No horizons seem to Show,
Mind, suppressed, ready to Bow,
And the heart suffering needless Woe.

Inside the maze you see Not,
Move Not,
Think Not,
Feel Not..

Inside the Maze..
You certainly Live Not!

Personal reflections on modern ailment.
By: Maha Youssuf 

Most people believe at some level of their psyche that they deserve a good life- with varying levels of conviction. There are those who work hard and should believe they do deserve the kind of good life that’s compatible with their perception of a good life, and they do believe they deserve it, whether they have it or not. And there are those who do the same but they’re victims of their unjustified sense of guilt which leaves them convinced, that they don’t belong to the world and shouldn’t be happy, or even aspire to be.

Hmmm, and there are those who don’t move a but yet await the bounties to befall them- they obviously have exemplary faith in God, but it’s a kind of faith that’s mingled with misleading conception of reliance on God. And there are those who neither work toward that end nor think they deserve it.. While it seems like a “fair enough” situation, let me tell you that they are dead beings taking the form of living humans. 

How can one live without hope for a good life, and a happy ending?!

But what is a good life and a bad life? It is sure variable, but let’s agree that there are some standards to abide by in defining each.

A good life, is a life that doesn’t have much obstacles and losses that lend one depressed, and probably has many elements of comfort that allows for self-development, or at least that’s the most common understanding of a comfy life.

And a bad life is generally the opposite …

Between the two poles that form the endless human struggle for happiness there are those who don’t settle for less, and believe they deserve the best and that they weren’t brought to this life to suffer, for God simply is not in the least need for their suffering. In my view, these are the people who live the most rewarding life, and equip themselves with the kind of positive energy needed to change the world, and some of them really do. 

And this doesn’t mean that they move mountains or climb steep hills, but they just Believe, and Believing is one critical difference between the living and the dead souls.

Yet… Beware!!

In your struggle to attain the kind of “good life” you aspire for never measure your level of deserving a good life to the results of your pursuit… they are not as dependable as you think. Do work hard to create the realm you think you belong to, with all that entails. But know that the results are largely dependable on God’s wisdom, which is beyond our mental or psychological capabilities.

This, in my view, is the perfect formula.

Practice wise reliance on God, and accept whatever kind of living, yet imbibe in your heart and mind this conviction of deserving the best.

Aspire and work hard to attain your aspiration of, not just a “good life”, but a “vanilla flavored life”.

May you attain it- Amen.

maha 

With a sad heart and tearful eyes I remind myself and everyone in my circle of the sincere approach that you adopted in your life; remaining faithful to your legacy and ultimately enthusiastic about serving humanity, remaining humble and steadfast despite your incredible success and equally incredible popularity.

You did your best, gave of yourself, literary, till your last breath.

You’ll always be remembered and your breakthroughs shall continue to live, even if you have died…

iMourn your death, yet iCelebrate your memorable addition to this world.

iRegret losing you, yet iHope for a life that’s so worthwhile for me and all.

iHate to see you gone, but iLove to see you living in every piece of inspiration you sparked, every word you spoke from the heart, and every creative breakthrough you scored…

Dear Friends and everybody who will come across this post: revise the way you’re living and make sure you have an optimum goal in life.

Strive to not depart this world without leaving a good legacy behind, each according to his field of expertise and God-given talent.

Know that you will die suddenly, unexpectedly, and unpredictably.

So make the best of your life, and give; willingly, generously- give unconditionally.

Know that the best kind of giving is giving of yourself.

We surely need more Steve Jobs in our life.

RIP Steve, you lived humble, and died great.

maha.

As I urge for rolling up sleeves and getting prepared for the Holy month of Ramadan, I feel a strong need to come here on my personal channel to communicate, in this not the least refined or perfected piece, my heart’s reminiscing of this highly spiritual time of the year.

I truly cannot wait for the first day of Ramadan.. It’s so specially dear to my heart.. and this year, I’m in a bad need of it. To settle, reflect and revive my spiritual connectedness to The One, my Beloved. It’s been a while since I was last able to reach out in a full experience of Munajah which cleanses all my spiritual and mental aches. And the past year was of particular share of torment.. I lived through a lot, which rendered my spiritual being as feeble as never before..

