First of all apologies to all of you who waited patiently for yesterday's blog. I really wanted to leave a blog but had a really busy day because of Eid, was in and out of the house all day and didn't get a chance to type anything. I apologise unreservedly, after leaving a blog every weekday for over a month, yesterday was the first time I didn't do so and I'm sure it must've upset you all a great deal, especially since there was no forewarning of the lack of a blog. So to the zero number of people who actually read this blog, apologies once again!!
I'm just messing, I don't think anyone was waiting for this blog! Mainly because not many people read it but more importantly, because yesterday was Eid, the end of Ramadan. Actually, depending on who you follow, Eid was also on Monday and Wednesday, but I've talked about the furore that surrounds the pronouncement of Eid before, so won't complain about it again. The most important thing was that I celebrated Eid yesterday with my family and everyone I know on the same day.
To be honest, I don't really have much to type about mainly because I'm leaving for holiday to Pakistan tomorrow evening and have been busy getting ready for that. It's the first time I'm going to Pakistan, to visit my wife's family which is actually rather extensive. I'll be visiting Karachi and Lahore during my stay. What is concerning was the recent reports of the rise in cases of Dengue Fever in Karachi, this is a very lethal condition causing severe joint pain (often called breaking bone pain) and temperatures for over a fortnight and can lead to Dengue haemorrhagic fever which causes death! It is spread by mosquitoes and so the only prevention is to make sure you don't get bitten! Looks like I'll be stocking up on insect repellants and staying indoors all day then! Luckily it has not transmitted to Lahore where I will be for the majority of my stay.
Besides this small problem, I'm actually really looking forward to the holiday. First of all I need a break from work, as chilling as it is, I'm getting fed up of seeing cold after cold, headache after headache and could do with a break. My last break was in May, so it's definitely due! I've always had reservations about Pakistan, mainly because of the multiple news reports about discrimination and violence against Shias. For a so-called muslim country, the 'Land of the Pure', it sure doesn't sound like it. It's quite damning to know that as a Shia I'm more at risk in a Muslim country like Pakistan, than I am in India, a dominantly Hindu nation. However, I am going with an open mind, especially since my wife has a lot of good things to say about the country and hopefully will have an enjoyable experience which will change my views of the country.
One thing causing concern more than any other is my ability to communicate. Everyone will be speaking Urdu and my Urdu is pretty poor! My wife's parents and siblings will also be coming so hopefully they'll all be helping me through it, but I've got to make a good impression regardless. Although it is concerning, I am looking forward to the challenge!
I'll be leaving tomorrow night so will need to sleep on the plane to make sure I arrive well adjusted to the time difference. However, the problem I face is that my wife's sisters will also be on the plane. At the moment I'm being threatened with sitting next to them and they'll keep me awake throughout the flight! In each other's company they become two chatterbox machines, so I think I'll keep some ear-plugs as well!
As for this blog, needless to say it'll be difficult to keep it up to date while I'm away. I will try to blog at least once just to talk about how the holiday is going, but will provide a detailed account when I return. My numerous readers will just have to be patient, but don't worry I'll have plenty more topics to type about when I return. In the meantime, just want to mention another important event that occurred yesterday, something I'm ashamed to say I completely forgot until this morning, the trailer for the new series of 24 aired and it looks amazing, but I would say that since I am such a huge fan! For those in the know, check out the trailer and let me know what you think!
Well that's about it! Have fun while I'm away, I'm sure this blog won't be missed - hardly anyone reads it. My next blog will be on the 7th of November inshallah, hope to talk to you all then!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
An evening with a scholar
Suitably refreshed but disappointed after the weekend. No surprise to know that I am about to talk about the football, so skip the next couple of paragraphs if you're not interested. I can now declare that the Premiership is over for Liverpool, any lingering hope I had was wiped out with an abysmal display yesterday resulting in another defeat. Liverpool are now 11 points behind Chelsea and Man Utd, and there is just now way they will be able to make that up. Not only will Chelsea and Man Utd need to lose 4 times, Liverpool will need to go on a long unbeaten run and that looks highly unlikely, there is no confidence in the team, no-one is performing well and it's all gone wrong.
Looking back, feeling so hopeful at the beginning of the season was a gross misjudgment. I should've seen it coming. Steven Gerrard, the most important player at the club had just finished a grueling season which started in July 2005 and culminated in the disappointing World Cup in July 2006. Over a year of continuous football, only to start again in August with the new season. There is no way he was going to fire on all cylinders and usually when he doesn't perform, the team struggles and that's exactly what's happened. I should have seen it coming. The positive side is I can now focus on other things which will please my wife a great deal! Just have to get over the overwhelming sense of disappointment first.
Now that I have your attention again (hopefully), I can move on to today's blog. For the past couple of weeks I have been attending lectures every evening by Hassanain Rajabali. He is an extremely good and successful speaker and spoke on a variety of issues in and outside Islam. I have been following his lectures for sometime, since his first visit to the country in 2001. He is extremely knowledgeable on a range of issues and seems to be able to talk about anything and everything. His lectures over the past two weeks have included a range of topics including religion, philosophy, social issues, health issues, manners and behaviour and political issues affecting muslims today.
On a personal level he has been very motivating and inspiring for me and has helped increase and reaffirm my faith in God and my religion. During my student days, I had the opportunity to spend time with him after the lectures to discuss pretty much any topic. He visits to give lectures during the months of Ramadan and Muharrum and each time he manages to inspire the community and I have seen with my own eyes how many people he affects in a tremendously positive manner. The lecture hall for his last talk on Saturday was absolutely packed. After each talk has finished he is surrounded by people wanting to greet him, ask questions and talk to him, often keeping him there for over an hour after the lecture has finished.
Yesterday evening, I was fortunate enough to have dinner with him. Along with my wife and siblings I had the opportunity to spend sometime with him and his parents. We talked about a whole range of issues and it proved to be an enlightening evening. We decided to go to a restaurant in Edgware Road, his mother wanted Lebanese so I recommended Maroosh restaurant. When we walked in the first thing he noted was that the place served alcohol. If the place serves alcohol it immediately raises a doubt on whether the meat is halal. He pointed out that if they're making a profit on alcohol, there is no way one can believe that the meat they serve is halal, any claim or certificate pronouncing the authenticity of the meat simply cannot be trusted and therefore we would be ill-advised to eat there. In a stroke he wiped out many of the restaurants I've eaten at in the past! He highlighted a simple rule in Islam, if there is ever a doubt over any issue in Islam then to always assume the correct aspect except when it comes to meat. For example, if you are unsure whether you have missed a rakaat in namaaz by mistake and there is doubt in your mind, then you should assume you recited it and move on, if you touch water from an unknown source and you question whether it is clean or dirty, you can assume it is clean, if you doubt whether you broke you wudhoo before prayer, then you can ignore that doubt and carry on with namaaz. However, when it comes to meat, the rule is switched, therefore if there is any doubt then you must assume it is haraam. A place serving alcohol and halal meat places sufficient doubt for the meat to be haraam.
We finally found a suitable restaurant further along Edgware Road which didn't serve alcohol and there was no real doubt of the authenticity of the meat. During the meal we managed to discuss a variety of issues. One of the first topics we talked about was the hijab, given all the recent media attention it had been receiving, plus it was something I've discussed in my blogs. He pointed out, that the main reason for it coming under attack was because of what it represents. The fact that it represents decency, protection, elegance and respect for a woman is something that goes against the grain of Western culture. Islam is the only religion which has such respect, something that used to be present in the Christian and Jewish faiths but has been stripped by human interference. Islam has not allowed that and as a result it is being attacked because people don't like it. Whenever you see a statue of the Virgin Mary, she always has her head covered as a sign of respect, but when muslim women do the same thing they are criticised.
He went on to discuss the importance of maintaining the hijab now, more so than before, because it provides an opportunity to engage in discussion to promote the correct values and ideals of Islam, especially since people are more receptive towards it, albeit from a negative point of view, but it at least provides that chance. We briefly spoke about the nikaab and he stated that there is no mention for the need of nikaab in Islamic rule, either the Quran or otherwise, and he agrees that it could interfere with interactions between people, especially for a teacher and her students and that needs to be considered carefully.
We then moved on to talk about entertainment, in terms of music and movies. It is something I engage in as do many others and a subject which has caused much discussion about in the past, with reference to whether it is allowed or not. He was very straight forward in his argument. Firsts of all there is no direct ban in Islamic rule to listen to music or watch movies. What becomes a grey area is in the moral values they represent. If engaging in music and movies leads to immoral acts and behaviours, then it must be avoided.
In moderation, it is something that can be fun, but moderation is different for each individual, and therefore each person needs to decide how much it affects their life. If it leads to immoral actions then it must be avoided. He went on to explain that all the major sins rely on a history of minor sins which lead up to it, it is the minor sins which can be triggered with music and movies which can prove to be the downfall of most people. His viewpoint was simple, why waste time with movies or music? There are so many other activities that one can engage in which are much more fulfilling, so why not do that instead? We are only on Earth for finite time, so why waste it watching movies and listening to music? Obviously we are allowed to indulge in entertainment, but why in such areas which can have lethal potentials?
Personally speaking, I am comfortable with the level of music/movies I currently absorb. It used to be a lot worse, but now I feel confident that it doesn't interfere in a negative way and is something I keep to a moderate level. I only listen to music in the car, that to when I can't find anything on the radio and I have cut down on my movie watching a great deal, even though I have a large DVD collection, I haven't watched over 70% of the films, they just look good on the shelves!
I also mentioned the fact that I keep a blog and spoke about the Shias and Sunnis blog I typed last week. He agreed with the basic principal I tried to highlight; can the Prophet leave this world without appointing a successor? We spoke about the justice of God and how the Sunnis have tried to manipulate it to suit themselves, when it comes to explaining this very question. They argue that if God is all just, then he must be governed by justice, in everything he does. Couple this with the idea – that Sunnis have – of predestination, where everything we do is already set and we have no free will, and it combines to create a theory that everything we do is because God has ordained it and therefore we have no control. Hence if God didn’t want Abu Bakr to be the successor to the Prophet then he wouldn’t have allowed it. However, this theory falls down when you suggest why do men like Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Ariel Sharon come into power and cause such devastation? Why would God allow that? Usually they struggle to come up with an answer.
God is all just because he chooses to be, justice does not control God. So this theory that we don’t have free will is not true. There is a lengthy discussion to be had about this subject and maybe I’ll attempt to type about it in a subsequent blog.
Carrying on from this I asked about a personal issue of mine, which I have touched upon in my blog a few weeks ago about passing judgment, especially when it comes to my family. Certain actions that certain individuals are involved in just annoy me and as a result I don’t communicate with them and just ignore them. It has got to a point that is beyond repair in my eyes. They are beyond redemption and I am beyond caring to do anything about it.
He spoke about the need to maintain bridges between people which can be rebuilt over time. This struggle I have, to engage with people who I disapprove of is personal to me, and therefore God has made it something that I need to overcome and develop from. He highlighted the need to take small steps to establish relationships and to then advice and help as necessary. If nothing happens, then my part is at least fulfilled. On the Day of Judgment, they can’t argue that no-one helped them and I can say that I tried to do my bit.
Leading on from that, he went on to explain that the reason he speaks out and gives lectures is because of this very reason. He’s not bothered whether people listen, but he can at least say that he did his part and God cannot ask for more than that. The fact that he has this knowledge to share means it is his duty to do so.
In all we spent 3 hours in the restaurant and it was just non-stop talking. It was amazing. All he had was great knowledge and an approachable personality and we all felt as if we could have just carried on talking and talking. There was never any awkward pause or silence where we had nothing to say. My brother joked afterwards it was like meeting a celebrity, and in some ways it did feel like that, but there was no arrogance or ego which may be associated with such a status.
Overall it was a wonderful evening and I was really fortunate to experience it. We managed to talk about a range of issues, about anything and everything and all of us learned something which has inshallah helped develop our faith that bit more. It’s a shame that we can’t speak to him as more often, but just having such conversations was a great experience.
However, it doesn’t have to end there. Even though I am no where near as educated or knowledgeable when it comes to Islam, it is something I definitely want to improve and is something that can be done individually and collectively. I know we can have such meetings amongst ourselves where we can gain knowledge about any issue if we discuss them and teach each other. I know of family and friends who feel the same way, but it is just a matter of getting organised and to stop being so lazy, to actually get out there and do something. I guess this blog is developing into something along those lines which allows me to discuss these issues and learn more as I go along, and hopefully allows other to comment and pass on their experiences. There is much more to do and hopefully this determination and zeal will last, enabling me to learn more from others and continue to develop.
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Looking back, feeling so hopeful at the beginning of the season was a gross misjudgment. I should've seen it coming. Steven Gerrard, the most important player at the club had just finished a grueling season which started in July 2005 and culminated in the disappointing World Cup in July 2006. Over a year of continuous football, only to start again in August with the new season. There is no way he was going to fire on all cylinders and usually when he doesn't perform, the team struggles and that's exactly what's happened. I should have seen it coming. The positive side is I can now focus on other things which will please my wife a great deal! Just have to get over the overwhelming sense of disappointment first.
Now that I have your attention again (hopefully), I can move on to today's blog. For the past couple of weeks I have been attending lectures every evening by Hassanain Rajabali. He is an extremely good and successful speaker and spoke on a variety of issues in and outside Islam. I have been following his lectures for sometime, since his first visit to the country in 2001. He is extremely knowledgeable on a range of issues and seems to be able to talk about anything and everything. His lectures over the past two weeks have included a range of topics including religion, philosophy, social issues, health issues, manners and behaviour and political issues affecting muslims today.
On a personal level he has been very motivating and inspiring for me and has helped increase and reaffirm my faith in God and my religion. During my student days, I had the opportunity to spend time with him after the lectures to discuss pretty much any topic. He visits to give lectures during the months of Ramadan and Muharrum and each time he manages to inspire the community and I have seen with my own eyes how many people he affects in a tremendously positive manner. The lecture hall for his last talk on Saturday was absolutely packed. After each talk has finished he is surrounded by people wanting to greet him, ask questions and talk to him, often keeping him there for over an hour after the lecture has finished.
Yesterday evening, I was fortunate enough to have dinner with him. Along with my wife and siblings I had the opportunity to spend sometime with him and his parents. We talked about a whole range of issues and it proved to be an enlightening evening. We decided to go to a restaurant in Edgware Road, his mother wanted Lebanese so I recommended Maroosh restaurant. When we walked in the first thing he noted was that the place served alcohol. If the place serves alcohol it immediately raises a doubt on whether the meat is halal. He pointed out that if they're making a profit on alcohol, there is no way one can believe that the meat they serve is halal, any claim or certificate pronouncing the authenticity of the meat simply cannot be trusted and therefore we would be ill-advised to eat there. In a stroke he wiped out many of the restaurants I've eaten at in the past! He highlighted a simple rule in Islam, if there is ever a doubt over any issue in Islam then to always assume the correct aspect except when it comes to meat. For example, if you are unsure whether you have missed a rakaat in namaaz by mistake and there is doubt in your mind, then you should assume you recited it and move on, if you touch water from an unknown source and you question whether it is clean or dirty, you can assume it is clean, if you doubt whether you broke you wudhoo before prayer, then you can ignore that doubt and carry on with namaaz. However, when it comes to meat, the rule is switched, therefore if there is any doubt then you must assume it is haraam. A place serving alcohol and halal meat places sufficient doubt for the meat to be haraam.
We finally found a suitable restaurant further along Edgware Road which didn't serve alcohol and there was no real doubt of the authenticity of the meat. During the meal we managed to discuss a variety of issues. One of the first topics we talked about was the hijab, given all the recent media attention it had been receiving, plus it was something I've discussed in my blogs. He pointed out, that the main reason for it coming under attack was because of what it represents. The fact that it represents decency, protection, elegance and respect for a woman is something that goes against the grain of Western culture. Islam is the only religion which has such respect, something that used to be present in the Christian and Jewish faiths but has been stripped by human interference. Islam has not allowed that and as a result it is being attacked because people don't like it. Whenever you see a statue of the Virgin Mary, she always has her head covered as a sign of respect, but when muslim women do the same thing they are criticised.
He went on to discuss the importance of maintaining the hijab now, more so than before, because it provides an opportunity to engage in discussion to promote the correct values and ideals of Islam, especially since people are more receptive towards it, albeit from a negative point of view, but it at least provides that chance. We briefly spoke about the nikaab and he stated that there is no mention for the need of nikaab in Islamic rule, either the Quran or otherwise, and he agrees that it could interfere with interactions between people, especially for a teacher and her students and that needs to be considered carefully.
We then moved on to talk about entertainment, in terms of music and movies. It is something I engage in as do many others and a subject which has caused much discussion about in the past, with reference to whether it is allowed or not. He was very straight forward in his argument. Firsts of all there is no direct ban in Islamic rule to listen to music or watch movies. What becomes a grey area is in the moral values they represent. If engaging in music and movies leads to immoral acts and behaviours, then it must be avoided.
