Dear All,
I messed up with my numbering, I thought I had done 7 for the month but turns out I did 8. So this one will be a bumper final one of the month issue!
Well I played my first competitive game for Soccer (after all I do play for a US company) and it was tough. I was running late and got lost on the way so I missed the warm up before the game, and so I was on the sub-bench, however to be honest I expected to be on the sub bench, as the starting defence is quite strong, so its hard to break into, anyway I was warming up on the sidelines, and the right midfielder felt tired, so I was told to come on for him, I was shitting myself, as you need a lot of pace to be in midfield generally or at least stamina, and as im on the right I need extra pace, anyway as I now have a natural instinct to defend, I was playing more of a right-wing back. My first few touches were ok, a ill shaky but ok. Each half was 30 mins, and I came on around 20-25mins of the first half. At halftime I told the manager, that I think I should go back as sub and wait for a defender to come off, but he told me im doing fine and to stay on. So with a lil confidence boost I started the second half, we were losing 1-0 at this point, (the scored when I wasn't on the pitch!) however I intercepted a pass in the middle of the pitch and it fell to one of our players who put through another of our players and we scored to go 1-1. Then we got another shortly after to make it 2-1. Then what I feel my best moment of the game came, the right back passed it to me, and I flicked it up and there was a guy coming to me on my side and from behind, and I flicked it over their head to our striker who was pretty much on his own with the goalkeeper, but he missed it, if it had gone in I would have been a legend! Made me so frustrated how my performance really does correlate with the rest of the team, like the saying their is no I in team. Anyway I played the whole of the second half, and we conceded 2 late goals, and lost the game 3-2, I have to say that they deserved it, as they did out-play us for most of the first half, and had more chances on goal. I spoke to the manager, saying next time I preferred to go Centre back or right back as I don't have the energy for mid-field not just yet anyway! Oh and i forgot something else, in the game some guy did a high tackle on me, and because im so used to playing 'ghettoo/street' football i jus played on, but the Ref blew his whistle for a foul, i forgot about the whole ref thing, but made me realise next time im going to be like Didlier Nigobra and jus fall all over the pitch when i get tackeled, what a difference the ref makes! I played football on sunday as well, in training, and i had a awesome game, i havent scored many goals for a long time, and i seriously lacked belief in my scoring ability but i was back to my glorious best, especially as i intercepted a ball and scored from my own half! I still wouldnt want to play in attack jus yet, but with the game against Shell tonight, u never know!
So the world of current affairs, well I have been telling people I would talk about it and I will but not as in depth as I would like to, as its quite old now. Well its the whole Somalia and Ethiopian battle against the Islamists, I think its ridiculous how a make-shift government that only exists because of western backing, allows a army from another country and destroy its own citizens. The attacks on the Islamists also largely hit civilian areas, when will the US learn, their PR (check out the BBC world poll) is getting destroyed and because they get involved in things that are clearly their biggest problem. To be honest im not really on the side of the Islamists as from some reports it seemed like they were the Taliban, and after learning of how oppressive they were I began to dislike them, In a ideal world the militants from both sides, the Ethiopians and the islamists or taleban and us army destroy each other, and allow all the chilled out people of the world, so jus enjoy their lives, because as long as one is dominant the world will not be safe.
It feels like the West or US is winning its battle with Islamic Militancy, from what I read, In the South of the Philippines, the group Abu Sayyaf, is being destroyed with philipeno troops backed by US ones, the Islamists retreated, The Lebanese government is trying to win back control of Hezbollah, The Fatah Party is over-riding Hamas right to govern, and Pakistan is attacking the Mountain areas to sort it all out. It seems like apart from Iraq, American is achieving its aims, and whilst American concentrates on all this, it allows China, Russia and India to become rival superpowers, China managed to achieve over 10% economic growth this year,and will soon have more internet users than USA, its clear that they will be a superpower. As with Russia with its vast energy supplies and the ever increasing dependency on it by the EU and Asia means Russia will generate vast sums of money and therefore increase its military mite especially considering the history it has with China and especially with USA. India is more difficult to assess, i mean they have frosty relations with China that is only starting to warm up, they do have good releation with USA and especially Russia, however due to its mixed relgious populoution, and extreme poverty, disputes with Pakistan, I dont think India will be able to compete with the other three but play a role like that of Japan, or UK,France,Germany and potentially Brazil. Its intresting how population sizes are becoming increasingly important, Brazil the most populous country in South America, Germany in the EU, then China,India and USA with the largest populations in that order, you would think though those countries have more workers, they still have to provide and pay more people. I think the only country really to adapt to large populations and achieve quality of life significantly is China, where its helped move around 300-400 million people out of poverty over the last 20 years. Its a phenomenal stat, and something they should be proud of.
There has been continuing fighting over the weekend between Hamas and Fatah, which is jus plain ridiciulous, i mean its not like they have enough to worry about yet fighting amonst each other, it jus saddens me sectarian violence, be in it Iraq, Ireland, Turkey or Palestine. Its a shame when people who would normally consider themselves brothers or sisters, end up killing each other because of the differences between em, its such a shame and i really dont want to go into it as its really upsetting.
Aneway im off now, got to get ready for the big game, however I will be back very soon(i promise!)
Adios
Asif
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Now thats What I call Qatar 37: The XI Jinn
Dear All,
Tonight I have my first proper competitive 11 a side football game for 2 years, and im well nervous! I have been put in defence, which im happy with, as I am no where near as fit as I was a few years ago (and that must be saying something considering I was never slim Jim then (except my time in Thailand....aaaahhh the skinny days!)) however I have a good reading of the game, and can make good passes, so I think as a centre back I can be useful, my heading is quite poor mainly due to my height and my fear of losing brain cells!
So tonights game is against Scotland, (there is a corporate league and one company decided to call their team Scotland)l, Shell, England and I don't know the names of the other two teams, are the rest of the teams that make up the league.
We play 10 games, and then have a playoff competition, where 4placed plays 1st and 2nd vs 3hird! I will keep you informed as to how we do!
My flat mate is moving out and moving with the guys across the corridor, and so I am trying to get moved in their flat across the corridor as its bigger, but I have to persuade the guy in charge, and its a long'ting! I felt quite down when the whole thing with them moving was going through and they asked me to move with em, but I felt it would be better to stay in my current place as I am happy with it, and they aren't far away,so we should all remain tight. But what I will really miss is someone else in the flat, as were both sure that the flat is haunted and im shittin myself when he leaves what will happen. The number of things that have happened is phenomenal and so vast would take 5 pages, however basically last night it confirmed my suspicions that something is not in the flat and building, and I am sure there is some sort of spirit (in Islam we call is a Jinn), as it keeps doing crazy shit,shit that u cant explain, and led me to running out of the building last night!! Lol I know alot of u will think im crazy but im telling u there is something up!
Anyway I know I have written much recently, however this weekend I plan to rectify that and write a good one as a penillutimate one for January.
Tonight I have my first proper competitive 11 a side football game for 2 years, and im well nervous! I have been put in defence, which im happy with, as I am no where near as fit as I was a few years ago (and that must be saying something considering I was never slim Jim then (except my time in Thailand....aaaahhh the skinny days!)) however I have a good reading of the game, and can make good passes, so I think as a centre back I can be useful, my heading is quite poor mainly due to my height and my fear of losing brain cells!
So tonights game is against Scotland, (there is a corporate league and one company decided to call their team Scotland)l, Shell, England and I don't know the names of the other two teams, are the rest of the teams that make up the league.
We play 10 games, and then have a playoff competition, where 4placed plays 1st and 2nd vs 3hird! I will keep you informed as to how we do!
My flat mate is moving out and moving with the guys across the corridor, and so I am trying to get moved in their flat across the corridor as its bigger, but I have to persuade the guy in charge, and its a long'ting! I felt quite down when the whole thing with them moving was going through and they asked me to move with em, but I felt it would be better to stay in my current place as I am happy with it, and they aren't far away,so we should all remain tight. But what I will really miss is someone else in the flat, as were both sure that the flat is haunted and im shittin myself when he leaves what will happen. The number of things that have happened is phenomenal and so vast would take 5 pages, however basically last night it confirmed my suspicions that something is not in the flat and building, and I am sure there is some sort of spirit (in Islam we call is a Jinn), as it keeps doing crazy shit,shit that u cant explain, and led me to running out of the building last night!! Lol I know alot of u will think im crazy but im telling u there is something up!
