Poem dedicated to an Israeli soldier.

To the Israeli Soldier

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
For we are one people, whether you like it or not
You are a Semite, A son of Israeel (Isaac)
I am a Semite, A son of Ismaeel (Ishmael)
Our father, the father of both you and I
Is Ibrahim (Abraham)
Or are you one who will even deny his own father?

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
We will die on our feet
But we will not live on our knees.
You know how to kill, But we know how to die
Hitler gassed 6 million of you, But he could not kill your spirit
Those who died only made stronger, those who remained alive
Why then do you imagine; that if you become Hitlers
The results of your 'gassing'
Would be any different?

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
Just as others silently watched you going into the gas chambers
Others silently watch us burying our children, the children that you continue to kill
But we remind ourselves
That the blow that does not break the back, only strengthens you.
So O! You who used to be the People of Musa (Moses),
But today you have become people of the Firawn (Pharaoh)
Remember we are the real people of Moses, for we believe in his message; not you
Remember that when the fight is between Moses and Pharaoh
Moses always wins.

We say to the silent watchers, the cowards,
We say to those who sit securely in their homes
We are the frontline who are holding back the enemy
When we fall, it will be your turn.
Remember O! Arabs
The story of the White Bull (Al Thawr il Abyadh)
Who said to the world when the tiger finally came for him
Listen O! People, I do not die today,
I died when the Black Bull died.

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
We did not come into this world to live here forever
Neither did you
One day we will all go from here
Whether we like it or not
What is important my brother, son of Israeel
Sons of a Prophet, O! What have you become today?
What have you allowed them to make you?
Kill us, if that is what you want to do
At least we die at the hands of our own brothers
And not at the hands of strangers

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
We laugh as we see your Apache helicopters and F-16 jets fly overhead
We laugh because we can smell your fear
Why else do you need Apaches and F-16s to fight children with rocks?
A battle of honor is between equals
We challenge you, you who have sold your honor
Come to us as equals; so that we can show you how to die with honor
We laugh at you because we know, that not in a million years
Will one of you ever have the guts to stand up to one of our children
Without hiding behind an array of weapons that the American tax payer gives you
We laugh at you, because that is what every warrior does
When he faces an army of cowards.

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
It is not whether we live or die that is important
It is how we live and how we die
Ask yourself: How would you like to be remembered?
Without respect, despised and accursed through the centuries,
Or blessed, honored, your passing mourned.
Allah is our witness: We lived with honor; begging for no favors
And He is our witness: That today we die with honor; on our feet
Fighting until the last breath leaves our body; even if all we have in our hands are stones
He is the witness over us both
As you kill us and as we die
And to Him is our return

Listen and listen well
O! One who could have been our brother
On that Day, my little baby who you killed last night
Will ask Him for what crime she was murdered
Prepare your answer, O! One who could have been our brother
For you will answer to Him
I swear by His Power: You will answer to Him.

~ Mirza Yawar Baig

Koop a Doos

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="465" caption="Koop a Doos"][/caption]

Jeremy Nell sketches Gaza

Quraan for Nokia handsets

Nokia have made available a Quraan for some of their devices on their site.

With the Quran application you can:

• Read the Holy Quran in digitised Othmany font, included with the application.


• Listen to a well-known narrator read the whole Quran or just the sections you select.


• Find a Verse or Sura by entering the number, choosing from the menu or by
  searching the entire Quran for a word or phrase.


• Save your current position using the bookmark option or set the application to open
  at the same place automatically.


• Select the language you prefer from Arabic, English, French and Urdu.

Other cool apps like the Islamic Organizer that originally came with my e90 have disappeared so I've decided to host copies of some of the install files for your and my convenience:

e90 zip

n95 8Gb zip

n73 zip

e51 zip

Quaraan Audio zip

Instructions:

Unzip and copy / install.

Audio file instructions:

• Step 1: Download the Quran Audio Zip file and extract it to your PC, the following
  folder structure will be created private200044bcQuraansound2 including all the MP3
  files.


• Step 2: Connect your compatible Nokia device in Mass Storage mode to you PC.