In moderation, it is something that can be fun, but moderation is different for each individual, and therefore each person needs to decide how much it affects their life. If it leads to immoral actions then it must be avoided. He went on to explain that all the major sins rely on a history of minor sins which lead up to it, it is the minor sins which can be triggered with music and movies which can prove to be the downfall of most people. His viewpoint was simple, why waste time with movies or music? There are so many other activities that one can engage in which are much more fulfilling, so why not do that instead? We are only on Earth for finite time, so why waste it watching movies and listening to music? Obviously we are allowed to indulge in entertainment, but why in such areas which can have lethal potentials?
Personally speaking, I am comfortable with the level of music/movies I currently absorb. It used to be a lot worse, but now I feel confident that it doesn't interfere in a negative way and is something I keep to a moderate level. I only listen to music in the car, that to when I can't find anything on the radio and I have cut down on my movie watching a great deal, even though I have a large DVD collection, I haven't watched over 70% of the films, they just look good on the shelves!
I also mentioned the fact that I keep a blog and spoke about the Shias and Sunnis blog I typed last week. He agreed with the basic principal I tried to highlight; can the Prophet leave this world without appointing a successor? We spoke about the justice of God and how the Sunnis have tried to manipulate it to suit themselves, when it comes to explaining this very question. They argue that if God is all just, then he must be governed by justice, in everything he does. Couple this with the idea – that Sunnis have – of predestination, where everything we do is already set and we have no free will, and it combines to create a theory that everything we do is because God has ordained it and therefore we have no control. Hence if God didn’t want Abu Bakr to be the successor to the Prophet then he wouldn’t have allowed it. However, this theory falls down when you suggest why do men like Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Ariel Sharon come into power and cause such devastation? Why would God allow that? Usually they struggle to come up with an answer.
God is all just because he chooses to be, justice does not control God. So this theory that we don’t have free will is not true. There is a lengthy discussion to be had about this subject and maybe I’ll attempt to type about it in a subsequent blog.
Carrying on from this I asked about a personal issue of mine, which I have touched upon in my blog a few weeks ago about passing judgment, especially when it comes to my family. Certain actions that certain individuals are involved in just annoy me and as a result I don’t communicate with them and just ignore them. It has got to a point that is beyond repair in my eyes. They are beyond redemption and I am beyond caring to do anything about it.
He spoke about the need to maintain bridges between people which can be rebuilt over time. This struggle I have, to engage with people who I disapprove of is personal to me, and therefore God has made it something that I need to overcome and develop from. He highlighted the need to take small steps to establish relationships and to then advice and help as necessary. If nothing happens, then my part is at least fulfilled. On the Day of Judgment, they can’t argue that no-one helped them and I can say that I tried to do my bit.
Leading on from that, he went on to explain that the reason he speaks out and gives lectures is because of this very reason. He’s not bothered whether people listen, but he can at least say that he did his part and God cannot ask for more than that. The fact that he has this knowledge to share means it is his duty to do so.
In all we spent 3 hours in the restaurant and it was just non-stop talking. It was amazing. All he had was great knowledge and an approachable personality and we all felt as if we could have just carried on talking and talking. There was never any awkward pause or silence where we had nothing to say. My brother joked afterwards it was like meeting a celebrity, and in some ways it did feel like that, but there was no arrogance or ego which may be associated with such a status.
Overall it was a wonderful evening and I was really fortunate to experience it. We managed to talk about a range of issues, about anything and everything and all of us learned something which has inshallah helped develop our faith that bit more. It’s a shame that we can’t speak to him as more often, but just having such conversations was a great experience.
However, it doesn’t have to end there. Even though I am no where near as educated or knowledgeable when it comes to Islam, it is something I definitely want to improve and is something that can be done individually and collectively. I know we can have such meetings amongst ourselves where we can gain knowledge about any issue if we discuss them and teach each other. I know of family and friends who feel the same way, but it is just a matter of getting organised and to stop being so lazy, to actually get out there and do something. I guess this blog is developing into something along those lines which allows me to discuss these issues and learn more as I go along, and hopefully allows other to comment and pass on their experiences. There is much more to do and hopefully this determination and zeal will last, enabling me to learn more from others and continue to develop.
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Friday, October 20, 2006
Over medicalisation
Finally I seem to be getting a bit of interest in my blogs. Got a detailed comment yesterday to my blog on Monday to which I've just replied and also Sully made an appearance on the comments board. Sully, I'll be typing about you in due course, let's just say it'll be very funny! Meanwhile, I completely forgot to mention the fact that I've been blogging for over a month now! 18th Oct was the one month anniversary! It's been a lot of fun so far, let's hope it continues.
Being Friday means a brief blog before I finish work and get some sleep! I want to talk about a couple of cases I encountered during a stint in A&E last year. The first was a 75yr old gentleman who had collapsed at home having recently started a new antihypertensive (blood pressure) tablet. By definition, the tablet works to lower the blood pressure and he had been prescribed too high of a dose which cause him to drop his blood pressure too much and collapse. In A&E he was referred to the medical doctors, who admitted and observed him overnight, ran some blood tests, performed an ECG which was normal and discharged him the next day after stopping his medication.
The other patient presented with diarrhoea and vomiting for 3 days and could no longer keep her food down because of the nausea, but was able to drink. She too was admitted and kept overnight. She received an intravenous drip of fluids to rehydrate her and her stool was cultured to make sure there wasn't any severe infection. It took 3 days to come back, so she remained in hospital for that long and the result showed nothing. The likelihood was that she was suffering from food poisoning caused by a virus.
Now, the reason I mention these two cases is because this week, I saw something similar in the practice surgery. The first was a 70yr old gentleman who had recently started a new blood pressure tablet and promptly fainted at home. I discussed it with my trainer; we stopped the medication, reverted to what he was originally on and sent him home, advising him to return if there were any problems. The second was a 65yr old lady who had developed diarrhoea and vomiting over the weekend and couldn't eat any food because of the nausea. I prescribed her some anti-sickness tablets and Imodium to stop the diarrhoea, advised her to get plenty of rest and to drink lots of fluids to rehydrate herself. I phoned her yesterday afternoon, and she was feeling much better and could eat again.
So, very similar presentations, totally different management. The patients I saw over a year ago were over treated, and I suppose you could argue that the patients I saw this week were under treated. However, these were relatively straightforward cases with straightforward solutions. The patients who presented in A&E could easily have been dealt with in the same way as I had done this week.
The problem is that the patients in A&E were over medicalised. They now probably have certain expectations should they fall ill again. The same lady with the diarrhoea and vomiting, if she now falls ill with similar symptoms, will feel the need to go to hospital when she could get better at home. I know people are going to say you can never be too careful, but in these cases I think you can.
Anyway, maybe that's something to ponder about over the weekend. I know I won't! But hopefully interesting nonetheless! Big game this weekend, Liverpool vs. Man Utd, the last chance to sustain hope for the rest of the season. I think if Liverpool lose and fall 11 points behind, I'll stop following them with the same level of interest at least in the Premiership, which should please my wife! With that, I sign off for the weekend.
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Being Friday means a brief blog before I finish work and get some sleep! I want to talk about a couple of cases I encountered during a stint in A&E last year. The first was a 75yr old gentleman who had collapsed at home having recently started a new antihypertensive (blood pressure) tablet. By definition, the tablet works to lower the blood pressure and he had been prescribed too high of a dose which cause him to drop his blood pressure too much and collapse. In A&E he was referred to the medical doctors, who admitted and observed him overnight, ran some blood tests, performed an ECG which was normal and discharged him the next day after stopping his medication.
The other patient presented with diarrhoea and vomiting for 3 days and could no longer keep her food down because of the nausea, but was able to drink. She too was admitted and kept overnight. She received an intravenous drip of fluids to rehydrate her and her stool was cultured to make sure there wasn't any severe infection. It took 3 days to come back, so she remained in hospital for that long and the result showed nothing. The likelihood was that she was suffering from food poisoning caused by a virus.
Now, the reason I mention these two cases is because this week, I saw something similar in the practice surgery. The first was a 70yr old gentleman who had recently started a new blood pressure tablet and promptly fainted at home. I discussed it with my trainer; we stopped the medication, reverted to what he was originally on and sent him home, advising him to return if there were any problems. The second was a 65yr old lady who had developed diarrhoea and vomiting over the weekend and couldn't eat any food because of the nausea. I prescribed her some anti-sickness tablets and Imodium to stop the diarrhoea, advised her to get plenty of rest and to drink lots of fluids to rehydrate herself. I phoned her yesterday afternoon, and she was feeling much better and could eat again.
So, very similar presentations, totally different management. The patients I saw over a year ago were over treated, and I suppose you could argue that the patients I saw this week were under treated. However, these were relatively straightforward cases with straightforward solutions. The patients who presented in A&E could easily have been dealt with in the same way as I had done this week.
The problem is that the patients in A&E were over medicalised. They now probably have certain expectations should they fall ill again. The same lady with the diarrhoea and vomiting, if she now falls ill with similar symptoms, will feel the need to go to hospital when she could get better at home. I know people are going to say you can never be too careful, but in these cases I think you can.
Anyway, maybe that's something to ponder about over the weekend. I know I won't! But hopefully interesting nonetheless! Big game this weekend, Liverpool vs. Man Utd, the last chance to sustain hope for the rest of the season. I think if Liverpool lose and fall 11 points behind, I'll stop following them with the same level of interest at least in the Premiership, which should please my wife! With that, I sign off for the weekend.
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Shias and Sunnis
As Ramadan draws to a close, and sunrise gets later and later, I just get more and more tired. I have to get up at 5.50am to eat and then go back to sleep only to get up again at 7am. Needless to say, I don't get back to sleep straightaway, so effectively only sleep till 5.50am. Sleeping at midnight means I am suffering from a severe lack of sleep. I came across an article titled "How to Sleep Less and Have More Energy" on the net, I haven't yet read it, but it sounds interesting, maybe it'll help!
Coming towards the end of Ramadan means that a familiar debate is about to start, on what day will Eid fall? Based on a lunar calendar, all Islamic months are either 29 or 30 days in length (I attempted to explain the issue in an earlier blog ""Have you seen the moon lately?"). Side-tracking slightly, this means that each year any given Islamic date occurs approximately 10 days prior to the previous year on the Georgian calendar. For example, last year, Eid fell on 3rd November, and therefore this year should fall on 24th October. Hence each year Ramadan comes around sooner than the previous year. Anyway, each and every year there is a debate over what day Eid occurs. It's become ridiculous, with Eid now being celebrated across 3 successive days. People will celebrate Eid next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The likelihood is that inevitably Ramadan will be 30days (I can't remember it ever being 29days) and therefore, for me, Eid will be on Wednesday. I suppose you could look at it differently and say that by spreading it out, means more opportunity for celebration, but it has become a farce.
One of the reasons why there is such a difference is because of the two main sects in Islam. Namely the Shia and the Sunni. Sunnis, from my own observation, have always followed a set path and Eid always occurs on a set day which all Sunnis celebrate, but lately, even that has become divided, hence the spread over three days. Shia’s tend to be more fluids, and that's a nice way of putting it! For a long time now, Shia’s have celebrated Eid on different days. Last year, people in my family celebrated Eid on two different days, how can there be a celebration when some people are fasting and others aren't?
It goes without saying that something needs to be done, but a lack of unity makes it extremely difficult. This schism that exists between the two sects has made unity difficult. It is this very divide that is causing a lot of problems in Iraq today. We often hear of reports about Sunni insurgents bombing areas in Iraq and then Shia groups responding. The main militant Shia group lead by Moqtada Al-Sadr also gets a lot of coverage in the media and he is often blamed for the lack of peace in the region.
I received an interesting article yesterday highlighting how various members of the US government and FBI/CIA, important officials who have roles in dealing with terrorism and the American forces in Iraq, did not know the difference between Shia’s and Sunnis. The main reason for ongoing terrorist activities, the main reason for attempts to start a civil war in Iraq, and high-ranking officials did not know the difference between them. Quite shocking if you think about it. The article also highlights that it’s equivalent to the British government not knowing the difference between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and then trying to deal with the conflicts that have occurred in that area. Obviously that is not the case, and knowing the difference has aided the attempts to establish peace in that region. In Iraq, however, peace seems a long way away.
I remember watching Enemy of the State awhile back, and Gene Hackman's character stating something along the lines of how the government monitors individuals the moment they mention certain words such as 'Islam', 'bomb', 'terrorist' and 'Allah' and therefore with that in mind, I want to try and explain the difference between Shia and Sunni, and who knows maybe government officials will target such words and read this blog! That'd be quite amusing!
The difference between Shia and Sunni stems back to the death of the Holy Prophet, when the question arose as to who should be his successor. The Holy Prophet introduced a brand new religion in a highly volatile atmosphere of the Middle East, he had to introduce and convince people of an entirely new way of life. He introduced the concept of worshipping only one God and tried to abolish idol-worship which was highly prevalent in the area. At the same time he revealed the word of God in the form of the Holy Quran. He showed people how to behave, talk, dress, interact and many more aspects of life. He managed this all in a very short period of time, just over 20years. The foundation, at the time of his passing, was still weak. He simply did not have enough time, although what he achieved in that time was miraculous. It makes sense that there would be a successor who would carry on his message and it makes sense that the successor could only be appointed by the Prophet himself.
Throughout his Prophethood he was supported unrelentlessly by his cousin, Imam Ali, who married his daughter, Lady Fatima. Throughout his struggles, Imam Ali was by his side, fighting for the cause of Islam. Imam Ali's only job was to support the Prophet as he spread the message of Islam. This is all established fact, accepted by both schools of thought.
Before his death, after performing his last Hajj, the Prophet gathered the muslims who traveled with him at a place called Ghadeer, over 40,000 people congregated in the area to hear an announcement from the Prophet. He announced Imam Ali as his successor: "Of whomsoever I am Mawla, Ali is also his Mawla". The word 'mawla', used in this context, means 'leader', so the Prophet announced that for whom he was a leader, Ali is also their leader. This very word 'mawla' has been a bone of contention. Sunnis argue that the word means 'friend' so the Prophet was simply announcing that Ali is his friend. Doesn't that seem a bit ridiculous? The Prophet stopped 40,000 people in the heat of the Arabian Desert to announce that Ali is his friend? Does that make any sense? I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Having made this announcement, it was quite clear that after his death, Imam Ali was to carry on his message and continue to spread Islam. However, what happened after his passing is where the main difference lies. After his passing, prominent members of the Prophets followers held a meeting to decide upon his successor. Whilst Imam Ali performed the last rites for the Holy Prophet, preparing and carrying out the burial, other so-called followers, discussed who should be the successor. From this meeting it was announced that Abu Bakr would be the successor, and the excuse was offered that Imam Ali was too young and inexperienced to takeover.
Sunnis believe that Abu Bakr was rightly appointed the successor and follow him. What they also believe is that the Prophet never announced a successor; it was for his community to decide after his death. If that is the case, then after Abu Bakr's death, surely the community would decide his successor has they had done so before. However, before his death, Abu Bakr appointed Umar as his successor. So the Prophet wasn't allowed to appoint a successor but Abu Bakr was, does that make any sense?
Eventually after Umar's demise, a select group of people appointed Uthman to be the leader of the muslims. His period of rule was such a disaster that the community ousted him and practically begged Imam Ali to take command to attempt to restore order in the community. His period of rule lasted barely over 4 years. What an absolute travesty! The person who was appointed the true successor only managed to lead the muslim people and spread the religion of Islam for only 4 years. Such was the damage done by his predecessors that much of the time was spent sorting out the problems they had caused, a damage limitation exercise.
Sunnis adamantly follow the three leaders before Ali. Some even go to the extremes of denying any significance towards Imam Ali, whilst others accept him as the fourth ruler after the death of the Prophet. This difference is the basis of the divide that exists today. Sunnis follow the Prophet and the three rulers and the changes to Islam that resulted from that, whilst Shia’s follow the Prophet, Imam Ali and the family of the Prophet which stemmed from Imam Ali and Lady Fatima - namely the 12 Imams (including Imam Ali, the first Imam).
I can go into more detail about the ins and outs of subsequent events which lead to the divide getting wider and wider, but at the moment I wanted to present the basic issue of the cause of the difference. Even knowing this would go someway towards understanding the situation in Iraq that much better and may help government officials with dealing with the multiple crisis’s occurring in the area
I know, being a Shia, I am biased, but I've tried to be balanced. I could've provided more references, and hope to do so in due course, but at the moment I wanted to present the facts and what is accepted by both schools of thought and what happened to cause the difference. Inshallah, I'll be able to go into more detail about the differences as time passes and we can explore the issue further. In the meantime, I hope this brief blog provides some basic understanding of the divide and we can carry on from there. I am not a scholar or even very educated in all this history, but wanted to present what basic understanding I have of the situation that exists today, and hopefully I have done that!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Coming towards the end of Ramadan means that a familiar debate is about to start, on what day will Eid fall? Based on a lunar calendar, all Islamic months are either 29 or 30 days in length (I attempted to explain the issue in an earlier blog ""Have you seen the moon lately?"). Side-tracking slightly, this means that each year any given Islamic date occurs approximately 10 days prior to the previous year on the Georgian calendar. For example, last year, Eid fell on 3rd November, and therefore this year should fall on 24th October. Hence each year Ramadan comes around sooner than the previous year. Anyway, each and every year there is a debate over what day Eid occurs. It's become ridiculous, with Eid now being celebrated across 3 successive days. People will celebrate Eid next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The likelihood is that inevitably Ramadan will be 30days (I can't remember it ever being 29days) and therefore, for me, Eid will be on Wednesday. I suppose you could look at it differently and say that by spreading it out, means more opportunity for celebration, but it has become a farce.
