Jerusalem-Yeroshalem

That is the most prominent building of Jerusalem. From where I took this shot I could turn 180 degrees and look at the Masjid Aqsa. For us Muslims that is all to see and pray in this Haram where one salat is equal to 1000 salat in rewards (Sahih Hadeeth)

 It was a twenty minutes walk from our hotel. The last street we would enter presented interesting combination of Muslims in traditional clothes and Jews in their traditional clothes hurrying down the lane together. Just a few steps from the gates of Haram the Jews would turn right into the lane of "Western (wailing) Wall."

You have a distinct relationship feeling with the Abrahamic faiths. That is the most prominent feeling in this beautiful city with a great and poignant history mentioned in the Quran (part of it) There are groups wandering around all the "old city" with guides lecturing the visitors, all Muslims or all Christians or all Jews. No other city has such mix of faiths being clearly represented. It makes one feel as if there are all prophets and their followers still wandering around here what a picture. No wonder, Allah SWT decided to take the prophet SAWS to this place before Meraj.

"Glory to Allah who did take his Servant for a night journey from sacred mosque to the farthest mosque. whose precincts We did bless, in order that We might show him some of Our signs, for He is the one who heareth and Seeth all things."

 How many prophets passed through here and how many are burried somewhere here. If you leave the political and such things out this is so remarkable  and I felt like hugging Christians and Jews all for we  as Muslims know they are so close to our beliefs. No other city provokes such feelings and yet as we were walking around we were exposed to armed guards of Israeli forces. There was a check post before we enter the gates of our Haram. I felt that masjid Aqsa is "imprisoned". There is no other city where you see so many Jews in their typical garb men women and children with hats and Yarmukes etc. To tell you the truth I felt happy for the Jews and that they have a "country" of their own. However the hurting side is the Palestinians and their condition, their misery. I do not need to expand. When I saw inside of Masjid Aqsa and a metal box to drop in donations which as I and my wife did make me burst out out into tears. I literally continued to cry until I finished my Nafel. Surely Allah SWT did not want Muslims Jews and Christians to fight with each other, must be we ourselves who have done wrong to each other in the past and continue to do so. When I saw Salahuddin's name on the mehrab I wondered if there would be another Salahuddin available for us now. I believe he was a strategy maker more than "fighter". We could all live in peace together. What I see is the Israel, the Zionist state has taken over the Jewish garb and it seems to exist with the force of fire-power only (supplied and supported by mainly US (JerUSAlem)-how long it would last.

"And We wished to be gracious to those who were being depressed in the land to make them leaders (in faith) and make them heirs-- to establish a firm place for them in the land......" (Sura 28th Aya 5-6)

 It seems Allah SWT wanted the "oppressed and suppressed" who had suffered so much to give them 'land' It brings to my mind the Western peoples decided after the Holocaust a similar thing but the way it has been done is contrary to the rules of Allah SWT with the resulting 'permanent' rift  I wish the 'leaders' in Balfore's position had thought of all human beings before creating a 'Jewish state' but Hitler's excesses made it happen in the way it did.

 Man, always, the loser. Never learns from history or the Scripture.


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

St. Patrick's Day and being Irish

 I am not sure what is the "celebration" of this day but it is reserved for  being Irish and wearing green something a shirt or a tie or jacket etc
 "Irish" brings to my mind, Booze.
 On a Christmas celebration in the hospital, long time ago I also joined the dinner and dance party. Was sitting in a corner when an Irish patient of mine asked me while dancing.
"Doctor, come on join the dance"
 "I do not dance". He stopped and sat down with me on the table asked to join with him in bear.
"I dont drink", I said.
 He came out with his packet of cigarettes and offered me one.
 "I do not smoke"
 He was dumb-founded. "Doctor, what do you do to enjoy?"
Chuckle.