• Step 3: Copy the whole extracted folder to your memory card under private200044bcQuraansound2.


• Start the Quran application and listen to the Quran narrated by Sheikh Ali Al Hudhaifi.

How to add my search engines to your WP blog.

In order to add one of my search engines to your blog you require some bits of code. Click on the search tab to see what it looks like. Here be the code for those that aren't contributers to the actual search engines and therefore don't have access (just copy and paste):

South African Blogs Search Engine

<style type="text/css">
@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);
</style>
<div class="cse-branding-right" style="background-color:#000000;color:#FFFFFF">
<div class="cse-branding-form">
<form action="http://www.google.com/cse" id="cse-search-box">
<div>
<input type="hidden" name="cx" value="005508052117685178632:raufkmkjhyc" />
<input type="hidden" name="ie" value="UTF-8" />
<input type="text" name="q" size="31" />
<input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
<div class="cse-branding-logo">
<img src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_000000.gif" alt="Google" />
</div>
<div class="cse-branding-text">
Custom Search
</div>
</div>

Famous Search Engine of Food and Recipes

<style type="text/css">
@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);
</style>
<div class="cse-branding-right" style="background-color:#000000;color:#FFFFFF">
<div class="cse-branding-form">
<form action="http://www.google.com/cse" id="cse-search-box">
<div>
<input type="hidden" name="cx" value="005508052117685178632:jqfyrugxohk" />
<input type="hidden" name="ie" value="UTF-8" />
<input type="text" name="q" size="31" />
<input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
<div class="cse-branding-logo">
<img src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_000000.gif" alt="Google" />
</div>
<div class="cse-branding-text">
Custom Search
</div>
</div>

Islamic Search Engine

<style type="text/css">
@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);
</style>
<div class="cse-branding-right" style="background-color:#000000;color:#FFFFFF">
<div class="cse-branding-form">
<form action="http://www.google.com/cse" id="cse-search-box">
<div>
<input type="hidden" name="cx" value="005508052117685178632:ri3ypvb-k-s" />
<input type="hidden" name="ie" value="UTF-8" />
<input type="text" name="q" size="31" />
<input type="submit" name="sa" value="Search" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
<div class="cse-branding-logo">
<img src="http://www.google.com/images/poweredby_transparent/poweredby_000000.gif" alt="Google" />
</div>
<div class="cse-branding-text">
Custom Search
</div>
</div>

My Engineered Universe

I'm going to attempt describing my Universe. In my Universe, the Creator, is the ultimate Engineer. The 1st thing ever created was a Pen and Writing Material according to Islam. In my Engineered Universe, where nothing existed, a detailed paper design would be the perfect starting point. The 1st thing that needed to be designed was the host environment and with it a scaled down testing environment. The live environment OS, Heaven (UNIX based) would run on 7 servers, of increasing power and the test environment, the known Universe could be run as a virtual machine. The 1st applications developed after the OS, were some device drivers, API and hooks to the OS and hardware. These were called Angels and were written mostly in c(fire).

The 1st user-space application, also written in c was the Jinn. It included some cutting-edge non-Artificial Intelligence and were able to make decisions based on their nAI engines. Pretty cool, but they ended up writing into each others memory spaces and causing general havoc on the Earth virtual machine. Meanwhile the nAI engine was modified and re-written using a new programming Language c++(clay) and was called Adam. So impressed was the Engineer that He ran a demo of Adam on the directly on the live platform with an instance of the Jinn called Iblees (a.k.a Devil). Iblees and the Angels were asked to give up some CPU in awe of Adam. The Angels obliged, but the nAI engines of the Jinn kicked in, in particular a variable called
Pride and Iblees refused.

Iblees was taken off the live platform and run in one or other virtual machine and another instance of Adam, codename Eve was run on Live. Iblees somehow managed to spawn a trojan horse (worm-snake) that accessed the memory space of Adam and Even, causing them to access a read-only Apple file (iTunes?). The Engineer, upset that the new nAI engine was not behaving, decided it was time to do some real capacity testing with Adam to see if the nAI engine could self-correct and withstand attacks from other malicious c code. Adam, Eve, Iblees were all put onto the Earth VM (with some Jinn instances already there) and given the ability to spawn multiple instances. Each instance was given a max time-to-live and assigned a logger Angel.