One of the reasons why there is such a difference is because of the two main sects in Islam. Namely the Shia and the Sunni. Sunnis, from my own observation, have always followed a set path and Eid always occurs on a set day which all Sunnis celebrate, but lately, even that has become divided, hence the spread over three days. Shia’s tend to be more fluids, and that's a nice way of putting it! For a long time now, Shia’s have celebrated Eid on different days. Last year, people in my family celebrated Eid on two different days, how can there be a celebration when some people are fasting and others aren't?
It goes without saying that something needs to be done, but a lack of unity makes it extremely difficult. This schism that exists between the two sects has made unity difficult. It is this very divide that is causing a lot of problems in Iraq today. We often hear of reports about Sunni insurgents bombing areas in Iraq and then Shia groups responding. The main militant Shia group lead by Moqtada Al-Sadr also gets a lot of coverage in the media and he is often blamed for the lack of peace in the region.
I received an interesting article yesterday highlighting how various members of the US government and FBI/CIA, important officials who have roles in dealing with terrorism and the American forces in Iraq, did not know the difference between Shia’s and Sunnis. The main reason for ongoing terrorist activities, the main reason for attempts to start a civil war in Iraq, and high-ranking officials did not know the difference between them. Quite shocking if you think about it. The article also highlights that it’s equivalent to the British government not knowing the difference between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland and then trying to deal with the conflicts that have occurred in that area. Obviously that is not the case, and knowing the difference has aided the attempts to establish peace in that region. In Iraq, however, peace seems a long way away.
I remember watching Enemy of the State awhile back, and Gene Hackman's character stating something along the lines of how the government monitors individuals the moment they mention certain words such as 'Islam', 'bomb', 'terrorist' and 'Allah' and therefore with that in mind, I want to try and explain the difference between Shia and Sunni, and who knows maybe government officials will target such words and read this blog! That'd be quite amusing!
The difference between Shia and Sunni stems back to the death of the Holy Prophet, when the question arose as to who should be his successor. The Holy Prophet introduced a brand new religion in a highly volatile atmosphere of the Middle East, he had to introduce and convince people of an entirely new way of life. He introduced the concept of worshipping only one God and tried to abolish idol-worship which was highly prevalent in the area. At the same time he revealed the word of God in the form of the Holy Quran. He showed people how to behave, talk, dress, interact and many more aspects of life. He managed this all in a very short period of time, just over 20years. The foundation, at the time of his passing, was still weak. He simply did not have enough time, although what he achieved in that time was miraculous. It makes sense that there would be a successor who would carry on his message and it makes sense that the successor could only be appointed by the Prophet himself.
Throughout his Prophethood he was supported unrelentlessly by his cousin, Imam Ali, who married his daughter, Lady Fatima. Throughout his struggles, Imam Ali was by his side, fighting for the cause of Islam. Imam Ali's only job was to support the Prophet as he spread the message of Islam. This is all established fact, accepted by both schools of thought.
Before his death, after performing his last Hajj, the Prophet gathered the muslims who traveled with him at a place called Ghadeer, over 40,000 people congregated in the area to hear an announcement from the Prophet. He announced Imam Ali as his successor: "Of whomsoever I am Mawla, Ali is also his Mawla". The word 'mawla', used in this context, means 'leader', so the Prophet announced that for whom he was a leader, Ali is also their leader. This very word 'mawla' has been a bone of contention. Sunnis argue that the word means 'friend' so the Prophet was simply announcing that Ali is his friend. Doesn't that seem a bit ridiculous? The Prophet stopped 40,000 people in the heat of the Arabian Desert to announce that Ali is his friend? Does that make any sense? I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
Having made this announcement, it was quite clear that after his death, Imam Ali was to carry on his message and continue to spread Islam. However, what happened after his passing is where the main difference lies. After his passing, prominent members of the Prophets followers held a meeting to decide upon his successor. Whilst Imam Ali performed the last rites for the Holy Prophet, preparing and carrying out the burial, other so-called followers, discussed who should be the successor. From this meeting it was announced that Abu Bakr would be the successor, and the excuse was offered that Imam Ali was too young and inexperienced to takeover.
Sunnis believe that Abu Bakr was rightly appointed the successor and follow him. What they also believe is that the Prophet never announced a successor; it was for his community to decide after his death. If that is the case, then after Abu Bakr's death, surely the community would decide his successor has they had done so before. However, before his death, Abu Bakr appointed Umar as his successor. So the Prophet wasn't allowed to appoint a successor but Abu Bakr was, does that make any sense?
Eventually after Umar's demise, a select group of people appointed Uthman to be the leader of the muslims. His period of rule was such a disaster that the community ousted him and practically begged Imam Ali to take command to attempt to restore order in the community. His period of rule lasted barely over 4 years. What an absolute travesty! The person who was appointed the true successor only managed to lead the muslim people and spread the religion of Islam for only 4 years. Such was the damage done by his predecessors that much of the time was spent sorting out the problems they had caused, a damage limitation exercise.
Sunnis adamantly follow the three leaders before Ali. Some even go to the extremes of denying any significance towards Imam Ali, whilst others accept him as the fourth ruler after the death of the Prophet. This difference is the basis of the divide that exists today. Sunnis follow the Prophet and the three rulers and the changes to Islam that resulted from that, whilst Shia’s follow the Prophet, Imam Ali and the family of the Prophet which stemmed from Imam Ali and Lady Fatima - namely the 12 Imams (including Imam Ali, the first Imam).
I can go into more detail about the ins and outs of subsequent events which lead to the divide getting wider and wider, but at the moment I wanted to present the basic issue of the cause of the difference. Even knowing this would go someway towards understanding the situation in Iraq that much better and may help government officials with dealing with the multiple crisis’s occurring in the area
I know, being a Shia, I am biased, but I've tried to be balanced. I could've provided more references, and hope to do so in due course, but at the moment I wanted to present the facts and what is accepted by both schools of thought and what happened to cause the difference. Inshallah, I'll be able to go into more detail about the differences as time passes and we can explore the issue further. In the meantime, I hope this brief blog provides some basic understanding of the divide and we can carry on from there. I am not a scholar or even very educated in all this history, but wanted to present what basic understanding I have of the situation that exists today, and hopefully I have done that!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Jughead and Scottish dentist
Had a rather busy morning surgery for a change. Was dealing with one patient for one hour! My appointment times are limited to 20mins so you can imagine the backlog after that. It was however, a bit of an emergency, the patient had potentially damaged his sensitive area beyond repair following a grueling rugby match, and I had to refer him to hospital rather urgently. Being out in the sticks it took longer than the half hour Chelsea have been complaining about yesterday, don't think it'll get the same media coverage though! After that it was a race to get through all the patients and finish on time just so I can type this blog!
Reading through my past few blogs and they've been very political/religious in nature, I haven't really typed a light-hearted blog for awhile, so today I am going to attempt to correct that. Before I go on, just a brief ramble on a new TV show I've been watching called HEROES. It's about people across the world discovering that they have superpowers and how they deal with their discoveries whilst at the same time there is a conspiracy to try and capture them and exploit their powers. Certain people seem to realise their powers before they themselves have developed them. It's only 4 episodes in and is very intriguing. The range of powers is diverse, a cheerleader who is immortal, policeman who can hear peoples thoughts, a Chinese dude with the ability to teleport and the druggie who paints the future whilst high on heroin! Definitely worth watching.
A while back I received a comment on my blog about MTL from someone called Jughead. She's recently moved to Scotland with her husband who, surprise surprise, is a dentist. While he works she's stuck in the middle of nowhere, so I promised I'd type about them to keep her entertained whilst she is away.
The nickname Jughead is from the character of the same name in the Archie comics, and that goes some way to describing her, although I must add she's not quite as doozy as the character in the comics. These were comics we read when we were younger, the difference being that she still reads them! With a different noise everytime she laughs, you definitely know when she's about. Jughead is actually my aunt, although she is two years younger than me! Work that out! My dad is her first cousin, therefore making her my aunt.
Living in the same town, we grew up together and were very good friends. Our families interacted well and it was a fun childhood. I'd like to think that we drifted apart when I went to uni, but looking back, it was a lot earlier than that, during the time I became a social recluse at the age of 16-17. It was only after I moved back home after finishing uni, did we become good friends again. Obviously being family meant we kept in touch at various family events but now, my wife and I get on extremely well with her and her husband.
This leads me nicely on to the Scottish dentist! The dentist from India who worked in Pizza Hut before moving to Scotland to practice dentistry because it is apparently the only place in the UK where he can get a job! Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? A dentist struggling for work, but I guess that is the situation the NHS has created for many dentists.
Until he got married to Jughead, I barely knew him, only as a cousin of a friend. Jughead got married at the age of 19! She phoned me with the news that she was to get engaged in March 2001. I was happy for her, but didn't really know what to make of her husband because I didn't know him. He was a guy from India who had been introduced to Jughead via family contacts and they got married at the end of the same year. I had seen him briefly in 2000, but had no idea what type of person he was.
When they returned to the UK after marriage, I still didn't get to know Scottish dentist mainly because I was away at uni and maintaining my reclusive tendencies, but he seemed a nice and decent bloke. Now, I hate using 'nice' as a descriptive term, but I just didn't know him, so nice seemed the best word to describe him. Since those early days, I've gotten to know him really well and he really is a nice and decent bloke! Although I don't like to use it, 'nice' is the best way to describe him! He won't like me using it either, he hates the word almost as much as the word 'cozy,' but that's another story!
It's only since getting married and moving back home have my wife and I got close to Jughead and Scottish dentist. They live only 2mins away and we spend a lot of time socialising, chilling and relaxing in each others' homes. They also get on extremely well with Miss LMA and MTL, often getting in the way of our interactions! It's a lot more peaceful when they're not there! MTL, I know you're fuming as you read this, but you also know its true, so take a deep breath and calm down!
It was a big surprise when they announced they were moving to Scotland for a short period with a view to moving there for the next 3-4years. They left this weekend and it's been quite weird without them. Usually we would meet at least twice a week and just chill out, but now that is no longer possible. At the risk of sounding sissy, I actually miss them! For the time being, Scottish dentist seems to be finding the most complicated way to practice dentistry. He's working 4 days a week in Scotland and then after finishing his surgery on Thursday evening, drives over 430miles to come back home. He then works Friday and Saturday at his previous practice before returning to Scotland on Sunday morning! I always complain about feeling tired, but I can't imagine how tiring that is proving to be!
Eventually, next month, he won't have work at his old practice and will stay in Scotland till early next year. He plans to scope the area with a view to starting his own practice, simply because it is almost impossible to do so locally. Therefore we have till the turn of the year to make sure he realises how crap it is living in Scotland - I am already making plans! Jughead, you can help as well! Actually on a serious note, it's extremely praiseworthy that she has gone along with the plans to move when it would've been much easier for her to stay put.
Before I finish, I've realised that I haven't spoken much about Jughead. She's easily the wackiest auntie I have! She is a very genuine and caring person, and my wife and she have become very close friends. She's also extremely close to Miss LMA and MTL, much more so than me, and has been there for them in times of need which I am extremely grateful for, and hopefully she will continue to do so via the telephone, making my job easier!
To conclude, I will be trying many things to make sure they don't move to Scotland on a long-term basis. Jughead as you read this, look around you, anyone you know? Dark and cloudy outside? It's going to be like that all the time! Scottish dentist, how can you tolerate the accent of all your patients? Who you going to chill with? It's not going to work! Plus, my wife and I will find replacements, how are you going to feel then? Don't want that to happen now do you?! I'm just joking around, but there is some seriousness behind it all. It would be a big shame if they actually go through with it and move, but in the meantime, let's see what can be done!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
PS Jughead, make sure you leave a comment or few! Scottish dentist, a comment would be nice, but I know you have a phobia of keyboards!
Reading through my past few blogs and they've been very political/religious in nature, I haven't really typed a light-hearted blog for awhile, so today I am going to attempt to correct that. Before I go on, just a brief ramble on a new TV show I've been watching called HEROES. It's about people across the world discovering that they have superpowers and how they deal with their discoveries whilst at the same time there is a conspiracy to try and capture them and exploit their powers. Certain people seem to realise their powers before they themselves have developed them. It's only 4 episodes in and is very intriguing. The range of powers is diverse, a cheerleader who is immortal, policeman who can hear peoples thoughts, a Chinese dude with the ability to teleport and the druggie who paints the future whilst high on heroin! Definitely worth watching.
A while back I received a comment on my blog about MTL from someone called Jughead. She's recently moved to Scotland with her husband who, surprise surprise, is a dentist. While he works she's stuck in the middle of nowhere, so I promised I'd type about them to keep her entertained whilst she is away.
The nickname Jughead is from the character of the same name in the Archie comics, and that goes some way to describing her, although I must add she's not quite as doozy as the character in the comics. These were comics we read when we were younger, the difference being that she still reads them! With a different noise everytime she laughs, you definitely know when she's about. Jughead is actually my aunt, although she is two years younger than me! Work that out! My dad is her first cousin, therefore making her my aunt.
Living in the same town, we grew up together and were very good friends. Our families interacted well and it was a fun childhood. I'd like to think that we drifted apart when I went to uni, but looking back, it was a lot earlier than that, during the time I became a social recluse at the age of 16-17. It was only after I moved back home after finishing uni, did we become good friends again. Obviously being family meant we kept in touch at various family events but now, my wife and I get on extremely well with her and her husband.
This leads me nicely on to the Scottish dentist! The dentist from India who worked in Pizza Hut before moving to Scotland to practice dentistry because it is apparently the only place in the UK where he can get a job! Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? A dentist struggling for work, but I guess that is the situation the NHS has created for many dentists.
Until he got married to Jughead, I barely knew him, only as a cousin of a friend. Jughead got married at the age of 19! She phoned me with the news that she was to get engaged in March 2001. I was happy for her, but didn't really know what to make of her husband because I didn't know him. He was a guy from India who had been introduced to Jughead via family contacts and they got married at the end of the same year. I had seen him briefly in 2000, but had no idea what type of person he was.
When they returned to the UK after marriage, I still didn't get to know Scottish dentist mainly because I was away at uni and maintaining my reclusive tendencies, but he seemed a nice and decent bloke. Now, I hate using 'nice' as a descriptive term, but I just didn't know him, so nice seemed the best word to describe him. Since those early days, I've gotten to know him really well and he really is a nice and decent bloke! Although I don't like to use it, 'nice' is the best way to describe him! He won't like me using it either, he hates the word almost as much as the word 'cozy,' but that's another story!
It's only since getting married and moving back home have my wife and I got close to Jughead and Scottish dentist. They live only 2mins away and we spend a lot of time socialising, chilling and relaxing in each others' homes. They also get on extremely well with Miss LMA and MTL, often getting in the way of our interactions! It's a lot more peaceful when they're not there! MTL, I know you're fuming as you read this, but you also know its true, so take a deep breath and calm down!
It was a big surprise when they announced they were moving to Scotland for a short period with a view to moving there for the next 3-4years. They left this weekend and it's been quite weird without them. Usually we would meet at least twice a week and just chill out, but now that is no longer possible. At the risk of sounding sissy, I actually miss them! For the time being, Scottish dentist seems to be finding the most complicated way to practice dentistry. He's working 4 days a week in Scotland and then after finishing his surgery on Thursday evening, drives over 430miles to come back home. He then works Friday and Saturday at his previous practice before returning to Scotland on Sunday morning! I always complain about feeling tired, but I can't imagine how tiring that is proving to be!
Eventually, next month, he won't have work at his old practice and will stay in Scotland till early next year. He plans to scope the area with a view to starting his own practice, simply because it is almost impossible to do so locally. Therefore we have till the turn of the year to make sure he realises how crap it is living in Scotland - I am already making plans! Jughead, you can help as well! Actually on a serious note, it's extremely praiseworthy that she has gone along with the plans to move when it would've been much easier for her to stay put.
Before I finish, I've realised that I haven't spoken much about Jughead. She's easily the wackiest auntie I have! She is a very genuine and caring person, and my wife and she have become very close friends. She's also extremely close to Miss LMA and MTL, much more so than me, and has been there for them in times of need which I am extremely grateful for, and hopefully she will continue to do so via the telephone, making my job easier!