Anyway I know I have written much recently, however this weekend I plan to rectify that and write a good one as a penillutimate one for January.
Monday, January 22, 2007
Now that's what I call Qatar 36: Forgotton Tidbits...
Yo yo
(the following was written on Sunday 21st January(my mums bday!)
its bright and beautiful Sunday morning in Doha, and I feel refreshed after the glorifies weekend!
I had a pleasant weekend, more so when I was watching Chelsea being destroyed by the scum of Liverpool, I was loving my prediction coming true, Kuyt scoring, however my biggest delight came when Brad Friedal the Blackburn goalkeeper, kicks the ball all the way to the blackburn attacker Matt Derbyshire, who scores, to give good ol Brad a assist,along with his clean sheet! not bad not bad at all, I was at best hoping he would get 2 clean sheets, so 12 points plus (double for making him captain) so 24, however hes performing well beyond my expectations!
There is a couple of things I have forgotten to mention over the last few editions, which I always mean to, firstly when I was writing my review of the year, I neglected to mention mine and Shaminas trip to Marrakech in Morocco, I guess I keep forgetting as Shamina didn't like it, so I kinda block it from my memory, as she just found the people to be and I found the people really money oriented, like noone would help you unless u gave em money, it was really bad, however it was a nice get away and after a terrible first night, we managed to settle down into a 5 star hotel resort, and it was so nice to get away for a week.
Now its Monday 22nd, and I jus witnessed one of the biggest robberies of mankind, I dont know how arsenal da wankers manage it, they did it in the fa cup final a couple years ago and again yesterday, its a joke, Im glad RVP is out with injury, and as my loyalty to man utd I will be selling him in my fantast football, hopefully for a man utd player, either rooney, larsson or saha.
Well were still comfatably in the lead in the premiership so im not too annoyed but would have been good to go 3 games up on chelsea!
Aneway I need to mention what Asaker Anwar did for me, as if it wasnt for him, I would be so bored every evening and weekends, on new years eve/day he spent hours giving me all the tv shows that I watch, such as Las Vegas, Weeds, Greys Anatomy, and Heros as well as loads of films, and I really appreciate what he did, as it kinda ruined his evening, yet he didnt say anything and it shows what a good guy he is, how hes related to that evil brother of his I never know, however theres always a black sheep in every family.
Aneway I best go take care
Asif
(the following was written on Sunday 21st January(my mums bday!)
its bright and beautiful Sunday morning in Doha, and I feel refreshed after the glorifies weekend!
I had a pleasant weekend, more so when I was watching Chelsea being destroyed by the scum of Liverpool, I was loving my prediction coming true, Kuyt scoring, however my biggest delight came when Brad Friedal the Blackburn goalkeeper, kicks the ball all the way to the blackburn attacker Matt Derbyshire, who scores, to give good ol Brad a assist,along with his clean sheet! not bad not bad at all, I was at best hoping he would get 2 clean sheets, so 12 points plus (double for making him captain) so 24, however hes performing well beyond my expectations!
There is a couple of things I have forgotten to mention over the last few editions, which I always mean to, firstly when I was writing my review of the year, I neglected to mention mine and Shaminas trip to Marrakech in Morocco, I guess I keep forgetting as Shamina didn't like it, so I kinda block it from my memory, as she just found the people to be and I found the people really money oriented, like noone would help you unless u gave em money, it was really bad, however it was a nice get away and after a terrible first night, we managed to settle down into a 5 star hotel resort, and it was so nice to get away for a week.
Now its Monday 22nd, and I jus witnessed one of the biggest robberies of mankind, I dont know how arsenal da wankers manage it, they did it in the fa cup final a couple years ago and again yesterday, its a joke, Im glad RVP is out with injury, and as my loyalty to man utd I will be selling him in my fantast football, hopefully for a man utd player, either rooney, larsson or saha.
Well were still comfatably in the lead in the premiership so im not too annoyed but would have been good to go 3 games up on chelsea!
Aneway I need to mention what Asaker Anwar did for me, as if it wasnt for him, I would be so bored every evening and weekends, on new years eve/day he spent hours giving me all the tv shows that I watch, such as Las Vegas, Weeds, Greys Anatomy, and Heros as well as loads of films, and I really appreciate what he did, as it kinda ruined his evening, yet he didnt say anything and it shows what a good guy he is, how hes related to that evil brother of his I never know, however theres always a black sheep in every family.
Aneway I best go take care
Asif
Friday, January 19, 2007
Now that's What I call Qatar 35 : The Racist..
Well well heres another shot in the arm for those Stormy786 addicts....i
know who u r...
Well its the weekend in Doha, and its so chilled, I always loved Fridays,even in England, out of principle i would never do work on a friday, its bby
far my favourite day, and not because in Islam its considered the holy day> like Sunday in Christianity(or Saturday for Jews) but its jus like the
Crunchie (a UK choclate) Advert used to say, that Friday feeling.... its a
awesome feelin, where ur worries go away, and u can do as u please, sleep,
go out, u have no constraints, for those who know me well know just how
highly i regard my fridays!
Plus one of my close friends here in Qatar, just got a new car, the
H2(Hummer) and its a huge beast, that jus demolishes everything in front of
it, its so beautiful inside, easily the most comfatable thing i have been
in, its the closest thing to a tank that is allowed on the road probably,
yet its really fast and jus a sweet ride, i know i wont be able to drive
one, at least not yet, so if i do get one it wud be a h3.
I have been reading about shilpa sheetty in big brother in tke uk and her
alleged rasism against her, i havent seen the episodes but its making big
news througout hte world, well i dont have much to say about goody and the
other white trash, i mean within people like that the fact that their
uneducated and unaware of the implications of what they say, Im sure they
all thought they wud do well before the show started, and that especially
jade, that because she was populour once she wud be again, however what has
actually been evident is the lack of knowledge and lack of multicultrism
within the uk. People say the USA is a a hotebead for ignorance but i have
to say the UK and (Austraila for that matter) are not far behind, its not
that the people in big brother are rascist as such, because I think u need
to be intelligent to really be-prejudice against someones race, i rather
think that they are just purely ignorant to the fact that people of a
different skin colour to pink, wud be intelligent or succesful, its more of
a jealousy thing. Obviously their are under-tones of it being a white
supremcy thing, however generally i think with people like that, it pisses
me off but not because their being racists or discriminating btu the basis
their doing it on, I will be honest i look down on people like that, I have
had a 10x better education and living standard than the majority of people
with those views, and when they see my in the street they have their
negative thoughts, however I have my own thoughts and they are often of pity
when it coems to people like that...
It was Muhammad Alis bday the other day, and he may not reach his next
birthday as his Parkinson is getting worse, i feel really bad about it, and
its such a shame, I think hes a amazing person, and like Martin Luther,
Malcom X, and Rosa Parks changed the future for all african americans and i
wont go too much into but i think alot of em didnt take he opportunites
afforded to them by those above. Its a shame because they were all truly
revolutionary figures, and their actions shud be worth alot mroe than 1000's
of urban ghettos riddled with drugs and violence....
Finally i saw a accident a really bad one, it was so horrible, a van was driving through a junction and was full of asians, and a land cruiser went across the junction hitting the van, we hear a large bang, and the land cruiser hitting the traffic light. and a tyre flying in the air and rolling infront of us, it was like something wrong a film, i couldnt belive it! I ran out of my car, along with other people from other cars, iwas ringing 999 but no1 was answering (how fucked is it, that no1 wasanswering lucky other people were there ringing em, but imagine i was on my own) aneway there wasa old man in the land cruiser in the passenger seat, his door was stuck and he was bleeding all over his head, and his eye had blood in it, it was so graphic,and then we all tried opening the door but it wouldnt so we tried pulling i open still didnt, we then got his walking stick trying to jar the door open, by this time alot of other people had come around the car, so i left it, whilst all my other friend was waiting for me in the car, I ran to the other car and to c on the indians, and no1 was with them, i felt realyl bad as they were badly injured as well, yet everyone was with the arabs, i spoke to the driver tellin him to get out, but some arab told me to wait, i said no, because their was oil leaking from the car, and it was dangerous, the driver didnt seem tooo bad, however one of hisd passengers couldnt move, i went to him, and i saw he had blood under his clothes, it was terrible, by now the police and ambulence came, so my mate told me to leave, i felt so helpless, i really wantedt o help, and i waited to make sure the asians got some medical attention which they did finally towards the end, it was jus so scary really makes u think about driving...
aneway i best leave Well aneway thats me for today hope you all have a good day like I will cuz(drive SAFELY)
ITS FRIDAY!!!
know who u r...
