Rahat Fateh Ali Khan illuminates sold out show

Well done Blu Blood on executing a phenomenal show at Emperors Palace on Saturday night. The living legend Rahat Fateh Ali khan illuminated a sold out show with his enthralling voice belting out one hit song after another. The venue was classy with absolutely no incident of hooliganism observed. What really impressed me was the fact that the concert started pretty much on time. I was so glad that they got straight into the show with a bang without the audience being forced to listen to our local artists. I was however disappointed with the behaviour of some of the audience. I think a big contributing factor to the bad behaviour was the fact that alcohol was allowed to be served at the event thereby turning respectable individuals into absolutely pathetic imbeciles. Also the seating arrangement in the vip section was an absolute mess. There were people who came from the back and took up seats in the front causing absolute chaos. We were asked repeatedly to produce our tickets causing unnecessary altercations with shady characters. This kind of behaviour disrupts the ambience of the show. I also think that in the future a full barricade should be erected in front of the stage as there were people walking aimlessly up and down. This is very disrespectful to the artist as well as to the audience. When an artist is on stage, his stage becomes his temple. They evolve into a different world. Some songs would require absolute silence and quiet especially if the artist sings a song that is sentimental and close to his heart. Undoubtedly the highlight of the show for me was meeting the maestro himself along with the band members. Rahat Sahab definitely comes across as a soft spoken, kind hearted, down to earth human being. Thank you Blu Blood for once again bringing world class entertainment to our country and for allowing the Indian community to keep in touch with their culture through the magical world of Bollywood and music....

As a side note, a big shout out goes out to Shazia, Aadila, Fatima, and the families who recognized me through my blog and social media posts. It was really fantastic interacting with all of you....:)

Video links:
https://www.facebook.com/sumayya.mehtar/videos/pcb.10157347953692782/10157347899122782/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/sumayya.mehtar/videos/pcb.10157347953692782/10157347912742782/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/sumayya.mehtar/videos/pcb.10157347953692782/10157347930282782/?type=3&theater

See the worry in my eyes

12 April 2018

So this morning I read Faizal Sayed's post about the piety brigade and I was left in stitches of laughter. I think I need to elaborate further. Last weekend I attended the saffron book launch and it was such an amazing afternoon in the company of like-minded intellectuals. Those of you who know me on a personal level will acknowledge that I am a person who loves singing. I grew up listening to Rafi Sahab, Kishore Kumar, Sonu Nigam and so many other world famous artists. A part of me has always wanted to learn about Indian classical singing and being able to sing difficult raags. It is a phenomenal talent that only a few have perfected. I am always in awe of these artists who place tremendous effort in being maestros in their field. At the book launch I was asked to sing a nasheed as a part of the program. Even though I am no meastro or diva,I enjoyed doing it thoroughly. The video that was uploaded on social media garnered almost 2000 views thus far and I have received so many kind and warm messages from so many new friends that I made at the function. However I have also received so many nasty inbox messages filled with criticism, hate and animosity from fake profiles. I’ve had messages stating why am I singing about the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) and God Almighty with my shoes on. I should take it off. Another comment was related to the fact that I am a female and hence I should not have been invited to sing in the first place. A male person should have been asked to sing. What absolute rubbish. Why should a male be asked to sing at a function that was put together to celebrate the trials and tribulations of 56 inspirational women. There are people on social media who thrive on snooping at other peoples profiles and taking out fault in others. They forget their history and backgrounds. They more interested as to why a woman is not wearing a head scarf rather than airing out their own dirty laundry which is far worse than not wearing a piece of cloth.. Why is our community so ridiculous? If the neighbour’s daughter is getting married or divorced, it’s not your business. It doesn’t concern you. Worry about the happenings in your own home. I honestly don’t care about what anyone thinks about me. I live my life by my own rules. The people who are important to me are close to me and their opinion matters. My piety is nobody’s concern. The bond that I have with my Lord is between me and Him only. It involves no one else. Stop sending me messages from fake profiles. Only cowards behave in this manner. Why can’t we live and let live. Why can’t we be happy for someone else’s successes in life? By burning down someone else’s candle does not make your own candle burn any brighter. Learn to see the good in others. Juma Mubarak to all my friends and family across the globe. Kindly remember my family and I in your prayers.

Watch the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/sumayya.mehtar/videos/vb.739292781/10157312552687782/?type=2&video_source=user_video_tab

Letter from a prisoner - Wakey Wakey

                                         Picture taken from google images

One of life's simplest but greatest pleasures is a good nights sleep. As a prisoner, it took a long time before I could sleep soundly. The thought of sharing a room with convicted strangers, an uncomfortable bunk, unfamiliar nightly noises and a mind constantly thinking of loved ones; were but some of the impediments to blissful sleep.

After acclimatizing, sleep came easily enough. Falling a sleep was no longer a problem but being aroused from sleep remains a periodic issue.

