tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57754978172979520232024-02-19T14:45:42.962-08:00iMuseiWritePDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-16113774093501716972010-10-05T13:46:00.000-07:002010-10-05T13:46:40.146-07:00A Possible break?I've decided to take a break from blogging. I think that is the best solution right now for me instead of jumping from one address to another and not having one steady blog.<br />
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I've also become really busy. University is taking most of my time these days, to the extent that even if I wanted to blog, I don't think i'd have the time to. Some days I get done early from my classes, around 2pm but have to stay back to practice in the studios for some of my courses and I end up leaving at 5pm. Driving from Academic City takes about 30 minutes and when I reach home I'm completely exhausted.<br />
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Hopefully, I'll be back. And if I change addresses again, I'll update all of you.<br />
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Takecare. <3PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-1966052759515267862010-09-20T01:48:00.000-07:002010-09-20T01:50:31.962-07:00The Story of a Pious Sister - Abu DajanaSubhanAllah... this made me weep. A friend forwarded this to me, i don't know what language it is in but it made me weep. [It has English Subtitles in it] If you're a Muslim Woman, watch this!<br />
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<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gZ9TOq1OUBY?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gZ9TOq1OUBY?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-10886092013656314062010-09-17T10:31:00.000-07:002010-09-17T10:37:29.624-07:00One of those FridaysFridays are meant to be happy family days. Happy family fun days. But for some reason, aside from Ramadan my Fridays have been going bad. It's either one thing or the other but something just messes my Fridays up. And todays Friday just... upset me to no extent. I'm still upset, still trying to keep the sadness and anger in. Maybe I'm just being ungrateful but I had plans for today, which because of someones stupidity got cancelled. And I shouldn't keep a grudge, i know, but it's hard not to.<br />
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So I've literally done nothing except for pray, eat and sit on the Internet. And maybe cry a little. Ice-cream and home-made chinese food didn't help either. I feel so pathethic because I could've used the free time to do something productive even if my plans didn't go through, like read more Qurán so go through my notes or start on my assignments for University. But I just didn't want to. <br />
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... sometimes being optimistic is so difficult.PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-85441419890836765252010-09-17T04:57:00.000-07:002010-09-17T05:00:45.293-07:00Le Sigh.I'm not satisfied with this blog either. Maybe it was a mistake to shift from Wordpress to blogger. My first blog was on blogger and i was an active updater there. After shifting from there, I just dídn't blog as I did before.<br />
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So I might shut this one down too. And shift to maybe.. wordpress. Again. Or tumblr. Let's see. Don't kill me.<br />
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Or maybe, it's time I take a break from blogging completely. I miss the times where I was an active blogger. But these days I just don't have the motivation to write even when I have time.PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-20105492802569559882010-08-18T14:38:00.000-07:002010-09-17T08:42:38.376-07:00Al Multaqa Al Ramadaniya<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.almultaqa.ae/website/ScheduleEng-2010.jpg" width="226" /></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.almultaqa.ae/website/ScheduleArb-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.almultaqa.ae/website/ScheduleArb-2010.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
For more information, go to: http://www.almultaqa.aePDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-85380753982856525232010-07-30T14:55:00.000-07:002010-07-30T15:44:40.612-07:00'Truly, the lover towards the one he loves is obedient...'<div style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span">There are some words that you read and they imprint in your mind, becoming unforgettable. The following are a few lines of poetry - or should I call it a couplet? - that I read a long time ago but they seem to have imprinted in my mind.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs21/i/2007/292/a/1/Flowers_For____by_pinkparis1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs21/i/2007/292/a/1/Flowers_For____by_pinkparis1233.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">تعصي الإله وأنت تُظهر حبهّ***هذا لعمرك في الفعال بديع</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span> </div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">لو كان حبك صادقا لأطعته***إن المحب لمن يحب مطيع</span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i> </i></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i> ''You disobey God while you make apparent that you love Him,</i></span></h3><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i>This, by my life, in analogy is a marvel.