Strange life is!

Sometimes you just regret meeting few people in your life. And other times you think what your life would have been if you have not met them....strange!

Eid :)

A Christian's response to the "Ten Reasons to Burn Quran" (Nauzibillah)

I came across this article of Zach and I appreciate how he has addressed each point in detail. Let's have a look:

For those of us who aren’t familiar with what has been going on in the conservative extremist arena of the bustling metropolis of Gainesville, Florida, let’s have a quick fact check. Just when you thought that Westboro Baptist Church’s “God Hates Fags” signs were the only outlet of Christianity gone amok (and they don’t count because they’re way out… there, in that part of the country, right?), the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville decides that it’s going to make September 11, 2010 its first annual Burn-A-Koran-athon. That’s right. This coming September 11th, the church will gather on its property and hold a Qur’an burning.

Either in the usual conservative evangelical nature, or in a bout of guilt-filled justification, the church recently published on its blog a list of the top ten resons you should burn a Qur’an (Could you make my blogging life any easier?). Let’s examine this list for a moment.

1. The Koran teaches that Jesus Christ, the Crucified, Risen Son of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords was NOT the Son of God, nor was he crucified (a well documented historical fact that ONLY Islam denies). This teaching removes the possibility of salvation and eternal life in heaven for all Islam’s believers. They face eternal damnation in hell if they do not repent.

This is, of course, based on the fact that you believe that Jesus was the son of God. So I guess that Jews, Buddhists, Pagans, Agnostics, and Christians that might not live up to your standards probably fit into this category as well. Nothing new. Fair enough.

2. The Koran does not have an eternal origin. It is not recorded in heaven. The Almighty God, Creator of the World, is NOT it’s source. It is not holy. It’s writings are human in origin, a concoction of old and new teachings. This has been stated and restated for centuries by scholars since Islam’s beginnings, both Moslem and non-Moslem.

I can only laugh at this one. Anyone who has done any kind of research in to the origins of the Bible knows that it was written by humans, for humans, and is the epitome of ‘old and new teachings.’ I mean really, the Bible’s two testaments were written in two different languages! If that alone doesn’t clearly say “humans wrote this, at different times, for different reasons, over many years,” I don’t know what does. I have nothing against the fact that the Bible was written at the hand of man, but it sure makes it hard to call the Qur’an un-holy because of the same fact. I see a bunch of steamed-up extremist kettles calling the pot black.

3. The Koran’s teaching includes Arabian idolatry, paganism, rites and rituals. These are demonic, an ongoing satanic stronghold under which Moslems and the world suffer.

That’s right. I’d forgotten. Islam’s rituals are satanic, but yours are squeaky clean. So drinking wine and eating bread in remembrance of your Lord and dunking your worshipers in water so they may be born again in Christ are perfectly fine and acceptable, but practices like praying seven times daily to God and fasting in order to learn about patience, humility, and spirituality are satanic. Thanks for clarifying that yours is the only way, I was sorely confused.

4. The earliest writings that are known to exist about the Prophet Mohammad were recorded 120 years after his death. All of the Islamic writings (the Koran and the Hadith, the biographies, the traditions and histories) are confused, contradictory and inconsistent. Maybe Mohammad never existed. We have no conclusive account about what he said or did. Yet Moslems follow the destructive teachings of Islam without question.

The earliest of the gospels describing the life of Jesus were written in 78 C.E. (or A.D. if you’re into that kind of thing), which was 55 years after Jesus died. This means that even a witness who was ten years younger than Jesus would have been nearly seventy by the time he began writing the gospel. And because the gospels were written in Greek and not Hebrew or Aramaic, it seems unlikely that the author of the earliest gospel was an eyewitness of the happenings during even the death of Jesus. And do we really want to get into contradictions in the Bible? Let’s try a few. Don’t kill, but stoning gay people is fair game. The Lord of peace be with you, but our God is one of war. The gospel of Mark says Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, while the gospel of John says he was not, among many other contradiction in the gospels. In fact, the only gospel that mentions the divine birth by God of Jesus is Luke. Are we done talking about inconsistent, contradictory writings about our prophets, now?

5. Mohammad’s life and message cannot be respected. The first Meccan period of his leadership seems to have been religiously motivated and a search for the truth. But in the second Medina period he was “corrupted by power and worldly ambitions.” (Ibn Warraq) These are characteristics that God hates. They also led to political assassinations and massacres which continue to be carried out on a regular basis by his followers today.