So you can say I have a lot to talk about, my heart has a lot to talk about.. and amidst this abyss, I see no other chance for healing but letting my heart ache out in front of nobody but Him, my Master, my Creator.. Ramadan will be my time.. Ramadan is where we shall meet, me, the needy servant, and Allah the Al Mighty, The Source of Peace and The Guardian of Faith..

Wassalaam,
maha

After nearly one year in the making, The Muslim Tribune (www.muslimtribune.org) goes live- an online podium propagating the truthful essence of Islam, focusing on a form of religious discourse that is collaborative, social, interactive- and over and above, abides by the balanced Muslim manners, that is to say: honest, truthful, respects and accepts the Other, and maintains the spirit of brotherhood that is the foundation of the Muslim community.

Through The Muslim Tribune, my team and I seek to educate people about Islam, in light of modern challenges that reduced people’s faith to subtle practices void of any divine connection or spiritual connotation.

Similarly, and being a place where Muslims meet and interact, collaboratively presenting Islamic knowledge, the Tribune welcomes guests, of whatever faith, to meet with Muslims and get to know about their true beliefs.

The Muslim Tribune represents “The” online tribune gathering Muslims, providing them with an opportunity to address any communities, institutions, or figures, sign petitions, present their views, network through full-fledged profiles, and learn more about Islam. It is also The Tribune for followers of whatever religion to visit and acquaint themselves with the Muslim mentality, ethics, and beliefs, all within the frame of well mannered interactivity and networking, and premium content that touches on many aspects of life from an Islamic perspective.

User Generated Content is one of the unique features of The Muslim Tribune as it encourages contribution from users in text, video, audio and pictorial content, so as to develop a sense of ownership over the platform and get their voices heard, as long as such contribution will add value and serve the overall message and quality The Muslim Tribune intends to deliver.

The Muslim Tribune serves as a channel into the Muslim thinking, for those eager to get better understanding of what contemporary Muslims come to believe and think.

It speaks Islam to Muslim and Non-Muslim mentalities, addressing modern dilemmas and presenting solutions from within the Islamic Faith.

The Muslim Tribune uses the latest of social media and Web 2.0 features, and that to ensure its interactivity.

A team of highly experienced online marketers, web developers, graphic designers, and writers have been working hard to make this project happen, and to ensure the usability presented in this platform.

The Muslim Tribune also involves input from a number of Muslim scholars and academics who’ve been following up on the progress of the project since its early stages and blessed it with great insights and guidance.

The Muslim Tribune, www.muslimtribune.org, is a sincere attempt to reunite Muslims by availing a dynamic channel to network, get heard, share their thinking and collaboratively take part in solving many modern problems they face. On another note, it seeks to re-establish a well-needed harmony with non-Muslims, bashing many widespread misconceptions about Muslims and Islam.

Asked about the anticipated launch of the project, I answered: This portal offers new reading of Islam, for Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. For Muslims to re-embrace their identity and hold on to their meritorious religion and re-explore its values, and for Non-Muslims to get to know more about Islam and connect to its followers, having the freedom to discuss all issues no matter how controversial or sensitive.

May Allah grant this project its aimed success and help us keep sincere to our intentions and earn us the reward. Amen!

Wassalaam,
maha.

“I ask myself, what is it that keeps me writing and writing? As for my fame I got more of it than I had hoped and expected.
As for my property and wealth, Allah has blessed me with more than I need.
And as for the the respect of people, I got more than I deserve.
In the end, I found out that all this is fruitless and tasteless,
Unless it is an individual prayer for me by an unknown brother in Islam…”– Imam al-Buti

Egypt! O mother of all lands,
Thou art my hope and sacred demand,
And for all the people
Your Nile has countless graces

My homeland, my homeland, Oh my homeland,
My love and my heart at thou command.
(Twice)

Egypt! Most precious gem,
A blaze on the brow of eternity!
O my homeland, be forever free,
Safe from all enemies!