A time was set for the capacity test afterwhich the logs will be examined. Each instance of Adam that withstands the malicious attacks of Iblees and his Spawn will be put onto the Live platform, the rest together with Iblees will be put onto a Windows based VM called Hell.

How to get Google Friends Wall Gadget to work on WordPress

The code generated by the Google gadget customiser at http://www.google.com/friendconnect will not simply work on a WordPress Page or Post because of the Javascript that is thrown in.

Once you're done customising your gadget you will end up with code like this:

<!-- Include the Google Friend Connect javascript library. -->
<script src="http://www.google.com/friendconnect/script/friendconnect.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- Define the div tag where the gadget will be inserted. -->
<!-- Render the gadget into a div. -->
<script type="text/javascript"><!--
var skin = {};
skin['BORDER_COLOR'] = '#cccccc';
skin['ENDCAP_BG_COLOR'] = '#e0ecff';
skin['ENDCAP_TEXT_COLOR'] = '#333333';
skin['ENDCAP_LINK_COLOR'] = '#0000cc';
skin['ALTERNATE_BG_COLOR'] = '#ffffff';
skin['CONTENT_BG_COLOR'] = '#ffffff';
skin['CONTENT_LINK_COLOR'] = '#0000cc';
skin['CONTENT_TEXT_COLOR'] = '#333333';
skin['CONTENT_SECONDARY_LINK_COLOR'] = '#7777cc';
skin['CONTENT_SECONDARY_TEXT_COLOR'] = '#666666';
skin['CONTENT_HEADLINE_COLOR'] = '#333333';
skin['DEFAULT_COMMENT_TEXT'] = '- add your comment here -';
skin['HEADER_TEXT'] = 'Comments';
skin['POSTS_PER_PAGE'] = '5';
google.friendconnect.container.setParentUrl('/' /* location of rpc_relay.html and canvas.html */);
google.friendconnect.container.renderWallGadget(
{ id: 'div-YYYYYYYY',
site: 'XXXXXXXXXX',
'view-params':{"scope":"SITE","features":"video,comment"}
},
skin);
// --></script>

The guilty code is highlighted above. This needs to be replaced the following code on your page/post:

<script type="text/javascript" src="/scripts/wall.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
<!--
doWall();
//--></script>

and the code you cut out needs to be pasted into a separate file "/scripts/wall.js with some minor adjustments as highlighted below:

function doWall(){

var skin = {};

skin['BORDER_COLOR'] = '#cccccc';

skin['ENDCAP_BG_COLOR'] = '#e0ecff';

skin['ENDCAP_TEXT_COLOR'] = '#333333';

skin['ENDCAP_LINK_COLOR'] = '#0000cc';

skin['ALTERNATE_BG_COLOR'] = '#ffffff';

skin['CONTENT_BG_COLOR'] = '#ffffff';

skin['CONTENT_LINK_COLOR'] = '#0000cc';

skin['CONTENT_TEXT_COLOR'] = '#333333';

skin['CONTENT_SECONDARY_LINK_COLOR'] = '#7777cc';

skin['CONTENT_SECONDARY_TEXT_COLOR'] = '#666666';

skin['CONTENT_HEADLINE_COLOR'] = '#333333';

skin['DEFAULT_COMMENT_TEXT'] = '- add your comment here -';

skin['HEADER_TEXT'] = 'Comments';

skin['POSTS_PER_PAGE'] = '5';

google.friendconnect.container.setParentUrl('/' /* location of rpc_relay.html and canvas.html */);

google.friendconnect.container.renderWallGadget(

{ id: 'div-YYYYYYYY',

site: 'XXXXXXXXXX',

'view-params':{"scope":"SITE","features":"video,comment"}

},

skin);

}

Figured this out using this guide. Results can be viewed on my comment wall.

A script for adding multiple twitter follows....

@magitam had an interesting problem and I had an itch to try out the python-twitter API.

follow.py is the result.

