In the picture you will see two mugs from which I drank tea (I drink tea at least three times everyday, during revision periods I may incorporate a mug of milky coffee), a bottle of water which I should be drinking, my laptop and an old issue of the Metro brought back from a journey on the tube amongst the revision notes, books and folders. What is missing is the very important bowl of Almonds-brain food! Must go get some.

Three down, three to go..!

And then not very long till I leave my home :-(…for another…

Spring

Beatuiful day

Flowers time to bloom

Beatiful time for spring

Precious.

-Livngstone

Love this:

A poem of Rumi recited by Coleman Barks

Beautiful…

What was said to the rose that made it open
was said to me here in my chest.

What was told the Cypress that made it strong
and straight,

What was whispered the jasmine so it is what it is, whatever made
sugarcane sweet,

Whatever was said to the inhabitants of the town of Chigil in
Turkestan that makes them

so handsome, whatever lets the pomegranate flower blush
like a human face,

That is being said to me now. I blush. Whatever put eloquence in
language, that’s happening here.

The great warehouse doors open; I fill with gratitude,
chewing a piece of sugarcane,

in love with the one to whom every that belongs!

-RUMI

Having (briefly) read Imam Zaid’s article on whether Muslims should use the N word I saw the “P word” pop up somewhere else.

I was just thinkning, maybe its just me and how I see things, but does anyone else find it disrespectful or perhaps even offensive when they hear people use the “P” word whether its used by Pakistanis or not? I just saw a Pakistani sister call a non Pakistani sister a P*** because she married one. Now although they may be friends and joke around like that (like many people do) I didn’t feel comfortable seeing that. And as you can see I ‘d rather not write it either.

Just like the N word, the P word has a history, it (still) carries negative, racist connotations of when skinheads would racially abuse Pakistani immigrants in 70’s or so. That’s why I find it absurd to see people using the word as a joke and even in a derogatory way towards each other.

Much can be said about the use of the N word by black people within their own communities (see above article) and it maybe empowering to them somehow but still, to use a word that signified the subjugation and racist treatment of your people so lightly is something I don’t understand.
As far as I know, the P word is not a big deal for American Pakistanis… perhaps it doesn’t have the same history as over here? I don’t know, maybe somebody could help me on this.

I’ve never liked the P or the N word and wouldn’t use them, what’s wrong with just saying “Pakistani” it’s only two more syllables, but I’d like to know what other people think; are you ok with using these words, am I just making a big deal?

I hope I didn’t offend anyone.

God Bless

Usma

Sal says: I was going to send u some flowers on St valentines day

Usma Sal says: aww

Sal says: but then I thought I will make a “Usma day”

Sal says:
which is EVERY day
and I will give u a flower every day

Sal says:
forget st valentines day
Sal says:
I mean people set up some day to give gifts?
Usma Sal says:
lol

Sal says:
I mean men r happy because they say “wohoo one day, they [women] are brainwashed into expecting it one day”
Sal says:
or on their bdays and anniversaries, thats it

Sal says:
but u know what
Sal says:
FREAK THAT
Sal says:
my usma deserves better
I’m not putting her into the useless “valentines lot”

Sal says:
anyway
Sal says:
how r u?

“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of seperation”

~Khalil Gibran~

Salams all

That time of year of again when students grab their buckets, put on their costumes and come up with weird and wonderful ways to raise awareness and money for our orphans around the world.

This year, along with the official charity week taking place the week begining 22nd October, we’ve also set up an online JustGiving page where people can donate.

So, in the last few days of Ramadhan, it’s a perfect oppurtunity to get those extra good deeds in.

Please visit and donate, even if only a couple of pounds:

http://justgiving.com/charityweekfororphans

Oh, and if you’re not from one of the “rival” unis, please write “Westminster Uni” in the comments box as there’s a competition between the universities [and seeing as I'm from Westminster.. ;-)]

For the past couple of years Charity Week fell in the last week of Ramadhan and the dedication and hard work that everyone showed and the vibe was just amazing. I won’t be here to take part in Charity week this year but everyone else, make sure you do, it’s great fun!

Here’s a video of last years CW:

Jazakallah Khair!

God Bless

Usma

Howdy.

I think I’m still hibernating but there was a great documentary on last night about the story of Jesus (peace be upon him) as narrated in the Quran. I thought it was a good and balanced film, with the right kind of people involved including Shaikh Hamza Yusuf and Shaikh Abdal Hakim Murad (who was not featured on screen) along with some Christian theologians. So I thought I’d share it.

The documentary also featured parts of a talk given on Jesus (peace be upon him) at my university during our Islam Awareness Week .

Part 1

the other parts are here.

Enjoy.

God Bless and Du’as!

Wasalam