Sunday, February 24, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
برف باری کے طوفان کے بعد
برگ و بار پہ ڈالی ڈالی پہ
یہ دھنکی ہوئی روئی کے پھوے
اسماں سے اترتے ہوئے گرتے ہوئے یہ
ہر شے کو ڈھانپتے ہوئے
اک حسیں منظر جیسے حسیں خواب ہے یہ
سبحاناللہ تری قدرت کا کمال ہے یہ
چاندی سی سفیدی ہر سو پھیلی
اجلی اجلی نکھری نکھری
مشین کونسی فیکٹری کیسی
صناعی اس قادر مطلق کی لاجواب ہے یہ
عابدہ
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Deja Vu SanFrancisco
Deja Vu SanFrancisco Abida Rahmani
Lombard street the crookedest street of the world
San Francisco is a city of Tourists ,an amazingly unique city in the world, not so big but a lot to offer. The main city only 7x7 miles 49 sq. miles and about 85o,ooo of population. it has an abundance of , diversity , attractions and places to visit which one can enjoy over and over again. With its sloppy curved roads and streets going steeply up and down , it has an incredible and extraordinary look.With San Francisco Bay on one side which has so many of the world's longest bridges over it. These bridges and especially the Golden Gate, San Francisco Bay bridges are the marvels of Engineering.
I have been there so many times and every time the trip was unique , lovely, chrishable and spectacular.
For the first time I visited SF with my son and almost every time with him, He drove up for the crooked street, the crookedest street in the whole world and is a wonder. I was just holding my breath when he was driving down . With these slopes , turns and twists your car breaks should be in perfect and excellent condition. Floral winding beds along the sides this is an amazingly beautiful street. These twists are called eight tight hair pin twists and turns. Name of this street is Lombard Street. It begins at Presidio Boulevard inside The Presidio and runs east through the Cow Hollow neighborhood.
The irony that struck me for the last two years, is that I am going to San Francisco , staying there for days . Touring the city round and round on hip on hip off buses, on cable cars, cruise to Alcatraz but could not go up and down the crooked street. Last year the day I planned to get there was a soaking rainy , stormy day and this year I was not feeling well enough and it was too cold that day. Therefore I missed you the crookedest street a lot.
San Francisco has the 2nd largest China Town in USA. The Green pagoda type gate was brought from Taiwan .On top of this gate it is written in Chinese means " All in the heaven are equal" It has Chinese stores , Chinese restaurants with great cuisine and Chinese origin people all over. .
There was a commentary service on buses and few had live commentators telling about all the streets , areas , famous personalities, movies shot here and some of the details were quiet interesting and unknown to me. About the civic center , it has a big gold plated dome where the pigeons and birds are kept away to mess over it is a great amazement. Over there they have installed a hawk and a sound of hush when the birds try to sit over the dome the sound of hush comes and they feel if the hawk is attacking. Technological advances are mostly blessings. Many other steps are tried to protect the buildings from pigeon and birdies droppings. On my trips it seemed like if I am doing a thesis, a research on San Francisco but now it is fading out again from my memory.
We stayed in nice Hotels close to Union Square courtesy to my son's generous offer . He would leave early in the morning to attend his training or tutorial sessions and I was on my own. Walking up and down the street , I got accustomed to the area and modes of transport.
It was an incredible experience to go to Fisherman wharf through Cable car and then walk down the piers .
The cable care or trolley car is an old mean of transport . It was pulled through horses on steep roads, the horses would fall down and break their legs . The driving force behind the San Francisco cable car system came from a man who witnessed a horrible accident on a typically damp summer day in 1869. Andrew Smith Hallidie saw the toll slippery grades could extract when a horse- drawn streetcar slid backwards under its heavy load. The steep slope with wet cobblestones and a heavily weighted vehicle combined to drag five horses to their deaths. Although such a sight would stun anyone, Hallidie and his partners had the know-how to do something about the problem.The next step bringing Hallidie closer to his fate was moving his wire- rope manufacturing to San Francisco. All that was now needed was seeing the accident for the idea to become full blown-a cable car railway system to deal with San Francisco's fearsome hills.These cars were started pulling through steel wire cables . Now it is a historic transportation in SF, which every visitor would love to have fun with.
On Fisherman wharf its a long walk piers after piers, stores , restaurants , bakeries, art galleries , beautiful sculptures , marinas and all the famous tourist attraction spots . Ripley's believe it or not, madam Tussaud's wax museum, Rain forest Cafe, sumptuous dungeon crabs to eat , sourdough clam chowders, fried calamari and a lot . But the most famous is Pier 39 where there are so many Seals and Sea lions landed and kept on wooden planks. In 1989 there was an earth quack in San Francisco, after that a lot many Seals and Sea lions gathered at that pier. The pier put these floating berths for them . Their number increases and decreases . This time 3 -4 berths were occupied . It is a living exhibit .Each time if I 'm there , I must visit this spot and love their crawling up and down, making loud noises , rubbing over each other. Pier 39 itself has a lot many other attractions . This time when I was there it started raining heavily . Just across the road to take a shelter went in to a wonderful picture gallery. It had plenty to offer. An amazing spot with astonishing photography, focusing and depicting the natural beauty of America on big canvases and adequate picturesque surroundings. Pier 33 is Alcatraz landings , From there we can take A cruise for Alcatraz. Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's
most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought
a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. It was an incredible trip to it with audio tour support . Going through this I thought about Guantanamo bay which soon is going to be another Alcatraz.
