The question arises: Is God angry with the Pakistanis and hence we as a nation are being punished? But why and what about the innocent ones like Sher Muhammad who says: Amongst other things he had lost were hundred and twenty bags of maize. “That’s all I had. I have lost everything, my cattle and my orchard of apples that was ready for harvest. But I am grateful to Allah that we are alive.” (Dawn: When water became malevolent: Ismail Khan, Thursday, 19 Aug, 2010). Sher Muhammad seems like a grateful servant of Allah yet he is enveloped in this affliction. One may wonder.

We are always so quick to point fingers at the Creator and have the audacity to question Him – why God Why? Why us? What have WE done wrong? Do we sit to reflect to search for answers to this grave questioning? The question to ask ourselves before we ask Allah about His role of protecting the world and showing His omnipotence by saving and not harming people is: have we fulfilled our role as Muslims submitting wholly to Allah in the society? Have we taken the time out to look into the Qur’an to see what is our purpose of creation? Combine Quran in light of the current happening and the answer is blatant.  The answer in retrospective to these questioning in light of the current happenings around us will point right back at us.

Increased Killing in Islamic Republic of Pakistan

No day goes by when an innocent’s blood has not been shed in vain. Find a day when the news does not show any robbery, daka taking place where a whole network of plotters are not part of that heinous plan. August 2010 has witnessed: the murder of MPA Haider Raza who was killed inside a masjid, the killing of the surgeon, Dr. Javed Shakoor (owner of M.O Memon Hospital) who was just heading to his car, the  recent brutal killing of young Sialkot Brothers (August 15). Dawn News reported in December 2009: LAHORE: Pakistan has topped the list of sacrifices rendered by media persons in the line of duty in eight South Asian states.

According to data collected by the police, target killings began in the city soon after the February 2008 elections. Falling into several categories — ethnic, sectarian and terrorist/militant — the killings have spiked this year, with 228 deaths recorded between January and early August. In the first two weeks of August alone, over 140 people were killed in tit-for-tat violence following the killing of an MQM MPA and an ANP politician. (Coming full circle: violence in Karachi By Cyril Almeida 25 Aug, 2010).

This overlap was with the Holy Month of Ramadan. The fact remains whether it be the Holy Month or not, humans have no right morally, religiously, socially or at any level to take another human life unless under the specific circumstances in light of the Qur’an.

Killing in Light of Religion

Quran says:

Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allâh by committing the major sins) in the land!.[] Maidah 32

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

The Hour will come after a long period of turmoil, His companions asked: ‘What will that turmoil be? The Prophet (pbuh) replied: ‘lots of killing”(Muslim)

Currently small factions of sects and cast and political parties that have been created in Pakistan are killing for no particular reason accept they have been commanded to do so by their leaders. They don’t even realize why they are killing.

Now one might say, well I’m not doing any of the above and nor are the poor victims of the flood or the crash. When you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem? We in fact we make this very society. We may not be killing but are we doing other things which is not helping curb Allah’s anger? The Qur’an has given us our roles – do we do it? Do we amr bil maroof and yanhouna anil munkar – enjoin good and forbid evil. Everyone stood and watched the show of the Sialkot Brothers without budging. They could have at least moved away from the spectatorship and that is the least that could have been done.

Disobedience of God is spreading in our community that you may think is not so unforgivable but small evil leads to big evils. A child takes small steps first and then starts running. When we allow exchange of arms, and small alcohol shops to be opened up in our residential and don’t question when Muslims are the shops’ most prized customers, we are accepting this change. When we accept the indecencies in dress code of our ladies in the society and proudly call it fashion. When we copy all other religions that promote singing and dancing and sadly even justify it, when we lie, backbite, go against our parents will, intermix with the opposite gender or break the smallest of promises do we wonder whether we are making Allah angry? These are all what we are not supposed to be doing and yet we allow it, accept it and hence are content with it.