My homeland, my homeland, my homeland,
My love and my heart at thou command

Egypt, land of bounties
You are embraced by ancient glory
My purpose is to repel the enemy
And only on God I rely

My homeland, my homeland, O my homeland,
My love and my heart at thou command,
(Twice)

Egypt! Noble are thy sons,
Loyal, and guardians of the reins.
Be we at war or peace
Forever, we shall sacrifice ourselves for you,
O my country.

My homeland, my homeland, O my homeland,
My love and my heart at thou command.

***

A Future of my choice would commence
Here I live the Now
And cling to it …
As I hope for Tomorrow

***

A clip of Faith
A flock of Passion
Attached to a life where Justice and Free Will
Would overly rule

***

Life once incubated by borders of a dream
Ending at the launch of a so called “reality”
Here I would instill purity
And rinse out whatever stains of fear

***

Impurities of Hatred would exist no more
Candor is the canon, forever to rule…
I would build my future on the ruins of my past
And Cheer

***

Mark the Start Point
Here the heart of my New Being
And Rejoice
Feel triumphant I would

***

I’d think of no Pain
And surely anticipate it not
I’d give in to the Now
And invite my choices to combat

***

Feel Confusion?
I Shall not
For I shall be…
Watching my choices competing

***

I Shall set my vision sharp
Feeling through and evermore sensitive
And there I would move profusely…
from Choices to Decision

***

And yet again, I would rejoice
Decisive I dare to be
Unwavering …
Like I’ve always been

***

And how would the new Homeland Look like?
As graceful as a Queen
As innocent as a Child
And as Unique as nothing else would be

***

It would speak my language
And Rule by the law of my guts
Selfish? No..
Transparent I’d say

***

My New Homeland…
Would you shield me when I need
Would you heal me when I ail?
Would you feel me when I to you relate?

***

Would you Let a faithful me live carefree?
Would you contain me?
Tender as I wish would you be
Always be Home to me?

***

Maha.

Change is a need, a goal, a tool, & an end

Change is hope, choice, power, & faith

Change bashes the status quo

When you find yourself no more there

***

Change breeches rules,

When failure they prove to be

Change topples old resolutions,

To put new Ones to rule

***

Change pours harmony onto life,

And a pursuit for a harmonious life it is

Change breathes life into life,

And life in itself it is

***

Change is power, will, and dare

Spurred by You and Driving You

It’s illumination … Inspiration

Change is motivation

***

Once embraced by Change you’re Different

A unique explorer you are

A traveler on a journey of salvation

On a fervent quest for the ultimate

***

Scent of the future it is, rooted in the present

Reaping its power, liberated from its dread

A free soul wandering is Change

Free, explorative, trusted and potent

***

A taste of sovereignty

A bit of ecstasy It is

Change comes to fill the vacuum there is

When lively Life cedes to be

***

Hmm, dicey?

Change comes to be the most pleasant risk of all

The most charming of all

The most compulsory of all

***

Change …

A tint of hope It is

A graceful bliss

A kiss of Life It is

***

An embroidery of a picturesque scenery

A scene of new white days

A warm embrace of tomorrow

A gentle farewell bid to a tired past

***

Change is wisdom

A daring soul It is

A young spirit It is

A call to break your cocoon It is !!!

***

I stand at the door of  Thou Mercy

In quest for Thou Munificence

Thou Divine Benevolence here I come to seek
I raise my hand and tilt my head earnestly
Over the shades of materialism incubating my heart
Taking over the purity which… herein I beseech You to reinstate

I come to Thee and seek Thou Connection,
The whole universe is void and sure squally
Never did I believe such abyss would contain me,

If not embraced by Thou Rahamat
A dark inclement is what to await me

Invited by Your Divinity I come to Thee
Called upon by intriguing need for the Link, I come to Thee

I appeal to You
Pleading for Your Guidance

Hoping for Your Divine illumination
Without which I roam endlessly seeking direction