Killing Minorities

 I remember hoisting the Pakistani Flag that I had so carefully sewed up myself just before 15th of August 1947 and in a samll gathering of the local Muslims of Kotla my father, retired Congressman turned Pakistani addressed the group of those villagers, thus:
 We are free today the English Raj is over and the government is in the hands of Muslims. That places a great responsibility in on all Muslims living in Pakistan to ensure safety of all Hindus and Sikhs and Christians."
 Not a single nonMuslim leaving the village was injured and we had a couple of Sikh families and a Christian.
 It pains me to hear that as radicalization has gotten worse any personal grudge leads to labeling a Christian insulting Islam and the mob, as if just waiting to get the opportunity lets out the rage against not one person but the whole community.
 They are making a mockery of the law in the first place and secondly they are all including the Government fellows punishable by Allah for the injustice. Recent rage against the community in Lahore is known to be wrong and yet nobody dare say anything against it. They killed Tasir because he wanted to change the situation and I still see the banners of Hero who killed him
 Only Allah can save this country because I see signs of Azab. Every Zaid Umar and Bakar is a knowledgeable Muslim enough to throw out a fatwa of Kufr on anybody and kill.
 Where is Doctor Allama Qadri Saheb?


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Farewell to Vic

Dr. Victor J. Keranen, MD, my friend, a helpful colleague, a genuine caring human being, whose heart was  always in boats/sea; yes he was an accomplished sailor and I always exaggerated (slightly) about him that his profession was sea-faring and Neurosurgery was his hobby.
 He was gracious enough to visit us last year along with his wife from Fayetteville when I got this picture. All I can say that this man would see only a human being and was totally blind to color religion caste ethnicity etc. etc. and I say that from my close professional relationship with him for over 12 years. I attended his funeral on 17th Feb. as he left this world on 14th after fighting with Lymphoma for 5 years. Both Vic and Wendy (his wife) were extraordinarily gracious to get me established in Fayetteville as a Neurologist, got me apartment,, and he let me use his office space to start my office We shared together the establishment of CT Scan services in Fayetteville NC which was no easy task. I learnt freedom of practice with him and how honest and hard work pays off in this country. We both clung to the ethics strictly.
 Will always remember him for I have so many fond memories. He was like an elder (Just over a year older than me) brother to me. I was remembering that it was 17th of February 1952 my real older brother got married (in Pakistan, of course) who died 1995.
 May God bless his soul


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Gun-Control in USA

Nobody dare say anything against the second amendment.
 That was adopted December 15, 1791 and its interpretation by Supreme Court of USA in 2008 and in 2010 makes it evident the purpose and limit of its use.
 That is not the source of quarrell but its application in the USA is what matters. People in this country have a continued fear of "attack" by somebody and they MUST have firearms to use for protection. So far so good but then to practice regularly, keep the guns ready and loaded at all times and have automatic assault weapons even if you do not not know how to hold it or how to fire it you can buy.
 I have never bought or touched guns etc. Now if I am attacked and I do have a gun by the time I use it , may be too late or at best I may fire but likely to miss as i have no practice. In fact it may be more dangerous for me to have one as it would definitely excite the attacker to use it fast.
 One of my patients who had shot his father told me:
 His father had taught him, "son never wait you must use it first in order to survive"
 During my medical practice which was not primary care I did see at least three or four "accidental shots" causing severe injury and even death
 I am still reluctant to buy one. I did have an experience of some youngsters breaking in to my home when I was asleep (being profoundly deaf, I had taken my hearing aids off during sleep). The intruders could not find anything (drugs) so they left me without waking me up but they did come up to my bed and they did have guns.. Two days later they entered a simialr townhouse from the other end (Mine was second from right and they were interested in second from left) and yes there was shooting, nobody was killed but our president of Townhouse Association get the occupant of that townhouse leave the premises.
 The Almighty saved me completely