Numerous Millions of $ paintings are for sale in those picturesque art galleries around Union Square from the world's renowned legendary artists.
All the American famous and up scales branded stores could be seen around Union square. I had a promise with myself for no shopping at all. Yet I could not resist going into the 8 floored Macy's , Swarovski and a few others.
Almost 80 % of SF got destroyed in 1906 earth quake after which a huge fire erupted which destroyed most of the city. As a result of quake and fires 3000 people died. The city started resurrection from ashes in 1907.
So many Holly wood famous movies are made there on certain locations.SF is home to many celebrities . In Pacific heights Danielle Steel owns a 30 million home, Nichlas Cage and so many other celebrities. SF is home to many Hollywood actors and actresses. Hopi Goldberg, Robin Williams even OJ Simpsons. The Movie Mrs. Doubt fire was filmed in SF.
Walk on and around Golden Gate bridge, Golden gate park , palace of fine arts is spectacular. Golden Gate park has so many marvelous exhibits that one could spend a whole day there. Japanese tea garden, California Academy of sciences, conservatory of flowers and a lot more.
In all this touring fanfare let us not forget of the SF homeless population. Begging here and there , moving around with their belongings in carts but not clinging like our Pakistani beggars. In Crime district which is called Tender loin due to certain reasons every visitor is warned not to go there after sunset because of the criminal activities.
San Francisco is home to a great deal of amazing and appetizing Pakistani cuisine , satisfying our nostalgia and taste buds with back home BBQ, naans , nihari , maghaz masala , seekh kabab , Karahi and lot more. Shalimar, Haandi, Karachi Kitchen and a great deal of others.
It was such a great delight to come e across a Pakistani young couple from Lahore sitting next to me on our touring bus. Just figured it out when they pointed to Halal Pizza. We had a good chat.
I'll never decline another offer to visit that astonishing city again....
Lombard street the crookedest street of the world
San Francisco is a city of Tourists ,an amazingly unique city in the world, not so big but a lot to offer. The main city only 7x7 miles 49 sq. miles and about 85o,ooo of population. it has an abundance of , diversity , attractions and places to visit which one can enjoy over and over again. With its sloppy curved roads and streets going steeply up and down , it has an incredible and extraordinary look.With San Francisco Bay on one side which has so many of the world's longest bridges over it. These bridges and especially the Golden Gate, San Francisco Bay bridges are the marvels of Engineering.
I have been there so many times and every time the trip was unique , lovely, chrishable and spectacular.
For the first time I visited SF with my son and almost every time with him, He drove up for the crooked street, the crookedest street in the whole world and is a wonder. I was just holding my breath when he was driving down . With these slopes , turns and twists your car breaks should be in perfect and excellent condition. Floral winding beds along the sides this is an amazingly beautiful street. These twists are called eight tight hair pin twists and turns. Name of this street is Lombard Street. It begins at Presidio Boulevard inside The Presidio and runs east through the Cow Hollow neighborhood.
Lombard Street is best known for the one-way section on Russian Hill between Hyde and Leavenworth Streets, in which the roadway has eight sharp turns (or switchbacks) that have earned the street the distinction of being the crookedest (most winding) street in the world. It is too steep for most vehicles. It is also a serious hazard to pedestrians, who are accustomed to a more reasonable 4.86° incline because of wheel chair navigability concerns. The crooked section of the street, which is about 1⁄4 mile (400 m) long, is reserved for one-way traffic traveling east (downhill) and is paved with red bricks. The speed limit in this section is 5 mph (8 km/h).
The irony that struck me for the last two years, is that I am going to San Francisco , staying there for days . Touring the city round and round on hip on hip off buses, on cable cars, cruise to Alcatraz but could not go up and down the crooked street. Last year the day I planned to get there was a soaking rainy , stormy day and this year I was not feeling well enough and it was too cold that day. Therefore I missed you the crookedest street a lot.
There was a commentary service on buses and few had live commentators telling about all the streets , areas , famous personalities, movies shot here and some of the details were quiet interesting and unknown to me. About the civic center , it has a big gold plated dome where the pigeons and birds are kept away to mess over it is a great amazement. Over there they have installed a hawk and a sound of hush when the birds try to sit over the dome the sound of hush comes and they feel if the hawk is attacking. Technological advances are mostly blessings. Many other steps are tried to protect the buildings from pigeon and birdies droppings. On my trips it seemed like if I am doing a thesis, a research on San Francisco but now it is fading out again from my memory.
We stayed in nice Hotels close to Union Square courtesy to my son's generous offer . He would leave early in the morning to attend his training or tutorial sessions and I was on my own. Walking up and down the street , I got accustomed to the area and modes of transport.
It was an incredible experience to go to Fisherman wharf through Cable car and then walk down the piers .
