Alajouanine, T. Dostoevski's epilepsy, Brain 86: 209-218, 1963). Any Muslim familiar with the details of Mairaj-un-Nabi can see the fallacy and imagination of the poorly and deceptively informed non-physician (some may concede this to an epileptic's 'first-hand' knowledge of the disease). He was not the only one with 'prejudiced' opinion, but the surprise for me was when a more educated professor of neurology made a 'differential diagnosis of the "spells of Muhammad,the prophet of Islam, as recently as 1976 (Freemon,F.R., in 'EPILEPSIA' 17: 423-427). This professor gathered information from the Western writers and therefore could not see the truth at all. Prejudice against the epileptics has existed from the times of Bible as I can tell (Mathew 17:14 goes like "Lord, do have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic and is in a terrible state. he is always falling into fire or into the water. I did bring him to the disciples, but they could not cure him."). There is more to it than just what I am writing but my point here is that in the past epileptics have been considered "possessed, hysterics, malencholic, suffering with 'falling-sickness' etc. etc. and so the prejudiced Western writers delighted in this label without any proof and so did this professor although writing  wearing the cloak of a Neurologist and imparting an air of  "authenticity" by publishing it in the journal named Epilepsia' leaving out all other Neurology Journals.
  Actually I am quoting from my own article that I had published in the journal of Islamic Medical Association (Vol14, pages23-26, 1982), but now to make some observations on the epilepsy and the aura.
'Ecstacy' as aura I personally did not observe in my 30 years experience, there may have been one patient about which I cannot remember much. It is rare but not unknown. Crying-weeping or being sad is more often seen and one patient I studied I remember he would incessantly continue weeping during attack (I recorded continuous epileptic discharge on EEG during his weeping episode) and would not remember it after the attack. I was intrigued because I did not recognize he was in attack when I first saw him in the ER. He was crying and saying something to which I did not pay much attention until after admiting him. There are all kinds of auras known to neurologists, but trying to "explain away" the episodes of Wahi or Nuzool-e-wahi one meets with several difficulties as one might expect.
 If you or others read prof. Freeman's article (quoted above) and are interested, I will be happy to discuss further but for the moment my points are more directed to that Dostoevski problem only.

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iDoc PVS,PVS-like conditions and Muslims

 Enough was written about Persistent or Permanent Vegetative State when Terry Schiavo was in that condition and national News broke out with the case. Briefly I shall place before you other names/terms that physicians/Neurological physicians use for patients who have suffered irepairable neurological dmage resulting in a state in which:
The patient is unable make any or minimal movements which may not be purposeful; paralyzed in all four limbs. Heart and lung function preserved without assistive devices and sleep-wake cycle.
 He/she may be alert, that is eyes may be open but may not respond to verbal stimuli or may appear to respond minimally
He/she may not have ability to eat or drink or take care of the self-hygiene
 This condition may be temporary or permanent depending on the extent and type of brain damage. Common name used is PVS (Well-defined by and accepted by American Neurologic Association and Americal Academy of Neurology).  I have already stated the other name of Brain death is "Irreversible Coma "Some other names for conditions similar to PVS are
 Akinetic Mutism,
Coma Vigilante
Severe Abulia
Appalic Syndrome
Locked-in Syndrome.
    Each condition must be examined in its own perspective by the physician trained in Neurological sciences to make a definite diagnosis and prognosis explained.
      Islamic understanding for PVS is associated with full care (Palliative care) of the patient including maintenance of nutrition and hydration. The question of how long this should be maintained is very difficult and several factors are involved singly or in combination.(This is not necessarily a comprehensive statement covering all situations)
   The patient in this state is unable to discharge any duties of life required of a Muslim and should have a "No Code" label in the hospital. Beyond that a clear statement cannot be made, for instance of the N/G tube or Gastrostomy  or other invasive procedures be considered in the "extraordinary means of life maintenace" or given a separate consideration. If long time has elapsed (many months, a year or more) and recovery is considered hopeless and depending on the location (Hospital, hospice or home) etc. development of complications such as lung or urinary infection, the treatment options need to be discussed by/with the family and appropriate action taken. Islamic teachings have given us two options to choose from:
     Treat with full effort with all means available when recovery is possible/expected
     Leave the patient/disease to take its normal course without treatment when there is no hope.
 The Muslim family has the responsibility to take appropriate actions and decisions should be made after with consultation with Knowledgeable Muslim Physician and Knowledgeable Islamic Scholar (Telephone consultations may not be appropriate). Continuing extraordinary life-support measures on a presumption of a 'miracle' or because somebody said their loved one came out of coma after so many days or weeks or months, is un-Islamic. I understand there is a lot available on the internet which may be confusing and misguiding instead of guiding and helping because each case has its own conditions for consideration.
(Allah knows best)
 
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Brain Death and Muslims

 Ever since first heart Transplant was carried out,in 1967 the question of recognition of brain death surfaced with urgency not only in the scientific and clinical circles but also amongst the lawyers, states, clergy and society in general. Since then Brain death has been recognized as the death of an individual and medically criteria have been established and accepted all over the world. My writing here is specifically for the Muslim Families and Muslim physicians
 Islamic position is that brain death is accepted as death in Shariah, the Ulama signing a document in mid-september 1986 in Amman Jordan. The statement is similar to official position of Islamic Medical asssociation of North America published in their Journal (Vol.29; 1997, Page99)
 It reads:
"A person will be considered dead when one or both conditions given below are met
    1.A physician has determined after standard examination that a person's cardiopulmonary function has come to a permanent stop.
    2. A specialist physician has determined after standard examination that the function of brain including the brainstem has come to a permanent stop even if some organs of the body continue to show some activity (by artificial means)."
  Muslims living in the West are likely to be confronted with a situation (God forbid) where brain death will be diagnosed on one of their loved one and they will have to accept it as most hospitals in most  states will enforce discontinuing the use of artificial means of maintaining life. It therefore behoves on all of us to understand this from Islamic standpoint. The Qur'an states "It is Allah that takes the souls at death and those that die not (He Takes) during their sleep. Those on whom He has passed the decree of death He keeps back (from returning to life) but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed....." (Sura 39, Verse 42)
 And also, "Nor can a soul die except by Allah's leave; the term being fixed as by writing........." Sura 3, verse 145.
   Islamically therefore we can say that every living person must die and there is a time fixed, known to Allah and that the soul separates from the body permanently, at the time of death. Physicians do not know exactly where the soul resides in the body. Physicians make the diagnosis of death traditionally when they find heart and lungs have stopped functioning. When lungs and heart functioning is carried out with artificial menas that is  the time when 'brain death' is considered for diagnosing death. In this situation the heart may be functioning with important medications being given and lungs may be functioning because the automatic machines are pumping the lungs and the kidneys may be forming urine etc. these functions can be maintained with machines for prolonged periods, from many hours to many days or weeks. The physicians make a decision of starting and maintaining these life-sustaining equipments function depending upon the cause and disease of the person that resulted in that state. This 'death' is called 'Irreversible coma" in clinical terms and is very different from other comas or coma-like conditions. Only the physicians know these types of comas. It is stated without hesitation that no patient has ever recovered from irreversible coma diagnosed with accuracy. Those cited examples in the media were NOT CORRECTLY DIAGNOSED who recovered. Also the question of Persistent Vegetative State is very different and should not be confused with irreversible coma.
 It must be stated then clearly that physicians decide to continue because they have hope of tiding over this suspended function requiring automatic machines to sustain 'life'. That hope is dependent upon the condition which may or may not be treatable and may or may not be reversible. For example:
 If there has been brain injury (Trauma or loss of oxygen supply to brain for a critical time for whatever reason) which does not result in brain death the physicians will maintain the machines until the brain recovers or dies.
 Coming back to Islamic understanding of body-soul connection, all the functions of the body including the brain function are present with the connection of the body and soul and all functions of the body stop when soul has left he body permanently. So how do we tell the soul has departed-- by the functions of the body. Now all the functions of the body depend on continuous supply of aerated blood which depends on adequate function of heart and lungs If the heart and lung functions are artificially maintained, we would be forced to depend on brain function ( to diagnose death) as it is the brain that runs all the functions of the body including the heart and lungs even though heart and lungs have some limited ability to function for a few seconds to minutes without brain connection. That is not because we feel that the soul resides in the brain but soul commands the function of all organs including the brain, and the brain commands on all the rest of the organs.
  It is thus we as Muslims come to understand the process of death. The Ulama had their sharia supported methods of coming to that statement  of Brain Death the details of which are not known to me but I came to know the results of their meeting/s  that were held in 1976 or so) I as a physician and as a neurologist accept the Brain Death as the death of a person.
 I have tried to simplify as much as I could but I would be very happy to answer any questions by anybody physicians or non-physicians. I have been involved in very emotionally draining situations for some families on such occasions and would like to advise the Muslim physicians to understand and be able to answer the doubts and question of families under such situations, May Allah keep us from such situations by His Grace. I humbly suggest that neither the physicians should make statements to the families concerned without knowledge nor the family members should take the statements of non -physicians during their difficult time.
Also the physician should make clear statements so that the family does not get confusion or doubts.