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Roe vs Wade

It was January 27th , 1973, this historical case was decided.
 So often things come to a discussion about abortion or its related questions especially in times of political debates during elections times. Here the message was sent to America that it is the pregnant woman's choice to get abortion if she wanted for whatever reason, leaving aside the prevailing medical opinions for abortion to save the life of mother which still is true.
That would also be comparable with the subject of contraception about which I wrote on 29th Feb. 2012 as follows:
   "Every TV host has made some comments about Rick Santorum and started from Obama Administration's 'order' to  supply free contraceptives for all employees etc.
  Well, there is religious freedom upon which USA makes claims to be its main upholder which seems to be clashing here  and then the GOP Presidential candidate Rick Santorum has said some things which are reminiscent of USA's attack on Bin Laden Philosophy.
 May be there is always some religious bias in each President (after all he is a human being and does claim to one or the other religious teaching) which does play at some point or the other during their political and governmental transactions or acts, intentionally or un-intentionally So strictly speaking you cannot really oust religion completely from the politics."
    Then I had also written earlier the position of Catholic teaching regarding this subject.
Whereas such ideas are noble for the betterment of society yet one 'side-effect' of this is increased promiscuity of sexual behavior among the women, as the 'fear' of pregnancy is removed
The contraceptives are freely available and if they fail, you have the choice of freely available termination of pregnancy and no ethical or moral hinderance attached. My earlier note of contraception runs a bit longer
but here it is:
 "That the Catholic teaching is in direct opposition to the Government mandated free supply of contraceptives of all types to all employees is not new and regulation has been imposed with full knowledge which is surprising. It provides excellent opportunity for the GOP "wannabe" candidates for forceful rhetoric as the other questions have limited the number of 'bullets' or arrows to throw on Obama.
 However, this seems rather illogical approach because even though contraceptives are used by Catholic men and women either in open defiance to the Church Rule or in modification and gradual relaxation of the strictness of the rule, Government cannot enforce such "preventive care" as many other "preventive care" methods are NOT regulated or "forced to be free". Dental care, eye-glasses prescription filling, hearing aids are some of the things that come to my mind.
 You may say that these things are options BUT
 Low hearing may put some people out of job, out of social gathering, out of listening to good things including music etc. causing psychological disturbances or mental torture (personal experience)
Poor vision may result in bad accidents, a definite deadly risk- not driving means loss of job or other consequences.
Dental problems. Many diseases originate, get worse etc. due to poor dentition
  I understand the real reason is not contraception as much as it is prevention of AIDS but the same argument can be against contraceptive use (there is no doubt that free availability of contraceptives has increased promiscuity in the society).
 No matter how you see it the objection for the Governmental rule remains more appropriate.
 IMANA (Islamic Medical Association of North America) has its position paper on the subject of abortion and use of contraception. (the Ethics Committee of IMANA)"

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

My enrty into NC

Forty years ago today:
It was at 9 am on 27th of Jan. 1973, I was interviewed by NC Medical Board in Pinehurst, the little town that impressed me I wrote, (in my notes)
" This village is built  like English small villages and developed for Golfing"
I did not know much about Golf. Anyway then I proceeded to Fayetteville NC where my contact (wife of my future colleague) had reserved for me an apartment in Briarwood Arms, (26-H) within walking distance of Cape Fear Valley Hospital.
 Next day I submitted my application for priviledges in the hospital, with the help of my neurosurgical colleague and thus started my practice of Neurology in NC. Actually Mr. Moulton, the then director of the hospital was admitted under the care of the neurosurgeon with back problem.
 My first patient on 31st of January, A Mr. Willie Locklear, a 47 yr. old with a hemiplegia, transfered from the neurosurgeon. 
 To bring you to update, I saw my last patient in Fayetteville NC (in VA Medical Center) on 31st of Jan. 2003.(Exact 30 years of Neurologic Practice).  I have been retired now for 10 years. 


Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Muslim marriage with a Kitabi(Quranic evidence)

 Face Book note of Baitee Shabana (Koonj) on this subject has prompted me to write this one. I read the "fatwa" of Shaikh Khalid Abou-el-Fadl and my notes here would indicate that I mostly agree with his statement (May be not all).
   Firstly I will start with a clear statement (ayat muhakamat) in Qur'an-el-Majeed      لا
" تَنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكَاتِ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنَّ ۚ وَلَأَمَةٌ مُّؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْ ۗ وَلَا تُنكِحُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّىٰ يُؤْمِنُوا ۚ وَلَعَبْدٌ مُّؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِّن مُّشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْ ۗ أُولَٰئِكَ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى النَّارِ ۖ وَاللَّهُ يَدْعُو إِلَى الْجَنَّةِ وَالْمَغْفِرَةِ بِإِذْنِهِ ۖ وَيُبَيِّنُ آيَاتِهِ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
( all English versions are fromYusuf Ali)
"Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe: A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe: A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind: That they may celebrate His praise". (2-Baqara- :221)

The words Mushrikat and Mushrik are better understood words by Muslims than any translation. So, here it means Muslims are NOT allowed to marry Mushrikeen, period. No ifs ands or buts. 
Next we encounter that The Qur'an referring to ahl-el-kitab (Kitabis-means Jews and Christians) as 'Kafir' and yet clearly allowing Muslim men's marriage with kitabi women.

لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قُلْ فَمَن يَمْلِكُ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِنْ أَرَادَ أَن يُهْلِكَ الْمَسِيحَ ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ۗ وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۚ يَخْلُقُ مَا يَشَاءُ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
"In blasphemy indeed are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: "Who then hath the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother, and all every - one that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion ......................... " (5:17)
لَقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ الْمَسِيحُ ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۖ وَقَالَ الْمَسِيحُ يَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ اعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَرَبَّكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُ مَن يُشْرِكْ بِاللَّهِ فَقَدْ حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَأْوَاهُ النَّارُ ۖ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنصَارٍ (S. 5, Aya #75)
"They do blaspheme who say: "Allah is Christ the son of Mary." But said Christ: "O Children of Israel! worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord." Whoever joins other gods with Allah,- Allah will forbid him the garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help."
لَّقَدْ كَفَرَ الَّذِينَ قَالُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ ثَالِثُ ثَلَاثَةٍ ۘ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِلَّا إِلَٰهٌ وَاحِدٌ ۚ وَإِن لَّمْ يَنتَهُوا عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ لَيَمَسَّنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
"They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them." (5:76)        and then

 الْيَوْمَ أُحِلَّ لَكُمُ الطَّيِّبَاتُ ۖ وَطَعَامُ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ حِلٌّ لَّكُمْ وَطَعَامُكُمْ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ ۖ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَالْمُحْصَنَاتُ مِنَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ مُحْصِنِينَ غَيْرَ مُسَافِحِينَ وَلَا مُتَّخِذِي أَخْدَانٍ ۗ وَمَن يَكْفُرْ بِالْإِيمَانِ فَقَدْ حَبِطَ عَمَلُهُ وَهُوَ فِي الْآخِرَةِ مِنَ الْخَاسِرِينَ
This day are (all) things good and pure 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 your time,- when ye give them their due dowers, and desire chastity, not lewdness, nor secret ................." (5:6)
       In all three places,(Ayat 19, 75 and 76) clearly indicate that "those who call Issa-ibn-Maryam God or one of the three" are making "Kufr" And yet in the next quote from Sura al-Maida Muslim men are given permission to marry kitabi women. That seems to 'suggest' that the same priviledge is NOT being extended to Muslim women. At the same time it is to be noted that Qur'an does not make an express statement that Muslim women are not allowed to marry a kitabi, (like in the case of Mushrikeen)
 Does that mean the previously stated Aya 221st from Al-Baqara correct for them?, meaning they are not allowed to marry Mushriks of Kitabi type who believe three God-heads God the Father, God the son and God the Holy Ghost?. Or we stay with the fact that a clear prohibitive Qur'anic statement is not given. That is what all mufassireen mention and all 4 schools of thought consider the above statement not "suggestive" but clearly meaning prohibition of marriage between a Kitabi man and a Muslim woman. Here I do like how this has been presented by the learned writer. Shaikh Khalid (in his fatwa).
 Of course you are free to make your own interpretation and understanding AFTER you have seen all the related verses not only the ones quoted above but also the ones I am quoting below. ( My suggestion for those of you who, like me, are not Arabic-educated should read translations and tafseers written by different authors-English and/or Urdu.) 
   Before going further I wish for all of you to contemplate on this verse:  
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَالَّذِينَ هَادُوا وَالصَّابِئُونَ وَالنَّصَارَىٰ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَعَمِلَ صَالِحًا فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who believe (in the Qur'an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians,- any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work righteousness,- on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (5:72)
  I quote this one which also appears in S. Albaqara (Aya 62) because how God judges the persons is from such angles rather than labels of believers Muslims, and Christians Jews and Sabeans etc.
      Next I would like you to make good understanding and Tafseer of the aya from "Sura al-Mumtahena" . I have found M. Maudoodi's explanations best for this one (Tafheem-ul-Qur'an or its English Translation)

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ مُهَاجِرَاتٍ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ ۖ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِهِنَّ ۖ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ ۖ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ ۖ وَآتُوهُم مَّا أَنفَقُوا ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ ۚ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوا بِعِصَمِ الْكَوَافِرِ وَاسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقْتُمْ وَلْيَسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقُوا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ حُكْمُ اللَّهِ ۖ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ ۚ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ

Yusuf Ali

O ye who believe! When there come to you believing women refugees, examine (and test) them: Allah knows best as to their Faith: if ye ascertain that they are Believers, then send them not back to the Unbelievers. They are not lawful (wives) for the Unbelievers, nor are the (Unbelievers) lawful (husbands) for them. But pay the Unbelievers what they have spent (on their dower), and there will be no blame on you if ye marry them on payment of their dower to them. But hold not to the guardianship of unbelieving women: ask for what ye have spent on their dowers, and let the (Unbelievers) ask for what they have spent (on the dowers of women who come over to you). Such is the command of Allah: He judges (with justice) between you. And Allah is Full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

 I have italicized the important aspect of this verse.
As I suggest for you to read the full explanation from Maudoodi you will realize that what was happening during the time of the prophet with women who would accept Islam while their husbands remained non-Muslim, Mushrik or Kitabi. I feel that will widen your understanding of what Shaikh Khalid has said especially about the application of having a kitabi spouse in a non-Muslim country and how it may differ in application in a Muslim country.
 I think there is wisdom in these statements and we should not reject outright or accept all without critical analysis.
  May Allah guide us in all our undertakings. Aameen.
 The question of marrying a  kitabi should be very seriously evaluated by a Muslim both man as well as woman. I have lots of examples of my friends and  persons known to me whose lives are not completely satisfactory because of this particular aspect. Muslim man married to Christian or Jewish wife. Muslim woman married to Christian or Jewish Husband and even married to Hindoo husband (without changing religion). I also know friends who did not marry (and were miserable at least for some time) because family did not agree for the change of religion. In India more Muslim men are now marrying Hindu wives who do not convert to Islam (More examples are in the Bollywood) and more Muslim women are marrying Hindu husbands

Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Start of 2013

This an ordinary "childhood toy" of no significance to anybody except the one who enjoyed its company during childhood

This would bring immediately the joy of childhood back to your mind.When such insignificant things, even a waste paper (according to Allama Iqbal) may furnish immeasurable delight to a child
جب کسی شے پر بگڑ کر مجھ سے'چلّاتا ہے تو
کیا تماشا ہے ردی کاغذ سے من جاتا تو
  We grew up without such toys, without teddy bears and monkeys or even Micky mouse. Those were different cultures. However I do recollect the joy of wearing a coat made of some velvety type of cloth of bright color (probably red) and I see it in my picture taken (Family pic. 1940) in sitting position.

 I was very proud of that outfit. Considering that  let me quote the rest of the verses of Iqbal on 'Tifl-sheer Khwar'
آہ اس عادت میں ہم آہنگ ہوں میں بھی ترا
تو تلوّن آشنا ' میں مبھی  تلوّن آشنا
 عارضی لذّت کا شیدائ ہوں چِلّاتا ہوں میں
 جلد آجاتا ہے غصّہ جلد من جاتا ہوں میں
میری آنکھوں کو لبھا لیتا ہے حسن ظاہری
 کم نہیں کچھ تیری نادانی سے نادانی مری
 تیری صورت گاہ گریاں گاہ خنداں میں بھی ہوں 
دیکھنے کو نوجواں ہوں طفلِ ناداں میں بھی ہوں

I dare not translate these extraordinary thoughts of the sage. I would not be able to do justice
with my meager and unfertile English vocabulary


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Good Sayings

Repel what is offensive by the garment of goodness

Move evil from the heart of another by rooting it out of your own heart
              (Ali RA)

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Christmas Eve, Some recollections of mine

