Milestones

So infrequent has it been since I’ve posted, it's as if Corona had hit this blog! But we all know the tech world is safe from this virus… or is it?  With the advent of the metaverse and AI taking on new dimension, we may soon have a virtual outbreak!

In short, ill I’ll say it like every company’s recorded message, “due the recent outbreak we apologize for the delay (or my in our case a lack of blog posts recently) please hold while we answer your call! 

Three big events/occurrences in 2022, the first and most devasting was the death of my father. The backbone to any persons life. A part of you never really is the same again. You only realise this once the person is gone from your life and words cant describe the emotions and feelings that a person goes through. You can never really prepare for a close ones death and you'd always live with some sort of regret, the should've, could've and would’ve. But faith teaches you to cope with deaths and the words we utter are ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return’. Such profound words give solace to a heart who knows that eternally, it was never yours to have and it has returned back to its owner. Coupled with this and the longing to meet a person again and the belief you will ultimately do so in the hereafter gives an unimaginable sense of ease.

I wrote a short piece on the life of my dad which you can read here. Friends and family also raised some charity in honour of my dad. A well and a Mosque in Uganda should be nearing completion and Ill post pictures as soon as they are available.

The other two important events in my life, ill post in due course (hopefully not next year) and I’m sure you’ll find them interesting!

Milestones in life, live and learn from them. 

Refugee Camp Aid Deployment

Just like you, I have been exposed to the news, articles, adverts, video reels and even some documentaries highlighting the plight of those materialistically less fortunate than us. You have most likely attended a fundraiser event of some sort, be it a white-collar boxing event or a lavish evening dinner.  So, to some degree, we can’t help but become desensitised to the influx of causes people encourage us to support. Receiving updates via WhatsApp, Instagram, Snap chat, Telegram, email and Facebook, whilst simultaneously using those platforms to interact with friends and family, can lead us to ‘prioritise’ what we decide to read. Already this article is too long for some, and majority of readers will not have even got to this point in the article. The reason I have chosen to use a written medium over other forms of mediums, is to allow you to reflect on what I am trying to convey. I accept I am not the best of writers, but I can only hope that the case studies below can portray some of what my fellow travellers and I felt whilst visiting the refugee camps in Lebanon. 

Case study 1 – Biqaa Valley 

This was to be our first visit to a refugee camp to distribute food, winter packs, visit individual tents and provide monetary support where possible. Eighteen of us were split into 2 groups of 9 and given several cases to visit. 

As we entered our first tent, there was a tension in the air, an unease, a slight trepidation, a feeling that led us all to feel uncomfortable, except our trusted translator Adil. We all sat around the tent and Adil asked Umm Mohammed if we could record our encounter. She declined, but I could see it took a lot from her to decline. With her youngest child struggling in her arms and close to 13 people now entering her tent, she had to muster all her courage to answer our questions. Adil tried to allay her concerns, but she repeatedly refused. At one point, I asked Adil to stop asking her as she was growing increasingly uncomfortable. I personally have always felt a slight unease at having to record someone whilst they are at their lowest, but society today dictates we need to see suffering before we part with our hard-earned cash. 

Nevertheless, Adil began to ask her about her situation, when did she arrive at the camp? – 7 years ago, how many children does she have? – she initially answered 6 but after asking their ages we realised she has in fact 7 children. It was clearly the anxiety and the stressful nature of this situation had led her to make such a simple mistake. We asked about her husband – he had left several months ago, last she had heard he was in Libya trying to secure a job so he could send money back to his family. She hadn’t heard from him for approximately 6 months. Adil then began to ask about her financial situation, her debt, how she pays for the electricity bill, the rent (yes, the rent for the tent!) and essentials. She responded meekly that she was trying her best and wherever possible she took loans from people to get by. The local grocer has allowed her to take items on tab, but he had recently asked for payment as she was going into her fourth month of no payment. She began to speak about her children’s health, her 15-year-old daughter needed spectacles and was suffering from growth issues. She had taken her to see the doctor who said she required growth hormones which would cost thousands of dollars. Her young son had stopped attending school and was trying to find work to support his family. As her story unfolded, we felt her pain, we witnessed her struggle and most of all, I believe we all felt a sense of responsibility towards her. One by one each member of our team began to cover their face, hiding their tears. At one point, someone asked Adil to ask her what the family ate yesterday, her response – one fried potato - it rendered the tent silent. I cannot find the words to describe how each one of us felt, but it was a moment that would be recounted several times later during evening reflections and conversations. 