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Fifty Years ago today

 It was a foggy morning and I arrived at the Karachi Airport (old one) and boarded the PIA plane a  Boing-727 jet. I do not remember seat number (I have a bad habit of remembering funny things). When we reached London by this PIA flight it was around 4pm and beautiful sunny afternoon. By the time I reached Saeed 's hospital  (Chasefarm) in Essex it was 8-9 pm. A week later I wrote down my experience of this very first  (commercial) flight of my life and so it is easy to recall and write now how I felt on that day. It feels like 50 years have just passed in a year or so. Little did I know I'll end up in USA and will not return to Pakistan for living. Please see FB and Twitter  also


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Jum'ah Journal- Drama similar to OJS

 I could easily predict that Dr. Murray will be prosecuted in the end when Michael Jackson died.
 August 16 , 1977, right here in NC Mr. Elvis Presley was visiting when he died at a young age (42).
 So his doctor went through the same thing. It is a "professional hazard" to be 'doctoring' such celebrity
 I would hate to be a doctor for such celebrities, who live on drugs and their lives are consumed with their 'art'. I cannot figure out whether he was really negligent or just did not have enough know-how of how to look after such patients. I would never trust a patient like that with so many drugs lying around him within easy reach. But Dr. Murray's private life has added more spice to the drama than the death of M.J. by itself could do. Wow. He sure is a busy man. I can understand why he demanded 5 million to be doctoring M.J.
 Now the drama is going on reminding me of OJ Simpson's TV drama. When will it end



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Jum'ah Journal-The world

 Word of advice:
 "The world is like a serpent
 soft to touch but with poison inside.
 The ignorant heedless one reaches for it, while the intelligent one is wary of it"

(Ali AR form Nahjul-balagha)

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Sunday Surkhi- Religious freedom?

 Even though praying in the mosque is inside and spill-over to the street on a day like Friday is nothing unusual yet it is said:
That lot of Muslims praying in a street is hurtful to the non-Muslims in France
 wow: 
  It means that all Christians praying in the Church in Pakistan hurt Muslims?
 What a freedom philosophy. And yet if you write derogatory remarks about Islam, Quran, or Muhammad PBUH, that is freedom!!! of press.
ہم آہ بھی کرتے ہیں تو ہو جاتے ہیں بدنام
وہ قتل بھی کرتے ہیں تو چرچا نہیں ہوتا


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Jum'ah Journal- Friend

 The world is a transitory abode, not a permanent one. The people in it are of two sorts: One who sells his soul and ruins it; the other who ransoms his soul and frees it.
A friend is not a true friend
 UNLESS
he protects his brother in three situations
1. In his misfortune
2. in his absence
 and 3. at his death
  (From Nahjul-Balgha by Ali RA)

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Sunday Surkhi-nine one one

  I was on my daily rounds as usual (start at about 8 am.) !0 years ago
 Somebody told me about what was going on on TV. There it was, I saw a burning tower in New york and the second one being hit by a plane. At first it appeared like some disaster movie scene and I was not horrifid until I realized it was for the real.
 Then by lunch time it was allover and all kind of things developing all over USA. Lunch time we all assembled in conference room (all the hospital staff) A female Pastor made a prayer which touched me close and I had tears flowing down on my cheeks. She was praying to was God, beseeching His help in tolerating what was happening and helping us against the enemy (or something like that, so much like Muslim prayer).
 Nine one one that is now more often referred to as nine eleven was a well-known number in USA for emergency and whoever thought out the day for this "emergency' has to be thoroughly American which I know Osama was not and I do not know any of the 19 names who was so American. Somebody else must have suggested that date.
 The last but not the least about 11th September is that in Pakistan we have been observing that date solemnly as we lost our Quid-e-Azam M.A. Jinnah, the father of our nation, the person who brought Pakistan into existence.. There are more things about this month but 11th has been undoubtedly more special


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Sunday Surkhi- No AC

 Due to certain unavoidable circumstances we have had no AC and the Sun has shown its shining heat fully for us. Nights have been a bit of relief.
 Now coming from Pakistan this should be no big deal for me but I tell you I have found myself crancky and lazy. Have no inclination to do anything and just trying to keep my fluid balance appropriate which is not that simple either because we are not used to drinking regular water here.
 So when this afternoon AC was restarted and I felt so good I had to write this note. In Pakistan you are expecting heat and no electricity so you have to manage somehow but it is not easy there either with frequent 'load-shedding', a term we were not familiar until about 30 years ago. Now it is a routine in Pakistan but then everything carries a load-shedding principle (not excluding the intelligence of some of the politicians.)
 Thank God we are not in Pakistan but those of my dear ones who are there deserve my sympathies and I pray for them. I realize that much more acutely. May you have a safe and enjoyable summer