Allah may be angry but He is so Merciful He is still warning us through these calamities.  There is still a chance to not be like those perished nations mentioned in the Quran. He is reminding our nation – I am still above all that you humans claim. This is our Lord-The Oft Forgiving, who has created the heaven and earth for us, He has given us water in the right measurement for our benefit; He has subjugated the sun, moon and stars to serve us. He has preferred us above all of His creations. What do we do in return for Him? And on the whole if He is angry, it is His will. What we need to worry about is asking for a lot of forgiveness and repent for all our past sins whether big or small. Sins are sins. We need to say sorry Allah, we will try to rectify our ways as you have ordained a way for us to follow – the perfect way; Please forgive us and have Mercy on us as a nation collectively so we can be rightly guided.

Few Buzzes on the topic on various websites:

http://www.buzzvines.com/earthquake-hits-pakistan-lightning-kills-god-angry

http://www.topix.com/forum/world/pakistan/TCM2E4G54VMIQ791Ja

I ask the nation to demand Excellence… from ourselves … from our Heroes… from our nation builders…  Let’s seek again the days where we cherish the true heroes only and not drug addicts like Asif and Shoaib Akhtar .. or habitual betters like Kamran Akmal …. Let’s recall the days of Hero of Sharjah the legendary Miandad… of Sydney, the Tiger Imran Khan, of Dehli… The magician Hasan Sardar.

As today all of you (read us) are asking the question… What..? Why..? I do no more but to remind us of “HOW” we got here… let us recap the way us, the Pakistani nation have raced ourselves to “Mediocrity” and now digging to become the exemplary milestones of “Below Average Attitudes”

Let’s recall… how many times have we faltered in not recognizing the signs of the disaster that is today..

In year 2000 Waseem Akram and his cronies… Waqar Younis, Mushy and few others were allowed to survive with mere fines… Where Ata and Malik were banned for life, Akram was allowed to continue to play… for thinking that our cricket may crumble without him… Ladies and Gentleman… why did we forget no one is bigger than the game.. Akram back then is on record to state that …”Why the whole fiasco…. who doesn’t bet in Pakistan”….. Excuse me….. in one statement Mr. Akram reversed swung the allegation on himself and painted the whole nation as cheaters including me you and everyone else.. Why did not we ask Mr. Pakistan Wasim Akram back then that betting on your country’s national pride is like selling your motherland (read mother)… another country had this been…

Mr. Akram would have been banned for life from entering a cricket stadium… for indeed enough evidence were there including him sitting out the 1994 World Cup semi-final against India giving a stomach-flue reason, a game that Pakistan lost ultimately and then later loosing the biggest one sided games in the history of cricket World Cup finals to Australia in 1999 Lords.

And thanks to our shameless short memories and disgusting arrogance of people at the helm that those recommended as a result of that debacle 10 years ago to be kept at distance from Pakistan cricket such as Mushtaq, Waqar and Ijaz Ahmed and Wasim himself.. all landed some coaching assignments later in the future till today totally against the recommendations of Judicial commission set up to investigate.

Top on the list of idiot and arrogant so called cricketers is the Rawalpindi Express of the past that has been off-track for long now and is going in an unknown direction at full speed with no regard to any signals or guard whistles… Shoaib Akhtar has been in doping scandals (TWICE)… brawls…. Discipline breaches, partying late with girls in night clubs during matches.. hitting fellow cricketers and so on….

Should he be in psyche ward rather be in the national camp…. God knows why he is still around.. may be just to haunt us and taunt us….

Mohd Asif… isn’t he the same guy charged… convicted and banned for life from entering UAE for drug related felony just one year ago… why is he allowed to wear national color… the only color he should be wearing is the Jail suits I must say..My God the list of Pakistani cricketers looks like the cast ensemble of “Con-Air” the movie

Kamran Akmal who has mastered the art of dropping catches.. and black mailing the board …  One of the so many players we have with ZERO technique and … nothing else to offer… yet playing for 5 years now….Who can forget his blowing up in every major game .. with a mindless mind boggling shot…. Kamran alone has mastered all thoughtless reckless shots there could be (read would never be) in a cricket book.