</i></span></div><div style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i>If your love was truthful you would obey Him,</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i>Truly, the lover towards the one he loves is obedient."</i></span></div><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i> </i></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><i></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></span></h3><h3 class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" data-ft="{"type":"msg"}" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande',tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I've heard different versions of who this is by and I'm not really bothered about the author. However the words ring true, especially the last two lines. The human nature and emotion of love and the acts that surround it are accurately depicted. It is common knowledge that when one is in love they try their utmost to make their beloved happy by doing all those things they want you to do. We claim to love God, but do our actions portray this love that should exceed all love?</span></span></h3>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-4529832364975949562010-07-22T11:04:00.000-07:002010-07-22T11:04:59.588-07:00*Drool*I'm working on another post on the Niqab but I came across <a href="http://syrianlady.tumblr.com/post/845245877/araritta-ouch-sh3noonte">this </a>and I just had to post it. [Being the chocolate addict that I am]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5u3m9voG61qzxlb8o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l5u3m9voG61qzxlb8o1_500.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
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One day I will learn to bake like this.PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-14511221188882375622010-07-17T13:39:00.000-07:002010-07-17T13:39:07.429-07:00Thoughts on the Niqab Ban - Part 1France has officially passed a law banning the Niqab in public places. Which means it becomes illegal for a Woman to wear the veil in France and if you are caught doing so, you will be fined.<br />
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As someone who wears the Niqab and is very passionate about it I've gotten into a lot of discussions/arguments on the Veil since some European and Arab Countries started passing laws which prevent Muslim Women from covering their faces.<br />
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I'm firmly against the Niqab Ban, maybe because I myself am a<i> Munaqaba </i>[Someone who wears the face-veil]. But regardless, there is so much hypocrisy and discrimination involved in these bans that I've felt a need to express myself. The reasons cited by the French government range from '<i>giving Muslim Women rights</i>', <i>'removing the degrading veil',</i> to <i>'this goes against French culture'. </i><br />
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Some have even gone to give reasons why the face-veil is worn or what it represents without having any knowledge about Islam or the Niqab. An example would be this.<br />
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<blockquote> According to Legislator Berengere Poletti, of Sarkozy's party, face-covering veils "are a prison for women, they are the sign of their submission to their husbands, brothers or fathers."</blockquote><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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Surprisingly the amount of Muslim Women who wear the Niqab in France range from about 600 to 2000. Within European Countries, Women who wear the Niqab are a minority. Which makes me wonder if France, or Belgium for that matter, do not have other major issues to deal with. If we're looking at Womens' rights specifically, which France and other Countries usually cite for the ban, isn't the prostitution industry a much larger problematic issue than a few Women covering their faces? Isn't the way Women are exploited as Sex objects to sell products much more degrading to Women? Belgium, for example, has a very large human trafficking industry.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;">Belgium is a destination and transit country for men, women, and girls trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation. Women and girls are trafficked to Belgium for sexual exploitation primarily from Nigeria, Russia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), and through Belgium to other European countries, such as the United Kingdom. Male victims are trafficked to Belgium for labor exploitation in restaurants, bars, sweatshops, horticulture, fruit farms, and construction sites.<span> </span>- <i>U.S. State Dept Trafficking in Persons Report, June, 2009</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #993300; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://gvnet.com/humantrafficking/Belgium-2.htm">[full country report]</a></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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I find it hypocritical that those issues are not being dealt with in the same severe manner as the Niqab as. Almost as if the Niqab is more of a threat to the World compared to the above. Not to mention, Islamophobia is very much evident in the way this issue is being addressed.<br />
