Whispers of the Soul by Nadia Nizam

A family friend called me yesterday, expressing mixed emotions about her son moving to California. She asked for my honest opinion, and here it is the general opinion of majority of the pakistani people, my friend. The story of the hard-earned lives of self-made individuals in foreign countries begins the day they receive a visa, and families celebrate their child's achievement. However, in reality, this often leads to a loss of genuine love and bonding. Families cannot see the hardships faced by their children living far away, out of sight and reach. These individuals start their lives from ground zero, without support and affection during tough times. Parents cannot perceive their child's suffering, and siblings cannot feel the miserable foundation of their brother's or sister's life. While children in Pakistan live comfortably under their parents' roof, one child struggles day and night to earn enough money to pay rent, bills, insurance in a foreign country. That...

 We need to raise daughters not merely as girls, ladies, or women, but as empowered human beings. We should nurture them to be resilient , like solid rock, so no one can break their spirit. Observing a life recently, it became clear how mothers who feel disempowered can inadvertently raise daughters who also feel weak. Mothers who attribute everything to fate risk passing their own traumas and limitations onto their daughters, which is a disservice. I firmly believe in the power of the father-daughter bond . My husband often remarks that my independence stems from my close relationship with my father. My strength and authenticity are rooted in this connection. I've never felt the need to impress others, seek validation from men, or rely on them for decisions. This is because I've always believed that intelligence and maturity are not gender-specific; they depend on individual experiences and exposure. Mothers who teach their daughters to take full responsibility for home affai...

The Halal Meat Debate: Diverse Perspectives and Interpretations The question of what constitutes halal meat, particularly in Western countries, is a topic of ongoing discussion and varying interpretations among Muslims. My post aims to explore these diverse views without judgment, acknowledging that it is a matter of personal choice and adherence to different schools of thought. The Core Question: Zabiha Halal vs. Meat from the People of the Book Some Muslims strictly adhere to *zabiha halal*, which requires that the animal be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines, with Allah's name invoked during the process. This view often stems from a specific interpretation of the Quran, emphasizing the importance of slaughtering in Allah's name. However, another perspective, particularly prevalent among many Arab Muslims, considers the meat of the "People of the Book" (Jews and Christians) as permissible (*halal*) based on Quranic verses. Quranic Basis for Permissibility T...

 It's disheartening to observe how modern child-rearing practices in Pakistan seem to have inadvertently turned parents into servants of their children. The essence of parenthood has become clouded by anxiety over fulfilling materialistic demands and a pervasive sense of guilt. My daughter once remarked that many children in Pakistan are "entitled, spoiled brats" with an inflated sense of self-importance. This, I believe, is a consequence of contemporary parenting styles that over-pamper children, fostering overconfidence without a foundation of real-world understanding. Parenting should not be about raising selfish, self-absorbed individuals who are ill-equipped to face the realities of the world. Our goal should be to nurture compassionate, empathetic human beings who contribute to society with kindness and a sense of humanity. Another significant challenge is the interference of relatives in a child's upbringing. All too often, an aunt, uncle, or other close relati...

  Ingredients For Sugar Syrup 2 cups (400g) 1 ½ cup (360ml) 20-22 strands saffron (optional) 3-4 crushed cardamom For Jalebi batter 1 cup (128g) refined flour/maida 1 teaspoon baking powder 5 tablespoons curd/dahi ¼ teaspoon saffron colour Oil for frying Water as required Steps In Making 1) In a pan add sugar and water and cook it on medium flame while stirring it occasionally for 6-7 minutes. The sugar will dissolve and start to boil. 2) Add saffron strands, crushed cardamoms and cook till it forms a one string consistency.  3) For the jalebi batter, in a bowl add refined flour and curd and mix well. Now add little water at a time till it forms into a smooth batter. The batter will have a pouring consistency but it shouldn’t be very thick nor thin. 4) Now add saffron colour and baking powder and beat the batter for couple of minutes. 5) Now take a piping bag and pour the jalebi batter in it and tie the top with a rubber band. 6) To fry the jalebis, in a pan add oil/ghee and o...

Someone asked me how I’m holding myself and others after losing someone special . I said that someone who has been in your life for years becomes a part of your heart and mind. Just as a body relies on its main organs, when a part of those organs is lost, that’s how I feel. The fear of losing your heart and then witnessing that loss is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences. It feels as if an artery or vein connected to your heart is broken, and you bleed slowly. I lost my father recently, and now watching someone else slowly fade away day by day is killing me, day and night. Each day starts with thoughts of them and ends with my heart bleeding. I am no longer who I used to be. I would describe it as a rebirth after seeing the harsh realities of the world. I always envisioned myself living in a fort with a heart of gold, with open gates where no one leaves empty-handed. I used to seek out the sorrows and pains of others, ready to jump in and help everyone, taking care of those aro...