Usage: ./follow.py <twitter username> <twitter password> <filename.csv>")

Copy the code above and save it using notepad as follow.py

You will need a python interpreter and the python-twitter API to run it. Tested on Linux but should run anywhere.

The input file can be either:

friend1

friend2

friend3

or

friend1,friend2,friend3

or

friend1,friend2

friend3

Disclaimer: I will not take responsibility for loss of life, revenue, sex drive, property or any negative consequence suffered as a result of using the above code.

[gallery]

Synch your phone (Nokia, SE, Other) with itunes

I'm not going to bother copying the guide, it's pretty well documented here.

New features on noknok

MTN's instant messaging platform noknok has been updated.

New features:

1. Available to Vodacom, Cell C, Virgin Mobile users (Anyone in South Africa).


2. Google Talk Integration (Add Google Talk users).


3. Advertisement banners


4. Support for services, e.g. News feeds, Twitter, AI bots.

A huge step in the right direction, but not quite there yet.

Easiest way to download, visit http://im.mtn.co.za/download

Best client, PC client, available at www.noknok.co.za

wheres the page-down and page-up on the Nokia e90????

One of the things I hate about my Nokia e90 is the fact that it supports emails but it doesn't have the ability to page down or up through a list of emails :( or through a long email.

Obvious shortcomings...

I've decided to create a new category for posts which I intend to write concerning things that "would be perfect if only..." the designers took into account the obvious.

My next post will illustrate by way of example what I mean...

New Path Found To Antibiotics In Dirt(Sand)

This article in Science Daily mentions the presence of Anti-biotics in soil, which reminded me of a Hadith I read which stated that the Sahaaba used to injest a pinch of soil (taking Allah's name ofcourse) when they were ill. Not that there needed to be antibiotics properties there in the 1st place for Allah to cure them, but the very fact that there is could have been just because of their duah / faith in Allah.

MTN subs have fax 2 email (not advertised)

Just figured that as an MTN sub, I have fax-to-email and didn't even know.

If you visit the MTN website imail page you can configure your email details.

Then, if anyone sends a fax to 08314(+last nine digits of your MTN cell number) you will receive the fax as an email!

Wish they'd advertise these things.

GSM Network codes (call barring etc.)

I needed to turn off incoming calls while roaming and had to search around to find these. Thought Id post them here for future reference and to make your life easier. The code I used to turn of all incoming calls while roaming was:

*351*0000*11# (In country), or

351*0000*10# (out of country)

TO DIVERT CALLS

ACTION	CODE
Deactivate call diverts	##002#@
Deactivate all conditional diverts	##004#@
Activate all conditional diverts	**004*DestinationNumber#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

DIVERT ALL CALLS

Action	Hash Codes
Deactivate automatically divert all calls to Destination Number	##21#@
Deactivate automatically divert all calls to Destination Number	#21#@
Set and Activate divert all calls to	**21*DestinationNumber#@
Activate divert all calls	*21#@
Status of automatically divert all calls to Destination Number	*#21#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

CALLNOT ANSWERED

ACTION	CODE
Activate and Set call divertion when not answered	**61*DestinationNumber#@
Deactivate and turn off call divert when not answered	##61#
Deactivate call divert	#61#@
Activate call divertion	*61#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

DIVERTS FOR ALL CALLS

ACTION	CODE
Set and Activate divert all calls to	**21*DestinationNumber#@
Activate divert all calls	*21#@
Deactivate divert all calls	#21#@
Status of automatically divert all calls to Destination Number	*#21#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

DIVERTS WHEN PHONE IS UNREACHABLE

ACTION	CODE
Activate call divert when not reachable	**62*DestinationNumber#@
Activate call divert	*62#@
Deactivate and turn off call divert if unreachable	##62#@
Deactivate call divert	#62#@
Status of call divert if not reachable	*#62#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

DIVERT WHEN PHONE IS BUSY

ACTION	CODE
Activate call divert when busy (engaged on another call)	**67*DestinationNumber#@
Activate call divert when busy	*67#@
Deactivate call divert when busy	##67#@
Deactivate call divert when busy	#67#@
Status of call divert when busy	*#67#@