To conclude, I will be trying many things to make sure they don't move to Scotland on a long-term basis. Jughead as you read this, look around you, anyone you know? Dark and cloudy outside? It's going to be like that all the time! Scottish dentist, how can you tolerate the accent of all your patients? Who you going to chill with? It's not going to work! Plus, my wife and I will find replacements, how are you going to feel then? Don't want that to happen now do you?! I'm just joking around, but there is some seriousness behind it all. It would be a big shame if they actually go through with it and move, but in the meantime, let's see what can be done!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
PS Jughead, make sure you leave a comment or few! Scottish dentist, a comment would be nice, but I know you have a phobia of keyboards!
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Night of Power
Only a brief blog today, mainly because I was up till 4am and had to skip my morning surgery to catch up on my sleep. I am writing this blog in a tiny gap between the missed surgery and an afternoon one starting at 2pm. Therefore I want to briefly explain why I was up till 4am last night.
Last night was the 23rd night of Ramadan, otherwise known as Lailatul-Qadr, which translates to the Night of Power. It is thought to be the most likely night when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet, although no-one is 100% certain, as I explained in the "Refresh yourself" blog. It is a night spent in prayer, remembering God and seeking his forgiveness, a chance to start afresh.
God describes the night best in the Quran when he states "We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morning!" (Quran, Surah 97).
It is this spirituality which is unique for the muslims. Christians can claim to have it with Lent, Jews can claim to have it with the Day of Atonement, but it just doesn't compare. Last night was a chance for all muslims to get closer to God, to ask for forgiveness and blessings and God in his infinite mercy will grant to whomsoever deserves his forgiveness and blessings.
It is also a night which helps develops ones faith in God and in his religion. I for one found it extremely revitalising. It can be tiring, but knowing that there is an opportunity to obtain an abundance of God's mercy and blessing is the main motivating factor of the night. To put it rather simplistically, muslims are constantly striving to gain God's blessings and forgiveness and to avoid sin and punishment. Hence, I like to look at it as a credit system, making sure I have more good credits than bad credits. With this mind, last night was a chance to boost my good credits and also a chance to decrease the bad credits.
However, what I also used to think was that it was just a ritual which had to be done and then we would get the due credit. That is not the intention of the night. God will only listen to those who are sincere. Those who understand the importance of the night. It is this understanding that I hope to have achieved last night. It is this understanding that maintains my faith. Otherwise it becomes a religion of rituals, as long as we do the prescribed commands of God, we can get away with everything else. As long as we believe in God, that is enough. It is not as simple as that and rightly so, as God explains "Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false." (Quran, Surah 29, Verses 2-3).
Life is a constant test and therefore we continually need to strive to seek God's blessing and forgiveness and this can not be done merely by performing prayers as rituals, going through the motions with no feelings. There is no benefit in that. Inshallah, my prayers and duas we're more sincere than last year and hence more accepted. Inshallah all the muslims who prayed last night, throughout the world we're all blessed by God.
I'm going to end it there because I need to leave for work! I hope I've provided a better understanding about the Night of Power, and apologise if it seems haphazard, I am still waking up!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Last night was the 23rd night of Ramadan, otherwise known as Lailatul-Qadr, which translates to the Night of Power. It is thought to be the most likely night when the Quran was revealed to the Prophet, although no-one is 100% certain, as I explained in the "Refresh yourself" blog. It is a night spent in prayer, remembering God and seeking his forgiveness, a chance to start afresh.
God describes the night best in the Quran when he states "We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: Peace!...This until the rise of morning!" (Quran, Surah 97).
It is this spirituality which is unique for the muslims. Christians can claim to have it with Lent, Jews can claim to have it with the Day of Atonement, but it just doesn't compare. Last night was a chance for all muslims to get closer to God, to ask for forgiveness and blessings and God in his infinite mercy will grant to whomsoever deserves his forgiveness and blessings.
It is also a night which helps develops ones faith in God and in his religion. I for one found it extremely revitalising. It can be tiring, but knowing that there is an opportunity to obtain an abundance of God's mercy and blessing is the main motivating factor of the night. To put it rather simplistically, muslims are constantly striving to gain God's blessings and forgiveness and to avoid sin and punishment. Hence, I like to look at it as a credit system, making sure I have more good credits than bad credits. With this mind, last night was a chance to boost my good credits and also a chance to decrease the bad credits.
However, what I also used to think was that it was just a ritual which had to be done and then we would get the due credit. That is not the intention of the night. God will only listen to those who are sincere. Those who understand the importance of the night. It is this understanding that I hope to have achieved last night. It is this understanding that maintains my faith. Otherwise it becomes a religion of rituals, as long as we do the prescribed commands of God, we can get away with everything else. As long as we believe in God, that is enough. It is not as simple as that and rightly so, as God explains "Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested? We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false." (Quran, Surah 29, Verses 2-3).
Life is a constant test and therefore we continually need to strive to seek God's blessing and forgiveness and this can not be done merely by performing prayers as rituals, going through the motions with no feelings. There is no benefit in that. Inshallah, my prayers and duas we're more sincere than last year and hence more accepted. Inshallah all the muslims who prayed last night, throughout the world we're all blessed by God.
I'm going to end it there because I need to leave for work! I hope I've provided a better understanding about the Night of Power, and apologise if it seems haphazard, I am still waking up!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Monday, October 16, 2006
Fightback needs to start
Welcome back after the weekend as I start the 5th week of this blog. Feeling run down, with a headache and my nose blocked so already struggling to type much, but I guess I'll somehow manage to get something down! My average is still over 1000 words, but I guess it's time to provide some quality with the words, sometimes the blogs have been about the quantity and hence the quality has suffered, but it will always be a working progress, so I will continue to improve as time passes.
Before I go on, I've got to mention the football (only one paragraph this time, so skip to the next one if you don't want to read about it). The disappointment continues, after stating that the season is already over last month I continue to harbor hope which continues to be dashed! We can't win the Premiership this season, 8 points behind at this stage and Man Utd this Sunday, it does not look good. The fact that I can't stop hoping is what being a supporter is all about I guess. It would be easier to stop following Liverpool altogether now that the Premiership is out of my their reach, and as much as my wife would like that to happen, it's just impossible to do so! I wish it could be different; I have to at least try!
Swiftly moving on, and I unwittingly revealed the existence of this blog to someone on Sunday! Although he knows it exists, he doesn't know the address, so the challenge is to see whether he'll find it! He's extremely resourceful and I'm certain he'll find it sometime this week, but it'll be interesting to see how long he takes to find it! I was reluctant to tell him about the blog because some of the topics (especially the political ones) I've written about, have been based on ideas by him and I guess now I'll have to wait and see what he thinks when he reads them!
At the end of the day, we've always spoken about certain topics with a view to doing something proactive about it and never gotten round to it. I guess keeping a blog is a good way of doing that. I'm not as knowledgeable on certain aspects so I nick some of his ideas and try to develop it further in this blog. When he finds it, we should be able to develop it further, but in the meantime, it'll be fun to see how long he takes.
As I was driving to work this morning, I was thinking about what topic to type about and struggling to come up with any ideas. I was listening to Radio 4 and 5Live and it wasn't long before a topic came up. The presenter on 5Live was going through today's newspaper headlines; Daily Express: muslim teacher wearing the veil should be sacked, The Independent: map of muslim extremist centres in Britain and The Guardian: university staff to spy on muslim students.
Everywhere I look there is yet another attack on muslims in this country. It's an absolute disgrace. It's just one thing after another and has become really disheartening. The mainstream media just continues to cover negative and heavily critical and biased news against muslims and has created such harmful vibes against muslims throughout the country. After 9/11, the attacks on muslims have grown steadily, and I used to be quite blasé about it, thinking that it would never affect me and other muslims, the majority of whom carry on with their lives, contributing great deals to the British economy and society. That viewpoint has changed drastically and now I really worry about the status of muslims in this country.
There is no doubt in my mind that there is now a concentrated effort by the majority of media outlets to try and get as much negative coverage about muslims as possible. Every newspaper, radio show or TV news show seems to have unhelpful or unconstructive topics about muslims. It all appears to serve one purpose, to create as much anti-muslim, islamophobic feelings as possible throughout the nation.
I've yet to meet anyone who has had a problem with me because I'm a muslim, but I have heard others people mention anti-muslim feeling directed towards them for no reason and I now think it is only a matter of time before it happens to me. Why has it worked out like this? Why such a concentrated effort to try and condemn muslims?
The religion of Islam is a completely peaceful religion which like many other religions has been misinterpreted to gross degrees by certain muslims which have led to some of the atrocities around the world. What must be understood is that the people who carry out such atrocities are not muslims. They have no right to call themselves muslims. There is no where in Islam which justifies such violence, death and destruction which has been caused across the globe. It is a travesty that such acts are apparently held in the name of Islam.
It has all stemmed from this. The government has made token efforts to try and present a view that it is only the extremist muslims that they are after and the rest of the muslim community should be praised and treated no differently to others, and then on the other side continue to release reports of disharmony with the muslim community due to certain values, the veil being the most recent.
I know I've spoken about it a couple of times already, but this veil issue is really getting carried away. Note how they no longer speak about the nikkab, it is only the veil that is mentioned, which includes both the face covering and the headscarf. The media are purposely trying to get it into our heads that the veil is wrong and that includes the headscarf. A teacher has recently been suspended because she refused to remove her nikkab. Is the school trying to say that she can no longer impart knowledge to her students because of the nikkab? She's been employed there whilst wearing the nikkab and all of a sudden she has lost the ability to teach? What would they prefer? A teacher who wears revealing clothes in a classroom of teenage boys? How much teaching would be achieved then? What a gross overreaction!
Issues like this are just touching the surface. The coverage has become immense, and all of it negative. Did you know a muslim recently won the Nobel Peace Prize? I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't, such has been the limited coverage about it. I only heard it as a footnote last week on the main 6pm news on 5Live and then had to look it up online.
Something needs to be done. Whenever there’s any criticism against other faiths, you quickly hear of people coming out and condemning the views and preventing the issues getting out of hand. There seems to be none of that with regard to muslims. Often prominent muslims are asked to express their views, but nothing changes, their views are placed to one side and the situation carries on as normal. My friend, who I mentioned earlier, works in the media and is constantly striving to put across a fairer viewpoint, with more coverage for more muslims, but it needs to be more widespread, one person or channel can only do so much.
The media cover, for now, is out of our control. What needs to happen is some common ground to be found amongst the muslims and for organisations to form which can then represent the muslim view for the public. The Muslim Council of Britain is one such organisation, but it is poorly managed. I've tried to join it for sometime in an attempt to have some input from a medical point of view and have been unsuccessful. With so much time on my hands, I am keen to try to get the muslim viewpoint across. This blog is a way of doing that, but not many people read it at this stage. I want to have more of an input and need to find avenues that will make that possible. The muslims need to unite together in an effort to stop all this negative coverage or at least start having a comeback against the coverage.
Until we fight back and present Islam's true values, the criticism will continue. Something needs to be done and fast otherwise things are only going to get worse. It is easy for us to sit at home and carry on with our normal lives, I used to feel that way, but the more I think about it the more I realise that it's only going to get worse. Will you be surprised if the government starts to press for laws against the veil? No, so it needs to be stopped and stopped fast! In the meantime what are your views on the subject? How do you feel about the coverage that muslims get in the media? Any ideas on how to respond? I need more people to read this blog!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Before I go on, I've got to mention the football (only one paragraph this time, so skip to the next one if you don't want to read about it). The disappointment continues, after stating that the season is already over last month I continue to harbor hope which continues to be dashed! We can't win the Premiership this season, 8 points behind at this stage and Man Utd this Sunday, it does not look good. The fact that I can't stop hoping is what being a supporter is all about I guess. It would be easier to stop following Liverpool altogether now that the Premiership is out of my their reach, and as much as my wife would like that to happen, it's just impossible to do so! I wish it could be different; I have to at least try!
Swiftly moving on, and I unwittingly revealed the existence of this blog to someone on Sunday! Although he knows it exists, he doesn't know the address, so the challenge is to see whether he'll find it! He's extremely resourceful and I'm certain he'll find it sometime this week, but it'll be interesting to see how long he takes to find it! I was reluctant to tell him about the blog because some of the topics (especially the political ones) I've written about, have been based on ideas by him and I guess now I'll have to wait and see what he thinks when he reads them!
At the end of the day, we've always spoken about certain topics with a view to doing something proactive about it and never gotten round to it. I guess keeping a blog is a good way of doing that. I'm not as knowledgeable on certain aspects so I nick some of his ideas and try to develop it further in this blog. When he finds it, we should be able to develop it further, but in the meantime, it'll be fun to see how long he takes.
As I was driving to work this morning, I was thinking about what topic to type about and struggling to come up with any ideas. I was listening to Radio 4 and 5Live and it wasn't long before a topic came up. The presenter on 5Live was going through today's newspaper headlines; Daily Express: muslim teacher wearing the veil should be sacked, The Independent: map of muslim extremist centres in Britain and The Guardian: university staff to spy on muslim students.
Everywhere I look there is yet another attack on muslims in this country. It's an absolute disgrace. It's just one thing after another and has become really disheartening. The mainstream media just continues to cover negative and heavily critical and biased news against muslims and has created such harmful vibes against muslims throughout the country. After 9/11, the attacks on muslims have grown steadily, and I used to be quite blasé about it, thinking that it would never affect me and other muslims, the majority of whom carry on with their lives, contributing great deals to the British economy and society. That viewpoint has changed drastically and now I really worry about the status of muslims in this country.
There is no doubt in my mind that there is now a concentrated effort by the majority of media outlets to try and get as much negative coverage about muslims as possible. Every newspaper, radio show or TV news show seems to have unhelpful or unconstructive topics about muslims. It all appears to serve one purpose, to create as much anti-muslim, islamophobic feelings as possible throughout the nation.
I've yet to meet anyone who has had a problem with me because I'm a muslim, but I have heard others people mention anti-muslim feeling directed towards them for no reason and I now think it is only a matter of time before it happens to me. Why has it worked out like this? Why such a concentrated effort to try and condemn muslims?
The religion of Islam is a completely peaceful religion which like many other religions has been misinterpreted to gross degrees by certain muslims which have led to some of the atrocities around the world. What must be understood is that the people who carry out such atrocities are not muslims. They have no right to call themselves muslims. There is no where in Islam which justifies such violence, death and destruction which has been caused across the globe. It is a travesty that such acts are apparently held in the name of Islam.
It has all stemmed from this. The government has made token efforts to try and present a view that it is only the extremist muslims that they are after and the rest of the muslim community should be praised and treated no differently to others, and then on the other side continue to release reports of disharmony with the muslim community due to certain values, the veil being the most recent.
I know I've spoken about it a couple of times already, but this veil issue is really getting carried away. Note how they no longer speak about the nikkab, it is only the veil that is mentioned, which includes both the face covering and the headscarf. The media are purposely trying to get it into our heads that the veil is wrong and that includes the headscarf. A teacher has recently been suspended because she refused to remove her nikkab. Is the school trying to say that she can no longer impart knowledge to her students because of the nikkab? She's been employed there whilst wearing the nikkab and all of a sudden she has lost the ability to teach? What would they prefer? A teacher who wears revealing clothes in a classroom of teenage boys? How much teaching would be achieved then? What a gross overreaction!
Issues like this are just touching the surface. The coverage has become immense, and all of it negative. Did you know a muslim recently won the Nobel Peace Prize? I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't, such has been the limited coverage about it. I only heard it as a footnote last week on the main 6pm news on 5Live and then had to look it up online.
Something needs to be done. Whenever there’s any criticism against other faiths, you quickly hear of people coming out and condemning the views and preventing the issues getting out of hand. There seems to be none of that with regard to muslims. Often prominent muslims are asked to express their views, but nothing changes, their views are placed to one side and the situation carries on as normal. My friend, who I mentioned earlier, works in the media and is constantly striving to put across a fairer viewpoint, with more coverage for more muslims, but it needs to be more widespread, one person or channel can only do so much.
The media cover, for now, is out of our control. What needs to happen is some common ground to be found amongst the muslims and for organisations to form which can then represent the muslim view for the public. The Muslim Council of Britain is one such organisation, but it is poorly managed. I've tried to join it for sometime in an attempt to have some input from a medical point of view and have been unsuccessful. With so much time on my hands, I am keen to try to get the muslim viewpoint across. This blog is a way of doing that, but not many people read it at this stage. I want to have more of an input and need to find avenues that will make that possible. The muslims need to unite together in an effort to stop all this negative coverage or at least start having a comeback against the coverage.
Until we fight back and present Islam's true values, the criticism will continue. Something needs to be done and fast otherwise things are only going to get worse. It is easy for us to sit at home and carry on with our normal lives, I used to feel that way, but the more I think about it the more I realise that it's only going to get worse. Will you be surprised if the government starts to press for laws against the veil? No, so it needs to be stopped and stopped fast! In the meantime what are your views on the subject? How do you feel about the coverage that muslims get in the media? Any ideas on how to respond? I need more people to read this blog!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Friday, October 13, 2006
Complacency in general practice
Friday has arrived and with it I celebrate my 20th blog entry. Quite a milestone. It has been quite enjoyable typing this blog every weekday for the past 4 weeks and long may it continue. Being Friday means, as you all know by now, I am shattered! It is so difficult getting up in the mornings on Friday. Thank God it's a half day - my next job, starting in February, will be in A&E, and my hours then will be absolutely crazy, something I am not looking forward to at all! I'm guessing it'll be extremely difficult to keep my blog up-to-date. But, for now, that's a long way away.
