Monday, August 28, 2006

Dirt free Harry















Harry Redknapp, shrewd operator, underrated footballing brain
Attractive teams playing delightful football without refrain
The master of suspense, enjoys a flutter
A maverick like Clough, with a bit of a splutter
In an age of obsession for pure English stock
He’d be a genius for the national team, an East End Hitchcock

© Emdad Rahman

The Laird from Govan














Fergie, Fergie
A catatonic burst of energy
You'll do well if you're St Neville of the clergy
Be Ruud, avoid him like the lergy
Strachan became a hypersensitive reaction to an allergy
Same fate for Brian Kidd, a man of Panergy
Big time Ince, a pure definition of Surgy
Aussie Mark Bosnich, a mixed bag of lethargy
Spice boy Greening, shipped off to be a Baggy
With Becks it was turning into a big showbiz orgy
A brilliant stopper in Stam, but not working in synergy
With delusional Yorkey the picture was getting muggy
Last straw for Lieutenant Keano, were things getting foggy?
Cross him and the resulting taste will be tangy
New dawn with the Fergie babes, get ready with the buggy
Many will come and go, but the Govan Don will always remain the biggie

© Emdad Rahman

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Inside the real Tablighi Jamaat?

Response to Paul Lewis: http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html

















EMDAD RAHMAN

After much consideration I felt very much duty bound and obliged to pick up my pen following Paul lewis’ groundbreaking expose on the activities of members of the Tablighi Jamaat. (The Guardian- 19.08.06 http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html )
The effort of Tabligh has been described (http://www.icna.org/tm/greatmovement3.html ) ‘as one of the most influential grassroots Islamic movements of the twentieth century South Asian subcontinent.’

The jamaat (group) has been under close spotlight since the atrocities of 9/11. The New York Times stated that an FBI official had claimed the jamaat to be a recruiting ground for Al-Qaeda. Police in the UK also carried out interrogations based on information that Mohammad Sidique Khan, leader of the London bombers of July 7 2005, had frequented the Tablighi headquarters in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. After converting to Islam Lindh met members of Tabligh. Attracted to their proselytising ways, he took part on a Tablighi tour of preaching. Lindh’s lawyer George Harris said; "John's experience of the Tablighi is that they are what they say they are. They are apolitical. And he found that an extreme position that he didn't find particularly attractive. He wanted guidance as to political and spiritual issues."

Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia accurately depicts Tablighi Jamaat as a ‘Muslim missionary and revival movement. They usually limit their activities to within the Muslim community itself, their main aim being to bring spiritual awakening to the world's Muslims.’

The Jamaat, which boasts former Pakistan cricket captain Saeed Anwar and singing sensation Junaid Jamshed amongst it’s adherents, is far from the shrinking violet type. It is one of the most avant-garde Islamic movements in the world. Those who participate in the approved traditions of the Jamaat describe it as a non political group, shunning violence, and engrossed in nothing more than proselytizing and calling Muslims to return to Islam.

Incidentally, the Jamaat does not like to be seen as a group or sect, rather as simple Muslims striving hard to be firm on their faith.

The refusal of the group to indulge in political discussions has always ensured that those with strong political or radical opinions have moved on very swiftly.

Contrary to common perception Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi (1885-1944) is not the founder of the Tablighi Jamaat. He is primarily held responsible for the revival of the effort of Tabligh from Mewat, a province in India. Diagnosing Muslims to be in general ill health, he called global Muslims to return to the basic tenets of Islam from which he believed Muslims had deviated, thus encouraging Muslims to concentrate on their own personal spiritual and moral development. M.S Agwani in Islamic fundamentalism in India likened Muhammad Ilyas’ task to the tilling of land and irrigating it (Islamic fundamentalism in India).

Paul Lewis’ article contained a number of factual errors. Tabligh is not influenced by Wahhabism, and Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that does not support the effort, either morally or financially. Tabligh is not a formal organisation and amazingly there is not one paid member or participant anywhere in the world. The bedrock of the effort is based purely on the participant utilising their own health, wealth and time in the pursuit of moral and spiritual development. For many years some Muslims in the UK and abroad have accused Tablighis of being too passive and being out of touch with reality (with regards to current affairs) because of their shunning of all forms of politics.

The Thursday evening gatherings mentioned have been taking place in the UK since the 1950’s and this is not a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination. The number of attendees and the popularity of the activities of the effort have increased ten fold, but the peaceful message of self rectification ant the call towards good remains very much the same.

With regards to the security barrier, it is open knowledge that the Markaz operates a completely open door policy. Mr Lewis states that; ‘men in fluorescent jackets waved through those who are known to the Tablighi hierarchy.’ This is strictly untrue and on the contrary nobody is refused entry to gatherings. The Jamaat has never been a secretive or draconian body, with a hidden agenda. There are no lodges, secret meetings, rituals or golden and coded handshakes. The Markaz is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The fact of the matter is that a very large group of people that are non political, and are perceived to be low profile because of lack of media coverage until now, are now being openly accused in many quarters of acting as a conscription bureau for Al Qaeda.