---

BARRING ALL OUTGOING CallS

ACTION	CODE
Change password for call barring	**03*330*oldPW*newPW*newPW#@
Activate barring for all outgoing calls	**33*PW#@
Deactivate barring for all out going calls	#33*PW#@
Statusbarring for all out going calls	*#33#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

BARRING ALL CALLS

ACTION	CODE
Activate barring for all calls	**330*PW#@
Deactivate barring for all calls	#330*PW#@
Statusbaring for all calls	*#330*PW#@

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

BARRING ALL OUTGOING INTERNATIONAL CallS

ACTION	CODE
Activate barring for all outgoing international calls	**331*PW#@
Deactivate barring for all outgoing international calls	#331*PW#@
Statusbarring all outgoing international calls	*#331#@

---

BARRING ALL OUTGOING CALLS

ACTION	CODE
Activate barring all outgoing calls	**333*PW#@
Deactivate barring all outgoing calls	#333*PW#@
Statusbarring all outgoing calls	*#333#@

---

BARRING ALL INCOMING CALLS

ACTION	CODE
Activate barring all incoming calls	**35*PW#@ or **353*PW#@
Deactivate barring all incoming calls	#35*PW#@ or **353*PW#@
Statusbarring all incoming calls	*#35#@ or *#353#@

---

BARRING ALL INCOMING CALLS IF ROAMING

ACTION	CODE
Activate barring all incoming calls if abroad	**351*PW#@
Deactivate barring all incoming calls if abroad	#351*PW#@
Statusbarring all incoming calls if abroad	*#351#@

---

CALL WAITING

ACTION	CODE
Activate call waiting	*43#@
Deactivate call waiting	#43##@
Statuscall waiting	*#43#@

---

RINGS UNTIL ANSWERED BY YOUR VOICEMAIL

If your mobile's voicemail number is, for example:
+27-82-131-987-6543

....and you want your phone to divert to your voicemail after say 20 seconds, then type:

**61*+27821319876543**20#

The time can be up to 30secs (network default)

ACTION	CODE
Set number of rings	**61*YourVoiceMailNumber**N#@
Cancel previous Setting entered	##61#@

N =Ring Time (up to 30sec)

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

---

SEND/PREVENT YOUR PHONE NUMBER BEING SENT TO A PARTICULAR PHONE NUMBER

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

ACTION	CODE
Disable your phone number being sent	#30#DestinationNumber@
Enable your phone number being sent	*30#DestinationNumner@
Status of your phone number being sent	*#30#

---

SEND/PREVENT INCOMING PHONE NUMBERS BEING SEEN ON YOUR PHONE

@ = Send/OK button on your mobile phone

ACTION	CODE
Disable incoming number being shown on your phone	*77#
Enable incoming number being shown on your phone	#77#@
Status of whether calling parties number is shown on your phone	*#77#@

---

CHANGING PIN CODES

ACTION	CODE
Change PIN 1	**04*PINOLD*PINNEW*NEWPIN1#@

---

UNBLOCKING PHONE USING A PUK NUMBER

ACTION	CODE
Unblock PIN 1	**05*PUK*newPIN1*newPIN1#@

---

DISPLAY IMEI NUMBER

Display IMEI Number

*#06#

Source Code for masaajid map...

Though I'd share the code for those interested in how I did the masaajid maps:

<gm:page title="Masaajid in South Africa" authenticate="false" onload="kmlPE()" gadget="true">
<!--
The mashup application demonstrates taking a Google Earth KML file and mapping it on a Google Map.
@author: GME Team & Valery Hronusov
-->
<h2>Masaajid in South Africa</h2>
<!-- Map definition -->
<gm:map id="map" height="600px" width="800px"
lat="-28.7500" lng="24.7700" zoom="5" maptypes="true"/>
<script>
function kmlPE()
{
var myMap = google.mashups.getObjectById('map').getMap();
var geoXml = new GGeoXml("http://yusufk.googlepages.com/masjids.kml");
myMap.setMapType(myMap.getMapTypes()[0]);
myMap.addOverlay(geoXml);
myMap.enableDoubleClickZoom();
}
</script>
</gm:page>

The above code can be easily pasted/ test using the Google mashup editor.

