Road to Jannah

Salams,

Hope everyone’s Ramadan is going well. Here is my Ramadan video diary for this year:

So I accidentally watched MIA’s video ‘Born Free’ and all I have to say is wow. I say accidentally because I had no idea what it was/who she was, but was curious about why youtube would actually pull/censor a video with all the millions of absolute videodic trash on that site. (Remember all the vitriol from the internets about defending “freedom of speech” with the ‘Draw Muhammad Day’. Hmph.) Having watched it I can see that the video does have full nudity, sex and extreme graphic violence. (so do others still on there) But what a message. Wow. I bet there are people in high places now scared of her. Not even kidding.

I’ll just tell you so you don’t have to actually go through the trauma yourselves of watching it. Believe me it’s enough to get seared onto your brains and disturb you for a long time.

So the video is beautifully shot on a cinematic scale by some south american? director guy. It first shows all these soldiers in military uniform, one with a conspicuous US flag on his arm driving to a raid. They end up in some slummish area and break into a house to find a couple having sex. They search through the apartment building, pass buy a guy using drugs and round up some young guys and mercilessly beat the others. The couple is left nude crying trying to console each other. They round up all the guys up into a police bus for transport. Then they show all of them on the bus and it’s all ‘redheaded white ppl’. As they drive them through their shelled out town they pass 3 red-headed youths, one wearing a keffiyeh, at a corner preparing to throw something at the police convoy. They throw bottles/rocks? They also pass some graffiti sign of redheads holding rifles with the (IRA) slogan “Our Day Will Come”. The military ends up taking them out to some place in the desert.  They force them off the bus and line them up and cold-bloodedly kill the youngest red-headed boy/girl? by a single gunshot to the head. (Viet cong style) Then they tell the others to run. They run, but the field is peppered with landmines and explosions are shown. They end up dying horribly and one boy is shown graphically blown up with body parts everywhere. A soldier (that could quite possibly be red haired) just stares into the distance and the screen goes black for a few seconds.

What’s interesting to me has been the reaction to this video. Many of the ppl who commented really couldn’t figure out what the video was about. They didn’t understand why she used ‘ginger-haired’ people and found it offensive. Really? Offensive? I wonder if it would have been offensive if it showed them rounding up black haired dark Arab ppl. Perhaps not, because we see this EVERYDAY in real life on the news/in movies and everywhere else. Who finds that offensive? Also some ppl thought the keffiyeh guys were actually going to do something like throw moltov cocktails or stop the armoured buses somehow. They were DISAPPOINTED, there was no HOPE in the video, they said. Hmmm. Really? They’ve never seen the videos of boys throwing stones at Israeli tanks? And they never thought to themselves ‘why don’t these people have any hope’? Mhmm. Then I noticed some commenters saying that the little boy being shot in cold blood was too much. Really? How about a soldier killing all your family members one by one, burning your house to the ground and raping  a 14 year old girl. (+ pouring kerosene over her body and lighting her on fire)  Not too much right?

The main media outlets from what I can see interestingly are writing op-eds reviewing the video by saying they think the video was too needlessly graphic to make its message known. Did you hear that? They think it’s “too needlessly graphic”. And youtube of all ppl think that it is so disturbing they need to remove it! Amazing. I think MIA has proved her point. (Point being they are hypocrites – graphicness when it comes to reality is ok but not in fiction, showing it with white/red-headed ppl is too disturbing.)

Why the shocking images – the nudity, why the graphicness, why show it like that someone might ask. D’uh. Because it’s real. That is real. That’s what’s happening in the world, whether you ban it from youtube or not.

At least some people were trying to figure out what it was about. Is it about the Palestinians? Is it about Afghanistan/Iraq? US Imperialism? Is it about the IRA/Tamils? Is it commentary about ethnic cleansing? Is it about Arizona? What does it mean we are born free?  At least they’re thinking about these things.

After her success with Slumdog you’d think she’d go on to write music a la lady gaga style or the execs would glam her up more, even though she is undoubtedly talented. MIA’s video though is completely unapologetic. Most people are not ready for it. It is quite frankly, extremely brave because many ppl don’t get it, and those that do, don’t like it. However disturbing, it resonates truths. I think that’s why certain ppl should fear her.

