The Greatest Father-in-Law

In a society where In-Laws are mostly found to be envious, wicked and cunning people, Muhammad Ilyas has always defied this perception by proving it absolutely bogus. Had there been a noble prize for the most sincere Father-in-Law, no one else would have been more deserving than Mr. Ilyas. Mr. Ilyas has proved yet again that he stongly believes in family bonding as he has just been successful in arranging a gazzilionth 'honeymoon' for his daughter and his favorite Son-in-Law, this time to Zimbabwe. Take a bow for being so sincere with your family, Mr. Ilyas.

Imran Farhat has been named in the squad for Zimbabwe that is announced today primarily because of two obvious reasons. 1) His Pro-PCB commentary during the Faysal Bank T20 tournament in Faisalabad, where young deserving openers were knocking the doors of PCB with each run they were scoring and 2) as usaual the ever loving Father-in-Law's 'parchi'. Being an 'influential' member of the selection committe, Muhammad Ilyas has never missed any opportunity to create a 'foreing trip' for his son-in-law. "Sussar ho tou Aisa..."

Can any one please dare to ask Mr. Ilyas and respected Chairman PCB that what good has Mr. Brain Charles Farhat achieved while he was in the national side and during the domestic tournaments? Did he even play the recently conducted domestic tournament? No he didn't. If the players like Sharjeel Khan, who performed brilliantly in that tournament, are not selected then what is the purpose of arranging such tournaments? To give an opportunity to players like Farhat so that they can analyze the game while sitting in the media box and make their way back into the national side without even playing any competitive cricket? The criteria for the selection of players like Farhat is just a nod from his Father-in-Law?Then indeed, Pakistan Cricket is on its way to Glory of Downfall!!

Armageddon inside a Boxing Ring

Judah against Khan. American against British/Pakistani. A born Jew against a Muslim. May be I should not mix a mere game of Boxing with religion but the name 'Judah' has compelled me to.

Judah- Name of one of the sons of Prophet Yaqoob (Jacob), May peace be upon his soul. Judah, also known as 'Yahooda', was also a tribe from which the Jews/Israelite have originated. The same Jews who were once the chosen people of Allah Almighty. The same people who were assured to have the blessings of a promised land (Jerusalem). The same people on whom Allah Almighty showered his countless bounties. The same people who were shown the destruction of Pharaoh's army in the sea in front of their own eyes. The same people who were sent into diaspora throughout the world due to their disobedience and their deadly crimes such as the distortion of Holy Torah and slaying the prophets. The same people who are back in the Holy land after 2000 years of wilderness. The same people who have been warned as the biggest threat to Islam according to a saying of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Zab Judah- born in a Black Hebrew Israelite family, and a reborn Christian, up against a British-Pakistan of Muslim Origin, Amir Khan, created a glimpse of Armageddon in the boxing ring. Armageddon will be a grand battle near the end of times between Muslims, Jews and Christians which would see the victory of Muslims by the will of Almighty Allah. Judah, with his religion changed and Amir with an amulet, self supplication and a patriotic kit, has just shown the world a sign of Allah's blessing towards those who believe in Him. The Americans, Jews and Christians have just witnessed a triumphant young lad who is about 10 years younger than Judah by the help of his faith in Almighty Allah.

The chaos in the Middle east is going to end up in Israel becoming a ruling state of the world. But then Muslims will be strengthened miraculously to end the rule of Israel in their home land. Just like Amir has defeated Judah in his home land. There's no comparison of a game with the divine decree of Muslims against the Jews but for those Muslims who have lost all their hopes by accepting their everlasting downfall, a ray of light can surely be seen if they take this game as a different game altogether.

American Born Confused Desi ABCD

Shall I call him 'Abbu' or shall I call him 'Dad'? Shall I call her 'Daadi' or shall it be 'Grandma' in front of my friends? Shall I speak in Urdu or English with my Mother? Shall I make fun of the unusual dressing and a strange accent of those who have migrated from my mother land or shall I remain silent and think about my own distant relatives back home? Shall I enjoy the luxurious facilities at my birth place or shall I ridicule the lack of such lavishness at my parent's birth place? I am occupied with so many confusions; Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi!

You give me any gadget and I'll show how it works. You ask me all the latest about action games/movies and I'll give you each and every bit of information. You look at my music collection and you'll be amazed to find the quality of hip-hop and rock. You take away my laptop/PSP/Nintendo/Play station and I am unable to survive. You make me watch 'Gone with the Wind' and I'll say what a boring senseless movie. You make me listen to Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or Muhammad Rafi and I'll close my ears with both hands before turning it off. I live in America in an American Style but yet I like to be known as a Pakistani - Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi!

