Hey friends,
Today for the first time, I have had a brush with the law. Never in my life, never ever, have I ever crossed onto the wrong side of the law. I have always maintained my sense of doing good, being it not littering to not breaking the red light while driving. However, today, I saw the ugly side of what it would be like on the other side of the law.
In Dubai, it is illegal for drivers to use their cars as private taxis. With the legal metered taxis somewhat expensive for longer journeys, especially if you have to wait because the meter still runs, and the buses never on schedule, with infrequent numbers on different routes, many people have chosen to make business by using their cars as taxis. It is illegal, and I know that. In fact, just last week, I was discussing it with my friend about this illegal taxi business.
Well today after work, my colleague and I walked over to the plaza where we would wait for the bus. However, he was in a hurry and was willing to take the sharing taxi, and while waiting for the bus, an Indian fellow approached us, as if he were some undercover agent. “Rolla?” was all he said. My colleague, who is also an Indian, said yes, and soon we were walking over to his car, all the while knowing that I am supporting this Indian man do something illegal. Just as we all sat in, with me behind the driver, an arab guy in his early 30s, wearing jeans, blue t-shirt and a baseball cap, came running to the driver’s side of the car and opened up the door.
BUSTED!!
He flashed his police badge, and asked for the driver to come out. I stayed put. I looked at my colleague. What will happen to us? I didn’t know. I am guilty too, like an accomplice. I started thinking of all the lies: I didn’t know it was illegal; I am new here; I wasn’t aware of anything; my friend led me into this etc. The cop opened my side of the door and asked me and the three others in the car to come out. My colleague opened the door from the other side and sort of ran away. He walked away briskly, and all I could think was “thanks for ditching me!!”
The cop took the three of us to his car, and asked for our name and number. He also asked for ID, or Labor Card, and I said I have none. So he just took my name and number and politely said, “you are free to go.” He also noted down the names and number of the other two Indians, but held on to their ID cards. The driver, who was going to take us originally, was asked to bring his car to the side. He would be fined most probably.
Honestly, I was a little scared, so much so, I called my friend up and asked her what would happen to someone who is caught using illegal taxis. She reassured me that at the most you would be fined, but that would happen on the spot, otherwise, they would call you up and ask you to testify against the driver who attempted to use his private car as a public transport.
I hope everything works out and that I don’t receive a phone call from the police asking me to come down to the station. God, I feel so weird. To top it all off, I could not believe the audacity my colleague had to leave me there all alone, since he was the one who initiated the idea of going in a sharing taxi. I have learnt my lesson well, and I swear to you all that I will never use an illegal taxi ever again in this country.
Mansur
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Monday, March 06, 2006
Updates
Hey friends,
Time for an update from my previous articles.
1. The whole issue about my friend gifting me the apartment did not really happen, but was rather a question I had posed here on behalf of my friend who had asked me the original question: would you take something as big as an apartment if a friend gifted it to you? My friend and I debated over the question, and we both felt that while it is a "gift" we would still not take it, but at the back of the mind, there would always be this sense of being obligated to the friend.
I did not mean to create the impression that a local guy was really giving me an apartment (although I do have a local friend who I helped out in university to graduate!) That blog was more of a debate for me and my friend, and we wanted to see what other people would do in such a situation.
In any case, if there were really a friend in reality giving me an apartment, I would politely refuse because there is "no price for friendship" as one commentor said.
2. That article on me being really sad. I now understand where I was coming from. I was so glad I wrote that article because one, it gave me an outlet to just throw my feelings out there, and two ,it has made me realize one thing. I had written that article on the first day of my new job. Today, I realized why I was feeling that way. My work hours are from 8-7pm. I get up at 530am, to get ready and commute, and I come back home at 9pm. So basically my day is from 530am till 9pm five days a week. This is a huge jolt to me, because it means I will be at my workplace all day/ evening. When such a huge restriction has been placed on the things I really want to do (Life's Things To Do) I've come to realize that time is so precious, and that my life is worth much more than the 530-9pm routine. Life is not about my work, but it's more than that. So, with that kind of thinking, I got upset that because I am stuck in a job where my whole day is gone leaving me little time to pursue my own goals and interests.
Ok, so much for the updates.
Mansur
Time for an update from my previous articles.
1. The whole issue about my friend gifting me the apartment did not really happen, but was rather a question I had posed here on behalf of my friend who had asked me the original question: would you take something as big as an apartment if a friend gifted it to you? My friend and I debated over the question, and we both felt that while it is a "gift" we would still not take it, but at the back of the mind, there would always be this sense of being obligated to the friend.
I did not mean to create the impression that a local guy was really giving me an apartment (although I do have a local friend who I helped out in university to graduate!) That blog was more of a debate for me and my friend, and we wanted to see what other people would do in such a situation.
In any case, if there were really a friend in reality giving me an apartment, I would politely refuse because there is "no price for friendship" as one commentor said.
2. That article on me being really sad. I now understand where I was coming from. I was so glad I wrote that article because one, it gave me an outlet to just throw my feelings out there, and two ,it has made me realize one thing. I had written that article on the first day of my new job. Today, I realized why I was feeling that way. My work hours are from 8-7pm. I get up at 530am, to get ready and commute, and I come back home at 9pm. So basically my day is from 530am till 9pm five days a week. This is a huge jolt to me, because it means I will be at my workplace all day/ evening. When such a huge restriction has been placed on the things I really want to do (Life's Things To Do) I've come to realize that time is so precious, and that my life is worth much more than the 530-9pm routine. Life is not about my work, but it's more than that. So, with that kind of thinking, I got upset that because I am stuck in a job where my whole day is gone leaving me little time to pursue my own goals and interests.
Ok, so much for the updates.
Mansur
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Mircale of the Quran?