You know what the scariest thing to a slave-master is? Someone telling their slave that they’re really free. MIA is telling all disenfranchised/enslaved/oppressed people they are born free. What a dangerous message.

Assalaam Alaykum

The Big Picture always has these amazing photographs centered around a theme. So this year I thought instead of writing a Ramadan Diary, I would take some pictures to give you an idea of what Ramadan is like here in upstate New York. They’re definitely not as beautiful unfortunately, I’m not sure how professional photographers do it! Some of the best pictures I take end up blurry (especially the one’s with kids) and I just seem to always miss that perfect shot of the sunset between the trees…and get trees It’s definitely hard to do Ramadan as well as try to be a photographer. I can’t take pictures of praying people while praying of course! And most Muslims hate having their pictures taken, so this is the best I could do… 30 pictures for 30 days… enjoy (30 photos total)

http://jannah.org/ramadan/ramadandiary2009.html

Allahumma Taqabbal Minna wa Minkum. May Allah accept from us and from you.

I am sooo in love with this song. For YEARS A.R. Rahman has composed the most amazing devotional Islamic songs that he slips into these Bollywood movie soundtracks without anyone noticing!! I want to write to him and ask him to make a CD of all these songs or to compose one CD of just amazing Islamic nasheed/naats. It could be his lasting life’s work and make such a good impact on people!! He is just incredible ma’shaAllah. As a person, his life story is very interesting. He and his whole family converted to Islam a number of years ago.
There is a really nice detailing of how A.R. Rahman converted to Islam at this fan site: http://rahmaniac.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/islam-gives-me-peace-a-r-rahman/

Anyway just read the lyrics if you’re not into music.
(I modified these a bit…sorry I know I don’t know urdu that well but just to understand what is meant or make the English a bit better. If u have any corrections pls let me know.)

The Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhImIrLacV0

The Lyrics of Arizyan from film Delhi 6:

Arziyaan Sari Mein, Chehre Pe Likh Ke Laaya Hoon
(All the requests (yearnings), I’ve brought with me, are written on my face)
Tumse Kya Mangu Mein, Tum Khud Hi Samjah Lo…
(What can I myself ask from You, You Yourself understand…)
Ya Maula…, Maula Maula, Mere Maula
(O Lord… (also means: Protector, Owner, God) Lord Lord …My Lord)
Maula Maula Maula, Mere Maula
Maula Maula Maula Maula
Dararein Dararein Bandhein Pe Maula
(Obstacles (worries), obstacles on my shoulders, Lord)
Marammat Muqaddar Ki Kar Do Maula, Mere Maula..
(Take control of my fate/destiny/fortune (qadr) O Lord, my Lord)
Tere Dar Pe Jhuka Hoon Meeta Hoon Bana Hoon
(I am bowing at your feet, I’ve been made by you, I surrender to you)
Marammat Muqaddar Ki Kar Doo Maula..
(Improve my fate/destiny, O Lord..)

Jo Bhi Tere Dar Aaya, Juhkne Jo Sar Aaya
(Whoever came to Your door, whoever came head bowed to You)
Mastiyan Piye Sabko, Jhoomta Nazar Aaya
(He appeared drunk with happiness to all, dancing to everyone)
Pyaas Le Ke Aaya Tha, Dariya Woh Bhar Laya
(He had come thirsty, and returned with a river full)
Noor Ki Barish Mein Beeghta Sa Tar Aaya
(He came and became wet in the rain of Light (noor))
Noor Ki Barish Mein.. Ooo…
(In the rain of Light)
Noor Ki Barish Mein, Beeghta Sa Tar Aaya
(In the rain of Light, he came and became wet [drenched])
Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula
Maula Maula Maula Maula
Dararein Dararein Maathe Pe Maula
(My forehead is creased with worries, Lord)
Marramat Muqaddar Ki Kar Do Maula, Mere Maula..
(Improve my fate/destiny, O Lord, My Lord..)
Jo Bhi Tere Dar Aaya, Jhukne Jo Sar Aaya
Mastiyan Piye Sabko, Jhoomta Nazar Aaya