Run Mac OS X on a PC - I must try this!

This article has a step-by-step howto for setting up Mac OS X on a PC, will give it a tr when I have some time. Involves some BIOS fiddling so not for the feint hearted I guess.

How to add a News Bar onto your wordpress blog..

Thought I'd share how I managed to get the Google Ajax News Bar you hopefully see at the top of the page...

1stly, visit this site to obtain the necessary code..

Then, open you WP-ADMIN page and cick on Design -- Theme Editor

Click on the Header template.

Once loaded, insert the following lines from the Ajax code (cut from the generated code) right at the bottom of the header file (below the <hr /> tag):

        <div id="newsBar-bar">

               <span style="color:#676767;font-size:11px;margin:10px;padding:4px;">Loading...</span>

        </div>

And insert the other stuff just before the </head> tag:

 <script src="http://www.google.com/uds/api?file=uds.js&v=1.0&source=uds-nbw"
    type="text/javascript"></script>
  <style type="text/css">
    @import url("http://www.google.com/uds/css/gsearch.css");
  </style>

  <!-- News Bar Code and Stylesheet -->
  <script type="text/javascript">
    window._uds_nbw_donotrepair = true;
  </script>
  <script src="http://www.google.com/uds/solutions/newsbar/gsnewsbar.js?mode=new"
    type="text/javascript"></script>
  <style type="text/css">
    @import url("http://www.google.com/uds/solutions/newsbar/gsnewsbar.css");
  </style>

  <script type="text/javascript">
    function LoadNewsBar() {
      var newsBar;
      var options = {
        largeResultSet : false,
        title : "In the news",
        horizontal : true,
        autoExecuteList : {
          executeList : ["Islam", "mobile", "science", "universe", "recipes"]
        }
      }

      newsBar = new GSnewsBar(document.getElementById("newsBar-bar"), options);
    }
    // arrange for this function to be called during body.onload
    // event processing
    GSearch.setOnLoadCallback(LoadNewsBar);
  </script>

Click on Update and its done!

p.s. It takes a few seconds to load the bar, depending on your bandwidth, you should see the word "loading..." as a placeholder.

Review of the new Android (google) phone

In depth review can be found here but the video sums it up nicely:

Solution to SA crime, buy a gun?

I've been having this debate with family, friends and colleagues; Should we just buy guns and fight back against criminals?

The majority of people respond by saying that some or other stats show that most gun owners end up hurting themselves or end up being shot with the same gun. Where can I find these statistics?

As a Muslim, the Quraan makes it clear that we are meant to "enjoin good and forbid evil":
The Noble Qur'an - Al-Tauba 9:71
The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.

Are we forbidding evil by standing back and allowing thieves to take what they want?

New Blog!

I've been paying for hosting I've never used, so thought I'd give Wordpress a try, turns out it's pretty cool and easy to use, so I think I might move this blog over there. Give it a shot: http://www.yusufk.za.net/blog/

Of course we live in a special place! Bye bye dark matter.

One of the theories that I was never to comfortable with is that of Dark Matter.

This article in Science daily has helped me make up my mind and now I am leaning towards being against the theory. Reason: We live in a special place.

Many things in nature demonstrate the words of the Quraan and Hadeeth wherein it is said that we are the best of creation. And everything we see around us is created for us as signs to the existance of Allah, if only we take the time to look.

Scientests have discovered that there are very few planets out there that can possibly support life. The ratio of water, oxygen, climate, etc. are all factors that are just perfect on earth.

There aren't many solar systems with planets circling in an almost circular orbit.

Then there are less obvious signs, like the relative size of and distance to the Sun and the Moon from the earth making both appear as if they're the same size.

Yes ofcourse we live in a very special place, and I therefore would not be surprised if the density of our area of space is just right to create this special environment. In fact, I would expect it to be unique. 

Of course we live in a special place! Bye bye dark matter.

One of the theories that I was never to comfortable with is that of Dark Matter.