I mentioned yesterday that I haven't spoke about my work for some time, mainly because not much interesting has happened. One thing I've noticed is that the cold season is upon us! At least 50% of my consultations are people with a cold, blocked nose, cough, feeling 'fluey.' All turn up after a couple of days of feeling run-down and all receive the same advice! "It takes time to get better, continue with rest, fluids and analgesia!" Pretty straightforward, but no-one seems to try that first. I really appreciate it when patients come in having tried all that without any improvement, which would suggest more serious infections, and I can then actually help them get better.
Unfortunately, sometimes this leads to complacency on my part. Due to the repetitive nature of the complaints, repeating the same advice gets tedious and can lead to mistakes. Such an event occurred last week. I saw a gentleman whose main complaint was earache for the last couple of days preceded by feeling 'fluey.' Like most patients, he hadn't taken anything for the pain and wanted it checked out. I automatically assumed the earache was a result of the untreated cold he was suffering from and began my usual spiel about getting plenty of rest, taking painkillers and see how it goes.
I then looked in his ears; they were bunged up with wax, so much so it was visible on the outside. It was a surprise he could hear what I was saying! It's not usual to have so much wax so I spoke to my trainer for some advice, who also checked it out. At the same time he noted that he was sweating profusely and was tachycardic (fast pulse rate) which suggested that something more serious was going on. I checked his blood pressure which was raised and he had a temperature of 40C. My trainer pointed out that he was diabetic, something I had forgotten to check! This all pointed to a severe infection which could lead to serious damage, especially in his ears, because of the diabetes. He needed a long course of some pretty strong antibiotics.
I saw him again this Monday and thankfully he was much better, the wax was still there, but he no longer had a temperature and his blood pressure was normal. Now, in my defense, I would like to think that I was about to check the temperature and pulse after consulting with my trainer about the ears and would've picked up on the severity of the infection. I should have realised he was diabetic, but the trainer had the advantage of knowing the patient for quite some time and already knew his medical history. What I was disappointed with was my attitude. Each patient is different, and I should never have gotten so complacent. In my head, as soon as he explained what the problem was, I was getting ready to sputter out the same advice and move on to the next patient. It was a good wake up call, because no damage was done and the patient improved.
Incidentally, the next patient I saw also had a cold, but also had had a splenectomy (spleen removed) when she was a child and hence had no defensive barrier to infection. She had to go to hospital for further investigations and a course of intravenous antibiotics. My attitude was different from the beginning of the consultation, and although I wouldn't have missed the importance of her condition had I seen her previously, my whole outlook was much better.
I guess it's important these events happen, as long as nothing too damaging come about from it. The problem arises when any complacency leads to mistakes which then lead to the ultimate mistake - death! Thankfully, that has never happened, but I need to make sure that I do my best all the time to ensure the risk of that happening is kept to a minimum!
Take care all, and have a good weekend,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
I mentioned yesterday that I haven't spoke about my work for some time, mainly because not much interesting has happened. One thing I've noticed is that the cold season is upon us! At least 50% of my consultations are people with a cold, blocked nose, cough, feeling 'fluey.' All turn up after a couple of days of feeling run-down and all receive the same advice! "It takes time to get better, continue with rest, fluids and analgesia!" Pretty straightforward, but no-one seems to try that first. I really appreciate it when patients come in having tried all that without any improvement, which would suggest more serious infections, and I can then actually help them get better.
Unfortunately, sometimes this leads to complacency on my part. Due to the repetitive nature of the complaints, repeating the same advice gets tedious and can lead to mistakes. Such an event occurred last week. I saw a gentleman whose main complaint was earache for the last couple of days preceded by feeling 'fluey.' Like most patients, he hadn't taken anything for the pain and wanted it checked out. I automatically assumed the earache was a result of the untreated cold he was suffering from and began my usual spiel about getting plenty of rest, taking painkillers and see how it goes.
I then looked in his ears; they were bunged up with wax, so much so it was visible on the outside. It was a surprise he could hear what I was saying! It's not usual to have so much wax so I spoke to my trainer for some advice, who also checked it out. At the same time he noted that he was sweating profusely and was tachycardic (fast pulse rate) which suggested that something more serious was going on. I checked his blood pressure which was raised and he had a temperature of 40C. My trainer pointed out that he was diabetic, something I had forgotten to check! This all pointed to a severe infection which could lead to serious damage, especially in his ears, because of the diabetes. He needed a long course of some pretty strong antibiotics.
I saw him again this Monday and thankfully he was much better, the wax was still there, but he no longer had a temperature and his blood pressure was normal. Now, in my defense, I would like to think that I was about to check the temperature and pulse after consulting with my trainer about the ears and would've picked up on the severity of the infection. I should have realised he was diabetic, but the trainer had the advantage of knowing the patient for quite some time and already knew his medical history. What I was disappointed with was my attitude. Each patient is different, and I should never have gotten so complacent. In my head, as soon as he explained what the problem was, I was getting ready to sputter out the same advice and move on to the next patient. It was a good wake up call, because no damage was done and the patient improved.
Incidentally, the next patient I saw also had a cold, but also had had a splenectomy (spleen removed) when she was a child and hence had no defensive barrier to infection. She had to go to hospital for further investigations and a course of intravenous antibiotics. My attitude was different from the beginning of the consultation, and although I wouldn't have missed the importance of her condition had I seen her previously, my whole outlook was much better.
I guess it's important these events happen, as long as nothing too damaging come about from it. The problem arises when any complacency leads to mistakes which then lead to the ultimate mistake - death! Thankfully, that has never happened, but I need to make sure that I do my best all the time to ensure the risk of that happening is kept to a minimum!
Take care all, and have a good weekend,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Instilling the faith
I'm getting more and more irritated as the debate over the veil continues to dominate the news this past week. Other politicians have come out in support of Jack Straw's claims including Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and even muslims are joining the bandwagon! Most disgraceful of all, was an article I read by Saira Khan (loser in the first series of 'The Apprentice') in The Times on Monday. She claims that women are mostly forced to wear the veil and if they continue to do so then there is no place in the UK for them and they should go live in an Islamic state. She also, unforgivably, states that there is no mention in the Quran of the veil, which just goes to show her absolute ignorance! It really p****d me off. Who the hell is she to make such viscous claims?
The Quran clearly states the role of the hijab on women and men: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." (Quran Surah 24, Verse 31) "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty..." (Quran Surah 24, Verse 32). It is absolutely ridiculous that people can make such claims and the more I think about it the more irritated I get. What served to irritate me even more was an interview with Salman Rushdie who said "...the problem is that veils suck...” What a complete moron! Why do the media even try to seek his views? He's not a muslim and he's never going to support any Islamic ideals.
Anyway, I better move on from this as I am in danger of getting carried away! I've already spoken about the issue, so for more information, please read my blog titled "Convenient interference." It really gets me down to see this constant muslim-bashing in the media and now the government are joining in. Really disappointing.
I've spoken in my blogs about how Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It is a month when all muslims are given the chance to get closer to God, seek forgiveness and renew our faith. It is this very faith in God which forms the core of every muslim. Without it we are lost, there is no point in life. A lack of faith is the main source of problems in society. Lack of faith leads to crimes against humanity, social problems, atheism and a general lack of purpose. What is the point in living without purpose? A lack of faith means people do whatever they want, which leads to the problems mentioned above and many more.
Lack of faith is also a big problem within the muslim community itself. Many people claim to believe in God, but that's about it. It's easy to say that, but it then means you have to follow the rules and guidelines set by God. Not having the faith in God means the guidelines set are not followed, out of convenience. We pick and choose what to follow and what to ignore.
So where do we get the faith from? I'm a firm believer that the majority of faith comes from our upbringing. Parents have a lot of pressure to make sure their children have a healthy faith in God which then governs their behaviour. I believe it is the faith instilled by our parents which then helps us develop faith by ourselves as we get older and more independent. However, to develop our faith independently, it requires the initial push from our parents and because everyone is different, some require a stronger push than others.
My ideas are not 100% full-proof and there are always exceptions, but from personal experience I believe a lot of the issues families face (including my own) arise from how much faith was instilled by the parents. Across my extended family I see examples of parents not instilling faith and the resulting consequences and parents promoting faith in God and reaping the benefits.
I honestly believe that many of the problems that I touched upon in my blog titled ""Family politics" are a direct result of a lack of faith. It is this lack of faith which has meant that people have gone down many wrong paths and continued to make mistakes which have only served to cause more and more anguish for their parents. Now, I'm not perfect and have made mistakes in the past, but it's always been my faith that has brought me back to reality and helped me realise what I need to do to change and correct myself. When I see certain people engage in activities which are just completely and utterly wrong and then continue to do so, it is mainly because they don't have the faith in God. They never learn from their mistakes. The lack of faith means there is no guilt in what they do, or if there is, then it is quickly forgotten.
From the outside looking in - and I'm about to sound extremely judgmental - the people who continue to make mistakes and cause tension are the same people whose parents have not instilled a great deal of faith in them from an early age! The focus has been on anything but religion. These people have suffered as a result, and then in turn their parents have suffered and so the circle as been completed.
To complete the argument, looking at other members of the family where these problems don't seem to exist, the converse applies. Parents have appeared to raise their children with a great deal of faith which has lead to fewer problems in the future. The way I look at it, I've been provided with great examples of what not to do, but also of what TO do and hopefully I'll be able to learn from other's mistakes and successes and apply them to raising my own children inshallah.
There are also exceptions which seem to confound these observations. Sometimes I believe that I myself am an exception. I'd like to think that I have good amount of faith and it has always kept me in check. However, looking back, I'm not sure whether that is a result of my upbringing. I can't honestly remember having a great deal of faith instilled in me by my parents. I'm certain that Miss LMA and MTL haven't either, and it shows in their actions on different levels. However what has been different between us is that my parents have been firmer with me. They may not have instilled faith directly, but did so by making sure I attended religious school every Sunday for almost 10 years. During that time I made sure I learned a lot about my religion at the school. Miss LMA and MTL both attended, but quit much earlier and were never keen to learn anything and were always looking for excuses to skip classes.
When I look back, perhaps it was the school which helped to develop my faith and encouraged me to develop it further once I had left, or maybe it was something else. But, if I'm honest with myself, I can't actually remember much of it coming from my parents. Perhaps I'm the exception. I don't want to send out the wrong idea, that I've become this deeply religious person, with bucket loads of faith off my own back, but I'm not sure about the role my parents have played. At worst, they indirectly instilled the faith by making sure I attended the school and maybe that has proved to be enough? At best, they supplemented that learning with teaching of their own which I've been too ignorant or selfish to realise. I really don't know.
My wife, in contrast, is someone who has been raised with a lot of faith in her life. She has constantly been reminded of her responsibilities and duties as a muslim, constantly told what she can and can't do because of her religion and this has resulted in a person extremely committed to her faith and her qualities and attitudes have shone through as a result.
She also wears hijab, and coming back to the first couple of paragraphs, I can only praise her for continuing to do so. With the way the government is portraying women who wear hijab, life can only get more difficult for her, and I know she has the strength to see it through and will inshallah succeed despite these hurdles, mainly on account of her faith in God and as a result, God will help her achieve whatever she wants.
I think that how much faith we have determines the type of people we are and the main source of this faith is from our upbringing. The majority of people who haven't had this faith instilled suffer and those who do continue to benefit from it. This has all been based on observations by me and I could be entirely wrong, but I thought I might as well write about it! After all, it's what my blog is here for!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
The Quran clearly states the role of the hijab on women and men: "Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: And Allah is well acquainted with all that they do." (Quran Surah 24, Verse 31) "And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty..." (Quran Surah 24, Verse 32). It is absolutely ridiculous that people can make such claims and the more I think about it the more irritated I get. What served to irritate me even more was an interview with Salman Rushdie who said "...the problem is that veils suck...” What a complete moron! Why do the media even try to seek his views? He's not a muslim and he's never going to support any Islamic ideals.
Anyway, I better move on from this as I am in danger of getting carried away! I've already spoken about the issue, so for more information, please read my blog titled "Convenient interference." It really gets me down to see this constant muslim-bashing in the media and now the government are joining in. Really disappointing.
I've spoken in my blogs about how Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. It is a month when all muslims are given the chance to get closer to God, seek forgiveness and renew our faith. It is this very faith in God which forms the core of every muslim. Without it we are lost, there is no point in life. A lack of faith is the main source of problems in society. Lack of faith leads to crimes against humanity, social problems, atheism and a general lack of purpose. What is the point in living without purpose? A lack of faith means people do whatever they want, which leads to the problems mentioned above and many more.
Lack of faith is also a big problem within the muslim community itself. Many people claim to believe in God, but that's about it. It's easy to say that, but it then means you have to follow the rules and guidelines set by God. Not having the faith in God means the guidelines set are not followed, out of convenience. We pick and choose what to follow and what to ignore.
So where do we get the faith from? I'm a firm believer that the majority of faith comes from our upbringing. Parents have a lot of pressure to make sure their children have a healthy faith in God which then governs their behaviour. I believe it is the faith instilled by our parents which then helps us develop faith by ourselves as we get older and more independent. However, to develop our faith independently, it requires the initial push from our parents and because everyone is different, some require a stronger push than others.
My ideas are not 100% full-proof and there are always exceptions, but from personal experience I believe a lot of the issues families face (including my own) arise from how much faith was instilled by the parents. Across my extended family I see examples of parents not instilling faith and the resulting consequences and parents promoting faith in God and reaping the benefits.
I honestly believe that many of the problems that I touched upon in my blog titled ""Family politics" are a direct result of a lack of faith. It is this lack of faith which has meant that people have gone down many wrong paths and continued to make mistakes which have only served to cause more and more anguish for their parents. Now, I'm not perfect and have made mistakes in the past, but it's always been my faith that has brought me back to reality and helped me realise what I need to do to change and correct myself. When I see certain people engage in activities which are just completely and utterly wrong and then continue to do so, it is mainly because they don't have the faith in God. They never learn from their mistakes. The lack of faith means there is no guilt in what they do, or if there is, then it is quickly forgotten.
From the outside looking in - and I'm about to sound extremely judgmental - the people who continue to make mistakes and cause tension are the same people whose parents have not instilled a great deal of faith in them from an early age! The focus has been on anything but religion. These people have suffered as a result, and then in turn their parents have suffered and so the circle as been completed.
To complete the argument, looking at other members of the family where these problems don't seem to exist, the converse applies. Parents have appeared to raise their children with a great deal of faith which has lead to fewer problems in the future. The way I look at it, I've been provided with great examples of what not to do, but also of what TO do and hopefully I'll be able to learn from other's mistakes and successes and apply them to raising my own children inshallah.
There are also exceptions which seem to confound these observations. Sometimes I believe that I myself am an exception. I'd like to think that I have good amount of faith and it has always kept me in check. However, looking back, I'm not sure whether that is a result of my upbringing. I can't honestly remember having a great deal of faith instilled in me by my parents. I'm certain that Miss LMA and MTL haven't either, and it shows in their actions on different levels. However what has been different between us is that my parents have been firmer with me. They may not have instilled faith directly, but did so by making sure I attended religious school every Sunday for almost 10 years. During that time I made sure I learned a lot about my religion at the school. Miss LMA and MTL both attended, but quit much earlier and were never keen to learn anything and were always looking for excuses to skip classes.
When I look back, perhaps it was the school which helped to develop my faith and encouraged me to develop it further once I had left, or maybe it was something else. But, if I'm honest with myself, I can't actually remember much of it coming from my parents. Perhaps I'm the exception. I don't want to send out the wrong idea, that I've become this deeply religious person, with bucket loads of faith off my own back, but I'm not sure about the role my parents have played. At worst, they indirectly instilled the faith by making sure I attended the school and maybe that has proved to be enough? At best, they supplemented that learning with teaching of their own which I've been too ignorant or selfish to realise. I really don't know.
My wife, in contrast, is someone who has been raised with a lot of faith in her life. She has constantly been reminded of her responsibilities and duties as a muslim, constantly told what she can and can't do because of her religion and this has resulted in a person extremely committed to her faith and her qualities and attitudes have shone through as a result.
She also wears hijab, and coming back to the first couple of paragraphs, I can only praise her for continuing to do so. With the way the government is portraying women who wear hijab, life can only get more difficult for her, and I know she has the strength to see it through and will inshallah succeed despite these hurdles, mainly on account of her faith in God and as a result, God will help her achieve whatever she wants.
I think that how much faith we have determines the type of people we are and the main source of this faith is from our upbringing. The majority of people who haven't had this faith instilled suffer and those who do continue to benefit from it. This has all been based on observations by me and I could be entirely wrong, but I thought I might as well write about it! After all, it's what my blog is here for!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Refresh yourself
We're approaching the nitty gritty part of Ramadan. Only 2 weeks to go and each day becomes more important. This coming weekend Shia's across the world commemorate the martyrdom of our first Imam. Imam Ali was martyred in Kufa, Iraq, and his tomb lies in the city of Najaf - one of the many cities currently being destroyed due to the American-British (and associated allies) occupation of the country. Imam Ali was the appointed successor of the Holy Prophet, a fact denied by the Sunni's leading to many disagreements between the two schools of thought. Not enough people read this blog to start a debate, but needless to say, it is a very contentious issue.
