:: Hikmah @ Ekhwan.Com :: » Personal

The Ghosts Book

Juzar Noorani — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 14:24:37 +0000

Since the dawn of the human race, people have been fascinated by the term of “Ghost” or by the thought of any paranormal or super natural activity. Almost everyone, believers and non-believers alike seek more and more information that would quench their thirst of curiosity about the bewildered world.

From the presenter of the “Most Haunted” comes the book “Ghost Hunters” which captured my reading attention and the time spent with the book has been wonderful. The authors have dealt with the subject in a fairly balance way and have put in a lot of effort to pen their thoughts in words. At stages they simply call the “Ghost” as an act of the mind, or the sub consceince referring in their write-up to SickMan Fraud, that’s what I would personally call him, as these fellows are practically creating short circuits for the perfect human brain and making it go haywire, by explaining their sick theories. That said, the other side of the “Ghost Hunters” comes with some scientific explanations, explaining the apparitions as electrical impulses or the soul as being such, while on the other hand the authors have also tried to explain these unknown mystical happenings using the time theory and the existence of a parallel worlds and planes.

The authors have also taken pain to refer some deliberately fraud ghost stories as well to being about the balance needed in their work. Some unexplained and fascinating events have also been brought up from the files of investigators.

All in all, the book is a good read and have found it worth having. Though a portion of the book still remains incomplete in my read, I would surely return back to it. For me, the existence of paranormal beings and activities is a subject related to faith and therefore unquestioned, along with intensive studies into the subject, but the book’s neutral way of putting things up for inquisitive mind is very much appealing and sheds light on both sides of the coin, for a subject that has never been given it’s justified place in the real world of education, science and logical examinations.

The books is indeed THE guide to investigating the paranormal, and that too with some practical implications. And please do not judge it by its cover.

The Book Shelter

Juzar Noorani — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 06:17:12 +0000

The year 2011 has been quite dull in terms of writing good blog posts and now as the year 2012 rises bright and shiny, I just look forward to punching up some material on my blog. Thoughts come and fly by but when reduced to writing are saved for a lifetime.

A few days back I stumbled on a twitter account thebookshelter and found that two young ladies in the Emirates have literally started and orphanage for BOOKS!! There are so many good things you could do one might wonder and better buy a new one rather then hording old stuff and also spending on the maintenance of the so called Book Shelter. Apart from that, since the flow of eBooks have begun people have just begun to forget the touch, feel and scent of paper. These are the first few thoughts that same up my mind.

Being a book lover with so many sitting on my bookshelf, personally I would not even think of parting with my books with any one. I love them. Just looking at the shelves filled with them makes me feel my hunger for learning. I took a breath and emailed thebookshelter.ae that I would like to donate. They replied promptly and had the few books that were ready with me, picked-up.

I started surfing their website and found a book that I had been wanting to have a glimpse at since some time but had not dared buy it for the simple reason that time would not permit to go through it.

People who love the written word would not part for it even though the digital world grows faster and feel of paper, its wonderful smell that one breathes in being engrossed in the book opens the doors of imagination, creativity and knowledge. Homes are growing smaller, and the price that once pays per square feet nowadays its much larger for someone to actually fall in love with having a library at home but then I would not dare speak the same having more then 150 books lying on my bookshelf and having known people who have collected newspapers and weeklys over years. The lust and hunger for knowledge in these people cannot be explain in words, for the written word would fall short of it.

For those who would like to know more about the work done by the two Emarati ladies or even have a book for yourself visit http://thebookshelter.ae

Hoping to write more blog posts then the past in 2012.

Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art

Juzar Noorani — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:34:33 +0000

It has just been a few months since the launch of Google’s Social Media Service, the widely talked about Google+ and just a few days since its launch of Brand Pages.

Google has tried and tried again to plunge into the social media business to get a scope of it highly lucrative and viral reach but has withdrawn most of its products after the much enthusiasm with which it was launched was never met. Google Wave was withdrawn from the product line and so is Buzz being turned down in a few weeks time.

Google does have to understand that FaceBook has already done its trial and error thing and understands the user’s needs from its age and learn from the trends set by such a successful venture, from its pros and cons, rather then build from scratch and then keep people waiting for the most needed features yet to come. The wait turning tiring and the enthusiasm fading out.

