Dilbert for the people

Aizal, Mizoram

Last week I visited Aizal, Mizoram. It was an incredible experience to see the majestic beauty of this place. Extraordinary to think that more than 30% of Mizoram is covered in Bamboo and wooded jungle. It is also renowned in some circles as being the Switzerland of India with it's high mountain peaks and steep terrain.

The people were lovely, hospitality pervasive, and food; delectable. It was quite an extraordinary site to see come Sunday morning. Men in their finest suits, shirts and trousers. Women in an array of colorful Mizo skirts. With all shops closed everyone shuttled quickly to their places of worship. Mizoram being 87%+ Christian was quite the experience come holy-day. The shear numbers of kindred souls harmoniously walking their way to church was a sight to behold. Something special about the unity in this place Aizal. Our time was short, so I regret not having the opportunity to experience more of the Mizo culture, its traditional dancing and much more.

The people in general quite Western in their style and appearance, yet oriental and tribal compared to any other parts of India I've visited. As I walked thought the Bazaar part of me felt like I was in a dream some how recollecting what it *might be like* if I were to visit Northern China.

No beggars; this was something else that struck me as unique to this place. Anyone who's visited India will tell you...

During one excursion we set off from Aizal city for a drive to the foot of Mt Reiek. Curvy roads, wispy waterfalls, streaming rivers and blooming flowers were all part of the scenic view as we made our way up the mountain. Around some corners you could see an array of school children hiking their way to school, some dressed in uniform and others in western wear. I was a bit surprised to see two kids on this trip wearing MXPX t-shirts at various parts of the journey. Not that they knew anything about the band, but clearly somehow these western influences landing up in this heavenly mountain society.

Though I have searched around for the official story, I have found varying info on the height for Mt. Reiek. I have seen things ranging from 4800ft to 6000ft above sea level. Either way, our trip to the top was a thing of beauty. It has been some time since making such a steep hike up in the mountains. It was a rejuvenating experience to gasp in the fresh mountain air. Here are a few pics from the trip.

Travel Buddy pt 2

Found this site for TravelBuddy online today that was linked on a friends site. Perhaps this has been around some time, but this is the first I have seen of it.

Some of the places I have visited appear so small on this map that they are hard to see. One must scroll over the green area's slowly to see each place identified. Although, it does let you zoom in using the tool on the upper left.

If anyone else is using it, drop me a line. I would enjoy seeing and hearing about the places you have visited.

TravBuddy

Mizoram

Nestled in between the mountainous regions of Bangladesh and Myanmar is the land of Mizo's. I will be traveling to Mizoram early next month for a visit to this beautiful area. While Mizoram is known for its beautiful natural habitat of scenic terrain it is also renown for its hospitable people. I am eager and excited to experience this rich culture in the coming days. I am just awaiting the proper travel documents/permits in order to enter the area.

At http://mizoram.nic.in/about/people.htm I came across some good information about Mizoram, its people and history. This included:

World-renowned for their hospitality, Mizos are a close-knit society with no class distinction and no discrimination on grounds of sex. The entire society is knitted together by a peculiar code of ethics 'Tlawmngaihna' an untranslatable term meaning on the part of everyone to be hospitable kind, unselfish and helpful to others.

The distinction of 'no-class' (caste-related) and equality of women and men is a rare quality to be found in the Indian Sub-Continent.

During the trip we will visit some local friends and hope to visit some historical sites. I hope to post some info after our return.

Till next time...

All India Muslim Personal Law Board

Established on April 7-8 1973 the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) was created by the Indian Muslim Ulema as a response to the perceived threat being created by Indian Parliament and its Law-Makers. This, in fear that they might lose the applicability of Muslim Shariah Law within its community.

On March 2, 2008 the AIMPLB held a conference on the Park Circus Maidan, roughly a few hundred yards from my house.

While some conservative estimates put the meetings numbers at around 60,000 people, the organizers said there were over 100,000 present.

One thing I find very interesting is that no English paper/daily (nor most local vernacular newspapers) thought that this was newsworthy enough to cover. The Telegraph dropped the ball again with no coverage of the day. Perhaps they'll run something two weeks later as this seems to be their habit with 'News.'