O Ek Khusbu Aati Thi
(A fragrance used to come
Mein Bhatakta Jata Tha,
(and [confused] I would wander)
Reshmi Si Maya Thi
(Mesmerizing wonders [like a mirage])
Aur Mein Takta Jata Tha
(And I would keep gazing on [looking for it])
Jab Teri Gali Aaya, Sach Tabhi Nazar Aaya
(When Your lane came near, only then could I truly see the truth)
Mujhe Mein Woh Khusboo Thi, Jisse Tune Milwaya
(I possessed the fragrance, that you brought to me)
Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula
Maula Maula Maula Maula
Dararein Dararein Hai Maathe Pe Maula
Marammat Muqaddar Ki Kar Do Maula, Mere Maula..

Aaa Aaaa…
Tut Ke Bikharna Mujhko Zarur Aata Hai
(I really know how to break and scatter into pieces [make mistakes])
Hoo, Tut Ke Bikharna Mujhko Zarur Aata Hai
Varna Ibbadat Wala Ssarur Aata Hai
(Otherwise I know how to pray (ibadah) to you)
Sajde Mein Rehne Do, Abb Kahin Na Jaunga
(Let me stay in prostration (sajdah),I will not go anywhere now)
Abb Jo Tumne Tukhraya To Sawar Na Paunga
(Now if You leave me, I will not be able to recover)
Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula
Maula Maula Maula Maula
Dararein Dararein Hai Maathe Pe Maula
Marammat Muqaddar Ki Kar Do Maula, Mere Maula..

Sar Utha Ke Mene To Kitni Khwahishe Ki Thi
(I had haughtily desired for so many things)
Kitne Khwaab Dekhe The Kitni Khosishe Ki Thi
(I had seen so many dreams, had tried so much)
Jab Tu Rubaru Aaya…
(When You appeared in full)
Jab Tu Rubaru Aaya Nazarein Na Mila Paya
(With Your presence, I could not look into Your Eyes [I shied away])
Sar Jhuka Ke Ek Pal Mein… Ooo
(With bowing head, in that moment…)
Sar Jhuka Ke Ek Pal Mein Mene Kya Nahi Paya
(With bowing head, in that moment, what have I not found [once I surrendered to You])
Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula
Maula Maula Maula Maula
Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula, Mere Maula..
Maula Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula..

Mora Piya Ghar Aaya, Mora Piya Ghar Aaya
(My beloved has come home, My beloved has come home)
Maula Maula Maula Mere Maula
Maula Maula Maula Maula
Mere Maula Maula Maula Maula
Mere Maula Maula Maula Maula, Mere Maula..

Update: I found some more sufi/ish islamic songs by A.R. Rahman. Check em out

Zikr – has the hasbi rabbi jalallah… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L6yZeJ6fFo
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/M6pmJU4rK9.As1NMvHdW/

Marhaba Mustafa – this is for Al Risalah (2008) directed by Mustafa Akkad ??? He was killed in the Amman terrorist boming… so never realized? Very sad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd-InvozNeY http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/k7pmzDnVyS.As1NMvHdW/

Khwaja Mere Khwaja – this is like a saint devotional song to saint chisti but interesting
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/iXpmKYjJ29.As1NMvHdW/

Al Maddath Maula – one of those sufi qawwalis i think
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/psmm6R1Q_9.As1NMvHdW/

Piya Haji Ali – something about ali qawwali
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/E4ymqkd9h9.As1NMvHdW/

Noor ala un Noor – its like nusrat meets crazyness
http://www.musicindiaonline.com/p/x/aBKmSI0hit.As1NMvHdW/

Update 2: Nice picture of A.R. Rahman with his wife Saira Bano at the Oscars:

& a nice thread with articles and his biography if anyone’s interested in reading more.

So, yeah I’m addicted to sad poems and songs. I don’t know why. My sister thinks I’m crazy and morbid. I think ironically they just make me feel better. Sometimes it’s nice to wallow and eat ice cream and feel that others have tougher lives than you do. And you know you can’t have highs without lows!!

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