What Google simply lacks is its integrity with existing social networking media. Google+ would have rocked if it were to have feeds from twitter and facebook, from multiple accounts off-course. Better and tighter privacy options and since Google+ does not allow profile pages for Businesses and in turn has launched pages, they should have focused on allowing people to reserve their brands in the URL rather then having to ask then to remember some funky digits.

I recently plunged into the pages thing to get pages reserved for the organizations I am associated with and then kept wondering as to how I could add other contributors and admins to those pages on Google+. At the end of the day I realized they are still working on it. Its quite simple, can’t they learn from FaceBook that this is supposed to be a basic function for a page that represents an organization or a business entity or does Google+ seem to have a single employee, LOL.

The entire game about so many people running into, what I would call, an immature network, is the mere fact that googleplus accounts tend to get listed on google’s search engine faster then a facebook one, but what about other search engines like Bing. Let’s face it Google is still number one and synonymous when it comes to Search Engines.

It needs a lot of patience to educate people on new tools and time is scarce when it comes to the speed of the Internet, so lets wait and watch what how rapidly Google+ makes its way to into the Social Media.

As for the short URL I did manage to get an easy to remember URL for all my Google+ pages as well as my profile.

http://gplus.to/ekhwan
http://gplus.to/attalim
http://gplus.to/hitechuae

MAF Najmcard Irony

Juzar Noorani — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:28:25 +0000

MAF, one of the most reputable group of companies launched credit cards a few years back with staunch terms and conditions in store for applicants. The credit card is basically issued by MAF Finance and the initial card they launched was the JCB card while the Visa was added to their range later on.

These cards were initially promoted by the MAF group hyper mart, Carrefoure by adding discounts almost every other thing available off the self there. In addition to this the NajmCard boasts upto 4% cash back in all promotional material including the website and all other printed materials. They also have “Free for life” cards with a lower cash back value which is by all means acceptable.

So far so good. The surprises are yet to come, just like most banks that astonish the consumer with finer prints rarely readable, known as, terms and conditions apply. However, these terms and conditions are rarely mentioned in promotional material which lure consumers into a trap of so called loyalty shopping at times, turning it into tied up and bound to shopping.

What a cash back means in Najm Card language is accumulation of points that can later be converted to Carrefoure Vouchers that can be redeemed to pay ones carrefoure bills.

The Najm Card cash back system is not a cash back system but its a holding back customer for myself system. Such promotional material cannot be deemed as accurate and in consumer interests, rather it is misleading to those who have to offer a blank dated and signed cheque to MAF Finance, have a large salary and other such conditions to apply for the so called Cash Back credit card.

Unless you are willing to pay a good amount of fee for the Najm Card, just forget getting one with an adjustable cash back system. Except for the priority counter benefit at carrefoure nothing is so attractive about the Najmcard. The special discounts that were initially offered also do not exist any longer.

How to Get Up Early

Juzar Noorani — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:32:34 +0000

Getting up early in the morning takes discipline. But it’s an essential top performer skill that will take you and your business to the next level of excellence. Waking up early is a great gift. Give yourself a 60 minute personal leadership hour. Robin shares 5 essential keys to help you get up early in the morning.

5 Tips On How To Wake Up Early

1) Get Fit
2) Every Single Week Get A Massage
3) Eat Less Food – Don’t Eat After 8pm
4) In The Morning Write In A Journal
5) Learn to Find Ways To Love Your Current Job

How to Get up Early

My whole life is really about teaching people exceptionalism and one of the real strategies for high performance and leading without a title is getting up early.

You might say getting up early is not really relevant to you and yet if I look at the best of the best, whether it’s in business, in science, in the arts, in sports, these are people who have trained their brains to show up and discipline.

And getting up early is not only an incredible competitive advantage because most of your competitors are asleep, but getting up early is a great gift to give yourself. You get more life.

Ben Franklin said it really well; he said, “There will be plenty of time to sleep when you’re dead.” So getting up early and giving yourself that 60 minute personal leadership hour, you practice and prepare just like how Bekham practices to be world class as a footballer, or Hamilton Lewis practices on the track to be a world class car racer. Or Mozart practiced to be a world-class composer.

You give yourself one hour from 5-6 and you do your practice.

