Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Take Me Back to Old Dubai..

It is a charming city with magical influence on its visitors and residents..!
My last 17 years were invested and spent within..
A city beyond believe or description..
I do love Dubai..!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Simply; Empowering You..!!



This is the theme and Brand for my currently launched professional service.. CENTROID was the name of my 1st attempt in doing business, 20 years ago.. and maybe is my lasting one..
I hope been given the opportunity to add value and contribute to changing the world into a better venue to live.. I hope sharing all what I got with who needs, or value..
I shall appreciate your comments and critics..!


ONE Sudan..!!??

How funny when dreams cannot shape the realities..!!
There are something never made or revive by force..
I live on my own memories for the gone wonderful-times..

Once, a Sudanese blogger had filmed his own tearful-face, listening to a patriotic Sudanese song.. I spent many days wondering, how within such extreme emotions, to arrange filming your own-self..? Either you are a liar or a great hypocrite..!!
Pitty enough, the responds from his age group..!
I do not doubt his or their sincerity, but hi-lighting the changing tools of expression and communications.. It is a Globalized Patriotism, where all are mixed..!

Since 1989, a generation had known nothing but the deformed Islamic regime in Sudan.. Those who either were in their childhood, or not yet born, had grown up during the last 20 years; within the mass media campaigns, advocated corruption and shallow mind-set.. They are 65% of the population, who are now 35 years old or under.. No offense..!

Therefore, we (me & my generation) have broken ties with them.. We cannot speak the same language nor share the same themes or concepts of living..

Same as this video, an excellent piece of work, but reflects nothing that would touch the inner senses of those in suburban, jungles or nomads.. Yet, it has technology, excellent setting, professional theme, and state of the art of the industry..
Yes, it is now an Industry.. as well as everything else including Partriotism..
Once upon the time, there were a country called; SUDAN..!

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Indian Gymnastics..


Amazing..
"The Traditional Art of Mallakhamb"
Should India propose it to the formal Olympic competition..?

Many Indian stuff don't fit with others.. profile, size, weight, taste, smell and color..
They have their own world, and have all historical, demographic and technological rights to be..
So none of us (the non-Indians) would fit for such amazing fitness..
I do like their complex yet simple culture..!!

Too interconnected and too indebted to fail?

Finally, there is some words without the typical economic clichés that many cannot understand..!!

Too interconnected and too indebted to fail?

(From the blog: M.G. in Progress - The Unbearable Lightness of Being an economist)

Looking at the picture below, inquiring minds should wonder if it makes sense and what and who are being bailed out.

I still contend that in the EU there is some creation of money out of thin air made by banks allowed to have 40-60 leverage ratios investing in assets (sovereign debt) considered "too safe to fail". We are not bailing out any of the PIGS countries, we are just and again bailing out those banks which lent to governments. The latter are just allowing them to manage their assets and liabilities with such high ratios and make bigger profits. In this way the Ponzi scheme goes on.


More: http://mgiannini.blogspot.com/2010/05/too-interconnected-to-fail.html

Monday, August 16, 2010

Sunday, August 15, 2010

The African Palestinians..

 The hurt within is about the double siege these folk are living within: One by Israelis, the 2nd by their skin..!! Can you "Taste" such a feeling..?


http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=418097797876
North vs. South, Black vs. White, Upper vs. Lower, etc.. it is part of the humane legacy; which bitterly can't live without..!! Yes, a fact we should not deny, but to accept and have to live with.. It is one of the few documentaries addressing the issue in simplicity and straightforwardness..



http://www.redhillfilms.com/africanpalestinian.htm
In the Moslem quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City very near one of the great doors to the Dome of the Rock compound is the African Palestinian community. Viewers journey through the Damascus Gate, passing the Via Dolorosa and an Israeli ID checkpoint to find the African Palestinian quarter. The filmed meeting is with one of the community’s leaders, Ali Jiddah. Ali is an expressive analyst of the conditions Palestinians live under and speaks of the psychological, economic and political damage being caused by the continued Israeli occupation. He refers to the separation wall from a perspective of having lived his entire life behind occupation and prison walls. Ali also gives a brief history of the African Palestinians living in Jerusalem, and the film includes still photographs of members of this community.