The cable care or trolley car is an old mean of transport . It was pulled through horses on steep roads, the horses would fall down and break their legs . The driving force behind the San Francisco cable car system came from a man who witnessed a horrible accident on a typically damp summer day in 1869. Andrew Smith Hallidie saw the toll slippery grades could extract when a horse- drawn streetcar slid backwards under its heavy load. The steep slope with wet cobblestones and a heavily weighted vehicle combined to drag five horses to their deaths. Although such a sight would stun anyone, Hallidie and his partners had the know-how to do something about the problem.The next step bringing Hallidie closer to his fate was moving his wire- rope manufacturing to San Francisco. All that was now needed was seeing the accident for the idea to become full blown-a cable car railway system to deal with San Francisco's fearsome hills.These cars were started pulling through steel wire cables . Now it is a historic transportation in SF, which every visitor would love to have fun with.
On Fisherman wharf its a long walk piers after piers, stores , restaurants , bakeries, art galleries , beautiful sculptures , marinas and all the famous tourist attraction spots . Ripley's believe it or not, madam Tussaud's wax museum, Rain forest Cafe, sumptuous dungeon crabs to eat , sourdough clam chowders, fried calamari and a lot . But the most famous is Pier 39 where there are so many Seals and Sea lions landed and kept on wooden planks. In 1989 there was an earth quack in San Francisco, after that a lot many Seals and Sea lions gathered at that pier. The pier put these floating berths for them . Their number increases and decreases . This time 3 -4 berths were occupied . It is a living exhibit .Each time if I 'm there , I must visit this spot and love their crawling up and down, making loud noises , rubbing over each other. Pier 39 itself has a lot many other attractions . This time when I was there it started raining heavily . Just across the road to take a shelter went in to a wonderful picture gallery. It had plenty to offer. An amazing spot with astonishing photography, focusing and depicting the natural beauty of America on big canvases and adequate picturesque surroundings. Pier 33 is Alcatraz landings , From there we can take A cruise for Alcatraz. Alcatraz and history go hand in hand. Once home to some of America's
most notorious criminals, the federal penitentiary that operated here from 1934 to 1963 brought
a dark mystique to the Rock. The presence of infamous inmates like Al "Scarface" Capone, and the "Birdman" Robert Stroud helped to establish the island's notoriety. To this day, Alcatraz is best known as one of the world's most legendary prisons. It was an incredible trip to it with audio tour support . Going through this I thought about Guantanamo bay which soon is going to be another Alcatraz.
Numerous Millions of $ paintings are for sale in those picturesque art galleries around Union Square from the world's renowned legendary artists.
All the American famous and up scales branded stores could be seen around Union square. I had a promise with myself for no shopping at all. Yet I could not resist going into the 8 floored Macy's , Swarovski and a few others.
Almost 80 % of SF got destroyed in 1906 earth quake after which a huge fire erupted which destroyed most of the city. As a result of quake and fires 3000 people died. The city started resurrection from ashes in 1907.
So many Holly wood famous movies are made there on certain locations.SF is home to many celebrities . In Pacific heights Danielle Steel owns a 30 million home, Nichlas Cage and so many other celebrities. SF is home to many Hollywood actors and actresses. Hopi Goldberg, Robin Williams even OJ Simpsons. The Movie Mrs. Doubt fire was filmed in SF.
Walk on and around Golden Gate bridge, Golden gate park , palace of fine arts is spectacular. Golden Gate park has so many marvelous exhibits that one could spend a whole day there. Japanese tea garden, California Academy of sciences, conservatory of flowers and a lot more.
In all this touring fanfare let us not forget of the SF homeless population. Begging here and there , moving around with their belongings in carts but not clinging like our Pakistani beggars. In Crime district which is called Tender loin due to certain reasons every visitor is warned not to go there after sunset because of the criminal activities.