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Let us not stop with looking just at European Countries. Our Arab neighbours, some even being Muslim Countries have resorted to ban the Niqab in some instances. Egypts former Imam Al-Azhar Tantawi <a href="http://bit.ly/afWBlV">banned Niqab</a> in Universities and in the process degraded and insulted a girl who was wearing the Niqab. Recently Syria banned teachers from wearing the Niqab in Schools but at least had the courtesy of giving them other jobs.[Read<a href="http://bit.ly/cT8fZr"> DubaiJazz's blog post</a> for an interesting discussion]<a href="http://bit.ly/9qJWDM"> Kuwait bans Women</a> from driving with the Niqab on.<br />
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I've always wondered if any of the people who call for the ban have dealt or spoken to a Niqabi. If they've actually had a conversation with them. We're as normal as other Women who don't veil.<br />
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Other criticisms often brought up are of driving and identification. I've always driven with my Niqab on and it does not, in any circumstances cause any peripheral vision problems. Secondly, if I had to choose between showing my face for identification purposes as compared to a complete ban, I and I'm sure other Munaqabat out there, would choose the former. I've also noticed that feminists who usually jump in to appeal or protest for any violations against Women are surprisingly silent on the Niqab Ban. Which to me, is hypocritical. Aside from a few, the mass remains silent.<br />
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I've come to the conclusion that the Niqab and Women who wear the Niqab are very widely misunderstood. The media has not helped. Rare cases of Women who abuse the Niqab are splashed and spread. The Niqab is rarely shown in a positive light. Women who wear Niqab are not asked their thoughts and opinions. There is no real factual information presented about the Niqab. And banning of Niqab has done nothing but made it a<i> 'criminal'</i> piece of clothing.<br />
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I've been wearing the Niqab for nearly four years now. Four years of not showing my face to a<i> Non-Mehram</i> Man. To me it has become like second skin and I love it and believe it to be a religious duty. How I came to wear the Niqab calls for another blog post, but for me, to be forced to remove the Niqab would be humiliating and a violation of my rights. What of the Women who have been wearing it for nearly10 or 15 years? You can never truly understand the Niqab unless you wear it. And even then, if you wear it for the right reasons.<br />
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In the end, I've come to put my trust in God.<br />
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Allah azza wa jal' says in the Qurán:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">وَمَن يَتَّقِ اللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُ مَخْرَجًا</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 30px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>And whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرًا</span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>[Surah at-talaq 3-5]</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">In the end, maybe some good will come out of this. One should never loose hope or despair. Things will look better again,<i> bi'idnillah. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">My advice to my Veiled Sisters would be:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">Have faith in Allah. Keep steadfast on your religion and know that after every difficulty there is ease. Speak out in any way you can. Let your voices be heard and also know, that Allah does not place a burden more than any of his slaves can bear.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">I end this with a supplication:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 40px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">اللهم ثبتني وكل أخواتي المنتقبات في العالم واصلح امورنا يا رب العالمين</span></span></span></i></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-24924632379928693332010-07-16T05:16:00.000-07:002010-07-16T05:17:57.798-07:0048 Degrees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs077.snc4/35207_424286777160_502037160_4982096_1916440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs077.snc4/35207_424286777160_502037160_4982096_1916440_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I took this picture yesterday when I was driving just for the heck of it. [Well not really, i posted it up on facebook]. I've lived in UAE since I was born so I'm fairly used to the heat but every time Summer comes and the temperatures start rising up it still takes a little getting used to at first. And it's the numbers which are usually the take of the town. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>'What's the temperature today?' 50? Did it go higher than 50?'