For a good few years the location of the Markaz (Tabligh’s London headquarters), has courted controversy, surrounding planning permission and preparations for the 2012 games. The site for the Markaz was purchased in 2000. It was perceived to be worthless due to the fact that the said land posed a toxic threat. This was way before the success of the 2012 Olympic. Amongst popular consensus, a large number of Muslims find it intriguing that with the Olympics looming large that there is talk of the possibility of looming Islamic terrorism in Newham.

The Newham Labour Council has thus far refused planning permission regarding the construction of a building, (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1892780,00.html ) which is very likely to bring considerable benefit to the area.

Over the weekend a source from the Markaz who I spoke to expressed his disappointment at what he referred to as, ‘a very ill conceived and poorly researched article by Lewis.’

The member accused the Author of using racist stereotypes, when writing the article in question. ‘People who go to Church carry out atrocities. Does this mean that the Church is a terrorist body? Far from it’ said the member. ’This highlights astounding levels of ignorance and a complete lack of understanding of our peaceful nature.’

In a nutshell Tablighi excursions usually involve a group of Muslims retiring to a Mosque for a few designated days. Activities involve teaching and learning the tenets of faith, enjoining fellow Muslims towards good by addressing them in lectures in the Mosque or one to one discussions at their residence, business, even on the street. Preaching focusses on increasing piety through devotion to God, thus maintaining positive change within an individual.
An essential feature is encouraging Muslims to join the effort of preaching good.

Why is there so much focus on Tabligh? Has the effort taken the place of Opus Dei as the new target of ridicule and suspicion? Tablighi activities are the most transparent of any organisation in the world. People involved with the effort have had to live with being villifiesd by fellow Muslims for many years, with accusations of being boring, to harping on with the same repeated messages, and leaving their homes to fulfill so called ‘missionary roles ( http://www.forum.mpacuk.org/showthread.php?t=99 ).

Members have for many years also had to live with the laughable notion that members are CIA agents, with the large (Ijtema) gatherings being funded by Western governments. It’s a lose, lose situation either way.

Tabligh is a truly global effort and accusations regarding the Jamaat’s links to terror groups are largely misconstrued. Scrutiny is not alien to the Jamaat, which has been under close monitoring for many years. There is nothing to hide. Do we really believe that members have only been under scrutiny in recent years. Monitoring has been taking place for years on end.

There is a quote attributed to Umar Ibn Khattaab the second Caliph of Islam who said:

"The one whom I fear most for this Ummah is a man who is an Aalim (learned person) with his tongue, but a Jaahil (ignoramus) in his heart."

This description fits those who make negative and false accusations towards this benevolent effort and this has led to unstable and theoretical ramblings. The solution to all this very clear; laying down the gauntlet, I would now like to advise anybody in doubt and seekers of truth like Paul Lewis, to pack their bags and spend 3 or 10 days with a travelling group to see for themselves what all the fuss is all about.

The second option is to cut out the James Bong intelligence farce ands use a more sophisticated and old fashioned method of investigation; Pop into the Markaz in Newham or room 5 at the Markaz in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, knock on the door and ask for yourself.

Extract from Tablighi preaching:

















Hadhrat Nuúmaan bin Basheer (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) says that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) gave an example of people sailing on a boat having an upper deck and a lower deck. The people from the lower deck require water and request water from the people of the upper deck. The people from the upper deck refuse water so the people from the lower deck decide to make a hole on the floor of the ship and get water from the sea. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "If the people from the upper deck don't stop the people at the bottom from making a hole, the ship will sink and all the people travelling will drown." (Mishkãt vol. 2 p. 436)

Similarly, if people do not prohibit evil and sin in the society, the entire

The Lisbon lions















The Lisbon Lions who ran
Never a team in tow
They matched Internazionale man to man
All born in touching distance of Glasgow

Cappellini felled by Craig, Mazzola fires in the pen
Inter retreat into a cocoon like defence
As it looks much like boys versus men
Gemmell levels from Craig’s pass, as things start to get tense.

Eighty three minutes, Gemmell is allowed space
Murdoch’s shot deflected by Chalmers to score
The crowd bay for the countdown race
As the Lions get ready to roar

History, as the Bhoys hold on in Lisbon town
And thus become the very first British club to lift the crown

© Emdad Rahman

Friday, August 25, 2006

The Magnificent Magyars










The great Stanley Mathews summed it up like a beautiful day’s weather

"They are the best team I ever played against. They were the best ever."

