Note to Self

اے بندہء ناچیز! اپنے خدا کو پروردگار تو کہتا ھے ، کبھی سوچا بھی کہ پروردگار کسے کہتے ہیں؟
وہ جو تیرے وجود کو تب بھی پالتا ہے جب تو اس دنیا کی نظروں سے اوجھل تھا، جب تیرے والدین کو بھی خبر نہ تھی کہ تو اس اندھیرے گھپ رحم میں پروان چڑھ رھا ھے. کہ جہاں تک پہنچنا تیرے بس میں نہ تھا، نہ دنیا کی کوئی قوت تجھے اس اندھیرے گھر میں کوئی فائدہ پہنچا سکتی تھی۔
اور تب بھی پالتا ہے جب تو کھیل کود میں گم ہوتا ہے اور تیری ماں تیری خوراک کی فکر میں ہر جتن کرتی ہے مگر تو ہر شے سے بےپروا کھیل میں مگن رہتا ھے مگر تیرا خدا تجھے رزق بھی پہنچاتا ہے اور تیری قوت میں بھی اضافہ کرتاہے

The Mohatta Palace

We (I and my husband) planned to celebrate the Republic Day by paying visit to Fatima Jinnah's residence The Mohatta Palace but as we reached there we were informed that it has no museum related to her rather an art gallery. We were initially disappointed but what we explored next was simply marvellous.  "The Alchemist of Line", an art exhibition set up to honor the pioneer of innovative modern art in Pakistan. 

Imran Mir's work was way more deep than  a lay man's understanding of art. Visiting the five rooms one after another we were simply amazed at the complex designs made with simple geometrical shapes, experiments on light and dark, imperfections in perfect designs and bold use of colors on vast canvas.
His work is rightly called 'paper' on Modern Art containing information as of a theoretical paper. I loved his quote about his artwork, " You are watching what it is."

Admiring his work we left the gallery, visited the gift shop and bought ourselves some beautiful souvenirs of this historical place.

The architecture of Mohatta Palace is extremely beautiful. The aisle, the beautiful floor, the finely crafted ceilings, the beaty of doors and windows and the traditional domes of Rajhistani Architecture. We later visited the park outside and found it clean and well maintained. We took some great shots for memories and decided to leave.

This was a memorable exploration of Karachi's forgotten heritage.  We found very few people inside and out. Perhaps people nowadays are more busy visiting malls for Lawn Sale or we have lost a sense of appreciation for these amazing places. 

The Unemployed Educated Women

This is a cut piece from Women's Day edition of a renowned newspaper with a headline as offensive as it can be. 

When I read it first I was shaken, disgusted and felt disregarded as I too am an engineer from a renowned institute and currently a stay at home mom. Thousands of ladies are in the same boat like me and we are not burning our degrees. 

This is not for the first time that I have read something like this. In every family gathering or meeting with an old friend the conversations about my career are more or less same. Why people think that taking care of your home and children while you are well-educated is a disservice to the ENTIRE nation is beyond my understanding. 

The only service we are doing to the whole world is to "judge" others. To believe that education is for a professional career and nothing else makes no sense. Some would feel pity for the children of working women and other's would blatantly call a girl "spoiler of seat". Actually they are the same people who won't do a little help to a lady struggling between home and job. 

To become a employee or a employer is not the only use of education.  Education is never meant to cage you. It's not a responsibility to earn money. Education is about growth in every area of your personality and lifestyle. 
Education puts a responsibility upon all of us and to fulfil that one definitely does not need a JOB. 

It's extremely disappointing when you hear such comments or read something like this headline. Having kids is not the only purpose of a women's life nor having a long professional career.

We should RESPECT people's priorities and choices in life. 

Mola Ali a.s

Man whom you call Ali,
By God! There is no man like Ali.
Man of wisdom, man of truth.
Man who defended Islam before his youth.

Man whose patience surpasses his bravery.
Man whose kindness is extraordinary.
Bitter to hypocrites and unjust,
Man whose peace has never burst.

Man whose valour accompanies wisdom.
Man who nurtured true freedom.
Whose words portray a part of his character.
What a man! What a calibre!

Man whose patience is seldom admired,
Something that kept the nation tied.
In the battlefield, in his tranquility.
Man who defines what is Bravery.

Man whose generosity is unmatched.
Man whose eloquence is par perfect.
Who rejected the world for it's temporary
Man who bought God's Will against a "charity"

Man of love, man of values
Man whose legacy still continues.
The two extremes where coincide,
Man of this eminence is my guide!

What I can say for your praise,
My scrambled words will soon erase.
Yet, upon hearing them, I pray;
"Its beautiful!",  My Mola says!

-Masooma

Zainab s.a.

A warrior without weapon.
A speaker with unforgettable eloquence.
A leader of Hussain's (a.s.) mission.
A preacher who raised her voice for justice in the face of Yazid.
An inspiration for every opressed.
A scholar taught by 'Door of Knowledge'
A lover, who loved Islam more than I know.
A believer of Lord like no one.
A mourner of many more than seventy-two.
A mother of valliant sons.
A father of orphans of Karbala.
A guardian of hopeless women of Nay-nawa.
A lady of great values.
A princess of both worlds.
A sister of Hussain A.s and Hassan A.s
A revolutionist..
A woman-Zainab s.a 

-Masooma

Wishes

I want to travel I want to explore,
I want to feel the scent of shore,
I want to cross the lands and store,
Memories of beautiful birds that tore,
The heart of wind and reach the door,
That leads to the purpose of their soul.

I want to stop and meet the men,
And learn how to climb a ben,
Of human ego and arrogance, so vain,
And turn their hearts to Ĺove and pen.
How love transforms a king to slave.
How hatred ruins a beautiful fate.

I want to read all the books at night,
See through the canvas of light,
Light that guides the wise, the knight,
Opt all that a wise might,
Enduring all the pains of growth
I want to become a star so bright.

I want to speak the bitterest words
To those who speak swords not words.
Those who feel never the swords,
can reach their necks, if they were birds;
flying too high, away from the floods
They deluded themselves in both the worlds!

I want to tell you all the stories
Stories of warriors and knights
Stories of selfless and right
Stories of helplessness and fright
Stories with power to instill
the qualities of a man of Light

I want to answer all the questions
that keep you disturbed in solitude
questions that are food for soul.
questions about your goal
questions about love and hate
questions about a friend or mate

-Masooma

Devotee of Life : Mother

Bliss, marvel, avatar of resillience;
Shall I call her epitome of love?
Any nicely quoted saying for her,
Or a masterpiece admiring her brillience.

My worthless words cant praise enough,
Nor can they thank.
THY matchless creation, the "Devotee of Life".
Mother; a treasure, a being so tough.

What I call the hands of one,
who raises us up; care without lust.
Delicate, yet stronger than strong.
Tired and hurt, yet steady for you lifelong.

What I can remember is just so small.
How she smiled watching me crawl.
How she picks me whenever I fall.
How she sews for me, the best of all.

How she taught me what she couldn't read.
How she became my strongest shield.
When people came believing that I'll fall,
It was her belief that kept me tall.

How she walked miles without a halt.
How she got me back from hopeless vault.
Her prayers rewrote my miserable fate.
She's my biggest inspiration, to date.

Ami, maa and sometimes mummy,
I can't thank you enough for this journey.
Niether can I forget your pain and tears,
That brought me back to this "Lovely Affair".