iMuslim.tv

Dude! Bacteria Are, Like, Democratic?

// April 15th, 2009 // 8 Comments » // Blog

Watching this video reminds me of why I love Biology so much. I'd kinda forgotten during the malaise of my PhD. But I really do love scientific discovery.

If you made it to the end of the video: that's a traditional thing among Biologists when they give presentations; they usually big up the rest of their lab via a group photo. See how many people were working on just ONE biochemical pathway? Admittedly, it's a fascinating one, with potentially huge implications; so I doubt Dr Bassler has any problem finding the funding to hire so many eager PhD students and young postdocs.

During my PhD, the neighbouring lab group that shared our floor was largely focussed on researching one gene. I regularly observed the individual team members pairing off to converse about their latest findings, generating new ideas along the way. In contrast, every member of our group was working on a separate pathway, with little crossover between us. Well, I did have another PhD student researching the same gene set as me: but she wasn't one for sharing, unfortunately.

I never really had anyone to bounce ideas off of during my project. I had plenty of people to turn to for technical assistance, but not inspiration. I have learnt that if am not sufficiently inspired, then I become very inefficient in my duties. You don't go into something as dynamic as scientific research for it to then become one big chore. I may as well return to working as a till girl at the local supermarket: the pay is comparable, and I'd have a far more healthy social life.

Watching the video reminded me of why I love Biology… but also, why I love working with people who love Biology as much as I do. I don't know if I'll ever return to working in a laboratory – but it's nice to know that some loves are more constant than others.

Viva Palestina Have Reached Gaza!

// March 9th, 2009 // 4 Comments » // Blog

Viva Palestina Update
15.30 (GMT) Monday 9th March 2009

GROWN MEN CRYING…THE SIEGE IS BROKEN… ON THE DAY THE PROPHET WAS BORN

And they entered side by side like heroes, some on foot some in their vehicles, tears, smiles, hugs, flowers. It was historic, it was legendary. Gaza we are here. We have fulfilled the promise – Viva Palestina! The lifeline from the people of Britain to you, the people of Gaza, has arrived.

We have broken the barriers, we have opened closed borders, we have defied the odds,we have overcome the challenges across thousands of miles and three continents. We are here to be with you, to embrace you, to share your tragedy with you.

After another morning of intense negotiations, a deal was reached to allow all of the members of the convoy to go through. In the end, Viva Palestina had to make the sacrifice of agreeing that some vehicles will have to cross the border from the Al Ouja Israeli controlled crossing point. This includes our mascot, the fire engine and the boat. This was due to the restrictions imposed by Egyptian law governing the Rafah Crossing.

A tearful Talat Ali told me that 'Rafah is the most beautiful crossing in the world', he also said that the time , effort and sacrifices put in by all the Viva Palestina family meant that history has been made today – on the day the prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was born.

George Galloway made an emotional speech thanking the people of Gaza for the wonderful reception and assuring them that for Viva Palestina and in our millions, “WE ARE ALL PALESTINIANS!” George also reiterated that the people of Palestine have voted and that their voice should be respected.

Today the convoy will head along the Salah Eddine road towards Gaza City witnessing along the way the destruction and death caused by the Israeli war machine. Along the way they will be greeted by the people of Gaza who will know that Viva Palestina is here and that they will NEVER BE ALONE.

Farid Arada

Sign up for e-mail updates, and donate to the cause at VivaPalestina.org

Celebrating the Prophet’s Birthday

// February 23rd, 2009 // 7 Comments » // Blog

Something new that I learnt today, from the lips of Sh. Yasir Qadhi, during an AlMaghrib Q&A session…

It's not actually an innovation to celebrate the Prophet's birthday, sallalahu 'alayhi wa salam. It just depends on the manner in which you do it:

Abu Qatada Ansari (Allāh be pleased with him) reported that Allāh's Messenger (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: “It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.” [Sahih Muslim]

Thus, according to the sheikh, the Prophet actually 'celebrated' his own birthday every week – by fasting Mondays!

So, if you're looking to mark the blessed occasion, that's the Sunnah way to do it. And Allāh knows best.

Amazing!

—

Update (11/03/2009): The sheikh has posted an article regarding the Mawlid on MuslimMatters.org.

Happy Valentine Palestine

// February 14th, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Blog

Let's forget the halality or haramity of Valentines Day for a moment. Today, true love was in the air at Hyde Park.

That was the departure point for the Viva Palestina convoy, who are now all on their way to Ramsgate, from where they will begin their long journey to Gaza.

I didn't expect it, but I was quite overcome by emotion at times: both with joy, as well as a happy kind of sadness. My heart was genuinely moved by the people around me. We should all thank Allāh for allowing us to witness such devotion and selflessness. Alhamdulillah. In fact, such were my feelings, that I was sufficiently motivated to come down to the Apple Store, just so I could blog about it!

(more…)

Viva Palestina: Send Your Love To Gaza

// February 12th, 2009 // No Comments » // Video

The British MP, George Galloway, has launched a bold, new initiative to help the beleaguered people of Gaza, called Viva Palestina. On February 14th 2009, he will lead a large convoy from London, all the way through Europe and North Africa by road, to personally deliver much needed aid into Gaza.

Find out how you can help at http://vivapalestina.org.

Closed Captions available

Men, Takest Thou A Tip From Romeo

// December 24th, 2008 // 13 Comments » // Blog

Did my heart love till now?
Forswear it, sight.
For I ne'er saw true beauty till
this night.

Act 1, Scene 5, Romeo & Juliet, William Shakespeare.

Speakest thou such sweet words to thine blushing bride on her wedding night, to win Juliet's tender heart for all eternity.

Just a suggestion.

Rocks

// November 8th, 2008 // 12 Comments » // Blog

Sometimes, it feels like there sits a rock where your heart should be…

But God says:

Even after that, your hearts became as hard as rocks, or even harder;

For there are rocks from which streams spring out,

And some from which water comes when they split open,

And others which fall down in awe of God:

He is not unaware of what you do.

Holy Qur'an 2:74

Perhaps emotional anguish creates the cracks within a stony heart,

from which purifying rivers burst forth?

Perhaps it is the only way for rocks,

caged within steel ribs,

to be humbled;

that they may fall down,

prostrate,

in awe of their Lord.

If so…

Allahu akbar for a broken heart.

The Need for Social Relevance

// October 30th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Blog

May Allāh bless Imam Webb, and make him better, and better, and better, and have a long life! Āmīn. And may He give us many more of his kind. In fact, may He make *us* the Imam Webbs of our own communities. Āmīn thumma āmīn!

So, what's your idea(s) for making your Islam more socially relevant? Write them in the comments. Be anonymous if you wish; let's get those brains working! No point being inspired, if we don't use the inspiration, right?

Then let us help each other to translate those ideas into action, inshā’Allāh.

Romancing The Scholar

// October 18th, 2008 // 9 Comments » // Blog

It seems Muslim scholars of old knew how to make the ladies swoon… Seriously, if this doesn't get you singletons sighing wistfully, and you marrieds gesturing blissfully at your spouses, I don't know what will!

AE: She Was Asleep. I Kissed Her. She Awoke.

Female, Muslim & Single? Look Away Now!

// October 13th, 2008 // 2 Comments » // Blog

Because another wonderful, Muslim male has been snapped up, off the market – Alhamdulillah! More specifically, my fellow Ijtema editor, and dearest bro in Islam, Faraz bhai.

Let us join together in offering our sincerest congratulations and prayers to the new, and inshā’Allāh, happily-ever-after, couple!

Not here, silly… on his blog. {grins}