After the weekend, we approach the holiest days of the Islamic calendar. From the 21st of Ramadan onwards, each odd night (i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th and 27th), are called Lailatul-Qadr (the Nights of Power). On one of these nights the Holy Quran was first revealed, (infact in Ramadan, all the books of God were revealed to their respective Prophets). In each of these nights, muslims (Shia & Sunni) across the world spend the night in prayer and supplication to God. It is a night when we have the opportunity to start afresh, to ask for forgiveness and to reset ourselves for the coming year. Kind of like New Year resolutions, but with meaning and purpose.
God has stated that in these nights, our sins will be forgiven and our requests and hopes answered. Putting my cynical hat on (as I often like to do), I used to believe this was a great "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Do whatever you want throughout the year and then spend the night in prayer and get forgiven! I'd become Christian - the only difference being that instead of Confession, I was asking for forgiveness in one holy night and everything was fine again! How stupid! The opportunity for redemption and forgiveness is only there if one has been a true muslim throughout the year. God is all merciful, but he is also just and therefore he is not going to forgive everyone who asks, he will forgive only those who deserve his forgiveness. These nights are a big opportunity to succeed with obtaining forgiveness depending on how each muslim has behaved throughout the preceding year.
God, in his infinite wisdom, has not revealed the exact date of the revelation of the Holy Quran. This enables us to engage in supplication for longer over the course of the 4 nights. I personally, along with my family, focus on the 23rd night, as most scholars seem to think this is the likeliest of nights for when the Quran was revealed, but I also do some prayers on the other nights as well.
Once these nights pass and it is the home straight and we can then celebrate Eid. Yet again due to the moon sighting controversy (read my "Have you seen the moon lately?" blog for more information) the day of Eid will be different for different muslims. No doubt the Shia's will be celebrating Eid a day after the Sunni's although there's only one moon and one day when it is a New Moon! Ridiculous, but I'm not going to go into it all again!
And so, Ramadan will finish and like all Ramadan's, I hope to leave it having become a better person, a better muslim and hopefully will use that to improve as the year goes on until it comes round again. Islam provides us with constant refresher courses. After Ramadan, the month of Zilhajj will not be far away, when millions of muslims across the globe will congregate in the Holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. For the millions fortunate enough to go this year, it will serve as another opportunity to reset themselves, become better people and seek further forgiveness from God.
The actual trip typically takes 2-3weeks, but the Hajj itself lasts only a few days. Those few days are the most spiritual days in the Islamic calendar. It is the closest we'll get to God. We are all annually invited to the House of God and able to talk to him about our errors and mistakes, and also our hopes and desires. Unfortunately, I have not yet been, but inshallah hope to do so in 2yrs time, if all things go as planned.
After Hajj, Shia muslims get another opportunity to refresh ourselves and grow closer to God in the month of Muharrum. Ever wondered why muslims don't celebrate a new year? The month of Muharrum is the first of the Islamic calendar, and it is the month when Shia's (and a lot of Sunnis as well) commemorate the brutal martyrdom of the 3rd Imam, Imam Hussain, grandson of the Holy Prophet.
It was on the 10th of Muharrum when Imam Hussain and his family and friends (numbering upto only 72) were killed on the planes of Karbala, Iraq, by the so-called Islamic ruler of that time - Yazid. Without going into too much history, it was a tragic loss, but served to save the religion of Islam as we know it today. This ultimate sacrifice is remembered with a series of lectures and speeches by respected scholars and knowledgeable muslims (including a friend of mine) across the world and provides a great opportunity to bring the muslim community together and learn from the events of Karbala.
A lot of people are trying hard to belittle the event and claim that it shouldn't be commemorated with such force and strength as it is today. These people (including certain family members) miss the point entirely. I see it as a brilliant chance to learn more and more about my religion. For someone to actually sacrifice himself and his family & friends for the cause of Islam and God, must mean something about it is right. Surely we can only learn from that. No other religion has such a story and infact it is an event that was forecast in the Bible as well as the Holy Quran, such was its magnitude. People, who belittle the event, don't understand its meaning. It serves as a wake-up call, an eye-opener about my religion.
After Muharrum, Ramadan is not far around the corner and so the circle continues. These three months provide us all with constant opportunities to learn about the religion, to improve ourselves for ourselves, our community and for God. It gives us a change to ask for forgiveness and to benefit from the blessings of God.
These opportunities for refreshment all present themselves on a daily basis. As muslims we all must pray 5 times a day. These prayers act a perfect opportunity to reset ourselves each day. Each day we must stop what we're doing and pray to God as prescribed by him. Not when we feel like it, like other religions advocate, but actual prayers in a set fashion. These prayers also allow us to talk to God on a daily basis and give us a chance to get close to him and improve ourselves.
Reading this all, the blog does seem to be a bit preachy! This was not my intention, and I apologies for it to turn out that way. I wanted to speak about the constant chances we have on a day-to-day basis and on a year-by-year basis to get closer to God and improve as muslims in a variety of aspects. I hope you've been able to get through this and not get bored, but it was important to highlight the occasions we have as muslims to better ourselves. And lastly, I'm glad is has a religious flavour because it is Ramadan and it was my original intention!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
After the weekend, we approach the holiest days of the Islamic calendar. From the 21st of Ramadan onwards, each odd night (i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th and 27th), are called Lailatul-Qadr (the Nights of Power). On one of these nights the Holy Quran was first revealed, (infact in Ramadan, all the books of God were revealed to their respective Prophets). In each of these nights, muslims (Shia & Sunni) across the world spend the night in prayer and supplication to God. It is a night when we have the opportunity to start afresh, to ask for forgiveness and to reset ourselves for the coming year. Kind of like New Year resolutions, but with meaning and purpose.
God has stated that in these nights, our sins will be forgiven and our requests and hopes answered. Putting my cynical hat on (as I often like to do), I used to believe this was a great "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Do whatever you want throughout the year and then spend the night in prayer and get forgiven! I'd become Christian - the only difference being that instead of Confession, I was asking for forgiveness in one holy night and everything was fine again! How stupid! The opportunity for redemption and forgiveness is only there if one has been a true muslim throughout the year. God is all merciful, but he is also just and therefore he is not going to forgive everyone who asks, he will forgive only those who deserve his forgiveness. These nights are a big opportunity to succeed with obtaining forgiveness depending on how each muslim has behaved throughout the preceding year.
God, in his infinite wisdom, has not revealed the exact date of the revelation of the Holy Quran. This enables us to engage in supplication for longer over the course of the 4 nights. I personally, along with my family, focus on the 23rd night, as most scholars seem to think this is the likeliest of nights for when the Quran was revealed, but I also do some prayers on the other nights as well.
Once these nights pass and it is the home straight and we can then celebrate Eid. Yet again due to the moon sighting controversy (read my "Have you seen the moon lately?" blog for more information) the day of Eid will be different for different muslims. No doubt the Shia's will be celebrating Eid a day after the Sunni's although there's only one moon and one day when it is a New Moon! Ridiculous, but I'm not going to go into it all again!
And so, Ramadan will finish and like all Ramadan's, I hope to leave it having become a better person, a better muslim and hopefully will use that to improve as the year goes on until it comes round again. Islam provides us with constant refresher courses. After Ramadan, the month of Zilhajj will not be far away, when millions of muslims across the globe will congregate in the Holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. For the millions fortunate enough to go this year, it will serve as another opportunity to reset themselves, become better people and seek further forgiveness from God.
The actual trip typically takes 2-3weeks, but the Hajj itself lasts only a few days. Those few days are the most spiritual days in the Islamic calendar. It is the closest we'll get to God. We are all annually invited to the House of God and able to talk to him about our errors and mistakes, and also our hopes and desires. Unfortunately, I have not yet been, but inshallah hope to do so in 2yrs time, if all things go as planned.
After Hajj, Shia muslims get another opportunity to refresh ourselves and grow closer to God in the month of Muharrum. Ever wondered why muslims don't celebrate a new year? The month of Muharrum is the first of the Islamic calendar, and it is the month when Shia's (and a lot of Sunnis as well) commemorate the brutal martyrdom of the 3rd Imam, Imam Hussain, grandson of the Holy Prophet.
It was on the 10th of Muharrum when Imam Hussain and his family and friends (numbering upto only 72) were killed on the planes of Karbala, Iraq, by the so-called Islamic ruler of that time - Yazid. Without going into too much history, it was a tragic loss, but served to save the religion of Islam as we know it today. This ultimate sacrifice is remembered with a series of lectures and speeches by respected scholars and knowledgeable muslims (including a friend of mine) across the world and provides a great opportunity to bring the muslim community together and learn from the events of Karbala.
A lot of people are trying hard to belittle the event and claim that it shouldn't be commemorated with such force and strength as it is today. These people (including certain family members) miss the point entirely. I see it as a brilliant chance to learn more and more about my religion. For someone to actually sacrifice himself and his family & friends for the cause of Islam and God, must mean something about it is right. Surely we can only learn from that. No other religion has such a story and infact it is an event that was forecast in the Bible as well as the Holy Quran, such was its magnitude. People, who belittle the event, don't understand its meaning. It serves as a wake-up call, an eye-opener about my religion.
After Muharrum, Ramadan is not far around the corner and so the circle continues. These three months provide us all with constant opportunities to learn about the religion, to improve ourselves for ourselves, our community and for God. It gives us a change to ask for forgiveness and to benefit from the blessings of God.
These opportunities for refreshment all present themselves on a daily basis. As muslims we all must pray 5 times a day. These prayers act a perfect opportunity to reset ourselves each day. Each day we must stop what we're doing and pray to God as prescribed by him. Not when we feel like it, like other religions advocate, but actual prayers in a set fashion. These prayers also allow us to talk to God on a daily basis and give us a chance to get close to him and improve ourselves.
Reading this all, the blog does seem to be a bit preachy! This was not my intention, and I apologies for it to turn out that way. I wanted to speak about the constant chances we have on a day-to-day basis and on a year-by-year basis to get closer to God and improve as muslims in a variety of aspects. I hope you've been able to get through this and not get bored, but it was important to highlight the occasions we have as muslims to better ourselves. And lastly, I'm glad is has a religious flavour because it is Ramadan and it was my original intention!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Monday, October 09, 2006
You've got them, so I want them too
Returned from the weekend, and I’m pleased to report that I’ve had plenty of sleep and feel suitably refreshed. The weekend can best be described as cake weekend! MTL was celebrating his 20th birthday, 5 days prematurely, and had 3 cakes to mark the occasion. A lavish chocolate cake he bought, a carrot cake made by Jughead and another coffee-walnut cake! Then yesterday, my wife decided to join in on the fun by baking a cake of her own for her father’s birthday. I’m surely pilling on the weight now!
What a disappointing result for England, but totally unsurprising. Since the World Cup, I’ve become a bit impartial to the national football team. They’ve always talked a good game, but time and time again failed to deliver when it counts and the result on Saturday was no exception. The change in manager is still producing similar events. Players are still being used despite being out of form (Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard) and other players being used out of position (Steven Gerrard). Nothing seems to change and my support for the team continues to fade!
Anyway, enough about the football. I don't know about you, but personally, whenever I see a new bit of kit, new electrical equipment, new book or whatever, in a shop or at a friends, I like to get one myself, or at least borrow it to check it out. I've just upgraded my phone to the new Orange SPV M3100 and it is a fantastic piece of kit. I upgraded after seeing it on the web and reading reviews, it was new and I wanted it. Other people we're raving about it and so I wanted to get one myself. It's seems a reasonable idea, wanting what others have, as long as you can afford to.
News reports this morning stating that North Korea had carried out nuclear tests was met with international condemnation. Now, if you exaggerate my policy of wanting what others have, North Korea is simply exerting its right to have something that others already own. The countries leading the complaints all possess nuclear weapons and yet are calling for severe sanctions to be imposed on N. Korea simply for having something they already possess.
Now before I get carried away, I'd like to state that N. Korea possessing nuclear weapons is an extremely bad idea. Such a secretive nation, where it is impossible to visit (why would you want to?) or leave, I'm sure that having the power to deploy nuclear weapons can only be extremely dangerous. Who knows what they would do with it. But the countries kicking up a fuss have only themselves to blame.
What right do they have to try and force other countries to not develop weapons? How can they on the one hand constantly develop the quality of the own weapons of mass destruction and then condemn others for trying to do the same. Instead their actions serve to encourage these volatile nations to try and develop ways to protect themselves.
The so-called Non Nuclear Proliferation Treaty is a joke. Never have there been any reports of the UK, or the US, or India or Pakistan publicly showing attempts to restrict their nuclear weapons and infact work towards destroying them. Instead countries like Israel are supplied with a host of nuclear weapons which only serves to pile more tension in the Middle East. Infact the current situation in Iraq is an advertisement of the advantages of developing and possessing nuclear weapons.
The whole basis of the war on Iraq in the UK was the whole WMD issue. Tony Blair tried to convince the government and the public that Saddam Hussein possessed WMD's and was keen to develop nuclear weapons and something had to be done about it. Having already defied UN security resolutions, there was no alternative but to engage in military procedures on the country in an attempt to curb Saddam and destroy the WMD’s.
Three years on from the initial war and Iraq is an absolute disaster. I was fortunate enough to visit Iraq 8 months before the war and visited the holy cities of Najaf, Kaizymain and Kerbala. Now we repeatedly hear of suicide attacks and bomb explosions in all these places and others, and thousands of muslims continue to die. It is an absolute disgrace. These are some of the holiest cities for Shia Muslims and they are being destroyed. It is extremely upsetting to see the state of these cities. All because of the US and UK attempts to convince the world that Saddam was a threat and needed to be dealt with.
If Saddam really did possess these WMD’s and even nuclear weapons, what was the chance that war would've taken place? Close to zero I suspect. This knowledge can only encourage countries like N. Korea, Syria and Iran to develop nuclear weapons, because once they come in possession of these weapons, no-one will dare to attack them. No-one will attack a nuclear power because of the potential consequences of suffering a nuclear attack upon themselves.
America, the only nation to actually detonate a nuclear weapon as an act of war in the history of the world, continues to exert pressure on the UN, on Iran and N.Korea to try and restrict their efforts, but to no avail. Today we learnt that N.Korea has carried out tests, tomorrow we may learn that Iran is on its way to developing nuclear weapons as well.
I've just never understood how the UK and America can hope to condemn such actions whilst they continue to own the very same weapons. Why should any nation listen to them? Until the nuclear powers are seen to be doing something about their own stock, no other country will listen. I must stress that I agree it is extremely dangerous for countries like N.Korea to possess nuclear weapons, but who can blame them.
Iran is another country seen as potentially developing nuclear weapons and efforts are continuing to try and curb these attempts. If the Iraq war hadn't happened, then I've no doubt that Iran would've been the target for military attention. As it stands, such has been the absolute failure of Bush's war in Iraq; he'll have great difficulty trying to justify an attack on Iran, even though it is probably what he wants the most.
Iran is the main Shia nation of the world. It has a majority Shia population and is governed by Shia rulers. The president, Ahmadinejad, is continually reported to have stated that he wants to "wipe Israel off the map," which is a convenient play with words, because in fact what he did say was "the regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the pages of time." The original quote has been twisted and keeps cropping up whenever Iran's nuclear plans are brought up. However, what people must understand is that the President is not in charge, he will not one day be able to launch a nuclear warhead on Israel. That power (if it ever exists) belongs to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khameni, and there is no chance that a Shia muslim scholar will ever justify the death of thousands of Israeli and Palestinians for generations to come. In Islam it is simply not allowed. Iran will never launch a nuclear missile as an act of aggregation on another nation.
As long as these countries continue to exert pressure on these nations and call for sanctions, whilst at the same time continue to develop their own stock, nothing will happen. Countries will continue to defy any sanctions and do their very best to continue with nuclear development plans. The nuclear powers need to curb their own production and cut down on the amount of missiles/bombs/warheads they possess and then other countries will have no choice but to follow their example and curb their own ideas. If not, then it will be fully justified for severe sanctions to be imposed with the chance of military actions. If the nuclear powers continue down the same path, then who knows what may happen in the not so distant future?
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
What a disappointing result for England, but totally unsurprising. Since the World Cup, I’ve become a bit impartial to the national football team. They’ve always talked a good game, but time and time again failed to deliver when it counts and the result on Saturday was no exception. The change in manager is still producing similar events. Players are still being used despite being out of form (Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard) and other players being used out of position (Steven Gerrard). Nothing seems to change and my support for the team continues to fade!
