World Affairs And Beyond

The tragedy is that we live on earth for a very short period of time, while the comedy is that we make plans as if we are to live here for centuries. We go to wars over lands that we can never own, because we are only but travellers through this dimension.

I found myself on way to the airport with a couple of friends. We got a bit late due to some traffic. It was not easy to get to the airport. I got off the vehicle as it was caught up in traffic, and went into a house on a nearby cliff. I remember a castle there too.  The whole place was sandy. It was a dry noon in Egypt. By the time I returned to the road, the vehicle carrying my friends had left, and I had to find some other transportation for myself to get to the airport on time. I had two bags. One was my golden  colored purse and the other a brown traveling shoulder pouch bag that I often carry along for my important documents. Most people there seemed to be looking for some public transportation and the place was under fire from the other side of the road. I do not know who was shooting and what were they shooting at. People seemed to be running for their lives.

Fear is the root of all evil. Yes, fear is what makes you do things you would otherwise not want to do. This last Ramadan, I learnt alot about how other people felt. So far, it was the toughest Ramadan of my life. I went thirsty and hungry, and by the "Aftaar" time, I went almost greedy. I was still in control of me and my want for water and food. I had my share of food right there in front of me, yet I didn't have the patience to eat it in my own "princess style". I was eating like a poor hungry greedy man who had never had food for days. 

Be kind to the unkind, because that is how you will teach them what kindness is. The unkind are unkind because they do not know what kindness is; and that is because nobody has ever been kind to them.   Kindness begets kindness !

I have seen a majority here in the North-West Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province of Pakistan, my home province, confusing religion with culture. Does wearing "jeans" make you a kafir? I think "jeans" is a much thicker cloth than the traditional "shalwar kameez" of Pakistan and India. It does not reveal your figure or skin and one cannot see through it. Your traditional "shalwar" is revealing and should be termed as un-Islamic and not to mention the "churidar pajama" compared to the skinny jeans, should be totally banned if you consider yourself a muslim or a Pathan/Pashtoon. Churidar Pajama (the allowed)

A beautiful magical spot along the Karakorum Highway. Photo by Bash Afridi