It was such a great delight to come e across a Pakistani young couple from Lahore sitting next to me on our touring bus. Just figured it out when they pointed to Halal Pizza. We had a good chat.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
ڈرون کہ آسمانی عذاب
ڈرون کہ آسمانی عذاب
عابدہ رحمانی
ڈرون ٹیکنالوجی اس صدی کے موجودہ عشرے کا موثر ترین اور مہلک ترین ہتھیار ہے- - بغیر پایلٹ کے ہر طرح کے راڈار سے خفیہ, میزائیل اور بموں سے لیس سٹیلائٹ سے منسلک یہ جہاز جس طرح امریکی دشمنوں کا قلع قمع کر رہا ہے یہ ناقابل بیان ہے- اسمیں جدید ترین ٹیکنالوجی استعمال کی گئی ہے یہ ایک چلتا پھرتا اڑتا ہوا ہائی ٹیک کمپیوٹر ہے اور اسکو کنٹرول کرنیوالا کہیں دور کمپیوٹر کے اسکرین پر اسکو ایسے ہدایات دیتا ہے جیسے وہ ایک ویڈیو گیم کھیل رہا ہو ، وہ سارے اہداف دیکھ کر تعین کرتا ہے - اسی، نوے فیصد کامیابی سے اہداف پر حملہ کیا جاتا ہے - سارے مھلک ڈرون حملوں کے لئے امریکی صدر اوبامہ کی منظوری لی جاتی ہے- اسی کے دور حکومت میں ڈرون حملوں میں خوب تیزی آئی اور وہ بجا طور پر فخر کرسکتا ہے کہ اسنے امریکی دشمنوں کا قلع قمع کر دیا ہے-ان حملوں کی زد میں بقول انکے امریکہ کے اعلے درجے کے دشمن آتے ہیں لیکن یہ ہر گزسو فیصد صحیح
نہیں ہوتے اور کافی بے گناہ لوگ، عورتیں ، بچے اور بوڑھے بھی اس سے ہلاک ہو چکے ہیں - اسکو وہ نسبتا کم نقصان قرار دیتے ہیں -- پاکستان کے شمالی علاقہ جات ڈرون حملوں کا خصوصی نشانہ ہیں ان ہلاکتوں پر خود امریکہ کے باشندوں نے خوب شور مچایا ہے - امریکہ کی ایک خواتین کی مزاحمتی پارٹی کوڈ پنک کے نام سے اس کی خصوصا مخالف ہے کوڈ پنک تمام جنگی اقدامات اور حملوں کی مخالفت کرتی ہے وہ اسرائیلی استعمار کی بھی سخت مخالف ہے- انکے ساتھ اور مزاحمتی گروپ بھی شامل ہیں -سوچنے کی بات یہ ہے کہ ہمارے لئے آواز بھی یہی لوگ اٹھا رہے ہیں وگرنہ ہم میں نہ ہی اتنا حوصلہ ہے نہ ہی اتنا سلیقہ اور دم خم ہے - کوڈ پنک کی خواتین پاکستان بھی آئی تھیں اور عمران خان کے ساتھ دھرنا دیا تھا - انہوں نے مجھے بھی مدعو کیا تھا لیکن برا ہو میری تساہل پسندی کا اور پھر میں انہی دنوں پاکستان سے واپس گئی تھی-- میڈی بنجمن نے ڈرون حملوں اور نقصانات پر بمع تصاویر اور تفصیلات کے کتاب بھی لکھی ہے - اب آپلوگ کہینگے کہ زخم اور کچوکے بھی یہ لگاتے ہیں اور مرہم بھی یہی رکھتے ہین - جنوری 2013 تک 365 ڈرون حملے پاکستان میں ہوئے ہیں اور انمیں 2629 سے 3461 ہلاکتیں ہوئی ہیں انمیں بمشکل 50- امریکہ کے مطلوبہ افراد یا بقول انکے القاعدہ اور طالبان ہونگے باقی سب بیگناہ عوام تھے- زخمیوں کی تعداد لگ بھگ 1500 ہے - انمیں سے چند کو ازراہ ہمدردی بیرون ملک علاج کے لئے لے جایا گیا ہے- بش انتظامیہ کے دوران پاکستان میں 52 جبکہ اوبامہ انتظامیہ کے دوران 310 بلکہ اب تک 315 حملے ہوچکے ہیں-
پچھلے سال شاہین ائر کی فلائیٹ پر کراچی سے اسلام آباد جاتے ہوئے میرے ساتھ ایک ایر فورس کے انجینئر بمع فیملی بیٹھے تھے انسے یہ ڈرون کے متعلق اور اسامہ آپریشن کے متعلق پاکستان ائر فورس کی کارکردگی بلکہ نا اہلی پر بات ہوئی میں نے کہا " کہ اس صورتحال سے ظاہر ہوتا ہیے کہ آپکے ایر فورس میں کتنا دم خم ہے"-کہنے لگے جب حکومتی اداروں کی طرف سے اس کارکردگی کو پورا تعاون حاصل ہو تو ایر فورس کیا کر سکتی ہے؟
امریکی شہریوں انوار الاولاکی انکے 16 سالہ بیٹے عبدالرحمان الاولاکی اور چند اور امریکی شہریوں کی ہلاکت ہر آجکل امریکہ کا اوبامہ مخالف میڈیا خوب شور مچا رہا ہے اسکو اسی طرح کی بغیر قانونی تحفظ دینے کی ہلاکتیں قرار دے رہا ہے جیسے کہ پاکستان میں جعلی پولیس مقابلے ہوتے ہیں- وہ اسکو قتل عام کا نام دے رہے ہیں
