THE FEAR OF LIVING

Fear, a word associated with darkness, with a foreboding feeling. A word that makes one think twice, and question every thought, every action. What is fear but a four letter word, a small emotion? An emotion that can hold one back from greatness, that can put ones entire life on hold. The price you pay for being afraid is having your dreams remain just dreams.

Sure some fears are natural, the fear of spiders for example, or lightning, or certain phobias. But the fear that really holds us back is the fear of the unknown, the fear of change, the fear of failure. These are the fears we need to work past and work through. These are the fears we need to put behind us. The fears we need to overcome.

Imagine if you made that move you were so afraid of and discovered a whole new side to life that brought out some greatness in you. Imagine if you took that new career path instead of staying in a dead end job, and found yourself excelling and enjoying what you do. Imagine if you took that course you so desperately wanted to do but was afraid you couldn’t handle it and found yourself on an exciting new path instead of sitting around wondering what could have been. Imagine if…

So many times one chooses to play it safe and stay within the comfort zone created around ourselves. We don’t like our jobs, but remain dutiful, we don’t like our surroundings but have grown comfortable, and we don’t like our studies, but remain committed.  Because if we do what our heart tells us to do, we don’t know what the consequences would be. Because we only live a life of familiarity and are afraid to explore the unfamiliar, afraid to learn, afraid to experience, afraid to grow….

Imagine for one second that you let go of your fears, and went for your dreams and goals without feeling that twinge of nerves, that little voice that says no, you can’t. Imagine all you could have grown to be. Maybe the only thing standing between you and greatness is the fear to succeed. Unless you are already pretty great, in that case, good for you!  

Life takes over

Sometimes life gets so distractedly busy we have no idea if we are moving forward or standing still while the world buzzes frantically around us. In this last month I had the privilege of meeting some rather interesting folks from abroad (America and UK). It is always interesting to meet with people from a different culture and interact with them, when you learn that life is so much broader then our day to day rituals, how other nations live as well as how different each part of the world is from the other.

Aside from meeting some very interesting people, I had recently made a short trip to Cape Town. No, this was not my first trip(a question I got asked a lot), but it was my first trip with my husband. A lot of sight seeing and much appreciation of Gods creations as we drove up the garden route.

In any case the point of this rather short blog is to introduce my followers or any interested party to the link below:

http://hajra-kamdar.fineartamerica.com/

This is just a show case of some of my art work available for purchase at the above sight.

Do Enjoy

And remember, keep moving forward towards the ongoing quest for inspiration <3

Burma: Let us Learn about Burma

Here is some shocking news…. Most of the pictures circulating about the condition in Burma are in fact FABRICATED, follow this link and become adequately informed, http://farazahmed.com/muslims-killing-in-burma-and-our-social-media-islamic-parties-1010.aspx

Yes, the situation in Burma as it stands is a reality, so let us look at the facts behind the situation, you are welcome to verify the information found in this article and correct me if I am wrong.

It has been a while since I have blogged, but not much has caught my attention until recently. A topic that has gotten Muslims around the world heated up, that is the brutal human slaughter of our Muslim brothers and sisters in Burma. A lot of pictures and information has been floating around the web regarding this massacre, which has generated a string of questions from the Muslim community around the world. 

Firstly where is the Media? When 9/11 took place the whole world stopped to watch in horror as the plane crashed into the twin towers killing hundreds of innocent people, people rose in uproar looking for someone to blame? The event was displayed on every news channel around the world… Now why is the world so silent when THOUSANDS of Muslims are brutally slaughtered, including women and children every single day in Burma? Is it because they are Muslim? 

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-124193-Turning-blind-eye-to-killing-of-Muslims-in-Myanmar

I found the following information, the massacre covered by BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/search/news/?q=killing%20of%20muslims%20in%20burma

I think the Muslim world in general is at a point of frustration right now, what can we do?  How can we help? Why are the Muslims in Burma deprived of basic human rights?

 Now I have come across an article that might put some perspective on this issue and answer some of your questions: http://muslimmatters.org/2012/07/27/five-reasons-no-one-cares-about-the-rohingya-2/

As a Media student, I am aware of the way in which the media ‘selects’ news that is portrayed as international news, Yusuf Chouhoud makes a valid point when he brings up the issue of location. Going back to my previous statement of the twin towers in America, one should understand that America is one of the leading Countries in the world; any tragedy that befalls them makes international news everywhere. Now where is Burma? Did anyone even know about it until recent events? How much do we know about its history?  He also points out that the country does not have a set name, the names “Burma” and “Myanmar” are used interchangeably in the Media.  “Even with China's ascendancy on the world stage, Americans simply don't care about Asia. In fact, the vast majority of Americans probably couldn't spot Myanmar on a map, given the trouble they have even pointing out nations they're at war with.” This is just one reasons Burma’s situation is not given a lot of coverage. 

Yusuf Chouhoud makes a few valid points regarding the situation in Burma, the main one being, “The first step is for the global community to acknowledge there is a problem. What we certainly cannot do is sit idly by and expect the Burmese government to handle this matter “internally.” If you think that such acquiescence would bring about anything short of genocide, you simply haven't been paying attention.
Sadly, you're not alone.” 