Well its the weekend in Doha, and its so chilled, I always loved Fridays,even in England, out of principle i would never do work on a friday, its bby
far my favourite day, and not because in Islam its considered the holy day> like Sunday in Christianity(or Saturday for Jews) but its jus like the
Crunchie (a UK choclate) Advert used to say, that Friday feeling.... its a
awesome feelin, where ur worries go away, and u can do as u please, sleep,
go out, u have no constraints, for those who know me well know just how
highly i regard my fridays!
Plus one of my close friends here in Qatar, just got a new car, the
H2(Hummer) and its a huge beast, that jus demolishes everything in front of
it, its so beautiful inside, easily the most comfatable thing i have been
in, its the closest thing to a tank that is allowed on the road probably,
yet its really fast and jus a sweet ride, i know i wont be able to drive
one, at least not yet, so if i do get one it wud be a h3.
I have been reading about shilpa sheetty in big brother in tke uk and her
alleged rasism against her, i havent seen the episodes but its making big
news througout hte world, well i dont have much to say about goody and the
other white trash, i mean within people like that the fact that their
uneducated and unaware of the implications of what they say, Im sure they
all thought they wud do well before the show started, and that especially
jade, that because she was populour once she wud be again, however what has
actually been evident is the lack of knowledge and lack of multicultrism
within the uk. People say the USA is a a hotebead for ignorance but i have
to say the UK and (Austraila for that matter) are not far behind, its not
that the people in big brother are rascist as such, because I think u need
to be intelligent to really be-prejudice against someones race, i rather
think that they are just purely ignorant to the fact that people of a
different skin colour to pink, wud be intelligent or succesful, its more of
a jealousy thing. Obviously their are under-tones of it being a white
supremcy thing, however generally i think with people like that, it pisses
me off but not because their being racists or discriminating btu the basis
their doing it on, I will be honest i look down on people like that, I have
had a 10x better education and living standard than the majority of people
with those views, and when they see my in the street they have their
negative thoughts, however I have my own thoughts and they are often of pity
when it coems to people like that...
It was Muhammad Alis bday the other day, and he may not reach his next
birthday as his Parkinson is getting worse, i feel really bad about it, and
its such a shame, I think hes a amazing person, and like Martin Luther,
Malcom X, and Rosa Parks changed the future for all african americans and i
wont go too much into but i think alot of em didnt take he opportunites
afforded to them by those above. Its a shame because they were all truly
revolutionary figures, and their actions shud be worth alot mroe than 1000's
of urban ghettos riddled with drugs and violence....
Finally i saw a accident a really bad one, it was so horrible, a van was driving through a junction and was full of asians, and a land cruiser went across the junction hitting the van, we hear a large bang, and the land cruiser hitting the traffic light. and a tyre flying in the air and rolling infront of us, it was like something wrong a film, i couldnt belive it! I ran out of my car, along with other people from other cars, iwas ringing 999 but no1 was answering (how fucked is it, that no1 wasanswering lucky other people were there ringing em, but imagine i was on my own) aneway there wasa old man in the land cruiser in the passenger seat, his door was stuck and he was bleeding all over his head, and his eye had blood in it, it was so graphic,and then we all tried opening the door but it wouldnt so we tried pulling i open still didnt, we then got his walking stick trying to jar the door open, by this time alot of other people had come around the car, so i left it, whilst all my other friend was waiting for me in the car, I ran to the other car and to c on the indians, and no1 was with them, i felt realyl bad as they were badly injured as well, yet everyone was with the arabs, i spoke to the driver tellin him to get out, but some arab told me to wait, i said no, because their was oil leaking from the car, and it was dangerous, the driver didnt seem tooo bad, however one of hisd passengers couldnt move, i went to him, and i saw he had blood under his clothes, it was terrible, by now the police and ambulence came, so my mate told me to leave, i felt so helpless, i really wantedt o help, and i waited to make sure the asians got some medical attention which they did finally towards the end, it was jus so scary really makes u think about driving...
aneway i best leave Well aneway thats me for today hope you all have a good day like I will cuz(drive SAFELY)
ITS FRIDAY!!!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Now that's what I call Qatar 34: What does Dubai, NFL,Roman, Heinze,LA Galaxy, This weekend All have in Common?? Read on to find out!
Dear All,
2 entries in 3 days, woah someone's on a roll!! can I make it three this weekend? only time will tell only time will tell....
What they all have in common is that I will be talking about them!
Well one of the biggest news of last week was Beckhams deal to LA Galaxy, for a stupendous million dollars a week, that's some serious cash, even if the dollar is weak, the guy is making mega bucks for jus playing a sport he loves and doing it in a hot country,where he has everything he has ever wanted! Some people get all the luck. Well I think good on him, he has got slated so much in the past, for the world cup, for getting fame to his head, for his wife, for his fallout with fergie, for numerous things at Madrid, and so on, yet he is the one laughing whilst all the media who hate on him, are now watching him do things they only dreamt of. Regarding a footballing point of view, the quality of football wont be no-way near as high at Europe, however at his age, it might suit him, and I think he will be a success as he has a strong work-ethic. People say fergie got rid of him at the right time, maybe so but we haven't won much since he left, but I don't think he was the reason we did win cups and league, at least he wasn't the main reason anyway, however in terms of morale and sponsorship, the team lost out, and real Madrid cashed in, the stock already huge went higher, and its no surprise they over-took man utd as the richest club in the world. Thankfully man utd are finding their feet again, the same cant be said for Real madrid,
Mourino vs Roman, is this weeks big news, and I am not on anyone's side, I cant stand either one, and im glad with what's happing I hope both of em jus flop,and leave the game, I wouldn't wish death on anyone, so ill jus hope they go and retire and spend their millions and billions as they c fit, people say mourino has been good for the game, but for me since he came to the UK more and more teams are baseing themselves in a negative fashion like Chelsea does and not the attacking delights of Arsenal and Man utd, he has shown others that after a decade of exciting teams winning the premiership, a strong negative team is the only way to beat these attacking teams, and for me has taken alot of the fun out of the premiership. I would be pissed to pay and watch a Chelsea team of last yr, as it was jus so efficient the way they killed a team, it was disgusting but also u have to congratulate em for winning back2back championships, but I hope and think this yr is ours, and Roman and Mourino can jus continue to destroy the scum...
Super weekend of football with Man utd vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Liverpool, my predictions 2-2 between man utd and arsenal, with Van perise scoring first, then Ronaldo and Scholes scoring for Man utd and then Hleb or Baptitsta scoring for Arsenal with a few minutes to go, and for the other game, I think it will be a boring 0-0 or maybe Liverpool will nick is 1-0 (Kuyt scoring!) purely because of the chaos at Chelsea at the moment coupled with the determination of Benetiz that hes not beaten mourino in the league yet! I cant wait!!
A big news in terms of International Sport is that the NFL is coming to London, its going to be really good I think for London and the NFL, as I think NFL has a big market in Europe, and London at the same time will show how diverse the sporting facilities are. I only got into NFL through the computer game John Madden and the numerous American Football films out there, all of which I enjoy, I haven't found one film about US football which I dont find interesting, also there is a new series out called Friday Night Lights, and its really good, theres something about it, I mean to me originally it seemed like jus a bunch of guys with loads of padding hitting each other, however its much more intrinsic, there are plays which the coach and quarterback work out, which pretty much make or break games. I feel the guy who has to catch the ball has the harder job than the guy who threw it, yet its the Quarterback who gets all the glory, I been watching a bit of it over here, theres so many breaks in it, it gets really annoying, as its not as flowing as UK football, or even Rugby, however I think watching it live wud be awesome and those going to it in London will bevery lucky.
