Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Homeless Haiku


he watched from the side
ill, broke, he hugged me and smiled
sprightly grin so wide

© emdad rahman

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

The Whitechapel Mission Beigal Run


Jerry took a break from his treatment at the Royal London to go sit somewhere safe and familiar. 

In Jerry's case it was the back entrance of the Whitechapel Mission - a place which has offered him sanctuary, solace, support and safety. 

Today I bumped into him when I went to drop off beigals for breakfast. Jerry has severe liver trouble and hasn't got long left to live. He said he's hoping to meet his family soon before things get worse. 

Jerry was in great spirits and even gave me a handshake and hug. I have just finished reading Lois on the Loose and Red Tape and White Knuckles by Lois Pryce. I gave him my copies to flog off. My mate Ranu was so touched by his story that she gave away her shopping to Jerry.

If you'd like to support the 365 days a year of amazingness that takes place at the Whitechapel Mission with some of the most vulnerable people in London then please visit www.whitechapel.org.uk

Monday, April 28, 2014

Snowdon Charity Trek



"Friends are as companions on a journey who ought to aid each other to persevere in the road to a happier life." - Pythagoras

Having found myself with free weekends I have decided to enjoy a few hobbies, spend time catching up with earth beings and just relax generally. 

My dear father recently underwent a cataract op at Queen's Hospital and I have witnessed at first hand the new lease if life it has given him. Last Saturday I joined a band of complete nutters to trek Mount Snowdon and after praying Fajr at Jamiatul Ummah we set off for a twenty four hour journey to scale the beautiful sky high peaks.

Mount Snowdon is located in the Snowdonia national Park and is the highest mountain in Wales, at an altitude of 1,085 metres (3,560 ft) above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands.

We were raising funds and awareness for cataract operations in developing nations. I had been really nervous in the run up to the trek. A football Achilles injury in January had seriously curtailed my mobility. I had been too scared to return to the GP to discuss my tests and thus far I have avoided the marvellous Dr Gupta as I feared what he would have to say would curtail my plans. Since I would not be joining the Dancing on Ice bandwagon I decided to take a leisurely uphill stroll in enchanting Snowdonia. 

My target was to fund 300 operations and I had reached my quota easily thanks to the exceptional support of my brothers and sisters, family, friends, and Hunter & Bloomfield. 

My chief sponsors were A Class Events and Dilwara and Alesha had donated, arranged my charity dinner and even bought a personalised "Emdad" cake. These classy ladies have been operating less than three months but their willingness to support a charitable cause was staggeringly refreshing and inspiring.

I was the last of our team to reach the summit but I celebrated like I was the first human to have ever discovered and conquered the mountain. The team were fantastic - all fourteen of them - Hasan, Shaheed, Fokor, Saleh, Ashraf, Afazul, Shibbir, Zameer, Omar, Alhaj and Akik. My old friend Omar and Akik flanked me along the path, kept me talking, hydrated, energised and kept a close eye on my slow but sure progress across the winding pathway to the summit.

I had sworn that I would catch the steam train down if I made it up to the summit as Ben Nevis had previously taught me that the journey down and the impact of full body weight on the knees was at times unbearable. Couple that with a dodgy Achilles rupture with no full diagnosis and you have a gourmet recipe for disaster. 

Alas, there were no places on trains coming back down and after spending ten minutes fighting off a stabbing cramp – My thighs felt like they were on fire and Saleh even said it was a tactic to bring all the attention back to me – I took the decision to climb down. I must say the banter was something else. Man mountain Alhaj Khan was Iron Man personified. This diamond geezer stuck by me like super glue, guiding, cajoling, encouraging and physically supporting me in negotiating steep, tricky, slippery and acute areas. Alhaj was my very own Nigel De Jong - my minder, and I can’t thank him enough for his presence – What a legend! He told me later: “I would have had a lazy weekend had I not signed up. The scenery has been terrific and the banter so memorable. I will remember this experience with great fondness.” So will I mate. 

The bubbly Shibbir (nicknamed Capital FM) was the first to reach the summit. He told me: “I have savoured this tremendous experience with the added bonus of travelling with fourteen great personalities. I’m just glad we are all making a difference.” Shibbir’s footwear will need another blog post to explain but all I’m saying for now is he needs to be certified.

