Great video, showing the world what life is like through the eyes of ordinary people in Darfur. I believe the video itself was shot on location in Darfur. What strikes me most about this video, are the scenes of the children playing and smiling, Children are the same everywhere in the world.
Right now it is the Muslim month of Ramadan, where we fast from sunrise to sunset. Yesterday, I overslept and did not wake up before sunrise to have something to eat so I'd be full for the day... By midday I was taking strain. Just before sunset and the time to break fast, I was promising myself I'd never oversleep again because I was finnished, had no energy and just could not wait to sink my teeth into something! I was fortunate enough to have to a choice of what to eat at sunset, Pasta, Rice, Pizza, Milkshake, Pepsi, Water, Salad, Bread, Hoummous... Needless to say we had many other things in the fridge.
People around the world go through this feeling of hunger, not just for a few hours... but everyday. Imagine that! Every single day, not knowing where your next meal is going to come from. I did not feel like eating rice yesterday, so I chose to eat something else. I had a choice.
Today I have a choice as well. Am I going to sit back and still live a selfish life as I did yesterday? Am I going to sit and not be thankful for the many things God has blessed me with? Am I still going to sit back and watch videos on my PC of people suffering around the world and do nothing about it? Today we all have a choice...
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise
There's disaster in your past
Boundaries in your path
What do you desire will lift you higher?
You don't have to be extraordinary, just forgiving.
And those who never heard your cries,
You shall rise
And look toward the skies.
Where others fail, you prevail in time.
You shall rise.
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low)
You shall rise
Sooner or later we must try... Living
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low)
See the nation through the people's eyes,
See tears that flow like rivers from the skies.
Where it seems there are only borderlines
Where others turn and sigh,
You shall rise x4
(You may never know,
If you lay low, lay low)
Sooner or later we must try... Living
Courageous and caring
Faithful and friendly with stories to share
All through the forest, they sing out in chorus
Marching along as their song fills the air
Gummi Bears
Bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the gummy bears
Magic and mystery are a part of their history
Along with the secret of gummi berri juice
Their legend in growing
They take pride in knowing
They'll fight for what's right in whatever they do
Gummi bears
Bouncing here and there and everywhere
High adventure thats beyond compare
They are the gummi bears
They are the gummi bears
Dashing and daring
Courageous and caring
Faithful and friendly with stories to share
All through the forest
They sing out in chorus
Marching alont as their song fills the air
Gummi bears
Bouncing here and there and evreywhere
High adventure that's beyond compare
They are the gummi bears
Gummi bears
When a friend's in danger they'll be there
Lives and legends that we all can share
They are the gummi bears
They are the gummi bears
They are the gummi bears!
A friend of mine just emailed this to me, thought that its worth sharing...
(Anon)
Some things are beyond planning.
And life doesn't always turn out as planned.
You don't plan for a broken heart.
You don't plan for an autistic child.
You don't plan for spinsterhood.
You don't plan for a lump in your breast.
You plan to be young forever.
You plan to climb the corporate ladder.
You plan to be rich and powerful.
You plan to be acclaimed and successful.
You plan to conquer the universe.
You plan to fall in love - and be loved forever.
You don't plan to be sad.
You don't plan to be hurt.
You don't plan to be broke.
You don't plan to be betrayed.
You don't plan to be alone in this world.
You plan to be happy.
You don't plan to be shattered.
Sometimes if you work hard enough, you can get what you want.
But MOST times, what you want and what you get are two different things.
We, mortals, plan. But so does Allah (God) in the heavens.
Sometimes, it is difficult to understand Allah's plans especially when
His plans are not in consonance with ours.
Often, when He sends us crisis, we turn to Him in anger. True, we cannot
choose what Allah wishes us to carry, but we can carry it with courage
knowing that He will never abandon us nor send something we cannot cope
with.
Sometimes, Allah (God) breaks our spirit to save our soul.
Sometimes, He breaks our heart to make us whole.
Sometimes, He allows pain so we can be stronger.
Sometimes, Allah sends us failure so we can be humble.
Sometimes, He allows illness so we can take better care of ourselves.
And sometimes, Allah takes everything away from us so we can learn the
value of everything He gave us.
Make plans, but understand that we live by Allah's (God's) grace.