The Ruler of Dubai plans to takeover Liverpool, God knows why he wants the 2nd most negative team in the league after Chelsea, However unlike Roman he wont throw his money at Liverpool as its a business investment and not emotionally attached to the murderous bastards... I really cant stand Liverpool, and I dont think people are at all fair, people talk of the team of the 80's and 70's, however it was because of them that all English sides got kicked out of Europe in the late 80's and people forget that or dont mention it enough, the screwed every team without getting any real individual penalty, I think its wrong,completely wrong and pisses me off, then they have the nerve to mock man utd fans about the Munich aircrash which was a great disaster that was at the fault of nobody, but if anyone mentions Hillsborough they get all touchy, such hypocrisy is what steams holligisim, and there is reasons why thugs fight each other over football apart from gang culture and machines, its what goes on in the pitch, and if one team is being favoured over others, then the fans c it as their fight to even the playing field, now days there is much but I have seen quite a few, including a MASSIVE holligan fight on Tottenham Court Road, where around 60 guys were involved, and there are stories about it throughout the UK. I think Sheikh Martoum needs to take some history lessons and c what exactly he is buying, and why despite all their records on the pitch, they are the black sheep of English football in my eyes.
And to end this football edition of my blog, Transfer Speculation, Heinze is supposedly leaving Man utd, im so gutted if that happens, because he is a player who plays with heart, Gary Neville (or G-Unit as he likes to be called) is one of my favourite players in the world, because he plays completely with his heart, and the same goes for Heinze, I think given the chance he shud be in the first XI, because he wud give 200% for the cause, it wud be a BIG mistake by Fergie. Regarding the other transfers I dont really care to much as theres nothing that big going on!
Well thats all Folks!
Hope you enjoyed it!(and I think ill do 1 monthly football one a month!)
2 entries in 3 days, woah someone's on a roll!! can I make it three this weekend? only time will tell only time will tell....
What they all have in common is that I will be talking about them!
Well one of the biggest news of last week was Beckhams deal to LA Galaxy, for a stupendous million dollars a week, that's some serious cash, even if the dollar is weak, the guy is making mega bucks for jus playing a sport he loves and doing it in a hot country,where he has everything he has ever wanted! Some people get all the luck. Well I think good on him, he has got slated so much in the past, for the world cup, for getting fame to his head, for his wife, for his fallout with fergie, for numerous things at Madrid, and so on, yet he is the one laughing whilst all the media who hate on him, are now watching him do things they only dreamt of. Regarding a footballing point of view, the quality of football wont be no-way near as high at Europe, however at his age, it might suit him, and I think he will be a success as he has a strong work-ethic. People say fergie got rid of him at the right time, maybe so but we haven't won much since he left, but I don't think he was the reason we did win cups and league, at least he wasn't the main reason anyway, however in terms of morale and sponsorship, the team lost out, and real Madrid cashed in, the stock already huge went higher, and its no surprise they over-took man utd as the richest club in the world. Thankfully man utd are finding their feet again, the same cant be said for Real madrid,
Mourino vs Roman, is this weeks big news, and I am not on anyone's side, I cant stand either one, and im glad with what's happing I hope both of em jus flop,and leave the game, I wouldn't wish death on anyone, so ill jus hope they go and retire and spend their millions and billions as they c fit, people say mourino has been good for the game, but for me since he came to the UK more and more teams are baseing themselves in a negative fashion like Chelsea does and not the attacking delights of Arsenal and Man utd, he has shown others that after a decade of exciting teams winning the premiership, a strong negative team is the only way to beat these attacking teams, and for me has taken alot of the fun out of the premiership. I would be pissed to pay and watch a Chelsea team of last yr, as it was jus so efficient the way they killed a team, it was disgusting but also u have to congratulate em for winning back2back championships, but I hope and think this yr is ours, and Roman and Mourino can jus continue to destroy the scum...
Super weekend of football with Man utd vs Arsenal and Chelsea vs Liverpool, my predictions 2-2 between man utd and arsenal, with Van perise scoring first, then Ronaldo and Scholes scoring for Man utd and then Hleb or Baptitsta scoring for Arsenal with a few minutes to go, and for the other game, I think it will be a boring 0-0 or maybe Liverpool will nick is 1-0 (Kuyt scoring!) purely because of the chaos at Chelsea at the moment coupled with the determination of Benetiz that hes not beaten mourino in the league yet! I cant wait!!
A big news in terms of International Sport is that the NFL is coming to London, its going to be really good I think for London and the NFL, as I think NFL has a big market in Europe, and London at the same time will show how diverse the sporting facilities are. I only got into NFL through the computer game John Madden and the numerous American Football films out there, all of which I enjoy, I haven't found one film about US football which I dont find interesting, also there is a new series out called Friday Night Lights, and its really good, theres something about it, I mean to me originally it seemed like jus a bunch of guys with loads of padding hitting each other, however its much more intrinsic, there are plays which the coach and quarterback work out, which pretty much make or break games. I feel the guy who has to catch the ball has the harder job than the guy who threw it, yet its the Quarterback who gets all the glory, I been watching a bit of it over here, theres so many breaks in it, it gets really annoying, as its not as flowing as UK football, or even Rugby, however I think watching it live wud be awesome and those going to it in London will bevery lucky.
The Ruler of Dubai plans to takeover Liverpool, God knows why he wants the 2nd most negative team in the league after Chelsea, However unlike Roman he wont throw his money at Liverpool as its a business investment and not emotionally attached to the murderous bastards... I really cant stand Liverpool, and I dont think people are at all fair, people talk of the team of the 80's and 70's, however it was because of them that all English sides got kicked out of Europe in the late 80's and people forget that or dont mention it enough, the screwed every team without getting any real individual penalty, I think its wrong,completely wrong and pisses me off, then they have the nerve to mock man utd fans about the Munich aircrash which was a great disaster that was at the fault of nobody, but if anyone mentions Hillsborough they get all touchy, such hypocrisy is what steams holligisim, and there is reasons why thugs fight each other over football apart from gang culture and machines, its what goes on in the pitch, and if one team is being favoured over others, then the fans c it as their fight to even the playing field, now days there is much but I have seen quite a few, including a MASSIVE holligan fight on Tottenham Court Road, where around 60 guys were involved, and there are stories about it throughout the UK. I think Sheikh Martoum needs to take some history lessons and c what exactly he is buying, and why despite all their records on the pitch, they are the black sheep of English football in my eyes.
And to end this football edition of my blog, Transfer Speculation, Heinze is supposedly leaving Man utd, im so gutted if that happens, because he is a player who plays with heart, Gary Neville (or G-Unit as he likes to be called) is one of my favourite players in the world, because he plays completely with his heart, and the same goes for Heinze, I think given the chance he shud be in the first XI, because he wud give 200% for the cause, it wud be a BIG mistake by Fergie. Regarding the other transfers I dont really care to much as theres nothing that big going on!
Well thats all Folks!
Hope you enjoyed it!(and I think ill do 1 monthly football one a month!)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Now that's what I call Qatar 33 : The Islamic Fantastic Four
Dear All,
I have been quite a bit of a socialite over the last few days mingling with people and networking at various events in Qatar. I may or may not have made new friends, only time will tell if I call the people or people call me whom I swapped numbers with.
So where have I been making my new acquaintances I hear you ask, well it was at the 4th Doha Academy Conference, which brought together renowned Muslims around the world to give talks on their respective fields. Those who I went to see is Haji Noor Deen, (a Chinese Calligrapher) Sheik Hamaza Yusaf (A scholar who is an American re-revert,(I use re-revert as in Islam, it is believed that everyone is Born a Muslim so if one converts later to Islam, its believed they are converting back to their original faith)), Sami Yusaf (a Arab-British Singer who is famous across the Muslim world, the Mike Jackson of the Muslim World), and Peter Sanders (A Photographer, whom is a British revert)
Now to most of you, you will have very little idea of who any of those people were, however each of them have had a profound impact on not only Islamic culture but the World. Below are short profiles on the 4.