ننئے امریکی سی آئی اے کے ڈائرکٹر جان برینن نے کہا ہے کہ اپنی دفاع کیلئے اور القاعدہ سے تعلق رکھنے والے دشمنوں کو ختم کرنے کے لئے ہم جوبھی حملے کرتے وہ قانونی ہوتے ہیں اور ہم پوری احتیاط کرتے ہوئے یہ حملے کرتے ہیں اور خاص طور پرمشتبہ بلکہ مستند دشمنوں کو نشانہ بناتے ہیں اور یہ ہمارے پاس آخری حربہ ہوتا ہے جان برینن ڈرون حملوں کا حامی بلکہ اسکا اجراء کرنیوالوں میں سےایک ہے اسکے خلاف کوڈ پنک اور ڈرون حملوں کی مخالف تنظیموں نے خوب مظاہرہ کیا- اوبامہ کی حلف برداری کی تقریب میں یہ لوگ خون میں لتھڑے ہوئے کفن پہن کر سڑکوں پر لیٹ گئے اور اپنے اوپر ڈرون کی ہلاکتوں کے پوسٹر بچھا دئے جسظرح سے احتجاج کرنا انکو آتا ہے وہ دنیا کو متوجہ بھی کرتا ہے اور ہمدرد بھی بناتا ہے - انہی میں سے ایک گروپ اوبامہ کو جنگی مجرم قرار دیتے ہیں اور بقول انکے اوبامہ سے اسکا امن کا نوبل انعام واپس لیا جائے اور ڈرون حملوں کے الزام میں اسکو جنگی مجرم قراردیا جائے- وہ اس معاملے کو ہیگ کی عالمی عدالت میں لے جانا چاہتے ہیں
حال ہی میں امریکہ کے بہترین جنگی جہاز سٹیلتھ کی پرواز ڈرون کے طرز پر بغیر پائیلٹ کی گئی ساتھ ہی ساتھ اسوقت امریکہ میں یہ خوف اور خدشہ کافی بڑھتا جا رہا ہے ہے کہ آج کے یہ ڈرون کل کہٰیں امریکہ کے خلاف استعمال ہوئے تو کیا ہوگا یعنی "آبیل مجھے مار" یا الٹی آنتیں گلے پڑنی والی کیفیت نہ ہوجائے- ابھی تو امریکہ اپنے بندوقوں پر کوئی پابندی نہیں لگا پا رہا ہے جسکی بناء پر اتنی قتل و غارتگری پھیلی ہوئی ہے- اور اگر یہاں کے بدمعاشوں اور دہشت گردوں کے ہاتھ میں ڈرون ٹیکنالوجی آجائے تو اسوقت کا کیا سدباب ہوگا- اسوقت تو امریکہ کے لئے یہ اپنے اھداف کو نشانہ بنانے کا محفوظ ترین طریقہ ہے ریموٹ کنٹرول سے تو ہلکے پھلکے جہاز بچے بھی اڑا لیتے ہیںتو اگر کھیل ہی کھیل میں اسکو اپنے دشمنون اور تفریح طبع کے لئے حملون میں استعمال کیا جائے یہاں پر شیطانی دماغوں کی کوئی کمی تو نہیں ہے- اب آگے آگے دیکھئے ہوتا ہے کیا امریکہ کی ایجاد کردہ بہت سی ایجادیں اسکے خلاف ہوگئیں جیسے افغانستان کے مجا ہدین طالبان اور القاعدہ بن گئے ایسے ہی ڈرون ایک ڈراؤنا ہتھیار بنکر امریکہ ہی کے خلاف استعمال ہو- -
ایران نے ایک ڈرون گرالیا تھا اور اسکے بخئے ادھیڑنے میں
اپنے ساتھ چین کو بھی ملا لیا اسی
طرح پاکستان میں بھی غا لبا ایک گر گیا تھا بلکہ طالبان نے دعوے کیا کہ گرا لیا تھا - سب سے افسوسناک بلکہ اندوہناک بی بی سی کی وہ رپورٹ ہے جسمیں انکشاف ہوا ہے کہ ڈرون کا اڈہ سعودی عرب میں ہے اور وہیں سے یہ ارد گرد کے علاقوں کے لئے پرواز کرتے ہیں پاکستان اور افغانستان پر حملہ کرنے والے افغانستان یا پاکستان سے ہی پرواز کرتے ہیں - جو بھی اسکی حقیقت ہے اس اسمانی بلا نے بہت سوں کو ایک بہت بڑے عذاب سے دو چار کیا ہے-
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Valentine Day and the Islamic perspective
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Valentine Day is around the corner, it would be celebrated on Feb 14th. The stores are flooded with Valentine day’s gifts. The main symbol is a red heart, a heart full of love full of blood and full of warmth. Love is the most loveable, warmest experience of this world. This Valentine day was in a cold storage in Europe and Rome for centuries where it originally generated but it went on a popularity and height of elevation when the USA adopted it .Like all the other traditions now the whole world follows it blindly . Even in the countries like Pakistan, India or south Asia we were not aware of this tradition at all almost two three decades ago. It is celebrated with much more enthusiasm and fanfare now. It is considered a lovers day all around the world. Many plan their special occasions, engagements, and weddings especially taking place on that particular day.
These days are marketing days. The marketing agencies have made these a lot more attractive and lucrative with launching new and attractive products. Red roses especially, other red flowers, candies, cards, stuffed teddy bears, strawberries (being red and heart shaped) are in great demands for the valentine day. The common slogan is, Be my valentine.
This year it is estimated that about 16 billion $ would be spent on Valentine day gifts, cards and flowers. The more you spend the more economy flourishes.