My father always taught us to be self-reliant and to never rely on anyone else's generosity. Visiting someone’s house frequently is equivalent to losing your self-worth. Perhaps because of his upbringing, I still make it a point to buy valuable gifts before visiting someone. Even a simple cup of tea at someone else's home feels like a burden to me. It seems like my father's voice follows me everywhere, reminding me of this lesson. Spending a night at anyone's house, aside from my parents, is the most uncomfortable thing for me. To this day, I haven’t been able to explain this to anyone. It feels like an intrinsic part of my nature. Meanwhile there’s a truth I’ve wrestled with, learned through more than a few bumps and bruises in life, and it’s this: opening your home to someone long-term (more than 2 weeks), no matter how much you love them, is a gamble you’ll almost always lose. I know the impulse well. That deep desire to help, to offer a safe haven to a friend in nee...

 Wise words from Anthony Hopkins: ′′Let go the people who are not prepared to love you. This is the hardest thing you will have to do in your life and it will also be the most important thing. Stop having hard conversations with people who don't want change. Stop showing up for people who have no interest in your presence. I know your instinct is to do everything to earn the appreciation of those around you, but it's a boost that steals your time, energy, mental and physical health. When you begin to fight for a life with joy, interest and commitment, not everyone will be ready to follow you in this place. This doesn't mean you need to change what you are, it means you should let go of the people who aren't ready to accompany you. If you are excluded, insulted, forgotten or ignored by the people you give your time to, you don't do yourself a favor by continuing to offer your energy and your life. The truth is that you are not for everyone and not everyone is for you...

سلام ہو اس بیٹی پر جس نے اپنے والدین کو بڑا ہونے میں مدد کی۔ ان کی سرد مہری کو قبول کیا، ان کے غصے کو معاف کیا، ان کی غلطیوں کو درگزر کیا، انہیں انسان بننا سکھایا۔  سلام ہو اس بہن پر جس نے بغاوت کی قیمت چکائی۔ پوری قوت سے چیخی، پتے کی طرح کانپی لیکن سر بلند کھڑی رہی، آمریت کو کبھی بھی بغیر لڑے جانے نہیں دیا، اپنے بہن بھائیوں کے لیے آسانی سے سانس لینے کا راستہ ہموار کیا۔   زندگی میں اپنا مقصد تلاش کرنے کے لیے بے چین، اپنے عقائد میں مضبوط، نسلوں اور نسلوں کی ثقافتی اقدار کی نفی کرنے والی۔   اس لڑکی پر جس نے اپنی ماں کے صدمے کو اپنے کندھوں پر اٹھایا۔ اسے اپنے اندر سمو لیا، خود کو اس رحم کی تصویر میں بدل لیا جس میں وہ کبھی رہتی تھی، خود کو ان مصیبتوں میں غرق کر لیا جو اس کی تھیں بھی نہیں، ان زخموں کو چھپایا جنہیں وہ پہچان بھی نہیں سکتی تھی۔  سلام ہو اس عورت پر جو یہ بھول گئی کہ وہ کون ہے۔ ہر کسی کی نجات دہندہ بننے کے لیے اتنی پرعزم، اپنے خاندان کو ٹھیک کرنے کے لیے، اپنے اردگرد کے ہر فرد کی پرورش اور محبت کرنے کے لیے۔ اتنی گہری کھوئی ہوئی کہ وہ بھول گئی کہ وہ بھ...

Have you ever noticed that when someone cannot confront their own faults, they make you the problem instead? It's easier for them to portray you as the villain than to face their mistakes or take responsibility for their failures & actions. By shifting the blame onto you, they create a convenient distraction from the truths they've been avoiding. Recently, a lifelong loser attempted to blame me for his dysfunctional relationship with his sister. Well, my dear, instead of blaming others, take a moment to reflect on your past and present. Your long history of affairs, your friendships, and your troubled relationship with your parents are prime examples of your personality. I don't remember finding myself in any of your dramas. But Yes, Meanwhile, you were wrapped up in your arrogance, intimidating others with your anger. I was focused on building my life and career, working hard to achieve what I have today. So, grow up and mature; try to accept your personal flaws instea...