Query

Hi Ed,

Us is going great. The poetry issue (July, 6) was fantastic. I want to know about the article I sent three weeks ago. Is it worth publishing?    

Bariyah Faisal, Rawalpindi

It’s too short for an article!

Missing Cyberia

AoA Eddie,

Your mag has those marks that are out of the world. Thumbs up for the bang-on attempts. ‘Cyberia’? Long time, no appearance? Do include it, please. Ayesha Shahbaz

Cyberia is a bi-monthly section:P

Burmese massacres

Aoa Ed,

Everyone knows what’s going on in Burma. Killing of innocent Muslims is not justice. Where is United Nations whose slogan is ‘Save Humanity’? Ed, I am really shocked because the matter is not being highlighted by the media. And secondly, Muslim nations have also not raised their voices against this open slaughter of innocent Muslims. The reason behind this barbarism is simply because these innocent Burmese are Muslims, followers of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) who only preached peace, love and humanity. Muslims should not be sitting calmly and watching this carnage. This is simply not acceptable. Last but not least, the edition of July 13 was great.

Ahsan Saeed Jadoon, Islamabad

Feedback

Salaam Eddie!

I have been an avid reader of this magazine for quite some time now, but this is my first letter. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have begun to enjoy the mag quite a lot in the previous weeks. Good Job! :D The July 20th issue was just superb! Being an Islooiite, I was mesmerised and magnetised while reading the Cover Story, ‘In the city by the sea’ by Asif Nawaz, which provided some great information about a city not well-known to me. Also, being a fan of the Swiss tennis star, I enjoyed reading ‘When the King arrives in England!’ ‘Spare the rod and save the child’ was an article that spoke of the truth. Being a teenager, I can say that we really learn more if our parents and teachers inspire, rather than create fear in us. I am thankful to my parents and also, especially, to my teachers for understanding this. Very recently, I was about to break down due to expectations to perform well in the exams, as I had always been a studious student, but was losing my grip on studies because of peer-pressure and other matters. Thankfully, I had the courage to confront one of my teachers with my problem, and even though she never mentioned it, I realised that all the teachers tried to keep me relaxed and calm after that aforementioned incident. After that, they treated me with care and kindness, instilling in me the idea that I only had to try my best, and not care about the results, and guess what? I was able to ace those exams! The result day proved to be very surprising actually :P. Plus, my parents were also encouraging. But not everyone is fortunate enough, and the recent suicides highlight the importance of creating awareness among the teachers and parents on the proper ways to handle teenagers, and how to get them to do the right stuff. All adults reading this should try their best to properly handle their children, especially in the teen-ages, a time when proper attention and direction is needed, not abuse, insults or embarrassment, which can lead to suicide. In conclusion, I would also like to suggest that you add more pages for ‘Graffiti’ and perhaps feature an inspirational personality every week, or maybe dedicate a page to inspirational quotes? Inspiration in these circumstances is direly needed, especially for teens, and it would be great if you provide Islamic information, too, in this blessed month. Wonderful mag and Ramazan Mubarak to everyone!

Areeba Amjad, Islamabad

Ed,

Nabeel Naqvi’s ‘When the King arrives in England’ in the issue of 20 July was just what the doctor ordered. You know, I did not wish to read a blow-by-blow account of the final, as I had already seen it. It was the way he conjured up my imagination – the mood of the British people, the hype and a very cheeky reference to the most royal of the royals present there…Loved the write up, keep it up!

SK

Hey Eddie,

I am compelled to praise the issue of July 13. I missed the ‘Trust Us’ section, and loved ‘Way to go, girls’; The girls from Peshawar really made us all proud, thumbs up for them. Besides this, I liked Hayyan Khawar’s story (July 13) in which he shared with us his experience in Turkey and the mail by Humera Maryam as well. And every thing else in that ‘On Campus’ issue; it was just terrific. I hope this time we shall get something more awesome regarding Ramazan. Good luck to all.

John Player

Reflection

Narrated Sahl:

The Prophet (S.A.W) said, “There is a gate in Paradise called Ar-Raiyan, and those who observe fasts will enter through it on the Day of Resurrection and none except them will enter through it. It will be said, ‘Where are those who used to observe fasts?’ They will get up, and none except them will enter through it. After their entry the gate will be closed and nobody will enter through it.”

- Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 31, Number 120