http://www.endtheoccupation.org/article.php?id=1378
Currently some forty African Palestinian families live inside the old city, many of whom reside within 50 feet of the center. Upon talking with Adam, the center’s young director, one gets a sense of how proud the community is of its identity. “Many of our ancestors were pious Muslims who came from across Africa to defend Al-Aqsa from military conquest,” I was told by Adam and others in the center. “They stayed and married and their children grew up here. “We are as Palestinian as anyone else but we also remember and our proud of where are great grandfathers came from and sometimes visit or stay in touch with our other family members in Africa.” Aside from the various wars which brought Muslims from Africa to safeguard the sanctity of its Muslim Holy Sites, other Africans settled in Palestine after spiritual pilgrimages to the land’s various holy sites, including of course the Al Aqsa Mosque.



http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?at_code=416911
The African Palestinians that I have been most acquainted with are located in the old city of Jerusalem, with an estimated 80 to 95 families, not people but families living in the old Mamluk-era prison, on both sides of an alley way in the Muslim quarter of Jerusalem, abutting up against one of the major doorways of The Noble Sanctuary. So this old Mamluk-era prison was given to the African Palestinians by an earlier Sheik. And the families were given the title, somewhat official, of guardians of the mosque because of their proximity to the major doorway. OK, those folks have pretty much remained there in the Muslim quarter. But their relatives are founded largely in Jericho, but also in Jenin, Rafah and in other places and also the refugee camps in Syria and Lebanon. Especially young African Palestinians who were refugees from the 1967 war. So we see, and we bump into, and we meet African Palestinians not just in the old city, but also in Jericho.


Halal..


“Halal” is the most dramatic commercial brand in the last 50 years. It had been invented by some Muslims who were came to touch the famous “Kosher” brand in the USA, and worked in 1970th to establish a regulating body on the lawful Islamic food and nutrition..

The Malaysians had empowered the concept with lots of practical attempts on both Governmental and Private sectors. Luckily, their political environment had inspired and strengthen that endeavor. Regretfully, Muslim could not unify their powers and activities to globalize the brand as how it should be. After the many years since 1975, there are many formal, informal, and unlawful bodies that falsely or truly regulate the Shariah-compliance of foods and nutrition. There is no unified organization among them, nor a media of collaboration. It seems as reflection of the general Muslims’ state of political mind..!

I think “Halal” is not only about food and beverages; but is about the whole Islamic styles and way of life. This is how Muslims should look to it and visualize the world through. Halal is there in every aspect of Muslim life; Fashion, Interiors, Accessories and Entertainment. Halal is not superficial trends, but intellectual and philosophical as well. I am not calling for religious state of government, but a religious state of mind.. You can exercise all aspects of life knowing the parameters of the endless Islamic applications; then it is your choice which to follow or not..

We need to set a demise between Shariah compulsories and Halal.. Not all Halal are a must to do.. For an example, it is a Shariah-compulsory for a family to have a controlled-space called home.. a tent, a hut or a house; while it is halal to have separate spaces within for Parents, Daughters and Sons.. More than 50% of Muslim families worldwide; are sharing one, extremely poor and single space..!! They are faithful yet poor Muslims, who cannot afford the Halal definition of housing..!

This is a matter of intellectual taste, not a hysterical strife between Paradise and Hell..! Unless Muslim generate the sensible concept of Halal, they will continue staying ages beyond the famous, yet only slaughter-focused “Kosher”.. We have a serious problem of sufficient Muslim visionaries and intellectual religious-aware yet civic or political leaders..!!


Thanks to Osman Uudeh, who had inspired me with the concept..