For much of my life and especially as a teen, I was not a morning person; it was only after loss and tragedy that I learnt to consider each day as a blessing. On school days, mum would gently knock on my door, open it and lovingly coax me from dreamland. Knowing full well that I would simply turn over for a few more minutes of slumber, she would then shout to me as she prepared breakfast downstairs. Only at the sound of her second or third attempt, would I reluctantly rise. That was the best way, my fondest memories of waking up. Mum's method could never be replicated, but she spoiled me in that I still required a few pushes of the snooze button before I finally woke up.

Unfortunately, I have been awoken in some of the most crude ways possible. As with many others, sounds awaken me rather easily. Even at home, sounds used to wake me but these were comforting in their own way. The rustling of palm trees against the roof, dads joints creaking as he ascended the stairs, the cat pleading to enter the room, adhaan being called out, dad mowing the lawn and the like; were sounds that comforted in as much as they disturbed.

In prison, I have awoken to a plethora of sounds which elicit the worst of emotions. For hundreds of days, my after fajr sleep (the best sleep ever) has ended with the traumatic sound of the cell door being unlocked. The gigantic keys make the most horrifying clank as they turn the robust locks. It is a sound that not only jolts me from even the deepest of sleeps, but is also an emphatic reminder of where I have awoken. It is a sound that is impossible to get used to.

Occasionally, I have been crudely awoken by the sounds of men vomiting, coughing incessantly, farting at decibel levels sound enthusiasts would admire, screaming in nightmares, having sex, snoring at octaves only sopranos could outdo or simply deciding to blast a radio or TV at full volume, with no care in the world.

Sound, though, is only one sense. Long ago (and hopefully soon again), I remember occasionally being awoken by a kiss or caress. Fortunately, I haven't been awoken in that manner in prison! Prison beds are what offer a great challenge. The steel double bunks wobble at even the slightest movement. Having someone above or below, is frustrating and at times, simply infuriating. Their every motion is felt making me wonder how sailors even get used to sleeping on boats.

I have learnt to deal with sounds and touch, to some extent at least. There is however one manner that robs me of sleep to which I cannot return or ever get used to; being awoken by smell.

There are times when men defecate or fart resulting in a stench indescribable by any metaphor. I once had the horrific task of cleaning out a deep freezer that was filled with only meat, meat that had been rotting for over three weeks.  I didn't think that anything would ever compare to that, until I experienced the potential of men.  The stench is exacerbated by rooms without decent ventilation and air freshener makes no difference at all. All I can do is bury my face in my pillow and wait it out.
These putrid odours fully awaken me into instant nausea and even scares my fatigue away.So the next time a seemingly nagging voice, meow, lawnmower, adhaan or restless spouse awakens you; remember that someone dreams of having just that!

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"Wrong number" theologians - Time to root them out of society

                                                                             Picture taken from google images


I find it sad that despite our country having so many learned Islamic theologians, key pertinent issues within our societies are not addressed. The latest issue that has made its rounds on social media is the aalim who was found guilty of molesting his students. This is happening in our institutes but is a topic that is swept under the carpets. Then we have aalims who are associated with fraud acquiring millions of rand in a haraam manner. These same individuals are allegedly apart of the tabligh jamaat movement. How can you be calling your self a religious scholar on the one hand whilst you are a thief on the other hand. Why are our scholars covering up for each other? These wrong number aalims need to be exposed and brought to task. Lets talk about the blatant sexual harassment that women are enduring at Islams holiest site whilst making tawaaf. Women all over the world are starting to write about their experiences with many saying they don't ever wish to perform another pilgrimage due to the uncouth behaviour of Muslim men. Our scholars need to talk about these issues, not cover it up and act as though all of these issues only exist in other cultures and that we Muslims are perfect. .. the truth is we not... Let's talk about favouritism in our institutes. If your father is a big donor and contributor towards the institution then you are allowed to smoke in the institute and also carry a mobile phone no questions asked. This is why i am not a fan of islamic institutes that do not practice what they preach.Let us talk about nepotism within our institutes and organizations. We have Muslim organizations whereby the president down scales to a vice president after serving a term. Nepotism is not a part of Islam then why is it practiced in so many of our institutes.We are quick to bring down other religions and condemn people who are different to us yet we are morally and ethically imperfect ourselves. A friend of mine removed his kids from the local islamic school due to the blatant favouritism and bias afforded towards rich kids whose parents contributed significantly towards the running expenses of the school. He noticed that kids who came from middle income or poorer homes were ostracised and looked down upon by kids who hailed from affluent homes. You would expect kids going to an Islamic school to have qualities of simplicity and humility engrained within them as these are true Islamic values but in essence it's quite the contrary.The school is a symbol of class and prestige. I know I will be gunned down for generalising so please forgive me if this does not apply to you. Mom witnessed this kind of rotten behaviour first hand when she was asked to pick up kids from the local islamic school and drop them off home. The kids refused to sit in mom's car as she drove an old rickety Peugeot 504 at that time. It wasn't a fancy BMW or Mercedes Benz..I feel like puking when I think about how some parents bring up their kids to be so shallow. They brought up with this notion that wealth is their tool for power and success.Little do they know that wealth is a bounty from God Almighty. Today you can be high and mighty and tomorrow you can be penniless.