Can this be classified as a....rishta?

Egypt and India meet.

How do you Explain Violence?

Toronto Muslims are in a state of shock and horror about the story of Aqsa, a young teenaged girl mercilessly killed by her father, allegedly over her refusal to wear the hijab. There are no meaningful words for me to try to explain such an act, such a state of mind.

We have indeed created man in the best of moulds, then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low. (Qur'an 95:4-5)

It is the depths of inhumanity and complete ingratitude to God to take His Just and Merciful words and use them, coupled with the power He gave you to oppress the weaker amongst you.

It astounds me that some men, perhaps given more physical and psychological strength than women, could express their power in such a heartless, abusive manner. This isn't the first case of severe abuse we've seen in the Muslim community, and it won't be the last. To have a daughter, mother, wife, living in a real and constant fear of her male relatives, what kind of a life is that? I'd like someone to explain to me what kind of an Islam this has become.

I am sad that some hearts have gotten to this level, that what is supposed to be a vessel of faith and mercy and love has become so hardened.

I can only hope this man gets exactly what he deserves.

Saying Goodbye

How do you say goodbye to someone? How do you look someone in the eye, or talk to him or her over the phone and know that at the end of the conversation, you'll never speak to or see that person again?

I had to do this a couple of days ago. One of my friends from high school went back to Kenya to get married and live out his life. And it was a strange conversation we had the day before he left. He phoned me on his way to jummah and we had our final "may Allah (swt) bless your life and give you all the happiness you deserve" conversation. It was extremely unnerving. Not because are very close or anything, but the concept of it was horrifying.

I used to see him around the subway station or at the library, grocery store once in a while. Maybe at the mosque in Ramadan. Beyond that I don't think about anything related to him, nor do I talk to him except when I see him. But knowing that he'll never be around anymore, that some routine surprise of seeing him buying milk or waiting for the bus no longer exists...you are now completely living a life apart and without any minute relation whatsoever.

This might sound strange, but the knowledge of being completely disconnected bothered me. How do you say goodbye to someone forever?