At this point the tent fostered a feeling of hopelessness. You begin to think how has this family survived for the last 7 years? Where have we all been to support them? 

Our guide summarised the situation and then asked how we would like to help? Everyone began to contribute; one person said we need to clear her debt, another said we must set her up for a few months, someone else asked about schooling for her children, whilst someone mentioned the need for medical care for her daughter. 

This is where your emotions move from a state of demoralisation and dejection, to positivity and support. To repay her debt, schooling for her children, rent, electricity, essentials, and some extra money that would see her through the year, we came up with a total of $3000. My initial thoughts were, is that all she needs for the entire year?! 

We all contributed and put the money into one envelope and asked Adil to explain in detail what we were giving the money for and who it was from. In an instance, her face bloomed with relief; an image that will stay with me forever. From your support, we gave the less fortunate some relief. For the next year at least, she will not have to survive on one potato for the night. Her children will return to school and her 15-year-old daughter will be able to see again. 

You may not have been there in the tent with us or boarded the plane to Lebanon, but your donations made this possible. 

From the One Ummah team, a heartfelt thank you

The Breakup (Shikwa) - Riz Ahmed

The Breakup (Shikwa) --- Britain’s broken up with me We had our ups But now it’s broken down Lemme break down the whole fuckery Fuck buddies turned toxic Intertwined now we got kids Built her up she left me broke Cant believe I let her fuck with me I was a mogul had the bling and the girls Grit and the pearls My stash was a quarter of the cash in the world Then this stray pale chick came to trade I laid with her, made me pay she straight slithered And then stayed I couldn’t kick her out She saw I was at war with myself And I’m a fool Couldn’t decide who I was So easy to divide and rule Had me locked down Beat me red and blue til I knew Right was white and not brown When they make you hate yourself You hand over your crown She moved in I was a guest Unwanted in my own house Stole my shit, broke my dick, starved me scarred me, She got paid off my back still her piggy bank charged me Then she had beef with some German next man Went to war for her twice, lost my left hand Only then I emptied all her shit out the bed stand Threw her out, but she carved me in half, a part of me’s still dead man She was gone though Thought I was finally free Try get back on my feet My phone flash and I see she keeps calling Answer the phone she keeps bawling Says now’s she’s broke and the way she’s living is appalling She needs building up, restoring Told me her soldiers have all fallen Asked rush like the wind bringing the warmth in a sob story and I bought it The truth is I looked up to her and needed soothing And thought if she accepted me my worth would be proven So I moved in - yea Had a few kids - yea A future of mixed cultures but I was so fucking stupid Didn’t stop to think how badly it would just confuse them Daddy, why does mum hate me, she looks and says “who’s this?” Came home one day she changed the locks My brown and white sepia sapna gone to pot Says she blames me for how lately she feels lost How she ain’t what she was and our kids don’t show no love So now she’s taking back control And she wants me to fuck off Told the feds I’m dangerous insane and trying kill her off Had no time to explain to them the snipers took their shots I’m heartbroken and I’m homeless, trying to work out who I was Before I was told I’m only good for sweat and blood and sweat and cock Britannia trying to thrown me out Brittney baby please stop I thought we had a special thing I know that we can make it up Brittney if you break up with me then I might just break up This will either be the end of the or be the wake up Brittania breaking up with me, this the breakup

Herd

Never was part of the herd
Preferring only his voice to be heard

Never was in the class a nerd
Imagination free as a bird

Never chased fame and a glorified name
Never was part of that game

Grafting always on a different scene
Hear about him the unseen

Vices and crises obstacles to the path
In the depth of the nights
Turn to Him in tears, beads and pray

Brexit Black Hole

So the Brexit saga continues. What a pertinent time the black hole was pictured! As it looks exactly like Brexit, unknown. Everything is up in the air. And the conspiracy theorist that I am, why is this all seeming so oddly Un-British. An empire in disarray and in chaos, is this what it has come to after all the past glory? or is there another twist to this tale. Wish there was someone well informed that could enlighten me. Anyway to the funnier side of things. Got a cool e mail from Revolut below,(which if you haven't heard of is a brilliant virtual bank  good for travelers and money savers like me) about this whole Brexit madness.