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Engineering the World..!


What is happening in Pakistan is not only a shame on the face of rescue operations, but also on the worldly-government-controlled preparedness for emergencies.. I need to put it rough and tough; it is not “engineered” enough..!

Apparently, the “Engineers” mind set is greatly different from other professionals or administrators.. The same was in Katrina, when was confused by FEMA administrators, but rescued by Army Engineers.. in Dubai, when boomed up by Engineers, then collapsed by Accountants.. Now in Pakistan as the chaos spread by run-away Politicians, and No engineers to restore sense of order.. Maybe they should revisit the curriculum of emergency workers worldwide.. By the way, if you would survey around, "Engineers" are the fewest caliber among NGOs and Emergency workers worldwide.. I remember back in Sudan in 1990, among IDPs, I was wondering why most of the aid staff are performing irrational scope breakdown, operating in a lengthy sequence or missing the logic of "Structure"..

The recent global turbulences and gaps of dissatisfaction; had pointed to the necessities of integrity, experience, innovation and visionaries to sustain any success. People need is to work on the basics; where scope is comprehensively auditable, procurement is fairly just, and governance is critically addressed. During the last few years, both government and business endeavors were packed by eloquent statements; yet could not establish sanctuaries against market extremism, surprises and/or communication violence. Confronting the overwholmed consuming trends, breaking the cycles of urban frustration, restructuring the financial maturity, and restoring both public and professional confidence are the imminent road mapping for any public strategist, planner and/or executive.

Always, there is a need for a reliable tool to turn colorful pretty pictures, concepts and wish-lists into constructible forms and realities. Not only to taste and visualize the futuristic themes, but to realize the true dramatic cost of delivery. The need for unshakable adherence to QMS, CRM, CSR and Governance is the guideline to structure confident WBS, CSFs, and KPIs for successful monitoring and operating systems. Should all endeavors been carried out as research “Projects”; which require conclusive realization, governing integrity and absolute visionary on both shareholders and processing.

It is the time for change at all levels, overwriting confused bureaucracy, misused political alliances and greedy enterprising lobbying.. It is the time to "Engineer" the world.. Prayers are continued to all the helpless poor around the globe..


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Journey of Hair..!

Amazing; how a person would transform along the years..
Incredible how shape, looks and features change..
Gestures of perceptions, concepts, morals, emotions and dreams..
Every record has lots of memories, cries, laughs, sorrow, joy and prayers..
Victories & Defeats.. Scores & Penalties.. Gains & Losses
The only constant is proudly acknowledging Allah swt..
From the hairy to the hairless..
I'm very thankful for every moment along the journey..
It is ONLY 55 years, so far..!!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Access to Food..


Few months ago, India had shocked the world by its bold decision to make education as constitutional right for all children.. A revolution in time of surrender..!!

Today, Indian politician, despite the harsh claims of corruption and personal gains, are coming with a new bill to set access to food as another constitutional right..
If it happens, lots of consequences and implications will influence the Indian economy and society in an irreversible manner.. Nevertheless the implications on surrounding order and its geopolitics..
However, as veteran socialist; I like it..!
I guess they were very serious when said that the 21st century is the Indian century..!

India Asks, Should Food Be a Right for the Poor?
JHABUA, India — Inside the drab district hospital, where dogs patter down the corridors, sniffing for food, Ratan Bhuria’s children are curled together in the malnutrition ward, hovering at the edge of starvation. His daughter, Nani, is 4 and weighs 20 pounds. His son, Jogdiya, is 2 and weighs only eight. Landless and illiterate, drowned by debt, Mr. Bhuria and his ailing children have staggered into the hospital ward after falling through India’s social safety net. They should receive subsidized government food and cooking fuel. They do not. The older children should be enrolled in school and receiving a free daily lunch. They are not. And they are hardly alone: India’s eight poorest states have more people in poverty — an estimated 421 million — than Africa’s 26 poorest nations, one study recently reported.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/09/world/asia/09food.html?_r=2

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Thresholds of Style..