But here’s the thing I really want to focus on.

How do you get up earlier? A few quick practical ideas:

1) Get Super Fit:
When you’re in world class physical condition you just need less sleep. Your metabolic rate is higher; you have a lot more energy, a lot more stamina and a lot more passion. Get super fit and you’re just going to need less sleep.

2) Every Single Week Get A Massage:
Getting a massage is not a waste of time. Its not a cost. It’s an investment. Why? Because it will increase your circulation, it will help you get by on a lot less sleep. Its something that every peak performer should do every 7 days just to allow yourself to play at your absolute best

3) Your Diet, Eat Less Food:
You’ll have more energy. Don’t eat after 8:00 and eat every 4 hours. Little bit of protein, a little bit of carbs. Manage your diet but the key is to eat less food and you’ll need less sleep.

4) Get Up In The Morning and Take The Time To Write In A Journal:
In other words, dump the worries on your mind onto a crisp white piece of paper. When you worry you lose energy. I call it dissipation and the more things you worry about the less energy you will have and the more sleep you will need.

5) Learn To Find Ways To Love Your Job:
Lead without a title. I have met room cleaners who have cleaned hotel rooms like Picasso painted. So find ways in your current job to be passionate about your job. Be the absolute best in your job. Why? Because few things create more energy than going to work everyday and feeling that your work is meaningful. Feeling that you can show leadership in your area of responsibility. Feeling that your work is a craft whether you flip hamburgers or work in human resources but one of the great secrets to passion is purpose in your work.

Getting up early would be one of the best moves you make for leadership, success and having a great life.

by Robin Sharma is the author of the #1 international bestseller “The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life,” a book that is causing transformation in many of the best businesses in the world.

The 100th Milad of Huzurala TUS

Juzar Noorani — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 01:47:40 +0000

The air was filled with joy as the days of the 100th Milad Mubaral approached nearer and the heart pounded with joy while we heard that the Milad was to be held in Mumbai. Mumbai, a place where a place to stay was a big question for a family planning to attend the grand celebrations. Fortunately for us a family friend was most generous with his home.

The celebrations started with Qasre Aali Nikah Majlis and the next day was the Milad night, then the waaz on Milad day.

It was such a wonderful occasion and pleasure to be part of the Mawkib al-Burhani. A truely very historic procession on the Marine Drive. We could see the queen’s necklace lit up with the Saify Hospital sparking like a Jewel.

As the days past by in preparation of the Mawkib by Mumineen children, the night when the procession was held arrived. The barakaat received by me personally being on the stage where Maula TUS was jalwanuma was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Mohammed on his 8th waras had the sharaf to walk in the Mawkib dressed as a Date. A blessing cherished by all of us for years to come.

Nine days after returning from Mumbai, I got a call from ATTALIM that I was Summoned in Hazrat Aliyah on Yaume Shahadat of Maulatena Fatema AS. The day that lifted soul, my conscious and changed lots in our lives was just five days from my waras as the hijri calender and ten days before my birthday. Everything was just perfect and fit in its place. It was the Qasr Mubarak of Huzurala TUS and the Barakat of Syedna Noor Mohammed Nooruddin RA was just in place. That Wednesday would always be remembered an cherished throughout my life and so will it for my classmates as well. Shz Aliqadr Syedi Mufaddal Bs Saifuddin DM gave each one of us the Bushra about the sharaf that Huzurala TUS had bestowed on us on the auspicious occasion of the Milad al-Meavi.

May Allah Subhanahu bless our beloved Maula Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS with a long life in Sehat and Afiyat. Ameen

The problem with the world is that there are too many damned foreigners in it.

Juzar Noorani — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 03:21:11 +0000

Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin TUS, the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community is celebrating his 100th birthday this year. Personally being a strong follower and a passionate lover of all his instructions, I believe that “loyalty to a country to dwell in is a part of faith”. Loyalty in simple terms is to respect its laws, culture, tradition and economic values.

