Orribel Trust Cultural Show; an excellent one :)

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'Long Time Ago In Bethlehem'- Choir

Friday 7^th of December 2012 was definitely a special day for everyone who were present at the Methodist Memorial Church, situated in Moors Road, Wellawatte, as it was the Cultural Show of the students  of Orribel Trust,a school for children with special needs. The show was held in order to commemorate the schools’ 1^st year anniversary.

The theme of the show was “We Can do”, and the students DID prove that they can do and stand out extra special.

The Arabian Dance

The Chief guest for the evening was Mrs. Penny Jayawardhene, and the proceedings began with the lighting of the Lamp. The Chief guest was welcomed by Miss.Rizana, a student of the school, who also lit the lamp on behalf of the students.

Following this,3 students came on stage to welcome the audience in 3 languages, and next was the welcome dance by 2 female students, who performed a Bharatha natyam remembering the tough steps perfectly and impressed everyone.

The Show had varieties of performances, like dance for songs of different languages and styles, like “Nila Kaigiradhu’, ‘Punchi Babala’, ‘Tak gaanawa tik gaanwa’, ‘paayana ira’ & ‘The Finger song’, songs which most of us would have heard since our childhood.

'Tak gaanawa'- Sinhala Song

And other songs which had different themes, like ‘Kaalai Padai’ which was about the Army & Airforce, ‘Baby by Justin Bieber’, whick rocked the floor and it was amazing to see the kids dance, rap and some even do DJ actions to the song. And then ‘Fishermen folks’ which was regarding the fishing community.

'Fisherman Folks'

And 3 special eye-catching performances of the day, ‘The Work Out’ dance, which was similar to a drill display (The kids did the actions beautifully), ‘Snake Dance’ & ‘Arabian Dance’.

The Teachers also showed their dancing talents through the Teachers Dance, anyone would have easily guessed  after seeing this how the students performed so well.

This was followed by the Choir ‘Long time in Bethlehem’ which showed the story of Christmas.

Teachers' Dance

However, the specialty in all these performances was that the theme of the particular item/ performance was portrayed very well, and costumes were selected accordingly (here the own costumes of the students were mixed and matched, hence a very low cost had been spent by the parents for the costumes), and each and everything and everyone had been given special attention in order to make the performance perfect.

The show also had 3 other performances where three students Ifshan, Naflia & Ram described about ‘Myself’, ‘My School’ & ‘My Mother’ respectively.

Work out Dance

The students were very brave enough to act on stage, while most of us usually forget what we have to do and get tensed when we get on to the stage and see lights and audience, those barriers were nothing to these lovely kids, they were completely at ease with the Stage, Lights & Audience.

Dr.Latiff giving the speech of gratitude on behalf of Parents

Next in the Show were speeches of gratitude by Dr.Latiff & Mrs.Nisha on behalf of parents, and Mrs. Yashoda on behalf of the school.

Special thanks were given to the Teachers: Sudharshini, Priya, Udeni, Krishanthi & Maheshi for training the students in a very short period of time, Gayathri for Make-Up & Costumes, Suman & Sudha for Sounds  and Video, Rev.Jacob for the church and all others who helped including the Sponsors.

All their efforts together to bring the hidden talents of these kids made the evening successful and memorable in everyone’s hearts.

Kudos all of you….

And oh, I forgot to mention the decorations, awed, got all of us in to the festive mode with wreaths, X-mas trees & Snow man, plus last but not the least, Santa’s surprise visit to the kids.

And the show ended with the audience standing together with the students to sing the choir ‘We are one of you’ to show that they are indeed one of us, after all, we are all human beings,not any other more or lesser than that.

Anyhow the entire show was filled with Joy, Cheerfulness, Warmth and kept the audience and the student themselves well entertained.

Even few days after the show I realized how much the training for the show has influenced the students, after seeing my own little brother, a student of the school, dance and sing with the lyrics and steps for almost all the items performed, since the attendance to this school we kept seeing great improvements in my brother in a very short period.

‘If there is a will there is a way’, I wonder whether this mixed with love, affection & care is the secret formula used by the teachers to these students.

Orribel Trust & Its Teachers deserve something more than just appreciations, Kudos!!!!

(If anyone wishes to donate for the school, you may contact Priya- 0770780399)

History and Importance of the Month Of Muharram; Let us observe the fasts in this great month and be entitled to a great reward by Allah

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Introduction

With the sighting of the new moon the Islamic new year is ushered in.  The first month Muharram, is a month of great reward and virtue.  Muharram itself means `sacred' and is from those months which have been mentioned as sacred in the Holy Quraan.
 Almighty Allah states in the Holy Quraan:


"Four of them ( Zil-Qadah, Zil-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab) are sacred."

