A Ramadan Experience

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the most sacred of the twelve months. It is the time of the year when Muslims around the world fast from dawn to dusk.

Why fast?
-to develop patience and self-control
-to learn sympathy for the deprived
-to cleanse the body and mind
-to gain appreciation for Allah's bounty
-to demonstrate the depth of one's commitment.

Special meals are eaten before and after each day of fasting: suhoor or sehri before the dawn prayers, and iftar, the evening meal often eaten communally and often including dates.

Iftar, refers to the evening meal for breaking the daily fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Traditionally, a date is the first thing to consume during Iftar when the fast is broken. Different cultures in the Islamic world have different traditions when it comes to the various dishes prepared. It's the time when traditionally all the members in the household gather near sun down and wait for the time to break fast.

The Final

Ten days earlier, India and Pakistan couldn't be separated in Durban. In front of a frenzied crowd at the Wanderers on Monday, they played out perhaps the best final ever seen in a major tournament. Once again, the ice-cool Misbah-ul-Haq threatened to drag Pakistan back from the brink, but the Indians just about held their nerve to clinch a five-run victory and the inaugural ICC World Twenty20.

After scrapping hard to get to 157 for 5 in the face of some tigerish bowling and fielding, India were inspired with the ball, and Pakistan appeared to be well out of contention with 54 needed from 24 balls and just three wickets in hand. But when Misbah thumped Harbhajan Singh for three sixes and Sohail Tanvir chipped in with a four-ball 12, the improbable became possible.
With Misbah on strike, Pakistan needed 13 from the final over. After a great deal of thought, Mahendra Singh Dhoni gambled on the inexperienced Joginder Sharma. When he started with a wide, Indian fans groaned, and the situation became even more desperate when Misbah pummelled a full toss miles over long-off for six. But with victory in his grasp, his judgement failed him. Moving across his stumps, he went for the scoop down to fine leg. He didn't connect cleanly, and millions on the subcontinent held their breath as Sreesanth came under the ball at short fine leg. When he held it, the stadium erupted.

On such incidents are matches between these two great rivals won and lost. On an enthralling afternoon at the Bullring though, there were no winners or losers, just a resounding success for a format that is undoubtedly here to stay.

Twenty20 World Cup Finale

India are surprise semi-finalists. So are Pakistan. India came into the tournament with just one Twenty20 international behind them, and without three of their leading batsmen and their best bowler. But their progress shows what energy and youth can accomplish. Who would have thought their bowling and fielding would win them a match? Is it a coincidence that India have been involved in four of the most exciting matches so far? The bowl-out against Pakistan was a shame, though.

So, the inaugural trophy eludes Australia. No doubt they're a fantastic side with experience beyond compare but full credit to the Indians. They were aggressive and fought hard in both the innings. And now the final. This one promises to be a thriller. India vs Pakistan is always special and romantic in a sort of way. The Asian fans, and cricket lovers in particular couldn't had asked for a better script in the running. Nothing to choose between the two. Remember both these teams were never expected to reach the semis let alone the finals. Inexperienced leaders, young players and bound to fail was the mantra the experts had predicted. But Dhoni and Malik are men who can carry the mantle well. We've all seen that. This one will be a fight to the finish. Make no mistake. So ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seat belts. We're ready for the final. Expect some fireworks. Anything less, will be disappointing.

Ramadan Kareem!

Hope this month of Ramadan brings you the choicest blessings of the Almighty with all the health, wealth, peace, success, smiles and happiness.. Ameen.. May Allah accept our prayers.. Wishing everone a very happy and a blessed Ramadan.. Keep up the prayers!

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July-August 2007

Well, the latter part of June and half the month of July was pretty relaxing.. Riyadh was boiling and I couldn't find doing anything other than sitting under the air con. I met up my old buddies after ages.. Asim and Rizwan.. I was meeting Asim after more than 3 years with hardly any or no contact in the middle! But it was still the same.. Nothing had changed.. The 3 of us back playing billiards and catching up with what had happened..

Our family vacation started on 16th july. We flew from Riyadh to Doha, Qatar. We stayed at the Movenpick Hotel for a night and continued our journey the next day travelling onto New Jersey, USA en route Geneva, Switzerland where we had a couple of hours as stopover. We landed in NJ's EWR airport on 19th morning after almost 19 hours of air travel from Riyadh in 1.5 days!

Later we flew to Buffalo, NY where we stayed for a few days with relatives. A few days later we left for Cambridge, Canada where we were for about 10 days. In Toronto, the landmark easily distinguishable from miles around was the CN tower. Regular visits to amusement parks, trips to Niagara Falls, a US Air force sponsored air show, rock climbing, movies, picnics, tourist places etc all made sure there was never a dull moment during our vacation. Cousins, uncles and aunts took time out for us and made sure we had a memorable time. God bless them all. Without their efforts it wouldn’t had been the same. This trip was a memorable one and something to cherish for years to come. For the first time my brother and me discovered our other cousins and gelled together! We had never met them before and thus hardly knew anything about them. All of us together had a good time and the holidays were never a bore. Before we knew, sadly it was the time to leave and by mid august we were heading towards New York City where in a couple of days we were supposed to fly back to Riyadh. NY is an amazing city and I think it’s one of my favorites right up there with Kuala Lumpur. People from all races, cultures, regions, nationalities etc dwell together in this city. The statue of liberty out on an island is very picturesque. From the top of state empire building, NYC looks beautiful in the night. We stayed for about 3-4 days. Soon it was time to be homebound and we were back.

Looking back, I’ve to say that I learned quite a lot. Other than the part of going to tourist places and having fun it was a different experience watching and learning about American way of things. Whether it’s the education aspect, or the business aspect it’s clear that this culture is a bit different. I guess it all comes down to what perspective you’re seeing things through. Nevertheless, I would rate our 33 day trip the best we’ve traveled together as a family. This was our 2nd visit to USA and Canada but I was too young to recall anything from the first one.

Dreams..

When sleep engulfs the mind..
And allows the body slowly to unwind..

It plunges the conscious into a dreamland..
Everything around is plain like desert's sand..

Dreams are a beautiful getaway, a nice respite..
In the heavenly aura where everything appears to be white..

A temporary relief from the wordly woes..
Where joys, happiness and smiles flow..