This article in Science daily has helped me make up my mind and now I am leaning towards being against the theory. Reason: We live in a special place.

Many things in nature demonstrate the words of the Quraan and Hadeeth wherein it is said that we are the best of creation. And everything we see around us is created for us as signs to the existance of Allah, if only we take the time to look.

Scientests have discovered that there are very few planets out there that can possibly support life. The ratio of water, oxygen, climate, etc. are all factors that are just perfect on earth.

There aren't many solar systems with planets circling in an almost circular orbit.

Then there are less obvious signs, like the relative size of and distance to the Sun and the Moon from the earth making both appear as if they're the same size.

Yes ofcourse we live in a very special place, and I therefore would not be surprised if the density of our area of space is just right to create this special environment. In fact, I would expect it to be unique. 

The beginning of the Universe

An interesting presentation on time and entropy, these two slides caught my attention:

The words "Our initial conditions were finely tuned, even un-natural, nobody knows why" specifically caught my attention. Many religious people do not like the word evolution because of the links to atheism and atheists. However, I've always had the view that if one defines a process or equation and then perhaps more importantly, sets the right preconditions to the process or equation, then one is responsible for whatever evolves to anything within the process. 

In english, if kneading and baking is my process and the measured ingredients flour, water and yeast are my preconditions, then I am the creator of the bread that the dough eventually evolves into.

So, to the presenter, at least someone does presume to have an idea why.

And it is not all the Big Bangs fault, its the One that sets determined the equations of life and the important preconditions, our Creator, Allah.

The beginning of the Universe

An interesting presentation on time and entropy, these two slides caught my attention:

The words "Our initial conditions were finely tuned, even un-natural, nobody knows why" specifically caught my attention. Many religious people do not like the word evolution because of the links to atheism and atheists. However, I've always had the view that if one defines a process or equation and then perhaps more importantly, sets the right preconditions to the process or equation, then one is responsible for whatever evolves to anything within the process. 

In english, if kneading and baking is my process and the measured ingredients flour, water and yeast are my preconditions, then I am the creator of the bread that the dough eventually evolves into.

So, to the presenter, at least someone does presume to have an idea why.

And it is not all the Big Bangs fault, its the One that sets determined the equations of life and the important preconditions, our Creator, Allah.

The Independent: Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

A friend (yusufk@mailbox.co.za) has sent you an article:

Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

Thursday, 25 September 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-six-years-in-guantanamo-941479.html

Sami al-Haj walks with pain on his steel crutch; almost six years in the nightmare of Guantanamo have taken their toll on the Al Jazeera journalist and, now in the safety of a hotel in the small Norwegian town of Lillehammer, he is a figure of both dignity and shame. The Americans told him they were sorry when they eventually freed him this year ? after the beatings he says he suffered, and the force-feeding, the humiliations and interrogations by British, American and Canadian intelligence officers ? and now he hopes one day he'll be able to walk without his stick.

The Independent: Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

A friend (yusufk@mailbox.co.za) has sent you an article:

Robert Fisk: Six years in Guantanamo

Thursday, 25 September 2008

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-six-years-in-guantanamo-941479.html

Sami al-Haj walks with pain on his steel crutch; almost six years in the nightmare of Guantanamo have taken their toll on the Al Jazeera journalist and, now in the safety of a hotel in the small Norwegian town of Lillehammer, he is a figure of both dignity and shame. The Americans told him they were sorry when they eventually freed him this year ? after the beatings he says he suffered, and the force-feeding, the humiliations and interrogations by British, American and Canadian intelligence officers ? and now he hopes one day he'll be able to walk without his stick.

Prophet Yunus (Jonah's) prayer, from inside the whale!

One of the prayers that have helped me along my way:

Three layers of darkness enveloped him, one above the other; the darkness of the whale's stomach, the darkness of the bottom of the sea, the darkness of the night. Yunus imaged himself to be dead, but his senses became alert when he found he could move. He knew that he was alive and imprisoned in the midst of three layers of darkness. His heart was moved by remembering Allah. His tongue released soon after saying: La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You (above all that evil they associate with You), Truly, I have been of the wrong doers." (21:87 Quran)

Prophet Yunus (Jonah's) prayer, from inside the whale!