It would be rude if I did not say happy holidays to my Christian readers.
 Since I never heard of how X-Mas is celebrated in the southern hemisphere where it is hot weather so I do not know much about their XMas. Here are some personal observations.
 After leaving Pakistan my first Christmas was in England I learnt all there was to know about what Christmas is in the West. Had not seen much in Pakistan even in Lahore where there are so many churches and cathedrals. I always remember waking up in Broom's Hostel every Sunday morning with the church bells ringing continuously (Not too far from the hostel about half way to the Mall.) The only other thing I recall was that we went on 31st of December to my friend Vincent Dulvy's house (within walking distance from where we were given the degrees of MBBS on Convocation held at the "future" Panjab University building and the foundation stone was laid down by Maj. General Iskander Mirza, then Governer General of Pakistan.
We had told Dulvy to keep for us the Christmas Cake (whatever that meant for him our good friend who was Christian, we did not have Turkey there)Days and symbols have been increasing I gather over a period of years , centuries and so in addition to the Christmas day we have Christmas Eve and also "boxing day" (English). Somebody rightly complains about "consumerism" more than religious. That brings me to the "religious" part of Christmas which  has almost died out under the weight of Big fellow Santa, the big Tree and the weight of all the goods bought as presents that is a Must even if you cannot afford (then keep paying for them in the next months until the next Christmas) and not to forget, "Scrooge". Such is the Holiday fever. I see the decorations depicting all kind of things, Angels, Raindeer, the "rednose" animal the whole vehicle of Santa flying toward the sky by the raindeers, the tree, the Santa along with Mrs. Santa, just blinking or unblinking lights of green ad red color, the snowflakes etc. etc. Of course there is occasionally seen Nativity scene (there has been some objection to such 'decoration' by some non-Christians).
 TV shows of Xmas the movies and that "Miracle on the 34th Street" Shop around the corner etc.The Christian Child grows up with all these mythical things along with the only non-mythical thing of birth of Jesus Christ PBUH and so I do not know  what the child thinks about it just like other Myths? I have not heard much about such things in discussions but I do wonder, if I was a Christian Child growing up with Santa dominating for Christmas celebration what would I think about Jesus PBUH especialy after getting to the age when "you do not believe in Santa" to be real


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Culture and "Guns"

The availability and affordability is definitely a reason in the USA Back in forties I was in my village, and whenever there was altercation "Daang chal Gaiee" (use of stick or staff) was seen as Daang (Stick) was the only assault weapon easily affordable. Later after partition occasional pistol or rifle started being used but "Klashankawf" did not hit Pakistan until Russian invasion of Afghanistan. Culture changed overnight and spread rapidly to even those who could not afford--everybody had Klashankowff.(Maybe an exaggeration) That has not changed since then except for being worse. All kind of guns in Pakistan are being used by all. They would go kill a family with guns to put terror in the hearts of the whole mohalla. No doubt in the earlier days if anybody had a gun he would proudly show it off because it would impress others about how rich you are. That culture has always existed among the men from times immemorial and there is nothing we can do about it. "macho", Manhood expression, whatever you may call it it is the same that expressed by a young man racing on his motorbike just like his earlier counterpart used to race his horse. Automatic or semi-automatic gun however is serious business because it does not kill one in a second but many. Going back to the "daang" days only one person can be killed or injured but automatic makes even a novice kill many in a second Surely there can be some control that can be applied to reduce the massacres from multiple deaths to may be single ones. I do not know what NRA might say but sure they live amongst ourselves and have the same sensitivities about human life that non-NRA have. Culture will not change but in the USA I am seeing so many innocent lives had to sacrificed before meaningful laws and their application was brought out otherwise I always heard more about second clause of Constitution and that it cannot be challenged or altered: more sacred than Bible!!
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Busy day of 12th December

Well nothing special of this day to be busy and not more than usual but this sure is 

 a very very special day

 Since the first of January 2001 I have been aware of a date each year when if you write month-day-year it does not matter if you are writing day-month-year or for that matter year-day-month etc. it would still be the same such as Year 2002 write second Feb or write March 3rd 2003 or April 4th 2004 and so on until we get to: yes you guessed it right--
today the date or day is 12; the month is 12 and the year of course is 2012 as there is no 13th month. from next year this will not happen
 Only 07/07/07 was a celebration of a friend of mine's son got married on that special day. One of my friends son (Ali Hasnain Yunus) is celebrating his 30th birthday

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SAINT 2

The picture (Published in the previous blog) shows my friend and classmate who was popularly known as Saint.
   His name was Qamar Zaman, a lovable chap. After a couple of years down the Medical school years we learnt he was so fond of the stories of "Saint", a spy kind of character in the stories created by the writer- Leslie Charteris (1930). I did not see those novels but that was loved by Qamar Zaman. The movies made from 1938 starred George Sanders but the TV series star was Roger Moore who was later contracted to play 007 when the original 007 player (Sean Connery) had stopped making those movies. When I was in England during the sixties, I frequently watched the series of "Saint" and that was when I became aware of what my friend Qamar Zaman, may God rest his soul in peace (I recently learned he died young, was practicing medicine in Lahore.) had fallen in love with. So he got that nickname of "Saint" and we never called him by his original name. Some of our classmates studied in Missionary schools of Lahore before coming to Medical school and they were exposed to such English books or literature more than us who attended regular schools where English teaching was done by non-English speaking teachers. Qamar Zaman represented such "English-oriented" group of students. Our other classmate with the same name (or probably Qamar-uz-Zaman) was a pathan from frontier who also died a few years ago, again a young death, and he was a well respected popular Obs-Gyn fellow in Lahore May Allah rest his soul in peace.

