Groups

Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark
Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

Schedule

Lyrics - كلمات الأنشودة

Do you know who makes the sadness go away when life turns its back on you?

أتدري من يزيل الهم إن ضآقت بك الدنيآ

And who takes care of you , (and) never forgets you however you live …

ومن يرعآك لآ ينسآك دوماً كيفمآ تحيآ

So glory be to Allah who guides and heals one’s confusion

فسبحآن الذي يهدي ويشفي حيرة العبد

And He gives without limits in this life .

ويعطي دونمآ حدٍ جزيل الأجر في الدنيآ

Do you know who answers man if he makes a mistake in public or or hides it?

أتدري من يجيب العبد أبدى السوء أو وآرى

And who gives Paradise and rivers as a reward for charity .

ومن يجزي على المعروف جنآت وأنهآرآ

So say ‘O Allah , let me reach the Home of Eternity and safety .’

فقل يآرب بلغني لدآر الخلد والأمن

And to solve my problems and let not anyone harm me .

ونفس كربتي عني وجنبني أذى الدنيآ

Do you know who guided man and encouraged him to give in charity?

أتدري من هدى الإنسآن بالإحسآن يوصيه

And He doesn’t accept you to disobey Him , so look how do you keep disobeying Him?

ولآ يرضى له العصيآن فأُنظر كيف تعصيه

So Who do you show the complaints to and beg for the things you desire?

فمن تبدي له الشكوى ومن ترجوه مآ تهوى

And where can you find any relief and peace if you not under His Forgiveness?

ومن في عفوه السلوى على مآ

…in this World?

كآن في الدنيآ

Dr. Waleed Hakeem 

I am really shocked! I know there are more important deaths to talk about, but there are a few reflections I would like to share that have valuable life lessons for me.

I personally was extremely inspired by Anthony Bourdain's travels, success story, and I learned so much from his travels about what to eat in each country, and learned to be brave in trying new things. In fact, I own his entire collection of episodes and use them as a reference when travelling. He was a chef who was stuck inside a kitchen working long hours, wrote a best selling book in his spare time, and from there, his dunya success was nonstop. His work in supporting Palestinians through his show and humanzing them is just monumental!

Then again, we could clearly see the pattern. Someone who has achieved everything they could achieve in life: fame, money, awards, travels, you wonder, how could someone like this commit suicide? Let's be honest. There are many of us who could only DREAM to have even one-tenth of his life!

When a person achieves everything, they get to a point where they start feeling there is no more bigger purpose in life. There is nothing else to achieve, so they may lose the meaning of life, feel depressed, and take away their life (If you want to protect yourself from this, always find a higher purpose in life. A mission that drives you!)

Believing in an afterlife and a Creator protects a person from many forms of depression, as they live for a higher purporse (although religious people may have depression too for chemical imbalances or from other life traumas, so don't mix both please!). 

We also learn that looks may be deceiving. You may think someone is the happiest person alive because you see them travel, eat best food, have enough money to never work, etc, but deep inside they may feel something else. I personally went through this, where people on my page think that I am super happy because they saw me travel to 100+ countries, but they have no idea how much pain, problems, or suffering I have in my life from other issues that Allah tested me with (and I'm always thankful to Allah for everything, AlhamduliLlah!)

Make time for people. Talk to them, listen to their pains. You never know how many lives you could save when you save someone from depression. When you empathize with their pains! Robin Williams, Michael Jackson, Anthony Bourdain, and many others, remind us that even if you appear to have it all, you may still suffer depression, which is intensified by not having a purpose and not having a connection with our Creator or afterlife. Return to your lord, and seek his help. Especially in these blessed days!

Thank you Anthony for inspiring me to travel, try food that I never imagined to try, and teaching me about other cultures. I learned from you that even if a person is small and unknown, they could work hard to make their message global, not just food, but for a bigger and better legacy. It is sad that even though you have visited many Muslim countries, you didn't find your path to guidance. You are now with your Creator!

P.S I know he used foul language a lot in his shows, and that's really bad, but always observe and see what positive things you can learn from each person you meet, regardless of their background.