One of the prayers that have helped me along my way:

Three layers of darkness enveloped him, one above the other; the darkness of the whale's stomach, the darkness of the bottom of the sea, the darkness of the night. Yunus imaged himself to be dead, but his senses became alert when he found he could move. He knew that he was alive and imprisoned in the midst of three layers of darkness. His heart was moved by remembering Allah. His tongue released soon after saying: La ilaha illa Anta (none has the right to be worshipped but You (O Allah), Glorified (and Exalted) be You (above all that evil they associate with You), Truly, I have been of the wrong doers." (21:87 Quran)

Zapiro does it again...

Interview with Zapiro:
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/audio/2008/09/zapiro-wont-apologise

Zapiro does it again...

Interview with Zapiro:
http://multimedia.thetimes.co.za/audio/2008/09/zapiro-wont-apologise

Recipe: Julie (mums) Chicken Pie

METHOD:
Cook meat in lemon , salt ,pepper and mustard. Break into small shreds. Make mash of 1 big potato.

Mix meat & mash , add about 1 tblspn chow chow or picallilly.

Layer both bottom of squared tin with half of dough. Spread with tomatoe sauce &mustard sauce. Than add meat filling and sliced boiled egg (egg optional). Lastly add grated cheese. Put second half of rolled out dough over. Make holes with fork, smear beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for 30- 45 min @ 180……….( dough from Indian delights- Mince in scones)"

Recipe: Julie (mums) Macaroni Salad

MACARONI SALAD:

1 pkt noodles (elbow, straight, or screws) , boil & cool ( salt)
¾ pkt mixed frozen veggies
¼ kg white meat cooked in salt, lemon pepper and mustard powder. shred into small pieces .

When cool mix all together in large dish.

Sauce:
1 bottle mayonnaise
1 heaped spoon crushed garlic
½ green pepper cubed
Salt to taste +/- 1 tspn
Dash of pepper
Dash fresh ground pepper
1 tblspn sugar
spring onions
parsely
mustard
½ cup oil

mix sauce thoroughly than add to other ingredients. Refrigerate.

Recipe: Julie (mums) custard slice

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2cups b/p
Pinch of salt
½ cup milk
¼ cup sugar
2 oz butter (60g)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence


Method:
Cream butter-sugar method.
Than roll 5-6 flat round cakes.
Bake in oven.

Custard:
1L milk 4 tblspn (level) custard sugar + condensed milk.

Recipe: Julie (mums) Chicken Pie

METHOD:
Cook meat in lemon , salt ,pepper and mustard. Break into small shreds. Make mash of 1 big potato.

Mix meat & mash , add about 1 tblspn chow chow or picallilly.

Layer both bottom of squared tin with half of dough. Spread with tomatoe sauce &mustard sauce. Than add meat filling and sliced boiled egg (egg optional). Lastly add grated cheese. Put second half of rolled out dough over. Make holes with fork, smear beaten egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake for 30- 45 min @ 180……….( dough from Indian delights- Mince in scones)"

Recipe: Julie (mums) Macaroni Salad

MACARONI SALAD:

1 pkt noodles (elbow, straight, or screws) , boil & cool ( salt)
¾ pkt mixed frozen veggies
¼ kg white meat cooked in salt, lemon pepper and mustard powder. shred into small pieces .

When cool mix all together in large dish.

Sauce:
1 bottle mayonnaise
1 heaped spoon crushed garlic
½ green pepper cubed
Salt to taste +/- 1 tspn
Dash of pepper
Dash fresh ground pepper
1 tblspn sugar
spring onions
parsely
mustard
½ cup oil

mix sauce thoroughly than add to other ingredients. Refrigerate.

Recipe: Julie (mums) custard slice

Ingredients:

2 cups flour
2cups b/p
Pinch of salt
½ cup milk
¼ cup sugar
2 oz butter (60g)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla essence


Method:
Cream butter-sugar method.
Than roll 5-6 flat round cakes.
Bake in oven.

Custard:
1L milk 4 tblspn (level) custard sugar + condensed milk.