Known as Aranycsapatin in Hungary, they played football with the lyre
The golden team to you and me, musicians amidst the pyre

Led by Ferenc Puskas, marauding Real Madrid hero, the galloping Major
Record goalscorer of all time, never will he be a stranger

Hidegkuti probing, making space in the hole
The first exponent of the deep lying centre forward role

Zoltan Czibor with the accuracy of a wild west gunslinger
His wing wizardry leaves a legacy of an all time great left winger

Then there was Boszik, graceful midfielder, a golden beacon and beam
A cultured playmaker, full of steam, the brains behind the team

Grosics took on the mantle of a revolutionary new role
The archetypal second sweeper, the heartbeat and the soul

Lorant the sweeper with flowing attacks brimming with power
An example so perfected by Kaiser Beckenbauer

We move onto the marauding right back, the steely Buzanszky
Express train, bulletlike, oh the young and free!

Lantos working simultaneously, a busy bee on the left
Sizzling pace, startling grace, leaving opposing teams bereft

Zakarias the defensive midfielder calmy policing his rounds
In today’s market he’d be worth at least eighteen million pounds

Budai on the right, always alright on the night
Tracking up and down, in and out, by golly he gave teams a fright

Kocsis nicknamed goldenhead for his aerial power
Indomitable Golden Boot winner, an irresolute tower

Fifty four world cup heralds the Olympic champions, all ready to slay
A long unbeaten run, they’ll blow all in their path away

A nine nil victory over South Korea, a West German massacre eight goals to three
The mighty Hungarians are in town, the travelling support are full of glee

The Magicians arrive on the back of a four-year unbeaten run
The outcome of the finals is still seen as a miracle by the Hun

Brazil and Uruguay like dirty rags on the scrapheap, tossed to a side
The march goes on and it seems that nothing will spoil the ride

But don’t understate German party poopers, proficient with the proverbial ‘boo’
Helmut Rahn knocks in a brace as Froitz Walters men triumph three two.

© Emdad Rahman
www.footballpoets.org

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Poem - Gladiator Tardelli’s Passion



The peak of football, finale Espana nine hundred and eight two
And maybe for once Paolo Rossi is not the darling of this pome
The efficient Germans lineup against a rejuvenated blue
Azurri, Azurri! All roads lead to Rome

We speak of the warrior Tardelli
Whom Fifa describe as the complete Italian midfielder
Who scored before Altobelli
And became a global superstar

Sixty ninth minute, Bergomi passes into the hole
A slide shot,with no bend
Like a heat seeking missile, goal!
What ensued has become ingrained into legend

Tears streaming, chest thumping, roaring, the opposition forlorn
For the unromantic Schumacher things look very lean
This isn't a memory that fades the next morn
Not the look of a professional but the realisation of a boyhood dream

The raw, unbridled joy in unrevised celebration
Yes, pure unadulterated joy can be mean
Has there ever been so much emotion?
Quite simply the best goal celebration ever seen

© Emdad Rahman

www.footballpoets.org

Inside the real Tablighi Jamaat

Response to Paul Lewis: http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html">http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html

















EMDAD RAHMAN

After much consideration I felt very much duty bound and obliged to pick up my pen following Paul lewis’ groundbreaking expose on the activities of members of the Tablighi Jamaat. (The Guardian- 19.08.06 http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,1853800,00.html )
The effort of Tabligh has been described (http://www.icna.org/tm/greatmovement3.html ) ‘as one of the most influential grassroots Islamic movements of the twentieth century South Asian subcontinent.’

The jamaat (group) has been under close spotlight since the atrocities of 9/11. The New York Times stated that an FBI official had claimed the jamaat to be a recruiting ground for Al-Qaeda. Police in the UK also carried out interrogations based on information that Mohammad Sidique Khan, leader of the London bombers of July 7 2005, had frequented the Tablighi headquarters in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. After converting to Islam Lindh met members of Tabligh. Attracted to their proselytising ways, he took part on a Tablighi tour of preaching. Lindh’s lawyer George Harris said; "John's experience of the Tablighi is that they are what they say they are. They are apolitical. And he found that an extreme position that he didn't find particularly attractive. He wanted guidance as to political and spiritual issues."

Online encyclopaedia Wikipedia accurately depicts Tablighi Jamaat as a ‘Muslim missionary and revival movement. They usually limit their activities to within the Muslim community itself, their main aim being to bring spiritual awakening to the world's Muslims.’

The Jamaat, which boasts former Pakistan cricket captain Saeed Anwar and singing sensation Junaid Jamshed amongst it’s adherents, is far from the shrinking violet type. It is one of the most avant-garde Islamic movements in the world. Those who participate in the approved traditions of the Jamaat describe it as a non political group, shunning violence, and engrossed in nothing more than proselytizing and calling Muslims to return to Islam.

Incidentally, the Jamaat does not like to be seen as a group or sect, rather as simple Muslims striving hard to be firm on their faith.

The refusal of the group to indulge in political discussions has always ensured that those with strong political or radical opinions have moved on very swiftly.

Contrary to common perception Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi (1885-1944) is not the founder of the Tablighi Jamaat. He is primarily held responsible for the revival of the effort of Tabligh from Mewat, a province in India. Diagnosing Muslims to be in general ill health, he called global Muslims to return to the basic tenets of Islam from which he believed Muslims had deviated, thus encouraging Muslims to concentrate on their own personal spiritual and moral development. M.S Agwani in Islamic fundamentalism in India likened Muhammad Ilyas’ task to the tilling of land and irrigating it (Islamic fundamentalism in India).

