Lost and Found

It was a surprise to get a mail from Remi. Though I knew its on the way as Saina told me she has given Remi my id.

It was indeed nice talking to her, though it was sad to listen to her Katrina experiences. It was the first time I talk to a first hand victim of a natural calamity. Probably she was one of the most lucky ones. When she left the place as usual listening to warning, she did not know how big its gonna be. Good. Agonies delayed. And stress reduced.

What she lost? Well, a car, a house, whatever they had done to make the house look more beatiful and homely, all items that were in it for the basic life and the ones added later for that extra comfort. Much lost in the running waters. And much went to the hands of those who were fishing in those troubled waters.

As she says what she misses is not the big items that were immobile and were difficult to move. Things that dont move are generally less personally attached? For her it was those lovely memories in color print that she misses a lot. And for sure those colorful dreams of the house that she had cared so lovely I suppose. For a home is a home and will be a home. A home of dreams. Of love. Of thoughts and worries and hopes.

Is man travelling back to those old tribal days? The mobile home. Ready to pack and go. Storm, move ahead. Floods, move ahead. Famine, move ahead. There were no titles and deeds when land was in plenty. Now the deeds are for those dreams painted in sky. Like my fifth floor dream home coming up in Brigade Metropolis in Bangalore. The higher the dream is, more costly it becomes. So I settled for Fifth floor. Cannot understand the logic. Pay more to move away from "Ground Realty"?

Anyway, God save us.

Sadia chan

She was one lovely child in the mosque. The pure Japanese girl. Which made her a good Muslim child. Silent. Respecting and respectable. Very attentive. Smart.

The very sight of her made me feel so sorry last week. I was at the Mega 100 yen store when I spotted her with someone. She just bowed as she used to, and then walked away.

Dont know whom to blame. Her mom or her father. Anyway they are now separated. And I heard she had to drop off school etc. She and her mom have now stopped coming to mosque. Well, what did they get? For whatever reason, Sadia chan did not get justice at all. She failed in getting the basic humanity from the very people who vows to keep Humanity First. The male chauvisntic people put blame on her Mom. And the male chavisntic females who could not find fault in her Mom just made sure they dont see a fault in her dad too.

Still no one cared for Sadia chan.

When there is a failure, someone is at fault. Just imagine it was your kid, and now think. A beautiful budding rose will not fall down unless someone plucked it.

Problem now is simple. Her father remarried and her mom did not agree. That became a big fight and they separated.

Well, if he had issues with his wife in marriage, did he try to solve? And if failed, why did he not divorce first and then remarry?

When she created issues, he is ready for divorce. Does that mean he was ready for divorce earlier too but found no reason? So he created an issue with a second marriage?

If he really had no issues in the first marriage but wanted the second marriage for whatever reason, why did he not take time in convincing her at least?

Who was her "guardian" in her marriage and what role did that guy take to protect her interests?

I have many questions, as usual. But no one is there for me to ask these...

I just pray for Sadia chan.

With Khalifa V

A day that was in dream for a long time. Khalifatul Masih comes to Japan, my parents come to Japan and we had a meeting with him. And this photo session. It was so natural and felt like we knew well and he talked so friendly too.

Irene could not read out her "Surah Al Fatiha for Children" in the later Children's class. She could just sit in the class. Ian, I dont think he bothered!

There was one more official meeting later where I saw a strict Khalifa putting his foot down very strongly - and still smiling and saying stories.

Cherry Blossoms

After the chilling days, cherry blossoms smiling on a sunny spring day. Snap taken at Saigoyama park, Shibuya.

Surah Fatiha for a child

He created the whole wide world..
..The steep mountains and the deep ocean
..The mighty trees and the pretty flowers
..The singing birds and the roaring lions

Even before I was born
Allah's mercy was all there

Mom and Dad, and a nice home
Nursing me with love and care

Teachers and friends so kind and good
When I grew up and went to school

When I do my work with prayer
He helps me get the right answer

What is good and what is fowl
My Lord knows the best of all

Be kind to friends and He'll be glad
Be nice to parents, He'll be pleased

O Allah, You are my master
O Lord, You alone I obey

When in need of any favour
To You only, I turn to pray

Lord, make me a child so nice
Bless me to be kind and wise

Save me from evil and wrong
Get me good friends all along

Help me never speak a lie
Love for you, I hold so high

Rights, Responsibilities and Democracy

Good thing about western democracy is one fundamental right - Freedom of expression. It is defined in the constitution in many countries. Now many people link Freedom of expression with freedom of thought and delink it with the fundemental responsibility of human being. Respect for others. Whatever one thinks shall not be freely expressed. There is no dearth of instances where a westerner get offended. Try talking English to a French.

Gregory Clarke wrote about how anti-racial statements are banned in the west. Where is the Freedom of expression there. I can get fired from my current employment if I mail a racist article. Does it pose a danger on my existence?

Human life should be guided by responsibilities. My responsibilities and his rights. This is what every religion taught. Though people who claim to be religious have now started talking about religious rights.