Alright... the temptation to start blogging about technology and all work related things has finaly taken over. I've started a new blog at www.riyaadm.com This blog is all about technology- web 2.0, mobile, social, convergance & community.
If you're into technology and the like then check it out and let me know what you think....
Oh and I'm still going to keep this blog going as it is :-)
Sami Yusuf's latest release. The words of the song are praising Allah, it is taken from the Quran where all the 99 Names (attributes) of God are mentioned, called Asma'U Husna.
Here is a list of the 99 names with their meanings...
ASMÂ
ALLÂH UL HUSNÂ |
||
| Name/Transliteration | Translation | Some selected relevant verses from the Qur'ân |
| ALLÂH | Allâh | (1:1)(3:18)(5:109)(7:180)(8:40) (16:91)(20:8)(57:5)(65:3)(74:56) (85:20)(98:5) |
| AR-RAHMÂN | The
Most Compassionate, The Beneficent |
(1:3)(17:110)(19:58)(21:112) (27:30)(36:52)(50:33)(55:1)(59:22) (78:38) |
| AR-RAHÎM | The Merciful | (2:163)(3:31)(4:100)(5:3)(5:98) (11:41)(12:53)(12:64)(26:9)(30:5) (36:58) |
| AL-MALIK | The King | (20:114)(23:116)(59:23)(62:1)(114:2) |
| AL-QUDDÛS | The Most Holy | (59:23) (62:1) |
| AS-SALÂM | The All-Peaceful, The Bestower of peace | (59:23) |
| AL-MU'MIN | The Granter of security | (59:23) |
| AL-MUHAYMIN | The Protector | (59:23) |
| AL-'AZÎZ | The Mighty | (3:6) (4:158) (9:40) (9:71) (48:7) (59:23) (61:1) |
| AL-JABBÂR | The Compeller | (59:23) |
| AL-MUTAKABBIR | Supreme in Greatness, The Majestic |
(59:23) |
| AL-KHÂLIQ | The Creator | (6:102) (13:16) (39:62)(40:62)(59:24) |
| AL-BÂRI' | The Maker | (59:24) |
| AL-MUSAWWIR | The
Bestower of form, The Shaper |
(59:24) |
| AL-GAFFÂR | The Forgiver | (20:82)(38:66)(39:5)(40:42)(71:10) |
| AL-QAHHÂR | The Subduer | (13:16)(14:48)(38:65)(39:4)(40:16) |
| AL-WAHHÂB | The Bestower | (3:8)(38:9)(38:35) |
| AR-RAZZÂQ | The Provider | (51:58) |
| AL-FATTÂH | The Opener, The Judge | (34:26) |
| AL-'ALÎM | The All-Knowing | (2:158)(3:92)(4:35)(24:41)(33:40) (35:38)(57:6) |
| AL-QÂBID | The Withholder | (2: 245) |
| AL-BÂSIT | The Expander | (2:245) |
| AL-KHÂFID | The Abaser | |
| AR-RÂFI' | The Exalter | |
| AL-MU'IZZ | The Bestower of honour | (3:26) |
| AL-MUDHILL | The Humiliator | (3:26) |
| AS-SAMÎ' | The All-Hearing | (2:127) (2:137) (2:256) (8:17) (49:1) |
| AL-BASÎR | The All-Seeing | (4:58) (17:1) (42:11) (42:27) (57:4) (67:19) |
| AL-HAKAM | The Judge | (22:69) |
| AL-'ADL | The Just, The Equitable | (6:115) |
| AL-LATÎF | The Gentle, The Knower of subtleties | (6:103) (22:63) (31:16) (33:34) (67:14) |
| AL-KHABÎR | The All-Aware | (6:18) (17:30) (49:13) (59:18) (63:11) |
| AL-HALÎM | The Forbearing | (2:225) (2:235) (17:44) (22:59) (35:41) |
| AL-'AZÎM | The Incomparably Great | (2:255) (42:4) (56:96) |
| AL-GAFÛR | The Forgiving | (2:173) (8:69) (16:110) (41:32) (60:7) |
| ASH-SHAKÛR | The Appreciative | (35:30) (35:34) (42:23) (64:17) |
| AL-'ALIYY | The Most High | (2:255) (4:34) (31:30) (42:4) (42:51) |
| AL-KABÎR | The Most Great | (13:9) (22:62) (31:30) (34:23) (40:12) |
| AL-HAFÎZ | The Preserver | (11:57) (34:21) (42:6) |
| AL-MUQÎT | The Sustainer | (4:85) |
| AL-HASÎB | The Reckoner | (4:6) (4:86) (33:39) |
| AL-JALÎL | The Majestic, The Revered, The Sublime | |
| AL-KARÎM | The Generous | (27:40) (82:6) |
| AR-RAQÎB | The Watchful | (4:1) (5:117) |
| AL-MUJÎB | The Responsive | (11:61) |
| AL-WÂSI' | The All-Encompassing, The All-Embracing | (2:115) (2:261) (2:268) (3:73) (5:54) |
| AL-HAKÎM | The Wise | (2:129) (2:260) (31:27) (46:2) (57:1) (66:2) |