You're probably Reesly sick of hearing about Brexit by now. We understand. It's all very Merkely and confusing.

We're sorry to Boris you with more Brexit stuff, but please don't send this email to your Juncker folder. We have an important message you May want to hear.

For now, all our politicians have stopped having a Barnier about what deal to sign. This is good news. It means that you'll stay as part of our UK entity for the foreseeable future, and that you don’t need to do anything on your side for now. There's a Chancellor this will change in the future, but we will keep you up to date as developments continue.

Lovely play with words! I reckon you'll only understand this if you're well informed!

Fuel the Self

One of the best phrases I heard the other day from someone addressing Narcissism.

‘Visibility doesn't equal worth’

In an age where we are constantly fed the Latin saying of 'Let he who shouts the loudest be heard first' and me, myself and I and think about yourself first, I think there's a pertinent story about an award winning farmer and the key to success.

A newspaper reporter interviewed a farmer who grew Award-Winning Maize. He entered his maize in the Agricultural Show each year.

It was revealed that the farmer shared his seed with his neighbours.

Amazed, the reporter asked, _*“How can you afford to share your best seed with your neighbours when they are entering their maize into the competition with yours each year?”*_

The farmer smiled knowingly and explained, ​ *_“The wind picks up pollen from the ripening maize and swirls it from field to field.​ If my neighbours grow inferior maize, Cross-Pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my maize. If I am to grow good maize, I must help my neighbours grow a good crop."_*

So it is with our lives. Those who want to live meaningfully and well, must help enrich the lives of others, for the value of a life, is measured by the lives it touches.

Those who choose to be happy, must help others find happiness, for the welfare of each is bound up with the welfare of all.

Call it power of collectivity

Call it a principle of success.

Call it a law of life.

The fact remains, none of us truly wins, until we all win.

Just as the Prophet (ص) said, *_"You cannot be a true believer untill you like for your brother what you like for yourself."_*

Know this secret as you grow!

In life, when you help the people around you to be good, you surely become the better too.

Live in the shadows and be the grey man, the motto in life. :)

Perfection

‘Have you never considered getting married, Mullah?’

‘I have,’ replied Nasrudin. ‘In my youth, I resolved to find the perfect woman. I crossed the desert and reached Damascus, and I met a lovely, very spiritual woman, but she knew nothing of the world. I continued my journey and went to Isfahan; there I met a woman who knew both the spiritual and the material world, but she was not pretty. Then I decided to go to Cairo, where I dined in the house of a beautiful woman, who was both religious and a connoisseur of material reality.’

‘Why didn’t you marry her, then?’

‘Alas, my friend, she was looking for the perfect man.’

An excerpt from the book The Perfect Woman by Paulo Coelho

The Saint

Dead and buried

Unknown grave with no plaque

No one to bury

No tears were shed

Silently into the next world

Taken in a corner of the world 

A barren land with no life

Known in the heavens above

Cheered and mentioned by unseen

Greeted on his arrival

Castles and unspoilt wonders

Delicate delights 

Opulence at its peak

The Saint

A Journey Destined to Return Home

From the peaceful serene deserts of the empty quarter
To the dense and bushy Kapoks of the Amazon

From the mirage of Dubai's glitz and glamour
to the cobbled paths of Istanbul

Returning home to leafy trees and misty mornings
A soul at rest with the usual twist

A travellers life of new people and different tastes
To the mundane routine of a daily grind

Appreciation to a family I did not give
The mere presence new faces can't replace

Travels only experience can bring
Returning home, a new journey it brings

Israel and unchallenged strikes

With the frequent airstrikes into Syria territory, the boldness and empty threats from its adversaries seem to be giving an ever increasing scope for Israel to take it out its enemies. The announcement by Benjamin Netanyahu that Iran have been deceiving the world with their nuclear intentions comes as no surprise as the Israeli PM  is determined to get to the root of problem, Hezbollah's chief supporter, Iran, by any means necessary.