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Jum'ah Journal-

 Blessed is one
Who is humble regarding himself
Whose livelihood is good
Whose inner thought are virtuous
Whose character is good
Who spends (for the poor and needy) the surplus from his wealth
Who removes superfluity from his speech
Who keeps his evil away from people
Who is sufficed by normalcy and not involved in arbitrary invention
(From Ali Ibn Abi Taalib RA)

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Myself updated in Saugor

 Well, This is updated picture from my past first one is my blog face and this is the second one three years later than the first one about 1937.
 There was a regular photographer lived in our area who did all these marvelous things I put one family picture on FB
 Most people who were familiar with this picture are not alive any more except one, my older sis,

 May be from time to time I can keep you all posted how I grew up. Photographs are a very good way of reminiscing your past sort of re-living the moments. I was  3 and a 1/2 years old and I do not remember how and when this picture was taken. On my left was sitting my younger brother who was may be a year or less in age, Minhajuddin



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Jum'ah Journal- Ahmadis/Mirzais friends

 Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Mahmood-ul-Hassan whom I discovered through, well of course Google
 Was the first surgeon who diagnosed my Hemorrhoids about 1953 or thereabout. He was posted in Lahore and so was my brother who was his Junior house surgeon in 1948 Dr. Mahmood went on to become a surgeon with FRCS and was surgeon general of Pakistan Army as Lt. General when he retired So I knew him as I had seen him when he was house surgeon for Prof, Riaz Qadeer.
 Those days Ahmadis used to get  any high posts as is the case here. He was however a soft-spoken and kind gentleman and I respected him
 The other friend of my brother who was chief of Army medical corps was Gen. Nasir. I have some good memories of my early days in Lahore with my older brother as I lived with him in the "house surgeon Quarters" of Mayo Hospital, where I too lived when I became a house physician a few years later.

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Winehouse

 I must admit I did not know her until I saw Hassan's note about her death. Then, of course all the usual news etc. of young death drugs alcohol addiction illness and the end.
 So everybody saying how tragic such a young talented girl......
 The name is coincidental? perhaps
 Others say the same things that it is nothing new and they start counting how many others at young age have gone the  same route. There is a long never-ending list. Some of them that come to my mind, include
Michael Jackson
Elvis Presley
 Marilyn Monroe (Apparant Suicide)
 and also
 Meena Kumari (Alcoholic Cirrhosis)
  Sa'adat H Minto (Alcoholic Cirrhosis)

 I have been wondering about this strange but predictable association of talent/Artist and addiction since my childhood. I read psychology psychiatry and medicine and still at a loss to figure out why these personalities resist treatment approaches and why they never seem to have a real friend who can save them. 


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi- Hanging 8 yr. Old Boy

  They say that the boy' father, a police officer in Afghanistan refused to let them (Militants--whoever they are but evidently Muslims) use police vehicle. So they abducted his son only 8 yr. old and hanged him.
 Again and again I come across such news that make me wonder how could any human being be so callous and commit such heinous act as to kill a completely innocent child. How sinful, how ugly. Do they believe in a life hereafter? Do they believe in God? Do they understand they have to die one day? Do they have any religion?


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal-Late

GEMS from Ali RA
   " Love your friend with some reserve, for he might become inimical to you some day.
     Despise your enemy with some reserve, for he might become your friend some day"

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi-

She wore a pink T-shirt and jeans.
 Well, Casey Anthony was freed from Jail at 10 mts past 12 midnight in the company of her now famous attorney Mr. Baez, out to face a chanting crowd "Baby-Killer".
 She was hurried into a station-wagon and disappeared.
 A book, if she agrees to get 1 million dollars
 That is just for a start.
 in Urdu they say
بدنام ہوںگے تو کیا نام نہ ہوگا
  That sure tops even the Obama's 4 trillion ceiling


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal-Islam spreading still

        I got info about a young British Actress became a Muslim.
 There was a statement that many British girls are accepting Islam. Most of them indicate that they were not getting all the answers to their questions and Islam-Qur'an answered. They mostly indicate the condition of the Muslims is poor, meaning that they do not understand the spirit of Islam. There is truth in that.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Loss of days- ISNA

Made a program to attend ISNA conference in Chicago so left on Friday and came back Tuesday.
 Tired , very tired
 Grandchildren and my niece was there also so one more grandchild and we had fun
ISNA bazar is visited for books and such things these days but I remember long time ago MSA had these traditions and we would get 'Islamic things' in the bazar. Now of course there is a whole lot of things and very nice (and expensive) things available there from jewelry to rugs and curios etc. Food used to be good but now it is terrible. and is more expensive than ever. Those things are not attractive any more anyway for us but younger people swarm the bazar as before.
Since I cannot hear anything I hesitated even meeting friends whom I did meet but could not make any conversation-felt terrible  and somewhat depressed.




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Sunday Surkhi

 I am in a hurry
 Going for Aqiqa for a very good friend's
 But I was intrigued (This morning news) as always by the show they are putting on in NYC
Now they can get "married"
 I fail to understand why so much fuss is made on this subject and is continued. I do notice the "mood" and a 'smile" on the faces of the reporters, almost laughing (at?) May be "gay" means different to different people at different times and I have not grasped the full extent of modernization
 But I have been an ardent student of biology since  1948. Have been familiar with animal and human behavior especially regarding preservation of species. Nobody can therefore convince me this to be "normal behavior"

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Late Jum'ah Journal

 There is so much to do some Fridays.
 We had aWalima ceremoney to attaend which was fun.
 The important thing however was that it was held in a hall called Hill Alumni Center at UNC
 When reached for parking so many memories suddenly swelled up in our minds. I realized that this is a very familiar place just infront of a familiar residence hall where Ayesha and Jugnoo had lived when they were students and we used to bring them here and leave them off during those days
Then and now, now children coming here getting educated. Bothe the groom and bride belong to this UNC ChapelHill. In fact their cake was shaped as the symbolic UNC arch or whatever you call it


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Sunday Surkhi- Father's Day

This is an image of a poor photograph taken 2006 when I was visiting this site in Saugor (India)

Fathers day; reminding me of my father with whom I used to go this mosque some seventy years ago for our Jum'ah prayers.
This is now a beautiful masjid mashallah. Now I see my grandson (piyara pota) goes with his father to the masjid for Jum'ah. (That is here in NOVA) He will carry the same kind of feelings when he grows up as I do at this time. May Allah bless my father and forgive his sins and make his grave cool and wide and award him Jannah-Ameen

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal--Muslim wife of NonMuslim husband