By Dr. Waleed Hakeem, Traveling Imam

I am ashamed!

Short Documentary about Eagle's Guardian of the Sky - A Symbol of Pride

Pakistan, home to a population of almost 200 million people, rich in culture and exotic places for tourism has faded under the dark clouds of terrorism and other mind-numbing concerns.

However, let’s for once not highlight our slip-ups and focus on the brighter side of things.

These exotic destinations will make you want to pack your bags and leave immediately.

1. A location amidst the Seven Kingdoms from Game of Thrones?

This is Kalash Valley, Chitral. Where the Nuristani people of Kalash speak ‘kalashamondr’. Breathtaking!


2. A hospitable café by the river in Switzerland?

Not at all! This is Kalam Valley, Swat. A tourist hot-spot, labeled as ‘mini-Europe’ by many.


3. Volcanoes fascinate everyone. Is this on Dante’s peak?

Not exactly, these Mud volcanoes can be found in different regions of Balochistan. This particular one rests in Hingol, Balochistan.


4. The magical waters from the Chronicles of Narnia?

Can’t be. This is the exotic Ghizer River in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Wrapped around lush, green and pleasant landscapes, Ghizer is a diamond in the dirt.

5. Definitely something taken out of a Hollywood movie?

Not to be. These are the Rakaposhi-Haramosh Mountains, Karakoram. Amongst the largest in the world, these mountains are a trekker’s fantasy.


6. Did you just open your window in a Khatmandu resort?

A window does open, but from the Hunza Valley, Gilgit-Balistan. The Burushaski speaking locals live a happy, peaceful life amidst cold weathers.


7. A temple for the faithful situated near the holy river Ganges?

The Katas Raj Temple in Chakwal, Punjab. Remains of the Buddhist Stupa, the Katas site houses the Satgraha, a group of seven ancient temples.


8. Foreigners sidelining along the blue lines of Goa?

The Arabian Sea says no! Cape Monze or locally known as Ras Muari, the Cape Mount Beach floats near the Gadani Beach, Karachi.


9. Stone-walls in the Grand Canyon or Mount Rushmore?

The muscled formation of Hingol National Park in Hingol, Balochistan. Home to exotic wildlife, the Hingol National Park can serve as a stupendous tourist spot.


10. An artist’s imagination as he draws a landscape in Iceland?

A view of the frozen sunset captured in Shandur Lake, Gilgit-Baltistan. Where the locals like to play Polo and live ordinary lives, Shandur serves as a tourist’s delight.

11. Wooden cottages on a lush top in Ireland?

This astounding, lush green tourist spot is Arang Kel, Azad Kashmir. Located on an altitude of 8,379 feet, this striking sight is a 2km trek from Kel.


12. The dukes and duchesses of Scotland must’ve walked on these fields?

Overcast weather in Dharam Sar Lake, Kaghan Valley. Resting in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this attraction was largely rebuilt after 2005’s earthquake.


13. A heaven to the foreigners. Must be Brazil or Chile?

The double-bed waterfall rests in Sajikot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Stagnant in the Hazara region, Sajikot would put any South American country to shame.


14. An insight on the dazzling caves of South Africa?

This tourism deprived sight is known as Moola Chotok in Khuzdar, Balochistan. Amidst tense hold of nationalists in the Jhalawan belt, Chotok seems like a lost cause.


15. Where are the tourists? This must lead to the Niagara Falls?

Fortunately, no! This peach of a view is from the Neelam Valley, Kashmir. One of the better tourist ranges in Pakistan, this valley is a 200km long bow-shaped, deeply forested region.


16. Book-cover material. Has to lie in the outskirts of Belgium?

Wrong again! This shot from heaven was captured at the Attabad Lake, Hunza Valley. Created by a landslide in 2010, the locals like prefer referring to it as the Gojal Lake.


17. The astounding waterfalls from Leura Cascades, Australia?

No chance. This is an awe-inspiring view of Pir Ghaib, Balochistan. Locals here believe in the myth of the Invisible Saint (Pir Ghaib), who was saved by the Almighty

Courtesy and Photo : shugal.com