Hey friends,
I received this email and it went directly to my junk email probably because it was sent as a mass forward email. However, I checked it out and it talked about the equality mentioned in the Quran. A certain Dr. Tariq Al Swaidan, who has way too much free time on his hands, studied the Quran and came across some startling discoveries.
---The Email I got is below---
Dr.Tarig Al Swaidan discovered some verses in the Holy Qur'an that mention one thing is equal to another, i.e. men are equal to women. Although this makes sense grammatically, the astonishing fact is that the number of times the word man appears in the Holy Qur'an is 24 and number of times the word woman appears is also 24, therefore not only is this phrase correct in the grammatical sense but also true mathematically,i.e. 24 = 24.
Upon further analysis of various verses, he discovered that this is consistent throughout the whole Holy Qur'an where it says one thing is like another. See below for astonishing result of the words mentioned number of times in Arabic Holy Qur'an
Dunia (one name for life) 115.
Aakhirat (one name for the life after this world) 115
Malaika (Angels) 88 . Shayteen (Satan) 88
Life 145 ...... Death 145
Benefit 50 . Corrupt 50
People 50 .. Messengers 50
Eblees (king of devils) 11 . Seek refuge from Eblees 11
Museebah(calamity) 75 . Thanks ! 75
Spending (Sadaqah) 73 . Satisfaction 73
People who are mislead 17 .D Dead people 17
Muslimeen 41 .J Jihad 41
Gold 8 .E Easy life 8
Magic 60 .F Fitnah (dissuasion, misleading) ! 60
Zakat (Taxes Muslims pay to the poor) 32 ....
Barakah (Increasing or blessings of wealth) 32
Mind 49 .N Noor 49
Tongue 25 .S Sermon 25
Desite 8 .F Fear 8
Speaking publicly 18 .P Publicising 18
Hardship 114 .... Patience 114
Muhammed 4 .S Sharee'ah ( Muhammed's teachings) 4
Man 24. Woman 24
And amazingly enough have a look how many times
the following words appear:
Salat 5, Month 12 , Day 365,
Sea 32, Land
13
Sea + land = 32+ 13= 45
Sea = 32/45*100q.=71.11111111%
Land = 13/45*100 = 28.88888889%
Sea + land 100.00%
Modern science has only recently proven that the water covers
71.111% of the
earth, while the land covers 28.889%.
Is this a coincidence? Question is that
Who taught Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) all this?
-----
Of course the email asks me and countless others to forward this email to as many people as I can to get the blessings from Allah. How much truth is there in this email? Is there really a dr. Swaidan who spent his time doing this research? I wonder how I can counter check his research. Any ideas out there?
Mansur
I received this email and it went directly to my junk email probably because it was sent as a mass forward email. However, I checked it out and it talked about the equality mentioned in the Quran. A certain Dr. Tariq Al Swaidan, who has way too much free time on his hands, studied the Quran and came across some startling discoveries.
---The Email I got is below---
Dr.Tarig Al Swaidan discovered some verses in the Holy Qur'an that mention one thing is equal to another, i.e. men are equal to women. Although this makes sense grammatically, the astonishing fact is that the number of times the word man appears in the Holy Qur'an is 24 and number of times the word woman appears is also 24, therefore not only is this phrase correct in the grammatical sense but also true mathematically,i.e. 24 = 24.
Upon further analysis of various verses, he discovered that this is consistent throughout the whole Holy Qur'an where it says one thing is like another. See below for astonishing result of the words mentioned number of times in Arabic Holy Qur'an
Dunia (one name for life) 115.
Aakhirat (one name for the life after this world) 115
Malaika (Angels) 88 . Shayteen (Satan) 88
Life 145 ...... Death 145
Benefit 50 . Corrupt 50
People 50 .. Messengers 50
Eblees (king of devils) 11 . Seek refuge from Eblees 11
Museebah(calamity) 75 . Thanks ! 75
Spending (Sadaqah) 73 . Satisfaction 73
People who are mislead 17 .D Dead people 17
Muslimeen 41 .J Jihad 41
Gold 8 .E Easy life 8
Magic 60 .F Fitnah (dissuasion, misleading) ! 60
Zakat (Taxes Muslims pay to the poor) 32 ....
Barakah (Increasing or blessings of wealth) 32
Mind 49 .N Noor 49
Tongue 25 .S Sermon 25
Desite 8 .F Fear 8
Speaking publicly 18 .P Publicising 18
Hardship 114 .... Patience 114
Muhammed 4 .S Sharee'ah ( Muhammed's teachings) 4
Man 24. Woman 24
And amazingly enough have a look how many times
the following words appear:
Salat 5, Month 12 , Day 365,
Sea 32, Land
13
Sea + land = 32+ 13= 45
Sea = 32/45*100q.=71.11111111%
Land = 13/45*100 = 28.88888889%
Sea + land 100.00%
Modern science has only recently proven that the water covers
71.111% of the
earth, while the land covers 28.889%.
Is this a coincidence? Question is that
Who taught Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) all this?
-----
Of course the email asks me and countless others to forward this email to as many people as I can to get the blessings from Allah. How much truth is there in this email? Is there really a dr. Swaidan who spent his time doing this research? I wonder how I can counter check his research. Any ideas out there?
Mansur
Friday, March 03, 2006
Junoon
Hey friends,
Hands up if you don’t know who Junoon is? Junoon, Passion in Urdu, is Pakistan’s most famous rock band, which later evolved into a Sufi-rock group. The group started about 16 years ago, and they are probably the only Pakistani band that has survived for so long. Now, the two lead singers, Ali and Salman, have branched off from the group and have developed solo careers. Last night, it was one of their last concerts as a group, and I was privileged enough to see it! Prior to Junoon, there was DJ Aqeel and Bombay Rockers performing, but we were there for Junoon.