 I guess it it should be no surprise for the Americanized and Westernized women to claim marriage with people of the book, after all why not. Muslim men can marry Christian and Jewish women why cant the Muslim women marry Christian or Jewish men?
  Yes you guessed it, I am referring to the Muslim wife Huma Abedin who carrying the first child of Mr. Anthony Weiner (they were married last July)
 No this has nothing to do with his extramarital sexual activities which is now the business of Huma and her future child. I am quoting for us all to see the guidance of Muslims which should come from that "kalam-Allah"
   "Do not marry unbelieving (Idolator) women until they believe.................Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe........"   (Sura Baqara, Aya 221)
  Here there is clear wording that the Mulim men as well as women cannot marry Mushriks-nonblievers or idolators.
Next,  from Sura AlMaeda  Aya #6
"This day are all things good and pure (tayyibaat) made lawful unto you. The food of the people of the book is lawful unto you and yours is lawful unto them (lawful unto you in marriage) are (not only) chaste women who are believers but chaste women among the people of the book, revealed before time, when ye give them their due dowers and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret intrigues.........."
   I have highlited the important aspects from the wording in the holy book
 Here there is allowance being given to the Muslim men to marry women from the people of the book (Considered only the Christians and Jews) even if they do not be come Muslim
 It appears that Qur'an has made no mention that Muslim women can also marry Christian or Jewish men and therefore the understanding is that Muslim women can not be allowed to marry Christian or Jewish men unless after they accept Islam.
 Question is that Mrs. Anthony Weiner, that is Huma Abedin, is mentioned as a "Muslim wife", how did that happen?
 Is she a Muslim still or has adopted Christianity? If she has done so I have no further comments she must have done the right thing according to her own understanding and I have no business telling her, you cant do that. She is free from Islamic law.
 But if she still claims to be Muslim, I must question that. This is not an option you can play with as a Muslim. If you do not pray Namaz or do not recite Qur'an or do not pay Zakat or do not fast in the month of Ramadan, it is understandable, may be you have a reason but getting into marriage with a Christian/Jewish man is a "prohibited" thing ( not just alcohol or pigmeat but a lifelong relationship). Can a Muslim woman take such liberties , saying that Qur'an has not placed an outright prohibition for a Muslim woman to marry a Christian/Jewish man? May be it can be considered. I dont know
I feel sure the marriage must have taken place in the Church but did any "Muslim Chaplin" officiated the wedding ceremony also? I wonder



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Sunday Surkhi

 Wait let me get the photograph and then I will write about Issa birthday
 The "All-Star" fellow is cutting the cake for his birthday which is actually today 13th June
 Mashallah
 He along with his cousin and younger sis had good time with parents and friends and of course grandparents


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Amrita pritam's most well-known nazm

 Read it (the panjabi) on my Urdu blog but here is English translation which of course cannot have the same effect as the original Panjabi
 " I say to Waris Shah today, speak up from your grave and add  a new page to your book of love
   Once a daughter of Panjab wept and you wrote a long saga; today thousands weep calling you Waris Shah
   Arise O! friend of the afflicted, arise and see the state of Panjab; Corpses strewn on the fields and the Chenab flowing with blood.
   Somebody filled the five rivers with poison and this same water now irrigates our soil
 Where is lost the flute which sounded the songs of love; And the brothers of Ranjha have forgotten to play it 
   Poison Issues from each particle of this rich soil; with half foot (baalisht) of red and foot of poison from each
   Blood has rained on the soil, graves are oozing with blood; The princesses of love cry out their hearts in the graveyard
Today all have become "Kaidoos" ( a classic Villain) thieves of beauty and love; Where today can we find another (like) Waris Shah."
 Some words are so special like "friend of the afflicted" actual word 'Dardia" is much more than friend, it may be more like the Urdu "hamdard" which also cannot be any more than "sympathizer" Dardia includes the person who actually feels the pain of the 'afflicted and does something for its relief.  Then bringing in all those references of Waris Shah himself like chenab and Ranjha etc. So totally Panjabi culture

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A new meaning of MGM

 Shocking news in California (That state is far advanced in peculiar practices-like first Gay church)
 People (Christians only) are collecting signatures to ban circumcision of babies saying it is
Male Genital Mutilation (MGM)
 Wow. They are stating without any medical knowledge that it is "serious damage" to the baby. We grew up in medical schools where the teaching is exactly ooposite,
NOT circumcising is harmful
 Frankly I was not aware of what Balanposthitis means or look like (really ugly) until I left Pakistan. Also I was so surprised to see an almost blue and swollen phallus of a man admitted for something else and he had no complaint about that. What it turned out (as I had never seen it before) was just tight end of foreskin that had been left retracted resulting in that appearance. Shocking appearance to me. Anyway yes I have performed "medical circumcisions" when it is advised due to frequent infections of prepuce and phallus. I learnt this way to always make sure the uncircumcised male organs were not left retracted after my examination of the patient.
 I am surprised that Jews are not making this campaign as "antisemitic"
It is interesting to see that people here consider this Jewish "Tradition" and not consider it as much Muslim
 I am still amazed at what is so "bad" about circumcision that makes it so "horrible" as to start a campaign against it.

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Dr. Death meets death

 When writing my Jum'ah Journal I had not gotten the news of Dr. Kevorkian's death but as it happened he died on Friday 3rd of June.
 He made his name for  assisting suicides and actually  helping patients push over to the 'other side'. Controvertial as it has been and I did not agree with his method of providing comfort to patients but he in this way "killed" over 130 patients in his life, I am told.The one good effect of his campaign for suicide or assisted suicide has been that
We have become greatly focussed on the end of life issues of comfort and pain free lives of our patients.


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Sunday Surkhi--Memorial day

 Tomorrow there will be parades all over the country. Memorial day presumably for those who died in wars.
 Wars are considered as legitimate licences for killing fellow human beings
 (the way I see it-Not that there are no genuine reasons for wars or for killing fellow humans)
There are movies that I have watched every year during this week, like 'Patton' or 'McArther' or other big names Many other names in the human history are recalled for winning big in wars and many of those wars were started by "war-mongers' who were known as kings and emperors. Many wars were just meant for increasing the areas governed by the kings and no other reason and we called it lack of civilization. Have the world become more civilized?
 The way I have watched the end of previous  and the beginning of the present century I find that there is change now.
When a country attacks another country to occupy the call it"the country is being given freedom"
May be this should be a memorial for the "human civilization"

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal

 "Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet, 
Women and sons, 
Heaped up hoards of gold and silver
 Horses branded (for blood &excellence)
And (wealth of) Cattle and
Well-tilled land.
Such are the possessions of this world's life But in the nearness to God is the best of the goals (to return to)"
                                                                    (Sura Al-e Imran verse 14.)
  Well in today's world make some equivalent changes for understanding--For gold and silver -- Bank balances
For Horses---Expensive autos and personal planes
 for cattle and land---Big mansions in specific cities and countries
 for women and sons, just delete sons and write WOMEN in capital letters.
 I wrote women in the end but the real sequence as the Creator himself has remarked, it is to be given the top place. When big aristocrats and bankers with lot of money and possessions and people with POWER, (Both with and without the enormous musculature) the only thing left is women women and women. Man's history is full of that. Would anybody turn to the advice and admonition of God?

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Jum'ah Ournal- Qiyamat Aa gayi?