(Sourced http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/middleeastnow/word-into-art/artists/guanjiang.html
Haji Noor Deen Mi Guanjiang
Born Shandong Province, 1963
Haji Noor Deen is a prominent calligrapher who in 1997 became the first Chinese Muslim to be awarded the Egyptian Certificate of Arabic Calligraphy, and subsequently became a member of the Association to Egyptian Calligraphy. He teaches Arabic Calligraphy at the Islamic College in Zhen Zhou, China and is also a researcher into Islamic cultures at the Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhen Zhou. He has given several lectures on Islam in China And has participated in a number of workshops and talks on Arabic Calligraphy worldwide, including at Harvard University,USA;the University of Cambridge, UK;and, in 2005, the Globe Theatre, London. Between 2000 and 2003 he received a grant to tour and display his work at several universities in the United States.
Hamza Yusuf
(Source http://www.zaytuna.org/teacherMore.asp?id=9)
Hamza Yusuf was born in Washington State and raised in Northern California. In 1977, he became Muslim and subsequently travelled to the Muslim world and studied for ten years in the U. A. E., Saudi Arabia, as well as North and West Africa. He received teaching licenses in various Islamic subjects from several well-known scholars in various countries. After ten years of studies abroad, he returned to the USA and took degrees in Religious Studies and Health Care. He has travelled all over the world giving talks on Islam. He also founded Zaytuna Institute which has established an international reputation for presenting a classical picture of Islam in the West and which is dedicated to the revival of traditional study methods and the sciences of Islam. Shaykh Hamza is the first American lecturer to teach in Morocco's prestigious and oldest University, the Karaouine in Fes. In addition, he has translated into modern English several classical Arabic traditional texts and poems. Shaykh Hamza currently resides in Northern California with his wife and five children.
SAMI YUSUF
(source http://www.samiyusufonline.com/bio/index.html)
Born into an azerian family& raised in the UK, Sami started developing his natural vocal & musical skills seeing his father who is a very renowned musician & thus the promising Muslim singer was discovered at a very early age by his family to become a renowned artist himself.
Sami learnt to play a lot of instruments giving all the credits to his father who was his first mentor. Later he completed through obtaining scholarship to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London,
Soon after the new-comer was ready to get involved in the contemporary fine art or we can say islamic art by releasing his first hit AlMUA'LLIM album.
The Muslim singer who has just released his album in both English & Arabic has had a long history in the Muslim music industry and he is already the best selling muslim artist in the world. He merges the rhythm, completes it with words, and charges it with spirituality in his voice so that all beams with the sense of soul.
(source http://www.middleeastuk.com/culture/art/sanders/_
Peter Sanders
"..often when I'm taking pictures it seems as if I'm chasing a moment, like a beautiful bird that keeps escaping you"
Peter Sanders is a world renowned photographer. Born in London, he established himself in the 1960s shooting many of the pop stars of that era including Jimi Hedrix, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones and The Doors. In 1971 he was granted the unique opportunity to photograph the rituals of Hajj or annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. These images appeared in the Sunday Times Magazine, The Observer, among many other major journals in recognition of their rareness.
His empathy with the people he meets in many remote places in the world is reflected in his ability to capture unique and natural poses of people who may otherwise find his occuption suspect or intruding. His subject matter is a colourful mosaic of faces, facades and natural scenery and his talents as a photographer bring to home the beauty of distant lands and people, stealing all the colours of the rainbow that bridges east and west.
From the City of the Dead to the City of Light; from two million pilgrims on Hajj to the Empty Quarter; from the anguish of the impoverished to the wealthy cities of Saudi Arabia, Sanders' work opens the door to the unique, exotic lands of the Middle East, Africa, India, Central Asia and into the vast world of Islam.
As you can tell all these people are unique in their own individual ways. I have the fortunate pleasure to have met them all and spend time with them and the people around them. All apart from Haji Noor Deen could speak English, so I was able to communicate very well with them all, which was nice, as I was able to discuss thing openly with them. I have taken many pictures of the events and will be putting them up on facebook in the near future. The work by Peter Sanders, is truly exceptional, and its not just the photos he does but the captions that come with the photos fit so perfectly, that it adds greater meaning to the photos. If you get the chance to go to any of his exhibitions I would higly recommend it. The same goes for Haji Noor Deen, I have seen his work during my China travels, and was aware of that type of Calligraphy, however when you first see it, its so amazing, how two of the most ancient forms of writing are intertwined Arabic and Chinese again like the photos and the captions fit so well together.
I wont go into Sami Yusaf, except non-Muslims should listen to him, as he has a very good voice, and he has most of his songs in English and its just different to what you probably usually listen to.
Now regarding Sheik Hamza Yusaf, well I am a fan, I mean there are people who are not keen on the way he teaches, however I think the way he explains things are superb. He gives Western Muslims the right type of examples of when he speaks and isn't detached from society. In one of his talks he was saying how in the US there are 40,000 think-tanks, and that they are a key component in any society, and that if the Arab countries are to progress they will need to building think-tanks. Though the US has so many think-tanks, I don't quite see myself however the point in having so many think-tanks, as the US foreign policy and the domestic one to a extent is actually decided by a select few so whets the point in trying to think of new ideologies or thoughts, when really the impact is a minimum. He was also stating how, when we see tragedy in the world, we are often confused and don't understand the reasons behind it, and he gave an example of if a Ant was walking through the carpet, they wouldn't be able to differentiate anything within the carpet the way we can see the carpet, and the over-all design of the carpet, and like this its Gods view of the world. Its a common saying within religions that everything happens for a reason, and we just need to trust God, and I have seen many people not able to trust God anymore after something bad happened in their lives, and they didn't understand why, I thank-fully haven't had anything THAT terrible, and I hope when the time comes I will be able to Trust God.
Anyway thats it for me now, I know its slighly different to my usual entries, however I thought I would try somethign a little different, and hopefully enlighten a few people.
Take care
Asif
I have been quite a bit of a socialite over the last few days mingling with people and networking at various events in Qatar. I may or may not have made new friends, only time will tell if I call the people or people call me whom I swapped numbers with.
So where have I been making my new acquaintances I hear you ask, well it was at the 4th Doha Academy Conference, which brought together renowned Muslims around the world to give talks on their respective fields. Those who I went to see is Haji Noor Deen, (a Chinese Calligrapher) Sheik Hamaza Yusaf (A scholar who is an American re-revert,(I use re-revert as in Islam, it is believed that everyone is Born a Muslim so if one converts later to Islam, its believed they are converting back to their original faith)), Sami Yusaf (a Arab-British Singer who is famous across the Muslim world, the Mike Jackson of the Muslim World), and Peter Sanders (A Photographer, whom is a British revert)
Now to most of you, you will have very little idea of who any of those people were, however each of them have had a profound impact on not only Islamic culture but the World. Below are short profiles on the 4.
(Sourced http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/middleeastnow/word-into-art/artists/guanjiang.html
Haji Noor Deen Mi Guanjiang
Born Shandong Province, 1963
Haji Noor Deen is a prominent calligrapher who in 1997 became the first Chinese Muslim to be awarded the Egyptian Certificate of Arabic Calligraphy, and subsequently became a member of the Association to Egyptian Calligraphy. He teaches Arabic Calligraphy at the Islamic College in Zhen Zhou, China and is also a researcher into Islamic cultures at the Henan Academy of Sciences, Zhen Zhou. He has given several lectures on Islam in China And has participated in a number of workshops and talks on Arabic Calligraphy worldwide, including at Harvard University,USA;the University of Cambridge, UK;and, in 2005, the Globe Theatre, London. Between 2000 and 2003 he received a grant to tour and display his work at several universities in the United States.
Hamza Yusuf
(Source http://www.zaytuna.org/teacherMore.asp?id=9)
Hamza Yusuf was born in Washington State and raised in Northern California. In 1977, he became Muslim and subsequently travelled to the Muslim world and studied for ten years in the U. A. E., Saudi Arabia, as well as North and West Africa. He received teaching licenses in various Islamic subjects from several well-known scholars in various countries. After ten years of studies abroad, he returned to the USA and took degrees in Religious Studies and Health Care. He has travelled all over the world giving talks on Islam. He also founded Zaytuna Institute which has established an international reputation for presenting a classical picture of Islam in the West and which is dedicated to the revival of traditional study methods and the sciences of Islam. Shaykh Hamza is the first American lecturer to teach in Morocco's prestigious and oldest University, the Karaouine in Fes. In addition, he has translated into modern English several classical Arabic traditional texts and poems. Shaykh Hamza currently resides in Northern California with his wife and five children.