Verdict: absolutely power-packed, adrenaline-fuelled night, full of jumping and screaming and being reminded of how cool it is to be a Pakistani!
My friend NA purchased the tickets to the show about two weeks ago, and then proceeded to tell me that I don’t have to pay for the tickets. I was a little upset, but she insisted on paying for my ticket. So her sister MA came along, as well as my friend, MM, from Sharjah. We arrived at the venue just after the doors were to open at 9, but saw that since this was an Asian concert, people will come fashionably late. Young guys and girls were there, all dressed up and trying to impress one another. All of us were in our late 20s, and had a great laugh seeing these young people being cool and all.
Wella, the hair products company, were there promoting four new types of gel they have launched. One guy approached MM and I, and gave us a few samples. Soon, NA and MA joined us and they collected several samples too. I did not take any because I don’t use gel. So we went into the arena, with our wristbands, which meant we were in e standing section just behind the VIP section. The VIP section was all seating. However, where we were standing, we were not that far from the stage. We had our dinner there, and realized that the show will start in about an hour’s time.
We sat out on the bench, just talking, when suddenly MM had the brilliant idea of using the sample gel on me. It was one of these funky gel which you can use to give your hair a messed up just-out-of-bed look. I outright refused, but then NA and MM joined in to get me to gel my hair. So I gave in, and removed my cap, and put the slimy gel on my hair. We called the guy over who was handing out the gel sample, and he told me how to use it properly. I styled and sculpted my hair, and kept it that way for the rest of the night!! It was too hilarious, because I never use gel and these girls were certainly enjoying my ability to be a sport and have a fun time!
We went back in after an hour, and DJ Aqeel had started his remixing of songs to get everyone in the arena to shake their hips and feet stomping. It was an enjoyable thing, but after 3o minutes or so, it became repetitious, and we wanted Junoon. Two hours of DJ Aqeel later, Bombay Rockers came on, who are a group of one Indian and one European (I think Dutch). They were all right, and after 30 minutes they left the stage! Thank God! Now the tempo was building up in the arena. 100s of people were in the section behind us. People were beginning to crowd up in our standing pit.
The tabla began, and people screamed out in unison. Junoon had arrived! We were treated to an evening of amazing music from over 16 years of their artistic career. Some songs were definitely emotional because they reminded of the time when I would listen to their songs as a kid. All of their songs were rock, but their slower songs were done with amazing slow-rock beat. People lit their lighters and swayed the flames to the beat of the music. In between the songs we were getting little bit of anecdotes and jokes from the lead singer, detailing their initial journey of entering the world of music and how they evolved into one of the biggest groups in Asia. In particular, their story of they went to India, meeting actors and performers and winning the best group category at the MTV India awards drew a huge round of applause from the audience. Junoon did such an amazing job of getting everyone jumping to their music.
I did not do any jumping, but I definitely danced to their music, clapping, raising my arms and the works. However, it was one of their songs that definitely got me jumping up and down, with such high emotions being evoked from the audience. I was going mad, clapping my hands, jumping up and down with 100s of others in the arena and singing out loud like a mad man!
It was a song called Jazba-e-Junoon, which was a song made for the World Cup cricket back in 1993, when Pakistan won the World Cup. Part of the lyrics include:
Hai jazba junoon
To himmat na haar
Justajoo jo karey woh
Chuay asmaan
Mehnat apni ho gi
Pehchan kabhi na bhoolo
Sab ki nazron mein
Pakistan
Kabhi na bhoolo
Pakistan hai tumhara
Pakistan hai humara
The song talks about that when we work hard we can reach sky, but ultimately it is about recognizing who you are, and being proud of being a Pakistani. Man, I tell you, I had goosebumps and all the hair on my arms rose. I was reminded so strongly of my origin, and I realized how strong my Pakistani roots were in me. Suddenly I wanted to go back to my hometown Lahore, and just, well, just be there! Yes, despite all the bad things happening there, at the end of the day I am from Pakistan and I am extremely proud of being one!
Junoon did a great job tonight of sending out a very strong message of not being ashamed of being a Pakistani, of being proud of who you are and of doing good things for the country. They played for 2 hours, and by that time we were so exhausted. Oh by the way, the security guard let MM and NA get ahead into the Vip section where they got to stand right in front of the stage, so they got amazing views. MM swears that Ali was flirting with her, and NA backs her up. I was stuck in the middle section because I was a guy! The good-looking girls managed to get ahead! J
All in all, I had a brilliant time, and was definitely glad I managed to see one of their last concerts they said they would be performing. At the end of the evening, they performed the national anthem and every single person in the hall stood up. Such an emotional and dramatic moment made me a proud Pakistani.
(I know some of you may not be able to relate to me, but I am sure the Pakistanis can!)
Mansur
Hands up if you don’t know who Junoon is? Junoon, Passion in Urdu, is Pakistan’s most famous rock band, which later evolved into a Sufi-rock group. The group started about 16 years ago, and they are probably the only Pakistani band that has survived for so long. Now, the two lead singers, Ali and Salman, have branched off from the group and have developed solo careers. Last night, it was one of their last concerts as a group, and I was privileged enough to see it! Prior to Junoon, there was DJ Aqeel and Bombay Rockers performing, but we were there for Junoon.
Verdict: absolutely power-packed, adrenaline-fuelled night, full of jumping and screaming and being reminded of how cool it is to be a Pakistani!
My friend NA purchased the tickets to the show about two weeks ago, and then proceeded to tell me that I don’t have to pay for the tickets. I was a little upset, but she insisted on paying for my ticket. So her sister MA came along, as well as my friend, MM, from Sharjah. We arrived at the venue just after the doors were to open at 9, but saw that since this was an Asian concert, people will come fashionably late. Young guys and girls were there, all dressed up and trying to impress one another. All of us were in our late 20s, and had a great laugh seeing these young people being cool and all.