Shahid Afridi…. The Ball eating… Ball Tempering king of the world.. .. The only Cricketer in the world who has survived without a brain and any batting technique for two decades…. Who should have been Doom Doom out of even club cricket in any reasonable cricketing nation… and what did we do.. MADE HIM CAPTAIN??? Shame on us… Welcome Nation… Welcome to Mediocrity.

And then there is a list …  Shoaib, “I am more interested in flirting with every other Indian born Girl” Malik…Younus, “Let me leave cricket for a year then come back at will” Khan…. And Yousuf…” I am yet to decide why I am playing Cricket”.

What kind of lousy ambassadors that we make idols of…. Bravo the mediocre nation…. Go for it.. that’s what you deserve.. no wonder you are FIXED…!

Last night as I was switching channels I came across the campaign launched by Olpers for creating awareness in this holy month of Ramadan and I must say that Olpers deserve round of a plause for this beautiful campaign. A simple message yet conveyed very beautifully and I am sure this will create a positive impact on the whole nation as it is the voice of every Pakistani.

Now every year on Ramadan I myself wait for Olpers new campaign because I know that with every campaign of Olper there is a message. It’s just a 1min add but the message is very powerful. As Muslims it’s necessary for us to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and for this we need to cleanse ourself on regular basics.

Media can play a vital role in creating awareness among people and just like last year this campaign by Olpers is a prime example of excellence which portrays a message of love, humanity and selflessness. In Ramadan we need motivation like this to gather more and more blessings from Allah and I salute Olpers on conveying this beautiful message to cleanse our souls. God bless Pakistan and God bless people of Pakistan.   Ameen

We appeal to all Pakistanis living in United States and elsewhere in the
world to generously donate to the following three Michigan based
Pakistani Organizations. Emergency assistance is urgently required and
your immediate assistance would be greatly appreciated. “In the
aftermath of the floods there is a serious risk to survivors from
potentially deadly diseases which will spread as a result of
contaminated surface and drinking water.” Your donations will help make
a difference to the people of Pakistan whose homes and livelihoods have
been washed away by severe monsoon floods.
Help your fellow Pakistanis with your Zakat during the holy month of
Ramadan.

Click Here <http://www.hdf.com/dotnetnuke/home.aspx>  to donate through
HDF – Human Development Foundation

Click Here <https://www.instantreg.com/appnadonations/>  to donate
through  APPNA  – Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of
North America

Donate Through: Hassan Foundation, 25779 Kelly Road, Suite C, Roseville,
MI 48066, TEL: 248-706-4066

A man marooned by flood waters, alongside his livestock, waves towards an Army helicopter for relief handouts in the Rajanpur district of Pakistan’s Punjab province on August 9, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

Pakistani villagers stand on the remains of a bridge washed away by heavy flooding in Bannu in northwest Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Ijaz Mohammad)

Pictures taken from US rescue helicopter shows the flooded area of Kallam valley on August 9, 2010. (FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP/Getty Images)

An aerial view of a man and his animals surrounded by floodwater in Taunsa near Multan, Pakistan, flooded on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistani villagers raise hands to get food dropped from an army helicopter at a flood-hit area of Kot Addu, in central Pakistan on Saturday, Aug. 7, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistani flood survivors climb on army helicopter as it distributes food bags in Lal Pir on August 7, 2010. (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)

An aerial view shows Nowshera city submerged in flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan on Friday, July 30, 2010. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

A man wades through flood waters towards a naval boat while evacuating his children in Sukkur, located in Pakistan’s Sindh province August 8, 2010. (REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)

Pakistani flood survivors cross a bridge near a damaged home in Medain, a town of Swat valley on August 2, 2010. (A Majeed/AFP/Getty Images)

Villagers wade through flood waters with their livestock while looking for higher grounds in Sukkur, Pakistan on August 8, 2010. Pakistani navy boats sped across miles of flood waters on Sunday as the military took a lead role in rescuing survivors from a devastating disaster that has killed 1,600 people and left two million homeless. (REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro)