Here are a few articles I have sourced out regarding the history of Burma and the rising to today’s Massacre, the world is crying today, but these events have been transpiring over a period of time, sadly it has now reached its peak. Take time to read the articles referenced in this article as knowledge is power, power is strength and in strength there is no weakness.
http://www.cfob.org/HistoryofBurma/historyOfBurma.shtml
http://asianhistory.about.com/od/burmamyanmar/p/ProfileBurma.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/burma_campaign_01.shtml
The situation in Burma according to the referenced articles raised from the military's   unwillingness to give up leadership rights, the country has no basic human rights,

‘The humanitarian situation in Burma is disastrous and civil war still ravages the border areas. The effect of military rule has been a severely impoverished and underdeveloped nation; Burma has rated as the second least developed nation on the United Nations Development Index. Peace, democracy and the most basic human rights do not exist. Millions have been forced to flee due to military rule and are scattered all over the world longing for the day when they can return to their homeland and be re-united with the families and live in peace.’ Let's Unite Against injustice. Remember the people of Burma in your Prayers.

THE HARD HEARTED GIRL

In the midst of a cold windy night, she sat still, while the world moved around her. It was a strange sensation, not feeling anything, not experiencing any emotion. She sat and stared at the room around her, with the rock in her chest, she was easily drained out since that day…

For as long as she could remember, people assumed she was stronger than she looked, tougher than she felt, and that she cared less than she actually did. So she attracted many crude remarks, one of which was ‘the hard hearted girl.’ It is true she showed no emotion? Every time someone took a jab at her, a piece of her heart burned off. There was a person she trusted more than any, her lifetime companion, in the beginning he saw her for what she really was, soft, sensitive, witty… As time transgressed he joined the masses in assuming she was stronger, tougher and cared less than she actually did.

The love she had come to rely on withered day by day. Slowly he stopped paying as careful attention. Soon after, he stopped doing small acts of kindness, then he became oblivious to the state of her heart. It was assumed that she felt nothing. It was her responsibility to look after herself as well as her companion, she had become her own guardian.

This new task of looking out for herself as well as her companion became more and more difficult as the pieces of her heart burned off. Soon there was an ache in her chest, a burning sensation, she could not bear. As if someone lit a fire in her chest, and instead of putting it off people were throwing paraffin on it, the fire burned brighter, wilting away whatever was left of her heart. Now she wondered if my heart if destroyed, how am I still feeling things, why am I still hurting?

Visiting a special doctor, she discovered that there was a part of her heart that refused to die, the little piece that screamed out, “I am here!” but no one ever heard.

“Cut it out,” said the girl. “Cut it out and save it before they destroy the last piece of my heart.”

The special Doctor was skeptical, but at last she complied with the girl's wishes. Cutting out the last piece of her heart and replacing it with a heart shaped rock. The saved piece was stored in a transparent bottle, the little heart could be heard sniffing and tears ran down its knocked around body, “I am here,” it still whispered, “I am here…” and still no one ever heard.

So she sat on the cold windy night, as the world moved around her, the rock heavy in her chest. Now she was finally stronger than she looked, tougher than she felt and cared less than she used to. She looked up at the glass bottle and said in a voice of steel, “No one can hurt us now. I am the hard hearted girl.” 

Thirst for Knowledge 

“It is better to have big goals and not achieve them, then to have small goals and be satisfied in achieving them.’

Being goal orientated, driven and passionate can be challenging, but indeed it is highly fulfilling. Let me take some time to tell you a bit about myself. I am in my early twenties, in my final year towards a BA specializing in Communication Sciences and have many hopes and dreams for my future (God Willingly). I firmly believe in every individual being holistically educated in both their religion and academic fields.  I live amongst people who believe you have to choose one way or another and do not support my journey on pursuing both.  Yet still, I strive on everyday, with very little support and understanding, using only my goals and dreams as motivation to achieve my best.

Having big dreams will always have challenges, but it is only ones motivation and drive that can keep you on the path to righteousness, and success. As a woman, I plan on one day having kids (God Willingly) and I would love to work hard to present myself as a decent role model to them, to teach them to challenge themselves, to create a thirst for knowledge and to lead them in becoming phenomenal people in the eyes of God.

How important is the quest of knowledge to you? How hard would you strive to achieve your dreams? Would you allow people to bring you down, demotivate you or would you stand strong for what you believe in and head firmly down your path?

I grew up with a single mum who was a great role model, she showed me that women are capable of anything, that life does not stop after marriage and children and that no dream is too big or too small. These are the principles I live with, these are the principles I would one day share with my kids and these are the principles I fight for.

What are you passionate about? What makes your adrenaline pump, your mind spin and your heart beat excitedly? I have shared with you my passion for knowledge, there are many other things I am passionate about as well but now I would love to hear from you, please share your passions, experiences and challenges with me. Hopefully your experiences can help motivate others who are struggling with their paths. 

