JAVED ZAHEER: February 2013

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

HEARTY SENIORS ENJOY FAMILY DAY CELEBRATION

HEARTY SENIORS ENJOY FAMILY

DAY CELEBRATION

BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER,

DEDICATED TO SERVE, CREATE AWARENESS

TORONTO: Despite the mounds of snow, slippery ice and strong chilly winter wind, a large number of seniors of various communities participated, danced, entertained and enjoyed the Family Day Celebration for Seniors held on February 20, 2013, at the Seniors Building, 12 Thorncliffe Park Drive. Refreshment was served.

The celebration was organized by Thorncliffe Neighbourhood Office—Settlement Services and New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). It was funded by Service Canada. The distinguished guests included Jehad Aliweiwi, Executive Director, and Ahmed, Director, of TNO. NHSP Coordinators Syed Iqbal and Linda Verzosa and Settlement Workers Nawal Ateeq and Alberto Rodil put great efforts in making the program successful.

Members, mostly of Pakistani community, of the Seniors Club including Javed Zaheer, Naseem, Sajid Ali, Aziz Meherali, Azhar Bokhari, Syed Shakil Ahmed (Indian Community) took part. The Seniors Club has been formed by Tariq Rehman and hold weekly meeting at the TNO Youth Centre. It has decided to show presence at other meetings as well in order to remove the propagated bad impression that the South Asian community is not active.

This club had recently organized a highly successful musical/entertainment program and more are in the pipeline. It has gained great popularity and the members are increasing. The club is based on the policy---Respect each other and share time, experiences and food with love, care and understanding. It gives the touch of a family and home. Nooruddin twice brought from home mouth-watering and very delicious Haleem and Zarda. Others too keep bringing food from home. Syed Shakil Ahmed and Syed Sajid Ali keep entertaining the group with their good voices including songs, ghazals and naat. Shakil plays piano as well.

Performances in the family celebration included Gujrati dance under the supervision of Hilda. The participants included Shakil Ahmed, Syed Sajid Ali, Sonia, Norma and Dident. Shakil also sang Ghazal (Poetry in song form). The Philippines community members presented a sign language show. The Sri Lankan community presented a dance show. The Afghan community too presented a show. Certificates were also distributed on the occasion.

Tariq Rehman and Almas acted as MC. Fiza also spoke on the occasion. The convenor was Alberto Ridol.

The program was to be held from 1:00 to 4:00 but ended before 2:30. Many guests including me coming by this time were surprised and disappointed. Those who invited me were happy to see me and wanted to arrange food for me.

Alberto was giving the food and when one of my friends told him to arrange food for me as well he stared at me and said that he came late and will not get the food. I personally was not interested in the food, refuse to have it and did not ask for it but the way Alberto Ridol stared at me and insulted me really shocked me. My friends who invited me were also shocked. They were not expecting such insulting attitude and behaviour from a responsible worker of TNO.

I told my friends who wanted to introduce me to Alberto that I don’t make such people friend and cannot work with such a person. I was shocked that TNO has such an irresponsible person working on a responsible position. The impression I got from his dirty look and attitude was that `We (South Asians/Muslims) were not welcome’. How would one have trust and confidence in such a person/official when it comes to helping them in TNO?

Still we are prepared to work with the TNO groups and others provided we are welcomed and treated respectfully and with spirit of togetherness. Sorry Alberto Ridol, we cannot tolerate, support and promote discrimination and insults. You and your group are welcome to our Senior Club, where you will get respect and all.

You must thank the participants for making the program successful although many were disappointed because of your failure, due to reasons best known to you, to keep the program alive and running from 1:00 to 4:00. Anyway, it happens. Focus must always remain on improvements. It will affect the sponsors and funds. The TNO and community both need them.

---Javed Zaheer, Free Expression Award Winner, Desi Idol Recognition Award Winner, Member/Honorary Director of NEPMCC, Veteran Active Member (VAM) of Toronto Press Club, Ex-Member of The National Club and The Ontario Club, Honorary Editor of English Weekly `Pakistan Abroad’, ex-Chief Editor (Honorary) of English Weekly `The Ambassador’, ex-Senior Sub-Editor of English Daily DAWN, Pakistan, Chairman, CANOPI, and Director, Canpak Camber of Commerce, is contributing purely on Voluntary and Honorary Basis in order to serve all people and communities. Contact: (416)696-0981/jazamedia@hotmail.com. To read more JZ’s exclusive articles, please visit: www. nepmcc.ca and nationalethnicpress.com (Editorial Sections. Scan years from 2004 to 2011. Visit www.javedzaheernews.blogspot.com

and www.jazamedia.wordpress.com.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

EXPLOITED PEOPLE ARE HELPLESS NOT STUPID

EXPLOITED PEOPLE ARE

HELPLESS NOT STUPID

BY JAVED ZAHEER, FREE EXPRESSION AWARD WINNER,

DEDICATED TO SERVE, CREATE AWARENESS

TORONTO: Don’t feel bad or get mad and react in the same manner when arrogant, crazy and senseless people consider and call you stupid, idiot and a fool. If you can manage, handle, help and support them then go ahead. If you can’t, don’t mess to make it worse but avoid and just pray for the poor souls and leave them to God or those who can really handle properly. This is what they deserve the most in such pitiable condition. However, the situation differs when it is said and done deliberately and cunningly in full senses.

At a seniors gathering recently, one of the members, who like most others who boast and claim to be highly literate, experienced, well-connected and try desperately to promote themselves from team leader to community leader, knowingly, unknowingly or jokingly, gave a nasty comment: “All those who consider themselves as exploited ones are STUPID”.