The Christian church has a long-standing history of corruption. It was the primary source of power in Europe for about a millennium, and folks, it didn’t get that way by playing nice with the nobles and serfs. Televangelists today rob people blind under the guise that money can be exchanged for salvation. I know of a pastor of a modern conservative evangelical superchurch who, despite his growing congregation’s need for a new space, built himself a new multi-million-dollar home instead using funds of his church. That’s not being corrupted by the power of worldly ambitions, is it? And who are you to tell me what can and cannot be respected? That’s right, you’re divine and I’m not.

6. Islamic Law is totalitarian in nature. There is no separation of church and state. It is irrational. It is supposedly immutable and cannot be changed. It must be accepted without criticism.

It seems ironic that a pastor of a conservative evangelical church would say this when historically, conservative Christians in America seem to want the wall between church and state as thin or non-existent as possible. I love it when people call upon something only when it’s convenient for the views they’re spinning.

7. Islam is not compatible with democracy and human rights. The notion of a moral individual capable of making decisions and taking responsibility for them does not exist in Islam. The attitude towards women in Islam as inferior possessions of men has led to countless cases of mistreatment and abuse for which Moslem men receive little or no punishment, and in many cases are encouraged to commit such acts, and are even praised for them. This is a direct fruit of the teachings of the Koran.

This depends wholly on the interpretation of the text in the Qur’an, in the same way that some Christians think that women are inferior to men because of Biblical scripture. In the case of countries where laws reflect the conservative interpretations of the Qur’an and women are indeed inferior by law, the Qur’an is used as justification, but in most parts of the world such rigid interpretations are not commonplace. True, the notion of a moral individual capable of making decisions and taking responsibility for them is inconceivable in such countries, but this is not per se Islam’s fault. Look at China.

8. A Muslim does not have the right to change his religion. Apostasy is punishable by death.

A Muslim living in certain countries does not have the right to denounce his religion. A Muslim living in the United States of America does. This is not an issue inherent of Islam, but of differing political systems.

9. Deep in the Islamic teaching and culture is the irrational fear and loathing of the West.

Deep in the conservative Christian teaching and culture is the irrational fear and loathing of the East (Let’s go burn us some Korans, eh?).

10. Islam is a weapon of Arab imperialism and Islamic colonialism. Wherever Islam has or gains political power, Christians, Jews and all non-Moslems receive persecution, discrimination, are forced to convert. There are massacres and churches, synagogues, temples and other places of worship are destroyed.

Any religion can be a weapon of any government or group of people who adhere to it. Historically, wherever Christianity has gained power, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, Pagans, and followers of other native religions have been persecuted, discriminated against, and forced to convert or face expulsion from their homelands and/or death. Again, the sooty, tarnished kettles need to turn off the burner and stop whistling at the pot.

A drop in the Ocean

The biggest humanitarian disaster has broken the backbone of Pakistan which was not in a good shape before. Despaired eyes, torn clothes, bared footed, empty stomachs and dry mouths of flood affected people of Pakistan are waiting for some miracle to come over and correct everything. Who will help them actually? You? Or I?

We remain confused or want to be confused when we think of helping them. We see towards other people and call them to help out OUR people. But what are WE doing actually? I am among WE and I confess it shamefully that I am not doing what I am supposed to do.

We always think that helping these people means to donate thousands of money or to arrange a big truck of their food and clothes. Some of the people are doing so and I truly appreciate it. But if we cannot do this, it does not mean we can't do anything and can just sit and see the relief activities. A little drop in the ocean is as important as a whole ocean. Do little things! I swear they mean alot.

My friend in Multan was telling me that thousands of people are placed in different schools near by her area. They have made a small group of friends who have adopted few schools in their localities. They visit these schools regularly, ask what they need, bring them food, clothes, medicines, utensils, toys and books for kids, Quran and prayer mats, etc. Affectees are many and helpers are few. They don't have much resources but they are becoming few drops in the ocean.

My friend's cousin is just 19. He decided to do something and started gathering few things at his house. Other of his friends, their families and his neighbors joined him. He and his friends literally gathered huge amount of goods. They didn't advertise or go to people's doors and ask them for donation. They started collecting stuff and when their peers got to know about this, they came in and gave their share. Later, they arranged a big container and brought these goods to one of the affected areas and distributed the stuff by themselves. There are many but they could only touch one of the affected the areas. Their drop in the ocean can never be undermined. It's as precious as the billions of dollars of aid from the world.