SAMI YUSUF
(source http://www.samiyusufonline.com/bio/index.html)
Born into an azerian family& raised in the UK, Sami started developing his natural vocal & musical skills seeing his father who is a very renowned musician & thus the promising Muslim singer was discovered at a very early age by his family to become a renowned artist himself.
Sami learnt to play a lot of instruments giving all the credits to his father who was his first mentor. Later he completed through obtaining scholarship to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London,
Soon after the new-comer was ready to get involved in the contemporary fine art or we can say islamic art by releasing his first hit AlMUA'LLIM album.
The Muslim singer who has just released his album in both English & Arabic has had a long history in the Muslim music industry and he is already the best selling muslim artist in the world. He merges the rhythm, completes it with words, and charges it with spirituality in his voice so that all beams with the sense of soul.
(source http://www.middleeastuk.com/culture/art/sanders/_
Peter Sanders
"..often when I'm taking pictures it seems as if I'm chasing a moment, like a beautiful bird that keeps escaping you"
Peter Sanders is a world renowned photographer. Born in London, he established himself in the 1960s shooting many of the pop stars of that era including Jimi Hedrix, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones and The Doors. In 1971 he was granted the unique opportunity to photograph the rituals of Hajj or annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. These images appeared in the Sunday Times Magazine, The Observer, among many other major journals in recognition of their rareness.
His empathy with the people he meets in many remote places in the world is reflected in his ability to capture unique and natural poses of people who may otherwise find his occuption suspect or intruding. His subject matter is a colourful mosaic of faces, facades and natural scenery and his talents as a photographer bring to home the beauty of distant lands and people, stealing all the colours of the rainbow that bridges east and west.
From the City of the Dead to the City of Light; from two million pilgrims on Hajj to the Empty Quarter; from the anguish of the impoverished to the wealthy cities of Saudi Arabia, Sanders' work opens the door to the unique, exotic lands of the Middle East, Africa, India, Central Asia and into the vast world of Islam.
As you can tell all these people are unique in their own individual ways. I have the fortunate pleasure to have met them all and spend time with them and the people around them. All apart from Haji Noor Deen could speak English, so I was able to communicate very well with them all, which was nice, as I was able to discuss thing openly with them. I have taken many pictures of the events and will be putting them up on facebook in the near future. The work by Peter Sanders, is truly exceptional, and its not just the photos he does but the captions that come with the photos fit so perfectly, that it adds greater meaning to the photos. If you get the chance to go to any of his exhibitions I would higly recommend it. The same goes for Haji Noor Deen, I have seen his work during my China travels, and was aware of that type of Calligraphy, however when you first see it, its so amazing, how two of the most ancient forms of writing are intertwined Arabic and Chinese again like the photos and the captions fit so well together.
I wont go into Sami Yusaf, except non-Muslims should listen to him, as he has a very good voice, and he has most of his songs in English and its just different to what you probably usually listen to.
Now regarding Sheik Hamza Yusaf, well I am a fan, I mean there are people who are not keen on the way he teaches, however I think the way he explains things are superb. He gives Western Muslims the right type of examples of when he speaks and isn't detached from society. In one of his talks he was saying how in the US there are 40,000 think-tanks, and that they are a key component in any society, and that if the Arab countries are to progress they will need to building think-tanks. Though the US has so many think-tanks, I don't quite see myself however the point in having so many think-tanks, as the US foreign policy and the domestic one to a extent is actually decided by a select few so whets the point in trying to think of new ideologies or thoughts, when really the impact is a minimum. He was also stating how, when we see tragedy in the world, we are often confused and don't understand the reasons behind it, and he gave an example of if a Ant was walking through the carpet, they wouldn't be able to differentiate anything within the carpet the way we can see the carpet, and the over-all design of the carpet, and like this its Gods view of the world. Its a common saying within religions that everything happens for a reason, and we just need to trust God, and I have seen many people not able to trust God anymore after something bad happened in their lives, and they didn't understand why, I thank-fully haven't had anything THAT terrible, and I hope when the time comes I will be able to Trust God.
Anyway thats it for me now, I know its slighly different to my usual entries, however I thought I would try somethign a little different, and hopefully enlighten a few people.
Take care
Asif
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Now that's what I call Qatar 32: Bangham
Good day to you All,
Today is Thursday and that for me means WEEKEND! its always a tough week when you come back from abroad on Sunday (the western worlds Monday) and have this constant jet-lag feeling, yet at the same time, you don't want to come earlier because it means less time on holiday or at home, so I try to tough it out for the week and then get rest at the weekend, which im planning to do this weekend.
The last entry was much more of a review than anything else so this one will be more about my thoughts about something close to my heart,
Well jus been reading the news and read this http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/01/09/d70109040331.htm
Oldham football team is going to be touring Bangladesh, first uk team to do, I think its really cool and great way to promote the team, I have very mixed feelings towards my mothers country, I mean I love it, and I am proud of being Bangladeshi, I think the country does have beautiful aspects, but there is so much wrong with the country, that I am complexed to understand how anyone can survive in such a atmosphere.It is always up there in the most corrupt countries in the world league, and I know alot of people say poverty drives crime and corruption, (think of all poor areas where u live, that is where most likely the highest crime will be) however its not that straight forward I think. I mean no matter the level of wealth of someone from the orient, they always tend to do well at education (OK im going to be saying some huge generalisations but still I think I have a valid point!) whereas people from Africa tend not to do well at education. Obviously there are anomalies, however I feel the vast majority of cases can be put in these cases, and there are plenty of stats. Now some will say well those Africans tend to be from poorer up bringing and don't have as many opportunities, however the Chinese people in the UK tend not to be overtly wealthy, and yet excel in school. Now I think its more down to work ethic and culture, the orient has a great wealth of intellectual knowledge whereas Africa has a strong physical- work ethic culture. That is why you see so many black people in sports.
Now getting back to Bangladesh, the thing is, it used to be part of India and Pakistan, yet Indians have this strong work ethic and Pakistan is kind of in the middle, whereas Bangladeshis continue to do terribly in school, and even worse in university and working life. This is where it gets confusing in terms of theories, I mean it cant be about wealth, as you have people from other poor backgrounds doing well, and it cant because of the culture or ethic of the country as Bangladesh has a similar culture to India, so what the hell is it??? I don't know to be honest, its something that greatly puzzles me, and is worrying for the future of British Bangladeshis, because the knowledge pool is decreasing by the day whilst other communities are taking advantage of being privileged to be schooled in the UK. If those kids who fuck up at school, go back to Africa and Bangladesh they would realise exactly how lucky they are, I lived in Bangladesh when I was growing up for 9 months, it wasn't long, however did have a impact on my life, and made me realise just how good the education is in the UK. I still messed up at school, but thank God, I managed to realise before it was too late. Unfortunately many kids these days don't realise till its to late.
I was speaking to a guy at my work, this Bangladeshi guy, who has a very low paid job, and was telling him Im having a problem finding a cleaner, and was worried about it, and then I asked him how he was, and he was like has ok, he has problems, but not like mine, implying we live in different worlds, it hit home, that though im doing well for myself here, there are so many other people who are just getting by, and I mean just. The conditions for low level people here are terrible, 15-20 guys in a small room, one toilet, they work 18 hours a day 6-7 days a week, some don't get paid as their employers screw them, its really terrible. The fact he is Bangladeshi makes me think that it could have been me in his position and he in mine, its just by Gods will, that I am me and he is him. It makes you feel like you can walk and the other person needs to use a wheelchair, I mean I need to make use of my life, and do good with it, as I have been blessed, like the guy with the legs, I have learnt to think that my education was a right I had but was a gift and I need to make use of it....
Well that's it for my folks,
Take care of yourselves and enjoy your weekend.
Asif
Today is Thursday and that for me means WEEKEND! its always a tough week when you come back from abroad on Sunday (the western worlds Monday) and have this constant jet-lag feeling, yet at the same time, you don't want to come earlier because it means less time on holiday or at home, so I try to tough it out for the week and then get rest at the weekend, which im planning to do this weekend.