Omar enjoyed it so much he will return with his family, however he faced mixed emotions during the early stages: “I hadn’t trained at all and thirty minutes in I had some serious doubts about finishing," he said. "But the breath taking sights and the great company mixed in with sheer determination made it easy in the end.”

“We are dedicated to working with the underprivileged and we have been honoured by the presence of some huge personalities on this trip,” said Khoyrul Shaheed from Human Relief Foundation. "The experience was memorable and the banter was perfect."

The injury has held but as I type my legs are very sore from the cramp. However the feeling of satisfaction is beyond amazing. Thank you to the crew for making the trip so enjoyable. Last but not least thank you Mosh for the sticks - They were totally invaluable for my balance. 

On Holloway Road we were stopped by the long arm of the law. I despair at the standards of the boys in blue - between a battalion of officers they can't even string a proper lucid reason together for stopping you nowadays. 

A massive thank you to Jaeema Akhtar, Khoyrul Shaheed and Hasan Mueenuddin for the brilliant way they organised the logistics, not to forget the excellent food and snack spread that kept us going all the way to Wales and back. 

Right, now for that meeting with Dr Gupta.

www.hrf.org.uk

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.” - Muhammad Ali

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Twin buses at Anfield



Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea

Reds smothered by handbrake Maureen
Two double deckers parked on the green 
Slip in front of the Kop left the captain floored
Ba finished off and prostrated to the Lord

Frustrated with Jose's game plan tactics 
Liverpool pelted those buses with bricks 
Long range drives from the Reds skipper 
Yet nothing fazes Mark Schwarzer

Countering Torres and Willian broke astray
The Blues had done it the ugly way
Reds sixteen game win streak undone
To send Special on another victory run

27.04.14

number7
© emdad rahman

Scintillating Scintilla hammer Redbridge


Emdad Rahman: Scintilla CC vs Redbridge Park CC
Venue: London Marathon Playing Fields, Fairlop, London IG6 3HZ
 
Scintilla CC enjoyed a blistering start to the 2014 cricket season as they crushed Redbridge Park CC with a 9-wicket demolition in the first Essex County Cricket League cup match. 

The match was played at the London Marathon Playing Fields near Fairlop. Scintilla captain Faris Almas-Lee Rosmanizam won the toss and elected to field after taking into consideration the damp wicket and windy weather.  

The stubborn opening pair of Redbridge Park CC frustrated the Scintilla CC opening bowlers, Abul Hasib (0 for 21) and Aaman Khan (0 for 9). 

The introduction of Ashfaqul Rahman Nobel (1 for 8) and Farhad Abedin (3 for 11) dispatched the openers. Nobel took a controversial wicket due to an above waist delivery which was still considered a fair ball. 

At the other end Farhad's pace rendered the opposition useless whilst spinners Ayaz Karim and Fattah Chowdhury took two crucial wickets each and conceded 2 and 5 runs respectively in their overs. 

Shaha Riadh and Bellal Hossain were among the more expensive bowlers who conceded 23 and 12 runs in their overs but managed to get 1 wicket each.

The match was a momentous event for Scintilla debutant Rokhan Khan. The Barking based Eastbury School pupil took his maiden wicket from his only over in the game. 

Ayaz took the 10th wicket and Scintilla CC needed 97 to win with 10 wickets in hand, at just above 2.4 runs an over. 

Opener and skipper Faris failed to score any runs and was given LBW. Faris was replaced by Bellal, who played a quick and confident 75 runs. He was well supported at the other end by fellow opener Abdullah Mohammed Khizir (17) who also scored the winning run by slashing the ball hard through the covers to guarantee a 9-wicket victory for Scintilla CC.

Team captain Faris said: “It was a really good team performance, even though this is the first time the team has played with this variation of players. Even though it is a big win, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels as the cricket season is a long 5 month journey. 

"I expect big things from our players and hopefully we can deliver good performances throughout the league and cup matches this year.”

Scintilla CC will be playing away against Ford CC in the next game. 
 
Match results:
Result: Scintilla CC won by 9 wickets

Scintilla CC won the toss and elected to field first.

Redbridge CC 96 all out in 34.4 overs. Farhad Abedin 3-11 in 8 overs, Ayaz Karim 2-2 in 3.4 overs, Fattah Choudhury 2-5 in 5 overs.