  I know I am late but I was wondering whether we shall see this day to the end.
 I did not see the whole movie but only a part of it. Jack Benny (The man who remained 39 for 40 years)
"There is a 'chief' (consider God) who is reported by his assistants that one of the planets has gone rotten so the chief decides to destroy it. He is told it is called earth. He is recommended a 'angel' who is a known gentleman with music interests especially such instruments that require blowing. So the chief gives him instructions how to blow it but when he blows it it sounds musical and not the destroying sound that it  is supposed to emit. Chief tells him (Jack Benny) it will only do that sound if you blow it
at exactly 12 midnight on a particular day.
 So he takes his instrument and just before the midnight time on that day he goes on top of the building to blow it and finds a woman sitting there and crying her eyes out.
 What is the matter, He asks
 My beloved does not want to marry me.
 Dont worry, stop crying and in a couple of minutes you wont need that. She ignores his advice but  then his further advice gives her a tip
 She wants to jump from the building
 he went over to help her and got in trouble
 To cut the story short.
 Well you can tell what happened.
 He joined a group of many other "failed angels"
And so the earth goes on.....
 They do not make such hilarious movies any more

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Sunday Surkhi-The late Mr. Holbrooke

 Kristof's article appeared in NY times that Mr. Holbrooke knew Afghanistan will be like Vietnam and suggested to clearly sit down on the table for solving the problems in the area and included Pak-India Kashmir problem also.
 I saw more than 50 "comments" and the most remarkable thing I saw was Indians writing about how wrong Holbrooke and Kristoff are about Pakistan. The writers showed a complete lack of  ethical sense and were showing'anger' at suggestions for treating Pakistan as a soverign country. One of them went as far as suggesting that let the Afghan and Pashtoons take areas on Pakistan side of Durand line and break up Pakistan into Sind Panjab Belochistan (Finish Pakistan completely) and Azad Kashmir be given back to India because India is a multicultural secular country (no mention of Hinduvta) and the Kashmir  become whole as a part of India.
 Wow.
 In contrast to these Hindu sounding names I read three Muslim sounding names also commenting but none of them made such outrageous remarks and in fact no mention of Indopak differences about Kashmir.
 And then they say we Muslims/Pakistanis are religious zealots and fundamentalists and what not. Such anti Muslim 'rants' still exist in India, the real reason for Muslims to have a separate land.


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Jum'ah Journal--Health & Wealth

 "It is not appropriate for a mortal to be confident of two qualities:
 Health and Wealth.
One whom you saw healthy one moment is suddenly taken ill, and one whom you saw rich one moment, is suddenly bankrupt."
 (ALI -RA)


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Obama got Osama

   Or did he?
 It remains the question. Why was his body immediately thrown into the sea?
 Why are we not seeing any pictures of that dead body about which the man who shot him should be hailed as the hero.
 As everybody says that these questions will remain un-answered.  I believe that the man died long time ago. I remember he was said to have been admitted in a Dubai hospital on 6th September 2001, for renal dialysis. How could he live in caves? Well knowing he had so much money he could have renal dialysis equipment with him after all he did have a physician with him all the time dubbed as his assistant.
What ever the truth I am happy that the myth has ended and reasons to wrap-up the war against terror have a beginning. Also US economy being in shambles it seems prudent to bring this all to a stop before we end up, if we already are not there, like USSR.
 Now you may ask why not try find the truth?
 To tell you the truth I gave up on this pursuit long time ago. I never believe the media and the news they tell us which is mostly to entertain us rather than inform us. So, I feel 'entertained' by the news of Osama, may Allah forgive his sins and now we can say that officially, there will be so many opinions written about this now for the next few years to come.    
Then why are the Americans considering Pakistanis did not help them but helped Osama!
 If the Pakistanis did not track what American elite force were able to accomplish--a surgical operation--- neat and so to say without Pakistanis knowing anything just next door to their major army training camp, (A'int they dumb and totally incapable?) then there should be no surprise that they did not know about Osama he was living there. It would be actually surprising if they did know it,

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Jum'ah journal-The Art of Compassion for sale

 Somewhere in the late nineties the 'administrators' who had taken over the handling of 'healthcare' as a commodity felt that from business point of view this is not going right as the doctors do not know how to do it. Then they started introducing such terminology that was suitable for Ford Motor company because health care required "production line" philosophy and since doctors  make a lot of money and are not delivering enough healthcare, let us do it and employ doctors as our subordinates (serves them right).
 Has the cost of healthcare improved?
Can you measure compassion or care in terms of silver/gold?
 Not that all physicians are 'saints' and do not 'sell' their product (healthcare) at higher and higher prices and but that is usually devoid of care and compassion, in my opinion and see this article.




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Jum'ah Journal--how to say it

             You are very familiar with the language and the words you chose for your expression but there is catch here. If you say about something you totally agree with:
 "You can say that again"
 It is clearly understood but if you say these words when you are speaking , say for example, Urdu, you will end up saying
 "aap dobarah keh saktay hain". It would not convey the same thing to the Urdu-speaking person, in fact it will produce confusion.
 It is just that this example turned up when I am writing, no particular meaning but what I am trying to say is becoming clear.  Speaking clear means this, words are clear what you are trying to say is clearly expressed and not confusing or not contrary to th message etc. etc.  There is a verse in the Noble Qur'an
 " O ye who believe, fear Allah and say the word directed to the right...." (S. 33, Verse #70
 Well actually what it means is that words should be clear and good and correct and well-meaning

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Sunday Surkhi--Farrakhan and Qadzafi

Of course one would not expect Farrakhan to speak against the interests of Col. Moammar Qazdafi for he has may be 'three million reasons' to speak in his favor, speaking from Maryam Mosque. Well They may have many things in common including rapidly declining popularity in the world (of media and men). Farrakhan's speeches and sometimes his somewhat daring topics or adventurous undertakings (Million man march) add to his charismatic personality which seems to be the reason behind making a proper and fitting 'khalifa' of Alijah Muhammad to head the NOI movement in USA.
 However for the inquisitive mind and for the balance of opinion making I wish ti inform the readers some good things attributable to Qazdafi in Libya (derived from blog of I.A.Bhopal)
 1. Free-education up to 8th grade.
2. Free supply of milk for every newborn in Libya up to two years
3. Free hospitalization for every Libyan including medicines.
There may be more. Average per person yearly income in Libya is quoted at $12000.00
    This information and the figures invite soul-searching but at the same time you see Qazdafi as a powerful man bombing his own people, killing innocents as well as the 'rebels',to maintain his grip. Would he maintain his 'popularity' to the same extent if given continued chance of "governing'?