Pakistan army soldiers pass a baby across a channel in the floodwater as they help people flee from their flooded village following heavy monsoon rains in Taunsa, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Residents stand near the path of flowing flood waters the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan’s Punjab province on August 9, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

A family being rescued by army soldiers passes a cargo truck with men on top taking shelter from heavy floods in Nowshera, Pakistan on July 31, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

A soldier evacuating residents carries a flood victim to a helicopter in Sanawa, Pakistan’s on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

An aerial view from a Pakistan army rescue helicopter shows personnel distributing water to flood-affected residents in Ghouspur, some 100 kilometers from Sukkur on on August 9, 2010. (ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images)

Pakistani flood survivors line up beside a damaged bridge in Medain, a town of Swat Valley on August 2, 2010. (A Majeed/AFP/Getty Images)

People wait to cross a flooded road in Bannu, northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Ijaz Mohammad)

A man walks through a flooded house in the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan’s Punjab province August 7, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

A man pushes his motorbike through flood waters in the Muzaffargarh district of Pakistan on August 8, 2010. (REUTERS/Adrees Latif)

An aerial view of floodwater covering the land as far as the eye can see, around Taunsa near Multan, Pakistan, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

Pakistani villagers chase after relief supplies dropped from an army helicopter in a heavy flood-hit area of Mithan Kot, in central Pakistan, Monday, Aug. 9, 2010. (AP Photo/Khalid Tanveer)

An aerial view, from a U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter en route to delivering humanitarian assistance supplies, shows the flood-damaged countryside in Ghazi, Pakistan ON August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Horace Murray/U.S. Army)

A boy sits on a bed as his family members salvage belongings from their destroyed house in Pabbi, Pakistan on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood)

Flood-affected people jostle for food relief in Nowshera in northwest Pakistan on Friday, Aug. 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad)

Pakistani flood survivors walk in the flooded area of Bssera village, 60 km south west of Multan, on August 10, 2010. (Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images)

Residents evacuate to safety in a flood-hit area of Nowshera, Pakistan on July 30, 2010. (A. MAJEED/AFP/Getty Images)

Onlookers perched on a damaged bridge watch a flood survivor use a rope to cross the river in Chakdara in Pakistan’s Swat Valley on August 3, 2010. (STRDEL/AFP/ Getty Images)

A family takes refuge on top of a mosque while awaiting rescue from flood waters in Sanawa, a town located in the Muzaffar Ghar district of Pakistan’s Punjab province on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

A woman yells as her child is evacuated from the roof of a mosque where residents were taking refuge from flood waters in Sanawa, Pakistan on August 5, 2010. (REUTERS/Stringer)

Nadeem Ahmed, head of the National Disaster Management Authority, said that the north-western province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and central province of Punjab had suffered most. Ahmed said 650,000 houses were damaged or destroyed and the country would need $2.5 billion for relief and rehabilitation after the worst floods in the country’s history.

There are two ways in which you can help flood effected people:

1. Send your donations on the below mentioned addresses
2. Make an Air tight plastic box
   

1) Send your donations to the following organizations

In Pakistan

Edhi Foundation
Al khidmat Foundation
Hidaya Foundation
Madagar Welfare Society
Pakistan Red Crescent Society
Sungi Development Foundation
UM Healthcare Trust
Haqeeqat.org
Donate via SMS by Tribune (only in Pakistan)

International Charity organization

Save the Children
Islamic Relief
Relief foundation
Human Development foundation
Helping Hands

2) Make an air tight plastic box

Fill an airtight plastic box with these items and drop them off to Edhi or Al khidmat Foundation

According a list issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NMDA), the key items required by flood affected people include

• High nutrition biscuits
• Dates
• Food packets (tea, sugar, milk powder, vegetable oil, pulses, spices)
• Mineral water
• Water coolers
• Cooking utensils
• Footwear for children
• Mosquito nets
• Blankets
• Bedspreads
• Floor mattresses
• Soap
• Hand towels
• Tooth paste
• Female sanitary pads
• Diapers
• Washing power and soap
• ORS
• Mosquito repellents
• Prickly heat powder
• Children anti-rash creams
• Water purification tablets
• Candles and match boxes
• Flashlights

The NMDA has also issued a list of assistance required from donors includes:

• Boats
• Tents
• Generators
• Water filtration plats
• De watering pumps
• Blankets
• Medicines
• Medical equipment
• Hygiene kits
• Non-perishable food items.