According to Islam:
Is there any harm in love? Is love the most dangerous and lethal thing in this world? No not at all. Islam respects Love and affinity as the entire humans do on this earth. The only problem is that Islam only believes in legitimate love and relationships. Love between two spouses, between family members, between blood relations, between good friends. We very well know who these relations are with whom we can express our love. There are no special days in particular to show our love. We can show our love 24/7 to our ties.
Allah says in the Qur'an: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." [Ar Room 30:21] The key words in the verse are - Mawaddatan wa Rahmah - which translates as Love and Mercy. The interesting thing to note about this verse is to notice the location of this verse along with the verses that precede it and those that come after. Allah mentions His Signs (Night/Day, Heaven/Earth, and Man/Woman) and He puts the feeling of Love and Mercy between spouses in the same value as the creation of Heaven & Earth. Now then how can we ignore such a great Sign of Allah?
The Prophet (PBUH) once said about Khadija (RA),” I was verily filled with love for her.” This is how expressive our Prophet was, when he talked of love for his wife. However, today we find that many of us are shy to express our love. In fact, many consider it a sign of weakness to say "I love so and so" and they consider it a blow to their pride to tell their spouse, "I love you". But the Messenger (saw) was not shy to express his love of his wife. And notice that he didn't simply say, "I love her", but he said, "I was filled with love for her".
There is no such thing as love being forbidden in Islam, which encourages Muslims to love each other for the sake of Allah and express your love to your brother, but of course there are limitation to this, let us see Concept of Love in Islam Love is that beautiful feeling Allah (SWT) puts in the heart of a sincere, pious and god fearing couple at the time of their nikah. And this is a serious, long-term relationship in which both individuals are content and comfortable with one another.
Pagan origins of Valentine's Day
The first information about this day is found in pre-Christian Rome, when pagans would celebrate the "Feast of the Wolf" on February 15, also known as the Feast of Lupercalius in honour of Februata Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, Roman god of nature.
On this day, young women would place their names in an urn, from which boys would randomly draw to discover their sexual companion for the day, the year, and sometimes the rest of their lives. These partners exchanged gifts as a sign of affection, and often married.
Christian Influence
When Christianity came onto the scene in Rome, it wanted to replace this feast with something more in line with its ethics and morality. A number of Christians decided to use February 14 for this purpose. This was when the Italian Bishop Valentine was executed by the Roman Emperor Claudius II for conducting secret marriages of military men in the year 270.
Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young, single men, who made up his military. Valentine defied Claudius and performed marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were revealed, Claudius put him to death. Another version of the story says that Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who helped Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
Valentine was arrested and sent to the prefect of Rome for this. He found that his attempts to make Valentine renounce his faith were useless, and so recommended he be beaten with clubs, and later beheaded. This took place on February 14, 270.
According to the Catholic encyclopedia, there are at least three different Saint Valentines, all of whom are Christian martyrs of February 14. One of them is described as a priest from Rome (as mentioned above), another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and the third from Africa.
It was in the year 496 that Pope Gelasius officially changed the February 15 Lupercalia festival to the February 14 St. Valentine's Day to give Christian meaning to a pagan festival. The holiday became popular in the United States in the 1800's during the Civil War. After the American adoption of this day it got popularized in Europe again. In rest of the world it reached in last 50 years with the blessings of media and attractive merchandize.
Many schools, universities and clubs prepare elaborate functions and parties. Many will argue that Valentine's Day is a day of joy and harmless fun. But is it really?
From an Islamic point of view Valentine's Day is wrong for the following reasons:
1. It invites people to the relentless pursuit of sexual freedom
In Islam all forms of intimacy and passion are confined to the relationship of marriage. Anything beyond this is not acceptable. The culture of promoting the satisfaction of desires and passions in an uncontrolled manner is unhealthy.
Islam recognizes that we are human and can succumb to human weakness, so it has provided strict safeguards for our own sake. The Quran mentions clearly: "Do not come near to adultery. It is a great sin and an evil way." (Surah Israa, Verse 32)
2. Valentine's Day is based on pagan culture
Cupid, the virtually naked, arrow-shooting character, which shoots people with its arrows to make them fall in love, is a remnant of Roman pagan times. Cupid is described as the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid's picture is frequently found on Valentine cards and other paraphernalia.
3. Imitation is strictly forbidden in Islam
If someone wants to celebrate it just on a family or spouses scale innocently, just to follow the tradition. It is not necessary to do it on Feb 14th. They can do it any day by exchanging gifts, love and emotions. It is because when you live in a country or a society where different traditions are followed, one feels tempted to it. Being a good Muslim It should be decided in the light of Quran and sunnah what is wrong and what is right.
These days are marketing days. The marketing agencies have made these a lot more attractive and lucrative with launching new and attractive products. Red roses especially, other red flowers, candies, cards, stuffed teddy bears, strawberries (being red and heart shaped) are in great demands for the valentine day. The common slogan is, Be my valentine.
This year it is estimated that about 16 billion $ would be spent on Valentine day gifts, cards and flowers. The more you spend the more economy flourishes.