Scintilla CC 97-1 in 14.2 overs. Bellal Hossain 75 n.o, Abdullah Mohammed Khizir 17 n. o.

Man of the match: Bellal Hossain

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Sterling rises as Jarrold stand Reds rock


Norwich 2-3 Liverpool

"We go to Norwich and do exactly the same"
Some Scouser described the game
Stevie G screamed; "We go again" 
Shaping the end of the Reds campaign 

Seemed the Canaries were ill equipped
So Sterling repeated that script
With the reactions of the flying Lemur
Suarez swept the vacuum cleaner

Hooper and Snodgrass made it bloody
In between Raheem deflected Ruddy
It's Liverpool's eleventh win in a row 
Five points clear with three games to go

20.04.14

number7
© emdad rahman

25 years of Hillsborough


Memorial Service - Anfield 2014

I attended the with with my nephew. Anfield has never been so full for a memorial service. The mood was somber and there were less shouts, more periods of silence and a whole lot more smiles. 

My mate Andy Burnham MP received a completely different response. It is Burnham along with Steve Rotheram who have singlehandedly done so much to take the families' fight to the establishment. 

The original accidental death verdicts in 1991 were quashed in the High Court in 2012 after a long campaign by the fans’ families and current inquests are taking place in 2014. 

On the pitch, thousands of football scarves were lain in the shape of “96.” These scarves were donated from fans and clubs from the UK and all around the world after an appeal from Liverpool for scarves to show a symbol of unity amongst fans. 

Brendan Rogers gave a reading of Psalm 23, before addressing the Hillsborough families themselves.

The Irishman spoke of inspiration and it is easy to see why - He is surrounded by it, Shankly, players old and new and the Hillsborough Memorial which has given him the greatest boost of all. 

Rodgers said his biggest inspiration as a manager was each time he came to Anfield, seeing the names of the 96 on the Hillsborough Memorial.

King Kenny was given a massive round of applause and his leadership during and in the aftermath of Britain's worst sporting disaster was feted. 

To a huge ovation, Roberto Martinez said: “The authorities took on the wrong city if they thought they were going to get away with it.”

Margaret Aspinall finished off by saying that she hoped Liverpool could draw inspiration from the Hillsborough families as they chase the club's first league title for 24 years. 

She said: "Stress can be very difficult but stress can also be good. It gives you fight and I know that's what you are going to do to get this championship. I just hope I haven't put any more pressure on the players."

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Play off boost for Plymouth after close win over Lions


BBL Championship

London Lions 94-102 Plymouth University Raiders

London Lions 94 (17,42,65) (Brown 19, Marks 19, Sturt 17)

Plymouth University Raiders 102 (25,48,75) (Pressey 23, George 21, Vaitelis 20)

Emdad Rahman: The Plymouth University Raiders have the Play-offs in their grasp after a Good Friday win over the London Lions elevated the visitors to seventh place in the BBL Championships. 

Matt Pressey was star man as the visitors took control in the first quarter after Rod Brown scored for the hosts. 

Raiders fought back and reached a 23-13 advantage in the first quarter. 

The score gap remained consistent throughout the game and the first half saw Raiders finish 48-42 ahead but increased to 12 points at various points during the third quarter. 

With less than five minutes to go Chez Marks clawed the deficit to 83-87 but the resolute visitors maintained the points difference to ensure a vital away victory. 

Top scorer was Matt Pressey who reached 23 points and eight rebounds, Nick George was not far behind with 21 points and seven boards, while Dainius Vaitelis of Plymouth added 20 points and eight rebounds. 

Rod Brown and Chez Marks shared 19 points each with the former getting 19 rebounds. Adrien Sturt achieved a double-double of 17 points with 12 rebounds.

Glasgow Rangers


This is from my recent tour of the majestic Ibrox Stadium. Tonnes of photos were lost after the wally writing this jumped into St George's pool with the iPhone in the pocket. 

Chris Mayhead gave me and Mohammed the tour. He is a true scholar after having spent nearly three decades at Rangers. I was in awe of his sheer knowledge and passion. 

I hope I can go back next year and replace my pics, especially the Barry Ferguson  mural in the trophy room. Hope to catch a match too and try meet a few players. 

There's more to come and I'll post a full review soon. Here's a haiku I composed earlier. 

