To Afridi, with Love [by Maheen Sadiq]

I came across this article (which is actually a letter) today on Facebook via a friend (J.J.) of mine. I found it really touching. Such lovely words. It really is worth sharing.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

There’s a lot to be said about the cricket tournament, especially our match against India. And it has a lot more to do with Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Gul’s bad luck, and Sachin Tendulkar’s good fortune.

Cricket speaks to our nation in a way our government never has.

And Shahid Afridi addressed the nation in a way our president never has – unselfish, genuine, modest. So when Afridi apologized to Pakistan, millions listened and were humbled by the gesture. Our eyes filled with tears and our hearts with love and strange kind of sorrow. Shahid Afridi, you need not apologize to the nation. We are proud of you and our entire cricket team! You didn’t bring back the cup, but any excitement, any happiness, any hope that Pakistanis have felt in the past few months is because of your brilliance. We’ve been hearing a lot of “Pakistan needs something to celebrate,” but

God- It’s Not Just A Three-Letter Word.

Following are some “universal” quotations I came across today:

“Divine Mystery”

Reference: Times of India, 18.03.2011.

God Bless everyone.

Aik Alif – One God

 

This was the first Coke Studio video I listened to (back in 2009) and fell in love with it instantly. I was so mesmerized and impressed by the team and of course Noori and Saieen Zahoor. Music coming alive in such a brilliant way. It really touches my soul and heart. Hats off to them.

Great lyrics. Really great. Aik Alif – just a wonderful truth of all the times.

Lyrics (originally in Punjabi translated to English):

Parh parh ilm te faazil hoya
(You read to become all knowledgable)

Te kaday apnay aap nu parhya ee na
(But you never read yourself)

Bhaj bhaj warna ay mandir maseeti
(You run to enter your mosques and temples)

Te kaday mann apnay wich warya ee na
(But you never entered your own heart)

Larna ay roz shaitaan de naal
(Everyday you fight Satan)

Te kadi nafs apnay naal larya ee na
(But you never fight your own Ego)

Bulleh Shah asmaani ud-deya pharonda ay
(Bulleh Shah you try grabbing that which is in the sky)

Te jera ghar betha unoon pharya ee na
(But you never get hold of what sits inside yourself)

Bas kareen o yaar
(Stop it all my friend)

Ilm-oun bas kareen o yaar
(stop seeking all this knowledge my friend)

Ik Alif teray darkaar
(Only an Alif is what you need)

Bas kareen o yaar
(stop it all my friend)

Ilm-oun bas kareen o yaar…
(Stop seeking all this knowledge my friend)

Allah Sayyaan Allah Sayyaan
(God is Greatness, God is All)

Nee main jaanaa Jogi de naal
(I shall follow the Jogi {ascetic/Sufi})

Jo naa jaane, Haqq ki taaqat
(those who deny the strength of Truth)

Rab naa devey us ko Himmat
(God does not give them courage)

Hum Mann ke darya mein doobey
(We have drowned in the river of Self)

Kaisi nayya? Kya manjhdhaar…
(the boat and the flowing waters do not matter)

Bas kareen o yaar
(stop it all my friend)

Ilm-oun bas kareen o yaar
(stop seeking all this knowledge my friend)

Allah Sayyaan Allah Sayyaan
(God is Greatness, God is All)

Spectacular Moon and Venus

The shine on the moon, silent cloud blanket lit from beneath, snow covered mountains… and rising Sun…and bright Venus welcoming it. Ah, no words..

Click on this link for the full size.

Source: NASA, Photo Credit: David Kaplan.