Also an e-commerce website Tohfay.com will be donating $1.00 (for Global orders) and Rs. 50 for local orders to the Flood Reliefs.

Every life lost in the flood is precious. Don’t think that you are safe, think that why GOD is angry with us. Make a donation but also try to analyze the cause of natural disaster. May Allah bless us all and give us hidayat  Ameen Sume Ameen.

Courtesy by Dawn.com

From the streets of Karachi to the bazaars of Faisalabad, here is a glance at Pakistan. Children play and enjoy the weather as it rains in Karachi.

These videos demonstrate how people on the streets of Karachi are brutally robbed. In some cases when they resist they are often hurt or even killed.

It’s really deteriorating  to see such crimes happening in the city.

Gangs of teenage boys armed with pistols operate in various parts of the city from early evening till late night. These criminals snatch mobile sets, handbags, watches or whatever they find from the victims. Upon resistance, the gangsters don’t hesitate to fire at passers-by.

One of my best friends experienced this 3 times, every time criminals came to him and snatched his mobile at gun point.

Karachi is the most effected city of the country.  36377 cell phone thefts or snatches have been reported in Karachi from February 2009 to January 2010.

Area wise details of thefts/Snatches are :

• 11.9% (9751) incidents took place in West Karachi
• 10.2% (8357) in South Karachi
• 8.6% (7030) in Malir
• 8.8% (7239) in Central Karachi
• 4.9% (4000) in West Karachi

If you are carrying a Nokia Cell Phone, you are more likely to get robbed (resale value of Nokia mobile phones maybe a reason).

74.5% Nokia Cell phones have been snatched followed by Samsung, which made it to mere 8.5%. 45 Trend mobile incidents are reported and in my opinion resale price might be a valid reason.

Snatchers like colors as well, Silver and Black are their favorite (I myself like Silver color : ))

Color wise details of thefts/Snatches are:

• Black 63495 (77.4%)
• Red 1828 (2.2%)
• Stone Silver 4550 (5.6%)
• White 1495 (1.8%)
• Blue 6433  (7.9%)
• Gray 2252 (2.7%)
• Others 1982 (2.4%)

Growing incidents of cell phone snatching is quite alarming; no recoveries are mentioned in the report presented by CPLC that is surprisingly unpleasant. This shows that authorities have failed to guide owners to use IMEI numbers for the recovery of stolen/snatched mobile. Stolen cell phones seem to have a vast market and are easily sold/purchased in the markets.

Another thing worth mentioning is that mobile sellers can easily reset IMEI numbers with the help of easily available software and failing the whole purpose of IMEI number.

Find IMEI number

To find your mobile phone IMEI number simply dial the sequence *#06# into the phone. The unique 15 digit IMEI code of your cell phone will be instantly displayed. Copy it and keep it in a safe place so that you can find it when you phone is misplaced or stolen.

Why is IMEI number useful?

How To Report Mobile Lost, Theft, Snatched

• Call Police at 15
• Call PTA (Pakistan Telecom Authority) at their toll Free Number 0800 – 25625
• Call CPLC (Citizen Police Liaison Committee) on 021-5682222 or FAX them at 021-5683336
• Complain at imei@pta.gov.pk

I want to give message to all those who are concern and responsible please do positive steps and make sure how to eliminate mobile snatching crime in Karachi in order to protect the assets of every citizen.

