Cloud 10...Why Teach...

Dear Friends

As I am winding down in my first year of University teaching I just remembered again why I switched to academia / teaching…

Teaching is the mother of all professions and is the only way to engineer positive cultural change. The classroom is the greatest human space and is a theatre of dreams which are nurtured by the teacher…

Although the process of teaching can be highly demanding if not energy sapping however when a student says 'thanks' or you meet a successful former student…You are on cloud 10…

Thank You God!

Ciao

Faisal

Norway weeping...

Dear Friends

Like most Europeans I have been shocked by the events in Norway. My sympathies go out to the grief stricken families and heart broken nation.

Some fellow Muslims in private have commented that it is a blessing that it was a fundamentalist / far-right Christian. I strongly disagree.

Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian nutter, has shamed all believers especially of the monotheistic tradition. I am convinced had Breivik been exposed to Christian mysticism he would never have gone on the rampage…

We cannot shy away from European challenges of rampant immigration, mass unemployment and a resurgent Islam. However, dialogue is the only way and it is high time that even the far-right are incorporated into the political process and intellectually challenged to modify their fascist ideology. Geert Wilders watch out!

If European Islam is positively nurtured and incorporated into the Western tradition I believe it can become a gold standard for emergent Muslim nations such as Pakistan and become a force for universal good.

Faisal  

Who is the greatest Muslim Enemy?

Dear Friends

Last night like most British Muslims I watched the first episode of a 3 part BBC series about the life and legacy of Muhammed (pbuh), the final messenger of Islam. I had received many prayerful text reminders! So it felt almost like an obligation…

It was hosted by Rageh Omar and was unusual that so many heavy hitting academics were interviewed even vehement critics like American Robert Spencer. I found it very informative and in parts deeply touching. However, the challenge is whether as a community after 1,400 hundred years we are willing to grow into Islam and 'surrender to God' i.e. Become Muslims.

If the last 200 hundred years or so are anything to go by I don't not think so…

Most of the 1.6 billion strong Ummah / Muslim Nation are Muslims by birth and hence 'cultural Muslims'. The vast majority live in abject poverty of mind, body and soul whilst a select few are part of the international jet set that live it up from Milan to Islamabad. It is these Muslim super elite that need to reform and share its ill gotten wealth with the Muslims masses…Inshallah…

So for all the bravado we Muslims have much to learn and crucially atone for such as the '1971 Pakistani Vietnam' where the Pakistan army systematically raped Muslim Bengali women and murdered tens of thousands in the name of nationalism…

We Muslims are our worst if not greatest enemy…and time and again we forget, perhaps conveniently, that orthopraxy / right conduct is superior to orthodoxy / right thought...

Slm

Faisal

Bandeya Ho! / Oh! Man...

Dear Friends

In the search for meaning / truth there will be many challenges, stolen dreams and broken promises…but if one can patiently overcome the 'thirst', 'heat', 'weariness' and 'pain'…the coolness / mercy of the divine is assured…Yes most certainly! Yes again…

Verily with difficulty is ease!

Verily with difficulty is ease!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiQ-uSN8Bs8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6wbugWrfLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4PzD_HbBEY&feature=related

Ciao

Faisal

Searching for the Truth...

A lost mind

A broken body

A weeping heart

A dark soul

Searching out

Calling out for the Divine

To take this hurting hand

And show 

The truth…

Gay Pride in Pakistan

Dear Friends

On the 26^th June 2011 the American Embassy in Islamabad hosted Pakistan’s inaugural Gay Pride event. However it was a muted affair and the Press Release only went global a couple of days ago.  As expected the back lash has begun and Islamist parties have been at the forefront of violent opposition.

Personally I am amazed at the American cultural insensitivity and timing of the event since Pakistan is plagued with a myriad of socio-economic problems such as poverty and this incident will only fuel anti-western feelings and embolden the conspiracy theorists. Also LGBT people are not exactly free in the West since there has been vehement opposition and legal challenge to Gay marriage for example recently in New York.

Western notions of sexual identity are highly political and developed in the West but do not apply to the Muslim world. Instead Muslim culture has developed its own mechanisms to  absorb LGBT people into the mainstream of society for over 1000 years.  A useful and insightful introduction on the subject is the seminal work by the progressive Canadian Muslim intellectual Tarek Fatah entitled, Chasing a Mirage – The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State.