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Qur'an burning and its reaction

 What media has missed.
Muslims will NOT burn Bibles
 Muslims will NOT make cartoon of Jesus (PBUH)
I wish I could also say the same about Churches
BECAUSE (these actions are UNISLAMIC and) Islam prohibits such activity AND IN ADDITION :
 The Muslims are the only ones who respect and have reverence for Jesus PBUH (perhaps even more than Christians)---No Muslim country dare make movies of Jesus or Moses or Muhammad, out of respect.
The Muslims are the only ones who respect and have reverence for Bible, almost like Christians ( and can take an oath on Bible almost like they would on Qur'an).
This is not just because Islam teaches respect for other religions but ALSO because Islamic beliefs about Jesus Christ and the Christian Scriptures (and of course Jewish Scriptures)

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Sunday Surkhi--Torture Tactics

 It seems that once a behavior is observed and ignored or passed without comments/correction it is considered OK to continue it. Human weakness is such that even if conscience bothers it is ignored because it is perceived there is no "supervisor".
 That the physicians in Israel have been ignoring lot of physical and mental torture of the prisoners from Gaza and such places, is now well-documented and being pursued by other physicans concerned about this unethical practice. Such physicians are considered accomplices in torture whether they realize it or not.
 Now, we are getting info about the American physicians behaving the same way toward their prisoners and this is a very disturbing news, (BMJ of March) although since the times of "Abu Ghuraib" photos there has been attempts to improve the situation but once this kind of behavior sets in it is passed as normal and unfortunately it is going to remain with the "conquerer" (Remember Changez Khan)
 So, which country in the West should be considered civilized?


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Pakistan Day

 Happy? Pakistan Day to all my Pakistan-loving readers.
 Why a question Mark.
 Well! to tell you the truth I do not know whether to be happy or not. To refresh the memories, It was on 23rd of March 1940 when "Pakistan Resolution" was passed in Lahore in the "Minto Park", later to be called
Iqbal Park, where now the Minar-e-Pakistan Stands, in the
(I was in Lahore from 1948 to 1959, it was still called Minto Park then)
  all India Muslim League Conference. Mr. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, (Originally,A Barrister from Bombay) the chairman of the Muslim League and of the conference presenred the resolution read out by Maulavi A.K. Fazalul-Haqq.(then CM of Bangaal). That made the history.
 Today we stand at a situation wherein "K" (for Kashmir) is till missing and in the left over "Pastan" nobody is able to hold on to this 'ancient' (the meaning of pastan in Urdu) country. The political and financial and from every point of view it is not much of a country. Just compare the statistics of how much deterioration in everything including the moral and morals of people of Pakistan between 1947 and 2011.
 Is the country has already become a "Pastan" an ancient history?
 So, what should I say about the greeting of happiness, my friends?

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Jum'ah Journal

    "Take of the world what comes to you, and turn away from what turns away from you. If you cannot do this, at least be decent in seeking."
   From: "Living and dying in Grace"
Additional, in Urdu today (for enjoyment of how little children see it)

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Sunday Surkhi

 I missed because of being busy again actually wrote in Urdu but that also got the date of 12th not 13th.
 Anyway, everybody has commented on King's doings (Peter King and the hearings about Radicalization of Muslims in USA) according to his will/wish just like a real king, may be the name might have something to do with it, for he cared for nobody's negative comments and what more he expects that he will be given a pat on his back (if not he will give it to himself by himself)
 Remarkable how he quoted only one "study" of 2004 (was it a study??? or just a random opinion) of Kabbani who I think has a serious problem with reality and I would not be surprised if he does have a thought process disorder. And how King made a degrading remark about CARE. This is the first time I have heard a negative about this remarkable organization Is this all just a rhetoric?
 Is this just a show of Islamophobia  or the continued stand of republicans against the Muslims of America?
"Go home", they say. I was given the authority and priviledge to make a home in America and I did and made a pledge to support the constitution of USA. How can we tell these people that when A Muslim who follows the fundamentals of Islam and teachings of his holy book always keeps his pledge, guards it
"O ye who believe, fulfill all your obligations" or
"O you who have attained to faith! Be true to your covenants"
 (Qur'an, chapter IV, verse 1)

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Jum'ah Journal-Late

 Have been busy
What is radicalization of a Muslim?
 How can any Muslim be called a "fundamentalist" because every Muslim is required to follow the five fundamentals of lslam and therefore he cannot be a true Muslim if he is not "fundamentalist" in that sense.

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Jum'ah Journal- Pride!!

Put aside your pride
Set down your arrogance
 and remember your grave"
 From Living and dying with grace
 (ALI RA)

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Sunday Surkhi - iPatient

 Interesting title, is'nt it?
 I borrowed this word (from a professor) as I was wondering myself to invent such a term. This prof. of Medicine actually lamenting about the gradual decline in PE (Physical Examination) skills of today's physicians. Makes a very illuminating 'discovery' of these aspects of medical practice and introduces the use of the now famous (champion)
'WATSON', (that he will be common in the hospitals)
 how, "he" established his iSuperiority over the established champions of "Jeopardy" on TV
I had expressed such anxieties myself speaking about CT scan use in a scientific meeting (of IMANA in Missouri) in 1984 that the student's (and intern's) understanding of mental exercise and clinical examinations for diagnosis of strokes and their differential diagnosis is going to start declining.
 I remember when I was confronted by the first article in 1964-5, "Computers in Medicine", I laughed with a sneer on my face
ha! now , how can a computer take the place of the physician diagnosing a disease or prescribing?

Well, we are almost there already, and yes, as the professor says'
"..What worries me even more that this ease of ordering a scan has caused doctors's most basic skills in examining the body to atrophy."
 I did not require me to be a genius to say the same thing 28 years ago, it has been apparent to every clinician all along. I am already observing the same and the "toxic effects" of lab and technology supporting machines of doctors. This is the major difference of a Pakistani-Indian young graduate and the American young graduate who is unquestionably a superior 'technocrat'.

For we see now that the results of all the tests etc.    "and the engine for all of that, indeed the place where dialogue between doctors and nurses takes place is the computer."
I clearly remember, while at work they declared
"From January 1st, 2000, all records will be on computers and no hand written notes are allowed"
 My friend said, "I am going to have a heart attack".
 And after that what he observed, just like I did too, is that
"You know we now face the computers and keep talking with our backs to the patient (in the out patient).
The human touch is becoming less and less, with the advancing technology
Some day I see not in too distant future, there will be a call to return to the basics.
"Return to Sender!"

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal--Truth wins in the end

 I guess you all are witnessing a real wave of awakening among the Muslims that seems overdue anyway.  As I said before the Egyptian happening may be the beginning and it seems that way more now. But see the lives being lost for the truth as always the obstacles and difficulties always face the truth seeking people as they work together. That is the gist of message in that famous short sura about which a person of no less authority than Abdullah Bin Abbas said that if that was the only revealed Qur'an it would be sufficient for us (for guidance). I am talking about sura 'wal-'Assr' : "By (the token of) Time (through the ages), Verily Man is in loss, except such as have faith and do righteous deeds and (join together) in the mutual teaching of truth and of patience and constancy"
As you go out for teaching truth you need patience for you sure are going to be met with resistance and opposition and obstacles etc.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Monday the 14th February

 I an not doing the usual type of Valentine today.
 This is a sad love I am writing. I met during this visit to Pakistan my nephew Dr. Israr Ahmad Butt along with his wife and his older sister in Narowal (Pb)
 This was a brief meeting for he was on call and I had not seen him for may be 25 years or so.
 I did not have much time but he took me to the hospital (private) where he showed me his ward, a well-equipped children's and neonatal unit he was indeed a devoted pediatrition but in difficult circumstances of his life, having moved with his family from Quetta to Panjab, recently.
 Alas this turned out to be my last meeting with him I just got the news from Pakistan that he died of a sudden heart attack. No history. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi Rajeoon