Unless blessed by Thou blissful insight
Thou Will, Power… Thou Wisdom

For a sign to the Straight Path I shall continue the search
Thou art the Lone Light illuminating my stalk
Thou Art the Cloak of warmth shielding me
Me.. Thy poor Worshiper

I come to Thee
Implore for Thy Light

A sky-lit Life is dark
But for light offered by Thou Blessings

An inert heart is that,
Which is deprived of Thy Love
A sightless eye is that,
Which didn’t shed a tear of repentance before Thee

I come to Thee
Again I come to Thee
And forever I shall appeal to Thee
A soul that’s shredded by an incessant need for Thee
Maha.

Facebook Popular Game "FarmVille"

Are people getting really fulfilled on Facebook? Should people feel fulfilled on Facebook? Or should we not take this social network too serious?

I never quite figured out why are people resorting to Facebook and what they aim  to fulfill till I decided to keep a watchful eye on how they act, and I don’t just relate that to my friends but those on FB Groups and Fan Pages, and I am not here to compare them to the attitude of people in the West.

So before people lash out at me and go on the defense for either sides, I have to make it clear that my post tends not to attack or defend how we, Arabs, received such popular tool, but rather spotlight its positive and negative impacts alike.

What I’m so concerned about is not merely the Facebook impact as much as I’m worried about how people are using it, and how far have they harnessed its intended value and dug its true merits…

In Egypt, where over 800,000 people use Facebook, the impact of this social media tool has proved substantial on the political, social, and business levels, echoing the Egyptian communities’ scope and level of development and deterioration.

Political Facet

When it comes to the Political facet of Facebook impact, the 6^th of April movement stands out as the best exemplar of how the popular social network proved influential in mobilizing youth opinion, energy and efforts in revolting against the state policies. The nation-wide labor strike, which took place over two years ago, drew the attention of local and international media to how powerful social media is growing in Egypt and among Egyptian young activists.

Then came the sad case of Khaled Sa’eed and the extravagant enlistment of public opinion to protest against the Egyptian police actions and holding it responsible for the death of the young martyr. As for how far was people’s attitude was effective; it proved unprecedented: Facebooking their rage at the shocking murder of Khaled and reporting up-to-date happenings related to the case, which covered nation-wide street demonstrations and government’s statements as well as the media stance from the case…

Moving to the regional level, still in regards to the same political facet of Facebook impact; the social media tool has proved equally influential.

In Iran, where two-thirds of the nation have mobile phones, mostly with internet connection, Facebook witnessed the initial stages of last summer elections battle in the country between voters, which triggered concerns, or to be precise, fears of the government.

Voters in favor of opposition candidate Mir-Hussein Mousavi took to FB to share and check up on information linked to the elections process, leading an online campaign against the regime of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, or at least this is what the state-run media said. UK’s Telegraph reported that opponent voters of Ahmadinejad launched a Facebook page called “I bet I can find 1,000,000 people who dislike Mahmoud Ahmadinejad” that scored membership of 35,000 people, the biggest membership base for all pages related to the Iranian President. The Iranian government was reported to have interfered to disrupt voters in favor of Mousavi from casting their support of President Nejad’s opponent and ruling out the possibility of the current President’s re-election.

And in Syria, where the state of democracy is not any better than Iran, Syrian authorities, sensing the unexpectedly growing popularity of Facebook among Syrians, interfered almost three years ago to hamper the voice of activists by blocking access to teh social network, in what the main stream media at that time described as “crackdown on political activism on the Internet”.

Social Facet and the Psychological Impact

Watching the impact of Facebook on the social level I reckon so much positivity as well as confusion and perplexity that owe me a thorough stop over.

While Facebook, initially intended to connect people and communities, came to present the Arabs with a fully-fledged platform to speak up and ensure a farther outreach of their voices. The question is have they used it for their best and harnessed its value to the fullest or not?