Paul Lewis’ article contained a number of factual errors. Tabligh is not influenced by Wahhabism, and Saudi Arabia is one of the countries that does not support the effort, either morally or financially. Tabligh is not a formal organisation and amazingly there is not one paid member or participant anywhere in the world. The bedrock of the effort is based purely on the participant utilising their own health, wealth and time in the pursuit of moral and spiritual development. For many years some Muslims in the UK and abroad have accused Tablighis of being too passive and being out of touch with reality (with regards to current affairs) because of their shunning of all forms of politics.

The Thursday evening gatherings mentioned have been taking place in the UK since the 1950’s and this is not a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination. The number of attendees and the popularity of the activities of the effort have increased ten fold, but the peaceful message of self rectification ant the call towards good remains very much the same.

With regards to the security barrier, it is open knowledge that the Markaz operates a completely open door policy. Mr Lewis states that; ‘men in fluorescent jackets waved through those who are known to the Tablighi hierarchy.’ This is strictly untrue and on the contrary nobody is refused entry to gatherings. The Jamaat has never been a secretive or draconian body, with a hidden agenda. There are no lodges, secret meetings, rituals or golden and coded handshakes. The Markaz is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The fact of the matter is that a very large group of people that are non political, and are perceived to be low profile because of lack of media coverage until now, are now being openly accused in many quarters of acting as a conscription bureau for Al Qaeda.

For a good few years the location of the Markaz (Tabligh’s London headquarters), has courted controversy, surrounding planning permission and preparations for the 2012 games. The site for the Markaz was purchased in 2000. It was perceived to be worthless due to the fact that the said land posed a toxic threat. This was way before the success of the 2012 Olympic. Amongst popular consensus, a large number of Muslims find it intriguing that with the Olympics looming large that there is talk of the possibility of looming Islamic terrorism in Newham.

The Newham Labour Council has thus far refused planning permission regarding the construction of a building, (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2087-1892780,00.html ) which is very likely to bring considerable benefit to the area.

Over the weekend a source from the Markaz who I spoke to expressed his disappointment at what he referred to as, ‘a very ill conceived and poorly researched article by Lewis.’

The member accused the Author of using racist stereotypes, when writing the article in question. ‘People who go to Church carry out atrocities. Does this mean that the Church is a terrorist body? Far from it’ said the member. ’This highlights astounding levels of ignorance and a complete lack of understanding of our peaceful nature.’

In a nutshell Tablighi excursions usually involve a group of Muslims retiring to a Mosque for a few designated days. Activities involve teaching and learning the tenets of faith, enjoining fellow Muslims towards good by addressing them in lectures in the Mosque or one to one discussions at their residence, business, even on the street. Preaching focusses on increasing piety through devotion to God, thus maintaining positive change within an individual.
An essential feature is encouraging Muslims to join the effort of preaching good.

Why is there so much focus on Tabligh? Has the effort taken the place of Opus Dei as the new target of ridicule and suspicion? Tablighi activities are the most transparent of any organisation in the world. People involved with the effort have had to live with being villifiesd by fellow Muslims for many years, with accusations of being boring, to harping on with the same repeated messages, and leaving their homes to fulfill so called ‘missionary roles ( http://www.forum.mpacuk.org/showthread.php?t=99 ).

Members have for many years also had to live with the laughable notion that members are CIA agents, with the large (Ijtema) gatherings being funded by Western governments. It’s a lose, lose situation either way.

Tabligh is a truly global effort and accusations regarding the Jamaat’s links to terror groups are largely misconstrued. Scrutiny is not alien to the Jamaat, which has been under close monitoring for many years. There is nothing to hide. Do we really believe that members have only been under scrutiny in recent years. Monitoring has been taking place for years on end.

There is a quote attributed to Umar Ibn Khattaab the second Caliph of Islam who said:

"The one whom I fear most for this Ummah is a man who is an Aalim (learned person) with his tongue, but a Jaahil (ignoramus) in his heart."

This description fits those who make negative and false accusations towards this benevolent effort and this has led to unstable and theoretical ramblings. The solution to all this very clear; laying down the gauntlet, I would now like to advise anybody in doubt and seekers of truth like Paul Lewis, to pack their bags and spend 3 or 10 days with a travelling group to see for themselves what all the fuss is all about.

The second option is to cut out the James Bong intelligence farce ands use a more sophisticated and old fashioned method of investigation; Pop into the Markaz in Newham or room 5 at the Markaz in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, knock on the door and ask for yourself.

