Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Under the Canopy |
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| Barr |
| 06/21/01 at 23:56:03 |
| Assalamu'alaikum... Just testing, first, whether this works, inshaAllah... [img]http://attach2.egroups.com/group/Cambodia2001/attach/3166807/220/gs-316=68=3166807/10-1-10-160/image=jpeg/p23.jpg[/img] |
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| Spring |
| 06/22/01 at 07:22:52 |
| [slm] Is that the building you were renovating in Cambodia?? |
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| eleanor |
| 06/22/01 at 13:20:50 |
| slm Are you in the photo sis? wasalaam eleanor |
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| BroHanif |
| 06/22/01 at 18:58:21 |
| A.W.W. Sis Barr, tell us about your field trip to Cambodia sometime, its high and lows, what your team acheived, number of muslims there, what sort of dawah you did etc etc. Really interested to hear about your experiences. As for photos well those without other beings present in em would be ok. Jajakallah, Hanif |
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| Barr |
| 06/22/01 at 19:54:53 |
| Assalamu'alaikum... Sorry, everyone... I need a bit more time, inshaALlah. A lot of things happened.. and I need to sort them out in my mind and heart to the board. Thanx for asking... I'll try and quicken my thought processes... but don't expect a lot, I may just post a one liner! (or is that against the constitution?) ;) Yes...that was the school which we renovated. And no, I am not in the pic *heh heh* but I can give U a pic that has me on it if U want Eleanor, but to U only :-) And erm... is there smt in the constitution abt sending photos with people? *Admin team?* coz, the photos tell a lot of things with people on it as it potrays action and does capture feelings as well.... and I don't have any without beings on it... OK, OK... so I did take some pictures of the clouds and the moon and the sunset... but I think U guys got the real thang to appreciate, innit? :) Jazakallah for asking everyone... just hold on awhile longer, please :) wassalam :-) |
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| jannah |
| 06/24/01 at 00:28:45 |
| I'd suggest not posting pictures of yourself publically.. but do share your experience with us please! |
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| Barr |
| 06/24/01 at 15:32:24 |
| Assalamu'alaikum... What is apparent may not be real... and the reality may not be apparent, yet... for us to see. Cambodia was a shock to me. Not because of the physical realities that I see, but certain things that Allah has shown me, along the way, mashaAllah. It took us nearly 12 hours to reach our destination. We left Singapore at abt 8:30am, and we reached the village at about 8:30pm. (or so, I think... I didn't bring my watch... don't ask me why.) It was a long journey, bumpy rides a short stop for lunch and solah, the ferry across the Mekong River, and more bumpy rides, U'd think you're on the bull at the rodeo (I'm not joking on that one!) We arrived with the villagers, all smiley, welcoming us, shaking our hands with warmth and gratitute, for the coming work that we'll do.... ================= It was during the bus ride, that I begin see a different lifestyle, a foreign way of living from what I am so used to.... The little wooden houses on high stilts, hammocks and bottled soft drinks and coconut water, in nearly every house. Smiling faces of children, some just wearing a long ethnically pretty printed skirt, some with worn-looking shorts and some, toddlers, wearing nothing at all. People riding on motorcycles without using safety helmets (shockohorror!), and ladies, sitting at the backseat of the motorcycle, with all legs to one side of the seat and some, one leg across another(so ladylike!), and yet, found the stability with all calmness on the bumpy motorcycle ride. This is the nation, that just suffered a tremendous test from ALlah, nearly 20 years ago. To be continued.... |
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| Barr |
| 06/25/01 at 02:21:15 |
| [img]http://attach6.egroups.com/group/Cambodia2001/attach/3166807/245/gs-316=68=3166807/10-1-10-160/image=jpeg/p20.jpg[/img] Some Cambodian Children.... The half-built mosque at the background [img]http://attach3.egroups.com/group/Cambodia2001/attach/3166807/212/gs-316=68=3166807/10-1-10-160/image=jpeg/p12.jpg[/img] The Singapore brothers and the villagers working together. The half-built mosque at the background. |
| Re: Under the Canopy |
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| Barr |
| 06/28/01 at 11:17:22 |
