and then our exile

"Islam will prevail, that we know--the question here is whether it will do so because of Muslims or in spite of them" (Wael Hadd*ra)

Neglecting the globalog incentifies point-form demarcated summary rather than focussed delineation of issues or ideas. Descent, descant, ascent, become one when seen through rose... rather than the disaffected apathy of pasttimes, recent leads to a more reflective sort of "release", but whether it'll carry all the way through remains to be seen.

A sense of "completion", that weeks of events and doings after another are over:
(--the Symposium: only went on Saturday, meant to go the next as well {LoveSex&Relationships in Islam / Rights of Parents&Youth / RewardsofJannah & 'AdhaabofJahannam}, but no. Imam Siraj was stopped at the border (CSIS = :@), but Yassir F*zaga was of absolute coolness, weaving in psychology sociology and humour. Mutahhir Sabr*e: "Jesus is Lord" "No he ain't". Shaikh Isl*m Ali (caribbean accent!) narrated (paraphras'd): "du'a has the only power over the qadr". !! The audience was of decent size and mostly Muslim, with maybe eight or so non-such at the beginning of the day; by the end, there were only seven or so, because one lady was born anew.

(--with guesters of Ontario, touristing around: the streetfestival, Fort Edmonton park (first masjid in North America too), the Odyssium. Sleeping in Australia. Three people eating melting ice cream with blue plastic spoons. Bookstores aim at depleting my monies. Bought, among others, a poetry-collection by Rilke with both the deutsch and englisch, and ever since have been experimenting in making my own translations. Go German heritage!

(--Dawud Wh*rnsby Ali concert & the documentary screening. Mahdi's TAKBEER as a war cry. "Yaa Ummati" giving the shivers. People say his stuff is for children, but he has talent and sincerity, of that there can be no doubt--and this he showed with a simple drum and his voice, which is much more than might be said of the majority of today's musikers: strip them of their electronica and watch them flounder, naked.

(--the Tarbiyyah & 'Ilm Retreat: a beauty-time of barakah and selfless glory. Whether crawling through the mud, hearing sparkling waters as Mubashir's qir'ah, watching Murtada in action, taking notes through a gripping lecture by Dr. Wael Hadd*ra, wounding ownself in soccer, canoeing or scrambling after a whistle-call, or delving with Mujahid at 1am into the difference or seeming neutrality between "civilization" and "culture", all was bright, filled with light.

As an aside, Muntaka's determination of who leads salah ("who's got the longest beard?") remains as a smile. It generally ends up being me. i've used this space to snark at him now and then, calling him a fascistic autocrat and the like all in good fun, but 1) i have leapt at him in a flying tackle; 2) he's bought me hot chocolate; 3) we have walked about speaking of marriage university and islamic philosophy. 1 + 2 + 3 = most holy trinity = a pax tenuousicus est established.

Killer-mutant-mosquitoes and extreme humidity are two blights of the age. But raspberries ripen.

In his new haircut, Usman is said to be much like Mohandas K. In a green cap, i'm told i am much of a young Castro.

A crazyperson nearly drove me into the curb the other day. i was comfortable at 108km/hour and (s)he blazed ahead, switching lanes nearly into my right bumper while there was no need. Seriously. Don't do that.

Every day now i expect horror in the mail.

i think more and more of those who are far awae. How Ph-R-D responds to chickens. How Someone claps, backwardly. Z*charia's voice. Farooq, reply!!

Mark of [Rafahkid] links to [this], and i think everyone should know of it.

Next post, i hope, is more of actual substance, ideas and literature and society, wars and demonic battlegrounds, than the cleaning of above. For now, though, is relief, that i have discharged duties, and no further need for apologeticks.