Mobile Phone

Normally when you think of mobile phone's you think of the more modern cellular models available in the market. Perhaps even the beautiful i-phone.

Well, on a recent trip to Old Delhi we were walking towards the Jama Masjid when we came upon this bicycle drawn telephone booth.

Here's to mobile-phones in the Capital of India, 2008.

Moulana Nasiruddin

This is Moulana Nasiruddin of the Fatehpur Sikri Masjid about 35 km from the infamous city of Agra (Taj Mahal). He is the head Imam of the Masjid there that was built by King Akbar. He was a kind fellow and immediately came up to speak with me when I entered.

It is always a joy to meet a Salik along the journey.

Eid Ul Fitr

This is a video collage of the Eid Prayer gathering at Red Road in Kolkata.



Sunday: October 14th, 2007

Eid Mubarak عيد مبارك

Eid Mubarak and warm greetings to my Muslim friends celebrating as we start the month of Shawwal!

Ah, how nice it was awaking to a warm cup of coffee and breakfast. Refreshing as it was to welcome the morning meal, I was off early yesterday morning to Red Road where people had already begun to gather for the largest gathering of Eid Prayers in Kolkata.

Though no government census is taken, I am guessing the numbers are in the hundreds of thousands.

For about half an hour the Shahi Imam of Tipu Sultan Masjid gave a fiery sermon. Imploring the Muslim’s of Kolkata to rise up and be politically motivated in the coming elections and in light of current crises in the city which led to the murder of a young Muslim man (Rizwan) at the hands of Hindu’s. While there is an ongoing investigation, the media is pointing to the involvement of top police brass in the city. Anyhow, this was a large part of the Eid Khutba (sermon).

After the Khutba was completed a siren was sounded. Thus the Allahu Akbar’s began and the prayers were under way. Once the Eid Namaz was completed everyone arose to hug one another and offer hearty "Eid Mubarak’s." Much like Christian’s offering a Merry Christmas to others during the Holidays.

I will try to post more later, but wanted to put up a few photographs of the amazing gathering of Kolkata’s Muslim’s.

Here’s a first glimpse.

Iftar #2

I already posted a little about Iftar, but wanted to do so a second time after a great opportunity we had on Friday night. It was then we were invited to a special Iftar party with friends in the community. Here is a photo of the wonderful arrangement of food that the ladies prepared.


Along with the wonderful food, we had a great time of prayer and fellowship. It is such a joy to experience life in India. The rich cultural tradition, camaraderie and honour are both excellent and praiseworthy.

Adhan أَذَان 101

5 times a day from the minaret of the Mosque, all Muslim’s are called to prayer. This call is the "adhan." This adhan itself is recited by the Muezzin. It is as much a proclamation as it is a warning that prayers are about to begin.

The Muezzin is someone specifically tasked to give the adhan five times a day for Fardh (mandatory) prayers. Then, Muslim’s hearing the adhan respond by coming to the Mosque for prayer or beginning their ablutions from wherever they might be to begin their prayers.

Throughout the Muslim world, from Africa, Arabia, Central Asia, the Indian Sub-Continent and down through South Asia the adhan is given in Arabic. Even in Western nations this call is given daily in the Arabic language. During the course of the adhan, this is a translation of what is recited;

God is Great, God is Great!
I bear witness that there is no god but God x2
I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of God x2
Come to prayer x2
Come to your good x2
God is Great, God is Great!
There is no god but God!

Once everyone has arrived to the Mosque this call is given a second time within the Mosque. This second call is the Iqama. The iqama is recited in a lower monotone voice at a faster pace than the adhan. At this, the prayers begin.

Here is a short clip I saw on youtube that can give you a birds eye view of its sound…

Taraweeh ( تراويح ) Prayers

During the month of Ramadhan it is tradition that Iftar (dinner) parties are thrown every evening around sun down to break the days fast with ones family and neighbors. After Iftar the men retreat to the Mosque and women to prayer rooms to begin their Maghrib prayers. (Maghrib is the 4th required liturgical prayer of the day for Muslim’s.) Later in the evening, well after sundown, there is another Adhan (call to prayer) from the Mosque loud speaker for the Eish’a prayers.