Have lived in the UAE for many years, right from schooling to adulthood and even being married here makes the country my home away from my birthplace which I haven’t even known for a tenth of my age. Indians in this country have really played a role in the socio-economic development of the nation and we do really feel to be proud of the fact. During childhood, I used to have Emarati friends and go to their homes, play Attari and stuff even. I remember my father’s sponsor and a friend rather, would insist him to visit often when we used to greet him on Eid. He was an old gentleman and we used to know of him as a distant relative and an uncle as kids rather then an Emarati who was our sponsor. Another Emarati uncle I remember from those days was a neighbor who used to help us with water during the hot summer days when it was scarcity. Those days were so peaceful and calm. We used to walk home from school 3 Kms away, play cricket and football but today at the same age my kids would never think of putting a foot out of the home due to the heavy traffic.

I remember seeing the then Ruler of Ajman, a simple and elderly figure sit in public and meet everyone with a friendly gesture. Today is an altogether different story, though having met the now Ruler several times during Eid and other occasions the protocol is different. He is down to Earth and have seen him drive his own car once as he waved from his Merc on a Red Signal stopping on our side.

We have always believed that this country has given us a different view of life, a different dimension to it and a life of prosperity and happiness.

Today as the country marches towards Emiratization in the private sector, I believe that best way to create a better workforce out of the countries youth is, not only to give them opportunities and security of job but also train them for dignity of labor. Uplift them to mingle freely within the corporate culture while not being foreigners in their own land. A skilled, learned, trained and hardworking employee is a corporation’s asset and such human resource are valuable for the entire nation as well as the community. I think the country should encourage the youth to work and have pride in doing so, as well as provide encourage the institutes that want to play a role in this endeavor. Together with all the love that the people here have for this land and nation, everyone can put their piece of brick as we grow.

Chocolates – A passion for some

Juzar Noorani — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:49:21 +0000

There is much to chocolates then just silencing kids with those sweet lip licking brown things. Really it takes a lot of understanding to know a chocolate lover’s passion and it took me ages to know the various chocolates out there with their mouth watering tastes and brain tinkering feeling to have it melt on the tongue.

To me a chocolate is simply something that is pure and has no add-ons like nuts and biscuits. Its just not the type of chocolate that would give you a heavenly feeling. Mint to some chocolate lovers might be refreshing but its just another add-on bars the real taste of chocolate.

Writing this post was just a matter of bringing out the joy that a friends wife is in the business and she loves to cook those yummies. God knows if she was inspired by his skin complexion, but when it comes to chocolates its totally acceptable. Even finding out for a giggle that a friend can be called a chocolaty, for not only being himself, but also for being a real chocolate lover.

For all those chocolate lovers out there, here is the detail to the home made chocolate maker:

Choco Point,
Home Made Chocolates

Zahra M. Mustafa Shakir,
411, Saifee Bldg, Shehabi Colony, Rustampura,
Surat-395002 Gujarat, India
Mobile: +91 9427579491
Email: chocopointin @ gmail.com
www.ch0copoint-in.com

Devri Tazyeen by Jamea Farigheen of the Year 1422

Juzar Noorani — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:27:33 +0000

The year 1422, we all had the sharaf of hosting ziyafat of Aqa Maula (TUS) as the academic year came to an end. Years of studying together, living and enjoying the atmosphere of Jamea, now everyone would be on their own ways in life. The theme of our ziyafat was Qasr Mubarak of Aqa Maula TUS. personally speaking it was the first ziyafat me and my friends had ever hosted and in anticipation of more throughout our lives. Today after almost 10 years, the days are still unforgotten. The days of ziyafat, the way we sat in front of Maula TUS in the last shafahi with tears flowing down the cheeks, its all a boon and a blessing we all cherish, while looking forward at life, the days of Jamea and the place itself never seems to be forgotten and it does keep us pulling back together.

Musty, just sent in a few pictures of the tazyeen that our classmates, in khidmat of Jamea, have done to the deodi mubarak in celebration of the 100th Milad Mubarak of Aqa Maula TUS. The photos remind me of the ziyafat and our Qasr theme as they moist my eyes. Musty and all 1422 folks, thanks for remembering us in this endeavor and thumbs-up to you all in doing a wonderful job.

For Love of the Written Word

Juzar Noorani — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 20:33:39 +0000

The Sharjah Book Fair is one massive event “for the love of the written word”, just as the slogan expresses. Visit the event and you would be astonished to the amount of ink mankind has spread of tons of paper full of expression and thoughts.

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.

:: Hikmah @ Ekhwan.Com :: » Personal

The Ghosts Book

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