The strikes in Syria started at the outset of the civil raging in the country since 2012 on an alleged weapons storage factory of Hezbollah. despite the usual denial by Israel it was evident no other country could have carried out such a targeted attack. The latest strike in April 2018 which killed pro-Assad fighters again was met with the usual silence in Israel.

The strikes will surely breed a response from Iran but in terms of action, not much can be done or maybe not.

Rock Pools, Pomegranates and Jinns.

Wadi Bani Khalid, cool, clean and crystal clear water. 

3 days in a country which is closer to me than Dubai.... Oman. What a trip it was!

Over 10 hours of driving, we stopped at 2 rock pools, Wadi Damm and Wadi Bani Khalid. Jumps, swims and good old Arab hospitality. There was a climb and a futile cave exploration that I attempted in the soaring heat. The soles of my feet were burned from the boiling hot rock surface but it was still worth it. The cool temperature of the water compensated for the burnt feet... heavenly!

Wadi Dhamm. Quieter than Wadi Bani Khalid

We bumped into some local Omanis in the first Wadi. Two things really impressed me about them. They were immensely hospitable, insisting on taking us to their house. But as is custom when travelling in a group with locals, they generally decline the invitation unless its their own family. The second thing was that I noticed some older Omani locals at the pools. They were so agile and fit! Jumping from rock to rock effortlessly as I was embarrassingly slipping at every minor slope. This Wadi is pretty empty at off peak times. Hardly anyone was there and you can take your family there if they're willing to trek uphill a bit.

Camel meat and rice, a bit chewy and hard on the stomach

We moved on to our second destination Jabal Akhdar. The terrain is pretty similar on all mountains in Oman... barren and desolate, unlike the mountains in Europe, lush, green and always some snow. We prayed in mosque  high up in the mountains and feasted on some rice and camel meat. The Omanis practice Islam similar to that of the Emiratis but they are from another sect, Ibadis. There's slight differences in the way they pray and in their beliefs regarding the four caliphs but it doesn't really cause much tension or divide like it does in other Arab countries.

Jabal Akhdar, the green mountain. 

Bahla, the town of the Jinn. You can see the wall in the backgorund

Driving onwards and upwards we got to the Hajar mountain range and onto Jabal Akhdar, the Green mountain. Although it doesn't seem very green, the area is known for fruits -walnuts, apricots and pomegranates. We found some people selling it on the side of the road. We bought a bunch of Pomegranates and although I'm not a fan of them, they were absolutely delicious! I took a few for my mum and then moved on to a deserted mountain village... or what was left of it.

There was another interesting place we went to, known locally as the city of Jinn, Bahla. It had an eeiry feeling to it and the local with us mentioned that every time he visited the place, the attractions were cordoned off.... because the Jinns would disturb everyone! You can read more about Bahla here. They also have an ancient wall built around the city which the locals claim was built by the jinns.

Overall a lovely trip and one where I would recommend to go with locals. Makes everything so much more easier.

Join the Junta

"We know that no one seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it"

After years of suffering and hardship, would you want to risk losing the power you worked so hard to gain?

A woman I used to look up to, after fighting a military dictatorship, has been hitting the headlines in recent months for her silence and lack of action against the Rohingya Muslims. Aung San Suu Kyi is this woman. She is heading the civilian government and apparently doesn't have much sway in what happens in the country. So what exactly is her role? Why doesn't she relinquish her post after many years of hard fought "freedom" if she is so incapable? Is this what freedom looks like? The inability to help, speak out and free a people who have been labelled as "the most persecuted minority in the world".

I see the Burmese Government as an advanced form of Daesh. They are just light years ahead of the death cult. They manipulate the news and generate a bizarre cover stories whilst continuing to rape torture and kill, accusing the Rohingya militants of torching houses and killing locals.  Daesh didn't really give a *&#$ about media. In fact, they thrived in the limelight and even made videos documenting their barbarity.

So that brings me back to Orwell's quote - the power which makes Aung San Suu Kyi unable to do anything for this persecuted Muslim minority. She risks losing what she fought so hard for. But everything she has fought for has now been betrayed in extraordinary fashion. Hand back the Nobel Peace Prize honorably and join the junta.