</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm sure it actually goes higher than 50 a lot of the time but the official temperature somehow stays '49'. </div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-83955931936108248132010-07-10T06:24:00.000-07:002010-07-10T08:14:47.382-07:00Emirati Men Shun Women who study abroad<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I read this article in the <a href="http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100710/NATIONAL/707099830/1010/rss">The National </a>yesterday and it claimed Emirati Men shun Women who study abr</span>oad:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">DUBAI // Emirati women are having second thoughts about studying abroad for fear that being perceived as “westernised” will damage their chances of finding a husband back home.</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Emirati women, men and parents who were interviewed by The National said society considered women who had studied in the West to be undignified, damaging their chances of attracting an Emirati spouse.</span></blockquote><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Such perceptions, whether valid or not, tend to lead young Emiratis, as well as their parents, to question themselves and their motives carefully before going abroad for an average of four years. They feel that they may lose their culture and heritage while being educated in a foreign country. </span></blockquote></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This sparked a very interesting discussion with my Emirati and Non-Emirati khaleejy friends. Although I'm not Emirati myself, I can still somewhat relate to this coming from a Muslim / traditional background.<br />
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I have mixed views about this. To an extent I can understand where the Men are coming from. When i've gotten proposals with the potential having a background of having studied or lived abroad for a while I'm automatically a little hesitant because I don't know what he could've done in those years. Don't get me wrong, I'm not claiming that anyone who goes abroad to the West to study becomes 'corrupted' and leaves his or her traditional values, but that there are chances of it happening more. One would argue, you can do all that and more in a place like Dubai too but the difference would be that finding out would be much easier.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, completely shunning Women because they've studied abroad is I think a little too harsh. Not everyone who goes abroad loses their culture/religion. And therefore people should be given the benefit of the doubt and seen if they're compatible regardless of one spouse having studied abroad. There is nothing wrong with being exposed to different cultures as long as you are firm in your beliefs.<br />
<br />
Some of my Emirati friends are Women who have studied abroad and they still hold fast to their culture and religion. In fact, I know girls who have lived here all their life and are more corrupt.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, this stigma should not exist in any society. Yes, I could understand hesitancy but steps should be taken to understand each other better and base marriage on compatibility and understanding instead of a generalisation. </span> </span>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-8130634677317299012010-07-08T12:45:00.000-07:002010-07-08T12:50:32.887-07:00Celebrating Isra'a wal Mi'raajThere is no doubt that Al Isra'a wa'l Mi'raaj is a reality.<br />
<br />
Allah <i>azza wa jal</i> says in the Qurán:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: me_quran, 'Traditional Arabic'; font-size: 36px; line-height: 72px;">سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِّنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 72px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from al-Masjid al-Haram to al-Masjid al- Aqsa, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Seeing. [17:1]</span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: me_quran, 'Traditional Arabic'; line-height: 72px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; line-height: 24px;"><i><br />
</i></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">However there is no authenticated date found by the Scholars of Islam in the books of <i>Ahadeeth </i>which specifies that a particular date is to be celebrated for <i>Al Isra'a w'al Mir'aaj</i>. A lot of people around the World have started rituals of innovations on this day, some fasting, others sending food to each other and so on. The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم never celebrated this night or event and nor did the Sahaba رضي الله عنهم after his death, so doing so now is in truth doing bid'a [innovation]. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 24px;">There is a very good article explaining this by Islam Q & A which I'll link<a href="http://www.islam-qa.com/en/ref/60288/isra'a"> here. </a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote>With regard to this night on which the Isra’ and Mi’raaj took place, there is nothing in the saheeh ahaadeeth to indicate that it is in Rajab or in any other month. Everything that has been narrated concerning a specific date for these events cannot be proven to have come from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) according to the scholars of hadeeth.