Anyway, enough about the football. I don't know about you, but personally, whenever I see a new bit of kit, new electrical equipment, new book or whatever, in a shop or at a friends, I like to get one myself, or at least borrow it to check it out. I've just upgraded my phone to the new Orange SPV M3100 and it is a fantastic piece of kit. I upgraded after seeing it on the web and reading reviews, it was new and I wanted it. Other people we're raving about it and so I wanted to get one myself. It's seems a reasonable idea, wanting what others have, as long as you can afford to.
News reports this morning stating that North Korea had carried out nuclear tests was met with international condemnation. Now, if you exaggerate my policy of wanting what others have, North Korea is simply exerting its right to have something that others already own. The countries leading the complaints all possess nuclear weapons and yet are calling for severe sanctions to be imposed on N. Korea simply for having something they already possess.
Now before I get carried away, I'd like to state that N. Korea possessing nuclear weapons is an extremely bad idea. Such a secretive nation, where it is impossible to visit (why would you want to?) or leave, I'm sure that having the power to deploy nuclear weapons can only be extremely dangerous. Who knows what they would do with it. But the countries kicking up a fuss have only themselves to blame.
What right do they have to try and force other countries to not develop weapons? How can they on the one hand constantly develop the quality of the own weapons of mass destruction and then condemn others for trying to do the same. Instead their actions serve to encourage these volatile nations to try and develop ways to protect themselves.
The so-called Non Nuclear Proliferation Treaty is a joke. Never have there been any reports of the UK, or the US, or India or Pakistan publicly showing attempts to restrict their nuclear weapons and infact work towards destroying them. Instead countries like Israel are supplied with a host of nuclear weapons which only serves to pile more tension in the Middle East. Infact the current situation in Iraq is an advertisement of the advantages of developing and possessing nuclear weapons.
The whole basis of the war on Iraq in the UK was the whole WMD issue. Tony Blair tried to convince the government and the public that Saddam Hussein possessed WMD's and was keen to develop nuclear weapons and something had to be done about it. Having already defied UN security resolutions, there was no alternative but to engage in military procedures on the country in an attempt to curb Saddam and destroy the WMD’s.
Three years on from the initial war and Iraq is an absolute disaster. I was fortunate enough to visit Iraq 8 months before the war and visited the holy cities of Najaf, Kaizymain and Kerbala. Now we repeatedly hear of suicide attacks and bomb explosions in all these places and others, and thousands of muslims continue to die. It is an absolute disgrace. These are some of the holiest cities for Shia Muslims and they are being destroyed. It is extremely upsetting to see the state of these cities. All because of the US and UK attempts to convince the world that Saddam was a threat and needed to be dealt with.
If Saddam really did possess these WMD’s and even nuclear weapons, what was the chance that war would've taken place? Close to zero I suspect. This knowledge can only encourage countries like N. Korea, Syria and Iran to develop nuclear weapons, because once they come in possession of these weapons, no-one will dare to attack them. No-one will attack a nuclear power because of the potential consequences of suffering a nuclear attack upon themselves.
America, the only nation to actually detonate a nuclear weapon as an act of war in the history of the world, continues to exert pressure on the UN, on Iran and N.Korea to try and restrict their efforts, but to no avail. Today we learnt that N.Korea has carried out tests, tomorrow we may learn that Iran is on its way to developing nuclear weapons as well.
I've just never understood how the UK and America can hope to condemn such actions whilst they continue to own the very same weapons. Why should any nation listen to them? Until the nuclear powers are seen to be doing something about their own stock, no other country will listen. I must stress that I agree it is extremely dangerous for countries like N.Korea to possess nuclear weapons, but who can blame them.
Iran is another country seen as potentially developing nuclear weapons and efforts are continuing to try and curb these attempts. If the Iraq war hadn't happened, then I've no doubt that Iran would've been the target for military attention. As it stands, such has been the absolute failure of Bush's war in Iraq; he'll have great difficulty trying to justify an attack on Iran, even though it is probably what he wants the most.
Iran is the main Shia nation of the world. It has a majority Shia population and is governed by Shia rulers. The president, Ahmadinejad, is continually reported to have stated that he wants to "wipe Israel off the map," which is a convenient play with words, because in fact what he did say was "the regime occupying Jerusalem must vanish from the pages of time." The original quote has been twisted and keeps cropping up whenever Iran's nuclear plans are brought up. However, what people must understand is that the President is not in charge, he will not one day be able to launch a nuclear warhead on Israel. That power (if it ever exists) belongs to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khameni, and there is no chance that a Shia muslim scholar will ever justify the death of thousands of Israeli and Palestinians for generations to come. In Islam it is simply not allowed. Iran will never launch a nuclear missile as an act of aggregation on another nation.
As long as these countries continue to exert pressure on these nations and call for sanctions, whilst at the same time continue to develop their own stock, nothing will happen. Countries will continue to defy any sanctions and do their very best to continue with nuclear development plans. The nuclear powers need to curb their own production and cut down on the amount of missiles/bombs/warheads they possess and then other countries will have no choice but to follow their example and curb their own ideas. If not, then it will be fully justified for severe sanctions to be imposed with the chance of military actions. If the nuclear powers continue down the same path, then who knows what may happen in the not so distant future?
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Friday, October 06, 2006
Convenient interference
I don't think yesterday's blog went down too well. No comments have been posted, but none needed to be after seeing LMA's reaction! Absolute silence! I might have to consider deleting it all together! Maybe talking about personal topics isn't such a good idea, I should revert back to my random ramblings that we're bringing such success earlier (yeah right)!
Jack Straw, former foreign secretary, has been all over the news for the past 24hrs after commenting on the veil's worn by muslim women. He initially stated that he would prefer if women who choose to cover their face, didn't do so, because it prevents having proper conversation and communication with them. You never know what they are feeling due to a lack of expression. As a result of this, he blamed the veil to cause separateness within the community. He then went onto say that he opposes muslim women wearing any veil because of the restrictions it places on the interactions within a community.
As a muslim, I am extremely concerned but not surprised by his comments. It is yet another attack on muslims in this country disguised as something that is in the best interest for the muslim community, similar to John Reid's speech a couple of weeks ago attempting to teach muslim parents how to raise their children (read my "Spying on your children" blog for more details).
As far as his first remark goes, regarding the removal of the veil covering the face, I can see his point but I totally disagree with how he has presented it. To just come out and say it at random is extremely inappropriate. Where are all the reports of Jack Straw (and other politicians for that matter) attempting to establish multi-cultural relations within their constituencies for the past few months? Where are the reports that Jack Straw has tried to establish communication but has struggled because of muslim women in his constituent have struggled mainly because their faces are covered? None of these reports exist, because no effort has been made by the politicians to try and increase interactions within communities. If after making such efforts, which the public was aware of, Jack Straw then came out and said it had been difficult because the face-covering veil was providing a constant barrier, then perhaps muslims could respect his opinions, but that has not been the case, and yet again muslims are being painted as a group of people who struggle to intergrate in Britain because of their lifestyle and attitudes. Total utter rubbish!
His follow-up remarks about preferring muslim women not to wear the veil at all is completely out of order. Wearing hijab is compulsory for all muslim women. It's each individual woman's choice to follow these rules. Who is Jack Straw to then go out in public and effectively condemn these rules? We never hear of prominent muslims criticising Christian beliefs and rules. People will argue that it is just an opinion and everyone is entitled to that, but working as a public servant, surely some opinions should be kept to yourself and that is exactly what Jack Straw should've done. Instead his comments and comments by other politicians just add further tensions and create more anti-muslim sentiments which is becoming far too frequent!
There is an effective solution for this. Jack Straw's constituent is Blackburn, which is made up of a 30% population of muslims. If all of these muslims (of voting age) actually voted against Jack Straw, he would lose his seat. It's as simple as that. Whether that will happen is a completely different matter because unfortunately muslims across the country tend to be quite apathic towards politics and the government and don't realise how much power we could wield if we were to unite. But that's another problem altogether!
I think I'll sign off for the weekend now. Thankfully the weekend has arrived and I can catch up on my sleep! I look forward to any comments from people reading this blog. Please leave a comment, all you need to do is click on the comments icon at the bottom of each blog and write whatever you want!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Jack Straw, former foreign secretary, has been all over the news for the past 24hrs after commenting on the veil's worn by muslim women. He initially stated that he would prefer if women who choose to cover their face, didn't do so, because it prevents having proper conversation and communication with them. You never know what they are feeling due to a lack of expression. As a result of this, he blamed the veil to cause separateness within the community. He then went onto say that he opposes muslim women wearing any veil because of the restrictions it places on the interactions within a community.
As a muslim, I am extremely concerned but not surprised by his comments. It is yet another attack on muslims in this country disguised as something that is in the best interest for the muslim community, similar to John Reid's speech a couple of weeks ago attempting to teach muslim parents how to raise their children (read my "Spying on your children" blog for more details).
As far as his first remark goes, regarding the removal of the veil covering the face, I can see his point but I totally disagree with how he has presented it. To just come out and say it at random is extremely inappropriate. Where are all the reports of Jack Straw (and other politicians for that matter) attempting to establish multi-cultural relations within their constituencies for the past few months? Where are the reports that Jack Straw has tried to establish communication but has struggled because of muslim women in his constituent have struggled mainly because their faces are covered? None of these reports exist, because no effort has been made by the politicians to try and increase interactions within communities. If after making such efforts, which the public was aware of, Jack Straw then came out and said it had been difficult because the face-covering veil was providing a constant barrier, then perhaps muslims could respect his opinions, but that has not been the case, and yet again muslims are being painted as a group of people who struggle to intergrate in Britain because of their lifestyle and attitudes. Total utter rubbish!
His follow-up remarks about preferring muslim women not to wear the veil at all is completely out of order. Wearing hijab is compulsory for all muslim women. It's each individual woman's choice to follow these rules. Who is Jack Straw to then go out in public and effectively condemn these rules? We never hear of prominent muslims criticising Christian beliefs and rules. People will argue that it is just an opinion and everyone is entitled to that, but working as a public servant, surely some opinions should be kept to yourself and that is exactly what Jack Straw should've done. Instead his comments and comments by other politicians just add further tensions and create more anti-muslim sentiments which is becoming far too frequent!
There is an effective solution for this. Jack Straw's constituent is Blackburn, which is made up of a 30% population of muslims. If all of these muslims (of voting age) actually voted against Jack Straw, he would lose his seat. It's as simple as that. Whether that will happen is a completely different matter because unfortunately muslims across the country tend to be quite apathic towards politics and the government and don't realise how much power we could wield if we were to unite. But that's another problem altogether!
I think I'll sign off for the weekend now. Thankfully the weekend has arrived and I can catch up on my sleep! I look forward to any comments from people reading this blog. Please leave a comment, all you need to do is click on the comments icon at the bottom of each blog and write whatever you want!
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Little Miss Attitude
I know I said I wouldn't mention it, but I am absolutely shattered. For the past couple of days I have not been able to get to sleep after getting up to eat at 5am. My head feels so heavy - the "thrill of feeling tired" has moved into new territory. I honestly cannot remember a time when I've been more tired! Maybe it's not a good idea to talk about today's topic feeling this way, but I'll soldier on and see what happens!
Before I begin, I just wanted to mention an interesting statistic (well, it's interesting for me). Since I've begun this blog, I've averaged just over 1000 words per blog! If I take away the short Friday blogs, the average jumps to over 1150 words! I had no idea I would be able to write that much! Admittedly, the first few topics were boring, but hopefully as time has gone on, things have improved. If your reading, then please, please leave comments - I am gonna keep asking, until I am blue in the face! One person who I've repeatedly asked to leave comments is Little Miss Attitude (LMA). She keeps agreeing to, but as of yet, nothing has been written! Today, I've decided to write about her and I'm pretty sure, after reading the blog, she'll leave a comment!
Where to begin with LMA? Well, similar to Mr. Toodle-Loo (MTL), she's not what I call a typical girl. She doesn't have the poise or delicateness of a girl. She can be very loud, brash, stubborn and aggressive. I've not met a girl quite like her. She is a very direct person who doesn't really hide her emotions or get involved in mind games that girls typically like to play, which is extremely refreshing, it means you always know where you stand with her. However, she can also be very lazy, antisocial and does not pull her weight in the house. All these qualities are quite similar to mine, but the difference is, that being a girl means that she doesn't get away with it like I do. She's never been able to accept that and that's where the problems start.
First of all, the culture that we've been brought up in, unfortunately, has different rules for guys and girls. Whereas I could get away with being lazy, not socialising and not helping around the house, girls cannot. I think that failing to understand and accept this concept has been LMA's biggest struggle. I agree that it is very hypocritical, the same rules should apply to both boys and girls, but the fact is that they don't and there is very little that can be done about it. (On a slight side note, I'd like to think that I am no longer lazy, anti social etc and have made more of an effort to become a nicer person).
So, LMA's biggest problem is in her title, her attitude. Add to this her stubborn nature and you get a potentially lethal combination. Because of this, it is extremely difficult for anyone to get her to listen, especially when people attempt to change her and help her adapt. People have spent a lot of time with her trying to get her to change her views and to see things differently, but to no avail. Whilst at the time she seems to take everything in and agree with the changes that are required of her, nothing ever happens. In that respect she is a great listener. When people talk to her she is very receptive and acknowledges what needs to be done, but then, that’s it.
I admit in the past I have not always been there for her, and she now finds herself in quite a bit of difficulty because of her stubbornness and sometimes I feel that had I been more understanding, I could have helped her more. The trouble is that I've seen my parents be very gentle with her, let her effectively do what she likes in the hope that she'll use that freedom wisely and make the right choices, but she hasn't. In the meantime, I attempted to be harsh with her, but that didn't work. It's mainly my fault because I never followed up my advice with further conversations. The conversations would occur once in a blue moon and then that would be it. Looking back I feel that had I been more active and followed through with my advice and suggestions, perhaps things would be different.
The problem I've always had is that she's very receptive to gentle, pleasant advice and doesn't make any changes and is extremely resistant to harsh criticism, often lashing out with criticism of her own, missing the point entirely. As a result, I've never felt inclined to talk to her again about her problems, because to me, it became an exercise in futility. I did not want to go down that gentle route, my parents have that department cornered and it has failed miserably, and my harsher techniques just did not work. Now, I want to try different methods. A mixture of being harsh and gentle, and this time ensuring that I follow it up.
I've always had problems with certain members in my extended family because I don't like their lifestyle, attitudes and the pain they cause to their own families. LMA has been different. She has not got involved in the same mistakes that others have, and I've always respected her for that. I’ve always been proud that she has resisted certain temptations. But recently, I can see her heading down that same path. She has adopted habits and attitudes that could prove to be very damaging to her and her stubbornness is getting in the way of realising this.
The difficulty is getting her to understand the mistakes she is making and hence the pain these mistakes cause. She remains adamant that she is going about things in the right way when everything that has happened the past few years has been wrong. She refuses to accept that certain activities are proving to be extremely damaging for her and for the rest of the family.
Coming back to our culture, and yet again, unfairly, the reputation of girls in the family almost determines the respect the family, of that girl, holds within the community. She has unwittingly stretched this respect to a breaking point.
She consistently refuses to accept the advice that is offered to her. I can't think of one instance when she has made a change as a result of advice she has received, to see if things improve. She continues down her same path. At least, if she had accepted some advice and it didn't work out, she could claim that the advice was wrong and there's no point in listening further, but she has not even tried. I know she struggles to make decisions, and therefore, sometimes she should follow the advice of others to see where it leads her.I really worry about where she is heading.
She is extremely confused and needs to clear the confusion by making some drastic changes. It has got to that point where only drastic changes will help her. Until she makes these changes, life is going to remain tense, not only for her but for the rest of the family! As far as I'm concerned, I will make more of an effort to try and help her make these changes, and though I plan to remain persistent, I remain pessimistic, but I guess we'll wait to see what happens. I think she doesn’t realize how lucky she is and should be more positive about the things she has in her life; the people around, the things she owns etc. Girls? Who needs them??!!
I have difficulties getting on with her because, like MTL, I feel that she doesn’t respect me. Because of this, everything I say seems to wash over her. I need to develop that respect between us and by laying out the facts and actually showing her how concerned I am; perhaps we can build on this. I know you haven’t enjoyed reading all this, but I can’t think of another way to get these concerns across to you, and actually having you listen to them. I am worried about you and I honestly want things to work out for you because actually when you’re happy then you are so much better to be around!
I am going to finish there. This blog is proving to be a good way of getting my views across, when in the past I’ve had issues with communication! LMA, please leave your comments and we'll take it from there. I could be absolutely wrong, but I think if you really think hard, you'll know where I'm coming from! MTL, I know you're going to read this, so give your comments as well! Jughead, what is your opinion in your role as observer/advisor??
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
PS. LMA, incase your feeling upset by this all, watch the clips below to cheer you up!
Trailer for 'Don'
Before I begin, I just wanted to mention an interesting statistic (well, it's interesting for me). Since I've begun this blog, I've averaged just over 1000 words per blog! If I take away the short Friday blogs, the average jumps to over 1150 words! I had no idea I would be able to write that much! Admittedly, the first few topics were boring, but hopefully as time has gone on, things have improved. If your reading, then please, please leave comments - I am gonna keep asking, until I am blue in the face! One person who I've repeatedly asked to leave comments is Little Miss Attitude (LMA). She keeps agreeing to, but as of yet, nothing has been written! Today, I've decided to write about her and I'm pretty sure, after reading the blog, she'll leave a comment!