Wella, the hair products company, were there promoting four new types of gel they have launched. One guy approached MM and I, and gave us a few samples. Soon, NA and MA joined us and they collected several samples too. I did not take any because I don’t use gel. So we went into the arena, with our wristbands, which meant we were in e standing section just behind the VIP section. The VIP section was all seating. However, where we were standing, we were not that far from the stage. We had our dinner there, and realized that the show will start in about an hour’s time.
We sat out on the bench, just talking, when suddenly MM had the brilliant idea of using the sample gel on me. It was one of these funky gel which you can use to give your hair a messed up just-out-of-bed look. I outright refused, but then NA and MM joined in to get me to gel my hair. So I gave in, and removed my cap, and put the slimy gel on my hair. We called the guy over who was handing out the gel sample, and he told me how to use it properly. I styled and sculpted my hair, and kept it that way for the rest of the night!! It was too hilarious, because I never use gel and these girls were certainly enjoying my ability to be a sport and have a fun time!
We went back in after an hour, and DJ Aqeel had started his remixing of songs to get everyone in the arena to shake their hips and feet stomping. It was an enjoyable thing, but after 3o minutes or so, it became repetitious, and we wanted Junoon. Two hours of DJ Aqeel later, Bombay Rockers came on, who are a group of one Indian and one European (I think Dutch). They were all right, and after 30 minutes they left the stage! Thank God! Now the tempo was building up in the arena. 100s of people were in the section behind us. People were beginning to crowd up in our standing pit.
The tabla began, and people screamed out in unison. Junoon had arrived! We were treated to an evening of amazing music from over 16 years of their artistic career. Some songs were definitely emotional because they reminded of the time when I would listen to their songs as a kid. All of their songs were rock, but their slower songs were done with amazing slow-rock beat. People lit their lighters and swayed the flames to the beat of the music. In between the songs we were getting little bit of anecdotes and jokes from the lead singer, detailing their initial journey of entering the world of music and how they evolved into one of the biggest groups in Asia. In particular, their story of they went to India, meeting actors and performers and winning the best group category at the MTV India awards drew a huge round of applause from the audience. Junoon did such an amazing job of getting everyone jumping to their music.
I did not do any jumping, but I definitely danced to their music, clapping, raising my arms and the works. However, it was one of their songs that definitely got me jumping up and down, with such high emotions being evoked from the audience. I was going mad, clapping my hands, jumping up and down with 100s of others in the arena and singing out loud like a mad man!
It was a song called Jazba-e-Junoon, which was a song made for the World Cup cricket back in 1993, when Pakistan won the World Cup. Part of the lyrics include:
Hai jazba junoon
To himmat na haar
Justajoo jo karey woh
Chuay asmaan
Mehnat apni ho gi
Pehchan kabhi na bhoolo
Sab ki nazron mein
Pakistan
Kabhi na bhoolo
Pakistan hai tumhara
Pakistan hai humara
The song talks about that when we work hard we can reach sky, but ultimately it is about recognizing who you are, and being proud of being a Pakistani. Man, I tell you, I had goosebumps and all the hair on my arms rose. I was reminded so strongly of my origin, and I realized how strong my Pakistani roots were in me. Suddenly I wanted to go back to my hometown Lahore, and just, well, just be there! Yes, despite all the bad things happening there, at the end of the day I am from Pakistan and I am extremely proud of being one!
Junoon did a great job tonight of sending out a very strong message of not being ashamed of being a Pakistani, of being proud of who you are and of doing good things for the country. They played for 2 hours, and by that time we were so exhausted. Oh by the way, the security guard let MM and NA get ahead into the Vip section where they got to stand right in front of the stage, so they got amazing views. MM swears that Ali was flirting with her, and NA backs her up. I was stuck in the middle section because I was a guy! The good-looking girls managed to get ahead! J
All in all, I had a brilliant time, and was definitely glad I managed to see one of their last concerts they said they would be performing. At the end of the evening, they performed the national anthem and every single person in the hall stood up. Such an emotional and dramatic moment made me a proud Pakistani.
(I know some of you may not be able to relate to me, but I am sure the Pakistanis can!)
Mansur
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
New Job!
Hey friend,
I started my new job this week. I had a walk-in interview on Saturday, and boy, was I grilled for an hour. The person interviewing me is a senior architect, and he later called in a very much experienced civil engineer to get my understanding of the engineering aspects architecture. WIth my portfolio in front of him, he scrutinized every thing on my resume and my projects. He was asking me questions which no other interviewer asked me. Why do I have my wall like this? Why is my hotel not built this way? What grade did I get on this project? Where is your transcript to prove it? Goodness, I was initially getting frustrated, but quickly realized that my interviewer was deliberately being tough with me to see how much I could handle. Once I realized that, I became cool and started answering all his questions with ease.
Well guess what? I got the job right there and then. I started the same day of the interview. Today has been a complete week. It has been a very exhausting experience for me so far. I start my work at 8am, all the way through 7-730pm. I have one 30 mins lunch break. Otherwise, there is just so much work to be done, I wonder where the time flies by when it's time to leave.
The most annoying thing however is the two hours I spend in the traffic to get to work. I have to get up at five am, when it is still dark, and get ready. I leave home by 6am, and then take a taxi or te public transport bus. I sleep on my ride over. Two whole hours is pretty much a waste of my time, and seeing that I will be diong this five times a week, I need to figure out what else I could do in those two hours. In the evening, the rush hour traffic is bad. But not as bad as the morning rush hour.
So, I have Thursdays and Fridays off. I am so excited about that. I have a meeting with a client next week, for whom I have deisgned the entire layout of his new 2 storey office complex. I am excited, but anxious too. I hope it works out.