“If we all can join hands together, then we can beat this evil. But first, Join Hands”

Once again it is the mango fiesta season. We see streets filled with crates and piles of sweet luscious mangoes.
About the Fruit

Mango is a delicious and aromatic tropical fruit. Mango originated in Southeast Asia where it has been grown for over 4,000 years. Mango trees require hot, dry periods to set and produce a good crop. Over the years mango groves have spread to many parts of the tropical and sub-tropical world. Today there are over 1,000 different varieties of mangos throughout the world.

Health Benefits of Mango:

Not only is it delicious in taste, it is also beneficial as a fruit.

1. Mangoes contain phenols which are powerful antioxidant and contain anticancer abilities. Just one mango contains 1-3 times your recommended daily intake of Vitamin C and beta-carotene which fights  cancer. The antioxidants contained in a mango help fight Heart Diseases, Diabetes and Cancel – the three biggest killers in the western world.
2. Mango is high in iron (Pregnant women and people with anemia are advised to eat this fruit regularly).
3. Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.
4. It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion.
5. Mango is low in carbohydrates.
6. Mango is a rich source of vitamin A(beta-carotene), E and Selenium which help to protect against heart disease and other ailments.
7. Mangoes, both ripe and unripe are very good sources of vitamin C.
8. Eating mangoes in the season may provide a store of vitamin A in the liver, sufficient to last for the rest of the year and highly beneficial for the prevention of vitamin A deficient disorders like night blindness.

This article is not to make all of you sitting outside of Pakistan feel miserable that they cannot eat mango of Pakistan. The good news is that the United States is the largest importer of mangoes in the world fetching almost 45 per cent of the total mango imports.  Pakistan is considered as the second largest export of mangoes and exports to UAE, Saudi Arabia, UK, Bahrain, Singapore and some other countries.(Source: Dawn News)

So for everyone out there who is getting the real taste of mango – how can you make creative mango recipes in everyday meals? Here is a list of ideas that you can make the best of the mango season while it lasts! Of course for these recipes, canned mango pulp can always be substituted.

Mango Lassi

Mango Chutney

Mango ice cream

Mango Mousse

Mango Pudding

EMERGENCY DECLARED

MUSCAT/KARACHI: Cyclone Phet is heading towards Pakistan at wind speeds of up to 120 kilometres an hour on Friday after passing over Oman, Omani authorities said. “There were two causalities reported recorded so far,” an Omani civil defence spokesman was quoted as telling the official ONA news agency. “The cyclone has weakened in intensity since making landfall last night and its rating has been lowered from factor 3 to factor 1,” on a scale of one-to-five, he said. In Oman, winds were still blowing at 120 kilometres (75 miles) an hour, down from 180 kilometres per hour on Thursday, when alert levels were raised to orange (Regional Times)

As I watched the update on the Cyclone Phet, the cell phone beeped. I had a message. The message said: Hasten to seek forgiveness from your Lord. Send this message out to everyone so we can all collectively seek forgiveness of Him.

I smiled. How predictable is the nature of man. Some form of hurt or calamity even threatens to come near, we turn to the Creator. When it passes by, we go back to our daily routine of lives as if it never happened. How aptly it is mentioned in the Book and how beautifully the Creator knows His creation:

Surah Hud:

22. He it is Who enables you to travel through land and sea, till when you are in the ships and they sail with them with a favorable wind, and they are glad therein, then comes a stormy wind and the waves come to them from all sides, and they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allâh, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, saying: “If You (Allâh) deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful.”

23. But when He delivered them, behold! They rebel (disobey Allâh) in the earth wrongfully. O mankind! Your rebellion (disobedience to Allâh) is only against your ownselves, -- a brief enjoyment of this worldly life, then (in the end) unto Us is your return, and We shall inform you that which you used to do.

Then I turned my attention to my Facebook page. One interesting update of a friend was on the storm was: Oh the storm hype? So where is it? It was supposed to have come on Friday?!

Man is such a strange creature; will never be happy with the current situation. The want to actualize something that is clearly dangerous? They actually want the storm to happen to see what it would be like?