Extract from Tablighi preaching:

















Hadhrat Nuúmaan bin Basheer (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) says that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) gave an example of people sailing on a boat having an upper deck and a lower deck. The people from the lower deck require water and request water from the people of the upper deck. The people from the upper deck refuse water so the people from the lower deck decide to make a hole on the floor of the ship and get water from the sea. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "If the people from the upper deck don't stop the people at the bottom from making a hole, the ship will sink and all the people travelling will drown." (Mishkãt vol. 2 p. 436)

Similarly, if people do not prohibit evil and sin in the society, the entire society - innocent and evil - will equally suffer.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Allemagne acrostic











Germany, write them off at your peril
Everyone I know did, including my friend Cheryl
Running teams ragged with games full of wonder
Marks, get, set go, a Phillip Lahm bolt of thunder
And it was only then we began to wonder, that
News of their demise had been greatly exagerrated
Yes, the team that everyone once hated

World cup winners 54, 74 and 90
Runners up thrice, including a classic with Blighty
Into extra time did they go in 66
The Russian linesman Bakhramov, they swore it was a fix
England triumphant once, but there was no repeat for years

The Germans continued to triumph and all we had were tears
Hark the Olympic Stadium, doom and gloom with Jancker
Emily Heskey beating Kahn, ensuring he�d had a stinker
Made the defence look paperweight, in particular Thomas Linke

Overath, Beckenbaur, Seeler, Netzer, all time stars who rock
Frings, Podolski, Lahm, Borowski, new kids on the block
For all those who doubted, the chapter had closed

Allemagne at home, the team rose and rose
The public couldn�t believe, an Azurri thrashing had them torn

Yes, yes,yes the was the chorus, champagne football was the norm
Out were the shackles once the tournament began
Uber alles became the norm and the beer ran and ran
Riproaring attack sent the Swedes on their way

Penalties against the Argies, ole, ole, ole
End of the semi nears, penalties again on the horizon
Roaring Del Piero sends the Azurri into oblivion
Into the sunset strides California Klinsmann on his trusty steed
Low now heralds in an exciting chapter, which I for one can�t wait to read

� Emdad Rahman

Monday, August 21, 2006

On the 'ball' combat with Lawro


















To complete the hattrick, here's another pome!

Camp Lawro! It's debatable whether he's the best pundit on screen
Fun to watch though, when he vents his spleen
I met him once at a charity event
Great Ormond's footy funday, I was sent off for dissent
The golden ticket footy match
A superstar XI, a plan we needed to hatch
Lawro, Ray Stubbs, Nigel Pearson
If we won I promised I'd do the 'Merson'
A 50/50 ball
To close to call
Both feet up, mind the gap
I ended up in poor Lawro's lap
Sheer agony! It became clear I'd hit him in the goolies
'Oh my God' I screamed, at a group of Julies
Red card! head up, I trudged off graceful as a swan
A heartbeat later the final whistle, hurrah we'd won!

© Emdad Rahman

Friday, August 18, 2006

The Iceman

Here's my second poem

http://www.footballpoets.org/p.asp?Id=18440














Named in tribute to Denis law
Dennis Maria Bergkamp, he came he saw
Sublime Arsenal legend, folk hero
Through the high times and the low
Serving Ajax, Inter and the Gunners with distinction
Out of this world artistry, vision with precision
A class act, in the true sense of the word
Zola, Cantona, Henry, he puts them all to the sword
Never quite conquered a fear of flying
Aviophobia? Would you blame him now for not even trying
For a second let’s forget all the twaddle
And reflect on the protégé of Glen Hoddle
The Gunners own Chrissie Waddle?
Proving once and for all, his genius was not a doddle
The Dutch Master, Beavis, Bergy, Iceman screamed the Highbury banners
As the non flying Dutchman took them on a quest of honours
Goal of the month , one, two, three
Poor Nikos Dabizas and Leicester City
Recognition for gracing football so long
He modernised the Premiership and helped make it so strong
It’s a crime he won’t grace the Emirates
Cometh the hour, cometh the menace
Thanks for proving footballs not tennis
He’ll always be to the normal fan
The Dutch Master, Beavis, Bergy, Iceman

© Emdad Rahman

I'm a poet, and don't you know it!











I've made it. Click on the link below.

http://www.footballpoets.org/p.asp?Id=18435

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Brilliant Orange






This is my first stab at being a football poet. I'll give you all the link, if and when it gets published on a footy poets forum. Feel free to add a positive comment or hurl verbal tomatos if you so wish, and continue to watch this space...

Brilliant Orange

Schizophrenic they may be

Two world cup final losses,

Leaving the nation all at sea

‘Total Voetbal’, switching positions with ease

Flowing passes, stubborn possession, the killer pass, all a breeze

Wilkes, Cruyff, Gullit to name but three

Stars for the future include Van Persie

The future is orange, the future is bright

The spirit of Rembrandt and Van Gogh is truly alight

(C) Emdad Rahman

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Ayesha's Rainbow


Rabina Khan

The Book


Ayesha's Rainbow by Rabina Khan is about a young an angelic seven year old Bangladeshi girl, growing up in an inner-London City borough, who meets her elderly neighbour. Mrs. Peters, a white woman has lived in the East End all of her life. She is lonely and averse to change, especially towards accepting people of a different culture from her own. A most unlikely, yet beautiful friendship develops between them, bringing their two contrasting families together, crossing religious, cultural and racial barriers. Only Graham Peters, the youngest sibling, wants to take a different path, with a view to joining a racist political party. When Mrs. Peters is attacked in her home, a chain of emotions unfolds, affecting both families and the rest of the community. A time for questioning loyalties, divisions, prejudices and friendship begins, in order to discover what really happened to Mrs. Peters and more importantly, why?