Glasgow Rangers

merchants cup glasgow
struth's imposing shadow, boosts
the gers ibrox show

© emdad rahman

#glasgowrangers #haiku 
#iphonepic #ibrox #glasgow #gers #billstruth #poem #words #wordsmith #rhymes #football #allymccoist #waltersmith #markhateley #richardgough #arthurnuman #sandyjardine #mosesmcneil #davidmeiklejohn #govan #scotland 

Monday, April 14, 2014

The ship of death



Emdad Rahman meets a survivor of the stricken Costa Concordia ferry 

Frencen Fernandes has a harrowing tale to tell. The 23 year old Portugese national, originally from Goa was on board the stricken Costa Concordia - the Italian cruise ship which sank after it capsized at Isola del Giglio, Tuscany, on 13 January 2012, with the loss of 32 lives.

Frencen was a crew steward for three and a half years. He had finished his evening shift and was retiring to his room when a startled colleague urgently told him to go to the upper deck as something was wrong: "At first it was felt that it was engine failure," he told me. 

"The size of the Concordia mixed with uncertainty amongst almost 5000 people meant that the majority of us did not have a clue as to what was happening and what lay in wait."

It was only after Captain Francesco Schettino ordered everyone to abandon ship that a bewildered Frencen and those around him realised that something was seriously wrong. 

"I was seriously scared," said Frencen. I have a brother and my parents are all back home in Goa. My Dad still works to help support the family but I worried if I would ever see my folks  again."

It was the dithering Schettino whose actions tore a 160ft hole in the hull of the Costa Concordia while attempting a “sail past” at Giglio. 

4,252 people were aboard the ferry cruise  around the Mediterranean Sea, starting from Civitavecchia in Lazio. During a salute to local islanders near the shore the underside of the ferry became damaged after striking something hard on the sea bed. It caused a blackout and flooding and after an hour of drifting the bungling Captain Schettino who is now dubbed "Captain Coward" ordered an evacuation. He is alleged to have fled to shore, leaving thousands of people aboard the ferry as it keeled over in the shallow waters. 

Schettino is currently on trial for manslaughter and abandoning the 114,000-tonne ship to its fate.

During a six-hour evacuation, most passengers were safely brought ashore but the search for the missing continued for several months, with all but two being accounted for. The ship was uprighted on 17 September 2013 and on 24 October 2013 it was reported that DNA analysis of one body found earlier in the same month confirmed it was the body of missing Italian passenger Maria Grazia Trecarichi. 

Frencen, who is now a waiter at Spice Lounge in Canvey Island and thirty six passengers escaped in a life raft: " it was confusing and the atmosphere was full of fear. We had little idea of the real horrors and there were lots of hearsay and rumours as people were bewildered. 

"I'm grateful for being amongst the survivors and I promised to make every day a productive day. 

"The scenes and panic still disturb me and I pray for the souls of the people we lost."

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Incredible Reds boosted by ninety six


Liverpool 3-2 Manchester City

Summerbee, Book and Corrigan with a floral bouquet
Twenty five years since that awful day
Anfield resplendent out in gold and red
Football remembered the ninety six dead

Left, right, goal, and the Sterling jive
For Kevin Williams and the ninety five
Skrtel swivelling that chrome head 
Football remembered the ninety six dead

So many had it wrapped by half time
Sylva lining twice upset this rhyme
Coutinho spinning like a rotor head 
Football remembered the ninety six dead

13.04.14

number7
© emdad rahman

Friday, April 11, 2014

The Lisbon Lions - Celtic FC


The Lisbon Lions who ran and ran
Jock Stein's men put on quite the show
Matching Inter man to man
All from the borders of Glasgow

Cappellini felled as Craig got intense
Mazzola fired in the pen 
Inter retreated into a cocoon like defence
As it looked much like boys versus men

Gemmell levelled from Craig’s lace
Murdoch shot for Chalmers to score
The crowd bayed for the countdown race
As the Lions got ready to roar

History! hold on to that ticket stub
Bhoys joyous in Lisbon town
Becoming the very first British club 
To lift that coveted crown

number7
© Emdad Rahman

#lisbonlions #celtic #monthehoops #jockstein #championsleague #parkhead #brotherwalfrid #billymcneil #jimmyjohnstone #scottbrown #scotland #neillennon #glasgow #football #youarefootball #lisbon #uefa

London Lions 73-98 Worcester Wolves


Taylor top scores as Wolves gain capital win

Emdad Rahman: The race for fifth place becomes more of an uphill task after Worcester Wolves beat hosts London Lions at the Copperbox Arena. 