For some, FB came to provide a virtual life in which they tried enacting qualities that are inherent in themselves, and to stretch their inhibited capacities and talents, and here lies what I see as the mother of all positivity brought along with Facebook. I have to admit that I re-explored the personality of some of my old friends and members of my family whom normal life incidents never revealed their true potential. I found Facebook to be a good stage wherein they exposed the potential and came to see it, spoke up when they introvert and shy nature didn’t allow for that.

As for quite and not very sociable people such as myself, Facebook proved magic; encouraging me to share knowledge and communicate on a bigger scale than what my my normal nature allowed for and without me feeling the social burden that usually keeps me from sharing a good deal of my thinking. It’s like thinking in a loud voice, and reading my mind out loud, pouring out positivity when it blesses me and facing negativity if I know is taking over if I ever felt lack of sincerity while attempting to post anything, a state usually followed by an urge to stop, face myself before I come back to that powerful platform to share what I have and not what I wish I had …

So here comes an answer to a question I once asked.. Is Facebook supposed to represent our reality or is it a standalone virtual reality?

Engaging in this platform, like any social platform or saloon, requires sincerity. It requires tapping into your true self for you to be able to connect to others and really impact, and I don’t encourage being too much on the serious, discussing only politics, science and religion, for this would be sheer hypocrisy.

Sincerity and honesty is the key to communication even if you’re saying a joke.

And the reason I stress the quality of sincerity and its crucial emblem is the vast and uncontrolled freedom and fast pace of communication that Facebook grants. Being honest on Facebook helps people, and has already proved so, to face their true qualities and draw backs alike, sense their personal development whether positive or negative, and this is what leads the cycle of influence over the network.

To be Continued …

Maha.

Know that you’re entrusted with a good share of responsibility and Know you’re up to it, only if you hit the right road.

You were assigned a dear legacy to pass on to future generations.

You were gifted with wisdom upon which depends the order of human societies.

God created you beautiful, so be grateful and take a good care of your beauty,

Maintain it and Protect it.

Act as a Lady,

Walk as a Lady,

Sit as a Lady,

And Talk as a Lady.

Be A Lady…

Serve your parents.

Keep your family connected.

Don’t forget to Supplicate,

It purifies your soul and instils in you a well-needed sense of security.

Be Beautiful, and you shall see beauty in everything,

Bring out beauty in things and people around you.

Always smile, it adds to your beauty.

Don’t shop for the sake of shopping.

Appreciate spirituality.

Have sometime for yourself.

Watch your cravings.

Don’t submit to depression.

Watch what you feed your mind and spirit.

Too much television blocks your creativity.

Be careful with who you seek out for guidance and advice.

Eat well,

Stay healthy,

Watch your weight,

Care for your skin.. hair

And be covered.

Be pious,

A pious mother equals a whole generation of pious men and women.

Be like a Gem, preserved and wrapped for protection

You know, more than anyone else what reveals your physical beauty and what covers it.

Let not sick souls steal evil looks of your beauty,

You’re much previous than that.

Lower your gaze.

Dress modestly, it makes you more valuable like a precious gift covered and not exposed.

Dream no more but rather Aspire

Trigger ambitions inside you and attend to them,

Dead is he/she who has no aim to live up to.

Think Great

Busy your mind with positive thinking,

And your heart with Love

Watch your talk

And chose your words,

Don’t joke much,

It waters down your elegance.

Avoid loud voice,

It bruises your gentleness.

Attend to God’s commands and never resist them,

Contemplate if you wish but never compromise,

Watch your manners.

Speak eloquently.

Be Truthful.

Read a lot.

Dare to speak your values and beliefs,

And don’t compromise,

Just chose the right platform

Be wise.

Accept your limitations

We’re more feelers than thinkers,

We’re emotional.. Nothing wrong about that

But we’re not lunatics, Allah gifted us with good thinking and influential skills,

Have you ever wondered why our wombs were entrusted with carrying humans for nine months, despite our feeble bodies compared to men?

That’s to establish the initial bond, humans’ foremost connection with their life to come.

It’s for us to spark this link which we shall need in raising them,

For we influence more, and indeed impact more.