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi--Shirley

  This was a 'heavy' Sunday
 When I was making my first home in NC after arriving here in 1973, it was in Fayetteville NC
 After I bought a small house I needed all things like sofa dining set chairs beddings etc. etc. everything and Shirley went round with me enjoying every minute of the shopping and I trusted her choices. I was obliged to her for her help but she thanked me that I gave her the opportunity to 'enjoy'. That is Shirley.
Rene Shirley Nathaniel  dear wife of my friend Dennis. We attended her funeral today all the family members and friends, many of whom I was meeting after so many years. That was a typical Indian Christian ceremony. Of course, as a Muslim, I chose not to attend the religious ceremony but that was a sad and touching day for us. Seeing friends with whom we spent so much of happy time together at Shirley and Dennis's place, enjoying their hospitality, music, and food. Tea, she was one great connoisseur I have met in my life who knew about the qualities and flavours of this drink.
 She enjoyed life fully. Once there was cooking (International cuisine) competition at Fort Bragg (she used to teach Urdu/Hindi to the gee-eyes) and of course her cooking got the first prize. Surprised? No I was not. I said that I would have been really surprised if Shirley had NOT gotten the first prize. That tells a lot about her perfectionistic personality. (Yes she was my patient also for her migraine.)
 That was Shirley, my very brief note about this woman of great rakh rakahao (رکھ رکھائو)
Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi--iPS Cells

 To start with this is not 'new news' but the recognition of the Japanese scientist is certainly new
 Dr. Shimya Yamanaka got the top award of 400,000 Euros from Spain for his contribution to the science/technology in the form of the development of
 Induced Pluripotent Stemcells
 from the patient's own body thus eliminating the ethical objections of getting stem cells from human embryos etc.
That is a great advantage and we await the suitability of such cells as they are used in clinical practice.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal--Democracy vs Justice

  Democracy is considered as a form of Government in which supreme power is held by the people and exercised either directly or through elected representatives. (Government OF the people BY the people FOR the people)
 It is said that Plato and Aristotle distrusted pure democracy fearing that majority rule would lead to 'mob rule'.(Have we not seen that?) As for 'human rights' and human dignity humanism renaissance enlightenment etc. are all very pretty sounding words considered to be part of democracy but there is a lot variation in interpretation of these words in different peoples of the world and we see that champions of democracy use autocracy when it suits the political purpose and all human dignity and humanism goes down the drain. Majority rule sounds good but if Hamas gets majority the democracy is thrown out of the window and majority is condemned by the same champions of democracy that propose elections and support fair elections.
I have said nothing about 'autocrats' for they are not counted even though Mubarak was 'elected' by 99% majority and yet he ruled as autocrat and Zardari was elected in Pakistan by "democratic majority" and is doing no different from Mubarak.
 In the heat of arguments Islamic teachings are thrown out as they are considered "theocracy' (Sharia law is however NOT theocracy). The emphasis in Sharia is on Justice and balance in governance. Justice is what is needed for balancing in power of the Governer and the governed. The law must see to it that there is no oppression at all levels, governmental, organizational and even individual. Call it whatever you like but if that is not provided in democracy, the human being remains at the mercy of other human being/s

 There is plenty of Gas, plenty of Electricity, and plenty of Water in Pakistan but "load-shedding" is ridiculously widespread for all these simple daily life essentials, utilities, because of the "distributing authorities' are making sure they get their share of money/power.
 I must hurry to take my bath before water supply is suspended, and must make sure to do it such time when gas was available and water was heated and then also see that you can shave while electricity is available. In many towns women folk get up at 4am to cook all the dishes for the day because there is no gas during the day it is only available during nightly hours.
   Coming back to USA was so much relief and while bad weather caused one minute suspension of electricity, I almost had a heart attack--- Not Load-Shedding here for God sake.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi- Egyptian Example

  My wife always said Hosni Mubarak looka like a Firaun, but even without Moses he is being thrown out now.
 Remarkably these days such autocratic 'Firauns' flourish so well.
 People have demonstarted in Egypt that enough is enough
 Would other countries especially the Muslim countries take a lesson? That is a wide open question.
 Whatever the implications be with Israel-Egypt relationship and American-Egyptian relationship, would that be a wishful thinking on my part if I said that
American people also take to streets saying enough is enough. Israel is our ally but the cost is so  exorbitant and so consuming for us. We are paying in heavy dollars not only to Israel but also to others to keep their mouths shut against Israel and then we are paying in life of our soldiers all over the world.
 In the end we do not have credibility or credit and we command no respect anywhere in the world even though so many people would look up to us for everything. Should we not take to streets some day?

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Late Jum'ah Journal

 I am still not over my jet-lag, so it seems
 Trying to keep myself awake during early evening hours is so difficult. But the problem is I am getting up  at midnight and cant get back to sleep
 Well, "How sleep demolishes the resolutions of the day" (Ali RA) and again from this teacher (NahjulBalagha)
"Remember, the enjoyments pass while the consequences remain"
 What a remarkable man of intelligence he was, May Allah be pleased with him.

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Blesphamy Laws of Pakistan

"Several sections of Pakistan's Criminal Code comprise its blasphemy laws.^[3] § 295 forbids damaging or defiling a place of worship or a sacred object. § 295-A forbids outraging religious feelings. § 295-B forbids defiling the Quran. § 295-C forbids defaming the prophet Muhammad. Except for § 295-C, the provisions of § 295 require that an offence be a consequence of the accused's intent. Defiling the Quran merits imprisonment for life. Defaming Muhammad merits death with or without a fine. (See below Sharia.) If a charge is laid under § 295-C, the trial must take place in a Court of Session with a Muslim judge presiding.<sup>[4]"

The above I have a quote from the internet available statement out of this law</sup>


