Auld Lang Syne

Robert Burns (January 1759 – July 1796) famously took an old Scottish folk song and wrote it in a version that is now associated with Hogmany, marking the tradition of New Year's Eve. Across the world Auld Lang Syne* continues to be heard  in various forms as the end of one year becomes the dawn of another. I share a contemporary version here that carries a feel-good message of hope. Peace and hope to everyone. Ameen. Tor_Khan.

Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne!

The new year brings us hope for peace,
A new day for mankind,
Where we can all live hand in hand
And leave all hate behind.

For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

When dreams they seem so far away,
Your soul can feel so low.
But love is never far away;
Your heart won't be alone.

Let's make a world where people care,
A world that knows no fear,
Where we can open up our hearts
And hold each other dear.

Our children grow, they need to know
The Future's theirs to hold.
If we can teach them how to love
Then the world can carry on.

For auld lang syne, my dear.
For auld lang syne.
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne.

*old long since

Red Is Like A Trumpet Sound

I ASKED THE LITTLE BOY WHO CANNOT SEE

I asked the little boy who cannot see,

"And what is colour like?"

"Why, green," said he,

"Is like the rustle when the wind blows through

The forest; running water, that is blue;

And red is like a trumpet sound; and pink

Is like the smell of roses; and I think

That purple must be like a thunderstorm;

And yellow is like something soft and warm;

And white is a pleasant stillness when you lie

And dream."

ANON

Morpheus Speaks

MORPHEUS Have you ever had a dream, Neo, that you were so sure was real? What if you were unable to wake from that dream, Neo? How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?

---

MORPHEUS The Matrix is everywhere, it's all around us, here even in this room. You can see it out your window, or on your television. You feel it when you go to work, or go to church or pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.

NEO What truth?

MORPHEUS That you are a slave, Neo. That you, like everyone else, was born into bondage ... kept inside a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch. A prison for your mind.

---

MORPHEUS The Matrix is a system Neo. That system is our enemy. But when you're inside, you look around, what do you see? Businessmen, teachers, lawyers, carpenters. The very minds of the people we are trying to save ... You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it. 

---

زہ څه یم؟

زہ څه یم؟ asks What am I? and to me it is faintly reminiscent of the question: Who am I? asked in Rumi's Only Breath.

Composed by Taj Rahim Dervaish who has given me permission to share it in this space*. Dera Manana, Dervaish Sahib!

زہ څہ یم؟
تاج رحيم درویش
* * *

دا وجود یم
زہ دا نہ یم کوم چې ښکارم
دا وجود زما دے
خو زہ دا وجود نہ یم
وجود خو پہ دنیا زما لباس دے
نن زما دے صبا بہ نہ وي
* * *
زہ خو د اوبه یوہ قطرہ یم سیند نہ یم
چې سیند لہ اورسم نو بہ سیند شم
وجود خو پنزہ اوښکو تہ غلام دے
زہ د اوښکو محتاج نہ یم
دَ مقام او د وخت پہ قابو نہ یم
د سترگے پہ یوئ رپ کے
پہ عرش یم او بیا تِہ راشم
* * *
زہ ھغہ نہ یم
زہ خو یو خیال یم
او خیال ھم د ھغہ یم
* * *

*Edited slightly, from the original draft with permission.

Infinity and Beyond

Not that we don't deserve it from time to time, but sometimes we need a little perspective on the grandeur we attach to ourselves. I've always been interested in space and beyond - and it serves as a reminder of the magnanimity of an impressive Universe  that Allah has bestowed upon us. 

We are but tiny, tiny specks in the cosmos. There are times though, when perhaps many of us forget and get caught up in our own emotions. I, for sure, know that I have over-stepped on occasions and have had a cantankerous moment where, no doubt, I may have made out that I was the centre of it all. In reality, it's much different, and here's a film that provides some interesting food for thought:

Ashura

Whilst there is some debate around the exact etymology, it is generally agreed that Ashura comes from the Arabic word for ten and the term is used to signify the Remembrance of the 10th Day of Moharram.

The Battle of Karbala is commemorated during an annual 10-day period held every Moharram by both Shi'ah and Sunni Muslims, culminating on the tenth day, with The Day of Ashura.

Moharram continues to remain a month of peace and fasting on Ashura goes back to before the advent of Islam. Today amongst Muslims, Ashura is a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali (RA) in 61 AH (October 2, 680 CE), son of Ali (RA) and the grandson of Mohmammed (SAW). 

May Allah accept all our prayers.

Thirty-Nine and Rising

In celebration of the 39th UAE National Day, I share short film that was featured as part of this year's  Abu Dhabi Film Festival giving us a window into life in the UAE. 

 

Interesting Fact: Thirty-Nine is the sum of five consecutive prime numbers (3 + 5 + 7 + 11 + 13). How's that for a bit of trivia?

Hey Kitty ...

 

یو لوږی سپی یوه پیشو ګیره کړه او ورته یې وویل چې زه دې اوس خورم۰


پیشو ورته وویل چې پروا نکوم، زه نه ژوندونه لرم، بیرته ژوندئ کیږم۰
 
سپی ورته وویل چې زه یواځې نیم، زما اته نور انډیوالان هم راسره دي۰


ها۰ ها۰ ها۰

Oops! Nine Lives, huh? :)

Tor_Khan تور خان

cartoon inspiration from the work of Greg Williams as featured in blogjamcomic