According to Islam:
Is there any harm in love? Is love the most dangerous and lethal thing in this world? No not at all. Islam respects Love and affinity as the entire humans do on this earth. The only problem is that Islam only believes in legitimate love and relationships. Love between two spouses, between family members, between blood relations, between good friends. We very well know who these relations are with whom we can express our love. There are no special days in particular to show our love. We can show our love 24/7 to our ties.
Allah says in the Qur'an: "And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are signs for those who reflect." [Ar Room 30:21] The key words in the verse are - Mawaddatan wa Rahmah - which translates as Love and Mercy. The interesting thing to note about this verse is to notice the location of this verse along with the verses that precede it and those that come after. Allah mentions His Signs (Night/Day, Heaven/Earth, and Man/Woman) and He puts the feeling of Love and Mercy between spouses in the same value as the creation of Heaven & Earth. Now then how can we ignore such a great Sign of Allah?
The Prophet (PBUH) once said about Khadija (RA),” I was verily filled with love for her.” This is how expressive our Prophet was, when he talked of love for his wife. However, today we find that many of us are shy to express our love. In fact, many consider it a sign of weakness to say "I love so and so" and they consider it a blow to their pride to tell their spouse, "I love you". But the Messenger (saw) was not shy to express his love of his wife. And notice that he didn't simply say, "I love her", but he said, "I was filled with love for her".
There is no such thing as love being forbidden in Islam, which encourages Muslims to love each other for the sake of Allah and express your love to your brother, but of course there are limitation to this, let us see Concept of Love in Islam Love is that beautiful feeling Allah (SWT) puts in the heart of a sincere, pious and god fearing couple at the time of their nikah. And this is a serious, long-term relationship in which both individuals are content and comfortable with one another.
Pagan origins of Valentine's Day
The first information about this day is found in pre-Christian Rome, when pagans would celebrate the "Feast of the Wolf" on February 15, also known as the Feast of Lupercalius in honour of Februata Juno, the Roman goddess of women and marriage, and Pan, Roman god of nature.
On this day, young women would place their names in an urn, from which boys would randomly draw to discover their sexual companion for the day, the year, and sometimes the rest of their lives. These partners exchanged gifts as a sign of affection, and often married.
Christian Influence
When Christianity came onto the scene in Rome, it wanted to replace this feast with something more in line with its ethics and morality. A number of Christians decided to use February 14 for this purpose. This was when the Italian Bishop Valentine was executed by the Roman Emperor Claudius II for conducting secret marriages of military men in the year 270.
Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, so he outlawed marriage for young, single men, who made up his military. Valentine defied Claudius and performed marriages for young couples in secret. When his actions were revealed, Claudius put him to death. Another version of the story says that Valentine was a holy priest in Rome, who helped Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were often beaten and tortured.
Valentine was arrested and sent to the prefect of Rome for this. He found that his attempts to make Valentine renounce his faith were useless, and so recommended he be beaten with clubs, and later beheaded. This took place on February 14, 270.
According to the Catholic encyclopedia, there are at least three different Saint Valentines, all of whom are Christian martyrs of February 14. One of them is described as a priest from Rome (as mentioned above), another as bishop of Interamna (modern Terni), and the third from Africa.
It was in the year 496 that Pope Gelasius officially changed the February 15 Lupercalia festival to the February 14 St. Valentine's Day to give Christian meaning to a pagan festival. The holiday became popular in the United States in the 1800's during the Civil War. After the American adoption of this day it got popularized in Europe again. In rest of the world it reached in last 50 years with the blessings of media and attractive merchandize.
Many schools, universities and clubs prepare elaborate functions and parties. Many will argue that Valentine's Day is a day of joy and harmless fun. But is it really?
From an Islamic point of view Valentine's Day is wrong for the following reasons:
1. It invites people to the relentless pursuit of sexual freedom
In Islam all forms of intimacy and passion are confined to the relationship of marriage. Anything beyond this is not acceptable. The culture of promoting the satisfaction of desires and passions in an uncontrolled manner is unhealthy.
Islam recognizes that we are human and can succumb to human weakness, so it has provided strict safeguards for our own sake. The Quran mentions clearly: "Do not come near to adultery. It is a great sin and an evil way." (Surah Israa, Verse 32)
2. Valentine's Day is based on pagan culture
Cupid, the virtually naked, arrow-shooting character, which shoots people with its arrows to make them fall in love, is a remnant of Roman pagan times. Cupid is described as the son of Venus, the Roman god of love and beauty. Cupid's picture is frequently found on Valentine cards and other paraphernalia.
3. Imitation is strictly forbidden in Islam
If someone wants to celebrate it just on a family or spouses scale innocently, just to follow the tradition. It is not necessary to do it on Feb 14th. They can do it any day by exchanging gifts, love and emotions. It is because when you live in a country or a society where different traditions are followed, one feels tempted to it. Being a good Muslim It should be decided in the light of Quran and sunnah what is wrong and what is right.