Heed that and feel proud of it,

Make the best of it.

Embrace your nature and don’t resist it.

Be productive.

Shine…

And be a source of light for others.

Set a good model.

Feel cared for,

You’re in God’s eyes

Looked after, watched over, and Loved….

Dress well,

Have self-respect.

Value yourself.

Preserve your chastity and remain precious

Stay positive,

Speak positive,

And see the positive side of others.

Be like a flower,

Radiating nice fragrance

And I mean not perfume here,

But tenderness, modesty and purity.

Be calm, assured and help those in need.

Be like a mother, entrusted with the well-being of her child,

Providing care, wisdom, and support.

Be strong, yet gentle.

Don’t forget your’re a Lady.

Don’t mistake boldness with confidence.

Have self-confidence, but never Supercilious

Keep your boundaries and ensure their being respected.

Set the rules and watch them followed.

Don’t compromise a due distance when dealing with guys,

It’s protective for both of you,

Make sure such distance is never breached Or crisscrossed

Do not adhere to a so-called Guy-Lady intimate Friendship, if it ever existed, it brought confusion, problems and pain to one of the sides.

You do a better job stopping that form happening.

It might make them grow attached to you, how would you control that?

On the other hand, what if you developed some crush on one, friend, but he didn’t develop same feelings for you…

Put the distance and do not mind being criticized for keeping a distance.

Friendship has one of two possibilities..

1)Friends growing attached, which is the normal scenario, Or 2) Friends refraining and taking one another lightly.

Can you accept yourself growing attached to a male friend, whom you trust so much, admire his mentality so much, and end-up comparing him to your husband one day?

Or would you aspire for the other possibility? Then I advice you to save yourself the headache.

I see the prevailing confusion and depression among both genders as the outcome of breached boundaries between ladies and guys, despite good intentions.

However I don’t mean the society should split into male and female poles.

But distance is what I come to stress.

Keep the distance and boundaries watched.

Last but not least,

Sisters,

I beg you to please preserve and maintain your Fitra, it’s the best form upon which you were brought to life, so don’t mess with it.

Yours sincerely,
Maha.

May we all find a way to Connect to the One, for it’s during those very precious moments when we vividly feel the presence of the Almighty around us as though we can see Him… when we feel the well-aspired Wasl, or Link that breathes life into our needy souls.

Oh Allah… It was during the early stages of my life when I started facing what I back then perceived as serious setbacks and I claimed to be strong enough not to refer to anybody for support but I knocked at Your door and I found You.

I stood before You exposing my vulnerability which I skillfully hid form others, yet again I found You, pouring Your Merciful Blessings to heal my wounds, shielding me with Your holy cloak of Kindness that made me seek no one else but You.

I was Young, weak and fearful, but I found You .. to fill the void that separated me from my being.

I sought out to You and I never ceased to find You.

I rose up again, lively triumphant and still I found You, happy to see me rejoicing the end of lengthy woes combat…

I rose up strong, yet growing more needy of You,

And yet again I found You.

As though there’s a vow, a deal we stuck together, that whenever I seek Thou help I’d find Thee

It was on that morning I woke up to the warmth of the Sunrays You ordered to reach me and rub my shoulders.

And I was lively happy again, like a flower watered by Thou Love.

Sometimes I asked why is it that You order destiny to stand in the way of me referring to a friend to open up in the seek out for comfort…

Some other times I found it hard to comprehend why You tend to prolong my cure.

And I knew, assured, that this was for me to know that there’s no soothing hand but Yours.

Now, as I stand at Your door, I confess, You are my sole Power.

People ask why I am overly secretive, rarely seek help, I guess here I provide the answer… I have found the Ultimate source of support, the ultimate power that transcends by order from You; The Supreme in Greatness… The Granter of Security… The Bestower of Honor and The Humiliator!

It just amazed me and still does how close You always be.

At the time I fell sad I found You..

And when I rose up healed I’d still find You

Who or what else I would need?