Although the world is now the global village but people still do not know what has happened in Pakistan. The world is still unaware that 20 millions people are displaced and 6 millions among them are children. They do not know that millions of people are sleeping under sky and there is still raining. They do not know that the epidemics are slow-poisoning the poor people. We can aware the people around us as Natasha Jahangir did. Her tweets created awareness in Hollywood stars regarding floods devastations in Pakistan. Tom Cruise, Angelina Joli, Ryan Seacrest, Maroon 5's Adam Lavine, Queen Noor, Michelle Branch and Marie Digby all came in.

It's time to play our roles and think the way of helping them. Let's start from our own home. Let's see what are the things which we do not need and lying idle at our homes. Some of them can be useful for others. I swear we will not die without half of our clothes and shoes. Let's spend some of our pocket money on buying food, water bottles, medicines and other stuff. Believe me, the pleasure of spending money on this stuff will be much more higher than we spend on our hoteling which always ends up on higher calories. It's not difficult to get to these people. They are near you. Go to them, console them, tell them you are with them in this time of misery. Help them! Can't you become a single drop in the ocean?

Ramzan

Ramzan is here with all its blessings and memories. I am trying to see what I am writing but my eyes...ufff......I think they are also in flood. I am very sad and missing each and everything of my family and of my country.

I don't have words to say anything about the situation of flood in Pakistan. I have only tears to shed upon the misery and helplessness of my people. They have been continuously suffering from all types of crisis. Today, we arranged an event for fund raising at the place where I ve been interning. I remained upset the whole week because I was working on the presentation for this event. The situation is very depressing. I got shocked to know that the loss of property and people's livelihood is three times more than the Earthquake of 2005. I cannot bear the heartbreaking images of flood.

This is the only image which is responsible to make me shuddered. May Allah give us strength to pass through this difficult time.

************

This is my first Ramzan away from my family.  I never thought of this time. I never imagined how much difficult it could be. I cried alot from sehri to iftari. At iftari, the oil started jumping out of the pan when I was crying and making pakora side by side. Difficult, extremly difficult time but I ve chosen it and I ve to bear it! I keep saying to myself  'bhugto ab'

While experiencing all this, I have felt the great respect to all those girls who have been married to the person living abroad.  O my God! it's extremely difficult.  I even have the hope that I will inshAllah go back to my family. but they do not have this hope. So to all those men who have brought their wives from the other place, start respecting the sacrifice their wives have made and salute them subha shaam!!

P.S: Ramzan Mubarik! Let's pray this Ramzan sincerely for our country and try to play our roles in this calamity.

Jashn-e-Azadi of America

So the United States of America celebrated its independence on 4rth of July. The first thought that struck my mind was 'hein :O America also got freedom from someone'. It sounds silly in the current world scenario. 

Khair! we heard that there would be a huge firework near at the Washington Monument. So we planned to enjoy this chance fully. We reached there at 6:00 pm. All nearest Metro stations were closed. So we had to walk to the park in  extreme warm temperature. The whole park was overcrowded. My God! People in colorful dresses were worthy to watch. We had a wonderful time there!

Let's see some pictures:
People had been staying there a day before.

They were  enthusiastic:

Me at Meenar-e-America: 

And the shows began at sharp 9:00

Beautiful!

I loved this one specially:

An a video:

(The monument has to be there)

(Excuse my shaky hands)


People were fun though. All seemed attention seekers in different types of costumes. I wish I could snap all of them (you know you has to be decent). But some were bit disturbing:
I can never think of wearing my flag like this:

(btw the guy was very co0ol :P )

OK I admit I became mean to sit in this chair time and again :| :

(Got it from the last camping expedition) 

I dont know what's their definition of respecting their flag and I am not saying that I am the most patriot on earth but literally I can never imagine wearing my flag in feet. A girl was wearing these shoes on July 4. I could not approve it. It was too gross. 

Khair sano ki..........So Happy Independence day to America :)


The arrangements were literally fool proof. We had to go through the strict security checks. We stood for an hour to enter the park (check our enthusiasm). The cop dealing with me was very respectful to me (They are mostly bit rude). But he was very nice and remained calling me 'Madam'. Seemed he wasn't upset with my scarf and let me in without checking me. Means some people can still recognize my innocence :P ....hehe....We kept praying everything would go fine and it did Alhamdulillah. Again had to walk to the far away Metro station. There was a long queue but no pushing and pulling. Everyone was standing calmly and waiting for their turn to ride the Metro. It seemed they could stand the whole night. It's the beauty of America. I love it. And one thing is worthy to mention, whenever you see some people leaving their seats for others, they ought to be Asians.