I like the rare sunshine in my State, yet I hate the sunshine when I go to Pakistan. I hardly go there. I've just been there a couple of times for about a couple of weeks, yet I have made strong impressions about it. I have been there in summers, and I assume that the weather is always boiling hot in Pakistan. It's not my fault to make this assumption because I've never been to Pakistan in December or January. I don't like the rough condition of roads; I hate the pollution; I hate the awful smell of the feces of buffalo. This is Pakistan for me. The whole of Pakistan! It's not my fault if I haven't been to Islamabad or the posh areas of Lahore or Karachi. I assume no one in Pakistan can speak or understand English. It's not my fault if I have not been to some of the International level schools and Colleges throughout the country. I hate 'daal-sabzi' that I used to eat or the meat which had a foul smell; I hated Pakistan even more with each bolus that I unwillingly used to swallow. It's not my fault if I haven't been told about Hardees or Nando's or McDonalds or KFC chains throughout the big cities of Pakistan. I used to hate the 'lota' system in the toilets although it is much hygienic then the 'toilet paper' system back in the America. I can drink water from the sink in America but I was dependent on mineral water throughout my stay in Pakistan; Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi!

The city of Peshawar was an hour away from the village where I was staying. The chappli kababs were so delicious that irrespective of how many my stomach would allow, my hands were unable to resist. The other day I was in hospital due to dehydration caused by diarrhea. I started the blame game. Definitely it was Pakistan that made me sick, not that the case was my over-eating; Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi!

I'll look at the snaps of the beautiful locations of Northern areas of Pakistan and I'll confuse it with any location in Switzerland because no one has ever told me about such an amazing beauty of Pakistan. Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi!

No matter how much I hate visiting Pakistan, I cry whenever Pakistan Cricket Team loses a match. Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi. I live in a place where there is no load shedding of both electricity and gas; yet I hate Zardari for the stories which I've heard about his corruption and the load shedding in Pakistan although it makes no difference to my life; Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi.

For me, Pakistan is just a small rural village which is located somewhere near the glamorous Bollywood; yet I want India to lose when it is playing against Pakistan. Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi. I can go clubbing, I can have a bit of whisky, I can obligate namaz just once in a year; yet I'll ALWAYS buy a fish burger from McDonald's- the only HALAL product they have. Yes, I am an American-Born-Confused-Desi.

Coke Studio Season 4 Review

Turn on the television; spread out a newspaper or surf the internet- Pakistan is always in the bad news. Go on to YouTube and check out the videos by Coke Studio. The first thing that strikes you is the number of views that are at par with any hit English track. Then if you scroll down to see the comments, you will find a great proportion of comments from outside Pakistan in an appreciation to the show and of course, to the talent which is being refined by this revolutionary show in the history of Pakistani media. The talent belongs to the country i.e. Pakistan, and the acknowledgement is also directed towards Pakistan; which is an absolute rarity these days.

Coke Studio has been a revelation in the music of Pakistan since 4 years now. The season is aired after a span of one year and comprises of 5 episodes. While Season 1, 2 and 3 were a huge success, the recently concluded season 4 has got a mixed response. Rohail Hyatt has left some screws unturned in this season, unlike the last ones.

There's not even a slightest ambiguity in the fact that Rohail Hyatt has always put his 100% effort in every performance that he creates. The Season 4 has more highs than the lows. But the lows have come as a surprise, being negligible in the 2nd or 3rd season for that matter.