Such comment about people who deserve priority attention, help, support and promotion, exposes the type and calibre of most community leaders, their character, intention and mindset. This is a common problem with people who are self-proclaimed leaders and consider themselves and pose as heavyweights and champions of everything including community and humanity.

In reality, these exploiters, opportunists and hypocrites are rotten eggs of the society and community. They are cunning and cruel and only interested in their vested interests and can stoop to any lows to achieve them. Yes, they are the ones who think that the exploited, helpless and innocent people are stupid, idiot and fool. They keep preying on them and playing with them. They act as quicksand and prevent the people from reaching the true leaders.

We have to, should and must remain alert, united and committed to protect all good, innocent, deserving, helpless and exploited people from all such evils and devils in disguise, who are harming and damaging the community, society, system and the country in reality. All those engaged in serving the people in any way must come forward and act to protect the people.

We cannot expect any good thinking, constructive approach and positive results from the Charia (Mentally Sick), Chirandi (Troublemaker) and Jahil & Makkar (Illiterate & cunning) characters and hope that the leaders, parties, groups and bodies of all levels---municipal, provincial and national---would keep them away in the best interest of the people and parties.

Is there really a dearth of good people and leaders in the community and country that nuisances are made volunteers, members and leaders? Unfortunately, instead of being monitored and controlled properly so that the people and their interests are protected and not harmed, they are cleverly used and cunningly let loose on the people. Is this not why both the people and the country are suffering? Yes, it is.

The Muslim Community is playing an important constructive and positive role and contributing tremendously towards progress, prosperity and stability of Canada, US and the people. The number of Muslims, Mosques and Madrassas is increasing rapidly. This is because of good character of Muslims and the rights, freedom and facilities enjoyed in these countries. More Muslims are becoming Practicing Muslims and teaching and training their children as well.

What the community and the people in general urgently need is a good and true leadership for better performances, contributions and results. Despite the lacking in most fields they are doing well and good.

The cunning exploiters, opportunists, professionals and hypocrites are definitely NOT but certainly yes pose as religious leaders, scholars and pious persons. They act as mafia, use mosques and madrassas for their vested interests, prey on the worshippers and innocent people and play with them. They do not enjoy trust and confidence of the people, who understand their nature, character and the dirty game very well.

Just construction of large and beautiful mosques and collection of money/donation in the name of or for their maintenance/facilities only is not sufficient. The mosques and the donation boxes become a source of lifetime earnings for the mafia. This is exactly what they are interested in and want. The mosques must be used purely as a place of worship and centres of excellence to properly guide Muslims and promote and spread message of Islam and humanity.

Look what Allah says about the wrong-doers in the Holy Quran. Sura 9 - Al-Tawba (MADINA) : Verse 19:

“Do you consider the providing of drinking water to the pilgrims and the maintenance of Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (at Makkah) as equal to the worth of those who believe in Allâh and the Last Day, and strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allâh? They are not equal before Allâh. And Allâh guides not those people who are the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong-doers).”---Translation Eng-Dr. Mohsin

Even people booking and buying land for graves in the cemetery have been allegedly cheated in Canada. They are approaching those involved in dealing of the land for grave and cemetery so that they could get back the difference in hundreds (Their hard earned money) but have faced disappointment till now.

On the one hand such swindlers acting as community and religious leaders fool the people by saying that they consider the gay and lesbian as sinners on religious grounds but on the other hand they are found to be their best friends, partners and committed team mates. They cleverly use religion for this purpose and play with the people. If they think it is right then they should give valid reasons to convince the people.

It is very simple, as Canadians or Americans or whatsoever, Muslims definitely have problem in becoming gay or lesbian because the religion strictly forbids them and warns them of Wrath of Allah (The Almighty) but they have no problem in working with gay or lesbian in the best interest of the community, people and country. They can never practically become part of gay or lesbian class or support and promote them for this very purpose.

The parameter for judgment of a good person, true leader and believer is described by Allah (The Almighty) in the Holy Quran as follows. Sura # 103 Al-Asr (Verses 1-3):

“By the declining day, (1) Lo! man is a state of loss, (2) Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance. (3)”---Translation by Pickthal.

We can easily recognize and identify the Fake & Cunning Mullahs, scholars, leaders and persons in general by carefully reading and understanding Sura # 107 Al-Maun (Verses 1-7) in the Holy Quran. It clearly tells us about how to judge people and protect our prayers in order to become a good and pious person and a practicing Muslim (Believer & Worshipper).

“Hast thou observed him who belieth religion? (1) That is he who repelleth the orphan, (2) And urgeth not the feeding of the needy. (3) Ah, woe unto worshippers (4) Who are heedless of their prayer; (5) Who would be seen (at worship) (6) Yet refuse small kindnesses! (7)”.

In order to serve humanity in reality and the people in the best possible manner we have to become: 1) Good human being first and then 2) Good Practitioner. Only a Good Person can please Allah---The Almighty by serving all people---irrespective of caste, creed and religion---in the best possible manner.

and www.jazamedia.wordpress.com.

Friday, February 1, 2013

SUCCESSFUL STORY OF A MANAGER

Successful story of a Manager

Complied, Edited, and Adapted by Khalid Latif

The "Story of Appreciation" may be someone's wishful thinking but it carries a powerful message for our modern society.

**Story of Appreciation**

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" the youth answered "none".

The director asked, "Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.

The director asked, "Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as clothes cleaner.

The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked, "Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, "I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked: "Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, "I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes'

The Director asked, "please tell me your feelings."

The youth said, Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today. Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

The director said, "This is what I am looking for to be my manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality" and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement. He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?

You can let your kid live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.

You would have forwarded many mails to many and many of them would have back mailed you too...but try and forward this story to as many as possible...this may change somebody's fate...