I remember the following real life story:

A Sufi once met a Gay man and they shared a meal. The Gay man remarked boldly that he was proud to be gay. The Sufi replied that he could not judge as he was not gay and that he was interested in their commonality. ‘What commonality is that Sufi sahib?’, remarked the Gay man.  The Sufi replied, ‘My scripture teaches that God is closer than the jugular vein – therefore, let’s focus on HIM’....They talked for hours and finally the Sufi remarked ‘You are a good and decent man why do you deny the gift of life and opportunity to have children?’. The Gay man was silent for a while then replied ‘That is my choice and I know the consequences of my choices’. The Sufi replied ‘Ah yes thank you for reminding me that my scripture teaches that LET THERE BE NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION. AND THAT GODS MERCY IS SUPERIOR TO HIS WRATH...’

Ultimately what goes on in the bedroom should remain private and between consenting adults...

Ciao

Faisal 

Can we blame the local Mullah?

Dear Friends

Yesterday I attended Friday congregational prayers which as usual were a non -descript affair following the usual formula of fire & brimstones speech, Arabic interlude, prayers and the weekly request for money with a house in Paradise thrown in for good measure. I usually switch off and focus on my prayers and drown out the Mullah’s ranting with my own thoughts.

However on this occasion the stand in Mullah was a young British Muslim. My ears perked up as I hoped for some audible diamonds instead I got the usual but in English. It was such a letdown in fact a damning indictment of the state of British Muslim granted local scholarship.

One could argue that I should take the initiative and become an Imam and educate the local community instead of critiquing. However, in my humble experience secular and religious Education begins at home. Not so much in terms of pedagogy rather the parents only job is to instil a love of learning and ensure their kids complete the prescribed homework, encourage and praise and above all inspire them.   The best religious education is for parents to be role models and live their Islam. 

Unfortunately the aforementioned is much diluted and in short supply. In my British South Asian culture family politics and rivalries dominate to such an extent that children are usually pawns in grand games of chess and intrigue. Even if children do well it is a way of gaining the upper hand and cementing familial ties via marriage, consequently I have met many Oxbridge fools in my time!

Religious education is farmed out to local Mosques which are populated by poorly paid Imams whose first language is not English and wield power though the stick.  As long their children can read the Quran in Arabic parents are satisfied that they have done their duty and paradise is assured. There is usually no thought given to imbibing the Quran and exploring Muslim history let alone developing critical reasoning / aql.  So it should be no surprise when these kids are suffering from identity crisis that the likes of Al-Qaeda  / Hizb-ut-Tahrir become surrogate parents and  poison our young people’s minds.

So is the current state of local, national, international Islam all the local Mullah’s fault?

Faisal

BOL - Speak...

Dear Friends,

Even as Pakistan is inching closer to the brink its writers and artists manage to produce artistic meaning of the highest  calibre and depth. One such son of the soil is SHOAIB MANSOOR the director of the much lauded KHUDA KAYE LIYE – For the sake of God, which examined Muslim extremism. He has just released another socio-political sensation – BOL – Speak:

http://www.bolthemovie.com/

This time he is tackling the plight of Muslim women...

Yes, indeed the pen is mightier than the sword...

Yaa Haq...

Faisal

Ps - This is movie is very dear to me as I am the proud father of a baby daughter...

Faltering 'Arab Spring'...

Dear Friends

The spectacular ‘Arab Spring’ caught most of the world by surprise.  The depressed global Muslim street was shocked into action and there was a genuine hope that the aged and corrupt Muslim aristocracies would disappear. Obama et al after initial reservations weighed in behind the Muslim protestors as they could clearly see the writing on the wall and there were remarkable gains in Tunisia and Egypt.

Things have become a bloody and complex mess in Libya, Syria and Yemen but this is not the time to withdraw Western support. Otherwise it will feed the conspiracy peddlers that the West were merely protecting oil interests and suppressing genuine Muslim democracy as was the case in Bahrain where the uprising was violently crushed with the help of Saudi Arabia & UAE.

Granted the economic environment is in free fall but can the west really afford not to finish the job properly in AfPak and Libya? I am sure that the Turkish government is being consulted if not there will be more ‘blow back’ and personally I fear it will be nuclear...Unfortunately the Quran in the hands of zealots is like a mad monkey with a cut throat razor...

In hope and prayer...

Faisal

Shades of Allah u Akbar...

Dear Friends

Allah u Akbar / God is Great has come to signify many things...Here is my humble experience:

The Suicide Bomber detonates Allah u Akbar

The Mullah worships Allah u Akbar

The Protestor hurls Allah u Akbar

The Petitioner begs Allah u Akbar

The devotee sings Allah u Akbar

But only the Sufi disappears in Allah u Akbar

For naught will remain save the Face of Allah (28:88)

 

 

 

Salaam

 

Faisal

Baba Muhammed Yahya Khan...