Anyways, I am off now to go to sleep.
Mansur
I started my new job this week. I had a walk-in interview on Saturday, and boy, was I grilled for an hour. The person interviewing me is a senior architect, and he later called in a very much experienced civil engineer to get my understanding of the engineering aspects architecture. WIth my portfolio in front of him, he scrutinized every thing on my resume and my projects. He was asking me questions which no other interviewer asked me. Why do I have my wall like this? Why is my hotel not built this way? What grade did I get on this project? Where is your transcript to prove it? Goodness, I was initially getting frustrated, but quickly realized that my interviewer was deliberately being tough with me to see how much I could handle. Once I realized that, I became cool and started answering all his questions with ease.
Well guess what? I got the job right there and then. I started the same day of the interview. Today has been a complete week. It has been a very exhausting experience for me so far. I start my work at 8am, all the way through 7-730pm. I have one 30 mins lunch break. Otherwise, there is just so much work to be done, I wonder where the time flies by when it's time to leave.
The most annoying thing however is the two hours I spend in the traffic to get to work. I have to get up at five am, when it is still dark, and get ready. I leave home by 6am, and then take a taxi or te public transport bus. I sleep on my ride over. Two whole hours is pretty much a waste of my time, and seeing that I will be diong this five times a week, I need to figure out what else I could do in those two hours. In the evening, the rush hour traffic is bad. But not as bad as the morning rush hour.
So, I have Thursdays and Fridays off. I am so excited about that. I have a meeting with a client next week, for whom I have deisgned the entire layout of his new 2 storey office complex. I am excited, but anxious too. I hope it works out.
Anyways, I am off now to go to sleep.
Mansur
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Unanswered Prayers
Hey everyone,
A friend asked me last week whether God answers our prayers. She’s been through a lot in life, and wonders If God is listening to her prayers. I wouldn’t have known the answer before, but today I know what happens we pray to God. My experience of doing Hajj has given me a deep insight onto where our prayers go.
There are three things that may happen when you pray.
1. Your prayers are answered immediately.
2. Your prayers are answered later, not immediately.
3. Your prayers are not answered; which means God deems it better to not answer your prayer to prevent you from any harm or disturbance that may come from answering your prayer.
I can hear some of you groan out there. Why would God choose not to answer my prayers? Have you ever been in a situation where something looks so amazing to you now, but then come to realize later that it’s not that great? Well, it’s the same thing with our prayers. Sometimes we pray so hard at a spur of a moment, thinking that a miracle from God will make us happy, but then much later, we realize that what we prayed for was not worth it.
I can tell you when about three years ago I would be praying hard to God to make a girl I loved a lot love me back. I prayed that there would opportunities for me to share my love for her. I prayed that somehow I would get the courage to ask her to marry me. I loved so much so I shared it a with a common friend of that girl and I. I would literally pray everyday. Well, guess what, after about a year having not met with the girl, I was totally shocked to see her again. She was also hooked up with another guy, who was also a not a nice human being. In an instant I thanked God because He did not answer my prayers for that girl and I to hook up. Sometimes, God's best gifts to us are His unanswered prayers!
The one most important thing I learned was that my prayers never go to waste! God always listens to your prayers. God could choose to answer or not, depending on the nature of what you asked for in your prayer. So when my friend asked me that question, I reassured her that just because God doesn’t answer your prayer doesn’t mean He doesn’t care. In fact, He cares so much for you, that in order to prevent you from any unforeseen harm, God doesn’t answer your prayer for your own protection.
Mansur
A friend asked me last week whether God answers our prayers. She’s been through a lot in life, and wonders If God is listening to her prayers. I wouldn’t have known the answer before, but today I know what happens we pray to God. My experience of doing Hajj has given me a deep insight onto where our prayers go.
There are three things that may happen when you pray.
1. Your prayers are answered immediately.
2. Your prayers are answered later, not immediately.
3. Your prayers are not answered; which means God deems it better to not answer your prayer to prevent you from any harm or disturbance that may come from answering your prayer.
I can hear some of you groan out there. Why would God choose not to answer my prayers? Have you ever been in a situation where something looks so amazing to you now, but then come to realize later that it’s not that great? Well, it’s the same thing with our prayers. Sometimes we pray so hard at a spur of a moment, thinking that a miracle from God will make us happy, but then much later, we realize that what we prayed for was not worth it.
I can tell you when about three years ago I would be praying hard to God to make a girl I loved a lot love me back. I prayed that there would opportunities for me to share my love for her. I prayed that somehow I would get the courage to ask her to marry me. I loved so much so I shared it a with a common friend of that girl and I. I would literally pray everyday. Well, guess what, after about a year having not met with the girl, I was totally shocked to see her again. She was also hooked up with another guy, who was also a not a nice human being. In an instant I thanked God because He did not answer my prayers for that girl and I to hook up. Sometimes, God's best gifts to us are His unanswered prayers!
The one most important thing I learned was that my prayers never go to waste! God always listens to your prayers. God could choose to answer or not, depending on the nature of what you asked for in your prayer. So when my friend asked me that question, I reassured her that just because God doesn’t answer your prayer doesn’t mean He doesn’t care. In fact, He cares so much for you, that in order to prevent you from any unforeseen harm, God doesn’t answer your prayer for your own protection.
Mansur
Sunday, February 26, 2006
I Am Just Sad...
