Since the dawn of civilization man has always been obsessed of communicating his thoughts, the knowledge that he acquire through a long learning process of understanding, experimenting and experiencing. The hunger and thirst for knowledge is what differentiates us humans from all other species that dwell this planet and probably make us feel superior.

The revolutionary age of information has digitized these thoughts and turned the ink into bits and bytes nevertheless the urge for holding a book in ones hand and swallowing the vast knowledge implanted in ink never lessens. The scent of the books its lustful binding and bright pages with shinny ink is what attracts readers to love the hard copies. Mind well that ink is called “rosh’naee” in Urdu because it radiates the light of knowledge and enlightens the soul. Love of books has grown and deepened within my heart and I could hardly resist a wonderful title except when the dept of my pocket is shallower. The Sharjah Book Fair is a place where I find relaxation skimming through pages and titles over the bookshelves and in stalls, and at times the clock stops as I just swallow a finer piece of work rather then just window shopping. The love and passion is never ending.

Though I am a book lover and like spending on a good title but the purse is not quick to open up. Though we are growing in terms of knowledge, education and information which is readily available everyday our lives are becoming shorter and homes smaller, with no spare time nor enough space to store the thought provoking work of authors. Even today books are a luxury for those who could afford to maintain its high costs.

During my recent visit to the Sharjah Book Fair, a thought popped up my mind as I looked up on the large banners that declared “Love for the written word”. The thought of being fortunate to own some of the worlds lovely titles published and happy to have read through the minds of some of the worlds brilliant men time has known was the most prominent. While another thought did sneak in to declare that since the authorities of Sharjah and its leadership are braving such a huge and massive event why not arrange some sort of a pre-owned books fair as well. The reason this thought popped up was seeing the tons and tons of paper displayed at the fair. The rate at which we are producing paper and coping up with demand is growing at such a high pace that I dare to say we might be out of paper in a very near future.

A book fair where people could dispose their pre-owned collection, share, sell, exchange or even give away for recycling would be another such massive event of equivalent impact to the community and our culture as well as our environment. Maybe such a stand alone book fair would not be possible but a well organized section in the International Book Far event could make a huge difference.

To be very much frank and truthful I even do not have an idea of how such an event or a part-event could even be organized but such an initiative would surely be a step forward for the intellectual beings that we humans belong to.

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The article Step out of the vehicle was an interesting read about the car culture in the US and it may seem that the American are too much in love with their SUV’s but the case is somewhat similar to the Middle East as well. Living in the UAE since the past 30 years it we know how inexpensive cars can be. The over head costs however are paid by the environment. The culture we live in, in the UAE make people prouder of their cars and the bigger they are the higher the status symbol. The fuel energy that these vehicles rely on to continue running has had great impact on the way we live, the way we thing, the global climate and off course our pockets. As the global economy was melting down it seemed we burned more and more money as we pumped up are SUV’. At times it does make me ponder that the government here is so much so worried about the environment that it is taking major steps in all directions including strict rules imposed on the industrial sector as well. Why not then take a major step towards those SUVs are really swallowing major resources.

Fuel has had major impact on basically and practically everything that we can think of and the Khaleej Times published and article on Clean Energy and the major steps that the US is trying to take. I am always a fan of those who uphold the environmental issue and have been taught by our community leader who has established Burhani Foundation, for the very purpose, to think in that direction.

The UAE authorities have always tried hard and have worked towards achieving major breakthroughs in preserving the health of our environment through the years. However, much can be done and much more investments are required in this area of concern. Both capital investment as well as that of resources. The UAE fortunately has and abundance of both. Natural renewable energy is one thing we have here in abundance. The Emirates has miles and miles of desert land which could  be used to harvest both the solar and wind energies to the optimum level and the authorities do need to encourage capital investment in those fields.

Recently we are having severe power shortages in Sharjah and Sewa blames it on huge demand and fuel shortages. With its abundance of natural resources and ways to harness renewable energy the authorities need to have a paradigm shift and start looking outwards rather then inwards else the problems will keep rising further in the coming future.

As for the high demand and shortage of fuel for the electricity, many visitors coming to the UAE have often commented on the way the roads are lighted all over the place. Most of them including myself believe that the usage of such high illumination of highways stretching hundreds of kilometers is a waste of natural resources if not financial at all.

The authorities need to look on these perspectives on a federal level in the UAE rather then the state level if we do want to ensure a safe and secure future for the coming generation. We must look towards harvesting green and renewable energy rather then relying on fuel if we do want to give something back in the energy trade to mother nature. The motto is to preserve nature for much larger gains and profits rather then immediate.

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Above all his needs and ways of living, is his intellectual need, which differs from all other animals. His power to express his thoughts and understand makes him unique among all creatures. He is the only being that eats when he is not hungry and makes love in all seasons. He needs to quench his thirst out of curiosity.