| AL-WADÛD | The Loving One | (11:90) (85:14) |
| AL-MAJÎD | The Most Glorious | (11:73) |
| AL-BÂ'ITH | The Resurrector | (22:7) |
| ASH-SHAHÎD | The Witness | (4:79)(4:166)(22:17)(41:53)(48:28) |
| AL-HAQQ | The Truth | (6:62)(22:6)(23:116)(24:25)(31:30) |
| AL-WAKÎL | The Ultimate Trustee, The Disposer of Affairs | (3:173) (4:171) (28:28) (33:3) (73:9) |
| AL-QAWIYY | The Most Strong | (22:40)(22:74)(42:19)(57:25)(58:21) |
| AL-MATÎN | The Firm One, The Authoritative | (51:58) |
| AL-WALIYY | The Protector | (3:68) (4:45) (7:196) (42:28) (45:19) |
| AL-HAMÎD | The All-Praised, The Praiseworthy | (14:1) (14:8) (31:12) (31:26) (41:42) |
| AL-MUHSÎ | The Reckoner | |
| AL-MUBDI' | The Originator | (10:4)(10:34)(27:64)(29:19)(85:13) |
| AL-MU'ÎD | The Restorer to life | (10:4)(10:34)(27:64)(29:19)(85:13) |
| AL-MUHYÎ | The Giver of life | (3:156) (7:158) (15:23)(30:50)(57:2) |
| AL-MUMÎT | The Causer of death | (3:156) (7:158) (15:23) (57:2) |
| AL-HAYY | The Ever-Living | (2:255)(3:2)(20:111)(25:58)(40:65) |
| AL-QAYYÛM | The Self-Existing by Whom all subsist | (2:255) (3:2) (20:111) |
| AL-WÂJID | The Self-Sufficient, The All-Perceiving | (38:44) |
| AL-MÂJID | The Glorified | |
| AL-WÂHID | The One | (2:163) (5:73) (9:31) (18:110) (37:4) |
| AS-SAMAD | The Eternally Besought | (112:2) |
| AL-QÂDIR | The Omnipotent, The Able | (6:65) (36:81) (46:33) (75:40) (86:8) |
| AL-MUQTADIR | The Powerful | (18:45) (54:42) (54:55) |
| AL-MUQADDIM | The Expediter | |
| AL- MU'AKHKHIR | The Delayer | (71:4) |
| AL-AWWAL | The First | (57:3) |
| AL-ÂKHIR | The Last | (57:3) |
| AZ-ZÂHIR | The Manifest | (57:3) |
| AL-BÂTIN | The Hidden | (57:3) |
| AL-WÂLÎ | The Governor, The Protector | |
| AL-MUTA'ÂLÎ | The Most Exalted | (13:9) |
| AL-BARR | The Benign, The Source of All-Goodness | (52:28) |
| AT-TAWWÂB | The Granter and Accepter of repentence | (2:37) (2:128) (4:64) (49:12) (110:3) |
| AL- MUNTAQIM | The Lord of Retribution, The Avenger | (32:22) (43:41) (44:16) |
| AL-'AFUWW | The Pardoner | (4:99) (4:149) (22:60) |
| AR-RA'ÛF | The Most Kind, The Clement | (2:143) (3:30) (9:117) (57:9) (59:10) |
| MÂLIK-UL-MULK | Owner of the Kingdom | (3:26) |
| DHUL JALÂL WAL IKRÂM | Possessor of Majesty and Honour | (55:27) (55:78) |
| AL-MUQSIT | The Just, The Equitable | |
| AL-JÂMI' | The Gatherer | (3:9) |
| AL-GHANIYY | The All-Sufficient | (2:263) (3:97) (39:7) (47:38) (57:24) |
| AL-MUGHNÎ | The Enricher | (9:28) |
| AL-MÂNI' | The Preventer of harm | |
| AD-DÂRR | The Afflicter | |
| AN-NÂFI' | The Benefiter | |
| AN-NÛR | The Light | (24:35) |
| AL-HÂDÎ | The Guide | (25:31) |
| AL-BADÎ' | The Originator | (2:117) (6:101) |
| AL-BÂQÎ | The Everlasting | (55:27) |
| AL-WÂRITH | The Ultimate Inheritor | (15:23) |
| AR-RASHÎD | The Guide | |
| AS-SABÛR | The Patient One | |
After going through such hardship and torment by the people of Taif, the Noble Prophet turned to our Lord and Creator and said:
The Prophet SAW used to encourage the rectation of these two verses every night before you sleep, and when you do read it, remember the meaning, it should give you a sense of understading for the day you just had and also a sense of purpose for the days to come.
2:285
The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. "We make no distinction (they say)between one and another of His messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (We seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."
2:286