Hey all,
Just these past few days, I have been just really sad. I don't know when it started to happen, but I just feel really sad. Maybe it's because I am alone here, or maybe it was because someone close to me made a really personal comment to me, hurting me deep in my heart. I am trying to figure out why I am just so sad. I haven't been able to smile or take something lightly. Sometimes I feel that God is punishing me for something I may done couple of weeks ago. This is not a confession blog here, but I wish I could somehow confess my sin to someone. I'd be too ashamed to talk to anyone about it, even my own parents. I have been repenting and confessing my sins to God, but even then I feel like I am being punished. I don't feel like going out of my house, even though I started a new job today, and I am beginning to hate it so much already. Nothing is able to make me happy, not even the Burberry perfume, not even my home videos. I get choked up in my throat just sitting anywhere. I went for a long walk after I left my workplace today evening, more like a soul-searching walk. I had Burger King all alone, and then treated myself to TCBY, my comfort food. Nothing made me happy. I went to an Islamic bookstore to pick out a Quran in English. I almost started to weep in there as it hit me more and more of what an ungrateful person I am to God. Maybe I need to come back to God. I have strayed so far away from God, it hurts me personally. I just feel so down in the dumps, especially after having done the Hajj this year. I realize that I have not made any changes in my life. Despite doing my Hajj, I still managed to sin in a big way. I don't know what to do. I am so confused and messed up right now. I don't understand why I am being punished this way. I finally talked to a friend here, who couldn't really comfort me with her own words but instead gave me a song to express her sentiments and her friendship to me. It is comforting to know that I have a friend like her who would think about me this way, in terms of pure friendship and not romantically inclined.
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When evening shadows and the stars appear
And there's is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
There's no doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There ain't nothing' that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on a rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothin' like me yet
There ain't nothin' that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love
(Garth Brooks)
I hope I can recover this week. If you don't hear anything from me on my blog, you know where I am.
Mansur
Just these past few days, I have been just really sad. I don't know when it started to happen, but I just feel really sad. Maybe it's because I am alone here, or maybe it was because someone close to me made a really personal comment to me, hurting me deep in my heart. I am trying to figure out why I am just so sad. I haven't been able to smile or take something lightly. Sometimes I feel that God is punishing me for something I may done couple of weeks ago. This is not a confession blog here, but I wish I could somehow confess my sin to someone. I'd be too ashamed to talk to anyone about it, even my own parents. I have been repenting and confessing my sins to God, but even then I feel like I am being punished. I don't feel like going out of my house, even though I started a new job today, and I am beginning to hate it so much already. Nothing is able to make me happy, not even the Burberry perfume, not even my home videos. I get choked up in my throat just sitting anywhere. I went for a long walk after I left my workplace today evening, more like a soul-searching walk. I had Burger King all alone, and then treated myself to TCBY, my comfort food. Nothing made me happy. I went to an Islamic bookstore to pick out a Quran in English. I almost started to weep in there as it hit me more and more of what an ungrateful person I am to God. Maybe I need to come back to God. I have strayed so far away from God, it hurts me personally. I just feel so down in the dumps, especially after having done the Hajj this year. I realize that I have not made any changes in my life. Despite doing my Hajj, I still managed to sin in a big way. I don't know what to do. I am so confused and messed up right now. I don't understand why I am being punished this way. I finally talked to a friend here, who couldn't really comfort me with her own words but instead gave me a song to express her sentiments and her friendship to me. It is comforting to know that I have a friend like her who would think about me this way, in terms of pure friendship and not romantically inclined.
When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case
I could offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When evening shadows and the stars appear
And there's is no one to dry your tears
I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love
I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong
I've known it from the moment that we met
There's no doubt in my mind where you belong
I'd go hungry, I'd go black and blue
I'd go crawling down the avenue
There ain't nothing' that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on a rolling sea
And on the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
You ain't seen nothin' like me yet
There ain't nothin' that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love
(Garth Brooks)
I hope I can recover this week. If you don't hear anything from me on my blog, you know where I am.
Mansur
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Cologne Experience
Hey everyone,
Last week I was sitting in the reception area waiting to meet someone in the company. There was a guy sitting next to me, from whom was emanating this amazing smell. I absolutely had to know which cologne he was using. Should I ask him? Should I ignore the matter? Is it gay for a guy to ask another guy which cologne he is using? How can I ask him without sounding flirtatious, or sending out the wrong message? Man, why did he have to so much of that awesome cologne?
Finally, mustering up the courage, I finally asked him. He was so elated and smiled a lot. People do like it when you compliment them on something. This guy was so happy. I don't know why, but I told him again that his cologne is too cool making him smile even more!
So it turned out to be Burberry for Men. I tried some on yesterday and it made me feel all lovey-dovey. I am just so mesmerized by this smell. I can fall in love with myself if I have this cologne on. Right now, I use CK Truth, breaking my habit of using Davidoff's Cool Water for nine years. As soon as I finish this CK Truth, I plan on sticking to Burberry for Men for the rest of my life.
I cannot begin to explain to you how awesome the smell is. It gets to me in my head, and I get a light moment of dizziness. I feel elated. I think there are traces of pheromones in this cologne, for I begin to feel as I have been transported to another world. I get a literal out of body experience.
Goodness, what's wrong with me?
Mansur
Last week I was sitting in the reception area waiting to meet someone in the company. There was a guy sitting next to me, from whom was emanating this amazing smell. I absolutely had to know which cologne he was using. Should I ask him? Should I ignore the matter? Is it gay for a guy to ask another guy which cologne he is using? How can I ask him without sounding flirtatious, or sending out the wrong message? Man, why did he have to so much of that awesome cologne?
Finally, mustering up the courage, I finally asked him. He was so elated and smiled a lot. People do like it when you compliment them on something. This guy was so happy. I don't know why, but I told him again that his cologne is too cool making him smile even more!
So it turned out to be Burberry for Men. I tried some on yesterday and it made me feel all lovey-dovey. I am just so mesmerized by this smell. I can fall in love with myself if I have this cologne on. Right now, I use CK Truth, breaking my habit of using Davidoff's Cool Water for nine years. As soon as I finish this CK Truth, I plan on sticking to Burberry for Men for the rest of my life.
