Tying The Knot - Village Style Nazar Sahib,
Well done. I particularly liked the detailed description that you portrayed here. I`ve never been to a village wedding but heard a lot, about the grandeur scale of their ceremony. I liked the fact that everyone invited.
One thing I wanted to know is, where were the Photographers and Videographers? :)


Thank you.....

Death Dear Farah,

I like this piece, but I do have a question regarding the escalation of the physical closeness between the two characters. Its hard for me to understand, that a guy only kissed her on all their rendez-vous and never tried to take a bolder step. Men tend to move fairly rapid between the first kiss and the exploration of the female anatomy. This is just natural for them. I have to be a little critical for the rythem of the events. Its like a long flat line, followed by a sharp increase and then it plunges. It feels a bit unnatural. I would love for you to clarify it?

Thanks

Uniting Muslims on Eid Dear Chowk Members,

Eid Mubarak!!!

Asif,
This is a pretty big issue here in the US too. We are celebrating Eid on two and a few years ago three different days. That is indeed a shame. Thanks for this article. It was much needed. But as you can see that there are people who cannot use common sense to solve simple tasks.
Eid is suppose to be celebrated the day after the moon is seen,, simple as that. Then you have illiterate mullahs who are leading blind and tongue tight populace into un-Islamic practices. People are ready to criticize without opening their mind. As far as the scientific calendar is concerned, its well and good in theory. Just remember that seeing the moon with bare eyes is even more important then scientific predictions.
Some say, what?s the big deal? The answer is again simple. Unity.
We are divided today are being slaughter mercilessly by enemies of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SM. If we can`t celebrate our happiness together at the same time then how in the world can we stand for the precious blood of our brothers and sisters that is being shed throughout this planet?

Remember, Unity is the only answer and that too under the banner of Islam created by Prophet Muhammad SM and not under the wealth of Saudi Royal family nor corrupt mullahs.

Towards a Ramzaan Sunset Its only 9:45 AM and you already got me hungry. I hope you enjoy your iftari since mine happens everyday on the freeways in a traffic nightmare. All I can think are the aftaris that we use to have in Lahore. My mom`s running around in the kitchen and nokerani following her. We would sit in a corner and see what is being made and what should be the prime target after the ceremonial khajoor. The anticipation would rise as the time passes by and the smell of pakora`s, samosa`s and all kind of chaats. I get cut off by another maniac and my thoughts return to present life. I must take the next exit if I`m going to break my fast on time. Once more its a quick stop at McDonald. Boring and tasteless food which reminds me of the ``joota`` that the ``mochi`` down the street had on the sidewalk. Wondering which might taste better.

The Gray Cotton Shawl Well written piece. We fully apprecite the hard work and shear determination of girls in Pakistan to get education. This is a scene that I have been part of and belive me I can totally relate to Karishma. Poor hindu girl in a sea of uneducated mullah led ignorant creatures.
Thank you Hamidah.

The Meaning of Life Lets just say that marriage is one major step of everyone`s life. Some decide to totally evade it and other are in a search of a perfect person and time just passes by. Some HATE the people they married and other hit themselves for letting their search for the ideal person consume the major part of their lives. I`ve seen miserable married people and miserable singles too.
So who is to say what’s right and what’s wrong, BUT remember never to look back and wished that you should have made the other choice. This is so counterproductive and will keep you trapped in the past and obscure the future.

The End of The World Science fiction stories that I read in 5th grade were more interesting then this. Idea presented is pretty generic.
I apologize for being so harsh. I just feel a bit cynical right now and just happened to read your short story.

The Meaning of Life If everything is given to you and there is no need struggle for daily worldly affairs then I would definitely stop to think about the meaning of life. Aaria if the struggle related to studies is taken out of the picture; we can see that life has been pretty sweet for you. You are indeed lucky to look inside yourself and ask the meaning of existence.
I can`t tell if I`m a step behind or ahead of you, since the search for the meaning of life doesn`t hold any significance. Along with crazy schedule respect for loved ones and aim to strive, I do not hold anything else as an important entity in my insignificant life (religion excluded). Marriage isn’t for everyone but you seem to cherish this step in the evolution of your life.

Larka, Larki Aur Smartee Shehla,

This is a well written article. Boy o Boy I would have died if I went through the same stuff as you. My wedding was free of most of these rasms except the dolki and mehndi. Feeewww... thand God I`m NOT Hyderabadi.