Surah Hud:

25. And indeed We sent Nûh (Noah) to his people (and he said): “I have come to you as a plain warner.”

26. “That you worship none but Allâh, surely, I fear for you the torment of a painful Day.”

Then later on:

32. They said: “O Nûh (Noah)! You have disputed with us and much have you prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful.”

People of Nuh AS are saying bring on the punishment if you are truthful. Just like we are sitting here amused at the storm updates and saying: So where is the storm that is so talked about.

This is not our place to challenge God to send us a thing that will eventually put us in severe trial. We may be cushioned in our homes but what about those who don’t have secure homes like us? This is our moment to reflect on the signs that are being presented to us and what has been presented to us time after time.

The Asia Tsunami Disaster of 2004

What happened in the Asia Tsunami Disaster of 2004. The entire Earth vibrated as much as 1 cm. Up to 5 million lost their homes or access to food and water, 1 million were left without the means to make a living, The Asian tsunami of December 26th, 2004 was undoubtedly one of the worst disasters in history.

Hurricane Katrina of 2005

Hurricane Katrina of 2005 in the US was the deadliest in the history of the US. Nearly 1,600 died in Louisiana alone with massive flooding in New Orleans when

its levees failed.  The storm displaced about 300,000 people and caused over $80 billion in damage.

Surah Anfal:

25. And fear the Fitnah (affliction and trial, etc.) which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong (but it may afflict all the good and the bad people), and know that Allâh is Severe in punishment.

The belief is not that necessarily we have done bad deeds generally so bad is bound to happen to us as sometimes most of us believe. These disasters are signs for us to reflect on. These are trials to test how we respond to them. These are opportunities given to us to think how transient life really is. How much is really not in our control, yet we start planning our day at the minutest level beginning from our breakfast to what we are going to wear. Why do we not let go a little of what I CAN CONTROL and for once put our trust in the All Mighty for the positive implementation of our daily plans? Why do we have to take all matters in our hands? Could we have prevented any of the above said disasters? Can we ward off the storm? We don’t have that capacity.

In light of this new perspective on the storm, what is that we can hasten to before it is too late. We can remove grudges from our hearts against those we love. We can smile more often at each other. We can take time out of our mechanical lives to appreciate the natural beauty of the world. We can take time out to appreciate the innocence of our children. We need to learn to forgive. We need to be able to We need to concentrate on praying and turning to God more often.  These should be the lesson for us in the above mentioned calamities that hit our fellow humans and took their lives. It was sudden and we could cease to exist suddenly. Let’s use this reminder to mend our ways and our dealings with those around us and to turn to the Creator before it is too late.

Now let me give you some feedback on the game:

Graphics

First thing which attracts any gamer towards the game is graphics and I must say that “boys have done well” in this area. You can feel your presence in the field. So very realistic bowling action; batting with six, four, ones and twos.

Game play

Now you must be thinking that since it’s a realistic game so obviously controls must be hard so let me tell you that it’s the easiest cricket game I have ever played.

In batting there are just two combinations you have to deal with. For ground shots press and hold ”Z” key and for hitting the ball in any direction press the direction hey (like for hitting the ball straight press Z + down arrow hey).  If you want to hit six; press X key with combination of any arrow key.

Bowling is also very easy. Just press Z key to mark amount of swing/spin and again press Z key to control the phase of the ball.

You can also practice in the nets and make yourself familiar with the shots to play with particular deliveries.

Strategy

The best thing about this game is that you can set your own strategy. You can change bowlers; you can set your customized team for effective game play. There is also an option of auto-play which enables auto-play bowling/batting and this will give you chance to make tea or coffee for yourself.

Conclusion

One more innovation which I loved is that you can also chat with the other user while playing. So very interesting; you can also bride the other user haha….

This game clearly shows that we Pakistani’s have full potential to move on with the world, to make new innovations and we know how to utilize our potential very well.

A complete package of fun, enjoyment and time pass. Play it and you’ll love it.