I cannot begin to explain to you how awesome the smell is. It gets to me in my head, and I get a light moment of dizziness. I feel elated. I think there are traces of pheromones in this cologne, for I begin to feel as I have been transported to another world. I get a literal out of body experience.
Goodness, what's wrong with me?
Mansur
Friday, February 24, 2006
Rainy Day in Dubai brings Destruction
Hey friends,
We have been having awesome weather here in Dubai. It's been raining, and I wish I were back in London because I love walking in rainy weather in London. There are no places here for me to walk and enjoy the weather. I would be engulfed in the traffic and pollution. Plus, roads and sidewalks are flooded with water. Go to a park, you find u have to walk through puddles of water.
Anyways, I have been enjoying the weather immensely. However, last night, my friend and I went to the Mall of the Emirates, where we were supposed to meet up with our other friends. She lives in Arabian Ranches, which is in the new part of Dubai. Well, guess what? She was delayed by an hour just to leave her home because the downpour created lakes there. In short, rains caused havoc and destruction in Dubai, especially the new Dubai area.
Not only that, there were 513 car accidents here because of the rain. Water was leaking in shopping malls-not any regular one, but Ibn Battuta mall! A friend said water was leaking in the Fairmont Hotel's restaurant. Buckets were placed in shops to collect water leaking from roofs. I wonder what is going on in the minds of the people who are in charge of town-planning and city buildings. Havent they heard of such a thing as water-proofing buildings? Are they cutting costs and corners by refusing to water-proof public buildings? What will the tourists think as they are passing through malls to see buckets in their path collecting water? My friend was pondering how many floors the water must have passed through such a tall hotel in order to get to the ground floor.
I just see a simple act of God in this. Man cannot overcome nature. Yes, we may have defied elements of nature by building high rises in the desert, and air condition them with air conditioners. Man can defy nature by building structures, but nature will always prove its worth and show man that man is still vulnerable. Remember the minor earthquake last year in Dubai? My Civil Engineering professor used to tell us that "should there be an earthquake in the region, these buildings will fall like a pack of cards." I have personally seen and heard the tactics contractors use here. Their aim: to construct as many projects as fast as possible, and if that means to cut corners and costs, so be it. Sad to say, but it's happening here.
The builders and planners of Dubai need to take a lot into consideration, given the number of buildings and projcets being announced and built. I for one hope nothing afflicts Dubai so seriously that people would wished they had taken precautions.
Mansur
We have been having awesome weather here in Dubai. It's been raining, and I wish I were back in London because I love walking in rainy weather in London. There are no places here for me to walk and enjoy the weather. I would be engulfed in the traffic and pollution. Plus, roads and sidewalks are flooded with water. Go to a park, you find u have to walk through puddles of water.
Anyways, I have been enjoying the weather immensely. However, last night, my friend and I went to the Mall of the Emirates, where we were supposed to meet up with our other friends. She lives in Arabian Ranches, which is in the new part of Dubai. Well, guess what? She was delayed by an hour just to leave her home because the downpour created lakes there. In short, rains caused havoc and destruction in Dubai, especially the new Dubai area.
Not only that, there were 513 car accidents here because of the rain. Water was leaking in shopping malls-not any regular one, but Ibn Battuta mall! A friend said water was leaking in the Fairmont Hotel's restaurant. Buckets were placed in shops to collect water leaking from roofs. I wonder what is going on in the minds of the people who are in charge of town-planning and city buildings. Havent they heard of such a thing as water-proofing buildings? Are they cutting costs and corners by refusing to water-proof public buildings? What will the tourists think as they are passing through malls to see buckets in their path collecting water? My friend was pondering how many floors the water must have passed through such a tall hotel in order to get to the ground floor.
I just see a simple act of God in this. Man cannot overcome nature. Yes, we may have defied elements of nature by building high rises in the desert, and air condition them with air conditioners. Man can defy nature by building structures, but nature will always prove its worth and show man that man is still vulnerable. Remember the minor earthquake last year in Dubai? My Civil Engineering professor used to tell us that "should there be an earthquake in the region, these buildings will fall like a pack of cards." I have personally seen and heard the tactics contractors use here. Their aim: to construct as many projects as fast as possible, and if that means to cut corners and costs, so be it. Sad to say, but it's happening here.
The builders and planners of Dubai need to take a lot into consideration, given the number of buildings and projcets being announced and built. I for one hope nothing afflicts Dubai so seriously that people would wished they had taken precautions.
Mansur
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
What Makes Me Live my Life Each Day....
Hello friends,
I am sitting at my dining table, as another night comes to an end. The curtains are drawn open, and I can see outside, through the balcony. I see few cars zipping down the main road. There are two neon billboard signs standing out prominent. Otherwise the city looks very sleepy. I also see the two minarets of the mosque lit up. Why do I feel I want to be there rather than my home? The weather had been nice last night, with thunder and rain. I hope it rains again tonight. There is just something about rain that I identify with. It is 330am and I am eating my bowl of Frosties. I am not sure if the drop on my cheek is my sweat or my tear. My eyes well up as I take in another day of my life. What is my life? As I try to ponder on what my life and where it is headed, I am left with even more confusing feelings and thoughts. What have I done in my life that I am so proud of? What am I doing in my life that I can look back on at proudly? What have I achieved if anything? Strong feelings of hopelessness over come me. I haven’t really done anything that can make other people proud of me. I have not won any scholarships or any awards. I am not a very popular person. Even though my parents are very well known in Jeddah, I am basically a nobody. Nobody remembers me. They all know me as my “father’s son” but not for me. Why should they even remember me anyways?
Next to my bowl of Frosties I see two things that have defined me my entire life. These two things have been with me as far as I can remember, and every time I look at them, I see how far I have come in my life, for it could have been far worse.