Inspired

Inspired on an Austrian peak

It's been a while... a year! I was locked out of my account and despite numerous attempts I couldn't log back in... was really frustrating, but I've had a break-though this week! It was one one of those days where I had time on my hands. I decided to give it another try to log in and lo and behold! the security system finally allowed me access! Has anyone else had issues with this overprotective security procedure on Google?

Back to the topic of the blog.... A wise man once said to me, "What form a man are 3: prison, war and being estranged. If you don't experience these then you are simply a 'mummy's boy'" How true this saying is. Not to say that you aspire to go to prison, but sometimes there is a higher plan where you are placed in a unwanted situation to prepare you for the future. The experience of Yusuf AS in prison is often referred to as 'مدرسة يوسف' - the school of Yusuf . He was placed in there through no fault of his own and it was there that people got to know of his gift of interpreting dreams. This is what subsequently released him from prison.

One such person who has experienced these three situation is someone I wrote about back in 2012 after he was extradited to the US to face trial. His blog is also one of the reasons that prodded me to trying to access my blog again... He is a true inspiration and he has a very beneficial, enjoyable and informative blog. I read all the entries in a few days! Hope to meet him again one day inshallah! Access it here...

Oldies and the West

So the latest news to hit the headlines, the Brexit. It was brewing for a long time but no one thought it would come to fruition. Now it has, there’s one post which really put things into perspective. The younger generation who will be living through this new era were the ones who voted for remain. The older generation voted leave and who, undoubtedly, have a shorter life span. So what does this say, listen to your elders for one thing, but also, the older generation seems to have witnessed the UK change a bit too much for their liking. In anyase it’s a new realit which we can honestly say is a walking in to the unknown. It will take a few years to take effect, but it is the dawn of a new era which could end the era of the ‘west’ as we know it. Who knows what countries will follow suit.

World War 3

Its been a whirlwind few months in Syria. A quagmire of countries involved in the conflict, more countries pledging troops and refugees amassing at the Turkish border in the thousands. No one could have predicted the current situation of this conflict 5 years ago. Things are changing at such a rapid pace, it wouldn't be far fetched to suggest that this could ignite a World War very soon.

Russian support of Syria goes back a long way. From the Cold War, Syria was an ally of the Soviet Union and Hafiz Assad's coup in 1966 was supported by Russia. At the present day, Russia is a key weapons supplier to the Assad regime and it has expensive defensive contracts with the regime. It only logical that Russia jumped at the chance to support Assad at a crucial time. At a time when the heartland of the senior Alawite regime, Latakia, was slowly being overrun by the rebels or "terrorists", Assad bought in its last line of defence, Russia. It must have been on the table for the Assad regime for a long period of time, but only when the regime was in dire need would they call them. The reality on the ground now, it seems as though this Russian intervention, which seemed defensive at first, has now taken an overtly offensive one.  

This offensive has now started to ring alarm bells in the Arab world. The Iranians are advancing from the south via the Houthis and they are beginning to gain significant ground against the rebels in Syria. It seems like a cocktail of volatile materials have all been added and all that remains is the massive explosion.

* In recent developments, the Russians have announced a withdrawal. I'm sure they have other plans and this is only a media spin. Something which the Russians are seeming to master. 

Tracking Conflicts

Good website I stumbled on. Gives a detailed accounts of conflicts around the globe. Maps, developments and latest news. Pretty neat how all the latest reports are compiled and located on the maps, has photos and videos on occasions as well.

Its Them Again

So there they are, intervening again, under our very noses, this time not so silently. But do they need to? Its in line with the ongoing military supplies that they've been providing to the Syrians regime. So why now, has it been flagged up? and if you haven't guessed it, its that bare chested big brown bear, Putin... I mean Russia.

Positioning their forward operating base in Latakia which is home to most of the senior Alawite regime, it comes as a surprise that Russia has decided to increase their military intervention after 4 years of war. After considerable success on part of the rebel alliances and a boost of morale in their ranks, the Russian intervention will only lengthen the war and increase in destabilizing the region. With ISIS not looking to be rid of anytime soon, rebels advancing and increased foreign intervention (France with airstrikes being the latest), the future for the region can only be glim.