The book portrays the many issues that affect both Bangladeshi and white working class families living in inner London, such as the closure of the docks, ‘the end of an era' for generations of many East End families as well as early Bangladeshi migrant workers. Mrs. Peters' late husband worked on the docks and like many East Enders, Mrs. Peters saw the stark differences between the rich and the poor. It was so shamelessly flaunted in front of them but they failed to see the Bangladeshis were in the same boat as themselves. Poverty and deprivation often made people blind to the truth. The beautiful, modern apartments built in the docklands were only affordable to those who were earning a fortune. The jobs were only for those who had a “City-look” and who spoke with a “posh” accent. But Mrs. Peters is proud of her daughter Vivien, who becomes very successful in the City - against the odds that she faced in her male dominated career.

Other, issues such as overcrowded homes are touched upon as Mrs. Peters realizes that “Over-crowded situations was certainly not a thing of the past. Families just had to cope with what they had and make what they could of their lives. It was as simple as that.' Through her memories of the East End, struggling to raise her family and a husband who worked hard in the docks evokes memories of the East End ‘good old days' when ‘Sanitation had been so difficult during those times, with toilets outside and tin baths in the kitchen in front of the fire. People were much less private in those days, but it made up for the fact that they felt bonded together to support one another. '

For the Bangladeshi family, they too had to struggle for recognition though the ugliness of racism, prejudice and stereotypes, like the time Hamza Ali was racially abused by a Council caretaker for playing football,” You ain't getting the ball back. Don't you get it; footballs a white man's sport. Go and play cricket, that's what you Indians are good at. Be like that Imran Khan.” The family is unsure how to make friends with their elderly neighbour, assuming from past experiences that ‘she probably had her prejudices about them,' and ‘knowing the white elderly people from previous experiences, it was probably going to be noise pollution. If she was really unpleasant, she might probably say that his wife's cooking smells were affecting her asthma and causing breathing difficulties.'

However it is Ayesha who makes the first step to make friends with her neighbour and it is through her that the two families learn about each other so that various myths are made clear and they realize they share many common views. As the character Shazia Ali puts it, “a good bitch about someone or something united people. It overcame their differences as they found something in common that they agreed or disagreed upon.”

Reviews

Ayesha’s Rainbow is currently being reviewed by…

· Rageh Omar: BBC

· Anila Baige: The Sun

· Simon Hattenstone: The Guardian

· Roberta Taylor: The Bill

. Emdad Rahman: Euro Bangla

Malik Al Nasir, Fore-Word's chief executive said "Rabina's new novel 'Ayesha's Rainbow' though a work of fiction, resonates true with the controversial subject matter that Rabina addresses. Set in Tower Hamlets in the East End of London during times of racial tension a little Asian girl befriends the mother of neo fascist living next door and a whole plethora of intrigue, plots and tragedy ensues. Racism, deceit, trauma and a glimmer of hope are among the elements portrayed in a masterful and potent work, which will challenge both British and Asian readers to take a long hard look at themselves in the new millennium".

The Author

Rabina Khan self published her novel first “Rainbow Hands” which based on her experiences as a community worker in East London's Isle of Dogs, during a time when a racist right wing candidate was elected as a councillor in September 2003. The novel was published through “Authorsonline” and was available to order through the internet and local bookstores in London.

The novel received wide publicity in various local and national newspapers as well as magazines such as Asiana, Morning Star, Tower Hamlets Recorder, Authortrek and many others. © Fore-Word Press Ltd 2004. All Rights Reserved.


More Publication Details

Title: Ayesha's Rainbow

Author: Rabina Khan

Publisher: Fore-Word Press Ltd. www.fore-word.com

Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 151 726 0304

Format: Demi paperback

Genre: Fiction.

ISBN: 0-9548867-2-0

Publication Date: 15th Sept 2006

Agent: Laura Lonrigg MBA. http://83.223.107.6/~mbalitc/pages/homefr2.html

Distributor: Central Books


http://www.centralbooks.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Fore_Word_Press_Ltd_520.html#a0954886720

Monday, August 14, 2006

Is O'Neil overhyped?












Is the fuss over the managerial prowess of Martin O’Neill really worth mulling over or are we just being taken on a ride by a much hyped and overestimated and over glorified manager?