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SAINT

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Yawm-e-Hussain RA/Aashura

This is the first month of Islamic hijri year called "Allah's month" and the tenth day called Aashura. Shia have kept this day alive with their exaggerated mourning of shahadat, because they for some reason believe it is OK to mourn this shaheed. There is no doubt this martyrdom is unique as it establishes the principle of justice and how much as Muslims we should sacrifice to establish Justice and not give in to the oppressors. While I do not wish to go along with shia method of mourning because Qur'an tells us the shaheed is not dead, and Qur'an tells us in no uncertain terms, "do not call them dead", I consider that Shia have continued to remind us of these principle of Islam' like what is called "Islam zinda hota hay her Karbala kay ba'd"
        Muslims rulers of today however have followed what the oppressor Yazid did and all the reminders do nothing to wake them up. In addition we could call this also as Yawm-Shukrana because Musa AS fasted for Allah on this day when he and his followers crossed the waters safely and Firawn and his people chasing them were drowned.. This is the other thing known for Aashura as this remarkable day is called. Jews are required to fast this day in thankful-ness to Allah as this is the day Musa AS along with his followers was saved from Fir'awn and his forces as they were drowned after Musa AS and followers crossed the waters with miracle. In order to differentiate it from Jews the prophet SAWS asked Muslims to fast for two days. Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Yawm-e-shukrana

This is the Turkey day. Feel sorry for the poor bird but these birds go straight into paradise in contrast to their consumers who are judged differently. Have started calling it in Urdu/Persian/Arabic as yawm shukrana It may not be popular but there is less objection for Muslims to 'celebrate' this kind of occasion in America Happy Thanksgiving to all Please visit my Urdu blog at http://saugoree-bsc.blogspot.com/

Our Picnic of November 8th

 Well that was 8th November 1956.
 We all traveled to  stay in a rest house for the night  in "Head Balloki" thanks to the brother of Zulfi (first from left in the first pic above) Rest house stay was free for us
Picnics like that were not easy to come by so it was enjoyed to the fullest there. We were 9 of us classmates/friends. Only one is missing from the two pics, and he was busy cooking the chicken which BTW is not easy to to afford  by the poor students. Chicken has lot more meanings (or it had at that time) in Pakistan than other types of meat. Needless to say our travels were by bus (not chartered) That is the condition of poor students but the regular bus in which we were together in the last  or back seats It did not matter for we all sang our songs for fun while other passengers enjoyed the 'youngsters" fun

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Aah Maryam Jameela Marhoom

New item of this remarkable Muslimah's death in Lahore Pakistan
May Allah grant her Jannat-ul-firdows-aameen
 Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi Rajioon
  How she was as a  pure soul attracted to Arabic to Qur'an and Islam and chose to live in Pakistan 'adopted' by Maulana Maudoodi marhoom as a daughter.
While Muslims are finishing Janaza prayer for her today, it reminds me of what the West is celebrating where she grew up and knew all these "cultural" things. This is a mixture of pagan and some Christian (although Vatican is against it) thinking is producing some celebration which I guess is more mythology than reality but they consider November 1st as All Saints day whatever it means and 31st Oct as Halloween or evening of saints. Funny, nothing to do with this saintly woman who has left a legacy of her writings that are a guide for Muslims


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Dr. Hyde and Mr. Jackyll?

  "The strange case of Dr. Jackyll and Mr. Hyde" was written a drama by Robert Louise Stevenson, indeed a great writer
 Three movies of Dr. and Mr. were made Played by John Barrymore, (1920), and Fred. March (1931) and Spencer Tracy (1941). I have seen the last two on TV.
 Captivating science flick now well-known but I have been thinking the names should be reversed. The man who kills should be called Jack Kill (Jackyll or Jeckyll)) and the man who is scientist is the one who hides his base self so he should be called Dr. Hide (Hyde)
Fascinating story and must have brought a lot of fame and fortune to the writer.
I do not know if new version of this story is likely to come out as now computer can do lots of things for the screen.

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