lend a HAND or lead the WAY
Number 8, August 2008
Do It Now
Sadaf Shahbaz
Every Muslim today knows and feels strongly about the need of education in the community. But most intellectual discussions end up by expressing such feelings, only few straying into the question, as to how to do it?
Here is a blueprint for some action. Incidentally, Muslim zamindars have done it in the past through the well known institution of “talib-e-Ilmi”. To repeat the experiment, let a well to do modern Muslim man or woman:
- Take the responsibility of teaching one child of someone other than his/her all through primary school to higher studies enabling the child to settle in life.
- Stop thinking how much that would cost.
- Start thinking how this can be done, just for one child, believing that the child is born to him/her and that he/she is blessed having the child.
- Not squander away the charity money that we take out and hand over to some organization believing that now it is the organization’s responsibility to oversee things.
- Take time out to oversee personally that the noble money that he/she is parting with, reaches to cater to the needs of the child and is not frittered away.
- Monitor the progress of that child by going through his report card and his actual growth.
It should be clear to anyone that any amount of discussions cannot be a substitute for the actual deeds that are enumerated above. My humble request to the good Muslims is that the good you have been thinking of doing — do it now. Who knows what tomorrow may bring? So, don't wait. Do it while you can. Do it now.
Sadaf Shahbaz is a social activist and an Architect in Dubai.(sadaf_shahbaz@yahoo.com)
Obituary of Marhoom Banatwala
Dr. Mohammad Mustahsan
G.M.Banatwala, a prominent leader of the Indian Muslims is no more, having left for his heavenly abode on the 25 th of June,2008. As a leader of the Indian Union Muslim League, he had the distinction of being the elected member of the Lok Sabha (Indian Parliament), seven times from the Moplah region of Kerala, a southern Indian state. He was a tireless champion of Muslim causes and had effectively represented the feelings of the common Indian Muslims in the Indian Parliament on several occasions, especially in the debates on the famous Shah Bano case and in the controversies related to the Muslim personal laws and the proposed imposition of the so-called Uniform Civil Code. Mr. Banatwala was a parliamentarian of great standing and repute. He had a spotless record of honesty and personal integrity in his long political life.
Mr. Bantwala did not have issues and his wife had died a couple of years back.
n this hour of grief we, the Indian Muslims, stand united with other members of his family and pray to Allah to grant the departed soul a place in Jannatul Firdaus.
Dr. Mohammad Mustahsan, is Incharge of Dialysis Division in Shaqra province Hospital, Al-washam, Riyadh
Let Us Know About Pacemakers
Dr.Moiz Shams
The human heart beats an average of 60 to 100 times a minute. This speed is for a normal individual, but varies when anxious or exerted. The heart is a natural pacemaker - a special group of cells that send electrical impulses over the heart and keep it beating at an appropriate and regular rate. If heart beats too slowly to meet the needs of the body, it may need artificial pacemaker to make sure that it beats at a sufficient rate.
Who Needs a Pacemaker?
- Someone whose heart beats too slowly, causing symptoms such as excessive fatigue, severe dizziness, or fainting spells.
- Someone who needs to maintain a minimal heart rate after treatment for a rapid, irregular heart rate.
Types of Pacemaker:
- Permanent or internal: is placed under the skin below the caller bone. They turn it off when the heart beat is faster than a certain speed and turn on when heartbeat is lower than a certain speed.
- Temporary or external: are used for a limited period of time and are worn out side the body clipped to a belt or pants. Only the wire(s) and electrode(s) are surgically implanted in the chest by a simple surgical procedure.
PRECAUTIONS:
- A person who is having a pacemaker should carry a card indicating he has a pacemaker.
- Equipment used by doctors and dentist can affect pacemaker function in certain situations.
Dr.Moiz Shams is a well known eye-surgeon now settled at Aligarh and Patna. E-Mail: moizshams@yahoo.com
Interfaith...
What is the importance of communication skills in building good will of Islam? Well, effective presentation is very important in interfaith dialogue, because at times there are issues which are sensitive, and may not go down the throats of many people. Hence artful and civilized way of speaking is highly recommended. Thus instead of shying away from interfaith dialogues Muslims should go ahead and get involved. Let the Arab Universities and Muslim institutions have courses in panel discussions, debates and public speaking to make interfaith dialogues More lively and academics oriented.
Nisaar Yusuf is a trainer in Islamic communication (nisaar_yusuf@ yahoo.com)
BAJEE opens new Computer Centre at Patna
Bihar Anjuman’s ladies’ wing, Bajee, Patna, has opened a computer training centre for girls in Sharif Colony, Patna. Bihar Anjuman, Patna chapter could be contacted for further details regarding admissions etc.