Lets focus on the Highs first. The opening episode was highlighted by a brilliant performance by Akhtar Chanal from Balochistan along with komal rizvi for' Daanah pe Daanah'. It was good to see the focus on balochi folk after a long time. Surely, the province of Balochistan still has many hidden treasures. Jal tried to fuse their song with Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's epic 'Dam Mast Qalandar'; which was an epic fail. The original part of the song,'ik arzu', however, was a good effort. Bilal Khan's 'Tou kya Hua' became a teenage sensation. Episode 2 and arguably the best one of the season witnessed the return of Attaullah Essa Khelvi in the most emphatic style with his hit song 'Ne Othaan Waale', what a treat that was to the hearing ears! Sajjad Ali's 'KirKir' was a refreshing change at Coke Studio in terms of its mood and feel. 'Beero Binjaaro' by Asif Hussain Samraat took the listeners to the deserts of Rajasthan.; a soothing melody indeed. Fareed Ayaz's 'Kangna' was at par with 'Ne Saiyon assaan' by Rizwan and Moazzam from season 3, though it was much more intense and much longer for viewers liking. Episode 3 was all about the one line that Qurat-ul-ain Balouch got to sing in 'Panchi' with Jal and also the out of this world classical music by Ustaad Samiuddin. Coke Studio season 4 is not complete without 'Mundari' by Sami Saab. Take a bow Rohail Hyatt; for inviting an unknown classical legend of our country. Episode 4 again had a strong performace by Akhtar Channal, Attaullah Sahab and Sajjad Ali. Bilal Khan was again there to provide youth with yet another touching song, 'Lamha'. Some of the fusions like 'Danah pe danah' and 'Panchi' were masterly handled by Rohail. Giving young Mole's instrumental a chance at such a high level was definitely a big step.

The Lows may not be due to the quality of music, but there were several other factors that should have been considered in order to make the season a definite winner. To start off with, there's no logic to me that why Sanam Marvi has to be there literally in every other song? Indeed she is a very talented singer but please Mr. Rohail, We have had enough of her in the last couple of seasons. Secondly, why give Komal rizvi and Meesha Shafi the songs which the legendary Reshma can still sing even if she's not well? She must have been invited for 'Lambi Judaai'. Qurat-ul-ain balouch definitely deserved a solo performance.

On the whole, CS-4 was indeed a treat to experience but it could have been a bit better with slight fine-tuning with the production management. Keep up the good work, Rohail.

If the Doctor is Handsome....

Height- 6'4; chest- broad; complexion- fair-- Yes the Doctor is Handsome! An original Marks & Spenser grayish collar shirt with a branded plain tie and a jet black dress pant with a trendy belt - Indeed the Doctor is Handsome. An expensive original Seiko hanging down to his left wrist; stylish boots of original Clarks covering his feet ; properly gelled and spiky hair; a unique framed specs along with the frangrance of Brut - Truly, the Doctor is Handsome.

Fiza, 19, has just started her Fashion designing course in one of the top Institution in this field. Happy-go-lucky by nature, she's still single and apparently, she's not planning to cry after a guy unlike most of her friends do, at least not any soon. She is social; she is out-going; she loves to party; she has a motto in her life - No love, No Tension.

Mrs. Fozan, wife of a retired bureaucrat and mother of Fiza, is a chronic hypertensive patient along with a tendency of mood-swings - probably a natural one if you have 3 daughters who are still unmarried and a retired husband at home. Fiza, the second amongst her siblings, is responsible to take her mother to the hospital on Saturdays - the day of Mrs. Fozan's appointment with her counselor.

It's Saturday. Mrs. Fozan is having an extended session with her counselor in Medical ward 4 who is trying to overcome the tendencies of her mood-swings with the help of verbal therapy. Fiza is waiting outside - not observing the hustle and bustle around her, thanks to the technology in her hand which is sending impulses to her cochlea via headphones and she's moving her lips along with the impulses that are generated. Her eyes, suddenly, perceive another stimulus. A tall, good-looking, well-dressed man in a white over-all with a stethoscope around his neck and a clip-board in his hand is seen. The impulse of her eyes has got better off the impulse of her ears. She's unable to take her eyes off the young House Officer, around 24. Surely, The Doctor is Handsome!

'Mom i guess you should start having sessions with your counselor more than once a week' says Fiza on her way back. 'Beta I don't need that much counseling, I am not in a worse stage' Mrs Fozan is satisfied with one session a week.

Mrs. Fozan is getting surprized by the concern being showed by her daughter like never before. This is the fourth cosecutive week in which Fiza has reminded her mother of her appointment while making sure that she gets ready in time. Fiza's eyes are again looking for Ahsan Khan, the only information that she has got about her love-at-first-sight. She is unable to understand the reason for her being shy in-front of him, because it is completely against her nature. It's not that she is ugly, she has rejected many decent-looking guys while she was in A-levels, and she is pretty much a beautiful looking girl. For the first time, she has admired a guy and she doesn't know how to respond.

