Sunday 24 November 2013

For my Forefather




I am a dust particle
the one that floats aimlessly.....
maybe guided
maybe oblivious

I am one of numerous
of your sons and daughters
one unworthy of your attention
yet one who seeks it

I am of you,
of your lineage,
a bit of the remaining dust...
dusted away by the Sculptor's hand
Floating away aimlessly...

maybe guided,

Oblivious.

(A monologue with Imam Ridha (a.s), from 'Monologues with my Forefathers - by Ambereena Razvi)

Friday 15 November 2013

The Voluntary Sacrifice




The Voluntary Sacrifice

This project started as a lesson plan on Ballad and Elegy writing for my grade 7 class.  In two days, I ended up writing this twelve-page Elegy for the Martyrs of Karbala. I and my grade 7 students recited it on the 9th of Muharram in school. Hats off to my students for memorizing my elegy within a week and giving a stellar performance. Inshallah, I will post the video of our performance very soon. In the meantime, do watch my recitation by clicking on the link above.

Friday 1 November 2013

Evolve!!

It's time to move on to a higher level of consciousness,
Before stagnation sets in and we start to get restless

I can't help but think, how akin we are to trees- growing, shedding,
Sometimes standing strong, sometimes due to strong winds- bending, breaking...

Evolution is a constant, it cant be stopped,

for some it comes as an epiphany, while unfortunately,
some adopt

An ignorant stance in a world of oblivion,

and continue to live life like a chameleon,

changing their colours, changing their opinion,

No depth in their thinking - Ego's dominion,

Not progressing but regressing, insulting their intellect 

and their existence by showing continuous disrespect,

to the self and other's for lack of thought,

the lack of love and the lack of not

willing to see another's point of view,

but instead, focusing on their skin's hue,

his turban, her hijab, his kippah, her cross,

his beard, her stance never to toss,

her veil, her right, her identity,

What do you want? Can't you see?

Do you actually think you will succeed?

Oppression has always seen an end, indeed.

The right to BE cannot be taken,

Please try to understand and awaken,

Let it be Love that lives in your heart,

Squash your Ego, make a new start.


~Ambereena Razvi


(I wrote this in response to some nasty comments a young Sikh kid was subject to regarding his identity on a public forum. I cannot stand people with such rotten mentalities. This was written to shut them up.... and shut up they did!)

Mindfulness underrated

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