Cheshire Phoenix are now in the driving seat after skipper Alex Owumi, Zaire Taylor and Will Creekmore inspired the Wolves to a 73-98 victory. 

Despite the score line the game was pulsating and free flowing. At the ten minute mark honours were even at 18-18 with the lead changing five times. Owumi and Creekmore, who were influential throughout the game contributed fifteen points between themselves. 

Before the half time break of play Owumi scored two three pointers leading to a 44-33 double digit lead for Wolves. 

The third period revived a fightback for Vince Macaulay's men and the Lions restored the lead deficit to four points (50-46) with Jason Davis scoring six in a row. Wolves though fought back with a vengeance, solidifying their dominance and extending their lead to 64-49.

It was enough for Paul James' team to comfortably play out the fourth quarter in style to ensure an important win. 

Wolves guard Zaire Taylor completed the game as top scorer with 22 points, Will Creekmore scored 21 points, and Alex Owumi added a further 20 points. 

For the Lions Michael Martin achieved a team-high 19 points, Jason Davis collected 14 points, and Chez Marks and Adrien Sturt shared 10 apiece.

London Lions 73 (18,35,53) (Martin 19, Davis 14, Sturt 10, Marks 10)

Worcester Wolves 98 (18,44,69) (Taylor 22, Creekmore 21, Owumi 20)

www.londonlionsbasketball.com

Wednesday, April 09, 2014

Stepney FC say goodbye to the Haileybury Centre


Stepney Football club bid a brief goodbye as they played their very last game at the old Haileybury Club. The venue has served and hosted the local community since the 1960's. 

Coaches Afazul Hoque, Ripon Hussain and Emdad Rahman oversaw the final game and medals where distributed by Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman and Guildmore Developers who will now build a new state of the art community hub alongside residential homes. 

Stepney Coach Ripon Hussain said: "It's sad to lose a place which has given the team such fine memories but Mayor Lutfur Rahman and the developers will hopefully in a years time provide us with the best facilities of this kind in London. 

"We are really excited about the future."

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

Team Legend visit Kenya


Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are well treated. The worst house among the Muslims is the house in which orphans are ill treated. I and the guardian of the orphan will be in the Garden like that," indicating his two fingers.

Team legend visited Kenya and part of the travels included a visit to the Madrasatul Manzoor orphanage school in Kenya. 

We had called on some close people to assist and the lads supplied a job lot of stationary to the orphans. The six of my friends who travelled said that the radiant smiles of the children captured the hearts of the team. 

This is my favourite pic. Just take a look at those beaming little faces. 

Team Legend was coined when a group of our childhood friends climbed Ben Nevis last year for Syrian Orphans. The name has stuck since. 

"One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, how much I had in my bank account, or what my clothes looked like. But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child." 


Sunday, April 06, 2014

Reds Iron out the creases


West Ham 1-2 Liverpool

Penalty and penalty
From Red hot Stevie G

For a ninth successive victory

Carroll fouled to set up Guy
Who then tapped  in from three

Red men see off a late flurry 

06.04.14

© emdad rahman

A Glimpse Into The Horrors Of Human Trafficking


Exclusive Interview with Stela Brinzeanu – Author of Bessarabian Nights

 

EMDAD RAHMAN gains a fascinating insight into Moldovas culture, and its struggle against human traicking

 

Bessarabian Nights is the powerful debut novel from Stela Brinzeanu, who hopes to shed light on Moldova’s plight of human traicking. 

 

This is the debut novel of the Moldovan who has lived in the UK for over a decade, following a decision to escape the stifling environment of her home country, where superstitious and predetermined attitudes are rife.

 

Brinzeanu conducted extensive research in order to write Bessarabian Nights, and travelled back to her home country to speak with many women who have lived the nightmare of being forced into human traicking and prostitution.

 

Narrated from the perspective of the ghost of the country, the novel oers a unique angle on the culture clash between East and West, giving critical insight into the culture of Moldova, the author’s home country and a place that is as fascinating as it is disturbing. Moldova, despite being the gateway to modern Europe, is still mired in medieval superstition, where ingrained customs and irrational beliefs can make or break someone’s day and an unyielding fatalism dictates destinies.