Three months are gone without even a single chat. Mrs. Fozan is very much out of her mood-swing phases. Fiza has no choice but to go alone to the hospitals, 3-4 times a week now. She wants this mysterious feeling to end once for all. She has had many sleepless nights, many workless days, much meal-less times. She has decided to talk to the Doctor today. She is in a 'babe-look'

'Errmm Excuse me, My name is Fiza' 'How can I help you Miss?'. The reply came in a deep decent respectful voice. Truly the Doctor is Handsome. 'Well, I am having sleepless nights, I can't concentrate on anything, I am unable to remain happy even if i try to'... 'Ohh, may be you should consult a Psychiatrist, such things happen at your age, may be you are having an exam-phobia or something' Fiza was expecting a better reply from the Doc. 'No it's not related to studies, and I don't need a Psychiatrist, you are a Doctor, can't you help me out?' 'But you see I am just a house officer doing my house job, this is not my field' There was no way the Doctor was going to entertain that poor girl no matter how sweet she was trying to be. The Doctors are unromantic, she thinks.

'I think I should give him a call on the number which I got from his collegue in the hospital'. Fiza decides. 'I am sorry I didn't recognize you....Oh that young girl?? How can I serve you now?' There is a little hardening of voice from his side; he is clearly disturbed by the call. Fiza tells her that she has something for him. The last think she expects is her call being dropped. She thinks there is a network problem. She tries again. And again, and again. And finally she is surprised to find her number to be blocked. 4 months of wilderness without a success. Fiza cries and decides to lock up herself in her room.

'Am I so bad to be behaved like this by a guy?' Fiza asks her best-friend, Amina. Amina tries to cheer her up and convince her to attend her party at evening.

'Had it not been for the over-all and steths, this guy looks exactly a carbon copy of Ahsan.' Fiza is thinking after watching a guy in the party. But she is heart-broken. She is not thinking about him. She is with her friends as she hears a manly voice. 'Can i join you guys?' Amina nods. He is starting a conversation with Fiza. His name is Danial. Fiza is starting to enjoy the conversation after an initial stage of irritation. Amina and her other friends are giving them both some moments of private discussion. Life's good again.

Fiza is at this hospital. It has been a year since Mrs. Fozan last had a session with her counselor. Fiza is un-concerned with her surroundings. She is busy in texting Danial. Ahsan has probably left for his Post-Graduate training in US. As if she cares? She has got well over him.

Fiza concludes that no matter how many apples you keep away and throw in the garbage, and no matter how much the Doctor is handsome, don't go after him because he has undergone a special training of brutality being imposed over him for 5 years which ultimately turns his heart into a stone without any feelings.

The moral of the story is: Even if the Doctor is Handsome, Do Not keep the apple away. [:P]

ICC fan's Greatest Test team of all time- Fair enough?

There is no denying of the fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has been under an immense influence of Indian Lobby i.e the BCCI for a while now. The policy matters of ICC must have a strong backing by the Indian Cricket board in order to be implemented. This influence of Indian board was seen to have another dimension which had nothing to do with board itself, but with the public of India. 

In a recently concluded fan's Greatest test team of all-time on the website of ICC, the strong Indian lobby along with the advantage of gigantic population with proportional internet users, made 4 Indian cricketers join the elite test team of all-time, just before the occasion of 2000th International test match at Lords- The home of cricket. Had it been not for the public pole, most of the players would never have made it into this list. Nothing to be taken away from all the 11 great players but it would have been better if instead of a public pole, an independent ICC jury was to announce the all-time Greatest team. 2000 Test matches spanning from 1877 till now is not a minor thing, after all. 

Virender Sehwag, a big name, a devastating opener, but with due respect, is not a proper test match opener. Kapil Dev, a fine all-rounder, better than Sir Garfield Sobers or Sir Richard Hadlee? Muttiah Muralitharan, first man to have achieved a mammoth haul of 800 wickets in test matches didn't even make it to the list. Just because there was not enough Sri Lankan population to take part in the online competition? No Michael Holdings or Any Roberts or Malcom Marshalls or Joel Garners or Sir Vivian Richards or Imran Khans or Denis Comptons or several other players, who were the true representatives of Test cricket, are to be find in this public list, which was dominated by voters primarily from Indian T20 generation.

ICC should have been fair while announcing the All-time Greatest team for the Test matches at least as it is the real form of Cricket and therefore, must be dealt with care in all cases. Public votes, however, can be used in case of One day Cricket. Even if the fan's Greatest team is announced, ICC should take care of the location of the audiences so that a fair and a non-biased outcome is achieved. 

Disappointed at this unfair result. 