My heart went out for things, wishes and others, but it came back to find You.

When I feared I found You.

I got fulfilled to know You.

I wavered to seek out to You, and still.. found You.

The more You draw me near, the more I need You.

I traveled seeking a new homeland and I found You.

And when I felt this was not it I still found You.

I traveled all the distance back to start all over again, and I found You.

Everything changed but never You.

I sought out differently each time, and yet every time I found You.

I lived as a sincere introvert, and I found the great company in You

I got out to live among others, but then again I ran to You.

I grew up.. changed a bit.. got busier may be, but I always return to You,

To find You always watching over.

And at times when I got distracted and the distance between us grew bigger,

You sent gentle reminders upon me that it’s been a while since I last appealed to You.

And I’d heed the sign,

To come back again and still find You.

Running to You, I realize how I long for those dear moments of Connection You bestow upon me…

At times of extreme hardships I found You waiting for me to ask and You’d always Give.

And at merry times You never ceased to remind me that what I enjoy is from You,

So I’d thank and You’d Give.. even more.

Years have passed and I grew older and yet more needy of You.

I lived a lot, reaching a point where I wonder why I went all that long way and what for, the answer is yet to come,
And I’d continue to ask You.

Your Holy Words dictate that You created Mankind and Jinns to worship You,

And we’d still go astray,

And You’d still forgive,

I went to explore nature and I found You.

I found You among the graceful mountains,

Where you revealed Your Divine Self upon Your Messengers

And spoke to them.

I resorted to meditation,

But I found in You a better resort.

I read about human laws and flaws and I found You.

I found You in my words, thoughts and senses.

I met with great minds and dark hearts, pure and ailing souls.. those who’re successful and those still needy of Thou Guidance to show them the way, and I found them all on the seek out for Thou Mercy to beckon their footsteps, but each in his own way, even when they not the least realize it.

I met nobody who’s not in need of You.

I found You in all beauties.

And on every spot of land I found You.

Everything around me changes,

And yet continues to change,

But never You.

May You always instill Thou Love in my humble heart,

And never deny me those Wasl moments I live with Thee,

It’s those moments that breath life into my life,

Bless me with Your Love till my last breath.

Maha.

This shot I captured a few hours ago when the lights went out turning me nostalgic to university days and an analysis of a play offered by one of my favorite professors whom I still hold in great respect.

I recalled the very famous Tarantella dance scene in the play “A Doll’s House”, by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen, that marked the climax of the plot and brought a moment of self-enlightenment for Nora, a central character in the play.

The play basically criticizes the 19th century marriage behavior in Europe and many other issues all related to gender inequality and male domination.

What makes this play and the dance part so memorable and vivid after so many years is the light notion that was used to reveal facts and mark moments of life-alteration Nora captured to revolt against her husband’s domination yet lack of love as well as her submissive nature that had always invited him to abuse her endlessly…

Light brought Nora to a moment of self-realization and illustrated her own personal growth the need of which had been overlooked for so many years, and it was greatly magnified by the contrasting darkness that shadowed that tense night.

The night that witnessed the Tarantella dance, also witnessed Nora’s rebirth. Although the dance, taught to Nora by Trovald, her husband, symbolizing his physical domination over her and indirectly representing his overall influence over her, has tired her so very much physically, it brought a long awaited cure to her aches.

The dance triggered Nora’s revolt against what she had to accept throughout her marriage years, reaching a moment where she cannot take it any longer.

Before that night, Nora, in her own words, had always been merry but never happy.

It was on that very special night, that Nora danced the Tarantella, when she decided to put an end to her submissiveness and terminate her commitment to a husband who may be desires her but never really loved her. It’s on that night, following a dance that worn Nora, physically, out, that she saw the light for the first time, a turning point it was.

It was the effort she exerted during the dance, coupled with the light that was asserted by the surrounding darkness, that brought Nora in momentous and unprecedented confrontation with herself, marking a well- needed turning point in her life.

I’ve always remembered this play for the intrinsic dilemma it carries in the form of Nora’s inner conflict.