The last entry was much more of a review than anything else so this one will be more about my thoughts about something close to my heart,
Well jus been reading the news and read this http://www.thedailystar.net/2007/01/09/d70109040331.htm
Oldham football team is going to be touring Bangladesh, first uk team to do, I think its really cool and great way to promote the team, I have very mixed feelings towards my mothers country, I mean I love it, and I am proud of being Bangladeshi, I think the country does have beautiful aspects, but there is so much wrong with the country, that I am complexed to understand how anyone can survive in such a atmosphere.It is always up there in the most corrupt countries in the world league, and I know alot of people say poverty drives crime and corruption, (think of all poor areas where u live, that is where most likely the highest crime will be) however its not that straight forward I think. I mean no matter the level of wealth of someone from the orient, they always tend to do well at education (OK im going to be saying some huge generalisations but still I think I have a valid point!) whereas people from Africa tend not to do well at education. Obviously there are anomalies, however I feel the vast majority of cases can be put in these cases, and there are plenty of stats. Now some will say well those Africans tend to be from poorer up bringing and don't have as many opportunities, however the Chinese people in the UK tend not to be overtly wealthy, and yet excel in school. Now I think its more down to work ethic and culture, the orient has a great wealth of intellectual knowledge whereas Africa has a strong physical- work ethic culture. That is why you see so many black people in sports.
Now getting back to Bangladesh, the thing is, it used to be part of India and Pakistan, yet Indians have this strong work ethic and Pakistan is kind of in the middle, whereas Bangladeshis continue to do terribly in school, and even worse in university and working life. This is where it gets confusing in terms of theories, I mean it cant be about wealth, as you have people from other poor backgrounds doing well, and it cant because of the culture or ethic of the country as Bangladesh has a similar culture to India, so what the hell is it??? I don't know to be honest, its something that greatly puzzles me, and is worrying for the future of British Bangladeshis, because the knowledge pool is decreasing by the day whilst other communities are taking advantage of being privileged to be schooled in the UK. If those kids who fuck up at school, go back to Africa and Bangladesh they would realise exactly how lucky they are, I lived in Bangladesh when I was growing up for 9 months, it wasn't long, however did have a impact on my life, and made me realise just how good the education is in the UK. I still messed up at school, but thank God, I managed to realise before it was too late. Unfortunately many kids these days don't realise till its to late.
I was speaking to a guy at my work, this Bangladeshi guy, who has a very low paid job, and was telling him Im having a problem finding a cleaner, and was worried about it, and then I asked him how he was, and he was like has ok, he has problems, but not like mine, implying we live in different worlds, it hit home, that though im doing well for myself here, there are so many other people who are just getting by, and I mean just. The conditions for low level people here are terrible, 15-20 guys in a small room, one toilet, they work 18 hours a day 6-7 days a week, some don't get paid as their employers screw them, its really terrible. The fact he is Bangladeshi makes me think that it could have been me in his position and he in mine, its just by Gods will, that I am me and he is him. It makes you feel like you can walk and the other person needs to use a wheelchair, I mean I need to make use of my life, and do good with it, as I have been blessed, like the guy with the legs, I have learnt to think that my education was a right I had but was a gift and I need to make use of it....
Well that's it for my folks,
Take care of yourselves and enjoy your weekend.
Asif
Monday, January 08, 2007
Now that's What I call Qatar 31: Sadam aka Jaguar Paw
Dear All,
Its been a while since my last entry, I am back in the State of Qatar, therefore back to my usual titles of 'Now that's what I call Qatar'...
Well I was a extremely busy bunny when I went back to the UK, I went to Amsterdam and Brussels for day trips with Shamina which was so nice, and was really cool to get away from the hustle and bustle of London, even if for a day. Though I have grown to love London(still not a touch on the north though) there are many aspects I cant stand, one such aspect is TFL(transport for London) its so busy, so expensive its ridiculous, and constantly has engineering work or delays or some sort. I really despise it! However saying that, at least their is a public transport system, where in the Gulf there is no infrastructure for anything like that of London. Saying that Knutsford, which if I say so myself, is one of the nicest places in the UK has very little public transport, and considering the whole global warmin thing, its starting to get quite worrisome.
Amsterdam is a great city(not for the reasons that many of you think I say it for...though it is for those reasons as well) but in terms of the way it looks and it is, it seems so carefree, like Madrid, yet has the gothic feel of Prague, and it is surprisingly a clean city considering the activities its famous for. I have to say that the Museums their are really cool and there is a lot to learn. However me and Shamina, were thinking how hard must it be to bring up Children (Muslims ones in our case) with the things around, I mean girls in the windows, drug users and alcoholics everywhere, it must be such a surreal place to grow up with and have those morals, which are in direct contrast to most of the major faiths in the world.
Brussels was quite different, it felt like I was in the poor mans Paris, it was nice in a European way, and contained one of the coolest structures I have seen in my life, 'The Atom' (you have to check it out on line!) however I wouldn't recommend it, as to be honest the only thing special it really had was waffles and chocolate, the rest that is on offer is not worth going for.
Last night I went to see Apocolypto, it was awesome, I read the reviews and I was expecting alot, and thankfully it delivered. Usually I get disappointed when I look forward to a film, as it usually fails to deliver, however this film was so well shot, and so well filmed, it already for me makes it one of this years hits. The men in the film resemble the Brazilian football team with the main guy (thus this entries name) Jaguar Paw looks like Ronaldino, its uncanny and one of those against him looks ALOT like Roberto Carlos. Pretty much the whole Brazilian football team has a look-a-like and all the women in the film look Indian oddly. Anyhow, the film without ruining too much of it, is based on native America, and the wars that exist between different tribes, I wont say anymore except go see it!
I saw a film when I was in the UK with Shamina, called Perfume, A murders story, which is another crazy film with the most bizarre ending of a film I think I have ever seen, just for the ending its worth seeing the rest of the film. However something about the film and if you continue reading this paragraph I will ruin a little bit about the story so be warned! Well this man creates a perfume that is basically the ultimate aphrodisiac, and means that anyone who smells it wants to have sex, and basically it results in a priest and a nun having sex, which personally I find terribly insulting. I mean though im not Christian, I feel that too often especially Priests and Archbishops and Nuns are ridiculed in this manner, I mean you go to a fancy dress party, and your likely to see a tart in a nun outfit, or a guy in a monk outfit, with snide innuendos attached. I accept not everyone believes in God however for me its disrespectful to mock the religion or make it perverted, I mean the same goes for Muslim headscarves/jilabs(the long black gown worn by Muslims) there is supposedly Porn that contains images of women dressed in this manner, which I again find extremely disrespectful, It doesn't happen as much with Islam as it does with Christianity but with this subject I feel all religions are being targeted by the secular society growing around us.
And finally as many of you have asked me thoughts on the biggest news of the year so far, Sadam's Hanging. Well as a Sunni Muslim you may think I am being biased in what I say, however its not really anything to do with the Sunni/Shia divide that is occurring right now, as I am a big fan of Iran, and though it is supposedly behind all the actions of Shias in Iraq I think it is the only country to stand up for what it truly believes in the middle east. Unlike those of Saudi and Jordon and Egypt, which are so blatantly being forced to think and act differently to how the people of those country want them to act. This time however, it seems that everyone, the west and the sunnis are teaming up against the Shias about the hanging, and this will further cause conflict and I believe this year we will see the violence in Iraq spill over the region and will see new battles along the lines of Sunni vs. Shia, Fatah vs. Hamas, Israel vs. Hezbollah part 2, and I think the two major countries involved will be Saudi and Iran. They both will have a large role to play in the battles, and though Saudi has been relatively calm, its clear from the statements coming out of Riyadh that they are not comfortable with what is happening in the region and they must take a stand. There is no love lost between Iran and Saudi, and though millions of Iranians go to Saudi each year(for pilgrimage) the authorities are clearly not happy, as when I was there, it was clear they were did not approve of how the Iranians would treat certain things and pay respect to much to other things. Its a difficult time ahead in this troubled region and I don't see anything getting better with or without Sadam...
Well that's all folks and thank you for reading. Take care
Asif
Its been a while since my last entry, I am back in the State of Qatar, therefore back to my usual titles of 'Now that's what I call Qatar'...
