Gaza Aid Convoys from South Africa

Alhamdulillah, the South African Muslims are getting pretty excited about the land convoys to Gaza; in an attempt to "break the siege on Gaza". 

South African Relief Agency

This convoy to Gaza will be leaving from Durban on Sunday, the 26th of June, InshAllah. From the SARA website:

""SARA is holding a grand send off ceremony for its road convoy to Gaza at the Durban City Hall on Sunday 26 June 2011 . Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Premier of KZN – Dr Zwele Mkhize, the Ambassador of Palestine – Ali Halimeh, the Mayor of Durban – James Nxumalo, regional officials and religious leaders have been invited to address the gathering.Our convoy of ten vehicles will be parked outside the City Hall in Dr. Pixley Kaseme Street before the event. Guests and members of the public are invited to be there by 09h00 to have an opportunity to view the vehicles and meet members of the convoy in person.

The official programme begins at 10h00 sharp and ends at 11h00.
Everyone’s invited. We look forward to seeing you there!"

Africa 1 Gaza Aid Convoy

The Al-Quds Foundation SA in conjunction with a number of other organisations and Channel Islam International as the official media broadcaster  have also finalized their departure dates:

14 July 2011 from Durban. 29 July 2011 from Cape Town Masjied Rabbi in Mitchell's plain Flying out of from Johannesburg to Cairo on the 20 August 2011 Arrival in Gaza on approximately the 23rd August 2011 They will be travelling through many countries across Africa, then into Egypt and finally to Gaza.  This will InshAllah create awareness regarding the plight of the people of Gaza. There has been  projects and fund-raising  events throughout South Africa (Bloemfontein also had a fund-raising and was  able to collect a substantial amount of money wooohoooo)  I wish both the convoys a safe and successful journey, InshAllah. I will keep you posted InshAllah as I have family going on both of the convoys. PS. please visit the links for more comprehensive details * *One of the children's posters at the Bloemfontein Fund-raising event. Sorry I can't seem to rotate this image*

The best of the Boeremark

Salaam Alaikum :)
I'm back home, just for a few days though then we go back to start the new semester. Exams are over, Alhamdulillah but waiting for results seem just as stressful. Aaaaaarrrrrggggghhhh! I don't want to think about this. *blocks exams out of mind*
It's awesome to be back home (for some reason I was really really missing home this term) and have free fast internet connection. My sister has dubbed be "Giga-Bhen" coz when I'm around, there always is a need to top-up the internet gigs :) I noticed I have a few more followers = JazakAllah for following =)
So I found this post in my drafts collection, it's already about six months old, but anyways...
oh, ya, the photo's are rather clumsy but then I am a shy photographer


For the non-South Africans, "The Boeremark" refers to a Saturday "Farmer's Market" where you can find... uhmmmm...almost anything. From freshly made braai (all haraam btw), to antiques, clothes, 2nd hand stuff, fruit & veggies and even puppies! You'd get it all! Its predominantly Afrikaaner and starts about 6a.m. We generally frequent the Boeremark, when it's exam time -  the only thing that has me ready @ 7:30a.m. on a Saturday morning. I suck at describing scenes so I'll leave it to some of these random pictures of the Boeremark.

The most amazing sight though, is when I pass a particular stall that sells metal items. No, its not the metal thats amazing - rather it's the Muslim man (of African origin) that makes the best use of his time. Totally ignoring the hustle-bustle around him- he just calmly recites Qur'an. (I couldn't take a photo of this much too sacred sight) A scene like this is most appreciated in Bloemfontein (where the mere spotting of another Muslim is actually exciting!).It almost makes me uncomfortable, shouldn't I be doing something more worthwhile than walking around at the Boeremark? Even my friend noticed him one day - and commented on how strange that was-"how could he be ignoring the music and reading your bible?" she wanted to know. Inspiring indeed.

Exxxaaammmmms

Salaam 'Alaikum y'all

I feel pretty much like the above picture:
* Blue all over (partly because of the extreme cold; -4/13 degrees yesterday)

* Hair standing on ends

* Watery-eyed

* Decreased desire to change - the warm gowns and multiple jerseys work well enough. Comical colour combinations makes it embarrassing to go out.

* Red nose - everyone has a constant nasal drip, Wintertime in Bloem.

* 2 cups of Coffee (both are mine). I need more coffee mugs.

* Overall an unpleasant sight.

* Oh ya, in need of hugs as well *females only*


All the best to all of you that are writing exams. May you be surprised at your own abilities, InshAllah. Ameen

#urgent request for Du'aas for Bint Mahmood, writing on the 7th, 10th & 14th of June
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Will you?

Are u strong enough to perform Salaah anywhere?

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Random update

Salaam 'Alaikum!
So now I have a new laptop Alhamdulillah :) and it's red *big smile*. I've become somewhat cynical about technology, I guess anyone would after:
1. My ol' laptop died. ( I hate to say 'crashed' here - it sounds so dramatic, on the contrary my laptop just quietly switched off and was apparently not feasible to repair)

2. My university memory stick contracted a virus, however was still usable until someone's antivirus decided to delete all viruses. This included all folders from memory stick. Yep, Semesters 1 - 5 all gone. Blog stuff all gone. :(

3. I was just looking for sumthing on my ol' cellphone and become suspicious when I couldn't find it. Yes, you guessed right. "Memory card corrupted" Whatever that means. Not funny anymore.

And worse, everyone blames me for not creating back-ups. *sigh*.

So tis great to have a new, clean laptop, though I must admit I have used up much of my airtime with all my experimenting and downloading :O A Big shout out to my sister for allowing me to take the new one - btw, my sis has also started a blog and has some entertaining posts coming along. Check it out here.

I've NO idea what I'm doin up @ 1:18:04 AM. But then tomorrow is a public holiday so I guess it's not such a crime :p

Take care y'all
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You know you're flyin Durban to Bloem when...

* Your boarding gates are right @ the end, downstairs. Deserted. Away from the hustle & bustle of the rest of the airport.

* There are about 5 people @ the waiting area.

* They all look @ you and count "6".

* Bloemfontein is not listed on the flight schedule boards until 5mins before the boarding time.

* The pilots walk pass and comment on whether they see any familiar faces.

* The use of a hopper bus is mandatory since our 29 seater plane is parked some distance away.

* I'm the only Asian on flight.

* You appreciate being both short & thin as soon as you enter the aircraft.

* There are no arm-rests or overhead cabins.

* When the plane switches on, you check out of the window to make sure you're not sitting in a helicopter.

* There is only 1 air hostess on-board & she re-caps the safety regulations 6seats @ a time. (Ha! No need for a microphone).

* You always get free coke and chips.

* You are glad no one is sitting next to you, it's too painful to have a conversation anyway.

* You are awed @ the differences in beauty of creation, within the same country.

* You wonder why the flight is so ridiculously priced.

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