Belief in God is optional in Europe. But belief in holocaust is a must. A criminal offense.

Daily Times - Site Edition

Letter to editor

My letter to editor got published in Japan
The Japan Times Online Articles

READERS IN COUNCIL

Respect for faiths of all sorts

By RIYAZ MUHAMMAD

Tokyo

I do welcome the Japanese Foreign Ministry's call to the media not to run recently controversial cartoons that paint a derogatory image of Muhammad ("peace and blessings of God be upon him"), the holy prophet of Islam. It is rather unfortunate that the ministry's advice comes from the fear of attacks on Japanese institutions worldwide, rather than because of respect for the prophet. While the Japanese press has the freedom to publish, I would hope that it has the sense of responsibility to respect leaders of all sorts in society.

I would hope that the following incident from the life of the prophet would be a guiding light: Once the prophet declined to enter the house of one of his followers, since it would have made him step over an old idol that the follower used to worship before becoming a Muslim. The follower was asked to respect the idol in an appropriate way as long as there was at least one person on the planet who worshipped it. While strongly admonishing idol worship, the prophet instructed Muslims to be mindful of the sentiments of those who worshipped idols.

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.

The Japan Times: Feb. 15, 2006

(C) All rights reserved

Snow in Hiroo

PICT0507
Originally uploaded by We ourselves Irene and Ian.

And it snowed in Tokyo this year too. Twice. This picture is on the first day. A full day of snow. I made it a point to capture the same view from the apartment which the fall leaves adored

One layer behind

Irene
Originally uploaded by We ourselves Irene and Ian.

Irene moved behind a pair of glasses starting yesterday. Last one month she has been nursing her wish for glasses as the eye drops failed to work wonders!

She really looks more serious, though these days she is all the more naughty and kiddish!!!

Another Fall in Japan

Front 2
Originally uploaded by We ourselves Irene and Ian.

Yet another fall in Tokyo. Never thought of seeing so beautiful Autumn in the center of Tokyo! Hiroo Towers is giving such a magnificent view on both sides!

Japan back into power

Japan votes LDP back into power.

Emperor and LDP will continue to be in Japan. DPJ has a long way to go to become an opposition that can ever aspire of power.

World News Article | Reuters.co.uk

Zee

Know what they say for Zed (Z) in English?

Zee

Thus goes first week of schooling for Ian here

No mistakes in One Red. Only learning opportunities

The class motto of her class "One Red" gives Irene a lot of confidence

Ian becomes schoolboy too

On a silent Sep 2 morning, Ian started school in Japan.

I could not see him off, rather I left first as I had to go for a meeting. But I did come back to receive him at his bus stop by 3:25PM. He was fast asleep when the bus reached and took a while to recognise he is back.

His biggest wish last year was to take bus to school like Irene did. Now he is happy, while Irene bikes to school. One week over and he seems to be enjoying. Not much to do. They are starting off with small alphabets. Guess what? One week they had been teaching him to write "l". Good thing is he goes to school barehanded. No books, no bags, no lunch. Lunch and snack is provided at school.

Cycle of Life

Does human life too have seasons? Fall followed by spring?

Holy Quran [65:8]
"Let him who has abundance of means spend out of his abundance. And let him whose means of subsistence are straitened spend out of what Allah has given him. Allah burdens not any soul beyond that which He has bestowed upon it. Allah will soon bring about ease after hardship"

[94:2] Have We not opened for thee thy bosom,
[94:3] And removed from thee thy burden,
[94:4] Which had well-nigh broken thy back?
[94:5] And We have exalted thy name.
[94:6] Surely, there is ease after hardship.
[94:7] Aye, surely, there is ease after hardship.
[94:8] So when thou art free from thy immediate task, strive hard,
[94:9] And to thy Lord do thou turn with full attention

If the leaves not fallen, how can the fresh ones blossom? How can I fell the leaves. As tears? As supplication? As alms? As service?

Lord, help me.

Earthquakes, Floods put man to test

Tsunami greeted new year taking off 180,000 lives. We blamed lack of early warning.

Katrina gave enough of warnings. It still shook off US. Many times the area of 9/11, many times the 'damages', many times lives (damages are calculated by what it costs to insurance companies. Value of an un-insured life = 0). Bush orders an enquiry.

Sure, blacks have lives too. But they did not have cars to escape. No transportation arranged. Bad, I said. My French colleague corrected - No, its US.

Whatever, flesh that runs red blood carrying human souls.

Five plane crashes in one month. Black boxes yet to tell a story.

Typhoon Nabi, even with the strong warnings from Katrina could take off 18 lives. And enough 'damages'.

Acts of God. NY times reports that we felt safe with our technology. We should not have. Realise that. This year is an eye opener for a new era for the military. Rescue operations. Let us stop wars. Dont worry military will be out of job. We have all these around to keep them busy. All the trainings they are given proves useful.

And, silently, in Niger, there are thousands dying of hunger.