Well I was a extremely busy bunny when I went back to the UK, I went to Amsterdam and Brussels for day trips with Shamina which was so nice, and was really cool to get away from the hustle and bustle of London, even if for a day. Though I have grown to love London(still not a touch on the north though) there are many aspects I cant stand, one such aspect is TFL(transport for London) its so busy, so expensive its ridiculous, and constantly has engineering work or delays or some sort. I really despise it! However saying that, at least their is a public transport system, where in the Gulf there is no infrastructure for anything like that of London. Saying that Knutsford, which if I say so myself, is one of the nicest places in the UK has very little public transport, and considering the whole global warmin thing, its starting to get quite worrisome.
Amsterdam is a great city(not for the reasons that many of you think I say it for...though it is for those reasons as well) but in terms of the way it looks and it is, it seems so carefree, like Madrid, yet has the gothic feel of Prague, and it is surprisingly a clean city considering the activities its famous for. I have to say that the Museums their are really cool and there is a lot to learn. However me and Shamina, were thinking how hard must it be to bring up Children (Muslims ones in our case) with the things around, I mean girls in the windows, drug users and alcoholics everywhere, it must be such a surreal place to grow up with and have those morals, which are in direct contrast to most of the major faiths in the world.
Brussels was quite different, it felt like I was in the poor mans Paris, it was nice in a European way, and contained one of the coolest structures I have seen in my life, 'The Atom' (you have to check it out on line!) however I wouldn't recommend it, as to be honest the only thing special it really had was waffles and chocolate, the rest that is on offer is not worth going for.
Last night I went to see Apocolypto, it was awesome, I read the reviews and I was expecting alot, and thankfully it delivered. Usually I get disappointed when I look forward to a film, as it usually fails to deliver, however this film was so well shot, and so well filmed, it already for me makes it one of this years hits. The men in the film resemble the Brazilian football team with the main guy (thus this entries name) Jaguar Paw looks like Ronaldino, its uncanny and one of those against him looks ALOT like Roberto Carlos. Pretty much the whole Brazilian football team has a look-a-like and all the women in the film look Indian oddly. Anyhow, the film without ruining too much of it, is based on native America, and the wars that exist between different tribes, I wont say anymore except go see it!
I saw a film when I was in the UK with Shamina, called Perfume, A murders story, which is another crazy film with the most bizarre ending of a film I think I have ever seen, just for the ending its worth seeing the rest of the film. However something about the film and if you continue reading this paragraph I will ruin a little bit about the story so be warned! Well this man creates a perfume that is basically the ultimate aphrodisiac, and means that anyone who smells it wants to have sex, and basically it results in a priest and a nun having sex, which personally I find terribly insulting. I mean though im not Christian, I feel that too often especially Priests and Archbishops and Nuns are ridiculed in this manner, I mean you go to a fancy dress party, and your likely to see a tart in a nun outfit, or a guy in a monk outfit, with snide innuendos attached. I accept not everyone believes in God however for me its disrespectful to mock the religion or make it perverted, I mean the same goes for Muslim headscarves/jilabs(the long black gown worn by Muslims) there is supposedly Porn that contains images of women dressed in this manner, which I again find extremely disrespectful, It doesn't happen as much with Islam as it does with Christianity but with this subject I feel all religions are being targeted by the secular society growing around us.
And finally as many of you have asked me thoughts on the biggest news of the year so far, Sadam's Hanging. Well as a Sunni Muslim you may think I am being biased in what I say, however its not really anything to do with the Sunni/Shia divide that is occurring right now, as I am a big fan of Iran, and though it is supposedly behind all the actions of Shias in Iraq I think it is the only country to stand up for what it truly believes in the middle east. Unlike those of Saudi and Jordon and Egypt, which are so blatantly being forced to think and act differently to how the people of those country want them to act. This time however, it seems that everyone, the west and the sunnis are teaming up against the Shias about the hanging, and this will further cause conflict and I believe this year we will see the violence in Iraq spill over the region and will see new battles along the lines of Sunni vs. Shia, Fatah vs. Hamas, Israel vs. Hezbollah part 2, and I think the two major countries involved will be Saudi and Iran. They both will have a large role to play in the battles, and though Saudi has been relatively calm, its clear from the statements coming out of Riyadh that they are not comfortable with what is happening in the region and they must take a stand. There is no love lost between Iran and Saudi, and though millions of Iranians go to Saudi each year(for pilgrimage) the authorities are clearly not happy, as when I was there, it was clear they were did not approve of how the Iranians would treat certain things and pay respect to much to other things. Its a difficult time ahead in this troubled region and I don't see anything getting better with or without Sadam...
Well that's all folks and thank you for reading. Take care
Asif
Monday, January 01, 2007
A New Year (part 1)
Dear All,
This will be a short post for the new year with a MUCH longer one to follow very shortly (hopefully tommorrow), well we are in 2007, and its amazing that its been 7 years since the millenium i jus cant believe it, it really does not seem that long ago.
Something I want to point out to look out for especially if your new to my blog, im dysleix and im proud of it, (also dyspraix bu thats for another day) so this blog will contain numerous spelling mistakes and i know its not hard to check the freakin spelling, but in my humble opinion i think i will lose part of the edge of my blog so plz bear with me, and lets all hope my spelling improves this new year!
A dissapoint day on the football front, for man utd and for my fantasy football! I made my transfer already even though the next round of football is 2 weeks away, i took out Louis Saha and brought in Kuyt (from liverpool) it means i have some serious money to spend on the rest of my team, so hopefully over the next few weeks i will start to stregten my team in other areas of the pitch!
There is a lot of stuff i need to write about such as the Sadam hanging, the war in Somalia, and the whole new year thing and what to expect from it, as well as my own thoughts about what i expect will happen this new year! But one thing is for sure, as long as im alive (and maybe even after im gone, as i know some of my loyal readers, may continue it) you will be getting no more however no less than 9 posts from me every month. Im not sure why its 9 but it is, and it works well, i dont over-burnden my readers but at the same time, I give enough to keep them intrested, or at least thats what i been told.
I hope to attract many more readers in this new year, and I would like peoples help in re-doing the page on my blog (www.stormy786.blogspot.com) and though i know alot of people read it on facebook or Qatar living, i hope to attract more people to my actual blog, well there partly my aims for this new year!
Aneway like i said this is part one and hopefully part 2 will be coming up very soon.
I hope everyone had a great new years night, whatever they did and wish everyone luck for this forthcoming year....
Asif
This will be a short post for the new year with a MUCH longer one to follow very shortly (hopefully tommorrow), well we are in 2007, and its amazing that its been 7 years since the millenium i jus cant believe it, it really does not seem that long ago.
Something I want to point out to look out for especially if your new to my blog, im dysleix and im proud of it, (also dyspraix bu thats for another day) so this blog will contain numerous spelling mistakes and i know its not hard to check the freakin spelling, but in my humble opinion i think i will lose part of the edge of my blog so plz bear with me, and lets all hope my spelling improves this new year!
A dissapoint day on the football front, for man utd and for my fantasy football! I made my transfer already even though the next round of football is 2 weeks away, i took out Louis Saha and brought in Kuyt (from liverpool) it means i have some serious money to spend on the rest of my team, so hopefully over the next few weeks i will start to stregten my team in other areas of the pitch!
There is a lot of stuff i need to write about such as the Sadam hanging, the war in Somalia, and the whole new year thing and what to expect from it, as well as my own thoughts about what i expect will happen this new year! But one thing is for sure, as long as im alive (and maybe even after im gone, as i know some of my loyal readers, may continue it) you will be getting no more however no less than 9 posts from me every month. Im not sure why its 9 but it is, and it works well, i dont over-burnden my readers but at the same time, I give enough to keep them intrested, or at least thats what i been told.
I hope to attract many more readers in this new year, and I would like peoples help in re-doing the page on my blog (www.stormy786.blogspot.com) and though i know alot of people read it on facebook or Qatar living, i hope to attract more people to my actual blog, well there partly my aims for this new year!
Aneway like i said this is part one and hopefully part 2 will be coming up very soon.
I hope everyone had a great new years night, whatever they did and wish everyone luck for this forthcoming year....
Asif
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