During the aftermath of Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 European Cup Final win over Hamburg in 1980 Brian Clough could easily have been describing the efforts of the Ulsterman when he announced: "We beat them for application, determination, and pride - all the things that portray our football." ( http://football.guardian.co.uk/Champions_League/Story/0,5764,88927,00.html )

O’Neill, a ‘good’ manager at best became the fourteenth manager of Deadly Doug Ellis’ supremacy in the Villa Park corridors of power.

For me, the man from Kilrea, Co Derry’s greatest display of tactical nous was when he utilised the Swede Pontus Kaamark to shackle and mark Juninho out of the League Cup Finals saga of 1997 against Middlesbrough, winning the replay at Hillsborough after a bore draw at Wembley. Being a fan of ole football I never quite forgave Mr O’Neill for orchestrating the defeat of a luckless Boro team containing amongst others; Nigel Pearson, Gianluca Festa, Emerson, Craig Hignett, Juninho and Fabrizzio Ravanelli.

At the least, O’Neill’s Villa appointment has allowed football fans like me to start breathing again. We should all really be used to the proceedings by now. The very second a managerial vacancy arises, he is always first on the list of potential candidates, yet for usually unknown reasons, things never really progress any further.

There has always been speculation, nothing more. He was seen as the sure fire bet to replace Fergie at Manchester United, heralded as the new Brian Clough, who would bring back the glory days at Nottingham Forest, Tottenham, his beloved Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Part time Northern Ireland boss whilst at Leicester, Ireland boss after Brian Kerr’s failure to reach the 2006 world cup, the next England boss. The Times also named him as the preferred choice to take over at Man City after the Keegan merry go round in 1995. He was also said to be on the shortlist to take over at Anfield as Gerrard Houllier’s replacement before the .
Before the Villa breakthrough I actually thought that he would be snatched away by the football mad Soceroos down under, where his eye bulging, vein busting facial expressions and Kangaroo leap routine from the dugout would have been a surefire winner.
During his tenure at Celtic O’Neill achieved the insurmountable task of winning three league titles in a poor domestic league as well as 3 cup successes to go with th2001 League Cup win. Credit is due as he did take Celtic to a eufa Cup Final against Porto, their first European final since 1967.

When he joined the hoops from Glasgow things could not have been worse than already was. John Barnes had dismally failed to turn Celtic into Brazil and after Inverness Caledonian Thistle, the announcement of Eddie the Eagle as Celtic gaffer would have been with hysterical aplomb.

However the Premiership is a different battleground altogether. O Neill’s negative tactics will not go down well in the Premiership and he may lack a plan B. I’m serious when I write that the only difference between Graeme Souness and O’Neill is that O’Neill is a better motivator and comes across as well spoken and very intelligent person, who spends a lot of time studying the intricacies of the game. Martin O’ Neill has made a name from grinding out results, to such an extent that at Leicester he was in danger of becoming a mirror image of George Graham.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

We uncover the Bangladeshi habit-Paan

Bangladeshis have always been a colony of betelnut addicts. ‘My’ extensive and ‘paranormal’ research studies show that betelnut sessions help the secretion of our brains opiates, drugging us often to the point of excitement or euphoria.Our obsession with individuality and individual freedom, accompanied by loneliness, is nothing but a major source of stress – related brain opiates.

The Good Samaritan…

Those of you old and wise enough as yours truly will love this one. When I was at school I was a big fan of Aminur Rahman and his “Dunia Ulti Gese”. One of my favourite scenes is when a kind hearted Samaritan unexpectedly decides to play the reluctant hero. He assumes that a deshi auntie is ‘bleeding/ seeping or spitting blood from the mouth. Full of empathy for a fellow human he hails an ambulance in desperation.The dear in question, who speaks little English is frogmarched to the A&E, where with the aid of an interpreter the furious chachi spits blood (get it), brimstones and venom all at once. She then quietly explains that she was in fact chewing betelnut supari and not suffering bleeding gums. I could almost hear the laughter from Sylhet. A classic but absolutely hilarious moment from Bangladeshi melodrama. Betelnuts from the Areca tree are also known as ‘palm nuts’. The scientific name for the tree is ‘Areca Catechu’ and resembles a thin coconut palm tree. These hard nuts are chewed causally like chewing gum by Deshis and are a permanent feature of culture. Those foreign to Deshi culture do not always comprehend why the people chew it, let alone in combination with other additives. Chewing betelnut is an inherent feature of Deshi social gatherings or fellowship, which imbues the spirit of family goodwill to strangers. When I visited Bangladesh I noticed that the girls dressed in beautiful coloured tunics and the older women of the village kept smiling at me, their teeth blackened with betelnut juice. I noticed that for the seasoned chewer, the chewing tobacco brand ‘Baba Zarda’ is mixed with the nut and leaf. For the brave at heart, Chuna or lime powder is also incorporated into the chewing experience. Lime is an Alkaline white powder residue, which results from cooking coral overran intense bonfire for several days.During my brief sojourn my requests for the old dears of the village to mix West Indian Tabasco sauce as a condiment for their betelnut savouries, surprisingly always fell on deaf ears. Betelnut is frequently chewed with the betel leaf, a fresh green peppery tasting condiment. The leaf is known as ‘Pan’. Betelnut is chewed and harvested by millions of people from Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines and American Samoa. The trees are found growing in moist ground and produce prodigious clusters of green fleshy nuts, which then mature into yellow then brown hard nuts.

