Ammar-3Sixty!
Islam & Pakistan! Technology & Me!
Floods in Pakistan, death toll crosses 1300
Aug 2nd
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab have been the worst effected by Floods that have crossed a 110 year old record in Pakistan as over a million cusecs of water crossed the Chashma barrage yesterday.
It is a calamity of epic proportions which has left over 1300 dead (which are officially reported figures) and has left hundreds of thousands homeless.
The death toll is feared to increase as there are several areas where rescue teams are yet to reach. Accessibility is a big problem.
In KP, Malakand division has been the worst hit in the words of Provincial Chief Minister, Amir Haider Khan Hoti. He says the KP faces its worst ever natural disaster that may have pushed the province’s progress some 50 years back. More >
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Loading ...Are we Ready for our Imam?
Jul 26th
I do not know who wrote this story, it surely appears to be fictional, but that is not the point. This short story will make you want to cry, are we ready? What have we been doing with our lives? Why are we so obsessed in little things that we can so easily avoid such as movies and music; things that deviate us from the right path?
Short Story: Are we ready for Zahoor-e-Imam Mahdi (ATFS)
I don’t quite understand whether it was real or a dream. I only remember that it was late in the night and I was sitting on my favorite sofa with an article titled “Philosophy of Awaiting” in my hands. I was reading the letter of Imam Mahdi (atfs) addressed to Shaikh Mufeed (ra), it said:
“We are not negligent of your affairs and are not forgetful of your remembrance. Had it been so, then terrible calamities would have struck you and your enemies would have destroyed you. Fear Allah, strengthen your hands, so that we may relieve you of the tribulations that have afflicted you.” (Beharul-Anwar, Vol.53, Chap.21)
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Good Governance as taught by Imam Ali (A.S)!
Jul 25th
Ali bin Abi Talib, the fourth Caliph of Islam, son-in-law of the Prophet Mohammed (SAW) and the first of the Imams of the Shi’ites, wrote a long letter of guidance after appointing Maalik al-Ashtar to be Governor of Egypt. He advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all.
The passages excerpted below illustrate the timeless applicability of Ali’s admonitions. The letter itself is contained in the Nahjal Balaagha, which is a collection of the letters and speeches of the Imam Ali (AS).
Manifest religious tolerance: Amongst your subjects there are two kinds of people: those who have the same religion as you [and] are brothers to you, and those who have religions other than yours, [who] are human beings like you. Men of either category suffer from the same weaknesses and disabilities that human beings are inclined to; they commit sins, indulge in vices either intentionally or foolishly and unintentionally without realizing the enormity of their deeds. Let your mercy and compassion come to their rescue and help in the same way and to the same extent that you expect Allah to show mercy and forgiveness to you.
Equity is best: A policy which is based on equity will be largely appreciated. Remember that the displeasure of common men, the have-nots and the depressed persons overbalances the approval of important persons, while the displeasure of a few big people will be excused…if the general public and the masses of your subjects are happy with you.
The rich always want more: They are the people who will be the worst drag upon you during your moments of peace and happiness, and the least useful to you during your hours of need and adversity. They hate justice the most. They will keep demanding more and more out of State resources and will seldom be satisfied with what they receive and will never be obliged for the favor shown to them if their demands are justifiably refused.
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Khosa Reinstated after being Sacked as IT Minister
Jul 21st
Hardly two days after reports confirmed that Prime Minister Gilani had asked Mr. Khosa to resign and had taken over charge of the Ministry of IT himself, President Zardari has refused to accept Khosa’s resignation bringing the cold war between the Prime Minister and the President to the fore once again.
I had earlier reported in this post how Mr. Khosa had targeted technocrats and fired all 6 of the ICTRDF directors.
Here’s an excerpt from the Daily Dawn that appeared today:
ISLAMABAD: A dormant cold war between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani heated up on Tuesday when the former rejected the latter’s decision to remove his adviser on Information Technology (IT), Sardar Latif Khosa.
The president revoked the decision of the prime minister during a meeting with Mr Khosa at the Presidency, when the adviser presented his resignation.
Sources in the IT ministry said Prime Minister Gilani and senior bureaucrats in the ministry were not ‘happy’ with the way the adviser worked.
The IT secretary is reported to close to the prime minister and his working relations with Mr Khosa were not ‘cordial’; he always complained to the prime minister about the adviser’s handling of administrative and financial matters, the sources said.
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Government after Technocrats
Jul 8th
Amid sheer frustration, the government is now attacking Technocrats for their failure to comply with government wishes. 6 top men for the ICTRDF have been fired including HEC Executive Director Dr. Sohail Naqvi. Pressure is also mounting on Dr. Javed Leghari to resign amidst the bogus degree saga.
Ammar Faheem, July 08 – 2010
These are really troubling reports coming in. Apparently, Mr. Latif Khosa (Advisor to the Prime Minister for IT & Telecom) has fired six top men from the ICTRDF – National Information Communication Technologies Research and Development Fund – after a dispute with them. The dispute is over control of the more than Rs. 20 Billion that are available with this fund and the USF (Universal Service Fund) for the development of IT and Telecom infrastructure in Pakistan.
Those fired include: Mr. Sikandar Taqi, Mr. Wahaj Siraj, Mr. Zafar Usmani, Dr. Amir Mateen, Dr. Sohail Naqvi, and Dr. Mansoor Sarwar
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Free Islamic iPhone Applications
Jun 22nd
While searching for religious (Islamic) apps for the iPhone, I came across these which I find to be a very good collection for those who would like to read the Holy Quran or sermons of Imam Ali (A.S) on your iPhone or Blackberry. Here’s the list with their links:
iQuran
I personally like this application very much. It is very easy to read and navigate through. iQuran offers its users the Complete Quran in Arabic along with its various translations. Specially designed to allow easy reading with easy scrolling, iPhone style. With excellent built-in audio capabilities, iQuran utilizes these to provide a very satisfying recitation playback experience, excellent navigation and fast scrolling support with verse for verse recitation along with auto-scrolling and verse highlighting.
http://www.guidedways.com/mobile/iquran/download_iquran.php
Nahjul Balagha (Pak of Eloquence)
Letters and sermons of Imam Ali (AS) and his sayings, compiled into a beautiful application for the iPhone and the Blackberry.
Click Here to download Nahjul Balagha for iPhone
Click Here to download Nahjul Balagha for Blackberry
iDuas – Muharram
Dua’s and Amaal for the month of Muharram. The application contains a detailed guide on what to do for the day of Ashura, the supplications and salutations that should be recited especially for the day of Ashura.
Click Here to Download for iPhone
Risaltul Huquq
Risalatul Huquq is a seventh Century Islamic Document on various Legal and Moral Rights of Human Beings’ by the 4th Imam, Imam Zainul Abideen (A.S.). The app is based on the english translation by Allamah Sayyid Saeed Akhtar Rizvi.
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