Where to begin with LMA? Well, similar to Mr. Toodle-Loo (MTL), she's not what I call a typical girl. She doesn't have the poise or delicateness of a girl. She can be very loud, brash, stubborn and aggressive. I've not met a girl quite like her. She is a very direct person who doesn't really hide her emotions or get involved in mind games that girls typically like to play, which is extremely refreshing, it means you always know where you stand with her. However, she can also be very lazy, antisocial and does not pull her weight in the house. All these qualities are quite similar to mine, but the difference is, that being a girl means that she doesn't get away with it like I do. She's never been able to accept that and that's where the problems start.
First of all, the culture that we've been brought up in, unfortunately, has different rules for guys and girls. Whereas I could get away with being lazy, not socialising and not helping around the house, girls cannot. I think that failing to understand and accept this concept has been LMA's biggest struggle. I agree that it is very hypocritical, the same rules should apply to both boys and girls, but the fact is that they don't and there is very little that can be done about it. (On a slight side note, I'd like to think that I am no longer lazy, anti social etc and have made more of an effort to become a nicer person).
So, LMA's biggest problem is in her title, her attitude. Add to this her stubborn nature and you get a potentially lethal combination. Because of this, it is extremely difficult for anyone to get her to listen, especially when people attempt to change her and help her adapt. People have spent a lot of time with her trying to get her to change her views and to see things differently, but to no avail. Whilst at the time she seems to take everything in and agree with the changes that are required of her, nothing ever happens. In that respect she is a great listener. When people talk to her she is very receptive and acknowledges what needs to be done, but then, that’s it.
I admit in the past I have not always been there for her, and she now finds herself in quite a bit of difficulty because of her stubbornness and sometimes I feel that had I been more understanding, I could have helped her more. The trouble is that I've seen my parents be very gentle with her, let her effectively do what she likes in the hope that she'll use that freedom wisely and make the right choices, but she hasn't. In the meantime, I attempted to be harsh with her, but that didn't work. It's mainly my fault because I never followed up my advice with further conversations. The conversations would occur once in a blue moon and then that would be it. Looking back I feel that had I been more active and followed through with my advice and suggestions, perhaps things would be different.
The problem I've always had is that she's very receptive to gentle, pleasant advice and doesn't make any changes and is extremely resistant to harsh criticism, often lashing out with criticism of her own, missing the point entirely. As a result, I've never felt inclined to talk to her again about her problems, because to me, it became an exercise in futility. I did not want to go down that gentle route, my parents have that department cornered and it has failed miserably, and my harsher techniques just did not work. Now, I want to try different methods. A mixture of being harsh and gentle, and this time ensuring that I follow it up.
I've always had problems with certain members in my extended family because I don't like their lifestyle, attitudes and the pain they cause to their own families. LMA has been different. She has not got involved in the same mistakes that others have, and I've always respected her for that. I’ve always been proud that she has resisted certain temptations. But recently, I can see her heading down that same path. She has adopted habits and attitudes that could prove to be very damaging to her and her stubbornness is getting in the way of realising this.
The difficulty is getting her to understand the mistakes she is making and hence the pain these mistakes cause. She remains adamant that she is going about things in the right way when everything that has happened the past few years has been wrong. She refuses to accept that certain activities are proving to be extremely damaging for her and for the rest of the family.
Coming back to our culture, and yet again, unfairly, the reputation of girls in the family almost determines the respect the family, of that girl, holds within the community. She has unwittingly stretched this respect to a breaking point.
She consistently refuses to accept the advice that is offered to her. I can't think of one instance when she has made a change as a result of advice she has received, to see if things improve. She continues down her same path. At least, if she had accepted some advice and it didn't work out, she could claim that the advice was wrong and there's no point in listening further, but she has not even tried. I know she struggles to make decisions, and therefore, sometimes she should follow the advice of others to see where it leads her.I really worry about where she is heading.
She is extremely confused and needs to clear the confusion by making some drastic changes. It has got to that point where only drastic changes will help her. Until she makes these changes, life is going to remain tense, not only for her but for the rest of the family! As far as I'm concerned, I will make more of an effort to try and help her make these changes, and though I plan to remain persistent, I remain pessimistic, but I guess we'll wait to see what happens. I think she doesn’t realize how lucky she is and should be more positive about the things she has in her life; the people around, the things she owns etc. Girls? Who needs them??!!
I have difficulties getting on with her because, like MTL, I feel that she doesn’t respect me. Because of this, everything I say seems to wash over her. I need to develop that respect between us and by laying out the facts and actually showing her how concerned I am; perhaps we can build on this. I know you haven’t enjoyed reading all this, but I can’t think of another way to get these concerns across to you, and actually having you listen to them. I am worried about you and I honestly want things to work out for you because actually when you’re happy then you are so much better to be around!
I am going to finish there. This blog is proving to be a good way of getting my views across, when in the past I’ve had issues with communication! LMA, please leave your comments and we'll take it from there. I could be absolutely wrong, but I think if you really think hard, you'll know where I'm coming from! MTL, I know you're going to read this, so give your comments as well! Jughead, what is your opinion in your role as observer/advisor??
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
PS. LMA, incase your feeling upset by this all, watch the clips below to cheer you up!
Trailer for 'Don'
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
It's Getting Hot in Here
Finally, people are beginning to read this blog. Hopefully by word of mouth the numbers will increase and more people will read, and if you do, please leave comments! Nice to see G2S make an appearance on the comments board, where have you been all this time? Look out for the blog about you coming some time next week. I'm thinking of developing a system for this blog: Mondays and Thursdays will be more personal subjects whereas Tuesdays and Wednesdays will be the random thought days and Friday will be brief because it's a half-day (for more information read my blog titled "Half-day Friday" - my wife's favourite blog)!!
No new football issues to bore you with, so I'll talk about todays topic. At the risk of sounding really sad, I was listening to Radio 5Live on my way home yesterday and the Drivetime show was being presented from Mumbai, India. It was focusing on climate change and global warming. Unsurprisingly the average Indian did not have a clue about the problems regarding global warming and for millions living in shanty towns, their main concern was how to continue staying alive and nothing much else.
The main issue seems to be the idea of carbon dioxide emissions contributing to the greenhouse effect leading to rises in the Earth's temperature, hence causing climate change. As a result the focus is on attempting to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. Other gases also contribute, but carbon dioxide is the most abundant, simply because it is the main by-product of fule consumption. Scientists are now claiming that such is the extent of climate change, that the Earth will be suffering from increasing droughts, floods and extreme weather conditions.
Understandably this has caused a lot of concern. Human activities are believed to have played a major role in causing the changes we are now experiencing. For example, last month was the hottest ever September on record in the UK and this summer has been one the hottest ever recorded, with July recording the hottest day ever. The consequences have already manifested in a number of ways including our roads melting in the heat and drought orders being requested across the country.
Obviously something needs to be done and various guidelines, laws and protocols have come to pass which focus on these issues, attempting to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide. The most famous is the Kyoto Protocol, which has defined the targets that need to be reached, with regard to levels of emission of these gases, by industrial countries across the world. Guess which large industrial country has failed to agree to the protocol? America! (It's not even a guess).
The USA claims that until countries such as China, India and Mexico also agree to cut down their emissions, there is no need for them to do so. India has the a population of over a billion people in a land one third the size of America. It is a rapidly develpoing country and needs the consumption of fossil fuels to prosper. Obviously it is a very polluted country and is chucking out large quantities of carbon dioxide, but it has no choice. When the UK and USA were developing in the 18th/19th centuries, they too needed to create energy from the consumption of fuel and hence emitted large quantities of carbon dioxide, but now they are trying to limit other countries from doing the same.
As I type, leading ministers of industrial countries are meeting in Mexico to discuss climate change. The developing world is just not interested. In their eyes, why should they be the ones who make changes, when they see people of the UK and America enjoying lavish lifestyles, driving large SUVs and generating tonnes of waste. The presenter on the show yesterday stated that Texas produces more carbon dioxide than the whole of the UK. The show, also interviewed Mexicans at the location of the meeting who just wanted to enjoy the same life as the Americans, they didn't care about climate change, and rightly so. Why should the developing world have to pay for the damages caused by the developed world?
Naturally it is not as simple as that. Countries like the UK and USA need to realise that the developing world is not going to change anytime soon and will continue to pollute just to survive. This needs to be compensated by changes made to our lifestyles in the developed world and these changes need to be enforced. Such is the arrogance of the USA, they will not even acknowledge that changes need to be made - the Bush administration, point blank, refuses to enforce any emission policies. Instead it is left to individual states to govern themselves. For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger (ARNIE!!), governor of California, is attempting to set legislation in California looking to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions and setting vigourous targets, which puts him at odds with the President
This arrogance is overwhelming. Something needs to be done and fast. The Earth is deteriorating before our very eyes. Call me pessimistic but sometimes I think it is all happening for a reason. I believe that God is observing us destroy the Earth, and there will come a time when mankind will be unable to exist on this planet, simply because there will no longer be the resources to do so. Our destruction of Earth will bring about the end of the world (how Hollywood like - infact maybe The Day After Tomorrow might not be so unrealisitc!) and that would be it. God would then, on the Day of Judgement, start by mentioning how he provided a planet with infinite resources which we managed to use up in only a few thousand years.
As individuals we all have a role to play, and we must try to do our bit. I am as guilty as anyone. I drive a fast car which probably emits loads of carbon dioxide (well at least my road tax bill says it does) and that does contribute to the environment, but I do not like how all the focus appears to be on cars and air travel. A culture is developing where it's cool to drive hybrid cars and by doing so you are saving the world! Absoulute bull****! What about the hundred thousands, even millions, of pounds being wasted in faulty factories, poor production lines and dodgy dealings? Surely the money being wasted needs to be looked at, cut down and then re-invested into methods which will assist in decreasing the damage to the environment. It is too easy to just tax people more for driving bigger cars or going on long haul flights, the bigger picture needs to be looked at.
The Quran is clear about our role on Earth. It states that the "servants of Allah, Most Gracious, are those who walk on the earth in humility." (Quran Surah 25, Verse 63). God also states that "mischief has appeared on the land and sea, because of (the need) that the hands of man have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evil).” (Quran Surah 30, Verse 41), cleary admonishing people who cause damage on this Earth. God goes on to say that "greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the heavens and the earth." (Quran Surah 40, Verse 57), compelling muslims to respect and revere the environment.
God had in his infinite wisdom and mercy provided us all with a land of vast resources. These very resources allow us to maintain a good quality of life, but we are going beyond our means and steadily destroying this Earth. Perhaps the world will end when the resources on this Earth run out, but it is our duty to ensure we delay that for as long as possible, so that we can say that we did the best we could to keep the planet alive. With current attitudes being the way they are, I just don't see that happening.
I possibly should've focused on our personal duties and what we should be doing as individuals, but I wanted to speak about the role our governments and the role the developed world plays in trying to improve the current situation. But, it is miserably failing, no-one wants to take responsibility because no-one wants to compromise or change their way of life. What difference can one person make, even one community? Not much, it's needs nations as a whole to try and make a difference. We all live on the same planet, there is no where else to go. Changes need to be made and fast to ensure this planet survives far and beyond current predictions.
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
No new football issues to bore you with, so I'll talk about todays topic. At the risk of sounding really sad, I was listening to Radio 5Live on my way home yesterday and the Drivetime show was being presented from Mumbai, India. It was focusing on climate change and global warming. Unsurprisingly the average Indian did not have a clue about the problems regarding global warming and for millions living in shanty towns, their main concern was how to continue staying alive and nothing much else.
The main issue seems to be the idea of carbon dioxide emissions contributing to the greenhouse effect leading to rises in the Earth's temperature, hence causing climate change. As a result the focus is on attempting to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions. Other gases also contribute, but carbon dioxide is the most abundant, simply because it is the main by-product of fule consumption. Scientists are now claiming that such is the extent of climate change, that the Earth will be suffering from increasing droughts, floods and extreme weather conditions.
Understandably this has caused a lot of concern. Human activities are believed to have played a major role in causing the changes we are now experiencing. For example, last month was the hottest ever September on record in the UK and this summer has been one the hottest ever recorded, with July recording the hottest day ever. The consequences have already manifested in a number of ways including our roads melting in the heat and drought orders being requested across the country.
Obviously something needs to be done and various guidelines, laws and protocols have come to pass which focus on these issues, attempting to cut down on emissions of greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide. The most famous is the Kyoto Protocol, which has defined the targets that need to be reached, with regard to levels of emission of these gases, by industrial countries across the world. Guess which large industrial country has failed to agree to the protocol? America! (It's not even a guess).
The USA claims that until countries such as China, India and Mexico also agree to cut down their emissions, there is no need for them to do so. India has the a population of over a billion people in a land one third the size of America. It is a rapidly develpoing country and needs the consumption of fossil fuels to prosper. Obviously it is a very polluted country and is chucking out large quantities of carbon dioxide, but it has no choice. When the UK and USA were developing in the 18th/19th centuries, they too needed to create energy from the consumption of fuel and hence emitted large quantities of carbon dioxide, but now they are trying to limit other countries from doing the same.
As I type, leading ministers of industrial countries are meeting in Mexico to discuss climate change. The developing world is just not interested. In their eyes, why should they be the ones who make changes, when they see people of the UK and America enjoying lavish lifestyles, driving large SUVs and generating tonnes of waste. The presenter on the show yesterday stated that Texas produces more carbon dioxide than the whole of the UK. The show, also interviewed Mexicans at the location of the meeting who just wanted to enjoy the same life as the Americans, they didn't care about climate change, and rightly so. Why should the developing world have to pay for the damages caused by the developed world?
Naturally it is not as simple as that. Countries like the UK and USA need to realise that the developing world is not going to change anytime soon and will continue to pollute just to survive. This needs to be compensated by changes made to our lifestyles in the developed world and these changes need to be enforced. Such is the arrogance of the USA, they will not even acknowledge that changes need to be made - the Bush administration, point blank, refuses to enforce any emission policies. Instead it is left to individual states to govern themselves. For example, Arnold Schwarzenegger (ARNIE!!), governor of California, is attempting to set legislation in California looking to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions and setting vigourous targets, which puts him at odds with the President
This arrogance is overwhelming. Something needs to be done and fast. The Earth is deteriorating before our very eyes. Call me pessimistic but sometimes I think it is all happening for a reason. I believe that God is observing us destroy the Earth, and there will come a time when mankind will be unable to exist on this planet, simply because there will no longer be the resources to do so. Our destruction of Earth will bring about the end of the world (how Hollywood like - infact maybe The Day After Tomorrow might not be so unrealisitc!) and that would be it. God would then, on the Day of Judgement, start by mentioning how he provided a planet with infinite resources which we managed to use up in only a few thousand years.
As individuals we all have a role to play, and we must try to do our bit. I am as guilty as anyone. I drive a fast car which probably emits loads of carbon dioxide (well at least my road tax bill says it does) and that does contribute to the environment, but I do not like how all the focus appears to be on cars and air travel. A culture is developing where it's cool to drive hybrid cars and by doing so you are saving the world! Absoulute bull****! What about the hundred thousands, even millions, of pounds being wasted in faulty factories, poor production lines and dodgy dealings? Surely the money being wasted needs to be looked at, cut down and then re-invested into methods which will assist in decreasing the damage to the environment. It is too easy to just tax people more for driving bigger cars or going on long haul flights, the bigger picture needs to be looked at.
The Quran is clear about our role on Earth. It states that the "servants of Allah, Most Gracious, are those who walk on the earth in humility." (Quran Surah 25, Verse 63). God also states that "mischief has appeared on the land and sea, because of (the need) that the hands of man have earned, that (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may turn back (from evil).” (Quran Surah 30, Verse 41), cleary admonishing people who cause damage on this Earth. God goes on to say that "greater indeed than the creation of man is the creation of the heavens and the earth." (Quran Surah 40, Verse 57), compelling muslims to respect and revere the environment.
God had in his infinite wisdom and mercy provided us all with a land of vast resources. These very resources allow us to maintain a good quality of life, but we are going beyond our means and steadily destroying this Earth. Perhaps the world will end when the resources on this Earth run out, but it is our duty to ensure we delay that for as long as possible, so that we can say that we did the best we could to keep the planet alive. With current attitudes being the way they are, I just don't see that happening.
I possibly should've focused on our personal duties and what we should be doing as individuals, but I wanted to speak about the role our governments and the role the developed world plays in trying to improve the current situation. But, it is miserably failing, no-one wants to take responsibility because no-one wants to compromise or change their way of life. What difference can one person make, even one community? Not much, it's needs nations as a whole to try and make a difference. We all live on the same planet, there is no where else to go. Changes need to be made and fast to ensure this planet survives far and beyond current predictions.
Take care all,
Thoughts just flow, when do they have to make sense?
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