 

Bessarabian Nights probes issues which bedevil contemporary Moldova, a country largely ignored by Western media. The book incorporates powerful themes of identity crisis, displacement and insanity.

 

During a night out whilst on holiday in Milan, Ksenia is drugged and abducted by a traicking gang who force her into prostitution. When Ksenia’s best friends, Larisa and Doina, hear she is missing, they vow to find her, no matter what.

 

The three girls’ friendship goes back to early childhood, growing up together in a rural village in Moldova. As girls they were inseparable, but following an incident with the village voodoo witch, Larisa leaves for the UK, full of resentment for her home country and branding her people superstitious, old-fashioned and fatalistic. Doina later joins her in the UK, searching for a better-paid job in order to help support her paralysed brother.

 

As the Moldovan police give up looking for Ksenia, her best friends travel back and forth from Italy to Moldova to continue the hunt. While Larisa searches high and low, she witnesses first-hand the misery of her own people abroad and their struggle to survive in an alien world.

 

The girls’ persistence, love and dedication eventually pays off and, two long years after her abduction, Ksenia is rescued from her traicking ordeal and repatriated to Moldova. However, she faces further hard times as her family and community fail to support her rehabilitation process. Their lack of empathy for her traumatic past leads her to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, sent to an asylum, and then taken to a monastery to help unburden her of her inner demons. Tragedy soon strikes the trio, and those left in the wake of the unthinkable must re-appraise their views on culture and identity, and of Moldova itself, before making life changing decisions in order to move forward with their lives.

 

Stela was born in Moldova and aged 18 she moved to the UK where she studied media at Westminster University. Stela engaged herself in TV production and a Diaspora magazine for European Moldovans. She joined Channel 5 as airtime management and left in 2012 to complete her novel.

 

Stelas’ inspiration for writing the novel stems from a distinct childhood memory. “As a child growing up I remember a local girl who was five years older than me. She was lovely, sociable and pretty and inspiring. Then just like that, one day she disappeared.

 

“There were plenty of false and malicious rumours circulating and she was criticised by the majority of our locals. Nobody bothered to look into the situation and the family did not speak about the matter.

 

“The girl herself had been polite, a regular churchgoer but her single mother was a heavy drinker. She received little or no sympathy or support there. So she suffered in silence and never talked to anyone. She absorbed the sniggers, the whispers and the barbed comments.”

 

Stela was hurt by this, “It was painful for me and I told myself that things should not be like this. Although at that young stage of my life I didn’t understand everything I knew something was not right. The memory has stuck with me.”

 

Stela tackles the morose issue of human traicking in Moldova: “In my homeland there is an NGO called the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) which helps young girls and women who return to Moldova after being traicked  I was surprised that many of them refuse to go home. The shame is just too much for them, they are shunned by their communities and even their family members. They have to put up with lies and false rumours about their character and they don’t have many who befriend them.

 

In their overview of Moldova the IOM states that “widespread poverty and lack of job opportunities has caused many Moldovans to look for employment overseas. In addition, the high number of irregular migrants has allowed criminal organisations to exploit an already vulnerable group.

 

“Moldova has, by far, the greatest number of victims of trafficking in the region. The government is trying to improve migration management through enhancing the development impact of migration, ensuring protection of migrants' rights and combating trafficking in persons.”

 

Moldova is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania and is one of Europe’s poorest countries. The country is split between ethnic Moldovans and ethnic Russians. Domestic violence is rife in Moldova,” say’s Stela. “It is not reported and victims have little confidence and support.

 

According to a 2011 World Health Organisation report Moldova’s per capitaalcohol consumption "is the highest in the worldMoldova also has the fourth highest rate of smoking in Europe.


Stela has written this encapsulating novel to “get people talking.”

 

“Young girls are often traicking by those they trust the most, family members, relatives, friends and partners.

 

“I want to generate debate and get the ball rolling on this issue. In Moldova, people always blame external forces for problems such as this. Our people are very superstitious in their culture and it’s time we took full responsibility for actions related to such heinous crimes.

 

Stela spoke of the Parliamentary elections in November. “We have a strong Russian presence but wish to be a part of the EU and we need highly visible economic projects in Moldova. Projects need to be funded to tackle Domestic Violence and alcoholism. Above all, education is the key to changing attitudes and raising awareness. We have a heavy drinking culture which needs to be curbed for the prosperity of the nationals as well as the country.