(Surah At-Tawbah:36)

Virtues

From out of the four sacred months, Muharram has been blessed with certain specific virtues:-
 The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:


"The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadhan is the fasting of Allah's month of Muharram."

(Muslim)

In another Hadeeth, Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) reports: "that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said: "The one that keeps a fast in the month of Muharram will receive the reward of thirty fasts for each fast (in this sacred month)."

(Tabraani)

Although the fasts of the month of Muharram are not obligatory, the one who fasts in these days out of his own will and choice is entitled to a great reward by Almighty Allah. The Hadith citied above signifies that the fasts of the month of Muharram are the most rewardable among the Nafl fasts i.e. the fasts one observes out of his own choice without being obligatory on him.

The Hadith does not mean that the reward promised for fasts of Muharram can only be attained by fasting for the whole month. On the contrary, each fast during this month has merit. Therefore, one should take advantage of this opportunity.

The Day of Aashora (10th Muharram)

Although the month of Muharram is a sacred month as a whole, the 10 th of Muharram is the most sacred among all its days. The day is named ‘Ashurah'.  It is one of the most important and blessed days of Allah in the Islamic calendar. 

According to the Holy companion, Ibn Abbas Radhiallaho Anhu, when the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam migrated to Madinah, he found that the Jews of Madinah used to fast on the 10 th day of Muharram. They said that it was the day on which the Holy Prophet Musa Alayhis Salaam and his followers crossed the Red Sea miraculously, and the Pharaoh was drowned in its water.

 On hearing this from the Jews, the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “We are more closely related to Musa than you.

” So the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam directed the Muslims to fast on the day of Ashura. (Abu Dawood)

According to another Hadith, it is more advisable that the fast of Ashura should be either preceeded or suceded by an additional fast. It means that one should fast two days: the 9 th and 10 th of Muharram or the 10 th and 11 th . 

The reason of this additional fast as mentioned by the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam is that the Jews used to fast on the day of Ashura alone, and the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam wanted to distinguish the Islmaic-way of fasting from that of the Jews. Therefore, he advised the Muslims to add another fast to the day of Ashura.

Some Ulama (scholars) are of the opinion that before the fasts of Ramadhan were made compulsory, the fast of the day of Aashora was compulsory upon the Ummah.
This is stated in a Hadeeth reported by Hazrat Aisha (Radhiyallahu-Anha):


"that the Holy Prophet Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) ordered the observance of the fast of Aashora.  However, when the fast of Ramadhan became compulsory, then whosoever wished, kept this fast and whosoever desired did not observe this fast."

(Bukhari)

  But, nevertheless the Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) continued to fast this day and encouraged his Companions to do the same.

Recommended deeds on the day of Aashora

 The Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) has exhorted and encouraged his Ummah to fast on this day. He said:


"This fast is a compensation for the (minor) sins of the past year."

(Muslim)

  One should also observe the fast of the 9th Muharram to safeguard his deed from resemblance with the Non-Muslims who fast only on the 10th Muharram. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radhiyallahu-Anhu) said:


"When Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) observed the fast of the day of Aashora and ordered (his Companions) to fast, they said: `O Rasulullah! It is a day revered (glorified) by the Jews and Christians.'    Thereupon Rasulullah said: "The coming year, if Allah wills (I remain alive), I will for surely fast on the ninth (also)."

(Muslim)

  These hadeeth indicate clearly that one should fast on the ninth and tenth of Muharram. However, if one does not manage to fast on the ninth, then he/she should fast on the eleventh of Muharram instead.

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:


"Observe the fast of Aashora and oppose the Jews.  Fast a day before it or a day after."

(Baihaqi)

  Hence, it is important to either fast on the ninth and the tenth or the tenth and the eleventh of Muharram.  To fast only on the day of Aashora is Makrooh as stated by Allamah Ibn Aabideen Shaami.

One should be generous on one's family and dependants and spend more on them than what is normally spent. 

Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) said:

"One who generously spends on his family on the day of Aashora, Allah will increase (his provision) for the whole year." (Baihaqi)

 These are the only actions supported by Ahadeeth.

Let us observe this great day according to the ways of Rasulullah (Sallallahu-Alayhi-Wasallam) and the Sahabah (Radhiyallahu-Anhum), and refrain from all innovations which deprive us of the blessings from Almighty Allah.