Islamabad, Sodom and Gomorrah

June the 26^th silently witnessed an event in the city of Islamabad which was bound to raise many eye-brows and activate the religious organizations due to its controversial backdrop. An event of a very minor gathering of just a few hundred yet it was labeled as 'cultural terrorism'.  An event which made one of the leading religious organization in Pakistan – Jamiat-e-Islami – to carry out several protests within a week's span. An event which surely was one of its first kind in a country which was created in the name of religion - Islam. Homosexuality has been a taboo in our society and religion. An event which was organized by the US Embassy for the rights of Homosexuals in Pakistan was rightly termed as cultural terrorism, but more than that, it was a religious explosion.

Movement for Gay rights is not a new one. Several movements have been launched throughout the western world and there are many countries where same-sex marriages have been legalized. Pakistan is a fresh destination for these activists. An Islamic country by ethnicity, yet the Gay Right Activists can find their supporters in Pakistan, as can be the case with any other country.

It is really sad to see the influence of Gay Activists in our society; an alarming situation indeed. A prime example of their influence is the occurrence of such an event openly in an Embassy of an Islamic state, against the law of sharia. Another example is very disturbing for me. When you type 'Islamic references against Homosexuality' in Google, it shows up all the links having fabricated references of Islam and Homosexuality. In the era where Google is like the Bible of Information, such fabricated references which actually try to prove that Islam allows homosexuality (which is not true of course) can lead to confusion in the minds of young Muslims. Let us consider a few relevant references showing true Islamic teachings against Homosexuality.

Almighty Allah has created every living being in pairs; male and female. It is the nature of the universe that opposites attract and likes repel. Same is the natural phenomenon in case of marriages. A male must marry a female for the continuity of life. The Quran is very strict and straight-forward against this unnatural act. The Quran mentions the story of people of Prophet Loot (Lot) who were indulged in this filthy act and how they were punished by Allah. Here are some verses from this thought-provoking real incident from the Holy Quran:

“And (remember) Loot (Lot), when he said to his people: ‘Do you commit the worst sin such as none preceding you has committed in the ‘Aalameen (mankind and jinn)?” [al-A’raaf 7:80]

Verily, you practice your lusts on men instead of women. Nay, but you are a people transgressing beyond bounds (by committing great sins)’” [al-A’raaf 7:80-81]

“Verily, We sent against them a violent storm of stones (which destroyed them all), except the family of Loot (Lot), them we saved in the last hour of the night” [al-Qamar 54:34]

Sodom and Gomorrah were the towns at the time of Prophet Ibrahim (A.S) at around 2000 B.C. They were the pioneers of Homosexuality hence this act is also known as Sodomy. Prophet Loot (A.S) was sent to warn them against their immoral act but they refused. The towns were showered by lava of an erupted volcano. The towns were lifted high up the sky to fall upside down along with stoning from the sky and the earthquake. Pompeii, and ancient city of Roman Empire was also destroyed for the same reason and their bodies are still present as a sign from Allah. This was how Almighty Allah perished the wrong doers.

Holy Prophet (PBUH) has also declared homosexuality as a gravest sin. Following are a few hadith regarding homosexuality:

  It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him): “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘There is nothing I fear for my ummah more than the deed of the people of Loot.’ (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1457; Ibn Maajah, 2563).

And also: '…cursed is the one who does the action of the people of Loot'

According to the first Hadith, even Prophet (PBUH) feared that this act would corrupt his Ummah. The Gay Rights activities In the Muslim state of Pakistan which gathered many supporters is a prophecy fulfilled. This shameful and unnatural act has been growing its roots in the Muslim Ummah for a while now. Religious and Moral awareness is important in order to save people from indulging in the act of Sodomy.

A Gay lives an unnatural life. He abandons familial, moral, ethical and religious values which are essential for being a successful person in this world and the life hereafter. Gay-marriages are completely un-Islamic, uncivilized and unnatural. I completely oppose the Gay rights and I can see this wave of movements as a pre-planned attacked on Islamic beliefs by the foreign powers. There is a Hadith which mentions that homosexuality will be common near the End of time.

Islamabad-- meaning the City of Islam – is geologically at the epicenter of one massive earthquake. Like Sodom and Gomorrah which were destroyed due to their shameful acts by volcano eruption and an earthquake, the City of Islam is inviting the curse of Allah towards itself by allowing immoral and unethical events to happen regularly without any opposition.

May the name of Islam always prevail and may we value our religion and ethics in order to avoid to be treated like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Ameen.