د مور دعا

د مور دعا

ماته وغواړه مورجــــانی مغفـــــرت
چې نصیب می ستا دعا شې هم رحمت
ته دعـــــــا د زړه دکــــومی راته وکړه
ستا دعا کې دی د ټول جـــــهان طاقت
اوس زه ستا د دعا ګانو ډیر محـتاج یم
ځکه ستا دپښــــو  دلاندی دې جــــنت
ته ځـولۍ د رحـــمتونو راخــوره کــړه
ستا ځولۍ کې دي دنــیا او اخـــــــرت
که هر څو زه ستا نه ځاراوصدقه شم
در به نه کړای شم بدل ستا دزحــمت
زه عادل ستا دعا په طمع ناســـت یم
چې محروم نه شم له دغه لوي نعمت

Original Post: Nasim Shah 

Photograph: Samsung Galaxy S4

Tor_Khan تور خان

Garden Collage

My outgoing phone has been my trusted Samsung Galaxy S. Still works well and very useful when I want to take a snap or two. It is soon to be replaced by a newer version of the Samsung Galaxy S (the Samsung Galaxy S4), though before that, I thought I'd share a few pictures of the garden in full summer bloom. I enjoy the peaceful retreat, the colours, the sound of the birds and sitting at the bistro and watching the rabbits and squirrels. Bliss.

Collage produced using Google Picasa.

A Pastoral View

Of late, a complete day of sunshine that has not been interrupted by the rain has been something of a rarity. I share, therefore some snaps that I took along the Leeds-Liverpool Canal when the sun shone beautifully and my world was at peace. Tranquil, idyllic and reminiscent of that pastoral view of Yorkshire that the county is known for.

 

Shot on my Samsung Galaxy S at Apperley Bridge.

Bright Eyes

So why would I dedicate a post to two Netherland Dwarf Rabbits? I'm not sure, tell the truth, but the pictures here warm the heart. If I think about my reasons further, then perhaps, it's a case of having been there once before. I also owe this one to my daughter who carries the badge for the next generation in the family who have taken up animal care whilst young.

 

Meet Camembert and Harrod.

Taken using my Samsung Galaxy S.

Small Steps

Over the years, whilst I've always had some semblance of a plan, I have allowed myself to become slightly more open to the unexpected. One has to. It is a response mechanism, though in truth, I'm not sure how good I am at it. And always, Allah is my guide, to whom I am forever grateful for all the beautiful things I am able to see, learn about and share.

So here I am, working towards the establishment of a school. There are lots of strategic variables here that one has to be aware of and how these should be managed. Again, since this is Afghanistan, and since we are in a politically and socially sensitive situation, I choose my words and actions with care. 

There are delays - expect them - and there will be compromises along the way - expect them too, but the idea is that once the teachers are hired, I will support either by distance or by being on the ground, so there is always the probability of return visits. The vision is a good foundation to build on - and the encouragement from senior Afghans (in government and at all levels) and other influential voices, so far has been a blessing. Ameen. Afghanistan's schools need good civic education, creativity and the need to produce critical thinkers who will lead this country tomorrow. It is a long term vision and there will be challenges ahead, but it is a blessing to be part of this project and my contribution is just one small aspect of what many aspire to and dream about. 

I share a photo taken on my trusted mobile phone of the building that will be the school. Something tells me that I may be slightly overcome with emotion, when the school finally opens.

Android

Android developed by Android Inc., the Linux-based operating system that has had people excited since its emergence in 2005. The collaboration with Google and the Open Handset Alliance has seen Android become the world's best selling smartphone platform*. 

Google Inc. released the Android software under a free, open-source license and so the whole Android experience takes on the aspect of a wider, shared collaboration through developers who have written over 200,000 apps for the operating system so far. The great thing is its free.There's an entire open source community out there and if we're ever going to bridge the digital divide, surely open source will play a key factor. Go, Android, Go! 

*Android is also the operating system on my Samsung Galaxy S.

A Classroom View

Welcome to my world.

Collage created using Google Picasa. 

Photos taken using a Samsung Galaxy S.