Both these things are my hearing aids for my right and left ear. Having been born deaf, I had always thought I would end up as a miserable loser in my life. What chance am I going to get to prove anything to people? Why would people want to pay attention to me anyways? I have seen how they talk to deaf people, and how some people make fun of them? I also fall under the group of people who are made fun of, or are not treated equally. I grew experiencing hatred, loneliness and discrimination. People would talk behind my back. Students would call me names specifically about my hearing. Others would choose not to talk to me. I would seek desperately for acceptance, but would never really get it. I would come back home from school utterly devastated. At times I would weep myself to sleep. However, I never let anyone know of my true feelings. I had to keep a strong outer appearance. I had to show the others that I am not a defeated person.
There came a point in my life when I was at a crossroad. Do I let people continue to treat me differently, or do I change my attitude and behavior, and go the extra mile to show others that I can be equal, and better than others? I am in no way handicapped, nor am I created inferior to you. Just because I may not listen to you well enough, or that I am deaf without my hearing aids, doesn’t make me an inferior person. As a result of this attitude, I consciously chose to practice my virtues and abandon all vices. I could have picked up smoking, but chose not to. I could have drunk alcohol and eat pork, but chose not to. I could have made girlfriends, not that there is anything wrong with that, but chose not to. I could choose to steal, cheat on exams and lie to others, but chose not to. I wanted to prove to others that my handicap will not stop me from achieving what I want to in life.
Although I have been delayed in school by one year, and have lost out one year in university because of a major change from dentistry to architecture, I feel today that I have achieved a lot for someone who is born deaf. The constant support from my family, and a few of my friends, have made it possible for me to live my life each day with strength and courage. My friends never let me feel anything about my hearing. I learnt early on in life that there will be mean people in this world, and I could let that affect me, or change me for the better.
So while my bowl of Frosties have finished, and cold wind is blowing in my apartment, I see my two hearing aids, which make me realize how far I have become. That drop on my cheek was indeed a teardrop, but one of happiness, as I sit here thankful to God for the life He has given me. It could have been worse, but He has blessed me with so much, and has given me so many opportunities in life. Sure, there are days when I am depressed and sad, and it during those moments when I take one look at my hearing aids, and remind myself of how far I have come in my life.
Mansur
I am sitting at my dining table, as another night comes to an end. The curtains are drawn open, and I can see outside, through the balcony. I see few cars zipping down the main road. There are two neon billboard signs standing out prominent. Otherwise the city looks very sleepy. I also see the two minarets of the mosque lit up. Why do I feel I want to be there rather than my home? The weather had been nice last night, with thunder and rain. I hope it rains again tonight. There is just something about rain that I identify with. It is 330am and I am eating my bowl of Frosties. I am not sure if the drop on my cheek is my sweat or my tear. My eyes well up as I take in another day of my life. What is my life? As I try to ponder on what my life and where it is headed, I am left with even more confusing feelings and thoughts. What have I done in my life that I am so proud of? What am I doing in my life that I can look back on at proudly? What have I achieved if anything? Strong feelings of hopelessness over come me. I haven’t really done anything that can make other people proud of me. I have not won any scholarships or any awards. I am not a very popular person. Even though my parents are very well known in Jeddah, I am basically a nobody. Nobody remembers me. They all know me as my “father’s son” but not for me. Why should they even remember me anyways?
Next to my bowl of Frosties I see two things that have defined me my entire life. These two things have been with me as far as I can remember, and every time I look at them, I see how far I have come in my life, for it could have been far worse.
Both these things are my hearing aids for my right and left ear. Having been born deaf, I had always thought I would end up as a miserable loser in my life. What chance am I going to get to prove anything to people? Why would people want to pay attention to me anyways? I have seen how they talk to deaf people, and how some people make fun of them? I also fall under the group of people who are made fun of, or are not treated equally. I grew experiencing hatred, loneliness and discrimination. People would talk behind my back. Students would call me names specifically about my hearing. Others would choose not to talk to me. I would seek desperately for acceptance, but would never really get it. I would come back home from school utterly devastated. At times I would weep myself to sleep. However, I never let anyone know of my true feelings. I had to keep a strong outer appearance. I had to show the others that I am not a defeated person.
There came a point in my life when I was at a crossroad. Do I let people continue to treat me differently, or do I change my attitude and behavior, and go the extra mile to show others that I can be equal, and better than others? I am in no way handicapped, nor am I created inferior to you. Just because I may not listen to you well enough, or that I am deaf without my hearing aids, doesn’t make me an inferior person. As a result of this attitude, I consciously chose to practice my virtues and abandon all vices. I could have picked up smoking, but chose not to. I could have drunk alcohol and eat pork, but chose not to. I could have made girlfriends, not that there is anything wrong with that, but chose not to. I could choose to steal, cheat on exams and lie to others, but chose not to. I wanted to prove to others that my handicap will not stop me from achieving what I want to in life.
Although I have been delayed in school by one year, and have lost out one year in university because of a major change from dentistry to architecture, I feel today that I have achieved a lot for someone who is born deaf. The constant support from my family, and a few of my friends, have made it possible for me to live my life each day with strength and courage. My friends never let me feel anything about my hearing. I learnt early on in life that there will be mean people in this world, and I could let that affect me, or change me for the better.
So while my bowl of Frosties have finished, and cold wind is blowing in my apartment, I see my two hearing aids, which make me realize how far I have become. That drop on my cheek was indeed a teardrop, but one of happiness, as I sit here thankful to God for the life He has given me. It could have been worse, but He has blessed me with so much, and has given me so many opportunities in life. Sure, there are days when I am depressed and sad, and it during those moments when I take one look at my hearing aids, and remind myself of how far I have come in my life.
Mansur
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