Since the very beginning of life man starts asking “why”. Allah created him and taught him what he never knew. With his knowledge man rules the world and forgets the “why” of his creation. Wandering is his mind, caught in the web of questions, searching for their answers. Since the pre-historic times man’s curiosity has lead him to open the doors of a better future as he advances into the atomic age.

Man like all other animals has feelings strong and needed to be shared. A cow may feed her calf till it grows but then leaves it independent, while man’s feeling last forever, even for decades and centuries. His understanding helps his emotions to prosper, growing the need in him for someone to share these emotions with. It is he who laughs and weeps to express his feelings.

Mumineen, on the other hand, weep in sorrow and remembrance of the great sacrifice of Imam Husain (AS), understanding his sacrifice and his gift to human race.

The human soul makes man the most unimaginable of all creatures. It is the soul that makes him so distinct and unique. Its inclination towards the heavenly abode is the main purpose of human life; the ascending however, is possible only by obeying Allah. No man has ever seen Him or talked to but Allah has sent his messenger to guide the human race to the path leading towards him. He who follows the path serves the purpose of his life. Religion makes man differ from animals as Amirul Mumineen stated:

ابني ان من الرجال بهيمة        في صورة الرجل السميع المبصر

فطن بكل رزية في ماله          واذا اصيب بــدينه لم يشعر

There are men no better than animals, who keep record of their bread but when it comes to matters of deen they just don’t understand. If man’s life was just for food and sleep then animals are better, who cause no harm to each other while man makes war. A human is to Almighty, a believer, for whom He has made this world. For whom He has sent a hadi (guide) to guide him to the waters of immortality to quench his thirst.

Rasulallah (SA) has said that all creation is the family of Allah, and he who is the most beneficial to his family is the most loved one towards him. The term family cannot be taken in strict terms but as for His care and love that Allah has for all His creation and beings, for He has not been begotten nor does He beget nor does He have any similar partner to Him. The hadith stresses Allah’s omnipotence and thus guides man towards the path of love and care for the mother nature. In fact the hadith in support of the Quranic Ayat:

كلوا واشربوا ولا تسرفوا

Eat and drink but do not waste, care for all beings and the human race will thrive with the blessings of Allah and live in harmony with his creation. It is only the humans that will use the resources of mother nature most wisely and it is only the most religious and pure hearted who will understand this truth.

May Allah grant Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin a long life to guide us, to live human and die human.  AMEEN

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Thoughts are vague and hasty feelings that wave the human mind all the time but just as the waves disappear on shore most of these airy creatures vanish in the blues. Its easy for everyone to say that if you have a nice thought or idea just scribble it on your log book or notepad but then this is again as writing on the beach over the sand which gets washed away with another wave.

Did the writer of the Pandora Language in Avatar ever think her book would be of interest to humans. I wonder if people ever read your penned thoughts and get the full out of it any ways since the words penned are often thoughts reduced to writing.

If you have seen the movie and its a great one, which I think is not for the Pandora but its really for the Mother Earth. Nature nurtures every human soul apart from the gifts it gives to the body but does the human race understand its value. Just as the humans on Pandora wanted the immediate profits and materialistic gains that the planet had to offer so do we from the mother earth.

The movie’s script writer must be thinking of conveying the message about our savage nature towards mother nature in destroying every bit of it. If we are not to preserve the earth, the generations to come will hear the cry and witness the tears of a mother who has given birth to its very destroyer. It is not that the Pandora was living and every soul on it was tied to it, it is the mother earth that has the strength of integrity and the sense to understand and full fill the needs of its dwellers, but not their greed, and it has each soul attached to it like a closely knit blanket.

Lets not waste ourselves and understand the story beyond the Pandora Island and take on the Avatar of true humans and bring humanity to life. Lets all recycle and return what we use in decency to mother nature. Lets remember that waste is not a waste until its wasted.

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS has established the Burhani Foundation for the preservation of nature and service towards the mother earth. It helps in planting trees and promoting greenery especially within communities. May Allah Subhanahu grant him a long life. Ameen

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Amirul Mumineen (AS) says:
1. Trust the Creator rather than his creation, trust the Truthful rather than the lair.
2. Seek Rizq from al-Rahman (Allah), as there is no one else who can feed you except Him.
3. He who thinks that his rizq or earning is in his own hands does not trust Allah.
4. He who thinks that a mere human can feed him or provide a living to him has gone on a slippery way and is sure to fall.
Amirul Mumineen (AS) further says:
1. I am happy with whatever Allah has parted for me and have submitted by will to by Creator.
2. Just as Allah has done my betterment in the past so will He in the future.
These words are said to to those of Amirul Mumineen (AS):
1. I anticipate that the world will soon be over and has prepared for its journey.
2. Never has the world been forever for anyone, nor has anyone stayed in the world forever.

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