Eish’a is the 5th and final (required) liturgical prayer of the day. During the month of Ramadhan there are special prayers that proceed directly after the Eish’a prayers. These prayers are called Taraweeh ( تراويح ) and they require almost two hours for their completion every night. During Taraweeh prayers the congregation of the Mosque is lead by a Hafeez (One who has committed the entire Qur’an to their memory). The Hafeez will recite and take them through the entire Qur’an in Arabic during these thirty days according to Juz’ (جزء ). Juz’, being the Qur’an broken up into 30-parts to be read during the 30 days of Ramadhan. During the Juz’ recitation Sunni Muslim’s normally perform 20 Rak’at’s ( ركعات ) in pairs of two Rak’at’s with a short rest in between.

The completion of one Rak’ah looks a little like this:

Standing in prayer, one gives his/her Niyat (Intention before God) then he/she lift’s their hands to their ears and proclaims, "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Great!) After reciting a few prayers, everyone recites the first Surah of the Qur’an while in a standing position with their hands interlocked over their stomachs (hands interlocked over breasts for women). From this position one will bow while standing and proclaim 3x, "Subham arab biyal’ajim!" (Glory to our Lord the Great!) After this, one will stand upright again proclaiming "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Great!) Then the Imam (Prayer Leader/Priest) will say, "Sammi Allahu liman Hamidah" (God has heard all those who praise Him) at this, the congregation will together in unison say, "Rabbana lakal Hamd!" (Our Lord: Praise be to thee!) and at once, all-together bow all the way to the ground with their forehead’s touching the floor in Sajdah (Prostration). While prostrated with ones head to the ground one will proclaim 3x, "Subhan arrab biyal a’la!" (Glory to our Lord the Most High!) After this one will assume a sitting position with ones feet under him/her. From this position other prayers (parts of the Qur’an) will be recited and then the worshipper will return to Sajdah (Prostration) where he/she will recite again 3x, "Subhan arrab biyal a’la!" (Glory to our Lord the Most High!) When this is completed the worshipper will rise to his/her feet. At this, one Rak’ah has been completed. Thus, it is 20 of these Rak’at’s that are completed while reciting the Juz’ (parts) on a nightly basis to fulfill the requirements of the Sunnah (Law).

While some Sunnis might only do 8 or 12 Rak’at’s every night during Taraweeh, Shi’ah Muslim’s do not perform Taraweeh prayers at all. For Sunni Muslim’s this is Sunnat-e-Muakkadah (required according to the Law) and Jayez (That which is perfect in God’s eyes). For Shia’ah’s these Taraweeh prayers are seen as Bid’ah (Innovation), and therefore should not be followed. Thus making this one key contention between them.

Both the devout and laymen Sunni’s attend these prayers every year. In the Muslim community there is little that rivals the festivities and pride surrounding the fasting of Ramadhan and Taraweeh’s participation and completion.

It is my sincere prayer that all Muslim's praying Taraweeh, or any prayer during Ramadhan would be lead on the Siratul Mustaqeem (Straight Path). Straight into the arms of the Beloved!

Bearing one's heart...

As we seek the Divine there is much we can learn from those who have gone before us.

In these special days of life and breath that I now partake, my spirit is moved, as if a waterfall rushing towards its deepest cavern. As I read from the Doctor Illuminate, Ramon Lull, my admonition of Love is deeply challenged and stirred.

"What meanest thou by Love?" said the Beloved. And the Lover answered: "It is to bear on one’s heart the sacred marks and the sweet words of the Beloved. It is to long for Him with desire and with tears. It is boldness. It is fervour. It is fear. It is the desire for the beloved above all things. It is that which causes the Lover to grow faint when he hears the Beloved’s praises. It is that in which I die daily, and in which is all my will." -- Ramon Llull (1235-1316)

Doing Good in Thought and Deed!

"Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." - John Wesley

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Phil 4:8

I pray that your day is full of this Good which comes from the source of Life, Light and Hope.