I remember one day at the famous Edgware Rd in London, an Arab girl was crossing in skin jeans, short top and head scarf.. So far it is controversially normal, which I had seen a lot in Cairo, Dubai, and Kuala Lampure..!
But for my amusement, she was wearing a Niqab..
A bit of those comic illustrations on Scheherazade and Arabian Nights..
Naked women, yet keep their Niqab or head scarf on..!
5 years on, her image stills alive in my memory..
5 years on, and certainly lots are beyond that threshold of style..!!
Muslims had brought lots of disgrace to their ignored gem: Islam..
They beat my skills, to figure out what had gone wrong..?


Many are the contradictions Muslim Arabs in particular are committing against basic sense of intelligence or logic.. I recall a US Friend who claimed that they stopped following Muslim Arab preachers, as they either miss the sustainable logic or reflect a deformed cultural environment.. I quote: “they bring the evils of deteriorated Arabian culture to our intact Muslim concepts.. Our beliefs are resultants not only of fighting the western odds, but also of how to make sense..!!”
No wonder that the rate of cross-marriages between Muslim Arabs and Muslim Westerners had sharply declined, despite the enthusiasm that followed for a while the events of September 11th..
Petty..!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Wife's Love..

Thanks to my wonderful friend.. Amela Omerika..
These are not limited to Muslims, they are general guidance for a happy stable matrimonial life..
Wish happiness to everyone..!


60 Islamic ways to get and keep your wife's love
1. Make her feel secure; (sakina- tranquillity) QUIT BEING AGGRESSIVE
2. When you go home say 'Assalamualaikum. ' (Greetings) It kicks the shaitaan out of your home!
3. Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) described the wife as a fragile vessel and said to take care of this vessel that’s fragile. Remember that there is goodness in this vessel so treat it gently.
4. When you advise her, do so in privacy, in a peaceful environment. NOT IN PUBLIC as it’s a type of slandering.
5. Be generous to your wife- it keeps her LOVED
6. Move and let her have your seat. It will warm her heart.
7. AVIOD ANGER. HOW? Keep your wudu at all times. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said if you are angry, sit down, if you’re sitting, then lie down. Follow the sunnah!
8. Look good and smell great for your wife. IT keeps the LOVE!
9. Don’t be rigid. It will break you. Prophet Mohammed – sallallahu alaihi wa sallam (SAW means “May the blessings and the peace of Allah be upon him” (Muhammad).) said 'I am the best amongst you and I am the best to my wife'. Being rigid and harsh will not bring you close to Allah and neither does it make you more of a man.
10. Listen to your wife-BE a GOOD LISTENER
11. YES to flattering NO to arguing. Arguing is like poison in a marriage. Al zawai said 'When Allah (swt) wants evil for people He will leave them to argue amongst themselves'.
12. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said to call your wives with the best name, any name she loves to hear. Prophet Mohammed sallallahu alaihi wa sallam called Aisha 'ya Aish' as an endearment.
13. Give her a pleasant surprise. I.e. if she loves watermelon, bring her one out of the blue. It will grow the love in her heart.
14. Preserve your tongue! Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said the tongue will throw people in the hell fire so watch what you say and how you say it!
15. All of us have shortcoming. Accept her shortcoming and Allah (swt) will put barakat in your marriage.