ماں
ماںعابدہ رحمانیپڑوس کے اپارٹمنٹ سے چینخ و پکا ر کی آوازیں نا قابل برداشت ہورہی تھیں -یون تو اس گھر میں جب مکیں گھر میں ہوں ایک چینخ پکار مچی ہوتی تھی - لیکن آج انکی ماں کی سسکیا ں اور روتی ہوئی آوازیوں لگ رہا تھا کوئی تشدد ہو رہا ہے-روزی اس سے اکثر ایلیویٹر میں ملتی رہی ہے - ہیلو ہائے کرلیتی تھی ، ٹوٹی پھوٹی انگریزی میں بات چیت ہو جاتی -اسلئے وہ اس آواز کو صاف پہچانتی تھی- روزی ٹام سے کہنے لگی" یہ لوگ لگتا ہے اپنی ماں کے ساتھ کوئی زیادتی کر رہے ہیں میں پولیس کو کال کرلیتی ہوں مجھ سے یہ سب برداشت نہین ہو رہا اس سے پہلے کہ ٹام جواب دیتا روزی نے پولیس کو ڈائل کردیا تھا اسنے پولیس کو تفصیلات بتائیں اپنا نام پتہ اور ساتھ والے اپارٹمنٹ کا نمبر بتایایہ ایک پاکستانی خاندان تھا روزی اور دوسرے پڑوسی انکو انڈین سمجھتے تھے لیکن انکی ماں نے بتایا کہ ہم پاکستانی ہیں تو اسے معلوم ہوا -ایک ہی جیسے تو لگتے ہیں یہ انڈین اور پاکستانی ویسے ہی ہیں جیسے امریکہ کینیڈا، لیکن انمیں تو اب بھی کچھ نہ کچھ تنازغہ چلتا ہے - لیکن یہ بیچاری عورت کاش پولیس جلدی آئے اس عورت کے رونے اور کچھ بولنے کی آواز صاف آرہی تھی- ےٹام کہنے لگا انکی عورتیں خاموشی سے اذیت برداشت کرتی رہتی ہیں انکو اسی طرح پالا جاتا ہے اب یہ د یکھو یہ اس عورت کا بیٹا اور بہو ہیں اور اسکے ساتھ بدتمیزی کر رہے ہیں - یہ عورت کہیں الگ کیوں نہیں رہتی؟ یہ انکا کلچر نہیں ہے یہ اسی طرح خوش رہتے ہیں روزی اسے سمجھانے لگی-اتنے میں پولیس نے آکر دروازے پر دستک دی چینخ پکار اب بھی جاری تھی دروازے کے لینس سےپولیس دیکھ کر بشیر ہکا بکا رہ گیا - بھاگ کے ماں اور بیوی کے پاس گیا دونوں کو ھاتھ سے پکڑ کر غسلخانے لے گیا ماں کے منہ پر ھاتھ رکھا اماں خدا کیلئے خاموش ہو جاؤدروازے پر پولیس آئی ہے لگتا ہے کسی پڑوسی نے شکایت کی ہے اب وقت نہیں ہے ھکچھ سوچو وہ تمیں بھی لے جائینگے اور ہمیں گرفتار کر لینگے اگر تم نے حقیقت بتا دی- پولیس نے اس مرتبہ زور سے دستک دی اسنے دروازہ کھولاہمیں خبر ملی ہے تمہارے گھر میں کسی بوڑھی عورت ہر تشدد ہورہا ہے ہم اندر آکر دیکھنا چاہتے ہیںاماں نے اتنی دیر میں آنسو پونچھ لئے تھے پولیس نے آکر پوچھانہیں نہیں ایسا کیسے ہوسکتا ہے میں نہارہی تھی تو ٹب میں بہت زور سے پھسلی نلکے سے میری پیٹھ ٹکرائی - یہ لوگ مجھے دوائی لگا رہے تھے جس سے مجھے جلن ہورہی تھی تو میں رو رہی تھی- اماں نے بڑی ہوشیاری سے کہانی گھڑ لی تھیتم صحیح تو کہہ رہی ہو نا " پولیس نے اسکو غور سے دیکھتے ہوئے کہا اچھا اس کاغذ پر دستخط کردو کہ سب کچھ ٹھیک ہے اور یہ میرا کارڈ رکھ لو اگر کوئی مسئلہ ہو تو مجھے فون کر دینا-اماں نے کارڈ لیکر تھینک یو کہا" میرے مولا جنکو تیرا خوف نہیں ہے اس پولیس سے کیسے خوفزدہ ہیں اور یہ کارڈ تو اب ترپ کا پتہ ہوگااماں نے اپنے رب کا شکر اداکیا
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Journey of life: "جو چاہے آپ کا حسن کرشمہ ساز کرے "ولنتٹا ئ...
Journey of life:
"جو چاہے آپ کا حسن کرشمہ ساز کرے "
ولنتٹا ئ...: "جو چاہے آپ کا حسن کرشمہ ساز کرے " ولنتٹا ئن ڈے -- محبت منانے کا دن عابدہ رحمانی - بازاروں میں زبردست چہل پہل...
"جو چاہے آپ کا حسن کرشمہ ساز کرے "
ولنتٹا ئ...: "جو چاہے آپ کا حسن کرشمہ ساز کرے " ولنتٹا ئن ڈے -- محبت منانے کا دن عابدہ رحمانی - بازاروں میں زبردست چہل پہل...
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