</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span></div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-63450210345002958452010-07-03T00:33:00.000-07:002010-07-03T00:34:28.563-07:00Lowering the Gaze - Shaykh Muhammad Hassan<object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ak1QBWngkx8&hl=en_GB&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ak1QBWngkx8&hl=en_GB&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-64687805537868016092010-06-30T05:44:00.000-07:002010-06-30T05:45:55.375-07:00Being a KhalaI'm an aunt again. Or a Khala.. of a 9 1/2 pound baby boy named Mika'eel. Sadly though I still haven't seen him yet as they're in Canada. Hoping I see pictures soon.<br />
<br />
Babies are fun, adorable and gorgeous. I love fat children and I hope all of my babies are fat. My other neice and nephew are over too and they're currently ruling the house. Cartoons are always on the TV, there are toys everywhere and they have a way of making you give-in to whatever they want.<br />
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Children. <3 Truly a blessing.PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-37774596998338365702010-06-26T03:35:00.000-07:002010-06-26T03:35:24.610-07:00No time to blog!I haven't been updating as much [as is obvious] and I feel awful about it. But been ultra busy [and a little lazy]. With the World Cup fever catching everyone and my niece and nephew over, between watching football, taking the kids out and attending a few events I haven't exactly been getting time to sit on the computer. <div><br />
</div><div>Hopefully should be back to blogging more often soon. </div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-62577307315273303752010-06-16T02:12:00.000-07:002010-06-16T02:23:44.220-07:00I am Grateful - Because of the Heat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gmbakash.deviantart.com/art/Child-labour-2-65791216?q=boost%3Apopular+labour&qo=4"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs19/f/2007/268/9/5/Child_labour_2_by_GMBAkash.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Child Labour<a href="http://gmbakash.deviantart.com/art/Child-labour-2-65791216?q=boost%3Apopular+labour&qo=4"><br />
</a></div><br />
<br />
It is that time of the year again where stepping out for a minute or so will make you drench in sweat. Where temperatures can reach up to 50 deg. Cel. and the AC of your car will not throw cool air so easily.<br />
<br />
And we all complain. Even if it isn't on our lips, we're thinking, <i>'Gosh, this heat' </i>and hoping temperatures magically cool themselves.<br />
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However this heat also develops in me this feeling of truly being greatful for what I <i>do</i> have. For the coolness the roof of my house provides for me, for the AC and fan in my room, for the cold water-cooler in my kitchen. A gracious<i> 'Alhamdulilah'</i> slips out from my lips.<br />
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Driving one day I saw labourers sleeping under a shade of trees on a sunny afternoon and there I was, in my Nissan with the AC turned up high and still thinking about how<i> 'hot it was'.</i> Going into Dubai Mall parking the other day I saw the Man who handles the ticket box in the parking fanning himself with a plastic paper. And there are those who clean your car for a minimum 20 DHS with sweat dripping from their backs.<br />
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Allah <i>azza wa jal </i>says in the Qurán in Surat Ibrahim Verse 34:-<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span id="verse_1784_language_2_content"> </span><span id="verse_1784_language_2_content"> </span><span id="verse_1784_language_2_content">وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا ۗ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَظَلُومٌ كَفَّارٌ</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i><span id="verse_1784_language_7_content">And He gave you of all that you asked for, and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme wrong-doer, - a disbeliever. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="verse_1784_language_7_content"><span style="font-size: small;">How grateful are we for God has given us? </span></span><span id="verse_1784_language_7_content">For the blessings he has given us but we take for granted. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="verse_1784_language_7_content">So next time the sweat drips down your back, instead of complaining, say,<i> 'Alhamdulilah'. </i></span></div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-11412029035722433852010-06-14T14:28:00.000-07:002010-06-15T13:54:56.923-07:00What are you doing for summer?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://americanhistory.si.edu/paint/images/large_images/IndianSummer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://americanhistory.si.edu/paint/images/large_images/IndianSummer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Everytime I bug my Father to go for vacation during the summer our conversation either ends with, <i>'I have a lot of work, next time ensha'Allah' </i>or if I'm bugging him about letting me travelling alone or with my friends it ends with, <i>'No, you can travel alone once you're married and with your husband'</i> - *sigh*<br />