On no soul doth Allah Place a burden greater than it can bear. It gets every good that it earns, and it suffers every ill that it earns.(Pray:) "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; our Lord! Lay not on us a burden Like that which Thou didst lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear.Blot out our sins, and grant us forgiveness. Have mercy on us. Thou art our Protector; Help us against those who stand against faith."
Ayah 286 really stands out for me, firstly because we are so often always complaining about how tough things are for us, but Allah clearly says that he does not place a burden greater than we can bear...
I also love the how simple and logical Islam is, doing good = good and doing bad = bad.... Simple, just live your life as best you can, trying to the right thing.
We so often worry about what people owe to us, life is not about worrying about what people owe us. Its about you worrying about what you owe them! If you fullfil the rights of others, your reward is with Allah. Simple.
Here are some hadith about the above Ayah:
1) From Ibn Abbas (RA) He said: While Gabriel was sitting with Rasulullah sallahu-alayhi-wasallam he heard a voice from above, and raised his head. Then he said, "That is the door of heaven, opened today, which was never opened before". And an angel descended from it, and he said," That is an angel come down to earth who never came down before." And he gave a greeting and said," Receive good news of two lights brought to you, which never before brought to a Prophet, Fatihtul-kitab and the last verses(khawatim) of Surahtul-Baqarah; of these thou shalt never recite a single letter without being granted thy request".
2) Recite the last two verses of al-Baqarah: "Who reads them during the night, they would suffice him", report Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud (Bukhari, Muslim)
May Allah never place on us a burden which can not bear. May He always keep us on the path of doing whats right and may He forgive us for our shortcomings. Aameen.
Oh and I love the recitation by Sheikh Mishari of these verses!!!!
Came accross an interesting article on the drawbacks of High Def. video content and how this impacts the uasage of the same content on mobile devices.
"The same problem is now emerging with HD sources that are displayed on smaller screens. Simply transcoding the bit stream won’t work. Either the content has to be produced with the SD screen in mind to being with, or considerable intervention will be necessary—framing to track the center of action on the narrower screen, selective zoom to preserve critical detail, and selective filtering to prevent accumulated transcoding artifacts. But for the most part distributors don’t seem to be making provision for this intervention. They are treating the translation problem as merely a code conversion."
The above argument is mostly aimed at Movie content, as "movies" are designed to be watched on the big sceeen, scalling the movie down to a 320x240 (ipods and higher end handsets) means that the viewer would undoubtedly miss a lot of details from the movie....
According to some execs at leading mobile companies whom i've had a chat with, they say that the key to a good "mobile" experience lies in the audio quality. Users are willing to put up with poor quality video as long as they can hear whats going on... However this would most likely be the case for "short form" content...
The question for me is what impact will this have on news content? As it is all of our recordings are done in HD...
"You can not connect the dots by looking forward, you can only do it by looking back"