The law is present, was passed during the time of Zia and has been used much more often against the persons who dared say something against the prophet in Pakistan. (Why could the lawmakers at that time NOT see the consequences that are now so visible all over the world? Human rights existed then also etc. etc.) Once the law has been passed, however it should be respected and carries out according to its meanings. Previous to 1986 there were only two or three cases but after 1986 many cases ( I do not remember exactly how many) have been reported and the problems are that 
1. Muslims use it against the non-Muslims when there is no remark made against the prophet PBUH  and
2. No lawyer wants to defend such cases for fear of death and 
3. Muslims take up mob mentality and 'lynching' tactics with the police or 'Law' taking no notice of such activity.
 That is what resulted in Taseer's death and although Mumtaz qadri is accused but the lecture or the lecturer who infused such act into the man is not accounted for. I still remember the many houses of Christians were burnt in some village in Pakistan for alleged Qur'an majeed desecration which turned to be untrue, but AFTER the death of many persons and fire destruction of many houses.
 I cannot imagine anybody Muslim or nonMuslim saying anything against the prophet or Qur'an in Pakistan knowing that with or without the law of blesphamy he is doomed to die.
 The inactivity of the government against Taseer when he said the law was "black Law" led to his death
 Taseer should not have used such words against this law. Firstly no law of the country should be called "black' by an official- He was a Governer of the most important Province. Should that be taken as offence against the prophet? I am not sure at all but that is the way it happened. Moreover when a decision by your court has been made on such an important issue the governer should accept it and respect the decision even if it is not right in his thinking. Some say what he meant was that it is misused for grudge against the nonMuslim or Muslim person but that does not sound appropriate to me (I have a statement of an Urdu writer to that effect- whereas he is only a pro-PPP writer and Taseer was a satunch PPP man)
 There is no doubt however that what Mumtaz did was also wrong and the law should take rpoper action against him no matter how the fanatic Muslims take it
 But I doubt if such action would be taken. The govt. is weak, timid, and corrupt. Nobody has clean slate of character and therefore courage to defend the law. Law is not respected by lawmakers
چو کفر از کعبہ برخیزد کجا ماند مسلمانی
 


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Sunday Surkhi- Taseer and me

  Salman Taseer ,Governer of Panjab, (s/o Dr. M.D. Taseer   - Moahammad Din) addressing the gathering as chief guest of APPNA Dinner program on 28th Dec. 2010, in Lahore.
 It was in 1948 when I joined Islamia College, Lahore (Railway Road). I faced the Principal of the college in my interview none other than Dr. M. D. Taseer who smilingly gave his permission for admission.  Then after F.Sc. I had joined Government College Lahore. I was returning from Anarkali to my hostel when I saw Dr.  Taseer walking in search of  a Tonga. (He did not drive a car, I remember he came to College in Tonga). That must be the last day of November because I read news about his death the following day in the paper. he had had a heart attack.
 I took the above picture of his son knowing little that a week later he would be dead too, gunned down by an assasin, Mumtaz Qadri. (Coincidental? yes and no, but wait listen further.)
 I had landed in Islamabad/Rawalpindi on 26th Dec. 2007 and the following day an assasin killed Benazir Bhutto.
 I was visiting a friend that evening on 4th Jan 2011 just a few blocks away from the place where Salman Taseer was killed and I then apologized to my friend who I was supposed to visit that evening and stayed home with my friend as I felt unsafe going out that evening after Salman's death.
 1948 myclass was full of misbehaving boys and therefore one day the Principal himself came to teach us.  All I still remember him walking in my classroom back and forth obviously enjoying the explanation, the meanings of the verses of the famous poem
 "A red red rose" (by Robert Burns, pyblished first in 1794)
 "O my love's like a red red rose
   Thats newly sprung in June
   O my love's like the melodie
   Thats sweetly played in tune"
Not a single sound other than Dr. Taseer's was heard in the class while he was teaching as if all of us were stunned by the teacher's charisma and speech. He was reportedly the first Indian who received Ph.D. in English (Cambridge University). He was a poet himself and a litereary person who would create smiles and laughters in any gathering with his witty remarks and jovial nature. (I had mentioned about that in some other blog of mine before.)

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal

 Back home after travel. Tired and exhausted
 Would write more clearly by next Friday
 My aim is to find the real "295" in Pakistan- namoos risalat law that you have all heard about. I was just a few blocks away from that place where Salman Taseer was gunned down in Islamabad on 4th Jan.
 He was not my fav. either but he should not have been killed. My interest was his father Dr. M D Taseer who taught me in 1948-9, Will tell you more about it later.

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Jum'ah Journal--Guru Nanak and Granth Saheb

It is a pity I know so little of Guru Nanak although I have had good Sikkh friends.
 The special treatment the Sikkhs give to their "holy book" calling it Granth Saheb is remarkable. The book is given almost human treatment and respect such as the old fashioned 'Morechhal" to "cool down or make flies go away
 I know panjabi but Gurmukhi I cannot read (my son can try some, he had Sikkh friends in college.)
They are known to believe in one God but beyond that my knowledge is limited.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Sunday Surkhi-Blasphemy law

 Let us see now what happened
 In Pakistan a quarrel broke out in the fields between some women, one of them was a Christian. There were unparliamentary lanhuage used  and the Muslim women decided to report against the Christian that she talked ill about the prophet of Islam which the Christian woman denies (Swearing on the Bible)
 Case goes to court and the judge passes the sentence- Death for the blasphemous utterance. How the investigation ran or shortcircuited etc. remains to be un-earthed because the investigation was improper, legally that is--(performed by a less than SP of Police). The woman in question has appealed mercy to the president of Pakistan Asif Ali zardari (through the Panjab Governer- Salman Taseer)
 Even if Zardari annuls the death sentence the very "religious Muslims" will not stay calm.
 The woman's life will remain in danger.
 Is this what Islam teaches us?
I heard they are considering some change in this law. That is a welcome news

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/

Eid-al-Adh-ha, the sacrifice day

      This day all the Muslim world celebrates along with the hajjis performing sacrifice of animal, the commemoration of the great sacrifice Ibraheem AS made by sacrificing his own son
     Hajjis left Muzdalifa after collecting pebbles and made sacrifice, came out of Ihraam and returned to Makka to perform Tawaf Ziarat.
 Lot of things to do for them but happy. Hajj is almost complete. They return to Mina before sunset and visit Makkah on 11th and 12th and if willing to stay for 13th day they would visit daily. Then will return to Makkah for plans to to do whatever they want, for they have completed hajj---Hajj Mabroor
This is a remarkable journey indeed, both physically as well as spiritually 


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Jum'ah Journal--Da'wah principles

The main principle for inviting people to Allah is laid down in Qur'an itself
"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preachng and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious......." S XVI, Verse 125
Of course such speach or 'preach' is not common to all and I feel only those who have that ability should engage in "da'wa" work. However, this is not to discourage those who are doing this duty. May Allah bless them
I wish to quote here which was sent to me by a friend and it is worth sharing.
The quote is extracted from the speech of Lord Sacks (chief Rabbi of London) who was welcoming the (recent) Pope. He said

"We celebrate both our commonalities and differences because if we had nothing in common we could not communicate and if we had everything in common we would have nothing to say....."

Very good, we need to enlarge it to encompass all three Abrahamic faiths

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Sunday Surkhi--US politics and Muslims

There have been various comments about the losses that democrats suffered in this mid-term election. That was expected. Muslims have not yet become sufficiently active to enforce a 'position' within the political grounds of US. It is definitely going to take time and a lot of efforts of the educated group of Muslims in US to carve out a plan and increase their"presence" here. I understand there is Christian right group being affected by anti-Islam propaganda but that should not deter us from active participation. Nay, in fact it should excite us to greater participation.
We need to ignore these anti-Muslim and anti-Islam efforts and carry out our own programd with much more zeal and enthusiasm. That is the need of the day.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoreebsc.blogspot.com/ and my Hindi blog at http://wahajuana.blogspot.com/