16. TELL her you appreciate her. SHOW her you appreciate her.
17. Encourage her to keep good relation with her relative, her mum and dad etc.
18. Speak with her with a topic of HER interest.
19. In front of her relative praise her. Confirm/ realize that she is wonderful, and that she is a good person in front of her family.
20. Give each other gifts. You will love each other more. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said gifts increases love.
21. Get rid of the routine once in a while, surprise her with something, it will get rid of the rust and polish it!
22. Husnul zaan- We have a demand from Allah (swt) that we have to think good of people. Think good of your spouse.
23. Ignore some of her mistakes- pretend you did not see/hear some of her small mistakes. It was a practice of Ali (RA). It’s like putting a hole in your memory. Don’t save it in your memory!
24. Increase the drops of patience, especially when she is pregnant or when she is on her monthly period.
25. Expect and respect her jealousy. Even Aisha (ra) used to get jealous.
26. Be humble. If your profession is good, respect that she is looking after your children, she is much more than you, she is the leader at home, her strength is your strength, and her success is your success.
27. Don't put your friends above your wife.
28. Help your wife at home. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam used to help his wives at home and he was the best of creation. He used to sew his own clothes. 
29. Help her respect your parents, you can’t force her to love them, but she can be helped to gradually love them.
30. Show your wife she is the ideal wife.



31. Remember your wife in your duaas. It will increase the love and protect it.
32. Leave the past. It brings nothing but pain and grief. It’s not your business. The past is for Allah (swt).
33. Don't try to show her that you are doing her a favour by doing something, like buying food for the house, because in reality we are the courier of sustenance, not the providers, as Allah is the provider. It’s also a way of being humble and thankful to Allah (swt)
34. Shaitaan is your enemy, not your wife. Sometime when husband and wife are talking a fight breaks out, then shaitaan is present there as a third person so he is the real enemy. It is not enough to hate the shaitaan, but you have to see him as an enemy as Allah has commanded. Shaitaan loves divorce. HE comes everyday and sits office and asks the devils what they have done, some say i have made a person steal, or i have made someone drink etc. And one devil will say i have made a man divorce his wife, and he is crowned as the one who has done the best job.
35. Take the food and put it in her mouth. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam taught us this. It’s a blessing. The food doesn’t just go to her stomach, but straight to her heart. It increases the love and mercy between you.
36. Protect your wife from the evil of the shaitaan and mankind. She is like a precious pearl that needs protecting from the envy of human devils and shaitaan.
37. Show her your smile. Smile at your wife. IT’S A CHARITY.
38. Small problems/ challenges can become a big problem. Or if there is small thing she didn't like and you keep repeating them anyway, it will create a wall between you. Don’t ignore them as it can become big.
39. Avoid being harsh hearted and moody. Allah said of prophet (saw) 'if you were harsh hearted they (the companions) would have left you.' It confirms prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam was not harsh hearted, so GET RID OF IT.
40. Respect her thinking. It’s strength for you. Show you like her thoughts and suggestions.
41. Help her to achieve her potential and help her to dig and find success within as her success is your success.
42. Respect the intimate relationship and its boundaries. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said she is like a fragile vessel and she needs to be treated tenderly. Sometime she may not be feeling well; you must respect and appreciate that feeling.
43. Help her to take care of the children. Some men think it makes them appear less of a man but in fact it makes you appear a bigger man and more respected, especially in the sight of Allah (swt).
44. Use the gifts of the tongue and sweet talk her. Tell her she looks great, be an artist. Pick and choose gifts of the tongue.
45. Sit down and eat with her and share food with her.