The Strangers Tour South Africa

“If you are hanging out with nine idiots, you probably the tenth!” Boona Mohammed's strong message boomed over the speakers, a phrase that stuck with me from the moment I had heard it. When being blessed with the opportunity of interviewing Boona Mohammed I asked him about this specific phrase, apparently his school teacher had said this to him when he complained his friends were all idiots. Glory be to Allah, it is our experiences in life that make us stronger and wiser.   

On the fifth of May, I had been extremely lucky to attend the Strangers Tour South Africa, of which prestigious overseas guests, Baba Ali, Sheikh Navaid Aziz and Boona Mohammed  were the esteemed highlights of the evening. Each one brought with them a message so strong and powerful that indeed it must have touched deep in the hearts of each and every one of us.

The programme commenced with Boona Mohammed and his extremely compelling poetry that echoed strong and emotionally over the sound system and reached deep into the hearts of the audience. His messages were focused on faith, humility and relationships with our Lord, all related in a very unorthodox yet effective manner. It is my wish to have many more inspiring youngsters like Boona Mohammed in this world. 

Boona Mohamed:

"How are you finding South Africa and our South African Muslims?"  : It is my first time in South Africa, Alhamdullilah, I am very impressed, I was very enthusiastic about coming. I think the Muslim community here has a very unique opportunity in the sense that they are in a position of influence within the society. So it always important to, once we gain a perspective, to reflect on how we can use that to please Allah(SWT) and that was part of my goal here today.

Message : Hold steadfast to the deen, and understand that you were placed in the country with a responsibility of reaching out to non Muslims or as we say not yet Muslims, we don’t know who Allah (SWT) will give hidayat too or through who, so it's important to keep an open mind and look at dawah from a practical standpoint. Even as a Muslim working in a non Muslim workplace there’s a lot you can do as a Muslim. And don’t limit your Islamic activities to just coming to Jumuah on Friday. See how you can get involved, see how you can incorporate the seeking of knowledge into your everyday life. Have an open mind and see how you can benefit the Ummah around you and not just think about yourself.

Sheikh Navaid Aziz took the stage, indeed larger than life, his presence was overwhelming, yet his mannerism beats all humility I have yet to see, Praise be to Our Lord. Sheikh Navaid addressed the audience on many issues pertaining to South African Muslims, one question however stuck with me greatly, and that is if you were in paradise right now, what would you be doing? Glory be to Our Lord, can you even imagine what it would be like? Our motivation to be dutiful to our Lord in this world is so much, yet we get caught up in day to day errands and slowly the vision of the hereafter slips by us. It is events like these that are needed as friendly reminders for our true purpose. I must say it was a pleasure to meet a man with so much of knowledge, who possesses so much of humility, something very rare in South Africa.

Navaid Aziz:

How are you finding SA :

 Alhamdulillah, this is my 3^rd time in South Africa and my first time in Pretoria. Each time you learn something new Masha Allah. This time around something that I really appreciated was, Subhanallah,  as modern and civilized as the country is you still find the Muslims quite backwards here. Unfortunately they are really holding onto their cultures and traditional ways, when Islam is much more.

Message : For the people of Pretoria there are two things I would mention. One thing I have noticed amongst the youth is that they have a huge problem in gender interaction, you have one group of people who are extremely cut off from the other gender and that is not from Islam, Islam teaches you to have tarbiya, and teaches you to deal with the opposite gender in the proper way. Then you have the exact opposite extreme, which is completely liberal, there’s no difference between  mahram and a non mahram to them. A way to deal with this is to educate the youth on how to deal with the opposite genders.

The second thing I would mention to South African Muslims is to search for an authentic version of Islam, the Islam that the Prophet (SAW) thought his ummah and that is the type of Islam we should focus on. I find there is too much of a focus here on what the Imaam said and what the Moulana said, and there is no search for actually going back to the Quran or the books of hadith and focus on what he, the Prophet(SAW) himself said and what he had taught the companions.

 Last but not least, famous from his many You Tube videos, Baba Ali graced the stage in a humorous yet enlightening manner. Praise be to our Lord, Baba Ali is indeed a natural comedian, when asking him how he finds South Africa, his response, “I found it on a map,” thus starting the interview with wholesome laughter. Baba Ali addressed the issues of the differences between men and women and how to understand your spouse. Both, watching Baba Ali on stage and interviewing him afterwards, was like watching a YouTube video right in front of me.

 

Baba Ali:

How did you find South Africa: Interesting,  it’s a completely different world than many of the other places I’ve been to. The culture is different, the people are different, different in a good way.

How do you find the Muslims of South Africa: I find that people are very opinionated, you have one extreme on one side, you have another extreme on the other side and the people in the middle, and you have the rich and the poor and people in the middle.

Personal message to our South Africans: For those of you who attended the strangers tour I really enjoyed the audience and hope that you guys enjoyed it as well. 

South Africa indeed needs many more educational events like this. I am sure that each member in the audience would have left with an intention of making some change for the better in their lives. (God Willing) Let this be the start of many more spiritually uplifting, entertaining yet educational programmes for South Africa.