Dear Friends

My beloved yet tortured Pakistan is suffering from mass unemployment, rampant inflation, a violent insurgency, systemic corruption, political incompetence, religious extremism, brain drain on an epic scale...No wonder it has been dubbed a failed state. My personal assessment is that it is a PhD thesis gone mad.

However, amidst the chaos a Muslim superhero has emerged...BABA MUHAMMED YAHYA KHAN...This living Sufi legend has taken Lahore and the world by storm and his simple yet powerful message of love is giving solace and hope to millions.

He has written 10 books in Urdu which are being translated into English and now his work is been dramatised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meRjxajQ2_A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or0bbsYYKeY

COMETH THE HOUR...COMETH THE MAN...

This is Sufism with attitude....

Faisal 

Shooting from the heart...

Dear Friends

A timely and awesome reminder especially when the 'chips are down'…

When your is bow is broken

And your last arrow spent

Then shoot

Shoot with your whole heart…

Ciao

Faisal

A.A. Spirituality...

Dear Friends

Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most spiritual and effective organisations on the planet. For decades it has quietly gone about transforming the lives of millions of peoples across the globe.

I once had the honour of attending an A.A meeting where I was supporting a friend who was a recovering alcoholic.  I was struck by the sense of community and crucially welcome afforded to even non-Alcoholics and the way new members were made the 'stars'. The latter were encouraged to discuss their trials and tribulations and were given much love.

I vividly remember talking to the facilitator who had been clean for 20 years and was celebrating his ' A.A birthday' that day. He talked passionately about his Christian faith and a Jesus (pbuh) who was a strong fisher man who enjoyed being in the company of those who were on the margins of society. Truly inspiring…

In contradistinction to the above I find most religious even Sufi settings to be stuffy and full of politicking. The Shakyh is centre stage and is surrounded by his inner circle. There is no Prophetic aroma merely a didactic flow of gibberish that is poorly clothed in Quran and Sunnah. Not until Muslim Scholars become vessels for the divine origin there will be discord and acrimony….

I have seen my Lord with the eye of my heart, and I said: "Who are You?" He said:"You." (Diwan al-Hallaj, M. 10)

Faisal

Keep Climbing...

Dear Friends

I am a great lover of Rumi and the following You Tube link is an exquisite taste of heaven.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Molanaa#p/f/6/UvYeWgUxyjc

However I am deeply concerned that Rumi’s message is being manipulated to arrest people’s socio-economic development. I am horrified to learn that some young people are giving up promising careers to clean toilets and perform other menial tasks in the Mevlevi Tekke of Konya.

This is the dark side of Sufism and has little to do with purification of the heart. It is simple manipulation and power politics.  Granted Mevlana Rumi advised ‘little eating, little sleeping and little talking’ but this is actually an esoteric practice for the soul and will only permanently impair mind and body.

Bottom line is that malnourished, uneducated and sleepless Sufi’s are grainy shadows of their past contemporaries and will be of little if any service to humanity. Now I can sympathise with Kemal Ataturk who historically banned Sufism as it had become over ripe and useless.

Even if you complete the Sufi Path it is continues after death...The manazil / stations are never ending as God is never ending. HOWEVER our time on this planet is LIMITED and we only have one chance to do something great and meaningful in this life. And that is usually touching humanity rather than navel gazing...

Keep climbing the mountain even when you reach the top...(A wise Zen Saying)

Salaam

Faisal 

Excessive religion...

Dear Friends

It occurred to me the other day that if excess consumption of food causes so many health problems such as diabetes and ultimately an untimely death. Surely excess of anything is bad for human beings especially money, power or fame. Perhaps excess of religion is emotionally detrimental?

The Quran talks a lot about the need for meezan / balance and moderation. Muslims are supposed to be standard bearers for the 'middle-path'…On paper this is deeply inspiring but what is the reality? This question can only be answered individually by all the 1.6 billion Muslims on this troubled planet.

Personally I feel we Muslims lack balance in practically every department of life….and it appears to be getting worse on a daily basis. We could and should learn from Buddhists and Quakers who are masters of cultivating the heart and leading truly inspiring lives. Consequently I reminded of the stunning Quranic admonition:

''Truly, God does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Quran 13:11)

I am to learn…

Faisal