<br />
Somethings you need to learn to live with. And accept. Let's see, maybe when my brother is free we'll plan something with him.<br />
<br />
So basically although I'm off for summer I wont be truly vacationing.. Don't get me wrong, I love the UAE, it's just that I need a break.<br />
<br />
Ive busied myself with other things, attending some classes at Dubai Ladies Club organised by <a href="http://www.alhudasisters.wordpress.com/">Al Huda Sisters.</a> Listening to re-caps of tafseer at my older Qurán school. Spending time with the neice and nephew, catching up with friends and basically trying to make the most of the free time I have. I plan to visit the beach [Yes, I know it is hot] but I haven't been to the beach in ages!PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-77288546540180831432010-06-04T10:00:00.000-07:002010-06-04T10:04:13.199-07:00Thoughts on Israeli massacre of Freedom Flotilla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.waronwant.org/images/stories/palestine/gaza_freedom_flotilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://www.waronwant.org/images/stories/palestine/gaza_freedom_flotilla.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Israel does it again. It shows the World what a brutal nation it actually is. A few days back it attacked a Humanitarian aid ship which consisted of people from all nationalities and walks of life. From a 1 year old child to an 80 year old Man who were trying to break the illegal and inhumane siege of Gaza, Palestine. And yet, Israel surrounded them and shot at them, martyring 10 people.<br />
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You'd think this time around Israel would be a little careful; as these ships consisted not only of Arabs or Muslims but Europeans and Americans too from different religions and cultures. But no, Israel showed no mercy. <br />
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In the days that came to follow after this incident & the reaction of the International community brought forth to my mind the concept in Islam that in everything there is <i>'Khayr'</i> or 'Good'. We might not see it immediately but it comes around. And now, Israel is in a tight spot with the World which it has never been before. In fact, it wouldn't be facing the problems it is facing now if it had let the Freedom Flotilla pass through easily. <br />
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Turkey on the other hand, has fast won Muslim & Non-Muslim hearts. It has taken a stand which Arab/Muslim countries combined have not been able to for years. I see the remnants of the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. Bravo! May you prosper and continue in this way.PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-20321996220357928412010-05-25T14:08:00.000-07:002010-06-14T14:33:04.917-07:00The Goodly life by Sheikh Muhammad Mukhtar Ash-ShinqeteeI came upon this video and subhan'Allah it is beautiful. I love the Shaykhs voice & his poetry. Not to mention, the lessons in his video.<br />
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The video is in Arabic but has subtitles in English.<br />
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<object height="350" width="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-fugf1DcNyc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-fugf1DcNyc&hl=en_GB&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="550" height="500"></embed></object>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-58909004842949619022010-05-17T09:42:00.000-07:002010-05-17T09:42:20.069-07:00Seeking PerfectionThere are so many things I want to say. So many blog posts, articles & thoughts that I always plan to pen down but never get around to doing it. Why? I've given up on the 'I'm busy' excuse because I'm not. And I know I'm not. The reason is because I always seek perfection when I open my blog to write. I want my post to be perfect. I want my words and my writing to be perfect. And when I can't deal with it being perfect I end up either delaying it for another day or simply exiting the screen.<br />
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Weird, I know. PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-44398768127833627272010-05-06T14:30:00.000-07:002010-05-06T14:32:32.823-07:00Volcanic Flowers<div class="mobile_status"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>'If your heart is a volcano, how shall you expect flowers to bloom?' - </i></b></span></span></span><br />