46. Let her know you are travelling. Don't tell her out of the blue as it’s against Islam. Tell her the date/ time of when you are coming back also.
47. Don't leave the house as soon as trouble brews.
48. The house has privacy and secrecy. Once you take this privacy and secrecy to your friends and family you are in danger of putting a serious hole in your marriage. This secrecy stays home. Islam is against leaving them out like a garage sale for anyone to come and pick and choose.
49. Encourage each other for ibadah, i.e. plan a trip for hajj or umrah together. It increases and strengthens the love when you help each other perform a good deeds together i.e, do tahajuud together,or go to a dars together etc.
50. Know her rights, not only written in paper but engraved in your heart and engraved in your conscious.
51. Allah( swt) said 'live with your wives in kindness.' Treat them with kindness and goodness. It means in happy times and in sadness treat her with goodness and fairness.
52. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam showed that at the time of intimacy. Don’t jump on your wife like an animal!
53. When you have a dispute with your wife don’t tell everyone. It’s like leaving your wounds open to germs so be careful who you share your problems and disputes with.
54. Show your wife you really care for her health. Good health of your wife is your good health. To care for her health shows her that you love her.
55. Don’t think you are always right. No matter how good you are you have shortcomings. You are not perfect as the only one who was perfect in character was prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam Get rid of this disease.
56. Share your problems, your happiness, and your sadness with her.
57. Have mercy on her weakness. Have mercy when she is weak or strong as she is the fragile vessel. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said that your wife is a trust in your hand.
58. Remember you are her strength, someone to lean on in times of hardship.
 59. Accept her as she is. Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said that women are created from the rib which is bent. If you try to straighten her you will break her (divorce). Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam said that you may dislike one habit in her but you will like another manner in her so accept her as she is.
60. Have good intention for your wife all the time, Allah monitors your intention and your heart at all times. Allah (s.w.t) said Among His Signs is that He created for you wives from among yourselves, that you may find repose in them, and He has put between you affection and mercy. Verily, in that are indeed signs for a people who reflect.



Schehrazade..

 If Music would be translated into Words, they would tell exactly what’s about in Arabia.. or they would say nothing as the only way to interpret the Arabic culture is the Music..!!

The truth is always half uncovered.. Attractive and appealing for further search or deep dive.. Yet, if you dive, you would hardly survive on your own..!
I guess it is the legacy of Mankind, not only Arabia.. where all contradictions and matches are  mysteriously workingtogether, to deliver the preciousness of life..

Enjoy.. or Read..!

Monday, August 2, 2010

BB Phenomenon..


BlackBerry was widely misused by people.. The free Messenger had attracted lots to use.. Empolyees, Colleagues, Lovers, Teens, and even Criminals were instantly chatting beyond control.. I personally had seen this happening in GCC, India, Egypt and Malaysia.. In free time, and during formal meetings..!!
Despite the few applications, poor camera, and limited compatibility; its linguistic and friendly interface were marvelous.. Research in Motion (the server operator) insisted on their unconstrained control despite security threats in Tmes of Terror.. Abuse and misuse had come into houses and families.. restructuring their communications and relationships.. There are many legitimated reasons to stand against its phenomenon, where teens in GCC are extensively using BB more than the executives; whom the technology was meant to support.. Is it an underdeveloped or a global problem..? However, it is a BB Phenomenon..!
I shall not wonder if RIM and TRA come to a sort of understanding.. RIM will not afford losing such attractive market, and TRA understands the challenges associated with leading formal actions along the GCC.. I think they will meet some where..!

Anyway, it is a classic example on how Governments view, role and control.. Freedom in implementation is very limited, and very controlled as well..!!
Thankfully, I had given up mine couple of months ago..!!


News: Saudi Arabia's telecoms regulator has ordered local operators to freeze the Messenger function for Blackberry users this month, just hours after the UAE said it was suspending BlackBerry services in the country from October.

Arabian Business: The device’s popularity quickly helped BlackBerry’s Canadian owner, Research In Motion (RIM), carve out a niche for itself; it now accounts for nearly a fifth of the global smartphone market and has secured nearly half a m...illion users in the UAE alone. Nearly half of the 45 million BlackBerry users worldwide regularly use the BlackBerry Messenger service, a free user-to-user instant text service. RIM had previously taken the lead over its international rivals and in the second quarter of the year it shipped 11.2 million BlackBerry smartphones, compared to the 8.4 million iPhones sold by its California-based rival. This helped the Canadian technology giant to increase its revenue for the second quarter of the year by 24 percent to $4.45bn. However, these results were below analysts’ estimations and Forbes has already forecast that Apple's iPhone will overtake RIM’s BlackBerry in the global smartphone market by 2011. Already Apple stated that around 80 percent of the Fortune 100 companies were testing usage of its iPhone.