Needs a lot of depth!

I have encountered this quote of Khalil Jibran many times. In this era of social media, it needs a character of mountains and depth of an ocean to do this.

A quote on 'War and Peace'

Nowadays when I read news and see the waves of nationalism, so called patriotism, religious-ethnic-cultural intolerance everywhere - I find perplexing similarities with 1930s. Unfortunately, right now it is an unstable world and I get genuinely worried. People think war is a problem. It is indeed. But not taking care of peace is a bigger issue.

“It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.” ― Aristotle

Idris Muhammad's Jazz

Though I prefer to stay away from noisy clubs, restaurants and eatery places but if you are in New Orleans, you can't get away without paying homage to French Quarters!

I have been there few times but last time when I was there, it was a weekday. It was relatively quiet and we found a nice restaurant to enjoy seafood. Music in the background was mesmerizing. I asked our waiter and he said: "This is from son of the New Orleans, Idis Muhammad and this is his famous tune Loran's dance" (here). After that I heard his various compositions and loved it softly running on side as I do my mundane errands at home. I am not even a verified listener but I believe what distinguish his jazz composition is the simultaneous feeling of softness, vitality, happiness and beats synchronized with heart.

Out of all Loran's dance stayed my favorite, probably because on that day, at that given moment in restaurant it came to me more as a divine revelation, and I learned how a nice composition can drive human emotions.

One thing is evident as I read more on his life that he was in search of truth and followed the voice of his conscience and alike many African Americans who questioned the injustice of society. Few converted to Islam including Mohammad Ali Clay, during civil rights time in USA. Softness of his jazz along with vitality of tunes tell me that he was a deep person, not a superficial instrument player. He played his soul out in music.

Never complain of 7 things

In this fast pace technology with bombardment of audios, videos, articles, news, jokes, poetry etc etc via different apps and media - most of the information just take toll on time, energy and intellect. I am not immune either and try to find my way to adjust through this ride. But once in a while I get something which i feel is worth sharing. Nowadays, viral among Pakistani community is a drama clip, played by Mohammad Qavi Khan. I don't know the name of drama, neither writer nor channel. But it is interesting.  I am blogging to keep it for myself as every morning I delete previous night forwards. I was unable to find youtube link.

He says: Never complain of following seven things.

1. Your Qismat (luck, destiny)
2. Of your elders in front of your children
3. Of quality of  the house if you own it
4. Your parents and teacher
5. Of wife's family in front of her
6. Of  your friends in front of strangers
7. And of your guests, once they leave, to anyone

You don't need to agree but I think it is worth saving.

Kaare jahaan daraaz hai (On Travel Ban)

Main hawaii jahaz main pehli baar us waqt betha jab America aa raha tha - uski rudaad aik baar likhi thi (here) - uske baad kuch aesa huwa ke - zindagi 'safar dar safar' ban ke reh gai. Kuch gardish e doraN - aur  - Baqol Munir Niazi -  kujh sanoo maran da shoq vee see.

Uske baad idhar udhar is blog pe apne safar ki kuch posts bhi likhi (like here)

Jab peechle dino, USA main 'Travel Ban' ka shor-o-goga huwa to mujhe apne jahaz ka aik safar bohat aaya. Main Buenos Aires, Argentina ja raha tha. Flight ne subah subah utarna tha magar 'fog' is qadar thi ke jahaz ko qareebi shar 'Cardoba' utaar diya gaya. Hum waiting lounge main chale gaye.

Waqt guzaari ke liye - anjaane musaafir - batain kerne lage. Ab logoN ke safar ki wajoohaat suniye -

- Aik aurat, jis ki umar ab pachas ke aas paas hogi, koi 30 baras pehle shadi ker ke Buenos Aires gai thi - magar wahan us ki shadi chal nahi saki - woh phir USA aa gai - magar us relationship ki chubhan ab tak dil main baqi thi - keh rahi thi: "I want to clean my memories by revisting'!

- Aik shaks jis ki umar 65 ke lag bhag ho gi - Tango dance ka koi aesa show dekne ja raha tha jo saal main sirf aik hi baar us shahr main hota hai

- Aik PhD student thi jo 'Evita' pe maqala likhne ja rahi thi

- Aik aur larki thi jo Saint Felicita ki dukh bari kahani pe documentary banana chahti thi

- Aik buRha shaks tha - jis ki beti ne marte huwe us se kaha tha ke 'Liliana Crociati de Szaszak' ki qabar pe meri taraf se phool charRha dena 

- Aik joshila naujawan tha jo political science ka student tha aur Argentinian aur American siyasat ke mawazne pe kaam ker raha tha

- Aik soccer ka player tha jo 'La Boca' ka stadium dekhna chahta tha

Main ye sab chup chaap sun raha tha aur soch raha tha: " kiya koi beRi (travel ban) Khuld se nikle insaan ki bechain ruh ko safar se rok sakti hai? Iqbal ne isi liye to kaha tha:

baġh-e-bahisht se mujhe hukm-e-safar diyā thā kyuuN
kaar-e-jahaaN    daraaz hai    ab  meraa      intizaar kar