 

Stela has more interesting writing projects. She hopes to complete novels on the exploitation of men and also the “trend of eastern European women seeking rich husbands for financial gain.”

 

Stela is dedicating herself to helping those who have faced the horrors of human traicking and sexual exploitation. Her message to victims is: “It’s not a shame, come out, speak out and get the help you deserve.”    

 

When Stela doesn’t write or bake polenta cakes, she’s likely to be practicing kryas or skipping or – most probably – cleaning her flat. She is currently working on her second novel. The book is published by Lightning Source, RRP £8.99 paperback, RRP £3.99 eBook) and is available from 20th March 2014 online, at retailers including Amazon.co.uk and can be ordered at all good bookstores.

 

www.authoright.com

 

www.stelabrinzeanu.com

 

International Organization for Migration -www.iom.int

Cruel words


do we envision 
the crush of a cruel scream, on
a person's esteem?

© emdad rahman

I took this iPhone pic whilst walking near the Blue Bridge, Isle of Dogs...

Saturday, April 05, 2014

Red All Over The Brown


The next issue of Red All Over The Land is due out at the Manchester City game.
 
Copies can be purchased on line at www.redallovertheland.com where subscriptions can be taken.  
 
This issue contains an interview with Andy Burnham who has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Justice Campaign and the trips to Old Trafford & Cardiff. 

www.redallovertheland.com

An evening with Human Relief


Thanks to you all I have reached my target to find 300 cataract operations. 

One can only be as good as their back up team and I'm incredibly fortunate to have a pool of friends who come rain or shine, are their to support my causes. 

Khoyrul Shaheed from Human Relief ensured the evening ran smoothly. He plays a huge part in drawing me towards Human Relief Foundation's excellent causes. 

We had a very good turnout for the evening. My brother made an appearance after leaving early from work. My nephews Dinaz and Ashraf were there till the end along with my son Talha, my gorgeous niece Aqeelah and my brother in law. Mok was fashionably late again with Zainab and Tas. 

Robin was in fine fettle with Councillor Humayun Kabir, who gave us a nice speech. The legendary Peter Gaunt was on top form. 

Guru Shamim Haque came for an hour too and I thoroughly enjoyed showing him off to the guests. 

The restructured Hunter & Bloomfield with Hamid, Shahel, Abu and Khaled have been my chief supporters for many years and the team turned up in full to offer their backing. 

My sponsors are A class Events and apart from taking care of all the event set up they provided a delicious cake for us all to savour. 

Here's a poem written by Tayibah to be read out on the night. 

Human Relief

God gave us money
Not everyone has as much
We buy food like honey
But some don't get a touch

Are you grateful for what you have?
Will you give to the poor?
Is your heart full of love?
Generosity will open that door

People need our donaton
Be it a Pound, Dollar, Yen, Lira
The needy will greet with elation 
And pray for your akheera

© Tayibah 

Wednesday, April 02, 2014

Stepney Football Club reach 2014 Mayor's Cup Final

Emdad Rahman: Stepney Football Club have reached the final of the prestigious Mayor's Cup 2014

The Tower Hamlets based club beat East One FC on penalties in a nailbiting semi final and their opponents will be Tower Hamlets FC in the final.

Team Manager Mujibul Islam said: "We were not firing on all cylinders and I know how much better we can perform. But a win, is a win, is a win and it is a sign of our character that we can dig deep and churn out results.

Goalkeeper Sham Zaman said: "The Mayor's Cup is an annual highlight. Stepney FC is always hungry for success and we're all very happy to have made the final. We will try our very best to bring the trophy home.

The final takes place at Mile End Stadium on Sunday 7th April. Tickets to attend are free on the day and kick off is at 3pm.

Tuesday, April 01, 2014

LIS holds track & field selection day


Emdad Rahman: LIS students took part in a training day to select team members to participate in the upcoming United Madrasah Championships. 

The students were put through their paces in a day of gruelling track and field events. The successful athletes will be notified after the Easter break. 

Avenue Property Construction Limited have very generously agreed to sponsor the school's P.E Department for the academic year. Managing Director Bokul Hussain said: "We are proud to sponsor the P.E. Department. 

"We consider the school and students to be a rich asset to the community and feel we have found an extremely and worthy cause to support."