It’s in one scene that’s so dear to me that Nora, enraged by the culmination of the conflict dominating throughout the play, insists on getting herself out of the mirage she’s been living in, bringing, by her own hands, a lamp into the room, to lighten up the darkness that’s been covering her surrounding and, most importantly, to see through herself.

That memorable moment  was asserted by Nora getting out of the room, from the last scene in the play, and symbolically from her delusional world, slamming the door behind her, marking an intent will not to go back to where she willfully suffered for years.

I’ve always experienced similar moments and usually they were during the night. I wonder why?

Is it because night marks the end of one day and the beginning of another? Which makes it the perfect timing for reflection and pondering over how one’s life is going? It surely brings hope as much as it brings anticipation of what’s awaiting the life ahead- what’s inscribed by the Almighty …

Also I’ve always felt evident rejuvenation and clear thinking after exerting too much physical effort. Probably that’s because the mind gets so much consumed in the physical effort one exerts, clearing it of any remnants of negative thinking it might have been trapped in before…

Raising a flag of “taking it no more” from time to time had always brought well-timed decision to put right what had been going wrong for times. It’s usually those moments that I appreciate most in my life as they make me feel alive, become elevated from a state of being just human to that of a free soul hovering in space, regardless of how quirky I may seem.

It’s during such moments that I feel enlightened, much like Nora was on that Dancing night.

Not sure if most of you came across this play before, but regardless, I thought of sharing some very personal reflections related to a play I hold dear to my heart, and the memories of which where triggered by that night the lights went out.

Maha.

On the night before Ramadan, I went to Al Muezz Street to scan old Cairo on the blink of such spiritual month…

Hanging lights marking the arrival of the holly month were twinkling all over the place with extra lighting emphasis at the entrances of bazaars and gift shops to attract more buyers.

Whether these were signals of sanctimonious society or that which is concerned only about the traditional emblems of Ramadan, I care not, I just liked the spirit that embraced the place that day. The whole setting harbored a merry atmosphere regardless of people’s intentions and what the month means to every individual in a country where the good fuses with the bad, and the intellectual blends with the illiterate.

I couldn’t have connected more deeply with people than I did that night. I envisioned everybody as a group of equally anxious people standing at the seashore awaiting one ship carrying their loved ones. Same expectancy, same happiness, regardless of the reason or what the heart of everyone quays.

The air carried the smell of the Baklava and other oriental sweet pastries, mixed with the relish of aromatic herbs and that of the scented oils in gifts shops, all blended with the smell of old wood, wet ground watered to cool down the heat of the day. Over and above the place still held the smell of our dear ancestors and eventful past; the history of civilized and all-time victorious Egypt.

Despite of the swarms that made the place seem more like crowded India, I was overjoyed that night like never before. There were certain magic in the place that made an unprecedented rise in humidity not quite felt amidst the surrounding beauty of that very much spiritual night and historically significant place.

I passed by the picturesque Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalwoon Complex that stood out like a dazzling bride dressed up on her wedding night. It was cuddled by colorful lights that embraced it from almost every angle- And there I stopped to take some pictures, among which is that attached to this post.

I didn’t mind the noise, even though that was never my nature, I actually took pleasure in listening to so many conversations that overlapped and made hearing what my friend was saying quite difficult.

Despite of the calm nature of myself, I felt like conversing with every passerby, perhaps in attempt to get the feeling that we’re one family readying for a long awaited visit of a dear guest, that is Ramadan.

Everything on that spot of land had its charm that night… The aged walls of mosques even the ones without the least historical significance.

The old looked warming up for the fasting month, and the youngsters seemed trying to stand out more responsible. Also sellers offered generous discounts-however without messing up with their intended profit, while women started to cover more modestly than the normal- regardless of the fact that I don’t digest such appearance-concerned norms, all of this seemed fine with me as it carried sincere intention of each individual to present the best of himself during the holy month, each in his own way, according to his own capacity and in accordance with his own cultural make-up.

Belated Ramadan greetings …

Maha.