| Assalamu'alaikum, ... continuation... It was during my trip, that I found out that the Cambodian Muslims are actually from a place called Champa, which was once a part of Vietnam. But they were being thrown out of Vietnam, and seeked refuge in Cambodia, only to be persecuted by Polpot in the 70's. Millions of them were wiped out. And I wonder... It was during my trip that I met a man, with a strong spirit that still resides in him, for he has made a nazar and promised Allah when his father was dying due to Polpot's regime, that he would strive and give his life for Islam, so that their rights would not be trodden down anymore... so that they would all return to Islam, and achieve the 2 glad tidings - Live with honour or die for the Cause... And I wonder... As we distribute fidyah and sadaqah, to some villages, and I see the poverty... The small huts the students live in, the school that has no floorboards, but mere soil itself... the bare necessasities. But what I also see the calmness, peacefulness and contentment in them... in their eyes, in their speech... and I know, that they do not live in poverty, but in gratitude of Allah's blessings and the richness that they reap - every morsel from each portion of living that Allah has bestowed unto them... and I wonder.... So many things happened... and I wonder... Did we really help them.. or have they helped us? R we doing them a favour by helping them build the school, wells, distributing fidyah and sadaqah.. or have Allah done us a favour, through them.. that we realise, that His earth is wide, that the beauty of life that He brings stretches a vast expanse, that we have just begun to see, whereas it was once hidden by what we thought is apparent bliss? I wodnered if this is the path that will be with me till I die? I wondered if my life is in Cambodia, would I change? I wondered if the portion of life that is full of blessings that others may not receive that Allah has given me, is well spent in His cause.... The experience has been wonderful.. and I don't think I am able to articulate all, for I think there are certain things that I do want to keep in my heart - the good and the bad... I'm not saying that the trip has been all wonderful and perfect... but it is the "imperfections" in me on this trip that have brought one of the biggest lesson to me... I'm sorry I am not able to share it with you, for I think it's best that it stays within me, for now.... Perhaps, it is sufficient to say, that Allah, through His usual way that I would have never conceived, have shown me, another angle, another aspect of life, another perspective of da'wah, another sight of sacrifice, sabr (patience) and istiqamah (steadfastness).... I'd like to share a poem, that a friend passed to me, which I think have somewhat captured... though only a small extent... as to how I feel.... May Allah forgive me should I have failed to see His signs... or worse; seen it, but do not let it impact my life.... wallahua'lam :-) Comfort Zone I use to have a Comfort Zone Where I knew I couldn't fail The same four walls of busy work Were really more like jail I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before, But I stayed inside my Comfort Zone And paced the same old floor I said it didn't matter, That I wasn't doing much I said I didn't care for things Like diamonds, furs and such I claimed to be so busy With the things inside my zone, But deep inside I longed for Something special of my own. I couldn't let my life go by, Just watching others win. I held my breath and stepped outside And let the change begin. I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before, I kissed my Comfort Zone "goodbye" And closed and locked the door. If you are in a Comfort Zone, Afraid to venture out, Remember that all winners were At one time filled with doubt. A step or two and words of praise, Can make your dreams come true. Greet your future with a smile, Success is there for you! |
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| BrKhalid |
| 06/28/01 at 10:46:14 |
| Asalaamun Alaikum ;-) Jazakhallah khair Sr Barr for posting your thoughts with us ;-) I think there's a lot to be said for moving out of your usual environment once in a while and getting another perspective on how people live. |
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| Barr |
| 06/28/01 at 11:15:22 |
| Wa'alaikumussalam warahmatullah, akhi... Hmmm, I think I've cleared my debts, now :) [quote]I think there's a lot to be said for moving out of your usual environment once in a while and getting another perspective on how people live.[/quote] Sometimes, moving out from our usual environment, and getting back to nature once in a while, helps a lot... And sometimes, it is not about physically moving out of our usual environment... When Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Lion wore the green glasses, they thought what they saw was reality... till they take it off.... Hmmm... the Wizard of Oz, is one cool story... loads of lessons, mashaAllah. Wallahua'lam |
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