<div style="color: #cccccc;"><b><span id="profile_status" style="font-size: large;"><span id="status_text"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="color: #cccccc; text-align: center;"><b><span id="profile_status" style="font-size: large;"><span id="status_text">Kahlil Gibran</span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"><b><i><a href="http://missfear666.deviantart.com/art/flowers-63730115">Source</a> </i></b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs20/i/2007/243/1/8/flowers_by_missfear666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs20/i/2007/243/1/8/flowers_by_missfear666.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text"></span></span></div></div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-84172195080045068352010-05-04T12:44:00.000-07:002010-05-04T12:44:08.405-07:00Bigotry drives Belgium's burqa ban - GulfNewsExcellent article on the Burqa Ban.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/ni-o-jose-heredia-gulf-news-cartoon-1.621998%21image/339933878.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_475/339933878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/ni-o-jose-heredia-gulf-news-cartoon-1.621998%21image/339933878.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_475/339933878.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<blockquote>However, the Belgian and French leaderships find it offensive. They believe it denigrates women, which is quite laughable when they are so accepting of street prostitution, nude sunbathers and pornographic magazines openly displayed in newsagents.</blockquote><br />
Read the whole article here.<br />
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<a href="http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/bigotry-drives-belgium-s-burqa-ban-1.621933">Link.</a>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-74897318788297216552010-05-03T13:09:00.000-07:002010-05-04T04:43:00.781-07:00Discussion on Europes Burkha Ban on DubaiEye103.8I came on DubaiEye103.8 today morning. Had an interesting discussion with Jessica Swann and Stephanie on Europes decision to ban the Niqab.<br />
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You can listen to it here:-<br />
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<a href="http://bit.ly/bbncTy">Link. </a>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-48303981828772551932010-04-25T12:29:00.000-07:002010-05-04T04:43:30.785-07:00Who is afraid of who?I saw this picture on<a href="http://angryarab.blogspot.com/2010/04/israel-versus-palestine.html"> Angryarab</a> and I thought it made a powerful statement. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8wi6wrGjyexSAQljSWc08MswhByk9UpomfYiACJINzuJtNbI0_utPqqiOyZtar6Aqo4diwNcgqEgHF-7sAQ3sbkTscmfwuUZgeEa6v_C95f9Zs0V_nulI-U7urI56WBllxuAL2_rWwk/s1600/!cid_C3D5F66E-762C-4FD2-90E3-CF2C76B786E1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8wi6wrGjyexSAQljSWc08MswhByk9UpomfYiACJINzuJtNbI0_utPqqiOyZtar6Aqo4diwNcgqEgHF-7sAQ3sbkTscmfwuUZgeEa6v_C95f9Zs0V_nulI-U7urI56WBllxuAL2_rWwk/s320/!cid_C3D5F66E-762C-4FD2-90E3-CF2C76B786E1.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">اللهم انصر اخواننا في قلسطين</div>PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-22574197658198835302010-04-18T11:49:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:18:20.828-07:00Twitter Addict<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/thumbnails/twitter_addict.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theoatmeal-img/thumbnails/twitter_addict.png" /></a></div><br />
There was a time I had time for blogging. For cleaning up my room.. For indulging in other activities. But all that went out the window when I joined Twitter. In the past few days I've become a twitter addict, my tweets going more than 10,000. Which according to me is a failure more than an accomplisment. And yet I am still addicted.<br />
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Twitter isn't all bad - You meet some very amazing people, news reaches you faster, events get organised and you meet an amazing bunch of people you probably wouldn't have met before.<br />
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So therefore I have a current love and hate relationship with twitter.<br />
<br />
But I still feel I waste a lot more time on it which I could instead use to do productive work. *sigh*PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5775497817297952023.post-74590546129755676052010-04-09T08:44:00.000-07:002010-04-09T08:44:16.597-07:00Collateral Murder - Iraq KillingsA few days back a<a href="http://www.collateralmurder.org/"> video </a>was released by WikiLinks which brought outrage from the International Community. It showed the deliberate and brutal killing of Children, Reuters Journalists and other people by the American Army in Iraq.<br />
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The thought comes to mind though, how many other innocent people have been killed in Iraq by the US the same way? Are the 'insurgents' they actually claim to kill are actual insurgents or innocent people labelled as insurgents?<br />
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Sadly enough, sites like <a href="http://www.facebook.com/">Facebook</a> are trying to block people from linking to this video/site. Which I find utterly pathethic. The truth can never be stiffled. It will always rise.<br />
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On the other hand, how long will our outrage last? And are we going to do anything about it in the long run? Or are we going to rave and rant a little before quietning down just as we did after watching Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and Fallujah?PDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00776664141202265071noreply@blogger.com5