May Allah guide us all upon the Straight Path and save us from every act which brings His displeasure.                                                                                       (Source: www.inter-islam.org)

Lets Be Aware of Our Self & Achieve Success and Happines in Life

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Yesterday I was updating the following words as a status for my FB account,

"Take time to become more self aware and use this learning to be kinder to both yourself and to others,In this way,your inner angst is being dealt with rather than fueling your need to project the hurt and pain"

Then at that moment I felt that I should write a few words about how to become self aware,though I had the basic idea,I wanted to make sure I was right,so got some points from the Internet as well,Is it wrong in getting a few points from around and writing an article when It can be useful to others??? Look at the fact,not the source,so given below are points on how to become self aware,partially from the internet & my own explanation as well :),Its easy if I copy paste,but no,I typed them,because that's when my own ideas & words flow freely ;)

How to become self-aware? 

"We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoys' fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, under him the whole time. Your treasure-your perfection- is within you already,but to claim it,you must leave the buy commotion of the mind and abondon the desires of the ego and enter into the silence of the heart" says Elizabeth Gilbert, an American author.

So,What's Self awareness?

Self-awareness is having a clear view about your personality,i.e including your Strengths,Weaknesses,Thoughts (their positivity),Beliefs, Motivations (things that motivate you), Diversion (what diverts you) and emotions (how strong your emotions are and their impact on your path to success).

Why develop self awareness?

01. To make changes in your thoughts ie to reduce thinking pessimistically;

02. To make changes in the interpretations made in your mind,it will allow you to change your emotions,which is one of the attributes of Emotional Intelligence in the path of success;

03. To make our lives happy which will in turn make others lives happy. 

Self awareness as the basic step

Self awareness is the first step to create what you want and who you are in life.

Your thoughts,aims,places you focus your attention,your emotions,your reaction to your own emotions and others emotions,your personality portrayed through it and your behaviour determine where you go in life.

Always remember that your thoughts helps you to build your personality,and your emotions which are sudden and unexpected due to some particular situation can destroy the Image created by our thoughts and thus creates a new image which would be unconvincing.

Self-awareness to build your personality

Importance of Self awareness:

• It can make you see where your thoughts and emotions take you and what others think of you,it creates a positive social background.

• It can help allow you to see the control of your emotions,words,behaviours due to your emotion & then finally your personality as a result of your behaviours.

So the base of self awareness is having control over your thoughts,emotions and words which are the outcome of one another!

How to be Self aware?

Identify your capacity to understand and control your emotions,especially Anger.

Change the way you think, think positive,be ego free,be the 1st to compromise, these will reduce the strength of your emotions like anger.

If you are in anger with some one don't talk with them for a while, just relax for 10 minutes, if on the phone tell you will call back,but tell it in a calm tone. If not on the phone,go away from the person for a few minutes,make sure your words or actions won't make the other angry or hurt.

Later come back and explain the other the reason for you to be angry and say sorry if you had hurt,and speak out things slowly and calmly,the other person will definetely understand you,and I'm sure the other will also try the same method when he/she is angry.

Here you are creating your personality as well as many others'. So make the change in you,others will change too,you will have the ultimate satisfaction of your actions.

Until you are aware in the moment of the controls to your thoughts,emotions and words,it will be difficult to make changes in the direction of your life,which is essential for success and happiness in your life.

Anything Is Possible, Learn to extract the good out of the bad

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Yes,as the title suggests,Anything is Possible,that is,Nothing is Impossible for us to do,it all depends on our thoughts, the way we see things.

Many of us still neglect certain tasks with the thought that we cannot do it, and we depend on someone else to get the particular task done,and there you realize your potential when that someone refuses the particular task, most probably all of us will get pissed off when someone refuses something,and that anger within gives you a sudden courage which makes you do the task perfectly & to your own surprise,QUICKLY!!!

This also applies in cases of misconceptions, for example, We are afraid to enter a particular place because there is a misconception within others (which makes us believe that too) that there are evil spirits or negative energies in that place which prevents us from taking further steps,but at one point,if someone else makes fun of you being a coward, again there comes a courage within you wanting to prove that you really are not and that you have the potential to enter the so called place,and you do go to the place & even stay alone there for hours.


See this quote; "When you say, "I can't" and expect the worst, you become weak and unhappy.
When you say "I can", and expect success, you fill yourself with confidence and happiness"

So,all it takes for these to happen is an external force,a negative force,to make you absorb the positivity present in the negative & your own positive thoughts as well.

If looked in the perspective of a physics student,the above lines may make no sense at all,but all what I need to say is try to extract the good out of a bad,no matter what the situation is,think positive,it gives you all the courage,self-confidence & finally yes,ultimate happiness and satisfaction.

So next time when some one makes fun of you or refuses to do a certain job,or if something goes wrong around you,just relax, don't be angry or frustrated, and think about the goodness in whatever happened, take the courage to show the world who you are.