Betelnut wisdom. Bizarre but true…

My sources in shady places inform me of an American who was having breakfast one morning in a Dhaka hotel. (Coffee, rusks, bread, butter and jam) When a Deshi Babu, chewing betelnut supari, sat down next to him. The American casually ignored the Babu who, nevertheless, embarked on a conversation.

Babu: ‘Americans eat the whole rusk, crusts and all??’
American (in a bad mood): ‘Of course’
Babu: (after gobbing a huge red patch next to the yankies feet) ‘we don’t. We only eat the insides. Crusts we collect in a container, recycle them, transform them into rusks and sell them to the states as delicacies.’ The Babu has a smirk on his face. The American listens in silence.
Babu persists: ‘Do you eat jelly (jam) with the bread and rusks??’
American: ‘Of course’
Babu: (cracking his betelnut between his teeth and chuckling,)’! We don’t. Here we eat fresh fruit for breakfast, then we put all the peels, seeds, and leftovers in containers, recycle them, transform them into jam and sell the jam to the states. Tee Hee Hee! Just then the American stood up in a rage: I’ve had enou…’

Before he could finish, his face turned beetroot red and abruptly clutching his chest (and nether regions) he hit the deck. The shocked Babu immediately came to his aid as a small crowd gathered, whilst the American continued to turn darker shades of red. Somebody suggested mouth – to – mouth resuscitation. Babu, blaming himself for the collapse, and desperate to make amends dived in.

After several attempts the American seemed to thankfully return to normal. He sat up groggily: ‘Babu, thanks for that, especially since you widely contributed to that scene. I’ve know got chunks of slimy betelnut remnants in my mouth, but hell who gives a Dunkin Doughnut, I’m living and I’ll be damned if I complain’ he sneered. ‘It’s not betelnut’, replied Babu, ‘I forgot to tell you I’m suffering from bronchitis’.

Basic Facts from the Boffins…
















Quint: The ultimate betelnutter

D. Stern and Douglas B. Hanson, Forsyth institution for advance Research, Boston, analysed the microscopic and chemical nature of prehistoric betel – stained teeth. While betel – chewing nuts, sprinkled with slaked lime and wrapped in a betel leaf produces a very bitter and sharp tasting chewable poultice it also results in heavily stained/worn teeth and also forms cavities.

Their investigation revealed that structural and elemental changes occurred in the enamel of betel – stained teeth of Chamorus thousands of years ago, which now results in anti – cavity properties of betel – chewing. The cultural habit endures to this day.


The ultimate ‘betelnutter’…

One of my bestest ‘betelnutters’ is Quint from Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece, Jaws (I only say betelnut because of his chewing style). Quint, to put it politely
is a grizzly, salty fisherman and WWII veteran (Robert Shaw) obsessed in hunting and killing the great white from a boat named The Orca.

I love the classic scene when Quint, the eccentric, grizzled shark hunter makes a dramatic entrance by silencing the commotion of the meeting. The colourful old sea- salt with a brogue - accent scrapes his fingernails irritatingly across the blackboard (With a drawn/doodled outline of The Great White Shark with a human being in its tooth- rimmed mouth) at the back of the audience to get everybody’s attention.

As the camera slowly pans towards him, while he munches on a salty cracker, the foul – mouthed (supposed) betelnutter proposes to rid the town of the menacing, deadly shark for $10,000: ‘$10,000 dollars for me by myself. For that you get the head, the tail, and the whole damn thing’

Before anybody wonders where I’m leading, readers I’ll get down to the grind and ask you the million dollar question, which is: when Carcharodon Carcharias eventually snares the master shark killer by the hips. Does he spit out blood or betelnut juice? I’m not sick, neither am I depraved!

Did you know that betelnut is used medicinally in the treatment for intestinal worms. But by far the most common use is in the ritual chewing of the betel – killi. This habit is widespread throughout Asia, India and the Pacific, making it one of the most popular stimulants (I bet) in the world. Generally the betel – killi is a small morsel consisting of a quarter betel seed (crushed), a pinch of lime, spices like cardamom or nutmeg for flavour all wrapped in a pan leaf. It is traditional for the men also to add Tobacco to the package.

This killi is chewed slowly over several hours, causing mild stimulation and a feeling of wellbeing. The question remains unanswered. Is it good for you or bad? Does betelnut and pan with all the added spices give you oral cancer or is it a ‘stimulant’ that promotes a feeling of wellbeing? All answers c/o the Editor.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

The PR money can't buy


















Read my comment on the Monica Ali / Brick Lane farce that is unfolding. Please contribute by registering and leaving a comment.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/emdad_rahman/2006/08/the_pr_money_cant_buy_1.html

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