Compassion

Depraved and void of all humanity

Minds mercilessly blank

Hearts covered in darkness

Eyes filled with rage

Evil and barbarity in their soul

Burnt beyond recognition

Blood fuel for rage

Savagery a common trait

Compassion ceases to exist

 - ISIS and As-sadists

Into a Deeper Shore

The rain sprinkled down,

A sense of tranquility,

Such a distant land,

Peace melting into unease,

No vessel to avail,

Alone in a sea of uncertainty,

Shouts of despair,

Tree rooted firmly,

Refusing to release the chains,

Disappeared in a glimpse,

Seabed awaiting its new companion,

Soul effortlessly extracted,

Lifeless in the arms he lay,

Asleep, I pondered,

Nudge him, cease the act,

The Command was given,

He was to taken,

Swallowed into a deeper shore

Part 4 - BJJ clubs in Rio

Rio Open Jiu Jitsu competition at Tijuca Tennis Club
 - many great fighters have fought here

A long time overdue, I finally got down to penning this piece I promised myself about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu clubs in Rio de Janiero.

Before I begin some general advice regarding Kimonoes (Gis, th eclothes you wear in Jiu Jitsu)- take at least two with you. I'd advise not to have any patching or club affiliations. The first advice doesn't really need an explanation (unless you don't mind having a foul smelling kimono most of the time, a good tactic to disorientating your opponent!) whereas the no-patches and club affiliations advice needs a quick word. From my 5+ years in the sport I've come to know that many of the senior level practitioners, black belts etc, are very tribal and club loyal. From the various schools that have branched out from Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, many of them will first ask you what club you train with and your background. So from from what I observed, you're seen as a target. "Get this guy and let him know that our club is better", "he's wearing a so so Kimono, why is he coming here" etc. Next time I'll avoid have any patches on my gi, and if anyone asks, I'll say "I've trained in Cuku land". Its a place where the patches are non-existent (and many other things are non-existent aswell :)) 

Fabricio Mauricio's academy

In any case, I hopped around and tried to check out as many BJJ clubs as I could. The closest one to me was Oswaldo Alves gym on Av. Copacabana a block away from the beach. It was a tiny and run down gym. The people weren't very friendly and I didn't really get a good vibe so I promptly left. The gym next in line was Fabricio Jiu Jitsu. It was located on top of a local convenience store a bit further down on the same street. With the bustling street, there's no indication there's a gym located directly above but there's a noticeable yellow sign which is hard to miss indicating a gym up above. The guys in the academy here were the most friendly and welcoming. I was approached and given a breakdown of the prices and times. I liked the mat space and the level of students. I didn't commit to a monthly plan as I still had a few gyms to hop around and check out but in the end it was the gym I frequented most often. My Kimono of course drew attention and a few students wanted to test me out. Coming back from a shoulder injury and still feeling slightly weak in certain movements, I was a bit hesitant doing some of the exercises but I continued nevertheless. I met Fabricio Mauricio, the head instructor, red and black (coral) belt 7th degree master. He was an amazing guy and he gave me a lot of focus. There were many older fighters there and some of them were amazing for their age!

BJJ lineage of Fabricio Mauricio

I went to two other well known gyms, Brazilan Top Team in Leblon and the legendary Carlson Gracie academy in Copacabana. I had to pay homage to both of these historically significant places as they have churned out some amazing fighters.Carlson Gracie is probably one of the oldest academies to date. I only went once to each place but had a good roll at both. There were a few foreigners at both places. 

One thing I did notice about all the gyms, is that they were all very run down and simple. There was no luxury to it. You could see that a lot of blood sweat and tears were expended in all the places.

In the end, it was an amazing experience and if you are a lover of Jiu Jitsu and have the money then its well worth a visit. I have to give a massive thankyou and heap of gratitude to http://trainbjjinrio.com as they were invaluable in presenting info and pinpointing the locations of the academies!


Part 1 - Carioca for a Month
Part 2 - Hoped for an Interview, Only Got a Picture!
Part 3 - Amazonas